Happy Birthday to Myself

Me and Joleen's main course, shrimp n chick pasta.

Appetizer, boneless wings.

John's main course, steak burger.

Charlotte's main course, Fish n Chips.

For some people, birthday is the most important day throughout the year. But there are also a minority of people who think otherwise. And yes, I belong the to latter category. As for me it's just another ordinary day in my life. You may be asking why, why would I have such thought? Well, I would say it's due to my family background. My parents rarely celebrate my birthday. For them, it's a "secondary" thing to do in their priority list. My mum told me that there's no need to throw a party on my birthday. She said it's simply a waste of time and money. Instead, she would rather me focus and do well in my studies and reward me with something else. That's why, I never receive any gift on my birthday. I didn't really understand why me and my brothers were trained and raised in such way. But in recent years, after my graduation, I started to understand the reason behind it. The reason is simple, it's the "priority" in life. I learnt that mum was trying to tell us "studies" and "career" are the most important thing throughout our life. She once said, once you have the ability to earn big bucks, you can do whatever you want and buy whatever you want, wouldn't that be sweet, as if everyday's your birthday? I know some of us may not agree with her way of teaching because it's kinda "unreasonable" and "old-fashioned". But it doesn't matter, because she has succeeded and her children did capture her good intention, though our childhood was a bit miserable as compare to other people.

Few days ago, it was my 24th birthday. I wasn't expecting any sort of surprise and as usual, I wasn't particularly excited about it. Instead of waiting for other people to surprise me with gifts and cakes, I was actually thinking, "how about throwing a party and invite all my friends to join and have fun"? But the plan failed in the end due to last minute call up by my company to fly for another two days, which one of the two flying days happened to be my birthday. So I was left with no choice and I spent my birthday in the air flying the aircraft. I didn't tell the cabin crew about it, nor did I tell my captain it's my birthday, or else, they'd have sung a birthday song to me. I let my birthday pass unrecognized, and I was telling myself even though there's no official party or wishes from others, it's indeed an amazing and extraordinary birthday. Why? Because sitting in the cockpit flying the aircraft has been my dream since I was young. And no one, including myself, could have imagined that after 24 years, that little Jameson who once had a big dream in his childhood days, is flying the real aircraft bringing passenger from all walks of life to their destination. Wouldn't this the biggest gift in my life, having to see the dream has finally come true, and amazingly, it happened exactly on my birthday! Of course, for some people, it's a pity that I need to work on my birthday. I was having the exact same thought initially. But hey, think carefully, it's indeed a birthday present from God who has enabled my dream of flying to come true and it also bears testament to my mum's hardwork and teaching

Tonight, the 29th of September, after three days from my birthday, was a night of celebration for my 24th birthday. It was a simple celebration, no cake, but then I was happy because it's a night worth remembering because I was accompanied by the people who care for me. Special thanks to Charlotte for celebrating with me even though you weren't feeling well. And not to forget Joleen and John, our special guest for the night and their presence was truly the icing on the cake. It was my pleasure to have you all attended the dinner. Thanks guys, cheers.............

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Little did I know that things have started to fall apart. Everything seemed ok at first with no major issue and I thought I was doing the right thing.

How wrong was I!

Everything is not ok, and now only I realise the seriousness of the matter. But it's far too late to rectify the problem, it should have been detected earlier and carry out necessary adjustment. I thought the ride would be smoother and less bumpy this time given the fact that I've been through the same process some years ago. It was like going uphill and soaring high at first and the result was great. Then all of sudden, lightning came and struck me down and I was like from "highest high to lowest low". The feeling of sadness and discouragement overwhelmed me and I was completely demoralized. Oh dear God, I would rather you put me through this in the beginning of it, not towards the end of it where things become more complicated and out of hand.

When will I learn the lesson? How many times does it need to be repeated, "not to make the same mistake again"? Why am I such a failure? James oh James, come on, do it right this time and avoid getting there again, will you? Go and don't let me fail, expand your inner potential and get things back on track.....................................................................................................................

千言萬語

我有說不完的話要對你訴說，見到你的那一刻我突然覺得感觸良多。我有千言萬語要告訴你，可惜我們沒有太多的時間。

我曾經是海上漂流的船只，經歷了不少的驚濤駭浪，眼前的風浪擋著了前方的道路。經過漫漫長夜，多少個失眠的夜晚，對于自己的前途我感到心灰意冷。旁人的熱笑冷諷讓我感到一股很大的挫敗感。有些人你以為可以靠得住，但很可惜他給不到你要的，到頭來他反而傷害了你。我還以為他會陪我走過這一段坎坷的日子，但是沒想到他竟然中途放棄，于是我只好孤軍奮戰。這樣的遭遇讓我從此不再信任他了，因為它讓我徹底的失望。

我走過人生的起起落落，我走過高山底谷，甚至是在曠野的日子確實叫人無可奈何。2008年是我人生中的低潮。我感到生活沒有意義，我過著自憐自艾的日子。我很盼望有人會了解我的遭遇， 但即使他是你最信賴最要好的朋友也不會了解你。我眺望著遙遠的天際，那一片曾經屬于自己的天空。我感到遺憾因為我或許沒這個機會在空中翱翔了。

就在一些不愉快的事情發生之后，守護天使來了！她并沒有責怪我，反而鼓勵我前進。她告訴我千萬不可放棄一定要堅持到底。瞬息間我感動得說不出話來，因為這些日子以來沒有人對我說過這樣的一番話。她挑戰我踏出信心的第一步勇敢地面對前面的波折。

今天我們相約在咖啡廳會面，相隔了幾乎一年，從沒有到有，她與我都見證了神的信實。對于我的成就她感到無比的驕傲與高興。我不會忘記她告訴我的每一樣東西，她的勸勉與教誨我會一輩子牢牢記住。會話的當兒我幾乎忍不住淚水，我看見她的眼里也泛了一些喜悅的淚光。我感謝神的安排，雖然我似乎浪費了很多歲月，但是神告訴我說在他的計劃中沒有什么是太遲的，因為他掌管大局。我很高興因為我又再次展翅高飛了，而且這一次我要飛得更高更遠。雖然有亂流也有風雨的阻礙，但卻不能阻止我前進，因為在天空飛翔的鳥兒是不會退縮的！

誰也沒想到一年后會我們會坐在一起敍述大家的經歷，一點一滴，一切又一切的發生都那么扣人心弦，仿佛是神美好的安排。

千言萬語，只想告訴你我對你感激萬分。。。。。。。。

Sitting On The Fence

It was an unusually cold sunday morning thanks to the shower of blessing from heaven the night before. The gloomy sky and the chillness around had taken away the liveliness of an usual sunday morning where flowers bloom and the grass was green and the splendour of sun-kissed beauty radiated through the whole earth. Without any anticipation in my heart, it seemed that this was gonna be just another sunday service in my life. Years after years I've been attending service and I must admit that at one point of time in my life, I felt so sicked of it because it's become a "routine" and everything seemed "monotonous". The journey to the church seemed long and endless, I rubbed my tiring eyes and my vision became vague, reflecting my spiritual life that is dull and weary. My heart has grown cold because I was deeply hurt by some church people. God asked me to move on and pay no attention to them. But I failed to do that, I just cannot live a life where every time when I see those people who have hurt me in the past, I was wondering if he would do the same thing to me again and I can't pretend as if I have never seen them while we're all under the same roof!

All along the journey, the memories of people mistreating me resurfaced. I could see the darkness behind those people, they use their laughter to cover up their inner ugliness, they thought they can fool me, but I can see them clearly. Do you know what's one of the real disappointment in one's life? It happens when your beloved one doesn't appreciate the things you do. Often time people fail to see the things that we've done for them, the prayer of blessing that has been made in our quiet room when they're facing challenges or the effort that has been put for the sake of their life. Again and again, we're taken for granted by some people.

Nevertheless, God still knows our situation better than anyone else. I know that many camps were being held in many different places in the past few days. But I took no interest in any of them and eventually decided to join the service in Hope KL. I would like to think that it was not an accident that I ended up in that church though the initial decision was made arbitrarily. In another words, God had convinced me to go to that church in the very beginning without my knowledge. Everything seemed normal in the beginning of the service. It wasn't until pastor preached on the stage that it started to capture all my heart and soul and full attention in this extraordinary sunday, yet in an unextraordinary place.

The topic seemed common at first. Thanks to the anointed pastor Simon, he turned a common topic into an interesting and heart-capturing topic. He talked about the lukewarmness in christians' life from Rev 3: 14-22. I felt condemned because I am a lukewarm christian as well. I am neither hot nor cold. The Bible says it's either one or the other, means either I choose to be hot or cold, there's no such thing as in between, which is exactly what's happening in my life now, sitting on the fence. Pastor also said that those who sit on fence will eventually drop to either side of the fence.

I remember in those days, I was very active in God's house and in serving back in my old church in my hometown. I made a vow to God, I told God that I would never miss a service and I will join the youth club every week when I was 17 years old. I kept my promise and I did receive tremendous blessing from God, unknowing that it's my decision to follow Him that had brought all the changes in my life. When I think back I could really see how God had helped me and how He worked in my life. Just like the sister who shared her testimony today, God, in the same way, had blessed me greatly in my studies and I ranked the first place in my class during the last year of my secondary school, even though I was quite a slow learner. I was once the committee in youth club and involved actively in church activities. I felt like there're some many serving opportunities for me and I was really excited for Jesus.

Unfortunately, things had changed, my heart had changed in recent years. I'm no longer excited for Jesus because fire in my heart has been put out, mainly by church people. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to my old church because the sense of belonging is there, whereas in my current church, i don't feel comfortable most of the time because there are many unfriendly and hypocrite around, sorry to put it in this way. I'm limited by people and bound by many so-called "rules", though leaders deny that those "rules" are rules.

Tears rolled down my cheek when I thought of my past and the difference between past and present in my ministry. I appreciate the preaching and such a lovely pastor like Simon, but I felt sad because the people around me have become my stumbling block in my ministry. I don't know since when the ministry in church has become a competition, a platform for people to gain fame and people are feeling jealous of each other of their position. I hate this church when it comes to this part, seriously. Even the person closest to you is competing with you, for no reason.

My heart has hardened after suffering a series of attacks from all these people. I know they will never admit their mistake and try to reason things out. But it doesn't matter anymore, once my heart is hardened then it's hardened. But I feel sad bacause I cannot serve God effectively, I wish I could, but situation doesn't allow me to do so. That doesn't mean I'm preparing to backslide, I love God, yes I do, but I can't stand His people. Oh dear God, please show me your will and let your will be done, not mine.

I long to serve God greatly once again, just like what I did many years ago, and yes, I'm thinking of making a huge "comeback" in my ministry, and if this is not the place to stay anymore, I pray that God will bring me to a more suitable church. Nothing is more important than doing His will, and I will fulfill my destiny by doing His will !!!

Not so bad, after all

The infamous RYANAIR

Retractable staircase directly connected to aircraft. There's no need to
wait for stair truck and hence reduce the chances of delay in case d
stair truck arrive late and passenger get stuck inside aircraft

for no reason. Good for time saving and depart on time for next flight.

Interestingly, the aircraft's stair is operated simply by pressing a

specific switch inside the aircraft !!!

LOVE it or HATE it. Good for budget traveller.

I know the title is somewhat misleading when you first notice those pictures in the beginning of this post. The first impression you receive may differs from what I'm going to talk about today. It's not about my life or others' life, rather, I would like to do a comparison between these two major low-cost carrier airlines, namely RYANAIR and AIRASIA, which by far is the largest low-cost airlines in Europe (main base in Dublin, Ireland) and Asia (main base in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) respectively and trust me, after reading all the differences between the operational and business model implemented by these two airlines which I'm going to show you in the next few paragraph, you will be and you should be thankful for being a Malaysian and our home-grown budget airline AirAsia, has indeed done an exceptional job for offering the best for its customer and made numerous dreams of travelling abroad come true.

Sadly, many people don't realise how lucky they are and some even have forgotten in those days which MAS was the only airline in our country and fully monopolized the airline's industry market. There were no option but to buy expensive ticket if you wish to travel to overseas and those underprivileged had NO CHANCE at all to travel thanks to pricy air fare. Travelling and flying were once the wildest dream for many. Flying was regarded as "luxurious" in those days.

I also understand that many people don't really know about the operation of airlines. Many think that to run an airline is a no big deal and fail to see the recipe behind their success. In fact, the success of an airline didn't happened overnight. It takes many efforts, time and energy to sustain the business, let alone making profit. In order to be remained competitive and survive amidst the tense competition, an airline has to constantly improve itself to suit customer's needs and be creative to atrract more sales. That's why, from time to time, a sales campaign is launched. Another way to increase sales is through publicity, and that explains why AirAsia would willing to sponsor Manchester United in hope that it may gain a foot of ground in UK, and to a lesser extent, the world !

The following will be the differences between these two airlines, have fun reading.

1.Ryanair: Charges fees, these can be related to alternate services like using airport check-in facilities instead of the online service fee and using non-prefered methods of payment. (non-prefered may refer to payment made other than using credit card)

AirAsia: Not applicable

2. Ryanair: have also replaced the free online check-in with a €5 online check-in fee which is charged per person, per flight.

AirAsia: Not applicable

3. Ryanair: All passengers are required to check-in online and print their own boarding pass. Passengers arriving at the airport without a pre-printed online check-in will have to pay €40 for their boarding pass to be re-issued. (You’d better bring it)

AirAsia: Not applicable

4.Ryanair: "a deserved reputation for nastiness" and that the airline "has become a byword for appalling customer service ... and jeering rudeness towards anyone or anything that gets in its way". (Dangerous)

AirAsia: Not applicable

5. Ryanair:In 2002, the High Court in Dublin awarded Jane O'Keefe €67,500 damages and her costs after Ryanair reneged on a free travel prize she was awarded for being the airline's 1 millionth passenger. (Didn’t carry out their promise)

AirAsia: Not applicable

6. Ryanair: It refused to provide wheelchairs for disabled passengers. A court ruling in 2004 judged that the responsibility should be shared by the airline and the airport owners; Ryanair responded by adding a surcharge of £0.50 to all its flight prices. (Nothing is F.O.C)

AirAsia: Not applicable

7. Ryanair: does not offer customers the possibility of contacting them by email or webform, only through a premium rate phone line, by fax or by post. (Eventually was forced to give their email address by the court)

AirAsia: Not applicable

8. Ryanair: Another deliberately provocative ad campaign headlined "Expensive Bastards!" compared Ryanair with British Airways. However, in this case the High Court sided with Ryanair and threw BA's case out ordering BA to make a payment towards Ryanair's court costs. The judge ruled "The complaint amounts to this: that Ryanair exaggerated in suggesting BA is five times more expensive because BA is only three times more expensive. Accordingly, in my view, the use was honest comparative advertising. I suspect the real reason that BA do not like it is precisely because it is true." (Ryanair carries 20% more passenger than British Airways, hard to believe)

AirAsia: Not applicable

9. Ryanair: Proposed measures to reduce frills further have included eliminating two toilets in the aircraft to add six more seats (No toilet in aircraft)

AirAsia: Not applicable

10. Ryanair: Proposed measures to reduce frills further have included charging for the use of the toilet. (Crazy)

AirAsia: Not applicable

11. Ryanair: Proposed measures to reduce frills further have included redesigning the aircraft to allow standing passengers. (Bus meh? KTM meh?)

AirAsia: Not applicable

12. Ryanair: Proposed measures to reduce frills further have included charging extra for overweight passengers (Be careful those fat people)

AirAsia: Not applicable

13. Ryanair: Proposed measures to reduce frills further have included asking passengers to carry their checked-in luggage to the plane. (If you have heavy luggage, you carry that luggage to put to the cargo compartment under the aircraft. Normally this job is done by ground personnel of airport, but if you can do that job, the airline need not to hire ground personnel and achieve cost cutting)

AirAsia: Not applicable

14: Ryanair: Proposed measures to reduce frills further have included asking passengers to carry their checked-in luggage to the seats if they can get clearance "to allow passengers to stand on its flights". (Like the train in INDIA?)

AirAsia: Not applicable

I Don't FREAKING Care

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you’re not happy with me because everytime when I see your face you look unfriendly towards me and you even show long face at times. What is that supposed to mean? It’s not like I had killed your whole family or whatever. Come on, for God’s sake, don’t be so emotional ok. You may greet me “Hi”, “Have Fun”, “Good Luck”, or “Bye”, but it doesn’t make any difference because I KNOW that you’re doing it JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT, OUT OF SHEER COURTESY. I have tried to the best of my ability to fix this friendship and in case you feel like want to end it, please do not hesitate to tell and mind you I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO END IT EITHER!!!!

I’ve had enough with all these nuisance things and it caused me emotionally unstable as well sometimes, so what’s the point? We might as well “face-off”. And I don’t freaking care anymore, because with or without you, my life will still carry on as usual, nothing to be feeling sad about. But on the other hand, I FEEL SO SORRY FOR YOU BECAUSE OUT OF JEALOUSY, YOU HATED ME. Fine, go ahead with those jealousies and keep drowning yourself in the SEA of jealousy. Don’t tell me you’re not jealous, I know YOU ARE INDEED since the very first day I knew you. You had SNUBBED ME for goodness knows how many times like nobody business. Do you want to know what your problem is? You’re so loser, you CAN’T STAND WATCHING PEOPLE SUCCEED. I don’t know why you would have this kind of mindset.

When you meet someone more superior than you, you dislike him/her. When you meet someone more inferior than you, you make friend with them? WTF? Is this how you socialize? No, you’d learn from those who are doing better than you in your life and continue to endeavor so that you excel in your life as well. I don’t know la, it’s up to you, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t freaking care anymore because I know that you’re HARDENED already, just CANNOT BE CHANGED ANYMORE. So, take care my friend and trust me, you won’t go far with this kind of attitude and mentality.

A Day Of Indulgence-Food & Shopping

Expensive yet delicious

Recent favourite, green tea ice-cream

3 biji Ferrero for RM1.90 only at Isetan, expire 2010 I bought half a dozen

Overlooking dunno where, but nice view, taken at KLCC

Half price sushi at Isetan everyday from 7.30pm onwards

Nice little encouragement for myself

RM2.00 each, normal price RM2.60, expire 2010 Nice park outside IKEA overlookin One U, pic taken at IKEACatch of the day, Canon printer/scanner plus two cartridges for RM220 only, save up to RM150!! Zanmai Sushi Love the chicken and Japanese-style Salad

Main course, ramen soup.

D24 at half price!!!!!

The sense of satisfaction couldn’t be any greater especially when you have achieved something in your life, whether your career, studies or let say a revenge taken against your biggest enemy. Of course, the latter, to a lesser extent, is “indecent and nasty”. But it’s no doubt a kind of achievement in our life as well, agree?

After so many struggles and countless defeat through the violent and relentless thunderstorm, troubles after troubles, obstacles after obstacles, how many sleepless nights and how many times Jamie had lost his direction and being tossed everywhere just like ship without rudder in this dark, lonely and stormy ocean and how many times he was on the verge of drowning, they all seemed to have him swallowed and yet, he was able to overcome all the hardship and difficulties that have been placed in his life by the Saviour. And yes, Jesus was his guiding star in darkness and sailor when he lost all his direction. There are just too many stories and testimonies to tell but he just want you reader to know that it would all be IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT GOD.

The bottom line is Jamie had passed his simulator test recently and he was rewarded with 10 days holiday. He planned to make full use of his free time to indulge himself in nice spa and massage but after taking a look at his bank account, that plan was immediately called off even though he thought that he deserved a nice spa. So a change of plan happened in the last minute and a second thought crossed his mind and he decided to pamper himself with other things. So he went around KL and he ended up shopping in KLCC, a place which he will visit every now and then. He went to few boutiques and he found some nice clothes but surprisingly, he decided not to buy them because for one thing his financial status disallowed and another thing is he has learnt to be a wiser shopper in recent years and buy necessary stuff ONLY. So he went to ISETAN and he got some good deals there as shown in those pictures above. He then decided to go back home but just before he exit the mall he saw Haagen-Dazs and he was tempted but a voice told him to walk away and as he did that he was pulled back moments later and he glanced at the ice-cream bar once again and unknowingly he headed straight towards it and that’s how he ended up paying huge price for it. Damn it!!!

The next day he felt bored again and suddenly he realized that he needed a printer/scanner and after telling his mum over his need for a printer, his mum agreed to sponsor him one, yay. He got some good deal for the printer as well thanks to his friend Michell, who works in Harvey Norman. One Canon printer/scanner costs RM220 after discount and free two Canon cartridges ink worth RM 150. He only paid RM220 in total!!! Normal customer won’t get this kinda deal. He then went to have dinner with Michell at Zanmai Sushi and after that went Jusco to buy some groceries. Before leaving the shop, he was tempted by the durian at half price and after much consideration, he decided to share those durians with Michell, each person gets half. Thanks to his extraordinarily big appetite, he then went to eat porridge with one “yao za guai” and a glass of soya milk at YoYo Porridge.

Even though he failed to get a real pamper from nice spa (which he believes he will one day), he was happy with the good deals he got and he couldn’t be any happier when it comes to food and shopping. His little hope is that he can enjoy as much as he can because another wave of trouble is going to hit him soon as he embarks into a new chapter in his flying career………………………………………