Back again

"Weeping may last for the night, but the shout of joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5b)

Whoosh.......5 days of holiday is over just like that. I left KL at 10:30 a.m. this morning and arrived at my hostel at about 4:40 p.m.. It was indeed a tiring journey. Frankly speaking, I felt like vomiting the whole way. There was no more space for some passengers(which included me) to put their luggage in the luggage compartment of the double-decker bus. Instead, I had to put my things at my seat. I was cramped sitting there for the whole journey(except when I went down for lunch and to the washroom). Furthermore, I was sitting at the upper floor of the bus and I was thinking that it is actually a rare opportunity before this(How many times can you sit in a double-decker bus?). I was wrong. The sitting on top is shaky and can make somenoe feel like puking. It was however an experience. What I have actually experienced was quite dreadful.

During the first hour from the start of my journey, I read a novel and that's when I started feeling dizzy. I've heard from somewhere that reading in a moving vehicle is bad for your eyes(associated with the brain and may further cause dizziness). I guessed this was true. I felt really uncomfortable and decided take a rest instead. With my feet 'stucked' between my bags, quite surprisingly, I managed to doze off. However, I could still feel the heavy atmosphere around me and the 'squezziness' at my feet. Fortunately, the driver put on some entertainment (Movie) for us. As you have known, there is usually some company intro(e.g. 20th century, Disney, Hallmark etc.) before they show the actors names(starting of a movie). So when I saw that this movie was actually Dolby Stereo 'powered', I thought: "This must be something like Die Hard 4 or..or...Rambo!". Wrong. It as actually a Malay movie that tells about this Malay village girl who was offered to study in the city but was rejected by her mom. She has two sisters and they were like peas and carrots. The plot was a little screwed up cause the storyline was twisted here and there(beating around the bush). Somewhere in the movie, I 'think' that the family members died and their spirits haunted her. I was just too tired to watch it. Halfway through the movie, the screen turned blank and the bus' radio speakers came alive. I reckoned that the bus driver switch it off (or there is no 'CD 2'). If one actually concentrates, he or she could easily understand the movie. It's just another 'dislikenment'-rejection-death-haunted movie.

Praise God that the bus arrived safely at its destination and giving me strength the whole way. During my stay in KL, I have walked the whole Sunway Pyramid, tasted Wendy's burger, went through the drive-thru experience at McD, rode the train myself from Shah Alam to KL city (again another experience), savored one of the best steaks in the world at Tony Roma's, went to Gardens at Mid Valley (That's where my bro introduced me to Bose speakers, man! They produced the best quality sound I've ever heard!(of course, the prices are 'pretty'), and lots more.......I've seen many different kind of people and I realised that God made everyone in a very unique way. Everybody plays a role in this world that He created. While I was on the road in KL, I saw this bus driver who was driving this really 'antique' bus. I thought: 'Who will drive people around if there's no bus drivers? Who will drive this 'antique' bus, picking and dropping people off at bus stops, if the driver I saw was not there to drive it?'

God created men according to His own image. He loves everyone of us. We are His children. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to the world to die on the cross for our sins, so that our sins can be forgiven through His name. Jesus calls us to believe in Him and accept Him into our hearts, making Him our Saviour. Only then can we have true peace and joy.

Dr. S.M. Lockridge, a preacher, once described Jesus, our King. He once used eloquent and powerful words along with classic images of Jesus Christ , touching the hearts of the believers and non-believers. These are some of his words:

"He supplies strength for the weak....

He's available for the tempted and the tried....

He sympathizes and He saves....

He strengthens and sustains....

He guards and He guides....

He heals the sick....

He cleanses lepers....

He forgives sinners....

He discharges debtors....

He delivers captives....

He defends the feeble....

He blesses the young....

He serves the unfortunate....

He regards the aged....

He rewards the diligent....

and He beautifies the meek.......

I wonder if you know Him?.."

Holiday

Thus says the Lord, Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go (Isaiah 48:17)

I'm going to KL tomorrow afternoon and will be reaching there only by evening. Many of my Indian friends(and friends who live in the Peninsular) will be heading home too. For Indians, Deepavali is just around the corner so you bet that they are really excited to get on the bus tomorrow and be on their way. They can't wait to get their hands on the curry and some other spicy food(not to mention, sweet cakes too). Some of my East Malaysia friends are going back tomorrow afternoon. It's really a happy moment for everyone.

It's going to be a 5-days holiday for us and we must really appreciate these precious times(with family or friends or relatives). Looking further ahead, Christmas is also coming and soon the year is gonna be over.(Reminder: it's the end October already)

And very soon we will realize that Chinese New Year is just tomorrow. Like Deepavali, Chinese students will be hurrying back home(me too) and everyone will be talking about it. The atmosphere will be filled of 'chineseness' and I'm sure you'll see most of the Chinese smiling and chattering to each other joyfully.

Till then, God bless and take care.

Jesus loves you! :-)

Cereals and Chocs

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:2)

Some good and nutritious apple and orange juice

My sis brought this back from Canada. Terry's Chocolate Orange is one of the well-known chocolate there. It looked like somewhat an ordinary chocolate from the outside but there are some instructions imprinted on its cover which you have to read it first. It is opened and eaten in a rather unusual way. I'll explain why.

Step 1: Open the box. As you can see, the instructions tell you to whack and unwrap. It doesn't mean that you have to hammer or hit it hard with your fist(or with any objects). It means that you just have to hit it hard onto a hard surface(e.g table, floor etc.). Whack it hard ONCE.(A firm whacking)

Step 2: After whacking it, unwrap it. See the result? The whole choc. orange(originally a ball of choc) is broken into fine slices. Wonderful invention, isn't it?

Step 3: Fully unwrap it and be ready to be awed even more.



Step 4(optional step): Observe the patterns imprinted onto each slice. This is to give(maintain) its quality and brand assurance.

Step 5(optional step): Take a picture of it. Lastly, taste it.(This is a must, uhhh...D-HUH). Savor it slowly and let it melt slowly in your mouth. You can feel the rich chocolate overflowing to every corner of your mouth. Try to think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Another good stuff: Cap'n Crunch's cereals(USA). It comes in a variety of selections and this is one of the best. You can grab it at Ta Kiong in the Spring Hypermarket(Kuching). Its price is a little expensive but it's quite worth it and worth a try.

Pour some Cap'n Crunch's cereals into a bowl. Add fresh milk. Scoop them into your mouth and enjoy. It'll be a healthy breakfast for all ages.

Another product of Cap'n Crunch's cereals.

Till then, God bless. Jesus loves you! :-)

Max out.

Perfecto!

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:7

WARNING (STRICTLY TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T TAKEN THEIR MEAL(S)):

THE CONTENT(PARTICULARLY THE PICTURES) BELOW MAY OR MAY NOT BE AN 'OFFENSIVE' ONE FOR YOU. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT BEFORE SCROLLING DOWN, YOU HAVE FILLED YOUR STOMACH EARLIER ON AND THAT YOU NO LONGER FEEL HUNGRY. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE HUMAN SALIVARY GLAND WILL SECRETE MORE SALIVA AS USUAL WHEN A HUNGRY PERSON SEES SOME FOOD (THIS IS ALSO RELATED TO THE TRANSFER OF OPTICAL IMPULSES FROM THE EYES TO THE BRAIN AND...........(NO NEED TO EXPLAIN MUCH, YOU'LL KNOW WHAT I MEANT) .

I went to the shopping complex nearby my campus last Sunday to grab some things that I didn't managed to bring from Kuching. For lunch, I went to a well-known restaurant which is like a shop in the complex. Since my friends recommended the food there, I went to try and see how delicious it really is. And let me tell you this, it was splendid! (That is, if you try it in a right amount and not eating it almost every day or week)

I took some pictures and decided to blog about it today(This post is mainly about food so all pictures on food are expected).

Ready?

Here it goes.

I tried this during Saturday lunch. A mixture of bean-curds, seaweed, vermicelli, crap meat, some veg, peppers, fish balls....and some more that I can't recall. Not bad for a RM 8 dish!(My friend bought it and shared it with the others..Thank you!)

Prologue: This is the Master Choo Kitchen menu. It consists of about 8 pages full of a variety of food, desserts, and drinks. The food served are further divided into multiple sections: Vegetarian, Chinese, Japanese.....

Outside

Inside (Seafood)

Pandan Tart

Tastes GREAT!

Hong Kong Wantan Soup(Frankly speaking, it is not really worth it cause there is not much 'kiau'(a type of food that contains flour with meat, not really sure how it is made, but it is well-known one)

Strawberry Ice-cream(lots of ice, condensed milk, and cubes of pudding, not really worth it, but it is worth a try)

Dim-Sum

Fried prawn with oat flakes(This is the best dish that day!)

Looks like chicken rice, but taste like a food you've never tasted before(Delicious!)

Dim-Sum with cheese

My dish: Cheesy rice with other ingredients

Sneak-peek: see the cheese?

Inside the cheesy dim-sum

What we ordered(what was left)

It was really filling and contenting. An unforgettable taste indeed!

Till then, God bless and take care.

Jesus loves you. :-)

Savoring mom's food

Jesus feeds five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. (Mark 6:30-44)

These are some pics of my mom's home-cooked food which I missed dearly since I'm now consuming my campus' food everyday.

This special dish is what I call 'bamboo' veg. Really delicious and spicy. Mm-mm!

Broccoli-chicken liver soup. A combo of vege and chicken flavour!

I'm not sure what this dish is named...but the veg is star in shape and is usually cooked(or fried) with egg or 'belacan'(a type of spice)

Chicken soup(with chicken gizzard and herbs), filling and tasty (not to mention, nutritious too!)

Chicken soup with egg, herbs, and pig intestine...another good one! (better than chicken essence, no kidding!)

In all, praise God for the food and giving me a mom who can cook so well! Thanks a lot mom and love ya!

God bless. Jesus loves you. :-)

A Book Full of Mysteries

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." (Revelation 1:3)

I saw a book on my living room's table when I went home last week. I picked it up and turned to the first page. Unknowingly, I continued reading. The content in it was very interesting. The book Revelation in the Bible has long made me thinking and questioning on some of the verses(with symbols and mysterious details). But through this book (entitled "The Victorious Lamb" - by Rev. Dr. Tie King Tai), I can now have a better understanding on the verses in the book of Revelation. No other New Testament book resembles Revelation in style.

This is the book that I mentioned earlier("The Victorious Lamb - An Exposition on the Book of Revelation"). Pastor Tie has indeed made a great effort in explaining and giving a clear interpretation on the events and verses in each chapter of the book Revelation. There are a few real-life testimonials that would touch every reader's heart. It shows how wonderful it is to believe and accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. Through this book, one will also know the events that will take place at the end of times.

According to the New International Version Bible, many explanations are made in explaining the book Revelation. The codes in Revelation is effective- so effective that few people today agree on exactly what they mean. Some explain Revelation in terms of the first century, concluding that many of the events prophesied in code took place during the Roman empire. Others find clues to John's meaning spread out over 2000 years of church history, or an idea based on a scanty evidence that he uses to describe an idealized battle of good and evil.

Because of all the conflicting theories about Revelation, readers are tempted to respond in one or two ways. Some judge the book so weirdly that they find no reason to read it at all. How can anyone be sure of its meaning?

Others conclude they have discovered the secret explanation of each obscure(mysterious) detail. Since the first century, some group has come up with different interpretations of the prophecies.

Why read this strange book? From the 1st verse, John gives us a clue: "the revelation of Jesus Christ" which introduces this book. Revelation gives a unique picture of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament would be incomplete without it. Revelation shows Jesus Christ from a new perspective: as the mighty ruler of the cosmic forces of good. When John saw him in this glorified state, he fell at Jesus' feet as though dead. (1:17)

Although Revelation does not remove the mystery surrounding Jesus' return and the end of the world, it does throw light on those events. It speaks lasting truths to every generation of readers. Revelation tells of Christ's future triumph over the evil in the universe. This crucial message of final hope was needed by its original readers in the first century and is still needed by us today.

While reading(or before reading) Revelation, a good Bible dictionary or commentary will clear up the confusion about Revelation.

Till then, God bless. Jesus loves you. :-)

P/S: Classes have started and I have to keep up my pace with it. Please pray for me.

In a blink of an eye

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Yeap, time passes that fast(based on the topic)........ From the day I set my foot back in my home last Friday night, a week has almost passed. My term holiday is nearing to an end. Very soon, it's time to go back to school once more. I'll be leaving Kuching the night after tomorrow, and my flight is bound for Penang. Gonna miss home, family and friends!

I reckoned that the coming days are gonna pass really fast. Soon, it'll be Christmas and New Year again. At the starting of my new term in the course I'm studying, I reckon that there will be more things to do and more obstacles to be overcome. Through my faith in Jesus, I believe that God will guide me and make a way for me. He is my Provider and He lights my path. Let me share with you these Bible verses: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:11-13)

To those out there, whether you are a Christian or not, God loves everyone of us and He is always there for you, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins when we are still sinners. By believing and accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are cleansed of our sins and become a renewed person. Through all the circumstances that we are facing, we can also give it to Jesus(Through prayer and believe(faith)) and rest in Him. Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Please pray for me that I will continue to abide to God's will and have my faith continue to be strengthened in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Till then, God bless and take care.

Jesus loves you. :-)

Two months ago

"Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39)

This post is actually a sequel to the 'two more days to go for opening ceremony' post. It has been delayed. So I decided that I should blog about my campus opening ceremony today. Before touching on the topic, these are some pictures taken two months ago.

From left: Gobi, Rome, me, Kirath, and Alvis

Me and Alvis

To cut things short, the pictures below can tell you the processes on how the two days of my campus opening ceremony went:

The night before the official opening ceremony, we met Adrian(the man in specs beside me)(He is the TV2 news broadcaster) and quickly grabbed the opportunity to snap a pic with him

We then saw this beautiful young lady (middle-person, with longest hair) and later found out that she is actually Miss Malaysia 2008! She and Adrian were the MC for the opening ceremony.

Workers cleaning the windows

Marquees (large tents) were set-up to hold the lunch reception. There's another one opposite it.

Bowls, plates........(for next day's lunch)

Inside the marquee

Dato Sri Samy Vellu came and inspected the campus that afternoon, see him?

Some of the preparations...

Some of the flowers from Cameron Highlands

An aerial view of my campus (model)

Inside the great hall to see the rehearsal of performers


Snapshots during the lighted-up-campus-night

Dentistry, engineering, business and IT faculty

The boys from left: Richard, Rome, Bong, me, and Alvis

The girls from left: Nicole, Rachel, Sherlyn, Tiffeny, Ai Ping, Elaine

Library at right and Medical faculty at left

As I was one of the ushers, it is compulsory for all ushers on that day to wear traditional costumes. So these are the pictures on the day of my campus' official opening ceremony:

Three different races: Kirath, me, and Rome


Aaron and I

A pic with our Prof.

From left: Rachel, me, Kelly(Malaysia Airlines air-stewardess look-alike) and Yee Ling

I shook hands with the PM, the man at right is our Vice-Chancellor

Our PM enjoying the daytime fireworks show. The fireworks were beautiful and I'm sure everyone enjoyed it.

Luncheon
A pic with our lecturer





More pics......

This is the whole summary on what took place during my campus opening ceremony...there are actually more things to talk about but the time doesn't allow for now. That day was indeed memorable and everyone was pretty tired at the end of the day(enjoyed very much though).

Till then, God bless.

Jesus loves you.