Still alive.

I not talking about me (that's because I'm literally half dead now). But I'm referring to this blog - I haven't forgotten about it. I know I am an infamous for abandoning my blogs, I have done it 5 times in the history of my cyber life. Anyway, I'm back.. at least for now.

Life has been pretty much only about work these days. I have been working very hard. So hard that with my 7-miserly-dollars-an-hour OT allowance, I could get a coffee grinder. Yes.. I had work 23 hours of overtime. That should excuse my absence from blogging.

And because of that.. I've become this boring, no-news-to-report-nor-corny-jokes-to-tell girl who fades in the background. Oh well.. life's like that. So yeah.. that's all that is new besides my coffee grinder.

Till the next time (when I have more interesting things to talk about)...

P/s: Did you know Malaysia has tornadoes too?? That's new.. right??

He IS Risen!

Not was risen.But Jesus IS risen.
Not was alive but Jesus IS alive.
Not reigned but Jesus REIGNS!

I'm not going to preach. In fact, once upon a time, Easter was just another Christian holiday which I was all nonchalant about. But now, it's Easter every single day for me.

I can't convince everyone that Jesus is alive. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. But I can share what I know and why I know my God is alive....

 Just a weeks before, I was bowing before God asking that our Pastor Raymond's wife, Auntie Lydia be healed as she was diagnosed with a rare illness. And guess what? I saw her today at church, completely healed! What better way to celebrate Easter, what better way to know that my God is truly risen and hears my every prayer?

On Friday, while on the way to Lavender for lunch, I was a bit concerned as I was running on a tight schedule and that place was famous for not having any parking. I hurriedly mumbled, "Lord, I need a parking space." As our car approached the restaurant, this guy, whose car that was parked right in front of the place, vacated the lot just in time! I was AMAZED. I casually asked God for a parking lot. It didn't matter if I had to walk a bit, but He gave me the best! One of the few reminders that my Lord Jesus is alive and listens to my every prayer! (even sloppy, mumbled ones!)

I know my Lord is alive because I feel His strength, His power and most of all, His love. Oh His love. It's like none other. When I'm depressed, discouraged, sad, lonely, His love keeps me going. He holds me throughout my life's storms. He's there each and every time. I know that He will be there till the end of the ages... there are times when I don't feel God is with me. In fact, A LOT OF TIMES. But each time that happens, I look at the sun. I look at the clouds. I KNOW that my Lord is alive.

Jesus is alive! It's not just a slogan. It's not just another cliche exclamation or cheer. It's for real. And I WILL proclaim it each and every day I live.

As easy as abc?? Think again.

I just completed the quest of manuscript writing for an abc textbook and workbook series for nursery kids. Sounds easy? It isn't. First of all, my manager had pinned high (almost unreasonable) hopes on basically all of us at the Children's Unit to become innovative overnight. Publication wise, that is. So, she had hoped for me to come up with something new, something fresh, something that's not been done before in the history of abc workbooks.... Incredibly, beyond belief, managed to exceed that expectations for hers. Don't ask me how I did it.. because it's purely divine intervention! I believe God managed to squeeze some of His infinite wisdom into that little brain of mine... so technically, it is HIS workmanship, not mine.

So anyway, with the manuscript writing done, the illustrator went on to create the most gorgeous layout I have ever seen. Ok maybe not the most, but you get the drift. I was staring at it dreamily for 20 minutes. It's the manuscript (which I wrote by hand, btw), gorgeously and colourfully illustrated!! It is an incredible feeling. And  best (or maybe not.......)  of all is that I'll be able to track its progress every step of the way. I'll be able to see for myself how pieces of sloppily drawn/written drafts become a printed book with 50k copies distributed nationwide. I'm looking forward to it! :)

Now that my manager is extremely happy with what I've done, she's dumped more responsibilities on me. I'm solely in charge of formatting another kindergarten English series (which I have a feeling I'm going to have to write the manuscripts as well), and she has assigned me maths as well. GOSH. I could hardly believe my ears when she told me that. The only redeeming fact is that it's NURSERY maths but even then, numbers and I just do not get along well. So we'll see how it goes.

Ah. It's been almost 5 months since I started working. I'm getting the hang of it. And I'm beginning to love it as well. The best thing of all,my Lord Jesus has got my back!

If you believe margarine is good for you...

You might as well believe this little dude is Shakespeare reincarnated.

  

And fyi, I licked butter off a butter knife today. It was delicious. Try doing that with margarine...

UNAPPETIZING!

Friends

At work, I've got a good friend. He's someone who understands the stress of my job, and how the people we both have to deal with can be such a pain sometimes. The other day I had to put up with how diva-ish the newly promoted Senior Editor was acting. I thought I could take it lying down. But I couldn't. So when I couldn't take it anymore, I called my buddy Malcolm to complain the gist of it and then emailed him the rest of the details. Ah, I felt much better. I finally realized how awesome it is to have a good friend. A buddy. Someone I can pour out my grievances to.

The morning after that fateful day, Malcolm came downstairs with a long face, looked up straight, walked right pass me and right into the manager's office, then walked back up without stopping by my desk to chat. Hmm. Something's wrong, I thought. And I was right. A few minutes later, he called my intercom line and complained about Mother (what we call our she's-too-indulgent-and-polite-it's-annoying manager) for 20 mins. And in case you're wondering.. yes, I did get darting stares from my superiors. But I didn't care. It's not everyday that he calls me to complain about stuff (usually he does that over lunch.. hah!), and hey, what are friends for right?! Honestly, I haven't had such a good friend in the longest time.. and I do like it. I guess I forgot how great it is to have a buddy.

But then again, I have often forgotten that I do have my bestest Buddy in the world. One who never left my side to begin with, One whom I pour out my grievances to every single day. One who quietly lets me put the blame on Him even though  it's not even His fault. One who lets me stamp my feet like a little child, and throw tantrums at Him. One and holds me lovingly in His arms when I feel alone.


He's the Creator of the universe who bled and died... for me. I love you, Jesus.

Operation breakfast

Like my friend Malcolm once said, "Grace, you're quite investigative." And he's right.

I like observing people (which probably something rubbed off from my mom). I like taking a peek into their lives. I can spend some time just getting lost in the sea of faces, wondering what's the story behind every smile, every frown, every confusing look on people's faces. There ought to be one. But wondering about them is as far as it goes.

Today during breakfast, I had all the time in the world to sit down, enjoy my little hearty breakfast (which turned out to be not so 'little' after all), and just mind my own business. At first, it was just me and two other people. But as the sun came up, more and more hungry faces strolled into the breakfast area, and that's when I couldn't put up the minding-my-own-business front anymore. As I see different people carry plates filled with food, I began to see a pattern.

Give the Greeks your coffee cup, and they can tell your fortune. Give Grace your plate of food, and she can tell your eating habits. My mom calls me a health freak. Maybe I'm not quite a health freak. But I do know quite a bit about nutrition 101 and I like to take care of the body God gave me.


But I digress... They say, "You are what you eat.". And it has never been truer for me till today. I saw one person's plate filled with vegetables, fruits, muesli, yogurt and a glass of orange juice on the side. "He must be a health freak, like me.". And then another guy comes along with nasi lemak and thought "Hmm... ok, maybe not a health freak.." And then I saw this lady who is.. well, stocky, to say the least.. spread her toast with a lump full of butter and an even bigger lump of kaya. LOL.. ok, now she was going overboard and OTT.What I did notice was that the majority of people were healthy eaters. And that's quite comforting. At least I'm not the only 'health freak' in town.

But I doubt any of them is an investigative freak like I am... so in any case, I'm still a freak. Even when on vacation. LOL.

In His arms

Today was one of those days when I felt as if my world was crashing down on me. I don't want to talk about it now. Maybe I would after awhile, but not today.

As today unfolded... little by little my world crashed. As rubble was filling my heart quickly, its weight increased. It was almost unbearable. I was helpless. All I can say was, "I'm holding on to You, Jesus... I'm holding on to You..". In my head played the line from a song, "In a broken world, Jesus I'm holding on to You.".. how befitting.

I just wanted to rush home. I wanted to get on my knees and cry out to God. When the time came though, all I felt like doing is crash on my bed. I did just that. I wanted to cry out to God.. but I couldn't say a word. All I could do was close my eyes and whisper "Jesus.. Jesus.. Jesus...Jesus..."

Suddenly, I felt the burden in my heart lifted. Warmth started surrounding me. I felt like I was in the arms of Jesus. I have had that feeling a few times before, but never has it been so strong. There wasn't a sound.. just comfort and warmth. I called for Jesus and He came right to where I was. He did what I truly needed - He gave me a hug. Him just being there.

Sometimes all I need is to be in His arms. Nothing earth-shattering. I just need His shoulder to lean on and His caress. That would remove the rubble in my heart in a matter of seconds.

Thank You, Jesus. I love You so much. Without You, I will die.