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? :)

Daddy's Day

(June 17, 2012)

"Come to the Father
Though your gift is small
Broken hearts, broken lives
He will take them all"

Today is Father's Day.

4 years ago, my heart was broken, my dream was shattered. Today I was reminded of that shattered dream and that brokenness. Never will I be able to walk down the aisle with Daddy by my side. Yet, today too, I am reminded that God above is also my Father and that He will be my guide.

Coming out of service today, I have a renewed hope. New dreams can be created and my heart can be mended. Its just whether I'm willing to allow myself to go through that process :)

But there will always be there special place for both Dads in Heaven and would like to take this opportunity to say Happy Father's Day to them.

I miss you much Daddy.

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

I wrote this 2 weeks ago. Like any typical Sunday, I went for church service. During the service, the pastor talked about the role of the Father and used the analogy of the Wedding March where the father will walk the daughter down the aisle. Watching the "models" act according to the sermon made me think about my wedding in the future (if it ever were to happen). Hence my reaction.

But the Good Lord reminded me again, that although my dreams were shattered, He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me (Deut 31:6). Everything happens for a reason and that I just needed to trust in Him.

The pain of losing my daddy 4 years ago would probably never go away, but together with that pain, I have many years of loving memories with him. One of my favourite memories is when daddy was bedridden and I had just bought a new dress. I asked him if he wanted to see me wear it and he nodded his head (by then he couldn't speak any more). I changed into the gown and climbed a stool so that he could see the full dress. When I told him to open his eyes, he saw me. He cried. Yet, between the tears I could see the smile in his eyes.

He was proud of me.

He LOVED me. It was all there in that moment.

I could feel it.

And till today, I remember it.

Bringing it back to that broken dream again, God again reminded me through his Word that "all is well"

For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." ~Jeremiah 29:11~

All is well indeed.

Ciao.

p.s:  Here's to those who has had dreams shattered before. There is hope still.

So, how's life?

Recently I was shown a link to a blog and started reading it. This then got me blog surfing and I came across a few nice ones. One in particular interested me because it talked about life teaching in a rural school in Sarawak. To see someone keeping his blog for so long reminded me of my friend who also kept his blog for the longest time. (It's kinda in hiatus now because of matrimonial preparations).

Long story short, this trail of reading blog posts sparked something within me. I remembered my blog and how I enjoyed pouring out my writing. I remembered the feeling when I always end my blog with a shout out to all those going through similar experiences as me. I remembered too that even though no one really read my blog, I knew I had a voice. A voice that spoke my hearts' content and a voice that was true to me.

I looked back at my old posts and wanted to see what went through my mind then :)

Posts like this; reminded me of my passion and what I love. Posts like this and this; reminded me of my conviction. Post like this, this and this; just made me smile. :)

So here I am again. Starring at the screen wondering if I should take this plunge for the 3rd time (Yes, that's how many times I've left my blog only to come back to it again) and give blogging another go. To give a promise that this will be forever would probably be a lie but I do want to see where blogging this time around takes me.

In the last year (since my last post), many things happened. Many happiness and sorrows to share but I will be selective of my posts. I want this blog to be impactful even if it means just to one reader out there.

With exciting jumps in my heart, I'm signing off again after a 9 month break. :)

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to all those who has read my blog before. Thank you.

Twitter Noob

Well, just a light post..

I gave twitter a try before and never hooked on.. Today I gave it a try again and I seem to be getting it a little.. Even got a reply from one of my friends.. Yay!

Yes people.. I'm a twitter noob.. Took me 2 years to figure something out and show progress.. *sigh*

HAHAHA...

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to entertaining moments in life.. Cheers!

A lil' absence makes the heart go yonder...

Right.. In regards to the title.. Nothing of relation actually..

Just wanted to use it.. :D heeee!~

Well, just dropping a note, cause I noticed that in April I really got the ball rolling on blog posts and I suddenly disappeared for May.. for a very simple reason.. I have 2 big exams to prepare for and at this point in time, one is over and one is coming up this weekend.. *shudder*.. In between these 2 exams, I have school exams to prepare for and also TONS of paper to mark..

Let me boil it down for you.. I teach Biology right? 2 form 5 classes, 2 form 4 classes... Which makes it (Form 5 x 3 papers) + (Form 4 x 2 papers) = 6 + 4 = 10 classes worth of papers to mark... Lets call them 10 stacks...

On top of that, I'm also teaching Bible Knowledge Form 4 & 5.. = 2 stacks..

Therefore 10 stacks + 2 stacks = 12 stacks... So all this marking on top of my studying has taken a toll on my  blogging frequency :D.. But fret not readers.. I'll be back with a vengence.. when I can actually find the time... Hahaha.. =)

Well the good news is.. I've completed 4 stacks.. and 4 are halfway done.. but 4 left untouched.. Yipee Yay!! *clap clap clap*

Alrights.. better get back to marking!! Cheerios!

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to all you teachers in the same boat.. Let us carry this burden together... Cheers!!

How Great Thou Art...

Saw this from Yahoo! News...



Heavenly Father,


         How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art...


Amen.

There. nuff' said.

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to everyone. How Great indeed is the Lord Almighty..

Good Friday: The bleeding hands and feet...

Passage Taken from Matthew 27:


Jesus Before Pilate


 ¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

   “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

 ¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

 ¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. ¹⁶At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus^[b] Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

 ¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

 ²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

 ²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

   “Barabbas,” they answered.

 ²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

   They all answered, “Crucify him!”

 ²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

   But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

 ²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

 ²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

 ²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

 ²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. ²⁸They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. ³⁰ They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. ³¹ After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

 ³² As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. ³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁶ And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. ³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 ³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus

 ⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^[d]

 ⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

 ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

 ⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

 ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

 ⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

 ⁵⁵ Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. ⁵⁶ Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,^[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

THANK YOU, JESUS for your love for me.

When I Fall in Love...

I was having a swim this evening (a very much needed swim.. hehe).. Anyway, as I was swimming, the waterpark was blasting songs with their new sound system. One of the songs played was an instrumental version of Nat King Cole's ~ "When I Fall in Love".

Hearing that put me in such a sentimental mood (jiwang lah tu..) and to top it off, one of my dearest friend is tying the knot in 3 days time.. !!!!!! (So exuberantly excited!!)

So just for kicks, here's the video from Youtube that I'm currently listening to over and over again.

That's it for now,

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to all the brides-to-be.. Cheers!!

Sarawak State Elections 2011

Its a historical time. One of the hottest election ever. Highest ever registered number of new voters. I've done my part. Cast my "X".

How bout' you?

Its so interesting to see many of the younger generation really concerned of their state. So much so that even those who are still under-age are also having their say in this. Just take a look around facebook. Everyone has something to say. But ONE comment caught my eye. It was of a 17 year old girl that posted this song and prayed the best for her city..

Here it is readers: -

God of this City   (by Chris Tomlin)

You're the God of this city

You're the King of these people

You're the Lord of this nation

You are

You're the Light in this darkness

You're the Hope to the hopeless

You're the Peace to the restless

You are

There is no one like our God

There is no one like our God

Chorus:

For greater things have yet to come

Greater things are still to be done

In this City

Greater things have yet to come

Greater things are still to be done

Here

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

Lord, let your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven...

Ciao.

p.s.: Here's to all those voting for the first time like me!! Cheers!!