Christmas.

First of all, Merry Christmas to everyone. Remember, it's not Season's Greeting, it's Merry Christmas. Without Christ, there's no Christmas. I was so gungho as the date builds up to Christmas, but as it drew nearer, all my Christmas mood went down the drain due to unforseen circumstances that I cannot change. My Christmas mood reached its peak when I met with Ray, Jeremy and Henry shopping for the rest of the world. Well not quite the rest of the world, but many people. We bought gifts that we somehow think its cool for them. Carolling was all right. Thank you Teresa for helping us out. It really did us good. For those who doesn't feel like singing or carolling, thinking it was boring that night. My question to you would be, why join at all? Aren't we suppose to rejoice and sing of Christ's birth? I even heard the statements like "let's get it done and over with". Sigh.

Well, I am glad to be able to go back and spend time with mom and bro in Taiping. A quiet Christmas though but did reminded me Jesus is the reason for the season. A simple video clip was made by the youths in Taiping Gospel Hall, it did touched my heart about Christmas. Spent the 23rd evening at one of the Church's elder's house for a dinner. Nothing much this Christmas really except spending time with family this Christmas.

Visited my auntie who used to be my babysitter until form 2. I called her ma because she was like a mom to me. She had her second stroke about a month ago. As I stepped into her house, she could barely recognize me. She doesn't even talk anymore. A woman whom I spent my entire childhood with doesn't know me anymore. Tears almost swelled at my eyes. I told myself to be strong. Suddenly she is so far from me. I really "miss" her. She will always ask me how am I, how's my job, got GF already or not, asked me to work hard, etc. But this visit, all she could do was only smile. She did not talk to me as if I am a stranger. That's sad. Again, lessons learnt on cherishing the people whom you love before you loose them.

Workshop

I was in Cyberjaya for some Business Development Plan workshop for the past 2 days. It was quite an experience not only with the workshop but 2 embarassing things that happened to me for day 1 and 2. First day, break, went to the toilet. I broke my zip! Cannot zip up. Can see boxers. I spent almost 20 minutes in the toilet trying to fix my fly but to no avail. Had to tug out my shirt to cover that obvious part. People looked at me funnily.

Second day, I was promoting Kenny Sia's website saying that we can use his blog for advertising because he has countless hits per day. So the trainer asked me to show her the site. So, I agreed. When I opened the site and showed her, lo and behold, there was Kenny Sia with a half-naked Pondan photo. Man, I blushed and exclaimed "Oops" and then pretend as if nothing happened.

On a more serious note, my deepest condolences to Thomas, Emma and family for the recent loss of their beloved father and husband. Take care Thomas. Need anything, call me.

Magic

I am already in Christmas mood. With Josh Groban's Chestnut Roast on an Open Fire serenading at the background really got me into the mood. Cameron Highlands weather would be ideal too. It has been cold up there. Rained almost everyday. I enjoyed the weather up there. A cup of warm coffee or tea is already sufficient to make you all cozy and relaxed. Just came down from camp yesterday. The youths had a good time up there. To me, it was one of the most relaxing youth camp ever. I always heard stories of who and who got healed in a healing rally. But this year's camp, I got to experience it ourselves. Two of our campers who injured their legs / knees, limping and were in pain. Their pain ended when God's holy presence swept through that Wednesday night and got healed. They could walk normally right after that very moment.

Costume Party on the last night was funny. The youths dressed up more than I had expected. There were also some moments in camp that warmed my heart. Seeing some quiet youths whom I thought it was hard to penetrate praying in the morning was heart-warming. I was particularly touched one night when I was in cold, Nigel shared his "single" blanket with me. At one instance, he woke up and saw me struggling with the cold and he covered me with his blanket. With a single blanket, only half our bodies were covered. Seriously, I am moved by your selfless act. You see, Ray and I let another person to sleep in our room, hence we stayed in one of the boys' room. There's magic when someone decided to be selfless during camp taking care of one another. Thanks, Nigel.

Sorry, no photos on camp at this moment. But we took loads of them. Will try to post them up when I get a hold on them. And what I have brought back with me? Not roses, not cactus, but a dozen of lessons on humility from God himself.