EPISODE 7: DRIVING TEST PHOBIA

Samuel took his 1st driving test in Australia today to get his official Queensland driving license. We had both passed in the written test a couple of days back with 100% score and gave each other a thrilled high 5.!!. We studied hard leh... we were good. Then .... today he took his practical (I made him do the 1st round and be guinea pig so I'd find out more from his experience, hihi!)..and he flunked...man, this utter insult to his 25 years of driving experience in Malaysia, and here I am trembling in my knees too. I mean what am I to expect? If my husband can't even get thru this round, do I have much hope?? oh boy.. please pray hard for me anyone reading this for next Wednesday. Don't play play ok, when it comes to aussie driving. Any small mistake and they flunk you u on the spot, 6km over 60km speed limit, FAIL, don't look over your shoulder when reversing, also FAIL... don't go far out in front enough when turning right at traffic lights, also FAIL... sheesh!! if turning steering wheel with hands inside it (fingers facing outwards) , also FAIL... In short, if you are Malaysian, go take some driving classes maybe. We have collected a pile of bad driving habits over the years of surviving KL traffic madness. Let's all hang our heads in shame and repent......

WHERE TO SHOP FOR CHEAP MEATS

Yes, we are carnivores, lip-smacking every chicken wing tip and beef steak on the plate, so there!

Meat, however, is not cheap here at your regular Coles or Woolworths supermarkets. Fresh yes, cheap not so. But we sniffed out this bargain wholesale place called PATTONS BIG GUN MEAT, about 20 mins' drive away. And boy, was the crowd there today on Saturday!

Here are some shots of the place. I like the way they arranged those fish, like trying to display them still swimming and alive! Look at the huge garoupa!

Just to give u some idea what meats cost around here on a bargain basis:

1. Chicken wings 5kg for A$10 (works out to $2/kg)

2. Chicken drumsticks = same (works out to $2/kg)

3. Premium (lean) ground beef = A$8.99

4. Chicken breast = A$6.99/kg

5. sotong tubes (big) =A$5.99/kg

6. banana prawns (something like tiger prawns) = A$19.99/kg Since the drive is so far, we stocked up enuff meats to last us for the next 2 weeks at $81, not bad, even if you do convert...

EPISODE 6: PARADISE POINT

Yesterday was Samuel's 1st preaching assignment in GC- to a church called Healing Life Ministries. It was headed by Pastor Mark Trent, whom we met at Karen's party and is actually her dad. He invited us to minister at his church. Unfortunately, it was in the afternoon and on a school day - Friday.. I could not make it as Jordan had school on that day and one of us needed to be around to pick him up.

At first, Samuel planned to take the bus there. Hmm..one-car family lifestyle is not easy in a big place like GC. How -lah, I'm thinking? I needed the car to pick up Jordan and it looked likely to rain. I knew he didn't dare ask me to drive him there and drive all the way back myself. Why not? Because I am just a hopeless dude at road maps and sense of direction. And Paradise Point was way up north, unventured territory for both of us. Oh well, anyway, he was late so , I still ended up having to drive him there, drop him off and drive back again.

Samuel told me the meeting was very good. He preached about CHANGE and on renewing the old wineskins to hold the new wine. Not a new message but somehow it touched them. He told me almost everybody responded at altar call, around 25-30 people. Hungry for God or just fresh revelation? God's timing and ready hearts, I guess.

After the meeting, Samuel waited at the bus-stop to catch the next bus home. He told no one he needed a ride. A guy who was one of the congregation was surprised to see him there.

He asked "What's an important guy like you doing catching a bus?" Yes, Lord, we need to be humble or we will never see your face. Not an easy arrangement going up to a place so far, but we believe God sowed something there that day.

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....