Back to school, back to school...
The past few nights have been freezing. I think its been getting down to 3 degrees, thank God for things like hot water bottles or I'd never get to sleep.
Ugg boots: Every Australian's winter essential.
Uni has started up again and things have been busy again to say the least. All the second year students (all 9 of us) in my degree have been given laptops for the semester as a new initiative to promote and aid student learning. My university, ECU, has signed a 10 year contract with IBM, so yay to that because the lap tops they have given us are soo cute! They are small and compact with 12inch screens, with modem, wired and wireless capacity. So I can go hang out at the pub with my cute little laptop just like a yuppie...
Church is fast becoming a large part of my life here. Serving in Gods house has become one of my new found passions lately. There are many areas to serve at Sunset Coast, like ushering, helping with the children's ministry, or the visitors lounge to name a few, but I strangely found myself helping with setup and pack down. Its proberly the most manual labour job you can do, and basically consists of setting up the stage, lights, projectors and the 800 person seating area on a Friday night and then pulling it all down again on a Sunday afternoon in the ECU sports gym. Thank God for boys, because some of that stuff is so heavy! But a bit of hard work never hurt anyone and the few of us girls who are there, help out with everything else. It's just great to be able to hang out with some cool people and be serving in Gods house too - how blessed am I?
This is what busy looks like.
Another year has come and gone and my birthday is just a few days away again. I have no idea what I am going to do. Birthdays seem to lose its excitement each year they come around for me, its just another year older, and another reason for me, on top of my other 21 reasons, why I should stop acting like a big baby already. Last year I had a party for my 21st because Luke pretty much forced me to. Otherwise I proberly would of sat home in my pyjamas and munched on a large pack of potato chips. I just hate all the attention and being fussed over. Then again, that's proberly the only day of the year it ever happens.
If anything, I think I might be going out to dinner with Ruth, Ann and some other girlfriends - otherwise there's the RBJ gang whom I could hang out with... Yes, it's another year, and another age older.
Ugg boots: Every Australian's winter essential.
Uni has started up again and things have been busy again to say the least. All the second year students (all 9 of us) in my degree have been given laptops for the semester as a new initiative to promote and aid student learning. My university, ECU, has signed a 10 year contract with IBM, so yay to that because the lap tops they have given us are soo cute! They are small and compact with 12inch screens, with modem, wired and wireless capacity. So I can go hang out at the pub with my cute little laptop just like a yuppie...
Church is fast becoming a large part of my life here. Serving in Gods house has become one of my new found passions lately. There are many areas to serve at Sunset Coast, like ushering, helping with the children's ministry, or the visitors lounge to name a few, but I strangely found myself helping with setup and pack down. Its proberly the most manual labour job you can do, and basically consists of setting up the stage, lights, projectors and the 800 person seating area on a Friday night and then pulling it all down again on a Sunday afternoon in the ECU sports gym. Thank God for boys, because some of that stuff is so heavy! But a bit of hard work never hurt anyone and the few of us girls who are there, help out with everything else. It's just great to be able to hang out with some cool people and be serving in Gods house too - how blessed am I?
This is what busy looks like.
Another year has come and gone and my birthday is just a few days away again. I have no idea what I am going to do. Birthdays seem to lose its excitement each year they come around for me, its just another year older, and another reason for me, on top of my other 21 reasons, why I should stop acting like a big baby already. Last year I had a party for my 21st because Luke pretty much forced me to. Otherwise I proberly would of sat home in my pyjamas and munched on a large pack of potato chips. I just hate all the attention and being fussed over. Then again, that's proberly the only day of the year it ever happens.
If anything, I think I might be going out to dinner with Ruth, Ann and some other girlfriends - otherwise there's the RBJ gang whom I could hang out with... Yes, it's another year, and another age older.
Pushing through the comfort zone.
I am so sick of comfortable. Comfortable feels so 'stagnant'.
I used to love feeling comfortable. Comfortable was my haven. Comfortable kept me safe, never growing, never extending myself. Why should I anyways? I thought, I liked where I was, and I knew my place in my comfort zone. I thought that's where and how I wanted my life to be - comfortable.
Lately I've noticed there's been a part in me that has been craving discomfort. Not physical discomfort, but situational and circumstantial discomfort. The sort of discomfort you feel when you are uneasy, when you don't know what's going to happen next. It's the discomfort you feel when the unknown is knocking at your door and doubt is filling your mind. It's the kind of discomfort that where that decision is going to make or break you. Thats the sort of discomfort I find exciting.
I don't want to be in my comfort zone anymore. I want to feel myself be stretched. I want to "Step out in faith". I love doing that. I truly believe that sometimes God likes to push us to our limits to see if we will 'step out in faith' at that most critical moment. The moment we think we are at breaking point and everything around us seems like it is going to collapse, if we just keep pushing through - God loves to create miracles in our lives.
I know. It's happened to me. There have been times where I've felt like "I can't do it!" And fear just grips me. I'm starting to recognise those times more now, and when I do - I step out in faith. I step out of that comfort zone, and into Gods hand.
When I came back from HK, I felt really disconnected with church. I felt like someone had unplugged me from Gods presence, and plonked me here in Perth to fend for myself. Of course God was always here, but I just couldn't feel Him. But in faith I pursued God. I didn't feel like I was connecting with anyone at church, but rather than giving up and withdrawing myself from everyone I put my blinkers on to my doubt, and threw myself into church and serving.
God is funny. He took my doubt and totally proved me wrong. After I made the conscious decision to ignore my fears and just do it He decided to come out of hiding. Oh, and serving at church has really made my life abundant - it's seriously so much fun!
God, if this is what it is like, I never want to feel comfortable again.
I used to love feeling comfortable. Comfortable was my haven. Comfortable kept me safe, never growing, never extending myself. Why should I anyways? I thought, I liked where I was, and I knew my place in my comfort zone. I thought that's where and how I wanted my life to be - comfortable.
Lately I've noticed there's been a part in me that has been craving discomfort. Not physical discomfort, but situational and circumstantial discomfort. The sort of discomfort you feel when you are uneasy, when you don't know what's going to happen next. It's the discomfort you feel when the unknown is knocking at your door and doubt is filling your mind. It's the kind of discomfort that where that decision is going to make or break you. Thats the sort of discomfort I find exciting.
I don't want to be in my comfort zone anymore. I want to feel myself be stretched. I want to "Step out in faith". I love doing that. I truly believe that sometimes God likes to push us to our limits to see if we will 'step out in faith' at that most critical moment. The moment we think we are at breaking point and everything around us seems like it is going to collapse, if we just keep pushing through - God loves to create miracles in our lives.
I know. It's happened to me. There have been times where I've felt like "I can't do it!" And fear just grips me. I'm starting to recognise those times more now, and when I do - I step out in faith. I step out of that comfort zone, and into Gods hand.
When I came back from HK, I felt really disconnected with church. I felt like someone had unplugged me from Gods presence, and plonked me here in Perth to fend for myself. Of course God was always here, but I just couldn't feel Him. But in faith I pursued God. I didn't feel like I was connecting with anyone at church, but rather than giving up and withdrawing myself from everyone I put my blinkers on to my doubt, and threw myself into church and serving.
God is funny. He took my doubt and totally proved me wrong. After I made the conscious decision to ignore my fears and just do it He decided to come out of hiding. Oh, and serving at church has really made my life abundant - it's seriously so much fun!
God, if this is what it is like, I never want to feel comfortable again.
Dreaming of daddy.
I always dream when I sleep. Some dreams are just of people, faces and places, others are so vivid I wake up confused if they really happened or not.
Ever since my trip I've been having some really vivid dreams. Maybe its due to my lack of sleep and dreamless nights in HK that my brain is trying to catch up on its usual REM activity...
This morning I woke up in a pool of cold sweat. It was really strange. I've never woken up like that before, or sweated as much as I did last night. I had a really vivid dream about my dad. We were on holiday in Sydney with some of his friends and from what I could gather we were going to go up to Brisbane for some more sightseeing. The strange thing that struck me was that in my dream my relationship with my dad was different.
My dad and I have always been on a 'need-to-talk' basis. I've never been able to tolerate his traditional chinese "Big Man" chauvinistic ways, and hes never really been able to handle my refusal to submit to his 'authority' (Oh, what a rebellious child I was). The thing that struck me strange was that in the dream, I could actually talk him. And he actually listened. No put downs, no 'youre-a-woman-what-do-you-know?' - it was just us talking, like civilised people. Like father and daughter.
I found out recently that my dad had a heart attack earlier this year. Luckily he recovered, but he needs to be on medication. Maybe I should call him and see how hes doing sometime.
Ever since my trip I've been having some really vivid dreams. Maybe its due to my lack of sleep and dreamless nights in HK that my brain is trying to catch up on its usual REM activity...
This morning I woke up in a pool of cold sweat. It was really strange. I've never woken up like that before, or sweated as much as I did last night. I had a really vivid dream about my dad. We were on holiday in Sydney with some of his friends and from what I could gather we were going to go up to Brisbane for some more sightseeing. The strange thing that struck me was that in my dream my relationship with my dad was different.
My dad and I have always been on a 'need-to-talk' basis. I've never been able to tolerate his traditional chinese "Big Man" chauvinistic ways, and hes never really been able to handle my refusal to submit to his 'authority' (Oh, what a rebellious child I was). The thing that struck me strange was that in the dream, I could actually talk him. And he actually listened. No put downs, no 'youre-a-woman-what-do-you-know?' - it was just us talking, like civilised people. Like father and daughter.
I found out recently that my dad had a heart attack earlier this year. Luckily he recovered, but he needs to be on medication. Maybe I should call him and see how hes doing sometime.
Humility
I was just going to type one word in this post: Humility.
But then that would be kind of weird. A one word post.
The thing is, I don't really have much to say about it, other than I want it. I'm so sick to death of thinking about myself. Of thinking about what I plan to do, what I want to do and what my best interests are. So sick of thinking about me.
I just want to direct my thoughts where He is, and not worry about anything else. I want to stop thinking about whether or not sell my car and buy a scooter, how many calories I ate, or what I'm going to do for my birthday. I am so sick of trying to manipulate everything. I just want to be humble and surrender everything to Him.
Lord, have your way with me. Please.
But then that would be kind of weird. A one word post.
The thing is, I don't really have much to say about it, other than I want it. I'm so sick to death of thinking about myself. Of thinking about what I plan to do, what I want to do and what my best interests are. So sick of thinking about me.
I just want to direct my thoughts where He is, and not worry about anything else. I want to stop thinking about whether or not sell my car and buy a scooter, how many calories I ate, or what I'm going to do for my birthday. I am so sick of trying to manipulate everything. I just want to be humble and surrender everything to Him.
Lord, have your way with me. Please.
Practical? Ditzy? Me?
After talking with a girlfriend over lunch last week about our recent encounters with the opposite sex, I have come to the following conclusions - depending on who it is, at surface value most guys proberly get the impression that I am either:
A) Overly practical
or
B) Extremely ditzy
I find this a bit disturbing, yet amusing none the less.
"Anna, you tell people you hate flowers." my girlfriend said bluntly. I don't hate flowers. I love flowers as much as the next person... Its just if I had a choice, I would rather someone give me something that doesn't wither and die... Something I can keep, treasure or hoard. Maybe something handmade - thats always nice.
I remember when Luke and I first started going out he used to literally write me 10 page long letters on paper he decorated himself (and I'm talking ribbons, glitter and the whole kitten caboodle) - how impressive is that for someone doing a computer science major?
And as for ditzy? Well, I have to admit I do have my 'blonde' moments. I think it also doesn't help that most people don't get my 'visual' sense of humor either - so maybe that translates across as 'dumb' or 'ditzy' to people, I don't know.
Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them.
or
B) Extremely ditzy
I find this a bit disturbing, yet amusing none the less.
"Anna, you tell people you hate flowers." my girlfriend said bluntly. I don't hate flowers. I love flowers as much as the next person... Its just if I had a choice, I would rather someone give me something that doesn't wither and die... Something I can keep, treasure or hoard. Maybe something handmade - thats always nice.
I remember when Luke and I first started going out he used to literally write me 10 page long letters on paper he decorated himself (and I'm talking ribbons, glitter and the whole kitten caboodle) - how impressive is that for someone doing a computer science major?
And as for ditzy? Well, I have to admit I do have my 'blonde' moments. I think it also doesn't help that most people don't get my 'visual' sense of humor either - so maybe that translates across as 'dumb' or 'ditzy' to people, I don't know.
Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them.
Is this what 'married' feels like?
I've been feeling really domestic lately. 'Feeling' being the operative word, as I basically lack the domesticity that my mother tried to ingrain into her rebellious child.
For the past week since my cars been busted, I've been living at Lukes. Lukes been my personal chaffeur driving me to and fro church and work, and as grateful as I am, I hate feeling so dependant - and feeling so stranded.
But its nice waking up to have absolutely nothing to do. With only 2 days of rostered work a week, I've been relaxing alot, emailing, watching DVDs, going out to dinner with uni friends, drinking way too much coffee, and staying up way too late.
My decision of the day: What am I going to cook for dinner? Me, cook? Yeah, I dont know if youre game enough to try anything I make from scratch (mind you I have been told I make a mean curry!) but its been nothing too flash - usually steak and mash.
Lukes not too adventurous with his food.
And I pretty much can't cook. Nor can Luke.
For the past week since my cars been busted, I've been living at Lukes. Lukes been my personal chaffeur driving me to and fro church and work, and as grateful as I am, I hate feeling so dependant - and feeling so stranded.
But its nice waking up to have absolutely nothing to do. With only 2 days of rostered work a week, I've been relaxing alot, emailing, watching DVDs, going out to dinner with uni friends, drinking way too much coffee, and staying up way too late.
My decision of the day: What am I going to cook for dinner? Me, cook? Yeah, I dont know if youre game enough to try anything I make from scratch (mind you I have been told I make a mean curry!) but its been nothing too flash - usually steak and mash.
Lukes not too adventurous with his food.
And I pretty much can't cook. Nor can Luke.
Favourite purchases.
I didn't get to do as much shopping in Hong Kong as I would of loved to. Silly me, thought I wouldn't be buying anything, so I took most of my summer wardrobe, a sleeping bag (?!) plus a 3 inch thick Oracle SQL textbook (I thought I was going to fail and would need to resit my exam...), all which just sat in the bottom of my suitcase the whole trip taking up much precious space and weight.
But the few meager things I brought back these are the things I love:
My grey suede stilleto mary janes - Looking at them I can't believe how much (or how little) I paid for them...
My baby blue bowling bag - Which I managed to break the first week back home (which thus confirms why I should never buy anything expensive). But other than that its big and roomy and I can actually fit things in it, which is always good.
My white pointy flats - They look kinda like something my grandma would wear, but I think theres something vintagey retro about them, oh and they were cheap as chips!
My bunny cartoon glitter lipgloss - Its a really good, but cheap stick lip gloss I got from Sasa. I wish I had brought a bunch now!
My pewter gold Pierre Cardin wallet - Yes I finally have a wallet, not the manky hippy coin purse I was using to store every single card I own under the sun... this one is so much more classier! Hah!
Next time, next time Hong Kong, I'm coming back with empty suitcases....
Big Girls Don't Whine
Yesterday as I was cleaning up some of my stuff and I stumbled upon a book I was reading whilst I was in Hong Kong. I couldn't miss it, there under a stockpile of clothes, its feminine pink and white cover with large sans serif letters boldly stating : 'Big Girls Don't Whine ' staring back at me.
The book written by Jan Silvious, is about 'getting on with the great life God intends' and is a how-to manual to becoming secure in yourself and rest assured in God's sovereignty no matter what the circumstance. Basically, as the title suggests: Big Girls Don't Whine.
"Whine?" I thought.
"I never whine! I am the most non-whiney person I know!"
Then something made me think a little harder.
Since I have been back from HK, I haven't really whined to anyone about my circumstances, sure I've asked people to pray for me, or just talked about it - but whine? Never.
Then it clicked. The reason why I haven't been whineing to other people is because the whole time I have been whineing to God: "God, why this?", "Why now?", "Whats my purpose here?", "Why have you made everything so difficult?!", why, Why, WHY?!!? - If God is trying to challanging me, he was doing a very good job of it.
The title of Jan Silvious's book hit me like a brickwall: Big Girls Don't Whine. But whineing is all I've been doing since I've been back. Had I learnt nothing? Apparently, because here I was at square one again demanding God to change situations and circumstances. Did it occur to me at all that I needed to be here in this point of my life? That he wants me be in this circumstance for some reason beyond my comprehension?
At 180 in HK we were all given notebooks. On it we all wrote: I am commited to change. Change is never easy, and usually consists of obstacles and strongholds we have to overcome before we reach that change.
If I am commited to change, maybe these are the obstacles and strongholds I need to overcome to get there.
The book written by Jan Silvious, is about 'getting on with the great life God intends' and is a how-to manual to becoming secure in yourself and rest assured in God's sovereignty no matter what the circumstance. Basically, as the title suggests: Big Girls Don't Whine.
"Whine?" I thought.
"I never whine! I am the most non-whiney person I know!"
Then something made me think a little harder.
Since I have been back from HK, I haven't really whined to anyone about my circumstances, sure I've asked people to pray for me, or just talked about it - but whine? Never.
Then it clicked. The reason why I haven't been whineing to other people is because the whole time I have been whineing to God: "God, why this?", "Why now?", "Whats my purpose here?", "Why have you made everything so difficult?!", why, Why, WHY?!!? - If God is trying to challanging me, he was doing a very good job of it.
The title of Jan Silvious's book hit me like a brickwall: Big Girls Don't Whine. But whineing is all I've been doing since I've been back. Had I learnt nothing? Apparently, because here I was at square one again demanding God to change situations and circumstances. Did it occur to me at all that I needed to be here in this point of my life? That he wants me be in this circumstance for some reason beyond my comprehension?
At 180 in HK we were all given notebooks. On it we all wrote: I am commited to change. Change is never easy, and usually consists of obstacles and strongholds we have to overcome before we reach that change.
If I am commited to change, maybe these are the obstacles and strongholds I need to overcome to get there.
Hong Kong pics!
Just some more photos to share from my Hong Kong trip:
Group photo: The summer college student fellowship. Learnt so much about accountability and met some great people - missing it already!
Me, Abbie and Patsy hanging out at PCC on the Peak. A group of us hung out there worshipping, talking, relaxing and taking in the great view before we went to Malins Bday party at Mothers Choice.
Chilling out at Christian's Place (A.K.A. The Haven) after CeCe's Bday dinner. We were then off to LKF to go clubbing! We went to a hip hop club called 'Dip' which was so hidden away its a wonder how people even know about it, much less how to find it.
Posers: Christian, Patsy and Mark! This was taken the day after clubbing in Wan Chai and watching the football (France vs Greece I think...) at Vinny's place. The football was so exciting I fell asleep on the hard wood floor. I think I got a total of 5 hours sleep the whole night and my back totally killed the next day. I'm never watching football again. lol.
Hanging at Starbucks LKF after the college fellowship - After, I was often rushing off to catch the last train home. Still can't believe the MTR only runs till 12:30am! Its Hong Kong for goodness sake, even in Perth the trains run till 2am...
Group photo: The summer college student fellowship. Learnt so much about accountability and met some great people - missing it already!
Me, Abbie and Patsy hanging out at PCC on the Peak. A group of us hung out there worshipping, talking, relaxing and taking in the great view before we went to Malins Bday party at Mothers Choice.
Chilling out at Christian's Place (A.K.A. The Haven) after CeCe's Bday dinner. We were then off to LKF to go clubbing! We went to a hip hop club called 'Dip' which was so hidden away its a wonder how people even know about it, much less how to find it.
Posers: Christian, Patsy and Mark! This was taken the day after clubbing in Wan Chai and watching the football (France vs Greece I think...) at Vinny's place. The football was so exciting I fell asleep on the hard wood floor. I think I got a total of 5 hours sleep the whole night and my back totally killed the next day. I'm never watching football again. lol.
Hanging at Starbucks LKF after the college fellowship - After, I was often rushing off to catch the last train home. Still can't believe the MTR only runs till 12:30am! Its Hong Kong for goodness sake, even in Perth the trains run till 2am...
Getting on with it.
Been back a week now, and after working the whole of this weekend, its truly back into routine. Its weird, because I had only been away for 2 weeks yet it seemed so much longer. I feel so out of touch with everything and everyone. Whats going on?
I am adamant on getting back into the swing of things, rather than giving in to my usual 'Its too hard/I don't feel like it/I can't be bothered' stance. Honestly, its been an effort. An effort to rekindle (and maintain) relationships, an effort to stop mopeing around, and an effort to stop trying to think negatively about circumstances and situations. Since I've been back I've felt like locking myself in a room, turning off the phone and just being alone. Thank God for friends that have been calling and asking after me, otherwise I think I truly would of hid away. It must sound weird, but it always surprises me when I find out people actually care.
Anyways things are starting to look up, a good friend of mine has offered to lend me the money to fix my car, and I found out I passed ALL my exams (I was so sure I failed my Database Design unit I was preparing to do it again next semester).
Been feeling a bit out of it at church, but I've decided to just throw myself back into it regardless and start serving.
His Will, not mine.
I am adamant on getting back into the swing of things, rather than giving in to my usual 'Its too hard/I don't feel like it/I can't be bothered' stance. Honestly, its been an effort. An effort to rekindle (and maintain) relationships, an effort to stop mopeing around, and an effort to stop trying to think negatively about circumstances and situations. Since I've been back I've felt like locking myself in a room, turning off the phone and just being alone. Thank God for friends that have been calling and asking after me, otherwise I think I truly would of hid away. It must sound weird, but it always surprises me when I find out people actually care.
Anyways things are starting to look up, a good friend of mine has offered to lend me the money to fix my car, and I found out I passed ALL my exams (I was so sure I failed my Database Design unit I was preparing to do it again next semester).
Been feeling a bit out of it at church, but I've decided to just throw myself back into it regardless and start serving.
His Will, not mine.
Points of Change.
God truly works in wonderous ways. I went to Hong Kong as a woman seeking after Gods own heart, and I came out more blessed than ever. At the point where I thought I could only change a little more, God changed me in enormous ways.
Looking back, its astonishing how my life and the way I think has definately (for lack of a better word) turned a 180. I went from being pro-choice to pro-life, from thinking I didn't need to go to church to now thinking "I can't believe what I've been missing!". From thinking I don't want to get married to now thinking its a viable option, even an attractive one! From being indifferent to children to noticing how beautiful all Gods children really are.
Strange how when you surrender your will to God, He likes to take things within you, tweak it and change you - and you start to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
I want to be a woman after Gods own heart. Its an awesome feeling, its like I want to be in Gods house 100% of the time and its so amazing what happens when you give your life to Jesus, for His will not yours.
I've changed so much, sometimes I can't even believe its me.
Looking back, its astonishing how my life and the way I think has definately (for lack of a better word) turned a 180. I went from being pro-choice to pro-life, from thinking I didn't need to go to church to now thinking "I can't believe what I've been missing!". From thinking I don't want to get married to now thinking its a viable option, even an attractive one! From being indifferent to children to noticing how beautiful all Gods children really are.
Strange how when you surrender your will to God, He likes to take things within you, tweak it and change you - and you start to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
I want to be a woman after Gods own heart. Its an awesome feeling, its like I want to be in Gods house 100% of the time and its so amazing what happens when you give your life to Jesus, for His will not yours.
I've changed so much, sometimes I can't even believe its me.
2 weeks in a little place called Hong Kong
My trip to Hong Kong was fantastic! It was 17 days of fast action, humidity, good food, worship, late nights and good friends, who could ask for more?
The girls: Abbie, me and Patsy.
I never walked as much in my life as I did in Hong Kong. Coming from Perth where we pretty much drive everywhere, its fine to wear heels since walking isnt much of an issue. In HK that was such a bad idea. I got so many blisters from my shoes, that at the end of it I was wearing flats most of the time. The whole time I was there I was sweaty, my makeup was melting off my face, my hair was a frizz ball from the humidity and I had dark bags under my eyes from lack of sleep. Yep, I was looking great!
Abbie and I at Tsui Wah.
I was also soo busy in HK, I basically went out everyday from about 10am till 10pm at night. One thing about HK is that you can never be totally bored. It was so interesting just going out on my own and experiancing everything at my own pace. Theres was just so much to see and do. I went to a cat resturant, went clubbing, played golf at the driving range(for the first time!), shopped till I almost dropped, saw family, browsed market places, attended 3 birthday parties, went to the movies, walked along the waterfront in TaiPo, church, attended Alpha, went to museums, rode the peak tram, went out to dinner alot, did a ballroom dance class with my beautiful dance partner Patsy and met so many new and wonderful people.
At the cat resturant: this one is cute, but not as cute as my two!
One of my new friends, Chris De Young and I at Tsui Wah: The food selection there is HUGE.
Spiritually, it was awesome. I totally felt Gods presence there, and The Vine became as much my church as my church in Perth is. I am totally amazed at the concentration of talented and gifted people within The Vine, I can see great things happening at the Vine and I am so excited for everyone about the Vine Centre!
2 weeks just isn't long enough...
Hanging out at Starbucks (left to right): Jeremy, Hay, Me and Patsy.
Follow the leader (usually Christian) in Causeway Bay.
The girls: Abbie, me and Patsy.
I never walked as much in my life as I did in Hong Kong. Coming from Perth where we pretty much drive everywhere, its fine to wear heels since walking isnt much of an issue. In HK that was such a bad idea. I got so many blisters from my shoes, that at the end of it I was wearing flats most of the time. The whole time I was there I was sweaty, my makeup was melting off my face, my hair was a frizz ball from the humidity and I had dark bags under my eyes from lack of sleep. Yep, I was looking great!
Abbie and I at Tsui Wah.
I was also soo busy in HK, I basically went out everyday from about 10am till 10pm at night. One thing about HK is that you can never be totally bored. It was so interesting just going out on my own and experiancing everything at my own pace. Theres was just so much to see and do. I went to a cat resturant, went clubbing, played golf at the driving range(for the first time!), shopped till I almost dropped, saw family, browsed market places, attended 3 birthday parties, went to the movies, walked along the waterfront in TaiPo, church, attended Alpha, went to museums, rode the peak tram, went out to dinner alot, did a ballroom dance class with my beautiful dance partner Patsy and met so many new and wonderful people.
At the cat resturant: this one is cute, but not as cute as my two!
One of my new friends, Chris De Young and I at Tsui Wah: The food selection there is HUGE.
Spiritually, it was awesome. I totally felt Gods presence there, and The Vine became as much my church as my church in Perth is. I am totally amazed at the concentration of talented and gifted people within The Vine, I can see great things happening at the Vine and I am so excited for everyone about the Vine Centre!
2 weeks just isn't long enough...
Hanging out at Starbucks (left to right): Jeremy, Hay, Me and Patsy.
Follow the leader (usually Christian) in Causeway Bay.
A family affair.
Family. I miss family. I've been on my own for so long now I could hardly remember what it is to have people who were actually related to me was like anymore.
Dinner with mums side of the family (left to right): Uncle Kay, his wife, cousins Toto, uncle Kay's son (I cant remember his name!), Jeff, Ying Ying, Me, Aunty Joyce, Grandma, uncle Kins wife and Uncle Kin.
In my time in Hong Kong I got to meet my baby cousins I never met before, cousins I haven't see in over 10 years, my 'new' Aunties, and an Aunt who I never met because she lives in Italy. Its funny how 7 years goes by in a blink of an eye, and though I haven't seen my family in so long, its almost like I never left. Family will always be family, and they have really blessed my stay in Hong Kong with their generousity.
My beautiful cousin from Singapore, Ying Ying and I
This is my cutest little cousin Jade, don't you think she looks like me?
Another plus was being able to talk to my mom about God, and though shes still a bit skeptical, I feel I was still able to plant seeds in her. I also learnt so much about my mom I never knew before, and vice versa. I think my mom has always pictured me to be 15 years old, and that coming back to see her in my 20's was a bit of a shock for her. I was at the age where I could talk back with my own views and opnions! It took some getting to used to that Anna wasn't a little girl anymore.
Mum and I
Aunty Joyce and I
I love family!
Dinner with mums side of the family (left to right): Uncle Kay, his wife, cousins Toto, uncle Kay's son (I cant remember his name!), Jeff, Ying Ying, Me, Aunty Joyce, Grandma, uncle Kins wife and Uncle Kin.In my time in Hong Kong I got to meet my baby cousins I never met before, cousins I haven't see in over 10 years, my 'new' Aunties, and an Aunt who I never met because she lives in Italy. Its funny how 7 years goes by in a blink of an eye, and though I haven't seen my family in so long, its almost like I never left. Family will always be family, and they have really blessed my stay in Hong Kong with their generousity.
My beautiful cousin from Singapore, Ying Ying and I
This is my cutest little cousin Jade, don't you think she looks like me?
Another plus was being able to talk to my mom about God, and though shes still a bit skeptical, I feel I was still able to plant seeds in her. I also learnt so much about my mom I never knew before, and vice versa. I think my mom has always pictured me to be 15 years old, and that coming back to see her in my 20's was a bit of a shock for her. I was at the age where I could talk back with my own views and opnions! It took some getting to used to that Anna wasn't a little girl anymore.
Mum and I
Aunty Joyce and I
I love family!
Home again.
It feels so strange to be home again. Its like stepping out of a dream and into reality, from the bustling humid Hong Kong streets to quiet cold suburban Perth, its not all bad... only different.
Once I got to Perth Airport I had to wait over an hour for Luke to pick me up. I got so bored, and I knew if I kept thinking about missing Hong Kong it was going to drive me crazy. So I went up to this guy I recognised from the plane and chatted to him for a good 45mins about living in Hong Kong and living in Perth.
As much as I love Perth, its laidback lifestyle, my church and my wonderful friends I have here, I feel like I am missing something more. What it is I can't quite put my finger on it, but I know I felt it in Hong Kong. But I know for now God wants me here in Perth, and I am trying to feel excited about it.
God really made my paths straight in Hong Kong, and now back in Perth He is really challenging me. My car has broken down. Just yesterday Lukes car was broken into and needs to be fixed - none of us can drive and I'm feeling so stranded. I'm realising now how much I really depended on my car.
Then theres the financial aspect. Its going to cost a small fortune to fix my car (why do radiators have to cost so much??), and amoungst other things Church is having a camp which I doubt I can afford... its back to reality for sure. I guess I have to keep reminding myself that God is faithful. I'm expecting a miracle to happen, I just have learn to be patient.
And so, thus begins my love affair with Hong Kong...
Once I got to Perth Airport I had to wait over an hour for Luke to pick me up. I got so bored, and I knew if I kept thinking about missing Hong Kong it was going to drive me crazy. So I went up to this guy I recognised from the plane and chatted to him for a good 45mins about living in Hong Kong and living in Perth.
As much as I love Perth, its laidback lifestyle, my church and my wonderful friends I have here, I feel like I am missing something more. What it is I can't quite put my finger on it, but I know I felt it in Hong Kong. But I know for now God wants me here in Perth, and I am trying to feel excited about it.
God really made my paths straight in Hong Kong, and now back in Perth He is really challenging me. My car has broken down. Just yesterday Lukes car was broken into and needs to be fixed - none of us can drive and I'm feeling so stranded. I'm realising now how much I really depended on my car.
Then theres the financial aspect. Its going to cost a small fortune to fix my car (why do radiators have to cost so much??), and amoungst other things Church is having a camp which I doubt I can afford... its back to reality for sure. I guess I have to keep reminding myself that God is faithful. I'm expecting a miracle to happen, I just have learn to be patient.
And so, thus begins my love affair with Hong Kong...
QF68 1:15am
I am sitting on the plane on my way back home right now and my heart is breaking. I don't feel ready, but I know its time to go home.
In the two short weeks of my stay in Hong Kong I have grown to know and love the people and the places of Hong Kong. God has truly blessed my trip there and made my paths straight. I went there not really knowing why I was going back - after all, why couldn't I wait till after graduation to see family, right? I guess I just felt I needed to be here at this point in time.
Something has changed. The Anna that stepped off the plane into Hong Kong is not the same Anna that stepped onto the plane bound for Perth. God has given me a boldness I never had before. Boldness is something I have always struggled with, shyness has always have gotten the better of me most of the time. From being the girl in the back row who used to watch everyone else worship whilst wondering to myself if others were really feeling Gods presence or not, to now a woman who offers her heart completely regardless or not she can feel Him there. I am now beginning to understand what 'by faith' really means. Gods also given me the gift of tongues (finally!), something that I am still trying to wrap my brain around - but God is truly faithful!
I also can't help but think of all the wonderful people I have met and come to know. People such as Abbie, Christian, Mark and Patsy who have tucked me under their wing and made me feel truly welcome. Everyone has been such a blessing to me. And though I am not ready to go home yet, I know its time none the less.
As I sit here on the plane and write this, its so melancholic for me, but I know I'll see Hong Kong again in God's own time. But for now, there is much work to do in Perth.
In the two short weeks of my stay in Hong Kong I have grown to know and love the people and the places of Hong Kong. God has truly blessed my trip there and made my paths straight. I went there not really knowing why I was going back - after all, why couldn't I wait till after graduation to see family, right? I guess I just felt I needed to be here at this point in time.
Something has changed. The Anna that stepped off the plane into Hong Kong is not the same Anna that stepped onto the plane bound for Perth. God has given me a boldness I never had before. Boldness is something I have always struggled with, shyness has always have gotten the better of me most of the time. From being the girl in the back row who used to watch everyone else worship whilst wondering to myself if others were really feeling Gods presence or not, to now a woman who offers her heart completely regardless or not she can feel Him there. I am now beginning to understand what 'by faith' really means. Gods also given me the gift of tongues (finally!), something that I am still trying to wrap my brain around - but God is truly faithful!
I also can't help but think of all the wonderful people I have met and come to know. People such as Abbie, Christian, Mark and Patsy who have tucked me under their wing and made me feel truly welcome. Everyone has been such a blessing to me. And though I am not ready to go home yet, I know its time none the less.
As I sit here on the plane and write this, its so melancholic for me, but I know I'll see Hong Kong again in God's own time. But for now, there is much work to do in Perth.
