Sunday, May 22, 2011

GHM getaway




After 2 years of no camp, we're back again at Golden Sands! Feels like we were there just a couple of months ago.
That place will always feel like a comfy place to be. More outdoors than indoors. I love being there to enjoy the beach, nice places for morning devos and pretty flowers. hehe.

Such a wonderful coincidence that our camp theme was...
"SHINE like STARS"

What a great theme...CF and now GHM. Anywways, though there weren't as many people this round, it still was a good time. Made new friends, played fun games, drank lotsa coffee, kick the sand, enjoyed looking out at the horizon and of course, taking tons of pictures to my heart's content. Kevan's camera was super chun. Awesome moments caught for long term memories.

As tradition, we always had the memo pad writings. At I think that these are the best things to bring home. Handwritten notes directly for me. Shows how real I am in the view of others. They always bring smiles to my face and I thank God for the opportunity to know these people. As I read them at the dining table during dinner, I could feel myself smiling so wide. Even the simplest words of a 11 year old touched my heart.


Playing the piano for over and hour to songs and chords from the top of my head was also a challenge to me. I realized how I could worship God in this way. I hear people singing praises to God while I just play, following their tune. It was a beautiful moment to be drowned in. I wasn't sure what they were listening to or how they felt about the music but I think God was blessing me through them. Of always feeling insecure, He gave me a chance to be brave and I'm thankful I allowed myself to try. Uncle, Winny, Aunty Kim, Aunty Penny and my friends were supportive and encouraging. When I had to do it the second time, I felt more than happy to because I was able to be an instrument to help lead God's people into a time of worship and praising God. They didn't mind my mistakes or when I struggled to find the chords they were singing to.

Uncle gave an illustration about a pear tree who wanted to keep more for itself instead of having more fruits taken away. He talked about whether it mattered that we have little or more, what we should do with what we have. Be it 1 talent or 100.

Then we broke into groups and did a lil' activity. We were told to take a piece of paper randomly and then share about how it relates to us. Mine was HILL. Each of us took turns; Board, movie, ship, honey, flower, fish, gate, world, film, gaze, see.....etc. When we finished, we were then told that there's a common thing that all these words shared. The word 'STAR'. It was a super hung thing. After sharing about what hill meant to me, the star made it an amazing word. It made total sense to me as I was really taken back by the thought.









What an amazing time of rest during this getaway. Thank you God for your blessings and awesome humor as well.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Happening. Happening. Happening!!!

This week is so far the most happening of the year!
On Monday, I went to Saujana Villa. P&J had a branch there though it's only one class, catered specially for the residence of the condo. There were a few japanese kids, 1 autistic boy. Yohan, one of the obedient ones had really fair skin, freckles and bright blond hair. Interesting bunch. I managed to get this shy japanese girl to warm up to me (well, became more like STUCK) by conversing to her in japanese. Whatever words I picked up by watching anime. Wasn't I super fascinated with myself. haha.

Tuesday was the day when I knew I was going out with Fel, Abi and Ai Vee having no idea of the occasion or any details. Turns out Abi and I were bought our birthday presents; Haagen Dazz's Fondue. FONDUE. Oh...that was just. Awesome. Chocolate. Warm chocolate dip, 4 types of ice-cream...and other sides (cake, fruit, cookie) to be dipped into the WARM MELTED chocolate. That was just the bomb. Then we spent a looong time there talking and talking while Abi and I constantly took small dips of melted chocolate to fulfill our satisfaction. thumbs up!!!!
When we finally decided to stop, we walked around searching and deciding our stop for dinner. Being girls, it took ages to decide but we ended up at Chili's. Burgers and lamb steaks. Yumyum. And of course.......more talking. We chatted until the shops were closing and when people started smoking in there. Not cool.
We did think about going to dessert but since it was getting late, Ai Vee parked her car outside Fel's place and we TALKED SOME MORE. Hilarious subjects were discussed and I'm sure that if anyone were to walk by, they would've heard our loud laughter. All of us had a story to tell and exchanging them was just...the funniest conversation ever! Especially in the car at the eleventh hour.
Oh what an outing we had. This was how I spent my Wesak Day this year.

Wednesday came. James turned 2 decades!!!! (Good job for waiting to open his present, somewhat). Mayuri planned a small birthday dinner as a surprise. And as always, he tries to keep his 'cool' or a poker face which isn't very convincing. (If you're reading this, oh well). I made a Hot pink shirt!!! Lousy he wasn't being a good sport to carry out the task given (=p).
Anyway, I got back just on time for contemp class. Went home to pick my fees, and mum said to drive instead because of the storm outside.
WHO KNEW I would be stuck right outside my housing area, and not even 1 min away from my dance studio....waiting and begging the procession on the road to pass by quickly for a few mins. Sigh. It was such a big deal. People were walking the streets with umbrellas all soaking wet since the rain was really bad. If only caroling during Christmas would be as awesome as that was. If only 'Easter' would be just as happening on the streets of Malaysia. =)
I missed 15mins of class but thankfully not the hardest parts. Wednesday's class was just crazy. The types of falls we had to do was really tough. Times like this reminded me of netball training in highschool; being stretched to my limits. I never thought of needing my arms to do so much other than help my family carry heavy bags of groceries and luggage when we travel. Never thought of using them to catch myself when I fall (literally). Today was the first time I had so much doubts of myself to even try the move. After doing it a handful of times and falling terribly, I gave up, promised to try on my bed at home. I hope I'll get right it by next week. But again, great workout, great time sweating it out. And, I met Kim! God is amazing. First, the girl I shared political science class with, then met her in church during Sat service one day to only find out that she started attending not too long ago and now, dance class. Haha.

Thursday, I managed to rest a lil'. At kindi, I helped out with waterplay for the first time. Darting away from water splashes wasn't fun. After, I helped the children change into their uniforms. Tough job when all they do is stand and not help by letting their waist swing along when I'm trying to pull their pants/skirts up. Gah. Worked with the 5 year olds once again (missed my lil babies upstairs). Another new bunch of children. Fun bunch. I sat through their lesson and laughed along as they gave silly answers innocently. Teacher also pening kepala.

Friday morning was a busy busy morning. Having stayed up late to pack (half) and type up my portfolio for CF, I woke up a lil' later and rushed rushed rushed. Late for class. Ooops. Had a good time of class, committee changeover during CF and rushed once again back home to continue packing for ghm getaway. The beach!!

What a week! Thank you God for events in my life!

And oh! Daddy's birthday is todayyy!!!! Sadly he won't be coming back just yet. God please help him. I cringe at the thought of knowing that ANYTHING can just go "poof!" and efforts would have gone to waste. Matt 6:34. Amen.

Monday, May 2, 2011

2 decades of Life



Finally came the day when I stepped out of a teenage life. Been 8 years since I wrote a 2 and 10 years since a 0 whenever I fill in my age.

This year, I had unreasonable dreams of how I wanted to celebrate my birthday. Imaginations of a beautiful ballroom with amazing deco and breathless moments. haha. Even so, it was awesome. Right smack at the beginning of my break.

Honestly, even until now I can't believe that I got to see SWITCHFOOT!!!!!!! LIVE!!!!! ohhh my gossshhh. I never would have expected it even if my friends joked about getting me to see 'em.

My birthday started off like another sunday. Church, dance practice. Just the extra of a special dinner with Su and Victor. Irish food! In a pub. haha. YUMMM. I had lamb stew (supposed to order beef, but I forgot) with cranberry juice!





Then came the 'plan'. Su said she left something with jas and had to get it by tonight because it was for the sleepover. Thus , we rushed off after dinner. When I saw jas, I joked and told victor and su that we should kidnap her, knowing she has a concert to go to. Well, just maybe lah. BUT, when she opened the door, Victor announced that she was there to kidnap me. ME!!! I had NO IDEA!!! So while I was trying to make sense of what was happening, I just left Jas getting wet in the rain. oh well.



Oh man...the concert was great. The only sad part of it was when I wasn't allowed to bring my awesome camera in when I saw people having theirs when I went in!!! haih. Also, my height made it harder for me. haha. But yes, I was excited that I was there to see switchfoot, for real! Like whoa! Too bad I didn't know all the songs well enough to sing along (wasn't prepared, duh!). The lights were superb too. How I wish I could be part of the set up!

I went home and had a good sleepover time with Su. Girly times are best when we're comfy and tucked under out blankets. haha.

So on monday, jas, su, victor and I went for chili pan mee at noon! and snow ice right after. mmmm. Went home, prepared food and deco.


Cream puffs!!! YUMMMMM!


Tiramisu cake from ALEXIS!!!

Victor bought me so much food for my birthdaaayyy!!

The night was awesome. Mummy made the yummiest spaghetti sauce ever and food was good. Pictionary cards!! Of course, some picture taking by Daniel, the photographer for the event. At the end, present opening with Manda, Galen, Pong and Daniel. Had such a good time...meeting up and just bumming together. I like birthdays for this reason!
Thank You God for highlighting birthdays!!







Purple pen!!! With my name!!


What a deco for my birthday. But what are girlfriends for eh? haha