A grain of sand falls...

It's amazing how fast time can fly... yet how slow it can seem... at the same time. I believe that when you leave a place, your memory of that which you left is frozen in your mind, and though you can conceptually understand that events continue to move on, in the "knowing" or experiencing part of your mind... life hasn't changed... you really do expect to go back to the home that you left behind, a photo taken of an entire reality. Or maybe that's just me.

Right now I've been here for over a quarter of a year. Obviously that is a substantial amount time, and I really do feel that I've been here for so long. I can barely visualize my life back in Melbourne... although my friends and family still loom large in my mind's eye. Nevertheless in relation to Melbourne, I feel that I haven't been gone more then a day, or a week at most. Surely things haven't changed as much as it seems in e-mails. It really does show that perception has a massive effect on many events and input.

In the end though, the hour glass continues to trickle, the sand continues to fall. Even moment bringing me closer to leaving HK, which saddens my heart, but also closer to going home, and that brings joy. I just wish that I knew what was meant to happen or failing that, what I should be wanting to do. There are many decisions to be made in the near future, almost all that will change my life.

What am I?

You know many people will often say stuff along the lines of "it's not only who you are that counts, but what you do that defines you." (That's a BB quote... sorta) Of course there are often other people (normally Christians) that can believe "as long as I have it all working alright on the inside, what I do doesn't really count." Saved by grace and all that.

While we are saved by grace, I would be more inclined to think along the lines of the first statement. While I know WHO I am... JL (or Integr7 for you online people) and all that comes with that name (a touch of over confidence, lots of talk, a heart for the generations etc etc..) I recently began to wonder WHAT I do. Strangely enough I've never considered this as a deep question before. However a few catch ups with some people over here got me thinking.

One of them said that when I introduce myself, or talk about myself over conversation... the list of what I do seems quite extensive. Youth Pastor, writer, dancer, gamer, cook... to name but a few. While I personally think it might have to do with being slightly insecure and over compensating by telling everyone else how cool I am... he might have a good point. What I do can reflect where I believe I'm headed in life... what my purpose and drive is.

Course my housemate further compounded on this by talking about being a jack of all trades and master of none. That's probably one of the bigger differences between us. He's chosen to master some of his hobbies, his work and his music. Where else I will take any new skill up the point where I feel that I've attained a certain level... then I just lose interest. I mean how many of you were completely shocked when I quit Magic the Gathering? (that Card game I played a few years back). I tell you the truth... I just got bored. = P The important part is that I can play with anyone else who wants to play, talk about it with them, and teach others to play too.

I think that's the crux of why I do what I do. Teaching. The main criteria for having
"Reached" that point in my life is being able to teach it to others... and being able to teach a lot more then what is commonly available. As such I think that's what I want to do with my life. No matter what my job title, position, location or status, I believe that God has given my the gift to teach others. As such, in all things, I want to be a Child of God first (Who I am) and teacher second (What I do).

So you can all call my Rabbi Josh :P Hehehe. Kidding.

I'll be bach

Heh, that was actually quite cheesy :P

Anyway, I've purchased my ticket, and since there shouldn't be any visa problems getting back into my own country, I'll be heading back home on 23rd of April, arriving at Melbourne on the 24th at approx. 1:30pm. Unfortunately I'll be stopping over in Adelaide... but yeah, it can't be that bad right? Hopefully I won't need to drink too much water while I'm there...

= D

I'll try to pick up a pre-paid sim card while I'm over there and start getting people's numbers on it... I figure I'll just keep the card active... though the credit will drain after a few months, and leave it in Melb for use whenever I come back... assuming I stay here long term... which I seriously don't know yet. Oh and if anyone had a decent 2nd hand phone they want to give me... I'd appreciate it :).

Anyway. I'll be down for 1.5 weeks, flying back on Midnight of the 4th of May, and I'll try to catch up with as many people as possible during that time. Feel free to drop me a line here, or on facebook, or via e-mail with the times that you're available and I'll let you know!

That's pretty much the update atm. The next time I'll be back will be in Oct or Nov. Looking forward to seeing everyone... breathing clean air... having good cheese again... ahh *sigh... cheeeesssseee =P

Random interlude

It's actually quite random and humorous, considering my enjoyment of singing, dancing, Disney and High School Musical, but my housemate is doing a TV ad for Disney atm, advertising the upcoming High School Musical live at HK Disneyland... so I hear the songs everyday... but it's pretty cool stuff... he's really very good.

However yes... hearing the same songs like 20 times in a row is slightly annoying.

Life update Feb 08

Well, what's been happening in the life of yours truly over the past few weeks? Well to be honest, not much, since I've been so sick... but there have been a few things/events of note... and I'll highlight them now.

Hmmm... I've forgot them... didn't blog... so no list... *checks daily planner*

Oh yes. Well I missed Chinese New Year... that was bad... but was well enough to preach on that Sunday... then subsequently lost my voice. However during that time I met a missions team from the States... and they were really cool... doing all sorts of awesome ministry around the globe... nothing that I can actually talk about without compromising some of their effectiveness... but it was great to just catch dinner with them over a couple days... and see the Peak at night... that was beyond cool.. cept I left my camera at home that day (felt really bad) so I have to wait for one of them to send me some pics...

On Wednesday.. went over to Su's house with some of the other YA's from the youth group (and other friends)... we're slowly growing... we're up to three.. yes! We had a games night and she cooked for us... that was very cool.

Tonight, went to a combined outreach hosted by one of the international schools. Was quite long and varied... the worship was really happening... the team was from the Vine... and one of the worship leaders is a teacher at the school... she looked so cool! Pity she doesn't read this though... oh well, I already told her :P. Yeah the skits were... random... and stuff... but yeah, overall very cool.

Apart from that, been busy recovering, cooking, sleeping, working, reading and doing stuff like that. Trying to work on my guitar playing too. However yes... nothing major happening really... oh apart from the two times I was stood up... but that wasn't really major... just disappointing... *sigh. The one time I wasn't... all the movies were already booked... thus I have decided that watching a movie in HK on SA Day at the last minute is really stupid.

Anyway, until I have more stuff to write about!

You know...

I've been through... about 34 packets of personal tissue... 5 toilet rolls for blowing my nose alone, and 2.5 tissue boxes... since coming to HK.

I've used like maybe 1 box a year in Australia... if that...

You know it recently came to my attention (and I definitely agree) that as you push harder in your ministry... the enemy attacks to try and keep you quiet... I would appreciate your prayers pls.

ps I've just lost my voice too... *sigh, I wonder if I'll become a bass after this :P

The answers to so many questions lie in your own heart...

That said, I did agree to answer any questions dished out... and while it's kinda awkward to answer the most embarrassing one (which happens to be asked by my MOTHER) I don't really mind... because everyone who bothers to read this obviously loves me enough to do so... right? At least I can but hope... it's all together possible that they take sadistic delight in my misery (there is an awful lot of that recorded in these journals sadly) or simply want to stalk my known online haunts for information regarding myself or my friends... regardless however, I really have nothing to hide. Also, please note my attempt at a humorous intro, thus lending to a rather comical overtone throughout this entry.

Now firstly, what have I been eating. Well since I've moved in I've definitely eaten more home cooked meals. More then 400% more, although that's partially because I've been sick (and thus confined to the house) and partially because my housemate (who yes, does share the same first name as me, I believe I've said that twice now) and his mum (who was staying with us for the first week I was here) cooked. Of course I've been cooking too, trying out my usual recipes of pasta and salads (Caesar... wait that doesn't look spelt right...)to get my self used to the kitchen. I'll be trying Shepherd's pie sometime this week... and will start flipping through some cookbooks when I'm feeling better. J2 (my HM) has made... a very nice beef dish (a herb encrusted steak) and his mum made a bunch of stuff, vegies, pasta, eggplant etc. J2 is going to show me how to make easy Chinese vegies... which I must confess has never really been a dream of mine... but hey... it'll work.

Ok, now moving on, next question... the one I thought W (as he has reminded me to call him) would ask... but instead was put forth by my own mother... who then obviously reads these posts with some curiosity I assume. *sigh. Well doesn't matter... remember, NOTHING to hide ;)

Umm I don't actually keep count of how many girls I've met in hk... but if I WAS to make a guess, I'd say around 92, with approx 84 of them being single, although about 26 of them are underage, and about 47 are too old :P Of course I make up all these statistics completely off the top of my head for a bit of fun. Really, in the end, A: I don't keep track of the girls that I meet B: I don't evaluate their "potential" when I do I meet them and C: I don't aim to find a girlfriend in HK till the end of my Internship. I think I've made that most clear in my posts and missives to the various factions within my friends who believe otherwise ;)

Heck I won't deny that there are a rather large number of good looking, successful and smart girls over here, most of whom are single and that I met in church... but yes, people gotta remember that there are priorities in life! Purpose and destiny come first! Only then can you consider who you want to follow that path with. Still finding mine for the time being... well finding out the next part of it anyway. Oh but yes, obviously I'm friends with all of them, just like all the guys I've met too. Anyway... if you boys from Melbourne are interested, feel free to look me up when you drop by HK ;) Haha.

As for the other questions that I've been asked a lot. Yes I have been sick, no I'm not dying, yes I am coming back in April, no I haven't bought my ticket yet. Yes I have been eating my fruits and vegies, yes I have been looking after myself, my new place is awesome, my housemate is very cool. Hmm I think that's mostly it. Feel free to ask any more that you want, however I'll work them into normal posts as scheduled broadcasting will resume soon (although I'm having a hard time shaking the last bit of sore throat.)

Anyway, I'll cya all soon!

No more words...

You surprisingly... I feel that I no longer have anything to blog about. I mean you've seen my friends, my old place, bits of my church... heard my thoughts... my trials, triumphs and tantrums.. so really I don't know what else to say or write.

Wait, I have a great idea! Why don't you comment and ask some questions! (if you're interested) and I'll try to post up things related to those questions. So obviously T would ask something like "so how many girls have you met so far?" Or my mum would ask "what have you been eating since moving into a new place?" etc etc.

So yeah, go for it, drop me some questions so I can think of what else to say.