Kensington Temple

After we finished with the Notting Hill - Portobello market experience. We return to the Notting Hill gate, we decided to check out the Kensington Temple (KT). Since KT is also one of the G12 church, we somehow have a sense of belonging to this church. When browsing through the poster hanging on the wall, we can easily associate with the School of Leader. However, it was Saturday mid afternoon, there is no service at that hour. We just walked in for a quick look and then visited the book store briefly.

It is always good to be in the house of the Lord.

Give me a little more than a hotdog

I spotted this advertisement in the London underground. I read it few times and yet couldn't understand what is the key messages. I thought what a heck it is trying to say really…FYI , it is an ad from a bank.

The City - Bank

18^th Aug 2007, 9.00 am

This morning I walked to the Bank Tube station to wait for Johannes who was taking the DLR (Dockland Light Rail) while waiting for Johannes to show up from the Bank tube station. This is the first time I stay in the City. This place is pretty much a dead town on the weekends as pubs, restaurants and shops are all closed over the weekends.

Meeting St. Paul's

17^th August 2007, 22C, Sunny

I took this photo of St. Paul’s on a rather sunny Friday afternoon when I sneak out from work to catch a bit of sun shine.

Again, St. Paul’s is flooded by tourists but it hasn’t lost it charms…

Another year older

Today is my Birthday, another year older, another year wiser. No intention for big celebration since I knew that I will be away to USA for a week, what is more I already felt like my birthday for 4 continuous nights already in New York City. The Lord blessed me with this short trip, which already served as a pre-celebration that leading to today 15th July 2007.

This morning, we had a simple lunch with Onki and Jo Jo before we head to church. Today a sister in the church shared about her experience using 2 Corinthians 5:5 - Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come". I felt that the Lord also wants me to take this verse personally and reassuring me that He is empowered me for the next season.

Tonight Johannes brought me to a Indonesian Grill restaurant in Den Haag where we had a meal by ourselves. I opt for Asian food because I have been eating western food when I was in the State. The meal was just perfect to tune me back to Asian's palette again.

This photo is taken in front of the Queen's office. The sculpture is called "The Kiss", it is the Art Neuvo replicas of Gustav Klim.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

With Love from New Jersey

Manhattan view from Edgewater, New Jersey

Me with Manhattan as background

Sunset in New Jersey, along Hudson River

Tonight I went out with S and G. This is the only night I didn't get myself to NYC but explore the charming part of New Jersey. G is very hospitable and brought S and myself around NJ. We had our dinner at one of the restaurants at Edgewater promenade along Hudson River with the view of Manhattan. We sat from late afternoon till night sipping our Cosmopolitan and chatting and catch up our stories since our ex-company generation. Tonight is my last night here, I have been enjoying myself so much this trip. I finally seen New York city from different perspectives as if I am already fall in love with this city. NYC, I will see you very soon, till we meet again in fall....

Manhattan by night

Ladies and Gentlemen, I proudly present the night view of Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn.

Viva Big Apple!! Enjoy!!

Grand Central Station

Our last stop before heading back to Fort Lee was Grand Central Station. Although I have passed by a couple of time during my last visit, but I never actually been into the building itself. It looks more like a grand theatre than a train station. The high ceiling and the constellation drawings are great display, the chandelier also made the terminal building more impression than any other train stations in the world.

New York Stock Exchange

The A-Team posing at the New York Stock Exchange building. This is also where your company was listed. The A-Team consists of SM (UK based Malaysian), GY (American-Japanese mixed), NP(UK based French) and Me (NL based malaymui).

Manhattan Skyline from Brooklyn

11th July 2007, heavy rain.

Today we had another early day from work. Nicholas wanted to head to the city and so we decided to check out SoHo as it is famous for its Chic boutiques. After an hour of shopping in the rain, we head towards Brooklyn to enjoy a famous pizza meal at Grimaldi (just under the Brooklyn Bridge). As this area provide the perfect view of Manhattan, it actually was a great place to unwind in the evening. We managed to enjoy the view of Manhattan before the sunset and also the night view after our dinner.

Manhattan skyline -- Very impressive indeed!!

Empire State Building

10 July 2007, weather is extremely hot and humid, apparently NJ/NY is in the midst of heat wave this week. Well, I should count this a blessing, after all the summer in Europe has been terribly wet and cold so far..

Workshop went well with client today, finished on time. Since Grace has a rented car, we decided to cross George Washington Bridge to New York instead of staying in New Jersey.

We went to upper west side of Manhattan nearby Central Park for dinner. The Cuban dinner was excellence, we shared our starters – calamari and oyster shooters. I ordered seafood paella and it came with a giant lobster and endless of scallops, shrimps and many others. I was struggling with finishing the seafood, let alone the delicious rice.

The night is still warm and young, since this is the first trip for one of my team members; we decided to give him a crush course orientation of Manhattan. We visited Empire state building, straight up to 86^th floor for the night view of NYC. The visibility is around 10 Miles, despite of the crowds; the night view was charming and magnificent.

Glamorous NYC

9th July 2007, 35 C, Humidity 99%, New York City

When I set off from Zoetermeer it was only 15 C, by the time I arrived at Newark airport it was 35 C in the mid afternoon. I have to literally strip off my layers of clothing to adjust to the temperature. Finally after the relatively chilled and wet summer days in June, I once again welcomed by the sunshine and the heat wave in New Jersey and New York. I couldn't wait but check out the NYC and heading straight to Manhattan in the early afternoon. Good to walk on 5th Avenue again and seeing the yellow cabs and the world's famous designer store along the way. Met up with Megan and Liz who happened to be also in NJ and we had a girl night-out in the NYC.

20 Blessings

The following list counts 20 blessings from the Bible for you and me. May it strengthen you when you are down.

1. Why do I say “I can’t do it” if the Bible says that I can do all things to Christ which strengthened me (Phil 4:13)?

2. Why do I feel lacking if I know that God will supply my every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19)?

3. Why should I feel afraid if the Bible says that God did not give me a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7)?

4. Why should I feel lacking in faith if I know that God has assigned me a measure of faith (Rom 12:3)?

5. Why do I become weak if the Bible says that God is my light and salvation and I will be strong and do exploits (Psalm 27:1, Dan 11:32)?

6. Why should I let the devil win over my life if the Spirit that lives in me is stronger than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4)?

7. Why should I surrender if the Bible says that God will always lead me triumphantly in Christ (2 Cor 2:14)?

8. Why should I lack in wisdom if Christ himself has become wisdom for me and God will give me wisdom if we ask Him (1 Cor 1:30, James 1:5)?

9. Why should I be depressed if I can remember that I can hope in God whose faithfulness is renewed every morning (Lament 3:21-23)?

10. Why should I worry, stressed, and complain if I can throw all my worries to God because He cares for me (1 Pet 5:7)?

11. Why should I always live under burden if I know that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom and Christ has set us free (2 Cor 3:17, Gal 5:1)?

12. Why should I feel punished if the Bible says that there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)?

13. Why should I feel alone if Jesus says that He will always be with me, never leave or abandon me (Mat 28:20, Heb 13:5)?

14. Why should I feel cursed or feel unlucky if the Bible says that Christ has redeem us from the curse of the Law so that through faith we receive the promised Spirit (Gal 3:13-14)?

15. Why should I feel not enough in this life if I, just like Paul, can learn to be content in whatever situation I am (Phil 4:11)?

16. Why should I feel unworthy if Chris has become sin for us, so that in Him, we become God’s righteousness (2 Cor 5:21)?

17. Why should I feel afraid against other people if I know that if God is for me, nobody can be against us (Rom 8:31)?

18. Why should I be confused if God is the King of Peace and He gives us knowledge through His Spirit that lives in us (1 Cor 14:33, 2:12)?

19. Why should I keep failing and falling if the Bible says that as children of God, I am more than conqueror through Him who love me (Rom 8:37)?

20. Why should I let the pressures of lives disturb me if I can have strength because I know that Lord Jesus has conquered the world and suffering (John 16:33)? “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10a).

Viva Friends Forever!!

Some times, I wonder if friends are really meant forever. I didn't have a lot of friends as I grew up in my teenage hood; I only have 4 good or rather best friends since my childhood. We went to the same kindergarten, same primary school and joined the same Christian uniform body called - The Girls' Brigade through our teenage hood and learned about God and grew up in Him together. Then we parted different ways due to our further education.

It was a thrill to meet up with Corina after 7 or 10 years. She happened to be at Arnhem accompanied her husband on a business trip and thanked goodness that she asked Jennifer for my mobile number and then we are connected again.

Finally we met in Rotterdam on 6^th June and we had our lunch at Cafe Rotterdam where we had our non-stop chatting, sharing and updating each other about our life, our families, our hope town and our common friends.

Johannes joined us later when he finished he work. We then showed her around Den Haag a little bit and then ended the day with dinner.

I was really happy to meet up with Corina again and see the rest of you very soon if our homebound trip come through this year. I thanked God that although I don’t have too many good friends, but He has given me 4 lasting friendships from childhood to adulthood. Viva FRIENDS FOREVER!!

St Vitus Cathedral - The Gem of Prague

Beautiful spectrum of sunlight in the cathedral
The heights and depths of the building

St Vitus Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the nation as the mausoleum of Bohemian kings and Prague's greatest landmark.

I am really impressed by the architecture of the cathedral and also by the astonished stained windows

These colour stained glass windows are stunning, the different facets of colours penetrate through and gently reflected on the wall are really lovely. The sort of enjoyments of the eyes are uncomphrensible. Whenever there is enough sunlight shines through the stained glass, the characters of the story as-if becomes alive again.

~~~~

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge's construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of 15th century. As the only means of crossing the river in Prague, Charles Bridge used to be the most important connection between the Old Town, Prague Castle and adjacent areas until 1841. Also this 'solid-land' connection made Prague important as a trade route between east and west Europe. The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or the Prague Bridge (Pražský most) but has been the "Charles Bridge" since 1870.

The bridge is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues, most of them baroque-style, erected around 1700.

During the night Charles Bridge is supposed to be a quiet witness of medieval times. However, it didn't happen during our trip as we happened to visit Prague on the Easter weekend where everyone decided to go to Prague too. During the day, it is almost impossible to navigate through Charles Bridge without bumping into other people. It is a very busy place where painters, owners of the kiosks, and black sailors trade to carry away some money on the tourists.

The alley of 30 mostly baroque statues and statuaries situated on the balustrade forms a unique connection of artistic styles with the underlying gothic bridge. Most sculptures were erected between 1683 and 1714. They depict various saints and patron paints venerated at that time. Among the most notable sculptures, St John of Nepomuk. Beginning in 1965, all of the statues have been systematically replaced by replicas and the originals have been exhibited in the lapidarium of the National Museum.

Mărţişor - A celebration of the beginning of Spring

Yesterday, after I chatted with a Romanian colleague about work, she MSN'ed this picture over to me.  At first I didn't understand what is the intention of this.  She then explained that every female in Romania will receive Mărţişor (as picture) in 1st March. 

Mărţişor is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the spring in Romania and Moldova, on 1 March. The day's name is the diminutive of March (in Romanian Martie), and thus means something like "little" or "dear March". Nowadays, men offer women a talisman object also called Mărţişor, consisting of a jewel or a small decoration like a flower, an animal, etc., tied to a red and white string. However, giving a little nickel tied to a red and white string is an old custom and was originally designated for both men and women. It was believed that the one who wears the red and white string will be powerful and healthy for the year to come. The decoration is a symbol of the coming spring. A woman wears it pinned to her blouse on this day and up to two weeks after.

Up-Closed and Personal Tower Bridge

 

Call me 'blessed' if you want, but I feel really blessed not just materially or career perspective  but also spiritually.  This Monday and Tuesday I had an opportunity to participate in another company event.  The event is an EALA wide event which stands for the regions Europe, Africa, Latin America.  The event took place in central London and right beside the famous London Tower Bridge.  There were about 10 of us representing the Dutch practice, 3 of us arriving early in London City Airport and have  a few good hours to enjoy the stroll by the bridge and early morning coffee.

When we checked into the hotel, all of the rest just got the normal low floor room but I was checked in to executive high floor with the perfect view of London Bridge welcomed me into the room.  I knew this was not by accident but the Lord was pampering me...The photo above was taken at around 5 GMT.

Finally this is the night scene of the Tower Bridge again after we had an enjoyable dinner (with never ending flow of Moët and Chandon champagne, excellence food) at a restaurant to celebrate the success and great place for networking.

In short, I witnessed the up-closed and personal view of Tower Bridge from the morning to the night.  Tower Bridge remains charming regardless of the time of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Pig Year!! 猪年快乐

The year of Pig is approaching in less than 48 hours!!  It is another Chinese New Year.  This year is MY year and also a special year for my favorite cartoon characters - McDull and McMug, who are the stars of the year of Pig as they are made of the pig figures, original Hong Kong creation.  Whether you consider this Hallal or Tidak Hallal, they are the best when it comes to cartoons.

We don't celebrate Chinese New Year here and it is not a big thing and thus we don't have any holiday or major celebration like re-union dinner, red packets, never ending eating, feasting like what you are going to do AGAIN this year.  To all my families and friends back in Asia, wishing you all a Happy Chinese New Year.

I am enclosing the picture of my favorite cartoon, McDull dressing in the red chinese motif top and imagining with the Mcdull's wisdom that he is going to enjoying the good food and perhaps ZZZZZZZzz in the coming Chinese New Year.

To end, with the special greetings from McDull - Happy Pig Year

麦兜祝你-猪年快乐，万事如意，新年进步，身体健康。

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

 

Tonight, this verse became a rhema word to me.  I do believe what I have long hope for and that I have not see will surely and soon come to the past in His time. AMEN

Quad Parcours

Today, I attended a focus group activity of my company.  The main purpose is to foster the relationship with members of the focus group and also to discuss the hottest corporate topic GP2W.  GP2W (Great Place To Work) is a corporate initiative with the main aims to make Accenture a great place to work and indirectly increase productivity and talent retention.  It took place at Dorhout Mees at Biddinghuizen nearby Lelystad.

Given the weather of +3C, it was relatively cold for outdoor activity.  However, I thoroughly enjoyed myself on this Friday afternoon.  It was good to set aside a Friday afternoon to focus on something completely different.  The first activity we did is called Quad Parcours, some form of racing but in a muddy and murky ground.  The vehicles is not too difficult to control and I had a joyful ride after all.

Despite of no competition, my colleague was trying to over take me from behind.  It was rather fun and enlightening, above all some form of physical activities that I desperately needed after a week of work.

 

CARPOOL

 

Skyline when we started our journey from home

Skyline of Rotterdam when we about to enter the city

These days I have the blessings of carpooling to work with Johannes.  Carpool is not a very common practice in Europe, but we decided to do it anyway.  After all, with Johannes now working in Rotterdam and I have to be at my client's head office 3 days a week that also happen to be in Rotterdam, it is indeed a brilliant idea.  We are contributing positively to the environment by travel in one car and also allow us to spend more time together.  After all, I have a car park reserved for me by my client.  The only disadvantage is that I have to start very early (since I am not a morning person) as Johannes starts his work at 8:15am.  However, so long as I sleep early and well the night before, I like the idea of starting early.  There is absolute solitary in the morning that I can get things done in the peace of mind before the other come in by 9am.  I also get the opportunity to enjoy the early morning scenery by observing the colour changing in the sky....  

Finally SNOW in the Netherlands!

 

As per the weather forecast, we finally have the out poured of snow today.  I was told by my co-worker who asked for permission to work from home tomorrow instead of driving all the way to Rotterdam due to the anticipation of the weather.

This morning I woke up full of expectation that I will see the houses and the garden to be covered by beautiful fresh white snow.  But...,I was disappointed because I woke up and the usual grey sky welcomed me.

 

A few hours later, just before I finished with my first con-call of the day, I looked out to the window and the snow flakes started to pour down from the sky, rather heavily.  It was rather pretty as if the Lord is pouring out His glory and blessings from Heaven above.

With a few more hours of snowing, the area is covered with white, I managed to take two photos.  The one on top was taken around 10am when the snow just started, the 2nd photo was taken about 3 hours later when I had my late lunch break.

Another common norm for this country, snow is not here to stay, it is usually melts away as soon as it stops snowing.  Outside is getting murky now and by tomorrow, snow will be washed away....

Creative Writing

Last night we went all the way to Amsterdam to attend a creative writing workshop organized by Open University UK.

The session took place in an English Bookshop along Lauriegracht.  There were around 14 of us including the facilitators.  David Stephenson is the lead of the evening and he took us through the basis of creative writing by asking us to work in a group of 2 to 4, first described about the last book we read.  The highlight was when he gave each group a black and white photo and then asked us to observe the photo carefully and write down our impression and our story.  It is amazed that later when we shared our stories, each of us, despite of working on the same photo, came out with completely different story.

It was Johannes that first enrolled himself to this session, I am sort of just coming along person.  I also benefited from the session and hopefully I will be able to apply some of this skill in my blog writing...