Lost?

The compass now seems to no longer point to a fixed direction. The heart could not muster strength to take a step. A seemingly endless void devours emotions and joy. Sigh. The momentary lull seemed so....disheartening, and discouraging, as peaceful as it may seems. Almost like an omen to an impending storm, a mighty disaster. But yet, if Christ is with me, who would be against me? TO pray my friends, I shall pray.

House of Ice (Horror content : Warning, Mental Images may, erm, haunt you!)

The machines creaked, the generator roared and in an instant, the factory came alive. The cranes were moving all around and the conveyor belt began its treadmill. All this would have been a normal operation at the ice factory, had it not been that the factory, was no longer in use, for a long time. The trapped students in the factory panicked. Their first day on the trip and they are now in trouble. The signed said the exhibition was past the visiting time, but they all never thought it would hurt to go for a peek. As soon as they reached the end of the factory, they saw the exit was locked. They shrugged, after seeing the condition of the factory and steadily made their way to the entrance. They arrived, only to see the last tourist vehicle leaving the compound. And the entrance door being bolted and chained. No one seemed to know that they were trapped.

THEY WERE TRAPPED !

Panic trickled in slowly, and it was at this moment, the machinery came alive. It was as if someone, or something pushed a button. The temperature started to drop drastically. Icicles were forming on the roof.

E: Look here, we have to find a way out! How about the windows?
M: All of it seemed to be erm, frozen. We cant seem to pry it open, or ..or..or even break it.
A: Relax now, let's go and erm, check the communication center, maybe there's a phone.
X: Yeah, we can't even call out from our mobiles. Something is fishy.
E: Don't freak yourself out. We'll be out in no time. What' the worst that could happen?
J: (Shivering) well, being frozen meat is not the bright side of things, ok?

They were climbing up the ladder, when the last of the group, E, was at the end of a staircase, and saw something. A scream was all that was left, when the staircase gave way, and he plunged into the deep freezing pool. The others were left hanging for dear life. Until they slowly climbed their way up.

As soon as they reached the center, they saw the control panels were not functioning at all. The phone lines were useless. M tried to lower the thermostat and stop the production of the ice, but then

PRANGGGGG

A pipe burst containing liquid nitrogen and it sprayed M all over the body. In a matter of seconds, he cracked and fell to the ground, lifeless. The group was stunned by what had happened. The burst pipe now was only hissing the remainder of the gas. It seemed there was only enough gas to freeze a person, enough to freeze that person to death, it seems.

The group took a nearby cloth and covered the remains. They had to move on. They then strategised that the best step was to check where the ice are all being transported. They went to the conveyor belts, now hoping to find a way to end their nightmare. They had to move fast. On their way there, J heard an eerie laughter. It was almost inaudible. But she also heard the clanging sound of an ice hook. She did not entertain it further, thinking it was a figment of her imagination. They were finally there. They saw the ice blocks being put on the conveyor belt and transported through opening above. They now see stars and the moon. It must have been hours when they were stuck in the factory. The old factory was still operating in the night. A terrible omen.

They searched for ladders or anything that can bring them up. The exit was bolted tight. They tried to pry it open with their bare hands. J saw a crow bar drop at the far end. She made her way through, thinking that the crow bar would bring much help in prying open the bolts on the door. As soon as she reached the crow bar, she heard a clanging of chains above.

*creak..metal clanging..THUD!*

The chain from above fell onto J with a loud thud. Only her hand is seen clutching onto the crow bar. X and A, being left now, were almost out of their mind. Having 3 friends die in front if your eyes, is nothing short of a trauma. They had to get out. But how?

Searching the factory for clues, and staying together, they found an old newspaper clipping. It told of the factory's misfortune that it was closed because a ghost seemingly haunted the factory, the ghost of the grave on which the factory was built. Silly. There is no such things as ghost? Or was there?

They thought of a plan now. The only way out was to create a big situation. Stopping the ice production should alert somebody. Or trying to destory the factory in the process, nonetheless should grab some attention from the neighbouring houses.

They approached the generator. Unsure of a way, and driven by panic, A tried to pull down the lever and the handle broke. They took a bucket and filled it with water to short circuit the generator. It seemed to work. But after a few sparks of electricity, a back-up generator came on. The two were puzzled and frustrated. And as they were looking each other eye to eye, thinking of a fatal end, A spotted an imposing figure at the corner of his eye. He took the crow bar and started to swipe around. Sure enough, a figure came out and with ice hook in hand, fought back. A villian. The Grim Reaper.

There was no time to lose. They had to shut down the factory, or die trying. As A fought the villian, X took one look at the back-up generator, and asked A to pin the villian down to the generator. She took a nearby chain and struck at the shadowy figure. It slumped, but it grabbed A and they struck the generator together, causing a short circuit, and a small explosion. The last memory of the scene was X's bloodied hand, lifeless on the pavement.

(Blogger's note: This story was dedicated to the time when we really got stuck in the ice factory. Well, always read the signs *wink*)

Alor Star- Kaki Bukit-Sungai Petani Trip, Day 1

I have been delaying this post for quite sometime now. Finally, I now get to start on it. Actually, I had another post on my mind, but then again, erm..I seemed to lost the pics for that one. So now, it's this one.

Ok, Matt began to tell me about a trip to Alor Star and Kaki Bukit during the weeks before the exams. It was to be during the exams. I checked my schedule and I felt it was entirely ok to have a break, because there was a gap about 4 days between my second last and my last paper. And after a few exam papers, I packed my bag and followed the gang to Alor Star..Wuhooo!

(At matt's aunt's place, in Alor Star)

We took Juliet (lynx's car) all the way up to Alor Star. We had some praise and worship session in the car. As soon as we got to matt's place, we were famished! we only had erm, curry mee and some pork for breakfast (hey, I'm growing, k?) Well, we put our bags and off we go to get some food.

(awesome assam laksa!)

So matt brought us to a place to have a great plate of assam laksa, and it's cheap too. It's just RM 1.80 for a plate. The broth is just right. There were two choices, one with lemak, and the other without. Needless to say, I tried the one with lemak. Well, the broth is just creamy and the noodles are good.

(fried yam with glutinious cake)

Matt also bought us some fried finger food. We had fried yam with glutinous cake and some friend corn with flour (below). The fried stuff was a god combo. And it's fresh too! Real crispy and nice.

Well...we then washed down the assam laksa with a bowl of ais kacang. I shared with Alex. And imagine that, a bowl for just RM 1.70. I don't think you can get that in KL nowadays. Well, it was refreshing, although the taste could have been better.

After the meal, we wanted to visit a famous tourist place, the birth house of the ex-Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir. But being there on a Friday noon was not a good idea, as the place was closed for Friday Prayers. So, we went back to watch "Wanted". After that erm...violent and parental guidance advised show.lol..we went out to the place again.


The place is not just a home now. Most of the original structure was preserved and there were additional buildings built around it to tell more of the leader's past. About his childhood, his writings, his marriage, his lineage, his practice and for sure, about his political involvement, prior to him being a Prime Minister. However, as my friend noted, there were only information before he was Prime Minister, not during his rule. Well, I guess there was something to be said, eh?

Anyways, there are no admission fees, but you do need a few hours, if you want to go through the exhibits in the other buildings. The original house were seen to be preserved well. The architecture brought back memories of a village life. It struck me on how a leader can always be born, no matter of the circumstances, or the origins. True, good tree bear good fruits but you can never say that the tree does not bear good fruit, when the time has not yet come to judge *wink*.

No photography or any other form of recording was allowed in the house. So, matt took a pic from the outside. well this pic does remind me of the four kings and queens of Narnia. Well, go figure. lol. We then made a trip to the fort in Kuala Kedah (I think*scratch head*) The fort was an old remnant and we took quite a number of pics.

The setting of the sun in the nearby see signaled the coming of dusk. We got one final picture there before we left. ^.^v

(group pic, especially loved this one !!)

There were much more pics and crazy stuff that we did, including erm a run from one end of the fort to the other.hehe. But too many pics may take a long time to download this page. Anyways, with our visual, and hearing sense satisfied, we proceed to feed a very important sense, the tummy (hey, I think it's a very important sense, you know?)

So, our stop was in one of the food courts (ask Matt). We spotted a stall that makes claypot chicken rice with charcoal, how cool is that? We immediately ordered one pot for each one of us. And lo and behold, it did not dissapoint. Although, we underestimated the size of the pot. It seemed tiny, barely able to have one plate of rice. But when we scooped it up, it was almost 2 plates.
The gravy was thick and the flavour and aroma was top-notch. well, matthew went to get some fried stuff and we had it before hte claypot came in. The claypot did take sometime, as the charcoal needs a longer cooking period. Well, good food needs time and effort, right? So, the fried stuff was good. Real crunchy and tasty. Mouth-watering.

(erm, I forgot about not asking for plastic bags)

Located next to the food court, was a peculiar sign that caught my eyes. It was a club for blood donation! How cool is that?! I had been an advocate of blood donation (but I slacked off recently) and organ donations, so seeing the sign was akin to rabbits seeing a horde of rabbits ( or something like that..lol..) So, that is a totaly cool club. I wonder what is the membership fee? Hmm..maybe a blood donation? And the club activities? Hmm..something to think about eh?

So, after a hearty meal, we returned to matt's place, to bathe and then take turn on the Playstation. After a few rounds of Tekken and Need for Speed, we settled for Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. I did stay up late to watch Mamma Mia after that and tried to erm appreciate Cats, but my tiredness got into the way. Hehe..I think I slept around 3am, or something.

The first day was a great one. The only regret was that it ended all too soon ;)

Today

It has been a different day today, as all days are different. I was in the market, running errands. At that point of time, it struck me. Ideas flooded in, and sad as it is, I did not have pen and paper with me. My mind just ran with all the ideas, to a place beyond wildest imaginations. This morning, in the market, I had also met my former teacher, Mr. Ng Kim Hock. My class teacher from Form 4 and Form 5, and also my Maths and Add. Maths teacher. Hmm..it was nostalgic..He was also a former student of USM. What a coincidence. After a nice chat, I continued with mom to do my errands. And at that time, I saw the market place, in a different light. It was almost the marketplace of ideas, so much properted by the globalisation theorists. I saw issues that affects on a gobal scale starting from the local scene. I saw issues of poverty, issues of empowerment, issues of education, social ills and identity. Can we empower the poor? Can we taclke issues of poverty? Can we educate our future generation?
Well, who said the market place isn't a "marketplace of ideas" in it's own? *wink*

And on another note, my chat with my former teacher, sparked a thought in my mind.
Why did I choose my line of studies?
Was it for fame and glory?
Was it because I had no choice?
Was it the only thing that I can do?
Was it because I just picked it, without any plan whatsoever?
I realised, I studied journalism for a cause. Although it was not my dream to be a reporter, but then again, I knew the power of the pen. I was never a fighter, being erm...physically erm...ineffective (looks at my own physique), but I had always been drawn to the might of words and wit. It was not pure brute strength that I admire (although at times, it does come in handy) it was the subtle, gentlemanly, intellectual battles that I sought. I choosed the world of journalism, to be a Chronicler of Time. To write and to communicate, not so much as in propaganda's or advertorials, but to show the world, what needs to be seen. Little as these dreams may seem, these are the things that interest me. But do I plan on being a reporter for long?

Well..that is up to God. Only He will know. I may even end up in a different field after this. But for now, let me just say that with all the skills that I have (or lackthereof) language and curiousity is my sharpest. And yet, it is a craft that I need to seek to hone even more.

To wield a blade without knowledge is foolish. To seek a perfection of craft without commitment and sacrifice, would be all too naive.

I got tagged by the Lynx!!

The RULES:

* Take a recent photo of yourself OR take a picture of yourself RIGHT NOW.
* DONT change your clothes. DON'T fix your hair, just take a picture.
* Post that picture with NO editing.
* Post this instruction with your picture.
* Tag 5 peoples to do this.

(First time doing this: I tag Matthew, Serena, Areen, Josette and Vanessa)

P/S: Pic was taken during the recording of Bicara Siswa. Taken by the Lynx. In Dewan Budaya, USM

Worldview Campaign

Matt--> Da Chef!

The Kitchen Fellowship group had been busy last October. We had what was called as the Worldview Campaign. Every night, a theme country will be selected and the cuisines originated from the country.

Him again

We would be having a small of games and getting to know each other. Then, we proceed to satisfy our famished tummies with great delights of the night..lol..

Shrimps for Gumbo Nite!

Then, after the feast, we sit down and sign worship songs. Our guests who were not Christians also joined in singing. After a great time of worship, we sat around the living room and the speaker for the nite stood up to discuss and talk about the question that was posed for each nite. Starting from the likes of "Where do I come from?" to "Where do I go after I die?", these questions were meant to stimulate discussions and allow our friends to see our worldview, as we also try to understand theirs.

Cambodian Nite!

To learn more, follow Matt's blog as he writes snippets of what has happened in the Worldview Campaign. who knows? We might be making a special newsletter about it!

read the Kitchen Fellowship blog to find out more!!

Freshly baked cookies!!!

Hi everyone! LWCF aka Persatuan Navigators will be selling baked cookies for Christmas. Come one and come all to get your share! The prices are also very affordable. There will be 2 types of cookies on sale.

a) Chocolate Peanut Cookies - 10 pieces of round shaped cookies with a sweet cherry on top. (RM5)

b) Decorated Christmas Cookies - 12 pieces of assorted shapes and decorated with colorful icing sugar! (RM 10)

This is just what you need for the Christmas Season!!

Please contact me asap for your orders before the 5th of December, (as the baking process will start after that!) and we would pass you the cookies around 20th of December, or when you return to USM on the 22nd. What are you still clicking the mouse for? Hurry up and place your orders!

nothing like a warm glass of tea, a box of delicious cookies and good friends to spend the Christmas Season with *wink*

Of First Importance

Knowing God and Our own Wretchedness!

“Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride.

Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair.

Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness.”

- Blaise Pascal, quoted by Thomas V. Morris in Making Sense of it All (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 1992), 104.

Of First Importance

“We are people that know politics is important, but not ultimate. We know that politics has its place, an urgent and important place where, in the City of Man, decisions are made that can make the difference between life and death, injustice and justice, mercy and no mercy, commonweal or common disaster.

But we also know that there is in this world at its very best only a hint of the kingdom that is to come, where God’s reign is supreme.

No government will ever be able to say, ‘Every tear has been wiped away.’ No government will ever be able to say, ‘The blind have received sight and the deaf have received hearing and the lame now walk.’…That power is God’s alone.”

—Albert Mohler, “After the Election”

Bicara Siswa

There is a television programme called "Bicara Siswa" and LWCF was asked to send in representatives to warm the seats. (sadly) Although we were allowed to voice out and give questions in the later part of the show, it being recorded was a tad a bit less interactive. Anyhow, it was done in Dewan Budaya, USM. It was also recorded for 2 nights, and I was in both nights. The topic for the first night was " Universiti Di Hari Muka" (University in the future) and the

(moi)

(before going for the recoding. Thought is as a formal event)

(don't know why I looked serious..lol..)

second night was "AUKU- Apakah kelemahannya"(What is the weakness of the University and University College Act) Although I did not get the pics in the hall, what i did get was some pics of me and the rest of the gang.lol...

A Kitten's Tale

Once upon a time, in the northern region of Malaysia, in the beautiful tropics of Penang. In the castle of U heights, there was a kitten. One so harshly treated by the world and it's savagery. The kitten was left alone to fend for itself. And it wandered in search of food and lodging.

Lo and behold, a fair maiden was on her journey to meet with her companions. She waited for the magical staircase to her friends abode. Upon her waiting. the kitten looped around the maiden's feet, feeling the warmth. It was reminded of it's mother's womb. And then, sadly, the maiden left.


However, after a while, the maiden returned with her friends for a walk outside of the castle. And after a few moments, the maiden decided, if the kitten were to be seen again, it must be fed and loved. And the true enough, the kitten was to be seen, as if it had understood the maiden's thought. The maiden's friend, a gentlemen, took it upon himself, to carry the kitten to his home. And the kitten enjoyed some fresh water and biscuits to nibble on. The strong wind made it shudder and it hid behind the warmth of the carpet.

The maiden returned to play with the kitten and bringing it food (tuna).
Sadly, after it's meal, it was time for the kitten to go. The homeowner would have no pets in his home. Dejectedly, the gentlemen took the kitten to a foreign place, and left it there.


Unknowingly, the kitten did return, with another occupant of the humble home, it dashed into the home and attempted to reach the balcony. Until it was stopped by the gentlemen, with the owner gasping at the sight of it.

Finally, bidding farewell to the kitten, the gentlemen left it further still, and the kitten was seen no more.

Lil' Juliet, this is a blog post to you

A Hat's Off to a Lecturer

There comes a time in your life where you meet influential peoples. These are peoples who inspire you,

who look at you in the eye, and say "You can do it!"


I had the privilege to meet many people like these, and one of them was our lecturer, Dr. Zin.

He taught us Communication Theory and Research 2 this semester and we were thrilled by his enthusiasm.


He is a splendid lecturer and all I can say is this " Thanks Dr. Zin, All the best to you. I raise my hat to you!"


I hope that wherever he is, he would be able to touch lives, just like how he has with ours.

Of First Importance

“Ready for some good news? . . .

“Jesus Christ is stronger!”

Jesus Christ is stronger!

Stronger than my fears about the future or my shame over a past that cannot be altered though I wish so much I could do some things differently.

Stronger than my tired prayers with well-worn phrases and weary pleas.

Stronger than my need to know now, and have the trial terminated.

Stronger than the enemy of my soul who would discourage me with my own failings and disillusion me with the faults of others.

Such a simple truth—Jesus Christ is Stronger. ‘Stronger than what,’ you ask? Stronger than whatever would cause you doubt or discouragement today.”

--James McDonald "Jesus Christ is Stronger"

(HT: Tim Challies)

Blogger's note: Truly Christ is stronger. In times of trials and tempations, the victory we have in Christ should be a constant reminder to us. And we should not be complacent in our actions towards it, we should claim that victory and move on with Life, be it running away from temptation or taking a courageous step.

Of First Importance

“If you want rest come to Christ in Gethsemane, to Christ on Calvary, to Christ risen, to Christ ascended. If you want rest, O weary souls, ye can find it nowhere until ye come and lay your burdens down at his dear pierced feet, and find life in looking alone to him.”

- Charles Spurgeon, Rest, Rest

Blogger's note: This is the Absolute Truth, none more so than what Christ has done on the cross

The Train Ride Through the Lake

Le Fleur de Lys

(The White Lily)

The color stood out in the florist,

The purest of whites,
The stem, green it is,
Oh, how lovely its sight.

Yet, it signified even more,
meanings helds it never apart,
of a love on the furtherest shore,
Of a love, in the heart.

And so, this white creation,
reminded me evermore,
of my own birth and creation,
of my mother evermore,

I bought the white lily,
splendid in the florist,
evermore splendid and lively,
beautiful, lovely, it is.

And so the lily shall be,
white and pure in my heart,
as how is my mom to me,
deep in my heart.

by: ed

Train RIde from KL

There has been a lot happening to me these past few weeks. I cannot stress more that God has put me through trials to build me up and I sincerely thank the brothers and sisters in Christ that has been praying and encouraging me.

Now, this post is about my trip up from KL. I took a train ride with Matthew and Paul.

Paul: Through the window

At one of the station

This is an awesome view as the train passes through a large lake. It is very large as I will upload a video to just show u how long it took for the train to pass through! It's also due to the fact that the train moves at a slower speed.

Matthew

Moi

Paul

Economy class: The lowest of them all

Station signs...Not all of it looks like that though.

The train that made the trip

A good reminder of my course..lol And the whole trip took the whole 8 hours. If you ever have any thought of getting a train from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur, don't forget to travel with a group of friends, and always have activities ready. Do not assume that you would be able to endure through it with sleep. You CAN'T sleep if it's in the day, mind you. And if you do get such an idea...I guess this sign is quite a reminder..LOL

(Taken on a platform in tha station)