Tuesday, June 23, 2015

20 years | 1043 weeks | 7306 days on Earth

After disappearing for about two months, I finally have the time to update my personal platform up here. The past two months had been exciting, surprising, challenging, stressful, tiring...; it can be described by almost all of the descriptive words exist to date.

Out of the many events that had happened during the past two months, this time I'll talk about my big day. Of course, it has to be, my 20th birthday (hence the title my 20th year, 1043th week or 7306th day on earth). As you all know Australia is a great place to live in, not only because of low living cost, high education standard, many national parks and beaches, there's another thing, FREEBIES. Yes, free stuff. Who on earth would reject free things, right? The joy of getting something without having to pay for it.



I still remember five years ago, when I was still in high school, also my first year in Australia. Randomly picking up a newspaper and entered a competition to nominate 'My Favourite Teacher'. Weeks later, I was brought to the principal office on a normal school day, thinking I was in some sort of trouble, until the principal handed me a family pass to Dreamworld. Yup, I won the competition! Dreamworld is one of Queensland's famous theme parks, if you haven't visited it yet, please do, especially if you love thrilling rides. Go on their website to find out more: http://www.dreamworld.com.au/

Then, there was this other time, just by commenting on a JAGbonus Facebook post, I won $100.00 H&M gift card. That feeling of spending without actually paying, is just great.

So what's freebies got to do with birthday? Well asked. Apparently, in many cases you're the most respected person when it comes to your birthday (there should be individual free day on birthday, no study/ work). Why do I say so? Because you get to claim lots of free meals/ gifts. So this year, I received $20 Witchery voucher, $5Priceline, and claimed Subway for breakfast, Vapiano for lunch, Hakataya Ramen for dinner and some churros for dessert. These are not all, there's others I didn't list out. So, your birthday is coming soon? Planning to visit Australia (during your birthday week)? Check Reddit out as it listed down the most recent freebies for birthday available. Don't forget to check individual shops' webpage on how to get it.

Apart from the free things, I personally feel that birthday is not just about the freebies. Though it gives you temporary satisfaction, it doesn't make the birthday meaningful at all. Without the people who accompanied me throughout the day, the celebration would not be as meaningful, memorable and surprising as it was.

And because of that, I give thanks to God. Thank God for the lovely family. Though I insisted no need to celebrate, there would still be a table full of my favourite dishes. Thank God for the friends, the ones that took time out during their busy schedule to have dinner with me; the ones who caught up with me all morning and shouted me Max Brenners, the ones who turned up at late night to surprise me with pizzas; the many more who brought me gifts and shouted me food; not to mention the ones that sang me birthday song, and sent me birthday wishes in letter, text, Facebook etc. It is these people that had shown me the love of God, and no words can express how grateful I am for having everyone of you in my life.

Most of all, I thank God for creating me. To give me this chance, this opportunity to experience His faithfulness, to see this world and be showered by His grace, to know every single person in or going to be in my life. I am extremely grateful for everything my Heavenly Father has given to me. Whether during my weakest time or my happiest moment, He has been my rock, my shelter and my closest friend during the past 20 years, and will be for the many years to come.

If you don't know Him yet, make some effort to find Him out. Our Trinity God: the Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit would love you to come forward. It doesn't mean you will be guaranteed a 'happily-ever-after' life, but it means an unfailing support. We as Christians still face challenges and difficulties, in fact, maybe more challenges than the non- Christians. Yet what's different, is that we know we have the key to enter the eternal world that is coming our way. Hence, we have hope, we have faith and we have strength from our Creator to be His light and salt in this temporary world.

Remember, your life can be as happy and meaningful as us Christians, if you are willing to give it a try. To seek God and trust Him. 

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

約翰福音8:12 耶稣又对众人说:“我就是世界的光。跟从我的人,绝不会在黑暗里行走,却要得到生命的光。”




Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Clinical Placement: Imagination into Reality

5 weeks placement buddies
Being a little bit of a social phobia, I did not look forward to the placement at all. Yes, Me, SOCIAL PHOBIA. For people who knows me well probably think I'm joking, more or less, I do afraid to socialize with people because I am afraid of being judged negatively.

So, did I look forward to the placement? NO. Did I enjoy the placement? YES.

This was not my first time having placement at the Mater, in fact, I had already had two weeks placement there November last year. Yet, that didn't make me feel any better knowing that I was going back to the same hospital for another 5 weeks placement. However, I must admit, at the end of the placement, because of what an amazing time I have had over the 5 weeks, I did feel sad to leave.

To sum up the experience,

As a student, I turned theory into practice.
As a learner, I gained tips and tricks to improve my skills.
As a member of a team, I learnt the essence of working with different people.
As a person, I picked up some lessons of a lifetime.
As a Christian, I finally know how difficult it is, to be true light and salt in a community.

A brother in Christ once said, it is easy to be who you want to be in a group of people who share the same beliefs as you, but it is a challenge to stand strong in a group that doesn't. It is true.

Especially for a person with social phobia, I do not like being looked at differently, so I would try to blend into the group, which is not a good testimony for God. Throughout the 5 weeks, everyday I would start my day by having devotion and praying that I would show my Christian identity through the rest of the day. By the end of the day, I would pray for God's forgiveness for the things I did or said that didn't impress God. Though it makes me feel rather disappointed in myself, it also helps me create a stronger bond with God. I know God understands my weakness, and I believe He will strengthen me. So I know there's nothing to be ashamed of because I will only grow into a more mature Christian.

 So for the Christians out there who are / going to be in a similar situation as me, whether it is changing your workplace, moving to a new town etc. Remember, you are not alone. Be proud of your Christian identity, don't be afraid of the challenges awaiting, for the Bible tells us:
 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Romans 5: 3-5
 不但如此,就是在患难中也是欢欢喜喜的;因为知道患难生忍耐,4忍耐生老练,老练生盼望;5盼望不至於羞耻,因为所赐给我们的圣灵将神的爱浇灌在我们心里。 羅馬書5:3-5

Friday, February 13, 2015

A Wake Up Call

"Du du...Du du..."called: once, twice, five times, ten times; no one picked up. It sent an urge to us whether he's OK.

Dad was on his way driving from Sri Aman to Kuching in pouring rain last night. So about three hours later, mum called to check whether he's arrived Kuching safely, but no one picked the call up. The sense of worry suddenly strike us. Is he OK? Could it be accident because of the rain? I kept on imagining different types of scenarios: Maybe his car slipped to the side of the road no one notices him? Or landslides?

The phone tune echos in the back of my head, heart pounding rapidly, what do I do? Staring at the ceiling, wanting to shoot my prayers up to heaven, but then, it hit me hard "About time huh? Now that you're worried so you decided to ask God for help?" I felt truly ashamed.. "Have faith in God, seek His Heaven first..." These were what I've always encouraged others to do. Yet, when was the last time I spend quality time with God other than the short prayers before sleep or inconsistent devotions?

It was then I realized how bad my condition was, it was then i realised how little faith I have to the powerful God.
Sorry, Father, you must've felt heartbroken. I'm sorry, I don't even have the right to ask you for favours.
Then I began to think, what could I do. Knowing it would be useless, but I still texted my friend to ask for help. Just as I was about to sent out a second one, we received a voice message from dad confirming he's alright.

Then it hit me again, "In the end, you still don't trust me." That sound of disappointment... There's not one word other than SHAMEFUL could  describe how I felt. "I'm sorry, I don't even have the faith of a grain of mustard seed."  The Holy God is the Controller of all things, I should've have confidence in Him, instead of doubting His ability, doubting His faith to us.

Sharing this little story of mine to all Christians out there, reminding you that everything is in accordance of God's plan, because He's declared, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)."  Secondly, don't seek God only when we are in need, because He's promised, "But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33)." Lastly, let's spend more time with our Heavenly Father, so that we know more about His plan for us, and so our faith can grow bigger and stronger.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

2014 Christmas Family Trip, Tangalooma Island Resort






Since I wasn't able to join the Christmas trip in 2013, I was kind of very excited for the 2014 family trip.  Good times always pass by so quickly, 3 days 2 nights - gone!

Tangalooma Island Resort only 75 minutes away from Brisbane by ferry, is the perfect place for couples, family and friends to relax and have fun. Ranging from land based, water based to a series of free activities, it is definitely a place worth going to.

I was just so happy I got the opportunity to go explore this beautiful island and just have time to relax and be amazed at God's mighty creations.

At daytime, a walk along the beach brings you close to sea creatures such as starfish; at night time, sea breeze and sound of waves accompany you all night long, blowing and humming your stress away.

As the old sayings, 'Picture speaks a thousand words', I'm sure these pictures could describe to you how beautiful the Island is and what an amazing time we had during this short trip.





 
 Here's a quick view of the Tangalooma wrecks, consist of 15 vessels deliberately sunk about 50years ago. It is now covered with coral formations and home to many marine lives. 

Though I didn't join the snorkel activity, I believe you won't regret it if you do. It's definitely worth a look!

Many tours and activities are available, some are included in the package while some cost money ( That's why we didn't snorkel, we just couldn't afford to pay for all of them! *cry*)
Dophin Feeding Time!






























One of the signature activities of the island is sand boarding. Though I didn't enjoy it as much, it is definitely something you should try once in a lifetime.











We stayed in one of the villas which gave us perfect beach view, perfect for sunset ( lovely couples, what are you waiting for!)
 

But God made the earth by his power;
   he founded the world by his wisdom
   and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Jeremiah 10:12

耶和華用能力創造大地,用智慧建立世界,用聰明铺張穹蒼。 耶利米書 10:12