Monday, October 31, 2005

Calming The Storm


Calming The Storm Posted by Picasa

I am always amazed by the story of Jesus calming the storm. On Sunday my dear friend and coworker at CCBC Becky shared a meaningful message on Jesus calming the storm (according to Mark 4:35-41). I was interpreting it from Chinese into English for her, and was inspired by it.

In verse 39, when the storm was really heavy, the disciples asked Jesus for help. So He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. What amazes me is that the storm was completely calm, not gradually or slowly calm. It shows that when we are with the Lord, we are safe in spite of danger (v 37). Praise the Lord!


Sunday, October 30, 2005

Spring Fling 2005

Apart from Melbourne Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Arts Festival, I recently also took part in Spring Fling 2005. Spring Fling is a lively and free community festival organised by North and West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre, features a full day of fun and community displays, sites, and main stage entertainment. It was an enjoyable event. I can see the value of tapping into the community and doing outreach activities there. Also since CCBC is in North Melbourne, it really makes sense for us to walk common paths with the proximity space.

I love Melbourne, and all the festivals that go on here!

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Noirstalgia - Losses in Life

On Saturday night I went to see my friend and one of my favourite aussie actors Damon Hunter 's performance in "The Meeting" at Chapel off Chapel. "The Meeting" is about three men, with seemingly nothing in common, arrange to meet every week. What brings them together is the common tragic secret of the loss of a child. The play is a distressing, yet touching storyabout losing hope, and then finding it again in the most unlikely place, which turns out to be a support group setting.

According to Damon, the script writer wrote the drama in order to 'exorcise his own demons', as the events that the play discusses are actually a combination of true events that happened to him personally. I reckon that must have had strong healing effect on him. One day I hope to write a play like that too, God willing!

"The Meeting" reminds me of the importance of support, listening and friendship, which are essential in any relationship. Losses in life are inevitable, whether it's the loss of a child, or a parent, or loved ones, or materials, or even a home or dignity (like those who suffered from natural disasters). Yet I believe that we can survive the losses, the pain and failures of life through having hope. The message of losing and finding hope in the play is really powerful. However, I am convicted that ultimate hope can only be found in the ONE who offers eternal hope, not in human beings.

Friday, October 28, 2005

A Prayer For Love


Great and loving God, I thank you that you have always loved me,
even when I ignore or reject your love. May you so fill me, that I
can love others as you have loved me, not worrying about
how that love will be received, but simply and boldly loving other
people. In Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen.


Posted by Picasa

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Poem

Walking alone with the thoughts inside
Trying so desperate not to hide
To be myself has proved a danger
People treating me like a complete stranger
How much is the condition and how much is me?
I am not one nor two but living with three
The name's Esau look into it,then you'll understand me just a bit
So you'll hear from me once in a while, my words are for you please keep them on file

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Love


The followings are some of my definition of love:
  • Love does not envy!
  • Love does not get jealous when someone is better than you!
  • Love is being happy for other's achievements!
  • Love is letting others be the best they can be!
  • Love is not showing off your strengths!
  • Love is not egoistic and wanting others to praise you!
  • Love does not want to get compliments!
  • Love is meek and modest in spirit and behaviour!
  • LOVE IS AN INTERNET PROVIDER THAT NEVER DROPS OUT!

What is love to you?

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Ken Duncan


photo by Kitty Posted by Picasa
Ken Duncan is my favourite Aussie photographer. His landscape photos are not only gorgeous, they have the ability to draw me closer to God. Ken claims that his gallery is not just a gallery, but a sanctuary, and I agree with him. Every time I go into his gallery in Southgate, I sense the presence of God through his photos and books. And it's amazing. Ken Duncan is having a book signing on 12 November. I am looking foward to that! If any of you are free that day, I'd love to meet you at Ken's gallery.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Wrap Party in QBH


Melb International Arts Fest Wrap Party

The Melbourne International Arts Festival came to an end on Sunday morning. The final event and wrap up party was on from 10 pm Saturday night to 4 am Sunday morning, and I got to join in for a few hours, and it was simply fantastic to meet and chat with some of the most creative and amazing artists (both performing to visual artists, to curators and organisers) from around the world. There were so many extraordinary connections happened during the Festival, I was so glad that I got to take part in some of those. The creative sparks in my heart are truly flying, and it leaves me feeling so joyful and alive :-)

As Ariane Mnouchkine herself said about the extra shows that were done: "It is very rare to see a government authority recognise the power of theatre and for us it is also very important that it happened in Australia. Of course it is our conviction that theatre and the impact of theatre is a political, educational and enlightening tool for a better world and a better humanity. To see a government recognise this is a cause of pride. As a company we are staggered and moved."

And may I add that as a fellow Melburnian I am also very touched and pleased to see that the government authority sees the importance of arts and theatre!

Wrap Party Performance


photo by kitty in QBH Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 23, 2005


The Travel Agency Posted by Picasa

Red Shoes And Good Friends


Once again, I was @ the red shoe delivery Travel Agency yesterday afternoon :-) (also see here, here , here and here. ) This was the third time I was there. It continued to sweep me and my friends away every time I went. It was also fun to see how the project had evolved, and to look at where Melburnians had been travelling to via the van. Posted by Picasa

I really admire and enjoy getting to know the Red Shoe Delivery Service artists KC, Molly and Cris. Their gifts and passion for what they do are so evident. I am sure they will go a long way, and I hope to be able to keep contact with them.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

International Arts Fest - InfraCinema

After drama rehearsal with Kanae on Friday night, we headed to the Arts House in North Melbourne Town Hall to see Melbourne sound artist Bruce Mowson's InfraCinema. InfraCinema is an experimental sound and video installation-performance. It combines the immersion of cinema with the closeness of visual art (static tones with various visual images throughout the show). Infracinema generates an unchanging mass of sound with repeating rhythm, and explores the experience below conscious thinking, and digs into our desire to watch and listen in the dark (which to be honest made me feel a little sleepy).

The interesting thing was that at the end of the show, everyone was sitting still and didn't know whether it was the end of not. It was actually quite funny! I found it to be an immersive festival experience, something I hadn't quite experienced before. It seemed that my ears were playing tricks upon me, and it was actually quite confusing. And it became intense as it was very loud (although we were given earplugs before we entered the theatre). I really can't say that I enjoyed it very much, yet it was certainly an interesting and unique experience which stretched me a bit. Once again, the various art forms available amaze me!

Friday, October 21, 2005

Up, Close & Personal With Artists



Yesterday afternoon during lunch time, I attended the popular 'In conversation with artists" in the famous spiegeltent outside the Arts Centre, where the Artistic Director Kristy Edmunds interviewed two artists: Stephen Petronio (from New York) and Shelley Lasica (from Melbourne).

It was an interesting one hour. Both dancers / choreographers shared about their lives as artists. I really enjoyed their sharing, and gained some great insights as well:
  • Stephen said that New York is a dark place, and is made up of rejects. So his work reflects that. He thinks that artists' work is always related to their environment. The spirit of the time cannot be separated from the moment! Dancers need to be able to pick up on how energy flows, have sense of speed, physical as well as spiritual quests.
  • Shelley strives to create choreography which has drama without being either expressionistic, totally abstract, or directly narrative. The drama is relational: it exists in the performers' interactions. Four important requirements for artists: curiosity, intelligence, virtuality and relationship.
  • Kristy Edmunds said that artists must be curious, and seek to connect something to their creative selves. Artistic work is always made in response to the conditions of the environment.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Theatre for One


Theatre for One - Justin Harris

I went to see this custom-built Theatre for One this afternoon after catching up with this new friend that I had met during the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It was a unique experience. Justin Harris designed a very clever video-based piece performed just for me hehe. There was a single-seater behind the red velvet curtain. Although I was the only audience member for the 20-minute Rock Opera (The Late Great Libido), I had fun with this multimedia presentation, which incorporates elements of music, video and sculpture (although I must admit the music was a little too loud at times).

I am so thankful for the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It has certainly opened my eyes and broadened my horizen. For those of you in Melbourne, have you attended any of the events during the festival? If not, there are only 2 days left. I highly recommend that you go and have a look!

Inside the "Box"


Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Reheat Coffee?


Reheat Coffee? Posted by Picasa

Have you ever reheated your coffee? My close blogger friend Kel over at the X factor has posted a very meaningful entry about bitter coffee > fresh ground beans.

About Coffee: Coffee should not be reheated. Every time you brew a cup, it needs to be fresh. Make only as much as you plan to drink.
About Life: Don't rehash the past. Your past is the reason, not the excuse. Let go of what is gone.

I reflected upon this important lesson, and realized that I have rehased and dwelt on the past, blamed others for my pains, and not facing up to my own responsibilites for my failures at times, even kept on looking back at my hurts and scars. Yes I have reheated cold coffee, which causes bitterness. I believe dwelling on the past is a sin. I must stop using the past as the excuse.

Since the chaos of my darkest ages, and the diagnosis of my medical condition, life for me has constantly been a journey of letting go of some serious scars. Yes there have been many tears and hurts. Yet I praise God for blessing me with many good friends and family, who love and support me, and I am so grateful for them. Most importantly, I thank the Lord for restoring me and healing me. Letting go and letting God is essential!

Like Kel, I've also decided that there will be no more reheated coffee for me (interesting though that I always reuse my tea leaves or teabags, well I'm more a tea drinker than a coffee drink I must admit). All the looking back, wishing, wailing, wondering, even weeping have to go! I know I can't do it myself, but I can do it in HIS strength. May God help me to stop reheating coffee from now on.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift (that's why it's called the present).

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Closing Down Windows

Today I read a suggestion by Pam Farrel (Author of A Woman of Influence) regarding spending extended times with God. She said that closing down the windows of responsibility of one's life is just like we close down the windows on our computer programs. As we slow down, clicking the mouse of our lives to off, we then find we have better reception to what God is saying.

I find that to be really true. That's why I enjoy writing on this blog so much, as it gives me an opportunity to slow down and reflect on things. I also put my heartbeat on paper by freewriting in my journal, logging random thoughts as they enter my mind. I record words, phrases, poems or emotions as I need to release them from the confines of my heart. I find that if I close down my activities, I have much I want to journal back to God!

So what do you do to close down the windows of your reponsibility, or unload the stress of your daily life?

Monday, October 17, 2005

To The Dogs


Lone Twin at Federation Square Posted by Picasa

After dinner tonight, I headed to one my favourite hang-out places again (yes Federation Square) to see Lone Twin, who is a performance pair from the UK. They are experts in making work that deals with ideas of travel, place, endurance, human interaction and kindness (in a funny kind of way).

For the last 6 days (and tomorrow will be their last day) during the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Lone Twin have been taking to the streets and bikes tracks of Melbourne. They have been cycling around the city (and suburbs) by day and returning each evening at 7:30pm to deliver a performance-dispatch of the day's events from the Yarra steps at Fed Square.

Tonight they reported about their stories of Melbourne city at work, rest and play, and how they connected to them - as they did that, they kept on using the phrase ''to the....." (and would use this funny gesture as they said it) as a way of cheering and giving respect to the people, objects, even anmials (hence the name 'to the dogs') that they had come across during the days past. It was quite hilarious and made people laugh.

What I've gained from their performance (apart from some fun time and laughter) was an insight that as we go about our daily activities, there are bound to be people that we would bump into, (or divine appointments as Bruce Wilkinson calls it ) which allow us to create relationships and connect with strangers in meaningful ways, as Lone Twin had done. That is something I find very interesting and exciting!

What do you reckon?

Sunday, October 16, 2005

The Wedding of Cana

This morning at CCBC, my mentor and papa (Professor Brown) shared an important message on "The Wedding of Cana" (John 2:1-11) and how we can relate it to the 'social parties' in this day and age. There were three important "A"s:

Approach

Mistakes some Christians make: to withdraw from going to parties or to compromise in parties. Though a rabbi & prophet, Jesus came to the wedding to enjoy himself.

Attitudes

When you go to a party, you take your Christian faith with you: friendly and helpful In all Jesus said and did, He never lost sight of His mission. He was guided by it. As a Chrisitan, be like Jesus in friendship and enjoy yourself in parties.

Activity (Action)

Jesus saved the wedding by working a miracle. You cannot do that. But be alert, God may want to perform a miracle through you in a party. And remember, Jesus always keeps the best until the last! (like the wine). It's the last days now.

My own reflection: this message was particularly encouraging to me. As an extrovert, going to parties/ social gathering is something I feel 'called' to do often. These three "A"s have given me parametres on how to be an embassador of Jesus through attending social functions. Praise the Lord for these insights.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

In India


Woohoo I'm in India with my red boots :-) Posted by Picasa

We've also 'gone' to the Pyramid in Egypt :-) Posted by Picasa

Before Mum Goes Overseas.....


Mum and I in Italy

Before my beloved mum heads to Hong Kong, we went to Italy this morning through art that moves us :-) What a technology isn't it? Posted by Picasa

I went to India


Another destination out of the red shoe delivery service :-) Posted by Picasa

Red Shoe Delivery Service (MK Guth, Molly Dilworth & Cris Moss) also took my mum, uncle, aunt and I to the pyramid in Egypt :-) Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 14, 2005

Eyes Fixed

My good friend and fellow World Team mobilizer John Pirrotta has an interesting website called 'Eyes Fixed'

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Chalk Circle Arts


This is one of Beverly's great paintings on the Westgate Bridge

If you live in Melbourne and have been to Southgate, I am sure you've seen the fantastic and creative pavement drawings by Bev Issac and her associates.

Beverly Isaac has been a full-time practising artist for 14 years. She achieved her degree in Fine Art (Sculpture) at Victoria College in 1986 and a diploma of Education at University of Melbourne 1991. Although an accomplished painter and sculptor Bev is best known to Melbournians as one of the city's most prolific and original pavement artists. In 1992 she co-founded the special event visual art group "Chalk Circle" to tour Canada, Britain and Europe.The group is still working at the highest level on the International Festival circuit and Beverly's work regularly achieves front-page coverage.

I had been taking photos of Bev's arts, observing and admiring her ability to draw for a long time as I walked past her when she painted for the last few years already. I bought one of her drawings (which she did with her daughter, who is also a great artist) recently. Since then, I have been enjoying chatting with Bev as I walked past Southgate, which is only a few minutes from where I live. I am looking forward to getting to know her more.
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

I Wish.....


If you look in to a large reflection pool set up in the heart of the Fed Square,
you can see the wishes of festival-goers and you have the chance to add your own too!
For a gold coin contribution I had my wishes made into a small metal object
which I tossed into the pond.

The followings are my wishes:

I wish for world peace.
I wish that all will know Christ and none will perish.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Other heartfelt handwritten messages from young Australians projected onto the Fed Square Big Screen can be read here.
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Spring Flowers in Melbourne


Spring Flowers in Melbourne

This colourful peacock is made of various flowers. Gorgeous, isn't it?Posted by Picasa

Monday, October 10, 2005

Melbourne - Boom Town :)

A recent study by a renowned international design consultation has confirmed what I already knew - Melbourne is a great place to be! :)

Danish urban design consultant Jan Gehl 's study found that Melbourne is "a vibrant, charming 24-hour place" that is livelier, more attractive and safer than most other city centres worldwide (and artistic may I add).

According to city of Melbourne News, in 1982 Melbourne's CBD had only 5 apartment blocks. Today there are more than 240. I thinking Melbourne's transformation is quite thrilling. The widening of pavements in Melbourne city has created more public space and increased pedestrian activity, while improved lighting and its parks in the city has helped to draw people in by making them feel safer at night.

I simply love the city of Melbourne. What about you?

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Candlelight Productions Community


he/she/it cast & crew Posted by Picasa

The he/she/it season finished last night (after 3 weeks of performance and many months' preparation). It was such a joy and pleasure to be part of the crew (and prayer warrior) in the Candlelight Productions Community. I am so grateful for that. I don't know how to describe it, but the world of he/she/it is not just a comedy show during the Melbourne Fringe Festival, it is a portrayal of many relationships today (both on stage and the interactions in the community). It has indeed encouraged me a lot, to seek out healthy examples of relationships and people. I see a community that is so committed and everyone serves others in which they'd like to be served. People engage with people. Considering what it all means for me as I introduce myself and get to know the Candlelight crew and audiences in the front of house (and backstage too) is such an enriching and meaningful experience. I certainly have taken away some key points with me during this season of he/she/it that may guide me towards more fulfilling relationships of all kinds.

The ‘Theatre People’ review is up and running at
http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/Reviews/reviews-%20hesheit.htm

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Red Shoe Delivery Service - Art That Moves You


red shoe collections from the delivery service travel agency

The Melbourne International Arts Festival is happening right in the middle of one of the most livable and artistic cities in the world. And it has invited many artists to journey from all over the world to be involved in the festival. There are a variety of arts available to us. Theatre show, dancing, music, movies, visual arts program etc.

One of the very creative art forms is the idea of taking ‘Art’ to the streets of Melbourne through interacting with festival goers - The collaborative group of the Red Shoe Delivery Service (RSDS) - Art That Moves You. The service are US project creator MK Guth, driver and designer Molly Dilworth and video artist Cris Moss . The service takes the mysterious journey into the realities in Melbourne through and enjoyalbe interactive art experience.

Armed with a van, a driver, a photographer, a videographer, and a whole heaps of sparkling shoes, the RSDS team takes you to any where you want to go. As I headed to the Arts Centre today, I went with a high expectation - and boy oh boy, how the RSDS team exceeded my expectation. I had the opportunity to chat with MK and I was fascinated by the imaginative ideas, creativity and her ability to make soooooo many gliterring red shoes. I am looking forward to being 'moved' to more places again during the International Arts Festival. I will surely go back to the RSDS.

Red Shoe Delivery Service


Red Shoe Delivery Service Travel Agency Posted by Picasa
I had a great 'art date' in both the arts centre and fed square today during the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It was such an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon. The Red Shoe Delivery Service is known as the "art that moves you". It was based on the idea of Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz. It's a collaborative group from the USA who create an interactive art experience through the magic of multimedia technology, and people are virtually 'transported' to anywhere in the world they want.

As the end of the experience, I got a photo as a souvenir of my 'trip' to Raj Mahal Palace in India. And it was so cool! :-)

Friday, October 07, 2005

Account Your Blessings

CCBC's anniversary is coming up on 6 November, and I've been asked to organise a drama presentation to celebrate it. These past two days saw me thinking about all the blessings that I've been having since I joined CCBC (well although at times there were heaps of challenges and difficulties as well). God gave me an inspiration to write a short script about 'accounting your blessings and thanksgiving' (based on the idea of 'thanks returns' as opposed to 'tax returns').

What about you? Have you been taking your blessings for granted? Do you give thanks to God in ALL things?

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Melbourne - Australia's City Of The Arts

If you are in Melbourne, check out the Arts Directory Listings in The Age today, tomorrow and Saturday. There is a review of he_she_it at Melbourne Fringe Fesitval ( http://kittycheng.blogspot.com/2005/09/hesheit-melbourne-fringe-festival.html ). It was a fair evaluation. These are the last few lines of the review: “...outstanding performances mixed with a great soundtrack, in what could only be described as a wonderful story. It was so refreshing to attend theatre that speaks the truth about our fight for power. I could even go as far as saying that the story behind He/She/It has the potential and the market to make a great Australian film. It’s just quality Australian writing. I eagerly await the future works of Candlelight Productions.” The final show of he_she_it will be on Saturday night at 8pm. If you are interested, please contact me asap so I can reserve tickets for you. I highly recommend it!

Apart from the Melbourne Fringe Festival, I am also extremely excited about the Melbourne International Arts Festival that is happening from today till 22nd October. I am interested in a few things and I am going to check them out, mainly the freebies, but might go to some of the other ones too. I'll certainly be going to the ride-in movies at the Federation Square, Red Shoe Delivery Service Travel Agency at the Arts Centre, The Dogs and Ghost Dance. Well if you are in Melbourne and thinking of taking part in the festival, please let me know, perhaps we can go together!

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Treasure in Jars Of Clays

Tonight at LivingRoom we had a great Bible focus night. The theme was on seeing God in the mundane, ordinary and small things in our daily lives. I was struck afresh by the concept of us being jars of clays (things being of mundane value yet treasures).

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

The challenge was to impact people and make a difference in the mundane through touch, acts and words. One of the examples we were reminded of was how Jesus touched the lepers (someone deemed unclean) and made such a difference in their lives. I feel that we should certainly consider how this might shape our approach in life and ministry.

Some questions we were pondering as we went through the theme included:

o Can you see the deaths, divorces, job losses or changes, disappointments, surprises and successes on people’s faces and lives – and how do you make a difference in their lives?

o Have people been happy, sad, disillusioned, or gratified because you are in their lives?

o How do we see the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives?

o How do we represent the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives?

Would be interested in your answers!


Monday, October 03, 2005

5 Things (7)

This is the last of the 5 Things posts. I've been enjoying doing this, Thanks John.

Now 5 people I want to do this (it was a difficult decision, but I have chosen 5 of my aussie mates):

  1. Kel
  2. Rodney
  3. Susan
  4. Christop
  5. Tab

Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night


Posted by Picasa

I always think that we can encounter God through art. I came across Van Gogh's Starry Night on the internet tonight, and found it to be such a powerful painting that can draw us to God. When I look at paintings, I always ask questions: eg: why would the artist paint the sky this way? why did he use those colours? why did he paint in that particular style etc. Artists communicate their feelings through their arts (be it painting, poem, song, mime, dance or drama), which is always beyond a mere physical or scientific description. I reckon this is much more powerful than straightforward words. So consider for a moment that Van Gogh might have been feeling something so powerful that he had to go beyond the familiar to express it through this painting.

Van Gogh was suffering from a mental illness called "acute mania with hallucinations of sight and hearing." I can imagine that he frequently was living in fear that he would never escape his 'prison'. I can imagine his battle because I also face my own personal fear. In fact, I believe we all do, whether it be medical condition, the loss of a loved one, financial worries, addiction, or any of the troubles that make us wonder whether God knows of our suffering; whether He will ever truly deliver us from affliction. In such moments it is tempting to collapse in hopelessness.

But if you look closely to the painting, you'd realise that the sky that swirls across the canvas shows vitality and power that speaks of God's presence. The stars explode in radiance. The earth seems to respond to the movement in the heavens, forming its own living waves in the mountains and the rolling trees beneath them. In the sleepy village, the windows of the houses glow with the same light that illuminates the universe. The church steeple in the center seems to struggle to point to God, who is so alive in this scene. But the little church is dwarfed by the cypress trees at the left, which seem to capture the joy of the inhabited creation around them by erupting in a living flame of praise.

Vincent's desire to be useful, transforms into the wish to become an artist while still be in God's service. He writes: "To try to understand the real significance of what the great artists, the serious masters, tell us in their masterpieces, that leads to God; one man wrote or told it in a book; another, in a picture." This really inspires me!

Sunday, October 02, 2005

5 Things (6)

5 celebrity crushes

  1. Mel Gibson (Passion of the Christ)
  2. Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind)
  3. Tom Hanks (Cast Away)
  4. Andy Lau (Ah Fu)
  5. Colin Firth (Love Actually)

What Is Your Love Language?

I recently finished re-reading Gary Chapman's book "Five Love Languages" and found it insightful - here goes the summary:

Love Language #1:Words of Affirmation
Verbal compliments, or words of appreciation, are powerful communicators of love. They are best expressed in simple straightforward statements of affirmation

Love Language #2:Quality Time
A central aspect of quality time is togetherness. Two people sitting in the same room are in close proximity, but they are not necessarily together. Togetherness has to do with focused attention. Quality time does not mean that we have to spend our together moments gazing into each others eyes. It means we are doing something together and we are giving our full attention to the other person.

Love Language #3:Receiving Gifts
Gifts are visual symbols of love. Most wedding ceremonies include the giving and receiving of rings. The person performing the ceremony says, "These rings are outward and visible sings of an inward and spiritual bond that unites your two hearts in love that has no end." That is not meaningless rhetoric. It is verbalizing a significant truth—symbols have emotional value.

Love Language #4:Acts of Service
Such actions as cooking a meal, setting a table, washing dishes, vacuuming, removing the white spots from the mirror, getting bugs off the windshield, taking out the garbage, changing the baby’s diaper, painting a bedroom, dusting the bookcase, keeping the car in operating condition, cleaning the garage, mowing the grass, trimming the shrubs, raking the leaves, walking the dog, and changing the cat’s litter box are all acts of service. They require thought, planning, time, effort, and energy. If done with a positive spirit, they are indeed expressions of love.

Love Language #5:Physical Touch
Physical touch is also a powerful vehicle for communicating love. Holding hands, kissing and embracing are all ways of communicating emotional love to one’s partner. For some individuals, physical touch is their primary love language. Without it, they feel unloved. With it, their emotional tank is filled, and they secure in the love of their spouse / friends.

Out of these 5, which one is your love language (for giving and receiving)?

Saturday, October 01, 2005

5 Things (5)

5 things I say most often


  1. Cool / Wow :-)
  2. Thank you Lord
  3. Good onya
  4. I love you (I say that to my dear mum every day before I leave to work)
  5. (God) bless you


My Medical Condition - thanks for your kindness

Since my last entry "My Medical Condition" regarding bipolar, to my surprise ...I got quite a few email responses and some comments from personal friends and blogger friends alike. You would be very interested to know that a number of people shared their own struggles with various forms of mental illness with me and all I can say is that I am privileged to be the one that you shared your stories with. Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

I'm also glad that I felt free to talk about this openly, as well as receiving so much support, encouragement and love from my family and friends (including my personal friends and friends in the blogosphere). I hope a positive reception to me discussing it here has helped wash away any perceived stigma for the condition as well. Another friend of mine in Melbourne who also has bipolar told me that sharing her journey with people has helped her understand and accept whom she is :-)

My lovely blogger friend Kel also told me about the benefits of art therapy (as she has recently completed studies in art therapy and knows that it could be a very helpful tool for my condition). I would really love to give it a go, especially art is something I really enjoy anyway. I learned that painting and art can be a great medicine, and creativity is the opposite of depressive illnesses. I suppose that is probably the reason why I am staying healthy nowadays, as I have been involved in creative arty stuff~~! Would love to learn more about it all.

Kel has also suggested an article in The Age on this site for more information on the benefits of art therapy, which I found useful. And the followings are some of the testimonies of people who have experienced this modality :

KAREN Hall has bipolar disorder — the condition formerly known as manic depression — and no one was more surprised than her when she enrolled in an art therapy course and started painting flowers.
She's interested in computers and architecture, not flowers. She's not a flower person at all. But that's what she painted.
"It's not the sort of thing I expected to paint," she said. "Never in a million years."

Ms Hall, 28, of Coburg, enjoyed the experience so much, and gained from it in ways that traditional therapy hadn't reached, that she bought paints and brushes to use at home.

For fellow course member Christine Myhre the stakes are higher. She said the art therapy course had saved her life. "I have been suicidal," she said, "but this course keeps me going."

Ms Myhre, 55, of Geelong, suffers from acute depression, but she finds it is softened and sometimes even cured by turning up once a week to Prahran's Victoria Clinic, where the course is held.

Organisers believe the Creative Solutions day program is the only hospital-based art therapy course of its kind in Australia.