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5Jan09

- True enough, in the morning, after a minus5 temperature during the night, 4 inches of snow had blanketed everything.

- Although the sun is also shining, it was freezing cold.

- The news says UK is also inundated with severe frost, with a minus8 temperature.

- In the evening, we had our usual potbless dinner. Tracy and I cooked red curry tilapia stew.

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4Jan09

- Late in the night, light snow fell - like a gentle fluff of baby talc.

- It invited me to sift my fingers through its icing sugar, but I had to say no thanks, not so late in the freezing night.

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3Jan09

- An absolutely good and ever-thoughtful friend, Linda, packed me some Vicks and Nestle lozenges - and they have brought such relief to my ticklish throat: Bless her!

- So by ABBA's grace - as I was out for the first time after 5days of rest - I spied a car licence in her initials! G stands for GOD. And you know, people denote kisses by drawing Xs ... so Linda, GX means that ABBA gives you a fatherly, loving kiss always!

- Every stationary thing outside wears a translucent, ethereal silver frost!

- Then as I cycled to Centrum - a somewhat nostalgic scene caught my eyes: patches of public sidewalks were littered with red pieces of paper that was once barrel-fireworks' wrappers, but now blasted into smittereens.

- Somewhat similar to what I saw during my primary and early secondary school days back in Singapore!

- (Firecrackers were banned in Singapore in 1970)

- Although they were set off throughout the 15 days of Chinese New Year - long chains of them were hoisted up in mid-air to be let off especially on the last day, also called Chap Ngoh Meh.

- The thunderous cacophony of gunpowder, an orchestrated conspiracy, boastfulness and competition between nearly every Chinese household in the neighbourhood, is heartstopping.

- One could nearly not be able to see the road tarmac the morning after, as entire sections were carpeted with gaudy scarlet shreds of once proud, loud firecrackers ...

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2Jan09

- When I trimmed the hair of one of my coursemates about 2 months ago, she gave me a token of appreciation: a set of pyjamas.

- As you can see, I've lost some appetite for food recently, and in a matter of 4 days, I've also 'gained' (heehee) considerable weight.

- No worries lahh, ABBA will help me truly put them back very soon.

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Blessed New Year! - 1Jan09

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

- A gift from Tracy who visited her friend in Germany for Christmas: a Christian Chinese Calendar, and nope, not printed in China, but in Germany! Bless her.

- Month of January 2009 begins with ABBA's assurance that we can trust Him in all things, at all times: Psalm 84:11

- In CHRIST JESUS, ABBA is our glorious Sun and everlasting Shield;

- He bestows His super-abounding grace and the riches of all His glory on us;

- Imagine - He will never withhold any good and blessed thing from us - who are found in CHRIST JESUS, in Whose shed BLOOD at the cross has already inputed to us His everlasting righteousness, and a blessed fruit from this is that we can walk in uprightness.

- Hallelujah - ABBA bless you too with the blessings of Psalm 84:11.

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31Dec08

- Original plan was the 4 Cs and 2 Fs:

- Cycle down to Centrum to Celebrate the Countdown;

- and, watch the Fireworks and Festivities.

- But didn't want to further irritate my scratchy throat

- (I have to be honest - ABBA wasn't on my celebration agenda! :P)

- A group of coursemates went to Rotterdam to welcome the new year

- Even before mid-night, sounds of neighbourhood fireworks (yes, it's allowed here) were almost continuous (and it lasted for more than an hour past the count-down) - and I'm all on my own in my flat.

- I watched TV - how Aukland, Sydney, Amsterdam and London bid sayonara to 2008 and greeted 2009.

- Then ABBA says why not Celebrate JESUS since I'm all cosy at home?

- ABBA always has the best suggestion

- So I celebrated JESUS and His Finished Work at Calvary for me, with the Holy Communion.

- Much more than what the 4Cs and 2Fs can merely, temporarily offer - I had the Best Celebration and Count-Up to a 2009 that is filled with ABBA's love, grace, righteousness, shalom-peace, divine-health, prosperity, success, favour, abundance, and much, much more.

- And for you, who are reading this, I ask ABBA to bless the same.

- Blessed New Year 2009.

- ABBA has a nota bene (N/B) attached: He promises, He guarantees in Jer 17:7 and 8 that blessed are we (you, reading, and Aredi-Alwis, typing) whose trust and confidence is in Him (not in self or work or investments) - because in CHRIST JESUS - it is ABBA who will establish us like a robust tree planted by the Living Water of CHRIST Himself, that thrusts its roots to This Source of Life - of the grace of Rhemata CHRISTOS (and, there is a big difference from the word of law in the Old Testament) - we are never anxious when heat, pressure, stress come because it is He who makes our leaves always verdant, lush and green - we are never of troubled heart in a year of drought (as is currently unfolding in the world financial crisis) - why? - because it is He who makes us never failing to bear dew-kissed, rosy-skinned, juice-ladened, abundant fruit!!!

- If you're following this, I also pray that ABBA bless this to you too.

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30Dec08

- Received a Christmas-New Year Greeting Card from a fellow coursemate

- Literally in Dutch, it says: Pleasant Christmas Day and a Happy New Year!