Yvonne Foong

Yuin Yin, Tremayne, and Me

Reuben said we tend to fragmentize our lives into race, ethnicity, gender, et cetera. Doing so causes segregation, inhibiting world unity.

There are some truth in his opinion, but at times, fragmentation helps us make sense of reality. In public, I consider myself an NF patient, unlike others. Doing so helps me feel better while unable hear and participate in conversations. Self-defeating thoughts would occur, then I’d quickly remind myself that I am different, so there is nothing to be sad about. It’s just a fact I should be proud of. NF is me, I am NF.

And then, there are people who make me feel at home. My lack of hearing is barely an issue when I am out with Reuben and Roshan, for they always try and remember to include me in conversations. I am also comforted knowing Reuben is like me in that we prefer to have deep conversations and be in constant reflection.

Let’s not forget my dearest sister, Cordy. I seldom write about her, but she means a lot to me. Just like we don’t always write about our mothers even though they mean the world to us, I prefer to keep Cordy in my heart. Like my mother, I am always in Cordy’s attention no matter where we go, how big the crowd is, or what the agenda is. I guess, when you put someone at heart, it shows. I am never bored with Cordy.

Then, there is Mr. X. I like to think some men show they care differently, and as a woman, it always fascinates me realizing his at first seemingly odd behavior, is indeed, his way of paying attention and fussing over me, even in the midst of a group, talking among each other. With men like him, actions speak louder than words.

Of course, one should not only seek to be loved. But it makes me feel better having multiple disabilities.

Some people searching for Melilea Organic found this post of mine, and asked if they may buy from me.

Of course! I was delighted. One of them was a medical student attached with University Malay Medical Center. The other mistook my offer, and asked if I would offer her a lower price than what others were offering her.

I explained that as distributors, we signed a contract with Melilea, legally-bound to sell the products at fixed prices determined by the company. So although there are people offering lower prices out there, they are, in fact, violating the rules. If found, their membership will be revoked, and Melilea might decide to take legal action against them.

At that very moment, I could have followed the trend and offered her a lower price or give up the opportunity, but I stood firm on my principles, and was expecting that she would not like my stance.

THANK GOD, she was touched and agreed to buy through me at the legitimate price even though someone offered her cheaper! Hallelluyah! Alla’u'abha! Thank you very much!

I also sent her some before and after photographs. In the past months, I have appeared many times in public and taken countless au natural photographs with people. These photos were not meant to prove anything, but praise God again, the result of consuming Melilea Organic is evidently shown!

Before Melilea, December 2006

Book Launch, MPH Midvalley Megamall.

While consuming Melilea, April 2007
Book Launch, Popular Bookstore, Ikano Power Center.

A month since consuming Melilea, May 2007.
With Poh Kheng.
At Naomi’s Izakaya.

After Melilea, July 2007
Bloggers’ Buff, Putra MIC.

I am so, so glad. Truthfulness and righteousness always win! But it is not me who won. All glory goes to God. Thank God for teaching me to do the right thing. Direct selling does not have to mean striving at the expense of others. Manipulating the price for personal gain is EXPLOITATION so PLEASE DON’T DO IT!

Melilea Organic Prices for non-members
16 oz bottle RM198.00 (lasts three weeks to a month if taken three times a day)
4 oz bottle RM55.50

Drop me a note at yvonnefmn(at)gmail(dot)com if you want to buy some.

P/S: I also won’t go as far as to fool people into believing that Melilea can remove tumors. That’s absurd!

At a time where sponsorships for competitions are generally low and trivial, the rewards for the doghunt are lucrative: RM15,000, RM13,000 and RM11,000. The competition is supposedly the first of more to come in the Council’s attempt to deal with the stray dog problem in its residential areas.

Continue Reading…

Very good. It will surely increase Malaysia’s visibility on the map.

Thank you everybody who bid for the necklaces!

The highest bid for Sodalite Flower was MYR 157.50
The highest bid for Lakeblue Heart was MYR 180.00

Good news Both winning bidders agreed to pay for the items, and donate it back to me to raise more funds!

I see that a lot of lower income readers liked the Lakeblue Heart. Let’s give them a chance to bid as well, shall we? Stay tuned!

Since last night, a nerve running through a tumor at my neck/shoulder junction hurts when I talk. Many tumors of my body involve high morbidity risks should we attempt to remove them. I wonder if this is one of them. We already know that my Jugular Foramen Meningioma affects swallowing and tongue muscles, what about this one?

Today is one of those days I wake up feeling scared. What if I am not able to talk anymore, how many friends will I lose? How many people will I fail?

I know for one that detachment is necessary for spiritual growth. One should look to God for our purpose and reason to live. I have close friends whom I know will be there through thick or thin.

Yet, it saddens me nevertheless, to think that one day I might not be able to talk anymore and many people may decide I’m no fun to be with.

Yesterday, I attended a Nineteen Day Feast gathering with Roshan, where in a spurt, I shared with him something I wrote awhile back.

Silence

It might surprise you to know that I’m still in the process of getting acquainted with Tutor. Friendship takes time to kindle, until a point when no words are necessary to convey messages.

When Tutor and I are together, whether to study or just hanging out, I’d constantly search for things to say, fearing he might be bored. Tutor, on the other hand, seems less concerned. So it’s almost always me breaking the silence.

Click to continue reading.

The necklaces are up for auction already! Someone offered to match dollar-for-dollar too! Meaning, if you win the Sodalite Flower at RM80. You pay for and receive the necklace as usual. In addition, that someone will donate the same amount to me. So I get RM160 in total!

Here goes the auctions.

Sodalite Flower:
PLACE YOUR BID!

LakeBlue Heart:
PLACE YOUR BID!

More details at the respective Ebay pages.
Enjoy bidding and thank you for supporting me!

I wrote about Reuben and submitted my story to The Cucak Writing Competition. Guess what? Mine got shortlisted!!

You may read the story here. Click our handsome and beautiful photo to read it.

Or just click here.

Vote for me!
If you agree with my cause, please vote for me in the People’s Choice category, which comes with RM500 in cash.

If you’d like to vote this entry for the People’s Choice Award, please send an e-mail message to: write4thecicak@gmail.com
Subject: Heroes - Reuben Koh/Yvonne Foong.

My personal belief: Societal change must first begin with the self.

You know, I had not joined or won in any writing competitions previously. It is true that my writing is full of grammatical mistakes. But to me, it is more important to write with passion, for a cause, for the betterment of the world and mankind. If we were to write, write for a greater purpose. That’s why I submitted a story to The Cicak knowing they are inline with my personal beliefs. Reuben’s as well.

YaY! Here are two personally designed necklace that I will place up for auction this week. Something simple I pulled out the top of my head few months ago. I chose and bought the materials online. SimplyChic made them accordingly and sent to me from Australia, because my eyesight is not good enough to do it myself.

So here goes. Click the images for a larger view.

Sodalite Flower
Ingredients: Sodalite gemstone flower pendant, Onxy beads.

Lakeblue Heart

Ingredients: Aurora Borealis-coated glass pendant, Aurora Borealis-coated crystal Peridots.

Oh, and, the materials are also Australian.

Three years ago, someone was searching for Frederic Chopin’s Opus. 20. Now I found the score, I forgot who wanted it. Here goes Premier Scherzo Op. 20.

I’m resuming Johann Burgmuller’s Opus. 100.

Surprisingly, I find it easier to focus on technical aspects of piano playing now that I am profound deaf. The ABI implant still cannot distinguish different pitches. The piano sounds like a broken radio when I play it. But nevermind. I don’t need to hear in order to play. Perhaps, the brain need not pick up sound waves in order for the soul to enjoy music. (Remember both my hearing nerves to the brain were totally severed.)

Speaking of technicals, have you noticed many people want to improve so fast they don’t bother training their fingers? John Doe might be impressed, but a trained ear can tell your weakness at once.

At age 16, I am diagnosed with a disabling and incurable illness, requiring many surgeries throughout my life.
At age 19, I began raising funds for my own medical treatments.
At age 21, I have been through four major surgeries and still worrying about money.

The bad thing about having a chronic illness is the constant worry of not saving enough money for medical treatments.

So through religion, I learned to depend on God, possess a pure and kindly heart, let tomorrow take care of itself, because God is my provider. Without Him, I would have nothing at all. God is the Creator and governor of my life. Hence, He is in control. Everything happens for God’s purpose, including my medical condition and the constant need for treatments. If God puts me through it, He will ensure everything is met in order for His purpose to come true.

Baha’u'llah said:

O SON OF MAN!
Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.

Jesus said:

Mat 6:19 “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

Mat 6:20 But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Mat 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

Mat 6:23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Mat 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches!”

Mat 6:25 “That’s why I’m telling you to stop worrying about your life-what you will eat or what you will drink-or about your body-what you will wear. Life is more than food, isn’t it, and the body more than clothing?

Mat 6:26 Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t plant or harvest or gather food into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. You are more valuable than they are, aren’t you?

Mat 6:27 Can any of you add a single hour to your span of life by worrying?

Mat 6:28 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies in the field and how they grow. They don’t work or spin yarn,

Mat 6:29 but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.

Mat 6:30 Now if that is the way God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, won’t he clothe you much better-you who have little faith?

Mat 6:31 “So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’

Mat 6:32 For it is the gentiles who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them!

Mat 6:33 But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well.

Mat 6:34 So never worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Why did God give us the faculty of worry when we are not supposed to? I hate this feeling of insecurity that surface every dawn. It sucks.