Hawaii Tsunami Alert

Please let us all pray for those who are in Hawaii... that God will protect them from tsunami. There has been tsunami alert after an earthquake of M8.8 hit Chile.

My sister and her husband live in Hawaii, along the coastal area. She works in one of the hotels there near the beach. I pray for God's protection on them.

*News Update*

The tsunami alert has been lifted off. Thank God for answering our prayers. It has even been lifted off in the Philippine Coastal areas. Let's celebrate!

My Garden

I haven't been attending to my garden since I came back from the US. The weeds had overgrown my vegetables. Now when you look from afar, you wouldn't know I have veges there.

I am trying it to be as organic as it can be... but worms are chewing their ways up until the last leaf. My friend who's taking Master's degree in bio--- something (pardon me. it's too scientific for me to remember the exact term) gave some tips on how to keep the worms off my plants.

I have been procrastinating in trying it out.

Right now, I'm rolling up my sleeves so I can start weeding my garden and start trying out the tip.

Hope it works.

My garden... here I come. Watch out, worms!

The Trio

We just started calling ourselves the Domestic Diva Trio... just for fun. But somehow, we're taking it seriously. Yes, we're all domestic diva wannabes.

Lalaine and Raya knew each other since they were still in the Philippines. Raya and I saw each other at different times then. But we only became friends after we saw each other's blogs. Then we started chatting in Yahoo Messenger. Then we moved on to Facebook.

Then last month, when I was updating my FB status and told friends the family was going to Hatyai, Raya started expressing the desire that she and family could go too. God has honored that desire... So we finally met in person (again)... But this time, it's different because we somehow knew each other from our blogs and chats and FB status updates.

And so... the friendship has never been the same again. We're now officially friends with Raya. Of course, I've been friends with Lalaine for quite some time now.

So... I would like to introduce to you the Domestic Diva Trio: Tarannnnn!!!!


Ooopppsss... wrong picture. They're the fruits of being our domestic divas. The common things we do have are: each has one boy and one girl as our children and each has husband that can be domestic devo as well. Hahaha!!!

Here's the real us by the way.

Potbless

Before coming to Hatyai, my friends and I organized a potbless (others may call it potluck). So everybody should bring one dish. Tonight was it. We had a potbless and every food prepared was really delish and I can say that everyone who was here for dinner was sure wishing they would somehow be able to get a hold of weight loss pills. The good thing though was that one of us prepared fruits. Photos to follow soon. My friend took lots of photos and I am waiting until she uploads the photos.

Chinese New Year and Food

I just posted in my other blog that Chinese New Year and traffic jam go together. Actually, this season, it doesn't seem so. What go together are Chinese New Year and food. Chinese people would pass up traveling but not food. We are not Chinese but every Chinese New Year, some friends would call us to spend the new year with them. There's always lots of food on the table. Therefore, I can totally say that Chinese New Year and best fat burners go together. LOL. :D One funny thing is that I go to this certain friend for CNY (Chinese New Year) celebration but would usually serve Indian food. Now, that's what I call fusion. Malaysia boleh! (Malaysia can!)

Things Forgotten

I would usually remember taking all my personal stuff like cosmetics and toiletries everytime I'm on travel and I think it's because I use it daily that it's a necessity to bring them with me wherever I go. But this time, I dun know why I didn't throw my toner in my cosmetics bag. I totally forgot about it. And now, I am toner-free traveler. My skin somehow feels very rough. I hope it doesn't have a bad effect. Maybe, I'll just buy a cheap one from the Boots Pharmacy and see if it works on my skin and I dun need phisoderm to alleviate allergies. I usually buy my daily 3-step skin care in big containers and when I do, I get the travel sized pack... that's what I take with me when I'm on the move. My mental listing somehow fails me nowadays.

The Pursuit

My friends and I were talking about some transplants that has been happening in Thailand. A lot of people from all over the world go to this place in Bangkok for a change of gender. I was shocked to know there are also females to males transplants. I can't imagine how it's done. But of course, with the high technology, any thing is possible. I wonder if these women would use conjugated linoleic acid to build muscles in pursuit of looking perfectly like guys? Hmmm...

I am craving for...

Last week I had a bad craving for chile relleno. I had tried it when we were in LA. I loved it so much I had it again for our next dinner.

Now I am craving for crabs, prawns and lobsters.

I am craving also for somtum with fresh crabs.

And while at it, throw the kanom jin in the list.

Don't forget the bacon too.

No, I'm not preggy.

I am on diet.

(swallowing my saliva)

Avatar and Contextualization

Wow, this post was buried in my draft folder since January 13, after I saw the movie. Good thing I was tweaking this blog again. I saw that this was unpublished. Here's the post:

For those who have seen Avatar, you would understand when I say it's a great movie, it's cinematography, designs, costumes, and the graphics were incredible. It's just mind boggling to know that most of the scenes where just drawn. I even wonder if they used cad drawing? I loved the movie. Of course, it's animistic in nature... and I didn't quite like the story but I usually don't linger at the movie's literal meaning.

What theme I could draw from the movie is the story of contextualization. The end part though wasn't that good to relate with what I am trying to point at. It's just the general perception of the story. Jack was sent to Pandora to study and learn about the it's culture, earn the aliens' trust so they would find where the "treasure" was located. Sure enough, Jack made it to the heart of the people by becoming an Avatar... or by becoming one of them. In this process, he earned the aliens' trust and heart. And he proved that trust by helping them out.

And that is how we should reach out to people. Be among them, learn their ways, leran their language, earn their trust and when something happens... you go on because of that trust.

A great example of contextualization, indeed.

God is Faithful

This is another post that was buried in my draft folder. I realized I didn't finish with the post:

Psalm 33:4-5

"For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."

God indeed is faithful, in everything He does. I just wanna thank God for His faithfulness to all those who love and obey Him. My prayer is that people will see clearly His faithfulness. You know, sometimes when we're in a situation where we think everything is just too much and we think God exists and yet nowhere to be found, it's just too difficult to comprehend His love.

With the confusing things that has been happening of late: earthquake in Haiti, flood and political killings in the Philippines, burning of churches in Malaysia, economy breakdown that started in America that resulted to a higher rate of unemployment and a lot are really trying to look for a job. They would even go for sales jobs if they have to just so they could again support their families, etc... all these are just making us wonder. Where was God when this happened? But God is God. He's always there. He's always compassionate. We dunno His plans. But this I'm sure, everything is woven into His tapestry. All we need to do is to trust in Him. He is faithful. And indeed, the earth is filled with His love.

Needing a New Template

I am in dire need of a new template... actually, 2. I wanna do a blog makeover for my two blogs. But I am too lazy to look for new templates. I want it customized too. But I can only afford 5$. I wonder if there's anyone willing to do it for me.

Anyways, I used to be very patient in looking up for blog templates. Now I want a quick way to have it.

We all in some ways or another want some quick stuff. We want a quick money, quick trim, etc. But we all can't blame ourselves if we want those. In this era of high technology and easy information, we can somehow get quick stuffs.

Well, I hope I can get a quick blog makeover. That's my point. LOL.

Accomplished

Dishes washed (from last night's party); Schenker's homeworks done; Kids napping: I feel so accomplished. It usually takes time for my boy to do his homework. Today is a bit harder. But I sat by him and didn't leave until he finished it. He would usually get up and play, sit and and write, get up, sit down... and once he does this, he would only finish his homework after 3 hours. That would usually result to stress for all of us. But today, I decided I should just sit down until he finished it. I am glad. Now they're off to dreamland.

Last night, I didn't wash dishes after the dinner coz I was too sleepy already. And because I had to wake up early this morning, I was so tired the whole morning I didn't do the dishes. I prefer a whole day of cooking than half an hour of dish-washing. That's my point.

Anyways... I planned on starting a special diet again today... but too tempted to eat the cold chicken (as mentioned in my previous post).

I wonder if I can buy hydroxycut off the counter? That would make my life easier. I can eat anything I want and burn my fats at the same time. I remember when I was still single and working. I used to buy an appetite suppressant from a pharmacy. I wonder if I can do that in Malaysia too.

Anyways, so much about diet talk and stuff. I am just glad to have this afternoon's peace and quiet. Hubby is still in Melaka for a meeting.

Spa in Hatyai

One of my favorite things to do in Hatyai is to go for a spa. I went once and did a whole body spa with a few friends from the US. It was truly rejuvenating and refreshing. I really appreciated it especially when I did it, I just gave birth to my second child. A whole body spa would include body scrub, body wrap, body massage, and milk bath.

I don't always go for a whole body spa. I would sometimes just do a whole body massage or just a hair spa. I love the salon services in Thailand. It's like always going to a 5-star service in cheap. I used to have my hair washed (head and shoulders massage included) for a mere 120Baht! Can't get a great service like that with a cheap price anywhere. I wonder if it's still the same. I also wonder how much it cost to do adult acne treatments. Not for me. Just thought about it.

Am I going for a whole body spa this time? Not really. Would like to do more stuff with the kids and friends. And no shopping at all. I hope.

Cold Chicken

I love cold roast chicken. Hubby introduced me to it a few years ago. Now I'm a convert. It's good to do a chicken sandwich out of it. Better still, eat it plain. That's what I've been doing today. I roasted one extra chicken last night for our dinner. I always have this fear of not having enough food on the table when we have guests. And so, yeas, we have one whole leftover roast chicken from last night's dinner.

I had it for breakfast with coffee. Had it again for lunch with... yes, another cup of coffee. I was actually planning on starting a diet today but just couldn't resist the cold meat. I know too much protein can lead to rheumatism or gout... but hey, there's always glucosamine sulphate. But then again, it's better to think of prevention than cure. So yes, I have to stop eating now and continue later for dinner. LOL. And start my diet tomorrow. Hehehe.

Italian Dinner

Last night, I prepared Italian dinner for our Malaysian Youth Leaders. I am truly honored to host them. They're so young and vibrant and very passionate to serve our Lord. We want more of them here in Malaysia. You know there's a lot of Malaysians that are migrating to different countries because somehow, they start feeling uncomfortable here. But I say Christians should have an attitude of patience, perseverance and a passion to see things change and happening. Passion to see God being glorified, wherever we are. I found these in the lives of these young people.

Hubby's passion is to always encourage these youths. He believes that someday, these individuals would rise up and take their place.

I love having people coming over to my house. It's not about showing hospitality. It's about loving having people over.

Last year, we didn't do much party/dinner at home because I was too busy preparing and dreaming for my trips. But this year, since we didn't plan a lot of trips, I can just stay at home and do what I love doing. Having people over.

Slept late last night. So late I forgot to wash my face. Too bad. I always wanna go to sleep with a clean face. But sometimes, I slip. I try to avoid using blackhead extractor and just try to prevent them from appearing. But really, sometimes, like I said, I slip.

Anyways, it's not a big deal. I was just glad that the dinner went well.