Monday. i had a relatively normal day at work, then, i went to st luke for the monday prayer tower, and just so happen the arvo before, KoTed called and asked me to lead the following day's prayer tower, with few other guys (thankfully not alone!). you don't refuse responsibility that is within your capability. at least i don't, so i said yes. it was not too bad, we managed, although in the end i had to poke Paupau who was sitting next to me to close the prayer before it dragged on too long into pure silence. went home straight to bed.
Tuesday. work was fine. can't really remember what i did. my special delivery from singapore airlines arrived today mid-morning. she was sleeping when i dropped by home to stow my lunchbag (which at the moment still in the sad form of a paper bag, shall get a proper one soon) at around 6, then i walked to kavanagh, getting blood sucked out, not by the emo vampire edward cullen, unfortunately, but with a needle and a bag, for a good cause.
a little drama to highlight the night: i got really woozy and light-headed, i had to lie down twice. being volume depleted, i was unable to maintain my blood pressure and thus not getting enough blood into my head everytime i tried to stand up. i blamed all to my little frame. i don't think i even have the full 5 litres of blood running through my veins and arteries, yet they took 470 good mls out. i got home eventually, in a free cab ride because they were too worried i'd faint again on the way home. i felt like a wuss for being so weak. got home, ate, felt slightly better, me and sis foraged through her treasure chest of a luggage, trying on new clothes and shoes and bag and headband and eyeliner and this and that until i realise i have to work tomorrow! excellent *in a sarcastic tone*
wednesday. i had a naughty thought in the morning to call in a sickie today. however, calling in a sickie during my second last day of work would not be so nice. what's more, ranges has so many part time staffers, i might not be able to see them again the next day. so, with plenty of hesitation, i crawled out of bed and got ready. and i don't know if heaven was playing a joke on me, i had a barrage of exos to do when i was still very anaemic and not feeling exactly one hundred percent. somehow i managed to stay conscious and not fainting after every struggle, tug-o-war with cumbersome upper molars, canines, and badly broken down root-canal-treated teeth my patients wanted me to pull out. praise luxators, my lifesaver.
that was not the end of the day. there's still the wednesday prayer at my humble abode, plus a lot of baking to do that night. we had fun alright with the baking, were still decorating cupcakes with every cariogenic substance we can find in our kitchen at 11pm. good fun.
thursday. a bit sad, last day of work of my first ever proper job. i had Paula as my nurse today, the Frenchie from Grease look-alike, being tiny, red-headed and as cute as a cherry eventhough her eldest daughter is already my age. everyone enjoyed the chocolate-orange and orange-almond cupcakes eln so carefully packed into a brown paper parcel, albeit the incident where the other alice almost swallowed the half-toothpick i used to stick orange slices on top of the citrus variety of my baking. said goodbyes and nice meeting yous to everyone in sight then i left. a lovely end to the locum life. walking back to the train station felt different, knowing i am not coming back to that place again the next morning. goodbye ranges.
caught a movie with eln and nie at central. i have never seen so many chicks in the cinema since record breaking sex and the city, numbering only 2 males in the cinema i went to. you might have guessed alright that we went to watch this most recent chick-flick starring a horde of stars, he's just not that into you. it was entertaining, but nice? maybe not really. i went home hungry and exhausted, felt too drained to cook proper food, finally succumbed to having my first instant noodle of the year. i always love it with two eggs so i had this delicious MSG and cholesterol dinner last night.
friday. thank God it's friday! :D
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
wake up call
hello!
i haven't been writing something of a substance for quite a while, have i? since tomorrow's friday and i'll be sharing in cells, let's do a recap of last sunday.
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
"Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
(Luke 13:1-5)
we often question, "why bad things happen to good people?", for instance, when someone you know as a "good" person suddenly pass away, the question will inevitably pop out in your head. here, a more recent example, the Victorian bushfire. those people are not all "bad", right? so, why? why all these?
well, living in an evil and fallen world, calamity is bound to happen, no matter who you are. yes, there are such things as God's providence, yet again, who are we to tell Him what to do and what not to do? though, it doesn't mean we can adopt the que sera sera way of life.
we're such a bunch with no sense of urgency, taking grace for granted, bearing the "yeah yeah if i sin today i still can repent tomorrow" mentality. how does it change our life, or at least our attitude towards life, knowing well that death strikes without warning? we are the same as those people, sinners, who will eventually succumb to mortality, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). why the hell are we still alive?
take heed, the fact that we are still alive doesn't mean we're less sinful than others. that perspective is waaayyy wrong. there is no such thing as more sinful or less sinful or as sinful. we're not even an iota better than other people. what makes it different is that God gives us a period of grace. a second chance to repent. don't ask me again, how about those other people? mind you i'm not God. honestly, i don't know.
what i know, this revelation of such truth should be a warning for all of us who are still breathing at this very moment, that we are living in grace. how grateful you are in this life should be well reflected in the way you live. do we lead a wasted life? or do we lead a fruitful life?
in the ending of Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai, the Emperor of Japan asked Captain Algren to tell him how Katsumoto died. yet Algren answered, "i will tell you how he lived."
this life we're living, is a gift from heaven, an opportunity to live and not to perish, so that people in the future will be able to say of you, "oh he[she] was a marvelous man[woman] of God, i will tell you how he[she] lived." wouldn't that be so awesome?
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
whatever wrongdoings we've been up to, repent today when His grace is still available and start to live anew.
a life worth telling.
a living testimony.
a life not wasted.
i haven't been writing something of a substance for quite a while, have i? since tomorrow's friday and i'll be sharing in cells, let's do a recap of last sunday.
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
"Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
(Luke 13:1-5)
we often question, "why bad things happen to good people?", for instance, when someone you know as a "good" person suddenly pass away, the question will inevitably pop out in your head. here, a more recent example, the Victorian bushfire. those people are not all "bad", right? so, why? why all these?
well, living in an evil and fallen world, calamity is bound to happen, no matter who you are. yes, there are such things as God's providence, yet again, who are we to tell Him what to do and what not to do? though, it doesn't mean we can adopt the que sera sera way of life.
we're such a bunch with no sense of urgency, taking grace for granted, bearing the "yeah yeah if i sin today i still can repent tomorrow" mentality. how does it change our life, or at least our attitude towards life, knowing well that death strikes without warning? we are the same as those people, sinners, who will eventually succumb to mortality, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). why the hell are we still alive?
take heed, the fact that we are still alive doesn't mean we're less sinful than others. that perspective is waaayyy wrong. there is no such thing as more sinful or less sinful or as sinful. we're not even an iota better than other people. what makes it different is that God gives us a period of grace. a second chance to repent. don't ask me again, how about those other people? mind you i'm not God. honestly, i don't know.
what i know, this revelation of such truth should be a warning for all of us who are still breathing at this very moment, that we are living in grace. how grateful you are in this life should be well reflected in the way you live. do we lead a wasted life? or do we lead a fruitful life?
in the ending of Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai, the Emperor of Japan asked Captain Algren to tell him how Katsumoto died. yet Algren answered, "i will tell you how he lived."
this life we're living, is a gift from heaven, an opportunity to live and not to perish, so that people in the future will be able to say of you, "oh he[she] was a marvelous man[woman] of God, i will tell you how he[she] lived." wouldn't that be so awesome?
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
whatever wrongdoings we've been up to, repent today when His grace is still available and start to live anew.
a life worth telling.
a living testimony.
a life not wasted.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
the greatest love of all
since today is Valentine's day, i reckon i'd post something for the occasion.
remember John 3:16?
remember John 3:16?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
victoria grieves
inferno still rages in parts of Victoria.
it was so horrifying not only to see hundreds of thousands of acres turned into soot and ashes, yet also the enormous grief it brings to every creature affected, man and wildlife alike. lives lost, homes lost, hope lost. one of our colleague at work has lost a friend in the tragedy and it was just heartbreaking to see her so upset everytime the word "bushfire" mentioned. two of my patients today had to evacuate from their homes for the fear the fire is drawing close. i didn't know what to say to them. thankfully penny was there to help me fill in the awkward silence.
it got me thinking how fortunate we are in comparison, to have something more than just the clothes on our bodies. show some support, shall we? lend helping hands. donate. give blood. send prayers. encourage. do what we can.
images courtesy of Herald Sun
it was so horrifying not only to see hundreds of thousands of acres turned into soot and ashes, yet also the enormous grief it brings to every creature affected, man and wildlife alike. lives lost, homes lost, hope lost. one of our colleague at work has lost a friend in the tragedy and it was just heartbreaking to see her so upset everytime the word "bushfire" mentioned. two of my patients today had to evacuate from their homes for the fear the fire is drawing close. i didn't know what to say to them. thankfully penny was there to help me fill in the awkward silence.
it got me thinking how fortunate we are in comparison, to have something more than just the clothes on our bodies. show some support, shall we? lend helping hands. donate. give blood. send prayers. encourage. do what we can.
images courtesy of Herald Sun
Sunday, February 8, 2009
bushfires, mee prawn and five ears of corn
i spent my weekend at Bairnsdale, visiting a girlfriend.
it was somehow relaxing yet unforgettable, mostly contributed by the climatic frenzy.
friday.
temperature: around mid 20s.
weather: perfect clear blue sky, perfect breeze.
7.30 in the morning and all packed, i headed to Southern Cross which is literally a stone throw away from where i live, got on the maroon and white V-line carriage, then continued my sleep as soon as we left the city. 3-and-a-half hour later, Auntie Yong, who was still numb from her root canal treatment earlier that morning, picked me up at Bairnsdale station.
the afternoon wasn't very happening, i had lunch with PY and Auntie, visited the clinic, walked to town, did a little bit of rushed groceries in Safeway (mainly due to PY trying to avoid awkward conversations since she kept bumping into her patients every 5 minutes) and had a marvelous dinner of Auntie's home cooking, comprising of curry chicken and some yummy vegetarian dish i've never seen before.
we watched a lot of tv that night. there were heaps of fire warnings, but it didn't cross my mind what mal-effect it would have on my little weekend trip.
saturday.
temperature: at least 45
weather: smoke and ashes, strong gale, thunderstorms with no rain.
we basically locked ourselves up in the house, turned on the aircon and watched tv all day. mostly listening to news on the bushfires. that was when i started to get worried.
the hottest day in Victorian history for years. and i chose such weekend to go to the bush. oh...my...goodness! it was really terrifying to see the advancing front of the fire travels in such speed, aided by the 100kph wind, flattening several towns, taking lives, including some in Gippsland region. roads were blocked, no train running. how am i suppose to get home? we wouldn't even open the door since the air outside smelled strongly of smoke! i was ready for the worst, to spend another night with the Yongs and to call my boss to break the bad news of me getting stuck in the Lakes.
ironically, Queensland is having a really bad flood at the moment. if only we can get a pipe to direct all those waters down here, eh?
nevertheless, despite the heat, some people dared to venture out of their house to visit us. Auntie Kim and his husband drove down from Eastwood to have lunch with us and even came back later at night to give us 5 ears of corn their farmer friend just harvested from the field. a positive highlight of the day: the mee prawn we had for lunch was fabulously delicious! 4 thumbs up to Auntie Yong!
i fell asleep that night praying for rains and trains.
sunday.
temperature: last time i heard on tv, it was 20.
weather: grey sky, cool change, drizzles.
it was a struggle to get back to Melbourne. the morning train had been replaced with a coach and it didn't even go all the way to Melbourne. it would only get me to Warragul and the Yongs insisted that i stay until there's a service that will definitely get me to to the city.
this little change of plan actually enabled me to see more of the Lakes. Auntie Kim and Mr Palmer drove us to Paynesville where we had our second round of coffee (PY and i had one at home already but hey we need our booster dose of caffeine) and the super nice italian ricotta cake at Fisherman's Wharf cafe at the esplanade, just by the water, admiring all those "money floating on the water" (PY's language for yachts). then we drop by the station to find out if there had been any update on the situation, and thank God, the 12.40 service would be running! i had to take a coach to Traralgon then V-line train to Melbourne. it's better than nothing, isn't it?
we spent the remaining 2 hours we had visiting a farm at Lindenow, 30 minutes drive from Bairnsdale, and there we witnessed the sad aftermath of the previous day heat attack, the top of the corn crops were all brown and wilted, the land was parched and the grass was so dry no wonder fire spreads so easily. it's a bit of a relief to see the carrots and cabbages are holding on.
it's time to catch my bus, so PY and Auntie walked me back to the station. no dramas this time, thank God!
morals of the story:
- the hospitality of country people is amazing. i've only known them for the weekend and they sent me home with their first fruit of their home-grown tomato, a box of home-made achar that tastes fantastic (i can't believed she remembered i said i loved it!) and 5 ears of corn. maybe we have lived too long in the selfish and individualistic city athmosphere we just forget it is how we are supposed to act as human beings.
- treasure true friends. they are rare, God-given gems you must keep for life. PY, u're one of the shiniest.
- do not mess with nature.
- check the weather before you travel somewhere far away, especially if you don't have your own car. Victorian weather is crazy.
- trains get cancelled so often these days.
- have faith in our Good Lord coz somehow He'll make a way.
- pray strength and hope come down for those dearly affected by the fire.
- home is still the best place to be!
it was somehow relaxing yet unforgettable, mostly contributed by the climatic frenzy.
friday.
temperature: around mid 20s.
weather: perfect clear blue sky, perfect breeze.
7.30 in the morning and all packed, i headed to Southern Cross which is literally a stone throw away from where i live, got on the maroon and white V-line carriage, then continued my sleep as soon as we left the city. 3-and-a-half hour later, Auntie Yong, who was still numb from her root canal treatment earlier that morning, picked me up at Bairnsdale station.
the afternoon wasn't very happening, i had lunch with PY and Auntie, visited the clinic, walked to town, did a little bit of rushed groceries in Safeway (mainly due to PY trying to avoid awkward conversations since she kept bumping into her patients every 5 minutes) and had a marvelous dinner of Auntie's home cooking, comprising of curry chicken and some yummy vegetarian dish i've never seen before.
we watched a lot of tv that night. there were heaps of fire warnings, but it didn't cross my mind what mal-effect it would have on my little weekend trip.
saturday.
temperature: at least 45
weather: smoke and ashes, strong gale, thunderstorms with no rain.
we basically locked ourselves up in the house, turned on the aircon and watched tv all day. mostly listening to news on the bushfires. that was when i started to get worried.
the hottest day in Victorian history for years. and i chose such weekend to go to the bush. oh...my...goodness! it was really terrifying to see the advancing front of the fire travels in such speed, aided by the 100kph wind, flattening several towns, taking lives, including some in Gippsland region. roads were blocked, no train running. how am i suppose to get home? we wouldn't even open the door since the air outside smelled strongly of smoke! i was ready for the worst, to spend another night with the Yongs and to call my boss to break the bad news of me getting stuck in the Lakes.
ironically, Queensland is having a really bad flood at the moment. if only we can get a pipe to direct all those waters down here, eh?
nevertheless, despite the heat, some people dared to venture out of their house to visit us. Auntie Kim and his husband drove down from Eastwood to have lunch with us and even came back later at night to give us 5 ears of corn their farmer friend just harvested from the field. a positive highlight of the day: the mee prawn we had for lunch was fabulously delicious! 4 thumbs up to Auntie Yong!
i fell asleep that night praying for rains and trains.
sunday.
temperature: last time i heard on tv, it was 20.
weather: grey sky, cool change, drizzles.
it was a struggle to get back to Melbourne. the morning train had been replaced with a coach and it didn't even go all the way to Melbourne. it would only get me to Warragul and the Yongs insisted that i stay until there's a service that will definitely get me to to the city.
this little change of plan actually enabled me to see more of the Lakes. Auntie Kim and Mr Palmer drove us to Paynesville where we had our second round of coffee (PY and i had one at home already but hey we need our booster dose of caffeine) and the super nice italian ricotta cake at Fisherman's Wharf cafe at the esplanade, just by the water, admiring all those "money floating on the water" (PY's language for yachts). then we drop by the station to find out if there had been any update on the situation, and thank God, the 12.40 service would be running! i had to take a coach to Traralgon then V-line train to Melbourne. it's better than nothing, isn't it?
we spent the remaining 2 hours we had visiting a farm at Lindenow, 30 minutes drive from Bairnsdale, and there we witnessed the sad aftermath of the previous day heat attack, the top of the corn crops were all brown and wilted, the land was parched and the grass was so dry no wonder fire spreads so easily. it's a bit of a relief to see the carrots and cabbages are holding on.
it's time to catch my bus, so PY and Auntie walked me back to the station. no dramas this time, thank God!
morals of the story:
- the hospitality of country people is amazing. i've only known them for the weekend and they sent me home with their first fruit of their home-grown tomato, a box of home-made achar that tastes fantastic (i can't believed she remembered i said i loved it!) and 5 ears of corn. maybe we have lived too long in the selfish and individualistic city athmosphere we just forget it is how we are supposed to act as human beings.
- treasure true friends. they are rare, God-given gems you must keep for life. PY, u're one of the shiniest.
- do not mess with nature.
- check the weather before you travel somewhere far away, especially if you don't have your own car. Victorian weather is crazy.
- trains get cancelled so often these days.
- have faith in our Good Lord coz somehow He'll make a way.
- pray strength and hope come down for those dearly affected by the fire.
- home is still the best place to be!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
i was tagged on facebook
1. last night i (accidentally) slept on the carpet in front of my apartment window. i have said i wanted to "just roll on the carpet and fall asleep" but never did until yesterday. at 3.30 i suddenly woke up and walked into my bedroom to sleep again.
2. i love cooking but never the dishes. i still cook alot but usually will leave the dishes in the sink for when-i'm-not-lazy time.
3. i have been living alone for 2 months and enjoying it. i will still live alone for 3 more weeks. but don't worry sis, u still can come back, i still love u!
4. i eat alot. no surprise for most people, it's kind of a public secret anyways.
5. i want go for Run for The Kids on April but not sure if my terrible stamina can last till the finish line. maybe i'll just join the walk.
6. i separate my laundry into categories: white, black, jeans, dark, light, red.
7. misspelling and wrong pronounciation send shivers down my spine.
8. i wouldn't mind being a housewife and just homemake if only i haven't spent 5 years in uni working my ass off for a piece of paper.
9. i have a soft spot for dogs, especially when they look at you with those eyes. awwww...
10. i would definitely end up as a graphic designer if i didn't come to Melbourne.
11. i don't buy magazines. i just go to Borders whenever the need comes.
12. i love pink stuff although i always deny that pink is my favourite colour.
13. i have never ever gotten wasted in any party. becoz i don't drink more than 2 drinks.
14. i'm very sarcastic at times, but only to certain people who i know would not take it seriously.
15. apparently my washing machine is exactly the same with my mum's. i didn't know that when i bought it. she went like, "oh my goodness, this is the one we have back at home, don't you remember?" well... i rarely do laundry at home :p
16. my nurse tried to matchmake me with this dentist she knew, on my 5th day of work.
17. more than half of my movie collection is musical, most of them dated back to decades ago. i have Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz and just downloaded Grease last night. my friends find it hard to understand my taste.
18. i must go to Japan one day.
19. i don't bite my nails but i like to peel my lips.
20. i always wish i have double eyelids. makes eyeliner use much easier.
21. i can't swim. for real.
22. first it was my sister's, now it's also my habit (coz she kept harassing me to do the same) to wash my face, hands, feet and change into clean clothes whenever i got home from anywhere.
23. i have 4 ear piercings, 1 on the left lobe, 3 on the right lobe. only 2 are currently occupied since i reckon i should take on the professional look for work.
24. i go by the nickname allie but absolutely hate it when ppl type it "ali"
25. the greatest love i've ever received and will ever receive is from my Jesus Christ.
2. i love cooking but never the dishes. i still cook alot but usually will leave the dishes in the sink for when-i'm-not-lazy time.
3. i have been living alone for 2 months and enjoying it. i will still live alone for 3 more weeks. but don't worry sis, u still can come back, i still love u!
4. i eat alot. no surprise for most people, it's kind of a public secret anyways.
5. i want go for Run for The Kids on April but not sure if my terrible stamina can last till the finish line. maybe i'll just join the walk.
6. i separate my laundry into categories: white, black, jeans, dark, light, red.
7. misspelling and wrong pronounciation send shivers down my spine.
8. i wouldn't mind being a housewife and just homemake if only i haven't spent 5 years in uni working my ass off for a piece of paper.
9. i have a soft spot for dogs, especially when they look at you with those eyes. awwww...
10. i would definitely end up as a graphic designer if i didn't come to Melbourne.
11. i don't buy magazines. i just go to Borders whenever the need comes.
12. i love pink stuff although i always deny that pink is my favourite colour.
13. i have never ever gotten wasted in any party. becoz i don't drink more than 2 drinks.
14. i'm very sarcastic at times, but only to certain people who i know would not take it seriously.
15. apparently my washing machine is exactly the same with my mum's. i didn't know that when i bought it. she went like, "oh my goodness, this is the one we have back at home, don't you remember?" well... i rarely do laundry at home :p
16. my nurse tried to matchmake me with this dentist she knew, on my 5th day of work.
17. more than half of my movie collection is musical, most of them dated back to decades ago. i have Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz and just downloaded Grease last night. my friends find it hard to understand my taste.
18. i must go to Japan one day.
19. i don't bite my nails but i like to peel my lips.
20. i always wish i have double eyelids. makes eyeliner use much easier.
21. i can't swim. for real.
22. first it was my sister's, now it's also my habit (coz she kept harassing me to do the same) to wash my face, hands, feet and change into clean clothes whenever i got home from anywhere.
23. i have 4 ear piercings, 1 on the left lobe, 3 on the right lobe. only 2 are currently occupied since i reckon i should take on the professional look for work.
24. i go by the nickname allie but absolutely hate it when ppl type it "ali"
25. the greatest love i've ever received and will ever receive is from my Jesus Christ.
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