Living out Faith

I've been feeling pretty good with my eating lifestyle so far. Been eating 3 meals a day and hardly any snacks in between....Even when I eat out, been choosing low carbo, not sure about low fat though. Cooking at home, low fat, low carbo....low, low everything....Hoping to lose weight. I was at Marks and Spencer today having a look around. Well, tried a couple of pants and realised that I've grown into a size 14....and I'm like what....I'm getting as big as a bus!!! On the way home, I was feeling a little depressed about my impending transformation into a bus. Then I thought, ok, I'm going to cook porridge and then going to go to the gym. Then I got home...Feeling tired...no, never mind, I'll go to the gym tomorrow. Been out late last night feeling a little tired. Then had my dinner, low fat, low oil, low carbo and and the low stuff....And after dinner...about an hour ago, I'm like feeling peckish...And thought, ya, i've got popcorn....going to pop the p...

Another philosophical post....So readers be warned....I love to eat....Yes, love to eat!!! As you can tell from my size....But since going to the gym and trying to lose weight....I'm trying to move from living to eat to the eat to live side. When everyone found out that I'm moving to Hong Kong, they are like....oh be careful with your eating....Yes, this is the greedy pigs' paradise and of course I'm in the greedy pig zone. I love food. Since living here for about 6 weeks, eating out.....is becoming an adventure. I'll go out to the restaurant and then look at the menu and I'm like....what do I want to eat because I can't read chinese. Take last night for an example. I went to Tsuen Wan with Michelle, thinking that we're going to explore the suburbs. Walking through Tsuen Wan looking at all the nice chinese restaurants and we're like....What should we eat? And guess what, we ended up at a sushi place because we know what we're eating and we don...

Readers, not sure if you're going to be in treat or your eyes are just going to roll and moan and groan and say, 'Gosh.....is she in one of her philosophical mood again?...Damn!' Well, which ever route you people take....sit back read and just enjoy. Babe, flew off about an hour or so ago. And I'm left with my thoughts again. I do enjoy having my ponder moments when I get let my notions and thoughts have a good run. I thought about happiness. Not sure if I mentioned this, but a student a few days ago remarked that money can buy everything. Had to correct her. But then again....after having time to think about it. What is true happiness and can money truly buy happiness? Honestly, I don't know. What is happiness? Is there true happiness? Am I happy now? Is it just a state of mind? For a long time, my definition of happiness is simple. Happiness is a moment of simple joy. Happiness comes in moments. It comes and goes. Am I happy now? I'm not sure. I'm alone in...

Babe and me on Star Ferry coming back from TST after lunch. We went to church this morning as TST. We're church shopping. But don't think that church is going to work out for us. Everything seemed fine in church till it was time for the Lord's Supper. Well, it was the first time in my life that we experienced this form of Lord's Supper. We told to come up to pinch off some bread from the loaf and then dip it into the bowl of juice. I was a little dumbfounded. I was thinking, this is the Lord's Supper not bread in curry, you know. After service, I prayed that God will give me the spirit of discernment. And I believe that the church that we visited is not the one for us. Will probably go back to TST Baptist Church next week. Only issue, service is at 8.30 am. Have to wake up early. Wk and me went to a really nice restaurant for dinner last night...Nice romantic Italian restaurant at Lan Kwai Fong. Wk will be here till Tues and then off to Spore till he comes back on 1...

I'm beginning to enjoy going to the gym. Whenever I'm at the gym, I take time to go through my thoughts and the solitude is really great. I was thinking through my fears. What are my biggest fears? Through the years, I've conquered the fear of cockroaches, ants and basically most household pest. Well, when one lives alone periodically, one has to overcome those fears! I remember when I was living in Sydney, a flying cockroach flew into my studio. I had to think of all means and ways to kill that bugger before I could go to sleep. Looking back, it is funny now. And yes, I'm also not afraid of cats anymore! But I still don't like them. To be really honest, I don't really have many fears. Only three of them. Losing my mind. the process of growing old and getting as big as a bus. These are my top of the list. They are on equal par. I'm really afraid of losing my mind as in losing my memory. I'm not want that loves the camera. Therefore, I don't take as m...

I remember reading a post on Stan's blog on overnight. He wrote about things happening overnight and at that time, a mutual friend of ours went to home to heaven. This morning I woke up to something that happened overnight. The moment I wake up every morning, I turn on the telly and then wash up and get dressed while the telly is on. I tune on to Channelnewsasia to catch up with news. This morning came as a rude shock, there was a coup in Thailand. I love visiting Thailand. I visit Thailand once a year either to Bangkok or Phuket. It's a great place. I remember visiting Bangkok last year. At that time, I haven't visited Bangkok for about 2 years. After my holiday, I remember talking to a Thai friend mentioning that wow, Thaksin seem to have done a lot for Bangkok as seem to look a lot nicer and infrastructure seems a lot better too. She laughed when I said that. She told me that Thai people do not see things that way. That brought me to realize that when we're not in th...

Finally, it's confirmed! WK received his job offer letter today and he's going to tender his resignation letter tomorrow. Ya!!! He'll be in HK this Friday and on 15th Oct, he'll be moving to HK. I'm really excited about it. Can't wait for him to make the move! We're starting our lives in HK. This is all new and I'm looking forward to starting our lives here. It'll be good to share the working and living abroad experience with my hubby, my best friend and my soulmate. At the back of my head, I'm just thinking, with WK moving to HK as well, I really wonder how long will we stay here. My initial plan was to stay here for 2 years and now with WK's move, we may be here longer than expected. At this point of time, I'm still enjoying HK. I'm still in the honeymoon period. I believe that work makes a difference. Work is not as stressful as before and thus life is a lot more enjoyable. I'm able to take time out to enjoy my life and sleep l...

I went to church this morning. Yes, finally, went to church. Church service was at 8.30 am. Real early. The sermon today was on 'Integrity'. The preacher shared on Job and how through it all, he held on to his integrity and and didn't wavered on his trust, faith and hope in God. At this point of time in my life, everything is going somewhat well. For the first time in my life for a long time, everything seem to be going fine. Job is great, money is not as tight as before, hubby is coming over to HK to work and things seem to be going well. Comparing this to what was going on just last year, the same time, my life was in constant worry. I was always worried about not having enough money last year, my assignments, making sure that I'll pass and even this year. Early this year, I was struggling to pay my study loans, teach more tuition classes to make more money and the workload I was having at work. Then Aug came, and now in September, things seem to be turning out fine. ...

I went to visit grandma today. The journey took about 3 and half hours from home. I had to get to the airport first and from there catch a coach to the customs at Huangguan, From Huangguan, I was transferred to a car. This pic was taken while I was on the highway. Think it was near Shenzhen. Fell in and out of sleep as I was getting there. Finally, I got there. Was outside grandma's house for a while trying to get in. Knocked a couple of times and she didn't open the door. And then someone told me to go around her house and yell for her. Yelled, and grandma came and opened the door. I was a little too early and she was still preparing lunch for me. While she was preparing lunch for me, I walked around the house and took a couple of pictures of the house. In July, grandma's house was flooded. Thank God at that time, she was in Shanghai. When I heard the news, I was sad for her. I remember visiting her in Dec 2004, she showed me pictures of grandpa and her in London and some...

Day started as usual...Nothing special. I was meant to meet Michelle at 5.30 pm at Tsim Sha Tsui MTR to meet the other NETS for drinks. So I left home at 4.45 to get to 7-11 to get re-charge for my mobile phone. Got to 7-11 and told the lady what I needed. Just before she punched into the cashier, I dug into my bag for my purse. Digging and looking, I went, shit, no purse. And I told her, I'll be back later. And it was when I was out of 7-11 and I realized, fuck! My keys are in my purse! Can't get into my apartment. And then, I realized that I can't get into my estate as well because my resident's card in also in my purse. I had a moment of sheer panic! There I was standing outside the gate and I called Simon and told him what happened. He lives in my estate too. He told me to call my landlord, and I replied that my landlord actually lives in Spore. Then he said, speak to the concierge, he'll know what to do. At that someone was getting into the estate and I manage ...

It has been a month and a day since I've arrived in Hong Kong. Things have been good so far. Actually, something happened at about 7.50+pm. I was sitting in my lounge room watching TV. Then I felt tremors...And I thought to myself, 'Boy, a bloody huge plane must be flying over my block'. Then when I went online, I realised that there was really a mini earthquake....For the few seconds I thought...Gosh...hope that the building wouldn't just collapse! Anyway, back to me living in Hong Kong. I guess at this point of time, I'm still in my honeymoon stage with Hong Kong. The experiences that I have so far have been rather positive and there's really nothing to complain about. No, I do have a complain...Wish they have more restaurants that have English menus! Almost everyday, my boss helps me to order lunch because I can't figure out what to eat. Not that I don't know what to eat...I always know what I want to eat but rather, I can't read the menu and I ca...

altruism noun willingness to do things which benefit other people, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself: selfish adjective DISAPPROVINGSomeone who is selfish only thinks of their own advantage: Taken from Cambridge Dictionaries Was at the gym today. Trying hardest to work out and lose some inches. While on the ski machine, I looked through the window and saw some kids playing at the playground. This may come as a surprise to many. I remembered as a kid during an oral exam, I was asked, what do I want to be when I grow up. Think I must have been around 12 or 13. I told the teacher that I wanted to be a mother of 2 or 3 kids. She stared at me...eyes almost popping out....How things have changed. Twenty years later, do I have any desire to have kids at this point of time? Well, in a way I do. I want to adopt a child. And truthfully, I wonder if the desire to adopt a child is truly altruistic. I've always thought of adopting since we got married. Not that we can't have k...

Went to work and brought my leftover dinner for lunch. During lunch, I went to the pantry area to heat up my lunch. There was a lady that was cleaning up the microwave ovens. There's about 5 microwave ovens there. Haven't seen so many microwave ovens in one place before, other than the stores. This nice lady apologized for not heating up my food. I was pleasantly surprised. And she told me that she didn't heat up my food because I didn't put my lunchbox on the 'to be heated shelves' in the fridge. I'm like wow.....this school really cares for their staff. They even make sure that your lunch get heated just before lunchtime! Next pleasant surprise. While I was marking some papers, a teacher came up to me and introduced herself. Hate to say this, but I can't remember her name. Well, she told me that she has to collect some money from me, it's like for staff welfare. I said fine and asked how much, she said HK$50. Well, that's like SIN$10. And that...

I woke up today and went to the mall in Tsingyi looking for a jacket to wear for parents' day today. I was talking to Simon yesterday about dressing up for parents' day. In my mind, I had the impression that since it was a saturday, I was thinking of dressing down. But Simon looked at me and said that he turned up in a suit for parents' day during his first year in the school. And I was like....ok...time to look for a jacket. So off to Tsingyi this morning....found nothing...all too small, then off to Tung Chung, another mall, and it came to a point that I would just walk into a shop and asked if they have a jacket that's my size. And well....my fears are confirmed...I'm too fat in HK! Even the XL can't fit me!!! So more time for gym...Came home and with a box of jap food instead! So have to make do. Wore a skirt and my tailored shirt. Guess, I looked formal enough. Went to school and guess what, it started to rain...Damn! I'm all dressed up and carrying my ...

Today has been a great day. I taught 2 classes of Primary 5. It has been great fun. I started with 5E. This class is great. With all the classes, I co-teach with a local teachers. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant and worried about teaching the kids. Was a little concern if the kids will get used to me. After all, Simon taught them for 3 years. This is Simon, he's going to be in the school for another to help me ease into the school. The kids love him too. Some kids actually asked what will happen to him since I'm going to be teaching them from now onwards. Hopefully, I'm going to be as impactful as he has been to the kids. This is my second class of Primary 5, 5C. For the both classes, we did the story, 'Who will be my Mother?' I love this story. But honestly, think this story might be a little simple for the kids. However, I like this story because I can infuse critical thinking into this lesson. A kid actually asked me, how can a boy be the mother of the ...

After 3 days of waiting in anticipation, I finally taught the kids today. It was a primary 4 class. My first time teaching in a HK school. It was great! Shared the story, 'Who Will Be My Mother', with them. The kids were very responsive. Simon was very helpful. He was there supporting me. The kids participated and readily answered my questions. It was a very different experience. I co-taught the class with a local teacher. I did most of the teaching and she gave instructions to the kids and took care of the discipline. But honestly, the kids were very well behaved. Maybe, this is just the beginning. Tomorrow, I'll be teaching 2 classes of primary 5. Will be sharing the same story with them. Can't wait. Haven't felt so happy teaching for such a long time! 11.00 pm Hong Kong

Last night WK went back to Spore and tonight Jackie went back as well. The home suddenly seem so quiet.....It's feels kinda odd. And I'm now alone. To be honest, I'm not very lonely. I enjoy the solitude. Which is strange as I am an extrovert and all my friends would probably agree that I'm an extrovert as well. But I do enjoy my moments of solitude a lot as well. It is the same as when I was living in Sydney that I enjoy living alone. When I went to Sydney to study last year, even though money was tight, I still chose to live alone. I like my peace and serenity. I would rather cut back on everything and live alone. It is the same living in Hong Kong now. I guess I'm one of those strange extrovert that value my quietness a lot as well. Met an old friend tonight for dinner. Someone that I've not seen for 9 years. Can you believe it? 9 years! Gary works in Ireland now and he came back on a business trip to HK and it so great that we had time to meet up with each ...

Just came back from the airport. Wk has left to go back to Spore. Sure, I miss him but life goes on. I know that most people do not kinda agree that we lead this sort of lifestyle. However, honestly, I do like this lifestyle. I do feel that being apart from each other tends to make us appreciate the short time we have with each other whenever we see each other. As the saying goes, absence makes the hearts grow fonder. I totally agree with this saying. The 1o days that we spent with each other were great. We had a wonderful time together. Anyway, I'll be seeing him in about 3 weeks' time. Can't wait to see him again! Wk went for his second interview today. Things seems to be looking up. Thank God for it. We'll wait upon God to see His will for us. Work has been great so far. Well, still haven't got a chance to teach the kids yet. The students have half days for 3 days for class teachers to do admin work. I've been in school doing planning for my lessons. Had an h...

Back from the city. As requested by Yati, some pics today. Went to Ikea today. Needed to get more stuff for my home. Got to Ikea and Wk commented that the Ikea in HK is just as crowded as the one in Spore. The strange thing about this Ikea, it is in Causeway Bay, which is like Orchard Road in Spore's context, and also the store is actually in the 2 levels of the basement of a hotel. Guess, this is what happens when space becomes a constraint. For once, Wk did not say anything about me getting anything. My guess is that he was too tired from looking at the crowd. I got more stuff so that I can get everything delivered to my place. Couldn't deal with carrying the stuff on the ferry and back home. This is how Wk looked after shopping at Ikea. We stopped at a restaurant for lunch. He was so tired to the point that he looked a little off! After eating, we went on walking around Causeway Bay. Boy, it was really crowded. There were masses and masses of people everywhere. At one point,...

I got up in the morning to pee and went back to bed. For some reason, a song kept ringing in my head. It went on and on and finally, I've got to get up. And it's only like 7 in the morning. Well, it didn't help with Wk's snoring as well. The song that rang in my head, actually, it is still ringing in my head is a song that I remember from my late teen years. Well, this is the song. Words: Deborah D. Smith Music: Michael W. Smith Packing up the dreams God planted In the fertile soil of you Can't believe the hopes He's granted Means a chapter in your life is through But we'll keep you close as always It won't even seem you've gone 'Cause our hearts in big and small ways Will keep the love that keeps us strong Chorus: And friends are friends forever If the Lord's the Lord of them And a friend will not say never 'Cause the welcome will not end Though it's hard to let you go In the Father's hands we know That a lifetime's not too l...

Just got my salary yesterday and I started shopping......Yes, penny pinching days are over!!! Errr....just for 2 days..and then back to penny pinching days. Buying started yesterday. List of things that I bought 1) Pair of trainers (need the shoes for gym) 2) Sports bra (need the support) 3) sports shirt (for gym) 4) working shoes (for work) 5) top from Espirit (for work) 6) towel (need it for showers) 7) rice cooker (one has to eat) 8) camper shoes (for work and going out) 9) Polo Shirt (being wanting to get that forever...love the huge horse) That's all....But every item that I bought has a purpose right? So, guess the shopping for the 2 days is fine...Oh gee....who am I kidding? I promise, starting from next week, I'll be good! Will start to penny pinch...every cent counts.....need to pay off my loan asap! On a separate note, WK has been really good. When I left for work, WK was sleeping. He was telling me that he'll clean the house today when we were watching telly last...