To be on my Tombstone

From Psalms 139

I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are they works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

How precious also

are thy thoughts unto me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them,

they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake, I am still with thee.

Three generations of being called - I Grandma's Story

This is a precious photo.  It was taken in April 1997 - a gift for my mother's birthday.

My mother is my grandmother's only daughter.  And the three of us are all the daughters that my mother have - all represented, none absent, the three generations of the line of womenfolk; surnames not important.  All bearing the blood of Jesus, heirs of his glorious riches in heaven, whatever we may or may not have in this temporary life on earth.

My grandmother has passed on from this life in June 2006.  She had a sea burial.  I could not go to Jakarta for her funeral because I was in USA and could not afford to travel the long journey physically (since i had two very young kids to consider the journey's impact) and financially too.  But there are no regrets because I will meet her again in heaven.

My grandmother had a true faith in God the Father, redemption by the blood of Jesus and revelation from the Holy Spirit.  These in spite of having a language barrier with mainstream English-speaking, Mandarin-speaking and Bahasa Indonesian-speaking churches which she attended.  She became a Christian in her old age despite her traditional cultures and superstitious practices that surrounded her.

She had the kindest and most considerate heart - apparent even till the time of her death wishes on how she desired her funeral to be held.

A little about her life:  she was probably from a poor family.  She married my grandfather through an arranged marriage.  Was spurned by my grandfather as being 'ugly', lived to serve him and his brother's family when they were very poor and later on would have to tolerate his many mistresses when he became well-to-do.

She had a mean young life, but she lived better in her old age as a grandmother due to the successes of her sons.  She took care of the down trodden within the family but often this was not appreciated.  She was not rich on her own, but she was truly blessed.

I believe that if there is one person in this world that you have been able to touch, to bless, it does not matter even if you do not have a niche nor ashes in an urn to remind the living of your existence.  You will be remembered and forever cherished in their hearts.

My Family - May 2008 Destin Florida

" The best inheritance to give to your children is a few minutes of your time a day. "

Reminiscing a decade of great change

Its been a little more than a decade since I knew Collins and so much has happened. Being the sentimental me, perhaps recording our milestones would bring back to you memories of when you had been part of our lives. Whichever part you have played, whether we still keep close contact or not, do know that you are important to us - you were often fondly remembered whenever we recollect about our experiences, our friends and our family.

1996 We met while working at an event organising company

1997 We went for holiday to Taiwan and Malaysia. I went to work in Bintain island and Collins started to work in the aerospace industry.

1998 Thinking about settling down.

1999 Registering our marriage on January 30. Buying our home in September.

2000 Taking it easy before the crazy!

2001 I joined the teaching profession for a life-less-travelled. We celebrated our wedding in September. I found my old wedding albums - my how they have deteriorated. So, I took out my D40 and took pictures of the wedding album and here it is for you: 16Sep01

2002 Emma was born and my life was changed!

2003 Evans was conceived unplanned. A blessing indeed but the schedule turned from crazy to mad.

2004 Adjusting to two babies and heavy work commitment.

2005 Moving to America. A new and challenging job for Collins and for me - becoming a full time homemaker.

2006 Back to the life-worth-travelling.

2007 Starting to relax a little as the nucleus family settles.

2008 Picking up a new skill and trying to kick start another phase ... ...

With the permission of my friends, I hope to put your pictures up on my web too!

Moon Pix

I hope you like this picture.  I failed terribly last month to take the full moon because I did not have a macro lens.  It is very important to have one to get a reasonably decent picture of the moon.  I took this picture with a regular kit lens 55-200 mm refurbished Nikkor that I bought recently.  It was taken at 200 mm focal length with my humble D40.

Dear D40, I wish I had a better camera, now that I am totally into photography.  But I will still press on with you ... ...

Latest Photo Albums

Since my mother-in-law left us here in late April, I have been half sinking while threading water, lugging two kids afloat on the river of life!

Emma graduated from final year Preschool (american system).

We visited a wonderful Partridge Farm.

I completed 4 sessions of photography class with a wonderful teacher Vincent Lawson - I will have to upload this album later cos its not done yet.

Collins spent a bomb going to watch an NBA game in New Orleans - I will have to upload this album later too - come back and visit again to see these.

This is GOOD - I went on a Photographic Walking Tour of Downtown Mobile and took great pictures.  And I learnt how to use my MacBook Pro to create a photo album website!  Hmmmm  .... .... I might not be needing this blogspot anymore.  Anyway, I will think about this later.

What I am doing right now?  Trying to complete the final line edit of the book Sunrise Fire which is due to publish really sooooooonnnnnnnnnn.

ttul.

French Quarter Festival

I've got great pictures of the New Orleans French Quarter Festival.

It was an enjoyable and eventful day.  All over at the French Quarter, there were 16 stages set up.  People brought their own outdoor chairs and set these down in front of the stages to listen to bands play jazz.  I know nothing about jazz but its easy to have a good time.  Try to spot us in the picture on the front page ... ... not too difficult as we were the few Chinese amongst the Americans.

I will be bringing home this part of American when I come back ... ... inside of me ... ... no one could be the same after having experienced southern America.

Inside the album, is also our visit to Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie near New Orleans.  A very sad story behind the property.  I should write about it one day ... ... my interpretation of its love story.  Remind me about this ok ... ...

French Quarter Festival and Oak Alley Plantation Pictures