In about 10mins, it is going to be Christmas. Blessed Christmas to one and all reading and I hope that it will hold for you a special meaning this year. Spent Christmas eve at my parents place. They had some friends and our family over for a simple lunch. Needless to say there was a lot of left over food. I guess you can say that the over prepartion of food runs in the family. =) I spent most of the time in the kitchen washing up which really zapped up my energy. However, washing up beats having to make small talk. =P

After that, Cherry and I went to the airport to wait for Amelia’s (Cherry’s sister) arrival from Oslo. She’s been there for the last 4 months plus. Got to meet her boyfriend for the 1st time. He’s okay I guess. Tomorrow we’ll be meeting again for lunch at Kushinbo at Suntec City. Easy going and let’s just say that we had some common topics to share.

This year, the gatherings has been far less then last year. But it is quality not quantity that really matter. Time is super precious for me so it is not something that I can have the luxury of wasting. 1 Jan will come very quickly and it’s time to make my way back to Yangon again. But, I cherish the special times I spent with my loved ones. 

Blessed Christmas and Happy birthday Jesus!

“And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you”

My grandma has given us the final verdict of her choice for our son’s chinese name and I must say that I’m really happy with the name. The Christian name of our first born will be Josh a derivative of Joshua which mean “Jehovah is salvation” or “Yahweh saves”. His chinese name is Goh Kai En. For those who can read chinese characters it is 吴凯恩. 凯 (kai3) is the character for “victorious” and 恩 (en1) is the character for “grace”. His name is what both Cherry and I want for him to be - a living testimony that Jesus our God saves and His grace will always triumph over all regardless of circumstances and situations. This name is definitely ordained by God as no one told my grandma what his Christian name would be and the result is this perfect combination. Praise the Lord.

Josh Goh Kai En (Wu Kai En) – we eagerly await your arrival next year…

I really wonder how time just passes by so fast and it’s that wonderful time of the year again – Christmas. Once a year, the whole world goes into what I would like to call the Christmas mode. The shopping, the feasting and the gatherings – all seem to center around ourselves and the enjoyment of life. Not that we should not celebrate but sometimes the true meaning and joy of Christmas seems lost in the endless events that we engage in to celebrate Christmas. I for one would like to remind myself that Christmas is really about God’s sacrifice and love that made Him send Jesus to this world. He’s the reason for the season lest we forget.

Each year, Christmas comes and goes and I’ll always have lots to think about as the year draws to a close. As I reflect on how I’ve spent the year that is coming to a close, it always puts me in a pensive and sombre mood. This year, this feeling has come early. I’m not sure why but I’m beginning to start to reflect on my life – the accomplishments, the failures, the good and the bad. That transition from Christmasy to reflective mood is here. Maybe, it’s because I’m now back in my own home in Singapore and it’s my second Christmas here. Comparing with last year’s Christmas, I’m acutely aware of the consequences of my decision to work in Yangon has been in terms of the condition of my home. Just safe to say that I’m not too happy with the state of the place but I cannot blame anyone but myself for these changes. I’ve decided that when I’m back in Singapore next year, I would want to stay in my own home to bring the life back into what used to be a home filled with life.

As for the Christmasy feeling, I guess it’d come back sooner or later. Being in the company with family and friends would do the trick I know.

It’d been funny sometimes when you think about it how life has an interesting way of working out. I had to go to Bangkok for a meeting  just when Cherry is up in Yangon. So, here we are, back in Bangkok. Well, as it is again, I’m back in the airport waiting for my flight back to Yangon. This time, it’s a better feeling because Cherry is here with me. We were here from last Friday and we did what Singaporeans do best – eat and shop!

We bought stuff for Josh as usual. There was this one shop that helped us personalize a jumper for Josh. Very cool, plain but nice. Nothing fancy just his name and I guess that he’ll most likely be wearing that for his 1st month celebrations (if I get my way…) Cherry finally satisfied her “its-every-girl’s dream” wish to own her very own LV bag… hehe…. People who know her will understand why this is such a big thing for her. She does not spend on luxuries on herself and expensive things that she has bought has largely been driven by her needs. She does not indulge on her wants. So for the first thing, she has bought something to pamper herself. Well, at least in part as I’m paying for half of it as her Christmas present…. Talk about an opportunist. =P

As I grow older, I realize that holidays no longer hold for me the same excitement as it used to in the pass. Shopping and food does not thrill me like the past. It’s the getting away from work and just spending precious time with loved ones that truly make the best getaways. Even though I did not buy anything for myself, this trip has been just as wonderful just because it was spent with my dear. Soon , it’d be back to work in Yangon. Well, at least I still have my darling in Yangon up to the 15Dec. Then all I need to do is endure for 4days and I’ll be back in Singapore.

 “I’ll be home for Christmas…”

A picture says it all. Memories are pictures that we replay in our mind.

 

We’ve done this yearly family trip and this year we went to the buzzing city of Hong Kong. We certainly shopped till we nearly dropped. Legs were super tired every night and I had to give my darling wife feet massage each night before resting. Cherry and I agreed that we’re really “off form” when it came to the retail therapy this time in Hong Kong. We bought more things for baby and less for ourselves. But then again, it’s not all lost. We had a good time with my family and I guess that is what that counts. Now, I’m sitting here all lonely in the business class lounge in Hong Kong international airport and my family has left for Singapore already. It was a tiring but happy weekend as we celebrated Jezer’s birthday in Hong Kong too. I waiting for my flight back to Bangkok then I’ll catch tomorrow’s flight back to Yangon. I’m already missing my dear. Well, consolation is that she will be flying to Yangon for 2 plus weeks on Wednesday.

It’s been very hazy here in Hong Kong today. The haze is so bad that one can’t really see the mountains surrounding the airport in Hong Kong. It’s getting darker here also. It kind of reflects my mood here too. Hazy because I’m not sure I’m really happy in Yangon yet I know I’ve got to go back. Darker because I have to convince myself yet again that this lonely journey is going to be worth my while. Sometimes feelings do choke me too. Words are never quite good at expressing the mixed feelings that I have each time I have to go back to Yangon. It’s always a tussle.

Well, I’ve just got to be positive and always look on the bright side of life. One thing I grateful for is my family and the love that I know we share. Beside my wife’s love for me that drives me, this kinship is something worth looking forward to each trip back to Singapore or in this case to Hong Kong. Thank God for my life savers. Now I’ve got more precious memories to warm my heart in lonely Yangon…

I had to transit in Bangkok to get to Hong Kong today. My whole family will be meeting me in Hong Kong. To get to Hong Kong around the same time as they do, I had to fly 1 night earlier to Bangkok and wait for the flight to Hong Kong. It’s my first time I had to spend the night at an international airport. I thought that I could survive 10hours in the transit area, but boy was I wrong. I tried to walk around and find things to do. After a while, things just got way too boring for me. I decided to pamper myself and got a day room for 8hours. So I slept at the day room. Not too bad. Just around SGD120 for 8hours. It’s quite a steal really considering that I even got to shower and get myself all refreshed for the next flight.

Transiting in Bangkok was an eye opening experience. This led me to wonder on the value of this life that we all really live. We’re all transiting somewhere. We spend most of our live searching for meaning and purpose. We transit from 1 level to the next without even knowing it. The transition from boy to husband took place without me even realising. Now, I’m going to the take the next transition – to become a father. When did my life just suddenly fast forward so fast? 

I thank God that if not for Him, I’m sure that all my life’s transitions would have been a disaster. Each transition has not been easy and I know that being a father is going to be challenging. I need to and want to be available for my wife and son, but I wonder what kind of life would we have with me in Yangon and they in Singapore. Do I have to miss out on one of life’s greatest moments and live to regret it later? Difficult questions with even more complex answers. Whatever the answer, it seems like it’s not going to be an easy road. Only one thing to do – trust and obey. Only He has the answer.

 “Whatever my lot, Thou had taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Time really flies when you are having a great time. I was back in Singapore for the weekend and now it’s time again to return to Yangon. However, today I not leaving with any sad feelings. Mainly because I know that I’ll see my family and my wife on Friday in Hong Kong. Yes, we are all going to Hong Kong for a family trip to celebrate my nephew Jezer’s birthday in Hong Kong. Besides, Cherry will be going up to Yangon on the 28th Nov to the 15th Dec. So, the next few weeks are looking up. I really looking forward having Cherry with me, although I know she is not looking forward to it. Not that she does not want to be with me but Yangon is too boring for her. Well, hopefully she’ll be able to get along well with Wendy who has promised to give her a personalized tour of the city. =)

Cherry and I went to see the doctor today. Dr Esther commented that baby Josh is growing well and his developments are wonderful. It’s comforting to know that God is really in control of every step of this pregnancy. While we are excited to receive our little one, we definitely feel inadequate in terms of knowledge and experience. We went to Ee Von’s aunty’s shop in Upper Thompson to buy milk bottles. Thanks Aaron and Von for getting us good deals!

When we welcome the arrival of Josh, we will also arrive at a wonderdul place called parenthood. Along with it comes sacrifices and joys. We’ll need all the support that we can get…. physical, emotional and most of all spiritual! ETA – 20 Feb 2008. The countdown has began more than 6 months ago…

I’m looking forward to coming back to Singapore this weekend. I heard on the news that there was a bomb blast in Manila. Thankfully, I heard from Cherry that my dad who is now in Manila is fine. There’s been a lot that has happened at work lately and I’m really busy trying to get all these loose ends tied up. My annual leave for Christmas was approved in principle, I’ve got to be thankful and grateful for this. Just learnt also that I’ll be back in Singapore on the 11 Jan 2008 for a meeting so it’s just in time to celebrate my mother’s birthday on the 12 Jan. Yippe. I’m finally feeling better after 2 weeks of fighting the flu, cough and sore throat. Just can’t wait to get back to Singapore….

Simple truth but sometimes lost in when we face tremendous pressure and the cares of the world. You might be wondering why I talking about His love for me. Every night, before I sleep, I would pray with Cherry for our lives and now for the growing baby in her womb. After that, I will put on my IPod with some soft music. Last night, I placed on Sandy Patti’s “More than Wonderful” album. I woke up to the song “Jesus Loves Me”. I was then reminded by the Holy Spirit just how much that love really has been shown to me both personally and in all my work as I recall the countless blessings I’ve received. I just felt so unworthy of this love when I am reminded of my sins and yet touched  again at the magnitude of His love. That He would choose me. I just teared and poured my heart out to Him  and allow His cleansing power to flow. I just wanted to share this truth with my friends to remind you that God loves you no matter what. The love He gives is not just because the Bible tells me so. My life experience had proven this to be true. More than anything in the world, He is faithful and true. He’s definitely more than wonderful.

“For He’s more than wonderful than my mind can conceive
He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams
He’s everything that my soul every known
More than anything He promised and so much more
He’s more than amazing, more than marvelous,
more than miraculous could ever be
He’s more than wonderful
That’s what Jesus means to me.“