Recently a friend told me that she had to call a mutual friend of ours because she was so sick that she could hardly get food for herself. It was this incident that got me thinking of my friends when I'm living overseas or when I'm living alone.
The first time that I lived alone was when i was at uni in Gold Coast. Sure, there were times that I wonder would anyone know if I fell sick and died alone. Oh yes, love my morbid thoughts! But I had Eve. She would come around or call me every couple of days to make sure I'm fine. I remember once there was a blackout and of course I was a little concerned and scared. I called Eve and she came straightaway and picked me up to go to Broadbeach for coffee. Miss those times.
Then I got married and moved out. And again, there were times that Babe had to go away for work or go for reservist training. But at that time, living alone wasn't that daunting as I was still in Spore and always have family and friends. Soon after that, I moved to Sydney to do my masters. Again, I had Eve. It's always wonderful to have a best friend living in the same city when living overseas. I had Kabi too. He would also call randomly to meet up.
Now moving to Hong Kong, I had to start from scratch with making friends. Sure like I've mentioned that I've made mistakes but now, I've found a tight group of girlfriends. It's nice of these girlfriends to check on me whenever Babe is out of town. On Tuesday night, I had a migraine attack and as I nursed my throbbing head in head, I'm thankful to know that if there's a need to call a friend to come over, I would have a few to call. And that's more than enough for me to know that there are truly friends that love at all times!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
JC Takes HK
JC came to Hong Kong last Friday with her parents. Dad came from Zhuhai to join us on Saturday. It was a real nice weekend with family. It was especially nice spending time with JC. I'm really thankful that my sister realize how important JC is to me. She gladly let me carry, cuddle and spoil JC the whole time. It was also nice to see Dad light up with JC. Even Babe was enchanted by JC. Enjoy the pics!
JC playing with my pegs hanger. A few days before she came to HK, I was on video chat with her and I showed it to her. She laughed and chuckled. When she came to our home, I showed it to her. She loved it!
JC interacting with Happy. JC had a puzzled look trying to figure out what Happy is. Not quite sure if she's really a dog or a toy that she can bring home.
Lunch at Caramba. JC was so well-behaved at the restaurant. She didn't cry or scream or spill anything. Hopefully this continues.
Oh yes, I put her on the table. Doesn't she look cute and adorable? Dad was so happy with a super well behaved granddaughter. She really set the standard. Wonder what happens if my child turns out to be a screamer!
What a happy family!
A family portrait at Honeymoon Dessert. And yes, she's still not crying!
Even Babe was enchanted by her. What a sweetie pie!
My little precious JC!
Poor JC must have been really tired. This was taken at the airport. Her parents had to practically pry her away from me!
JC playing with my pegs hanger. A few days before she came to HK, I was on video chat with her and I showed it to her. She laughed and chuckled. When she came to our home, I showed it to her. She loved it!
JC interacting with Happy. JC had a puzzled look trying to figure out what Happy is. Not quite sure if she's really a dog or a toy that she can bring home.
Lunch at Caramba. JC was so well-behaved at the restaurant. She didn't cry or scream or spill anything. Hopefully this continues.
Oh yes, I put her on the table. Doesn't she look cute and adorable? Dad was so happy with a super well behaved granddaughter. She really set the standard. Wonder what happens if my child turns out to be a screamer!
What a happy family!
A family portrait at Honeymoon Dessert. And yes, she's still not crying!
Even Babe was enchanted by her. What a sweetie pie!
My little precious JC!
Poor JC must have been really tired. This was taken at the airport. Her parents had to practically pry her away from me!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Being Used
A couple of days ago, I was chatting with Babe about stuff and he said something to me which finally dawned upon me, almost like a 'ting' moment, he said that I've the tendency to allow or let others make use of me. In the past whenever he says that, I'll be annoyed with him. But that night, it finally sank in.
A couple of things happen over last few weeks that made what he said was real. Like I wrote in my last post, things happened but people at work were very supportive and caring. Not trying to bring up the past but in my previous workplace, whenever I ran into issues, people were less caring and it was almost like 'better you than me' kinda attitude. And I realized that while I did try to make time for some people whenever I'm back in Spore, it was more like, 'let's see how well you're doing in life' or 'let's show off what we have' sort of attitudes. In other words, they are 'friendenmies', friends that are enemies! What a waste of my time!
These are people who would find an excuse to make use of me. It may be a small issue but over time, it becomes, wow, do you think that I'm really that dumb? An example of me being used is this. Years ago, I had to attend a course in NTU on Saturdays. I had a car at that time. It took about 30 mins of drive from home to get to class. For more than a year or so, I picked up 2 ladies from the bus stops across their homes, took me a 5 mins detour, to class every Saturday. When the course ended, that's when the contact ended too. There were no calls to ask how are you, let's meet for coffee or anything like that. It ended because I was no more of a use to them.
The other thing about me, I'm not a person that likes to confront issues. I'd rather let it slide pass me or unless it's really bugging me, I'll say out to the person that I really care and love. But most of the time, when I realized that I'm being used, I cut contact with the person. To me, what's the point of being friends when I know that I'm being used and I pretend to be fine with it when I'm not. Yes, that's me. Not liking to tell anyone in their faces that I hate being used!
I know that I may not have very much social time with my colleagues after work. We hardly meet for dinner or coffee or drinks outside of work. Which is fine for me as they're busy with stuff. But in my difficult moments, they showed their love, care and concern. Comparing to the other place that I used to work, yes, we did lots of social stuff, invited each other out and had meals out of work. But when push comes to shove, it didn't matter. I just became a pawn in their game of life.
So....now, whenever I'm back in Spore, I'm not really going to make an effort to call some people. They're not really my friends. But friends, my true friends, not to worry, I'll still call and meet up with you. You know who you are! And I love you heaps. And if you're offended by what I wrote, I'm not sorry because you're not a friend. But if read and miss the blunt and 'say it as it is' me, then, you're my true friend. I really miss you guys. Can't wait for Christmas to see you again and your cute babies too!
A couple of things happen over last few weeks that made what he said was real. Like I wrote in my last post, things happened but people at work were very supportive and caring. Not trying to bring up the past but in my previous workplace, whenever I ran into issues, people were less caring and it was almost like 'better you than me' kinda attitude. And I realized that while I did try to make time for some people whenever I'm back in Spore, it was more like, 'let's see how well you're doing in life' or 'let's show off what we have' sort of attitudes. In other words, they are 'friendenmies', friends that are enemies! What a waste of my time!
These are people who would find an excuse to make use of me. It may be a small issue but over time, it becomes, wow, do you think that I'm really that dumb? An example of me being used is this. Years ago, I had to attend a course in NTU on Saturdays. I had a car at that time. It took about 30 mins of drive from home to get to class. For more than a year or so, I picked up 2 ladies from the bus stops across their homes, took me a 5 mins detour, to class every Saturday. When the course ended, that's when the contact ended too. There were no calls to ask how are you, let's meet for coffee or anything like that. It ended because I was no more of a use to them.
The other thing about me, I'm not a person that likes to confront issues. I'd rather let it slide pass me or unless it's really bugging me, I'll say out to the person that I really care and love. But most of the time, when I realized that I'm being used, I cut contact with the person. To me, what's the point of being friends when I know that I'm being used and I pretend to be fine with it when I'm not. Yes, that's me. Not liking to tell anyone in their faces that I hate being used!
I know that I may not have very much social time with my colleagues after work. We hardly meet for dinner or coffee or drinks outside of work. Which is fine for me as they're busy with stuff. But in my difficult moments, they showed their love, care and concern. Comparing to the other place that I used to work, yes, we did lots of social stuff, invited each other out and had meals out of work. But when push comes to shove, it didn't matter. I just became a pawn in their game of life.
So....now, whenever I'm back in Spore, I'm not really going to make an effort to call some people. They're not really my friends. But friends, my true friends, not to worry, I'll still call and meet up with you. You know who you are! And I love you heaps. And if you're offended by what I wrote, I'm not sorry because you're not a friend. But if read and miss the blunt and 'say it as it is' me, then, you're my true friend. I really miss you guys. Can't wait for Christmas to see you again and your cute babies too!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Supportive Working Environment
A couple of days ago things happened at work. I'm not going to go into what happened at work. All I'm going to say is that I was at fault. But what I was surprised at is the care, concern and support that my colleagues have given me.
To be really honest, I really didn't expect my colleagues to lend me a supporting shoulder and hand. Teachers that I don't really teach with actually came and comforted me. And even teachers that don't teach English gave me words of encouragement. I'm also in awe that even my deputy principals came to me with words of encouragement. It's nice to know that I'm working in such a loving, caring and supportive environment. I know that things happen for reasons that I may or may not know. But whatever it is, I'm glad to see and know that I do have wonderful colleagues. Very thankful!
To be really honest, I really didn't expect my colleagues to lend me a supporting shoulder and hand. Teachers that I don't really teach with actually came and comforted me. And even teachers that don't teach English gave me words of encouragement. I'm also in awe that even my deputy principals came to me with words of encouragement. It's nice to know that I'm working in such a loving, caring and supportive environment. I know that things happen for reasons that I may or may not know. But whatever it is, I'm glad to see and know that I do have wonderful colleagues. Very thankful!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Out from the ashes
A couple of days ago, I was feeling a little discouraged. It was a couple of things that got me a little discouraged. A little of this and a little of that, coupled with a little of others, got me down. But God send encouragements in ways that I didn't expect.
First encouragement was from Mr Brown's blog. He wrote about being happy. It was his simple faith in being happy that cheered me up and got me to look at things in different perspective.
The next encouragement was from a quote that was posted on the stairs of work. The quote was simply, Contentment makes a poor man rich, discontentment makes a rich man poor.' When I read that, I pondered a little and thought further. Well, I'm not asking for more money or for more material goods. I've got heaps, well, not heaps of money but enough but I've got heaps of material goods. Way more than I ever needed. But rather the discontentment comes from not knowing what the future beholds. I had not having control over my life but the reality is that God is in control of my life and not me.
The last encouragement, was from Dana. Dana is a fellow Christian and she's in the same role of job as me. She sent a random email that really made my day. I didn't have a great day at work. Had a monsterous student and it was really trying. And her email just made me crack and laugh. It was a simple email with pictures but it did mean quite a bit to me.
A phoenix raises from the ashes, that thought always gives me hope that with each trial that I go through, I'll be stronger and more resilient. However, often I forget that it is not with my strength that I emerge stronger all the time. It is through the grace and strength of Jesus that I get stronger all the time. As much as I hate going trials, obstacles and difficult periods of my life, I understand and am thankful that God has a purpose. I may not understand the purpose now or I may never ever understand the purpose, and there are many whys that are not answered. But I know that my Lord reigns and He's always in control.
First encouragement was from Mr Brown's blog. He wrote about being happy. It was his simple faith in being happy that cheered me up and got me to look at things in different perspective.
The next encouragement was from a quote that was posted on the stairs of work. The quote was simply, Contentment makes a poor man rich, discontentment makes a rich man poor.' When I read that, I pondered a little and thought further. Well, I'm not asking for more money or for more material goods. I've got heaps, well, not heaps of money but enough but I've got heaps of material goods. Way more than I ever needed. But rather the discontentment comes from not knowing what the future beholds. I had not having control over my life but the reality is that God is in control of my life and not me.
The last encouragement, was from Dana. Dana is a fellow Christian and she's in the same role of job as me. She sent a random email that really made my day. I didn't have a great day at work. Had a monsterous student and it was really trying. And her email just made me crack and laugh. It was a simple email with pictures but it did mean quite a bit to me.
A phoenix raises from the ashes, that thought always gives me hope that with each trial that I go through, I'll be stronger and more resilient. However, often I forget that it is not with my strength that I emerge stronger all the time. It is through the grace and strength of Jesus that I get stronger all the time. As much as I hate going trials, obstacles and difficult periods of my life, I understand and am thankful that God has a purpose. I may not understand the purpose now or I may never ever understand the purpose, and there are many whys that are not answered. But I know that my Lord reigns and He's always in control.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
When Babe's Away
Babe's been away since Tuesday. He's in Spore and he'll be back tomorrow or rather tonight. My days have been filled with socializing with the girls. But it was interesting when Mel said that it took her 3 years to find a nice group of friends and I thought about it, well, it's true. And I'm glad with the friends that I've now. Not asking for more. I'm really thankful for the friends and the life that I have now. God has truly blessed me.
This morning I went to work and we had a professional development day. The pastor in charge of our school started the day by sharing this story with us. I truly felt inspired and blessed and at the same time, there were many thoughts running through my head.
Hot Chocolate
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now
retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about
stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the
professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot
chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some
plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help
themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only
the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot
chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even
hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not
the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began
eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position
in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The
cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate that has been provided us. The hot chocolate is there for the
taking, man chooses the cups.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
It was a really nice story. It is so true, my life is like the hot chocolate and yes, the cup just holds my cup. And the reality is that clamoring after a better cup does create issues for me. Years ago, or actually, now still, but I promise, I'm much better, I was a shopaholic. And the reality was that, each time I buy something, I tell myself that I'll be happier. And yes, just another little something. And the something list never ended. But thank God, I learnt early before it was too late. And the truth is that, it's never always true that the rich is happier. And keeping up with the Jones only causes more debt for one.
With the story, contentment and taking time to enjoy life are far more important. God has given us our lives but we choose how we want to live it. We can live in the rat race by chasing after material wants and getting what the Jones or Tans or Wongs have and getting it bigger than them but will that truly make us happy?
I am truly thankful and grateful for my life now. I've got my Babe and to me, that's more important than anything. I never wanted a richer husband. What's the point of having riches but not the love of my husband?
This morning I went to work and we had a professional development day. The pastor in charge of our school started the day by sharing this story with us. I truly felt inspired and blessed and at the same time, there were many thoughts running through my head.
Hot Chocolate
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now
retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about
stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the
professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot
chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some
plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help
themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only
the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot
chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even
hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not
the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began
eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position
in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The
cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate that has been provided us. The hot chocolate is there for the
taking, man chooses the cups.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
It was a really nice story. It is so true, my life is like the hot chocolate and yes, the cup just holds my cup. And the reality is that clamoring after a better cup does create issues for me. Years ago, or actually, now still, but I promise, I'm much better, I was a shopaholic. And the reality was that, each time I buy something, I tell myself that I'll be happier. And yes, just another little something. And the something list never ended. But thank God, I learnt early before it was too late. And the truth is that, it's never always true that the rich is happier. And keeping up with the Jones only causes more debt for one.
With the story, contentment and taking time to enjoy life are far more important. God has given us our lives but we choose how we want to live it. We can live in the rat race by chasing after material wants and getting what the Jones or Tans or Wongs have and getting it bigger than them but will that truly make us happy?
I am truly thankful and grateful for my life now. I've got my Babe and to me, that's more important than anything. I never wanted a richer husband. What's the point of having riches but not the love of my husband?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)