Arriving UK

After 13 hours in the air, I landed in another continent at 5 pm (UK time), 11 thousand km from home. Heard that getting through the immigration check is not easy, but God is merciful that everything went well. So this is Heathrow airport, I still couldn't believe a Sabah boy like me is now in London. Gonna ask around to find my way to Nottingham, am surprised that staffs here could be so polite and helpful.

Arriving at a new place, new air and new experience:

As I step out terminal 4 to get the bus ticket, the rush of wind reminded me this is really UK, it's... Cameron cold. Bought a ticket from National Express for 43 pounds (ouch... don't convert!). They transfer me from terminal 4 to terminal 5, now I know how big Heathrow airport is. There're 2 hours before the bus departs, gonna spent some time walking around.

There's a casino in the airport:

I successfully hook on to the wifi of a nearby coffee shop, you actually need to pay for airport wifi. Gonna tell a lot of people that I've arrived UK safely, also to inform those that are in Nottingham that... I'm here! Glad that we are all still a facebook away. Grab a sandwich and mineral bottle from Mark & Spencer as dinner, and I'm ready to get on the bus.

Waiting for the bus:

I was almost asleep for the whole 3 hours 30 minutes ride to Nottingham, am I that tired? Met Sen Loong and almost 20+ others at the bus station, am I that popular that they welcome me so warmly? Nah.. they just finished visiting a fun fair and catching a bus back to Dunkirk (that's where I'll be staying). Checked in my room at 11 pm, marking the start of a new chapter of life.

Here I am at Dunkirk:

"My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding."
-Psalms 49:3-

Lord, as I arrive in this new place that You had promised, provide me as I walk through the challenges. Be my pillar of clouds in the day, and pillar of fire at night, leading my way to do Your will. I believe, this new experience that You have blessed me will enrich and equip me. I also pray for CF and ConneXion back in Malaysia, may You bless them abundantly for this new semester. Amen.

Leaving Malaysia

Finally, it's the day for me to leave, thanks so much to Wei Ern who lent me his car, making this my handsomest trip to KLIA (driving myself there). Haha, don't worry, people who send me off will drive it back. I have some of ConneXion Semenyih, ConneXion Nilai, Nottingham CF, KTT CF and Chan family to send me off, realizing that I actually came this far knowing so many great people.

Moment of hugs and goodbyes:

My luggage was 28 kg, good thing that I applied Grad card for extra 10 kg. Check in is good, have a final moment with them in front of the departure gate and there I go stepping into international flight of KLIA for the first time. Never knew that the departure hall in KLIA is that big, you need to use a train to some further gates. I admit I'm kinda emotional at the departure hall, thinking that I'm really leaving this time.

I see a lot of westerners:

Well, this is of course a bigger plane compare to AirAsia (3-3 seats in one row), the MH 004 has 3-4-3 seats in one row. I was in the first row in front of a partition, depressed for awhile thinking that I have no screen for myself. Hey! It's actually under the seat, movie marathon for 13 hours! Nah~ was actually sleeping and reading, watched only Transformers 3 and Clash of the Titans.

Earphone on, movie mode!

Food is good, the drinks (juice, coffee, tea and wine) are bottomless! I love the peanuts, and they have magnum ice-cream~ Weeeeeeeeee. Scrolling through the menu of the screen, they have nice varieties. There are music, movies, TV series and discoveries. There's another mode that shows the status of the flight, *Cool~

Half way to England, further from home:

Overall, the 13 hours weren't too bad, it's actually better than 2 hours 30 minutes in AirAsia. Very important thing is to walk around the plane even you have nothing to do~ The more I sit, the more tired it is. It's quite hard to sleep continuously in the plane, hope that I won't get jet lag when I arrive. Hey, it's 12 hours passed and it's still day light, I've earned a day.

Walk around, take a picture:

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."
-Psalms 48:14-

Thank You Lord for journey mercy. This one year of accidental stay in Semenyih has really changed me, and the big picture is really what I can never imagined. As my purpose in this place is done, I pray that this new place will be where I see more of Your work in my life. Can't wait to know new people and do great things like never before, but same time, I miss them back there too. May God be my strength and light the path, Amen.

Last Nilai Sunday Service

This is the last weekend that I'm spending at Nilai Sunday Service, a place where I started joining church and learn keyboard. I've started serving here since 2007, it was on and off but surely a lot of nostalgic memories. It is also Jean's final week here as he is leaving to Sunderland, so I'm not alone for the farewell speech. I'm surprise that there are quite a number of us going to UK, including me, Jean, Iroizan and Timotius. I wonder what's God planning.

I'll miss the worship team here:

Also, we celebrated birthday for September babies. There are a few of us, used to have almost all of the worship team in this birthday picture, everyone's everywhere now. Hanging around with everyone taking picture and saying goodbye~ The next time I return, it will be totally new faces and I'll be the extreme senior.

After service, birthday celebration and fellowship:

Uncle Chan brought us to Dengkil for dinner, good food good farewell. I really need to thank this family for everything that they have done, not just for me, but also for all the students around Nilai. We have received God's blessing abundantly through them. For the equipment they have prepared, the time has come for us to be a part of the light, wherever we go.

Farewell dinner at Dengkil:

"By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me."
-Psalms 42:8-"

I'm always glad to see this ministry grows year by year. The common issue in a student ministry is that people come and go, old student graduate and new intake arrive, so we would not have many constant members. However, it also makes it special that we get to know a lot of different people, students all around the world come to us instead we travelling around the world. A very miraculous place that God has bless. Pray that God will always provide for the work of His kingdom to this ministry, and to the students who left. Amen.

Reunion at KLCC

I was so busy dealing with visa and journals for these few months, didn't really have the time to chill around KL town for a while. Me and Shen Quang have been trying to plan a dinner together but never got the right time. So might as well I just drop by KLCC (very near to his workplace) to meet up with him and Joseph.

Walking around Suria until they are out of office:

Had a dinner at KiKi Taiwan Cuisine restaurant, good time of eating and catching up with each other. I just thought that the menu has high similarity with Fong Lye in Gardens, til I noticed that they are actually sisters restaurant. Thank you Shen Quang for buying us dinner!

Dinner time, Beef noodle!

Still not satisfied with the day, we walked around KLCC, and I just realized it's my first time hanging around this area at night. Didn't know that the night view at the center of KL is kinda great. Spent some time acting like a tourist taking picture and feeling the night breeze at KL~ What a great night of chilling.

Public Bank and KLCC

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble."
-Psalms 41:1-

Thank You Lord for blessing me a safe trip all the way to KL and a great time meeting some old pals. I know it is tough as their topic revolves around work and life, but no matter what we are doing, give us the clear mind that we are reminded about our purpose in this world. I pray that You will bless my friends that are currently working, may they find strength in You, and excel in their career. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Applying For Visa

After months of hardwork collecting documents for my UK visa application, I've finally got most of the essentials in my CAS provided by Nottingham UK. I couldn't wait til the date of appointment at Wisma MCA to submit my documents, so as well just try my luck to be there as early as possible. Thanks God Sen Loong is around to offer an early ride for me to Kajang KTM. I arrived at Ampang Park station 9 am, good timing.

Waking up early but not for Broga Hill:

This is where google map kicks in, exploration of new route is not that difficult after all. I found my way to Wisma MCA, they're checking documents at 4th floor. My waiting number was 139 and they are attending number 128. It didn't take as long as I imagined, after 20 minutes, it's my turn. Completing the verification of documents, there I go submitting them at 19th floor.

Waiting to verify my documents:

It was a period of worry and frustration as I'm checking online almost everyday to track my visa application. You never know if they're gonna reject your application and there goes your time and $$$money$$$ (RM 1301). Approximately 2 weeks, exactly 9 working days later, it says that my visa is ready to collect, and I rushed down back to Wisma MCA. Wow, glad to see this extra page on my passport, and I'm all ready to get myself in the plane... except packing.

Finally! UK visa approved:

"May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away."
-Psalms 36:11-

For all the prayers throughout the months, The LORD has been faithful to deliver his promises. It is certain that I am still worried and afraid of what lies ahead, but I believe all will be well. May Your blessings be upon my path, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Hoi Tong Steambot

Monday blue, having a gathering dinner with colleages at Hoi Tong restaurant in Serdang on the exact day of Moon Cake Festival. While the others are still sorting out who's going and who's not, Gavin brought me to Low Yat for some gadget shopping. Thus, we're late for dinner, reaching at 9 pm.

Buying mouse for See Chew and Gavin's camera:

First time at Hoi Tong, buffet style steambot. The place is big, and it's almost all full! Probably cause it's a festival night. The other 4 have been eating very hard for the pass hour before we arrive, and they quickly switch job to cooking once we're there. Amazingly, they have really wide choices of food, chicken, seafood, beef and LAMB!

First sight at the restaurant:

I knew that the concept of steambot is throwing raw food into the boiling soup to cook, but I never knew they expanded the side of the pot for barbecue. Now I can have roast lamb as well~ I was eating non-stop, full plates of meats until another 3 came and join us. By the portion I ate, I think RM27 per person really worth it.

Keep cooking the meat :

Actually, having beer after steambot sorta felt nice. I don't usually take that but it kinda clear up some heaty and oily part of the throat. The war ended around 12 midnight, and we're like the last few tables left still eating. Reached home around 1 am~ what a satisfying day.

Closing beverage for the day:

"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing."
-Psalms 23:1-

Another great day going out doing big stuffs. Thank you LORD! Pray that as the long holiday ends, we would be able to resume back to working pace and continue the long fight. Be our guide, and lead us back to the narrow path. Amen.

Celebrate Moon Cake Festival at Nilai

It's been a while since the Nilai Student Ministry organize some gathering, or is it me staying too far to join most of their outings? We celebrated Moon Cake Festival in the student house on Sunday night, with around 30 students from Nilai UC, Inti UC, and KTT. Some girls arrived early to help cooking, while I helped cutting the moon cakes.

Food & beverage department:

Students will never have enough for food, good thing we have reinforcement from catering. I see a lot of new faces that night, means the students are doing good job inviting friends... I hope. Had a round of introduction and played a cup-passing game to start the night, not bad.

Ice breaker before we grab the foods:

We had a representative from each college to tell us their own version of story related to moon. I've googled the story for Moon Cake festival on Robert's iPhone earlier in that day and noticed that the online version is kinda different from what I knew, and there are some other variations too. Besides that, we had them divided into 4 groups to make lantern and design a pomelo.

Making lantern and pomelo design:

Finally, everyone took a small lantern and gather at the park nearby to sing songs~ this feels like caroling... no... campfire? So yeah, a night to let the students relax before going back for assignments and tests. And I got reached Semenyih quite late that night =.=

Group picture with lanters:

"Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help."
-Psalms 22:11-

Now that the amount of students from each colleges are more balance, and some seniors in KTT are graduating soon. This is the trend of student ministry, people come and go, including me~ Pray that there will be another batch of happening young people that replaces us. Amen.