Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!!

October 26, 2006

Maaf Zahir dan Batin… Hari Raya just ended yesterday BUT a lot of people are taking leave till Monday including my uncle. To all fellow Malaysian Friendster mates, hope you enjoy your Hari Raya break… How did I spend my Hari Raya holiday?

I went to Port Dickson for 2 days and 1 night (1st and 2nd day of Hari Raya). Tiara Beach Resort with my CG (Care group) members. 3 of my CG member are Fuji Xerox employees. The company offered 1 free suite in Tiara Beach Resort per staff. Three employees = 3 rooms. 1 Family Suite and 2 Deluxe Suites. There are 17 of us there, we came in 4 cars. We had a great "teambuilding" time there. Highlights includes Telematch (Wet and Dry), Steamboat, DMM (Our church jargon), Birthday Celebration to one of our member, Bro Kar Leong (He was pushed to the pool (at 11pm!) after cutting the birthday cake!) AND Charades, Charades and more charades!!!

The journey, I noticed, took 1 and a half hours and 120kms… It was raining heavily on the way back to P.J. 3 of us (me and 2 other members) went straight to 1 Utama for mini shopping…

Today, I send my car to repair. Many problems on the Suspension of the Ford. Front absorbers - Tokico from Japan, Lower arms bushing (top and bottom), Camber. Total: a Whooping RM980!!!

MERDEKA!!! But the world is Mourning...

Merdeka!!! But the world is “mourning”..

August 30, 2006

oday, 31 August is Malaysian 49th anniversary of independence. For those who didn’t know, Malaysia achieved its independence from the British in 31 August 1957. Malaysian might be rejoicing but those outside Malaysia are mourning. Why?

Cause it’s Lady Diana’s 9th anniversary memorium. She passed away tragically in 31 August 1997 in a High Speed car crash in France. I remembered I was a 17 years old studying in Hong Kong then, I watched every bit of the news, witnessed the memorial service especially the touching "Candle in the Wind" dedication by Sir Elton John and the funeral . Prince William and Harry were only 15 and 13 respectively. As if it was happened yesterday, can’t believe that 9 years had passed. How time flies…

Next year, Malaysia is going to celebrate it’s 50th National day. It is also Lady Diana’s 10th anniversary memorium… It is going to be HAPPY AND SAD day for me at the same time…

How I celebrate my birthday!

Sunday 13 August was my birthday. Few minutes after 12 midnight, my friend Andrew called and wish me Happy Birthday. In the morning, my mum and grandma gave me presents. Then I proceed to Church.

After Church, My Care group member present me a cake and sang birthday song at the church. We didn't cut the cake yet as most of them are fasting or having meeting later. We had our lunch, came back - discussion times with Danny (our Student leader), then only we share the cake among few of us (most people went back already by then). I took the leftover cake (3/4 left) back. In a meantime, a brother returned me the fuel claims for the Port Dickson Student Camp - RM80. So I went to the newly opened "Digital Centre" and did some shopping.

It was 6.30pm as I reached home, lo and behold, 2 cakes waiting at home. Ironically and Co-incidentally, both also Blueberry Cheese. One bought by my dad and the other bought by my sister. All of us in the family (7 of us including our maid) went to "New Paris Restaurant" for celebration dinner. We ordered 7 dishes. Among the dishes are "Garoupa in Thai Sauce, Deep fried squid, Lemon Chicken, Yee Phin Wat taan Tauf00 (Soya Bean curd with fish cake), Birthday yee mee, Prawns (I didn't eat prawns, it's for the rest of the family). The 7th dish did not arrive, so we cancelled it, settle the bill and went back. We didn't bring the cake(s) there, so we went home and cut the cake.

Life goes on after the birthday until Wednesday. My Care group leader organised a trip to KLCC. There were 7 of us there. We took some pictures there, having gift exchange among the members and embarked into an "Amazing Race" style challenge. We run around KLCC during the game. Examples of the game are "Find a tourist, talk to them and present them a gift", collecting plastic bags of certain shops, taking pictures of "Dolphin statue" in KLCC etc... The race ended at Paramount LRT. At the LRT station, the last task is talk to a stranger, get their information. So Kar Leong (one of my group member) dared me to talk to a dark, serious looking man. So I dared myself to talked to him. He was a friendly guy from Johor, just graduated from University Malaya, coincidentally stayed 500metres from my house and worked few hundred metres from my College too. Small world eh?

That's all for now... Sorry for not posting for 9 days, have trouble logging in to Blogger and have not set up my WIFI connection yet, don't know how to set up. So I have to temporally rely on my Laptop with 56k dialup which is painfully slow...

“NEW” Used Australian car, 1st year owner's report

“NEW” Used Australian car, 1 year owner’s report

On 8/8/2005 my dad bought a used 1999 Ford Telstar 4 cyl 2.0i Auto meant for himself, but he is based in Hong Kong, so I am the one driving the car. The car came with V-Kool tinting and Standard Semi-Bucket front seats with luxurious Ghia trimmings AND Nice no plate “WG_ 1222”. It is a Clone of Mazda 626. It is assembled in Malaysia (CKD- Completely knocked down with Jigs from Australia). Strangely, this car has “Heater” which is absurd and useless in Malaysia.

Well, it’s been a year since “I” owned the car. Believe it or not, I only covered 6,000kms during the period of 1 year which means averaged of 500kms per month only. It was 93,600kms when It reached my garage. Now the odometer reads 99960kms (about 63000 miles). Pretty low mileage for a 7 years old car… Why so little mileage?

Because I have my own car, A Proton 1.5 MPI (A) (3 speed Auto, Sux eh?) so the Telstar is driven 2-3 times a week only.

How is the running costs?
1) The car fuel consumption (FC) varies. Full tank (55Litres) lasted about 300kms only city driving but goes as far as 450kms on highways.

2) The Telstar being a Mazda 626 Clone is quite reliable. There’s only 3 problems during the entire 1 year owning the car. First is the battery were flat (changed to Maintenance free battery) and another is Fuel tank leaked – discovered on the 1^st week owning the car. Took 3 days and 6 chop shops (junkyards) finding the right fuel tank (from Mazda 626). Paid RM600 for the fuel tank.

One problem haven’t fix since the car was bought. It’s the Engine mounting. The costs of replacing the engine mountings were expensive (RM1600 (USD450) for 1 set). The effects? The car vibrates when idle in “D” mode. Putting it in “N” mode solved the problem. Recently, the front right headlight not working. Contemplating whether or not want to change to HiD (Xenon).

3) What I did to the car?
- Installed voltage stabilizer (RM95)
- Changed the ICE (In car entertainment) Head unit to Pioneer DEH-4750MP as the previous JVC CD player were faulty (Cannot play CD). Paid RM580 for it. It plays CD/CDR-W/MP3/WMA/WAV discs. Also, CD-Changer and I-Pod interface control. Also, changed the rear speakers to DB-Max 3 way.
- Currently running on 15” rims and Goodyear Ducaro GA. But I just bought a set of used “LENSO” 6 spoke semi-chromed 17” rims (see picture) 2 weeks ago (below RM700 – USD185). Now saving money for the tyres. Thinking of Michelin Pilot Preceda or Continental ContiSport 2 tyres

. THAT”S ALL I Spent at the moment.

4) How is the ride and handling, performance of the car?

I was so happy having found out the specifications of the car. Learned that the car has high-tech suspension. Front and rear McPhersons and front and rear anti-roll bars!!! Not many cars has it till today. Also it has 4 disc brakes and ABS. So the suspensions and brakes department need no modifications.

The ride and handling is superb, goes over potholes and uneven roads with great comfort. Minimal body rolls while cornering (Note that I am using 15" 60 series Goodyear Ducaro GA tyres). High speed stability is superb. 4 passangers in the car accidently doing 160km/h (100mph) without noticing it until I looked at the meter. In contrast, 160km/h is the top speed of my main car (Proton 1.5 MPi(A)). At that speed the wind noise was unbearable and the car began to float.

Anyway, back to the Telstar the performance of the car, 0-100km/h is below 12 seconds. 50-80km/h (for overtaking) is 5.8secs. Top speed, I don't need to test... Tested by car journalists of "Highway Malaysia" magazine 195km/h (123mph).

5) How is the car ride/Future modifications:
- Learned that one engine fits like a glove. It is no other than KZ-VE (?) V6 2.5i 24V from Mazda MX-6 or 626 V6 Hatchback OR Ford Telstar TX5. Just drop in the engine, no need modification on the mountings, no changing the gearbox/brakes/fuel tank needed. Heard it’s cheap too RM1500 only including workmanship (USD410 only), one “ZTH forummer” did it… WHEN? Pending… By Mid 2007.
- Mild bodykits, just the Side skirtings including the bottom half of the doors.
- 17” rims (Already bought, Lenso 6 spoke semi chromed) and tyres (VERY SOON – by October latest).
- Changing the Extractor (Hotbits?)…

THAT’S ALL Folks! Will update on the 18^th month (ie.6 months later).

The Bridge (Based on a true story)

There was once a bridge which spanned a large river. During the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river paralleled with the banks, allowing ships to pass thru freely. But at certain times each day, a train would come and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing a train to cross it.

A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place when a train crossed.

One evening as the switchman was waiting for the light of the day to come, he looked off into the distance thru the dim twilight and caught sight of the trainlights. He stepped to the controls and waited until the train was within a prescribed distance within the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but, to his horror, found the locking control did not work. If the bridge was not secure in position, it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came on to it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard.

He left the bridge turned across the river, and hurried across bridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever switch that could hold to operate the lock manually. He would have to hold the switch back firmly as the train crossed.

He could hear the rumble of the train now. He took hold of the lever and kept applying the pressure to keep mechanism locked. Many lives depended on this man's strength.

Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control room, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. "Daddy, where are you?"

His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first impulse was to cry out to the child, "Run! Run!" But the train was close; the tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time.

He almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him but he realized that he would not be able to get back to the lever in time. Either the people on the train or his little son must die.

He took a moment to make his decision. The train sped safely about, on its way, and no one aboard was even aware of the tiny broken body, thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed. They did not see him walk home more slowly than he had ever walked: to tell his wife how the child had brutally died.

Now if you comprehend the emotions which went this man's heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Father in Heaven when He allowed His Son to bridge the gap between us and eternal life.

He caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken as His Son died. How does He feel when we speed along thru life without any thought to what was done for us thru Jesus Christ?

When was the last time you thanked Him for the sacrifice of His Son?

(Source: www.christianstories.com)

Motherboard still not fixed, killed by lightning...

It's been 2 weeks already since my Motherboard and ADSL Modem killed by lightning... Well, I have bought a new D-Link ADSL Router WIFI Modem BUT my motherboard is still left hanging in the middle.

You see, I send to HP for quotation, they quoted RM527 for the new motherboard + 100 for labour... I freaked out and took back my PC (By the way, my PC is branded (Compaq Presario), so that's why the following headache occurs... My friend took me to Jayacom Midvalley, bought a New Intel Motherboard for RM210 + 50 labour. It booted alright, but the Windows XP won't co-operate with the Motherboard as the Windows is tied down to the old "Compaq motherboard". Hence, there's only 3 ways to solve that...

1) Take back to HP, Pay RM627, fix back same model motherboard so that the Windows XP and the drivers in "E drive" Partition recognise it... You see Compaq stored all the drivers and Windows XP "CD" in a dedicated 4gb partition... The Boot CD used to access to the "E drive" partition won't work with other motherboards...

2) Buy a new Windows XP License and carry on... And re-download all the drivers.

3) Get a pirated Windows XP CD and get over it... But I won't enjoy IE7 and Security Updates AND there's going to be "tattoo" on the bottom right of the screen.

What should I do? Pls give feedback a.s.a.p...

Hope KL Student Camp...

(Pic: The Group 5 @ Limau Ice @ "Light green group" members with our own "Hats" ready for "Gala night"!)

It's been 11 days since the camp ended, I kept on thinking it just happened yesterday... It is our 1st ever Hope KL combined student camp which held in Methodist Centre, Port Dickson. This is a camp where students (about 160+ of them) from 3 Hope of God centres (Hope KLCC, Hope Serdang and Hope PJ) come together. FYI, I'm from Hope PJ...

It is held from Friday to Sunday (30 June to 2 July). I started my journey at 11.30am from church, where 3 cars depart together. It took us 1 1/2 hours to get there. We lepak for 45 mins before the camp registration started. Our theme is "Come Together". It is centered around a "Cruise Ship" called "Fellow Ship". There's "Cruise Commander and crews".

Upon registered, I found out that we were separated into 12 Groups (12 to 15 people in a group) of various colours. My group is Light Green. We called ourselves "Limau Ice". There were 13 of us in the group (7 of us in the 1st day). The "Ship Commander" get down to business on the 1st day itself, asking us to came out with a "War Cry" hence we went straight to it... The camp was later officiated by our senior pastor, Ps. Simon at night in an open field with clear skies, moon and Stars. Yes stars... Few of us even saw Meteors... At the end, the prayer request part... I went out to pray for the baptism of the "Holy Ghost" and I actually got it, I suddenly became breathless and tired & I began to... (for more on that, pls e-mail or call me... too "sensitive" for some people to mention here...)

Okay, I'm a little bit long winded, here are the highlights... On the 2nd day, It is also one of my most memorable days... Our "Cruise stopped by faith Island". Where workshops were conducted. I attended Danny's workshop on dealing with BGR (Boys - Girls relationship) & how and when to start a biblical relationship. It really opened my eyes after the workshop. Man it's hard to find complementing and... (For internal reference only, cannot disclose. E-mail me on that if you are keen, I might disclose some).

Another memorable thing is our termendous level of achievements in our group, "Limau Ice" led by Evelyn from Hope Serdang. We had devotion, making "hats together" for "Hot and Spicy night" (more on that later) and the icing of the cake, the telematch at the beach where "our Cruise ship" stopped in an Island. We won 2 out of 6 "stations" (given 2 eggs out of 6). Among the highlights of the game were getting wet", sand burying, walking past webbings etc (we were unfairly judged in the latter 2 match...).

After dinner, later in the night it's our "Hot and Spicy" night our "cruise ship gala night" where we turned up with our own hats... Entertained with the programmes, inspiring mission video clips and mission related sharings from our young and handsome pastor, Ps. Willy.

On the 3rd and final day, we woke up at 6.30am... Had "group excercise" before proceeded the best sunday service ever... Sunday service by the beachside... It was very memorable morning indeed singing P&W then, sitting on the soft and sandy beach hearing testimony by Kian Wee and sermons from Ps. Willy etc... After that, we washed up and had Breakfast.

Then we head to the hall where we had our last war cry and the most awaiting moments, the best of the best awards and appreciation awards presentation. Our team didn't win anything but at least we are not the bottom 3 (in our telematch I mean). After that we bid farewell and "departed" from the "Fellow ship" cruise ship and had our "Last lunch" as a group and said goodbye (I was holding back tears then)...

Summary: It was pretty much one of the best camp I've ever attended... All the 6 meals were fantastic... Only the telematch a bit let down. Though we only knew and work together (all except 2 were from Hope KLCC or Serdang) for 3 days as a Group (Limau Ice @ Group 5 @ Light green group), the level of unity and team spirit amazed me... It is as if we knew each other long time ago... I won't forget the quality time spent with them especially the 6 meals we had together as a group and all the teamwork from hat making to telematch... Will keep in touch with them... What I gained from the team were priceless... Looking forward to another Camp next year, heard it is "Entire Malaysia Hopenewgen Student camp". (Note there are 27 Hope of God churches around East and West Malaysia - big (KL, Kuching, JB), small and super small, so I can Imagine thousands of...)

Care group? What is a Care group?

As I mentioned to my friends, I go to Care group every Wednesday. Now you might ask "What is a Care group?"

A Care Group comprises of a small group of youths, young adults or families who come together regularly to share their lives with one another.

The Care Group generally consists of between seven to sixteen people. A facililator, who is known as Care Group leader, leads each care group, which meets up once a week to learn the Word of God as well as to update each other. The group usually meets in one of the members' home where they are encouraged to share and account to one another about their life experiences, much alike family members.

In a normal Care Group setting, members come together and build strong friendships, also know as fellowship, with each other. This is usually done through the praise and worship of God as a group plus the sharing of one another's lives/struggles. Typically, the group will start with some light-hearted games to ease the burdens of the week and to enjoy a cosy atmosphere followed by testimony among group members. The facilitator will then chair a discussion based on the previous weekend sermon message and encourage the group through prayers.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN CARE GROUP?

A Care Group offers you the opportunities of interacting within a community to build intimate personal relationships with other like-minded individuals, building priceless relationship with one another in the process. It also teaches you how to apply the Word of God into your daily living and provides you with an avenue for guidance by a more mature member.

OH! I almost forget, it's also an avenue where you can seek help for your Studies OR work as well... ALL NON-MUSLIMS ARE WELCOME!

Opening ceremony...

This is my 1st posting. This blog is my new home. I just partially migrated from Friendster blog. This blog is meant for "General Viewing" while my Friendster blog is more on personal side...

Why? It has some limitations eg. can't see how many ppl visit my site (I gotta pay for the features I want). Okay, let's celebrate the opening of this blog which by the way belongs to Jeff W H Lim (me).

*Pose for photographs...*

*Snips red ribbon*

*Crowd applause*

What I have to say about me is pretty much covered in my friendster profiles (Go to friendster, search for "JeffLim" (no spacing), there's only 2 users, I am one of them...) " so please check them out... The subsequent posts will reflect my personal thoughts, hurdles and lastly opinions on all sort of things... So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! By the way, this site will be updated AT LEAST twice a week!