Ducks' Day Out


It was a beautiful sunshiny morning.  I knew I was running late to work but the vibrance of the morning sun and the crisp autumn day managed to make me oblivious to the passage of time.  So instead of rushing, I took my time getting into the car and driving through the streets while singing along to a happy song being played on the radio. 

From afar I saw the lights turn red.  So I slowly stepped on the brakes and prepared to stop.  I was expecting to see people crossing at the intersection but didn't see anyone.  Then in a split second, I saw in my peripheral vision that something was moving along the pedestrian lane.  So I looked towards that direction and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what I saw! A duck and her four ducklings were crossing the street.  Wow! (How often do you get to see ducks crossing a main city street?)

It was so lovely watching them I wanted to stay and see where they were going.  But the lights had turned green!  The last thing I remembered seeing was that they stopped at the slip lane by the lights and waited to cross the next intersection.

I drove off with a smile.  The ducks left a touch of happiness in my heart.  It reminded me of Mom and us her four daughters.  It brought me back to the joys of having a family...sticking together and being there for each other...walking together through life's journey wherever it may lead us.

I thank and praise God for blessing me with a family.  Moments come when we have relationship 'glitches' but at the end of it all, we always go back to being a family.  I may not get to see them as often as I want to especially that I'm miles away from them, but I know that we will always be family and be there for each other.  Mom had passed on (we miss her everyday!) and her memories live on and remind us how blessed we are to have a family. 

Driving through that road in Marion never fails to remind me of that lovely autumn morning.  The ducks will never know how their simple day out in the city has affected me in a big beautiful way, but I will always be thankful that I was at the right time at the right place when they were there!  *smile*          

It's Springtime...

Today is the first day of spring (yay!).  Fresh new start.  Winter is over (finally!).  The old is gone.

I love springtime.  There's more sunshine and a lot of cool sunny days.  And it gives me hope to start anew.  I remember when I immigrated to Australia mid-Aug of 2008, the hope of springtime greeted me just a couple of weeks after, taking me to the new life that God has lovingly prepared for me.

And there were heaps of other wonderful things that happened in my life in springtime! Back in spring 2010, I got my PR visa, bought myself a car and my Phil driver's licence was finally converted to an Australian licence.  Spring 2012, I received the awesome news that I was finally an Australian citizen (yay!).  Spring 2017, I started deciding about career change after coming back from my big European trip, among others.  It was also in springtime of 2014 when I got to go home, be with Mommy and spend two whole weeks with her before she passed on (two weeks I would never exchange for anything in this world).

It's springtime!  As I write this, I have a 'million' dreams in my heart though life could sometimes get in the way (daily stresses, work, study, bills, chores, etc).  But with the hope that springtime brings, I shall keep on with my journey.  And keep the faith that one day, one step at a time, I'll finally get to see those dreams become reality ü

Praise God for this wonderful gift!

I Never Imagined...

I never imagined I would be immigrating to a foreign country.  It has always been my dream to travel to other countries for holiday but never to live there permanently.  But here I am now, calling Australia my second home.

It’s been nearly 10 years now since I set foot on this land down under I now call home.  It’s been an amazing journey!  It wasn’t without hardships but coming to Australia is and will always be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.

The road that led me here wasn’t smooth.  Leaving everything behind and living on my own away from my family and friends wasn’t easy.  Forging a new life in an unfamiliar place wasn’t a breeze at all.   

But looking back, I don’t regret ever making the decision to immigrate. Whatever happened in my life that led me to where I am now was a blessing in disguise! I wouldn’t be here if that very thing never happened.  Everything happens for a reason indeed!

And I thank and praise God each day for this blessing!  Waking up each new day to cleaner air, cooler weather and clear blue sky. Driving through cleaner streets and a less populated city surrounded by lush greenery and stunning beaches.  Living in a beautiful and prosperous country that provides me with countless opportunities to grow, travel and fulfill the dreams I never thought possible.

Need I say more?