Seeing this in a new light.

It is a daily challenge and blessing to place Christ at the very center of my heart.
For it is counted as surpassing worth to know Him.
That knowledge is much more valuable than anything we could gain in this lifetime.

All the things that I'm able to do well, I wanna do them to point people to Jesus.
Because my talents and gifts equal to rubbish if He is not the source and the receiver of it all.
What I can do is seriously seriously seriously so little.
Compared to the privillege of hearing His voice, they are nothing.

--
Nothing under renovation ever looks pretty.
Don't be so overly-conscious of how you look right now.
It may not be pretty but know that you are a work in progress.
Embracing the smashing and the nailing and the rebuilding.
The builder know what He's doing.

Jesus wants the rose.

Your worth never increases through your accomplishments,

and never diminishes through your past wrongs.

It never has and never will.

Your worth is found in Jesus Christ and His lavishing, grace, and love for you.

You are worth as much to Him as you will ever be.

Even if you are broken and stained and far away from Him,

He. still. wants. you.

and He always will.

Across the world

Always feels so blessed to receive handpicked souvenirs from overseas.
They carry the person's thought for you and okay maybe I'm just sentimental like that but they can really put a smile on my face.

Japan, why u have so many cute stuffs?!?!

Overdue. Too overdue.

Seriously?? After 5 months already only you're back?? And now you're trying to make up for what you didn't finish??? Wow what a joke. 

Sadly..
Yes, yes I am.
A million apologies wouldn't even begin to suffice.
But why am I back??
Because I didn't want this to become one of those things that I start but never finish. 
Simply that.
I'm embarrassed by the amount of times this feeling has haunted me.
The feeling of not at least giving it a closure. 
So I shall not let it haunt me anymore. :<

Though they are not a direct continuation from my previous photos (thanks to the 5 months gapppp)
I will try my best to put them in chronological order.
So here goes..... 

//p.s. do not get me wrong, I loved doing this series. It was an different kind of platform and motivation for myself. Definitely, definitely could've done better. I tried blaming it on the timing, on the places I was travelling to and from, yada yada yada. But I fall short because of my own procastination. The saying of "the longer you put off doing something, the harder it is to get back to it" cannot be more true. Urghh I need me some wizdommm.//

Day 24: Onwards and upwards

My first official name card that I made a couple of months back. I don't know why but this quote of "onwards and upwards" left such a deep meaning in me that it sorta woven itself into my design for this. I like the positivity in those words somehow. People ask me why arrows? Arrows have one destination and they know clearly where they need to go. I hope I can be as clear-minded as that and keep going until I fulfill my dreams, be it what I'm studying now or not.

Day 25: Appreciating art galleries

Ever since a particular trip to an art gallery, I think I'll never see art galleries the same way again. I'm becoming a little girl for quite places like this. Because I tend to click through pretty artworks on the internet insanely fast, I'd forgotten the art of stopping to just enjoy them slowly like in art galleries. And not to mention they always have cool stuffs that you can take home with you in the end. Hurh hurh :3 

Day 26: Joy

This was taken on my way back to home sweet home just this semester break. Happy is the heart when my family comes personally to take me home. I can't imagine how terribly I'll miss this when I start working. 

Day 27: Home will always be home

My mum is really great. She doesn't ask a lot from us but quietly does everything on her own. As I grow older I begin to understand her nonverbal character so much more. Which is a total opposite of my dad's. (Haha really.) The best way to understand her has got to be observation. The way she serves, gives, provides tirelessly and quietly is what makes her beautiful. 

Day 28: Different but the same

A place that has seen me grow and change every time I come but has never failed to greet me with its calming waves each time. Thanks buddy.

Day 29: It's time (tries hard not to cry)

Ah yes. Picture says it all. Thanks mommy for the thought. To have everyone I love with me as I cut the cake and blow out the candles for the 21st time in my life is just, a crazy blessing. I wanna be better, wiser, braver, and brighter as I step into this new season. And you, blueberry cheesecake, my love for you will never change. You're just so yummyyyy. 

Day 30: Full stop?

What a time of reflection it has been on this day. So reminded of what has changed and He who never change. I think I just got smacked (lightly) on the head today by His words. To hear Him is one thing, to let it seep into your heart and nourish you well is another. I'm just thankful. Not a full stop definitely. Let's keep this going. This hopeful momentum. Glad to be back is all I wanna say now. 


Till next time,
Stay golden :>

Day 23: Grace

Grace is undeserved favor. 

Lately I've really been blessed in ways I wouldn't have imagined. 

From a belated but full of thought christmas card, to the advanced Ang Pao received from a lecturer.

God, You're too good!

Day 22: Rain or Shine

Only by living out alone did I learn to appreciate a sturdy and trusty umbrella. 

My best friend, rain or shine ;)

Day 21: Sunday Glow

Great day made better. 

Every now and then, I need a reminder to not take things and people for granted. 

Thank You God for this family :)

Day 20: More Than This

Take away the dramatic lights.

Take away the heart-thumping music.

Take away the ground-shaking vocals.

I'll still continue to sing Your songs. Just because You are worthy. The rest are just extra.

Day 19: Just Like Old Times

Long due reunion and colorful lights everywhere. Good to be back :)

Day 18: Adventures

Oh white piano, you struck a right chord in me. 

Day 17: Heaven

A cat's life.

"I can lay under the shades for the whole day if I want. 

And I can always get away with not cleaning up after myself. Meow."

Day 16: Strengthened

Beautiful reminder. Thank you, my shepherd :)

Day 15: The Two Motorcyclists

T'was the day that I remember to bring my camera out but forgot its battery. Ohhhh well. 

Couldn't possibly expect my memory to get better without giving it things to remember in the first place. 

Funny thing is, today's shot is my favourite thus far. 

Not edited. Simply toying with the camera. 

Day 14: Don't Forget

The old forgetful bug is crawling back into my life again. 

I need to do some house-cleaning. 

Get rid of all these pests. 

Especially in my priorities, I don't wanna forget what's more important. 

Sometimes my mind wander too far, I'm reminded once more to take every thought captive so they're obedient and right before God.

On a completely different note, this tree made a nice silhouette against the dusk sky. Heeeheee

Day 13: Love From Afar

Moustache socks from Korea.

Sling bag from Bali.

These little gifts are really appreciated. 'Cause they come from afarrrrr :D

Day 12: Complete

Nothing's as valuable as finding friends who can understand you, wants to grow with you in God, and gets even your lamest jokes. Knows all about your weird habits yet stay right where they are with you.

Cheers to friendship!

Day 11: Dark and Sweet

Had the first (of many) good long day today in this first week. 

Things that I need to start doing:

Walk around more.

Explore more places.

Carry around my camera more diligently.

Be braver in what I love to do.

Day 10: An Old Tune

What an unexpected song to have dropped by for a visit today! 

I've known this tune for as long as I could remember and it definitely brings me back to places. 

Regardless of what others might think of it ;)

And I haven't written in chinese for so long. 

It's nice to stretch these native muscles once in awhile and know they're still working fine.

Day 9: The Insect On My Guitar

Thanks to a friend, I now have fresh new guitar strings that not only sounds good, but looks very eye-catching as well. Hence, the name, "The Insect".

Definitely one of those, dunno-wanna-laugh-or-cry moments :')

Day 8: The Uninvited Tea Guest

A new place is here for us to explore and linger at. 

Really like the thought they put into decorating and designing every corner. 

More more more! :D

Day 7: Brand New Day

I know my God is with me when I'm going through new doors and closing behind old ones. 

His promises are true and good.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

Day 6: Kick Your Feet Up

Ice cream, long walks by the beach, endless cold breezes, laid back conversations, spontaneous destinations. 

Yup, it was an awesome day.

Day 5: Butterfly Sparkles

The weather today was not half as warm as the color tone in this photo. 

Yet there's always beauty in the unending downpour. 

Like these beautiful raindrops for instance. 

Woooo :)

Day 4: Mysteries

There's nothing quite like the feeling of staying in when the day is lightly drizzling 

outside your desk-side window. 

It was such a cloudy grey weather today, as mysterious as the storyline of this book. 

Mysteries and the pursuit of solving them are my cup of tea. 

Just like what my cup says, "Oh boy!"

Day 3: Going Up

Spending more time with my sister lately and this is one of the things we 'almost' always do.

Challenges. Good for da soul!

Day 2: Fading Lights

It's been a while since I took a good look at the sunset instead of just rushing by at this golden hour. I realize that even the prettiest thing on earth will fade away eventually. Leaving behind the everlasting Creator of all things beautiful. 

Still their beauty reminds us of God's beauty everyday :) 

"As certain as the Sun appears, You'll come."

Day 1: Cup of Warmth

A week from now, I'll be off again. Back to the independent life of a university student. So I'm savoring every moment at home while I can ;)

Mum's homemade "tang shui" are always the best. Things like these may not be the first thing I think of to be grateful for. But there're really a portrayal of a mother's quiet love.

Thanks ma!

--

I'm currently doing a 30 day photo marathon with a very good friend of mine, Hui Ching :D It's just a simple project and effort of ours to each document our next 30 days in photo. And today is day one of my journey in finding beauty in the mundane everyday life. May there be many more to come!

Feel free to follow me on flickr to, well, basically view the same thing just on a different platform :p Click here to go.

Let the marathon begin!