:)

From left:

1. A Spot of Bother - Mark Haddon

- Anyone can learn to write like Jodi Picoult, it's just that she is really good. But I guess no one can learn to even mimic Mark Haddon's style in catching one unnoticed. The writing style is quite different from Item 2, but it's nonetheless an enjoyable read. Wait, I think Roald Dahl was the one who's good at catching one by surprise. Hm..

2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

- I bought this book because I needed to break my RM50 for Monorail. I thought it's better to buy something useful than some random stuff for this purpose. It was part of the 3 For 2 sales in Borders. But I bought only this book that time, hence paying its original price. It's the first time I did not fall into the temptation of discount *proud* After finishing this book in a week's time, I decided that it worthed the price I paid ;)

3. Songs of the Humpback Whale - Jodi Picoult

- It's the first Jodi Picoult's book I read. Can't say I adore it to the max, but it's still a good read.

4. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult

- I cried like, so many times while reading it. A beautifully written piece!

5. Salem Falls - Jodi Picoult

- Interesting court cases, and points to ponder on. But I don't like the witch part. Sounds vague.

6. Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult

- *ahem*checks calendar* When should I start reading this book..

7. The Pact - Jodi Picoult

- *still scrutinise calender carefully*

8. Handle with Care - Jodi Picoult

- Alas, fall into the temptation of Jodi Picoult, and bought this book. Half way through it. Her magics are still effective on me :)

9. The Prayer of Jabez - Wilkinson

- A gift from Jun Ling!

10. Bible

- NIV Backpack Bible for kids, hee hee

Favourite books which are not here:

1. Change of Heart - Jodi Picoult

2. To Kill A Mocking Bird - Harper Lee

- These two books, I borrowed it from library (1) and Kimberly (2) and loved them so much that I bought a copy each for myself.

3. For One More Day - Mitch Albom

- This book, I bought its hard cover version with 20% off, no regrets.

Books I'm going to buy next:

1. House Rules - Jodi Picoult

- I'm waiting for the smaller print of the paperback version. Azrul told me that it's only going to be here next year. Really? Sigh.

P/s: YES, Azrul is working in Kinokuniya! Azrul.IS.working.in.my.favourite.going.to.marry.to.largest.book.store.in.Malaysia! Azrul is working in... *faint*

A Prayer 5

Lord Jesus,

I can feel the cup is dry, Lord. That her spirit longs to be filled with the Holy Spirit, once again. That she longs for Your comfort and encouragement. That she wants to be assured of walking this challenging path that You've chosen for her. Father, it cannot be clearer that this challenge is how You want to shape our characters. You said you will not give us burden that is too big for us to carry. You know us best and You have our best interest at heart, for You are the creator of all things.

Father I want to put June into Your mighty hands, Lord. May You bless her with guidance and wisdom to complete her thesis. For all knowledge comes from You, what is more pleasurable than writing about our discoveries of Your creation? But Jesus, we want to search carefully for Your beauty, we want to report truthfully. Jesus, I pray that with every word she writes, she is going to bring glory unto Your name. May those who have eyes to read it, be blessed with her findings, and use it to further Your purpose in mankind for such discovery.

O Lord, strengthen her and bless her with the spirit of perseverance. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are strengthen, not with our own might. For it is in You, that the weak may be strong, that the poor may be rich. Fill her with joy and dignity to worship You, with everything she does. Fill her with passion to serve You, with good time management skill and self-discipline. Even at times of trouble and turbulence, Lord, may you bless her with peace in her heart, so that she can listen to Your word. Jesus, You calmed the storms. Lord, if this is Your will, calm the storm in June's heart as the deadline draws near. For we know that You are in charge.

Last but not least, Jesus, May June find refuge in Your love when she is heavy-hearted. May You be her Rock that she can lean on. Father, we don't ask for an easy way out, or a bed of roses. But we ask for our Lord to walk with us. We may not know how much gift and strength You've given us if we weren't pushed far enough. We may not see Your wonderful works and sing praises to You if we've missed out these things in life. You said: [Matthew 11:28-30]

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

and we want to wrestle with You for the things You've promised us. Because You are the living God, and so are Your Words.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the Lord,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

In Lord Jesus most precious name, Amen.

Hilang Kereta, Again

My Friend warned me not to post this in my blog. She must be rewarded by knowing me so well that she knows I am going to post it in my blog after what has happened :)

I'm sorry, I just can't help it!

This time, it's with her own car. Not Soon Chien's car. Not Izza's car. We went out for dinner as usual. And as usual, being indecisive and kept changing our minds and got distracted by some other stuff we wanted to get off from our chests. Finally we headed to KLCC instead of McD after being honked by cars behind in Bulatan Pahang. And we laughed at each other while Jason Mraz's songs were played at the background.

She knew the way to KLCC (car park) so well that she could drive with her eyes closed. She did the reverse parking with little effort. And absent-mindedly we walked to the escalator towards Suria, not remembering the lesson both of us shared at the same car park, around a year ago.

We had dinner, talked, laughed, satisfied, paid the bill, paid the parking fee and looked for her car. And looked for her car. And looked for her car. And we still could laugh at each other, that the same thing repeated itself - the same people (It was also just the both of us during the first time we "lost" our car.), the same car park, with the same reason we couldn't find it. We were confused by which level we parked our car.

We sheepishly went to the car park office to look for assistance, again. With some guidance, we managed to find her car, parked innocently at a level below the one we searched. She said this kind of incident only happened when she's going out with me. I actually felt proud to hear the statement *grin*

It's always fun to have her around, no matter what has happened, even if it was to hear her groaned about her thesis. Because loving someone is not wanting them to be perfect, but knowing that they are imperfect yet not wanting them to change a bit :)

I Love My Job

Case 1:

Claims Paid: RM5,417.30

Diagnosis: Abdominal Pain

Case 2:

Claims Paid: RM12,103.50

Diagnosis: Cannot read doctor's handwriting

=)

Bila Terasa Rindu

I did not purposely look for this song. It happened to be on TV as I passed by the living room while my housemate was watching it. And I do not like it because of you. I like it because I like it.

Presenting: Bila Terasa Rindu, by Dafi

Apa agaknya khabarmu di sana?

Di sini ku sedang dibelenggu rindu

Beginikah rasa seksa perpisahan

Sungguh anehnya hidup berasingan

Hati terasa bagai tertinggal di situ

Meskipun tubuh dah jauh beribu batu

Sesaat seperti tahun lamanya

Semasa kau tiada

Apa yang terdaya

Bila terasa rindu ku sebut namamu

Dengan harapan kau akan muncul dalam tidur

Bila terasa rindu ku bayang wajahmu dalam angan

Dan barulah ku terasa bagai disembuh

Jauh sekali hidup di sini berbeza

Beribu kali lagi ku selesa di sana

Tak sabar menantikan detik kepulangan

Namun hingga itu

Apa yang termampu

Bila terasa rindu ku sebut namamu

Dengan harapan kau akan muncul dalam tidur

Bila terasa rindu ku bayang wajahmu dalam angan

Dan barulah ku terasa bagai disembuh

Terlintas di fikiran untuk meminggirkan saya

Semua pencarian di sini

Tetapi ini sebahagian dari pengorbanan

Bekalan andainya hari sukar mencabar

Of Course

I do not smile unexplainably at the sound of your name. Because I can explain it. I have been smiling the whole day because I am happy today. Not because I have been thinking about you. Even if I happened to think of you for the whole day a while, that doesn't mean you're the reason I smile. There is not chain of logic between me thinking of you and me smiling. Because, it's normal. It's just a non-exhausting smile. Everyone can do that when they're happy, right? Even if the kind of joy is not usual - like a little sparkling glitters in my guts, a butterfly that makes my heart beats with silent excitement, it doesn't mean it's something that unusual that I have to write a post about it. I mean, even if I were to think of you, it's not something I should feel guilty about. Because I think of many people everyday. Sometimes, I even ask myself why didn't the Nasi Lemak stall open that morning. Yes, that's right. Many people. You're just one of them. So not special that I can forget about you when I wake up from a good night sleep. Even if I were to meet you tomorrow, it's just a normal hang out. Of course we need to meet up with friends sometimes. And, of course I'll feel excited to meet up with friends.

We're just friends, right?

Train Trip

The Right to Stay in Denial

I did not just went shopping. I mean,

those are necessities

they really worth it

I really like them

...

*stares at the burnt hole of my purse*

I did not just went shopping.

Nice one!

I love this post very much. It's from I Wrote This For You.

Outside the station, she stands with her child on the side of the street, taking pictures of cars.

You think she's insane. Until, one day, you notice that she's taking pictures of the license plates of the cars her child gets into.

Because you look. But you do not see.

And she walks out the shop with bags full of cat food. You think she's some crazy cat lady until you find out, she has no cats.

Because you eat. But you do not taste.

It's been a while since their last album but he assures you, he's doing just fine these days, white flecks in his nostrils. Then he asks you if he can spend the night on your couch, even though it stinks.

Because you sniff. But you do not smell.

And they say "Just OK" when you ask them how school was. Then you wonder what they're hiding until you find their diary and the last entry reads "I wish you'd give me some privacy."

Because you listen. But you do not hear.

And they've got a bruise over their eye and you run the tips of your fingers over it and ask them how it happened. You believe them. Until it happens again.

Because you touch. But you do not feel.

And they walk past you everyday, one million stories, each waiting to be told. Waiting for you to ask.

Because you live. But very few, love.

Colour Blind

Broga Hill

Pictures first :)

Almost There

Have you ever felt how frustrating it is to be SO close to your dream but you're just not there yet? The euphoria of dreaming to touch the stars the moment you close your eyes, you shout in your heart that: "YES, I'm gonna make it!" yet at the next moment, when you open your eyes to the reality, you can't help but to realise that you're not going to make it after all, no matter how far you've come, and how you're just an inch away from it.

Oh well, at least you're just an inch away from it. Sometimes, the distance is far greater for some people that it actually stops them from dreaming anymore.