The Doggett Fam are here!

Yes the descendants of the Doggett lineage are in fact currently residing in Modimolle. The Chingster is very happy indeed. Long live alumni of the Creative Arts Academy!

Jamie's ginger. There. I said it. He dyed his hair peroxide blond along with Simon to raise money. The blond faded to review a full mane of the red variety.

It doesn't look that bad. Compared to carrot-orange. 

Anyway, enough about his hair.

Today was pretty good actually. Went to Lerato and did the final instruction: Take Part & Have Fun! Doggett fam came with and we played games and danced (a lot). 

Arvo was filled with EPIC planning for a teaching I will do in the near future. Quite excited but also quite nervous. Last time I spoke in public was in YOT. But hey. Holy Spirit you will guide my tongue and give me inspiration on what to say, when to say and how to say hi. Plus, nothing can be as bad as the Jeremiah preach (*shudders at traumatic experience). 

Had mince with nachos for din dins. Ben's rents are quite sweet. His dad knows an awful lot about vegetables and the factors needed for optimum plant growth. Charlie Dimmock eat your heart out. His mum is also very lovely. She's one of those people where when she talks, you actually want to focus and listen. Very engaging. 

Eme made fudge. I like her. Michelle asked me about Buddhism. 

"What do Buddhists think about Jesus?"
"They don't."

There were other questions but I am fast running out of blog space. 

Thought I lost my SD card, turns out it was in my shorts pocket. 

Erm...think I've covered just about everything. If I missed out anything, it probs wasn't worth remembering.

Tis now 2253 hours and running is at 6pm. My muscles are still on fire due to the lactic acid build-up from not stretching properly. When will I ever learn? 

Tot sins!

Easter break in Suit Afrika! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Sorry for the late entries. It's been a while. With 'while' being 3 months. I know. But hey...

Happy Belated Easter! 

It's been a really eye-opening experience the past few months. I don't think I can sum up this last term in a few words but I'm going to try. 

I got to work into a local school for reception to grade 2 kids. Oh man, it was AMAZING! I know people say 'amazing' every other sentence but I really mean it. As soon as we got there these kids ran and hugged me so hard I almost fell over. I had pup, onions, beef and veg. After that meal I wanted to eat with my hands at every meal. That would save a lot of washing up of cutlery. 

Then there was the hospital. At first the kids were a bit shy and suspicious but after a lot of smiling and toys they opened up. Note to self: less talk, more toys.

Food is great. I had my birthday during building project. Albert & Loren's cell decked out the whole mess hall with green lanterns and chopsticks and we had a stir fry. Loren also dressed up as woman dressing up as a man dressing up as a woman. She called me up and we made a cake consisting of bleach, vinegar, salt and I don't know what else. I've never been so speechless. AND...I got a goodie bag of toiletries and baie baie chocolates. I was a very happy bunny. 

Easter break Ben, Kaat & myself went to a place called Nelspruit. We went to the Krugar Park and saw the Big Five: the elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo & rhino. We had about 10 lionesses and cubs walk past our bucky. Then there were 20 elephants that just decided to walk in front of us. The baby elephants didn't quite know what to do with their trunk. It's like a kid learning what to do with their feet when they're walking.

There's lots of other cool stuff that I've missed out. Aventura Resort with this epic slide where you go down in rubber rings with 5 other people.  Zipline Adventures where we did 11 zipliness, ALL of which are longer than the ones you get in the UK. 

Arrrrrgh I need to do an interview for my degree now. But in a nutshell these are a few of the highlights.

Tot sins!

Ek is in Suid Afrika!

Dear Cyber Diary,

It'a official. I am in the Southern Hemisphere! Yes ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, Ching-Hang is experience summer TWICE this year. Word. 

We flew from Heathrow to Cairo. It was weird. I thought I lost my Japanese 15 to 100 degree water bottle (complete with ice block capsule) so I ran from the gate back to the conveyor belt place. Couldn't find my bottle BUT I saw out of the corner of my eye my left flipflop on top of the metal bin. SCORE! It was bought in Hong Kong and good for indoor use, so I would have been gutted if I didn't have it. YES left AND right slippers. 

So...land in Jo'berg and it was only then that it hit me. I am here for 6 months. I managed a brave face when we waved goodbye to the Jubilee TC but when I was on my own, I was faced with this pseudo-grieving process. Yes, I spent as much time with my family as I could have, but I wish I did more. I wish I told my friends how much I treasured them and what an honour it is to call them as such. I suppose looking back now I am glad that I have friends and family TO miss. Some people are loners. Still, I felt stranded. Might as well be marooned on an island. OK that sounds very inward-looking but it's true, I genuinely felt lost.

Next few days was a challenge hey. My lungs were being a pain and the home sickness kicked in. Wish I could have said 'Pull yourself together, you're here now' but no motivational speech could have lifted me.

Looking back now, I ought to have spent more time with God and rested. Instead I turned to other things. 

Anyway, on the first day off we went on the zip-line for roughly £13 for 11 - bargain! Genesis was hard though so Anna tandem-ed me. I cried. Carl helped talk to me and egg me on and everyone else on my team. After Genesis, I did every zip-line by myself. I LOVED it!!! Imagine if I didn't even go for it, what would have been robbed.

Second day off we went Adventura in Warm Baths. The tube was fun (dingy going down slide and round and round). So much fun when there's 5+ people holding onto one another to drag each other down the slide. Whoa!

Alan, Phil, Gavin and Steve left. It was hard to see them return to UK. 

YOTTIES arrived for TC launch. Exciting times. Oh Sonja was fab with the food presentations. Rentia, Emmerentia, Lucy, Omar, Gilberts, Anita, Magda were all fab. Such servant hearts. 

Koinonia Church sent us off. Albert & Loren prayed for me. I wept. Hugged everyone. Eme cried. Lourdi Vickus and his dad Simon came to see us off too. It felt like we were family already. It was nice AND Danie & Magda gave us copious amounts of biltong. 

Anyway. I need to go to bed. Shall continue this entry another time. 

Sin julle later!

Third year here I come!

Dear diary in cyberspace,

Thought I'd try out left aligned and see how it feels.

So I'm meant to be finishing off my apologetics module and I started off well, I promise. I wrote 600 words in 90 minutes before I get a text from mother dearest that second cousin Jacob is at our house. Peoplework before paperwork right? So I pack my mac, Bible, Deluded by Dawkins? and put God Delusion back in the library. Can't believe they don't have Deluded by Dawkin's in the library shelf. Surely if you have the atheistic view you should consider the Christian perspective also? Maybe it's not politically correct or the library simply doesn't know it exists. I asked the lady at the enquiry desk if they could order but she said I would need to pay for it. Strange. Needless to say, I said no judging by my current situation although might pop back in tomorrow and ask how much. If it's a few bob I wouldn't mind if it means the general public would have access to it.

Back home, 3 year old Jacob is cute as ever. We watched 2 episodes of Peppa Pig, Postman Pat and Teletubbies (extended version). Didn't even know Teletubbies had an extended song, I personally feel a bit robbed the last 10 years. Suddenly really want to eat tubby custard now. Strawberry custard nom nom. When I get a disposable income I will definitely treat myself to a bit of Ambrosia. Mmmmm...

Today is Thursday and it's scary seeing as Saturday 2pm will see the arrival of the prospective training centre (TC) students. I'll be embarking on my 3rd school (Saturation School of Missions) and will be the first student to be doing 3 consecutive schools. Most would do a year, save up and do a second. Of course, some have done several years but remain in the same school but going to become student leaders, staff, house parents etc. 

*sigh....

Never thought I'd be a student this year. Never liked education much but then I guess this is more a centre to equip people to live life skilfully. It is not the distant teaching from tutors that one may experience at a normal UK university. I'm the only student that I know so plenty of accountability choices to choose from! Also this year is non-residential so it's my first time being in the TC but living outside of it. Slightly sad because I won't be around students 24/7 but then also quite excited!!!

Finally I can use my crockery again and have my own room yay! I can look out the window during my quiet times and paint to my heart's content at night. I have images of doing morning runs, coming back for a banana milkshake, shower, quiet time then pack my bag and head off to lectures. It probably won't be like that. I'll run for 2 weeks before realising that actually doing a paper round is plenty of exercise for my little Asian body and painting would be a once in a blue moon activity judging by the degree workload. Still, if I conduct master management properly...

Ah rambling when I should really be writing on how to answer theological questions. Bought the long-awaited September issue of UK Vogue yesterday. Few things make me so happy. I haven't bought a magazine in a year so this is a real treat. But, at £4.10 my wallet felt very empty indeed. Interesting read though. There was an article about the Head of Fashion Louise something at Central St Martins. The fashion world seems to evolve constantly and I have long jumped off of the bandwagon. Oh the photography! The use of light, composition, colour, concept is so inspiring. Makes me to upgrade to an SLR. All in good time :)

Did some calligraphy today, the Tudor kind, mind. Sister Ching-Yee got a set for her birthday but being the Asian that she is, decides to save it for a special occasion. I broke into it for her :) let me let you the nip fitted into the pen perfectly. The ink was Windsor & Newton and was truly exquisite. Now all I want to write in is gold and jet black.

I digress.

So...last 3 weeks have seemed unproductive, probably due to the fact that i procrastinate, get distracted and end up doing things like cook lunch and write on this blog. I've spent many times meeting up with London friends to interview them, which is acceptable as it is for my module. But. I can't help but feel like time is just flying by. Wastebook has eaten away many hours. Selling clothes on ebay also takes a while. Then again, why do I need my summer holidays to be productive? Am I being a Martha for the sake of feeling organised? Joanna Weaver's book about Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World has really convicted me of my performance mentality. SATs is constantly on my mind because I need to do it but then I find it hard to switch off when I am having Mary time. Guess it is all a choice.

Today was a lot better. I went for a run around Highgate in the morning, prayed in the gardens, came back, read the Word, reflected in my journal, read Vogue(!), made lunch, did book-binding, calligraphy and that was that.

Life is still busy but I realise how much momentum is actually externally generated. Although I am pretty good at building momentum myself, it sometimes feels a trifle lonely in the big city. Guess it's time to go back. Bought my 90L rucksack, hiking boots, running trainers, gators. I'm ready for South Africa in January! UK for this term. Wonder what Jesus has in store for me? Probably continue to work on my pride, don't think this stronghold will be completely dealt with for a while. Independence, performance mentality, grace giving and receiving, quick speech, the list goes on really. It's been a humbling experience knowing that in my weakness He is strong and despite my shortcomings He still loves me before I even do anything. A friend said that YOT is very much about finding out the bigger picture, SSOM is how you fit into this picture. Well, 2nd year on CAA stretched me in my art and my dancing, at least now I know my capacity is greater than I actually think. And hey, at least I'll come back tanned and fit with a slight Afrikaans accent!

Ah wow my brain is everywhere. So much information. In nutshell life is great, God is even greater and 2012/13 will be a momentous year in finding out what the gospel of the Kingdom looks like!

[insert goodbye in Afrikaans!]

Hindsight...

...is a beautiful thing. Just re-read my post after having published (rookie error) I realised I didn't mention the lovely people of Ellel, Baak! Wake up Ching, stop focussing on interior decoration! But yes lovely people like Henry, Samantha, Michelle, Wilhemina, Gerbert (think that's the Dutch spelling) and the lovely man who runs the place. Peter! Hurrah! Jack. Oh lovely Jack with his friendly smile and can-do attitude!

Highlights: climbing those high-as A-ladders and using the sheep to fluff the dust from the ceiling. Seeing Jono & Danie using the jet-wash machine on the outside windows. Filming posh intro and outro with the delightful Emma A with clothes borrowed from the lovely Ann-Marie. Ah what a quirky lady! Gleaned a lot of wisdom from her.

Had such a great time during socials. Emma A gave foot rubs. I gave hand massages. People played cards. Had a ping pong, oh no, excuse me, TABLE TENNIS tournament. Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition :)

Oh the talent show! Jono & Charlie MC-ed at St Gorst, Germany. Emma A & I did Holland. Good ol' Em and C. I played a louder, Essex-esque version of myself called Chelsea who wore a side ponytail and elongated the last word of every sentence. Apparently someone said I was scarily realistic. Watch this space RADA!

Mmmmm pancake house with satay chicken pancake and other half with apple, cinnammon and various other bits in ramekins. Thank you JTC and Ellel! Well done to Paul Kloppers, Steve Lee for leading missions this year. So proud to say you are my leaders! Well done to Sinta Price for being pregnant and staying at home. You are just as much part of the missions as we are! Tim for being the loving husband he is and staying home to help her pick up things. Never realised pregnant women find it hard to bend over to pick up things. I hope I can pick up things in the future. Hm...maybe my proverbial future hubby can buy me those things that London Underground litter-pickers have. There's food for thought!  

Ah. Tim actually came to Belgium for our first international production of the Dream Giver. Made such a difference having our spiritual dad around. Such a precious time!

Ok, enough ramblings for now. Really do need to do my interviews for apologetics module. Eph 6 and Ps 91 yes! Belt, check, helmet, check, breastplate of righteousness, check! Bring on the sword of the Spirit and feet of readiness! 

I'm back!

Hey chaps! Sorry for the AWOL. Term 3 at CAA has been a bit hectic. I just about had time to read my emails and catch up with friends on facebook. I promise that I will tend to this blog more regularly in the next 3 weeks.

So...last term has been really incredible. We had missions to Belgium, Germany and Holland. Ah man such a blessed time. We were in EU just less than a month and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. So good how God brings us closer together and not only that but we could form genuine authentic relationships with the people we were working with.

Time with the 9th Hour guys in Belgium was so precious. Never did I expect to spend time with Texans there! Got to stay at Rachel's place - a mere 5 minute walk from the European Commission and you know what? I went in there!!! Exciting times. A friend was working there and she said we could sit in on one of the press releases. I asked the diplomat a question, which I wasn't supposed to. Oops! Got a bit scared, thought maybe the security man would ask me to leave but alas, the spokesperson answered my question with tact and I stayed in my seat until we decided to leave. Phew! Must admit I felt a little intimidated by the way the journalists asked questions. Can't exactly say I'm familiar with high end protocols. 

Moving on...Germany was fabulous! Stayed at Martin&Heike's and met some lovely people. Lilly Franks really came to mind and Ina too. Crazy ladies of God! Had so much fun designing and painting the murals at the school. I had the honour of leading a team of enthusiastic people. So good to work with friends. Sadly the photos I took got lost after my mac crashed :'(

This brings us to Holland. Ah man Ellel Ministries. Felt like I was on the set of Pride&Prejudice. They had gorgeous chandeliers and art nouveau wallpaper. Dark wooden tables and chairs with curved legs. I've decided in my mind that the more curved things there are the more expensive everything is. Then again you have straight minimalist tables in London penthouses that cost a bomb. Hm...might have to rethink that general statement...

Came back from missions feeling refreshed. We had our personal DVD projects and group DVD to do and it was fun but not without its challenges. God really highlighted the performance mentality I still had and the way I handle my time and stress. My fear of failure was something that kept cropping up throughout the year. It was as if God was saying "Just because you've overcome it once doesn't mean you won't have to deal with it again. It just means it will become less of a stronghold the more you cover yourself with My armour."

Hard lesson to learn but thankfully it happened. I handed the DVD in, without contents but hey! The cover was done! The contents I handed in a few days later. Missed the deadline but for me that wasn't what God wanted to teach me. He was teaching me that whatever you start you must finish and finish it strong. I'm not sure I finished strong but I sure as tried!

The group DVD was great. I showed it to my grandma which was great. First time I actually presented any work of any calibre to her. Also showed her my Kinetic Award. Yes ladies and gentleman, I got my very first award! It's made of glass, got my name inscribed and everything! Bwahahahaha! Also paid my IDTA membership finally and received my certificate! I am now a Teacher of Dance in the Freestyle Faculty. Boom! Certificate thing cost £70, the frame I put it in cost 25p. Go figure. Long live the Asian in me! From afar it doesn't look like it's made of plastic I guess...Got my beady eyes on this really nice dark wooden one from Wilko's. Haw haw haw!

Hm...not quite sure what else to say. There's been quite a lot of happenings in between but those are the most poignant. 

Oh oh oh. One more thing. My uncle bought me an external hard drive! Western Digital 1TB baby! No more lost files. No more saving SATs and videos onto 3 memory sticks! I got my amo rejoice rejoice!

I really cannot contain my excitement. Wanna see it? 

I asked my uncle to inbox me the price. He said "free for you :)"

How generous! What a blessing. At first I said no la! You can't pay for it. Like seriously, my uncle let me stay at his apartment 5 years ago for a whole week rent free AND he gave me money to buy food groceries. Thank You Father for Your providence!

Now that my mac is fixed and I have an external, there's nothing stopping me from completing my 3rd year BTh. Can you believe I'll be a theology graduate in a year? Not only that but I'll be a full-time student on Saturation School of Missions at Jubilee Training Centre. The course focusses on urban and rural missions. Half the year I will be based in Maidstone then the next half I will be in...wait for it...South Africa! Mwahahahahahhaa!

Yes please boerewors, biltong, iced tea and swimming pool! Yes please missions in townships and clinics! Ah so excited!!! In December also going to Hong Kong and hopefully Malaysia. Lord, I feel so blessed to be a part of Your perfect plan :)

So that's it folks, thanks for reading and I will speak to you soon.

再見!

A Tale of Two Sisters

Well done to my sister Ching-Yee for surviving the 30 hour challenge set by London College of Communication! Thought I'd show give some support and encouragement by making a little card for her.