Birthday hugs to a special sister

*GINORMOUS HUG*

Today my sister turns 23. Yup, you heard right. 23. But she doesnt look 23 and certainly act 23. Hee... my sister's always young at heart. So Cheekins, if you think you're turning close to a quarter of a century, take heart. You dont look it! Even Daddy tells me how he has constantly reminded you for the past few days. hehe.

I remember when we were young, we used to have those little 'wars' across the two bedrooms in our Kuching home. I usually gang up with Paul (that was way before Daniel was born) and we'd pass notes from under the door. And "fatty bum bum" was the worsest swear word ever invented! We've definitely come a long way from there aye? :P

We were little once. Yes. She was the one with bangs. I had no hair. The one who'd be so eager to go for walks and bus rides. I'd cry when my bedtime came. She was the house inspector, looking through bedrooms whenever we visited houses. Hee....

And my sister's the creative, neat one. When we were in Vanuatu, she started this 'Environmental Club' which we, can you believe it, swore to and sang this song that she composed. It was a little shed that we had at the back of the house, that leaned precariously on the wall. Nari, our maid, would help us assemble it. She was the environmentalist. The president. :P and we'd save lizard eggs, leaves, insects in jars... you name it. She makes the best banana split. That was to a 9 year old... and i believe would still do so now. :)

She's a trend setter. From black nail polish, to jogs and her fisherman's hat, she taught me my first duet The Beatles - Sha la la as we washed dishes in our Pukekohe home. She kept a diary then, which i was extremely curious about (and to find), and still does. Sometimes she reads me excerps and i wonder how she gets so many ideas in her head at one single time. How does she write fast enough to still record her train of thoughts.

My sister laughs with me, she cries with me, and attacks me with a water bottle (the last time was 6 years ago). You rejoiced with me when i found happiness and sat with me when i lost love.. I thank God for you.

I love shopping with her, though our differences means that she can spend an hour in a game shop while i'd spend an hour in a knitting shop. We got stuck outside the flat one day when it snowed in 2002 after coming back from the gym. I was just wearing a t-shirt. It was cold! I'm glad that it was you that i was stuck out in the cold with. I wouldnt have hoped for any other.

We have our tiffs and our hang ups. Blame it on PMS. But blood is thicker than water. I love my sister. She has sacrificed so much for me. Do you remember when i cut my hand and passes out on the couch? My skirt and couch cushion was soaked in blood. You helped me clean that up. Or when i threw up in my first year here cos i caught Mr. Enterogastritis? And you helped me clean that up too. Eww...

I miss you heaps. Dunedin isnt the same without you. :'(

Words cannot express how much you mean to me. A lot. *extremely*

picture pooper

- R18 -

*ouch* the baldness of it all...

It took me a little while, but i finally got the hair, Cheekins! :)

Many thanks

Don't you find it plain annoying when you spend ages writing up a blog entry, click on 'publish' just to find that it has disappeared in a split second down somewhere-or-rather into a wormhole, never to be seen again?

Camp was amazing. I was expecting something, God, but, as always, You've surprised me again...to expect the unexpected. He came through mightily in camp. Man, it was AWESOME! The Holy Spirit moved to touch, amaze, reconcile and renew the spirits of all those who came to camp. WOW! Expect the unexpected! There was always something going on in camp, so much fun, so much to do. From 6am sunrise worship (thanks Josh for being faithful :D), turkey hunting in the middle of the night (thanks Yu Kai for whacking the bird on the head and Krystal for beheading and gutting it :S), the lovely food (thanks Jess and Uncle and Auntie!!!), powerful sermons (thanks Ps Steve! You rock!!), quiet moments (Ruth, Gina, Jessica, Eunice... too many to name here :P), the lovely company or a singing shower-mate (thanks Sulyn!), the Moo-moo team (YEAH!), my entertaining travelmates (Josh, Yu Kai, Krystal, Rach, Nad and Jacob). Gosh, at the rate that i'm going, i'll end up naming at 50 people that turned up for camp! I do realise i'm missing a lot of names, but due to a lack of time (my Musculoskeletal notes beckon to me...) and short-term amnesia (cos i had too much fun with so many of you guys at camp) i think i'll stop here. But my gratitude continues...

thank you all so much for making camp so memorable. thank you Holy Spirit!

Yu Kai: What do you hear when a man falls from the 1st floor?

Ans: *thud*

Yu Kai: What do you hear when a man falls from the 8th floor?

Ans: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *thud*

Yu Kai: What do you hear when a man falls from the 80th floor?

Ans: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *breathe* Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *thud*

Sometimes i find myself making decisions i dont want to make. Why? Why does it hurt? i do cherish you.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:6-7

I just thought i'd let you know.. it's 7 weeks' till exams.. :P

didn't you know it's Chewy time?

Ruth, my favourite lollipop

Vince, Chewy and B show how it's really done

- Krystal -

camp commander. Thank you for all you've done =)

a very Good Friday

Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my Sheperd, i will not be in want.



WOW. The weather was awesome!!!!! ( I think that has become my favourit-test word ). Impromptu headed off to St Kilda's and take away! Yes, take away! A first this year! I was so excited. Ask Nad. I hope she still thinks i'm sane... after seeing me jumping up the stairs with a big grin plastered on my face, going "YAY! Impromptu lunch!!" :P

So much for making it back at 1pm aye? Heh. We only left the flat at 12.30 and got to the beach at 12.45. Meaning habis lunch at 1.15pm. The water looked so inviting. I had to have a dip. Just my toes. Hee. Then we made a huge turtle (which later the boys destroyed....i couldnt bear to watch!), a pretty starfish, and Jian made a little baby turtle. It was cute! Then i went to wash my hands. Silly me. Didnt see a big wave headed my way. So in the end, i stepped in Krystal's car (sorry Krystal!) with wet jeans and a sandy outfit. Very sandy feet too.

I tidied all my clothes, refolded and redrawered again. :) Happy.

Josh O, Jian and i went for a run. We had to brace the cold. Or should i say, Josh O and Jian had to brace the cold. And wind! Not funny. the wind. Josh taught Jian a few running songs along the way. It was pretty cute. Especially the MacDonalds-my girl one. Have to get the lyrics some time. Next time you go for a walk, Chia, you can recite that in your head. It's pretty catchy too! We did 50 minutes, and to the base of the hill leading towards Uncle Then's house. Next time we'll give Auntie Hilda a surprise aye? :D It was a good run. Tho it was too cold to sweat. My face was red hot when i got back and i was reminded of my nickname back home in athletic days "Red Chilli". :S Eek.

How beautiful the feet that walked
the long dusty road from the hill to the cross

How Beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sins and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ
And as He lay down His life
We offer this sacrifice
That we will live just as He died
Willing to pay the price..

At Carisbrook

No, i wasnt there to play rugby. Tho sometimes i wish i was. Bring out on the field again. Feeling the wind in my hair, the concentric and eccentric movements of muscles to propel the body forwards only to catch it again in mid-air. The rowdy cheer from the crowd and Red Crosses standing by. If only...

I wasnt part of the action on the field. Not standing in the crowd cheering players on. But there was quite a lot of action where i was too. Selling. My first one-off job/job this year. I worked in a team of 5, all of which were students. Chris (the cook) is a final year Zoologist, Yoska, 2nd year Med, Rachel, 2nd year Tourism and Emily, 1st year Law. They're a pretty cool bunch of people. The hustle and bustle was pretty constant, with The Rush at the start and half-time. I chose to serve the littlies. Some so small that their heads barely reached the top of the caravan bench! My, i wouldnt dream of letting my kids on their own like that!! If it was back home, i think you'd see "Million $$ black market" splashed across The Star! It made me shudder, at times, seeing these little ones walk around on their own in a busy stadium. But i suppose its safer here? And these kids having being used to walking around on their own or with their equally-just-as-small friends.

That was fun. Getting to know my workmates a little more. I'll be seeing them again on Sunday. :)

The Highlanders won.

It's Shoetime!!

fave... superior view

posterior view

Boots. I like. Some people beg to differ... :P

Loves..

shopping

shoes

New love..

shoe shopping