Valentine’s Day – Over-Rated?

First of all, I wanna wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day =)

Now, the big question. Is Valentine's Day really over-rated?

Well if you've got a BIG date, BIG plans for it and all those yada-yada… then, hell no!

What about those gorgeous singles out there? When you walk past display stores reminding you of this day, what actually goes round your mind? The balloon hearts, flowers, jewelleries, cards, chocolates, presents. Oh please. Not another shop telling you for the 115th time it's this thu and luring you to buy something you don't need or to get you into the mood. You'll probably agree with the title. Or not... Well you must have your reasons for not celebrating this special day today, and I respect that. ("And the crowd goes, shut up charm you're so rubbing it in!") No I'm not! ("Oh cut the oh-so-drama gurl!")

*drags lil miss chirpy out of the audience*

There. Silence now.

Yes I was saying…

Valentine's Day.

So… what are your plans for today? You know, Valentine's Day is NOT just for couples, it's really a day of celebrating this special day with people that you love. I don't know about you, but I love my family to bits. If I'm back home now, I wouldn't go out with anyone else but my family.

("That's coz you don't have anyone asking you out back home!")

Wait haven't I thrown her out of my audience? SECURITY!

Tsk Tsk. Some people. Things they'll do for attention…

As I was saying, yea I actually planned to hang out with my family, if I had went back for the CNY. My mom'll be my Valentine of honour
(like bridesmaid of honour) and my whole family'll have a ball ! Haha the restaurant will be full of couples but the Tung-sterks'll make so much noise we're so totally gonna rock the atmosphere for them LOL !

And yea besides spending this special day with your family, you could probably hang out with your mates, be it a potato-couching moment or nite out partay! But please party responsibly okiez? Don't go overboard. Don't let a good nite out end up in a drag. Yea the nagging mom side is taking over.

Well another alternative is, you could go on a date! Why haven't I thought of that earlier? Wow this is brilliant, a date! (in a sarcastic tone)

Thing is, if you wanna do something, do it to the fullest, put your best foot forward. If you wanna plan something, well, make it special. Don't just sit around procrastinating, or just waiting for IT to happen, coz, you know, FUN don't come crawling to you, you would have to make an effort.

You might say, it's a guy's job. Well, girls can plan stuff too ya know. It doesn't alwiz have to be the cliché of guys making the surprises blablabla. Wait I'm sorta being insensitive here. I don't know who does what in a same-gender relationship, but I think both sorta compromise in doing their part I guess. And I'm not being sarcastic, if that's what you're getting at.

And about V-day being over-rated, well nahh I don't think so… it sorta at least apportion a day out of 365 for people all over to show extra Lurrvee on this special day. That Extra kick for the moment, you know? Be it for your mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, kids, cousins, aunt, uncle, neighbor, colleague, boss? , sub-ordinate, teacher, guardian, FRIENDS, your beloved SPOUSE, your pet, the tree in your garden? , aiya just about anything la…

So come on, there's no excuse for not celebrating Valentine's Day! Stop being a party-pooper.. go let your hair down and show some lurrrvee baby…

Muahaha the question you're probably dying to ask is, what's charm's plan for the day…

*wink wink*

I'm just gonna spend the evening with my best friend and room-mate. Well at 1^st, Amman got us book for Gordon Ramsay's at Mayfair. I had joked about wanting GD for V-day and I didn't know he actually took the liberty of placing a booking there. It costs approx 85 pounds for a 3-course meal per person I'm not joking.

And then he pulled my leg by saying let's go to Nando's on that day. Ok I know him and I aren't a couple, but hello, Nando's? On Valentine's Day? Come on… My face was super BLACK and whoa, you wouldn't wanna mess with me at that moment. I could KILL with my stare.

I got off the tube not speaking to him and went to work. Later that nite he called to say that Gordon Ramsay's was meant to be a surprise and I felt so silly to blow my own surprise gosh how can I be so siu hei in the 1^st place.

But then my boss kept wanting me to work on Valentine's Day coz we have got bookings and will be very busy on thu. Amman too have to work from 9 to 5 so in the end GD was cancelled coz both lunch and dinner is out of the question. Even so, GD's price is whacked man, I mean I know celebrities go there, but what are the chances of me meeting James Blunt or Hugh Grant or Keira Knightley having a Valentine's dinner there?

Ok they might, so let's just pretend they wont, so I wont feel bad, ok?

After much negotiation with my boss, who's actually a very nice guy, today he said I could get off on Thu! (I got flowers and a heart-shaped box of Ferrero Roche from my boss today but due to excessiveness, I sorta gave them to my room-mate. Trust me, too much chocs give u spots! N I have no more extra vase so yea). Anyway, by then, it's too late. GD was cancelled. We got Galileo's in Piccadilly instead.

And then I thought of something. Why join the band-wagon of effect? I am the kind of person who wants things to be special. So I decided, to ditch the eating-out plans, and instead, cook for him and my room-mate, 3 of us could enjoy the nite together. Sounds like a plan? Yea it is. We're not joining zee crowd.

Nothing beats spending time with people you love. And this is my plan. What's yours?

=)

New Year Resolution 2008

Feeling : wishy washy

Listening to : Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson – Valerie

Choc Statistics : 2 lil chocs from Marks & Spencer =) , 1 Kit kat bar

This is the moment my sis, sherleen has been waiting for… New Year Resolutions ! She alwiz wanted me to put "try being cool for once so I don't embarrass my sis with my royal lame-ness" as one of my Resolutions, but I never did wanna insert that clause in. But since she's been such a great sis and I miss her so terribly I have to somehow make way for this one… Here goes nothing… Enjoy!

Charm's New Year Resoliusion Rezolushon Resolution =)

1. Spend more time for God. I realized my quiet time with Him has been slacking, I haven't been reading my bible daily. Try to find more time for Prayer Meeting on Mondays, Bible Study on Wednesdays, Student Focus on Saturdays I think, doctrine class, student tea and evening service on Sundays. I shouldn't juz be satisfied with sun mornings.

2. Refrain from getting involved in a relationship or any form of love whatsoever till Oct 17 2008, aka my 21^st birthday. This is actually a 'carried forward pledge' from Aug 07… I got so sick of guys coz all they ever do is lie, flirt and wanna hit 2^nd base with you. Switching to being a lesbian is a definite no-no coz well, let's just say fruitcake is not my type. =D

3. Be mean, be very mean. I cant continue being a pathetic softie for goodness sake. Learn to SAY NO. Or "I don't like that."

4. Be cool so i don't exactly cause any unnecessary embarassment to the best sis in the whole wide world. Hahahaha sher, with that clause, I think I totally added an extra 50 points to my lame-o-meter. But anyhow, yes I finally realized that I shouldn't stick to being natural or blabla all that crap. I started using perfume, Gucci Rush, Givenchy Very Irresistible, Britney's Curious & Body Shop Moonflower. Don't worry, 3 out of 4 were gifts so I didn't exactly burn a hole in my purse YET. If u noticed, my MSN nick revolves around perfumes and it does have a double meaning, mind u (since hidden msgs are my favs).

5. Get a pair of boots and a nice black winter coat. Yes, can u believe it, after being here for a year, I haven't got any of those? I didn't realise I looked so ULU aka KAMPUNG aka VILLAGE until I sat down on the bench on Oxford Street and started watching people pass me by. My waterproof outdoor windbreaker and black trainers is so a turn-off. Come on charm, you're in London, the capital city of fashion. Get A Life! Go get some decent clothes like pronto!

6. Stop procrastinating, or at least, try?

7. Do my homework. As in cover my base before hitting the battlefield. Classic example : Northen Rock…Interview… ahhh dun remind me k. U catch my drift. And also homework homework. If I ever enrol in post-graduate studies…

8. Worry less, smile more, dun get too hyper like I alwiz do. My adrenaline system is faster than normal so I gotta keep myself calm. With asthma & post-operation syndrome seeming highly likely, I have to be careful at all times.

Yup. That's it. =) What's yours?

You’re Missed By Charm

After countless complaints, I hereby am putting down more friends that I do miss as well but couldn't fit into my previous blog. Which makes this a VERY LONG BLOGPOST. I am so gonna smack all of u for making me do this amidst my tension for exams. Nevertheless, I really do miss u all so this is justified...

P.S. The list are usually in an alphabetical order, so pleeasssee… don't luan-luan think somebody is more superior than another… coz charm love u all just as much !

IPG Annexe B

My Gang

• Chia Lee
  
• Clarissa
  
• Cynthia
  
• Ivy
  
• Kevin
  
• May
  
• Shing Ying
  
• Yen Sun
  
• Yong Beng
  

You guys are alwiz the unforgotten ones in my list… Miss all our crazy escapades!

BAS

• Adrian
  
• Ai Lin
  
• Boon Chien
  
• Gary
  
• Jacqueline
  
• Jin Sern
  
• Kim Tee
  
• Leng Hin
  
• Lilian
  
• Lin Seang
  
• Mei Phing
  
• Mervyn
  
• Michelle C.
  
• Sam JW
  
• Shantina
  
• Sui Ching
  
• Sze Rin
  
• Sze Yeng
  
• Tiffany
  
• Wai Yuin
  
• Wei Xin
  
• Yng Siew
  
  

Every past, current and new members. I cant list 'em all down… but u know I really do miss u guys and all our projects and parties and hang-outs…

Other IPGians

• Amelia
  
• Amy
  
• Boon Sin
  
• Chin Siang
• Choun Chang
• Daniel
  
• Jacqueline
• Jaryn
  
• Jason
  
• Jaycus
• Jean
  
• Jessie
  
• Jing Jing
  
• Jun Sim
  
• Kelly
  
• Khairul
  
• Lany
  
• Marvin E.
  
• Meng Yee
  
• Michelle O
  
• Pei Woon
  
• Penny
  
• Phoebe
  
• Sam
• Sue Ming
  
• Tony
  
• Trish
  
• Victoria
  
• Vivian
• Ying Ying
• plus u whole lots in UK... in the next lists below...
  

OMG there's too much… basically everyone in IPG main campus, Annexe B & Annexe C, all the society members, all my library hang-out kaki, all the ponteng n no-do-homework fellas, all admin staff, every lecturers esp Ms Choong n Ms Cheah, and even the canteen lady ! Auntie I miss your nasi lemak and curry puff ! Plus not forgetting the nearby coffee shop uncles, aunties, pak cik n mak cik… I miss all your cooking !

Most of all, I miss IPG Prom !! How can they crown the new queen without me stepping down after 2 years.. OMG I'm so perasan. Sorry. I don't even deserve it….it's u my friends that made it possible ! Thank you so much for making my life in college so colourful! Muah Muah Muah

Convent Green Lane babes…

My 3 lou pohs.. Janice, Ying Yi and Joanna… All our wacky moments… Just one day is not enough to tell of our adventures… For now I wanna pick out the 1^st time we had movie together… Hilary Duff's Movie. "Why not… take a crazy chance? Why not… do a crazy dance? If u lose a moment, U might lose a lot, so why not?" Now, wasn't that suitable to describe our lives!

Every single girl in 5 Science 1… yes everyone of us kiasu fellas in 5 Arif… I miss u all! I'm gonna attempt the feat of naming everyone of u... Here goes... Audrey, Ying Yi, Hui Ann, Kiran Sonia, Mandy, Ju Bee, the smart asses who alwiz get top 6 in the form. Leaving Charmine, Khaiteri , Felicia Tan to fight for no. 7 LOL. We were so effing competitive it’s hilarious. Moving on to the other classmates… Janice & Joanna my besties, Samantha, Eunice, Khai Ven, Jo Ween my good friends who sat near me and we did all sorts of crazy and naughty stuff, Cheah Yin the monitor, OMG I forgot our asst’s name, pretty babes Amanda, Grace Yen, Winnie, Yen Li, Li Lynn, Wen Yen, Wei Phing, Soo Peng, May Swee, Sabrina, Sharon, Paulynn, Aina , who alwiz gets all the guys’ attention, and not forgetting Loshna the beauty queen as well, Chee Mei zee golden girl, Pei Yi the swimmer, Who else have I missed out?

Will blog more about our CGL life next time… But for now… Remember how we alwiz reign as the most powerful class in CGL? Muahaha… Senior ma…. Not forgetting our "War Against Drugs" choral speaking and how we beat the silly ass of Penang Free School and got CHAMPION ! Woo hoo yes them PFS BOYS lost to us. Or how we beat them in debate and science quizzes as well? But we still hang out with them in McD every Fri after school and join 'em for camps LOL

Every other schoolmates in other classes… Grassy, Hwei Huey, Atiqah, Vishali, Yamunah, Ee Lis, Phaik Zin, Melissa, Jocelyn, E-Jian, Tracy, Pauleen Lim, Thanusia, Jau Yeh, Shea Ling, Yee Lin, everyone ! Even Elaine in KL! Not forgetting every single senior… Sue Mae, Cheng Kim, Tabitha, the whole lot! Every junior… Jessica, Phaik Yen… the list goes on…

I MISS CGL ! Girls.. u rock hardcore ! Woo hoooo…
"Kami bangga dapat nama murid sekolah Convent Green Lane…"

N to all my Girl Guides, Rangers & Scouts patrol members… I miss our camp days and patrol meetings! Every campfire, every gathering…

My old childhood friend Audrey Quah. You're my 1st bestie in primary school and i'll never forget u... send my regards to your family ! I do miss the times when i used to go to ur house and play computer and bathe together haha... N we even have our own bestie dance!

My ex-neighbour, ex-tuition mate, ex-classmate, and childhood friend Khaiteri Raghunathan. I heart you ! Miss having u as my next-door buddy! Remember all our silly games and cyclings with all those neighbourhood kids? We would terrorize the playground with our game of 44, iceman, police n thieves, monkey bars, even climbing trees. Yes we girls climb trees in Cheeseman Road, k? Or even play football with them boys but alwiz kena halau coz we kick like girls! Oh yes slipper games, skipping ropes and OMG my fav –KALITOI !! Ahhh I would kill to play it again !

Kalitoi is like u have 2 teams of equal numbers, Team 1 being the wall, and Team 2 the escapees. Team 2 have to run pass every wall made up of Team 1 members and escape without being "touched". Ok it sounds complicated here but I'll explain to u next time with a diagram.

Hillside Baptist Church's X+Alt Youths… Ahh how could I forget the most happening Christian Youths ever… Wooo hooo…

• Pastor Amos Eng
  
• Adeline
  
• Aloysius
  
• Brenda
  
• Cat
  
• Christina
  
• Danielle
  
• Grace
  
• Honey
  
• Jeremiah
  
• Jewel
  
• Joanna C
  
• Joanna K
  
• Joash
  
• Jody C
  
• Jono
  
• Joshua K
  
• Joshua T
  
• Josiah
  
• Juanna
  
• Judah
  
• Kenny C
  
• Kenny Y
  
• Louis
  
• Malar
  
• Malcolm
  
• Megan
  
• Natalie
  
• Paul
  
• Rachel
  
• Ray C.
  
• Suan Hui
  
• Valerine
  
• Wee Nee
  
• Wee Wern
  
• Zechariah
  
• Zelia
  

I missed out some old and new members… hope u guys forgive me… I still do miss u all… N to those migrated… Natalie in the States and Janice in Aussie… I miss both of u like crazeeee….sobzzz

My friends everywhere in the UK but London. How ironic. U guys choosed everywhere else except where poor lil charm is…

• Felicia Tan – Sunderland
  
• Daph, Raghu, Alyssa, Junnie, Diana, Vishznu, and the whole LAW dudes in Northumbria Uni – Newcastle
  
• My bestie Zi Hur, Wei Pin, Pei Yann, Sam, Eric – Manchester
  
• Mandie – Cranley
  
• Melissa & Jocelyn – Liverpool
• Kok Leong & Chi Hoe - Birmingham
  
• Everyone else in the UK if I had missed u out….
  
  

Friends from everywhere !

So many of u individual friends I dunno where to start nor end….

• Ian Khoo & Nicholas Tan my long lost church friends which till now I never get to rekindle our friendship.. mana lu 2 pi?
  
• James & Asher, another 2 long lost church friends whom I re-met months back
  
• Eu Jin who taught me so much in Christ and opened up my eyes to loads of stuff
  
• Darvin the slick and suave international cricket player
  
• Kam Hoe the huggable beary whom I used to lean on

• CH my phi. Nong kid theung phi makkk makkk
  
• Joanise, Ee Ling, Audrey and our late nite missions ! Woohoo we sure did show them who's the boss, right?
  
• Michelle my secret stories buddy
  
• Yee Ping & Kit Yin my 2 babes
  
• Andrew the scuba diver and my chad michael murray
• Kar Keong zee magnificent piano player

• Capt James sailing to Korea & Japan alwiz
• Andy the cycling king who thinks no pain no gain
  
• Daniel aka danzz the crapper
• Jeffery in South Africa at the mo
• Murphy in California
• ok Zaim the dota king ur also missed =P

• Yew San my chess club sifu
  
• Kenzo the photography dude
  
• Dinesh, Wei Keat and the rest of the gang
• Charles zee computer genius who helped me get this laptop o' mine
  
• Li Tinh in Germany
  
• Wai Kwan, Rachael, Sara, Saik Su, Lee Hong my tuition mates from Mr & Mrs Low

• Everyone from Jason Ngan's physics & chem tuition… there's too many of u !
  
• In fact, all of my tuition friends!
  
• All my friends in MSN that I chat a lot with…
  
• Every other youths in other churches... gosh I miss all those youth waves, youth concert and happening stuff !
  

• All Georgians
• CPT, CLS, CDK babes
• Peng Hwa, Union girls
• All Xaverians
• All PFS fellas
• Not forgetting Chung Ling
• Or Hamid Khan
• Even MBS n MGS
• Aiya, every school in Penang la !!
• College le?
• Inti, KDU, Disted, TAR, Segi, Central, Kemayan
• Practically every college that has my friends in it.
• And every uni…
• In fact, the whole of Malaysia ! And the earth !
  

CHARM MISS YOU ALL LIKE CRAZY !!!!!!! wooo hoooo….

Finally… again I would like to say that I miss my family a lot lot lot lot.

• Dad, Mom, Sher, Joy, Thom, grandpa, great-grandma, ahh eee.
  
• Kuche, Kucheong, cousins Jia Wei & Jia Chern
  
• My grandmother in Thailand whom I honestly misss so so so much. She knits winter clothes for me, like so sweet!
  
• Aunties and uncles and cousins in Thailand… P Palm, P Point, P Oat, Nong Tiew, Nong Boat, Nong Book.
  
• Ur probably gonna laugh at their names. And if u do, we wont be friends anymore. Thai people have very long, beautiful and unique names. We therefore each have a nick name for our family to call us. Phi and Nong is a formality where P is for older ppl and Nong for younger ones.
  

I think I've listed out everyone I could think of. If I did miss you out, you're probably in one list or another. I'm so tired now I wanna toh liao… nitezz ppl

Once again, if ur reading this, do know that I love u and miss u. HUGS!

Of God Speaking Through Pastors

Current Mood : Struck with insomnia. Gosh it's 4.30 am !

Song In Head : Gwen Stefani - 4 In The Morning

Study : 1 chapter of P2 – Corporate Reporting. Yippie !

Ahh finally my studies hit some progress. 5 more weeks till finals. Gulp. Tension super boiling wei.

MSN. Hmm friends asking whether I've any problems and why
the heck on earth am I up so late. Haha… thx for all the concern, fellas… Sometimes charm staying up late is a good thing. Studies one of the reasons perhaps?

Anyway, church today. I mean yesterday, since it's like almost 5am now. Pastor Dr Peter Masters preached on The Riches of Salvation. I had challenged God silently about something during the sermon.. Then whoa, after few moments, pastor's words were like God's reply back to me. Pastor's other messages also felt like a direct hit on me, and everyone in my lunch table agreed they felt the same. I mean hit on them la.

He said that many of us Christians just feel contented with going for 1 Sunday service per week. Just 1 day for the Lord. Not even 1 full day in fact. We kept giving excuses to ourselves of not going for Bible Study and other stuff in church or even read the Bible and have some quiet time with the Lord, coz we're too busy with homework, school, college, uni or work. But we can spend countless time in front of the TV, go yam cha and hang out with friends, or even online chatting nonsense. That includes muka-buku & blogging. Gulp. Who me? *innocent look* But when it comes to the Lord, we're too busy, no time, later, tomorrow…

Are we really living our lives for God or for ourself? This question puts me to shame. I realise I can never let go of my life and the world. God said we cant serve 2 masters, ie either God Himself or the world. If we really love the Lord, we must leave our worldly treasures, bear the cross and follow Him.

I can only work to change gradually through time to be a better person In Christ. But salvation isn't about good works or merit. U cant earn heaven just because you're a good person. Salvation comes through Christ Jesus. Believe and be saved peeps ! Call me a Jesus freak or anything, hate me love me, you have to have God in your life, like totally !

After morn church in Tab, I went on to St Peter's Church at Oxford Street in the afternoon, as invited by my buyer May. It's a Chinese church with sermon in dual-lingual. I personally like one of the worship songs, Give Thanks.

It goes… "Let the weak say I am strong… Let the poor say I am rich… Because of what the Lord has done for us… Give thanks".

The Pastor, Joshua was a real funny fella. Preached about Life's Blessing. He said that God does not have anything against the rich. In fact, Christians don't oppose the rich. But thing is, whom do we serve in the midst of our riches? Is it God or our own lustful desires for more? Does our possession possess us? One thing that touched me is that he said God promised to provide enough for us on this earth, although we never deserve any of it… Yet He loved us so much and will never forsake His children…

Jeremiah 29 : 11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future". AMEN !

I had thought about my financial situation. Yeah it's true I'm scraping through life day by day, I cant afford this-that, but the Lord would not let me starve. He lead Delia to buying groceries for me, to Carphone approving of my cash back, no matter how little it is, lead buyers to my trading n e-bay stuff.

Luke 12 : 28 "If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

I will have more faith in the Lord. Thank you for granting grace over and over again though I never deserve any of it. AMEN !

Legend :

Muka-Buku - Facebook

Of God’s Amazing Works

Current Mood : Tired, but contented
Song In Head : Hillsong – This Is My Desire
Study : 5 pages of P1. Honestly.

Yeah I should gear up on my studying. Right on it! Tomorrow ok ar? Now me wanna tell u guys about God's amazing work in my life these few days.

1^st of all, my mom had managed to send me £500 today. Just enough to survive another month ahead. Guess what… for the month of Oct my expenditure ngam-ngam ho reached £495. Keng le… coz I walk to school ma. Bring own lunch ma. Decline shopping trips / hang outs / eating out. Muahaha. Dork. Nerd. Tak boleh kah?

The money came just in time, being able to pay for me insurance, phone bill and me rent. Thank you so much mom… I promise to study hard and find a job as soon as I finish my exams! Thank you Lord for providing us our daily bread sufficiently!

2^nd of all, my church friend Delia had helped pay for my groceries last sun as a birthday gift ( coz I kept declining to go for a girl's day out with her and some church friends… I can't even afford the bus fare to go! ) .

3rdly, I made a total of £25 as of today from e-bay & trading. I sometimes do feel bad coz this is not proper business, selling your own stuff / buying cheap stuff from ppl and hiking up the price to other buyers. Like… I don't know. It doesn't feel right. Anyway, I'm broke and I needed the cash before I had obtained the money from mom, you see. Thank you Lord for directing me to meet good people and not letting me fall into the hands of evil buyers. =)

Last but not least, one of my buyers today, May, brought me to her church cell group. After negotiating the price few days ago, she called back to say that she felt an urge to help me. Something was telling her that I have some difficulties, but she doesn't know what it is, and would like to help out. Today, after meeting up and selling the stuff, May invited me to her cell group. All 4 groups from her church is having a combined cell meeting so there's a big party going on and some testimonials from church members. (Testimony is when u testify to everyone the amazing stuff God had done in your life).

One guy testified how God healed his backbone problem, another lady about how God healed her suicidal behaviour, and the list goes on. This is a Chinese church, with their members comprising of China & Hong Kong youths… But guess what, they sang some English worship songs, and 1 of my favs… Heart of Worship. "I'm coming back to the heart of worship… And it's all about you… It's all about you Jesus"

Amazing, isn't it? How the Lord bring individuals together… God must've given her that urge to invite me. I told her bout my problems and she said she'll uphold me in prayers. Thank you May ! I am filled with the Holy Spirit's burning passion once again and this feeling is really unexplainable yet amazing. Bliss =)

One of the church members, Steven dropped Charm home coz his house was on the way back. He connected his iPod into the speaker and out played another fav of mine…. "This is my desire… To honour you… Lord with all my heart, I worship you…"

"I have this song on my phone as well!" I exclaimed.

"Really? Haha… I like that one too… But ahh my fav among all is this…" and he switched to Shout To The Lord. I was like… "Hey, that's my fav when I was in high school !"

We've quite a lot in common. Chew on this. He's got a suave British accent. Ahhhhh *swoons* . Manager position. Hmmm. His background is pretty complicated, parents from China, stayed in Vietnam, then moved to HK. N then now in England. He said I've got a Singaporean accent. Well I'll take that as a compliment. =D Some of u might beg to differ, but objection overruled. =P

Anyway, Charm would like to express a BIG THANK YOU to all her friends for the prayers and support. I really appreciate all the offers for help and I'll cherish our friendship to infinity and beyond.

All in all, I'm glad God work things out in a good way. He is alwiz faithful, alwiz knowing, alwiz providing. We just have to call out on Him and acknowledge that we need Him to steer the ship of our lives.

I would like to end the day with a Bible verse dedicated to all. Yes, even to you.

Matthew 7 : 7-8

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be open unto u.

For everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks, finds it; and to him that knocks, the door shall be opened. "

AMEN !

Legend

ngam-ngam ho : just in time / exactly the right amount or moment

keng le : aren't i just the smartest chum?

tak boleh kah? : can't i do just that?

P.S. This is for the benefit of my UK friends.... Sorry guys for alwiz putting malaysian colloquials ! Don't u think it's so much easier to express in these shorter phrases compared to the english language?

Another Lovely Birthday Surprise

Ah. I'm such a lucky girl to have such great frenz. Last sun, the 21st Oct, 4 days after me birthday... I had another birthday surprise =)

At 1st, my new friends from Malaysia, Vithya, Junie, Jun Li and I had planned to go Satay House in Paddington to try out some yummy satay and other scrumptious malaysian dishes. Apparently, the place was very famous wo... Listed with good comments on zee London Time Out - Eating & Drinking Guide 2007 . But erm... we didn't think of calling earlier to book, so when we went there, it was fully booked liao. Aiya...

Thing is... I didn't know that they had planned to surprise me with presents and a cake... We all then pa-pa lang went to Bayswater to hunt for food, it being 2.30pm and our stomachs are crying for mercy. The hunt for food continued till we spotted a Thai restaurant named Tuk Tuk.

Ahh home ground... reminded me of how much I missed my parent's Thai dishes. My mom makes zeee world's BEST Thai Green Curry & Claypot Tanghoon. Look at the yummy food that we ordered. Thai Green Curry Chicken ( still cant beat mom ), Thai Fried Rice, Malaysian Koay Teow, Chinese Style Mushroom...

Asian food cooked in London

can never beat the original taste, no?

Anyway here's when zee surprise starts... when we had finished zee food... the waitress cleared everything and then started giving out dessert plates. I was thinking maybe they're giving us free desserts or stg...

Then suddenly...

Another waitress brought out a cake with candles...

I was like... no it cant be, can it?

N she laid it in front of me...

=) bingo !

*squeals*

Charm and her coffee walnut cake

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHAARRRMMMIINNNEE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUU

Making my secret wish

Ahhhh thank you so much guys !!!

Muah muah muah love u all !!!

Charm ~ Vithya ~ Junie + Jun Li our wonderful photographer ~

Thanks for making this birthday a wonderful one !

I really really didn't expect this... OMG i was so blind not to notice them buying the cake in Marks & Spencer. That's why la JL was talking to me all the time... to distract blur charm... Hehe... you guys really pull this one off really nicely =). Thanks for being such wonderful friends...

After lunch we went to Hyde Park... The autumn scenery is beautiful, I must say...

Playing with fallen leaves

Autumn in my heart <3

We took a stroll pass the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain...

Junie & JL clubbing Vithya =P

Charm playing with supremely cold water from the fountain

All in all, I would like to thank Jun Li, Vithya & Junie for making me feel special... I love you guys !

Presents from them and others

More prezzies from Burcu, Rachel & Joel

Ahhh... I'm drowning with LOVE.

CHARM HEART LOVELY FRIENDS

Birthday Surprise

What a 180 degree flip my birthday yesterday turns out to be =)

charm in new tube top hugging zee pillow

* dark suave voice* Good morning Angel

* sweet enthusiastic reply * Good morning Charlie !

At 1st, I was staying at home after cancelling everything ( Newcastle, Manchester, Turkish dinner, clubbing, cake, shopping ). No money ma. ( Read previous blogs then u'll understand. ). A boring day was anticipated.

My dad & grandfather called in the morning to wish me HAPPY BIRTHDAY . I'm a daddy's girl. Alwiz have, alwiz will =) I love u pops. I love u too, yeh yeh... ( which means grandpa in cantonese. ) My dad told me to go buy my birthday prezzie, using his credit card. =D Thanks pops ! But sorry pa, I cant use your credit card. Not when you need it more than I do.

Amman kept calling the whole day to wish me Happy Birthday again n again. Yarr aren't u the sweetest thang? Wore my new tube top given by James and my dark brown jacket given by Burcu. Head on to Subways to meet Amman where he treated me to a Subway thingy. I duno what u called it. Anyway. Chat awhile but he gotta continue working. Thing that made me smile was " Can you stay here awhile and look pretty for me? " =) Thx Yarrrrr... HUGGSSS~~

I then head on to the Salvation Army near my house to shop for 2nd hand clothes. Earlier I had korek out the coins I have. Muahahha go clear your cupboard. It's amazing how much coins u can collect. Sikit-sikit lama-lama jadi bukit. Got myself second-hands of a Topshop pink cardigan and a French Connection checked winter skirt. All for only £4. Beggars cant be choosers, no? That's what my mom alwiz say. The cashier was amused at the coins I presented to him. Didn't use my dad's card. Tell u a secret. I sometimes buy 2nd hand clothes. So what? Cant afford branded new ones wert. That's y u see I have a lot of over-sized winter jackets. Cheap, Comfy & Warm.

There. It's ok if you're disgusted at me. It happens.

Anyway, I was heading back home, then upstairs in my room, organizing my lecture notes ( Note the 'organizing' , not studying ) when I heard voices downstairs. Thinking it might be the guests which my landlady had for these 2 nites, I didn't bother checking.

N then 10 mins later I heard " Charmine ! Come downstairs ! "

*Pitter patter of charm's feet down the steps*

" SURPRISE !! "

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOO CHARMINNNNEEEE ~~
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUU........

Ahhhhh Thank you guys ! Pei Sian & Jun Li, I love u both sooo sooo much !

I seriously thought you'll not be doing anything when I busted on your plan yesterday and said just cancelled it for the day.

cutting zee tiramisu cake

Ohhh you guys shouldn't have wasted money and all... London's so expensive ! But thank you very very much from the bottom of my heart ! MUAHHH !~!

We makan-ed zee lovely Tiramisu cafe latte. Ah... Bliss. N then chit chat about politics & economy. Haha.... How predictable of us ACCA nerds. Nevertheless, I had fun. We all did. =)

Thank you so much guys !

zee lovely presents =)

Whoop de dooop ~~ Plus another reason to celebrate... Today, Carphone Warehouse text me to say that they had approved of my cash back. Actually I sent the application 2 months late but they still accept it. Yay ! I'll be getting back some money within 30 days.

It's amazing how God works miracles. I had never expected Carphone to accept my application, I just prayed and hoped. I'm not exaggerating any of this btw... Praise God ! This really testifies His great works =) WOW.

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound

That save a wretched like me

I once was lost, But now am found

Was blind, But now I SEE...

AMEN !

Tribute to my Beloved Burcu

Charm & Burcu darling

My room-mate n party partner Burcu has finally moved out yesterday, after being roomies for 3 months... Awwww.... So sad... Being the hopeless sentimental freak that I am, I cant help feeling like there's a cloud hanging above my head today.

Burcu before the dyeing-hair-operation.

Hair colouring and getting ready to hit da club !

Doesn't she look so sweet? Sigh... before I moved here, I was worried we're not gonna be compatible. You know how particular I could be at times. After a week of being room-mates with Burcu, who's from Turkey, I found out we have a lot in common ! We share the same opinion about fashion, guys, music and chocolates ! Oh how we would chat about our own relationship experiences and have girly pillow talk... Or try out clothes and have our own London Fashion Week. Che wah. Glamour leh... We absolutely love Zara, Topshop & Next. ( She can afford la coz she's working in GAP but I'm not =S ). We even go clubbin together. Over here in the UK, I only go to clubs IF there's someone I know for a long time is going with me, i.e. highly RARE. I don't go with any new college mates and that's why I'm a nerd-in-the-making in their eyes.

Burcu & Charm @ Walkabout

Burcu and I like the same type of music, esp Love Songs and R&B... We would alwiz play songs and be our own DJ in our room. Our favourite is Ayo Technology (She Wants It) by 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland. We'll play this song on You Tube and she'll be Fitty & I'm JT and we'll impersonate funny imitations of them.. "The smoke's got the club all hazy, spotlights don't do you justice baby..." - Our fav quote in the song. We love Ne-Yo as well... especially Because of You. "Baby you've become my addiction..." . We'll pretend we're Ne-Yo's girls and have girly fun ! When my fav songs are played on the radio, she'll remember and turn it louder.

Burcu & I on the bus on our way to a Turkish restaurant.

We're both the top 2 messiest babes around. Just take a look at our table. Hahaha...

I'll help her tidy up her stuff alwiz coz I know she'll be tired after work to clear it. She hangs my clothes and take them in if I'm out. She sometimes make nice Turkish food for me. I learn to eat many Turkish dishes. I esp like Dalma, which is stuffed food inside vine leaves. On her last night here, we had a romantic dinner in our kitchen with candles. I know she absolutely love 'em so I alwiz get her candles whenever I see pretty ones. Few days ago I got her a lavender rose as a parting gift and she got me a nice sling purse from Primark. Sigh... we even call each other darling, baby & dear... Ok now we sound so lesbo. LOL. C'mon, it's sisterly love. It's not everyday u getta bond with someone u've just met and click just like that. She offered to lend me money if I'm ever in need of cash coz she knows I have financial difficulty. I do offer her back coz I know she needs money to help pay for her new sem as well. Sigh isn't she the sweetest chum ?

Burcu ! I'm gonna miss u soo soo much ! Come visit us when you're free ! Love you baby =) Thanks for being such a great friend and room-mate ! Muakxxxx Hugs & Kisses alwiz

Tribute To Besties

You know... i'm one of the luckiest girl in this planet.

I have best friends who are really genuine and stood by me through thick and thin. I've gone through some really tough shit crap and i wouldn't have made it through if it wasn't for them standing by my side and giving me encouragement. Of course, i had God giving me the spiritual strength i had needed and i can't thank Him enough for that and for sending these angels in my life =)

Here are the ones that help me pull myself back up again during my sad ordeal. It's NOT a comprehensive list though and i might left out some (for privacy purposes) but you're still in my heart !

This page is made specially for me besties ! Love u all !

The "4 stooges"

Dec 06 @ Crown Jewel Beach during Charm's Farewell Party.

Janice the tennis ace / beeyotch / hottie in curls.
Joanna the sweet chums / lalat Lim / china doll.
Ying Yi the smart ass / Lee Hom's wife / sophisticated bombshell.
Charmine the dong-dong / S-N-A-I-L / BSWing PJ

They've been with me through high school and all the sweet & naughty memories are just priceless... Might blog about it some other time. Right now 4 of us are like so far away from each other. Jan in USM. Anna in UKM. YY in Uni of Melbourne. Despite the distance and the massive amount of coursework and exams, they still find the time to share with me girly moments and listen to my problems and give invaluable advice. Sigh... it's only a matter of time till we all finish our studies and get reunited once again =) Till then, it's pia pia pia !

The "Paper MSN Gang"

July 06 @ Queensbay Roller Blading Rink during Charm's Summer Hols back in Penang.

Clockwise from left : Cynthia, Ivy, Chia Lee, Yen Sun, Shing Ying, Charm and Yong Beng.

My friends since i started CAT. Hmm we're missing May, KL, SL, GH, Jean, CC, Clarissa here... and also not forgetting Zi Hur who's currently in Manchester. All of them was able to drive before i do so when i'm in need of transport, they're alwiz there to help out. What great friends! N Ahh all those cheeky stuff we do... like skipping lessons and fooling lecturers... All our escapades... dim sum... movies... paper msn-ing in class... jalan-jalan cari makan... amazing race queensbay edition... ooh i miss all of those stuff ! Though we're apart, you guys will alwiz be in my heart... We shall strive hard and conquer ACCA together ya ! Jia you !

"My Best Pal"

Sept 06 @ a restaurant near college during Zi Hur's Farewell.

Couldn't find any pictures of only ZH n i together. In my laptop, that is. He's looking so smug in this pic, surrounded by all the girls till i got pushed to the end also he didn't bother. Hmm...

We used to study together in IPG library. When i said study, i meant he was scoping girls in library while i was reading fashion mags or online haha... When my parents cant pick me up, he's alwiz there to fetch me in his jeep =). N when i'm not home, i sometimes get him as an excuse and my mom would be alright with it.. hehe...

Was kinda sad when he abruptly made the decision to further his studies in Manchester, UK. Though i'm over here in the UK as well, London n Manchester ain't that near to each other. Still, he took the effort to come over to visit me here couple of times.

Once when he came over, we were supposed to go Manchester together but i accidentally fell from the stairs in my home n couldnt walk. He took me to the hospital and the nurse said it was some crack of the tendon. Sigh there goes my trip to visit Old Trafford. He made up for it by coming over to London again to visit my hurt leg. I think more like coming over to visit the spanish girls i was living with.. LOL

We went through the same problems in our own relationship and that's what happens when u don't get ur best pal to QC your prospect lover. Nevertheless, he was alwiz there when i'm having emo breakdown. Thank you for all the support during those sucky moments before our June 07 exam. You had alwiz reminded me of God's loving grace & kindness and i'm glad for the Lord speaking His assurance through u... See u in Manchester soon !~!

"My Chivalry King"

Aug 06 @ Penang International Airport during Raghu's departure.

Ahh my prom partner. My king. My host in Newcastle. None other than Raghuram Krishnan. Raghu Waghu. =) He had seen the not-so-pretty side of my life and still stood by me through it all. N listened to my whiny stories... Thx ragx ! Hugs ! Attempted to bring under-aged Charm into casinos but we got busted. LOL. We shall plan our secret mission again next time. Pussycat Dolls & Rihanna Concert was awesome ! So was the After Party *winkx*. See u in Newcastle again soon !

"My Partner In Crime"

Mar 07 @ our old kitchen in Flodden House.

The person i alwiz text to when i'm in a bad mood and in need of letting out my anger. The shield taking all my shots. The one i can alwiz get free subways from. Who else but my Ex-Hsemate and now Partner in Crime Amman Shah. Life in London wouldn't be the same without him. As long as i didn't kill him yet with my bullets. Cliche or not, i'm gonna say it... Thanks for alwiz walking me home and risking your life to paedophiles. =D

There you go. Life without them all is like... Coffee without sugar. Movies without popcorn. Pirates of the Caribbean without Capt Jack Sparrow. N of coz, Charm with NO Life.

I thank God alwiz for sending all these friends to my life and showing me what true friendship means. It's definitely so much more worth-it than guys. I mean, not literally. As in "guy" guy. Boyfriend la. Adui. U catch my drift. For the record I DO appreciate my guy-friends la.

Besties are forever. Diamonds cant beat that. Except Tiffany & Co's =P. Kidding !