One of the Brightest Stars

That's The Way It Is

2009-04-10T22:43:00.002+08:00

Don't give up on your faith,
Love comes to those who believes it,
And that's the way it is....

When you believe it, you get it.
This is the lesson that I've learned today.

Thanks for everything,
Thanks for letting me know the meaning of true friendship,
and the beauty of true friendship.

P.S. I read puppy love's FB notes today...And this post is for you as well, in response to 'LOVE IS IN THE AIR':P
Don't haish la, I'm sure your faith is somewhere out there....LOL
Who says so, Joel says so:P

A Sweet Affair

2009-03-16T12:40:00.006+08:00

Okay, again, I will make it quick. My brain, for no reason, is not working at its optimum.

STRESSED = DESSERTS

So, here we are -----> Up To U Station - the new Tong Shui one-stop station in town.

We got there too early. We were told the tong shui not ready yet. So, here come the handy camera. :)

Red Bean + Rice Balls.

Soya + Rice Balls

My review? The red bean soup was well cooked (of course la!)..er..and quite thick paste, tastes sweet but not too sweet...the coloured rice balls were...(took me 2 minutes to think, hard, hoo). See what I mean by 'MY-Brainy Matter IS NOt-functIoNing!!'

Let see how Joel comments about it, "where are you?" ^_^ ~ Notty Nat

What is TLC?

2009-03-09T10:15:00.002+08:00

"Arigato gozaimasu!" "No idea you're good at art, :p"

Movie: Slumdog Millionaire

2009-03-02T19:48:00.001+08:00

Here's a quick review of a movie I chose to watch over the weekend - Slumdog Milionaire. It was one of the red carpet stunners at recent Oscar Award ceremony, sweeping 8 out of 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Song. This 2008 British drama film is an adaptation of a novel Q & A by Indian author Vikas Swarup. When I learned about this movie - my first thought was "Huh? Lousy millionaire by chance? Must be a comedy." Set and filmed in India, Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

The picture of young Jamal squatting inside the loo. He is so adorable.

Poverty is a disease. Religious and political conflicts make it even worse.

The brothers eke out a living, traveling on top of trains, selling goods, pretending to be tour guides at the Taj Mahal, and picking pockets.

Jamal and his long lost childhood sweetheart, Latika.

*That's all; I'm too tired to tell the details. Sorry for short review. Not in my shape lately. :) Nat~

#2: Let Go of Goals

2009-02-27T23:44:00.002+08:00

[The book - Life Lessons for Loving the Way You Live]

Anonymous is right. The test is nothing. Nothing compared to realisation of your childhood dream. In knowing that your effort for the past five years paid off well. Because you have transformed the dream, which seems to be impossible, into a real picture. That's the greatest part of life. The joyous moment of celebration.

When I came across the chapter "Let Go of Goals", I was paused and puzzled. Instead of setting a higher goal, why would we be asked to let go of it?

"There's certainly nothing wrong with goal setting. In fact, goals can provide badly needed structure and direction. But our ability to let go of goals is as important as our effort to fulfill them."

"Looking back, I realise that for many years I was a goalaholic. Goals made me successful, but unfortunately, they provided me little passion or satisfaction along the way....Thus I let go of them."

"I have no idea what the future holds, but I do know that I wake up every day energised, excited, and filled with expectations."

Well, it's time to let go. :-) ~Nat

Rant

2009-02-25T09:59:00.007+08:00

Warning: This post weighs little value. You risk the chance of wasting your time for reading it. *Blah

Allow me to rant a few minutes...Stop me if you could.

I have no liking for lemon or lime, but my face turns pretty sour lately. You could taste the acidicity if you bump onto me. It's hard to lift up both the levator angular oris muscles. Even harder to squeeze my buccinators. And you just can't plant a smile on your face without your effort. Argh, fake smile, people will comment.

Hah, I am emotionally unstable, in short. The culprits lined up including the heat, the hormonal change, and the ultimate exam! Nobody likes it. It tastes bitter. It wrecks your life. Turns you up and down. Like a roller coaster ride. Yet, you have to face it.

But, weird enough, I love to be tested. And I like to be challenged. If you tell me, "No, you can't do that," I am ready to prove to you, "Yes, I can do it," That's how stubborn I am.

6 weeks to go! Heart is racing...chasing over the time. Tell me how should I prepare? ~Nat

The Moment

2009-02-10T22:35:00.018+08:00

Finally my district posting in Besut is ending soon... Well honestly, at first I was very reluctant to go to Besut. However, as saying goes, " Don't judge a book by it's cover", it was indeed a rather nice place despite the water supply problem.

Why I say so?

A picture tells a million words....

Let these pictures say by themselves:)

This is a celebration of Chap Goh Meh in Besut organized by Rukun Tetangga of Bandar Jerteh:)

The organization committees..Do take note of the multiraciality involvement.

Lion dance.....

brought to you exclusively from students from SMJK Chung Hwa Jerteh

They are so professional and a big applause for their splendid performances! Below was a special trick that they were performing...I don't know what it called, but I personally named it as the 'Chew mandarin oranges, show wang!' (Weird name though, all the medical books eat up my creativity...:P)

Step 1: Chew mandarin orange (Not you, is the lion)

Step 2: Spit out

Step 3: Tada!

Wang!

P.S. Actually I had no idea how this character was arranged on the road because I was busy taking photos and checking out around :P And do you know which foot/feet belongs to me?

After that, was a eating session. Sorry no pictures as I was busy helping myself to the piles of food served...:P

But, do you notice that in every picture that I'm showing, there is not only Chinese community but also Malay community who took part in this event. We all sat together regardless of ethnicity. We ate and we chat together....And most important of all, we CELEBRATED together.

We are MALAYSIAN. Not Malay nor Chinese or Indian. A long forgotten truth.

Surprising, I sort of like this small town:)

To Love Or Not

2009-02-08T19:38:00.010+08:00

February's shoutout: Love is in the air! ^_^

**A friend jumped on the train of Love lately. Waving my hand happily, I am wishing her the sweetest ever journey...Yet, she was telling me, "Nat, I ain't have strong feeling for him. I have no confidence in maintaining this relationship. Afraid of loving him too deeply...But, can't help thinking it's not fair to him."

Conflict. Complex. Confusing. Afterall, love ain't so lovely, huh? :)

I could understand her insecurity. Sometimes, we love ourselves more than loving others. Because we are fear of getting hurt in the end of the day. A deep cut through the flesh...Once is enough. But, I do believe the power of true love will eventually chase out the feeling of fear in one's relationship. And we wouldn't know when. And, we gotta have faith in love.

Love is unmeasurable. You can't count its depth inch by inch. Neither could you return any tender love by exactly the same volume?

Love isn't a trade. Need not worry about being fair or not in loving someone. Because when you love someone wholeheartedly, giving by all means...you will feel the momentum of the love bouncing back to you. Even if it doesn't, it will leave a beautiful scar on your heart...makes you prettier than ever. :)

Happy Valentine's Day ~ Natalie

P.S. I LOVE YOU

2009-02-05T16:51:00.014+08:00

Before I start, I have a confession to make.

This is a delayed post. 2-3 weeks post date but luckily this post does not die in uterine. :p

I have been seriously busy for the past few weeks due to a stupid "you know which" posting. Just came back from CNY holiday and still trying my best to settle down in a whole new place... However, today I think is the time that I write about a movie that I watched lately.

P.S. I LOVE YOU

If you are a big fan of romantic and yet funny novels, then I think you will be familiar with this best selling novel written by Cecelia Ahern.

Yes, this is a novel based movie.

Interesting and touching plot which will bring you laughters and tears.

Holy and Gerry is nothing more than an ordinary couple who married for 9 years and lived in a small apartment in a big city. They loved each other deeply and yet they still quarreled over bills.

Everything was ordinary until Gerry passed away due to brain tumour. Then Holy's life was no longer ordinary.

Letters from deceased husband helped her to stand up from sorrow, to lead her to a new life, to recollect her long forgotten dream and most importantly, to understand herself better.

From the letters, Holy realized that her life was never as ordinary as she thought it was. To meet, to fall in love with Gerry and to marry to Gerry was indeed a miracle in her life.

And not forget to mention that Holy's best friends, sister and mum who did a big favor in helping her to move on her life.

Well, I shall leave the rest for you to watch it yourself. :) Hehe, need to leave some suspenses:P
However, I guarantee this is a movie that must not be missed!

Life is a long journey.
It is not easy to find someone who loves you as much as you love him.
And it is not easy to find someone who understands you more than you do.

Hence, if you have met someone like this, please appreciate him. If you don't, don't be sad. As there is someone out there waiting for you, no one is meant to be alone:)

"Live to love and love to live."

And, dare to voice out your love to your love ones (including your parents, siblings and friends).
Let them know and feel you love.

By the way, do take note that Valentines Day is around the corner.:P

Last but not least,
To my beloved parents, sis and friends (you know who....and yes, Nat, you are included :P)....

If you would like to know more about this movie, feel free to drop by the link below :) ~Joel

http://psiloveyoumovie.warnerbros.com/

S.I.C.K

2009-01-24T21:49:00.002+08:00

I feel sick to pronounce the word 'sick'.

I am sick. Just the day before Lunar.

Whichever virus invading my immune system, I command you to leave within 4 hours. You make me sick.

Nat/

Detachment

2009-01-21T09:41:00.002+08:00

Look up the Universe...Does the Sun hung over the giant Sky all day long? Do the leaves stay on the shoulders of tree trunk in all seasons? Is the tideline remained the same as it was?

Change is the answer.

"Oh no, it'll never change," You're whispering to yourself. Thinking of forever, immortal, and eternal? It is time to learn about Detachment.

"To begin practising detachment in our lives, we need to understand that life requires us to be in a state of constant flux. Nothing remains the same and no one is spared. Human beings, relationships, children, jobs, and even cars - the only certainty in life is uncertainty. Change is the only unchanging law of nature!" Shailaja Menon.

So they say, the challenge of life is to appreciate everything and attach you to nothing! "This too shall pass," :)

Natalie

Joel's This Is My Now

2009-01-17T15:46:00.004+08:00

Could you see a girl with passion in heart? Yes, this is my now. I was listening to Jordin Sparks' and that lead me to Joel's new year shoutout. Yes, this is my now. Let's see what we hear from her song...

Jordin's This Is My Now:

There was a time I packed my dreams away.
Living in a shell, hiding from myself.

There was a time when I was so afraid.
I thought I'd reached the end,
But baby that was then
I am made of more than my yesterdays.

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment.
As I look around I can't believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt
That was then, this is my now.

I have to decide, Was I gonna to play it safe.
Or look somewhere deep in side,
Try to turn the tide,
And find the strength to take that step of faith.

And I have the courage like never before, yeah.
I've settled for less now I'm ready for more,
Ready for more.

Am I ready? Life game is getting harder...the bet is even bigger...+_+

Freaking Cold

2009-01-14T22:54:00.002+08:00

The sky is weeping torrentially. Raindrops keep falling & falling & sending chills to my lungs & bones. Searching for that pair of slippers underneath the desk to warm my cold feet. Oh, so freaking cold. I can't survive winter! The coldness make me stuporous.

I wish I were a Pengy, living perfectly on the snowbank.

I wish I were a Bear, hibernating peacefully inside cosy cavehouse.

" Shocking cold wave drops temps to 40 below zero " A report from Minneapolis. 40 BELOW ZERO?? That's bitter cold. " The weather service warned that exposed flesh can freeze in 10 minutes when the wind chill is 40 degrees below zero or colder. " Even more effecient than a freezer! Crazy @#

Off now. Curling up under my blanket. Zzzz. Nat//

I Do Not Need a Resolution

2009-01-12T21:25:00.003+08:00

Yes. I do not need any resolution this time.

If I ever make one, I'll forget it for sure, in few weeks time...

Hence, no fuss to list out any.

I'm just getting too lazy lately. Nat//

This Is My Now

2009-01-09T22:10:00.002+08:00

Year 2009 has begun for more than 1 week and yet I still have not plan my resolutions of the year. Thanks to the logbooks, case write ups, end posting assessments, chaos related to district posting and some stupid fella etc :(

However, 2009 is a brand new year and I won't allow anything or anyone to ruin my year!!!

After the chaos that I had been through last few weeks, I'm hoping for the best of the year :)

Bye bye 2008, bye bye sadness, bye bye bad luck...
Hi hi 2009, hi hi happiness, hi hi good luck...

I'm really grateful with what I have now and what I don't have now.
I'll appreciate what I have now and pursue for what I don't have now.

And most of all, I am grateful that I am still alive to see, to listen and to love:)

Resolutions of the year,

1. Give more, expect less.
2,3,4... Still in progress....:P

HAPPY BELATED 2009 ~Joel

Count My Blessing-Part II

2008-12-30T18:41:00.003+08:00

The last day of 2008! :) Continue with my counting...

5. My birthday - Thanks to Joel, she made an effort to search for the movie I have been looking for quite some times. Touched! And, thanks to good old buddy - the handsome LS who gifted me a book. Thanks for the memories, I am going to miss you, I mean it. :p Of course, I appreciate all text messages from lovely friends. You're great, the best gifts ever. I am blessed.

4. The cake - *Drumroll* ... Self-baked birthday cake from the baker. You know who you are. Your gift was out of my expectation. I wish I could return you a cake one day. Give me some time. :)

3. My four years relationship - Well, I understand, that period of time is not enormous at all. However, it is not the length that matters, but the depth.

2. Surviving my Med school - Another 4 months left. I wish I could make it till the end. Though, the career itself is another challenge. Anyhow, I am proud of myself thus far.

1. I think so hard for this last count... And I come to realise that being alive is a blessing! We take it for granted so often. I am alive. Ready to paint my life with colours. Not resentment. Cheers.

Let's welcome 2009! =)

Count My Blessing-Part I

2008-12-19T15:02:00.008+08:00

I must be blindfeld, without realising it's the tail of the year around! The clock is ticking...second by second...working diligently all year long. It never wait for anyone. And we never be able to catch up! :o

Leave aside the grumble, I've determined to complete an annual report on My Accomplishment -- wait, okay, there is nothing to report as I've been an underdog this year..:) So, instead of it, I am going to count my blessing one by one (and to report any good deed I did, hope there is any :p) Continue reading this...will you?

I'd prefer the countdown style, so let's start with my 10th blessing. (Rather randomly picked hehe):

10. Health - I can't help with this, as I (:p) encounter this fellow called Nasty Sicky which attacking people in all forms and means, almost every day...Thus, I am thankful that I blessed with above average health this year, with no admission, no jab required, no line, except a few antihistamines, one relapse of ezcema and few days of gastritis. That's it..!

9. Being underweight - Okay, my BMI is 16, at the borderline of underweight. I am not proud of it, although it's in? But, I am grateful to have the unlimited capacity to eat as much as I want to! (Joel will comment: You don't eat much although you say so! haha) Hmm, I am cutting down junk food & caffeine lately to save my skin. Bravo! I did it.

8. Guaranteed Future - I need to elaborate more on this. Future = Your job and payment, of course, it is not a definite equation. Nonetheless, it eases my life as I could have a steady job and a stable income for the next few decades without the need of browsing Classifields and attending Interviews!

7. Growing older - Yes, I am not kidding. I am not talking about ageing with wrinkles, hunchback, and a stick in hand. Who wants that? I am refering to growing wiser...Growth is most painful when you resist it. I recall "accidents" - failures, illnesses, disasters that made me stronger and taught me compassion.

6. My mum is always there for me - After leaving home for five years, I sometimes doubtful whether mother would still understand me as she used to be last time. And I was wrong! She understands me the best in this world. Her words make my day after heavy storms and fierce tides.

Natalie//

#1:Keep the Faith

2008-12-16T22:59:00.002+08:00

[These are life lessons I quote from my new pet-Life Lessons for Living the Way You Live-one of the Chicken Soup for the Souls'. I start off with Faith today.]

What does faith mean to you? "If you plant faith today, you will reap miracle tomorrow." I stumbled upon this once time ago. And I believe it for some times till I almost forgot it at all. Today, the author reminds me of the magic of faith.

She reckoned, "Faith is an undeniable knowing that all is well and that all will be taken care of. You see everything that happens as having a purpose, good or bad, as contributing to my understanding about life..."

Darkness is my candle.

At some points of life, I see myself in darkness. Searching for the clues in vain. Questioning about decisions made and lamenting the downsides of life. I lose faith. You lose it when you start questioning and doubting. "Could I make it?" "Am I eligible?" "Do I work hard enough?"

She continued, "..a condition of the heart in which you have no doubts, but rather certainty and trust. Faith erases anxiety and doubt, and creates or builds inner peace and happiness."

Keep the faith in you. Be it religion or belief. Knowing that on the other side of obstacles, there are always miracles.

And I am telling myself every day. So do you. /Natalie.

Midnight terror

2008-12-15T17:21:00.005+08:00

Headache in the middle of the night. Terrible terror. The pain was so unbearable like a tight band constricting the whole forehead. And it was kind of throbbing, as if someone is knocking your head from inside. ...T_T...Waking up to search for the wonder drug--paracetamol in the dark. I was telling myself,"Please works faster so that I could fall asleep nicely.."after popping two tablets. And guess the wonder drug did its wonder work, I found myself woke up 7.30 this morning! (The time I supposed to be well-prepared and waiting for the bus downstairs!) What a shock...Okay, so? I moved swiftly like lightning and everything was done with my spinal jerk. ^_^

Blah-ing by Natalie..just ignore me. :p

the PURSUIT of HAPPYNESS

2008-11-23T19:26:00.007+08:00

A small talk between a man and a boy, a father and a son...

Chris (father): Don't ever to let someone tell you, 'you can't do something'.. Not even me, alright?
Christopher (son): Alright.
Chris: You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can't do something themselves, they want to tell you, you can't do it. You want something, go and get it. Prove it.

A touching and yet motivating movie. To tell us about a true story of a father who tries his best to overcome the worst of his life and yet to give the best to his son.

" It was right then I started to thinking about Thomas Jefferson with Declaration of Independence. In the part of our right to our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. I remembered, I'd been thinking how did he know to put the pursuit part in there. And may be happiness is something that we only can pursue and may be we can actually never have it, no matter what. How did he know? ".
This is what in Chris's mind when his wife left him, brought along his son. Nothing was left to him besides the unpaid taxes, house rents and bills...

Yes, happiness is to be pursued.
There is no way to happiness as happiness is the way.
Happiness is never a DESTINATION but a JOURNEY.

And Chris has proved it!

Thanks to Chris who teaches me the meaning of life and the worth of living. ~Joel

想飞越

2008-11-19T17:59:00.003+08:00

我站在镜子前

决定放下一切

一个人走在去留边缘

镜里我的脸

迷了途的眼

要完全放下我的心才发现

想飞越

这陌生的感觉

不想在我和另一个我之间

日夜换不同的脸

我想要飞

无悔的那一种感觉

从前的难以妥协

如今却放太宽的界限

能不能让我飞越自己

昨天那道地平线

我想要飞

飞向更远~Joel

A Message

2008-11-18T12:27:00.011+08:00

My dear friend,

------------Thanks for always being there. ---------------

------------------Being a great friend--------------------

------------I am touched. Million thanks.-----------------

------------------Wish you Xing Fu-------------------Natalie

Right or Left?

2008-11-18T12:14:00.003+08:00

I remember a quote from 'Little Prince' goes by: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” And,

"You have to trust your inner knowing. If you have a clear mind...you won't have to search for direction. Direction will come to you. "

The external world and people might be cruel and cold sometimes. Well, my dear, it's alright. Let's close up our tiring sore eyes, and feel with our pure heart. We'll see where it leads us to...We'll see. //Natalie

Andrew Rocks

2008-11-18T11:42:00.002+08:00

Since the beginning of November, I have been looking for clue here and there. And searching for answer high and low. Until Andrew text me these few lines:

"Sometimes we ask for wind, we get rain;
We ask for sunshine, we get storm.
The truth is, it's really up to us to look for the wind in the rain;
And the sunshine in the strom..."

He reminded me of a song lyric I heard a day before in Evelyn's car. So I replied him:

"Every road has its stones; just like every night has its dawn..."

And, Andrew rocks, he assured me that, "And the stone is the foundation for a good road; dawn may be boring, but stars and moon will always be around you till the next reel of sunshine!" Hooray-----:)//Natalie

Vote for Nana

2008-11-07T10:36:00.001+08:00

Nana is running for (fluff)election. Come vote for her, thanks!=)

Stop Pathologizing Yourself

2008-11-06T14:28:00.003+08:00

Worn out. Flat. Down. Moody. Bloated. Whatever...I just cannot descibe my feeling right now. Slap me on my face to wake me up please...=)

Read an interesting article on Ms. Magazine site, titled "Pathologizing Your Period", which began with "Are you unhappy? Bloated? Is hard to concentrate? Do you have food craving? Breast tenderness?...Sounds familiar? Yes for me. When my eyes dropped on this line, my mind went saying, "Arh, that period from ovulation to menstruation again, the time you have it all." Which I dread the most.

The article goes on introducing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a mental disorder included in DSM, which represent the extreme form of PMS, a classical syndrome during pre-menstruation. To qualify, it would have to include five familiar PMS-type symptoms, at least one of them a “mood disorder” such as feeling hopeless, “on edge,” self-deprecating, irritable, angry or tearful. Is PMDD real? The author questioned about it and even went extra miles to defend women against being labelled as moody and emotional. And, in the end, she called on us to stop pathologizing ourselves and look at what's really behind our feelings. =)

So true...I probably should stop pathologizing myself right now. I have been in dilemma past few days. As Joel has mentioned, I need a quiet place to listen to my inner voice. I need to know what I want. And how I should do better. I've been losing my grip lately...but I am going to stand up, lift chin, and be confident all over again. =)

Likened in a race, I am not sure how far and how fast should I run? And what I want to achieve in the end? It look like a never ending track with crooks and bends. As I remind myself , 'Life does not ask us to be the Biggest or the Tallest, it only ask that we Try.' And, I should try, giving up before trying is stupid, one will never know his potential as the sky is the limit.

Push on Nat. Just stand up. =)

Make A Wish

2008-11-02T20:59:00.005+08:00

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to Joel,
Happy birthday to me......

Make a wish.......(secret)

and blow the candles!!!!

Ops....no candles??:P

Listen to your heart

2008-11-02T19:49:00.004+08:00

If you follow the world, you 'll lose your way.
To follow your way, it is to not follow the world.

Always have faith in what you are doing and to believe in oneself.

Spend a quiet moment to listen to what your mind tells you and not others.

You will find a way to lead your life.~Joel

Book: Tuesday with Morrie #1

2008-10-31T15:23:00.004+08:00

From time to time, I will excerpt a story, a short text or even few lines from my favourite book--Tuesday with Morrie, by Mitch Albom. The book taught me life's greatest lessons...Above all, the Compassion which is lacking while aging. :)

"On this day, Morrie says he has an exercise for us to try. We are to stand, facing away from our classmates, and fall backward, relying on another student to catch us. Most of us are uncomfortable with this, and we cannot let go for more than a few inches before stopping ourselves. We laugh in embarrassment.

Finally, one student, a thin, quiet, dark-haired girl, crosses her arms over her chest, closes her eyes, leans back, and...For a moment, I am sure she is going to thump on the floor. At the last instant, her partner grabs her head and shoulders and yanks her up harshly.

Morrie finally smiles.

"You see, you closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes, you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too---even when you're in the dark. Even when you're falling."

Natalie: Believing others is not easy; but worth trying. :)

心情写照

2008-10-24T22:37:00.002+08:00

细雨午后，懒洋洋的趴在书桌，听着燕姿熟悉的歌声。已经许久没有拼一拼方块字了，心中有点丁儿怀恋这一块块优美的文字。犹如一颗颗音符跳起旋律迷人的舞支。踏入梦境。

我曾经是个追梦的女孩。不歇也不惧地抱着我的梦上路。差点就忘了我是那么的固执。而如今，却似乎失去了心的方向。脚步也不再那么坚定。究竟是为何？是因年龄增长了，那股炽热随着减少呵？摆脱了少年的情怀，也遗失了作日的梦想。

“今日迥迥而行，他日化蝶飞去。” 我期盼这一天的到来。// 桑子

Oki Doki Seaweed Flavour Rice Crackers

2008-10-23T14:45:00.008+08:00

Look at the Stars!***That's the reason I picked up this bag of crackers. Hoho,I'm too fond of stars. These little things are created to console you in time of sorrow...okie, it may not be suitable to narrate this over here...Wait till you see the next photo, there is another good reason behind...:)

The Star cracker has a smiling face on its package! ^o^ Soo cute...it reminds you to put on smile.

Here is another face...naughty look...haha..:) Now, my day is uplifted by these crackers..//Nat

Pinky bar

2008-10-20T17:54:00.004+08:00

Oh, Cadbury's Pinky choc bar :) I am not a Chocaholic. But will find one whenever I have my sweet tooth :p The bitter-sweet taste, the instant melting texture, and the hidden nuts/rasins definitely grab my attention once awhile. The Pinky bar above was a gift from a friend which was brought in from NZ.

After one bite, I took this picture showing a thin-coated choc with pink coloured and strawberry flavoured Marshmallow filling in centre. :) Not to forget to mention a layer of caramel cream in between. Yummy review from Natalie/^^

N.A.T.A.L.I.E

2008-10-13T20:39:00.002+08:00

Oh, this is not a self-promotion or a thing. I came across a special kind of keychains with interpretation of all the names in Borders. Here is mine.. :p

Naturally
Attractive
Totally
Astonnishing
Loves
Inspiring
Everyone

Just Stand Up!

2008-10-11T14:06:00.002+08:00

Oh, thanks to Joel. I am now hooked on this song. Sang by various artists including Beyonce, Mariah, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl, Leona etc for Foundation Stand Up To Cancer. It is dubbed to Best Song Lyric which I couldn't agree anymore.

"The heart is stronger than you think
It’s like it can go through anything
And even when you think it can’t it finds a way to still push on, though

Sometimes you want to run away
Ain’t got the patience for the pain
And if you don’t believe it look into your heart the beat goes on

I’m tellin’ you that Things get better Through whatever
If you fall, dust it off, don’t let up
Don’t you know you can go be your own miracle

If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what
Don’t give up THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP....."

So, just Stand Up everyone, don't dwell on yesterday...look forward instead.
Natalie~

An Incovenient Truth

2008-10-11T13:10:00.008+08:00

Here is an account of what I did during last Escape.

'An Inconvenient Truth' is a documentary film by former US Vice President Al Gore about global warming. I first thought that it would be kind of scientific and statistical presentation. But it turned out to be a quite amusing report of our Earth's warning alert!

Global warming is not new. We heard politicians talking about it, and students writing lengthy essays on it. What actually is it? Gore borrows a clip from Futurama episode 'Crime of the Hot' to explain global warming. The comic scene showed a girl wondering why her ice-cream cone melts instantly and there was a Scientist? explained to her about what happened...Hilarious:)

In its opening, Gore mentioned "You look at that river gently flowing by. You notice the leaves rustling with the wind. You hear the birds; you hear the tree frogs. In the distance you hear a cow. You feel the grass. The mud gives a little bit on the river bank. It’s quiet; it’s peaceful. And all of a sudden, it’s a gear shift inside you. And it’s like taking a deep breath and going... 'Oh yeah, I forgot about this.”

He showed slides of pictures of glaciers before and after.

Picture of Yawning Glacier which has

retreated significantly since 1980.

Lower Curtis Glacier in 2003 compared

with 1985. (the red line).

*Overall, his presentation is thought-

provoking. Every one on Earth has c

ontribution to global warming. We

couldn't just sit and pretend as if nothing

has happened because it is happening

for real. We ought to reflect on our daily

lives and look into how much CO2 we are releasing every day...and start do something..."

Thus I draft a few actions which are quite practical in the sense that I could do it. Hopefully:)

1. Turn off light/fan when I leave my room.

2. Adjust my notebook in Standby mode whenever I am not using it.

3. Refuse plastic bag if I only purchase one/two small items.

4. Choose products which are less-packaging.

5. Opt for vegetarian meals once a week as poultry industry contribute greenhouse gases a lot!

6. Spread my words about global warming whenever possible..:)

I pledge to do my part! How about you? =) //Natalie

Step up

2008-10-04T21:12:00.004+08:00

I came across this meaning little story today which I wish to share ^_^

One day, a farmer's donkey fell down into a well.The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway;it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him.They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw.
With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal,he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkeystepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
So from now on, let's just shake it off and take a step up. . ..~Joel

With arms wide open

2008-10-04T18:22:00.004+08:00

I agree with natalie as the past 10 days were indeed a good 'escape' or 'breakaway' from the hectic and tiring life that we have in campus. But sad to say, there isn't any more 'escape' till chinese new year. Gosh......T_T
During this holiday, I dared not to think nor to remind myself what I will be facing once this 'escape' ended. Yes, it will come to an end soon and now it is ended.
It is the time to face the reality.
It is the time to encounter the hazards and hardships.
I must be strong and tough, with arms wide open readily to meet whatever is coming in my way.
No more escape, no more hesistation.~Joel

When the going gets TOUGHER,
the TOUGH gets going.

Penang Exotic Explore

2008-09-30T16:50:00.006+08:00

Joel and I have had great time in Penang for half a day!!~ She called it Penang Exotic Explore..Whee~~ True enough, I have the chance to discover the other face of Penang. Being recognised as one of the World Heritage site by UNESCO recently, Penang lives up to it! The trip was definitely part of the great Escape :-)

We first stopped by Campbell Street to have Dim Sum at Tho Yuen Restaurant. Super delicious Char Siew Pau and Polo Bun, hohoho...

We then went straight to Lebuh Cintra (better known as Nippon Street) for special yam kueh. Notice two different sauces? :]

We did not forget to taste the famous Chendul @

But I found it too sweet for me//

An Escape

2008-09-24T18:12:00.002+08:00

Looking forward to the coming escape. Though I truly understand it is temporary, momentarily and perhaps not-so-sweet at all. Because life is getting probably thousand times harder after coming back from the escape. Staring blankly on my notes for the whole afternoon, I know I definitely need a fix. The current mood is not encouraging at all...Blame it on the torching sun for my inactivity. ^^ Whoa...//Natalie

So what if you get burned...

2008-09-20T14:57:00.003+08:00

Life has its highs and lows. \*_*/ But...

"There are no guarantee
Life throws things at you
You can catch or miss them
But they will come, ready or not
........................................................
So let go of the fear
Reach out for the flame
So what if you get burned
Better that then numb for life

Better to remember passion and joy
Along with the pain and tears
Then to have no memories worth
Remembering

So to hell with safe
I am going to gamble and bet
Until I win back everything I lost
And my life is what it was meant to be . . ."

I will take this as brooch, pin safely on my chest. As a reminder for life. //Natalie

Candle lit

2008-09-14T19:44:00.006+08:00

Today is Mid Autumn Festival. Preferably regarded as Mooncake festival as there is no season in this part of world here. Apart from exchanging forwarded messages over phone, I don't have any particular celeb else. Hmm, I can't even recall the last time I celebrated this day with family. Pity. I was asked whether do I have Tanglung ready in hand?:) (Oh, I don't even have any mooncake...aiyoyo)

Today is somewhat special that I'd like to do my bit as a citizen who care. I'd like to light up a candle to pray for my country and her people, especially two of the detainees under the ISA. Natalie.

Bleeding in Love

2008-09-10T16:54:00.000+08:00

The paper is the material that I’d want to read the least these days. I’d rather close my ears to all news on tv/radio. I’m getting sick of the bizarre headlines, irresponsible comments and unacceptable facts. Sick of over-politicking, racist ideation, murder mysteries, unresolved cases…All these while people struggle to cope with fear of crime and rising inflation to make ends meet… I’m feeling feverish. Something is not right. Oh, how pathetic.

A question arise: Where is my home if it’s not here? For the past one month, I was staying in Besut district with a population of 90% Malays and 8% Chinese. I discovered one thing unusual while dining in Chinese restaurants. They are serving usual Chinese foods like wanton mee, lou mai gai, pau etc. The unusual part is, Muslim friends are free to enter and have their meals. While the ’superiors’ were talking so loud about lies and truth, 14 of us (4 Chinese and the rest are Malays) were staying under one roof. Our Malay friends performed their prayers as usual, fasting for Ramadhan month, and we listened to one of them who just back from Umrah in Mecca. We had a great home-cooked dinner together. :) This is not an icing-coated story.

Well, some might be thinking of migration to other countries with the perception of ‘grass is always greener over the fence’. Is it? I doubt it. Because no matter how green the grass is, here is my home. My beloved country. A place where I grew up and gain my identity all these years. (I don’t care what they say, I am in love with you).
I’m learning to become an adult. A person who speaks sensibly, be judgemental but not sentimental. And I thought our leaders know better than me. That once spoken, you can’t take it back as damage is done. Likened nail on the wall, even though you pull it off, the mark is there forever.

I guess our Malaysian artists ’sing’ it best :
Hold on brother hold on
The road is long We’re on stony ground
But i’m strong, and you ain’t heavy
Oh there’s a misspoken truth that lies
Colors don’t bind, oh no
What do they know? They speak falsely
Here in my homeI’ll tell you what it’s all about
There’s just one hope here in my heart
One love undivided
That’s what it’s all about
Please won’t you fall in one by one by one with me?
…………………Natalie.................................................

Growth is the most painful when we resist

2008-08-31T21:11:00.005+08:00

Often times, i look back my life and start to hope that i can be a liitle child again. Being an adult can be very tiring sometimes. Well, more accurately, most of the time. The resposibilities that you have to bear with and the expectations from the others.....Can be quite suffocating sometimes......

Especially recently, as i'm posting in paediatric posting and previously in O&G posting which both involve dealing with babies, toddles and children. When i see their happy faces, i wish i can smile and laugh like them. When i see them crying, i wish i can cry like them. When i see them sleeping soundly and peacefully, i wish i could too. (especially during oncals)

When is the last time i had actually laughed whole-heartedly?
When is the last time i had actually cried from the bottom of the heart?
When is the last time i had slept with no worries of tomorrow?

I think hard and i only have answer to the 2nd question.
Yup, had been crying hard once last 2 weeks.
I knew and i always know that life of an adult is never been easy, but i never expect that how hard it can be.
Life is full with sorrows but it should be full with happiness and hope as well.
Since when the robotic and materialistic life of an adult had turned me into a mercyless and an ignorance person??

I questioned myself but have no answer to it.
I was speechless.
Yet, one thing for sure.
Who i am now is not the person that i want to be when i was small.
This is not the life i want.

This is the time to change.

And time to bed. Had been in a hyposomnia state lately.~Joel

A Day Forgotten

2008-08-29T23:50:00.001+08:00

It's the day of the year again -- highlighted on our table calendar -- National Day. With a flag and a reminder that it's the celebration of Independence. Or it's a day we remember as an Off-day? Shopping day?(as Merdeka Sale is knocking our doors) Family Day? Parade day? ... ...

Being the Post Merdeka generation, we do not witness the birth of our nation. We therefore will not understand the meaning of Independence. Few weeks back, I visited a War Museum of Kelantan by chance. It highlighted the time Malaya was invaded and colonised by Japan army. If you remember our history well, the Japanese landed on Kota Bharu by bicycles in 1941. During their colonization, the Malayan students were complied to sing a song "Kimigayo" in school assembly. "May the Emperor's reign continue for a thousand Eight thousand generations until the pebbles grow into boulders lush with moss..." And I think, "History was made yesterday to teach us how to live today for a better tomorrow."

Anyhow, Aug 31 is just another day./Natalie

On the Move

2008-08-26T18:11:00.006+08:00

*I tag this post under the heading 'Travel' though we are fulfilling our District posting and are obliged to stay over there for three and a half weeks. Because we are indeed 'travelling' to and fro. ;)

This is not a planned vacation. We have no choice. Jerteh, Besut is our destination.
Accomodation: A semi-detached, semi-concrete+wooden house. Adequate eletrical supply but scarce water source. We heard people screaming "No Water!" in the middle of their baths. -_-!
Duration: Three and a half weeks.
Mission: Hmm, I've no concrete idea in the beginning. To fulfill our logbooks? (5 of them in all) To carry out some surveys and playing the SPSS? Guess have to tell later on.
Places of interest: Hospital Besut, District Health Office, Health clinics. And Restaurants of course.
Team Members: There are 14 of us. Car-pooling Members: CW, Michelle, ChaiChin and I.
Rewards: ??

First week

Needless to say, we were thrown a bombshell once we stepped into the house. Dusty and stuffy. Dark and gloomy. Lines of ants were welcoming us. What a heck of unpleasant smell!
We settled down at last... This was the time of showing our survival skills. We headed to the town and hunt for foodss! How elated we were when we saw a Chinese restaurant in the middle of the town..hehem:)
Hospital Besut is kind of small compared to HUSM. All the wards are single storey buildings. I've a deja vu feeling...kind of going back to my primary school as the buildings are so alike those classrooms we had. And, oh, so few of people inside (and outside as well) the wards! Our wards are congested always, with overloaded patients, family, specialists, MOs, HOs, staff nurses, medical students, nursing students, physiotherapists, dieticians...the list goes on.
My first oncall in A&E was great fun though no high end heart racing Red flag cases. Because I got to manage a case from the beginning till the end. History taking, PE, blood taking, IV line, chest x ray, admission...Eventhough it was just a complaint of "cough for 2 weeks"...And CW discharged a 5 years old girl after we confirmed she had no corneal abrasion with the fluorescent strip. (Hope we were right, hehe). Oh, we prescribed drugs too...alright, I'm getting too excited>>

Natalie: Stay tuned for second week's story;)

A start of something NEW

2008-08-23T21:41:00.000+08:00

This is the 1st post from me, joel, for our beloved blog.:)
Blogging, a totally brand new experience to me. As far as I know, I'm always not good at expressing myself especially via writting.
Hence, you see, this blogging thing is sure not the idea of mine but natalie's:P
Well, everything must has a start or you will never know how it likes.
So..... on this particular day, at this particular time, in my small small hostel's room (sharing with natalie), at my not-so-tidy study place, i've made the 1st move to try on a something NEW.

What a great start of something NEW.

By the way, poor Natalie is still packing for her Besut posting:(
She is leaving soon, leaving me alone in this room alone at this cold post raining night. T_T

Shine on...

2008-08-23T21:14:00.000+08:00

Saturday night. End of another weekend. Light shower. Sombre mood.
Packing. Packing. Going to leave my comfy room in one hour time. Taking one hour ride to Jerteh, Besut. Northen Terengganu. 15km away from jetty to Pulau Perhentian.
Attachment to District Hospital. Three and a half weeks.
*********************************************************************************
This is a site jointly managed by Joel & I. Our dancefloor. Our couch. Our safest place to express. Private emotions...the 7 wonders of the world. To see, to listen, to feel, to touch, to smell, to taste, and to Smile :)
One of the brightest stars,"Why",you might ask...Well, to remind you all, we are, at all times, one of the brightest stars. Brilliant. Unique. Irreplaceable. Worthwhile. So. Shine on..! ~ Natalie