People. Friends. Acquantances

My colleague once told me that people come and go in our lives and we still gotta move on with our lives.

Honestly the thought that Jing Tien will be doing her honours for the following year and Agnes will be going for an exchange to the Australia campus shook me a little. I mean, they're two of my closest friends in my life currently and the good news of them furthering their studies is just as good as myself losing them. Losing both hands. Worse still, at.the.same.time! At least if one by one, I could have gotten myself to do without one first, slowly, and then another? Hhmm.

But frankly mk, you cannot be selfish! Its a good news, please give your blessings! Perhaps I should. Actually... or I have already?

About two weeks back, I started knowing this new friend in greater depth, more like someone in a different dimension and its really interesting to see life in a different perspective. I've seen her, met her, say our hellos and byes since 8 months ago but she was never really my friend until 2 weeks back. And yeah, that marks our friendship. I like her, for who she is, as a friend but i really hope that myself in wanting to know her better is something genuine. Not as replacer for JT and Agnes. I really hope not.

Well, time will tell. And changes definitely will take place but I personally believe everything works for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28)

Blessed Are Your Baskets, Kneading Bowls And Nets!

Deuteronomy 28:5
5“Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

In Bible times, reapers carried baskets on their backs to collect the harvest from the fields. They had to ensure that their baskets were strong and sturdy, so that what they collected would not fall out. The women of that day used kneading bowls to knead dough for making bread. If they used poor-quality bowls which broke easily, they would not be able to make bread.

So baskets and kneading bowls in those days represented the means by which one got his tangible blessings. Beloved, your Father in heaven does not want you to worry about the means by which you get your blessings. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, He says to you, “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.”

This means that if you are a cab driver, your cab will not break down on your rounds because God says to you, “Blessed shall be your cab.” If you are a businessman, your capital investment will not fail you because God says to you, “Blessed shall be your capital investment.” And if you are a salesman, your products will be looked upon favorably because God says to you, “Blessed shall be your products.”

These blessings are yours because Jesus paid for them with His death and He enforced them with His resurrection.

On one occasion, Jesus told Peter to throw his nets into the water. When Peter threw one net down, he caught so much fish that the net “was breaking”. To save the bumper haul, the other disciples quickly filled their boats with the fish, lest the net gave way completely. (Luke 5:4–7)

After Jesus rose from the dead, a similar incident took place. Once again, Jesus asked His disciples to cast their net out. They caught a multitude of fish. But “although there were so many, the net was not broken”. (John 21:11) Notice that in the first case, the net was breaking. In the second case, it was not! Something supernatural happened to their nets after Jesus rose from the dead!

Beloved, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not only are you blessed (Ephesians 1:3), but your nets, baskets and kneading bowls — the means by which you obtain your blessings — are also blessed!


© Copyright Joseph Prince, 2006. All rights reserved.


----

You know, after reading these, my Spirit was lifted and I got the assurances that my baskets and kneading bowls are indeed blessed!

Early this week, I'm short of RM 1768.30 worth of sales for NUTREN DIABETES and short of RM 826 worth of sales for NUTREN OPTIMUM/NUTREN JUNIOR to hit my this month's target. And I only have one pathetic new user (i have 8 new users last month). Earthly people like ourselves would see it as a lack, as something negative and we'll be discouraged and we would have given up (since there are only a few days left to this month's closing).

But to heavenly realm, He shows me that all these are never lacks but opportunities. Opportunities to meet more people, to perform and to impress every doctor and medical professionals that I meet. When I was worshipping in Church last Sunday, I had 2 missed calls from my doctor and I was blessed with a RM 978 worth of sales in my church itself! Yes, in the midst of worship when I was still holding my bass guitar with me! How awesome's that. And that's another new user btw.

And today (Tuesday), I got another 3 new users and instead of the shortfalls of sales figure, now they became surplus. Today I was blessed with RM 1189.30 worth of sales for Nutren Diabetes and RM 858 worth of sales for Nutren Optimum/Junior. So in total, I was blessed with RM 2047.30 worth of sales and that's with a surplus of RM 433.

Oh, did I mention that these also means that I've hit my November's target? Yes, with 5 new users. HALLELUJAH! I seriously couldn't not thank Him enough. Thank You, Jesus!

Mistaken Truth.

One who is born in a Christian family doesn't make him a Christian. Just like when you're born in a garage doesn't make you a car or when you're born in McD makes you a Big Mac. As far as we know, God doesn't have grandchildren (:

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian. Just like coming out from McD doesn't make you a hamburger or coming out from KFC makes you a fried chicken.

How true but yet people still mistaken all these simple truth. Don't believe something just by listening to one side of the story or hear it from someone elses. Experience and find out the truth yourself! (:

From Ashes to Ashes.

So last week I attended one of my friend's mother's wake service. It must be quite hard on my friend and her family, condolence to you my dear.

I must agree with her. I'm proud of this auntie. She fought the battle until the very end, with hope and perseverance until the very end, and she has gone on before us. I was quite shock with the news but nevertheless, its an expected thing from people around. She suffered quite abit and to leave this place is not necessary a bad thing, at least she suffers no more.

I feel the tinge, somehow. Maybe that's because I know who she was, and see how she sacrificed for her children chauffeuring them back and forth from uni and school, waiting and raising them up with patience. I'm proud of you, Auntie.





----

By the way, I'm not sure if you've seen a cremation process before. If given a chance, do observe that as the casket is ushered into the furnace, and as the cremation takes place, you'd realise that our dead body which was laid down in a sleeping position would curl up slowly and we'd end up in the position like how we were curled up in our mother's womb. This curling process is caused by the loss of fluid in our body during the cremation and hence we shrink. But its interesting to know uh, that how we come is how we go. At the end of the cremation, we're all just ashes, just like how our Creator made us from.

Adam was made from dust (Genesis 1) and he was buried when he died (back to dust)
Naked I come, naked will I go (Job)

"You don't really know something until you really study it. You don't really know someone until you make the effort to be-friend that someone"

(:(:(:

(:

It's so sweet of you that i feel such gesture is worth being blogged here to be remembered.




"funny cz im mad at hw reckless u r w/ yr stomach whereas i myself totally neglect it... LOL" (Loh, 2009)


Aww, in case you don't know and if I didn't tell you, im touched by this sweet gesture. Thanks meow!

GP Spirit.

I love Mandy.



I love Chris.




I love Sharon.


I love the GP team.

You know, sometimes its just difficult to describe certain kind of love and you can just love someone so unconditionally and you'd forgive that person so easily and love them for who they are. That happens when you love them with His love (:

1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us"

♥ ♥ ♥

More Chewing Gum Please!

I just came back from an ICU workshop sponsored by Nestle Nutrition along with other doctors and surgeons from all over Malaysia. An awesome lecturer (Prof. Robert Martindale) was flew in from the States to give us this CME (Continuous Medical Education) in Sunway Resort Hotel.

One of the many things that I learned there (and amazes me) is that...

...GUM CHEWING CAN HELP TO REGULATE BOWEL MOVEMENT! (haha i know this is a good news to most of you)

Omg, I didn't know that!

Anyway, it was a good time there (2D1N). Get to spend more time and know more bout my new crazy colleague, Amanda :)

My Kungkung & Popo.

My grandpa is a quiet man. Just now, during lunch he told me something very random yet touching. He said (in cantonese),

"You know, I'm most happy whenever I see you. It doesnt feel this way when I see the rest"

Then grandma agreed with him too and she mentioned that even with just my voice over a phone call already makes her day.

It feels really good to hear this from your old people, especially when you know that they appreciate your every gesture and effort. I personally believe despite our busyness in life, we should also spend some time with our loved ones, be it our family or extended family, and in my case, especially the elderly like my grandparents. I remember spending some of break time back in uni days, buy some light refreshment and drive over to my grandaunt's place to visit and it made her day.

My grandma always share with me on how honoured and proud she is to get to see me grow (she took care of me), chauffeuring her around, buy her meals and spend time with them. For them, they don't need the money or luxurious life anymore. All they need are just some love and care, the family essence. I believe your grandparents feel the same too. I can tell that she's very proud of me (my filiality :P) and she'd parade around bragging bout me or tell everyone that i'm her granddaughter and that I'm very good to her and let people be envious -.- (typical grandparent uh)

I love my grandparents.

One of my biggest fears is the eternal separation later on. Anyway, I believe seeds were planted and God will make them grow. Amen?

Look To Yahweh.

How time flies. It has been 7 months already ever since I stepped my foot into the working world.

I'd learned alot throughout these 7 months. Looking back when I just started, I was totally a noob (not to say I'm not right now but I'm much better). I went through alot of shit (so to speak) and at the end of the day, I'd progress on to the next level by His grace and favour. If not for Him, I'd probably have Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday blues as well. He was there, He is there, He will be there!

You know, just like how God led His people out of Egypt, the land of slavery, He'd too lead us out from whatever shit we're facing. If only when we look to Him. He said before that He's the Yahweh, the one and only God. He also said that He's the Jehovah Jireh, the Provider. He provides manna for them, He clothed them, their shoes were never wore out. That was in the olden days, in the old testament. After so many donkey years, Jesus did the same in the New Testament. Jesus fed 5000 men (not including women and children) and the 12 baskets were left filled with bread pieces. Can you imagine that 5000 hungry men (and women and children) ate until they burped and lie down with their belly facing the sky but still with 12 baskets full with food? His supplies will never be cut off. Also, remember Jesus' very first miracle where He turned the water into wine (not just wine, but best wine) for the wedding dinner? Hey, He doesnt just give us anything free flow, but He gives only the best free flow! And remember when Jesus said to the Samaritan woman that if she drinks from His water, she'll never be thirsty again? That's how much Jesus wants to offer us, the eternal provision, the best and never-ending provision.. if we look to Him.

All we need to do now is to proclaim His favour in our lives. I remember sharing bout proclaimation of favour to Sue Ann and she herself saw miracles happening to her. You know, His favour is so evident in my life that even my whole team in my company can't agree more that He is indeed my God and His favour has been upon me.

I'd need to report in to my office on certain days of the week and can you believe it that parking was never an issue for me eventhough I'd reach my office between 8.15-8.30am? All the parking spaces will be filled up by then and there won't be any empty slots. Tell me, who would leave their office or remove their car from that nice parking slot (in front of my office) to go somewhere else at 8 something in the morning? So usually wherever my car stops in front of any car for a while (something like double park but with my engine running), the car where I stop would just reverse out and give me his parking space. It happens almost every morning that even myself am really amazed. Its either that or an empty parking space appears just in front of the office for me. Well, if it happens once, it could be a co-incidence. If it happens twice or thrice or so on, it still could be co-incidence but if it happens almost every morning for 7 months, what would you say? I'd call it God's favour! And these parking issues do not just apply for carpark near my working place but also to almost all the clinics that I visit.

I give 1k to my parents every month. And I remember looking into my account last two months and it was almost empty (only few hundred left) to survive for a month before my next pay comes in. And usually I don't keep track of my money and they finish really fast. For those of you knows me would agree that I'd buy people meals and stuffs whenever I can. I don't have issues with that. And oh, if only you have sisters like Mun Wah and Mun Sheung, all your money would be gone too. LOL

My pastor always teach us that we should learn to tithe since young because if we cannot even give our first 50cents or 1 ringgit away, it'd be even more difficult for us to give our hundreds and thousands when we work. Its so true. My pastor is a giver himself, and always challenge us to give. When I got my very first paycheck, it was really difficult to give my first hundred. And maths would tell us that the more we give, the lesser we have. Ironically, the more I give, the more I buy meals for others, the more I share, the more money I have. Remember I mentioned that my account was left only with very little money because of something and I wonder how I'd survive? I trusted God and didn't withhold back any money, I gave and continue blessing others with meals and all and guess what? I survived, and not only that, I even have surplus! He's really good and He's always with us.

He's the alpha and omega, the first and the last. He's the same yesterday, today and forevermore. So what makes you think that if He provided for His people who left Egypt in the old testament, the same Jesus who gave thanks, broke the bread and fed the 5000 (and more) people, the same Jesus who turned the water into good wine and everyone was merry with the free-flow, the same Jesus who offered eternal water to the samaritan woman, the same Jesus who provided parking spaces and finances and everything for mk, won't He also provide for you who are reading all these right now?

Just proclaim His favour, just look to Him, just look to Yahweh! Amen?

The Best Tomyam (and carbonara) Ever!

The Best Tomyam ever can be found here:


Sri Ayutthaya @ USJ 11

I believe they have other branches somewhere elses too.



This place can be considered abit 'atas', with nice ambience and music background. Good place to enjoy good meal after a tired day's work, or as well-done treat for self.



Also, they only have fruit juices. They claimed that they have all except for strawberry. I saw the mango and hence I chose this


100% pure mango juice

For a decent MYR 7.90 (or MYR 8.90, i cant remember), you'll get a glass of 100% pure mango juice. Its so original, so concentrated, so pure that you sip in all the mango fibre as you drink. You know, the bloop bloop sound as you pour from the blender to the cup.. or as it passes through your esophagus. Very sweet, original mango tasting. Unlike those you get from supermarket or mamak stalls or any other restaurants with syrup and water added.

Here comes the main thing that I really really adore:


Tomyam Kai @ MYR 9.90

It's super concentrated, the aroma was/is/will be so good, and its very sour and spicy. Can start drooling even as I type all these already.

We also ordered the authetic flavoured soft shell crabs.


Authetic flavoured soft shell crabs.

It has kerabu on top of it, which tastes sweet and sour with the mango strips on it. And the crabs were so succulent and huge and... nice :)



These food are not cheap, but I would say they worth the price. Really nice. You guys should try! I went back with a happy tummy :)

---

Normally, I'll never ever take solo lunch. I'll either find someone to eat with me or I don't eat. I just don't eat alone, its just... weird! Anyway, today I was super hungry and I decided to go solo for my very first few solo lunches. I went to this place that I really love:


Dave's Cafe @ 1 Utama

We were in 1u, and this place was recommended to me by Agnes. If anyone who knows me, they'd know that I love carbonara and tomyam. Only these two.

Its not cheap eating in this place but guess whats the best deal?



So many people dined in and I had to wait 1/2 hour just for my food while the workers there literally dashed everywhere to serve. Very very busy yet efficient. I don't mind waiting just to fulfill my cravings.



This portion is so huge (check out the size of my phone parked by the plate of carbonara in comparison) and the other time when I came with Mun Wah, we both share ONE plate and we were so full already. And this time, I challenged myself to finish up the entire plate on my own


Carbonara fettucine with bacon, mixed balls and mixed mushroom

Its really not easy especially the final quarter of it, with some rest in between and good determination, I FINISHED IT! I'm so proud of myself! Its sooooooooo yummy and I think this place serves the best carbonara I ever had so far.

I ♥ Spontaneity.

Just got back from another road trip with high school BFFs. We have to go somewhere every year.

2007 -- Genting



2008 -- Singapore



2009 -- Road trip to Port Dickson, Malacca and Seremban
(pictures later)

On Friday morning, we decided to make a trip to Port Dickson, discussed and confirmed on Saturday night, begin trip on Sunday afternoon.

Drove from Klang to Port Dickson, got a room at Corus Paradise; visited around and left for Malacca for dinner (very spontaneous) and drove back to PD at midnight. Tried to wake up for sunrise, beach-time and more famous food before adjourning for Seremban for lunch to continue our food hunt. Famous beef-noodle and Seremban siewpau before heading back to Klang in the evening.

I drove 459.1 km in all. Tiring but fun.

Next year's mission: Northern part of Peninsula Malaysia and maybe Thailand! We're conquering the whole of Malaysia bit by bit before our European trips. And yes, that'd be before 30!

And yes, I ♥ spontaineity!

Injured With Style.

I went to remove my braces this morning, and it was raining when I came out from the clinic. The floor was slippery (guess with the headings and this sentence, I bet you know where I'm getting at).

Yes, I slipped! And as a natural reaction, people will tend to grab something nearby to prevent yourself from falling. There was nothing around for me to grab and it happened too fast. I pulled off some stunts (with style, heh) and managed to avoid myself from falling.

So, I didn't fall.

But my left ankle gave a hard knock on the pavement during the stunt. It was so painful that my hands have to hold on to my ankle for a while to sort of ease the pain while chanting the pain away. When I thought everything was okay and ready to drive, thats when I saw blood on my palm, the same palm that was holding my in-pain-ankle.



I drove myself to the clinic, got it sterilized and wrapped. Doctor asked if I want any stitches and I said no. I guess the laceration isn't very deep la, should be quite superficial only, I hope. It was the impact on the bone la that was painful. So I was given MC, painkiller and a tetanus jab (my left arm is still heavy from that tetanus jab) and am free to go.




Doctor repeated soooooooooooo many times that I musn't mustn't mustn't let the wound touch water. How to shower like that?


Ahhh, time to apply Science again!



I enjoyed my shower without having to lift up my leg nor worry that it'd be wet. For once these non-biodegradable plastics are quite helpful :)

Emptied & Broken.

We need to be broken before Him, before He can mend us.
We need to be empty, only so then He can fill us again.

If we're already so full of ourselves, how else do you want Him to fill you? How else do you want Him to move in you? There isn't any more space for Him to do anything. For example, if a glass is half-filled with water, it can still be filled with a little bit more of water. If a glass is empty, it can be filled with even much more! If the glass is already full, how else can it be filled? It is already full!

It is when one is so full of himself, everything will be about that person. There will always be "I" everywhere and how can God be in the picture?

But if only we allow ourselves to be emptied to be filled again (be filled is a continuous action), then the Almighty can do greater things in us and through us!

I need to be emptied, I need to be broken. Holy Spirit, take Your rightful place! :)

He's Changing Me, One Step At A Time.

I was rather troubled just now. I was all alone and this thought came to me and said,

"You're not filled with the Holy Spirit because if you do, why aren't you joyous now and at all time? Why aren't you all loving? You're not showing the fruit of the Spirits and if you have this Holy Spirit with you, you'll automatically show the fruit of the spirit"

To be truthful, I was very convicted. And I started doubting. I'm not sure if its the devil throwing thoughts to me again to shake my faith and doubt and create more inferiority complexes in me, or is it true that I'm not filled with the Holy Spirit? But what were all those promptings? Wasn't it the Holy Spirit who touched me just now when I sung "Here In My Life"? Wasn't He who was so real throughout the whole prayer meeting just now? Wasn't I speaking in tongues? Were all these things coincidences or were they real?

I'm confused, really. I decided to ask Amelia and her reply was that not always the devil and there could be a problem lying somewhere. Frankly speaking, I was yearning for the answer. At least I really wanna know the source and I really hope that she could diagnose me and pull be back to the track, but she said I'll know the best. The answer is, I really don't know. I was really troubled, like really.

Until I mentioned this thing to Whay Ying over the MSN conversation and she asked how would I know and why do I think this way. I wanted to show her what are the fruit of the Spirits to explain why this thought came to me, so I decided to search for the scripture in my bible. I knew it was somewhere in Galatian but not sure which chapter or verse and guess what? The prompting came again and asked me to read Galatian 5 and my eye was shown straight to verse 4 onwards that says,

4. And if you try to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from Christ and his wonderful kindness

5. But the Spirit makes us sure that God will accept us because of our faith in Christ

6. If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, it makes no differences whether you are circumcised or not. All that matters is your faith that makes you love others

7. you were doing so well until someone made you turn from the truth

8. and that person was certainly not sent by the one who chose you

9. a little yeast can change a whole batch of dough,

10. but you belong to the Lord. That makes me certain that you will do what i say, instead of what someone else tells you to do. Whoever is causing trouble for you will be punish

12. i wish that everyone who is upsetting you would not only get circumcised, but would be cut off much more!

13. My friends, you were chosen to be free. So dont use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love

14. All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself.

15. But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourself

16. If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.

17. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.

18. But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you.

19. People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts and shameful deeds

20. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are

21. envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you beforem and I'm telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom

22. God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful,

23. gentle and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.

24. And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires,

25. God's Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit.

26. But don't be conceited or make others jealous by claiming to be better than they are.

Now, I can really boldly tell that I have the Holy Spirit in me and it speaks to me. It was definitely the devil's job just now for putting thoughts in me. Sorry, you have lost, of Mr S.A. Tan HAHA!

And one thing is, this chapter really speaks and I know what I'm supposed to do now. I'm really far away from what I should be but I believe its not a one-night thing. He's changing me, one step at a time.

Thank You, Lord.

Non-Lactose for Gastritis Patients.

Its common that whenever someone is down with gastritis, one would ask them to consume milk. What a myth!

Do you know that milk would worsen the case instead of relieving it? Okay, not really worsen but its true to a certain extend depending on what milk.

Fact #1. Milk is (slightly) acidic! Most milk has a pH of around 5.5 or 6 which is deemed slightly acidic (neutral = pH 7). So, slightly acidic substance definitely would not aid in relieving the already overproduced (acidic) gastric juice. Unless you can find the alkaline milk (magnesium milk)

Fact #2. Milk = lactose. Lactose, when left reacting with the (overproduction of) gastric juices (HCl), one of the end-products would be CO₂ because fermentation would take place. Do you know that most of the time, these 'gases' are the one that causes your gastric pain? I'm sure your doctor would prescribe you drugs to relieve the wind colic whenever you have this pain. So, that's the point! Why do you want to produce even more gases when we were supposed to take in something to remove the gases?

Fact #3. Non-lactose milk are not milk. Some "brilliant" people would then suggest that one should then take a lactose-free milk. By the way, when its lactose-free, its not called milk anymore (please refer to Fact #2)! No lactose = no milk. Then, stop calling these lactose-free product as milk! They can be called beverages, drinks, consumable products or whatever but not milk!

In conclusion, when you have gastritis attacks, dont take milk! (But no coffee too okay!)

Stye Is Not For Perverts.

This is stye.

You know, whenever one gets a stye, they'd go, "owhh! Did you peep on a girl when she's bathing?" or somewhere along that line. What a myth weyy!

'Cause as far as I can recall, I don't peep on guys/girls when I was younger but I got that before! And I'm not that kind of normal kid who would just accept any facts without any proof. Like, how the stye grow just by looking (at naked people)? And what's the process in getting that stye thingy? And I totally forgotten bout this question ('cause I havent had that for so long!) and finally the answer came to me.

Its a Staph. aureus infection!

Ahah! That explains! That explains the infection caused by this bacteria, a common normal flora on our skin PLUS such infection would cause inflammation and hence the pus! Yes, the yellow thingy that comes out after a while! This answer finally satisfy my 'cravings' for my unanswered question since a kid.

Sports --- Heal or Kill?

"A mysterious death of a 22 y/o sports enthusiastic"

That's quite sudden and something's fishy somewhere. I mean, no one knows whats the cause of death, what had happened in between and how can police consider this case just as "sudden death"?

Though I do not know him personally (he's my friend's friend), the news of his death is quite mind-troubling. This also goes to show that no one is too young to die.

Or the malay phrase that we used to learn in primary school, "Malang tidak berbau..". Condolences to his family.

---

Talking bout him being a sports enthusiast, I just remember my conversation with Mun Wah earlier on. I was telling her that I enjoy every jogging sessions I have with Amelia and the satisfaction when we completed the rounds but if I wanna compare, I'll rather play badminton everyday and jog only once a week. That's how much badminton means to me (though I really love jogs too, okay la, not love but enjoy only haha). I mean, the satisfaction and enjoyment during badminton itself cannot be contained.. though I'm not very good in it.

And of course I bet you can guess what was Mun Wah's (genuine) reply la. "I'll rather go shopping everyday and..." (Psst.. talking bout that, omg, she's actually counting down to my pay's day. OMGGG!)

After a long, tiring and sometimes frustrating or down day, even the thought of hitting the shuttles would lift the spirit up a little :) You guys should try and you'd fall in love with it. Guarantee!

I'd say, sports heal.

Effervescence In Stomach.

So last night I was at steamboat buffet with the youth again. Someone mentioned that shells of fried prawns can be eaten. And something came to my mind.

Do you know what will happen if one takes so much of those fried prawns with shells? And why?


Answer is.. bloated feeling. Why? 'Cause the prawn's shell is calcium carbonate (CaCO3). So when they reach your stomach, they will react with the acid of your gastric juice (HCl) and based on stuff that we learned in form 4, carbon dioxide (CO2) should be released. Hence, bloated-ness?

CaCO3 + 2HCl --> CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

Heh, interesting eh? I'm not a nerd btw.

Just collected my health report

Blood pressure: 105/65 (normal is 120/80)
Pulse: 70 (normal is around 80)
Fasting blood sugar: 4.2 mmol/L (normal is 3.9-5.8 mmol/L)
Total cholesterol: Low (<3.5 mmol/L) (normal <5.2 mmol/L)

Apparently my total cholesterol is immeasurable low. As in, just low. Period. No other digits. The possible digit should be somewhere between 0.01-3.5 mmol/L. Wow, not bad uh? There was once when my heart rate went up to 90+ for the whole night. I was rather paranoid and wonder what's happening to my system. As we all know, heart rate tells alot and when its high, something IS wrong somewhere. Anyway, mom did hers also and all at borderline. Haha! And now she's blaming everything on the durian. Oh well..

---

Now I agree that studying while working is not easy. Yeah, you heard me right. I'm actually repeating one the units (Medical Micro) now. I was quite shocked with the results too and went to see the lecturer right away the following day. She said I can review the exam script with her and guess what? I applied THREE freaking times but yet I'm still not allowed to view my scripts and now guess what? She's gone! I mean, she has already left Monash for good. I should have bugged her even more.

So for now, I'm trying to be a 100% good employee and do well in my workplace as well as being a 100% good student, trying to attend as much (or all) classes if possible and do really well in this unit. At least, this is my goal up to end of this year. It's really tiring these days, and my only motivation to look forward to is badminton. I really love this game. And oh, and also to maintain (or improve) my stamina through jogs? I really thank God for Amelia.

Ideality? No way!

Is there such thing as an ideal world? Sadly, the answer is no.

I remember when I was much younger, I used to dream of ideality. You know, like I want my father to be a guy who holds me on his lap, loves me, smiles at all times, listens to me whenever I tell him tales from my classes, asks me to join him washing his cars, splashing water at one another and loves my mom. He must also be some cool happening guy who can mingle with my friends and my friend must find him friendly and not scared of him. And my dad should be someone who knows how to explain why and how i'm wrong and teach me the right from the wrong with facts and examples and not with physical violences.

Also, I want a mom who knows everything bout me, loves me for who I am, understands all my problem and try to advise good solutions instead of pointing fingers or scold me, someone who would share my ups and downs with, someone that I can confide with, someone who will stand up for me, be in my shoes and will not be shaken by other people's influence.

All along, I wanted an older brother who's proud of me, bring me out even with his gang of friends, chillout with me, listen to my problems, not a nerdy boring guy but one with his own unique cheekiness, spends time with me and pampers me. Oh, and he must be good in both academic and sports too!

To me, an ideal family would have everyone so united and take care of each other's back. An ideal family would have everyone sharing everything with everyone and support and encourage and love.

... actually, I don't know where I'm getting at right now. I believe this could just be a standard, a standard that no one can follow. If not, there won't be needs for Jesus to come. I believe I'll experience all these when I get back to heaven.


"Lord.. please forgive me for having such thoughts. I want to breathe right now, I really want to breathe. I thank You for what You've given me, and for now I just pray that You'd manifest Yourself even more in my life, in this family. Open up our blinds eyes and unlock our deaf ears, I pray, and that we'll be transformed into Your image more and more. I surrender my soul to You once again. In Jesus' Name, amen."

Determination.

In the beginning of this year, Amelia and I were quite determined to train our stamina, stay fit and exercise our muscles a little. Being in this medical line, meeting with doctors and patients at all time, I seriously agree that we all should take exercise a little more serious.

Looking at my paternal side of family history, all the more I need to really start taking good care bout my health. Coronary heart diseases? They run in the blood. Probably in mine too.

I understand we can take medication when we're diagnosed with heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes and whatnot; but these medication will not take you very far as it'd be a chronic disease (long term, can control but not cure). Other than medication, I've been preaching about healthy diet intake and appropriate exercises.

However, our enthusiastic start for this year's jog dropped a little with time and from an average of 3 days a week becomes only 2 times a week or sometimes once. There were even weeks that we didn't jog at all (I'm talking bout 2 consecutive weeks). We'd usually call it off whenever one can't make it.

So, as a result, my stamina level dropped! Let's say I planned to go 4 rounds without stop, afraid that I can't achieve that I'll tell myself 2 or 3 rounds would be good too. You see, human's like that.. if we put an "or" word there, we'd usually satisfy even if we stop at 2. We're talking bout complacency here. If only we push further, we can stretch it to 3. And of course, if we're determined, we can go up to 4 or 5!

It's all in the mind! That's just an example and I see these taking place everyday (not only for jogs). Let's push ourselves further! Let's stretch our capacity, folks! Let's not be easily satisfied with our mundane achievements (they're not even considered as achievements anymore) but lets be determined with what our initial goal is!

The bible told us that we have authority over our life and our words are command. If we say we're tired, then we will be tired. If we say we're not good, then we're not good. Folks, why not start proclaiming victory (but not too far from realistic please.. our spirit is able but our flesh says cant). Let's command that we will do well in our studies! Let's command that we'd do well in our work place! Let's command that we'll be all healthy and H1N1 cannot touch us. Just command all things to take place in your life. Let's proclaim God's favour in our lives.

Be blessed.

I'm In Awe of You.

Was dining with Agnes just now at EuroDeli @ Damansara Kim. The food, the ambience -- I would think they deserve 8.5/10 (they deserve more, but definitely everything would need room for improvement)

We were talking bout camps and everything and suddenly Agnes said, "You'll make a very good doctor"

I personally think that I'd make a better teacher in relating science and medicine to people around me. I love sharing and I bet you can feel my passion and enthusiasm when it comes to talking Science.

Anyway, as I was sharing bout the satisfaction we get when our friends receive the knowledge and how they relate it in their life, applying it and see facts becoming alive (not just for the sake of memorizing).

You know, most scientists are atheists. They don't believe in God. They only believe in proofs, and believing the existence of God without seeing them would be a difficult thing for them and almost impossible.

To them, there must always be a law or theory behind every phenomenon, supporting them with proof but how do one explain bout the disappearance of cancer tumours in last stage patients?

How do one explain when the blind without a retina can see?
How do one explain when a deaf man without the three ear bones (no vibration) started hearing?
How do one explain when a lame man can walk?
How do one explain when the sick people got healed when hands were laid on them?
How do one explain when dead people, died for 3 days were raised and going around sharing the good news?

How do one explain all these? When natural power says cannot, supernatural power will take over. As easy as that, as long as we believe.

You know, the more I study bout human, the more I'm amazed by God? Imagine, it took the scientists good 10 years to identify and complete mapping the entire Human Genome when God carefully created them? How all these genes with the different codings actually give rise to different unique person with different phenotype and God created each person carefully and wonderfully and uniquely and at the end of the creation, He'd say, "This is beautiful"

The more I study bout which gene, or how the apostopsis (programmed cell death) between my fingers was done so that my hand can hold things. Just imagine all our fingers were stuck together as one hand and they were not separated, I cannot even type all these out on this keyboard by allowing my fingers to dance on the keyboard, what more stretching one finger from another on the guitar frets to produce music? If not for the apoptosis that God has already thought of at his creation process.

You know, the more I study how each chamber of the heart functions, how it controls (ECG etc) the speed and amount of the blood flow throughout our body, or the more I study bout nephron and how they only allow certain solutes to pass through the collecting ducts so that no unnecessary water loss happens, or when we study how the liver controls the whole body's metabolism... take into consideration how God carefully put all these together and at the end of the creation, all he said was "This is beautiful"

The more I study bout all these, the smaller I feel.
The more I study, the more I know bout Him
The more I study, the more I'm amazed by Him.
The more I study, the smaller I become.

I can only stand in awe of You, the maker of all things.

M&Ms

Do you know why M&Ms melt in your mouth and not in your hands?

Actually that's not only true to M&Ms but all (pure) chocolates generally. Only M&Ms applies science to its slogan.

The reason behind it is because chocolates' melting point is 37⁰C. In your hands, the temperature is still below 37⁰C and they will not melt yet unless you grab it in your palm for a while and this causes the heat energy from your body (37⁰C) to be transferred to the chocolates and melt them. So that also explains why sometimes M&Ms do melt in your hands eh

The World Without Strangers.

I was out from the clinic and as I was walking towards my car.. guess what I saw?



I'm not sure if this is how it looks like when they make love? We all learn that in Form 3 Science Chapter 3 but does it apply the same for insects? I mean, how?



Like that?

---

On my way back from work last evening, I decided to call a good friend that I haven't heard for quite some time now. It was a good catchup I must say. We chatted from LDP all the way back to Klang, through the jam. I was glad that someone was accompanying me all the way, after a long day's work.

We've known each other when we were 16. She was a very shy person and we got close after the camp only, after I came back from Kuching. The wonders of internet I would say. She's a real great friend that you can confide in, an awesome person to hear you out and yet secrets will be kept with her, a darling to everyone.

I was packing my room just the other day (its sparkling clean and tidy now) and I found the box of letters that she sent. Memories!



And as I read some of them, I find it super hilarious la. I mean, omgosh, we were so childish/funny/weird/cheesy/fill-in-whatever-adjective-you-want-here la!



But truly, it was then when our heart really speaks. There was no pretenses, there was no falsehood, there was no hyprocricity, it was all just genuine friendship that builds other up.

"A true friend is when you can sit next to that person, not talking but yet enjoy each other's presence"

6 1/2 years have passed, more years to come. I believe.