Running (Jogging)

Jun 8, 2013

Managed to do a little work, watered my plants, and cleaned my aquariums today.  I usually tend the living things at home on Sundays, but after reading Exodus, I’m now even more determined to let myself rest on Sundays.

I even managed to do a little jogging at night.  Since my mother was out, I didn’t have to rush home for dinner, so I took my time and jogged the longest distance (12+ k) without resting!  I was really slow though, that’s why I used “jog” instead of “run”.

I made myself memorize this bible verse when I feel like giving up:

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

runningLog

 

June 4th Candlelight Vigil

Jun 4, 2013

I had made up my mind earlier to attend the annual June 4th candlelight vigil at Victoria Park with my friends.  But a friend of ours was in town and could only have dinner tonight, so we persuaded him and another friend to join the vigil before dinner.

It suddenly rained heavily soon after we entered the park, the 2 friends left for an early dinner, and the rest of the gang insisted on staying.  I was on the fence, I wanted to experience the vigil, but at the same time, I wanted to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen for more than a year.  I stayed a little bit longer before deciding to join my 2 friends for dinner.  But the problem was that I couldn’t quite figure out where my friends sat down, and mobile communication was all jammed.  I ended up wandering around the park until the vigil was over.

Thankfully, all of us did end up meeting for a late dinner together.  I find the whole incident a little funny, I was smiling from within, it’s been awhile since I experienced this little joy.

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Monday Without Painting

Jun 3, 2013

It’s been a long time since I had a Monday without the weekly painting class, the first class for the new course will start next Monday.

Spent most of the day to catch up my reading on an online architecture/design blog. Also spent a little time to rest and to read the bible, came across a passage in Exodus about God choosing talented craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab for His work on the Tabernacle. I do believe that God has given everyone of us unique gifts/talents to do good works, and that if we don’t nurture and properly use them, they will be taken away from us. That is why I insist on giving myself a Monday off each week to do something creative outside of work, I hope to nurture the little artistic gift that God has given me to do good works for Him someday when the opportunity arises.

Uncle’s Operation

Jun 1, 2013

Uncle had an operation tonight to have some of his liver’s cancerous tissues removed, I joined my sister to visit him at the hospital.  We arrived at around 8pm, but the operation wasn’t finished until ~10pm (it was a ~5-hour operation).

During the 2-hour wait outside the operation room, I silently observed many patients being pulled outside of the operation room, and I overlooked their family’s reactions and expressions, I was quite curious about the unfamiliar environment.  I also overheard my aunt talking to my sister about her story with uncle, how they simply came together and married without any prior economic plans, how they were able to undermine each others’ shortcomings and stayed together for so many years.

The operation was successful in that most of the cancerous tissues were removed, but some remain untouched because they were too close to the main blood vessels.  Uncle looked weak and not too wide awake after the operation, so my sister and I decided to leave and probably visit him again tomorrow.

It’s funny how after 20+ years of education and there’s nothing I can help other than pray and offer my presence, it was another good reminder to humble myself before God.

Oh Lord, please be merciful to my uncle and aunt, please don’t take away their lives without first believing in you.

Withered Leaf

May 27, 2013

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Soaring Eagle

May 27, 2013

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“但那等候耶和華的，必重新得力。他們必如鷹展翅上騰，他們奔跑卻不困倦，行走卻不疲乏。”(以賽亞書 40:31)

“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
(Isaiah 40:31)

Running

May 26, 2013

It’s been more than 3 weeks since I last jogged, this is partly due to the rainy season and mainly due to my laziness.  I could hardly keep up with my breathing and my mind was blank and couldn’t keep a thought going.  Ended up with one of my poorest run ever – 10 km in 67 mins (not including the 2 resting time in between runs).

Perhaps I can blame it on the lack of sleep, I haven’t really been sleeping well for the past week.  I feel weak, tired, and lacking motivation.  Perhaps I should take up my friend’s offer of joining him and his wife for a little vacation to China.  I brought up this topic during our weekly family dim sum, and to my surprise, my parents strongly encouraged me to go even when I have to skip Tuen Ng Festival and maybe even Father’s Day!

Perhaps this is just God’s way of telling me to rest and to humble myself before Him.  May this be my prayer:

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

runningLog

Unscheduled Day-Off

May 22, 2013

Woken up at around 4am by the blasting sound of thunderstorm, I seriously haven’t felt a storm that loud and in such close proximity before, my half-awake mind was flashed with surreal images of bomb blasts and civilians running for their lives…

Alarm went off, and I simply turned it off and continued sleeping as usual.  Was about to wake up for real after sleeping an extra hour when I checked my phone and realized a “black rain alert” was issued, I ended up sleeping for another 2 hours before dragging my body out of bed!

I could have done some work at home, but I decided to give myself a day-off instead.  Since starting work at a real office last week, I haven’t spent as much time in my home studio as I used to be.  These casual and spontaneous days that I took for granted when I was working from home seemed so much sweeter now.

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Received 1st PayPal Payment!

May 16, 2013

Received my first ever PayPal payment today!  It was the half-payment for a small website revamp project I’m working on now.  Although it wasn’t a big amount, but it provided me some much needed encouragement and a little inspiring experience…

What is interesting about this small project is that it is the first time for me to work for a client I’ve never met in person, he found me via a friend of a friend (of a friend?) from half way around the globe.  He trusted me enough as to send in half of the payment without seeing what I can do for his website (well, he did find my online portfolio)!

The internet/digital business is really as interesting as I imagined it to be, I can seriously work and get paid anywhere in the world as far as I have my laptop and an internet connection!  And with the industry advancing ever so quickly, I would never need to worry about running out of things to learn.  I can totally picture myself doing this as a career.

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Working At Office

May 15, 2013

Started working at one of the spare desks in my brother’s office today, it’s been years since I worked in a formal office setting, it was productive but a little tiring.  It may take a little time to get used to working in a formal environment with regular work hours, but I think this is the right way to go in the long run, I can only go so far working by myself in my home studio.

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