Christmas Morning Hail

The Christmas morning was broken with heavy rain and hail after days of warm weather bringing snow to the high ranges. This cold change have help to put out the wild bush fires. The next few days will be wet. Plants in my garden breathe with relief.

Snow up in Mount Buller

Hail in my backyard

Hail in the front yard

Hail in the driveway

Hail hail hail

Baby Jesus - A Savior?

Hello and Good morning. This is DUN (Down Under News) bringing you the news from the little town of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem today is packed and congested. Traffic came to a halt. There were some angry scenes and temper affray. It was a sight never witness before in this little town. Carts, donkeys, horses, cattle with mass of people converge into this town. The traffic congestion will worsened as more and more people poured in from neighbouring towns after the census. They are flocking into this town to see a baby boy born early this morning.

Early this morning the town was wakened to the sound of bleating sheep and singing shepherds. Some woke up to witness this strange sight of shepherds marching into the town with their sheep. Others were swearing at the shepherds to keep the noise down while trying to get some sleep. Curious ones shouted out to enquire what it was all about since shepherds were known to stay up in the hills looking after the sheep and seldom come into the town.

Words have got around the shepherds saw a strange sight this morning. While they were out in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night, an angel appeared before them. They were scared shit out of their pants. Some were terrified and thought this is it, they are going to die. While others could only stared in amazement. But the angel told them not to be afraid.

The angel told them he is here to bring them good news.

“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Here is the sign to you. You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in the manger” the angel declared.

Suddenly a great host of angels appeared with the angel praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests”. As suddenly as the angels came, they disappeared.

Fearing for their safety and to satisfy their curiosity, they rushed into the town to see if there was any truth what the angel had said. True enough, they found the baby in the manger as the angel said. Now the parents of this baby, too, were taken aback when the shepherds and their sheep suddenly arrived at the manger to see the baby. After the initial confusion and things settled down, the parents were amazed at what the shepherds told them. Words quickly got spread around and this was the cause of the traffic built up in Bethlehem as everyone wanted to see this little baby boy.

DUN managed to speak to Mary, the little boy’s mother. She was not the least surprised. Nine to 10 months ago the Angel appeared and told she will be expecting this little boy. The Angel said to her “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you will give him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, his kingdom will never end”. Mary told us she was troubled. “How could it be since I am a virgin” Mary asked. The angel answered “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the one to be born will be called the son of God. Nothing is impossible with God”.

When Joseph, my husband to be found out I was with a child, he was troubled. Being a righteous man, he did not want to expose me to public disgrace. He intended to divorce me quietly. But one night an Angel appeared to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take me as his wife because what conceived in me is from Holy Spirit. Joseph being a God fearing man did what the Lord as commanded him. What happen tonight fulfill the prophecy predicted long ago.

We are thankful to the Inn Keeper for his generosity. We have to travel back to register ourselves for the census as decree by Caesar Augustus. It was not an easy trip especially me being pregnant. Joseph was so patience and understanding. After a long journey, tired and hungry we tried looking for an inn but all the inns were full. Everyone came back to their hometown for the census. We were turned away but this Inn Keeper took us in even there were no room in the inn and gave us the manger to spend a night. He made sure we were comfortable. If not for him we will be out in the cold. I just dread what would happen to us.

DUN spoke to the religious scholars about this miraculous birth. Some scholars claimed today happening fulfilled the prophecy revealed my hundred years ago. The Pharisee and the Sadducees disagreed.

As we were speaking DUN understands 3 wisemen are traveling from the East heading this way looking for this boy Jesus. They have been following the star that was guiding them. They too have read the prophecy and today believe the prophecy has been fulfilled. They are here to worship this baby who has born king of the Jews.

Dun understand The Holy Book also prophecied this baby will save the people from sins.

Will this baby save the people from sins? Is he the savior that was prophecied many hundred years ago?

Stay tune for more as DUN continues to investigate and follow this amazing story

No Fuss Christmas Breakup Party

We had a Christmas breakup party on Thursday Afternoon. The Aussies are good for their no fuss parties. It is either a BBQ or a catered party.


Our was a catered party with roast beef, roast pork, roast chicken, potatoes, coleslaw, fried rice and pasta.


This was followed with desert - chocolate cake, carrot cake and cheese cake. Ang Moh are easily pleased, they do not eat much and if you serve them with plenty of liquors especially beer, they are one happy lot.

Bush Fire

Anyone fancy BBQ steak? The pictures was sent to my boss a minute ago from Police Control. Time: 3.45pm down under time. That give you an idea why we cancelled our trip up to the Alpine country. It is so dry up there and anytime a bush fire may start. The animals look so calm. We would have fled already.

Christmas Tree Decorations

Scars in Our Hearts

As I was writing my previous post, this came through the mail. A message for me?

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together.

In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.

That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past! Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.

But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack.

That's when the tug-of-war begins and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful He did not, and will not, ever let you go.

God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them.

"Don't let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you will become."

Brownie’s Points?

I am sure sometime we like to get brownie’s point for our effort, good work.. ok … good look included but would you stab your workmates in the back to score brownie’s points?

Why do people do that? Do they take delight to see their mates getting into trouble when the problems could be solved between them? I would like to think these people are insecure, nasty, whingers, brutal, like to get attention to themselves, like to make them feel important and seems to be doing their work.

Honestly, I dislike these pretentious people. They are so niiiiiice to you when in front of you but as soon as you turn around they will stab you in the back.. Yes, they will stab you with anything they can get their hands on – knives, spoons, forks, pencils, pens and even paper clips. That how pathetic they are. I have no respect for them and avoid them like a plaque as much as possible. Every word they uttered I take with a pinch of salt. Every word that comes out of my mouth is thought and measured. You will never know one day they will be used against you.

Do I socialized with them? Yes, only when needed to get my work done but after work hours it is goodbye.

I dread to shake their hands when they wish me “Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year”. Ohhhh, they must be so blind. Can’t they see the wounds and scars on my back. Ouch, Ouch, I do not know which hurt more – the wounds and scars on my back or the hypocritical greetings?

Christmas Look and See in the City

Oops, Sorry I did not see you

Shhh and not so close!

Last Sunday after church, we decided to go down into the city to “kay poh” a bit. At this time of the year, the city is always crowded with locals and tourists. Buskers were also out to make a killing.

Oh Dear, Where am I?

Come and get it.

What we really wanted to see was to Myer’s Christmas Display. Myer, every year put up a Christmas display in their windows. I remembered when we first came to Melbourne, we went to see the display but it was so crowded and the queue was so long, we went home. Later, late in the night we drove up to see the display. This year it was no difference, it was crowded and the queue was long. We had a quick glance and off we went.

Long Queue at Myer's window display.

Trying to get glimpse of the display

One disappointing thing I noticed the city was not as decorative as the Asian cities. It was so basic. Nothing to shout about and I would be ashamed to show you the city decorations.

Carol singing on a nice day

The other thing I noticed at this season is the “lack of Christ”. Everything is such a frenzy with shopping and Santa Claus. Very little is mentioned of the true reason for Christmas – nativity scenes were amiss but Santa Claus abounds. Sadly this seems to be the norm in Australia. Commercialism has taken over, God is missing and political correctness has gone mad.

As we walked back to the station, we passed St. Paul Cathedral. It was opened and we went in to see this magnificent church. Inside, the Sunday school was on with tourists mingling and admiring the church.

Inside the church

Air Organ

Sunday School in progress

Nativity Scene but no baby Jesus

The Three Wise Men

Visit here http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/history.html to read about the history of this church.

Looking out from the Church at Flinder's Street Station

We dropped in to the Art Centre to look at arts display. There were paintings, sculptors, artefact collections from Iraq, Iran, and South Americas. No cameras were allowed in. After the display we stopped for a cuppa of coffee before we went home.

Coffee outside the Art Centre

Hello, Goodbye

A year plus ago, our pastor, Jim, left us. It was due to some unfortunate circumstances. I will not elaborate on his leaving except it left many hearts broken, angry, disappointed, confused and sad. This divided the church and some left for personal reasons.

The church was left without a pastor to shepherd the flocks. The board approach Graham, a retired pastor, out of retirement, to lead the church for a short spell till they can find a suitable replacement. Also helping out was another retired pastor, Brian. I have high praises for these 2 men. Both men have shown integrity in their faith. Personally I would love to have these 2 men to shepherd us.

After a year over of searching, a suitable replacement was found. Yesterday we welcomed our new pastor, Tony. He is married with 3 teenage children. The elders of the church welcomed him and prayed for him. Tony will begin his ministry early next year.

Welcoming Tony (in suit)

Graham was also thanked for his help during the “wilderness” period. He finished off end of this year. The church prayed for him too. Graham told the church members to put aside their differences, forget the past, forgive and move forward. It is time for healing.

Graham(front in jacket) telling the church members to move forward.

Lunch was served after the service for the church members to get to know Tony and to say goodbye to Graham. We did not stay; we took the choo choo train into the city to catch the Christmas festive mood.

That, my friend will be another story to be told.

Strange Hazy Day and Neighbour Joe

Yesterday I woke up to another hazy day. It is worst than before. The sun was trying it best to shine through the haze. The haze filtered the sun ray and radiated a yellowish light and as I drive to work, I see everything in tinted yellow. It is just like driving with a yellow tinted sunglass on a normal day. Everything looks so strange. The whole day was choked with smoky fume and it was yucky.

After a long slow day, this is what I saw on the lawn opposite my home as I reach home.

Joe is my opposite neighbour. He is a good catholic. As a good catholic, he has sired many children that we lost track of them. It is during the last 2 years, the kids grew up, got married, left home that we now know there are only 2 kids living with him. Last year, he retired and with most of his children no longer living with him, he had plenty of time in his hand. This year he must be in a very Chrissy mood and decide to decorate his home to celebrate the dry Christmas festive season. I am sure there will be more decorations to come as he got bored. The night came and he lighted up his lawn and his play toy.

This morning as I was about to leave for work, I saw this.

Going Naked To Make a Point

2 women went naked to protest against clothing chain Burberry's use of fur in their clothing. Of all the days they chose to protest, they chose the coldest day (15 degree) Sydney has seen in weeks. Guess, you have to give them credit for their dedication and passion.

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