FROM THE BEGINNING OF NEW YEAR

It's the second month of the new year and every single day is filled with events that never failed to remind me that this life is so much more worth living for. It started out with a desperation to seek God for His will in 2012, and since then, the beginning of 2012 'till today had never been the same.

After my final exam on the 4th of January (well actually much earlier), I decided to take two months off. Which means that if I were to start working, it will be in March. This was practically for me to catch up with the endless description of  my 'WANTED-TO-DO' and 'HAVE-TO-BE-DONE' list. So far, it has gone pretty well, except for some items which are still YET-TO-BE-DONE which resulted from my procrastination.

However, I thank God that He had allowed me for this so-called two months break and made me opened my eyes to the many things that I have been blinded with. And through it all, He had indeed bless me, with so much more than what I deserved.

Hopefully, all these works, outings, meetings, conversations & encounters will give me some lessons to learn and some thoughts to ponder. Looking forward to the rest of the months in 2012. It shall be a great year; even if I have to go through trials and tribulations, because He have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Still in awe of how God make all things beautiful in His time. Indeed, my God is real. :)
Selah

Pre-last outing the day after final paper with few close classmates of mine. One is working, the other 3 will be flying soon in June to UK for further studies. Kind of sad not able to join them. May God bless them! 

Nina's 18th birthday batch. 

Long time no see friend outing. Photographer missing. :p

Took care of her during Chinese New Year while he family went back hometown. She was not able to follow back because of her condition. Learned sewing and had some meaningful conversations with her. A very strong woman, she inspires me a lot. 

A day trip to Ipoh on 4th day of CNY. 

Another random outing with friends. 

My first CPR as a non/ex-committee member of TARC CF. I'm proud of the team. Love them. Will continue to pray for them and CF.

2D1N trip to Melacca with cell group mates. It was adventurous as we did not travel by car. Most of the time by foot. But it was fun. :)

Reunion with high school friends! Where Rachel has been working for 2 years & Stephanie who just came back from Australia. Take care babes!

-there were many more other events that took place which pictures were not taken. A camera or new phone with camera this year? Perhaps. 

A NEW YEAR'S POEM

I know this is kinda late for posting anything about new year (well, perhaps not, cuz I have tonnes of things to update about the summary of my life journey in 2011 and what's happening recently. Stay tuned :)) but I just wanna share a simple poem that was created by me which summarizes everything that I wanted to say and wish about the new year.

In a year's time, many unexpected things will just pop out,

like it used to be every year out.

People come, people go,

Greater responsibilities and commitments shall make us grow.


As much as this year will offer us greater things to do,
2011 had also been a great year too.
While we take some time to embrace the good old days,
The bad ones had also taught us great lessons and make us who we are today. 


It's the end of the past, and the beginning of the future,
But God will still be with us, and that's for sure.
Thank you all who have been a blessing to me,
In everything, to God be the Glory! 

Blessed New Year everyone!

Love,

~Karen Phang~

IT'S TIME

Christmas had just passed, and it seems like it's different from any other Christmas. While the reason and the purpose of celebrating this joyous occasion remains the same since the beginning, yet the celebration with different situations and different ones that made it different.

Despite all the busyness and all the mess that came along before this meaningful day, and with exam mood and graduation mood not helping at all, I wish to thank God for His perfect timing that I thought I can never achieve my goal or plan to make certain decisions and to spend time with my loved ones.

The Lord really spoke to me in His own personal ways, just like how did my Pastor prophesied the other day to me, when I was down searching for answers and thought I was forgotten. But the Lord is always gracious, merciful, kind, and loving, that He opened my eyes to even the simple things in life. And once again, I am reminded that I was not forgotten.

One of it is the answer to my dilemma of continuing my degree in UK. It was a clear cut answer after praying for months. Although a 'no' might seem sad and disappointment for people, but I see it as another blessing and also another opportunity for me to walk a different journey with the Lord.

Another is the chance to have quality time spent with my family and friends and the gifts and small gestures given and shown by them. Although I am not particular and mind about the item of the gifts, but what I appreciate most is the genuine hearts that was shown out in action.Now, it's 4 days before New Year.

Before I start counting down the days and make my so called 'resolution', hopefully I am able to make time to list down the things and remember the people that added colors to the events in my life. I am also trying hard to make the full use of the last 4 days in year 2011. Who knows, we might just touch or bless someone's life? or miracle might just happen?


~SELAH~

SORRY

Sorry...for not being an obedient daughter;

Sorry...for not being a caring sister;

Sorry...for not being a good listener to my friends;

Sorry...for not being a hardworking student;

Sorry...for not being a submissive follower;

Sorry...for not being a good role model as a leader;

Sorry...for not being appreciative;

Sorry...for not trusting;

Sorry...for not being a real child of God;

Sorry...for who I am...

MONEY NO ENOUGH?

Recently, I caught myself into a conversation with few of my classmates about financial issue, a topic that I've always try to avoid. What made us started that topic was because we were lamenting about how slow was the PTPTN loan to enter in our bank accounts and that we are owing the college fees.

What surprises me is that, too often we are so caught up and drown with the things of the world and slowly without us realizing, we take every little thing for granted and not being thankful of what we have.

Friend Y started: "Why is PTPTN taking so long to bank in our account? Do you know that I just asked my mom to increase my allowances?! Where got enough nowadays.."

Me: "wah, do you mind telling increase to how much?"
Friend Y: "From RM700 to RM800".
Me: (Jaw dropped) "That's alot. Tak cukup meh?"
Y: "Of course not enough la..need to pay rent,need to eat, need transport..." (her rent is only RM150)
Friend S: "Yalor, that's alot. Mine only RM500-RM600 (exclude rental)"
Me: (Jaw dropped again)"That's also alot leh!"
Y replied to S: "Aiya, you every weekend also go back hometown mah, can eat at home, my hometown very far, have to eat outside leh during weekends."

Then Friend L said: "Wah, you all ah. I go back every weekend also my allowance only RM300-350."
To not make Friend L feel so bad about her low-allowance, I told her that I think majority of the student's allowance is also between RM300-400. Since I was in the conversation, I knew I had to say something. So before they asked, I said: "You all ah, better be thankful. I got no allowance from parents at all. I'm self-finance. Of course my working brother and sister got give me a little bit of pocket money, and I help my aunt during the weekends then she gives me some pocket money also. PTPTN also tak cukup. But at least that can pay my fees. But thank God provide and I survived."

Well, I expected silence. This is not the first time. Sometimes I felt that they don't believe what I say because their reaction was like: "Are you sure don't get any allowances? Then how you survive?!"

Seriously, I also don't know how I survived. Yes, sometimes I do go for outings, makan-makan, shopping. But that was done by saving up a portion first, or I make sure it's necessary. I do get ashamed, and frustrated at times when friends ask me to go makan/ outing/ kai-kai and my reason is 'no money' but yet I want to fellowship and have fun with them.

3 days ago, the PTPTN loan was banked into our accounts. Today, RM3k just gone in a blink of an eye. I have to admit that I feel sad that I don't have the luxury like my friends do, to use the extra bit from that loan to go shopping/makan-makan or outings. But I'm glad and thankful that I can use that amount of money to pay up all my debts (which include college fees, rentals, bills, groceries...)

At times, I do feel guilty about myself. I thought 'I should study harder so that I can get good grades and get a scholarship so that I don't need to apply loan so that I don't need to owe and pay back people so that the other hard earn incomes I can use to buy my stuff...or shouldn't study and just go work to earn money for the family and bla..bla..bla..'

But to think of how God really provides for all my needs all these while, even times when I left only with coins, it's really beyond my understanding.

Learning to be a good steward of God. :)