Weather report.

It's been a whirlwind of a year so far - partially cloudy with occasional rain. It's drizzling at current time and it's tempting to stand caught up, soaking wet. But tonight, I'm glad for family and friends who remind me otherwise.

Be still.

To know.

If anything.

I'm caught in the rhythms of grace.

Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

To everything there is a season...

A time to let go

Overheard while at the coffee stand early in the morning.

"Fuelling up for the day, Hsu En?"

I turn around surprised to see a Consultant who used to take me for clinical classes as a medical student and whom I consequently worked under during my intern days. We laugh for a bit reminiscing and I suddenly realise how time has flown over the years and how much I've grown under the care of many good doctors and allied health staff there. Sure there was tough love along the way, but you know, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger (or darker as a colleague once told me).

I didn't rush out as I usually do at the end of a shift.

Has it really been 5 years?

They say you'll always remember your first.

They may just be right.

A time to embrace

 It feels like the night before the first day of school.

I hope I make new friends.

I hope it all goes well.

And so I've grown up to become a baby doctor?

Maybe. I'm so excited to see what He has in store this season.

Dong Dong Chiang!

I'm so glad to have grown up enjoying Chinese New Year.

Where food and love was abundant and every dish prepared had special meaning. Por Por would say eat more "shueen" for "money counting luck". Secretly I would eat more. I figured I could do with some counting skills - my math grade needed some luck.

 Back then we didn't have a dishwasher...

Zhao the "Mat Woon Chai" (Drying Bowl Boy) and his running commentary.

Mah Mah's CNY wishes are always too "chim" (deep) for me but I memorize remember them anyway because one day I hope to sound smart like her. For the record, this year she wished me good health, prosperity and what I think literally translated was "to open the curtains". 

......

Family means nobody gets left behind.

The funny doggies enjoying their annual interstate trip.

Reunion dinner never meant so much until I grew older and realised how difficult it is to meet together with distance and time constraints. 

Missing and loving you all from Melbourne

Hey I got festive too and opened my tub of CNY cookies for dinner (and YouTubed 'firecrackers')!

Leaving on a jet plane...

The night before...

I'm packing and re-packing, in denial that I've accumulated so much. Mum's busy trying to make sure I haven't left anything behind and that I drink her last bowl of soup (boiled with ingredients I don't know and probably don't want to know, and of course with lots of love). Dad's plastering boxes together because by now it's obvious the suitcase won't suffice. Fatty's following me around like a shadow as I totter in and out of the house. The phone rings and I immediately know it's the sistership, checking to see how far I've gone with the packing.

It's so routine having gone through it numerous times over the years.

And yet with each time, it just gets harder.

Maybe it's because of the increasing realization that there's a lot to miss.

It's been a good, good time.

------

And so the journey continues.

Melbourne 2011.

With faith like a child.

She ain't bossy...she's my sister!

Sigh. You and your fancy ideas.

It's a pity I can't help myself but want to be like you.

 Thanks for coming back to visit me.

 It's been 45 minutes since you left. Aiya. I miss you already.

Love, your very NICE and LOVELY and GOOD little sister :)

Young At Heart

I'm convinced that grandparents are special people put on earth to make grandchildren feel loved, smart and important all at once. We all need a little dose of that once in awhile.

 The lovely Ms Por Por, whose secret to fair skin is using sunblock at night.

Part 1: Mind your language

Hsu: *showing photos* Por Por, tai kei tor yue! (Por Por look so many fishes!)

Por Por: *stares intensely for awhile* MM HAI!! 'Doliphin'!! (NOO! 'Doliphin'!!)

Hsu: .....Wah (she's right). Hoe lek Por Por (Very smart Por Por)

Por Por: Taaaannnks! :)

Hsu: POR POR!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Por Por: Same to me, same to me.

The giggly Ms Mah Mah, who at the age of 79 is senior contractor in her home renovations.

Part 2: On the birds and bees

Hsu: *upon hearing dog cries from a distance* Oh no! Cho mat yeh ah? (What's happened?)

Mah Mah: Ohhh! Mo tam sam *pauses* Kow chai wan 'family' (Don't worry...*pauses* Little doggy is looking for a family)

Hsu: ...Hah? 

Mah Mah: Err...errr...

Hsu: OHHH!

 The intelligent Mr Kong Kong, bright as a button.

(Let it be known, my grandmother took this photo with the DSLR!)

I love how they tell me it's okay to eat more (even if you're fat), because "you won't be able find it in Australia" and '"NONO! It won't make you fat because there are vegetables inside, like salad you know?"

I love how they carry a wealth of memories of my childhood and the family. I don't mind hearing the stories even if it's being re-told for the umpteenth time because it's these things that I'll need to remember.

Praying I'll make it home next Chinese New Year!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

The One with the Best Friend Forever.

 The One with Moms and Godmoms.

The One Where She Buys Her a Bunny.

The One Where He Buys Her A Ring.

The One When Loving Means Accepting Everything About A Person.

The One Where The Housemate Moves Away (and will be greatly missed).

 The One Where She Tucks One In On New Years Day.

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John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down his life for His friends.