Roof and windows up

Aaaahhhhh... finally some new photos on building our home

Roof and windows are in place


View of inside the roof from inside before the ceilings were put up


Before ceiling and wall plastering


And after


Here is some interesting bit for those of you who may be interested in such construction details:

Each exposed corner of the wall is reinforced with this metal frame.


Before it is plastered up like this


I know this is not the case with every house because the current house we're living in has some wear and tear in similar corners. So nice to know that our house walls have these extra reinforcement.

Old band boy

How refreshing it feels to talk to new people.

Tonight at the Zion Food Fest, I had the opportunity to chat to a single father who brought his three children to the fest. He was originally from India but had migrated to Perth 21 years ago. How he came to find out about our fest was when he was visting Curtin Uni that day with his kids as he was contemplating sending his eldest daughter there, and they saw a poster promoting the fest.

He was an engineer at Western Power designing sub power stations. His daughter was also thinking of doing engineering. And on a similar train of thought many parents had, he was worried that his daughter was doing engineering just to follow her father. I told him about the similar conversation my own dad had with my youngest brother who was doing civil engineering, and just tell her to think it through thoroughly. Either way, engineering is not a bad career choice anyway.

He was looking forward to hearing the band play some music and asked when they were going to begin.

"I really like listening to bands", he said.

"Oh, do your children play any musical instruments?", I asked.

"Yes, but they are not really into it. Actually I used to play a rhythm guitar in my younger days"

"Wow... so you were like a band boy!"

"Yes, you could say that", he said with a chuckle. "Back then, our parents gave us money for basics such as school fees and food, but pocket money we had to earn ourselves. So I got involved in a band and we went around playing to earn some side money"

I thought that was pretty cool. I told him about my uncle who was also a band boy in his younger days and named himself Elvis. He found it very amusing.

"What kind of music did you play in your band", I asked.

"Oh... all sorts of popular music back in those days... the Beatles, Eagles..."

We talked a bit about the Eagles. The Eagles were in concert earlier this year, so I asked him if he was atn the concert.

"Yes! We had very good seats. Six rows from the front!"

"It must have been amazing", I commented.

"Very amazing! Actually I did not plan for that. Initially I bought a normal seat back in the grandstand. $99. But later on my kids were feeling a bit sad because their dad would be going to the concert and they would be left behind. So I went to the ticketec website and found these 6th row seats. $206 per seat! Four seats would add up to close to $1,000. But in the end I decided to get them"

"Well, I think it was worth it. It's also a chance to share your favourite music and childhood memories with your kids", said I.

"Oh definitely. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity as well"

As we wrapped up the conversation, I invited him to bring his kids to our O2 on Fridays.

Interesting conversation, eh?

Will you be my friend?

Tonight I had an amazing time at O2 youth.

Two new kids joined us at cell today. They are both from non-Christian families. Actually believe it or not, one of the kids' parents are Muslims who I had the opportunity to speak to earlier in this evening. The man is a medical doctor by training but is now a businessman. He is very well educated and expressed that he was very open to different religions and letting his son have the chance to learn about various faiths and possibly make his own decision in the future if he wants to.

"The most important thing", said the dad, "is that my son is happy and is able to make friends".

Wow. Such a simple thing. Yet it is the very least thing we can extend our hand to offer. Maybe his son hasn't been able to make many friends at school. And perhaps there hasn't been many avenues or situations for him to socialise and make friends outside school.

"Will your group be able to accept my son?" was another question he had asked another time earlier.

That really struck something in me. Acceptance. Jesus accepted anyone and everyone. He didn't just tolerate them. He welcomed them. He befriended them. Loved them.

I am glad to say that I feel so proud and happy when I observed a couple of the youths in our group welcome these new kids with open arms. All it takes is a smile and simple conversation to make a new person feel like they can belong and be at ease. That's all it takes to sow a seed that could change a life.

I know a couple of youths drop by this space every now and then. So if they are reading this, I just wanted to make sure they knew how significant their simple gesture is and to keep it up! You guys are amazing!

Sien...

I know... I know... long time no updates.

I have a number of backdated entries yet to post... including latest photos of our house (roof and windows are up!)

Lately I've been feeling very sleepy and have been going to bed pretty early. Cold weather nicer to sleep I guess! So my evenings are a bit shorter, therefore less time to blog and surf.

So will catch up on the backdated posts soon (*fingers crossed*)

Also... have been feeling quite sien lately. Could be that this dull winter weather is taking it's toll. Can't wait for sunny weather again. The other day as I was sitting on the bus on the way to work, I looked out the window and stared the surrounding buildings along the terrace. And I suddenly thought "I'm feeling a bit sick of Perth now... need a change!". A bit drama I know... I couldn't even point out why I felt that way or what kind of change I wanted. Later on I ask hubby where he could take me. But he has no idea either. Sien.

On another train of thought. I realise that it takes quite a strong person to stay happy and cheerful despite the surrounding mood or situation or sad people. Lately I've been victim to somebody's frequent depressed sighings, irritating *tsk* noises, and moody grunts. When you have to face something like that every single day for the past few months, I can testify that it is very much a test of inner strength and character. I'm not sure that it's actually starting to wear a bit thin actually.

New arrival in family

The first of the new generation in the Lee family!


Welcome baby Ava!
She looks happy to be here ^ ^


The glowing first time mother


Proud parents...


And grandparents!


With my aunt and uncle... the grandparents.

Baffling things people say

Recently said to me...

"...It has been noticed that you have been keeping track of your sick leave and annual leave on your computer. Boss doesn't like that. He thinks that you are deliberately trying to take advantage of your sick leave..."

(So now we get penalised for being organised!!!)

Also, apparently...

"...Sick leave is not a right. It's a privilege..."