Inspirations

There are just some people that inspire you to keep going, that remind you of your passion, remind you of purpose and help you believe that you can make a difference.

Of all my classes this semester, Integrative Seminar: Issues in TESL, is by far the class where I come away inspired. Yes, a few things get repeated a lot and there is never a shortage of stories and experiences of classroom situations, but the most inspiring is our lecturer Dr. Pradip Kumar or more well-known as Dr. PK.

It's my first time taking one of his courses and though he admits being bad with names and has a tendency to change my name to Wai Wan (my friend asked if he was asking us a question -.-), his passion and love for teaching and also for his students is so contagious. You really come away wanting to try and apply the things learnt in his lessons. And one day, I pray I would be as an effective and inspirational teacher as he is.

I thank God for the things and people that inspire when everything else just seem to discourage and trip you up most of the time. And this is one I am grateful for this semester.

:)

final semester

So after almost half a year of not being back in university (about 2 months doing my teaching practice and 4 months away in Korea for student exchange), I am back in UM for my final semester of my TESL programme. If all goes well, I finish in about half a year :) Finish!

It's seems unreal. Almost four years have passed just like that.

And already it's Week 4. I don't know why, but things just have been a bit too much to handle. I thought it'd be a relaxing final semester :\ But I thank God for the strength and grace He provides just enough for each day.

My struggle is balance. I'm just terrible at it. I'll take one thing and neglect another and my ability to prioritize is really deteriorating. I really need to learn how to do this. Life doesn't seem to be slowing down or getting any easier anytime soon.

My greatest struggle though is my spiritual walk with God. And this is taking everything in me apart. Because without Him I am nothing and can do nothing. And it's been hard to break free, hard to repent and turn around, hard to walk true to His Word and commands. And I feel really far, really distant. But He reminds me through different ways that He is bigger and beyond my struggles, that I do not struggle through this alone nor am I on my own. There's still much figuring out to do. And pray, I shall overcome.

Have a blessed day.

Praying for the MH370 situation, for the loved ones, family and friends of the passengers on the missing flight.

sleepless

turned off the lights at one, closed my eyes, yet my mind was still racing. it'd been a long day, and it didn't really end on a great note. tossed and turned to try to get comfortable. on my back, on my side, face down. restless. but i kept my eyes shut. i slipped in and out of sleep. short and forgotten dreams passing. i do not remember. they were neither pleasant nor bad. woke up with an itch on my leg. mosquito. it felt like i had already had a long restless night. was it almost dawn? was i going to have to get up soon? i checked my clock. no, it was just three fifteen. i wasn't even halfway there. tonight was sleepless. my heart anxious. sigh.

Jesus, be the Center

Jesus, be my center, now and forever. Amen.

Jesus, be the center
Be my source, be my light
Jesus

Jesus, be the center
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus

Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus

Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus

New Year 2014 :)

Was looking at some 2013 notes on my desktop :| This was what was written and my thoughts on them. Hmmm...

   2013:

- learn chinese 

(haha, verrryyy minute improvements)

- stop my habit of nail-biting 

(when stress comes... T.T)

- brush up on my guitar 

(still in the G, C, Em, D stage, improving in F though!)

- get grounded in my church 

(going to Korea took me away physically but my faith and love is renewed in new ways I must say)

- learn to cook :) 

(do instant noodles, pancakes, eggs count?)

- exercise 

(on and off)

- i am a ball 

(written by a certain cheeky brother)

- jangan senang merajuk 

(oh, emotions please calm!!)

- rejoice in sufferings :D 

(always in the process of learning to do this)

But 2013 was...

A year of rediscovering my faith and coming back to the core of it - the gospel. I came to realize how very self-centered my faith was at times and how I was so accustomed to that without even realizing it. It was new convictions and renewed love for Christ.

It was my final year serving as committee after being in it from second semester of first year until second semester of third year. All I can say, it was God's grace and sustenance that brought a group of ordinary young people who wanted to see men and women living out God's truth and having an impact on life. It was also passing on the baton after that :) I thank God for those who served and journeyed alongside me in this campus ministry. I thank God too for those who are willing to continue to carry that vision for our campus.

AGM 2013

I also completed my thesis :) God's grace and favor! It was such a blessing to serve and teach while conducting this study :) And there are times I miss my students dearly and wonder how they are doing, how their families are doing. And all I can do is pray and commit these lives, far and near, to God. Oh, this was also the reason my nail-biting habit is not broken yet. The stress!!

Motivation and Attitudes of Myanmar Refugee Students Toward Learning English - 2013.

It was also our 13th General Elections in 2013 and though the results weren't as we hoped for, we still hold on and stand true to the hope and fight for righteousness and justice to prevail in our land, Malaysia. It was an eye-opening, heart-moving sort of phenomenon. You see the ugly and also the good of people in so many ways. And you realize, change starts with us. Above all, we know that God is in control. Amen.

It was new experiences and a taste of the work I might be called to do for the rest of my life - teaching in secondary school. I was given SMK (P) Assunta, an all-girls school and students of 13 and 14 years of age. It was such a valuable experience and I thank God for the teachers, students, family and friends who supported and gave me good advice and encouragement along the way. I learned that it was not easy, but that it was worth it. These lives are worth it :)

Find me! Hehe.

Right after that, it was this Student Exchange Program to South Korea. It still takes me by surprise at time. I go, "I can't believe I'm here!!" But these four months have been an amazing journey with God and the people He has brought alongside me. I am thankful. And through it all, when all is stripped bare, God is enough :)

IVF :) Brothers and sisters who serve the same God though we speak completely different languages and come from various backgrounds and cultures.

People I've met and grew to love along the way. :D

I will remember and miss you all.

From my recent lone adventures in Busan :) I am pro in self shots! BAHAHAHAHA.
Lone adventures also meant alone time with God :) And those are always the best times.

And we're already in the new year :) Soon, I'll be home. New chapters, new seasons, new experiences. But the strongest and firmest foundation I will ever have is this:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

Hebrews 13:8

Though the days, months and years will pass, 

Though the seasons of life will come and go,

Though we find and lose the ones we love,

He remains the same yesterday, today and forevermore.

My Announcement! :D See ya soon, Malaysia!