You Never Let Go

My life is always in a limbo, I admit that. There are days that I wake up and wonder, what's with my life and why is it sometimes what I plan for my life, does not pan out? It has taken a totally different turn to what I thought is the best plan for me.

Don't get mistaken, I'm not depressed or anything like that. I'm probably in a reflective mood more than anything else. Babe has taken on a job that takes him away from home a lot. And I probably see him like once every three or four weeks. It's kinda fine for me as I know that we're trying to work hard for our future. We speak on the phone every night and with technology, we msn each other at work. So we're connected as much as we can. However, sometimes, I wonder, why? What's God's plan for us? Sure, there are days that I think, maybe I should quit my job and join him and be with him. But the reality is that I love my job. I enjoy what I have now and Babe doesn't want me to quit too. He knows me well enough.

When Babe left, my family was here for another day and then they left. Jacqui stay longer and it was nice coming home knowing that someone is at home or someone will come home later. She left last night. But i'm thankful for Happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not homesick. I enjoy the peace and quiet too. And yes, I'm still busy, haven't really have the time to chill and have dinner at home. But last night, I did wonder what's God's plan for us. Then, this song came fleeting to my head.

You Never Let Go
By Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

And I thought, how true. God will never let go of us. And even though I walk through the shadow of death, He'll be will with me, His rod and staff will protect me. And whom should I fear? In His time, He'll bring Babe back home and in His time, He'll bring the child that we have been praying and committing to Him.

Hiking

Jacqui was planning to buy a camera when she came to Hong Kong and I thought that hiking might be a next way for her to play with her new toy. And so I emailed Mel and a couple others to ask if they wanted to go on a hike. Well, friends turned up and a couple actually emailed saying that they are turning up just to see me hike! Well, kinda flattered.

So on Sat, we went and hiked on Dragon's Back trail. We started at somewhere near Stanley and ended up at Shek O. Don't ask me where, I just followed. I survived the hike. Was superbly tired too!

On the hike, it brought back some memories. The times that I went on a hike, I can count by the fingers on one hand. The most recent was maybe 4 years ago when I was helping out in Sunday School camp. But the one that brought back the most memories while I was walking was the hike that I did probably 20 years ago or something like that. I was in Youth Fellowship and we went on a hike for maybe like 4 hours or more. It was brutal but fun. I thought of Adrian. He was my mentor in Youth Fellowship and I remember he feeding the monkey with luncheon meat and the monkey sniffed at it and then threw it away. I miss Adrian. Wonder what's it like in heaven for him. Adrian, miss you heaps. Sometimes I wonder why God decided that you deserve to head home so early.

Anyway, enough of that. Enjoy the pictures. Would have loved to take more pictures but I was too busy huffing and puffing and asking, 'Are we there yet?' And thanks girls and a boy for not pushing me down the mount!

Busy as a Bee

Well, Babe has taken up a job that would probably away from home most of the time and before taking up the job, he was very concern that he will be away most of the time. He was worried that I'll be lonely and bored at home. But the nice thing, friends called up to check if I'm alright and started to fill up my social calender. I've been out almost every night for dinner or something and well, I even gotten myself double booked and decided that all my dates and appointments have to go into my iphone now. Can't believe how busy I've gotten. Don't even seem to have time to sit down to talk to Babe when he calls.

And I've finally gotten off my fat ass to join a gym. Been thinking about it for about 2 years and have always want to join a gym because I like going for classes. So finally, took the plunge and joined it. Went for Body Balance and really had fun even though I almost tipped over a couple of times and my stomach muscles still hurt, I still love it! Shame that I can't go for any more classes this week because I'm busy as a bee! Next week will be a little better I hope.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Before I go on, I'm not American and not have really thought about Thanksgiving until my cousins moved to America and I moved to Hong Kong and started hanging out with Americans. Over time, I decided that Thanksgiving is one event that I'm going to start celebrating as a family. And no, I'm not an American wannabe or anything like that. I still don't celebrate Halloween or Independence Day. I chose to celebrate Thanksgiving because it's a good reminder to me that God has really provided lots for me. This includes materially and emotionally. And therefore it's serves as a good time to be thankful for the wonderful blessings that He has showered upon my family and me!

This Thanksgiving is extra special because I've got part of my family with me. Dad and mum along with Joanne and Jo Claire are visiting. It's nice to be with them. Dad went to Zhuhai this morning for work. It's a shame that we can't have dinner together. Been thinking of going to a nice restaurant for Thanksgiving but we're sure that the American restaurants will be full. Plus, mum's knee is still giving her problems and so we might just end up having dinner in one of the restaurants on the island. But who cares if we're eating turkey or not. Just along as we're together as a family, that's all that matters! And yes, love that JC is here too!!! Very thankful for that!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. Remember God's blessings and count them and be thankful!

7th Year

The 7th year of marriages is always associated with the 7th year itch. But to me, any year can be the the year of itch. This is especially in this day and age, a marriage is just a piece of paper. It's no longer regarded with the same sanctity as before. A divorce can happen just months after a marriage. At the back of the heads of some, if this marriage is not going to work out, fine, it's not a big deal, there's always another person out there for me.

I'm not putting anyone down but truth of the matter is that divorce rates are going higher and higher. But having said all that, a marriage is never easy. I know that for a fact. It is an ongoing process. And sure, there are days that I really feel like throwing in the towel and walking away from it. But it is the love that Babe has for me that makes me realise that a marriage is always hard work but it has it's rewards. There's always give and take and yes, I admit that there are times that I take more than I give and I'm learning everyday to be a better wife and person.

I'm not perfect and I admit it without hesitation and therefore I do not expect a perfect husband too. However, I'm glad that my husband accepts all my flaws and mostly without grumbling. I'm not a housekeeper. My housekeeping skills pretty much do not exist. I'm very good at making a mess at home and leaving a trail behind me. But he still loves me all the same. I'm not able to describe or even be able to write or articulate how much Babe loves me but all I can say is heaps and heaps more than I can ever imagine. And I'm always truly thankful for him.

We're entering into our next stage of life. It's an adventure that we're on. Babe's starting a new job soon and this job will take away from home heaps. It's not something that I'm totally looking forward to but it's something that I know will be better for our future and I'm supportive of whatever he does. It was a hard decision for him as I know that he hates being away from home but he wants to provide more for the family, not that we don't have enough but Babe, being Babe, loves me that he wants more for me. And that's one thing that I respect him for. He loves me as much or maybe even more than himself.

Babe, thanks for the past 7 awesome years! And yes, I'm looking forward to more awesome years ahead and growing old and walking into my sunset years hand in hand with you.

Part 1 of 7th Wedding Anniversary

Woke up this morning and Babe decided that we should go to Disney. And I thought, yea, why not. I like Disney. And then I realised that it's close to our wedding anniversary and what a great way to spend it at our favourite place on earth!

Had lots of fun. Ummm.....well, kinda. Made me kinda miss the Disneyland in California. But we're in Hong Kong and beggars can't be choosers right? Nevertheless, we had a great time. Love the light up and with the 3-D glasses that they gave us, we could see nice heart shapes of lights and heart shapes in the fireworks. How awesome! And thanks Babe for a great time!

Daring to Dream a Dream

Duane Ho is one of my favourite ex students. Well, I'm very selective about my favorite ex-students and he's one of them! I first taught him when he was probably in P5 or maybe earlier. I can't really remember, getting old, I guess. He came across as this really nice and talented boy at that time. I remember his mother inviting me to his church performance and boy was I blown away by his singing and acting.

We kept in touch even when he left the school, and when I moved to Sydney to do my masters and even now. We have built a relationship, him and his mum too. And might I add that she's one good cook and a great and nurturing mum too. I remember one summer when I was back, Duane and his mum invited me to their place for tea. Duane played the piano and sang for me. And I found out that he only picked up playing the piano recently.

Anyway, this summer when I was back, and I found out that he was in Spore Idol, I was totally rooting for him. He did tell me that he wanted to join Spore Idol and he went ahead and did it! He's young and he had the guts. And what made him special was that, he's not your typical idol. The skinny, handsome and stylish kind. Sorry, Duane, not putting you down or anything like that, but Duane is your average Sporean. The boy next door. The cute chubby boy whose not afraid to be himself. And he's not going to conform to the world's standard or rather Spore's standard of an idol. He's just him. Very him. Not caring what the world or Spore thinks. And I love him for that.

To me, Duane, you had the courage to dream a dream and not just sitting there and dream. You went ahead to make that dream come true. And so what if Spore didn't make you an idol. Who cares? Because in my point of view, you already became an inspiration to many people. And importantly, you became an inspiration to me. Dream a dream and really going out there to make that dream a reality!

People, enjoy Duane!