we'll have the sub-of-the-day, please

Sunday service was excellent today, as per usual! Was really blessed by what Pastor Kenneth shared as it really hit home for me. Because we know that He loves us, we can wake up every morning feeling confident about life. God is not one who will punish us for the rest of the day because we sinned the night before. He doesn't go out of the way, scheming and thinking of ways of how to punish us. That's just not His character. Many a time I've gotten all worked up, thinking that God won't help me when I pray, because I've done so much wrong.

That does not mean I can sin and still be blessed by God, but it means that God is a god of many, many chances and of love; ever so patient and wanting to forgive and bless me despite my flaws. And once I recognize that, I will turn away from my old, sinful ways because that doesn't please the God I love.

There was this supernatural peace that came upon me as I went out to pray and to be prayed for today. It's amazing, because for the past month I've been feeling a real spiritual wreck, unable to even just talk to God in prayer. Reasons? Right above - the last sentence of my first paragraph. I felt that He didn't want to help me or answer my prayers because I've been so proud, so unworthy. But today God pushed away all those nonsensical thoughts and gave me peace. Nothing profound, no tears or loud prayers needed. Just total surrender and letting God take control again. I'm not perfect; I don't have perfect grades or a perfect life. I may be nothing special in the eyes of the world, but my extraordinary God cares for me and knows we're special anyway (Psalm 139). Hey, He created us, He should know, right? ;) Amazing grace indeed.

So after service Chrys and I went for lunch at Subway. We've both been suffering from a very nice sore throat who seems to love us so much, it doesn't want to leave us. Oh, oh! And I'd really appreciate your opinion - should I keep my hair curled or go back to my naturally straight hair again? I've had soft curls for the past half a year. Last night I decided to blow dry my hair straight to see how I looked like with straight hair again. Well, because it was a digital perm my hair wouldn't blow dry completely straight and ended up wavy at the bottom. See photo evidence above. Hehe.

In any case, while it was nice to have my straight hair back for a day or two (ahhhh, being able to run my fingers through it without getting tangled! bliss!), I've decided that I really do prefer having curls, so I'll prolly get it permed again early next year (it needs a break from all those hot tools). Errmm yeah that's about all. End of my narcissistic moment. Hehehe.

Happy Sunday, every buddy! :D

xx

c is for cookie

I was in the mood for baking last night so I got crackin' with some soft and gooey chocolate chip cookies! Today I'm currently recovering from chocolate overload. Tee hee. Boyfriend hasn't been feeling too well for the last coupla days so I made him some chicken porridge this morning. I'm quite proud of myself 'cos this year I finally learnt how to cook a few dishes! Hehehe. And learnt, er, to not be afraid of switching on the stove. OH and taking the heat that emits from it. Hehehehe. Yes I used to have stove&heat phobia. Very prissy of me, please ignore. Hopefully Cheryl and Yin Mun will finally stop reminding me about my very funny first maggi-mee incident when we were 13. Epic fail.

But aha! I'm getting better. Took me six years, but better than nothing, I say! Ho hum.

xx

p/s: this is too cute! *points below*

spin me around as i dream, dream, dream...

Time to catch up on some of the awards-cum-tags I've been given from the lovely Gracie and sweet, adorable Cat. The rules are simple: list seven facts about yourself and pass the award on to others.

Here goes! (:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

1.) Christmas is my favourite time of the year!
I love buying gifts for people as well as pretty wrapping paper. But most of all, I love the true meaning behind Christmas.


2.) I go weak in the knees for all things soft and floral.
Ribbons and flowers in my hair, sundresses, princessy trinkets.


3.) I get rather irked when someone flips open my glossies to read it before I've had the chance to do so myself. I like to be the first one who turns the pages of my brand new magazine.


4.) Escada Rockin' Rio was my very first fragrance, and have stuck to it ever since. I'm still mourning about Escada's bankruptcy, and am planning to buy the last few bottles left on the shelves. DKNY's Fresh Blossom has been serving me well, though! (thanks Boyfriend!)

[note: just got word from Chrys that the Escada perfumes may still live on despite the demise of its fashion house. and upon further Googling, the latest news is that someone bought over Escada! yippie!]


5.) I can't stomach spinach, peas and long beans - they make me feel nauseous and so does eating too much nonya kuih.


6.) My current wishlist includes: a Polaroid camera (Dad says he'll keep on the lookout for me), a copy of Lula magazine, and the original (500) Days of Summer DVD.


7.) Life as I knew it changed for the better when I first believed in Jesus and got serious about Him when I was a wee 13-year-old. When life is rough, God walks me through it. When I doubt Him, He assures me that He is always with me. He is my Joy and Meaning.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I tag my beloveds: Chloe, Christine, and Lauranne!

xx

photo beautifully captured by Megan

from the oscars to the after-party

Howdy, sweets! How did your weekend treat you? Good, I hope! Mine was yet another power-packed one, which was just full of absolutely good, clean fun! The American Degree Program annual ball was held on Friday night, but this time, our department combined with B. Comm for the ball, which meant twice the fun! ;)

click to keep reading...

Christine came over to my place in the afternoon to get primped and ready for the night together. At first I styled my hair into a loose, low, side bun (causing my scalp a lot of pain in the process because of the useless bobby pins we bought), but after parading about in it for about 15 minutes, I decided against it and let it down instead. Chrys was busy putting on her make-up (she's ace at that) and when we were finally ready, Boyfriend was already waiting outside, with roses for me! Hehe awww. At first I was a lil grumpy, but all was happy pappy again in our car ride. Picked my cousin up, and off we went to Impiana, KLCC.

Everyone was looking real beautiful and the boys cleaned up well. All looked sharp, swanky and were dressed to the nines. We were really looking forward to this night, themed Strass Et Paillettes (think glitz and glamour) and Hollywood, because it was sort of our last big event together before we all leave for different countries to continue our studies.

my date! ;)

The night kick-started with the announcement of the Award Nominees (Most Likely to... and Prom King and Queen) before dinner was served. Ah, eating. My favourite activity. ;) As per usual, all the nominees had to do real silly things on the stage, gaining cheers and laughter from the entire ballroom. It was extremely highlarious when Eka and Ernie became known as Ekaandernie, because they're always together.

Jehan won Best Dressed Female (love her evening gloves) while Elaine got the award for Most Likely to Go Home After Prom to Study. So true! Hee.

Ali, who was nominated for Best Dress Male, seductively calling Ekaandernie to join him on the stage. Too funny to watch! Haha.

buddies! (: yes, Demetri the teddy came along for some fun!


Chrys: the girl who drives me up the wall but whom I love to bits anyway. ;)


lovelovelove.


happy!


beka and bryan being, well, beka and bryan. hee!


fooood. om nom nom.


my favourite guy.


cousins!

And so the night ended. Wait wha--?! Never. No ball would be complete without an after-partaaayy! A couple of us piled into the hotel room Riz booked and changed out of our balls gowns and into our party outfits. Ern forgot to bring shoes to party in, so he opted for the hotel's cottony bedroom slippers. Hahaha! Just a little past midnight, we got into our rides and headed to Space located at the Heritage Row. The club was booked for us, the annual ball attendees, so it was just us, the music, an awesome DJ, drinks, and dancing all night long! Responsibly, of course. ;)

Ern's and my dancing shoes. :P

Ernie, Yours Truly and Eka. The three stooges! I shall miss our conference chats, Starbucks truancy adventures, meatball dinners and everything else we do under the Sun when we leave. :(


why hello, aaron. HEHEHEHE.

He thinks I'm lame but I don't think he has ever heard his own jokes. :P Still, I love how he looks in his vest. Lalala.

I'm really going to miss this! The laughter, friendship and fellowship. As it is, this year was a lil different because Rushdi and Chloe left for US a coupla months ago. This time next year, all of us would've left for US and Oz already. Such is life! But we'll enjoy the rest of our time together, for sure, and our reunions in years to come. 'Twas a great night and we definitely had a ball. Pun very much intended. Tee hee! And now, my Anthropology assignment awaits! Over and out.

xx

always again

"He is coming,
and I am here."

-Clare Abshire
The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger

It is a somewhat lovely irony that I read the final word of The Time Traveler's Wife at the stroke of midnight. I won't say why, but it has something got to do with what Clare and Henry had to deal with at midnight. I felt overwhelmed by emotion upon putting the book down - crying and crying long before the end. I can almost hear the written words that resonate in my mind: "I love you, always. Time is nothing." Audrey Niffenegger is a wonderful writer (until today, I still cannot understand the accolades Stephanie Meyer has gotten for the Twilight saga despite the mediocrity of it all) and now I'm afraid to watch the movie, lest it fails to live up to the novel and disappoints. Admittedly, I felt a bit uncomfortable and weirded out at the age gap and the amount of intimacy that happened during that time, but a good story nonetheless.

The novel really made me think about Time. One day, our Lord Jesus will come back again, and that day could be an hour from now, tomorrow, next month or years even. And when He does, will He say, "I never knew you", or "well done, good and faithful servant"? Life is short, and it is nothing but a drop in eternity's ocean. Eternity. Are we prepared for it?

xx

just a minute in... november

Drinking... Nestum! It's a childhood love. So yummy!

Reading... The Time Traveler's Wife. I know - join the bandwagon, right? But I refuse to watch the movie before I'm done reading it.

Pulsating... at the memory of The All-American Rejects concert two nights ago. Seriously, I'm still not over how great a night it was! ((: Reading Debbie's post and watching videos of their performance is only fueling my euphoria. It's a good thing. What a fantastic night!

Saving... up for the Muse concert in Singapore February next year. Wooha!

Feeling... incredibly content and happy with life.

October ended with a blast, and I'm hoping November will be even more awesome! God is always so cool and kind! (: Here's a little video Chrys took with my camera (I was too busy screaming/jumping/singing/having a heart attack) of The All-American Rejects performing the first song on their setlist that night, Move Along!

Am off to visit The Bee at work with Vic before meeting up with the Boyfriend for dins dins. Have a wonderful week, sweets!

xx

photo found in Concrete and Honey