10th October, 2009 a.k.a 10.10.09, such a lovely date, isn't it? Such a lucky number to my dear hubby, the 10th child in his family. He used to play a soccer before and he wear number 10 jersey too. We even got engaged on the 10.10.98...
To my beloved hubby, hope today is really special, filled with love, laughter & joy, just like you make all of mine! Happy 37th birthday dear...
I received this email from a friend of mine, about 2 days ago. It's quite a long story but it's really touched my heart and now I want to share it with you all.
Father John Powell, a professor at LoyolaUniversity in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:
Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students’ file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy.
My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped. I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... Very strange.
Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.
When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?" I decided instantly on a little shock therapy.
"No!" I said very emphatically.
"Why not," he responded,
"I thought that was the product you were pushing." I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class.
I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line -- He will find you!
At least I thought it was clever.
Later, I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful. Then a sad report came.
I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe.
"Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick," I blurted out.
"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks." Tommy replied.
"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked.
"Sure, what would you like to know?" he replied.
"What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?"
"Well, it could be worse."
"Like what?"
"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life.."
I began to look through my metal file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange.
(It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)
"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!)
He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me.
Then you said, 'But He will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My clever line. He thought about that a lot!) .
"But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.....
Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit.
I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable.
I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: "The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.'"
So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him. "Dad."
"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.
"Dad, I would like to talk with you."
"Well, talk."
"I mean. It's really important."
The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"
"Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him.
"The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."
"It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years." I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to. "Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.'"
"Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour....But the important thing is that He was there. He found me...! You were right.....He found me even after I stopped looking for Him."
"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize.
To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that... He said: "God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in
him.''
"Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it."
"Oooh.. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class."
"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call."
In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date.
However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.
Before he died, we talked one last time.
"I'm not going to make it to your class," he said.
"I know, Tom."
"Will you tell them for me? Will you ...tell the whole world for me?"
"I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."
So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could.
If this story means anything to you, please pass it on to a friend or two. It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes.
With thanks,
Rev. John Powell, Professor, Loyola University,
Chicago
Raya is just around the corner. Eventhough I'm not celebrating it but I'll be more excited, I guess..ha..ha..I really miss those memories during Raya few years back in Lahad Datu. I've got lots of Muslim friends there. They know that my favourite food during Raya is Ayam Masak Merah and I also like to eat Kerepek Bawang, Kuih Siput and Kuih Makmur.
Everything is completely different here in Keningau or maybe because I'm still new here and I don't have many friends as in my own hometown, Lahad Datu. Most of the neighbours here prefer to send foods to our house instead of inviting us to their house! Even the Bazaar Ramadan during the fasting month is not quite happening compare to my hometown again! (Well, this is just my opinions).
Anyway, my hubby is planning for another family trip to somewhere during this Raya. Well, it's a school holidays too for about a week! Might be boring if we just stay at home, huh?
So, to my Muslim friends, wishing you all 'Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir & Batin'. Enjoy the celebration but make sure you don't eat too much oily foods!
I went to town with my mom and youngest brother today. Then, we decided to try the foods at the new restaurant here in Keningau. I was shocked when I stood in front of the entrance door because finally...finally...there's a quite standard restaurant in town! I used to bring my kids to KFC because most of the restaurants here are not very clean. I mean, the foods are okay but when you go to their kitchen, OMG! Yayyy....
However, this restaurant just started their business for a week (If I'm not mistaken). Therefore, I couldn't give too much compliments but at least, the deco' and the surrounding looks comfortable to me.
The Entrance Door
Outside the restaurant (Left side)
Outside the restaurant (Right side)
Mini bar on the 1st floor
I'm asking for their permission to take some more photos on the first floor, however I was ashamed because everybody is looking at me! They might be wondering who I am? Taking picture with her old damn handphone! LOL...so I only managed to take one picture.
See thru kitchen
Another thing that I like about this place is the see thru kitchen! Well, I'm quite fussy about the cleanliness of the kitchen but seems there is not much choice in my place, sometimes I just tutup mata, janji sedap...ha..ha..
Talking about the foods, I'm so happy too because my favourite Fried Chicken Rice (Wings) is so yummy. It reminds me of the Dovist Restaurant in Lahad Datu because I really miss the Fried Chicken Rice there...doi, tapunnn. The cold Milk Tea is yummy too!
Milk Tea (C)
My fav, Fried Chicken Rice (Wings)
Well, something funny happened during our meals but I don't want to share it here with you all. Otherwise I will keep on laughing while updating this blog...ha..ha..It's hard for me to stop laughing once I started to laugh for something which is really, really funny...oh...oh...I better stop because I can't forget those moments...anyway, thanks for the treat mom :-)
For those who will be going to Keningau, don't forget to stop by at this new restaurant. The price is quite reasonable and they SERVE NO PORK!
Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting means to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.
I'm not Muslim but I'm the one who will be so excited during this fasting season because it'll be lasting for a month! As we know, lots of variety foods and drinks will be sold. Most of the hotels in Sabah also will be starting their Ramadan Buffet but of course, the price will be quite expensive!
Everytime I go to the Pasar/Bazaar Ramadan, I'll be looking for ABC and Penang Assam Laksa. Not forgetting the Popiah, Karipap, Murtabak Sayur, etc. Unfortunately, the stalls here in Keningau is not quite 'happening' compare to Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu. That's why I only went to Pasar Ramadan once a week during fasting season last year! I really hope it'll be more 'happening' this year.
ABC
Penang Assam Laksa
Fried Popiah / Spring Rolls
To all my Muslim friends, Happy Fasting and to those non-Muslim, enjoy your trip to Pasar Ramadan starting tomorrow, 22nd Aug 09. My friend, John Bakar reminds me not to eat too much, otherwise...thanks for the advice John...LOL
The Catholic Church is not against tattoos or body piercing in general, but it does have a strict view of what is and is not acceptable for a Catholic to call "body art". The Catholic Church preaches that any act that damages ones body is sinful. Tattoos and piercing do not stop the breathing of their recipients. This is not to say that the Church is against body art, but body art that depicts anti-Christianity images such as gang signs, profanity, of images of gore.
Father Peter Joseph wrote in the "Latin Mass Journal of Catholic Culture and Tradition" a guide to what the Catholic Church deems acceptable.
1. In this time of disease, most rampantly spreading-HIV, doctors should be consulted about the possibility of needles entering the human body.
2. The content of an image also determines is offensive power to the Church. Multiple piercing and tattoos sometimes disfigure the people who sport them and are usually visually abrasive- demonic worship or images of mythical creatures that rival God, such as the Pegasus and the more popular minotaurs: These acts go against the First and Second Commandments," You shall have no other gods before Me: You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, respectively.
According to Father Joseph, the human body is not meant to be decorated with demonic images or images of great importance to the Church such as "The Crucifixion".
The Catholic Church does not have as rigid guidelines for piercing as tattoos. The only preferences are that the piercing be done in the ear. Multiple piercing are allowed, but should be limited in number and to women. The Catholic Church recognizes male piercing to a degree, but piercing that go against the multiple piercing preference are seen as an attempt for men to sexually disorient, make themselves more feminine. This perception arrives from the Catholic Church's ongoing Crusade against homosexuality.
The easier list to remember is what is allowed. Yes, for the lovers of today, being inked with the name of a spouse or mate is allowed. Minor representations of religious stature, crosses, are also accepted as long as the person receiving the images does relate the image to his or her toughness, but leave the tattoo to religious devotion. In lay mens' terms: Do not propagate the use of religious sacramental to boasting of an ego. Piercing should be kept to body parts that are always legal to show and are above the waist: In most cases, above the neck is even better. Size, color, and shape have no bearing on whether or not a piercing is demonic.
The guidelines set down by the Church are strict and offer little to no room for discrepancy. The Catholic Church does not ask its followers to abstain from the popular trends of today, but to moderate their usage and adhere to the " code of conduct" of such behaviors. The purpose of the Catholic Church's restrictions is not to lock Catholics in convents and monasteries, but to allow them to realize a life that meets the almost inconceivable balance of moral righteousness and the ability to have a good time.
Yeah, finally...I've got my own butterfly tattoo! Actually, I didn't plan to make a tattoo. I was in Kota Kinabalu (KK) for 3D/2N stay with my beloved hubby and kids. We were in KK to celebrate my belated birthday (21st July, 09). However, I took the chance to meet my long lost contact best friend, Ollie.
I supposed to meet my other friends too but they can't make it. Luckily Ollie and some of her family members are coming. We met at McDonald, CP and then I decided to visit the tattoo shop with Ollie. I'm so scared until my hands are shaking but I don't know how, suddenly I said I want to do it...he..he..Maybe because all the staffs there are very friendly and they advised me not to think much about the pain!
I'm really satisfied with my butterfly tattoo and I even want to make some more next time, perhaps another 3...ha..ha..For those who are planning to make a tattoo, don't be afraid but make sure you find a good place.
Therefore, for those who are in KK, I recommend you to go to Culture Shock, located in Centre Point, KK (Unit No 9, Ground Floor) or you may contact Mr Boc (016-8255949/017-8151243). This place is the first licensed tattoo shop in Sabah and for sure, all the staffs there are very friendly and they will give you more information or suggestion about it.
Hi friends, it's my 32nd birthday on the last 21st July, 2009. As usual, I received lots of birthday wishes thru sms and mms starting 00.01hrs! Honestly, I never bother about the special gifts that I'll received on my birthday. As long as my families and friends remember my birthday, that is enough to me.
It was heavy rain on the night of 21st July. So, we cancelled our intention to have dinner outside. Besides, I've been informed about the Tsunami prediction on the 22nd July. So, I prefer to stay at home! Luckily, nothing serious happened on that day but the weather in Keningau is more better compare to Kota Kinabalu (KK) as my friend told me.
Anyway, my hubby is planning to bring me and the kids to KK tomorrow, as my belated birthday celebration just among us...thanks dear, really appreciate it coz he knows that I really wanted to go to Big Apple Donuts...he..he..Well, hope I can upload more new photos soon.
To my friend Ollie, thanks for the gifts. It arrived exactly on my birthday, same as last year!
Dear God, thanks for your blessing too. I'm still alive at the aged of 32 with a good health and my loving family.
Hi friends, just want to let you know that I'll be very, very busy until the end of July. I've got something to do and won't be able to be online everyday as I used to. Anyway, I'll try my best to update my blog and my other networks whenever I'm free. For those who have Friendster or Facebook, please add me as well.
Today (21st June 2009) is our 6th wedding anniversary. A few minutes past midnight, I've got a suprised kiss from my dear hubby. I was sleeping at that time, in front of tv and our kids are laughing at us when they saw their daddy is kissing their mummy...ha..ha..
Honestly, I never think much about how we are going to celebrate it because the most important thing to me, is he didn't forget our anniversary date and we are still together, even after six years.
Actually, we've known each other since 1997. Both of us are very active in church activities, especially in choir and music. Then, we've got engaged in 10th October, 1998 (on his 26th birthday) and we've got married in 21st June, 2003. That's mean, we've been together for almost 12 years!! Quite long, huh? We've been through a lot of temptations, we quarrel most of the times and even almost broke up our relationship. Luckily, God is still with us. We managed to settle down everything in God's hands and finally, we got married and have 2 lovely kids!
My dear hubby, if you read this, I just want to let you know how lucky I am to have you as my prince charming. "YOU'RE EVERYTHING I COULD ASK FOR IN A HUSBAND - YOU MAKE MY LIFE COMPLETE". I love you and "NOTHING'S GONNA CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU".
Kristen_Stewart_5.jpg)
