3 more hours

Well I thought I'd just write what I've done since I've arrived in Singapore, seeing that I have loads of time on my hands before I board my connecting flight home. I arrived into Singapore Changi Airport at 2135. Walked slowly to the transfer counter to make sure my luggage has been transferred to my morning flight which is in an hour!

Good thing Singapore Airport has a couple of interesting things to do besides food. I watched about 1 1/2 movies at the movie lounge. I slept more than watched. After those movies I decided to see if the transit hotel had a room, but no such luck, oh well! Then I got a phone call from mum, wishing me a Merry Christmas after having a church service. Nice!

Well I still want to sleep so I walked around looking for this spot mum & dad was telling me about. I actually walked all the way to Terminal 1. Crap! Anyhoo, looked around a bit, nothing interesting so I headed back to Terminal 2. Walking, walking . . . ohhh, wondering a little area called 'The Oasis'. Ah this is the place my parents were telling me about. So I slept on pretty comfortable reclined chairs! Yes! Reclined. hehehe. Excellent!

After a couple of hours sleep . . . nap! *grinz* I got up to wash up - brush my teeth, wash my face. Then settled in front of a TV watching a cartoon about mice. Plus I think I'm getting pretty good with doing Sudoku puzzles. Alright I think I'll head to my boarding gate now. See you all back home really soon. *wink*

flying home

It's so weird to be away from my whole family during Christmas time. If I was with my family now, I'd be cuddling everyone saying Happy Christmas eve! Then mum & I would go to the kitchen decide if we're going to bake more cookies or start preparing for dinner. Yummy! I'm thinking turkey stuffed with mum's delicious nut & bread crumbs covered in sweet, sweet honey, hummm . . . the leg of ham sliced not too thick but not too thin either and I'd go for the awesome blast of flavour from the Chicken & Mango salad. ohhhh . . . that's the life.

And today I woke up, excited because all that isn't too far away. Sure I'm not going to have Christmas Eve dinner with my family but I'll be there in about 24 hours & can still have all that yummy food - hahaha leftovers. *grinz* Sure I'll be having an airplane Christmas Eve dinner, but I had an awesome time with people I love yesterday, my frenz, hanging out with each other playing Mahjong, PS2 - Winning Eleven and of course eating, yummm. Thanks you all! Have a geat Christmas lunch tomorrow.

Well wishing you all a blessed Christmas & an amazing New Year ahead! May God bless you & your family as we remember His love & sacrifice for us on that Cross, 2000 odd years ago. And as you enter a brand new year of excitement, challanges & fulfilments, continue to walk in His love & grace.

Have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS all
& a HAPPY 2006!

beautiful

Plans are good
Life is great
Living is amazing
&
My God is an awesome God

Even before the sunrises You have already known my plans. So all I can do is commit them into Your trustworthy hands.

Even as the sun blazes above me, and though my hand cannot keep me shaded, I know Your love has already engulfed me. So I will embrace that of which You have given to me.

Even as the sunsets, I know that I am save in Your arms. For I will wake up to a brand new day. For you Lord, I am found.

I may be lost & overwhelmed by the things around me
But as I stand here with you, Jesus
I am found indeed

beat de rush...

For me beating the rush takes on a new & profound perspective. This has to do with me still being here in Australia while the rest of my family are back home. A 'Wat de . . .' moment! Even my frenz here are in disbelief that I am still here. Hahaha! Oh well, you gotta do, what you gotta do, I guess.

So why I say beating the rush takes on a new & profound perspective for me is; imagine trying to get a reference, a money order, an official result transcript, a person to witness your signature, certify your documents, buy an Express post envelope before the shops close & to post all this before everything 6 pm. Well I did all that today!

I got up at 10am this morning, to check if I got a reply regarding a reference. A good tick on the list of things to do. But the thing was it was to be mailed to me today which meant I'd receive the mail either on Monday or Tuesday.

So nevermind, I decided to go to uni to pick up my result transcript ($10). That didn't take long . . . phew! So after that since the post office was close by I got my money order, envelopes, flags/tabs & stamps ($73.20).

Then I called a lawyer friend to see if he'd be available to witness a declaration I had to sign. Another good tick to the list. Praise God he was able to see me today!

So after all that I got home again & I don't know why I didn't do this before. But I called the School of Physio to actually cancelled my appointment to see my Deputy Head & I found out that the letter was still at the school. So I asked to pick it up, mind you this is already 4.10pm. And I was given half an hour to get from St Kilda Road to uni with the peak hour traffic building up. Hahaha! Once again thank God, I made it in time with 2 minutes to spare. *grinz*

So now I can called my mum to tell her I've gotten all the documents I needed & that I can post it off. But my aunt said I should express post it! Which means I had to go to a Post office to buy the envelope ($5). Ok can do if it closes at 5.30pm which, my aunt said it did. So to the Post office close to where I lived, on arriving there I discovered that it closes at 5 pm. *CRAP!!* I'm 6 minutes late. Ok nevermind, wait for a customer to exit . . . ah slip in NOW. Oh, I only need to buy an Express post envelope, please *pitiful look on my face* It worked! Hallelujah.

Now I can relax a little bit. But not totally, I still have to go back home get the rest of my documents so that I can certify them at the Police station. That didn't take too long only about 15 minutes. Good stuff! Time to arrange everything & place it into the Express post envelope. Now the post bags gets emptied at 6 pm every weekday. And by now it's already 5.45pm. *Shoot, can I make it to the yellow postal bins?*

Rushed out of the house again to the car! And wouldn't you know it, I made it with time to spare. Seriously, this is a God-given day & a rather expensive day especially when I didn't intend to spend at all. Hehehe!

All in all, it's been a pretty busy day. However I still got to do a few other things in between: like wash up & get dress :p*, order my work uniform (called & faxed), buy a Christmas present, just to name a few!

What a day!

alone or lonely

A couple of days back my parents, my bro & family frenz when back home after visiting Melbourne for my graduation plus other stuff too. Today my aunt & cousin went to Brunei for a holiday. Now there isn't anyone at home or anybodies I can call & talk weird family talk or just plain be annoyed by or annoy :P **boo hoo hoo**

It's great to have time alone but where is the line that says you are now entering the lonely zone. Hummm . . . a moment to ponder! Is it when we start saying or singing . . .

Lonely, I am so lonely
I have nobody
All on my own
. . .

It's all very subjective, really. Oh well it shouldn't be to quiet, another of our family friend is coming over later today & will be staying at the house for a couple of days. Hooray! She's really a great person to get to know . . . ok I odd to go sleepy byes now!

excitement @ Smoken Joe's

The other day when I was sending my family & family frenz to the airport for the midnite flight back home. We decided to have dinner at Smoken Joe's, because my brother heard it's good or something like that. Hehehe!

So we got to the place & sat down at the table, got our menus. Ordered our drinks & then after a little while longer we ordered our mains. I decided to have their T-Bone Steak, medium to rare served with salad & chips topped with mushroom sauce . . . hummm! **mouth washing** Mum got the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Aunty Agnes & her sis, Steph shared a Pumpkin Rositto, my bro & Uncle Peter got the Chicken Burger & my dad ordered the Chicken Creaser Salad.

While we waited for our meals, we tried our hand on they quiz, which was on the blackboard. The quiz involves forming a 4 or more letters word out of 9 letters & the ultimate aim was to figure out the 9 letter word.

These where the letters & each word had to include the letter M!

E N T
I M A
E R T

Then suddenly a girl on the table directly in front of our table dropped on the floor & started to go into an epileptic seizure. I didn't know what happened, until everyone on my table looked down on the floor, then I stood up & saw the girl twitching & jerking from side to side. Standing there for a while, my whole family told me to help her.

So I walked quickly to her & asked the staff if they had some to prevent her from biting her tongue . . . I was lost for words here. Had no idea what to call that object, which my brother told me later on the way to the car that it was called tongue depressors. But I finally said a wooden spoon or something, which was as good as anything.

So while waiting for something wooden & one of the staff to call the ambulance, got her in to the recovery position and assured her & her boyfriend.

Then a hand full of popsicle sticks came but she had stopped convulsing, so I just checked if she was still breathing & conscious. Phew! She was, so we waited for the ambos to come along keeping her companied. When they arrived, she was able to stand up & sit on a chair close by. I was totally relieved that the ambos could take over.

So I returned to my seat & dinner was ready. Hehehe . . . found out that they holded our meals cause they didn't know whether to bring it out or not. But ya, it's all good, one of the staff even came up to me to thank me . . . while I was trying to operate on my cow. Hehehe!

Who knew my first aid skills who come in handy in a restuarant. Well thank God everything when well. He was the One in total control of the situation for sure. Pray that the girl is fine & recovering as well as her boyfriend.

surf's up

On Sunday, 11 of us when to Anglesea Beach to catch some waves. An early morning wake up with breakfast at McD in Geelong. Arriving at the beach to check out the waves we concluded that the waves weren't as good but its better than nothing! Hooray!

So we all got our rented surf boards & wet suits except me. Hahahaha! No regrets but I must say the water was pretty cold. Finding our spot on the beach we headed off to the surf. A number of them had surfed before (like Eng Hui, Nelson) for many of us it was our first or second time on the waves. But all in all we picked up the standard surfing skill relatively easy. Some of us could stand on our boards which I must say is an awesome feeling. Woo hoo!

There was a couple of times I was too far forward on the board & with a decent wave under me. I reckon I did a half pike in the air, that was fun too. Hahahaha! But initially I was freaked, making me figure out now to get that happy median.

All in all I enjoyed my day out at the beach, got to play soccer & watch some of the boys play soccer against 3 Aussies. Some getting a nice tan, others piling on the sun screen like a centimetre thick coming out of it whiter (hahaha), others got 'black' & blue? you know who you are! The point is we had fun . . .

Everybody go surfing . . .
Surfing USA
(this tune is still stuck in my head!)

expensive paper

I am officially a qualified Physiotherapist. *hooray!* I recieved a rather expensive piece of paper on stage with the rest of my coursemates & others in Vet Science & Dental Science. *oh so happy* Overall the ceremony took 2hours & I was bored but thank goodness I was sitting next to a pretty good friend. We discussed about different things; the so-called painting on the wall, names in the booklet, played a short game of 'I spy with my little eye...' & other things to help pass the time a little quicker & easier.

After about an hour we finally got to stand up & get up on to the stage to receive our certificate, stating that we have been duly awarded the degree of Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Hahaha! Grinning from ear to ear, I was - on & off the stage. I'm glad to have finally gotten thru the past 4 years truly praise & thank God for it is by His grace that I am able to receive that expensive piece of paper which has my name & qualification. *Oh wat a feeling . . .*

Now I also want to thank those who came to celebrate my graduation by taking pictures with me, early yesterday morning. Know it was rather difficult to wake up at that particular hour. *grinz* Thanks!

You are GOoD

Today is the day my brother arrives into Melbourne . . .

Saw how his shoulder was, seems to be pain inhibited but he doesn't know what structure he actually injuried! *frown* But ko I am pretty sure you'll be fine in a couple of weeks, just don't be silly.

Today is the day that my exam results are out in the open . . .

It's all good! I will be graduating this coming Saturday! **wink** Was never stressed out.

Today is the day I actually realize how good doctors have it . . .

They can charge an unbelievable price for a 30 minute consultant, recommend a few other test & then say can't do much about it, have to live with it. *wat de!*

Yesterday was the day, Today is the day, Tomorrow will be the day . . .

Definitely EVERYDAY will be the day that our Lord God & Saviour will be with us. Focus your thoughts & actions on him as you go about your daily lives, on His mercy & grace. For He is our Healer, our Peace, our Provider & much much more in any situation.

arrivals. . .

This morning my aunt, cuz & myself went down to the airport to pick up Mum, Dad, Aunty Agnes & Uncle Peter. Thank goodness I can still remember the way to the airport, it's been a while since I've been down that way. But I'll have loads of practice this time round, bro will be down soon-ish, me thinks! **grinz**
I think its become some what of a tradition to go for Yum Cha the day of arrival in to Melbourne. Well after lunch Mum, Aunty Agnes & Aunty Chu had a good eye & wallet workout. Hahaha! While Dad & Uncle Peter struggled to stay awake especially after lunch.


Another arrival is Crack, my virtual puppy! Hahaha . . . you can feed Crack some treats from the box, play with him (click on him), listen to his rather annoying bark & I have no idea what else he can do. Wonder if he can learn new tricks or sit or roll over or play dead or dance on its hindlegs!?!
Have fun playing with Crack!

ouch!

A couple of days back, my bro hurt his shoulder playing rugby in KB. And I was woken up from my slumber a little after 2 in the morning by my parents asking me wat to do. He was put in a sling, probably a boardarm sling to hold the shoulder in place plus to maybe help immobilise the joint. All I can remember was mum telling me that he was in pain & that he couldn't move his shoulder. Plus the sling was making his neck hurt.

My advice was go see a physio, hahaha, I can't do anything cause we're miles apart & I can't actually assess him to know wat's really wrong. But do ice it & gentle passive pain-free shoulder movements, this will help the neck pain as well.

Just today I was told that he may have torn one of the shoulder muscles. Most likely supraspinatus, a rotator cuff muscle. So he won't be coming in with mum & dad tomorrow but a few days later. So that he can get an MRI done to see how bad the tear is or if there is any tear. And there may be a need for surgery if its serious, pending wat the orthopeadic surgeon says.

Lord, I pray that as my brother gets an MRI done & sees an orthopeadic surgeon later in the week may you keep him calm & at peace. More so for my parents, reassure them during this time particularly as they leave to fly over to Melbourne. Lord, you are in control & thank you for my cousin's successful operation & safe flight back to Brunei.
In Your awesome Name,
AMEN.

a few good sayings...

If I omit practice one day, I notice it; if two days, my friends notice it; it three days, the public notices it

(Arthur Rubinstein)

Rather, train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7

He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

(Jim Elliot)

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7

People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.

(Samuel Bulter)

Follow the ways of your heart & whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9

Prefection is being, not doing; it is not to affect but to achieve a character.

(Fulton J Sheen)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

ATTENTION:
A new FEATURE to the blog.
TAG BOARD

mountains

Faith & obedience will remove mountains,
mountains of evil, mountians of difficulty.

But both faith & obedience must go hand in hand.

hopeful ...

As I await for things to come

I am hopeful for my results . . .
I am hopeful for my Physio insurance & registration to go through . . .
I am hopeful for my medical check up on the 24th of Nov for my PR application . . .
I am hopeful for my family's safe arrival into Melbourne on the 26th of Nov . . .
I am hopeful for my graduation on the 3rd of Dec . . .
I am hopeful for my trip to Perth for the OCF AGM . . .
I am hopeful for my visit back home to Brunei, to see all my loved ones back there . . .


So here I am waiting, expecting in anticipation but do the things I need to do to accomplish all I have set out to do.

Lord, You will be my focus as I go about doing these things required of me. Amen!

A little side note:
My GRADUATION is on the 3rd of Dec, Saturday. The ceremony starts @ 10.30 am in Wilson Hall.
Come along earlier, say 9 am, so that we can take photos together!

puppy dog

Isn't that the most adorable doggie! (Even if it's not actually my dog)

I miss my pug. We got her as a family a couple years back. And we knew she was the little puppy for us. As she was so hyper & full of energy jumping all over the place at the pet shop. That was when I decided to give her the name 'Flubber'.

One of the first funniest thing I remember Flubber is when we got home. She was so hungry. So we fed her milk. It was either she was drinking too fast or because her head is disproportionately bigger than the rest of her body or a combination of the both. That cause her hind legs to raise. She was doing a hand-stand. She herself got a fright. Hehehe! So cute! Look at that face, all pugs seriously have to same pitiful look.

Another funny moment is when she was younger, her coordination & jugdement weren't very accurate. She be running around the pool deck, playing. All of a sudden we'd hear this splash. Hahaha! You'd guess it. She'd be in the pool, doggie paddling. All dogs have their swimming ability.

I took one awesome picture of her when she was younger. It was when we were at the pool deck napping together. She'd be sleeping on my tummy & I got an amazing imagine of how great a picture would be with her on the pool deck. It's a picture you have to see for yourself.

She's one dog that I can lay on the floor & she'd come & lay under my bend knees. Waiting to playing with the gloves, so that she can bite just that little bit harder.

Well I thought I'd spill a little about my pug, Flubber!

playing with the mouse

How can you tell if you're bored or just plain sick of doing your work/studying? Well for me & I know many others tend to turn to this game called MINESWEEPER.

It should come with this

Warning: Can be mildly to aggressively addictive!

Can you imagine you're at the final two boxes. Your decision is vital, choosing the wrong box would mean you'd have to start all over again!

Much like the choice we have when it comes to our decision as to what we will do to Christ Jesus, God's only Son.

Well it's happened (in minesweeper that is) . . . I got just little agro when the below happened. And they have the nerve to make the smiling face a sad face, it's like adding salt to a wound!

*arghhhh...hair pulling*

Then you tell yourself I'll show you I can do it & you start all over again.

But all victory comes with a smile & the added sunnies! hehehe . . . it's like you're on top of the world, the cherry on the iced cake. And of course with every addiction you tell yourself I can do that again. Hahahaha . . . & so you start all over again.

So that's one way to know when you're either truly bored or just wanting an escape from your assignments/work!

*wink*

b.o.r.e.d

Beginning to feel the sting of not having enough things to do. To entertain & keep me pre-occupied. Hope I’m not being a pest to my friends who still have exams & assignments. *grinz*

Oblivious to the things happening around me. Sleeping & waking up at anytime of the day. Doing the things I need to do at my own pace with no worries whatsoever.

Random thoughts on what I can do to entertain myself. I even have time to walk to the places I need to go.

Effectively being a useful friend by cooking for friends who still have exams. Going to the gym to get myself back into the groove of things.

Demanding I have more fun things to do during this holiday. Bringing on the fun!

- - - - -

But I’m not complaining! I reckon once work starts I’d want to have time out, time to myself, time with friends, time just to stone & not to do any sort of quick movements. Hahaha!

So I will hold on to the present & not worry about the future. But I will allow my present to have a positive effect on my future. For today matters & I will not to look back & regret the past.

I have sustained...

... sustained though 9 months in isolation in my mother's tummy (womb). To grow, to prepare for things outside of a safe-haven & be delivered into an unknown world. Knowing no one but trusting in everyone who was willing to love me & in my Creator who made me who I am today.

...sustained though years of fun & laughter, fights & tears with my brother & my cousins. But yet I have grown to love & care for them as a sister & as part of a family. For He loves me, so I will love those who come along my way.

...sustained though years of learning about life's circumstances & education through people who were willing to give & impart their wisdom & knowledge to a young & still maturing individual. Things that I may or may not ever use; from love, heart breaks, marriage & death to science, maths, geography & history. But yet was given the chance to expand my knowledge & experience. For He has said that He will never forsake me nor abandon me.

...sustained though 3 years of being in a boarding house. Learning to live with others & being able to deal with home sickness; & when things out of your control depending on the One and Only person who can handle that situation. As He is my source of strength & comfort in times of needs.

...sustained through 5 years of tertiary education to weeks of studies & revision. Which consisted of sleepless night, midnight oil burning, head cracking, mind blowing information gathering & receiving. But this will not satisfy, only you Lord will satisfy me.

...sustained though 5 days of grueling, exam torture. To be left with more decides & responsibilities; where to work, which job to apply for or to accept & paying my way. But more importantly, I will take the path in which You have called me too.

Lord, I thank you for sustaining me through all these years, from the time You thought of me & formed my in my mother’s tummy (womb) to this present day. I pray that I will continue to look to You for direction & guidance as I go into a different world, the working one! May I always have an open & willing heart to listen to Your voice & Your word. Father, You are my sustainer & I believe You will always be & much, much more.
Amen.

eve of exams

I wonder what am I doing on the web, when I should be cramping in as much info as I can.
How now brown cow! hehehe . . .
Well, here it comes. There's no turning back. The time has come to see if I've retained any relevent information over the past four years, plus the cramping session over the past couple of weeks.

I'm diving into the unknown, but Lord for you the unknown is known. I thank you for sustaining me through this period of revision, continue to sustain me through these next 5 days of exam papers. May You keep me calm & give me the ability to remember all that I've learnt (new & old). Please give me the focus & the clarity of mind as I sit for my 5 day marathon, starting tomorrow.
May Your favour continue to fall upon me.
In Your Name I pray,
Amen!

why do we do the things, we do

I stayed up studying till 6.30 this morning with Eddie & Suet Beng, although Suet Beng k.o (knocked out) earlier. Then I headed home to "nap". hahaha!

So why is it that we do the things we do to our body? Particularly, in a time-pressured situation. I reckon its the "fight-or-flight response", which is also called the "acute stress response". Where we regulate stress in three stages: alarm, resistance and exhaustion.

In a stressful situation, the body releases chemicals that trigger:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
• Rapid breathing.
• Increased sweating.
• A sudden rush of strength.
• Slowed digestion.
• Dilated pupils.

This is the Alarm stage. Shortly after the danger has passed, our mind & body begins to relax, entering the Resistance stage. If the stressor continues, our physiological response enters the Exhaustion stage, in which our bodies continue the fight-or-flight response, this will eventually cause damage to our bodily systems. That's why after our exams papers have past and we can fully relax, your immune system goes on a holiday & we can sick, b'cos we've overworked it.

We also got to deal with how we express the feelings we experience. Its important to express these feelings as we don't want to add to the stress we are already experiencing, as our body & mind are interdependent.

And lastly, we have our behavioural responses to stress, where we unconsciously try to eliminate those feelings. This maybe in the form of food, medication, alcohol, being aggressive, hiding, etc.

Here are a few techniques to help reduce feeling stress:
1. When studying in a group, have one person tell the group something funny. I recommend every 20-30 minutes. A good laugh is the best cure for alot of things.
2. Take a breather from the study table, stand up & stretch yourself out.
3. Do something you like for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Go out for a short walk.

The best is before you kick start your day, say a short prayer.

Lord, I ask that you be my peace, my comfortor in this time of stress (exams).
In Your precious Name.
Amen.

Press on everyone . . .

Closer & closer

I'm starting to realise that my life as a student, period! Is coming to an end. This morning I woke up to a day planned for studies, yet again. Due to this craze over exams. And was sort of, but not really shocked to receive a phone call, regarding my future career.

After that I didn't really think much of it, but they'd like a reply from me by early next week. So I pondered on the opportunity & the situation.

This was my first job as a physiotherapist. It was my first job interview, the first I've even done in my entire life, with them last week. I haven't even applied for other jobs yet. But hey I did say during the interview that I thought this would be a great place to start working as a new grad, with learning opportunities that I can benefit from.

So just like the pic. I won't be getting much sleep ins . . . as it's an 8am start.

Lord, I don't know the plans you have for me. But I will trust in You. For You know what you are doing & have already planned out my future. Father, my life, my strength & my hope is in You, Lord. Amen!

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.'

holding on

There are many seasons in our lives
Opportunities to do things & to learn from them

But what happens if we don't realise those seasons,
Or take those opportunities.
Would that mean we've missed out or
Would it just mean we've taken on a different path in our own lives.

It's like that movie "Sliding Doors". Saying that we each have two sides to every story. In one scene, Helen Quilley (Gwyneth Paltrow), misses the train and in another just made it through the sliding doors. Each had it's opportunities & consequences.

But unlike a movie we can't play and replay the consequences & opportunities of a particular story in our lives. We only have one shot at that particular scene; no editting, no special effects whatsoever.

I think that it doesn't matter nor does it make any difference what another person has done. But for ourselves to have a good look at what God has given us to do. We each have a purpose in our life & once we find that purpose we need to make sure we fulfill it.

God has made everything beautiful in itself & in its time, He will reveal its purposes to us. It's like God gives us a puzzle to do, which means we have to place each piece in its right place. But God doesn't just give us piece, so we look for it. And in the process, God will shine a light on a piece that we're looking for. So in the meantime, i reckon we should go ahead in pleasing God with the gifts He has given us & to get the most we can out of life for His glory.

I like the saying, 'When one door closes, God will open another door!' So for myself, I will trust in Him, holding on to the things He has promised me & developing the things has given to me.

Cheers!

My cousin

Cousins are like the best peoples to be around. They're like brothers or sisters (depending on their gender, hehehe) you odd to have. Without the constant & annoying buzz that you would get from a sibling. Seriously I have so many its hard to keep track of all them. You think you know them all then suddenly at a family function or something, you find out this other person is a cousin too. The best thing is like friends you have a few very close cousins.

One of them, to me, is the most adorable, most splendid, one of the funniest person in the whole wide world. He's like my personal teddy bear, without much fury though, which is always good! *grinz* Love him to bits. He makes me laugh with the things he does but mostly what he says.

And today, he told me he had to go in for another operation in Singapore. This would mean it'll be his third operation of a pituitary gland tumour, in a span of a year. It started off with him complainting of having vision problems. So he went to see a doctor, and to our shock & dismay he was diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumour. And just recently, he had a review with his doc, and the MRI showed that the previous cyst, the liquid part, that was not removed previously, has grown bigger.

** my thoughts**
Lord, why do these things happen to the people close to us?
I know not the things that You have placed in our lives, but time will tell of lessons to be learnt.
I will trust in Your plans & let You lead the way, no matter how scary it will seem.
...
Cuz, I know our Lord Jesus will pull you & your family through whatever the circumstances may be. Just believe in Him & know that He is Lord over everything.
For when there seems to be no way out, He opens another.
Another way that is even more blessed then the previous!
Love you.
----------

So what can I do, but pray. To ask for God's favour & strengthen upon my cousin, for his family to be strong, & for the surgeon to have steady hands.

On the up side...my cousin will be here in Melbourne for my graduation, which his doctor said will be alright to travel before his having his operation in December! I think he wants more to come to Melbourne than to see me, but than again I could be wrong. *wink*

**BIG, BIG TEDDY BEAR HUG!**

S.T.U.D.Y.

.

Steady progress & advancement with lecture notes, tutes, pracs and everything else under the sun

.

Tedious & tiresome task of actually revising through it all

.

Unsure, Unconfident & unconvinced I can finish revising in time

.

Delay & procrastinate, even though I know there is much more to do

.

Yearn & desire for it all to be over

.

Lord, I commit my time into Your hands, cause I know by my own strength I will only use & abuse it for my own earthly & human desires. I pray that as I study for my exams I will not soul-ly focus on the task at hand but that I will focus upon YOU; Your love, Your grace & Your patience of which You have shown me over the past years. May You grant me the concentration, the determination and the time management during this period of examination.

This I pray in Your most holy and mighty Name,

AMEN!

What's after this?

Today, was my final day at uni as a physiotherapy student, to sit in a lecture theatre, listening to a lecturer, trying not to fall a sleep b'cos of the late nite I had the nite before. Can you imagine, in another 3 weeks from now I would have finished my course of 4 years. Wow! I'm excited, as well as freaked out but mostly excited, to get out into the working world and see how it's done on your own as a new grad.

Before i go overboard with excitement I'm into gear for some serious cramming for my finals in TWO WEEKS! Come on bring it on...I guess being a geek/nerd for a couple of weeks will and should pay off in the end...hehehe

So about my exams let's see how it all pans out:

25th Oct Tuesday : Musculoskeletal Clinical exam (11am @ RMH)
31st Oct Monday : Paediatrics Theory exam (2pm @ Arts Hall)
1st Nov Tuesday : Cardiothoracic Theory exam (2pm @ Arts Hall)
2nd Nov Wednesday : Neurology Theory exam (2pm @ Arts Hall)
3rd Nov Thursday : Musculoskeletal Theory exam (2pm @ Arts Hall)
4th Nov Friday : OSCE Clinical exam (11.45am @ School of Physio, Level 2)

It's a pretty full on timetable but I figure it'll be over in a flash *grinz*

So what's after all this? I've been preparing my resume and getting referees. Applying for a career that i can both benefit from and benefit others through. It's a long process that cannot be avoided. Plus there is the application of Permanent Residence here in Australia. Even before my graduation on the 3rd of December, I have to register with the Registration Board of Physiotherapy and apply for idemnity insurance. So many things to do...

Hahaha...I think about it I really had it good before, everything was provided for. I didn't have to worry about what would happen tomorrow or the day after. I suppose as we grow older, wiser and more mature in our thinking, we need to take on these responsibilities. But there is ONE thing that is very secure in my life and that is my place in Heaven, my final destination (but I'm not in a hurry to get there *smilez*). So with that I know I have a Father in Heaven who is looking out for me and whatever happens here on earth I can depend on Him to provide.

How awesome is that!! *Sweet.*

WELL ALL THE BEST EVERYONE FOR YOUR EXAM PREPARATION AND THE EXAMS ITSELF!
**big virtual hugZ**

pals for life! **grinz**

Have you ever wondered...

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do they use sterilised needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

What is the speed of darkness?

Are there specially reserved parking spaces for "normal" people at the Special Olympics?

If you send someone 'Styrofoam', how do you pack it?

If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

If it's true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here?

Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?

If someone with a split personality threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation?

Can you cry under water?

What level of importance must a person have, before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on bigger suitcases?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up, like, every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors, when they ask you to strip, leave the room or close the cubicle curtain while you change?

They're still going to see you naked anyway.

in the distance

As I gaze over the past, focus on the present and look to the future
I slowly see and understand the work the Master has upon my life
Where things steadily and gradually fall into its place
Even if it doesn't seem right in my own eyes
I trust that He has my life in His hands
And I won't have it any other way

Lord, I give you my life, everything I have was your gift to me
And I thank you for your grace upon my life
I will continue to seek you as I journey through this life
Along side you, as you will never leave me
Along side the people you have placed in my life
My family, friends and even strangers
Father, I truly thank you for your Son, Jesus and
the guidance of your Holy Spirit in my life
Thank you and praise your name!

So as I look into the distance I know that whatever the situation is I will trust in You and allow You to take hold of my life.

Stepping into new things

Handing over the baton of leadership.

Yesterday I had an awesome privilege to pass on to the next generation of leaders who will take up the challenge and growth as they serve in the committee. To lead the people, the members of Melbourne Uni OCF into the promises that God has for us.

Just as Joshua successed to guide the people to enter and possess Canaan. Like in Joshua 1:5-6 (The Message); 'It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I (God) was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul.'

These verses shows that as Joshua leads the people; there will be problems, there will be challenges ahead. But all these won't matter because our God will never fail us nor will He abandon us. And as the committee leads the members of MUOCF to greater things He has already planned, sensitivity to His voice and obedience to His timing is needed do all He says with everything, heart and soul.

And as Graeme shared with Wang Wei, April and myself. He told us that we're not stepping down but we're stepping up and into the new things of God's plans. And I believe that God has a great and worthwhile challenge ahead for each of us.

Lord, I will place my trust in you. I will make this song my prayer.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Praise your Holy name O Lord! Amen.

dreams...

...do come true!

Yesterday, before Melbounre Uni OCF Jazz Night, I lost my dark blue velcro Kathmandu wallet in the Union House basement toilet.

How?

Sarah Jane, Michelle, Fang & I were rushing (sort of) to get ready for the night's event. I placed my wallet in my jacket pocket and hung it close by. Doing what girls do, I guess, hair and a little make-up. We didn't take notice of who came in and/or what they left with.

Then we were made to rush even more as Vanessa called us to head up asap! So in our rush, we helped each other out, carrying each others things. Fang helped carry my jacket, I forgot to tell her my wallet was in it. So as we ran up, we figured that along the way my wallet may have slipped out. When we arrived backstage, I was looking for my wallet but no such luck. My tummy got all knotted up and I told the girls.

**Lord, help me!**

We started a hunt. Sarah and I searched high and low, back tracking and scanning through the hallways, three time. No such luck. But the girls were real encouraging.

The evening had to go on, so I had to forget about it till the night ended.

Once it had Sarah and I started looking for it again. I told some of the guys, and they were reassuring, helping me announce to the packing up committee to look out for my wallet. I even told Steve, the security guard (such a nice fella) and he was real helpful. Telling us little tips like looking in the bins, cos sometimes if a person has taken what they want from the wallet they'd throw the rest in the bin. *Jesus, help me!*

Overall, we had no luck finding it that night but its a new experience for me. Michelle getting numbers to call to cancel my cards. Called mum and dad, they checked that I knew what to report to the police, making sure I had a list of things to tell the police tomorrow morning.

... ZZZZZZZZZzzz Oh wow, you got my wallet, thank you so much!! ...

... Woke up and a heavy feeling of something missing, my wallet's still missing.
*Oh Lord, please help me!!*

No matter. I've prepared myself to go make a police report, cancel my cards and all. So I went and did all of it before lunch time. *satisfied sigh*

After lunch, apartment phone buzz!!

Cheryl: Yello!
Some guy: Hi, is this Cheryl.
Cheryl: Ahmm...yes!
Some guy: Ya, I have your wallet with me. Would you like to come down and get it?
Cheryl: Are you serious? Definitely, for sure, I'll be down in 2 seconds!
Some guy, now my hero: Ok!
--hangs up--
Excited, jumping with joy (in the lift) *grinz*

Down at the lobby.
My hero, sitting on the ledge of the apartment's so called pond with his phone and my wallet at hand.
Cheryl: Hi!
My hero: Hey, here's your wallet. I found it on the floor in the Union theatre.
Cheryl: **humm...Union theatre! How de...!**
My hero: I was on my way to the police station to hand your wallet in and I realise that your apartment is next to it. So I thought I'd just pass it to you. Sorry, I had to look through your wallet to find an address.
Cheryl: That's alrite. Thank you so much for returning my wallet! **sigh of relief**
My hero: No problem! **Walks off - maybe to do another good deed**
Cheryl: Thank you again. **Goes back indoors**

---

There you go my dream did come true! hahaha...I got my wallet back. woohoo!
Thank Lord for looking out for me.

Word...!

The most destructive habit__________________Worry
The greatest Joy_________________________Giving
The greatest loss_________________________Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work____________________Helping others
The ugliest personality trait__________________Selfishness
The most endangered species_______________Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource________________Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"________________Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome____________Fear
The most effective sleeping pill_______________Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease_____________Excuses
The most powerful force in life________________Love
The most dangerous pariah__________________A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer__________The brain
The worst thing to be without_________________Hope
The deadliest weapon_____________________The tongue
The two most power-filled words_____________"I Can"
The greatest asset________________________Faith
The most worthless emotion_________________Self-pity
The most beautiful attire____________________SMILE!
The most prized possession_________________Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication____Prayer
The most contagious spirit__________________Enthusiasm
The most important person in life_____________GOD

- eVEntFUL -

It's been awhile...loads has happened over the past couple of weeks!

Let's see the lastest thing that's hapened was just this afternoon.
Felt like an ice cream so crossed the road to McD. Turned out to be a rather expensive endeavour. Costed me 52 bucks! Ended up not getting anything from McD. Oh well...
But I'm not gonna tell why the 52! You'll just have to keep wondering why.

oh how eventful...hehe!

I am content

Learn to be content with whatever your circumstances are.
Be happy with the little as you are with the much.
The recipe for being happy - whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty, whatever you have, wherever you are - is knowing that you can make it through anything in the One who has made you the way you are.

Know who you are in Christ!
Know that who you are now is GOD'S GIFT to you.
And what you become in the future is YOUR GIFT to Him.

tired of work, ready for a break

Hooray!

This a break long overdue. With 9 weeks of work, assignments, assessments, tests and exams. The next nine days will be used well to rest, recharge & be with the family.

Lord, I thank you for pulling me through the last nine weeks of clinics, classes and all else in this precious life you have given. Guiding and just being with me during my ups and downs, ins and outs. Truly praise you for your awesome love for me and your gracious presence in my life. Again I thank you for everything good and bad for it has shaped me into the person I am today.
Amen.

'"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.'
Jeremiah 29:11

Experience isn't always the best teacher
Evaluated experience is!

~ Any time you make a commitment to something, it will be tested. ~

work in progress

sweet title! hehehe...

I figure that God is constantly working on each and everyone of us. But it depends on our state, our willingness to be changed!

Just like a blacksmith has loads of scrap metal at different stages in his workshop; so we are in God's workshop.

We may feel as though we are useless , as though we're in the scrap pile - broken lives, wasted talents, fires quenched, dashed dreams - in desperate need of repair, no purpose in sight.

Others may be on God's anvil of recasting - ready with hearts open, hungry for change, wounds healing, visions clearing - longing to be rebuilt, begging to be called, but knowing & welcoming the painful pounding of the blacksmith's hammer.

Some lie in the Master's hands - well tuned, uncompromising, polished, productive - responsive to their Master's forearm, demanding nothing, surrendering all. A simultaneously joyful & painful journey!

As we allow ourselves to leave the heap of junk in our lives; to enter the fire, daring to take a walk on the wild side to discover your own purpose in Him - sharpened, defined, primed & mobile to do His will in which He has individually called you!

2 Timothy 2:21
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master & prepared to do any good work."

Maintenance

How can you (I) maintain a good attitude?

1) Realise that your attitude needs daily adjustments.
Can you imagine not maintaining your car/house/etc...it'll be a disaster!
It's the same like any discipline, your attitude will not take care of itself. So you need to attend to it daily.

2) Ask God to help.

Here's a prayer I thought was pretty humorous but true:

"Dear Lord,
So far today, I am doing all right. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self-indulgent. I have not whined, cursed or eaten any chocolate.
However, I am going to get out of bed in a few minutes, and I will need a lot more help after that.
Amen."

3) Always look for what's good.
In all you do have a desire to work & a joyful attitude. These were the only two requirements for those working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta.
If somebody could be joyful amongst the dying & the poorest of the poor, surely you can too!

4) Seek out faith-filled people.
How? It's easy cos their everywhere, you'll find them soaring above the doubters like eagles.
If you're having a tough day, get close & 'draft' behind them the way racers do.
If they're having difficulty, you can be the one to get out front & make things easier.

Let's try maintaining a good attitude like the Psalmist
'Seven times a day I will praise You.' (Psalm 119:164)

~ TRY IT! ~

Attitude?

Your attitude towards others often determines their attitude towards you

Your attitude can give you a winner's perspective
All things begin equal, attitude wins. All things not begin equal, attitude sometimes still wins.

Your attitude - not your achievements - gives you happiness
The thoughts in your mind will always be more important than the things in your life.

Like any discipline, your attitude will not take care of itself. You need to attend to it daily.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

- Walt Emerson -

Ask yourself this, is my attitude worth catching?

~ b'cos ATTITUDES are contagious! ~

Sore tooth

Just a few days ago (3 days now). As I was having dinner at a restaurant. Happily having yummy food (roast duck, pork rib, salt & pepper chicken, kailan)...yummmm

I picked a juicy piece of pork rib. I bit into it but it had a soft bone on it. Not knowing & unprepared for it. I bit really really hard & before I knew it, i cracked my tooth (molar) from the top down! OUCH!!!

The small piece of the tooth feels like a loose tooth now. But the larger part of the crack tooth is stable. So now I have to chew only on my right side. So painful!

What's going to happen to my tooth...will I have to pull it out? If so, one less tooth to look after will be fine by me. Or will the dentist here save my tooth from departing my gum?!? hehe...

But till this day I have yet to make a dental appointment. I will get to it asap!

Masterpiece!

Too often we get distracted by what is outside of our control.
You can't do anything about yesterday.
The door has been shut and the key thrown away.

You can do nothing about tomorrow.
It is yet to come.

However, tomorrow is in large part determined by what you do today.
So let's make today a masterpiece.

You have to apply yourself each day to become a little better.
By applying yourself to the task of becoming a little better each day & every day over a period of time, you will become a lot better.
Only then will you be able to approach being the best you can be.

Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations & Reflections On & Off the Court

Ponder on this...

Have you ever asked yourself - why does the world have to rotate?

I reckon it's because it has to revolve around something/someone!

Most people allow their world to spin around themself - a very, very thin & limp 'I' (hahaha)
Others revolve around the material things - money, fashion, cars...
Some rotates around others for a sense of existence - security, sex, power
Few of us actually spins on the ultimate love of Christ - the GIFT of salvation

Funny how I only said a "few". But can you imagine if the few of us actually get real & started taking up our cross to allow Christ to live in us. How miraclous it will be!
Hummm...ponder on it

See how thinking/studying can make you think about all these kinds of things.

Praise Him!

At the end of the day I take time to reflect upon His grace & mercy
And even the little things He has put my way to bless & enrich my life
So many blessing that could be missed but to reflect & see His love in every moment



As the sunsets behind the horizon, ready for a new day to dawn
I know He will renewed His mercy & grace for me
When I arise from the restful slumber He has given

What an awesome God I know
I so love my Heavenly Father to bits
May I not disappoint Him but bring glory to His Name in this new day

I have this funny feeling somethings not quite rite! 

Before you speak; before you open your mouth to allow your tongue to speak. Ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, will it improve on the silence?

How can you hold in what you so dearly want to let out! How!!

I think of this, once you've let out without thinking, without asking yourself. You can not take it back. Oh so blessed you will be if you stop to think before you speak, to both sides (the giver & the receiver(s))!

The beginning

Wat up & Welcome!

Been thinking of creating a blog for a while now but didn't have anything inspiring to put up or to continue to put up. Then I came to a point where I thought why not just do it and see how I go.

A prayer for this new kick up is to encourage those who visits this blog and to be encouraged by the things that God has done and will continue do in my life, and even in the lives of my family & friends.

So knowing that I have a purpose and from there taking the risk for His glory!

Enjoy...