Holy Mother of God, Virgin Mary

23O811 - Alicja's 20th Birthday.

Last Sunday, MG invited Alicja, Paz, Gynelle and I to a Marian Retreat Class of the Banal Na Pag-aaral to learn more about Mother Mary. We learnt about the importance of her birth, her role as the mother of Jesus and as a role model, and her disposition. Apparently, Catholic people pray with Mother Mary, not for her, for they only pray for God. This event was girls only, held at Bundilla Sout Camp, Winston Hills. The idea of waking up at 7AM on a Sunday morning wasn't my idea of a fun weekend, but I complied to MG's wishes. I was picked up at around 7:30AM, along with Paz, by a friendly male church-goer; he lived around our area and was free that morning. Neither Paz and I ate breakfast so when we got there, we dug into the free hot chocolate and biscuits. Wasn't a really good idea... I had a quick surge of sugar rush hahaha >.> . I felt a bit out of place since I was the only Chinese person there and, possibly, the only person who wasn't religious there =S. 

Despite that, I still enjoyed myself. I was enlighted by the talks about Mother Mary, her role and her life. I guess I was really tired, but near the end, I started to drift off to sleep a  bit when they told us to meditate. My senses started perking up again when I heard the speaker's voice start cracking. I was even more alert when I realised she started crying, along with the majority of the girls =S. She was talking about Mother Mary's sentiments during Jesus's crucifiction. By the end of it, we were moved to the chapel, in the next room, where we'd kneel in front of an image of Mother Mary and Jesus. Mother Mary would be sitting down with Jesus lying on her lap, the nails and all taken out, bloodied ligaments and, in my opinion, he looked so much like a child in the arms of Mother Mary. At that moment, while looking at the portrait, I felt like crying because the cruelty of humanity finally hit me, but I felt it was too late for me to do so ^_^'. Actually, it was more of the thought of how Mother Mary suffered so much during Jesus's dying ordeal. I was thinking how painful it must've been for Mother Mary, so painful to describe in words. Even if you want to empathize, it's hard because unless you've experienced it yourself, you really wouldn't know just how painful and sorrowful that type of insufferable experience is. I was also touched by the servers who gave each and everyone of us hugs as we left the chapel.  I sincerely thank you. I could feel their pain, sorrow and grief pouring out to me. I just wanted help ease some of their sufferings by just hugging them. I wasn't suffering from this, like them, but I also felt lighter and more loved when I was hugged by them.  

For the graduation ceremony, we wore white shirts and long white skirts. To be honest, I didn't even know I'd be graduated at all LOL. It sure was a surprise to me =). We were given a certificate, a rosary and a rose when we graduated. It was almost like a university graduation, because of the roses and all, but the atmosphere was much more exciting and enthusiastic =). The servers were extremely enthusiastic and they cheered a lot for and every one of us when we graduated =D. I sincerely thank MG's mum and dad for the peach coloured bouquet of roses =D they were lovely, and I felt loved =). I would also like to thank MG for inviting me =). No, I still have not converted. Do I want to be? I don't know. I'm not religious but I do admit that I believe that there's some sort of supernatural omnipotent being up there, whether it be a religious figure, spiritual energy/aura or just a powerful cluster of magical dust. So now, I have graduated from the Marian Retreat of Class No. 65-2011 of the Banal Na Pag-aaral. Many thanks to MG's dad for driving us home, the ride home was... interesting =).

PS. Thanks Paz for the photos =). 

Diary Entry #12: Hokkien praying

Dear Diary,

Happy 19th Birthday to Mark =). 

In the morning, cousin San San, aunt and I went to a fancy looking restaurant called the Levain. Although it looked quite fancy, the price wasn't. Except for the bakery and desserts. I wish I didn't pick out so much bread because I didn't get to finish it all. I just picked them out to take photos of it =P. And again, the parking was ridiculous; they even parked right in front of the entrance of the restaurant ... 

After breakfast, we went to pick up my glasses, and then had another trip to the shops. I bought more Super Junior CDs/DVDs =D YAY!!! This time, it was the 4th album and the 2nd concert video. After cousin San San picked up what she needed to pick up, we headed home.

Later that night, cousin San San and I joined her friends for a CNY dinner. What can I say about them... They were loud. Somehow, half of them acted like they were still in high school or something =P. They seem very nice though. We had 7 dishes all together. I didn't take any photos because I was feeling self-conscious ... So I just took a photo of the restaurant title instead =P.

After dinner, we went back to pick up aunt because we were going to watch a Hokkien style of praying for CNY that night. We arrived at a house who belonged to my aunt's ex restaurant partner. That night, it seemed more eventful and exciting than it was on the first night of CNY. There were fireworks, fire crackers and lanterns everywhere I turned; I had a time watching them all =P. There was even a guy extreme enough to climb up a roof to film it all xD. It was all very exciting =D. Uncle actually went overseas, the night before, for one day, for work so he joined us later that night. Since uncle was there, he took aunt home while cousin San San and I went back to join her friends at her rich friend's house. He actually dyed his white poodle (Timmy, although it's actually a female) with spots of brown and pink hahaha xD. I don't know what to say about it ... she looked ... peculiar? But adorable all the same =D.

That night, things got... interesting. I experienced I never experienced before; I saw things I never intend to see; I did things that I've never done before. I'm pretty sure that that night was the most drunk I've ever been. My eyesight wasn't blurred; I could still read fingers; I wasn't even talking that loudly either. But I actually vomited >.> . Twice, in fact. I think it was the beer; due to the gas, beer can be quite filling. ALSO, I didn't have a hangover the next day. Thank God. That just proved that I wasn't drunk off my head. So my face was really red, and I was feeling dizzy. But that was it, nothing else. Well, that's my opinion anyways. Maybe other people would think I was drunk because I vomited, but in my opinion, you're not completely drunk unless your eyesight's blurred, you vomited AND you have a hangover in the morning. We came home at ~4:30 AM that night. Luckily, everyone was still asleep. Another day gone.

Annyong-hi kyeshipshio,

FiONA =).

Diary Entry #10: I like a new pair of glasses please (O8O211)

Dear Diary,

Uncle, aunt, Cousin San San, Mun Hong and I went out to eat at a popular Malaysian cuisine restaurant. It was indeed quite packed. The food was fairly nice; almost everything had a hint of coconut in them. 

After breakfast, we met up with 3rd aunt to buy new glasses. With 3rd aunt, cousin Pui Yi was going to pay for them; hers was quite expensive. Mine was moderately cheaper than expected, RM $260. Cousin San San and Mun Hong helped pay half of it. I'm grateful for that =).They were Polo Smith glasses; plastic and square like; black, white and red. Apparently, they make me look more like my age =). They said that my glasses would be done in a day or two. 

 K.K. Tower.

My new pair of glasses =).

 Went back to cousin Mun Hong's house; he owns 2 dogs - the Dalmation's called Lucky and the mixed Maltese (?) is called Coffee =).

We went to a Taiwanese desserts restaurant called Snowflakes. They tasted really nice =D. I had green jelly, sweet potato and pearls in shaved ice. Then we went to different shopping centres that were close to one another; Time Square, Law Yat and Sungai Wang.

 Cousin Mun Hong jump shot =).

 It's boiled coke with ginger =S.

That night, we went to eat with the rest of 2nd uncle's family. For the first time, in many years, I had crab; not one, but two crab dishes =D! Both were mildly spicy to me, or maybe I can take spicy food in general. I can't eat a chili raw, but I'm pretty sure I can take spicy food moderately well =). Well, here in Malaysia, majority of the food are spicy because they like it that way. I like it that way too =).

Loh Sang, again.

It's been years since I last ate an actual crab, and we even ordered 2 dishes of it =D.

After dinner, Cousin San San, Mun Hong, 3rd aunt and I went to the Pavillion for some sight-seeing and shopping. I bought my very first Super Junior album =D it was the 3rd album. I'm quite happy to know how well Super Junior merchandises are selling, but I'm also annoyed because it meant it was harder for me to buy their CDs/DVDs. Eh, I'm still happy to know they're so popular in Malaysia =D !!! Anyways, it was funny to see how sweaty we all got from taking photos and posing for photos. I was feeling energetic, so I did really enthusiastic poses, like jumping and running =P. My cousins were sweating from taking photos of me. How that worked, I don't quite understand myself.

 Having some fun in the car =P.

 The Simpsons!!!

 Cousin Mun Hong used o work here =).

 Failed attempt of the 'Superman' photo xD HAHAHA!!!

 Does it look real?

When we dropped 3rd aunt off, we also went to visit cousin Mun Hong's nanny since she lived close by. Apparently, she used to babysit me for a couple of days, when I was younger, because my parents went out by themselves. I didn't quite remember her, but she did look a bit familiar to me. Speaking of childhood, apparently when I was young, I had the tendency to strip and run around the house ... >.> I have no idea why I did that. My relatives said that it was maybe because of the weather. How embarrassing T_T.

Cousin Mun Hong's nanny and I =).

When we got home, cousin Mun Hong taught us how to make tiramisu. It was fairly easy; you didn't even need an oven =). Making the tiramusi made me realise how tiring being a baker is. Still, I had fun making it =). HAHAHA there was a funny conversation that occured between my cousins. It went like this:

Cousin Mun Hong vigorously stirred the bowl of cream with a whisk, sweat poured down his face.

Mun Hong: Don't you have an electrical whisk?

San San: Yeah, I do.

Cousin San San and I laughed while cousin Mun Hong sighed and smiled.

Mun Hong:I'm sweating so badly, working so hard. Now you tell me that you have an electrical whisk.

Cousin San San wen to get the electrical whisk.

San San: I told you we have an electrical whisk; we have a lot of baking stuff. You just asked if we have a normal whisk.

Fiona: He must not have heard it.

We all laughed out loud.

Cousin Mun Hong doing most of the work. Cousin San San and I helped out a bit =).

Cousin Mun Hong's finish product; homemade tiramisu =).

I thought that was a pretty funny conversation =). Though I guess reading it wouldn't sound as funny as actually being there at the time. I'll only upload a couple of photos for making tiramisu because I practically took photos of the whole process, and it would've been too much. Anyways, another day gone.

Au Revoir,

FiONA =). 

PS. Thanks cousin Mun Hong for the photos =).