#AnthonyWedsTress @ Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 2013

Sabah Trip 2013 - #AnthonyWedsTress

To everything and everywhere there is a first time. This time around is my first time visiting the state of Sabah. Having gone to Sarawak just two weeks ago, I can now tell others that I have been to East Malaysia. This trip happened due to the wedding of Anthony and Tressilla who are our dear friends from City Harvest Church, KL. It has been an honor to be able to witness the merging from two to one of this lovely couple. 

First impression wise, Sabah has been beautiful and quite peaceful. However, there are still some elements that reminded me of the busy town of Kuala Lumpur. Overall, it seem like an easy-going and quite peaceful place to live, similar to the land of the cats - Kuching, Sarawak. 

This has so far been a pretty free and easy trip for me personally, although many are busy with the wedding preparation. I really I could help out more to ease the burden on the shoulders of those who are in charge of the wedding as a whole, but it seemed like they have enough hands to handle it, and more hands will ultimately spoil the soup. So, I pretty much just chilled the entire time while they are busy with everything. 

The entire day of the wedding has been really a different experience, because this is the first time I am able to witness the groom fetching his bride from her family home. I am not sure about other cultures, but in the Chinese culture, the groom will have to go through some obstacles/games before claiming his bride, and these games can sometimes go to the extreme where they are required to wear their undergarments above the clothes they have on. Only upon accomplishing all the required tasks, the groom will then be allowed to claim his bride. 

This is very first time I have the privilege witness such an event. It makes me wonder and worried that when it comes to my turn to claim my bride one day, what am I required to do. However, it can be certain that I will do my utmost best to accomplish every one of them, and I will do it with excellence, because in a sense, this is also a way to show the bridesmaid and maid of honor how much I love my future bride. 

Coming back to that of Anthony. The amazing and hilarious sight of seeing him writing “Tress, I love you” with the chinese cultural paintbrush (can’t remember what is it called) is truly inspiring and amusing at the same time. Even though writing words with your feet is tough, he pulled it off pretty excellently. From there it went on tougher and tougher obstacles that really challenged the groom’s memories, physical ability, mental and also stomach strength. 

After almost an hour going through all obstacles, the groom finally succeeded in claiming his bride. The sight of his joy and relief was evident in his smiles, and in his speech. The entire matrimony went really well, with the one of the highlights being Anthony singing during the entrance of his lovely bride, and ended at a high note with Anthony and Tressilla thanking everyone for their presence to witness their matrimony and of course not forgetting the customary photo opportunity with the bride and groom. 

What is a wedding without its dinner reception. The dinner reception was held at a ballroom just above the 1 Borneo shopping mall. It was filled with good food, fellowship, performances, video presentations and speeches. Overall, it was a beautiful and romantic night for the newly weds. To top it all off, the dinner reception ended with the dance - in the Kadazan fashion which is pretty freestyle. It is a sight to behold as family and friends celebrate the marriage of Mr & Mrs Anthony Chang. 

Wedding has always been one of the joyous occasions to witness and it has always been honor and privilege to be invited to witness the merging of two.

Speaking of which, a congratulations is in order to the newly weds, Mr & Mrs Anthony Chang. It is my prayer that you will have a great life together, and that both of you will grow together more and more in love with one another each day, and grow closer to God together - running the vision He has for you in your lives. Indeed TWO is Better than one. 

Updates on the way

Realized that I haven't blogged for awhile now. Not to worry, more updates to come.

Have been moving around from places to places of late with the family; so, I wasn't able to find time to sit down and write.

Can 3 Days Make a Difference?

Imagine if you have just three days to live, what would you do? What impact would you have in the world with just three days? Many would think that it is impossible to make any difference to the world we live in even with years to live, what more three days. However, I am here to tell you that those people are wrong, because you can make difference where you are even with a mere three days.

What makes me say that? Well, a three-days old small little girl did just that. A girl who was diagnosed with Edward syndrome (Trisomy 18) when she was still in her mothers womb, made a difference and a major impact in Malaysia and many parts of the world the 3 days she was in the world.

A little background to what is Edward syndrome also known as Trisomy 18. Edward's syndrome is an inborn chromosomal abnormality that causes a characteristic pattern of anatomical defects in a newborn child and has major implications for that baby's health and survival. (Read more about it: http://bit.ly/TEJseb)

Who is this little girl? Her name is Destiny Zoe Oh. She was born on 15^th of May 2012 with Edward Syndrome (Trisomy 18). However, she succumbed to numerous physical complications and passed away 3 days later on the 18^th of May 2012.

Despite living for a mere three day, Destiny made a profound impact on all those who have heard her story. To date, her Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/DestinyOhTV) has garnered more 19,000 video views, and on 21^st of May 2012, the Twitter tag #DestinyOh trended at number three in Malaysia surpassing even the likes of Mark Zuckerberg.

Destiny is the daughter of David Oh, 41, a lawyer turned Entrepreneur and author of CafeDavid volume 1 & 2, and Shirley Boon, 31, a full time church worker at City Harvest Church, Kuala Lumpur, chose not to abort Destiny despite discovering that she had a one percent risk of being afflicted with Edwards Syndrome at the end of the first trimester.

“We decided that no matter what happened, I will carry Destiny to full-term because we believe that every life is precious” shared Boon.

Destiny Zoe Oh’s impact was even more evident when more than 700 people turned up for her funeral as news of her death spread through social media.

“Even though our daughter only lived for three days, it amazed us how much she touched the lives of others. She fought so hard to live those few days and her spirit of not giving up until the end had inspired others to live their lives with courage,” Oh explained.

Destiny’s impact was so profound that her parents and to continue the legacy left behind by Destiny, David and Shirley, decided to turn her story into a documentary that will be used to spread her story all around the world.

With the support of CityCare, that documentary was done and premiered on the 9^th of November with an attendance of 300 people, and the proceeds of over RM4000 from the sale of the documentary are donated to Malaysian Rare Disorders Society.

Malaysian Rare Disorders Society (MRDS) was formed in 2004, with the help and guidance of the Genetic Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Centre. MRDS is a voluntary organization set-up to represent and look out for the welfare of individuals including their families that are affected by rare disorders.

“Destiny may have only lived for three day, but she continues to touch lives today and will continue to make a difference for years to come. Her legacy has only just begun” – David Oh.

Destiny’s story teaches us not to take life for granted, and live it to the fullest of your abilities. Lets carry on Destiny’s legacy and make a difference wherever we are. If Destiny can impact so many lives in just three days, we who have more can do greater things to impact the world.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of the documentary, #DestinyOh, please visit www.DestinyOh.com   for more details. 

Read Destiny Zoe Oh's full story here: http://bit.ly/KeTzSa 

Christmas time!

Wishing all of you a Merry and joyous Christmas and a Happy new year! Remember that Christmas is a time of giving, sharing and celebrating - a time where friends and family enjoy and celebrate each other's company. 

Let this year's Christmas be meaningful and memorable. Do something special for that special someone in your life today! 

Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to all!

The Rise of the Guardians

Every year there are usually movies produced for the Christmas season. This year, movie producers decided to produce a movie based on legendary figures (or in the movie named, "Guardians"), with the likes of Santa Clause, Sandman, Easter Bunny, Jack Frost, etc. The movie entitled "The Rise of the Guardians" is a movie that consist of elements of hope, love, faith, laughter and action, which are elements I look forward to in a movie. 

The movie did not disappoint with the many surprises to the plot. The main character, Jack Frost who always been depicted as mischievous and naughty character, in the movie was a character that wanted people's attention and wanted people to believe in him, but no one does, and no one cares. He was also seen as a self-centered character that only thinks about himself. However, at the same time, he was one that was searching for what is in the center of his heart - the reason to him being chosen as a guardian? 

Like almost every other Christmas movies I've seen so far, of course, ends happily. ;) I guess you can't have a bad ending in the season of Christmas, it is after all a season to be jolly, but there is no harm on changing it a little once in awhile so that it is not so predictable. However, I have to conclude that the movie was great and up-lifting. Definitely felt cheerful after the movie. I guess that's the result of happy endings:) 

Anyway, I am no way telling you the story. You will just have to watch the entire show for yourself, and find out how good it is. I will rate this movie as 7 over 10. So go check it out at your nearest cinema today! 

Check out the trailer: 

Twilight Breaking Dawn 2

Okay. I have never thought I would ever watch this movie again after the first 2 parts which were agonizingly boring. Hence, I skipped the first part of Twilight Breaking Dawn.

But ..... I watched the second part of Breaking Dawn after some persuasion and at the same time wanted just hang out whenever I could with the friends before I head back to my hometown.

Overall, I guess it's not too bad, which would be the first in the Twilight Saga that I can commend them for. This time round, I have to give it to the director for doing a good job in having that little twist in the end. When you thought things are happening this way and it turns out to different. Well... I'll leave it for you to watch it for yourself:)

I must say though, Kirsten Stewart actually looks better this time round. Not too sure why, but I believe it is the make-up and the red eyes. But let's give her the credit though, she showed more confidence and better acting this time round.

It is still not a show that really "wows" you with the "ooos" and the "aaaahs" but it is overall really, not bad.

Well, that's my take on the finalé of the Twilight saga.


Check out the trailer here: