It's a boy

Congratulations
to my brother, Eric and sister-in-law, Saori on the birth of their first child.


Goh Xiang Rong Shoei
Date of Birth: 7 Nov 2008, Friday
Time: 11.59am
Weight: 3360 gm
Height: 50 cm in height


Saori and Shoei
Both mother and baby are back home and are doing well.


Eric and Shoei

Both daddy and baby are bonding. Baby is sleeping and my brother is in need of sleep :))

According to my brother, 'Shoei' is Japanese for Xiang Rong.

I'm an auntie for the 4th time and twice this year. My brothers have been very busy this year :))

Back to School - Term 4

Third term school holidays went very quickly. The boys have enjoyed a well deserved break. So, what did we do during the holidays? They went to Warnambool with their dad and two other families. They went before Uni mid semester break and I couldnt afford to miss 4 important sessions. Anyway, after their trip, we saw 4 movies, went to the Royal Melbourne Show, Werribee Open Range Zoo, walk & cycle to the park, sleep in, ate, played computer games, watched tv and read lots of good books.

Today they went back to school. Phew! School holidays were fun. However, it is nice to have some time for myself. Why? I have three weeks of lectures and tutorials and two-three weeks to submit 4 major assignments.

Royal Melbourne Show 2008

Tulips Festival 2008

More sunrise rainbows

I could hardly believe my eyes this morning. I left home at 6.49am and on turning into Eastern Freeway I saw my second sunrise rainbow. Wow! It was right before my eyes. I immediately slowed down and grabbed my phone and started snapping some pictures. Of course this was much to the annoyance of the car behind me who beeped his honk like crazy and then when he overtook my car, gave me his nastiest stare. Nothing could have spoilt that moment for me. I was just so amazed. Made my day!

Sunrise Rainbow

As you know, I love rainbows. I try to capture as many rainbows as and when they appear. I already have a large collection. However, these few are by far the most special and memorable. Why? This is the first time I have ever seen a sunrise rainbow. It was 7.07am on a Thursday morning, as I was driving to class. It was huge and so damn gorgeous. It was awesome! I have read about it but never seen one. Now I have. I wished my phone could have done justice to that spectacular moment.

Spring flowers and blossoms

King-Li and I decided to take our camera and snap a few pictures of some flowers and blossoms. He did a good job capturing picture 3, 6 & 7.

Spring is here

It's spring time. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, spring starts on the 1st of September. Some flowers are blooming and others are starting to bloom. Leaves are filling the trees. It's getting pretty. Colours and more colours.

Today 20082008

A friend forwarded this to me.

Years come and go...

But today is a Special Day...

~ 20082008 ~

Double Match

It happens only once in a lifetime ..

so
I wish you a very Wonderful Day!

Christian the Lion

This is a beautiful story

Big Breakfast with a surprise

When I completed the final assignment last semester, I decided to celebrate by giving myself a nice treat. I ordered the big breakfast - eggs, bacon, toast, tomatoes, spinach and roasted capsicum. Yes, when I say BIG, I meant BIG.

The chef brought the meal out with the BIGGEST smile and said something really cheery...at first I thought he was just making small talk. He was going on and on about how lucky I was. It's very rare and doesn't happen often. It is morning and my coffee 'fix' hasn't fully induced the caffeine effect yet ... i was lucky. Yup when you dont have to cook breakfast....you do feel lucky :)) After a little while I noticed why he was so excited! Have you?

Okay, okay if you havent had your coffee fix yet, it's the twin egg yokes :))

My Sister and her kids

In my recent trip back to Malaysia, besides getting to spend time with my in-laws (parents-in-law and sisters and brothers-in-laws, I was really blessed to catch up with my sister. She and her kids came back from Bangkok to see us. I said blessed because my sister is very special to me. Over the years we have developed a special bond that only sisters can have. Though we only have a few days to spend together we make use every opportunity. I love seeing my nephews, Joel and Ethaniel. They are such a delight. Joel is very thoughtful and kind, and matured for his age. Ethaniel is a bubbly, plyaful and joyful. I love them all dearly.


Of course a trip to Sunway Lagoon is a must when we get together. My boys and nephews enjoy the rides and waterslides. They love playing in the water and we all had so much fun together.

Life Is Like Hot Chocolate

A good friend sent this to me. A good reminder. Hope you enjoy reading it too.

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guest hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
'Notice that all the nice looking; expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.'

'Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have... Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate.'

A scary phone call

As a parent, one of the scariest moment is when you get a call from the school nurse. It's not that school nurses are nasty or scary people. Nope, it's the news they bring that scares you. I think when I got the call, I held my breath till I heard all she had to say. On Thursay morning, as I was walking to the Lecture Hall, my phone rang. It was the school nurse. I was informed that King-Li fell while playing. He cut his leg and chip his tooth. I was at least an hour's drive away so, his dad had to take him to the dentist to get his tooth fix. Though I had imagined blood dripping everywhere, and he was hysterical and in a lot of pain, King-Li later told me that he didnt even cry and that he was ok. What a brave little boy! Scared the life out of me though.

Thank you God for keeping my boy safe.

Back to school

Boys are back in school now. We came back a few days after Term 3 started. On the first day back, they went to a Music Camp as both boys are involved in the school bands. King-Wei plays the trombone and King-Li, the trumpet.

On coming back, both boys were unwell. The cold and coughs were getting worst. Both had days off school. I'm happy to say they are better now.

Carers: A tribute to family

My father-in-law's sickness has been very tough for the family. I have a greater appreciation for people who cares for the sick. Here, I would like pay tribute to Garrison and his three sisters. They have all taken turns to look after their father. Garrison has been back to Malaysia twice. Each trip he has spent three very special weeks there with his father and the rest of the family.

Garrison's eldest sister, Karen lives in Hong Kong and she has made many trips and spend many weeks in Malaysia doing all she can to care for him. Further, she liased with hospice and look after the medications and feeding.

Susanne, his second sister lives in Melbourne and will be making her second trip home next week to care for him.

Annie, the youngest sister lives in Subang Jaya. She and her husband Frankie, have been the rock and anchor for the family. My father-in-law spend many weeks recovering in Annie's home and she has ensure all his needs are taken care. She has also provided her maid to help round the clock.

In a conversation with Garrison's auntie, she remarked that it is common to see parents caring after sick children, but to see children caring for parents is quite unusual.

Father-in-law

Father-in-law holding a durian. He was very keen to eat the fruit.

Father-in-law reading newspapers (he is without the feeding tube).

My father-in-law

Here are two pictures of my father-in-law and my eldest son

A trip to Malaysia

On the 4th July my kids and I made a trip to Malaysia to see my father-in-law who is very sick. He has advance throat cancer and his health has not been good and we decided to make a trip home to see him. This will give the boys an opportunity to spend some time with their grandfather.

Three weeks prior to our visit, my father-in-law was hospitalised for 10 days and he was so weak, he was apparently, almost unconscious most of that time. A week or so after being home, his condition improved dramatically. By the time we arrived he has gained a lot of his energy and was able to sit up and at times he was able to talk. It was a very special time for all of use seeing him. He was also able to eat and drink some when the feeding tube was removed, but eventually it has to be put back as he was getting weaker without getting the necessary nutrients. His condition was deteriorating.

The doctor said there is nothing more they can do for him. Due to the fact that his condition was very weak initially my father-in-law could not undergo chemo or radiotherapy. The only other treatment at this stage was palliative therapy to reduce the tumour and to manage the pain. It was decided his condition was too weak even for this therapy. Just before we left, to help him breath the doctor did a tracheotomy.

We were able to spend two precious week with him. I'm sure my children and I will cherished that special time with him.

Team Hoyt - Dick and Rick Hoyt

Real life heroes - A father's love for his son.
Rick was borned with cerebral palsy...but that never stopped his family from loving him. Watch this clips and it might even make you cry. A very touching real life stories. The song at the end is beautiful. I have included the lyrics.



I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
I can only imagine
What it would be like
When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me

I can only imagine (2x)

Surrouned by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (2x)

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
standing in the sun

I can only imagine
When all I will do
is forever, forever worship You

I can only imagine (2x)

Surrouned by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (2x)

Surrouned by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (6x)

I can only imagine
When all I will do
is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine

Role of imagination

I really like what JK Rowling (author of the Harry Potter series) said recently when she was given an honorary doctor of letters degree. She urged the Harvard grads to use their influence and status to speak out on behalf of the powerless. She said

"We do not need magic to transform our world,"

"We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already; we have the power to imagine better."
"Imagination gives one the ability to empathize with others"
"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation,"

"In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity; it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared."

Rowling described a low point seven years after graduating from college, when she was a poor single mother.

"The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are ever after secure in your ability to survive,"

"You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity."
She called such knowledge

"a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more to me than any qualification I ever earned."

Seven Stages of Grief

I was aware that people go through different stages when grieving. In the last class of Human Development this semester, it was briefly mentioned. It made me curious again and I decided to do some research to find out more. Grief is very personal and individual. Many people experience some if not all of these stages. The stages are not in order. Each stage can happen at different times and in different order.

The seven stages of grieving are

1. Shock or disbelief

2. Denial

3. Bargaining

4. Guilt

5. Anger

6. Depression

7. Acceptance & Hope

The Five Finger Prayer

1.Your thumb is nearest you.

So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.

They are the easiest to remember.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.

Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.

It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.

Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger

- the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

The Praying Hands

Hands of the Apostle or The Praying Hands

by

Albrecht Dürer1471 - 1528

Foggy

It is very foggy this morning. International and domestic flights have been cancelled. Incoming flights have been directed to interstate airports. There have been some reports of accidents on the road due to poor visibility. Be careful out there. Remember to drive safely, be patient and turn your headlights/fog lights on.

Happy Birthday to my brother

Today is my youngest brother's birthday. I wish him good health, happiness, prosperity and a wonderful year ahead. He and his wife are expecting their first child so this will be a very exciting year for them.

Winter

Today is officially the first day of winter. Its cold, foggy and wet. Not cold enough for snow though. Don't get that here except up the mountains. That reminds me it's nearly that time of the year where we have our annual sojourn up the mountains? WHY? Meditate? Search for truth? NO! time for tobogganing and having fun in the snow. Anyway, not till school holidays...which is quite soon.

Rainbows

Some very spectacular rainbows & double rainbows. They are awesome.

Last day of semester 1

I made it!! Today is the last day of semester 1. It's been a tough semester. There were many personal issues to deal with and it affected me badly. At one stage I nearly threw in the towel. What stopped me were the support and encouragement from my lecturers and good friends. Classes are over. I have two more essays to submit in the next two weeks and then I will get a well deserved break.

Happy Birthday

Yes, it's my birthday. What would I like for my birthday? The list is too long.... so don't ask :)) As for now, good health for my kids and I (and please Lord, obedient and kind children, peace ocassionally :) - that's not too much to ask is it Lord?) and good results.

Smell the roses

Rock roses
Our mandarin tree

Our faithful rose bush
Our fruitful lemon tree

I call these our yellow daisies
A full bloom pink rose

When I first started full time studies, I used every available weekends to study and do my assignments. I did this for two semester. But this year I realized that I needed to balance my time between kids and home and studies. So for the past month, I have taken time out to do simple things with the kids (baking, cooking, play cricket). I have also taken time out to "smell the roses". I did some pruning, raking, weeding and even mowing. Today I took the camera out to capture a few things in my garden that caught my eye.