i am kristy

haha I have to mention this, my incentive for getting a job was that I couldn't shave my legs until I got one... and now I've got one (even though it's temporary... it still counts) so I shaved this morning :) it feels sooooo much nicer!

yesyes I'm going to bed now

my head is really sore and so is my throat and my nose hasn't stopped running... my first day at work and I couldn't really call in sick on my first day, so went... it wasn't fun. I had a wee stack of tissues and at lunch I went and got some drugs. mehh...

so yeah work... it was ok, nothing very exciting really, just going through newspapers finding companies and looking for their details and putting them into a database. thank God it's only for a month! Although it's a nice wee office, only 6 others and we had chocolate cake (yummmmy) cuz it was the boss' birthday.

I only have to work half day tomorrow, cuz I've got an interview in the arvo, and in between will prob go across the street to church and have a wee nap :)

alright I wanna go to bed now and it's just after 8:30pm ha

We have an AMAZING loving God! So many things I can testify in my life and in the lives of the people around me that are examples of this!!

Yesterday a group of us from church went to Chung King Mansion to serve the people there. Ok to paint a wee picture of this place: it’s a 5 block building, 17 floors high, with shops, restaurants on the first two floors and residential, office and cheap backpackers/motels/rooms in the rest of it. There are little lifts which you can only squeeze 7-8 people inside, and windy stairwells all over the place. Many parts are poorly lit and there isn’t much natural light. The people in this area are mainly immigrants, refugees, travellers, business owners and so you can imagine the mix of different languages, clothing, colours and smells that permeate the building! Honestly it’s simply AMAZING. There is a history of drugs, addicts, dealers, murders, rapes, crime, rats, filth… which is associated with this place – much of which has improved or been dealt with, but you can imagine the spiritual oppression over the whole place. Like I said in the previous blog, I’ve always been scared of this place - I wouldn’t even go in to the money exchange with Jared! But God is so gracious and He allowed me to go on this outreach to overcome that and open my eyes to the life and His love for the people there.

We started with a prayer walk going to each floor or every other floor praying and painting the walls with God’s light (several people on the team had pictures or words for this, which was kewl), we talked and prayed with people as we felt lead. We went up to the roof and it was AMAZING just looking down these grated covered areas, which let light down to the small rooms/apartments below. The darkness and filth was evident, but I know God will use these to pour out His light into these people’s lives and rain down His spirit to wash away the dirt and everything (physically and spiritually).

We then had a worship time in the ICM room… it was filled with people from all over, Nepalese, South Asians, Africans, Chinese… it was so beautiful to hear our voices lifted up together as one to worship our King! You could feel God’s presence fill the room. It was like those church house meetings you hear about, so many people packed into a small room and everyone is just worshiping God. It’s something we rarely experience… it was honestly AMAZING! After, someone from the team shared about Christ and what he did for us, and a meal was served. The women go to another room next door where there is a children’s area and a medic room (some doctors and nurses volunteer there and someone donates medicine). I was so honoured to be able to lead a Bible study with some of the ladies and talk and pray with them. A 14-year old girl from the Congo didn’t speak much English, but she listened to us talk about our identity in Christ and she prayed in French at the end which was so beautiful. God let the people from different tribes and tongues worship you! And it was great to be able to do that

God’s grace and glory didn’t just stop then (it never does) and that evening my mum and I went to a worship night at church, where a visiting violinist ministered through his music. I honestly just love violin music, there’s just something about it that pulls at your heart/emotions, and you get all tingly! Again, God always comes when His children worship Him. The spirit of healing was so heavy and my mum was touched and healed of a back pain, which has effected her walking and causes her so much pain for the past 5-6years. And now she is free from that! She doesn’t walk with a limp nor has any pain!! Our God is an AMAZING God! Glory to God! On our way home we had to celebrate and go get some chocolate haha…

For this Easter weekend, the words of Amazing Grace have continued to speak to me… Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind, but now I see. Thankyou God that you sent your Son to die for us, that you loved us SO much to pay the price for our sins. Thankyou for the cross and life you have given us through Christ Jesus, one that gives us hope and a future. And I pray we will continue to worship you and love you all our days. Amen

Abbey's got a job, Sam's got a job... and now I've got a job! :) God's so good to us!

Although it's just a temp job doing data entry at a recruitment firm, it'll be a good way to ease myself into the working life, getting up early, having responsibilities and so on. It's a really nice office, so that'll be good. And even more exciting, I bought my first suit the other day!! woohoo, it's a classic slim fit cut, and of course black. My mum said that if I want to work in the corporate world, then I have to start dressing like I am. Which suits me just fine (hah nice pun)

Another thing that is kinda exciting is next week I have an interview with a Design&Marketing company, well more so in this other section of the company which does complete advertising/marketing for restaurants/bars located in a particular area like Soho, LanKwai, TST, Wanchai... so that could be interesting.

This weekend is going to be really exciting!! We're doing all these outreaches into the city- working with InnerCity Missions in Chung King Mansion, which is a place I've always been scared of for no particular reason, but am going in with the team on Friday to do a prayer walk, serve lunch, meet people and help out with a Bible study... I know good things will come from it, God will be in the house, so it'll be very kewl. There's lots of other stuff going on, like visiting an old folks home, an outreach in a mall, worship nites, Easter service and so on.

I guess the thing with running programs and organising things, is that sometimes we tend to let that get in the way of what God wants to do... we have to be careful not to let boundaries limit our amazing God!! ha coming from a perfectionist/detailist I know I have to allow God just to do His thing, even if it might 'mess' up things, cuz it's all about Him... good thing to remember

My flatmate last year picked up on the fact I say that A LOT, funny... now I notice when other people write it, there really shouldn't be an 's' but oh well

So I guess you might be wondering how it went last nite, it was... interesting. It was smaller than what I expected, only about 20 people. I felt very young and inexperienced, slightly out of place and really didn't know if I would fit in with them. They talked about the mentoring program they run, which does sound good. Pairing up an experienced business/professional with a younger protege to guide them through their careers/personal lives. I don't know if it's for me though. It would be awesome and the benefits definately outweigh the costs. I'll have to pray/think about it...

I guess I'm just a little skeptical about these sort of things, assocations and stuff - basically the meetings are all hyped up and you easily buy-in to it. Maybe I'm just being stubborn or letting fear get in the way. Fear of what? Uncertainty, the unknown, maybe. I dunno

My sister left this morning, which after made me really sad. I hardly saw her or spent much time with her... and don't know when I'll see her next. She and her boyfy, Pat gave me the Jack Johnson cd and a jazz collection one yeah! That made me happy, and I had a latte this morning (of course after an interview - just a temp job) and just had a flake... a few of my favourite things yummmm

But despite all those good things I'm still feeling bleeh... I have a headache, I was sick last night which wasn't fun, my shoulders are tight and I really just wanna curl up and go to sleep mehhh but the day isn't over yet

The HK sevens I mean...

Absolutely crazy, honestly you'd have to experience it for yourself! Most of the time is spent watching the crowd, checking out the costumes, laughing at crazy antics of people, meeting&talking to people, bumping into old friends, drinking Pims (that's the sevens drink, besides beer), random singing, seeing pie sellers, having the same conversation with drunk people, people milling around all over the streets after, oh yes and of course watching the rugby!! haa... it was quite surreal, it was lots of fun though

I knew people in the HK team, so ended up supporting them heaps more... 3 guys from my school and a guy I used to work with. SO that was really exciting, sad they didn't do better but oh well... we ended up sitting near the England 10s team and they were pretty fun and the US team came and sat in the stands (I know, US plays rugby!).

The weekend's gone by so fast, it's back to reality now... the 9th week

woOHooHhooo it's the sevens today/this weekend... I managed to get a ticket from Anna's dad at half the price, God's so good yeah! SO that's going to be very kewl, haven't been in ages

My mum is SOoo funny... she's been meeting all these random rugby teams around town and she goes up to them and says hi and asks them where they're from. She even got pictures with some of the NZ team (some really cute guys) and even invited a kiwi player (playing for Japan) back to our house for dinner! haha... cracks me up haha funny mummy

This morning I met the pastor of the church I've been going to (The Vine). He has a background in marketing and was a member of the Institute of Marketing in HK... so has some good contacts. It was just kewl talking to him, he's very laid back, easy going and chatting away. He was saying that we need people in the marketplace, to market the gospel, be God's PR and so on. Awesome. And he prayed for me at the end which was encouraging. He talked about HK being a strategic place, like a gateway for China and internationally. And so I know God has placed me here for a reason, so that's why I'm here

Funny, cuz I was thinking last night about stuff, as you do and realised more and more how God has been preparing and creating me specifically for His purpose - firstly I'm His child, a Christian; then I'm a female; thirdly, I'm ethnically Chinese; and I'm passionate about business. SOOO that makes me a Christian, Chinese businesswoman :) I'm working on each of those areas to make myself more effective for Christ... as a Christian-my relationship with God, fellowship with others, as a Chinese-my language, business-finding a job, a woman-shopping! hahaa

ohhaa... something I'm a little nervous/apprehensive about is tuesday nite... I'm going to a HK Association of Business & Professional Women function. Talk about networking! The lady I spoke to even suggested to get business cards done so I can hand out (they're currently being printed). I'm seeing it as an investment, of my time/money/self and in all investments there are risks... so I just need to go in, be confident, talk to as many people as I can and hand out my cards. Not so hard aye. Be strong and courageous ... It should be good, only thing now is what am I going to wear?! haha

Oh and I was a really good girl over the past week, so was going to go get that bag... but I came across some shoes instead and got them haha maybe next week

mehh... everyone's been getting at me for eating so much chocolate! Honestly, I don't think I do... really. Or am I in denial?! hah okok prob I do (funny I actually just wrote don't - Freudian slip?!) the other day I just ate a Flake for lunch. I know that's terrible!! I really need to start taking care of myself, it's so easy to slack off and get lazy, hence no running or other sports... in saying that I'm actually going to make some slice soon haha maybe tomorrow...

Refering back to the alliterated title of continuous consumption... I guess that's life. And esp. in HK, it is a materialistic, self-gratifying, consumer focussed, driven by the desire to succeed sort of place. And it's so easy to get caught up in it all. Everything that's surrounding us is taken in and excreted in some way or another. What we hear, see, read, eat... we internalise it and it effects our behaviour, thoughts, emotions, relationships and so on. As a marketer (aren't we all?) this action of consuming is relied on and it's powerful and can be dangerous. I guess the only thing we can control is what we are consuming... what are we feeding our minds, bodies, and spirits?

At the moment we have five extra people staying at our place... they're here for a week! mehh I don't know how I'm going to deal with it all, I love being around people, but God knows I need my space!! I need to find some time to escape, esp. for my quiet times

*sigh*

I've been feeling slightly guilty for not doing 'more'... I don't know in what though. well, always in my job hunting, I've kinda slacked off a bit. I'm not getting discouraged or anything, but losing a little steam I guess. It's been 7.5 weeks since I've been back... I have to be realistic about it all, jobs esp. good ones don't come straight away. and I don't want to cop out and do teaching or anything... it's the easy option. I really don't want to settle for second best, and I know God doesn't want us to either... so I've just gotta keep going

180 has been really really good. Awesome bunch of people, the only thing is that HK is such a transitional place, people come and go which is sad, but I guess that means we have to make the most of the time we have. I've been thinking heaps about what I'm suppose to do while I'm here, in terms of ministry and stuff. I've been so used to being involved with everything and knowing what's going on, having a say and so on, (yesyes I am a bit of a control freak), so part of me wants to do it all, but I don't really feel I'm suppose to jump in there and do that sort of stuff here... yet. heh but it's kewl for now, had a talk to Derek last week, kinda like an interview... but I got asked different qs than I have been in other interviews haha... spiritual background, relationship with God and so on. He's a really good guy, makes good coffee too (bonus points)!! SO I'll be praying and seeing what God wants me to do here.

In the meantime, things I can look forward to in this week:
1. Anna comes back tomorrow!! YEAHYEAH
2. Ice-skating tomorrow nite (maybe... or I might just watch)
3. Lunch with some school girlfrys on weds
4. Coffee date with Nat.Box
5. RUGBY 7s Fri, Sat & Sun!!! woOoHOooo

oh and just started reading the Mark of the Lion series... that'll keep me busy for awhile!

Who can guess what movie that's from?!

ohh... what a great morning, got to speak to Lyds for an hour and half! score, ahh she's so amazing, have missed talking to her and our wee dates, which we had several extended versions of! so it was soooo good talking to her and she is so encouraging I nearly started crying! But I thought of the bag and quickly stopped! haha the power of desire...

Another great thing is that my dad bought me a pilates mat from Philippines, and honestly it is so cheap there (make a note Philippines team next year)... it's now lying in the middle of the floor so I'll have no excuse not to do some exercise! yeah and work off that 1cm off, which is quickly increasing

The more I think about it, the more I really want to go into China. I know I should go only when God says, and so I'm just having a little look around and checking things out. My cousin was telling me how corrupt and legalistic it is there... and that's just the way they do business, under the table sort of thing. mehh I know I'm called to work there, and when I do, I don't want to succumb to that. BUT would I be able to survive by not playing the game?! Would I be able to gain respect in the business sector?! I know God will prepare me for that time, and I'll have His favour so I shouldn't worry about it. Still... it'll definately be challenging

I'm not even gonna say what that title's about... esp. since people in HK are starting to read this! haa, just one of my little incentives I give myself... it makes life more fun :) and after every interview I go get a coffee/some chocolate or buy myself something. My new one is if I can go through a week without crying then I get to go buy myself a new bag (I saw this one I like, it's sooo cute, it's pink!! - sorry Emma). I might have to wait till next week now, but I don't think crying in God's presence counts, does it?! hmm... or in movies, so that's Million Dollar Baby next week then... I can wait

I'm getting used to this waiting thing. I'm currently waiting for a courierman to deliver something, waiting on God, waiting for a job opening, waiting for emails, waiting for friends to come back next week, waiting for the guy of my life, waiting for the clothes to dry, waiting for summer, waiting for my coffee...

so what are we suppose to do while we wait???

I haven't really got much to show for this time, I feel so unproductive... mehh maybe I should do some baking. I need to go get some cocoa or condense milk to make Jared's slices... hmm yumm, so while I wait, I'll just get fat. Sounds like a plan

woooahhh that was scary, nearly thought I lost everything when I made some changes. But it was ok, just had to redo some stuff... thought I needed a clean space to put out my thoughts, like a blank piece of paper. Lines, borders, colours can be restricting, confining and affect how you perceive things...

haa that might be true, but I accidentally clicked on something and it changed the template so that was the real reason why!

boooo... I've lost more old comments. I know it's not a biggie... but I guess I value words so much cuz it's my love language. Funny that, cuz I give more with service and time... and receive with words. weird

Last night Higgie took me to see the Blind Boys of Alabama... and they were just that! Awesome guys, they're like in their 60s-70s and still going strong. They do soul&gospel which is an awesome combination and the amazing thing is the whole time they were giving glory to God and praising Jesus... kinda like a church service!! They shared their testimony through their music and did Amazing Grace to the tune of House of the Rising Sun. It was great!!

hahaa it was kewl seeing people in the crowd getting really into it, clapping and bobbing around!! And these are people in suits and stuff, which you'd expect them to me more reserved or acting in the appropriate manner. But the thing is when God is in the house, everything is stripped away.

The weekend was good in reminding God's promises and purposes for my life which is good to remember. A swinging door as Abbey said to me, where I get glimpses on what's on the other side to be encouraged and when it closes to just wait for God to fully open it so I can walk through. SO... I'm just waiting :)

In the meantime, my sister is coming back this week!! I haven't seen her in over a year!! Our relationship has changed heaps, it's harder when you don't see/talk as much, so will make the most of the time she's back. Will be good

ha, my interview yesterday was actually quite fun!

You'd think Louis Vuitton would be all pretentious, but the guy who interviewed me was so casual and laidback... he was wearing jeans! And he was quite a young'un, so it was a lot more comfortable chatting away. There wasn't any particular position available, but he was really helpful and said he'll look into the marketing dept. and stuff. He also gave me advice on how to make my cv more 'sexy' haha those were his words!! And he's even going to forward me a password to get into a job site. Very nice of him!!

After I went and had a cofffee... all by myself. Which was ok, and there's a film festival coming up which is REALLY exciting. Made me think of Sam hehe do you know Chris Doyle? He's a cinematographer... amazing stuff and bumped into his exhibition before my interview. It had the actual film from films he's worked on like Hero, In the Mood for Love, Ashes of Time etc... it was soooo kewl!

And then last I continued my solo date by going to the movies... all by myself. I was a first! I was actually quite excited haha... I saw the Aviator. BUT it was sooo cold in the theatre I wished someone was there to cuddle ... I reckon you need to be able to hang out with yourself and have a good time, cuz if you don't enjoy your own company, then why would anyone else?!

hah another thought I had for learning chinese is to get a chinese boyfriend!! haha hey it worked for Carmi!!

wooOHOooOO it's been a great morning, even after being woken up at 9:25am by Jared!! hahh I'm lovin' talking to people in the morning, it puts you in a great mood. And now I'm in the office and do my routine of checking emails and blogs... and I got some email lovin' from some special friends. Yeah!

soo... I've been thinking, since yesterday that I really need to work on my Chinese. So far, I have been declined 2 jobs and am unable to apply for millions of others because of my poor chinese. I feel so inadequate!! mehhh... but I realised that I really should be grateful that it's something I can change, work at it and improve. I guess my main thing is lack of confidence... no one likes doing things they're not good at, so I don't like speaking chinese, cuz I suck and know I'm going to make mistakes and people will laugh at me.

I guess I've always had that view that knowing english is more superior (interestingly coming from an ethnic chinese) I guess I've been very ignorant and have grown up in HK never learning to speak their language... the language of my people. mehh... talk about needing to humble oneself!!

soo... since I'm 'shy' talking to native speakers... I've decided to pray in Chinese! It was a bit of a revelation that our God is the God of all peoples, nations and tongues. And so He totally understands every single language. I cracked myself up sitting in my room talking away to God in my basic, child-like Chinese and when I didn't know a word, I'd say it in English, but with a Chinese accent so it would fit. hahaa... I'm sure He had a laugh too - at least it was with me, not at me!! I even read about the day of pentacost when the disciples were speaking in all languages and that others could understand them! IF ONLY IT COULD BE THAT EASY!

but I should perservere with this, if I'm really passionate about it, God will help me.

I've been feeling really claustrophobic lately!! (woohoo I spelt it right the first time, I just had to double check in the dictionary!) It's so weird, I do get claustrophobic sometimes and it's really hard to explain to people while you're in that state. You can't really say "get away from me" or just run from the situation. It feels like you're just being weak. But how do you deal with being in that situation? esp. when you can't change it or get out of it. ha... one really bad time was in the plane and I was sitting in the middle, I just had to close my eyes and pretend I wasn't there... go to my happy place (think Happy Gilmore). And lately it's been on the bus and I love sitting up the top at the front, but if someone is next to me, esp. if they're talking to me - leaning in really close and I'm getting squished to the wall, I feel like screaming!! Honestly claustrophobia is such a weird thing... I'm sure it can drive you crazy

hmm I don't think I have any other phobias... oh apart from spiders - arachnophobia (had to look that one up). But it's not really a phobia, I just don't like them. They're gross

hmmm had a coffee date with Abbey this morning... it's turning out to be more of a weekly thing! I had to light the coffee candle Abbey sent while I talked to her, just to ignite the senses of a real coffee date! hehe it was great...

I love being able to talk to people you are so comfortable with, that it's ok to have moments of silence (that gets expensive over the phone), talk about whatever's on your mind and knowing that you don't have to be afraid of being laughed at or questioned. Or if they laugh at you, you can usually laugh along as well. hehee

My mum is so cute she makes me lunch everyday - it's like being back in school! Today I have a homemade hamburger with a packet of cookies and some grapes and a mandarin. yum!