Yesterday, our new car arrived, just in time for the Christmas rush. My daughter is so excited with the car’s mp4 connections and because it is red, so really life is complete!

As I woke up this morning, I looked out to the drive, the new car is out there covered in snow, there is no noise and the whole street is picture perfect. All made me think that for me, what is making me really happy this Christmas is having my all my family around for our big family reunion and all what comes with that, sitting late at night laughing and cheering, being tired and making a mess in the living room and my last minute search for things I already bought and wrapped but can not remember where I hid it!

Praise God for all his provision for us and giving us a loving family and wonderful friends.

Merry Christmas everyone :)

All I want for Christmas is ...... nothing!

As the search for the right present intensifies, there are more unusual gift ideas online to come to the rescue of those of us who are struggling. But, here is an idea that really made me smile. You know those people who say "I do not want anything for Christmas this year" and you really never sure what to get for them, here it is, their wish of "nothing". The grantee on the site (gettingpersonal.com) is that:
This gift is guaranteed to do absolutely nothing. If something happens, return for a full refund.
There is only one more thing to say, they charge you 3.95 for the gift of nothing! Genius.

I had the chance to go and attend the El Divo concert. It was FANTASTIC. The whole production was great and the group were amazing. The energy in the Apollo was electric and people (mainly women) were over eager to see them and hear them sing. On the way to the theatre, we can see the marks of husbands and boyfriends been dragged to the venue :). But the majority of men in there were on their best behaviour except one gentleman who sat at the end of my row who let us say, had more drinks than he should (and I am not talking about orange juice). Midway into the show he was shouting things out load to those in front of him and 10 min later the lady who was with him took him outside and they never returned. I think she just needed a word with him!
For me, the whole night was wonderful and the performance was one of their best ever and I can not wait until I have another chance to see them again, better start saving!

IL DIVO...I CAN NOT WAIT !

Back for good...

Today and after 14 years absence, I joined the church choir for the Christmas carols. I was so emotional sitting there and singing with everyone. It has been a LONG time for me not being in a choir. So much has happened in the last 14 years and I kind of lost an important part of “me”. I am trying to go back to basics and the wonderful time I had serving my God, including singing and worshiping Him. Trying to find my “first love” to God and to get my priorities right. Being in a choir might be a simple thing for a lot of people, but for me it has always been my love and joy and it is wonderful to be back. Praise God that we have a wonderful story to tell and joyful news to share with everyone, that He is great. Happy Christmas everyone.

Hairy day 2

After the success of hairy day, here is the sequel. I am glad to report that I was offered another hair colour free of charge together with an apology to correct what happened before (see previous blog).
Funnily enough, I was the one who was apologising about complaining and I made a note to myself: be happy with whatever they do today, do not book another appointment soon and relay on yourself (as I used to) to do my own colouring.
The end results were good, mind you, it is “colour that respect your hair”, never mind respect the customer, however, I am glad that I do not have to wear a hat for going outside anymore :)

Hairy day

Today I went to the hair dresser as a routine visit, I thought I will treat myself to a hair colour and nice style. At the point where they bring the mirror to show you the back of the hair, I do not think in the history of hair dressing, that anyone actually said: I do not like it (sounds like little Britain sketch), except for today. I found some courage inside me to just say: is it supposed to be that ORANGE?
I felt I had to say something. The funny thing was the explanation that came after that. As the “colour consultant” was called to have a look (presumably told that there is a difficult woman who doesn’t like her hair colour), she came and had a look and said to me: it is lighter than usual but this is because you are here under the light. Ahh, that explained it, all I need to do now is to conduct all my activities at night and avoid being out in the day time, I resisted to reply. The great thing is the ad for the colour “ A colour that respect your hair”. True to the point!

I am a parent...get me out of here!

Now I can safely say that I am approaching the honourable position of being a “teenager’s mum” very fast. This is not because my daughter is going to be a teenager soon but she is sure on her way when it comes to difficult questions, debates, opinions etc. It is great that kids have their own views and they are not easily lead, [sometimes I wish they are easily lead just a bit, like when it comes to convince them that more TV is not really good, or letting the cat in now is not a good idea especially that it is not our cat J ]. Last night, we had a great debate over baptism (I know!). My daughter’s view was that she was so little to decide which church, what dress to wear and who to invite and that it is not fair that I said no to another baptism. She said she wants to make her own decision which I completely respect and I said that when she does, I am happy that we can have a blessing (and a party of course). But she wanted to be “dunked in water” she said. ARRRRGH!

Now, why did God create Adam and Eve as adults? My guess is that even God wanted to avoid the growing up bit. There were no terrible twos, or tantrums, messy rooms, or constant “why” in Eden. But on a serious note, if they were kids in Eden, they would have been perfect and how could that be? Even as adults they messed up and we are where we are now. But praise God for His mercy and for our kids. I just need to pray to have more wisdom (quick).

Back from the stone age..

So, at last I have now made it back to the 21 century and got an Internet connection back. It felt so strange without my Internet but glad to say that "I am Back".
Thank you all for your kindness. So, I will get ready for more blogs as there are no excuses now :)

Making it to the other side

So....at last, we have moved! Praise God for He is so great. We have been blessed with so many wonderful things and above all, great friends and family who helped us great deal in the last 2 weeks. Moving day itself was so much fun and we had so many helpers and so all was done by lunch time. I counted 95 boxes and about 20 large bags + the furniture items and endless last minute carry bags. Tomorrow, it will be 2 weeks since we moved to our new place and it already started to feel like home. Not having a phone line or an internet connection was so difficult but after a while we started to enjoy just sitting down together and not getting interrupted by anything. So, as we resume normal activities, a big cheer for all our friends and family and for all those who were praying for us and showing us God’s love in a very practical way, may we one day do the same for you.

Staying sane in the face of ..... packing!

Last night I drove my car at mid night to our 24 hours Tesco store to get...BOXES, as I am packing to move house. We ran out of boxes last night and I went to get some more. So far, the house looks pretty much the same and in addition there are about 35 boxes around everywhere (and still counting). Today, I spent all day packing my daughter's room and I never knew how much crafts and games we had. Staying sane in the face of it all is a challenge. Trying to focus on the positive, for example, how many boxes I have already done and finding things we have been looking for for some time and not to think about "how on earth am I going to sort it all out when we actually move to the new place". As I picked the boxes from the store, a nice sale assistant asked me: "do you need a hand?" I said to her: "I am fine here, I need help filling them up". She laughed.
Trusting God with all and sure of his presence in every step.

Computer Blessings

Today, I got this prayer from a dear friend of mine. so nice

Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
And safe from harm
For they're so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.

Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.

Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits 'send'.

When you update your Heavenly list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer

We spent last week in Wales with the church in a bible holiday and what a week it has been! nice weather, great teaching, fellowship with the church family and fun activities, what more do you wish for. Coming back I was thinking that the hard bit was not reading and studying the bible or getting on with other Christians who we may not really know so well but the hard part is living this out back in the real world, when it is stressful and challenging and upsetting some time. Praise God for He is the same yesterday, today and for ever and He is the source of our strength and energy. Amen

Last night I had a very nice time watching Joeph in the theater.
What a story and what a prduction. Amazing!

Ready for another challenge?

After a successful run last weekend, I got my eyes set on another challenge, a 10 Mile (16K) midnight walk in September. So, my count down clock is back on, the training is on its way and I am back to more pasta and rice!

So, the day came and the count down was over and I had to take my place and run my 10K. what a day it was! wonderful and fantastic. I really enjoyed it immensely. The pasta and rice I had last week paid off and i finished in 77 min which is a new record for me.

high point: passing on Westminster bridge and realising I passed the 8K mark and not 7k, I was over the moon.
low point: seeing the fast runners on the other side of the Thames while I am still trying to get to my 3K mark.
great comments: the crowds were fantastic and some were thanking me for running for Diabetes UK charity.
nice slogon: a guy with a T shirt that said : Give me a hug, I am special

As I crossed the finish line, there were people handing water bottels followed by some people handing leaflests about upcoming running events! now, talk about good timming and trying to pick a good moment to ask people to do a half marathon run just after a 10K.

the good news was that i finished my run and raised a lot of money for Diabetes UK, the bad news is that I have to be at work all day tomorrow :)

Pasta, rice and rest

Yesterday, I ran my longest distance so far 8.4 K in 65 min! Was too hot but felt great after that. My personal trainer suggested that this should be the last run before my big day. She said it is recommended not to do the whole distance before a run so I can keep pushing myself on the day. So, from now till the day of the run, it will be pasta, rice and rest.

keep on running

As the date approach for my 10K run, I started to go to the gym every day in an attempt to calm my nerves and get more training. Today and for the first time, I ran 7K and I am so pleased with that. 5K was my barrier and it was more of a mental barrier than anything else. I do not feel any pain at the moment (who knows about later on). The funny thing is that, as I run I can see how many calories I have burned and at a point when I feel like death, I look at the machine and see that I have burned 70 calories and I am filled with despair as I am sure only looking at a bar of chocolate will make me gain 70 calories!
my aim now is to run faster and get to 10K in one piece before my actual race.

thank you for the music

The weekend was lovely and I really enjoyed listening to a performance by our local brass band. The theam was movie and theater music and it was so nice and a great evening. so thanks for the music that lift up our moods and this is for fun... not a real image from the band :)

How would you like your shoe-laces today sir?

Having choices seems to be the name of the day...choices in every and anything we have, buy and do. But, how many choices do we really need to do up shoes laces? MANY is the answer and here are some ideas....enjoy and good luck trying them out. (thanks to my brother for sending me this).