HAPPY 2012!!!

2012 is finally here! This is the year I will be a 'quarter of a century' years old! Started this year feeling nostalgic and reflected upon many ups and downs in life this past year. Time to start anew and let go of the past. Thanks be to God for all the wonderful blessings and praying that He will continue to grant us love, peace, joy and mercy all the days of our lives!

"Another fresh new year is here...

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest...

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!"

~William Arthur Ward~

Inspirational Quotes

If not us, who? If not now, when?
Kennedy, John F.

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.
Henry Ford (1863-1947)

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), on his failed attempts to invent the electric bulb.

If a man does his best, what else is there?
General George S. Patton (1885-1945)

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.
Emile Zola (1840-1902)

Thanks to: http://inspirationalquote.blogspot.com/. Check it out for more quotes...

Shopping Spree!

Malaysia is famous for being a shopper's paradise and I never really did take that phrase seriously until I came back from the States. Since I came home, I have gone out shopping every single week. I have gone crazy shopping here at most of the shopping malls here and I still can't get enough of it! lol! (So far, I have purchased a collection of footwear from casual to work and formal footwear. Please don't ask how many pairs because I have lost count already!) Some of the stuff are cheaper here compared to the States, and vice versa. I also get very excited going "jalan-jalan" and shopping at the morning and night markets since I can't do that in the States. Here's some pictures from some of my shopping trips!

What a great way to start the day with a walk around the morning market!

1 Utama

Sunway Pyramid

The green trio! We wore green to go Christmas caroling earlier that day. Then we headed to the Times Square Shopping Mall!

Midvalley Megamall

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Ikano

I have also visited The Gardens Mall, The Curve, Sungai Wang Plaza, Low Yat Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, and AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre (unfortunately I didn't get pictures of these places). That's a total of 12 shopping malls conquered within 4 weeks!!! A big thank you to my family and friends for their willingness to accompany me on my bargain hunts and window shopping! This has been a splendid shopping experience for me!

Precious moments in life!

After being away from home for almost 3.5 years, I finally decided to return for a visit during the winter break. It's been hard being away for so long and I missed everyone back in Malaysia. I'm very glad I was able to spend good quality time with my family and catch up with friends back home. Here's some precious moments captured so far!

My beloved family: Hoong Jyn (youngest bro), Hoong Lyn (younger sis), mom, dad and myself on Christmas Day at church.

My bro, grandma, and myself at a Christmas party with the extended family.

The wonderful dim sum breakfast! yummy!!! one of my all time favorites!

Mamak time!!!

Christmas Caroling

Group picture of a bunch of us from church (Courtesy of Eugene!)

Breathtaking view of the lake by my sister's Univ.! (Photo taken by my sis)

At the beach!

My wonderful sis-in-Christ, che che Angeline and myself! Thanks again for the meal:)

Late night dessert time (after the BBQ dinner) with che che Angeline. That was the delicious tiramisu, specialty cappuccino and caramel milk. We had a nice long chat catching up with one another!

Michelle (another great friend and sis-in-Christ) and myself at the Masquerade Party at church

A lot has changed since I left home. In my 3.5 years living in the States, I have learned to embrace the changes in life and adapt to the Western culture and way of life. Now that I'm back, I'm surprised I could switch mode easily and adapt back to the way of life here and keep up with all the changes. Thank God for providing me with the strength, guidance, and protection when I was living away from home.

Another thing that always amuses me is how we can change the way we speak when we are in placed in different locations or situations. I have my Malaysian accent here but when I'm in the States, I don't use the slang and "lah"... Or else, they might not understand what I'm trying to say :D

I shall enjoy the remaining days back home and continue to capture and treasure these precious moments in life that are truly God's blessings.

Home Sweet Home!!!! Finally!

I just came back home to Malaysia yesterday afternoon. It was a pleasant trip and everything was great! (except for the flight delay...) A lot has changed here since I was gone in 2005. Nonetheless, I'm glad to be back with my family and friends and spend the Christmas holidays here.

I have to admit the first thing that got to me is the humidity!!! I've gotten used to the dry weather in El Paso, and now that I'm back home, it's pretty humid but I''ll get used to it.

That's all for now! I hope to keep in touch and meet up with some friends here. So call me or email me to go out for mamak!! lol! For the record, I haven't gone to a mamak place since 2005!!! lol!

Friday Night Out!!!

What a night! Don't worry, I'm not going wild! Some of us at work decided to go shopping and then to a nice dinner after work at 5pm. Coincidentally, it's our co-worker's birthday! So it's a birthday celebration for Karen! Lots of restaurants had waiting lines up to an hour, but thankfully, we managed to get a table at Applebee's. Oh, I did have lots of fun shopping with the girlies at work, Liz and Dorji! We each bought a dress and a pair of shoes to match the outfit! It's really cool! I wore my new shoes but not my new dress because I'm saving it for a special occasion! Enjoy the pictures!

Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner

Tonight, I was invited to a dinner at UTEP as I was chosen among my peers at work to attend this function. It was a humbling honor to represent the University Career Center at such a prestigious event. I found out that my dinner tonight would've cost me $100, if not for the department's generous invitation. At the dinner, the distinguished alumni shared their experiences and their achievements. All of their speeches were really inspiring and motivational.

One of them gave some really good advice to all of us... He graduated from UTEP in 1908 and is one of the finest lawyers in the country and owns his own law firm. He advised us not to forget our heritage and where we came from. He told us about a globe that his grandfather passed on to him and has this globe in his office as a daily reminder of his family heritage from Mexico and also a wall full of family pictures in his office. He said that family was very important to him and ends by saying that whatever success he's had is because God has blessed him with it. I truly believe in that and his humbleness is one lesson in life that I will learn to cherish and remember all the days of my life.

Catie and me (She's the Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Associate Dean of Students at UTEP)

Group picture of the top student leaders that were chosen to represent each department at UTEP.

UTEP President, Dr. Diana Natalicio giving a speech at the dinner. We even had the pleasure of introducing ourselves and meeting her personally before dinner was being served.

The floral arrangement/table centerpiece at the dinner.

Group picture.

UTEP vs. UT Austin Football Game

There's always a first time for everything right??? Well, it was my first time going to the annual pep-rally at school called Minerpalooza. This was a month ago on Sept. 5 to get everyone hyped up for the big football game the following day: UTEP vs. UT Austin. The next day, I went for the tailgate party before the game and met with buddies of mine, and surprisingly some of my friends that graduated (UTEP alumni) from electrical engineering (EE). I really salute those who flew in from all parts of the US just to come back to their home university to support the UTEP team and watch the big game. Unfortunately, UTEP lost :(

Here's some pictures from Minerpalooza, the tailgate party, and the football game at the UTEP Sunbowl Stadium!

From L-R: me, Edna, Sarai, Oscar, Dorji, and Liz. (They're all my co-workers at the University Career Center and we signed up to volunteer at Minerpalooza. Hence the free volunteer shirts that we were wearing!)



The big water slide at Minerpalooza! (No, I didn't go on it! Note: we're supposed to be working as volunteers!)

Another group picture with my co-workers. From L-R: Edna, me, Rachel, Dorji, Sarai, and Fred.

One of the trucks filled with UTEP pride and the school spirit!



Our chef of the day, Ralph with his famous hamburgers and BBQ skills! It was simply delicious!

IEEE Officers: Ivan (ex-President of IEEE in Spring 2008), Carlos (ex-President of IEEE in Fall 2007) & me (current President of IEEE this Fall 2008). What a coincidence that we're all in this same picture! LoL!

From L-R: Lili (another IEEE officer), me, Juanita & Devon.

From L-R: Aaron (UTEP Alumni in EE), Monica (ex-IEEE officer) & me.

The beautiful sunset! (FYI, UTEP is the only campus in Texas that is surrounded by the rocky mountains!)

The team's getting warmed up!

The UTEP marching band performing!

I like this picture! The band formed a star & it represents Texas a.k.a the Lone Star State!

Sorry I didn't have anymore pictures of the game because my camera's battery died:( But I'm glad I did capture some pictures from that memorable weekend. I've never done the whole school spirit thing to this extent before. I guess this is what it's all about... it's not just about supporting the football games and having a good time with friends but it's keeping the school spirit alive and making the best out of our college lives! I'm so proud to go to school at UTEP! GO MINERS!!!

Ten Current & Former Miner Athletes in the Olympics!

This is cool! I didn't know we had so many ppl from my university that are actually competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing! Below is a newsletter sent to all UTEP students:

UTEP Miner e-notes banner
August 22nd, 2008

More from: Horizons Online News

UTEP Home


UTEP Olympians Perform, Medal

Ten current and former Miner athletes are performing – and excelling – on the world’s biggest sports stage this month: The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

“We are very excited that these young people represent UTEP and their respective countries at the highest level of athletics,” UTEP track and field head coach Bob Kitchens said.

Among the Miner Olympians is Blessing Okagbare, who won a bronze in the women’s long jump with a personal best leap of 6.91 meters. The Nigerian athlete originally had not qualified for the event final, but was allowed to compete when another jumper was disqualified after a failed doping test.

Miner athlete Blessing Okagbare competes for UTEPOkagbare’s medal marks only the second time a current athlete has won a medal while competing at UTEP. The other was high-jumper Greg Joy in 1976.

Okagbare recently completed a spectacular first year at UTEP by earning three All-American honors at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The sophomore who’s majoring in general studies was second in the triple jump, third in the long jump and ran the final leg on the Miners' sixth-place 4x100 meter relay. Okagbare was a five-time All-American this season, with two additional indoor accolades.

Two former Miners athletes, Osayomi Oludamola and Halimat Ismaila, will also take home bronze medals for Nigeria. The pair ran the second half of the women’s 4 x 100 meter to post a season best time of 43.04 seconds.

Oludamola attended UTEP in 2006 and 2007. Ismaila started at UTEP in 2006 and will continue her studies in Health Promotion this fall.

Another UTEP athlete, Churandy Martina, won a silver medal in the men’s 200-meter final this week, but later lost it on a technicality. Martina, who represented the Netherlands-Antilles, ran a 19.82. That would have beaten his national record of 20.11, which he set in the second heat to get to the final. A Jury of Appeal, however, ruled that he had a “lane infringement” violation. A senior majoring in multidisciplinary studies at UTEP, Martina is the university's 100-meter record holder. This is the second Olympics for the sprinter from Willemstad, Curacao.

Other UTEP athletes competing in Beijing include:

• Ronalds Arajs of Latvia, men’s 200m
• Caimin Douglas of Netherlands, men’s 4x100m relay
• Erma-Gene Evans of Saint Lucia, women’s javelin
• Mickael Hanany of France, men’s high jump
• Alexandros Papadimitriou of Greece, men’s hammer
• Nonila Wharemate of New Zealand, women’s basketball
• Fatimoh Muhammed, who runs and throws the javelin for Liberia, and Henderson Dottin, who competes in the high jump for Barbados, were part of their national teams, but did not compete in the games.

“The UTEP family is very proud of and excited for them,” said Kitchens.

THE GRAND CANYON!

This summer, we visited one of the seven natural wonders of the world! The Grand Canyon in Arizona is yet another reminder of one of God's Mighty Handiworks! I was in awe and just amazed at how majestic the view was! It's still vivid in my mind and I shall never forget that memorable experience of a lifetime. Enough said, now let the pictures speak for itself!