Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Year It Was: 2008 - First Times

When this entry is up, i'll be at church with Melissa D to usher the new year! Yeah!


As i look back throughout this year, i believe the year 2008 can be summed up to me as 'the year of first times'! Here are some highlights of how 2008 has treated me:

1. Graduated with a degree!

Yup, after spending (more than) three years of my life in UTAR, i've finally graduated from there with a degree in Mass Communication (Hons) Journalism.

After many nights of burning the midnight oil and rushing assignments like there was no tomorrow, i'm kinda relieved that i'm done with this chapter of my life. Many things have i encountered, and many experiences have i learnt. But i believe one is a student for life, as learning is a lifetime process.

(from left) Ernest, myself and Rowen.


Me and my papa.


Like i said before, my dad is proud of this achievement of mine. He even puts wallpaper of the four of us with me in my graduation gown in his laptop.

If you ask me whether i'm proud of UTAR or if anyone should study there, here's my reply.

"Why not? What do you have to lose?"

But i wouldn't say 'it's my choice', as it's my father's choice. Seriously.


2. First job: Feeling Sun-ny!

I'm glad that my superior called me to offer me a job at the place where i interned two years ago.

I believe my job does not only involve reporting and writing, but also a lot of reading, researching, communicating and also putting things into perspective, making it easy for people to understand.

Coming January, i'll be one year old in this line, and five years down the road, i don't mind making this my career. But nonetheless, i need to be a better person - more focused, disciplined and hardworking in my line of work.


3. BN denied of two-third majority

With the power of democracy at work, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kelantan and Kedah are now under the hand of the Opposition - DAP, PKR and PAS... forming the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states. It is indeed a political tsunami. READ HERE.

The General Election this year really speaks the thoughts of the rakyat. But now, will their new leaders be able to deliver what have been preached, what the people want? I guess we'll see how things will work out for 2009.


4. The Love of My Life.

Melissa D and me at Church Camp in Bukit Merah Lake Town.


Five wonderful months have passed and i couldn't ask more from God for bringing someone as wonderful as Melissa D into my life. I'm indeed very blessed to have a loving girlfriend, who loves me for me, and inspire me to be a better individual!

I don't think she's a perfect person, neither am i. We're both flawed beings, and we need God to help us through our daily lives... and we embark on this journey of courtship, leading towards marriage. There is something new to learn everyday... and life-long process of learning.

I just feel so darn happy being able to spend time with her, and loving her. Just waiting for that one special day to come... one day. I just want to be married to my first girlfriend, and with God authoring our lives, i'll do whatever it takes to make us happy; through good times and bad times.

I love you so much, Melissa D!


5. Being on the island

This is the first time i'm living in another state, away from my family in KL. When my boss asked my opinion of being transferred here to gain experience, i was all up for it. And true enough, there was a vacant in the bureau, which beaconed me to replace it.

It was a little frightening in the beginning, but my colleagues, counterparts and newly-acquired friends on the island made my feel comfortable. Not to mention the food, view and comfortable lifestyle this island has to offer.

Looking back, it was a good move. Honestly, besides my family and friends in KL, i've got nothing to look forward to back where i'm from. I'm determined to make myself here and settle here as well, away from the hectic, dog-eat-dog jungle from where i come from.


6. ISA arrest

It was a shock to the nation when a reporter, a blogger and state executive councillor were arrested under the Internal Security Act in Sept.

READ HERE for more on the news.

It was said that the Sin Chew reporter was detained for her own safety. And later, the same person who gave the statement said he didn't give out the order of arrest. Living in denial, anyone?

Somehow, i believe the act is still abused, but is it still relevant? Well, maybe.


7. Black Man in the White House

Many expected that Barack Obama would beat John McCain to be the 44th president of the United States of America. There was a mix reaction worldwide, from joyous celebrations to talks about he being the antichrist!

We'll see how USA would be with him around....


8. Many first times

I can write down a list of many first time i savoured with my love, from being at church camp with her, to caroling and celebrating Christmas with her and her parents and many more, but i don't want to bore you with the details, or make you all 'geli' with it.

But i just feel so darn happy; doing all this together with her!


To sum it all up, I thank God for every breath i breathe and every waking moment. 2009, i'm looking forward to that.


"Hello, good morning, how ya do?
What makes your rising sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new

So this is the way
that I say that I need You
This is the way
This is the way

That I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies...."


Excerpt from Learning To Breathe by Switchfoot


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Friday, December 26, 2008

Super Duper Christmas!

Me and Melissa D in KL


It has been awhile since i last blogged, and i have a few days before the year ends... and i have one more entry to go. I maybe down with flu, but i can pull this through!

Anyway, i was back in KL few days back, and i brought Melissa D along with me. It was our maiden trip down to KL together, and she got to know many of my friends from uni and church.

It was great to get to meet up with them, and introduce the love of my life and my friends to each other.


(from left) Sher-Mayne and Justin Botak, Kevan and Angeline, Melissa D and me at Italiannies in The Gardens, Mid-Valley. Somewhat a triple date that we should do more often... followed by a few r0unds of 'mose' and 'heart-attack'!


My dad was really going all out to make Melissa D feel at home, and he tried a little too much. But i'm okay and glad that he really put in all that effort. It was something i really enjoyed lah. My dad made me proud, as he accepts her as family.

My dad (centre) with Rowen and Shannon (on the left) and Melissa D and me (on the right) after dinner at Chef & Brew in Damansara

And this year was the first time i'm celebrating Christmas away from home. And i do enjoy every moment of it, not only because i have my dear with me, but the church revealed to me the spirit of giving as they generously gave out gifts to everyone after yesterday's Christmas service.

I was really touched, and both Melissa D and i planned to be more generous in 2009. More than just candies in the basket to our cell group members. I believe i can do that!

For those celebrating Christmas, MERRY CHRISTMAS... and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!



Love & Peace!~

BC?

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Goodbye, Ah Kong.

Yesterday morning, i was abruptly awaken by the fact that my dad and Rowen tried to call me at about 7am. I return my brother's call, to find out that my grandpa, who we fondly call 'Ah Kong', has a passed away early that morning.

He was 75, died due to suffocation.

I came down from the island to KL for the wake in Xiao-En Funeral Parlour in Cheras. He'll be cremated tomorrow.

I haven't seen Ah Kong for about five years, since Ah Ma, my grandma passed away. And i can't believe i have to meet my last grandparent in such circumstances. To make matters worse, the Gospel was not shared to him.

Don't get me wrong, i'm mourning, but i'm not wailing and crying my eye balls out. Perhaps it's due to the estranged relationship my family had with him. The good thing is at least i can spent time with my brothers and papa here.

Reality is sinking in... and i miss my Ah Kong.


Ah Kong, may you rest in peace.


"...A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together..."


Taken from The Byrd's Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is A Season)


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Monday, December 01, 2008

December's here!~

Wow... Eleven months have passed for the year 2008, and in about a month's time, 2009 will come. Are you excited!?

I've got a few entries more to blog about, but i can't do it now as i still lack some info. But i'm in the midst of writing the last entry of the year; a recap of what 2008 has been for me - first times!

Christmas is coming up, and my trip to KL with Melissa D is looming near!

Well, i'm trying my best to make the best of 2008. What about you? What has 2008 been for you?

Oh, by the way, i hope you wore a red ribbon today, as it is World AIDS Day!


Love & Peace!~

BC?