First day at Autism West

Yesterday brought back a lot of old memories of my first day in Austism Partnership. A school that caters to children suffereing with autism or aspergers and to give them a chance to develop their skills to function in society. Well that was two years ago and when I was still in Singapore.

Yesterday was my first day at Autism West, an autism school for high functioning children here in Western Australia. Thank God for giving me this opportunity to learn more about them, to learn how to help them. It was indeed heartwarming to meet all the children. It is a small group and there were only about five children. Nonetheless, I did have an enjoyable time playing and getting to know each of them. I thank God that they were all accepting towards me. I mean they are about ten years old, still kids, but they were friendly, welcoming and played with me. In Singapore, there were six children, but there were at least three therapists (that's because they needed constant monitoring as they were all very low functioning). Here in autism west, we can speak to them like any other kids which really is a blessing. Here it's one therapist to five children.

The teacher did a great job engaging them and to allow them to participate in the activities that he has planned. I have to agree that they were fun and he really knows how to catch their attention. What I like about the whole session was that there were a lot of laughter, encouragement and just being comfortable in your own skin. That's what most important isn't it?

Yup, so this is the start of my new journey with a new Autism school. Some people do know that I have an interest for children suffering from Autism and there will always be something tugging in my heart pulling me towards this group of very special people.

Only God knows why and understands why. Only He knows what's best for them.

For the first time ever, I can tell people that I can cook a little

Someone asked me this question before, "Jia Yee, Kannst du kochen?" Jia Yee can you cook? It was in one of my German tutorial. And my answer was "Nur Maggi Nudel!" Only maggi noodles. Which also means no, I can't cook. Nein, ich kann nicht kochen.

Today marks a very special day for me. For the first time, I've cooked a meal for my family without the aid of my sensei (Grandmama). Okay fine, not just me, but me and my sis. Today was the first time we prepared dinner for our family all by ourselves. You see, monkey and I have both been taking turns to be grandmama's apprentice during the summer vacation. One week will be me and the next week will be monkey's turn. We learnt alongside with grandmama, basically just following instructions and cooking what we are told to cook. But today, grandmama decided to let us try all on our own. And it was a success :) Yup, the food tasted great (I'm seriously not lying!). We cooked vegetables, crab balls and spicy chicken. Ja, ich habe Grüngemüse, Krebs Bälle und Hächen gekocht. Oma ist eine sehr gut Lehererin. My mama is a very good teacher. Vielen dank!

Okay, have to be humble. Honestly speaking, there's still a lot to learn and master before I can fully say that I can cook. You just need to practice and practice till you're familiar. Ich muss noch Übung. It's like learning a new song on the piano. But I believe that today was the first step for me. Three cheers for monkey and me :)

Anyway, as tomorrow's Valentines' Day, monkey and I have decided to do something special for our family too. We baked brownies with toppings of hundreds and thousands. Went to buy the ingredients with monkey at coles in the afternoon and we baked it after preparing dinner. It was served with vanilla ice-ceam as a dessert after dinner. Well, it was meant to be for tomorrow but I guess being one day early is not that bad. The browines were good, but they crumble too easily. And they were a bit too sweet (even though I accidentally spilled water in it). Papa did give us some suggestions on how to improve it by turning them into cupcakes instead. Well, that's another experiment to try next time. But all in all, it was good.

Besides, tomorrow monkey and I (and maybe papa) are going on a dinner date to celebrate V day. Mummy and mama usually would not like to go out and would rather have a simple meal at home. Yup it is exiting for me:) We are thinking of trying a new place that we've never been to before. Asian cuisine again :)

I was just thinking, since I'm still single, why not make the most out of it and use it as an opportunity to spend time with family. I mean if I ever get a boyfriend (or husband) in future, my V days are going to be spent with him of course. Should take every opportunity now to to be with family and to date them out for dinners. Maybe net time when I'm attached I'll do 2 valentines, 14th with him and 15th with family. haha. Good idea yea?

Anyway, have a fantastic V day tomorrow everyone :) Alles Liebe zum Valentinstag!

Another post to give thanks

Yup I believe the title is self explanatory. I have three things to give thanks for. Number one, thank you God for sharing a very special word through pastor Nicky last Sunday. It really spoke to me and I feel that after the sermon, everyone in that room was empowered. For me, it reminded me to step out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to change. I agree, God will only intervene if you choose to take the first step and move in faith. God has indeed used Nicky to be a living testimony to many lives, mine including. It is good to always look forward and not remain stuck in the past.

Secondly, thank God that mummy's colonoscopy went well and that there were no complications. Yes, my mum went for a colonoscopy yesterday as she was severely anemic (very low in iron and red blood cells). The doctor recommended her to go for a check up just to make sure that there are no internal bleeding somewhere inside her body. Thank god that all was well, mum just has to watch out for what she eats and try to consume more iron foods.

Thirdly, thank God for papa's medical check up today. My dad has some scarring in the lungs and doctors are afraid that it might lead to TB. But today's follow-up showed no changes and that my dad is fine. He'll return for another follow-up in July.

So all in all, I have so much to be thankful for. Thankful for lau kim's successful head operation (my mum's aunt), thank God for uncle ronnie's leg operation, thank God for better weather this week, thank God for a wombat (haha, I love them so much more than kangaroos and koalas). Trust me, the list can just go on and on.

I'm still amazed at how faithful He is and has been in my life.

Running spree

Ever since the start of spring, I realized how much I've missed running. Australians here are really athletic and you can see people running, cycling or walking their dogs almost everyday. More so on weekends. Not to forget, spring has got some of the best weathers as well. Many of you know that I took just one unit last semester, that gave me a lot of time on my own to do my own thing, and yes, there's where I started the habit of running again.

I love running in the evenings where the weather is just right, the colours around our neighborhood are just so beautiful. So yes, I started running ever since around September last year. However I must confessed that because recently I've realized that I've gotten an extra 2kg, that made me feel a little worried and have started watching what I put into my stomach. Haha. Yes, don't worry, I believed that my BMI is still of a healthy range, just that my personal aim to always maintain that particular weight and not let it fluctuate, or worse, increase! So ya, I've been running more now and also watching what I eat. See, it's important to not just exercise, but also to watch what you eat in order to be healthy again.

My dad loves to buy muffins, doughnuts, chocolates and soda drinks. My mum, ice-cream and potato chips are her favourites! So you see, yes, it's crazy how unhealthy my family can get. No wonder I've been putting on a few pounds! Really have to watch what you eat guys.

Let's make 2012 a healthy and fulfilling year shall we?

Benefit on hind sight

So Papa, Mum, Monkey and I decided to take a trip down south to see what our inital choice of suburb to settle down in Perth is like. See, when my parents started sourcing out for a place to build our own property (that was early 2010), they were very interested in thornlie, a small suburb down south of perth. It's a smaller land lot, further away from the ocean, more expensive but nearer to town, and of course, UWA. We have never seen that place during that time for everything was conversed with the Singapore branch of the housing agent based in Perh.

However, due to time restrictions, the land in that particular place was not ready yet and we couldn't get it on time to fit into our plan of moving over by June 2011. So, my Dad began to source for other areas and eventually, we got Butler. Back to the story, we took an 80min drive down to see what that town actually looks like.

Upon reaching there, there was a common viewpoint that all of us shared. We were all very grateful that God lead us to Butler instead of Thornlie. I'm not saying that Thornlie is a bad suburb. NO, I'm just saying that the layout, the scenery, the everything of Butler appealed to us more than Thornlie. Though it's way further for us to travel to school, my sis and I still could bear the distance and from what we can see, the prospect of Butler is really up and coming.

I mean, the train station for Butler is right on it's way. There will be shops and businesses all around our area in about 2 years time. So, benefit on hindsight, I'm glad we ended up in Butler. Haha. I'm okay not living near my fellow Asians fellows, I'm okay being different. Just where God leads, I'll go :)

Night out at Indian Ocean

Have you ever seen the ocean at night?

Well dad, opa, monkey and I decided to take a trip to the Ocean after dinner yesterday. Yup, for those who didn't know, we live like a 5 mins drive away from the Indian Ocean. I thought the beach would be empty by 8pm. Surprisingly, there were quite a lot of people there. We saw people walking their dogs, returning back from fishing or just sitting by the benches enjoying the fantastic view.

Try to imagine this with me...

The sun was already 97% gone and only a faint ray was left. The sky was dark blue when we got there. We got out of our slippers and walked on the sand into the ocean waters. It was such a calming feeling. The sky was soon black and so were the ocean waters. What made it so ingrained in my memory was that there was a stream of light on the waters made by the light of the crescent moon. And to top it off, when you look up into the night sky, there were like a thousand stars. We saw Orion and Sirius and so many more constellations that I couldn't recognise. It was an amazing feeling.

In a distance, I could see a faint light, probably a boat on patrol. Towards the extreme right, I could see a light that seemed to be coming from a far away lighthouse. Amazing right?

We stood in the waters for quite some time. Just to feel the cold ocean waters and the sand on our feet. I seriously could just stand there, at that spot forever.

Yes, you guys probably already guessed it. I have fallen in love with the ocean a long time ago.

Let me tell you a secret. I've never told anyone before. Everytime I go to the Ocean, there is always something I love doing. I would stand in the direction that is facing towards Singapore. And I would look out as far as I can. And I would start thinking of all my memories there, the people, the places, the air. And that's all I need to make me satisfied for that moment.

Happy Christmas and Caroling!

First of all....Merry Christmas everyone! Frohe Weihnachten!! First Christmas ever in Perth! Really want to use this post to thank God and to testify that He is indeed an awesome God. So, our church had our Christmas caroling and sausage sizzle for everyone and anyone this evening. Trust me, though it was a small event to bless the community, there were a lot of work that needed to be done. Thanks to all the background helpers and what I call the behind-the-scenes crew, we managed to make the event possible! Thank God for the logistic people, the BBQ people, the musicians, the choir, the pastors and of course the public who attended our event :) Trust me, they have put in a lot of effort in planning this.

And one more important thing, today was the first time my parents watched me performed in church. Okay not just me, monkey and I were involved in the caroling (the last time I've sang in a choir was quite some time back already). Today was the first time my family attended Zion fellowship and I just want to give all credit and thanks to God and to all the people who were so friendly to welcome them! This meant a lot to me. Bro and my parents were first timers and I believed that they did enjoy themselves:) I cannot change them, only God can. And I believe that today was the first step. I mean even if it is just for them to see and know the kind of people that we meet every Sunday, what the atmosphere is like and the environment is good enough for me. I cannot ask for more as this is a rare moment for me.

Glad that my dad had good chats with the people, understanding that there are many people who are just like us, emigrated from Singapore and are now living in Perth. Glad that my mum had chats with the other mums in Zion just to meet more people. Glad that bro was able to see what this church community is like, probably going to be his home church too come next year.

All in all, I give thanks to God. Thank you for sustaining me throughout the week. I had busy schedules for work at cotton on/typo, but yet he brought me through. I didn't get a sore throat from all the rehearsals, I didn't fall I'll, I was doing fine though I had to wake up at 5am today for work.

I owe you big time God. And I'm still believing that you have a good reason why you brought us here to Perth. Expecting something big and awesome guys...

Okay, das ist alles. Ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und alles Guten zum neuen Jahr! Have a blessed Christmas and a fantastic year ahead everyone!