Last week when I was at fellowship group at Park Island, there was this guy that shared his testimony and I was really touched by it.
He was sharing that he was on the plane flying from Taipei back to Hong Kong when halfway through the flight, the left engine blew up. And it was then, that his life flashed in front of him and then he heard God ask him, 'What have you done for me?'. Well, he wasn't a Christian yet and he continued with his story. Not going to talk about it as it is his story. But something struck me hard and deep.
I sat there thinking and came home pondering, yes, what have I done for Him? The reality of it, is that, I don't have the answers. I spend my life grumbling and complaining and when trials and tribulations come along, I get mad and ask and grumble at God and even shake my fists at Him. And I forget all the times that He has brought me through life and all the difficulties. But God has always a purpose for everything. And it was truly a great reminder, what have I done for Him?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, November 07, 2009
If You're Not Happy Now, What Makes You So Sure That You'll Be Happy Later
On Wednesday, we went to listen to Nick speak. One thing he said that really struck me was this. He said that if you're not happy now, you're not going to be happy later. He gave the analogy of a child at 8 thinking that when he's 16, he'll be happy and then when he's 16, he thinks that when he gets to uni he'll be happy. When he gets to uni, he thinks when he starts working, he'll be happy. And so on. Well, it does seem that happiness does seem illusive then.
What he said is so true. If you're not happy, what makes you so sure that when you get more money, more food or more of whatever you want, it'll make you happy. Happiness comes from now, within and from Christ. That's my belief. I know this for a fact. I used to love to shop. And it's no secret with my family and friends. Whenever I'm a little upset or feeling down, I'll hit the stores. And after buying I'll be a little happier. But the stuff that I buy, can be sitting in the paper bags for like days, weeks or even months. And then, when my credit card bill comes, I feel even worse and the cycle continues.
Expensive lesson and it's over time that I realized that I don't need to buy anymore to make me happy. I need to be happy with myself and thus there wouldn't be a need to buy. Well, it's not that I don't buy anymore, I still. But they are no longer emotional purchases.
What he said is so true. If you're not happy, what makes you so sure that when you get more money, more food or more of whatever you want, it'll make you happy. Happiness comes from now, within and from Christ. That's my belief. I know this for a fact. I used to love to shop. And it's no secret with my family and friends. Whenever I'm a little upset or feeling down, I'll hit the stores. And after buying I'll be a little happier. But the stuff that I buy, can be sitting in the paper bags for like days, weeks or even months. And then, when my credit card bill comes, I feel even worse and the cycle continues.
Expensive lesson and it's over time that I realized that I don't need to buy anymore to make me happy. I need to be happy with myself and thus there wouldn't be a need to buy. Well, it's not that I don't buy anymore, I still. But they are no longer emotional purchases.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Hitting Mid Life
A couple days ago, I officially hit my mid life. Three scores and ten, that's an average person's life span and guess, I'm about halfway there. I know that I've must have mentioned that I'm not very good with aging and am still learning to age gracefully. And I am really appreciative of what life has given me so far.
I had friends over for dinner on Saturday and as I sat and looked around, I'm glad to have met these friends over the three years that I've been in Hong Kong. When I moved to Hong Kong, I hardly have any friends at all. But over time, God has led them one by one to me and over time, they have become family to me. Am truly thankful and appreciative of every single one of them.
When we first moved to HK, we didn't have Christian friends or a community of Christian friends to hang out together. But God is His wisdom brought a community to us. We had some of friends from the fellowship group at dinner too. I am truly blessed. There's nothing more that I can really ask of. God truly has seen me through the first half of my life and He has given me more than I can ever ask for. And I'm sure that He'll continue to see me through the rest of my life.
I had friends over for dinner on Saturday and as I sat and looked around, I'm glad to have met these friends over the three years that I've been in Hong Kong. When I moved to Hong Kong, I hardly have any friends at all. But over time, God has led them one by one to me and over time, they have become family to me. Am truly thankful and appreciative of every single one of them.
When we first moved to HK, we didn't have Christian friends or a community of Christian friends to hang out together. But God is His wisdom brought a community to us. We had some of friends from the fellowship group at dinner too. I am truly blessed. There's nothing more that I can really ask of. God truly has seen me through the first half of my life and He has given me more than I can ever ask for. And I'm sure that He'll continue to see me through the rest of my life.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Friend Loveth at All Times
Recently a friend told me that she had to call a mutual friend of ours because she was so sick that she could hardly get food for herself. It was this incident that got me thinking of my friends when I'm living overseas or when I'm living alone.
The first time that I lived alone was when i was at uni in Gold Coast. Sure, there were times that I wonder would anyone know if I fell sick and died alone. Oh yes, love my morbid thoughts! But I had Eve. She would come around or call me every couple of days to make sure I'm fine. I remember once there was a blackout and of course I was a little concerned and scared. I called Eve and she came straightaway and picked me up to go to Broadbeach for coffee. Miss those times.
Then I got married and moved out. And again, there were times that Babe had to go away for work or go for reservist training. But at that time, living alone wasn't that daunting as I was still in Spore and always have family and friends. Soon after that, I moved to Sydney to do my masters. Again, I had Eve. It's always wonderful to have a best friend living in the same city when living overseas. I had Kabi too. He would also call randomly to meet up.
Now moving to Hong Kong, I had to start from scratch with making friends. Sure like I've mentioned that I've made mistakes but now, I've found a tight group of girlfriends. It's nice of these girlfriends to check on me whenever Babe is out of town. On Tuesday night, I had a migraine attack and as I nursed my throbbing head in head, I'm thankful to know that if there's a need to call a friend to come over, I would have a few to call. And that's more than enough for me to know that there are truly friends that love at all times!
The first time that I lived alone was when i was at uni in Gold Coast. Sure, there were times that I wonder would anyone know if I fell sick and died alone. Oh yes, love my morbid thoughts! But I had Eve. She would come around or call me every couple of days to make sure I'm fine. I remember once there was a blackout and of course I was a little concerned and scared. I called Eve and she came straightaway and picked me up to go to Broadbeach for coffee. Miss those times.
Then I got married and moved out. And again, there were times that Babe had to go away for work or go for reservist training. But at that time, living alone wasn't that daunting as I was still in Spore and always have family and friends. Soon after that, I moved to Sydney to do my masters. Again, I had Eve. It's always wonderful to have a best friend living in the same city when living overseas. I had Kabi too. He would also call randomly to meet up.
Now moving to Hong Kong, I had to start from scratch with making friends. Sure like I've mentioned that I've made mistakes but now, I've found a tight group of girlfriends. It's nice of these girlfriends to check on me whenever Babe is out of town. On Tuesday night, I had a migraine attack and as I nursed my throbbing head in head, I'm thankful to know that if there's a need to call a friend to come over, I would have a few to call. And that's more than enough for me to know that there are truly friends that love at all times!
Monday, October 26, 2009
JC Takes HK
JC came to Hong Kong last Friday with her parents. Dad came from Zhuhai to join us on Saturday. It was a real nice weekend with family. It was especially nice spending time with JC. I'm really thankful that my sister realize how important JC is to me. She gladly let me carry, cuddle and spoil JC the whole time. It was also nice to see Dad light up with JC. Even Babe was enchanted by JC. Enjoy the pics!
JC playing with my pegs hanger. A few days before she came to HK, I was on video chat with her and I showed it to her. She laughed and chuckled. When she came to our home, I showed it to her. She loved it!
JC interacting with Happy. JC had a puzzled look trying to figure out what Happy is. Not quite sure if she's really a dog or a toy that she can bring home.
Lunch at Caramba. JC was so well-behaved at the restaurant. She didn't cry or scream or spill anything. Hopefully this continues.
Oh yes, I put her on the table. Doesn't she look cute and adorable? Dad was so happy with a super well behaved granddaughter. She really set the standard. Wonder what happens if my child turns out to be a screamer!
What a happy family!
A family portrait at Honeymoon Dessert. And yes, she's still not crying!
Even Babe was enchanted by her. What a sweetie pie!
My little precious JC!
Poor JC must have been really tired. This was taken at the airport. Her parents had to practically pry her away from me!
JC playing with my pegs hanger. A few days before she came to HK, I was on video chat with her and I showed it to her. She laughed and chuckled. When she came to our home, I showed it to her. She loved it!
JC interacting with Happy. JC had a puzzled look trying to figure out what Happy is. Not quite sure if she's really a dog or a toy that she can bring home.
Lunch at Caramba. JC was so well-behaved at the restaurant. She didn't cry or scream or spill anything. Hopefully this continues.
Oh yes, I put her on the table. Doesn't she look cute and adorable? Dad was so happy with a super well behaved granddaughter. She really set the standard. Wonder what happens if my child turns out to be a screamer!
What a happy family!
A family portrait at Honeymoon Dessert. And yes, she's still not crying!
Even Babe was enchanted by her. What a sweetie pie!
My little precious JC!
Poor JC must have been really tired. This was taken at the airport. Her parents had to practically pry her away from me!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Being Used
A couple of days ago, I was chatting with Babe about stuff and he said something to me which finally dawned upon me, almost like a 'ting' moment, he said that I've the tendency to allow or let others make use of me. In the past whenever he says that, I'll be annoyed with him. But that night, it finally sank in.
A couple of things happen over last few weeks that made what he said was real. Like I wrote in my last post, things happened but people at work were very supportive and caring. Not trying to bring up the past but in my previous workplace, whenever I ran into issues, people were less caring and it was almost like 'better you than me' kinda attitude. And I realized that while I did try to make time for some people whenever I'm back in Spore, it was more like, 'let's see how well you're doing in life' or 'let's show off what we have' sort of attitudes. In other words, they are 'friendenmies', friends that are enemies! What a waste of my time!
These are people who would find an excuse to make use of me. It may be a small issue but over time, it becomes, wow, do you think that I'm really that dumb? An example of me being used is this. Years ago, I had to attend a course in NTU on Saturdays. I had a car at that time. It took about 30 mins of drive from home to get to class. For more than a year or so, I picked up 2 ladies from the bus stops across their homes, took me a 5 mins detour, to class every Saturday. When the course ended, that's when the contact ended too. There were no calls to ask how are you, let's meet for coffee or anything like that. It ended because I was no more of a use to them.
The other thing about me, I'm not a person that likes to confront issues. I'd rather let it slide pass me or unless it's really bugging me, I'll say out to the person that I really care and love. But most of the time, when I realized that I'm being used, I cut contact with the person. To me, what's the point of being friends when I know that I'm being used and I pretend to be fine with it when I'm not. Yes, that's me. Not liking to tell anyone in their faces that I hate being used!
I know that I may not have very much social time with my colleagues after work. We hardly meet for dinner or coffee or drinks outside of work. Which is fine for me as they're busy with stuff. But in my difficult moments, they showed their love, care and concern. Comparing to the other place that I used to work, yes, we did lots of social stuff, invited each other out and had meals out of work. But when push comes to shove, it didn't matter. I just became a pawn in their game of life.
So....now, whenever I'm back in Spore, I'm not really going to make an effort to call some people. They're not really my friends. But friends, my true friends, not to worry, I'll still call and meet up with you. You know who you are! And I love you heaps. And if you're offended by what I wrote, I'm not sorry because you're not a friend. But if read and miss the blunt and 'say it as it is' me, then, you're my true friend. I really miss you guys. Can't wait for Christmas to see you again and your cute babies too!
A couple of things happen over last few weeks that made what he said was real. Like I wrote in my last post, things happened but people at work were very supportive and caring. Not trying to bring up the past but in my previous workplace, whenever I ran into issues, people were less caring and it was almost like 'better you than me' kinda attitude. And I realized that while I did try to make time for some people whenever I'm back in Spore, it was more like, 'let's see how well you're doing in life' or 'let's show off what we have' sort of attitudes. In other words, they are 'friendenmies', friends that are enemies! What a waste of my time!
These are people who would find an excuse to make use of me. It may be a small issue but over time, it becomes, wow, do you think that I'm really that dumb? An example of me being used is this. Years ago, I had to attend a course in NTU on Saturdays. I had a car at that time. It took about 30 mins of drive from home to get to class. For more than a year or so, I picked up 2 ladies from the bus stops across their homes, took me a 5 mins detour, to class every Saturday. When the course ended, that's when the contact ended too. There were no calls to ask how are you, let's meet for coffee or anything like that. It ended because I was no more of a use to them.
The other thing about me, I'm not a person that likes to confront issues. I'd rather let it slide pass me or unless it's really bugging me, I'll say out to the person that I really care and love. But most of the time, when I realized that I'm being used, I cut contact with the person. To me, what's the point of being friends when I know that I'm being used and I pretend to be fine with it when I'm not. Yes, that's me. Not liking to tell anyone in their faces that I hate being used!
I know that I may not have very much social time with my colleagues after work. We hardly meet for dinner or coffee or drinks outside of work. Which is fine for me as they're busy with stuff. But in my difficult moments, they showed their love, care and concern. Comparing to the other place that I used to work, yes, we did lots of social stuff, invited each other out and had meals out of work. But when push comes to shove, it didn't matter. I just became a pawn in their game of life.
So....now, whenever I'm back in Spore, I'm not really going to make an effort to call some people. They're not really my friends. But friends, my true friends, not to worry, I'll still call and meet up with you. You know who you are! And I love you heaps. And if you're offended by what I wrote, I'm not sorry because you're not a friend. But if read and miss the blunt and 'say it as it is' me, then, you're my true friend. I really miss you guys. Can't wait for Christmas to see you again and your cute babies too!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Supportive Working Environment
A couple of days ago things happened at work. I'm not going to go into what happened at work. All I'm going to say is that I was at fault. But what I was surprised at is the care, concern and support that my colleagues have given me.
To be really honest, I really didn't expect my colleagues to lend me a supporting shoulder and hand. Teachers that I don't really teach with actually came and comforted me. And even teachers that don't teach English gave me words of encouragement. I'm also in awe that even my deputy principals came to me with words of encouragement. It's nice to know that I'm working in such a loving, caring and supportive environment. I know that things happen for reasons that I may or may not know. But whatever it is, I'm glad to see and know that I do have wonderful colleagues. Very thankful!
To be really honest, I really didn't expect my colleagues to lend me a supporting shoulder and hand. Teachers that I don't really teach with actually came and comforted me. And even teachers that don't teach English gave me words of encouragement. I'm also in awe that even my deputy principals came to me with words of encouragement. It's nice to know that I'm working in such a loving, caring and supportive environment. I know that things happen for reasons that I may or may not know. But whatever it is, I'm glad to see and know that I do have wonderful colleagues. Very thankful!
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