Day 11 - 21st April 2010, Wednesday
Was a listening ear to someone today.
I am glad that you trust me enough.
I really appreciate it. =)
In the midst of it all, I also realised you're very precious to me.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Encouragement goes a long way
Day 10 - 20th April 2010, TuesdayToday is encouragement day!
Bought BIG M Ice Coffee for JK to encourage him with his honours.
Encouraged Manda and Pream who were going to have their honours outline presentations the next day.
Sidenote: I helped Prabhu with the setting up of his blog. I didn't help much, just merely directed him thats all but I encourage you to read his blog. He writes about his own life experiences/lessons. Some posts are really a gem. =)
Here's the link:
http://prabhu-reflections.blogspot.com/Friends are important too.
Day 9 - 19th April 2010, Monday
Love is also about friendships.
Courage starts a friendship but love sustains it.
I have many friends but its only a very small number that I can say I know whats happening in their lives. (Don't take into account facebook all you stalkers out there!!..including me.) Friendships take time to nurture. You take a minute to meet someone but a whole life time to nurture it.
So I've decided that I shall make it a point to put more effort into the people around me. To sow into their lives, to be involved, to be happy, sad and angry with them as they journey through life.
I met up with Huishan for dinner today. It is the first time we're spending time alone. It was an amazing experience. I forgot how it was to have a good conversation, a session of letting go your troubles to a person you trust, to have somebody take part in your journey.
I appreciated her company and she with mine.
Thank you for being there.
I love you.
How many friends do you need to catch up on?
Love is also about friendships.
Courage starts a friendship but love sustains it.
I have many friends but its only a very small number that I can say I know whats happening in their lives. (Don't take into account facebook all you stalkers out there!!..including me.) Friendships take time to nurture. You take a minute to meet someone but a whole life time to nurture it.
So I've decided that I shall make it a point to put more effort into the people around me. To sow into their lives, to be involved, to be happy, sad and angry with them as they journey through life.
I met up with Huishan for dinner today. It is the first time we're spending time alone. It was an amazing experience. I forgot how it was to have a good conversation, a session of letting go your troubles to a person you trust, to have somebody take part in your journey.
I appreciated her company and she with mine.
Thank you for being there.I love you.
How many friends do you need to catch up on?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
How to train your dragon in 3D!
Day 8 - Sunday, 18th April 20102 days ago, I saw Heidi's facebook status update.
It was about needing a break from the crazy PhD life.
Having done honours, I knew how it felt to be stressed out and needing a breather.
Coincidentally, Ian and I had 2 IMAX tickets for any show. He bought it in bulk about a year back and it was expiring soon so we decided on saturday afternoon to watch How to Train Your Dragon in 3D the next day!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Let me serve you at Destinos
Day 7 - Saturday, 17th April 2010
Every saturday I go to Bridge church at Richmond.
Service is from 5pm to 630pm.
I am usually at church from 330pm all the way to 730pm because I serve at the cafe in church called Destinos. I lead the Saturday team with Cathy. We alternate every week.
Here at Destinos, we sell cakes, coffee, tea, sausage rolls etc. We serve and greet with as big a smile as we can because we want new comers to know that they're always welcomed, that we're 1 big family. We pray for God to use us to love others through our serving.
We meet many new people at Destinos. Saturday is not as busy as Sundays so its easier to have conversations with people. I hope to form deeper friendships with the people that pass through our cafe. Its hard but I'll try!
Let me serve you when you come visit us next time ok?
Every saturday I go to Bridge church at Richmond.
Service is from 5pm to 630pm.
I am usually at church from 330pm all the way to 730pm because I serve at the cafe in church called Destinos. I lead the Saturday team with Cathy. We alternate every week.
Here at Destinos, we sell cakes, coffee, tea, sausage rolls etc. We serve and greet with as big a smile as we can because we want new comers to know that they're always welcomed, that we're 1 big family. We pray for God to use us to love others through our serving.
Top to bottom:
Setting up Destinos. Spinach and ricotta rolls all ready to be heated up! Me in my apron. View of cafe.
We meet many new people at Destinos. Saturday is not as busy as Sundays so its easier to have conversations with people. I hope to form deeper friendships with the people that pass through our cafe. Its hard but I'll try!
Let me serve you when you come visit us next time ok?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Crash dummy love
Day 6 - 16th April 2010Background:
I got hit by a car almost about a month back on the 10th of March 2010.
I got hit crossing the road on a green man by a car turning left to the road I was crossing. I got hit on my right hip, fell on my left hip and rolled. Thankfully I only sustained bruises.
I was send to hospital that night by the couple who hit me. The girl was driving when she hit me but the guy took over when they send me to the hospital. She was still under her learner's permit.
In Australia, once you passed the equivalent of the basic theory test, you get your learner's permit. During this period, anybody can teach you how to drive.
I remembered how she was crying while she helped me out of the car. I think she was more scared than I was hurt. I remembered having to comfort her all the way to the Accidents and Emergency counter.
Fast forward to present:
Today I messaged the girl who hit me to ask her how she was and whether she's still traumatised from driving. She's feeling better and now she has a proper instructor to teach her rather than her boyfriend! I asked whether they had to pay any fine for reckless driving, but I didn't get a response after that.
Nonetheless, I'm still very glad that she's recovered as well as I have!
BIG SMILE from me!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Who are we to judge?
Day 5 - 15th April 2010
Sometimes work is so busy that in the rush of the whole day there's no time to think of anything else other than getting work done. In the rush of it all, we tend to forget about others, about the relationships we have with one another, about the cleaner who sits alone in the cafe.
Thursday was like that.
It was hectic. I worked late. Came home late and all I could think of was just melting into the chair.
Project of love was somewhere in my head but I was drained.
I didn't fulfill Day 5.
Sometimes, all it takes is to stop and say hi. It might not make a difference to you, but it might make a difference to the other person.
How many "cleaners" have you said hi to today?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since I didn't fulfill Day 5, I thought I might share a little something extra.
I went to Connect group on Wednesday and we were talking about missions, but in particular reference to homeless people.
In melbourne, there are a lot of homeless people around asking for money on the streets. They usually look dirty, ragged, and sometimes drunk.
I never give them money because I've always had the assumption that they would spend it on drugs and alcohol. That I would feed into the vicious cycle they're living in.
Sometimes, they would come and ask for a few gold coins to "fund a meal or a place for them to stay for the night". I've always felt that if you had 2 hands and 2 feet, you were fully able to fend for yourself and find a job if you worked hard enough. That they didn't seem to care and were contented to live in their current state was only their downfall.
I guess thats my biggest mistake.
Who am I to judge them?
"Is it fair to walk pass the homeless man and give him nothing in the assumption that he would spent it on booze or cigarettes or suggest that he should go out and get a job?
Who are we to judge the alcoholic, or the prostitute or the addict as if we were any better?"
I didn't live their lives, I didn't know what they had and were going through. I did not know whether they had tried to find a job, tried to quit drugs or alcohol but failed and were just needing some encouragement...or a few gold coins to tide the day till they succeed.
What would Jesus do?
He'd never have judged.
There are no right and wrongs to how you can help somebody. If you're comfortable with giving a gold coin, so be it. I'm still hesitant but I've decided that the best way to help them is to offer them a meal if ever they asked for money.
I would say this now instead of walking pass them like they don't exist:
"I don't have a gold coin but I would love to buy you a meal".
Will tell you when I do it! =)
Sometimes work is so busy that in the rush of the whole day there's no time to think of anything else other than getting work done. In the rush of it all, we tend to forget about others, about the relationships we have with one another, about the cleaner who sits alone in the cafe.
Thursday was like that.
It was hectic. I worked late. Came home late and all I could think of was just melting into the chair.
Project of love was somewhere in my head but I was drained.
I didn't fulfill Day 5.
Sometimes, all it takes is to stop and say hi. It might not make a difference to you, but it might make a difference to the other person.
How many "cleaners" have you said hi to today?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since I didn't fulfill Day 5, I thought I might share a little something extra.
I went to Connect group on Wednesday and we were talking about missions, but in particular reference to homeless people.
In melbourne, there are a lot of homeless people around asking for money on the streets. They usually look dirty, ragged, and sometimes drunk.
I never give them money because I've always had the assumption that they would spend it on drugs and alcohol. That I would feed into the vicious cycle they're living in.
Sometimes, they would come and ask for a few gold coins to "fund a meal or a place for them to stay for the night". I've always felt that if you had 2 hands and 2 feet, you were fully able to fend for yourself and find a job if you worked hard enough. That they didn't seem to care and were contented to live in their current state was only their downfall.
I guess thats my biggest mistake.
Who am I to judge them?
"Is it fair to walk pass the homeless man and give him nothing in the assumption that he would spent it on booze or cigarettes or suggest that he should go out and get a job?
Who are we to judge the alcoholic, or the prostitute or the addict as if we were any better?"
I didn't live their lives, I didn't know what they had and were going through. I did not know whether they had tried to find a job, tried to quit drugs or alcohol but failed and were just needing some encouragement...or a few gold coins to tide the day till they succeed.
What would Jesus do?He'd never have judged.
There are no right and wrongs to how you can help somebody. If you're comfortable with giving a gold coin, so be it. I'm still hesitant but I've decided that the best way to help them is to offer them a meal if ever they asked for money.
I would say this now instead of walking pass them like they don't exist:
"I don't have a gold coin but I would love to buy you a meal".
Will tell you when I do it! =)
On a side note, I stumbled onto this picture which was how I felt initially and thought it was quite funny.
Happy birthday G!
Ahhh! I'm trying to keep up with my entries.
Go Janice Go!
Day 4 - 14th April 2010
I shall call my friend G. He works in my lab and he's very quiet. He tends to keep to himself. He doesn't talk much but he's very nice.
I noticed that whenever I bring gummies/chocolates to work and share it among my office people, he likes to eat them as well.
I found out on facebook that it was his birthday today and the only thing on my shelf was a box of Lotte chocolate sticks I bought from this Korean shop over the weekend!! Decided to give it to him anyway since I knew he'd like sweet stuff so I left it on his table with a note that wished him HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I reckoned I saw his sweetest smile ever the next day he came to thank me for it. Haha, and he kept saying "mmm" while eating the sticks. Cute!
He recently just became a father but I don't know whether his family is here or back home. Nonetheless, very happy for him!!
Glad it made you smile G. =D
Go Janice Go!
Day 4 - 14th April 2010
I shall call my friend G. He works in my lab and he's very quiet. He tends to keep to himself. He doesn't talk much but he's very nice.
I noticed that whenever I bring gummies/chocolates to work and share it among my office people, he likes to eat them as well.
I found out on facebook that it was his birthday today and the only thing on my shelf was a box of Lotte chocolate sticks I bought from this Korean shop over the weekend!! Decided to give it to him anyway since I knew he'd like sweet stuff so I left it on his table with a note that wished him HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I reckoned I saw his sweetest smile ever the next day he came to thank me for it. Haha, and he kept saying "mmm" while eating the sticks. Cute!
He recently just became a father but I don't know whether his family is here or back home. Nonetheless, very happy for him!!
Glad it made you smile G. =D
Friday, April 16, 2010
Another cup of sweet love
Day 3 - 13th April 2010 Ian came over today and brought dinner.
After dinner, we decided it would be nice to round it off with a nice cup of hot english breakfast tea. I went to the kitchen and brewed 3 cups of tea.
1 for me.
1 for Ian.
1 for Ifa.
I know Ifa would appreciate a cup of hot tea knowing that she gets cold easily plus she's been so busy with all these assignments and tests! Tea would help settle the mind and tummy.
Oh, and did I tell you I loveeeeee me some english breakfast? Love is an understatement.
I now know:
Ian likes it with milk and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Ifa likes it with milk and 2 or 3 teaspoons of sugar.
I like it with milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Hope you liked it Ifa. =)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Setting my perspective straight
Day 2 - 12th April 2010
This day was a confusing one for me.
I was so busy at work that day, and after work I had to rush to Tinna's house for dinner and by the time I got back it was already 1030pm.
Having just started this project, I naturally forgot about it and it was only til 11pm that I SUDDENLY REMEMBERED I HAD A SMILE TO EARN!! I thought and thought, the clock was ticking, my heart started racing and in my head I was panicking. It was going to be 12 and I haven't done anything! It was like a time bomb. In my head, I was starting to feel disappointment. Disappointment that I failed my task, that I didn't and couldn't accomplish Day 2.
Then it struck me.
Why am I panicking? Its not like I've got an exam to study for, or a deadline to meet. Where's the joy in all that? I don't wanna be doing acts of kindness cause I need to meet a deadline. That would defeat the whole purpose! Had it become a chore already?
No. No. NO. I don't want that. Had to set my perspective straight again. Whats the use of making somebody happy when you don't have a cheerful heart?
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7
So I decided that it was ok to forgo Day 2 and decided to think about how blessed I was instead!
Who were the people that made me smile today?
Tinna and Tinna's whole family. I was invited over for dinner and had a taste and reminder of what family life was like! Oh, how I miss my family!! I was standing in the kitchen, her mum was frying vegetables, her dad was sitting at the dining table, tinna was bickering with her little sister, and I felt tears welling in my eyes.
I miss home.
I miss family.
I miss eating my mum's home cooked food.
I miss disturbing Luke and talking to Mark.
I miss my Dad's insight.
Ok, I'm going too far off tangent. Snap back to reality! Ok, so yes, I had a taste of what a family dinner would be like in Taiwan!! Her mum cooked sooooo many dishes and it all tasted soooo delicious. Not to forget, we even had HOME-MADE red milk tea with pearls!! Best way to end the dinner. She even packed lunch for me the next day. How awesome is that.
So this was a glimpse of dinner that I brought to work the next day. Salmon, beef, chicken, herbal egg. SO. GOOD. Beats eating cereal any day.
Her mum even gave me half a container of taiwan red tea leaves so that I can brew my own bubble tea at home. If I could write chinese on this computer, the word that best describes what I'm feeling would be: xin fu.
This day was a confusing one for me.
I was so busy at work that day, and after work I had to rush to Tinna's house for dinner and by the time I got back it was already 1030pm.
Having just started this project, I naturally forgot about it and it was only til 11pm that I SUDDENLY REMEMBERED I HAD A SMILE TO EARN!! I thought and thought, the clock was ticking, my heart started racing and in my head I was panicking. It was going to be 12 and I haven't done anything! It was like a time bomb. In my head, I was starting to feel disappointment. Disappointment that I failed my task, that I didn't and couldn't accomplish Day 2.
Then it struck me.
Why am I panicking? Its not like I've got an exam to study for, or a deadline to meet. Where's the joy in all that? I don't wanna be doing acts of kindness cause I need to meet a deadline. That would defeat the whole purpose! Had it become a chore already?
No. No. NO. I don't want that. Had to set my perspective straight again. Whats the use of making somebody happy when you don't have a cheerful heart?
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7
So I decided that it was ok to forgo Day 2 and decided to think about how blessed I was instead!
Who were the people that made me smile today?
Tinna and Tinna's whole family. I was invited over for dinner and had a taste and reminder of what family life was like! Oh, how I miss my family!! I was standing in the kitchen, her mum was frying vegetables, her dad was sitting at the dining table, tinna was bickering with her little sister, and I felt tears welling in my eyes.
I miss home.
I miss family.
I miss eating my mum's home cooked food.
I miss disturbing Luke and talking to Mark.
I miss my Dad's insight.
Ok, I'm going too far off tangent. Snap back to reality! Ok, so yes, I had a taste of what a family dinner would be like in Taiwan!! Her mum cooked sooooo many dishes and it all tasted soooo delicious. Not to forget, we even had HOME-MADE red milk tea with pearls!! Best way to end the dinner. She even packed lunch for me the next day. How awesome is that.
So this was a glimpse of dinner that I brought to work the next day. Salmon, beef, chicken, herbal egg. SO. GOOD. Beats eating cereal any day.Her mum even gave me half a container of taiwan red tea leaves so that I can brew my own bubble tea at home. If I could write chinese on this computer, the word that best describes what I'm feeling would be: xin fu.
The other person that made me smile was Kah Wai. He messaged me on facebook to encourage me about my project of love just when I needed it. He gave me tons of encouragement and support and it just made my day. He made me feel that persevering with this project was the right thing to do (and its only the 2nd day!).
He even told me that I've actually fulfilled Day 2...cause I was receiving all these encouragement from facebook that said my project made them smile! I don't know whether that's counted but to all those who are supporting me out there, a BIG THANK YOU to you. I appreciate it more than you know.
Thank you for making me smile. =)
Nestum Cereal Goodness
I'm backdating my entries cause I only just started this blog.
So this is Day 1 - 11th April 2010.
I made Mack (my house mate) a cup of Nestum Cereal 3 in 1 cause she was feeling hungry and cold. Well, me too. So..I made both of us some nestum goodness! What a way to warm up the cold cold night in Melbourne. Sob sob..where did summer go??
She had never heard of Nestum and was wondering what "hot porridge thing" I was giving her. One sip was all she had to make the decision that "Janice, next time you buy these 3 in 1 cereals, buy 1 packet for me". "OK!" That drink made the night soo much better, us so much warmer, and mack so much hungrier. Yikes!
But glad it made you smile. =D
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Welcome to Janice's Project of Love
I've been thinking of doing something like this for the longest time but just never got round to it. Its been a year since I started working and life has settled into a nice routine but I've always felt that I could do more with what I have.
Life has been grand so far, and even more so this last year. Definitely the usual ups and downs we all face but other than that, I've been feeling extremely blessed. Too blessed. I feel like I've got so much to share, so much love to give, so much encouragement to say. But of course under all this lies the foundation and source of my affections which can be summarised in just 3 words:
"God is Love" - 1 John 4:8
Thus, the birth of this project.
God has blessed me with so many things, and I feel that I've got to share my blessings. Simply put: God bless me, I bless you.
Therefore, my aim is to make somebody smile each day for a year by doing random acts of kindness. Strangers, friends, all inclusive.
Start date: 11th April 2010
I hope by the end of this project, these acts of love would be instilled in me and become an everyday occurrence for the rest of my life. Its also my own little journey to Christ-likeness. I believe its going to be an enriching yet humbling experience for me...and the receipient. And I hope through this acts that everyone can feel the unconditional love my God has for me. ;)
This blog will be a record of all my doings. I'm not the best writer, so I'll make each entry short and sweet, grammatical errors included. And I'll really try....to keep this blog going (which to me is harder than the project itself!!!).
So with that I'm glad to say that Jan's Project of Love is underway! Woohoo!!
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