Cuti-cuti Australiiiaaaa~

These are ze places I've visited in Aussie-land during my hols before my 3rd year of uni started.

Symphony Orchestra at the park (10 Feb 07) : It was from the evening till night time. We brought our mats, sat on the grass, under the stars. At the end of the performance they had fireworks! It was beautiful & amazing! I've only got it recorded in video. Not sure how to put that in blog.


Edge Church Picnic @ the park (11 Feb 07): My future CG members



Genelg Beach (16 Feb 07) with my college friends from HELP Uni College. Just us gals. We went to walk around the area. We didn't actually step foot on the beach *hehe*










Back to the CITY


South Australia Museum (20 Feb 06) with HELP students I've just met -Psychology & Communication Majors-



- That's all folks! -

CNY Celeb in Aus!

Chinese New Year (CNY) in Aus was pretty interesting.

Let me see what I did...

Last Sat afternoon (CNY eve), my friends + I went China Town to do some grocery shopping. I just followed them to see what they have there. I didn't need to stock up any food yet. I want to finish the ones I have in the refrigerator first & in the cupboard (can food). And guess what?! It was 40degrees man on CNY eve. CRAZINESS!!! Thank God for friends who have cars & are so willing to pick us up! I really appreciate them!!! :) Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was crazily hot, I tell you. So afternoon, I was window shopping for food while my friends were actually buying food XD

Later that night, we had dinner at one of the OCFer's place. Awesome-ness! I love get-togethers, makans + movies - great time of bonding. Miss those time at home :) I remember I had a lot of those back home, at my place (I know ppl miss my house more than me! *hmph* LOL*). When I come here in Aus, I am so blessed that someone else organize things like this too. I am so so blessed!

We had a game of 'taboo' before dinner. Taboo seems harder this year for some reason *blurred out*. Then for dinner, we had - satay, spaghetti, fried rice, fried wanton & crabs! WoohooO!! Amazing food! XD After that, we watched some movies on TV - Along Came Polly" & "Grammy Awards." Oh... I learnt how to play "POKER"!!! (I know someone has always wanted me to play poker with him). I finally played the game here in Aussie. Some ppl said I turn bad because I play poker. Apa ni laa!! Chill man!!! Still the same ol' Lizzie ;)


Here is a pic of our small gathering!


Game of 'poker' anyone? XD




My poker face! *LOL!*


On CNY 1st day, I visited Paradise Church in the morning. I was super tired. Like gonna "pengsan". Every morning also like that la, 'cuz I still have 'late-sleeping-disease' >_<>_<. So, I asked them go ahead without me first. This group of friends consist of exHELP students, same year as I am, but I don't really know all of them. I only know like a handful of them only. It was great that I was able to get to know them by that night.


Our dinner pic in the restaurant. Food was ok. $AU8 per person only!


We played "Cho Dai Di" & "Black Jack" later that nite!




I went back like really late that night. Awesome nite.. was windy & full of stars on the sky My friend + I, witnessed something eermmm >_<.. nvm.. wierdness!!!! If my parents knew we were walking back late at night, they will chop me. I still can't stay out super late, because housemates will get worried & it'll be a lil noisy when I come in. Yes, still a good gal! *halo on the head* LOL!* So, yeah... these were my CNY experience in Aussieland!!! I only thing I miss back home during CNY is my mum's dish - 'Lakso' - Indonesian dish, which was taught by my grandma. I wasn't sad because I didn't recieve any angpows here or was not able to eat the variety food in M'sia during CNY. Friendships were bonded & it was great having each other as we were able to celebrate CNY together... celebrate our friendship, community & race!

"Thank You, God for these supportive ppl, friends + community here in Adelaide! I am amazed, touched & blessed by You & Your people as well as the ppl You sent me to be with. Thank You."

Will I Ever Shed A Tear?

Life has been good here. I've been out, visiting places & meeting people. As I mentioned before, I love the environment here as well.

Hmmm... the thing is I have this great mixed feelings in my heart.
You see, my friends has cried or at least shed some tears when they were here as they remember the memories they had with their families, friends & everything back home. They were missing home really badly.

To tell ya the truth, I didn't shed any tear when I was here, even when I remember the memorable times I had with friends or family back in M'sia. I remembered, then I smile smile. I do miss them very much, but I've never shed a tear. Even before I left, I didn't shed a tear!!! I admitted I did cry the nite before, but it wasn't because I was leaving to Aus >_< Wierd! I myself, am surprised with my own reaction ok? I expected myself to cryyy before I board the plane and tngs like that, but oh well... it turned out opposite, didn't it? :)

Is there something wrong with me, I often wonder. Aiyoh!!! Am I repressing my feelings? My friends ask got cry a not when my parents left here. I answered "No woh... like nuthin' like dat. My parents sent me to friend's house even before they left. They worry about me more ler". I miss them, but it's not anything strong that would stir me up to cry or anything like that ya know!

Haha funny part when I was back home... My CG members tried to make me cry on the last day I leave as they surprised me when a BIG bunch of them came over, spent time with me, sang a song for me *awww* & sent me off. I felt touched, but I was soooo excited about the trip & that they were there, that I just didn't la! *haha* Sorry la!

Oh.. PreU farewell for me was awesome as well. I was really moved & touched. However I didn't really cry. You know the feeling when you 'laugh until you cry' or smile until ur side or ur eyes felt a lil damp. I think that happened to me when Dex+WeKi played the song for me as well as all the testimonies was on. That wasn't exactly tearing but well, that was the least I could do. LOL!!!

Haihz... so wierddd... I miss home + people there... Am I not missing them enough to shed any tears? I am happy here though. This place is pretty happening (well for me... cuz I still get to go out like almost every day for now: holiday-mah!). I feel pretty chillin' ni. Maybe chill a bit too much di.

The peeps I miss so so somuch currently are...

FLARE!!!
Makes me miss them so much because they are the ones whom I've been in touch with & frequently being in contact with - whether thru emails or calls. They are the ones who actually responds to my emails, even if I was just spamming them!!! I love you guys+gals! I wanna join ya all for outings too :( *Jealous that I can't be in the Starbucks pic!* hmph *

Family!!!
I chat with my mum pretty often (almost every nite, if I see her online) to update what has been going on. It's pretty funny that after 2 days they came back to M'sia & them not seeing me online, worried them already! I got email + sms from them liao, tellin' me they are worried!! Don't play play! LOL!!! And I'm just here chilling ni! So, I thought I better chat with them more regularly. And... My brother is back from NS for a week!!! Awesome-ness!!! XD

I miss everyone else too, but these are the peeps who are dwelling in my mind currently, simply because I still feel the closeness as they are still responding to me, yet I feel a bit torn apart since I'm so far from them (distance count, ok). Also, lots of memories with the different individuals in the team. I am rest assured that I am still part of their lives, as they are a part of my life as well. If they ever try to forget me, I'll chop them when I come back & join other ministries!!! Muahaha!!!! Aiyah, don't come back will be easier la!!! LOL!

My dear CG members, if any of you are reading this... update me la on your lives over yahoogroup!!! I sent email but no one reply oneee :( so sad!!! *tsk tsk*

I though of an answer to my question above:
Perhaps I don't feel the need the cry because I know that I am not alone here, although I do feel lonely at times. I am blessed to have the few ppl I know here, friends from back home that supported + guided me thru Aus-land & takes care of me. I am also meeting more & more awesome ppl.

Maybe that is one of the reasons-ler. Also, I 've experienced so many tngs I haven't back in M'sia. So the excitement is still here. Wait till months time.. see whether I will cry a not. LOL!! Maybe because of research assignments, I will XD

Tata for now!

Vday

Blessed Valentine’s everyone!
I heard it's known as "Single Awareness Day -SAD- from HITZ FM too!!! *LOL!*

I remembered when I was in secondary school, we’ll be buying gifts for our friends from “Leo Club” / “Interact Club”. I used to receive quite a number of things from my friends & of course, I would send my friends gifts too. Those were secondary school days. We showed our appreciation of our friendship to one another through gifts we bought / made for them. Also, the gift could be a hint to the opposite sex that “I am interested in you”.

I love spending time with my friends during this time as well because we celebrate our friendship or some of us, celebrate our single-hood. It’s nice to celebrate together as a group of friends, it was always fun. We would never feel left out though we see couples around us because we have each other! We do not have to do anything elaborate. We just go out for a meal, talk/crap & laugh with one another. Isn’t that great?

I also have memories of that special guy I once had in my life. I remembered his hard work + effort for the things he has made for me – photo frame with bible verses & photoshop-ed pictures he created of the stars & universe. He gave me a rose made out of paper as well! Amazing! *I'm impressed* These things are simple yet sweet & meaningful. The memories of us spending time with one another whether it was just dinner at a not-too-expensive place (which is totally fine with me) or just watching a simple movie together… Those were one of my glorious days as well.

This year in Aussie-land, I spent my day at home, alone. My housemates were out working in the afternoon. They came back & went out for dinner with their boyfriends. One came back with flowers in her hands, the other with a box of cake or smtng. *Sweet-ness!!!* They are out ber-dating tonite. Awwww... I slightly envy them. My close friends (the ppl I stick with here) had other plans. For some reason, I can’t even talk to my friends back home online because something is wrong with the net earlier on. So I was like totally alone! At least now got net, so not too bad.

However, perhaps I should thank God for that. I’ve been living my life with people around me all the time… or most of the time at least. Everyday seemed to be a rush for me because I would have different schedules/appointments. I would always have something to do / attend to. I would spend most of the time with my friends or others, that I don’t know how to spend time with myself & it becomes more difficult for me to spend time alone with God as well.

So today, I got the time to slow things down. I had a good rest last night till late this morning. I would have time to organize my thoughts. I’m given time to plan for my essential things such as cooking, grocery shopping etc. Also, I’ll be able to have time to spend with God alone, which I really struggle with... That was my challenge to me last nite, when I was talking to my friend as I was telling her, this is my first Vday alone. I got to slow things down & rest physically, mentally, emotionally & hopefully spiritually as well.

I have to admit, it feels kinda bored + a tiny pinch of “ouch!” deep inside because I have no one beside me (friends & esp. bf *I don't hv any guy to sweep me off my feet today*). But hey, look at the bright side, I am learning to have a lil of ‘me’ time which I didn’t often get when I was in M’sia & with God. I would have lots of ‘me’ time in days to come, believe me but I know that God will help me through & teach me on what I can do as I reflect & communicate with Him. I pray that I’ll be able to use my time wisely. That even if I spend time alone, it wouldn’t be wasted by zoning out / stoning, which I am capable of doing so. Lizzie needs to learn to be alone.

This message was stirred up within me to serve as a reminder for myself… perhaps, it may speak to you gals or even guys as well, I don't know. But it is a message of hope for the singles out there...

“Blessed Valentines, Lizzie. Though you are alone now, in the future, when the right time comes with the right person, that someone dear & special to you would be able to tell you how much he appreciates & loves you as well as celebrate the joy of having you in his life & you having him in your life. The greatest joy would be when God is in the centre of this relationship & His Holy Spirit is active in both lives. Also, when family & friends are not excluded from the relationship, because they will celebrate together with you. Don’t have to keep consciously looking or putting so much effort to make things happen, just wait… he’ll come when you least expect it.”

Just 4 Fun!

Prepare Thy Way 2 My RooM!!!

I was living in Adelaide city with my parents for 11 days (Sun was my last day there since my parents flew back to M'sia). I shifted into my “permanent” home in Magill- 15-20 mins walk from my campus & about 30mins bus ride from the city. The place is really homey! My room is about half the size of my room back home in M’sia (my cell members would be able to visualize it perhaps). Hey, smaller rooms, easier to clean, no? *grinz* My parents & I have finish cleaning & furnishing the room! We bought Ikea furnitures with quite affordable prices.

• Bed - $79
• Study Table (aka. dining table) - $79
• Cupboard (aka. drawers) - $99
  
• Small table beside bed - $25
  
• Chair - $35

Not bad, huh? First, I did the cleaning. Yes M.E.! The sweeping, mopping, wiping windows… Again I’ll answer, yes, I did it!!! My dad helped with wiping the windows too. Also, we put up the furnitures ourselves (my parents, myself & friend, friend’s friend). Man, it is tough! Have to hammer & screw here and there. Wah!!! Not easy! Now, I really appreciate the work of carpenters. Amazing!

Let me give you a tour into my room…

This is my room before anything moved in.

Me cleaning up. My parents wanted to take a pic of me for memories sake. They don’t get to see me in action at all when I was in M’sia.

This is my room after it has been furnished with Ikea furnitures we put together.

This is after we shift everything else in & have decorated the place with color!

The rest of the house!

Hall

Kitchen

Shower + Toilet

Nice? Cool eh?! XD My housemates decorated the hall & bathroom before I moved it. It's really homey :)

I never thought of my room would be sooo flowery... *LoL!* 'cuz I am never the flowery/lacey patterns kinda gal. I like strong colors with abstract. And did you notice the theme color of my room? Cream/yellow + Green! *LoL* I never imagined my room to be that way. Initially, I thought of "Black+Silver" theme. My parents were so against it because it'll make my room seem gloomy & depressing. Winter sure get S.A.D. - Seasonal Affective Disorder! *Haha!*What I didn't realize is that most of my things are green in color - eg. on my cupboard, my quilt cover + pillow casing, room mat... Then, my mum bought me this yellow cover for my table.. LOL!! Wouldn't be my choice of pattern & color but I gotta thank her, because it kinda suites/compliment my room color & it brightens up my room.

Come to think of it.. "Red + Dark Blue" could have looked great in my room too! I would like it. Like ze hall... Solid! Then again, I don't have much 'red+dark blue' things to compliment it :)

Got lots more to share about Aussieland & what has been happening but will do it one at a time. Take care peeps ;)

Journeying with God in Aussieland

Dear fellow readers, I apologize for not blogging for quite some time. I know I’ve been missing in action. I left for Adelaide last Wed nite & arrived here about 7.10am in the morning (2 hrs ahead of my homeland, M’sia).

Flight was good. Though there was turbulence because of the unstable weather, we arrived safely in Aus. The weather here started off really hot when we arrived till beginning of this week. The temperature was about 35 – 39C. However, the temperature has dropped to 23 – 32C. At nite it'll drop to 15 - 30C. It’s pretty crazy rite? I miss Malaysian’s consistent weather & rain… No rain here, except during winter I heard. Wonder how cold it would be :) currently, if feels like Genting down here. The sun will shine like no one’s business, tanning our exposed skins but when there is a breeze, you feel the chill & may even need to wear a jacket (yes, under the hot sun). Interesting eh?

My stay here as been pretty interesting. It wasn’t as boring as many people has warned me about. I fell in love with the environment here. It wasn’t as hectic as KL/PJ in M’sia, yet, it wasn’t like there weren’t any activities for you.

My senior/exCG leader from HELP College University helped me through my transition here. She has been a BIG help! She helped & guided me through accommodation, university course online enrolment, church visits, meeting of peeps / networking, shopping areas in the city, my buss schedules & many more to come, such as budgeting, time management, discipleship & tips for studies.

This is one of my picture with her. Don’t we look amazing? XP Of course we do! *Haha*

I’m amazed with what God is doing in her life & other friends who had come here as well. I can see & have heard of stories, of experiences that had molded them to be a mature man or woman with such great faith in Christ. Indeed it really encourages me to see these people grow and I desire for the same thing as well. It’s just so awesome! I see so many campus peeps, becoming leaders. Just ‘wow’!

As for me, I’m gonna take it slow. Not gonna rush into ministries. I want to take a step back, have some personal time to just reflect & mend my relationship with God once again. Back home, I’ve been so involved in ministries that at times, I really don’t know what or why I’m doing it. I get burnt out in every area… physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually. I needed time out badly.

When I came here, I started journaling to God. I haven’t written into my diary for like 2 yrs or so. It’s amazing… I felt Him closer to me when I am able to connect with Him through writing down my thoughts & how I felt. I really want to thank my dear friend for encouraging me to start journaling again… he said it would make a difference. It did… & I pray that next time when I read back, I hope to see how much I’ve grown & mature in Christ as well & how my life have changed from the last time I’ve journal-ed J I’m sure if I keep this up consistently & with much discipline & passion, my hopes will be fulfilled.

What am I looking for here? Basically, to grow deeper with substance in Him. To learn to rely & put my trust in Him, as I am starting to live independently here. I wanna continue searching the truths about God, about the passions He put in me, how I can maximize & use my gifts for His kingdom; to bless others & the community here. After that, I wanna spread & help/guide others what I've learnt & experience. I know that I'm not merely here for my studies. There's something more in this. I rediscovering what God has planned for my life :) I am also leaving my love life into His hands.

I am blessed by Him, my family & His people. He has showed me the beauty of His creation that I don't often get to see in M'sia - the enviornment + nature.... He showed me genuine friendships that were formed here. He showed me the passion of the church to reach out & transform to the society/city.

Thank You God for bringing me here at such a time as this. Continue to open my eyes to what You want me to discover + learn. Thank You.

Farewell Pics

CYZ Budz + Childhood Budz : At the airport

CG Members + ExCG Members + Ballerina Buddy

DUMC Music Worship Ministry (MWM) Dancers

FLARE: Campus Youth Worship Team

PreU Leaders

HELP Uni College Buddiez

DJ Close School Buddiez

Thank Yous

I wanna thank different groups of people or individuals whom organized farewell parties for me / meeting up before I went off / Seeing me off b4 I leave the country :

Groups:

1. PreU Leaders
   
2. My PreU CG
   
3. My Young Adult cell – for praying that my Aus studies arrangement will run smoothly.
4. Form 3 Close Sec School friends
5. Movie Gang from sec school (Brian, Jian, Alex, Wai Peng & Pheng Aun)
6. The whole PreU Zone
7. FLARE
   
8. CF
9. MWM tambourine dancers
10. Ex-Colleagues
11. People who sent me off @ the airport!

Individuals:

1. Tan Yoon Wei
2. Lucas Chong
3. Joshua Chong
4. Jeremy Mak
5. Vincent Tan
6. Mark Ong
7. Tan Hock Man
8. Stephanie Chia (bring me do facial some more – COOLNESS!)
9. Audrey Siew (my 10 yrs ago ballet friend! Thank God I’ve found ya again!)
10. Jimmy
11. Eric + Li Ping
12. Benjamin Teo
13. Jason Teo

I really hope I didn't miss anyone.

Really appreciate it. I miss ya all!!! Thanks for blessing me with your friendships & partnerships in ministry as well as through life. You guys & gals rox!!!

Farewell songs:
Ø Collide by Dexter + WeKi
Ø Friends Forever by CG members
Ø Many oldies songs by Joel Lee

I am so amazed & touched for the things you all have done for me. Whether you have just seen me, the speeches you gave, organizing meet-ups whether as individuals or in groups, or surprise me with such parties.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!