Taking Stock

It’s been very busy and I think it’s going to be for a while. Work is pilling, social life activities are increasing, lots of visitors – family & friends, and I’ve been busy, planning, planning & planning for the next 2 months or so to fit everything in.

Then a church member passed away. A 40+ old lady whom I’ve known but not very close. I’m close however to her very close friend, who has been busy in and out of hospital and monitoring her for the past years as she struggles with cancer. So the topic is close to my heart. I went for the wake service despite the busyness and I’m glad I did. I went for my friend, she seemed more broken hearted than anyone at the service.

The service was beautiful. Since this was a very active church member who passed away, she had many close friends in the church. The organist, worship leader and pastor were all close to tears and teared but still lead the service. While this lady was in the hospital, they mentioned there was once where they brought in their guitar and organ and played in her hospital room while worshipping the Lord. That really touched me, what friends did for a friend they truly loved.

This service helped me take stock of what is important in life. And what is important for me and always will be, are my family and friends. Despite being busy planning out all the activities and making time for them, I need to truly be there for them. Be their listening ear, hear them when they speak and be there when it truly matters.

It was sad that we lost this lady who is quite young to go so soon, but it’s a joy to know that she is with the Lord now and in peace. No more suffering from her illness and her friends/family can take consolation in that.

A song was sung during the service which really touched my heart. Here are the lyrics:-

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what you've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still you hear me when I'm calling
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling
And you've told me who I am
I am yours, I am yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am yours
I am yours

2 notes Down and 1 note Up

Q: How do I feel today?
A: 2 notes down and 1 note up.


Q: Why is this so?
A: My favourite Studio W that I go for jazzercise is closing end of this month, the smartest girl I’ve seen on ‘Are you smarter than a 5th grader’ lost a million dollars and the only new thing in life that makes me laugh is ‘The IT crowd’.


Q: Tell me more about jazzercise.




A: It’s a superb workout routine that comprises of ballet, pilates, kickboxing moves that are encapsulated into one work out to nice up to date songs that cover a whole range from country to jazz to hip hop. I had a resolution this year to make sure I exercise frequently and I joined this place since Apr 09, it’s been 4 months but that’s a record for me. And to still be interested to go, says something about this exercise which I really really like. I just went for a jazzercise party which is more than 1 hour cardio work out and it was really good. I’m going to miss it if I don’t find a new place to do it that is near home.

Q: What about that smart girl?


A: She’s currently working on her PhD in Neuroscience and she got all the way to USD500k by just using one peek. She still had her save and copy. She had the guts to go for the million dollar question but really did not know the answer. It was so sad when I felt she really deserved it.


Q: Well, at least you’ve got this ‘The IT crowd’, perhaps it would help if you watched it now to cheer you up.

A: I don’t have any DVD’s on this show but try to catch it every Monday when it plays on the TV. The recent episode was hilarious. This gay guy asked a girl out and when she finds out he is gay, he cries to her saying ‘I thought it would work with us, cause you looked like a man.’ That really cracked me up. She left him of course.

Life goes on.

Pisang Kukus

I’ve been a Malaysian for all my life and today I still found out about food I’ve never heard of. ‘Pisang Kukus’ which is steamed banana. It was superb. It needs to be eaten with ‘sambal’ and coconut.

I was out with friend S & E whom I’ve both not seen for ages! We had superb conversation and E introduced me to ‘Pisang Kukus’ at a place I normally frequent yet never tried that particular dish on the menu. Amazing the things people can show you that you never knew yet it was right in front of you.

On a different note, MJ has passed away. When my friend M told me, I was close to tears but held it back. His music definitely has an impact on so many of us and the day has been a bit dreary. I can’t help remembering going to his concert year of 1996 or was it 1997, the best I’ve ever been even though I had the cheapest ticket. His life was definitely not a waste and the short time he lived on earth, he has contributed a lot that some of us may never even do in as many lifetimes as we get.

R.I.P MJ!

Busy week

How did the week get so busy? Work is bustling as usual. But I’ve also got a lot of social activities!

Monday was a farewell party for a friend. Sob Sob.

Tuesday is grocery shopping which is long overdue.

Wednesday is a day of rest. :D

Thursday is dinner with Sister In Law. Something that also can’t be postponed.

Friday is dinner with cousin. Also someone I don’t spend much time with and can’t be postponed any longer.

Saturday is a housewarming party of an ex colleague which I should attend as I’ve not seen her for ages, going for that one. Also a farewell party for an ex boss which I really should attend and am still contemplating due to the already busy schedule!

This is not my average week, but I’m actually looking forward to all my appointments after all its people that I should spend time with and haven’t done so for quite some time.

Fresh Insights

It’s a Sunday. I had what I could call a perfect day. I went to church and heard a sermon that completely explained a chapter in the Bible I previously couldn’t fully comprehend. It was The Parable of the Worker in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1 – 16. Let me see if I can remember what the 4 attitudes were, that we ought to practice:

1. Be happy/satisfied with what you’ve agreed with.
2. Be happy for those who have a reason to celebrate. Do not compare and count your own blessings instead.
3. Do not give up, position yourself for possibilities.
4. I can’t remember the fourth one, perhaps it wasn’t as good as the other 3 or I’ve merged 2 of them.

My son went to Sunday School after a period of 3 weeks (each week with its own reason for not attending) while I was in church. Then my mom suggested we go to a restaurant that she frequents for free food. Apparently, the restaurant is yet again undergoing new management and this time it happened to be people who were friends with my relatives! So we went, and was pleased to also see a bunch of kids from an orphanage being entertained by a clown. It was lots of fun and the food was good.

Next was home again and off to a friend’s housewarming. Despite the rainy weather, the rain stopped later and we had a pretty good time. My son though being the only kid around seemed to have loads of fun and I think liked my friend’s home quite a bit.

I had what I would call a decent day. Perfect conversation, good vibes all around and very satisfied feeling. Was it a shift of attitude that I was experiencing or was the day really that good?

I watched Miss Potter few days back and loved the movie as well. Her gift was amazing and her ability never to give up and to proof something, was wonderful despite her mom’s constant nagging and the era that she lived in.

Then I watched Mr. Bean (the animated version), TV programmes you start to watch and get very interested in when you have a kid. This episode it was mind blowing how he never gave up on his parking place, and the different ways he tried to make sure he got his place. He never gave up.

There it is fresh insights, that you can get if you look carefully from whatever you see on TV, read in a book, or hear from someone, and perhaps many more other ways.

The Secret Life of Bees

It was a bright sunny Sunday afternoon, I was moody. My son and hubby went off to sleep after our marathon shopping spree at the mid valley megamall. I was tired yet could not sleep. I decided to watch ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ , a movie borrowed to me from my sister and later I found out based on a book by Sue Monk Kidd.

It was a pretty interesting movie which I first watched due to the star studded cast of Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson. No doubt the movie already sounds like an all women type of movie, but I think guys who would like to watch it might help bring to them a new perspective from the other side of the world.

It was a simple story but it grasped me. It was one of those movies which made me feel like going up to a small town and staying in a cottage, soaking up in the beauty of nature and living my life like time was of no importance.

There are many different chapters in our lives. This movie made me think of mine. I hope that someday if I’m cut out for it, I can spend one chapter of my life in that serene quiet cottage out in the meadows by the sea with loved ones.

Blog Review

I pondered the other day the reason why I blog. I think it’s simply to share stories and perceptions, obtain views and maintain an electronic log of my life to look back on. I started blogging due to a very good friend, who has great influencing skills. When I blog sometimes it can be tough; how much do I want to share with the world, how far should I go and when is it considered too much sharing and over exposing of my private life. I guess its best not to think too much of this but as I grow older I feel more conscious of my privacy, but yet a need to share a part of my life online.

Anyway, in honor of my blog, I’ve decided to look back at blogs I’ve had since I started back in 2006, and there is one or two I wish to comment on.

‘Meeting my Maid for the 1st Time’ back in July 25th 2006, when I read it now, I realized what a long way I’ve come in this relationship. I’ve more confidence and know how to deal with my helper to build a strong relationship with proper understanding of expectancies. I’ve grown so much since 2006 to now 2009.

Next, ‘Outdoor Adventures’ on July 11th 2008 and ‘Daily Devotions’ on March 12th 2009 where I did the bungee, etc, it looks like I still am pursuing these activities and have maintained a steady interest and a conscious effort to look out and participate in these events since 2008. I did Sphereing back in Feb 2009.
Participated in my department eco day and walked in muddy mangrove swamps.

Also went out to paddy fields and came on a face to face encounter with a snake.


And the latest my first attempt at paintball.

Then there is ‘Being Introduced to Motherhood’ on October 1st 2006, playing my mom role. I have a whole lot more confidence in playing my mom role and completely belief that there is no manual to being a parent. (Though I’d still say get all the help you can) Experience built slowly but surely helped me decide the kind of mom I want to be. I still have a long way to go and it’s a journey just like all my other roles in life. There is always room for improvement.

So there you are my mini review of my blog and some updates on how I’ve moved on. I must say various inputs from friends, and those who read this blog, who let me know how my sharing has helped them has been encouraging to continue to maintain the blogsite.
Thanks to my small group of readers.