Alvin's Wedding - July 2008

The wedding was held at Cyberjaya and I’m glad one of my colleague willing to send us there. Otherwise, I will definitely have to learn to drive there. Very long journey tho. I was kind of excited to attend the wedding as my friend told me that the ceremony will be held at the garden and followed by dinner at the restaurant. I always dream to have my wedding in the garden as well..haha..and that’s why I was looking forward to see.

It was a very simple and nice ceremony. We sang hymm and the pastor gave a short msg and blessed the couple. Really happy for Alvin, finally he has grown up. Hmm…I wonder when is my turn.. :P

(sitting infront is our driver, Justin)(here comes the bride) (very important person...cuz he has the rings)

(Pastor giving speech)

(Group pics now..)



(time to kiss the bride)

(Alvin is so tired)

(lucky man.. ladies at the right and left)

Another birthday celebration – MY BOSS (29/7/08)!!

Phew!! After my birthday, there goes another birthday celebration again for my boss. The plan was fully organized by me. :) I asked my colleague to in-charge to get a cake and myself in-charged to get a birthday card. I went to MPH and bought a big birthday animated card. I also personally bought a gift to my boss, Irene. This was my first time having this kind of arrangement for the past 4 years. I just thought I want to do something for my boss as a token of appreciation.

On her actual day, I get all the team to sign on the card and bring them in to Irene’s office to sing her a birthday song. She was so happy and thankful. I believe other colleagues who heard the singing would envy my boss. Well, she deserves it. She is really a wonderful boss I ever had. I wrote her a thank you card and with present. She just loved it and asks me not to waste money next time. I told her I wanted to because I really want to thank her for the support and guidance that she has given me all these years. :)

My Birthday Celebration (21/7/08)

Again, I have grown another year wiser. Yea, I’m 31 this year. Although every year I wished there will be someone special to celebrate with me, however, God said it is still not the time yet. Nevertheless, I still thank God for the friends and family members that God has given to me.

I had a very memorable birthday celebration this year. That day I feel like I’m a princess. I don’t need to do anything, I don’t need to drive and I don’t need to pay anything on that night. Kenny & Ah Yat came to fetch me and my sis. We went to our favorite hangout place, Outpost in Cineleisure. As usual we had our dinner and followed by board games. I was so happy and surprised when Hazel turned up. I thought she can’t make it when I ask her in the morning but eventually she came.

While waiting for dinner to be served, Kenny and Ah Yat told me that they going to buy movie tickets and they really took quite a while to come back. Until I need to ask the waitress to keep their food in the oven. Haha…

When they came back, they showed me the tickets and say it was a long queue. Actually I did suspect something already… probably they went to buy cake. Haha…

The movie starts at 12 midnight and we have a lot of time to hang around Outpost. While concentrating on my games, there I saw some lights… lights of candles. Gosh, it isn’t a cake, it’s Big Apple Donuts!!! That’s so sweet of them and good for me as I don’t really like cakes. They sang me birthday song and all the waiter and waitress also sang with them. I am really happy.

With that, I ended my celebration with the last program which is the midnight movie, “Red Cliff”. Although this movie cannot fight with the Kungfu Panda I watched, it's ok, something new to me anyway. ;)

It was indeed a beautiful outing hanging out with my beloved friends and I really want to thank Kenny & Ah Yat for the arrangement and planning. Thanks Bros!!!

Give thanks!!

My car broke down twice on the same day. I just brought my car for service last Saturday, thinking that the technician will inspect my car and do the service as usual. This morning when I was driving to work, I started to hear some sounds but couldn’t confirm what the problem is. So I continue to drive and as soon as I turned to SS2 area, the sound getting louder and I saw some smoke coming out. I immediately stopped my car and call my brother. Thank God it doesn’t happen in the middle of the highway, otherwise it will caused a bad jam because of my car. I was very worried and scared if my car will explode. My brother then asked me and my sister to have breakfast first while waiting for him to come.

Later on, my brother came for the rescue. He checks and inspects and found out that the bottle next to the battery was runs out of water. So he poured water and ask the technician to come and drive my car to the workshop.

I thought everything should have been fixed by now but unfortunately, my car overheat again and smokes coming out. I quickly drive near to the petrol station and call my brother again. Pity my brother that he actually almost reach home but have to detour back to save us. Of course he will keep on mumbling us that we didn’t take good care of the car and now the car create so many problems for us after 6 years. Although he is kind of long-winded, we know whatever he says is for our own good.

So we parked our car at the petrol station now waiting for the technician to come by tomorrow to fix the car again. I pray that this time he will check thoroughly for us and fix everything that is necessary.

On the other hand, we also plan to change to a new car soon. Like my brother say, our car is getting worse and instead of spending that amount of money for the maintenance, might as well change to a new car since it is already 6 years. He is right too.

Nevertheless, I still want to thank God for this incidence for I believe things happened for a reason. I also want to thank God for my brother who is always there to help and rescue us. ;)

Kenny aka Ah Yat’s Birthday

It’s been a while since my last blog. Works has really got to my neck. I have never been so busy before. I do complain to my sister sometimes, but on the other hand, I’m quite proud of myself of the pressure that I’m having. Every time when my other colleagues share with me about their work pressure and say that they even can’t sleep at night. When I hear it, I felt that they are more suffering than me. At least no matter how pressure and stress I am, I have no problems when comes to sleep. Thank God!

Singing is always my best medicine to release stress. It so happened Kenny’s birthday was just around the corner. Therefore, I suggested a birthday celebration for him at Neway karaoke lounge. Hazel couldn’t make it as she need to attend her friend’s wedding dinner. It is just the four of us, my sister and me, Kenny and Kenny… haha…

Kenny (or we called him Ah Yat) was my ex-colleague cum di di’s roommate. Both of them also called Kenny. So, we decided to call the 2nd Kenny as Ah Yat which is his Chinese name in order not to confuse each other.

We had a good time that day except Kenny who is half-dead. Haha… This is because he was helping out on the exhibition 3 days consistently. Well, surprisingly he still can sing very well that night.

Anyway, Happie Birthday to Ah Yat and may all his wishes come true.

Pictures taken on 22nd June 2008.

New Portfolio

I have started my new portfolio starting in May ’08. I’m more into projects now but on the other hand still handling supply chain management. This has really made me very busy and pressure sometimes. Well, it is still a starting journey for me and I won’t give up so easily. I’ve just started a new project on purchasing and it is quite interesting. The best part is if this project is successful, it will definitely help the supply chain people to speed up their ordering process. And I’m really looking forward to get it implement no doubt this project is not easy to handle.

This month is really a crazy month for me as I have to attend so many meetings and also trainings that my company has planned for us earlier. I have not experience meetings everyday in a week. Phew!!!!! So tiring and I have so little time to do my work when I’m away for meetings and trainings. :(

Thank God tomorrow is a holiday.. but it make no different for me as I have to go to work. Well, actually I don’t mind to work on weekends or during public holidays cuz at least I can concentrate and focus on my work. I really have not much time to work already as I’m going for a short holiday to Cameron Highlands on 25th – 27th May. Yes yes yes….. I can’t wait for the breakaway… Hope that after my break, I will come back fresh and more ideas in accomplishing my work. ;)

Encouraging Prayers - Prayer can transform our lives

Found these as I browsed through some websites and like to share with all. ;)

(1) A Morning Prayer

There are so many things I take for granted. May I not ignore them today.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember that my life is a gift, that my health is a blessing, that this new day is filled with awesome potential, that I have the capacity to bring something wholly new and unique and good into this world.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember to be kind and patient to the people who love me, to those who work with me too. Teach me to see all the beauty that I so often ignore, and to listen to the silent longing of my own soul.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember You. Let this be a good day, God, full of joy and love. Amen.

(2) A Night Prayer

With darkness comes Your light. Earth and sky blend into one, the heavens seem closer now, the day's burdens farther somehow. Your presence is almost palpable.

Watch over me, God, body and soul. Stay beside me through the night. Protect me from harm. Banish my fears. Send me dream that are sweet, fill my heart with Your peace, set my mind at ease. And, at first light, please, restore me to new life. Amen.

(3) A prayer for the Body

Thank you, God, for the body You have given me. Most of the time I take my health for granted. I forget how fortunate I am to live without pain or disability, how blessed I am to be able to see and hear and walk and eat. I forget that this body of mine, with all its imperfections is a gift from You.

When I am critical of my appearance, remind me, God, that I am created in Your holy image. If I become jealous of someone else's appearance, teach me to treasure my unique form.

Help me, God, to care for my body. Teach me to refrain from any action that will bring harm to me. If I fail to prey to a self-destructive habit, fill me with the strength to conquer my cravings. Lead me to use my body wisely, God. Guide my every limb, God, to perform acts of compassion and kindness.

I thank you, God, for creating me as I am. Amen.

放手吧!!!

經過這麼多事情發生, 我終於知道他值不值得我去愛和想念的人? 覺得自己好笨好笨. 以為跟他談心事, 他會了解和跟我分擔嗎? 別傻了! 除非他真的很喜歡妳.

所以, 我真的想通了. 從今天開始不要再想他. 不要再幻想跟他會有甚麼結果. 過去的就讓他過去. 現在開始, 我要珍惜值得珍惜的人, 對我關心的人. 放時間在該放的人身上. 雖然忘記他真的很不容易, 但是我一定要做得到. 加油吧, steph!!!

Good or Bad???

Yesterday as I’m about to drive to KTM to buy tickets to Spore, my big sister called and say that she want to admit to hospital as she got rashes all over her body. I made a U-turn and drive to her house. I thought I better don’t buy the tickets first, in case if my sis really needs to admit, I might need to change my plan then.

My brother then called me and says that he can send my sister to the clinic/hospital and I can take care of her kids. So now my sister has admitted. Confirmed is due to dengue. On the other hand, I also don’t need to go Spore already. My sister in Spore has represented us to attend the funeral. Furthermore, I don’t think I can go also now that my sister is in the hospital. She might need me to take care of the kids.

I pray for speedy recovery for my sister that she can be discharge very soon.

Bad News please goes away!!!

Never in my life had experienced so much of bad news at one time. First, my eldest sister was not feeling well for few days and thought of admitting to the hospital for a thorough check. Next, last night my car’s windscreen suddenly broke down. I was terrified as it was drizzling and I couldn’t see the road clearly. I prayed as I slowly drove back and thank God for His protection. As I was feeling sad about my car and waiting for the technician to repair the windscreen, there comes another bad news. My relative who diagnosed with cancer, passed away this morning in Spore. I knew he had a cancer and I already made a plan to Spore to visit him the next two weeks but he couldn’t wait. *sorb sorb* The lesson that I learnt is whatever you want to do, don’t wait! Just like my relative, I can’t see his face for the last time. :(

Too many things happened at the same time. I felt I’m very weak. A lot of my frens asked me to be strong. I know, I understand what they mean but sometimes it’s a bit difficult especially when I’m not a tough person. But nevertheless, I will try to be strong. If God allowed this to happened, I believe He will bring me through it. On the other hand, I’m very happy to receive some encouraging emails and sms. One of my client even prayed for me thru msn. I'm so touched. Here is the prayer that I want to remember it:
Vanessa says: Father Lord, as I commit steph into ur hands rite now, I ask tat u’ll strengthen her, fill her w ur peace and ur Love. Lord, as we know that you can bless us as well u can take away. In all things that had happen in steph life, I pray that she will grow even stronger n more intimacy w u coz only u can satisfy her inner being.

Lastly, I wanna pray that all the bad things will be over immediately and start everything good. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Worthwhile Visiting - 21/2/2008

Many people were too busy with their daily routine, ie. Work, family, relationship, religion etc. But there are also people who willing to spend some of their time to do social work. I was very glad that I’m able to join my colleague’s friends to visit one of the orphanage homes which are Rumah Hope, located at the Paramount.

It wasn’t a well-planned activity that we decided to go. It just happened that when I was chatting with my colleague thru msn and he asked me if I know any of the orphanage home or old folks home that he can go on the last day of Chinese New Year. I gave him a few homes that I used to visit when I was a volunteer for CARErity. To my curiousness, I asked him why you want to visit the home out of a sudden. He told me that he and his friends just want to do some charity, giving them angpow and food to those less unfortunate people. I was very impressed and glad to hear that (didn’t know that there are still a lot of good people out there). Hahaha… just joking.

Here are some pictures that I’ve taken during the visit. The kids were so happy and kept on asking us to come back next week again. I told myself that no matter what, I’m going to schedule some of my time to visit these kids. I also hope that there will be more volunteers to be there for them as well.

Expect Good Happening To You!!

Found it quite motivation and would like to share with all of you who is reading my blog. May God bless you all!!!

Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation…"

When the phone rings at odd times, most people think, “Oh dear, it must be bad news.” They don’t think, “I wonder what the good news is that it cannot wait till morning!”
When we hear, “The boss wants to see you,” instinctively, we think, “Oh dear, this is not good.” But how do we know that it is not a promotion?
Our minds are inclined towards the negative. So to guard our minds against negative thoughts, we are to put on “the helmet of salvation”, which is “the hope of salvation”. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
If you are going through a trial right now, putting on as a helmet the hope of salvation means that you have a confident expectation of good coming your way. It means that you choose to believe that this trial that you are going through is only temporary because God will see you through it. It means that you believe that this difficult period will end with your salvation — your preservation, wholeness, wellness, health and prosperity!

You may not know what is going to happen this week. But one thing that you can do is put on the helmet of the hope of salvation. And tell yourself that you are going to have a fantastic week!
“Well, you know, Pastor Prince, you never know what to expect. We hear so much bad news these days — another flu outbreak, another company retrenching its workers… I really hope that I will not be retrenched next. But I cannot be sure. I am keeping my fingers crossed.”

No, my friend, biblical hope is not “I hope so”, but “I know so”! You can have a confident expectation of good happening to you because you are not like the people of the world. You are a child of the living God. You have a Saviour watching over you. There are more angels given charge over you than there are demons against you. And greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) There is every reason for you to have a confident expectation of good happening to you!

Beautiful Saviour

Yesterday i was on duty at home and couldn't go to church. There is always alternate Sunday that I have to stay at home to take care my mom who is a stroke patient. Though my mom has this stroke, I thank God that she is at least not bed-ridden. She can walk slowly with her walking stick.

A lot of the Sundays I don’t feel like missing church as I always brought work back to work (knowing that I won’t be going out to anywhere). But yesterday I felt the urge to spend time with God worshipping Him and reading His Word. Maybe because I overheard some worship songs played by my sis last night. So I decided to play a few worship songs and sang along.

When I started to sing “Beautiful Saviour” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadN02RK7-4), I just couldn’t control myself but just knelt down on my knees and wept uncontrollably. My tears just fall like a heavy rain. I had a very good cry I would say. I felt so touch by this song of how wonderful Jesus is that every time we called upon His name, He will help us. I always felt guilty when He answered my prayer even though I haven’t prayed. He knows me so well that make me very guilty when I don’t have time for Him.

Thinking of all these, I just cried and cried. I commit a lot of things to God. I told Him that I’m tired. I’m tired of the earthly things that happened around me. Work.. family.. relationship. I suddenly felt like I’m lack of strength, lack of motivation to work. But I felt peace when I worship God.

Many of my colleagues thought that I’m a very tough person that I can handle a lot of works and pressure. But actually I’m not. I’m just a normal human being too who needs support and understanding. Sometimes I’m in dilemma and don’t know who to turns to? My siblings might not understand the work pressure that I experienced recently. To them, I’m a workaholic. I work late at night, I worked during weekends, I worked on public holidays. How I wish God can tell me what to do..

Happy Glutinous Rice Ball (Tang Yuan) Day!!

Glutinous Rice ball in Chinese also called “tang yuan”. Tang Yuan day is a very important day in Chinese believes. According to my mom, it’s more important than Chinese New Year. My mom always said “come come come..eat tang yuan. After eating you are one year older”. Sometimes we will replied “huh, like that dun want to eat lor.. so we can remain our age”.. haha… For me, whether I’m a Buddhist or Christian, I’m not really particular in all these festival, as long as I just join in the fun. ;)

As usual, every year I and my sister will help to make some tang yuan. Don’t know why this year I felt a bit of excited. I enjoyed making tang yuan and looking at the rounded tang yuan I laughed and even took some pics of it. My elder sister make one tang yuan snow man and it’s so cute. Every time when we make tang yuan, everyone will sure create our own tang yuan but this year my elder sister gave command not to do it. Haha…but only her snow man can.. ;p

Here are some pictures that I’ve taken…take a look at the snow man tang yuan..isn’t it cute??

My New Office - Preliminary

Finally our new office renovation has completed. We have already started to shift our workstation bit by bit to the new place since yesterday. I was very excited with my new place and was blessed to have a room sitting with my subordinates. As I'm in-charged of the call centre, it will be good to sit with the customer service agents.

Below are some pictures that I've taken last night. It's just a preliminary pictures and once all the cubicles are up..I will post again, ya.. ;)

1. My workstation

2. The order centre

3. The managers and executives workstations

Lonely Christmas for me :(

This year will be a lonely Christmas for me. :’( My younger sis and 3rd elder sis will be going to Spore next week to celebrate Christmas. As for me, I will need to be at home with my 2nd elder sister to look after our parents. I wish I can follow them too as I have not experience having Christmas in Spore. Not only my siblings, most of my friends also going to Spore.

So, what am I going to do for Christmas??? Help!!! :(

Saloon

Today is a public holiday for Selangor. I brought my mom to saloon to get her hair permed. As usual, every time I bring my mom to saloon, instead of sitting there waiting, I might as well get a hairdo too. Since Christmas & New Year is around the corner, I decided to do something to my hair. I don’t wanna perm or cut my hair as I wanna maintain my long straightening hair. ;)

So, I went to dye my hair and highlight as well. My gosh..I was not able to accept the result at first! It was quite bright especially the highlights. I asked myself, "Steph, you are real daring". haha...

But after looking at the mirror many times, it's not that bad lah..just that I'm not used to it only. It's good to create something different. Just treat it as New Year new hairstyle. ;p

很可惜的運氣 ;(

Sigh...為甚麼要讓我知道呢?知道了又拿不到! :( 過去那兩年都沒有機會拿到lucky draw,但是這次沒有去就給我拿到.很可惜的我同事既然沒有聽到我的號碼宣佈. 今天上班我另外一个同事才告訴我我的號碼有宣佈. 不過已經太遲了. 沒有得拿了.

不是你的就不是你的啦.

又是傷心的一天

本來昨晚打算要去 company’s annual dinner. 怎知到一早老板良就叫我回去做工. 因為我們剛剛拿了一个new business. 這個生意不容易做而且每个product都很貴. 所以我們要很小心做每个processing.

我以為做多十二點多就可以回去了.因為我兩個妹妹要去saloon, 我必須要趕快回去. 不然她們不能趕到回來讓我用車. 我已經很努力很快的把工做完但是還不能做完. 時間一个小時一个小時的過, 我就很擔心, 因為妹妹一定會生氣我的. 到三點我還是不能做完. 我妹妹又打電話來了. 知到我趕不到回來她們就很生氣了說我每一次都是這樣. 完全忘記今天是我要留在家照顧媽的.

我真的很傷心,很失望. 為甚麼她們不能了解我呢? 她們以為我很想在週末里做工嗎? 我都已經很累了, 兩個星期都做工. 但是不做也不能, 畢竟這个是new business嗎? 而且也不是我自己一个人做. 我同事, 老板良和我的下屬都有來.

我只是要她們了解我, 體諒我. 如過我趕不到, 她們可以明天去saloon的. 在我心裡, 我真的很希望她們能對我說, “姐, 沒關係的, 你慢慢做,但是不要太遲回來因為你要準備去 dinner.” 很可惜的她們甚麼都沒說, 只是生氣我罷了. 你說我還有心情去dinner嗎?

我駕車回來的時后, 一邊駕一邊哭. 為甚麼我的家人總是不了解我.