40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 1

I've accepted Tessa's (http://amileinherheels.blogspot.com/) challenge:
*Tessa Tham Hey BHLC Bloggers!! Let's do this challenge as suggested by CP. Blog about 10 things you're thankful for, daily for the next 40 days :) We should give thanks everyday. Not only on Thanksgiving! Danielle Mah Shauna Lim Paul Chong Aaron S.H. Lo Kevin K Chong Elena Tsang*

Hopefully there never comes in time in my life when I'm no longer thankful.  Praise the Lord for this challenge.

1. Mom: 
   Cooking dinner for us every night despite the long, tough work hours.  Preparing my lunch for me so I can just grab it out of the fridge (good job, food teachers), and doing household chores on her day off.  My schedule would be way more packed without her, and I know I don't deserve it.
2. Dad:
   Working from 5am-8pm everyday to be our provider of many of the luxuries in life while he skimps on himself.  Please Lord, don't let me forget to pray that he will eventually open his heart up to You.
3. Theo:
   Kindhearted and inspires me to be a person I used to be.  He's still often more patient than most of us in the family and reminds me of my popo.  His negative traits are a reminder of what we've taught him.  How shameful I am to not have been a better example. 
4. Ursula:
   For sharing her love of fashion and her life issues with me, despite the constant backlash she gets from a tough-love type of sister (yes, both for shopping and for other life problems).
5. Brenda:
   For continuing to keep in touch with the family even after having married and moved out.  For her understanding in many situations and rarely ever making me feel guilty.
6. Jason:
   For dropping by after school to surprise me with a screamer and helping me supervise my kids while I make my grocery runs, for being patient even when I'm not reasonable, and for showing me how to have healthy relationships.
7. Catering Club
   During my practicum, I wished for students who were like my sponsors'.  They hung out in the classroom, shared their life with them, and jumped to help out whenever possible.  During that time, I was inspired seeing that they have such a connection and I wondered if I would ever have that.  For the past 3 years of teaching, I have almost immediately gained my own lovely group of kids, known as the Catering Club who are willing to do just that.  They make my job worthwhile.
8. My teaching job
   After receiving the lay-off notice at the end of the last school year, I'm thankful to once again be teaching full-time without financial worry.
9. My make-up job
   The consistent flow of clients, even when unexpected.  Thank you friends for your referrals, for believing in my work, and for allowing me to do what I enjoy.
10. God
    For without Him, none of the above would be possible.  Just as I was listening to a sermon on Praise 106.5 last night, often we take too much credit for what He has blessed us with.  He's reminded me to be humble and loving, a challenge I constantly need to battle with.

I tried to be specific because if I'm any more general, I'm sure I'll be repeating myself day in and day out.  I guess last thing I'm going to say is that I'm thankful I'm at home typing this today rather than still being at work =)

A pair of shoes I'm currently craving but know that it'll be a bad idea to buy them because they're too high and I'll be limping within 5 minutes of wearing them on concrete.  Why do my feet not have any cushion?!

EDIT

I changed my mind after going in and trying it.  It doesn't look as good on the feet as it does by itself, though it is quite a work of art.  I ended up trying on and loving these peach shoes that reminds me of my mom's back when we were kids.  Very retro but I love it!

Just passing by

We are a moment, You are forever
Lord of the Ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting, reigning on high

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name, be unto Your name

We are the broken, You are the healer
Jesus, Redeemer, mighty to save
You are the love song we'll sing forever
Bowing before You, blessing Your name

I hear music from afar!

Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you?  

If there's a God who loves you, where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see.

And all those things are happening to bring a better ending.

Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see.

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
that you still have a reason to sing?

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling,
it can't compare to the joy that's coming.

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light. 
Press on and just fight the good fight.

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning.

My friend, you know how it all ends and you know where you're going.

You just don't know how you'll get there, so say a prayer!

And hold on, 'cause there's a God who loves you. 
But life is not a snapshot.
It might take a little time, but you'll see the bigger picture.

Once you feel the weight of glory, all your pain will fade to memory.

Come on, you gotta wait for the light. 
Press on and just fight the good fight.
'Cause the joy that you've been feeling,
it's just the hurt before the healing.
Oh the pain that you've feel feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning.

-Josh Wilson-

I adore this song.  I don't think I've changed my radio from Praise 106.5 for the last two years, because the songs are so uplifting and constantly surrounds me with God's love.  Josh Wilson's song "Before the Morning" really helps remind me that the pain we experience is always there for a reason, and it paves a path for a better ending.  Just have faith in God with whatever happens in life.  Without suffering, we will not understand compassion.  Without the poor, we will not appreciate our riches.  When we focus on the negative, things only seem to get worse and often times we make crazy decisions during our depressed times which just leads to more pain.  But it's undeniable that worst of times brings out the best in some people and God's grace is manifested.  That Light is what makes life worth living.

P.S.  Happy 17th Birthday bro!

Life

It's been awhile since the last update.  A lot has happened since then with the building up of Envy Me being the biggest one.  I've decided to leave my beauty blogging on my new website (elenatsang.wordpress.com) which is also the website you can refer friends to if they want to see my make-up work =)

This blog is now dedicated to my encounters, musings, and walk with God - the basis of my life.  This Easter, I've felt less emotional than other years.  But in quiet realization, I've decided to revive my bible study life.  My faith is always and has always been there, and it does not sway (at least not dramatically).  However, I've always neglected picking up the bible and really getting to know God's word.  After watching the Discovery Channel show "Who Framed Jesus?"  I felt like there is a need to know the Scriptures well to be able to not be swayed by documentaries who use Scriptures to deduce their conclusions my faith.

God has really blessed me over the past year.  I have no complaints, other than my own behaviour being less than pleasing to God (forgive me please!).  Everything has been smooth sailing.  With the cutting back of teachers, I've yet to feel the sting of the axe (though I can't say for sure since 100 teachers are supposedly going to be laid off this year in Richmond).  Envy Me has been provided with multiple blessings in its growth - God sending the right people to help develop us and give us a brighter future. My career, despite the hard work I need to put into it, feels like it's riding on the will of God.  Even if this all changes tomorrow, I'm not worried because who's to say that God doesn't have a bigger and better plan for me?  Life is good.

Tessa's Contest

Above you see the "Thomas Paul Cotton Gauze Scarf in Swoop Aqua!  This scarf is 100% cotton, and has been beautifully hand-screened by the fabulous designer Thomas Paul."

How would I wear this scarf?  Since the scarf is light coloured and very intricate in design, I wouldn't want my outfit to take away from it at all.  And to be true to my own style, denim is a must.  So my outfit would compose of:

• A simple, black, v-neck cotton shirt or sweater
• A pair of plain gray or dark blue straight-leg jeans
• Black (or aqua since I love colourful shoes and it matches with the scarf!) pumps
• And perhaps a set of small silver dangly earrings

 This contest is open to Canada/U.S.  To visit Tessa's blog, click on this post title :)

A marvelous shopping trip!

For women, at least for me, finding a great bargain makes a shopping trip just so worth it!  Don't need to buy a lot.  Just a few lovely items will make my day.

Saturday, Jay and I drove down to the states just to chill, and since people were coming up for the Olympics rather than going down, there were no line-ups at the border (yay!) .  After watching the vlog of MissChievous (youtube her! She's fab!)  I went to the Cosmetic Company Store in Seattle Premium Outlets and picked up these:

The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Platinum Pink.  This is great to giving you that healthy glow, especially nice on people with fair skin.  Normally $40, I picked it up for $25.  I wanted the Shimmer Brick in Copper Diamond as well but it was $3 more so I cheaped out.  The colours are beautiful and can be worn over your favourite blush because it's so sheer.

 

 MAC pigments.  I was jumping-out-of-my-jacket excited when I saw this at the store!  I really wanted to get this set during the holidays (it's one of three of the holiday gift collections of 2009) but it was around $38, which was a bit pricey for me.  I wanted it so badly, particularly because of the glitter that I placed right in front.  It's so amazingly shimmery, it looks like the night sky.  My friend bought it at The Bay MAC counters because they were sold out in the MAC stores.  Unfortunately, make-up artist discounts don't work at The Bay locations, so I couldn't make myself pull out the bills.  I am on a budget after all.  I had to step back and have a wee bit of will power.  Well, that sure paid off!  I found this gem for $22.75!  It was such a great deal, I purchased the pink/purple set as well for Paula's birthday since they're her favourite colours.  So excited I practically skipped out of the store back to my car.

The Forever21 store in Metro is great but they should have a For Love 21 here as well.  It's a great accessory store, branched from Forever 21.  It's way cheaper and the stuff is much nicer than Claire's/Icing/Ardene.  I bought these lace stockings for $5.80 each.  Love them!  I actually love stockings or leggings in general because I don't like showing bare legs unless I'm dying of heat, and they really dress up a mundane outfit.  I already have multi-coloured ones and polka-dots!

On top of these, I purchased a couple of shirts, but not really worth showing.

Dinner was at Outback Steakhouse.  I gotta say this is my favourite place for steak - EVER!  I'm definitely a steak person.  The sheer pleasure of eating a perfectly cooked filet tenderloin is indescribable.  It's probably the second time in my life that I've ever had steak that melts in your mouth (first time was in Las Vegas - Paris Hotel - Le Cafe).  It's so delicious!  And they sure know how to cook their steaks.  Usually when I order medium-rare, it comes out as medium.  Never as juicy as I'd like it to be.  We ordered a 20 oz Porterhouse steak with two sides (garlic mashed potatoes and sweet potato), which was plenty for the both of us to share.  Here's the kicker - $26.95!  You can probably get a 6oz steak at Milestones for that price.  We ordered the same steak at Shore Club for $50 and I think this one tastes even better.  Not to mention the service is great, and I don't have to dress up and yet still feel inferior while I make a mess cutting and eating my free loaf of bread =D  Ah, my tongue is still dancing.

All in all, a marvelous trip!