Watching You, watching over me.

I HAVE MOVED!

2009-11-02T16:05:00.000+08:00

OFFICIALLY MOVED OUTTA HERE.... to here!

i wuff you!

2009-01-16T23:50:00.001+09:00

You won't believe it

2009-01-15T14:57:00.004+09:00

So we were on one of those lazy afternoon strolls in broadway, and as per normal Mango half-dragged me into the pet store (where she loves to sniff the treats, kinda like the excitement a child experiences when they walk into a candy shop). I actually think she's sorta on a 'high'-- all the smells! Beef, liver, pork, fish, and even fish food!

ok, so she stops along a shelf labelled 'Roo sticks' and picks one of these dried-up sausage shaped sticks and attempts to make a run for it (to my horror!). She's becoming one of those hit and run dog shoppers who drag their poor owners into trouble. I'm going to end up in jail one day because of this pup. Anyhow, we find out its dried Kangaroo meat... and even i take a sniff. Ok, smells nice. I look at Mango-- she does one of those Shrek 'Cat' adorable eyes at me- almost begging me to buy it for her. Ok, i'm an affable owner. WRONG, i'm a weak owner! so i buy the Roo stick.

She follows me like in a trance all the way to the car, because i'm holding the roo stick. HAHA. so much for dangling a carrot in front of a donkey... or was it an asparagus in front of a horse? mm... ok, anyway the point i want to make is approaching.

i throw the roo stick into the back of the car, where Mango usually sits and she dives in right after it. Most of you know how long the drive from Brdway to my place is right, ok the point is- it's barely 3 mins. In between, Judy calls and i have a little chat on the phone- but still it wasn't too long.

We get home, i open the boot and 'where's the stick?' i ask.
Mango looks at me, i look at her. I check the boot again. i flip towels, overturn cushions.
Man, that dog has FINISHED the entire sausage roo stick in like 5 mins!
You won't believe it. I still don't.

babbling

2009-01-12T12:27:00.002+09:00

Just sitting here in my room, with the doggie curled up at my feet... (i just bathed her actually, she rolled in something that smelt like fish this morning at the river...ewww. haha... but she's quite tired now after all that 'hey you can't do that' and 'stop it' and 'that's enough!' think she's not really a puppy anymore, more like an emotion-driven teenager... 'i want it and i don't care what you think'/ 'i'm going over there and you can't stop me' attitude)

ok, that was a pretty long bracket.
A close english-teacher-friend of mine would disapprove of that long bracketed sentence.

Talking about friends, I was just mentioning to A that i have very few friends. Den i thought about it and decided, not really... i have friends that really matter to me, friends i've known for eons, and friends who pray for me constantly, i have friends who call me from distant places, friends who go on random KL trips with me, yes... i have friends.

And den, i have family... A family who loves me- brothers who treat me like i'm the youngest anyhow, just cos i'm the shortest. Family who will give me the drumstick at the table, family who will buy me a new luggage because my old one is broken (tsk tsk, it was SQ's and english teacher friend's fault) Family who love to move house... Family whom i love to play Wii with... Family!

I have Jesus.

I have friends, family and Jesus.
(feeling pretty darn grateful now... =)

Alone?

2009-01-10T22:48:00.003+09:00

I've been struggling with this- or maybe us, as women we do struggle with this feeling of 'You are alone/ When they see who you really are, you will be alone /No one will ever truly come for you.'

It's a fear which has crippled me for very long.

You know that scene from The Two Towers, which takes place in the land of Rohan, in the hall of the king, in the chambers of the lovely Eowyn. She is the king's niece, the only Lady of the court. Her dearest cousin, Theodred, the son of the king, has just died from wounds he received in battle. She is grieving her loss when Wormtongue- supposed counselor to the king, but a teacherous, vile creature- slinks into her chambers and begins to weave his spell around the unprotected maiden.

Wormtongue: O... he must have died sometime during the night. What a tragedy for the king to lose his only son and heir. I understand his passing is hard to accept. Especially now that your brother has deserted you. [Wormtongue arranged for his banishment.]

Eowyn: Leave me alone Snake!

Wormtongue: O, but you are alone. Who knows what you have spoken to the darkness in bitter watches of the night when all your life seems to shrink, the walls of your bower closing in about you. A hushed, tremulsome, wild thing. (He takes her face in his hand.) So fair... and so cold. Like a morning with pale spring, still clinging to winter's chill.

Eowyn: (Finally pulling away from his clutch.) Your words are poison.

Oh, but you are alone. This is the way of the Evil One toward you. He plays upon a woman's worst fear: Abandonment. He arranges for her to be abandoned, and he puts his spin on every event he can to make it seem like abandonment.
Our own sins have a large enough role to play and the Evil One will drive home the point- he fears who you are; what you are; what you might become.

This is the voice of your King. This is God's heart toward you:

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn
her salvation like a blazing torch.

The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.

You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and you land Beulah (married)

for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
As a young man marries a maiden (he pursues her)
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (you are lovely)
so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:1-5 (itallics added)

I might take a lifetime to understand this:
That I am passionately loved by the God of this universe,
and I am passionately hated by his Enemy.

Just some thoughts!

[ Two Tower quotes and bible verses taken from 'Captivating' by Stasi Eldredge]

Dog Beach

2009-01-10T10:59:00.003+09:00

I have a list of Dog beaches around Perth... We'll probably tick each one off as we visit them and decide which one's the best! =) Douro Rd Dog beach (near Freo) was nice and clean! With shower facilities to rinse off and sufficient parking! =) Not enough shade though! =( Mango was enjoying herself and running amock, there were other dogs too!

A fun day out!

2009-01-08T17:03:00.004+09:00

Had a fun visit to R's place today! With her sons P and M =) We swam, ate, played in the pool... Mango was so thrilled to see the pool again (Robyn's house had a pool too). The boys were splashing and playing fetch with her. Maggie wasn't too keen on the water, but the puppies loved having one another for company! Mango is so gentle with Maggie, although Maggie was a little boisterous and rough-- nibbling Mango all over, Mango didn't even bark! =) It was really hot! glad we had sunscreen on... Mango's all played out now-- tired, fell asleep on the ride home... =p
We shall do that again soon!

haha, as you can tell i'm playing around with Picnik and the effects! the little pictures are fun.
I've uploaded videos of the doggies playing on Facebook. Go check it out!

Thankful

2009-01-05T20:14:00.001+09:00

Whilst showering i was just thinking about how great it is that i could travel and yet not worry about Mango. It's just such a relief that Judy and Robyn would love and care for her as much as i do. She's in such good hands... =)

I miss my Baby girl....

2009-01-04T21:16:00.002+09:00

Getaway

2008-12-29T23:59:00.003+09:00

Zi and I went away to KL for the weekend... =) and all we did was climb, eat, shop, eat, eat, climb... sleep, eat.... walk... Climb.

Uploaded more Pics on Flickr! =)

Home

2008-12-25T23:26:00.006+09:00

It's been a strangely quiet christmas, just hanging out at home- playing Wii, watching 'Little Nonya', eating, reading, a birthday dinner, lunch with Guma, mahjong sessions... It's good to be home. Blessed Christmas to everyone who reads this =)

Picture courtesy of Pauleon

Learning to Trust the Master

2008-11-29T09:24:00.000+09:00

By Max Lucado

A man and his dog are in the same car. The dog howls bright-moon-in-the-middle-of-the-night caterwauling howls. The man pleads, promising a daily delivery of dog biscuit bouquets if only the hound will hush. After all, it’s only a car wash.

Never occurred to him—ahem, to me—that the car wash would scare my dog. But it did. Placing myself in her paws, I can see why. A huge, noisy machine presses toward us, pounding our window with water, banging against the door with brushes. Duck! We’re under attack.

“Don’t panic. The car wash was my idea.” “I’ve done this before.” “It’s for our own good.” Ever tried to explain a car wash to a canine? Dog dictionaries are minus the words brush and detail job. My words fell on fallen flaps. Nothing helped. She just did what dogs do; she wailed.

Actually, she did what we do. Don’t we howl? Not at car washes perhaps but at hospital stays and job transfers. Let the economy go south or the kids move north, and we have a wail of a time. And when our Master explains what’s happening, we react as if he’s speaking Yalunka. We don’t understand a word he says.

Is your world wet and wild?

God’s greatest blessings often come costumed as disasters. Any doubters need to do nothing more than ascend the hill of Calvary.

Jerusalem’s collective opinion that Friday was this: Jesus is finished.

Such is the view of the disciples, the opinion of the friends, and the outlook of the enemies. Label it the dog-in-the-passenger-seat view.

The Master who sits behind the wheel thinks differently. God is not surprised. His plan is right on schedule. Even in—especially in—death, Christ is still the king, the king over his own crucifixion.

Can’t he do the same for you? Can’t he turn your Friday into a Sunday?

Some of you doubt it. How can God use cancer or death or divorce? Simple.

He’s smarter than we are. He is to you what I was to four-year-old Amy. I met her at a bookstore. She asked me if I would sign her children’s book. When I asked her name, she watched as I began to write, “To Amy …”

She stopped me right there. With wide eyes and open mouth, she asked, “How did you know how to spell my name?”

She was awed. You aren’t. You know the difference between the knowledge of a child and an adult. Can you imagine the difference between the wisdom of a human and the wisdom of God? What is impossible to us is like spelling “Amy” to him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9).

I keep taking Molly to the car wash. She’s howling less. I don’t think she understands the machinery. She’s just learning to trust her master. Maybe we’ll learn the same.

From
Next Door Savior
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado

John 4:3-30

2008-11-25T22:41:00.001+09:00

Look who's back!

2008-11-21T13:32:00.006+09:00

I'm sitting here at my desk in school writing reports.

Yes, those report slips you dreaded to show your parents at the end of school term because you feel like ending-it-all-syndrome. Look, teachers dread it too... we hate making judgements, especially when it involves putting pen to paper.

Maybe you had some of these words describing you? Here's what they really mean if you are a parent. (just for laughs okay! i'm stressed remember i'm doing close to 100 comments/ reports)

"@@ is a pleasure to teach and her work is outstanding. She contributes positively in class and shows continual interest."
i.e Your daughter is a lovely and brilliant girl. Thumbs up for your parenting skills!

"@@ is a polite and willing student who has worked hard to achieve above average results."
i.e Your child is courteous and is such a joy to teach!

"@@ has achieved good results through maturity of attitude and consistency of effort."
i.e Your child works hard and does not complain! Give her a treat!

OR

"@@ tends to work erratically and consequently has not achieved a result that @@ is capable of."
i.e Your child is a pain.

"@@'s lack of self discipline in class activities has resulted in a poor standard of work."
i.e He is not doing his work.

"@@ is too easily distracted in class. If greater effort is made next semester to complete all set work, this grade could improve."
i.e Too hyper, give him less sugar for breakfast.

"@@ needs a more organised approach to ensure that all assignments are submitted on the specified date."
i.e Your child needs a file, instead of handing in pieces of scrap out of the bottom of his bag.

"@@ refuses to apply himself fully to the tasks he is assigned either in class or at home."
i.e It would be better if he just stayed home.

And all the other euphemisms teachers use.
expressive= talkative
polite= quiet
enthusiastic and lively= disruptive and noisy
confident= back chatting all the time
responds to incentives= loves bribes

lots more here ...

What the Teacher Says--> What the Teacher Means

Poor attendance is affecting performance -->I think I actually saw your child one time. Long black hair, black clothes, black trenchcoat, smells like cigarette smoke? If you could send in a photo it might help me recognize him if he comes to class again.

Oral communication needs improvement -->Your child's entire vocabulary appears to consist of 117 curse words and two pronouns.

Oral communication has improved -->Your child learned a new curse word this week.

Well-suited to a career in public service--> The phrase "Would you like fries with that?" will be very helpful in your child's future. Have him practice it on a daily basis.

Basic math skills are deficient--> Unfortunately your child can't add one plus one even with a calculator.

Wears inappropriate clothing -->Being dressed like a fifteen-year-old prostitute is probably the reason your daughter got frostbite during the fire drill last week.

Lacking necessary course materials -->Your son lost another textbook. The replacement is $50. Should we put it on his tab?

Parental reinforcement recommended -->If you'd talk to your child for just a few minutes at least once every other month, then maybe it wouldn't come as a complete surprise to find out that she's failing all her classes.

Comes unprepared to class -->No textbook, no pencil, no notebook, no calculator, no homework. Does bring his Nomad Jukebox everday, however.

Does not follow directions well--> In the off chance that your child was actually listening to what was being assigned in the first place, he would refuse to do it anyway.

Follows directions well -->Actually did what was asked for once! Nearly caused a disturbance in the Force.

Written work needs better structure--> If I could read your child's writing, then there might be at least a chance I could grade it.

Written expression is problematic -->Needs to learn that complete sentences typically contain more than one word.

Poor performance on fitness tests -->Puked after walking one lap. Does he ever turn off the vidoe games and get off the couch?

Laboratory skills are deficient -->Lit the student next to him on fire while playing with the bunsen burner.

Please telephone teacher--> Your child's behavior and performance are so far outside our standards that we actually don't have codes to describe him.

Differentiated instruction has been given to student--> I put his lazy butt in another room and and told him to actually attempt to do something for a change.

Student should edit his/her writing more diligently -->The plagiarism was way too easy to catch.

Disrespectful toward teacher and peers--> Your son is a nasty, foul-mouthed, immature, disrespectful brat. Any chance you're moving any time soon?

Undecided spring

2008-10-26T22:32:00.002+09:00

I think spring this year is like a really bad lady driver. She can't decide if she'll change lanes or speed up. She's constantly swerving and breaks really hard, and i presume she'll keep being unpredictable until Summer takes over. ( this analogy has nothing to do with my driving)

Mango and I have had long nice walks this weekend, gave her a nice bath on Saturday-- all ready for the week ahead! Just love it when her doe-like eyes just gaze at me, really manja. Been doing alot of swimming- she's a natural and she loves the water!

Gah, it's week 3 and counting!! I'm just really glad i get long holidays... that's the part about my job that i love. And also the little things- had mini-serious-i-hope-also-inspirational-conversations with my students... really lifts my spirit and hopefully theirs.

ok over and out.

First week of madness

2008-10-20T14:57:00.003+08:00

Back @ school last week after the holidays was nightmarish!
haha, actually i think i was too used to doing nothing... and the week was a wake up call.

I forgot how difficult it was to stand/ walk the whole day, talking for most of the time.
The kids come back after the break still on holiday mode as well, which makes it harder to kick start the syllabus that we've got to cover.
This term's a little shorter (8 weeks?), so much to teach so little time!

Had a bit of a drama with Mango over the weekend as well!
Poor girl had a minor eye injury on thursday- ran into the bushes n smthg might have cut her eye causing it to swell on friday. Brought her to the Vet, just minor thank God, will heal naturally... need to wash n clean the eye and give her anti-biotics.
So now she's her happy self again! She wasn't too happy when she couldn't see properly out of her eye- sorta like one-eyed for a day... she slept mostly out of boredom!

Okay, will update again when the time comes!

A little amusement

2008-10-12T21:47:00.001+08:00

Getaway

2008-10-10T09:23:00.003+08:00

I love how I can just take a long drive to have a short holiday! Made a mini retreat down to Myalup beach (between Harvey and Australind, near bunbury!) Had a great time bushwalking, romping around sand dune vegetation, deciphering animal trails in the sand... Mango had fun at the beach!
Here are some pictures, the rest on Flickr!

You never really left...

2008-10-02T12:45:00.004+08:00

Dear Jean,

When you came into our lives we did not know what to expect. You were a white ball of fluff, your previous owners loved you tremendously- despite your struggles and injury, you always remained cheerful and happy with the little things in life. Jean, i remember carrying you home the first day (dec 2006). You are a part of our family, and we will miss you dearly.

It was really sudden, but i guess there was no long suffering or enduring pain.
Everything will remind us of you- your basket, waterbowls, towels we used to wipe and blow dry you after your shower, your fluffy toys which you loved to play with so dearly.

How can i say i'm sorry? For being so far away when you left, i never even got to say goodbye. You were always there for me when i was feeling down, when i slept on the floor mattress you would come lie on my pillow next to my head. You were so faithful Jeanie baby, always waiting for us to get home and always happy to see us.

I remember how you got sick once, too weak to lift your head, too tired to wag your tail. Even after your spay operation you were so glad to be home. I cannot imagine how much mommy and daddy miss you. When at last you gave in, on the way to the hospital.

We can cry and cry, that we couldn't bring you back, that we will not hear your footsteps in the house, or you wolfing down your food in the kitchen.

Empty spaces where you should be, in the corner watching Dad doing the housework, lazing by the tv, bringing your toy and insisting we play with you, lying down to sleep on the bed.

Is it selfish of me to want you back? To cuddle you one more time? To bury my face in your baby-shampooed fur? We all need you so much, you have taught us so much... but now you are resting. No more hobbling around, no more pain...

Where are you our jeanie? Do you miss us? Do you know how much we miss you? Will we see you again? I think you are still here, forever etched in our memories... still wanting boiled chicken, some sliced apple, hagling for a quick playful romp.

Our little white fluffy angel. We will see you again soon.

I love you so much,
Your big sister mishi

I lay on my bed sobbing after the news of jean came thru my phone via sms this morning.
Mango came to snuggle beside me almost to say "Don't worry mama i'm here" , she knew i was upset- such is the unconditional love of dogs.

If only dogs lived longer lives, I know one day this sorrow will return. But for now, i will love Mango with all my heart.

iRack

2008-09-12T20:47:00.002+08:00

The most funny and smart political stab at the US government i've seen in a long time!

just for laughs!

Twenty something

2008-09-10T22:28:00.003+08:00

It was my brother's 23rd birthday today! (happy birthday josh! Hope you had a memorable one, it sorta gets to a blur when we reach this age, but you've come really far and have grown so much! May God continually bless you in all you do!)

We went for a nice dinner at Hyatt! Buffet style... yum! we ate for 2 over hours, we were attacking the seafood mainly! salmon, prawns, crabs.... whoosh. think i might have put on 2 whole kgs.

on a separate topic: been teaching mango how to "paw" for a couple of days now! She's shown progress! gave me her paw 3 times today, but afterwards looked confused. haha. Will keep working on that together. very proud of her.

Shoe addict

2008-09-09T18:28:00.003+08:00

Damage No. 1

Damage No 2.

The "I'm-really-sorry-mom"look.

She's usually been good and has never touched our shoes... but twice in a week now she's destroyed 2 of my ballet flats! ugh... but i can't really be mad at her... i left them lying around on the floor- too tempting for an 8 month old puppy!! gee...

2007-11-14T14:56:00.000+09:00

Faith is the eye by which we look to Jesus
A dim-sighted eye is still an eye; a weeping eye is still an eye.

- George Mueller

Rescue me.

2007-11-11T01:32:00.000+09:00

I search for You God of strength
I bow to You in my brokenness
And no other King could have so humbly come
To save my soul and heal my heart

I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You’re all that I need

I pray to You God of peace
I rest in You my cares released

In Your freedom I will live
In Your freedom I will live
I offer devotion, I offer devotion

"In Your Freedom"- Saviour King, Hillsongs.

Look what i got!!

2007-11-02T21:49:00.000+09:00

haha!

2007-11-01T01:11:00.000+09:00

Hell-O

2007-10-31T14:34:00.000+09:00

I would think, contrary to popular belief and culture-- Hell would not be a place full of fire and brimstone. It would simply be an existence without God.

Now THAT is frightening.

stumbled upon a post-- Ten Propositions on hell.

'Grounded' in the right things.

2007-10-30T17:36:00.000+09:00

Don't you feel stuck sometimes?
i do....

(and anyone who's known me for yonks can tell you that i hate that feeling)
It isn't even halfway through the week and i feel like i've been dragging myself-- through mud, dust, soil... and papers.

Mari and i were just saying how 'reflective' people get towards the end of the year... Christmas and New Year's Eve to be exact. I skim over my year... look at my previous resolutions (yes, i have not given up making those) and re-align my aims for next year. Some of the previous aims might have been waaay off course, too ambitious/ not realistic, some were not done because i was plain lazy, others should have become a lifestyle but they still remain on the paper-- But some, the few that were attained keeps me going and give me the 'hey wait a minute' anything-is-possible feeling.

Most years it's depressing, because there's a standard 'route', a path to follow... first yr uni to second and honours, and post grad. BUT this year... it's different- i get to choose... *000* and this freedom is killing me. This transition is scaarry. I'd opt for the standard route now, just seems i've run out of choice!

Back to my initial point about being 'stuck'-- i meant staying in one place, doing one thing for too long. I think applying for PR sends one of those being 'stuck' shivers down my spine. Yes, of course i want stability and foundation and all of that... but it also means i can't pack up and run off. Also means sparing a thought for my second half--- what his desires, needs and ambitions are. I think i might be commitment-phobic. I hope i'm not.

So being 'stuck' and being 'grounded' are two different things. I wanna be grounded-- in the knowledge that where ever i am, I'm right smack in the purpose God has planned for me. Whatever i am doing and whichever 'route' is embarked upon.... that i am serving Him in my generation, for this short blink in eternity.

Well, so i'm not stuck. I'm just.... GROUNDED in Him.

Weather's gone mad!!

2007-10-27T01:38:00.000+08:00

ok, just about 5 minutes ago.. my brother and i witnessed ice bits falling from the sky (a.k.a HAIL)
it is really strange for the fact that it's been really warm the past 2 weeks?!

This global warming thing is really hitting close to home.
Besides the fact that everytime i wash my clothes-- it rains.
gah! The last time i washed my clothes-- it just had to rain!
And i've waited and waited for the weather to turn warm so i cld hang our clothes out in peace!

*shakes fist at the sky*

Anyway, my new enemy is possessive-peg-neighbour. I borrowed a couple of pegs (just a common looking communal basket hanging on the racks) from her/him (identity is unknown) to peg some shirts -- lo and behold she/ he had to take them all off my clothes-- just when it was raining n blowing wind!! GAH! went downstairs to find the clothes (some kind soul hung back the ones which blew off) all wet and soggy... =~(

this is completely insane.
totally. mad.

Reminder!

2007-10-25T23:23:00.000+08:00

I have this little note pasted on my lappy...

Going Bananas!!

2007-10-23T15:25:00.000+08:00

Did you know???

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

Thanks dad... for this email!

thoughts

2007-10-22T23:49:00.000+08:00

"God doesn't call those who are equipped,
He equips those He calls."

... A leader prays for you, invests in you, spends time with you, trains you...
...and then asks great things of you.

job hazard

2007-10-22T17:17:00.000+08:00

something strange just happened....
I'm working @ the MPSL and there are patrons using the computers in front of me.... so suddenly one of the patrons stretches and raises one hand into the air- i sat up straight and glanced towards her immediately!
... i think it's a job hazard but i'm highly sensitized to people raising their hands up... (looks like students asking questions).

this is so strange.

Proof of Red Sea Crossing

2007-10-20T13:51:00.000+08:00

Wow!
Thanks youfay, this was great!

Arithmetic

2007-10-19T11:05:00.000+08:00

I've been staring at the sky tonight
Marvelling and passing time
Wondering what to do with daylight
Until I can make you mine
You are the one I want, you are the one I want

I've been thinking of changing my mind
It never stays the same for long
But of all the things I know for sure
You're the only certain one
You are the one I want, you are the one I want

I've been counting up all my wrongs
One sorry for each star
See I'd apologise my way to you
If the heavens stretched that far
You are the one I want, you are the one I want

I won't find what I am looking for
If I only "see" by keeping score
'Cos I know now you are so much more than arithmetic

'Cos if I add, if I subtract
If I give it all, try to take some back
I've forgotten the freedom that comes from the fact
That you are the sum
So you are the one
I want

When the years are showing on my face
And my strongest days are gone
When my heart and flesh depart this place
From a life that sung your song

You'll still be the one I want

'Arithmetic' by Brooke Fraser
Album: What to Do with Daylight

Just Hanging out

2007-10-14T12:41:00.000+08:00

On Friday Arvo, mari and i decided to torture ourselves... why not? We had already gone thru 6 weeks of prac with crazy kids... so this shldn't be a biggie.

We visited The Hangout!
Located in the suburb of Bayswater-- off the great eastern highway.
It apparently is Perth's largest indoor rockclimbing gym!
Yes, it was bigger than Rockface the gym in northbridge we frequent slightly more becos of distance.

What was interesting about The Hangout-- was firstly their staff's disdain for Rockface. haha. But that aside... i really enjoyed the varieties of climbs they had there... some were strange-- i loved the curvatures of the walls... not flat board like in rockface... but jutting out and i loved the crags!

That being said... my arms are screaming murder today... and just lifting them alone to grab coffee on the kitchen shelf is a whole lot of work... Driving home yesterday from Bayswater... my right leg was... "nooo, stop using me!!"
Every move is like ouch, ouch, ouch....

ok i'm whining like a girl now.
bah...

Sharing Jerusalem?

2007-10-12T10:20:00.000+08:00

Is this the solution?

Both sides don't seem to agree?!

Amazing.

2007-10-10T18:21:00.000+08:00

This is fantastic choreography.... and the dance is so unique. Captures the Hummingbird and flower blooming story... check it out!

Familiar?

2007-10-08T22:50:00.000+08:00

I miss Jean!

On another note, i thought this was quite funny. We had one of these situations in the staff room. i think you have it everywhere in a communal area....

Idleness

2007-10-04T16:54:00.000+08:00

I remember in school my teacher's used to say "An idle mind is the devil's workshop"
And it was repeated so many times i recall it to this day.

I want to say that being idle= or doing nothing, is really very tiring.

I'm tired.

The earth.

2007-10-04T01:19:00.000+08:00

The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

Psalms 24:1-2

This verse always reminds me that nothing is too big for God-- He created everything. The heavens and the earth, our minds cannot even begin to fathom His greatness and goodness.

26/26

2007-10-01T12:34:00.000+08:00

Recently my parents celebrated 26 years of marriage on the 26th of September =)
haha, just wanted to post smthg to congratulate them and to say i love you mom and dad!

A love affair with God's law

2007-09-29T10:39:00.000+08:00

Just reflecting on the recent talk about the 10 commandments and God's law....

The bible is a united proof of God's love for us... yes, it may be divided into the Old testament and the New testament-- but some christians start to believe that the OT is bad news and the NT is good news.

"They sniff from the theological wind that the God of the OT is a demanding God, while the God of the NT is a giving God. But children do not smell this odour. They see as many demands in the NT as there are in the OT- and perhaps harder ones. If the good news depends on God not demanding, there is no gospel. But kids know better. And we might learn from them to enjoy the OT if we see that the obedience it demands is the obedience of faith in future grace."
- John Piper "Future Grace"

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice then Cain...
By faith Noah... prepared an ark for the salvation of his household...
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...
By faith Moses... refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter...

Hebrews 11:4,7,17,24

When Moses recorded what the Lord required of his people, he said it was "to keep the Lord's commandments... for your good" (Deut 10:13) It is for our good that God commands us to do his will. The men and women of the Old testament knew this. They who loved God received his commandments as blessings and not burdens. They seemed to have a love affair with God's law!

"I shall delight in Thy commandments, which I love. And i shall lift up my hands to Thy commandments which I love; and I will meditate on Thy statutes... I love Thy commandments above gold, yes above fine gold." (Psalms 119:47, 48, 127)

King David knew, more than anyone, how the law of God could crush with guilt- like the guilt of adultery and murder (2 Sam 12:13). But no one loved the law more than David. He reveled in its practical, spiritual value. he said that it "is perfect, restoring the soul;" it is "sure, making wise the simple;" it is "right, rejoicing the heart;" it is "pure, enlightening the eyes." It is "sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10) In other words, he experienced profoundly the truth of Moses' words that the commandments of God are "for your good."

The law is not a mere list of commandments. The commandments of the law are woven together with threads of grace- past grace, future grace, forgiving grace and empowering grace. These threads are part of the Old testament law. Before God gave moses the Ten commandments, He reminded him of past grace: "... You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then , if you will indeed obey My voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine." (Exodus 19:3-5)

God promised forgiving grace at the centre of the law-giving on Mt Sinai. God identified himself as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." (Ex 34:6-7) In other words, at the head of the law stands a future provision for failing to keep the law- God has poured out his forgiving grace!

The grace of empowerment for obedience was not poured out fully in the Old testament times. This greater outpouring was promised in the "new covenant" which Christ inaugurated and sealed by the shedding of his blood (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25). Both prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel mention the time that was coming when God would empower his people with a new heart, and a new spirit!

"Behold the days are coming... I will put My law within them and on their hearts I will write it." (Jer 31:31,33) "I shall give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. I shall take the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and Keep My ordinances" (Ezekiel 11:19-10 cf. 36:26-28)

We are living in exciting times! The 'days which are coming' in the bible are the times now! Do not exalt our precious privilege as beneficiaries of the new covenant at the expense of the old covenant- it did not command the wrong things- it was not complete because it was not accompanied, by and large, with inner, transforming, enabling divine power (Rom 8:3)

Taken as a whole, the old testament has one great aim:" Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perserverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE" (Rom 15:4)

The OT was written to strengthen our hope in God!

The commandments of God are not negligible

because we are under grace.

They are doable (through Christ) because we are under grace.

The new covenant gift of the Spirit

is the power to obey the revealed will of God;

but the path along which the Spirit comes and works

is faith in future grace.

- John Piper 'Future grace'

Angel of Learning

2007-09-23T23:24:00.000+08:00

I love it! Thanks girl =)

Faith vs Pride

2007-09-22T13:20:00.000+08:00

Thus says the Lord,

"Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom,

And let not the mightly man boast of his might,

let not a rich man boast of his riches;

but let him who boasts boast of this,

that he understands and knows Me,

that I am the Lord who exercises

Lovingkindness, justics, and righteousness on earth;

for I delight in these things," declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Excerpts from Faith in Future Grace vs Pride
Future Grace by John Piper

Humility is not a popular trait in the modern world.
It's not touted in the talk shows or celebrated in valedictory speeches or commended in diversity seminars or listed with corporate core values. And if you go to the massive self-help section of your sprawling mall bookstore, you won't find many titles celebrating humility.

The basic reason for this is not hard to find: humility can only survive in the presence of God. When God goes, humility goes. In fact, you might say that humility follows God like a shadow. We can expect to find humility applauded in our society about as often as we find God applauded.

In the local news paper (Minneapolis Star Tribune, sept 12 1994) a guest editorial captured the atmosphere of our time that asphyxiates humility:

There are some who naively cling to the nostalgic memory of God. The average churchgoer takes a few hours out of the week to experience the sacred... But the rest of the time, he is immersed in a society that no longer acknowledges God as an omniscient and omnipotent force to be loved and worshipped... Today we are too spohisticated for God. We can stand on our own; we are prepared and ready to choose and define our own existence.

In this atmosphere, humility cannot survive. It disappears with God. When God is neglected, the runner-up god takes his place, namely man. And that, by definities, is the opposite of humility, namely, the haughty spirit called pride.

An appetite for God in the heart

Trusting God and being arrogant are opposites:" An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper" Pro 28:25. Stephen Charnock said," A proud faith is as much a contradiction as a humble devil." To see why faith and pride are opposites we need to remind ourselves what faith is.

The heart of biblical faith in Jesus is coming to him for the satisfaction of all that God is for us in him. Jesus said in John 6:35 "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in my shall never thirst." Unbelief is turning away from Jesus in order to seek satisfaction in other things.

Belief is not merely an agreement with facts in the head; it is also an appetite for God in the heart, which fastens on Jesus for satisfaction. In the very first verse up on the top of this blog post-- the bible mentions 3 things which God names his great competitors for the boast of the human heart. Each one-- Wisdom, might and riches- tempts us to take satisfaction in ourselves-- our intelligence, our strength, our material resources. Each one lures us away from trusting God as the superior satisfaction above them all.

When knowledge puffs up

The apostle Paul warns that "knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" 1 Cor 8:1. This does not mean he favours ignorance and irrationality: "Do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" 1Cor 14:20

G.K Chesterson, the British Catholic Journalist-author who died in 1936, warned that in the 20th Century we are not clear about the relationship between intellectual conviction and pride.

What we suffer from ... is humility in the wrong place. Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition. Modesty has settled upon the organ of conviction; where it was never meant to be. A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. Nowadays the part of a man that a man does assert is exactly the part he ought not to assert-- himself. The part he doubts is exactly the part he ought not to doubt-- the Divine Reason.

Paul is not calling into question the necessity of firm conviction and true knowledge. Nevertheless is he keenly aware that what we know- or think we know- can lure us away from resting in God's wisdom and lead us toward boasting in our own.

The organ of knowledge was given to us that we might know God and how the world relates to God. One of the first things we learn, when we know him as we ought, is the Word of Jesus: "Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" Matt 16:17.
All true knowledge depends on God. "Who has been [God's] counselor... for from him and through him are all things" Rom 11:34,36
God gave us minds not only to know, but to know how we ought to know.

We know the way we ought to know when we boast in the Source of all knowing-- God. Not in our fragile little chip-- our limited understanding and knowledge-- with its tiny, God-designed circuitry. When we boast in our wisdom we show that we have turned from God to trust in ourselves.

Deut 8:11-17
Beware lest, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery... In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Otherwise, you may say in your heart," My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth."

The bible never tires of telling us, "The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delievered by great strength" Ps 33:16-17. You can have all these which you buy with your wealth, but unless the Lord decides to give you deliverance and victory, they will be useless in the day of battle. That's why the next few verses in Psalms 33 point to an alternative treasure for our trust: "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His loving kindness... He is our help and shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. ps 33:18-21.

This is the remedy for pride.

Funny Advertisements

2007-09-22T11:26:00.001+08:00

This is obviously a burger King Ad.... haha.
This one is brilliant. It's Baygon!

Some things to do before i die

2007-09-22T11:01:00.000+08:00

this is an ever increasing list...

1. Raise children who are healthy, funny & god-fearing.
2. Read 90% of all the books i own- there are books i'm not sure why i've got.
3. Pack Europe and put it in my bag; alternatively- backpack across Europe
4. Keep my eyes on the bigger picture

My brother

2007-09-19T19:33:00.000+08:00

There was a young man named Josh
Who went for an event quite posh
He bought a new vest
Snazzy with zest
All the girls screamed, "My gosh!"

haha, that was really fun to write. will write more! haha

That's enough!!

2007-09-18T16:24:00.000+08:00

okay, since the time i hung the bedsheets out to dry on sunday... it's rained... *counts fingers*
at LEAST 6-7 times (light/ heavy)!!!
I'm giving up, definitely NOT washing the clothes again... altho i probably should-- cos acid rain is not the kind of softener smell i like... BUT that load cost me $4.40!!!
i REFUSE to wash the clothes again.
Now it'll cost me another $3 to dry them... GAH!!!!!

Going to trudge to the laundromat to dry them now....
I was whining to mari the whole way back from school yesterday and today (cos it always chose to rain after school).... NOOOOO.... my laundry..... =~(

*drags feet AND laundry to the laundromat*

AND I'll have to take my laundry down in the rain!!!!!
i detest this. UGH.

boys and guns

2007-09-17T20:44:00.001+08:00

My thigh bruise.... (sorry if it's visually unappealing)

I hope he doesn't shoot me in the head!!

Four Guys squeezing behind one barrel... tsk tsk.

Our Medic Max

Getting ready to "chiong"

That's me, number 19.

Can't tell who this is, but he looks super pro!

My bro: the sniper.

********************************************************************************
And so it was the much anticipated Paintball day!!
So much talk about it the entire week... the boys (and some girls) were hyped up about it!
Kept talking about firing squads and army games......
i know my injuries will look gross... but seriously- look at the size of that bruise on my thigh!!!
haha got shot within 3-4 metres... haha...
The weather was fine... @ least it didn't rain!
i was pretty amused at how serious the boys were about the whole thing.
check out some of the shots shin_arkhangel took!!

Jarrah Forest

2007-09-16T16:31:00.000+08:00

Pine Nut

Stick and Stone ants
These ants are amazing. They make their nest out of sticks and stones- the structure is incredibly strong. (i tested it) haha.
During winter-- you can see the white, reflective stones which are on the top of the nest. They use the stones to absorb the sunlight and at night they carry it into the nest to keep the temperature up. During Summer, their nest is made of more sticks-- to provide ventilation for the nest-- keeping it cooler on hot days.

*****************************************************************************
Went to the Jarrah forest near Mundaring Weir on thursday with the geography kids. Altho i don't teach geog, i really love the subject and the physical aspect of it. (studies of geography are mainly split into human geog and physical geog)
The eco-tour was about fire and it's advantages and disadvantages. Well, we all know about wildfire and the destruction it causes to the bush here in WA... but there are advantages of fire as well. Some plants require fire to crack open the hard seeds in order for the baby seedlings to grow. Here in WA, there's a practice called "prescribed burning" -- where the rangers set fire (in mosaic patterns) to the forest to enable certain plants to resprout. This also reduces the chances of wildfires starting.

Fire is not all that bad- little is known about the Aboriginal practice of prescribed burning- but it is evident that they have been doing it for centuries before the British came to Australia.

hi, remember me?

2007-09-12T20:13:00.000+08:00

i think it's been awhile since i actually sat down to surf the net. haha.
Anyway, i said in class today:
"there are no excuses for not doing your homework- i've tried them all in school and i know what you are up to. The dog did not eat your homework, and your work did not slip out of your bag whilst you were running for the bus. Between the time you watch the Simpsons, Neighbours and Australian Idol-- Sit down and get it done. End of story."

haha. and then there was silence.
Amazing.

I am struggling with my year 8s and some behaviour management-- the girls are good workers, but some of them are really too chatty... the noise drives me insane, gives me a headache and stretches my nerves a lil' too much.

I wish

2007-09-04T16:17:00.000+08:00

... that i actually paid attention in my Economics classes.

Happy Fathers' Day

2007-09-02T23:00:00.000+08:00

Dear Dad,
they say a Father's love conquers all
gives hope to us whenever we fall
Brings strength and love
Hope and courage from above
Thank you for the tears,
the laughter and the cheer
When life deals us zero
You are our "Lau Hero"
We love you very much
From the bottom of our hearts!

Of Sphinxes and Pharoahs

2007-09-01T10:32:00.000+08:00

I liked the very succinct descriptions of the exhibits... not long winded... i really enjoyed myself browsing the different stages of the Egyptian afterlife.
I cldn't take any photos of course-- didn't want to get dragged off screaming by 2 security guards. But here is a nice photo gallery that thewest.com.au managed to scrummage.

It doesn't encapsulate the splendour of the exhibits per se... but it runs through the key statues/ things-that-quite-look-the-same-after-a-while-especially-when-your-students-are-making-al ot-of-noise.

Made me wonder as well... about the Egyptians as a people-- and their many gods. And it brought me back to Exodus when the Israelites were slaves to this great civilization. I thought about people... about Moses, Aaron... haha the exhibits brought me back to biblical times!

"The exhibition comprises 500 objects collected over nearly 200 years from the Archaic Period (3100-2700BC) to the Ptolemaic Period (c.332-30BC). It is touted as one of the finest collections in the world." Thewest.com.au

Go see it! On display til 28th October 2007!

Practising the Presence

2007-08-26T10:43:00.000+08:00

By Max Lucado
From Just Like Jesus

How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect his unseen hand on my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows familiar with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God? Here are a few ideas:

Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into his presence. I have a friend who makes it a habit to roll out of his bed onto his knees and begin his day in prayer. Personally, I don’t get that far. With my head still on the pillow and my eyes still closed, I offer God the first seconds of my day. The prayer is not lengthy and far from formal. Depending on how much sleep I got, it may not even be intelligible. Often it’s nothing more than “Thank you for a night’s rest. I belong to you today.”

Give God your waiting thoughts. Spend time with him in silence. The mature married couple has learned the treasure of shared silence; they don’t need to fill the air with constant chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being silent with God. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10 niv). Awareness of God is a fruit of stillness before God.

Give God your whispering thoughts. Through the centuries Christians have learned the value of brief sentence prayers, prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting.

Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with God. By giving God your whispering thoughts, the common becomes uncommon. Simple phrases such as “Thank you, Father,” “Be sovereign in this hour, O Lord,” “You are my resting place, Jesus” can turn a commute into a pilgrimage. You needn’t leave your office or kneel in your kitchen. Just pray where you are. Let the kitchen become a cathedral or the classroom a chapel. Give God your whispering thoughts.

And last, give God your waning thoughts. At the end of the day, let your mind settle on him. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to God. Thank him for the good parts. Question him about the hard parts. Seek his mercy. Seek his strength. And as you close your eyes, take assurance in the promise: “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4 niv). If you fall asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father.

Field trips

2007-08-22T12:16:00.000+08:00

Only my 3rd day in school and i've been signed up for 2 field trips!
I'm going to the Art gallery of WA this friday to see the "Egyptian antiquities from the Louvre" exhibition! haha! =) wanted to go for a while now, but since it's during school hours-- i'm glad!

The 2nd field trip is a whole day to the Jarrah Forest in mid-september!
This is with the geography department =)

Update again soon!

Look to you

2007-08-19T19:27:00.000+08:00

Mike Chung has some great shots of ZPH our culture, the worship, the people....
Click on the link here for more!

You are my strength

2007-08-17T13:44:00.000+08:00

My Song of the week.

You are my strength
Strength like no other
Strength like no other
Reaches to me

You are my Hope
Hope like no other
Hope like no other
Reaches to me

In the fullness of Your grace
In the power of Your name
You lift me up
You lift me up

Unfailing love
Stronger than mountains
Deeper than oceans
Reaches to me

Your love O lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches to the sky

Hillsongs (Saviour King)

Guilt and Grace

2007-08-17T10:55:00.000+08:00

Guilt and Grace
by Max Lucado

Sometime ago I read a story of a youngster who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he returned to Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching.

After lunch that day, Grandma told Sally to help with the dishes. Sally responded, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” So, Johnny did the dishes.

What choice did he have? For the next several weeks he was at the sink often. Sometimes for his duty, sometimes for his sin. “Remember the duck,” Sally’d whisper when he objected.

So weary of the chore, he decided that any punishment would be better than washing more dishes, so he confessed to killing the duck. “I know, Johnny,” his grandma said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave out of you.” (Steven Cole, “Forgiveness,” Leadership Magazine, 1983, 86.)

He’d been pardoned, but he thought he was guilty. Why? He had listened to the words of his accuser.

You have been accused as well. You have been accused of dishonesty. You’ve been accused of immorality. You’ve been accused of greed, anger, and arrogance.

Every moment of your life, your accuser is filing charges against you. Even his name, Diabolos, means “slanderer.” Who is he? The devil.

As he speaks, you hang your head. You have no defense. His charges are fair. “I plead guilty, your honor,” you mumble.

“The sentence?” Satan asks.

“The wages of sin is death,” explains the judge, “but in this case the death has already occurred. For this one died with Christ.”

Satan is suddenly silent. And you are suddenly jubilant. You realize that Satan cannot accuse you. No one can accuse you! Fingers may point and voices may demand, but the charges glance off like arrows hitting a shield. No more dirty dishwater. No more penance. No more nagging sisters. You have stood before the judge and heard him declare, “Not guilty.

emotional

2007-08-17T00:25:00.000+08:00

"i'm emoting that i'm feeling emotional about the emotions that i emote."

Got work work work extra hard during the weekend!
I really have fun being with the people i serve with in drama... =)
Despite all the other things we have to subscribe/adhere to....

i love you guys.
You people rock.

Hiatus

2007-08-15T14:26:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the blog hiatus!
Exam was over this morning! Thank God the deed is done.
Met my new mentor today as well =) different school, different sort of students....
Really looking forward to starting this prac, next week.

Unfortunately, i doubt i'm able to run City to Surf this year... it coincides with 40 Hour Famine on the same weekend... so unless i am able to "run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint" without food... haha, i will not attempt to over work my already beaten body.

On the topic of the 40 hour Famine (which runs from 24th-26th Aug):

I'll be going without food for 40 hours to raise money to help feed hungry kids.

Just $40 will help feed and care for 8 children in Laos and Southern Africa for a whole month. To find out more about how the funds raised are going to be used click on http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HourFamine/about_funds.asp.

Could you please support me by giving a donation?

If you can, simply visit the World Vision 40 Hour Famine website (http://www.40hourfamine.com.au) and click on Donate Here. Donations are tax deductible and the minimum amount is $2. You will receive a receipt as soon as you've made the donation.

When it asks you for the Famine Number, please enter 27216745-3. This makes sure that the donation is recorded against me and that I'm sent a record of your donation.

cute!

2007-08-10T18:38:00.001+08:00

oh my.... so cute!! Maltese puppy!

Hot Cuppa

2007-08-10T14:50:00.000+08:00

.... is all i need.

Played a bit of half court netball in the drizzle today.... =p
Got soaking wet... socks, shoes everything...
Twas fun! the game is officially on monday... we have an awesome team!
Now need to hit the books... 40% assignment due on monday.... and 50% exam on wednesday!
Wait, i think i have a 10 min microteaching session on monday as well...

There's been some mix up with my enrolment... sigh, cleared that up today.
The administration never seems to end.
i just want to teach!! =)

Mucking around

2007-08-09T23:45:00.000+08:00

Was @ Kiew's house trying to get some drama video editing done... but to no avail... we (esp marcus) were/was so distracted... cldn't get anything done in the time that we wanted to... starting playing Wii (which is really addictive)-- Rayman versus the Raving rabbits. hahah. And our famous trivia questions.... which ranged from the strangest things to the most interesting...
Well, we truly learnt new things today... more than i can ever gain from Dolores Umbridge's class...

Did you know that Puerto Rico is the only colony left in the world? (Still under USA)
Did you know that the Marianas Trench is the deepest place on earth? (near Philippines)
Did you know that the biggest bird is the Californian Condor?

MC: so... MW, what is the most poisonous jellyfish on earth?
MW: the... man of the earth? ... no no war!!

Bouts of laughter...

MC: you sure?
MW: yah, i dunno from belgium???

Bouts of laughter

She knew the answer, it just came out wrong.
(Ans: Portuguese Man of War)

MC: so ML, what does ohm stand for?
ML: i dunno, but i know how to draw the sign (does weird hand gesture to signal knowledge)

Bouts of laughter....

I really didn't know the answer....
(Ans: The ohm (symbol: Ω) is the SI unit of electrical impedance or, in the direct current case, electrical resistance, named after Georg Ohm)

HAHA.. you should hear my bible jokes.

Cold, wet, working day

2007-08-06T12:33:00.000+08:00

For the non-perthians who do not know what the weather has become here in Western Australia... it's been cold, wet and miserable. Downright dreadful. Like one of my replacement lecturers. (another story for another time)

On another note, we're going climbing later in the evening =) been a long while since we've hit the rock gym... Just need a morale booster, despite the weather... =p

Handed in an assignment today =) Procrastinated actually doing it over the whole weekend, and finished it on sunday! woo hoo.

That's my workspace in my room-- taken yesterday (one of the few days it wasn't rainy). Lots of green, good for my eyes... and i become very distracted looking at birds chirping outside the window. haha.

Non-web surfin' days

2007-08-05T16:10:00.000+08:00

7 overdue things

2007-08-05T15:51:00.000+08:00

It's been a while, but i remember i was tagged... sometime last, last month?

7 things about mishi

1. I work better under pressure.
Tis' true, unfortunately, that i have to feel that sense of urgency- before i start producing something.

2. I also require alot of sleep when i'm stressed.
I slept a whole lot during my honours year, and very early at night when i'm on prac as well.

3. I enjoy the great outdoors

4. I love dogs. (esp Jean)

5. I appreciate heart-to-heart conversations.

6. I like to read-- fiction and non-fiction.

7. I eat almost anything. (i think.)

Work is due...

2007-08-04T11:32:00.001+08:00

Snowy Jean

2007-08-03T14:18:00.000+08:00

She reminds me of Tintin's Snowy....

Hotel 1929

2007-07-31T16:16:00.000+08:00

Whilst i was back in Sg-- parents brought me to this lovely restaurant @ Hotel 1929.
The dining experience there was fantastic. =)
It was a 3-course luncheon.
I had the fried tofu, mom and dad had the foie gras (goose liver) with bacon.
Had some from their portion, it was absolutely brilliant.
Tender and juicy.
Just melted in my mouth.
Ingenious, whoever thought of goose liver.

The fish we had was really fresh and the sauce was buttery yet savoury.
Mom had the linguine with clams... awesome.
Just HAD to show you the pictures.... my dad's camera was sooo sharp.

geez. i'm hungry now.

dreamy

2007-07-30T13:20:00.000+08:00

It's a strange feeling-- rather dreamy... sorta like floating, being back at uni.
2 weeks into classes, all the hustle and bustle... it seems i have not missed much!
haha, then again i will never know what i missed... cos i wasn't there in the first place.

2 more weeks of uni then back to teaching in the classroom.
Time really flies, it wasn't too long ago that i was looking forward to the China trip.
Now it's all over, and i've learnt so much... overflowing.

Oh anyway! LC and Adeline are engaged!!! Congrats you two!! *hugs*
Wedding's 6th Sept 2008... =)

Still not halfway thru Deathly Hallows. This is the longest i've taken to read any Harry Potter book. I'm always engaged in something, and when it gets til 10pm @ night i just feel so so sleepy.
i really want to finish it. And every other assignment i've got on my hands at the moment. =p

design....

2007-07-30T00:27:00.000+08:00

A big thanks to Nikki, who's helping me tweak the blog design! =)

ZZ memories

2007-07-29T10:33:00.001+08:00

Deathly Hallows

2007-07-27T23:21:00.000+08:00

I intend to finish this book in approximately 6-7 hours.
Hopefully not in one shot.
But the suspense is killing me.
And i'm afraid to stumble on websites that include spoilers!!!

man....
i'm excited!

Rolling ball

2007-07-27T16:57:00.000+08:00

Notice

2007-07-24T09:27:00.000+08:00

Back in Sg and i've got so much to share!

I'll be back in Perth on Thursday!

Ni hao!

2007-07-15T17:30:00.000+08:00

"China is like a sleeping giant. When she awakes, she shall astonish the world."

-Napoleon Bonaparte 1803

Hello people!
Greetings from the land of the sleeping giant!
it's been a totally different experience here! Been speaking so much chinese, and even required to translate for Cindy, Mojo and Ziech most of the time. It's quite demanding actually! haha and i've been working to remember how to read chinese and how to write it as well.
I've improved tremendously in days, now i know that immersing yourself in the culture is really effective in language acquisition. (mari will find that phrase familiar) It really matters alot to mainland Chinese if you can speak their language. They're quite intrigued that i can speak english and understand chinese as well. (if the accent is not so strong and if they don't speak really fast). But the communication is really good enough, there's a sort of bond in a language. Which is why so many students are learning english as well! But the problem is speaking, i think alot of chinese students can write... (thru rote learning and drills) but not really speak or listen. so that's our main focus... speaking and listening lessons.

We've been planning resources for the camp, the American team (which consists mainly of American born Koreans) about 10 of them are arriving on the 17th of July when the camp starts. So Cindy, mojo and i will have to take the first 2-3 days of classes before we delegate and do shifts with the classes. Ziech has left to Malaysia today and will be back in perth quite soon i think! =) Cindy and Mojo have never taught before but i must say they're fantastic! they're going to be great in the classrooms!

We visited the Yellow River (huang he) yesterday. Got to see a small part of the river only... one of the smaller tributaries. It was drizzling the whole time! was quite a dreary day, but it was a good experience! i took a photo with a giant Chairman Mao statue! haha... the culture here is really different, despite all the rude behaviour (which is unintentional) like spitting and loud talking... the chinese people are really warm hearted and animated! haha. The volunteers we work with @ the school are excellent people! they're really helpful and very eager to learn english... 2-3 of them are actually going to be translators in the classes with us.

Food's good! been eating home cooked food for the past couple of days... haven't really eaten out cept for a really good meal we had @ a student's family restaurant! super good noodles. Best in Henan province apparently! cos they are from the Hui tribe. so it's authentic Hui noodles. =)

Will try to update soon again! maybe in a couple of days or so!!
Do keep us in prayer... health and safety in particular. (Cindy's had some bad food poisoning past 2 days)
Catch you soon!

Love mishi =)

Flying Again!

2007-07-10T07:04:00.000+08:00

Heya! greetings from Singapore Changi Airport!
Flying to Zhengzhou in a bit via Guangzhou =)
Check this spot for updates, meanwhile keep us in prayer-- health, protection, weather, program and impact!

Words from a spiritual father to a son

2007-07-09T00:56:00.000+08:00

Wow, inspirational.

A post dedicated to my bro... as he leaves to come join us in Aussie land.

Jean-o

2007-07-08T23:26:00.000+08:00

Order of the Phoenix

2007-07-07T23:23:00.000+08:00

After reading the book a second time-- i REALLY hope that the movie doesn't cut out all the nitty bit scenes and focus on the useless ones, like harry kissing Cho, or Cho crying and whining half the time!

I want to see how they portray thestrals (large winged horses visible to only those who have witnessed death) and i really hope they don't cut out the Fred-and-George-running-amuck scenes (the fireworks and the swamp), Firenze will make another appearance and i do hope i get to see Grawp (a giant Hagrid brought back from the mountains). He seems quite a handful! I'm looking forward to the gathering of Dumbledore's Army with Defence Against the Dark Arts conducted in the Room of Requirement?? Oooh! this is also the book where Ron and Hermione display traits of fights-before-falling-in-love. haha. I haven't yet finished the book a second time, so might have to do just that to refresh my ailing memory.

So with the kids trying to get through their OWLs (ordinary wizarding level) and Voldemort returning with all his death eaters escaping from Azkaban, coupled with the villians like Dolores Umbridge and Bellatrix Lestrange.... i'm sure Order of the Phoenix will prove to be an all rounded plot, although it leads to a darker Half-Blood Prince.

under construction!

2007-07-05T23:38:00.001+08:00

haha template under construction, been wanting to change for a while now... still looking for another simple design =)

Such is our Fathers' love

2007-07-04T17:40:00.000+08:00

Jean's been doing very well after the operation, she's gained a bit of weight and prances around the house like a very happy dog. =)
She's excited even tho u've only left the house for an hour and greets you like she hasn't seen you in months! (so i get the same greeting everytime since i've landed) My dad knows her inside out, her habits and her "pretenses". Sometimes when we're all leaving the house and she has to be put behind the baby bars- she pretends to disobey. So my dad will point to the place she ought to go, but Jean will look at him with sad eyes or pretend to sniff something else. She's never liked to be home alone and my dad knows her avoidance tactics and becomes more firm in his voice. She either walks with her head hanging into the gallows, or flops on her bed outside (den we'll have to carry her in).

Doesn't our Heavenly Father know full well that we pretend to not know what we're supposed to do? But He still loves us with such a great love that we cannot even begin to fathom. When we don't obey just because we find it hard or we don't feel like it, He does not strike us with the iron rod- but gives us choices. The message is simple (as Tim Bergman put on Sunday) to Trust and obey- for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus... But to Trust and Obey.

Truth and value

2007-06-26T22:13:00.000+08:00

The truth is an accurate description of reality. No more, no less.

What you value obligates you.
If you value money or material goods-- it'll obligate you to spend your effort, time and thoughts on such things.
The most valuable person ever known to man is God, He is able and willing... he is great and good, he is almighty yet personal... (No contradictions!)

What you value obligates you.

What do you value?

such a powerful statement.
I gotta go sit and ponder now.

You

2007-06-23T22:57:00.000+08:00

As i pray and wait upon the Lord
I know Your grace and love, i am restored
As i think of all You've done for me
The mystery of You.

Who walked upon the seas
Who lived to die for me

You Lord, You Lord, You are Lord.

As i look upon You i am changed
Though i fail, your faithful love remains
As i sing and worship you, i find again... no words describe your love.

Who watches over me
Who's love has covered me

You Lord, You Lord, You are Lord.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Almighty One
There is none like You.

There is none like You.

"You"
All of the Above (Hillsongs United)

Truth and Love

2007-06-23T13:49:00.000+08:00

Understand the Truth and apply it in Love.

preschooling in singapore

2007-06-21T16:39:00.001+08:00

Good ol' days

2007-06-18T16:16:00.001+08:00

Man, i miss the girls..... =p

Back from Rushsia!

2007-06-17T20:00:00.000+08:00

Family's back from Rushiaaa...
Had some funny incidents and stories to tell...
Can't wait to see the photos when i get home.... =)

=)

My weakness, Your strength

2007-06-16T11:45:00.000+08:00

Sometimes strength is overrated, god never sees things like how we do. I've been thinking about this for a really long time. Having to deal with so many of my own weaknesses, struggling so much, playing the tug-of-war with my emotions and thoughts. Weakness is really something that people avoid talking about or addressing. It'd be best if it was swept under the rug, but the fact is... God is looking for your weaknesses. He is waiting for me to come before him- not to list my strengths, but to agree and be honest about my limitations and weaknesses. Because the end of ourselves is the start of Him working in us.

Derek puts it nicely..... (thanks man, really love your writing)

"we make a God out of strength... out of our strength... we hate weakness - in us and in our loved ones... we have to "fix" it... DISCLAIMER: i'm not saying that weakness is an excuse for sin (i.e. anxiety) - neither am i equating sin with weakness...

in some weird way, i've come to equate my strength with "being right with God"... i define others by their strengths - at least, their obvious strengths... while i don't think that's wrong, God didn't always do it that way...

this is what i've been thinking about... in the last scene of chronicles of narnia, the children are given names by aslan... they're not named based on their strengths... similarly, cephas had his name changed to peter when he was anything but strong... jacob - israel, abram-abraham... i think that's the way that God's work...

He works, not us... nothing is wrong with practicing and putting ourselves out there... in fact, not doing so is wrong... but our obsession with OUR strength reveals our selfishness and self-centeredness... it is God who works, and what He sees as strength is often so different as what we are obsessed with... He delights in using broken vessels... it's a lesson that is both painful and encouraging...

our acceptance does not depend on our strength... the sooner we realize that, the sooner we realize our strength... Paul understood it ("my strength is made perfect in weakness"), but it took a lot for him to reach that point... it's not a one off thing that we can fit in our theology some where... first and foremost, God wants us to seek Him before ourselves, our strengths, etc.

Ok, I rambling at this point... main point is, our culture worships strength... as Christians, we're not supposed to shy away and cower... but we (I) have to realize that our strength does not come from ourselves and does not define us... we are already defined, already named, already accepted...

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." "

Itallics Derek Dieu's

He's really good!

2007-06-15T18:58:00.001+08:00

Tony Laf

2007-06-15T18:52:00.000+08:00

my goodies!

2007-06-15T18:26:00.000+08:00

Today's weather forecast

2007-06-14T07:43:00.001+08:00

Shallow Fog. I've never seen this before. ahha strange.

sleeeeeep talk.

2007-06-11T21:55:00.000+08:00

I know my posts are starting to go into this "i'm-so-tired-please-do-my-lesson-plans-for-me" trend. BUT, i promise i'll be up and running per normal when i'm not so tired (which is soon??) .... i have always loved to sleep, but now sleeping has seriously become luxury for me.... i can now say that i truly love my bed and the sanctuary it offers me every night.

Well, i like the shower as well, and i also like a cup of tea... but i suppose all this pales in comparison to my sleeping time now. Actually it's not really about the amount of time i sleep, i still get about 7-8 hours (if i finish my planning early) but somehow teaching tires you in strange ways. I even read in bed now (with proper lighting of course)... i've done everything except brush my teeth in bed (we all know that is not possible, but maybe someday someone will invent something which allows me to do just that, or not brush my teeth at all! ... )

Okay, i am hopefully going to hit the sheets now... =) See ya when the sun is up!

wow

2007-06-10T21:47:00.000+08:00

The AVIVA Ironman 70.3 Singapore is the first Ironman 70.3 race in Asia. The inaugural race will take place on 2 September 2007 in the global city of Singapore. With a unique race course taking participants around the multi-cultural city, the AVIVA Ironman 70.3 Singapore race experience will certainly be memorable for all participants.

mmm.... one day!

it flew

2007-06-09T13:04:00.000+08:00

the week flew by really quick.
8am-4pm days are speedy gonzales'.

i think i'm getting slower and slower by the day.

1. was showering and saw smthg small on the bathtub floor, and it was all in slow-mo... the water was washing it down the sink hole, i reached up to touch my ear. Darn it was my ear stud. By the time i had realised that, it was already gone!

2. i've been doing math with the kids- thing about my class is, they're all teenagers (13-16), but the work we're doing is primary schoolish cos of the fact that it's a limited schooling class (they've never had the oppurtunity to go to school and refugee camp schooling is not recognised by the WA state govt.) So... "miss, what's 8+7?" i stop to think for too long, and reply... "15?" literally sounding unsure, which is really bad....i hate math.

3. i make coffee or tea... and before i realise- it's too cold to consume.

4. i walk out of the house (i know this all sounds familiar), and stand there a second too long, wondering right or left to turn in order to walk to broadway fair. -- don't worry, this never happens when i'm driving.

5. i stare at the call numbers of books in the library too long when i'm shelving them. i swear my brain has rusted after my honours thesis.

My family's in Moscow today without meee.... =~(
P.S after reading some junk mail, i realised EVERYONE is on facebook. It's a terrible procrastination device, but it's fun! So yes, i'm on facebook... bye bye friendster!

Some days...

2007-06-05T21:31:00.000+08:00

i just need a cuppa smily face coffeeeee.
No kidding, i actually got this @ one of the cafes in Brisbane on Mount Tamborine. =)
Also the only other time i got a smily face coffee was @ the Reid cafe when it was amateurishly drawn by a teaspoon. Still a good smily face=) 100 points for effort!

Took some time to clear out my brother's future room today. Set up the study table for him, all raring to go for the high flying HD student (by God's grace) to come to perth in july! =)

Straight paths

2007-06-04T21:39:00.001+08:00

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Photo courtesy of Eufei