Last 3 days, I came across an article in the Strait Times (dd 27/4/05 under Recruit) with the above caption, and I find it very interesting as the article described exactly what I will be doing in 6 days time.
To summarise the article:
"More professionals in Britain are taking months to years off work to see the world."
"Taking a sabbatical to travel the world is a great way to recharge your work batteries and prioritise the important things in life."
When I read the article, I am glad that now I have some information on hand to show and explain to my friends about what I will be embarking. Cos, I really do have different responses from various friends and relatives (some are very supportive and excited about it, some have concerns about my decision to let go of everything I have created for the last 6 yrs, some simply find it stupid of me to go out and come back with "nothing" and got to start all over again), and sometimes it can be rather difficult to explain why I want to do what I am about to do.
We all have different priorities in life, to some their priorities maybe family, or career, or education, or health etcs... and it will change as we aged.
I had worked hard for my buisness of 6 years (Costumes & Mascots) , over the years it had grown to be a profitable buisness with regular clients and orders. And when I decided to let go and to go for a year break "to travel the world", it was really a major decision, cos it affects not only myself, my family (mum), and also my staffs. I had thought it over a couple of time, whether I should let it go, finally I made a decision to go for my dream. The only question I ask myself is "Joy, if you are to continue with what you are doing, and in 5 years time, will you be happy with where you are" My answer was a NO. And that's it, I decided to go and find my happiness and offer my service to be involved in some mission works when I am in Africa.
Another question that is often posed to me is "What will happen when you come back?"
My answer is "I don't know" but I do know that when I return, I will have gained a lot of invalueable life experiences and lessons. Who knows, I may come back with inspiration to start another new biz venture or I may found my soul mate and gotten married and settle down somewhere ;) Well, the options are always open.
Like Abraham in the Old Testament, who hads left all his belongings and life behind for a land of unknown, is greatly blessed in abundance with the different nations and people he met. Deep down in my heart I know as God's grace is upon Abraham and his family, His mighty hand will be upon mine too.
My motto is "We only have one life, and it is very important that we live it to the fullest. Do not live life with any regrets in your latter years. "
So dear friends, thank you all for your geniune concerns and support, I really appreciate it. Frankly, I will miss all of you.
Love you all. Joy
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Sunday, April 24, 2005
I almost lost Nicholas today
Today, was a day of fright for me, I lost touch of Nicholas for at least 20 mins, he just got wondered off out of sight from me just in a split of a miniute. I was just turning my head away from him when I walked pass a shop to ask the shop assitant a question, and the next moment I don't see Nicholas, at first I thought he could be just in front, so I walked up to see if I can catch up with him.
But after walking pass about 6 shops I could not locate him, anxiety and fear began to crept in... What if I lost Nicholas, but I try to keep my cool..., I went back to the shop to see if he had also entered into the shop and try to play hide and seek with me.
But he was just no where to be found. I was panicked, I had no phone with me, I try to borrow a phone from a passer-by to call for help (to ask my brother to come down to the Suntec Mall to help with the search) But I just could not get in touch with anyone (no one pick up the stupid phone).
I quickly ran down to the nearby information counter (at level 1) to ask them to help me to make the anoucement of a lost child.
Afterwhich, I ran back and forth the same location - like 3 times to make sure I screened through every corner and spot. I was praying to God very hard, to help me find Nicholas, somehow as I talked to God, I sensed peace and assurance, an instinct told me to look down to the 1st level from the 2nd floor (where I lost Nicholas).
I spotted Nicholas, he was crying very profusely with a middle age lady and 2 kids surrounded him. I ran down via the escalator as fast as I could to meet up with him. It was a moment of joy and relieve and sure gratitude towards God for helping me find back my nephew. Sure enough Nicholas was glad that I found him and he hugged me so tightly, making sure this time not to lose me again.
It was a lesson for both me and him. For me - I learnt not to take things for granted and be lax with kids, afterall he is just a child and needed to be reminded and to be constantly on a lookout. Also a thought did occurred to me, that is if I really lost Nicholas - I don't think I will be able to go and travel the world (where got the mood and heart to do it, and there goes my dream :(.
As for Nicholas, I asked him (after awhile when he cooled down) what was he feeling at the moment when he lost me. He told me he was scared and that he will not ever want to do it again - for a active and playful boy like him, maybe sometime it is good for him to have such experiences, so that he will remember and not to wonder off by himself again the next time. Well, I am not sure, probably soon he will forget about the incident and do the same thing again.
Anyway, I was surely grateful to God, and thank you Jesus for your mercy and grace towards me.
But after walking pass about 6 shops I could not locate him, anxiety and fear began to crept in... What if I lost Nicholas, but I try to keep my cool..., I went back to the shop to see if he had also entered into the shop and try to play hide and seek with me.
But he was just no where to be found. I was panicked, I had no phone with me, I try to borrow a phone from a passer-by to call for help (to ask my brother to come down to the Suntec Mall to help with the search) But I just could not get in touch with anyone (no one pick up the stupid phone).
I quickly ran down to the nearby information counter (at level 1) to ask them to help me to make the anoucement of a lost child.
Afterwhich, I ran back and forth the same location - like 3 times to make sure I screened through every corner and spot. I was praying to God very hard, to help me find Nicholas, somehow as I talked to God, I sensed peace and assurance, an instinct told me to look down to the 1st level from the 2nd floor (where I lost Nicholas).
I spotted Nicholas, he was crying very profusely with a middle age lady and 2 kids surrounded him. I ran down via the escalator as fast as I could to meet up with him. It was a moment of joy and relieve and sure gratitude towards God for helping me find back my nephew. Sure enough Nicholas was glad that I found him and he hugged me so tightly, making sure this time not to lose me again.
It was a lesson for both me and him. For me - I learnt not to take things for granted and be lax with kids, afterall he is just a child and needed to be reminded and to be constantly on a lookout. Also a thought did occurred to me, that is if I really lost Nicholas - I don't think I will be able to go and travel the world (where got the mood and heart to do it, and there goes my dream :(.
As for Nicholas, I asked him (after awhile when he cooled down) what was he feeling at the moment when he lost me. He told me he was scared and that he will not ever want to do it again - for a active and playful boy like him, maybe sometime it is good for him to have such experiences, so that he will remember and not to wonder off by himself again the next time. Well, I am not sure, probably soon he will forget about the incident and do the same thing again.
Anyway, I was surely grateful to God, and thank you Jesus for your mercy and grace towards me.
My nephews and their "Jie Jie"
My 2 cute nephews Nicholas Chu, 5 years old and Nathaniel Chu, 3 years old; and their favourite "Jie Jie" nanny Jumia. Don't they look great?
Posted by Joy
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Countdown to my travel venture
Hello Friends, am really excited about my one year or more travel journey to the world... As the days come nearer to my departure on 6th May 2005, I realise that there are just too many things I have not yet done... like confirming my air ticket, writing to different friends that I am coming... Selling or disposing some of my stuffs... Anyway, stop whinning Joy, just do it.
Hereby, I would like to share with you about having this dream come true. Travelling and experiencing the different culture in the world has always been in me for a very long time. I am a very adventurous person who love challenges very much. I always thank God for giving me many opportunities to travel and see places over the past years. But to commit a year or more to travel on my own is really something beyond me... Even at this moment, while writing, I am having butterfly feelings. It's an exciting anticipation of the UNKNOWN and yet concern anxiety of the UNKNOWN too... Ayah, life is already just so UNKNOWN, right (can't stand it so philosophcal).
To share with you a little bit of my travel itinery:
I will be heading to New Zealand, Auckland on 6th May 2004 to visit my loving couple friend Danny and Lee Ngan (they are really a blessed and committed believer of God who love God and people dearly, is my privillege and honour to know them), then I will fly down to Christchurch (Kurt a new found friend from Asiaworks, whom I have met and happen to talk about traveling to NZ is also going to visit his parent during the time, and he has so kindly agree to be my travel host while in Christchurch) and flying back up to New Plymouth to visit my dear friend Suhag (he is really an amazing guy, a pharmist, diver and traveller - he is from the UK and had travel all the way to NZ to work cos he said he hates the stressful lifestyle and wet weather in England; well, he is a easy going and laid back person with a gentle and good heart for people and animal too). Finally, I will fly out of NZ on 9th June 2005...
Landing on the busy, neon light Hong Kong to meet my diving kakis Sharon - (a very organise, systematic, and Kiasu [good sense] gal, she even brought a walkie talkie for us to carry around when we travel CHINA -just in case we lose each other, cos we will not be carrying our Handphone around) on 9th June, then both of us will be heading to explore the great ancient land of China via train, buses and ferry (this going to be tedious, some train ride can take up to 24hrs). We aim to go to Guangzhou, Nanjing, Kunming, Dali, ChengDu, TIBET - Lasksa, Xian via YangZhi river to Wuhan, to Beijing to Herabin to MONGOLIA and end part of RUSSIA, and travel by train all the way back to Shanghai till I fly out to USA. Our intention is to reach Shanghai on 21th July to 26th July 2005.
Cos I need to be in USA - Wiscousin to meet up with my sister Josey (a very strong willed, determined and an avivd life time student, she is so blessed to have found her great loving husband, while studying in a cafe) and brother-in-law Ben Johnson (he is just a role model of a true gentlement, a great cook with a big and loving heart, I envy my sis Josey to have found such a wonderful man) together we will travel up to ALASKA for a 2 weeks outdoor camping (so exciting, yeh yeh yeh...) I attempt to be in the State for about 3 months and my intention is to visit Miami, Los Angelas, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, etc... Actually my itinery for the USA part is still very vauge, will have to play by ear.
But I know I will be out of USA on about end October 2005 to travel to Central America - GUATEMALA; to visit my good buddy JoAnn Lim (she has a tremendous mission heart for the God and love for people, a pillar of strenght and support for me). This is the place I really want to enter last year Feburary 2004 while I was in Mexico. But my application was rejected cos I did not have all the proper procedure and document presented. But this time round I must ensure all the travel visa documents will be taken care of properly for me to enter into the country. Please pray for me that it will happen.
After Central America I will be flying to London as stopover to embark to the Magnificent land of AFRICA - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Eutiopia etc... Thank God I have the privilege to know some friends from my church, like: Bro Jeffery Png (a man of faith with lots of talents) and Sis Lilian (a stable and mature woman og God) and Sis Sharon (a powerful, beautiful and committed woman of God) who are ministering in Africa for many years already. My desire to be in Africa is also to be involved with some mission ministry (in either children or teaching ministry or logistic works). Maybe sometime around Feburay, I will down south to Capetown and Johnasberg with my new found diving friend Ms Princess Bobo aka Lisa (she is a real funny gal, very photogenic -every photo she took, look so gorgeous and pretty - so envy). My intention is to stay in Africa during the the winter period in Europe (3 months).
And then to travel to ISRAEL the land of history and amazing land of God's people, the Jew. A land I have always been dreaming of visiting. I may have a contact who can link me with a missionary for a lodging and ministry visits.
Then I will proceed back to EUROPE (around March 2005) to visit the different sceneric parts of Europe. But first of all I will visit Dublin - Ireland again (my first pioneer mission works) Right now the chruch is thriving and has been sending out many missionaries to places. I am so proud and honoured to have a part in this very successful mission work by my church Victory Family Center (a mission centred and sending church). So far, my itinery in Europe is not fixed yet... But I know I want to go to Spain (together with my friend Carmen a real sexy and hot gal, and Sharon, hopefully they will keep to their promise), France, Italy, Greece, Germany and up to Demark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland and maybe to Cezkosolvakia (with a new found diving friend Alvin - he is a real nice guys, very easy going and even temper, a very good diver too).
From there, and if my funds runs dry I will attempt to travel via the Russia silk road (train ride - upto 6 days) to China and into Indochina and to Malaysia and back home Singapore (sound so tiring hor).
So now, you got my somewhat travel itinery, and I welcome anyone of you to join me halfway in any parts of the world to be my travel companion (I promise I will be good and not be bossy or unmanagable).
Really appreciate all your support in momentary term, prayer for our safety, health and wisdom, and travel companionship. That's all for now, hope to hear from you soon.
Hereby, I would like to share with you about having this dream come true. Travelling and experiencing the different culture in the world has always been in me for a very long time. I am a very adventurous person who love challenges very much. I always thank God for giving me many opportunities to travel and see places over the past years. But to commit a year or more to travel on my own is really something beyond me... Even at this moment, while writing, I am having butterfly feelings. It's an exciting anticipation of the UNKNOWN and yet concern anxiety of the UNKNOWN too... Ayah, life is already just so UNKNOWN, right (can't stand it so philosophcal).
To share with you a little bit of my travel itinery:
I will be heading to New Zealand, Auckland on 6th May 2004 to visit my loving couple friend Danny and Lee Ngan (they are really a blessed and committed believer of God who love God and people dearly, is my privillege and honour to know them), then I will fly down to Christchurch (Kurt a new found friend from Asiaworks, whom I have met and happen to talk about traveling to NZ is also going to visit his parent during the time, and he has so kindly agree to be my travel host while in Christchurch) and flying back up to New Plymouth to visit my dear friend Suhag (he is really an amazing guy, a pharmist, diver and traveller - he is from the UK and had travel all the way to NZ to work cos he said he hates the stressful lifestyle and wet weather in England; well, he is a easy going and laid back person with a gentle and good heart for people and animal too). Finally, I will fly out of NZ on 9th June 2005...
Landing on the busy, neon light Hong Kong to meet my diving kakis Sharon - (a very organise, systematic, and Kiasu [good sense] gal, she even brought a walkie talkie for us to carry around when we travel CHINA -just in case we lose each other, cos we will not be carrying our Handphone around) on 9th June, then both of us will be heading to explore the great ancient land of China via train, buses and ferry (this going to be tedious, some train ride can take up to 24hrs). We aim to go to Guangzhou, Nanjing, Kunming, Dali, ChengDu, TIBET - Lasksa, Xian via YangZhi river to Wuhan, to Beijing to Herabin to MONGOLIA and end part of RUSSIA, and travel by train all the way back to Shanghai till I fly out to USA. Our intention is to reach Shanghai on 21th July to 26th July 2005.
Cos I need to be in USA - Wiscousin to meet up with my sister Josey (a very strong willed, determined and an avivd life time student, she is so blessed to have found her great loving husband, while studying in a cafe) and brother-in-law Ben Johnson (he is just a role model of a true gentlement, a great cook with a big and loving heart, I envy my sis Josey to have found such a wonderful man) together we will travel up to ALASKA for a 2 weeks outdoor camping (so exciting, yeh yeh yeh...) I attempt to be in the State for about 3 months and my intention is to visit Miami, Los Angelas, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, etc... Actually my itinery for the USA part is still very vauge, will have to play by ear.
But I know I will be out of USA on about end October 2005 to travel to Central America - GUATEMALA; to visit my good buddy JoAnn Lim (she has a tremendous mission heart for the God and love for people, a pillar of strenght and support for me). This is the place I really want to enter last year Feburary 2004 while I was in Mexico. But my application was rejected cos I did not have all the proper procedure and document presented. But this time round I must ensure all the travel visa documents will be taken care of properly for me to enter into the country. Please pray for me that it will happen.
After Central America I will be flying to London as stopover to embark to the Magnificent land of AFRICA - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Eutiopia etc... Thank God I have the privilege to know some friends from my church, like: Bro Jeffery Png (a man of faith with lots of talents) and Sis Lilian (a stable and mature woman og God) and Sis Sharon (a powerful, beautiful and committed woman of God) who are ministering in Africa for many years already. My desire to be in Africa is also to be involved with some mission ministry (in either children or teaching ministry or logistic works). Maybe sometime around Feburay, I will down south to Capetown and Johnasberg with my new found diving friend Ms Princess Bobo aka Lisa (she is a real funny gal, very photogenic -every photo she took, look so gorgeous and pretty - so envy). My intention is to stay in Africa during the the winter period in Europe (3 months).
And then to travel to ISRAEL the land of history and amazing land of God's people, the Jew. A land I have always been dreaming of visiting. I may have a contact who can link me with a missionary for a lodging and ministry visits.
Then I will proceed back to EUROPE (around March 2005) to visit the different sceneric parts of Europe. But first of all I will visit Dublin - Ireland again (my first pioneer mission works) Right now the chruch is thriving and has been sending out many missionaries to places. I am so proud and honoured to have a part in this very successful mission work by my church Victory Family Center (a mission centred and sending church). So far, my itinery in Europe is not fixed yet... But I know I want to go to Spain (together with my friend Carmen a real sexy and hot gal, and Sharon, hopefully they will keep to their promise), France, Italy, Greece, Germany and up to Demark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland and maybe to Cezkosolvakia (with a new found diving friend Alvin - he is a real nice guys, very easy going and even temper, a very good diver too).
From there, and if my funds runs dry I will attempt to travel via the Russia silk road (train ride - upto 6 days) to China and into Indochina and to Malaysia and back home Singapore (sound so tiring hor).
So now, you got my somewhat travel itinery, and I welcome anyone of you to join me halfway in any parts of the world to be my travel companion (I promise I will be good and not be bossy or unmanagable).
Really appreciate all your support in momentary term, prayer for our safety, health and wisdom, and travel companionship. That's all for now, hope to hear from you soon.
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