foOtprints..

Feeling hungry? Fed up of the usual places you go? Here's my fav Makan places near Aman Suria

2011-07-21T01:42:00.000+08:00

Aman Suria

Betty's Midwest Kitchen (Western) Tel for booking: +603 7880 0196 / +6019 227 7019 (Eve)
Restoran Ming Heong (Chinese)
Rosemary Bites (Western)
ChaCha Pan Mee (Chinese)
Wong Poh Restaurant (Chinese; Seafood)
Sedap (Mamak)
Original Kayu (Mamak)

Sunway Mas

Murni's Discovery (Mamak, Western; Chinese)
Restoran Wei Yip (Western breakfast, FishHead Noodles Lunch, Chinese dinner)
Restaurant Yong Chew (Chinese) Telephone: +603 7806 4043 / +6012 637 2713 / +6016 698 0913
Restoran 88 (Chinese; Seafood)
D'Suria (Mamak)
Famous Seremban Favourites (Chinese)
Hoho Steamboat (Chinese, Steamboat) Menu available on Official Homepage; Cost per pax: RM14.50 (minimum 2 pax)
Old Town White Coffee (Malaysian Favourites, Coffee) Official Homepage

Nearby

Waterlily (Balinese, near Jaya Grocer's)
Damansara Uptown: Hokano Japanese restaurant (Address: 74 Jalan SS 21/36, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya; Telephone: 012 686 3226)

Food Deliveries to Aman Suria

2011-07-21T01:33:00.002+08:00

Fast Food

McD's : Tel No. 1300 13 1300 / Menu
A&W : Tel No. 61565092 (Kota Damansara) 78735440 (SS2) / Menu
Domino's Pizza : Tel No. 1300 888 333 / Menu
Pizza Hut : Tel No. 1300 88 2525 / Menu

Restaurant fare

Room Service Deliveries : Tel No. 1300 886 886 / Menu

Shopping for a Washing Machine

2010-04-02T12:27:00.000+08:00

Front-loader or Top-loader?

Taking into consideration our budget and mountains of clothes with limited time, I decided to get the biggest washer that I could find..

But who knew? The massive sounding 14kg (wet weight) toploaders could actually wash only the same amount as a 8kg (dry weight) front loader, who could also have hot washes (better to kill bacteria).. The price difference was RM500. What a con-job, they should all use the same measurements!

So after shortlisting 16 toploading washers from Samsung, Hitachi, Elextrolux ranging from 10-14kg(costing RM1000-2000), I ended up with a Samsung 8kg WF8802 front-loader costing RM2,400 from BEST (discount RM200 off listed price).

Yay!!

Shanghai Business Trip / Hangzhou Chill Weekend

2010-04-02T11:59:00.002+08:00

SHANGHAI

My first time in China started of with great anticipation.. I would finally be visiting the land from which my great-grandparents came from (my father's side anyway). My Shanghainese colleagues and friends that I made were incredibly hospitable and took us to eat many Chinese delicacies cooked in various Chinese cooking styles that I previously had not been exposed to. Visiting Shanghai has influenced my cooking! =)I now try to mix meats and nuts and all kinds of sauces with vegetables..its so much tastier!

Great Eats (really REALLY recommended)
1. Steamboat (very different fr Malaysian/ Singaporean Steamboat)
东来顺火锅 dong lai shun huo guo
Tel No: 58356877
浦东新区张杨路 579号三鑫大厦 5 楼
Price estimated for 2: 100 CNY

2. Jun Gong Rd Seafood Street Wholesale Market
Metro Line 8 - Shi Guang Rd Station
Buy crabs/ prawns/ fish for 2 pax at CNY200, ask nearby restaurant to cook it for CNY10 cooking fee

I have done research and merged the travel advice from a few sources, lonely planet and my own experience to come up with a suggested 3-day tour plan:

Shanghai is famed as “the Oriental Paris” and is regarded as the center of finance and trade in mainland China. Now let me show you how to spend three days in and explore the past and future of this amazing city.

# Day 1: Start by exploring Shanghai by going to the Pu Dong area. There are a lot famous views in Pu Dong, which are symbolic of Shanghai and China's economic development. After taking Shanghai Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui station, you could have a gorgeous brunch at Jin Mao Tower, the fifth tallest skyscraper in the world. Then you might want to visit Lujiazui financial district, “the Chinese Wall Street”. Then it’s time to experience the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. After taking the elevator to the top of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, you will have the overview of the night of Shanghai. Dinner at revolving restaurant of the TV Tower will be the perfect ending of your first day in Shanghai. A cheaper but just as fulfilling alternative is to visit Starbucks (along the Huang Pu riverside) to have a good view of the Bund (lights go off at 10pm). This is one of the best views of Shanghai at night. In between the day, if you have time, visit the Science & Technology museum Metro stop, there are a lot of small shops inside the station where you can bargain and buy stuff cheaply.

#Day 2: Start with the People's Square. This is the traffic center and one of the most popular commercial areas of Shanghai. You could learn Chinese culture and history in Shanghai Museum, see how Shanghai will look like in the future in Shanghai City-Planning Exhibition Hall, and enjoy a wonderful concert in Shanghai Grand Theatre. After finishing the culture tour, you could walk to Nanjing Road, China's No.1 Commercial Street, to do some shopping and enjoy your dinner there. If you just intend to buy small articles and inexpensive clothes, Dimei Shopping Center (上海地铁人民广场站地下近西藏南路) beneath People's Square and the Science & Technology museum Metro stop (mentioned in day 1) will whet your appetite. In Dimei Shopping Center, clothes are competitively priced and fashionable, but you will seldom find the top brands here. With the alternation of four seasons the small shops here, sell clothes in vogue which cater for the needs of young people. You can bargain at ease. Qipu Lu Clothing Market 七浦路服装市场 (Metro Line 2 and get off at Nanjing Donglu Station) is also good for shoes, clothes, accessories, and cosmetics with quality and price getting better/ higher on the higher floors. Meanwhile, also try to visit Huai hai Lu. Often likened to Tokyo’s Harajuku, Huaihai Road is known as the fashion district of Shanghai. Featuring everything fashion-related from clothes to accessories, the street is dotted with huge malls and major shopping outlets such as Huating Esetan, the Paris Spring, Maison Mode, Yongxin Department Store and Parkson Shopping Centre, as well as a variety of shops selling specialty fashion items. Seen as ‘the street paved with elegance and luxury’, Huaihai Road features some of the world’s most renowned high-end fashion labels.

Day 3: Spend the last day in the famous Yuyuan Commercial and Tourist Area.　Yuyuan Garden, one of the four finest Chinese gardens, is the must for visitors. Go to the Geng Yue Ren (Moonlight) teahouse for a relaxing Chinese experience and good views of Shanghai. The tea house is located on the fourth floor of Yu An Ge, which is opposite to the Dragon Gate Mall, the entrance is in a small narrow back lane called An Ren Street. Minimum 98RMB per person including tea, and other snacks such as nuts, chicken wings, barbecued prawns,fruits etc (buffet) (free Wi-fi). From the open terrace, you can see beautiful Yu Yuan and both the west and east of the Huangpu River. Also, have lunch or dinner at Lvbolang. You shouldn’t miss the most famous “Xiao Long Bao” there. Xin Tian Di is famous for its night life. You could find different kinds of bars with live band and restaurants there.

HANGZHOU

My mum came along to keep me company and we met up with Aunty Ivy and decided to go to Hangzhou for the weekend.. AWESOME decision. West Lake in Hangzhou is definitely one of the prettier places I've been. Here's a summary of Hangzhou for all those who wanna go!

To do:
Zhang Yi Mou’s West Lake production (at night).
Chill by west lake / row across it. (cross the road and walk through the paths to reach a pretty area of west lake near the temple and poet houses, away from touristy areas)
Other activities recommended by Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g298559-Activities-Hangzhou_Zhejiang.html

Shop:
1) Hefang Street - lined with small shops, pharmacies, restaurants and teahouses, and food stalls housed in traditional style buildings.. probably the most convenient place in Hangzhou for souvenir shopping. The compact mid section of the street is pedestrianised and has loads of little shops selling various specialties of Hangzhou . Bargaining is very important (esp for silk!)! But most of the prices here are already 20-50% of the Shanghai prices. Hangzhou is famous for its fans (Wang Xingji), tea (Longjing) and silk products. There is a tourist information center with English Hangzhou maps.. get it here.

2) Silk Market (opens 5am, closes by 5pm) - · Address: Jiankang West Road

· Directions: Entrances on Fengqi Lu and Tiyuchang Lu, located between those two and Jianguo bei lu & Zhonghe zhong lu.

· sells anything from ties to scarves to fabric and clothes. If it's made of silk, you'll find it here! Hangzhou is famous for its silk, and walking on the silk market, you understand why. There are hundreds of shops selling silk in all forms available. You will find traditional silk farbrics with Chinese motif patterns, as well as trendy scarves and ties. These shops are outlets for local companies that also export their products. Be prepared to haggle, but generally my experience is that the shop-keepers do not start with excessively high prices, though foreigners who don't speak the language can expect to pay more than Chinese. Shopkeepers also know their limits, and will not sell to any price, as may happen in other markets. So if it is a question of a few yuan, don't let that keep you from getting something you find really nice. Compared to Europe , the price level here is very low, as the cost of middle men and logistics are cut out. However, I have so far never found raw silk (some call it Thai silk) fabric here. Haggle, haggle, haggle. In the end, you have to be prepared to pay a bit more for higher quality. You get cheaper prices by bulk (3 pieces and more)
·Ladies: small scarf: ca 40-60 yuan, long/big scarf: ca 80 yuan, pashmina scarves: ca 40-80 yuan, thick woolen shawls: 80-250 yuan, depending on size and material, nightwear: 100-170 yuan, depending on how much fabric is used, long underwear: 200-250 yuan, ladies silk tops: 40-100 yuan. Gap shirts/ sleeveless shirts 10 yuan – 30 yuan
·Men's ties: 25-40 yuan, men's woolen scarves: 80-100 yuan, long underwear: 250-300 yuan

Favourite Methodist Hymns which I shortlisted for our Wedding

2010-03-08T15:28:00.000+08:00

When a strong Methodist & Catholic family unites in the happy occassion of a wedding, there is the ever important task of choosing songs which both denominations are familiar with. I have listed here those hymns I shortlisted initially and marked certain songs with asterisks (*) to indicate that these Hymns are also found in the Catholic Hymnal. =)

O Perfect Love
All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name*
Hymn Of Promise
When Love Is Found
How Great Thou Art*
Majesty, Worship His Majesty*
Thy Word*
Sweet, Sweet Spirit*
Be Thou My Vision
Happy The Home When God Is There
Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Trust & Obey
Jesus Is All The World To Me
Pass It On*
Thy Word Is A Lamp*
As Man & Woman We Were Made
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
God Be With You Till We Meet Again
Jesus, United By Thy Grace
Amazing Grace*

Wishlist

2009-12-24T11:26:00.003+08:00

~~I'm getting domesticated.. all I want for Christmas is... mostly household stuff.. lolz!~~

~~Pendrive 8”-12" LCD Photo Frame Ecstatic owner of Samsung LCD photo frame =)) arigato husby!~~
~~Electrolux Washing Machine Happy owner of Samsung 8kg Frt-Loader!~~
~~Deep Sink for washing~~
~~Nokia 5630 Express Music/ Iphone 3GS Happy owner of Iphone 3GS!~~
~~Jacuzzi~~
~~Cabinets.. loads of em.. with mirrors on the doors facing outwards.~~
~~Piano~~
~~Sketching Easel~~
~~Mini China DVD Player with Screen~~

(updated 21/7/2011) I have a beautiful baby girl who is healthy and adorable, a loving family and God, a bright career and work-life balance. I'm content =)

The Original Christmas Story

2009-12-21T12:27:00.003+08:00

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you , and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name, Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

So this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet, saying: "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emanuel, which is translated, God with us."

Then Joseph being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And called His name, Jesus. And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This census first took place while Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up out of Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and of the lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea on the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who had been born the King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So the said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the Prophet: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel."

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found him, bring back word to me, the I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king, they departed; and behold the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

And when they had come into the manger, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, the presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, the departed for the own country another way. Now there were in the country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring great tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. Now when they had seen Him, the made widely known the saying which was told to them concerning the Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told them.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, And the government shall be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice, from that time forward, even forever."

A small white envelope can make all that difference

2009-12-21T12:17:00.000+08:00

A Christmas Story
--- Copyright © 1982 Nancy W. Gavin
--- Submitted by Edwin G. Whiting

--- Source : http://www.motivateus.com/stories/c-story.htm

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas---oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it-overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, mostly black.
These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.

As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears.

It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."

Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came.

That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.

On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me.

His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.

For each Christmas, I followed the tradition---one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal it's contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad.

The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember each other, and the Real reason for the season, and His true spirit this year and always. God bless---pass this along to your friends and loved ones.

*The story first appeared in Woman's Day magazine in 1982. My mom had sent the story in as a contest entry in which she subsequently won first place. Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer two years after the story was published. Our family still keeps the tradition started by her and my father and we have passed it on to our children. Feel free to use the story. It gives me and my sisters great joy to know that it lives on and has hopefully inspired others to reach out in a way that truly honors the spirit of Christmas. --- Kevin Gavin

Gifts from the Heart

2009-12-17T15:07:00.001+08:00

According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.

Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher: "Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?"

The teacher replied, "You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of loving-kindness and nothing could be sweeter. Heartfelt gifts deserve the return gift of gratitude."

I think we understand this lesson best when we receive innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether it's a ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet, the natural and proper response is appreciation and expressed thankfulness because we love the idea within the gift.

Gratitude doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling embodied in it. We should remind ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all, gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.

24 hours a day..

2009-12-17T15:06:00.000+08:00

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee... professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the
students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things --- your God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions --- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Heartburn Is Not Healthy

2009-12-17T15:04:00.000+08:00

A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates.

So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of
the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5
potatoes.

The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the
plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week.

Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5
potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were
relieved because the game had finally ended.

The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you
for 1 week?" The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go.

Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher
said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime???"

Moral of the story:
Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart so that you will not carry
sins for a lifetime. Forgiving others is the best attitude to take!

Life is to be fortified by many friendship.
To love & to be loved is the greatest happiness.
Fate determines who comes into our lives.
The heart determines who stays

Things That Make Me Feel Good!

2009-12-17T12:14:00.003+08:00

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket
5. A special glance from my loved ones.
6. Getting mail/ email/ a card.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer/ Clean fresh clothes out from the washer.
11. Finding the sweater/shoe you want is on sale for half price.
12. Vanilla milkshake.
13. A phone call from my brother, mum/dad/sis/close friends.
14. A bubble bath.
15. Giggling.
16. A good conversation.
17 The beach
18. Finding any money in my clothes/ stash.
19. Laughing at yourself.
20. Midnight phone calls from my husband that last for hours (when I'm outstation).
21. Running through sprinklers.
22. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
23. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
24. Laughing at an inside joke.
25. Friends.
26. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
27. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
28. Kisses with my hubby
29. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
30. Playing with animals.
31. Having someone play with your hair.
32. Sweet dreams.
33. Hot chocolate.
34. Road trips with friends.
35. Swinging on swings.
36. Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking your favourite tipple.
37. Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.
38. Going to a really good concert.
39. Reading a good book
40. Winning a really competitive game.
41. Making chocolate chip cookies.
42. Having your friends send you home-made cookies.
43. Spending time with close friends.
44. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.
45. Holding hands with someone you care about.
46. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change
47. Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
48. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
49. Watching the sunrise.
50. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
51. Spending alone time with yourself to chill and watch movies/dramas =)

Being Filial: The Boy & The Mango Tree

2009-12-17T12:12:00.002+08:00

A long time ago, there was a huge mango tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the treetop, ate the mangos, took a nap under the shadow. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him. Time went by, the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree every day.

One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad. "Come and play with me" the tree asked the boy. "I am no longer a kid, I do not play around trees any more" the boy replied. "I want toys. I need money to buy them." "Sorry, but I do not have money, but you can pick all my mangos and sell them. So, you will have money." The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the mangos on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the mangos. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy who now turned into a man returned and the tree was excited "Come and play with me" the tree said. "I do not have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?" "Sorry, but I do not have any house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house." So the man cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the man never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted."Come and play with me!" the tree said. "I am getting old. I want to gosailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?" said the man. "Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy." So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

Finally, the man returned after many years. "Sorry, my boy. But I do not have anything for you anymore. No more mangos for you ," the tree said."No problem, I do not have any teeth to bite" the man replied. "No more trunk for you to climb on." "I am too old for that now," the man said. "I really cannot give you anything... the only thing left is my dying roots," the tree said with tears. "I do not need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years" the man replied. "Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest, Come, come sit down with me and rest." The man sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.

This is a story of everyone.The tree is like our parents When we were young, we loved to play with our Mum and Dad... When we grow up, we leave them, only come to them when we need something or when we are in trouble. No matter what, parents will always be there and give everything they could just to make you happy. You may think the boy is cruel to the tree, but that is how all of us treat our parents. We take them for granted; we don't appreciate all they do for us, until it's too late..

Dear Lord, Forgive us of our shortcomings and guide us.

Take Time to Smell The Rain & Roses & Your Loved Ones!!

2009-12-17T12:11:00.000+08:00

She had been shopping with her Mom in Walmart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.

We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Walmart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.

Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.

"Pardon?" Mom asked.

"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom,let's run through the rain."

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. "This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?" "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

A friend sent this to me to remind me of life. Hope you enjoy it & TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.. Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other.

Choice - God's Gift To Mankind

2009-12-17T12:08:00.004+08:00

Now I fully understand God's love. The Love He has cannot even be measured with eternity. I hope you all understand what this story/play is about. I pray that understanding dawns within you as well. Be really thankful for what is done for you. May God find your heart. God bless.

Narrator:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. One by one, starting from day and night to water and earth, to plants and animals, God made them all and said they were good. On the day God created man........

(God was busy making Adam from the dust of the ground. Seeing one of His angels aproaching, He looks up and seemed pleased)

GOD: Look at all the creatures I have created. Are they not good? And the universe,the stars and the skies. Are they not beautiful?
ANGEL: Yes, they are. Truly Magnificent.

GOD: Look at this creature. (pointing at Adam/man He is creating) He will be different. All the universe will obey me and love me. They will reflect My glory because that is how they are created to do. But this one will be like me. He will have this. (God reached within Himself and remove something unseen)
GOD: This is called CHOICE.

ANGEL: Choice?? (sounding afraid)But.... but what if he choose not to love?
GOD: Come, I will show you. The fruit of choice is bitter and sweet.
(God makes a sweeping motion and what the angel saw amazed and impressed him)

GOD: What do you see?
ANGEL: I see spontaneous love, voluntary devotion, chosen tenderness. There is laughter everywhere and people are so joyful!! Heaven has never seen such beauty. Truly this is Your greatest creation.

GOD: Yes, but this is only the sweet part of choice. This is the other side.
(God makes another sweeping motion. What the angel saw shocked and disgust him)
ANGEL: Lord, I see wars and, suffering, and rotten hearts!!!! Is this the result of choice also?
GOD: Yes.

ANGEL: They will forget you?
GOD: Yes.

ANGEL: They will reject you??
GOD: Yes.

ANGEL: They will never come back?
GOD: Some will. Most won’t.

ANGEL: What will make them listen???
(God looks at the angel and was silent. Understanding dawns and the angel was horrified)
ANGEL: NO!! It cannot be!! How can you send Jesus down there, to die a horrible,painful and humiliating death??!! To be beaten up and then crucified, and hung on the cross. So much pain and suffering!! Is there no other way,Lord??

GOD: No.

ANGEL: There has to be another way!!! What if You don’t plant the seed of choice?? Wouldn’t that be easier?? Please tell me there is another way!!
GOD: There is no other way. I cannot take away choice. Take away choice, and you take away Love. Robots cannot love. Even if they do, it will because they have to. Not because they want to. That is not real love. It will be less painful…. But it wouldn’t love.

Narrator:
The angel leaves, feeling sadness. God looks at His clay creation. Love swells up within Him and He bends over the clay form, and breathes into it.

God had a choice to put the seed of choice in man. And He chose to. He knew that He will lose us and yet created us. The most beautiful of all is that He gave us a choice to love Him back, because He first loved us.

That choice cost Him a lot. It cost Him His Son.

Man had chosen to sin and was separated from God. And God knew from the beginning, that the only way to bring us back to Him was to send His ONLY Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us.

The choice is ours. Have there been times where you doubt God’s power? Surely, if He was the God who made the heavens and the earth, how could He allow my friend to die? How could He allow millions to starve every night? Isn’t God supposed to be the Almighty?

Let’s stop blaming God and blame ourselves. He spared not even himself to save us.

Guilt

2009-12-17T12:07:00.000+08:00

"True guilt is guilt at the obligation one owes to oneself to be oneself. False guilt is guilt felt at not being what other people feel one ought to be or assume that one is."

— R.D. Laing (1961)

SPM Subject: Bible Knowledge

2009-12-17T11:59:00.002+08:00

SPM BK classes have started all over the country. TCF (Teachers' Christian Fellowship - Tel No: 03-56375623) has not been able to get the particulars for private teachers yet. Nevertheless, the effort to network is on-going. Ms Moey from MCKL & MBS used to give classes. For brochure, Right Click here and Save As.

Publish Post

Romans 12: Be A Living Sacrifice to God

2009-12-17T11:33:00.004+08:00

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. 3 As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. 6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. 13 When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. 14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. 19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,"I will take vengeance;I will repay those who deserve it,"says the Lord. 20 Instead, do what the Scriptures say:"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you." 21 Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

I do not claim to know everything, but I do know this. God will take care of me in whatever church I go to, be it Methodist, Baptist, or currently, the Catholic Church. For it is through Him we are saved, and there are only Believers or non-Believers. And if He who is so merciful will have mercy on the non-Believers, who are we to judge anybody?

In all things, love prevails.

Note: Christian ecumenism is the promotion of unity or cooperation between distinct religious groups or denominations of Christianity. The word ecumenism is derived from Greek οἰκουμένη (oikoumene), which means "the inhabited world," and was historically used with specific reference to the Roman Empire. Today, the word is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice. In Malaysia, ecumenism is in early stages.

Links:
Catholic Herald on Ecumenism - 22 Oct'09
Council Of Churches Malaysia on Christian Conference of Asia’s (CCA) Meeting* - 31 Aug'09

*CCA is the oldest Asian ecumenical movement comprising nearly 100 protestant and orthodox churches, and 19 national councils of churches in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Timor Leste.

Psalm 30:11

2009-12-17T11:27:00.005+08:00

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakasushi/3323475527)

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy."

Everyday now i live in joy and in hope because i have faith that a higher power is at work in the world. He takes care of me, He strengthens me. I can do all things thru Him who gives me strength. His name is God Almighty, Creator of the heavens and earth, Giver of Salvation, Giver of all Life, Merciful Father of mine. :) *dances joyously for all the blessings in my life*

What people say about Love

2009-12-17T11:24:00.003+08:00

***

Love is not an absolute, a truth, or a limited substance - that you're in it or out of it. It's a feeling that ebbs and flows depending on how you treat each other. If you learn new ways to interact, the feelings can come flowing back, often stronger than before.

***

"Real Love involves sacrifice... There is no greater love than this: for a man/woman to lay down his/her life for his/her friends." (Read John 15:13 or watch Shrek 2)

***

"Some say love is life, but love without hope and faith is an agonizing death."

***

There are times when choosing to love someone comes at a great cost. You have to sacrifice something; time, money, energy, and sometimes the greatest cost will be giving up your own life so that someone else can live. When it really costs you something to persevere in a relationship or to help someone, that is the real test to find out if you truely love that person. If you bail out... guess what, you have just proved that you love yourself more than the person who needs your help. If you do whats best for the other person even though it is hard or costly for you... you have discovered real love. A love that you choose to execise regardless of how you feel.

***

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

¹If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

***

But the greatest of these is love. This is probably one of my favourite chapters in the Bible b'cos I want to give this kind of love.. to my family, my frens.. my enemies.. everyone. Loving everyone as I would myself wish to be loved, as Christ loved us.. As per my shopping goddess, Donna Karen, Love is still the Answer.

Now, let's talk about romantic love....

Romance has its ups and downs, but it is a rare young girl who lolls about her bedroom, listening to music and dreaming of the day that someone will come along who will grudgingly tolerate her, or not bother the least bit to be romantic or even tell her every day how much he loves her.

Love = a feeling + a decision

Love is so much more than a feeling. We usually think of it as one, but it's actually a decision too.

Let me explain: We can deeply love someone but not always feel loving toward them. That's when the "love is a decision" concept comes into play. We irritate and even tick each other off. Often. But even when we don't feel loving, we can make a conscious decision to love. If we never did this -- if we bolted whenever we felt irritated, or distant, or whatever -- there probably would be no such thing as relationships.

Relationships are hard work. It's a shame most of us devote more time to polishing our golf swing or improving our job skills than we do to making sure the primary relationship in our life is in good shape.

Conversation with God

2009-12-17T11:14:00.005+08:00

God: Hello. Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No. Who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.
Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well, I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God: Stop analysing life. Just lives it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analysing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.
Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty...

God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better, not bitter.
Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?

God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons to Enhance Mental Strength.
Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading...

God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Me: What surprises you about people?

God: When they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me?" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can't get the answer.

God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation.
Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.
Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the New Day with a new sense of inspiration.

God: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

When i say.., "I am a Christian".. what do i mean?

2009-12-17T11:01:00.003+08:00

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's grace.

Book Review: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

2009-12-17T10:07:00.004+08:00

I read The Five Love Languages Singles Edition a couple of years back when I was single a few years back.

Now that I'm a married woman, I've just finished The Five Love Languages Gift Edition: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate and it has given me new insight to how I can speak others love languages to get acrosss the message efficiently and effectively to my other half.

My dearest husband has also read the guys version of The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate (Men's Edition) and we're trying to "keep our love tanks full" as Gary Chapman says.

The 5 Love Languages are:

Quality Time
Physical Touch
Gifts
Acts of Service
Words of Affirmation

Each one of these love languages have different dialects, e.g. Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka etc. Everyone can speak and hear these languages, but hear some love languages stronger than the others.

My greateast realisatiton here was that people who I care about deeply and have had a profound effect on me have spoken my key love languages fluently.

e.g. of Love languages I've experienced: My dearly departed Grandfather Ho Chin Hock spent countless hours teaching me how to play chess and to read (Quality Time), my parents have sacrificed so much in terms of time, ambition and money (Acts of Service) to provide my siblings and I with the ideal environment growing up, and continuously praised us and built up our self-confidence about our strengths (Words of Affirmation). My dearest husband has given me the gift of himself (Gifts) and puts our new family first. Hugs come all-round the family during Christmas, birthdays and other occassions (Physical Touch).

Sun Tzu said in the Art of War :
"If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles;
If you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one;
If you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."

"知彼知己，百戰不殆；不知彼而知己，一勝一負；不知彼，不知己，每戰必殆"

In the battle for love; this book is one weapon that can help you win a thousand battles. Recommended Read!