Health Freak?

"No chilli for a month", says the doc :(

Well, it seems that I haven't been eating healthily and that produced some problems. If not, why wouldn't I be able to take chilli, right?

Since then (well, last week) I've decided to live a healthier lifestyle. I changed my eating+drinking habits and decided to exercise too.

Drinking: Taking more than just a cup of water. I attempt to drink at least 2 cups and a bottle of water each day.

Eating: Eat more veggies and fruits. I think a dish of veg at least a meal a day. Trying to eat fruits every morning but at the moment, not enough fruits in refrigerator.

Supplement/vitamins: Taking supplement each day.

Exercise: Sit-ups, crunching (whatever u call it.. the one you lift your leg and down to exercise the bottom of your stomach) and cycling (on the machine). Doing it once in 2 days.


My bro is training me for my exercise. He is an expert since he gets trained by his gym instructor. So in turn, he is training me now! First training was 2 days ago... I was shouting in pain because it was so difficult! But I told myself, "Lizzie, YOU CAN!!! Persevere!!! Can ONE!!!". Hehe cheering myself on in my mind. Parents was wondering why were there someone shouting in pain. LOL!

The next day, I didn't quite feel any pain at first, but later in the evening, the pain grew...! T.T OUCH! So PAIN!!! If anyone were to touch my tummy, I would be screaming or something (ok la, not so drama :P). So I rested for a day. That's when I decided not to do it everyday, but on alternate days.

Hopefully whatever I am doing now, I'll do it consistently :) Wish me all the best!

Living up to our names?

ELIZABETH
means 'consecrated to God' and is of Hebrew origin

Elizabeth is sophisticated and noble
She can be child like and child-oriented
She has the ability to succeed in life
She is spontaneous and direct
Only when allowed freedom will she be happy
She has a forthright approach of life
Her unflagging energy is an inspiration
She is an innovator and originator
Sh structures and give shape to others
She considers her home to be her castle

Another interpretation (from keychain my dear friend/bro gave me):
One devoted to all she meets
Being a model to the community for how she loves her family and friends
Hard working and charitable
Giving her all, loves to excel
Knowing she is doing her best and feeling a special glow from it
Watch your hearts, for she'll take them every time and not even know it


LISA
(My nickname - only family & 'ol close friends call me by that name)
means 'honey bee' and is of Greek origin

Lisa is expansive and warm
Obstacles in her way tend to be ignored
She is sometimes attracted to secretiveness
She values freedom
She has a great urge to untangle mysteries
She is highly aware of her public image
She is both practical and imaginative
She has revolutionary zeal
She frequently arouses emotions in others
She strives to excel in everything she does

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So, these are the meanings and apparently the 'personality' to my name.
What do ya think? Does it sound like me? hehe :)
I see the person I used to be and the person I am now, mentioned above. I see the person I want to be as well...

Well, what do you guys think?
Maybe I'll comment what I think at the next post :)

2007 (continuation...)

Adventure
The first year I went overseas to study, is the year I had so much fun traveling with/became close to my heart. I am thankful that they would have me join the trips. I feel so blessed! :) The year alone, I went to Melbourne twice (April & Nov-Dec '07), Gold Coast/Brisbane (Sept '07), houseboat trip in Adelaide (July '07), 3 church camps (March, July, Dec '07), visited around Adelaide with different groups of friends - OCF budz, university budz and house mate, bf + friend. I thank God for the opportunity to travel with these people and enjoy traveling. Each vacation I went for, left memories... :) Through these adventures I learnt heaps about myself too.

Adventures are self-discoveries as well.


Independence
Being in a foreign place without my family and many people I really know, taught me so so much. Before going to Aus, I do not know how to live on my own. I didn't know how to cook, to clean... When I shared house with 2 other housemates, we had chores t do each day. So I had to learn to be more responsible and to clean the house. I learnt cooking from mum when she was in Aus with me for that couple of days to help me assimilate into a new home and place. I learnt to di laundry from housemates. Yes, I've never done any of these chores before until I stepped foot in Aus because at home, everything was provided for. We had a maid to do the cooking and cleaning for us. I was out so often, that I didn't pay much attention to prepare myself for my independence in Aus.

Well, with the independence I had in Aus, comes decisions in which I have to make as well. Independence on how I spend my time, how I handle my last year of uni, on the people I choose to mix with, how I want to live my life... etc. I won't say that I've done everything perfectly. I did some rights and some wrongs... but the experiences have taught me well. I'm learning to make the right decisions now because I realize that decisions doesn't only affect myself then, but the person I wanna be in the future and the people around me.

Independence is not easy to come by for some. Learn from it and live it out when you have the opportunity.


Freedom
With the freedom I have, I believe comes responsibility as well. I know that freedom doesn't come easy... but when I had all the freedom in Aus, I almost went crazy. LOL! Again, choices have to be made on the freedom I possess. Really, what is freedom? Does freedom come without boundaries? I can say that freedom without boundaries will lead to destruction, because you just can't differentiate what's right and wrong. Freedom without boundaries, made me feel happy for a moment because I can do anything I want! But soon I realize, that there really is no joy in my life because I do not seem to be governing my own life. Not all that comes along are good.

"Everything might be permissible, but not everything is beneficial"


Perseverance
I learnt to persevere in studies and hardships with others. It was so tough when you are facing assignments and examinations, when at the same time, everything else in your life came crumbling down as well. Everything that you've known and understood are at lost, and when you know that you're not doing the best you can or have no strength to continue on... I learnt not to rely on my own strength. I had friends and family who supported me through (in Aus, M'sia, wherever they may be), and esp God to keep me sane and cont to push me to live on.. persevere and not give up. I admire my mum's perseverance in all that she does and I thought to myself, if she can do it, I can too. My mum was like the living proof of success, after all the hardships she went through.

Perseverance... to push on, to do the things which seem impossible at the moment. To push through even when you don't see the end result yet, but trust that it is there. It's easier to persist when there is a goal ahead, when you can see a result at the end of what you're doing. Pushing through whatever that comes your way, and persisting in finishing the race.. finishing whatever that you've started. I felt the joy of persevering and it was all worth it!

Persevere with someone whom you think would push you beyond what you THINK you can do or are capable of, and help you to continue reaching your goal until the end.


Home/Family
When I was down and lonely, when I was hurt and was in the pit... When I fell into depression in Aus, home and family was the only place I felt belonged in. When friendships seem so shaky, when I felt I couldn't trust anyone, I was crushed with many issues and people, I felt there were no were else I could turn to... but my family. No one else could compensate the love that my family gave to me.

I've regretted so much that I didn't spend enough time with my family before I left Aus. When I was in Aus, they supported me from afar and when they knew what I was going through, they didn't blame me or point fingers to me.. but they continue to be patient and encourage me. I was surprised to hear their advices. I realized that they treat me, no longer a child but an adult. They've let go of me and asked me to make my own decisions for myself, but they were always there to support me through.

Mum was my inspiration to cont to press on and persevere through hardships. Dad was there to provide wisdom on taking ownership of my life and decisions. Bro... well, he nags me, but I know that he cares and worries so much for me :) I really really love them and I thank God for wonderful parents and bro.

The ones at home are the ones who should know & understand you the most.

2007

The year have taught me about...

Friendships
Different seasons, I had different close trusted friends. Making new friends and choosing the people you wanna be close with. Also, allowing God to move in the friendship and trust that it can work out. Other people can say lots about your friendship with another, but at the end of the day, the definition and decision on the matters of friendship is yours. Friend who was willing to go a mile for me... genuine friendship (with a brother in Christ) that I haven't quite experienced before. Sisters who are there through my thick and thins... whom I can share my life experiences with.

Not to forget, friendships which crushed my heart into pieces too, filled it with disappointments and anger. Friendships which sometimes needed to be initiated, to be pushed. Friendships in which you wonder whether it'll still run when initiation had stopped. Some did stop until you're suddenly remembered or not heard from for months. Friends whom assume the person you are without really knowing you. Friends who betrayed my trust. Friendships that were close but are no longer. Friendships which became awkward instead.

There is a need for balance in friendships.

A friendship extended to another, can make a difference in ways no one could ever know.


Relationships
Shouldn't be rushed. Knowing the person is essential. Having a close group of friends who can keep you accountable. Listening to what your friends have to say about the person. They do know better most of the time. When you're supposed to wait... pls WAIT!!! Do put it on hold. Be patient. A rushed relationship is temporary... Feelings can come easily but it takes both individuals' effort to make it work. Maturity is needed to handle a relationship. It is not only critical to consider spiritual compatibility... but also mental compatibility. One may aim for marriage in a relationship, but one does not need to be too focused on it. Sometimes relationship doesn't work out... IT'S OK if it doesn't. Commitment is not a feeling. It's a choice... Love is too.

True love waits.


Letting go
I don't have to keep starting anew. I can cont from where I am and try to make it right by learning from mistakes and moving forward - focused on what is ahead. Restarting my life in a different place, doesn't quite make it. Leaving what is behind is the solution for the ability to look what is ahead of you. Never keep ruminating about the past. Leave the past behind... or you'll be too blinded to see what is ahead, too dysfunctional to live, and too stunted to grow or move on.

Holding and focusing too much on one's successes and ol' glorious days can be prevent one from moving forward as well. What used to be good, can be better.. It doesn't have to be worst.

It's like a scar. When you look at it now, it doesn't hurt as before when there was a wound there. Evidently it is still there to serve as a reminder, to not make the same mistakes that caused the scar again.


Myself
It's ok to respond differently in different circumstances, but it is better to be consistent. It is ok to be angry or disappointed from expectations. It is ok not to smile all the time. I got lost trying to find for my identity - broke rules, broke boundaries, broke standards, broke integrity. One doesn't have to compromise one's values and beliefs to relate to another. It is always hard trying to mix with people who are different than you. The different characters in oneself, makes one unique - even so as weaknesses are included. Understanding my limits and how much I can push the limits. Humility becomes harder to possess in age.

How do you know if you're yourself? The peace upon the person you are now.

Sometimes, the only person who limits you from becoming your best, is YOURSELF.


His unconditional LOVE
A constant reminder that He still loves me from different people in my life. His love that could wash away my brokenness and hurts. His love that accepts me for who I am, even when I'm in the deepest lowest pit. Even when I ran away, He kept looking for His lost child, waiting for the child to be come back. His patience to endure my nonsense. His love that carries me.. and help me to forgive. His love that made a difference once upon a time, and can still make a difference in my life and other ppl's lives too. His love that can be seen through others.

He chose to love me still.

What has been happening?

Heyz! So what's up so far?
I've been pretty busy and thus, the abandoned blog...
Well, I have been wrecking my mind to think of what to write as well.
Haven't quite reflected much... well, I think a lot more these days. I really should record it down. But when I have a pen and paper, I don't think I can write as much as I used to.

Ok, updates since I came back?

1. Christmas: Met up with friends in church & had family lunch with unc & aunt
2. 21st birthday, graduation & Christmas party
3. Joined the choir for church service during New Year's eve
4. FLARE (Youth worship team) gathering/lunch/bonding, FINALLY! (the last we had was 30th Dec '06)
   
5. Celebrated ex-CG member's birthday - GEORGE! (on new year!) Just a small group of us
6. Karaoke-d TWICE, jamming session in studio ONCE
7. A day hang out in KLANG with OCFers
8. Met up with a few friends... still planning to meet more
   

Yea, I think those were the main events.

I still haven't quite written down my New Year's Resolution or my summary of 2007, rite?
Will hopefully do that soon :)
Hopefully more pics too, eh?

Back + Busy

I know.. I know.. I haven't been posting for almost a month.
No worries.. I'll be posting something soon.. Once I actually have the time to SIT down and THINK of something to EXPRESS out.

Well, I have lots of pics. Maybe I'll just let the pics do the talking for my next few posts. It'll probably take a while as well...