Stories from the Malaysian Treehouse

All smiles for the team who ranked 3rd overall by the end of this season. Not too bad considering we were at the bottom last season. Great coach, great bunch of players, great spirit and great times. Looking forward to the fall, guys and gals!

*I recommend you to visit this link for more exciting pictures of all of us in action during our play-off games on Thursday, thanks to Zach's super-cool new camera!

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

As summer is just around the corner, I'm starting to think of all the different things I aspire to accomplish within the next 3 or 4 months. It's not like I have been sitting around all day thinking up a list, so I'm going to try my shot here. Mind you, these are things I ASPIRE to do, many of which might not even be done. So no need to hold me accountable to everything. It just takes the unnecessary pressure off me.

Anyway, here goes:

1. Consistently play more tennis despite the heat.
2. Lose 10 pounds as a result of that. (I'm unsure about this one, but what the heck, it's worth the try)
3. Help more people. (Don't know how, but I'm sure the need to help will come around)
4. Have more random dates with my sweet hubby.
5. Try out more recipes from the gazillion new cookbooks that I have.
6. Go to the beach.
7. Swim more.
8. Visit with friends around the metroplex area whom we don't regularly talk to or see.
9. Staying tune to the World Cup.
10. Being what God wants me to be to the kids during our week-long mission trip to New Orleans. (This one is definitely not an option to back out on)
11. Catch up with "Lost" and watch all the previous episodes we've missed.
12. Move into a house.
13. Read a book or 2, particularly "The Chronicles of Narnia". (This is a huge deal, considering I'm not a reader)
14. Try and figure out all these insurance stuff at work. (I'm struggling to keep up with all that Josue is doing plus my own responsibilities. Insurance is confusing anyway)
15. Invite our fellow work colleagues and their significant others over for dinner.
16. Work on my photo scrapbook.
17. Prepare for my parents' visit. (Already starting to do that, and am very excited!)
18. Get graduation presents for my brother (graduated 2 weeks ago) and my sis-in-law (will graduate in August).
19. Get a haircut, hopefully a new hairstyle this time. (Any recommendations or suggestions, girls?)
20. Ride the DART bus.

I'm sure I'll have more to add to this list. For now, I'll keep it to 20. Remind me to look back at this list at the end of the summer. It'll be interesting to see which all I'd have accomplished by then. :)

What are you aspiring to do this summer? Do share.

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

The inside--great condition despite it being a used car.

Another sweet view of the car...

....and the very clean engine!

*Thanks to Zach for these great pictures!

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yup, you got that right, we have a new baby--our new car!! It's not brand new, but it's still a somewhat new car to us and it's in excellent condition. It's a 2001 Acura 3.2.TL and we got it from a used-car dealership with whom we have a good business relationship with on a regular basis. They really helped us out and gave us the hook-ups. And after much financial and mental preparation, researching, some test-driving and prayers, we got out with this lovely dark green babe. It's complete with the usual functions like A/C, automatic windows and power locks, good-condition tan leather seats, sun roof, heated side mirrors and seat warmers too! We absolutely love it! Nothing like the feeling of buying your first car on your own. It's such an accomplishment for us and we feel very thankful!

Zach took some pictures of the car this evening with his brand new digital camera, so I'll wait to post pictures of it later. Josue is also busy hooking up new stereo systems and subs in the car (his fave thing to do). It will eventually be rocking with some good heavy sounds in it. In the meantime, let us know if you'd like go for a ride around town. We'd love to take you out in our new car! :)

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 9:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

This is Vijay Singh. Without putting in much words, many of you already know who he is as I blog this. Apart from Tiger Woods, he is currently one of the best golfers in the PGA Tour in the world.

Now I'm no golfer, nor do I have the slightest interest in this so-called 'sport' (no offense to you golf fans), but I did have the privilege of seeing him in action today. He and I even exchanged eye-contact as he walked past me (while I stood right behind the 'security line' that separated him from common men, i.e. me) right after he putted and moved on to the next hole. It was quite a cool moment. I can add Mr. Singh to my list of celebrity-sightings in my lifetime and say that I was THIS CLOSE to him.

Thanks to our friends from church who have all the connections in the world, we got special tickets to the Byron Nelson Championship that is part of the PGA Tour which landed in Irving this weekend. We went in for free, parked within walking distance of the golf course for free and after spending almost half of the day there, also got a nice tan for free. It was overall a very fun outing. However, despite the opportunity to see many top-notch golfers in action today (just shy of Tiger Woods), I still have to say that golf is just not my thing. Sorry!

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments

Happy Belated Cinco de Mayo everyone! We had a fiesta last night with 16 of our friends who gladly came over, squeezed in our small apartment and had a grand 'ol time together. The night was complete with Latin music playing in the background, everyone dressed in something with the colors of green, white or red, chips and salsa, grilled fajita (meat, chicken and ribs) and the 'fixin's', drinks and wine, dessert, chit-chatting and lots of funny stories to tell. Needless to say, we had a blast. It's always a joy and blessing to entertain our friends at our home and to share in great company and friendship through food and fellowship. I'm sure there will be more to come of such parties and gatherings!

After the party last night, I got to spend an hour over the phone with my parents, mainly talking to my mom. The excitement continues to kick in as August starts rolling around. That's when my parents plan to come here to visit us. I havent' seen them since Dec. 2004 and I cannot wait to be with them again. I know many of you reading this might also have the opportunity to meet them then for the first time (in case you haven't met them already), and somehow that is exciting for me too. I've been talking and bragging so much about them that it will truly be a special moment when people finally meet this wonderful couple and get to know them for themselves.

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments

Second part of the group who went.

The great view from where we sat (before the game started).

Halfway through the game, we were told that we could

'upgrade' and move down to seats down in the 100's.
Here are the guys in their new seats.

A much closer view.

The girls having fun!

I honestly didn't expect the arena football game to be so much fun, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and the company that we had was great. Not only were our tickets free, but we were able to upgrade to better and closer seats to the field halfway through the game. And by the end of the night, each of us left with a free medium pizza from Papa John's! Thanks to Kevin, we all had an enjoyable and fun evening together.

Posted by Malaysian Debster at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments