Day 3 and 4 (exercising together!!)

Day 3 (17 days diet)

Woke up.. weighed only lost .5 lb... so current weight: 151.5

I exercised in the morning.. J and G wanted to participate.... Of course J had to make comment such as " Mommy you should do this when daddy is home.  You will make him laugh..."

Breakfast:  1/2 yoghurt (sam & G wanted to eat mine)
2 eggs scrambled with turkey hotdog (Sam and G wanted to eat mine) so I probably ate 1/2 that portion

Lunch: PIADA salad bowl with calamari (I didn't know it was battered and fried)!  I thought it was grilled ... It was so good I finished them all :-)

Dinner: Piada salad bowl with chicken... Didn't finish... I like my lunch combination better.

If you don't know what piada is.. (It's only in Columbus!)  Didn't I tell you Columbus is an awesome place to live :-)  Click here to see what piada is "Piada"

Day 4...

Woke up... weigh myself 149.5 lbs YIPPPIEE!!!

Well after breakfast I step on a scale again and it was 150 (must be the coffee.. wink..)

My book came today...Haven't read it yet... Will share with you after I read it.. But might be after tuesday because I have a paper due Tuesday and a mid-term ..

Breakfast: salmon omelet this morning with leftover salmon...
Drink : VIA with 1/2 splenda instead of my regular caramel macchiate served faithfully by my "tassimo" barista

Lunch: Leftover salmon and 1 piece of Indonesian fried chicken

Dinner: Chicken lettuce wrap from Tai Bistro (I can't believe I ate half portion and was full..)

Weight lost day 3-4 : 2lbs...

TOTAL weight lost: 4 lbs...

TUNE in tomorrow... I am making my famous Baked Thai Chicken... Those of you from church who has eaten it in the past know what I am taking about :-)!

I am giving away the recipe tomorrow! I think I might do a giveaway next week when my fb page is ready!

Watch for it...

That's all folks... Thank you for the encouragement and for reading.. All of you made it FUN!!

It's almost 6 pm on a beautiful Friday night and I am still stuck in the basement of the building, and I woke up at 4 am to do homework while watching the wedding of the century...

So I better get back to work...

My lab office decorated by my sweet Kindermusik student

 2 weeks ago one of my KM student visited because I have to record her and her mom.  I love all my students as they are all unique but "E" is special.  I have her since she was a baby.  She is in young child (the highest class in KM where we learn glockenspiel, recorder, etc)...

It doesn't matter how bad my day is. It will disappear as soon as she walks in!  She is so funny, sweet, loves music and singing and smart!  Frankly speaking I just LOVE "E" ... I am tempted to invent something (like a voice class) after young child so I can see her weekly forever...

Let say, her parents are awesomely dedicated to KM too... They would drop her at 5:30. Sometimes wait in the car with younger brother.  Drop brother at 6:30 after E's class and went home with "E" then pick up younger brother.... THANK YOU for your dedication!!! Grateful you believe in KM!

Anyway.....

"E" thought my office is quite nice (she said I have the biggest room compare to other girls)... But it is kind of plain and boring... 

The only decoration was my coding keys and family picture (below)

So "E" decided to draw while I recorded her brother...She wanted to surprise me!

So I have some pretty flowers and decoration. She said, "I love kindermusik"  That was a nice surprise!

My wall with all the decorations and coding keys!

She brought me this note written on a napkin (they got from lunch before they came)....  She loves to write and I got note from her quite often.

Love the drawing...

This kind of precious moment made me LOVE kindermusik even more.... I hope I can continue to teach even after I become a doc... Surely college kids are not going to write me such things :-)

Thanks E!!!

Day 1 and Day 2 (17 days diet) + baked salmon recipe

Alright.... Starting weight, 153.5 yesterday...

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs and a cup of coffee (I KNOW not supposed too ) but I would be cranky all day plus headache...

Lunch: Chicken salad at chipotle (chipotle minus rice etc).... drank jasmine tea

Parked on the 5th floor ... used stairs since I did not have time to exercise yesterday...

Dinner: 1/2 turkey hotdog and 1 turkey burger ... about 10 baby carrots


Day 2 : Lost 2 lbs --- weight: 151.5

Funny before shower 152... after shower 151.5 lbs... Did I really carry .5 lbs of dirt lol :-)

Breakfast: 1 activa light (no fat) yoghurt
                   1 cup of coffee


Lunch: Baked salmon and bokchoy


Dinner: Baked salmon and salad.

I just throw this at the last minute because I was hungry... but it turns out SOOO GOOD!


Recipe:  Ingredients: salmon (one big fillet from the store)
                                    1 lemon
                                    1/2 jar of Indonesian "yellow" paste  (the jar on the background)


Direction: Slice salmon into serving sizes
                  Marinate salmon in lemon juice and paste.
                  Be generous with the paste!
                  Bake until done.
                  I like mine a little bit crunchy so I broil it with low heat for just a little bit.


YUMMY!!!

Thanks for your support!  Are you in?

My 17 days diet, sponsored by Figura Photography!

I need to lose weight. So I decided to get on board with the 17 days diet... Several of my girlfriends have done this diet successfully.

Why:
1. Because I no longer have a gallbladder and I want to be healthy.
2. I weighed more than my husband ... not good!
3. My dear cousin is getting married in July!
4. I have NOT wear swim suits in front of friends/families (esp Indonesian) in yearsssssssssss .... I am going to FL this summer.  So I need to get in shape!

I am excited that Figura Photography (click the name for their website) is supporting me in this journey! 

We are going to take our family picture with them on May 7th.  

So I will post how much I lost, the diet and meals here.  However, I will NOT take picture until May 7th!


SO EXCITED!!! How can I not, look at their picture below!!!

Check out their blog here!

  

I am excited for YOU too! Figura Photography  is opening their new indoor studio! 

You get a FREE SESSION and one 8 x 10 sheet of family picture!

If you lose at least 5 lbs between April 25th - July 31st 2011!

Below is another photo taken by Figura Photography
Isn't it EPIC!!!


Guess where was this photo taken?  A SIMPLE parking lot covered with snow.. during a snow storm!!

They took our family pictures last year on campus.  You can see it here..."The Hardjono's Family"

My favorite one is below!

So who is joining me?  My friends and family who live out of Columbus... This is a chance for you to visit us as well.  If you have a session with figura... You are WELCOME to stay "free"  at The Hardjono's bed and breakfast... aka our home .... Those of you who have stayed at our home in the past can testify that I do make GOOD breakfast :-)

So how can you participate?  If you lose at least 5 lbs between April 25th - July 31st, message me on fb or email me!  Or visit www.figuraphotography.com  (fill out their contact form and said you are participating in "Flo's challenge"

Let's get healthy together!

Easter Sunday, speed signs and the cop

We go to church in Marysville. That’s about 25 minutes drive through the country road…. If we use highway, it will take us about 45 minutes…

On Easter Sunday… we had to be there around 9 am… so we were in a hurry…

There were several speed signs because in some area the speed limit is reduced from 55 to 40 (nearing a small town). Then goes to 50 instead of 55… It’s weird…..

Then a cop was hiding about 1000 feet from a small town church…

Trying to catch those who wasn’t watching the signs

Good thing we were not running late otherwise we would be one of his catch…


Then another cop right after Mac D as we get into Marysville
Again about 1000 feet from a big church, knowing that traffic will be more than usual on Easter Sunday….

Luki and I chuckled… But isn’t this so true about life?

1. God gives us signs… We have to go through this life “in tune” with HIM… knowing “HIM” and “His signs” for us…

2. Because if we don’t, the devil is ready to see us fall… to give us hindrances so that we may be delayed in reaching our destination with God.

3. Isn’t it sad that even the cops know that there are people who normally would not go to church, will go to church on “special days” such as Easter and Christmas.

Anyway, before you asked why we go to church so far away while there are several churches within 5 -10min from our home?

Several reasons:
1. The church preaches the Gospel EVERY week!
2. God specifically called us there almost 2 years ago (long story, will share someday).
3. It Is Southern Baptist….
Finally after almost a decade, God decided to answer some of my seminary friends’ prayers that I may go to a SB church and repented. Just kidding…
(I was the only reformed Presbyterian girl in that SB seminary and I believed a little bit of wine is good for your stomach)
               Disclaimer: I don’t drink now because I am allergic to some wine…

So we've been there for 2 years, and we love Living Hope church   If you are local and looking for a church, email me :-)

If you are out of Columbus, you can listen to the sermons here : pastor's sermons  

He is a good preacher!.  Another reason why we love our church is because of how God speaks through him.

Luki and I joked 2 years ago when we started going to LH.  We said," You know you are aging when for the first time in your life, you go to a church where all but one pastor on staff is younger than you!" The only older pastor on LH staff was the associate pastor.
In the end... so glad we made it to church on time without any speeding ticket last Sunday...

My LIFE STORY described in this song.

I heard this song last night for the first time!

I cried before the first stanza was over... How can I not... IT IS SOOOO ME described in every detail....

How PRIDE has been my struggles.... even my roommate 20 years ago told me ," be careful, humble yourself before GOD humbles you!"

Surely!  I have been broken by HIM so I can run back to HIM...
I wish I can tell you that I pass each lesson the first time it was given...
But truth be told... IT WASN"T the case..

I NEVER pass the lesson completely.. NEVER...
Still learning!  Still Failing... Each time HE picked me back up again and teaches me again..ever so patiently!

2 days ago, I watched the passion of the Christ on TV... The part that He was brutally beaten...

I can't stand watching too much of it.. So graphic :-(  Made me down on my knees today to think that someone took that for me.... Someone loves me that much....

Hope you listen to the song video... Hope you find it a blessing... I can't find the CD yet... so feel free to repost... No matter how many time I listen, I still cry.... It is so convicting... it is such a picture of me...

GRACE's lyric...

My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.

Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."

At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.

Chorus*
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
You are so patient with me, Lord.

As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me.

Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."



Listen to the song....

What if your blessings come through raindrops...

My favorite song lately... I heard this last week... It spoke so much too me...
Hopefully it spoke to you as well...

Listen to it..... It worth your 5 min...

GOD loves you very much....Personally I had been through what is said in this song....
Laura story... the writer and singer..... wrote this out of her heart...
Her husband of 1.5 years at the time was diagnosed with brain tumor and now 5 yrs later still left with disabilities..

She HAS LOTS of questions.... but she said ,"Sometimes God gives us what we NEED and not what we WANT!" Sometime we NEED to be broken because HE wants us to get closer to HIM.... To Run back to him....

So here you go... Hope you find it encouraging...

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Dear Cousin: Bloom where you are planted

Dear Cousin,

You don’t know how much your recent message meant to me. It made me cry...Thank you!

All my life, I love to control, to take charge. I was ambitious and I made sure I get what I want.
Somehow, that was not what God wants for me. Of course not, HE loves me so much that HE wants me to depend on HIM instead of myself.

You remember what a big deal it was when I got to be an exchange student in 1992.
But I was quite disappointed when I found out that I went to a very small town in Minnesota.
Yet, it was one of the BEST years of my life. A Perfect host family and a perfect town for me.

I was ashamed when I went home without a degree in 1997.
People blamed that global Asian financial crisis in 1997.
The financial security carpet that was taken from under us.
I blamed ME!

Yet, my family grew from it, we learned so much from it.
The perceived “failed-homecoming” gave me the opportunity to teach.
It gave me the chance to be involved in a unique and interesting village ministry.
It allowed me to go to the Philippines not only to get my Bachelor degree...
         
              The Philippines taught me so much about mission.
              In The Philippines I met the TEW family.
              The family that my kids called grandma and grandpa.
              As their real grandparents live far away.

Now, I often want to move to Australia to be with my family.
I felt that I missed so much of being in the family's life.
Recently, I missed my baby sister’s wedding.

Often when house chores overwhelm me and memories of childhood friendships aches my heart...
I want to go home to Indonesia.
To the life that we grew up in... to have a maid and to be with my childhood friends…

But I believe that I should stay put until God tells me to move.
Actually, now that I am married, God has to convinced both Luki and I ...

I learn to be grateful.
To bloom where I planted.
It is not easy… NEVER easy…
I can’t do it by myself…
That’s why I said, my life is powered by God and love as Luki and I help each other.

Remember,

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Lastly,

It’s so funny how you said,” I want to be you when I grow up”

When we were growing up, I WISHED to be you! I was envious of you.
Since we were the same age, we got compared a lot.
I was envious of your beauty! Seriously!
Everyone always say how pretty you are!
I was envious when my dad told me you got in to University of Indonesia!
How smart you are…

I was HAPPY for you but I wished to be you!

See how we as human look at things that do not matter to God at all!

So remember, bloom where you are planted! God is always there with you! He has the BEST plan for you. Better than our own plan! No matter how good we think our plan is... He sees the future!  We don't!

Image courtesy of a gypsy caravan

luv,

Home office inspirations

I love this workroom! Those are ikea cabinets I think the wall paint is similar to mine (mine is a little bit darker)....

from rambling renovators

Hmmm.... Having a daybed or comfy sofa will be great or perhaps a lounger? Remember my big square table will be OUT!  Do you know that is my dear hubby's college table?? He will not let me sell it :-(

 Problem with day bed:
               1.   I will have to make it everyday
               2.   The kids will mess it up
               3.   So I have to make it EVERY HOUR?
               4.   It will not look pretty unless I make it :-(

 So for practicality, I think sofa will work better for me :-).

Plus, my hubby is afraid if I make my office too comfy I will not be seen in any other room in the house :-)

Regardless, don't you LOVE the color and this pretty room?  Look at the whimsical chandelier/light!

traditional home office design

Another shelves' inspiration. I can hide my clutter in pretty boxes and drawers! :-)

 

Image courtesy of space planner

I like the idea of the closed wall shelves here... I think I would do message board like below as well.  Still have not decide which materials though.. perhaps a combination of cork board, white board and peg board?

HGTV

I LOVE the wall shelves...Particularly the combination of different length and height.

See the bench on the back there by the bay window?  I think it is a great idea... The wall color is somewhat close to my wall color.... I love the curtain... Though, I have to keep in mind that the office will be my practice/therapy place in about 2 years... So long curtain will NOT be a good idea for kiddos :-(

These 2 pictures were from HGTV  too

Problem with this bench, we have air return on the floor. So we can not cover it and build it like this.  The bench must have legs or open front. 

Which one is your favorite?

Thank you so much for your emails and comment!  I love it!!! Keep it coming :-)

Ressurection cookies (a great recipe to teach your children the REAL story of Easter)!

Friends,

My good friend Jean sent this to me 2 weeks ago....

This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. That the Lord Jesus Christ

our Savior is not dead but has Risen. We serve a Risen Savior......

Annie's "Resurrection Cookies" Page

~Also known as Easter Story Cookies~

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:

These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He
was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to
know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked
surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed
to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

This activity can be done as a "family" or for Sunday School. Of course the Sunday School option might be to hand it out to the class with a note to the parents. 

Grandparents might considering doing this with their grandchildren this year too!!!

We are going to make it this weekend....

I think it would be a good tradition to do with the kids... 
Feel free to try them as well...
If you do, don't forget to take the picture!
Finally, would you share your experiences and pictures 
with me please...

Project #8: Home office.

Here is my home office. We bought the long desk along the wall last month at Ikea. I had 2 bookshelves in the space before the desk. So I am losing some storage space.

The wall looks brown... but it is actually bamboo green...

The wall by the bay window needs a new coat of paint.  It was meant to be an accent wall (brown) but it does not look good with the bamboo green... (Any idea??)

We also need some idea on what to do with the bay window area.

I guess this is the makeover 20% into the project.

After 3 trash-bag-full of paper trash...

One of the reasons why I always have a messy office is because the ridiculous amount of mail we received! Most of them JUNK!

So let's see if this little organization tool helps.

I do not have good eyes for decorating...

So if you took the time to read this post...

Would you please please pretty please took a little extra 1 min to help me ... :-)
Your comments in fb or in this blog would be very encouraging to my new blogging habit :-)

You know I LOVE comments :-) plus it would be boring without your participation ;-(


The first round would be about the wall above my desk.

 I know I have TONS of talented friends! :-)

So any idea?  Shout it out via comment, fb or email :-)...the more the merrier :-)

Looking forward to having fun with y'all :-)

Dear Sammy #1

Dear Sammy...

You made me proud today! You were talking to your friend Nathan during lunch and said," You know, God was baby Jesus at Christmas... He died this week." Nathan said," He did???" You said so confidently, " YES! that's why mommy gave us candy eggs today."

I saw the boldness in you! You are not afraid to tell people who God is. I want to remember this moment forever.

I pray that you will grow up to love GOD with your whole heart.

I pray that you will make yourself available to be used by GOD whatever that may be...

I pray that God will prepare my heart from now on so when the day come that you will have to live far from me, I will be a strong mommy...

I love you precious boy!

Luv,
Mommy...

The story behind sitting on the same table with President GEE...

Thursday was a very special day. I got invited to a very special banquet at the University. It was a celebration for the 25th anniversary of one of the University scholarship program "Critical Difference for Women".

I walked into the room. I was told to go to table #2 . Think nothing to it as it was table #2. Found out that it was the "center" table". I went to look for my "place card" and passed " President G --" " Mr. Andrew S..." My heart stop ! Can't be! I am sitting here??

How in the world did I get so lucky! Those who know me know that I don't act too good if I am off guard... Well, I was nervous. Trying to maintain my composure as I was not prepared....

I am glad I had my camera...


I was sitting next to Mr. S - The Vice president of Development of the university...

My husband asked when I came home... "so?..."

I said, " I was so stupid, I was so nervous that I did not talk much (ME?? YES ME!) I did not even tell this man about my dream to have the university partnership with a university in Indonesia so we can trained SLP in Indonesia and surrounding countries..." It was  my dream...! But sadly, I did not say a word!

Though it is an urgent matter! Indonesia, the 4th most populous country in the world ONLY have 300+ speech therapists! The highest degree "ahli madya = associate" some got bachelor in education (because SLP is a major within education dept there)... It was 60 yrs behind what we have here in the U.S

My wise husband said, "Oh well.. Perhaps it wasn't the time... Perhaps God just use the time to introduce you to them... If you share now, they may not be interested..." I LOVE my hubby!

    I got to take a picture of all of us sitting on the table together... But I couldn't be in it while taking the picture... So my place setting and name card was in instead of me.

Finally, after the banquet was over, I asked the president for a picture. He graciously agreed...

Everything happened because of this great woman. Ms. Ingrid. She is the Senior director of coke (that C-C company). 25 years ago she agreed to partner with the University to set up scholarship for women who had interrupted their education due to family responsibilities and "life"....

     I was one of the recipient. For as long as I am in school and have certain GPA they will give me money every year... Money that can be use to help pay childcare, etc....

I still remember the day that I got the news 2 years ago. I was on the campus bus.  Check my phone and saw the email.  I read and I was stoked, shocked, lost it. I called my dear hubby and cried.

I wasn't expecting it one bit.  My husband and I just talked about our finances, calculating college etc the day before. I was struggling... I felt bad to ask my family to move from living quite comfortably to living on a "budget" while I am in school. However, my husband and I believe that this is God's will and we must obey. I am glad we did take that first step of faith.  It has not been easy but it has been AWESOME to see how God works through it all!

I got off the bus. Got into my car. Turned the radio on. This song started...

What Faith Can Do 

So I sat in the parking lot... crying...  Amazed...

I am amazed by everything God has provided!

He has shown us over and over again.. He is providing for the next school year too! Read it here " Jehovah Jireh: my provider


In everything GIVE THANKS :-)

Jehovah Jireh: He is my PROVIDER

We often hear this verse quoted from The Bible ,” Cast all your anxiety on Him…” Well, today during my morning Bible study, God spoke to me that there is more to that sentence.

The whole verse is actually,

1 Peter 5: 6-7
“ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s almighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 
 

That verse jumped to me today… God has been teaching me to be humble. I have been struggling with pride, control and anxiety ever since I could remember.

The most recent lesson was when God used my test score. A test that I had to take to apply to the Ph.D program last year. I dreaded the test. In fact, I could have applied 2 years ago but postponed to give myself some more time to study.

I asked my professor what score would ensure acceptance… He said,” Just make sure you don’t go below 1000.” But if you want to compete for university fellowship, the score should be at least 1200-1250 (AT least!). One of my girlfriends in the lab already took the test to apply for next year. She got 1250 and thinking about retaking the test to see if she can bring her score to 1450.

About a month ago, I got the acceptance letter! 

Then I worried about funding… How am I going to get funding because my score is not that high….

I was anxious…

Last week I got a letter. I received a FELLOWSHIP award for next year… Free tuition and a stipend! It was enough to compensate the loss of income of cutting back on teaching Kindermusik this fall.

I was humbled! It was a MIRACLE! Definitely God’s work and NOT mine!

My score was ONLY 990!! 10 below the minimum...

Miss by an inch! Which one worst? 900 or 990?  Honestly I thought I prefer 900 then... because missing 10 points was very very painful!!


Those of you who know me well enough, KNOW that I must have agonized over that score for DAYS….

I did… I agonized! I was DOWN!

I was depending on myself way TOO MUCH!
I think I can study so I will be good enough… But I can’t!

Now I know… God made me humble myself…
To depend MORE on HIM and less on myself…
To let HIM take control…


Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

For the LORD who has created this beautiful Hyacinth is able to do ANYTHING!

A tribute to Japan 9 (Part 1)

It's been a month since the tragedy :-( Hope people don't forget and still help and pray for Japan...

Back in 2008.... We took the boys to Japan.... It's so funny that my boy actually fit in this little box in the plane...

In this part 1.... Please notice how SUPER DUPER CLEAN the streets are!

Big brother is indeed a world traveler already. He LOVES to travel!

My gracious host in Japan.... She took us for a very good meal after the long trip.

Those are fried bananas dipped in chocolate in the background... These stalls were in front of the train station.

We were lucky to be there during the local festival. It was interesting to see the small parade.

This big float full of people must be very heavy!!!

Yet, they were pulled by all these people! Along the way, bystanders, children crowds, etc are welcome to help...

I think not just an image of how they work together to carry such load but also shows how strong and determined Japanese people are...

Another view of the cart/float full of people....

To be continue.... Did you notice how clean the street were? Keep in mind those pictures were taken during a street festival that had crowds following the parade :-)