How much does happiness/satisfaction cost???

Last Friday, was at a meet-the-managers dinner with my fellow division team mates. I like meeting people, so I was looking forward to it. Didn't quite know what to expect out of a dinner night with bosses but since they've been hanging in this line for so long, I thought there's ought to be some good impartation that may feed my mind to convince me that it's still possible to have a balanced lifestyle and not perceiving this career path as one that is doomed to social suicide for the next few years. =SS

The dinner became somewhat like a mini-informal interview with the Managers. The usual questions were asked:

"Where are you from?"
"Why did you choose to be in the accounting line?"
"Do you play any sports?"

etc...

I sorta imagined myself being in a third party's shoe envisioning the scene at the dinner table. Funny how we just laugh at things that are not deemed to be very funny just to keep the atmosphere alive. Seems like it usually happens at meetings with superiors, eh? Weird, lah!!

I was just 2 seats away from the manager, so I decided to throw him some questions. I asked him what drives him to stay at where he is now. He said, money and the satisfaction. He mentioned that he loves watches and cars and he loves shopping a lot. He works for the money to achieve the satisfaction of owning the things that he desires for. I asked another manager the same question, his answer was the money, too.

When I heard those answers, I was deeply disappointed and I became frustrated in the spirit. Indeed, I am in no position to judge their decisions and lifestyle, but what got me thinking is that, whoa, look at the world today, people gain their satisfaction through material things. It seems like as though life is all about me, myself and I. There are so many people out there filled in their pockets, if only their money were put to good use in the kingdom of God. There are actually some trained Pastors in Sabah waiting to be sent out to mission-fields but they lack the finances -- all they need is at least RM6,000 a year. And how much have we blessed wealthy people squandered our finances in unnecessary things like a RM6,000 watch just so that we can keep ourselves happy for that one second when we look at the time?? I wished I could just scream at their faces telling them that there's more to life than just self-satisfaction. I observed around the restaurant, I even prayed in my heart, wishing that someone would share that agony of frustration over this matter. I seriously wonder, who's with me?

Indeed, God has brought some comfort to me through my dearest covenant friend when I read one of her recent blog entries. I thank God for reminding me that someone is standing in unison to my thoughts and beliefs and I am of course, not gonna be alone in this. I quote from her blog:

"....How normal the desire for that kind of life can appear to be. How quickly when we take our eyes off God and out of the Bible, we can buy into the lies that this life is about ME.
How scary is it that we can quickly become accustomed to such values and morals and see those things as acceptable.
How normal co-habitation seemed to be. How normal adultery seemed to be. How normal it is to place value on emotions over commitment and Biblical convictions. How normal it is to place value on the exterior beauty over internal beauty.
How foreign Biblical principles such as purity seemed to be. How non-existent it was the concept of God and purpose in life! How non-existent the concept of living for something other than yourself.
How normal it was to pursue the happiness, the needs and wants of ME.

....this life is NOT about me. It’s not about the perfect life that I deserve and should have. It’s not just about making money, staying thin and beautiful, marrying the perfect husband, and having the perfect 2.1 kids or whatever it is.
I was reminded that that’s NOT the legacy I want to leave. That’s NOT how I want to spend my life. Despite what the world says, we are all sinners, lost in sin. I didn't deserve anything, but Jesus created, pursued and saved me. This life is His. So I’m willing to give that all up to fulfill His purpose in my life. I don’t want to be caught up in this world- but to be focused on the one to come."

Her sharing truly reinforces my beliefs in being in the world but not of the world. I wanna live a God-satisfied life but not a self-satisfied life!!!

Cait, I so wanted to hug and kiss you when I read that entry. HAHA!!! Really needed to hear that from someone else. Thank you for being there, though in a subtle, unintentional manner!! Well, I guess it was intentional by our Daddy in Heaven, anyway. *giggles* Indeed we are not covenant friends for nothing. =D

So, is anyone else with us??? XD

Taking the right steps...

Last Saturday, I went jungle trekking with Ee Wey and her course mates at the Penang National Park. There were 5 of us, including me. I was pretty excited that morning as it felt like a sense of deja vu recalling memories of the time when I went hiking together at Springbrook with the Judah Seventeers. (Oh, I so miss the singing sessions in the woods with you girls..."the hills are alive.....with the sound of music.. la-la-la.." *hicc hicc* I felt like a drunktard, then.. baahahaha! =P)

We arrived at the Teluk Bahang entrance at about 11.20-ish and got ourselves registered at the counter as day-hikers intending to make our way up to the historical Muka Head Lighthouse, which is sited on the granite peak, fronting the coastline of the Straits of Malacca.

It's a good thing I had the opportunity to step into mother nature that day..the weather was just nice, coupled with some droplets of rain. It's been pouring quite a lot here lately. Truthfully, it happens so often that I forgot how to appreciate it.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, here are some photos I took during my little "adventure" up the steep slopes and rocky cliffs. I'm a little zonked out so I'll let the photos paint the words. (Unfortunately, I only took photos when I was on flat ground. Aiyaks... I don't really have the photos to prove the challenging paths. =S)

The Entrance

Wey and I at the Sungai Tekun Bridge. We did some "jumping act" on it to *ahem* test its sustainability.
Not bad.. =P

Putting our jumping skills to test...


Ahh...We've arrived at Teluk Duyung aka "Monkey Beach" and this is only halfway through.. *pant pant*


Oh no... obstacle ahead!! The tides were too high that day.... How are we gonna go past this 1-metre deep stream??
Someone came up with a "brilliant" idea..

Taddaa!! Wey preparing for her jumping stunt.. Let's see whether this works..


Oops.. FAIL!!! Haha... Nah, we all made it but she missed it by 1/2 metre.. teeheee!!!


On to the next phase.. 600 steps to climb and some more trekking paths to conquer... (notice that "being" tapping her feet up there?? Size does not matter! Wey's petite but don't underestimate her stamina!!)

Finally, after almost 3 hours, we've made it to the top!! Yay!!

Admittedly, I’d say the way up to the lighthouse was rather challenging. It’s approximately 4000m to get all the way up to the top and definitely tougher compared to the routes in Springbrook because some of the routes had no proper trekking path and also, much steeper. Almost died breathless!!! =S

Interestingly, this hiking experience made me think about decision-making in getting towards a certain purpose. (Gee, I think I am starting to feel like I can really relate to Apostle Paul, associating life like a race with a finishing line. That’s why I love sports! =D) Making a decision in life is like when I was at the rocky cliffs, I had to make sure that I stepped on the right spots to make sure that that spot which I lay my foot on is able to sustain my weight or wasn’t slippery so I wouldn’t stumble and fall. Making the right step is the key to not falling and hurting my bum – delaying the time to reach the lighthouse; it is also like the key to not falling out of God’s will to reach His destined purpose for our lives.

Pondering upon that, yesterday, Mummy was feeling some discomfort caused by the side-effects of her treatment so she had to be admitted into hospital for further observation. When I was in the car, I looked up to the sky; I couldn't help but smile. Why? Because I thought, “There’s no place I’d rather be but to be in this car, driving Mummy to the hospital."

Yeah, that's my foot. Super bad angle, I know. hahaha...FATZZZ!! Not tasty! =P

…I have made the right step. This is the place to be.

As I am writing this post, I am with Mummy right now, in the hospital. The time is now 1.30am and she’s asleep while I type this. Hehe… I brought my laptop so I could keep myself busy. There’s no internet connection in the hospital so by the time this post is up on the blog, I should be at home already.

Anyway, thank you so much to everyone for offering to pray for my mum. I believe she’s in good hands now. She will recover in Jesus’ Name!! =D

Also, Happy Burpday, Amelia Sho shooo!! =D

It’s late now… my eyes are closing~~ Time for bed! Till then… =D

Motivation...

I've been feeling quite sluggish since the day I arrived back home. I realised my body clock turned a little wonky when I started waking up at 7.30am in the morning (which I usually don't) almost everyday. By mid-afternoon, I'd feel extremely sleepy and I couldn't help but plunk myself onto my bed for an afternoon nap. Argh.. Not a very good sign!! So, I thought getting out of the house to do some exercise may help re-energize myself a bit. Ee Wey gave me a ring a few days back and offered to bring me to Fitness First using her Guest Pass. Thank God for her, God really knows what I need at the right time!I was really looking forward to getting back into my gym-ing lifestyle that I used to practice back when I was in Brisbane. So yeah, Fitness First, I am back!!


I love exercising. Not because I am very good at it but it is because of the powerful way it speaks about the word "motivation". I enjoy running on the treadmill and weight-lift with just me, myself, and my trusty little green iPod Nano blasting very upbeat Praise songs like "Running After You" or "The Freedom We Know", which usually helps a lot to keep my feet off the ground to push myself towards my limits. At times, when I am at the edge of giving up, I always visualise and place my focus on something--like I am reaching towards it (Hmm.. maybe think... Haagan Daz Cookies & Creams flavoured ice-cream coated with double-layered chocolate icing etc etc..*drool...* I want!! Just kidding!!!) And putting God as being that "something" never failed to keep me motivated. Often enough, I am reminded of the words that Apostle Paul spoke of:

Hebrews 12:1-3 : Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

So true, isn't it? It all has to do with what's in the head. If you feel defeated, you are defeated. Perhaps you may ask yourself what do you really want to achieve at the end of the day? What actually drew you to endure the struggle all the way to the end? It made me reflect upon how Jesus endured the pain on the cross for undeserving beings like us. He could have chosen to turn back and change His mind when it was just hurting too much but he did not. He finished what he had to accomplish. He thought it was all worth it. Ever wondered what motivated him? The answer is simple, because he loves us.

And.... after that one hour++ of exercise, Ee Wey and Dave brought me to dinner and I had Pan Mee...
Oh the downfall of living in Penang aka Food Paradise. Ha-ha...Let 's just say I still need to work on what we call, "discipline".