The Limitations of Having A Frozen Shoulder

Yes, my shoulder is still frozen.

And I never realized the things you can't do with a frozen shoulder...

I can't play volleyball. I can't serve. I can't spike. I can't set. I can't shoot a basketball. I can't try to block a shot. I can't pass the ball. (That puts my right arm into a spasm!) I can dribble and that's about it! And I just found out... I can barely twirl the rope to jump rope! I've been working on it these past two days... and after much practice, I finally hit 149 jumps! I used to be a jump rope queen!

So, is the shoulder getting any better since I am going to see a physical therapist twice a week? Yes and No... The point is -- it's still frozen!

Seek Him First!

The Days Are Flying By

I can't believe how fast this day flew by!

Physical therapy in the morning, then to Costco.

I went straight to what I wanted to buy and came out within 40 minutes. It took so long only because the check-out lines were very long! And this was at 10:30 in the morning!

When I got home, I immediately called my mom. Then it was time to cook -- meatloaf 'pie' & mashed potatoes.

I checked my email, worked on my talk, read (!!!), and soon it was 3:50, time for my bike ride!

Abby wanted to play a little basketball. So after picking her up at the MRT Station, we headed to the park! It was cooler and not as crowded!

Rachel, my tutee, dropped by, and at 9:15, I was heading out the door again as it was time to go and pick up Isaiah.

Even without any appointments, these 'fun' days are going by way too fast!

Seek Him First!

Things I'm Looking Forward To

I had planned to give myself time this week to read, read, read... Thus, I tried NOT to make any extra appointments.

I started today. I stayed home to read.

Of course, this morning I had to take the kids to the MRT Station and yes, the car started!

The rest of the day was spent at home. I had two messages to prepare and gave myself plenty of time to read.

Since I had Bible study this evening, I made egg salad and baked a 'veggie' bread. I used a zucchini bread recipe but without the zucchini... ha, ha, ha... Instead, I added different kinds of 'like' veggies.

So, this week, I have to go to PT twice, prepare two messages and tutor for two hours, but no teaching at NSB and no other appointments.

I hope to finish at least three books!

Seek Him First!

Getting the Car Started!

I did it!

With the compact battery pack, I started the car!

BUT when I went to get the jumper cable off the car battery, I closed the door with my keys and purse in the car!

To my horror, when I went back to try to open the door! IT HAD AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED ME OUT. I had consciously pushed the unlocked button when I stepped out of the car! BUT I had no idea that IT had a mind of its own!

I ran out the drive way, to our sweet friend's house and got the spare key. Then asked the guard to use his security card to open the door and to use the elevator in order for me to get down to B2 to open my car door, which then set off the car alarm! This car is too complicated for me!

And Alan said that once the car starts up, I had to drive it for at least 30 minutes!

So, I tried to run errands, leaving the car running while I picked up or dropped off things. But this time, I remembered to have one set of key on me while the other set of key was in the car to keep the engine running.

Now... tomorrow, I will have to take both kids at the same time to school. The question is -- will the car start?

And yes, one more week and Alan is back!

I spoke today from Luke 10:1-20. I have reason to rejoice -- because my name is written in heaven! Thank you Jesus!

Seek Him First!

The Second Annual Church Flea Market

I didn't have much warning this year, so I didn't have time to gather as much stuff as I'd like.  It was raining in the morning. So, the total that we made in three hours was less than NT$4500! About 150US$! Plus, I didn't put price tag on things. I let people give as they wanted.

It was still great fun!

Abby led the closing worship time. And I closed in prayer. It was totally fantastic!

Seek Him First!

The Rain Came!

I'm sitting here with a nice cool breeze blowing through the windows. With only a fan on next to me, I'm not pouring down in sweat!

Yes, the rain came!

I went out for a bike ride. At first, it was a few drops. By the time I was heading back, it was really raining!

Abby called and since it was raining, I thought I'd use the car to pick her up. And the car wouldn't start AGAIN! I went to the Toyota Dealer and they handed me a compact battery pack, saying, "This cost about 3000NT$! You should get one!" They gave it to me and I will have to try using it tonight when I go to pick up Isaiah IF it is still raining! What exactly is the problem? Supposedly, I need to drive it more often. But, we never had that problem with Lightening or any of other cars! This is so weird. What are we going to do when we're gone during Chinese New Year!?!!?!?

One more week before Alan is back. He can drive it more often!

Seek Him First!

Tub Fixed; Plans Made

After dropping off the kids, I stayed home all morning. The plumber came to fix the tub. I thought, how much would it be to put new silicon around the tub? Alan could do that for about 12US$! But, this is a professional. I had 80US$ ready. But it turned out to cost 120US$! To most people here, that's a fortune! But if the problem is fixed, it sure beats spending 900US$ to change the tub and redo the bathroom!

Then my siblings have been chatting about Chinese New Year plans. How about meeting up in Australia?  My brother has been there with his family for the past 22 years, and I haven't visited. The problem has always been that tickets to Australia is a fortune -- more than going to the States. Actually, double the amount of a ticket to the States. Chinese New Year is peak season as it's summer there and long vacation here. When I have checked, each ticket cost about 1700US$. Oddly enough, this time when I checked, I found tickets to be around 800US$. So, I told them we'd go, after I got the OK from Alan. I called Isaiah's tennis coach and got his permission that Isaiah can take off for 10 days. 1/23 to 2/3 2017!

When I started the booking process, all tickets were unavailable! I couldn't believe it! I was trying through cheapoair! The airline was Scoot. We have heard of Scoot as it's quite popular here -- a low budget airline. So, I finally went directly to Scoot to book. And now, I understand better how budget this budget airline really is! If I clicked yes to all the options they gave during the booking process, each ticket would have cost about 1000US$. Every thing had an added cost!

Do you want a meal?
Do you want to check in a 20kg bag?
Do you want to have drinks while on the plane?
Do you want to pre-reserve your seat?
Do you want wifi? (And I guess in flight entertainment was included in that option!)
Do you want extra insurance?
Do you want fast transit pass?

I clicked NO to all the above options! And sure enough the price per ticket was around 800US$!

So, we're going to fly for 18 hours without any meal or drinks. (We have a stopover in Singapore. And I do plan to bring food with me -- instant noodles, coffee packets, breakfast bars, raisin bread, whatever they will allow, as each of us only has one 7kg carry on!) I hope they will give water for FREE on board! But, I booked and got their confirmation letter! WE ARE GOING TO AUSTRALIA during the Chinese New Year break! Yes, for only about 10 days, but this will be great fun for Isaiah. He would be finished with his BIG exam. This will be great fun for Abby. She wants to go and attend a couple of services at Hillsong Church. I will miss Alan. He will be going to the States! Another vacation apart...

Seek Him First!