Here In My Home

"A person who speaks two languages is bilingual...

A person who speaks three languages is trilingual...

A person who speaks four or more languages is multilingual.

What is a person who speaks one language?

An American."

-submitted by H. Terrell

Touched down, with full of excitement and also expectation about this city which is just 45minutes away by flight from Kuala Lumpur. Singapore is such a beautiful and clean country and everything here are so well organized especially their public transportation. Well, this was not my first time here but don't why this small country never fail to amazed me every time when I am here!

I am so sorry that I can't help it to compare Singapore with my lovely country, Malaysia! Singapore, a very small country compare to Malaysia; both also under British colonial rule last time; was also part of us before becoming an independent republic. BUT how come Singapore can outgrew Malaysia by leaving us so far behind from them!

Anyway, I am still PROUD to be MALAYSIAN! I^-^I

Malaysia, Tanah tumpahnya darahku!

*Malaysia, the land where my blood has spilt!

Besides than my own mother tongue and English, I can speak one additional language that known as Bahasa Malaysia *Malaysian Language And I am so proud that I can speak, write and sing in this beautiful language. Then, I can also eat variety of foods in Malaysia; from North Indian food to South Indian food and from Malay food to Nyonya food. And 'Curry Mutton' is one of favorites! ;)

And do you know what make Malaysia so beautiful? Of course, nothing but the Malaysian! Words are hard to describe about Malaysian, let's look at the pictures below and you will understand about the beauty of being Malaysian:-

Kyle Hafiz; my best friend cum brother since we were 13 years old! ;)

My colleagues cum good friends in Sunway Medical Centre!

(from the left; Arif & Sukumaran)

My besties from my previous working place in Ipoh!

(clockwise from bottom; William, Andrew, Ummi and Amita)

My course-mates;

(from the left, Shakilah -she is like my twin sister!-,

Ruby, Kohmala & Kalai)

We share a common language that help us to understand each other. We have different culture and believes but that didn't stop us for being together as one community; we are taught to respect each other since we were young! ;) That's why Malaysian are so UNIQUE and special!

God bless Malaysia! ;)

Honesty is STILL the Best Policy

I always like to tell people that the consequences of telling the truth will never be as bad as the consequences of getting caught in a lie! Well, not many people buy my words! I understand that telling the truth can be very difficult at times especially in some situations where it might cause you something. BUT what happen if you lie and at the end someone catch you lying? Remember, it is always okay to admit that you're wrong because you will never know what would be the outcome, it can be bad and it can be good too! But if you lie, it definitely shows that you are wrong and the outcome will only be one, nothing but the bad one!

Today, I went to a fast food restaurant with my mum! We ordered a set dinner for two person that comes with two drinks. Half way through the dinner, I was run out of drink and I ordered another glass. After the dinner, I went to counter to make payment. After the payment, I checked the receipt and I found out that something was not right. They didn't charge me for the additional drink! Seriously, my mum and I were hesitated to go back to the counter again to clarify the bill. I can give reason to walk away easily because it was not my mistake and they were the one who forgotten to charge me for the additional drink.

But I paused for a while, holding the receipt and thought to myself that maybe one day, I might be coming back to this restaurant again and what if the waitress and cashier can recognize me? Although it was their mistake but it is not etiquette to walk away like that. So, in the end, I approached the cashier who is also the boss of that restaurant and told him about the miscalculation of the bill. He asked me to wait for a while because he needed to clear some dirty plates. After that, he came to me and he said, "never mind about the additional drink!" so the additional drink was on the house! Although the drink don't cost much but I was really happy and feel so blessed!

So, as you can see that honesty still very much the best policy!

A Memorable Weekend with Lots of AWESOMENESS!

TGIF, on the 7th of October 2011, p.m. - 'Take a walk down memory lane' for my besties and I where we had an awesome night watching Westlife singing live in Kuala Lumpur. Listening to the song, 'Season in the Sun', really helped us to remember our happy times in the past!

(from the left; Kevin, Me, Jonathan, Kyle & Danny)

Kevin's Birthday, on the 8th of October 2011, p.m. - We celebrated Kevin's birthday today! We had a simple dinner at Pizza Hut in Suria KLCC and then we had a little surprised for Kevin at the Starbucks. We made this special birthday cake that make up of Starbucks drinks and a little muffin with candles; cannot imagine? Look at the picture below;

Blessed 25th Birthday to you, Kevin! Hope that you like this UNIQUE cake for someone so unique like you ;)

Found in Malaysia; So True & So Unique, on the 9th of October 2011 'til 10th of October 2011, a.m. & p.m. - Our long waited trip is finally arrived! We were going to this place known as Sekeping Serendah Retreat. Never know that this kind of awesome place can be found in Malaysia, so true and so unique! We had so much fun taking photographs, swimming, cooking and also playing Indian poker! ;) A picture worth a thousand words, so do check out all the photographs that are taken in this beautiful place; http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150321858249702.341176.723969701&type=1&l=66ac61b385

Awesome weekend with all the awesome activities; and all these awesomeness can only take place when you are doing it with the people who is beyond awesome just like my besties ;) Kyle, Kevin, Jonathan, Jia Xian and Danny; I thank God for our beautiful friendship, that comes from a long long way! Let's cherish it till death do us apart... Guys, you all are so unique! I always admire the uniqueness that God has created in you that make you someone so special and so awesome!

Cheerio l^-^l God bless!

\ˈpa-shən\

I always have *\ˈpa-shən\ in photography because I like to capture priceless and precious moments to create sweet memories!
*\ˈpa-shən\ = Passion

Today, a typical Saturday, where I need to get up early and prepare to go to work! In my opinion, Saturday can be quite unpredictable for radiology department in Sunway Medical Centre because it can be very busy at times and sometimes, it can be very quiet. Well, today, it was just in between.

After a few x-rays here and there, the radiology general x-ray team received a case from the accident and emergency department where this patient came with bruises on the left shoulder. He had an accident where he hit onto a fallen tree which was on the road with the bicycle that he was riding. Then, his wife came and started nagging at him and warned him not to go cycling anymore and he responded with a smile. After that in the x-ray room, he said, "my wife don't allow me to cycle anymore!"

After all the x-rays, we sent him to the CT scan room to do a CT brain. One of my colleagues asked him about the accident and about the cycling event and he was so excited and he said that he is not giving up on cycling although he had a few accidents before! Wow, he is indeed really passionate in what he likes to do!

Have you ever feel like want to give up in doing something that you like to do because of some tough obstacles? I did and not just once but many times! But I thank God, who never fails to get my feet back on the ground every time when I feel like giving up!

Don't give up ya! Obstacles are not here to bring us down but to make us stronger and wiser, so that we can be more passionate in doing something that we like to do!

Cheerio l^-^l God bless ya!

Strange Dream

I met this person seven months ago; he is arrogant, harsh and not friendly! I was so disappointed with his attitude during our very first conversation on phone; he was so rude! >=(

I dislike him but guess what, last night, I dreamed about him and his family! -strange but so true!- He was there in my dream together with his family. And I was there to take a family portrait for him and his family. Before I reached out my DSLR camera, he passed me a smartphone to capture the family portrait. So, I used that smartphone and took the family portrait for him and his family and then I showed it to him. And he was happy with result of the family portrait.

*as usual, once you woke up, you will not remember much details about your dream and it happens to me!*

So the final detail of the dream that I remembered before I woke up, is where he invited me to eat together with him and his family on a round dining table.

To me, the dream is strange but the strangest things is not about dreaming of him, is the changes of my perspective about him after I woke up from my dream! I guess I saw the softer side of him in my dream where he is someone so caring and loving, so gentle and kind. So, the dislike feeling about him is getting lesser! Hmm... That's so strange!

Journey to Confirmation - Part 2

Mixed feeling about the confirmation... Don't know why but I think I will not investigate it because I think it is not that crucial! Let's move on...

Anyway, I am so thankful about this journey; although it wasn't an easy journey! God is great and He never fails to show me His AWESOMENESS and His blessings throughout these six months!

Looking back now, wow, I had grown up so much in six months time from spiritually to mentally and also emotionally! And I had gained many valuable experiences too! That's really awesome! If without God and all the fantastic people like my family and friends, I will not have make it this far!

I was so blessed, thankful and grateful about something that took place last night and it was the highlight of my confirmation where two of my AWESOME colleagues who are also my GREAT friends, brought me out for a fantastic dinner to celebrate my confirmation! I was so happy and I am so blessed! ;)

from left; Arif and Suku

"Rif & Suku, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! You guys have made my day! ;) Thank you for always being there for me! I am so blessed to have both of you and the rest in the department who never fail to help me and guide me throughout these six months!"

Heavenly Daddy, thank you for everything and thank you for Your faithfulness and also Your blessings! I love You!

Cheerio ;)

Journey to Confirmation - Part 1

Yesterday, I finally received my confirmation letter saying that I already passed my six months probation! I should be excited and happy about it BUT that wasn't my feeling yesterday; I had a mixed feeling instead! I really don't why I was feeling this way!

Then, I walked towards my locker room and before I put my confirmation letter into the locker, I prayed and I thanked God; without Him and His guidance and strength, I don't think that I will be able to make it this far! Thank you Lord!

When I started this new journey, six months ago, I started it with excitement but also fear and uncertainty! But God blessed me with strength to walk my each day with faith! As I am looking back, although I had a mixed feeling about this journey but I am very thankful for where I am now! Seriously, I cried many times, I lost hope many times and I was fearful and stressful many times throughout the six months; not an easy journey to travel though!

Mixed feeling; I really don't know why but I am really really really thankful and grateful about my confirmation!

Memories...

The photograph above is taken @ Taiping Lake Garden, Perak, Malaysia

Just now, I was looking back on some of my old photo albums in Facebook. And I am feeling so thankful to the Lord for the AWESOME journey that I had traveled so far and I also feeling so blessed for all the PRICELESS and PRECIOUS moments that were nicely captured down!

All praises and glories to the Lord! Cheerio =)

Fat-Low-Ship @ Bentong & Raub, Pahang

Durian; 'King of Fruits'

One of the main purpose that brought me and my cell group friends to Bentong was the durian festival! In Bentong, we can get cheap and delicious durian! We are a bunch of noisy people but when we started consuming this king of fruits, we all were so quiet; enjoying every single bite of it!

Then, the next day, we woke up early because we didn't want to miss out the AWESOMENESS Wan Tan Noodle which is at a corner shop situated near Jalan Pasar, Bentong. This homemade noodle is really good because of it's 'bounciness'!

*Thumbs up!* Yummilious Wan Tan Noodle @ Jalan Pasar, Bentong

In the afternoon, we drove all the way to Raub, which is just 45minutes away from Bentong. We went to Ratha Restaurant; situated at Jalan Tun Razak, Raub and we had Roti Canai with the AWESOME chicken curry, delicious fried chicken and finger liking good lamb chop!

Ratha Restaurant, Jalan Tun Razak, Raub


-from above- chicken curry, fried chicken & lamb chop

Then, after all the yummy foods, we walked across the road to this old Chinese coffee shop; known as Tong Nam Bee and we had coconut jam with butter toast bread which incredibly delicious and yummy!

Tong Nam Bee, Jalan Tun Razak, Raub
Coconut jam with butter toast bread! *thumbs up* Yummilicious!!!

I had an AWESOME and blessed fellowship time with my cell group friends throughout the trip to Bentong and Raub.

Fellowship + Foods = Fat-Low-Ship! Hehehe ;P
God bless ya!

Be Still...

"Be still, and know that I am God -Psalm 46:10"

I am going through a challenging time now! I am getting weaker and weaker each day; finding that this life of mine is getting tougher and harder to journey on...

I wanted to make a difference in my own life and wanted to stay away from my comfort zone! Successfully leaving my comfort zone BUT not too sure did I make the right decision... Now, already two months plus, still going through raging sea, wave after wave, thunderstorm here and there; financial difficulties, financial commitment, phone giving up, laptop giving up, mummy still not fully adapting well causing small arguments between us, then need to take charge of so many things, this and that... Many times, I broke down; cry before the Lord, questioning Him and doubting Him and also myself for making wrong decision! Ahhhh.... Everything goes hire-wired and upside down!

Sad and down; trying very hard to make it through, hoping that month after month to come, things will turn out better... I am waiting and hoping! But somehow something is still missing... What I am missing out now? TRUSTING in the Lord is what I miss out...

"When the oceans rise and thunders roar,
I will soar with you above the storm,
Father you are king over the flood,
I will be still and know you are God.
-Still, by Hillsong"

I just quiet down myself today and I prayed! Then, I remembered the song above and I sang the chorus to reaffirmed myself that I need to BE STILL and know that GOD is always GOD! Reality is too real, sometimes too real until I can't handle it... God, He is a real God too and nothing is too difficult for Him to handle but why am I acting like this; doubtful, worry and feeling defeated! From this moment onwards, it is the time for me to surrender my all to Him; letting go my hands and let Him take the wheels... He is my father and He will definitely take good care of me and watching over me because I am His precious son!

Are you going through a raging sea right now? Remember, it is the time to learn on how to TRUST in Him and BE STILL and know that He is God!

Taste The Rainbow

After lunch today, I realized that I am out of sweets! So, I quickly rushed to the shop to get some sweets. Suddenly I saw my all-time favorite sweets; Skittles! ;) And I couldn't resist it, so I bought it!

Immediately, I opened up the packet of Skittles and poured out a few on my hand and put it into my mouth! Mmmm... Yummy... I really enjoyed the chewiness, the sweetness and also the strong aroma of the gummy fruits smell... Ahhhh, AWESOME!!! Then, another few again into mouth, again and again... Every moments with Skittles in my mouth was wwwooonnnnddderrrffffuuuulllll... ;)

Then, I turned the packaging of Skittles around as I was chewing it in my mouth and suddenly I saw something on the packaging that caught my attention; the Skittles tagline "Taste The Rainbow" and then I smiled ;) Why?

"God said... Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
- Genesis 9:16

Whenever I see a rainbow, it will remind me about God, who is faithfully keeping His promises! Because of His faithfulness in keeping His promises, as His child, I get to enjoy His awesome blessings. That's why I smiled when I saw the tagline "Taste The Rainbow!" because it reminded me that tasting the rainbow -eating the Skittles- is just like experiencing God's blessings through His faithfulness in keeping His promises; so much joy, so sweet and so excited!

I never thought that the experience of eating Skittles today had reminded me about God's faithfulness! ;) Praise the Lord!

Have a blessed "Tasting the Rainbow" experience ya!
God bless & Cheerio ;)

Stop Looking Down on Yourself!

The one person in your life who is always looking down on you is YOURSELF!

Some people are just crazily going after something that don't last like dressing themselves up with branded clothing, chasing after the latest gadgets, dying to drive high-end cars, working more than 8hours a day for more money, etc, just simply because they think that without those things they are up to nowhere!

Always remember that, what you are is not important and it will never portrait who you are!

So Simple...

Last Friday, after my lunch, as usual and routinely, I went to a shop in my work place to get my favourite fruit; Watermelon as my dessert. After I walked out from the cafeteria, I saw a mum together with her son at the vending machine and was purchasing something from the vending machine. Then, I smiled and walked pass them. Don't know why, suddenly this word 'SIMPLE' came to my thought! So, I thought to myself, "yeah, this is what I call a simple life; so simple and yet so sweet and meaningful! Why do some people dying wanted to live their so complicatedly like chasing after something that will not last...."

After my work, it was a peak hour! Traffic jam here and there and most of the taxis are not willing to use meter to determine the fare. As the results I couldn't get any taxi that are willing to use the meter. Sigh... After unsuccessful of getting taxi, so I made my decision to walk to a shopping complex which is near my working place to have my dinner there.

I was trying to look around for a good restaurant for dinner. Finally, I found this vegetarian restaurant known as Simple Life...
In the restaurant, where I was sitting, there were a family sitting on my right side and on my left side was a tourist. Both of the individuals on my left and right were contradicting with each other. The family, they were so simple and yet they enjoying the meal together as a family! While the tourist, sadly to say, he was so fussy and he was so angry and disappointed with the services of the restaurant and complaining here and there!

The scene in the restaurant really taught me a great lesson about what life is all about; I must learn to Live my life to the fullest and yet simple and meaningful like cherish my loved ones and also treasure the things that I have and be blessed by it. Plus don't take things for granted and also stop complaining! So, how about you?

God bless and Cheerio ;)

How Sweet It Is...

Macaron

Awww... So sweet! I never heard about Macaron until recently when it came to Malaysia. I was so excited when I saw it today for the first time.

-It was also a first time for my mum to try it- Both of my mum and I smiled at each other as we put this little cute dessert into our mouth for the first time. ;)

Just a simple Macaron like this can bring so much joy in us when we were eating it! This reminder me about LIFE. Why do we always chasing after something that don't last and live our life with so much complication? A simple life like spending awesome time with God, family and friends and doing what I like to do like traveling and taking photographs is so meaningful to me and bring so much joy in my life. We only got one life, live it to the best and start making a difference!

God bless ya and cheerio ;)

Welcome Back! ;)

Sorry for being away for so long and didn't update my blog post. I was busy attending farewells here and there and also busy shifting, settling down and adapting to new environment!

Leaving my comfort zone is not easy at all. If without God's grace and strength, I don't think I can make it this far. I told everyone that I was too comfortable at where I was used to be until I compromise with many things in my life! Therefore I made a decision to move on into a different environment which is more challenging. Well, I did BUT during the first week in the new environment, I felt defeated!

..."What on Earth am I doing that I make such silly decision to leave my comfort zone!"....

My mum was feeling uncomfortable with the new environment; she still misses her home in Ipoh! Everything in my new working place are so different; the people, the environment, the style, etc! So, Jacky Lai Tim Roy, why you leave Ipoh, huh? From not so hero to zero; have to start everything from beginning again! Sigh...

"Today..."

Things are not the same anymore after three weeks here! I am more joyful and my mum are adapting well too. I told myself, if I don't take the courage to make a difference in my own life; to get out from my comfort zone, then I will never know what God had prepare for me! The picture is not entirely clear at the moment but I have peace and I am learning to surrender entirely to Him and I strongly believe that He will take care of everything; therefore, I shall not be worry about anything at all and I shouldn't felt defeated because God make me an Over-comer! Amen! ;)

p/s: No worries ya, I am back with new purpose of life and I shall be writing more and more and updating my blog post as often as possible! ;)

Be Humble

When you are successful in something, please don't forget about your humble beginning because it can teach you to be more humble! Success don't come from pride but a humble lesson that God had put you through!

God bless ya!

Dream - Parents, Please Let Your Children To Live Their Own Dream

After reading an interview about Josiah Ng in February issue of August Man magazine, I was so inspired to write this post. Read on to find out more...

Last week, I asked one of the students who came to do practical at my department what is her dream? She told me that she wants to be a doctor! Well, that's not too bad for her to be in her current field because doing medical imaging is not entire different from doing medicine. I mean at least she still in medical line. Then, I asked her actually what does she like to do? She told me that she likes to do art! Then why she is not doing art since it is something that she likes? Her dad told her that doing art is WOT = Waste of time! I was so disappointed and so sad to hear that!

God created each and everyone of us to be UNIQUE and special! And also each individual has their own dream to live in. So, parents, please stop asking your children to live your dream instead of their own dream! As the consequence, children will not be passionate in their work and they will not enjoy what they are doing because that is not what they want!

I am so glad that Josiah Ng is pursuing his dream and live it to the maximum and as the result, he become an inspiration and a good example to many young Malaysian! This is what he said in his interview that inspired me to write this post:-

"So there are options out there instead of just going to Uni and getting degree in Accounting. I want to show that there are other options out there. You can make a living out of sport. A lot of parents shy away from allowing their kids to pursue this kind of lifestyle because it is risky and not too many people can make it but If they have passion... and they put their hearts into it and focus and have some determination, then why not?" -Josiah Ng, February issue of August Man

If people ask me would I allow my children to sell Wan Tan mee? Why not if they really can cook awesome and delicious Wan Tan mee?

Dream - I Dreamed a Dream!

The dream that you don't dare dream it, do you dare to dream it anyway?

I thought of changing my DSLR camera or upgrading it to a better one, so I planned to sell my current DSLR camera away. I was so excited when two people came to me and said that they are interested to buy my current camera. My dream to get a new camera finally about to come true!

Sadly, few days later, my dream was shattered! I lost the two buyers... Then, I became to sad! Then, my friend found another buyer for me; well, I was excited again but in the end, I lost that buyer too. So, I gave up my dream!

One morning, one of my colleague came to me and said that she will buy my camera! I was really excited and nearly burst into tears! Then, I thanked God immediately; "Lord, I really don't dare to dream this dream but You make my shattered dream come true!, Thank you Lord!" Can you imagine this excitement that I am having now? Awesome!

汤圆; Tāngyuán

"Tangyuan"

After reunion dinner on every Chinese New Year eve, my grandmother, my cousins, my aunt and I -sometimes, my brother also- will gather together to make Tangyuan.

What is Tangyuan? -according to Wikipedia-
Tangyuan is a Chinese food made from glutinous rice flour. Glutinous rice flour is mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and is then cooked and served in boiling water. Tangyuan can be either small or large, and filled or unfilled.

Tangyuan is usually eaten together with family. The round shape of the balls and the bowls where they are served, come to symbolize the family togetherness! I guess this is the main reason why my grandmother always want us to make Tangyuan every year; nothing but to see the TOGETHERNESS of the family members.

Praise the Lord for all my family members! Cheerio =))