Saturday, August 23, 2008
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! 'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question. 'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.' 'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.
'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now So how much does a miracle cost?' 'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little. 'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me ho w much it costs.' The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'
' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.' 'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago 'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly. 'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.' 'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. ' He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'
That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. 'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?' Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.
In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law. I know you'll keep the ball moving! Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you! A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.
Today I pass the friendship ball to you. Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.MY OATH TO YOU... When you are sad....I will dry your tears. When you are scared..... I will comfort your fears. When you are worried....I will give you hope. When you are confused..... I will help you cope. And when you are lost....And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon.... Shining ever so bright.
Signed: GOD
Saturday, August 02, 2008
After less than one month, we went for the snow again...yes...another snow trip! Yeah, we don't have enough of snow yet this winter...hehe. Actually we just want a short break away during this long, cold, no holiday period. Since it is winter and I haven't been to Mt Buller during winter, we decided to make a 2 days trip there for sightseeing (I am advice by doctor not to ski anymore after I broke my knee few years back from my skiing trip!). After searching high and low for the accommodation, finally I managed to find one at Wotif with a very good deal - one night stay in the spa room with breakfast for less than $180!
Departed early in the morning, we managed to reach Mt Buller before noon. According to the report, the snow this year is the best ever at Mt Buller. Indeed there was thick and powerish snows covering the resort when we arrived! However, the weather was pretty bad. It started to hail before we reach the mountain, and when we reached the mountain, it started to snow. We were pretty excited at first when it snowed as we have been praying for it before the trip, but when it became windy, not only the visibility became bad, it was challenging even to walk with our eyes open wide! I guess the worse part was when we were taking the charit lift to the higher part of mountain. Against the wind with heavy snow, this was the first time both of us experience the "hit by the snow"! Our face were badly "attacked" by the snow when we go against the direction of the wind while taking the chair lift! Next, we even took up the challenge to walk top hill from one station point to another facing the strong windy and snowing time! We made it to the destiny however, the journey reminded me of the movie "The day after tomorrow" when the survivors were fighting again the storm to reach the library! The final challenge was to fix the chain into our car wheels before we drove back to the hotel. Even though the ski hire guy demostrated before to us, but it tooks us half an hour just to figure out what we should do and made the chain fit into the wheel! It was totally not a pleasant experience standing in a cold and snowy day fixing the chain! Despite all these, we did enjoy our sightseeing at Mt Buller, enjoyed the snow and the chair lift.
The highlight of the day was our time in the hotel. We jumped straight into the hot spa in our room after check in. We were enjoying our spa while watching the TV (there was TV in the bathroom!). After came back from dinner, we went for Sauna! The result - we had a warm night without needed to on the heater but have to on the fan instead!
Photos with cutie snow bunny & Bear
Selwyn tried to fix up the chain on the car wheels
The first time I was introduced to Bibimbap was at one of the Korean restaurant in Penang and Shirley was the one who introduced me to this dish! Since then I have been crazy about Bibimbap. Whenever I have the opportunity to eat Korean food, Bibimbap is one of my "must eat" dishes. Few months ago I found the bibimbap recipe in the net. It seems quite easy to prepare. Last Thursday I decided to try out my first home made bibimbap using the leave over rice and vegetable I had in the fridge.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Last week, we bought Rachel to IKEA to get some of her room and kitchen stuffs. Since we were at Richmond area, we decided to try out this restaurant that we found in our Entertainment Book called Wild Oscar. It is a small restaurant, however they have a funcky design and atmosphere. Was impress us is their daily $12 set lunch. The menu ranging from pasta to fish, to burger to chicken. Moreover, we have 25% discount card! Since the value sounds great, we both order one of each set lunch. When our meal came, the portion was huge, at least for us girl! Not only that it was superbly delicious! We all loved the food & enjoyed the our lunch "fellowship" on that day.
We will definately go back again....see you again Wild Oscar!
My beef with toasted bread and sunny side up
Selwyn's chicken burger
(our request to exclude fries for mine & Selwyn's order, if not will be even bigger portion)
Rachel's fish & chips
Are you hungry now? Hehehe
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Since it is Rachel's last week staying with us before she moves to her hostel, we decided to bring her to ski resort for some snow this weekend. After looking through the internet, the nearest ski resort we can think of is Lake Mountain. However, due to the limited time we have on Saturday (which is just half a day) and the expensive entrance fee, Rachel was struggling to make up her mind whether to go or not. Thus, we decided to search again for another near ski resort which charge cheaper entrance fee. After an hour on the internet, finally we found out a national park nearby for snow play - Mt Dona Buong.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Why do I need to go on such a special diet? Well, blames to my stomach. I have been having unexplained stomach discomfort for the past two weeks. It drives me crazy. I was hungry but whenever I eat, I will feel indigestion, bloating and even vomit. Even after taking the pill from the doctor, it doesn’t seem to help much. While consulting my friend who is a pharmacist, she suggested me to go for breath test to test out whether I am intolerance to certain food. Certain food intolerance can caused similar stomach discomfort. She sent me the whole list of detail information about this breath test. It was quite impressive how they test out the intolerance but it is extremely expensive! One test costs $65 and if I choose to do the full test, it will be 4 tests all together, means $260!!! The worse thing it, it is not cover my Medicare, which means I can’t claim even a cent from Medicare!!!!! After much consideration and Selwyn’s insistence, I booked with the pathology to do 4 tests and the first test was done this morning.
After one day of fasting with special diet and half a day of water fasting (during the test), I was starving for good food! I went straight to the restaurant for nice Korean Mento with Selwyn after the test. After lunch, I had some bans too and guess what; I even invited our friends over for Nasi Lemak that night (top up with Krispy Kreme as desert!) Yes yes yes, all the “good food” to make up the lost on Friday…hahahah. The result – satisfy, happy but with bloated stomach (again)! However, as a Chinese, life without good food like worse than having bloated stomach at least, hehe.
Nasi lemak with sambal prawn, rendang, fried sardine and sambal ikan bilis
Monday, June 23, 2008
A month ago, I asked Shirley for the recipe of the strawberry mousse cheesecake. However, for the past few weeks, I can't even find time to try out this recipe until last Saturday when I was thinking of what to bring to life group. It is a very simple recipe and the instruction given is pretty easy as well. I went to shop for the ingredients and started to do it on Saturday. Rachel taught me to make my own strawberry puree - it is just the bend of pure strawberry, it is that easy! The whole process of making the cheesecake didn't take me more than 2 hours though!
After chilled overnight, I brought the cheesecake to the life group. Rachel helped me to take out the cake from the baking pan. It looked pretty alright. Too bad there are two pregnant ladies in the group that are unable to eat cheesecake. However, I have the rest of the group to be my Gennie pig! The result? Of course they like it!!! (if not I won't have blog it, he he). I am glad that it turns out well, even though it was not as nice as the one in Shirley's blog. Hope next time I can do a better cheesecake! Anyway, I really need to thank Shirley for her recipe! Thank you sis!!
look from top before pouring the gelatine
Final result...look a bit ugly and weird
Sunday, June 15, 2008
After this series, I started to find other series to watch and this time I found a Taiwanese series. However, it was over 30 episodes! As I am a very impatient person, I randomly selected a few episodes - starting from the last few episodes (just to know whether the ending is good or not. I only watch series with good ending ^_^). Well, it was a good ending! Moreover, this series is also another romantic comedy, so I decided to download the series and and watch. This time, I am not only hocked but also addicted to it! Nearly every night I will be infront of my laptop "chasing after" the series. Ended up I watched the series till midnight everyday!!!! How scary is the power of movies to a person, at least to me! I forgo my devotion, study and sleep because of the series. Gosh, I really need to practice self-control when watch the series. Time for discipline!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Since the time I bought a fruit cocktail cake for Selwyn's birthday, I started to fall in love with this cake. I don't know why, maybe because of the nice fresh cream and the tenderness of the spounge cake.
Friday, June 13, 2008
2 week ago, Uncle Bernard and his family came to Melbourne for their PR first entry. We had the honour to host them for 17 days while they were here. We had a great time and fellowship together and of course GOOD FOOD everyday!
As I promised to make some birthday cupcakes for my boss’s daughter, I took this opportunity to ask the Ooi’s girls – Rachel & Carin whether they want to join me for this cupcakes session. They jumped with joys. They told me finally they are able to make their own cupcakes!
I divided this cupcake session into 3 days so that we won't be too exhausted. First day, we spent a few hours doing our fondant decoration for the cupcakes. The girls were so excited playing with the sugar-paste and doing flowers with the fondant. Second day is the baking session. I gave them the ingredient and taught them how to mix it up with the mixtures. We did two flavours of cupcakes – Vanilla and Chocolate. It turns up pretty well, although there are some odd looking and overflowing cupcakes. We rested for one day and continued our final session – decorating the cupcakes!!! I made some chocolate ganache and butter cream for the toppings then there starts our decorating session! I started by teaching them some basic pipping skills and leave the rest of decoration to them. The girls are so creative, came out with a lot of very nice decoration with stories on each cupcake, it was so fun looking at them enjoying themselves and they even had stories for each cupcakes design they made! Overall, we had a great cupcakes session. Enjoy the laugher and fun we had together even though it was quite tiring.
After they left, we feel so quiet in the house. Started to miss their presence and accompany, started to miss them. Hope that soon they will be able to move here for good, but of course according to God’s will. Anyway, we will be able to see Rachel in a month’s time as she will be coming here for good for her university. More chance to cook for her and bake with her then!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
It is just the beginning of winter, but Melbourne or rather Victoria has been covered by the thick fog nearly everyday. Sometimes when I walk towards the bus stop in the morning, I barely can see anything beyond 100m. This foggy winter has caused a lot of car accidents on the road and delayed of the flight due to the poor condition to land.
I wonder how cold the winter will be this year. Even in the mid of Autumn, weather already drop down to below 18c, since then I rarely experienced any day above 20c not even 19c. Well, will wait and see, but most of all, have to prepare more clothes for this freezing winter.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The fun continues…
Sunday after the church service, Uncle Bernard brought us to the Caribbean Market at Scoresby near to church. It was recommended by one of his friend. The market is located at a very beautiful park and there is even Japanese garden in the park. The market is huge; with at least I think 100 stores in it selling all sorts of stuffs from groceries to clothing and the pricing are pretty good. We managed to get some good bargain for the winter clothing. The only set-off point was the weather, it was freezing! However, when we were about to leave the market around 2pm, we finally feel the warm sunshine. We were able to take a short walk at the beautiful park and take some photos before heading for our late lunch. I would want to go back to this market, not to shop, but to spend some relaxing time at the park and perhaps try out the chairlift :)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
This month has been the prawn mee month for us. The first prawn mee we had was I think at least 3 months back? This month we thought of cooking prawn mee and have some fellowship with our friends. Thus, we called on the "Malaysian night" invited our Malaysia friends to come over our place for the prawn mee. It was a great fellowship and thanks to "Richmond" everyone enjoyed their meal. We thought we would only have prawn mee again at least after a few months. However, little that we know, when Uncle Bernard and family came over this week, we cooked prawn mee again just to let them try out the prawn mee paste from Penang that they cannot get it from Penang! (Funny isn't it?)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
Even before arriving to Bright, we have been welcomed by the beautiful and colourful trees along the road. It took us 3 hours plus to travel to Bright, however, along the way, we did stop at Brown Brothers’ winery (one of Australia’s famous wine) and Milwana cheese factory. When we arrived at Bright, I was amazed with the scenery. It is better than what I imagine or see in the Internet. We were also pleased with our accommodation. With the rental of $60 per person for 2 nights, fully equipped unit, it is considered a very good deal! Thank God that we managed to find this accommodation last minute.
The highlight of the whole trip is our bicycle ride on the second day. I thought cycling is a leisure and easy “game”. However, when we started to cycle with the rented mountain bike, I realised that it is harder than walking!!! First of all, I am too short even with the lowest seat adjustment, makes it really challenging for me when come to stop! Another challenge is to cycling up and down the hill! Gosh, it was killing! I could feel the soreness of my legs when I was cycling hard to climb up the hill, end up most of the time we pushed the bicycle up the hill instead and everyone suffer "butt ache" after fact! However, it is a great experience on mountain bike. I love the bush bicycle. I was so exciting!!
Last day in Bright and Beechworth was freezing cold. It rained the whole day, makes the weather even colder. I have to wear over 3 clothing to keep myself warm but yet still feel freezing! I think it was less than 8 degree that day. Next day, I read in the newspaper that it was actually snowing at Alpine. No wonder it was freezing cold. But the weather is getting crazy now, it was just the mid of autumn but it snows....this is called Global warming :)
Overall, I enjoyed the trip. Miss the beauty of Bright. I don’t mind going back to Bright again! Actually I don’t mind get a house there though, but of course it will be just the holiday villa (it will only happen in my dream...too bad!!).
Sunday, April 06, 2008
I have been thinking of sponsoring a child for a while but never really bother to take action. Today in the church the sermon was focusing on mission to the unreached, it reminds me about the sponsor child thingy. After the service, I mentioned it to Selwyn and we decided to find a day and look at any organisation that we can go through to do the sponsor. Who knows in the afternoon while we were shopping in Eastland, we saw a World Vision counter! The pictures of the children that need sponsor are all display on the counter. It melted our heart to see these little ones that do not have enough to eat and no clean water to drink. Our $2 per day can help them to survive for a year!!! We look through all the kids and it is so hard for us to make a decision which one to take...seriously they are all so adorable and all needs help. Finally we managed to choose a 4 year old boy from Mongolia, his name is Nyambayar. He has lost his dad and they can't tray out his mum's detail. Isn't it sad? Such a cute and adorable, innocent child has to go through such a tough life. It also reflects to me how fortunate we are, not only have enough to eat but also enough to buy what our heart desire!
Friday, April 04, 2008
It is another sad week we have to go through, I fail to fall pregnant again this cycle. Doctor told me I should consider IVF since I haven't been managed to fall pregnant from the few cycles via medication. However, we are not too comfortable with IVF.
Now it is the time to make the decision, whether we should go ahead with doctor's advice or give up treatment totally (I thought we wouldn't need to go throuh this). Only God knows what is the best. We are praying and asking Him for the wisdom to make the correct decision.
I came across an article few days ago, it starts with Romans 4:19 "Being not weak in faith, Abraham considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb". In the natural mind, we know it is impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have a child. However, bible told us that Abraham didn't look at the impossible and wavy in His faith but continue to trust in the Lord's promise. Sarah however, took the matter into her hand by given her servant girl to Abraham so that she can gives them a child. She was acting on behalf for God. While going through this article and story of Abraham and Sarah, I started to ask myself whether I am Abraham or Sarah now, whether I am putting part of my faith on the treatment than 100% to the Lord. Now I am put into the situation whether I should give up the "tool" available and trust in the Lord bare handed.
The article continue to say that "the faith that pleases God is born in a place of deadness - deadness of all human possibilities". Thinking about it, it is so true. When we have other human way to get the results, we will rely on it rather than God because it is more visible than God's hands. But is it a real faith that God require?
This sentence in the article strike me "When you feel that the heavens are like brass when you pray, your requests falling to the ground, God's Spirit is actually working to get you to stop considering the impossibilities - to stop looking to human ways and means - to stop trying to think your way out of your situation." God, are you trying to tell me something? I need more confirmation, more words from You.
I wonder what tomorrow will be but I can just say that "being unto me according to Your words" because I know my life is ordained by God who loves me and know the best for me! Even I remain childless, I still have a loving husband and a loving Father in heaven!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Time really flies. It is now 2008. Recall back 2007, there is a lot of happiness yet a lot of tear dropping moment.
Perhaps I am not a contempted person, I tend to remember more of the unhappy things. It is indeed a tough year.
It was the year I experienced the lost of my first child, it was the year I was disappointed with God and nearly want to give up my faith, it was the year I don't know how to trust anymore. Will 2008 be a new beginning for us? Will 2008 be a fruitful year, a year of great abandon? I seriously not dare to put too much hope on it.
Today I was reading a devotion writing online and this poem appears.
It’s sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.
But we wouldn’t have the rainbow
If we didn’t have the rain;
We wouldn’t know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.
We wouldn’t love the sunrise
If we hadn’t felt the night;
And we wouldn’t know our weakness
If we hadn’t sensed God’s might.
We couldn’t have the springtime
or the yellow daffodilif
we hadn’t experienced
the winter’s frosty chill.
And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.
So God’s given us a balance:
Enough joys to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.
And if you’ll trust in Him
you’ll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.
It is a very beautiful and encouraging poem, and the most important is it speaks to me. Yes, I wouldn't know what is joy if I never experience sadness, I won't be able to see rainbow if there is no rain. God will give us a balance. A lot of time I just feel that I can't handle it anymore, it is too much for me the hardship from one to another. "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness" Corin 12:9. Bible tells me He will never allow me to go through something beyond my limit. He knows it well what is the best for me. Lord, I remember Your words, but help me to believe, give me strength to go through all these, and most of all, comfort me and let me hear you affirming to me that You are here for me. I know I have to continue to trust in You, to trust and trust and see everything become past and my sorrow will turn into joy. I am waiting for this moment Lord!
