Yan's Corner - In Touch

From blogspot to wordpress ...

2006-04-05T17:23:00.000+08:00

I have finally decided to move to wordpress ....following dobbs. Thanks, dobbs, for the free tutorials.Visit me at wordpress. See you there!

Some Good Humour in School?

2006-04-05T08:44:00.000+08:00

While I have read one heart-warming story in Guidepost early morning, I also read a not-so-nice story in The Borneo Post today.But, first start from a story from home.Chris (my 10-year-old son) goes to a government-aided Chinese Primary School. The School was formerly a mission school. Therefore, the image of it being a Christian (Methodist) school is still being maintained in that the Board

The Magic of Three Days

2006-04-05T06:14:00.000+08:00

Guideposts was one of the magazines that I read during my school days. It was introduced to us by one of my sixth form teachers. I read that in school library during those days. Many years later, when I married my husband, I read Guidepost again. My mother-in-law has a good collection of Guideposts and Readers' Digest.Now, I read part of Guidepost online! I am always warmed by the stories in the

First Things First

2006-04-04T08:59:00.000+08:00

Three of my Pioneer girls in Girls’ Brigade are going for JPA scholarship interview today. They have obtained straight As in their SPM Examination. These girls have been with me in the GB’s Pioneer Venture Program for the past two years. They, together with other 11 girls, have been very conscientious and showed much qualities of leadership.If you listen to teens long enough, you will notice that

A Prayer for Hard Times

2006-04-03T12:06:00.000+08:00

Entering April. It has been pretty quiet here. Some comforting news. Some bad news. Comforting because Yek's husband who has been in ICU shows signs of God's works. She said in a SMS this morning that reads,Thank God that he is recovering. Please continue to pray.Another SMS came in late last night. Another dear friend in Girls' Brigade has a relapse of cancer treated twelve years ago.Last night,

A Tale of Two Birds

2006-03-31T07:56:00.000+08:00

yingks asked,I am a positive pessimist. Are you?According to this young man,a positive pessimist is one who envisages the worse possible situation and plans how to avoid it. He anticipates a glommy tomorrow, and thus does what he can today to make tomorrow a bright and lovely day.That leads me to the tale of two birds. These two birds react differently to the threat of a storm. First, the turkey.

Keep Me In Your Heart

2006-03-29T16:42:00.000+08:00

This is not a good month. A number of things happened. And the month is not over yet. And even in April, it’s Ching Ming!First, it was the death of Ker-May, a dear friend in Girls’ Brigade. Ker-May was only 38.It followed with the death of my auntie, my late father’s sister-in-law. She was 88.My colleague’s father died of cancer at the age of 59 the following week.The husband of another dear

Only Human!

2006-03-29T08:58:00.000+08:00

"Stuff" of life I have always taken it as great pride and joy when Chris (my 10-year-old boy) waves goodbye to me after I drop him off at the school gate every morning. He waves goodbye when

Whom Should I Love More?

2006-03-27T06:12:00.000+08:00

The Borneo Post carries this AFP story today,British men love football twice as much as their womenLondon: British men show far more loyalty, commitment and self-sacrifice towards their favourite football team than towards their partners, according to a study.Some 94 percent said they would never stop loving their team no matter how bad they were while 32 percent would galdly ditch a relatinship

A matter of Life and Death - and Life!

2006-03-26T14:26:00.000+08:00

I read a very thought-provoking post titled Irony of Life by Vagus. I was linked to the story from Malaysian Medical Resources.While I was much "nearer" to death itself this month, I posted the following comment at Vagus' site at that spur of moment -Hi, linked here from MMR. Actually have been reading your blog for quite sometimes, not so regular, but frequent enough to have a glimpse into your

The Wonders of the Word of God

2006-03-25T23:30:00.000+08:00

Since the beginning of the year, members have been assigned to write on the reflection of the sermon and print in the following week’s bulletin. Many members express their fear being assigned such a big task. However, Sundays after Sundays, I am quite amazed by their thoughts and expressions through words. My Reflection on one Sunday is picked up by the newsletter of Sarawak Methodist Churches,

Beauty of God

2006-03-24T16:35:00.000+08:00

“I should lose weight this year.” Chris said to his sister, Rachel this afternoon on the way back from school.Rachel asked, “Why this year?”“Next year in August I will be 12. I must have a handsome photograph in MyKad. I need to carry that card until 18. I do not want to have an ugly photo to hold and carry for six long years.” Chris answered.Rachel and I plus Chris all bursted into

Listen! That Still Small Voice

2006-03-23T10:13:00.000+08:00

The Borneo Post reports today –An Englishman who cycled all the way from China is stranded in Bintulu as he has fractured his left leg in a hit-and-run accident during the last Lunar New Year celebration.A woman driver was said to have hit Gerald Joseph Roman who was consequently hospitalized for six weeks. He has been discharged andis now being taken care of by the Calvary Baptist Church.The 54-

DIGI deposits in my Emotional Bank Account!

2006-03-22T11:01:00.000+08:00

To say that I am faithful is self-praise. To say that I fear change is a confession.My first connection on mobile is Maxis. When Maxis was first introduced to Sarawak, I was one of the “privileged journalists” to be given a nice number plus a stylish handphone. It was a tie for two years. I took the offer. I started with the connections Maxis provided for Kuching, Sibu and Miri. When I traveled

Status of Our Accounts

2006-03-20T09:05:00.000+08:00

At the memorial service of my late uncle yesterday, the Second Finance Minister, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh recalled my late uncle telling him that each one of us should have two accounts.One account is your personal saving accounts. For this account, it is best that the deposits be more than the withdrawals so that there is always balances for the rainy days.As for the other account, it is our

Dance of May

2006-03-19T13:43:00.000+08:00

This book by the late Dato Sri (Dr) Lau Hui Kang, Recalling the Past at Parkview, was launched this morning at Civic Centre. Some 1000 guests attended the Memorial Service held in honour of my late uncle exactly 60 days after he passed on. The book was completed in September 2005. But, the late Dato Sri (Dr) Lau was then too sick to launch the book. I have read the book earlier before

Be My Guest

2006-03-18T09:19:00.000+08:00

It is always a joy to receive guests at home. It is “all-joy” to receive guest like Queen Elizabeth, I guess, but I have never thought of having an honourable guest like the queen. Yes, one family in Singapore had the honour to receive Queen Elizabeth II yesterday. Queen Elizabeth II visited the Pung’s family (thought it could be P’ng’s family, Joe?) in 1972.I read from “Nayyang Siang Pau” that

Things God Won't Ask

2006-03-17T09:08:00.000+08:00

March is my Company's annual review. This is the last thing I like to do. Still, I shall be doing this task for the next two weeks.Results. Performance. How do you measure? How do you measure whether the staff worth their salaries? How do you determine the increment?While many wish they can evaluate others, I wish to be evaluated. To be evaluated by my Lord.Here is one reminder, also one of my "

Here Come Justice Bao!

2006-03-16T15:45:00.000+08:00

I did not grow up with fairy tales like Snow White or Cinderella. I grew up with Chinese Classics, Chinese Legendary Stories, Jing-Yuan’s stories and Justice Bao’s stories. Those were the books of my late father. One fine day, I found the treasures in one of the cabinets. Those books occupied much of my childhood years. I was also not a “text-book” person.I remember when Pak Lah took over the

Goodbye, Ker-may

2006-03-15T22:08:00.000+08:00

A dear friend in the Girls’ Brigade Ministry, Ker-may left us without a “goodbye”.I first got to really know Ker-may in a camp four years ago. She was the camp commandant of the Girls’ Brigade Junior Leadership Training. I was one of the speakers. She was many years senior than me in the Girls’ Brigade. I felt small in front of her. But she did not make me feel small. She gave me all the

A Spa For The Soul

2006-03-15T14:13:00.000+08:00

I remember reading a story about a man walking down the street one day. He passed by a store selling used books. Looking through the window he saw a book with this title, How to Hug. He was caught by the title, and being a romantic person wanting to learn more skills, he bought the book. Back home, he discovered that it was the third volume of an encyclopedia that covered the subjects from “How”

Slow Down? Slow Dance?

2006-03-14T08:44:00.000+08:00

S L O W D A N C EHave you ever watched kidson a merry-go-roundOr listened to the rainslapping on the ground?Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flightOr gazed at the sun into the fading night?You better slow downDon't dance so fastTime is shortThe music won't lastDo you run through each day on the flyWhen you ask "How are you?"do you hear the reply?When the day is done,do you lie in your bedWith

The Child In Our Midst

2006-03-12T20:22:00.000+08:00

Chris posed this question to me few hours ago – What is more important? Keeping the promises you made to your boss or keeping the promises you made to your children? Like most women, my answer would not be “A” or “B”. It’s neither “A” nor “B” or “Both”. Like most women, I would start a new question to close the subject and begin a new subject. Does mummy promise you something and does not

Smile, an everlasting Smile

2006-03-11T06:59:00.000+08:00

Smile an everlasting smile,A smile can bring you near to meDon’t ever let me find you downCause that would bring a tear to meThis world has lost its gloryLet’s start a brand new story now, my loveRight now, there’ll be no other time andI can show you how, my love.Talk in everlasting words,And dedicate them all to me.And I will give you all my lifeI’m here if you

My Heart Cries Home*

2006-03-10T22:29:00.000+08:00

The Borneo Post has chosen the headline – Oh, why always Sibu? for its lead story today. I do not quite like it when it “greeted” me this early morn at 6:00 am. I think I would like to re-write it to – Oh dear! Why ten years later? I do have very sentimental reasons to think my “Sibu way” today. I remember telling this “Oh, dear” story to a young inspiring doctor friend who is full of

No Hugging, No Kissing for Sarawak Children

2006-03-06T07:55:00.000+08:00

"The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."(Ps 121:7-8)“During such a critical time, you don’t have to hug and kiss your children often.”I do try to find some amusement reading news every morning though most of the news are not so amusing. This advice came from Dr Faizul Mansoor, the Divisional

As A Little Child

2006-03-05T08:48:00.000+08:00

"Unless you are converted and become as little children,you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."Matthew 19:3 (NKJV)The first step towards entering into the kingdom of grace is to become as little children - lowly in heart, knowing yourselves utterly ignorant and helpless, and hanging wholly on your Father in heaven for a supply of all your wants. It is further true that unless you are

Adding Life to Years

2006-03-04T06:58:00.000+08:00

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."Psalm 112:4 I finished reading “Add Life to Your Years” during my last trip to Kuala Lumpur. Probably, the only thing I enjoy while I am on business trip is being able to read books.“Add Life to Your Years” is a collection of stories of

Engineer Instructs, Technician Fixes!

2006-03-03T08:00:00.000+08:00

My mother-in-law forwarded to me this letter through email yesterday. Don’t look back, it’s mother-in-law, you do not read it wrongly. The little froggy story is not very special, but I want to “re-tell” this story today. Indulge me. It’s a happy story anyway. Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs … who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high

Any Happy Stories?

2006-03-02T09:15:00.000+08:00

On Sunday night while I was packing for an overnight trip to Kuala Lumpur, Chris reminded me that I have to bring some surgical mask,“Bird Flu in Kuala Lumpur. You are staying in the hotel just opposite Twin Towers. Twin Towers is within the area monitored for Bird Flu. Remember to put on the mask if you go there.”I thought, wearing a

I'll Be With You

2006-02-26T00:00:00.000+08:00

It’s one of the great privileges of being a journalist to participate with people in their wedding. Last night I attended the wedding reception of the youngest daughter of Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, the Second Finance Minister and Minister of Urban Development and Tourism Sarawak. Sharon is married to her University mate, Andrew from Sing-Land. They were married in Sydney on 18th Feb. Tonight’s

A Day to Remember

2006-02-25T02:57:00.000+08:00

Chris went to a dentist today and had one milk tooth pulled to give way to the permanent tooth that is cutting through the gum. I like to tease him that his milk teeth are jealous teeth who would not give way for the permanent ones. He reasons that because his permanent teeth learn the hard way to grow, so they are all aligned nicely. Every time when he has a tooth extracted, we could tell

There's a Camel in My Soup

2006-02-24T07:01:00.000+08:00

I am way behind in my daily reading of "The One Year Bible". Going along with me is another companion, One Year Book of Praying Through The Bible".NST greets its readers with "We Apologise. Unreservedly" today.I thought, NST owes me no apology.Praying Through The Bible greets me with this devotion, "There's a Camel in My Soup". Today, if you think NST owes you an apology, or someone owes you an

Why?

2006-02-23T09:41:00.000+08:00

Someone has said,There are only two kinds of speakers. One is those who have something to say. The other is those who have to say something.Very often, we are the latter kind.Life presents some riddles to us. Different people take these riddles differently. But, most of us will ask, “Why?” first. After the “why”, some will remain silent, some will express them

Life in the Fast Lane

2006-02-22T08:16:00.000+08:00

I boarded 7 am flight to Miri yesterday morning reaching Miri city at 8 am. I met 12 journalists, each 15 minutes. By 12:15 pm I was on the plane back to Sibu. I have to catch this flight so that I could still have a brief stop at Bintulu airport for another journalist. Last night, little Chris had a bad nose bleeding. It was a bad one because the bleeding was profuse and lasted for

Just Friends

2006-02-17T01:38:00.000+08:00

Friends and food. Food and fellowship. Fellowship and sharing. Sharing and caring. Such are the inseparables. Last night while rushing to meet some deadlines, a mail came in. I like the “gmail notifier” that alerts me whenever there is a new mail inbox. The alert also shows the sender. It was from a new friend helping me to get Rachel’s hearing test to be interpreted by his friend. I am

The Dimming of the Light

2006-02-15T12:21:00.000+08:00

Don’t get caught by the cartoon. It has nothing to do with my posting today nor has it got anything to do with the title of the posting. It is just to tell you that I appreciate cartoons because they drive a point home in a very striking way. Now, this cartoon may not represent my point of view, but I appreciate the humour of it because it drives a point home. Perhaps, one of the points in this

Be My V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E - all year long!

2006-02-14T00:23:00.000+08:00

The first time I “celebrated” Valentine’s Day was when Rachel suggested that daddy and mummy went for a Valentine Candle Light dinner while she looked after Chris. She was then 6 and Chris, 1.We did not go for a candle light dinner. My significant other bought some chocolates. Chocolates has never been my favourite, so the father-daughter team finished all. For that

Thank you, thank you

2006-02-12T14:29:00.000+08:00

I have meant to come back 144 hours after the last post. I have to come back early because I have friends to thank –Thank you, Dobbs, for the link to some nice templates. Of all, I like the template you use best. So, I have to take the second best!Thanks, anonymous for the reminder – Look at our own heart. We are all sinners.Thanks, a lump of clay, for adding weight to what we are to do – to turn

In the light of His glory and grace

2006-02-10T01:09:00.000+08:00

Hello darkness, my old friendI’ve come to talk to you again.This accurately describes the way I feel for the past 144 hours (counting 6 days).Quite sometime ago, I begged to differ from Desi on this song, “Sound of Silence” written by Simon and Garfunkel in the 70’s.Living in darkness – I am not. But I feel all the things of the earth grow strangely dim!Feb 4 - I read the Sarawak Tribune

From Guilty to Glory?

2006-02-05T15:16:00.000+08:00

My parents brought up their nine children with one principle that if we ever got into a fight with other children or got into trouble in school and punished by teachers, their fingers were always pointed to us first. We have to be absolutely sure that we were innocent. Even if we seemed to be the victims, we would be reprimanded because we were involved in a fight or we had given causes for

Beyond the Mask

2006-02-03T16:23:00.000+08:00

I have been disturbed by the unexpected unmask of a Church leader at the pulpit on the first day of Chinese New Year. What were rightfully my words were claimed by the leaders as hers. At that spur of moment, I even took a de-tour and left the Church through the side door to avoid shaking hands with the leader.Tension built up yesterday while in a conversation with a church friend. I picked up

A Stitch In Time

2006-01-30T17:36:00.000+08:00

Before Rachel was born, I spent many hours enjoying cross-stitches. It was a long wait of four years before God delivered the bundle of joy to us. The pressures had me stressed, it was the little stitching that gave me the relaxation. It was the concentration in stitching that all the cares and anxieties seemed to be gone. Cross-stitching is also one of the sources of some of my most favourite

New Year Day with Morrie

2006-01-29T23:25:00.000+08:00

My late mother spent the most number of years with my second brother in Sibu. So, it is natural that brothers and sisters visited my second brother’s home most often. In recent years, my younger sister, my second sister and me (all the siblings who are in Sibu. Remember? My mother raise up nine children.) make it a point that we shall meet in second brother’s home during Chinese New Year.This

Missing From the Reunion Dinner Table

2006-01-28T23:50:00.000+08:00

This is the second reunion dinner that dad in law is missing. Dad in law passed away on 2nd October 2004. I recalled that dad in law would always had his special “Mee Hoon Soup” specially prepared for him only. Mum in law would never fail to cook a special bowl for him.With dad in law missing, the special “Mee Hoon Soup” is also not prepared. My late mother would never miss her special “yam cake”

Pre-CNY musings

2006-01-27T19:42:00.000+08:00

My colleague, a young writer for my Chinese newspaper, knocked at my door this morning. He wants to interview me!Huh? I interview people, not to be interviewed, I strongly protested. But, he was persistent. He wanted me to talk something about Valentine Day from a mature wise woman’s point of view. Well, mature is just another substitute for “elder”. “Wise” sounds a lot better, but it’s still

Baking the Stress Away

2006-01-26T22:37:00.000+08:00

I thought I am not going to do any baking this Chinese New Year. I have been feeling exceptionally tired after a day's work. I have been hoping that I have more time to sleep.As the clock clicks away, I know I can't go without that cheese cake my friends have been looking forward. I can't ignore the hintings of Rach and Chris of the chocolate cake.So, I baked three cheese cakes and steamed one

Sally

2006-01-25T13:17:00.000+08:00

I met Sally few years ago in Kuching. She is a Singaporean lawyer turned educationist. She is a special lady. What makes her special as a Singaporean is she has 6 children. Yes, six, you do not read wrongly.No doubt, Sally is also a very capable woman. She is able to use time and resources wisely and effectively between family, career and on her missions with God.Sally answered to my wide-open

The Man In The Mirror

2006-01-24T10:36:00.000+08:00

Finally, it's done! Yes, the bathroom attached to Rachel's room and our room. It has been almost a month of dust, drill, hitting and knocking.It's a new look. From tiles to choice of bathroom accessories, my significant half handles all. I have been busy with work, trips outstation and church works. I appreciate it very much.I also have a new understanding of my significant half. The bathroom is

Going Home

2006-01-21T19:57:00.000+08:00

Attending Christian funerals, or Memorial Services is usually an unforgettable experience. Yes, there are tears. We grieve over those to whom we bid a temporary good-bye. The sense of loss can be overwhelming. Yet, there is a sense of great triumph. Someone has finished his course and entered into the HOME that God has prepared.My uncle’s funeral service this morning at Masland Methodist Church

Where, O death is your victory?

2006-01-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

There are many new words related to death being used today.A dead body is no longer called a corpse. We refer a dead body as “the departed.”We do not say that a person has died. We say, he has “passed away,” or he has “passed on.”Coffins are re-worded as caskets.Even graveyard has new name like "Memorial Park".Such new descriptions of death revealed the truth that we are afraid of death. We do

Traveling Light

2006-01-19T01:00:00.000+08:00

Working in an organization with diversified business and with a travel agent can give you some surprises now and then. It also means your itinerary is not a secret. Though I have nothing to hide about my travel itinerary, I do mind the travel agent reveal my itinerary to Tom, Dick or Harry! Probably because it’s near to Chinese New Year, not many staff travel. So, my travel to Kuching today (few

If you have nothing good to say ....

2006-01-18T07:44:00.000+08:00

Yesterday someone remarked - you are a true journalist at heart. You have something fantastic to say about every single thing. I replied that I took all what he has to say about me!But, I have nothing good to say today... The car plate number dropped last night. This morning on the way to school, Rachel murmured at the back seat, “Mummy is using raining as an excuse.”I heard it loud and clear and

Oh, Dear

2006-01-17T01:00:00.000+08:00

A little girl hurt her finger. She ran to her daddy, who was a preacher. The preacher was engaged in studying. She showed her daddy her finger. But the preacher was so engrossed in his studies that he just took a look, and said, “Oh, that will be alright.” He sent the little girl away.The little girl ran to her mother, weeping and crying. Her mother said, “Oh, dear, does it hurt so much?”The

The Lost Coin

2006-01-16T05:00:00.000+08:00

What did you do when you were 8 years old? If you were from a poor family staying in the village, you would probably be like me –At 4 or 5 am, I was in the rubber garden collecting latex from the rubber tapped by my mother and elder brothers and sisters. It means my mother and elder brothers and sisters started their days at 2 or 3 am. By 8 am, I was in a primary school. I did not even have a

P B P G I N T W M Y

2006-01-15T13:21:00.000+08:00

A husband returned home from work. The wife asked for quite a substantial sum of money from him. When asked of the purpose, the wife said, “I need to buy a new dress for the community dinner/dance tomorrow.” The husband said, “Dear, you have just bought one yesterday.” The wife answered, “I saw the woman next door having the same dress. I am afraid she will be wearing the same dress tomorrow

One Fine Day

2006-01-13T09:53:00.000+08:00

Many years ago, probably before I was married, I heard of a story of a man who dropped his wife at the market and came back to fetch her. He heard the door shut. He drove home. On reaching home, he stepped out of his car, went straight into the house. Telephone rang. (No handphone then) He picked up. At the other end was his wife. His wife was still at the market. She had merely dropped her

Lovers' Language

2006-01-12T09:49:00.000+08:00

Today, I woke up finding the newspapers all “flooded” with bridges and roads.Many years ago, Sibu people longed for bridges and better roads. Bridges to connect to the smaller towns. Better roads’ connectivity and not flooded once it rains. Yes, throughout the past years, some bridges were built and being used. Some bridges are still under construction, some far behind schedule. Better roads

Bumper Sticker Hypocrisy

2006-01-11T15:44:00.000+08:00

I read this Bumper Sticker Hypocrisy this morning –A police officer pulled a driver aside and asked for his license and registration.“What’s wrong, Officer?” the driver asked. “I didn’t go through any red lights, and I certainly wasn’t speeding.”“No, you weren’t”, said the officer, “but I saw you waving your fist as you swerved around the lady driving in the left lane, and I further observed you

Still in my garden

2006-01-11T07:47:00.000+08:00

Still in my own garden, but I steal (stole) from the garden of others today.While I am still looking at my own garden and thinking it may be gone forever, a delightful newsletter from guideposts arrived in my mail box this morning. I know God whispers, speaks, and now He shouts –Happiness held is the seedHappiness shared is the flowerIn a story, “Good things come to those who wait”, Genie Aylor

In the coffee shop

2006-01-10T12:19:00.000+08:00

He ordered a fish-noodles. I ordered a Foochow style rice noodles with home-made red wine and egg. She ordered Sibu “Kam-pua Mee” (dried noodles) He ordered an iced Milo “kurang manis”. I ordered a hot chocolate without sugar. She ordered a teh-chi.We talked about “Milo”. He said he also liked “Vico”. I told him story about “Auntie Jenny” who worked with Nestle and every time she visited our town

I stand in awe

2006-01-09T22:15:00.000+08:00

This is my garden. It is always there. I do not do much gardening. The gardener comes once a month. He came this afternoon. I stayed a while watching him. He cut, trimmed, pruned, snipped …I thought I saw the picture of the workings of God through the hands of the gardener. He cuts away my worldly passions that have begun to take roots in my life. He prunes away the clutter from my life. He is

Wisdom in handbag

2006-01-09T09:15:00.000+08:00

When I was in secondary school, my Chinese teacher liked to share his "wisdom" about women with boys. Such "wisdom" includes -If you want to know how your wife would look like at middle-age or old-age, just look at her mother. If you think you can accept such a woman, then marry her daughter. Your marriage will last.Women need to carry huge handbags because they need to put milk bottles and all

Greater Call to Answer

2006-01-09T07:16:00.000+08:00

Greater call to answerLast Friday, Telekom Malaysia (TM) ran a full page full colour advertisement in The Star. The big words read –How do you submit to GodWhen you are talking to someone else?The smaller print read –There is always a greater call to answer. We are indeed fortunate to have access to the best of modern communication. Let us also have the wisdom to know when to turn it off. Phones

My Father, my father, fathers

2006-01-08T12:02:00.000+08:00

No aspect of Christian faith warms my heart more than knowing that God is my Father. Whether I am in joy, in sorrows, in tears, in laughers, in fears, when I come to my Father in prayers, with the utter of “My Father”, there is always a warm feeling that passes through my body! It is an inexpressible joy to know that I have a Father who loves me.My father passed away when I was 20. My four

Talk about it, That's all!

2006-01-04T23:24:00.000+08:00

Christopher LauThere are two entrances to my school. The side gate is located opposite a shopping complex. It is a small road with a rain shade all the way leading to the school. The other entrance is the main gate. During rainy days, most parents drop their children at the side gate.I do not like using the side gate. It is very smelly. When the school began two days ago, my mother has to take a

Will the circle be unbroken?

2006-01-03T23:47:00.000+08:00

NST’s front page headline today “Will the circle be broken” confused me. I remember a hymn called “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”. The words are here –Will the Circle Be UnbrokenWords: Ada R. HabershonMusic: Charles H. GabrielThere are loved ones in the glory,Whose dear forms you often miss;When you close your earthly story,Will you join them in their bliss?RefrainWill the circle be unbrokenBy and

The Best Is Yet To Be!

2006-01-02T10:37:00.000+08:00

All set for “Back-to-School”!Few nights ago, I was wrapping up the books for Chris. I am a nagging mother who never wants to miss an opportunity to tell my children the childhood days.“During my time, we used the past year calendar to wrap our books.” I said.“Oh? That must be beautiful. Your idols’ pictures?” Chris asked.“No, we turned it inside out. You know, we did it all by ourselves. My

Because A Little Bug Went KA-CHOO

2006-01-01T14:36:00.000+08:00

By Christopher LauHere is the story -One fine morning, a little bug sneezed.Because of the sneeze, a little seed dropped.Because the little seed dropped, a worm was hit.Because a worm was hit, the worm got mad.When the worm was mad, it hit a tree. A coconut dropped. It hit on a turtle. The turtle splashed into the water. A hen got wet. The hen got mad.When the hen got mad, it kicked a bucket. The

Grace and Thanksfulness

2006-01-01T00:37:00.000+08:00

When our Boys' Brigade Band said farewell to year 2005 with Bag Pipes (Auld Lang Syne), blowing of bugles followed with the chiming of Church Bell at 12:00 midnight sharp, we welcomed the new year and sang Amazing Grace with the faith of striving forward with God's grace.Today, I want to share with you two poems read last night at our Watchnight Service and the hymn that we sang -YesterdayI've

Moments to Share

2005-12-31T06:55:00.000+08:00

The yearender of newspaper would always run the “top ten news” of the year. Some newspapers would run contests like providing twenty news and let the readers choose the top ten news that their editors would choose. Prizes are often very attractive. It’s also the tradition of my newspapers to run top ten international news, top ten national news, top ten local news, crimes round-up, sports

Life, the Lessons, Food, the Fellowship

2005-12-30T00:16:00.000+08:00

For the past two nights, my best friend, Sandra and I have adopted this philosophy –Into this world to eat and to sleepAnd to know no reason why he was bornSave to consume the cornDevour the cattle, flock and fishAnd leave behind an empty dish.Well, we have consumed the quantity of food equals to the total of our normal one week’s meals in two nights! We are very “watchful eaters”. That quantity

Level 13 - Possibly Minor Depression

2005-12-29T10:11:00.000+08:00

You have reached level 13 on the Goldberg scale0-9 - Depression unlikely10-17 - Possibly minor depression18-21 - On the verge of depression21-35 - Minor to moderate depression26-53 - Moderate to severe depressionabove 54 - Severe depressionYou have some symptoms of depression. Some of these symptoms normally occur in many people. It is difficult to say whether you will need treatment or not, but

Words of Love I'll Remember

2005-12-28T00:07:00.000+08:00

I often get a little sentimental at the close of the year. It seems like so many things need to be done, yet left undone. It seems like I have wasted much of the time. It seems like racing against time before the sun sets…This year is a lot better, seemingly. Because I do not seem to worry about things undone, I do not seem to rushing for many last minutes’ things…I have time to even remember

Unbroken Love from A Broken Heart

2005-12-27T00:51:00.000+08:00

By Christopher LauWe finally watched The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The movie was on in Sibu the day before we left for Singapore. Mummy said we could watch it in Singapore. Upon arriving Singapore, we realized that the movie would only be on 22nd December. By then, we have returned home. So, we still watched the movie in Sibu.However, we had the opportunity to

Not doing anything

2005-12-26T09:20:00.000+08:00

By Christopher LauWhen we were in a Christian Bookshop in Singapore choosing a present for my teacher, my Jie-Jie (sister Rachel) suggested to buy a book about how to “teach” students, how to “love” students.She went on to explain, “Then Chris would not be abused by this teacher next year! He will have a great time!”My Jie-Jie does not know that Jesus has changed this teacher. She has been a

Remembering My Mother On Christmas

2005-12-25T10:10:00.000+08:00

(She is now in a better place, often I wonder whether she still cooks....)Christmas would not be Christmas without remembering my mother. Remembering mother can’t do without remembering the childhood. Childhood memories were made up of food, friends, fun, play and work.I was “tagged” by Dobbs to do “Childhood Memories Food” some three weeks ago. I have wanted to keep that till Christmas. Today’s

Beautiful Words To Live By

2005-12-24T21:33:00.000+08:00

Joy. Peace. Love. Hope.These are just a few of the beautiful words we share with each other at Christmas. They are words of power and tenderness which flow from the reality of God’s Word, Jesus Christ. They scatter the clouds of spiritual hopelessness that sometimes gather in our hearts, and bring with them all the light and promise of eternity.There are many other words we hold special and dear

Start Breathing!

2005-12-24T07:45:00.000+08:00

Last night, Little Chris asked, “What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?”With his challenging look, I know it must be something not of the routine of brushing the teeth.So, I said, “Thanking God for another good day.” At the back of my mind, I thought the answer that Chris wants could be breathing.“No, don’t you breathe? But, I can’t say you are wrong.”I would not want to

Who is Jesus?

2005-12-23T09:21:00.000+08:00

You are a creative director. How would you bring the message of Christmas to the world? You are a corporate writer. How would you write a press release to introduce your boss, Jesus Christ?Little Chris said he could use this picture for a “coda” advertisement. What is “coda”? I remember writing about “coda” sometime back. To refresh your memory, for the benefit of new friends here, “coda” is a

My Calendar, God's Calendar

2005-12-22T23:05:00.000+08:00

For the past week in Sing-Land, I have been working on my calendar. A calendar that covers a year in advance.First, I worked on my Girls’ Brigade Calendar, a talk this week for the girls, compulsory services at charitable organizations for the girls, EXCO meetings, Officers’ Meeting, Camping, Officers’ Retreat …. I am happy with it.Next, the Church’s calendar. I am happy with it.Next, the

Finding The Amusing

2005-12-21T22:15:00.000+08:00

Chris has a cap. It is a red cap. It is a gift from his doctor. He likes it very much. We were at Changi Airport yesterday. (Oop! Changi Airport, don't mistaken it to be another place nearby!)I took a few snaps of him, and he created this picture to amuse you.I call these photos stages of Life in this Christmastime -1. You believe in Santa Claus.2. You don't believe in Santa Claus.3. You are

Have You Found Christmas?

2005-12-20T20:28:00.000+08:00

Merry ChristmasBy Christopher LauI wrote a card for my doctor last night. I wrote,Wishing you a merry X’mas.My mother said no one would be merry with a “X’mas”. X’mas is something unknown. As in Maths, we always use the unknown as “X”. Until you find Jesus Christ, X’mas is only another day, what is the reason to celebrate about?Mummy said, “You have to put “Christ” first, then you have Christmas.

Adding spices to Life

2005-12-19T19:06:00.000+08:00

Just a little brain teaserBy Christopher LauMy sister overheard this at the Pizza Hut counter yesterday.“You want to cut your pizza into six pieces or four pieces?” The girl at the counter asked the customer.The customer is a woman.The customer answered, “Four pieces. I can’t finish six pieces.”Adding spices to lifeBy YanRachel and Chris like brain teasers or puzzles. They like to put me in a

Mirror Mind

2005-12-19T02:05:00.000+08:00

Who is smart?By Christopher LauMy mummy, my Jie-Jie and me were in the Night Safari, Singapore last night. A little girl sitting a row in front of us dropped her water bottle while the tram was moving. The father said, “Shit”. The little girl followed, “Shack”. She did not get it right.I whispered to my mummy, “That father is teaching his daughter bad word.”The tram moved on. The little girl said

Being Kindergarten

2005-12-17T02:47:00.000+08:00

Holiday is a time to read books that you have bought for quite a while but no time to read. I grabbed hold of “When there’s a will” from my bookshelf at home before leaving home for Sing-Land for a week of holidays. This is my third day here. Rachel and Christopher are fascinated by the world of books here. The uniquely Singapore is not the “wild wild wet”, the “no-other-comparable dolphin show”,

Sealed With A Prayer

2005-12-14T06:29:00.000+08:00

I have stopped sending Christmas cards for many years. I could not remember for how long. I decided to stop because of the hundreds of cards received by the company and hundreds of cards that our department have to sent out during those days working in the administrative department. I thought it was too commercial. It has lost its meaning totally. When dobbs wrote a few days ago that she had sent

Why do we come here for?

2005-12-13T14:34:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday at the worship service after singing the three-fold amen, Chris asked, “Why do we have to sing Amen three times, isn’t it simpler just to say Amen in one accord one time?”People come to church for different reasons.For some, it is for personal benefit. Personal benefit means to get something out of it. It may be vague, but still it’s legitimate.For some, it is for socializing. There

Watch How You Walk

2005-12-12T05:58:00.000+08:00

Walking with MummyBy Christopher LauMummy and I have found a new way to exercise. We walk. Where do we walk? And how do we walk?We walk along the road. We walk from our house to the town and walk the other way back. It is walking a big circle. The walk takes one hour.Why do we walk? I can not go swimming for the past one week because I have blocked nose and cough. That leads to an ear infection.

Sealed With A Loving Kiss

2005-12-09T05:54:00.000+08:00

Remember the days of “love letters”?Love may be in the air but it is no longer in the mail, according to a new competition to revive the art of love letter writing.Reuters reports that the competition was run in United States for the first time last year. There were 5000 entries. This year, the competition is open to entrants from Britains as well.The philanthropist Henri Zimand organized the

Poetic tribute

2005-12-07T08:40:00.000+08:00

Bracing for war, but praying for peaceUsing his power so evil will ceaseSo much a leader and worthy of trustHere stands a man who will do what he mustGet the hidden message from the lines above taken from 20-line ode entitled "The Leader" which was taught to Pakistani students aged between 15 and 18?Take the first alphabet of each line and you have the answer.AFP reports -Education officials in

I me myself

2005-12-06T20:31:00.000+08:00

A friend called few weeks ago saying that her husband is keeping a mistress. This morning, the husband called and asked whether his wife told me any story. I was hinted to stay out of the issue because the wife is entangling herself in trouble. The unspoken words were I might get myself into the trouble of being "beaten up or even ...." I listened to his side of the story. Shortly after, the wife

I belong

2005-12-04T14:51:00.000+08:00

Last week I purchased three tickets for myself and two other officers to go to Kuala Lumpur for a Girls’ Brigade Meeting. We shall travel on AirAsia. I bought the tickets online. I paid a total of RM299.94 for three return adult tickets (Sibu/KL/Sibu) including airport taxes.On the same day, I used 75,000 Malaysia Airline Enrich points to redeem three return adult tickets (Sibu/Kuching/Singapore

The Other Message

2005-12-02T11:28:00.000+08:00

So, the execution has been carried out at dawn this morning.Much to my surprise, I read the “strongest message” from the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. I picked up bits and pieces from the Australian newspapers –Prime Minister John Howard has used the execution of Nguyen Tuong Van as awarning to young people to stay away from drugs.The 25-year-old from Melbourne went to the gallows in

Cyber Hugs

2005-12-01T06:14:00.000+08:00

Reuters reports from Singapore -Singapore scientists looking for ways to transmit the sense of touch over the Internet have devised a vibration jacket for chickens and are thinking about electronic children's pyjamas for cyberspace hugs.A wireless jacket for chickens or other pets can be controlled with a computer and gives the animal the feeling of being touched by its owner, researchers at

The "war" continues..

2005-11-30T09:42:00.000+08:00

What war? The "men-women" war! Read my earlier post, "Adam's rib or Women's Lib" and the comments from my learned friends.AFP reported that New Zealand airlines have banned men from sitting next to unaccompanied children on flights.AFP reports –The policy came to light after a man seated next to a child was asked to change seats with a woman sitting in another row.Auckland man Mark Worsley said

Adam's Rib or Woman's Lib

2005-11-26T09:41:00.000+08:00

An English professor wrote the words,"Woman without her man is nothing"on the blackboard and directed the students to punctuate it correctly.The men wrote, “Woman, without her man, is nothing.”The women wrote, “Woman! Without her, man is nothing.”Dato Dr Ng Yen Yen is here in Sibu. She was present in a function of the Sibu Businesswomen Association. She was reported to say that “men do not want

Perfuming

2005-11-25T10:35:00.000+08:00

During my last trip to KL, I was caught by the quote on the infoscreen in the KLIA Ekspres train –I share this award with all the great CEOs of this beautiful country. To all my colleagues at YTL, this honour goes to them, and I offer my gratitude in full. I also thank the CEO of Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his strong leadership in his fight against corruption,

I have a choice

2005-11-24T01:00:00.000+08:00

I did not feel very well one of the days last week. Probably, it was Thursday night. I went to bed early. It was about 8:30 pm when I retired to bed. I could hear little Chris walking in and out of the bedroom.When I woke up the next morning, refreshed from a good sleep, I saw my dressing table mirror stuck with many “post-it” notes. It covered half of the mirror.Chris has written many little

Life Lessons in Court

2005-11-23T00:20:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, one of my stories was about the "doctors (note the plural) in court". Today, it's more delightful with Chief Judge to teach you some life lessons.The legal practitioners in Sarawak were given some pointers on court etiquette by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong. 14 advocates were admitted to Sarawak Bar yesterday, The Borneo Post reported.Pick up