10 Latest Updates ...

1. Enjoyed my 10 days alone with my darling, doing all the mummies duties ... wow! I love it but am glad that my parents are home again to help me! Its time like these that the contribution/help from my parents are greatly appreciated! Love you Mom & Dad and we miss you very much; and glad that your home with us, now! :D

2. This question comes up a lot over the week - What does it means to be a Christian Woman? Methodist Woman? Would love to hear your honest views/opinions, friends!

3. Its packing time, and was dealing with my darling daughter's first - found that she had 2 jeans. 2 long sleeve shirts, 2 set thermal suits, 2 sweaters, 1 winter jacket set (complete with hat, gloves, scarf), walking shoes, and that's it. Is that enough for 3 weeks wintery weather? Not if we are to smell good!!! So she needs maybe 2 more pairs of jeans & 2 l/sleeve shirts?! I know, I know ... all we're going to see in the pictures will be the winter jacket, hat, gloves & scarf .... but, hey! got to wear relatively clean inner wears too! ;)

4. Pulled out my jeans (yup, I do wear them and they are at least 20 years old, great condition, fit well (in January 2010!!) and my many sweaters (yup from 10 yrs ago but worn annually!!) and find that they fit me fine but tighly! mmmmm

5. Weight myself this week ... WOW!!! I need to loose the extra kgs!!! ok ok friends, I know that I have extra kgs as it is; BUT this is new extra kgs from the existing extra kgs .. got it??!!! LOL I need personal trainer ... any volunteer? ;)

6. Self-examination of one's faith & commitment to the Church/Methodist Women. Prioritizing on the various commitment ... Lord give me the strength to deal with all these! Give me the strength, wisdom, etc also to deal with these young/old women.

7. I am all set for my leave!! Really excited about this adventure with my darling! :)

8. It still amazes me that senior officers still need guidance/reminders in carrying their duties/functions! There is a limit to the level of tolerance/understanding to incompetencies! It upsets me when their works are linked with mine, and then they have the audacity to say, they are not 'aware' of requests, 'overlooked', or whatever 'excuses' that comes to their mind! Yet, they are given opportunities for promotion!! Brings to mind the statement ... some people works for 10 years and gain 10 years of experience, whilst others may only gain a year's experience!

9. Scheduled to travel for 2 days to Kota Kinabalu next week; but I am just not in the mood to go as the workshop topics are nothing new. There's only so much knowledge/information that can be 'drilled' into me. So only my young technician will attend it. He will enjoy the environment!

10. The wheels of government machinery moves at its own pace. You want to be get upset, what's the point; it will get done when it gets done! The only good thing is that, I am just waiting for the formal letter - as I have been informed that 'it' had been verbally approved. Yet, I feel better once the letter is in hand. :D

Change is Here...

Praise the Lord, Wind of Change is blowing through Sarawak Iban Annual Conference-Methodist Women! How 'strong' the 'wind' will depend on His chosen group of 'young' ladies who have been elected to lead for the next 2 years. Pray for us to receive guidance/blessing to do his work and fullfill the mission at hand. The theme for the next quadranium is "Spreading the Gospel, Transform the Nation" (hope the translation is right, but I will get the English version, soon and update here).

In any organization/society, Change is hard to accept and lots of resistance to it from the 'old' timers or former leaders, but with prayers and guidance from the President SIAC Rev Steward Damat, we tend to 'follow' and be 'guided' by our spiritual leader. Thank you Lord for your merciful blessings and guidance!

Here's the new 'young' ladies, 95% first timers, elected to lead the SIAC-MW for the next 2 years. May the Lord bless and guide them as they do Lord's works through Methodist Women aka Bala Indu Methodist.

By the way, yours truly was nominated for the post of President, and was appointed as Vice-President. You will wonder ... how does the system works? Well, I lost the election for the Presidency and thus appointed as the Vice. This was one of the challenge and matter that I have been praying about for years, to be or not to be; to heed the call or ignore it? In the end, I leave it to His hands and He has spoken and defined the role. Include me in your prayers that I will be able to deliver and serve.

Maybe as I wonder, and I'm sure others do also is how am I going to fit THIS new role into my already busy life! Work is already so demanding with my many functions/responsibilities coupled with my leadership of Sarakup, other community societies PLUS now MW? Well, the Lord knows what you need and put you in the 'right' place and creates 'right' environment etc.. PLT, my 2 key officers in Sarakup are now more free to take more active roles; see how the Lord 'arranges' our life!

Let's go forth, and do what we have to! I would love to quote great Bible verses at this juncture, but know only one (recognizing this as my weakness) and so I will leave with a request my friends ... Pray for me always to have the wisdon, strength, love, and passion to do Lord's work in whatever capacity He has emplaced me!

Oktober ...

Bulan Oktober, aku enda gagau amat, tang enti berati ke iya ... sama aja. bulan bukai pen ngeyibok tu!

Bulan tu mayoh amat pengawa ke dikerja aku belaboh ari aku ke berjako motivasi ngagai 3000 pelajar universiti di Semenanjung aba UPM Serdang. Tu meh keterubah iya aku bejako enggau

bala orang ubas ke ngemayoh nya; lalu lama aku berunding ke nama utai ke patut dibai aku. Nama pekara ke ka didinga sida. Pengujung iya, aku mai siti topik ke betajuk - 'Empowerment'. Enti nitih ke pemesai tempub jari, topik tu disambt sida enggau manah. Pia mega, ketegal dipeda aku lebih kurang 70% bala anaembiak ianya bala indu, lalu diselit ke aku tentang 'women leadership'.

October is a hectic month for me and I have another week of it; then its relaxation time (although not until mid next month!). It started with the speakin engagement with about 3000 university students at the Putra University campus on the 12.10.10. It was challenging time, as I rarely talked to students of that age group and was not quite sure of what are their expectations. However, after much praying I decided to talk about Empowerment & Women Leadership. I chose the later, after noticing that about 70% of the students at the function are young ladies! The talk went well, and I believe the topic was well received by them.

Bala anaembiak nge-regista diri.

Pengambis 'conference' aku hari lima kemari, aku pen nuh berumban-rumban ngagai The Outback aba Bangsar Village laban udah berjanji makai malam enggau sebilik aku. Kami sekaligus ngintu hari pengada anak tuai, anak no. 3 serta menyadi tuai aku! Semua bujang sigat ke ngintu pengada alam bulan Oktober. Selama Hari Pengada, awak ke Allah Taala selalu ngibun & merkat sida!

Later in the week, while in KL; I took my young handsome men to The Outback, Bangsar Village to celebrate their birthdays ... 19 & 21! It was a wonderful time of sharing, the food was delicious, and the family time just precious! Don't mind the lil cake, as it was his 2nd cake (1st cake was just as BIG from elder aunty; all cakes were from elder aunty!); and his 2nd celebration. Happy Birthday my darlings! May the Lord guide & protect you always!

Siti kek besai & mit - ukai ketegal berchepin, tang ke mit udah bisi kek besai maya hari iya dulu. Anak bujang aku dua iko (nephews).

Restoran KL Tower ... wow! Chukup Manah menoa dipeda, umbas iya penyamai pemakai! Aku minggu ke dulu agi, sempat kia ketegal mai kaban ribai se-pengawa enggau aku makai malam. Tu kira ke malas penelap iya engau aku maya aku di London pun taun tu kemari. Bayar makai mar mimit, tang dibangs engga pemayoh macam pemakai ari Jepun, Ribai & Malaysia - kira ke chukup manah meh.

I round up the week with a dinner 'date' with a work colleague/friend from UK, who was in KL for the Water Loss Asia 2010 conference, and it was a great night of fellowship! He was so kind to me when I was in London earlier this year, and I thought I should return the flavour in my home country! Took him to the KL Tower and it was a really great evening ... beautiful scenery, delicous food, and great companionship. We were able to enjoy the view of KL as we enjoyed dinner, get to sample various food ie Japanese/Chinese/Malay/Western all in the turning tower!

Pemandang ari restoran. Gambar2 enggau kaban enda ulih dibantai ... bah iya 'belalai'!

Hari lima tu kemari, aku pen berumban-rumban enggau bala Sarakup ngulu Randau Pengerai aba Polyclinic Lanang. Bala kami dibai ninga randau pengerai pasal penyakit kitai orang indu, udah nya bisi uji pengerai. Kira-kira 150 orang bala Sarakup bisi enggau ngulu randau tu.

Bala Sarakup bergumpul mending ke randau.

Last Friday, about 150 Sarakup ladies atended the Health Talk jointly organized with the Polyclinic Lanang. The talk was on general women's health and later health screening was conducted. All the screening was free; and so it was a great opportunity for members and the service that afternoon was also solely for us.

Next week, the annual conference of the Methodist Women of the Iban Conference will start; and this is what I have been praying about - for direction. I believe that it have been 'answered' but we're wait and see by the end of next week. We're leave it to the Lord!

Minggu baru, aku mega belaboh gagau ketegal aum betaun bala indu gereja .... lalu tu meh pengawa ke disampi ke aku ngelama tu. Ngiga petunjuk Allah Taalah, lalu pengasai aku; Iya udah meri penerang/petunjuk pengawa ke patut dikerja. Kitai sama-sama besampi ke iya nitih ke peneka Tuhan.

Penguji ... Life's Challenge...

Pengidup kitai enda penuh enggau penguji lalu alam pengidup aku, leka jako bup kudus alam bup Mathew 7:7 tauka Luke 11:9 - endang sigi selalu dibaca aku. Siti agi penguji pengidup ngetuk pintu aku minggu nyin kemari maya aku diasoh bala Sarawak ke diau di KL/Semenanjung bejako motivasi ke bala anaembiak kitai pupu bangsa. Leka jako ke terubah masuk pikir aku ... enda ulih aku, laban ngawa! Enda mukai-mukai, nyangka nya peneka Allah Taalah; hari ke bejako nya nitih ke atur pejalai aku ke ngulu aum Water Loss Asia 2010! Bakani ka nulak, semua teratur!

Ke selalu iya, buah jako aku enda pasal kitai indu Dayak/Iban ngemansang ke diri ianya pasal 'empowering' (meri kitai penau/kuasa ngemansang ke diri) lalu selalu diselit ke aku jako ari bup kudus. Keselalu nya bala ke mending ke jako aku, kitai indu Dayak/kitai bangsa Dayak! Tu pupu bangsa, pupu agama ... reti nya ... jako aku mesti nyengkaum semua. Selalu aku bejako enggau orang ke 'tuai' ke enda aus ke pemansang bangsa; sekali tu ke bala orang ubas, ke aus ninga perangsang jalai ngemansang ke bangsa. Sida madah dijangka 3000 orang!!

Naka ke diatu; utai ke deka dibai aku - udah bisi diati; tang empai tersusun. Ulih ka enda aku tu siap nyendia ke diri?

Life is indeed full of challenges; and most times to Dayak women on topics of development and empowerment. Last week, I was invited to speak to about 3000 university students at a function next week; and my first reaction (maybe due to fright!!) was to say that I could not as I have work commitment! But the Lord's have His own plans, and the speaking schedule just fit so wonderfully with my official duty! OH ... the Lord always knows what His children need! Am I the 'messenger'? What do I know about motivating students? They certainly are not my normal audiences! How do I incorporate my normal topic to suit this vast audiences of varying race & religion. The fact that I always incoporate Bible verses into my presentations/speeches ... well, what am I going to do now! I certainly cannot or can I quote Bible verses?

So until now, my preparation is still zero; although I have a firm framework of what I want to talk about ... but the content is still blank!! I am leaving it to the Lord to guide me! Its going to be either a once only invitation or going to be a series, depending on how well accepted it is! Either way, with Him as my guide; I will not be Afraid! :)

Bala indu Dayak/Iban ke selalu mending ke jako aku.

My usual audience - Dayak women.

Bejako ke peninga ribai /profesional enda ngesal ke ati.

Am fine with speaking on technical issues to western audience.

Bejako enggau aneambiak, chukup ngirau ke aku ... taja bala ke ninga ke aku lebih tuai ari sida bujang sigat tu! Bala ke ninga ke aku ianya bala pelajar universiti!

Speaking to young audiences worry me, although my intended audiences are university students; not these cuties! Cuties are my church members children!

Rosalyn Sandah's son Wedding ...

Kemari bisi enggau nguluk pengerami makai tengahari kawin Luis Jarraw enggau Georgina aba Paramount Hotel. Luis tu anak Rosalyn, siko ari exco SIDS Sibu ke aktif; lalu mayoh bala Sarakup bisi enggau pengerami.
Aku enda lanchat ngambi gambar, agi pen aku di tisi duduk enggai angat!

Rosalyn & laki iya serta Luis & bini iya.

Bala Sarakup ke semija enggau aku!

12 Life Interests ..

1. Feeling the 'great pain' of writing my thesis. At times like this, I realized that I have made the wrong decision to do this part-time. When its time to concentrate to do the thesis, the mind is off ... daydreaming or needing to do more interesting tasks or simply the mind & brain cells go blank!! This week the brain cells refused to function!!


2. Watching the excitement on my daughter, Valerie, face as we prepare for our winter holiday! Pray that it would not be too cold or no snow! However, I know if any of these happened - she will enjoy the cold cold weather and snow. She will be ecstatically thrilled!! It will be her first snow!!! Maybe we will experience some snow in the mountains of Switzerland :D


3. Putting up a list winter clothes needed - more for Valerie. She had outgrown hers from years ago! I have a closetful of winter clothes, albeit the styles of 1980s (most of it!) and styles of 2005 (only 4 warm blouses). I do, however, have the latest style of winter jacket (style of 2010); and this after being ticked off by my loving fashionista niece (Kim) & darling daughter (Val). My 1980s & 2005 winter jackets still fit nice & warm, and it will be fashionable again!


4. Took our annual pictures. I was looking for a certain casual look & background, but the photographer didn't quite capture it or he didn't understand what I wanted! Overall it turned out good, but not great! Well, I guess I just need to take the photographer to the beach!


5. Valerie will be competing in an essay writing competition tomorrow (16/9/10), and we do anticipate to win the RM1,000.00 First Prize!!! YEAH Confidence is the Key Word! :D


6. Meet the teachers day at Val's school is also tomorrow - which means that I have to be in 2 places in the morning! hmmm the perils of motherhood - juggling schedule!


7. I am growing!!! My clothes fit me snugly now - so I either looked sexy or bulging, depending on the 'eye of the beholder'! lol DARN!!


8. Psyche myself to exercise & loose 10kg before going off for my holiday!! Is it POSSIBLE? YES! Is it HAPPENING? YES!! Am I DETERMINED? YES!!! Am I DOING it? NOT YET!!! Am I STARTING? TOMORROW!!!!!!


9. Dont think TOO Much! Just Do It!


10. ISO sayings comes to mind - Write what you Do, Do what you Write, Improve. So MY saying says - Write what you Say you Want to Do, Do what you Say you will, Think about it, Then think further if you Want to Do it, Then Just Do It, yeaaahhh Do It!


11. Completed my paper presentation for the SIDS Sibu Workshop this weekend titled - The Roles of Dayak Women in SIDS Sibu. Its an intriquing, different, motivating & empowering paper.


12. Finally, and the most important - preparing for the 'Sampi Nyangkung' (translated maybe .. World Day of Prayer for Women? ) which is carried out throughout September by Methodist Women. So its been fellowship/worship from house to house, and this Saturday will be at my place. Having a group of the rural/longhouse women over in the evening for praise/sharing of the Words of God. Lord, give me the wisdom & strength to share & motivate & empower these women!

Have a good day, All!! I need to go out and buy exercise shoe!

Kerja sambil cuti di Kota Kinabalu ...

Minggu tu tadi, kami duai menyanak enggau apai & indai ... cuti-cuti 4 hari ke Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Ngambi peluang tu laban cuti sekula serta aku mega bisi pengawa mimit aba din mega. Bandar tu endang manah endal, sigi rindu aku raun semina enda sempat ke pulau-pulau aja.

Bala indu-indu jurutera endang pandai ngelindun diri ari panas. Keda nya bercermin mata itam, bertupi, berkarong jari ... Guido (ribai), Zuria (jurutera ari JBA KK)

Observing the installation of the system. Its good to note that there is an increased number of ladies engineers in the water industry! Used to be only me for decades!

Batang pejalai aku ke kerja ianya meda progrim NRW sida di JBA Sabah; sida diberi perintah besai RM1billion nurun ke NRW sida ari 71% ngagai ke diatu lebih kurang 40%! Aku tu nuh jeles meda pemayoh geran ke diberi. Nama meh kitai enda bulih!? Aku enggau tem aku kusil-kusil ngena duit RM1juta ngadu ke NRW, ke diatu 29%.

Partly, the Sabah visit was to learn from them how they handle their NRW program; however, the diference is great in terms of financial. But, we just have to do the best we could with the limited funds. Malaysia Boleh! The concept of how its done is standard and we're doing exactly that - with slower result due to the limited activities due to limited funds.

Sekeda nya bepayung ... nadai peduli ke bala ke bukai.

Tang harinya chukup angat maya pagi; tang meh ujan lebat maya tengahari/malam hari.

Ir. Teo (kiba) ari JBA Sabah

We holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for 4 days; took my parents along also for the trip. It was a great 4 days relaxation for them enjoying the hotel facilities & visiting the wonderful sights. The city has really developed since my last visit about a decade ago, with more malls & equally lots of 'illegals'. I wasn't able to differentiate whether they were the locals or illegals of Indonesia/ Philippine ... but there seems to be a big number. Squatters are almost everywhere by the riverside or on any government land.

Sempat kami sebuat raun2 ke jetty. / Visiting at the jetty.

Raun2 aba jetty

In front of the Craft market, lots of these tailors.

Nguji kaja sumazau ... trying the sumazau dance

Couldn't resist taking a pic of this pub ... what a name!

Bergulai enggau bala staf NRW aku ...

With my staff & daughter with the cultural village dancers