Last year’s been another year of packed schedule, along with changes that aren’t insignificant, in me and also the lives of those around me. As I did my usual reflections of the year and planning for year ahead, one of the things I want to do more in 2024 is to make time to write. So yes, we can expect more posts in the months ahead. For a start though, here are just very few words and some photos as I have a quick look at some of the captured moments in 2023.
🎉 Celebrations
First wedding early in the year – yay good summer weather! 
My surprise bday celebration at my sister’s 😄 
With the cousins 
Everyone’s very kind, & we had an Indo feast yum 
Our bdays are close to each others, often celebrate it together. 
Given specific instruction that I gotta slice the top piece for some reason 
Like an adopted family – it’s true, I was mistaken for their 4th child recently! 
At my Growth Group ☘️ A very kind effort 
A friend’s bday 
Another friend’s birthday to celebrate
Celebrations are good things in life to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. Thank God for blessing us with delightful experiences in life. We can celebrate these legitimate pleasures for as long as we do not make them bigger than they are, as long as we keep things in perspective. The bible reminds us,
It is better to go to the house of mourning
Ecclesiastes 7:2,4
than to go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind..
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Why? For good reasons.
Enjoy your life, thoroughly and legitimately, just also remember,
The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
..
they are soon gone, and we fly away... teach us to number our days
Psalm 90:10,12
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
The getaways / holidays
Here are some short breaks I had at the start and at the end of the packed year.
Start of the year: January boot camp holiday – first activity on arrival was to go for a run 
Park run – yes, I tend to do more exercise on holidays (when you’re with people who do!) 
Windy walk for a view 
End of the year: December camping trip – lunch before setting off 
Nephew’s fave cafe – Chit Chat cafe at Surrey Hills 
Checking out the other people’s tents 
One of the benefits out here is someone went out to catch abalones and we all got to eat them fresh 
Yes, prefer comfy cabin over tents! 
The river next to the tenting site 
Dinner together prepared by different good cooks among us (not me!) 
A peek into our wonderful cabin 
Very windy walk on the beach before driving back to Melbourne
What’s with work – the colleagues
Work events and also leisure, for many of the colleagues are also friends.
Meals and catch-ups with friends & family
Take efforts. One of the challenges will be to go beyond the food to real conversations.
Special moments
What are they for you?
Easter get-together 
Holiday Club with nephew 
Kids learn stuff and do various activities 
Last session with the parents, showing overview of the Holiday Club program 
If you haven’t been and have kids in Melb, come join our Holiday Club next time – fun learning for kids! 
An evening of games, prayer and singing (with my ukulele!) with half of my Growth Group 
Church camp 
How is this not special when the last time we cousins played badminton together was more than.. 20 yrs ago?? 😮 
Kris Kringle Christmas party with Growth Group at my home 🎄 
Christmas dinner at friends’ 
Christmas Carol service – friends visiting and celebrating together at church 
Carols choir, and.. 
.. Christmas Day Choir – come join us at Easter next at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills 
Finally, EOY get-together at my home as we ended the year.
Now, ready for posts with many words and no photos? They will be coming.