Two Weeks To The Year of The Tiger

Two weeks to go before Chinese Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Tiger. Its been quite hectic at work and with two new interns from UTAR. Well, hope that the two gals, Michelle and Alicia, will be able to learn something the next couple of months. (Good things I hope and some lessons in life).

Was in Johor Baru last weekend to cover the funeral of the Sultan of Johor. It was quite a scene with most of the nation's royal family and top leaders present. Alas, it was work and I decided to leave me G9 in the safety of a colleagues car..so missed out on some historic shots. It was tiring, considering being dressed in a black suit and songkok while covering the event, mostly under the the blazing sun. (Drive up at 7am and drove back home later that night)

This weekend was also quite full with the launch of the Chinese New Year Carnival at Jonker Street on Saturday nite before heading for A Famosa Resort for an early day of paint-ball. It was my first time at paint-ball and it was great. Our team got eliminated after two rounds of combat but I managed to avoid being shot and took out four guys in the process. Got my knees scrapped though owing to playing the game in my shorts and barefooted. (The paint-ball guns are kinda accurate at about 25m).

Well, so there you go..despite work, I am getting on with life and enjoying every bit of it.

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Wish Peace and Love

Coming To Terms With The Frailty Of Life

Like most, my day started off as usual and seemed like any ordinary day. Little did I know that it would be anything but ordinary. Once again, I was came into contact with the life of another that would set right my perspective of 'life' and drive home the meaning that life is short...that we should cherish every moment given to us.

A 21-year-old girl named Sandra Wong had her life abruptly cut short in a road accident on Thursday. This bubbly young lass was in her prime...full of life and enjoying every minute of it. She even had a blog entitled 'Joy Of Living'. Yet, fate denied her the chance of living her life to its fullest. It was heart wrenching as she enjoyed a special bond with her mother who now had to endured unspeakable pain, anguish and sorrow. At this moment, everything else pales in comparison and no words could ever comfort her bruised heart.

This brings home the meaning of 'life' and what really matters most. It also begs the question why did God allow such an awful thing to happen? Where is God when Wong's family needed Him most? What is faith when it is shaken to its core?

I can only offer a pray that God in His unfathomable ways...give comfort and solace to Sandra's family....and somehow allow them the consolation that she is now at peace and in a place filled with joy and beauty beyond our earthly comprehension. May the Light of Christ shine on Sandra Wong and may she enjoy everlasting life in His presence.

To those who are still blessed with the gift of life...please stop to smell the roses and appreciate the simple joys of life. Love as much as your heart can give.

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Wish Peace and Love.

A New Day

A week has passed and waking up early for 'school' seems a little refreshing start to 2010...thanks to Kyra. She is taking her new schooling experience pretty well and thank God for that.

New start for the New Year is the order of the day and that goes for work life too. Chen Pelf Yeen, a stringer with The Star in Malacca will soon be leaving to do her Master...good for her. Just hope that she had found her stint with with us here an enriching one with memories that will last a lifetime. But as news never stops.....so life must go on....and this is where two new interns from UTAR have come into the picture. The two lasses will be with the Star for the next couple of months and I hope that I will be able to guide them well.

As for the country....I pray for peace and harmony...that God will continue to bless our nation in 2010 and beyond despite its shortcomings and frailties.

"The Lord Is my Shepard and in Him shall I trust"

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Seek Peace and Love.

What To Do..what to do.

What a day...of running around getting chores done and chasing stories..then only to have a row with me Karen...much to Kyra's dismay. In the fit of anger...certain hurtful things were uttered by Karen and me. So much anger...and it can be very dangerous. (as noted in earlier post which of course is being edited after things have cool down)

Sigh...I do love Karen and Kyra tremendously and dislike it when we quarrel. Anyway, must learn not to 'bark' orders at Karen...which I do. (too much like in the army).

Pray for peace and healing and that God will continue to bless us.

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Seek Peace and Love.

One Step At A Time

It was a momentous moment for Kyra, Karen and me when Kyra began her schooling life. She started Primary One at Infant Jesus Convent or IJC, a missionary school steeped in tradition. Both my sisters went to IJC and it is still one of the best schools in the country and Malacca.

Anyway, Kyra's ear problem flared up on the 1st day of school and she had a fever...but alas...that didn't put a brake on her enthusiasm for life and new experiences. She's fine and tough as a nut. The first two days have been relatively good and Kyra seemed to have enjoyed every bit of it.

However, the early morning wake up and previous life style of late nights have had their toll. She now sleeps at 8.30pm. Well, its not her life that has changed but also ours as a family. Added responsibilities and readjustment of time....something that I too am looking forward to...a more settled phases in life.

Not expecting much and don't want to set expectations for Kyra...just encouragement and allowance to let her to develop and discover her talents at her own pace. It is after all, her first foray into the adult world....which has enough of its own expectations and pitfalls.

Just pray God will grant us peace, love and good health....and that He sends a legion of angels to look after Kyra through her schooling life. May she find joy in her quest for knowledge and God...and take one step at a time.

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Wish Peace and Love.

A Rare Blue Moon For 2010

Another year. another chapter in the wheel of life. Didn't really give much thought to any New Year 2010 resolutions. I guess being a better human being would be best to sum up the positive changes needed to be made. (just got some of my mum Irene Carvalho's new year chicken pie placed before me and thought of a resolution....watch my waist line..lol)

Well, still maintain my basic notion that life is short, so live it to the best with as little regrets. The profound meaning of this simple yet true cliche was driven home just before the New Year when a horrific road accident claimed the lives of a father and three young sons, leaving behind a grieving wife and year-old son who survived. It was heart wrenching.

So there you go....my motivation for doing some of the things I have done and will continue to do. As I mentioned to Karen my wife as I was about to go for my usual hour long guitar session at the playground...'I play because I can'. By that, I mean....I relish the life that I have and that I am able to enjoy it by simply doing something that brings joy..to the heart...music. I am grateful to God and thank Him not for the riches that I have but merely that I am alive and can give Him praise.

On a lighter note....what does Liverpool FC and astronomy have in common? Answer....you only get to enjoy them in the wee hours of the morning. Screwed up my sleep pattern over the past couple of days. The first was the year end game between Liverpool and Aston Villa (a one nil win) that ended at 5am.

Then there was the rare Blue Moon plus partial lunar eclipse that took place between 3am and 4am on Ja 1 2010. A Blue Moon is a term used to described a full moon that occurs twice in a month. What was even more rare this time was that it happened on the very 1st day of the new year coupled with a partial Lunar eclipse. Darn cool...had in fact set up my G9 and packed up the equipment at about 3.30am when cloud cover obscured the moon and had rushed to set the camera up again at about 4am when the skies partially cleared. (I took the photos because I can....but not as good as I hoped they would turned out...lol)

Lol.. another happy high light was that me and Karen went for Kyra's (I love her because I can) Standard One orientation at IJC on New Year's eve and later celebrated the countdown with Jaspal and Fiona's place in Klebang. Sigh...how fast time has passed.

So there you go....a Happy New Year experience. May God bless, guide and protect my family and me. May Jesus Christ shine His Light on us and may His Spirit fill our hearts.

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Seek Peace and Love.