Thursday, December 25, 2008

Greetings from Disneyland!

Blessed Christmas from the land of Disneyland. Can't believe that I'm back here with Babe after 6 years of our honeymoon. It really feels like Christmas here. Cold weather, Christmas Carols playing and Chritmas decorations. Really magical. We're a little jetlagged but kinda expected it. Couldn't really sleep last night and this morning, we were up by 7 in the morning and by 8.30, we already ate our breakfast. Babe is having a snooze now and when he gets up, we'll be off to Disney! Can't bloody wait!

Oh, forgot to mention this, this is a great Christmas. Sharon had her little Gabriel and a very close friend in Hong Kong just got engaged! So excited for them! Can't wait to see these people celebrating new stages in their lives! Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Start of Christmas Hols

Finally, after months of waiting, Christmas hols are here! Yes! Finally! Can't believe it. We're leaving tomorrow for LA. We're going to Disneyland! Whoppeeeee!!!!! Can't wait. Going to spend 3 full days at Disneyland, going to take every single ride and eat heaps of churros and drink lots of hot chocolate, and spend Christmas with Eelynn, Jolynn, Bruno and Mike. Will meet up with Eve to. And then, we'll be off to Las Vegas. I'm just too excited! Really need the break.

This is also a long awaited holiday with Babe. We haven't had a real vacation since we went to Lombok last Easter. He's been pretty busy with work. Can't wait to show San Diego to him too. Wished that we could have more time but I guess, can't complain. Anyway, if I don't get to blog before Christmas......

Have a Blessed Christmas and
a Wonderful New Year ahead!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Difference Between Happiness and Joy

I've always that that happiness and joy was synonymous but apparently not. Interesting. Was reading a book recently about love and bringing up children and the author mentioned the difference between these two words. She wrote that happiness most of the time is momentarily, short-lived and dependent and motivated by external factors. Whereas with joy, it is internal and eternal. I was rather surprised by that opinion. I never really taught of it that way. And she went on to say that with joy, no matter whatever that happens, there's a peace and calm in a person. Joy stays in the person and it is not motivated by external factors at all.

I thought about it and well, it is very true. The author wrote to say that it is far more important to raise the child in joy than to have the child seek for happiness. And when I think about it, yes, people seek for happiness all the time and most of the time, they find happiness in the wrong places and persons. And their happiness sometimes is dependent on external factors. If it makes you happy, then it makes me happy. Very often said. But with joy, it comes true happiness. Joy can be or is in us and once we have that, we will have true happiness and not empty happiness that comes and goes.

Maybe Happy's name should be changed to Joy. But I know 3 Joys and all of them are very nice girls. So no....lest people get mad with me.....Anyway, my Happy makes me happy and joyful....Am a little sad that I'll have to leave her in Hong Kong while we head to the States. Feel bad that she always gets left in Hong Kong during the festive seasons....Must think of a way for her soon. Not sure if she likes catching the planes though....

Monday, December 15, 2008

Stocktake

I just noticed that it's already 15th of December and I've only 2 posts up this month. My posts has become a little more sporadic than I like. Well, to be honest, I've been busy.I rushing my last assignment for my class and yes, last assignment and I won't be taking any courses for a long time! Work has been a little busy recently too. But I'm enjoying it. We've got parents' day this Wednesday and so I've been working hard to get stuff ready. At the home front, all the moving and buying have finally died now. Thank God! No more moving and no more buying! Hopefully.....Our telly arrived with heater and oven. Obviously Babe loves the new telly and I love the new oven. I've not had an oven for more than 2 years and I miss roasting, baking and grilling food. Used the oven on Saturday night when we had our housewarming (will talk more about that later) and also used it to make my version of Asian sherperd's pie. Must say that Babe loved it. Didn't remember what he meant by my version of sherpherd's pie till he reminded me. Used to make that for him when we were living in Perth and also in Singapore.

So....It's getting closer and closer to Christmas. And it's always this time of the year that I start thinking of my how my life has been for the past year. Well, I wouldn't say that it had be a smooth sailing one but neither would I say it was a difficult one. Sure, there were decisions that I had to make, celebrations to be celebrated and yes, I did miss a couple of celebrations too. And of course, there were disappointments in too. But all in all, it has been a great year. And yes, as usual, I've become an aunty and will be becoming an aunty at least twice next year. Sharon's having a baby in Jan. Can't bloody wait! And yes, I'm going to be a real aunty too. Joanne's having a baby soon! Whoppeee!!!

Last Saturday, we had a housewarming and Christmas dinner at our home. It has been a long time since we hosted a dinner at home. Our past homes in HK were too small to have people up for dinner. Well, I thought that it was a success. I cooked dinner with the help of 'Brahims' and 'Prima Taste', yes, me lazy.....prepacked paste to the rescue. Had a great time hanging out with people whom I think are now my family of friends and that even includes Carmen's mum! She's a blast! She's been to my birthday BBQ and now to my home. While I was sitting there and looking at the people in our home, I was thinking, yes, some of my family of friends couldn't make it. And then, there's one or two that I guess, are not part of my family of friends and well, no loss, and then there are some which have truly become a part of my family. And I am thankful that I've met them. I stongly believe that God places people in our lives for reasons that we may or may not know. And a couple of people here in HK have really become a part of my family. They are the ones that I'll probably text first when I've great good news and they are going to be the same ones that I'll call if there's a need for a shoulder to cry on. But whatever it is, yes, I understand that I may have made wrong choices with friendships but with my friends now, I'm very glad that God gave them to me.


Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Optimism

Sometime last week, one of my favouritest persons on Earth wrote about her heros on her blog. And she wrote about me being one of her heros. Sure I was flattered by it. Actually, way too flattered by it. But I wonder if I am good enough to be a hero or do I actually deserved it?

She got me thinking about what she wrote about me. Ha, I'm pretty egoistic isnt it? She wrote that I inspired her with my strength to prevail against all odds and that I taught her optimism. What she wrote was truly very nice. I didn't realised that I had such an impact in her life. We both grew up together and understanding each other far better than anyone else to a certain extent. She watched me grow and went through the difficult times in my life without once thinking it was time to walk away. I appreciate her for everything. And yes, we fulfilled our childhood wish of becoming a bridesmaid to whoever that gets married first. I got married first and she was my bridesmaid. The most beautiful one, I must say.

When she wrote that I taught her optimism, I never thought in a million years that I taught her that. To me, it's all about living my life and whenever obstacles, trials and shit gets thrown in my face, I'll take it in stride. For I know that as long as I survive it, I'll be a stronger person. And I know that God is always in control and that in Him, I can do all things. And maybe that's why it came across to her that I've taught her optimism. But then again, I'm not really an optimist. I'm a realist. I look at life and try to figure out if things can work out realistically or am I just living in a dream.

But then again, one can plan all they want in life, things do happen unexpectedly at times and there were many times that I've thrown offguard. But I'm glad to know that when I'm thrown offguard, there's always family and friends to catch me. Thanks heaps monster for being the bestest monster! Love ya heaps!

Friday, December 05, 2008

Death

Yes, a morbid post. There are days that I just love being morbid and melacholic and today is just one of those days. Well, not just today. It actually started yesterday.

At assembly yesterday, the principal told us that the pastor of our school went home after battling cancer. That got me thinking a little as he has four kids. First thing that went through my head was, 'How is his wife going to support their kids?'. But then a small voice spoke, 'Woman of little faith, God will always provide.' Yes, it hit me. God always provides no matter what happens.

Today I was read about what the husband of the Singapore Mumbai victim said at a press conference and it almost brought tears to my eyes. He said that he waited all his life to marry her. Wow! Such words. I am glad that I found my soulmate, my one that is for me. But reading from what a man said of him losing his wife had me thinking and controlling my tears. The poor lady died a terrible death. They were just newlyweds and imagine the pain that poor man is going through. Will he ever be able to find another love like her. But maybe it may not matter to him as he had already found his love even though he lost her. To a certain extent, he's better off than some who never find the one or have a knack of finding the wrong ones. It was hard reading what he said. It's heartbreaking to feel his pain.

Death brings lots of emotions. As much as I know and understand, when my love ones pass on, most of them will be with the Lord. I should be rejoicing but it is hard to fill that gap, that vacuum. I wonder what will happen to me if Babe is drastically taken away from me like the poor girl. I hate to imagine that. But this is life. Isn't important to love now and have no regrets than to have regrets later? I pray and hope that this will never ever happen.