#252 Perfect song

Nothing like turning the radio on when you're driving and hearing the song you've been putting on replay recently. It puts that silly smile on your face. Singalongs are always a good icebreaker when you're in a car with random people.. Unless of course they really can't stand your taste in music.. Than perhaps talking about the weather, current exchange rates and the earthquake scare would be better topics of conversation..

#253 Sharing dessert!

Ever felt so full after a meal but still wanted dessert? Is it NOT a great feeling when everyone else has the same thought? That grin on everyone's faces (well, on mine anyway) when we order that one slice of cake to share. That somehow you feel less guilty eating that few spoonfuls of cake because you have four other people sharing the calories with.

Bring on the weekend!

(Picture courtesy of berrysimple.net)

#254 That random phone call :)

Nothing makes your day brighter like having an unexpected long phone call with a friend that knows you as well as you know yourself. That old friend that freezes time always.

Though we seldom meet, it always feels as if we've just had coffee a few days ago. Nothing ever seems like ages ago. It is always easy catching up and it's always encouraging knowing someone is running the race with you. To know you've got a partner to rant to. That someone who's been through med school and is surviving as an intern in Tawau. That someone who inspires me everyday. That someone who pushes me to be better.

That sister I never had.

#255 Nice consultants

GPs with a sense of humor, who are always ready to teach, who're just so nice make long days bearable (:

And the countdown begins with #256

Reason #256 to be grateful? Air!

Oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide. All these and a few more are what we breathe in and out every second.

It sounds silly, but I thank God for this gift. For our bodies doing the breathing for us. With no need to worry about keeping our lungs together, huffing and puffing every millisecond. Each nut and bolt at its right place, perfectly aligned with such precision! Such craftsmanship can only reflect the best Craftsman!

101

I was reading 1000awesomethings.com when I had this inspiring conversation with The Surgical Clown about aging. Aging and the importance to seize everyday as if it was our last. That anything could happen in a split second and change our lives forever. We know that life is fragile yet it takes a massive car accident, a family death or a global disaster to shake us up from our mundane, routine lives. It's like we need that electric jolt or a bit of ECT (electrocompulsive therapy) to zap us into awareness of everything beautiful.

As scripture puts it, we are but a vapour that appears for awhile and then vanishes (James 4:14). We are, as Shakespeare put it, a brief candle. Easily blown out by the wind. Short and in the end, only as meaningful as we make it.

This reality has hit me hard this few months; challenging me to reassess relationships, to reprioritize commitments. To make the effort in reminding someone how much she or he means to me. To live with purpose.

It also happens that today is the 101st day of the year. I should already have a hundred and one things to be grateful about.. And and and, it is never too late to start counting your blessings so I have decided to spend the next 265 days listing things I am grateful for:)

To whoever is reading this, even if it's just you, the only other person who will ever read this, I pray you be inspired and encouraged to see life through new rosy lens:)

Carry me

Having my cousin back from the States for these past 2 weeks have been a blessing although I would have liked to spend more time with her. Spending time with family, is a blessing I know I sometimes take for granted. I admit, even my parents I know I disappoint at times. Little things have opened my eyes, issues like giving in, tolerance and sacrifice make me realize how selfish and wicked our hearts can be, that if it wasn't for the cross, we would all be hopeless, dying creatures. And yet we live with reason, we strife with purpose, we press on because of that hope. That we were meant for more. That in the end, its not about the perfect job or finding the right guy, it's about being complete in Him. And that is a lesson to learn.

Came across this highlighted phrase from A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God :

'It will require a determined heart and more than a little courage to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times and return to Biblical ways'

Oh to be a lady of diligence, conviction, virtue, patience, devotion, contentment and everything else..

a lady in waiting

With all honesty, painful words from people who mattered stopped me from sharing life through this medium. Words, unlike sticks and stones, were not supposed to break me, yet they did. And with all that hurt, decided I would rather pen my daily thoughts on paper.

No more, though. I will praise the Lord, I will tell of the wondrous things he has done!

‎"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." Psalm 26:7

A year has passed by too quickly. New country, new friends, new memories made. Friendships gained and friendships lost. To look in the mirror and realize, wow, you are 22. So much to learn. So much.

I strayed for the longest time. But yet He who created the heavens and the earth would still love me? Incomprehensible. Impossible. Yet, ultimately, truest of all truths. He loves me. Full of mercy and grace, is my Lord.

Life in 2012 will be a hectic one, but if my God is for me, who can be against me? hmm. too much thoughts running crazy around through my mind at this moment. Where to start? What to say? oh for a prayer partner, where we can encourage each other to keep God's perspective on our commitment to be all that God wants us to be.

All other ground is sinking sand

'Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking about yourself less.' - C.S.Lewis

this blog is now (hopefully) revived!

Your light will shine when all else fails

Such mixed feelings as the day came to an end. Amazed at what a wonderful God I have and realized that through him indeed all blessings flow. Even with so much doubt he is still able to shine his light. I am more than blessed. Too grateful for words for a sustaining Abba, a faithful Father - the one who has never let go despite of my constant breakdowns and shaky faith. To have great parents who have been hugely supportive is an added gift. They never fail to remind me of that greater picture.

Lord, you are faithful.

At the same time, this feeling of leaving won't go away. Not much of sadness but perhaps a melancholic reaction with today being the 'official' last day of IMU. No more familiar faces around the university. Everyone headed to a different direction. Well, it's still the same journey they began with, only this time in a new path. This past two and a half years with our paths converging has been a great one, with ups and downs. Friendships gained and friendships lost. Hearts broken and hearts mended. Spirits weak and then strengthened. *sigh* Its been a great journey and it can only can better.

I am, thankful. and happy. He has a great plan for us. Why is it so easy to forget that at times? Reminds me of an old song they used to play in church..

It's good to remember the goodness of God..

Its back to Captivating (again) for now.

A quote from the previous book - "Though we may fear the test, at the same time we yearn to be tested, to discover that we have what it takes." - John Eldredge, Wild at Heart. It is worth the read for guys AND the girls :)

Blue skies are calling

Thanks to brilliant recommendation by the kukuthing, top of the list of things to do after exam results are -

1. Have Disney Marathon.

2. Watch

a. Lord of the Rings.

b. Glee

c. Grey's Anatomy

3. to be decided

Notice the first few is all about sitting myself down in front of the idiot box and not moving for at least 20 hours? NICE!

:D

Hold me in your arms, never let me go.

I give up. I'm falling back into your arms and holding on desperately. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I know that it is finished :)

It is known among my fellow friends that I may have a sleeping problem. (it's not really much of a problem now with exams nearby. haha) And a few have pointed out the negative effects of resorting to medication. In fact, dear tongsampah pointed out that this lack of sleep could be self inflicted.

I would like to point out that I am in no way depressed, suicidal and stressed to the extent of it affecting my sleep. Perhaps, yes, I was devastated for that few weeks, but for now, I just am, nocturnal I suppose. There's this sense of peace nightfall brings me though lately I've just been getting sleepy earlier and earlier.

I have no idea what this post is about. Just wanted to put something new up to celebrate the new layout. whee :)

eos ETA 7 days? 8 days? ah heck. its coming soon. And, learning something new about him everyday. Like how dear papa wakes you up refreshed and alert to study. That though you're tired and easily distracted, he leads you beside the still water and renews your strength. Faith he brings to the lost. Hope, he brings to the hopeless.

I am, blessed. and forever grateful.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7

Thank you

Ever felt so caught up in things around you that you forget the bigger picture? You see, He's got the whole world in His hands. And yes, panic might have kicked in for a second. The worries there for for awhile now. But how can I ever forget my God who is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do ;)



Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord just for loving me
Many times as I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord, I know You're showing me
You are there when I am down and out
You're holding me, Your love is so amazing
Oh it changed me

I'm having trouble sleeping

Why's it always you and never me
I've never dared to let my feelings free

BLEGH.

the Brown Woman is right, blogging, is therapeutic.

Even if its nonsensical rubbish, its my rubbish. MY rubbish. so there.

i'm blue dabadeedooo

Even after 2 EOSs, I wonder why I STILL PUT MYSELF through it. its a horrible, nasty feeling.

But we will get through.

We will be cute little future healthcare professionals :)

because we're already HALF WAY THERE dammit. at least, we're almost half way there.

itsonlyanothersteppingstonenatasha,itsonlyanothersteppingstone.

I don't deserve this.

Thought to ponder - Christianity. a response to His Grace, not a reaction to His Wrath.

One scarred hand to the other

Someone asked me this today.

'What makes you a woman?'

'Your everything.' She answered her own question and I had to smile. She was engrossed in reading Captivating and I saw the light in her eyes. It had hit her. She was special. A woman of God. A woman loved. That smile said a lot.

Somehow, suddenly, that painful pit in your stomach just goes away. Perhaps somehow, she was right.

Maybe this awful feeling will go away.

I wonder, is this how He feels when we turn our backs on him? When we stop calling? When we decide we don't want to see or talk to Him. When we delete Him from our lives?

So much to learn. Too much unwilling hearts.

Like a rose that never blooms

Its been awhile since the last post. And somehow, dear blog, you were not missed. Til the time came for somewhere to rant. Or cry. You were here all this while, weren't you? You knew I'd be back :')

Nothing much of importance. Insignificant. A promise made. The new path began. But somehow, a little slip. A slight lost of balance. Next thing I knew, I was falling. (yes I know, 'tis so very cheesy)

I did something wrong. Lost focus? Lost direction.

Lord, lead me back.

Somehow.

Do you not know?

Just my two cents' worth. The holidays, is making me cynical.

I don't wanna miss a thing

Been stuck in the go between lately of my own wants versus my needs of surrendering to him. Staring at the 30 choices with 6 different ends of the earth, she remembers the weekend when a new acquaintance pointed out the verse long put away in the attic.

Prov 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

He doesn't realize how much that one verse tugged the chords of this heart. To know he has a plan and act upon it is not easy. Decisions still need to be made. Answers still need to be submitted.

Will he send me to Australia? Will I be soaking in the amazing sceneries of Scotland or will I be stuck in gloomy London weather?

For his ways are always higher.. Perhaps he does know what he's doing, no? ;)

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it. Attitude is the single most significant decision I make each day - Charles Swindoll

Prov 19:21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.