It is almost the end of 2011. That makes a good time to count the blessings of the year. Reading through the 2011 blog entries, my posts recorded three groups of things, my dissertation, not & zero and food (!). But there is more, God’s words always bring encouragement, comfort and strength. The message of the year is a verse from the Book of Isaiah 58:11.
“The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.”
His provision is always sufficient, just as His grace is good enough to satisfy my needs and to strengthen my frame. I know I am weak and do not have enough physical, emotional, and spiritual strength, but Love never fails, like a spring whose waters never run out.
Church & Fellowship
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)
I am entering fourth year in Bible Study Fellowship. The first half of the year, I finished the Book of Isaiah and then started studying Acts of the Apostles in September. At first I thought studying Acts of the Apostles read the whole Book of Acts only, but it happened, I read through the Galatians, Hebrews, 1 Thessalonians, maybe more to come intertwining with the Book of Acts. What I have learnt from these two sets of books? A lot, but to share within this short passage, the Book of Isaiah brings so much encouragement and comfort when I feel tired, exhausted and down-hearted. The Acts reminds me to be filled by the Holy Spirit. Yes, be filled!
Workplace Bible Study Group
This year, we finished the Gospel of John and went for Acts. But after I relocated myself to work from home, I did not join frequently as used to be.
Sharing at Founder’s Day
I was invited by Mrs. Yu to share in a group with other alumnae going to Hop Yat Church. It was an interesting experience to share on the stage, especially for a person who has a strong tendency of stage-flight. Anyway, it was still nice to see teachers and classmates and fellow students before the school’s redevelopment.
Academic Work
I have entered the status as a continuing student at the beginning of this year. I did not write in the order from the first to the last. I started with the empirical chapters, Chapter Four, Five and Six. I am still revising the first drafts of these chapters. Keep writing, the whole project finishes August 2012. It has grown very much far from my expectation. Actually, it has become larger in scope both ideas and data. The focus of the study has shifted from targeting Chapter Four and Five as the major empirical chapters, Chapter Six (a case study of Hong Kong) as the supplementary illustration of the quantitative models. But now Chapter Six evolves into as a weighty one. A very surprising shift, indeed. Now it is time to have it beeeeeefed up!
Part-time & Freelance
Being a continuing student also means I need to look for some working opportunities. It happens I worked for a regional conference and some research assistant tasks. But to concentrate better on the dissertation, I do not take any intensive task after that. At first I had some uncertainties of such change, but so far I am still fine and filled with abundance.
Travel
Going inbound: Hong Kong!
During Chinese New Year, I took a 360 ride with parents, my brother and sister-in-law. We went for crystal car, quite nice.
Family
Cousin's wedding
My cousin got married this year. We were honoured to open our place for his traditional "tea-drinking" ceremony. We have never imagined, our place could house 40 people! 
Brother's business company
He started his company in April, selling things cannot be related to one another, Kopi Luwak and car brakes. Best wishes to his business!
Yum Cha
Lots of family yum cha on Sundays. We often went all the way to Ma One Shan and Tai Wai. Or we try some traditional yum cha at Central and Wan Chai. Nice to have some good tea or food. Also get to see my nephews and nieces.
Not & Zero + me
We made a not & zero 2011 Christmas e-card, hope you like it.
Music
Got a ukulele, lets get some happy sound!
Not & Zero + me
We made a not & zero 2011 Christmas e-card, hope you like it.
Music
Got a ukulele, lets get some happy sound!
To bring this to a close, I would like to thank friends and family for their encouragement, comforting words (or food) and urge to keep me running. I am greatly blessed and joy is in my heart. May all of us be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) for the coming year.
Love never fails!
