Thursday, December 18, 2008

最美麗的第七天 (The Most Beautiful Seventh Day)

We just finished a 20 episode TVB series called 最美麗的第七天 (The Most Beautiful Seventh Day). I don't watch a lot of TV but since viewing the first episode on Astro on Demand preview earlier this year at home, I thought I should catch this series when I have the time. The story is mainly about two good looking couples, how they got together, what they went through, etc etc etc. I also love all the other supporting characters, most of them were so funny. Light moments and laughter aside, be prepared to get all teary as well, if you do catch it, especially towards the middle. If you've been watching TVB all your life, you will be able to recognise all the other characters in this series (and fall in love with them all over again hehe). All in all, a great series for me coz I love dramas like these that are focused on family and relationships (with good looking characters and lots funny moments), not the costume and thrillers type hehe. Well, I don't wanna get all addicted but yeah I am already thinking about which series to watch next (my time is precious so I need to be very selective hehe). Augustine absolutely loves watching any series (particularly the costume ones) coz he claims that there is a lot to learn from them, pick up the good stuff and avoid the bad ones yeah.

Carmen

Facial in Miri!

Last Friday, we checked out a skincare/beauty center at Boulevard commercial center and I then signed up for a 6+2 facial program and went for my first facial here in Miri the very next day.

I first saw this center at their other outlet at Bintang Mall a few months ago but I'd wanted to look around and see which other centers uses Dermalogica products. Coz I've been using these products for many years and facials back home are also with a skincare center using these products.

I scanned through the "facial menu" and I thought the programs, in fact the shop layout as well, were very much similar to the one I frequent back home. So I am guessing they have the same setup and training although this one's definitely locally owned.

I love the fact that the rates are lower here in Miri, (for the same stuff back home) and they were running the 6+2 offer (pay for 6 free 2) and the flexibilities that comes with the program. I can mix 2 types of different facials and I can split the payment into 3 instalments. In KL, I have to pay in full upfront. Well I chose 2 different facials from the mid-range ones so on average, with the 6+2 program, I am paying slightly less than ninety per session ;-)

I was very satisfied with the first session, it lasted almost 2 hours, and the therapists attending to me were very attentive to my needs. The facial structure is just the same as the ones I go for back home. And they did a great job trimming my eyebrows coz my eyes are always droopy and sleepy so I am looking more "awake" now! The only problem for me is that the therapists speak Mandarin and assume I know Mandarin (I can converse with them but I won't be able to understand the technicalities and stuff in Mandarin), so when they explain what they are using or what they are doing throughout the facial session, half of the time, I do not understand what they're saying :-( But it's OK coz the fact that the steps were all the same, I knew what I was going through. For me, in terms of the services rendered (including massages on my face, neck, shoulders and upper arms), there's no question about the worthiness although yes it's a competitive market out there for them.

Well Augustine is planning to start his facial this weekend (upon seeing my satisfaction), they've got a few facial types under the men's skincare range although the therapist mentioned he could also sign up for the ones I did. But for men, they will only be given face massage, no massages for neck and shoulder. Too bad huh.

Carmen

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Come Now Is The Time / No Higher Calling

Awesome worship we had this morning and here's 2 songs I'd like to share ;-) God Bless!



No Higher Calling
Down at Your feet, O Lord
Is the most high place
In Your presence, Lord
I seek Your face (2x)

There is no higher calling
No greater honor
Than to bow
And kneel before Your throne
I'm amazed at Your glory
Embraced by Your mercy
O Lord, I live to worship You



Come Now Is The Time
Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are to worship
Come, just as you are before your God
Come

One day ev'ry tongue will confess You are God
One day ev'ry knee will bow
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose you now

Carmen

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Miri City Christmas Parade 2008

Last Saturday, we gathered at the amphitheatre at Miri City Fan for the Miri City Christmas Parade, organised by the Christian Community of Miri. It was also my first time to the Miri City Fan! There were about 3720 of us participating in the celebration from churches like SIB, Methodist, Anglican, CLSF, FGA, Baptist, Calvary, SDA, Boys Brigade, RC and St Joe band!

The theme was Christ...The Perfect Gift of Christmas. Indeed we were very privileged to be able to share the love of Christ with Miri-ans openly through the celebration.

Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan initiated the parade earlier this year and he officiated the parade and also gave a speech.

In the opening prayer by one of the church pastors, I remembered the pastor asked us to cheer and clap as loud as we can "sehingga daun gugur" (in BM), and guess what, some leaves did fall in between me and Augustine, Praise God!

We also had worship where we sang 2 songs in both languages : Hai Mari Berhimpun Dan Bersukaria/O Come All Ye Faithful and Kesukaan Bagi Dunia/Joy To The World.

The offerings collected during the service totalled RM11K plus and will be donated to the Miri Kidney Dialysis Centre and Miri Cancer Society. Praise the Lord!

The parade around the city (about 3km) was an awesome experience for us, being able to share our celebration in public, wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and sharing tracts. Indeed God was present with us throughout the celebration. God is good!

The weather was excellent all through the evening and night. I think it only rained like somewhere in the middle of the night!

We thank God for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with many on Saturday and may everyone's hearts be blessed this Christmas as we remember our Lord Saviour and the peace and joy He brings us.

Blessed Christmas to all and enjoy the slideshow below!

Carmen

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

He Made A Way In A Manger

This is currently my very favourite Christmas worship song! Sang by Candi Pearson Shelton.

He Made A Way In A Manger

Longing for a Savior
A hopeless world would wait
Sin demanded justice
At a price we could not pay
But God displayed His mercy
The greatest gift of love
When we could not reach Heaven
Heaven came to us

He made a way in a manger
A way through the Son
Messiah the promised
Before time had begun
For God so loved this world
Though He knew what love would cost
He made a way in a manger
To make a way to the cross

In Bethlehem a stable
Became a throne of grace
As God Himself our Savior
Drew near to take our place
His mother smiled in wonder
As shepherds stood in awe
The Sacrifice of Heaven
Lay sleeping in the straw

He is the life that died our death
The precious Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head

Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

Carmen

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

CHULA on the Red Carpet Jewelry Runway!


We were the "glittering sponsor" for Day 3 of the the recent 14th Malaysia Jewelry Festival 2008 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where we matched 8 CHULA outfits with the jewelry brand Emrusa ;-)

Read related posts here :-
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You Are Invited!!!

For more information, visit http://www.carmenz.com.my/

Carmen