Diving Similan - A blast from the past ...

My last holiday of the year was a blast! The dive adventures with Similan Diving Safaris (SDS), a 4 day/4 night liveaboard on the M/V Dolphin Queen have far exceeded my expectations. It is, to date, the most professionally conducted trip I've been on. Sprinkled with surprises (God, I love surprises!), fun, laughter (loads of these from Samy Vellu & Angkasawan jokes to silly underwater antics), and easygoing folks from Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong and the six of us from Malaysia. Not to mention the ever courteous Thai captain, his family and at-your-service boat crew.

The dive trip included 11 day dives and three night dives to some of the world's best diving sites found in the Andaman Sea - Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and world famous Richelieu Rock.

The most coveted sight which the divers all saw at Koh Bon at different times and dives were the leopard sharks. While I didn't get to say "Hi! Merry Christmas!" to the whale shark, it was very good indeed that we sighted the leopard shark, not once, but thrice. That was a real treat!

Leopard Shark, Koh Bon, Andaman Sea (Dive # 91)

Video courtesy of Peter Seow

The Malaysian team was fortunate to be the only group on SDS 15 to see the gentle giant - the Manta Ray. I've seen a few of these while I dove Manta Point, Bali in August, but one never tires of experiencing the awe of swimming in the same ocean with a glorious and majestic creation.

Manta Ray, Koh Bon, Andaman Sea (Dive #92)

Video courtesy of Peter Seow

On our way back to Khao Lak on 26 December, we had a final dive at Boonsung Wreck - what I consider as the "richest in marine life" of the trip. There were so many moray eels inhabiting the wreck - from baby ones to adult ones - the white-eyed and the honeycomb morays. There were also the rare sighting of the frogfish at the bottom of the buoy line, the ghost pipefish, the scorpion fish, lobsters, boxer and dancing shrimps, a cuttlefish couple, schools of baraccudas, trevally, and finally, the large Catostylus stingless jellyfish as we did our safety stop while hanging on to the buoy line at 5 meters.

The trip about sums up the "adventures" of 2007 for me. There were many key highlights that alluded to the ups and downs of 2007, although I am only now mentally processing these experiences in dribs and drabs. The revelations are trickling in, as are the underwater photos, I imagine!

Perhaps, the best way to share highlights of the trip are through pictures that paint a thousand words, although these are the first batch of on-the-boat and land pictures courtesy of my dive buddy Lorraine - check out http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23618&l=5fe0d&id=655406221

A few underwater pictures courtesy of fellow diver Vincent at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23691&l=c5262&id=655406221

Changing tides in Similan - A renewed hope for 2008!

Sunset on board M/V Dolphin Queen

Photo courtesy of Vincent Ong

What a year 2007 has been. Looking back at my journal, I was reminded of the words and mental pictures that came to mind during New Year prayer week.

Stories of Bible characters such as Jesus' disciple Peter being "sifted", Daniel in the fiery furnace and Job losing everything except his own life. Back then, I remembered thinking, things are going good ... could these possibly be a picture of what 2007 could be like for me, and for many others as well?

And now, a year later, as I reflect on 2007, I accept that this past year has been a challenging year of sorts. A year that can be likened to the pendulum swinging from one joyful extreme of new adventures and achievements, to the other painful extreme of disappointments, disillusionment, and depression (as you could probably tell from the last many posts on my blog!).

And as the Chinese saying goes, "Feng Shui takes turns in spinning" which means to some, our wheel of fortune/luck turns (good times will not last forever, neither will bad times) and for others, the seasons of life that changes from Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

As I bid 2007 farewell, I recall the recent dive trip to Similan islands - the sunsets in the far horizons putting to bed the uneasy seasons of the past, the rise and fall of the waves (and of life's circumstances) of the Andaman Sea. I remember marvelling at the beauty of the full moon against a clear backdrop of starlit skies, and being fearful of the increasing strength of the ocean currents down below.

And perhaps, beyond the physical, the tides are changing; life's seasons are also changing; and yet some others like the superstitious Chinese will say, the wheel of fortune/luck is spinning and the good times will come again.

I came home last Thursday, 27th of December. I surfed the Astro TV channels and settled on the movie "Just My Luck" starring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine.

From the director of "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days," comes a "funny, twist-of-fate comedy"!Lindsay Lohan lights up the screen as Ashley, the luckiest girl in Manhattan. But little does she know, her good fortune is about to change. When Ashley shares a kiss at a party with Jake, a bad luck magnet, they miraculously switch paths. Suddenly Ashley is plagued by one hilarious disaster after another, and Jake is headed for fame instead of failure. As she desperately races to find Jake and reverse her misfortune, Ashley discovers that her terrible twist-of-fate is the luckiest thing that ever happened to her.

A nice movie to wrap up the year as well. Seemingly bad things may not be all that bad after all. Here's to the changing tides, the dawn of a new season of hope, more adventures, and the fulfilment of our deepest desires!

Here's wishing you a happy new year. May we all learn to ride the waves and flow with the currents ... and most of all, live life to the fullest!

Hallelujah ... the natural breath!

I heard the song "Hallelujah" recently at the Starbucks next to Starhill Shopping center. It brought up feelings of the richness of life, of love, and ultimately of God, the awesome One whom I have entrusted my life, my dreams, my destiny ... and in spite of the imperfections that I have come to recognize ... yet He loves, loves, and loves. I am humbled by the past and overwhelmed by the future ... and I will breathe the natural breath "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah."



Copyright © 1985 Leonard Cohen and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada Company.
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you'd let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me do you?
Remember when I moved in you?
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

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BLESSED CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.

I'll dance again

Have you ever read a lovely post and thought, "wow, that could be me?" then turn away and completely forget about it. And after going through a bit more of the ups and mostly downs in life, you re-visit that post or re-read it only to realize a greater sense of conviction and truth in the words and say, "that's me alright!"

What was different from the first time I read the post?

Sunday comes. Woke up just in time to get dressed and head for church. A foreigner named John was leading worship. Mike P and team was in town. I wasn't sure what God was going to say through this funny Greek but it sure was good seeing a slimmer, healthier, and younger looking Mike! There is certainly a new lease of life when one hits half time!

Mike talked about the idols in today's church - good looking people, the gifted/talented, and the ones with big personalities that make us laugh - we crave for these, and we subconsciously promote these while overlooking the less attractive, less gifted and boring folks in the pew.

How easy it is for us to be distracted by the ideals of the world and lose sight of the very things that matter the most in life. In the midst of worship, God calls us to build relationships with people; to be humble, give glory and perform to the audience of One - God; and uphold the people whom we love and who have the vision for God's mission, regardless of whether we think it's wise or not ... (it's probably better if you took time to personally listen to Mike P)

There is certainly so much more to life than the good looking, gifted and good laughs ... the altar call came for those who were desperate for more of God ... I found the peaceful presence of God a safe place. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I poured my heart out to the One who really knew how I felt, what I was going through, and knew what would be coming my way. And I knew in my heart that what he said was true, that a new day was coming ... and I will dance again ....

I re-read a friend's post that I had read a couple of months ago and thought ... I may have identified a little with this back then, but tonight, I can say, "That's me alright!"



I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith the fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always)

I hope you dance (Rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith the fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always)

I hope you dance (Rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)

Disappointments - Why me?

I came across this topic from the daily dose of spiritual insights by Os Hillman titled TGIF -Today God Is First. The topic on "Disappointments" immediately caught my eye given the recent circumstances I have had to face. I continue to feel a certain unrest in my soul, and I continue to seek that place of rest ...

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. - Proverbs 13:12

Life is filled with disappointments. Many of God's greatest servants experienced deep disappointment in their journeys of faithfulness to God.

Joseph, after spending years as a slave and in jail for crimes that he did not commit, revealed deep disappointment when he was forgotten another two years in prison. John the Baptist, when awaiting execution, doubted whether Jesus was, in fact, the Christ because he was sitting there awaiting his death. Elijah, losing all hope and despondent to the point of death, asked God to take his life in the desert; and Peter, who left his fishing business and invested three years of his life only to watch his Savior crucified, wondered whether the purpose of those three years could be justified.

When life doesn't add up, it leaves the heart sick. When we have done all we know to do and the formula has not worked, it leaves us questioning. These are times that try the very souls of men. There is no human sense to be made of it. We are left with a choice: to cling or not to cling.

There are times when holding on to our Master's robe is all that we can do.
It is all that He wants us to do.
The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not obtained by sudden flight;
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.
Standing on what too long we bore,
With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,
We may discern-unseen before-A path to higher destinies!

~Longfellow

There is only one answer to life's disappointments. Like the psalmist, we must "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken" (Ps. 62:5-6).

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I was comforted by the post, although I sense there's more to come ...

May that place of rest be just around the corner - not in physical comforts but truly, the resting place for my restless soul.

May I encounter more of the living God I worship before I expire heavenward!