Monthly Archive for December, 2007

so long, 2007.

Published
by
David
on December 31, 2007
in Faith and Love
. 13 Comments

My, time sure flies. Once again, we bid good bye to another year that has passed … hoping that we’ve learnt and experienced it wholly to how God desired us to have it.

It’s that time again, to reflect on what God has done in my life this past year .. and before I can even begin, the feeling of gratitude overwhelms me. God’s been so good to me this year. He’s been so, so good. Some of the major highlights of the year:

  • I’ve survived my first year of work, and never was short of cash.
  • I’ve been able to buy a guitar, which was something that I always have desired to do.
  • I’ve changed cars 3 times, and have reverted back to the turquoise Kancil now to save money.
  • I’ve moved to an apartment, renting my own place now!

And finally, the best thing that happened to me this year (and possibly the years ahead!) ..

Elizabeth!

She’s just awesome. Every single time I think of her, tears and emotion well up because it reminds me of how much God loves me. And He really loves me a lot.

He’s brought me through this year, and it couldn’t have happened without Him.

Here’s to 2007, and looking forward to a better year in 2008!

Woohoo!

back in penang ..

Published
by
David
on December 25, 2007
in Love
. 0 Comments

but Liz is sick .. :(

Got news that she’s down with food poisoning, vomitting and stuff. Sigh. Hope she’ll be okay.

David[hmm..]

bling on the watch!

Published
by
David
on December 20, 2007
in Love and Pictures
. 3 Comments

Just to share, here’s a shot of the watch I am giving to Liz for Christmas …

watch.JPG

Bling or not?

It’s a dress watch, so I suppose it’s supposed to be quite bling. Can’t wait to see it on her.

Plus, I’ve just collected RM300 from my office admin lady. My wallet sure does feel fatter! WheeEEeee!

comfy clothes

Published
by
David
on December 19, 2007
in Faith
. 2 Comments

It’s nice to be wearing fresh clean clothes and undies.

Thought of the day.

first workshop experience

Published
by
David
on December 18, 2007
in Faith
. 2 Comments

I spoke in my first workshop ever, last Sunday.

Mich invited me to speak initially in the BGR workshop at their youth camp, but they had another speaker lined up so I was shelved. Hah. But later, they came up with more workshops so they asked if I could share about worship stuff since I was a worship leader and all.

When she came to me, I had doubts about myself .. whether I was up for it with my busy schedule. Plus, speaking in front of youth .. it’s been quite some time since I’ve last shared in a big group. After some thought and prayer, I was reminded of God’s calling in my life as a worshipper, to be that example to those around and I decided to take it up.

As the camp drew closer, I got even more nervous and felt inadequate but knowing that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. I thank God that there were many supportive people around me who spoke the right words, did the right things to encourage me. Liz came along too, and I felt that tremendous support she provided while she stood by me.

I had like a 3 point sharing, but it was pretty much jumbled up. I guess .. I’m more of the spontaneous speaker who tells you a whole bunch of stuff .. and links it all up at the end. Haha. The general feedback coming from the youth was that they enjoyed it, though I think it was pretty much attributed to the junk food I gave out. It always works with youth, you know. Giving out food.

Ah.

Was tired out after that though, but it was well worth it.

before the end of the year

Published
by
David
on December 17, 2007
in General
. 2 Comments

The weekend started on a high note, getting off a busy work week that passed. The company threw us the long anticipated annual dinner at Bar Club, Heritage Row where we had a buffet dinner and lucky draw prizes were given out. I had a 33.33333% chance of winning the JVC 32″ LCD TV, but alas .. it was not meant to be.

I won a ladies watch though! It’s quite a BLING watch, I must say. I hope Liz likes it.

And RM300 cash! Now, for that long awaited Ikea chair for my NEW place. Yeah, you heard right. I’m moving to my own place .. an apartment! God’s blessed me through an aunty that is super nice and she’s renting the place for me at a “blessing price”. I am so blessed! I checked out the place on Saturday, making some mental notes on what to prepare and stuff to get and I can’t wait to move in.

I’m moving on the 1st of January, 2008. What a start to the year, aye? It’s been something that has been looming in my mind, and having visited and decided on the place .. it’s quite a relief to have it checked off before the end of the year.

And now .. the car. (Boy, doesn’t this boy have many outstanding things?)

Made my way to the Perodua showroom in the morning, bringing my guitar there and tried to put it in the boot. It wouldn’t go in from the back, but if I put the seats down and stuck the guitar into the boot from the passenger seats side, it would fit. So how? No go .. sorry. Major bummer.

Met Liz and went on to see the Vios, and it’s in pretty decent condition. Though it has run 102,XXX km, it’s been serviced regularly by Toyota and it sounds like a really good deal at RM50,000.

I was pretty set on getting it, till I made some calculations this morning on my way to work.

TOYOTA VIOS 1.5l AUTO
RM50,000 - Total Price
RM7,000 - Downpayment
RM43,000 - Loan
RM12,311 - Total Interest based on 4.11% per annum for 7 years
RM660 - Monthly repayment for 7 years
RM2018 - Yearly Insurance

That’s RM12k on INTEREST ALONE!
And I did some online calculation on insurance here, and the insurance per year for the Vios worked up to be RM2018! This is based on the value of the car being at RM50k.

Alright.

Now, last option .. the Proton Saga 1.3l Manual.

PROTON SAGA 1.3l MANUAL
RM26,999 - Total Price
RM6,999 - Downpayment
RM20,000 - Loan
RM3,750 -Total Interest based on 3.75% per annum for 5 years
RM396 - Monthly repayment for 5 years
RM1173 - Yearly Insurance

Now, Liz still has a car .. and my initial thought was to get a car that I can pass to her later so that she can be rid of her not-so-reliable car, but thinking further .. I can save A LOT more money for more important stuff if I buy the cheaper car now. And then we can afford a better car later when we are able to.

I think, looking at it from this perspective .. the decision comes so easy.

Will run it by Liz .. really soon.

less complicated

Published
by
David
on December 13, 2007
in General
. 7 Comments

Ah, part 2 of complicated.

I guess why this decision making process is so complicated .. is due to the priorities and criteria that I am going by. I guess .. budget and long term considerations are on the top of the list. Guess .. cheap and good isn’t exactly the most common thing around when it comes to cars.

Now, everyone (who .. ironically has never owned or driven a BMW) has told me that the maintenance and consumption is very high, and has ill-advised me on getting the BMW.

So now .. I’m letting the idea of owning a BMW at 24 years .. slip. Maybe I’ll save up for a 2008 E92 M3. In the future. *slurp

Don’t know what’s an M3? Watch this.

Anyhow. Back to reality.I’ve narrowed it down, and added a contender to win my well earned (well, still earning) money.

Here’s the update!

  • New Proton Saga 1.3l MANUAL (RM26,999)
  • Old Proton Satria GTi 1.8l MANUAL (RM32,000 to RM42,000)
  • Secondhand NEW Perodua MyVi 1.3l AUTO ABS and Airbag (RM39,000 RM49,000)
  • BMW 325 E36 2.5l MANUAL (RM36,000)
  • Secondhand Toyota Vios 2004 AUTO (RM50,000 negotiable)

Looks better? I check prices on the Vios, and yeah .. RM50k is pretty reasonable. And it’s still negotiable! Haha. The thing about the Vios is that it’s maintained by Toyota, so that’s pretty good.

A point I had against the MyVi is that .. whether my guitar will fit in the boot. Will try it out this weekend .. but it would be a MAJOR bummer if my guitar couldn’t. I would opt for a new MyVi, but at RM49k, it is quite a bit steep.

Oh .. The Proton is still a Proton. No change. :p

Now then. To view the cars .. and go through a final round of elimination!

complicated

Published
by
David
on December 12, 2007
in General
. 6 Comments

Why did’ja have to make things so complicated!

I’m in search of a new car. And the headache starts all over again. This time, it’s even harder when a BMW is “affordable”.

Four cars.

Starting from least favourable, to most.

  • New Proton Saga 1.3l MANUAL (RM26,999)
  • Old Proton Satria GTi 1.8l MANUAL (RM32,000 to RM42,000)
  • Secondhand Perodua MyVi 1.3l AUTO ABS and Airbag (~RM39,000)
  • BMW 325 E36 2.5l MANUAL (RM36,000)

I’m considering a 1995 BMW 325 E36, 5 speed manual .. for a price that is within my budget. Why is it “affordable”? Well, I read about nightmare experiences with BMW maintenance, but .. buying one that has been well maintained has proven to be reliable too.

Some of it’s good points:

  • Petrol consumption will be better than my current Perdana V6, even though it’s a 2.5 litre car
  • Good condition
  • M3 Body Kit from Auto Bavaria
  • Great paint job
  • Good looking interior
  • Serviced with a reputable BMW service center
  • Good price
  • Safer car than the rest
  • The UDM. Ultimate Driving Machine. Nuff’ said.

Some bad points:

  • The subjectivity of the cost of maintenance. BMW - Banyak Makan Wang
  • 12 year old car, loan issues, wear and tear
  • Parents are not favourable towards it
  • Petrol prices going up.

The Perodua MyVi is one of the choices .. because it’s not an old car therefore maintenance would be quite cheap. But it’s bloody expensive for a 1.3l car.

The Proton Saga is way out. But .. considering it because it’s cheap. Really cheap. Yeah, maintenance will be cheap … but the quality of the car is highly questionable.

Satria GTi? 2 door car. Doesn’t justify the price .. after comparing it with the BMW.

So how?

december

Published
by
David
on December 10, 2007
in General
. 2 Comments

Such a busy month man. I wonder why!!!

So packed. So tired. So .. drained.

So stressed.

I’ve got so many things to look into .. car, accommodation, work, holiday ..  FUH.

Pray for me, kay?

walking in the will of God

Published
by
David
on December 6, 2007
in Faith
. 0 Comments

How do you know if you’re walking in the will of God? Is it by gut feeling? Is it through functioning naturally with a supernatural attitude? It is through much prayer and fasting? Or audible revelation directly from the mouth of God?

How?

How would you know when you plan for something that involves the church of God like songs for a worship service, if that was what God wanted for the church? How do you manage it with all the hustle bustle in life that’s circumvolutioning your mind and surrounding 16 hours a day? With work, “church activities”, social responsibilities, relational responsibilities, home responsibilities, among others that make up that 16 hours .. how do you hear from God?

It makes me wonder how I’ve been able to sustain the responsibility to lead the church into worship all these while. I really do, but deep down .. I know it’s been God who’s carried me through every single time.

Truthfully, I’m not one of those worship leaders who hear and are led superbly by the Holy Spirit ALL the time. There are people out there who respect me as a good worshiper, or as a leader, but behind all the hype, height, and happenings .. I am just a frail human being. Subjected to worldly temptations, bombarded by media overload, abused by life’s circumstances, I face the things that any one of you would encounter on a daily basis.

But .. saved by grace, and living by faith.

Lotsa faith.