.: Dear John :.

Five consecutive nights of dry pillowcases, until yesterday after reading this

Thanks Mr Sparks for making me cry again...

There is just something about Nicholas Spark’s that sparks (pardon the pun) the heart of millions of avid fans out there.

This is backed by the fact that of his fifteen published novels to-date (of which I have read nine of it), five of which are made into films and another three on the way.

His latest novel-made-movie, Dear John, knocked James’ Avatar off its reign of seven consecutive weeks at the box office on it’s opening week.

Tho there are mixed reviews on this movie (from what I have read so far), the novel is a definite NO-SKIP.

Now, as bias as this die-hard Nicholas Sparks may be, I must say that this is the top three novels I have read from his works to-date, next to A Walk To Remember and The Notebook.

It is written in a form of narration of this angry rebel named John, who has joined the Army, not knowing what to do with his life. And then he meets the girl of his dreams – Savannah. Savannah is your typical good-churchgoing girl. Both completely worlds apart, they however fell completely madly and deeply in love with one another after spending the summer togather. But alas, they have to part when John needs to return to Germany to serve the Army, but they continue to plan their future together, quickly counting the days when they will be together forever when John is discharged from the Army.

But the tragic of 9/11 changes everything, and John, in a moment of patriotsms, re-enlist himself for another 3 years. At first Savannah was supportive and they both agreed that they could wait for another three years, but their relationship soon crumbled to the test of time and distance.

"Dear John," the letter from Savannah read...and with those two words, hearts were broken and two lives were changed forever.

Years later, as John returns to his father’s funeral, he meet up with Savannah, only to find out that she, a now married woman, is and forever will be the love of his life.

In such predicament, John has to make the most difficult decision of his life…

And this is the part of the novel where, if you are a soft hearted reader like me, you should have a box of Kleenex in reach as the tears didn't stop flowing until the very last page......

.: Loh Mee @ Ulu Yam Lama :.

Yuan Ji (also known as Yuen Kee) in Ulu Yam Lama.

Opened from 7am to 7pm everyday.

Famous for it's Saito Fu Chuk & Fish Cake & Loh Mee

There is nothing else worthy of our tastebud in this place except for the three mentioned above.

We have patronised this place three times for the past one year. The first time - it's becoz it's on the way to our destination. the second and third, it was purposely made "on-the-way".

Especially love the elasticity and chewiness of the Saito Fu Chuk & Fish Cake.

And for the Loh Mee, which are noodles soaked in thick starchy dark soya sauce gravy, it taste absolutely lip-smacking, bowl-slurpping good, especially with a dash of vinegar.

Actually, there is another shop just less than 100m up the road that also serves Loh Mee & Fu Chuk/Fish Cake. In fact, there are a couple of food blogs out there that recommend the latter. However, after having tried both, JC & I concluded that this shop is much better in term of quality as well as service.

But don't take our word for it (we did not when we read other blogs).

Afterall, it''s only RM25 for a steamy big bowl of Loh Mee for two and a plate of mixed Fu Chuk & Fish Cake.

There is no harm in trying both right? :)

Should you be interested in trying out authentic Ulu Yam Loh Mee, the address is as follows 

Yuen Kee Restaurant 

No.34, Jalan Besar, Ulu Yam Lama, 

Hulu Selangor.  

Contact: 017 -378 9328

.: I Am An Evil Wich :.

.: This Pain To Bear :.

There are a couple of reasons why I am feeling down of late.

Some of which are directly affecting me, and some of which are not, but because it is just in my nature, I too bear the pain that others carry.

There are which, in the passing of time, that this pain slowly just fades away. But some leave behind scars that becomes a daily reminder of the pain that I have endured. Some pain just stays, and almost like a day-old itch, it doesn't bother me if I ignore it, but once I scratch it, it will just take away all my time and energy.

Many have questioned my lack of enthusiasm this past days. It used to be easier to hide behind a facade and pretend that everything is hunky-dory. But it isn't the case anymore, and putting that mask on and pretending to be something that I am not just takes too much energy away, something which I already lack-of to begin with.

I have many questions right now. Questions which I know what the final answer is - that is is all part of God's plan, but really, the heart just wants to but doesn't understand. At times, I keep my composure and cool, knowing that things will be alright in the end, but there are times where I just wanna break down and let go all the tears I am holding back.

It is just one of the more difficult times for me.

.: God's Promise :.

God has not promised

Skies always blue

Flower-strewn pathways

All our lives through

God has not promised

we shall not know

Joy without sorrow

Peace without woe

But God has promised

Strength for the day

Rest for the labour

Light for the way

Grace for the trials

Help from above

Unfailing kindness

Undying love

Thanks Bridget for sharing

.: Supermodel :.

A couple of Chinese New Years ago, when Rachel dear was still an adorable tiny tot, we were taking pictures of her.

We asked her to give various pose which she did really well - pose like

cute bunny pose*snaps*

Cute pose *snaps*

Angry pose *snaps*

She was really workin her moves in front of the camera and I thought that she has potential to be a supermodel until this particular incident.

"Rachel" I said "give me a catwalk"

To which she responded "MEOOOWWW....."

*laughs* :)

.: Two Is Better Than One :.

I remember what you wore on the first day

You came into my life

And I thought hey

You know this could be something

Cause everything you do

And words you say

You know that it all takes my breath away

And I am left with nothing

So maybe its true

That I cant live without you

Maybe two is better than one

There's so much time

To figure out the rest of my life

And you've already got me coming undone

I'm thinking two is better than one

I remember every look upon your face

The way you roll your eyes

The way you taste

You make it hard for breathing

Cause when i close my eyes and drift away

I think of you and everything's okay

I'm finally now believing

Then maybe its true

That I can't live without you

Maybe two is better than one

There's so much time

To figure out the rest of my life

And you've already got me coming undone

I'm thinking two is better than one

(oh yeah)

I remember what you wore on the first day

You came into my life

And i thought hey

Maybe it's true

That I cant live without you

Maybe two is better than one

There's so much time

To figure out the rest of my life

And you've already got me coming undone

And I'm thinking

That I cant live without you

Cause maybe two is better than one

But there's so much time

To figure out the rest of my life

But I've figured out

When all is said and done

Two is better than one

Two is better than one

- Boys Like Girls & Taylor Swift -

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New International Version)

You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn. If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble. If you sleep alone, you won't have anyone to keep you warm on a cold night. Someone might be able to beat up one of you, but not both of you. As the saying goes, "A rope made from three strands of cord is hard to break."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Contemporary English Version)

.: Sometimes :.

There are times where we experience those ‘sometimes-I’ moments.

All of us do.

But to me, what’s most important is that it comes back to one core message. I know mine did as I was listing all my ‘sometimes-I’.

I deleted the whole list, and decided to list out only ONE.

Sometimes I wish that I could turn back time; not because I want to have anything done differently, but so that I could enjoy and re-live those moments again….

…and I wouldn’t want any moments we have shared to be any different.

Yinnie & Tammie, I heart you guys too.

xoxo
Kath

.: My Brother :.

My brother usually wakes up at 7am.
My brother goes to work in UH.
My brother woke up at 8am today.
My brother didn’t go to work.
My brother went downstairs and turns on TV.
My brother said he is on leave today.
I make my brother run errands for me.
I make my brother return back the DVD to Fitness First.
I make my brother post my letter.
My mummy asks my brother to clean his room.
My daddy asks my brother to light joss-stick and pray.
My brother didn’t really get to watch much TV.
And I don’t think my brother would be really enjoying his leave today.
Anyways, I heart my brother.

.: Guilty :.

With great powers comes great responsibilities. As much as I like to point that out to them, I realise that I too am guilty of not exercising the authority granted to me wisely.

.: Keep Holding On - Glee :.

You're not alone

Together we stand

I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand

When it gets cold

And it feels like the end

There's no place to go

You know I won't give in

No I won't give in

Keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong

'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

There's nothing you could say

Nothing you could do

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

So far away

I wish you were here

Before it's too late, this could all disappear

Before the doors close

And it comes to an end

With you by my side I will fight and defend

I'll fight and defend

Yeah, yeah

Keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong

'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

There's nothing you could say

Nothing you could do

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Hear me when I say, when I say I believe

Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny

Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong

'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

There's nothing you could say

Nothing you could do

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Keep holding on

Keep holding on

There's nothing you could say

Nothing you could do

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Makes a nice pick-me-up emo song

oxymoron -  but there's no other words to describe how I felt listenin to this song

.: Give Thanks :.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 -

Cried all my heart out, but I still wanna praise You and give You thanks!

.: A Break :.

I've made a decision to take a break from Sunday School for a year, with effect from today. It wasn't an easy decision to make, as I have been really attached to my Sunday School students and I, most of the time, do find pleasure and joy in teaching my lil kids.

But I find that I need to take a break so I can develop myself spiritually. I must admit that I have been feeding this kiddos spiritual food that I forget to feed myself, and sometimes, it can cause much frustration. The forthnightly Christian fellowship at workplace did help alot, but I felt that it is still not sufficiant and I really need to take myself spiritually to the next level.

Anyways, it's not like I will never get to see my kiddos, just that I will be in the sanctuary and no longer in Sunday School! :)

.: A Lil Big Bump :.

No, fret not, I am NOT pregnant (tho my belly looks like I am due to deliver anytime - but thats FATS not BABY).

It's just that JC and I had encountered a lil (because of the petty reasoning) but BIG (as in the impact) roadblock in our wedding preparation.

- the following content of the blog has been deleted as it is not suitable for small boy *coff*Benedict*coff* eyes -

 

But do please do continue to uphold the both of us in prayer especially for wisdom and discernment in handling such matters.

.: Roof Over My Head :.

PTL that all my legal-smeagal documentations are over and done with, now only left pending is the approval letter from the Developer as well as the release letter from the seller’s chargee.

Thankfully that I could manage to pay off the 10% down payment with whatever lil bonus I have this year.

But after paying that, there’s no money left, hence no shopping spree for me this year *sobs*

Additionally, no shopping spree for me for the whole entire year, in view that I will need to fork out some of the wedding expenses as well as some furnishin for the new house we are planning to buy in USJ.

Sigh. This is the life and responsibilities of adulthood!

.: Thumper :.

This picture makes me smile :)

It's from the very first Disney movie I watched when I was like five or six?

(when tape recordin still exist!)

Guess which movie this is from! :)

.: Meet My Fiancee :.

I was chatting with a mutual friend of mine & JC's just the other day over MSN. So I asked him about pre wedding photographs and bridal shop. He didn't wanna tell me anything unless I answered his question "Are you getting married?".

So I told him I am, he congratulated me and went on ladida-in about bridal shops in KL and websites that I could check out (see, some guys do help out in wedding preparations *smacks JC*)

Anyways, it was at one point in time that I said to him "So, when are you coming back to Malaysia? Perhaps we can go out yumcha and I can introduce you to my fiancee." (was tryin to be cheeky he knew I was with JC)

He quickly replied "What? I don't know him? Are you serious?"

And then, to make it more drastic, I asked him "Don't tell me you actually think I am gettin married to JC?"

To which he said "Why not? You guys are together for the longest time"

To sound more convincing, I went on sayin "Well, some people know each other for 10 years, and still end up not marryin each other. Some people only know each other for 10 months and decides to take it to the next level. Time length is not a measure of love you know..."

And there was a pregnant pause....

Pause....

Pause....

And then he type "Ah, you are lying, there are still recent pictures of you two (from Facebook I gather - typical auditor, you just have to verify every statement made!). This kinda things you still wanna joke? Tsk!"

Well, it was funny lookin back at it. And I wonder if I have any opportunity to pull this trick again?

Lame, but still... humour me!

.: Thanks For The Memories :.

My favourite novel of Cecelia's is still Where Rainbows End.

This novel tho a good read is nothing a compared to Where Rainbows End. But having said that, the characters in this novel, like Joyce's dad and her two friends, Justin and his brother Al and Al's wife Doris are simply well developed. Entertaining and a good read, but not the best I must say.