Mount KK Trip - April 2005

8 April 2005

I’ve got my things packed. It was a headache packing them! I was complaining how mah-fan it was having to pack two bags with different sets of clothes. Sigh! Anyway, glad that it’s done. I dunno what to look forward to, but I do hope that we’ll all make it to the top.

I’m going with not much expectation, dunno what we’ll be doing except that lots of hiking up the mountain. Gosh! I hope I’m fit enough! Anyways, my eyes are tired. Got to sleep! Slept at 3 am the night before and got up at 7.20am. By God’s grace and strength I was able to carry through this day.

9 April 2005–2.27am

We’ve finally arrived…. It’s a beautiful place, resort-ty looking, cottage feel. I love it! Thank God we arrived safely! Our flight was delayed for almost an hour. AirAsia had some safety check which therefore affected the time. The flight was bad for me, but everybody else seems okay. I felt like barfing at one point. It was a bumpy ride.

We finally reached the airport at 9pm plus, ate dinner in the town. It was a cheap one for me, RM 5.50, tai-chau shared with 8 people. Didn’t wanna join mom, wanna be independent in terms of food.

Anyway, later on we took a bus ride up to this resort. It was a long and winding road. Two hours journey. Yet again I felt uncomfortable and at one point felt like barfing too! I think I prolly have too much gas in me. It’s getting really late 2.34am…. I need to wake up at 6 am! I hope mom doesn’t snore tonight.

A brand new day ahead! the hiking starts! I pray for good weather and good health among all climbers. Thank You Lord!

8.20pm

I’m in a room sharing with seven other people. Sleeping in the upper bunk. Mom’s below me. It has been a long and tiring day!

We left Pine Resort after breakfast 8-9 plus. Reached the KK park to get our porter and tags. I salute the porters. They are superhuman. Some gal are only 16! Tiny and petite carrying loads of 14 kg. That’s the weight some church guys carry for OA trip. I felt so embarrassed or pity them? But hey, I think it’s their way they find a living. Once again, I salute the porters.

Mom and the aunties found their bags too heavy to be carried by themselves. They hired a porter. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!

Yeah, anyway we left the park entrance at about 9 plus and began our real hiking at 10. it was okay in the beginning. We walked on nice hiking trails till I met the first flight of stairs. Horror!!! It was so steep!!! I think prolly 60 – 70 degrees. Gosh! Anyway made it through. And guess what? Throughout the journey, it’s all flights of steps. Some with wooden plank, some just plain rock.

I’ve never climbed so much of steps before! Each time we reached a stop, I’ll rejoice as it means we’re one step closer to our destination. There are 7 stops altogether.

The scenery varies. At some point it looks like scene out of fairy tales, other times rainforest, sometimes it looks like China too! it’s really beautiful! I love the scenery up here except for the climb. Stairs after stairs after stairs, Phew!

I’m so gald I’m on my bed right now. looking back, I would have never thought I’d be able to make it. I mean where in the world would I climb so much?! God is good! Thank God I managed to persevere. Hallelujah!

It’s Sunday service tomorrow. Gonna miss

church! well, I pray God will strengthen all the climber, provide each and everyone of us good night rest that we wake up feeling refreshed. =)

10 April 2005

I’ve made it! I couldn’t believe it that I made it to the top. It was tough, tiring, every step was grueling. Every step I took I thought I was gonna have altitude sickness. Really thank God for the strength and healthy body he gave me.

We woke up at 4am this morning. Slept quite well till the last hour. The heater in the room was way too warm. I was sweating in the upper bunk! So hot till I have to take off the extra layer of clothe.

Anyway, the alarm rang at 4 am. I had a good rest. Wore a long john sleeve, one woolen turtleneck, one windbreaker jacket, two pairs of bottoms for the hike. We started our hiking at 5.30am. it was still a little dark, had to use our torchlight. The air outside was cold. I had my hood on all the time, to protect my face from the sun and the cold wind.

Climbing up was grueling. There was countless number of staircases. Stairs made out of wood, rocks. They were a killer! I suffered through it…. each time I see a new rows of steps dawning, I moan and wonder why I choose to climb. I would rather stayed back at Pine Resort. Uncle Ong really had good stamina. He said he would go slow, but still he was way far ahead of us. I admire his strength for his age.

Anyway back to the steps, I had a tough time. really thank God for Jay. She’s got a pace like mine, slow; slow and steady. After the whole flight of stairs, we finally reached the rope parts.

I heard it form the porters that we’d need our hand muscle to pull us up the rope. We caught a glimpse of the ropes afar off. It was daunting! But I must say, it was the easiest part of the whole climb! I love it!!!

The rocks were quite steep, not for those who are afraid of height. Uncle Ong was nice enough to show us where to step. It was awesome. That was the easiest in the whole climb! Soon enough we reached Sayat-Sayat. I was cheering each time we stop and rest at a place closer to the summit. Praise God!

The landscape here is different. The trees are like dead branches, whitish, some looked like bonsias. I love the shrubs. Some with cute little white flowers. It has that ancient look.

The pics that was displayed during Acts church’s announcement was really how it looked like. I couldn’t believe we have that type of scenery in Malaysia.

Anyway, we registered again in Sayat-Sayat. Another 1 km up till we reach the summit. The air was thin. Every ten meters or 20 steps I had to stop and catch my breathe. Thank God for the guide, he helped me carried my bag. I pray that God would bless him and his family. Apparently this is his hundredth time going up that mountain.

We could see people form afar off coming down. It looks near but yet still so far. Each step taken was a determination, looking back, I still couldn’t believe that I made it. I was at the summit of Mount

Kinabalu! After all these years of dreaming, wishing, I finally made it. Yay! Praise God!

I’m so proud of my mom, I mean I never thought she’d be so sporting, so full of stamina and yeah she made it too!

I congratulated Uncle Ong for making his 50^th climb! He’s the man! Reaching the summit, we hanged out there for about an hour, munching and enjoying the victory. Enjoying the view too….it was great!

Coming down was much easier, but the knees hurt though. Gonna pinjam my mom’s knee guard tomorrow. At some point, we walked through the mist but I would call it the clouds. It was so cool, I mean from the foothill we’d say that they are clouds. Yay! I’m so glad that we’ve made it.

The reality of climbing Mount

K and reaching the summit still hasn’t sink in yet. I mean, it’s gonna take me a while to realize that. Wow, I’ve made it!

11pm

After briefing we had a few rounds of mafia game. It was good. At first I was quite blur, but got a hang of it. It’s quite analytical and need a good observation skill. It’s fun being the mafia going around killing people. Haha! But in the end the mafia lost one round. Finally saw the pattern; they are all very united in their votes.

Anyway later we went out to look at the stars. It was freezing cold but well worth it. I haven’t seen so many stars after so long, it was a clear cloudless night. The stars were like Chirstmas lights on huge giant tree. I saw the Milky Way, the Orion belt. Wow! I wish KL has that kind of night sky. Sigh!

Uhncle Ong led us in a few songs, it was a good time of fellowship and bonding. Well worth it. Thank You Lord!

11 April 2005

My muscles are aching, I’m tired, lack of sleep, I miss my bed! I miss the comfort of home! Last night it was so freezing cold in the dorm! I had thick layers of clothes yet still feeling cold ended up not sleeping at all throughout the night. Gosh, just now eating dinner I felt like dozing off adee….

Anyway, the hike down was definitely much easier. I put on the trusty knee guards. Hehe…. Some of the girls look were using walking sticks, looked like an ah-mah struggling. I was in the last batch to go down. Uncle Ong is really great! He kept playing the guitar, makes the hike down livelier. And he’s really fats! Even though I went much earlier than him a few times, he still overtook us. Lots of people who were climbing up, stopped to take pictures of him.

Oh yeah, I found out the child porter is only 10 years old! The porter and the guides are great people. Once again, I truly admire them. I see them carrying loads of things on their back and wow, they never complained. Yeah, I’ve never heard a single complaint, only smiles on their faces. I didn’t get to give the porter who helped carried my bag halfway up the mountain. I wrote a little not of appreciation and wanted to give him some money. But I waited and waited till the bus had to leave, he’s still not back yet ‘coz they were waiting for the slow ones. Anyway, I prayed that God would bless each and everyone of the porters and guides graciously and abundantly.

We had lunch back at Pine Resort, at in the outer deck. Admire the view of the hilly country side. I imagined also what would it be like hiking up those tiny hills. Would it be tougher than KK? How nice if we could juts fly up to the summit.

Right now I’m at Poring, in the dormitory. Some people were disappointed by the condition of the tubs. They had high expectations based on what Uncle Ong said. I myself was looking forward to soak in the tub. Sigh! I mean I knew how it would look like but I didn’t expect the water pressure to be so low. Aargh! And my tub was leaking! No wonder I was waiting wan waiting for it to fill up, I was only wasting my time as almost half of it is gone. I did managed to dip sitting in the tub.

Dinner we had Maggie mee! The only restaurant there has bad service so we gave up waiting. My mom being a generous host too us to drink coconut water and later adjourned to her room for instant noodles. The six gals went. Oooo…. Her room is so much nicer, had sofa, pretty bed. The dorm room was okay, but the toilet is bad. Some showers didn’t even have locks! Thank God we’re only there for a night.

12 April 2005

I’m at Gayana

Island now. It’s a beautiful place. Lovely, the best place to stay in the past few days. Comparable to Pine Resort. We left Poring in the morning. Wanted to go for canopy walk but didn’t make it ‘coz we’d have to climb 500 metres and 20 mintutes hike. Min’s leg was aching from the KK climb, so we turned back.

Breakfast was at the row of shops in front of the Poring Resort. Service was slow but it was a new experience. Eating in a small little town “restaurant” that place you can even find a internet café! Heheh….

Anyway we later adjourned to Salut Prawn farm for lunch. Ate loads of prawns and crab and shell stuffs. it was good! Kinda sick of seafood now!

We took a ferry to the island. It’s lovely! It has chalets on stilts, something like Avillion. It has a paradise feel. Uncle Ong was right when he said we’ll see thousand of fishes swimming. There really were!! Even when I step out of the chalet right now, I’ll see fishes in the sea! It’s really amazing. Too bad some people don’t know the importance of keeping the environment clean. I see quite a lot or plastic rubbish floating about. Sigh!

Anyway, I tried snorkeling today! It’s my first time, and wow it’s a wonderful experience. We took a speed boat about 500 metre away form this resort to the marine park. I was kinda nervious when we were in the speedboat ‘coz the water looked kinda dark and I don’t like dark water!!

I was quite relieved when we reached the jetty. It’s shallow. We put on our gears and I buddied with min. it was great. it wasn’t as hard as I thought it’s be. When I saw the corals beneath the water and the fishes, I just marveled. There were just so many fishes! I was kinda excited at first, just kept on paddling, busy looking at everything. But if you stay still and just observe, you’d see things like clams opening and closing, spot on fishes, corals and plants.

Oh! And I saw the sea urchins! Each time I see them I panicked. Gosh! I hope I don’t have nightmares of them. It’s those black pointy animals, which looks really intimidating especially when it stares back at you with those eyes and mouth. Seriously each time I see them I panicked and I’d swim as far away as possible!

The underwater is totally an amazing place. After dinner we had a feast with our eyes by the display of a school of fishes. They were swimming around like dancing ballet, synchronizing to silent music. It’s very relaxing juts to watch them swim. And it’s really true! You’ll see fishes everywhere! Just outside the lobby you’d see thousands of fishes, big, small, colourful. It’s wow!

The feeling is indescribable, the things that I saw underwater I hope I’d never forget what it looked like.

13 April 2005

I’ll be leaving the island soon, I’ve got one hour to go till the ferry arrives. Diving was cancelled; I guess the rest of their energy was drained out. I did go for a swim in the open pool. It’s lovely….. it looked kinda scary at first from the top but the tip if just to relax and don’t panic. It’s such a nice feeling swimming with the fishes. Thank God there was a goggle for me to borrow. The water tasted so salty. Yeah, how often do I get to swim in the open sea? Never! The water was warm too!

This trip truly had been enjoyable. Even if the muscle aches and my mouth still taste salty, I would say it’s worth it. It’s all in the package. Without the pain and the senses, this trip wouldn’t have meant anything. Without the toughness and shortness of breathe each step to the top of the mountain and tightness of leg muscles, tiredness of shoulder, we wouldn’t have know how hard it is to reach the summit and enjoy the moment of knowing that you have passed the endurance test. Would say every pain counts, without it, this trip wouldn’t have meant much, it would be so easy to say that I did it without anybody’s help but it’s not true. I was humbled and relied on God’s strength most of the time and friends’ slow pace and of course ever grateful to the guides who helped me up the summit. May God bless them!

The icy cold shower at the lodge too was a new experience. Knowing that I could do that, I’m a little more confident and sure that I can go for Terlimau OA mission. The hike down with tired legs and kept on relying on God’s strength helps. Every step was a step forward to the finish line. Every step was a step of endurance.

The feeling and sensation of seeing thousands of fishes up-close was awesome. Never had I imagined I would get to do it in this trip. Seeing the scary pointy clack sea urchins face to face made me panicked but still it adds on to the experience. Seeing the huge crab hiding in they holes feeding on the corals makes me just stop and look and observe the things around. Seeing the many fishes remind me of the many wonderful opportunities and things that life has got to offer. Seeing the corals…. Well, honestly they didn’t look that pretty, looked like brain and it wasn’t really colourful ‘coz it was already 5pm evening.

Well, once again this trip had been great. I’m blessed, yeah thanks to my mo for paying and the organizer for organizing such trip. I’m gonna miss the things that I saw and experience

My Experience In Miss Malaysia Pageant

5 SEP 2005

We checked in at 9.00 am, my roommate is Audrey. Never judge a book by its cover or even your first impression. Initially I thought she’s a very quiet person but I was wrong! It’s easy to get along with her and she’s sweet. I’m yet to discover more about her.

Oh, some of the girls are sick, Audrey too. I prayed for her yesterday and even myself. Lord, please grant us good health. I am believing for some of them to know the Lord. Shanice has expressed interest into coming to my church.

We had dance practice yesterday, the steps are simple but it’s kinda hard to remember the sequence, We went to the Loft yesterday. Had buffet dinner. It was a fusion of Western and Japanese food. All wonderfully made. Had sushis, oyster, clams, pasta. Oh, one of the clam was bad and at the same time a photographer wanted to take a picture of me. It was awkward having to spit the bad clam into the napkin, gently and ladylike. He prolly thought I was weird.

I met quite a number of ppl yesterday. Loco was one of the, the guy from Poetic Amo. Adam also a local artiste, knows Agnel. I was promoting a bit of Altered Frequency. This guy was a bit of touchy so it kinda made me feel a lil uncomfy. Thank God Thana was there.

Thana did a wonderful job in protecting us, making sure we’re on schedule, organizing and introducing us. He really feels like a “Mordecal” to me.

I also met a few ppl who know Pastor Kenneth. Met Christine again, the founder of Special Children Society of Ampang.

Oh, I was interviewed by NTV7! The guy is really cute. Hehe… his name is KC. The questions he asked was general, how is the experience so far, what are you going to do is you win, what is the most challenging part. I was really being myself answering the questions. Marlene is really a good communicator, she was in the interview too. But she’s not my type of person, she’s really aggressive, pushing her way around. Sheesh!

Anyway, in overall, it was a good experience. I’m learning to enjoy it. Before we left for dinner and the clubbing scene, I read this verse in Ester 3:4

“Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to him, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew”

I really believe it’s God’s word for me and guiding and advising, reminding me. Whether I would stand by my principles, believes, standards and words. Lord, I’ve been put to this place, and I want to make you proud and give you glory. It’s only You who can promote and give favour. Riches and glamour do not give life but you give eternal life. Your crown matter most.

Lord, I pray that You guide my every single moves. Holy Spirit lead me in the path of righteousness and lead me away from the traps of death and sins. Help me go through and choose the narrow ways and no enter in through the easy way. Lord, let everything that I do glorify Your name and people see that You are living in me. Let me be your salt and light to this group of people who have not known You yet.

Lord, I commit once again this pageant into your hand. Sigh! No matter what’s the results, I choose to glorify You. Lord, grant me wisdom and guide me. Thank you Lord!

6 SEP 2005

Woke up about 8 am, had morning call. We had breakfast buffet at the café. Oh my gosh! It’s like being a kid in a candy store! There’s so many good stuffs to choose from and all look so tempting and delicious. Everything are prettily made up and you just wanna grab a bite of each and every food there is. There’s Chinese, Indian, western, fruits, pastry, cereals and even a chocolate fountain! Hehehe….

After that, we had our dance practice again. it was kinda relaxing, had a lot of free time, spent most or it resting and sleeping. We had dinner at sunway, Flam. Oh, before that, my family members saw the interview on NTV7. they said I answered confidently and did a good job! Thank God, they didn’t make me look stupid. Was kinda worried that they might do that. But I guess they did a good job in editing too.

The compliments that I got for the interview was encouraging and it certainly boost up my confidence. Thank you Lord for always guiding me through and leading me. Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to be with me through thick and thin. Lord, i depend on you for wisdom and words to answer the questions. Lord, I depend on You for strength and peace that guards my heart. Lord, I surrender my all to You.

7 SEP 2005

Morning

I’ve just had my hair and make up done. The prejudging will be happening in the noon and now it’s only 10.39am! Gosh! I’m so tired, just feel like dozing off. Okay, I’m gonna do my bible reading soon, and spend some time praying too. God help me!!!

Very late at night

I’ve just came back from dinner. Even before I went, I had bad feeling about it. Just because the owner, some dunno who datuk booked the whole restaurant, we have to dress up nicely and go makan. Felt like a concubine!

And indeed it was, we girls have to accompany some old datuks makan dinner. Oh my gosh! That was the thing that made me frown and uncomfy. Some of the datuks look like some “chee-ko-pek”, entah macam apa?!

But then again, I’m glad I attended the dinner. At least I get a glimpse at a politician’s life. Saw someone I knew there too. I was sitting beside this middle age guy, dunno who in the world he is until we started talking. Found out that he works for Carlsberg and I told him what I think about it. Having to lose someone dear to alcohol. He also said that he used to work for tobacco firm. Urgh! Lagi banyak I have to say about it! I shared with him some of the things AYA does, telling the youth that they don’t need to drink and smoke. They can choose to make a stand. I think that kinda set him back a bit. Then I told him what I believe in, that his company should do something for the society. Having earned so much from the society, they should give back. Haha, it was funny how after the second course, he went missing from my table. I told Bobby that he prolly got scared of me! But he came back in the end. I believe I made a lasting impression on him. Thanks to all the training I got from my work and church.

The pre-judging is finally over! I’m so glad that I’ve got that burden off my shoulder. It carried like 70% of marks. Tomorrow I’m just gonna enjoy myself and breeze along. I believe I’ve obtained God’s favour! Hehehe…

One of the judges is Winnie Loo. I’m guessing she’s the one who saw my application in the mix up. Other judges are Camelia, Ida Nerina, Cilla Foong, one Chinese designer and one Denmark guy. Anyway, once I sat down, Winnie terus tembak me with the question on who’s my role model and why. So I said my mom and Pastor Sandra. Mommy’s stuffs is the biasa one lar, but Pastor Sandra’s the one who inspired me to live up to be a woman of standard, integrity and substance.

Can’t really remember all the questions but I do remember Ida Nerina said that I was judgmental. She asked me to explain on living a right life, so I said what I knew. Examples don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t have pre-marital sex. Not lar I’m saying all student do that but because most students when they have freedom, they’ll get off-track if not careful. They need someone to guide them and tell them when they get off-track.

Anyway, I believe God is with me all along the way. Thank You Lord!

8 SEP 2005

At Backstage – Rehearsal

Lord, I commit all these into your hand. Sigh! Although I would really want to win, I would still commit this pageant into Your hand. No matter what’s the result, be it winning or not winning, I want to glorify You. I believe I’ve done my purpose here, standing in what I believe. Inspire and making an influence in another girl’s life. Telling them it’s okay not to fall into peer pressure. Had a chance to speak my mind to some Datuks. I mean who in the world would have had this kind of opportunity?!

Well, Lord I believe I’ve done my job here. I feel really proud of myself! No matter what’s the results, Lord, You have the glory!

Much Later

The winner has already been announced…. Hehehe…. And it’s not me! =P wow! I couldn’t believe that I went through all that. God I want to say no matter what, I would still follow You. As I write this, I have a smile on my face. I don’t know why, but I’m rather bouncy and cheerful and really happy. Though I really wanted to win it so much, I mean that is my goal and ambition, I don’t seem to be a bit disappointed or depressed about it. Wow! God, thank you for letting me know earlier!

Even at backstage rehearsal, I felt God asking me whether I’m willing to give up the crown. I thought He was joking so I just went along and said yeah, I’m wiling. Everything that I do I commit to Him.

Yeah so now, I did not win the title…. I don’t mind because I believe I’ve made a change in another person’s life. =) I believe that I’ve been called to be the salt and light to the world. Wow, I don’t know why, but I believe God has great things in stored for me and I’m ready for it!

My voice has been heard by people and I’m really looking forward to make an impact in the community. Oh, I was voted as the reader’s choice in star online. That was funny! I do hope they interview me! =P anyway, it’s getting rather late, 3am plus. Lord, thank you for the experience.

10 SEP 2005

I’ve got my face in the cover of The Star Newspaper! Wow! I thought that was cool! I mean I would never have imagined that the tiger cub that I read in papers all these while I’ve got a chance to have a picture taken with it and appear front page! Now how cool is that?! Heheh….

It’s really amazing how things worked out for me. I realize that we shouldn’t put God’s plan into our own small box, His ways are always the unexpected ones. It’s always mysterious and makes me in awe of Him. His timing, His leading and just trusting Him to guide me through. Wow!

I went into the pageant determined in my heart to win it. I prayed hard and each time I asked God I heard Him saying “Yes, you will win”. it was countless of time I did that. No doubt, truly that was what I wanted and always wanted to do. At the same time, I also wanna be the salt and the light to the people there

I’ve got to make some impact and lasting impression in some people’s life. I’ve got to make a stand telling what I believe in, making a stand of no smoking, no alcohol, no pre-marital sex. Basically, I was able to make a difference. I was able to share with some girls about my faith and some have even expressed interest in coming to church.

Yesterday, before I came back, I finally got a chance to talk to the winner, Emmeline. You see, to me she’s not the type of people which I would like to approach. She’s just not my type of person. In fact, I don’t have a good impression of her. She talks with an accent, heard a lil about her lifestyle, I knew if she weren’t a finalist I wouldn’t have people like her as a friend.

Anyway, like I’ve said, I’ve got a chance to be alone with her in her room. I was waiting for my bro to pick me up. While waiting, I saw a bible and she told me that she’s a Christian! Wow! I mean I came into the pageant hoping to see one or two chirstian, and didn’t found any till I knew it was Emmeline. =)

I was really excited about it and I could see it working out. God’s timing and God’s purpose for me to be in that pageant. I found out that Emmeline’s mom is a really strong and commited Christian. She confessed that she’s not really that kinda Christian. Anyway, the past few days she’s been praying really hard and a lot and really depending on God.

She shared about how she actually came back to Malaysia for some reason and it didn’t work out. Thank God it didn’t! She’s not even ready for it! and how she was pressured into joining the pageant and not really thinking about winning. What I want to say is, I believe it is all God’s timing and plans for her. I can see that though she’s far away from God and not really my type of “christian”, she’s slowly coming back to the Lord. And I was there to encourage and ministering to her. Wow! I even got a chance to end the whole conversation with a prayer!

I also shared my part of the story about how I heard from God that “Yes, you will win” and how suddenly during rehearsal I heard Him asking me “Are you willing to give up your crown”. All I did was to trust Him and agreed to follow Him not matter what the results is. Emmeline too was like “wow” and really listening to me. In fact, when I said “There’s no such thing as coincidence, it’s all God’s timing” she totally agrees with me. Isn’t that cool or what?! It was then I totally realized and fulfilled my purpose of the whole pageant.

Anyway, I did encourage her to make a full use of the winning. Being the right role model, always trusting in God. it’s also a perfect timing to quit some bad habits! I believe I’ve made an impact in her life. I wish her all the best and that God would use her mightily for His purpose. Amen!

And the weird thing is, after praying for her, she said that’s how her mom prays for her. And her mom’s a Chinese Indian! =)