Auckland Day

Yesterday was Auckland Anniversary Day, but whether or not it's public holiday it makes no difference to me. Hehe.

It had been showering for the whole morning but onces again God has made the rain stopped so that we could enjoy our afternoon at Western Spring. The Parachuters were also back to join us. The weather was terrific and the lake was beautiful! Thanks to Ivan, the "CURRENT" game was really fun to play.

In the evening we went to Angela's place for BBQ, then we had a great time watching the video with the projector, large screen and speakers.

In conclusion, the Aucklanders had fun yesterday. We should have more outing like this! Low cost, no stress, but heaps of fun!

Worship Pract

This afternoon we had our worship practice as usual. In my opinion, it's one of the best worship pract I've ever been to so far.

Sometimes I really felt that worship pract is just a routine we have. And as a backup singer, I felt strongly that eighty percent of time are the musicians who need more practice and there is no need for backup singers to be there. Such thinking comes when the worship team does not concentrate, not productive and worship leader loses control over the team. I felt quite bad because we could finish the worship pract in one and half hours instead of two or two and a half hours. To me, that's quite frustrating.

But today Angela's leading was marvelous. She was really well prepared. By the time we arrived there the equipments have almost been set up. We had shared our needs and desires. Then she clearly explained to us the styles of the songs she chose, how she wanted each song to be sung and how the spirit should flow. Most importantly, she took control over all of us. There was no distraction but only training on technical aspects. She also gave us a lot of encouragement...and banana smoothy! Basically, no time was wasted during the three hour whole worship pract.

Hmm...worship team should have this kind of spirit and it should be like that everyweek. I still remember what Li Hisen shared with us during our evening fellowship. People who can make an impact on others lives are those who have a different spirit.

Game time!

Its becoming a pain to think of a title for my blog because everytime there just isn't only one specific issue, instead the contents are rather mixed and therefore complicated to title. Well, what shall I start with?

Today I had a proper face-to-face meeting with Kathy's parents. They are nice of course and I felt quite comfortable staying and talking at their house. I even had my noodles and dessert that were prepared by Kathy's mum. The dessert was a cake. Although I am not good at identifying any food's name still I have to say its very delicious, well presented and tenderly made. Taste just as good as those that are sold for 4 or 5 dollars in the cake shop.

Oceania Convention 2007, okay, it's going to cost me quite a lot to attend it. Firstly I need to get a full time job so that I can financially support myself to go. Meanwhile, I have to rely on my job to apply for a working visa in order to return to NZ after OC. I don't know how the immigration procedures are so I still have to find out. Next, I will need a return plane ticket. Apparently a lot of tickets are either booked/sold out or too expensive. Lastly, its to get a holiday leave. I need to make sure my Easter break will be long enough for me the sustain myself through. If anyone of these criterias cannot be met then its still okay, because I can still make myself useful by supporting Charles on Sunday! Am I nice?

After a while of thinking, I think maybe I should portray myself a different image. It's not because that I don't like what I am currently, but I realize there are still so much potential inside me. For the things that I have learnt, seen, gone through, thoughts that developed, minds that have been trained, interests that have been cultivated, I still far from utilizing my potential. I do, in fact, like what I am to myself and others in all stages in my life, but in God, there is always BETTER. It is God's will for us to be perfect.

Maybe I should also change my attitudes. Although sometimes I think its okay to speak in such a way but I should not make it annoying to people anymore. Hehe.

Tonight after Prayer Meeting we went to Dinghow restaurant. Its one of the restaurant that I find most disappointing. Their environment, air ventilation, their food and their services all disatisfied me. Sigh...Then we went to Hulu Cat for a drink. We had a good time chatting (gossiping). Well, that's the first level of fellowship isn't it? Hehe. Interestingly tonight we saw so many familar faces, including a lot of people who have previously been to our church or CCM.

The game has begun. Once started, I will play it through. Let's all show some commitments. :)

Roasted Peanuts

"We don't like it but we all need it and we will be glad when we go through it." Ps Jeff described "growth" on his blog. Everytime when I come to the realization that discipline plays the most important role in order for growth to take place, I realize that how undisciplined I was. It's not because I don't appreciate growth, but because I am that shortsighted to see the great joy after going through growth. "Discipline here does not only refer to punishment for wrong but training for good as well." Training for good as well, right...

Many of us who have been to the Hope Auckland Annual Church Camp in 2005 would have been captured by his fun sermon preaching style. He would let you ENJOY the sermon throughout from the beginning to the end. He's powerful...although the first time you see him you may not be able to pick up that hes the pastor right away. Hehe.

I had an interview with City Sales this morning. It went well overall. I thought I was experienced enough to read something out loud as I have been working in the telemarking industry for over one and a half years, but I was still nervous and finished reading the script with some extra vibrations. I sales manager said I have a clear voice. ; )

Today I also made some enquires about the salesperson's certificate. It seems like i will have to spend quite a lot on that if I want to get it done. Then I was on the phone for almost an hour with mum, she didn't give me much career advise but I have already got what I need--her supportive voice. I also had a chance to speak to my dad after he finished work at noon, not for long though, because I ended up needing to go to the toilet. LOL. Anyway, it's good to hear they both are well.

I always write more than one thing/event/thought at a time so sometimes it's hard to really put a title that make sense. Therefore I named today's entry title "Roasted Peanuts", sometime totally unrelated to the contents. I am eating them right now so that's all that I can think of.

Grace

Haha. I cancelled the interview yesterday. I knew I would not take that job as soon as I found out the location was too far away from the city. But the director of the company is kind enough to ask me to consider other positions at a much closer branch. I think I will give it a try. Meanwhile, I am still looking for other jobs, especially jobs that suit me the most.

Really really thank God for his grace, Kathy's graduation problem is finally settled! Have to thank those who have been supporting in prayers. All the sudden the job hunting thing is getting exciting again after that 3wks holiday. Recently I had Maria, Colleen and Debbie who referred me to job opportunities. Thank you all.

Emm...by God's grace, gradually, our prayers are being fulfilled. Solutions to problems, relationship, weather, jobs...all these prayer requests are being fulfilled, one by one, just like according to the master plan. Look to you, I rejoiced.

Dream

I had a very interesting dream last night. I dreamed of an old woman knocked at my apartment door and wanted to have a job interview with me. So I let her come in and we sat at a dining table. While I forgot most of the questions she asked me I still remember she started by asking what awards I have received in my lifetime...

I was brushing my teeth this morning and I was still thinking about the dream last night. Was it some kind of hint? Suddenly, someone called me and asked me to go for a job interview sometime next week. Then I was stunned. It feels like someone was trying to give me a surprise.

The following was my draft design for the CCM T-shirt. However, it is agreed that it shows nothing much about CCM, so I modified it a bit and made it an EYEPORT logo. Hehe.

We saw comet!!!

We saw a little object falling from the sky yesterday while we were still at Cornwall park at 9:40pm. We were only able to described it as a "thing" after all. It appeared to be a small dot and was emitting some kind of light which then formed a long cure tail as it was falling. After I got home I found out that was actually Comet McNaught!



Kathy, Gali, Sarah, Rachel and I all saw this. At first I thought it was just some kind of random things therefore I didnt even set up my tripod before I took the photos. Haha. I guess its so easy to miss out great things in our lives if you are so careless or lazy like me. LOL. If you think you missed it it doesn't matter. Because Comet McNaught is still expected to be visible in the next three weeks.



"It is 124 million kilometres from Earth and is now moving away from the sun. Astronomers say it can be spotted in the southwestern sky shortly after sunset.

Carter Observatory senior astronomer Brian Carter said the comet was the brightest in more than 40 years. Nasa astronomer Tony Phillips said the comet was 100 times brighter than Halley's Comet when it appeared in 1986." Says in the NZ Herald.

New Year

After counting down on the phone, we've passed from 2006 to 2007. The transition was very peaceful. ^_^

Kathy is back. Suddenly I feel like busy again. hehe. I and Angela went to the airport to pick her up yesterday. It seems like one month was certainly not enough for her. Remember last time I spent my christmas and new year in China, three months was long enough to bore me but I wished I could stay longer. Where is my dream? And where is the reality?

Eventually got to see my beloved camera. I lent her to Ricky for his trip. He certainly has been taking care of her...or not. I could tell from the extra fingerprints on the glass. He deserves a punch. Haha.

Wiped off the fringerprints and dirt, I am now ready for Lou & Tim's wedding in less than 12hrs. This will be my first time attending a wedding. I am excited about witnessing such a beautiful moment and also about taking photos at such special occasion. Surely I will post the wedding photos if I manage to take some nice shots tomorrow plus I get the permission from the couple.

Four championships are gonna be held in New Zealand this year so it's a big year for kiwis. Facing so many challenges, it will be a big year for me also. In chinese culture if someone is 24 then that person needs to be extra careful because 24th is a tough year with "bad luck". Ricky just asked if I got my "red undies". LOL...fortunately I don't believe in such thing. For an ordinary chinese who has gone through proper education, 24th is the year when s/he starts working. A person usually gets into a lot of trouble after entering workforce. So I guess this seemingly"unlucky year" exists for everyone. For some it may come earlier, and for others later.

Crystal is back also because summer school is starting very soon. Although summer school is meant to be held during summer, the weather today was really cold. It's windy and still freezing.