HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

I think this is my second year celebrating Chinese New Year away from home. Nevertheless, now I kinda agree with those 'old people', that when we grow older, CNY is just another break from our pressured and hectic life! That's very true back home, but not here in UK :P I am even more busy than usual this few weeks.

Yanti has gone back for holiday in Sekadau (it's a small village in Kalimantan), so am taking care of her Care Group. I appreciate Yanti alot alot, now after she left, i appreciate her more! it's not easy taking care of CG, sheep n work. I really hope she can come back early :P On the other hand, I really hope she's enjoying herself to the fullest! She deserves the break!

Had a really busy Saturday! Shepherding, shopping, care group and dinner! Was particularly glad because able to call home, talked to almost everyone in Betong (my hometown).

Then come the CNY dinner. I was sooooo disappointed with myself and the BBQ :P I bought the wrong charcoal. Technically, it's not even charcoal, it's just coal for the fireplace! hehehe ... solution: went to buy some woods! The effect with wood is always not as nice as charcoal! Lesson learnt: stock up charcoal for winter or NEVER BBQ in winter (it's soooo cold :P ) We had our countdown when 12 struck. Kinda weird, countdown for CNY :)

Sunday service, was great. Led the worship. Received some positive feedbacks. There's one i particular remembered, 'Hey, your guitar was in tune whole day!' <-- so you can roughly know how lousy my guitar skill is! Hehehe .. again, I praise God for the talents n giftings He gives me! We received small 'ang pow' from the church, which I think it's great! CNY need to have ang pow!

In the evening, it's the first CG for the pioneering Koinonia 4 at ministry house. Even though we started late and end early (pretty rush), I'm glad the visitors were blessed! The CG initially is targetting post-graduate and young adults, but with God's guidance, it has pretty much become a Oriental CG with visitors from China n Japan! :D Later in the night, received two emails from the visitors, sharing how grateful and happy they are to be able to join the CG. It encourages me so much so much! :D

This morning, woke up a bit late, cause slept late! Was preparing worship for the Sunday, supposingly as cover-up for Aaron, thank God now Vincent is 'forcing' Aaron to lead with his help! So i'm being 'set-free'. While walking towards the bus stop .... SHOCK!! I saw the church van parked at the resident parking, which i forgot to park back at my parking lot! £50 fine .... so sakit hati!!! The cost of my carelessness is too high! And there goes my 'ang pow' if I do receive any :(

Now back to my study! Tough but God is with me! :D

Explosion at 4.30am

I'll never thought this would happen to me! While waiting for the train at Kentish Town Thameslink station, an explosion happened! The next thing we noticed a few seconds later, a person lying on the track burning! How dramatic this was. My first reaction was to run as fast as I could to alert the tube maintenance staff. In no time, they rush to the victim. Michelle at that time was in a bit shock so I comforted her and we prayed. (By the way, I was at the station with Michelle early in the hour because she was flying off to Aberdeen using the early flight thru Luton, and thameslink has a station at Kentish Town.)

Few minutes later, dozen (I mean really in 5 minutes, a total of about 15++ police were there). Me and Michelle were telling each other, this is an impossible sight in Malaysia .. n we did comemnt about the physical appearance of the police as well .. young and fit! A few more minutes later, paramedics and fire crews were there as well. I was really amazed on their respond time! When can this happen back at Malaysia?

We don't really know what happen to the victim except constantly heards his mourning in pain. Moments later, few policemen came and took statements from us. Train was late for about 20 minutes, probably because of the explosion. Michelle boarded the train and i drove home.

And there goes my 'explosive' night! Now is 5.20am .... will catch some sleep now!

Highbury, here I come ... AGAIN! :D

What a blessed year!! it's the last season of Arsenal playing in Highbury, before we move to our new home in Asburton Grove. I'm just soooo excited that I'm once again, able to get hold of the general sales ticket! It's a dream comes true! Guess how much is the ticket? £20!! Although it's RM140 .... but just look at the line up for the match! Opps.. by the way, it's the Arsenal vs Wigan, Carling Cup seminfinal second leg! Arsenal lost the first leg ... so this 'die-die' must win!

Manuel Almunia; Mart Poom; Johann Djourou; Mathieu Flamini; Abou Diaby; Alexander Hleb; Kerrea Gilbert; Lauren; Sol Campbell; Philippe Senderos; Gilberto; Robert Pires; Thierry Henry; Jose Antonio Reyes; Dennis Bergkamp; Robin van Persie

I'll record some video clips and post here asap! Do hope I can get other match tickets :D

Oooo, by the way, I'll be sitting at the famous North Bank ... behind the goal! Hopefully can see some exciting actions!

New thing for my blog :D

Well, i'm trying new things ... putting video on blog! Should be fun :D

First clip ... as Arsenal young guns run out from tunnel to face Reading on their Carling Cup third round!



Second clip, me inflating the inflatable sofa chair for Candy! Take so much of my breath away :P



Well, will post more video from now on! Hehehe

Have not been updating blog recently ... but i'm good here :D

Eldos, your true color is Black!

My friend Dinah sent me an interesting test from Tickle. Never really interested in those kinda test. Since tonight i'm abit bored, so no harm trying. I'm quite amazed that the result is quite accurate. Here goes:

Your color is black. The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you.

How true it is? Do comment if you agree or disagree. Need third party opinion as well :D

Going get tough, tough get going

Went to college today, and one of my colleagues comes and informed us that he's quiting. It's so sudden. Reason being, cannot cope with the demand and pressure of his supervisor. Cannot deny, the supervisor that he has was one of the strictest in Imperial College! The impact was felt immediately as i saw my colleague walked out of the room, feeling devastated.

I'm really thankful to God for preparing Prof. Duncan as my supervisor. He's really an English gentleman, polite and kind, good at violin! :D All his PhD students really respect him and like him so much! Indeed, for me to survive 3 years of research, a supportive mentor is really important!

I start to write my 3 month progress report. I am really worry initially because it is a gauge to see how much I have understand my research. I struggle on how to begin and end of the day, just manage to finish a page. But deep inside me, I am really happy because I kinda understand what I have read. Of course I don't fully understand the concepts, the mathematical models, but I've got the basic idea what I want to achive at the end of my research. Praise God!

Went to visit Rachel again with Yanti. She is really ill, have not been to work for a few days. Have to pray for God's protection. Take care, everyone!

First Day of 2006

Many things happen on the first day of 2006, good and bad, just encourage me to be more aware of the spiritual warfare! Nevertheless, God is good!

Woke up late because went to Embankment for the new year eve countdown with Kenny, Ah Sun, Nat, Alicia and Sarah. The firework display was great! But i still prefer last year's, probably of the angle i'm watching the firework. Last year, we were at Elephant n Castle flat, 10th storey and can clearly see the London Eye turn into Stargate! This year, was standing at the river front, blocked by a tree. I wonder how much it cost for thet 10 minute display! The journey back home was really bad, because there was millions of people at that area at that point of time. So we decided to stand on the road divider until the crowd had lessen. By the time we got home, it's already 2.30am.

Called Esther and decided to go Central London for a drink. Left the house around 2.15pm, remembered that Caledonian Tube Station might be close, so took bus 29 to go Tottentham Court Road. I was lazy to wait so when boarded bus 253 and thought of changing to 29 at Camden. Got off at Camden Town, waited for bus 29. Just when i was about to board bus 29, i lost my oyster card (What Michelle called, 'Kad Tiram'). Panic, because there was my 3 months unused Zone 1-2 travel card worth abt £172. So quitely rush to Euston where bus 253 stopped last. Search few buses, can't find anything. Disappointedly call Oyster helpline to cancel my card. That time, i really thank God i registered my card. And I am able to get all the refund! Well, still lost a bit of money for the registration fee of new student card and the normal price of the travel card until i got my replacement.

Met up with Esther, went to Baker Street for a drink, because later in the evening thought of going to Wembley for Hillsong service, featuring Katinas (heard that they a popular US Christian band). Just as we boarded the tube, realised that Wembley Park station is in Zone 4 and my travel card only till Zone 2. Being a bit stingy after the 'Kad Tiram' incident, we got off at Finchley Road to take bus! Then only realise it gonna take us 1.5 hours to reach Wembly, so in the end, we decided to go 'Mamak' at Kilburn!

We ordered so much food, nasi pattaya, nasi lemak and roti canai! This is my treat to Esther because of her birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Esther Ho Kit Yeng!!

Another ordeal happened. The small take away shop was filled with people. There's one group of Malays and us (just two tables). We're enjoying ourselves there cause of the Malay they were speaking, make us feel so at home. When we were about to leave, one of the girl suddenly start panic and crying, cause her bag was stolen. Then only we remembered, there's two white guy came in, did not order anything and left. It was 30 minutes ago and surely can't find where they are. The girl was crying hysterically, almost 'pengsan' as well. Geee, no wonder when hysteria so easily happen to Malay girls. Anyway, can't do anything, we were forced to sit there until things calm down, paid and left.

Went to visited Rachel cause she was sick. Played cards with her and seriously thought were we there to bully her cause she was losing all night! :P We prayed for her to be healed and left.

First day of 2006, many things happen! But i'm glad because it's going to be a very exciting year!