* the loveLY. the ugLY.....
My encounter with my God
Have you ever wondered what you'd be like now, if you've never encountered Jesus?
I can still remember my very first encounter with Him (there were many encounters after that, and many more to come, but the very first was a start of my relationship and journey with Him)...although I was born into a Christian family, to Christian parents, and said the sinner's prayer when I was real young, I personally experienced Him only when I was much older...12 or 13 years old.
It was through a song which God spoke to me. I remember so clearly being touched and being brought to tears. The experience can't be described with words...but boy, wasn't I glad that God got my attention. Because I was such a...mess (maybe you wouldn't call it a mess, but I felt I was lah). I felt so little all the time, and I constantly looked down on everything about me and everything I did. I found fault with myself all the time...nothing I did was ever right. And I can tell you, these kind of stuff leaves you feeling real, REAL lousy.
It's so amazing how God speaks sometimes...the words of the two verses from this song ministered to me very deeply (it still does, even to this day):
Nobody knows how weak I am
Better than You
Nobody sees all of my needs
Better than You
And nobody has the power
To change me, to what I was born to be
Jesus, be strong in my weakness
Empower me
Empower me, like a rushing river
Flowing to the sea
Lord, send Your Holy Spirit
Flowing out through me
'Til I'm living as Your child
Victorious and free
Send the power of Your love
Empower me
Nobody's eyes see through my soul
Better than You
Nobody's love can make me whole
No love but Yours
And nobody has the power
To lift me to reach for eternity
Jesus, break through all my defences
Empower me
It still amazes me that God has called me to be His own...I mean, who am I? He's so BIG and I am so little. But that's why His strength is seen in my weaknesses. Once you've met Him, your life will never be the same.
I am so glad that I have encountered my God. Have you?
MOZZIES
The mosquitoes are consuming me...they are really enjoying themselves, I tell you. And I've resorted to sticking plasters on the bites, just so that I won't get up at night and subconsciously scratch them. But the itch is killing me...the itch itself wakes me up in the middle of the night. Some nights I wake up two to three times. Arghh...
Nursing diagnosis for me, as of 27th April 2006: Disturbed sleep pattern related to severe itch as evidenced by itchy red dots seen all over my arms and legs and thighs and shoulder, and by my own complaints of vicious mozzies biting me.
It's either the mozzies love me so...or they hate me with all their heart (whatever heart they have lah).
I will sleep in long pants tonight...yes, I will.
Today
I woke up this morning with this song playing in my head:You are the peace that guards my heartMy help in time of needYou are the hope that leads me onAnd brings me to my kneesFor there I find You waitingAnd there I find releaseSo with all my heart I'll worshipAnd unto You I'll singFor You alone deserves all gloryFor You alone deserves all praiseFather, we worship and adore YouFather, we long to see Your faceFor You alone deserves all gloryFor You alone deserves all praiseFather, we love YouAnd we worship You this day
Yeah I know, this song is really old. But as I was singing this song and spent time with the Lord today, I was reminded again of His sovereignty...that He is in control of EVERYTHING. And that He's the very reason I'm alive today. And I'm reminded, too, that I can trust Him...and run to Him for refuge, shelter, and strength.
That is why He alone deserves all glory and honour and praise...
1st day of hols...
Today was the first day of my holidays and I was bitten by a centipede. Sigh...was in the garden cutting the grass at the edge of the longkang and flower pots, and then there was a sudden sting on my right big toe. AND IT WAS A BLACK CENTIPEDE!! I screamed, brushed it off and went running into the house.And this is what Mum did...
She claims that pounded kangkung can serap the poison...haha.
This is in the kitchen...and I really look so tak senonoh!!!
Yucks!!! Jo made me pose wan...she kept snapping and snapping and snapping. I know, I look really bad here.So anyways, Mum brought me to see the doctor an hour later. Haha...
KLUANGITES
22nd April 2006
My friends sabo'ed me today...we had a class BBQ at East Coast Park and we were playing captain's ball, with loads of water bombs as well. And they were trying to get each other wet...then they got violent, chasing each other into the water. I quietly backed off and went to eat...haha.
Then Candy came along and said, "Hey Ly, I want to take a picture with you." And me, suspecting nothing, said okay and took my camera out. Suddenly the whole lot of them came along and said they want to take pictures...fine...so we took pictures. Then Candy said that she'll take a picture for us (because I was actually holding the camera). So she took the camera from my hands. Then...
Zul: Okay, take her hands! I take her legs!
Chin Fang: Okie!!
Zul: One, two, three... (my legs were suddenly lifted off the ground)
At first I stayed calm...no screaming at all. I thought they'd eventually let me down because a non-screaming girl isn't fun...but as we drew near the water, I panicked. And the screaming started...and I was kicking too. Zul suddenly let go of my legs...it's either I'm so good at struggling, or...I kicked him in the "wrong" place (if you know what I mean...haha). Anyways, Zul later said that he thinks he's deaf. Hah...siapa suruh angkat kaki orang...
Here are some of the pictures...
Yu Xuan and me after I got out of the water, and Sangeetha.
Yu Xuan and Evelynn.
Candy, chicken wing, and me...oh and Brian kepoh'ing behind. Hehe...
Sangeetha and me...(please ignore the three stupid pimples on my chin)
It started to drizzle around 7.00pm plus, so they carried an umbrella over the BBQ pit...funny lah!
Well, all in all, it was fun...and it was good catching up with my closer friends after two weeks of not seeing each other.
Okie lah, I think that's enough for now. I just hope I don't fall sick.
Paediatrics Week 2
Well...my posting at Ward 47 ended at 3.00pm today. I quite liked it there, actually. Although I still didn't get to achieve much of my objectives. But I think I MAY consider going back to the paeds after I graduate.
Oh yah...one sad thing, though. There were quite a number of patients who were hospitalized because of drug overdose...trying to commit suicide. And they are like, only 15, 16 years old. Sigh...
Anyways, see what some of the little darlings from the ward gave me...so sweet of them =)
Here are some shots of us nursing students posted to Ward 47...
This is Sunny and me...Sunny can brighten anyone's day anytime. The kids love her!
This is Chin Fang and me...Chin Fang never fails to hit me. Yes...hit as in
pukul, you know. She loves bullying me lah, I tell you. It's such a torture...yet on the other hand, she's one who'll stick by you, no matter shine or rain.
Left to right: Hoong Eng, Chin Fang, Sunny, me. The only four from NR 0416 posted to NUH for paeds...while the rest of the class went to KKH.
Some of the other NYP girls in the ward with us...nice bunch of people.
I'm gonna miss playing and reading and chatting with the kids...
Cabs
I really, Really, REALLY thank God for cabbie drivers, man...
Woke up late today...real late. I think I subconsciously slammed my alarm down. What woke me up was my phone ringing...and I even had the time to think, "How come my alarm sounds different today?"
Jumped right out of bed, brushed my teeth, put on my uniform, wore my shoes (didn't have time to wear my stockings...but can still look around my room for my packet of milo), half walked and half ran out of my block and caught a cab. Thank God for cabs...I must say it again: THANK GOD FOR CABS. And cab drivers. Hehe. I got to work in time. Phew...
So I guess Mr.Monster was right about me being very tired last night...funny, I didn't feel it, though. Oh well.
P/S: I didn't manage to find my milo.
P/S 2: I felt so naked all day because I didn't put on my stockings. Yucks.
P/S 3: I hope this never happens to me, ever again.
Ohh...I just remembered something: it is not good to travel with couples.
The Very Eventful Weekend
Friday
Woke up at 5.40am and left my place at 6.00am for home sweet home...couldn't believe the crowd at the customs. So many people like travelling with me lah. Tsk tsk tsk. Hehe. Finally got to Larkin and caught the 8am bus back to Kluang.
Went to the stadium with mum and jie and Jo...watched Jem run. It was 4x100m relay, finals. Her team got 4th. I think Jem ran very well. She was the 3rd runner and caught up real quick...
Helped Jo with deco before lunch for new youth centre opening...Jit and Ryan were there as well. Jit was bombarding me with questions. Not unusual. Haha...
After lunch, went back to the stadium with mum, dad and Jo. Watched Jem and Pris run 4x200m relay, semifinals. Both teams got into finals...Jem and Pris ran beautifully. They've got style, attitude and speed. Nice =) I love seeing them in action.
Had Good Friday service at night. Dad spoke.
Saturday
Went to the stadium at 8am plus to watch Jem in action again...long jump this time. She got gold, with a distance of 4.49m. EXCELLENT for a twelve year old girl. I am so very proud of her!! =)
While waiting for her to get her medal, the unexpected happened...we found out that Pris' team was actually disqualified for the 4x200m relay finals. They gave some funny reason, saying that one of the girls didn't pass the baton within the "box"...and then Jo announced that she recorded the event with the camcorder. Dad and mum got all excited...went to tell one of the coaches. He got excited too...they all went to the officials to make a protest. They didn't even want to look at it. But it was all there!!! The baton was passed ngam ngam within the box. We played back the video again and again...and no, we are not blind.
Dad was so daring...he had to make sure justice outstood injustice. And I think that is what makes him different from many people...especially people who don't stand for what they believe is right. He was so persistent, trying to persuade them to at least view the recorded event. Unfortunately, to no avail. Sigh...I wish I could clobber their heads. Erghh...geram. Pris was quite upset that she couldn't get to run. I know she was disappointed...she had been training hard for it.
To Pris: I know you are upset that you didn't get to run the 4x200m finals. It was very unfair...but just remember this...that Daddy is one who will fight for what is good and right, and we know that he was doing it for you, too, and the Kluang team. You are an excellent athlete, gifted with excellent brains as well, and I pray that you will use your talents to the max. Don't be so kan-cheong about what would happen next year, okie? The Form 5 thing and sports and all. Just use what you've been given, or it will be taken away from you. I am very proud of you, Pris...keep up the good work. I love you very much.
To Jem: I am so, so proud of you, Jem...you have been blessed with this talent and you are making full use of it. But remember that it is from God alone, and all glory should be given back to Him alone, yah...use your talents wisely. You are one great athlete. May you get more medals in MSSM =) I will be waiting to hear more stories...hehe. I love you very much, too.
After some lunch and rest, we went for the new youth centre opening. Dad, again, was speaking. Good message...it was about daring to be different. And I think that Dad doesn't only speak about it...he lives it out. He's a great example to follow, really.
After that, we had family dinner...went to Herbs & Spices.
Sunday
Went to church in the morning...had breakfast. Then jie asked me if I wanted to go to KL. I was trying my best to decide as fast as I could. Haha. So in the end I went...with jie, Jae Son and Jit. Got loads and loads and loads of teasings on the way from all three...especially Jit. He just likes to kacau me lah, I don't know why.
Got to KL, fetched jiejie Li Poh, and we had lunch with Jae Son's parents. Then we walked around a little and headed off to IKEA. Supposed to leave KL by 5.30pm...but as typical Kluangites, we ended up having dinner with the Chengs again, and left around 9.00pm after loading some furniture for Jit and jiejie Li Poh's new house.
Alas, just as I thought we were finally going home, there was a great big jam near Pagoh. An accident between two huge lorries. Gahh!!!!! When we got home, it was already 1.00am...sigh...
Please, remind me not to do this kind of thingy again...especially if it's a one day trip and I have work the next day...IN SINGAPORE.
Monday
Woke at 6.20am...caught the 7.00am bus to Larkin. There was a jam at the causeway. I tell you...this kind of thing creates stress for me lah. Arghh. To top it all off, there was a great long queue at the Singapore customs, too.
Good thing there are such things called cabs...and may God bless cab drivers. I got to work in time. Phew...
Stress, stress, stress...
Paediatrics Week 1
Been in the paediatric ward for a week now...it's a public holiday for us tomorrow because it's Good Friday.
It's rather depressing...seeing all those children with sicknesses...some I've never even heard of. Very sad. There's this particular child...she's two months old. Such a sweet baby...doesn't cry unecessarily. Only when she's wet or hungry. I got the chance to carry her today...and was pretty delighted when she cooed and smiled and made some "baby talk" with me! =) She fell alseep in my arms, and when I put her down in her cot, she didn't even wake up. But sigh...she has this liver disease. I don't know why but the more I looked at her, the more I felt like crying. I guess when you carry or touch a child (or even, other people), there's some connection made...sigh. I'm still trying to not get emotionally attached to my patients. It's not easy.
There's this other child. She has epilepsy (fits) almost every single day (yeah, as often as you change your undies)...for no ultimate reason. And I can understand that it is very tiring for her mother and maid. They take turns taking care of her in the hospital. She can never be left alone. Not even a single second. I had the chance to read to and play with her, and even to understand her sign language (because she can understand words but not talk). It is tiring...because she sometimes makes me read the same book to her again and again. Not that I mind, though...
Well, these are just two of the many cases in the ward...I've yet to befriend more chidren next week. I've not been able to fulfill much of my objectives, though. Feel so dungu, sometimes. Haha. Sigh.
Anyways, I'm very tired...good night, world.
I told you so...
"I told you so" is NOT the way to build good relationships.
I was at the customs on my way into Singapore yesterday...and there was a loooooong queue. I went and lined up at one of the queues, and there was this elderly couple in the line next to mine. Mrs.Wife was standing in front of Mr.Hubby. And boy...was she complaining a whole lot. In Hokkien.
According to her, my line was moving faster than theirs. It's true lah...I think. Haha. Anyways, she kept telling her husband, "I told you we should have lined up there...I told you right?" The more my line moved, the more she kept telling her husband, "I told you so". Sigh...poor Mr.Hubby. I felt sad for him...
After a while my line was moving more quickly and I didn't have to hear her "I told you so's" anymore. Thank God...
Rabbits!
YOUNG JEM
Was going through some files today and found these pictures of my youngest sis, Jem, when she was much younger. Oh boy...wasn't she just cute =)
Okie...no idea what she was doing...
Now this must have been taken when someone was praying...
We were on our way somewhere...
Model for Dad's previous car...haha.
With one of our doggies...
With the run-away kitty...
Wokies...that's all, folks!
EXAMS ARE OVER!!! Now for attachments...
Will be posted to the paediatric (children) ward for two weeks, and am looking forward to it. But people tell me it's different from looking after healthy children...hmmm. I guess it's true. It won't be like when I helped out in Sunday School last time. Oh well...I'll find out for myself in the next two weeks. But...I'm dreading the mornings where I have to wake up so early because the hospital I'm posted to is SO VERY far away. Sigh.
Oh guess what...Jo passed her driving exam. Yay, now she can drive me instead...hehe =)
P/S: My sis told me about a monster under my bed...ever since last week. But you know what...it's not scary. Really. Shhh...don't let her know (haha, she probabaly knows this already!!).
