孩子們的小禮物

上星期P2SS時,家禮從書包裡拿出一個小小的心形海綿貼紙,寫上"天父愛BB譚家禮"後要送給我.那時有點受寵若驚,想了想,請他把心心貼在我的八達通套上.每次看到心裡都會冒起點點欣喜.

昨天,小N趁其他女孩子都走開了時送了一個小包給我,原來是她自己做的曲奇餅!感動了整天,捨不得吃.

小孩子很真很簡單,他們愛惡分明,除非特別乖巧,通常小孩只會對喜歡的人好.他們沒機心,被他們喜歡的感覺真的很棒!

每次收到小朋友的禮物心裡都會很感動,雖然通常是一些手功摺紙圖畫之類的東西,總是捨不得丟棄. 這一張是我的珍藏...^^

Life in the City... by Gordon Smith

In this series of seminar, Rev. Smith pointed out 7 characteristics of the city and suggested 5 spiritual practices that a Christian can exercise to live IN the world but NOT OF the world -- to live as salt and light in this world.

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Characteristics of the city:

1. People are busy and always in hurry:
   Many demands & expectations from work, family, church... People try to pace up to accomplish more
   ** Challenge for Christians: How to slow down?
   
2. With lots of noise & interruption:
   Difficult to find a quiet place.
   ** Challenge for Christians: God speak to us in silence.
   
3. Huge contrast and inadequecy:
   Wealth v. poverty; the powerful v. powerless... people are often perceived as winner or loser, full of competition.
   ** Challenge for Christians: How to practice thanksgiving and learn to share one's possession with others?
   
4. Impersonal:
   City dweller are surrounded by strangers. People are treated as things and depersonalised. Career > relationship.
   ** Challenge for Christians: Love your neighbour.
   
5. Artificiality:
   Advertising and other media shapes our values. People are convinced that one's persona can be created on our own. People are not living out their authentic self.
   ** Challenge for Christians: Our values shall based on the Bible.
   
6. World of consumption:
   We are urged to buy more, more than we need. Buying becomes a kind of entertainment or therapy.
   ** Challenge for Christians: What do we need?
   
7. Human accomplishment:
   Difficult to see the world as built by God. More easy to see it as human construction. Overemphasis of entitlement. People believe what they have is what they earned and deserve for it.
   ** Challenge for Chrisians: Jesus does not take this kind of power. What we have are all gifts from God.

On the other hand, the city attracts resources and hence it's influence is big. Christians need to live in the city in order to make some difference. Christians ought to reject the God of the city by living out the Christian values, and our relationship with Christ is the key.

5 Spiritual practices (daily practice for the lifetime):

1. Thanksgiving (Col 3:15-17; Ps 100; Rom 5:8):
   Whatever we do, do with thanksgiving, for the Lord is good and His love endures forever. We sin because we doubt the good of God. Even in the darkest day, God is good and His love's still with us.
   Be a thankful receipient but not a demander.
   Everything we have is a gift from God, not earned nor we're not entitled to it.
   Be content in what God has given us.
   ** Exercise: (1) Write down 10 grateful things, take a break, write 10 more, then break again, come back and write 10 more. (2) Take a little walk as a spritual journey with a heart of a pilgrim.
   
2. Confession (Jn 16; Ps 139; 1 Jn 1):
   Confession is the intentional response to the Holy Spirit's convicting ministry.
   God is merciful.
   5 elements in confession...
   (1) acknowledge our wrong
   (2) accept the responsibility of what we've done (stop blaming)
   (3) plea for mercy
   (4) live as a forgiven one
   (5) turn away from sin
   Confession is an act of alignment -- to put our life right again.
   
3. Meditation (Jn 16; Rm 12:2; Col 3)
   The intentional response to the Holy Spirit's teaching ministry.
   The focus of meditation is not on the scripture but on Jesus. The Scripture helps us to love Jesus more.
   The truth (i.e. the Scripture) has the power to set us free and transform us. Meditation shall lead to action.
   Rediscover the joy of Bible reading and meditating. The Words can meet the deep need n our soul. Read the Bible with heart & mind.
   The Bible will transform our lives if we receive God's Word with joy and meekness.
   Slow down, in quietness and stillness we'll see God.
   ** Exercise: In the morning, (1) give thanks for the gifts we have received; (2) convict our sins; (3) read the Bible; (4) ask for wisdom & direction for the day, strength & patience to face difficulties.
   
4. Care casting (Lk 12:22-31; 1 Peter 5):
   Worrying is functionally useless, it has no value -- nothing to be gained.
   Rest in the fact that our heavenly Father, the creator of all thing, knows what we need and our lives, He cares for us.
   "Culture of anxiety" in the City. Allow joy to dominate our heart.
   ** Exercise: (1) List out the worries that trouble us. Take each care and cast to God -- "Father, would you take this one from me?" (2) Spend some time in gardening and bird-watching.
   
5. Sabbath rest
   Sabbath was the mark for the Jews to be identified with their believe in the true God. We tend to take this commandment lightly.
   Respect God as our provider that the other 6 days are God's work -- not self accomplishment.
   Live on the Sabbath as the Kingdom has come, the Messiah has come.
   Sabbath is a day for intentional living -- to obey God, stop worrying, stop hurrying accumulating things, enjoy God's creation and His gifts for us, it is not a burden but a gift from God.
   Do whatever thing that will draw us into the company of God.
   Observing sabbath will empower us to work better in the other 6 days.
   ** Exercise: Spare a "sabbath moment" everyday -- to focus on God, trusting Him with our life and work.

歧視

歧視一般被了解為負面的差別行為,最受關注的大概是人種,性別,年齡吧.歧視被視為一個問題是因為它引發的不公平待遇.然而,其實歧視只是許多種不公平待遇的其中一種罷了.

如果被不公平對待的一方所持的自我價值老靠外間去肯定的話會很容易感到受傷害. 有時候甚至對號入座,受到不公平對待時,馬上就認定是因為對方看不起自己某些地方而感到受傷難過.但這些卻不一定看到真實情況.而且,倘若對方真的以貌取人,值得為這麼沒水準的人的話感到傷害麼?

其實自己在不同階段也受過不同的不公平對待,小時侯因為胖(真的很胖...),唸書時因為膚色,工作時因為自己是女的.當刻的感受當然不好,不過是因為覺得被侮辱多於那種被動的受傷感覺.

我的價值是由神定的,神創造我,「看著是好的」.

Current Lesson...

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Cooperating with a Smile by Jon Walker

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had – though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave …." (Philippians 2:5-7 NLT)

Discipleship — Cooperation is doing with a smile what you have to do anyway. You'll never find that sentence in the Bible, but I think its spirit is implied throughout God's Word. We are called to be obedient to God's commands, and part of that obedience is having a sensitive servant's attitude.

(snip)

• Live the Gospel – How you conduct yourself at work is part of your Christian witness. Today, go beyond the minimum requirements and see how those around you respond. To quote Francis of Assisi: "Share the gospel; if necessary, use words."
  
• Change your attitude – Be respectful, helpful, and gracious to those in authority over you – no matter how difficult it may be.
  
• Go the extra mile with a smile – Christ said, "If someone compels you to carry his pack one mile, carry it two." People are more likely to listen to what you say when your actions show respect and concern for them, when you do more than the minimum required.
  
• Hey God, a little help! – Ask God to turn those tough situations at work into opportunities to share the Gospel, but check your own attitude first.

(Source: http://www.purposedrivenlife.com)
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God is amazing... Whenever He has a lesson for me, He uses different ways, different people or incidents to teach me. He is wise and patient, never pushy and always knows what is the best for me.

Some of my current duties are quite boring. I will lose concentration very soon and start playing some stupid computer games. Sometimes, I will toss back the ball by asking all sorts of questions so that I can deal with the problem later. And it seems I have become less helpful than I used to be...

But then every time I do this, God will mind me to stop. It is not easy to stay disciplined and loyal when one's not interested in the work at all. However, if I truely believe it is God who has put me in this environment and that God is the ultimate Boss for whatever I do, I should be able to accept whatever tasks assigned to me more easily. If I truely regard God as my Lord, I would be more submissive and obedient to His guidance. If I truely believe He plans all these for my own good, I would face adversities more willingly. Only if I do have the faith and right relationship with God.

If adversities, hardship and troubles are means to draw one closer to God by surfacing the problems that stand in the way of pursuit for a deeper relationship with God, then all these can be turned into a blessing.

A faithful and obedient heart. This is what I long for to live out a Christ-like life in whatever situation.

心煩

曾憲梓在回應有關普選的提問時，他的回答一針見血 -- 争拗太多，共識太少．

今天開會，雖沒甚麼爭拗，但共識太少，結果還是一樣．雙方都覺得自己有理，不願意讓步，怎會合作得好？

受不了那種詘詘逼人、自催自擂的態度．只因正在學在工作上謙卑盡忠的功課，刻意收斂，圓滑一點．儘管儘量溫和，寫在臉上的「很不爽」三個字還是藏不起來．畢竟氣質、性情與品格只能自然流露，是裝不出的．

有時候，討厭某種性格是一種反射，其實討厭的是擁有這種性格的自己．也許，我跟他是一樣的．

耶穌基督的溫柔謙卑多麼令人羨慕．．．

Passed!

Although this is only a little accomplishment,

this small badge means a lot to me,

especially after failing the driving test!!

\(^o^)/

「流れのままに一生懸命」

今日、テンプスタッフの広州連絡事務所現地法人化記念パーティに参加した。
お食事付だけど（会場は日本人倶楽部で食べ物がおいしいと聞いてる）、目当てはただ一つ ―― テンプスタッフの代表取締役社長 篠原欣子女史による講演会だ。

2004年にBusiness Weekに“Stars of Asia Enterprise”に選ばれたテンプスタッフの創立者であり、
2000年から7年連続CNN/Fortuneに“The Most Powerful Women in Business”を受賞した方だ。
この様な成功した女性経営者は滅多にお目にかかれないから、とても楽しみにしていた。

講演会のテーマは「流れのままに一生懸命　～仕事を通して社会に貢献～」。
小柄でずっとニコニコしていた篠原女史。
テンプスタッフの創立や彼女自身の経営理念について述べて
創業期に学んだことや会社成長のマイルストーンについてお話した。

実に人生とキャリアの経験や知恵で満ちた演説だった。

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1. 置かれた環境で一所懸命やれば、必ず明日が見えてくる
2. 壁は必ず乗り越えられる。逃げないで立ち向かうこと
3. 死んだつもりでやれば何でも出来る
4. サンドイッチの法則（i.e. アメ→ムチ→アメ、でスタッフ管理ということ）
5. 成功をあせらず一歩一歩前進すること
6. 時代の変化・組織の変化を敏感に感じ取り、柔軟に対応すること
7. 「信頼に勝る商法なし」
8. ピンチこそチャンス
9. 部下に活躍のチャンスを

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自分で会社を興す事は、多分、ないだろうけど、こんな前向きで自由な姿勢で人生を歩んで行きたい。

Gourmet Week

Although it is still half way to weekend, this week is marked with all sorts of gourmet experience...

Sunday:

UNI's last day. We bought some favorite food with BIG BIG discount!

The Korean strawberries was gorgeous -- it was as nice as the Japanese Amaou but at half its price. Who can resist this heavenly delicous strawberries -- soft, juicy, intensely sweet & aromatic with a hint of sourness... (~.~)

Monday:

Friendship is a super spice -- it enhances the flavor of absolutely anything that goes in your mouth.

It was the first time to have lunch with PP1 on a working day. Everything tasted 3 times better than usual! She is such a dear friend. Just wish the lunch time have been longer.

Tuesday:

Awesome Peninsula night!

The nostalgic interior in Spring Moon (and the prices on the menu) has created a special mood for our gathering. We enjoyed the food with only a few bottles of red wine and champagne instead of the Chinese white wine storm as usual. Food is fine but delivered no surprise. Still, it is a delighting experience when someone else's paying the bill.

The drink in Felix was even better. Glad that they have a list of nice non-alcoholic drinks since my face was getting so hot from the champagne and wine already. Lemon Sensation was palate-teasing and refreshing; the sweet Caribbean Ocean drew a perfect coda to the night.

Wednesday:

Had lunch with G. Never imagined I could have lunch with friends on working day twice in the same week! Our lunch time starts early and it is difficult to meet up with friends for lunch even if we work in the same district.

What a nice gift from our Lord!!

Attended a speech held in the Japanese Club after work. Although the buffet dinner was really mouth-watering, I decided to go home for dinner.

Family, another super seasoning ... ^^

藍罐曲奇

每年新年的時候都會看到藍罐曲奇的廣告．而好像除了新年前後的兩三個星期外，整年都不會再看到它的廣告．

現在零食市場競爭越來越激烈，香港人又喜歡嘗新，藍罐的包裝和味道十年如一日，心裡總會為它能否繼續在香港生存而擔心．不過它的牛油香味的確十分突出，喜歡的人很難在超市裡找到代替品．而且在火車、飛機上的小吃經常都會見到它的蹤影，就算不賣廣告大家都會認得它．

究竟它的勢力有多強呢？

看了它公司的網頁，知道原來它的歷史可以追溯到1890年！公司一年可生產10萬噸曲奇，４成內銷６成出口；而香港人熟悉的藍罐曲奇是它旗下質量最好的品牌，用上等材料和真正的牛油製成，配方從1933年源用至今；而９成以上的香港人認識藍罐曲奇云云．

前幾天叔叔到丹麥公幹，當他在機場的店裡買手信的時候，看到絕大部分的東西都不是丹麥製的，就請店員介紹一些Made in Denmark的souvenir，那店員興奮地給他端來一盒藍罐曲奇...

藍罐曲奇的地位果真非同凡響啊!

而原來爸爸媽媽在拍拖的時候爸爸也曾送過藍罐曲奇給媽媽，還摸著當時很瘦的媽媽的臉說：「吃了會胖一點啊！」（噢！）

今年新年也收到一盒藍罐曲奇，媽媽對有黑加倫子的情有獨鍾，爸爸最愛圓圓的那款，我喜歡有糖粒的，而白大爺則不屑一顧．．．哈哈

假錶事件

最近假錶、假珠寶手飾事件成為城中（也許是全國）熱門話題．
香港購物天堂的美譽無疑受到傷害，作為香港人為事件感到憤怒．
可是，欺騙遊客的黑店可是一直存在，以前在尖沙嘴到旺角一帶就有許多影音產品的黑店；在遊客多的地方，也有一些專賣冒牌名錶、手袋的拿著catalogue在街上兜客．
與黃賭毒一樣，奸商總是春風吹又生，永遠杜絕不了．

表姐在專做遊客生意的錶店當售貨員，而這店正是這次的問題錶店．
表姐在這店工作３年，店已４次改名．有見過百年老店無故改名嗎？商譽往往是建立在一家店的商號上，有信譽、實力的店不會輕易改名．３年內改了４次名，大概是為了能夠在一些重遊香港的遊客身上再撈一筆而有必要頻頻改頭換面吧．老闆看著一團又一團的遊客眼裡只有Ｓ加兩棟．這種人又怎會考慮甚麼香港購物天堂的聲譽或讓遊客享受香港之旅呢？

這種奸商欺壓的對象當然不只一眾水魚、魚腩．店裡售貨員的待遇非常刻薄，工資都是以時薪計算，底薪十分低，commission的算法一改再改，成績好的售貨員也不會多得．一星期休一天，但如果是旺季必須加班，一天只加$100，沒補假更沒有勞工假期．很明顯這違反勞工條例，然而很多售貨員都是新移民，不知道自己的權益；就算知道也為保飯碗而不敢坑聲．

他們賣的錶有一兩百塊的低價錶，三到七八百塊的，幾千塊的，和這次出事的貴價錶．幾百幾千的都是雜o麥，可能較易壞或其實比外頭賣得貴，並不存在真假問題．而貴價名牌錶則有許多是加工翻新的二手貨，不是假，不過是冒充新貨吧了．而是否有魚目混珠就不敢說了．

對老黑的見解基本上是同意的，便宜莫貪是保護自己的黃金道理．只是總覺得奸商實在太可恥了．對名牌奢侈品香港人知其身價也懂得避免被騙（這是各名牌廣告的教育成果），可是在經濟封鎖的日子裡長大的人沒有在自由經濟裡生活的智慧和common sense有甚麼希奇呢？

在國內連醬油米粉都可以有假貨，對國內同胞們來說買到假東西大概是十分平常的事情．只是，他們就是抱著在香港可以買到真貨的信心在（應該是信得過的）導遊的帶領下買他們夢寐以求的好東西，又怎會想到導遊也只當他們是水魚、魚腩呢？