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A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NASB)
I haven’t been the happiest or nicest person to be around these past weeks. I’ll be the first to admit this, and my husband will not protest. I’ve been grumpy and disgruntled about where my current place in life. I’m not speaking philosophically but rather plainly. I’ve been rather upset about being here in Macau. Yes, I am glad that our little family is reunited here but I am really missing my home, and life in Singapore. Other than my family and friends, I really do miss Singapore – her sights, sounds, smells, and oddly enough, the people there.
What I’m experiencing right now is probably termed ‘cultural shock’. There seems to be a million and one things I find odd and horrid. Smoke clouds in most eateries. Stroller-unfriendly pavements polka-dotted with dog poo. Crazy drivers who are perpetually in a rush, have an aversion to slowing down at crossings and subscribing to an unsaid motto to mow down as many pedestrians as possible. I’ve lost count of the number of cars that have tried to accelerate past me as I’m pushing my baby in the stroller. Aargh. There are more peculiarities, but I think I should stop.
I finally went to church last Sunday and lo behold! God spoke to me about my need to change my attitude through one single verse – “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). The pastor said, “Of course none of us here are actually in exile.” But I do feel like I’m in exile here!
The way life goes, I know I have a choice about my own attitude. Do I want to be whiny and miserable? Or do I want to enjoy my life? Of course I want to enjoy my life, especially with my little baby. (I don’t want to raise a sour puss either!) So to do this, I’m telling myself to start looking for the good every time I get irked by the idiosyncracies of this place. It’s darn hard work but I think it will help keep my sanity.
To get started on my joy journey, here are 5 good things about my life in Macau:
1. I’ve found a group of wonderful Christian ladies at the Tuesday Bible Study Group.
2. I’ve made three new friends today – Anya (German), Hsiao Hui (Malaysian) and Mei Yee (Hong Konger) – and they’re great fun.
3. I get to be a stay-home mom. This was something I planned to do from a long time ago.
4. I get to enjoy watching Elisha grow and change every single day.
5. I am becoming better at managing household chores and my time.
In contrast to the little bee inside me,I’ve been rather restless. Not writing the blog much at all. First it was the tiresome thought of having to grapple with a new blog template. (Why did I think I had to migrate to WordPress?) Then, there was just sheer lethargy. Not that I had that much to sap my energies. Just probably pure slothfulness in action.
Today marks the last day of 28 days in Macau. I’m not elated to leave as I had anticipated when I first arrived. In fact, I am eager to get back here next Thursday to be with Roy. To discover the hidden treasures Macau expertly hides from pit-stop tourists. To shop!
Admittedly, I didn’t think much of Macau until I discovered the shopping bargains she offers. Call me a typical Singaporean or woman – whatever. But Macau is truly a WONDERFUL place for shopping! Well, not for everything, but at least what I’m interested in right now – baby clothes! I chanced upon the wonderful wealth of branded factory overruns that day I took Bart and Renita out to Senado Square. Oh joy of joys! I didn’t go bonkers with shopping but I did have a really swell time. And I think that very encounter with the warehouse outlets was the turning point in my attitude towards Macau. I came home that night with my mini loot and promptly added to my MSN and FB that “I am ALREADY in love with Macau.”
Yes, the power of shopping indeed.
I tried to post the scan videos of baby that day but it didn’t work because the file was too large. Until I figure that out, I shan’t describe the ecstasy of seeing a tiny human being do flips and turns inside me just yet.
Instead, let me share with you some pictures Roy and I took together recently. On Sunday, 13 April, we caught up with my long-lost friends from Melbourne Uni OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship) and did a bit of sightseeing. Here are some of our pictures together, and might I also mention too that they are our first proper together photos in Macau! See if you can spot my 17+weeks-old baby belly!
Taken in the garden around the Old Taipa Buildings Museum area.
A pretty nice spot of dreamy conifers ( at least that is what I think those trees are…). Faye was the ‘artistic director’ of this shot. She thought it would be a great way to show off my baby belly. She even told Roy where to place his hands. Haha! Thanks, Faye!
Reclining comfortably on the busy steps leading up to the famous St Paul’s Ruins.
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