My first published photo...

I just took my first nature photo. I like flowers... as for birds, that one I'll have to learn from Mike. He is "ciao" expert here. :) Anyway, here's my photo:

So guys, what do u think? nice? Comments please, especially from Mike.

Count my blessings

I was just talking to a friend about counting God's blessings and I remembered sharing with Su Yin about this too, a few days ago, when she wasn't satisfied with something. The best way to get through life is to be contented with what you have and count your blessings.

There's this poem that tells us to:

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
count your gains instead of your losses;
count your joys instead of your woes;
count your friends instead of your foes;
count your smiles instead of your tears;
count your courage instead of your fears;
count your full years instead of your lean;
count your kind deeds instead of your mean;
count your health instead of your wealth;
and love your neighbor as much as yourself.

This is so true, especially in this materialistic world of ours. When I am dissatisfied or envious of something, I am reminded of this prayer: "Lord, do not give me too much that I would forget you, nor too little that I might sin against you but enough that I may always remember your blessings." Kinda apt huh?

Black gold

Petrol prices has increased, again, for the umpteenth time now! If it goes on like this, then this commodity will be as pricey as real gold!

The reason is again to relieve the government's burden of subsidising petroleum. If the government really want to reduce the cost of running the country, it should work to get rid of or reduce inefficiency, wastage and corruption in the government... its these 3 factors that are really sucking dry the government's coffers. Sighs... the one thing that lightens the people's burdens, the government takes gradually takes away. I guess its one more burden for the people to bear. From today's the Star newspaper, it sounds as if we, the rakyat, have to "bail" the government out again.

Will there be a domino effect? Of course there will be, its happening already. You noticed that food in Penang is now averaging RM2.50-3.00 now? 2 months ago, we still can get things between RM2.00-2.30. Everything else is also increasing, except our salary! Hmm... bummer. :(

Hit the rich with luxury tax for cars and helicopters (see paul tan's and jeff ooi's posts on AP King's lifestyles) or something lah...

I love her

Its one of those days... miss Su Yin like mad... She mentioned to me that we are talking less now and I admit that's true. Its hard that we are so far apart and compounded by the fact that I am low in funds. So conversations are kinda short as sometimes I'm mindful of the time. :/ Hope she understands that I really want to talk to her and I wish I can do more to relieve her loneliness but its just for one last year and then no more separation anymore. I know how it feels cause its affecting me too.

I really want to make this long distance relationship a success, not just to prove to people that it can be done but because I really love her. I really do... I just have to think about her to make my heart skip a beat. We have gone through a lot, beautiful highs and heartbreaking lows. Funny that this is the only relationship that I don't really share alot of details with my family and friends, so not many knows . Whatever that came my way, I have managed to handle most of it on my own... and I have God thank for that. Now I realise how important it is to have a relationship that's blessed by your parents and by God. Seeing God's hands in our lives and our relationship is such an awesome experience and yet it does not mean good breeze and calm seas all the time. Things can get rocky sometimes... like now, for example.

Loneliness is hard but I know this is only for a moment. Its the lifetime with Su Yin that I am looking forward to and I'm glad she's my companion. I want her to know that I'm there for her too... in all the ways that I can.

1 day to go...

The recent tsunami prophecy reminds me not to take God for granted and that though He is my Heavenly Father, He is also the Almighty God, the Holy One of Israel and God of righteousness and justice.

If the prophecy has had any effect on me, it made me realise that I have taken my faith too lightly too often... and this song came into mind and I find it so apt, especially this excerpt:

I have leaned on the wisdom of men, oh Lord, forgive me;
and I have responded to them, instead of Your love and your mercy;
but now oh Lord, I see my wrong;
heal my heart and show Yourself strong;
and in my eyes and with my song;
oh Lord, be magnified;
oh Lord, be magnified.

Lord, forgive me for taking You and my relationship with You so lightly. Thank you for reminding me that though You are my Father, You are also a Holy God. Help me not to take your grace and mercy for granted but to use them as a reminder that you are a just God but also a loving God, that You are taking care of me. Help me Lord, step by step, Lord, day by day. Amen.

Note: thanks to Messy Christian, seeing her post gave me the idea to put this ukiyo-e picture of waves by Hokusai...

Rumors

There's this lady pastor from an independent church who has been going around telling people about an huge tsunami that's hitting Penang within this week. She said she saw this in a vision and started urging people to be careful. This news began to spread quickly among the Christian community, and then the local community in general. It was even brought to the attention of the local press. Well, 2 more days to go...

Why do people want to warn people in this manner? Won't it cause more confusion and fear? What good will arise from such warnings if the focus is not on God? If I understand correctly, most warnings in the bible about impending disasters were given to get people to turn to God. Moreover, in such circumstances, God always give people a chance to repent from their sins.

In 2 days, the so-called "prophecy" is supposed to come to past, and when Monday comes and there is no tsunami, what will happen then? Its not only the reputation and credibility of that pastor and her church that is at stake, the whole Christian faith that will be brought into question. Wouldn't such actions hurt Christians more?

However, as with everything in life... good can always come out of bad incidents. Such an incident serves as a warning to us Christians to be careful of what we say, what we hear and what we do. We Christians do have the power to impact the community around us... for God's glory or the detriment of our faith.

Truly, with great power comes great responsibility huh?

There are some things you should know...

Note: This is a personal message AND a declaration at the same time, so bear with me.

My dearest Su Yin, there are things that I would like to let you know.

1. I love Su Yin.
2. Su Yin is my soulmate and fellow traveler in this journey called Life.
3. If I were alone in a room with Su Yin I'd give her a hug cos I know I can never give enough of that to her.
4. I think Su Yin should be want God wants her to be.
5. Su Yin needs plenty of love, hugs and kisses.
6. I want to be with Su Yin.
7. Someday Su Yin will be a Nobel prize winner.
8. Su Yin reminds me of sunshine and fluffy white clouds.
9. Without Su Yin, this journey of mine would be so, so lonely.
10. Memories of Su Yin are of falling in love over and over again with her each time she returned to Penang.
11. Su Yin can be very, very playful.
12. Hmm... what a thoughtful and caring girl, is how I describe meeting Su Yin.
13. Worst thing about Su Yin is that she is so far, far away right now.
14. Best thing about Su Yin is that she agreed to spend the rest of her life with me.
15. I am so blessed and honored to be with Su Yin.

Sweetheart, thanks for this journey so far... looking forward to journeying on with you.

Things to buy at PC Fair

1. Blank CD-ROMs
2. HDD? (Dunno yet... quite expensive ler)
3. Light-weight mic/headphones for Su Yin.
4. Video card - else I can't run NFS2:Underground. (also maybe only)
   

Anyone wants to go with me??? NEXT (thanks Mikey!) Friday night or Sunday afternoon?

A laughter a day... gives you sore jaws :/

This is one funny site... its about a fat asian kid in an obscure photo and then someone superimposed him everywhere! :)

Enjoy! :)

12.1"

What's with people and 12.1" laptop? My colleague just got himself a Dell 700m laptop that has a 12.1" LCD screen? Its small and cute but the viewing screen is so, so small... so hard to see and the keyboard is so, so small... so hard to type... but b'cos of its size, its quite a babe magnet! :) My female colleagues would swoon over the laptop, exclaiming "so small! so cute!"... :/

p.s. I think this model is similar to the one owned by Michael's dad. I wonder if he got it for the same reason! ;) (Just joking Mike!)

Homework

I found this on Minishort's blog... so all credit goes to her. (Don't be angry and rant at me har, Minishorts...)

Anyway, I thought it was fun, and hopefully it would be fun for you too. All you need to do is copy the following passage and paste it on your comment (just click on Trail Post at the bottom of this post to get to the comments section). Then fill in the blanks with using your imagination and creativity. :) Thanks!


I _ Danny.
Danny is _.
If I were alone in a room with Danny _.
I think Danny should _.
Danny needs _.
I want to _ Danny.
Someday Danny will _.
Danny reminds me of _.
Without Danny _.
Memories of Danny are _.
Danny can be _.
_ is how I describe meeting Danny.
Worst thing about Danny is _.
Best thing about Danny is _.
I am __ with Danny.

Remember: Just COPY, PASTE and FILL IN THE BLANKS.

Ramblings part 240705

What a day... today I had to be an usher and a sound man at the same time... never done 2 jobs at the same time before but I think I pulled it off quite well.

Bought this lousy movie called Devilman... its live-action adaptation of a japanese anime/manga series (its about a schoolboy who can transform into a demon, quite a famous manga by Go Nagai). Let me tell you, it sucks like a lemon, not only that... it sucks like a fungus-infested lemon. So its sour and bitter at the same time (trust me on this ok? I've taken enough spoilt food to know what that tastes like!). Yes, its that bad. I know the Japs has a knack of making quirky and weird movies but this one tops it off! Any movie with the boyfriend yelling with a distinct look of disinterest when seeing his beloved girlfriend's head stuck on a pole... done in typical japanese style with eyes open and all (the head, I mean)... deserves to be panned. I don't know if its done to shock or to induce vomit. I nearly had both reactions but for totally the wrong reasons: shocked because its so stupid, vomit cos its so corny... I believed many fans of the original manga series was also up in arms about such a lousy adaptation. Somehow, live-action adaptations of manga/anime usually does not cross the different mediums well... hrmm... Should have gotten some sickly sweet Korean romance comedy... definitely a better way to pass a Sunday afternoon. Sighs... So, anyone wants an unwanted copy of Devilman??? :/

Currently Listening to: God He Reigns, Hillsong Australia. Not too bad but a little formulaic don't you think? Anyone has any recommendations of good P&W albums?

Squatting Toilets

"How do you know you are in SEAsia? There are squatting cubicles in the toilets! Woohoo! Its good to be in familiar surroundings! :)" That was my first thought while in a toilet at Changi Airport coming back from Melbourne a couple of years ago.

After the 8-hour flight, the first thing you look for is a toilet (I never go to toilet close to landing time cos the queue stretches from Changi to Melbourne!). So when I went searching for a quiet toilet to freshen up... it was not difficult to find cos I reached Changi at 5-6am. When I entered one I thought suitable for my needs, it put a smile on my face when I saw the squatting toilets! :)

I recalled all this when I went in search for a toilet today while in Tesco. I was thinking I could tahan till I go home but no... nature waits for no man... I thank God that I found one cos if you feel the call of nature, its definitely better to have a squatting toilet than a sitting toilet... especially if its in M'sian toilets... Whew...

Why? Cos its somehow more bearable and... its easier for you also... if you know what I mean? Wink wink, nod nod... ;P

But then there are pitfalls... figuratively and literally! Cos sometimes, after squatting too long, you might black out while trying to stand up... and a squatting toilet is not a good place to pitam! :)

Of course if I am at home, I'd prefer a sitting toilet so that I can do my reflections. Otherwise, when out shopping, its the squatting toilets for me. However... if there are some 4-5 star hotels... that's another story altogether. :)

Editor's note: as you can see, its late and I'm sleepy... that's my excuse. :)

In defence of the Big Bird

Wow... I really respect Kenny Sia for apologising and I can understand a little of his frustration. I don't know him personally so I can't say whether what he did is in character... but from the reaction of his friends (and not fans) I feel he overdid it by a little bit and now has to take the consequences. Yet, he was bold enough to say sorry and show a little of his own self. It goes to show that Kenny is a real human being like you and me. He makes mistakes and also has feelings too... I think we should all give him space to grow and move on.

Moreover, judge not others lest you be judged yourself. I have to confess that I did judge him for what he did but now I realise that I was wrong and I had no right to do so cos my views and judgment was skewed.

Kenny... keep on blogging but for yourself. Like the Brits, you've got to keep going as you did or else the nay-sayers would have won.

I've got nothing to blog.

My mind is so blank right now...maybe its because its late, and maybe its because I have nothing in my brain right now... hmm...

Anyway... there's another big bomb scare in London. I really admire the Londoners... compared to the New Yorkers, they are really so cool and calm... almost non-chalant. I hope my friend are ok in London.

I have something to add to my wish list: I want Su Yin back here in Penang for good... or me being wherever she is, so we don't have to be apart again...


Another wish list item, this time more materialistic one...

Its called the Nike Oregon Alti-Compass.

Just so happened my birthday is coming up soon... any takers? :)

So now you know some of the things I really want: a watch, a toy and a car... :)

Oh yeah, I went back for classes today. It was not too bad, the class itself and the efforts it took me to climb up 3 flights of stairs. My leg is coping well... though it is still sore after awhile, but its good progress! :)

oh yeah... Kenny and gang are doing something for a good cause. Please click on the banner at the sidebar with the BLOGATHON label to find out more. Much appreciated.

Okaylah thats it for now. Goodnight. Hrmm... I wonder what I'm gonna dream tonight??? :)

Back up your blog

Go back up your blog... ur email and everything... why? See below:

Dear readers of xiaxue.blogspot.com,

Yes, indeed, my blog has been hacked. I understand some of you might be sending emails to me right now, alerting me, and the thought warms my heart (which is very startlingly cold right now mind you).

Unfortunately, the hacker is quite clever. He also managed to guess the password to my gmail account. My 3,000 emails, some of which very important business contacts, are all gone.

*snap!* Gone.

The last time I saw my account, I saw two new emails, and these were the only two. I thought Gmail cocked up on me. I laughed, refreshed, and hey, I got logged out! To my horror I couldn't log in anymore. Can you imagine the amount of time he or she took to delete everything?

Checking blogger.... GONE TOO!

How wonderful. A total of 12 or so blogs, all painstakingly done up, all gone. The media center, the FAQs, the photolog, the Hate site. My hard work of 3 years, gone.

Vanished into thin air now! How very cruel this person is. I wonder what made him or her do this.

I remember I once told Adrian, "You know what is my greatest fear?" "What?" he mumbled (not because he wanted to mumble but because he only grunts and mumbles).

It was that someone would hack into my blogger account.

Adrian laughed and said, "Then did you save all your blog files?"

I told him no. He scolded me and said, "Then you better go and save them now!"

And I did! The latest, however, was the May archives. So if you do have ways to get back the June and July archives, or you saved them even, do tell me! I never thought I would ever be thanking this person, but... xialanbin.blogspot.com did put in some work in copying my files afterall. The URL for my archives are there.

It will be hard work doing up all the old blog entries again. It will take a lot of time and sweat, but I can do it.

Because being Xiaxue means nothing can get me down, ever. Especially when so many of you are with me. Thank you Shuyin, for waking up at 430am to help me.

I started out with nothing, and I can do it all over again. I will stop those bloody tears right this moment.

Help me spread the word. Help me put this message on your blog. Do not email me at xiaxue@gmail.com from now until I get back my account. If you want a word, please email me at wendycheng@gmail.com.

Thank you.

The real Wendy
[Because this email can be authenticated by my friends Shuyin, Wanyi, Mrbrown, Mr Miyagi and Kenny Sia.]

Football

Steven Gerrard looked miserable despite scoring 2 goals during last night's Champions League match against TNS... hmm...

Kevin Davies looks thinner and fitter... saw him playing at the Asia Premier League Trophy just now.

Adriano is THE center-forward... Kaka and Ronaldinho are THE midfielders... Lucio is THE defender...

That's it...

Ramblings part 200705

I miss my fiancee Su Yin... sometimes it is hard not to have her around, especially when you go shopping... seeing all the couples but I have come to realise that it is a good thing, missing her... at least I have someone to miss, someone to long for right? :)

Kenny Sia's blog is very, very subdued today... a little "potong stim" huh?

Alvin has the pictures taken from our mini blogger conference up on his site... go lookie.

Don't really feel like writing anything... my ankle is way better but still have problems with standing up too long... can't wait to go back to work. Will be going back to college to do a 1 and 1/2 hour session with the students.

Life is really so, so fragile. Without relying on God I doubt I'd get very far...

Self-censorship?

Should there be self-censorship when it comes to blogging? Should we be careful what we post on our blogs? Is there a line we should not cross?

I initially thought that blogging was something like our personal diary. A place to jot down whatever we wanted but are there things we are not supposed to post? I realise that even I myself do decide carefully what I write on my blog. In fact, there are a lot of things that I don't write. Why? Sometimes it is to protect myself. Sometimes it is to protect others, especially the ones that I love. Sometimes it is because I plainly forgot what I wanted to write! :)

The thing is we do self-censor ourselves all the time and I think that's good... there should be freedom in what we do but in that freedom, we have to be responsible too. Its ok to do what we want and when we want but if our actions/inactions affect others, it is then when we have to be careful with the freedom we have and this applies to our posts too.

I know it is easier said then done cos I have done so many things that are impulsive and selfish, without thinking about the consequences, and I have suffered for it and probably will continue to suffer for it. For if there are fools, I am probably one of the biggest around.

I guess the point is, we ought to constantly remind ourselves to do unto others what we want others to do unto ourselves.

Yes, it is another one of those grim and depressing blogs...

PCC Mini Blogger Conference

The mini conference cum dinner went nicely. The Ang Chau mee sua was good and everyone was well fed. :) Alvin arrived first with his gf, who for the life of me I can't remember her name now! It was the first time meeting his gf and she is definitely nicer in person that on that photo he put up on his blog - u know... his down the toilet touch up of the picture. :P

Michael arrived about 30 mins later. He was told to come at the wrong time by MR LESLIE! :/

Mr Leslie arrived almost 1 and 1/2 hours later... can't help it I guess, he being a BIG moviestar and all that. Joking lah ok? :)

Anyway, we had dinner and then it was down to some serious work... check out our blogs... cool huh? Still not convinced I'm the most boring blogger in Malaysia? :)

We did some catching up and did some tune up on our blogs... yeah... it was a REAL blog conference! :)

Then we played a game of cards... everyone a few rounds but there was no money involved... After that , the mini conference was then adjourned till the next time.... not too bad lah I guess.