Farewell, 2006 and Welcome, 2007

Again, as many put it, 2006 has reached its end in a blink of an eye. It's amazing how humans lived each and every day so easily. Maybe it wasn't easy at all to some, still we all survived.

Just a little update on myself. I had so many visitors since November. Mum, aunties and a cousin came to visit us. Then my in-laws were here until the thrid week of Jan. Phew, it was a little crowded but as I said, we both survived or at least I survived!

We spent Christmas in Melbourne. I like Melbourne, though the whole holiday wasn't relaxing, as I predicted. When I came home, I was pretty much worn out. I felt worse than before I went for holiday. To sum it up, Melbourne trip was ok. The only part I like best is wrapping gifts for family members and relatives. And then Andrew came up with my new nickname, ie Elf, and because I was little (small in size), he called me Little Elf from then onwards.

There was also another incident that was so funny. One morning, we were having breakfast in a relative's home. There was a cheesebread which I have been eyeing for days. That particularly day, it was served on the table. I thought to myself, I will go for the cheesebread first! I took a small piece (didn't want to reveal my yearning) and took a bite. Munch, munch, munch.. hmm.. that cheese tasted a little different. Next bite.. munch, munch, munch.. hm.. didn't really taste like what I expected. Suddenly, I saw something that looked like greenish in colour in the bread on the table. Quickly I cut out the bread, and yuckkkssss.... it was mouldy! I felt an instant nausea. The feeling was terribly awful!! I don't think there was much harm done, but it definitely was revolting knowing that I just ate a mouldy bread. That very same night, I woke up half way through my sleep and felt really quesy. I had to wake Andrew up to get some medicine for me. Forced myself to vommit but I couldn't. It was dreadful. Took some charcoal pills and managed to go back to sleep.

Next day, we found out that my mother-in-law did in fact vomited; only difference is she didn't take the cheesebread. So it couldn't have been the cheesebread. The hilarious thing was, Andrew kept laughing by himself the whole day and teased me saying "Last night, Little Elf nearly died!".. haha!

Well, these are some of the highlights of the trip! haha.
Today is the last day of the year. I must say it was a great year because of our wedding. Another year older, am I any wiser? Don’t know. All I can say is cherish every moment, learn from your mistake and be a better person. Most importantly, do your duty on earth which God as assigned on you.

So farewell, 2006 and welcome, 2007.

Dear Mum

Time really flies in a blink of an eye. From the moment I greeted my mum at the airport, I knew I'd say goodbye to her soon. Today, she's left Sydney for home. My greatest regret is that I did not spend enough time with her. Work was the main culprit. I'm looking forward to go home and spend more time with her. We share the greatest relationship, as mother and daughter. Her presence around me, is so comforting and reassuring. Being married forces me to grow up, though much of me are still childish. I couldn't be pampered by my mum with my husband around. How I wish we can have some time alone, without my husband.

I love you and I miss you, mum. Take good care of yourself and I pray that God gives you good health, so I can spend more time with you in the future.

Just some photos of the good times we shared.

At the steps of Opera House

Kayakking with mum at the beautiful bay of Church Point

On the high mountains of Wentworth Falls

My graduation Day, at my faculty

Happy at last after obtaining the scroll, well not literally.

What is a Christian Christians?

When I say...."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'!"
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble,
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak,
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting that I have failed,
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible,
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches,
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner,
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Was just pondering on the words.. and what struck me was, as undeserving I feel I am, I'm still worth it to Him, just what I needed at this point of time.

Job crisis?

I'm feeling like I'm no where, depressed wth my work. Today I realized that my field ain't going to take me far if I'm not a PhD holder. Being a scientist, with masters degree, is seemingly nothing. Coming Friday is my graduation day, yet I am not at all excited, unlike my first degree graduation. I felt that this masters degree I did was not challenging enough. Although alot of hard work was put into it, I felt as if I was compelled to do it. It was a mundane course, sad but true. In fact, studying didn't make me happy at all. Probably I wasn't good at it, that's why. I'm still on the journey of discovering my talents. Do I even have any? I used to keep telling myself, I'm a "jack of all trades, master of none". If I were to change a job, I have to start all over again!! Lord, please reveal Your plans to me and mean time sustain me with all that I'm facing. I surrending it to you and I place it at Your altar.

Just shout!

I have been told off many times that I speak too softly. Darn, am I really soft or are they just deaf? I need to lower my tone (my husband complains that I speak in quite an irritating high tone) and speak up next time. I really hope I remember each time I speak. I just loathe the fact that I can't even speak normally and have to be conscious of HOW I speak, isn't that bizarre? My mum has a very soft and high pitch voice too, so obviously it's a gene passed down to me. I even sound like my mum over the phone, which I like how she sounds. So, what's the problem? Plus, I really have to think before I speak. I have this tendency to be very blunt at times. Which 70% of the time, I regret what I blurted out before. Lord, please help me to think and speak in wisdom. I really need this gift from you.