Sketch… Sunday Service

January 12, 2020

New Year Resolutions

January 6, 2020

Took me awhile, finally made time to sit down and come up with my list of resolutions for the new year 2020.

Looking back at my 2019 resolutions, I only managed to check off 2 or 3 resolutions and the rest were either still in progress or left untouched.  Nonetheless, 2019 had been an unexpectedly amazing year!  Near the second half of the year, a good friend invited me to do a mini exhibition of my ink art, that was totally unexpected as I never really thought of myself as an artist (although I enjoy doing it).  The debut exhibition led to some more art opportunities with WWF and a fruitful ink booth at JCCAC’s Handicraft Fair near the end of the year!  Besides art, the exhibition also indirectly helped me reconnect with the girl-I-like and led to a few happy and memorable dates (I hope she felt the same).

The second half of 2019 is also characterized by constant and lingering protests in our city.  Despite the violence and chaos, the prolonged protests had helped me reconnect with my birth city, never before had I felt such a strong sense of belonging and wishing to offer my minuscule help.

Looking ahead into 2020, I have great expectations, but I also believe that “in his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Oh God, if my plans are good in your eyes, please guide my steps into fulfilling them.  More importantly, please help me see you more clearly and follow you more closely in 2020. 🙏🏼

Sketch… (early) Sunday Service

January 5, 2020

Holiday Season

December 29, 2019

The atmosphere in the city this holiday season seems to be the worst one for the past 10 years since I returned from Canada – Silent Night not so silent and Christmas Day seeing more chaotic protest news than about the birth of baby Jesus.

There are a few things that lifted up my Christmas spirit nonetheless:

  • The barista at the coffee stand near my studio gave me a chocolate when I went for my weekly coffee break
  • Met and caught up with an old neighbor, probably the friend I know for the longest. She gave me some cookies while I offered to pay for dinner
  • A very sweet friend mailed me some home roasted nuts from Canada and successfully cleared custom and arrived the day before Christmas

Really need to be grateful for the little things, especially in these chaotic times.

Counting down, 2 or so days left before the end of 2019 and the beginning of seemingly to be a significant year 2020. Started painting the rooms of my new home, should be on track to move in before CNY. Have a date with the girl-I-like in early Jan. Many things to look forward to in the coming year.

Really need to keep up hope, especially in these chaotic times.

Sketch… Sunday Service

December 29, 2019

Sketch… Sunday Service

December 22, 2019

Starting Things New

December 16, 2019

Life seems to be getting a bit stagnant and not going anywhere, I felt the urge to make changes last week:

  • Got a haircut, it has been months since my last cut
  • Picked up regular running practice again, hope it’s not too late to train for the marathon in early Feb.
  • Started renovating my new place, hope to move in before CNY
  • Started cleaning up the studio

Ended up the week with a couple of social meetups with old Canadian friends over the weekend. It’s truly a pleasure to meet and catch up with friends during these months of social unrest. I’ll probably try to meet and catch up with more friends in the last weeks of 2019 now that I’m unofficially starting my vacation to focus on renovating the new home…

Oh God, please continue to lead and guide me in the remaining days of 2019. Please bless me to see a good end of 2019 and prepare myself for a new year 2020 that seems to be ramping up to be a significant year of change. 🙏🏼

Sketch… Sunday Service

December 15, 2019

6 Months of Protest

December 9, 2019

Joined another city protest with my sister and brother-in-law yesterday. It has been 6 months of social unrest since the 1-million-people strong peaceful protest on June 9th. The controversial extradition bill was finally withdrawn in September, but the uncountable protests in the past 6 months had revealed many more issues in our city including government bureaucracies and irresponsibility, police stupidity and brutality, and the city’s diminishing freedom and human rights, etc.

800 thousand people rallied yesterday, it was a testimony of Hongkongers anguish and perseverance. Will our government listen and act upon its people’s request? Looks unlikely.

With the last days of 2019 in count down, I honestly don’t know how our city can get out of this political turmoil entering 2020. Will we see a good end in 2019?

Throughout the past 6 months, I’m often reminded of the biblical story of a prostitute being led to Jesus for judgement, and his reply? “If any one of you is without sin, let him…” He stooped down again and wrote on the ground. In the remaining days of 2019, I shall try not to criticize or judge for I’m just another sinner like everyone else. If time permits, I shall indulge in writing more encouraging and comforting words with brush-and-ink.

Oh God, only you can help our city and its people, please don’t turn Your eyes away from us sinners. 🙏🏻

Sketch… (early) Sunday Service

December 8, 2019