It's not about paper

Okay. I’ve got to get into business. I leave this Friday for my TEFL course at ChiangMai Uni. Still got lots of material to cover before it starts! So I got emails from my course mates introducing themselves. Nice. They state their nationalities, age (found out that I’m the youngest), why they decided to take this course and a whole list of their degrees (BA/ BS/ MBA) -- Not Nice. I’m intimidated! I need some self- assurance. No, more like I need to acknowledge that I can’t do this by myself but that I’ve faith that God will see me through! Lydia, a paper will not change things. It’s God’s grace that will. Living alone, not yet knowing a single person would be another challenge too. But I try to see it as a time of being moldered, to make me a stronger girl.

The outline of what’s happening from tomorrow onwards:

Tuesday:
-Study! Complete all reading assignments
-reply all outstanding emails

Wednesday:
-Study like never before! Complete all writing assignments
-A visit to the bank to collect my sucked up card
-Shop for back-to-school necessities

Thursday:
-OH. Start packing!
-Call to confirm accommodation
-Get an extra doze of sleep

Friday:
-Smile on my drive down to Chiang Mai
-Look forward to what is ahead

Blessed 52!

Guess who has a birthday today?

There are so many qualities I love about you, daddy--and special memories that would fill a book. Thank you for your commitment to family, for your devotion to God's word and for taking time to instill this love in our hearts too. Every girl wants a daddy to love her, to dance with her, to take care of her, and tell her she's beautiful. Thank you for being that Father to me!

I love you!

ohh the move

We are finally in our new house! Can't believe I've moved house 5 times in my life so far. Exhausted! I hope to never move again-- not until I get married. The week before moving, we were painting every day. By the end, my back was killing me and my arms were stiff. Then came the actual move. Thank God for the help of 3 church members and Sam who drove the truck to help us with the big items like washing machine, fridge and beds.

Each day since, we have been running back and forth with our car to the old house, picking up more boxes and bags; from morning till evening. We've only been there for 2 years. I wonder how we accumulated so much stuff! Where did it all come from?

We've worked hard, I mean agonishly hard. Seeing my parents at this age still go this way, is incredible. Dad lifted and carried so much. We are almost done now. One more trip tomorrow to pick up the last couple of things then we'll have to say goodbye to that house forever.

because you need to know...

God’s been really good to me… so good that I cannot comprehend. He looks after even the smallest details of my life. I just marvel at how He plans each event in my life, one step at a time. Many of you have heard about my leaving for a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course in ChiangMai Uni starting- 5th May. But not many have heard about how God has provided every single thing I’d need there.

Remember my 2nd year anniversary post? My GB officers read it and asked if they could share it with the girls during their enrollment service. The officer’s email to me stated that they would like to share in our ministry here. I was excited! To cut the long story short, I shall paste the email I received after their enrollment service.

“2 new teachers helping out in GB helped put your pictures on power-point and together we put in words and quoted from your mail to me… and God used it all to His glory! Lydia, at our enrollment service, we took up the offering and God has provided you with $3,252.00 for your TEFL course! We didn’t believe it because we have never ever collected such a tremendous amount in our service… ever! Isn’t our God good?”

Not only does this cover my course fees, lodging and daily necessities such as food but it is also another answered prayer to something I’ve been praying for, for a long time. I’m cutting this from another email I got… “Your father suggested that you could buy a laptop with the extra cash and I asked the girls when I spoke at devotions 2 weeks ago and the answer was a resounding ‘YES’!


… that all I want to do is PRAISE MY LORD!

finding my routine

Here's why I love making to-do-list:

1. Taking pen to paper just feels good

2. Crossing off tasks-- highly satisfying

3. Writing what I need to get down helps me focus, clears my head

4. Motivates me to accomplish them

5. I can doodle at the same time!

Happy Songkran!

It's Songkran mayhem on the streets! Are you getting wet where you are? Well, it's very hot and very wet in Thailand! The water fights are in full force. Most vehicles on the road are mobile attack units with barrels of water in the back. There is no way one can escape from getting wet. That's the fun of it!

I had to run and keep my camera after this shot.

We just returned home totally soaked.

Wishing you all a blessed Thai new year!

Me and China

The idea of traveling to China by land was an appealing adventure at first but since going through it, it's something I'd never dream of doing again. Come to think of it, it was just crazy! The buses were terrible, inclusive of hell drivers. We spent hours on windy dirt roads, right beside a closed down superhighway. I am convinced that having gone through this, I can take any travel conditions! Not without puking though. Here are a few highlights or things I've learnt about China...

1. Looks like pork isn't it? This is... dog meat! I didn't feel right the whole meal. Obviously I didn't eat it. Thinking about the poor little doggie being chopped up made me sick. Dogs are meant to be pets. Not food!

2. Eating stinky 'chow-tofu' wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. This dish is 10x worst!

3. I overcame my fear of flying fox! Since my injury, I never thought I'd go near it again but after much persuation, I was harnessed and hooked up to cables. Couldn't believe I was gliding from tree to tree high up off the ground, like some jungle child.

4. Trust me, this is the best public toilet I went to that is why I managed to take a shot. The first time I went to a public toilet was at the bus station, I had the shock of my life. One just needs to follow the smell to locate it. As you can see, there are no doors and the partitions are so low! The toilet normally consist of just a channel where you do your need. No flushing, not even a bucket of water and I can confirm with you that they don't bother to clear it out even when it's overflowing.

How I learnt to cope... (a) Take a long/deep breathe (b) Dash into the toilet (c) Hold your breathe and head high- don't ever look down! (d) Be done with it as quick as you can (e) Dash out and gasp lots of fresh air (f) all within 40 seconds

5. Found out that spitting is a national sport. They spit very loudly! Think about stepping into a bus with about 30 people, who suddenly feel the desire of hocking up all their stuff and spitting on the floor at the same time. ewww!

6. A little something about myself... I realised that people watching is kind of fascinating. Watching what people are doing and getting a glimpse into their lives. Love experiencing different cultures.

7. There is no such thing as a queue. People always push in line! No first come first serve policy. More like the bigger you are, the better chances you have. So you can imagine me...

And when He had given thanks, he broke it and said "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 1 Cor 11:24

8. The most memorable times I had were spent at church. It's just a whole different atmosphere. The Christians there have definately demonstrated to me the power of living faith. Sunday's service lasted for over 3 hours. Over 600 people crammed into the hall, regularly crying "Amen!" as the minister spoke.

I loved spending time in the markets. Got to see different people dressed traditionally.

check-out his hair!

kid's split pants. I know how it makes you giggle. Unfortunately, while generally gaping and showing lots of baby butt, these stayed shut right as I snapped.

populated by cute little old ladies

The colour of her dress perfectly matched with her bicycle

Fong goes to China

mode of transport:

Going to the tai region of Yunan Province in Southern China from tomorrow till the 12th. The plan is to cross Thailand, Laos and into China (SipSongPanNa). It is going to be a tiring journey but I'm all up for this adventure. More stamps on my passport!

Mae Sai to Chiangkhong will take 2 hours. From there we'd go to HuayXai- LuangNamtha. It will be a gruesome 9 hours. I heard that Laos beyond Vientiane is really outback. Having traveled to Vientiane before, I roughly know what to expect. I read that the Asia Highway to China is under construction so there would be more bumps and detours. My motion sickness pills better be within reach!

Well, I only know the rough plan after this leg in the journey. I'll just expect the unexpected! Too much knowing will take away the fun in traveling. Pray for safety!

Prematuredly 20

28th March marks my thai birthday.

It was the last night with the Naz youth and they surprised me. C'mon how could I ever guess that they were putting together a birthday party for me when my real day is in 3 months time! I had no clue...

We were at my new place that night for a time of sharing and prayer and somehow after it, I was made to lock up the place and walk home while the others loaded up on our truck. When I reached home, there was some commotion going on inside. They said that there was a bee so the lights were off in order to get rid of it. What an excuse! but I seriously bought it knowing them, being afraid of any kind of insects. Finally, the door opened and they sang "Happy Birthday". There was a lovely cake on the table. I was confused! Like what was going on? I thought I must have forgotten that it was someone's birthday today! I looked around the room but they seemed to all be looking my way. That 1 sec felt odd.

When they explained that they won't be able to celebrate my birthday on the actual day and hope that this would be a good enough replacement, I had to fight back my tears. You guys are the sweetest. How can I ever thank God for giving me such darling friends. ah so heart-warming.

Oh yes! and those gifts. I love it! It's just so me.

Thank you :)