Hunter Valley December 05

The very next day after I came back from the HIKE (see post below) I went on a family holiday to Hunter Valley! It was only about a 2 hr drive from Sydney and very soon we arrived at our stay for the next 4 days: Pokolbin Chateau Resort (or as me and bea called it: Poke-A-Hole-In-A-Bin or as the locals called it: KFC Corner)


KFC Corner :: God saw everything He had made; and it was good

The following morning we woke up bright and early at the crack of dawn (8:30am) to go horse riding!! We hadn't gone horse riding for ages so this was a real treat! My horse was called Effie, and Bea's was Mickey. The best thing about it was that it wasn't just walking, but we were allowed to trot 3-4 times! And I finally got the hang of it - you have to stand on the stirrups and sit up and down while the horse is trotting- once you get into the rhythm of it; it's so easy!


bea on mickey :: me on effie

After lunch we visited the famous Hunter Valley Chocolate Store! this has to be one of my favourite shops in the world...


every flavour of FUDGE! :: Strawberry Cheesecake flavoured jelly beans!

In the afternoon it was too hot to go outside; so since Dad bought Harry Potter 3 DVD we watched it in the nice air-conditioned room and then afterwards went swimming.

On Thursday we visited the Hunter Valley Gardens. This was soo beautiful and lots of fun even though we had to stop every 5 minutes to rest under a nearby tree coz it was so HOT!


hey diddle diddle (the cat and the fiddle) :: bea in wonderland


the rose garden :: mum and dad

In the afternoon I went for a full body massage at the Golden Door Spa which was absolutely wonderful! It was the first time I've ever had one (seeing as last time I wasn't allowed coz I didn't turn 16 for another week! grr) and it's simply the most relaxing beautiful way to spend an afternoon.

Finally in the evening we went out for dinner. I had BBQ pork spare ribs *drool* which I could finally eat properly now that my braces are off!! It was heaps of fun as the table was covered with a large sheet of paper/cardboard and they provided crayons to "decorate" the table.


sunset on our last day :: I really contemplated drawing all the boxes of Two Ways to Live!

Overall I had a fantastic time - a very maxed out week and it's good to be home. =) Now I get to watch Madasgascar and Fantastic Four!! (guess what?? i've also got The Princess Bride!!!)

And a quote from our trip:
Me: "See? It's a failproof plan!"
Bea: "Failproof?! you mean foolproof! And that time you weren't speaking metamorphically!"

For rest of the photos go to --> http://flyingdreams.dotphoto.com

hiking!!! (ice ice baby)

A whole bunch of CABC-ers went on a two day hike from Bundeena down to Otford; from the 26th of December to 27th December. What a wonderful time for fellowship as we shared this experience together. We had a few newbies too - their first ever hike! It was so totally awesome; but I am so sore in just about every part of my body!

26th December
4:00am - Got up coz I couldn't get back to sleep. I was too excited!
6:15am - Arrived at Epping Station and boarded the train down to Cronulla.

On the train we redid our packs and ate a quick breakfast.

Joey + his banana :: wow! joey IS a banana!

From Cronulla we took the ferry across to Bundeena. While we were in Cronulla Big Joey realised he forgot to bring gas for his da bin lo!! he was so lucky that of all the hardware stores in Sydney; there was one in Cronulla; that was open on Boxing Day; and had an asian store manager; and who understood cantonese!


jeff was really busting to go :: at Bundeena ready to set off!

We walked from Bundeena to Wattamaloo (something that sounded like that) where we had lunch. It was quite hot as there were no trees for shade but the ocean view was on our left the whole time.


Vicki + Ness :: Nate + Dan

When we finally arrived at our lunch destination we were all ready to collapse - but the Frosty Fruit we all had was the most delicious thing we've ever tasted... it made up for Big Joey forgetting to bring the watermelon!


frankie enjoying sitting on joey :: playing on the walkie-talkies

We arrived at our camping grounds by 6pm as we didn't realise we had to climb another whole mountain after reaching the kiosk! it was a bit of a setback; but eventually we all made it to the other side.


the amazing view :: frankie got burned real bad

The guys cooked an absolutely delicious meal of pasta with either turkey spam or hot n spicy spam with either sundried tomato sauce or garlic onion and bacon sauce!!! =D next time tho, they promised stir fry with fresh fish! haha


still can't believe joey brought a da bin lo! :: looks like a tan... but it could just be dirt!


famous hat hair :: yikes! it's a drop bear!!

27th December
The next day dawned bright and fair with none of us actually waking at sunrise, and all the girls ready and packed to go before some of the guys had gotten up. We were all quite tired and very sore due to having trekked some 20km the day before, and all very much in need of a shower!


almost at Otford station! :: jeff in an awkward position

We arrived at Otford station just in time to catch the 12:19pm train back home (lucky seeing as the train only came every 2 hrs)

And finally a quote from Emma:
"I knew there wouldn't be any showers so last night I showered super-hard!"

For tons more photos go to http://flyingdreams.dotphoto.com

Candlelight Carol -->

Shepherds and wise men will kneel
And adore Him
Seraphim round him their vigil will keep
Nations proclaim Him Lord
And their Saviour
But Mary will hold Him
And sing Him to sleep!

Candlelight, angel light
Firelight and starglow
Shine on His cradle till breaking of morn!
Gloria in excelsis deo!
Angels are singing the Christ child is born!

*

The Christmas season is once again upon us, a joyous time where we celebrate the most precious gift of all - Jesus Christ who humbled himself and gave up His glory in heaven to become a man to save sinners.

But it's so hard to focus on the true meaning of Christmas when the whole world is obsessed with Santa Claus, candy cane, presents, "the joy of giving" flying reindeer, and shopping themselves into debt.

Last night, we drove to see the Christmas light decorations that people have put up around Sydney. They really were beautiful, and obviously lots and lots of effort had been put into decorating their house.



But even as I looked on and gasped in amazement, it was sad to see that there was no mention of Christ, and even the occasional nativity scene has also been commercialised.

Lord, may this Christmas season be a time where we can take the opportunity to share Christ with our non-believing family and friends. May we focus on You and on the reason why Christ came to this world and not be pulled away by the enticing lies of the world. Strengthen our hearts and give us joy as we grasp the immense depth of your love that caused You to send Your precious Son to us. In our Savour's name, Amen!

bea's presentation day + parent's anniversary dinner

- Bea's Presentation Day -

First time I've ever been to a presentation/speech day that's not with Abbotsleigh! It was interesting to note quite a few differences between the way public and private schools do things. I was especially appalled when prize winners walked onto the stage wearing jumpers! and all the seniors had their shirts out - aiyaa!! they would've gotten a BMW straight away at Abbotsleigh (Behaviour Modification Workshop aka Detention) if they turned up to Speech Day dressed like that!


the choir :: bea after getting her prize

But what was similar was that it was very long... and as interesting as watching plants grow. sigh... so I resorted to taking artistic shots to amuse myself.


the impressive organ at Town Hall :: even more impressive chandelier

Afterwards me and mum went shopping at QVB for a good couple of hours. Though most of the first hour was spent trying to find an ATM machine that was actually working! I got a cool top for only $10 - hehe I love finding cheap clothes!

- 18th Wedding Anniversary -

To celebrate we went out to buffet dinner at the Marriot Hotel, on the Rocks. Yum!! I find that I judge a buffet restaurant by its range of food, but especially its dessert menu! and they had very nice desserts =)


I think I have an obsession with taking pictures of food...


new bracelet :: mum + dad

After our excellent meal, we walked down to the Opera House as it was a beautiful clear night and much persuading on my part as I wanted to seize the opportunity to take photos of the Bridge and Opera House at night.


Just before sunset :: dad + bea


the beautiful Opera House :: mum + bea

my baptism!!

what an awesome day. Praise God for the wonderful opportunity to witness to friends and family of how He called me and saved me through the precious blood of Christ! A day I certainly won't forget and will look back on with many fond memories (and even more photos!)


before with shaz + helen :: Rev. Su praying before the ceremonial dunking


me + emma :: me + wingkei + clare


my family :: me with Cheng family


the dudes :: the dudes aznified


the girls :: more girls


me + frankie :: all the baptismal candidates

Thanks everyone soo much for coming and supporting me!! What a wonderful way to celebrate with much joy and love the unity we have in Christ Jesus!

*

Afterwards, according to CABC tradition we went out to dinner together at the Ranch at North Ryde. Awesome food over which we had great fellowship! (wink emma wink)


sisters in Christ :: taking photo of ppl taking photos


down the table shot :: dinner is served!

*

as usual for the rest of the photos click [here]