Welcome To My Wonderland

2011 Holidays

2012-01-17T17:49:00.003+08:00

Last holidays was the busiest holidays in my life. Mainly because of my studies. The first week of holidays I spent on preparing my assignments. That was very tough time. After that busy with school work and preparing for exam. I didn't even have time to go for holidays. In between still need to attend course. I think next time if I'm not on duty I must ask for excuse.
In the middle of December I was busy with Christmas and preparing for exam apart from getting ready for school reopen. I was very stressed when encountered some problem with the time table.
I couldn't progress with my work. But thank God finally the problem was rectified and resolved. I was able to finish my work before the first staff meeting. But I had less time to do my revision.
29 December was my final day of exam. Right after the exam I went straight away to KL to attend my niece's wedding. The 4 days away from home was the only time that I forgot about my work and studies completely. It was the only 4 days that I could have the peace of mind. But upon returning I had to face the reality. Had to start working for school reopen. Thank God that my Semester 2 hadn't started yet. Not only busy for school reopen but also busy with preparation for CNY. It seems I'm busy throughout the year. LOL
I just pray that God will strengthen me through these 4 years. I'm starting to count down. 3 and a half year to go. LOL It's not easy. I pray that I will not sacrifice my health for that. I was not feeling well after the holidays. My BP was not stable. My emotions was not stable too due to some incidents that happened. I was not careful to handle my emotions. Need to be more disciplined. And also need to take good care of my health. After having some problem only I realize the importance of good health. Not only physically but also mentally. I must always remind myself to trust God for I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. I also need to learn to find joy and peace in God.

Assignments

2011-11-26T13:56:00.004+08:00

Finally submitted my assignments. 1 day before the deadline. It was a tough time. I spent weeks looking for information and materials. But I didn't have time to do mainly because of busy with school activities. Imagine how busy we were by having 4 big and important programmes within 17 days. We didn't even have enough time to finish our work before school closes for holidays. Everything was so rush. But thank God finally it's all over.
I did my assignment during the first week of school holidays. I was supposed to go back for duties. Thank God another PK exchanged the duty dates with me. I could spend the entire week staying at home concentrate on my assignments. Finally I finished 2 assignments just 2 days before the deadline. I spent 2 last days doing the last assignment. I was astonished by the speed I did my assignment at the last moments. LOL
It wasn't easy to study part time. Maybe my study method is wrong. Haha....Hope it'll get better in the days to come. Now it's time to get ready for my exam next month, 18th, 22nd and 29th Dec. After that will be the end of 1st Sem. Pray for me. Though it's holidays I still need to do lots of school work esp preparing for the next school year such as yearly planning and time table. Before that I need to do the teachers' assessment. These are not easy and time consuming. Pray that I can cope with my work and studies. Pray for good health too.

Decision

2011-09-17T17:07:00.003+08:00

Until yesterday I was still indecisive whether to accept the offer for further studies or not. This is because I have a lot of worries and uncertainties. I already got the news a week ago but still haven't replied yet. I was still seeking God's will and guidance.

This morning at dawn prayer I prayed over this matter again. I think the Holy Spirit prompted me and convinced me that my God is so great. He is greater than my worries and problems. Nothing is too great that He cannot solve. Flashing back how He took me through all these years I shouldn't have worries. It is my God that sees me through my difficult times. It is with His help and strength I manage to come this far. Without Him I would have collapsed. I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me. Phil 4:13

After the prayer I have peace in me. No more worries. Now I have confidence and ready to face the new phase of my life - study part timely, at this age. :)

I just click on the 'accept' button and printed out the offer letter and all the documents needed for registration on 1 Oct 2011. I'll go to SP for registration. My first choice was UPSI because the learning centre is in Jitra which is nearer to my place. OUM was my second choice. But I got the second choice. My HM suggested that I make an appeal but I just leave it to God.

Now pray for me. Pray that God will continue to strengthen me through these 4 years. Pray that I'll be able to cope with my various commitments - school, family, church, studies etc. Pray that I'll always remember His promises and draw strength from Him whenever I am weak. Pray that I'll be able to graduate after 4 years, together with my son. LOL

Thank you God. In You I trust.

PPG Program Pensiswazahan Guru Ambilan Khas 2011

2011-09-10T13:02:00.002+08:00

PPG (Program Pensiswazahan Guru) Ambilan Khas 2011 - this is the course that I applied for. After postponed for several times, now I got the results late last night via SMS: "Tahniah! Anda ditawarkan PPG Ambilan Khas 2011. Sila layari laman sesawang KPM mulai 13/9/2011 untuk keterangan lanjut. "
Now I only know that I got it but don't know the details. I have to prepare myself to study again after so many years. After leaving teachers' college I have not been studying except for PTK. That was only studying no assignment involved. Now I have to do assignments and study for exam. Don't know am I able to do it at this age? Hahaha..... getting older and forgetful. I also must be very disciplined to cope with my work and study and also house work and family. Not forgetting the various ministries that I'm serving in especially Church School and Chinese Ministry. Please pray for strength and wisdom as I continue to walk in Him. As what my daughter said if this is God's will He sure will strengthen me and guide me. So I must know clearly that this is His will for me. :)

Our God is a faithful God

2011-09-01T14:55:00.002+08:00

Last week was a rainy week. The rain started on Thursday and it rained the whole day. On Friday we went to Pantai Kerachut, Penang for hiking then to Logos Hope - the biggest floating book fair. It was also raining. We hiked in the rain but thank God we bought disposable raincoats at RM2 each. While we were on our way to the ship Logos Hope it rained heavily. But when we were getting down from the bus the rain turned into drizzles and stopped eventually. Thank God for that. We were not caught in the rain.
The rain continued for the next few days. We were planning a BBQ for Yi Hong's thanksgiving and farewell on Tuesday 30 Aug. Yi Hong is leaving to USM on 6 Sept. Just one day before somebody suggested that we changed the venue to somewhere which has biggest shade instead of having it at our small house. After considering the suggestion we decided to have it at our own house and asked everybody to pray for the weather. I fasted on that day too.
On Tuesday morning there was still cloudy. I kept on praying and asking God to cast away all the dark clouds and grant us good weather. It had been raining for 5 days. I believed all of us need sunlight. Finally we could see some sunlight and felt some heat.
In the afternoon I took En out for lunch and I ordered a glass of drink. I drank it without realizing that there's some jelly-like thing inside the drink. My response was 'Alamak, got something inside!' She knew I was fasting so she teased me, 'Tonight it's gonna rain!' LOL. I don't believe that.
And I thank God for that day that the weather was so fine without any rain after 5 days of rain. I also thank God that so many people helped out to make the event a successful one. We had this function to give thank to God who is so faithful to us. Thank Him for Yi Hong and the help that others rendered to him as he grows.
I would like to thank Su-Jian and the mum who helped to prepare the BBQ food. The food was so delicious that everybody enjoyed it. Thank Samuel, Joyce and 2 brothers who came early to help. Thank Samuel, Timothy, Joseph, Su-Yen, Edward and others who helped to clean-up.

Countdown

2011-08-21T17:29:00.006+08:00

5 more days...to know the results of my application of further studies. I was counting down on FB and one of my friends asked me if I'm excited about this. Actually I'm not really excited. It's more of uncertainty. I don't know the results I can't plan many thing or make decision. e.g I can't give any answer to my head whether to continue marking or not. If I ever gets the offer, when is the registration day? It may clash with my son's registration in USM on 6th September.
Studying at this age is not an easy task esp when it is done part timely. I need to make a lot of adjustments. Knowing the results can help me to plan my work and schedule.
I just want to know the result so that I can know what to do next!

P/S: The results has been postponed to 9 Sept. Another 2 more weeks. :(

Accept or not?

2011-08-17T20:43:00.005+08:00

Remember last year I wrote about I decided to quit marking papers in my article It's Time to Quit?
After resting for a year things changes again. After that incident I didn't do anything about it even though someone asked me to reapply or at least tell my head or another superior that I want to continue marking. I think if it's God's will He'll definitely open a door for me. I don't have to work it out.
Just now my head called me and asked whether I would like to continue marking this year? She gave me some time to consider. I was not sure of God's will. In addition I just applied for further studies and the results is not out yet. I don't know whether I'll get it or not? I don't know if I get it will it clash with my study? Will I be able to cope with my studies, marking, school work and house work? I don't know what is God's will for me? I don't know..... a lot of uncertainties.....
Please pray for me. Pray for God's clear guidance. Pray that God opens the way for me.

Btw if you find any mistake please feel free to correct me so that I can improve my English. Thank you.

Further Studies

2011-06-24T15:25:00.002+08:00

On Thursday 9 June, when I was checking our school emails, (I used to do this even I'm not working) I saw an email 'Program Pensiswazahan Guru Ambilan Khas Guru Umur 46 dan 47 tahun sahaja'. I quickly checked the details from the website given. To me I consider this is an opportunity for me. Normally this kind of studies only for teachers below 45-year-old. I applied once when I was 45 but was not successful. Then I was overage. Now they open to ONLY 46 and 47 years old.

I was always wanting to get my degree. I missed that when I was young. Then I got married and was tied down. Later when I have children it's almost impossible for me to study because of various commitment. Then hubby was down with depression. That was even harder for me to study because I need to spend time with him when he is down. I also don't want to add on to my stress.

Now as my children have grown up and hubby is retiring soon I think it's time for me to achieve my so called 'dream'. Basically I want to get my degree because of 3 reasons. First it is my late father's wish that I (or at least one of his children) is a graduate. Secondly I want to upgrade myself especially nowadays there are so many graduates around. I'll be out sooner or later. Thirdly of course to get higher pay. haha.... Now I'm in DGA32. 2 more years I'll reach my maximum. Then my pay will be static until I retire which means about 8 years no increase of salary. If I obtain my degree then I may upgrade to higher grade(DG41) and maybe even to DG44.

But I am still not sure whether this is God's will. And I don't know whether can I take the stress. I always think that without study I'm already so busy. How can I cope if I study? My daughter said if God wants you to study He sure will give you strength to go on. So I need to seek God first and know that this is His plan for me. Now I had already submitted the application form. So it's time to pray and wait on Him to guide me.

Grace Bible Exposition 2011 by Rev John Khoo (Part 2)

2011-04-05T19:21:00.003+08:00

The 5 blessing/fruits results from being justified:
1. We have God
2. We have Grace
3. We have Glory
4. We have Gain in suffering
5. We have Gift of the Holy Spirit

1. We have God
Rom 5:1 We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

a) Man's standing before God before justification
i) Man is Expelled from God's presence
Gen 3:24 "He drove out the man....."
ii) Man is Execrated by God

Romans 1: 28-32 ".....God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Rom 3:10-18 “None is righteous, no, not one…..”

iii) He is Excluded from God

Eph 2:12 “….having no hope and without God in the world”

iv) Man is an Enemy of God

Rom 5:10 “For if while we were enemies……”

v) Man is Enveloped in wrath

John 3:36 “……but the wrath of God remains on him.”

These refer to unbelievers – before justification.

How God looks at the world today? God love the world but He lets us do what we want to do that’s why the world is full of chaos. There will be more and more disasters because man live under the wrath of God.

b) Man’s standing before God after justification

i) A Reconciliation has taken place

The unbelievers have the wrath of God and we enjoy God’s love.

ii) A Relationship of love now exists

The relationship of God and us are different from the relationship of the King and us. There is love in our relationship with God.

2. We have Grace

Rom 5:2a (ESV) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.
a) The Provision of Grace

Grace may be defined as favour, goodwill, a kind disposition, love, mercy, exercised towards someone inferior and unworthy.

· Redemptive Grace

· Common Grace

Grace given to everyone who hears the gospel of God so that he can understand what is being said.

· Efficacious Grace

Effective Grace

· Sufficient Grace

Grace given to believers to face every trial/challenge.

· Cooperating Grace

Holy Spirit enabling us to worship / helping in spiritual exercises.

· Habitual Grace

· Gifts of Grace

Grace for every aspect of our life.

b) The Privilege of Access

The tense ‘we have’ is perfect active, suggesting an action in the past with its results continuing to the present. That means something happened in the past and continued to the present. We have perpetual access to the grace of God.

Heb 4:14-16 For all who are serving, we have perpetual access to the grace of God for we are justified.

Justification is not overlooking our sin. God cannot compromise sins. God can’t go against His own law which He himself set. The most intense suffering of Jesus is the wrath of God not the pain of the nail!

Grace Bible Exposition 2011 by Rev John Khoo

2011-03-24T22:07:00.002+08:00

Last 2 nights I attended Rev John Khoo's seminar on Rom 5:1-5. I was wondering what can he teach for 2 nights based on 5 verses. Rev John Khoo is one of the bible teachers that I admire. Because his teaching is clear and easy to understand. He elaborates with examples to make you understand. Hence people like me whose English is not good can understand his teaching. And I also found that I'll gain new insights from his teaching. So I always look forward to his seminars. This week I am quite occupied. Apart from 2 afternoon staying back late for extra activities - meeting and seminar, almost every night I have something on. On top of that I have to finish some work before this weekend. And this Saturday is our church medical project which I also involve in. Inspite of that I attended these 2 nights' seminar.

Rom 5:1-5 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Rev John Khoo started with telling us what justification is. Justification means to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation. A summary of the Justification we receive:
1. Justification is not infusion of righteousness. It is not God making us righteous. Bible didn't say a justice people sin no more.
2. God declares us guilty and condemns us as guilty. If we are not guilty then we don't need justification.
3. Yet God judicially reckons us as righteous even in reality we are far from righteousness.
4. God erases all our past records. A royal pardon from a king also can't erase all past records. God can do what a king can't do.

Jesus is the mediator of justification. The key to justification lies in two words: Redemption and Propitiation. God made the law. He can't just cancel the law. Redemption satisfies the law. All the curses fall on Jesus and He satisfies the law. Propitiation satisfies the anger of God over sin. God is a holy God. He can't tolerate sin. All of our sins were on Jesus when He died on the cross. He was a sinner then. By that only God's wrath will be appeased. God is King and Judge. He can't just pardon by setting aside His own law.

The means of justification - by faith. It does not mean that faith is the ground of our justification. Also does not mean that faith earns us justification. By faith means not every sinner is justified unless he insists and rest on Christ alone. It also means that works is excluded. Even paralyzed and bedridden man can be justified because it is not by work. The thief beside Jesus when they were crucified on the cross also did not do any work. He just believed and he was justified.

And the 5 blessing/fruits results from being justified:
1. We have God
2. We have Grace
3. We have Glory
4. We have Gain in suffering
5. We have Gift of the Holy Spirit

To be continued........

My Second Video

2011-01-12T20:41:00.002+08:00

The second video that I made was for my daughter's 15th birthday present. This came to my mind when I saw her childhood photos and thought of compiling the photos into a video. Hence I started my project quietly in order to give her a surprise. I had this idea a few months back. I thought I wanted to do during year end holidays when I have more time. But last year was the busiest holidays that I ever had. So I started my project just a few days before school reopen and the task was completed 2 days after her birthday. Initially I wanted to post on her birthday but I couldn't make it. Hope this video will be a sweet memory to her when she grows up.

Bye bye 2010

2010-12-31T18:29:00.001+08:00

Today is the last day of 2010. It is indeed a very busy year for me even during school holidays. The last three months was the busiest month for me since the retirement of my HM. I have to cover her work besides mine. I also have to attend her meetings besides mine. That’s why I was so busy. But it is challenging too. Though it is also a very good opportunity to learn. It makes me tougher and stronger. It is a good experience and now I know that I’m not fit to be a head of school. I don’t have the personality and skills that needed to be a firm leader.
Looking back I want to thank God that I was able to serve Him in various ministries especially Church School and Chinese Ministry. Today I serve as a Church School teacher, worship leader and chairperson at Chinese Service, sometimes be MC or interpreter in some events. I’m also the secretary of Chinese Service. I have been idling for quite some years since I came to WMC. Mainly due to language barrier. Though I wanted to serve but there’s nothing suits me. 2 years ago we started the first Chinese Worship. There I was needed because I know Chinese Language. Initially I wasn’t active. I was just a committee member and be the chairperson occasionally. Since end of last year our former secretary left us and I was appointed to take over her post. It’s all because I’m a Chinese school teacher. I requested for an assistant but no one dare to take up this post even as an assistant. Since then I was given opportunities to serve in various areas. I think it’s because I’m the only Chinese school teacher in our church, every time they need to do something in Chinese Language they’ll automatically think of me e.g. written and oral translation, MC in Mandarin, singing Chinese songs….
I thank God that over the years He has molded me into who I am today. He chose me and accepted me as I am. I was introvert, timid, inferior, lack of confidence….He lets me know that I am precious in His sight. He granted me opportunities to learn and be changed. He puts me in this church that I am able to learn and improve my English most importantly walk closer with Him. I came to know so many God’s children who are caring and helpful. In times of need He is always there for me. It is God that helps me when I walked through the valley of the shadow of death and leads me to lie down in green pastures. Without Him I would have collapsed. I am able to handle stresses from my work and family problem through Christ who strengthens me.
But I also see that I’m lack of discipline. I’m a busy person with so many things and works to accomplish. So whenever I have the time I tend to relax. Maybe because of this I’m not that stressed. LOL. But sometimes I also need to rush to finish my work. And I don’t have quality time spent with Him. I pray that in the new year 2011 I’ll improve in this area. To spend more and quality time with Him, to know Him better and to know His will for me.

The lesson of the porcupine

2010-11-09T22:47:00.000+08:00

Just read this email. Found it meaningful. So share with others.

It was the coldest winter ever - many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other. After awhile they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen.So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
Moral of the story:
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities...

Chinese Service Second Anniversary华文崇拜2周年纪念

2010-10-27T17:23:00.001+08:00

10月23日亚罗士打卫斯理卫理公会华文崇拜庆祝了第二周年纪念。华文崇拜自2008年10月25日第一次开始聚会至今已两年了，感谢神，蒙祂的带领及眷顾，这两年来虽有起有落，但一切都可说是顺顺利利，也感谢众弟兄姐妹们同心合力，一起来为上帝做工。目前我们每个星期六8时于教会聚会，人数大约三四十人。
二周年纪念感恩崇拜的讲员是廖燕蓉师母，她藉着路17：11-19里“十个被医治好的麻疯病人，只有一个回来感谢耶稣”带出‘救恩与感恩’。她说很多人都很少会感恩，很多都认为是理所当然的。其实我们每天醒来第一样要感恩的是我们还有生命气息，若上帝没有赐我们健康的身体，我们就不能工作，也不能有目前舒适的生活。
为了庆祝2周年纪念，有一些弟兄姐妹们也呈献了3首歌曲：快乐之歌、感谢神以及哈利路亚，赞美上主。这个节目是临时才决定的，所以之前才练了一次，然后当晚聚会前又练一次。虽然只练了两次但因为大多数都是有经验的诗班员，所以唱起来还是受到好评。
白兰师母则训练了4位少年人表演布偶。内容从钓鱼开始，提到有些基督徒一生都没领人归主，有些甚至不敢在人前谢饭祷告，所以我们还是得人好过得鱼。因为耶稣说：“我要叫你得人如得鱼。”希望大家听了后能得到激励，尽量得人，不要空手见主面。
散会后，李彬杰传道、华文崇拜荣誉理事许德辉弟兄、主席曾宝峰弟兄一起切感恩蛋糕，然后大家一边享用茶点，一边团契。
感恩上帝的带领，带我们走过这两年，求上帝继续带领，让我们每个人都有使命，在这个地区做光做盐，把福音广传，带领更多人信主，扩展上帝的国度。

My Journey of Learning Computer

2010-10-21T23:16:00.008+08:00

That day when I was clearing some old stuff I saw some 5 1/2" floppy diskettes. I believe many of the children nowadays have no chance to see this. They don't even know this thing ever exist. And this recalls my memory of my encounter with computer.

It was in the 1980s when I first started learning computer. When I was doing my Pre-U at a private college my housemate encouraged me to take up computer course. He told me it had very great prospect in future. I didn't heed his advice due to some personal reasons. So when I entered teachers college I enroll in the computer club for my extracurricular activities. This started my journey of learning computer.

The computer back then did not have hard disk. All we used was the 5 1/2" floppy disk. The programme and the files that we did were saved in the diskettes. We did everything with DOS. I still remember some of the commands. I remembered the first programme that I learnt was Wordstar which was equivalent to MS Word. I also learnt Professional Write (also a word processing programme). There was no mouse back then. All we used was keyboard. That's why now I still like to use keyboard shortcut keys. Because the shortcut keys are more or less the same as what we learnt then. And now I feel sometimes it's easier and faster to use the keyboard. My computer basics was picked up during that time. I even helped KS to type his thesis with computer which was rare that time. People was still using typewriters.

We had our first computer in 1993. It was under KS's initiative. And Windows was just being introduced. Hard disk was also being used. I started learning to hold the mouse and learnt windows from the tutorial that came together with the programme. I am a stingy person. I would never want to spend money in vain. So I grasp the opportunity to learn computer from the free computer lessons that comes with purchasing the computer. I learnt Lotus(a very popular spreadsheet program which is equivalent to MS Excel), Word Perfect and ....(forgot already)

Over the years computer has developed rapidly. I was not able to follow the footsteps of the growth. Though I started quite early but many have been ahead of me. This is the race of human mankind.

I am amazed with what computer can do. I love to use computer not only in doing my work. But some people are so scared to use computer. I'm still learning at this age because there are so much hidden treasure in it. I'm yet to explore more and more.

It's Time to Quit

2010-10-15T17:49:00.008+08:00

My HM retired last Thursday. I was busy preparing for that. At the same time I received a calling letter for marking papers. The dates coincide with my HM's retirement farewell. Initially I thought I can just ask for excuse to go later in order to attend the farewell. So when my head SMS me I told her about that and asked for her permission. She didn't reply me until 3 days before the meeting. The answer was 'No'. I called my head and explained to her that I need to be at the farewell because I am the assistant and I need to be there to make sure the whole thing runs well. I also need to give speech. But she just told me this is the rule. No exception for any reason because everybody will have their own reason. Though she wanted to help but she was sorry she couldn't break the rule. I asked her for solution and she hinted me the other way is to quit. I asked was it too late to quit and she said no problem.
After much consideration I decided to quit. I think maybe it's time to quit. The dates are set at the very time that I was very very busy. And after considered the pros and cons I think it's better for me to quit. Before that I never thought of quitting. But this incident happened at this time which make me consider of quitting. Maybe this is the right time to quit.
Many people asked me about this I just explained to them. Some asked me to reapply next year. I'll rather leave it to God and let Him guide me. I believe if God wants me to continue He'll definitely open the way for me. Maybe it's God's will for me to quit. :)
My colleague who is also marking at another centre got the permission. She also attended the farewell and went back to mark the papers. So when people asked me why she is able to do so I just said we have different head. My head is a person who goｅｓ according to rules and hers is someone who dare to take risk. LOL. But I don't blame her. Maybe if I were to be her I'll make the same decision. She just did her job and protect herself. So I take it as 'it's time to quit'. I don't feel sad or any negative feeling after making the decision instead I felt relieved.

My First Video

2010-10-15T00:34:00.006+08:00

I was busy for the past few weeks. Now many big events are over but have more responsibilities. Last Thursday we held a farewell for my HM on her retirement. I was busy preparing for the farewell. Apart from writing speeches I also made a video clip for her. My first ever video clip. LOL Don't know whether it has met the expectation of the committee members. But I was satisfied with it. I was stressed out with it cos this is the first time. Didn't know whether it'll turn out well or not? But thank God everything is over now. Just pray that God grant me wisdom to run the school. And also pray that nothing happen. I don't want to be stressed.

My First Video.

Busyness

2010-09-23T21:35:00.001+08:00

Recently I was very busy with many things. I guess this is the busiest time ever or at least for these few years. First of all end of August my mother-in-law fell down and fractured her hip bone. Since then both of us and my sis-in-law have to take turn to look after her. Thank God that time was near and during school break and raya break. We have more time to be with her and my sis-in-law didn’t have to take long leave. I thank God that I was able to pray for her and we demonstrated Christian love for her. Before this I never prayed for her and have very little opportunity to show care for her. Thank God also for all of us were doing well. Except for KS felt not so well towards school reopen (I always call it ‘school reopen syndrome’). So after school reopen I volunteered to look after her in the afternoon till my sis-in-law comes back from work in the evening in order to let him rest more.
The second thing is our new school building project is starting very soon in October. I was not actively involved initially. But my HM is retiring next month. She wanted me to follow up after her retirement. So during the school break they had several meetings which I also attended and do the recording which made me busier. After that the groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled on 27th September. Initially the groundbreaking ceremony coincide with the medical outreach project. Thank God that MB is not free on that day so the date was changed to 27th. I am in charge of invitation cards. Initially HM wanted me to design our own invitation card. After I’d done everything and after some amendments according to her requests she changed her mind and sent to the shop for printing. And I was asked to type hundreds of addresses to send out the invitation cards. Thank God that I was able to do that during the Malaysia Day holiday’s weekend. Apart from that whenever she thinks of something she will ask me to do. Sometimes I feel that I’m like her secretary.
2 days before the groundbreaking ceremony is our church medical outreach project. I am the MC and also will be commenting for the slide show. Need to do some preparation and translation. The most challenging part is at first I plan to let KS take care of his mother that afternoon. But today he was not well and is on MC. Pray that he will be well on Saturday. I will not have peace if he is not well.
Following that on Thursday 30th September there will be a Science Quiz for Chinese Primary Schools. My HM is in charge of competition. But she asked me to take over her place because on that day itself is our school children day. On 14th October will be state level and I will be taking over officially.
The incoming big event is my HM’s retirement. I’m in charge of making a video clip for her which I’d never tried before. But I knew that it is very easy with Windows Movie Maker. So I tried and encounter some problem and now the problem is resolved. Hope the video will turn out well. Apart from that I also have to look into various fields of preparation.
The next most taxing part is my HM starting to take leave in October. I have to be the acting HM until the new HM comes. Pray that God grant me strength and wisdom in doing this. I would never like to be HM. I don’t like the heavy responsibility and facing people and solving problems among troublesome mankind. I pray that nothing will happen during this period of time and the new HM will come at the right time. I believe God’s timing is always right.
This is written at my mom-in-law’s house when I’m accompanying her. I have nothing much to do. So after finish my works I can have some time to write this which I was not able to do when I’m at home. So this is also some outcome for looking after her. 
Next week another sis-in-law will come back from Johor to stay with her. And the groundbreaking ceremony will be over. By then I think I don’t need to be so busy. I’m looking forward for the time to come.

感恩的心

2010-08-07T23:22:00.002+08:00

前阵子写了篇文章寄去报馆投稿，但却让主编以“太多人物关系，让人混乱”的理由给投篮了。我想既然都写了，不如贴在这里跟大家分享。

舅舅从小丧父，由哥哥姐姐（我妈妈是大姐）把他抚养长大，并完成大学教育。出来社会工作以后，他并没忘记兄姐的养育之恩，每个月定时给哥哥家用，并把我带到他家去住，供我读书。除此之外，他也常常在经济与行动上协助外甥儿女们，还有一些帮助过他的朋友。
我的父母都没受过高深教育，家庭环境又不是很好，舅舅为了报恩，把我带到他家去住，给我一个较好的读书环境。若不是他，相信我今天只不过是一个普通文员，不会是今天打份政府工的我。所以中学时我就住在他家，度过了我中学的读书生涯。因他家环境清幽，没有其他人，可以给我一个很好的读书环境。反之我家较复杂，人口众多（两家人住在一起），附近又有许多朋友和玩乐的地方。所以我顺利完成大学先修班，但由于自己没有自律，成绩只是普通而已，过后申请师训做了老师。
妈妈在世时常常告诉我，舅舅和亲家母对我有恩，（因早期舅舅是和他的岳母同住，起居饮食都是她负责）要懂得感恩，过年过节要送礼。所以当我经济独立后，每年新年或什么节日都会想起对我有恩的人，送些礼物给他们。
我感谢父母的养育之恩；感谢舅舅给我一个好的读书环境及帮助我完成中学教育；感谢亲家母照顾我中学时期的起居饮食；感谢舅舅及哥哥姐姐赞助我完成大学先修班教育（我在外地读先修班）；感谢一位好心的朋友免费给予我的女儿学前教育；感谢一对医生朋友常常协助我们，感谢教会的弟兄姐妹们在我们有需要时热心的协助，感谢上帝有这么多人关心及帮助我们；……….我要感恩的实在是太多了，不能一一尽录。那些我不能以实际行动来表示感恩的人，我向上帝祈求祝福他们。
现在若我能够，我也尽量帮助有需要的人，因我领受了太多人们的帮助和祝福，施比受更为有福，我接受了人们的祝福，也要施予有需要的人。
谨以一颗感恩的心把此文献给舅舅和妈妈，是他们教会我懂得感恩。

洋人管教孩子的方法

2010-07-19T21:42:00.003+08:00

很久都没写东西了，今天读到了洋人管教孩子的方法，特抄了来和大家分享，不知大家有什么意见？

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儿子去美国留学，毕业后定居美国。还给我找了个洋媳妇苏珊。如今，小孙子托比已经3岁了。今年夏天，儿子为我申请了探亲签证。在美国待了三个月，洋媳妇苏珊教育孩子的方法，令我这个中国婆婆大开眼界。

不吃饭就饿着

每天早上，托比醒来后，苏珊把早餐往餐桌上一放，就自顾自地忙去了。托比会自己爬上凳子，喝牛奶，吃面包片。吃饱后，他回自己的房间，在衣柜里找衣服、鞋子，再自己穿上。毕竟托比只有3岁，还搞不清楚子的正反面，分不清鞋子的左右脚。有一次托比又把裤子穿反了，我赶紧上前想帮他换，却被苏珊制止了。她说，如果他觉得不舒服，会自己脱下来，重新穿好；如果他没觉得有什么不舒服，那就随他的便。
那一整天，托比反穿着裤子跑来跑去，苏姗像没看见一样。又一次，托比出去和邻居家的小朋友玩，没多大会就气喘吁吁地跑回家，对苏珊说：“妈妈，露西说我的裤子穿反了，真的吗？”露西是邻居家的小姑娘，今年5岁。苏姗笑着说： “是的，你要不要换回来？”托比点点头，自己脱下裤子，仔细看了看，重新穿上了。从那以后，托比再也没穿反过裤子。
我不禁想起，我的外孙女五六岁时不会用筷子，上小学时不会系鞋带。如今在上寄宿制初中的她，每个周末都要带回家一大堆脏衣服呢。

一天中午，托比闹情绪，不肯吃饭。苏珊说了他几句，愤怒地小托比一把将盘子推到了地上，盘子里的食物洒了一地。苏姗看着托比，认真地说：“看来你确实不想吃饭！记住，从现在到明天早上，你什么都不能吃。”托比点点头，坚定地回答：“Yes!”
我在心里暗笑，这母子俩，还都挺倔！下午，苏珊和我商量，晚上由我做中国菜。我心领神会，托比告别爱吃中国菜，一定是苏珊觉得托比中午没好好吃饭，想让他晚上多吃点儿。那天晚上我施展厨艺，做了托比最爱吃的糖醋里脊、油闷大虾，还用意大利面做了中国式的凉面。托比最喜欢吃那种凉面，小小的人可以吃满满一大盘。
开始吃晚饭了，托比欢天喜地地爬上凳子。苏珊却走过来，拿走了他的盘子和刀叉，说：“我们已经约好了，今天你不能吃饭，你自己也答应了的。”托比看着面容严肃的妈妈，“哇” 地一声在哭起来，边哭边说：“妈妈，我饿，我要吃饭。”“不行，说过的话要算数。”苏珊毫不心软。
我心疼了，想替托比求情，说点好话，却见儿子对我使眼色。想起我刚到美国时，儿子就跟我说，在美国，父母教育孩子时，别人千万不要插手，即使是长辈也不例外。无奈，我只好保持沉默。那顿饭，从始至终，可怜的小托比一直坐在玩具车里，眼巴巴地看着我们三个大人狼吞虎咽。我这才明白苏珊让我做中餐的真正用意。我相信，下一次，托比想发脾气扔饭碗时，一定会想起自己饿着肚子看爸爸妈妈和奶奶享用美食的经历。饿着肚子的滋味不好受，况且还是面对自己最喜爱的食物。
临睡前，我和苏珊一起去向托比道晚安。托比小心翼翼地问： “妈妈，我很饿，现在我能吃中国面吗？”苏珊微笑着摇摇头，坚决地说：“不！”托比叹了口气，又问：“那等我睡完觉睁开眼睛时，可以吃吗？”“当然可以。”苏珊温柔地回答。托比甜甜地笑了。
大部分情况下，托比吃饭都很积极，他不想因为“罢吃”而错过食物，再受饿肚子的苦。
每当看到托比埋头大口大口地吃饭，嘴上脸上粘的都是食物时，我就想起外孙女。她像托比这么大时，为了哄她吃饭，几个大人端着饭碗跟在她屁股后面跑，她还不买账，还要谈条件：吃完这碗买一个玩具，再吃一碗买一个玩具……

以其人之道，还治其人

这身有一天，我们带托比去公园玩。很快，托比就和两个女孩儿玩起了厨房游戏。塑料小锅、小铲子、小盘子、小碗摆了一地。忽然，淘气的托比拿起小锅，使劲在一个女孩儿头上敲了一下，女孩儿愣了一下，放声大哭。另一个女孩儿年纪更小一些，见些情形，也被吓得大哭起来。大概托比没想到会有这么严重的后果，站在一旁，愣住了。
苏珊走上前，开清了事情的来龙去脉后，她一声不吭，拿起小锅，使劲敲到托比的头上，托比没防备，一下子跌坐在草地上，哇哇大哭起来。苏珊问托比：“疼吗？下次还这样吗？” 托比一边哭，一边拼命摇头。我相信他以后再也不会这么做了。

托比的舅舅送了他一辆浅蓝色的小自行车，托比非常喜欢，当成宝贝，不许别人碰。邻居小姑娘露西是托比的好朋友，央求托比好几次，要骑他的小车，托比都没答应。一次，几个孩子一起玩时，露西趁托比不注意，偷偷骑上小车，扬长而去。
托比发现后，气愤地跑来向苏珊告状。苏珊正和几个孩子的母亲一起聊天喝咖啡，便微笑着说：“你们的事情自己解决，妈妈可管不了。”托比无奈地走了。过了一小会儿，露西骑着小车回来了。托比看到露西，一把将她推倒在地，抢过了小车。露西坐在地上大哭起来。苏珊抱起露西，安抚了她一会儿。
很快，露西就和别的小朋友兴高采烈地玩了起来。托比自己骑了会车，觉得有些无聊，看到那几个孩子玩得那么高兴，他想加入，又觉得有些不好意思。他蹭到苏珊身边，嘟囔道： “妈妈，我想跟露西他们一起玩。”苏珊不动声色地说：“那你自己去找他们啦！”“妈妈，你陪我一起去。” 托比恳求道。“那可不行，刚才是你把露西弄哭的，现在你又想和大家玩，就得自己去解决问题。”
托比骑着小车慢慢靠近露西，快到她身边时，又掉头回来。来回好几次，不知道从什么时候开始，托比和露西又笑逐颜开，闹成了一团。

管教孩子是父母的事

苏珊的父母住在加利福尼亚州，听说我来了，两人开车来探望我们。家里来了客人，托比很兴奋，跑上跑下地乱窜。他把玩沙子用的小桶装满了水，提着小桶在屋里四处转悠。苏珊警告了她好几次，不要把水洒到地板上，托比置若罔闻。最后，托比还是把水桶弄倒了，水洒了一地。兴奋的小托比不觉得自己做错了事，还得意地光着脚丫踩水玩，把裤子全弄湿了。
我连忙找出拖把准备拖地。苏珊从我手中抢过拖把交给托比，对他说：“把地拖干，把湿衣服脱下来，自己洗干净。”托比不愿意，又哭又闹。苏珊二话不说，直接把他拉到贮藏室，关了禁闭。听到托比在里面发出惊天动地的哭喊，我心疼坏了，想进去把他抱出来。托比的外婆却拦住我，说： “这是苏珊的事。”过了一会儿，托比不哭了，他在贮藏室里大声喊：“妈妈，我错了。”苏珊站在门外，问：“那你知道该怎么做了吗？” “我知道。”苏珊打开门，托比从贮藏室走出来，脸上还挂着两行泪珠。
他拿起有他两个高的拖把吃力地把地上的水拖干净。然后，他脱下裤子，拎在手上，光着屁股走进洗手间，稀里哗啦地洗起衣服来。托比的外公外婆看着表情惊异的我，意味深长地笑了。
这件事让我感触颇深。在很多中国家庭，父母管教孩子时，常常会引起“世界大战”，往往是外婆外公护，爷爷奶奶拦，夫妻吵架，鸡飞狗跳。
后来，我和托比的外公外婆聊天时，提到这件事，托比的外公说了一段话，让我印象深刻。他说，孩子是父母的孩子，首先要尊重父母对孩子的教育方式。孩子虽然小，却是天生的外交家，当他看到家庭成员之间出现分歧时，他会很聪明地钻空子。这不仅对改善他的行为毫无益处，反而会导致问题越来越严重，甚至带来更多别的问题。而且，家庭成员之间发生冲突，不和谐的家庭氛围会带给孩子更多的不安全感，对孩子的心理发展产生不利影响。所以，无论是父辈与祖辈在教育孩子的问题上发生分歧，还是夫妻两人的教育观念有差异，都不能在孩子面前发生冲突。
托比的外公外婆在家里住了一周，准备回加利福尼亚了。临走前两天，托比的外公郑重地问女儿：“托比想要一辆玩具挖掘机，我可以买给他吗？”苏珊想了想，说：“你们这次来，已经送给他一双旱冰鞋作为礼物了，到圣诞节时，再买玩具挖掘机当礼物送给他吧！”我不知道托比的外公是怎么告诉小家伙的，后来我带托比去超市，他指着玩具挖掘机说：“外公说，圣诞节时，给我买这个当礼物。” 语气里满是欣喜和期待。

虽然苏珊对托比如此严格，托比却对妈妈爱得不得了。他在外面玩时，会采集一些好看的小花或者他认为漂亮的叶子，郑重其事地送给妈妈；别人送给他礼物，他会叫妈妈和他一起拆开；有什么好吃的，也总要留一半给妈妈。想到很多中国孩子对父母的漠视与冷淡，我不得不佩服我的洋媳妇。在我看来，在教育孩子的问题上，美国妈妈有很多值得中国妈妈学习的地方

Something to cheer up

2010-03-09T17:59:00.002+08:00

I did not update my blog for 3 months though at times I wanted to do so. When I had something to write I was busy but when I had the time I was in the low mood of writing. Hence my blog was idle for such a long time. I didn't achieve my aim of updating my blog every month.
Let me share something that will cheer you up.

Spread the Stupidity

Only in America .......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
Only in America .....do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
Only in America .....do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Only in America .....do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

EVER WONDER .....
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

I like this one!!!
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even a chuckle)...in other words, send it to everyone. We all need to smile every once in a while.

My uncle

2009-12-09T17:34:00.009+08:00

Two days ago my sister called me from KL. She told me that my father's old house in Longyan, Fujian Province, China is going to be demolished after CNY. So my uncle ( my father's only younger brother who is still in China) asked us to go back to have a look at my father's old house before it is being demolished. It is going to be demolished to give way to development. He said if not we can only see the photos after that. He has been asking us (our siblings) to go and visit him. Only my eldest brother and family went back last year to pay him a visit. Actually I have been wanting to see him in person since I am the one who is doing the corresponding with him after my father passed away. But due to many constraint I was not able to go. So this time I was indecisive too. I have many things to consider and this came so sudden. I have only two weeks break for this holidays. I don't have passport or visa. Neither do I apply for permission to go overseas. And now Christmas is just around the corner. I have some translation to do for Christmas. And I'm involve in Church School Christmas celebration too. Apart from that near school reopen I have a lot of planning and preparation to make. Everything must be ready before our first staff meeting at 30th Dec.

But thanks God before my head is cracked I got the news that the trip is postponed due to time constraint. Most of us do not have international passport and the time is so short to go. They postponed it to CNY but I don't think I can go as I said I have many constraint though I want to meet them.

My father came to Malaysia when he was 9 years old. He came alone to look for his uncle in Nanyang then. So he settled down here in AS. After that he didn't go back for a few decades until in his old age. He managed to go back and visited his mother and only brother. But he was not well and forced to come back earlier. That was the last time he went back.

When my father was around he always wrote to his family in China. Sometimes he'll send some money back to his mother. When he passed away I was responsible for that cos I am the most 'literate' person in my family. LOL.

It is always my uncle's desire to meet us. So these few years he has been asking us to go and see him since he is old (70+ or 80+?) already. He has 4 sons and all has grown up even some of the grandchildren already working and they are doing very well. He didn't want us to give him any money. Not even during CNY but just want to meet us. And now with the new technology we can now communicate via e-mail and handphone. (with the sons and grandchildren) I hope that one day I can meet him in person.

These are the photos of his family. I only got the photos of his 2 children and family.

My uncle and aunty

My cousin brother(don't know which one, guess is the second son)

My cousin brother and family (must be the youngest son of my uncle) I am corresponding with the daughter via e-mail

Cherokee Legend

2009-11-21T16:24:00.002+08:00

Somebody shared this meaningful post to me. I would like to share with everybody.

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him
harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.
He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.
Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us.
When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

If you liked this story, pass it on.
If not, you take off your blindfold before dawn.

Moral of the story:
Just because you can't see God,
Doesn't mean He is not there.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

NEW FRAUD TACTIC TO GET INFORMATION..........PLEASE TAKE NOTE!

2009-10-19T22:17:00.005+08:00

Yesterday my nephew from KL called me and told me a scam that he had encountered recently. I remembered somebody sent me an e-mail which stated the same experience. So I post here to share with everybody. Beware of this scam.

Dear friends,
Beware of a new fraud tactic. This just unbelievably happened to me yesterday (June 3rd 2009). It made me went on a round of frenzies to lodge report at a police station, cancelling all my credit cards and changing all my savings/current accounts.

At around 1pm yesterday, I received a call from an Ambank number which went into an automated machine informing me that I was about to make a payment amounting to RM3,800.60 and to press 1 to confirm the transaction or press 9 to speak to Customer Service.
Caught by surprise of such a call, I pressed 9 to speak to their Customer Service. A guy by the name of Brandon answered and questioned me whether I am about to make a RM3,800.60 payment which I said no. He later asked whether I am now at KLIA. I straight away told him no and that I am now at Kulim, Kedah. This Brandon guy then said that this looks like a scam and he will immediately stop the RM3,800.60 transaction. He further asked me whether I had recently applied for any credit card which I said no. He informs me that there was an application for an Ambank Mastercard under my name dated April 2nd 2009 with a credit limit of RM10k and to date, the card has been used up to about RM5,600++. He further advised me to immediately lodge a report with Bank Negara’s Pusat Pengurusan Kad Kredit Palsu. I do not have the number and he offered to connect me to Bank Negara where I spoke to another guy named Charlie.

The call sounded really authentic and this Charlie guy pretended not knowing anything and had me told him the story of what happened from A to Z. Once I finished with my story, this Charlie guy asked me whether do I suspect any close family members or friends misusing my personal data for this purpose. He says it could be possible and it is very important that I do not reveal a single thing to anybody until 6th June 2009 (3 days) in order for the investigation to take place. He asked me to provide him all of my banking and credit card details so that he can monitor and track any unusual activity. I was also advised not to make any banking or credit card transaction during these 3 days so that proper investigation can be carried out and the unlawful person can be intercepted should he/she use the card or make any banking move. I called my wife after all this ordeal informing her of what had happened. She was highly skeptical and told me that things doesn’t sound right as the so called Bank Negara would not have asked for all banking details including savings/current accounts if this was just a fraud card case. She advised me to make another call to Ambank to check on more details of the so called AmbankMastercard applied on April 2nd, including to where was the credit card sent to?

I called Ambank immediately, looking for the Mr. Brandon I spoke to earlier and the Ambank officer told me that there is no Mr. Brandon in the Customer Service Department. I related the whole story of what had taken place an hour earlier and the bank officer advised me to calm
down and to relax. She informs me that this is a fraud case and I need to lodge a police report immediately. She also informs me that the Bank Negara telephone number and extension provided to me by the Mr. Charlie is a fake.

I was truly, truly dumbfounded!!! I have read so much about everyday frauds and yet I still fall to this trap. I thought I was smart enough to smell things like this but apparently, this new tactic really feeds on human behaviour when they are in a panicky situation. These guys are really so so smooth that you tend to believe they are trying to solve the woes that you are in.
I have been a victim and I hope it ends here. Please pass this on to your loved ones to warn them of such a new tactic and to beware!!!!

Thanks God

2009-08-26T16:48:00.005+08:00

Remember the friend that has a lump on her breast whom I mentioned earlier? Yesterday she went back to hospital to get her report. Yeah! The report is good. She did not have cancer but is at high risk. Nothing needs to be done. She was soooooooooo happy. You can tell from her voice. Thanks God for answering prayer. (Though she is a non-Christian but she requested for prayers. The end of man is the beginning of God. Whenever we can't do anything then only turn to God.)

But after this she has to take care of her diet and needs to go back for check-up every 6 months. She requested to go back every 3 months instead. The doctor did not agree. Now she started to look for recipe for healthy diet or remedies.

We are also happy to hear that. This also can be an alarming signal to all of us. We must take care of our own health. Do not eat according to the will of our flesh. Instead take balance and healthy food. Though it might not be tasty but when we are facing health problem then only we regret. There is a friend who is suffering from diabetes and now is blind and undergo kidney dialysis. I think if earlier he can control his diet he won't be that worse now. But his philosophy is : "You eat also die, don't eat also die. Better eat while we can." So he ate whatever he likes and now he is so serious. He is still young. In his mid 40s. Seeing him like this I always remind myself. It is not death that matters. If we are dead can go to heaven but if cannot die just paralyze or having cancer or undergo dialysis or.......It is torturing not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones. So better take care of our health before anything happens. It is also an act of love for our loved ones.

Prevention of H1N1

2009-08-19T23:12:00.003+08:00

Some one sent me this e-mail. I don't know how far it is true but I think this information is useful for our reference. So I posted here for you to refer.

With the constant fear of H1N1 symptoms, the following measures can be practiced by one and all. This is information which I just received from Consultant General Surgeon & Gastoenterologist, based in India and I do hope it could be beneficial to all and their families alike.

Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc/bioflavonoids to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals.

I do hope, this information could be passed on to one and all, for a healthy and H1N1 free environment.

Our Tongue

2009-08-18T23:36:00.003+08:00

I read about this today : " With our tongue we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men...Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing .......These things ought not to be so." James 3:9-10

I like these scriptures very much and can't agree more with it. Indeed our tongue is very important. And many of us like to gossip or talk behind other's back. If we say we are the children of God. We go to church and we worship Almighty God. But if we didn't tame our tongue, it is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We are just like hypocrites and Pharisees. We didn't practice what we preach. We are only a ritual Christian. There's something wrong with our spiritual walk with God. We must reflect on our relationship with God. Are we really close to God? Are we being filled with the Holy Spirit? If so, we will have the fruit of the spirit : love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In that case we will have self-control over our tongue. And these bad things are not from God. So we better be careful and watch out what comes out of our tongue.

The Bible further says :"No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives, a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water." James 3:11-12

Matthew 15:17-19 "Anything that goes into your mouth goes into your stomach and then on out of your body. But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make you ritually. For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things, to rob, lie, and slander others."

I must always remember and be reminded of this. May my tongue be tamed and speaks forth good things that are pleasing to God. May God strengthen me and help me to control my tongue and everything that comes out of my tongue. Amen.

Random Thoughts

2009-08-14T20:24:00.004+08:00

It's been long time I didn't update my blog. Initially my target was 4 posts a month. But look back I only manage till 2 posts a month. Last month only 1 post. I wrote a review on a seminar I attended but didn't succeed. It was only in the beginning part and I was stuck. No idea what to write.
Recently one of my friends found a lump near her breast. She was anxious. She is going to undergo an operation. Hope that everything will be fine. Life is fragile. You wouldn't know what will befall you. You wouldn't know when you'll leave this world. But thank God we have hope. We have life after death. It's just that how you live your life to the fullest. I'm always thinking about this. Serving God and bringing people to God is what God want us to do. But before we serve God we must be close to God. We must have close relationship with God. It's the relationship that matters not the service. I always fail to do so. Due to busyness and lack of discipline. When we prosper we tend to forget God. Then when we have problem then only we remember God. So better be close to God before anything happen.

Lorong Kulit of Alor Star

2009-07-03T19:16:00.007+08:00

I used to hear of Lorong Kulit of Penang. It is known to me as a place selling used stuffs. I hadn't been there until last year we had a chance to visit the place. It's actually a normal market place selling all kinds of goods. The uniqueness is there are many stalls selling old and used stuffs.
Few months ago I noticed the market that I usually go (Kampung Berjaya market) also have a few stalls selling these old stuffs. Normally I don't walk around on Friday morning cos I always have to rush to Church School on Friday mornings. So one morning when I went to buy something I noticed there were a few stalls selling this old stuffs.
This morning I woke up earlier to send daughter to piano lesson. After that I had ample time to explore the place. There are quite a number of people there. Every Friday the place is full of people and vehicles. I walked pass the stalls selling all kinds of things. There were many stalls selling the used stuffs too. The goods look so old and worn out. There are used soft toys, shoes, bags, clothes, old coins, kitchen wares etc. Some thing that we just throw away but they are for sales there. Like old spect boxes, old shoes, furnitures etc. I wonder how many would like to buy these kind of old stuffs. But there are many people around these stalls looking and choosing. Sometimes I fell like giving them my old things that I want to throw away. They look newer than these things that on sale there.
And guess what I saw this morning? I saw P. Ramlee and Tunku Abdul Rahman's IC for sale! But that must be duplicate copies. Guess that must have cost quite a lot. I didn't ask for the price. I wonder where these people selling during weekdays cos I only see them there on Fridays. Are they carrying out their business at other markets?

God Answered My Prayer

2009-06-22T23:04:00.007+08:00

Last week HM told us that this Sunday 21 Jun the PTA(PIBG) will have a meeting together with the Board of Directors. The date was decided by the chairman of the board. Immediately I told her I can't come early cos Sunday we are having our Sunday worship and this Sunday we are celebrating Father's Day. I even asked her why they chose this date since this is Father's Day and many people are celebrating it. I believe their family members also want to celebrate with them. But after finding out that I can only come around 9pm she did not release me.

I was troubled over this matter. I don't want to miss Sunday service because I think I should put God first. If I ever skip church once, they will think that we can always skip church. I don't want them to think that way. On the other hand, I can't disobey my boss. We were trained to obey our boss and present for all the school activities. This is called 'memberi keutamaan' to our duties. I have no choice but to pray.

After the teachers knew about this, many of them also complaining about the date because many are celebrating the Father's Day. Some even suggested to HM to change the date but it was in vain. Later we found out that the organizing committee chairperson also unable to attend the meeting but they still refused to change the date.

On Sunday morning I was still praying over this matter. I even thought of consulting somebody what should I do. Should I disobey my boss and go to church then later go for meeting? Or should I just skip church and go for the meeting?

Then on Sunday morning when I reach school I saw the organizing committee chairperson and treasurer were waiting to meet HM. Both of them can't attend the meeting and they were there to ask HM to postpone the meeting. After that we found out that our chairman of the board also unable to attend the meeting. Due to this reason, our meeting was postponed to Monday night. Thanks God for answering prayer. I always believe that God's way is greater that ours. We'll never know what and how God is going to do.

And now I don't have to skip Sunday service. But on Monday night there is a combined churches evangelistic meeting at our church. A team of Korean singers coming to sing on that night. I'm gonna miss that.

Good Things to Share

2009-06-19T01:57:00.002+08:00

Some time ago I read about this. And now I found it so I copied here to share with everybody.

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in the world.

2009-05-21T13:04:00.004+08:00

We got our PTK results on Monday. This time I only sat for the Khusus paper cos I'd already pass the other paper. I did study on it but I think it's not enough. It was one of my goals in the beginning of the year to pass the PTK exam this year. And I heard it's getting tougher and more conditions coming up.
So I was quite nerveous to get the results. But our office boy was taking his sweet time at the office. So I persuaded him to go and get the results for us. I even promised him that if we pass we'll give him a treat. Later when I stepped in the staffroom after class, he asked me to give him a treat. Thanks God! I got IV for this paper also. I thank God for this though I think I did not study hard enough. And I remember the night before Rev John Khoo spoke in the church. He said God's provision is permanent. Nobody can snatch it from you. Even if the robbers rob it from you God will give you back. I was promoted as PK in Jan 2008. Because of that I lost the 10% incentive for teaching Maths and Science in English without any increment in my salary. But now as I pass the PTK I'll have an increment of more than I lost. Isn't it amazing? But I don't know is it applicable to what Rev John preached?
Yesterday Hong received an offer from University Tun Hussein Onn for Diploma in Engineering. We don't know much about this Uni. But Hong doesn't want to go. He is happy with form 6. We think that if he goes he is secured a place for engineering. After that he still can continue with degree. So I ask him to pray over it. I think I'll let him decide as all of us pray over it. And I hope that if he continues form 6 he'll really study hard to get good results in order to get good course in uni. I believe he'll be happier in form 6 compare to form 5 cos now he does not need to study those subjects that he doesn't like. Wish him all the best in his studies.

Happy Teacher's Day

2009-05-18T00:54:00.002+08:00

Here wishing all the teachers Happy Teacher's Day.
Found these few poems about teachers. Copy here to share with everybody.

老师
是您带我们走过风雨,
是您用知识的营养将我们哺育,
却从来不求回报与索取.

是您给我们解答一道道难题,
是您告诉我们:
遇到困难时,
不要轻易说放弃.

从此我们的生命中,
随时充满了欢喜.
少了许多烦恼,
增添了一份坚毅.
又是一个收获的秋季,
您仍紧握手中彩色的画笔.
描绘着美好的蓝图,
滋润着祖国的桃李.

我们是春天里盛开的鲜花,
是您给我们奏出美妙的旋律.

您是辛勤的园丁,
我们会牢记您的谆谆话语.
走好生命中的每一步,
友爱,健美,求实,进取

Teachers
Paint their minds
And guide their thoughts
Share their achievements
and advise their faults

Inspire a Love
Of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth

For our future brightens
With each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach

For the dawn of each poet
Each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring.

Guru Oh Guru ..................
Dialah pemberi paling setia
Tiap akar ilmu miliknya
Pelita dan lampu segala
Untuk manusia sebelum manjadi dewasa.

Dialah ibu dialah bapa juga sahabat
Alur kesetiaan mengalirkan nasihat
Pemimpin yang ditauliahkan segala umat
Seribu tahun katanya menjadi hikmat.

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Jika hari ini siapa saja menjadi dewasa;
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

Di mana-mana dia berdiri di muka muridnya
Di sebuah sekolah mewah di Ibu Kota
Di bangunan tua sekolah Hulu Terengganu
Dia adalah guru mewakili seribu buku;
Semakin terpencil duduknya di ceruk desa
Semakin bererti tugasnya kepada negara.

Jadilah apa pun pada akhir kehidupanmu, guruku
Budi yang diapungkan di dulang ilmu
Panggilan keramat "cikgu" kekal terpahat
Menjadi kenangan ke akhir hayat.

Nukilan Allahyarham SN Dato' Dr. Usman Awang

Cat and Dog Theology (Cont'd)

2009-04-04T17:41:00.003+08:00

Session 3
Rev George Ong said that 'The Great Commission' is not only found in the book of Matthew. In fact it was found long ago in Genesis 12:1-3. God's covenant to Abraham is recognized as having two equal parts. The "Top Line" of the Covenant is the fact that God wants to bless Abraham. With that comes a "Bottom Line" responsibility: Abraham is to reach out to all the peoples on the face of the earth. The term peoples refers to distinct ethnic groups, groups of people that call "us-us and them-them". Because God used the word all, what we have here in Genesis is the beginning of a Great Commission theme.

In this session he talked about Top Line(blessing) and Bottom Line(responsibility). e.g The Promised Land was a land of milk and honey; this dealt with the Top Line of the Covenant. There was also a Bottom Line responsibility. The Promised Land was a strategic piece of property where major trading routes existed. This offered the Israelites an opportunity to be witnessing to Gentiles.

In Luke 24:45-48 Jesus with His disciples breaking the Old Testament down into two simple themes : the Top Line and the Bottom Line. Jesus probably reviewed The Great Commission in Genesis 12:1-3 rather than first giving it, (Matthew 28:18-20) since His disciples (in their later writings) referred to that passage as the foundation for reaching all nations. (Acts 3:25, Galatian 3:8, Hebrews 6:13)

Revelation 5:9-10 : "The Finale"
Here, in a picture of the future, we find that the Lamb is worshipped because He has redeemed prople from every tongue, tribe, and nation. What He set out to do in Genesis 12, He completes it in Revelation 5:9, allowing us to read our Bible as one book.

Session 4
Rev George Ong stated that the Bottom Line lessons are frequently missed. e.g. The lesson most people learn from Daniel in the lion's den is that God will take care of us in times of trouble. This is true, but it is only half the story. King Darius, after seeing that Daniel was saved by His God, wrote a message to all the nations on the face of the earth saying "Check out the God of Daniel." The Bottom Line lesson is that God can use your faithfulness to influence internationals, who will in turn influence other internationals.

In Ps 46:10 we always stress the first part (Be still, and know that I am God) which is the Top Line. We always neglected the second part which is the Bottom Line responsibility that we need to exalt God. The full verse is “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

From the Great Commission he shared about missions. There are 4 roles we can be involved in missions.
1. Sender - using generosity to help cross cultural Goers (missionaries) go to the unreached.
2. Welcomer - using hospitality to reach out to the unreached foreigners living in our country.
3. Mobiliser - mobilising Christians to be involved in missions.
4. Goer - crossing a culture to share the gospel and disciple those who have not heard.

Reaching out to foreign workers in our country also is a mission work.

That's all a brief report on the seminar. Hope it will be benificial to all who did not attend. God bless.

Cat and Dog Theology

2009-03-28T17:24:00.003+08:00

I went for this 'Cat and Dog Theology' seminar on last Monday and Tuesday night at TBC. The speaker was Rev George Ong from UnveilinGlory, Singapore.

Initially I was curious about it. What is it all about? 'Cat' and 'Dog' Theology? So both of us sign up for the seminar.

The speaker is very humurous. He wrote 12 humour books. He preached at our church last Sunday. His sermon was full of jokes. He also spoke very fast. One will not be able to catch if you don't pay attention.

The seminar was divided into 4 sessions. 2 sessions each night. The program was very pack. It started with about 10 minutes of worship than 1 hour of session then break for 10 minutes. After that continued with another session. It ended past 10.30pm.

The first session was about introducing Cat and Dog Theology. He said there are 2 types of christian in the church. They are cat christians and dog christians. They look and act exactly the same but there is a huge difference in their heart attitude. Cat christians are those focus on themselves whereas dog christians are those focus on God's glory. e.g. Both also worship God but dog christians worship God primarily for who He is and cat christians worship God primarily for what He's done for them. Dogs study 'Theology' while cats study 'MEology'. Both cats and dogs want to see God glorified and want to be blessed by God. Dogs hunger more for God's glory whereas cats hunger more for the blessings.

Session 2 was about 'The Six Danger of Cat Theology'. Danger 1 is Feel Good Theology. Cats only read verses that make them feel good. If they read verses that don't make them feel good, they skip over them and simply say "That doesn't apply to me" or "That doesn't make sense..."

Danger 2 is Cats Always Look For Themselves. Cats are constantly looking for themselves in the bible. They constantly say, "How dows this affect me? How does it affect my life?"

Danger 3 is Cats Develop Wrong Priorities. A cat's first priority is to stay and alive and be healthy. Their second priority is safety and security followed by desire to be blessed by God for their own gain. Next priority is that their church meets their needs. Lastly only is pray for God's glory and world missions.

Danger 4 is Cats Expect Life To Be Fair. He compared 3 persons in the bible: Jabez, a 'young girl' found in 2 King 5:2-3, and Stephen. Jabez was greatly blessed. The young girl was sent away as a slave and reached another gentile leader. Stephen was stoned to death.
Which life was God fair to? It is the wrong question. Life wasn't designed to be fair. Life was designed to be a series of opportunities to reflect and reveal the glory of God. All of these three lives did that - Revealing God's glory is a "golden thread" that runs throughout the entire Bible!

Danger 5 is Selective Application. Many times we only apply those passages of scripture which make us "feel good". Rarely are we reading (much less memorizing) passages which deal with God's desire to glorify Himself through giving us the tough times....1 Peter 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4.

Danger 6 is Winner's Circle Mentality. When cats read the Bible, they always focus on the major character, never the minor character.....falsely assuming God loves the major character more than the minor. We don't relate to them because we only want to relate to the "winners" in the Bible. e.g. We don't relate to: Job's children, wandering around in the desert for 40 years, the 70,000 fighting men who died because David sinned etc.

To be continued.........

Family Celebration

2009-03-19T11:28:00.000+08:00

Last Wednesday (11/3) was Yi Hong’s birthday. Initially I plan to celebrate with him as a family. But I had a meeting on that night itself. And the sister was having monthly test during that time. So we decided to postpone the celebration to celebrate together with his SPM results. He results will be released on Thursday the next morning. No matter what are the results, we will celebrate with him. So the next day we waited till about 11.30am then only got his detail results. He did quite well. He scores 7A1s and 3B3s. But for BK(Bible Knowledge) he got only C7. The unbelievable thing is he got A1 for Sejarah which is his weakest subject. The comforting news is that he scored A1s for the 3 Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), 2 Maths and English. And according to his teacher, he was the only one in his school who scored A1 for Biology.

So we decided to celebrate on that night though his sister had calligraphy class that night. We sacrificed our usual jogging and went early to Kenny Rogers (his own choice) to celebrate. Even that Grace also was late for the class.

We ordered family meal which comes with a whole bird, 4 muffins, 4 side orders and 4 drinks. This costs us RM72.50. Initially he was reluctant to ask for Kenny Rogers cos the food there is a bit costly. But I told him we only go there once in a while and this is for celebration so it’s alright to choose there. He is indeed very thoughtful too. I pray that as he grows God’s blessing be with him and he will also grow in Him. Amen.

Renewing The Mind Seminar

2009-03-15T23:45:00.006+08:00

This was a seminar by Dr Jacob Lee from Singapore. It was held at Reservoir Garden Baptist Church, Penang on 14 March. Dr Jacob is a brilliant guy. He graduated from MIT with phD. When he was in form 2, his teacher said he was 'no hope' cos he failed his Maths. But after crying over that he realised that he was not stupid. So he began to change and work hard for it. In the end he was top in the whole form. I say he is a genius becos at such a young age he knew how to sort out the problem and overcome it. If he believes what the teacher said he would have given up and might not do well. So this will prove that what the teacher said was true. So renewing of the mind is important.

He taught us 4 steps to renew our mind.Step 1: identifying limiting beliefs. e.g. I am afraid to take risks. I might make mistakes and fail. The underlying belief is 'it is bad to fail'. After identify the belief, step 2 is 'challenge existing beliefs'. There are 3 ways to challenge the existing beliefs. First is 'Berean approach' Acts 17:11 This means you receive the belief but look for evidence/data to prove that the belief is true or false. Second is 'who told you' approach. You can explore where the belief come from. Is the belief come from a reliable source? What was the context? Next is 'taste and see' approach. If you lack of data, you could perform safe and moderate tests. What did the test prove? Afer using this 3 method of challeging existing beliefs, you'll know whether the belief is true or false.

Step 3: 'Create new beliefs' (3 C's)
- If you belief is false then write down a new belif which contradicts the old one. This is called Contradiction. e.g. I am not stupid, I am playful.
- If you belief is partially true, qualify this belief with a context using 'if', 'when' or 'only' etc. (Contextualization) e.g. I will be poor in Maths if I do not receive appropriate sort of instruction.
- If you belief is true then think of a more empowering way of seeing. (Compelling perspective) e.g. I have failed more than other students and therefore I am better prepared me to handle disappointments in life and more willing to take risks. This is more essential for success and happiness in life.

Step 4: Activating and Sustaining Mental Models (Beliefs) Through Questions.
Thinking is a process of asking and answering our internal questions. If you control your questions you control your thinking. Questions contain underlying beliefs. Questions also determine what you focus on. Questions can tap on the inner resources within you and your team. So be careful of our questions. We tend to ask negative questions. This negative questions cause us to act negatively. So we must change the questions to positive ones. e.g. Why am I so stupid? (negative) What help do I need and where can I get it from? (positive)

I must confess that I was not keen of going initially. Because I was lack of confidence. I was not sure I could follow the talk. And to take the trouble to go to Penang (to and fro took about 4 hrs) I don't know is it worth going? But I'm glad I went. Thanks to May Ling who persuaded me to go. Also thanks to Joseph who drove us there. Not forgetting Peh Lan who encourages us to go. Ti Pheng said Peh Lan is a good promoter. After the promotion, there were 10 of us from our church who went for this seminar. I agree with him. I believe all of us have benefited. Though it was from 9am to 3pm but I could follow the whole thing and was not bored.

Dr Jacob is a good speaker. He presented the talk in a simple and easy-to-understand way. He also let us do a lot of practices and activities. He also showed us video clips. There was a video he showed to us where he asked us to count how many passes for the white shirt team members. We were so focusing on counting and neglected that there was a black gorilla appeared for a few seconds on the screen. So the conclusion is we tend to focus on something and ignore the surrounding.

He also mentioned that there are 3 types of faiths : little faith, passive faith (prayers only) and proactive faith. (with prayers and actions) He quoted Ex 17:10 where Joshua fought with the Amalekites(actions) while Moses prayed.( prayers) When Moses' held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

God's Way is Greater Than Our Way

2009-02-27T12:36:00.007+08:00

This morning I went to Church School. Today I prepared the story of Deborah according to the lesson plan given by Daisy. But Daisy told the story of Gideon instead. I was a bit worry. So I paid attention to her story. Whoa.........guess what? She told the story of Gideon called by God to save the Israelites out of the Midianites. If you still remember Rev John Khoo came and spoke on this topic about 10 days ago during the 'God's Man in the Hour of Need' seminar. So this is still fresh in my memories. Thank God that I attended the seminar. I was able to retell the story clearer though Daisy just told them briefly.
God's way is greater than our way. What God does is so wonderful and beyond our comprehension or expectation. This is what I always tell Kim Seng and remind him about. With our limited mind we are not able to comprehend God's work. So we just surrender to Him and let Him do the rest. We can't do anything with our own might. We also can't plan ahead without seeking Him cos we don't know what is lying ahead. Only He knows all. (Sounds spiritual ya?) But I'm not that spiritual. I'm still learning and struggling. One thing I believe is God is omniscience. Only He knows what is best for us and what is awaiting us.
This year my goal is to be closer to Him and to hear Him. Last night I went to the seminar at our church. The speaker talked about listening to Him and he asked us to quieten ourselves for five minutes and listened to God. Then he asked a few persons to share what God had spoken to them or what they saw during the 5 minutes. I have to admit that I didn't hear nor see anything. Maybe I was too busy asking God to speak to me that I didn't hear Him. Or maybe I am not so close to Him that I can't hear Him. Or maybe............. I do not know why. One thing for sure I don't hear God speaking to me. I also very sorry that I haven't achieve the goals that I set early this year. But there are 10 more months. I pray that with God's help I'll be able to achieve by the end of the year. Amen.

Jeremiah School Commissioning Service

2009-02-22T17:16:00.004+08:00

Today is the last day of JS. Andy, Lee Fun and I went to Taiping in Andy's car to take Yi Hong and Sarah back. They were at Taiping Methodist Church since last weekend for a week of Mission work there. FYI I was on leave (Cuti Rehat Khas) today just to give my son my fullest support.
We departed AS at 6 in the morning cos the service starts at 8.30. I want to apologize to Andy and Lee Fun cos I was so absentminded that I left my handphone in the car. They had to turn back for me to get my handphone. But we managed to reach there a bit earlier. There were 22 of JS students this year. 11 girls and 11 boys. The farthest is from Sibu, Sarawak. Our TRAC chairman Rev Ong Hwai Teik was the speaker and commissioner. He talked about "The 'Fallback Hope' Faith". 2 of the students went up to share their testimonies at JS. After that one of the mentors Rev Dr Herbert Tan shared what JS is all about and what they learnt there. He even sang a song 'You are the only one, Jesus' dedicated to the students.
After the service we were served with 'nasi kunyit' and curry chicken. But the JS students were so busy taking photos with their friends. We waited for them to take photos and bid farewell with their friends. After that waited for them to pack their luggage.
On our way back we stopped at Taiping Sentral for Sarah to meet up her friend. By the time we reach AS already 3.40pm.

What's your opinion?

2009-02-17T17:41:00.004+08:00

This morning something happened in my school. I just want some comments and opinions from you guys.

It all started when this Miss X came in the staff room when the bell rang after recess. Being seeing the PK HEM (Miss H) was in the staff room she confronted her. These 2 persons are on duty today. Miss H will always remind the teachers to carry out their duties when the recess bell rings everyday. Last week during her duty Miss X helped a pupil to treat his wound at the staff room. After that it was almost time. So she did not continue to patrolling the school. Miss H confronted her and said that it is her duty till the last second. She was not supposed to stay in the staff room at that moment. So this morning Miss X confronted Miss H with the same reason. After some argument Miss H said her name is not supposed to be put in the duty roster cos she is PK HEM. So immediately she changed her name to my name cos I was the only one not in the roster. She said she will be supervising the whole thing and she will also go round patrolling the school. And from now on not only during recess, before the school starts and after school also need to go patrolling the school. When Miss X first confronted her she said that she is PK HEM. If you are not satisfied you be the PK HEM. She also said that Miss X is a trainee teacher (she is a temporary teacher undergo teachers training during school holidays) should be submissive to superior.

So what is your opinion about this?

God's Man For The Hour Of Need

2009-02-16T23:01:00.003+08:00

This is the title of the seminar by Rev John Khoo for this 2 nights. I attended tonight's sessions. It was indeed a good lesson. His English is simple and clear. For somebody like me whose English not that good can understand and digest most of the content.

Rev John used Gideon's story of pulling down Baal's altar and build the altar for the Lord. Judges 6:11-32 He talked about the confusion of Gideon when the angel told him that 'The Lord is with you'. And Gideon responded,"if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?" Often time we are like Gideon thought that God had forsaken us. But actually it's our sins that separated us from God. Just like the Israelites. They did evil in the eyes of the Lord and for seven years He gave them into the hands of the Midianites. But they blame God for that. They didn't realise that was their sins that caused all this.

The Lord also called Gideon. 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian, do not I send you?' He challenged us, "Are you God's man for the hour of need?" God want us to be available.

I'm not a good reporter. There are some more that he said. In conclusion, he said that we must be available for God. And we must make a stand against sin. Do not compromise.

I urge you who did not make it tonight to go for tomorrow night's sessions. It is at FGC from 8pm to 10pm. I believe you will be blessed too.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T17:37:00.006+08:00

14 Feb - a romantic day for most of the young people - Valentine's Day. You can see lots of commercial promoting this day and making money out of this. A bouquet of flowers is much much more expensive on this day. The radio already started to remind you of this day one or two weeks ago.

To me these are all a waste of money. Love somebody does not mean just buying expensive gift for him/her. It is from your own heart. Love is not one day matter. It is lifelong and everyday matter. We can express our love everyday through more practical ways. Buying bouquets of expensive flowers only brings wealth to the florist and not to strengthen our relationship. To love somebody is to show our cares and concerns and even to sacrifice for him/her just like what God did.

Somebody called me and said he is very boring cos today is a Valentine's Day without girlfriend. (He already broke off with his girlfriend) To me this is nothing. Without girlfriend you still can live well. Even on this 'romantic' day. Love is not everything. I found this is very common in most of the movies. They always carry the message that without love one will have to die. "I can't lose you. Without you I'll die." This is what we used to hear in the movies. This may become an impact to the young generations especially the younger ones. No wonder many young people committed suicide after losing their boy/girlfriends. This is what I disagree most and am worry of the impact on the young people today. They don't really understand love and are misled by the media. And the values that brought forth by the media is wrong and can't be accepted by our eastern society especially me.

The best description of love is found in 1 Cor: 13 4-8 : "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

爱的真谛：“爱是恒久忍耐又有恩慈，爱是不嫉妒，爱是不自夸不张狂，不做害羞的事。不求自己的益处，不轻易发怒，不计算人家的恶，不喜欢不义只喜欢真理。凡事包容凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐，爱是永不止息。” 林前13：4-8

Happy Valentine's Day. 情人节快乐。

Chinese New Year

2009-02-02T21:18:00.003+08:00

Time really flies. Soon the CNY is over. When I was young I longed for CNY cos that was the only time in the year that we can wear new clothes. And we could buy expensive ice cream with the ang pow money. Those days we got as little as 40 sen ang pow. And now as I grow and have to face the reality I don't long for these things anymore. CNY to me is a time of get together especially for those who seldom meet. I still like CNY at times cos I can meet people (mostly relatives) whom we seldom meet or maybe only once a year. Like what my daughter Grace said '"You only visit them once a year. If you don't visit them during CNY you will not be meeting them at all for the whole year."

And I still like new clothes and fellowship. :)

This year we got a chance to meet my siblings and had a reunion lunch together on the fourth day of CNY. My eldest sister and eldest brother came back from KL this CNY.

These are my siblings. From left to right eldest to youngest. I'm the youngest. :)

We and our spouses.

My family.

Our Teoh family members. The youngest member is my sister's grandson. I'm now grandaunty.:)

I sent these photos to China for my uncle. So the names are for his reference.

Church School

2009-01-18T07:01:00.004+08:00

Last year I told Kim Seng I was praying to serve in Church School. Cos the Church School is always lack of teachers. And now my children are grown up and I'd stopped my tuition classes I think it's time for me to serve. So when Daisy approached me, I agreed.
Last Friday was my first day teaching in Church School. Before that Daisy passed me the lesson plan for the first quarter and a worksheet for this week. After looking through the material I didn't know how to teach this group of mainly non-Christian Chinese speaking children. The topic was about Jesus healed 10 lepers. Looking at the big big words like 'lepers', 'Samaritan', 'priest' etc....... I lost confidence. So I prayed to God to grant me wisdom how to make the passage simple. And I also prayed for the discipline of the class.
Thanks God everything went on smoothly. And thanks to Daisy's story telling and the sketch presented by the children which made the teaching easier. Thanks God I got year 4 class which consists of 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys. They are attentive and cooperative too. So I was satisfied with it. It was carried out better than I expected. Years ago I also taught Church School in another church. But that experience made me stressed. In the end I found an excuse and stopped teaching. God forgive me.
I pray that I'll continue to serve Him when I'm able. And I''ll be closer to Him and know His will for me. I'm willing to obey. Amen.

有趣的故事

2009-01-13T22:37:00.002+08:00

I read this very interesting story on somebody's blog. I copied it here. But it's in Chinese. I don't know how to translate it. Sorry.

有一美女下夜班,被一好色男子尾随跟踪,美女很害怕,正好路过一片坟地, 好色男子正要下手, 美女走到一座坟墓前说:"爸爸,开门吧,我回来了"。吓的好色男子狂奔而去。

美女为自己的聪明得意地笑了起来，哪知笑声未落，从坟墓里传出一个阴森森的声音说："闺女，你咋又忘记带钥匙了呢？"吓得美女尖叫著跑了。这时，一个盗墓者从坟墓里爬了出来，说："影响我工作，吓死你"。

突然发现墓碑前有一老者，手拿凿子在刻墓碑，就好奇地问："你在干吗"？老者生气地说："这些不肖子孙把我的墓碑都刻错了，只好自己来改啦"。盗墓者一听，吓得撒腿就跑了。

看著盗墓者的背影，老者冷笑道："跟老子抢生意，吓死你"。一不小心，凿子掉地上了，老者正要弯腰去拾，却看见从草丛中伸出一只手，同时还有个冷冰冰声音： " 啊，敢乱改我家的门牌号"。吓得老者连滚带爬地跑了。一个拾荒者从草丛中爬出来，捡起地上的凿子，感叹道："这年头，捡块烂铁还得费这么大神。

Happy Birthday to Grace

2009-01-06T19:35:00.007+08:00

Today is Grace's 13th birthday. But the brother has gone to Jeremiah School and tonight she has English tuition so we just had a simple celebration. Her English tuition teacher Mrs Siva said she doesn't need tuition but I want her to pick up writing skills.

Her father had meeting after school. So I went to pick her from school. Then I took her to PH for her favourite Lasagna for lunch. After that we went to take the ice cream cake that we ordered yesterday. She was longed to have ice cream cake for years so this year I bought for her. Since there was only Grace and I so we sang the birthday song and ate the cake together. Then I gave her the birthday present. Guess what? Playing computer games. LOL. She didn't ask for any present. She said ice cream cake will be enough. Indeed she is a good girl. So I let her play for a few hours cos since the school reopened she was banned from playing computer games. She was sooooooooooooo happy. After the tuition I sent her a simple MMS video clip to wish her happy birthday.

I think though she didn't have birthday party and presents yet she was happy enough. That was what I can give her to make her happy on her big day.

Happy Birthday Grace! May the Lord bless you! And may you grow to be a person who fears God and finds favour in God's eyes.

New Year Resolutions

2009-01-02T21:37:00.003+08:00

Initially I wanted to write down my new year resolution. I did this a few years back but I didn't achieve what I wrote. So I had stopped for several years. I thought of writing it down again this year. But I read from Adam Khoo's blog (Singapore's youngest millionaire) New Years Resolutions never seem to work. What we need to do is to set specific, measurable goals with deadlines attached to them for the New Year. Then read them and reflect on them always. So I wrote down my goals for this year. Hope that I can achieve these. God strengthen me and help me to achieve these goals.

我的见证

2009-01-01T23:54:00.006+08:00

This Saturday I'm going to share my testimony in the Chinese worship. So for preparation, I write it down here. Sorry that it is written in Chinese.

像许多人一样我来自一个传统的华人家庭，从小我就跟从家人拜许多神明，我感觉到这世上有神的存在，我也曾尝试寻找真神，甚至向妈妈学习拜神，可是我却发现妈妈拜的并不是我要找的真神，因为家里拜的神是死的，我并不能感觉到他。小学时我也时常想死后我会到哪里去，想着想着就感到害怕。

后来中五毕业后我到了吉隆坡去升学读先修班，我住在表姐租的屋子里，那是一间基督徒学生屋，里边住的都是基督徒学生。他们常常在家里聚会，也常常上教堂。那时我从没接触过基督教，开始时我感到一些害怕，并没参与他们的聚会。后来日子久了，和他们渐渐熟了，我就开始参与他们的聚会及跟随他们上教堂。我很喜欢上教堂唱圣诗，也喜欢去青年团契，可是我还不肯定耶稣是不是我要寻找的真神。有一天有一位姐妹告诉我，如果我告诉你一样东西很好吃，可是如果你没有尝尝看，你怎么知道好吃呢。我想想也有道理，不如让我试试看，相信耶稣，如果我觉得它并不是我所要找的真神，那我可以随时反悔而退出的，因基督教不像某些宗教一入教就不得反悔而退教。那时我已经去了教会一些时期，也听过四个属灵的定律，还有它的小册子所以我就自己跟着册子里的祷告来作认罪祷告。就这样我就信了耶稣。

信主了以后我清楚死后会到一个美好的地方去，所以现在我有了盼望，也不再怕死亡。可是主并没有应许天色常蓝，我们信主后还会遇到困难，不同的是信主后我们有了依靠，遇见困难时有主与我们同在，我们可以把我们的重担给他为我们担当。相信许多人都知道我先生得了忧郁症，有一个时期很严重，我又要工作，又要顾他，还要顾家庭及孩子，那时是主陪着我度过那个生命中的黑暗期，若不是靠着神，我想我不可能走过那一段日子。许多认识我的人都说我坚强，但不是我坚强，而是靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做，那是上帝加添给我的力量。

曾经听过一个故事：有一个人在回顾他的生命时看到在他的人生过程中总是有两双脚印，一双是他的，另一双是上帝的。可是在他人生中最低潮时却只有一双脚印，他就问上帝：“上帝啊，为何你在我最需要你的时候离弃我？”上帝告诉他：“我儿啊，我并没有离弃你，在你最困苦时是我把你抱起来，所以你看到的是我的脚印。”

弟兄姐妹们，神永远都在我们身边，他只是离我们一个祷告之遥而已，你要找他时，只需祷告就找着了。希望我们时常都紧记这一点，事事求告他，与他保持亲密的关系。

如今我信主已经二十多年了，可是我却不曾后悔，也从不曾想过离开上帝，因为我知道我需要他，尤其是在我遇到困难时，他也能和我分享我的喜怒哀乐。愿荣耀归于上帝。To God be the glory.

Baptism

2009-01-01T22:26:00.013+08:00

Today is a memorable day to many of us esp my family. My 2 children were baptized tonight. This is also the first baptism at the new santuary.

There were 11 of them: Aunty Phang, Dai Foong & Aaron, Teoh, Loke, Yi Hong & Grace, Dr. Tong, Tim, Daniel & Kenny(not in the picture, he was the photograher). Grace was the youngest. She is just going to turn 13 in a few days time. It's indeed a great joy to see them getting baptized esp our loved ones.

The baptism was carried out by Ps Lee.
This is the moment Yi Hong was baptized.

This is the moment Grace was baptized.

After that, there was refreshment prepared by various care groups.

1 January 2009 - the beginning of the new year and the baptism day for Hong & En(宏&恩). Must remember.

Pray that they'll grow in Him and mature in Him.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2008-12-24T15:30:00.004+08:00

It's Christmas season again. Here I wish everybody Merry Christmas and hope this Christmas is a special one for you and your loved ones.

Merry Christmas and have a blessed new year ahead

Reflection

2008-12-21T23:48:00.000+08:00

This morning a parent called the school asking about the letter for her son to secondary school. I told her the school hasn't received any letter from PPD. She was complaining and saying all the schools had already got the letters except our school. I ask her which schools she only managed to mention 2 schools. This is not right. As far as I know all the pupils got their schools except those appeal cases. And she wanted the letter for the new school that she was appealing. I tried to explain to her but she didn't give me chance. She kept on complaining and blaming the school not doing anything to help the parents. It's not that we didn't do anything just that we can't do anything. It's PPD doing all this. I was unhappy with her and I told her "I don't want to talk to you" then put down the phone. She was upset with me then she called again complaining to my boss about me.
After came back home I was thinking was I wrong treating her that way. She complained to my boss saying that I looked down on her cos she is a single parent and earning not much. It wasn't that. I just can't stand listening to her complaining and didn't want to give me chance to explain. I didn't want to listen to this so I put down the phone. I pray to God and ask God to forgive me if I was wrong.
This evening Pr Kuilan from TBC came to our church to share. He talk about Peace of God, why should be a peacemaker and how to be a peacemaker. This particular verse struck me. Prov 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It's true. Because of that parent's words I was fed up with her. But if I answer her back with soft answers or be patient to listen to her the outcome will be different. May God grant me patience in dealing with this kind of people so that I can bear the fruit of the spirit to glorify Him. God forgive me if I had fallen short of the glory of God.

Appointment at hospital

2008-12-16T15:09:00.008+08:00

This morning took son to hospital for check up. He was complaining that there is some sound from the bone when he moves his right arm. So we made an appointment with the orthopaedic clinic and took him to the new government hospital this morning. Thanks to Dr Lim who arranged the appointment for us. The appointment was at 8am. So we departed from home around 7.40am. Before reaching the Hutan Kampung junction there was a long queue cos after the traffic light 2 lanes turn into 1 lane. Furthermore the expanding work is being carried out there and in addition so many are going to work and having appointment at the hospital that made up the crowd. So we were late for few minutes.
After registration it was 8.31am. Look at the present queue no. and our no. it was only 6 numbers away. So I thought it must not be long. But we waited till around 10.00am then only our no. was called. We went in the clinic and my................... there was so many rooms inside. It's not our turn yet. Still we need to wait outside the consultation room. Then I overheard a nurse saying that today is OT day, all the doctors are at OT. I was wondering since the doctors are not around why we were asked to go on this day? Then around 10.30am a houseman came. Then only the queue started flowing. I wonder why they didn't call according to queue no. Cos our no was 37 but 38 went in before us. And our no was not called at all.
After seeing the doctor we were asked to go for x-ray. We didn't wait for long cos not many were there. Nowadays the hospital is really hi-tech. Everything only a click away, really paperless except the queue no. Even the x-ray also we didn't bring back anything. The doctor just click on the computer and the result was there on the screen. After seeing it, the doctor said there is no crack nor break on the bones. So we were asked to go back for review after 3 months.
And when everything is settled it was already 12noon. And there gone my precious morning.

On Holidays

2008-12-02T17:47:00.006+08:00

My holidays started last Friday when we went to The Carnivall Water Theme Park, Sungai Petani. Joseph and family, my sis-in-law and children, myself and my children went in 2 cars. I didn't know there is a shortcut. Not far from highway turn left and make some sort like a 'U' turn then you'll reach The Carnivall. It's coming from the end of Cinta Sayang Road. It seems so near compared to the usual route that I used to take. (from main road and went in Jalan Cinta Sayang)
We spent about 5 hrs there. The children got sunburnt though they applied the sun tan lotion. I was lucky cos I didn't go in the water. :) I just sat on the beach chair reading and playing Sudoku while watching them playing.
Then the next day we went to Pangkor Island. We went there cos the other half wanted to visit his relatives. It's more to visitation than having holidays. We were there for so many times so the children were so bored cos we didn't go out much. Though we were there for 3 days 2 nights, it seems very long esp the children who missed the computer games. We came back yesterday cos the children need to go to Tweens Camp tomorrow. Grace is having allergy rashes all other her body. Maybe due to the lotion that she applied after bath for 2 days or playing in the sea water. I do not know. Just pray that she'll be well to go for the camp. Also need to pray for journey mercies for those who are going.
I was having stomach upset. Now it's getting better. I guess yesterday on the way back I took Nescafe with empty stomach. I asked for white coffee and the waiter gave me Nescafe. I don't really take Nescafe and I had a few unpleasant encounters taking it. Yesterday till now my stomach was not feeling well. It's disrupted my planning. It seems my 'holidays' has to be extended. On the other hand I can have time to write this blog. LOL.

Sharing

2008-11-24T22:34:00.002+08:00

Recently somebody sent me an e-mail. I think it is very useful for everybody. I post it here to share with everybody. Here it goes:

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...
This is for you, and for you to share with your wife,
your children, everyone you know.
After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1 . Tip from Tae Kwon Do :
The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans
If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM . Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!)
The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go.
AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF,
Repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you.
If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it.
As soon as the car crashes bail out and run.
It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5 . A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle,
and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed.
Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim..

9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch he night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----
This e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana
I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle.

I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.

Holidays

2008-11-24T13:30:00.002+08:00

It has been quite some time ago I updated my blog. Suppose to be free now cos it's school holidays. But I still need to go back to school for few weeks on duty. And there are work to be done. So I have to make full use of my free time. Whenever I am free, do something that I plan to do during holidays. When I go to work, I'll do my best to finish my work there so that I can have time at home for myself and my family. When I don't need to go to work I'll try to relax, don't think of my work and enjoy my holidays with my plans. This is how my attitude with my present situation. Initially I thought that I don't have much holidays compare with other teachers. But now I think it is the matter of how you think and not the situation. If you are relax then everyday is a holiday. If you are stressed out then even you are not working you also will not be happy and relax. To me holidays mean relax (no work stress) and wake up later, hahaha.

UPSR Results

2008-11-13T21:05:00.004+08:00

Today UPSR result was released. There were 9 out of 72 candidates from my school scored 7As. 9 of them got 6As. 51 passed all the subjects. So the passing percentage was 70.83%. To me I consider it okay, not too bad compared to their abilities.
Grace scored 7As. My nephew got 6As. Thanks God for that. Pray that they will continue to excel in their studies in secondary school. Though she is qualified to apply for "better schools", I intend to send her to Keat Hwa II. Just because she can follow the father to school. Save all our trouble. Anyway, I don't quite like big schools. Hope she'll enjoy going to that school.

KL-Genting-Malacca Trip

2008-11-08T13:06:00.000+08:00

Had been hibernating for quite some time. I think I have to put priority over here.
Last week I went to KL-Genting-Malacca with the school trip. 4 of us brought 36 Std 6 pupils. It was quite tiring cos we departed on Thursday night and reach Genting at 5am early in the morning. The following mornings woke up early and hardly had time to take nap during day time. We reached Alor Star in the midnight and the next day still went to school.
Initially I did not want to go but the response from teachers was very poor. In order not to cancel the trip we volunteer ourselves. We old teachers can't enjoy ourselves and felt tired after coming back. No wonder nobody wanted to go.

Sharing

2008-10-15T11:27:00.006+08:00

Thought of updating the blog but couldn't find the time. Busy with my school work, school building fund raising, and managing the school blog but neglected my own blog. Found this on someone's blog and copy it here.

The LORD is faithful to all his promises and
loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:13

上帝的应许信实可靠，他所作的一切尽都美善。诗145：13

If you think you suffer in life, do you suffer as much as he does?
如果你觉得生活很苦, 但有他那么苦吗?

When you feel like giving up, think of this man.

当你想放弃时, 请看看这个人.

If you think you don't have many friends...
如果你以为你孤苦零丁........

If you think your salary is low, how about her?

如果你觉得自己的收入太低, 那么她呢?

If you think you are unhappy, look at them.

如果你以为自己不快乐, 那就看看他们吧!

If you complain about your transport system, how about them?

如果你对交通系统有怨言, 那么他们呢?

If your society is unfair to you, how about her?

如果你以为社会亏待了你, 那么她呢?

(上)读书让你烦恼吗?

(下)烦恼的肯定不是他们.

(上)讨厌吃蔬菜?

(下)他们在饿得发慌.

(左)你嫌父母太关心你吗?

(右)他们根本没有父母.

(左)同样的游戏玩到厌了吗?

(右)他们根本没有选择.

(左)哎呀, 为什么不是Nike?

(右)他们只有一个牌子.

(上)你不感恩有舒服的床被入眠吗?

(下)他们只期待永远不必醒来.

~Let us complain less and give more!‏

~让我们少埋怨, 多付出吧!

UPSR华语试卷

2008-09-18T22:19:00.004+08:00

UPSR考完至今已一个星期，想发表一些有关此考试的意见，无奈最近忙着学校筹款及开会事宜，竟抽不出时间写blog，真可悲！
考完后，老师们就把试卷过目并批改，发现六年级华文试卷的程度竟然如此高。一些题目的答案，老师们要再三讨论并查字典后才肯定，一些也不肯定，要问过其他学校的老师。如此高水准的试题试问六年级学生如何作答呢？
隔天报章上就有了此投诉，还把题目登出来。过后教育部副部长就有了回应。他说考試局是遵循五三二的制度出題，即50%的題目相對容易、30%中等及20%較有難度，並沒有特地為難小六評估考試華文科的考生。可是这些都是见仁见智的。我们应该根据学生的程度来定下容易、中等及难的题目，可是看过此试卷后，却找不到50%容易的题目，相反的却是50%难的题目。可能对出题老师来说那50%的题目是容易的，可是对于六年级的学生来说却是相反的。
希望考试局能够检讨这件事，应该想到它的后遗症。题目太难会使学生失去信心，并产生一种假象，认为华文是一科很困难的科目，进而不想学它，导致许多学生上了中学弃掉华文不考，改选其他科目。不久前某社团曾调查过，发现许多学生在中学并没选读华文，相信这也是抹煞他们信心的其中一个因素。
我也发现到现今的华文科内容和以前大不相同，许多文学之类的内容已不存在，导致现代的年轻一代对华文文学懵懵懂懂，华文水准也大不如前。再加上我们国家的教育制度只注重成绩，造成许多学生并不注重这不大能拿到好成绩的科目，反而选读其他较容易的科目。恐怕长此下去我们的后代的华文程度后日渐式微。我们捍卫华教的人士是否有什么方法补救呢？

CHURCH DEDICATION SERVICE

2008-09-11T17:00:00.011+08:00

Was busy for the past week. Wanted to post something about Church Dedication Service but not able. And now that UPSR is over today, not only Grace is 'Merdeka', I'm 'Merdeka' too.
Last Saturday 6th Sept our new church at Ampang Place had it's Dedication Service at 10am. This is the picture of guest arriving and having their signatures.
And these are our guests of honour.

The children put up a puppet show. Grace was playing the grandma. Ephraim was the grandpa. Jonathan was playing Jesus and Isaac was the teacher of the law. Eunice was Jane and Hannah was Joyce.

There was a clown show by church school children and they sang also.
The young people (MYFers) presented a candle light dance. Hong was one of them. So surprising to many of us even we as parents that he could dance for he is a quiet and introvert boy.

And finally came the climax of the service. Rev Hwa Yung our Bishop unveiling the plague together with TRAC president Rev Ong Hwai Teik.

At Last We Are Here

2008-09-01T21:07:00.005+08:00

Yesterday was a memorable day. It's our country's national day and also our first Sunday Service at the new church. After praying and working hard for more than 5 years at last we moved in to the new place, Ampang Place. Thanks God for that! Pray that we will grow not only in number but also spiritually after we moved in. This Saturday will be the Dedication Service for the new church. Many people were invited and our Bishop will be officiating the ceremony. I forgot to bring camera last night. If not I can post a few photos here for rememberance. The first worship service on National Day! Guess what? We ended with singing 'Sejahtera Malaysia' and Tian came in waving the Jalur Gemilang(Malaysia Flag). What a special and memorable day!

At Last I Made It

2008-08-30T11:12:00.001+08:00

Hi! Welcome to my Wonderland. I named it 'Wonderland' coz when we started our home long long time ago, we wanted to call it wonderland. This was our dream. But this dream did not come true and I'm gonna make it come true here.
Thought of opening a blog for myself but it seems so difficult in the beginning. But once you started you'll find things weren't as hard as you thought. And now I have started. Bravo!!!!!!!!