Another 7 Eleven competitor.
This shop was in the same row as Seven to Seven.
I wonder what will happen if we made noise. Trust me, it's really dark at night
This sign was along a route to our chalet..
21 March 2010
Unusual Signs
This one was taken at a Chinese restaurant selling Curry Mee.
Another 7 Eleven competitor.
This shop was in the same row as Seven to Seven.
I wonder what will happen if we made noise. Trust me, it's really dark at night
This sign was along a route to our chalet..
Another 7 Eleven competitor.
This shop was in the same row as Seven to Seven.
I wonder what will happen if we made noise. Trust me, it's really dark at night
This sign was along a route to our chalet..
02 March 2010
A trip back to nature
In January this year, my office had a retreat to Taman Negeri Endau Rompin. On the way there, we came across globs of elephant poo on the road. That was interesting and a bit scary for the 30+ of us. The "resort" is located about 16km from the main road.
I am always very apprehensive about this kind of retreats. Earlier I attended one in Sungkai and that was a culture shock for me! It was like one of those NS camps.
Our accommodation in Endau Rompin was quite simple. We had to walk about 500m from the common area.
I stayed in an A-shaped hut with two beds and it has an attached bathroom! The only problem was it was naturally ventilated and we are always on the watch out for any insects that might have sneaked in.
After discovering a scorpion along the pathway, I was more careful in toilets and definitely no more short cuts! Anyway the water supply was from the river and it's only pumped up to tanks once a day.
So the water from the taps does look murky at times. Anyway my room mate & I have been brushing our teeth with mineral water. The organiser kept wondering why the mineral water bottles seemed to disappear so fast. I guess most of the others were doing the same!
The "resort" is located along the river and the water in the river is crystal clear. Some of us went for a dip in the rapids and it was definitely refreshing.
During our meetings and discussion, we had some "locals" joining us in the meeting room ...leeches. As we had to take off our shoes in the meeting room (so as to not offend the "locals"), we had to resort to wearing socks and keep our legs on the chair pedestal.
The management had our full attention throughout the retreat because the place had no handphone reception. Our Blackberry, HTC and any other handphones became useless in the meeting room. At times, my colleague sitting next to me will be showing me how to fly a plane on his HTC while I only had Solitaire to keep me occupied. We can only receive Maxis and Digi line but at selected locations only. During my free time when my other colleagues went for their prayers, I will be scouting around the place for the best reception area. So far under the tree in front of the meeting room and the light pole at the courtyard area are the best because we can get two bars reception!
After spending two nights there without airconditioning (it was quite cooling at night) and surprising no mosquitoes at all, I was dying to leave the place. I took the fastest way out by following one of my bosses in his car instead of following the bus! We stopped at the petrol station in Endau and I was again reminded of God's lovely creation when we spotted a grasshopper on the car windscreen.
I guess some times we need to go back to our basics in life. We have begun to rely a lot on our electronic gadgets that we have forgotten to enjoy the simpler things in life.
I am always very apprehensive about this kind of retreats. Earlier I attended one in Sungkai and that was a culture shock for me! It was like one of those NS camps.
Our accommodation in Endau Rompin was quite simple. We had to walk about 500m from the common area.
I stayed in an A-shaped hut with two beds and it has an attached bathroom! The only problem was it was naturally ventilated and we are always on the watch out for any insects that might have sneaked in.
After discovering a scorpion along the pathway, I was more careful in toilets and definitely no more short cuts! Anyway the water supply was from the river and it's only pumped up to tanks once a day.
So the water from the taps does look murky at times. Anyway my room mate & I have been brushing our teeth with mineral water. The organiser kept wondering why the mineral water bottles seemed to disappear so fast. I guess most of the others were doing the same!
The "resort" is located along the river and the water in the river is crystal clear. Some of us went for a dip in the rapids and it was definitely refreshing.
During our meetings and discussion, we had some "locals" joining us in the meeting room ...leeches. As we had to take off our shoes in the meeting room (so as to not offend the "locals"), we had to resort to wearing socks and keep our legs on the chair pedestal.
The management had our full attention throughout the retreat because the place had no handphone reception. Our Blackberry, HTC and any other handphones became useless in the meeting room. At times, my colleague sitting next to me will be showing me how to fly a plane on his HTC while I only had Solitaire to keep me occupied. We can only receive Maxis and Digi line but at selected locations only. During my free time when my other colleagues went for their prayers, I will be scouting around the place for the best reception area. So far under the tree in front of the meeting room and the light pole at the courtyard area are the best because we can get two bars reception!
After spending two nights there without airconditioning (it was quite cooling at night) and surprising no mosquitoes at all, I was dying to leave the place. I took the fastest way out by following one of my bosses in his car instead of following the bus! We stopped at the petrol station in Endau and I was again reminded of God's lovely creation when we spotted a grasshopper on the car windscreen.
I guess some times we need to go back to our basics in life. We have begun to rely a lot on our electronic gadgets that we have forgotten to enjoy the simpler things in life.
19 January 2010
A Simple Prayer
Author Unknown, Source Unknown
My son Gilbert was eight years old and had been in Cub Scouts only a short time. During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of wood and four tires and told to return home and give all to "dad."
That was not an easy task for Gilbert to do. Dad was not receptive to doing things with his son. But Gilbert tried.
Dad read the paper and scoffed at the idea of making a pine wood derby car with his young, eager son. The block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.
Finally, mom stepped in to see if I could figure this all out. The project began.
Having no carpentry skills, I decided it would be best if I simply read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did. I read aloud the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn't do.
Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car. A little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom).
Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids cars and was feeling pretty proud of his "Blue Lightning," the pride that comes with knowing you did something on your own.
Then the big night came. With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride in his heart we headed to the big race.
Once there my little one's pride turned to humility. Gilbert's car was obviously the only car made entirely on his own. All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed.
A few of the boys giggled as they looked at Gilbert's, lopsided, wobbly, unattractive vehicle. To add to the humility Gilbert was the only boy without a man at his side. A couple of the boys who were from single parent homes at least had an uncle or grandfather by their side, Gilbert had "mom."
As the race began it was done in elimination fashion. You kept racing as long as you were the winner. One by one the cars raced down the finely sanded ramp.
Finally it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest looking car there. As the last race was about to begin, my wide eyed, shy eight year old ask if they could stop the race for a minute, because he wanted to pray. The race stopped.
Gilbert hit his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between his hands. With a wrinkled brow he set to converse with his Father.
He prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half. Then he stood, smile on his face and announced, "Okay, I am ready."
As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car sped down the ramp. Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy's car.
Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud "Thank you" as the crowd roared in approval.
The Scout Master came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and asked the obvious question, "So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?"
To which my young son answered, "Oh, no sir. That wouldn't be fair to ask God to help you beat someone else. I just asked Him to make it so I don't cry when I lose."
Children seem to have a wisdom far beyond us. Gilbert didn't ask God to win the race, he didn't ask God to fix the outcome, Gilbert asked God to give him strength in the outcome.
When Gilbert first saw the other cars he didn't cry out to God, "No fair, they had a fathers help."
No, he went to his Father for strength.
Perhaps we spend too much of our prayer time asking God to rig the race, to make us number one, or too much time asking God to remove us from the struggle, when we should be seeking God's strength to get through the struggle.
Gilbert's simple prayer spoke volumes to those present that night. He never doubted that God would indeed answer his request. He didn't pray to win, thus hurt someone else, he prayed that God supply the grace to lose with dignity.
Gilbert, by his stopping the race to speak to his Father also showed the crowd that he wasn't there without a "dad," but his Father was most definitely there with him. Yes, Gilbert walked away a winner that night, with his Father at his side.
My son Gilbert was eight years old and had been in Cub Scouts only a short time. During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of wood and four tires and told to return home and give all to "dad."
That was not an easy task for Gilbert to do. Dad was not receptive to doing things with his son. But Gilbert tried.
Dad read the paper and scoffed at the idea of making a pine wood derby car with his young, eager son. The block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.
Finally, mom stepped in to see if I could figure this all out. The project began.
Having no carpentry skills, I decided it would be best if I simply read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did. I read aloud the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn't do.
Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car. A little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom).
Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids cars and was feeling pretty proud of his "Blue Lightning," the pride that comes with knowing you did something on your own.
Then the big night came. With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride in his heart we headed to the big race.
Once there my little one's pride turned to humility. Gilbert's car was obviously the only car made entirely on his own. All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed.
A few of the boys giggled as they looked at Gilbert's, lopsided, wobbly, unattractive vehicle. To add to the humility Gilbert was the only boy without a man at his side. A couple of the boys who were from single parent homes at least had an uncle or grandfather by their side, Gilbert had "mom."
As the race began it was done in elimination fashion. You kept racing as long as you were the winner. One by one the cars raced down the finely sanded ramp.
Finally it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest looking car there. As the last race was about to begin, my wide eyed, shy eight year old ask if they could stop the race for a minute, because he wanted to pray. The race stopped.
Gilbert hit his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between his hands. With a wrinkled brow he set to converse with his Father.
He prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half. Then he stood, smile on his face and announced, "Okay, I am ready."
As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car sped down the ramp. Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy's car.
Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud "Thank you" as the crowd roared in approval.
The Scout Master came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and asked the obvious question, "So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?"
To which my young son answered, "Oh, no sir. That wouldn't be fair to ask God to help you beat someone else. I just asked Him to make it so I don't cry when I lose."
Children seem to have a wisdom far beyond us. Gilbert didn't ask God to win the race, he didn't ask God to fix the outcome, Gilbert asked God to give him strength in the outcome.
When Gilbert first saw the other cars he didn't cry out to God, "No fair, they had a fathers help."
No, he went to his Father for strength.
Perhaps we spend too much of our prayer time asking God to rig the race, to make us number one, or too much time asking God to remove us from the struggle, when we should be seeking God's strength to get through the struggle.
Gilbert's simple prayer spoke volumes to those present that night. He never doubted that God would indeed answer his request. He didn't pray to win, thus hurt someone else, he prayed that God supply the grace to lose with dignity.
Gilbert, by his stopping the race to speak to his Father also showed the crowd that he wasn't there without a "dad," but his Father was most definitely there with him. Yes, Gilbert walked away a winner that night, with his Father at his side.
04 January 2010
Balik kampung
Just before the end of last year, we went on a family trip to Cameron Highlands. My better half told the kids that we were going back to my kampung. Yes, that's right I was born in Cameron Highlands but never stayed there long...( a week I was told)
The hospital I was born in is still there but has been converted into a Pusat Kesihatan. This time we just had a relax time just shopping around. In terms of shopping there's really nothing much in Cameron Highlands. Just about every shop sells the same thing...strawberry umbrella, balls, pillows, key chains, t-shirts and of course the real strawberries.
Then there's vegetables, dried flowers and cacti everywhere too.
But one of my favorite place is called Multi Crops Central Market. The complex is not really a market, but more of a landscaped garden filled with an array of plants, cacti, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs that you can purchase. There is also a cafe inside with tables situated strategically around the garden so you can have a peaceful afternoon tea.
This time round I bought two hearts shapes plant hangers made by the Orang Asli. The ivory plants were bought in KL.
I also bought two glass pots with cactus in them.
In evening we went to the night market at Brinchang. This time we found a stall selling Strawberry Fried Ice.
My Preteen bought a cup and it must have been good because she bought another one the 2nd night.
Then there was a guy selling honey sticks by scraping of pieces from the honey comb.
That we didn't try.
Well, these were some of the higlights of the trip.
The hospital I was born in is still there but has been converted into a Pusat Kesihatan. This time we just had a relax time just shopping around. In terms of shopping there's really nothing much in Cameron Highlands. Just about every shop sells the same thing...strawberry umbrella, balls, pillows, key chains, t-shirts and of course the real strawberries.
Then there's vegetables, dried flowers and cacti everywhere too.
But one of my favorite place is called Multi Crops Central Market. The complex is not really a market, but more of a landscaped garden filled with an array of plants, cacti, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs that you can purchase. There is also a cafe inside with tables situated strategically around the garden so you can have a peaceful afternoon tea.
This time round I bought two hearts shapes plant hangers made by the Orang Asli. The ivory plants were bought in KL.
I also bought two glass pots with cactus in them.
In evening we went to the night market at Brinchang. This time we found a stall selling Strawberry Fried Ice.
My Preteen bought a cup and it must have been good because she bought another one the 2nd night.
Then there was a guy selling honey sticks by scraping of pieces from the honey comb.
That we didn't try.Well, these were some of the higlights of the trip.
15 December 2009
I'm Yours(ukulele)
one of my young learned friends send me this clip thru msn...check it out & its quite hillarious...
02 December 2009
Quackaton
Quackaton:
Happening today (Wed) at 12pm! bring your friends along for fun! As we release rubber duckies unto the "Taj Mahal" ! The first few quacks falling into the pool will be winners!! Quacking duckies are still for sale until 10:30am today!
That’s what happened today in uni.
My boss officiated the events with the toy gun given to him. BTW he's the cool one with the coat (Definitely not the one on the right!) He is the assistant director for Techflow Christmas Production 2009 and the lady in the centre is the director for the production.
The little ducks were sold for RM 5.00 and released into our cascading pool. The proceeds from the sale of ducks will be going to three beneficiaries.
Here's all the ducks "racing" down the pool.
Actually the ducks had some help from the people with oars on the side of the pool and guy with the blower.
Here's the winning duck which went home with an MP3.
Have you ever seen a christmas tree decorated with ducks?
After a long day with two meetings, a pleasant lunch with a young learner friend and the quackaton, I found a little duck on my car windscreen.
So my little duck finally found a place on my car dashboard "rush"ing with me everywhere.
Happening today (Wed) at 12pm! bring your friends along for fun! As we release rubber duckies unto the "Taj Mahal" ! The first few quacks falling into the pool will be winners!! Quacking duckies are still for sale until 10:30am today!
That’s what happened today in uni.
My boss officiated the events with the toy gun given to him. BTW he's the cool one with the coat (Definitely not the one on the right!) He is the assistant director for Techflow Christmas Production 2009 and the lady in the centre is the director for the production.
The little ducks were sold for RM 5.00 and released into our cascading pool. The proceeds from the sale of ducks will be going to three beneficiaries.
Here's all the ducks "racing" down the pool.
Actually the ducks had some help from the people with oars on the side of the pool and guy with the blower.
Here's the winning duck which went home with an MP3.
Have you ever seen a christmas tree decorated with ducks?
After a long day with two meetings, a pleasant lunch with a young learner friend and the quackaton, I found a little duck on my car windscreen.
So my little duck finally found a place on my car dashboard "rush"ing with me everywhere.
15 November 2009
The Monkey and the Fish Part 1
The book starts off by calling the church to become a different kind of movement, known for its compassion rather than condemnations.
One of the example of how we can use creative forms, methods and practices for sharing the gospel with the new generation is found in James Choung Story at http://youtube.com
As you read the book, you will discover that the third culture is not a trend or a new thing but the heart of God...in fact God is third culture.
Third culture is not only about geography or skin color or languauge. For the third culture people, home is wherever Jesus is. Third culture is the bearing of pain to love those who are not like you.
One of the example of how we can use creative forms, methods and practices for sharing the gospel with the new generation is found in James Choung Story at http://youtube.com
As you read the book, you will discover that the third culture is not a trend or a new thing but the heart of God...in fact God is third culture.
Third culture is not only about geography or skin color or languauge. For the third culture people, home is wherever Jesus is. Third culture is the bearing of pain to love those who are not like you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)