My 2007

With 2007 almost coming to an end, I tried to count my blessings for Year 2007 which is ‘The Year of the Next Level’ for us. . 2007 is a work and life balance year, I enjoyed my career and the challenges I faced and the satisfaction of overcoming them.

In summary:

• I grew a level higher in my knowledge of God and His plan for G12 and how I can be part of it. The vision of G12 is much clearer and dearer to my heart now.
• I grew a level higher in my management style, leadership skill and my capacity at work.
• I developed a slightly deeper relationship with my CARE group members.
• I extended my territory by setting my feet on Eastern European countries. And to the part of USA that I never been before.
• I grew a level higher in forgiving and relating to people especially my family, friends, co-workers and counselees.
• Of course physically I grow a year older (a bit more pigmentation, wrinkles) and a little side-wise.

Above all, I enjoyed 2007 to the fullest because of the provision of my God Jehovah Jireh who provides every need abundantly, unexpectedly and supply that overflow.

	2007
	Work	Life
Jan	3 Business trip to Paris, France 22 Business trip to Bucharest, Romania 29 Organized Community Event & Sushi All the way	20 Fly in early to Bucharest, Romania for sightseeing 22 Ladder of Succes - Consolidation Class - started
Feb	9 Focus Group Outdoor Event at Dorhout Mees, Biddinghuizen 19 Special EALA overnight event at London city, UK	4 Attended Creative Writing workshop in Amsterdam
Mar	8 Business trip to Bucharest, Romania	L All work no life L Consolidation class - ended
Apr	16 Business trip to Prague, Chez Rep. Business trip to Bucharest, Romania	19 Easter weekend in Prague, Chez Rep. 25 Stay over weekend in Bucharest, Romania
May	13 Core Manager School Training at St. Charles, Illinois	18 Stay over in Chicago 19 Visiting Miami, Florida
Jun	28 Project based at Rotterdam - ended	Visiting Miami, Florida 13 Malaysia Food Fair, Den Haag 18 Corina Power visiting Rotterdam
Jul	10 Business trip to Fort Lee, NJ 18 Project based at Walton, UK - started	12 Manhattan, NY 15 My birthday celebrated in a quiet way
Aug	Project based at Walton, UK	4 Johannes 40th Birthday Party 11 Oyster Hunting in Grevelingendam, Zeeland 18 Weekend in London 25 Day trip to Port Zeelandé
Sep	Project based at Walton, UK	7 Weekend in London 15 Beverwijk China Town 16 Garden makeover 17 Ladder of Success - SOL II - started 21 Home improvement - installed daylight system at Attic 22 Day trip to Roompot, Zeeland
Oct	Project based at Walton, UK - ended	15 Ladder of Success – SOL II - ended 26 Wedding Anniversary trip to Malta
Nov	12 Business trip to Frankfurt, Germany 19 Office Party at Den Haag 26 Project based at Amsterdam - started	4 Wedding Anniversary trip to Malta 7 Sick for the first time of the year 11 FMC 12th Anniversary Celebration
Dec	13 Overnight community event at Noordwijkerhout	15 Anna-Marie visiting Netherlands 18 Sick for the Second time of the year 26 Christmas Family Dinner 31 Old/New Celebration at Home

Welcome the Chin

Alessi full Mr Chin series

Queen Chin and King Chin

I got to know Mr Chin series when I was browsing in one of the department stores in Frankfurt. It caught my attention since then. I am referring to a series of kitchen accessories created by Alessi. The Chin is a cross-over of Italian innovation and inspiration of Taiwan National museum; as a result it is a east meets west creation. This Christmas I successfully introduced Queen Chin and King Chin into Bethel as a Christmas gift to Johannes of course.

We just washed them and are waiting for them to get dry and then fill them with salt and paper, hopefully they will be serving during the new year dinner.

My Christmas

Where is everyone up to for Christmas? For us, it was a rather quiet one this year. On Christmas day, we made ourselves a Christmas lunch, Lobster soup, Grilled Chicken, Guacamole and same grilled vegetables. We then attended a Christmas celebration service at church and then headed for a movie at night. My original idea was to watch ‘My Blueberry Nights’ an English movie directed by Wong Kar Wai and acted by Norah Jones. However, flimhuis in Den Haag was closed and so we ended up with a rather Harry Porter mixed remake ‘Golden Compass’ which is absolutely nonsense and waste of time.

Almost a family Christmas tradition now, we went out for Christmas dinner on Boxing Day at a wok restaurant in Den Haag. This is again a over priced, reduced quality and lack of service and over crowded kind of event where restaurant owner can do their best in snatching from the customers because no matter how worst the food would be, there will be enough turnaround during the festive days. Looking at the bright side, it was a good family get together after all.

Where have you been up to?

The Gifts

Although Christmas is not just about giving and receiving gifts, but I do get quite a few gifts this year.

A Christmas floating candle bowl decorated with mistletoes’ from Care group gift exchange, anonymous signed by a 'born again Santa'

One size too small ice skating shoes from Johannes

Hästens Luxury travel pillow from KLM Platinum Flying Blue membership

Many Christmas cards from friends and families near and far, and of course numerous ecards and greetings that cannot be captured here

A voucher worth 70 Euro of Ristuals products from my company

AND

An orange color scarf and a bottle of Australian Westend Estate Three Bridges 2002 Limited Edition Merlot wine from my own community at work

Finally,

the Giver of Life Himself has given has given us His beloved son Jesus Christ who is the LIGHT of the WORLD.

JESUS comes to give us LIGHT so that we may shine and through us others may see Him and receive the same light and eternal life.

~ ~ ~

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Wherever you are, whatever you do, may you remember that Jesus is the reason for this season. Let me also take this opportunity to WOW (Wish Other Well)

Get a Christmas Tree for your page!

Serenity of White

This morning I woke up and looked out the window, almost all the plants in our garden is covered by a nice layer of snow flakes. The view is very quiet, very serene. I feel very peaceful in my heart or rather still and the quietness is compounding with the presence of the Lord. These are the moments I missed sometime, there is no need to rush, put on my comfy woollies, holding a big mug of hot chocolate milk and enjoy the serenity view .

Psalm 46:10 a - Be still and know that I am Your God.

Care Group Christmas celebration '07

Christmas is definitely round the corner although I am yet to have time to think about it. All I am counting down is by the end of this week I will be off for 2 weeks . Yesterday at church, the combined care groups celebrated early Christmas party with some light snacks and gift exchange.

From Romania with Love

Today we went out with my Romanian colleague – Ana Marie who happens to be on a project in the Netherlands for a few weeks. We spent the early afternoon in Scheveningen Promenade, the sun breaks out at the right time and the beach is not busy, thus it is a relaxing and refreshing walk along the promenade and the sandy beach itself. We spent almost the rest of the afternoon at a restaurant in the old harbor and enjoying our late afternoon lunch.

I got to know her much better today. When we were in Bucharest, she gave me the impression of hardworking, ambitious and smart lady, despite of many late hours we spent in Bucharest, I only learn today the artist side of her especially her appreciation on artistic and non mainstream movies.

It was an enjoyable Saturday for us. God bless you Ana and enjoy the rest of your stay/work in the Netherlands!

Frost!

The colder days are coming -- I can feel it this morning when I walked out the house and my car is covered by a layer of frost, also the grass are lightly coated by a light layer of frost. I must admit it is quite tranquil and serene. However, the reality check is – the warming up of the car and defrosting the of the car windows is a miserable chores. The coming days will be cold…

What the Holidays mean to me

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are a very spiritual time. You have as much holiday fun as everyone else - but you never forget what you're celebrating. You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations. During the holidays, you feel happily busy. There's so much do to and not a lot of time to do it. But you enjoy every minute of your holiday chores. You think the holidays should be nostalgic and sweet. The holidays bring out your inner child. Your best holiday memories are warm and intimate. You remember special moments more than gifts or parties.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

Visit Holland Year March 2008

I must make it clear that this is not an official tourism campaign from the Dutch tourist board. I decided to use this title because I received an email from my second sister Sophia confirming the trip to the Netherlands in March 2008. She will be coming together with my father and my eldest sister living in Brunei.

Well, March is not the coldest month but the daylight is definitely long enough to enjoy the wonderful spring colour of Holland. That is especially true for the blossom of Tulips and spring flowers.

I am getting quite excited as it is really my desire (and also my Dad's desire) for my dad to visit Europe before he is even too old to walk around.

I have been thinking on the itinerary and planning even now, like still 4 months to go.. but time flies......

See you soon daddy & sistas!! Hope this trip will really come true...

Lord, Restore my Strengths

After 4 days of working in the country, I am as tired as this photo. It is not the workload that makes me tired but the Dutch weather and the traffic situation during the rush hours. Imagine sitting in the traffic for at least 1.5 hours in the morning and at least an hour in the evening depending on the time.

Nehemiah 8:10 b The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song

I thanked God that I can call upon His Name and gain strength and power daily through His word, just like His grace and mercy are new every morning...

Happy Sinterklaas

5th December 2007

Happy Sinterklaas!!

Thanks in a Thousand ways

Today, I received a note of thanks in the form of email from a colleague in Romania. I am glad that I am appreciated and that my presence in Bucharest, Romania our delivery center has created such a big impact to someone although that was quite a nightmare for me. I shared this email with my career counselor and he congratulated me of the impact that I have made to my co-workers worldwide.

There are thousand ways to express gratitude and thanks, sometime a small pad on the shoulder will do the work, a thank you card or a simple word would do the job.

Multumesc, Merci beaucoup, Bedankt

Dankschen, Arigato, Komapsumnida

Xie xie,Tack, Salamat

Khawp khun kha, Kam sia, Gracias

Cheers, Ta, Dêkuj, M goi

Terima Kasih

Fortis or Foltis??

The Chinese are coming... Love this comic that I read in a local newspaper. The headline is about a China Insurance company PingAn that has bought 4.2% shares of Fortis and becomes the largest shareholder. PingAn is now sending one representative from Asia to sit in the board of director.

The comic also implies some of the common pronunciation mistakes that Chinese made.

Rain Rain Rain

This weekend is all about

Rain RAin RAIn RAIN

raiN raIN rAIN RAIN

RaIn rAiN

RAIN...

Sinterklaas is coming to town

Not that I really eager to celebrate this Dutch festival each year on 5^th December, but Sinterklaas surprised us by his personal visit in our neighborhood yesterday. So, I just joined the kids and took the opportunity to take a photo with him.

Travel back to 1995

Today I received a tag photo which stir up lot of memories of my university period in the Staffordshire, UK.

Sometime I am amazed at the internet technology, through one of the networking communities I managed to tag with my fellow brothers and sisters in the Christian Union of Staffordshire university. Thanks to Tim who still have this photo where we the fellow Malaysian students hosted our British fellows of Rising Brook Baptist Church in Stafford.

In the photo from left to right: May (British Malaysian lady who lives in Stafford and attending Rising Brook church, Kevin Khoo - Christian classmate, Olivia - Christian classmate, ME (), Ming Hui - recently reconnected through friendster/facebook, Mel Humphreys and Simon Humphreys - who spent lots of time with us in WEIRD). WEIRD stands for Wednesday Evening In Reverend's Den). Those were the old days, now I suddenly missed Graham McNamee whom is the chaplain of the Christian Union, and whom have spent lots of time counselled me and provided me with Godly advice and indirectly shaped me to who I am today.

Miss you all...but I know all of you are in the safe hands of our good Lord!

I will soar like an eagle

When situation is tough, people are difficult to manage, things getting political, I will SOAR like an EAGLE because God provided me opportunities to experience Him and SOAR with Him to the greater height.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I say a little prayer...

I have a habit of saying a prayer before I start driving my car. I know that will give me the extra protection on the road especially over here the Dutch drivers are ruthless and impatience.

Today as I drive to my office in the normal peak hour, I encountered 7 cars breakdown on the emergency lane and I witnessed a 4 cars chained accident that put the A4 to complete stop.

I thanked God that I have great flexibility in my job that I can start my journey only when the rush is almost over (if I arrange my appointment accordingly), but it is unusual to see 7 cars breakdown and an accident.

I also know that every prayer that I said when I turn on the engine has not gone in vain, but has mobilized the angels to watch over me and protect me from accidents. I have not take journey safety for granted, and a little prayer will remind my Father in Heaven to constantly shield me under His protection, so that I shall not die by live to testify the works of the Lord. AMEN!

Paul says...

I have been doing the SOL 2 homework the last 2 nights, two of the verses that strike me were both written by Paul in 1 Corinthians 19- Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible

1 corinthians 9:14 - In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

It is easy to say than done, Apostle Paul has definitely live up to what he has written, and as for me....time will proof it...

AmazING

Today, I went back to office and was expecting that I am still unassigned and thus will initiate a conversation to take the entire December off (since I still have 50 vacation days) to travel, read my book or do nothing.

Much to my surprise, I was told that I am already assigned to another project and that is with one of the reputable and established bank in the Netherlands. The mission is to conduct an assessment to determine if consolidation of the Dutch, Belgium and part of UK HR operations is the way to go.

This is my job, it is always full of surprise and expect the unexpected, and AmazING!!

C.A.R.E

In FMC, we now called our G12 cell group as CARE group.

Cell is

About

Restoration

Encouragement

In short, cell group is a place for restoration and encouragement of souls. Hopefully with this new branding, the CARE group will be more approachable for non-believers.

This picture are made up of the members of my CARE group. From left to right, ME, Munce, Sylvia (Care leader), Sandra and Trees.

The Lord of War

Tonight, we watched a movie on Veronica channel. The Nicolas Cage's 'The Lord of War'. I like the plots of the story, it reveals the life of an arm dealer and how Yuri (Nicholas Cage) can always escape from the law by being politically correct. I like this scene where Yuri's brother saw how a lady and a little boy was kill by the RUF and came to realization that those arm that they are selling will be used by the RUF kill the innocents later.

I greatly appreciate this film, and the fact that there are directors who are willing to make unconventional films with controversial truth which invite us to think about the implications.

My Heart Assured...

After the appointment in city hall, I have to drive to Amsterdam for a monthly meeting. My heart is still full of the anger from the ‘integration’ conversation, but as I drove passed N206, there is a beautiful rainbow displayed in front of my eyes. My heart cooled down because Rainbow always reminds me of the covenant that God has made with men. I am glad that my God is so real to me, that He showed His presence in the form of rainbow and my heart is assured and everything else (including the ‘integration’ discrimination) become so insignificant in His presence.

Dutch Integration Fuss

Today I went to the city hall to attend a ‘integration’ appointment of which I have to bring my Dutch language proficiency certificates that I have taken with the authority (which didn’t passed everything then) and I also brought along the one from famous language institute in the Netherlands of which I have demonstrated level 2.1. However, I was told that the one from Language Institute is not recognized by the integration law. I was speechless, and stunt…. the one week intensive course in the famous language institute costs a fortune and Princess Maxima herself also went to the same institute for her Dutch language skill and this institute is not recognized by the Integration Law. I couldn’t believe that as when I took the course, I have Norwegian and Japan Ambassadors and many other corporate senior executives studying the language together. And the certificate is not recognized by the stupid Dutch integration law.

What really raise my bar is that I was told I must take an exam of a higher level (level 3) and the officer refused to recommend me for level 2 exam. This is really unbelievable, if level 2 is the requirement, why should I do the level 3 exam? After all, I am here not to beg money from the government, in fact I have paid a high amount of tax each year. I am here to contribute to the Dutch labor market and rising up the new Dutch generations in my workplace.

I am completely pissed off by the officer and entered into a series of arguments and raise my objections in Dutch ( I am surprise that I could do that in Dutch pretty well) and in fact at the end the officer said according to her, my Dutch level is definitely above level 2, however, according to the law, I am required to ‘integrate’ and to do that by taking the level 3 exam in the coming 5 years. I am not sure on what aspect according to the Dutch law that I am not integrated in the Dutch society, perhaps because I have not asked for ‘social welfare’ from the welfare department. Perhaps I pay too much tax, or perhaps I do not have a low labor job but a management position.

The Dutch integration law is like a license to kill, of which it is meant to target a very specific group of people, however being a non-EU citizen, I become a victim. I am sure they are many of them out there like me, who work and contribute to the society but yet discriminated by the LAW.

Dreaming of Flying ...

Today I have been browsing the KLM website and surfing the web award offer. I am almost convinced that I am going for 3 weeks off in December and fly to Asia destinations such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Osaka or Nagoya. With KLM web award offer, a business class round trip is only 60,000 miles, let alone the economy only needs 30,000 miles. That’s really an idea for me, after all my big project is not going to start till next Jan. Taste the water with Johannes but he is not one who can expect surprise. Anyway, we haven’t got into the proper discussions, but all I need to do is to clear my vacation with my manager and off I go….

When I think of those destinations, I can’t help but already start thinking what I want to do, especially for Beijing.

Beijing – it would be good to see Beijing for the last time prior to the Olympic Games, and it would be lovely to meet up with my Beijing friends – Jenny, YaNan, Brenda again. Also, I would love to visit my missionary friends in Urumqi Xinjiang and perhaps also visit my nephew who is currently on an assignment in Ulaanbaatar, Outer Mongolia, hmm……so many options and things to do when I think of all those new places that I never been before, I am flying high…it is ok to have some excitement an day dream. After all, most reality happened through a vision or a dream.

Hong Kong – This will only be an option if Johannes is traveling together, otherwise Hong Kong is not my cup of tea without him.

Nagoya or Osaka – Japan, sounds adventurous, never been there before, don’t know the language and don’t know much about the country, will need a lot of time to read up should I choose any of the Japanese destinations. Never expand my footprints to this country but may be now is the time.

If my dream comes through, I will be away from beginning of December and be back just in time for Christmas.

Anyway, Lord, I submit my dream unto Your hands, may You bless my plan and may Your will be done.

German stereotype

We all know what Germans are like, don't we? Well, this is my experience with German so far. They are :

Terrifying Efficiency

Public Transport is almost always on time in Germany. Every shoes shop I visited, all shoes are displayed by size on the shoes rack.

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

The stereotype is not too far wrong on the English-speaking question, a lot of Germans speak very good English but refuse to speak it L.

Horrifying Systematic

I have been working on producing some kind of project plans for my client, but I have been challenged to the minute detail. Almost every single estimate that I derived I provide supporting evident or mathematical algorithm to back it up. Estimation derived base on 'previous experience' is not acceptable in Germany.