Rules of the game:
1. Post 5-weird/random stuff about yourself.
2. At the end, list the names of 5 people whom you want next to do this, and leave a comment "YOU ARE TAGGED!" in their blog and tell them to read your blog for rules.

1) Bone

I have an extra bone in my neck. Discovered this when I went for an x-ray. Feeling that my throat was uncomfortable, like something was being stuck. I remember the doctor taking a look at my x-ray film & exclaiming rather excitedly "You have an extra bone in your neck!". "Is this normal?", I asked. Apparently not ;p I have friends who would love to find that extra bone by strangling me.. Stay away you! :p

2) Scars

My right hand has the most scars. I have 3 on my elbow. Two of which, I got from racing with my Labrador dog & one at FRIM with church gang. Never race on tar road! ;p Another was a house accident where my elbow came in contact with a hot rice cooker. Remember my skin shrivel right before my eyes. My middle finger has a scar from being rolled under the rocking chair & finally a long scar on my hands which I just got in Aceh ;p

3) Ma

I'm fondly known as 'ma' to many in my youth & cell group. I can't help it. I seem to have this motherly side of me. It's also probably because I'm leading the group & are among the oldest around. What I get irritated most is when the older ones call me that too. Yes, I am loved =)

4) Eating disorder

I hate eating when I was growing up in primary school. My maid back then would have to scoop portions of rice onto 5 spoons & leave it on my plate. I'd doodle away, not concentrating on my meal. Sometimes, I would pour the yucky soup down the sink. I know, me bad :p I was a skinny little kid & parents were always complaining about my bad eating habits. Thankfully, I'm enjoying food more now.

5) Gadget

I love gadgets! Digital cameras, Palm, video camera, iPods, mobile phones, etc. Nothing entices me more than gadgets..hehe :D Even fast cars won't do it. Alas, my only gadgets right now are my Palm T|T (which is going to retire soon), Panasonic Lumix Digicam, Sony Ericsson k600i & Jabra bluetooth headset. Would love to get hold of a Palm Tx & an iPod Nano *wishful thinking*

You're tagged! Reta, Steph, David, Kevin, Chin Hor

On 26^th December 2005, various country's special envoys and ministers, NGO representatives, members of the press & the community gathered for the one year Tsunami commemoration service at Ulee Lheu in Banda Aceh.

The President of Indonesia commented,"This is a very special gathering of people of all nationalities, race, religion and cultures, united by tragedy and our common humanity. In this wide-open space on the calm shores of Ulee Lheu, under the blue sky, we stand together as God's Children. In the same blue sky, Mother Nature unleashed her most destructive power against us."

He concluded his speech with these words of encouragement, "As they say in Indonesia, "out of darkness, comes brightness". The tsunami cast a fatal blow on our shores. But it is no match for a greater force that we call the human spirit. That spirit to live, to survive, and to love, continues. That spirit will live amongst us today, tomorrow, and the days after. Insya Allah, Insya Allah!" .

 
         Can you spot Sharizat?                       Sideview of Baiturrahman Mosque

Below is a poem recited by Isna, a 9 years old Acehnese girl who managed to escape the tsunami with the rest of her family members.

I will rise

By: C. Harun Alrasit

I am a child of Adam

That was threatened by a disaster

Today I will rise to forget the misery

The rest of the sadness is frozen

To be forgotten with renewed spirit

I do not wish to stand back anymore

I do not want to believe in empty promises

Today is full of flower of hope

I must pick it even only a piece

Look at my friends who have recovered

From their pains

We smile again in happiness…

Syifa & Isna, I pray for a bright future

My heart is with the survivors who are moving on in life without loved ones & the earthly comforts which they have worked hard for. May the Lord bless you & provide you the strength & courage to continue living.

Shalom,

~Jess

Christmas was spent in Banda Aceh. Away from family & friends, the familiarity of Christmas carols, glitzy malls, church events & all. Nevertheless it was good =) Has a get-together with colleagues here, many whom were also celebrating Christmas away from home. It rained, like it always do back home. Christmas was in my heart. Indeed, it was Emmanual, Christ with us.

Here are some pictures taken at the Christmas get-together with colleagues 
  
 
  

Here's wishing you all a blessed Christmas & wonderful New Year!
May our good Lord grant you love, peace & joy!

You've made my journey colourful. Thanks for being you =)

xoxoxo,
~Jess

After attending the Acehnese wedding, we head out to Ujong Batae beach with friends from church. Some swam, some sung, some walked, some chatted. In the end, we all had a great time =)

Went home for some real camping desserts called S'more (melted marshmellow & choc sandwitched between 2 crackers) ala American style & Grilled banana with the same ingredients ala Aussie style. It sounds gross but trust me...it was sinfully delicious! *_*  

After desserts, we watched the movie "Fiddler in the roof" that was projected onto a white sheet. Left before the show ended cause of our curfew :/ Yup, we need to be back in the teamhouse by 11pm <boohoo> Must catch it again someday.

Two Saturdays ago, I attended an Acehnese wedding with Geno. I was curious & he didn't speak the language *_*  Male & female guests had to sit at separate tents. So I ended up smsing him to relate what was happening. Below are some pictures I took. Enjoy! =) 

   I'll rise because You rose,
   I'll live because You died for me,
   I'll love because You first love me,
   Oh Lord, You are my life (x2)

The chorus from I'll rise by a American band, NewSong.
What a beautiful worship song!

if his sweet words are from his heart?

if his caring actions & thoughtful gestures are sincere?

if it is all for real???

Alas,

Nothing is more real than Jesus

whom I trust & obey.

For now, I shall wait,

Till the day you find your faith.

For now, you're in my prayers,

Till the day you accept the truth,

That He is the one & only God,

Till then what we have may be real.

This is the season to go back to our first love - Jesus Christ. For those of us who have been disappointed by men who are just imperfect humans, take heart that God does not dissapoint but loves us for who we are, however sinful & imperfect we are. That is the truth

    Informal. A situation or an atmosphere of difficulty, stress, or anxiety

That's where I am right now. Lord, I need Your strength! :s