Gift of God. Because all things come under Jesus who rules at the right hand of God. Nothing is accidental, and all will be made right. Romans 8:28
Monday, December 29, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
New year's resolutions
Monday, December 15, 2014
Ready!
I am a little late getting into the game, but I guess I should start tracking my new year's resolutions. They're prayers anyway, and it'd be great to see if God answers these prayers.
This year, I will continue to ask God to help me trust him. But I also need to learn to trust the people around me. I think it would be difficult to be around someone who doesn't trust you. So, I need to believe that others are competent and capable of doing the right thing. And maybe I do need to be on my guard against some people but in general, I need to trust most of the people I meet.
Let's see if things change.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Our father
This Christmas, hope is for me too.
This Christmas, forgiveness is for me too.
God takes great pleasure in providing for His people. Psalm 104
Friday, December 05, 2014
Not being able to make my regular badminton sessions doesn't help either. But, I must say that God is good, and that I have had blessings this week too. I just need to trust God, and like it or not, I need to trust the people around me.
It's kinda like baddy. :) You need to trust your doubles partner even when you don't want to, and if you don't, you risk losing the match at a faster rate. I don't know why that's the case. It just is.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
ah hah
Life lessons really stick for me once I learn something on the badminton court. For the past two years, I've been told over and over again that I need to keep my grip loose. Power comes from a tight grip, but you can't constantly grip the racket tightly because your stroke becomes inflexible and your reactions are slow. So the grip should be light and relaxed until the second you hit the shuttle, after which point, your grip should loosen up again. It's hard to break old habits though, so it's been a real struggle to change this up.
Last night, during one of my drills, I noticed that my grip was more relaxed and I wasn't even thinking about it. At that moment, I realized that I was starting to get what it means to hold the grip gently until the opportune moment. And more importantly, that in life, off the court, I need to loosen my grip on things too. I can hold on to God, but everything else, especially the things that make me angry at work, need to be held with soft hands.
Sounds silly, but this is a really important moment for me.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Single-minded?
Waiting for my friends to go camping but all I want to do is play badminton.
Lord, please meet me this weekend.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Sigh
I just realized that when I think of a colleague negatively--even if I think it is justified--I am unable see the colleague as Christ sees him/her. I may not have to trust her but I think I need to change how I see him/her.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Growing
I guess the hardest part of my journey has been adjusting to work culture and the complexities of negotiating friendship in the professional world. On the one hand, we're friends but on the other hand, we are all colleagues even if we don't work at the same institution. Still need to get my head around all that.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
rules, or the lack of rules
There are days when I really hate academia. Today is one of them. And actually, yesterday too.
Update: and yes, I am often fearful too. Fear is infectious!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
I keep telling myself that I need to slow down. But I still fill up my schedule more than I'd like to and make my Monday mornings so much harder. Last night, I heard life and industry stories from an architecture who heads the HK office of a Chinese firm, a police (woman) officer stationed in Mong Kok, and an entrepreneur in travel retail. I really, really love talking to people who work in different fields. They teach me more about the world than I'd have access to on my own.
Sometimes, I wonder what life would be like if I had chosen a different career. But what??
Monday, November 03, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
oh, work
Hopefully, never again?
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Overwhelmed
I have been around too many people these past few weeks. And I noticed that everyone seeks affirmation or validation, often from the people around them. I would like to make them feel valued because they are worthy of respect and dignity as God's creation. But I only have so much energy.
And I learned that I need to come back to God, and wait on him, and be filled again so that I can see others the way he sees them. I still need a lot of time alone. But I can spend time with people too, and give them the respect they need.
I have been so blessed to have been loved so deeply and generously inside and outside the church. So I need to give it my best shot!
Psalm 86:11-13
enough....
I need to move to a deserted island, I really do.
Monday, October 06, 2014
too much
Saturday, October 04, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
more time on my hands
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
mentoring
Monday, September 08, 2014
blessed
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Politics
I'm proud to say that my faculty has decided to support our students in what they choose to do. I've offered to reschedule my classes to the evening or the weekends as a measure of support.
I must say that I don't like to disrupt my lessons, and I don't like it when my students can't attend my classes. Personally, these strikes may hurt the students as individuals, and it is a cost that the university community has to bear. But we also need to send a message that will be loud and clear to the Chinese government that HK is part of China, but is prepared to fight for democracy, and for an independent judiciary.
Business cannot go on as usual, but how do we do it in a way that hurts China, and not us? But if we do not pay the cost now, the cost we pay later will be much higher. Oy vey. God, grant wisdom and courage to those in positions of leadership, as well as to the rest of us.
Monday, September 01, 2014
Fall 2014
Some of it is exciting. I'm excited to teach a new class, and I'm excited to see some of my favorite students who have signed up for my classes. I'll miss the students who have graduated.
The faculty is going through a search for a new dean, and one of the candidates is really amazing. His/her accomplishment is way out of the ballpark, and I'd never be able to replicate that kind of track record. But his/her energy and enthusiasm is inspiring. Something I learned: recognize the problems for what they are, but use as much positive language as possible because you come across as being ready and equipped to solve the problem.
Some people complain a lot (seriously) but they just come across as bitter and impotent. Note to self....
I would like to be productive this year. I really, really would.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Life lesson from work
Hopefully, all this makes sense in the future.
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
please....
It seems like the one thing that I've had to learn to do consistently over the past 20 years is to learn to weigh what people teach me. I need to remain teachable, but not what everyone tells me is true--even if they're convinced they are--or right. Sometimes, it may not be right for me at that time.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. Lord, have mercy.
Saturday, August 02, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
more dreams
So, what's my unconscious telling me? I don't really keep in touch with either Zoia or Michelle even if I do think they're both really wonderful women, and Zoia's more of an expert dancer rather than chef. I guess dreams don't really mean anything and I shouldn't put anything by them.
In the summer, it gets so hot here that water coming out of my kitchen taps are hot in the morning.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
the unconscious
Oh boy.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Physical fatigue
My entire body feels bruised.
And I cannot believe it's already mid-July. Where has my summer gone? I need to write. Come on, brain and body, get with the groove, please.
I'm glad that I won't be traveling for the rest of the year.
I feel like I've lost my drive for work, but I want to see the end of this project. I'm not writing the way I want to write, and I'd like a breakthrough. The break of travel was great because I did see some things differently and my brain wasn't trundling along the same old ruts.
But now, it's time to get back into a productive routine. Please?
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
and we're back
But oh, to get back on the wheel? So tough. I schedule reading days right after a trip but it doesn't feel like "real" work. Even though it is. I mean, how will I know what books to teach if I don't read new ones, right?
So why doesn't it feel like real work???
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
Back home for a week
It's the dry season season now but it has rained every day the three days I have been here. So thankful for the blessing of rain!
There's nothing like lying in bed on a rainy evening. The rain soaked breeze here feels and smells different from everywhere else in the world.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Sea glass
But noooooo, not one teeny piece of sea glass for me.
So, here you are, God, I'll be waiting for you to answer this prayer. I never thought of myself as very girly, but it is nice to have a little bling bling sometimes. And I want me a nice piece of sea glass, thanks!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Ephemeral
Found out that an old classmate died yesterday from dengue fever. It was a bit of a shock to hear that someone I know could die from a mosquito bite.
Life is strange. And completely outside of my control. So, I should get used to it and be more relaxed in general because life won't always turn out the way I want it to even if I do everything right. And of course, there's no way I can do everything right.
And God is still God so I can leave things up to Him.
Why is this so hard?
Thankful for a couple of friends who were there for me yesterday.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Penance
This jet lag is completely unpredictable. Completely.
And there are days when I feel so alienated in HK. Is that jet lag or is that a longing for Home?
Monday, June 16, 2014
World Cup fever!
I love it when my friends are crazy over a sport. Okay, maybe not really. I mean I get infected by World Cup fever even if I don't watch any of the games. But I love reading fb feed related to the matches!
Hup, Holland!
Ugh
I hate Rome Fiumicino! You make my journeys longer every time I have to transit here!
Avoid when possible.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Almost done
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
White flag
I think being here has really given me thinking space. My brain seems a little freer now that I am not just barreling through my routine. This is God's grace to the imperfect person that I am.
I know I can do terrible things and I am tired of fighting it. I give up. This is who I am and I am not perfect. Sorry, world. Can't pretend to be good. I am just someone who struggles. That's me.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Palermo again
What am I doing here? I have not seen another Chinese face here. Although Italian people are very polite and don't stare. I would if I saw another Chinese face!
Let's hope the work portion of the trip goes well because there's not much in this tiny town. Great beaches though.
It took me over an hour of walking to get to this secluded cove but even the more accessible beaches have really clear water.
Friday, June 06, 2014
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
On the way to Tuen Mun
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Friends
God's work: pulling together very different people and making them friends who teach, share, encourage, and love one another. This would not have been possible if it had been left up to me.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Thunder and lightning
I have never heard so much thunder in my life. One lightning bolt follows the other almost immediately. Kind of stressful at 3.30am.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Friday, May 09, 2014
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Monday, May 05, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
God's too cute
Yes, I'm sure none of them would have liked to know that I was chatting with four other people at the same time (type fast and ask more questions) but these weren't very long chats anyway. It was just what I needed, and God provided not one friend, not two friends, but five friends. God loves and gives abundantly!
(And, he has quite the sense of humor.)
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
sigh
My workplace drives me nuts but everyone just keeps telling me that this is how life works. Things aren't always going to be clear, and they aren't always going to make sense.
I wish God created a better version of me. Someone who doesn't make as many mistakes as I do.
Psalm 51
Thursday, April 17, 2014
True story.
Although, I suppose I should be glad that I don't run the risk of dying at work. Stories of friends of friends who develop cancer from all the stress and anxiety notwithstanding.