#2018week1 of #WhathaveIiearnthisweek

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! yay!!! It's 2018 and it's going to be one of the best year ever for me! (In Malaysia, this is called "SiokSendiri" or "SS".)

But anyway, welcome everyone to the new year and a new chapter of my 52 weeks commitment to my extremely weird readers, I don't know why you wanna read my blogs but nevertheless I appreciate your time and energy. My hope is to provide you into a link into my brain to see what I see or what I think so I know, WE are not alone.. You know who you are.. hahaha..

So what have I learned about this week? It's nice to have written goals. Many motivational speakers says "Yay", while some of them says "Nay".. Why I think it's a great idea.. The years that I didn't had it was one of the hardest years I go through, like I do not have an aim but to just get over the day with no evaluation on where my life was heading or where I want to be heading to..

Plus, I love to be creative with my goals or objectives.. but I think like any company, I'd like to have the ans for: "Why am I here for?" (Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren) Well..., not everyone will have this answered now, for some, may not even come in their life time. But just think about it from time to time, think about what good you bring to the world, no matter how small your contribution is I think it can give others great joy, just by sharing your thoughts..

From the why, we will be able to find out how we can do that and what do we do to achieve just that. I have a lot of different segments to departmentalize my goals.. here are some of the departmentalization title:

1) Spiritual Development
Example: Daily Prayers (15 min a day) ; Reading of the Bible (30 min a day) etc

2) Personal Development
Example: Date night with hubby (Monthly); Learn a new Skill (Music/Game/Hobbies) etc

3) Career Development
Example: Meet new people weekly (3 a week); Read/Listen to Sales & Marketing techniques everyday etc..

4) Financial Development
Example: Doing freelance work quarterly? Engaging in other business opportunity monthly? etc..

Something of the sort..

Allow me to explain, this is not for everybody.. We can agree to disagree that not everyone will like to do this or even benefit from this, but I would like to encourage you to try.. try and see if it works for you or not.. And don't just try once, try a few times and then only call it quits if it doesn't work for you.. You are not going to loose anything by setting up goals and trying to set your mind or focus your thoughts into something you want to achieve. Take it 1 step at a time and don't expect miracles.

Quote for the day: "Do the best that you can do and be the best version of yourself today & everyday." 

Wow!

It's like once every big change I update my blog LOL.. 

No one reads blogs I guess these days? But it's ok.. I just like to share my thoughts randomly.. No need for anyone to care much about it.. Coz since I always talks to myself, out loud sometimes, might as well I share it for, what I hope, would benefit someone else in the future.. I am still young and crazy so why not right? 

So, today I wanna start sharing #thingsIlearn everyday.. Not sure if I can keep this up coz even a photo a day I can't do it so perhaps I will limit it to #WhatIlearnweekly for 2018...  actually learn a lot weekly and sometimes in 1 week, I learn about a few things at a time and sometimes a few things in a day or even during a short event! 

So let me start with today's #whatIlearnthisweek to start the ball rolling.. I learn about this sets of great interview questions to ask candidates during an interview session.. My HR friend said that Malaysians are not ready yet for these questions but I think it's no harm to use it to gauge the candidate's real character. I read it and listen from the source links shown.(Source: https://www.inc.com/business-insider/weird-interview-questions-oracle-zappos-paypal-alphabet-warby-parker.html  & https://www.inc.com/video/adam-bryant/3-key-questions-you-must-ask-every-new-hire.html)

From my most fav: 

1) If you die, what do you want written on your tombstone? 

I think this is a great question to ask because it shows a person what he/she wants to really achieve in the end of the day. it can be short, or brief or even long with some creativity.. I though about this before and my answer may be too vague but if you are reading this, share what is your message on your tombstone one day... (I will share mine in a later post..)

2) What is the biggest mis-perception people have about you? 

I love this question because it allows once to really think about themselves and see if they knew their standing and how others perceive them in public.. For me, the biggest mis-perception others have about me is that "Susana is too kind or too nice to lead or be a leader." I think in this era and time, a leader with empathy wins over any leader with authority.. in the pass we always talks about having authority, having the status, having the right "controlling power" they have among their people.. I believe, leaders are influences, we feel, we understands and we do our best to work together with our team not to manipulate them but to help them grow,be better and achieve what they want to achieve in life. (some people may argue that this is called manipulation, I say it all depends on your intentions and that is between you and God.) *Always remember that 20% of the ppl you talk to will always disagree with you, so don't take everything too personally.. (Note to self.)

3) Tell me something that's true, that almost nobody agrees with you on. 

This is sooooo subjective.. How do one explain a truth that is not accepted by everyone else? LOL I thought I have this question in the bag but I will share my answer to this question should someone ask me about it.. "I love Exams." then everyone else will say the opposite.. hahaha they will disagree with the feeling I have associated with exams.. which to me is the truth, I love exams and no one else can tell me otherwise.. in which I will explain honestly (some of my close friends will know this..), not that I am a show off and not that I do sooooo well in all my exams, BUT I like to evaluate myself through the exam.. lemme ask you something, when you put in hard work, sacrificed time to improve and find ways to be better, don't you wanna know how effective your methods, strategy and implementation affects your results? Well I do! That is why I love it! I love it when exam comes, so I see how much I have learnt, which method I use in studying/learning helped improved my results, how much I know about the subjects etc... I love exams. Full Stop.  

So, there are other questions HR personnel may wanna ask or some really good questions you may want to think about it yourselves.. Do go over and read the rest on your own and share what you think? 

My quote for the day? "There's something to learn everyday." 

See you again soon! xoxo

In the fashion industry...

It has been too long! I need to update this blog hahaha... some information on this blog needs to be updated also.. wow.. almost 2 years didn't update anything here.. Crazy.. 

I wanna try to not share too much of my opinions on FB anymore coz it has become a bad habit.. hope blogging would not be a bad thing.. at least, I would not be seeking how many likes, or watch too much interesting videos while I blog.. 

I just want a place to release my thoughts.. 

Oh, and yes.. I am now in the fashion industry!! yay!! and you think it's all Glam and sparkly.. lol NOT! it's all business.. the perks is that you get to do what you love and passionate about but in the end, it's all about being profitable. 

So to all future fashion designers out there.. You need to be profitable! period. If you say you work for passion but not money (so romantic)... eh.. then how are you going to support your passion unless you are already rich? As a community, a country, a nation.. we must appreciate talent and from there, nurture and groom them for success. Help them financially and train them to push themselves further with hard work and commitment! Never give up and find all ways to succeed! 

All I can say right now is that a lot of student study fashion designing may not end up working as a fashion designer because Malaysia Fashion industry is like going through a sunset period. When there is an opportunity, grab it! 

Until next time.. some photos k? :D

What am I cookin'?

So my hubby wants to eat healthier recently, well, since last week.. After understanding the kind of eater we are.. He is a feaster while I am a constant eater.. Another group are that emo eaters.. 

Anyways, we realized the type of meals we should have.. For feasters, they need high protein and low GI kinda food.. While for me, well.. I just need to fast for 2 days (like only take 1 meal for the day)..  

And since my hubby doesn't like taking veggies, we decided to cook thick veggies soup for him so he can eat it easier.. (Like drinking milkshake..) I researched some ingredients for a few recipe for a thick veggie soup (without cream or cheese or milk) and then my hubby went to the market to get them.. And oh boy was my hard work paid off! The soup was delicious! I mean, wow! What a nice creamy texture and the taste is phenomenal.. I never know creamy soup can be so nice.. I normally prefers clear soups.. Mainly chicken mushrooms with carrots, potatoes and tomatoes.. (In Malaysian we call it ABC soup haha).

Today, we have decided to cook a whole lot of it so my hubby can just take out a bowl, heat it up and Bon appetit! It doesn't look appetizing when you see the raw veggies.. 😝

But wait till you taste it! It's very nice.. I dun really eat broccoli but this soup is the bomb! 

You should also try my mushroom cabbage broccoli soup! (You would not be able to really taste the cabbage.. The broccoli and mushroom flavor tops the soup.) 

So how many I manage to cook? Let's say for about a week if my hubby takes the soup twice daily..

But do t forget, I am

Having some too! Haha.. Ooooo I think I can use it as pasta sauce as well!!! Without the cheese and cream!!! Oh boy oh boy!!! Can't wait to try it!!-- tomorrow! Yay!! 

Fever fever go away.. Pls don't come again or stay...

Woke up at 235 in the morning to find my little girl is having a fever.. Ah can't sleep after that.. So after so long.. I've decided to take a min or two just to jot this down... 

She was having some fever since yesterday but was already getting better since evening yesterday.. But it seems the fever came back again and mommy is a little worried..

She took some medicine already but I can't sleep! There must be a reason for it right? (Ya, duh.. Like suddenly waking up in the middle of the night reason?lol) anyway, I have decided to use a wet towel to cool down my baby's body temp.. Took me about one and a half hours to do it but it was not because her temperature is down that I stopped but because.. She woke up, spoke softly and said,"that's enough mommy." 

Ok lar, enough lar.. Trying to go back to sleep now.. But oh wait.. Alarm will start ringing in 30min time! Apelar.. No need to sleep liao lor.. Good morning Thursday! 

Just a sudden thought...

If I think someone dresses nice but may be a bit too sexy for my own daughter, is that being a hypocrite? Coz I can't advise others on how they should dress (I dun agree with something doesn't mean it doesn't look nice, it looks nice to me than it looks nice to me lar) but I can make a difference on how my daughter would choose her dressing.. And I don't think I should impose my own preference on others but I sure can for the one I have given birth to (until a certain age lol talking to a rebel here too Ya know.) just saying... 

Let's talk about Facts..

Fact.

For some teenagers (some, not all), act like children and expect others to treat them like adults. 

Also. Fact.

Season in the sun..

Wow! My last post was like ages ago! Life have been really busy I guess.. Playing catching up at my work place, hoping I meet the expectations I my bosses.. But for me, I knew I gave it my best and I deserve a raise! Hahaha :3 but I want my staff to get some too.. If not at least she will get to travel more next year when we have meet our targets every semester.. I want to train her to be a better person and a better sales person.. 

I feel I am spending more time with my family and friends that matters most to me as well at the same time building new and healthy relationships with my college students and colleagues.. Which is what makes this season of my life, even though busy at work, meaningful.. 

God open doors for me to pray for students who needed some encouragement; God used me to make some of them smile-- some irritated by me.. lol It's nice being able to help even though it's in a small way.. 

Thank you Lord, I know you love me and my family.. Thank you for your grace and mercy Jesus.. 

It has been a while...

Hello mag2218 blog! Hahaha did you miss your author? Nah.. I didn't think so either.. Lol..

But I did miss expressing myself to you.. It's like talking to an audience that may or may not respond.. (Yes, I do get responses sometimes from my blog, which I really do appreciate it)

I was taking a break (or was forced into taking one) and had a great time with family, friends and God.. It's not just about the prayer mountain trip to Korea. It's from taking a break from church youth ministry and moving into a new ministry; it's from a tied up weekends to a free style weekends; from a job insecurity to a new promotion. Wow!! God is good!!! Even during the storm, He hold my hand; even when I could not breath, He breath strength in me; when I almost lost hope, He showed me that there is still hope.. He is a living God! No douth about it! You don't get any personal that my God, seriously.. It's like every heart beat of mine that was doubts, that was shattered, that was hurt and confused.. Now has become so clear and so beautiful I think the storm that I went through was good for me! 

I didn't walk on water, I didn't perform any miracles but what I have learn is good! I learn to do what is right, be sincere and stay calm even when what other say about me hurts and not true.. I think many of us struggle in this area.. We say we don't care but in fact we do.. We care what other ppl think of us, we want to be liked. I don't want to please anyone anymore, I will do my best not to care about things I cannot change or cannot avoid, even after doing all I can that is right. 

I still believe God has the ultimate wisdom.. If we stay in His presence all the time, we will not miss His prompting. 

May who ever that is hurting now, find peace and grace to move on and rejoice in The Lord.. 

My Sunday vision

Today I saw I was seated on Jesus lap.. Like my precious vision, but this time as I look up, Jesus was bleeding from the torn crown and the nails that pierced Hos hands.. His blood was cleaning me.. I was in awe, I was in tears and I am greteful for His.. 

Before I saw this vision I was praying for repentance and ask that Jesus will allow me to be with Him and in eternity, along with my husband, my children and my children's children.. My friends, family and my youths.. And you know what He said to me as He hug me? 

"It's ok, I can do it."

I squeezed Him even tighter.. His love endures forever.. 

A tribute to my late mom...

Have you gotten your rm5 layflat pixajoy album yet? 

Here's my recent project with a theme focused on my mom.. Hope you will enjoy the photos..

Beautiful wasn't she.. If you have known her, you will not only learn to respect her, listen to her and love her.. You will also want to be as strong and wise as her.. She is a fighter with a gentle spirit.. 

Where are you MH370

Most of the time, we hear about the sad passing of ppl during a disaster.. Never thought that going through a disaster of missing ppl would be more saddening.. We don't know what happened; we are so confused; we are scrambling for answers like being thirsty with no water to quench our thirst.. The anxiety keeps going on without any closure or resolutions.. It's driving me mad just thinking about the ultimate question "where is the plane with all it's passengers!?" Daily you see ppl writing to their missing love ones expressing their pain and hope.. My heart aches :'(

What's next?

After purchasing your RM5 photobook from Pixajoy, you are entitled to more goodies!!!

Actually one of my friend asked me about it and I remembered about this promotions.. :) so 'ngam' for every special occasions in your life.. check it out!!!

http://www.pixajoy.com.my/html/pwp

Pssss.... The RM5 promo is also available for family and friends who are staying in Singapore!! crazy right?? remember, RM5 does not include delivery/shipping fees.. to SG, RM24 for the delivery fees..

Loving my Pixajoy photobook!!!

I will let the photos do all the talking.. But for me. 3 words: lovely, sweet & wonderful!!

Want to have it for RM 5.00 (not including postage: RM8 for West MY; RM 12 for East MY) just go to this website and key in the referral code (FLB7LUXB), register, make online payment of only RM 5, and you will get a special price code for the offer. 

Share it to ur family and friend too!! Let me know how did it go http://www.pixajoy.com.my/mini-layflat-offer

Having Pixajoy blues?

No problem... Here's how to fix it:

1) To really ensure you get to enjoy the RM 5 Promo:
Just go to: http://www.pixajoy.com.my/mini-layflat-offer
Key in the CODE: FLB7LUXB
Login to your Pixajoy account OR Register as new member
Make payment (via Maybank2u; cc, PayPal and many other banks etc)
Done!

2) Cannot get TAC..
Step 1:Sign up here FIRST http://www.pixajoy.com.my/sign-up
Step 2: Then go to this website: http://www.pixajoy.com.my/mini-layflat-offer
Step 3: Key in this code FLB7LUXB
Step 4: Make payment
Done!

3) Stuck at payment with error message all over the page!!!
Try 1: when you are at error page, go back to previous page, press 'Sign Out' and then "Sign In" again.
Try 2: If you want or able to use PayPal, use it.
Try 3: If you have credit card, try that.

Use anyone of the method, it should work..

4) Downloading of the software slow.. (will take some time so please be patience, it will be worth it.)
Try 1: every time it got stuck, restart computer and reload the updates again.
*Download the software at http://www.pixajoy.com.my/free-application


5) No time to do design?? no problem.. got templates ready for you!
Step 1: Open Pixajoy Editor and click Open an Existing Project
Step 2:  Select Pre-Designed Theme Templates and click Open.
Step 3: Select your desired Theme and click Open.

Step 4: Select your desired Book Type & Size and click Open.

Step 5: Click + to import your photos to the Editor from your computer.

Step 6: Click on the Page thumbnail.

Step 7: Drag & drop your photos onto the ready-made layout.

:) hope this helps everyone!!!

Only for RM5 for a photo Album!!

So i got into this frenzy on getting a free album by referring others to use my code, it's really so cheap to get the RM5 album!!! I also want but I can't get it because I am the referral!!! Ggrgrrrrr.. so please sign up for one only for RM5 so I can get my 1 free album too!!! :(

For ONLY RM 5 for a Mini Layflat Lite Hard Cover photo album!!, Go to this website :    http://www.pixajoy.com.my/mini-layflat-offer key in the Code FLB7LUXB, register or login; make payment and you will get your special price code at your e-voucher folder when you login to Pixajoy account..

Please share it around for me please? Thank you.. :) looking forward for your support. 

Ps: do let me know if you have purchased it at RM5 so I can also track with Pixajoy.. They owe me advertising fee (no joke ahhahahaha).. kidding, coz i can monitor who have purchased and who have signed in only.. :) but you will need my help coz their system need some guidance if you are not familiar with it..

Don't worry! help is on it's way here :)

Alexander finally stepping up as the big brother..

My son has always been very 'sticky' to me. Always cries and being all emotional especially during the early morning at the school gate.. He would scream, shout and hold on to the car seats and we have to drag him to school most of the time.. Of course throughout a few months of his first time in school, he has accepted the fact that he must go school and there's no nonsense allowed, but he doesn't look happy, most of the time. 

This year, his little sister join him for pre-school.. In January, he was still acting normal, cries and wants to cling on to me.. But after the Chinese New Year holidays and we came back for classes just recently, he changed totally..

Besides wanting to cry and wanting my attention, one day he saw his little sister crying while we were sending them and he turned to her and said, "Don't cry mei mei (little sister in mandarin). Don't worry. Come." Then he hold her hand and walked into the school gate together.. Wave good bye and pat his sister on the back to comfort her.. 

Wah!!! I almost cried!! My son may not have been the top of the class, the most well behaved child or the most well eater among many children, but he sure have a big heart.. Because, this did not happened just for one day, it happened the next day too. He even helped his daddy take his little sister's school bag! :') I am so proud of Alexander.. 

I pray he will continue to love everyone around him like how Jesus loves them.. 

5 years ago today...

5th year anniversary of my late mother's passing..

Family and friends asked me why did I took such a long CNY holiday this year? Am I going back to KK? In the beginning I also didn't know why but just that I needed some rest after the CNY craze but then it could be, subconsciously I really wanted to take today off to remember my late mother.. 

My mom was all about being responsible, working hard and doing the right thing.. She has a high sense of morale and standards. She doesn't give encouragements or praises so easily.. but when she does, you know it means a lot..  

I have big and flat feet :) like giant.. and my mom always says that it's a good thing because that I would be honest and stand firm on what is right (there's a Chinese saying for big feet or able to stand firm in virtue).. I am always proud to have big feet even though it's not an attractive physical feature but to me, it means more than just a lovely appearance. It means she expect honesty, righteousness and responsibility from me.. I love that! Having someone expecting something great from you is not burdensome, it's empowering.. She showed me that she believes that I can be just that and more.. 

My mom was not a strong believer of Christ but she believes in Jesus because she knows He is the most powerful and almighty God. She may not be very religious but she showed wisdom in her conduct and discipline especially when it comes to bringing us up.. My brother and I are so proud of her and we have the utmost respect for her.. like I always say, my brother made her proud while I made her happy.. but she (and Jesus) made who we are today, she made us both proud and happy because she is the best mother we could ever have and we love her so much.. (and I tell her that every time I can when she was alive..)

May my children inherent her wisdom and her gentleness. Her kindness, firmness and her beauty.. May they grow up being righteous, fair and love people (especially the senior citizens). May they be bless and be a blessing to others, just like how their grandmother Maria Kong is like.. 

I miss you mom, all the time, I miss our weekly chats (sometimes we do it twice or 3 times a week..), your kindness towards the elderly, and your flowers in the gardens (you are such a great gardener!). I miss everything about you and wished you were here to see my children grow.. 

Second day of cny...

I know we should all be happy and rejoicing because it's finally here!! CNY is here!! :D and not that I am ungrateful or not happy about how I celebrated my cny thus far.. I am so blessed!!! Able to be here with my hubby, children and in laws is a blessing indeed.. 

But when I saw the picture of my friend's little girl without her father this year.. It really breaks my heart.. I cannot but be emotional about it.. Furthermore may be 2 friends I know would not be celebrating cny together as a family.. This sucks big time lor!!! 

It's none of my business, of course it not but it doesn't mean I don't feel anything or that I can stop feeling anything you know? I cannot do much but to pray for these little ones and their parents.. May they find an everlasting love in Jesus and that they will not lack anything for Jesus is all we need.. I pray that they will see the love of Christ one day and know that they are so loved, someone died for them to show them that.. 

In the midst of happiness don't forget those in need of care and love too.. 

God's will be done (mar..)

Taking a break from ministry is not as easy as I thought.. my mind still wonders to those that I care but doesn't want my care.. My heart still aches when they aches and my soul cannot rest when i know they face with troubles.. but I know I need to let go and let God.. 

Even during the Sabbath Jesus continues to do good and heal people, did miracles and you know what He thinks about doing good during our rest time? He thinks it's a great idea :) and even though I am not in my usual time and place to comfort, pray or even speak into someone's life.. I am living my calling for those who needed me. I still need to put my priorities straight because this is the time where I must seek God more than people; but it seems that I see more people in need than me needing God? rather than me getting someone to minister to me, I get to minister people.. And not that my family or friends is not supportive, it's just that I realized, what Jesus must have been thinking when he faced this same predicament..  

I mean there was time He needed to be alone; there was time He needed to rest and there was time He wanted to just "Lord, please take away this cup..." and yet in the end, He pull through all emotional barriers and physical challenges. We all know Jesus is God, but He is not without emotional and physical limits ya know.. He really really pull through by knowing what is more important to the Father and continue to obey Him.. Jesus knows the value of people, yes, even those that does not appreciate Him, (or worst! those that crucified Him!) those that mock Him, those that walk away from Him etc.. Jesus still loves them and He heals them, cared for them and in the end died for them.. 

Why do I use the word them when I could well be one of ''them"? Because I feel I am in Jesus shoe this time (or perhaps He is in my shoe? because He is telling me that He knows.. He knows how it feels like bring me right now.. He knows what I am going through right now.. He absolutely understands without a doubt, why i feel how I feel right now..) It is as if, Jesus put me in His shoe and opened my eyes to see, to feel and to understand that He went through far worst.. T.T I am sure in some point of my life I have been like "them".. but as far as I could remember, I tried to live without being like 'them'.. I gave it my best to not break Jesus's heart.. but my heart keeps breaking, and no time for me to heal property.. thus, my resting season is here now.. but Jesus didn't had time also, so many people need healing and need ministering.. yet with all the craziness, He will take time to pray.. and then continue to minister another day.. :) 

I should rest, get my priorities straighten out and continue to do good.. I said before, "Here I am Lord, use me." Now I am saying "I am still here Lord, use me."