white roses

History and Meaning of White Roses

Primary Significance: Purity, Innocence, Sympathy, Spirituality

With its pristine appearance, the white rose has come to symbolize purity, innocence and secrecy.

Early traditions also used white roses as a symbol for true love, an association which would later become the hallmark of the red rose. However, white roses continue to endure and retain their symbolism of innocence. White roses are now used to express a number of different sentiments.

Also known as the bridal rose, the white rose is a traditional wedding flower. In this sense, they are a representation of unity, virtue, and the pureness of a new bond of love. White roses are also a symbol for young love, which further strengthens the association, and makes them ideal for marriages. Bridal bouquets are often comprised of white roses and other white flowers.

White roses can mean many things to many different people. They can symbolize new beginnings, or be a sign of farewell. They can convey feelings of love, friendship, respect and hope. Underlying all of these messages is the impression of innocence and purity with which white roses are now synonymous. An arrangement of white roses is not only beautiful; it can carry a complexity that belies its simpler appearance. Whatever the reason white roses are given, it can be assured that they will be deeply appreciated by their recipient.

hmm, never really knew what the significance of white roses were, now i do :) somehow, it just gives me a warm, yet peaceful feeling each time i set my gaze on it. whenever i'm sad, or not quite "there", i'll look for white roses to look at. its beauty lies in its simplicity. untainted, natural. brings me to the days in singapore when me & evelynn would just get a bunch of white roses, just to make ourselves feel better. wish i could do it here as well, IF ONLY THE PRICE WASN'T SO MORBIDLY EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! *sigh*

Ladies Bumper Sticker

random musings #1

hilarious, and true to a certain extent. haha.. enjoy! probably the guys won't find it so hilarious :P hehe.. but anyway, humour me.

• SO MANY MEN, SO FEW WHO CAN AFFORD ME.
• COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, MEN ... SOME THINGS ARE JUST BETTER RICH.
• DON'T TREAT ME ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU WOULD THE QUEEN.
• IF YOU WANT BREAKFAST IN BED, SLEEP IN THE KITCHEN.
• I'M OUT OF ESTROGEN - AND I HAVE A GUN.
• NEXT MOOD SWING: 6 MINUTES.
• AND YOUR POINT IS?
• WARNING: I HAVE AN ATTITUDE AND I KNOW HOW TO USE IT.
• DO NOT START WITH ME. YOU WILL NOT WIN.
• YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, SO PLEASE SHUT UP.
• ALL STRESSED OUT AND NO ONE TO CHOKE.

-this was found outside the upper gi & colorectal OPD clinic, at the nurses station-

random musings #2

while shopping @ rundle with steph today, we came across ralph lauren's NEW fragrance. it's soooooo nice. i have the green, and pink one already (skipped the purple cos it's vanilla-ish) and finally.. ROCKS! :) can't wait.. to get my hands on this one..

random musings #3

Last saturday, IMU had their convocation ceremony.. and my batch, M2/04, all graduated with an Adv. Diploma in Med. Science (not that it really means anything) haha.. but sounds cool yeah? :) congrats to all my batchmates!!!! and to hammy khoo!! gold medallist wei... yay!!! we're all halfway drs! hehehe.. and once again, M2/04 proved phenomenal with a whopping 74 students on the dean's list! and guess what?? all 6 of us (in Adelaide) are in the dean's list too!!!

thank You Lord for Your grace because I wouldn't be where I am without You :)

p/s: i'm sorry honey if i was acting like a terrible 2 year old today..

on a blogging frenzy!!!

haha.. food that's on my mind now!!

1) mummy's home cooked food!! (especially soup and kelantan laksa)
2) tong kee's egg tart (whatever you say darling, i still think it's the besT!!)
3) jln batai and tmn melawati's char kuay teow
4) alison's hakka mee
5) ah wah's sang yoke min
6) cathay's laksa, beef noodles
7) johor jaya's beef ball noodles
8) spageddies carbonara and vongole
9) secret recipe's cheese cake
10) chinpeng's chicken rice
11) hakka yong tau foo (neuman's gonna whack me for this but i love it!)
12) chilli's (everything, period)
13) esquire kitchen's char choy min
14) tom yam pan min @ kallang food court (evelynn, remember how often we used to eat this!!)
15) aunty wendy's assam laksa
16) pasar malam's assam laksa (liyeen, seyin, let's goo!!!)
17) ANY assam laksa!!!!!
18) dragon-i's braised beef la mian
19) ding tai feng's xiao long bao
20) old town kopitiam (miss the times we spend there baby)
21) kuala ampang's sang yu wor
22) crabs! anywhere.. anywhere!!
23) sang har min @ green view (even my reg derek knows it's good!)
24) zipangu for jap buffet
25) oug's beef ball noodles.. (slurp)
26) mdm kwan's everything on the menu..
27) shangri-la buffet
28) california pizza kitchen's kungpo spaghetti
29) klcc's foodcourt food i also want!!!
30) indian food.. banana leaf rice, briyani, mutton curry.. *faints*

i wanna go bck home now!!! *sob sob*

Valentine

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I’d still feel for you

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You’re all I need, my love, my valentine

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You’ve opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly

I’ve dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn’t love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time...
You’re all I need, my love, my valentine

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
’cause all I need is you, my valentine
You’re all I need, my love, my valentine.

-Martina McBride, Jim Brickman-

don't know why each time i listen to this song, a tear somehow manage to roll down my cheek?? emotions aside, jim brickman is the best ever! :) love all his songs.. but then, listening to it, makes me miss my piano. 5 more days to seeing it :)

Who Am I?

Who am I?
Tell me why?
I am here for
Cos' sometimes I'm lost

Who will give?
Me a lift?
When I'm feeling weak
It's Your strength I need

Before the world began
You were on His mind
To love Him and be loved by Him
Oh what a sweet relief

Why am I
Still worrying today?
Why should I
Let sorrow stay?

Come let's be strong and courageous
Because He's given
Joy, Peace, Love and
Strength to last for the day
His mercies new every day
Sufficient, Your grace is
Amazing

So thank You Father
For the Mighty Cross
So that I am Yours
Mighty child of God.

-Ivy Ang-

this song suddenly played on my iTunes just as i was about to fall asleep. my mind was brought back to the time when we were planning for CF camp, how things had seem impossible, but yet God pulled through for us. Reminded of Joshua 1, and how God spoke so powerfully just before the camp, so that i can share it with the rest. so fresh the memory, so fresh God's encouragement. Then reminded again, when it came to the chorus.. why am i still worrying? when His mercies are new everyday!!! (so timely, especially as i prepare for my presentation tomorrow which determines my assessment results)

Happy Birthday YongGeLing!!!

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY Yong-Ge-Ling :P Haha, knew this guy through Shio Yen, who asked me to "take care" of him here in Adelaide.. Turns out to be, he's a CHOW too :) wah, rarity la.. To make it even more unbelievable, he's my neighbour!! just lives next door.. AND!!! he goes to paradise, and he's my life group member! wahhhh.. haha.. anyway, it's been great knowing you! wish you the very best & a fantabulous year ahead k!!!!! God bless ya heaps :D

p/s: the fruit cake (literally) you see above is a product of Shaleeni's creative juice ;) good job girl!!!

p.p/s: for more on YongLing's birthday, click here

*shivers*

it's so cold :( i don't like it when it's cold because.. when it's cold i can't think! all i can think of is about the cold.. my brain goes numb. the only words that automatically come out of my mouth are:

1) cold!!!
2) *shivers* (this is not even a word)
3) what's wrong with the weather here? it's autumn!!! (hmm, ok this is by far the longest sentence i've spouted)


2 things i wanna thank God for!

1) prof signed my research proposal today, although it sucks, especially since i went after robert (whose report was EXCELLENT! until prof has to say "i'm ashamed i have nothing to criticise you about). nevertheless, thank GOD he was really nice, cos had it not been God, i'm QUITE certain he'd have thrown the 5 sheets of paper back at me and screamed RUBBISH!!! on a lighter note, he commented on my grammar (which is actually HIS because i wrote exactly what he told me to write) AND he disagreed with the exact thing he told me as well.. for eg.

inflammatory markers: LDH and hsCRP (ok doesn't matter what it is) but he asked:
"why are you using LDH? it's not a good indicator of inflammation." hrm?! *but u wrote it on my paper!!!!* erm, really?? but u mentioned it the other time.. "you must have misunderstood me" *gulps* yes prof.

well at least he didn't blew his top, he actually very nicely corrected my (or his) grammatical error and signed my paper. soooo happy! signature from prof, worth millions.. ok fine. at least my medical degree :O)


2) me & steph are getting our assessment signed this friday = freedom nxt week! yes!! :) but in the mean time, i have to prepare a super impressive presentation on "methods to enhance radiotherapy" pray along thks :D

as for updates on the daniel's fast, i'm doing well.. coming from a carnivour, that says a lot.. God's grace :) but getting hungry quite soon.. then tummy also very bising. so pray pray pray..

12 more days... to HOME sweet HOME!

of bums and intestines

if there's one area i know FOR SURE i won't specialize in, it's COLORECTAL surgery. it is sooooooooooooooooooooooo BORING, with a capital B! ugh :( or maybe it's just me missing upper gi too much.. *sobs*

yesterday, i wasn't feeling very well, so i decided not to go for clinic, and of all days, they just HAD to have the secret OPD on that day.. hmm, now i'm thinking if i should tell them why i didn't come OR write an apology letter of absence?

actually, i just had a bad headache and was feeling really tired. after sleeping in, i felt loads better and could even make it to church for Volunteer's and Leader's Prayer Meeting, which was really good. prayer is something that you have to exercise? and practice? cos i actually realize i was beginning to "dread" prayer meetings.. which is no good. but when i went for it this time around, i actually felt very empowered.. and God's presence was just so evident. and so, now.. me, chris, sung, yongling and shu ai are fasting the Daniel's fast together and praying together as well.. and eating vege and fruits ain't too bad after all.. first day was hard to pass by, having just apples and grapes!!! -_-" no caffeine, no dessert, no maggi, no junk food adds to it. but i'm holding on, i'm going to give up all these pleasures to seek You God! i know i'll be seeing a breakthrough, i know we as a church will be seeing a breakthrough.. it's really exciting to see everyone so full of expectancy. i can just imagine the floods of testimonies that will be coming in at the end of 3 weeks!

17 more days.. to HOME SWEET HOME

Happy Birthday Su!

Chuen.. haha.. not used to calling her "Su". Hope this 22nd year will be one that's God-filled, in every area of your life! Thank you for being such a great housemate, toilet-mate and most of all friend. God bless as you embark on a new year with Him as He takes you on to greater heights :)

p/s: guess what!!! i'm an aunty, AGAIN! a proud aunty of 2 newborn twin nephews.. *clap clap*
congrats to the new parents - ah shen koko and peiyee cheche :) and to the grandparents, ahyee no1 and uncle john. they must be so happy.. i'm happy too!! hehe.. so cute.. wow, twins!! now that starts the family history of twins. haha.. higher chance for me nxt time? one time, voila! gao dim! yeah!!

Happy Mother's Day

have a blessed day mom! :) love ya..

and to all the mothers out there.. happy mother's day!

my ambition is to be a...

aunty wendy and karen jie2 can surely complete the above statement for me :P (they still tease me about it up till now..)

i was only 3 years old when they asked me this question -> what do u want to be when u grow up? without much thought i answered 'bride'. i was young and naive ok!! but, the truth of the matter is (whether u admit it or not, explicitly or otherwise) deep within everyone has the desire to get married! and yesterday during the bU winter fashion parade, proved so :) with over 2000 over people seated in the hall, cheering and clapping and enjoying the programme and performances, suddenly 'canon in D' starts to play in the background, and there was a bridal parade! the whole hall just gushed, and swoons.. and i could hear whispers around me,

"gosh, that's so beautiful"

"a bride always look so amazing"

"i'd love to have that gown for my wedding"

i've always loved weddings.. everything's always so pretty and happy and perfect.. but i do recognise wedding does not = marriage. it has got to go beyond that, saddens me to see so many broken ones. if they'd only think about the day they exchanged their vows, the splendour, and the excitement when they first committed to share their lives with one another..

haha.. one of my sappy and emotional saturdays..

Just a wow?

"Never trade what you want at the moment for what you want the most."

that's what the post-it note that's stuck on the wall beside my says..

when i first read that, i thought, wow, awesome statement..!! i quickly wrote it down and made sure it was placed somewhere visible to remind me.

but i guess it really has to go beyond, wow, awesome! cos believing and doing it is really another matter. this is where the phrase "easier said than done" comes in.

God i just wish that i could do it, rather than just wow it.. if only i could try a little harder.. if only.. Help me God..

The hard work of getting along

by Jon Walker

“Let us agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.” (Romans 14:19a MSG)

If you have children, you’ll know exactly what I mean: Some days you look into their faces, and you see the attitudes of angels; on other days you want to scream, “Why can’t you just get along!” as they get into a ridiculous argument about who moved a toy 1/32^nd of an inch.

Sometimes these opposite attitudes shift back and forth six times in five minutes!

But let me ask you this: Do you think God ever looks at us – we adults, believers in community together – and sighs, “Why can’t my children just get along?’”

There are dozens of reasons we don’t get along with each other – with the sin of pride right at the top of the list. But I think another huge reason we fail to live in authentic, consistent, committed Christian community is because it’s too hard.

It requires real effort to work through our differences, to remain transparent and honest, to confront and to pay close attention to each other. Frankly, it’s easier to keep relationships superficial, to “demonize” one another when we don’t agree, to cut and run at the first sign of trouble rather than commit to each other.

Yet God placed within us a need for “stick-with-it” commitments; his commitment to us is unbreakable, and he wants to see us extend the same commitment to each other (2 Corinthians 8:5). But this kind of commitment takes time – something that has become far too scarce in our lives today (and that, my friend, is a choice).

God knows we will live in a healthy, Christian community if we will commit to living our lives together beyond our weekly meetings, if we will make each other a priority - sharing our lives over coffee, after work, at the ballpark, in the hospital.

The only way for us to become a “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) is when we focus on the quality of our relationships, not mere quantity or mere acquaintances.

“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James 3:18 MSG, Emphasis mine)

So what?

· Love no matter what

• How can you plan to help others at all times, not just when it’s convenient? (Proverbs 17:17)
• How can you develop a strategy for loving others at their worst, not just when they seem lovable? (Romans 5:8)

· Show up – The most basic behavior of commitment is simply showing up. “If you care, you’ll be there.” You may be surprised that your mere presence is a source of encouragement. (Hebrews 10:25)

· Intentional commitments – Other than your spouse, have you ever told someone else, “I will always be there for you”? This week, establish an intentional commitment with another believer. Approach the Spirit’s choice and bless that person by saying, “I want to grow close to you as a friend.”

hope this devotional speaks to you as much as it did to me :) have a great week ahead!

welcome back, ME!

hee.. hello everyone, seems like it's been quite awhile since i last blogged! which was actually only last week! so many things happened in 7 days, so disoriented to the point that i couldn't even tell what date it is today when the bus driver asked!!! *sigh* haha.. this is christine, for you :D

let's go from most recent.. today's my first day in colorectal!! (for more details check steph's blog) well, on one hand, i'm quite irritated we woke up for nothing, literally.. on the other, secretly thanking God that so many classes got cancelled today cos i'm still mentally quite tired. haha.. but for 1st day, it's pretty good i must say, cos there's food! yummy croissant. hee..

but then again when i saw the upper gi team walked by, a wave of nostalgia ran through me.. i LOVE upper gi!!!!! sigh, maybe that's because it's my first pleasant encounter with surgery so much so i'm inclined to specialize in it. what made me feel worse, my reg called me a "traitor" haha, in a funny joking manner of course.. but still.. i feel so belonged. haha.. so whatever right?!

in church, coming up is the bU winter fashion parade, it's gonna be awesome, with 500 over sponsors, models, dance, music and free gifts!! yay!! ultimate girl's night out :D and we're gonna start a Daniel's Fast & Pray next week.. for 21 days! so excited.. haha.. hopefully i can pull through, of course, by God's strength cos if u know me well enough, i'd rather not eat at all than to not eat meat.. hehehe.. and Daniel's fast is eating only fruits and vegetable. in preparing us for the fast, Ps Ashley pointed out a very important point, did u realize our lives have been centred around food and eating??!! even jobs are centred around meals.. there's breakfast, lunch and dinner and our working hours are arranged to accomodate these meals! so we're not gonna rely on our physical sustenance but on God!

and last week, as most would've already known, chris was admitted to the hospital because of appendicitis.. my poor baby had to endure the pain and the stay in the hospital.. very sam tong to see him in that condition, but thank God for quick recovery, he's up and about on his feet again :D it was quite an experience for the both of us, more so for him, being on the other end of the healthcare setting ie. the patient (and me the observer). now i believe, we can empathize even more with the patients because we can identify with what they're going through. you have no idea how long we had to wait at ED -_-" God has also been very gracious in a sense that, we both have already gotten our assessments for the previous unit and hence last week wasn't as crucial a week for us.. and my team was really nice and understanding when i explained the situation to them :)

One song sums my week, Through It All.

Wonderful Creator, I Love You!