I looked out the window, I saw a row of large trees planted side by side providing shade from a hot summer's day. Beautiful, I said.
and God said...
Man was created likewise.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Dear Delly
Dear Delly,
I miss you. Even though you have always been close to me physically, I feel as if I'm losing you. Last year, you had to undergo 2 major surgeries. I didn't want to send you to any doctor so I got the specialist to come and treat you. It cost a lot more but it didn't matter. I wanted you to have the best treatment. After surgery, the doctor said that we needed to work on your memory but I didn't know who to send you to plus I couldn't afford anymore doctor's fees. You started gaining speed again, I was happy and you seemed happier too.
My dearest Delly, I still remember the day I found you. Someone suggested you to me and I thought I'd look you up. You were perfect. Mum and dad really liked you too so we brought you home. I fixed you up and brought you to my friend to get you all set up and ready to live with me. Who thought that overtime you'd become my one true friend.
I know that the last couple of months have been very difficult for you. You've slowed down a lot. I removed all the junk you had to carry but it didn't make any difference so I sent you for another surgery...a minor one...to get you cleaned up. Sure, you seem a little better after that but *sigh* I think...there's not much time left...
Over the years, you've stuck with me. You got me through my honours, connected me with friends and family that I dearly missed. You sang to me and showed me funny videos when I was down and you stored all my memories for me...
I shall miss you. I'm not replacing you because I can't afford another one like you. It seems as if money is so hard to come by these days, sigh...
Goodbye my love, I know it will only be a couple more weeks before your eyes will never open again. I will miss you dearly, my one and only, Delly...
I miss you. Even though you have always been close to me physically, I feel as if I'm losing you. Last year, you had to undergo 2 major surgeries. I didn't want to send you to any doctor so I got the specialist to come and treat you. It cost a lot more but it didn't matter. I wanted you to have the best treatment. After surgery, the doctor said that we needed to work on your memory but I didn't know who to send you to plus I couldn't afford anymore doctor's fees. You started gaining speed again, I was happy and you seemed happier too.
My dearest Delly, I still remember the day I found you. Someone suggested you to me and I thought I'd look you up. You were perfect. Mum and dad really liked you too so we brought you home. I fixed you up and brought you to my friend to get you all set up and ready to live with me. Who thought that overtime you'd become my one true friend.
I know that the last couple of months have been very difficult for you. You've slowed down a lot. I removed all the junk you had to carry but it didn't make any difference so I sent you for another surgery...a minor one...to get you cleaned up. Sure, you seem a little better after that but *sigh* I think...there's not much time left...
Over the years, you've stuck with me. You got me through my honours, connected me with friends and family that I dearly missed. You sang to me and showed me funny videos when I was down and you stored all my memories for me...
I shall miss you. I'm not replacing you because I can't afford another one like you. It seems as if money is so hard to come by these days, sigh...
Goodbye my love, I know it will only be a couple more weeks before your eyes will never open again. I will miss you dearly, my one and only, Delly...
Friday, November 6, 2009
A second chance
Yesterday I commenced work in my new position at my new office. I feel as if I have been given a second chance in this department. Even though it's still the same department but being in a different group with different people and in a different building, it almost feels like I'm starting a fresh again.
I'm a nube all over again.
As much as being a nube can come with insecurity, unfamiliarity and a lack of trust, it can also mean a new chance to start again, to develop healthy relationships, to establish yourself as someone positive, friendly, free of politics (hopefully).
So let me tell you about my new place..
1. I share the kitchen with all the big bosses - dean, senior manager, manager no. 2, manager no. 3, senior finance manager. Bumped into my senior manager and manager no. 2 just now. A little awkward but easy to talk to because I'm still new!
2. My manager no. 3 got me a welcome cake yesterday and people came to welcome me. It's my first time being welcomed with a cake. I thought it was such a thoughtful gesture.
3. The toilets are much nicer than my other building but I have to go through 5 doors just to get to it! Manager no. 2 said she had to go up 2 floors to get to the toilets last time so I guess 5 doors is nothing.
4. I don't have a laptop anymore but now have a widescreen HP desktop. It's really big so everyone can obviously see that I'm blogging!
5. If you accidentally walk into my office, you might think you just stepped into Ikea. It even smells like it and has weird looking sofas.
6. It's a smart building so if you freeze in front of the computer, the air cond shuts down. So keep those fingers typing!
I guess I can't comment much on the people here yet but I really want to start new in this place. I feel that I could have done better in my relationships. I also feel that sometimes I offend others because I'm not as fluent as them. Sometimes I stutter, sometimes I may use words that are not 'sophisticated' enough...so I am going to work on this.
This has happened to me alot and It's abit hard to work on but....you know how you say something to someone and expect them to go "Ohhhh, really? Wow, that's interesting or funny.." but instead they go "Oh" or "Hm" or just stare at you. Gosh, this has happened to me alot since living in Australia. Maybe it's cultural, maybe it's my language skills, maybe it's interest, maybe I should just shut up.
Oh my building is also on the main campus street of RMIT (Bowen's Lane) so it has a much more campus-ee feel and I'm closer to my lunch buddies who are from RMIT but who work at different departments. YAY!
Okie dokie, looks like it's back to lunch. Will post more updates soon! :))
I'm a nube all over again.
As much as being a nube can come with insecurity, unfamiliarity and a lack of trust, it can also mean a new chance to start again, to develop healthy relationships, to establish yourself as someone positive, friendly, free of politics (hopefully).
So let me tell you about my new place..
1. I share the kitchen with all the big bosses - dean, senior manager, manager no. 2, manager no. 3, senior finance manager. Bumped into my senior manager and manager no. 2 just now. A little awkward but easy to talk to because I'm still new!
2. My manager no. 3 got me a welcome cake yesterday and people came to welcome me. It's my first time being welcomed with a cake. I thought it was such a thoughtful gesture.
3. The toilets are much nicer than my other building but I have to go through 5 doors just to get to it! Manager no. 2 said she had to go up 2 floors to get to the toilets last time so I guess 5 doors is nothing.
4. I don't have a laptop anymore but now have a widescreen HP desktop. It's really big so everyone can obviously see that I'm blogging!
5. If you accidentally walk into my office, you might think you just stepped into Ikea. It even smells like it and has weird looking sofas.
6. It's a smart building so if you freeze in front of the computer, the air cond shuts down. So keep those fingers typing!
I guess I can't comment much on the people here yet but I really want to start new in this place. I feel that I could have done better in my relationships. I also feel that sometimes I offend others because I'm not as fluent as them. Sometimes I stutter, sometimes I may use words that are not 'sophisticated' enough...so I am going to work on this.
This has happened to me alot and It's abit hard to work on but....you know how you say something to someone and expect them to go "Ohhhh, really? Wow, that's interesting or funny.." but instead they go "Oh" or "Hm" or just stare at you. Gosh, this has happened to me alot since living in Australia. Maybe it's cultural, maybe it's my language skills, maybe it's interest, maybe I should just shut up.
Oh my building is also on the main campus street of RMIT (Bowen's Lane) so it has a much more campus-ee feel and I'm closer to my lunch buddies who are from RMIT but who work at different departments. YAY!
Okie dokie, looks like it's back to lunch. Will post more updates soon! :))
Monday, November 2, 2009
It's November!
I can't believe it, it's November!! Only a couple more weeks till I'm back home in Malaysia. Food, glorious, food....shopping....night life....family...I can't wait!
Well so much has happened in the last week. Ken's family were around for his graduation ceremony. Man, graduation ceremonies are horribly boring when you're not the one up on stage. Anyway, took some pictures and we had perfect weather that day so it was a great day!
At work, just found out I'll be moving offices into a new building on Bowen Street (near cnr of Franklin and Swanston). It's quite tiny but I suppose it would be a good change of environment. This would also mean that I'll be transitioning into my new role faster than expected. Yay! I'm excited!
Anyway, this week it's back to routine after the Fongs leave tonight...cooking, cleaning. I guess I really have to start thinking about making good use of my time. Perhaps...
*learn a new language
*learn to start a business
*learn to write articles, newsletters, publish a book? Ooo...
*have a deeper understanding of the Bible
Hmm.........
I also think I should help out at church but I'm afraid to commit to something I'm going to get bored of. The last time I helped out at kids church, I didn't do much. Just bringing the kids to toilet, wait for them, bring them back, tidy up the room...Hmpmh. I need something more....more....I dunno....gotta put my thinking cap on. Maybe I should just put myself out there and give something a go.
Well so much has happened in the last week. Ken's family were around for his graduation ceremony. Man, graduation ceremonies are horribly boring when you're not the one up on stage. Anyway, took some pictures and we had perfect weather that day so it was a great day!
At work, just found out I'll be moving offices into a new building on Bowen Street (near cnr of Franklin and Swanston). It's quite tiny but I suppose it would be a good change of environment. This would also mean that I'll be transitioning into my new role faster than expected. Yay! I'm excited!
Anyway, this week it's back to routine after the Fongs leave tonight...cooking, cleaning. I guess I really have to start thinking about making good use of my time. Perhaps...
*learn a new language
*learn to start a business
*learn to write articles, newsletters, publish a book? Ooo...
*have a deeper understanding of the Bible
Hmm.........
I also think I should help out at church but I'm afraid to commit to something I'm going to get bored of. The last time I helped out at kids church, I didn't do much. Just bringing the kids to toilet, wait for them, bring them back, tidy up the room...Hmpmh. I need something more....more....I dunno....gotta put my thinking cap on. Maybe I should just put myself out there and give something a go.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Getting ready - Fong bonanza
It's been a crazy week at work! My office is so untidy and my colleagues have adopted this habit of stashing things away in dark secret corners because no one wants to take responsibility for it. Since I didn't have much to do (which always seems to be the case) I decided to give the office a spring clean! Let me tell you, I get so much satisfaction from throwing things out...really! I hate clutter, can't stand it. It didn't bother me that I was doing the cleaners' job. It was clean and fresh. Ah....satisfied...
Anyway, guess who's coming on Tuesday? The in-laws! Oh don't get me wrong...the much loved Fongs :) Much loved because we get to go out and eat nice food and go to nice places. hee hee hee. They're in Melbourne to attend Ken's much delayed graduation on Thursday.
So since we have very special guests coming, it's time to do more.......cleaning!! YES!
Anyway, guess who's coming on Tuesday? The in-laws! Oh don't get me wrong...the much loved Fongs :) Much loved because we get to go out and eat nice food and go to nice places. hee hee hee. They're in Melbourne to attend Ken's much delayed graduation on Thursday.
So since we have very special guests coming, it's time to do more.......cleaning!! YES!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Grumbling Grumps
Have you met people who just can't stop complaining or grumbling? It's as if the world is such a dark, dark place and all they can see is it's negative sides. It's as if everyone is out to get them and make their life miserable.
Many people at my workplace are like that. I had to work with someone on 2 projects last week. I saw him everyday and every single time I met with him, he would grumble. I couldn't believe it. I just could not understand how anyone could have so much to complain about. There was even a time he was grumbling on my behalf. I wasn't complaining at all about my situation at work but he was!
Wow, all I can say is that I was so tired listening to him grumble. I can't imagine how much more tired he must be doing all that grumbling.
I read this article today and guess what, it's on grumbling. How awesome!
Read on and remember to be careful of what you say to others so that you don't grumble. Enjoy...
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
October 15
Gripes, Grumbles and Grouches (Part One)
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing.
Do you ever get annoyed with the complaining around your house? I do. Over the years the rooms of the Rainey household have resounded with gripes about:Who gets to sit where at the dinner table;Who gets to sit in the front seat on the way to school or church;Toilets that aren't flushed;Toys that populate the floor;Tubs littered with dolls, boats, bottles and melting bars of soap;Who has to clean up the dishes;Whether the food for (pick your meal) looks, feels or tastes appetizing.
It became so bad one year that we all memorized Philippians 2:14: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing." That helped.
Like sulfuric acid, complaining can eat away at whatever it splashes on. Complaining corrodes joy and dissolves good attitudes. Spiritually, it's dangerous and deadly.
If you have a problem with grumbling, you're not alone. The Old Testament book of Numbers could easily be renamed "The Grumbler Chronicles." The children of Israel grumbled against Moses, Aaron and God. They didn't like manna, so they complained: "Manna for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Is this all we get, this manna?"
So God gave them quail instead. They had quail boiled and broiled until they were sick of it.
Can you empathize with them? A little complaining is understandable, isn't it?
But the complaining by the children of Israel wasn't a trivial matter, and God didn't view it lightly. He had delivered them from Egypt and was providing for them daily. They were just plain ungrateful.
I wonder what we would find if we performed open-heart surgery on a complainer. Exploratory surgery would reveal that grumbling can be a form of heart disease, rebellion against authority. It also shows a loss of perspective, a failure to remember Who is in control. It's an attitude that questions, "Does God really know what's best for me?"
Many people at my workplace are like that. I had to work with someone on 2 projects last week. I saw him everyday and every single time I met with him, he would grumble. I couldn't believe it. I just could not understand how anyone could have so much to complain about. There was even a time he was grumbling on my behalf. I wasn't complaining at all about my situation at work but he was!
Wow, all I can say is that I was so tired listening to him grumble. I can't imagine how much more tired he must be doing all that grumbling.
I read this article today and guess what, it's on grumbling. How awesome!
Read on and remember to be careful of what you say to others so that you don't grumble. Enjoy...
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
October 15
Gripes, Grumbles and Grouches (Part One)
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing.
Do you ever get annoyed with the complaining around your house? I do. Over the years the rooms of the Rainey household have resounded with gripes about:Who gets to sit where at the dinner table;Who gets to sit in the front seat on the way to school or church;Toilets that aren't flushed;Toys that populate the floor;Tubs littered with dolls, boats, bottles and melting bars of soap;Who has to clean up the dishes;Whether the food for (pick your meal) looks, feels or tastes appetizing.
It became so bad one year that we all memorized Philippians 2:14: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing." That helped.
Like sulfuric acid, complaining can eat away at whatever it splashes on. Complaining corrodes joy and dissolves good attitudes. Spiritually, it's dangerous and deadly.
If you have a problem with grumbling, you're not alone. The Old Testament book of Numbers could easily be renamed "The Grumbler Chronicles." The children of Israel grumbled against Moses, Aaron and God. They didn't like manna, so they complained: "Manna for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Is this all we get, this manna?"
So God gave them quail instead. They had quail boiled and broiled until they were sick of it.
Can you empathize with them? A little complaining is understandable, isn't it?
But the complaining by the children of Israel wasn't a trivial matter, and God didn't view it lightly. He had delivered them from Egypt and was providing for them daily. They were just plain ungrateful.
I wonder what we would find if we performed open-heart surgery on a complainer. Exploratory surgery would reveal that grumbling can be a form of heart disease, rebellion against authority. It also shows a loss of perspective, a failure to remember Who is in control. It's an attitude that questions, "Does God really know what's best for me?"
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Once a Natio user, now in Clarins' deadly hands
On my last trip back to Malaysia, I accidentally left behind quite a number of things. Among the things I left behind was my mobile phone charger! Thank God Ken also uses a Sony Ericsson so I could still use his. The other very important thing I left behind was my Natio facial cleanser.
Just last year, I got converted to Natio when a close friend of mine introduced it to me. She said it's so gentle you can even use the facial scrub every single day! I'm not sure if she was for real, but please don't do that. Anyway, I've bought quite a few of this all natural, all holistic range of products and quite enjoyed them. But I still didn't get the 'WOWWWW' feeling. It was more of a, "Hmm...yeah, not bad but not fantastic".
Image source: www.beachsidepharmacy.com.au
Anyway, since I misplaced my facial cleanser, the only thing to do was to get a new one. Since Natio only gave me the 'Hmm..yeah not bad but not fantastic' feeling, I started reflecting on products that gave me that 'WOWWWW' feeling. The first thing that came to my mind was CLARINS. I remember buying some sample products from Clarins in Malaysia and utterly loved it. I felt that Clarins understood my needs (combination skin) and could meet my needs. So one fine day, I went by MYER after work and forked out AUD40.00 for a bottle of Clarins gentle facial cleanser for normal to combination skin and I was in such desperate need for a good moisturiser I spent AUD50.00 on a Clarins moisturiser for combination skin. Clarins was having a promotion at that time, so I got a free bag full of Clarins goodies which included 2 products from their new Hydra-Quench range and a number of other things including a mini mascara. Myer was also having a sale so I was offered to purchase a very cool travel bag with wheels for a small amount.
Image source: www.uk.clarins.com
I was very pleased with myself. I sat on the bed with my goodies sprawled all over it. After admiring each item, it was time to put them to the test!
Image source: www.beautive.com
Day 1
Face feels fantastic, almost glowing. Loving it! Tried hydraquench serum...oOh, interesting.
Day 2
Face feels great! Good decision.
Day 5
Face starting to feel oily. Hmm...maybe I should stop using the hydraquench serum, perhaps it's too moisturising.
Image source: www.tonguechic.com
Day 7
Break outs! Oh no! Bring out the acne cream!
Day 10
Face starting to feel dry. Stop acne cream!
Day 13
Face feels very dry.
Day 16
Face feels extremely dry. Bring out the hydraquench serum! Face starts to itch.
Day 18
What is happening? Where's the glow? Read reviews of Clarins. Nothing good. Oh no, I should have read the reviews before spending all that cash. Ssshhh...don't tell mum or hubby!
Day 20
Face starting to hurt...stings when I put moisturiser. This is bad!!! Panic mode kicks in! Hubby asks why my face is so red. I can't tell him $90 bucks cost this right?
Day 22
Tells hubby the truth. Clarins!!!!!!
Honestly, how many of us have spent tonnes on money on something you thought was very good, something that promised results but in the end, all you end up with is a red swallon face and $90 bucks poorer. Sometimes, taking risks can cost us but I guess to end on a positive note, I have to say,
NEVER TRY, NEVER KNOW!
Clarins, you have hurt me. You were so harsh towards me..sob...
Natio, I miss you. Will you take me back into your loving and gentle arms...
Just last year, I got converted to Natio when a close friend of mine introduced it to me. She said it's so gentle you can even use the facial scrub every single day! I'm not sure if she was for real, but please don't do that. Anyway, I've bought quite a few of this all natural, all holistic range of products and quite enjoyed them. But I still didn't get the 'WOWWWW' feeling. It was more of a, "Hmm...yeah, not bad but not fantastic".
Image source: www.beachsidepharmacy.com.au
Anyway, since I misplaced my facial cleanser, the only thing to do was to get a new one. Since Natio only gave me the 'Hmm..yeah not bad but not fantastic' feeling, I started reflecting on products that gave me that 'WOWWWW' feeling. The first thing that came to my mind was CLARINS. I remember buying some sample products from Clarins in Malaysia and utterly loved it. I felt that Clarins understood my needs (combination skin) and could meet my needs. So one fine day, I went by MYER after work and forked out AUD40.00 for a bottle of Clarins gentle facial cleanser for normal to combination skin and I was in such desperate need for a good moisturiser I spent AUD50.00 on a Clarins moisturiser for combination skin. Clarins was having a promotion at that time, so I got a free bag full of Clarins goodies which included 2 products from their new Hydra-Quench range and a number of other things including a mini mascara. Myer was also having a sale so I was offered to purchase a very cool travel bag with wheels for a small amount.
Image source: www.uk.clarins.com
I was very pleased with myself. I sat on the bed with my goodies sprawled all over it. After admiring each item, it was time to put them to the test!
Image source: www.beautive.com
Day 1
Face feels fantastic, almost glowing. Loving it! Tried hydraquench serum...oOh, interesting.
Day 2
Face feels great! Good decision.
Day 5
Face starting to feel oily. Hmm...maybe I should stop using the hydraquench serum, perhaps it's too moisturising.
Image source: www.tonguechic.com
Day 7
Break outs! Oh no! Bring out the acne cream!
Day 10
Face starting to feel dry. Stop acne cream!
Day 13
Face feels very dry.
Day 16
Face feels extremely dry. Bring out the hydraquench serum! Face starts to itch.
Day 18
What is happening? Where's the glow? Read reviews of Clarins. Nothing good. Oh no, I should have read the reviews before spending all that cash. Ssshhh...don't tell mum or hubby!
Day 20
Face starting to hurt...stings when I put moisturiser. This is bad!!! Panic mode kicks in! Hubby asks why my face is so red. I can't tell him $90 bucks cost this right?
Day 22
Tells hubby the truth. Clarins!!!!!!
Honestly, how many of us have spent tonnes on money on something you thought was very good, something that promised results but in the end, all you end up with is a red swallon face and $90 bucks poorer. Sometimes, taking risks can cost us but I guess to end on a positive note, I have to say,
NEVER TRY, NEVER KNOW!
Clarins, you have hurt me. You were so harsh towards me..sob...
Natio, I miss you. Will you take me back into your loving and gentle arms...
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