Happy Busy Months Ahead

All thanks to discounted domestic and international budget flights (and to Flight Centre for all those savings), we have a line up of visitors over the next few months:

June - K&J and kids
July - A&J and kids
Aug - my parents, aunty P and uncle S

We are opened to visitors in Sept :) and we are travelling end Sept to mid Oct interstate and a surprise trip (surprise to *most* people in the country but not to us).

In the meantime, we have the 2 bedrooms to tidy and lots of declutter to do before we get to paint them. We have 4-5 weeks to do that before our first lot of visitors for the year arrive.

P.S. I have helped the visitors above saved $440 in total for their flights Brisbane/Gold Coast to Melbourne by booking with Flight Centre. :)

A Special Christmas & New Year

With R and the kids (our men not in the photo) at our 'outing' to the laundromat

(overdue post)

R and family has come and gone. They spent 8 days between Christmas Eve and New Year in 'Aussieland'. It was so good that J (R's husband) was able to take 1 week leave for a break. They had originally wanted to holiday as a couple but there was no one to care for their kids. Hence they decided to bring forward their (future) plans of visiting us. They deliberately chose the dates when Quop and I had the one week off work in that same period.

It happened that it has been raining in Brisbane and its surrounds, due to the La Nina weather pattern. Pretty much from the time they arrived (and the days before), it was raining, and raining, and raining.... It rained so much that all we did was spending time at home and at big shopping malls (which was also partly because of the good post-Christmas sales). The rain almost caused our friends to change their minds NOT to spend 3 days 2 nights at the Gold Coast. Praise God He answered our prayers, the rain stopped just at the day that they decided to go ahead with their plans. With that, they were able to spend 3 days at Sea World, Movie World and Paradise Country Farm, while Quop and I could spend that time to chill out, shop and getting a break from a fairly energy-demanding time with young kids living in the house...

I am really thankful for the time that we spent together. R reckons that even though we spent most of it doing the everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning up after meals, putting the kids to bed, bathing the kids, feeding the kids, getting the kids ready to go out, it was good to have a glimpse of how each other's lives are on a daily basis (even though it is not a totally true picture of reality because they are holidaying whilst we don't work). Spending 24-7 with each other in the same house would allow us to see some good (and bad) habits and routines, interactions within each family and how we respond when our limits are tested (oh yes, we saw lots of it with young children who test your patience). Similarly, I am sure they got to see how we behave, interact, etc.

R and I really cherished the girl chat times we had, especially now when she has young kids and she hardly has time for herself. Between us, we have the privilege of seeing each other face to face for 3 times in 2010 - I went back to Singapore twice and she visited me this time. R & family has been a blessing to Quop and I even when they are our guests. She (they) showered us with so much thoughtful gifts, more than I imagined, on top of the things that I have requested her to bring over for me from my family. She has also paid for some of my shopping when we went shopping. I hope we have been good hosts to them by sharing our house, our car (they took our car to Gold Coast) and many little things we made it special/kid-friendly for them. They have also allow us to see how we have a lot to learn about patience - the way they parent and deal with their 2 active and energetic young children and with your spouse when your children press for your constant attention, I think, has given us some food-for-thought in our relationship with each other and how we might (God-willing) be parents in future.

We spent the countdown into the new year near the airport sending them off. I miss R but I sure look forward to our future catching up sessions, hopefully with some of our other girl friends (and their families) in Singapore or maybe another part of Oz! :)

2 More Sleeps...

... to seeing my very good friend - R. With hubby and 2 kids, they are out on their first family holiday by themselves and flying with the kids. I am looking forward to our endless girl conversations and laughters for the entire week...

I met R almost a decade ago when her husband (then boyfriend) brought her to join us in our bible study group. After she got married, we met up to do 1-2-1 and later signed up for a gym membership together. We would meet up sometimes for gym classes, exercises, thereafter with some shopping for groceries, etc. We got closer during that time...

To me, R is a faithful friend, readily available for me when I needed a friend. She is very objective but yet personal when you go to her with your problems. She would pray for me faithfully. She encourages me when I am down. She cooks me yummy food whenever I visited her. She remembers what I like and knows my taste. She is loads of fun to be with. She has one of the strongest, determined, woman/wife/mother that I know, coupled with femininity and gentleness.

The last time R travelled to Australia was with me, when we went to Sydney for another close friend's wedding 4 years ago. I remembered it was so hard for her to leave her 7mo baby then to go overseas just for her good friend's wedding. This time, she is able to travel to Australia with both her kids (yay!).

God-willing, maybe sometime next year, R and family and 3 (or more) of our other girlfriends and their husbands and kids will be able to congregate in another part of Australia. All of us knew each other from the same bible study group then but are in 4 different countries at the moment. Thinking about this makes me so thankful for how the Lord  has kept, grew and mould us to where and what we are today :)

Friends and Church Camp

(Overdue post)

J, M and I made a date some 1.5 years to be back in Singapore this year for church camp. The 3 of us and our spouses reside outside Singapore and we miss church camp. The last time 3 of us (and another M) met together was at my wedding in Brisbane. They flew from where they were in the world then to witness my holy matrimony. Unfortunately, as things pen out, M cannot make the trip back (M, you better start to feel guilty again :p). 

Together with R and MQ, J and I had 2 great nights at church camp having girl chats about our marriages and children in my room. Hubby kindly sacrificed by spending time by himself and walking around the hotel premises late at night (all other husbands were either sleeping (because they are sick) or minding the children). How I really miss precious moments like these where we catch up on the smaller details of our lives, our struggles, laughing and giggling (usually, MQ's ignorance for certain things). Most of all, we spent some time praying for each other. I felt so strongly and prayed that God will protect all our marriages in Christ. Satan loves to destroy marriages and our lives and faith in Jesus. The other 'threat' is how having children will significantly reduce couple time and the building of the marital relationship. I prayed that we will always put our marriages before our children and of course, Christ above all else.

I am looking forward to our next 'date', probably in 2012 where we shall be heading to karaoke to sing oldies :) and of course, more girl time.

R, MQ and I having durian at the largest durian party ever!

With A & J at yum cha (dim sum) until midnight. Looking forward to see you guys in Oz next year!!

Hubby with little J, who, for some reason, loves hubby more than me! Children usually prefers me to hubby :p

(There was a video on facebook of them conversing with each other in baby talk)

Last of all, the now grown up Cha Cha, whom I used to blog a lot about. She is now a fine little lady, no longer the little girl I used to know. She is really a dear... and probably the only child in SG who misses me.

Singapore Trip

Now that I live in Oz, going back to SG is a holiday to me... especially when my 11-day trip is jam-packed with appointments and meetings, mostly over food.

This trip was specially made to attend my sister's wedding. Thank God that she is now married to a very decent, honest, down-to-earth, steady and reliable man (just like hubby too ;p) When he said his vows to her (with a really sincere and earnest look), I had to hold back my tears. (not vice versa though... because my sister was probably nervous and was kinda half giggling/smiling away. That is the usual her...) The wedding was nice and went through smoothly. Had the entire day to catch up with my extended family as well... which made me pretty tired (emotionally and physically), especially when some of them said some unhelpful words to me.

A few "firsts" during this trip:

1. Going to Orchard Road to see the new big (and decadent) shopping malls - Ion Orchard and 313@Somerset. It has changed the 'feel' of Orchard shopping. 313@Somerset has taken over/changed the familiar buildings and landscape I have known when I was studying nearby and had to walk through that area to take a bus home everyday. I realised as much as more luxury goods were available and all the new shops for shopping (which I like), but I do not like my familiar buildings removed and ruined my childhood memories...
2. Colouring my hair - I have highlighted my hair before but not coloured it. I figure out that colouring takes a shorter time and costs a bit less... and this time, I decided to be bold and try some reddish tone (instead of previously brownish tones) which will become brown when the red wears off. I think the colour went down really well on me :) 
3. Painting nail art on my big toes - I used to go for pedicure every 2-3 months when I was single. It helped improve my in-grown toe nails condition. I have not done it in Oz because it is more expensive and also because people here are more simple and cannot care about beautifying themselves :p I went with my sister on the eve of her wedding and the nail art was included in the package that she bought. My manicure costs S$15 (under A$12).

Fuschia pink to match my dress :)
4. Flying with Emirates - we were intending to fly budget Jetstar but dad kindly offered to pay the difference for us to fly Emirates so that we could be more comfortable and able to carry more baggage (standard allowance is 30kg per person). The inflight entertainment was fantastic with VOD and touch-screen selection. I could watch 3-4 movies with the time I had because I can start watching the moment I sat down (before the flight takes off). My only complaint was that the service provided by the stewardesses were not consistent and the pocket in front of the seats were not exactly cleaned and tidied up for the next flight. 

Impressive inflight entertainment system (notice that it even tells you that you are at seat 19E)

I really had a good time catching up with friends. I have mixed feelings knowing various good and not-so-good experiences that my friends went through... especially those whom I am closer to. I rejoice with thanksgiving to the Lord with news of pregnancies, kids, improved health conditions and those who persevere in the Lord during tough times. I wish I had more time/chance to talk to and pray with those going through major life decision-making, borderline breaking up of a relationship, marital problems, parenting trials, health issues. I shall be making some phone calls to 3 of them (that I have committed to) to do a little more in-depth catch-up. Knowing these issues that my friends are going through, helps me to pray for them. In some way, I feel burden-some but also privileged to have 2 sets of people - in SG and Oz to minister to and pray for. Maybe God is teaching me to pray... and I must when I tell people that I will pray for them.

Many people!

My favourite food during this trip?

1. Cumi Bali Indonesian
2. Spice Peranakan
3. Kuru Kuru Japanese (buffet is really good price and good quality! Children below height of 1.1m eats for free)
4. Bali Seafood Village (sells 'zi char' (stir-fry) Chinese food)

To my friends in Singapore: see you again in June!

Delightful Surprise In the Mail!

(Name and address blocked out)

My long-awaited gift arrived this morning. R told me that she sent me something (presumably a birthday gift) from SG. I was just wondering when it was going to arrive when the postman knocked on my door early this morning to deliver the parcel :)

This is the content of the parcel - a pair of thongs (as what Aussies say) or slippers/flip flops (as what SGreans say) and a pair of socks. R knows that I like pink (that's what good friends are for, isn't it?) and I thought the thongs and socks is such a sweet idea. I was thinking that the socks come in handy for my walking/jogging/exercise and the thongs are good for summer. After I read the card, then I realise that these were to encourage me in my weekly swimming (thongs) and jogging/walking (socks). Well, my guess was not too far away eh? Thanks for being so thoughtful, R :)

How I look when I wear them (That reminds me that I need to get a pedicure done when I go back to SG. My toes are not in the best condition)

The parcel also had a card, which R said she missed those times where we meet up at coffee joints (hence the card above). R and I used to do some 1-2-1 discussion on a little book of questions and issues that challenge us in our Christian walk. We also shared a lot about our lives and struggles and hence I think we grew closer then. We signed up for gym membership together for 2 years and hung out a lot together (sometimes with her hubby too). Now we have moved on in our lives - I am married and living overseas and R's had 2 kids. Even though we do not do our 1-2-1 now, we remained really good friends. R is really encouraging to talk to when you are feeling down. She is also one of the toughest (yet gentle and pretty) woman whom I know. God has really grew her in maturity over these years. She is such a dear friend, always full of encouragement, creativity and really fun to talk to. She makes me laugh :D and cry too (when I am so moved by what she say/do). Now I do not really feel too far away because we are really just a phone call away.

R, I miss you too... Let's celebrate your birthday together when we get back yeah? We will be there 2 days late but I hope you'll still like your belated birthday gift (the plane is the gift box and we are the gift :p LOL).

Hubby's Birthday Dinner

We thought of saving money on dining out and instead, have dinner at home to celebrate the man's birthday. (The man said that we will eat out on my birthday and our wedding anniversary which both happens in November). In the end, we decided to have dinner out last night, since we had some overseas visitors who were here and we could also catch up once again over dinner at the Summit Restaurant at Mt Coot-tha. As we have the Entertainment book, we only needed to pay for 2 main courses and have 4 main courses, which was a great deal!

I had a salmon steak, served with spinach, potato mash and chilli jam to pack my body with the goodness of some omega-3. The chilli jam was really interesting and gave the dish a great taste! The man had a lamb shank/chop dish with a green olive mash, while our guests had steak with moreton bay bugs. The meal was generally ok, but not fantastic. Ambience was not too bad and with a view (at the top of the moutain). I think it was great to have the company of friends and had a mini celebration of the man's birthday (which is actually today) over a fine meal and the view of Brisbane from the mountain.

We do not know where we are heading for my birthday dinner and anniversary dinner but it will likely be some place where we can use our Entertainment book :)

Bengawan Solo Treats

As mentioned earlier, we just had overseas guests from SG... As requested, they brought over my favourite Bengawan Solo snacks :) Thank God that they managed to get through the AU customs legally.

One of the food I missed is those kueh (or kuih) that I can easily buy in SG. The range that Bengawan Solo has is enormous! Amongst them, I like angku kueh, ondeh ondeh, corn kueh (which I tried before but failed), kueh dadar (my SIL once made it and was good!), egg tarts, pulut inti, soon kueh, ambon kueh and kueh lapis! Of the list, our friends brought us the following 2:

Ambon kueh

Kueh lapis

I was so excited and looking at them, they look too precious to be eaten. At the same time, I could not resist them. I cut them up into slices and put some aside to be eaten the next couple of days and some wrapped up and freezed away for future enjoyment ;)

One of the aunties, my MIL's friend who is an Indonesian Chinese makes really good kueh lapis too. I do not think I will ever attempt it as it is really involves a lot of work. However, one day I may try making the ambon kueh (known as bika ambon in Indonesia) with a recipe that I found.

Another kueh that I also really missed is kueh tu tu, which I blogged about it 2 years ago. I am sure you cannot bring this to AU and it is best to be eaten when it is freshly out from the steamer.

Anyway, thanks to D and HW, I can enjoy some tastes of hometown :)

Cheese Souffle

Following our family celebration of the hubby's birthday, I thought we would also celebrate it with our community group whom we meet twice every week - Sundays in church and Tuesdays at our place to study the Bible and pray together.

Instead of baking a cake, I thought I will attempt to bake souffles. Hubby's not a big fan of sweets and desserts so I figured I will make a savoury souffle and after a bit of searching on the internet, I found a basic cheese souffle recipe and decided to try it.

This is only my 2nd attempt at making a souffle but my 1st making a savoury one. The methods are a bit similar but the difference is that for a savoury souffle, you have to make a roux. The souffle turned out not too bad, but the texture could be improved. The taste was really good and everyone agreed. Would I try it again? Maybe... only because I prefer sweet souffles :p

Happy birthday hubs!

Here is a video on masterchef how they make a twice baked souffle. Watch it as Gary gives some tips of making a souffle and the basic techniques of making the roux and sauce mixture for a souffle.

Another souffle recipe that you can try: chubby hubby's zucchini souffle.

Shepherd's Pie & Sticky Date Pudding

We had 2 overseas guests who stayed over at our place for the past 2 nights. In order to welcome them, I thought I will whip up some dinner for us that we enjoy some food and fellowship. (Incidentally, we also acknowledged/celebrated my anniversary of moving to AU exactly 2 years ago!)

Since my guests usually eat asian/chinese food (they live in SG), I figure that I will cook an 'ang moh' western dinner. Decided on a lamb and potato pie, which is very much like shepherd's pie but the recipe uses lamb mince instead of beef mince that I often see in shepherd's pie. I got the recipe off masterchef's website.

However I could not really find lamb mince so I used beef mince instead. And I have also added chopped zucchini and mushrooms with the mince to increase the veggies proportion. It worked out well and there was sufficient to feed all 4 of us (with seconds) and hubby's lunch today.

For dessert, I attempted another masterchef recipe - sticky date pudding with almond praline and butterscotch sauce. This was what 3 of the contestants had to cook during one of their pressure test. It looks easy enough and really it wasn't difficult, except that it was my first time making praline and I had burnt my caramel a bit and hence there was a bitter taste to it. The butterscotch sauce was really easy to make too and you should make it just prior to serving.

Sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and (pathetic-looking) almond praline

The pudding was the more tricky bit (but really not too difficult). First, you have to cook the chopped dried dates in some water and then add some bicarb. Somehow that breaks down the dates into a mashed state. Allow that to cool and then add it into the typical cake mixture, after the usual butter and sugar mix, adding eggs and thereafter, adding flour, etc. Place the batter into moulds (I used my muffin trays instead) and bake it in the oven. What I did wrong, was I just placed my muffin trays into the oven as if I was baking muffin cakes. But really, I was supposed to put the tray onto another baking tray filled with some water. I think this might make a difference in the texture.

I kind of overcooked the date cake/pudding, even though it was a shorter time as said (My oven is always acts up, which allows me to bake something in a shorter than required time). Anyhow, the date cake/pudding turned out really good with the butterscotch sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complete it! It was not too sweet... and for that little effort, the result was greatly satisfying! My usually-do-not-like-desserts-nor-sweets hubby had a 2nd go at it! So for those of you who like sticky date pudding, this is an easy and really rewarding recipe!

Watch the masterchef video of the contestants undergoing the pressure test cooking this dish!

3rd (& 1st) Year Anniversary

Today marks the 3rd year of this blog. I have been blogging for 3 years. Last year, I shared how blogging has changed my life. Now I am keeping the blog and blogging for similiar reasons: a platform to update folks back in Singapore and to keep myself accountable. I can also think of another reason, that is, to share (good) things/news/recipes with people.

In the past year, I have blogged mostly about my life in Brisbane. I still am doing that, especially sharing about my homemaking days. Speaking of which, this also marks my 1 year anniversary to moving to Brisbane.

It is amazing how people move around the globe and years later, you still meet them in another part of the world. The only 2 persons who are my friends (and not originally hubby's) are 2 of my secondary school friends - Y and L. Y used to be my really close good girlfriend from secondary school to junior college days. We parted when she came Brisbane for uni and she stayed here ever since. God has put Y in my life really for good reasons, even though she is not a believer (yet?). I don't know if Y is in God's will to be one. But I know that being here in the same city with her again, gives me that opportunity again. It is hard though, because it seems that after so many years, she cannot really understand God. Sometimes I think that perhaps I have not been a good Christian testimony to her all these years. But really, I don't have that 'power'. Only God can change people. I have to persevere and try and pray for Y.

As for L, I thought she was a Christian... perhaps not. It probably is God's divine arrangement that L and I now live very close to each other. We are just one suburb away about less than 5 mins' drive. We did not live close to each other in Singapore. Anyhow because of that and L's love for basketball (she used to play for school), she and her friend now joins me and hubby to watch Wasabi play on Sundays, somewhere near our homes. On top of that, they are also joining us to play badminton with our (Christian) friends as part of playing sports. Prayerfully, hubby and I can form good friendships with L and her friend through all these interactions and be able to, one day, share the the good news with them.

I have been thinking about it... maybe those reasons are why I am in Australia :) Nevertheless, I am still a Christian, whether in Singapore or Australia, and therefore called to be His disciple to share His word with people around me.

Praying for Friends

People that I have been praying for...

1. Friend who is struggling with breast cancer
2. Friend who suddenly collapsed and was struggling to stay alive

Thank God for preserving their lives in the meantime and prayerfully, their life testimonies will glorify Him!

The 7th Year MEET

One of my longest trip away from home, was 4 weeks away in Macau. Nope I didn't go there to gamble... I went there for a mission trip with 8 other people in a team.

M.E.E.T. - Missions Education and Exposure Training
The 9-month programme aims to educate tertiary students about God's work in cross-cultural missions and at the end of the trip, to be exposed to a 3-4 week trip to a country (mostly) in Asia. For me, I was assigned to Macau!

Those of us who met last night... (Pregger L was not in the photo)

A and J who were not with us last night. This was taken at HL's wedding like 3-4 years ago!

It was 7 years since I last went for the trip. Last evening, majority of our team (together with 3 out of 4 of our team supervisors) met up for dinner. Yes it was 7 years since the entire team met. During the 7 years, 2 out of 9 of us were married (now there are 3.5 kids amongst the 2... i.e. 1 is pregnant with 2nd kid), 3 of us will be married soon (by 2008). Of the 13 (9 team members + 4 supervisors), 2 of us are leaving the country for long time - 1 to overseas mission to far away country, the other 1 migrating to another country (that's me :p).

It was really nice to catch up with each other and find out where each of us are in our lives. Our conclusion? Most (if not all) of us did not quite change at all! Some change slightly in our physical appearances. Most of our personalities did not change... or perhaps the meeting was too short to be able to tell.

To me, I think the most important thing (and my prayer) that all of us would continue to abide by God, to walk faithfully in trust and obedience to Him in our lives, wherever in the world and whatever stage of life we will be in. Macows, let us keep in touch and keep each other in prayer okay? :)

Here are some old photos of which I actually have the soft copies in my computer! (In those days, we took film photos) These were taken 7 years ago...

The team being sent off at the airport

A day's outing at St Paul's ruins with pastor's family and church staff

In the church kitchen with the kids and ... (I think his name is KS)

Here Is My Name Card.... ??!!

My name card now says "Name: Ms xxx. Title: Idle Expert. Company: My Home." My last name card expired almost a month ago. Although I am not working now, there are other things that keeps me busy and I am enjoying it... :)

I had dinner with a few of my college mates tonight, out of which 2 of them are my closest girl friends. Other than the 2 of them, I am not quite in contact with the rest. We had a good time to catch up with each other, get to know each other's 'other halves' over great Italian gourmet food. I am glad to see a few of whom I had fun, worked and served as a student leader in the Student's Council. This was the name cards of some of them...

1. Head of branding department at a big publishing company.
2. Hubby of 1 is a boss of a happening chain of local ice cream joints.
3. BF of 1 is the chief head of a big time local vehicle company.
4. 1 is a psychologist.
5. Found out that one of my college classmate is managing/heading a foreign group which owns 3 villa resorts in one of the nearby tourist island.
6. 1 being a consultant to a company that acquires and merges other companies.
7. 1 being a Marcom Manager of a local gourmet restaurant chain.

Yeah I do kinda feel a bit out of place... at moments we had conversations that I am not used to in that gourmet restaurant setting. I mean I didn't know what "truffles" were (other than the chocolate ones I have eaten). Okay I was like a country bumpkin, not knowing what that was until I tried it. The chef came to our table and personally gave us a generous serving of black truffles onto our main course. And my... it tasted very well with beef steak!! (Tried some from my friend because I had pasta) Even so, my pasta tasted better with the truffles garnishing too!

It seemed like many of my college peers my age had made it big time out there in the society... while I am hardly progressing... Do I regret? Yeah I was tempted to, but no, I don't. I really don't. I think I prefer my simplier lifestyle and shall not covet otherwise. Doesn't matter if I don't have truffles garnishing, caviar as appetizer or foie gras and the like. What is most important to me is God and my loved ones around me. With that, I am contented. And I shall continue to learn contentment, for it is so easy for anyone to be tempted to covet and desire after wealth and things on this earth. Do I pursue heavenly eternal riches or earthly temporal riches? Do I prefer to be fed with solid spiritual food or food that is yummy to eat and later gets digested out (pardon me for the illustration)?

Thank God for making me who I am and I am happy even though I am not a 'big-timer' in the society. I just wish to be a 'big-timer' to God my Father, my (future) loving husband and my (future) lovable children. I think that is enough and I pray I will remain contented in this manner... and looking forward to gain the riches promised in heaven.

[Postscript] However I do admit that I was the one that wished/hoped for an engagement ring of solitaire diamond as supposed to cubic zirconia. Maybe diamonds are just girl's best friends... well I know that was just a marketing tag line. Yeah I do have a soft spot for the glittering gem. Partly it was also a little girl's dream of her prince charming proposing to her with a solitaire diamond ring.... Ok I know I am a sinner... but but... I have also asked and is satisfied with a small carat stone ;p ok ok I know that I can't bring that one with me to heaven... :p

When Two Become One

Yesterday ends the string of weddings I had for the past 6 weeks. I was invited to 5 weddings for 6 weekends. But unfortunately, I did not attend 2 of them, due to tired physical body that threatened to fall apart if I don't rest and sleep.

Of the 3 weddings I attended, the most interesting and different one was D & M's wedding in Sydney. Other than going to Jakarta last year to be a bridesmaid for J, this was the second overseas wedding I have attended. It was different in the country, the weather, the venue, the style, the dinner cuisine, the company of friends. Although it was the transition of spring to summer in Sydney and my first time there other than winter time, the weather was 'welcoming' both in the good and bad way. It was super sunny (sunnier than the sunny Singapore) but generally cooling because of the breeze during the day. But at night, a light jacket may be required. The most freaking thing was the freak weather on the morning I arrived there - 9 degree celcius was reported! The mixture of heavy downpour, winds that chill down your spine and sky that rains hail stones instead of water raindrops, made me wonder if it was really approaching summer and made some of us panicked because we did not bring warm clothings... But well, at least I have experienced them :)

Being Chinese, we had the usual traditional tea ceremonies and tease the groom session in the morning. The wedding ceremony was held at lawn of Terry Hills Golf Club in North Sydney. This was the 2nd garden wedding I attended. The 1st being J & R's at the garden of Raffles Hotel Singapore. The setup was simple and nice. The scene was set on green green grass with a blue blue sky and white wooden chairs. A simple flower arch and a signing table. Simple microphone PA system was set up. 100+ guests mostly stood around with only the family sat on the chairs. Although the ceremony order was quite the same as the church ceremony I have attended in Singapore, the feeling was different. At the same time, there were also only a few familiar faces (folks from Singapore). But I don't quite feel foreign... partly because we had been hanging out closely with the couple and M's family for 2 days prior to the wedding day so (at least for me) I felt a bit like I am part of the family. To a certain extent, it is true - we are all part of God's family.


There were only a cozy group of 10 tables for dinner. There were many speeches - the MC, bridesmaid V, best man, father of bride and the mother of groom. It was a 3-course western dinner, unlike the usual 8-10 course chinese dinner. There was a dance floor and live band that sang throughout the night. As it was a small group, most of them ended up gathering around the dance floor and the couple went one round to give their thanks and hugs to their guests and helpers. Other than the unusual wedding day, the rest of my holiday in Sydney and Brisbane was also a good and relaxing one (but sadly, a short one).

The menu and the wedding cake "Croquembouche"

Last weekend, some of us drove up to Malaysia KL for R's wedding. Because we only set off on Saturday morning, we could only make it in time for the wedding dinner. The dinner was held at Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel. The hotel is in the midst of all the big shopping malls - Sungei Wang, Lot 10, Times Square. Of course the temptation of shopping was too great to resist! Under great resistance and will power, I only bought a pair of shoes which cost $25 which would have been double the price in Singapore. That was because of the great sale that was at Isetan Lot 10.

About the wedding of R & HL, it was the usual chinese wedding dinner. Food was not too bad but there is great room of improvement of the service of the hotel waiters. R used to be my co-DGL in 2004 for one year before he decided to go back to KL for good. R studied and worked in Singapore for about 10 years. And because he went back to KL, only then he got to meet HL and married her. Glad to see that this godly man of God is now 'taken' and found a pretty and godly woman to take as his wife.

I think the highlight of the evening was not the wedding couple. It was to catch up with old fellow church mates whom I met there and were at the same table. What amused all of us was to see how well J and Cha Cha got along so well that there were playing "bride and groom" walk up and down the corridor! Talk about kids playing, they were really cute! It would be nice to see them really walk down the aisle together, 20 years from now :)

Cha Cha & J

Still on marriage but something different... As I was browsing through old copies of e-Briefing, I came across a series of articles in the September issue (No. 324) last year. It was on wife's submission and husband's headship within a marriage. I was surprised to see that a 4-page article was written on wife's submission and a 2-page article was on the husband's headship.

From "The role of powerful obedience", written by a married woman:
"Within these structures, every Christian person will have the responsibility to submit at one point. So submission is not just for wives - it is for everyone."
This is referring to how submission is not exclusive within the marriage and family context. All of us as Christians are called to submit to Jesus Christ and Jesus in turn, submits to God the Father. Submission is not a weakness but as a good characteristic that every Christian should have.

"Submission is not something that just happens. As a wife, you have to decide to be submissive. You have to be willing to be submissive."
Jesus provides the example to submit. He was never forced to submit to God the Father. He willingly submitted to God's will. Husband cannot force wife to submit. It has to be a conscious and willing decision to submit.

"... there is something about a submissive wife that is incredibly powerful"
Submission does not mean weakness. It takes a lot for modern woman to go against the social norms and her natural instinct to submit.

From "What does headship look like in practice" , written by a married man:
"The husband must be committed both to speaking and listening, and when he supplies those words of leadership, he must be a man who, like Jesus, speaks truth in love"
The author realised that his failure as a husband was the failure to speak and therefore lead. He fails to express his concerns, to make it easy for her to share her feelings and thoughts, to initiate in things that matters to him, his wife and family, to be the man to make decisions.

From "Single-minded Marriage" , written by a single woman:
"When you promise to take someone as your spouse 'for better or worse', its hard to imagine how the 'worse' will not involve some form of unhappiness"
The author tells us of how it is difficult not to be unhappy in a marriage. There will be times of unhappiness in a marriage. If one is not prepared to be unhappy, thinking that marriage is full of happiness, then one should not get married. Marriage involves hard work. From a single woman's perspective, the author assured its readers that it is completely normal to want to marry. At the end of the day, God more concerned about our state of holiness rather than our state of happiness. So marriage should not be sustained on the measure of happiness but rather, it is to ensure that it is kept holy under God's rule.

This means that as a single woman, I should not be tempted to marry a non-Christian, thinking that it is okay as long as I am happy with him. I should consider if it will help in my holy living and if he can help me live a holy and godly life. How is my husband who does not fear God able to help in my holiness??

(I may have diverted from what I originally want to write) To tie it altogether, I thank God for the couples whose weddings that I have attended. Thank God for bringing them together in His timing. I pray that their union will be kept holy, living out their marriage under God's word and rule.

4 Years On...

As I was asking around for some old photos in an attempt to collate them together as a gift for a bride-to-be, I was happy to receive this photo in my email.

(Some DG members are not in the photo)

This was my previous DG named "Surprise". Long story as to how we got that name. This photo was taken 4 years ago on Christmas Eve as we gathered at then J's place. As part of the reshuffling exercise, the DG had cease to exist... all being allocated to other DGs. All of us have since moved on in our lives... the couples got married and 6 babies had since came from just this group of us! It is comforting to know that all of us are still growing in our Christian walk in our own ways. It is also comforting to realise that all of us look pretty much the same then and now, despite 4 years on! Continue to be thankful of these brothers and sisters in Christ whom have been in my life and eternally :)

Cultural Afternoon

7 of us in the DG went to Thailand this afternoon and spent about 2 hours eating and shopping there.

Although I have not been to Thailand personally, a trip down to Golden Mile Complex along Beach Road in Singapore makes one feel like you are in Thailand. Every corner you turn, you will see a Thai and it really seems like you are in Thailand! As we turned into the carpark, we saw cohorts of Thai people (mainly men) sitting around on the ground. They looked like they were just hanging out and chilling out in the covered carpark. They probably came to Singapore to work and would gather in a group together on a Sunday afternoon to chill out and relax.

Lunch was at one of the many eateries in the shopping complex itself. Under M's recommendation, we tried the famous mango salad, papaya salad, sticky rice, grilled chicken (this is yummy!!) and red milk tea. We also had pad thai from another stall. I think this is probably the most authentic pad thai I had in Singapore! The sliced beef we had was extremely spicy! Even the seasoned chilli-lovers amongst us had to drink water to relieve the heat in our mouths!

As we were having lunch, there was some mui thai sparing session just outside the eatery (can't remember the name of the "Beer House" but it was #01-73) we were at. It reminds me of the combat classes I used to go in the gym. Hmm... I do miss the kicks and punches *ouch* and the roundhouse kicks and elbow punches.



Where shopping is concerned, you can also find all sorts of Thai products and food in the complex. But do be careful as some things are cheaper at our regular supermarkets than the Thai supermarket at GMC. Strangely so, I also found quite a variety of Korean snacks, ginseng tea and other food products at the Thai supermarket. M brought us around the complex, as if we are touring in Thailand. The complex is rather old... somewhat reminds me of the older buildings in Chinatown. There were a couple of interesting shops, like the "C&V Marriage Centre" and various many cheap Thai massage palours. If anyone is interested in marrying a Thai woman, I suppose the C&V ("come and visit"???) Marriage Centre can be of some help. Massages can also be as cheap as S$8!! Very interesting places and people there are at GMC. Admittedly this was the first time I stepped into the complex. I had probably walked past the exterior of the building a few times but have not been inside the building.

As if going to Thailand was not enough, some of us adjourned to Kampong Glam for a little stroll amidst the crowd who are there to celebrate the start of Ramadan. We later set foot into Sleepy Sam's and chilled out there. Sleepy Sam's is located at one of the shophouses along Bussorah Pedestrian Mall in Kampong Glam leading to the famous Sultan Mosque. Chatting and laughing away, we concluded the Sunday afternoon with a common wish - that we don't need to go back to work the next day.....

Go East!

Hey all,

let's hope today's downpour will clear the skies for tmrw's Car Rally!

There are about 19 participants from all 3 groups - Waterside, Still Fishing and Mose Malone's. If you hav friends who are interested, can still bring them in cos we have more than enough car space to go around!

Our Starting Point: Carpark at Kallang McDonalds (see attached map!)
Meeting Time: 2pm
Racing hours: 2pm - 5.30pm, and dinner thereafter.
We've got 2 designated drivers from StillFishing: island & CL

Non-drivers will not be sitting pretty cos you'll be reading maps, navigating the roads and pulling your hair out trying to decipher our cryptic clues. :)

Do come armed with your street directories and cameras (with sufficient memory space & battery life)... you'll be required to take photos of the checkpoints as proof you've actually been there!

There will be a top prize for the first car in, and we're not talking about Twisties-type spoils that you can divide amongst yourselves.. .

Please drive carefully... .be safe, not sorry!!

See you all speed demons!!

vroom vroom,
M.

It was "Go East" for a 'Westerner' like me. Last Saturday, 3 DGs from the east of Singapore gathered on a warm yet nice afternoon for a time of fun and fellowship... and oh! the food of course ;)

Leaders of the 3 DGs - L, N and M had planned this car rally and came up with the clues, questions and even the winning prize! The winning team walked away with a restaurant dining voucher for 4 persons. I was teamed with 3 other girls from different DGs. Being the driver, my main role is to drive us around safely to the various locations so that we can collect our answers from the destination and to snap a photo of the venue as proof that we have been there. The time limit was 3.5 hours but my team took 3 hours and 45 minutes covering 12 out of the 13 places. The winning team was really good. They covered 13 places in 2 hours and 45 minutes and including some time for pies at the pie shop in Siglap!! How did they manage to do that? Well, its ok that my team didn't win. I enjoyed the fellowship and the fun we had. We spent some time in Joo Chiat area searching for our locations... I think after this, I surely got to know the east quite a bit more. But with all the driving, the excitement, the brain juices put to work, I was really tired by the time we finished.

Here are the clues for you to attempt for yourselves. I decided not to include the answers and the photos to the places. If any of you would like answers to the clues, you may leave your email address for me to email you ;)

Clue 1: You won’t find no dead Indians and Chinese here in this part of Siglap.
Who is the famous doctor who resides here permanently? (Hint: check with the only living soul there)

Clue 2: This low-lying district 15 estate has a pie shop and a primary school and floods when it rains.
Name six streets in this estate that have something to do with... the Opera!

Clue 3: Ang Moh store that makes the clouds swallow face in Tembeling Road
Who is feature on the article 'I Love my Crabs' pasted on the stall?

Clue 4: Pertama Laksa mana?
Find not the First Admiral but the address of the signboarded Original Katong Laksa stall.

Clue 5: Get your spring rolls at Quynh Giao Quan An Viet Nam (Hint: Little Miss Saigons brought media attention to this old heritage-rich neighbourhood a few years back)
What does the shop next to this eatery sell?

Clue 6: Cannons in a fortified Fort once faced the sea here... nowadays, people just bring their doggies here to run.

Look for a sign that will tell you what the word 'Katong' means.

Clue 7: Originally named Shiang Kai Sek Secondary School, this very 'cheena' school boasts of green temple roofs and its over own lake.

How many arches are there at the main entrance?

Clue 8: Where Taleban fighters would flock to for meals in Tampines.
How many kiddy rides are there outside this location and what is the colour of the elephant?

Clue 9: Also know as OCH, it is reputedly the most haunted place in Singapore. Sealand will get you there. Don't miss 203SQN.

How many staff lots do these old grounds have?

Clue 10: A fellow Synod brother worships in this church where 8 Fowls roams freely.

When are their prayer meetings held?

Clue 11: Lonely Planeteers! Chew your betels at this hostel in Joo Chiat and wash it down with a Slurpee next door.

How many fingers does each mascot have?

Clue 12: Where budgies go 'cheap cheap' when they take flight.

Which companies operate there?

Final Clue: Meet at the Corner which serves iced cold beer from the world over. Charlie runs this joint in this far eastern spot near where transgendered denizens of the night hang out.

Announcing the answers.... (drum roll...)

Prize presentation to the winning team - Meal voucher at Alfredo's Restaurant!

Kudos to the leaders for organising this eastern journey. Anyone wants to help me organise a "Go West"?

Old Old Friend

We have not met for 4 years... Y's daughter is already 5 years old! W and I went to meet Y for dinner in the city. Thereafter I spent the night at Y's. The next day, Y and I had a girls' time out together since she has the day off. We had lunch and shopped around Paddington. One of Y's favourite hangout when she was a student was Paddington. Her favourite place is Sassazar's which she had brought me there the last time I visited her in 2002. This time, we went back there for lunch again.

We also walked around some shops in that area - antique house, flower shop/cafe, chocolate shop and shops which sells interesting assessories, homeware, jellewery, etc. It was a leisure time for the 2 of us to spent, before we did the homemaker thing - grocery shopping and picking up kid from school.

True old friends really don't change. They are always there in your life. But surely circumstances in life has moulded all of us. My only prayer is that Y and family will come to know Christ...

Flower Shop Cafe has fresh beautiful flowers and paintings of them

Food and shopping at Paddington

Leisure lunch and great weather!