2011 - First Timers

2011 came and gone too soon. Many "first time" events occured in 2011. Whether these 'first time' events were tough or smooth flowing, a bad or a good event - truly these have given me a new sight of life!

1stly 2011 CNY was awesome with a toddler in our family. For some time, CNY was getting to be a chore to get through. Now with a toddler at home, we could feel the atmosphere was totally different. Visitings became more fun as the focus would be on the baby and her cuteness.

Still in the 1st quarter, we were slapped with an unpleasant surprise in my organisation with the new implementation of corporate ranking. Their advice was to forget the old and embrace the new. This didn't went well to many and lots of question went unanswered even till today. No matter what we are called, end day we still have a job to do to earn a living. From this, I realize that age of a person is just a number. I always thought that the older we get, maturity comes automatically and we therefore expects those who are elder than us, would be able to embrace challenges with greater maturity. This incident has changed my perception of maturity. Anyhow, we bite the bullet and things moved one.

But not for too long, again we were slapped with an unexpected change. Some perceived this change was a disaster in waiting. To some, this has been expected! Again, we have a job to do, and whether this change is expected or not - we have to embrace and take it as a positive one.

Out of a sudden, I was already boarding the plane and headed towards Perth with 2 of my close friend and her family. There were 6 of us including 2 kids. The kids were excited to board the plane. I have visited Perth numerous times. Each time, I was alone to meet up with my sis and her family. This time, I brought a bunch! I have never drove in Perth without my sis until this trip. I have not seen and experienced Perth the way I did in this trip. Yup, this was also one of my most high spending trip in Perth but it was all worth it. The only regret was time was short. Truly, it is not about the location but the people who makes the trip - different!

Since April 2011, I have started to beef up my stamina to take on Mt Kinabalu challenge in June. We had purposely ran up and down of Bt Caves stairs, picked up the habit of hiking Bkt Gasing, Ah Pak San and intensified my gym. That day came very fast. 4 of us were first timer to KK. None of us could share what to expect. The guide picked us up and he discouraged us to take the longer route since we were first timers.

Well, perhaps we were too gung-ho so we bo chup the guide and just die die took the longer route! The night before the hike, 4 of us had an early dinner at the foothill and slept @ 9pm+ cause there were no entertainment at all! We were so excited the next morning. Our bags to be carried up were like luggages instead of a camp bag! We paid over RM100 for our bags to be carried by the potter. They charged RM10 per kg. So, you can imagine how heavy our bags.

8 kms to reach the mid point where we will be spending a nite. We started at 9am. Each km, we stopped to rest. Chocolate was like marijuna at that time. It makes you happy and gives you strength to move on! By 3pm, we have reached a point where our sweats started to freeze. The flora and the surroundings were absolutely gorgeous. It was like 'heaven'...We took deep deep breath as the air was so refreshing! The last 2kms were quite unbearable as the route get steeper and also uneven with many big rocks to overcome. Finally, we reached the mid point at 6pm. The surroundings were unbelievable. We were so amazed. At that point, it was getting cold. Our dinner which consisted of rice and a few simple dishes, were a though a 9 course dinner. We whacked 'kow kow'. We did not realize we were so hungry as 9-6pm, we only had chocolates, banana, apple and sandwiches.

When we reached our dorm, we quickly had a icy cold bath and slept at 8pm! We set alarm to wake @ 12am. Due to thin air, I had headache. Took a pill and went back to sleep. By 2am, we set off for the peak! It was super dark. We only depend on our headlights where visibility was only 2m. Along the hike, we have to climb with ropes, crawled and embraced the strong wind and rain. The temperature dropped tremendously but because we were actively climbing, the cold was bearable. The 3 went off quickly. Left me with the guide. The journey was very tough. Dark, cold, raining and vision was 1-2m away. After hiking for 2-3 hours in the dark, I can even count my steps. Every 10 steps, I have to take deep breaths. After 30 - 40 steps, I will have to lie down on the ground to rest for 2-3mins before continuing. You can't rest too long as you will freeze and your muscle will be very reluctant to move! 1km away, the peak is visible. It took another 1 hour+ to reach. I thank God for the guide for being such an encouragement and helped me to make it to the peak.

At 530am, I was 4o95m above sea level. I made it! It was awesome. The feeling was undescribable. His creation is just superb. There is no way, you can get that kinda feeling I had at the peak. The hardwork and breathless hike worth it all. In less than 15mins, we made our way down. The climbing down was worst than going up. From 530am, we decended and reached mid point at 1030am. After a quick breakfast, we continue to head back to foothill. The experience of coming down was daunting! I reached foothill about 6pm where my 3 counter parts have reached an hour before me! Well, apart from the great experience I also gained sun burned on my neck..so bad that the skin turned black! Also we were rewarded with 2 certs for having to conquer the peak and took the longer route. AWESOME!

2011, I took the opportunity to cuti cuti Malaysia with mom and friends. We headed to Penang for a few days for makan makan fun. Then also drove to Melaka and tried all sorts. The few months were just purely putting on weights! I am happy that I am able to bring mom for these trips. I couldn't remember when was the last time mom goes for local trips.

While I was driving from Penang to KL, a conversation reminded me that I have an unfinish task which I have put aside for 5 years! With much thought and consideration, I took up the courage and face my last paper for CIMA. After so many years I did not study, my confidence level is low. Each week, whenever I started to revise, I would asked myself, why am I torturing myself ?! But by His grace and it is only with His grace, the endurance pays off. I made it! The joy was unspeakable as finally I have completed what I have started more than a decade ago. When I looked back, I believe God had somehow send His 'messenger' to remind me that He has not forgotten my prayer ie to complete my professional degree. For this, I am blessed that He has not forgotten my prayer and I am thankful for the 'messenger'!

Before the year ended, a bunch of us went to BKK. Again God answered our prayer. Our trip was booked before the flood. The timing was perfect. Not just that the flood subsided, the weather was superb making the trip so fun and memorable! We shop till pokai! What great fun.

In 2011, FOF has found a new place and things are moving fast. From being just a chairman of the service, I have started to share. I viewed this task as heavy and a test to me on how much I really know God after so many years of walking with Him. Every month when it comes to my turn, I would be very jittery. It is like taking exams every month. You need to revise. Need to run through over and over again. Need to pray hard so that the message is God's message and not human. And as you share, you need to be focus and not out of the topic while dozens of eyes looking at you. Each time when I ended, I am so relieved that I have completed what He has entrusted me to do. I do know that I just got to take on and be obedient to His calling no matter how daunting this task can be! Again, only with His grace, therefore I am able.

Not forgetting, this year is also the year where we celebrated Ah Leong's birthday and tung together with Ah Leong's family. I am so touched that Daniel's wife has invited my family and myself. It is truly beyond joy to have family gather together and celebrate special occassions. I do pray more to come. Both families means the world to me and I am thankful for them.

Well, 2011 was a year with so many experiences which I believe I can carry these to 2012 and rest of my life. That does not mean, I have learned everything tho. More to come and not by my might nor my power but by His spirit, nothing is impossible!

A filial Son; A respectful Brother; A faithful Husband & A No nonsense Father

As I stepped into the office in a sunny morning of July ‘06, I received a call from brother. “Please call the ambulance now!”, he exclaimed. After I hang up the phone with UH for an ambulance service, I received a second call from my brother. “Don’t need the ambulance. We need to arrange for funeral”, he said with a deep low voice.

My Pa ‘slept away quietly’ after battling with cancer for 9 months. To be franked, all of us felt relief to see him off. It had been painstaking episodes for him throughout the battle. Anyway, death is inevitable for all of us. It was his wish to return ‘home’ peacefully and quietly and by the grace of God, He answered his prayer.

5 years have passed. Time flies. Every CNY, many of my relatives would talk about him. Not that we, his children and wife do not talk about him. We thought of him every now and then just that the thoughts are in our hearts.

My Pa, was known to be strict and followed by the rule person. He had never parked outside a parking lot. He did not speed in PLUS. He paid all his bills and kept all the receipts from 70s till today (if he still alive). He was not an optimism person. Thus, he did his best not to break any rule or offend anyone.

Pa was an average income earner. He started out with Telekom and retired from the same company. As he was not able to ‘take care’ of his parents in terms of financial support, he made sure they were ‘well kept’. I remembered Pa, ensured every week there will be 3 times visiting the old folks ever since we shifted out. Every visit, he cleaned the room including them as well.

Well, the old folks were not able to control their bowels in their last few years of their life. Despite the smell and the disgusting scene (cause shit were smeared all around), Pa would clean up every thing whenever he was there. Those days, we do not have the luxury of hiring a maid. He did it every time without much complain. Once there was a ‘not so good’ comment when Pa cleaned Ma Ma ‘thoroughly’ after she had messed up. Pa said “Where do I come from without my mother?!”

Pa also reminded us that we, the young ones, should never defy the old folks’ instruction and respect is a MUST no matter what! For this, I learned well! One morning, when we were still staying with Ye Ye and Ma Ma, I refused to wake up to go to kindergarten when Ye Ye told me to do so. I lazed for another 15 minutes and yet I did not miss the bus. By night, the news got into my Pa’s ears. He grabbed me by my bunch of hairs. Shook me well and yelled “I am as a son and yet I have to listen to my father; what makes you small brat to ignore your Ye Ye’s instruction?!!! Make sure this is your last warning…”. At 6 years old, this incident really thought me well on the importance of respecting the elders.

We never dared to talk negatively about our grandparents nor any of our uncles or aunties. Cause the cost will be ‘gravely’ high…

Besides Ye Ye and Ma Ma, my Pa also gained high respect for all his siblings and their spouses. Whatever the conflicts (every family surely have some miscommunications/ conflicts at some time in our lives), Pa made sure we visit all uncles’ home during CNY. As he once said, “It doesn’t matter whether others will reciprocate but we must do our part…” Again, he told us that all our cousins like our siblings for they are our closest family members for all of them are Wongs.

I still remember that at times some of my cousins or even their partners would come to my house or asked my Pa out for a drink to seek some advice from him. For this, I gather to know that Pa was respected and that they knew he was no nonsense man with good family values.

As a husband, my father was faithful and loved my mom very much. At one time, mom was very sick. He went through the period closely with her and encouraged her all the way. When he had to work, he would wake me up and instructed me to be with mom closely until he returns. He may not be a romantic type, but he never short changed mom in giving his love. Instead of showering mom with gifts, he did more in helping to clean the house and took good care of his children when mom was at work. Even during weekends, he spent hours in cleaning the floors. He ironed clothes. He washed the dishes. He ensured the house has no leakage nor any faults and sparkling cleaning and in order!

As a dad, we grew up almost like in a NS camp. Everyone in my big family knew his is a strict father. He learned well from his second brother’s i.e my Pak Pak’s style of bringing up the children. Since Pa’s education was until Form 5, he was considered as the most educated among his siblings. With this, his expectation on his children to excel in our studies was high. I would say that his children are slow learner. Pa spent 2-3 hours each day to guide my brother in his studies except Sunday. He will sit down with my brother and read together. He did this until my brother reached Form 1.

Funny part was, Pa had no patient to sit down and taught me the way he taught my brother. Why? Well, every time when I failed to pronounce certain words, my tears will flow uncontrollably and that ‘irritates’ my Pa...Well, he did not let me go easily though. He will go through all my books, ensured that I had maths and spelling to do during my school break, running through my report cards and etc.

My brother and I would confide with our mom more since Pa always correct our grammar whenever we converse. Even with our mother tongue, he could still correct us some times. It can be pressurize to converse with Pa. When I was away doing my tertiary in UK, Pa would still correct my grammar and spelling over ICQ and emails! I remember pleading him that ICQ and emails, we use simple English ie r u ok? Eaten alrd?...He replied “There is no such thing..it must be - ‘Have you eaten?’ Use proper English so that you don’t get use to this garbage language”…

The best time I really had a conversation with him was when I was in UK. I missed those days as we were then ‘friends’.

It took me some time to write about Pa. It is always the case that when your loved ones are close-by, we never fully appreciate until they are gone. As I was away from home during the 1st 5 years of my life, I was not ‘close’ to my parents. I grew up with a perception that Pa was only interested in having his children to excel in their studies. The rest were irrelevant. Having a strict schedules from primary till secondary, made me ‘despise’ Pa’s style of being a parent. I have forgotten the way he hugged me when I was a toddler. I have forgotten that he carried me to cross the road when I was 8 years old. I have forgotten he woke up middle of the night to ease my pain when my ear had a growth and how he had took me from one doctor to another just to find cure. I have forgotten how he had finds ways to help me in my transfer of school and from science stream to arts.

It may seem strange. When I returned home from UK, I had a dream. I was rushing up a staircase in a mountain area. I got news that Pak Pak had woken up from his coma. When I reached his bedside, he was reading Chinese newspaper with his reading glasses. It was so real. My heart beat very fast and I had my biggest smile in my life having to feel Pak Pak alive. He then put down his papers, looked at me and said “You have spent a lot of your Pa’s money in UK hor…do you know I have never seen my brother so happy that when he smile, all you can see is his set of teeth when he attended your graduation?!” I woke up that morning and re-look into the graduation photos which were taken some weeks – realize that I have made the old man proud!

When he was diagnosed with cancer, I was the only one beside him. I was the one whom injected him with morphine. Before his last days, I was the one who confronted him to be positive. I was the one who arranged a priest to say the last prayer for him. I prepared most of the arrangement for his funeral. I was the one who confirmed his Christian name on his tombstone together I picked a verse from the bible to be inscribed. All of these I only know that I can do it because Pa had taught me well from his examples of being a filial son to his parents, a respected uncle, a faithful husband and a no nonsense dad.

Today, I am who I am because Pa had never allowed me to go astray. I know he is proud of his children. For this I am sure. Now that we are blessed with a new family member, my niece - I always thought of Pa. How he would have love her and keep her look clean and tidy all the time.. But I know, he is "well keep" in heaven...Happy Father's Day, Pa, Happy Father's Day, Pak Pak and Happy Father's Day, Lord!

2010

2010 is a year where I gained many experiences and full of activities.

1st month of 2010, it was already the start of a challenging year with changes in my work environment. I didn't understand why the good ones were taken away and left all the 'below the water' to myself. What have I done wrong? Frankly, I was not ready to let go the success and to start all over again. Left with no choice, I moved on with a grudge.

Months passed. God never fails to remember what was disturbing me. When I looked back e past few months and the progress of my portfolios, they amazed me. A brother then shared with me that perhaps, this arrangement was purposely made as such for me. I must recognised and focus on the +ve side ie to instill re-building skills. Don't hold on to what I have lost, but what I can gain. I begun to understand.

In that 1st quarter, not only did God open my eyes on re-building skills, I also learned the power of prayer especially from my family members. I have the tendency of being shy to ask my own mom to pray for me. Probably, I was not comfortable in telling her what I wanted or my problems. Something prompted my heart. My mom has been praying for others. Why do I need to choose who to pray for me but rather to trust and be glad that I have my mom to pray for me ie her daughter?! And I finally did asked mom to pray. God never fails. He heard and He provided! Halleluja...

If you have read my blog earlier, I was even called to court. Once again, I learned patient and God will know what's best for us and when will be the perfect timing! I am so glad 2010 has brought a sweet end to this case.

I made many travels in 2010. All journeys made whether they were for my work or for leisure, I thanked God for them. I was able to learn, to share, to capture the sweet memories, to experience etc. These will be the treasures in my heart which I will be carrying throughout my lifetime.

As for my spiritual walk, 2010 is a year which I have to stop being a 'baby'. I grew up and did away the 'milk' to take on 'solid food'. To share His goodness is wonderful. To witness the 'seed' which I have been sowing to become a 'sprout', is breath-taking! Aside from this, I was assigned a new task in my church. A task which I never thought I could. Lo and behold in 2010, He said "It's time". I took up the task and I must confess that when God claimed that you are ready, He will be with you and ensure you will not run dry! After a few tries, I thought of giving up the task and eventho I knew God has been equipping me. I did not think I was ready and was not comfortable. To challenge God it rather a stupid move. For some dads, when a child is ready to give up, either dad will agree or dad will scold the child for being weak or dad will try his best to convince the child. For our Father in Heaven, He made every tries to be better and better and made sure I am being informed - until there is no way for me to say, "I am not ready!" He is an awesome God that many times, you can never able to predict His move.

For 2010, it is or going to be 'was' a year that it is hard to forget. I will carry all the good memories, good experiences, lessons learned to cross over to 2011. I shall leave behind the 'chains and anchors' that hold me down. Thank you, Lord for 2010...2011, here I come!

Knowing, Believing, Trusting & Faith

A few months ago, I started to chair my church service. Being behind the pulpit makes me shiver eventhough I have done these for some times.

Preparation is easy. To find a topic for sharing, to speak and to pray in front of every member, I find it most difficult. No matter how much I have prepared and written on my paper on that day, my voice could be heard shaking. To encourage me, my cousin always gave me a pat on my back at the end of the session. Still, it didn't help much.

I was away for 2 weeks in October. While boarding the 16 hours flight, I thought to myself, it was time to quit. I had also been thinking hard what to say to the elders so that they won't have any rooms to hold me back from quiting. Adamant with my decision, all I was waiting was timing.

When I returned, immediately the next weekend I headed to PD with mom for church camp. I was super relief to find out that I was not involved in any of the sessions. Phew...and yahoo!!! The camp was great until the last session before we depart for KL. We were asked to share on our camp experience. When mom gave her testimony, I got a shock!She has an aspiration for me and openly shared with everyone...something I would not dare to dream...

What she said, bothered me a lot until I lost track of my plan when to break the news to the elders. Soon I got my notification to chair another church service. 4 words appeared in my mind - Know, Believe, Trust & Faith. Seems that they have almost similar meaning.

What to share on these 4 words? What do they actually mean? I googled them. To cut things short, know is with a fact, believe is something you convince yourself with/without a fact, trust is something stronger than believing - it helps you to have an easier life (when you trust someone, you would not spend time to check on him/her) and lastly faith - is something which is unseen and yet you believe. Usually when you trust someone, you have the faith in him/her.

Simply this statement came into my mind, you know there is an existence of God, you may or may not believe in Him. Even when you know and believe there is a God, you may not trust Him and/or have faith that He listens to you or answers your prayer. Thus these 4 words have their own meanings.

One night unsually I logged on to FB early of the night. I saw my cousin in Perth was online (also unsual). We chat. Finally, I shared with her that I decided to quit chairing service. She asked why. Simply I told her I am unfit as I am not a savvy person in bible plus my 'public speaking' sucks! Also I do not spend as much time as others in church activities and my involvement is negligible. She continued to probe me especially why does my voice shakes when I am behind the pulpit. I explained "It is because I am such a young fella sharing God's words to those who are so senior and some are intellectuals in theology, some are on fire for God...made me feel so small... :( "

She said "Stop". She then said "Didn't you know that God often use those who thinks they are insignificant to do His works? Read the bible"..."You knew that. Why aren't you believing that He is using you to speak to those who are in need to hear. Have trust and faith in Him that you will be able to handle this well. Stop thinking of quiting. Start believing"

Often we know what to say how to say. However, we also often think that what we say only applies to others and not for ourselves. What my cousin said is true for all of us. God never looked down on us eventhough we have our own shortfalls. He never wanted us to feel small either. When we do, we are belittling His creation.

Whatever we are going through now, whether it is a tough experience, a bad experience, a cross road - it has been arranged. It is up to us to decide whether we would want to believe that we can get through it and have the trust & faith in Him!Now, I need to practise more... :)

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are Mp3 Download Free

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are Mp3 Download Free

When God did not answer prayer...

A lot people including myself (until recently) expects God to answer our every prayer and when He doesn't..it's going to be a 'SAD story'...

Recently, I have learned otherwise. I have learned that when God doesn't answer our prayer, it was not because we were not praying hard enough. My colleague forwarded an email and part of it read as

"Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout. Have you ever wonder why the rear mirror is small while the windshield is huge? Because the past is not as important as the future. All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities! When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. WORRYING does not take away the troubles, it takes away today's PEACE"

This email came in time and enhance my spiritual knowledge especially the part where it reads as "When God doesn't answer your prayer, He has faith in your abilities". It has become clearer to me that not all prayers are answered and why.

I have been in the financial industry for almost 10 years now. I take delight in my work because I am able to assist others in owning their property. Although target was part of the KPI but importantly I must be accountable for my employer and the customers. As we know, money is rather a sensitive issue for most of us. In 08 which I have also shared in my blog that I received a rude shock right after my birthday. I received news that I will be summoned to court as the spouse of my customer took a legal action against us.

I read the summon over and over again. My name was repeatedly stated. I was angry because the statement given to the court was almost untrue! Apart from being angry, I was confused, sad and scared. I tried my best to recall the incident which took place 5-6 years ago. A lawyer was hired to represent us. We met and discuss the matter with our own legal assistants. To add salt into the wound, our own legal assistants did not have faith to win this case when I admitted that I did not translate the information on the insurance form entirely to the customer in cantonese. I was also disappointed in myself for failing to translate the entire form or at least refer the customer to a colleague who is fluent in chinese. This has then resulted a big mess and now I am wanted in court!

I kept recalling and think hard whether was there anything else I left out to safe me from this. But none. Then I asked "WHY ME?!" I didn't do any harm to anyone, I never dare to 'cheat' neither do I greed to get business. Why must this incident happened on me against hundreds of others who are also in the similar responsibility. Do everyone translate the entire form from english to chinese except me?! My heart was heavy and sad. I asked Lord to give me strength to overcome this challenge.

My heart was lifted a little when the lawyer commented "Look, I will try to negotiate for out of court settlement...and May Cy, you should not be to hard on yourself. Things like this do happen. I will do my best for you." I did not share this with many and especially not with my family. From that day onwards, I prayed that the case would be settled out of court and everyone will be happy with the outcome!

No news seems to be good news. Perhaps it has been setlled quietly. Then came a call 2 years later which was about a month plus ago. "Hi, May Cy, this is XX, from YY the law firm. Do you remember me?" Deep in my heart, I would like to reply, "No, I don't". Anyway, he told me to prepare to attend court in the next 3 weeks. I will be called as witness. I asked whether is there anyway or anything I can do to skip the court and compensate for my "mistake".

He replied, "Your mistake? What mistake? In my legal findings, I found not fault from you and that is why I want to fight this case." No fault from me? I certainly want the widow to be compensated, I replied. He assured that it will be a fair trial. A few hours later, I received another call from our own legal assistant. She commented that the lawyer must be very gungho to "fight" the case since chances are slim. My hope dashed again. In addition, she added on that she could not accompany me to court eventhough bosses would want someone else to be there. She asked me how? In my heart again, I was thinking that she must be joking! Since I get no morale support from her, her presence would not help at all. I just commented, "I will go myself. Do you think I have a choice?" Before our conversation ended, she said "OK a, you kow tim a?" Sigh...

3 weeks to go. I repeatedly pray for a miracle that the case would be settled out of court. 1 week to go, the lawyer called. Advised me to stay calm and we worked out our Q&A to be use in court. Amazingly this lawyer (is like an angel altho he is a heavy smoker) kept checking with me "May Cy, would you be comfortable if you give these answers to my questions?" I replied, "As long as it is the truth as I can remember, I am comfortable. Those items which I cannot recall, I do not want to say them in court because I am unsure. " XX commented, "Fair enough. But you should not feel guilty in anyway because you are not".

The day before the court proceeding, I am still hopeful for a miracle...but by 830am next morning I was sitting at the bench awaiting for the judge arrival. There were only 3 witnesses t be called. The 1st was the widow. What we watch in the movie on how the lawyers "drill" the witness are true. I heard my name repeatedly being blamed in the court by the widow and the prosecution lawyer. I thought to myself - I was being infamous that day for the wrong reason! I got nervous. My lawyer came to me during a break and told me to focus on the judge when I stand on the witness stand. Constantly he checked on me to ensure that I was ok.

The 1st witness took about 2 hours to finish her session. During the short break I sms my colleagues to pray for me. I need to stay calm and speak the truth - that will be my 2 main goals. When my turn came, I felt no trembling at all. I was full of confident...so full that at certain times, I question back those lawyers who wanted to "drill" me. Even the judge looked amazed when I corrected the prosecution lawyer's statement. My turn ended in less than 30 mins. I asked permission to leave. My lawyer commented, "Are you sure you do not want to stay till it ends?" I requested him to update myself when there is judgement made. I refused to stay and left. When I got into my car,I started trembling and thought how did I managed to be so calm and so full of energy until I could correct others. Was it not God who intervened?! I do not have other answer besides that His presence was with me.

After 2 weeks, I saw his name blinking in my handphone. I picked up. "May Cy, this is XX. I have great news! We have won!" I replied, "What? We won? means? the widow how?" "No worries, she will be compensated by 3rd party. It wasn't your responsibility to translate anything and the court finds NO FAULT with you"

HALLELUJAH! PRAISE BE TO GOD! AMEN! My tears well up and I could not thanked the Lord enough for such a great outcome and for the lawyer who believed in me and helped me through this...Now, lets' rewind a little. If my prayer to have outside court settlment, my name would not be 'cleared' at all...God did not answer that prayer of mine. Hallelujah! He put me through this challenge for 2-3 years and ensured that I come out of it victoriously! And He also remembered the widow...hallelujah...

This was really a test in my life to open my eyes and my heart that when He did not seem to answer, there is a strong reason behind...and He would never put us through a challenge that we would not be able to undertake cause He knows our abilities and He trust in our abilities. Ultimately, the world can be against you and it would not be a matter because when God is with you, you have the world! Keep on trusting Him and you won't go wrong....

On 27th June 09, I wrote in my blog about my days in Sheffield Hallam University and I ended with “shall continue soon…”. I have totally forgotten about it!

It was just a couple of days ago, I shared with my roommie that I have booked my ticket to London next month…we started to share our memories when we were in UK 12 years ago! She asked, “Would you go back to our hostel to have a look?” I would really love too…hopefully I can make it!

Anyway, we went on and tried to recall our housemates name…I failed terribly but my roommie’s memory is fantastic! Thanks for reminding me…cheers

To continue where I left since my roommie has been kind enough to refresh my memory, I ended with the usual days we have classes and the time we usually get back to our hostel. Yup, our daily meals were simple.

Breakfast would normally just a cup of hot chocolate or coffee for me. Then we would walk for about 20mins to attend our classes. By lunch, we either have our packed from home sandwich which consist 2 pieces of bread with a slice of thin ham (as thin as a paper size) and a few pieces of iceberg cabbage or a bar of snickers (if we were too lazy to make sandwich). A few occasion, we got tired of sandwich and chocolate bars. We would then spend GBP2.50 for fish and chips. One pack was good enough for 2 of us. Let me share a joke. One afternoon we went to the market to stock up our food. We were hungry and went to pack fish and chips. On the menu, there were a few types of fish for selection. We look through and noticed there was a type which was cheaper than usual. It was called roe and chips. Both of us did not know what the heck was roe. It turned out to be one huge deep fried fish eggs and chips! “Good things don’t come cheap, cheap things usually are not good!”

For dinner, since both of us were deprived from having many ingredients, we keep to 2-3 simple dishes. Usual recipes include chicken with orange sauce, fried iceberg cabbage and ketchup beans. You must be asking why always iceberg cabbage…well, one iceberg cabbage cost 35pence and it can lasts us one week. Other vegetables were quite costly though. Sometimes we did have broccoli and tomatoes. O, I just remembered. We also cooked tuna spaghetti…our own recipe discovered in hostel.

A few times, we had other uni-mates who dropped by our kitchen and made us some good dishes like bak kut teh, soup, roast chicken wings etc. Guess what, those who made good and complex dishes were guys! Gals just wanna keep things simple… :) drinking milk was also part of our diet while fruits were mainly nectarines and peaches. Of all the food that we have, maggi mee was our favourite especially tomyam and curry flavour! I recalled that we called home to ask our parents to courier food stuff over. Maggi mee was a must! Now to think of it, it was rather naïve of us since we were only there for 3 months + and we can’t seem to live without maggi mee. Mind you, we did concern about our hair loss after consuming many packs of maggi mee.. :(

For a couple of weeks, we had an Italian student in our hostel. His name is Enzo. He was studying English @ Sheffield Hallam. His food was even more simple then ours! I noticed that his usual meal was macaroni with green peas most of the time. Before he left, we had a makan party. We cooked some Malaysian dishes while Enzo made a few Italian dishes. I learned how to make cabonara spaghetti and mozzarella cheese with tomatoes and basil leave from Enzo. He is a friendly and funny guy…:) while we were saying our goodbyes, being gwailo he grabbed my roomie and gave her a tight hug and kissed her on the cheek. That kiss surprised my roomie and gave a light scream! He got a shock and apologized immediately. When it came to my turn, he politely asked “Can I hug and kiss you?” hahahahaha….

I also learned how to bake. My roommie’s birthday was a round the corner but to buy a piece cake was rather expensive for a student and it was not enough to go around. While shopping for our weekly groceries, I saw a pack of ready made mixed flour for a cake. Why not?! I bought the ready mixed flour, a chocolate bar and a few strawberries. On that day, I brought all the equipments and stuff to my other uni-mates’ hostel. After an hour of mixing, stirring and baking…wa-la, the cake was done. Then I melted the chocolate bar and spread over the cake. Next was to decorate it with strawberries. I am very poor when it comes to decoration. I just don’t have the clue. I did my best with my imagination and of course the cake did not look like those from the shop! Tasted ok though…hahahaha..from then, many of my other uni-mates also baked cake for birthday and for fun!

At one time, I was so bored with our meals and I thought of making burgers my own. I bought a packed of minced beef. I chose the cheapest pack. I put some pepper, soya sauce, salt and mixed well with the meat. Mould the meat into 6 burger shape and slammed them into the oven. Then I got my other uni-mates and roommie to try them out. “Ting” and I took them out from the oven. The whole tray was filled with cooked minced beef! Gosh…my roomie gave up after a few bites and so did I. Lo and behold my other uni-mate finished it off! I told him to stop eating because it looked bad and tasted so-so. Anyway, I was glad he finished it and not gone to waste…

So, there were many trials and errors in the kitchen. I do not think the gwailo students were as adventurous like us when it comes to food. You should have seen the guys’ kitchen! They got all the types of herbs and ingredients as though they were opening an eatery at the hostel! Later I found out that they often had supper ie roast chicken wings (chicken wings are dirt cheap in UK) with a couple of beers. I only managed to join them once or twice. But not all guys were like them. My ground floor housemate, a guy, would only have rice with sausages for his main meal! He had this like almost everyday. Salute!

Eating out was a no-no for us. Mostly we packed fish and chips. Well, we did have lunch at the pub for one time and it cost us GBP2.50 for a meal. And lastly before we came home from UK, we had a big party where we invited our lecturers to join us. Everyone made a dish and it was a great evening as we took our food in the open during the end of summer in UK…:)

Here I am sharing mostly on our usual meals and some food happenings while I was in UK. Especially for Asian, food is the link to create a better relationship. If you noticed, most festive seasons are related to food and on the eve of the festivals, all family members are encouraged to be home to dine together. I love and am blessed to say “Live to Eat” is motto!