先苦後甜

過去十來天的壓力指數創新高.

小玉正在放長假,卻有兩個demanding的trip不得不去,而兩trip之間只有一天去catch up工作.加上那catch up日只有我一個M在公司,要一個人兼顧四個人的事務.要兼顧的太多,而每樣工作的deadline都逼在眼前,唯有改變做法,事事速戰速決.不過天父十分恩待,在出差期間裡收到的master application很少,而且在這期間也沒有甚麼特別大的問題發生,能夠順利渡過只能感恩.

而最吃力的是這趟上海trip.一來是第一次出這種差,二來去的是不熟悉的[海工],從上一次的經驗知道他們並沒有太多耐性溝通商量,參與這RA也是半被逼的,唯有硬著頭皮去.在那兩天內,約一小時的presentation重複了12遍,聲帶累得說話會走音.而且,在這公司工作了十年,去過那麼多集團內,集團外的公司,從未試過接口的人會忘記預備午餐,一日講足九個鐘只有一小杯茶,那buyer還可以為了準時下班,在會議沒有結束前吩咐那供應商(沒有生意來往的)送我回酒店後自己背著包包就回家去了.(在日本公司文化中,這些對待是十分不可思議的...)
然而,這兩天卻深感天父的保守和同在.那內心的平安和處理問題的急才絕對不是出於自己的.

而且天父早就預備了一份大禮,讓我在這"苦差"期間有一點盼望 -- 那就是哥哥會回家幾天!
更奇妙的是我們在同一天回港,而且飛機到達的時間也差不多呢!結果爸媽到機場接哥哥,順道也接我,一家四口開開心心地回家 :)

我們很久沒有這樣一家團聚了!上一次哥哥回來是在爸爸做手術的時候.一家人能這樣健健康康齊齊整整地一起吃飯一起聊天真的是一份無比的福氣.特別是在四川震災裡看到許許多多生離死別家破人亡的報導,只覺得要更加珍惜和家人在一起的一分一秒 -- 這些都不是必然的...

行李

哥哥這次回家拖著一個大旅行箱, 裡面放的就是這些夾公仔遊戲機的戰利品...

這隻除外... :)

sweeties..

From Japan to Hong Kong, then from Hong Kong to Shanghai...
These sweeties have travelled a long way with me. Just looking at them has sweetened up my day.
Their buddies have fueled me through this hectic week. Every bite tastes friendship and support.

Thank you, Rie!!

日光之旅

這天雖然很冷,而且一直下著雨,不過卻因此遊人較少,可以享受在寧靜中與天父對話的甘甜...
甚至有某些時候,覺得眼前那遼闊的湖光山色通通屬於自己的...^^

豆腐皮是當地的"名物".這個有腐皮的肉包子賣350日圓..好貴啊(>_<)... 不過味道不錯呢..^^
"霧降高原"...多美的名字..!

盛開的杜鵑花,絕不比櫻花遜色呢!

坐升降機到100m下的位置觀賞日本三大名瀑之一的"華厳ノ滝".
這樣一來一回承惠530日圓,日本人的生意頭腦無得頂.

在寒冷的天氣中待久了,這杯熱的高原牧場牛奶特別滋味^^

"中禪寺湖"位於海拔1269m的山上,是日本第一高的天然山上湖泊.雖然今天欣賞不到環繞的山景和清澈的湖水,卻另有一番景緻和寧靜.

Wonderful weekend…

Hummmm… How should I describe the past weekend? Relaxing, refreshing, fulfilling, energizing... it was just great!

The day trip to Nikko was a much wanted retreat – to be away from the crowd, work and the city, and to marvel at God’s creation. The misty air, the mixed smell of the trees, flowers and damp earth, the sounds of the waterfalls, birds, rain dropping on the tree leaves, the cold breeze -- it was the gentle whisper from our awesome Creator.

It was an unusually cold day, only 12 degrees in the morning and dropped to 9 in the afternoon. To me, it was an added bonus. I like the contrast of feeling the cold wind blowing on my face and the growing warmth from the inside when walking in cold weather. It may sound strange, but it is the moment I’m most aware of my own existence. I’m so glad that God has given me lots of chance to enjoy the colder-and-longer-than-usual winter in the past few months – the Holyland trip, then Japan, Korea, Korea, Japan. Wow…

On the first day of this trip, God challenged me with a message. And on this day, He made Himself clearer on the same message during our silent conversation. The peace left in my heart after the day lingered on and on.

I was glad to have found a church close to the hotel so that I can attend Sunday service. It locates in a small building and is a congregation of about 90 people. As I’m only a visitor, I didn’t stay for their lunch gathering. If I’ll have the chance to revisit again, I wish to know more about them.

The afternoon spent with Rie was delighting. She has always been a great friend to share every thought and feeling freely. Time spent with her is always too short. We visited the Tokyo National Museum but only had time to see 1 of the 4 buildings. I didn’t know there are so many museums in the Ueno Park. Got to spare more time for Ueno next time...

The 2 days was as good as a 5-day trip. Wish to have a lovely short trip like this soon.. :)

混亂的一天

出差去日本的第一天通常都挺輕鬆的,因為大多數情況都是一個人去,到步後可以到處逛逛,到便利店買水買早餐,在酒店休息休息準備第二天的工作.誰知今次卻老貓燒鬚...

因為預先做了online check-in,所以在起飛前1小時到達機場.在counter的地勤姐姐查不到我的紀錄,才發現原來我看錯了起飛時間,那時候離起飛時間只有25分鐘.理所當然地要改乘一小時後的航班......

平時的話最多只是晚一點到酒店而已,這天卻約了R,H,AK和A太&小天使一起吃飯,因為這延誤,時間和其他安排都亂成一團...還好大家都享受這個gathering,AK,H和A太&小天使還定了6月時一起去東京塔呢!!

拖著疲累的身軀從吉祥寺回到酒店.疏洗過後用僅餘的一點點精神工作了一會...咦...?怎麼腳好像站不穏的?心想應該還沒有累到這種地步吧?
慢慢才意識到原來是地震...!
不過心裡十分平安,或許因為我有得救的確據吧? :)

Torch Relay @ Hong Kong

The 1st day off taken for the Olympic events was for helping in the community celebration activities on the torch relay day. Although helpers might not be able to see the torch at all, but it is as good just being able to participate and help making the celebration successful :)

It was a bit discouraging to see the rain and I worried that the public will loss the passion to support the event. But this worry was soon proven unnecessary when the groups flied in with great excitment, wearing the "中國加油" stickers under their raincoats, and filled over 10,000 seats at the Shatin Racecourse. We reluctantly turned away quite a few comers. I was really sorry for a few who had flags in their hands and stickers on them.

Later when I found out from the news that over 100,000 people were on the street in the rain from early morning to show support, wearing red tops, waving China or HKSAR flags, and even directly confronted several protest groups, HK people's patriotic spirit has never been felt so strong.