Thanksgiving 2010

Psalms 147:7-8 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

sometime I wonder God why did u create pain

was it all a big mistake or had you gone insane

y r some people tortured and oppressed

while others are elegant and well dressed

why do some die of hunger digging for scraps of food

while others dine in pleasure drinking wine n beer freshly brewed

why are some children born just to die in a war at age thirteen

while others live long in mansion with grass so fresh and green

why are some born with no love they grow up lonely depressed

while others are glorified worshiped and lovingly caressed

why do some accumulate wealth and pleasures easily with haste

while others try n try there efforts all in waste

one can think over and over about this mess that u created

one can question question question question till the mind gets frustrated

the rich have grown into ennui so weary

the poor have grown so tired and teary

the rich are hurting God the poor are hurting God we all cry out in pain

so many search and search for happiness their efforts all in vain

does anyone even care anymore for the hurt of another soul

love stands back forgotten as greed and apathy take control

fear hate and terrorism always leave us shaking

look at us God we're the very image of dystopia in the making

outwardly our world is filled with pollution and chaos

inwardly our souls are suffering lost in a blurry grey loss

have we even forgotten how to love with one in every two marriages ending in divorce

it scares my heart to see how people can just trample over each other showing no remorse

it depresses me how in this day and age our children can't even play outside

do something God help us save us from this world in which we abide

even religion the one hope for humanity has turned into a mess

all religions seem to do these days is fight belittle God and make followers feel worthless

we have become so fake putting up an outer gate a show

who we are lies lost inside us buried so long ago

we have such a thirst a longing for your love so divine

we ignore it : it never goes away though and our hearts slowly pay the fine

Lord I could not take it anymore

so I came running running a beggar at your door

when i felt your love for the first time it all became so clear

only you can fill the emptiness make it disappear

many paths many religions lay down different doctrines

but I only see you in everyone and everything beholding you my burning heart always grins

you can cure the world God if only we could see

that the way to happiness is grabbing you intuitively

you love has the power to carry the soul above all pain and pleasure

you grace is beyond all mention your bounty beyond all measure

somehow I know that if I were to lose my riches my wealth instantly overnight

but still if I have you I have everything and everything will always be alright

rags or riches Ill be rich when its you I serve

My souls will always stand steady nothing will make it swerve

I guess there is a method to your madness God make no mistake

the true treasure is real while the rest is a joke so feel ably fake

I'd rather cry with your love then laugh dryly without your grace

I don't care what pain you may make me face

whether I'm flying or falling running or stalling poor or well fed

In the words of Guru Gobind Singh I'd give up the comforts of thousands of blankets

for the warmth of my beloved friend God's humble straw bed
--Author Unknown

The school had Thanksgiving yesterday and we had fun making our own TG hat and of course, we had GOOD food. :)

Run For Good, 2010

Run for Health, 2009

Run for Good, 2010

*the aluminum man is still the same person! Yay!

I was looking if I blogged about the Run for Health Standard Chartered Bank marathon we participated on November 22 last year but I couldn't find any from this blog. Must have missed blogging about it. Anyway, this year the theme is Run for Good and it was held last Sunday, Nov 21, 2010.

As I was saying Hobbit and I had a full weekend, we really did that we hardly find the time to really 'sit down'. That aside, we woke up at 4:30am on Sunday morning and met up with our run mates (P'Jathrow, Auntie D and Uncle H) so we could hitch a taxi together and get to Sanam Luang to run. We all signed up for 5km. For fun, not that we can't do 45km or more!! LOL

Did I mention I love the colar-less shirt? I hang mine in our men's clothing section at home because I really love it. I usually don't hang my t-shirts unless if it belongs to Hobbit. Okay, so I had two ponies for fun and I liked it when my hair kept slapping my cheek throughout the marathon because it so proofed that I ran like a 5 year-old. :) Well, I didn't run all the time yet one miracle was, this time I didn't stop for a second. I brisk walk when I needed a breather. Last year, I stopped and panted all the way because of my ill condition. Thank God this time I was well enough, no 'auntie' visiting. At the finish line, we collected our medals, and left without our free McDonalds jok.

We made it!!
Authentic background

Then Hobbit and I came home for cheese sausages, eggs and milk. We rested for 2 hours before heading out again for free Belgium chocolate at Duc de Praslin. We got the deal online. Then Daron, Hobbit and I headed to CW and had the biggest meal eva -- Chicken Trio, cheese crust pizza! Yes, Daron and Hobbit pigged out and left me eating like an English Lady...haha not! When we three throttled, we decided to go home and roll like pigs. Ahh, a 'nap' from 7pm-5:30am the next day was the best reward that both of us missed loying our khratongs! :)

Ahh, it's November 24. A friend has a birthday! :)

Just A Dream (Cover) - Christina G & Sam T

Praying for the Gouges

Heard a very bad news about the Gouges today. They were involved in an accident last Sunday and no one came to know about it until Monday night. When I received the news this morning, I wasn't sure what to feel but a quote from the Bible sure brought comfort.

Lamentation 3:31 -33

³¹ For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever.
³² Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
³³ For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.

RIP until Jesus comes Grandma Gouge.
We are praying for your recovery Grandpa Gouge.

Tattoo On Your Face...

Opening the velo binding, someone out of concern sent me this article today and I have to admit that this is my first time reading about how blood could affect your ability to have kids. Well, I am a type O, does that mean I have little chances to conceive because of my blood? I don't know and I don't know whether to note the following or not. :) If you're wondering why it took us a long time...Well, consider this quote from Eat, Pray, Love and I got it highlighted in my book:

Having a child is like having a tattoo on your face. You can't ever forget about it.

So are you still pushing me?? Here's the article.

A woman's blood type could affect her fertility and influence her chances of getting pregnant, scientists have found...

Those with blood type O may struggle to conceive due to a lower egg count and poorer egg quality, while those with blood group A seem to be more fertile.

More than 560 women with an average age of 35 undergoing fertility treatment took part in the research, led by experts from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and Yale University.

Blood samples were taken to measure levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a known marker of fertility.

FSH levels greater than 10 suggest a woman will have more difficulty conceiving than those whose levels are under 10.

A high FSH level indicates a diminished ovarian reserve, which refers to both egg quality and the number of eggs left available for fertilisation.

Ovarian reserve tends to decline significantly as a woman reaches her middle and late 30s and faster in the early 40s.

The study found that women who were blood type O were twice as likely to have an FSH level greater than 10 as those in any other blood group. The findings held true even when a woman's age was taken into account and the fact the women came from two different clinics.

Meanwhile, those with blood group A were "significantly less likely" to have an FSH level greater than 10 than those who were blood group O.

Some 44% of the UK population are blood group O and 42% are type A.

People with blood group A carry the A antigen, which is a protein on the surface of the cell, but this is absent in people with O type.

Dr Edward Nejat, from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Albert Einstein College, is presenting his findings at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) conference in Denver.

He said: "In both groups of women that were seeking fertility treatment, those with blood type O were twice as likely to have an FSH level over 10 than those with blood types other than O.

"We found that women with A and AB – women with the A blood group gene – were protected from this effect of diminished ovarian reserve.

"From the population we studied, and the fact it was two different centres and there was a good mix of patients ethnically and racially, we can say that blood type O was associated with an FSH level greater than 10 in women seeking infertility evaluation and/or treatment.

"Patients with blood type O seeking infertility evaluation at these centres have a higher likelihood to be diagnosed with elevated FSH and hence manifest diminished ovarian reserve."

Nejat said FSH levels were just one marker of fertility and more studies were needed."A woman's age remains the most important factor in determining her success of conceiving.

"The baseline FSH gives us an idea of the quality and quantity of a woman's eggs."

Tony Rutherford, chair of the British Fertility Society, said: "This is the first time that I'm aware of that researchers have shown a link between blood group and potential for fertility."

However, he said there were other hormones that predicted diminished ovarian reserve which were also important to assess.

"This is interesting and it shows a potential link but we really need to look at it with these other, more up to date tests of ovarian reserve."

Rutherford said a bigger study would need to be carried out in the general population to see if blood group caused potential problems for all women trying to conceive.

"We need to look at a prospective group of women to see if blood group affects your chance of getting pregnant," he said. "This needs further exploration."

-- Taken from here.

Your Grace Still Amazes Me

We're singing this song tomorrow. I hope the three of us can pull it nicely as we lead worship. God has been good to Hobbit and I this week. He has shown us his mercy again and again setai 5th ave. Thank you Jesus.

My faithful Father, Enduring Friend
Your tender mercy is like a river with no end
it overwhelms me covers my sin
each time i come into Your presence I stand in wonder once again

(chorus)
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
each day i fall on my knees
'cause Your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

Oh patient Savior, You make me whole
You are the author and the healer of my soul
what can i give You Lord what can i say
i know there's no way to repay You only to offer You my praise

(chorus)
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
each day i fall on my knees
cause Your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

It's deeper, It's wider, It's stronger, It's higher
It's deeper, It's wider, It's stronger, It's higher
than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
each day i fall on my kness
cause Your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

Malaysian Honeycomb Cake

Last month Hobbit couldn't stand our present squarish and cheepish cake pan that he decided to buy a super pricey, non-stick one and it costs 899B. It was fine to want something good but the price wasn't that fine with me. Yet he managed to talked me out of things. "Good quality means long lasting yada yadi da..." and yeah it's true in a way but...

It always happens to me. I am the super saving one at home and so I have a lot to babble when it comes to purchasing, especially when things don't match their price. I guess I am not the only one. I know my mom too! I remembered my dad bought something that was at reasonable price to him yet super expensive to my mom. They argued and often times my dad would just ignore and my mom would try to reason out until she has no more reasons to give. There the argument stops. I see myself being like my mom sometimes. Doesn't mean that I don't like Hobbit's good intention and choice, just that thinking about it makes me want to reason out. I guess it's so normal given that I'm me.

Good quality does equal to long lasting and yes...Several things inside the package as well. Just like the 899B cake pan: Easier to clean, accurate results, non-stick and easy to handle. The weight loss diets had been slow on friends since cakes keep coming, like the recent Malaysian Honeycomb cake and some other baked stuff. I guess Hobbit did make a good choice. Expensive does equal to good quality to happiness to satisfaction yet NOT ALL THE TIME.

Wang Nam Kaew Road Trip

Hobbit and I went camping last weekend! :)

I was stressed out with work last Friday that I walked into the school front desk and sat, filled the pink slips for phones I confiscated (100B to collect each phone ^_^), sat there and didn't feel like moving. I just wanted to be idle for a few hours. Maam Rhodi walked towards the front desk where I was sitting and said, "Maam...You are very strict na!" I said nothing. I looked at her. Stared to be exact. "Maam Rhodi, I really, really need a short vacation!" She laughed at my suddenness. Then P'Ni came and tapped my shoulder saying "wanna join us to Wang Nam Keaw mai?" My lipofuze face lit up and as every 'lazy typers' would say...The rest is history!

Here are some pictures taken at cold Nakhon Nayok Dam, foggy Wang Nam Kaew and mini Italian Palio street. Hobbit and I were so glad we made the decision to go despite of the last minute preparation. Thank you P' Ni and the rest. You guys made our weekend a memorable one! :)

The longest dam bridge in the world, according to the Thais

The girls minus the 3 guys who were 24/7 clicking on their cameras

A Cup Of Love is the name of the place. Beautiful but not fully cultivated yet.

Bu-Ngasari Resort, our camp place. The resort was a full house that day.Clean restroom for a very particular me. Thumbs up to this place on their amenities.

Abbie who loves to play with Uncle and Auntie Hobbits! :)

Bon Jovi - What Do You Got

BJ is simply TIMELESS. Enjoy...

Sabbath at Bang Saen Beach, Chonburi

How often did we have potluck??

October 30, 2010
Instead of sticking to the tradition, a bunch of us Malaysians plus a Chinese decided that we should not take advantage of the good weather and let it go to waste for a day while spending our heart and time on cooking and staying indoors. We should plan for a trip and breathe and get soaked in Jesus' love through nature. So we decided to go to Bang Saen. So much for nature but that's the closest.

Heeding the directions given to us on our FB's event, no one was on rubber time except for the organizer himself! Well, he and his wife wasn't all rubber, in fact they were quite on time. When one say 'rubber time' (a saying we have back home), it simply means don't be late! :)

We headed to Bang Saen at 7:40am with a stop to get breakfast before we reached our destination. The weather was indescribable! The wind blowing, the sound of water just next to where we had our short Sabbath discussion, the happy, relaxed faces, the irresistible foot massages, the temple visit, etc...All made our Sabbath the more meaningful and beautiful. As we were heading back, I peaked at the horizontal blinds and saw nothing but good memories and relationship mended to an even meaningful ties.

God is good all the time and all the time, He is good.

My Grown Up Christmas List

I believe all of you have your own favorite all time favorite Christmas song. Well, I went for my music lesson last week and my music instructor handed me a book with several titles of Christmas songs and asked me to pick which two songs I would like to learn. One glance before I browsed, I knew at that moment that I had to pick My Grown Up Christmas List and the other one I'll let you guess! :) To me, the person who sings this best has to be Clay Aiken. I melt faster than a candle when I hear him sing this song. So as I was trying to complete my postcard printing this evening, I couldn't help but hum to this song.