Of Thanksgiving and Gratitude...

So, the New Year is finally here.

My response to that would be one of relief, thanksgiving, and hope.
2009 has truly been another roller-coaster year.
I can't imagine it being any different to the past few years, except that it was a whole lot bumpier and at the same time exciting.

Without a reason for the season, Christmas would probably have been ruined.
Without my reason to live, well...

Enough said.

Suffice to say, I'm really glad 2009 has come to an end.
Looking back, there are so many things I wished I had done/not done and not gotten myself into such fixes.
Then again, I also can see so many instances where I can thank God for His grace and His goodness throughout the year.

I'll always remember the different moments in the year either because of its mountaintop highs, or just plain deep depressing moments.
All I know is, God has been really good regardless of all that has happened.
And I believe that He is still in control, and in 2010...greater things shall be accomplished all to the glory of His name.

Some of the highlights in 2009 include:

• Representing Malaysia to the English Business Talk in Singapore.
• Graduated with a Degree in my hands.
• Went through a very painful growing up process throughout the year.
• Stepped into the adult world and realized the responsibilities and requirements that came with it.
• Had a taste of what the working world would feel like.

And those are just among some of the highlights of the year.
Overall, it didn't end too well...but God has definitely been faithful.
I thank God everyday for His continued faithfulness and His ever present help in life.
Life may not be smooth, and there are times where I've even lost my focus...but somehow everything always points back to Him.

If I listed down the lessons I've learned throughout the year, this post might probably never end.
Nevertheless, it's made me a smarter, and hopefully a better person.

And as I look forward to 2010 I realize what matters is not how much money you make, the magnitude of what you've done, nor is it how much you THINK you've accomplished...

But what matters are always the people who are around you, the relationships and friendships that you've come to know and love in life.
The year itself presented many losses in different forms...
So I say, even as life in itself is unpredictable and short, too many a times I realize that I take it forgranted.

Instead of displaying arrogance, I'll start this year by committing every step of the way to God and all the plans laid out...that God willing they shall be done.
I learn to appreciate the people around me, and not take them forgranted.
Let this new year be a fresh start for me, and for you readers out there...

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools,
The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more; it is a tale,
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

William Shakespeare

If life is indeed short, then carpe diem it shall be!
Seize the moment, live life to the max.
And in my case...every moment to be lived to my full potential for God.
I've lost all will to live and the only reason left to live is God.
And if He gave His all for me when He sent His Son, the only rightful thing would be to give all of me to serve Him.

No resolutions for me, but instead...I pray that God will reveal more of Himself and the plans ahead.
Resolutions are almost never kept, for me personally anyway.
So it was a new year's prayer this time, a prayer to be better...to never lose focus on Him.

Live for God, live for the moment...
Know what is important, appreciate those around you.
Reach out for your dreams and your destination, but don't forget to enjoy the journey.
Take what you can in life, and seize every moment and opportunity you have.

...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead ~ Philippians 3:13(b).

I pray that the year 2010 will be fulfilling for you, as I am very sure it will be for me.
And to end this year, here's a video clip I thought really captured what mattered to me.
Enjoy!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly...

Happy New Year!
It's the year 2010!

But...
Before I do my official first post of the year, this post will be a long post of updates!
It's been long overdue and the first part of this post dates back to the 28th of November 2009!

So, bear with me.

First up...pictures from the final day of the musical preparation at Monfort Boys Town!

Final Day Presentation - 28th of November 2009


Pre-presentation practices.


Angle #1.


Angle #2.


Post-presentation.


With the now-migrated Debbie. You are missed...

Adam's Wedding - 29th November 2009

A close friend of ours finally took the plunge and tied the knot.
Held at The Club, it was a pretty good event with good food.
One of the rare occasions when the couple are still in their early 20's.
A good wake up call for me.
Somehow was reminded that life is indeed short; breathe in every breath as if it were your last, go with the flow and do the things that make you happy...cause life is short and unpredictable that way.

I guess someone will be sleeping very soundly now that it's all confirmed and done with. : )


Their throne for the night.


Dinner table for the newlyweds.


Here they are.


A close-up view.


The scrumptious food set before us.


And the flower boy. : )

Further pictures are available on facebook links as listed below.

Facebook Link

Debbie's Farewell - 4th December 2009

It was just a week or two before Debbie and the family migrated off to Australia.
Hence, the Harvest Crew had a farewell dinner for her at Jaya One.


Shot #1.


Shot #2.


Yours truly's dinner for the night.

Again, more links on facebook.
Too many pictures to upload onto the blog.

Facebook Link

APYAC Night Concerts 11th-12th December 2009

Venue: GTPJ

Managed to go for the night sessions and catch the concerts.
Life changing and definitely gave me a new direction.
Reinforced what I really am on Earth for.
Now, to just overcome circumstances and anything else that hinders to achieve it.


Juwita Suwito was one of the guest singers.


Wooo, colours.


Dancers of the opening act.


A second shot.


A representative from each Asia Pacific nation for the final night's worship dance. : )


Here they are in action.


Symbolical act of passing on the 'cross'.


As the baton was passed on to the next generation for the nations.

The final night was pretty much an act that signifies reaching out to the nations.
Much was spent in prayer and sowing to reach out to the nations for God.
It was a defining moment; in the End Times, much is needed to be done.
Reach out!


Only managed to get a shot with Andrea, despite meeting so many other people there. Regret that I didn't managed to take any other shots with anyone else.

Harvest Crew's Christmas Party - 19th December 2009

Venue: Pek See's - Taman Yarl, OUG.


The setting.


The queue for dinner.


Food, food, food!


Malaysians' favourite pasttime. And it was all homecooked. Yums...


What you see is grilled chicken and potatoes with blackpepper sauce. All courtesy of the hostess, and boy was it good.


Table #1: Clockwise - Kor kor Yat Nam, Nicole, Steph, Shar Mein, & Andrew.


Table #2 too busy with food for the camera.


Table #3. Say cheese...


Table #4.

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of table #5 and some other missing people. My apologies.


Games!


When things started getting really competitive. : )


Debating with the judge. Hilarious reasoning.


Rawr! Here we go!


Final shot!

The night ended with a skit, a short sharing, and the exchange of gifts.
Carols were probably the best part. : )

Cousins Reunite - 26th December 2009

This was the second time the whole bunch of us met up, whereby the first time was missed by yours truly due to...work.
Nasty.
Don't have much pictures, but the rest are on facebook.
Needless to say, it was really good to see all of them again.

Venue was at Sunway Pyramid, where it was nothing but talk, cameras, and a whole lot of camwhoring involved.


Li Anne and Emily hogging the Christmas tree.


Emily going all vainpot on my handphone.

Rest of the pictures are over in Facebook!
Click click!

Facebook Link #1
Facebook Link #2

That would be all for this post.
Most of the pictures are in Facebook, so thankfully all you gotta do is click and browse.
Next post will be New Year's Eve and New Year's.

Stay tuned!

Happy 2010 people!

Standing on the Edge...

Christmas has just finished.
If I have not wished any of you...

BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

The days leading up to this year's Christmas spelled much pain in the process of growing up.
Christmas just kinda reminded me that it really isn't about me...but it's about Christ.
I guess the human tendency is to look at the circumstances and be overwhelmed.
It is definitely time to get the focus back.

Prayers have been answered though.
Through the gifts, God really knew how and when to bless.
He's really amazing.

Though life has been really dark recently, but God keeps me going.
It just feels so pathetic to have to be constantly reminded, but this is my weakness.
Lets hope over time, I improve myself in this aspect.

On another note...

This week is the last week of the internship.
January, a new chapter of life begins when I head back to college.
Can't say that I'm looking forward to it now either.
Life has been so incredibly turbulent over the couple of years, and there are times when I wonder if I'll ever be able to just have a stretch of good days without a nasty one.

But...if there's anything I know, it is part of the character building process.
Broken hearts, tears, pain, torture, and the ultimate destination of depression always knocks on the door of my life.
Then again...it draws me back to God through the pain.

There will definitely be a year end post.
Just wondering how to celebrate New Year's eve this year.
Definitely considering catching the fireworks from somewhere not crowded...

Well, another post on updates should be up soon with the pictures.
But till then, gonna try and refrain from posting up too many posts.
Negativity isn't good for the soul. : )

I'm not okay.
So don't ask if you know already because you'll always get this answer...

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'll be fine."

And no...
Don't tell me that "everything will be fine" cause at the moment...it will never seem that way.
There are other ways of being there, and too many times have I been disappointed by the phrase "Don't worry. Everything's gonna be alright."
Not when you knew at that very moment that it wasn't...



Philippians 3:12 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:13 - Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead.

Philippians 3:14 - I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called heavenward in Christ Jesus.

PS: Christmas message today concluded with this verse...
Jeremiah 31:3 - The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
Thank God for His unfailing love.

Another Heartbreak, Another Chance to Grow...

Another turning point in life.
And oh how I remembered telling myself that I never wanna experience this again.
But life is full of risks, and when I gave it my all I opened myself to that same pain and once again here I am.

I must say, it feels far more magnified than previous heartaches.
Just another chapter in life?
Closure...but I'll let time take its toll.

I never saw this coming.
Surprised?
Actually, no.

Priorities have been reshuffled.
No reason to open up again.
But reason to trust God that all things will fall into place.

4 hours of sleep will have to get me through today.
And it's Christmas eve today, the irony.
Yet, I still know my reason for the season.
As much as this has been the most painful Christmas eve, I know Christmas will be the turning point.

I've had enough heartbreaks to last me a lifetime.
Love can be so painful, but yet we were made to love.
Only God's perfect love can be of any standard to depend on.

But for now, it's just God and me on this road.
When everything else fails, God remains faithful.
Wake up call, but He will keep me going.
Thank You Lord for teaching me lessons through heartbreaks.

Time to pick up the pieces.
God knows how long I'll take scouring around for the tiny fragments that have been scattered.
But one thing I do know...I've got a God who is bigger than any circumstances.
Life may be a roller-coaster, but He's the operator and He's in-charge.

This Christmas will definitely be interesting.

Love is overrated.
God is underrated.




Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the change to dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there

Drops of Jupiter - Train

~ As the night peaked at its darkest, the light shone the brightest.

A million pieces...

Ever wanted to go far away and start afresh?
To a distant place where you know nobody, and nobody knows you.
When a clean slate is given, and everything else is forgotten.
Breathtaking scenery, fresh mountain air, and a starry night sky to greet you?

I know I do.

All I want for Christmas...is you.

I just realized the last post was on the 1st of December.

Yesh, I know.
Working has made me a sloth.
I also blame it on my life which has become rather un-happening.
Hence, I need to keep my blog active somehow.

I promise, a proper blog post will be updated soon.
I keep saying that, but I am gonna ensure it happens soon kay?
Don't give up on me just yet.

Christmas is approaching and I thank God every year that I celebrate it knowing that it was the most historic moment in time, that defining moment that changed the course of mankind from eternal damnation, into a purposeful life and an eternal destiny in heaven.

However, just as I do every year...I thought of putting up a Christmas wish list.
But...this year I realize it is the simple things in life that truly make me happy (not to mention more realistic too).
So, here we go...

1. A blackberry storm!


Been wanting one of these for quite a while.
Reason: I've been using my phone for 5-6 years now, and I have this liking for the blackberry series. Not a necessity though. Learning to be contented with what I have.

2. An iPod.


Doesn't quite matter which, as long as it functions as a music player.
Reason: Using the phone as a temporary music player doesn't work, not when it eats up so much of the battery.

3. A new pair of futsal shoes.


Doesn't matter which either, as long as it's nice. *grins*
Reason: Obviously I need a new pair since my current ones are well...have been used rather too much.

4. A nice organizer.
Reason: It's time to be disciplined and get my daily life into order. More for time management purposes, and I believe that this is one of those changes that I'm making. My imperfection; work-in-progress.

5. A bag that would fit both the working & studying world.
Reason: Just cause I need to look professional. : )

Only 5 on my wish list.
Last year I had 10, but again they were pretty much unrealistic.
Lets just say I cherish the simple things in life and it is indeed the little things that make me happy.
Materialistic isn't really in my dictionary (though it seems that way a lil).

I believe heavenly treasures are what matters most.
There's the other wishes such as salvation of loved ones and friends, that scholarship that I'm still praying for, and some other things.
Those will stay between God and me.

And yet all I want for Christmas is you...



Things have been tough.
Life has sorta had a huge blip, and took me for a roller-coaster ride.
God has been faithful, and I can safely say with assurance the worse is over.
When everything else seems hopeless, God is hope.
And there is absolutely nobody who guarantees just that except Him, and I can safely say that I'm becoming better and I am absolutely confident in whom I put my trust and faith; the One who holds my future.

Till the next post, I bid you au revoir.
Here's to a good week ahead!

According to you...

Hello!

Life's been mundane at times, but I'm slowly finding my way back.
Work has been pretty uneventful lately.
I really wished I could learn more, but I'm afraid I might finish off the internship not taking anything much with me.
I guess the only reason would be that extra value it brings to the CV.

Here's the line I thought I would never say...

I miss studying, and I absolutely cannot wait for college to begin in January.

I've resigned myself to abstain from the big screens for a while.
Perhaps downloading would be good for now.
There are a few "to-watch" on my list, but...

...

Anyway, Christmas should be good.
I guess this Christmas will be a really good reminder of the one Person who gave everything for me and Who loved and expected nothing in return.
Doubt anyone has that kinda capacity, though there will be people who are like that...a few anyway.
Christmas...probably the most important date in my yearly calendar.

I promise more updates will come up by the end of this week.
I'll get the pictures uploaded, and hopefully the rest of the pictures will be uploaded on Facebook by the respective people with the cameras.
I guess till then, this is it.



Sometimes, I'm tired of pretending everything is alright.
The only difference is I have God right here...