thoughts of a B....

2007-03-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh!!!! It's been SOOOO busy this past week! crazy man.

So.. last week H&M opened here in HK. EXCITEMENT in the air, let me tell you..... A couple of friends and I headed downtown opening day to check it out. UTTER CHAOS!!! There was a line blocks down the street just to get in to the totally packed out 4 stories high H&M.... WHOA. So, obviously we decided to come back later.... which we did the next morning. SO COOL. They have some great stuff! After outreach hopefully, if the funds are available, I can go purchase some cool, new h&m items... woohoo!

Other news... our house is pretty empty. There are only 3 of us. Ahmee comes back in a few day, then they'll be four, but for now I'm enjoying the extra space, and my very OWN bathroom!!

Tonight was our Love Feast for the students. we had enchiladas.... YUMM!! man i miss mexican food! It was a good time, lots of fun, and LOTS of food! I'll round up some pics....

I think that's about it, I'm super tired and heading to bed! I can SLEEP IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm TOTALLY excited!

2007-03-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so I was just reflecting on living with 6 other girls in a 4 bedroom flat. Yes, it's a very crowded apartment. Two girls live downstairs, and 5 are upstairs. It makes for some very interesting times, let me tell ya! ;) We're also a pretty diverse crowd. There are 3 Americans, 2 Koreans, 1 Indian, and 1 Philippino. Yes, so it's crowded and crazy, but there's usually something pretty interesting happening.... I think my fave is when Catheine entertains us with a dance, esp. when it's Bollywood style. Good times.

It's also a bit of a flashback to childhood b/c I share a tiny room with one of the Koreans, and I am on the top bunk. Again, this makes for some interesting times, esp. when I fall off the ladder on the way up.... ha, yes, it happens!

So, I just thought I'd give you a glimpse of my amazing living situation. There's never a dull moment at the lighthouse... And, honestly I don't have much else to write about!

The picture is of my 2 Korean housemates trying to figure out where a leak is coming from in the kitchen.... and still... no one has found it yet..... I don't know if you can tell, but the kitchen is TINY. They literally fill the entire floor space.... it's a mini kitchen.... for 7 girls! whoa!

2007-03-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Man, I'm tired. For some reason, my roomie and I can't seem to get to bed before midnight.... hmm.

The one bad thing about living abroad is that when family emergencies come up you can't be there. Sorry Nana.

I suppose I am running low on things to write about... or maybe the tiredness is too overwhelming. I really like to sleep, I don't see why I can't seem to get myself to bed at a decent hour... hmm, better luck tomorrow I suppose.

The pic. is from the Peak in HK. Great view of a great city. Hong Kong rocks. Come visit me..... ;)

2007-02-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Hmmm. I guess it's been awhile, sorry about that. Time has been flying by, and this blog has slipped through my fingers. But here I am. We are starting week 6 of DTS. wow. 6 weeks already! The students are all great. There are 7 americans, 1 Nederlander, 1 Dane, 2 South Africans, and 1 Englander. We are having a great time, and learning more and more about God. It's a different experience being staff. I'm really being stretched in leadership, and learning just what it takes to be a leader. God is awesome, and is constantly showing me new things about Himself. Hong Kong is still amazing. I LOVE IT. It's now Chinese New Year's and excitement is in the air. It's a fun time, and maybe, hopefully I will go see the fireworks on Monday night. But we'll see.... Anyway, I suppose that's a quick catch-me-up. I'll write more later with some specifics!

2006-12-11T19:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas Outreach starts tomorrow. There are so many people here now. I have to start learning names and faces. I feed off of people; I LOVE it when there are a ton of people here! We are going to start preparing for DTS soon. Time is flying by.... whoa. It seems like yesterday was August and I was heading back to Hong Kong for two years of my life. Crazy. Hmmm, it seems like I don't have too much to say. Maybe I'm tired b/c I didn't get home from picking people up from the airport until after 1 am. whew. The Hong Kong airport is so cool though, so many different people milling around, coming, going...... Mirj and I like to go just to people watch..... shhh, I didn't just admit that ;)

Oh and just a heads up, if you ever want to see a glimpse of the life I lead you can check out our webcams that we set up for Christmas Outreach. The address is.... http://www.ywamhongkong.org/cor2006.htm

Just click on the camera links, and you can see our courtyard. It should be up and running soon! Love you guys. Drop me a line!

2006-12-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas season is upon us. I really though I was going to miss Christmas. The cheesy music floating through all the stores, well placed decorations hanging from buildings, big Christmas trees, Christmas lights.... and then, Hong Kong decorated for Christmas. I totally underestimated this amazingly multi-cultural city! I was in TST and Central strolling through the mall when I heard a familiar tune floating through the crowded mall air. I started humming along and realized it was a Christmas song. And then I looked up and saw GIANT poinsettas hanging above me, garland stretching out before my eyes with lights and ribbons, all red and green and shiny. And actually, the city is better decorated than many back in the states. They went all out, and I must say this American appreciates it at a time where I'm beginning to miss family gatherings around giant turkeys.... So thanks Hong Kong!

In other news, things are going well. We are busy busy getting ready for Christmas Outreach and DTS. But there are quite a few people floating around, which keeps my social self well occupied and entertained! I am still running quite short in the finances dept. so PLEASE keep me in your prayers for some more support to start coming in! I love you all, and wish you the best this Christmas season. Being over here admidst all the decorations and glitz really hits me that it's so easy to miss the entire point of this season. So, blessings to all, and I thank God for the true celebration of Christmas, sending the Creator down here amongst the creations to repair our broken relationship with Him. Thanks Jesus!

2006-11-18T23:56:00.000-08:00

I miss my sister.....

In other news..... FEET is back. I'm so much more entertained now.

I've been in the kitchen this past week as "Kitchen Master," cooking can wear you out.

Last night I had a night like no other thus far. I got to go the Armani bar HK. Whoa. Dark, smoky room, pulsing lights, people in outfits that cost more than I make in several months. It was crazy. HK society at its finest, and me in the midst of all of it, a fly on the wall to how the other half lives. Impressive yet extravagent. Something to log into the old memory bank as a once in a lifetime experience. But to be honest, I think I prefer something more relaxed, casual, and real. What a night. But admidst the glitz and glamour, I sobered up once I stepped on the 968 bus which drove me back to reality.....

2006-11-09T02:32:00.000-08:00

Macau...

The closest to Europe I've ever been....

To activate our HK work visas, mirj and I had to leave HK and re-enter, so we chose Macau. The weather was fabulous, the ferry was fun, the architecture and history were cool, and there was of course, Starbucks! All in all, a good day.

In other news....

FEET returns next week. The house will be crowded, but a welcomed change to be sure.

Angeline is getting married on Saturday. It seems so surreal. I can't even imagine being in her shoes....

I have so much inside my head, but can't process it properly to put into words. I'll have to get back to you.... Sorry for the lame blog.

2006-11-05T03:04:00.000-08:00

So, here is the trouble.....

Having to raise your own support is.......... Worrisome.
I barely get enough money a month to pay the bills. And, I just don't like asking people for money. I mean I put it out there, "hey, I have to raise my own support, please consider it.... Prayerfully," but I don't know. I mean I trust that God is my provider and if I'm being obedient he'll provide, he always does, but I'm just so tired of barely scraping by, or even worse grinding to a halt before I cross the finish line. Don't get me wrong, I'm blessed so much more than I deserve, truly. I'm just selfish, I know, but I get so tired of wondering if I'll have enough to buy groceries..... You know what I mean?

And I'm not putting this out there as a sympathy plea, or even as a subtle request..... It's just been on my mind lately. I know it's just me, and I should be glad I have support, and that I'm even here. And I am totally appreciative of the support I have, I am. I just needed to get the poverty blues off my chest.

God is sufficient. I can rest in that... and I will.

2006-10-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

Shine - on wintry souls
time is short and life not long
flowers fade in autumn's glow
People come-people go
Live in vain, live not a life
quick successions of speedy time
For what?
a moment towards the empty grave
soon filled - too soon - to no avail
time wasted-candle burnt
ash remains of no life lived
shine-on wintry souls
so spring may come
and fade to eternity

2006-10-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I suppose I shall update now, but really the only thing plaguing me right now is the state of my hair.... Now, yes, I know how horrible and vain that sounds, and I suppose it truly is...... BUT, if you only knew..... So here it is. Nearly a month ago I decided it was time for a change (mostly b/c I had horrible roots...), so I bought a box of hairdye. I even chose a safe color, dark auburn brown. Well, apparently on my hair, dark auburn brown = straight up purple! Yeah, but I figured at least that was kinda funky, and I could dig it. Well, after the first week of having awesome purple hair, I soon had not so awesome ashy gray/lilac hair, which has now reached a wonderful level of MAUVE. All within a month ok? AND to top it off my hair has decided that it LOVES being frizzy and damaged no matter how many hair masks, bottles of mayo, avocados, and beer (and yes, I have actually used all of those on my hair, but not at the same time of course... ;)) I use. So, drastic measures must be taken. I decided that I must venture out to the salon. Yes, I know I have not so much $$$, but I am willing to skimp on other things to have non-mauve hair. SO, I made an appointment for Saturday.... so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Ok, so enough of my vanity.... This week I have been point person (in training) for a group of snowboarding boys from a DTS in New Zealand. Let me tell you, it's so nice to have some more guys around. No offense to the 3 (yes, only 3) guys that are on the base right now, but an extra 8 guys just brings nice balance to an estrogen charged community. ha. So that is going well, and I've had fun escorting them to their ministry destination, and even getting to help out some.

It was a busy weekend, and has, so far, been a busy week. Tomorrow I have to take the boys over to sha tin (1 1/2 hours by bus and train), drop them off, and head back to work. Wheh. It's a lot of traveling, but I love traveling in HK. They have sweet public transportation. So, we'll see how that goes. Other than that.... things are going really well over here. Right now I'm a bit pooped, but in a good way. God continues to bless me in ways I SO don't deserve! He's awesome.

Oh, and a quick thanks to the fam for the awesome b-day package. You guys know me a little too well. I love you guys!

and the pictures.... me with the purple hair. me with catherine (on the right, my housemate), and mirjam (fellow worker), and my amazing bubble tea, and my scary mauve hair....

2006-10-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blogspot. Hopefully this will keep you up to date with all things Hong Kong, and what I'm up to whilst a world away. So enjoy!

Today was my 1/4 century birthday. Yes the big 25. I went into the city with some people from the base. We ate some yummy curry, saw the Devil Wears Prada, chilled at Pacific Coffee for awhile, and then headed down to Mong Kok (the MOST CROWDED part of Hong Kong) where I bought myself a present.... a webcam. Actually I think the present is more for my mom, who was rather insistent that I spend my birthday money on that. Love you mom ;) So webcam in tow, we finally jumped on the MTR (subway line) and headed home. So, it was a pretty busy weekend, and I'm officially pooped. Maybe it's because I'm getting old! So my first blog is short and sweet, but I'll hopefully be updating frequently, so stay tuned!!