Oops!

Had a very funny and a bit embarrassing moment earlier. I was at eGate with my two aunts earlier this evening and after some drinks, we were heading back to our cars when I saw that the driver side of my car was blocked by a Kelisa that was stupidly parked so close to my car (not even a six-inch Subway sandwich could fit!) that it was completely impossible to get into my car except through the passenger side.

I was rather annoyed and was remarking what an idiot this guy is, parking the car so close to mine that I couldn't get into it. I remember telling my aunts, "What an idiot!" And then, suddenly, a couple standing next to us, who were already busy talking earlier on, stopped and looked at us and sheepishly asked, "Oh, that's your car?" The guy proceeded to move his car while my aunts thanked the lady standing there.

I didn't realize that the "idiot" was standing right beside us. D'oh!

Anyway, I nodded to the lady and proceeded to drive off, feeling rather annoyed still, but also a bit embarrassed. What a humbling lesson to watch my tongue... Idiot!

Time's A Changin'

For every storybook, there is a beginning, a middle and an end. The same goes for every season in life - there is a start, and then, there is a finish. I am wondering if my current season in life is coming to a close.

I have not felt so "out of place" in a while now, and I don't know if this is driven by the thoughts inside my head or that it is a tug from the heart to move on. I feel rather disconnected lately and I hope this is not stemming from an incident that, unfortunately, happened a while back.

Am I ready to give the "heave ho" and head on out or will I still miss being where I am at? It is not easy to leave and say goodbye to a wonderful chapter in life but there are too many instances damaging the circumstances. I don't know if I can bear going through those instances again.

A change is needed. The question is - where?

Shanghai Grand Prize Win

Ahh... yes, the long-postponed write-up on the long-awaited trip-of-a-lifetime that I won back in November 2007 and experienced in April 2008.

The sole reason for the trip: To catch Céline Dion - Taking Chances Live in Shanghai concert
The participants: Mom and myself
Length of trip: 4 days, 3 nights

The prize itself is a round trip from KL to Shanghai and back, so, being Penangites, we had to first make our way to KL by bus.

Here's Mom texting her way on the bus to KL.

We stayed at a friend's house for the remainder of the day before heading to KLIA via taxi at 10.30pm. We had a flight to catch, 1.40am flight, to be exact. It was a smooth flight to Shanghai. We reached at around 7am and was greeted by a lady holding a sign with our names on it. I didn't manage to grab a picture of that, though.

Leaving on a jet plane. At KLIA Terminal.

We hopped into the car that was provided for us and was driven to our hotel, which was about an hour's drive away from the Pudong International Airport.

They drive on the left side of the car, right side of the road. Ahh...

The ride was pretty quiet for most of the duration seeing as we had a bit (if not, a lot) of difficulties communicating with the lady and the driver. We managed to ask about a day tour and got ourselves signed up on the spot.

We checked in to our hotel first, the New Asia Hotel, dropped our luggages and practically ran out again as the tour has already started.

New Asia Hotel - night view. Didn't take a morning picture. D'oh!

We were rushed to meet with the rest of the tour group at the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower. What it basically offers is a panoramic view of Shanghai from way up high. It was nice, but it was a bit hazy, so the pictures didn't turn out so well.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Immediately after the Tower, we were whisked away to a wax museum, of some sort, of The Shanghai Bund - old and new. It was a fascinating insight to how Shanghai came to be, from its humble Chinese beginnings to its Western influence.

Entrance to the Shanghai Bund Museum

After the museum tour, we went on a cruise down Huangpu River, where the famous Shanghai Bund is situated.

Cruisin' along...

After all that, we went for lunch, and walked around Nanjing Road, which is a famous shopping haven, apparently. I went there by chance at night, alone. I wasn't aware that I'm not supposed to be walking alone at night in China. Hmm... I'm still here!

Nanjing Road

Phone battery died? No problem...

Chugging along on the tram at Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road at Night

That's pretty much it for Day 1. Day 2 would be concert day, which is nothing to shout about, but I'll write it up soon anyway.

New Beginnings

The new has come and the old has gone. I have finally said goodbye to the old one. It wasn't easy, seeing as the old one was reluctant to go too. It was as though the old one had feelings. I guess, 10 years of being together is something, although I officially only had it for 7 years, but who's counting?

The new one is nice. That's all I can say for now. I occasionally miss the old one, but I guess, life has to go on.

Now, I am praying and trusting that the new one will be with me for a long time, faithfully.

What Was I Thinking?

Ever felt like doing something new and exciting, thinking that you've thought things through very carefully but once you've stepped into that new world, more problems surfaced?

I think I'm in that predicament right now. That something new is getting me so worked up and worried, I'm having second thoughts on whether it was a wise move or I simply didn't think things though hard enough.

Sadly, I don't think I can undo what has been done. I just need to brace myself for what lies ahead and trust that God will see me through this.

Sigh... no regrets. NO regrets! It should be a happy occasion. Think happy thoughts!

SIGH.....

The Start of Something New

By the end of this week (I think), there will be something new in my life. I am definitely excited by the prospect of this new thing in my life.

What is it, you ask?

Not in the position to say, at the moment. At least, don't feel like saying too much yet. I'm pretty stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. I want to move forward but at the same time, feeling very afraid of what lies ahead.

I will definitely miss the old one. I've had fond and not-so-very fond memories and the many adventures in the past. There were times I felt grateful and there were others where I felt completely infuriated by it.

Now, we've probably reached the time where we have to part ways and to say I won't miss it would be a lie.

Trying to look forward for now and hope (and pray) for the best.

Sigh...

Countdown to 2008 - Chapter 3

This should be the last entry for the year and the final look back at how 2007 was like for me. One major highlight would be winning the grand prize to catch Céline Dion in concert in Shanghai. At times, I still have to pinch myself when I look at the mock ticket I lugged home on the bus from KL to Penang. It was an unbelievable experience, and when I come to think of it, God's favour was really upon my whole journey there, from being the first caller through up to winning the grand prize.

I've also won a few hundred Ringgit with MixFM as well. I have yet to receive the money, but just to know that it's coming is another blessing for me. God has been faithful in providing not just my needs, but also my wants. I didn't 'need' to win the Céline Dion tickets, I just wanted it, but God, who is ever so gracious, gave it to me anyway.

To top off the year, I've also got my 13th month pay banked in with my salary, which is also a huge boost for me, so, I'm excited and thankful for the extra that I have now. I can't wait to see what else God can and will do in my life in 2008. Just can't wait.

See ya next year!

Countdown to 2008 - Chapter 2

OK, part deux.

Being unemployed in Malaysia is not like being unemployed in the US. At least, they have unemployment benefits. Over here, we pretty much have unemployment debts. When you don't earn money but still have to spend, you're just incurring debts. And incurring debts, I did. It was quite a lot that I actually didn't know how I would settle it. (OK, it's much easier to owe Mom than to owe the "Ah Longs", but still...)

One thing I learned from this is to trust God for His faithfulness. I can say that my debts were cleared not once, but twice this year. The first one was written off and the second one was settled within a couple of months after I started work. Best still, I now have surplus. Imagine being worse than broke and now having more than enough.

I've also learned not to worry too much about finances. Matthew 6: 25 - 34 puts a lot of things into perspective. I trust that I'll be able to get that computer upgrade and that digital camera in due time. *wink*

Countdown to 2008 - Chapter 1

Let's see... Ah, yes, end December 2006 up to early April 2007 was when my sister, my 3 adorable nieces and my best-est little sister, Allora, came to visit us here in Penang. (Allora stayed only up till January 2007, but then my brother-in-law came in late March). At the same time, I was also jobless and frankly speaking, a little depressed and feeling rather hopeless. But during this time, I was able to spend time with them, travel with them and play with them, so, it was a blessing in disguise for me.

To be honest with you, I did wonder how I was going to spend time with them if I was working then and could only come back home after work, but God knew what to do. Being jobless and income-less is not fun at all (don't even try it if you're not financially prepared to), but I think God knew what I really wanted, which was time for them. And the best part of it all? Right about the time they were about to go back home, I got a job offer that started about a week or two after they left. If that's not God's timing, I don't know what else to define it.

It worked so well, I couldn't have planned it better myself. In fact, I didn't. I wasn't the one who initiated my resignation (truth be told) and I wasn't the one who found the job either. This has truly taught me that God is not one minute too early nor a second too late, but just right on time.

Countdown to 2008 - An Introduction

OK, I haven't written an entry in a LONG while. I don't know if anyone still visits, but hey, who knows...

Anyway, it's Boxing Day today, which means, Christmas day is over, which means, there's only 1, 2, 3... err, 5 days to the last day of December, which means, 2007 will be over in less than a week. Wow, too much Mathematics! I think I've done my counting for the month.

Looking back, though, I think 2007 has been a significant year so far. It started off with my second sister, my 'best-est' little sister from the US (Allora) and my three nieces ringing in the new year with us here in Penang; to getting a great job in April; to witnessing how God has been faithful in every step of the way - whether in church, at work or even in my own life; to seeing a very precious sister-in-Christ begin a new chapter in life - marriage; as well as walking down life's path with the Lord.

I can't say I can remember all that has happened in 2007 but in the next few entries (I hope!), I'll try to look back on how life has been for me. Stay tuned.