New Year Eve 2011

This is a year of learning, new view of life has been introduced too. Academically, or in research, I see my experimental rig grow larger and taller week by week. Although it's not anything awesome, I completed my First Year Report in my 9th month (and it's the most stressful period of the year). Will definitely still think of quitting, especially after Eugene stopped at MPhil, it just makes it harder to go on.

Experimental rig and First Year report:

I've been hopping around churches again early this year, really wish to be part of either Faith Christian Center or Revival One, but things just didn't work out. Anyway, God has put me back in Nilai, sorta like, in the midst of being lost and confused, remember where and why I started. A simple place with some simple place, but still doing great things for each other, that's why I love them.

Congratulation to Cheryl and Robert for your wedding in Feb 2012:

Seeing close friends grow in Christ, helping them through the challenges. The greatest thing to see a glimpse of the big plan. It sounded insignificant but if that's the reason, staying here for this one year does worth it. I thought one disappointment will stop me right there, but I'm getting closer to more people, sharing life and learn from them, I guess time does change a person.

To CF and ConneXion in UNMC, God bless you:

Cheryl told me that I'm a testimony of pending prayers. There were time (so long ago...) when I wanted to go oversea for education, and it never happened. Although the VISA application almost makes me give up (the war of emails shooting around), but I'm here in UK now doing PostGrad. Being 1 month late actually have some benefits, since everyone is already kinda settled and everything is ready for me. God is faithful in His promises.

My new room and office in UK:

Research is tough, but the living here is indeed a different experience. I'm good settling in Cornerstone and T-street, serving in Solid Rock is like one of the most wonderful thing done here. Got myself into the PostGrad & staff badminton club, having sports occasionally. Unexpectedly, cooking is not so much of a trouble, but not having a keyboard to play can be quite hard.

Solid Rock event and Dunkirk community:

When I thought travelling to Singapore was great last year, I've added 3 new countries in my list this year! Firstly, it's of course United Kingdom where I am staying now, then it's Portugal and Spain. I always think that travelling is not my stuff (wasting time and money), but it can be quite fun and really an eye-opener. Looking forward for more travelling in the coming year.

I was there in Porto and Barcelona:

"The LORD swore an oath to His people, a sure oath he will not revoke"
-Psalms 132:11-

It has been a year of great change, both environment and inner self. After a year of wandering and complaining, I guess it's time to really grow and strengthen myself. Seriously I have no idea of any plans ahead and what will happen, but I pray that it will be one of the life changing experience like Shen Quang told me. I really thank God that the fact I'm now in this very place that you have promised, Amen.

Charis' Birthday & Dinner

Few of us are invited over to Charis and Jia Lun's house for some gathering (it's winter and everyone's feeling lonely~). We arrived with Malaysian timing due to the detour to Tesco buying some snacks, Sean was getting ingredients for his special drink anyway.

Arrive at Lower Road and start making drink:

Charis and her housemates cooked so much good food, but we actually spend time talking and joking more than eating. Haha, nothing too vegie-ish and spicy, even the curry is OK for me, maybe a little "touching the limit".

Dinner time:

The reason Jia Lun invited us over is to celebrate Charis birthday which is 3 days ago (exactly Christmas day). After all the distraction and hiding, the cake showed up for a surprise and as usual, the main character says, "ya, I've kinda expected". Anyway, have some fun taking pictures~ Happy belated birthday.

Birthday cake picture madness:

Yeah~ more dessert! MQ made us apple crumble. Edmond was like, "I don't wanna eat anything else, I'm waiting for the apple crumble, is the apple crumble done?" Haha, for a "grand" finale, we watched Armageddon(1998). The girls had their eyes wet but it's ok ok for me, and I just realize the song Don't wanna miss a thing comes from this movie :P

Apple crumble and group picture:

"The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD."
-Psamls 129:8-

Thank You Lord for such a good bunch of companion, which really helps to warmth the winter and bring some noise in this quiet season. As the exam is drawing near, I pray for every student that is facing this challenge, may You bless them with clear mind and healthy body. Moreover, let any outcome be turned into praises upon Your name, Amen.

Boxing Day 2011 Shopping

People have always tell me 2 things about UK, that on Christmas day, the town will be very quiet and the day after, everywhere will be crowded! Yupz, it's boxing day where most shops have great sales. We didn't really have enough sleep from the fun lats night but still crawl up for some shopping.

Next clearance:

All kind of shirts with at least 30% discounts! Everyone is snatching stuffs like its free. Seriously, the price is really good but most of the common size are taken, leaving either too big or too small for me, really need to dig in for my size. The down side is, the fitting room is closed, so I can't really check out the pants/slack.

Scouting some really cheap accessories and shoes as well:

I'm not the kind of person who buy clothing for myself, especially formal wear. However, the sale is really too good to be true, I got myself a dark blue coat for £15 (was £30) and an Italian Fabric vest for £10 (was £40). Also a pair of Dunlop court shoe for £17 (half price), the two sets of accessories I saw are a MUST to get (was £12 and £8).

Oh ya, my size for coat is 38 inch regular fit:

"You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours."
-Psalms 128:2-

Another new experience that I won't have in Malaysia. Really need to give thanks for the rewards of a brand new life here while praying for guidance and break through in research. Also pray that everyone will be able to have a good time until the year comes to an end, Amen.

Christmas 2011 Day Meals

Merry Christmas~ it's Christmas day and a few of the "remaining" Solid Rock people in Nottingham had a gathering. Christina, Jiong Lin, Shi Wei and me attended morning service in T-street, then to Jason's house together.

Pastor doing cosplay again:

We basically set up the Christmas tree, and start making some snacks while waiting for lunch in the oven. After eating ducks for few days, I'm having it for lunch again~ is that one of the famous Christmas dish around?

Christmas tree setup by me and Shi Wei

Thanks a lot to Christina's salmon snack that helped us throughout the preparations (it's quite late in the afternoon). The concept is quite simple but the way it is decorated makes it tastier. I guess everyone had fun messing around in the kitchen.

Everyone in the kitchen:

It's my first time playing risk (a board game that I never heard before), and it's Lord of the Ring version of risk. Basically it's like Warcraft, navigating armies through the map with dice roll as battle system. We spent really long reading the manual and learn the game due to its high complexity.

I'm using green~

The game basically is quite fun, but it's so long that we took almost 8 hours to finish it (including dinner & supper break). Well, after duck, we had turkey for dinner~ didn't even finish half of it since most of us are still full. Supper is quite interesting, scone with wine cream~ what a day of keeping our tummies satisfied.

Dinner & supper in between the game:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."
-Psalms 127:1-

Have a blessed Christmas day! Unless the love is from The LORD, sharing and fellowship are in vain. Town in UK looks quite empty and dead during public holiday, but I believe those back in Malaysia are having a great time. No matter what challenges comes ahead, pray that we will learn from the reminders during Christmas day and reach one more for Him, Amen.

Christmas Eve 2011 Dinner at ALEA

My housemates and a few other close friends went to town for Christmas Eve dinner. We were in ALEA, a casino restaurant with Christmas dinner package of 3 course meal + cocktail for £25 and £10 bet voucher as gift.

Buffalo wings as starter:

The environment is actually pretty nice, looks like a place for fine dining to me. Despite having duck meat for the pass 2 days, I ordered the Asian Duck for main course. I've seen bread stick but potato stick sure is interesting. Dessert is cheesecake with ice cream, yummy.

Main course and dessert:

Finally, it's time for fun. I've been into a casino several times, but it's the first time betting on a table. Since the voucher can only be played on the roulette, we collected 6 of our voucher and place 3 on red and black each. This guaranteed us 50% of chips in return (unless it spins to 0) and there we go for any other game that we want.

Spin spin:

"Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy."
-Psalms 126:5-

Another great time of fellowship and just to enjoy during the winter break. Although there are work such as research and study pending to be done, but I pray that this little time of rest can really prepare us for a longer journey, Amen.

Little Pre-Christmas Gathering (Dunkirk)

The next night I'm back from trip, my housemates and a few of their coursemates are having a pre-Christmas gathering dinner. Cee Jay and Joanne did most of the cooking, Sera prepared dessert as well. I'm mainly the transporter of kitchen utensils from house to house~

Preparing in the kitchen(s):

I was really surprise to see lobsters when I move things to Joanne's house, and they're alive! I basically witness Cee Jay chop them into half and put into the oven (the legs are still moving), seriously a scene of a lifetime. We have red wine as well, I have a feeling that it will be a good good night.

Lobster on the plate~

Can you believe that the lobsters are just appetizers? Main course is actually duck and goose meat with mash potatoes. Then we have dessert which both sides of the kitchen prepared the same thing (without knowing)~ 汤圆. Most of them are kinda fully loaded at this point, I just keep on spamming.

Main course and dinner:

It's been a while since I ate so much, a very satisfying meal~ thanks a lot Cee Jay for the hard work. We drank quite a lot, most of the girls get themselves wasted but the guys are pretty cool, oh yeah~

Cheers for holiday:

"LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart."
-Psalms 125:4-

Great companies bring great joy, and all of these are realize through understanding and tolerance. I thank God for such people in UK, will pray for you all as you guys face off against exam, go with peace, Amen.

Christmas 2011 Trip Ends

It's the day where we bid farewell to our 9 days Portugal and Spain trip~ flying back to reality. It's a night flight from Barcelona to Luton airport, suppose to get the 11pm bus back to Nottingham but delayed by the massive queue of the immigration counter.

Flying back home:

Obviously we missed it, and the next one is 1.45 am. Thank God we bought insurance for the previous ticket, so just need to top up the differences for the new bus fare. Most of the shops are closed, and UK is so much colder X_X. Anyway, I can finally use sterling pounds again, spent total of £491 including transport and accommodation in this 9 days.

Luton airport in the midnight:

After 3 hours of bus ride, we're back in Nottingham town and indigo bus came right just in time to pick us back to Dunkirk. Oh home sweet home, for so many days fasting from Facebook, the notification counts aren't too surprising.

Oh yeah~ I'm back:

Hey, there're two big mails for me as I arrive home. I thought it's my ebay purchases, but Christmas comes early, they're wishes from Malaysia, for me... and some other friends. Thank you Wei Ern, Pei Wern and Shen Quang~ but I'm in charge of distributing cards to others in Nottingham as well... haha~ it's good, it's good.

Christmas card from Malaysia and my housemate:

"We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped."
-Psalms 124:7-

I am grateful of all the blessings received during the trip. Fasting from internet for 9 days make me read the scripture more and I as they say, the words are alive, I learn new things again. Great experience going new places and eating new foods, and it's time to prepare for working again, gonna pray for strength as I go on, Amen.