Tiles hunting

This saturday mission is --> tiles hunting. We're gonna start renovating the new place. We need to learn more about tiles. 

• What color is best? 
  
• What color is nice? 
• Shall we try to get the original tiles?
  
• Shall we choose better tiles? can we afford them?
• Which brand is good?
• Tiles for table top?
• Tiles for floor?
• Tiles for wall?
• What's good?

I've shared my thought with Tengku Mahkota that we shall not overspend, just get some reasonable tiles. I don't want to overdo it. I'm not a BIG chef that runs a cooking show everyday just like Asian Food Channel program. I'm just a woman trying to learn cooking and more importantly to fill up everyone's tummy. 

Don't have to think about it anymore

I've just received an email and I've got the answer. 

In short, have faith in God and accept His plan for me. Life goes on...

Coffee

I have stopped drinking for two weeks. But I don't mean that I drink coffee everyday. I drink it once in a while when I have cravings. Two weeks back, Permaisuri Yap made a cup of BlAcK coffee (made in melaka for Rm0.15 per sachet) for me on a saturday afternoon. Since then, i thought of coffee almost everyday. That coffee was really good. 

But, I'm NOT thinking of coffee at this moment because I remember the pain of my gastric. I don't want that kind of pain again. Don't talk about the discomforts that I suffered for that whole week. Anyway, thank god that I've recovered. I stopped my medication and I eat small portions now. I chew my food really slow. 

My Personal Cobbler

Thanks so much Tengku Mahkota for salvaging my favorite working shoes. He has put in immense efforto scrumb and scrumb. Now it looks like a new pair shoes. Thanks!!!

Pinky Cactus Flower

See....See....The flower blossomed last night and it's PINK!!! The flower is pretty and nice. I insist that I must take a photo with the flower. Kapitan Yap took the photo for me. See how i admire the flower...

Everything is in control

After so much of thoughts and prayer about my strong desire based on my last post, I think I've reached the threshold. I realised since this morning that I don't think about it so often anymore. My faith level has increased immensely because I remember Him. I know that He'll make it to happen if He finds that it's the best option for me. Hence, be still. Thanks for the advice from MommyKin. 

Between, my boss has not been treated me well since in the beginning. I've been very defensive in every single conversation I have with her. In fact, I think I managed to burn quite a bit of calories after a 29 min conversation over the phone this afternoon. The telephone line was bad and I couldn't hear properly. More importantly, I managed to defend my work and research. My personal goal is do my job well and make sure it has quality and standard even though sometimes I may not agree that I need to do certain tasks. I need to earn a living and I need to listen to the instructions given from my superior. Nothing as difficult as how Jesus suffered on the cross. Hence, don't complain so much, just remember Nike's tagline 'JUST DO IT!'

Oh, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent season. 

God's will vs. Personal will

This is what i've been struggling for since last Thursday. Personally, I want something so much that I've been thinking about it again and again. I just can't stop thinking it. One word to describe -- 'desperate' 

My bedmate@Tengku Mahkota is the only person that understand how desperate am I right now that I wish I could have the power to pursue. I've been praying hard and seeking God. I questioned God 'Is it Your plan?' 'Do i stand a chance?' 'Am I capable?' 'His time?' 

During one of my QTs, I came to realised that 'Why I'm having such a strong personal will this time?' 'Where's my mustardseed faith?' I reminded myself many times not to think about it. Before I go to bed, I'll think about it again and I'll request Tengku Mahkota to pray for me. 

On Sunday during the worship session, God spoke with me thru the songs. The lyrics hit me. My tears started to roll down. He has reminded me that I need Thee. Yes, I really need God to be able to wait patiently for the answer. Even though I was told that I'll get my answer in two weeks, it can drag on for more than 2 weeks. I want my faith in him. I want to listen to Him. 

Currently, I can imagine myself staring at a leaf, but I'm not sure where am I in a big forest. I need to find my way out. Stop staring and find the right direction to my normal life routine. Move on in my life. Enjoy the day, count my blessing one by one. 

Lent season is around the corner, it's time to fast and pray. Sounds good?

A serial of pain...

Last Friday, Tengku Mahkota and I reached home late cos we were caught in the traffic jam in PJ. When I got home, I rushed to the toilet and I slipped! I grabbed the basin and it came out when I was trying to strike a balance. Thank God I was wearing my jeans and I was not injured. Only a small spot of bruises on my right knee. But, dad has to fix to toilet. I felt so sorry.

Due to my fall, I felt some pain on both of my butts. Hence, the plan to Sg Gabai Waterfall was cancelled. Just because I don't want to risk my life. God gives me a wonderful life, I should appreciate it and take good care of it. I'm sure Tengku Mahkota will bring me there next time. Therefore, we spent time at home on Valentine's day. After a heavy breakie, we skipped lunch and I continued to edit photos for Sunday School Camp. By the time I completed my work was 5pm.

Dinner at Wendy's. We went to a new place in PJ. Apparently, the place is pretty happening with loads of restaurants around, good car park and more importantly spacious car park.

On Sunday night, another pain came. That's my gastric. I've been counting my blessing that my tummy has been so good that I hardly complained. I had diarrhea in the middle of the night followed by gastric, vomitting my dinner in chuncks (the dinner didn't get digested at all) and my tummy was not in good condition. I was on sick leave on Monday due to unbearable pain and discomfort of my tummy. I got a jab and it was quite ok, not very painful. Since I vomitted too much, the doctor suggested the jab. I took a nap at the living room and then moved myself to the room. All in all, I slept for more than 5 hours. What a sleepyhead! At night after dinner, I vomited my dinner again.

I went back to work on Tuesday, the discomfort in my tummy came again. I know it! I know it! I went to see another doc and i requested the medicine I used to take. Thank god this doctor had the medicine and she prescribed it to me. Sigh...according to her...'You must eat like a BaaaaaaaaaaaaaBeeee' No oily and spicy food. Please eat every 4 hours.

Today- Weds, things have been good. I've been controling my diet with toast bread for breakie, hot milo, bisuits in between, porridge for lunch and dinner. but but but, i over ate. I vomitted again after dinner. Sigh...

God, please heal me in Jesus' name, I wanna have good sleep, give me strength to overcome the discomfort that i have. Amen!

So true!!!

This morning, i checked out the meaning of my name, Fern. In fact, my name was given by my 3rd uncle's family. According to my mom, after she delivered me, my father called his brother in Singapore and said 'I've got a baby gal, any names?'

Your First Name of: Fern
Although the name Fern creates an active mind and a restless urge to explore new ideas, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition.

• The name of Fern creates an overly-sensitive nature which causes you to sense and feel far more than you can understand or put into words
• You have a deep, artistic, and creative side which shows through a love for music and literature.
• Writing is a more natural mode of expression for your deeper thoughts and feelings than the spoken word.
  
• You have an ability to concentrate and work intently on anything which holds your interest
• However, you prefer to avoid routine, monotony, and mental tasks.
• Although the name Fern creates an active mind and a restless urge to explore new ideas, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition.
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus, heart, lungs and bronchial area.

I agree with most of the points stated. Let's evaluate each point.

1. Yes, most of the times i can sense and feel far more better than Tengku Mahkota even though he says 'Take it at face value, don't think so much.'
2. I love music and that's the reason I must listen to classical music when I study and work.
3. Writing? I write everyday, technical writing and now my boss wants to be write more business orientated content, 'Due to the economics downturn, what's gonna happen to broadband business? change in R&D culture. How to conduct optimal investment strategy?'
4. Oh yes, I can focus very well. But sometimes it's too well that i cannot get out from my own world. That's not good. Dwell in my thinking mode for too long. If the topic is not interesting, I don't bother to do anything towards. I'm such an extreme person, if I want to commit in something, I'll go all the way out, otherwise, I don't bother to pursue at all.
5. I don't like routine, i like challenges. That's the reason I didn't want to pursue a career in manufacturing after i graduated. I was in manufacturing factories for 2 summer internship. I remember telling my mom ' I can't imagine the same routine every day, 8am to 5pm, doing the same thing'. One point I don't agree is mental tasks, i love thinking. I'm a thinking person, just like my father.
6. Yes, I'm restless. Always. This was exactly the comment from Tengku Mahkota early morning today. 'How come you cannot sit still? Do this and do that. Stay still and don't move too much'. I'm a strong melancholic person and get to mood swing easily. But, i try to get out of it.
7. Last but not least, I pray that God bless me with good health.

The view

What comes to your mind when you see the picture above?
Personally, i find that the trees look like broccoli. The green broccoli that you can eat it after it's cooked or eat it raw with salad.
This is the scene I see everyday when I open the main door of our humble home and on our way home after work when we drive up the hill towards our home sweet home. At times, i feel hungry when I see those trees, just because it looks exactly like broccoli. You know how crunchy broccoli is right?? Yum, yumm :P

Take a stroll

Last Friday evening, I took a stroll down the road from my office to the Wendy's outlet to get a chocolate milk shake for Tengku Mahkota. I'll recommend to anyone who loves milkshake, Wendy's milk shake is pretty good. If you visit Wendy's on Friday, you can enjoy 50% discount on the milkshake with a purchase.

Personally, i like to walk leisurely with my own pace. I felt very satisfied after the Friday evening walk despite the walk was only 10 mins. I enjoy walking and look at the trees and plants along the roadside. I can have a lil reflections and think about stuff. Unfortunately, the weather is hot over in Malaysia. I sweat when i walk. Now, i miss the cold weather in UK. I really enjoy the weather there even though it looks gloomy everyday. I reckon we need sun at times. I tend to find that i can think better when i get myself out of my office/house. As i walk, i can do better thinking and process the problem/issue to be solved.

I think i shall start thinking of joining walkathon this year. Not for the prizes. Just for the fun of it.

BBQ

Kapitan and Permaisuri Yap held a BBQ party last week to celebrate CNY with our neighbour and his children who came back from US.

OK, let pictures do the talking...

Extra lane?

I took this picture at a junction near Tanjung Bunga. There are only two lanes, one going straight and i'm on the right lane to turn to the right.

All of sudden, an Aeroback Wira came in between my car and the Kancil. Weird!!! There's no extra lane in between. The driver created the extra lane. I could see the sour face of motorists because they couldn't ride to the front. This driver was very inconsiderate and he never followed the traffic law.

Hillside Burger

Ramli Burgers are pretty common in KL.

We went to Penang and tried this special chinese burger at Hillside. We heard so much about it and Tengku Mahkota said he wants to it. His favourite food is always burger whenever he goes to, from Perth to London.

The special thing about this HillSide Burger is the shallots. The chinese uncle fried shallots with marjerine. Look properly, the mountain high shallots. It really brings the flavour. Personally, i like the burger bun, it's HUGE. But, prices are slightly pricey. This chinese couple are really good. They work hand-in-hand to run this burger van. The aunty takes order whereas the uncle does the frying.

Can you notice the crowd around the van? That shows that this burger van is pretty famous in Penang.

Pre-Chinese New Year Dinner

We had a good fellowship with Jonathan after he left us to work in China for 4 months. We went to a chinese restaurant in Bangsar. We like one of the dishes from this restaurant --> fried bitter gourd with salted egg. wa....Bagus! The yee sang was great as well.. And we said 'Bless you...Bless you....God bless you....' as we stirred the Yee Sang. Several years ago, our church pastor taught us to bless others when we stir the Yee Sang. Since then, we practised that.

Huh?

How to trim trees along highway?
Can you imagine the trees are trimmed like those two small pictures?
These trees are chopped half, basically.

TEngku Mahkota and I found this scene when we drove in Prai, Seberang Prai.

Commit to God

During my visit to Turtle Island, i spoke a lot about God with my families. I realized it is not easy to say 'Commit to God'. In fact, a person has to experience God and come to say this. As for me, since i received salvation, i prayed, i went thru the ups and downs. I trust in the Lord now, I do my best and leave the rest to God. But, this may not be the case for non-christians.

Before a person knows a person, he/she needs to spend time to understand God. To experience God to be exact. To experience His love, grace and mercy. To pray. To study His promises.

As for me, I went thru so much over the years. At the end, I understand that God has control over my life. I shall leave it to Him. Let him take control. Stay close with Him. Obey Him. No matter how much plan i can have, He knows what's best for us. I cannot see the entire picture, He has bigger pictures and plans for me. He provides things that I can bear, He will not leave me. Hence, I always tell myself 'Don't worry, let's pray about it, commit it to God'. Matthew 6:34 says 'do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. there is no need to add to the troubles each day brings'

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

The promise comes in next verse ->
Matthew 7:8 For every who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to him who knocks.

Re-start

Yes, I restarted my engine this morning and i'm back to work today after my chinese new year break to Penang. Indeed, it was a good trip. Mrs Ko, Tengku Mahkota and I went around to visit my relatives, eg. uncles and aunties.

The common topic of discussion was economics downturn. Since Tengku Mahkota and I are employees, we see things from different perspectives compared to my uncles who are employers. Pray that times will be better, times are really bad now.

On the other hand, meeting up with families and relatives also opened my eyes to some family matters. I pray that God will give me strength to address/improve those family matters that I need to work on it personally. For those good news that have reached my ears, i give thanks to the Lord. Dear Lord Jesus has heard my prayer for my 6th auntie, who's in her 70s. She's up and running again after 5 operations in 2008, she fell from her bicycle. My beloved cousin has a son and the son looks like him, just like ang ku kuih.

Bad times, good times, God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

*i'll upload more photos when i get them transferred from camera to my notebook*