understanding

Understanding people, to some, seems like the most difficult thing ever. It's like worse than having constipation. *wink* When i started working, this part of me seems to be activated, as in, it never came to my mind that this element has turned out to be a conscious "source" in me.

Understanding people is a virtue to me. It takes a long period of time. Often, we always have that pair of judgmental eyes. Seeing a person without a smile on the face, we said he/she is snobbish and unfriendly. As time goes by, then we'll realise "eh, not bad actually. This fella is quite funny and caring." Through experience, be it good or bad, we earn/lose that person.

Sometimes, before having a thorough understanding, it's advisable that we just keep our mouth shut before our words start to label people. I have to admit, im quite sucks at that :) because i have a big mouth :D I need to listen to people than talking. So, please, if next time i really talk a lot, please say "Ng Shan Na, shut up." :) Consciouly, gotta tell myself that. Being critical to people isn't a good thing to be brag about. Amen? :)

Great day, peeps :)

my energizer

Going back to hometown, my time is always dedicated to family and friends. I believe they're the ultimate energizer of my life. Going back home is all about resting, putting work aside and to solely focus on memory recollection and updates :) It's great to be able to catch up with some friends, though the moment was short, but it was good enough for me :) Looking forward to other opportunities by any means! :D

Finally, get to see Ern :)

my sis, cousin and ern at Old Taste

the cousin gang :) Thanks Dear for the bookmark :) Donno why, it gives me a peaceful sign :)

I think i need that very much! :D

met Mei and Yeekiat for a quick breakfast on Sunday morning :)) Really missing those crazy form 6 days with them :) Met Yuanhui and girlgirl. We brought Wanxin out for yoghurt ice cream! She was thrilled! :) So am i! haha! This lovely girl gave me 2 kisses on that day :) felt so loved! =D such a cheerful lil girl :) oooo? Where is my ice cream? :)

Footprints- Margaret F. Powers @1964

One night i dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed
scenes from my life.
For each scene, i noticed
two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me
and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life
shot before me I looked back
at the footprints in the sand.

There was only one set of footprints.
I realized that this was at the lowest
and saddest times of my life.
This always bothered me
and i questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
"Lord, You told me
when i decided to follow You,
You would walk and talk with me all the way.
But I'm aware that during
the most troublesome times of my life
there's only one set of footprints.
I just don't understand why,
when i needed You most, You leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child,
I love you and will never leave you,
never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints
it was then that i carried you."

This message surprised me a lot. :) It was a bookmark given by amy. Thought it was nothing much but it strikes me a lot when i read. :)

makan and celebration!

That day was a special day. A day of deceiving, a day of acting, a day of laughter, a day of gastronomic endeavour! :) I guess after so long, it's our first meal together as a team. Wow, it's like ages. @_@" I would say things are getting pretty interesting with the 6 of us. Everyone is unique in her own way. Hehe! Despite all the hectic schedule, everyone still made time for the dinner that night. :) It was definately great to have you guys around! =)

And of course, we had a motive behind the dinner. Celebrated Fatt Mee's birthday. Hmmm donno whether was it a suprise but we definately had lots of fun due to our narcissism = shiok sendiri act. We predicted and acted Fatt Mee. Haha! She's such a great counsellor :)) Blessed to have her in our team. The ever loving one will always being bullied by me! Muahaha! :))

so, inilah kami :)

inilah Fatt Mee aka 肥面 :) Haha!

a nickname that used to tease her :P
the cake- which was melted due to a late dinner

ooo, and these were our dishes of the night!!!

More to come, girls? :)

my yellow room :)

As what i've mentioned before, i've shifted to a new place :) Quite love my room condition now. It's quiet, and less dust as compared to before. Here i am, back to the single bed. The room now is yellow themed. Haha! :) It's just a coincidence that things that i have are in yellow, so does my surname: 黄. Hehe! :)

I have my wardrobe given by previous housemate. My bed, my study table and the rack/shelf. So, everything seems ok. Though the area of the room wasn't as big as last time, but it's more than enough for me :) Shall not buy more things, if not, shifting isn't as easy as it seems. Just a quick sneak peek for my room! :)

yay? :)

No pain, no gain.

Today after the sermon, i am so determined to scribble something here in the blog. The message was so strong and meaningful. It was on 1 Samuel 18-19 in the scripture. Pastor message was about "No pain no gain". It was mentioned how David was pulling through the struggle with God in him. He chose to escape rather that retaliate. Just like how an enemy has arrived, he did not choose to kill. Often at times, when something decides to happen without our knowledge, especially when bad days strike, meeting with bad people so to speak, we mourn, we complain, we shout. When things got better, we rarely give thanks. If you're in the journey with God, we'll soon realise the struggles that we pull through with strong determination, it's a process of growing. I agreed with what pastor said "wilderness will derive our character". Character is always seen when we tend to solve an issue. Don't take wilderness as the judgment from God, it is actually the will of God for us to go through something in order to grow internally, and i believe it's also a way for us to grow spiritually with Him as our guide. Struggles are good, although most of the time it's hard. Nobody will love struggles. Everyone yearns to live a simple problem-free life. To me, i can guarantee that, it's through difficulties, we find victory. Just like how we always practise badminton, we won the medal and we feel the victorious touch! :) Whatever it is, we ought to give thanks to God.Sometimes, we always aim for big picture, or even bigger picture. We are being taught to think far, to think further! As huge as a dream, as beautiful as it is. We forget about HOW we achieve that. We bypass lots of mini steps of achievement. As much as we want that, we'll still forget that it;s the lil lil steps that we pave to reach the point of excellence! It's good that we always strive for a good result, it's even better to strive for excellence, but it's a no-no to strive for perfection. We are not perfectionist, neither you nor me. If we get to strive till excellence, we're considered a good man. Continue with the excellence. None of us can fulfill anyone's "perfection".

I've decided to post a blog if i can, everytime after Sunday service. It always bring a lot of messages through my mine :)

Counselling

Theories are always the solely thing we learn back in our education system, especially during primary-secondary schools. As we reached University level, apart from theories, praticality of each theory is emphasized. As of now, studying Masters is another level. Apart from learning theories in a deeper manner, we practise skills too.

Tried counselling for once and i felt i am still in the amateur stage. Im glad that there're people around me to give me lots of guidance. It's always a blink of enlightment when there's some advices given from left to right, top to bottom. Really appreciate it :)

Counselling is a very special field. It requires more than just giving a change of life but it has gotta do with our own attitude in counselling. As a counsellor, the first important feature is to be patient. It takes more than a second to let a person to realise a thing in life. If client is stubborn, will you give up just like that? @_@ But here's another thing about counselling, things don't come on your way all the time because counselling is not about ME, but it's all about the choice of the clients. What's more, counselling requires a lot of love about people. If we don't have thought for people, i guess we might want to think about venturing to other field.

This is something that hit me hard the other day "Shan Na, counselling is not about yourself, it's all about the client." I'm glad that i finally tried something new for this year. Part of the resolution achieved? :)While doing counselling, i believe for me, doing development programme is my energizer. I am a kinaesthetic person. I love to move around. I like to interact with students, and most importantly, i like to develop students. I'll feel extremely happy to see students grow from level to level :) In education field, it's not just about academic but it's about students' well-being. I would want them to develop with moral value, with great character, with positive attitudes! That's how powerful is for us to start a "change" in generation.

Summer Escape!

It's glad that friends come by and hangout together :) Especially friends whom you longed to see and yet chances are so slim :) I am very thankful that they came by and to do some simple catch-up together. Often times, i feel very proud of my friends, it's been such a great journey since secondary school and we're still maintaining the relationship. The care and love are the elements that we uphold since then i supposed? :)

We cracked our heads to think of a place to hangout. Mall isn't a good place because shopping isn't the main criteria for us. It was real hot. "Genting" was blurted randomly and off we went. @_@" Drove to the mid of the hill and took cable car up! :) It's been real long. The weather was just perfect! =) Breezing cool air with great companions! What's more to complaint? :)

this is my curse of Genting. I puked... again.

Group photo before we left outdoor activities :)Celebrated soofei's birthday :) cute heart-shaped Baskin Robbins :) It's been so long since we celebrated birthday together. I miss my birthday with you girls lot.Photo edited by Siew Ping :) Love it

Thanks to our friend who is working in Genting, we enjoy meals and fun with half-priced rate! :) Hehe! Minimum spending, maximum enjoyment! =) Drove back home late at night, thank God we reached safely. Spent our one last day- Sunday with dimsum and coffee at Midvalley before they set-off to Singapore :)

Till then!

By the way, it's dated way back in early of May =)

simple

Sometimes, life can fill you abundantly by the blessing of God. It takes such a simple gesture to create a meaningful life. At times, life without expectation gives you a lil bonus of happiness. As simple as it is, as easy as life goes on. Sometimes, while i reflect upon it, i can feel the sense of contentment. As i always do, count the blessings of each day received, optimism will lead a positive life.

As title of today, i name today as a day of simplistic motion. Came back to Kluang to accompany my family. All we did was to get together and have a good meal. I always look forward each time when i am home. This time, grandma was in the picture. Exuberance strikes high :) I always wish to have a proper meal with grandma. Today was indeed a bonus day. An exercise through shopping after meal with family was another simple happiness too. Through seeing new stuff and to shop for necessities and to discuss over it, it's just marvellous.

It's a day that i shall give thanks to God. Simple gestures make life seems much easier. God made my family stronger and stronger each day and make us treasure each other. I am thankful for all the wondrous blessing you have shone on me :) Thank God for my family.

i have shifted! :)

Finally, i had made up my mind, to shift and to get out from Cheras. The place that i'm staying now is very quiet. Had been wanting to move away from student area to catch some breather. Oh well, i've done that with God's grace. :) Was searching for so long but it just doesn't seem to have one. When i did not search for it, here comes the available one :) Isn't it just a miracle? :)

Freshman Camp 3

Moving to its 3rd count, i believe Freshman Camp had been expanded to certain level. Wishing Freshman Camp can be a continuous, never ending event for the University :) Whatever it is, every event will definately has its room for improvement. It's never the best, but it's never the worst! :)

It is the first daring move to shoot up to Kuala Terengganu campus to hold this event. Lots of challenges faced but everyone still able to brace themselves up =)

It's happy to see the camp is growing :)

one of the most attractive reasons of coming to KT is the beautiful beaches and the ever blueish sea that stay in this ever peaceful state.

mini lil cowy card

It's a pleasant surprise early in the morning :) Appreciate it.

Thank you for the message, it means a lot to me.

Really thankful.

*hugs*

Ocean will Part

If my heart has grown old
There Your love will unfold
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand

When i'm blind to my way
There Your spirit will pray
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand

Ocean will part, nations come
At the whisper of your call
Hope will rise, glory shown
In my life, Your will be done

Present suffering may pass
Lord Your mercy will last
As you open my eyes to the work of Your hand

And my heart will find praise
I'll delight in Your way
As you open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As you open my eyes to the work of Your hand

Breaking Walls Buidling Bridges

It was a fine Friday! :D Attended the facilitators' preparatory session of Breaking Walls Building Bridges. It would say it was an eye opener for me to view this documentary- it portrays how Christianity and Islam's leaders (imam and pastor) come together to create an inter-faith centre to unite people in Nigeria. It was indeed a great experience for me, to enhance my knowledge on religion and how religion brings love and understanding eventually despite of many many differences.

It is definately a great awareness that every Malaysian shall learn. For me, i always believe religion brings good teaching, promotes love and peace in the community and most importantly, it brings us together, to believe and to have the faith in God, any God in this context. Sometimes i do wonder, if we were to be a great follower of faith, why do we still fight? I mean, war happened because of religion issue, why? Aren't we supposed to learn how God treat people?

It is also crucial for us to respect one's religion, not to insult any religion and not to push people to the corner to believe your faith. It is always a "call". A call for you to step forward and to believe in it, to follow the words and message in any religion. It is the same across different religions. Mindset of the follower makes a huge difference.

Anyway, it was a great session! Thank you for the speakers who dare to make the first move to create such awareness to our country :) Thanks Dr. Hamidah (a muslim) and Patricia (a christian) for your information :)

我的

哪怕就只是影响一个人
就那么一个人
我都是知足的
因为我知道有一天
我会慢慢引导更多需要帮助的人 :)

生命是有影响力的
因为在你的生命里
不只是自己
可是还有身边的人与事

相信美丽的开始，总会有美好的结束
我爱我为人的力量
加油！

Religion

Thank you to all my sisters and the message :)

Religion, to me, it had been an empty shell.

I couldn't recall when. When was the time that i felt, i was empty of soul. I was not empty because i don't have love but i was empty because i do not own a religion.

I've been striving hard for things around me, but not a relationship with any God. I am afraid of commitment first thing, then i am afraid i can't be a good follower. I wasn't taught over a religion apart from bits and bits from education background. Friend was right, i have been an observer.

The words written by Nicky Gumbel were right.

"You and I were created to live in a relationship with God". Until we find that relationship there will always be something missing in our lives, thus we often aware of a gap.

This sentense quoted strikes me. Sometimes, He seems so near and yet so far. Then i realised, it is not about Him, it is me.

I am glad. At least right now, I know where should i head to. At least, i've taken a leap of faith :)

Don't you think so?

Dear Father, enlighten me with your words, guide the new-me to understand your every message behind and i pray to walk through this journey with Your presence.

Happy Birthday, Mummy!

Happy Birthday to my dearest Mummy!

May you be healthy always
be happy always

be joyful always

Thank you for being a great mum throughout the years.

For all the sacrifises that u've made

For all the days and nights u've put up for us

For all the love that u've given

It's simply priceless

You're the greatest woman on earth :)

我爱你 Mummy！:)

a special day for me :)

A week of sugar rush? :)

I would say this is the most special Easter i've ever experienced.

It is special to me because I have made my commitment to God.

It is special because I chose to believe in Him.

It is special because it was my first Easter Sunday as a Christian.

It is special because there are friends around me who've been encouraging.

It is special because my important people were around me during that defining moment and they were so crazy over this decision of mine.

It is important because I will start to grow this relationship with Him :)

I thank God for all.

For all the greatness I've received.

For all the joy i've shared.

and I pray that i'll continue to grow and know You more :)

amen :D

special commitment in life

Im home. Yes, i am. Kluang i mean :)

Sitting in front of the comp, i realised, it's been so long since i sat down quietly at home, to look at this blogger browser, and start my brain engine for a different function.

Had a good chat with a friend today. I am happy to have a heart to heart talk with friends. That's also when i realised, since when i prefer a one-to-one session. I used to be very bubbly in my crowd, although i know i am still do, but, the intensity has reduced. So, we talked about many things today. Direction of life was the main dish of today's topic.

Having a long lasting friendship with someone is never a smooth sailing journey. It needs so much of effort and energy to pay the "maintenance" fee. *well, it's just a metaphor. I mentioned about to have someone to fall back to whenever i have trouble. I realise, each time, when life is challenging, I know i have my support back at home. I know who can i fall back to, i know where to get help, i know who to shout to for tension release purpose :) Each time, i feel blessed because i have friends around. I can't say family is negligible, but due to distance, friends are those i can fall back to.

For me, it is a commitment that i have in life. To me, friendship is a commitment. It's something that we have and we need to make an effort for it. It's a very special relationship. Some people might think it's not as imp as how i look at it but for me, there's just like a backbond in the body. However, I've been neglecting ppl in life due to this hectic schedule. I missed the moments tat my friends needed the most. I wasn't updated about my important friends. I am making a change. I am thinking for a resolution. I am learning to adjust. Give me some times. I am around still, until anyone decides to ask me to go. :)

Thanks for those who always being a support to me. Shan Na is thankful for all of these.

Destigmatising Mental Illness

It's a very fruitful Sunday than sleeping like a log :) Attended a public forum on Destigmatising Mental Illness. Inspiring sharings from various types of people across different fields, from psychiatrics, psychologist, doctor to patients.

Mental health issues have been quite alarming recently in Malaysia. The awareness finally began and professionals are taking endless effort in educating the citizen. It's not something to be ashamed of. Often at times, we only will feel "eeeeeeew, this fella is crazy!" In this forum, we get to understand some misconceptions, whether it's science or non-science factors or how mental illness comes about.

One thing that i must mention in this is, social support from our surrounding is very important. Support group was repetitively and highly emphasized by the professionals. He asked "pls name me 5 of ur best friends in 20secs." No kidding, I can hardly spell my best friends on the paper. Why would I have such hesitation. Doctor was right, he said, we can never have 1 best friend. We need to find more, if not, 1 best friend decides to leave us and we'll be left with nobody and it'll cause depression. Haha! That's kinda true. What we gotta remember is, we're not living for anyone in this world. We're living for ourselves :) Even the whole decides to fall apart, we still have us! :)

What's more, 2 noble mothers took the floor with their experience sharing of the recovery journey from mental illness. Tears were struggling in my eyes, to listen to a single mother raises two children with mental illness all by herself. The tormenting 17 crazy years were shocking. Imagine, it's 17 years and right now, she's standing in front of everyone telling us how proud she is towards her children. So much of courage, so much of patience and preseverance. How wonderful God provided her, to sustain her with energy and strong will with the beliefs of never give up. We can't measure the love that our mother provided to us. We can't ever measure with a yardstick. No. This is called the unconditional love. Surprisingly, mothers never gave up on children that easily as compared to fathers. So many single mum in the forum today.

We never know how blessed we are until we listen to the stories of others and gaining insights from day to day. Together, we shall fight this stigma of mental health. It can be healed with our willing heart :)