Delightful Saturday!

Well... I was up but not early enough, since I thought I'd give myself time to sleep in... I didn't have to rush back... but that was not wise as it's not the rushing back... it's the blaring sun... I completed my 8km... disastrous... torturous... but it is done. 50KM for the week...

I proceeded to clean out my closet... after a quick shower. I try to put away the fall/winter clothes but I had not done it since I had need of those clothes for the trip to Germany. So, I spent two hours packing up the sweatshirts and jackets and pants... and I love how the closet looks now. I also redid the bottom area where I had started to use as storage... for travel items. I was finished at around 10am... and started to get ready for tutoring!

11am to 12noon... the hour flew by... delightful... 

I was home by 12:30 and had a McMuffin that Alan left behind... It was exactly the brunch that I wanted... with mustard... YUMMY!

Isaiah was up and he planned to leave at 1:20... 

I sat and read... I can read Jane Eyre over and over again... I realized that I used to know those more difficult vocabulary words... words that I see on the SAT... and I need to refresh my memory... I love it... 

4pm can too quickly... 

Should I do a load of laundry?

Should I go and update my bankbooks and run errands?

The clouds had gathered and the weather had turned drizzling... I wanted to go out as two books had arrived at the library... Yes, I am getting lots of books to read via the local library... books in English... So, when the rain halted... I dashed to the library... another evening of reading. And I did get a load of laundry done... My dinner... a wonderful salad!

Family Time at 9pm!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

In the News...

I was up and ran my 8km... 

You might be puzzled by the title... that's because my MOE Days are catch up on news days... 

Yes, I had another great MOE Day... 

I brought two books to read... my lap top computer... and snacks... ha, ha, ha... I didn't move from my desk all morning... 

For lunch, I brought the ground beef dumplings concoction... and rested...

5pm came quickly and I decided to go and see a new Japanese supermarket that opened up at Miramar. (I forgot to mention yesterday that our Soda Stream went bizerko... but Annie, don't worry... you gave us a spare! I am mentioning this here because I usually get the replacement cartridges at Miramar!)

The supermarket was nice... and expensive... high end stuff... 

But it was fun to cruise around!

I got home and made myself a salad... I bought some great lettuce from the Lopia Japanese Market!

The evening passed so quickly... 

Prayer at 8:45 and the day was done...

Tutoring at 11am tomorrow morning!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Yes -- PR Day!

I was up and completed my 8km... 

And Isaiah took off and I had the house to myself.

First, I made a ground beef dumpling dish... Well... I put all the ingredients in the rice cooker and hit -- cook!

I then sat and read... and napped... 

The morning flew by!

At 2:30, the 'alarm' sounded: no going out for the military drill that had started! REALLY!!!!

The drill finished at 3pm.

The dumpling dish was finished and it was delicious... WOW... 

At 5:30, I headed out to the library to return books and then tutoring at 6pm -- two hours... When that was finished, I stopped at our local mini supermarket to buy soy bean milk... and headed home!

I decided to use the time to pack up the suitcases that Isaiah will bring to the States... WOW! Now, all Isaiah needs to do is to put together his stuff in the carry on... He's not leaving for another two weeks... but hey... I wanted to know if I have any more room or weight to put more stuff in those two suitcases! I think I do... 

Prayer time at 8:45... 

Tomorrow... MOE Day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Much Needed Time...

I was up early and finished my 8KM.

After Isaiah left, I called Ms. Hsieh and she had time at 11:30.

I went down to do the recycling and spent the rest of the morning reading... I am going to plan a week when both Alan and Isaiah are gone and limit tutoring to after 6pm and just stay home all day and read, read, read... 

Before leaving at 11:00, I got the iRobot going. I dropped off things at the old gentleman 'thrift' stall! Then I went and had a 2-hour massage... my back and legs felt so much better.

I had tutoring at 2pm and another student at 3:40 and I was home by 5:30. YIPPY!

I was really hungry, so I made myself a huge salad. I'm still working on clearing the fridge. I wonder if I can avoid going to Costco for the entire time that Alan is away! Isaiah will be leaving on August 26th... so... We shall see... I might have to buy meat, but I'm working on clearing the freezer... and I'm doing quite well... 

I blogged for HOP and then Prayer time at 8:45 and Bible study at 9pm.

When that was finished, I went and read in bed... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Splendid Tuesday

I was up early as I had slept early the night before... I had quite a long Monday... 

I went and did my usual 8KM run... Will I be running more? I hope so... once the summer heat turns into Autumn breeze... 

Isaiah took off and I proceeded to undo all the fans blades to wash everything. As I finished, I headed out to my Bible study and let everything dry. I was early to the study and set everything up! YEAH...

There were only four of us... One gal was sick at home and she wanted to join online. I started the video call and she didn't answer. So... when she called back, I don't know why I didn't hear it.

When we finished, one of the gals taught me how to use this special app to do powerpoint... wow... that saves so much time and it even helps to translate things. It isn't perfect, but it gave a base which I will add to...

I was going to run errands, but the rain started... so I headed home.

It was so nice to be home. 

I put all the fans together and did the study for next time and enjoyed the afternoon watching Netflix... 

No nap... 

I then got started with my talk and have almost finished it all... 

For dinner I had a huge salad... yummy. I still have plenty of food to finish up!

I gave two suitcases away and also some more clothes... and a table cloth. Tomorrow, I will donate more stuff to that old gentleman when I go to tutor at 1:30. That's tomorrow.

Prayer time at 8:45... blogged... and headed off to bed early... 

I had to get up early every morning for these next several weeks as there is no time when it is not hot!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Monday, Monday...

I was up early and did my usual 8KM.

Isaiah took off and I took off soon afterwards as I had a breakfast prayer and share time... 

I had to cut that time short as I had tutoring at 1:30... I made it there not only on time, but 10 minutes early... and I ended 15 minutes late.

I got home at around 3:35 and it was so nice to be HOME...

I got a message and one of my students had to cancel... for Wednesday! I'm so thrilled as Wednesday was going to be a massively busy day... so to have that 90 minutes tutoring session cancelled was an answer to prayer!

I put things away... and took down the clothes... and blogged... 

I was absolutely too full so I skipped dinner...

Prayer time at 8:45... And I baked these hot dog cheese muffins for our Bible study tomorrow morning.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

What A Sunday!

I was up but not too early as it was Sunday... and wow... the weather was so 'perfect'... my kind of perfect: raining, around 20, windy and cloudy. Typhoon Dolphin brought the rain and the nicer temperature... but no one wanted to be out... I did... but... but No Run on Sunday!

I took the time to read... and at 10:30, Isaiah and I headed out to church. 

I set up while we waited for others to join. We had four people.

We ordered lunch... UBER DELIVERY... and sat and chatted. I stayed at church while Isaiah and Fenny went back home. They were late to church.

I was the MC... ha, ha, ha... and Isaiah translated for the speaker.

There were many people who needed counseling, so I didn't get home until 8:30.

Prayer time at 9:30... and I blogged, cleaned up, and went to bed fairly early. The week has started.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Typhoon Dolphin Cools Down the Weather

I was up early... YEAH... I truly want to do that every day...

I ran my 8KM and hit 50 for this week!

Alan decided to extend his stay (paying 240US$) in order to go to the Chargers Opening Game! That guy...

I did a load of laundry after I got home and posted another toddler car seat... But different people came to pick up other items.

I had tutoring at 11am... 

That went well... and I was home... I had made hard boiled eggs... and Isaiah and I had two each!

He helped use Gemini to beef up my PPT for next Sunday (August 16th) so that it would be bilingual... He is not finished yet. And then we went to drop off a bag of donations for Nepal at TIC and he went on to meet up with Fenny. I drove back home!

So nice... I had the house all to myself... I cleaned out the back balcony a bit and just loafed around... I started to read through the Chosen Bible study material and quite like it... 

The rain started and I was glad to be home. I had thought about running errands... but I can do that tomorrow... "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, Tomorrow, You're always a day away..." ha, ha, ha...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another MOE Day!

I was up early and went out for my 8KM... There is a mild typhoon blowing through but the heat was still blaring and the air muggy... I was out at 5:45! I can't imagine going any earlier.

I was back and took a shower... and ate toast with butter and a mug of coffee before resting a bit... and then taking off to the office!

I had to stop to put on my rain coat as it was raining on and off... not sprinkling... but raining!

I made it and glad to be in the office with the AC.

I spent the morning getting my ppt done for August 16th and reading the news... Needless to say, the morning flew by! Yes, I finished the first ppt and sent it to Isaiah. He's going to use Gemini to bring in the bilingual element... we will see how it turns out. I'm not keen on using AI... but I think I need to be wise. For all my message prep, I use commentaries and listen to pastoral messages on the passage... But the best way to prepare is to just read and re-read the passage and the context... 

For lunch, I brought instant noodles and just so enjoyed it... sitting and watching a movie while eating lunch at my desk. I love this job... ha, ha, ha... 

I was heading home by 5:10 and met up with a student at the church near our house as I bought him breakfast cereal from Costco.

HOME... and a free evening... Prayer time at 8:45... and the weekend has started!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The Eagle Has Landed...

I was up early and went out for my 8KM... I hope to get up earlier so that I can be out before 5:30!

I was so happy that I had the FREE DAY! 

I put all the items to give away on the first floor lobby... and then after Isaiah left, I cleaned out all the unwanted packets of sauces... It felt so good to just toss them...  

For breakfast, I had toast with butter... YUMMY... and milk tea from my students who went to Singapore!

Then I read and finished up my notes for the study tonight.

Alan landed... and Annie had quite a time meeting up with him. LAX is just crazy...

I went out at 12noon to go and drop things off at church: the refilled sugar jar, clothes for a sister, and tennis shoes. Then I dropped off things for donation at the elderly man's booth. On the way home, I bought soy bean milk! YIPPY!

This evening I had my Bible study on the book Heaven... and the discussion was lively, as always. I asked Alan to lead the Prayer time as we did not finish by 8:45... it was 5:45 in the States and Alan is staying at my Mom's condo... Annie filled the fridge and it's a vacation for Alan. Annie sure takes good care of my hubby... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The Eagle Has Departed!

I was up super early... and I think I'm going to try to be up that early every day until Alan gets back. The weather was much nicer... seriously!

I got back and took a quick shower and Alan had already loaded the car and we took off at 6:40.

I did the curbside drop off... no parking and I headed back home. The traffic was bad... so I didn't get back until 8:45. I was going to go down for the recycling, but I totally forgot... 

I made this beef dish... wow... and cleaned out one kitchen cupboard... YEAH! I will attempt to finish up what food we have in the freezer... at least try not to go and buy things... let's see what we can do. I will have to buy either chicken or ground beef... and romaine lettuce... but that's it... 

I had toast with butter for breakfast and set the iRobot going. I then grouped all that I have for Isaiah's two suitcases and packed up donation for Nepal. I will ask Isaiah to bring that huge bag to the car and drop off...

I took a nice nap and prepped for tutoring and my Bible study tomorrow night and it was time to head out to tutor.

Alan made it to the Philippines and got on the plane for the States.

I had tutoring at 3:40 and another student at 6pm.

Isaiah went to a baseball game with Fenny and came home late... he comes home late most nights.

I had prayer time at 8:45 and spent the rest of the evening just enjoying having the house to myself!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Packing Day!

I was up early and did my tortuous 8KM. It's the heat... You can't imagine... 

I got home and after a quick shower, and Isaiah took off, I got things gathered to pack to send with Alan... and yes, things to send with Isaiah. Alan has like 40KILOS of Annie's stuff... and Isaiah will have both suitcases filled with stuff for Annie! 

We went out for lunch which was great... and then stopped at a high-end pineapple cake shop to buy two large boxes for Annie... Then we were home. 

We took a nice nap... Very necessary... ha, ha, ha... I was feeling very tired. The heat just drained all my energy.

I blogged... put things away... and organized my tutoring for tomorrow.

I also started to put together my PPT... just the basics as Isaiah said he'd show me how to use AI to add the Chinese! We shall see... 

Tomorrow, I hope to be up by 4am as we need to be out of the house by 6:30am to head to the airport!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Nice Monday!

I was up early and I ran my 8KM!

I got home and took a shower... then since I didn't have tutoring at 11am, I sat and read! What a delight!

Alan and I had lunch and I blogged for our church and read some more.

Tutoring was at 3:30 and I prepped and left and finished at 5:15. I stopped to buy a few things for Annie and got home by 6pm. We had our HOP meeting at 7pm, so I made a salad to bring to church.

The meet went really well and we were home by 10pm.

After finishing my blog and working a bit more on my talks for August, I was in bed by 11:30. Tomorrow is a free day as we are working on packing for Alan's trip to the States!

I realize that it is really nice to have a free Monday morning since my weekends can be so packed with activities!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Productive Sunday

I was up early and so glad it was a no run day as it was blaring hot...

I did so much in that first couple of hours... I was like: What? It's only 8:30???

Then at 9am, I went out to check on recycling and do errands. I went to church to drop off the ice cream then went and help clean out that friend's house. I will have to go back like several times to get the house in any kind of order... NOT even really neat... just in order! I will have to bring bleach next time and spray down the place! I picked up what she left me and brought the stuff home after I went and paid bills.

I was home by 12! YEAH!

Alan was home and Isaiah was gone. 

I put things away and proceeded to post more things to give away!

Church at 3pm... but first a friend came over to my house to pick up a bread machine and containers. YEAH! I dropped stuff off at our blind masseuses lady and went to church to set up Love Cafe. I had bought goodies from Costco! YEAH!

Alan preached and Isaiah translated. Isaiah was also the worship leader!

I stayed to help with clean up and came home at 8:30! Yes, before coming up, I always check the recycling again.

The week has started... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Celebrating Father's Day

I was up early and ran my 8km and made the 50 for this week! Wow...

Then I was home and made cucumber salad and clear the spices... well... two bottles of expired spices that have gotten too 'wet' with this humid weather!

We had planned to leave at 10:45 to pick up Fenny at the MRT Station, but she was late. Anyhow, we were off to go snorkeling by 11:30! The place was so crowded and we rented the equipment was out there in the water. We stayed until almost 4pm and then we went to an early dinner in Keelung at our favorite place!

We decided to go to Costco as Fenny has never been in one and we needed to get the phone for Abby! She has friends who will be going to Brazil in September! Alan will bring it to the States. We also got tissue packets for Annie... ha, ha, ha... We spent so much... and finished at 7:45 and got home by 8:45!

What a day!

Alan took a shower and with Isaiah, dropped Fenny off. I stayed home to get things put away!

Happy Father's Day... Taiwan Father's Day is on August 8th and Alan will be in the States, so we decided to celebrate today with a fun outing.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Productive MOE Day

I was up early... I had to be as I wanted to squeeze in a run before I 'run off' to the MOE for the day.

I had everything ready, so I was home and out again after my quick shower. Alan had already taken off as he had his last day of class with the Japanese students.

I arrived early, which I like... and set up my stuff. I had brought lots of stuff to do.

I caught up on some news and read the books I brought. Then I used the rest of the day to prepare the two messages for August: Living in His Presence through Acts! I wanted to do a simple overview of the book of Acts and concentrate on Acts 4. I found that chapter to contain all the essential elements captured in the book of Acts. I spent the day reading commentaries... I didn't write much of my script, but I sure enjoyed the research. 

The day passed and I was out of the office and 'running' errands. I had to buy coupons for this Sunday as it's Father's Day. I also had scooter parking to pay. And then I was finally home. 

I headed out to my friend's house to pick up more stuff that she had left for me and to help tidy up the place. They had headed to the airport at around 5:45.

I was home by 6:30... and it was just nice to be home!

Free evening... YIPPY!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

God's Blessed Sabbath

I was up early and was able to go out... Alan said that it was sprinkling but nothing... just humidity... I ran my 8KM, not as miserable as there was some cloud covering!

I was back and Isaiah took off... 

I wanted to clear a few items out of our freezer, so I baked a delicious banana chocolate chips bread! 

I put it in the oven and went for a shower! When I finished my shower, the aroma from the bread infiltrated the house! Delightful!

I had set to complete a few tasks: packing up coats and winter items for Nepal, clearing a corner of boxes and unwanted goods, and tossing a few more items (posting to give away!) I then had a wonderful breakfast and proceeded to sit and read... that's my favorite activity on a Sabbath Day... I didn't even want to rest... Just read, read, and read some more... 

The day was slipping by way too fast. Alan came home from teaching the special class at around 1:30. I had put dinner in the rice cooker and it smelled so good... 

Today I definitely tossed or donated more than one item... Yes, I have kept to that goal... Absolutely fantastic! Of course, I don't think anyone can see the difference yet... but... it's a wonderful thing to be giving things away or using up what I have already... I don't think I need to buy conditioner for at least another year or two or three!

At 5:15, I took off to help a friend who is leaving tomorrow. I had to pick up the keys to her house... At 6:30, another friend came over as I trim her hair for free. I think she just needs someone to talk to... it's a ministry... Of course at 8:45, I had my usual prayer time and the day was done. 

I packed up things for my MOE day... and I'm just so blessed to have a Sabbath each week. It's not exactly 24 hours... but I am definitely thinking about doing that next year! What do you think?

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Soochow Special Class

I was up and out... as I had to squeeze the run in before my three hour class at Soochow.

I was home and after a shower, gathered up everything and left.

I actually was down in the parking garage and the recycling people were here already. YEAH! Everything was cleared and I made it to school early... 

I set up and the students came at around 9:08 and their level was quite low, but I pushed through the activities that I had planned and I think they had fun!

Alan dropped by and we sat in his office after the class was over... and then headed home.

I unpacked everything and rested before I took off for tutoring!

That hour flew by and I was so glad to be home. I was feeling quite exhausted!

But I had to press on: Prayer Meeting at 8:45 and Bible study online at 9pm!

I'm so glad that tomorrow is a PR Day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Touristy Day

I did not get up early enough... AGAIN... And early enough means I was up after 5:30. I need to change... I must get up before 5:30! It was another miserable run! I finished my 8KM.

I was home and after a shower, I put together things to drop off for a friend.

Alan was home early as we had a day planned to take a friend's daughter around. We left at 11am and fan a few errands and picked her up at the XiHu MRT Station. 

First stop: Traditional Chinese breakfast.

Then: Meiti Park.

Next: Martry's Shrine and Grand Hotel.

Finally: A drive up to see the hiking trails and the suspension bridge.

We dropped her back at the MRT Station and got back home at 4:30. I had tutoring at 5:30. I had to get everything together and off I went.

The time flew by and I got home by 7:30 for prayer time... Wow...

When that was done, I had my next prayer group at 8:45.

Isaiah had basketball...

Tomorrow is another full day of tutoring and teaching.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Fun Outing!

I was up and out too late... as there weren't any clouds... but I squeezed in my run and got home... 

Isaiah left for work...

I took a shower and posted things to give away... yes, more things to give away.

And Alan came home early from tennis and we left at 10:10 for our snorkeling adventure!

First we went to pick up my bag and buy drinks... then it was a nice drive along the east coast. We stopped at a lighthouse... and by 12:30, we were at the snorkeling sight. 

Thankfully, it was cloudy. The water was warm and we rented snorkeling gears for like 2US$ per person! We didn't get the shoes, which we will on Saturday. Yes, we're going again on Saturday.

We stayed there until 5pm and off we went to Keelung for dinner!

Alan's favorite: Oyster fried pancakes... and Cantonese dumplings. 

We finally got home at around 8pm... Prayer time at 8:45... 

And I was ready for bed...

I should do a load of laundry tomorrow... but it's going to be another fun day out...

I do have tutoring tomorrow and a full day on Wednesday... I hope to have time to prep!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

And A Restful Sunday... Extra, Extra-Ordinary!

I was up LATE... and no run... I went to buy fruit and veggies and there were so many people out... 

I came home and rested...

It was a wonderfully relaxing morning.

We ate leftovers for lunch... and I had bought salad stuff... so perfect!

At 3pm, we went to church... and helped with setting up for Love Cafe and talking to people. I translated... and it was again an amazing message!

We cleaned up and came home by 8pm... AMAZING... that's early! 

I did the recycling and blogged... prayed with a sister and watched TV...

What a great start of a new week!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Restful Saturday... EXTRAORDINARY!

I was up and did run my final 8KM... I went out late and that was a mistake... 

I got home and just putter around... read more novels... I got out the Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster and read that book... I used the juicer and made carrot juice... absolutely fabulous. I put ingredients into the bread maker and made bread... Carrot pulps and raisins... not too bad... but I am still figuring it out.

We had plenty of food in the fridge... but no salad stuff... I was thinking about going out but never made it out!

At 4:45, we went to the dinner meet up point to see which restaurant we wanted to have our get together. We chose a Korean restaurant and it was delicious. Eleven people and we ordered a lot and had leftovers.

We got home at 9:50 and Family Time was to start by 10pm, but we got started late...

Tomorrow... No morning service and no Young Adults Fellowship! I will go and get the veggies and maybe go to Costco?!?!?! I will be translating for the afternoon service...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Productive MOE Day

I was up and out and ran my 8KM... 

After a quick shower and sending Isaiah off, I was on my scooter... 

I made it there before 9am and got myself settled.

I had a list of what I wanted to get done:

Prep my two talks for HOP 

Read the Heaven book

Get my special class on Wednesday 7/29 set

Read the news on line...

And I got all that done and more... 

I was out of the office by 5:10 and scootered to pick up a library book, get my scooter tuned up and pay a few bills.

I even bought some Chinese Romaine. It was not cheap, but I had a terrific salad.

A lady came to pick up clothes that I had posted in Buy Nothing... So... I continue to get things out of the house...

The weekend has started...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!