Meeting up with Old Friends

It's been great meeting up with old friends. This was taken at Sharon's place last nite. Great food and it was nice catching up with old friends. And as usual Ashton, my little precious, never failed to entertain us with his antics. It was nice seeing us all together. And he found a girlfriend...Beatrice, such a well behaved girl.

Met up with Sindy, Tsui Wen and Chow for a coffee. Nice seeing them and catching and just talking. After that, next coffee, met Angie, Ariel, Cheng and Cynthia and had my second cup of coffee. I do miss my ex-colleagues quite a bit. And by the time I met Stan and company for dinner, WK was saying that I was a little high on caffine.

Had dinner with Stan, Dorcas and Charles tonight. Stan and Dorcas, congrats!!! Am very glad that my dear friend has met someone....May God bless you both. And please, please....let me know the dates in advance. Rain, shine, hailstorm or whatever, die, die, I must make it to your wedding.

We sold our car this morning. Life is a little strange without a car. At the same time, it feels a little strange letting go of the car. Yes, I know that we'll be saving quite a bit of money but at the same time, it feels strange and sad that we're slowly letting go of some of our stuff. It's weird that when I say that I'm going back to HK and when I'm in HK I say that I'm going back to Spore. So what's the meaning of back? What's back? Is back like home? So is HK becoming a home to me as well?

I don't know...I really don't know...But one thing I know for sure, I need to stop eating!!! Getting real fat!

Christmas in Singapore

It's nice to be back for Christmas. While driving to Orchard yesterday and the day before for last minute shopping and to get clothes for myself....it seems a little surreal. Brought us back to the days when we were studying in Australia and coming home for hols. Was a little strange but it was a nice strange.

Been eating...and eating..but have to be real careful, turning quite porky soon. But overall, man, it's good to be home for Christmas!

Family, friends and everyone, Have a Blessed Christmas and an even better New Year ahead!

Christmas in Kei Wai Primary School

Today has been a great day. I had a rush of emotions when I was sitting through the Christmas Service this morning. Very emotional. To be really honest, I never had the chance or opportunity to sit through a Christmas Service in a school. It was totally exhilarating. The pastor did an absolute great time sharing the gospel to the kids. My sincere prayer is that the kids will really understand the message. The kids really had fun and I had fun too.

After school, we had a staff Christmas lunch and thereafter we had to practise a Mandarin song that the teachers are presenting in April. Well, it's hard learning a Chinese song.

Will be home tomorrow...less than 12 hours and we'll be on the plane...Can't wait!

It's Beginning to Feel Like Christmas

Being trying to blog yesterday but for some reason, I couldn't get onto the blogger site. And then I remembered that Simon got firefox for me and now I can blog! Ya!

Been kinda busy at work for the last couple of days. School is breaking for Christmas hols this Friday and it's getting a little crazy here. Not that I'm doing a lot of work and thus I shouldn't be complaining...But then again, it's Christmas!!! I've never worked till so close to Christmas before. My body is screaming....it's bloody Christmas, I need a break...And well, true enough, it got a break. Was kinda sick last week with flu and it only got heaps better this week and this week, is WK's turn to get the flu. We're much better and all ready to fly home for Christmas. Can't wait!

It's been kinda cold these few days. Last weekend was especially cold. It was around 10 to 12 degrees but for the fact that we live on our little island and it's near the sea or bay, it's even colder. Was probably around 8 to 10 degrees. I've got my pink coat on almost everyday and even in the office as well. Got myself a pair of leather boots finally and been wearing it quite a bit as well. I get hungry more often now especially during the cold nights....But have to refrain.... Well, at least the cold is pleasant and not like in Singapore. Joanne told me that it was raining for a couple of days in Singapore and we joked that it's almost like days of Noah's Ark. At least I can say that I'm dry but cold in Hong Kong now. Saw the news on CNA and read it online as well. Wow, the most amount of rainfall recorded in like 75 years.

This is my first time spending Christmas in HK. Ok, not really spending my Christmas here. We're flying out on Sat back home. But you know, soaking in the festivities and sharing the Christmas story with the kids and the cold as well. Listening to Christmas songs that I downloaded. This is probably my second time that we're experiencing winter in November and December as well. It's a little foreign to me especially. I'm so used to winters in June and July.

Been going through the birth of Jesus with the kids. For once in a long time, I finally find that I'm really doing something meaningful. Sharing with the kids something that's important to me. I'm really thankful that I'm working in a Christian school and it's finally that I can share about Jesus openly to the kids. It's something that I was never allowed to do so when I was teaching in Singapore. It gives me comfort that I can stand and tell the kids the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

Been listening to All I Want for Christmas is You. And it warms my heart knowing that God has been very gracious and merciful to WK and me by giving WK a job in HK and that we can share this experience and journey together. And it is true that All I Want for Christmas is WK. What more can I ask for? My prayer for Christmas and the year head is for God to lead us and show us what He has install for us. And also for WK to be able see what his future beholds for him. And family and friends, thanks for your prayers. Can't wait to see everyone again. Only person I'll miss this Christmas is Eve. She's in States and I do miss her heaps. Girl, thanks for the wonderful present!

Why Do I Blog?

Have been thinking about the above mentioned question for a couple of days. When I started blogging, it was for me to keep in contact and update people with what's going on in my life. But as I started to blog and started to pour out my thoughts....Blogging became very enjoyable and in fact it was like a way that I could express my thoughts and views. Since I've always wanted to write my own book, this might be a good start.

But when I actually probe deeper, I began to realise that it might be a situation that I miss talking to people...Yes, people, I admit...I love to talk and I don't seem to talk much to people at work....and sometimes it's killing me! Hang on, for the record, I love my job.....It's a pretty good one at this point of time. One of the least stressful job that I've had in a long, long time....But it's the social situation at work. In some ways, I miss my ex-colleagues at WDP where I could just walk up to my colleagues and share jokes and just talk to them about anything. Just talk. But now, it's a little hard. Language is a barrier and sometimes I feel sorry for the teachers who try to make such an effort to talk to me because they feel sorry for me? I don't know. There are a couple of English teachers that I talk to and sometimes we share a joke or 2. But there are days that go by and I don't talk to anyone except for work related talk. And blogging is a my way of communicating my thoughts, views, opinions and my way of talking.

This also leads me to the next point..My girlfriends in HK. Well, my girlfriends in HK are also NET teachers. We meet at least once a week and it's a great time that we destress and just talk. We are so deprived of just having English conversations that when we meet, it is always a blast! I had dinner with Michelle, I mentioned to her that our circle of friends is like our support group....a little like AA.... I remember in Singapore, I never really made such an effort with girlfriends and meeting them regularly but in HK, I guess the ball game is a little different.

And thinking about it, not sure if this can happen but...I feel that I'm an extrovert that's turning into an introvert. Not sure if this can happen but I think it's beginning to happen to me. But I still love to go out with my girlfriends. But that's going off the topic....

Oh well, so that's why I blog...And it's 11 days to Christmas!!! Can't wait! Having a little Christmas dinner this Sat. Well, it has to be little but of the little space that we have.

Coincidences

I went home early yesterday after work and managed to catch a little of Oprah. For those who don't know, I love love watching Oprah. I know that it can sound very cheesy but I do learn a lot from watching watching her shows. Have to admit that some of the stuff can be hogwash but some of it, really makes lots of sense.

In her show she mentioned something like, there are no coincidences in life. At that point, it was like a lightening that stuck me. I'm so used to saying that, oh, it's such a coincident..... But in reality, there isn't such a thing as coincidences. For the next few minutes I started to ponder about what she said. I looked at my life and wonder whether if it was coincidences that people and circumstances come into my life or is it predestined by God.

I met WK when I was 15 in church. And when I was 28, we got married. Was it predestined that we met or was it just a coincident? I believe that God brought WK into my life and that in His time we got married. 2 of my best friends are part of my life. Monster is my cousin and that's very obvious that God predestined to be my best friend, but of all the cousins that I have, she's has to be the one that I'm closest to. And Stan, we grew up in Sunday School and God chose him to me my best spiritual brother who is going to keep my grounded in my spiritual life. And Eve, I met her at undergrad and after years of losing contact, God had a hand of getting us together again and He gave us time to spend with each other in Sydney as well.

And now, the group of girls that I meet regularly in HK, they are placed in my life for a purpose. And I'm truly grateful for their wonderful support. There are days at work that pass without me speaking much to people and for me, being a social animal, it can be rather difficult. But thank God for people like Michelle, Colleen, Nicole, Martina and Simon, they understand what I go through at work.

Even WK getting a job in HK, God has a purpose for that. He has a purpose for everything that comes up in our lives. Even though it can be hard trying to trust Him for everything at times. And I've to remember from now onwards, words like, luckily, fortunately and coincidentally will have to go from my vocab. Everything has a reason and God will prevail His reasons to me someday.

14 Days to Christmas!!!

Yes, as you can tell, I love counting down to Christmas. It's the best feeling. I love Christmas more than anything else on earth! I believe it's the reminder that Jesus came to earth to save us from eternal damnation...



We went to Disneyland on Saturday. Yes, it's again.....We wanted to see the Christmas decorations there. Well, in a way, it was a little letdown, but at least we saw the fireworks. But it was still magical...Here are the pics....Enjoy

On the Disney train.

Check out my pink boots, don't you just love it?

Babe and me in some space ship. After that, I took the Space Mountain alone...Babe was too chicken to take it!

Babe and me in front of the carousel. We didn't take it...Enough of going in circles, might throw up.

Babe in the Pooh cart, the Pooh ride is the most popular ride in Disney....The line just go squiggley everywhere.

Main Street at night. This was taken before we had our snack in one of the restuarants. Love the brightly lit street.

The fireworks. Real nice. Babe sees the fireworks almost every night when he catches the ferry home from work. But this time, we're at Disney watching it.

For some reason, Disneyland always has this magical attraction for me. I told WK that maybe it's the fact that we went to Disneyland in States for our honeymoon and maybe that's why Disneyland always brings me these magical feelings.

Can't wait for Christmas....And can't wait to gorge on yummy food!

Less than 20 Days to Christmas!

It's less than 20 days to Christmas. It brings a feeling of melancholy and at the same time it gets me into hig spirits. It's somewhat mixed feelings. I guess maybe that's the reason why people tend to turn suicidal during the festive periods.


A few nights ago, I spoke to Stanley and then to Sharon and yesterday Eve texted as well. Veron and her family just left on Sunday as well. Just talked to Mazzy online as well. I was talking to Sharon and I commented that I find that as I get older (yes, I finally admit that I'm getting older) I feel as if I have fewer friends. And it is precisely during the festive season that I miss my friends. This time last year, I had Eve, Susan and Sarah visiting and we went off to Phuket as well. And last year this time, I was still feeling in the dumps, but I had my best friends around me. This year, I've made new friends and I've got my best friend walking though this adventure and journey with me....My Babe!!!

I remember reading somewhere that some people never ever find their soulmates or best friends. They die without someone. I feel terribly blessed for the fact that I've got so many best friends. God has provided me more than enough best friends. I've got Babe and I married my best friend. What more can I ask for? He doesn't need to speak and I know what he's thinking at times. I've got Stanley, Lina and Eve. These are my top of the line best friends. Then I've got Veron, Sharon, Mazzy and a whole range of close/best friends. God has been great and it's strange how I don't really realise it...But I really thankful, grateful, appreciative and I couldn't ask for more from my friends!

Got an email from Ariel today and she remarked that I seem happier now. In a way, yes, I can happier now. I wrote and said that I'm away from the environment that made me feel shit and of course I'm happy now. On the other hand, it is strange how that I can seem to see what's going to happen 2 years later that I'm feeling great and happy. I've been searching online on Masters and Doctorate programs that I can do while I'm here trying to figure what I want in the future. I still can't figure out. I'm going to leave everything in God's hands and I believe that He'll take care of everything just like how He has been taking care of me in the last 32 years.



On Monday, I took the plunge and conceded defeat to the fact that I'm getting older. Family and friends who know me really well, understand my concerns of getting old, getting lines, wrinkles and horror of horror....shit loads of wrinkles running around my face. So my solution......I went to get La Mer. For those who are not in the know....La Mer is the best skin care on earth now...Till I find something else....But then again, it costs a bomb. Went home and took out my La Mer facial wash and Babe was like....What did you just buy??? How much??? And I told him...It's worth everything cent...unless you have the money to send me to Dr Woffles Wu next year! I'm starting my La Mer collection small. Start with facial wash first and then....next pay or when I finish one of my Biotherm then I'll buy a product from La Mer to replenish it. Gee...It's going to cost me too much to age....
Got a strange feeling that Babe might not want me to read anymore of my magazines...Think he's afraid that I might find an even better skin care that's going to cost a bomb....And I told him, you can't use this facial wash.....too expensive for your face! Actually, I felt a little bad after saying that.

Weekend with the Yaps

The Seets (yes, that's my married surname if you didn't know) spent some time with the Yaps. It was truly a great time to catch up and understand what is truly like to be parents.

On Friday night, the Loois, Yaps and Seets had dinner together at a restaurant where we lived. It is funny how we hardly have time to meet up for dinner in Spore and when we're all in Hong Kong, we find time to meet up. It was nice seeing ex-colleagues again. I do miss working with them.

On Saturday, we took an adventure to Shenzhen with little Ashton. From Park Island, we took a bus to Tsingyi, from Tsingyi, we changed 4 trains to Lo Wu and from Lo Wu, we had to cross the borders and finally, we got to a restaurant in Shenzhen for lunch. We probably left about 11 and reached the restuarant at about 1.30. The adults were wondering how we're going to shop with little monster...And voila, at about 2ish...he took his nap. And yes...the shopping and the bargaining started.

Got home, little monster had fun playing with his new toys. Toys that we had to drive a hard bargain for.

We learnt a lot over the weekend with the Yaps. Love Veron, Matthew and Ashton. They taught us little lessons that money can't buy. I got to see first hand what is it like to be a pregnant mum with a two year old. I remembered talking a flight once and before taking off, a kid was crying her lungs out and I actually told the father off. Now having spent time with little Ashton, I do realised that there's little a parents can do when the kid turns cranky. Having a child also takes a marriage into a different direction. I can see it now. And I don't care what people say about when you have a kid, you'll be ready to be parents. I don't believe in that crap. After having Ashton for a couple of days, I realised that it takes a lot to be parents and parents have to be ready to be parents. Sadly, I'm not ready to be a mother as yet. Have to admit that I'm too selfish to be able to think of someone else other than me.

Other then learning about having kids, we had conversations and we learnt a lot from each other. Something that I realised and I shared with Matthew is that we can plan all we want. Planning is always great, but ultimately, it is God that decides our lives and the direction that it's going to take. In all honesty, I never really thought that I'll end up in Hong Kong working. At the back of my head, I always thought that I was going to end up working and living in Australia. But the Almighty doesn't want us to take that direction now. WK and me are constantly praying about our direction in our lives as we're not sure where we're headed now. If this happened about 3 years ago, I would have been panicky and scared not being about to see what the future beholds for me...But now, maybe with age, and hopefully with lots more trust in God, I'm able to be calm and wait upon God's direction.

Enjoy the pics.

Yaps, thanks for sharing your son with us. It was a real good experience learning from the both of you. We REALLY ENJOYED Ashton!

What Does Christmas Mean to Me?

Being a little busy and that's why I haven't had the time to blog. Have friends in town staying with us too. Little Ashton has been busy entertaining us with his antics at home. Met my little ex-student Dexter on Tuesday as well. Dexter and his family are in HK for a holiday. Used to work with Dexter's dad as well. Nice to have friends around too.

I've been asked to produce Christmas booklets for Primary 4 to 6. Last year, the students had 'The Grinch' and the year before 'The Snowman' and this year, I purposefully chose the 'Nativity' theme. The wonderful thing about working in a Christian school is being able to bring the story of Jesus to the kids upfront. There isn't a need to be sneaky about it.

While I was doing the Christmas booklets, there was a question at the back of my mind. What does Christmas mean to me? I remember as kids when we were living in Pandan Gardens on the 12th floor, dad and mum would give us the Santa Claus story which we as kids took it in. They told us that Santa would come in his sleigh and drop off our Christmas presents through the windows on our beds. Of course I believed and then we started going for Sunday School and Santa was quashed to pulp! Haha...crushed like a cockroach...But actually I still like the jolly red and fat man! Dad and mum without fail, every Christmas, would have a huge eating session. Think I've only missed Christmas once in Spore. It was my last year at uni and after that, I made such that every Christmas I'll back in Spore.

About 4 years ago, WK and me were honeymooning in States nearing Christmas time. To me, at that point, it was really magically. We were in Disneyland, taking rides, sipping hot chocolates, eating churros, listening to Christmas carols and when we went to Lake Tahoe, we saw snow and I was even happier. It was like the song..."I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...." Love the warm and fuzzy feeling that Christmas brings.

But coming back to my question, what does Christmas truly mean? The school is decked with Christmas decorations. There's even a Christmas tree and 2 reindeer downstairs. The apartment that we live in, has a Christmas tree in the lobby. Every mall in HK is dress in its Christmas best. But with the decorations, is the a hint of the birth of Christ? I remember reading in Today's papers, a reader wrote in and commented that the Christmas decorations in Orchard Road in Spore had nothing mentioned about Christ's birth. Was at Tiffany's last night getting WK his belated anniversary present and the store had 'Happy Holidays' What's 'Happy Holidays'? Where is Christ in all the pomp and celebrations? Is He forgotten? Sad, huh? It just gets to me that people just celebrate Christmas for the sake of celebrating it. Christmas....Take away the word Christ from Christmas and you'll get mas which means men are sinners....That's what Uncle John (Elder John Chew) told us when we were kids.

Of all the festivals, I love Christmas the most. Christ came to earth more than 2000 years ago to save me....yes, me....And of course Christmas means a great deal to me! I love buying presents for family and friends. No, that I've heaps of money...but if God is so giving to send His only begotten Son to earth to save us, what is a small present for my family and friends to thank them for their love towards me for the year? Christmas is a season of giving just as God taking the lead of giving His Son for me and YOU!!! Yes, you!

As Christmas is towards the end of the year, it is also a time of reflecting for me. I have a huge tendency to take stock of my life and wonder what have I done for the year and have I somewhat lived a good year. However, I am ashamed to say that when I take stock of my life, I do not seem to take stock of my spiritual life. My stock taking is always about, what have I achieved for the year. Yes, I have to admit that it is so lame. I celebrate my earthly achievements and lament on my earthly failures and then I tell myself to do better next year. I can be very hard on myself on the lack of achievements and the failures that I've had for the year. This year, is a wake call for me. What about my spiritual life? Where am I going? What have I done for the Lord? When was the last time that I took stock of my spiritual life? Why am I so concern about earthly things and not on heavenly things. Where am I building my life? Is it on earth on in heaven?

So readers as you go about celebrating Christmas, don't forget why are you truly celebrating Christmas. And it's 22 days before we head home for Christmas.....This time' I'm dreaming of a hot Christmas, with lots of satay and yummy food'.

P.S. WK and I need your prayers as we pray and ask God for direction for the coming year. Don't worry, we're fine but at this point of time, we just need directions from God to see what is His plans for us in the next year or so. I guess it is getting daunting for WK to learn to put total trust and faith in God. He's never been really in this position before thus, it's lots harder for him to realise and have the assurance and belief that our heavenly Father will take care of our needs.