Spare some time for a prayer, thankyou

First it was my grandmother. Now 4 months later, after spending two weeks in and out of the ICU, it's my grandfather's turn. Two grandparents in the space of less than half a year. *Sigh*

And why is it that things have to happen while I'm away? Everyone just keeps keeping things from you because they don't want you to worry. He actually passed away on Wed but it was only today that they finally told me. It's such a bad feeling to be unable to be there during their last moments, to pay my last respects. The funeral is due to start later today according to M'sian time and I only wish I could be there... Guess I can only support in prayer. He hasn't accepted Christ as his saviour so it'll be much appreciated if each of you helps pray for his salvation.

Dear God, please let his suffering end with death. Save his soul, redeem him o' Lord. Let him know peace. Hear our prayers Lord. We surrender him into your hands. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Our God is a loving God, a patient God and merciful God.

Ask and you shall receive,
Seek and you will find,
Knock and the door shall be opened.

Think that life hates you? Read on. And if it's not enough, read Mel's blog

So yeah, disappeared for a bit there. Too much stuff to be dealt with for the past few weeks. Too much of a rollercoaster ride. So many highs and lows, all mercilessly one after another. First came the worrying news from home. Then, pushing it aside, a great Halloween, followed by devastating news from home the very next morning. It left me in shock. I couldn't even call home for fear of breaking down. When I did the next day, they told me she had passed on. Was such a wreck but had to pull myself together as there was an assignment due that week.

RIP, I just want you to know that although I don't show it often nor do I ever say it, I really do love you very much. They told me you left peacefully and for that I'm glad. I know you're in a better place now. No more suffering, only peace and joy. It still pains me that I couldn't be there during your last moments, and that I never really got to say goodbye. Tears still feel inclined to fall whenever I think of you, or even when I see things that remind me of you. In fact, they're falling even as I type this. But I know I have to be strong and move on. That's what you'd want me to do. And I will. I will. It'll take time, but I will.

Things got slightly better form then on. On the eve of my birthday, my friends cooked dinner plus surprised me with a cake. Felt really touched and happy. And so I turned 21.

Then came more wonderful news from home. My sister had been admitted into the hospital for ultraventilation a few days ago, couldn't eat, and was therefore on drip. Mum was exhausted spending every day and night with her, and dad had to play househusband as my bro couldn't help out due to SPM. I was so worried. Bad spell of misfortune? I don't know. Could only pray and surrender everything to Him as all things happen for a reason. I truly believe in that. There has been so many incidences where things have gone horribly wrong for me, and yet, He always showed a way. I've come to realize that in each, there was a lesson learnt, something to make me stronger. To make me a better person. Each time, I'm reminded of His awesome power, mercy and grace. And I know that I'll never be alone as He'll always be there to carry me through hard times...

Anyway, my sister has since been discharged, although still weak and can't eat much. At least she's on her way to recovery and that's all that matters. As for me, passing up the two lab reports that were due that same week was such a relief. Now I finally have some time to breathe and allow myself to focus on the family. And oh, not forgetting little amusements along the way like watching "La Boheme" the musical on Fri, and having a combined birthday dinner with Ranz in Newcastle.


p.s. Winnie! I've received your card! Thank you so much k! :D I opened it in the kitchen, read the first line, and quickly closed back, deciding to read it in the room lol. Me iz loves yous! ;)

In memory of Nian Ning: Petition for safer bus rides

As a tribute to Nian Ning and the other two who died in the recent bus accident, there will be no story/art/personal updates for the next few weeks. Instead I'd like to focus on helping out the victims' families by spreading the news about the petition they set up. Please support it. Thank you.

Excerpt from Bus Crash No More, a site set up by Nian Ning's loved ones.

We, the concerned youths of Malaysia express appalled anger towards the Slim River Bus Crash incident that claimed the life of Lee Nian Ning, Mohd. Zailani and Pang Boon Eng on the 25^th of January 2008. This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred. Despite numerous complaints and public uproar in the past, incidents like this continue to occur. It was reported that the driver’s company had 13 summonses on that bus itself. We find it unacceptable that such a company could have operated that vehicle on the road.

What are the explanations?

Hundreds of thousands of university students just like Nian Ning and us rely on such public transport to travel back home. A human life should not be taken lightly.

How could a vehicle with 13 summonses be free on the roads and not be held by the authorities?

We, the following, hereby demand that the relevant authorities set up a committee consisting of road safety experts and representatives from relevant public bodies to conduct a thorough study to find effective solutions to ensure that mistakes like this do not occur again in the future.

We will not be quiet until we see it in the media that satisfactory measures have been taken.

To sign the petition,

please click here

and submit your FULL NAME(as in IC. Please don't use your nicknames or initials.) and e-mail. It will be considered one e-signature upon completion.

Alternatively, please send your FULL NAME and IC NUMBER to buscrashnomore@gmail.com.

Please do not leave initials or nicknames, only full name is accepted.

We thank you for your co-operation. Let us pray for those who have died to make way for change and keep our fingers crossed that someone, anyone will hear us and enforce that change.


Please put this in forums, bulletins, emails, blogs.....everywhere. We need all the support we can get. This is for you as well.

RIP Nian Ning

Lee Nian Ning, a fellow Penangite, passed away in a tragic bus accident a few days ago. She was at the peak of her life, a bright shining future ahead of her but all of these were robbed away in just seconds. The bus she was in hit a divider and the MPV behind, unable to stop in time, crashed into the back of the bus (More info).

The bus driver was later on found to have 13 outstanding summonses dating back as far as 2000 and a witness told the Berita Harian that the driver was speeding while sending text messages just before the accident happened!

How the heck can anyone with so many summonses not have their driver's licence revoked? For such a looooong period of time too! Plus they had TWO warrants of arrest for him!! And what has our police force been doing all this time? Writing summonses for illegal parking in housing estates, university/college areas and coffee shop areas. Catching people for not wearing seatbelts. The list goes on.... I'm not saying that any of the above are right or that the police shouldn't be catching those people. All I'm saying is that instead, they ought to concentrate on catching repeated offenders for speeding, reckless driving and the like. And especially those who hold many lives in their hands each time they get behind the wheel.

Then there's the bus company- Konsortium. Shouldn't they have checked out their potential drivers before hiring them? And considering that their buses make several trips to and fro from various states in the country, shouldn't they make an effort to make sure the buses are in reasonable condition and not break down half-way through the journey? And couldn't they have at least apologized and send condolences to the families involved? Or did they think that if they just kept quiet, the whole fiasco would eventually die down and business would go back to normal-until the next accident at least.

Well, all I know is that Konsortium is now synonymous with Irresponsible and we're all boycotting them. There are so many other affordable buses out there- Plusliner for example.

I mean, who knows when the next accident might be?

I'm sure not gonna stick around and find out.
-scoobz-