Moving forward
The first day at work: Pack up and leave!
Well, actually everyone is packing up as the institution is relocating to a newer facility, which happens to be at my doorstep! I am still soaking in the confusion but it has been fantastic, the community is multiracial, everyone's so helpful and I havent started real work yet!
Today I had a lookaround at the new facility. From Monday onwards there is no need for me to drive to work anymore, gosh I am so NOT gonna miss KL's crazy brand of jam! And I have an office to myself! It's small but it with a nice view of the hills behind and I could actually look up and catch a glimpse of my unit from there ( Hi , Mom look no work!?)
I'm so excited about this new work, my colleagues range from Europeans, Americans, Japanese, Australians and of course fellow Penangnites! It feels like a mini UN. Praise God, I am so thankful for all the big and small blessings. Never in my wildest imagination, that I would be working here in my lil hometown, just beside my apartment! Plus, there's awesome FREE lunch for staff everyday by our very own in house chef! I mean, such blessings I am ever so grateful for..which means I can bless others more! So to all my KL homies, if you're coming to penang, just ask me for free plates of CKT and LAKSA, I will definitely spoil you guys to bits!
Please pray for me, this position comes with its new set of challenges. Very interesting portfolio which most of it , the buck stops here with me (simple terms: if I stuffed up, I stuffed!) But I'm looking forward to pull the bull's horn out and do a limbo jig with it! In fact, the opening ceremony is coming up and so is the annual dinner...lotsa of events waiting tobe planned and executed. Pray that I wont get executed along with it! Teehee :)
10 facts on Cohabitation (if you're considering it, think again)
Much has been said about the immediate convenience (and pleasure) of moving in together. Who can argue about short term fulfillment on shared expenses on rent, groceries etc, no more lousy housemates,perfect roommate (!), the joys of playing house without the commitment. Well, not unless you have hard facts that can topple it with eternal consequences.
The list is graciously provided by my ex-colleague turned youth pastor, Jon Koo:
1. Cohabitation is defined as an emotional, physical, and intellectually intimate relationship which includes a common living place and which exists without the benefit of legal, cultural, or religious sanction. (Wikipedia)
2. The average length of a cohabiting relationship that does not lead to marriage is 12 to 18 months (VanGoethem 2005:183)
3. Half of cohabiting relationships end within one year due to the couple either becoming married or separating (Seltzer 2000).
4. Within five years from the beginning of a cohabitation relationship more than half of these relationships will end even if the couple had married during that time (Seltzer 2000).
5. The risk of divorce after living together is 40 to 85% higher than the risk of divorce after not living together. In other words, those who live together before marriage are almost twice as likely to divorce as those who did not live together.
6. Cohabiting couples have an 80%+ chance that their relationship will end. (40% breakup before they marry; the other 40% divorce within 10 years of marrying.)
7. Cohabitors are not as sexually exclusive as married couples. They have a higher tendency to have more than one sex partners.
8. Four out of every 10 cohabiting couples have children present and of children born to cohabiting couples, only 4 out of 10 will see their parents marry. Those who do marry experience a 50% higher divorce rate (Horn 1998).
9. Couples who abstain from sex before marriage are likely to enjoy it after marriage as compared to cohabitors. Sexual satisfaction drops tremendously in cohabitation.
10. More women cohabit than men but men are more likely to cohabit serially (jumping from one partner to another).
What happened to COMMITMENT & SANCTITY of MARRIAGE?
Train stops here for now
Station: Lil Penang Island
Arrival: 25 June 2006
Next stop: Only the Station Master knows
Wow, i t has been an exciting ride - I'm on the Express 20s whizzing through many unknown stops not without some rough bumps or overwhelming moments too. It has been a full circle from Penang-Down Under-Penang-KL and now back to Penang.
I'm still processing what I've learnt over the years...and grappling with the concept of living under my parents roof again after 4 years of independence! It's not really a bad thing-free rent, food-laundry even! But I'm glad that I can use this time to bless them back in more tangible ways. I'm looking forward to extravagant sunday brunches with them-on me of course! It's also great to reconnect with them again, now as adults with different dynamics but it's all positive changes I supposed.
Lord help me, I am still having the blues on leaving KL. The city which I used to call KHell (!) has changed me that I find myself to be fond of it despite the horrid jams, frenetic pace and endless concrete flyovers and mega mall shrines. And it's always the people that makes the difference.
Someone reminded me to be present. TODAY is all we can be sure of, no wonder it's called the PRESENT. I have to move on, and not confine myself to inertia or languish in past memories. Yet, the precious moments will always be a part of me.
Strange, I should be happy going home. I will in a few months. Is
home really home now? It's probally the nomadic syndrome of travelling too much and not stopping long enough to call anywhere home. And I'm a bit tired of building new friendships long enough to love them to bits but too short to walk away and say goodbye. Too soon.
Which is why I am learning to be Present. I will embrace today and believe in His good plans. And to my friend who is feeling down, please know that there is always someone nearby who needs your friendship. Don't miss it because you are looking back.
For now, it's here. But I'll see you again in the next station of life :)
Back in Penang
It's rather ironic that I begin my blog with an ending.
This ending also marks another beginning, not just a renewal to blog again but also a pivotal season in my life which I hope to find clarity, purpose and meaning even as I write about it- the turbulent twenties. Writing has always been a strange mirror that helps me see the present better but only when gazing in retrospect.
So now
miss miracle writes.
She writes because even as she leaves KL to begin life back in her hometown, she wants to share her journey called Life with her loved ones (which is why you're reading this ;) . Her 6 months in KL has been colourful and fulfilling thanks to the people who left a deep mark which has now become a bittersweet void. Even so, she is thankful to have walked with them, they are more than friends- they are kindred souls who encouraged, shared and cheered each other on towards the destination. And it's true what they say about this journey, it's only meaningful when you can share it.
And to all my KL friends,
I dedicate this blog to you.
