i love what i do as a profession, but to me work is just work.  it was always a means to an end but never the end point.  but recently work has been singing to a different tune.  i really look forward to work with much anticipation to see what a day at work brings.  a day full of high brows, low brows and a barrel of laughs. 

i believe it all comes down to the people you work with.  i guess its like a box of chocolates, you never know what you might get.  but when you get one thats smooth on the outside, soft on the inside, a little nutty on the edges and all round quite tasty, then you know you have hit gold. 

today, helping out in the kid's ministry with the 2nd & 3rd graders, the teacher asks the kids - "what do you do when another child at school is not being nice to you or someone else'. I was amazed at how the kids in the class responded - here are a few of the responses

1) stand up for the weak
2) encourage the weak
3) pray for the bullies
4) pray for the victims

i was also pleasantly suprised to hear that when the teacher asked the kids, "what should we do when there are kids in your class at school who have no friends". many of them responsed with that they needed to make friends with those who didn't have friends and reach out to them.

wow...  just hearing this made me realise how valuable sunday school is in fostering important solid values in our children of this generation. if i was i asked the same questions back in 2nd/3rd grade, i'm certain my response would have been - don't care, not my problem, i'm too cool for school.

this sunday school experience has made me reflect on my own life. it makes me wonder if i'm doing enough to reach out to the weak and less fortunate. do i make enough effort with those ppl around me without many friends? or do i choose not to because its just easier to. are my actions & attitudes pleasing in God's eyes? do I really shine his glory and am I, as a believer, carrying on Jesus' work? can i do more in the ministries i'm involved with to foster true community and fellowship.

there must be something in the water, or the air even.  but there are lots of weddings going on recently.  though i admit im one of the culprits.  this weekend was a bit of an overload.  it got quite busy but i do enjoy going to weddings and the fun that comes long with it.

to yen, hope you had fun on your hens night and weekend away.  cant wait for the big day thats fast approaching! 

congratulations to jacky and lydia.  its been a long time coming but so happy to see the both of you married especially since you both are so perfect for each other. 

congratulations also to kenneth and jennifer.  was great to share your special day.  it was raining all day but let up for the wedding - its a sure sign of good things to come ahead.

oh ps.  i managed to catch the bouquet.  is that ment to be suggesting something?

i live alone now

last weekend I moved to an apartment in downtown bellevue. we made 5 trips gradually over the weekend in me & tim's car and pretty much got everything moved over. i really love the change. now i live a lot closer to resteraunts, bars, shopping and entertainment. on the flip side though, my commute to work has increased to 6 miles from 0.5 miles. i'm looking forward to furnishing the place with nice furniture, but i'm going to wait for frances to get here so we can do that together  : )

i joined an accountability group

for months now - me, derek  & loi have talked about forming an accountability group together but only recently we finally put words into action : ) . So now i meet up with 2 good friends of mine on a weekly basis and spend time encouraging each other, praying for each other, keeping each other accountable for our thoughts and actions, and also lifting each other up when we fall down. we're also studying a book together called "no more excuses" by tony evans. although we've only met up 2 times, i'm already starting to get a glimpse of how God is going to make an enormous impact on our lives through this accountability group.

i've been working on our wedding plans

less than 9 weeks left to the big day. most days i'm at home sending emails, researching and reviewing our wedding plans. i won't lie, the journey has been extremely tough and challenging. some mornings i find it difficult to want to get out of bed. this weekend though, has been extremely refreshing. pouring out my heart to friends about the situation and spending a lot of quiet time, i've been provided with fresh vision, understanding of the situation and realisation of where i've really fallen short. a good mate of mine recently told me that i'm the type of person who, when things tough and life hits rock bottom, i'm a person who fights back harder and stronger. to be honest, i've been so close to giving up, but i'm glad i have not.

i really enjoyed the snow patrol concert

on wednesday a group of us went to snow patrol concert. the event was sold out a month before the concert, but luckily my friend amanda organised tickets for us. the whole night was amazing. after work, some of us met up and had an awesome happy hour dinner at umi sake house in downtown seattle. after that, we walked over to the moore theatre and lined up for snow patrol. our seats were average but the concert was insane. i'd definately rate it top 3 concert i've been to in my life. afterwards we made it down to the five point cafe to hang out and eat more food. awesome night out - thanks amanda for organising!

i've been following the footy

i've been watching the finals live over here and even dragging some of my american friends to the games as well. they play the games live at a pub here called the kangaroo & kiwi pub. i even had a meat pie while watching the game on friday - though it tasted like junk. on saturday, the day after the eagles vs adelaide game, me and some of my american friends went down to green lake park and kicked the footy around. after watching the finals with me they love the game as well!!

i've been keeping fit

nearly every day of the week i pretty much do something fitness related. bball team commitments are 2 times a week (game +training), i also try swim 3 times a week, do weights twice a week and also fit in tennis when i get some time as well. the summer is nearly over here, i'll miss it a lot but........... SNOWBOARD SEASON IS COMING!

i love my job but...

work has been really good lately. i'm very satisfied with the work & responsibilities i'm given, especially the daily challenges i have to battle. i'm fortunate to be working for a great manager, a great team and also a great company. sometimes i can imagine being at this job for a very long time. on the flip side though, even though i have a great gig going on at the moment, i'm always wondering, what is my life's purpose? what is my true passion? what would i enjoy even more? what could i do that has a huger impact? for me, i believe it is all about finding that balance between being content in my life versus following my dreams, my calling & my passions.

i miss frances

i miss the support she gives me and i miss having someone to serve in my life. i miss having a companion in life to share all the times of laughter, times of joy and times of pain together. as each day goes by, i count down the days i have left until i see her again. not long now but still not soon enough.