AboutLife

the day war came to town...

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:57:31 -0700

Phone rings.

'Madam, will you be staying an extra night with us after the problem last night?' Problem? I've heard some euphemisms in my time...

In this case, the 'problem' was an air strike against the President's Palace (less than a km from my hotel) towards the end of the Aussie innings last night. A little surprised that fireworks would be going off just because they finally got rid of Gilchrist, I looked out the window to find anti-aircraft stuff being fired into the sky. It was just like what we saw on telly when the allies launched airstrikes against Iraq, only it turns out it is red. Who knew.

being in sri lanka

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:48:55 -0700

I'm here in Sri Lanka for an Alpha Conference, so for just a few days, but have already decided I have to come back here! It is so nice! The people are friendly (perhaps it helps that we lost to them in the cricket the other night... I think my Dad was actually cheering for SL since I was coming here!), shops are bright and clean, cool electrical storms every evening about 6pm (I can't remember the last time I saw rain!), the streets are orderly (it's all comparative) and generally there is a relaxed, friendly atmosphere about the place.

to tuffers...

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:03:03 -0700

HAPPY BIRTHDAY friend! Hope you have a fabulous day!

xxx

it is 9.24am...

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:03:47 -0700

Today so far:

- had my first listen through of Tim's new CD - love it! Was completely caught by Joshua bopping in the lounge as I was cleaning my teeth! Felt a pang of pride that Brooke Fraser features on one of the tracks - her Dad was one of the nation's favourite All Blacks!

- on my way to work, drove past two herds of buffaloes (does anyone know how to make mozzarella? there is an industry waiting to happen here in India...), four ox drawn carts, 6 camels and riders, and four guys on tricycles who collect paper for recycling in huge sacks on their trikes.

remembering how...

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:48:58 -0700

Over the past few weeks, I've logged on quite a few times to write a post, but I think I've forgotten how! Not literally, but each time I start, I think I'm writing the most boring post ever (much like now!), delete it and sit looking at my computer for a few minutes before sighing and logging back out. So forgive me if this is dull, but I feel I just need to get back in the saddle and write something to get started again (I was just about to mix metaphors, but found the backspace key just in time... phew!).

just lately

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:56:44 -0800

things lately:

- very excited to read Hammster's article in Top Gear this morning and hear that he is back at work, sense of humour intact

- blogging truely creates community: i have been in hk for nine days, and have met two people i became friends with on aboutlife!

- it really is true that doing exercise in the morning gives you more energy during the day. i don't get this, but it is true

the end is nigh.

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 05:49:49 -0800

This country has officially cracked. Yes, The Young and the Restless is on primetime evening television. Lord save us...

what is social justice?

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:59:34 -0800

I have been catching up on my podcast backlog lately, and have very much enjoyed the series the HTB lads did on the Psalms. Yes, last August… Hmmm… Anyway, I’ve been reading and re-reading and re-reading Psalm 82 lately. I’ve even moved a bookmark there – which means business! I thought I'd share some thoughts...

Today I was reading the results of a recent survey of New Zealanders on how they define Social Justice…

bring it on!

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:46:01 -0800

Bring it on! Much as I'm enjoying the brief reprise in the rugby calendar which is allowing some summer sports to shine, I'm not talking about the feast of tennis, cricket or otherwise... No, I'm talking about the Kingdom of God - BRING IT ON!

Living here in India for nearly a year now has taught me a lot. But I think one of the most valuable lessons I've learnt is that we (you and I, wherever you come from) should have more in common because of Christ, than differences because of culture.

the great deceipt

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:06:17 -0800

Margaret is a 50-something year old kiwi from Matamata (aka Hobbiton), NZ and one of the most extraordinary people I've ever met. She works out in a rural village hospital in India, doing whatever needs doing. She has no medical experience, yet she frequently has to pump out people's tummies when they drink pestcide, give injections, hold people down while the doctor operates...

prayer for matthew

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 03:51:23 -0800

Team,

Would be great to mobilise prayer for a little man named Matthew, the 13 year old son our of fellow aboutlifer, Sharon. Just before Christmas he was diagosed with Rheumatic Fever and Sydenham's Chorea, which is an auto-immune disease that is affecting his basal ganglia in his brain.

butterflies in the palms of his hands...

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:31:42 -0800

I got stood up by my tennis buddy this morning. I say tennis buddy, yet in truth, we haven't actually played tennis yet. One day...

Point is, I ended up unexpectedly having to shower at home. Just as I was about to step into the shower, I remembered that, since our recent visitors left, the maid has been turning off the hot water in the upstairs bathroom, not realising that it also provides hot water to me. I scurried upstairs, and sure enough, it was off. Just to be sure, I checked the cylinder. Cold.

what am i without love?

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:38:51 -0800

excerpts from journal...

'4:52am
Overtired. Full of thoughts and ideas, so cannot sleep. Just looked up and noticed the enormous spider has disappeared from ceiling. Where is it? Nightmare.

I can't believe what a complete cow I've become lately. How self-righteous! [Ed note: book 'Boy Meets Girl' is worth it for the definition of self-righteousness] I don't know why I let sin and my fallibility surprise me. Whenever I stop and think about it I know it isn't really surprising at all. When I get this outrageously busy, I stop having time for me; stop exercising; stop praying; stop sleeping; stop eating well - a recipe for meltdown. Why then do I seem to get back here so regularly? Then in my fear that I'm about to be found out for a complete fraud who doesn't have the answers, I turn to arrogance, belittling and impatience, rather than humility, kindness and patience. What am I without love? Nothing. What does this mean? I'm on the wrong track. Do I fully understand how much God loves me? The eternal battle. Do I see myself how God sees me? Probably not.

breaking news...

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:37:43 -0800

national news in nz this day...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/ 0,2106,3849624a11,00.html

searching for canadian powder...

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 04:04:44 -0800

For those of you who are looking for something to do with your Friday afternoon.

Some friends and I are looking into heading to Canada for this years annual snow pilgrimage... Does anyone have any top tips on where to go and companies to use?

Thanks in advance!