I *heart* Kuching

July marks my 5th month away from home. *sigh*

As I was looking at the calender in June I realise that I had a free weekend mid-July so I grabbed the opportunity to go HOME! :)


Thursday (12 July)

I flew back on Thursday morning and arrived to the welcoming sight of car plate numbers with the letter "Q" in front. From there I went to visit my lovely darlings in SMK Green Road. I wasn't in time to see my students but I did get to catch the choir group practising for their competition in Phuket. (UPDATE: They achieved Bronze A category!!! Congratulations sweethearts!!)

(NOTE: Will try and upload a video of their practice...)

In the evening, I went to Serina and Albert's studio for core strength class just to help remind me how unfit I am after 5 months away.. (and yes... I REALLY AM unfit..). After class, went to see Serina for a surprise visit and a quick hug :)

Picture taken from here

Friday (13 July)

Friday was a special day. I had the privilege of attending the funeral of an aunty who passed away the week before. When I was growing up she was one of the people who in my eyes lived exemplary lives. Although her passing was a sad occasion, the fact that I was in town on the same day as her funeral made me happy because I then could say goodbye to her one last time.

"RIP Aunty Jolly. You've run the race and won; and now the Lord will call you "good, faithful servant". Will miss you dearly."


Saturday (14 July)

Saturday went by in a whim (sorry no pictures to show) as I met with so many groups from Runnat people to spending time at home (with the dogs too!!) and attending EYM (English Youth Ministry).

Dedicated to my EYMers:

Its been 5 months and I've missed each and everyone of you dearly. To miss out on your growth in Christ is a big bummer for me but I know that you are left in capable hands. Sonia is doing a great job and so is Roy. I look forward to that day where all of you blossom into wonderful men and women of God.

Sunday (15 July)

Nothing new for a Sunday morning :) Went to church and saw MANY familiar faces. It felt good to be back. From church, I went to theSpring for a lunch date with my lovely "SL" group. So nice to finally catch up with both of them and have a girly morning/noon/earlyafternoon outing :)))

The SLs : Sarah Lasung, Sharon Ling, Serina Lim having coffee after a good lunch :)

To top off the already awesome weekend, I then went for the Rainforest World Music Festival with friends (Brian, Joshua Wong, Jade, Jonathan, Sonia, Joshua Leo, Esther and Mabel).

[Top Left]: Brian, Sonia (with can), Mabel ; [Top Right]: Joshua Leo, me, Esther ; [Bottom]: Jade, Joshua Wong, Brian, Jonathan, me

The performances were at the most okay only (not THAT great) so we left early. But the best part of that trip were views like this:

View from Damai Sentral

AND this:

Damai Beach

 Sigh.. Life in Kuching really is the best. This kind of view so accessible in a short drive.


Monday (16 July)

Not much happened on Monday. It was basically just going around buying all the orders from KL :) Had breakfast with Joshua and Jonathan (and a group of his friends). Also met up with Jaime, Joanna and Dan in the afternoon and had dinner with Jaime, mum, Brian, Tanya, Adam and Rachael. :)

Jaime and Dan at Bing! Coffee (101Premier)

Tuesday (17 July)

I flew back early Tuesday morning to get some rest before I went back to work on Wednesday. While resting in the afternoon, I received a text from Jonathan that prayer meeting that night is a combined churches meeting.

I went with half my mind wishing I would skip prayer meeting just this time around.

BUT..

Making myself climb out of bed was the BEST decision ever. The prayer meeting focused on praying for each state of Malaysia and I felt so uplifted after the meeting. The intensity of my prayer for Sarawak (when the slide came up) increased many folds because I just got back from home and I could feel the Spirit of God aching for my homeland.

I was brought to tears as I prayed for Sarawak and till now I can still remember so vividly that emotion and fire running through me. So much so that 3 days later I sent out a message to all those I met up with while in Kuching of my experience:

Dearest friends,

It's already been almost 3 days since I left Kuching and my mind is still thinking of home. 

The long weekend back home was very refreshing for me and I thoroughly enjoyed myself meeting up with everyone. Thank you for all the fun get togethers and hanging out times.  You've made me fall in love with Kuching all over again.

Coming back from the trip to KL, I have a renewed sense of hope. Hope in Kuching's potential in every way. I went for combined churches prayer meeting on Tuesday and we prayed for each state in Malaysia. When the slide for Sarawak came up, many cheered and my heart soared.

Since then, everytime I think of Kuching, there is this fire and drive that burns so deeply and I realise that my love for the people of Sarawak is still so strong and want to serve them in whatever way I can. For the future, I plan to eventually go home to serve in within Sarawak itself. (However, I am open to wherever God sends me and should that be a different plan from what I have, I will go.)As of now, I will have to learn to make KL/PJ my home. I look forward to growing as an individual and learning as much as I can to better equip myself for things to come.

Do continue to pray for me as I embark on this journey and know that I do miss home very dearly! :') 

Take care all and thank you again for the awesome weekend ! 

Love, 

Sarah.

*************

I miss home. I really do. I left Kuching 5 months ago feeling honestly tired and a little burnt out. I needed to grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally but external (as well as certain internal) factors didn't allow me to. Coming over to where I am now has brought new insight to me and my learning curve grew exponentially. I went back home this time thoroughly enjoying myself only to find that I'm falling in love again with Kuching.

With all this feelings stirred up again, it brings new perspective into making future decisions. Where do I go long term? How can I serve the people back home best? Is this God's calling for me? Many questions that I ask myself daily but I know that in due time, God will reveal and lead me as He always had all these while. :)

(Just as I ended my message to my friends), Do pray for me as I embark on this journey.

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to those who miss home dearly and desperately :) I understand too.

Of Hugs and Kisses, XOXO

June 30th, 2012

The most ordinary day that means the world to me. :) One of my dearest friends got married (hip hip hooray!!)

Picture from here

Its been a while since I last went to Penang. So the last weekend spent there was really something that I looked forward to in a long time. But today, I'm not going to dwell on the trip. Allow me to just take a stroll down memory lane with my lovely roommates in UNIMAS.

My dearest girlfriends,

Its been 9 years since we've known each other! Oh how time flies!

I remember that fine day when we registered for university and I was with my friends and you were with yours. Yet lots of movement here and there caused us to end up in the same line together. How amazing it is that God put it in such a way that we four were clumped together into one room.

This then was the beginning of the adventures of CD141 (a.k.a Burping Gals)

Back when we so proud of our 2megapixel cameras.. :P (1st year in Uni)

On my 20th birthday. With my gals. (2nd year in Uni)

Beginnings are always tough but after initial adjustments, we pretty much couldn't be separated. We did almost everything together. From studying (Su Yin, this is you) to tennis (all four of us) to shopping, and eating; WE WERE INSEPARABLE. Years in Univerity passed by so quickly...

I remember when we got this we were all SO PROUD of it.. haha.. and how the colours matched the background

Here's proof! We really DID graduate! :)

3rd year went by so quickly. By the time we realised university was finishing, we all graduated! Time spent together was coming to an end and the future was filled with unknowns.

Even though our journey in UNIMAS ended, we knew this was never the end of our beautiful friendship. We made a promise that we must meet at least once a year. And till now, we've been faithful to that promise :) Thank you girls.

2007 - Kuching

2008 (April) - Dad's funeral - Kuching

2008 (October 4th) - Su Yin's wedding :) - Penang

2009 we didn't meet as a group but we did meet each other at different times. However, because we missed each other so much, we met in the beginning of 2010 back in the town where we first met. KUCHING :D

2010 - Kuching

Time flew by again so quickly. October 10th, 2010 came with the official news that Grace was getting married! :D

2011 (April 23rd) - Grace's wedding :) - Kota Kinabalu

By then, Christine was going out with Mike already and things seem to go well. But before she got hitched, we needed just one more meetup (whatever excuse to meet up right?). And so we did...

2011 (December) - Year end meet :) - Kuala Lumpur

Well, the next 2 photos is dedicated to Christine's wedding. Thank you my dear for allowing me to share the experience of such a beautiful wedding. After all that planning, it turned out SO well.

2012 (June 30th) - Christine's wedding :) - Penang

Su yin wasn't in this photo. She was on a plane ride from Tokyo to KL. I want to dedicate this section to her because she pretty much cut short her sampling trip in Japan to make it for Christine's wedding. Thank you dear for your sacrifice :). Although she did not make the church service in time....

2012 (June 30th) - Christine's reception (WITH SU YIN!!) - E&O Penang

She made it for the reception!*cheer*

I recently shared this with the girls and want to share it again:

"God knew.. He knew so well that we needed each other. Even many years down the road. It was all laid for us. Such a beautiful foundation of friendship. Nothing short of Divine. :) "

I can still remember so well. That one fine day when 4 lives would cross paths and create history.

Heavenly Father, I thank you SO deeply for these 3 girls whom you've put in my lives. You knew how much I needed them and till today I'm so grateful for them. You've given me angels that love me and care for me in so many ways. Thank you again. Amen.

My sweethearts, you've reminded me over the weekend how important friendships are. What more to say friendships that has crossed over into sisterhood. You all are amazing. I love you.

XOXO.

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to friendships that means the world to you. You need them.

p.p.s: So..gals, its the 10th year next year.. where should we go? :)