A Fishy Story

As the morning ray broke the darkness from the horizon, Simon Peter dragged his discouragement together with his empty boat towards the uninviting shore. Thomas, Nathanael, and the other two fishermen followed behind, also unable to hide the tired droop across their faces and shoulders.

All night they spent out in the sea, and they caught nothing. Not even an old sandal or tattered robe. “What am I going to eat today?” were the only weak thoughts floating with the fishy breeze. Just before Simon Peter got past the foamy waves, he spotted a vague figure, standing motionlessly by the water’s edge.

“Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” came the voice from that figure.

“Nope” they replied, thinking that he was a random guy who likes to watch the sunrise on that devastating beach.

“Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” Said the man, as a matter-of-factly.

‘Plonk’ went the nets on the right side of the boat—no questions asked.

The sound of slippery smacks drew louder as they began to haul the net filled with big fish back on the boat. It was almost impossible to do the usual net-fishing routine because the amount of fish in the net was way more than expected. Sea water splashed up their surprised faces, as their hands scurried around to gather every fish that were visible as they gawked in astonishment.

When they realized that the figure with the miraculous instruction was Jesus, Peter jumped off the boat and ran towards Jesus as fast as his legs could push against the waist-high waters.

The story didn’t just end there. There also was a charcoal fire with fish on it, and bread by the side—all set out nicely for them. Jesus told them to bring some fish that they caught. “Come and eat” He said, and He served the tired yet amazed fishermen who knew for sure that He is God.

- The scene that played in my head as I read John 21:1-14 -

** ** **

This narrative account stood out to me very avidly as I reflected how things have been for me lately.

I went out to fish, did all I could to hunt for a job. Didn’t even care if it was fulltime or casual work. I went out to sea, and tried all night long. Yet, nothing came back with me. Not even an old boot.

Just as I was about to give up and hang up my nets to dry, a voice tells me to try the right side of the boat. Now this is when I (unlike the disciples) questioned. Why the right side? It’s not deep sea anyway… there’s no point trying now, right? I did this all night, out in the sea! I guess it’s too late now… it’s already mid year!

So foolish of me to question.

The Voice assures me that He has great plans for me. Then why should I even doubt or to have uncertainty of my future?

The fishermen were so astonished with what Jesus did, they even made the effort to count the catch. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE! I can’t wait till the 153 job offers start pouring down on me like slippery big fish.

Furthermore, He also prepares the fire, bread and more fish for breakfast! Gahhh! You mean there’s more? Man… I can’t wait to witness the great stuff He has planned for me.

He’s done it before, He brought me through the transitional times in my life, and this one has no exception. It may seem longer, but I know that there’s a great harvest for me to reap. He did something similar in Luke 5:1-11, as He got His disciples to fish for the people who were there to listen to Him. I’m trusting that there’re great opportunities just around the corner. And I thank God in advance for that!

celery overload

I think it’s a bad idea to have a weighing machine in your bathroom. Especially if it’s a digital one.

I’ve been weighing myself every singing time I walk into my bathroom, just to see if I’m still having mass. I find it so amazing how my body reacts to my food intake. I can be 1 full kg heavier after a sumptuous meal. And be 2.1kg different from yesterday’s weight. It’s so odd!!!

And remember how my friends gave me a bunch of celery? Well, what else can I do with it but to eat all of them right? So I’ve been having them healthy sticks in almost every lunch and dinner. I’ve also learnt that stir frying the leafy part does not make it taste better. 

Since that celery frenzy, the digital number on the scale has been scaring me more and more every time I walk into the bathroom. I know I consistently gain 1kg per year since I came to Australia, so the measurements should stick to that number, or at least just a few decimal points around that figure, for the whole year. But this time…. It went all the way back to my weight in my 1st year here. Crap!! So much for trying to gain weight so I can donate blood. 

I got a little worried, so I consulted Mr. Google (don’t ask me why I gave Google a gender). I found out that celery has negative calories. Which means… (nutritionist, I might be wrong here, but I’d like to think of it this way) that the amount of energy used to digest and poop celery is more than what it can give u. so more fat will be burnt after eating celery, hence my weight loss.

Thank goodness I finished that bunch of celery, and I now can move on with my plans to gain weight. I reckon I’ll steer clear from celery for awhile now. Yet, I still think I should pay less attention to the white digital machine on the tiled bathroom floor. 

surprise surprise (pt II)

As promised, surprise part 2 shall be disclosed.

After EXCO meeting, Wei Jin said very sternly: “take off ur spex”. Then Huey Chi tied my hands up and they blind folded me with little effort (I was too tired to fight back as I still had some jetlag from the flight I had that morning from Malaysia). 

Then all I heard was the others saying their good-byes, as Jin and HC took me into UZY. The whole journey to my “death-place”, they threatened to throw me into an aviary cuz they know I won’t mind being trashed with yucky stuff which defeats the sabo purpose. I prayed hard that this sabo plan has nothing to do with birds or the actual idea of having my friends trying to help me overcome my fear for birds.

I stumbled out of the car still tied up, and stepped into a place with a familiar scent. 

ASHOK MACHO. 

“Esther Goh!!!” was all I can scream, and “I’m sorry... I won’t sabo u again, wei jin.... pls no birds... ahhh!”

The corridor suddenly felt like it was tripled in length when I was led to the kitchen. “Surprise!” someone ripped the blindfold off me and another dropped a huge bouquet of celery into my hands which were still bound together. Seriously, that bunch of vegetable was as heavy as a baby! 

In a semi circle before me, were beautiful and handsome people, all dressed up in red and black. Their smiles wiped out my defences and made me forget about birds instantly. I soon got to see exactly who was there when they gave me back my spectacles. Esther, Suling, Madeline, Daniel, James, Ming, Erwin, Debra, Norman, Wei Jin and Huey Chi. I was beaming, with remnants of shock and amazement of how they’ve planed this while I was away. 

After that, I was pushed into Esther’s room to change. There was a bag filled with my stuff! Saw my black dress, red cardigan, and even my bra was the black and red one.... swt...

Then they hurried me to my seat, gave me a head gear (tiara), and 1st course was served. There were little name plates on each seat, and the whole table was decorated with black and red cutlery. Entre was soup with random stuff in it (which tasted not-bad), celery sticks with peanut butter, and raspberry tart with ‘tim jeong’. Yes... random was the theme, and they ate it with no complaints! Hahaha, it was so amuzing...

Main course: indomee with James’ kung pow chicken, 2 scoops of mash potatoes with chips sticking out of it. 

Side dish: chow dou foo!!!! (smelly tofu). Hahaha!!! This was the bomb! Where did they get chow dou foo, u mite ask. Well, they got it inside their imaginations! All of them reacted like it was so smelly that they feel like puking when they took out normal tofu on sticks. They also looked at me as if I was the only weird one who can eat it, let alone stand the smell. They said they’d eat it for my sake. How nice~

Dessert: chocolate cake/pudding with ladybird chocolate on top. Yumm~

All these meals meant something to me, and they made me feel so proud to be known like this. Then we played “Scenes from a hat”, all acted by me... ish... and my fav game “Balderdash”. Carol came later, and Erwin made me a durian strawberry vanilla butter cake! It was sooo nice. Tim also got to contribute ideas and chose songs which meant something to me. You guys rock!!!!!!!!

I really thank God for such awesome friends. I just can’t thank them enough for doing so much for me, and making me feel so special and loved. I don’t mind growing old if I get this every year, heheh... thank you all!

Dan and mad left early... I need to find a way to photoshop their faces in.

For pictures, check out my facebook albums hereand here

(mom, just click on the 'here' and sign in with Chairmaine's facebook account)

pix from surprise (pt1)

I totally forgot about taking pictures when i went back for the surprise. these are from my mom's camera.

Datuk and popo at their place. so glad I got to see them and spend an afternoon with them. 

That's me hiding behind the door with Charmaine, while Theresa signals for me to go out to surprise dad. 

 target spotted. attack from behind!    target surprised.

 mission accomplished.

 

crap wey... the youngest cousin is growing too fast!

 justine made me a photo colage of me and everyone else in the family since i was a "fat ass baby" quote my uncle. 

the crazy bunch aka,  the keh leh fehs

(clock wise from left) charmaine, amanda (wide-eyed girl with thick framed spex), clemence, theresa, justine, sebastian, stephanie.

mom, dad and charmaine with my bday cake, red eggs and me drumstick! muahaahha.... 

 mama burnt my drumstick... and she just laughed about it

 the sit-around-the-table sessions. dad and i 'cheers'ing our hard boiled eggs. i wonder who started the tradition of having red eggs and drumsticks on birthdays.

 keh leh fehs holding something random each. hahah... charmaine's expression is classic! (she's holding a cherry from the cake by the way...)

lesson learnt from what i see in these pix: hair does not look good in humid msian weather

Surprise Surprise (pt1)

Remember when I fell super sick last year, that I became one with my couch, and had to push thru convy fundraising dinner as MC with a major headache and fever? Wooooh! That was an experience...

So around that time... I became super homesick and wanted so badly to be nursed by mom and to get attention from datuk (grandad), and drink popo (granma)’s soup. I wanted to go home so badly that I logged on to flight sites and booked a ticket back to Malaysia. 

Yes... that’s right. I didn’t know how bad my condition was until I saw the itinerary email that AirAsia sent to me. 

So anyhoot, this year came, and I kept that secret from my family since then. Boarded the plane with uncomfortable black leather seats, and flew 5.30 hours from Perth to KL. I got to spend a day in Perth, which I intended to just laze around, yet it turned out to be a day I met up with so many people! 

Ok, back to the story... I was greeted by Tim with roses and signboard with my name on it. That was my 1st ever name-on-signboard-when-arriving-at-airport thingy! Hahah... then we headed to the Curve for lunch (extremely spicy Indonesian food), and we witnessed the endless queue that led to Zara’s massive sale at CineLeisure. Crazy!

After that we headed to the bowling place where my mom and sis always go to on Thursday evenings. Tim called my mom to arrange for a meet up as he had something to pass to her from Australia. He walked in to the bowling place, said hi to mom, and told her that the thing for her is too big and it’s outside. Then I walked in casually to taste the moment of surprise. Haha! That’s so worth the looong flight. Mom and sis were shocked beyond words, cuz all mom cud say was “she’s supposed to be in Australia!”. 

Later that night, my cousins made an ambush towards my dad who still didn’t know I was back. That surprised look on dad was priceless as well. I’ve to give credit to my cousins, especially Theresa, who was the master mind behind this plan. I was so glad to be back with my family. Really miss those Saturday nights when we’d go pasar malam together, then sit around the table and talk about anything talkable, and laugh about anything unlaughable. 

Even though it was just for 3 days and 2 nights, I got to spend my birthday with my family, hug and kiss Charmaine when she’s half asleep, talk about the good ol’ days with cousins, aunties and uncles, hold my grandparents’ hands, sing with Charmaine while we wait for mom and dad to wake up for dinner. 

I also got to set up a facebook account for Charmaine, break the last string of my mom’s guitar, attend Shirley and David’s wedding, meet mama’s new dog (Bubble), drive over to have a short mamak session with Heidi, have curry fish head with grandparents and kau fu, have breakfast with dad, hug Sandra and play with her dog, chat with Boon Pin and play with his dog, and eat my drumstick and red eggs which we get every year on our birthdays (I missed out 3 years of this man!!!). 

Oh well, back to Adelaide, with another surprise story to tell. Stay tuned~ 

I woke up this morning (well, it was the afternoon already, but just for the sake of writing it, it shall be morning) with 2 words floating around me: overwhelming, and undeserving.

The past few days were AMAZING, and my little self can’t take anything more than this! I flew all the way back to Malaysia to surprise my family on my birthday, and came all the way back to Adelaide to be surprised by my friends with the most randomest events!  

I’ll start blogging about them once I get my hands on some pictures. 

As for now, I wanna say thank you all for making me feel so special!!!! And to ee may who requested that I update my blog, well, gotta gimme some time. Kinda caught up with heaps of stuff now. anyhow, I miss u heaps!