GIFT 20th Anniversary .... Outcome ...

We (as in me, Ek and Vic) drove down to JB using Ek's Kembara. Started our journey around 9.45am from USJ. Harold and the rest started theirs from Sg. Besi toll. We agreed to meet up in Tmn U.

Our journey was un-eventful. Apart from making 2 stops, there wasn't much that happens (except how my blouse turned brown, kekekeke). Ek wasn't driving very fast so it actually took us 4 hours to reach Tmn U (he was drving at 100km/h).

When we reached Tmn U, one thing that is still certain is that the road will always have pot holes here and there. We stopped at Rose Cottage first to booked our rooms, before heading towards Old Ong Lai at Kemuliaan for the chicken rice. There, we met up with Andy, Raphl, Julian, Brian, Anthony, Vivian, Harold, Fabian, Ivan, Nick, Cath and Eirin. The chicken rice wasn't as nice as before (probable due to new owner) but the fried keuy teow were still the best.

The rest are staying at U Hotel (it is a new hotel and is next to Appolo). We will be having mass earlier at 5.30pm in SCC, so there is gonna be music practice at 4pm. I missed singing at the choir. :( Brian will be playing the keyboard. Yippie! Brian is a d**n good keyboardist. It is certainly nice to be back in SCC - meeting up Fr Jojo, un David, un Vincent. Unfortunately, juniors semua tak kenal lor....

The highlight of this trip is of course the GIFT 20th Anniversary Dinner, held at Tmn U SPorts Complex. We were really looking forward to this.

Sad to say, I was kinda dissapointed with the way they organized the dinner. Why ? Let me point it out (and this is my feelings alone, does not represent everyone):

• The MC (who is speaking in English) must be d*mn nervous. It's ok if his english is bad, but the way he speaks was TOO KASAR, almost to the point, rude ... And he is not making every guests at ease. I felt very tense listening to him, very jumpy and very boring.
• The presentations (some of it) was done just for the sake of doing it. Some is even hard to comprehand its meaning.
• Photos presented should include GIFT alumni from the beginning (or as early as possible). Why arent people like Andy, Kingston, Brian, Desmond, Abeth Fung, Alex Anting (the one that created the song - KUPA), Herman, Jocelyn, Evelyn, Marciana and all other GIFT members shown in slide ? Miss President has mentioned, if there is no alumni, there will not be 20th anniversary.
• Should take the opportunity to let the juniors know who are the alumni.
• KUPA should be sung by all GIFT members, not by the committee alone (not good) - it is the song that brings us all together. Nasib Harold stood up and brought all the alumni to sing along...
• Publicity was very bad. Last minute it was made known that donations are needed.
• Most important was that - where is the feeling of togetherness ? GIFT - Growing In Faith Together ???

Again, this is purely my own feelings. If I have offended any of you, I am truly sorry and I apologize. Will upload the pictures soon. Waiting for the sources.... ;)

Anyway, it has happenned. Maybe I am getting old. This could be the "new way to do things, maybe." More of digital presentations, rather than physical presentations. But I kinda wish that there are still some old elements, like CindyEgbert and "her" gang. But one thing I wanna congratulate was the superb animation of GIFT being a bud that blossoms into a huge, strong tree. That is who we are - GIFTers !

GIFT will still remain in my heart. Till the next anniversay then !

KITA UMAT PILIHAN ALLAH (KUPA)

Kita umat pilihan Allah

Membawa misi penyelamatan

Dengan penuh cintakasihNya

Melayarkan bahtera Yesus

Di dalam pergolakan dunia

Seruan umat menyahut cabaran

Melalui jalan keimanan

Bersaksi atas ikatan Kristus

Chorus:

Marilah bergandingan tangan

Mencari domba yang kehilangan

Memburu insan yang kehausan

Menjalin tali persaudaraan kita

Sedarilah wahai manusia

Akhirilah zaman kegelapanmu

Singkapkanlah makna kemenangan

Baharui jalan kehidupan

Bridge:

Kita sebagai keluarga Allah

Membentuk suatu tamadun kasih

Berjalan bersama Yesus Kristus

Dalam perlayanan G.I.F.T