New home Unknown

Hey there,

If by some miracle there are still visitors to this blog, thank you for your loyalty!
Or if you came here by chance, hello!

Just like to let you know, though, that I've since moved, and you're more than welcome to drop in at my new place.

See you there!

Watch this space Unknown

My planning process does not look as pretty as this // Unsplash

Dear friends,

If any of you still visit here, bless your heart.

I figured it's time to assure you that, no, I have not forgotten the blog. It's on my mind almost always.

Since the beginning of this year, I've been the web editor at work. It was something thrown to me, but it's been fun learning the ropes of CMS and the basics like scheduling posts ahead of time. Yes, all these years and I'm only aware of editorial calendars now. It's such a basic necessity to planning and yet it went right over my head.

Anyway, I now appreciate the value of a well-run publishing platform. And if I'm to have credibility as a writer in this Twitter-Instagram-Medium era, I need to buck up on my own blogging goals and habits.

The point is: I'm in the process of developing a new blog, one that is more focused in theme. Proper blog planning takes time, as I play around with the content, design and publishing platforms. So you'd have to wait for quite a while for that. Feedback is welcome!

But until then, I will keep this blog alive as much as I can, to either share my journey or keep the brain juices flowing.


Cheers,
Charmain

part 8 Unknown

Just kidding! =P

My dear friends and readers, I just want to take this time to thank you for your kind words on our story. We are amazed and encouraged by the response! Our journey is only at its beginning, but already we are blessed with such a supportive community.

Do pray for us from time to time, should our names pop up randomly in your mind.

And yes, maybe one day we will write books together. ;-)

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

CH²

grace will come and clear our paths Unknown

day 8 - president material Unknown

If there's one person I know who's an excellent leader, it's my father.

Maybe I sound like a little kid who believes her dad is a superhero. And you know what, maybe I am that little kid... albeit with a more realistic view of what a hero is.

But anyways, I nominate my father with confidence because I've been blessed with first-hand knowledge of how my dad operates in his workplace.

• He's level-headed. When two ships are near the point of collision, and everyone's frozen into shock, my dad's calm enough to make that life-saving command.
• He's wise. It's not easy to manage 35 people who are sleeping, eating, and working in the same place for 6 months. Neither is it easy to handle immigration procedures, safety laws, quality work, and office politics sometimes all at once.
• He's honest. He really is. Sometimes it's hard to tell him a secret. But it's more than that. My dad can't stand corruption, and in a environment where a lot is going on, he's always fought to uphold the rule of moral standard.
• He's intelligent. It's amazing how many details he can remember from history, current world politics, and random movie trivia (which is where I got it from! the movie trivia, I mean.) Oh and he's an excellent teacher.
• He thinks of others. In spite of all the operational workload, his first concern is the safety of his crew and the consideration of their families back home.
• He's humble. When things don't quite go right, he can get worked up. But he's always the first to apologize or acknowledge his mistakes. And the guy who can say sorry is a real man indeed.

So here's a little tribute to my daddy. Love you! =)

day 6 - thank you letter Unknown

So really, there are a great many people who've impacted my life. But today I'd like to take the time to thank two particular persons.

Dear Lindley and Rachel,

Yes, it's you two. I've been missing you guys. Three weeks here and I'm still not quite used to not having either of you in my classes. I love how we could sit after and just talk about moral issues related to class, relationships, and cute lecturers. The 3 Christian Arts girls, someone said before. But I'm proud of our "title". :)  There are times when I feel like discussing something deep but I don't quite yet have such a relationship here.

Lindley, I love how you're chirpy and laugh easily. You're a total social butterfly, and I wonder how you do it. I get tongue-tied and awkward a lot of times. But you make it look so easy to get to know people, to be their friend, to be the listening ear when they're in need. And I can really witness how you're growing in your walk with God. You encourage me when there are times I just want to be a hermit.

Rachel, you have such a quiet but warm presence. I admire how you talk to the less-noticeable people so easily. And I really really respect your passion for missions. I'm still struggling with the idea of total abandonment to Him in regards to what I want to do with my life. But you just go and do it, you know.

The way I see it, you are two rather different personalities, but underlying those differences, you both have such a great love for God and people. And it's such an open love. I'm changed because of that. Because through the both of you, I see that I don't have to be the most charismatic extrovert or Mother Teresa before I can love people. I can just be me, as God created me to be.

So here's to you, Lindley and Rachel, and how you've influenced me in 1 and 1/2 years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to being reunited again.

With much love,
Charms

highlights of 2010 Unknown

I was in deep, contemplative mood two days ago. Today? Today I write the things I am grateful for, for the year that has gone.

1. Studies. I forgot what joy it is to study. I enjoyed getting back to routine, I even am grateful for the struggles and frustrations. I truly learned this year.
2. "Old" friends. Those I left behind in Malacca, those from Malacca but are in KL/wherever else, and MYPG-ians. We're so busy we couldn't meet much. I miss you, and truly treasure the time we've known each other. Let not the changes of life erase how much you have influenced who I am today.
3. "New" friends. Basically the Monash-ians and SIB-ians. You supported me, challenged me, cheered me up, fattened me up. I worried if I could fit in, but you made me feel welcomed.
4. Australia. The rest I terribly, terribly needed. I'm loving my time here, and am now rested mentally, emotionally, and physically.
5. Family. Always there. Always with open arms. Cousins, uncles, aunties, Mummy, Daddy, Lara. Love you!
6. God. I struggled to stay close to You, but You were beside me even when I thought You weren't.

I regret I cannot list all by name, lest I should miss someone out. Because there's just soooo many of you. =P

But yeah.

With all my love,

Charms

cheeky Unknown

For some reason, quite a number of you read "Love life" in an entirely different meaning than I intended!

*gasp*

Oh well, if it intrigues you. 

;-)

I Smile because I Can =) Unknown

Wanted to post this yesterday, but blogger was merajuk-ing. But anyways...

I made it through Saturday!

I ran the 5km nonstop, my left foot getting better with each step; went straight to uni for the workshop; ate only at 12.45pm; went for class which ended 10 minutes later; and even followed Lindley to FGT's youth service.

Talk about complete recovery. Can't believe I actually made through the day! Then yesterday evening I joined some 10,000 others at Stadium Melawati to celebrate the Global Day of Prayer. Was a good experience, biggest gathering of Christians I've ever been to.

All praise to God, and thanks to so many of YOU for your prayers and encouragement. =)

How to Kidnap a Friend Unknown

Although I said I'd continue with the shopaholic series, I've decided to intersperse with other things as well, so my blog won't be so boring. It's the end of my first week of uni life. Met quite a number of people, some interesting and some interestingly odd. I have a feeling I'd be enjoying my time here. But I shall never forget my loverlies back home who gave me the best send-off ever.

They abducted me.

   

 

Aren't they the best? No seriously. That they actually planned it out meticulously and executed it well tell me I am worthy of their time.

So thank you Lara, Delia, Shearl, Mag, Daniel, Kings, Brian. You mean the world to me and I love you! And to the rest who couldn't be part of it, don't worry, I know you love me. hehe... ;-)

Charms

P.S. I knew where they took me in the end. They blindfolded me but I used my other senses. There's lots to learn from Sherlock Holmes. =P