My cell group leader says that for new believers, usually the first two years of our life will be revolving a lot around church. I have to put my disclosure here (I learned this is so important due to an incident, whereby I believe my flippant way of speaking might have caused others to misunderstand me) : it’s not that I don’t like it, and I am someone who likes to learn more, but from someone who used to be 24/7 gym to become 24/7 church, it is a huge huge drastic change. From jumping around, it’s like sitting quietly to pray, to discuss the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, to hear testimonies and such. It is very, very different. And sometimes during the weekend, you want to catch up with friends or with your household chores or even do your usual hobbies… and there’s not enough time!! Yes, seeing friends at church is one thing, but I only know them for a few months, not the same as those high school friends catch-ups la… Seriously, I am envious of those people who just grew up with childhood friends in church. It’s like such a close-knit family.. how can I ever be as close to them as they are with each other? They probably know each other for like 80% of their lives. Again, this is just my disclaimer…. I don’t hate it or dislike it. This is just some internal frustrations with me due to my own time management.
So on Friday nights, I now have to set aside time for prayer meetings as well. Sigh.. it’s so hard to do group prayer. I don’t really know what to say. I thought prayer is quite personal…? But during prayer meetings we are supposed to pray out loud. And I don’t really know what to say… I was quite impressed with this Nigerian dude who could go on and on for about 10 – 15 minutes, so eloquently and so passionately. When can I achieve this level? When I told L about that, he said that prayer is just getting your point across to God, you don’t need super flowery language.
Impromptu first meet-up on Friday night, was so unprepared and my nerves were so highly strung… but it went well, I guess. Fingers crossed… I was given a box of pineapple, all eaten by my mom & dad … I didn’t even get one piece. 
But at least I got the turkey, bread & Italian wine. 
Thanks L… 
Saturday morning, had a “road adventure” to find Food Foundry, and in the end tak jadi because L didn’t even know where it was, and in the end, thank God for 3G la… A quick search with my handphone and we were on the right road! But all for nought, as Food Foundry only opens for business at 11:30am, so we had chicken rice at Ayam James instead. The chicken is ok ok la, but the best part about the place is the char siew (juicy juicy, fattening stuff!) and the chop suey (pedas syiok!) and…. Uncle James! Hahahaha! He is one friendly, no-nonsense owner who talks so frankly, cannot help but laugh at him and with him. Okie, and I’m a bit scared of him. When he said that we must come back every Saturday, I feel like we have to… but not like he’s giving us discount also. ;p We ta-powed back the chop suey for our parents… then went home…
… as I had to go for “Workers Conference” at the church. It is basically updates and testimonies from the pastors in our overseas branches. We had talks from Pastor J in Nigeria, Pastor YW in charge of Philippines, Pastor HH for India and Pastor WL for Myanmar and Nepal. It was very enlightening and moving… and we had more group prayers. My heart is always beating very fast during group prayers! ** don’t want to embellish more details on this matter ** When I met L for dinner that night, he asked me how it was. After talking very long about what each pastor said, I ended with, “Oh, and during break time got sausage bun to eat… and we were blessed to have Seremban siew pau too…”
L : “Aiya, you go to church only to eat wan lah you.”
T___T
One thing I have to share about the worker’s conference is… you really feel so small. JP says she feels small because she thinks that she is not doing enough, frequently saying that she has too much on her plate (she serves in two ministries) as well as has to disciple the new comers. Her saying THAT made me feel small, because I keep complaining that it is one course after another… I haven’t even started serving yet lor, though things might change this Sunday… *wink* Anyway, JP said she felt small because when comparing herself to the pastors that evangelize overseas, especially in countries where Christians are persecuted, it made her realise how small her efforts are. And miniscule mine are then. Fuuuh… but what *I* felt small about on the Worker’s Conference was simply at how much faith and love that people in countries like India, Philippines, Myanmar, etc are feeling for God, that they still worship and praise Him when they have so little. Even now, I feel like God doesn’t listen to my prayers, but in fact I have so much more to thank Him for than others. Yet why is my faith so little, and theirs so large? So I vowed to change and work harder to build up my faith & spirit… this coming Sunday, we have yet another course… after that will be the start of Christmas celebrations! Fuuuh…
Had dinner at Otak-Otak Place at 1U on Saturday night… nothing much going on there, basically following L around to do his DIY stuff. Best part is managed to get a magazine rack that I wanted from Home-Fix. It is exactly what I had been looking for!! Cheap and cheerful, that is the theme for my decor. T__T In the room decorating mood again, hehe. ~ The DIY theme continued after Sunday service, with more searching around USJ for stuff for L’s DIY frenzy. Ate at Lorong Seratus Tahun.. checked out houses that I can’t afford at the Sime Darby office too. Sigh… when will I get my own place to stay? It was way too hot to do anything on Sunday, went back home and got ready for dinner with my gal pals – Dull & Fuzz. Decided to go to Summit because I wanted to buy Adobe Photoshop in order to make pictures like this :
Left to Right : Sifoo Wong as “Babi Spice”, Andric as “Spotty Spice”, Justin as “Definitely Scary Spice”, See as “Pork Spice” and Binz as “Gingivitis Spice”.
Arrived with Dull darn early, we were in the talks of selling a certain make-up brand in Malaysia. I super love the service of the supplier, and the pigments for the eyeshadows are AMAZING. You just need a small amount to make a huge difference. Each palette comes with 5 colors and the number of looks you can get through just 5 items are amazing. I’ll tell more when I have more pictures, but basically if you are interested, tell us! We confirm for a palette of 5 / 10 eyeshadows of this brand will be cheap! Like, less than RM40… (not including postage, but prefer meet-ups).
Teaser color swatches :
“Jazz Night”
“I Dream of St Thomas”
“I Dream of St Lucia”
[The above 3 are the 3 sets that Dull got for me for my birthday! Love youuu!! <3 I'm gonna have lots of fun mixing and matching before I show you my 'experiments'. ]
By the way, Summit is an awesome place to get cheap clothes & shoes. Wish we had more time to shop around, but it was late and we then met up with Fuzz for dinner at Mandy’s (our default place to eat in Summit). Since I was with the girls, I wasn’t able to shop so much (I mean, we could see a lot of things, but didn’t manage to buy much as shy to buy stuff in front of them… hahahha whattT??). So on Wednesday, it was Hari Raya Qurban, and I went back to Summit to finish shopping. I tell you, I did so much stuff on HRQ… I felt so tired and can’t even wake up early for work today. Usually I will be on time to work if the previous day was a holiday… haha. I had to wake up early on HRQ as well to take my parents out for dim sum. We went to some cheapie store in SS15 though my mom was hinting that she likes the one in BSC a lot. -___- Wah, really like give an inch and try to take a foot. Called up my sister and bro-in-law to join us as well, but my sister slept through like 10 miscalls that I gave her! Beh tahan!!
All these food… and shared out among 3 people only… tsk tsk!
After dim sum, went to Summit to buy cheap stuff (even then, forgot to get the slippers that I wanted…-__-), and was aghasted at the HUGE crowd there. OMG! There was a Popular bookstore warehouse sale, and I swear, the line for the payment counter was NEVER ENDING…. going round and round and round the concourse area. Even if I had anything to buy, I think I won’t buy la… waiting in line ALONE is not my idea of a fun holiday. I also think that the people in Summit got some mental problems… caused by selfishness. There was this woman in Watsons that used a BRAND NEW Rimmel mascara on her own lashes… note – it is NOT a tester! In fact, make-up counters will NOT put mascaras as testers, how unhygienic is that? What if the feller has some conjunctivities sheetz going on? One brand-new tube of mascara is just gone just like that man! So grossed out! And she was the typical aunty kinda look… sheeesh, so selfish and uncivilised!
There was also some people who when they see you already walking down and aisle, rather squeeze in past you than to wait til you have come through. -___- Not to say you are dawdling or something. Seriously, why so impatient? This happens on the road as well. Sighh… some more not like I’m so slim that when you squeeze past me you won’t touch me at all… lol. (FYI, not a ‘ma lat lo’ squeezing by, but a young girl, otherwise I will totally RAGE already.)
Anyway, I got myself:
~ cheap Made-In-Thailand shoes for my upcoming trip in December. I had in my head this “vision” of buying a floral-ish, summer-ish kinda espadrille type of shoe, but it had to have woven details + floral CLOTH details. And I got a pair for RM25.. hahaha! And it really fits my description 100%. ;P
~ a pink gradient pashmina for RM10
That’s all. :] I’m very stingy nowadays… especially since I paid more than RM500 to switch the plane ticket dates for my trip to Singapore… T___T Very siong sam, but what can be solved with money is not something worth crying over. *being philosophical*
Now, want to cerita about 4 stories that I finished reading recently… it’s a compilation of stories from Reader’s Digest, actually. I didn’t actually want to buy it, but was semi-conned into it through their ‘brilliant’ mass-mailing. See, I bought a book from them (home remedies book.. I am currently on a ‘kick’ of wanting to eat more organic stuff to cure myself instead of depending on pills… lol!), and later they sent me this letter asking whether I wanted this compilation-of-stories book as well. There was no specification on how payment is to be made, so I thought, “free thing who dowan…” and I sent in the request for them to send me the book la. After the book was sent to me, I ordered another book from Reader’s Digest (Imponderables). Later, my Imponderables book didn’t arrive, but they charged me thru my credit card for the book, AND they sent me a bill asking me why I didn’t pay for the compilation-of-stories book. I was quite cheesed off… wrote to their customer service to say that they had a lot of cheek to ask me to pay for an RM29.90 book when the RM169.90 book did not even arrive but they had started billing for me already. Oh my God… it is soooooo frustrating dealing with the customer service people! You have to keep chasing them every step of the way for the updates, and the way they answer you is so flippant, makes me feel like they are sticking their tongue out at me and going “Nyeh nyeh, got your money, you can’t do nuthin’!” -___- In the end, I managed to get the book, but seriously, that’s the last time dealing with them lah!
The RM29.90 book consists of 4 stories by various authors:
~ The Watchman (2)
~ Stories from an Irish Doctor in the Countryside (3)
~ True Evil (1)
~ One Night At The Call Center (4)
The numbers next to the titles are the order in which I read them… After getting the book, I didn’t really have any intentions to read it so soon as I actually have a BAG full of books my sister loaned me that I still haven’t cracked open (and just last night, JP gave me another BAG of books to read). However, while on the crapper, I flipped thru the book, and the synopsis of “True Evil” caught my eye. Basically, it’s a story about an FBI negotiations expert who uncovers a plot by a lawyer & a scientist to help rich men kill off their spouses in order to avoid paying alimony. Then, it’s a race against time as the negotiations expert helps the next victim avoid the ministrations of the scientist, while trying to crack the case. This story was quite thrilling and interesting, but I didn’t like the ending. I think the author was trying to write a screenplay for a Hollywood action movie, so there were a lot of speedboat / car / whatever chase which I think would translate better on screen than to be read. Seriously, I hate it when books get into those kinda “action sequence” descriptions. >_< Anyway, “true evil” wasn’t really “true evil” to me. I’ve read many other books where the villains are much, much, much more evil.
“The Watchman” is about a guy who is in charge of protecting a young girl who is a witness of a car accident, and suddenly becomes a target of the mafia who want to kill her before she takes to the stand. Interesting characters, but the author kinda lost me in the end, I still don’t know why the mafia want to kill her. Lulz.
“An Irish Country Doctor” is probably the favorite out of the lot, though the “hero” in the novel is kinda annoying, stick-in-the-mud kinda shtick. The old country GP is a much more interesting character, and I found it annoying how the young doctor even dares to think the old hand is a charlatan. The people & description of the countryside-life was nice though, and I loved the ending. One part I didn’t like about the novel was when the young doctor tried to get fresh (as in, have sex) with the love interest, like, on the 2nd date. And she pushed him away and said that she wanted to concentrate on her college degree. Then he became quite cold towards her. I don’t get it? Is it Western culture or what? 2nd date already expecting to get into her pants? And then become butthurt when rejected? What? Whaaaaaaaat???
Finally, just finished “One Night At the Call Center” yesterday while getting my haircut. Storytelling wise, it was my favorite, but I think the whole prologue and epilogue kinda killed the novel. Leaving those two out, it would’ve been my favorite. Basically, the story is about 6 friends in a call center who one day get a call…. from God. Ahh.. and to find out how that happens, you have to read the novel to find out. The whole call from God thing is a very delicious teaser, but I would say that the story about the lives of the 6 friends are much more interesting to read about than to find out why God calls them. Also, as the author explains, everyone seems to know someone who works in a call center, so somehow or other, you can identify with the story.
All in all, quite a good book to read when you have nothing else to read. Not a must-read compilation by a far stretch, but a nice book to pass the time by, when you are having your tea-time. Also, I re-read “The Nanny Diaries” recently, and I am surprised that I quite like the book the 2nd time around. I distinctly remember not liking it very much the first time I read it, and was soooo disappointed that people were saying that it is a must-read. I think I found the character of Mrs X too far-fetched. Surely, there can’t be people so self-absorbed and self-centered? And I think I found myself occasionally siding with Mrs X as I found Nanny a bit too “mengharap”. For example, Nanny was being too drama-mama when she found out that she got earmuffs for Christmas instead of a designer bag & cheque. Last time, I thought Nanny was being unreasonable as a gift is a GIFT, you don’t like, EXPECT your employer to get you a Prada clutch for Christmas. However, after re-reading it, although I still stand that you don’t EXPECT it of your employers, I suppose that if you had to gift-wrap everyone else’s gifts and THAT’s what everyone else was getting, then you might start to put your hopes a little higher. So yeah, starting to identify with Nanny a little bit more. :p
But I still don’t like the movie, and no, it’s not because of Scarlett Johannsen, cos I love that girl! 
Lastly, I went to the doctor recently due to my eczema, and conveniently decided to ask my doctor about the slight hypertension that I have. Actually, I just wanted to clarify with him, when the normal reading is 120/80, what does the “80″ signify? As my reading is 130/70. Does that mean that if mine is over 80, it should be 140? Which means definite high blood pressure? The Indian doctor looked at me as if I’m cuckoo and after my long explanation, said, “Let’s just take your blood pressure again, ok?” And then he took it using a stethescope and that pumping thing (dunno the scientific name for it). After a full minute, he said that “What? Normal what. Low.” So now I have swung from being slight hypertension to normal/low blood pressure?!? According to the doctor, I shouldn’t trust the electronic reading (Which is how they took our blood pressure at the office). Further rantings to my colleagues have revealed that in fact, I should have done periodic readings throughout the day, and if it’s consistently high, only then should I worry. So either the first reading is wrong, or my DASH diet is working! DASH = Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Basically, more servings of fruits, nuts and veggies a day.
I didn’t change insanely la… just that my usual “chap fan” of 2 veg, 2 meat became 3 veg 1 meat. I used to eat 1 – 2 servings of fruits, but now eating 2-3 servings of fruits a day. I don’t like eating the muesli with nuts for breakfast, I usually prefer muesli with fruits. But for the sake of my blood pressure, I took muesli with nuts. AND I GET FREAKING HUNGRY AT NIGHT BECAUSE SO MUCH VEG AND SO LITTLE MEAT IS REALLY REALLY NOT ENOUGH…. huhuhu…. T_T
But despite how “holy” I am during the work week, holidays and weekends are still times for pigging out. I wonder why I bother anyway. Cheers!
L and I watched Megamind at Gardens… in 3D hehe.
Baked lamb rack, french baguette to go with mushroom soup — both made by JP, spicy sausage & pea pasta, baked chicken, quiche (forgot who made, but I think people from Elaine’s cell) and the mashed potato is Dora’s signature dish.
Prisca and her lucky draw prize. FYI, I was in charge of the lucky draw numbering and the bits of paper to draw out the lucky draw numbers too! Nice a not the font… ? 
JP got Elaine’s submission for the lucky draw. We were saying that even the packaging is worth more than RM5 ady.
This is me laughing like mad after I got what I was supposed to describe for the ice-breaking session. Honestly, I don’t even remember why I’m laughing so madly… Not like the job descriptions are vulgar… hahaha.
MinSer on guitar!
Dora’s dramatic lashes… fuuh!
Food spread… yummers! 
Carolling session
All the food!!! And the “soup” for the steamboat was made by JP — some concoction involving chicken and soya beans.
The whole group. Back row: KS, Kenny, Allen, MS, JL, me, Tina, Kelly, Samuel. Front row: Andrew O, JP, Alan, Pauline, Dora, TN and Andrew T.
TN and Tina with baby Alyssa.
The males of the cell group : Kenny, Andrew T, Allen, KS, MS, Alan, Samuel and Andrew O.
Me with the celebrity couple of the moment. FYI, JL’s red top looked exceptionally good in all the photos! It really stands out. JL so clever in picking out what to wear. 
The females of the cell group (back) : JP, TN, JL, me, Tina. (Front) – Kelly, Pauline and Dora.
Random one because I was avoiding the camerawoman Pauline… finally she tak tahan and asked me to join in this group shot. Myself, Allen and Andrew O. Very “blue” photo hor?
Always must have 1 serious photo and 1 crazy one. Hahahha. How come Kelly and Samuel not being crazy?
The most awesome dessert ever! It’s a pavlova, and it was the first time that JP made it! And it’s such a success that within 15 minutes, it’s all gone! The bottom is meringue, the middle is fresh cream and topped off with fresh mango & lychee. This Andrew T very bad… ate some, then asked JP for some more for his wife (who was upstairs looking after the baby).. then he ate half of it, then asked some more for the wife (saying that JP gave too little the first time around). Hahahaha!!
Digestion period… I am marvelling over the polaroid photos that Dora took of all of us with MS & JL. Sh-sh-shake it like a polaroid picture…~
Being a “pun mooi” (maid) at the end of the day as very bad if we use Andrew T & TN’s place and leave it a mess ya..
Another shot of the girls of the cell…~
JL & MS with the present that we got for them. Must hang up in their house in Miri! 
The early comers… hahaha.
Wishing you a good life in Miri… may blessings pour upon you so that you can be a blessing to others as well.
Roberto made a stupid face, have to censor for him.. 
Even my mom said it looks pretty…
He asked to be renamed as Roberto on the blog. Hence.
Card & Book from cell group, green wrapped present from Elaine (who made the box herself too!), bookmark from Ms Jane
This is the book from Elaine (what’s inside the box!)
Pauline tak tahan my dry hair after I dyed it, and gave me once again, this hair serum. I think I wrote about it last time… I said I couldn’t break the bottle open (have to break off the glass top)… and I think it’s such bad packaging! Images of splintered glass in thumb and all that. Pauline beh tahan, so she broke off the top for me, then wrapped it like this… lol… 
Cleaned my desk and found these 3 random passport photos. All blue background, but totally different shades! My face in the middle pic really cannot make it.
Roberto would be right… it would seem like I go to cell group just to eat…. 
Yeoh introducing the “strength” in the new BA team.
Strength indeed. (That’s Prudent behind)
Check out the toned body!!! That’s June on the left-most, I still like her a LOT. June has my dream body… *envy*
Jump! See how much air they get? 
Amazing form in the front kick.
According to Janet, this is the track that she presented in.. conditioning. 
By the way, the middle one was selected in the end… 
Don’t mind the crumbs on top.. I don’t have a big enough tupperware, so I had to stack the chopped pieces on top of each other.
RM59.04
RM68.36 (By the way for items from this supplier, the color in the picture won’t match what the site sends to you. Pattern and design same, but the color totally different. I’m not saying I bought these specific designs, but this is general truth for the website and also wholesale websites that I’ve encountered so far.)
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