ABC easy as 123

The ABC.. how long has it been since you sang along the ABC song? isn't it amazing that with just 26 alphabets many words can be form, and from those words stories are made.. through the stories, different lives are touched?.. something so simple used in a big way..

This year for me Easter was spend helping out as a 'Librarian' for the Reading Bus project done by Bethany Ministries with the aim of helping different villages around Kuching to appreciate the English Language. We (Ps.Che Chung, Janna, Pei Sing, Ben, Grace and I).. went to Kampung Pasir Ulu.. which was about 1km away from the border of Indonesia.. haha.. we were so near to Indonesia that Maxis send text msg welcoming us to Indonesia.. talk about "I will follow you".. beat that Digi.. haha..jk..

Seeing all those kids get excited when we told them that all the books, that we had with us was for them to read and enjoy made me remember the first time I learned to read.. it was in Kindy.. St.faith.. it was a Peter and Jane book.. man, I love that book.. but the best memory I had of my reading ability was when I was around 6 years old and notice as my mum would drive around, that I was able to pronounce all the name of the shops as I pass them by.. That was what made me understand the Importance of reading.. I thought to myself.. 'this reading stuff is pretty cool and useful after all'.. haha..

As I grew older, reading became more of a homework than a fun thing to do while you are bored kind of thing, but by primary 4, my encounter with one of the most inspiring English teacher that I have ever known and Thank God for Mrs. Anna Hon made me realise my love for books. Yup, thanks to her, I improve on my English.. and thanks to her reading became one of my hobbies, she thought me the best way to gain knowledge is through Books..

Mrs. Anna Hon, was a really cool teacher, she not only inspired me but my whole class.. through her teaching she made English Fun and interesting. She was strick but at the same time caring, she was not a afraid to push her students to do the best that they could. She was frank but not hurtful, she encourage each and everyone of us.. I am a living testimony of her works, me and all those who she taught can honestly say.. she was truly a person full of passion. My friend who was weak and not confident in the English language at the beginning of the year finished reading the Harry Potter book later that year and was ahead of some of us when she was one of the first to buy the second book. I was so inspired by Mrs Anna Hon's ability to plant that excitement into someone's heart within three years.

While I was getting encouragement in school through Mrs.Anna, at home Manda, my older sister became my strength or should I say my contender.. hahaha.. I would remember fighting over a book with her, waiting for her to finish it.. Her love for books also came from Mrs.Anna, who actually I can honestly say changed her , Mrs.Anna was a big part of her life and thanks to that ever since primary 2, I prayed that God would make her my English teacher one day.. (amen He answers prayers). My sister was the first HEAD LIBRARIAN in SRB St.TERESA.. haha, that post stayed on to her even until now, she would wrap all the books and organise all the books in the house, from Enid Blyton to Goosebumps to EVEN the ARCHIE COMICS!!!.. (I secretly thinks she has mild OCD).. haha.. jokes, jokes..

Wow, talk about memories.. anyway as I was observing the kids in Pasir Ulu, while they were reading, I saw a little of me in everyone of them, some were happy to just finish a book, some were mesmerise by the pictures.. and some struggling with the words. I pray that one just like me they would realise how cool reading is and in turn be inspired to write their own books.. Their future and inspiration could be from the Reading bus, just like Mrs. Anna Hon was to me and my friends..

Valentine Grinch...

weird.. its 1st of April.. so one would expect me to blog about April fool's day.. well, sorry to disappoint you.. I'm going to talk about the world between the boy and the girl.. oh, yeah I said.. The L word.. love.. is what they call it.. haish, this relationship thing is never easy.. but who am I to say.. its just that every where I turn someone somewhere is going through this Love epidemic.. its like, in the beginning when everything is still new, they are always smiling and happy.. then after a long time, things can get very complicated and all hell break lose.. like my previous post, I believe I'm more of the observer.. slowly I notice the change.. the cause and effect, you might put it.. never really understand, how one and one becomes two.. too blur to read the signs.. but somehow, I always end up knowing more than I should.. but I choose to never reveal what I know unless it has publicly been announce.. I learn that from the wise owl, the less you speak the more you know, the more you know the less you speak.. I am amaze at how easily girls get flattered by sweet words..(trust me I know, 11 years in an all girl school help me to conclude this).. yeah, poor girls.. then again its not our fault (we are vain creatures).. however if I could say one thing to any girl to stop them from going through any unnecessary heart aches is that never over analyze things.. dont fall for even the slightest act of good doing.. Girls tend to misinterpret things alot.. just because the guy sitting next to you borrowed his pencil doesn't mean he is in LOVE with you, or just because a boy helped walked you home doesn't mean he wants to marry you.. I believe, boys are humans who are thought by their parents to be good people too.. plain and simple.. (hopefully all my guy friends out there agree if not, well we'll learn something new from their side of the story).. all I'm saying is WAIT!.. wait till he come to you in the FLESH and tells you he likes you.. then you can..??.. erm.. do whatever you want to proclaim to the world.. if not.. its his lost.. (ha! sounds like an advice page in a magazine).. so girls please learn to guard your heart.. then again talking to your friends on what his next moves going to be is part of the fun in growing up as a girl.. haha.. i have a feeling I'm revealing to much about the girl world..

ps: since its april fools day.. I have a joke.. Gajah terbang dengan apa?....

susah payah! haha..

10:40pm

10:40pm.. 10:40pm... I wanted to post the '25 things' that Farah tagged me a few months ago but my mind just wondered of to different ideas and interpretation.. oh, boy its going to be one of those long blog post..that does not mean a thing.. lets just say I about to reveal how rainbow complex can my brain be.. ok, here goes..

I have a thing for colours.. OOooo.. not so unusual you say?.. well how about if i tell you that in my mind when I see people I base them on colours.. what's even weirder I colour coordinate people with the surroundings and give them patterns like stripes and splats.. No, I dont exactly see it at the same time I'm looking at a person.. but .. I dont know how to explain.. but if i think of a person, to help me remember them.. I think of the colours that represent them.. maybe that's why I enjoy painting..

THE NUMBER 2, I always choose to look at things in two different ways.. I sound like a P.Moral text book.. haha.. ok, for example... there is two ways to end a song.. the music either stops at same time or it slowly fades away.. there are two ways to read a book, front to back or back to front, two ways to put food in your body, by chewing or drinking.. two ways to open a bag of chips, tearing (biting is the same to me) or cutting it open.. that's why I always have a sense of importance in the number 2.. with ' 2', you are given a chance of choosing.. this or that, here or there.. just like my first equation, 2 people starts a relationship.. then it ends up into a family.. The 'two theory' (-> yer! i sound like a scientist ), has long existed from the phrase it takes two dance, two to fight and two to love...

I myself don't really know how I can come up with all this.. its went I am all alone that all this strange ideas come to my mind like a few nights ago before I went to bed, after reading one of Jodi Piccoult's book 'Nineteen Minutes'..(a must read).. I cant help but to make my own equation of happiness... hers was Expectation divided by Reality =Happiness.. mine is Reality+Expectation divided by Strategy+ Human Reaction =Happiness.. to me, we humans are a complex being.. the expectation part of the whole equation is most important.. however the Human reaction is an inevitable source to consider .. because like I said.. we are a complex being.. humans cannot be control.. we are made to react to different things differently.. put in a few experience of happy and sad situation the outcome of the equation is unpredictable.. thats why in the equation it is divided over R and E.. then again this is just what I think...

Are you guys getting more confuse?? try being me.. a few months ago I read in an article that humans are most inspired at 4:00pm in the afternoon or 10:40pm at night!.. knowing this "particular fact" I will always dread this time of the day..( for me its 10:40pm).. i gusee because I'm more concious of the time.. beacuse at that time I am likely to be alone.. when I am about ready to be in bed.. that all this random brainwork (taken from farah's blog title) happens.. part of me like it but part of me hates it.. I can go on the whole night thingking of things.. and I cant sleep until I'm satisfied with writing it down, and God is my only friend for that time of day.. so this last few days.. I have been painting again.. and I have been taking up wood carving.. anything to tone down my oh so inspired brain.. like I said.. this post has no focus, just me being me talking about colours, the significant of the number two, equation for happiness and the inspirational 10:40pm..

ONLY in MALAYSIA

Who says our English is teruk.? Just see below - Ours is simple,short,concise, straight-to-point, effective etc.........

WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS
Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.
Malaysians: No Stock.

RETURNING A CALL
Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone page for me a few moments ago?
Malaysians: Hello, who page?

ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY.
Britons: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?
Malaysians: S-kew me

WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY
Britons: Hey, put your wallet away, this drink is on me.
Malaysians:No-need, lah.

WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?
Malaysians: (pointing the door) can ar?

WHEN ENTERTAINING
Britons: Please make yourself right at home.
Malaysians: Don't be shy, lah!

WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE
Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.
Malaysians: Where got?

WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER
Britons: I'd prefer not to do that, if you don't mind.
Malaysians: Don't want la...

IN DISAGREEING ON A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Britons: Err. Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you're
coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.
Malaysians: You mad, ah?

WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE.
Britons: Excuse me, but could you please ! lower your voice, I'm trying to concentrate over here.
Malaysians: Shut up lah!

WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU.
Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time.. Do I know you?
Malaysians: See what, see what?

WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION.
Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.
Malaysians: Die-lah!!

WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED
Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened?
Malaysians: Wat happen Why like that....

WHEN SOME ONE DID SOMETHING WRONG
Britons: This isn't the way to do it here let me show you,
Malaysians: like that also don't know how to do!!!!

1st march.. Michelle's anniversary..

Some things still exist as long as there is someone to remember them by Jodi Picoult..

I am Born A Native

I am Born A Native.. I am born an Iban.. wow.. cool tag line ey?? I can see it now, the longhouse, the waterfall in the background.. and a young lady in an Iban traditional costume.. smiling, with her right hand resting on her left shoulder.. then.. *cue music-cuti-cuti malaysia*.. Tada!.. another Visit Malaysia ad.. Typical..

I suddenly have the urge to blog about being an Iban.. this is because I was fortunate enough to have visited a longhouse recently.. I was asked to help a team of Bible schoolers on their mission trip as a translator.. at first I thought.. 'yeah, sure thing.. piece of cake".. then slowly a sense of realism got to me.. that means I have to PREACH IN IBAN TOOO!!..I can speak in Iban but preaching is a whole new level (this reminded me of the days i was in ICCTS and had to preach in BM on a sunday service..haih.. why me).. sure Pastor Ned was there and I have the Iban Bible with me.. but as an Iban the people in the longhouse was looking to me as the bridge.. (ps. Ned was speaking in English)I was worried that I was not able to make them understand.. ok, I'll admit my Iban is not the best.. lets just say at home my family and I convers in both Iban and english... so sometimes I get stuck.. haha.. but I gave my all and by God's grace they all understood.. The ten commandments.. or should i say Sepuluh Pesan..

The people who were there are mostly the older generation.. grandparents, their children with their grandchildren some great grandchildren had move to the cities.. among the 8 houses, only three was occupied. One thing for sure that Jolina and I agreed is that they live such a simple life.. as long as they have food, shelter and clothes.. their happy.. they eat fresh food everyday, because they don't have refrigerators.. so what you catch that day.. is what you eat.. sounds more logical to me.. why do we need to stock things up only to realize sooner or later that the food in the fridge has pass its due date??.. or for the fact that they only have electricity at night with the help of a generator.. the word 'Sunlight' has more meaning to them in the morning when you can see the sun beam through random window glasses on the roof.. very magical.. indeed..

But the best part is the 'ruai' oh yeaaa.. it's an afternoon nap paradise.. that long stretch of rotan carpeted floor is very inviting on a hot breezy sunny day.. ahhh bliss.. snoozing in the afternoon is like the most normal thing to do there.. or in any longhouse i know.. I vow to make a room dedicated to look and feel like a 'ruai' in my future home.. nothing, but big airy windows and rotan carpeted floor.. this is one reason why I love longhouses..

Sad to say, as I was talking to pastor about the significant of the 'ruai' we both agree, its going into the nearly extinct home decor list.. why?? well.. truth be told alot of longhouse and are being demolish and individual house are built instead.. you see the 'ruai' is like the master living room.. its an empty space in the front that connects all the houses.. ok, lets just put it this way no 'ruai' no longhouse get it?? the ' ruai' is were all the socializing takes place (even if it means sleeping in the afternoon,).. theres no walls in between.. now, that individual houses are built this culture, of drinking tea and hanging out with the neighbours is not easily done, Thanks to the idea of FENCING.. its very territorial.. and not the Iban way..

Now, there are over 900 longhouses left in Sarawak.. I pray that no major change would effect them.. one Longhouse has about 40 families living together.. imagine how long the 'ruai' would look like! wow!.. Now, thats something to be proud of..lets see what else.. oh! yeah, how could I not bring this up..being an Iban has always been connected to being A HEAD HUNTER.. *dum dum dum*.. haha.. as much as I am proud of my culture there are also some part of me that wants to change it.. I find it abit funny and also cool at the same time.. its just that after you kill 'the enemy' you take back the 'Head' as a symbol of bravery.. back then we didn't have snipers or bom.. so what else.. but chop heads?? haha.. ok, i'll explain more next time.. rest assured there is no such thing anymore in Sarawak..

ok, so about the Tattoos? I also think its pretty cool to be born in culture where you are allowed to ink your body with cool design.. however, most Iban these days don't do it due to religious belief, part of me understand, this because some design is associated with spirits and stuff.. but.. the thing with tattoo with me.. is that its up to you to believe it. its in the heart for me.. I have never heard of people being control by them..

Like I said, as much as there are parts of me who is proud to be an Iban, I do not deny the fact that there are some parts that I am not proud of.. Im not that ignorant to the fact that part of our culture has some thing to do with 'drinking'.. the 'Tuak' (rice wine) is a famous thing.. for sure.. but too much and drunk old men during the Gawai celebration is something that I don't like.. I promise myself that one day, I'll come back and educate my people about this issue.. and hope that they see.. its not something to be proud of.. In case your wondering why am I daring enough to bring this matter up is because... I love my people too much and i don't want the reason of this particular indulgences ruin our culture..

well, I have nothing more to say, except that.. the younger me use to question why me, why Iban.. but now all have change and I'am Happy where ever God puts me.. and I am proud to be an Iban..

ALOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO... I know..

ok, so.. im guessing the usual.. where do I begin.. 'so sorry for not bloging'.. 'sorry for the unplan hiatus?'.. or do you prefer..' I've been busy'??.. truth be told.. I hate explaining myself (contradiction.. why have a blog right??).. haha.. so whats new??? hurmmm.. to all those that dont already know yet, I have left kl, to continue studying in Perth coming this mid year. Why have I not blog about it?? u may ask.. well.. maybe because I don't want to see it as sad thing.. Yes, I am sad to leave all my wonderful friends back in Kl,..

Apple my stupid conversation buddy, Farah my 'hanging out' buddy.. Aneez 'my lame joke filter', Liz 'the optimist', Deepa 'The wise one!', Kanmeni the 'Superstar', Shameni and Sheetal my wonderful housemates... even 'Chen Chen my annoying China housemate.. I miss them all terribly.. everyone in PL5!.. everyone in Church!.. EVERYONE!!!.. can I make myself anymore clear.. This people who I, about a few month ago praise that I was lucky x 100000000 to have crossed path with.. really sincere friends..

I really miss and appreciate each and everyone of them.. Im lucky, blessed and thankful that God made me go through this road.. Im happy that even after I left.. we still tried to keep in touch.. God bless the invention for email and Facebooks.. haha.. man, writing this out made me realise what took me soo long to write about this??.. then it hit me.. Im not going to die soon.. and kl is about 1 hr 45 mins away.. as long as we are still on this earth.. no where is too far.. I guess.. what Apple said was true.. I am happy that we did not have a proper good bye' because the truth is its.. not.. really good bye just yet.. and I should know.. after going through 'That' with Michelle.. soo everyone cheers.. heres to a new journey up ahead..

ps: just so you know.. I turn 19 on the 20th of feb.. and honestly the day before I forgot! haha... can someone say in denial???? haha.. Manda and I agree instead of saying happy birthday to someone it should be.. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!.. get it?? get it?? anyways thanks everyone for the wishes..