A Tribute to Slimey

This was in our draft since eons ago.. but here it is:

Not too long ago, Matt found a snail in his house garden.

If you don't already know, Matt loves animals.. but especially the reptilian, amphibian, insect looking type. He once contemplated on stopping the car at the expressway just so he can carry a turtle who was on the expressway to a safe place away from the traffic. Nevermind his own safey eh?

What made the snail, (which we affectionately named "Slimey") really outstanding was that he was recognisable. He had a little chip in his shell at the top, which said he had been through something. If anything it gave him a bit of character. Night after night he would come back to the EXACT SAME spot to have his dinner. The mystery as to where he went during the day was soon solved as Matt found out he Slimey had been retiring to a well hidden little spot inside an unused flower pot (affectionately named "Slimey's hovel"). Very clever indeed.

Soon Slimely became a part of our lives and our conversation each night would begin with, "Did you see Slimey today? What was he/she doing? (Snails are both male and female)" On nights when Slimely didn't show up, we would get really anxious and think of the worse but sure enough he would show up the next day.

As we observed Slimely more and more, we began to appreciate how happy he was just doing the same routine day after day. How he took the time to enjoy his meals, his slooooowwww walks, his nap time and just life in general. During this time when we discovered Slimely, we were going through so much changes in life and so had so much to do and worry about. But the thought of how God took care of him day after day was reassuring. Even more so, he was thriving and I bet he didn't worry. God took care of Slimey's every need and Slimey glorified God by being what he was created to be. What more us?

Slimey passed on.. won't go into the details. We miss him/her very much but we are thankful for God opening our eyes to the lesson of providence. Next time don't just take time to smell the roses, take time to observe a snail =)

Melbourne Day 1

Greetings from Down Under.

In actual truth nothing much happened yesterday. We reached Melbourne at 10am and made a beeline for Margaret's school. It was a really nice place. Think Enid Blyton's boarding school but a bit more modern. I think the only quaint part is the boarding house which is really like Enid Blyton's books. (matt: More like hogwarts. Especially the boarding house. But without the revolving stairs)

Matt's mum went for all the parent-teacher meetings while we hung out at the tuckshop. It was the break time so it was filled with school girls and it was hilarious cos poor old matt got intimidated.. HAHA by big size ang moh teenage girls talking at the top of their voices. (Matt: I was not intimidated. Just self concious. )

We took Margie out for dinner at a Hong Kong seafood eatery which was quite nice and then she went off for her dance class. After we got back to the service apartment matt plonked onto his bed and never woke up. Yup.. in his outside shirt and jeans and never brushteeth.. Ewww... but the poor thing didn't sleep on the plane and thats as much as he could take so he zonked out before I can say gd night.

The only interesting thing I guess was the fact that ITS SO HOT in MELBOURNE!!!! And guess had a good time doing the I told you so to me? Yes.. I told matt to bring warm clothes cos the last time I came it was COLD.... blah.. blah the La Nina effect. (matt: She thanked me later. She was about to buy a $90 jacket from "Winter Time". I stopped her. Apparently I was the only one with common sense to ask my sister what the weather was like there. Still, it was... hot.) The heat got to matt and by dinner he was dazed by the heat with the goo goo look. HAHA I should have taken a picture..

So here I am at 12 pm. Still in PJS.. typing this. Yes Matt just woke up so essentially sleeping beauty slept for more than 12 hours.. (matt: jealous?) and since sleeping beauty's friend had nothing else to do so the friend also slept for more than 12 hours.. but less than sleeping beauty la. Today we shall accomplish more!..