He finally came ....

"I'll be arriving on the 9th of May, 8.20pm from Singapore" ... this sms from him was good enough to make me sleepless for many nights.

We talked about having him to visit me since early this year but pushed out for couple of times due to his work and finally, he made up his mind to come ... to fly all the way from Montenegro to little island of Penang with 3 stops in between.

When the day arrived, I left early from office just in case traffic jam then am finish if late to arrive at the airport. It's ok to be late at anywhere but never never at airport or hospital. And it's his first time at Penang ... so i don't want him to get lost when he step out from the arrival hall.I recognized him the moment i saw him walking out from the arrival hall.

The smile is exactly the same like i saw from the photos he sent. Then, panic hit me instantly ... can he fit into my small car? 195cm is no joke .... if he cannot fit in, i only have 3 options:- (1) open the window and stick his head out (2) put him in sleeping position (3) call cab.

God is great ... he sat in perfectly fine without resorting to any of the options ... phewwwwww.

The eating spree started the moment he checked in. Hey, what else can you do in Penang island if you don't want to eat? I was kind enough to bring him for chicken soup instead of heavy meals coz i know how tired he must be after spending > than 1.5 days flying.

We visited many places from Penang Hill to Pinang Peranakan Mansion and covered almost 80% of the "must visit" places. And most of the places we went, he will melt like ice cream due to the hot & humid weather. I guess some of the favourite places are Sunset Bristro (pub by the beach), Pinang Peranakan Mansion and also restaurant at Penang Hill where we had lunch.

He only tasted ~30% of the food in Penang. 8 days only, how to eat everything? I don't want him to get stomach upset coz i "rojak" everything for him. He is really good with chopsticks and better than me when comes to spicy food. But i guess many of us will always remember his expression when he ate the fish ball. I wonder, what fish in this world that has balls? Oh my ... oh my ... :D

Having him around for the 8 days meant so much. It's something i've been looking forward for quite some time and God is gracious enough to allow it to happen. 8 days are really short but it's the beginning for everything.

The 8 days spent with him and with the presence of the gang, actually brought myself back. I was able to enjoy again, laugh again and most important care again. This is the feeling i've been looking all these while and i found it.

Jovo, thanks a million for taking the effort to fly all the way. It's not easy for you but yet you took that chance. It's my blessing to have you around and all glory back to Him for making this dream a reality.

L

New job ... new me

Hey hey ... I'm back to blog and i have good news to share with everyone after so long .... looking back, it's really been a long time since i had good news to share.

It used to be good news from Lin almost every month and it stopped since late last year and now, am back on track friends. I guess i needed the "paused" from God to see His hands moving in my life and listen to His still voice.

Am not going to share all the good news in one go ... but one by one ok? Gotta learn to be patient laa.

Friends, I'm going to have a new job and I'm happy. I'm still going to be with Intel but different role. This new job that is being offered to me is my dream job since the day i started off my career with Intel ~6 years ago.

Year in year out, i worked very hard and set my target to hold this position before i reach 29. Why 29, you might ask. You'll probably think am crazy but i want to beat or at least be the same par with the youngest person ever held this position. And the answer is 28 yrs old.

So, here i am. God gave me this position before i reach 29 :) ... and for those that know, i actually "missed" this position for almost 3 times but each time i missed it, i know it's God's timing.

In my new job which i will officially take over on July 1st, i will need to manage people. And managing people can be really interesting and challenging and God knows what else. I'll be in night shifts too - so watch out for Panda Lin ....

The way i carry myself needs to be improved significantly ... the words that out from my mouth gotta be different, how i dress up and everything ... need to be improved. In short - MAKEOVER.

I'm excited yet worry and scared about this new job. One mistake .... it's going to be a nightmare but people learn thru mistake, right? Sighhhhh .....

But hey, If God allows this happen ... He is going to equip me, Amen? God never fails in equiping His childrens as we put Him 1st in everything. He just needs to be above in everything and everyone. I see His faithfulness in my workplace and forever will be.

L

Sorry

Thousand apologies to everyone as i'm not able to blog until next week ....

I have so many things to do with limited time available. Please bear with me and i promise to blog great stuff by next week :D

Until then, take good care ... God bless you with abundance joy, peace and wisdom. Have a great weekend ahead.

L

Passing away of a great coach

As i was looking at the obituary pages as usual, i came across one familiar face and i had to look and look to double confirm.

That familiar face is my beloved ex-coach whom i last met somewhere 3 yrs ago in a coffeeshop. His name is Mr. Sim and i called him, Sir.

He was my coach since i was 13yrs old until i left high school at the age of 19. He coached me in chess.

Among all the coaches i ever had in my life, i give full credits to him. He was forever patient with me (knowing how hard & rebellious i can be), always smiling and never at once in that 6yrs i get to see his temper.

He will stand near me each time i'm out for competition. He will be either standing behind me or opposite me to let me know he is there. Every step that i took on the chess board, he will remember it then gave me his opinions after every match. At times, he will jump like mad man when i made certain moves and will be the 1st to give me a big broad smile when i lifted up the winning trophy.

He loved me as his own daughter and every Sat after 3hrs of coaching, he will drive me around for lunch. Most of the time, we ended up eating at food stalls near general hospital because he loved the ulam there. And when he saw durian, he will be the 1st to choose the best durian and open it for me as dessert.

He left my high school when i was on my final year. He wanted a peaceful life therefore transferred to rural area. Ever since then, i lost contact with him until 3yrs back. I was delighted to know he got married and his wife gave birth to a baby son when i met him on that day.

He was buried 3pm just now. And am most relieved to know he is safe in Jesus's arm now.

Sir, thank you so much for believing in me and brought the best out of me during that wonderful 6yrs. You never gave up and helped me from no one to become someone in chess world. You'll be remembered forever .... will meet again & shall play chess in heaven when the time comes.

L