My Birthday

The celebration began this morning at prayer. Sr. Kristyn together with the other sisters prepared the liturgy for my birthday and how nice was it to be on the Feast of St Matthew. How blessed to be born on the Feast of St Matthew. The mass readings were so beautiful. It tells of how I am to live my life, my vocation and what I am called to. And we end the prayer with the hymn “In His time”, one of my favourite hymn that always makes me cry.

As usual after prayer, we had our birthday and the sisters sang the birthday song and gave me a blessing. Just as I was spreading my bread, one of the teacher from the Kindergarten (KG) came to our house and told me someone was looking for me. So I went out to the school’s carpark and a Malay woman was standing there… telling myself, I don’t know her leh… then she ask me if I’m Angie. I said Yes and she say she has something for me.

So she went to the car and took out a bouquet of flowers and I was in total shockness to see the card. It’s from Fr. Aloysius, Dominic and Karen… all the way from Singapore… Oh my goodness!!!!! Then followed by the big cake. I was overjoyed… I walked back to the house, open the door and told the sisters, “I’ve got present from Singapore”. When I went to the table, I couldn’t even say a word… run to go dry my tears and nose… so embarrassing. I cut the cake together with the sisters and all of us enjoyed the cake. It’s so superb. Not too sweet, not too rich, very nice cheese cake. I also shared the cake with another 14 teachers and there’s still some more in the fridge. What a big cake!!!

Also, I receives some greeting cards all the way from Singapore. Yes, one was from the community at Kovan which I stayed 6 month last year. I’m also very surprise and filled with joy as I opened the card.

It’s really so unexpected. I already lost count of how much blessings I have received. I’m like the LUCKIEST woman on earth!!! I greatly thank the Lord for giving me good friends, friends that supports my vocation and friends that are interested in my life. What else can I ask for??

After my lesson in the house, I put my hand in with Sr. Mary Ng to bake my birthday coconut pie. Well, of course she did most of the work, but I really enjoyed, it’s a long time since I bake. Oh ya, how can I forget, I too receive another small cake from my “Uncle” here. How blessed to have 3 cakes for my 1st birthday celebration in the convent. Well probably to prepare me for days where I might get NONE! Sr. Mary cooks fried bee hoon with PRAWNS and fried Lekor. It’s simple and nice.

Then, in the evening, the celebration continues with dinner at SAUJANA restaurant.

Come to think about it, there’s more celebration here then at home... maybe I will only experience such big celebration during my pre-novice formation... not sure in future... so better enjoy every moment now.

Oh my mum called too about 9.15pm... She sounds good. I think she’s taking it better then me. Why am I worrying! God will take care of her...

My Birthday Vigil

Tomorrow’s my birthday. I’m feeling excited cause it’s a very special day. It’s the day I’m bought to the world 28 years ago, the day I began my missionary duty on earth. My first assignment was to bring life to my parents and my elder brother. I hoped I did fulfill it… I’m sure, thank God that I was a joy to my family. As there are many out there who are struggling for acceptance, coping with rejections.

For the past few years, if I did not remember wrongly, eversince I spoke to mum about my vocation, I would pretend to sleep before 12midnight to wait for mum to come into my room to give me my first birthday kiss. Then I will sleep soundly. This year, it’s an entire different experience. Mum not with me, no need to pretend to sleep, no midnight kisses…… I suppose I just have to try to go to bed, knowing that God is with me.

I’m feeling worried because I’m wondering how mum will be feeling tonight and tomorrow. If I can cry just by thinking of what usually happens on this day, mum would also feel the same. She must be missing me! She must be telling herself that she is not beside me on this special day to celebrate with me. I’m very worried for her, but I can’t do anything. I can only pray that she will take it calmly with support from my family.

On the happy side, I’m grateful that I’m not celebrating my birthday on my own. God has given me a community of sisters here at Kuala Terengganu to celebrate this special gift of life. My 28th Birthday would be the first celebration away from my blood family but the first in my God-given family.

I always hear people saying that birthday is just another day. I also tried to have that mindset for the past years but deep down I knew it’s not JUST ANOTHER DAY. It’s a SPECIAL DAY.

I never knew this day would mean so much to me. It’s also another great challenge to my vocation. I miss my family so much now that it’s beyond what I can manage. I’m not sure if I am able to handle all these emotions which will pop up now and then before I get a heart attack.

“O God, if this is what you want of me, You have to see me through it. “

Part 2... coming soon....................

1st Ramadan and Hari Raya experience in Kuala Terenggnu, Malaysia

Ha ha, WAIT! Don’t get mistaken! I am not so holy as to fast for 30 days with our Muslim brothers and sisters. Here, I would like to share with all of you my first Ramadan experience in Malaysia. 

The spirit of the Ramadan month here in KT was high. In KT, I would feel the spirit of unity. They used fireworks as the tool to welcome the start of Ramadan. On the eve, there were 7 shots of the fireworks shooting up into the sky to tell everyone that Ramadan would be starting the next day. Every morning about 5.30am (varies daily), there would be 2 shots of the fireworks. One to tell everyone to get ready to stop eating, and the other in a 5 minute interval to tell people to start fasting. And in the evening, there would be one shot for Buka Kuasah. 

Since the beginning of Ramadan, I could hear people playing with firecrackers. Although, it’s banned in Malaysia, still people are playing it opening. It’s ???? how they get them? What sadden me most, when I read about children/teenagers getting hurt, blinded or losing their lives by the firecrackers. Theses people in the end either have to celebrate their Raya in the hospital or in solemn.

Raya is also a time where many Muslims will Balik Kampong. It’s a time for reunion and seeking forgiveness. I had an opportunity to watch a programme on Asian Food Channel about Ramadan in Malaysia and Singapore. I was really touched by the whole spirit of fasting and Raya. It’s a very beautiful religion if well practiced. I even felt little ashamed with myself for making so little sacrifice for the redemption of my sinfulness.

On Raya day, 10 September, we went to the Hari Ray Aidilfitri Open House at Menteri Besart’s house (chief minister house). It was a great experience for me. The atmosphere there was very joyous. There were not only thousands of Muslims, but also the Chinese, the Indians and even foreigners. There was a long queue to wish the minister and children gets a “green packet” from the minister. Afterwhich, they proceed for a lunch reception. Everyone there gets to eat. Of course there were people like myself going there going there just to eat and experience the festive season. So… of course head straight for the food lah… !!! It was the generosity of the minister that draws the crowd, however, in such occasion, we always see the ugly side of things… what I meant was food wastage, grabbing and greediness. 

In the afternoon, we visited one of the house in Batu Rakki. It’s the house of our kindergarten’s uniform tailor. He’s deaf and dumb. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see him as he went back to the kampong. But we got to speak to some of his children. It was experiential for me to step into a ‘modern’ low-cost Muslim’s house. They have all the necessities, but I could still feel that it’s a very old house. I don’t think I can leave in it. During the time spent with the family, I was not deaf but dumb. I could not make any conversation because I couldn’t speak Bahasa. So, all I could do was to try to figure out what they are saying by their actions and the little Bahasa I know. 

I have yet to experience the real real Kampong life yet. I hope I would have the opportunity one day.