Germany

I just returned from a trip in Germany with the sisters. I really love Germany because the transport system is a lot better than UK and it's so organised! We got very confused a few times though and wasted some precious time waiting for a subway that never came because we didn't understand the system. But I like the way the transport works in which it tries to make traveling cheaper and easier for people traveling in groups. For example, the partner-day ticket allows a maximum of 5 people to travel on a 9.80euro day rider which would cost about 1.96euros per person which is so cheap!

anyway, not gonna talk much here heheh, let the pics do the talking.

lake Kognisee:

my fav shot:

Residenz museum

Neuschwanstein castle

Seeing the breathtaking scenery in lake Kognisee reminded me of how great our God is in creating such beauty. If the lake is that pretty already, I wonder how much more beautiful will heaven be? That, is beyond my imagination.

I thank God because when I prayed for good weather He provided us with sunny warm weather throughout the trip. It drizzled slightly on the first day in Berlin but for the rest of the trip in Munich, the castle and the lake, the weather was superb. The most amazing thing is that only when we were leaving Munich for the airport, it started raining. How good our God is!

Another thing is that there was a problem with our train ticket from the lake to Munich. we decided to take an earlier train which required us to get on a train to Salzburg and then get on an express train from Salzburg back to Munich. What we didn't know is that our ticket terms and conditions clearly stated in German that we were not allowed to use express trains. My instinct told me that I shouldn't board the train but we still did anyway and I was very worried that we might get kicked off the train lol. So the time came for the conductor to check tickets and I was pretty worried. Before he took a look at our ticket, I silently said a prayer asking God to let all things be fine with our tickets. The conductor shook his head when he saw our ticket and said "no, no, you shouldn't be using this train. Your ticket is only valid for slow regional trains." WIth that, he walked off to check others ticket.We were not fined or kicked off the train! how relieved I felt when he walked off, God answers even small prayers like this!

overall I also thank God for the smooth journey we had when the sisters traveled together. There were a few mini bickerings (as steph put it) throughout the trip but fortunately there wasn't any major emotional damage. I have also managed to withstand Steph's criticism who said the only good picture I took of her was this pic below lololol. hahaha :P

But am also glad and thank God that they tolerated me throughout the trip because I took them to walk a super long journey to Hofbrahaus instead of using the subway and they tolerated my crankiness and blurness haha. It's quite amazing how God gives people of the same parents and same upbringing different personalities and character and how we can still tolerate and love each other despite the differences. how boring life would be without these sisters around to keep me company heheh :)

:(

All 5 siblings. No match.

Our single hope in medicine for complete cure in Jon's leukaemia has been dashed off.

Even when there's no chance in medicine and doctors, one hope is still left and that hope is within God. Let us put our trust and hope in God that He will perform His wonders and miracles in Jonathan. Pray that during this time God will always be with our family for He is our source of comfort and peace, our tower of refuge and strength. Please pray for our family.

class started

Classes has finally started.

It feels weird when I stepped into the house after not being there for 3 months. It looked different. And smelt different too!

Fortunately the first week of the term wasn't that harsh for me. I had days off on Tues and Thurs so I had time to catch up on my sleep due to the lack of it in the plane.

Still missing everyone much at home.

me parents:

me brothers:


me rabbit! Seems like you have gained weight after I have gone ehhh?

super cute dagui

my friends!

Ai Fei (the girl in the bottom pic, on the left just in case you dunno how I look like) has been my bestest friend for 16 yrs. Time flies! She isn't as lucky as some of us who is able to study overseas or even just over the South China Sea, but I really admire her determination to work and study at the same time. Tuition fees and car loan all forked out from her own pocket! Stay strong girl...I hope things will get better for you

***

I can't believe that I have just updated 2 entries. It something which happens once in a bluemoon. I have lost the zest to blog anymore as I feel that time is better spent sleeping than writing blog. tsk tsk tsk. It's almost 12am now, I have decided to keep a healthy sleeping habit. Nite nite now I'm gonna hit the sack.


PS: ohhh I probably blog about the mole hahaha if things turn out well. i'm so glad that i'm no more working already! but with hectic 4th yr schedule + SSCs, i cant slack too much

change

change. change. change. change. change

April is the month of change.

It's when the postage price increase again. sigh.

you can view the last two years postage price here. Everything is getting more and more expensive.

It's the beginning of the new tax year so the assessable pay and the amount of the tax paid on our pay slip is back to zero.

It's also time to add another 3600pounds into the tax-free ISA account to earn more money on interest!

These are one of the few usual things which happen every year in April.

*****
There are changes for me as well.

First of all was my brother being diagnosed with CML. It took me a while to absorb the shock. I was still very worry-free in the first few days. Finally the truth hit me and oh my it definitely hit me real hard. I never cry in front of anyone about it as I tried to ignore the feeling but one day when I was chatting with Yee in front of the webcam and he told me something about Jon. Tears started to well up in my eyes and Yee asked, you crying? I found myself denying it but more tears started coming out until it became uncontrollable. All the emotions which have built up over the week exploded and the tears which I have restrained came pouring down like rain.



Celebrating TT's birthday through the webcam was very meaningful and touching at the same time. The family have not got together for a long time already ever since Steph left for UK in 2005 and to be able to see everyone through the webcam was indeed touching and memorable.

So what has changed? My perspective of not just a medical student but a family member of a patient. No one can exactly understand the family feelings unless they themselves experience it. I also find myself questioning God a lot of things about why things happened and then finally deciding that God has His plans for us even though it may not be what we want. Saying that is easy but to finally decide that it is indeed His plans is difficult.

****
on a lighter note, I have finally (after a very very veryyyy long delay) and successfully (din manage previously) handed in my resignation letter to RM.


When I asked my dad whether I should quit RM or not, he said, 'yes asap please.' My friend June was shocked when I told her this week would be my last week.

"What?! you are going to leave me alone?"

sigh. on one hand i feel as if a big burden has been lifted off my shoulder. No more rushing to and fro from hospital and work and no more feeling sad over missed social events. On the other hand, I will miss my colleagues and the good income. I will find it very weird to be at home every weekday evenings and when I start joining the cell group.

As I will not be working anymore I have to start cutting down on my expenses. I am now back to using a pay as you go sim card. argh. For the past 2.5 years I have unconsciously become so dependent on a contract phone that I could just pick up the phone and call/text people. But now I have to think twice before doing these.

instead of complaining i must embrace these changes. must.

me family ^^

physically not together but thanks to technology we could be virtually together ^.^

Happy Birthday Timothy!!

[生命中最可怕的不是死亡，而是絕望。生命中最大的神蹟就是，從絕望中找到希望。]

- 生命因愛動聽

You are always in our prayers dear Jon. Have faith and be strong!

In just one week, everything changed. First there was that accident. We were relieved that he didn't sustain any injuries and I reassured him that there wasn't anything to be worried about other than his elevated WCC.

Then came the unexpected blood test results. And the bad news.

The whole family was paralysed with shock. Suddenly I realised how fragile human life is. How we must appreciate life and time together with loved ones before it's too late and how we have always taken things for granted. Everytime I think of him I try to fight back tears. I still hope that it was just a bad dream =(

I'm touched by the support, the concerns and the prayers people have given to my family. There are still many things we should be grateful and thankful of in this time of grief. like what my dad said, 'I believe that miracles had been happening all this while'. God has His plans.

it's running in the family!

see this:

my mum's 'patented' skirt

then see this!

and my sis 'patented' white skirt

hahahahahahaha



note: this post is not intended to laugh or mock at anyone but I find it interesting that my sister has the same fashion sense as my mum's!