Chatty Lass

One of the best lessons that I have learned about leadership in ministry for the past two years after being under the amazing leaders of the church I am attending in KL is that authentic leadership sprouts from genuine relationship.

I wrote this quote some time ago and it came to me again today.



It is one of the most fundamental but also the most powerful of truths in ministerial leadership.

Jesus was exemplary in this. The lifestyle that He led with his disciples is our best how-to and should serve as our guide, if we took the time to carefully examine it.

He took the time to build relationships with His disciples. He made an effort to exhibit sincere interest in their lives. He seized every opportunity to spend time with them and to allow them into His life.

He never force-handed His way with them, He was able to speak INTO their lives because of the relationship that was fostered over time. In time, He had more than followers, He managed to make disciples.

Leadership should be more than just a place of authority above a person.

Leadership, real leadership, should inspire, motivate, challenge and move a person towards all things better simply because of the relationship that is shared.

Let's not aim to gather more followers, but seek to build disciples.

I will never forget the first time I heard Whitney Houston.

I was 10 and The Bodyguard was playing on the telly. I didn't pay much attention to the movie and little did I know, a few minutes later, my life was about to be changed forever... For the first time in my life, I heard a voice that was so utterly beautiful that it reached a place inside of me that I didn't know how to express or pinpoint. I just sat there, in a catatonic state, unable to move, because I was so mesmerized.

And, that moment transformed my life in more ways than one.

On that day, my 10 year-old self did not understand why a tear (or two) escaped my eyes when I heard her sing. I have never shed tears again since.




This duet is a master class of harmony, vocal perfection and soul. Whitney would be proud. 

If you are not familiar with acronyms, the title of this post fully reads: Over-The-Top (OTT) Public Display of Affections (PDAs) - Level: Facebook Couples.

I have always wondered what goes on in people's minds (Don't judge. I know for a fact that you have wanted that superpower at least once in your life.).

It was an impossible dream, to say the least.




Since then, mind-reading is no longer an out-of-this-world feat. What was previously impossible is now possible, very possible. (Zuckerberg, if you're reading this, you should change Facebook's "Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you" slogan to this: "Facebook: Reading Minds Since 2004".).

And since then, I have regretted my wish. Big time. Because, I realized that reading minds is not that cool anymore.

So, as if personal rantings (which usually borders on TMI or a love affair with self) was not enough, a new trend which was hot on its heels came into the scene (and never left): The Era of Facebook Couples.

Now, I know that it is your page and the entitlement to post lovey-dovey, TMI wall-to-wall posts is solely yours (I know that oh-so-well), note that it is also a PUBLIC social network; which means that there are those of us who do not need to be reminded daily of your undying love for your partner (That's what Whatsapp and text messages are for).

Just when I thought that the dreams that were in my heart seemed so distant and far away, I am reminded that in all things, He is still in control; be it if I were up in the mountain or down in the valley. And, the safest place to be is to be right smack in the will of God.


Fresh perspectives to enduring dreams:

- Having a vision doesn't mean that it will instantly appear. God is as interested in the process of vision as He is in the end result.

- Find a balance between contentment and ambition.

- Learn to enjoy where you are on the way to where you're going.

• What Is In A Name

It is no secret that when it comes to hot beverages, I am a through and through tea gal; although it makes me immensely perky (probably a side effect to caffeine entering my body) at odd hours of the day.

TWG and Twinnings are my go-to brands for tea, above the fact that they have tasteful blends that makes my taste buds incredibly delighted, but because they have pretty packaging (Yes, it is also not the latest of news that I buy stuff because of their cuteness factor.).

I browsed through the Internet this morning and feasted my eyes on some of the coolest tea packaging I have seen, to date.

I finally got to watching it today, after waiting on it for the longest time (My desire to watch it during my week-long holiday back to Penang did not materialize because The Muncheros weren't too keen on catching it.).

I have not been taken for a roller coaster of emotions like such for the longest time. I have not watched a movie that is so passion-driven, heart-aching and gut-wrenching since goodness knows when.

And, as I am writing this entry, I am still processing my emotions; my eyes are still a little misty, my nose is a light shade of pink and my emotions are all over the place.

No amount of reviews would do the movie justice. You would have to watch it to feel the tenderness, the fragility, the pain, the sorrow, the helplessness and the surge of hope... It mellows in the beginning, it rises subtly and the movie ends in a crescendo that makes it impossible for you to move in your seat for the next few minutes; the credits rolling on the screen and you, catching your breath. 

The movie was that, and so much more.

It is one movie that I won't be forgetting too soon.

After writing *this* post about my father (amongst many others) and *this* post for my parents' wedding anniversary, I wanted to make sure that they understood that in as much as they are blessings to me and to those around them, the apple really does not fall far from its tree.




So, I Whatsapped them and this was the reply I received...

I'm big on spelling. Very much so.

I wince (mentally) and do corrections (again, mentally) when I see errors. I can't help myself (Hey, at least, I am gracious enough to not point it out to your face :p).

Unfortunately, the English language is not always fairly simple and forthright - There are words that are not spelled the way they are spoken, even if they were enunciated properly (and slowly).

Take 'rendezvous', for example.

Most people would pronounce it as it is: ran - des - wuss.




It is pronounced as rahn - they - woo. Why? Because, the word is of French origin, and nothing in French is pronounced as it is written.

So after 23 years, I have met my fair share of people who base their pronunciations on how a word is spelled, or spell the word as it is pronounced.


I didn't know if I should have laughed gaily or banged my head on the headboard in front of me. (I think I did both.)

But yes, spelling matters to me. Pronunciation, too. A great deal, if I might add.

When he prayed and sought for a sign of confirmation from God before professing his love to the woman of his dreams, to have and to hold her for the rest of his life till death do them part, his act of obedience to the will of God was rewarded with the simple verse above.

It didn't just become the verse of choice for their wedding day, it became a banner over their lives as they began life as one. In all things, together, they have obeyed the Lord's leading in and over their lives.

And now, 25 years later, I know with all my heart that on this very same date two and a half decades ago, what seemed good to the Holy Spirit then is good to Him now.

• Baby Date


• Baby Date: 4th Month Update


• Baby Date: Cuddles to Last for the Next Four Months


• Nanny Duty

What is a Chindian dinner party, I hear you ask?

Well, it is a dinner party where all the guests are Chinese and the entire food spread is Indian (think spices, herbs and chilli; lots of chilli).

From L to R (top to bottom): Mixed Vegetables with Tumeric | Sambal Prawns | Fried Chicken | Pumpkin Masala | Chicken Curry | Tomato Rice

The food spread may be exclusively Indian cuisine, but the desserts were not.

We had pengat (This Nyonya favourite is a sweet soup - best served hot - with steamed yam, sweet potatoes and ripened bananas simmered under low fire in a coconut milk and palm sugar broth) and jellies made by Aunty Jessy (one of our guests).

The jellies were so pretty!

Photo Credit: Uncle Kenny.

Now that I am back in KL, it's about time that I wrote about the happenings during my recent week-long holiday back to Penang.

I've constantly kept in touch with the Law siblings and when they suggested for a sleepover at my place, I was all up and game for it.

The both of them are incredibly funny (They leave me in stitches all the time!), very good friends to The Sister and myself and I am very proud of the both of them.

They stayed over for a grand total of three nights and I don't know about them, but I had a good load of fun. I mean, a sleepover is the finest reason known to mankind to have ice-cream at midnight. Nothing else tops having ice-cream at midnight.

From L to R: Felicia, Yours truly, The Sister and Matthew.

Us girls (Fresh-faced and sans make-up)

Evening walk around the neighbourhood.

My body is crying out for a much needed rest, but I thought that I'd jump in on the 'Let's Welcome 2013 with a Blog Post' bandwagon and write a little before I head for a warm shower and crawl under the sheets.

I would be remiss if I did not begin 2013 with a heart full of gratitude for all that has happened in 2012.

I am two months shy of two years since The Big Move, and that has been one of the most massive changes in my life, to date. And through this period of time, HE has sustained me, provided for me, kept me safe, led me, taught me and showed me more than ever that come what may, His promises are real and forever.

Last night, while gathering with my church members who were enthusiastically exuberant in counting down the seconds till 2013, I couldn't help but cry a little; tears of thanks for God's overwhelming kindness and reminder of His call on my life.

For all the things to come, I will be grateful.

I pray for health and favour, love and joy, wisdom and peace over your lives. 

Happy First of 2013!