Faith and Belief

It is with great joy when I heard from my dad that my grandma has taken the step of faith and confessed her belief in Lord Jesus Christ.

My aunt Melissa accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour last year too and knowing that I'll see them in heaven fills me with joy, comfort and peace.

Thank God for answered prayers!

I still remember that when my great grandma came to accept the Lord, she had said she was looking for such peace all her life and she had finally found it.

May all of us who believe never lose our faith but to grow it and strengthen it, with God's help and guidance!

Peter Sandman Workshop

The views from my hotel room and I absolutely love the views and my room!!!

I've never been to Geelong before and had the chance the past few days to head there for a Peter Sandman workshop that I had the privilege to attend for work training purposes. It was such a good communications workshop which taught us about engaging the community proactively. I could have sat and listened to him for ages.

I also got to know colleagues from other organisations and other regional offices. Some were really nice while others were really strange. 2 particular people were strange in that they were insistent that they be heard and that their views be taken but when it was others' turn to speak or offer their opinion, they didn't listen. I became really grateful for my colleagues back at my office and how they were really helpful, supportive and co-operative in getting work done.

It was a good trip driving to Geelong and back home with my boss. We had good conversations about work, about my studies and about her studies when she did them. She was admirable cos she studied and did her masters while she was looking after her children. She used to wake up at 4am to study until 7am then fed her newborn baby. I'm not sure I can do that.

Fit for fire duties

I had a medical test at work today to test my general health and well-being and had some tests such as for lung capacity that I hadn't tested for previously. The lung test was tough. The doctor handed me a black roll (looks like a toilet roll!) and then made me blow and I blew up my entire breath after like 3 seconds. Then he told me to do it again and said to just keep blowing out my breath. The next time I did it in like 5 seconds but it felt like it took ages. I've never taken a test like that before and boy, was I tired. A little disappointed with my lung capacity but the doctor said the result was an average result, generally the result most people have anyway. And I asked for how I could improve my lung capacity and he said to take deeper breaths and also more cardio exercise, EVERYDAY!

Anyway, the test was also to see if I was fit for duty during bushfires. And the outcome? The doctor ticked the box for A which is the best fitness ability and he said I am fit to be a firefighter! What? Me?! NO way!!!!! I smiled but it will only be in my dreams cos I'll be a liability rather than an asset.

I've also attended a briefing recently for information officers and so am assuming that was what I'll be doing which is basically ascertaining the information we receive and decide who to dispense the information to. It sounds like a challenging, interesting and sometimes frustrating opportunity. And that's because of the tight deadlines involved and the different personalities that's in the mix. Well, I know it'll be a great experience and an eye-opener and if the time comes, I hope to be helpful.

Nathan Buckley...retires...sob!

It was to be expected cos he's 36 already but I was still very sad (especially after James Clement's retirement earlier) when I heard he announced his retirement. Buckley will remain one of the rare players who deserved a premiership medal but wasn't fortunate to play in a premiership winning side although we did come close several times after 1990, last time Collingwood won a premiership.

A committed player whom as a supporter you can trust will definitely give his best. He is among the best on and off the field and it will be different for me when I don't have him to look out for. When I first went to Australia in 1996 and was introduced into the sport of aussie rules, Buckley's unusual looks and passionate play and Damien Monkhorst's humour made me look out for these 2 players. Monkhorst has long retired but it was a delight to see Buckley play for 11 years since.

I still hope to see Buckley around...he'll be missed!!

A Sad Day....

It was a sad day when I learned one of my favourite footy players retired...James Clement - why? Principled, disciplined, great to watch but more than that, he is HOT!



At just 31, still fit and more than capable....it is a decision hard to fathom but you did bow out at your peak!