closing out 2010

chrismas and new year

Christmas this year reminded me to wait and to let go, and I think that will be a good thing to practice as I enter 2011. Best to you and yours as you reflect on 2010 and welcome 2011!

perspective

One of my childhood friends observed recently in an email that I seem to be constantly stressed but also that I always seem to make it through. Maybe, she wondered, it's because God is so amazing in my life, unlike in hers. This observation stopped me in my tracks because my friend is right. God has been amazing in my life but deep down inside, I have trouble believing that He will keep providing. Some day, the boom has to fall and I'll find out that God will just let go.

That is not true. God will be faithful.

As insightful as my friend YW was, she was wrong about one thing. God is also amazing in her life. We're both guilty of not seeing how He has worked and continues to work with both power and gentleness in both our lives.

I'm very much looking forward to attending Christmas eve service tonight and renewing my vows to the God who is not only all-powerful and all-knowing, but who is also all-loving.

up north

My old boss from LA was in M'sia for a conference and then we went on a research trip up north. Here we are at the Peranakan Museum!

blast from the past

One of my committee members co-organized a symposium held here at my institution, which means I got to say hello and have a brief conversation with him. It's been, what, 2.5 years since I left Ith__ ?? I didn't realize how long 2.5 years really feels until he hugged and kissed me on the cheek. I sat in on most of the panel discussions for today (had to attend dept meetings yesterday, ugh) but I had to leave the room before the roundtable ended because I couldn't bear to say goodbye in person. He was sitting at the head of the table so I stood at the back of the room until he noticed me, then I waved goodbye.

back in HK again

I've been gone 3 weeks but I feel like I've lived a lifetime in those three weeks. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing yet but I certainly enjoyed my time back home. Now I'm back to a lot of....running around. I'm trying desperately to remain calm, make lists of what I need to do, check items off as I do them, and trust that everything will go well.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm more negative than I need to be--if you think so, do let me know!!--or if I need to change some things about my life. Okay, off I go to a meeting that starts in a couple of minutes.