Veni. Vidi. Vici.

I come, I see, I conquer. Those were the exact words of Napoleon...
Months ago when I was seriously considering to take the step of faith for this trip, it really gave me goosebumps thinking about it. It still does.

Having to go through the journey to the summit via Mesilau trail, it was really a time of testing my patience. Why Mesilau? Well according to CS, Mesilau is for Heroes and Timpohon are for Sissys...and I got up that trail, as a hero. Sweet. The 10 hour climb up 8.5km was long and painful, especially at the beginning i already have difficulty breathing and it was really painful literally. All through the journey I have this walking stick with me, which reminds me of 'Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me'. Indeed, times where I really couldnt go on anymore, I recited Psalms 23 to keep me going.

And finally, up to Laban Rata, just in time for dinner before it closes. That night was a cold and stressful night as everyone is trying hard to sleep in for the 2am climb to the summit. I made it up despite having the guide advising me not to. I felt ok that morning but once I started a 10min climb, I felt that I started to regret. But I wanted to keep going so much. Weather was exceptionally good that day and I knew, I could make it further. Steps after steps gets harder especially passed 7.5km...where breathing really gets tougher for me.

Looking at Low's peak, I eventually made a stop at 8.4km, a mere 300m away from the peak. Watching most of them striving hard towards the peak, I stood, sat, lied down and took my rest to regain breath and energy that I much needed. The sky's already fully bright now though it was only a quarter past 6am. It was truly splendid up there, with the breathtaking views and scenic shots I managed to capture. I'm above the clouds! And once again, I'm marveled at His creation. So beautiful!

The journey downhill after breakfast from Laban Rata was...unexpected. It rained through the 5 hours and I was cold, feet soaked wet, hungry and alone. Worse still, I only had my bottle with me without any energy bar, and I was so hungry and strengthless. All I could do was keep going, faster and faster, to get something to eat when I got down to the Kinabalu park. To come to think of it, it was quite scary to have climbed down all by myself. But I was shown mercy, and experienced grace like never before.

Mt Kinabalu, 21-22 Aug 2010. My first encounter in the west tip of Borneo. I will be back.

A wish came true...

I've wanted to get away to an island or at least a beach...amidst all the hectic days going on since towards the end of last year...with the Pangkor Island plans going silent to nowhere...I thought this will not happen until who-knows-when...but God has been good and He made my wish came true! Well...in another way but still...it was a great weekend off at Sibu Island!

On 15th Jan 4.30am we reached the lobby of PS. The familiar GJ is still unopened on a relaxing friday morning...roads are nice to travel as i reached in less than 8 mins from home! There we started our journey, 3 hours on PLUS and 3 hours on the winding trunk road. I was soundly asleep after a while reading as the nite earlier i hardly slept. Winding roads are no threat to me. And there we were, at the jetty of Tanjung Leman via Kulai. Finally i caught a glimpse of water & huge wind...we cant even take a photo correctly without holding my hair...but the feeling of the wind hitting my face was simply great...

Coming up next was what I call unexpected. The boat ride heading Sibu Island, the 30 mins was challenging. It was roller coaster all the way as the sea was very choppy. January is the worst Monsoon season they have here and trust me, my pal googled on how to avoid motion sickness before she got on board...many people felt uneasy and wanted to puke...for me...It's just the usual roller coaster feeling that I don't like...the one where you feel your heart drop. Mine dropped numerous times in the boat carrying 50 over of us. But as soon as all these 'storm' were over...what's in front made me forgot all of it...

Total peace and tranquility. I forgotten bout the rough boat ride earlier...meetings over meetings and activities that lined up doesnt seem bad after all...when I'm just here...I felt so free. When I was here looking at this beach and enjoying the seabreeze...I can't help to say, "Thank You"...He's so Almighty yet detailed enough to grant my little wish and make me happy.

On the 2nd nite we were out sitting at this beach looking up...stars filled the whole sky...so much just like the descendants of Abraham....uncountable....someone said, 'Ei why didnt we see this much stars in KL?'...the other answered, 'If you're in KL, usually during this time if you're still outside you would be rushing to get home. How often will you look up there?' haha...true enough. In the midst of our busy-ness in life, how often do we look up?

3 days passed in just a wink of an eye...I left the island with its souvenir of body aches all over...but it was worth every bit of it. And on our way back, we left through Kluang, passing by the familiar childhood house of grandpa's. The familiar Shell station has turned into Caltex...and there was a big signboard which says 'Agape Shelter' at the field. That very field had lots of our laughter and tears, all of me and my cousins through our growing years. That familiar court, was once a place filled with drum rolls and cheers of Lion Dance, as well as our yearly reunion on firecrackers...those were the days...and I'm glad I caught a glimpse of this place again. I'm glad though I'll never get to stay in this place again, it has now been used for His glory, to be a shelter for those who need this place more than myself.

Back to routine in the heart of KL. I enjoyed the weekend a lot, enjoyed that night a lot, where I just looked up the skies and stars and marvelled at His creation. My eyes looked up, so does my heart.

Jacob & Shanen's Wedding 26th December 2009

Finally, after months of preparation and running around...the day has come.

26th December 2009, a remarkable day for dearest Jacob Liaw & Shanen Yap, my best friends, who were joined together in holy order of matrimony, marking the beginning of their marriage journey...my prayers for them that God will bless their love...

I'm truly blessed to be part of this wedding and to witness the love covenant and vows made.

Some pieces to share...the ring pillow (by Ashlee), the wedding bulletin & bridesmaid bracelet (by The Wedding Planner)

Not to forget...a song which is specially dedicated to the lovely couple...

Wedding March entitled This Is The Day...hope you like it!

My first wedding planning experience. Hope for more to come :)

过冬

冬至到了，好想吃汤圆。没机会回家过冬好多年了。。。可是真的很怀念小时候在外婆家过冬的日子。。。搓着汤圆也很爱玩的我们几个，都趁爸妈不在的时候，造反了！哈哈。。。外婆疼我们啊。。。可是她也一边在搓，一边骂我们不正经。。。哈哈！那时候的我们顶多也是小学，加上外婆那一点也不凶的语气，我们几个小鬼根本就不怕嘛！

七彩的汤圆，不见得人的各种形状我们都做齐了。。。可是最大部分的还是外婆做的白色汤圆。煮起一锅的时候，白色的总是最美的，而我们的七彩汤圆就是点缀！外婆说啊，要渗着才会好吃。奇怪的是，我始终都觉得白汤圆最好吃。其实是没分别啊，可我就最爱吃白色汤圆。每一粒白色汤圆都错得最圆滑，最嫩口。粒粒皆辛苦。

好想念白色汤圆。好想念外婆。。。