Rocking sequels!

Yesterday and today, two blockbuster hit the cinemas here; Ip Man 2 and Iron Man 2, respectively.

The originals to these sequels, one from the East and the other West, has in the past have entertained movie goers a couple of years ago. And now they're back with much anticipation.

I can't comment much, since i've watched neither Iron Man 2 nor Ip Man 2.

But i've watched Iron Man, and i'm really waiting to watch the sequel!

I've read comments on facebook, on how cool both sequels are, up to a point someone came up with this poster.

When East meets West.


Best of both worlds? I suppose i would need to watch the first Ip Man movie before i can understand what goes on in the second movie. Well, time to get a hold of the copy from someone.

Have a good weekend, people!


Love & Peace!~


BC?

Shaken up.

While i was heading back home last night, i heard this news on the radio, and i was disturbed by it.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- A weak earthquake of 2.9 magnitude hit Ranau, Sabah, at 2.03pm Tuesday.

A Meteorological Department statement here said the epicentre was at 6.0 degrees north and 116.8 degrees east, about 8km from south-east Ranau.

Slight tremors were reportedly felt around Ranau.

-- BERNAMA

Why was i disturbed? Due to the fact that Melissa D, myself a few others were there about a month ago.

I remember talking to several people there in Kg Matupang about live in their village. One of them said that being in the village (located in Ranau) is safe, and if every they've felt an earthquake, that means 'tempat lain dah kena teruk' (other places had got hit worst).

And well, it happened yesterday afternoon... but thankfully, we're all safe. And it was just a minor one.

But still, with earthquakes and disasters happening one after another, what's the world coming to? I wonder.


Love & Peace!~  

BC?

Earth Day.

What have yo done for yo mama... earth?

Google page today. Pretty cool, eh?

Yes, today's Earth Day. A day where we should be more conscious and caring about our environment,

And with the climate change, recent news of natural disasters happening in various places, there is much to be done to preserve the world, our future, and ourselves. People need to be more aware of our environment and much more is needed to be done to perserve earth.

Last weekend, over 2,000 Penangites cleaned up the beaches along Gurney Drive, Tanjung Bungah and Batu Feringghi in conjunction with this day, clearing huge amount of rubbish.

So, let's think, how can we play our part? Anyway, check out more about Earth Day campaign HERE.

Perhaps 2012 might come soon than we expect... but for now, let's go green and care for Mother Earth, ok?



Love & Peace!~

BC?

Of Children and God

Most of my Saturday afternoons are spent in church. It's not that i'm attending church services to make up for Sundays that i have to work. Rather, i'm help out as teacher at the Radiant Kids Club (RKC) in church.

What's RKC? It's a Sunday School for unchurch and less-fortunate children on Saturday. So, indirectly, i attend church on Saturday.

Of late, i'm in-charge of song leading and games, beside teaching the older group of children.

And i have to admit, compared to the obedient (and sometimes, quiet) children adults encounter in Sunday Schools, most of these children are naughty - rebels without a cause, who lacks attention and causes ruckus every now and then.

But i suppose this is attributed to the fact they grow up in poor or broken homes and lack the love and attention from their parents. And they seek to get these from the teachers here. I don't blame the kids.

And it's sad that most of these kids lack proper education, not being able to read the Bible properly or speak English fluently.

And there are some parents who send their mentally challenged kids here. Honestly, even though some 17-year old kid has an IQ of a 5 year old, it takes a lot for RKC teachers, who are mostly youths and young adults, to handle.

Sometimes, i wonder what are the intention of these parents. Do they expect miracles to happen to their children by sending them to RKC? Or even, do they think RKC is a free daycare centre?

It's like sending your kid to a doctor when you don't believe in the science of medicine yourself!

Yes, i'm ranting, because there's so much unjust going on. Why is there a lack of teachers when help is direly needed in this ministry? Or manpower in other church ministries... where are they?

But it's no use ranting, ranting and ranting, as it will lead to nowhere. I believe, among other things to do, is to pray for the situation, leave the matter to God to deal with, and just be active in any ministry you're doing. Serving God will all your heart.

After all, it's nice to see the kids waving goodbye at the end of the day, with a smile plastered on their faces as they are ferried home by the church van.

Innocent.

Then again, Jesus did say that we all need to have faith like a child, in everything to do. One thing i learn, is not to depend on myself, but to fully rely on God and His strength, went doing His work.

13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16, NIV

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Updates.

I realise that more often than not, my facebook status is updated more often than my blog.

It's not that i'm abandoning this blog; is just that i spend more time on face book. I remember one friend telling me that updating FB status is like putting up a mini-blog.

I do have a lot to write, and yes, i still need to change the blog layout....

But in general, i'm happy, busy, living day by day by God's mercy and grace on this island and me loving it. Love my fiancee, my job, the church i'm serving in, the roof over my head and the food on my plate. Content.

Tomorrow, the state assembly sitting will resume its session for a new term. Rest assure that like the 'butt-show' and effigy burning which occurred during last sitting in November last year - there will be drama.

More to come.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Get better, Rowen!

My stoner, hippie-wannabe brother. He ain't heavy, he's just lighter than me.

I recently got news that Rowen has been hospitalised because of dengue fever. It came as a shock to me, as what supposedly was a normal fever turned out for the worst.

My dad told me a few days ago that Rowen had only high fever. But later, he called me, telling me that my brother vomitted and had diarrhea and was admitted to the hospital back in KL... and the blood test confirmed he had Dengue.

Iggy told me that although the fever had subsided, his blood platelet count is at 20,000, which is quiet low. I just pray that he would get better, get back on his feet and continue work hard at his studies.

I pray by Jesus' stripes, he'll be healed.


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Back to the island!

We're back on the island safely!~ And that means work beacons and the simple life on the island begins.

But the exciting experience and encounter we God, and how He can use empty vessel to touch the hearts of the people in the interior of Ranau, Sabah. And i pray i'll remember those experiences.

Melissa D and i in Kg Paus, in Ranau, Sabah... with the mountains in the area entering into the picture as background.

Try and guess what is in the soup...

I'll try my best to write more about this mission trip... with more pictures included!

Will write more entries and change the layout of this blog... hopefully, by this month!


Love & Peace!~

BC?

363: Less than a year and counting.

This is a photo of our friends' wedding in Ampang last year. Photo by Matt Gan


The countdown has officially began. Even with a year away, the planning for wedding both Melissa D and me has began.

We've drafted out a very brief plan for the wedding. The date has been set. One (or rather, two) which is somewhat suitable and low-peak on the Chinese superstitious calender. Parents from both side of the family have met up to clear the air on uncertainties, though some parts still need to be discussed in detail.

Honestly, if i was given a choice, i don't mind going to the National Registration Department, get registered, and *BAM*, we can legally and morally live in cohabitation. Why am i of such opinion? Because i believe in a life-long marriage, not a one-day wedding ceremony; an event where money is splurged unnecessarily to be bigger, grander and better than their friend's wedding. Ridiculous, i may say.

But this, of course, is not fair to Melissa D, her family, my family and many other friends and church leaders.

After all, there're still many things we need to cover, like where do we stay once we're married? How do we manage our shared finance? Our courier, etc.

We've got so much more to learn, ask, listen and observe from those who went before us into this chapter of life. There's very little time left, and God help us.


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Go East!

Don't you love how the sun hits you in the eye when you wake up early in the morning?

Last Saturday, Melissa D and myself participated in a mall hunt, the Charis Hospice Hunt for Charity Mall Hunt in Queensbay Mall. It was fun, and tricky, cracking our head as we move from one place, or rather, shop as we answered the questions given to us.

We finished third, but due to two careless mistakes, we landed in sixth place. But we had fun! Honestly, the questions given were slightly challenging, but it was easy to figure them out.

We'll enter in next year again. After all, it's for charity!


Today, both of us were at a wedding of her friends in Sg Nibong. It was good lah, as it gave us a lot of data on what we can plan for our own wedding. And at the same time, it was several eye-openers... like i always thought the best man should be an unmarried guy, and there should be grooms men and maid of honour present at the alter. Hmmmm....

And yeah... although we plan to get married next year, planning needs to beginning now. And just thinking about the matter exhausts me. God, give me strength... and wisdom!


On Monday, both of us and several people in church, predominantly the school leavers participating in the School of Youth Ministry (SYM) will be heading off to Sabah!

We'll be there for the next two weeks, moving from one church to another in the interior of that state as we carry haversacks and move through the jungle.

I hope to blog more when we return from the state in the east. Have a good weekend everyone!


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Losing it

I believe many viewers were glued to the TV last Tuesday as the first ever winner for Asia's Biggest Loser was announced on air. And BAM, it was a shocker to everyone that David Gurnani emerged the winner!

I looked at the pictures on the newspaper twice, trying to see if it was the same person.

"He looked to thin to be fit!" I thought to myself. And this thought (i believe) resonant with many of those who watched the live-telecast on TV or read about it in the newspaper the next day.

Losing almost half his weight to reach 81kg, this 25-year old Indonesian took six months off work to train 8 to 10 hours per day to achieve what his current weight.

And besides the title, David walked away with USD100,000 as well.

But everyone else were rooting for the other contestant Carlo Miguel, who was determined and when he appeared on the finale, he DID look fit... but then again, about the loser being the winner (hence the title), not about how healthy you look.

Maybe David thinks its all worth it. And he added he's planning on adding weight and muscles to his body.

Click HERE for more details about the Biggest Loser Asia and other things, including health and dieting tips.

Hmmm... maybe i should join in then?


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Chicken chicken!

I believe not a lot of people know this, since it did not come out in the newspaper, but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was here in Malaysia last week!

PETA who? That group of people who champions the rights of animals all over the world, protesting against fur and leather industry, butchery, animal cruelty, etc. While they pop up in the media, for both good and bad reasons, every now and then, they rarely appear here in this country!

While, a group of these supporters decided to gather outside the KFC outlet in Larut Road at about noon on last Thursday, as two of them decided to cage themselves in a 'chicken coop', waving around placards which states "Confined, Tortured, Scalded: Boycott KFC".

After staying put for about an hour, the trio then left the place, wondering if they have left an impact on onlookers. Well, it somewhat left an impact on one person here.

Unfortunate, i don't think this piece of news saw the daylight here. But it makes you wonder, how you get your food, doesn't it?



Love & Peace!~

BC?

Tired, tired.

Physically and mentally, i'm tired. Add in procrastination and voila - things that i'm suppose to accomplish are not done on time. Blogging is one of them.

Last weekend, Melissa D and i stayed over in church for training. What training? It's the training before we leave for Sabah on a mission trip with the church's School of Youth Ministry members. Yup, we'll be heading down to interior parts of Sabah in less than two weeks.

It was really a energy-sapping experience, trying to get the know the time better as well as understanding what we should be doing for the mission trip. I have to admit that it's challenging, but we're excited about it! And there's a lot to do.

And i'm physically fatigue, that this means i would need to rely on God more (and of course, rest as much as possible!)

As stated in Psalms 55:22, 'Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.'





Love & Peace!~

BC?

The Penang Bridge!

One can't help to be pass through the Penang Bridge as they enter into the Pearl of the Orient, unless you prefer to use the ferry.

This 13.5km will be celebrating its' 25th birthday this year, and here's an article written about it:

PENANG: When veteran politician Dr Lim Chong Eu (now Tun) spoke about building a bridge linking Penang Island to Butterworth on the mainland way back in the 1950s and 60s, there were many sceptics.

They felt that such a massive infrastructural undertaking may not be feasible as no such bridge had been built in the region before.

But Dr Lim, who went on to become Chief Minister of Penang between 1969 and 1990, persevered with the idea of this important linkage.

Finally on April 13, 1985, a 13.5km bridge, with four towers in mid-span and standing 33m above water, was completed within four years after the federal government pumped in RM850mil for the project.

Before it was built, people mainly relied on the ferry services to cross the Penang Strait, making the conception of the bridge one of the most important developments in the history of Penang.

Click HERE for the rest of the story.

I have to admit, living here on the island, the bridge is crucial in getting me to places on mainland. And as much as i would want to take a relaxing ferry trip back to the island, the bridge is the fastest way to return to the island (unless you have a jetpack or an aeroplane to go).

This bridge have appeared in the news on several occasions in the past, include traffic congestion, accidents, and marathon events.

Well, with the second Penang Bridge project on the way, which would make lives of those living in the southwest district of the island easier.

Anyway, here's to many more years for the Penang Bridge!


Love & Peace!~

BC?

I thank God for...

Just came back from our friends' wedding dinner. Both Melissa D and i were a little taken aback when we heard about both Max and Celine getting married so soon. But both of them were meant for each other, and we're happy for them.

Anyway, if i have to list down five things i could thank God for now, this would be it:

1. A fiancee who loves me for me, even though she can be unpredictable and wants to pinch me so darn often!

2. Money in my wallet.

3. A roof over my head and a sleep-able bed.

4. A job that brings in the money.

5. My family in KL.

I suppose if you can think of five good things in your life daily, life would be that tough, wouldn't it?


Another week is coming, and March will start soon. Have a great week, dear readers!


Love & Peace!~

BC?

Before sentencing others....

Looking at court proceedings, i don't think it's easy to judge people fairly, the operative word being 'fairly'.

It's best to hear both side of the story before making any conclusions.

But being emotional human beings, it's only natural to blame, jump to conclusions or even shoot blunt, hurtful remarks without getting one's facts right.

Attending court proceedings, i noticed that judges tend to repeat themselves over the same facts, again and again; being consistent with their facts gathered from both the defendant and the plaintiff/prosecutor. Even every now and then, there are judges who even offer good advise to those on trial.

I suppose to put it into daily application, it's best to gather any information about something or someone before stating your views.


Love & Peace!~

BC?