Why is it...

That somtimes the people that are suppose to love you the most are the ones that you feel love you the least? =(

So much pain =(

Bed-ridden... drugged up... people like me were not made for being cooped up in one place.

Hold my hand

When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ~ Exodus 17:12

Sometimes the task we were given to do, and the responsibility it entails, can be overwhelming. It demands our every bit of effort and then some more. I feel I can't go on... too tired... all alone ... too big for me. But there is good news! I am not alone, and it is not too big - because my God is a great God. And sometimes, God reveals this in the most practical manner - a friend. Life has been a rollercoaster for me in the last 3 years, and I wouldn't have made it through without some very special people. You gave me hugs and shoulders to cry on, kind words and gentle admonishment. You gave me strength to believe, and courage to persevere. You prayed earnestly. And though you may have felt it was the least you could do - I knew you were God's way of saying 'I love you and will never forsake you". Thank you for letting God use you as a channel for his comfort and love to me. Thank you that you never gave up on me, even when I had. Thank you for holding my hands steady when they grew tired. I pray I may be as faithful as you were.

Peking duck and RICE

Yesterday night I went for dinner at Eastwood Peking Garden, last dinner to celebrate(?) mum going travelling for a month. I'm not sure why we needed to celebrate mum's departure, but she insisted! We ate peking duck and other yummy foods, like siew loong bao. There was a family at the table next to us whom, amongst other foods, devoured a plate of fried dumplings each! Dinner would have been much more pleasant if my Dad hadn't been talking in a very loud voice for most of the night. Like bar-brawl volume. We (mum and I) think it's because Dad is hard on hearing - but dad staunchly refuses to have his hearing examined. Ignorance is bliss I guess.

Besides that, RICE begins tomorrow with Big Day Out! It's going to be a very exciting day. I'm working in the hybrid role of food/logistics. I'm spose to feed leaders, so I'll be running around lots! If you are there, don't forget to say hi!

Oooh, better check the weather for tomorrow...Yay! Clear skies ahead. Cool but fine! God has once again answered our prayers for good weather.

Gracious God, thank you for the freedom of religion we enjoy and often take for granted in this country. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in RICE - that we have events such as these to both celebrate and share what a great God you are. Thank you for the hearts you are preparing for tomorrow, some to serve and others to receive you for the first time. I pray tomorrow will be a day of refreshment, both physically and spiritually. Amen.

So tired

Ack! Been a long time between postings. I've been so tired this week - not sure why, I'm not doing any more or sleeping any less. Waking up more frequently during the night ... annoying really. Well, at least tomorrow is Friday.. only one more day to plough through. Wish me luck!

Bah... Tagged

1. Four jobs that I have done
Only 4?? Umm... ok, i'll just pick four.

• Waitress @ Pixie's Cafe
  
• Muffin girl / Barista @ Muffin Break Carlingford Court
• Project Consultant @ America Express Technologies
• IT support helpdesk lead @ Volvo Truck Australia

2. Four things I wish I had done earlier

• Daily devotion
• Held back
• Persevered
  
• Learnt to swim

3. Four places I have been to or lived in

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (first 12 years)
  
• Shizuoka, Japan (I was an exchange student in year 11)
• Vienna, Austria (I backpacked Europe and we stayed here with Shaun's family for Christmas)
• Geneva, Switzerland (This time it was Anth's family and it was New Years!)

4. Four countries I would like to visit

• Anything Latin American
• Anything Eastern European
• Spain (missed it on the Europe backpacking trip - I want Siesta!)
• Sweden (If its anything like Ikea, it has to be fun!)

5. Four of my favourite dishes

• Sashimi / Sushi
• Dumplings (boiled, steamed, fried - I don't discriminate)
• Lasagna (no meat necessary, just bechemel sauce)
• Roast lamb (with garlic mash potatos, peas and broccoli)

6. Four of my fave desserts

• Chocolate-dipped Belgian Waffles (had this in Belgium, they are to die for!)
• Mortal Sin (the Grandmother of all cakes - cheesecake, choc mousse and caramel!)
• Homestyle Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice-cream
• Affogato or Coke Spider (beverage with ice-cream, yummy!)

7. Four sites I visit daily:

• Hotmail.com
• Gmail.com
• sn0wball.blogspot.com
• Google

8. Four software applications I cannot live without:

• Mozilla Firefox
• MSN Messenger
• Hearts (mindless entertainment)
• Notepad
  

9. Four things I’ll never forget:

• My credit card number
• The day my cousin Drew and I attempted the climb onto the church roof (wall probably still bears his footprints).
  
• Our 'Big Ben' moment (first day backpacking Europe)
• 2006 2006 2030 (only you who were there would understand)

10. I’m now tagging (copy and paste the 10 Q and add your own info):
I refuse to submit anyone else to having to do this.

Who am I?

Currently listening to 'Who am I" by Casting Crowns. This is one of my favourite songs from this group. When I consider the wonder of creation and the marvel at the majesty and power of God, I am filled with awe. For why would God, the mighty creator who knows no sin, choose me and my 'ever wandering heart'. It is such an amazing thing - I have included partthe of the song that challenges me the most.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I, that the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin,
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done but because of who you are.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.

Heavenly Lord, it is truly amazing that you would choose to redeem sinners like me.
Thank you for the abundance of grace poured out on me. Challenge me each day and
reveal to me how I may serve you more and more fully in response to your wonderful
gift to someone as undeserving as me. I am so thankful to be yours, Lord! Amen.

Happiness comes in a cup!

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Lindt chocolate store. You know you are on to a good thing when its 4.40pm, the store shuts at 5pm and the queue into the place is still spilling onto the sidewalk and around the block. Pictured on the left is what's left of my rapidly consumed Lindt milk hot chocolate. It was absolutely divine! Since I formerly worked as a Barista, I can tell you that the milk was well spun with creamy froth. And the chocolate melting throughout? *dreamy sigh* A big plus was that a large one of these babies was only $4, which comparable to hot chocolate in just about every other cafe in Sydney. And while you wait, you can wonder in amazement over what must be the biggest collection of Lindt chocolate balls I have ever seen. To read more about the store, there is a review here. Mind you, I haven't tried anything else besides the hot chocolate and I don't think I will. After all, who buys a sandwich from a chocolate store?

How to love more?

Love is not asking 'what more do I need to do' but saying 'how much more I can do'. Love is about going all out, not fulfilling the bare minimum. It's going above and beyond the call of duty, above and beyond what is expected. God called us to love our brothers and sisters in Him. He gave us an example of such love - in laying down his own life on the cross. It is for me to examine the method and motive of every action to ensure I'm doing my best for the good of my brothes and sisters, and my utmost for the glory of God.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for I often fail to love as You loved. I thank you that you have
given us a perfect example of how to love in Jesus. Help me to draw upon your wisdom,
that I will be able to discern how to serve you and others more completely. Amen

Going... Going... Sold!

I participated in my first e-bay auction today. By participate I meant someone was bidding for me, and I was sitting at my comp mashing 'refresh'. It really is quite exciting. Gotta go for client meeting but more on this later...

Potato: A vegetable?

It all started when someone (name is hidden for privacy reasons) told me they were having chips and gravy for lunch. This same person had been telling me off earlier for not eating "properly from all the food groups" coz I don't eat much red meat. When I questioned their choice of meal, the answer was "potato is a vegetable".

STOP PRESS!!!

A potato is a vegetable? Now my whole world has been turned upside down. How can something so un-green be a vegetable? After all, potatos bear more resemblance to peanuts than it does to a lettuce or a broccoli (which are definitely vegetables).


So anyway I say to my team member, "Hey, is a potato a vegetable?" And suddenly half the team at work is gathered around discussing whether or not a potato is a vegetable. After hearing all their thoughts, I have come to this conclusion:

Whether or not a potato is a vegetable depends on what gender you are. A male's answer is typically YES, a potato is a vegetable and thus consumption of chips and other potato-based foods can be considered eating vegetables. A female's response is invariably NO, a potato cannot be considered a subsitute for 'real vegetables' - leafy green vegetation. Therefore, potato-based food cannot be considered healthy by simply being in the vegetable food group.

Of course, if you want to know the scientific answer, you can read about the potato here. Interestingly enough, those two pictures are of potato flowers - pretty flowers for such an ugly thing.

What do you think? A potato is classed as a "root vegetable" but do you really consider it to be a vegetable? Were all vegetables created equal?