Happy Pentecost!

The feast day of the coming of the holy spirits!

A significant event in the church; the feast of Pentecost is a symbol of the unity borne by the church.
The church was born to be universal, for the Spirit brings all the scattered people to unity.

I shall do a quick post on the significance and the details of this feast day in my Starry Starry blog soon...

May everyone be filled with the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit, and be blessed to do God's will!~

Happy Feast Day folks~

Nostalgic!

It was a rather last minute thing when I was notified of that meeting
I was happy and yet, I was anxious in anticipation of that old feeling when I step into that place

I'd never have thought that I'd be going back after I left
It was a place that I will always have fond memories of

A place which brought back all the good things and my excitement in those days
The first place which brought me to Penang three lovely years ago

As I turned at the bend into that old familiar road, I was suddenly consumed by the familiar feeling and that sense of belonging as I cocked my head to the right to have a good look at the huge white building (of course, keeping my eyes on the car in front as well)

I turned and I spotted a familiar little Myvi
Haha....my friend, and I bet she's still half-asleep as she didn't even realize that she met with my car right at the intersection of the junction
And as I followed her, I even flashed my lights at her but she just drove without any form of awareness that I was right behind her

I drove straight, and arrived at the little roundabout
SIGH
This time, as I drive through the guardpost, I had to tell them where I was heading to
I used to just have to flash my badge and the guard will already wave me in
Times have changed...and I really missed that

I found my parking space and that whole building where I first submitted my documents and attended my first week of orientation and trainings had not changed one bit
In fact, the security guard was the same as three years ago; that same Indian guy whom I passed my documents to!

I walked into the building and again, I felt overwhelmed with that familiar and nostalgic feeling that I am back home again
I turned my head to look around at all the rooms and also the long desks in the mini library

I felt slightly emotional
I knew I missed this place, and the company
But I didn't guess that I missed it this much
It's like it never left my memory after all
It's like your first love
It will always be there
A special spot in your heart

I just realized that I never got over it
I just missed working there so much
I felt like I belonged there
It's like my second home
My family

Call me crazy, but somehow, it's just this inexplicable feeling and emotion I felt towards this place
It's strong and it will always be there
I don't think there will be anywhere else which will be the same or can replace it in my eyes/heart
Perhaps I have grown too fond of it

It was a tough decision last year when I moved on, knowing very well that I had to see the outside world
However, it was a struggle when I was in between the decision of leaving and staying
And I never did go by one day without being proud that I used to come from here
Every time I speak of this place, it is of utmost pride, joy and belonging

I missed you dearly, and I really do
There will be another one like you

I still remember clearly my first day here
And how I was so excited when I parked my car
And walked into the rooms for my orientation and briefing sessions and making new friends
I remembered going through the talk sessions and having all those buddy lunches
Then I was showed around the campus by my seniors and bosses
Before being shipped 'oversea' to the other campus; the one where I was supposedly based for the next 2 years

I remembered queuing up to have my photo taken for my new badge
I remembered enjoying that subsidy for lunch and sitting at those long tables chatting with my friends in front of me and smiling at others

I used to go to work really early
And set up my laptop and the speaker and phone to get ready to call into meeting with the US counterparts
I loved tapping away at the keyboard the whole day and sending out all the information
I love the meetings I've had and the system that keeps everything at bay

I missed my good ol' cube and my whiteboard on which I scribble stuffs and decorate it with drawings during each festive season (particularly those that I adore)
I missed my telephone which was the only one that was different from the rest of my colleagues'
I missed that constant reminder from the Outlook on the upcoming meeting in 15 minutes time and how restless I was to get ready to go into the conference room

I missed sending out all the fun emails and joining in all the fun-filled activities
I missed all the times I had so much fun, participating in the efforts of making it a great place to work
People come and people go
But I still missed it

I missed all the great colleagues, the wonderful friends I've made along the way
I missed my fun friends, whom I am still keeping in touch but I do miss those sunny days when we used to hover and crack our heads to think of an activity for the department
I missed that blue t-shirt and the weekends when I would be doing something meaningful and for a cause with a bunch of other volunteers
I missed hosting the events in the department and speaking to all the lovely people around

I missed EVERYTHING!

It was with a heavy heart I left last year
And as I walked out of the building, I drove by ever so slowly to take a good look and a glance at the tennis court, the gym and the huge carpark overlooking the highway

I will always miss you....

Barcelona beat Man-U!

I know I am one day late in this post...
But Barcelona beat Man U in the match..

Barcelona has knocked the red devils out this round

But Man U is always full of glory, aren't they?
And You'll NEVER walk alone!

Almost HIT...BUS!

It was a terrifying experience I had yesterday...and I could barely hear myself speak much as a squeak

I was in such a state of shock as I stammer these words, in an incoherent manner

I almost got HIT....by a BIG BUS!

And it was nothing pleasant which I want to hold in my memory.

I barely remembered the details, but I know I was driving along the leftmost lane, ready to turn left after the traffic lights and there was a car in front of me which turned on its signal to turn right before me.
The minute the car in front of me turned, I realized too late that there was a MPV vehicle parked on the side of my road therefore blocking my way and I had to turn on my own right signal to move into the next lane on my right.

It was a busy hour and traffic was brisk, therefore you can guess that nobody is ready to give way to this pathetic car stuck behind a stationary vehicle on her lane.
They must be laughing at me, "How silly of her to follow so closely and not to turn out at the slightest possibility"

Or they could be like me, wondering what on earth is that vehicle parked there right on the main road; a road which is so busy with traffic.

Well, as I waited patiently; craning my neck to see through my right rear mirror whether there is any kind Samaritan, I had to sigh a couple of times and wondered at how long am I going to be stuck there.

Just then, there was a big yellow bus (something like a school bus used to bring us on our school excursions when we were kids) behind me, driving at a very slow pace.
He suddenly honked and through my rear mirror, I saw that he was flashing the lights at my car.

Thinking that it was his signal to let me go and also judging from his distance, he is definitely giving way, I pushed my gear into Drive and edged my way to the right.

Wrong move!!
I didn't guess that the bus would move forward and he honked at me again and then I heard his vehicle screeched to a halt.
I braked in time too, and I saw a Myvi behind the bus slowed down, as if anticipating what is happening next.

The bus started to move again; as I held my breath and he was driving slowly.
I drove slowly too, as the Myvi beckoned to me to move and I slowly edged my car out from the left lane, this time with much more confidence.

The bus was still really slow, and I was worried whether he was waiting to see whether he can get a good look at me.
I drove slowly and faster made my way back into the left lane and turned hastily, out of the bus's view.

I felt myself shaking, in shock as I couldn't believe what just happened.

I am sorry, big yellow bus, I didn't know whether you were giving way or not
I am sorry for the screeching halt
At least there is no damage on both side

I still can't believe it...
I almost got HIT, on my driver's side, by the BIG YELLOW BUS!

Haze is back..and sinus pains too~

I've already been having those 'headaches' again since Saturday night and Sunday, it was throbbing slightly.

It didn't take me long to wake up to the culprit, HAZE on Monday morning.
Sighs, as if the A H1N1 virus is not bad enough

This is so not much of a comfort to our worries
It could cause a widespread of cough, flu, and sore throat....

As for me, it means nose allergies and skin irritation as well.
Oh bother, sinus pains around my forehead...it's just killing me sometimes...

I was driving along the bridge yesterday morning when I saw the shrouded clouds


It wasn't easy to take these pics...haha, don't snap and drive!

I hope everyone will take extra precaution and take good care to avoid falling prey to this old foe..

P.S: I hate it when it's durian season too! The pungent smell...everywhere!

The part where we have FRIENDS...

Recently I've been catching up with lots of friends...first my KL friends who decided to spend their Labor Day up here in Penang and made me miss them the entire week after.

Then there's a good old friend whom I am often chided for giving rain checks most (not ALL) of the time for dinners.

And also a bunch of cool friends whom I used to hang out with; a big bunch and a small bunch of girlie-sisters who are my shopping and chatting companions.

Oh, of course, great (noticed I didn't use good but great) old bestie!
It's been great, talking and chatting on different topics with different groups of people and having a good laugh! (in reality, not laughing at those cold, corny jokes by the characters in the movie/series I watch)

It reminds me of how lucky that we have friends
People who are just there to keep you sane (or insane) and people who are just like you, having fun and no harm intended; in contrast to some cruel and back-stabbing people on the other side of the world.

Bless these great friends I have; and I know there are still lots more out there...whom I may have missed out or probably mulling at the number of rain checks I have showered upon them as well...LOL!

This is not a Friendship Day post; I am not going to get all emo and corny; by saying things that will send goosebumps all over your back and hands but I am just glad to say that, amidst all that grostheque-looking and serpent-like creatures in disguise out there (sometimes), it is a real comfort to find that you have people in your lives whom you can have a cup of tea with (not sharing the saliva part; OCD alert) and chat and giggle.

Girl friends are best to cuddle and snuggle up to; or cry on when you are sick/tired/lonely/disappointed/depressed
They are also great when you whisper excitedly and animatedly about some naughthy things that you've heard and shouldn't have, but have conveniently shared with each other and reminding each other not to spill the beans
They are also there for you to scream in your high-pitched shrill voice when you want to tell them something you are so HAPPY/excited about and end up screaming and jumping up and down with you
They are also the best when you are just so annoyed and just want to bitch about all sorts of stuffs, and complain and rant about how everyone treats you like crap and how you are the victim
They are definitely the BEST when it comes to bashing up ex-boyfriends and jerks and rats in guys who are not appreciative of the great girls in us

Guy friends, on the other hand are also great to keep you on your toes
To remind you that not all guys are this bad in the world
To warn you of the consequences when you plan revenge and to teach you the best strategies in getting back at a guy
To tell you off when they have their PMS mood; right in your face that you're annoying them with your shrill-like voice
To tell you all the crazy jokes and guy stuffs which makes you laugh and want to throw up at the same time
To try to play pranks on you and end up suffering for the rest of their lives as you will constantly remind them and make them feel revolted at themselves and what they have done (we shall be really pitiful and show you that "what-have-you-done" to me face everytime we see you)
To be your portal to remind of punctuality and all the other elements that you can rant about why guys are like that, etc
To threaten you that "if you were a guy (or if you didn't have such a pretty face), I'd have punched you right in the face" when you annoyed them; and yet knowing that they never will...(haha, coz they are chickens! just kidding!)


This is to ALL my friends; whether you are a guy or a girl, a man or a woman, a gay or a lesbian; whatever and whoever you are, thanks for putting up with me and keeping me sane or perhaps insane to this point that I am thanking you for it.
Without you guys/gals, I'd probably have been better in my judgement and more sensible in making decisions...ahahaha....and of course, I'd never have the courage to tell some people off in my life where they are unwanted.


CHEERS for those friends we have in our LIVES!

Twisties in ROOM!

I don't know how to say this
I shouldn't...

But I accidentally
And my eyes spotted them on the tray

Tucked away on the tier-trays beside the bed
there were tons of them
an army of them
ranging from different brands
Twisties was the one I remembered

Oh my, is this for real
tell me I didn't just see that
I feel guilty
I shouldn't have turned my head

Is it wrong to have accidentally peeked into the room
And saw those trays
Can I control my imagination or my wild thoughts after seeing that?
It's my wrong
I really shouldn't have looked there

I should've just focused and open my own door
Put my bag down and read my book

And continue with my daily routine like usual
And not be bugged by the disturbing image of those junkies tucked away there

But then again, had I not
Will I then know
that this is true
It is the reality

That my housemate is a JUNKIE!
and she keeps her junks in her room!!

I want the Coffee Bean!

I have something very interesting to share today; hope it is motivational and enjoyable..because I know I did enjoy it so much that I have decided to take some time and effort to share this *smiles*

Let's begin the story with the introduction of our cast:
The Carrot, the Eggs and the coffee bean




Now, we put three pots of water over the fire


In the first pot, put in the carrots


In the second pot, put some eggs


In the third, you guessed it; put in the coffee bean (which have been grounded into coffee powder)


Boil all the three pots for 15 minutes and then, take out whatever that you have put in earlier.

Observation 1:
The carrots went in hard, they are now soft


Observation 2:
The eggs went in soft on the inside and now, they are hard inside


Observation 3:
The coffee powder has disappeared


But the water, on the other hand has the color and the wonderful scent of coffee (think freshly-brewed coffee!)


Now, after doing that ridiculous experiment and having your observations, take a moment and think of life in general

Life is not always easy
Life is not always comfortable
Sometimes, even, life is very hard


Things don't happen when we wish
People don't treat us like we hope

We work very hard but get not much of a result
What happens when we face difficulties?

Now think and relate back to the pots we have just now


The boiling water is like the problems we faced in life

We can be like the carrots


We go in touch and strong


We come out soft and weak


We get very tired
We lose hope
We give up

There is NO MORE fighting spirit...

So, DON'T BE LIKE THE CARROTS!

We can be like the eggs


We start with a soft and sensitive heart


We end up very hard and unfeeling inside


We hate others
We don't like ourselves

We become hard-hearted (heartless)
There is no warm feeling, only bitterness

So, DON'T BE LIKE THE EGGS!

We can be like the Coffee Bean


The water does not change the coffee powder
The coffee powder changes the water!!


The water has become different because of the coffee powder

See it, smell it, drink it

The hotter the water, the better the taste!

We can be like the coffee beans



We make something good from the difficulties we face
We learn new things

We have new knowledge, new skills, new abilities


We grow in experience


We make the world around us better


To succeed, we must try.... and try again
We must believe in what we are doing
We must not give up
We must be patient
We must keep pushing


Problems and difficulties give us the chance to become stronger...and better...and tougher


Ask yourself this

What are we like when things do not go well?

Are we like the carrot?


or the eggs...


or the coffee bean?


Let's ALL be like the coffee bean!!

And live happily ever after!!
*BIG SMILE ON FACE*

Is this the water for shower?

I was up early and was looking forward to an early, refreshing and invigorating shower and guess what, this is what I see from the shower..

Observe the color of the water


I thought it was for a while, and then 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes....it's still like yellow


This is the water still running from the hose and it's still looking all rusty and yellow!!...Or was it brown?


Is it me or is the water getting more and more murky?

Yeah, murky is definitely the word...I waited a whole 1 hour++ before I was confident enough to step into bath.
I am not sure what is wrong with the water here in Penang, it often springs surprises like this on you...

Well, I was horrified, terrified, traumatized, agonized, shocked, whatever....that I had to think twice of stepping into the bath that morning...

Now, TGIF was not really applicable...haha, on a happy cheery Friday morning like that one...
I can't believe that's the water used on your hair, body, face....YOWL! Get that out of my face....it can cause zits!

Crazy crazy Weather

The weather is really crazy these days

Suddenly it rains and then it stops
Then it shines so brightly
Then it loses that shine
And clouds come in temporarily
and then sun comes in again
Clouds are gone with the wind
But was there wind?

Then in the midst of the HOT sun
It RAINS!
How bizarre

Then the rain stops
It gets humid
Hot
then sun
then wind
then all gone with the wind
which probably didn't even exist in the first place

I guess the weather up here in the north is still much better than what we have in KL
It's so much hotter there
It's like a desert
Oh my...
the ASEAN countries are already convening on the possibilities of haze making the yearly comeback earlier this year
because of the dry dry dry weather

Have I mentioned how much I hate hot and dry weather?

I really love waking to the sound of rain every night recently; and I don't want to jinx it

I am really crapping in my blog, and it's all the fault of the crazy crazy weather

(I am going to post on my Penang tour guide job to my friends very very soon)

Long weekend again~!

I can sniff it in the air...what's that?
It's holiday time again...

Of course, we are not talking about summer vacation or a really long break; which is something we won't get since we have left the realms of school or university, and we are pathetically looking forward to the long weekends which actually only entails to an extra day off (either Monday or Friday) and we would rub our hands in glee to welcome its royal coming, something we used to scratch our heads and laugh with scorn at working people when we were back there in school.

How pathetic have we become...now we are the ones waiting in anxious anticipation for these extra-one-day weekend and we are already so happy we could actually sing songs of praises or thinking of throwing a major parade in town.
It really takes a long way to come to this pathetic conclusion, which I personally hope that the rest of the future generation shall find something else to rejoice in rather than an extra day which practically makes no difference.

Come 5 o' clock, and BAM! Reality sinks in as you know that's the end of that additional day, and time to get ready to go to work tomorrow...

Sighs, what sad lives we working people lead huh?

But anyway, this is not supposed to be a mourning or how-pathetic-we-have-become post, because no matter how true the above is, just count me in, because I just have been comfortably absorbed into the pathetic group and I do adore, worship even these 3-day weekends because it is just a nice break and relief from the crazy working schedules I face everyday.

So, to all the peeps out there, enjoy enjoy enjoy...
Even if you're not working yet and happen to think I am pathetic, well, find comfort in the fact that you will be one of us one day...
So embrace yourself to prepare for that fact...
And I look forward to welcome you in our group which is ever growing...


HAPPY WESAK DAY to the Buddhists and a happy happy weekend to everyone else =)

Enjoy, because the last I checked, the next long weekend will be in June to commemorate our ruler's birthday!

There is a Lie within Belief/Believe

Did you notice that "Lie" lies within the word "Believe"?

A friend of mine pointed it out to me some time ago and I find it really fascinating; an annotation that is so obvious yet dismissed by all.

Is there a lie when we believe?
How often have we found ourselves believing in someone/something only to find out in the end that it was all just a lie?
There was never a word of truth in it

How many times has someone told you to believe in him/her only to realize that he was lying from the very first point he told you to believe in him?

I find this annotation so frighteningly and interestingly accurate.

I have found that believing can often lead you to further disappointments; and it's so funny that when we find it so hard to believe and yet when we really do believe in one, it turns out to be a lie.

It's sad, ain't it?

Not everyone is so believing; and for me, sometimes I do take time to trust and believe in someone
It takes a great deal of time and commitment before you can say you believe another person

Yet, when you have started to believe and you WANT to believe
the lie appears blatantly, just staring at you in the face
and you still deny that it is a lie
and continue to believe
In the end, we are bound to get ourselves hurt

It can't be helped I guess
When we believe, we have to accept the lie that comes with it

But why is it so hard for people to prove that we can truly believe/trust in them?
I do not want to lie..
It's hard to lie

I want to believe
But you have to MAKE me believe...

Cold, rainy weather

It's been raining for the past few days here in Penang, such lovely weather (besides the getting wet part, which I am not so keen)

It's really such a wonderful weather that you just want to curl under the sheets and read a really good book!
Awww...such bliss.....I am into this dreamy rainy weather...

Only thing is, it's really COLD.....

From the place where I stay, I can see the misty clouds and the gloomy skies so clearly since there was this huge mountain behind me

It rained so heavily yesterday; even the windows were banging...it's like typhoon in Malaysia now...scary!!!

I still love the rain, hope it will continue to rain, but not too much lar, don't want the floods to affect other unfortunate people *peace*