Christmas Concert @ DUMC

Peace, joy, hope and happiness. What has your heart been searching for? Sometimes, the most precious things we seek can be right there before us. This Christmas, discover the very thing you’ve been searching for as we celebrate the birth of a child. A very special child. A Saviour to the world.

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Above: Christmas Concert @ DUMC.

Nope, not acting or singing this year but I'll be there almost every night as my niece is part of the children's choir. See ya! :) Felis Navidad.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With love...from the island.

It's been ages since I last blog. I suppose Sze Accessories has indeed managed to take over my life again. As usual..."work" always dominates us if we're not careful enough to take time off and reflect on things that really matter or for the matter, people who really matter. You get my chatter?

Just being a bit melancholic today. I've managed to suppress my feelings and keep my tear ducts from spilling those glistering droplets thusfar (but it's so unhealthy to keep them all in) so I'm going to let it (bit by bit) out here. Maybe this blogging will help release the angst that makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs on a mountain top. And I just might! The Peak tram is just a few MTR stops from here but that might just attract unnecessary attention.

Google the bolded words and you'll know I'm back where I said I won't visit for a long time (as there are so many other place in the world to see, right?)...but, not even six months later, I am back here again. Never say never... just like I never wanted to wear a tube gown for my wedding...but guess what? Never say never...Lesson No. 537 in the book of life.

But circumstances have a way of making us end up in a place we never thought we would or in my case, want to be in. Life takes over, takes centre stage and EVERYTHING else falls into second or even the last place. Life has such a weird way of unfolding. One day you're elated over a dream come true, the next day a life changing news makes all things seem so insignificant. Still the world turns round and round on it's axel in a little w_ _ _d of it's own while mine does a mind boggling spin. Feels like I'm in one of those huge transparent life size balls in the water park that people climb in to attempt being a hamster. I actually wouldn't mind being one right now. Sigh... those silly hamsters!

But thank God...literally, I've got Him to keep my sane. Give me peace of heart and mind to weather this stormy tide. I know I am not alone. Neither am I the first person on earth to experience this. Nonetheless, the pain makes reality seem like a dream (nightmare actually). But that's just life...people come and go. Being born means, you're definitely going one day. It's inevitable. Unavoidable. But must it be so d*** ******g unbearable!? Apparently, so!

And so, this blog has served it's purpose here on earth by being an avenue for me to rant endlessly without a clue as to how to tell you what I actually wanted to say since I laid my little fingers on the key board...and... that is... that ...I desperately need your prayer for a miracle, as my uncle whom I am visiting in Hong Kong right now, is very sick with stomach cancer. I believe in God, I know the God that made this universe can heal and I know He ALWAYS answers my prayers. But for now, I am just not certain as to whether it's yes or no. It's still a long, lingering- "maybe".

ARGH!!! So, all I can say is, more than your votes, I covet your prayers.

Like seriously!

Encouragements from my friends:-
Charissa Tan
Wait for the Lord; be strong take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Charissa Tan
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

David Hung
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua1:9)

Interview with Rick Warren

Someone sent me this email. I thought I'd share since Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven Life has been such a blessing to me.

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren,'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California.

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness. This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems: If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
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First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation. Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free..We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
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When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

NASAM

"Orchid!, Orchids for sale! One for your Mrs?"...

... Sounds like a scene from Oliver Twist? Well, not quite similar unless you consider the fact that it was done in goodwill to help the misfortunate along that line.

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Since we didn't have cell group today (A small group of church members meeting), I thought I'd use cell group time to write about something the cell group did for the community. One very early Sunday morning, we braced ourselves and braved the Nasam Carnival, to be of help, by selling the gorgeous flowers for a good cause. Our entire cell group was suppose to go but only 4 people turned up. How sad! :( It was actually for the National Association of Stroke Malaysia. Acronym N.A.S.A.M. If you've never gotten a heart attack, chances are, you've never heard of it.

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I know of it because I know the owner (really) and cause my late grandad suffered from stroke and currently my aunt's suffering from it too. It's a tough life! But NASAM gives hope to these stroke patients by giving them FREE (yes, you heard it right) therapy, gives them an avenue to find their strength back. Donations are more than welcome. Wanna know more about it, read HERE!

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We had lots of fun just lending our hands and our time at the carnival. We were so blessed to have been selling the flowers. Just looking at them for one morning really brightened up our day and it was an amazing learning experience. That morning, we graduated from amatures to horticulturist! And talking about "hot", we truly thank God for two huge trees we were under that shaded us from the crazy Malaysian heat and sun. Pass noon day and into the 3pm heat, we still felt like it was morning. A light breeze constantly blew our way but I suppose the none stop business kept us from feeling clammy.

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Charity was so fun and all we had to do was to be there, open bags for the pots, pretend we know how to take care of orchids (we eventually learned of course), how to chat up the customers and learn a new skill. Orchid experts came in throngs and bought them like buying... newspaper.

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Now my fiance says Phalaenopsis without getting his tongue in knots and is quite the expert at selling them too. He was indeed the "aunty's favourite" for the day.

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Above: The most expensive pot of Phalaenopsis sold at RM120 for a stalk of 6 flowers. I got a yellow pot for dad! He loves them...

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Above: Jon Tjin (our 'REAL' cell leader) bagging the pot for a customer. One of the requirements for the job- knowing how to open plastic bags. Think it's easy? Try it! :P
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Above: For the life of me, I don't know what hybrid this is. I was searching under "Warm Climate" but this might be a "Cold Climate" species? Anyone?

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Also, if you're an orchid expert, do share some of your tips with us. We'd love to know how many times we need to water them and how much sun light they need? Whether or not putting them under a full blown fan will make them whither faster? Share...please.

For the rest of you, I recommend A Practical Guide to Care for Orchids and Cultivation by Michael Tibbs- a book my mum got for dad. Enjoy!

The Executioner's Song

Another well written play happening at Damansara Utama Methodist Church for only RM5.

Life is about choices – What is yours? This July, DUMC brings you a drama of a different tune. Join us, as we march along to The Executioner’s Song.' Parental guidance is highly recommended. Parents are cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Date
10 July 2009 (Friday)
11 July 2009 (Saturday)
12 July 2009 (Sunday)

Time
8.30–10.00pm

Watch the trailers for the play to get a glimpse of what the play is about.

BMW Z4 Launch

Priviledges of having a fiance with BMW white card invites. Gorgeous model! Car and catwalk- both! Great eye candy.

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Above: The new BMW Z4 unveiled.
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Above: Clothes and bags from Shanghai Tang. Love the details in the clutch and dress.

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Above: Í said, I love the dude, he says he likes the Tumi pullies and carry-alls.

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Above: Andrew's models strutting the good stuff. Jimmy Choo shoes to covet.

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Above: Love the low t-back in reigns of metallic gathers, leather heels and bag.

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Above: Champagne before dinner with carviar and foie gras to tease your palette, plus free valet. I could live with that if they threw in this James Bond look-a-like :p

Happee Birdays Boys!

Two best friends, two very happy birthdays.

Above: SY's half eaten watermelon slice of vanilla ice cream...

Above: Basking Robbin's Vanilla Ice Cream cake with little car candles for the boy.

Above: Pressies to match...

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Above: Jon's Death By Chocolate dome!

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Above: Jon with us gurls. Who's the lucky guy!?

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I love Bangkok 09

Shopping in Bankok is always a treat. Cheap fashion, good, massage and beer. So, Naomi and I went and shop hopping along Siam Square to visit some little boutiques with some really nice decor. Each shop had their own quirky interior design to boot. Most of the time we traveled by foot but otherwise, we'd take a cabbie to further places.

Above: Don't do taxis. Take the city tuk tuk. Unlike the ones in Phuket, these ones can actually only sit 2 people at a time. Or at most 3 if you're tiny. While I love the hustle and bustle of the vendor streets of Thailand, I prefer the chic part of it better.

Above: British inspired shoplots during the colonial times are still seen. Even the more modern shops like this chocolaterie still keeps an English touch with wooden doors and glass panels.

Above: To Die For! Junkyard Sale. Not many people when we arrived. A bit quiet and lonely. Saw Devon Aoki's brother Steve Aoki though. Well, who that? DJ lar, ya know!? Actually, I wasn't too sure of who he was but Naomi went around the world just looking for him.

Above: Thonglor and it's little nooks and corners. Love this place. Reminds me a little of Australia. Nice little cafes and cute shops for shopping. Slightly more high end, cleaner and fresh-er (yes, the city air reaks). Here's also where the have rows of high end furnitures for sale. Think Phillipe Stark.

Above: Of course, Siam Square is a must. Small little shops with a a different taste each. Latest copies of high end fashion at a minimal price. We usually go at night cause it's cooler. In the day, we just hide ourselves in the malls.

Above: I hadddd to introduce Naomi to Cream and Fudge....have I mentioned how much I scream for ICE CREAM?

I love Phuket 09

Phuket was a leisure trip. A relaxing walk about town and just enjoying the stay at Phuket Hilton with fiance's family. The lot of children sure made it a much more memorable trip. Kids do say the funniest things. The last time I was there was during a dive trip two years ago. Nothing much has changed.
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Of course before going, I knew I just had to have a go at the foot reflexalogy and aromatherapy oil body massage. It's really quite reasonable at RM25 for foot massage and RM40 for a full body massage. Compared to a hefty RM48 here for a 45 minutes foot and RM80 full body.
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Food is always great in Thailand. I suppose it's the spices and all the Tom Yam. Never really had a problem finding good tasty food, even at the local eateries. I of course had to have my Cream and Fudge Factory (ice cream). After all the blazing heat makes you wanna soak yourself in vanilla ice cream. So eatting it just about fulfills that crazy idea.

Above: Waiting lounge at Phuket Hilton to await the buggy train that takes you into the lobby aread.

Above: Gorgeous scenery as you drive into the hotel hidden in this lush greenery.

Above: The open air reception area gives it a tropical feel. No air conditioning or even celing fans. Just the warm sea breeze periodically floating just very lightly in the air.

Above: A lake and more greenaries with soft lighting for a quite rendezvous. Quite the perfect romantic get away.

Above: Typical tropical hotels ca'n't live without the frangipanis. We saw some Mat Salleh's picking them up, I suppose to either make into a garland or throw into the bathtub for a petal bath.

Above: Beautiful view of the sea from our rooms.

Above: One of the many pools to relax. Think thick story book and a tall glass of sparkling Sangria.

Above: The restaurant in Hilton itself. So, if you're too lazy to walk out, eat in.

Above: OTHERWISE, restaurants and eateries are a plenty. Just a road away on a tuk-tuk. Shouldn't cost you more than RM20 for a whole load.

Above: Opt for an open air cafe style diner.

Above: ...Or a modern minimalist Western Deli.

Above: Or be adventurous and try the vendors. This one had really good tom yam noodle in hots soup. Sizzling!

Above: Because there really isn't much to do about town, visit a bar. This one had a baby elephant at the entrance. A Flintstone Dino Bar with waitresses dressed in brown shrouds.

Above: Not much of a shopping haven but lots of reasonable souvenirs to get. We love Jungceylon cause of the aircondition. But along the roads just outside the mall, there are plenty of little stalls to buy your sarongs, bikinis, slippers, boxing gloves...and what nots.

That's all folks! Yaba Daba Doo...

10 Things to do in HK...

...besides all the eating and all the scrumptious food, there's lots to do in HK. Yes, little island it might be but filled with lots of activity. So, join me...let's hongkie...

Above: 1. Take the trams...and trains... public transport is so scary here in Malaysia. Not only are they never on time, the stations are never equiped for the comfort of the patrons. However, in HK it's a whole different story, public transport is so convenient and extremely punctual. Love the cool advertising wraps on the trams.

Above: 2. Take a boat...if you want to "sek fong"(literally translated to say "eat wind" which means, to go on a trip). And catch the HK skyline along the banks. Best to see at night with all the bright lights and neon signages selling big brands on top of their roofs. And across the banks, visit the HK Walk of Fame.

Above: 3. Where do all these public transportation take you? Well... shopping. HK is all about walking and shopping. But if you're like me and I really don't quite get the HK style of dressing, opt for the safest shopping haven, H&M. Love it to bits even though the quality is a tad bit sucky. Then again, there are always the more popular brands like Izzue (that tried to break into the Msia market but didn't do quite as well).

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Above: 4. Go high end if you must...it's 15%-20% cheaper than Msia. And sometimes during summer sale, you can get up to 70% off.

Above: 5. Visit Stanley... which is really more popular for its arts and crafts market. However, I prefer the little cafes along the water front. A bit of a Bangsar here. Of course, if you're lucky, catch the dragon boat races. They don't always happen all year round.

Above: 6. Chillax out at one of the pubs at Lan Kwai Fong and have dinner at Yung Kee. An over priced restaurant that supposedly serves really good goose. I had a tough time chewing into it. No big fuss but well, it's a must go if you've truly visited HK. Dinner for 4 would cost a mere half a K.

Above: 7. See the HK skyline atop The Peak...tip, take a cabbie up and the tram down if the queue is too long. Worth the sight. Seeing how dense this little island is, makes you appreciate spacious o' KL.

Above: 8. Go shop hopping in Soho...love the little shops there. Every shop has it's little cute decor and unique designs. Love, love, love...it!

Above: 9. Take coffee anywhere but at Starbucks....check out their franchise of coffee cafes.


Above: 10. Catch a HK movie in the making....or rub shoulders with movie stars. We sat next to a really cute Chinese actor on the first night out at dinner. Was quite exhilarating...

Get a pair of comfy walking shoes and you'll be on your way to loosing more pounds on this trip than on any other. WALKING is on the itenerary. Other than that, it's loads of fun. Like I quote a friend "Feels like you've walked into a Cantonese drama serial".