Highlights of 2010
In chronological order…
1) The move to Melbourne
God didn’t say “Chris and Christine, move to Melbourne, NOW!” It was a bit more like Abraham’s journey – leave your country, and go to the place I will show you. We felt like our season in Adelaide was coming to completion, while it had been a tremendous experience and growth for the both of us, we both felt in our spirits that it was time for a change, we were ready for a change. We prayed about it as we applied for internship. One day, God challenged us to ‘want something impossible’. Hence, Melbourne, and St Vincent’s came about, and God did the impossible for us. The both of us. Here we are now, in His promise land for us this season.
2) Internship
I cannot believe I have 2 more weeks to go to the end of internship! A steep learning curve it’s been for me. I still remember freaking out when I found out I was scheduled to work on the afternoon of the 3rd day of orientation! Freaking out before I started my first night shift. Freaking out when I call consultants/registrars to make referrals. LOL. I don’t know about you, but studying for exams is definitely a lot easier than being responsible over someone’s life.
Over the months, I have grown to be comfortable with my job, be more confident in the things that I do, learn how to ask for help, because there is always someone whom you can speak to, and just enjoy the process (instead of stressing out all the time!). My sanity was kept, knowing that my mind, my ability and my hands may be limited, but knowing that God was with me, and guiding me every step of the way, above all – is in control. I am constantly reminded of the privilege I have to be in contact with people, to care, to pray and to treat them as I would my own family.
Looking forward to 2011! I have not yet decide on what I plan to specialise in but am excited about doing the Surgical job – God has been gracious once again, I am really pleased with my roster and could not have asked for more.
3) Planetshakers
Church, what can I say? It has been amazing. While we haven’t been ‘actively serving’ due to our schedule and time constraints, we are so blessed to be a part of this inspiring church, a vision so big (you know it’s God) that our spirits agree with, and just being constantly fed, nourished and refreshed by His presence and the amazing atmosphere at church. Our urbies are like family and we couldn’t be more thankful!
4) iPhone
Yes, definitely worth noting down. How has it changed the way we communicate! I don’t care what anti-apple people say, you’d have to agree that the iPhone IS a revolution in itself.
5) Graduation
Yes, 4 months into working AND THEN we had our graduation ceremony. Why was it significant? 5.5 years in med school!! Also, it’s the first time our parents meet 
6) Bestie’s wedding
Sooo honoured to be a part of Jing & Li’s wedding. It was beautiful Have I mentioned? I love weddings!
7) DNA Encounter
If I had to choose a day, this would probably be the most significant day of 2010. It was the final day of our DNA series, and it was about starting anew. Shredding our past (including things that you didn’t think would affect you but inadvertently carry), we walked out of that place in such freedom, it was just amazing.
8) Engagement
You’d be surprised that DNA Encounter was more significant than this day, but I know Chris would agree with me. This would be the 2nd most significant event of 2010. Y’know, it was the weekend leading up to his birthday. Did not cross my mind that he would propose (I don’t sit around thinking he would propose every weekend). I had planned a birthday surprise for him (ie. we were going to surprise each other!!!!) on Saturday (which was his initial plan) but I had turned him down saying that I had a prior lunch appointment with a girlfriend (which was true!!!!) of course, then planning to prepare for the surprise thereafter. He was pretty disappointed, and I was a bit ?? as to why he was reacting that way (of course now I know). So my surprise party for him went pretty well, except I fell sick.
Anyway, the next day (Sunday) he asked me out to dinner – asked me to dress up etc. Because I was so sick, I did not even suspect a thing but went along with his plan thinking it was an early birthday dinner (although I already told him I was planning dinner for him on the actual day itself). So we had dinner, and chatted as usual. Post dinner took a drive around Williamstown and finally stopped at a look out point, all this while (romantic music playing in the background – which I was oblivious to cos he initially recorded the planetshakers demo cd into it and told me there were extra slots so he put in a few other ‘random songs’ as well) just chatting and looking out into the docks.
He then said he had something for me, and passed me a padlock (background: we went to europe for our grad trip and one of the places that we visited was florence. there was this grille thing along the river where couples would write a message on the padlock and lock it to the grille). he said we should go back to florence. i was like, okayyyyy sure. i love florence. btw, where’s the key? you can imagine the look on his face -_-” (he meant it to be romantic, but super fail response from me lol)
Anyway we continue chatting (by the way, it was really cold and windy outside hence we stayed in the car), and we were talking about how the year has been etc.. when he said, he is ready for a new chapter. at this stage, asked me to close my eyes, cos he has something for me (i thought it was the key! does this remind you of a mr bean scene?!). he places a box in my hand. he gets out of the car and goes down on one knee. i open my eyes to a little blue box tied up in white ribbon. i start to tear (as all girls do). and the rest is history.
And, my dream of becoming a bride is soon becoming reality! Hehe More importantly, a bride to my best friend, the one my heart loves, a man after God’s heart.
9) Ben & Jerry’s
i had my double scoop of chunky monkey and strawberry cheesecake on boxing day. bliss!
why on earth do I have Ben & Jerry’s on this list?! because it is significant ok. i cannot describe how much i love Ben & Jerry’s. when I found out they don’t have one in Melbourne, I vowed to buy their franchise. (just like I did with boost, krispy kremes, max brenner to malaysia – but guess what, someone beat me to it! it’s ok i still have hope for cibo and koko black)
p/s: you know that my year in status programmed that everyone was using on facebook? exactly 2 weeks before it became available, i had actually thought of collaging my statuses for the year (i kept refreshing older posts, up till jan2010 – till the cows came home) too bad i’m not some software programmer, otherwise, i would be the creator of my year in status! lol
p/p/s: similarly with mini cupcakes. i thought of it too (before it was made popular)
there. just thought i’d say it. lol.
Can I say, 2010 would not have been possible without the resilient spirit that God had given me. His amazing grace and favour over my life, our lives, my family’s life – was without works. There was no striving. Just full dependence. Believing for an even greater, supernatural 2011.
Blessed new year!! Have a grand one.
