Word of God: God is my light

...that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5

Reflection:
Light provides life, luminance, clearer vision and direction.
Light directs and leads.
God is light.
God is the one who provides direction in my life and give me the luminance so that I can have better vision.
God is the light which enables me to see the beauty in His creation and the goodness in people. God is the light that shows me my flaws and weaknesses and drive all my fear away.
In God, there is no darkness.
Darkness implies uncertainty; one has to grope and feel around in order to walk or move forward. Darkness could also mean blindness to God's beautiful creation.
But in God there is no darkness at all.
I can see clearly the beauty that God has placed in me and others.
The light of God is my hope and my strength.

Thanks be to God.

Cooking Therapy

As a young child I used to watch and eventually assist my mom when she cooked. She would let me do the stirring/frying of the vegetables and I guess that's where my skill in frying vegetables perfectly comes from. I started cooking more seriously when I fell ill in 2004 and since then I have not stopped. In fact my love for cooking deepens ever since we relocated to the States because cooking becomes a daily affair. When the "experiment" is successful I feel a great sense of achievement and joy. When others (especially the husband) enjoy my food my heart does a little skip and dance. Here my creativity surfaces and takes a life of its own. It's fun and therapeutic! I also love reading cook books and translate them into delicious dishes. Most importantly, my husband and I eat more healthily because we know exactly what goes into the making of our meals. It's been a great journey.

I know that not everyone enjoys cooking. Some might even be intimidated by it. Others may not have the time. Hence I decided to share some of the recipes that I have tried and I promise you this - there are not only simple to make but healthy and delicious too. There is a saying in Mandarin that says,"Health is wealth." I could not have agreed more. The first step that anyone can take towards improving one's health is by eating better. Take that first little step today.

To kick this off, let me introduce you to the World’s Best Braised Cabbage. I was most amused when I saw the title and was keen to give it a shot. It's really easy to prepare. What you need is time because it takes about 2 hours ++ to cook. It is an excellent dish - the sweetness of the cabbage, onions and carrot is enhanced through slow cooking. A perfect example where yummy food is also healthy. Try it and let me know if you like it :)


I paired the braised cabbage with pork loin and croquette. It was a lovely meal.

Picture of the Week (POTW)

Picture taken at Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park, CA (May 10)

Quote of the day (QOTD)

Time spent attempting to change others affords little time for personal change. --Georgette Vickstrom

One of the challenges I struggled a lot in my early years of marriage is that of changing my husband.  Not only do I expect myself to grow and change, I wanted him to do the same. Yes, I fell into the trap magnificently. Needless to say it was a losing and painful battle. I learn it the hard way that I need to let him (and others) be who they are, regardless of who I want them to be. Acceptance of the others is the best gift we can offer to those we love.

Word of God: Keeping in touch with God

Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find and the door will be open to anyone who knocks.
Luke 11:9-10

How much more enduring are our security, peace and joy when we walk daily with God in prayer. How much more tender and loving is the touch of God when we turn away from the busyness of daily life to experience the presence of God in quiet prayer!

To want to prayer is an expression of our yearning for God. Prayer is a profound experience of the abiding presence of God in our lives. It deepens our awareness and appreciation of God's love, mercy and goodness and in increasing our enthusiasm for him.

To pray is to let go of ourselves and let God come and take over our lives. It is saying that we are entirely dependent on God and are willing to submit our will to His. To pray calls for faith and trust in God's love, wisdom, abundance and providence. St Therese of Lisieux described prayer as letting God be Father and friend to us.

God the Father loves us very much and if we are open, sincere, trusting and persevering in our prayer, He will draw us even closer to himself.

In life's situations, there are times when we are pushed to the brink, with our back against the wall..right up to our neck. Bless and thank God for all these occasions for it is only in these dark, crushing moments that we really crack open and recognise that God is there with us all the time.

Crises bruise and crush and in crushing our self-centeredness, they often refine and purify. And prayer does the teaching, the listening, the learning in God. Constant prayer means keeping in contact with God, and as God is the source of all life, we live and grow in Him.

Never too old

I found out recently that 2 of the choir members in my group will be celebrating their 95th birthday in the coming weeks. Wow! Even though they are clearly senior citizen they certainly did not look 95 to me. I am inspired that at this age, they are still active and contributing to the community in their own way. I learn that one of them is hard of hearing while the other uses a magnifying glass to read. The fact that they are undeterred is inspiring. It goes to show that you're never too old and as long as you embrace the right attitude, life can be that much more meaningful and fulfilling. Even at an older age.

Picture of the Week (POTW)

Picture taken at Half Moon Bay, CA (May 10)

I always have a thing for birds that are flying so freely in the sky. Somehow when I look at them, I feel happy and free.

"That little bird has chosen his shelter. Above it are the stars and the deep heaven of worlds. Yet he is rocking himself to sleep without caring for tomorrow's lodging, calmly clinging to his little twig, and leaving God to think for him." - Martin Luther

P.S. I'm not sure who is still reading since it's been a while since I updated it. It is my desire to do a better job and if you're reading this thank you for not giving up on me :)