The Aftermath of Mongolia

  I have never quite put my finger on this phenomenon until now, the very case of Post- Travel Blues.  Some might see this as an irrational feeling, but it is nonetheless very real.  And according to Wikipedia, this is a thing, so I mustn't be the only one feeling this.

  Coming back from Mongolia, although it has only been two days, I've found that I've had no motivation for work, or life really, and all I can think about is all that had happened in Mongolia and all the people that I've met.  This feeling reminds me of post-mission blues, especially after Japan.  I remember waking up, lying in bed at home and felt no motivation for life and carried a deep sense of sadness and emptiness within me.  This one isn't so drastic, perhaps it is because of the length of time and the extend of the intensity isn't as long nor as deep as Japan, but nonetheless, the feeling is there.

  I've realised that one of the primary factors that drive post-travel blues is the unexpected encounters with people whom you grow to build some sort of relationship with.  Somehow, although you are from different worlds, in that moment in time, you are in the same space, sharing something precious of a mutual understanding and connection that you feel like could only be a divine appointment.  You share moments that you treasure at each ticking of the clock because you know that there will be a time to part, but for that time you forget about the end and grasp onto the enjoyment of that time and space, letting your souls connect even in such a brief span of time, though what feel like it could last for an eternity.

  And then, as you go back to reality that is daily life, whenever you close your eyes, those moments inevitably come flooding back before your eyes, and you wish when you opened them, you would see those faces, you would walk out of the bedroom and anticipate yet another breakfast conversation together.

  Perhaps, though the post-travel blues will fade, but it shows you what your heart values most.

The Feelings of Visiting Home

  Can't believe it has been nearly a year since I've packed up and left Sydney for HK... and this is the first time visiting since I've left.  Before I arrived, I didn't really know what to expect and I didn't really know how I would feel... but it's turning out to be a lot more emotional than I had imagined.

  Being in the environment is as though I've never left, a lot of things I do and places I go to are still somewhat automatic to me.  It is as though I only have to turn on the autopilot button and BAM! I know what I'm doing.  But it is in the relationships with people that have tugged at my heart and makes me wonder how I can walk away again for the second time.

  With each meet-up, I realise more and more how precious our friendship is to me... all the memories are not just merely memories, but they mean something and is almost like a block in a building that has been put there to strengthen what has already been built.  Memories that are so tiny and yet, when paired with actions in the present, it can stir something in your heart so strong and tug at something so deep you wonder why you could have ever let this go.  It's familiar, it's warm, it's what you have lived with your whole life and nothing can ever replace those things and especially those people in your life.  People who know what you are wanting to say when you seem hesitant to express yourself, people who know what you are thinking in your silences because they have seen that expression on your face countless of times, people whom you don't have to explain yourself to because they know your history, people who accept you no matter how you have left and moulded again.  There is a foundation there, a foundation that is called 'Trust'.

  What surprised me this time coming home is how touched I have been by my friends' words and actions.  I didn't know that I could be so happy and feel so at peace to see them happy, I didn't know they would be so happy and relieved to see me happy too, I didn't know some of them would intentionally organise a gathering and practice awing hospitality, I didn't know people would bother to take the initiative and... come look for me, I didn't know they would remember my likes, my dislikes and recalling the memories we have shared together.  I have missed being around these people, some of whom I have known almost a decade, I have missed being completely relaxed and chilled and loving just being in their company.  I have missed our times together.  My heart hurts and at the thought of having to leave it all behind again, the internal conflict is too great to be described.

  Being abroad, I have now truly learnt the precious values of my relationships back home.
 
  But I must go again, because my journey in HK has not finished and if I were to let that go now, I would have cut something short.  There are people there that I have started building something together with, although it's very different, but perhaps it is another important lesson for me to learn and another treasure to obtain. And I've realised, I need to know myself and it is only outside the bounds of comfort zone can I do come to know myself and somehow accept all the weaknesses and strengths I have not been able to before.

Bike-A-Thon 2014

Please support us as we cycle together as a team for charity and share love with the refugee community of Hong Kong.

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Riding in support of the forgotten, the broken and the most vulnerable. Dear Friends, This year, I had hoped to move to Hong Kong to widen my perspectives.  Then, joining the church Bike-a-thon allowed me to look inside the lives of refugees and asylum seekers here.  Truthfully, they felt removed from me, because I didn’t even know they lived here.  However, through meeting a Middle-Eastern family at a home visit, I’ve been humbled to see that they aren’t nobodies, but extraordinary people with brave hearts that know sacrificial love. This family of 5 lives in a tiny apartment, the walls are run-down, with second-hand furniture and clothing.  Because they are asylum seekers, the parents cannot work, although both were once professionals in their country.  Due to fears of how social unrests could affect their children, they left their wealth and loved ones for a foreign country.  This tugged at my heart as I’ve wrestled with God a lot before coming to Hong Kong, because I knew I had to leave much behind in Sydney; but how much more must the parents have wrestled, for they had to forgo much more in exchange for much less compared to me.  They can’t earn money, can’t leave and can’t tell their families in the Middle-East their location: it’s like living inside a prison without walls.  It hit me hard that there must be courage and sacrificial love for their children to do this. They have shown me the heart of my Heavenly Father, who sacrificed His only beloved Son.  I was truly humbled.  Refugees and asylum seekers are all living courageously and having my eyes opened, my hope is to help them wherever I can, so I would like to invite you to partner with me by financially contributing through this Bike-a-thon, I believe your donation will make a big difference in their lives.  Thank you! Donate Now!  PayPal: Please click the DONATE button below to go to my PayPal donation page. Cheque: Please make your cheque payable to "The Vine Community Services Ltd" and post it to The Vine Centre, 29, Burrows Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this email. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me. I will keep you all updated on my training progress. Blessings, Clare Who is VCSL? The Vine Community Services Ltd is a non-profit organization here in Hong Kong that works as a beacon of hope to the most overlooked, ignored and vulnerable in our society. VCSL supports 250+ refugees and asylum seekers aiming to equip, educate and empower individuals and families to become positive and contributing members of the community. Click here to find out more about VCSL and our mission for Hong Kong Refugees and Asylum Seekers. The 300km challenge! A Band of Riders plan to cycle 300km in 4 days from Kaohsiung to Kenting, over the coastal and mountainous roads of Taiwan. The route and short time frame will be a great test for us physically and mentally, with just a small team to help accomplish this distance. Our goal is to raise HK$2M for the refugee work of The Vine Community Services. Please support us as we cycle together as a team for charity and share love with the refugee community of Hong Kong. More info.

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[DIY] Tea Party Time ~

  Lately, I've been really enjoying being part of DIY projects - mainly as a guest.  I have so many creative and talented friends, who cook up storms of delicious food for my (and other's) liking.  A few months ago (yes, I guess I haven't written in a while...), a friend of mine invited me to an event at her church, an event that any girl would really love to go to because its theme was "High Tea"! It was held at a church hall, so I have to say my expectations were not so high... but boy oh boy, was I beyond wrong... going to this tea party made me realise just how far creativity could go if the person/group of people put their hearts into it!


  I won't blabbed on any more, I'll let the photos speak for this! 

I wanted to take them home so badly! >.<

Lovely!

  The desserts were all home-cooked by the girls who organised the high tea! They were absolutely delicious, ranging from chocolate dipped strawberris, panna cotta, lemony pastries to my absolute favourite of the day - strawberry cheesecake with a "twist" ;) (There was a special ingredient in there that made it unique and such an experience to the palate...mmmm)

  There was a selection of savoury food as well... assorted sandwiches filled with absolute freshness with a variety of scones and mini pies... not to mention dumplings on spoons and meatballs in paper boats... made my senses tingle!

  I was particularly impressed by the presentation of the whole event... the cups were so fine looking that it made the whole drinking tea experience even more pleasant.  Plus being a lover of flowers, all the little jars of blossoming flowers around the room just made me smile! :)

Cannot resist any longer! I'll start first! Haha

  Going to events like this where people make their own food and their own decorations is so much fun, I always feel a lot more homey and warm in those environments... and extra impressed by all the talents that everyone display! Also, I feel extremely loved to be spoilt like this by food and surrounded by beautiful settings hehe

  Definitely really appreciate the hard work and effort everyone has put in that day... to the point where I still think about it now and am amazed!

  So, maybe if you want to do something special for a group of beloved people in your life and you have such talents, why not host a tea party like this? It'll definitely be a memorable moment for everyone that comes :)

Toasting to...

.... new beginnings!

I said I would start this blog again, but since June, have just been busy, away, tired, procrastinated, lost in life, lazy and many many many excuses that have allowed me to stop writing... yet again.

But thanks to the push of a dear friend Grace, I shall start writing again :)

Because this is truly a new period in my lie, new beginnings and so much time on my hands that I will never have again.

Hope to share adventures and wonderful events with you all starting next week again :)

Wonder what the journey ahead is going to be... 

Stay tuned :)

Each time it's different...

Flying again... Wondering what lies ahead... No actually the only thing I'm thinking right now is how much I like night flights more than morning ones haha So sleepy zzzzzz

At the same time... I do wonder what God has planned for me this time :) Much rest in Him I pray :)

New Beginnings

Since there have been a few changes in my life, I thought I'd start writing again...

 

Went to pick up friends from Japan from the airport early today... And decided to treat myself to Maccas brekky.. And what better way to start again with a good old sausage and egg mcmuffin meal :)

With excitement! :)