A Guy, a Girl and a Mole Mobile part 1

Celebrating the Mole Mobile, named after our favourite PET.

Mr Broc picked up his car last tuesday 17th April and took me out on Wednesday.. Our first destination was Bondi Junction for a movie 300 at the greater union cinemas there..
The place was HUGE! We were 10mins early and had the whole place to ourselves.. 300 ? Good cinematography and a fine display of masculine flesh each Spartan clad in a scarlett cape and superman pants.. check out those ABS... couldn't help check out Mr broc's Mr belly.. =) I like Mr belly.

After the movie, we were both hungry. Pleasantly surprised to find out the ever crowded ramen place Ichi-ban boshi had a branch or what appeared to be its origins in Bondi! Mr Broc and I went in happily.. no queues!

Inspired by this food blog grab your fork introduced by my cute sister little B, and her encouragement. I'm going to blog about food again!! and take pictures much to the chagrin of my dearest Mr Broc.

Previously our dates used to be going to cafes and food spots. Eat and rank our meals as part of our journal. It is new start!

AUD$7.90 Cha-Han + miso soup

Ichiban Boshi's Tokyo Ramen AUD$7.90

Mr Broc and his cha han->

The cha-han tasted like a normal fried rice, nice and fragrant nonetheless with what we commonly know as wok-fire aroma.

My tokyo ramen was nice, the ramen having a good chewy texture to it, slivers of fatty pork melting in my mouth (I have lost my dietitian tendencies at this point), the half boiled egg added a nice touch with the melty yolk. Soup was tasty but a bit too salty.
Score: 7/10

Ichiban-Boshi

360 Oxford St, Bondi Junction +61 2 9369 3980

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri Lunch : 11am - 3:30pm Dinner : 5pm - 9:30pm
Sat - Sun All day 11am - 9:30pm

http://www.ichibanboshi.com.au/english/home.html

That's My King

Heard this incredible description of who our King is during the Easter convention in Melbourne over the weekend.

That's My King

The Bible says My King is the King of the Jews
He's the King of the Israel, He's the King of righteousness
He's the King of the Ages, He's the King of heaven, He's the King of glory
He's the King of Kings and He's the Lord of Lords
That's my King, I wonder do you know Him

My King is a sovereign King, no means of measure can define His limitless love.
He's enduringly strong, He's entirely sincere, He's eternally steadfast,
He's immortally graceful, He's imperially powerful, He's impartially merciful
Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world
He's God's son, He the sinners' saviour, He's the centrepiece of civilization
He's unparalleled, He's unprecendented, He's the loftiest idea in literature
He's the highest personality in philosophy, He's the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour
I wonder if you know Him today

He supplies strength for the weak, He's available for the tempted and the tried
He sympathizes and He saves, He strengthens and sustains
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick, He cleansed the lepers, He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors
He delivers the captives, He defends the feeble
He blesses the young , He serves the unfortunate, He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek
I wonder if you know Him

He's the key to knowledge, He's the wellspring of wisdom, He's the doorway of deliverance, He's the pathway of peace, He's the roadway of righteousness
He's the highway of holiness, He's the gateway of glory
I wonder if you know Him

His life is matchless, His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting, His love never changes
His word is enough, His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous and His yoke is easy and His burden is light
I wish I could describe Him to you

He's indescribable, He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, He's irresistable,
You can't get Him out of your mind, You can't get Him off your hand
You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him
The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, when they found out they couldn't stop Him
Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him, Herod couldn't kill Him
Death couldn't have Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him
That's my King

http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/4/Thats-My-King

This was spoken by the late S.M. Lockridge who presented this an incredible message, describing our God and who He is.

Was so in awe after watching the presentation, my immediate response was to ask for forgiveness for limiting Jesus, for putting Him in the box and allowing petty things to overwhelm me.

During camp, I constantly asked the question "God, what is real?"

When all the flashy lights and amazing music fades. How do people really worship when they are not on stage or when there is no electric guitar, running up and down of the keyboard. What is building atmosphere that induces an emotional response or are the tears an authentic response to the awesome presence of the Holy Spirit?
I wonder if I'd become a sceptic, or cos I am protective of the true experience of God?
I guess its not up to me to judge as everyone has their own understanding of their relationship with God.

I thank God that He's given me, our CG, our unit and our church truly FANTASTIC, DEDICATED, SINCERE, and LOVING PASTORS.
The prophetic word prayed over Pastor John and Lisa is so true to who they are to us as Hope Sydney Christian church about Pastor John being honest John, that he didn't like things that are flashy or fake and Lisa that she confronts and corrects cos she cares! Once again a true appreciation for them as they labour tirelessly for the church, for God.

I thank God that she did, amazingly true cos she did save me from a big misunderstanding from 2 pple that matter a lot to me and from my leaders just cos she was the only one with guts to talk to me about something not very pleasant... I've really got to learn that from her, indeed as leaders it takes courage to speak the truth in love and correct our members but a lot of the time we just end up getting frustrated and complaining to another leader or God about it but that doesn't really help things does it? In fact it will hurt the person a lot more if nothing was said and someone else had to be the intermediate.

Hmmmm, funny how I got to share my testimony twice and my experience of God with two non-christians from the Paddington service who went to camp. The guy Peter had asked Dave previously on how we got together and how God lead us. Then he asked Dave about my testimony on our 12 hour bus-trip back to Sydney. Didn't have a chance to share with him until much later, and when I was trying to sleep between stops, it kept bugging me that I didn't until I stood up and went to the back to share with him. His response was "Wow you have the best stories, all pretty incredible" .. Asked him to ask other people about their testimonies of how they came to know God. Challenged him to dare to ask God and pray. The girl also asked me how to start a relationship with God. I told her about accepting Christ but she said she wasn't ready so challenged her as well to pray and ask God.

God answered my question in 3 subtle ways. "WHAT IS REAL?"

Har har I can't believe I just got it when blogging. Hehe I always knew writing was the best way I connect to God.

1) The love my pastors have for the church and the people
2) The true objective of why we do what we do. To see people come to Christ, to know and to love God and matured into His likeness.
3) THAT's my KING. Times may change, people grow old, circumstances, relationships etc. That will never change who Jesus is.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever more!

Dust

Exerpts from Romans 12

"..you present your bodies a living sacrifice to, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service... to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.' - v1b,3b

"Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: If prophecy, let us prophecy in proportion to our faith:... he who leads, with diligence. " - v 12:6b, 8b

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor, giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." - v10-13

"Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - v 1-18, 21

I stand amazed at God's goodness once again, how He endures with us and puts up with our nonsense, knowing exactly of the substance we are made out of.

Tonight we have CG once again for the first time as just us, Integrity CG after a whole flurry of activities for Orientation. TY was right regarding the warning about the workers, all the workers I'll say are dead tired and from my previous blog on the brink of insanity sometimes. I wonder if I'm schizophrenic? duo personality.

I know that I know that I know that God is good, God is real, God is love and if HE never does anything for me ever again, redemption through faith in Christ Jesus is enough reason to keep doing what I'm doing, kept thankful:

" For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?' For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen"

Picked up, looking forward to tonight.. of what the Lord may bring, slight restructure, a disturbance of comfort zones, keeps us challenged to learn to love.

gripey me

MADMAD MAD I think I'm on the brink of a burn-out or it could just be too many hours behind the wheel.
Sometimes its hard to hope, fear to hope too much
Sometimes you don't dare to ask cos you should be thankful and content
Sometimes things are hard to let go
Sometimes people are too difficult to love/understand
Sometimes you just wanna be mean and say what u really think about someone..

Does being christian mean u have to be a good-two-shoes and say "ok" all the time?
Having a Job moment. If friendship is about honesty when does it get too brutal?

I need to sleeeeep

Harvesting..hand on plow...

113!!!!

Wah we hit a record high of 113 members signing up at the Campus Christian Movement (CCM) booth at Sydney University today!! And if we add the 50 from UTS ones that signed up it would be as Alex said if all attended church we would double our church attendance! =) Caroline's last count was189 members total adding sign-ups from UTS, CNY event and Wollongong orientation.

Praise the Lord for an excellent location, answering our prayers and for TY&INK's prayers regarding the workers.. we had also double the number of usual workers 9-10 pple at least each day! its amazing how we conquered the blistering heat to be out there and for yesterday's group rain!

I got sunburnt all over my chest and arms.. got a print of my top that I wore to orientation today emblazed on my skin...

I can't believe I am back to Sydney, terribly home-sick, cried at the airport when Little B, Mum and Dad waved bye to me and Mr Broc at the airport. The trip back home was way too fast, though I loved the time I spent with Mr Broc, didn't really have much time to catch up with my family. Saturday night's whispers in bed with Little B was sad when I cheekily asked her "Do u miss me when I'm gone?", she replied matter of factly " Not really, cos I'm already used to it..."
Heart-ache.. Hanging onto the promise of God for my family, He will take care of them when I'm out here for his kingdom. It has been 7 years going on 8 out of home.

" And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. " - Matthew 19:29


Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." - Luke 9:62

" Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." - Psalm 45:10-11

Yes God. Heavenly work at hand.

Workshop demonstration on Saturday on nutrition and cooking.

(YES I find out whether I can be a celebrity chef or not using a stir-fry electric wok in a lecture room)

P&W this Sunday

and the Amazing Race next week in the Olympic park.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow...

"its only a day awaayyyyyy....."

YES! The day is approaching.. I'm finally going back to Singapore Mr Broc in tow..
We'll be heading back to Singapore to celebrate Chinese New Year, time to expose Mr Broc to Asian things all weird and wonderful in the season that rivals Christmas in Australia! He's excited to go shopping, drink fruit juice out of plastic bags and eat food out of brown paper, hopefully not too detered after our dinner with A&C who kindly gave him words of "advice" regarding the season.. "don't wear..." and "don't say..." , "can't give..." etc. Well Alex told him to wear red and white.. so don' t really think that advice is particularly "good" =)

I'm sitting here marvelling at the goodness of God, its amazing how the little things in life that God grants that you ask for + plus a lil' extra on the side can make your day.. they are little in the aspect of our big DREAMS, purpose of life type prayers but I'm delighted anyway knowing that God is in the big and small things.

1) Yesterday, me being a kiasu Singaporean told Mr Broc:

"Check-in opens in 48 hours before the flight, ours is 1245 on Saturday so you log onto Singaporeair.com at 1245 and check-in ok? IMPT cos people check-in really early and cos Dad booked for me through PPS I got my seat reserved for me already in August even. Seat 33C ok"

Row 33, that's like the 3rd row from the front of the economy section, pple usually vie for the front rows.. Yesterday morning, prayed a short prayer
"Dear God please help Mr Broc and I manage to get seats together.. please please.. Thank you Lord, Amen" In mind hoping but also thinking of various strategies we could do if it doesn't happen, like us going early to check-in and ask to be allocated together or attempt to convince fellow passenger to please change seats with us.

1pm call from Mr Broc, "Hey, I can't seem to check-in, I've entered my passport number and stuff but they say I don't come up? Am I not booked on the flight?" panic !

Me: "You sure you did it right?"
Mr Broc: "Yep"
Me: "Hmmm, maybe its still not open yet"
Mr Broc: "Yeah I'll try again later..."
Me: "Ok"

Rest of day both of us were busy, I finished clinic a little earlier than expected and headed to Parramatta to do some last minute shopping. Met Mr Broc for dinner then headed to his place again.
Me: " I'll check in for you.." type type type... "Passenger not found"
!!!!
Mr Broc: " Hey dear... I think I remember I didn't have my passport done when we booked the tickets."
Me: "GRRRR.. oh wat! no wonder"
Type in ticket number.. YES! found him BUT Seat allocation 60D!!
Me: "What so far back.. ok dear you sit by yourself hahhah.. "
Held our breaths as we clicked the "change seats" option and as the screen slowly travelled further up the plane.. there is was "33B" empty!!!!!

"WAAAAAHHHH ... yay!!" couldn't believe it and we even checked the email to double-check that I was in 33C!!! Praise God. That was the most front left!

2) Sleepy morning, read Psalm33 I read this morning about God's soureignty.

" Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the uprights is beautiful!" v1
Sing, sing sing.. lala thank God that no one really walks around at 6am in the morning..
*drip drip..* uhoh .. aaaaa rain!! to think I happily chucked my brolly in my drawer this morning..
" God, please don't let it rain, hold back for another 10mins til I reach work.. pleaseeee.."
It stopped... wow " THANKS Father!"
and just as I stepped into Metabolic house big drops started pelting down. Quick shower, and was over in 10mins.

3) Next... Mmm what should I have for brekky.. Metab is not as well stocked as the kitchens as the other testing unit... oh well maybe just some cereal and soy-milk..
lalal as I was clearing and setting up the place before having brekky and waiting for subjects'
*knock knock*
COLES MAN!!! yay! Caleb did some online shopping! Yummy groceries are here... Fresh stuff
So I settled in with my favourite brekky, mushrooms and cheese on toast + freshly brewed coffee and soy milk

God is good to me..
In additional praise point! Got home last night and Dina showed me her wedding dress! She bought it only for $600!!! Usually they cost a lot more than that! her size too which is tiny.. wah she was marvelling at the Lord's provision.

Rest of the day looks busy, after work go look for fruits to bring back home, pack and seal Mum's abalone, cook for caregroup, meet Angela for shepherding, meet Amy for catching up, bring guitar for CG, combined CG and then home to pack.. I could use another coffee..

Til next time! Singapore! Woo hoo!

And so he tries

It all began with a peaceful day at work and later scheduled practice with Mr Broc and Susie for P&W and special item for Diep and Phu's wedding on Saturday when.. Mr Broc calls me and brilliantly decides he wants to try his hand at cooking and whip up something special for us...

I was working at the clinic that day so couldn't argue much, just had to hear his many phone calls regarding "recipes" and what ingredients I had at home that he could use, also many "hey dear what's chorizo.. etc"

Returning home, one could not help a smile to the face being greeted by this

<---- MAN in kitchen holding fry-pan in semi-amatuer way Quickly changed into sloppy t-shirt to help settle the mess that had begun (its a woman thing) and serve him as his kitchen hand..

Signs that he's tried something that is beyond his baby kitchen steps.

Question: " Dear what does it mean to trim and blanch french beans?"

"How do I roast almonds?" and GIANT chunks of pumpkin interpreted from slice pumpkin and fry with onion and garlic for 5mins. (We had to fish the pumpkin out from the pan, reslice it and then put it in again) .. Hot pumpkin, not easy to slice.

Mr Broc:"Could you help me cut up the onions?"

Me: "Ok, how do u want them done?"

Mr Broc: "I'd like them cut."

Me: " cut how?"

Mr Broc: "just cut them up" - silence

Mr Broc: " you mean there are different ways to cut it?"

Me: "?!?!?!?!"

Hence proceed to demonstrate, slice halves,quarters, diced, chopped, minced.. etc..

5mins later: "Hey dear, book says diced in small pieces."

Well after all the hard work, I was very impressed by his really yummy celery, french beans chicken salad with roasted almonds and chorizo. Dressing made from honey, olive oil and seeded mustard.

<-----

AND home-made pumpkin soup, (he bought a can just in case anything happens) and Lemon ICE TEA.. he's been obsessed with making it since we tried a nice hongkee place in burwood, tried various concoction of different types of tea-bags, required concentration etc and how much sugar vs lemons.. I benefit I guess in this hot summer weather.



Poor Mr Broc after all that hard work, wonder if he will cook again.. (dunno if its a tummy-ache) hehe

The next day, 3 of us trotted down to Punchbowl for Diep and Phu's wedding. Didn't manage to get any photos inside the church cos its was dark but blistering hot! However nothing could steal the smiles off the newly weds faces.

Later we made Dave chase the ice-cream van, kind of miss the good ol' Springleaf days when me and lister would chase the ice-cream man after hearing the "ding ding ding". This time however we had to buy a whole box of popsicles, pretty good deal 20 for like $7.50 and we thought to happily share it with everyone to discover that they'd bought a box too.. so we had like 3 each!
Susie's funny face.. dunno if after effects of dave's meal.. hehe

I still like u Mr Broc.. =)

2007 is Here...

I love holidays....

2nd January 2007 4.42pm I'm blogging... Finally

I feel so lazy today, isn't it funny how we all aspire to accomplish this and that on our free days and when they finally arrive we like to bludge it away. What I've done so far today

11am: woke up, Dina gives me rent and bills $
11:30: Dave calls me post-shower, run for the phone dripping wet
12 noon:
Make a nice cuppa instant cafe roma low fat & sugar coffee + slice of kueh lapis compliments of indonesian housemate Dinasaur and settle down.

Bible and QT... Yes for some ultimate refreshment and feeding of my soul...

ok slight distraction of reading journal 2006:
ARGH! I'm kinda where I was at with regards to my career.... Oh why oh why am I not a super-career woman with a high flying job, frequent air travel, company perks and bonuses??
Still job-hunting for permanent full time job/part considering dream of opening my own cafe one day. Maybe I should go to Tafe to study how to be a chef or wait for Little B to finish business and then go to baking school.. maybe then who knows I'll be a mother of 3 blah blah..

Calm down chicky... wait for God.. remember lamentations2 "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
I hate fighting with u God, why does HE always win?

Question posed to God: What now for 2007?

Acts2:41-47 and John 21:15-24. Focus on caregroup and fellowship with the body of believers
Doctrine and fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Sharing faith and life, Love for one another speaks for itself.. once again the Lord has added to the CG. Amazing. Ok I will try to understand Your heart Lord.

Will I go back to Singapore to be reunited with the other Ekers? dunno, miss them all heaps. Little B is taking over my room converting it to her entertainment room and now that Lister is back from US, she gets the B all to herself.. smooth skin, soft squiggy bolstery and duiing fun..
Mum and Dad is worried that I'm not taking care of myself, having late meals and not having nourishing food..... I'm a dietitian please don't forget ok I know I can get lazy. Nothing beats Mum's cooking though.. Had her for a week over christmas =)! And DAD he's turning into a massive watermelon.. I miss getting pampered like a princess without Dad around =( sobz I miss home God!!!
Little complication: Dave.... will we be able to survive LDR?

Maybe next year? I'm going to give Sydney another shot? Since PR only gets completed in September this year and I've commited to being the chairperson of the cardiology interest group for the dietitians' association of Australia. How did that happen? Cos I was the only one who volunteered to help out.
Train up leaders by next year to take over caregroup.
Exciting prospect of new Paddington service being established next month!

Journal journal my many many thoughts.
To do: Apply for the nestle infant milk powder job. Clear desk of many bills. Do interest group profile. Continual professional development.

2:30pm!!!!!
Man half the day gone, I'm kinda hungry by now...
Check out weird soup I made yesterday for Dina. Turkey leg steak, carrot, onion and tomato soup. Doesn't taste half bad.
Decided instead to try canned low-fat butter chicken from heinz bought 2 weeks ago for desperate lazy moments. Nonsense.. its like butter chicken without chicken, added own chicken fillets.
Topped it off with sambal made by Dina's grandma.. superb!

Watched Naruto while eating.. promised self to start "work " at 4pm.. Yah rite.. ok

4:42pm started blogging

5pm: made nice christmas tea

5:27pm: talking to Jane and Dave online

Aw man this post is so Bridget Jonesy... Dave's credit for getting me the book for Christmas.

Trying to remember pastor PN's words. It should be done, it must be done, it will be done...

Early Morning Rising

" Give ear to my words, O Lord,

Consider my meditation

Give heed to the voice of my cry

My King and my God, For to You I will pray

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord.

In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up" - Psalm5:1-3

A very apt psalm indeed as I had read in my QT this morning, an early riser like myself... these two days having to open the lab waking up at 5am and opening at 6am.. Thank God work is just a 20min walk away..

This waking hour beats even the Junior college days when I though 545am was bad enough!

Though now I'm feeling really lethargic, boiling water for a nice cuppa coffee, typing and reading my Bible will keepme from slumping over the lab bench...

The clouds that usually woo me were coloured deep red then gradually bursts into orange then fading merging into white...The reward, waking up before its light and then day break as I get ready and as I step out into the last moments of dawn, its truly breath-taking.

What a sight, even in the midst of a metropolitan city, the glory of God's creation... I pray.. though I am still half asleep..taking it in..

Yes Lord you hear my voice in the morning... I will direct it to you..

Today's agenda? Purpose...why do I live? why do I love, give and work. Day in day out, go to work , come back from work , have lunch, shepherd, meet people, shopping, housework, exercise....

I still struggle with this issue regarding my work... its easy, pays well, starts and finishes early leaving the whole afternoon for me to do whatever I want....Yet something is missing... something very essential..

it starts with a "P"... PASSION..... in fact a lot of important things start with P.. Purity, purpose... ok i'm losing the point here.

Is there more to this life? Is it purely earthly, physical needs for food, shelter and clothes that drive us to do what we do..

I think I'm still searching for my niche somewhere... work that I am truly passionate for and believe in.. something that I can give my whole heart to and still make a living..

Where is it hiding????? Is it missions, or the overseas 1 year dietitian free-lance job in UK.

Lord help me that You may be enough... daily light for the step that I am on...

The Competition

OK Mr Brocoli, this one is for you... So you can gain so leverage against my food photos. Don't complain the next time I take pictures of you instead.. I know my food never complains.. =)

New record set: Dave 10, Food 30... give me time..

Food Glorious Food

I'm Obessessed !!!!..... with FOOD!!!

Dave does not approve of me taking pictures of food... He has observed that everytime we go out, I'm always buying some kind of food home.. (groceries that is, look if u want a yummy dinner, I've got to get nice ingredients)

He has observed that even after a very satisfying dinner, I'm still looking at some restaurant menu on the window pane musing to him "Hmmm, maybe we can try here next time.."

He has a terrible phobia of me flashing me out my camera and going WAAAITTT.. *snap*snap* Ok you can eat now

LAST Night.. quite ultimate, we were having a deep conversation about life, I was posing him a question
"Do u think this is all to life, have you thought God will lead you somewhere to do missions, set-up an orphanage, plant a church.. u know like the many stories we've heard.. Or do you think life is just working, making money.. buying food??"
DRATS!~! "BUYING F0od...." ok he almost choked, laughing in his hyperventilating type of laugh that Pet attests to and tries to imitate...
"Haha so you think buying food ranks real high on your list of things in life u need to do.. " urrrr.... lost of words so I resort to violence to strangle him...

Anywayz...since I haven't posted my food pictures for a while.. here they are, but I've attempted to make it more interactive this time.. there's people in the pictures!








Spanish baked eggs with tomato confit, capsicum, oregano and chorizo



Haloumi cheese, pomegranate, watercress, shaved fennel, roast eschallots Pumpkin pancake with confit of duck leg and mixed leaf salad

And of course topped of with fantastic book kitchen coffee..


Book kitchen is my ideal cafe, uses mostly organic and free-range products set in a warehouse like building stocked with heaps of FOOD BOOKS... muhahaa.. chai's pretty good here too. Pet and I checked out Sean Moran's latest book.

Introducing....
Little Stick: Sue Lynus the Skinniest, my food buddy

October was good food month in Sydney and we ventured out one weekday lunch time for the $35 "Let's do lunch" special feature a poshy indian restaurant near darling habour Zaaffran.

Little stick with her pinot and lunch. What was featured on the menu:
Lobster and prawns glazed in a clay oven, mesclun, spiced potato wedges, mint chutney, bettroot raita and mushroom nann Topped off with a Brown Brothers' Pinot Grigio 2005 or James Squire Amber Ale.

Mmm after that we were so stuffed that by 7pm when we wanted to celebrate BB's birthday in newtown we couldn't eat... Sue lyn cannot eat?!?!?!

This week we were planning to venture out to King's Cross to hunt for Little Penang reputated M'sian food place for Har Mee... but me too tired after work so I introduced her to Thai on Wok in Glebe where we had Tom Yum Goong, Yellow curry and Pumpkin with swiss brown mushrooms, snow peas and egg gravy with pork.

Next destination $30 lunch buffet at Marriot hotel.

And not forgetting desserts!
The double bay ice-creamy in the city, we brought Pet there for her birthday.

Its 30 scoops plus toppings.. 5 of us tried to finish it but failed.. ok we ate a hole through it,

Here's terence peeping through.... Better stop bloggin now, Dave thinks I like food more than him..
Tomorrow morning, Grower's markets 85 stalls of food!!! fresh produce, cheese, deli meats and fresh fruit.. Mmm 7am-11am first Saturday of every month..

Coming of Age

AHHH!! I'm 26!!

Its a little late almost a month since but just felt like blogging..

Day before:
The cutest person in the world and the winner of "who to get the door" contest took me out to circular quay at a gorgeous restaurant called the waterfront.. MY PET... The cute cute of the very cute only rivaled by my baby sister Little B =
Following photos are our attempts to "self-take".

Check out the view, the harbour bridge just behind us...




The other way u can see the opera house.




Lunch time special of a starter of vongele+mussels linguini tossd in olive oil, garlic and chili flakes and seafood pie...
How generous it was chock full of fresh fish, salmon pieces, scallops and prawns in a creamy carrot sauce topped with crispy puff pastry shell..












plus we both got a little high on yummy
cocktails



Day itself: went to work ...
My manager was really sweet to gather my colleagues at SUGiRS and went out for thai food in Newtown, then I met up Nin for shepherding in Glebe.

God was really funny that day, I had prepared stuff to go through with Nin that day. BUT we bumped into this guy that I seem to always bump into.. got to chatting .. I was in a funny mood that day with this strange courage to start sharing Christ with him and to challenge him to acknowledge God's goodness. Its funny cos he was hanging around the cafe and I was like " well we're going to do bible study now, you can join us if u like" and guess what he DID!?! ok well I remember at that point to also appreciate the interuptions of the day that God sometimes send our way... in a sense it became a "practical" session where I was able to with Nin work together to share about God with a stranger.. =)

The next part.. my silly man came to look for me, let's call him Mr Brocoli, I'm teasing him about his curly hair that to me seems to have grown out of proportion and desperately needs a trim.

Mr Brocoli and I headed home from Glebe so that I could get changed...



















Getting home he had

put a present on my bed and was trying to hide it.... but I saw it so I opened it, I felt quite funny cos he bought me like shower gel, bath foam and scrub .. I think I was a little disappointed cos I've always had the concept that soap and stuff u get for someone you don't know well as a nice gift.. not for ur girlfriend.. " but then again.. he made a pretty card and wrote some very sweet things inside, so I changed to a dress and we went out.

He asked me
"do you want to go to Leichardt or Newtown? hmmm, we'll just go to Newtown"
My mind was like

"ok,.. I was just there and u know I work uni and Newtown is where I always go..." so I asked "Can we go to Leichardt ?"

HE didn't know how to get there?..

" I think we can take a bus from this bus stop.." I finally said.
We went to the bus stop, no more buses...oh no.. " In my mind was .. this fella, never plan"
felt a bit sad but I didn't want to spoil mood though he was aware that I was really quiet.. so I just said why don't we go to Glebe. Though we go there like 10000 times but they have nice restaurants.. then he said we'll go have pizza!!?? PIZZA!!??

The obvious stark difference between guys and girls, perhaps even more pronounced in a crazed foodie like me, he's usually easily satisfied when it comes to food.
hahah it was really funny how guys and girls have difference expectations of things...

I got really quiet cos I felt sad tat he ddin't plan and the birthday dinner ask me to eat pizza, My Dad had called me earlier and asked me to go eat lobster on his credit card!... Oh well I said, maybe not pizza? so we walked deeper and deeper into glebe and I was getting further annoyed that he kept smsing on his phone but kept quiet. Finally reached this al fresco fish shop... looked really casual but I thought not much places left if we kept walking.. so we had a mixed seafood grill & grilled rainbow trout fillet & drinks.. Really value for money cos the rainbow trout +chips+salad only $10!! and the chips were like super yummy and crunchy fat..

Got back to my place, then I thanked him for the night.. he was like " don't u want to party still, its your birthday?"

"Party?you not tired ah? we're home already.. where else do u want to go ? "

" We can go to the roof top to party.." Then he pressed the lift to go to the roof.. this time I was getting suspicious...

" What... "

Then he led me to the roof top..

He had gotten my housemate Pet/Priscilla to help him set up a table on the roof-top with ice-cream+nuts , wine, candles and flowers...

"OH mygosh..." I was stunned.. felt really touched... and very bad for nagging him about not planning.. And he had held out when I was berating him about the importance of planning with all the sarcastic remarks about going to leichardt next time when we "plan" .. no wonder he had asked me what kind of ice cream I liked and how I would rank him on a scale of being romantic.. ( I had said -5 out of 10 by the way), said that a lot of sms from people had high expectations of him that I would be super happy this year cos I had dave to celebrate with me.. I felt so guilty.. But he was so sweet about it... Really thank God for bringing such a patient, caring guy into my life.. its amazing ..

Apparently he had already started asking Pet for advice for wat to do before hand and he had wanted to do dinner on the rooftop as it was one of our favourite places to go pray, look at stars etc but Pet had said a nice restaurant and flowers definitely (spot on for pris) but he felt it was too boring and planned the dessert thing..

He had come over to my place earlier when I was out and wanted to go buy the stuff but Pet offered to help him get them, the smses were all to her tellin her abt the situation and the "Mum" was actually Pet asking what time we'd be back cos she didn't want the ice-cream to melt. Pet told me he was really anxious over the whole thing, planning and what to do.. Feel so blessed..

On th rooftop he asked me again how I would I rank romanticism... 9 I told him, he said sorry tat he didn't plan for me to get angry or disappointed that he'd try harder next time with the present and that he had wanted to get me new bedsheets... but he didn't find any that were nice in my bed size... hah still so patient...

Really thank God for you Mr Brocoli.. =)

Sanctuary

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary

Pure and Holy

Tried and true

With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living sanctuary for you."

" Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10

"Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no inquity have dominion over me. " - Psalm 119:133

"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God." - Psalm 50:23

"I lift my eyes to the hills- From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" - Psalm 121:1

Heard the best version of this song done by Jaci Valesquez... Made me think a lot in reflection of the verses above.

10th Sept Sunday was the first time I've lead praise and worship in church again after a long time last November being diagnosed with vocal nodules and undergoing 6months worth of therapy... Saturday night I was extra short-tempered, impatient, intolerant, restless... in other words going crazy..

1am: I couldn't sleep, had to go worship God alone.

"He who keeps you will not slumber.." - Psalm 112: 4b

Flashback of my past, the sin, the triumphs, the close encounters with God, starting the women's group, prophecies, the baptisms, deliverances, relationships...
He was there through it all, the darkness before the light, the healing before the serving, the loving before the giving, the waiting before the delivering.....

God God God.. I'm desperate for You, I'm lost without You.
Finally KOed to the strains of "Still" by Watermark.

Sunday came and went, the voice held out, the team solid... However I'm still desperate, I'm still greedy for more...

Today I tried to understand You, tried to fathom who You are... shall I try? to fail miserably when I can't seem to obey or live up to be blameless before You...
Yet, to deny Your exsistence or how much you mean to me would be just plain dumb.

You're so real so real its scary sometimes... yet I know my humaness and sin still separates You and me.

Dan Fogelberg - Longer

Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens
I've been in love with you.
Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you.
I'll bring fires in the winters
You'll send showers in the springs
We'll fly through the falls and summers
With love on our wings.
Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
Burning lines in the book of our lives
Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow
I'll be in love with you.
Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens
I've been in love with you
I am in love with you..

In the depths of a woman's heart there longs for romance, for the vow of undying love and faithfulness. But in through these years of "maturation" have we lost hope for that dream? Marred by stories, circumstances, things that have happened to girlfriends, sisters and other women, are we questioning that there is no such thing as the lyrics written above?

But I know a love and am slowly awakening to it.. Not only to recognize that He has been good and bountiful to my soul, which is His goodness in providence. The next level in the relationship is the wooing, I love romance, the constant repeating of the proclamation that He will love me forever, that I am worth it, that I am beautiful. Women never get tired of hearing that, even so we need to hear it, trust me =)

We've been together since 22nd November 1999, that's like 6 years 6months and 23days. In that time, I realize that You've wooed me with clouds!! (Stasi Eldredge writes that for her its starfish) Thank you my Jesus, the Lover of my soul, Lord dare I say that its just for me.. perhaps that's why I love to take pictures of clouds, as rembrance of ur token of love.

Recently getting to know what it means to love another human being, a son of Adam none the least... that will be a challenge, for he is as fallible and imperfect as me. We hold the same hope, the same faith, the same love in us. Its hard enough to love someone perfect. But to believe in the depths of heart that my eternal Lover will teach me how to love the earthly one.

The One to get the door

Introducing the NEWEST competition ever!!

Who's cuter?????? After much consideration I have arrived at top 3 finalist!

Drumroll please......
Contestant1: Peter Jamie Oliver look-alike

Contestant2: MR BEARDY Rhodes (check out fuzzy green gloves)Contestant3: The "Why you so cute" Xiao Pet mole....

Who will you send to get the door if the prime minister comes visiting??
Vote now!

Accidental Foodie

I'm Back!!!


The crazed Foodie... more pictures of my gluttony and novice food photography

Feature: Dim Sum or Yum cha in Aussie



A piggy look at my sister with the array of food before her heheh...

Above left: 烧猪肉 on pancake Below right:小笼包

Below: Succulent scallop encased in a crispy taro shell

Favourite local fare with Mum as the model... She's my eating partner in Singapore, I'm often the blame for weight gain everytime I go back to Singapore for a visit. =)

Mum and I at Yishun hawker centre. She had kambing soup with kiam chye be (salted vegetables) and rice.

Me nasi lemak!









Other Hawker favourites!


Duck noodles & duck rice

Personal favourite, bak chor mee..

Laksa!

Hor Fun

A day out with Mum and little B for Japanese food




Look at the Bento box, tempura... Little B looks pretty happy with what she's having...


Mumsy and her soba, I got hungry so I started tasting.. hmm
poor little B..

But nothing beats the home-cooked food that mum makes... shes' the queen, steamed white promfret is my personal favourite.. can't really get that here in Sydney .. I'll really have to search far and wide.



The fantastic spread Mum cooked up. Stir fried vegetables, sambal prawns, steamed promfret, chicken soup and TAU YEW bak. Mmmmmmm






Tau yew bak....









Food glorious food... what am I still doing in Sydney???
Perhaps being away forces the mastery of the skills required to produce such fine cuisine..BUT heeh sorry Little B and lili.. I'm stealing mum for the week..

She's coming this Friday!! Woohoo.. I can't wait..