Instagram: To a new world

In line with Mama Kat's writer's workshop, I was in the mood for an  instagram~ where I would glance through my photos from last week, choose one, and share the back story.

Hence, here's the photo. It shows my elder and younger daughters so excited to be aboard a local barge. We were on our way to a new life...

I finally decided to try settling down in the city where my hubby was recently employed as a college mentor. An eight-hours drive away from home ~ we were moving towards a new environment, new schools, new neighbors, new world. We then found a nice 2 bedroom-apartment and appropriate schools for our kids. And yes, finally, I was hired in the university where my hubby was teaching.

Amidst all the uncertainties, God truly works in an amazing way! I was so elated with our decision. Finally, we can live as a complete family, again, fully geared for new waves of adventures.

The clear white clouds in this photo also encouraged me to share this post to Wednesday Whites, the first time after five months (my apologies for being inactive for so long). It's good to be back!

Happiness is...

Happiness is...

simply playing silly with loved ones!

The panoramic ocean

Bored one summer and just wonna relax in the seaside, hubby planned a backpacking trip for us. The next daybreak, we traveled for 6 hours towards the beach capital of Taiwan~ Kenting, where we stayed for three adventure-filled days. The first day, we  rented a scooter and traveled around the place for scenic views.

We stopped by Jialeshuei on our way to the surfing area. This was on top of a summit overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Hail the Pacific view! Clear blue ocean and clear white clouds. What a perfect day to get out!

Daughter and hubby enjoying the panoramic view.

Isn't this breath-taking!!!

Such a glorious day! We thanked God for such simple miracles of nature!

This was last year and Joey was still so small, now she's almost as tall as me. Again, time flew by fast. 

The top of the world. The Rock.

Trying to feel how it feels to be on top of the world. So windy! This was taken after we took a dip in the ocean and on our way back to our rented place. 

Linking for Our World Tuesday,  Wednesday Whites, Watery Wednesday, Skywatch Friday 

Birthday Pink

For my nth birthday last year, my friends gave me this beautiful bouquet of fragrant lovely flowers. Ain't they beautiful!

A group of pink roses accompanied by a white stargazer lily and greenies, all wrapped in pink!

Ain't they very pretty and sweet!!!

Friends who invaded me that fun night!

Celebrating with my dear family and friends last year!  

For my oncoming birthday this year (yes, on my fave holiday-filled December, and it's next week!), indeed I have a lot of blessings to be thankful for! My deteriorating physical and mental health (due to stress) improved a lot. I was able to take care of my body of my family's health properly. I was able to reunite my youngest daughter (then 4-year old) with us from across another country. I was beyond blissful to have my whole family together, even for at least 7 months. We bonded together as an expat family, travelling, celebrating all birthdays, going to foreign schools, hanging out with friends and simply enjoying another country's culture together. We passed a lot of trials and so blessed and thankful to God we survived them. Having a handful of genuine friends around helped a lot too. Overall, though as my birthday is coming, age is undeniably increasing, wrinkles start appearing but I don't care, I enjoyed my 2011 a lot and looking forward for a more glamorous blissful 2012. Cheers!