Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Twas it was me alone on the dusty path ahead...

...and the storm came by as he held strong to a branch threatening to be uprooted mercilessly.

Warning: Pictures galore ahead! Read at your own risk!

After much further questioning (thank you to those who still read this) on why I wasn't updating my blog, I decided to fulfill my word to those who I've given it to. So hence, this blog shall be more on Christmas in general as well as New Year's.

Christmas this year went by like a breeze and didn't seem like slowing down either. Besides caroling (which sadly I do not have any pictures of) as well as the Christmas Musical and the Christmas Youth Musical, there wasn't much that happened. Christmas service was pretty much okay.

Picture time...

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Christmas Musical started with Jerusha's solo.

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Billy giving his solo with back-up by the men.

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Take 2.

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Jon and his special performance with guitar maestro, William.

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William with his special number.

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Next came the kids.

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Take 2.

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The ladies...

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The whole team and their finale.

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Take 2.

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The Creative Arts Coordinator ending it with a few songs.

The following day, the youth had our Christmas Musical and we were done for Christmas. Next year will be better and planning will definitely be done in a more organized way. Christmas was good nonetheless as we all realized (and were reminded) that Christmas is not about anything else...but its about remembering the birth of our dear Lord Jesus over 2000 years ago to redeem men from their sins. = )

New Year's was different as this time round, there was no watchnight service and I decided to meet up with some people at the Curve.

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Dinner at Paddington's.

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Random deco at Paddington's.

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Hitomi; thanks for organizing. Check out her blog for better pictures of new year's.

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Prue came along.

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Their dinner; our appetizer.

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High school classmate Charng Rhui, and Matt.

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My pancakes with bacon, hash brown, and ham with brown sauce.

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Charng Rui's dinner. Forgot what it was...=X

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Taken by Hitomi.

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Probably the best picture we had taken among the many others.

The girls went off after we had Baskin Robbins for dessert. The crowd started building up as the clocked continued to tick ever faithfully to that faithful hour of 2009.

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Had 2 games of pool while walking around.

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Met up with Kevin who I have not seen since form 5.

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View from the top of Cineleisure.

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Notice the tent on the left? DJs were spinning at Laundry and the entrance fees itself was 50 bucks. =X

Charng Rui then had to go off on a very very important errand and there I was, all alone for new year's.

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The concert that was held. Sadly, I missed most of it.

I met a few acquaintances, but all of which had their own group of friends and family and loved ones to celebrate it. It was then that I realized and experienced true loneliness even amongst the huge crowd that was filling the place.

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Happy 2009!

Technically, the place where I was snapping my camera kinda sucked as it was just in front of the building. Thus, the angle was not suitable...too darn close. Anyway, as the people cheered around, I looked around and saw everyone with their loved ones and right there and then I wished there was someone who I could share the new year with, someone who I could wish a new year, someone who I could hug and release and let go of the year 2008.

But yet at that moment, I shared it with a very special person and the most important person (contradicting I know) that nobody else can ever take His place. I stood there and wished my Heavenly Father a Happy New Year as I smiled and realized that He was always there with me throughout the whole year of 2008 and will always be for the rest of my life.

I eventually got stuck in the car park for one and a half hours and was entertained (and a lil disgusted) by Malaysian drivers giving their cars a good hoot, some even to a certain rhythm in the car park at nearly 2am. It felt empty sitting in my car alone, but God sent a dear angel who kept me company (you know who you are) through SMS.

I eventually got home and slept at nearly 3am. I've learned there's nothing like celebrating new year's at a watchnight service. Till then, welcome 2009!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Here comes my fresh dawn...

First up, Happy Two-Oh-Oh-Nine!

New Year's Eve and New Year's post will be up once I've managed to catch up with all my postings. For now, I'll finish off the Penang trip. Enjoy!

Penang Day 3, 7th December 2008


I'll cover both days since day 4 is pretty much little in terms of picture content.

Started the day by waking up pretty early as we had to head over to Tabernacle of Praise (TOP) since both the parents had to minister in the Hokkien service, as well as the English service.

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Good morning Penang.

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Check out the lift. Har har har. Uniquely Penang.

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Stage view.

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Auditorium view.

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Dad in "action". = )

Let me pause to mention that their drummer was a girl drummer. Eye candy! xD

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Lunch venue.

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Mmm....fried chicken.

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This was probably the best...curry fish head.

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Some pork dish. Sorry, 'tak halal'.

Aunt Winnie then came to fetch us post service and she took us for second lunch. All in all, I think I had about 3-4 bowls of rice. Stuffed myself to full capacity. No kidding...

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Hainanese Chicken Rice.

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Meat balls.

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This was what made it special; the chilly sauce.

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Dinner was right in the heart of town.

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Their "Cantonese Yee Mee" which tasted rather unique.

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Bee Hoon with fish head.

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Kuey Teow Soup.

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Penang Carrot Cake. Can't find anywhere here either.

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Lok Lok was like anywhere else.

After dinner, we went for a drive through town, and out came all the cameras.

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Inverted Christmas tree?

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I was quite fascinated by the hanging Christmas trees. xD

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Black and White looks nice at such picturesque places.

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Take 1.

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Take 2 in Black and White again.

Penang Day 4, 8th December 2008

Our final day, and Uncle James and Aunt Winnie took us for our final lunch and the food was truly a true finale, a proven testament that Penang is indeed the food haven of Malaysia.

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Breakfast venue.

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Stadium Curry Mee. Taste is as unique as its name.

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Curry Mee. One of the best throughout the entire trip.

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Added with "char siew" and you get heaven. Oops, sorry. 'Tak halal' again.

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And of course chicken...

Then it was goodbye Penang. A HUGE thanks to Uncle James and Aunt Winnie for taking so very good care of us. Without them, we could never have experienced Penang for its true definition...FOOD!

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Glutton face?

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Goodbye Penang. PS: This is not Penang by the way. xD

Finally all my Penang posts are up. Next up...Christmas posts!

PS: Happy Anniversary Dad and Mum! Love you guys loads! <33