Farewell, Civic...

Moments ago, we handed over our Honda Civic to a friendly used-car agent. After being with us for exactly 2 years and 7 months, travelling 50,433 km, drinking approximately 4,034 litres of low-octane petrol, surviving 2 (or was it 3) accidents, this 8.5 years old vroom-vroom is moving on - just as we ourselves are moving on...

Thank God for giving us a pretty reliable car for the last few years. Hope our next car will be just as good, if not better.... (It is going to be a 6 years old Toyota Camry waiting for us in Pittsburgh, in case you are wondering.)

48 days...

48 days from now, we will be on the flight heading to Pittsburgh. I remember Ameila sharing that it will all feel like a dream until we board the plane and find that it is not going to be just another holiday.

These days, I've been preparing Charis for our move... telling her about the flight to the US, about our new house and new car, about not being able to see familiar faces for some time... she has even chosen out her favourite toys to bring along with us =) At this point in time, she seems pretty keen on going along with us! Definitely pray that she'll be able to adjust well to the environment and find people whom she will grow to love.

But right now, really, it is still all about lots of packing and catching up to do!

Charis' Donut Treat!

We went on an MRT ride today which took us to Novena for some shopping. Charis seemed to have enjoyed herself quite a bit... she had fun watching the older children climb up the rock wall at the atrium of the mall and running in and out of the different shops. But I must say that her fav time was at Spinelli, when we decided to rest our feet. She had a huge choco french donut treat!!! A donut with lemon custard inside and thick chocolate fudge topping... yum... I'm sure it makes your mouth water just thinking about it =)


She is a small girl with a big appetite for such treats and spared only a few mouthfuls for TK and I. Of course, it made her quite high (she was dancing and singing throughout the time we were in the coffee joint).


At the end of the donut treat... Charis was a satisfied customer! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!

About Asher

The last 2 weeks have been difficult for us. Asher, a 3 year old boy whom we get to know over the last 2 years in church, had an operation to remove a tumor in his brain. Charis and him have spent many Sundays in the cry-room, playing and snacking together. Out of the blue, he was diagnosed with a tumor and had to undergo an op the very next day. Seeing him in the hospital bed after his operation, out of his usual cheerful self, really broke our hearts. So too when we talked to his parents. We didn't know how to comfort them as we can't understand their situation completely. But we can feel for them, both as friends and as parents ourselves.

It brought tears to our eyes when Asher's father described the size of the tumor and how brave Asher was. Facing the operation and injections, he did not cry although it was painful. Thankfully, he is recovering well. However, he would have to go for further treatments - chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The thought of him having to go through these at such a tender age is heart wrenching. May God give him the needed grace and courage, and his parents and loved ones the strength to go through this difficult journey with him.

Tomorrow, we will bring Charis to visit him at his home... Charis has made a card for him (with lots of help from mummy)... hopefully we will cheer him up...

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[Update]
We didn't get to visit Asher after all, as both Charis and him weren't well that day. We didn't have a chance to visit Asher since then.

Truely Dependent

Got our American Visas yesterday... Charis and I are going to the States on Dependent Visas. Now, I'm officially a dependent!

It was a difficult decision for me to quit my professional job last Sept, partly for fear of losing my own identity, partly for fear of falling behind societal expectations. I guess with, so called, female liberation, financial independence and achieving the identity of a modern-woman have taken centre stage in the minds of many women today. This independence comes with such a great sense of power and freedom... it's so difficult to let go! Eventually, I made a decision to let go, but tried to make up for it by seaching for things-to-do, like giving piano lessons and taking up book keeping at TK's company.

But as I ponder this through, this thought crossed my mind. Aren't we all dependents? Regardless of who we are or what we do, we are all dependents of our Heavenly Father. Our identities are significant only in Him. Our very existence on this earth is dependent on Him! Perhaps, only when you have nothing then will you learn to appreciate and treasure your dependence on the sovereign one above.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matt 6:26

Beautiful, beautiful...

"Beautiful, beautiful, Jesus is beautiful
And Jesus makes beautiful things of my things
Carefully, touching me,
Causing my eyes to see
Jesus makes beautiful things of my life."

Our lives are made especially beautiful by the special people He places in our paths; we are thankful for each and every one of you!

We witnessed the lovely wedding of a good friend last evening. We're really honoured to be able to share in these precious moments of people we love before we leave for the US. Jay and Pat, here's wishing you all of God's blessings as you, too, make your journey of life together.

God has also given a special little one to Eugene and Amelia a few days back, on 10 May 07. CONGRATULATIONS, Eugene and Melia, and WELCOME, baby Zachary! Didn't get to visit as all three of us were down with flu and fever. Can't wait to see you!!!

packing up...

If a picture speaks a thousand words, then the two pictures below must be speaking plenty about what we are doing and how we are doing.

We are packing and we are messy. We have to decide what to bring along, what to leave behind and what to sell/give away. It may sound like an easily task but, really, it is tough. A typical conversation goes like this:

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Him: (picking up an object) So are we going to bring this thingy along?

Her: I don't know leh... What do you think?

Him: I think we should just give it away lah. We don't have enough space in our luggage. Some more hor, I don't think we will really use it when we are there.

Her: Ya hor. But it is quite nice leh.

Him: Nice meh? Then how?

Her: I think maybe we can keep it.

Him: Keep, keep, keep. Everything you also want to keep.

Her: I donno leh....

Him: Aiya... let's KIV this and decide later lah. (picking up another object) So are we going to bring this thingy along?

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