Living out Faith

So...as usual, I went to work this morning. My current job is a shopper. I work very hard to be a shopper, you know? Very, very hard! While shopping and walking and working very hard, and my phone beeped. It was Jolynn, I went to Orange County to visit her yesterday. Her text message came as a shock. Apparently there was an earthquake and the epi centre was right by her home! It was really shocking as my original plan was to visit her today instead or yesterday. And we could have been hurt if we were sitting at her home when the earth quake happened. I called her right away to check on her. She was at home, checking on her dog. She told me that things were smashed and there were glass around. Well, I told her, as long as she and everyone is fine, that's good enough. Everything else is material and it can be replaced. I called her sister Eelynn to check on her too. Glad to report that everything's fine. This is life, things happen and even something small like rescheduling our ...

Found out yesterday that Randy Paush passed on. It did come as a shock as I was just talking about him to Sharon last week when I was still in San Francisco. I told her that I really admire his courage and his positive attitude towards life. For those who don't know. Randy Pausch wrote The Last Lecture. He wrote the book because he was going to give his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University but the lecture was not for his students but rather for his kids. Basically he was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006 and was given three to six months to live and well he survived close to two years. His life was so inspiring and I wonder if I were in his shoes, would I crumble like a cookie or would I live a life like him? The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people. Randy Pausch What a quote! And yes, climb the brick walls to prove that that's what I want. All my life, there have be...

As my time in San Francisco comes to an end, here are the pics that have been taken over the couple of the days. Had a really great time here as always. Love dropping by to see family and catching up with everyone before heading off to San Diego. Hopefully, I'll be able to drop by again next summer. The 3 Sim cousins after brunch. Yes, me and my pink stuff. When I arrived, it was real cold and it is still cold. I always forget how cold San Francisco can get in summer. Saw this little quaint purple house in Napa Valley which is just outside San Francisco. We stopped by this cafe opposite this house when Bruno ran in the get a coffee. Me outside Ad Hoc Cafe in Napa Valley, yabbing on the phone with Joanne. She stayed up just to call and check on me. Eelynn and Bruno brought me to Ad Hoc Cafe for brunch. And yes, this is the place where I had probably the best beef that I've ever eaten thus far. Think it'll be hard to beat this place. And if you know of a place that serves gre...

One thing that I love about California is that it's all about being natural and organic. My trip here last summer somewhat converted me to eating organically after talking to Bruno and just eating organically. During my last trip, I ate heaps and heaps and yet I realised that my body didn't feel heavy and bloated and I had regular bowel removal times and I just felt great. Didn't put on any weight. Actually, lost some from the eating and pooing..... Eelynn lent me a book from her father in law. I took the book out today knowing that I was going to roam the city and I may want to read the book when I get my breakfast or have a coffee. Well, sure enough I had time to read bits of the book. I'm not quite there yet. Hopefully, I'll finished reading the book by tomorrow evening. I have to say, reading the book made me so so aware of what to put into my mouth and Babe's mouth. It is like a revelation. And I'm not sure if I should have started reading the book or n...

These are pics that were taken during my 12 hours layover in Seoul. I must say that I enjoyed my 12 hours there and had a great time during the city tour even though I didn't know anyone. And definitely will want to visit Seoul again. But this time, a proper holiday there. When I got onto my flight from Hong Kong to Seoul, I had to admit that I was a little disappointed with the airline. There wasn't inflight entertainment. No little screen in front of me. And I was like...dang! What will I do for my next flight of 10 hrs to San Fran to Seoul? But....I was more than satisfied! The airline proved to be great! Great movies on demand selection and yummy food too! Nothing to complain about. Since I knew that I was going to be in Seoul for 12 hrs, I thought, I'll take the city tour. Pics of some palace that we went to. Kids on excursion to the folk museum. Those kids were so cute! It was interesting that in Jeju Island, there were also some of these stone statues that apppeared ...

So....was at Hong Kong's airport last night. Checked in and was early. Sat down to read my book at where I thought my boarding gate was at, gate 20. My flight was meant to take off at 12.30 am. Sat down at 11 pm to read my book. Thought everything was great, fine and dandy. 11.45 or something like that came and I wondered why no one was boarding. Then I checked my boarding pass and realised that the flight is at gate 19. And no, 20 is not next to 19. Had to walk really quick and as I was walking, my phone rang. The crew called and wanted to know where I was. Well, rushed and rushed and yes! I made it! Yes...I know, I'm confused...But I blame it on not enough rest and no coffee and whatever....I'm at Incheon's airport now. It's nice. Took a city tour. Very nice. Think maybe I can live here. But would have to learn Korean so that I can watch my Korean soapies. Oh and my tour guide thought I am a student on a holiday! Ha! So....Babe, my investment in La Mer is worth af...

I'm so excited....Off to the airport in a couple of minutes. Yesterday and today, have been up like before 9 in the morning even though I didn't have to get to work. Wanted to get the most out of my days. Oh, I went into work briefly today. Dropped something off for my boss. Had brunch with Paula at yumcha. It was a really good time spent with her. We talked for the longest time since we've known each other. To me, it was like a celebration of our 2 years of friendship and the end of our first contract. We made it through and we're even taking on a second contract! Woohoo!!! Can't believe that time really flew by so fast. We were talking about relationships and how things are. She's just getting to know a bloke and to be really honest, it was such an honour that she said that Babe and me as a couple is a role model for her. When I pondered upon what she said, I'm seriously blown away by what she said. Very flattering as well. I told her that it is hard at ti...

Yesterday was the last day of work. Woohoo!!! Finally, the school year has come to an end. Have to say that I really need the break. At the same time, it's strange that I was a little sad to see the primary six students leaving and saying goodbye to some of them. It made me realised that wow, I really have relationships with some of the students to actually feel for them. Yes, work has become more meaningful. The way it is meant to be. Last night, I had dinner with ladies from the Geoexpat group. It's always nice meeting new ladies in Hong Kong. In all reality, it can be hard meeting lady friends in Hong Kong. And it's even harder making sane friends! I was seated next to a lady that's just a little older than me. We had a nice conversation about relationships and marriages. She's a single lady in her early 40s and the conversations were quite candid and open. I asked her as she gets older, would she want to settle? And she shook her head and said no. She then recou...

Last Friday, we invited some friends over for a BBQ. It was a little nerve wrecking on Thursday and Friday early afternoon as we were not sure if the weather would hold up. It had been pouring for the past few days. Well, thank God, the skies held up....Kinda...Till we had our fill of food and then....showers of blessings came. Then, we had to move up to our little apartment for chat, drinks and Happy! Boy, was Happy over the moon with the visitors. She started clamouring on top of everyone, jumping up and down! She had a full on attack on Emily and Derrick! Hope they had fun with Happy. Overall, it was a nice time with friends. A little bittersweet as well. Elaine's leaving. She's not re-contracting with her school. Will definitely miss her heaps! She's such a great tea companion. Marriott might not be the same without her! And yes....me being a show off....This is the mobile phone that I've been waiting for! My iphone!!! Was actually really surprised that I could mana...

So....I'm coming to the end of my contract in Hong Kong. So what's next and what's in stored for us? When I got back from Christmas vacation, the school has asked if I wanted to sign another contract with them. And was asked again at Chinese New Year. Prayed about it and talked to Babe about it and we felt that at this point of time, Hong Kong may be the place for us to stay for the moment. And life is as such, just when I said yes to the school, was asked by someone whose working in an international Christian school if I was interested in working for them. But I had to say no because we're planning to adopt and the current job that I have gives me the time with the child. Told him maybe in two years' time. So that got me thinking about my life at time point of time. For the past two years, it has been a great experience. Sure, there were a couple of bad moments but the good overrode the bad. I've met really nice, genuine and caring people whom I can safely call...

Had a really good time with Danna, Melissa and Paula at Macau yesterday. Nice chill out time, catching up, talking crap and having lots of fun! Thanks ladies for all the jokes and laughter! Enjoy the pics! We have to do this again!