Currently listening: Keith Green - Make my life a prayer to you

Well I wanna thank You now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away

Seriously, if you ask me? I duno. Duno what to do, duno whom to talk to, duno what's next.

Because someone picked me up - 2

Currently listening: True Worshippers (Youth) - Jadi SepertiMu

"Ubah hatiku, seputih hatiMu
Setulus salibMu, kasihMu Tuhan
Biar mataku, seperti mataMu
Pancarkan kasihMu, ku mau jadi sepertiMu."

We watched a movie about Ron Clark, a dedicated teacher who left the comforts of his small town, to take up a teaching position in a problematic classroom at one of New York's troubled neighbourhood schools. I think most people (even myself) would have blown our tops having to deal with such hopeless kids who show no respect and go all out to drive you nuts. In other words, almost everybody has given up on them.

Nevertheless, able to see how this teacher was willing to go through great lengths and try all sorts of methods, even making a fool out of himself, in order to win the hearts of the students and help them achieve their full potential. Eventually by taking personal interest in them, he managed to bring forth change, and the worst class of the school ended up scoring the highest marks among other schools in the state for their exams.

God never gave up on us. Today, as Romans 5:8 put it that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, I'm especially thankful for those in my discussion group:
a) D*, for sharing how from being a stubborn person, what led to his decision to come to know God, and how his life was being transformed gradually in the process. Unexpectedly, he also apologised for being harsh to me in the past, when I initially tried to bring him to church.
b) C*, how despite her own nature of being a resentful person, God gave her the courage to take the 1st step to apologise (even though it's not entirely her fault) and forgive a good friend of hers, who had caused much personal hurt and grief. Could see that it was not an easy process, but it always starts from one person's willingness to let go.

Free time + People I'm grateful to

Currently listening: Rob Thomas - Little wonders (OST: Meet the Robinsons)

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1. Revisited some my earlier posts when I 1st blogging, and was thinking to myself, did I actually write them? Coz they sounded childish and rather immature.. Oh well..

2. At times I tend to end up comparing with others the things I do..and it can get frustrating when I struggle to comprehend certain people's mindset. Nevertheless, got reminded of Psalm 126:5-6 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

3. Surgical elective concluded with a record number of surgeries witnessed and assisted (on my part as medical student) and a favourable report expressing confidence from my supervisor, which I'm thankful for.. She actually wrote at length about my strengths and areas for improvement. Monash doesn't pay her for my elective, and I felt a bit 'pai seh' when she invited me for her Hari Raya open house, so my way of thanking her and the department? A box of chocolates should do the trick :)

4. Dermatological posting was exciting - lasted only 4 days, but covered most of the skin conditions I would loved to have seen and diagnosed..

5. I requested several books from the main campus via intercampus loan. The people in Sunway initially refused since they only have 1 copy each, instead suggesting for the clinical school library to acquire the books over time. I'm thankful for our librarian here. No doubt it's a case by case basis, but she actually fought for the books on the basis that I'm a final year student. To my amazement, the books actually arrived within 2 days, guess I owed her one :)

Escapade to Sungai Lembing - small tin-mining village town

During the Raya holidays, me and a fellow ex-classmate decided to do something which I have not done before - conquer Bukit Panorama. In order to make it to the top of the hill to catch the sunrise, we departed for Sungai Lembing at 5.00am, a 40-minute drive from Kuantan (it was crazy, woke up at 4.30am during school holiday)..

Upon arrival, the small village town was quiet, but you already see coffeeshops selling breakfast open for business. It was pitch-black, you actually need a torchlight to ascend the hillsteps. It was an alternating trail of concrete steps and slippery slopes, as some parts of the steps have been washed away by rainwater and landslides, so it's pretty hazardous to come on a rainy day.

A fellow friend asked if I could actually make it to the top (since I don't frequently exercise :p), but if I could conquer 1000 steps in Kokoda, why not a 400-metre high hill? So I finally made it, and so too did many other people, but to our disappointment, the view of the sunrise was partially obstructed by clouds in the horizon.. oh well, might as well take a few photos. You can also see a bit of the morning fog in the valleys below.

After breakfast, since the old tin mines were sealed off due to collapse, we went over the hanging bridge to a small housing area. Here, one of the industries include making noodles which are somewhat used for 'wantan mee'.. then we ended the day at the local museum..

To check out more photos, click here.

Back at one

Currently listening: City Harvest - In your house

I remembered 4 years ago, around this same time back in my 1st year, I poured out wholeheartedly to my ex-shepherd in Melbourne, Jason how I was not prepared to go back to Malaysia. Not sure of what lies ahead, not sure of the many uncertainties coming my way. Looking back after more than 4 years on, could really reflect on God's grace through the ups and downs of many experiences I went through..

Funny that now, as I am nearing the end of my undergraduate studies, I find myself in the same spot I was over 4 years ago..