Christamas as he would say.

Christmas is around!

Although the true meaning of Christmas is totally lost on some, the past few days have been truly fun and relaxing.

I really need to stop going to bed at 5 in the morning.

The guys at the dive shop are probably gonna roast me for missing so many lunch appointments.

New Year's is up in less than two days.

No sappy posts. 

I solemnly promise.

Even though I'll probably be with some friends in a club, I'm sure there are way better ways to usher 2012 in.

Meh.

Jon.

Alan: She looks up to me. She thinks I’m special. She thinks I’m smart.
Charlie: She thinks gazpacho is Pinocchio’s father.

Normality and Thank Yous.

So, my final night in kl has come.
Sitting around with my soon to be ex-housemates.
Having cups of hot chocolate and coffee.

Contemplative doesn't even begin to describe it.

What happens for the next few months before I head off to India?

Well, life goes back to normal right?

But then, what is normal now?
My life has gone on a tangent in three months
As short as that is.

Sleeping as and when I like, meals at odd hours,
Spending money on things I feel are necessary,
Public transport, new friendships,
The faces I see daily.

I have come to realise that the only normal is change.
Cliched as it is.
Heading home will be a form of change also,
To a certain extent.

I have learned much in this 3 months.
Experiences that will never be forgotten.
Lessons that I will carry through life.

Which brings me to the next half of this post.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The experiences gained and lessons learned, would matter little,
If not for some God-sent people.

This is a big thank you to all of you.

Firstly, to God himself for opening paths and bridges. Coming to Kuala Lumpur wasn't something I had planned. Going to Russia wasn't even part of my original plans. But then again, we can plan all we want but God himself will turn you in the direction he desires and sees fit. And again, he changed my paths halfway with a fantastic offer from Manipal University. Which to a certain extent left me very confused. However, having prayed and accepted that offer, I realise that coming to KL was a lesson from God in being independent and in self-control. Here, I have learned discipline, and to a certain extent matured, and most importantly, learned to trust God in all ways. Which is a far cry from life in Kota Kinabalu. To him be the glory.

Secondly, Mum and Dad, the two of you have been amazing during these 3 months.
*since they do not read this blog, I'll say it to them in person.

Next, Championsheep.
You guys are really REALLY amazing. Fridays nights have become a highlight of my week. Whether you realise it or not, I have learned alot about being a God fearing Christian from all of you, whether through words, actions or deeds. It wasn't easy at first entering a new church and cell coming from a church where I am very much in my comfort zone and where I grew up with most of my peers. I can't mention all of you but trust me, you have impacted me greatly. I have also built friendships which I treasure and will want to maintain. These are the few people whom I have gotten to know better. Daniel Wong, you were the first person to contact me about this awesome group of individuals, and I could never thank you more for that. I really admire your heart to serve God and his people, which is seen in your generosity in opening your house to Championsheep. Fiona Liew, your tenacity and love for your cell members is a lesson I have learned easily. I cannot thank you more for picking me up and dropping me off for cell every week. I have certainly learned alot from you during our chats on the way to and from cell. All the best being the new cell leader! Ngin Wei Chun, you were one of the first people I spoke to at cell. Every week, having simple relaxing conversations with you is something I look forward to. All the best for your years in dental school!
Championsheep, you guys will be dearly missed.

Then, The Coursemates.
Starting FIS was like the first day of school all over again. The fact that most of you had already started the course before the few of us entered, and the way all of you welcomed us with open arms is something I will certainly remember. Winniesha A. I am still very amused by the way you always give me a fistbump when we meet. Solomon Nath, it has been an absolute joy playing futsal with you and getting to know you. It is rare to find a Christian so proud of his faith in his daily life. Keep it up! Maybe one day we will backpack through Europe eh? Kishen, what more can I say, so full of joy and happiness, seeing you and joking around with you never fails to make my day. Aiman Z, we really do have alot in common don't we? You have certainly been one of the best friends I have made in this trip. The way you handle your life certainly inspires me and I have learned to appreciate how easy I have things. Do come to Sabah soon, I'll bring you to our Sambal Hijau. Heh. Danny, coming to KL with you has made things alot easier. Being to lost Sabahans has certainly made for alot of laughs and jokes. Winning that talent competition has certainly added to the memories of this trip.

The Housemates.
Heh, there are many things we have done that can't be posted here for decency's sake. I still smile thinking of all the stupid things we've done. Over the course of three months, all of you have become like brothers to me. Vincent Ling, the more talkative of my actual housemates, it's been fun walking long distances for food with you. Having someone around the house who jokes alot and is so understanding only made the transition period easier. I hope to see you again soon. Chui, always the quiet one with the witty remarks, your quirks have certainly made my trip alot more amusing. But how can I thank you more, you are always the one keeping the house clean, making sure everything is in order. I certainly hope to have other housemates like you in the future.
Now, for the unofficial housemates whose house I have moved into and turned into my second home, I want to thank all of you for inviting me over to your house and making me feel so welcome. I can certainly say that all of you have become like brothers to me. Musson, the top student, I can't say I won't miss you. Your antics are hilarious. Serious one moment and crazy the next, I wonder how you can still be the top student. Adib, sitting around with you having long talks was awesome. It's been fun making fun of Terengganu and the football team. Erwan, the guy who always steals my food, come to KK and I'll cook for all of you again. Can't wait to go to Langkawi with the others to visit you. Sultan, ah my Krygystani friend, playing pool with you and the others has been really fun. Making fun of you in malay has never stopped amusing me. Especially the KFC incident. And please, stop calling all of us abang, it sounds so gay. Vincent, one of the nicest guys I know. You and Fifi make and awesome couple. Why don't you come visit her in Sabah eh? Then we can bring you around. Julius, my Nigerian friend, I'll certainly miss playing PES with you at 2 in the morning. Go get her eh? Isaac, we didn't really get to know each other much since we were in different courses, but I guess we will meet up soon in KK eh?

And uhm Darian and Nigel
Now I know that I've known you guys from home, but this goes out to you for coming along with you for possibly one of the biggest highlights of these three months, or my life. When the suggestion for Rockaway was given out, two of you were in it from the start. And boy, did we have an awesome time or what. Soundwave next perhaps? Heh.

And also Melvyn and Josh Siaw
My awesome mentor and cell leader. The advice you have given me has helped me alot during these three months. I really cannot thank you enough. Can't wait to touch base with you when I get back.

And that's about it.
If I have missed you out, trust me, it wasn't intentional
I'm doing this at half past 2 in the morning.
But really, thank you to all of you so much.
And please do come to KK to visit.

God is good. All the time.

Jon.

You are My friends. There is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends. I cannot be with you much longer, My friends. You cannot go where I am going. My commandment to you after I am gone is this: Love one another. As I have loved you, so love one another. 

 

I Wouldn't Call It Melancholic.

So, here I am, forty-seven minutes past 3 in the morning. Reading my old blogposts.
It's interesting how this time one year ago I was amused how much things have changed.
And yet, one year on, things have changed so much again.

No, trust me, I never expected myself to ever update this blog again.
Well maybe it is true, one day people do look back and realize that the things
they thought were impossible to get over, would one day be something looked over easily.

Well, things have certainly changed. Time has revealed much.
Your disdain for me has been revealed. And surprisingly, I am at peace with it.
I hold you no grudges and I wish you the very best. I really do. It is a shame for a friendship
to go sour but if you ever want to rekindle a friendship, please know that the olive branch is
always extended.

And you, finally graduating from that place you once called hell. I'm not sure of you'll see
this update. I'm amazed with the transformation in your life. Really, having a relationship
with God has really transformed you. But in so many ways, you are still the same person,
which isn't a bad thing at all. We should catch up sometime.

And of course, you, things have gotten really interesting haven't they. It certainly did not
turn out like we expected. Ah, but I guess there's plenty to talk over and plan.

And last but not least, you. It's surprising how our friendship has blossomed so much in
past months. Good times and bad, our contrasting personalities have brought us so much
in terms of a friendship. Here's to many more years.

/

KL.

It's been interesting I must say. Expectations and reality differ in so many ways but still
they come together in others. I was really expecting to go to Russia when I enrolled. The new
offer midway allowed me the chance to take my mind off my studies and see and learn so much
in other ways. The people I've met here have affected me in so many ways. Stereotypes have
been broken, friendships have been made and the way I see the world has changed.

And of course, coming to KL brought me to you. My dear.
But that's for another blogpost.

When I look at myself, I cannot deny that KL has changed me. I've mellowed in so many ways
but yet, I'm still over the top in some ways.

All in all, it's been good.
God has been good.

On the 20th, when I lock the door to unit C-11-3 for the last time, it'll be with a feeling of
joy, sadness, peace, pensiveness and encouragement.

/

So, what is the point of this whole blogpost?
I really don't know.
Like someone once said,  a blog is somewhere for you to release.
And this post was necessary for me.

Thank you.

Jon.

Han: What'd you expect? You didn't just play with fire, you soaked the matches in gasoline. 

So we start again.

Yes yes, there has been a reason why I stopped updating this space.
Well, make it reasons.
I just felt that this blog served no purpose at all.
Except to be a ranting wall,
Or an outlet for my items of interest.

But then again, isn't that the main point purpose of non-commercial blogging?
So then, back to this post.

Its more or less a must for most blog writers to write a special new year's post.
Discussing the previous year and desires for the new year ahead.

I've got to say,
2010 was an interesting year for me.
I used the word interesting for lack of better words.
It wasn't a bad year, yet it wasn't exactly a good year.
It was a year where I learned alot.
And the best thing that I came out of 2010 with was with the friends I made.
That was my saving grace of the year.

In short,
God was good to me.

Now,
For 2011,
My only hope, is for it to be a year of redemption.
A year in which I can look back in with no regrets.
Unlike 2010.
But then again, these regrets taught me life lessons.

I'm not actually a big fan of New Year's Resolutions.
Honestly I find them stupid.
But I still made a few. Which I am still keeping.
For now.

1. No fast food for a whole year.( Yes, laugh if you must)
2. No destroying cars this year.( Its a really bad habit)
3. Keep the friends I have made and to enrich the friendships.
4. Study hard. ( Sadly, I'm very worried about my future)

So yeah.

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.

Jon.

The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months! 
Edward Payson Powell