Sunday 31 January 2016

Jing

Hello,

Remember high school days when we would print out facebook pictures and paste em on huge cards? Then everyone would sign em? Well, oceans are separating so many of us, so I've decided to make you (write you) a blogpost instead. Nothing too sappy but I hope you have a great online date with CY and enjoy the most of your time in the UK!

4 DAMAI 
the class where everyone was a prefect and I was gone for half a year

you turned 17!
we could never surprise you because you always found out! But I knew you had fun!

prom with matching rings later that year!

post SPM at the sampat Kiew's place

you turned 18, and we had a retarded cake for you, because it was green tea.


Because an Instagram post will not suffice. I hope you like your card, happy birthday once again, Jingle Chai!

ps/ you need to snap me more ;)

Friday 29 January 2016

Help

I don't even know what that term means. But, let me be honest here and say that lately, people have been randomly talking to me....... and all they are asking for is favors. Or if I could do something for them. Once, yes, one person, out of every time someone talks to me, would sincerely actually want to know how I am doing and how life is.

I have reached the point where all I say is "What's up?" or indirectly, what can I do for you.

Then I think of how this may have started. I guess I have been offering help and people remember - which is not a bad thing at all. Or because they know I am nice enough to actually try to help them? Either way, I don't really care how it started. I just hope it changes.

I just cannot help thinking how I got to this point - where people I call friends will just buzz me when they need something.





What happened?

Thursday 28 January 2016

Love

I honestly don't know how far that word goes. How much does one have to prove to another that they love them? How much does it take. What does it mean to love? To be willing to lie, cheat, or kill? To what extent?


I don't know. But I know a love that is real. If this two sided mystery is the unraveling mystery, I know there is the only one I hope to know. And that love is real. So real, He died for me.

Throughout the many seasons in my life, everything seems to liken to a blurry haze, but of one thing I know for sure. This Love never fails.

Sunday 24 January 2016

World Mandate 2016

Wow, I sit here not knowing where to even begin. Firstly, please forgive me for the hiatus. It is apparent that I bought a journal hence blogging was not as essential. Apologies for the very vague troubled posts. Yes, I was in a sticky situation, but I believe I found the ultimate solution. Now that that is said. Phew, I am trying to unpack the past couple of days.. and I am overwhelmed.

So this year did not start off as expected, but like what they said in WM (World Mandate), the year only starts after WM. If the latter remains true, than my year is already off to a good start. So because the year did not start well, I was excited to spend the weekend with people that I love. What better way than to sit in a conference and see their faces for 14 hours per day?

First week of school and the cold, cold wind left me exhausted honestly. If I were to be totally honest, I had zero expectations whatsoever. In fact, the conference was some sort of obligation - but I wanted to be there, just not the entire time. But man, was I wrecked.

Wow, with everything going on in the world today, we often wonder, where is peace? Where is God in all of this? Jim Yost said that if disaster were to befall anywhere, it was a sign that greatness was coming. The superficial disasters were Satan's last effort to stop anything great from exploding into amazing things. Yes, the Syria war is undoubtedly inhumane and no country should have to face that ever. And wow, the refugees trying to make their way out is referred to as the worst inhumane thing. Yet, Jesus always turns evil into good.

Wow this weekend I learned that the church was the ultimate answer. That when disaster befalls, we ought not to simply pray and hope for the best, we ought not run from the war. Instead, we ought to run towards the problem and Engage the Crisis. When the world fears and turn its back around, the church should be the first to say that help is on its way. Engage the Crisis is a movement founded by Antioch. Primarily, they will be helping refugees get onto the shores of Europe. It goes without saying that a journey like that will result in emotional or physical trauma. Antioch purposes to ensure each refugee finds meaning in life. Washed up on the shores, these refugees left behind homes, jobs, everything - in hopes of surviving. Bear in mind that these refugees are just like you and I, big dreams. Other than their geographical location, I don't see how they differ. So yeah, these people get onto these shores and continue the journey into Europe (making several stops to rest and re hydrate). But wow, Engage the Crisis opens doors for students to go in and to serve, to talk, to share the message of hope to these precious lives. These people of different religions are so so so open to anything that is real. And God is so real guys. He heals, he cares and he has compassion. Compassion, meaning the deepest type of love, one that feels the pity for another.

Forget about what I just typed out, I do not know where I am going with that. But during WM, we sang this song that goes:
"You can have my life, You can have it all, Lord, all I am is yours"   
This month, I knew what I meant when I sang that - literally. I've been thrown overboard and Jesus is the only one with the life saver. Literally, my life is dependent on him right now. I just can't help but think - how did I stop depending on Him? How did life go on without Him? Wow. How did I settle so quickly. Honestly.. life should be a race where survival is dependent on Him alone. Wow life. Wow Jesus. I guess when you did this, you already knew what my future holds, so for that, and all that is worth, I am holding on to you. Please, help me know You are there, even when it seems hard.

Here is the scariest part - I was so ready to pack my bags and go to Europe. I see these people in the videos ministering to the refugees, and I wonder, if there is more to life than living the cliche go-to-school-get-a-job-earn-money way of living. Man, I definitely know I am here for a reason and a purpose, yet I am so ready to serve, and to literally change the world! But then I realise, I may not change the world (not yet) but I get to change someone's world here. In a Uni as big as OU, I get to change so many someone's world.

I am still a little overwhelmed, but there with have it. First impression post. Literally hours after WM ended.

Till then.



**


Side Notes:
1. The Antioch tribe is so legit guys. They have a station on Pandora. Of course God is just going at it. I wrote down the lyrics to this particular song (To You Be The Glory) and it is an Antioch Live original song. Of course it has to be the first song that plays when I found the channel.
2. Who would have thought 14 hours spent not studying could be so life-giving.
3. Target has pretty journals, next I would go to Barnes and Noble, then Hallmark
4. Mardel only has journals with verses on them
5. Ephesians 3 - the prayer we all need
6. Organisations to be a part of today (donate, pray, check it out) World MandateEngage the CrisisBe a part of one today!UnBound

Tuesday 12 January 2016

In God we Trust

"Now in God we trust, in His name we hope.
I know God will not be shaken,
He is here with us He's already won, I know, God will not be shaken."

**

I don't think I have anything left to do but hope the lyrics to that song is true. I have lost - it is Your turn to fight for me.


Here's to the days left to where I can come home and just be a daughter - nothing else expected.

Monday 11 January 2016

Sunday 10 January 2016

I'm up again

Guess what's the problem this time?
Honestly this randomly appeared in my head and it hasn't bothered me for quite sometime now. But wow; I cannot stop wondering how I lost so many friends whom I thought were going to be in it for life.

The awkwardly excruciating high school meet ups are honestly a facade. I don't even know why most of us do it - all that small talk. Or maybe it's just me?

Anyway, the number of people from high school that I actually are still in contact with (other than an annual "happy birthday!" on Facebook) are literally a handful. Dang, I don't even know if I could name ten. 

It's something to ponder on huh? I am pretty amazed by the friends I still keep today - because it comes from the least expected places. But the fact that I considered so many people my friend in high school - mind boggling.

What was that little girl thinking? I guess she grew up.


Friday 8 January 2016

8 days in

..and still no journal. I don't know if I will find something as pretty as my 2015 one. Hm.

So today was the last day of the week - only 5 more days or 7 am mornings left. I can do this! Anyway, pretty much spent the whole afternoon with Matt and Dickens. We were shopping and running errands.

My throat has been really bothering me and I am trying to rest up. But the most exciting part is that I will be writing about MLK Jr's speech I Have a Dream! One of my favourite speeches ever.

Wednesday 6 January 2016

standing where the lightning stikes

Way to go irrelevant captions from cheesy songs that get stuck in your head.

Anyway, it is freezing/raining outside. I have no intentions of stepping foot out of the house and I am here bccause the new year has past and I have not bought a Journal or a Calendar. YA WHUT? Journal? Sorry to disappoint, but if you look it up it can be very therapeutic. So life away from home gets easier when keeping a journal. Sad but true.

Anyway, I can't complain about the cold enough. So I will stop. And talk  about 2016 and the changes it brings. Tiff gave us a link about the simple life. Rather good read.

"Be willing to try something new. New priorities, new perspectives, new questions, new choices."
With that being said, I cannot tell you how much I love TED talks. Here was last year's most played in a list. I am not done with the list but this one about addiction is my favourite already. Prior to watching this I have heard about the way Portugal handled their addicts, by creating jobs and empowering them with skills to continue on with life. Also, connections. Countless TED talks emphasizes the need for humans to be connected.

Humans wow. We are an evolving species that will be an unraveling mystery no one can fully fathom. It is insane how 2015 years has gone by and yet we still lack the basic connection we need. Social media has somewhat distort a sense of connection honestly. It has forged an unreal, imaginary world that fosters insecurity, anxiety and dependence on likes and comments. If only everyone knew how much they had to offer to the world - just by loving one person at a time. And no, we are not talking about the favourite friend, or the lovable guy. Like Johann said, even though it was hard for him to understand the addicts in his family, he believed that the love, time, and purpose he brings into their life will be a slow and steady way for them to eventually dream again. To aspire for greatness. Portugal has proven its continuous success for 15 years, and I am wondering, what is the rest of the world waiting for? Let's not waste anymore money by keeping prisoners bored and then coming out only to repeat the cycle again. Yes, you need to watch this. Click click click!

**
Also, check out Landon Austin, because this guy deserves way more views.

Till then,

Tuesday 5 January 2016

Sunday 3 January 2016

Flying in America

No it is not my 2015 annual post. Not yet. In all honesty, I am always here because I somehow found free time to actually start ranting. So this one will be about customer service. Yeah, you got it right.

So, after high school, I landed a full-time job as a customer service officer at a nearby gym (it was "part time" technically). Honestly, this gave me so much insight about the business relation between a consumer and a businessman. Well, not that much, but enough to know that you treat the waiter with respect and the person on the counter? Well, being nice to these people goes a long way, I can't even begin to explain how. I think honestly, it just rubs on you and never wears off - you know, when you are put on hold, but you are patiently waiting because you understand that there is a reason you are waiting (not because the person is a jerk and decides to make you wait pointlessly), saying thank you and not being so pissed when you get a wrong order, understanding that if your food comes late there is a valid reason - basically just being patient as a whole. Yes, it takes effort - but being nice is vital. That was what I learned through my brief experience of having to deal with customers day in and day out. 

But here I am in this awkward position where I am the complainer. So let me backtrack a little bit and explain what was going on. In short, my $253 round trip flight ticket was deemed "no value" because I did not cancel it and basically just missed the flight traveling there. Hoping I could use it to travel back, I left it to the night before to check on my flight details (way to go!). Obviously, I was not able to check in. Looking through my emails and confirmation, I found an email in my spam folder from the travel agent that I had to inform the airline if I was not going to show up. This was less than 24 hours before taking off mind you. So obviously I called United. Waited on hold for 32 minutes and no one answered. Tried a different number for 20 mins, and I decided to wait till I got home/the next day to double check. Bearing in mind also, that the price ticket changes daily, I called later that night at around 1 am. They offered to waive changing fees $200 and the total amounted to $71.40. On top of my "no value" $253 AND my second flight ticket traveling here. Got pushed around obviously. The reps honestly said so many blunt and vague statements like 
"If it was an open ticket, you could still use it" (emphasizing on the OPEN TICKET part and not the IF),
"You have to call the travel agent to talk to the superior to waive the fees for you" (he meant PARTIAL fees not EVERYTHING) 

I had to call multiple times, and even once I got to speak to the supervisor - and I may have mentioned that I would not fly United ever again - and she just hung up on me. Welp she was obviously not concerned about the business whatsoever, she needs a raise if any United Airlines manager is reading this. Okay. Rewind. This may sound confusing, but the bottom line was that I was genuinely angry. Angry that I had to be put on hold for so long. Angry that no one could fix the problem for me. Angry that I was not aware of the situation. Angry that I had to put up with extra costs. Angry that they did not value me as a customer. Also, it was really late. 

Angst aside. Things worked out after 10374572 phone calls and 1047294794795826937 minutes of waiting. Honestly. their only saviour was the last customer service rep I called - who was genuinely helpful and very concerned. She helped me sort these up and I am already checked in for my flight. So United, all hope is lost, but my faith in UA has not reached the negatives yet. I am definitely not going to fly United again for sure, but it is not a total no-no I would say. Like if it was the last resort - I would actually buy a ticket.

But yes dear readers, sadly, I am discouraging anyone from flying with United. I never really like things like this - reading it or writing something so crappy about a company. But until United realizes that customer service is everything, I would say try American or Southwest. Too many people have recommended these airlines, but I was too fixed. Lesson learned? Make wise choices while traveling and always remember to take good advice. 

Thank you for your precious time. Thank you for reading my rants. 4.20 and I am checked in. I can't complain anymore.

**

On a side note, the brother stayed up till 3-ish just making sure I got everything sorted. AZ, you were expensive but you were so good to me. I cannot wait for summer already. Till then.

Friday 1 January 2016

2 0 1 6

Happy New Year!

Stay tuned - the annual end of year post/start of year post will be up soon. Meanwhile, have a good one! I am typing this whilst wearing a stitch onesie -  it is pretty darn cute.

Till then.