First post from Hong Kong!

I know, I know.. I’ve been back for twelve days and haven’t even posted one entry since I’ve been in Hong Kong. So here it is!

Life’s been pretty busy since I’ve been back.. but it’s finally slowing down and I get to spend more time at home. My parents and I arrived to Hong Kong on Dec. 29th. We had one day of preparation before my Uncle’s wedding on the 31st.

It was a very simple wedding registration ceremony and a banuquet for relatives only. This is because it is not my uncle’s first marriage, nor his second. It is actually his forth marriage. Even though we all know of his history and the brokenness that he and his children must feel, this forth marriage is definitely God-given. My uncle accepted Christ a few years ago and since then, he has changed so much. Through his life, I have witnessed how God can break a person down so that He can build the person up and make him a new person. My uncle has gone from being a CEO and founder of a textiles company in China to being a taxi driver and even becoming unemployed. His family used to be rich, happy, and complete until it turned upside down. Though the negative experiences have been extremely difficult for him and all our relatives, God has truly revealed himself to him and transformed his life inside out. I am thankful to see how God has prepared a wife for him so that he can experience a marriage that is planted on the foundation of God’s promises. It was definitely a touching day for all of us. Happy tears were shed for my uncle.

After the banquet, my parents and I were invited to coundown to the year 2010 with Christian artists of HK. We went to 鄭明明’s house in Tsim Tsa Tsui to meet with many Christian actors/actresses, models, singers in the entertainment industry. Although I felt a bit out of place, I felt so excited for this group of Christian artists because they are truly beacons of light in an industry of darkness. It was definitely a blessing to be able to witness how God has changed their lives and spurred them onto sharing their faith with other artists. The fireworks across the bay were beautiful. I will post pictures up once I find a cable for my camera. =P

January 2nd was my  cousin’s wedding. His wedding was beautiful as well. He dated Mandy for 10 years before they got married! Before Mandy came along, all my relatives called me Mandy (which I loved).. hahah.. now they are forced to call me Amanda. I’m so glad I got to come back for their wedding. My brother who is best friends with this cousin totally missed out. He would have been best man if he could come back. Too bad my brother had to work on New Year’s in Kitchener.

A little update on what I’m doing now.. I’m preparing myself psychologically and emotionally for the start of classes on Jan. 19th. Yes, I’ll be taking a few short courses while I’m here in Hong Kong. To be honest, I’m extremely nervous. This will be the first time I get to study in Hong Kong. Please pray for me… I don’t know what I’m worried about, but I’m worried.

Anyways, pictures will be added soon… =]

p.s – I miss you, Vancouver.

Pretty Accurate Personality Quiz

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don’t judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren’t necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people’s eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship.

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren’t interested in wasting time with people you don’t really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education:

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:

You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don’t focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don’t succeed. Don’t give up when you haven’t yet even started! Be courageous.

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

 

counting down..

1 month, 3 weeks, and 4 days.

I can’t help but start to count down… and realize the emotional struggle I have inside.

The emotions I feel about it are .. excitement, anxiety, and even some fear.

I fear the thought of losing all I have gained in the past 10+ years.

I am excited about His plan for me, yet I am sad as I prepare to let go of some very important things in my life.

the search for some listening ears…

Who knew finding some suitable listening ears would be so difficult?

As I grow and mature, I realize that there are some things you can’t just go around telling everybody. So not any ears would do.

I need a pair of listening ears that will simply listen. I may want to hear their advice but only if they can keep an objective perspective. So not any ears would do.

I usually can go to my parents about anything. I feel most comfortable telling them how I feel because I know that no matter what I say, they still love me. But what if they are struggling with the same issues I am struggling with? I can’t find their listening ears because they are already too invested in the situation. So not any ears would do.

I used to think I have a few close friends with whom I can share anything. But then again, all we talk about is shopping and relationships. It will be hard to express what is on my shoulders if they can’t relate. So not any ears would do.

Thank God I have a listener who is there for me even when I don’t think of Him. I know that the process of finding some listening ears has made me realize just how fortunate I am to have a personal Saviour who listens. It’s true that I feel lonely when I can’t seem to find a friend whom I can talk to in person. But if it means taking the risk of having your secrets passed on through gossip, I might as well keep my secrets to the one who loves me most.

I used to keep all my worries and struggles inside of me. But today, I’m thankful for blogs, journals, and a Father who listens to prayers.

Identity Crisis

We all ask ourselves: “Who am I?”

Do we ever find the answer?

God says, you are my child.

Is that sufficient? Do we continue to find ourselves asking that same question even though we know that our identity is found in Jesus Christ?

We are broken people and I know that there are definitely situations where I find myself forgetting that this identity in Him is more important than any other identities I try to put together myself.

So the question is how do I constantly keep reminding myself that it doesn’t matter how others see me, that my self-worth is not based on what they think? How should I stop listening to the lies around me and only hear the truth from Him?

I know I need to preach the Gospel to myself over and over again.

He made us relational beings meant to live in community and fellowship with others. Yet it is so difficult sometimes to be part of a team, to work with others, to be judged and criticized. I’m sure He took this into consideration and knew that this process of encountering conflict is meant to only make us stronger. So then, how do we allow ourselves to be strengthened in the process without getting caught up with the negative thoughts and feelings?

Family Album continued..

SO sorry.. wordpress was being annoying and so I completely forgot to post the rest of the album~

Here it is.. and yes, after exams I’m making more of these.. in various formats with various layouts according to various themes =P

first 2 pages - layouts for you to insert photos or writing.

page 3, 4 - ready to be decorated!

I like this page.. "All my love .. from the heart"

I used an embossing technique to make the "Love" pop~

A nice quote and complementing designs to finish the album.

The pages that hide in the slots of the album.. they're really fun to pull out!

The simple back cover - "2gether forever"

So there it is.. 13 pages in total for you to decorate with family pictures or memories of events, etc. This is what makes this project special~ I simply put together layouts, set up a backdrop for YOU to add your own creative ideas!

Some of my friends have told me to sell this for $15-20 .. what do you think? I think I’ll make some more and decide because I want to make sure the product is worth every penny! =]

My first paperbag ‘Family’ Album

I don’t know why it’s so difficult to insert the photos.. they keep overlapping or something. I’m going to try and fix that tomorrow. I have this horrible headache.. Here’s the cover for now! =]

The front cover

my vicious cycle

I don’t know where to begin or whether there is anything to say anymore.

I’ve been asking too many questions in the past few weeks.

Are they questions that will build me or build others up? Or are they destructive questions that will only put me in a state of despair?

As I learn and mature every day, I come to realize just how ugly our society is becoming. It upsets me. Perhaps it even disgusts me.

It’s like watching the world we live in fall into traps of sin and feeling like there isn’t much I can do about it. The more questions I ask about why our world is like this, why our society has become that way, why have the people in my life changed this way, and why do I keep doing this, has pushed me into a dark, dark corner.

I know that He is using these questions to shape the way I see my own life and the way I see the world He created.

It’s true, I always have these cycles of frustration, exhaustion, confusion, reflection, and then rest in Him. I guess it makes it difficult for the people around me to understand me or be able to relate with what goes on in my head.

I think a lot. I can’t help but dream about everything. I can’t control my urge to analyze everything.  But I will try.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. [Psalm 62:5]

Undo

indecisive..

Yes.. it’s been awhile. Probably even too long. I’ve been thinking about whether to continue using this blog because I am getting ready to start a fashion-focused blog in preparing myself for what is ahead.

I actually haven’t used wordpress long enough to accurately determine which is better. Blogspot or WordPress? Those who know me would clearly understand how indecisive I am.

Recently I’ve been really struggling in getting in touch with reality. I have had many deadlines in the past two weeks. I still have many assignments to start and finish in the remaining of this week. But again, I find myself constantly dreaming about the future, dreaming about all the “what ifs” in life. 

This entry is simply a random thoughts entry. I’m still feeling nauseous from my exam today so forgive my unpolished writing. 

I’ll write again later when I can come to a decision about all this blogging.

Here, take a look at my recent works: (Those who asked me to make it for them, didn’t buy them in the end… so my dad bought two from me =P)

thank u card selling for $3

birthday card for my producer

 

 

I know therefore I do.

I know … but cannot do many things.

I know my weaknesses, at least most of them. 

I know what I should do to be built up in these weaknesses, but I cannot do it.

I know it takes courage but it is nowhere to be found.

I know this is a major problem in my life and it is gradually affecting every aspect of life, but I cannot face it.

I know that I need to take that first step in order to stand up and fight my weaknesses, but that first step is harder to take than ever imagined.

I know … but I cannot do.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [Psalm 73:26]