People who left heartprints in my life

Many people walk in & out of our lives. Some will leave footprints,& that's what people always ask, "Would your life leave a footprint in someone's life that they'll remember even when you're gone?"

Yet, I believe that it's more important for us to ask this question instead, "Would our lives leave a heartprint in the lives of others?"

Heartprints are special moments or just something that we've done for others that leave a mark/ memory in others. Would we be remembered as someone who has touched a life? Or would we be remembered as the person who did something bad to another person? Or would we not leave any reason for others to remember us at all?? Think about it...

Here are some people who have left heartprints in my life:

Aunty Helen, Nichol, Abigail




















All the girls: Nichol, Rachel, Abigial, Phoebe











Aunty Helen, my very dear aunt in Kuantan, who's a very good cook! Love her choy kiok, shepherd's pie, seven jewel chicken...& many more













Phoebe Tan (sister with a passion for the Lord)














Rachel (the only friend who's the same age as myself out of uni now!)















Uncle Francis, my 'dad' in Kuantan. He introduces me to anyone who comes to the house & wonders who I am as 'his long lost daughter'...teehee... can't get any photos of him, so I caught him at work in the house (side view only, but can do la)... :P















I'm yet to get a photo of aunty Rosalind, chi-chi, uncle Jeff, Tiffanie, Abishua...haha...these people shall have to watch out for my itchy fingers. When my camera is at hand, they can either stay put & smile, or try to run away, which of course would be difficult! ;P

'Happy Feet' scares me!!

I thought watching 'Happy Feet' would make me happy somehow, but no...

Instead, it scared me! Strange, you may say, but it's very, very true, & interestingly, I'm not the only one who has that thought! Sharing the same boat is UF & PT, who had the similar idea with me. Freaky. *shaking in fear* Btw, I watched that movie yesterday night in Kuantan with UF, AR, AT & NN. I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I also had a lot to think of during the movie, & AFTER the movie...

The entire plot brought the church to mind- churches in general. We saw the 'wise, old penguin', Noah, as the leader of the church, who found it SO difficult to accept any ideas that are different (in this case, it was the happy feet). Many leaders of the church find it difficult to adapt to the current cultures of the world, in particular, styles of worship- traditional vs contemporary. I really admire what Mumble did. For the sake of everyone from his kind, he risked his life & put away all fear to find the root of the problem & come up with the solution. Reminded me that the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power and might.

Romans 12:2- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

That was not the only thing that hit the 3 of us. What we (people in general) think as something wrong, may actually turn out to be something that others could use for the best- tap dancing for pleasure, getting the human to stop exploting the fish so that there'll be food for the penguins (by dancing to get their attention)...etc.

Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

There're more thoughts & ideas in mind...it just blew our minds when UF, PT & I sat down after the movie to share our thoughts. Strange how a movie can reveal such things. I wonder if the movie is originally made with that idea in mind...*wonders*

Time to go home...

It's time to go home...PJ home. I cant' recall when was the last time since I was in PJ...3 weeks ago perhaps? Or was it a month ago? Feels long...

So I'm gonna head back tomorrow evening (after church & all). Doubt I'll have the luxury of the internet connection when I'm back home. Gah. It may do me good, I reckon. Away from the computer, away from 'worldly distractions'. *sigh*

I'll most probably come back to Kuantan on 26th December or if need be, a few days before Christmas for carolling... pretty unsure 'bout this 'cos I didn't promise Jessel anything yet. Kekeke...will see how.

Right now, I'm just looking forward to get home & find something to do, & go for camp & have fun while I learn! Teehee... can't wait to meet up with some friends at YQ in December!

Nichol & Phoebe Ng

It's great to have a 'home'...and more than one home too...haha..greedy me! Check out the photos of my other 2 darlings, Nichol (in pink, age 8) & Phoebe (in blue, age 2):





























These 2 fellas can be very cheeky & playful...















It was very, very difficult to get the small kiddo to sit down & take photos. She'll just climb onto me & try to grab the camera..."See...see..." That's all she will say when she sees the camera at hand.










Both can be SO cute...how can I resist their little charms?? *sigh*

I quit!

The 'battle' is over!

I've made the decision to pull out of the debates. Although there were one or two fellas who persuaded me to stay in the competition, I've made the decision already & it's final.

I told the Lord, "If there is still place for the PHP course & I can still attend it, then I'll pull out of debates for certain. No matter how much ppl try to persuade me, I'll stand firm on the decision. But, if the PHP course is full & they wouldn't want to take in anymore students, I'll stay in the debates." In a way, that's what I promised God; in a way, I want to learn to leave something & put my priorities right.

I told Ps Timothy Lam about the plan to pull out & he told me just ONE sentence which blew me apart: "Commitment is a lifelong lesson but making priority of things is the start of making the right commitment."

*kaboom!!*

Hence, I'm out of debates as my lecturer told me that I could still join the PHP course - he didn't remove my name from the list (God's plan??!!). Wow. Just look at how the Lord works... *fulauwey*

I'm asking uncle Herbie if I could join the YQ band again. If yes, I'll be in PJ for practice. If nope, I'll still be in PJ, spending time to rest & spend time with my family & friends. Oh, the much needed rest!!

Debates- the more you get involved, the more you dislike it...

It's the first day for the debates training & I'm already tired of it. Bummer. Somehow, I feel that Ashwin & I are the only ones who are doing all the work...sigh. The 'commitment' that I have to put into this competition is also madness...very demanding. I'm suppose to 'sacrifice' my weekends for the training! Nope, I'm NOT gonna do that! I'm leading worship this Sunday & I've to have a practice for the band this Saturday...

Furthermore, there's the worship workshop on this Sunday afternoon, & I've to set up. *sigh* Thinking 'bout the weekend tires me... bleagh. I'm having a headache now 'cos of the debates d. The seniors have to do a demo for the juniors & we've to prepare our so-called mock debate well. I'm playing the role as first speakers for government & opposition. Bah.

Just thinking of the structure & the points make my head spin. It gets tiring when I'm the only one working here while the rest of the guys doodle around & play WarCraft... or whatever games...yes, all are guys except your truly.

The best part, all of them are Indian guys. *sigh* 'Birds of feathers flock together'. Feel a lil left out cos 1. all are guys & 2. all are of the same race. These are the seniors. Bummer.

Somehow, such situations make me wanna forget about the debates & go on with life. Too much time is taken up by this championship. Is it worth it??

'Mother' business

Strange that I didn't blog anything about the 'mother' business that I got myself into. It's one of the most interesting things in my life now *winks* Yeah... I'm talking about being the big sister & 'mom' to Abigail! Gahahaha... I caught the 'Abigail bug'...

Since I stayed here more often lately (when finals started on 6th Nov 'til now), I've been getting that small girl ready for school i.e. get her hair tied up (usually puppy ears... or whatever you call it), on certain days take her out for lunch, & once, send her to school.

This morning was exceptionally fun *giggles* Gail was involved in a singing performance in school for her 'Hari Penyampaian Hadiah' day. Yeah, morning school... all along it's been afternoon school, so I didn't need to wake up so early. But for today, I had to wake up at 6.40 a.m. to not only tie her hair up in a bun, but do her make-up... with whatever make-up stuff I have.










Teeheehee... I couldn't sleep again after seeing her off (Danika's mom came to pick her up for school), so I ended up making breakfast [french toast] & watching a movie on Star Movies 'til 10.40 a.m.... & my 'battery' died- I slept again... gahahaha...

Side view:
















Back view:

'Buaya clip' are SO useful! Thanks to my mom who gave those cute clips to me...she bought it for herself, but later thought that it was too cute for her...haha...so she gave me instead, & I used it on Gail when she goes to church or for events like today's!
















Front view:





















Side view (again):
















See... how cute she is!! Heehee... who can say no to helping her get ready for her performance ('though you've gotta wake up at 6.40 a.m.)?

Effects of finals

My finals exam is FINALLY over!! *yay yay* The Data Network Security paper (last paper) was as I thought- killer. Couldn't do at least half of the paper!! *pengsan*

Question 1a... erm...*bites nails*...
Question1b...what is this??!!
Question 1c...aiyo...

Question 2...*starts crying...*

Question 3... spit it out! Can remember wan...eekkk!! *faints*

Total marks for the entire paper: 75! Each question: 25 marks! The best part- ALL essays!! *faints & don't wanna wake up anymore*

*sigh* The side effects of the exam... HORRIBLE zits all over the face. *pouts*

Right side:








Left side:







Not only zits appeared... a bruise on my leg as well...but that ain't caused by the stress la... kena that when I was doin some 'mother' business...

Funny faces

When you have a camera, you can just do all sorts of crazy things for fun...hahaha...


















































































Hmm...seems like I've been too consistent in those photos... teehee... Abigail somehow reminds me of her brother... *lol*

Kuching... 11 days!

...and I thought I'll be in Kuching for only 5 days... bummer! All my initial plans affected! Spending 11 days in Kuching sounds absolutely mad!!

The Royals Debating Championship 2006 will be held in UNIMAS, Kuching, this year. The Malay debates will start on the 25th November til 30th November, while the English debates will run from 1st-6th December. Eeekkk!!

I haven't been to Sarawak before, & to stand a chance to go there is indeed a privilege :) The airplane tickets (AirAsia) + food + accomodation (1-6 December) will be covered by the university, while the first 5 days there for the English debators will be on our own...boohoo... Mdm Chiam said, " Be prepared with RM 300 for food & stuff for the first 5 days..." Eeekkk!!! *faints*

Either I go or don't go... *thinks* I've decided to go... somehow, I'll have to get the cash lar. Bah. I'm hoping & praying that I'll find someone who lives there & could bring me (us) around Kuching instead of the debators bumming around town on our own... we'll waste more time & cash if we go on our own... bleagh.

So far, I've found out a 'lil on Kuching:

Around the city

• Kuching Waterfront
• Tua Pek Kong temple (Jalan Bazaar)
• Main bazaar- souvenirs
• Kuching divisional mosque
• India street mall- textiles, clothings...etc

Museums

• Sarawak
• Sarawak Islamic
• Chinese History (at Waterfront)
  
• Cat (at Kuching North City Council)

Historical Places

• Sarawak steamship building
• Square tower
• General post office (Sarawak art meseum)
• Round tower
• The Pavillion (textile museum)
• Court house- Brooke memorial, Clock tower
• The Astana- palace
• Fort Magherita

Food

• Kolo mee
• Nasi lemak
• Sarawak laksa (Chong Choon Cafe at Padungan is said to be good)
  
• Kopa ayam [i somehow think this is just chicken wings]

So, if anyone knows of anybody staying in Kuching who is willing to bring this crazy girl around town (better still if Christian...then, can bring me to church on Sunday, 26 November! Heehee...), do let me know :) Your kind deed will be highly appreciated!

NO WATER!!

Once again, KUKTEM is hit by the water crisis. I have no idea why this uni keeps getting such problems when Pahang is supposedly the state with the MOST water supply! This time, not only my block is dried up, but ALL the blocks in the uni!! *sigh* Die lor… thousand of students can’t bathe nor have any water to drink!

The only hope is the static water tank located at the far end of the university. But then again, that tank isn’t that huge; with at least 500 students rushing to a tank at one period of time, how long can that supply last to provide for all the 500 students??

Poor friends of mine have to go ‘water-hunting’. I’ve not so much of a problem ‘cause I’m heading home later in the evening with Mdm. Chiam. I don’t really need to worry about not having water to bathe today or worry if I have enough water to drink or not. Anyhow, I took 5 liters of water back from Gambang just now when I went out for breakfast. Strange lar… the town 5kms away has enough water to go around, but this uni is dried up. Bah. I hate it when the uni dries up. *mumble-grumble*

'Sian' business

After one paper, everyone will feel 'sian' & won't wanna study (for that day)... the 5 of us friends were equally 'sian'. *sigh* After dinner yesterday, all 5 of us went jalan-jalan in the campus itself & gathered at my room after that for a chat. It's been quite some time since all 5 of us actually sat down together for a chat.

Some of the things that people who are 'sian' can cook up...











































*****
You know when your roomies' heads aren't stuck in their books when you hear the click-click sound. At times, the sound of the mouse clickety-clicking away stirs up some fear in me. It seems that everyone has SO much to do, while I am here, typing a blog post. *sigh* Software Engineering students- their eyes are more often glued to the computer screen than on the faces of human. Bummer. Life of a software engineering student is pretty boring!

One more to go...

Two papers down! ONE more to go!!! *yay! dances around* I felt I did pretty alright for the last 2 papers- Formal Method (computer-maths) & Artificial Intelligence ;) Am aiming for As this time.*sigh* Don't ask me why I'm trying so hard to get good grades when it doesn't really mean anything.

Perhaps it's just the satisfaction (though temporary) *shrugs* sigh* I wanna get into the Dean's List this semester... also dunno what's the reason for doing that. Attribute such 'kiasu-ness' to peer pressure. Well, pressure IS good... to some extend. If I don't push myself, I may not know how far I can go...

The next paper (final one!!) is on Tuesday. That paper is a killer: Data Network Security. Bah. It's my worst subject, the dryest, and the most boring subject I've to learn (aside from Data Communication & Networking). I just don't like anything to do with computer networking... it's SO dry!! Too factual, & for me, it's just uninteresting! Studying how packets flow, which protocols are involved and when, types of attacks and how to overcome such situations...encryption and decryption...haiyo! Dun like lor... my cousin tells me time after time that networking is VERY important & it is the easiest cos it never changes. Unlike programming, programming languages change every now & then. *sigh* I know that as a fact, but I just can't seem to enjoy networking subjects. I'm aiming for an A of course, but I have to get at least an A- if I want to aim to get into the Dean's List this semester. Bummer.

Studies are not very fun. The only fun part is the non-academic part. Haha... oh, one more paper & I'll have a short break before the next semester kicks in in December. Gah. I can't wait for the semester to end (though that would mean I'm even closer to the end of the 'race' & will have to start thinking of where to do my industrial training & where to work after that)...

Discovering the truth behind the ‘veil’

It amazes me how the truth has been distorted to the effect that causes confusion of what actually is the truth. Sometimes I wonder how people can come up with such ‘grand’ and ‘convincing’ ideas.

Curiosity opens doors for exploration and investigation. My itchy fingers steered the mouse towards a topic, which I long to do some research on: The Religion of Islam & the vast differences it has with Christianity.

There are a few ‘interesting ideas’ that I found out. Apparently, in the Koran, it also talks about Jesus, but he’s just a prophet, and is not the Son of God. The reason for this is that, if He is the Son of God because He is conceived of the Holy Spirit & born of the Virgin Mary (a miraculous way of birth), then Adam should be given priority to being the son of God instead because God alone made him, without the need to be born through a person.

Secondly, the Koran also states that Muhammad is the last prophet that God sent. Therefore, he is the ‘seal of the prophets’, confirming the truth of God. Yes, Jesus is like Noah and Moses, one of the prophets mentioned, but his role is not as significant because he’s not the last prophet to close the ‘deal’.

Then, it was also amazing how John 14:16-17 is interpreted in the Koran. It says: “And I will give you another Counselor (the Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him), to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth.” How and where did this ‘brilliant idea’ appear??

There are too many ‘interesting ideas’ to find out & I’ll leave the exploration to you. Pray that you don’t get confused, but stand firm on the faith which you have believed in.

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15

Find out more at:
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/31/viewall/

Lil' girls' fight

Abigail: We've been fighting over for you! Nichol always compare, "She give me 'this', she got give you ar?" Got... "Mine nicer" Same lar... this week she sleep at my house. She stay in my house more. "She also stay in my house ar..."

These girls are SO cute!!! How can I NOT miss them when I leave Kuantan next year?? I'm SO not prepared to leave this place. There are just too many memories... VERY pleasant ones too. Huhuhu... I feel extremely special. Seems like I've a place in their hearts *melts*sigh* I feel honoured; like someone whom they look up to... bleagh. I dont want to leave Kuantan for now... even aunty Helen was 'fighting' for me (last Sunday). Sounds terribly childish for me to say all these, but really lar, so cute of them.

A. Helen: When are you going back to uni?
Ruth : Oh, next week. Most probably Sunday night.
A. Helen: You're staying at aunty Ros' place for the whole week ar? Not fair lar... half-half lar. 3 days here, 3 days there...
Ruth : Huh?? Uh... no lar no lar... I'll stay there for the whole week...but I'll come by your place during the week, k?

This is Kuantan. The place that I've been attached to for the past 2 years. *sigh* I love both my families here.

*****
BTW, Happy Birthday KHup! Kesian that fella...pathetically told Terence that it's his birthday today (2 November) cos there wasn't anyone to celebrate it with him. Lol. He ajaked Terence out for dinner ("Terence, come let's go eat fish..."), but Terence 'rejected' the invitation cos he was too tired to go out. Fish is his favourite, so to have fish for dinner is walla syiok for him. At the end, the both of them ended up having a meal of reheated 'yesterday night's leftover' chapati & curry. Hahaha...what a bithday. He ended up telling Terence that it's his birthday today when his cousin smsed him a birthday wish (his cousin & him are apparently one day apart). To add to the misery, he's down with a bad sore throat & cough.

What's so special about birthdays, one may ask...hmm... nothing much actually. Just that, that's the day that the Lord brought you into this world with a special purpose! *wink*

Love & Marriage

I found the article below on Sue Lynn's blog. Thought it was nice to share...

*****
"What is love?"

The teacher said, "in order to answer your question, go to the padi field and choose the biggest padi and come back. But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick."

The student went to the field, went through the first row and saw one big padi, but he wonders....there may be a bigger one later. Then he saw another bigger one... but there may be an even bigger one waiting for him.

Later, when he finished more than half of the padi field, he started to realise that the padi is not as big as the previous ones he saw, he knew he had missed the biggest one, and he regretted it. So, he went back to the teacher empty handed.

The teacher told him, "...this is love... you keep looking for a better one, but later you'll realise that you have already missed the person...."

"What is marriage then?" the student asked.

The teacher said, "in order to answer your question, go to the corn field and choose the biggest corn and come back. But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick."

The student went to the corn field, this time he is careful not to repeat the previous mistake, when he reached the middle of the field, he picked one medium sized corn that he feel satisfied with, and went back to the teacher.

The teacher told him, "this time you brought back a corn.... you look for one that is just nice, and you have faith and believe that this is the best one you can get.... this is marriage."

Sometimes we think love lies in the right person we find, but love actually makes the person we find, the right person. Take time to love and enjoy every moment together.

I found out...

that...

there are many who are not feeling well.

there are SO many who need a listening ear.

there are TOO many people who are having encouragement-drought.

almost everyone is going through depression, some kind or another.

So, what am I doing here, sitting in front of the computer??! The harvest is plenty!... but the workers are few...? Bummer.

*****
Meanwhile, I'm pretty bored.

1. I've to study, & I dont know what else is there to read up cos there aint that many notes to read anymore. In any case, studying those 'technical' thingies aren't great fun.

2. Abigail has gone out to join the aunties for line-dance, leaving me alone... *lol* not really alone... the rest of the family are downstairs, while I stay in the room, enjoying the best of having a house covered with wireless internet connectivity! Bah. She brings the joy in everyone's life ;)

3. The only thing I can do for th entire day is to listen to the online radio, klove.

Aunty Helen's Garden

This is aunty Helen's garden:

Somehow she has green fingers, & all her plants are her 'babies'...

The orchids are planted in pots behind the kitchen area of the house...


And this is the grasshopper story (happened yesterday evening):

Ruth: Aunty Helen! *runs into the house with excitement- holding the camera* There are SO many grasshoppers in your garden! So cute!! (I even took macro shots of them! Cool huh?)

A. Helen: What??!! Where are they??! I wanna kill them!! They're eating up my plants!!

Ruth: Huh?! Kill them???! But...they're SO cute....

The next thing I know, the both of us headed to the garden- to kill the grasshoppers! Huhuhu... armed with a scissors and a 'spray' containing perticide, aunty Helen went straight to the plant.

A. Helen: Where is the grasshopper?? Where are those fellas who are eating my babies??!

Ruth: Erm... erm... there! *points out to aunty Helen the grasshopper, & turned away*

*Cut them! Cut them! All into half!*


The rest is history. Poor grasshoppers. Erm...ok, poor plants...

*one down*


another down*


This is the final process. Aunty Helen is gonna kill me when she knows I put her face up on my blog! Hahaha... that's why I made this pic smaller also... :P *spray spray spray!*

Exciting day out

Today's interesting! Well, EVERYDAY's interesting....haha...

I had my blood test at HTAA today (to check & see if the thyroid level went up or down, or stabilized...)... the wait was quite long. Bleagh. Nearly fell asleep there *pai-se*

Since I was near Kuantan Parade, I headed there after the test & did some shopping. KP is kinda 'dead' early in the morning. Bummer. Most shops aint opened yet. I got my facial cleanser, hair clips & rubberband for Abigail, a birthday card for KH, and I even got a hair cut!! Ahaha... the cheapest hair cut I've ever had... RM 3 only!! At Maroon!

This is the latest look. A lil strange, since Ruth Wong has never had such a hair style before, but I shall have to get used to it. Not too bad lar... just that the couple of pounds I put on didnt make me look any better. (photo taken in Abigail's room... we share the same room when I'm around ;P)



Maroon is one of the most famous hair salons in Kuantan, & this company has about 4-5 branches in Kuantan itself. Super hebat one lor... to get a student-hair cut for that price is worth it. I've just gotta trust the hair stylist & allow the person to do whatever he/she likes ;) The best part is that my hair stylist, I found out at night, is a Wesley church member!!! Oh my goodness... I totally couldn't believe it! I didn't recognise her, & vice-versa! She's a new member of the church... that's what uncle Jeff & chi-chi told me. LOL. The best part is that my hair stylist, Joey, & I had quite a good chat, & I got to know her even better than I would in church! *pengsan*

After the hair cut, which was pretty drastic, I walked back to chi-chi's place & spent the rest of the day there, chatting wif aunty Helen, & exploring her garden..hehe.. Somehow, today was pretty interesting. I made a new friend, got a new hair cut, and got Abigail the little hari accessories, which she didnt have & needed them for school *smiles* I would do anything to get that girl what she needs :) That darling deserves it. Heh.