The blessing of a break

Well, I’ve been back in California for two days now and pretty much over whatever jetlag I may have suffered—maybe those homeopathic no-jetlag pills that Marsha got me really did work! Anyway, I’ve been enjoying the last couple of days. I don’t have anything to do until I go back to work on the 2nd, and back to class on the 7th, and I’ve been sleeping, eating, sleeping, watching movies and more sleeping since I got back.

Actually, I did quite a lot of that while I was in Hong Kong for three weeks. Not so much of the sleeping. And a lot more eating. But these last few weeks have been a time of recuperation and reenergizing.

As many of you know, I was back in Hong Kong for the first full Fung family reunion in five years (check out THAT alliteration!).



And what a glorious time we had. With nine of us (three brothers, two sisters-in-law, one niece, three nephews) packed into our parents’ four-bedroom apartment and our parents a short drive away, much time was spent together, watching late-night football/soccer, talking, playing cards, drinking lots of tea … and did I mention the eating? (I’ve still to break through the 140 ceiling, though …) We saw the sights over the first few days, and did plenty of shopping.




Hong Kong also meant having home-cooked food, and lots of it. And a fully-stocked fridge (yes!). ☺

And seeing old friends.

Being in Hong Kong also meant being away from Pasadena (yes, I’m very good at drawing logical conclusions). But it meant space and time to process, something which I hadn’t had occasion or opportunity to do in a number of months. So I was afforded the chance to gain a more objective perspective after months of barreling along just trying to hold on to the speeding locomotive of life and not to get left behind. And it was good, especially with re-rooting me in God and removing unnecessary and unhelpful expectations from certain relationships.

I’m happy where I am. Life is still tough. Responsibilities still remain (and, according to the parents, will only increase). But the blessing of a break is welcomed. Thank you, God.

I hope that you have had and are having a peaceful and restful break, and that you see God’s richest blessing in your life this new year.

Hong Kong Hello

I’ve been in Hong Kong for a week and a half now. It’s been a blast so far; it’s the first time we’ve had all the family (parents, three sons, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren) together since 2002, so understandably it’s a little bit exciting. ☺ These last ten days have been a taster of what I missed during the busyness of the last few months: being able to enjoy life, to spend time with people, building our relationships, playing cards, laughing, sleeping in, eating with friends, being able to read for fun (I read Tuesdays with Morrie in a couple hours this afternoon), to spend some quality time with God.

I haven’t slept all that great—those of you who know me won’t be surprised. But I’ve gotten more rest than I did during the last couple of quarters! And I’ve had time to process a lot of thoughts that I didn’t previously. I even managed to catch Arsenal playing, though the Seahawks losing to the Panthers balanced out the jubilation of watching Arsenal finally beat Chelsea (first time in three years!).

There’s still much processing to do. I’ve yet to articulate any of the lessons I’ve been learning from the last few days, or put on paper any of the things that God’s been telling me; so there’s no moral for this blog, just a little update.

I hope your December is peaceful and blessed, wherever you are.