*missing*

I simply love hearing *missing* laughter in the playground, watching *missing* play and run around. Seeing how *missing* interact with each other. Everywhere you go these days there are really cute and adorable *missing*. Sleeping in strollers, being pushed along in shopping carts, fast asleep in daddy's arms. Watching *missing* eat is another wonderful experience. Chocolate cake all over a grubby face, or ice-cream dripping down a chubby hand. The other day, I saw a clever little *missing* handling a pair of chopsticks pretty well. I was impressed. Of course *missing* are not always angels and sometimes *missing* can be quite the opposite. But most of the time, parents are to be blamed for creating these little monsters who grow up into big monsters. But all the same, *missing* are a treasure from the Lord, whether parents know it or not.

Restless half bucket

I've been feeling extremely depressed these few days. And being depressed makes me ponder life and what it's about. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, the beauty of something is when it does what it is made to do. That's perfection. So, when we do what God intended for us to do, that's when we are in line with His plan, and beautiful. Which brings me to my frustration. What am I intended for?

I've always known that I had too many interests. There's nothing wrong with that, or is there? Is it because I'm too fickle? Moved by every whim and fancy? Or is my attention span too short? The reason why I avoid playing chess, flip through the papers without reading any article completely, start many books but seldom finish them AND have many hobbies and interest but never specialise in anything.

This is my frustration. I am an bucket that's half empty (or full, if you're an optimist) in every area of my life. Let me give you some examples.

1. I am a Christian, but don't know my Bible well enough. Well, you can say no one will ever know everything about the Word of God, it's a life long process that doesn't end until we see Him face to face BUT I still don't know as much as I should. I just know enough.

2. I studied electronics. This one is easy. The only thing I remember from college are the pranks I played and some friends I made.

3. My passion is audio. Ok, confession... was. I don't know enough to answer some questions my customers ask and just don't have the drive to explore and the new stuff that's out there. Sure, ask me about tape machines and sound waves. I can give you a 3 hour lecture on each topic, but that's all I know now. Some fragments of theory that I remember because I was so passionate then and also had the priviledege of teaching later.

4. Can I play guitar? Depends on who asks. To some I say, yeah, just a bit. To others, I say, nah... All I have is some rhythmn, a bunch of chords and my strumming.

5. Excercise! I love it. Climbing? Ah... the joy of cramped forearms and bleeding fingers. What happened? Haven't been climbing for ages. Mountain biking? Ah, the thrill of speeding down a single track after a killer climb. What happened? Sold my bike for lack of cash and have never been able to get a new one (for lack of cash). Capoeira? Ah... the beauty of the capoeiristas they move together in a roda. The sense of achievement from aching muscles and blistered feet. What happened? Always felt a little left out cos I couldn't commit as much as I would have liked to. And, belt tightening procedures. Hiking? Ah... the feeling of being close to nature and conquering another trail. But how many trails have I been on? How often do I hike? Scarcely enough to be called a hiker.

6. Reptiles. Facinating creatures that are so often misunderstood. Where do I stand? Just a passing enthusiast? Don't know enough to talk shop with the guys. Don't know because I'm not really interested enough to know their latin names.

So, there you have it. Some examples to proof that I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. I told my boss yesterday that I wanted to just sit in the workshop and repair guitars. To be able to work with my hands and do something well. That is the fulfilment in a job. I don't want to be a half bucket all my life. Well, he says that that exactly what he needs and why I have my job. Just like the captain of the ship doesn't man the engine or do the work of the gunner, but knows enough to give them orders. That's what he hired me for. (His example, not mine).

So, IS there hope for a half bucket? You tell me....

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might

I just went down to pay Cheryl's car loan and stopped by 7-e to pick up a loaf of bread. I was facinated when by these 3 guys who were doing some kinda stock take. They were hammering data into a machine that hung around their waist. What really amazed me was the speed in which they were doing that. I stood there watching for a while in the pretense of choosing my bread. There is nothing quite like watching people do what they do best! Dancers, lawyers (in movies), excavator drivers, film directors, musicians... It is such a beauty so observe. I try and imagine when God first created the universe and everything was perfect, just doing what they were made to do... How far we have fallen. I think about myself and wonder...

None so blind...

Oh! This lad , charming was he,
But for one flaw: He would not see.
Would not, say I, for sure he could!
And of this fact he understood.

But he refused and wouldn't try,
To take ev'n a peek from both his eyes.
"The light I fear, it's piercing bright!
I'm doing fine, I don't need sight."

His mother tried to coax him sore.
"Just try it dear, there's so much more!"
"I'm fine", said he, "I'm happy here,
I still can taste, and touch and hear."

And as he grew, more set was he.
"I'm blind! Get over it, that's me!"
So as all the beauty passed him by,
He tried to see but would not try.

No flowers bloom or southern lights,
No sunsets, rainbows, stars at night;
Three things and four: he was blind to the needs
Of the starving children on the street.

-Dec 7, am.

Cousin once removed

Aunty Rose was so amused that Uncle Edward wanted to be part of the 'kei poh' crowd heading for the Jusco opening in Queen's Bay Mall, Penang. Of course it was all for little Evan's sake as he always enjoys an outing!







One sporting, happy grandad :D

Joshua & Shaniz's Wedding

Last saturday, was a special day...

Happily married.


Cheryl and Jessie


Cheryl and Elsa
B

Bride's maids and Ian


Cheryl with Bride's Maids and Ian


One big happy family (some relatives missing tho)


What did Ian boy do?


Dinner time...


Shaniz's parents singing


3 bride's maids singing


Uncle Charlie singing


Cousins altogether

New Showroom Updates 2

Here are some pics of how the new showroom looks like now...

Vacated...

Baby Josiah

Had a really lovely time in Penang with family over thursday and friday. Went up with Aunty Gaik and Mum to see baby Josiah, new addition to Alan and Laura's family. Most of the shots i took came out blur due to poor photography skills but here are some of the little dear...



looks like he's smiling here...




profile...


Mum carrying Jojo...



Aunty Gaik's turn...



Baby Josiah being fed by his mummy.... yum...


Thank you Uncle Edward and Aunty Rose for having us over, for feeding us so much, for taking us around and for all the love and gifts!

Vacation!

There seems to be a severe lag in my blogging. Sorry for the late updates. We had a lovely holiday in sibu island resort on Adrian and Cindy! This was over the raya hols. For details, you can check out cheryl's blog.

on the ferry to the island


before going snorkelling


after snorkelling


the girls


happy campers

Aunty Gaik and her huge bouquet

It was Aunty Gaik's birthday last thursday and Aunty Rose sent her this huge bouquet. Here's Aunty Gaik, dwarfed, but so pleased with her lovely flowers...

new showroom updates

Hi all... this is what the new place looks like now... any difference from last time?









Audio section still needs working on... the spaces in between the posters are intentional for two i havent framed yet...

on the move again...

life on the move is fun ain't it? we are supposed to be strangers in this land anyway... i have lost count of how many houses i've stayed in or how many times i've shifted... must be more than 20 by now... but even having to move around at work? sigh... anyway, on the bright side, moving is always exciting (except the packing part) becos there's a new place to do up and look forward to. And moving usually means to a better place... So, i move again...

Here are a few shots of the new place before renovations.




And here's what it looks like after reno.




Now, we need warm lights, to transfer in all the equipment and more pics coming up soon... i hope...

time flies by...

Wow, it really has been some time since i've put in an entry... things have been running like they've always been running. Week after week passes and each sunday i tell myself, "this week will be different!". i will be more disciplined, i will achieve more, i will talk to more people and each week seems just like the week before. Life is a constant struggle. My boss (the earthly one) reminded me today that God is not interested in our comfort but our character, and seeing things in that perspective makes things make sense. How many bosses will tell you that our character growth is more important than success in business? Especially when his Malaysia branch is in your hands? But, i've been feeling really awful lately, like a huge disaster, but let's not burden you with that. Anyway, here are some photo updates...


Hermit crabs decided to line up in a row for photo shoot... cute!



So proud of this sign :D anyone wanna buy an apartment?!



Man's best friend indeed. Bloc sees me off every morning and is waiting for me every night!

Merdeka in Malacca

So, we have been planning for some time what to do on this holiday. And no one can come up with anything creative or do-able. Let's face it, you have one day off, work the next day, don't wanna get caught in a jam, don't wanna do anything too physical (for Cheryl's sake) and yet wanna do something memorable. After checking out info on islands, caves and long drives we end up in Aunty Lan's at 1 something in the afternoon. It didn't help that we (Jeya and I) were playing futsal till late (2am) the night before. Oh, I didn't blog that we played futsal under merdeka fireworks (which incidently is terrible distracting!) and also had an interesting game with a bunch of malay chaps (which caused me to start thinking positively again about this whole merdeka issue...). Not to forget 50 or so futsal-lers stopping mid game to the strains of Negaraku. Priceless...

So, after lunch we decide to drive down to Malacca for jonker's street. We turned off into A Farmosa resort to have a look at the place. It's pretty interesting and looks like a possible venue for a retreat. After driving around and watching a bunch of chinese youths go at each other with paintball guns (we must do that some time!), we head for Malacca town via the old road. Old road is nicely tarred and wide but with way too many traffic light stops.

We visit the museum while waiting for Jonker street stalls to open.



Here are some shots from our museum experience...


















After the museum, we head to Jonker Street. Cheryl and Jeya immediately go for food...

Well, Cheryl was there first...


Street Musician


After a tiring walk we head home to zzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ