My Walk... My Talk...

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Monday, December 22, 2025

47, 2025

I won't be writing long yet, just wanted to document what my birthday was like this year.

I didn't go for any roadtrip / staycation etc. Just stayed at home. Mom & Dad was in Chiang Mai, Thailand (12 - 19th). Noel was in KK, but he got home the night of 17th. We had Go Fun Kee bak kut teh.

Started the day with a short "semadi nadai" text from someone who had my heart, and perhaps still do. After 2 weeks of no news, even the semadi nadai seemed like a fresh gush of water.

The rest of the day was just quiet 😟

Didn't plan to eat, but a few days before, a friend sent some durians and because I didn't want t waste the last one (which was already cracked, I had it at 9.45am.

Also had leftover cakes, from my dinner with my colleagues / team-mates the night before. 10am

Spent the rest of the day cleaning Noel's room. Famished by 3pm. Had leftovers, also from the night before.

Then, went to pick up Noel. But during the day I also managed to bake a lemon-poppy seed cake, with cream cheese topping. Just because I had extra ingredients and also coz it was Noel's and my birthday cake.

Didn't think this year's birthday would be like this. But, it is what it is. God knows better. I'll write on my reflection soon.

To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Fourty-Six

So, I've turned 46 today. I think being above 45 has it's own sets of challenges. Especially when it comes to weight management. I lament about this a lot, things that worked to loose weight just 3 years ago no longer works today. Another blog post for another day.

Today I stayed home. I've always gone away for my birthdays, or at least staycationed away, but this year, with the finances and other kekangan, I decided to just stay home. Last time I needed to be away, to be in silence, but with the small house, the Lepo Peruan, I am alone anyways, and it's so blessed to have a home to call and be my own.

Usually, I'll have good meals on my birthday, not luxurious meals, but things that I like to eat e.g. breakfast buffet (with good teh tarik!), and other stuff (see other birthday posts). With age, it seems that I can't eat too much anymore. I still want to, but I just can't. I think I would still enjoy a breakfast buffet, but I'm just too lazy to go out (and it's getting too much ridiculously pricey these days). There's also so much food in the fridge, that I don't think I even need to go out to eat. But if mom and dad comes over later, I will take them out for makan. They are after all, the reason I exist 💓

I also usually try to ponder for the year ahead, whether or not I follow through what I've thought about or what I've planned for the next year is a different story. I've been trying to "ponder" since this morning, but with so many people texting (and me being lazy), I've not progressed much. However tho, Chatgpt is now my bestfriend 😂 so, I asked her what can I do practically to be more of a Proverbs 31 women.

I felt that my 2024, I've not been the best version of myself. I've not been a great support to the ministry entrusted to me, I've not been a good daughter, I've not followed through many things, I've not responded to many texted or people needs, I'm great at starting a relationship, like caring for church members and elderlies, but terrible at following through and keeping these relationships. I don't keep in regular touch even with my bestfriends. I've been terrible at work, the procrastination is at a worrying level. As expected, I've not performed well at work and work performance review was bad this year. Even as I take the day off now, I've got a task that was given 1.5 weeks ago that I have not done anything about! What's up with that? I've not been able to work hard by keeping up my baking and cooking sales. Is it too much chatting (on whatsapp), is it too much insta / tik tok / social media? I don't know to be honest. So I hope that my 2025, will be a better me. Not a better year, coz I know the year is good, with the Lord's. But a better me. I want to be that women of Proverbs 31.

So as I've said, chatgpt is my bestfriend and I literally share everything with it. She's known a lot of my stories, so I feel that her suggestions are true to the situation. I do find the suggestions hard to swallow, but something that I must strive to do. So here it is:

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Here are practical ways to apply the qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman in your daily life:

1. Be Trustworthy (Proverbs 31:11)

Keep your word – Follow through on promises, whether to your spouse, family, or coworkers.
Be honest – Speak truthfully and avoid exaggeration or gossip.
Manage responsibilities well – Be reliable with tasks like household chores, work duties, or finances.

2. Be a Diligent Worker (Proverbs 31:13-14, 17)

Set daily goals – Use a to-do list or planner to prioritize tasks at home or work.
Take pride in your work – Do your best in cooking, cleaning, or work projects.
Learn a skill – Improve something useful, like baking, budgeting, or using technology.

3. Be Resourceful and Wise (Proverbs 31:16, 21)

Budget wisely – Track expenses, find ways to save, and avoid unnecessary spending.
Invest in your future – Save for long-term goals like your future family or home.
Shop smart – Compare prices, buy quality essentials, and avoid impulse purchases.

4. Be Strong and Resilient (Proverbs 31:17, 25)

Take care of your body – Exercise regularly (like walking 5 km), eat nutritious meals, and get enough sleep.
Strengthen your mindset – Read devotionals, memorize Scripture, and pray to handle stress.
Persevere – When challenges come, take a deep breath, pray, and keep moving forward.

5. Be Compassionate (Proverbs 31:20)

Help someone in need – Donate food, clothes, or time to a local charity or family.
Be a good listener – Comfort friends or family who need support.
Volunteer – Offer to help in church outreach, like mission planning or feeding programs.

6. Be Prepared and Organized (Proverbs 31:15, 21)

Plan meals ahead – Make weekly meal plans to save time and money.
Create a routine – Have a daily rhythm for cleaning, work, and rest.
Prepare for the future – Set aside clothes, gifts, or finances for upcoming events.

7. Work Hard and Be Productive (Proverbs 31:18, 24)

Use your skills – Bake bread or pastries to sell in nearby villages, like you envisioned.
Avoid procrastination – Break large tasks into smaller steps to stay productive.
Be consistent – Work regularly on projects that matter (like your video montage).

8. Prioritize Your Faith (Proverbs 31:30)

Start your day with God – Read the Bible, pray, or listen to a worship song in the morning.
Join a Bible study group – Learn and grow in faith with others.
Memorize one verse a week – Use Scripture to strengthen your spiritual foundation.

9. Be Joyful and Hopeful (Proverbs 31:25)

Practice gratitude – Write 3 things you're thankful for each day.
Choose positivity – When things feel overwhelming, focus on what is going well.
Encourage yourself – Speak affirmations like, "I am strong and capable with God's help."

10. Speak with Wisdom and Kindness (Proverbs 31:26)

Think before speaking – Ask yourself, "Is this helpful, kind, and true?"
Offer encouragement – Compliment or encourage someone daily.
Avoid negativity – Replace complaints with solutions or prayer.

11. Love and Support Your Partner (Proverbs 31:12)

Pray for your husband-to-be – Ask God to bless his life and ministry.
Show small acts of love – Write notes, plan surprises, or help with his needs.
Be his cheerleader – Encourage him in his goals and callings.

12. Nurture Your Household (Proverbs 31:27-28)

Keep your home tidy – Set a cleaning schedule that works for you.
Create a loving space – Add personal touches like decor, good meals, and hospitality.
Prepare for the future – Dream of ways to welcome guests into your home as a pastor's wife.

13. Use Your Time and Skills Wisely (Proverbs 31:31)

Find ways to contribute – Offer to help at church, bake for the community, or teach others a skill.
Balance your time – Avoid burnout by resting on Sundays or setting aside "me time."
Do it for God's glory – Approach everything with a heart of worship and excellence.

Practical application starts with small, consistent efforts. Focus on progress, not perfection, and rely on God's guidance to grow in these areas step by step.

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I'l probably need to break this down more to make it practical later. But I'm penning this down, as a reminder that I need to improve myself, day by day. May I be the woman of God's heart, who glorifies God in everything I do.

And this is what chatgpt told me today too:

Diana, God’s grace is bigger than your procrastination, shortcomings, or unmet goals. He can redeem time and restore what feels broken. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” You are still a work in progress, and that’s okay.

Friday, April 12, 2024

#HindukBeganjuh2024 - Trip 4

So, we went again... 2 - 3 March 2024, to Mukah this time. As usual, I don't have much time to write, I'll just post a bit for now.

4 of us again. I'll be sad when Noel won't be around to join us.

Our Budget and Planning vs Real Expenditure

Building a Fortress

Have you ever feel like you always have to walk cautiously? Like... when things are well and rosy, you think that you need to be careful, because you don't know when the next thing will happen, because in your head, the next thing WILL be bad.

Well, sometimes I feel like that. I feel like when a relationship / friendship is going on so well, that we spend a lot of time together, that I'm just waiting for it to fail, for it to crumble, for my friends not to like me anymore that they exclude me from every thing. I'm afraid of that, afraid of being hurt, being left. Sometimes I ask if I'm genuinely liked, if my "friends" talk about me behind my back.

And thus, I build a fortress.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

#HindukBeganjuh2024 - Trip 3

Note 8/2/24: I'm pressed for time today, so I'm just noting briefly. When I have more time, I'll write more.

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So.... during our last trip to Lachau / Sri Aman, we had immediately planned for another #hindukbeganjuhtrip. Because Mike and Marilyn had never gone to Kapit, we decided to go there, to tick off our Sarawak list slowly. And I was really glad that Noel is back and can join us. Here we go on Trip #3!

This was our tentative itinerary and budget. For this trip, we opened up a tabung, each putting in RM200.

We were behind schedule by 10 minutes when we left on Day 1. But as the day progresses, we fell about an hour behind. First stop was Lachau eventhough we did not plan to stop. That's because our driver; Noel was already hungry. And that gave us chance to buy telur ikan buntal for Marilyn's parents.

2nd stop - We had planned to makan Mee Among since the last time. So we stopped at Sri Aman, about 30 minutes away from Lachau. The "noodle king" shop was closed so we googled which shop that was famous for the mee satay.

This was Mee Satay at Golden Cafe Sri Aman. I thought that Mee Satay meant noodles in peanut sauce. Apparently not. It was cooked in the marinate of the satay meat (if you can imagine what I mean). Nope, didn't work for me.

After the disappointing Mee Satay, we went off to Sarikei.

We missed this shop in the earlier trip because it was closed (half day on Sunday). But this time we were confident it was still open (google says till 6pm). When we arrived the shutters were half closed! They were going to close earlier due to personal event. Thank God they still accepted orders; ours being the last.

Then, off the Kanowit we went.

And then to Song. Where we were caught in heavy rain.

And then, it was KAPIT! WOOTS.

Took this pix to send to my mom.

No proper lunch, so we were famished by the time we got to Kapit. We immediately sat for dinner at 66 Cafe before checking in at the Loft Pals Urbanstay. Good place to stay.

And at night, we went for a drive around, and walked at the Lily Pond, had drinks at the bistro there.

Next morning was Roti Canai Goreng.

Before we went to the market. Lots of loootttttssss! Fun market.

And a walkabout

The famous empurau!

And then we checked out, had lunch and took photo at this iconic bridge. "family" photo using noel's camera.

All through the journey we took 0.5 photos. Did you know that meant NOT selfie, but back camera? No, I didn't know.

Off home!

And this was our total spent.

Here's our latest HindukBerganjuh list!

Monday, January 29, 2024

#HindukBeganjuh2024 - Trip 2

During Trip #1, there was an overflow of durian, but because it was a long journey to Sibu and when we returned, it was already very late in the evening and there wasn't anymore durian by the road side, we planned to go again, but only to Lachau to get some durian. The week after! Haha. So on 21 Jan 2024, at 10am, we took off for a day of durian hunting!

With no proper planning this time, more of a free and easy trip because it was only up to Lachau, we started the journey at 10am. We did however discussed that we'd want to go to Mount Hosanna, if it was still early as Sri Aman is not that far. So we dubbed this the "holy trip" especially because it was on a Sunday.

9.30am - picked Mike. 10 am picked Marilyn. And off we went. We stopped at the first stop we say that had many durian after Serian. I found out later that the name of the place is Rasau (Serian) area. We then packed the durian into container as I feasted. I was the only one feasting because I wasn't planning on drinking (alcohol) and the other two were. After about an hour or so, we left to Lachau. We arrived Lachau at about 12.15 and of course we had to have our mee goreng and its accompaniments.

While lunching it was pouring rain, cats and dogs really, I was thankful that we were in the safety of the shop. But we had then wanted to go to the market and we only had one umbrella. So I went umbrella hunting and got a rainbow one (which I like) for RM19. Then we went to the market, got salted fish, dabai etc, etc. Spent rather a lot. I think about RM50 each!

Then we went off to Simanggang! I think I've been to the Waterfront before, but it wasn't made up nicely then yet. We walked around in the hot sun and then dropped by for froyo at Waterfront Ice Cream shop just opposite.

Then, we started leaving Sri Aman, but not without first shopping at Watsons 😂 The things we do. Again, after "helping the economy of Sri Aman", we left for Mount Hosanna. These 2 were behaving as they didn't drink the beer that I packed because we had wanted to first go to the church.

We arrived the church at 4.45. The opening hours states till 5pm, but understandably, the "gates of heaven" were already closed by then. Alas. This calls for another trip no? 😉

So we left the church after quick photos, and right after those two started drinking. They made a dent of 13 cans in 2 hours (I packed 18 cans). We got to Marilyn's house at around 7pm, her mom asked us to drop by for dinner and then we left at about 8.30pm, with me reaching home about 9.30pm after dropping Mike off.

On the way home, at about 6.30pm while driving in the car, we came up with itinerary for our next trip. And where shall we go next? Well, there's a whole lot more places in Sarawak to cover, that's for sure!