Alton Tower

28th March 2005, Alton Tower

What a journey! In total 6 hours back and forth to Alton Tower. It's slightly further than Brimingham up in the North. Alton Tower is like a mini Disneyland. In fact is not so fanciful and colourful as compared to Disneyland. So far Disneyland is still the top of the list for me. Actually Dreamland in Brisbane is not too bad. Thinking back, Alton Tower is really the simplest carnival that I have been. There were about 40 to 50 of us from the Church. We are practicing Friendship Evengelism in the Church now and this is just one of the activities that I have been to. This was really a blessing, someone paid for me to go, hence I took up the offer.

There were many terror rides and at first I was really really afraid. As some of you may know that I am actually afraid of heights. However, there was a special someone in my life that have helped me in the process of getting over the fear of heights. Yet, I was still not confident about it. For the first few hours in the park I was really afraid of giving any rides a go. Thank God I had friends with me to keep me company and we started off going for the simple rides.

It was a "peaceful" one actually. Until we came to this ride called "The Air". I thought it was quite a unique ride. Instead of sitting down vertically, you are being hoist in a horizontal position as though you are lying down. Instead of your feet facing the ground the face actually faces the ground. I was so so afraid while waiting in the queue. I was having cold hands, feet and was pracitcally shivering. Anyway, it was time for action and I tell you ... it sure felt like flying and it happened so fast that there was no time to think about when this was going to stop. I really had a great time, the ride was thrilling.

Church friends laughed at me, as they saw how horrified I was before the ride. I was like a lost cat before the ride. Meow meow... if you guys have watched Shrek2 ... then you would have seen the puss in the boots. Hmmm... I was like that plus shivering also. Since I have been warmed up, I was challenged to go for another thrilling ride. To avoid queueing up for hours, we have decided to go to the single rider queue, this means I will not be able to sit with my friends and to fill up the empty seats if there is any. It was quite scary as I was with my friends earlire on, this time I have to do it on my own... yucks.

OK brave myself and went for it! It was awesome. Quite fun actually. To me this was an achievement really. I would have never been able to do it 2 years back. In the end, I really had a great time in the park... it came as a surprise actually. I didnt expect to on any rides to begin with. Then again, it was a trip that someone has blessed me with. So I thank God for it and I have managed to meet alot of people and really really so blessed. I pray that God will bless them in return in ways that money cannot buy.

Till today, my trip in the UK has been a humbling one. The past has a reason, but God is more interested in my future and the things that HE has for me NOW. The time is NOW! I want to embrace everything that the Lord has for me and I do not want to miss anything. God is just so amazing, I declare that His ways are higher than my ways and HIS thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I choose to praise HIM and know that HE will provide for His children. Living by faith is evident here, there is no turning back. Stay blessed.

My butterfly...

Hey butterfly among the butterflies... This is magnolia tree and the flower smell really sweet just like me ... or was it the other way around ? I just love this tree and it's really manificent and it really do look like butterflies hovering around the tree. And blue skies to go with this picture is really rare :) I really enjoy trips like that, low cost and maximum fun and great time with the Lord. I might be going back again this summer and just have another day out ...

All the days of my life ...

Psalms 27:4 - One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

Psalms 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in HIM, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and my song I will praise HIM. In times like this, one just want to praise HIM. When you look this picture long enough, you would begin to thank HIM too :)

I seriously can't remember all the names of the flowers and I can just stare at them for hours. The more I look at it, I just could not help but to think how Beautiful God is. God created every each one of us for a purpose and He will reveal it to everyone of us in due time... press on for greater things :)

Small things matters to God

Is this beautiful or is this BEAUTIFUL ? Can you see that lilac coloured pasture ... God is interested in the details. You will be able to see the intricacy of that in the next few illustrations. Amazing !

God creates little things too

This is how it really looks like...these are really really small and tiny but together they can create BIG effects. They might not be much on their own but together they impact. They are small yet God created them for a reason. Seek God in your youth. Ecclesiates 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgement. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.

God made me for a purpose

These flowers are really tiny and usually acts as blanket for the garden... it does wonders in making the entire place looks magical :)

Big in little ways

Really close up on this little creation that God has made. It's just amazing what these little petals can do to a garden... During spring, these will cover the greens like gold dust! It's beautiful!

Whose birthday is it ?

These are some of my church friends. They were celebrating my birthday after an Easter play in the church. Am so so blessed having them to pray for me and encourage me. Everyone in this photo is from everywhere and God with His amazing grace just brings every tribe and every nation together.

Celebrate Beginnings

Many churches observe March 25 as Annunciation Day. It commemorates the angel's announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. In our success-oriented society, this festival is a needed reminder to recognize and rejoice at the beginning of God's work in a person's life rather than holding our applause for the accomplishments.
Because we often read Luke's gospel at Christmas, we may forget that 9 months of trust and waiting separated Mary's response to Gabriel from the birth of Jesus. When we read her words of surrender in light of this timespan, they take on added meaning: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Mary must have received great encouragement when her cousin Elizabeth told her, "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord" (v.45).
We can celebrate beginnings by giving a hug or handshake to a new believer who professes faith in Christ. We can write a note of encouragement to a friend who has chosen to obey God's Word.
Let's grasp every opportunity to celebrate the beginnings of God's work in the lives of others. I know that today indeed God is going to do a marvelous thing in my life. It's a season for growth and as spring is approacing, I know that God will continue that great work He has started ... excited and waiting with an expectant heart. So blessed...

Spring is approaching!

This is the same back view taken from the bedroom, if you can look closely, the dead twigs that's barely hanging onto the trees 2 months back are are blossoming and its actually light pink blossoms. Sign of spring is approaching. The weather has been really pleasant for the last few days and thank God am recuperating well. The weather now is about 11 to 17 degree celcius and soon there will be more colours every where and the season of waiting is over. The eager buds can now grow strong and exhibit their beauty our Heavenly Father has created them to be. I will have to move out of this place soon and at this moment, I am living like a nomad and praying for the right place. Many have asked, "How are you coping there?". All I have to say is that, I live a very very simple life and very content, I do not have much and do not live lavishly but I know that God will provide for His children and He will never leave nor forsake me. Am blessed every moment.

Feliz Cumpleaños

Growing gracefully... am sure many people would want this, somehow due to life's commitment, might not be able to do so. As I ponder and write this piece, all I can say is that I believe I have done that and with God's grace and goodness, am able to continue to serve this marvelous and wonderful God who made me...wow 28 years ago. It's not my intention to tell the world my age, just that it was appropriate to fit into the sentence. For many many years, I have had families and close friends to celebrate my birthday for me. This year is somewhat different. God has remained faithful and He has sent wonderful, godly friends along my way. Everyone of them has been tremendous blessings to me. Their Christ likeness and love have encouraged me when I needed it. I pray that God will continue to bless the desires of their hearts.

Sunset in Itchington

Itchington is about 30 minutes from Coventry and about 40 minutes to an hour to Birmingham. This was my last day in the restaurant and the weather has been pleasant. The sunset captured my heart instantly. I was really ill by this time, cough, flu, sore throat and body aches were still very evident. I said a prayer before heading back in. I miss home, family and friends. I was just grateful to be alive at that time, I was that down. The work in the restaurant was really hard and the highlight of the entire journey was when I met the sales director from Hua Wei and it's definitely no accident. I believe it was God's divine appointment and I managed to sort of secure an interview after Easter. I am so so blessed in so many ways.

Cant wait for my parents to come

Stopped by Canary Wharf before heading home, just popped out of the train to take this picture :)

Silent moment for me...still

All good things must come to an end. Just before heading back home after a long day of visit... you will be able to see in the next series of photos why am so so tired :)

The Old Royal Observatory

The observatory dome, really cool inside actually. Pretty technical and am quite clueless when it comes to this. Not really my cup of tea.

This picture speaks for itself...

The side we don't see

Mechanism behind the clock outside the Observatory Museum.

Watch Maker

It was the Science week so we managed to meet some watch makers and this old man really has the passion for clocks and watches.

View from the Old Royal Observatory (it's also part of the World Heritage Site for UNESCO. It's indeed beautiful. The old and the new in a single frame.

Boy... am tired !

I need to get up the Old Royal Observatory (on a hill)but before doing it I need a break...am panting already...

You see the hill at the back of me ? I need to climb up later, so now I need a BREAK...so so tired ....can't really it that much as the weather is cold, it's about 10 degrees that day.

Feel like rolling / lying down on the grass...

Friends from the park

Can find heaps of squirrels in the park...just bring all kinds of nuts :)

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park, it's beautiful and lots of space to run, roll, kick football, chase by dogs, chase dogs, picnic... all kinds of activities can be found here :)

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum. This is part of the World Heritage by UNESCO.

Dafodils... they are everywhere and when spring comes, there will be more colours in my photos and wedding bells will be heard at every corner...

Lighthouse

The core of the lighthouse... I will make sure I visit one in Dover (south of England).

Sail away... another museum which you can stay in for one full day...

What you seen beyond the Greenwich University and the chapel compound is the Greenwich Park. Really nice...

Seriously... I can't possibly capture everything and post it in my blog... you MUST come and visit me ... he he he

Actually, by now am really really tired already...but I still have so many places to visit in Greenwich...

This is for those who misses me ALOT :p

The courtyard of the Greenwich University, Trinity College of Music is also within the vicinity.

The view outside the chapel, am able to capture the Canary Wharf and the dome...

Wedding Car

This wedding car was for rent outside the chapel... really nice interior as well. It's going for 270 pounds for one weekend :)

Chapel... of love

This place was a place for beggars once, and Price William had it painted for this loving wife :) Man doesn't do such things to the woman of his life anymore. It's so beautiful really...

This is an ideal wedding venue...

There is a wedding exhibition here ... it will be so romantic and grand to have a wedding reception here.

I can only share with you what I have captured in the camera, there are so much more that I can't even capture. I can't share the sounds, musics and the scents all around.

Prime Meridien of the World

The line from which the longitude is measured !

People are staring, hurry up and take the photo ler... aiyo so shy la he he

This is where our city is being measured .... interesting though.

Main icon in Cutty Sark, admission is not free so decided not to go into it. Nice ya :)

This is on our way to Greenwich, this place is called Cutty Sark. Lots of Maritime history in this area :)

Sign of spring ..... so NICE.

Just chilling in the park, now it's a bit too cold to hand around, it will be better in a couple of weeks time :)

That's Canary Wharf, that's the only modern working area in London. Very porsh and mainly offices and it's like a mini KLCC area. Lot's of blue chip companies are there and the entire area is a quay so its surrounded by water. I will pay visit there later :)

City wall

Am not banging my head on the wall la ... This is the city wall, the story of London begins here... behind me is the Tower of London.

Tower of London

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Tower of London...the admission is 14.50 pounds. Can anyone guess whether I went in or not ? The beefeater will give the public a tour in the tower. The queen's jewelries are stored here, and there are performances as well.

This shows that Spring is coming really really soon and I am so looking forward to it.... can't wait!