8 random facts about me

Tag from Sue Ern (and thanks for your own 8 random facts… very intriguing! ^ ^)

So here goes…

1) I know sign language, i.e. Signing Exact English (SEE). I picked it up from Jorena, a hearing impaired girl from Singapore whom I struck up a friendship with when I was in Perth. I actually surprised myself that I picked it up so quickly, that I was even able to do some basic interpretation of sermons for Jorena in church (my sign language might be a little rusty now though, through lack of use)

2) I don't like milk. Ever since I was a kid, I loathed having to drink milk. My brother was the total opposite who would drink the stuff straight out of the carton. To make up for my calcium and nutrition needs, mum (being the sensible mother she is) let me eat cheese and yoghurt instead. Remember those colourful milk packets we used to get in school that all the Malaysian primary school kids get excited about? I wasn't one of them. But I faithfully took my ration of milk packets everyday to give to my brother when I got home (although I don't like milk, it's sad that the government wants to suspend the programme)

3) I have a chipped front tooth. It happened over 3 years ago and till today, I still feel unhappy with myself for not being more careful. I was rushing out to catch a taxi to the airport -was flying to HK for a business trip. I tripped and fell down a flight of stairs, knocked my tooth against a step and chipped a corner off. I was horrified and upset. But managed to get a grip to call my office to cancel my flight and reschedule my appointments, then went back up to my flat to put down my luggage, then went down to catch a taxi to the nearest polyclinic. I was very sad about the chipped tooth for a long time, but since then I've gotten over it.

4) I had my first car accident 2 days after I got my drivers license. It was quite a traumatising experience for me. Thank God my good friend Wini was with me then. It happened along the road in front of Tshung Tsin. Another car was turning out from a street on my left… I jammed on the breaks but it was too late and we crashed. We stepped out of the car to investigate. The other guy was angry and started to scold us. Right at that moment, it started raining and I burst into tears. Couldn't help it lar, it was a worst case scenario come true for me. Needless to say I was grounded for the next couple of months.

5) I've never had chicken pox. When I was little, my mum tried to expose me to kids who had chicken pox so I would catch it and get it over and done with, but it never worked. By the time I was ready to leave for uni, I was still chicken-pox-less. So my mum decided to get me immunised against it to save me the hassle of having to come down with it while I was overseas. So till today, I am chicken-pox-free and hopefully will be till the day I die. Which reminds me… it's probably time for a check-up on when my next immunisation is due.

6) I love tea. I almost always choose tea over coffee. I prefer it without milk and love its crisp, clean taste. I like any kind of tea. Chinese tea, Green tea, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, herbal tea… My current favourite is Lipton Green Tea Vanilla.

7) The next one is quite naughty, and my parents might be shocked to hear this…. When I was in Pre-U, I went out on a blind date with someone I met over the Internet. It was the one and only time I ever did it. I went out with the guy two times in all, and after that I never went out with him again. It was a little difficult to shake him off my tail because he kept calling me at my house. But eventually I managed to close that case. I can't even remember his name now.

8) I used to be a tambourine dancer at my church back in KK. Yes! Yes! Can you believe it?!?! We were called the 'Miriam Dancers'. I had one of those long dresses, with flowy skirts. I believe I still have my old tambourine, somewhere around my house in KK. Nowadays kids know hip hop and contemporary dance. But the tambourine dance was pretty fun too! And not as easy as you think you know.

There you have it, 8 random facts about Serene.

I had WHAT for breakfast???

Yesterday morning, I had to get up at an ungodly hour of 6am!!!

Reason being was to get ready to attend a 7.30am breakfast meeting. The event was a briefing about Business Intelligence software and was held at the Burswood Hotel (I know… so fancy, yah!)

Anyway, the breakfast meeting was very good. They had two presentations on the latest trends and developments on Business Intelligence. The food was also superb -wouldn't have expected any less from Burswood anyway.

From a professional development point it was good because it just helped to further expand my knowledge of Business Intelligence software and how it was relevant for businesses today.

Aaaand just as importantly, from a life experience point… this breakfast meeting certainly added to my store of interesting life experiences. Now I can definitely say for sure (as I never was able to say this before) that I've had STEAK for breakfast.

Yup. That was breakfast. A big slab of juicy medium rare steak… with a poached egg on the side… with white sauce… and grilled tomato and asparagus.

Sorry no picture. I was sitting at a table filled with sober looking people in grey/black suits. Cannot act sakai there.

Should we???

We've been toying with the idea of going to UK/Europe for our next holiday.

For some reason, I feel quite 'sian' just thinking about it. Hubby seems quite keen, but I get bogged down by things like:

1. Cost (especially since much of our finances will be going toward our home)

2. Possibly starting a family soon (may not be fit to travel by then?)

3. Sounds exhausting (maybe I'm getting old for all this gadding about)

Hubby said it was my call. But he warned me that if we don't go soon, we might not get another chance to gad about until our kids are older.

Dunno lar... what do you think?

Moon cravings...

Current moonphase...



What does it mean?

Mooncake festival is coming soon!


(e-card from my tech-savvy parents)

Time to eat those yummy mooncakes!

Fun House

Extract from conversation after O2 Youth while we were organising transport for the youths...

Alvin: You and Meng How are sending me home right?

Me: Yes, that's right

Ling: And me too!

Alvin: Oh, cool! We get to sit in Meng How's car together... hey Meng How, I like your car you know!

Meng How: Uh, thanks.

Ling: And you can send me home last... send Alvin home first...

Me: Don't worry Ling, we can send you home first... it's not a problem

Ling: No! Pleeeease... send me home last.... pretty pleeeeease...

Me: *Confused* Why? Don't you want to go home and rest?

Benj: Hey, why you kids always don't wanna go home, hah???

Alvin: Haiya... last time when you were guys were young [hmmm... is he hinting something here?] I'm sure you guys always wanna go home as late as possible

Benj: No way, when I was young I always go straight home
to do my homework and sleep!

Ling and Alvin: YEAH RIGHT!!!

Me: OK, OK, OK... calm down everybody... fine, we'll drop Ling home last, no problem.

Ling: Yeeeeaaahhh!!!

Alvin: Eh, I have a better idea... why don't we just spend the night at Meng How and Serene's house!

Me: Ask Meng How.

Alvin: Meng How! Meng How! Can we sleep over at your house tonight??? Pleeeease...

Meng How: Caaan... but you didn't bring toothbrush or pyjamas... if you bring, then you can come.

Alvin: Alright then! Next week I will bring... then I can sleep over at your house!

Me (thinking to myself): Gosh, what are we getting ourselves into?

Alvin: Ling! You should come too! Meng How and Serene's house very fun one!

Me: Really? Why do you find it so fun?

Alvin: It's just fun lar! Got so many things to do... not like my house, so boring one! Trust me Ling, you must come... ask your mum if you can come

Ling: Sure, okay!

That's just a small preview of some of the 'excitement' we go through every Friday.

Anyway, in the end we made some arrangements for the kids to hang out at our house when their school holiday starts.

I felt quite happy to hear that someone really enjoyed hanging out at our place so much. And partly in a way, I am quite surprised too...

I've always wanted to have a nice house which I can craft into a beautiful home where friends and loved ones always feel welcome and feel at home. A place where I can extend hospitality to all kinds of guests and visitors.

However I sometimes feel I'm not really able to do that yet because I don't have my beautiful 'Martha Stewart' house with a lot of nice things... (like VUE kitchenware, Fisher & Paykel appliances, Wedgewood dining ware...) okaaay, a bit kuachang lar I know, but you get my drift....

But this conversation just reminded me again I don't need to have all that before I can start extending hospitality. In fact, I am already doing so right where I am. Which is simply opening our little home, our time, and our hearts to people around us. That's really all people need to feel at home in your house.

I feel so inspired --So tomorrow I shall wake up earlier to clean the house!

Amazed

Yesterday in cell, we had a look at one of the most beautiful parables in the Bible...

The Parable of The Lost Son
Gospel of Luke, 15th Chapter

There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

Not long after that, the younger son got together he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found

Behind the prosaic words is a beautiful picture of the Father Heart of God. How amazing is the love of our Heavenly Father!

No matter what I have done or not done, God's love is big enough to cover a multitude of sins.

Only by grace...

If that isn't enough to show you, have a look at this video

Or you can download the .wmv file here

Weekend eats @ home

Saturday brunch... rice pudding with mixed berry jam and meringue pieces

Saturday dinner.... beetroot and carrots roasted with oregano and red wine vinegar / orange, served with cottage cheese (we had them with a couple of sirloin steaks)

Sunday dinner... cheese fondue

Opportunity to use our fondue set Christmas present from 1C for the first time

No place I'd rather be

Was chatting with Audz on MSN yesterday. I miss hanging out with her and I asked her if she might decide to settle down in UK after all... "No, I'll definitely go back to Perth!"... good lar, still I'm keeping my fingers crossed... 'cause you'll never know, she might meet someone, then fall in love, and the story goes on... "never say never" I always say.

I came across this song - which was the Singapore NDP 2007 theme song

There's no place I'd rather be
Music & Lyrics: Jimmy Ye

I've walked the streets of Cairo and Bombay
I've seen the neon signs on old Broadway
I've climbed the Eiffel Tower
The Great Wall in one hour
Experienced sweet and sour but that's okay

Seen Hollywood, the sunsets in LA
The London Bridge, Big Ben, Thames
I've crossed the River Kwai
Yet still I don't know why
I think of you each night and every day

There's no place I'd rather be
You'll always be a part of me
And even though I've roamed the world
It's still me home I long to see

This is where my family
And my friends grew up with me
So I'll cross the skies and sail the seas
To be where I wanna be

'Cause there's no place I'd rather be

Nice song eh? I admit that beats Malaysia's 2007 National Day theme song 'Malaysia Gemilang' hands down.

I like the song not just because it has a nice tune, Kit Chan's beautiful voice singing to it, but also because I can really relate to the lyrics.

Everyone has a special place that just holds their heart. It could be their hometown, or the place they spent a significant amount of time in, or a place that where they created the best memories in.

I wouldn't say I've roamed the world... but I've traveled to and lived in a few cities in other countries. And every place I've been to has never failed to add to my treasure trove of memories.

It annoys me sometimes when people say things like "Why Perth? Sydney/Melbourne more exciting, Perth is so dead!" or "Nothing to do in KK... very boring there lar" or "So you were from [name of school/university] huh?" *gives me this feel-so-sorry-for-you-my-school-is-so-much-cooler look*

Uhuh...yah... okaaay... What do you want me to say?

When you love a place... you just love it. Even if there are no logical reasons why. (It's possible that even when I might be the only person of my 'gang' left, I will still love a place purely for the sake of the memories that left an imprint on my life while I was there).

I'm not arguing that my city/town/school/home/family is better than yours. That's your place. I have my own.

You can turn up your nose and boast about all the wonderful things about 'your place'. And I won't deny that what you say is true. Because how can I ever expect you to understand. You are a stranger. You don't know this place and this place doesn't know you. You can choose to look beyond and get to know us, but that's up to you.

You might see every part there is to see about my place. It's not a big place anyway... but until you open your heart, you will leave this place without ever really 'getting' it.

You probably have never had your own 'mountain' to climb and explore every day after school.

And you probably will never experience the excitement of having the first shopping mall/department store/McDonalds/Burger King/Starbucks/Coffee Bean opened in your town.

Would you ever know the satisfaction and pride of making your own poms-poms using nothing but some rafia string and a plastic chair.

Or what about chillin' out barefoot outside on your front lawn on a warm summer evening, playing 'Hearts' and 'Cho Tai Ti', and laughing so hard until it hurts.

Or the thrill of sneaking out with 3 giggly girls at night in the dark to rummage through neighbours' junk.

And only a select few would know the sheer pleasure of catching and cooking your own flower crabs in the lazy afternoon sun, and later sucking the sweet meat from the shells of all those 87 crabs.

You probably have your own place and memories. This is my place and these are my memories. So there's no need to be condescending.

Hit the right spot

Started the day at the office with a relaxing massage.

"What????" you say...

Yes, you heard that right!

(BTW, hubby had the same reaction when I told him this morning that I'd be having another man's hands all over my body today)
*cheeky grin*

This is new creative scheme from our boss to keep us happy and healthy. So once a month, masseur Luke from Bodyworks will come in to knead our stiff necks and sore backs, and rub our stresses and aches away.

Our PA has it all organised--we have a little roster to take turns for half an hour sessions each with Luke.

Super relaxing man! I haven't enjoyed a massage in a long time. Can't imagine how I've gone on for so long without one. There's a particular muscle just behind my left shoulder blade that is especially tensed--so it really felt so good to have Luke's expert fingers get right into that spot.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next session!

Here's to another 10 years!!!

On Saturday, the girls got all got dolled up for Grace... our church's 10th Anniversary ball...



We had a fantastic night of celebration, dancing, superb food, memorable speeches, reminiscing good ol' days of humble beginnings, and enjoying the company of good friends.



A bold move... the organisers decided to include a free-flow of alcohol that night...



But no worries... everyone was having such a good time catching up, fellowshipping, and dancing to the music by the live Jazz quartet to bother with getting high. I myself ONLY had a glass of white wine, a sip of red wine, half a glass of shandy and a lemon lime bitters.

The dancing was especially fun! Did I mention that hubby and I have been going for dance classes every Sunday for the past few weeks? (sneak peek of our dance class pics here and here). We learnt the Cha-Cha, Waltz and Jive. But in the end at the Ball, we abandoned all the weeks of dance instruction and practice and just dance anyhow the way we felt like. Only 3 guys asked me to dance though... hubby, Joel--one of the youths, and little Christopher (well actually with Christopher, it was more like a half dance with him between me and hubby)... but they were all great partners and I had fun time!

So here we are with 10 years behind us as a church... but the best is yet to come--so here's to another 10 years!!!

More photos of the ball on my multiply site >>here

Perky Monday

Feeling very happy and perky today. Very unusual for a Monday -which is good!

Perhaps it's because Spring is officially here… and the weather is beginning to turn warmer. Sunshiny weather today with clear blue sky.

Or perhaps it's because I had a good long sleep last night. I went to bed early at 10pm to recover from the effects of the exciting weekend (more on that later). 9 solid hours of sleep -aaaaahhhh!!! I slept so soundly that I didn't even hear hubby stumbling into bed later at around midnight.

So I woke up fresh and bright this morning all ready to tackle another week.

Catch ya later, sleepyheads!

Live in the moment?

I recently heard this quote from the TV series 'Time of Your Life'. I've never followed this series, but when I overheard the first few lines it caught my attention that I stopped to listen to the rest..

The only problem with forgetting about the past, not thinking about the future, living for the moment is… it’s impossible. You can’t forget about your past because your past is what makes you who you are in the present. And you can’t not worry about your future because if you stop worrying about your future, the present will fall apart. You can try living for the moment, and you can try burning the candle at both ends - it gives a lovely light - but in the end your fingers just get burnt twice as badly. You have to be pragmatic. The past is gone; it has its repercussions still but it’s gone. The future’s ahead of you. You can have as many fantasies as you want about it but you have to be prepared for anything and everything. No matter how unpleasant it might be.

Profound but true.

I am not a 'live for the moment' kind of person. I like to reflect on my past, and I can recollect some childhood memories very clearly. I used to think this was a bad thing, always dwelling in the past and all that.

What about the future? Well there's a verse in the bible which says that we are not to worry about the future.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

Gospel of Matthew, Sixth Chapter

So what then?

Well, seems like I need to balance past, present and future because they are all interconnected. It's okay to remember the past, because it is a part of who I am. Knowing who I am will help me in making choices in the present. The future is still yet to come, but the choices I make in the present will determine my future.

At the same time... there is nothing wrong with enjoying the present... before it becomes the past.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matthew 6:27