It's Friday.  Another week comes to a close to make way for a new week. 

Before entering a new week, I think back to what I'm thankful for this week.  

1.  I'm thankful for my students.  Though sometimes they may disappoint you, you just have to make sure you are ever patient with them.  In teaching, your students learn from you and at the same time, you also learn from them.  It just warms up my heart to see a child learn something new and being very inquisitive about it.  Kids. :D  

2.  I'm thankful that I get to know and feel how difficult it is for the people who heavily rely on their crops to survive.  (Planting corn on a hill under blistering heat is definitely not an easy task.)

Of course there are a lot more to be thankful of, I just thought of sharing those two. 

~~~

Have a nice long weekend for those of you who are working.  Be safe on the road. :D

Happy Chinese New Year!

This song

I heard this song from Amy's blog.  

This song just simply touches my heart.  The lyrics, the music, everything about it.  

I guess there are people who go through a phase in their lives where they drift away from God for a while.  I know I have gone through that phase, and am slowly working on renewing and improving my personal relationship with Him. It does feel good to know that there is Someone who loves us unconditionally, no matter what we did.  

Have a pleasant weekend, people. 

I'm glad I got to know these two people.  They were the ones who made my stay a fun and memorable one, full of laughter!  

I miss them. 

Looking forward to spend a day with them soon. 

I said I'll have a great weekend, and I DID! 

Pulau Mamutik

Vuja, it was really fun to have you here! Come again okay, and we shall have the roti canai that we still owe you. :D

It's Friday.  

Will be back next week. 

Happy Sabbath!

O.T.

It's 5.29 and I'm still at my brother's shop.  Now, who goes to work from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.?  I have been here for 10 hours.  Can't leave just yet, there is till one person on the computer and his time ends at 5.43.  Hmm. 

I should get paid for the long hours I spend here. 

And I will. :P

Trust

Sometimes I wonder, when someone says "I trust you", do they really mean it? Or when I say that to someone, do I really believe the words that come out of my mouth? Hmm.  

I trusted that someone I was in a relationship with.  He broke my trust once.  Although we patched things up and got back together for another 2 years, things were not the same, so it ended...again.  This time, maybe for good.  

Friends.  In my 22 years of life, I've had some trust issues with my friends, but nothing so severe. However, one did almost ruin the friendship that we had.  Almost.  

Last night, it got me thinking.  I was all alone at home, and it was dark.  As I was lying on my bed, waiting for the electricity to return, I decided to have a conversation with Him. About trust, of course.  It turned out to be a good conversation because when the electricity returned, I felt a strange (in a good way) feeling of peace.  If there's anybody I can fully put my trust on, it's Him.  I say that because throughout my 22 years of life, He has proved to me over and over again that I can count on Him.  

Just a thought.  

~~~ 

On the other hand, another house has been licked by fire last night.  I didn't realize a house was on fire, until my brother smsed me all the way from Kota Marudu to check whether that house is anywhere near our house.  I had a look out of the window and it was dark everywhere.  No people screaming.  No noise outside.  Quiet.  So, I smsed him and told him no house was burning.  

A few minutes after that, I got a call from my best friend asking me whether there was a house burning because she could see fire from where she lived.  I decided to go for a drive.  Indeed, there was a house on fire probably about 500 metres from our house.  There were many cars parked on the roadside so I didn't stop. I only managed to snap this picture while driving slowly. 

Took it with my phone from a distance.  Night + phone camera + 100 metres, not exactly a perfect combination for a clear picture.  

My heart goes to the unfortunate family.  Heard it was a teacher's house.  This is the second building burned to ashes in less than a month.  

~~~

Tomorrow is Friday.  I've been looking forward to this particular weekend since last year! Hopefully, it will be a blast.  No.  I know it WILL be a great weekend!!! :D You'll just have to wait and see why. Hihihihi! :P

Whateverness

I'm unemployed and that gives an excuse for my mom and brother to ask me to be in I.T.I.K Productions from morning till evening.  I do like it, sometimes.  I can access the internet for free.  I can photocopy things for free.  I can print for free.  Well actually, I'm just assuming it's free. Haha! 

It's not entirely boring having to be here the whole day.  I get to see people of different ages coming in here.  

A few weeks ago, there were a few orang-orang tua coming in here.  One of the conversations with one of them was:

Orang tua: Haro poki'renew' hiti'd dih?

Me: Nu hoi? Poki'renew'?(I have never heard that word being used here.)

Orang tua: Oh...poki'renew' ku daa iti diaa boh(showing his IC to me).

Me: Ohh..moki'photocopy' ko'd ti dia?

Orang tua: Oo daa...

New vocabulary learned.  When they say 'renew', it means 'photocopy'. 

And then....just a few minutes ago, this guy came in.  I assumed he's probably still in high school. I was busy on my laptop, and he was asking a question.

Boy: boleh main game kah ni, auntie?

Me: boleh.

Then, I realised what he said. Chisssssssssssss.....I'm just a little older than him. Kurang asem betul.  Haha!

I wonder what else will entertain me next. 

This year, I'm looking forward...

... to spend more time with family and friends

... to travel more

... to continue my studies

... to putting more time in practicing the violin and piano

... to renew commitments

... to explore the city (not that it's a big city, but i've never really familiarized myself with the city even though I've worked there for 11 months)

... to climb Mt. Kinabalu 

... to learn how to bake 

... to eat healthy

I'm also anticipating the start of American Idol Season 8.  Just looking for things to entertain myself.  

Oh, and I'm so looking forward for the weekend to arrive! :D

This year has been a good one for me.  

Tonight, as I await the clock to strike midnight, I shall be contemplating on everything -good or bad- that have happened to me this year.  This year is rated among the best of my 22 years of existence.  I once thought that life after college would suck for me, but I have come to realize that it's just another phase in my life that I have to go through.  And this year has proved to me that it's not that bad to be in the 'real' world. 

Next year, things will be different.  

This is my last post for 2008.  So, HAPPY NEW YEAR to all! :D

Won't be blogging for a few days. 

Family gathering. Friends. Engagement. Parties. 

These will keep me away from staring at the computer for a few days.

A song for today - "It's About The Cross" 

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

Enjoy the remaining days of 2008...

A letter from Santa

I was looking through some of my stuffs from when I was a kid and came across the letter my brother and I received from Santa. 

I don't believe in Santa Claus.  Wait...maybe when I was a kid, I did. Because I remembered I was really excited to receive the letter! 

Here it is...

The letter goes like this:

Dear Juji & Julie,

You can hardly imagine how pleased I am to write to you and all my other good friends. Every evening when my little helpers have fallen asleep, tired after making so many Christmas gifts, I sit down in my rocking chair and think nice and happy thoughts.  That's because I believe that kind thoughts will always reach the person one thinks of.

Every now and then I throw a glance through my frost-covered window out to Christmasland to admire the Finnish Lapland and the starlit night sky where the Northern lights dance in all the colors of the rainbow.  Only wolves, bears, hares and other arctic animals wander about in the mountains.  Otherwise the stillness is complete.  That's the stillness people travel long ways to hear, often from the other ends of the Earth.  Yes indeed, you can hear the stillness.

Did you actually know that my home is in Korvatunturi, which really is a mountain in the shape of an ear.  That is why I hear the voices of all the world's children and grown-ups, both the happy laughter and the small whinings.  I also have an enormous horn that I place on my ear to hear everything, even your voice.  Wait a second, what was it you said right now...?

Try to guess how many baby gnomes were born here in Korvatunturi this year.  As many as five newborn, tiny gnomes are rocking in their cradles in Santa's Nursery inside the mountain.  

Soon it will be dawn and I and my helpers must again start packing gifts for the sleigh drawn by Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer.  But I think that we can agree already here and now that we'll together bring the Christmas light to the hearts of all people, and when we meet let's embrace each other as old friends. 

Don't forget that you are always welcome to visit me and Santa's Post Office here at the Polar Circle to see how we answer the countless letters we receive from all around the world.

Happy Christmas to you and your beloved ones.

Santa Claus

I had an uncle who stayed with us for a few years after he returned from the U.S.  His work at that time required him to travel to different countries.  And once, it brought him to Finland.  I don't exactly remember when I found out that he was the one who did it - I mean, he was not the one who wrote it but I guess there's a place in Finland where one can request "Santa Claus" to write letters to their children.  I don't even know whether "Korvatunturi" really is a mountain in the shape of an ear. It probably is. 

-------

Anyway.

I love it when this time of the year comes around.  This is when the family would hold gatherings and reunions.  This is when I get to travel around with my family and just enjoy being together.  That is what I love about Christmas and I enjoy Christmas the most when I'm at home.  I did enjoy the two Christmases I had in Thailand, maybe partly because of the weather.  But MC had interesting Christmas programs planned out too and though I was not home with my family, I was spending Christmas with my college family. :)

The month of December this year will be packed with family gatherings, possibly a reunion with good friends from high school, traveling, parties and gaining weight.  

So, here I am wishing that you have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are!

I had a really nice weekend with my childhood friends.  Whenever we get together, there's no surprise how loud we can get. Sometimes we laugh over nothing funny at all.  It's embarrassing, but that's just...us. 

Friday night after vespers...

adieu, straight hair...

Then on Saturday we went to Dantai beach.  We took pictures (as usual) and even played king-king (hopscotch).  It was Lem's idea.  We ended up walking towards the right end of the beach, drew the squares on the sand and actually had a good time playing! :D 

anak-anak gembira...

friends...

Last night was also a good one.  11 of us went out to eat at a restaurant in 1Borneo. 

I was so surprised to see the 'pla krapong' dish inside! didn't get to taste it though because the price was just ... hmm!

On our way back, we decided to stop by Jesselton Point to chit chat and have a drink.  I was so disappointed because they ran out of avocados! So I opted for carrot juice. Not bad, but I still wished they had avocados...

And today...I'm stuck in my brother's shop.  It's raining outside and all I'm thinking of at the moment is my bed at home.  I just want to lie down and sleep right now.  

ZZZzzzz.....

I'm home.  Back to the usual routine of life at home. 

It was a fun trip, and I hope to do that again sometime soon. 

On the other hand, I'm happy because I am liking how my hair looks now! Just the way I like it, not small ones, but big ones! Never mind the cost and time, as long as I'm happy with the result. *grins widely

Okay, it's almost midnight. 

I don't want to be left alone here, so have a good night people!

Another farewell...

I tried to spend as much time outside as possible today...

The morning began with a series of unfortunate events...actually only an unfortunate event in which I refuse to elaborate further because of the extreme embarrassment it caused.   Then we had pad pak, ka pao ghai and tom yam ghai for brunch at New Zealand, and later went to the cafe to accompany D for her lunch.  Oh, I also did a stupid thing and totally regretted doing it.  

Anyway.

Today...

Met with one of my favourite teachers, Mrs. Nebres.  Had a little chat about our lives as teachers - she shared some insightful thoughts about being a teacher and how to handle the students.  :D

Stopped by Julie's office too! :D

Auntie Ritha and family brought us out to dinner in Texas.  Had a good meal! 

It felt really good to be back in MC.  I still feel closely connected to this place.  Being here brought back the memories of the good old days of college - four years full of good friends, food (glorious food!), motorbike adventures, traveling, laughter, music, heartbreaks, happiness, arguments, study, study, study.  

Okay, I'm being so nostalgic. I'm so not ready to leave this place just yet.  

---

Will be leaving in 2 1/2 hours.  

Thank you to all of you who have made our stay a very pleasant one! :D 

And so it goes...

Camera's alive again.

Adventures continued...

Wednesday night:

DALAH RESTAURANT - we came and we experienced.

The fish was uberdelicious!

Thursday afternoon:

At D's office the whole afternoon.

sempat lagi...

Thursday evening:

Food adventures in MC continues.  See, that's the advantage of being in an International college.  Thanks S for the very fulfilling dinner.  It sent me to heaven...

Got this back too. :D

The adventures continue.  Tonight, tomorrow, the day after...I so don't want this to end! Not just yet! 

I feel like...

...I can just go to heaven now. *grins*


Had a really nice dinner (thanks Sandy!) with friends a while ago. Sedapppp!! Pictures will have to come later as my camera's dead. It will be resurrected in the morning.

~

The weather is cold and I'm loving it. I don't need the sound of the fan to make me sleep. Oh, I'm so gonna miss this weather when I go home!

~

Tomorrow is Friday. On a normal working day, I would say TGIF, but at this moment I am not liking it. I'm so not looking forward to Friday, because it means the weekend is just around the corner. Weekends pass by quickly! Saturday...Sunday...Monday...Tuesday...then it's back home to rain, mud and humidity. Oh no, don't get me wrong.  It's not that bad being back home. I just miss being here, that's all.


Eyes closing... Soon.

I'm off to la-la land.

Taking it all in...

Just came back from brunch with Deanna, Ivonne and Tina.

Green tea noodles + prick pau + som tam + cha yen=aroi mak!.   I couldn't ask for anything more.  Perfect.  Just perfect.

This used to be my bike and it felt really good to be able to drive it again! :D  It took me a little while to get used to driving the bike again after more than a year.  

After lunch, we stopped by the sunflower garden to take pictures.

More pictures here. Looking forward to more adventures in the Land of Smiles!

Destroyed...

Photo by Lola

This is what is left after the fire early yesterday morning.  My brother smsed me at 5 a.m. and woke me up just to tell me.   It will be a different sight when I return home next week now.  This block is located just before the junction to my house, so I'll have to pass the site every time I go home. 

I used to stop by one of the shops in this block every morning before heading for work. Now, it's gone. Tiada apa-apa lagi yang tinggal.   The Tamparuli town will no longer look and feel the same without these shops.

Sigh. 

~~~

I'm feeling hungry.  

I can't wait to eat the green noodles.  MMmmmmm.....

It feels good to be back.  Foreign land, familiar faces.  Just what I need after a year of working.  Relaxation.......

All I want for Christmas is...

Haha!