Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I'm a little..

tired, a little sick, a little sad, a little apprehensive.  With all thats been happening, I suppose its all normal to feel like that.  But otherwise, I am ok.  Its a great opportunity to hang tight and trust in the great God I serve.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7


In seasons like these, I feel Life is like a window.  

Somedays, I look out and marvel at the Great Big World out there and wistfully wonder when I'll be able to explore more of it.  

Other days, I'm on the outside looking in and marvelling at all the great things God is doing in my life and my family's, miracles, blessings, storms and all.

Both ways, my default position will be a posture of praise and worship.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dear God, I have a question...

I asked God this morning, "Why did You create Panda Bears?"



And then I thought, maybe its simply because they look so cute.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Movie Night

In a bid for some much needed time-out, I watched 2 films tonight.

and
(I didn't know they made a movie of one of my favorite childhood books - Ramona!)

I didn't fancy Eat, Pray, Love too much.  I liked Beezus and Ramona much better!  But I did pick up something, that I probably need to learn the italian art of doing nothing, dolce fa niente.  We might gasp at that, given our need-to-be-effective-efficient-productive-result-oriented-in-control (I feel like I just summed myself up), but I think we all need that sometimes.  

Take some time out, and just be still.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Introspective Thursdays : Psalm 1:3

There has been alot of strong winds and rain here lately.
This morning, we woke up to this.


The (mango) tree we had in the backyard for 5 years got uprooted and fell over.


I guess we had all been waiting for this to happen seeing how it never once flowered and bore fruit.

Then I remembered the analogy of the tree in 

Psalm 1: 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

I guess this is what happens when we do not grow your roots deep and well into solid foundation, easily toppled over, broken, by harsh conditions around us. 

I couldn't help chuckling to myself that perhaps the tree didn't read the bible much and was spiritually barren as well.  Because for 5 years, it didn't bear any fruit either.

Goodbye, tree.

Reading


Lately, I've been going around asking people where they find time to read, how their reading patterns are like.  Do they read a book in one sitting? Or take 6-9 months to finish one, if it ever happens (like me), or just read a chapter here and there when they feel like it?

this photo inspired me to take out my own little collection of vintage books and give them a little TLC.

I love buying books, I like reading.  The only problem is finishing them.  How to find the time amidst the crazy schedules?
More often than not, my books end up in my "I'm still reading them" stack, and usually stays there for months.  Which is why, I decided to take a new approach to the books as I buy - treating them as reference books (since I only seem to read non-fiction).  The objective is simply to have them around, you know, like tools.  Refer to them, when I need them.  Of course, the bigger objective is to finish reading them, but heck I've tried for years, and that really doesn't work for me.

That being said, I'm still going to try squeezing in a chapter or two before I go to bed at night.

What is your reading pattern like?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Dreamy Mondays - iPad 2 for USD199,999.99

I've been really busy the past week!
I'm hoping this week isn't as hectic and I managed to find some time to catch up on my reading, and boy has there been alot of hype over Mac's latest release (as always) the iPad 2!

I saw this today and...wow!
I know I wouldn't mind an iPad 2 but at $200,000.00?!

Well, I'm definitely watching this to see if it gets sold!

Happy week ahead!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Dreamy Mondays - Cinque Terre, Italy


"The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. "The Five Lands" is composed of five villages: Monterosso al MareVernazza,CornigliaManarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Cinque Terre is noted for its beauty. Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible "modern" development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside." - via Wikipedia
This photo of Manarola, one of the 5 towns in Cinque Terre, never fails to captivate me.  A couple of years back when I came across this photo, I dreamed that someday I would visit this place and experience it first hand.  It remains one of my travel dreams that await fulfillment.
I wonder what it is like to live right on the edge, to witness the magnificence of the Mediterranean Sea, to wake up every morning to the beauty of the ocean, the colours in the sky, the smell of the sea.  It reminds me of how much there is to explore outside of the world I know here.  
I know that some day soon I will get there.  Its in my pocket of dreams that I keep for God to work with.  Reviving this dream makes my Monday and the rest of the week a much better place to be in.
What is your dream travel destination?

Running the impossible race

The cover of this DVD caught my eye some time back when I was at Video Ezy.
So I rented it tonight as a movie treat.


I'm inspired by Penny Chenery's passion, one woman with the courage and determination to challenge the impossible dream. Secretariat was an exceptional horse whose records set remain till today. But I marvel more at his owner who challenged her way from a regular housewife of the 1960s to a woman who believed and left a legacy.

Penny Chenery & Secretariat
{via saratoga.com}

Friday, March 4, 2011

Hello Friday!

It's the weekend!

The week has passed so quickly! 
Every day seems to come and go with a variety of things on a never-ending to-do-list.  Some days I am so tired I skip my entire beauty regime and just plonk off to bed.  Not great for the skin in the long run, I know!

I am looking forward to some pampering time this weekend.  
Hair treatments, face masks, painting my nails (they are horrendous!).

I would like this print in my room.

What's your beauty regime like?

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Can't get enough of Spring's closet

Omigosh, I just cannot get enough of Spring 2011 looks!
I love the solid whites and colour blocking!

BCBG Max Azria, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren

The more I surf the internet, the more pieces I come across that I really need! Staple pieces!

I can already imagine this with white pants, black cigarette pants, and just about everything else I own.

This classic Ralph Lauren sheath dress, I imagine, will be wearable for every occassion possible.

This is a closet staple.  Everyone should own at least 2 pairs of white pants.
I love the cut on this BCBG Max Azria pair.

I love, love, love.

Introspective Thursdays : The Journey

I was clearing out my bag when I found a copy of the church bulletin from 2 weekends ago.  Alot of times we get the church bulletin and brush past it, and it gets chucked into a little corner and forgotten.  Today I felt prompted to read the Pastor's Pen column.


{exerpts from 26 & 27 Feb 2011 "The Call and The Journey", TCC}

"The call is often a memorable and crucial turning point.  When you answered God's call to follow Him as His disciple, to start a new work, to serve Him, etc, there were probably struggles and uncertainties.  But there was also a sense of anticipation, hope, and submission."

"But the JOURNEY...now thats a different story. We take those first steps with a keen sense of God's presence and leading, full of dreams and hopes. But the journey is also often long and arduous, fraught with difficlties, pain and even regret..."

"It takes a man or woman of courage, strength, great faith and security in God to go beyond answering the call, to journeying with Him. The challenges of the office, business, home and one's relationships; the dry spells of our lives, the searing heat of anger, grief and sicknesses; the uncertainty of the future and unexpected shocks and roadblocks make it tough to be a good disciple; make it tough to continue serving God; make it tough to be a good testimony at home or at work. Yet, this truth remains - God is still present in our lives, and He is still crafting our hearts and moulding us."

"Friends, don't ever give up the call. Remember: Its the Journey that will change us and make us into the man or woman of God He has destined us to be."

There are some days when we wonder if what we are doing right now is what God has intended or destined for us.  I know I do.  The dreams and visions of the future I have are kept tucked away, and sometimes I lose sight of them.


Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

This verse was impressed upon my heart as I read that bulletin, 
reminding me of the promise I have in Him.  


Maybe today I wasn't so sure about the future. I think sometimes we are so engrossed in "the journey" that we lose sight of the dreams we had, put them away into a little jar and there those dreams are left, forgotten.  But His word is a promise that we have to hold onto for days like these, to remind us of the dreams we have kept tucked away.

"There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle, somebody's gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there, ain't about what's waiting on the other side. Its the climb! Keep on moving, keep climbing. Keep the faith." {the climb, Miley Cyrus}

I'll sing this song and keep Jeremiah 29:11-13 at the back of my hand today. It'll be enough to keep me going. Even if it is just for today.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Happy Wednesday!

The last 2 weeks were really crazy busy and I finally got around to setting up this blog. Really excited about the things to come. I also found time earlier today to catch up reading on my google reader and these things really made my day!

Hello beautiful, this really cheered me up.

I love this outfit.

Fresh flowers in a jar..mmm...

Today is going to be another day or errands. I really have to get down to immigration and get my passport renewed. Maybe after that there'll be some time to squeeze in a coffee and cake?
We'll see.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Spring Trends

Spring!
I used to think that Spring was all about florals, florals, florals, pastels. I love pastels, but I am not a fan of small floral prints, I always feel that its hard to carry them off without looking too frumpy. I don't know how the models do it though.

But what I do love...

Sheer fabrics. Chloe Spring 2011. Wow.

Head to toe in White. My favorite colour scheme. Every season.

Long skirts, maxi-dresses. In bold.
Oh how I love the bold colours by Jill Sanders for 2011!

I could go on forever.

What do you love about Spring?

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Making the turn

Stumbled upon this today.
Makes me think about what it means to me.

Hmm...interesting picture, don't you think?