Dedication For You

7th July was the date I boarded the plane back to Kuala Lumpur to settle my registration for my master in UKM. My itinerary stated my flight departs at 6.05am and I was in the airport way earlier, say 5.10am. I was so sleepy due to the lack of sleep from the late night. No, I was not watching FIFA World Cup of Uruguay VS Netherlands match. I couldn't sleep that night as I was tossing myself on the bed, up and down, left and right. I was afraid with the uncertainties ahead of me. How will life turn out when I am back in UKM doing my master? I was already missing home that very moment. I was reluctant to board the plane that yet to board during that hour. 

And so, that Wednesday morning when I waited in the boarding hall while waiting for the announcement to board the plane bound for Kuala Lumpur. I reached out to my phone and logged into facebook just to update myself with statuses. I was shocked with one status that I instantly woke up from my drowsiness - the dismiss of a friend. What a day to kickstart my day! I was already expecting the worst of the day from the registration. The news definitely didn't make my day any better. The news was worse than the worst that I expected. That moment, the only thing that crossed my mind: Life is full of surprises. Life is full of uncertainties. 

I have known this girl for a couple of years. 3 years to be exact. It was three years ago when I entered one of my class that this girl sat next to me started talking to me. She was wearing a pink cap and she looks sweet in it. I wondered why was she wearing that cap but I didn't bother to ask why. We started talking and I found out that she was not the same age as the rest of us. She was a year older than my batch of coursemates. Again, I wondered but I didn't ask much. That was the day I met this wonderful girl. Apparently, she was postponed her study previously and she is continuing her study with us now. 

This same girl uses the same pink cap to class everyday. I noticed she had no hair underneath her cap and I figured she was sick. One day, I found out from other friends that she  has cancer. She had surgery to remove growth in her head and she uses the cap while waiting for her hair to grow back to cover the hole she has on her temples. During rare occasions, she uses wig and she looks so sweet and pretty. She had a very sweet smile. She was getting better and improving. Hair started to grow back and she looks like any other girl on the street. The greatest things I find in her would be her cheerfulness and helpful. She was the kind girl who would offer anyone any help, from giving you a ride to arranging the photocopying of textbooks for the entire class. Mind you. THE.WHOLE.CLASS. She wouldn't ask for anything extra nor expects anything in return. She is such a cheerful friendly girl that practically everyone is her friend.

As I entered the second year of my degree class, I see her less often due to the different classes we have (we are in two different courses). I didn't notice that she was not around the uni until a friend pointed it out that fact to me. I was then told that her health was deteriorating again and her condition got worse than before. Apparently, not many knew about it as she didn't want to worry anyone. She had to stop her study again. No updates about her were received until two days ago. I was not very close to her but she definitely showed me lots of things. I truly admired this girl. She was so strong and optimistic throughout the years of fighting her sickness. There were hidden struggles under those sweet smile she shares with us. 

Suddenly, I felt my problems or uncertainties are insignificant anymore. What are my worries compared to hers? What are my difficulties compared to hers? And many others in the world who has greater problems.  Life is full of surprises. Every now and then. Till this day, I still couldn't digest that news. Being young doesn't keep you away from death. I know I see news of young people dying everyday but it has never occur to anyone I knew. One thing for sure, her courage will be a true inspiration for those uncertainties ahead of me. I shall learn to face these underlying problems in life. Those uncertainties. Those challenges.

I believe she has inspired many others in different ways. She will always be remembered by many, may it be her courage, her smile, her kindness or just herself. May God grant her family the strength to endure this time of grief. To my dear friend, you will always be remembered  in prayers. Rest in peace.

Kota Kinabalu P1

Heya peeps! Here's a post bout my tourguiding experience last month. So.... this is tourguiding number 1.

Guest Name: Bridget Lee
Guide: Brenda Chong
Date: 28 May - 07 June 2010
No of Stay: 11 days
Accomodation: Kibabaig Inn, Penampang (Owner: Chong's Corporation)

And here are the pixies!

Food hunting! :) Lintas "Sang Nyuk Mien" *Slrrp*

Lok Kawi Zoo Wildlife Park. My first visit here (I think!)!! :P

The elephants inside the park were scattered around their "home". See the baby elephants in the pic?

Now you don't see the baby elephants anymore. Reason? A lizard passed in front of the elephants and those gigantic creatures spontaneously surrounded their babies to protect em. Awww... darn adorable ok! ;)

Orang utan!! I never got this close to any orang utengz :) Happy happy happy!! That fella dang cute okie. Manja betul!! :) :)

A view from centre of the city. Next to the main market in town, near Hyatt Regency. Therefore, I don't know what to name this place. Hohohoh~~

City view at the back :)

The two B's. The guest and the guide :P

Model kecundang Wannabe :P @ Sabah Museum

One of the rumah contoh in the museum :)

Tourist's must-take shot :P

Had satay feast in one of the nights in conjunction with cousin Philip's birthday

Didn't get to join the Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival Celebration) because of the rain everyday T_____T We were even stuck at home for one day cuz my house was flooded. Grrrr.... Oh well, all the more reason to come back next time! :) :) *wink*

P/s: Miss Bridget, do come back KK same time of the year again next time! Hopefully, it won't rain like mad again like the other day. 

Coming right up, butods in da house~~!!! Stay tune :)

Ranting

It is the first day of July now and how I wish I could stop time, or at least slow it down a little. Frankly speaking, this holiday (as I am concerned) seems to be rather short. Shorter than those previous ones I guess. Time passes fast when you are happy. Vice versa. I had awesome loads of fun this break and I just can't seem to get enough of it :) :) One thing that I learned, family and friends are the best things you can have in your life. Nothing fancy, just having them around can make your life colourful doesn't matter where you are may it be deep in the jungle, or a serene beach, or just plainly at home. 

Now, the "short" break is coming to an end and it is time to face the reality again. I got accepted to do my master in the same uni, UKM. Yup, as reluctant as I am to get my arse back in there, I am still going back there. I will be a student again for another year and hopefully end up with a awesome job. At the mean time, I am at the state of mind where I somehow fear of whatever that is coming ahead. Some fear that I had before I enter uni when I was 18 years old. Right now, I have no idea if everything will just be the same like the days I did my degree. Will the days ahead be challenging? Or they will be filled with more and more and more fun  (and study stress that always comes along with it of course :P)? I don't know. One thing I know, I look forward to those days! Lets just pray for the best! :) :) 

I will have to deal with the registration again, just like last time. Short period notice yet so many things to be done! Headache headache headache!~~ Ggggrrrr~~ Anyway, will update bout my tourguiding experience when I am free ;) Come back and check out the awesome stuff bout KK. Till then, take care! :)

Faith

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand.

• Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
• Student : Yes, sir.
• Professor : So, you believe in GOD?
• Student : Absolutely, sir.
• Professor : Is GOD good?
• Student : Sure.
• Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL?
• Student : Yes.
• Professor : My Brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
• (Student was silent)
• Professor : You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is GOD Good?
• Student : Yes.
• Professor : Is Satan good?
• Student : No.
• Professor : Where does Satan come from?
• Student : From...GOD...
• Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
• Student : Yes.
• Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
• Student : Yes.
• Professor : So who created evil?
• (Student did not answer)
• Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
• Student : Yes, sir.
• Professor : So, who created them?
• (Student had no answer)
• Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe The World around you. Tell me, son...have you ever feen GOD?
• Student : No, sir.
• Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
• Student : No, sir.
• Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
• Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
• Professor : Yet you still believe in HIM?
• Student : Yes.
• Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
• Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
• Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the problem Science has.
• Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
• Professor : Yes.
• Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
• Professor : Yes.
• Student : No, sir. There isn't...
• (The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
• Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero Which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that.There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
• (There was pin-drop dilence in the Lecture Theatre)
• Student : What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
• Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
• Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something.You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light...But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
• Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man?
• Student : Sir, my point is, your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
• Professor : Flawed? Can you explain how?
• Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are Viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life, just the Absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
• Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
• Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
• (The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going)
• Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavor. Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
• (The Class was in uproar)
• Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
• (The Class broke out into laughter)
• Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?... No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
• (The Room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable)
• Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
• Student : That is it sir...Exactly!

The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
That student was ALBERT EINSTEIN. 

I am darn sure some of you might have read this before. I received this email numerous times long long time ago. I just didn't know the conversation involved Mr Einstein himself :) Just something to share. Have a great weekend! 

Belaga

Ola peepz! Been quiet some time ey? :)

I was out in the nature for some time after my visit Malacca to visit a friend who teaches in the rural area of Sarawak, Belaga. I mentioned that in my previous post bout Tepin. To get there, the journey involved approximately two hours flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu and another FOUR HOURS of four wheel drive adventure. If I were to include those hours before boarding to plane (after check in), it takes almost a whole daylight to travel. *sigh* Not that I am complaining of course, it was just an eye opener to feel what Bridget has to go through to get out of the small town every time she gets out. I feel your pain now :P

My ride with two locals in the pic :D

It's a small town with not-so-many people where new people or strangers can be identified immediately the moment you are in town area. How did I know? I had quite a lot of stares from people around that says who-is-this-girl when I was doing groceries shopping in town. Heeee, they are harmless though. Just a big bunch of curious people. This small town is really close to nature and I am loving that place. The air is still cold at 8am in the morning with mist around. Feels like I am Kundasang or Genting Highlands pula. I found lotsa things that I used to see/get (mainly food) during my childhood days in those groceries shops. Didnt't get to snap any pics though... whopssie! If you are late 80's babies like me, then you know la (I think!) like those wafers, candies, and chocolates. 

My view during one morning walk. The hill is just across the river.

Those misty hills is a common sight for people here. This is the view outside Bridget's room.

 

Rainbow spotted during one evening after the rain.

 

Camwhorers. Awww.. how I just love those self timer!

 I was a kid again when I engaged myself in one of the playhouse when I visited the primary school there.

Became a temporary teacher helping Miss Lee with the exam papers

Met a bunch of new people there :) No, there is no KFC in Belaga. This pic is taken in Bintulu.

 

In there, I was the panda and Bridget became the zookeeper. Name was given by the guy sitting behind of me in the pic above (black shirt guy). When I was in Kuching, Bridget's brother called me porcupine (because of my super layered hair that time). I seem to get names everywhere I go. So what's next? :) Hehee... After Belaga, Bridget came back to KK with me and I was the tour guide again once more.

It's rainy season in KK here and it rains every afternoon. My house being where my house is located, it was flooded. House was not flooded but the road outside my house was flooded. In short, I was trapped inside the house desperately waiting for the water to subside.

Desperado T______T

 

  

It has been a been a week since Bridget went back and I am currently enjoying home sweet home to the fullest. My my, nothing taste better than home :)