October Outing

People hype with Oktoberfest, but for me is October Outing!

Oktoberfest got to do with beers.

Why October Outing?
Because I was out from office on 1st week of October...for holiday & seminar in KK, Sabah.
I was there from 1st to 5th October, managed to pass by Lawas, Sarawak (just to get special salt).

6th October out for seminar in Shah Alam.
7th October was CEFC's 31st Anniversary & cousin's wedding.

After that, if I remember correctly, I dine out almost every night.
13th October, my 1st attempt to I-City, a place decorated with lights.
14th October (supposed to go Malacca attend friend's wedding, but decided not to, because too far & exhausted, I ended up slept whole afternoon & evening until 7 pm- satisfied).

The outing to be continue after this week, I shall start my next subject from 25th October until 31st October.
Will be going for eyes check-up on 25th October.

September Summary

I attended the most weddings in this month:

1. 15th September, Sarah's
2. 22nd September, Angeline's
3. 30th September, Flora's

Finished the race for 10 km TC Run on 2nd September.

The run that I like the most because it ended at the beach.

30th September, missed flight to KK, Sabah...but managed to buy a new one and catch the next flight. (Praise God).

Lasik

Yes, I did lasik on Friday, 27th July 2012.
Therefore, not been updating here...
What is it? -- for my case, it is a treatment (surgery) to correct your short-sightedness & astigmatism.
Where? -- I did it at OPTIMAX (T.T.D.I)
Why? -- because I'm tired of wearing spectacles & I couldn't wear contact lens since 15th March 2012 (it causes redness to my eyes, therefore I have been ignoring / not wearing the lens for few months)
How? -- you have to go through eye check-up, there were 5 different stages, if I remember correctly (thickness of cornea plays an important role: it determines whether you are suitable for lasik) before you can do lasik, eye drop to dilate the eye, then counselling (explain the treatment & the types of lasik, fact vs. myth about lasik, etc.), then payment, taught how to take care of the eyes after treatment, then treatment, then went home & rest.
before treatment: wear the 'operation' attire, clean eyes & surrounding areas with antiseptic (done by nurse), numb eyes with eye drops (done by nurse), check eyes' power (done by surgeon). the surgeon told me that there is a risk in doing the lasik, if you are between 18 to 24 years old, I'm just 25, so just nice.
during treatment (this is tailor made for different people): mine was 22 seconds for stage 1 (this should be same for most people - to open the thin layer of eyes (flap) -- I don't know what is it called), just open your eyes, stare at the lights, and stay still (eyes will be pressured) you will have blur or black for a while (for me, it was blur), then led to  next door for stage 2: 19 seconds lasik for right eyes with astigmatism, then 18 seconds lasik for left eye, just need to stare at the green light and stay still all the time. Surgeon will clean the eyes, flood eyes with a type of liquid and rub the eyes dry.
after treatment: given after-treatment kit, made appointment for next day, wearing sunglasses while journey home. After the numbness has gone, the pain started (it is like the pain in the eyes that you gain from cutting onions), and keep on tearing for 2-3 hours. can't really open the eyes due to unbearable pain. Pain-killer is helpful at this time (must be taken after meal).

2nd day is like magic, because when I woke up in the morning, I could see things clearly (those colours are so bright and sharp). I was amazed. Thank God for successful surgery. Went for check-up (done by surgeon), eyes doing good except that the eyes too dry. (I was advised not to be too ambitious on day 2, especially at night~ I wonder what the surgeon trying to say). Rest is a must.

For 1 week, eyes must be protected by eye shields while sleeping or even bathing (avoid water dripping or dust get into the eyes), avoid rubbing eyes. Antibiotic drop & artificial tears drop are required in 1st week.

1 week check-up (done by practitioner), the one who did eye check-up at the first attempt, did a few test. power: 0.25 (R), 0.75 (L)...yes, it will fluctuate, flap condition was good (healed)...therefore, next check-up was scheduled in 3 weeks later, which is one month from date of surgery...25th August 2012 is the date.
After 7 days, no more using antibiotic drop, just use tears drop.

Enjoying 'perfect' eye sight now...google Optimax for more info. Some did it at Vista. Choice is yours. Good luck for those who have decided to do lasik.

Transformation

From long to short

Please comment

Before

After 1

After 2

Step from After 1 to After 2

Waiting

Ta da~without spectacles

Spot the difference - New look

'Fighting' with snatch thefts

It was a fine morning, I went to work as usual after I put my cloths into the washing machine, the only different is everyone were out from the house, I was the last one who leave the house. Not including my colleague who were driving out (reversed) the van which parked in my house while I walked to my car, which was parked at the corner of the road, the alley.

While I was walking near my car, I actually notice motor coming from my back then I heard one of the Malay man shouted, "Ah Moi!" I didn't turn back but just continue to unlock my car and wanted to get in the car as soon as I could. I did not bother much because I thought it was that kind of like flirting thing which guys  usually does, especially Malay men. However the two of them, one riding on the blue motorcycle, one already got down and tried to snatch my handbag which I sling at my left arm, while another recycle bag sling on my right arm. At one point, I thought, "I must be dreaming, how could this happened to me.", but it is real! 

He tried very hard to snatch my bag, we were going through 'tug of war', for a few seconds. I do not know why, but I guessed I just could not let go my handbag. I think it was a normal reflex when someone try to take your belongings, you would grab it back to your side.  Then finally he let go the bag, I held my bag on my side but I fell on the tar road, my right elbow was injured. I was surprised when he let go and saw that he wanted to make a second attempt, however he hesitated and left. When I reflected on what just happened, I think I got pushed or hit on the back of my head because I remembered he came and attacked from behind. And, I shouted loud out of my lungs, "Ahh, ahh!!" repeatedly and tried to shout my colleague's name (it sounded ugly, but that is the least I could do during 'tug of war' where he tried to snatch and I grab my bag to my side, to and fro, repeatedly for a few rounds until he finally let go the bag - I was relieved after that even though I fell on the road and got my elbow hurt, but at least I got my bag back). 

After both of them left the scene on their dark blue colour motorcycle  through the alley, the road behind the houses, then I turned back, realized that my house gate haven't close while my colleague standing out of the van towards my direction, he asked, "Where were the snatch thefts went?" I pointed to the alley and said "They ran away by motorcycle through the back road." He parked his van towards the direction of the alley where the scene was happening. (I guess this is one of the reason the snatch theft let go my bag and left). As I turned back to where I came from, I also realized that while the scene was happening, two men (neighbours) from the opposite road shouted at the snatch thefts. (I realized this actually scared them away and they decided no to make the second attempt).

Thank God for He is in control in this situation whereby the thefts do not have any weapon with them and my colleague and neighbours were really helpful. I did not lost a thing but I got injured. I got bruises on my left arm during 'tug of war' and my right elbow bleed due to scratch on the tar road and my right leg got tiny scratches. I think I twisted my left arm, I felt pain at the muscles of the whole arm, painful as I move about my arm. Thank God that I still alive and my belongings still with me and I managed to drive to work after  'fighting' with snatch thefts. I remembered clearly, God's word says something like this, "God love the sinners but He hate the sins." It was really difficult at my side, but finally I said, "Okay, God, since your word said so, I obey, I choose to forgive them of what they have done." And, my tears just rolled down while I was driving towards my office. This was when the 'shaking and petrifying' moment was over. 

When I reached office, I quickly washed my injured right elbow and asked another colleague for first aid kit to wash the wounds. We couldn't find the 'dettol' and yellow solution. Then she asked what happened to me, then I told her what happened, and I broke down to tears again. I could feel that she was shocked. After that, when I was relaxed, my boss asked my colleague to bring me to report at the police station. At first I hesitated because I did not lose my belongings, but she insisted and mentioned that it is a must for safety purposes. So we went together, but I was the driver because her car were sent for service.

I decided to go to the clinic to check up my wounds, hopefully the doctor will wash the wounds or do something about my bruises. Unexpectedly he answered, "There is nothing I could do, your wounds already dried, no point washing it. And your bruises will healed in one or two days." Then he asked, "When was the incident happened?" I said, "This morning just before 9 am." He looks at my elbow and said, "Your wounds dried and healed fast, it seems like you got your wound three days ago." In  my heart, I praised God for He healed my wound so fast. His advice was, wash the wound while bathing with shampoo and dry it with towel. Really thankful because this doctor was merciful, he did not charge for consultation fee nor prescribe any medicine. Then, I remembered I prayed to God after I enter the clinic, saying,  "Oh God, may the fee be not expensive." Isn't God a good God? He is.

When my parents know about this news, they spread around to the rest of the colleagues and family members, and to friend who were just passing by them on that day.
One of my colleague messaged, "no pain, no gain" after he messaged, "asking am I ok".
Really thankful for all my colleagues who care for me and giving advices to me, asking me to be careful next time.

Lessons to learn: be extra alert towards suspicious surroundings while you are walking alone (I really did not suspect anything when one of them shouted, "Ah Moi!" until I felt my bag was being snatched, while I still held the bag tightly to my side), don't sling bag on one side, better to cross sling (I don't remember how I sling my bag, probably it was on one side - left side, which makes it easier to snatch), and many more - which I don't practice while it happened - like making my car alarm sound, or spraying pepper (but I don't have), or shouted, "Police" - don't know whether it works or doesn't. Report to police even though you did not lose a thing because it added to their list or statistics and they will look for similar case or reports on the same day or days after if it happens again. They would then patrol at the surrounding or suspected areas, hoping to catch the snatch thefts. I really hope the police force is really serious about this.

Day 1 - red mark due to 'tug of war'

Day 1 - red marks aftermath

Day 1 - injured right elbow

Day 2 - blue black on my wrist and red marks at upper arm

Day 2 - tiny scratch on my leg 

Day 2 - right elbow recovering

Day 2 -  blue black on wrist

Day 2 - red marks on my left arm

1st April Fool

Hi,

It's 1st April - Happy April Fool Day!

It's also the a day of remembrance of the death of Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing or nicknamed elder brother (哥哥) - Hong Kong superstar, actor & singer. (It was 1st April 2003, according to Wikipedia) 

 

29th February 2012

Hi friend,
Today is special day because it only happen once in 4 years.
My brother mentioned that today is confession day..I was like, so? What to confess? (In my heart I was thinking: I confess of my sins every day, what is so special about today?).
Then he explained saying, "It's a confession of single ones to his or her special someone that he or she likes."
I replied, "Oh, I see!"

Then, I found this tradition of women can propose to men on this day as explained in Leap Day Tradition.

Anyway, hope you enjoy your day! :)

Penang-conference-visitation

Picture explain better than writing...

Golden Sands Resort

Writing on pillar

Khoo Kongsi's ancestors plate

decoration at Khoo Kongsi

Khoo Kongsi entrance

Bachelor plate of Khoo family-paternal only

Secret passage at Nyonya Peranakan Museum

Antique spectacles at Nyonya Peranakan Museum

Temple

Golden statue

Sleeping Buddha

documentation about lifting Buddha

Lifting Buddha

temple

Myself & Doreen at Royal hotel

Hey Hey You You!

I want to say thank you to my dear friend, Michelle who at the eleventh hour suddenly mentioned that there is a contest to win ticket to watch Avril Lavigne concert live in Stadium Merdeka. I knew about the contest on Friday and the concert is on Saturday night, so can you imagine how tight is the time? I was thinking why not? Just try for the sake of trying, yes and finally when she called me at Friday night, she said I won 2 tickets to watch Avril Lavigne, I was shocked and amazed, I was like really? You didn't lie to me? I really thank God for this, because I remembered I told God and also people around me, saying I will go to the concert if I won the ticket. Then, it really happened!!! I can't believe it. I knew in my heart that this round the concert is going to be great, even before I found out that this is her last resort of Black Star tour. On Saturday morning, I happened to visit a magazine store and read her news in Galaxie, then I know it is going to be her last concert. How was the concert? Amazing! Love it! She is great! I can't imagine, but it really happened!!! Dream comes true...I shouted just like the others who made it there...Great! Compared to the first time she came, this round she is much better and more creative as she sang other song then combine with her song. And more entertaining as she came out for the encore, also throughout the concert there's interaction with audiences.

An Encounter With A Stranger

On one of the Saturday morning, I have finally decided to go to jog at the Queen’s Lake Park near my neighbourhood after a long wait for my siblings. I tried waking them up, but they continued their sleep. So, I went to jog at the park by myself. I was satisfied with my performance. That was my first run of the year with distance of approximately 3.9 km. Then, I went home right after the run. However, while I was driving back something happened. This elderly lady was standing in the middle of the road, looks like she is asking something from the driver of the car in front of me. But the driver drove off leaving the lady at the road. So, I thought I should do the same but somehow I stopped because if I didn’t stop, I can’t move on as she is standing in the middle of the road. At that moment without realizing that my car windows were down because I usually do that after exercise to get outdoors’ air. Then she asked, “Can you fetch me to market?” (in Cantonese). Before I could answer, she pulled up my car knob from the passenger side, and enters into my car.  My car was locked earlier even though the window was down. Anyway, she entered. I was surprised by her moves because I didn’t expect her to be so daring to do thing like that. I quickly asked her to fasten her seatbelt to be safe. Then she starts telling her story, she told me what happened earlier in the morning. She said, “I tripped while coming down from the bus, so my legs weaken and cannot walk fast.” Then she continued, “By the way my name is Aunt Lily, they called me this name even though I already aged as a grandmother.” I wondered in my heart, “Who are they?” Then she asked whether my name is Margaret. I said no. After that she continued her story as I passed by the Lutheran church nearby my house, she said the only thing that makes her happy or how she lives her life happily because she is entertained by the young people who lead worship every Sunday in the church,  she mentioned a few names of the handsome young men. She persuaded me to join their Sunday English service. I was smiling, and driving thinking, “This lady even at this age, she is serving God, asking people to go to the church. I did mention to her that I stay nearby the church, but I think she didn’t hear me because she continued her story. Then finally she asked what my name is before she gets down from the car. So I answered, “Grace.” She said, “Beautiful name.” This is not the first comment about by name though. Before that my parents’ friend asked for my English name before and she gave the same comment about my name. I shall thank God for guiding me to choose such name for myself. I felt so beautiful in this name (happily laughing at myself). Then she thanked me before she close the car door. During the ride to market, she warned me saying, “Don’t simply put your belongings in the car, later people may just break the window and take your belongings – keys and wallet.” I was thinking, “So kind of her telling this to me. Anyway I have a great God, the God who can protect me wherever I am. And the Spirit in me is greater than the spirit of the world; no one can come against me when God is with me.” I always have this confident that God is always by my side or at least the guardian angels are by my side that nothing can harm me. Thank God for giving this confident to me! She also mentioned that she stayed nearby in the same garden. Suddenly, she asked curiously, "Why are you jogging? You already slim." I simply answered in short, "Oh, this is the first time I jog." (didn't explain much because she didn't ask further, indeed it was my first jog this year.) So, she continued and mentioned that she is diabetic and she took care of herself by controlling her diet and by doing simple exercise like walking.

Until now, I have not known the reason for this encounter so I just post it here. Comments are welcome. 

hair style

looking back from young until now, I have been changing my hair style almost every year especially from the age of 13 until 23, but last year I maintained the style or rather not cutting it short, just let it grow longer, remain status quo, friends who never see me for long period, finally meet me, they usually comment, "your hair is longer now compared to last time." Thanks to my hair-dresser, who did treatment to my hair although my hair is not in very good condition now as it grow longer.

November & December 2011

Summary:

1st Nov 2011, my new colleague (my cousin) came to assist me in my work as full time admin assistant, thanks be to God who answered my prayer of bringing assistant to my work place even before my existing colleague goes for maternity leave. Otherwise the rest of the events which follow after this date (1st Nov 2011) will not happen. 

18-19 Nov 2011, attended a talk about Cultivating Disciplemaking Leaders at PJ EFC. It was a very tough topic to listen to and yet very basic thing we apply that make it counts. 

25 Nov 2011, experienced worship unlimited at Eagle Point, Puchong. 

26-28 Nov 2011, attended Decisions Camp organized by SIB KL at Kajang Country Heights.

Great experiences with young adults of different churches, met some familiar faces, experience most energetic ice breaker in the beginning of every sessions.

3-4 Dec 2011, visited Singapore for second time of same year, only managed to shop at Bugis, Tampine, Marina Square, Changi Airport. Stayed in Peninsula Excelsior Hotel near City Hall, visited the shopping malls in vicinity of City Hall.

6-9 Dec 2011, Life Game 2.0 camp at Grand Kampar Hotel.

Experienced life, what to expect in real life and be prepared for challenging future. Its conducted in Chinese & English. Met people of different walk of life who have same vision. Learned a lot.

17-18 Dec 2011, spend time with a friend from Kuching and overnight at Mei Mei's house, sent her to KLIA on the 18th morning.

23-24 Dec 2011, carolling at nursing homes around Alam Damai & Damai Perdana, and also Melia's house  at Bayu Mas, near Cheras Hartamas.

25 Dec 2011, Christmas celebration in church (helping in the PA system).

31 Dec 2011, spend time with church members planning for 2012 and countdown at beach in PD. I think it was my first time spending new year, away from KL.

I'm falling on my knee

When people who knows me well asked when is my next run or hike, I would say I no longer doing that because I hurt my knee. Why? How? Was it during your previous run that you injured your knee? No, I answered briefly, I said I fell from a chair. 

It was 1st November, around 1 a.m. when I was back from home town after my late uncle's memorial service.

I was standing on top of the chair trying to keep the bedsheets into my top cupboard, then when I was getting down from the chair, I 'jumped' instead of stepping down gently, some how my left leg fell and my knee hit the ground before my right leg because my right feet was tangled at the 'hole' (empty space between the seat and the metal) of the chair. I was stunned for 1 to 3 minutes because my knee hit on the tiled ground right at the space in between the tiles, and my head almost hit the ground, just that my hands stopped that from happening at that time. However, my spectacles shifted up an inch away from my eye level after I fell on the ground while my right feet was still tangled at the 'hole' as the chair has fallen on the ground.   

chair - the culprit

knee that bleed & bruised

I forgotten how long I was seated on the ground (when the photo was taken) - until the pain subsided, while I was praying to God and request from Jesus when this happened, so that I would not have much pain and I could walk, and yes He answered my prayer! I can walk immediately after that, then I took the first aid kit  to clean my wound and applied yellow solution. 

Now my knee outwardly looks like it is recovered, no scar, but the inner part - which I don't know what was damaged - could be the joint or tissues or muscles, is still not fully recover, but I know clearly that my bone is still functioning, else I would not be able to stand and walk. But, as I could recall, the next day when I went to work I just can't let my left feet touch the steps when I was coming down the stairs - it was painful! And I walked very slow - slower than usual.

I didn't seek doctor for advise until lately when I have sore throat after carolling, then I ask the doctor about it. Doctor commented that it was not serious, that I need not X-ray it. I was given muscle relax medicine not to apply but to be taken orally together with all the sore throat - related medications. I can't stand for long hours after a long walk especially during shopping, and I can't squat after that either because my knee will hurt if I do so. Well, doctor advise that my best position is to stand and sit, when sitting my knee should bend 90 degree. When will my knee fully recover is unknown - doctor said some people took few weeks, some people few months (if you rest more and do less stretching on knee then can recover fast, but if you keep stretching your knee then it will be slow because when you stretch the muscles too much when it haven't finish repairing, then it will take time to repair). Sounds logical to me, but I can't be sitting all the time, which lead to long recovery time. 

This should be schedule earlier in November 2011, but I can't due to many events until today when I can sit down and post this. My words may not explained it well, should be better to understand if I can demonstrate it. Anyway, this was my past. I am looking for my bright future where God has promised and arranged for me.