A month, at home

Our new love nest stands a month old. =)


I so enjoy preparing breakfast in the golden sunshine, meals and tv with Bear. =) The birds must have interpreted my joy with their chirping. I watch them while basking in coziness after chores, and contemplate on what to do with the garden.

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Sometimes, I'm impulsed to pinch myself, afraid that it may be my imagination running wild. Most of the time, God's work is that amazing, it truly takes time to experience and digest the entire thing!



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First Christmas at home was *magical* ~ I laid hands first time on my first built-in oven! Yes, you know that I know that you know how an oven makes or breaks a meal. Bear thinks I deserve nothing less than a fine gas oven. =)



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Drifting away on river glee, we didn't forget our previous place that helped realize the present dream. Anyone should know how hard it is to get a decent apartment in Japan, but our former home acquired brand new was beyond just great! I miss the gentle sunshine and intimate corners... I suppose our neighbours were jealous? cos we've monopolized the best unit. Could they be missing my flowers now?

.Yes, God provided a home far better than we've asked for. I'll never forget the excitement when we first found the place, and memories under the comfortable shelter we've loved going back to... Take a peek at the old home.

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Good thing is, we still get to say 'hi' on the road back from church. =)






Amidst daily thanksgiving, we look forward to the year brand new, and wonder what's in store for each one of us, sometimes with shade of honest uncertainty... But then, HEY! No matter how things may look tough and tall, they'll work out. For....


...with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8: 28

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With this place furnished with His amazing grace, we really want to make it home for not just two of us. God willing... I think we're ready.

Wishing all across the world, peace and love for 2010.

Blessed Christmas

Glad that I've caught the Nativity on tv... I thought I've known the story well enough, but a new message is revealed to my heart whenever the account refreshed.


I won't even nod to the idea of giving birth in our home's storeroom, but Jesus, King of kings is born a vulnerable babe in a filthy stable and placed in a manger.


I'm captivated by the divinity of the humbled birth that promises peace and hope for the world, what's better than a feast and boxes wrapped under the Christmas tree.






Taking time to remember the Lord again this day, for His immeasurable love. And may the tender spirit of Christmas falls upon all hearts... Peace to all.

I miss...

I miss normal days, carefree weekends, and turning in early. The past weeks have been beyond imagination taxing.

Still, we didn't want to miss Christmas amidst all busyness... The Christmas tree is erected 11 Dec night, and we've been enjoying the lights since. =)

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The house is adorned with decor of red, gold, ivory and things that breathe Christmas cheer.

We didn't forget to steal rewards in between, like popping into our favourite cafe, enjoying ice-cream next to heater, sinking teeth into sweetest Fuji apples, while keeping warm this winter.





I miss checking mails, visiting sites, blogging... I miss my camera even if it means tiring wrists... and earning a frown from Bear when he sees me fishing it out at restaurants. Laughs. I miss irritating the big guy with harmless little mischief!





So, I really love the feel of taking it up again after missing all the practise. =)

Last, but not least, let's try not to miss the friend or loved one during this season, no matter how crazy days may be... =)

Day 14 at home. Taking 5 to idle.



I lied. Been checking blogs the whole morning. Heheh.



I've just?!?! realized that Christmas is around the corner!! Question : Do 10 odd days of admiring the Christmas tree worth straining muscles that have been aching over the past 20 odd days??



Silly, you've been waiting for this day for like a lifetime!



So you see, I got to get back working, but the happiness meter reads FULL. =) Hope you're having a leisurely nice time preparing for Christmas!

Finally

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Day 11 at home.


Finally, I'm getting internet connection.


Finally, the phone is working and I've managed to call papa last night.


Finally, dust is clearing out, things are falling into places, and the house is getting a liveable look.


There's still work to do till everything is finally fine-tuned, but let me steal some time for a breather after all that labor. Heheh.




Thank you, Jesus. We've made it.

Preparing...

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It'll be December in a blink.

There's lots to see to for the year end : Christmas, New Year and relevant parties. The country plunges into some year-end-preparation frenzy : gift-shopping, backlog hacking, spring-cleaning...


There's a lot more in store for us. =)


We're preparing for a move as our house nears completion... which sort of explains this busy year.


It's all mish-mashed inside... Given the former me, I'll find it hard to depart from the present place, but I've learnt that it's a grace borrowed.


God has prompted us onto a new ground, so we're looking forward to embrace a grace brand new... Yes, God is good.

So, I'll be off for a while since much preparation awaits us. See you in December from our new home. Meanwhile, God bless.

Borrowed

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I don't expect many to apprehend, what some would call a 'granny behaviour' - I've always looked after my things with great affection, especially those that have been around for a long time.


Others suggest that a meagre ownership nurtures a cherishing nature, there's probably more than this truth to it. As a child, whenever bullied, wronged or misunderstood, I'd fire pages of emotions away with a pen, weep in blankee, or talk to a plush toy. Instead of seeking understanding from people, I would rather find reliance in things, for they have never let me down. I guess if not for them, I would have grown up a very pent-up man.


Years passed.


Growing up, I've made some truly good friends... Along came Christ and I've found the compass for this rambling vessel. I've found true love too; and new truth to relationships. I've relatively opened up and learnt to trust flesh to plastic.


But the affection for things has been long since instilled, and to part away from them feels like transquillizer refused. It's an emo strain everytime a change takes place. I have to deal with it quietly for not many understand what's battling at that dark corner... How could they? When they have never felt a need for things in the first place?


It's been so long, lonesome, and self-helped, until Sunday.



Pastor asked the kids if they've been secretly hiding treasures, crying over spoiled playthings, and if the big ones like us are worrying over possessions...


Upon hearing this, my insides screamed 'HELP!'.


HELP! It's not wealth or gains I lust over, I merely want to keep my things! MY THINGS!


The message continued. ' Everything we have on earth, has never been ours. They're borrowed. The air borrowed, earth borrowed, our body borrowed, this life borrowed, this breath borrowed. Talent borrowed, beauty borrowed, power borrowed. They have never been ours from the begining, they are entirely borrowed by the deep grace of God. '



Borrowed. The word broke all chains and broke me.



My so-called 'things' have never been mine, they are borrowed from God to stand periods of test. Borrowed as comforters, pleasures, life-sustainers, borrowed at no strings attached. I've been taught never to borrow or impose on others, while I've been borrowing from God a lifetime, and mistook His things for mine. While some, like Pastor said, are busy showing off what they've borrowed, I am foolishly grieving when I have to part with what's borrowed. Suddenly, the skies cleared up as I see this brand new, but long-existing grace : all this time, God has been lending without me asking... And when He takes them away, it is when He decides I've outgrown the need of it, or time to lend me something new.


What amazing grace! This life, a salvation, and the plenty borrowed!


Knowing the truth is just the begining. While I'm happily borrowing from God, I have to learn that there are times to return to the Owner. Not just things, my loved ones, those I care about, they're just as 'borrowed', and need some respectful handling. You don't misuse what's borrowed, you can't abuse those borrowed too. The heavy message wrapped up light... I've realised borrowing is lighter than clinging onto the staff with my bundles dangling from below me. Just when I thought I'm about to lose the grip again, His hand caught me timely; as always.


Thank you Father, for all these years of gracious loving, and for everything, everyone I've borrowed, I'm borrowing and going to. And also, this joy of borrowing.



Though this may sound absurd to many, I'm blessed knowing that much has never been mine, but they're bestowed or lent to me anyway.

Treading leaves

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Come have a gander.





















Treading forward on crunchy leaves, we're leaving fall behind us as the climate gets feet-biting cold around the clock. I miss summer's parquet, especially now with a bad foot, a cracked toe to be specific; as I've made a foul landing with a ballet footwork. Heheh, another rheumatism spot guaranteed. =P






So Bear moves slower these days, giving me a hand in much though it's the foot that hurts, his tender kindness I'm always grateful for. And for this reason, though I must have mentioned innumerable times...



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In case you've missed the crux of the picture, spot the heart above! =D

In the midst of fall...

It's getting pitch dark by 5 p.m. these days. Every new morning, comes new mercy for the day, and richer tones with the trees... that seem to tell in their colors loud, ' the year is almost over... '





As autumn mellows, stores are merchandising Christmas goods earlier than they should really have, as if telling autumn to move over, which is so uncalled for when we're in the middle of these...














Think I've mentioned, about a year back, my sniveling nose; a barometer in disguise. I'd know when snow is falling, whenever I smell trees...

And I swear I smelt trees yesterday! Guess what. Bear drove home in soft snow last night, and we woke up to a land white-dressed in sunshine this morning. Thus my funny nose endorsed.





We've had first snow in the middle of fall! Even snow is asking autumn to move over!

I've never liked it cold. On a lighter note, there's this queer excitement about seeing snow... It always feels like how I've seen them for the first time. =)

Deep red autumn

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Am I the only one who's already thinking about Christmas?

Autumn revealing...

Trees are putting on a colored coat, as chilly breeze starts cutting in.
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This place is surrounded by patched mountains in colors of fall.
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Flaming tones by the window, cooling climate, and delicious harvests... I'm begining to see why the Japs love autumn so... Perceiving through sleepy eyes as the climate drains energy out of me.. Not sure where the sleepy bug comes from, I could hibernate anytime now..

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And here I am, while most are basking in autumnal bliss, I'm like a busy, sleepy squirrel, getting prepared for the white season. ;P
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My siblings have helped replenished my winter-must-haves : bottles of chilli!! And marmite, cos Stardust can never have her porridge plain. Ok, laugh! Don't hold it in..

C'mon winter, I SHALL survive. Heheh.
P.S. Happy Halloween!

My magic wand

Warning : this post may contain contents not be suitable for some.

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I hate it when they do it to me! Spiders!! They spin webs like nobodys' business, in my room, at my balcony, within my territory!! I seethe at their insolence enlarging, each time with a larger web they spin!

Don't feign ignorance, I just spoiled your web the other day! Grr...




And they keep coming back my place like their favourite bar. Weave a magnificient thing overnight, or finish a good repair within hours, very efficient and annoying creatures.



So I resorted to mean means. Know the kitchen towel / kitchen paper? Or better known as my accomplice. No, not the paper, the core within, or the hollow shaft-like center, that most would have thrown away. I keep them as my secret weapon. Heheh.









Yeah, this fella at the left. My magic wand. And here's how the magic works:

* Extend wand's length by attaching 2 shafts with tape, if necessary.

* If the owner is around. HIT it with a swift swap! None has escaped alive so far.

* Break the web by 2 or few extended ends with a quick sweeps. This should leave the web intact but vulnerable.

* Wave or wield the wand at the web swiftly, just like how Harry Potter casts his magic! The remains of the web should cling to the wand readily.

* Throw the offending wand away. No cleaning of brooms or tools required.


Effortless, and it costs you nothing. Though it makes me look evil than I already am, I don't care, since they don't give a hoot if their thing makes my house look haunted. In fact, I've just wiped out another stubborn one just now. Ha!



Gee... I hope that wasn't Charlotte.

Have a great weekend! =D

Starry, starry night

We caught the meteors yesterday!

It was the

Orionids meteor shower everybody's talking about. Lights off 10 past 10 and I kept watch by the window wistfully, trying hard not to blink in case a star should pass me by.


For the record, patience has never been my thing. Stargazing is different though. A little personal, spiritual, indulgent time with the outer world shut down... Basked in darkness, I marvelled at the twinklings that dotted the stupendous space above that knows no end. Feeling small, humbled...

... I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:3-4

Then it happened! The first meteor whisked by brightly!! By the second faint and slow, Bear is enticed. So we caught the 3rd one together, which left a bright long tail, the largest of the night. 3 shooting stars within an hour.

Nope, I didn't make any wishes. I praised God who places them above. =)

Gifts, and an award

I'm receiving good stuff these days. =P

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We're presented with this set of outrageously expensive Japanese lacquerware (漆), produced by a store of great heritage located in Kyoto.

Now, just how pricey is Japanese lacquerware? Bear holds a plain pair of Japanese lacquerware chopsticks at 3500yen, which is about USD38.5. One gets a reasonably fine pair of ordinary chopsticks at 1000yen, or USD11.

I've always had this penchant for fine arts. Lost myself in the lustre of the plates when I first laid eyes on them. I love the delicate Japanese essence in the strokes of gold and more, though I could never figure out how the craftsman managed to paint every plate precisely alike, just unbelieveably identical!

Seriously, there are reasons to think that it's all so wrong for me to own the set, while it should have gone to some authentic Japanese who appreciate the art more. Heheheheh.


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Anyway, cheapo me is definitely more comfortable with these 2 pots of indoor planties. These gifts brighten up the space and makes the air clean! =D


Last but not least, and most thankful!! Drums rolling... The blog has received an award!

From Feronia, at In a yellow wood. While you don't find a strand of creativity here, it's all there at her site, so I'm passing this award to Feronia for first!

Then, Sharilyn at It's a Heart Rock Life. For what good eyes she has! She finds 'heart' at the most impossible places. Sometimes, it's like she said, a very 'God' thing.




J.H., at Gift from Heaven, for her knack at presenting her pictures, and her enthusiasm behind the new site at Free Christian Wallpaper.





All smiles? Don't just stop there, pass it on. =)