Till We Meet Again

I just heard the news that the friend whom I visited on Sunday had passed away.


Pastor Mark is home.


He is at a better place as of 9.30pm tonight. Left this journey on earth to start a new chapter in eternity with his Maker.


They say that place is a magnificent place. The "in" place to go after our expiration date on earth.

Rose (wife) & Pastor Mark

I am trying to imagine Pastor Mark having the time of his "new" life without the confine of a sick, aching and aging body. I am happy. But I am sad.


Such contradicting emotions.

Pastor Mark (in the middle) and all of us

When we were in the hospital on Sunday, Ethaniel said a beautiful prayer for Pastor Mark. He laid his small little hand on his frail hand. It was all about asking God to make him stronger, able to leave the hospital, feeling better and never sick again...


Was this an answer to his prayer?


By the way, Pastor Mark, I never really had a chance to Thank You for being a patient, kind and loving Shepherd. You alternated your role as a Pastor, counsellor, Shepherd and Boss. Your care and concern towards my family and I, has made an impact and helped in ways I am not able to articulate. Indeed, you have been a blessing.


P.S. Since you will not be able to visit me in my new house, I will visit you instead... In due time.... Till we meet again...

Please... Let it be

I was at the hospital today afternoon visiting someone. He is in a critical condition due to the late stages of cancer of the intestines.


I was quite overwhelmed with emotions.


The last time I saw him, a few months ago, he looked well and chirpy. But today. He was weak and unable to speak clearly.


I was overcome with sadness. Split between the feeling of wanting to cry and being brave. For his sake and the others around me.


When we arrived, there was already a crowd. Eventhough he was not very aware of his surroundings, I greeted him and he nodded. He knows me. I was happy, eventhough it was an awkward moment with more than 10 other people standing quietly and solemnly inside the hospital room and beside his bed.


The last time we spoke, he asked about my house and me. So, I really wanted to continue that conversation. I wanted to let him know that I have already received my house keys, I am a proud owner of the house, he and and his wife went over to pray for... I have also started renovation of the place and I wanted to show him the pictures of the progress.... I also wanted to invite him over to the house after we moved in....


And I did.


I told him about the house, how Joel & Ethaniel are doing in school and that I wanted him to visit us when he gets better.


"If God is willing", he said softly.


So, God... Are you?


Please... Let it be.

Ethaniel was skype-ing with his good friend Josh who is currently residing in Bangkok, Thailand.


It was really funny listening to this little boy talking non-stop for 30 mins. He doesn't seem to run out of questions!! Hmm.... I wonder who he inherited this trait from... *feeling guilt*


Josh, when are you visiting us?


Do you know that I have a nerf gun?


You can buy it at Toy R Us, you know?


Uncle, when are you visiting us?


I am taking a photo of you now.


yada yada yada


yada yada yada

I can just imagine myself in the future.... Sitting on my comfortable rocking chair, sipping lemonade, my feet up on a fluffy pillow and talking on the phone with Ethaniel.


How are you Mum?


Do you know that the weather here is cold.


I have met new friends and they are Billy, Silly and Dilly.


It sure will be nice to have you, my Princess here with me.


I love you so much, Mummy.


yada yada yada


yada yada yada



We will be chatting away till the midnight, just talking about nothing. My son, the chatter box, chattering away with his little ole Mummy.

Will You Miss ....?

During the farewell dinner hosted by Sophia and Bernard tonight, she asked Ethaniel the following questions....


Sophia: Are you going to miss Josh?


Ethaniel: No.


Sophia: Why?


Ethaniel: Because he is going to visit me.


Me: If you miss him is it because you enjoy his PSP games?


Ethaniel: Noooooo! He is my best friend.


*Answered-with-the-most-earnest-voice-and-confidence-that-only-a-child-can-have-type-of-faith*


Mummy was embarrassed to even have suggested that this 7+ years old boy had ulterior motives.


So shameful.


Just because we adult sometimes have not-so-innocent motives, doesn't mean this little boy does too. Honestly, he is a very good, loyal, give-and-take and kind friend. I would like to have a friend like him.


I should have more faith in this little boy of mine.


Sorry, Ethaniel.

Amazing Talent

Let me introduce my friend, Danny to you. He is infact, an absolutely annoying person.


Don't tell him I said that.


Maybe you don't have to be a tattletale. He reads my blog. So, I guess, eventually he is going to read about this.


Let me explain a story he related to me...


When he was just a young boy, his elder Brother took trumpet lessons. One day, after having taken lessons for some time and was able to play. He did a number for the family. After listening to him play, Danny picked up the trumpet and played it without having attended any lessons. He was furious, obviously!


He does this with piano, harmonica, trumpet and guitar. Eventhough he has no formal training, he plays not one instrument but 4 different ones!


So, don't you agree with me that he is totally annoying? He knows that too, I told him last week when I was at his home. All he did was smile....


Its just amazing the talents which God has given to Him. All of us have talents, some with music, others with skills. But, all of us have talents. I would love to have a similar talent as him but most importantly, is to use whatever talent we have to bless those around us and not waste any of it or spend our time envying what others have. Right?


What talent do you think you have?

Thank you, Janice!

Janice standing in the middle

I would like to use today’s blog to say…


Thank you to my friend....


Janice


Who has so generously given my family and I a free stay at Phuket.


The offer came at a very timely moment, when all of us needed a break.


What’s more, it’s a great place! Not one of those dingy motel by Patong beach.


When I told my older sister that I will be going to Phuket for a holiday.… She sent me this SMS.


“Hi sis, just wanted to test your very fancy and new mobile phone. Are you sure Hubby’s out of work? Because you are buying and holidaying. Is that a big con? Great way to get freebies. Love, sis”



You know, my Sister has this equally weird sense of humor as me... This must run in the family. But it made me smile when I read it... Sometimes, things like that, only Sisters can cook up. Thanks Sis for making me smile.

BTW, I am blogging from Phuket. I found this cool way of using my mobile as a modem. Cool! I am very hi-tech now. Ahem! Ahem!

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!!!

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.

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 ;-)

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.

Muaklek: Ethaniel and Josh on the ATV

We planned for a trip to Muaklek, Saraburi which is about 2 hours away from Bangkok. Its a short get-away, without traveling too far for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its a perfect weekend trip.


This time we had Josh and his Daddy coming along with us. Its always fun having extra company whenever we travel. Especially flexible, fun, easy going and humorous ones.


We have been really blessed to have good friends in Bangkok. To add to this pool of wonderful friends is Josh and his Daddy. We had heaps and heaps of fun!!! The boys had a great time, I meant Ethaniel and Josh. OK, OK, the Dads had fun too.

Eventhough its Josh's 1st time riding on this junior ATV, he seems to be good at steering it. Needless to say, he eventually became addicted to the thrill after the 1st round!

Ethaniel loves the ATV ride. Did I say love? Oh, I did. Its the ultimate thrill for this boy! He wants to own one...

Stucked. Waiting for the Guide to help him. Notice the cute look on his face :-)
(click on the photo to have it enlarged)

Ethaniel and Josh posing for the camera. I bet that in their minds, they were thinking, "How can I shrink this ATV, put it into my pocket and take it home"

This place caters for junior ATVs, adult ATVs and buggy too. The price is reasonable. THB50 per 3 rounds (junior ATV), THB200 for one round (adult ATV) and buggy too. But its more fun for the adults to ride at the Muaklek ATV than at this place because of the trail. So, we will wait...


Its great to see their excited faces riding on the ATV.


Their laughter and excitement was priceless!

Merdeka! Eating! Talking! Hanging!

The Independence Day of Malaysia was celebrated on 31 August.

We, the Malaysians in Bangkok hardly feel the effect... there was no fireworks, no public holiday, its just like any normal day.


Coincidentally, a group of us Malaysians went out for lunch - not to celebrate "Hari Merdeka" but just to hang out, fellowship and of course, eat. The most favorite past time of Malaysians. What a way to celebrate Malaysia's Independence Day.... The Malaysian way.

My friend S told me about this buffet lunch which is on during summer holidays annually. Buy 1 free 1. So, we all went to Amari Atrium along Petchaburi road in Bangkok.


The place is great for parents and children. There are great and various activities catered especially for the children. They could cook pasta, make candy floss, build legos, eat dinosaur candies and a very delicious-every-child's-dream-chocolate-fountain with unlimited flow. Aaarrrggghhh!!! Would have been my ultimate dream - when I was a child. Not anymore. How sad.

Joel was totally exhilarated with the chocolate fountain. Look at that face. Pure joy! Background is Goolypop and Owen. My new blogger friend.

Ethaniel... Oops, I mean Winnie the Pooh

The men busily eating away ....

S, me & SH posing for the camera while waiting for our seats

It was a good weekend because 3 bloggers hung out and met for the first time, Tang, Goolypop & me.

TL & Family .... Goodbye for now...

TL & family are the first few Malaysians we met when we arrived in Thailand.


Like how they say about first love, first friends are also difficult to forget.


We attended the same church for a whole year, their daughter and Ethaniel are around the same age and they are avid travelers, like us.


In fact, they are our inspiration, motivation and role model to travel around Thailand in a car.

TL, PP, JW, Ivan & me

A nice smiley photo of JW & LW

TL, PP, JW & LW, you will be missed and thank God for allowing our path to cross. Look forward to seeing you again.... Singapore or Malaysia!