Life, Travel, GRACE

This Christmas I went back home. Did so as I wouldn't be back for next year Chinese New Year. Although it was a short time spent at home, I had a good time with family. Plus able to go to some places since my sis had bought a car. There's a forest reserve area nearby my house which is good for trekking. Its hilly step could be a good place for mountain walking training . It does look like Bario trek minus the tar pathway. On Christmas day, had lunch with parents in restaurant. Although the dishes were so so, it was worth for money. On Boxing day, tried to renew my passport. Boy, nobody was lining up for the registration. In fact, the immigration counter was quite small. Unfortunately, they didn't accept my smooth-surface passport photo. So have to do it in KL. In local newspaper, Mrs Lai was in the news. Today it's time to go back. Will work for two days then new year holiday. Happy New Year!

What will be the Christmas atmosphere looks like in the remote area such as Bario and Ba Kelalan? This was featured in Sunday star edition. I have been to these two places in year 2005. Been there was like traveling backward. Everything seems to be slowing down. No traffic (car is a very rare item). Some of the people take up to 3 days to get back home for family reunion. Think of those city people who can reach their home within few hours and at any time. Reading the article brought back some memories - few hours of walking from one village to another. City boys and girls should be glad and grateful on their good conditions. Often time they have the luxury to waste. I'm thankful with what I have now.

We had some varieties of "tong yuen" ..... filled, nut-coated and basic.

Finally I've got back my car. New outer layer of doors. They even have my car washed and vacuumed. Feel like a brand new.

Yesterday we had paintball game organized by the community Nav. There were TARC Nav people joining as well. The venue was in Subang Jaya, claimed to be Malaysia largest paintball field (I think by the number of fields). Though the field was not appealing, nevertheless we had a good fight. I got hit 4 times in 3 games (arm, thigh and face (with face mask)). My team won all the way except the last game beaten by the loser of the losers.

I'm blessed. A friend of mine lent me his car while I have my car repaired. He didn't know my car was hit until we met last weekend. I did pray for provision of transportation which I thought to carpool with colleagues. Never did I expect to have a car lent by someone. God is able to take care all the small things. Praise be the Lord. Sent my car for repair on last Wednesday. Called up the workshop on Thursday and was informed the doors have been changed. It's waiting for spraying now which will take a week (?!).

The tenth flattener which act as catalyst for previous flatteners: #10 The “steroids” The development of IT and computing enable information to be digitally organized, mobile, personal and in virtual. They include: - computing - instant messaging and file sharing (peer-to-peer) - VoIP (voice over internet protocol) - Video conferencing - Computer graphic eg video game with good graphic - Wireless technologies and their devices Source: The World is Flat

The remaining flatteners which have benefited from the first three flatteners: #4 Uploading It gives the power to the community to develop and share information among each other. We as are users also benefited from this. It was started with shareware and freeware of some useful software. It also encourages community to post or share the answers for questions posted. Individual also can as a freelance reporter. You and I can upload news and commentary in the blog (like this blog). Finally, a compilation of data which can be made available as a result of community’s contribution. One useful portal these days: Wikipedia. #5 Outsourcing It has been known that most of the US companies outsource their IT support to India . This was due to large pool of IT engineers available there with lower hiring cost. #6 Offshoring Manufacturers produce their products in offshore (outside their own country). For example PCs are made in China by US company. The ultimate purpose is to

December is here. Think about what gifts are you gonna give away to someone this time. But long long time ago we had received our gift - Christ the savior is born. Merry Christmas.... .