Community

...Now I kinda understand why we live in a community...

I am thankful for tonight
Just because I was able to be in the presence of others
Who brought a smile upon my face
After a long tiring day & week of...
Carrying my burdens of worries & disappointments.

Thank You

God's Chisel

So cute~ - Shy That Way

- Tristan Prettyman Lyrics

Food for thought

True Love has already been demonstrated (Josh Harris).
Sometimes I still wonder where is it, when it is already right before me...

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but we wait so long to begin it.

Take Chances - If only you'd give it a chance, it could turn out better than you think.

If I spend less time spacing out at home, I'm sure I can accomplish so much more within a day or even an hour!

When there is a sushi deal...

3bucks for each dish in Sushi Train, Gouger St (China Town).
It was awesomeeeeee~!

Waited for an hour to get in liao! Craziness~
The queue was wayyyyyyyy long~ but it was worth the wait XD

Yes I ate that much...~
Nahhh, not on my own-ler
(What you thinking-la? Crazy meh! Think I eat this much on my own?)
ok.. I know what some of my close friends are thinking at this very moment =.= *HEYYY!!!!*

The sushis were shared and eaten by 4 of us, awesome girls!

I had a great timee enjoying every piece of sushi we had together with them!
Fellowship with girls rox... especially when it comes with awesome cheap food in which we can enjoy together! :)

Living Through The Seasons of the Year

A portion of the written letter by Farcis de Sales (1567 - 1622), a Catholic Bishop of Geneva.
Written on the 11th Feb, 1607 to Madame de Cantal (his daughter).

"My very dear daughter,

I can see that all the seasons of the year meet to give their distinctive challenges to your soul. The winter you feel as being the season of sterility, distractions, disgust, and even boredom. Then comes the month of May with the roses in bloom, and so too are the perfumes of spiritual flowers released by holy desires to please our good God. Then comes the autumn season, when you complain you do not see plentiful fruits. So be it, because it often happens that in thrashing the wheat and pressing the grapes, one fines more blessing in the harvesting and vendage than one would have expected. For it is natural to expect everything to happen in spring and summer of life, but no, my dear daughter, one needs to face the inner difficulties and problems of one's inner life, as well as the apparent successes of outward appearances.

Ultimately, all our seasonal circumstances have to be faced in the reality of our heavenly destiny. There only will be all and in all. The spring may express the beauty of the Christian life, while the autumn may bring forth joy. So what then of the winter? The winter is needed to exercise self-denial, and to exercise in a thousand small ways the struggles we go through to live devotionally. It is a climate of spiritual dryness, perhaps, yet little by little we endure it, provided we have godliness and are determined not to get discouraged, but persist in the fortitude of faith...

Let us then live joyously and courageously, my dear daughter..."


Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up"


"O God make me truly to be a child of innocence and simplicity!" - Francis De Sales

Reference

de Sales, F 2006, 'Entering into the Spirit of Advent - December 6: Living Through The Seaons of the Year', in Houston, J M (ed), Letter of Faith Through the Season Vol 1, USA: Honor Books, pp. 23-24.

Every Season

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Link for the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqG50ynfdw&feature=related

I may be One... but...

Food for thought:

"I am only ONE,
but still I am ONE.
I cannot do anything,
but still I can do SOMETHING,
I will not refuse to do the SOMETHING
I CAN do"

- Helen Keller

Prove vs. true

Perhaps sometimes I really don't have to...

... Prove myself to be all strong & brave ...
... Prove to be the one who can take it all in ...
... Prove myself being able to go through it ...
... Prove myself to be right & innocent ...
... Prove myself to be all good & righteous ...
... or to prove that I know best ...

Who am I really proving to? Myself or others?

Perhaps all that is really needed, is to be true & real to myself, to God and to others


Thank u for reminding me that I don't have to prove myself to be perfect :)

Wants?

Sometimes I wonder whether I really know what I want? If I really do, do I even dare to get what I want? Or perhaps is that something I want really even good for me? (eg. is it helpful or beneficial for me?) How does it affect people around me by having what I want?

Sigh...

That's the thing about me... a thinker... I wasn't really like that you know? I used to live my life quite recklessly in the past. Perhaps that's why it has changed me to become like this... However, living this carefully, I kinda feel stuck 'n often confused. Often feel torn between who I used to be and the person I am now. It seemed better than being so careful and being afraid of taking risks. Then again, it's not always fun being reckless, neither does it makes you free more carefree nor happier. Recklessness has its consequences.

Why can't things be simple? Seriously!! Then again, why can't I make things simpler for me? Livin a complicated life sure is tiring. We gals probably love the drama more than we think we do. If not we wouldn't dramatise our life. Really!!!

I then began to wonder why can't I get what I want.. is it because I really want it? Or because I am darn scared of having it? What am I afraid of? hmmm let's see... that when I really really grow to like it, it'll be taken away from me, or maybe when I suddenly lose interest in it.

A friend mentioned this phrase briefly which I actually picked up, "everything can be taken away from you". Which is true... 'cuz we don't really own any of these things. We are only called to take care of them, to steward over them.

Tell me.. why do I feel odd when I choose to do something good or beneficial not just for myself but for others. Is it something to prove myself right or wrong about certain assumptions or certain risks I anticipate?

.... Lizzzzieeeeeee oh lizzzziiiieeeee....

"Take it easy" a friend once told me. Ok maybe a few times... but yeah.
That's what... I really need.

Prayer for Peace

"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life"

St Francis of Assisi

Allergy?

I think I am allergic to Malaysia.

Seriously...

My eyes still itches from time to time...
Down with flu, stuffy nose as per usual when I get back.

People around me are like unwell man!

Good news is that my skin has no eczema even after I came back.

We need cleaner air here...

New Things

New things / First Times I did so far towards pre-, during & post-New Year:


POST-

• 18th Jan '09: Going for a holiday trip on my own
• 14th - 15 Jan '09: Went for house inspections for my bro
  
• 3rd Jan '09: Went for waxing to shape eyebrow (not as bad & painful as I though ;)

DURING

• 1st Jan '09: Add & mix 'choi sin' & 'chilli' sauce into my Vietnamese special beef noodle soup
• 1st Jan '09: Used egg white to do facial
• 1st Jan '09: Ate in Indian Temptation: Finally!!! Haven't eaten nun for so long~

PRE-

• 27th Dec '08: Midnight shopping sales
• 26th Dec '08: Went to see houses decorated with Christmas lights at Lobethal (will show pics)
• 26th Dec '08: Shopping craze in Koorong (Christian bookstore) sale. Spent over $150 on others.
• 13th Dec '08: Received my first 'surprise' birthday party
• 5th - 7th Dec '08: Became OCF AGM recording secretary.
  

2009

My mentor reflected back upon my first few sessions with her and my chat about the directions/paths I was discerning for God to show me... and praying that He will help me through when I first started out the year 2008 in Adelaide...

• Part-time Job (checked): Admin/Receptionist in an accountancy firm. From 1 day to 2 days to once a week, to everyday in Nov & Dec till the 19th Dec '08. Awesome isn't it? :)
  
• Studies (checked): Decided to do Youth Work after a call from a lecturer in a Christian Bible School. Yes, another degree, nevertheless, related to my prev degrees. So praying for as many exemptions I can get. Did I tell you that I dreamt of studying in a Bible school since I was 12/13 years old? My dream came true... or is it really my calling? :)
• Ministry (checked): I was given the opportunity to worship lead in OCF apart from being a pianist. I was part of the International Student Ministry in church, helping my discipler/mentor in her ministry, in leading a bible study in a student accommodation in a suburb here. Towards the end of the term in 2008, I was asked to serve as a 2nd keyboardist in the children's church (Boy, it was a big challenge! Seriously! Don't look down at the kids! They sing like increadibly new songs and it really is a challenge to play their songs sometimes). 2009 - I'm given the opportunity to serve in the girl's ministry and in Bible Study. Those would be something new.
• Growth in God : I've to say I learnt so so much from uni, my mentor, from the people around me... and I'm able to chat with different ppl about my growing faith. So, I thank God for the community of people I have that is ever supportive. However, there is a need to grow more and there is a need for me to really connect what I've learnt to my heart.

if I cont this it'll never end. All in all I learnt heaps...

2008's theme: He Provides.

And now 2009:
How do I feel about the new year:

• Nervous: On what is to come
• Excited: To be given the opportunity to be with my family (even if it's for a while) and people I've known for years. Also, bro is coming 2 study!!! Hooray~
  
• Stressed: Still in the midst of assignments
• Fearful: That I won't be able to juggle all that I have to cope with
• Faith: that God will help me through
  

What God has impressed in my heart for 2009:

TRUST

(Realise the U is in the middle of the word)

&

FOCUS

Looking forward to new experiences....
... that would excite & motivate me to be alive & live more meaningfully...
... which would make my daily life more worthwhile...
... which will help me grow more into His likeness...
... which would direct me into His calling & specific will for me as He slowly unfolds it...

Help me to be:

COURAGEOUS
(to live each day)

Did I Tell You...

...How blessed I am...
to have people like you...
to remind me...

the reason I am here for...


that God has sent you to walk thru life with me...
thru different seasons especially the hardest/toughest times in my life...
you were willing to be there for me...
So I wanna share my joys with you as well....

friendship which has grown...
the power of fellowship with one another, with those whom you've known for a long time or just a short period of time...

of God's love & grace in my life... even when I don't feel I deserve it...

that life can be full of surprises...
even when I thought I already know what it really means & thought of what I could expect...
when in reality I really don't...

that I have people I can look up to...
not just my peers but older brothers & sisters that would support & be an encouragement to me thru the way they live and speak into my life...

Also, to the many who have crossed paths with me...
who may not be in the pics...

...Thank you for being in my life...
I am ever grateful!

But most importantly,

...Thank You God...

{Pics from Lizzie's 22nd birthday, 12th - 14th Dec 08}

Early Rise...

I've been noticing my waking up pattern...
I've 'almost' been consistently wake up at 7.10am on weekdays, however quickly fall back into sleep after that, reasoning with myself that I need more sleep & rest before I start work.

However, I remembered the prayer I made...
"Lord, wake me up early so that I may spend time with You".

"Lord was that You?", I asked this morning
Wow! He sure responded really quickly.

People who know me.. I am NEVER an early riser.
okie.. maybe never is too strong of a word to use.

Nwayz, I realised that... if you really really call upon His Name and truly wanna seek Him. Well, there gotta be a first step somewhere...
He will respond. Most of the time, He does it in ways we do not expect, but He responds.
He usually does anyway. Unless, He's got a purpose of not responding (like the story of Job) - but at the end of it He did respond!

So yeah.. Lesson learnt.

So, Lizzie if you do wake up early.. just get up!! If u really mean what you say, den do it. Get yr lazy bumm of the bed and just do it! Discipline my dear... Then you can go back to yr cozy bed and sleep (if u have the time) :)

Weirdness~

If I..
Sleep late -> Waking up early -> On Time for tram

If I..
Sleep early ->Wake up late -> Miss tram >.<

HOW CAN THAT BE???
=.=

Let's also look into my energy levels...

Fewer hours of sleep : Alertness level is higher in the morning -> drops after lunch (zombie-nized) -> rises at about 3.30pm -> quickly drops after 5.30pm.

More hours of sleep: Alertness level is lower in the morning (extra blur) -> gradually rises throughout the day -> drops in the evening (still experimenting)

sigh...
So is sleeping earlier + more hours really beneficial?

My bioclock is obviously chaotic.

She's so Lizzy~

Lizzie misses being...
... crazy... cheeky... funny... happy... smiley... dreamy... free-ly...
Don't know what other words I can use that ends with Y di.
Dizzy? Don't like to be dizzy. LOL!
Well, she is always busy. That's without a doubt.

Lizzie misses being LIZZY! XD

Not that I am not now.

Thoughts...
Does all of those characters really dimishes when u start working?
How do u balance with... Fun vs work? Childlike heart vs maturity? Personal time & rest vs time with people?

Can Lizzie be even more lizzier than before? Or do ppl see that trait diminishing in her life?

What does it really mean to be a Lizzy? Any ideas?

Working life & studies a 'no-no'

Lizzie found out that she shouldn't cont studying if she is gonna work full time.

After work she'll just want to go into her own lil world...

No assignments to bug her... no studies to worry about.
No words/ideas she needs to come up with on top of her head.

Sometimes she would socialise but it wouldn't be as often as she used to do so.

She may just prefer to rest & watch some series that would entertain her.

Being alone sure isn't such a bother anymore because all one craves for when he/she starts working to do his/her own thing in his/her own time.

Working sure takes a lot of yr energy. It's not a bad thing though.
'Cuz all that you'll wanna do when you work, is to put in the best u could into all that you are to do... that's what lizzie aims to do anyway.

So.. if next year Lizzie have a full time job, bye-bye to studies for now.
In few years time, I'll see you again.

When the time comes, I'll be able to support & sustain myself better...
Also, hopefully have someone to support me too through it too.

Taiwanese songs? O_O!

love this song for some reason... it's cuteeeeee~ and love the tune :)

Let's see how many ppl understand the song I've posted...

Ku Cha
wei xiao de kan ni, yue shi ren zhen jiu yue rang ren xin teng
jie tou na zhan lu deng fang fu zai xiao wo yu ben
mei shen me neng zuo, dan wo bi shui dou zhen cheng
pao yi bei ku cha, pei ban ni dao ye shen

ni zhi bu zhi dao, ni zong you yi zhong hen ke ai de du te
rang wo chong man yong qi di dang dong tian de han leng
zen yang zuo cai hui wan mei, xiang ge nan ren?
he yi bei ku cha wen nuan ni de ti wen

bu yong deng ni kai kou xian shuo wo ai ni
zai na zhi qian xiang dui ni shuo wo yuan yi
ni bu bi wen, ni ye bu bi deng
zhe yi ke, jiu zhi de ai dao yong heng
wo gai ru he rang ni ming bai wo ai ni?
zai na zhi hou ni dian tou shuo wo yuan yi
xiang zhao gu ni, xiang shou hu zhe ni
zhe yi ke, jiu xiang ba ni bao jin

ni zhi bu zhi dao ni ye you yi zhong hen ke ai de tian zhen
da nan hai de kou wen, mei li jia dao yi bai fen

zen yang zuo cai hui wan mei, xiang ge nan ren?
he yi bei ku cha wen nuan ni de ti wen

sui ran yong yuan tai bu ke neng, shao le ni de wan zheng
liang ge dui de ren qi ji jiu hui fa sheng~

from one of my fav taiwanese series - Brown Sugar Macchiato

Meat for happiness

I've been eating steak a lot more often then I used to.
Good timing as well.
Heard that red meat helps with blood circulation and it influences your hormones - the one that controls your emotions.
Anyway, heard that red meat is good for depressed people.
You know like people eat carbs for energy, and meat for energy and protein. Well, eat meat to keep you happy~! LOL! I dunno how strong that theory is..

Anyway, I had my fair share of red meat & it was awesome! Loved it~!


If you come to Aussie, you have to eat it at Hog's Breath.
Went for drinks after that? Haha! "I wish!", well part of me will say that... the me now says... "nah, don't need it". What a surprise?
Have people been noticing that I've changed or something? I think they do. I know I did.
Either that, they just got to know me a lil better... beyond the lizzie they thought or perceived her to be...

Are her colours showing? haha! We'll find out!
Which colours would you like to see? :P