twenty ten

Tonight was pretty eventful.
We had family gathering for my dad's relatives.
these are the people we don't really like meeting.
and throughout the year, Quen has been hearing much about these people.
Today, he got to meet them and witness everything for himself.
I am really happy that I had him for company... even though I kinda feel really bad for sort of tantrum-ing him into it :(
It would have been the usual painful ordeal if he wasn't there.
of course the post gathering gossip session is always the best part of it all.
We also threw in some stories from Hong Kong to keep Xuan Yu in the loop :)
I love love LOVE that the three boys have become so much a part of this family :)

This year has been overly awesome.
next year is going to have to work really hard to match up to this year.
Although the year started on a pretty low note with a terrible thesis grade and a job that turned out to be quite awful,
I am now doing what I enjoy doing and I cannot think of a better place to be...

A job I love doing
new friends and new experiences
a driving license
a happy family of eight
Grandparents more open to Jesus
the awesomest boyfriend in the world.

What more could I ask for? :D

Christmas 2010

This Christmas has been super special.
Not just because I got to spend it with someone super special :)
But somehow while celebrating a miracle that happened thousands of years ago,
God gave us so much more to celebrate this year.
It was a pretty rough morning consisting of a rush from bed to church within half an hour
and a really horrible taxi ride
but God has a way of making what starts of to be a disastrous day to be a really awesome day.

I was really thankful for lunch with my grandparents on Christmas.
I love that my family has grown to eight people with the addition of three awesome boyfriends.
I don't know how it works in other families but I'm really thankful that all 8 of us can hang out without feeling awkward.
But the highlight of lunch was when we all bowed our heads to say grace with my grandparents.
Our family has been praying for their salvation for as long as I can remember and this was such a precious moment.
It wasn't just another 'ritual'.
When my mom told them we were going to pray for the food,
and when I saw my grandpa and grandma nod willingly and bowing their heads in preparation to pray,
My heart leapt in immense joy.
I cannot believe that these are the same grandparents who threatened to disown my mom when she told them she was a Christian,
the same grandparents whom I've seen burning incense week after week
the same grandparents who have a huge altar right at their doorway.
I thank God for softening their hearts
and so so thankful that we could witness this really special moment.

God also gave Quen and I an opportunity to have a heart to heart talk at night
and at this moment, I've never felt closer to God and to Quen.
I'm so looking forward to next year!
I am anticipating a whole year of exciting things..
especially since we've crossed a major milestone with my grandparents,
the anticipation of their salvation is so much greater.
but to end off this year with a bang, Hong Kong! :)

Perfect 10

4 days to Christmas and the holiday!
This week is packed with gatherings and parties and the like.
Amy's wedding lunch kicked off the week with a really awesome dessert course I can't seem to stop talking about.

It's like Orh Ni (or yam paste) but not.
It's suppose to be yam and pumpkin paste with ginko..
It tastes just like Orh Ni, but is much lighter and very very very awesome.

And then my mom had a Christmas gathering that evening in which us three sisters and the three boyfriends ended up being the babysitters.
Which was actually very fun :)
of course I now know which of my sisters I can and cannot leave my children with next time.

This afternoon I went wakeboarding with Liz, Matthias and Quen.
The weather was nice though it would have been even nicer with a tad bit more sun..
but I'm just really thankful it didn't rain..

And then I met with the JC breakfast table for dinner (pun intended)
I haven't seen some of them in more than a year I think
But they are all still pretty much the same.
Andrea bought this super cool portable plastic bag sealer
and yes, she also bought a ONE KILO PACK OF MINTS FROM FISH AND CO.
madness..
I hope we always stay a tiny bit insane :)

ONE MORE WEEK TILL HONG KONG AND CHRISTMAS!! :)
Sorry I've been such a poor blogger recently.
I promise a really nice post soon.
I've been relatively occupied the past week
I'm really thankful for all the time I managed to have with Quen this week:)
especially after having struggled through exam period and a really busy work period I had.
AND FOR PASSING DRIVING! WHEEE!

:)
Happy Advent everyone!

I PASSED DRIVING!

I can now officially drive on the road on my own!!!
I think the reality of it still has not sunk in even though I technically passed driving at about 4.30pm YESTERDAY.
I'm still having tiny moments of 'GASP! I PASSED!' happening to me.
It may be because I haven't actually driven on my own yet,
or because my license is just a crummy piece of paper at the moment.

Yesterday was a really nice day in general.
I met Quen for lunch and he attempted to un-knot my stomach
but it was pretty stubborn
then I went for my driving lesson just before the test
and then the test.
WHICH I PASSED :)
I must say this: Quen waited for me the WHOLE TIME.
I still can't believe he did..
It must have been incredibly boring
but he was incredibly sweet :)
I went to the spa after the test to 'celebrate'
but now my back is aching like MAD.
I feel like I have a HUGE BRUISE on my back :(
good thing I didn't fall into their traps and buy a package.
after that I came home and took a long shower to get rid of all the massage oil
then Quen came over (again :D) to have ice cream and watch tv.
I fell asleep really fast last night
must have been so happy and content :)
I have a relatively long day today
and I need to leave now so that I wont be late.

I PASSED! :D

Whatchamacallit

In the middle of CG today I was suddenly filled with immense joy and excitement because everyone who came today was actively participating in the discussion.
Back when Mark and I first met them, they were all very silent when it came to bible study...
it was so difficult to get them to share and we had to call names all the time.
but now, everyone is anxious to share what they think and I'm so happy that they are all equally excited about the Word of God as I am :)
only 5 kids came today but we had a really REALLY great time of sharing, I didn't even realize that my time was almost up!
I haven't seen shikaye in the longest time ever.
I can't remember the last time she came for cell.
but she came today :)
and she was also very active in today's discussion.

I feel really really blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead this group of youths :)
Can't wait to see what God has in store for us next year!

14 day countdown!

TWO MORE WEEKS TILL CHRISTMAS AND MY HOLIDAY :)
I'm so psyched.
I've been so busy the past week and I have two more very busy weeks ahead but it's all going to be worth it because I'll be rewarded with a hong kong trip :)
SO looking forward to the week of 'rest'.

Peewee

Tuesday night, us three sisters had a triple date night with the three boyfriends :)
It started to rain so our plans were thwarted a little...
but it didn't stop us from having a ton of fun :)
I feel really really blessed that the six of us can hang out together
and that all three of us have really awesome boyfriends..
of course mine's the best :P
I want to do it again soon :)

This morning I got peed on by a 2 and a half year old boy while trying to toilet train him.
On the way home, people who sat beside me kept looking at me..
they probably were wondering why I smelt like pee.
I became one of those people I always tweet about! :(
then as I was getting off the bus, the bus driver opened the door then closed it in my face!
I almost slammed right into the door :(
But I'm so thankful for those two not so pleasant experiences...
because they gave me something to blog about :)