Simply A Miracle

So there we were, at Ariel's Bat Mitzvah (a Jewish celebration for the now daughter of the commandment, aiya, just refer to Wikipedia lah), we sang some Jewish songs, ate a hearty meal and prayed many blessings upon Ariel. Overall, it was a great party.

Towards the end of it, I had a ''brain blast'' and suddenly felt an urge for playing Pepsi-Cola (a game commonly played among primary school-ers) as i had not played it for a long time . So i shouted in a merry tone, ''Oi, who wanna play Pepsi-Cola?'' In an instance, it was as though one could see many guys' ears all perked up and eager to beat one another.

Round after round passed by, and it was obvious that one of the most dominant players was Leonard, having eliminated many of my fellow comrades. Suddenly, with a surge of adrenaline, he flew towards my direction and came ever so close to stepping on my foot (that's how you eliminate your opponents). Thanks to a unusually good string of reflexes, i managed to dodge his attacks.

Now, it was my turn, i came up with some weird move but Leonard was good, now we were both in weird positions and i attempted a risky move. I missed him again but the worst part of it was that there was now blood flowing from my knee. It was a very deep cut, and i could see some ''white stuff'' in the wound. Maybe it was cartilage, bone or something lah.

I'm okay with cuts and bruises but NOT ON THE EVE OF COMPETITION! I was going to run the school cross country the next morning. Well, some might say,''So what? It's just school level.'', but i haven't been under formal training for such a long time. I needed everything to be pieced nicely before the race. Anyway, Aunty Shanti and the cell group (Roti Batu) prayed for me. Many advised me to quit the race and some even came up to my face and said,''No more gold medal d.'' with annoying hand gestures. (it's okay, you're forgiven, haha)

But in my heart, i was thinking,''All the more reason to run, for if i win, my God will be greater glorified and more people will see that it is through God's strength and grace that i win and not because of my own strength and stamina, for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.''

15th August, Saturday morning, race day. I got outta bed and hopped towards the bathroom as my nerve cells were busy carrying pain messages to my brain. I could hardly bend my knee, and once i bent it, it could hardly be straightened. No matter, i said a silent prayer, got my shoe bag and left the house.

Okay, let's fast forward a bit... With the prayers, support and help from many friends, i manged to cross the line with the fastest time. And the miraculous thing was that my knee didn't cause me any extensive discomfort and/or pain whatsoever! With that deep a cut, you gotta admit... it was simply a miracle.

Every scar tells a story, if this is to be one, let it remind me of God's goodness and faithfulness towards me. That He was, is, and forever will be my source of strength in weakness, and hope in clouds of doubt. Thank You, Lord. I don't normally blog about my races but in order for many more to know what You've done for me and what You can do for them, this one's for You. :)

In every victory, let it be said of me,
my source of strength, my source of hope,
Is Christ alone.


*the disturbing picture of the knee wound has been left out for the convenience of our beloved readers.

A Little Prayer

Dear Jesus,

These days i don't know what to feel. I feel excited for what is to come yet i feel as though i'm trapped in some way. I feel like laughing and yet i feel like crying. I want to cling on to the hope that You will come rescue me yet I'm surrounded by many doubts. I feel all pumped up and ready to go but i also feel afraid that i won't to able to make it. God, I choose to believe that Your plans are perfect no matter what happens. Even if my world will fade, Your Word and Your unfailing love will still remain true and faithful. Even when the world says i'm not good enough, i will look to You in prayer for You are forever worthy. Oh Lord, only You can see the big picture. May Your will be done in my life.

God, i also want to pray for those who have yet to know You as their personal Lord and Saviour. Show them Your great love, that You suffered and died on the cross in their place that their sins might be forgiven. Only by believing in You will we be saved from hell and in turn get to spend eternity with You in heaven. If only they knew what they were missing... for a life without You is simply not worth living. Thank You for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Sarah.

Of Handbags and Shoebags

She doesn't eat ''tau hu pok'', or as she likes to call ''those sponges'' in curry mee, likes the tone of black, paints better than she thinks, rocks at add. maths even if she's half asleep, wears heels at any waking opportunity and would probably make Beethoven sweat at a play-off. Yeah, yeah, this post is all about... you!

If you attend service at Penang Christian Centre (PCC), you probably know who i'm talking about already. It's none other than CASSANDRA THAM YI HUEY! *crowd goes wild with applause, whistles and fist pumps. Since she's gone to further her studies away from Betelnut Island, I just wanted to dedicate a post to her.

Form 5: snapping photos during physics tuition

Most people might think that we're good friends and well, we are. :) But what you might not know is that we hardly knew each other until Form 2, when Shari Chong was our cell leader in Adams' Ribs, our cell group *good times, good times... Sure we grew up in the same church but we never actually talked to each other. (maybe we thought each other was weird or somethin', haha)

Okay, I cann't remember how it progressed from that to Telekom laughing all the way to the bank from our over-the-hour conversations on the phone every now and then, but that don't really matter.

I really wanna thank God for such a wonderful friend like you...

Form 3: Nerdier days... Geography tuition at my house, my Daddy's the teacher, wakaka...

*it may sound cheesy, but i mean it. I noticed that i tend to cry more when around you coz i suppose that somewhere in my subconscious mind, i know i'll be comforted. Thanks for supporting me through thick and thin, giving me advice when necessary, and teaching me that hugging friends ain't all that bad...

All in all, thanks for bearing with me, Dude. Oh ya, we seldom call each other by our real names, instead they are substituted with nicknames like Grandpa (Bumpkin Doofus Piggy Tham/Horsey Choong), Dude, and Man *pronounced as: Muhn (just like how Sebastian in Little Mermaid pronounces it). I have no idea why they're all for calling guys. And if Cass was typing this post she'd probably type: O_o

Form 4: I went over for the CPT cross country invite

There's really too much to type about, and friendship cann't be summed in a post. I still think it kindna strange that we can be really close freinds when we're very much different. You don't mind me saying that right? Let's see...

Cassandra Tham : Sarah Choong

Hand bag : Shoe bag
High heels : spike shoes
Long hair : Short hair
(well for the majority of the time, haha)
Dresses and such : ''Siao ah?''
Sleep : Sports
musically gifted : tone deaf
(or at least that's what my teacher said, puncture her tire ah... wakaka)

Haha, kindna ironic huh?

Form 6 at last! But still didn't get to be in the same school...


There truly is too much to write and i believe that the best moments are not caught on camera. (no offence to photographers, hey, i like photography too k) So, to conclude, it's been a blast having you as a friend, a comforter, sister in Christ, and of course a Grandpa! Take care and God bless you, Cassandra Tham.

No Running In the Aisles

The weather was a perfect dampness when i awoke fresh and totally pumped up for my first day of Form 6. I gobbled up a hearty meal, took a bath, and wore the most recently added clothes in the wardrobe - my Form 6 uniform! *like wave your hands in the air totally yeah ah! Aunty Grace Tham soon picked me up from home and i started talking with Cass (though i can't remember what of... What did we talk about?). Oh ya, MY HAIR!



I actually did not plan on cutting my hair on the first day coz orientation only ma, and also for the record whereby i can exclaim:'' I had long hair in Bing Hwa for a day! In the face!!! Muahaha! (well of course not hair on my face coz that would be equavalent to a moustache or a beard and that would definitely concern me on a number on levels) Anyway, i figured it's not a good testimony for a Christian and did my best to obey the school rules. *as much as i can lah. hehe.


Upon arriving in the auditorium (that's where the form 6 students are imprisonned for now) , I came to realize that most of my closer friends in school had already left for college if they were not already scholarship holders. Well, on the positive side, I learn to cherish my friends even more now.


Even on the first few days, one can witness the ''kia su-ness'' that is undeniably Bing Hwa. A glance across the room, and one can see notes carefully highlighted in all sorts of colours and scribbles a plenty, and f.y.i. they're not on chapter 1. When the teacher introduces the subject and tells us which book is to be used as our textbook, don't bother buying it at the school bookshop during that recess, coz the place is gonna be packed to the brim! On my experience, I could bearly escape the last time! *Gasping for air... haha


The disciplinary board spent half the day talking about school rules which we're heard over and over again although fail at times to obey. *yeah, tell it to the drooling girl in the back row. And besides, can y'all please turn on the air-con? Sure, many know that Bing Hwa has air-conditioning in the main hall, auditorium and staff room, but do you know just how much they like saving on it too? *at least teachers are spared the misery...


We're back in school, a bunch of rules, let's stare and drool, though recess is still kindna cool. I pity the new students from Phor Tay who are forced indirectly to buy The Sacred Book of School Rules whereby one will be dazzled at the amazing revelations of how many milimeters your stick-on earrings can be, down to how long one can poop in the lavatory. I bet there shall soon be one for ''no running in the aisles'' (gosh, i might get expelled for repeated offences, hehe) Anyway, to all Phor Tay-rians, I say:''Welcome to the army!'' Haha... p/s: they're a friendly bunch.


And that's all I gotta say for now, I'm actually quite contented with my school, and don't mind studying there for another one and a half years en route to taking on the STPM examination. May God's will be done in my life.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Here are some verses to help y'all out in whatsoever you might be facing in life. God is so much bigger than your problem and wants the very best for you. So trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding. For if God is with us, who can stand against us? Amen.


When in sorrow..................................................call John 14
If you want to be fruitful.....................................call John 15
When you have sinned.....................................call Psalm 51
When you worry................................................call Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger...................................call Psalm 91
When God seems far away..............................call Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring..........................call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely ........................................call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical....................call 1 Corinthians 13
For Paul's secret to happiness....................call Colossians 3:12-17
For ideas of Christianity.............................call 1 Corinthians 5:15-19
When you feel down and out...........................call Romans 8:31-39
When you want peace and rest.......................call Matthew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God........call Psalm 90
When you want Christian assurance...............call Romans 8:1-30
When you leave home for labour or travel.......call Psalm 121
When your prayers grow selfish and narrow....call Psalm 67
For a great opportunity......................................call Isaiah 55
When you want courage for a task...................call Joshua 1
How to get along with fellow men.....................call Romans 12
When you think of investments.........................call Mark 10:17-31
If you are depressed.........................................call Psalm 27
If your pocketbook is empty.............................call Psalm 37
If you lose confidence in people.....................call 1 Corinthians 13
If people seem unkind......................................call John 15:12-17
If discouraged about your work........................call Psalm 126
If you feel small and insignificant.....................call 1 Corinthians 1:27
When in fear......................................................call 2 Timothy 1:7
For the uncertain future....................................call Jeremiah 29:11

Emergency numbers may be dialled directly.

No operator assistance necessary.

All lines are open to Heaven 24 hours a day!

Feed your faith, and doubt will starve to death!

*most of the following verses were refered to from Christian

Fellowship materials

My To-Do-List

Wow, it's been a long holiday for me since i'm in the ''waiting phrase'' between SPM and whatever-God-has-planned-for-my-next-step. Life goes on and i'm gonna trust Him as much as i possibly can. Anyway, i've decided to come up with a TO-DO-LIST for the long run.



This idea was inspired by Jamie Elizabeth Sullivan from the movie A Walk To Remember, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks. If you don't know what i'm talking about then by all means get to it! Haha, although i insist that the book is way better than the movie; and the movie's song: Only Hope way better than the actual soundtrack by Switchfoot. But hey, that's up to you to decide...


The following To-Do-List is in no order whatsoever:

1 Learn to speak Spanish (today, about 350 millions people speak Spanish as a native language, making it the 3rd most spoken language in the world!)

2 Master the art of horse riding (a dream come true!)

3 Play piano/keyboard in church (i think the songleader's gonna 'badush' my face coz i kindna didn't know the last time when i played the wrong key! Gasp, secret's out!)

4 Run a marathon (hmm, at least i'm halfway there)

5 Learn the basics of sewing (without poking myself until i bleed to death,wahaha, okay Rachel Yeoh says she's gonna teach me, thanks Rach!)

6 Add more variety to my ''widely extended'' cooking menu (other than: curry flavoured maggi mee, tomyam flavoured maggi mee, chicken flavoured maggi mee, and the lists goes on! LOL)

7 Further my education (hopefully something to do with interior designing, yeah man)

8 Read the complete collection of the Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis puts in some Christiany stuff in his literature which are both awesome and fun to read)

9 Compose a silly song (let me consult my music teacher/ hair stylist/ fashion consultant, you know who you are lah!)

10 ''I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...'' -Jamie Sulllivan

(watch the movie, then you'll understand) Winks.

Stay tuned while i figure out more stuff to add to my to-do-list. Feel free to add/suggest other ideas!

Happy Birthday At Last to Cathy!!!

Just a little update here on the 19th of April...

Cathy Tan Xing Yi FINALLY had her birthday party at the beach which was a little more than late since her birthday actually falls on the 1st of April, and that's no April fools' joke! Haha (don't worry Cathy at least we didn't skip your birthday thinking that it was an April Fools' day joke like some other people) Hehe.

Anyway, the event which was suppose to kick start at 8am was soon postponed hour after hour due to the hectic schedule of the minority. The rest was probably lazy, but hey, what's new? =D Soon it was decided that we should meet at Copthorne Hotel's beach at 12 noon. If the idea of a siput-less beach was not enough to keep you out, the HEAT might! I mean, who goes to the beach at 12 noon?!? ''Er, us?'' was Elie's reply.


As planned, Cathy was suppose to fetch Hui Yee, Yee Ching/Lion and Elie, but apparently was too busy baking her own birthday cake (pic below)! Or so i thought... Haha. So i fetched Hui Yee and I Yune instead.


While waiting for ''Da Lil O Princess'' (Elie) to get out from her ''castle'', Hui Yee and i were waiting under a tree to get some shelter from the scorching sun. This was a lonely street. Out of the blue, came 4 Malay dudes on motorbikes racing towards us at full speed and one of them shouted,''Tengok seluar dia! Wahahaha!!!'' and then rode off!

Well reader, let's look at our options to fight or to flight (Form 4 biology thingy)... but since there's no way 2 girls were gonna pump enough adrenaline to clobber up 4 buff dudes, FLIGHT would be a better choice, won't you say? Despite the awkward verbal harassment (if considered), the first thing Hui Yee and i did was to look at each other's pants, after which we laughed while bolting for the car!

By the time we raeched the beach it was 1:30pm as compared to the supposed 12pm. We got so hungry waiting for Lion and Cathy that we decided to eat the cherries on Cathy's Black Forest b'day cake first which was baked by Ritz. Hehe, sorry Cathy.

When they finally arrived we sang the typical birthday song and wanted to throw Cathy into the sea! But eventually decided not to as she had no extra change of clothes. And so we proceeded with our picnic having sufficient food and drinks.


I almost forgot: There were a group of Malay dudes again at the beach, about 5. And they asked Hui Yee to help them take their group photo and later even asked her to join in the picture! Hui Yee, i think Malay guys like you =D and they were talking about your seluar earlier that afternoon! Wakaka (Note Hui Yee t-shirt below:''Where's the beach?'' she asked the whole afternoon... another one of her lame joke)



Not long after i had to leave them for captain ball practice. Uncle Wing Kok (Rachel Lee's Dad) was arriving at my house in 10 minutes' time! I jumped into my Honda Civic and flew back home just in time to see Uncle Wing Kok drive in front of my house. I got ready as fast as possible and went for captain ball practice. I'd tell you about that too... but that's another story.