Decisions

Pray for Babe and me as we're praying for God's directions in our lives. These few weeks will be crucial for us as we're praying for God's direction on the decision that we're about to make.

This is decision is going to have huge impacts on our lives. A decision that would make us stand back and rely on God's providence. Something that can be hard at times. Asking for more faith from God and now, He's going to give us. An answered prayer but at the same time, it's a going to be a challenge to learn to rely on God's goodness and have enough faith to understand, realise and trust that He'll provide.

Sorry, won't say much about what's the decision that we have to make at this point of time. Will bring it up in about a month's time when we know more. Well, folks, don't worry or start your buying or anything like that. We're not having a baby or anything of that sort. Just pray for God's wisdom for us.

Sometimes I wish that I'm still at uni and I don't have to make adult decisions. Decisions that will affect and impact others. It can be hard. But that's life isn't it. Decisions, decisions and more decisions. But I believe that after every decision, we come out stronger.

This is life, life is a process that we go through. Highs and lows. How apt that I was reading somewhere that in mountain climbing, coming down is actually harder than going up. More people die when they come down. They think that they've conquered the up so down would be easier. I look at life this way. When things are going up, up in mountain climbing is high. So up and up and I struggle and struggle and then I reach the peak. Well, not that I've reached the peak yet. Or rather I take a breath and admire the surroundings. So I pause and get myself a couple of nice bags and nice clothes. And then I onward go with the up. More struggles ahead and the climb gets harder. Time to tighten my belt and have cheap dinners and cheap clothes. And I struggle. But I've got my babe and my heavenly Father who is looking after me. And then another pit stop. And that's where my blessings come again.

Yes, i admit, that I am materialistic. Always wanting more and with this decision that we make, there's going to be fat trimming in our budget. It's going to be a struggle for me especially, not for babe. But will it make me a worse person? No, on contrary, it's going to make be a better person. So, why am I then worried, complaining and bitching? Well, answer is simple, I am greedy by nature. I want nice things in life. But this is enough.

Sorry, my thoughts and ramblings are getting too much now. So family, friends and readers, pray for us as we make the right decision by God. Will keep you posted in about a month's time when we get answers.

What A Difference A Haircut Can Do

This is Happy after her haircut.
This is Happy before her haircut. What a difference a haircut makes to a dog! Brought Happy to the groomers yesterday. The lady there mentioned that Happy's fur is not very good, so she suggested that Happy gets shaved. And now, instead of a poodle, I've got a greyhound! She looks so much like Santa's Little Helper from The Simpsons. But whatever she looks, I still love her! Can't wait for her hair to grow out. Want my fur ball back!

Weekend with Grandma

On Friday after work, Babe and me set off to meet Dad, Mum and Joanne at Grandma's place. Ride up there was very interesting. I slept through the way from HK Airport to the border of Shenzhen. Got to the border and then transferred to a car and that was when I was wide, wide, wide awake! The car that was in was like some Xiao Gou Bai (which means Little Dog Brand, in other words, no brand), made in China car and that buddy was travelling like at 130 to 140 km/hr through out. The suspension of the car was almost gone as well. I was like....hmmm...Remember, I've no insurance and I don't want to crash now....Survived and managed to reach the hotel safe and sound and we have dinner with Grandma's relatives. To me, it was interesting to see my relatives in China, most of them, we've never met before. Only 2 persons missing was Jackie and Joe. It's strange how the family never really went up to China as an entire family before. Someone is always missing.....
We stayed in the hotel where we had our dinner. It was hard on Babe, he's used to the five star hotels and this hotel is a hotel with an interesting blend to it. Very rustic and local. I mean local as in, people run to the trolley and grab whatever dimsum they can get their hands on just when the trolley is being pushed out. Dad was nice to pay for our hotel and even our shopping. We had breakfast with Grandma and Dad before we headed back to Hong Kong. It's hard at times being a global family. Grandma in China all the time, Dad spends lots of time in China as well and us in Hong Kong and then the rest of the family is in Singapore. But I'm still thankful that we're still close enough to Grandma and we can see her whenever we want to.

Last night we were in Tsim Sha Tsui shopping and guess what we found??? An ACS tanktop in the ladies department!!! Something very very wrong here....First ACS in HK??? Next in the ladies department??? We had a great laugh!


When we reached HK yesterday, we had a full day ahead of us. We went to the Dried Seafood Street to get some stuff for mum and Babe's mum. After that, we headed to the Peak and here are some pics of us just being silly and dumb! After the Peak, we went to Tsim Sha Tsia for dinner and then to shop. By the time we got back, Babe was about to die! But have to give him credit, he did really well over the weekend. He survived through Grandma's place and also out in the city last night!

This is me carrying Joanne's backpack. We're on the way to the airport to send Mum and Joanne off. Joanne thought that it was fun that to take a pic of me as this is one of the rare times that I'm actually carrying a backpack. People who know me well enough know that I'm not the backpacker type...Miracle....We thought that with the amount that they bought, they'll never be able to bring everything on board and guess what??? They did!!!! Overall, we did have an absolutely great time....Such a waste that Jackie was not here....

Do Right By God Part 2

So we decided to do right and stay till the end of our contract. We were still viewing apartments last Thursday and Friday. There was an apartment that we really liked on Thursday. Real nicely done up, nice TV, everything just felt great! So we told the realtor that this is the one that we liked. She called back later and she said that the landlord is agreeable to our price but he wants to put in a clause that says dogs are not allowed. But WK said, we do have a dog, you know. And she said, it's alright, just tell them no.

But we decided that no, we are going to be honest and tell them that we have a dog. And that's it. And if they are not going to take us, then this is not the apartment for us. So she called back the next day, Friday, and told us that the landlord wants to see the dog on Sat. When I went back to work on Friday, Dion, my colleague told me that we went to see an apartment that's owned by her sis' friend. And true enough that it was the unit that we liked. On Sat, we brought the dog to showed our prospective landlord, and we brought Mum and Joanne to see the new place again and praise the Lord, they said yes!

We believed that in telling the truth, they trusted us and they were willing to wait for us till August as well. Things do fall into place when we trust the Lord. Have to mention this. Some person wrote anonymously a silly comment on my last post. The person mentioned that what has God have to do with all these. Well, actually, I can't even remember what the person wrote. because I deleted it. But I just want to say that I believe that my God is real to me. And that's all that matters to me. Who cares if the rest of the world thinks otherwise!

On a separate note, mum and Joanne are here for a visit. They seemed to be enjoying themselves with shopping and eating and then more shopping and eating. They're leaving tomorrow to see Grandma and then we're going on Friday to see Grandma and also have a mini reunion with Grandma's relatives, most of them, I've never seen before.

Do Right By God

Been having a minor issue these couple of days. My landlord has decided that he wants to increase our rent and obviously we don't want that. So we have decided to move out. We wanted to move out in July as I'll be travelling in mid July and want to move into an apartment before I leave. In the exchange of emails, we got increasingly more frustrated with our landlord and in other words, I was not happy. And when that happened, I started to be very angry and wanting very much to act rashly. It came to a point that I told Babe that I just don't want to pay rent for the last month which is rent for June since we have one month of bond with our landlord and then come July, we move out. Babe being the rational one, told me that we are not doing right by God. That stopped me in my tracks and I thought. That is so true. Am I honoring God if I did things that way? So we decided that we're going to stay put till August.

And then last night, we were viewing apartments again. The real estate agent applied pressure on us and she kept saying that it's okay to move out earlier. Nothing will happen and the nice apartment that we want won't be around for too long. So again we swayed and thought okay, we'll move in July. Well, landlord replied my email requesting to move out earlier and he said no, obviously. And that really got to me. Got real mad again. But thank God Babe reminded me again. Do right by God. We're Christians and we have to live like Christians. We will trust God to lead us to a nicer and cheaper apartment.

Am I Happy in Hong Kong?

Was talking to Eve yesterday and she asked me that question. Eve moved from Sydney to San Diego around the same time that I made my move to Hong Kong. In a way, we're going through similar situations. When she asked me that question, I paused and thought for a while. And I said to her....I don't know.

What did I mean when I said I don't know? To be honest, I really don't. Happiness is relative. Sure in terms of work, salary, stress and others, I'm happy in Hong Kong. There are sacrifices that I had to make like leaving my dog, my family and friends behind. But if I'm asked if I want to go back to Spore, I wouldn't want to. But I told Eve that if I had things my own way, I would want to live in Sydney. I think I'll be happier there. But the reality is, what about jobs and renting in Sydney? I don't want to live in some faraway place in Sydney. Rents in Sydney is not cheap as well. Plus, Eve does not live in Sydney now and things may not be the same.

But when I thought further, what we perceive as happiness may not be what happiness is really. I mean, imagine if we did move to Sydney, will I be truly happy there? Or would it be in a situation that if I could move to somewhere else I may be happy? Happy is pretty elusive at times, isn't it? My ideal place...it would be nice living in the same country with Eve.....We could hang out all the time. Miss her heaps and heaps!

When There Isn't Love in the Family.......

One of the things that I remembered clearly and distinctly from premarital counselling is a lesson on love in the family. I remember Uncle Hock Lee telling WK and me that when someone in the family perceives that there isn't love in the family, the person will go elsewhere to look for love. Simply because everyone craves to be loved. He went on the say, that's how spouse strays because they feel unloved and thus they seek attention elsewhere. But then again, too much love can lead to dependency and jealousy. Therefore right in the beginning of our marriage, I hardly turn mad when WK had to come home late from entertainment or when he had to go to places where there are beautiful hostesses. In all honesty, I've never turned mad at him over that. I want to make sure that there's enough love in our marriage for him and also enough freedom for him. Having said that, he's been an absolute great husband.

Since things are fine, why am I talking about love in the family? Well, I work in the children's business and in the course of my work, I've seen a fair number of broken families that break my heart too. And recently, my family is affected by an issue like that. Let's not name names because I truly love everyone in my family and like God has given me many chances in life and thus, we should give people many chances to repent and try to change their lives.

One of my cousins got married early and well, it was sad that his marriage failed. Things happen and we move on. His kid was sent to States because neither him, his ex-wife nor his mother could handle everything that was going on. It was too much. And he was my favourite nephew. But things didn't work out and he was sent home to Spore. He was meant to live with his mother but things got out of hand and he moved back with his grandma and now, horror of horrors, he's not going to school!

When I learnt about it, my heart ached for him. When he was born, everyone was so excited and we love him heaps. I know about going through hard times but I'm always thankful that whatever that happens, my parents made sure that there was enough love at home to go around. But that poor kid is going through issues because he's trying to grapple with growing up and understanding what love means to him. I felt bad that I missed his birthday. I know he's crying out for love and thus he doing what he's doing. And his mum is at her wits' end as well. Such as mess.

But how in the first place did the mess come around? I've known of some kids that grow up normally and perfectly despite the fact that they only had, mum, dad or grandma. The answer is the ample and overflowing love that was provided to the kid. At this point of time, my poor nephew thinks that no one loves him because of all the transitions that's happening in his life. Is it his fault that things turn out this way? Is it the fault of the adults that tried their best in providing for him? Whose fault is it?

I don't know and I don't think anyone has a fault in it. And no point finger pointing. He's going through a hard time and he needs to understand that everyone loves him. In his mind, his perception is that no one loves him. And that has to change. The moment he understands that there's more than enough love for him, he'll be fine. Cousins, if you could direct little kiddo to read this, it'll be great. Kiddo, you know who you are....Understand that I love you heaps and your parents too. Actually, all the Sims love you heaps! When I get back for the summer, I'll try to spend a day with you. Take care and remember that whatever happens, we love you and only want the best for you!

Friendships in a Transient Life

Friendships in a transient life can be hard. My first friend in HK, Michelle left in late Feb. Sure, I felt sad that she left. It's hard when you make friends with people and then they leave. Well, another of my friend is leaving. After Michelle, she's my second friend that I made in HK. She's not told anyone yet so I shall call her Sunshine. She is really like sunshine. Very sunny, cheerful and I always have lots of fun with her.

After Michelle left, Sunshine, a couple of girls and me continued to meet up. Sunshine is really full of funny. Before Michelle left, she has been talking about wanting to finish the year and wanting to leave. Some of us have been talking and persuading her to stay. Well, a couple of days ago, she has decided that she wants to go back because she's not happy with work. She's not happy at school and work environment is just not working out for her. It's been making her miserable. I understand how she feels. I understand that being miserable at work can really drive you mad and make you depress. I've been there.

But deep inside, I want her to stay. But why? Have to admit that it's my selfish reasons that I want her to stay. I didn't really consider her thoughts when I asked her to stay. I wanted her to stay so that I can have her as my friend and that I can hang out with her once a week. But isn't that selfish of me? Seriously, have I considered how she felt? I don't even spend as much time with her. Only once a week. What's once a week compared to the 5 days of shit that she has to go through everyday? Nothing, huh?

Looking back, I kinda understand how Sharon felt when I left Woodlands. She must have felt the same way as I felt. Losing a friend is hard. But then again, it's not really losing a friend. There will be ways to keep in touch and to visit. I just have to learn to let good. I love her enough to want her to be happy and ultimately, that's the most important.

So Sunshine, I'll definitely miss you! Stay in touch and I'll definitely see you again. It's never going to be goodbye for us for good....Love you!

Is money the root of all evil or is it greed and wanting more and more that is the root of all evil?

I ended my blog entry on Scary Childhood Stories with the question above. For the fact that I'm not using my brains as much as I would like too, I've been pondering over this question for the last couple of days.

I remember I was an intern in Pan Pacific hotel and there was once when this middle aged man who was working in the reservations department that asked me what I wanted to do with my future. I looked at him and answered, I want to be able to make SIN$5000 a month within the first five years of my graduation. He looked at me incredulously and said, 'what you want to work on the streets of Geylang is it? And he laughed. It was at the tip of my tongue to say that I was going to get my degree unlike you...a loser in the reservations department. Of course one has to bite one's tongue and hold back.

Well, I did make SIN$5000 within the time I set out for myself. Actually, I took a little quicker. But it was hard work. I taught tuition like crazy. But what did I get out when I made that figure that I had in my head. Did it make me happier? Did it make me a better person? Tell you what it made me....It made me to want more and more material stuff in life. I wanted a nice mobile phone, I wanted nice clothes, bags and shoes. I had heaps of stuff. To a point that some of my stuff still had it's price tag when I gave them away. And in the midst of making more money, I was spending more money and getting myself into debt. Have to say that if I didn't spend that much, I would have been able to pay off for my master's program in Sydney without any issues at all!

And when I look at myself, what did I become? I became a person that was consumed by money. I would not teach tuition to students that could not pay more than SIN$30 per hour. I remember telling one agency never to call me back because they wanted me to teach a student for something like SIN$10 an hour. I even told them that if I wanted to do charity, I would do charity and teach for free at the children's home. Looking back now, I couldn't believe that I did that. Sure, money is important but at what extent?

To be honest, sometimes, I'm disgusted with myself. Do I measure success with the amount of money one makes or should success be measured by how one contributes to the society? So what I made decent nice money, what did I do with that money? Did I use that to help others? I've got lots of clothes, shoes and bags. And how does that help others? Does having that nice, branded bag makes me a better person? Finally after years and years of working that I've decided to sponsor my first child. Why didn't I do it earlier? I don't know and don't have the answer.

Having money is nice and great but it's also important to share some around and help others in need. How often do we do that? And how can we let money corrupt us? How can a person be so evil to the point and use children to peddle drugs and sex just so to get more money out from a child? That sickens me to the core! How can a person chop off another person's limbs to make money out of that person? How can people take advantage of the misery of others to profit? How can money be such a good thing and yet at the same time corrupt one so badly?

Can money really buy happiness? If a child is poor, starving and sick. All the child need is a slice of bread but obviously the child is too poor to buy it. So at that point, money can buy the child a loaf of bread and provide the child with momentary happiness. So money can't be that bad, right? But in reality, it is human nature that corrupts money. It's us....Humans....

WK's Birthday

Today is Babe aka WK's birthday. He's turned 34. This is the first time that we're spending his birthday in HK. It's a little strange to have a birthday overseas. Away from family and friends. I'm his only family here. This pic was taken a few years ago when I was doing my masters in Sydney and Babe came over for a visit. The year in Sydney was a very trying one. It was hard to survive on one income and at the same time, I really under budgeted myself. But we made it through! Praise the Lord!
Babe has always been very supportive of me. He's my best friend. Only he can deal with my craziness and madness. It was a huge decision for him to make the move to HK. Honestly, even though I don't say it very often, I am very thankful that he's on this HK adventure with me.
This pic is of Babe and Hobbit. Oh...How I miss my little Hobbit. My first born. My crazy dog! Babe was understanding enough to know that I really miss Hobbit to let me get Happy. But me being the greedy me, my life will be complete if Hobbit is here with us.
Babe and me on the Star Ferry. This was before he moved to HK. He came over to visit and to settle his work stuff before moving to HK.
My cutie! Why do I love my Babe? In truth and honesty, I don't know. I don't seem to be able to describe and explain why I love this bloke. He's a fussy eater, a little temperamental and mad at times. So why do I love him? All I can say, I'm happy to know that he's the last one I see before I go to bed and he's the first one I see when I wake up. He's the first one that I call to break bad or good news. In all, he's my everything. And the best thing of getting married Babe, we're partners in this journey. We hold hands and walk, sometimes, he leads me, sometimes I lead him but majority of the time, we walk hand in hand. Just my Babe and me....along with Hobbit and Happy. Babe, Happy Birthday! Love you heaps and heaps!!!

Childhood Scary Stories

Do you remember those scary stories and tales that your mum or dad used to tell you when you were kids? They say all the scary stuff just to make you eat your dinner, behave or not run wild. One of the silly childhood tales which is actually pretty racist now. I had friends who told me that their parents will scare them into believing that the indian man would take them away if they didn't behave. I thought that was really bad but not until recently, that I found out that an ex-colleague of mine actually told her son that if he doesn't behave the 'boop - boop' uncle will come and take him away. And I asked her, what's this 'boop-boop' uncle? And she said, it's the man on the motor cycle. I stared at her in disbelief. No wonder kids grow up to be racist and also afraid of the motor cycles....Mad...just pure madness....

That brings me to the scary tales and stories that my parents would scare us with. They are pretty good parents and they would tell us never to talk or follow strangers because they might take us away. Been a curious kid and I'm still a curious adult now, I asked where are they going to bring us to? And they said with a straight face, well, they'll take you and chop off your hands or legs and then make you beg on the streets! I was like ya right! You think I'll believe that gibberish that you just told us?

Well, when Joanne was about 4 years old or so, Dad and her were at Jurong Bus Interchange. They were there to change buses to come home. Dad turned around to buy smokes and when he turned around, he couldn't find Joanne. He ran and hunted high and low trying to find my dear sister. I could just imagine his fears of losing Joanne. Finally, after much searching, he found this guy almost boarding the bus with Joanne. Dad said that he was so livid that he almost punched that bastard in his face! And thank God! I almost lost my sister! And that did it for me. Yes, dad and mum, I believe you now!

So you readers must be wondering, why am I telling you all these. Well, after living in Hong Kong for a while, I've been seeing quite a number of beggers. Have to say that Hong Kong is a world class city and yet you do see a couple of beggers. Wait, there aren't as many as in Bangkok or some other places. But have to say that the beggers that I see are a little scary. I've seen beggers with their arms or legs neatly chopped off. Or with weak legs or with faces scarred by acid. WK mentioned that he actually had a nightmare after seeing the begger with a scarred face. And when I saw her, I did have a nightmare as well. I have been ponderinging for a while if those scary tales told by my parents were true. The beggers that I see are adults. And if it's true, like with WK said, it must take a really hard heart to chop or scar a kid. What can possess a person to be so cruel and evil? Does greed actually drive a person to be so evil? Well, that's food for thought.....Is money the root of all evil or is it greed and wanting more and more that is the root of all evil?

School Concert

Had a long day yesterday. Was at work from 8.30 am to about 10.30 am. The school had a concert at Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Have to admit that I was impressed with some of their performances. The hall was filled to the brim. There were lots of people. It was nice of them not to give me any duties at all. Did feel a little bad for the teachers, they had lots to do. They were running around looking after the kids. Only thing that I had to do was to sing a mandarin song with the teachers. Thank God, the teacher in charge wrote the hanyu pinyin for the song. Anyway, enjoy the pics.