Looking Foward To That Faithful Day

Just yesterday nite, i was on the way to Darren's place when i overheard mom & dad talking abt my grand-auntie who has a long battle with stroke and is in a bad shape right now. Not too sure if she could live through these 2 months. That's why Auntie Cindy and her family is not planning any holiday this CNY.

Grand-auntie is my late-grandpa younger sister. She has battled with stroke since i was young and it has been almost 10 years. Thank God for auntie cindy who took care of her mother all these years. While i was in the car, it reminded me once again of the urgency that i need to do something to bring my own family to Christ, esp. mom & dad and grandma. It hasn't been an easy journey for me and most recently, many heartbreaks and tears too over this aspect. Many times, it just seems that the harder i try, the more difficult it gets, and the more spiritual battles i face. But one thing for sure, as long as i continue to have faith and peservere, it will happen one fine day.

To begin with, i really want to at least learn how to pray in mandarin and get myself a eng-chinese bible. It also reminded me of what HJ shared. What he said really struck me, that we are the closest and dearest to our parents, and our parents do look-up to us. And very simply and technically, we have the greatest and deepest impact on our parents. That really sets me thinking of alot of things .....

Well! I certainly look forward to that faithful day.

My Sat

This is how i spend my saturday. The SHATEC students helped to pack 2000 delegate bags which they almost finished packing in a day.

Tired & Exhausted

Tired is the word to describe me right now. I am soo deprived of rest. Wish i could just spend one whole day doing nothing but sleep. Counting down to the day when ATF is over.

Will be meeting up with alot of friends from the industry over the next few days. I wonder what's going to be the 'highlight' for me. Meeting SM Goh Chok Tong? The new parliamentary secretary Mr Teo Ser Luck? The various tourism ministers, hoteliers, ntos, ambassadors, my 'sabaidee' group of friends from Laos? Oh no ... i better remember their names.

Who will i miss? Mr Vivian Balakrishan? Well ... alot of people like him. Too bad he changed his portfolio. But lucky me, i had the chance last year to seat beside him during presentation.

John Ortberg - Slowing Down & Celebrating

I wish i could slow down my life these few weeks. I have been simply overworked, overloaded and yes, extremly stressed @ work.

For these few weeks, it has been totally terrible. The endless phone calls, emails, discussions, meetings. I just felt that i couldn't cope. There's still that terrible 200 emails to clear. I just felt that i'm racing against time trying to complete the endless chores. After writing this blog, i'll still need to stay up to prepare a powerpoint presentation for tomorrow's briefing. Consolation? Well .... one of my counterparts who's working on the same event told me that we are pretty much in the same shoes. If the both of us call it quits now,everyone will be in a total loss. Well .. maybe not the best consolation after all.

Coincidentally, the second part of the John Ortberg series which the cg did today is on "Slowing Down and Celebrating". I know that there's many people out there who's just like me. Having the typical lifestyle of being so rushed and pre-occupied. It's totally unhealthy. Reminds me right now of Susan who's in Sydney. Enjoying everybit of her life right now coz. it's slower pace & more enriching.

There have been simply too many times where i hurry and rush. In fact, it's everyday. It's a big rush for me in the morning. And i know i had gastric last nite during practice coz. i skipped meals. I really need to change my eatting habits this year. Well .... i just need to enjoy life and not let it skim through.

My Youngest 'Friend'

Let me show you who my 'youngest friend' is. That's none other than Jadyn, daughter of Jeff & Doris. She's just 3 months old & she's really cute. Well, some say she looks like daddy while some say she looks like mommy. For me, i can't decide who she looks like. Will leave it to u to gauge.

Wish i could go on holiday now

It has been a really tiring and stressful week. I guess it was all accumulated. Lack of sleep & stress plus worry. My colleagues just told me that it's no good. They hardly hear me say that i'm stress. It's always them who would complain about it first. And now that they hear me saying it, it means that i'm really stressed. And they are too.

What to do, we are in the midst of crucial period of project. Just 2 more weeks and the 'show' is on. Come monday and all the street banners will be up. And yeap, it's 'show-time'. I have been totally tired. There are countless nites whereby once i reach the bed, i would just fall asleep almost instantly.

So today, just stayed at home. I needed rest and sleep. Felt that i was going to fall sick soon. But well, i can't afford to be sick at this time. Bad timing!

Came back from an overnite trip from KL last sunday. It was the first time that my bro & me took turns to drive (long distance in Malaysia i mean). I enjoyed the ride & drive. That was the time when we 'evaluated' our mazda 3. Hmm ... not bad. Car is quite stable despite of the long distance & fast speed. I am already thinking of the next destination where we can drive in, perhaps with friends. Bukit Tinngi? Cameron Islands? Fraser Hill? Or well, the good old Malacca will be fine. But i guess, i usually end up with just JB and my usual Taman Sentosa.

Met up with the Voon & Foo family during the wake & funeral. By the time we reached KL, it was around 3.30pm and we went straight to the wake & stayed till abt 9pm. Yeap - didn't even check into the hotel. In the first place, we were in a rush. So didn't even book any accommodation. Only called to book reservations while i was at the wake. And the next day, we checked out early too as we had to be at the funeral at 8.30am.

For this week, i would say that one of the highlights is the recee trip to St. James Power Station on friday. We will be having an event there in 2 - 3 weeks time and wow, the place is actually quite huge as they have many clubs and bars catering to the different genre off music and crowds. But well, the site recee was in the afternoon. So what we saw will be very different from nite.

Memories of Uncle Foo

Mom told me a surprising news when i came home from work. Uncle Foo passed away in KL this morning. Alan is rushing back from Miri and Pat from Holland. Not sure if she is bringing Kim & Steph along. But well, i will be going in to KL to attend the wake this weekend.

It's just so strange. A couple of days back, i was just thinking that i should go in to KL with mom to visit Uncle. After the few days of break, i forgot about it. Instead, i was happily planning to go KL before CNY with Mab. Now, it's for different reasons.

Uncle Foo used to visit us very frequently even when i was very young till now. Whenever he comes, he'll stay with us for 3 - 4 days before going back to Malaysia. The last time when i saw him was about half-a year ago when he came with Auntie for medical check-up. That was the one and only time when he didn't stay with us because our spare room was filled with stuff and our bath-room wasn't working well. In the end, he stayed at Bayview Hotel but we met during steamboat dinner @ Golden Mile Complex. At that time, he wasn't in good condition and had been under going chemo for awhile.

I am not sure how i will feel after the wake since he is so close to my family. Especially so for sis pat and bro alan at the demised of their father. Mom will definedly need to be there to encourage and support them coz. to them, mom is like a dear auntie. When their mom passed away many years back when they were studying overseas, mom was there for them too. In fact, it was Sis Pat who called mom this morning from holland.

My Birthday

First and foremost, i want to thank all my friends for the birthday well-wishes. Wow ... i think i've broken my own record. Never received so many sms well-wishes before. Some called, some emailed and yeap, i still had people saying Happy Birthday to me today. Thanks for remembering my birthday.

This year's birthday is celebrated quite differently. We had a combined birthday celebration for Alvin who's birthday is on 30 Dec, Cecilia's on 31st Dec and mine on 1 Jan. It's just so amazing. What's more amazing is that we are from the same cg. I guess it was meant to be.

Birthday Lunch celebration on New Year's Eve @ Hog's Breath Cafe in Chijmes. Have not been to Chijmes for quite afew years already. Can't even remember when was the last time.

When i arrived at the restaurant, i was surprised to see my dear friend and shepherd, Cheryl N & Jan there. Didn't know that they were joining us. Can't believe myself .... was actually looking for her after service.

Since some of them have not arrived, i carried Baby Zoe for the first time. Well ... i've always wanted to carry her but unfortunatedly, she's always sleeping . Hmm .. bad timing. But this time, she was wide awake and kept smiling. I am in luck - she is in good mood. Shortly after, Baby Jadyn came to join her. Guess who's elder?

That's Zoe on the left & Jadyn on the right.

They will have more fun and company when Baby Charlotte and Baby Sean arrives. Just hang on - it will be very soon. Hmmm .... seems to be the birth of a 'baby caregp' amongst our midst. So Jed's the CL, Edna, Zoe & Jadyn as core team and Charlotte & Sean as members?

As usual, 'Jed the photographer' is busy taking pictures. His photo-taking skills is actually quite good. I am more convinced that he would be a good photographer when he grows up.

And this is infact the first time i'm taking picture together with the 2 lovely Cheryl's.

And here's Cecilia posing with Gal with her presents.

And Cecilia asked me to open the present which she gave me.

Look what i've got. Nice necklace ... Nic said i could wear it to Gal & Cecilia's wedding. Ha ha!

Cheryl Q asked me to open the present which she gave next. Wow ... u guys really pamper me. This is really pretty. It's a heart shape Swarovski pendant/necklace.

We've not forgotton about the B'day Guy. It's Alvin's turn.

Now that we've opened the presents, it's time for the cake. We've got the 30 Dec, 31 Dec & 1 Jan baby here.

The cg gave us a surprise too. They produced' a clip for us. Very impressive . Like what Lisan said, the 'Best Screenplay' goes to Smiley BB. Really appreciate the effort. Thanks everyone for the encouragement too. Yes Sean, i'll see u in 4 mths time. Love: Auntie Wendy

And not forgetting the most precious prayers from everyone. This year is quite strange. As if the 'theme' and 'direction' is about the desires of my heart. I didn't tell anyone about this but everywhere i go, people were all praying abt me in this aspect. And yes i was. So is that like a confirmation, affirmation, sign?

After a hearty meal, went home to prepare food for the family get-together cum new year's eve countdown @ Darren & Lynn's Place. Mom was the organiser but unfortunatedly, she was sick and couldn't attend. I made pasta salad & chocolate foundue. Here's Victor helping me with the preparation.

The complete fruit platter with chocolate foundue. My cousins love it and were all crowding round the table. My grandma was curious and wondering what 'ang-mo' dish was that.

And at the stroke of mid-nite, my family celebrated my birthday. I am truly blessed. The next day, went to JB and had a relaxing time with old friends.

First CG in Year 2007

Today is the first cg in 2007. As usual, we were at Alvin & Cheryl's Place. Our dear CL & wife hosted us to a great dinner. It was the first time i met Ai Lay, Cheryl's sister too. Finally ... coz. i've heard so much about her. But well, don't think the two sisters look alike though.

For those who ain't with us, hey, you guys missed out on the good food and well, good company. Wish you were here to join us.