Sunday, September 24, 2006

Part 4 - The Guilt

On April 2nd, CC returned. Those who were 'watching' this drama, began to speculate. It looked like KK didnt have such upperhand anymore. What would Angeline do then? It would be interesting to see my responses and decisions.

It was only a month away from my own graduation. CC said, we should just get a marriage license. Being his spouse, I would be able to get lots of benefits from his employment, especially with insurance policies. He got a job and was very confident to promise me a good life. I, on the other hand, contemplated. I did not agree nor disagree.

KK had lost his hopes since the news of CC returning was broken to him. But to me, the return of CC didnt change anything. I had already rejected KK, I wasnt excited to "marry" CC. I wanted to get out of the relationship, but it was getting more complicated. It would definitely looked like I did it because I wanted to be with KK. There was no way to explain myself.

I kept things cool between CC, and KK, until graduation came. CC came to Lincoln to attend my graduation and met with my parents. Being a hardcore agnostic, he would not open himself to Christianity. He and my parents had a bitter argument about love and religion. I felt sorry for him but at the same time proud that he stood on his ground.

Privately, my mother warned me that I should not agree to marry him unless he was willing to be a Christian. In my own mind, I thought, what does she know? She warned me about KK as well. Even though KK is a Christian, but I should not start a relationship with him either. Again I thought, what does she know?

I gave CC a long phone call. Basically I told him what my mom said. He cried. I didnt know what to do.

The next day, I gave him another call. I told him, things would not work out between us. He asked me, why. I said, I like KK even though Ive decided not to have a relationship with him. He replied, he doesnt care, there's still no need to break up. Ive graduated and I can leave Lincoln and everything else behind to be with him. Then I said, I am going to Arkansas with KK first, attending his sister's graduation. He said, that's fine with him too. He will wait.

Then, I finally realized something. There was no way CC would release me. He wouldnt do so 6 months ago, what made me think he would then. He was at a much better place, and could give much better offer. He was there with a promising career, an upperhand. There was no reason I should chose KK over him at that point. And I besides all that, could not find a single flaw with his character that deserves a dump.

There I decided to give in to KK's pursuit, to everyone's shock again. They were so sure I would choose CC.

KK and I went to Arkansas together as an involved couple. It was a relief to me, being able to freely express all the affections I had been holding for him for so long. But, at the same time, I was overwhelmed with guilt over my betrayal of CC. Countless times I was in KK's embrace crying profusely over my breakup with CC.

I broke the news to CC, who then wouldnt even get angry at me. My guilt grew heavier and heavier. Because of that guilt, I allowed CC to remain a friend. I allowed him to visit me every weekend (even though he never did the whole time he was back in Ne before we broke up).

Because of that guilt, my emotions and mind went beserk. I compared KK with CC all the time. Because of guilt, I could only see the good side of CC and I compared them with KK's weaknesses. Many times, KK and I blew up at each other. These were all new to me. CC and I hardly had any conflicts, not to say a blowup. There were dramatic demonstrations of anger that I'd only seen in the soap operas.

I did lots of hurtful things to KK, like insiting on meeting up with CC and even staying a night at CC's apartment when I was on my way to Chicago for a conference and flying through Omaha. I even brought CC to TGAN's fall camp one time. I told KK, CC and I were just friends, just like I was friends with him while I was still in a relationship with CC, and that he should not stop me from being his friends. Afterall, I had selfishly broken off the relationship with him and I felt the need to compensate him with something.

KK and I went in and out of relationships several times over that summer and fall. By winter, we decided that we had had it. We needed to take a longer time off from each other, processing through the events of that year.

1999 winter break, KK went home for holidays. It was just a year from winter 1998. So many things had changed and were changing. Whatever happened during that winter break, likewise, changed me, and the dynamics of our relationship.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Part 3 - The Dilemma

Soon enough, Zoe started to notice that KK was treating me differently, like whenever we were together, he would not take his eyes off me but follow me everywhere I go. There was only one explanation. But, I denied the possibility... mainly because I didnt want to face the consequences. I was definitely selfish. I enjoyed his company, his attention but....

I didnt care much of what other people would think. By then, I was sure most people knew I was two-timing, especially my housemates as I would chat online with KK everynight. Wherever I was, he was there, as my roomate Wendy would say, "He is 'stuck' to me like a leech". Whatever relationship that was, there was already a problem of codependence. However, I was good at keeping a strict physical boundary between us. And I did not talk to him about my feelings or had given him any opportunity for that kind of discussion. So, there was no way anyone or I could say, we were being more than just friends. Officially I still belonged to Chern Chuan and even though I was crazy about KK, I couldnt permit myself to betray him.

I didnt keep my relationship with KK a secret from CC either. On the phone, I told him that I had grown especially close with KK while he was away. All he said to me was he trusted me. He saw nothing wrong with me having a really close guy friend even though I already had a boyfriend. He could accept that. At that I told him he could trust me that I would remain faithful to him....whatever that meant.

At that point, I told myself, "CC is a good guy and he is good to me. Love is a choice not just this crazy feeling. I was once infatuated with CC, the feeling has faded, and we've already agreed on this a long time ago, even when our feelings fade, we will continue to hold on to our decisions to stay together". There was no way I could find a reason to break that commitment.

March came, and there was spring break. KK invited me to go with the college students at his church (we were attending different church then) to Pensacola, FL to visit that famous Brownsville Revival Church. I accepted his offer. I think I lost all my sanity there. For the first time, I allowed myself to be held by him for comfort (it was a 3-day roadtrip!!!!). Not only that, I let that affection be seen in public!!! I was insane, alright.

A few of the TGAN people were in serious shock because all those while they thought KK was interested in Zoe. Well, it was hard to tell when we all hung out together. And of course some were outraged at the new found scandal. It would have been ok with them if I had a proper breakup with CC. And that had failed to happen!! The pressure came on him as he was one of the core leaders of TGAN to sort things out.

KK's college pastor then also approached and questioned him about his relationship with me. After learning all the background dramas, he grinned and encouraged KK to take his chance. First, CC wasnt a Christian; second, he was gone; and third, my ring finger was clean. Think about the benefits, he said, Angeline gets to remove herself from a wrong relationship, and you get yourself a hot chicken...life is all about competition and apparently you have an upperhand. It's time to make a move.

And that brought us to the very memorable meeting at Wendy's, March 22nd 1999. (I only remember it because that was the day my grandmother died). There KK officially confessed his feeling and desire to be my boyfriend. And I confessed my liking of him but had to decline his offer because I need to remain loyal to CC.

Yes, I was selfish. I didnt realize his awkwardness and disappointment after that. I was pretty much assuming things between us would stay the same. And to me, it did.

A week later, CC informed me he's gotten a job at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Omaha through an email interview. (More craziness). He said, he didnt want to tell me earlier about the possibility of coming back, afraid that I would get my hopes up and then disappointed if he failed to get the job. I was really touched. Where would anyone find a man like that?

So four months after he left, Chern Chuan returned to Nebraska, into the middle of my dilemma.
Sigh...
Shouldnt the dramas be kept on the stage?

Sunday, September 10, 2006

A "love" story - part 2

Before I continue, I need to shift gear and share about my relationship Chern Chuan during Fall 1998.

Like I said, I was VERY busy. I was heavily involved with NUMSA (Nebraska University Malaysian Student Association), which Chern Chuan was a dissociate, never attended any of its functions or gatherings. And he wasnt anymore interested in TGAN since he wasnt a Christian. Naturally, it became strange for me that he was even my boyfriend because we hardly saw each other nor our lives had anything to do with each other.

One day, I said to him, "We should end the nominal relationship. Obviously we are doing very well absent from each others lives. Since you are graduating and leaving and we dont know what future holds, let's just part ways here. This is the most rational and good ending for this relationship". He responded as calmly as I did, "No, let's not do that. There's no need for a breakup because there arent any disagreements, arguments or things like that. Our relationship is great and we are both very understanding of each other. Breakup like this is just too strange for me. I dont know what to think about it" .

I did not insist. Whether I broke up with him or not, I didnt see how it affect my life then. On the other hand, I wasnt planning on having another boyfriend. I sort of hoped to marry Chern Chuan someday even though I didn't see how it would happen...not because I didnt trust that he would marry me, rather because marriage wasnt a desperate thing on my 21 year old mind. So, I let myself continue in that relationship.

Chern Chuan graduated and left Lincoln on Christmas Eve, 1998.

Something happened in the next two weeks of that 3-week fateful winter break.

It was during that winter break, I "reconciled" with the TGANites (KK, Tayo, Christopher and Zoe) , getting involved with their activities. We spent lots of time together making meals, doing groceries, praying, having end-of-the-year parties, going to church etc. Especially with KK, I began to have long conversations with him and found out our common grounds...eg, he grew up in a catholic all boys schools and me in all girls', and both of us grew up as church musicians...etc.

1998 ended.

Remembering correctly, it was in the beginning of January 1999, at KK's room I whispered to Zoe, "I dont know why, I am strangely drawn to KK." I knew Zoe will be shocked. She was. I was. Nobody saw that coming. Chern Chuan just left for 2 weeks. It was insanity. So she asked, "So, what are you going to do?". "Nothing. Besides this is just my feelings. I am sure he will never be interested in me. There's no reason he should be. First, he is a holy leader of TGAN and I am still living with a bunch of pagans and I still have a pagan boyfriend. He can pick a better girl easily anyday." I rationalized. Zoe agreed and we both laughed.

Winter break was over. I was having withdrawal big time. Suddenly, I didnt get to eat, play and pray with the TGANites everyday anymore. Most unbearably, I missed seeing KK. I wondered if he liked me..even a bit.

But, what good is that going to do if he does?
Do I like him enough to leave Chern Chuan?
Why do I even like him?
Am I crazy already?

All those mind torturing questions...

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

A "love" story from Angeline's memory

There was just nothing special about 1998. I was a plain 21-year-old senior at the UNL, busy with everything else but God. There was absolutely nothing significant, nothing interesting about it as I lived through the whole year unsuspectingly. Only until much later, enlightenment came. Every seemingly trivial and random thing, gradually evolved, formed a greater definition and as of now leading towards 11.11.06 until death separates us.

Kah Kheng came to Nebraska for the Spring 98 semester. He introduced himself to the Sunday School which we attended at Christ's Place Church. "What a strange name, strange face, and strange hair", I thought, "a new Malaysian student...rare enough that he's a christian, I'm sure he will be asked to get involved with TGAN ( a Christian chapter started by international students, primarily Malaysians) soon". I was a TGAN musician then, for no surprise.

My second encounter with Kah Kheng was at Selleck Kitchen. I was working part time washing dishes with my then boyfriend Chern Chuan who was the dishroom supervisor that night. So there was this new student worker (KK) coming to work every Wednesday night now. The only reason I took notice of him was that he was a record slow. Our usual clockout time was around 745p and had never worked past 8 unless there was a special dinner. And the rule was no one leaves until everyone's done. It was 815p and even though Chern Chuan was helping KK scratching the pots, we were all still in the kitchen. I remember being so angry and wanted to leave. But Chern Chuan being the kind but fair dishroom leader wouldnt allow me. We waited and waited and finally we clocked out at 825p!!! Outside the kitchen, I spat fire and brimstones at Chern Chuan who gently defended KK and at the same time trying to calm me down. A couple weeks later, KK quitted his shift. It's not easy being Selleck's dishroom crew.

I have no memory of bringing KK from Selleck to Kimball Music Hall for TGAN meeting as he remembered. From my memory, he was already there with Shannon waiting for me to arrive. So there, we officially met (when I told him my name for the first time), shook hands, at Kimball Music Hall, for worship practice. Shannon had invited him to be our guest musician that night. I remember seeing him tuning his guitar with a tuner. It was the first time in my life to see a guitar tuner. "Oh my gosh", I thought, "this guy is a guitar geek"! Real respect and admiration for him suddenly came. I was more open to the possibility of friendship. Even so, we still hardly talk. I remember the same night, we walked back to Selleck together without a single word being exchanged.

Summer came. There was an internal chaos in the leadership of Malaysian student association. Many events were coming up but there was no official committee assigned to plan for the logisitics. The newly chosen leader sent out a word, requesting the Malaysian community to volunteer themselves to serve temporarily during the summer until the next official election. I signed up for it. So did KK.

My next close encounter with KK was during that first temporary committee meeting. While we were waiting for all the volunteers to come, I overheard some of the conversations between him and his friends. I learnt what he was like from how they talked. "Oh my goodness....how immature and arrogant these boys are!", I thought to myself and I even remember thinking this specifically "Thank goodness, my own boyfriend isn't like them at all"! From that time onwards, I made a mental decision, leaning towards not liking KK.

Almost the end of that summer, something came up again. I was away for a few days attending a Food Technologist conference in Atlanta. He was doing a summer school in Arizona. Both of us happened to be absent for the same volunteers meeting. Because of that the group made a decision without us that both of us would be organizing a welcoming party for the new students. I was less than happy about it mainly because I didnt know KK at all and I was forced to work together with him. Being his senior, I had an upper hand in controlling the scene. I delegated the work in such way that we need minimal contact. The party went decent and we again parted ways minding our own business.

That fall, I withdrew myself from TGAN's involvement and became Special Project Executive for the Malaysian Student Association. Within expectation, KK took over my position in TGAN as the music director. Life had become busier. I quitted my job at Selleck and worked 40 hours at a lab in my department. This was during the Asian Economic Crisis where students from affected countries were allowed to work full time and study part time. Very often, KK would persuade me to go back to TGAN by inviting me to play for worship. So, I became even busier.

It was also during that time we developed a online friendship. I was on the computer a lot....doing homework, typing papers, downloading music, being a geek...etc. We would send instant messages back and forth as we did our homework. So, in that geekiness, we somewhat connected. He was rather likable, surprisingly. Even so, he was still more an acquaintance than a friend then.

We rode to Des Moines together for IVCF's Fall conference, with Zoe and Brian. That was the most memorable conference. Even putting God far behind my mind, I felt his call twice in that weekend, TO GO TO THE LOST. I recall standing beside KK one morning at a service. I stole a look at his face and I saw his tears when someone on the stage challenged us to go on missions. "What a guy" I thought, "I bet he really loves God". Anyway, even until today, we've not talked about it.

Despite what he wrote, in my memory and in my heart, KK finally became my friend that weekend.

To be continued...

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

I am back...

with polka dots and white background, mucho relief to my eyes.
to my dashboard which i ignored for 10 days.
on my pills which i always almost forgot to take.
listening to Jay Chow and Michael Wong.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

This Saturday I...

bought gifts for my bridesmaids,
bought gifts for my groom,
bought hair claws for myself,
developed more photos,
ate Indian food with Caryl,
chatted with Judy for almost 2 hours,
felt tired but accomplished.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

If we werent missionaries...

We would be...(from my interviews with the following...)

Tryfina - a Bollywood star
Godwin - a Kholiwood star
Catherine - a Housewife with a few kids
Sophia - an Inmate
Anna - a Stripper
Faby - a Mafia Mama, probably selling drugs
Me - either a Secret Agent or an Assasin.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

My past life 2

I cant really give a confident yes that I like my major. Ive always stumbled when people asked me why I chose to study Food Science and Technology...and then a Masters Degree? Then the regular question, is that about nutrition and diet, what food is good and bad for you, etc? I rolled my eyes. NO.

These are the aspects of food science (at least at UNL)....

Molecular pathogenesis, chemical & physical stress responses
Mycology, Mycotoxins, Microbial food safety
Lipid and Natural Antioxidant Chemistry
Food allergies and Immunochemical methods
Food Biotechnology, Microbiology, Processing, Engineering, Physical Properties
Studies of food commodities: Dairy, Egg Products, Cereals, Fruits & Veg, Fermented foods, Fresh and Processed Meats.
Food Law (FDA, USDA)
Enzymology, Protein chemistry
Analytical Methods Development, Nutraceuticals
Sensors for Food Quality & Safety

Most of the research especially the areas of food microbiology, mycology and allergy are so heavily medical oriented that it wont even cross your mind that this is what food scientists do.

Food is very cultural. As a Asian, I actually struggled a lot liking some of the courses. I took Dairy Products one semester and almost flunked. Almost dropped Animal Science too. I was told that the class was easy...so I took it. I realised I had to make some background adjustments. The people that said AnSci was easy were those cowboys growing up in Ne farms. Ive never seen a cow in my life! Imagine my horror of looking at different meat cuts and then name the muscles on those cuts for my exam!! Despite all these difficulties, I managed to gain some appreciation for fine cheeses.

Looking at those, seemingly Food Science was not the best course choice for me, but God redeemed it in many other ways. God's presence was with me the whole time. I met so many outstanding individuals in this department and received favors from them. Professors that did research in similar areas collaborated with each other, shared their findings, lab equipments and encouraged interactions among their students. No immaturity. We treated each other like family. There was no slander, no gossips about anyone, any professors. That was very uncommon in science departments where professors were often in competition and suspicious of each other, afraid and jealous that the others would get more grants for their projects that they disallowed their students to talk to any of their rivals' students.

We were also very international. About 99% of post graduate students were international students. Even then we get along well with our very culturally sensitive American hosts. Because of that, the department threw potlucks every now and then and invited students from each nation to prepare their food to share with everyone. The fun thing was we all prepared the food in our own food grade lab in the department.

That was an amazing community with more godly things going on than some churches that I know. I really miss it like home. And actually it WAS home. As a graduate student, I was given a key that unlocks every entrance to the building that I could access the building any hour I want.

Like I said a lot of times...God is good to me. NE was a gift. Food science department was a divine gift! What did I learn from this experience?
Sometimes, the impersonal things may not seem fitting, but great personal beings make the experience worth living.

How do you like your department in college?

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

wedding pictures

dear anonymous,
the photos were taken at Armadale Bespoke studio house at Damansara Heights, Malaysia. you likey huh?

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Responses to what Caryl knows about angeline by angeline

she bought really really sexy underwear for her future husband. Yes, I am surprised as well.
He worked so hard to plan for the wedding. That's the least Angeline can do to show appreciation.

She's a cooking diva and makes wonderful food for all.
The way to most people's heart is through the stomach...Angeline knows it well.

she's very huggable, and loveable.
Undeniable fact. She thinks she is a cat...sometimes a toy cat.

she gets frustrated when she has to come in on her day off.
Actually she doesnt mind coming in as long as nothing crazy happens...but that hasnt been the case.

She thinks she's a cat but I know differently.
She sometimes wonder why it is so hard to convince Caryl....while everyone else just complied.

she loves Kah kheng very very very much and can't wait to be his wife. So much so that she is leaving me behind. boo hoo hoo.
Actually she hates the fact she is leaving Caryl. boo hoo hooo. She loves Caryl very very very much too.

she loves to buy stuffed animals for people
Only for Caryl as a joke...she didnt buy them, she just happened to get them for free..lucky her.

she fits in well with the people of china and loves them a lot.
That's a compliment!

she loves to investigate the bible and make sure all teachers are accurate
She loves to play smartcat and she just couldnt help it. This is by far the strongest influence of KK in her.

she likes the trinity, angeline, keith and caryl and she thinks they are divine (her words not mine)
They were so good together! She wished they were trinity forever.

she is very organized when she wants to be.
That's another compliment. She figured she wouldnt be so loveable being a compulsive organizer.

for some reason she likes sleeping on the top bunk. Go figure!
Some of the invalid reasons being, she loves to leap down and climb up to her territory like a cat, and she knew no one else would prefer the top bunk over the bottom.

she's good at backrubs
And Caryl is good at receiving them.

she loves chinese food
To eat them and to make them.

she plays the piano marvelously!!!!
She wished she could play faster and better but I guess she is pleased with what she's got there.

she has a very heavy foot. You always it's her going up or down the stairs.
She wants people to think she is actually very dangerous if anyone wanted to mess with her. STOMP STOMP STOMP STOMP STOMP !!!!!

she once ate a huge fish by herself. I would have been sick eating just half of it.
Her cat nature....besides the fish was really good.

she is a maniac driver on the bike.
Biking..she misses biking. She had an SR with her bike (suddenly nolstalgic)

she forgets to take her medicine like a good girl.
Nevertheless, she IS a good girl. :)


things I know about angeline by Caryl

she bought really really sexy underwear for her future husband. Yes, I am surprised as well.
She's a cooking diva and makes wonderful food for all.
she's very huggable, and loveable.
she gets frustrated when she has to come in on her day off.
She thinks she's a cat but I know differently.
she loves Kah kheng very very very much and can't wait to be his wife. So much so that she is leaving me behind. boo hoo hoo.
she loves to buy stuffed animals for people
she fits in well with the people of china and loves them a lot.
she loves to investigate the bible and make sure all teachers are accurate
she likes the trinity, angeline, keith and caryl and she thinks they are divine (her words not mine)
she is very organized when she wants to be.
for some reason she likes sleeping on the top bunk. Go figure!
she's good at backrubs
she loves chinese food
she plays the piano marvelously!!!!
she has a very heavy foot. You always it's her going up or down the stairs.
she once ate a huge fish by herself. I would have been sick eating just half of it.
she is a maniac driver on the bike.
she forgets to take her medicine like a good girl.

Okay enough of praising angeline. She just said "is THAT ALL"?

If you know more add your own. Just write a note to her blog. She'll love it!

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Working on day off 3

Phone rang about 730am. Meliza came in and said, Jonathan was on the phone for me. Another episode in the series of Kitchen Horrors was about to begin.......

Jonathan: Are you coming to prepare the breakfast with us?
Me: No. I left you and Jay the instructions to make chicken pot pie. Didnt you see it? Just follow them and you will be ok. It is very easy.
Jonathan: I am not really confident and I dont see the chicken pie recipe. I dont know where things are.
Me(annoyed): This is my day off....
Jonathan: Ok...

Click.

I went back up to my bunk. I wanted to sleep more....my bottom bunkmate moaned whole last night and this morning...whine whine whine whine whine and whine....

I jumped back down and went to the kitchen. They were both looking at the Nasi Lemak recipe, probably almost in tears. I told them...no, we are not making that. The instruction you were supposed to look at is on the counter as I pointed and to my amazement, it wasnt there. Good thing I came down. So, the next few minutes I was looking frantically for the instructions. Then I gave up. I went to the computer and reprinted the recipe. I could not understand how the paper just disappeared. The strangest thing happened. I didnt know how I was suddenly inspired to look under the microwave. There I pulled out the instruction that I left on the counter the night before.

IMAGINE MY FURY!

This joke was NOT FUNNY. I dont want to find out who did it because forgiveness is very challenging now.

Anyway, I ended up staying with them until the pie was out of the oven. Instruction wouldnt have helped anyway. They didnt know how to boil the chicken...how to tell if the chicken was cooked, where to look for frozen vegetables, where to look for anything!

In the afternoon, I spat all the fire and brimstones at Faby. She finally said, they will continue to rely on me as long as I am in the kitchen. I need to just not be around, and they will HAVE TO figure things out by themselves.

I took the advice. Afterall I want to be by myself today so that people are safe. Cant even remember the last time I went to Yuen Long completely detached from business.

So I went there and decided to be generous on myself after all my hardwork....I bought 3 amazingwears and 4 scandalouswears. The base will get to see the amazingwears but only my husband gets to see the scandalouswears.

Finally, my fury subsided.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

My SR (only used this term in ywam)

5 months post engagement, and 4 months towards the big day. This long distance SR (since Nov 2005) is getting so REAL. What they said about the hardship of intimate relationship is true to me experientially (<--no such word).

There were disagreements;
There were issues of the past;
There were failure of seeing from the other's perspective;
There were unintentional offenses due to PMS;
There were misunderstanding due to ineffective communications;
There were long arguments;
There were tears;
There were sleepless nights; and
There were even the occasional fear of "what if I could get along with anyone on the face of the earth except my only husband".

But, there was never malicious words;
Never unforgiveness;
Never disrespect; and
Never a doubt about this coming marriage.

There was always love;
Always joy;
Always peace;and
Always trust;
But especially love.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Working on day off 2

This is far worse than the first.

I knew I could not possibly have a real day off especially when that was a less than 24 hour notice. Today was a food run day, not just any food run but Culture Night food run. I wasnt ready for this yesterday. Could have done everything last night but I was dead by dinner time. So, I thought..better come in after a night's rest to pick up the ends.

My anger tonight has everything to do with Wellcome Delivers. They dont. I was expecting this delivery yesterday afternoon! I missed it because I was in class. So, I had to come in today for that too. I waited the whole morning till 2pm and I couldnt wait any longer. I called them up. They rescheduled the delivery till 6-8pm tonight. That was fine. Got a check from Joe and was ready for it.

I finished organizing the food run and sent the crew off by 4. Things were normal in the kitchen too. Just when I thought I could get out of here and come back before 6, it started raining. By the time it stopped it was almost 6.

So I sat in here and waited. And waited.

Its past 10 o clock now. I am so angry. This has never happened before! I could just ignored them and go to bed but the dilemma is, I ran out of milk, rice, cereals.... If I missed them again tonight, there will be a famine tomorrow.

So angry.

Like Jonah said, I am angry enough to die.

Nyaahhhhhh

Monday, July 24, 2006

Snakes

Ok. I was born in year 1977. According to the Chinese zodiac, that was the year of the lucky snake. As you know, Chinese new year never falls on the first of January. They are usually between around end of January to mid February every year.

Anyway, mom delivered me two weeks before schedule so I was born right before the Spring Festival of 1977 and closely but slickly avoided the year of the snake. So according to my own superstitious intepretation, throughout my whole life, I am supposed to slickly avoid snakes. I hate them!!! They are ugly, creepy and scary.

Tonight as I was going on a walk, I saw three dead snakes within 1 mile!!! If I were 11 years old, I would be crying in fright. Since I am not, I am just disturbed.

Snakes...Ugggh.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Na qi ya


Last year while we were on outreach, Fifi and I discovered a long historical drama about Nurhaci, the hero that unified the warring Manchurian tribes and established an empire that eventually evolved into the Qing dynasty. The drama was based on true history but kinda twisted with romance and stuff like that. Among the fictional characters, my favorite one was the one called Naqiya (picture), playing one of the many Nurhaci's women...but was never married to him because he executed her father (his excuse for not wanting to marry her).

Anyway, recently I discovered the blog the actor that plays Naqiya and impressive to me, she is so down to earth just like any one of us, non public figures. She writes lots about her family, her work, her friends, and even posted candid shots of them.

So for the sake of it, I linked her blog to my site...to remember a favorite character from my most favorite historical based soap opera.

:)

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Old pictures (click on them for larger view)


Judging the age of the little baby his mom(second from right) was holding , Angeline was probably just 2 years old. Notice that there are a few things that have not changed since...
She still thinks she is cute.
She still insists to sit on laps.

She still plays with fluffy toys.



Now from the date stamp, Angeline was 13. A few things have changed...
She has a lot longer hair now.
She weighs a lot more than that now.
She doesnt have the habit of wearing extremely large mens tshirts anymore.





Monday, July 17, 2006

My prominent weakness

I usually blog about my external life. I am a superficial person. Maybe I can have a change today.

Here is my heart, which almost feels like death because there seems like a wall surrounding it. There is hindrance in worship times, I cant concentrate. And there is hindrance in quiet times, I cant concentrate either. I am not exactly sure what this place is. Usually when I am lost, I can feel God's presence relatively quickly. But I think now I am just wrapped in self-sufficiency.

God, I am here to repent. Give my heart a life.

The clock is ticking. Do I have enough time to get to know myself deeply? Only you know this heart, where it has been and what it has gone through. I dont want to recall the past struggles, the threatening voices, and of course all the hurt that went unspoken. Why cant I just admit that I hurt? Why cant I just own up to my own feelings? Now, I cant be this way. The more I try to avoid, the more I am distanced from myself and so the more I am lost. It is disastrous to bring a superficial self into a permanent union.

He has given me his heart to which I have vowed to protect with my own life. But how do I give my own heart to him? How will I respond if he ever hurt me? How do I hold myself from the temptation of hurting him back?

God help me.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

A random visitor

Yesterday, Man Lok from last year's COR came to visit the base with her dad and brother. Because everyone else was engaged with business, I had to chat with them to be polite.

Man Lok's dad introduced himself as KK. It was alright. We continued to small chat. Apparently he owns some property in Shui Mei Tsuen, and he is not a Tang!!! He bought over the land from the Tangs in the 70s but never really did anything with it and now he is trying to draft some papers so that the property can be rented properly.

I thought that was interesting.

When I told them my wedding date, he was intrigued. He said, hey that's my wedding anniversary. I then replied, hey you know, I am marrying a KK, in fact a KKK. He said, those are my initials too..KKK. So, is he also a computer engineer????

I thought that was interesting.

See Angeline, connecting with strangers wasnt that bad....