Happy New Year 2012!!

Oh Tuhan, Pimpin lah langkahku

Ku tak b'rani jalan sendiri

Sertaku itu lah doaku

Agarku merendahkan diri

Menurut firmanMu 'tiap hari

Jadikan pelita dalam g'lap

Mencari domba yang sesat

Itu lah kerinduan jiwaku

Christmas 2011... Part 4

Noel played the guitar again... for Malam Pra Krismas on the 18th... He did well :)

Christmas 2011... Part 3

Since I've start working in this company, I've never had the chance to join Christmas Party as by 17th or 18th each December, I would have already left for my leave and the crowd likes to keep it to the last working day possible. But this year, since the family is not going anywhere, I did not take leave and could join the party and the gift exchange.

I offered to make carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Bought some cute Christmas deco to put on the "Winter Wonderland" cake :)

The appetiser - Fried Chicken Wing, Karipap. And my coleslaw as always.

Main dish - chicken Spaghetti...

And we had pies and peanut cake from Tom's (a REALLY expensive makan place - I went in once to buy a cake and my eyes popped out!)

Thank God some people were still sane enough to bring some fruit!

But... there was Nasi Minyak and Chicken Curry too!!!

And fried bihun and another healthy dish - mix veg

What's a party without my sandwiches eh? :)

Our event coordinator arranging the gifts for the gift exchange... I got a packet of Kit Kat.

The crowd that day... we've had a great time, great food, thoughtful presents and most of all, great company.

Ain't that what matters most?

Christmas 2011... Part 2

I don't normally get myself a Christmas gift... I find that gift giving is too much over-rated, so I stopped doing it during Uni days.


However, I've been eyeing this mini light for at least a few years. Know what I hate most? Reading the night away and discovering I need to get up to turn off the lights when my eyes can't take it anymore and it's time for dreamland!!! So this year, I decided to get myself this as Christmas gift. At Rm20, I think, it's also a great reminder to be a light wherever I am :)


Yeay!!! No more getting up when reading late at night!!! (now...., I haven't gotten myself the birthday gift I wanted; and need. Pokai already. Cancel.)

Christmas 2011... Part 1

The English Sunday School had Christmas party last Sunday (18th). Huge turnout... I think the main church must have been really empty as most adults were here!

Noel is now not only a guitarist, but also a back up singer...

And an actor (this is a simple skit)


Del was really a champ - he belted out JOY TO THE WORLD so wonderfully loud (at the price of red jelly incentive!)

I helped up with translation because there were about 30 bumi children who were invited too. (see my red knitted top? - I lurve this top walaupun it's been with me for at least 8 years :p)

As a matter of fact, all the teachers were supposed to be in Red... so many shades of red that day! See the masses of red below!

The children were thought to give to the guest too... they each had to bring a gift for the guest... Don't know what's going on here... looks like Del is having a hard time to part with his gift? Haha! (pssttt... see more teachers in red near the wall!)

We made egg mayo sandwich to share that day (potbless kindda refreshment)- nicely cutout with ship, car, aeroplane, mickey mouse, minnie mouse, pooh and tigger faces... but ALAS!!! I forgot to take the photo for this!! [thanks tolong cut cut Aunty Togou!]

Merry Christmas 2011!!

During our Pre-Christmas celebration, the BM sunday school children sang this song. I feel in love with it immediately... how true! YouTube it up...

NATAL DI HATIKU

SEPERTI PALUNGAN

LAYAKKANLAH HATIKU MENYAMBUT-MU TUHAN

SEPERTI EMAS KEMENYAN DAN MUR

BIAR HIDUPKU BERKENAN PADA-MU

c/o: SEBAB NATAL TAK AKAN BERARTI TANPA KASIH-MU

LAHIR DI HATIKU

HANYA BERSAMA-MU YESUS KURASAKAN SELALU

INDAHNYA NATAL DI HATIKU

BERSAMA PADUAN SUARA SURGA KU BERNYANYI

KEMULIAAN DI TEMPAT MAHA TINGGI

DAN DAMAI SEJAHTERA DI ANTARA MANUSIA

YANG HIDUPNYA BERKENAN KEPADA-MU

We thank the Lord for your love, support, care and friendship throughout 2011
God bless you abundantly in 2012 and many more years to come
Merry Christmas from the Labungs!!
Richard, Alice, Desmond, Donny, Deldrie, Diana & Noel

I got this "Chrismas Story" book with figurines from Logos Hope. It was at the 'special offer" corner as some of the figurine lost its stand, but it was going ridiculously cheap - at RM4 and I've always wanted a Nativity Scene at home, so I got it. I am glad I did. It now takes a special place in our living room.

When I die... Part 6

Part 6: Funeral Night Service

Well, normally, people will have service after the funeral day, then Makai 3, Makai 7, Makai 10, Makai 40, Makai 100, Makai 1 yr.... Iysk iysk iysk.... NO NEED LIAO.... After the funeral / cremation, NO NEED to have anymore services... all will be very tired by now… just have a time with the friends and family before everyone goes off… :)

Now, friends... I know you're thinking - this girl is crazy!!! Who said I'd even attend her funeral (kes perasan penting betul till people will have to come for the funeral)... Well... As I said, it's just a guideline... you don't have to feel pressured to come. I'd totally understand! In which case, the PIC of the whole event will need to find replacement.

Oh ya, there is this guy from the Methodist Church - his name is Kiu (from TMC) - He is to be incharge of the whole thing from the Methodist side please. Kiu - you're the best funeral planner that I know. I'd be honoured and my family and friends will have an easier time dealing with someone we (the family and I) knows. Thank you.

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It's Christmas eve today, we'll all be doing what we can to "receive" Him in our hearts and to remind ourselves of how He, the Lord of all, came down to be with us. How great indeed is His love - Peace on earth, goodwill to men.



Thanks for bearing with me till the end Peeps. Actually... mau uji jak bah tu... see if you think I'm ridiculous at all. All those things that I said in the previous post, it's just.... what I think now in my insane state of mind. None of those things matters pun actually. And it's OK if you do not even come when I die... Waste of money to come see a corpse I'd say. I am afterall no longer here on earth. So if you find all those things nonsense and crap - so be it. At least I got this write up down, just the way I wanted to do it. Crap or no crap.

~THE END~

When I die... Part 5

Part 5: Funeral Service

March in Song: When we all get to heaven – PIC: Dawn
Sharing: Rev. Lau Hui Ming
Song: Menua siti siang belama – PIC: Tracey
Eulogy: PIC: Frida
Slide Show: PIC: Jane
Closing Song: When the Roll is called up yonder – PIC: Tracey
March out song: This world is not my own – PIC: Abi A
Food: Just order from Fook Xing today. I like their food, and it’s worth it… get the cheapest buffet set.
Attire: No blacks – colourful attires

Dawn – You play the instrument and sing the song ya… Would be heavenly wonderful to be marched in di iringi your voice… Since you can’t play/sing at my wedding, you play and sing at my funeral lah k..
Rev. Lau – Ever since you came to TMC, I have admired your administrative skills as well as your PR with the congregation of all races and especially with the Pastoral Team. But most importantly, your testimony of how you responded to God’s calling so early in your life, your day-to-day struggles and how willingly you seem to share it with us has brought me closer in my walk with the Lord. For this, I thank you. And I'd be honoured to have you share during this service, please.
Frid – Aku tauk juak ko hate to stand in front of people, but… Ko tauk juak I want you to do this for me kan?... Ko paham – paham lah kawan ko tok k :)
Jane - Again, lost for words... I just know in my heart, you'd be the best person to do the slide show for me... sama juak reasoning with Dawn's part - you can't do the slides at my wedding, you do it for my funeral lah k :)
Abi – Lagu tok, best pakei guitar jak Bi… What better way to be escorted out than to have my once-prayer-partner sing "for" me. Mun ko / wife belum gik menggenapi your calling by time aku sikda tok, I urge you brethren, to better go fast fast ya!

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I'm supposed to update with the swimming photos from the pool... but just in case I have no connection at home (I'm already on holidays!!!), I leave you with this beautiful tree / smurf tower photo... HOHOHOHO!!!

When I die... Part 4

Part 4: Wake Service (3rd/Last night before funeral)

Opening song: Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus – PIC: Tracey M
Sharing of God’s word of comfort: It will be OK - PIC: Guru’s James
Closing Song: Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow'r (Are you washed) –
PIC: Tracey
Food:
Grilled chicken (as in BBQ? For a funeral?? HAHA) – PIC: Jane
Mashed potato (with gravy) – PIC: Jane
Boiled vege (carrot + broccoli + cauliflower) – PIC: Togs
Boiled sweet corn – PIC: Togs
Rice (white) - PIC: Anyone who is free :)

Jane - Who else can I trust with the grill and with yummy creamy mashed potatoes... no one but you... no need other things lah hor... just chicken will do :) *I've got a million things to tell you, but I can't, I tear up tiap kali I try... so... yeah... do the grill for me if you can ya :)

Togs - Who knows better about veg than the one who eats the most veg in the world :) Just boil that :) [kindly consider corn on cob as veg too ya!] (please refer David Teo / Aileen Tan (ask around – they are my church members – husband and wife) where to get the yummy sweet corn :))

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Yesterday, we wanted to go for a swim. We met up at a waterpark at about 5.15pm, but dark gloomy skies with heavy downpour greeted us...

Undettered, we waited in the car... for about 45 minutes... in the meantime, in order to maximize our time (and coz my tummy was playing a Keroncong), we decided to eat in the car! Mom & Del enjoyed it... (Well, I think Mom did!! )

Noel certainly did!

This is my plate (biasa, the one with the camera no picca!) Grilled lamb, boiled vege white rice...

Erm, the driver did too.... I think!

Then, at about 6.15, the rain just won't give up, so WE did.... Well, the kids prayed really hard over and over again that the rain will stop - this was a good time to instill in them that even if God doesn't answer our prayer the way we want it, it doesn't mean that He loves us less and that He will still be our God...

Dad/Mom/Del went home and Noel and I went to Spring and Hills to do some shopping... imagine, my son in his baju rumah going around! Gosh Gosh Gosh! Lovely deco at the Hills this year... Spring, not so (that's why no pix!)

We're planning to go swimming again this evening... and there after to a Combined Christmas service... Let's hope the weather corporates!

When I die... Part 3

Part 3: 2nd night service

*forgot to mention - for all the services at home - no need for all those pengacara (emcee), opening / closing prayer.

Opening Song: Tenanglah kini hatiku ~PIC: Tracey M
Sharing of God’s word of comfort: It's NOT OK ~PIC: Guru' James
Closing Song: I want to stroll over heaven with you ~PIC: Tracey M
Food: Cakes: chocolate, carrot, butter, lemon, marble, cheese + coffee + tea ~PIC: Merl

Merl: My partner in crime - baking in the middle of the night! :) Those are just simple2 stuff that I thought you can easily whip up... ada jugak geng2 kita tu yang pandai bake, ko suruh2 jak lah ah... :) Don’t slice your fingers!! Don’t use the grater too! Hahaha!

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All these talk about dying, makes me want to spend more time with my loved ones... so yesterday, I arranged to meet them up at a park after work. Also coz we had too many bread crumbs so a good way to "get rid" is to feed fish.

It had threaten to rain when we were on the way. Actually had even rained from the office. So I smsed Mom asking her to ask Noel to pray for the rain to stop. He prayed. Lo and behold, Mr. Sun came out to play.

Asked Mom if she cooked and she said no. Since the park is so brightly lighted, the weather nice, breezy and cooling, and Pizza Hut was just across the road, we decided to have a impromptu picnic. When getting ready for bed, Del was telling his nenek - but Nenek, we haven't ate rice!! Hahaha... typical! See him gulping down the soup! (it's weird - but Pizza Hut do not provide take away cutlery!)

It was really breezy last night... I loved how this tree looks like from our hut... there were bells at every corner of the hut and we had wonderful music during our meal.

We're planning for another play trip to the pool this evening. Have to sms Noel to pray for no rain :) I also pray that there will be more times like this to spend with the family...

When I die... Part 2

Part 2 will be for... the first night's service...

Opening Song: T’rima Kasih Tuhan ~PIC: Tracey M

Sharing of God’s word of comfort: Title: It's OK ~PIC: Guru' James C JJ

Closing Song: I’ll fly away ~PIC: Tracey M

Food: Sandwiches (egg mayo, chicken mayo, turkey ham + cheese) + coffee + tea

~Food PIC: Whoever my kengkawang oredi in Kuching :)

Trace – I have always thought that if music can convert a person, the tunes that comes from your fingers would definitely do it. There have been many a times, I’d be ready to get up and I have to sit back down and close my eyes in nearness to the Lord when you are playing an instrument. So, on these days leading up to the funeral, I’d be honoured if you can take the major part in the singing / instruments etc please… The songs are not everyday songs but I’m sure with the help of Mr. Google, you’ll find your way J [ada juak CD in my car that can help you actually – haha]. Of course you can rope in some of the BM singers to help you sing… but you’ll be the main singer ya! [you can’t kill me for this ridiculous request coz I’m already dead :P]

Guru’ James – as I’ve mentioned before, you are not only Guru’ as in Pastor – but you are also Guru’s as in my Teacher [I choked up the last time I was trying to tell you this. But I can’t choke up now – dead already. Haha]. I’m putting the title for the 3 nights sharing as “it’s OK (I'm back in Heaven), it’s not OK (if you don't have Jesus), it will be OK (When you have Jesus)” – I’ll leave it to you to figure out the details – you are after all my Rabbi :)

Kengkawan – well… it’s the first night of my departure… so you guys might not be in yet… but whoever in, tolong ya make the sandwiches… Togs, you know how I make my sandwiches kan? Thick and fat with lots vege / tomato :) Anyway... should look something like this lah that kan? These are quarters for the bread slices... something fingerish, simple and light for the first night :)

When I die... Part 1

Right.. so here we are at the "awaited" post. Having just had another B-Day (Blessed Birthday) and having gone through so many funerals which needed long talks and long discussions on"what to dos", I thought I'll save some people the trouble and write down what I'd want / the way I wanna do it. This of course is based on the assumption that the persons indicated can come to my funeral and can take part... else... hehehe... the family will need to figure out lah that...

It does feels weird to do this write up, but with the power bestowed upon me by My Lord (my body belongs to me right?), I now decree that these arrangement should be used in the case of my departure :)

Part 1 - basically what / how I'd want to go about... Part 2 etc will be on the funeral program itself :) Let's get the ball rolling...

When I die, I don’t want people to pull long face… smile, chat, laugh at the memories of me… I’m sure you don’t remember me as a long faced person right? :) But I'd accept the need to go through the human grief cycle... so actually, tears are OK :) Just don't go about with long face and howling etc :)

When I die, I don’t want to go in a sea of black – I want to be drowned in colours! My funeral service – please, make sure everyone attends in colourful attire – it’s a party!!! Though I love wearing black for its slimming effect, I love colours too :) I hate cracking my head on what to wear for a funeral, so, yeah, any colour will be OK!

When I die, I don’t want sorrowful songs – it’s a joyous day!!! Away from earthly pains and sufferings!

When I die,, I don’t want people to mourn for days and weeks long… I want people to laugh and smile and think of all those laughter moments we had together… bounce and smile should be in their voices… I will still want to keep to 3 days before I’m “deposited”, mainly because this will be one of those rare times my loved ones can gather and spend some time together.

When I die, I don’t want people to give their money – I’m dead anyways… please, take the money and buy someone dear to you a meal – enjoy each other whilst you can! [yes, I will make sure I’ve got some mullah stashed away to enable this! Right now, I don't have sufficient $$ yet lah, so, erm... let's hope my time is not up yet - else, yeah, still gotta contribute $$ to me! kehkeh]

When I die, don’t send me flowers / wreath – what a waste!!! I won’t be able to enjoy them anyways – please, buy a bouquet for the ones you love… they deserve it more.

When I die, I’d love to have people bake what they love to bake be it cakes or cookies or bread or buns in my kitchen and share it with the ones around… my kitchen to smell heavenly the whole time – what a great departure from my earthly body!

Should I be deposited to earth or cremated? I do think that coffins are ridiculously priced – so please, use the cheapest one you can get. I did think that if one chose cremation, one does not need coffin – which means a bulk of $$ will be “saved”. But I found out recently that still need to be placed in coffin? Tsk tsk… what a waste of money… But when thinking of not much land left, cost of grave land, the need to clean the grave every now and then… hmmm… yeah, maybe I’ll stick to being cremated. The ashes? Hmm… I love the sea don’t I? Strewn over the sea somewhere (Santubong?) would be nice.


What baju to wear in the coffin? Red! Hahahah... Red dress (I don't have this yet) or red blouse (I've only got one knitted top) or anything red lah :) Note to self - need to find more red attire :) Imagine tetiba in Santarina costume coz cannot find any red in my wardrobe!


That's what I have so far.... Any thoughts? Anything I forgot? Of course open for discussion Mates! :)


Just so that this will not be a picture-less post, here's our church van decorated simply for the recent Christmas parade in Kuching (17 Dec).



Report here: http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/12/19/some-6000-participate-in-christmas-parade/

Thank YOU for yet another year completed!

I dont normally do an entry for my birthday... it felt and still feels weird!! But I thought I'd do it this year, basically as introduction to next week's series *title as below*... And because most of us teda those fancy gadgets to check blogs on weekends, why not :)

Almost mid 30s... yikes!! Still a single mom at that!! *nanti I kasi cerita something ya...

However, everytime I try to thank Him for the journey so far, I choke up at mere whisper of thank you, Lord. He has been gracious and ever-loving, ever-gentle, ever-knowing, ever-protecting, ever-lasting and I know He will continue to be. I tear up at the thought of my mom bringing me into the world (and her ouchy ouch hanger spanks in younger days!!), at Dad's gentle gaze that seems to speaks a thousand words in silence, at the support and love given by both my parents, at the "I'd-come-to-your-resque-anytime-night-or-day" silent assurance from my brother, at those generous, warm, I'd-die-without hugs from precious Noel, at ever-cheering-on, ever-praying-for-you, ever-I'am-here-4-u, ever-thicker-than-blood mates...

Oh! My ungrateful heart!! There are days I'm down and low and I simply cannot understand His plans, but I am still thankful that day in, day out, His love endures forever. When life is as dull and brown as a simple chocolate chip cookies, beautiful colourful M&Ms are thrown my way!

So, yeah, Thank you Lord, for the many, many, many blessings, love and support you've thrown my way. Thank you for 32 years completed in You. Help me to hold on and race on albeit falling down, scrapping my knees, slow to get up days... Help me to complete my life, also in You.

Next week, I'll do a series called "when I die"... basically running through the possibilities of things / how things are done *not to be done* when I pass on to the pearly gates.

*cerita sedih nya begini... hari tu, masa kami pegi carolling, ada orang tanya si Noel - where is your father? I was in the kitchen. Apparently, he just left with a shrug of his fatty fatty shoulder. Then, malam tu, when we were about to sleep, he said "Mama (sometimes he addresses me as Mama as in Mandarin - it's Mama and Baba), I want Baba." I was dumbfounded. Didn't know how to reply him. So I just told him - pray that God gives you a good Baba. Wuaaa... nasib baik gelap the room - so he couldn't see my tears... The end...

Don't sedih - sedih lah Mates!!! It's my happy day today!! Ada tu nanti... but as Daniel said - but even if He doesn't provide this one, He would still be my Provider - my God and my Lord. Ya lah Tuan - do as You please.

The Bigger Picture...

Recently, there've been many discussion on where the ministry is headed to... what our group of leaders would call - The Bigger Picture... With so many discussion about the future going on, I can hardly aviod think of where my directions will be as well... Mana mau pigi ni?? What is MY bigger picture??




Oh 2012, what do you have in store for me?