Story so far…

I still can’t believe my last blog was over a year ago!!! Many things have happened for the past 1 year, some good, some not so good, but the good thing is I’m still alive and kicking, still living in London (temperature is rising to 30c!!! thats hot! Don’t laugh!), and got a new JOB!

Finally I have managed to find a permanent full time office job. Shortly after coming back a long break from KL, I have set myself in getting a full time job, and stay there FOREVER (if that’s possible :p). So off I went searching online, job agencies etc. I was also looking for a particular organisation- Holy Trinity Brompton and Alpha International. I grew up in church, attending Sunday school, served in youth ministry, worship ministry, but never worked in a church setting before. I thought this will be a very cool place and great place to learn. I submitted my resume to apply for an Executive Assistant position and immediately I got a reply asking me to attend an interview.

I was prepared but wasn’t really prepared for the interview. The final outcome was I did not pass the initial stage, but he offered me to apply for another position- in Fundraising Department. I wasn’t sure what the job was, I had no experience, and don’t know what to expect. But I made sure I was fully prepared this time. Searched online for all possible interview questions. First hurdle was to complete some test – typing speed test, Microsoft Excel, and writing a formal thank you letter, managed to pass them all. Next up – Interview with the manager and Associate director and I felt I answered the best I could. And I received a reply asking me for a Final interview. I have never gone so many interviews for one job before in my life. This is something new, I thought if I pass the interview, I would receive a yes or no answer, but NO, ‘come for Final Interview’. What is ‘Final Interview’??? Searched high and low for it. The Final interview was with Chief Operating Officer. She told me that I got the job!  The feeling was just a huge sigh of relief. I GOT IT!!!

So, I’m currently working in Fundraising Department in Alpha International, enjoying my working experience, bonding with the team, really loving it! This is my story so far. More to come…

Journey of Faith- Part 2 (lost bag)

I don’t even know how to begin!!! This is one event that we will never forget, for the rest of our live! Right, take a drink, popcorn, and just sit back and LAUGH!

Yesterday(Sunday), we were packing some of our stuff to move to Jian’s place. After we have finished packing, we decided to take tube and then bus since we have 3 luggages with us. Some tube station has no lift or escalator, so the best way was bus. I have 1 big luggage and a handbag, Shern being a man, carried 2 luggages. I put my cards, housekey, Jian’s housekey, everything except my handphone and oyster card(travel card) into the handbag. 

We arrived at Liverpool street station, and went out to take a bus. Everything was going smoothly so far. The 135 bus came, and we board onto the bus with all the luggages. Since it was a Sunday, it was not packed at all, in fact, there were only 5 people on board. So we both took 2 seats each, everything was alright. 

The interesting part comes now! I thought we were going to stop at the next bus stop, Shern decided to stop at where the bus was stopping. I was sitting in front, he was sitting at the back. Shern told me to ring the bell, and get down. So I was in a hurry, the luggage was heavy, and I just don’t want to cause any delay to the bus driver, I quickly went off with the luggage of course. 20 metres later, I felt something was missing. MY GOODNESS!!!! Yes, you guessed it correctly, my HANDBAG!!!! I left my whole handbag in the BUS!!!!! HOW ON EARTH DID I MISS THAT!!!!!! 

We were carrying 3 luggages, so Shern decided to chase after the bus, but to no avail, the bus has long gone. It took me 3 mins to realise that my handbag was not with me! What now??? I’m the only that has both Jian’s key and house key. We were HOMELESS!!!! At that point, I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry. It was so frustrating and hilarious at the same time! I was helpless. So Shern quickly came out with a plan, to ask another 135 bus driver, where do they stop, maybe we could still retrieve it back. Bad news again, there’s no terminal around the area. They would normally continue driving to the next destination-Crossharbour. We were at North London, and Crossharbour is at South London. 

I could not do anything except to just watch over the luggages. Immediately I turn to God in prayer. I said a very short prayer ‘God, I really need your help, please help me to get back my bag. Or else we won’t have any place to sleep tonight! Amen.’ Some facts, generally, especially handbag, if you leave it somewhere, you will never ever get it back, true? What more in London, metropolitan city, with almost every international people you could possibly meet. Moreover I left it in a bus! Passengers coming in and out. BUT I was so adamant that we will get it back. I just have so much faith in my God, who beats all impossibility. I literally did not even thought about plan B, like where to stay, or who to contact. I just know we will get it back.

By this time, it was almost 7pm, almost 50 mins since I realise that my handbag was not with me. Shern finally had a number to contact, a bus driver was so kind enough to give him a number to the control room! He called straight to the control room, and a guy was trying his best to help, radio-ing the drivers to ask whether they receive any lost property. So far-no.

We could do nothing but to wait. We head back to Liverpool street station to find a place to eat and wait. With all the luggages we had, found a place to sit and eat-Mcdonald. Trust me, the thing that kills me the most was-waiting. Every possible thoughts came into my mind- ‘What if someone took it’. ‘What if the driver took it’. ‘What if, what if, what if…’ I just had to brushed it off, and just pray that someone will return it to me. 

20 mins past, suddenly there was a phone call. Shern quickly picked up, he stood up, asked me to stay where I am, and off he went, didn’t tell me what it was. At that point, I was smiling, I knew there was good news. 5 mins later, Shern came running with my HANDBAG!!!! We were just so happy to get it back, and we just hugged and laugh. A big smile on both of our face after 1 hour 30 mins of agony. We are not homeless anymore! He thanked the driver and the guy who helped out from the control room.

We started to walk, I asked Shern, how did the driver got it back. Shern said ‘he doesn’t even know how he got it! It was wrapped up in a plastic bag.’ Furthermore it was not the driver that we boarded a while ago. I checked my bag, everything was in tact. Someone must have handed it in. I thank God for retrieving my bag. I was just so thankful that we got the bag back, we have a home to go to, and God to watch over us.

Faith without action is dead. Having faith alone will not get my bag back, actions count too. What a way to walk the talk!  

 

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Journey to British Permanent Resident- A journey of Faith.

Yes, we finally got it!!! It was just a huge sign of relief after we got our British Permanent Residency. It wasn’t an easy journey for the both of us. It begins with…

Our current visas expires on June 29th, 2012. You have 2 ways to apply- One is by post ( which will take up to 3-6 months), and two by appointment, which they will let you know on that day itself. We didn’t want to wait so long because that will means we won’t be able to fly out if we apply by post. So we decided to apply by appointment. 

First step was to sit for an exam, called ‘Life in the UK test’. This is to ensure that you have knowledge of english and also life in UK, and you have to pass it ( of course!). Out of 24 questions, you have to get minimum 18 questions correct. Both of us studied like mad, doing questions online, and hoping that we won’t fail! Exam day came, we went there early, finished the test in 15 mins, and we got our results in 10 mins- we passed! Right, first hurdle- done!

Second step – book an appointment. Early June, the night before we were to book the appointment online, we read on the newspaper reporting that the computer system in Croydon, London (where they process all visas applications) are down. It has no appointments for at least 2-3 months. We were saying to ourselves, this is not good. If we were to apply by post, we would only get it earliest within 6 months. I was thinking to myself, this is not going well! That night, I just said a simple prayer and asked Shern: ‘do you believe in miracle?’ I smiled and went to sleep. The next day, Shern called me from his work, and told me that he got to book an appointment online in Glasgow. Plus he was due to travel to Glasgow to work too, timing was perfect! God does answer prayers 🙂

Third step- Documents and forms. There were tons of documents and forms to fill up. One of the concern we had was, we had to show proof that we lived together for at least 2 years. I came to London in June 2010, and up to June 2012, it was just 2 years! The only document I had was the bank statement, with our address on the statement. The problem was, it starts August 2010, that’s not gonna make it 2 years! I don’t have any other documents to show both our names and address together. We were worried that it was not enough. But that’s nothing much we could do. We gathered all necessary documents, photos, and forms, and ready to go to Glasgow.

Step 4- Interview. We arrived in Glasgow on Sunday, and our appointment was on Monday. Checked into the hotel, and checked through the forms and documents. We prayed that everything will go on smoothly. Slept early that night. Next morning, we went for early breakfast, and off we went to the visa centre. Our appointment was at 10am, so we waited for them to call our number. 10 mins after 10am, they called our number, we went to a counter, submitted all the forms and documents, the officer asked us to wait while he checks the documents. 15 mins later, called us, and he said he was very happy with the forms and documents! Nice! Half way there, after that we went to a room for our biometric finger prints and photograph taking. Everything was alright, and the officer told us the only thing to do now is to wait for at least 45 mins for them to process through all the background checks. We waited patiently, and 40 mins later-decision time! This time it was a lady officer, and she said our application was APPROVED!!!! We were so happy to hear that. She gave us back our documents and passports, and told us that the PR card will be sent to our house. It has taken so little time, exactly 1 hour 45 mins after we submitted our documents to get it approved. Overall we were very happy with their service, they were very friendly and fast too, well there weren’t many people anyway 🙂

From the start to the end, I have never doubted that God will helped us through. When circumstances seems impossible, just take a moment, pray and have faith 🙂 

Note: I’m still a Malaysian, being a PR doesn’t mean I need to give up my Malaysian nationality =) No matter what, I’m still a Malaysian through and through.

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Blinded, it’s just right in front of you.

We just finished dinner one night, and Shern just dozed off to bed early. Then there was a door bell, went to open, and there was our neighbor asking for extra dinner chairs. We happened to have 2 extra chairs around, so I agreed to lend to him. I told him to wait while I get the chairs for him. I found one, gave it to him, and search for the other one.

I kept looking everywhere, in our bedroom, in the spare room, kitchen, living room, and I just couldn’t find it (Our house is not big!). I ended up giving him another dining chair of ours. I was just puzzled. I remembered having 2 spare chairs in the house, but I just couldn’t find it. I continued searching for it through the night, and I gave up.

The next morning, while I was dressing up, there it was right in front of me. =.= I used that spare chair to put clothes on it. And all this while, it was sitting there RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I laughed at myself, and a thought came, like God was trying to tell me something. I was busy looking around, while it was just right in front of me. Somehow I was ‘blinded’, I just couldn’t see it. Sometimes in life, we were busy looking around, looking for hope, looking for meaning, looking for love, when all the while, it’s just right in front of you. God was there all along, if you could just open your eyes and see. I smile 🙂

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2012- A New Begining…

2011 has been a very interesting year. In the month of December it was just pure chaos for both of us. Restaurant was getting very busy, so often I came back tired. I was really thankful that my mother in law was there to help out with the house work. Cooking, tidying places…THANK YOU!!!! My legs and body just get so tired, I would sleep at around 9:30pm! Yes, it’s that early!

The other major event was that we were moving…yes moving during winter is just pure craziness. Thank God it did not snow. It was cold but not too cold as 2010. So we have to pack everything in boxes, called removers, and I thought that was done. Only to discover we have missed the store room area =.= So have no choice, but to move it ourselves. One evening, we have finally taken the last few boxes, and it was raining. I was thinking to myself, this is not happening!!!! Shern decided to ask for a cab. Just for your info, London cabs are expensive, not that friendly. I was inside building with the boxes and Shern was out to find a cab, and I said a little prayer :’Lord, it’s raining, and it’s quite difficult for us, could you just send a samaritan, Amen’. That’s all I said. 5 mins later, Shern came back with a cab, we started moving the boxes into the cab. Sure enough, the man came out, and helped us move!!! Not only that, he helped us to arrange the boxes in the cab so that we do not need to do 2 trips! WOW!!!! All I could say was: Thank you LORD!!! This is just so rare! It was raining, and the man did not even hesitate to come out of the cab to help us. After we have unloaded the stuff, we thank him and gave him a good tip.

It was also a year of strengthening relationship between the 2 of us. We were dating long distance for 8 years, so there were not much of arguments that could take place within those times. Tensions grow, conflicts happened more often ( rest assured, nothing bad happened). We realize that we are fighting more than ever ( again, it’s normal for completely normal couple to fight), and my job was not helping the situation. So we came to compromise, and decided to just pause a little while and work things out. We’ve learnt to deal with conflicts better and we appreciate each other more.

Year 2012 is even more interesting, as there are more events yet to be unfold. Stay tune 🙂

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