Not So Good News...

The last few weeks has been full of uncertainties.


The reason being.... Hubby's company has been going through some retrenchment exercise and he discovered that he was part of it. Since since he is part of management, he was the first few who knew about it.


Since that day, 6 Oct, we have been waiting, praying, waiting, praying.....


It is now official, as of this morning.


He is jobless. He was given 24 hours notice... or was it few hours. Anyway. He was back since lunch time today.


Its a daunting time but we know that God has a better plan for us... whatever that is.


Our trust is in God.


Will you pray for us?


P.S. Better still if you have a job for my hubby

Thank You For Coming By

I would like to say a big "Thank You" to all of you, my family, friends, fellow bloggers, who daily visits my blog.


Those of you who comments on my blog... You know who you are...


Those who visits regularly but does not comment but you let me know when you see me..


Those who drop by every now and then to say "Hi"...


Thank you for giving me your precious time, to read about my family and my life. Because you take the time to come by, I will try my best to make it worth the while when you do.

Thank You

Happy 1st Birthday to My Blog

Happy 1st Birthday to my Blog!


I have been a blogger for one year now.


I don't really know what that means.


Have I been a better writer?


Have I blessed, touched, entertained and encouraged someone who visited my sanctuary?


I definitely have been blessed, touched, entertained and encouraged myself when I came here...


Many times refreshed too...


One thing I know for sure....


One day, my children and grand children will come here and see the history which was created all laid out and penned for them.


My heart is uplifted to hear the small little giggles and laughters as I close my eyes to imagine them enjoying this place which has been my sanctuary.

When It Rain, It Pours

Have you heard of that saying?


When it rain, it pours.


We have been having such a tough 2 weeks. And if that were not enough, our car broke down in the middle of Bangkok city while we were traveling back home 2 Sundays ago.

Our car being towed

The amazing miracle was... Just before the car "died", Hubby felt it "dying" and managed to drive into a petrol station, which happened to be just round the corner.


Can you imagine the car "dying" in the middle of Sukhumvit Road?


As if the current traffic is not enough, it needed contributions from us *eyes rolling*

The children looking on as the man rolled our car up. It cost THB1,800 to tow the car from Sukhumvit Soi 99 to Phattanakan

We were sweaty and tired. Expecting guest from Malaysia and Rayong whom will be arriving anytime now.


OK, OK. That was a stressful day.


Its not about to get worst... will it? No... not really. Not till the next day when we discovered the bill for the repair *sigh*


I don't want to talk about it.


I just knew that I could have gone on a nice holiday with it.


I still don't want to talk about it.


I still don't want to talk about it.

Celebrating CY's Birthday

I went over to CY's blog and he asked me to be a sport and post some photos of our get-together at Cell Group on Friday night. Of course I will oblige! After all, I still need free accommodation in Rayong ;-)


SH planned a surprise birthday celebration for CY. Such a sweet, wonderful and thoughtful wife. Hint, hint. You know what to do, CY? Extra kisses for her in the next few days. Maybe a bunch of flowers too.


Since CY have been having a stressful time at work, the chatting, laughing, singing, praying and sharing was a great de-stresser. Its always wonderful to be spending time with friends who really care.

SH, CY, Joanna and Jason. One happy family!!

The whole Cell Group gathering around the dinner table...
Usually our favorite spot, surrounding the food

We are the men!!

Cutting cake for the birthday boy who turned "21"... plus plus and plus some more. The cake from Secret Recipe was absolutely delicious. Thanks to the good selection of SH

One thing I have discovered, having stayed in Bangkok for 2.5 years now. We tend to become close friends very quickly. I guess the reasons being all of us, far away from our own family members tend to stick to each other. Genuinely making friendships along the way. Honestly, I have never made friends this quick and this close in a short period of time.


Yes, I know that we might part shortly. Most of us are here for a period of time and will move on eventually. But I must say that people like SH and CY are almost like family.


SH & CY, thank you for your friendship and hang in there.... God will see us all through and give us the victory!!!

About Me

I have been blogging... close to 1 year, 3 days from now.


I think its time to write a little bit more about myself.


I have always been a person who expresses better through the written word. Some things which I am not able to voice but given the chance, I could express it in a letter. I don't write as well as I would like to, both grammatically or creatively but I try.


That is why I love to blog.


To my friends, I seem to be talkative, humorous, playful, life-of-a-party kind of girl but I am actually pretty timid and shy *I can hear roaring laughter in the background and friends rolling their eyes, saying, "yeah sure"* I have been timid for most of my young life but somehow embraced my personality when I grew older. I still prefer to be low profile and working from the background, when given the chance.


I have been married to Hubby for the last 13 years and we have two boys aged 7 and 12 years old who consumes my day time in homeschooling and my nights in praying, massage of limbs, preparation of supper, hugs, kisses, reminders to go to bed and brushing teeth. The night shift ends around 10pm when I might have some "Me Time" without interruptions but then again, I am not really hopeful.


Having been in the Administrative profession most of my life, I took the plunge in the year 2000 and became a stay-home-Mum cum part-time Administrative church worker and then eventually pioneered a Brazilian football centre.


Reading has always been my all time favorite hobby. All kinds of books but especially autobiography, parenting, self-help, thriller, crime and joke books. I know, that almost covered everything.


Travelling is also my all time favorite interest. Some of the countries I have visited so far... Some parts of Europe, USA, Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, Jordan, whole of Malaysia and of course, Thailand. My next destination would be China and Africa, hopefully.


I was talking with Danny & Ong during lunch time today about going to China next year April 2009. Danny used to work in China and have travelled extensively there. He would be an excellent tour guide. Its a cultural and scenic tour. As much as I enjoy travelling, unfortunately, I absolutely abhor packaged tour. You know, the waking up at 6am, visit 20 places and end at 9pm. 10 countries in 12 days. I think you get the picture.


I have been a Christian since my teenage years. I have been a faithful follower of Christ ever since then. Knowing and following Him is and has been the most important and significant part of my life.


I started a new experience and journey in Bangkok since April 2006. It is and has been an exciting and an amazing journey. I look forward to blogging more about my life here. Keep tuning in.

The Roti Canai Man

When you stay in Bangkok, you cannot easily access a Mamak stall (roadside stalls). What do you do when you need a "fix" of some local Malaysian Roti Canai?


Frozen Roti Canai (Indian style pancake) can be purchased at the local supermarket.


When my son have cravings....


He goes to the freezer.

One Roti Canai coming up!

One "Cool and Macho" looking Chef

Cravings are satisfied. Burp!

Uncertainties

There are some things happening right now in my life.


I don't really feel like blogging about it.


Its a little too soon to make assumptions.


But...


Its concerning the future.


*sigh*


Anyhow, I choose to trust God. Even when I don't know what to do, other than, pray.


Since He has shown Himself to be reliable and trustworthy, no reason for me to doubt, right?


P.S. Just needed to get that out of my chest.

Day Out With His Friends

Joel wanted to celebrate his birthday by having a fun day at the Leoland Waterpark, Bang Na with his friends on Friday.

Nath, Josh, Joel & Ethaniel on the slide

Yeah Man! This is the life...
Notice Josh "digging" his nose. He did it just to annoy me ;-)
Before him was Nath... Who also purposely "dug" his nose. What's with these kids???!!

All of them snacked hungrily. Even Nath who has difficult eating habits feasted on the food



Fun on the slides...

Creative way of using a handle bar...

The fun waterpark. Unfortunately the larger slides are under repair. It has been for a long time.

Joel pretending that he has a big butt....
Effects of the jacuzzi pumping air into his pants

Monkey see, monkey do... Another big butt boy...

This is the life. Just look at them relaxing after all the running around...

The boys had a blast!


It was absolutely fun, fun and more fun!


At one point, I stopped taking photos, left my wallet and camera in the locker and jumped into the water and played "Monster, monster" with them. You know, I cannot resist fooling around with the children. Obviously it was Joel who instigated that I should be the Monster.


I went around the "Action Pool" which is like a lazy river chasing the children. I caught Joel and sat on his tube. We laughed heaps and heaps when he tried to topple me but couldn't. It was so funny.


We both laughed until our stomach hurt.


But....


Just because he couldn't topple me, there was no reason for him to call me hippopotamus!!!


Obviously his Mummy didn't teach him never to call people names. Tsk, tsk, tsk.... *frown* I shall have a serious conversation with his Mummy when I look into the mirror, later.

Hugging a Pillow

Ethaniel hugs the pillow

or


Is it?

A pillow with feet?

He uncovers the comforter

Its a huge sleepy "pillow" snoozing away under the comforter

I Lost My Goggles!

Josh says, "I lost my goggles"

Ethaniel says, "Let's Look for it"

Josh says, "Oh no... I can't find it!"

Ethaniel says, "Hmm... I wonder where could it be.."
(All the while sitting on the goggle to hide it from Josh)



Ethaniel says, "Its here lah"



Joshua says, "Oh there it is... You had it all this while ah?

I was just observing both of them. So funny. I couldn't help coming up with a story about them.


So tricky this little boy.


The son after my own heart ;-)

His Celebration

On the day of Joel's 12th birthday, we went out for lunch.


He wanted to eat Hotpot. Its like steamboat. The price has increased to THB270 per person from THB199 per person.

Ethaniel and Joel enjoying their food

We had a small little Blueberry Cheesecake, which he loves

Dad and Ethaniel kissing Joel

Joel chose a scooter for his birthday

I am so glad that he chose this gift because I want him to do outdoor activities. He has been having so much fun scooting around our house and even took it to rock climbing to scoot around the shopping complex. The smooth floor makes scooting so much more fun.


I promised him one more thing... A day out to the waterpark with his friends. That post will be coming up!

This Is How It Feels To Have 3 Boys

I have an additional "son" for the next few days.

Ethaniel kissing Josh. Very innocent. At 7 years old, what do you expect?

Scooting around inbetween rock climbing

Cool eh? Both of them purchased a sunglasses

I experienced the magnitude of their "togetherness" in the morning. They scooted around the Mooban, visited the neighbor's dogs, played hide-and-seek, played army shooting "whatever" and other stuffs.


I really enjoy seeing these boys, rough it out at play... not in front of the TV or computer game. We'll reserve the PSP for low energy time.


As for now, we are going to the Waterpark in the late morning. Wish me energy, if only I have 10% of what they have.

Koh Samet: Awesome Beach, Magnificent Sunrise

Hubby and I

We arrived at Sametville Resort at about 4.30pm. Checked in and hit the beach.


The beach was absolutely beautiful!!! Reminded me of Perhentian Island in Malaysia. Fine white sand and clear water. We were told that there is a particular section of the beach, nearer the rocky part, some beautiful corals can be seen. Unfortunately we did not bring our snorkeling gears.

The beautiful rainbow

After changing into my swim wear, I was on the beach, enjoying the calm sea water... Seldom have I seen a calmer sea.


Guess what? There was a rainbow in the sky! I have been to the beach many many times but have never seen a rainbow, especially without rain.... Hmm... *twilight zone music at the background* Amazing experience.


"The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness and of His pardon and reconciliation to the faithful. The symbol is taken from the story of Noah and the Great Flood, where God placed His rainbow in the sky as a seal of His promise never to destroy the earth again with a flood. The rainbow is sometimes used in art as Christ's throne, where it is symbolic of glory and final judgment." clipped from here.

The rainbow reminds me to look upward...

The view in front of our chalet

Look at the clear sea water. So refreshing!

Magnificient sunrise

Staring at the magical sunrise...

The next morning, we woke up at 6am to catch the sunrise. It was an amazing sunrise. Eventhough there have been probably thousands of sunrise since the day we were born, we never ran out to look for it until this morning. A sunrise is a sunrise. Right??? Wrong. The ones which we see with our own eyes are the most special. The ones we missed doesn't count.

Imagine we were going up and down those hills on the motorcycle... Aaarrgghhh...
The next time we go, it will be on an ATV which is between THB1,000 - THB1,500 per day (depending on if you are a Thai or foreigner)



Our simple meal which took 1 hour to cook.
Reminder to everyone: Order your food 3 hours before dinner time if the resort is fully booked.


Homeward in one of this ferry... Between THB30 - THB90.
Speed boats are around THB200 to THB300 (I think)

To summarise the whole trip and experience, it was a little more than what we bargained for. We had adventure on a motorcycle, amazing beauty, experienced hunger waiting for dinner, a rainbow, a time alone away from the children, hustle bustle of the city and ate some really yummy BBQ chicken and cuttle fish at Rayong, near the jeti.


The whole trip was mixed with bitter sweet experiences.


If you have not been to Koh Samet, you are missing an amazing place. Quiet and tranquility.... minus the motorcycle, that is.