Holiday on a Hong Kong Holiday

Much to my surprise, when I arrived at my Hong Kong hotel, I was told by the hotel staff that it's Guóqìngjié! I had no idea what Guóqìngjié was so I had to look it up.

Guóqìngjié, or Chinese National Day, is one of three major holidays in China. The name comes from guó (country) + qìng (celebration) + jié (festival). It marks the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Tse-Tung on October 1, 1949.

Hong Kong is going to glow tonight! There will be a fireworks display in Victoria Harbor tonight to celebrate.

I was also told by the hotel staff that there should be large crowds of spectators around the harbor (like there aren't enough people around already!). So, I decided to spend a little extra on my room and get a harbor view (my hotel just happens to be right on the harbor). I'm up on the 32nd floor and I have an excellent view of the harbor! I can wait to see the fireworks display!

What I was also told is don't expect to do any business in China this week. China is closed. He He, I hope the shops are open!!

I feel so fortunate to be here on Hong Kong on one of their major holidays. I am smiling and thanking God now!

All for now,
Lisa

Adventures in Dining, Singapore Style!

I've been quite adventurous while I've been here in Singapore. Here's what I've tried so far:

• grilled octopus (I've had calamari before, but this was a little different)
• grilled squid (was ok)
• shark fin soup (flavor was kinda good)
• bamboo clams (I really liked the flavor of this)
• durian pudding (whew!)
• chicken katsu curry (not that exotic, but really tasted good!)
• Indian-style tapas... go figure!

Looking forward to trying more and more new things!

All for now,
Lisa

Random Musings about Singapore

General Observations

• Everywhere you go there are MASSES of people! And I thought New York was crowded.
• The weather is pretty much the SAME everyday, sunrises and sunsets are the same each day also (because of the proximity to the equator).
• The two best things to do in Singapore is SHOP and EAT!
• There are HUGE shopping malls everywhere. Not huge in American terms though. Think multi-story (4-5 story), COMPACT malls, with very narrow walkways. Every store you can imagine -- and again, masses of people.
  

Personal Experiences

• I worked out at California Fitness yesterday, which is owned by 24 Hour Fitness (and would you believe they even honored my card... what a global village we truly have!).
• Just like the malls, the gym was multi-story with so many machines it felt like a maze to navigate. And again, masses of people.
• Last night, I had my first experience with a unisex bathroom... 4 stalls, 2 sinks, 0 urinals (thank goodness!)
• It's taken a while for my body to adapt to the severe change of time... so far. As of now, I'm fully awake in the middle of the night and falling asleep in the middle of the day.
  

On a Spiritual Note

• The conference has brought representatives from many different countries - I've counted 15 countries from Asia, the middle east, and southern Africa. That also means that there are many different religions represented. I'm intrigued by the melting pot right here in our little conference room (about 150 people).
• Right now, it's Ramadan, so my Muslim colleagues are fasting and praying during the day. It's been very interesting to observe both the Muslims and the non-Muslim colleagues, especially the way they appreciate the diversity.
• I have yet to see a strong Christian presence here, but I've seen the following things in a variety of ways already: Love, Grace, Mercy, Redemption, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Self Control. Interestingly, I've seen these in the people of this region.... most notably, non-Christians. It makes me wonder about the state of my own heart. Do I exhibit these? Are they as visible in me to others as they have been in others to me?
• I remember the end of a "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional, "The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). Lord, let them see the undiminished radiance, and know the reason!

Another Milestone

A co-worker passed along to me yesterday the fact that we went over the International Date Line while flying from San Francisco to Hong Kong. These little milestones may be insignificant, but they're kinda fun to look at; reminding ourselves that the world is much bigger than our everyday environment.

For it was July 2003 when I was in Greenwich, England (zero degrees longitude) and it was July 2004 when I straddled the equator in Quito, Ecaudor (zero degrees latitude). Now in September 2006 I crossed the International Date Line.

What's Next?

• The North Pole
• The South Pole
• Stepping foot on all 7 continents (I have 2 to go!)
• ??
  

I'm open to suggestions!

All for now,
Lisa

Soon, There Will Be Three More to Add!

I did not know this at the time of my previous post, but I will be traveling to more countries soon -- and three of them I have yet to travel to AND they're on my list of favorites! I am smiling and thanking God:

• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Spain (Barcelona)

Can't get much better than that! I will give a synposis of my trips upon my return. I'm so looking forward to Asia as I've yet to travel there at all. How exciting to literally see the other side of the world! We have a big big world... and we have a bigger God!

All for now,
Lisa

Surrender vs. Resignation

I've been pondering these two words from the standpoint of a child of God. Here's what the dictionary says:

surrender: To relinquish possession or control of to another because of demand or compulsion.
resignation: A giving up of a possession, claim, or right

They look pretty close, but I dare say they are completely different. And I would say the difference is hope.

Resignation is void of hope. Surrender isn't. Both of them require your hands to be off, the white flag to be lifted. But resignation offers no hope for change. Surrender doesn't. Surrender means you're offering up control to another... and my hope is in God. And He always controls it perfectly.. if I let him.

Here's to hands off!

All for now,
Lisa