Happy New Year

Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne

Everyone sings this song on New Year's eve, before the midnight stroke, holding hands, hugging each others and taking the advantage of hugging strangers in the countdown party blah blah blah......think about it, how many actually know the meaning of this song? To start of, what's the meaning of Auld Lang Syne....

Ok, ok, ok, since it's New Year's eve's eve, I shall not torture you all in starting a google search for the meaning. The word came from the old scottish dialect meaning 'Old Long Ago' and is about love and friendship in times past. The song Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung by most of us on the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve. However in Scotland, where Auld Lang Syne originates it is also sung on Burns Night, January 25th, to celebrate the life of the author and famous poet Robert Burns. Also, do you know that this song is part of the Christmas Carols???

Happy New Year to one and all.....

See you next year

Have yourself a merry little christmas

HO HO HO HO....Christmas is 3 days away and I'm getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday...

Went to the Joint Christmas Service last night at the Ecunemical Worship Centre..This is an annual event where Christians of all denomination (under the Association of Churches Sarawak)comes together and celebrate Christmas. Hosting church is by rotation and this year, the Roman Catholic Church is the host. (One fact though, this association consisted of only denominations that are internationally affiliated)

Choirs are combined between the various denominations and I must say they sang beautifully. Benedict & Steven, as usual has never failed to deliver their very best....So beautiful, makes you so christmasy

Some snapshots taken for those who were not there

Our big boss, His Grace Archbishop John Ha, the 2nd from right. Next to him is Rt Rev Made Katib of the Anglican Church, and next to him is Major Lee from Salvation Army...The far right is a Methodist pastor

His Grace Archbishop John Ha, together with the other pastors imparting their blessings on the congregation.

The Choir led by Steven Chin

Alrighty, Papercrazy shall be taking a long deserved and awaited break from Christmas until the New Year! Blessed Christmas to one and all and a peaceful New Year 2007! May the new year brings us peace, joy and harmony

Peace!

Everything so christmasy

Final week before Christmas and what have I been doing??? I haven't shop for pressies, I haven't put up the christmas tree, I haven't this, I haven't that blah blah blah

And I have done this:
1) I have brought cheers to about 200 poor children and their parents last Saturday by organising a christmas party for them. The Youth Wing of SSVP has sweat blood to raise funds for the past weeks and the party would not be a success without the help of all the generous benefactors (we raised nearly RM4,000) and the Parish Youth (for organising the christmas presents thingy) and the ever generous parishioners for making the effor to sponsor at least 1 present. I am deeply touched with the overwhelming response from the parishioners. We put up 220 over requests for presents (items as per req by the adoptees) and our fear of having a no-show presents or lousy presents was not even in existence. Some even go to the extent of buying a 4ft tall food hamper and judging from the contents, I guessed it cost more than RM100. Just in case you are one of the parishioner who sponsored or the youth that helped in the arrangements, our sincere and deepest appreciation. God bless you all..

One of the many many heaps of pressies

Some of the participants

2) Helped out in a funeral. An uncle passed on after 2 weeks in coma and we helped in the prayers and service and burial. My heart really goes out to the wife. She has just lost her daughter 4 years ago and now the husband was taken back to heaven. I've always have fond memories of him after 7 years of knowing the family. He was a jovial man and I can talk with him very openly despite the age gap. Anyway, we know he is in good hands now.

3)After the merry making and sad event, off we went to a dinner reception in celebration of our member's 40th wedding anniversary (Oh, believe it or not, but all these events happened on the same day!!). Dinner was at Kuching Mandarin. I didn't know the restaurant is adjacent to an old cinema. Anyway, since there were so many receptions on saturday, we were put up at the far end of the restaurant (whic was previously the cinema as per A). Food was good cos the tawkay and tawkay nio were invited too but ventilation was bad. Maybe because there were too many people but by the time the prawns arrived, everyone was fanning themselves....nevetheless no complaint about the food and everyone went home happy though sweaty..

Anyway, 6 more days to Christmas............

Crowne Square

Time really flies.....It's already the 15th and Christmas is just another 7 days to go. Very very busy with life this few days: Preparing for christmas (which I have not even started except for confession), Preparing for our Christmas Party for the poor tomorrow, preparing the year-end reports and staff performance appraisals blah blah blah...the list goes on and on and on..And there's an overdue appointment to make (Gotta do it now or else somebody will nag me until New Year!!)

To add more busy-ness to my above list, a relative passed away and which means rosary every night for the next 7 days....I'm really trying to figure out how am I going to juggle myself tomorrow. 8am to 1pm - Christmas Party for the Poor; 2pm to 4pm - Funeral Service; 5pm - Wedding anniversary mass of a senior member; 6.30pm - Reception. How I wish I can put papercrazy on a photostate machine and duplicate another 2 more to help me!!!!

Anyway, all for a good cause and this is what Advent is all about....

Ok, Ok, I'm not going to bore you guys with more and more grandmother stories. That's not I was going to post anyway.

When was the last time you went to Crowne Square? It has been experiencing a total face lift for the past half year (I think) and I have been avoiding that place cos of the massive construction. Anyway, went there last Saturday after reading in the paper that Mr Ho's Fine Dining is opening a branch there. And Gosh! Was it or was it not a massive facelift....Very very impressive and mind you, I am not a person who is generous with compliments but I tell you, it is very very nice.....Reminds me of Little Collins Street in Melbourne.

From Main Entrance (Previously the eating place)

Main Entrance

A snapshot taken from KK Diamond Wing. Little colonial windows

(A pity, tot it will look good if it's open)

Another view of the individual retail lots

Disclaimer: Before everyone start speculating where I work, I don't work at Crowne Square...:-)

I have finally completed all the 4 orders of my christmas cards and booklets and am now concentrating on my own christmas cards for friends.

Christmas is just around the corner. What is Christmas all about? It's not just about presents and dinners and turkeys and santas and christmas trees and also about making cards...A sermon delivered by a priest over last Sunday's service: Season of Advent (4 weeks before Christmas) is a time of preparation, preparation for Christ's coming and his 2nd coming and not about preparation for dinners and presents and what not. I'm ashamed to say that I am guilty of such act and I can imagine how hurt Jesus is knowing that we are preparing to celebrate his birthdays by buying presents for others and organising dinner for our family & friends.....Where is Jesus in this whole scenario??

The following email received from a friend really wakes me up a bit and I'm sure it does the same for the rest of you.


Letter From Jesus

Dear loved ones,

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" .. as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.

What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party.

I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside.

Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon.

I Love you!

Jesus

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Pls read the below important message before you proceed with the viewing and perhaps (fingers crossed) with the ordering...

Important notice: Papercrazy is proud to informed all viewers that the christmas cards below are all handmade by Papercrazy. It's free for all to view and compliment appreciate but Papercrazy will not tolerate any copycats! Papercrazy acknowledges that there are many talented and creative viewers out there who loves making (note the space between love and making. don't simply simply join this 2 words together hah!) their own cards but it is a violation against cardmaking act to copy a design of fellow cardmaker....

all said, please proceed with the viewing.


Card PC001 - We have seen the star

2-piece card. Angels are printed in the insert and placed on a window-cut out glittery cover.

Wordings:
Outside: We have seen the star in the East and have come to worship Him (Matthew 2:2)

Inside: May God fill your life with Peace, Joy & Love this holiday season and throughout the New Year

Price: RM6.00







Card PC002 - Gloria
Angel is printed on a conqueror based paper insert and placed on an square cut-out card.

Wordings:
Outside: Glory to God in the Highest (Gloria in excelsis deo)
Inside: May the Spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, the warmth of Christmas grant you love this Christmas and throughout the New Year. Have a Blessed Christmas

Price: RM5.00






PC003 - Snowflakes


A beautiful window card overlooking a house with a child next to a christmas tree. Glittery snowflakes are pasted on cover to create a 3-d effect

Wordings:
Outside: No wordings
Inside: Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year

Price: RM5.00







PC004- Joy to the World



An artistic view of 3 angels printed on a mettalic conqueror paper and pasted to the cover with nice studs. Bottom border is decorated with punched designs

Wordings:
Outside: Joy to the World
Inside: Peace, good will and happiness for you at Christmas and always

Price: RM6.00


All cards are made with high quality imported paper
Delivery time: 1 week upon receipt of official order
Delivery Mode: hand delivered within Kuching. Minimum postage is charged elsewhere.
Further discounts will be given for order of above 30 pcs
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For order, please email Papercrazy

Christmas is just around the corner

(This post is a bit unorganised as I'm posting it up in a haste in between my lunch and meeting. as long as I got the message accross, that matters!)

Just came back from KL.....a day too early for the Year End Sales...:-( but despite that and my terminally ill condition, I still managed to shop!!

This trip has been a very disappointing trip merely because I went on a short notice, came back at a very short stay and was at the vrege of short circuit.....I was coughing so badly when I flew to KL, coughed so badly during the convention which earned me endless sympathetic and annoying remarks from participants but above all, I'm glad I went. Met a new friend all the way from Ghana and played tour guide to her. She bought 3 Guy Laroche bags as gifts for her friends! Gosh! I don't mind to have a friend like that! Why didn't she buy me anything hoh???

Anyway, this is a must-go shop whenever you are in KL or Berjaya Times Square to be more precise. The clothes are from Hong Kong, very nice and very reasonably priced. I bought 2 pairs of blouse and skirt for only RM130.00

I did not manage to go out and eat all my favourite food (especially Secret Recipe) cos I was worried of falling sick and embarrasse myself with more coughing....and first time in my entire travelling life I ordered porridge via room service!!!

Check out this fabulous hotdog from 1901. It was given to us free during the convention. The owner of this eatery was one of the many speakers for the convention. So yummy and the sausages are steamed instead of fried




Christmas is so around the corner now with the beautiful decorations in all the shopping complexes in KL. To put in more mood into the tis' the season to be jolly, try clicking this and start making your own snowflakes! (This site was introduced to me by a dear MIA friend)

Talking about Christmas, I am proud to announced that I have just finished and delivered my 2 orders of Christmas Cards..Hurray!!! 1 more order to complete!