Sunday, January 29, 2006

Chinese New Year Mass / Info on Maranatha Retreat

It's the first day of the Lunar New Year! As with the Chinese New Year tradition, the first day is dedicated to visiting those who are higher ranking than us (e.g. grandpa). So to start off the Lunar New Year, my family went for Mass; to visit God in His house. :) The church that I went to did not incorporate much Chinese culture at Mass except for lanterns, red packets and mandarin oranges. Kinda like the usual Mass, except that Mass ended with "Huan Ying Da Di Hui Chun"(which means "Welcome Spring!" in Mandarin). So I guess there is nothing much I could cover. However if you have any questions about the Lunar New Year Mass, do drop me an email :)

---

With reference to pat's request; here's more information about the retreat I was in:

JoThe retreat I participated was a 2 days 2 nights (begun on a Friday night and ended on a Sunday afternoon) silent retreat conducted by Father Larry Tan. It consists of "point sessions" (i.e. the only time where we could talk and interact with the priest as he gives input) and ample time for doing silent prayer (either centering prayer or Ignatian style) in a very conducive environment. :) My favorite place for silent prayer is lying on top of the granite fence (although I might get sunburned after half hour or so) ;)

I strongly recommend silent retreats to those who have yet been to one. For some, silent retreats helps one discover a fresh perspective of God, while for others it's a time where they allow themselves to hear their own "inner-voice". Of course, results vary but nevertheless one could at least obtain a decent amount of rest in such a tranquil environment.

So why not give it a try?

For more information on Maranatha Retreat House CLICK HERE.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Good wishes.

Blessed Lunar New Year! :)

May the Lord's plan for you to prosper and to give you a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11) be fulfilled.

P/s: Happy Binging. ;)

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Weekend at Marantha

Image hosting by Photobucket

Was at a silent retreat last weekend at Maranatha Retreat Centre in Janda Baik, Pahang. Took exactly 200 pictures (ah, the miracle of technology)! :) In the end I narrowed down to only about 30 pictures. As you can see, I was in the mood for black and white. Somehow I felt it adds to the artistry of my pictures. ;)

What do you think?

CLICK HERE for more photos

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Serendipity Find: New Way of Arranging Your Desktop!

TADA!

Image hosted by Photobucket.com







That's the new look of my desktop. :) Instead of the usual icons (i.e. "My Computer", "My Documents", "Recycle Bin", etc.) I have decided to replace them with "cute character icons" which I downloaded from
Pixelgirl Presents, a site which offers a fairly decent selection of very unconventional icons. ;) Notice my cute "watermelon hill" wallpaper? Got that too from Pixelgirl.

Actually it was by serendipity that I discovered this cool way of arranging icons. I find that arranging it this way makes my desktop look almost story-like. A comic strip, perhaps? :D I've got a carrot as my "recycle bin" (which gets fat when filled) and cute purple monster as a shortcut for one of my many folders AND many other cute characters on my desktops acting as various shortcuts.

Ahhhh! I am sooOooo proud of my desktop! :D

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Pride & Prejudice

Mr. Darcy: How are you this evening my dear?

Ms. Bennet: Very well, only I wish you would not call me "my dear".

Mr. Darcy: Why?

Ms. Bennet: Because it is what my father always calls my mother when he is crossed about something.

Mr. Darcy: What endearments that I may allow?

Ms. Bennet: Let me think... "Lizzy" for everyday, "My Pearl" for Sundays and "Goddess Divine" for those very special occasions.

Mr. Darcy: Ah, and what shall I call you when I am crossed... "Mrs. Darcy"?

Ms. Bennet: No..! No. You may only call me Mrs. Darcy when you are completely... and perfectly... and incandescently happy.

Mr. Darcy: And how are you this evening... Mrs. Darcy? *kiss on the forehead* Mrs. Darcy... *kiss on the left cheek* Mrs. Darcy... *kiss on the nose* Mrs. Darcy... *kiss on the right cheek* Mrs. Darcy... *kiss on the lips*

- excerpt from the final scene in Pride & Prejudice (2005)
---

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Beautiful beautiful movie! An exemplary film which is extremely romantic with no sex involved. Amazing. I had my third appreciation of the movie today - it was that good. Makes me want to start reading Jane Austen's other works.

*fake English accent* Certainly a film that is worth your every penny. :)

First Post of 2006

It's been 10 days since the beginning of 2006, got my results from last semester: wasn't bad... it was what I had guessed but I wasn't satisfied. I wasn't satisfied not only with my results but also with other areas of my life. *SIGH* But hey! isn't every new year an opportunity for me to write a new chapter - an even better chapter - of my life? :)

Well I am not writing all of my new year's resolution for all to see but I can tell you that I will be reading the Bible from cover-to-cover with the help of CovertoCover.

Devotionals, here I come!

psst... look out for my personal reflections ;)