Living out Faith

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...

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!

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...

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...

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 r...

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. B...

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? We...

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 miser...

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 o...

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 t...

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 nev...

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.

The day started with a slight drizzle that became a huge down pour. The red rain signal was actually hoisted. Thought nothing much of it as the weather in HK can be rather unpredictable. Went for my class and just before I went home for lunch, I checked my laptop and there was a message from WK. Apparently, his granduncle went home with the Lord. On Sunday night, Mum called and told us that WK's granduncle was sick. The church was praying for him during pastoral prayer. We thought nothing of it as WK's mum didn't mention anything when he spoke with her. Yesterday, WK emailed his aunt and she replied and I called her as well. Apparently, he was in a serious condition. Half of his heart is dead. When we first heard that he was sick, our first question was, 'Is he saved?' When I was speaking to WK's aunt, I asked the same question. She told me that WK's grandma actually asked the same question at the hospital. Yes, praise the Lord, he's saved. I hardly know...

Was in the city yesterday. WK went to play soccer and I wondered in the city. Had a couple of errands to run anyway. While walking towards Soho for coffee, I saw a protest. Well this was a Falun Dafa protest. It was pretty full on. They had flags, drums, meditations and goodness knows what. The pic is rather blur as I took this pic with my camera. Took more shots but they're pretty blurry. Had to learn how to take pics with my phone. Protests are pretty intriguing. When I was in Sydney, I saw a protest. Think it was the Chinese protesting against something. And yesterday, I saw this. I like protest, actually, I like to protest against things. Dad used to say that I'm the opposite girl. Sometimes I would purposefully do things the opposite way because I like it and enjoyed speaking my mind. But in reality, I don't I'd ever join a protest because I too chicken to really join one.

So Happy has been itching and scratching for a while. We put it down to her just being a little dirty as we have not given her a bath since we got her. Her vet told us to hold the bath since she's still a little under the weather. On Tuesday night, there was a sudden thunderstorm and Happy was a little spooked. I felt sorry for her and I brought her up on our bed to sleep. Boy, was she happy! In the middle of the night, WK woke up and started scratching his faces real bad and I was itchy myself too. We had no choice but to put her back on the floor. WK continued scratching and we had a bad sleep. Happy started to whine because she wanted to be on our bed. When we got out of bed, yesterday, I was getting a little worried. Thinking, that we might have caught something from the dog. What if we got bugs, fleas, lice or goodness knows out. Asked this guy from Geoexpat online, he's a vet. He suspects that Happy might have scabies. I'm like scabies??? What on earth is scabies??? A...

I was watching Channelnewsasia last night. They had a program about an extended family that lives together. While watching that, I was reminded of my own extended family and my cousins. Just a couple of days ago, Sharon, my cousin in States, restarted the Sim Cousins email circle. She started it when her dad was sick and now it's restarted. I remembered when we were kids living in Pandan Gardens, Uncle Albert's family (Sharon's family) was just living next block. I'd go over all the time to play with Sharon and Morgan. Morgan was like my partner in crime. I love him to the bits! We used to sit in a corner and share our woes...yes, we had our woes at that time! And Xiao Di (Calvin) was like my little brother that I never had. His birthday is a day after mine. School holidays and weekends were a blast! Cousins gathered in Uncle Albert's place and we'll go crazy playing. During June holidays, Uncle Larry would fly back with his family and Eelynn and Jolynn will joi...

So last night, we were walking to the pier after having dinner. Found this nice Thai restaurant in Soho but the service ....could be better. Not sure if it's going to be a keeper. Going back to our walk, we walked past my favourite newsagent. The family that mans it, sells my 'ang mo' magazine. Love this stall. While we were paying up, WK suddenly exclaimed, look! They have Straits Times! I was surprised. And it was Saturday's too. Out of curiousity, WK asked him, how much and he said HKD$28. And I paid for it. WK seemed to be happy finding his piece of Spore. And then....it dawned on us...what we paid SIN5.60 for something that we normally pay for SIN$0.80! Text Joanne and her reply was..'Mad ah! Tell me what day you want and when I go there, I bring for you!'

Here, some pics that we took while we were in Macau. We're thinking of heading there again...in about a month's time....Time to play my pokies again!!! Happy is a lot better now. Brought her to the vet and she was well enough to get her shots. And she's a strange dog...She loves sleeping on the shoe shelf along with the shoes...Wonder why....And check her out..in her pretend Paul Smith outfit.

Happy Easter! The Lord is Risen Today! I love Easter! Easter is my second favourite festival next to Christmas. Christmas, Christ was born...Easter, He is risen! I'm glad that I worship a living Saviour! Praise the Lord! Went to church and after church, went to the Carlsons place for lunch. They invited us over. Nice of them. We were in Macau on Thursday to Saturday. It was a good time to go away. But Macau was real crowded! Macau is nice but it's small as well. We went to the casino quite a bit. I love love playing the pokie machines. Didn't lose and don't think I won much as well. Played enough to entertain myself. Planning to go there again probably for WK's birthday. Macau is a nice getaway and I get to play pokies....i love love pokies....but don't worry, I'm not addicted and I play 20 cents machines, which is something like 4 cents Sin.

The cold snap started yesterday. It was around 16 degrees which I thought was strange. In the afternoon when I was heading home, it got real cold. I was almost shivering. Poor Happy started to cough again. On Sunday, the temperature was something like 24 degrees and then the sudden drop. We had to take out our heater again. Poor Happy, she was cold last night and started coughing real bad. Felt sorry for her and brought her up our bed. This morning, horror of horrors, it was like 13 degrees. Pulled out my tights, boots, scarf and coat. It's winter all over again. Good grief, when will this weather madness end??? Getting sick of the weather and I mean it literally. We're heading to Macau tomorrow. Jace, Angie's daughter will be coming over to house sit and look after Happy as well. Hopefully, Happy will be fine and happy. And it's beginning to dawn on me that Happy is such a corny name!