EPISODE 5: MY 1ST DENTAL VISIT

My filling fell off 2 days back when I flossed. Along with it came part of my tooth. Shoot! Oh no! Then, thoughts of cash registers ringing up in dentist's office and pain on that DREADED CHAIR dashed thru my mind. OZ dental care is not cheap. Nobody really wants to be a dentist here, it is true. They'd rather be a teacher, a lifeguard, or even a pet-sitter, but looking into somebody's mouth is not top of the list on OZ preferred careers. The pain wasn't too bad but the gap was just too wide for comfort and exposure of dentin was making it painful to suck in air. So...., I found myself, at the recommendation of my dear neighbour at the dentist's today. Dr Jim was his name, and I find out he is from Beijing. Thin looking guy, thick china accent and expressionless. oh well, dentists are never personal... but I was amused he wore a yellow hello kitty dental gown - so cute lah! Must be something to keep kids occupied... Gave me a local anaesthetic to reduce the pain and started work. They gave me sunglasses to protect the eyes from the light's glare, good idea, how come they never do that in Malaysia and leave u half-blind after that?? Aargh! it was painful!And he was determined to fill that hole too,- very thorough job! Charged me A$180 for just that filling. OK, I tell myself please don't convert otherwise the bill will be more painful than the treatment. ENUFF said, I am brushing and flossing faithfully over here from now on.....

MISSHTIAK !!

Ok, I admit, Jordie is cute. The hilarious part was I contacted his piano teacher yesterday about his piano exam results. She said he had passed with merit. That's GREAT! Considering he told me he had made some mistakes during the exam. So... I shouted the good news to my son upstairs, "JORDAN, guess what, you got merit!" SILENCE. Then he shouts back, "I got married to who?" No, I laughed. Not to who, you got merit for your piano exams He said, " Oh, you mean I'm supposed to get married to my piano, like that?" HYSTERICAL, I was rolling on the floor...

LAKESIDE FUN @ THE YOUNGS' PLACE

EPISODE 4: PARTY @ THE YOUNGS'

Last Sunday, (17 Aug) we were invited to Karen Young's birthday party. She lives somewhere near Sea World and theme parks area, in the hinterlands. She is the wife of Peter Young, a Gold Coast division councillor for Nerang. 

This was our 2nd time there and Jordan was just so looking forward to playing fetch sticks with their dog, Jessie again. My camera charger is still missing... sigh!  but here were some previous pictures of their lovely place by the lake which I love because of its natural state of trees, grass, flowers and animals.  

The peacocks (they have about 5 or 6 in a family) finally flaunted their plumage... it was a good time together and also getting to know many new friends. Karen was the perfect hostess for her own party, and even baked her own birthday cake! Talk about self-sacrificial, it is just so nice of them to give everyone a treat when it's her birthday, and especially when they are going through a rough patch in their lives financially too... About 30-40 people attended, so Karen & Peter were busily serving guests.. scrumptious dips and 'nibblies' (snacks) and BBQ.

Met some interesting people too.. some were Peter's political allies in his fight for justice, and Pastor Mark, who is Karen's father and some of her family. We appreciate Karen for sharing with us this time and devoting herself to give her best for this party.

EPISODE 3: BUILDING FURNITURE, FRIENDSHIPS & FAITH

204);">FURNITURE: 

The past 2 weeks have been hectic, frantic hammering up DIY furniture (Study tables, bedside drawers, IKEA bookshelves) and setting up our home base. Samuel (Huan Seong)has been sweet about wanting to get everything in order and organising for stuff to be set up & boxes to be thrown. So, I am thankful he's around to help do up the place to put things in place. We took exactly 8 days to clear up 95% of stuff and unpack. of course with some distractions here and there lah, including opening of Olympics... 

FRIENDS:

We are also thankful that Jordan has found new playmates, and constantly in popular demand to be out there playing with neighbourhood kids. Flashing light sabres and zooming aeroplanes with his friends Liam, Anika and Tyler, he's happy, we're happy, ...

Aussies are nice and spontaneous people really. On Olympics opening night, this lady who lived across our house knocked on our door unexpectedly to give us some cheesecake. She saw our study light still on from her house and said they were celebrating Olympics opening, we hardly even know her actually. so.. that was a yummy surprise for our supper and Jordie's breakfast the next day...

Usually on Sundays, we wonder which church to head to. So far, visited 4 different ones, Genesis Church, which is where Mum Beryl & Neil attend, King's Christian Centre, a much larger and established church (canggih equipment, LCD visual effects during worship, disco lights and all) plus Integrity Church, a small family type church, meeting in a community hall in Palm Beach. All of them had their own powerful points, unique but definitely loving the Lord in their own ways. The 4th one is a home church - a Fijian church fellowship, which has a unique mix of Fijians, locals and Asians, comprising of some Bond University students and older ladies, headed by a Fijian woman named Vi and Kerrie (an Aussie white).

We enjoy Neil and Mum Beryl's friendship very much. Neil is quite a character and demonstrates what a true son should be to Beryl in every way. He puts all of us to shame. Yesterday, he went back after lunch to Beryls place to help her clip her toenails because she couldn't bend low enough to reach her toes. First he washed her feet, then he trimmed the toenails carefully then rubbed oil on the legs. wow, what pampering! Samuel added foot reflex massage as finishing touches. Beryl was overwhelmed by the attention.... she said it was double portion she received...!

Last Sunday, met up with Peter Young and wife Karen as well. We were very happy to see them after so long. Last saw them in January. During worship, Samuel prayed with Peter.  He's still going thru a rough court patch but he'll be okay, we know - because God is on His side. We had a good lunch together to catch up after church. 

Also had good fellowship with Carol and David a couple of times. They were very nice to cook lunch and invited us over. Jordan takes to David and Neil, the OZ men. He's at the age when he looks up to and bonds more with men. He also asked Peter if he could go to his house to see his dogs again. 

Carol and David will be visiting Malaysia this Nov to be part of the LRC convention at PD. They are very excited about it, especially to visit E. Malaysia as well. Carol's ministry is worship and David more in marketplace. He sells tents (literally a tentmaker businessman) for a living. I love Carol and her crazy passion for God. right now as I speak, she is in freezing cold Kangaroo Island doing identification repentance with intercessors for wrongs done to the first people tribe when whites colonised the land. 

FAITH:

Bill & Wilma, a couple who used to be missionaries to Ethiopia, are another special couple whom we had privilege to connect with. That is another story which involves faith and we'll see how it develops b4 more is told.....

Here's another boost to our walk of faith. Our house finally is getting sold, hallelujah! It has been a long and difficult journey for the sale of the Menara Duta condo, after a viewer toll of about 50 candidates, and leaving for Australia with this chapter unclosed, feeling also very unsettled about this issue, and wondering when is this sale ever going to happen, we received the call from our agent on 5 August. Yesterday, we signed our 1st letter of offer. 

That's just a little bit about the furniture, friendships & faith taking shape over here... the furniture may not last but we do hope the other two keeps going strong....