This evening some 30-odd people came over to my place to celebrate Gabriel’s life. Friends from church as well as fellow graduates from ANZ attended to share about their connections with Gabriel. He has truly impacted many people and his life and now his passing has is bringing many closer to God. We video-called Betsy in Hong Kong and shared about our experiences with Gabriel. How profound was the effect Gabriel had on people – whether in or out of church. He will truly be missed, but as some has prophesied that he would preach from a pulpit; our lives are already the spiritual pulpits from which he speaks. He has encouraged us to live life to the max, not take it for granted. We ought to live our lives like there is no tomorrow…
Posted by: sammerz | 02 June, 2007
Video Call
Posted by: sammerz | 01 June, 2007
Double Birthdays
We attended Dave’s 24th birthday at Ying Thai II, a popular Thai-cuisine restaurant on Lygon St. Oops – didn’t get to take any photos tho! After this, we attended Phoebe’s 21st – SGS’ first 21st b’day appearance haha!! There were plenty of helium balloons – I was sure not too many people noticed when some of them were disappearing and certain people (like us – you should’ve heard Steph!) had unusually high-pitched voices…
Posted in Celebrations, Firsts, Friends, Photos
Posted by: sammerz | 28 May, 2007
From the Airport
I arrived at the airport at 5:45am this morning. Steph’s flight scheduled for 6:10am arrived early, but it wasn’t until close to 6:30am when she exited the Customs area. It was so good to see her again. I took a Bereavement Leave day off, so I could spend time supporting her and also to remember Gabriel. He passed away on Friday evening at 5:45pm (our time, or 3:45pm Singapore time). They held a funeral service on Saturday and then a cremation ceremony yesterday. In a way it was good Steph was able to make it to all of this, as Betsy needed her for support. This Saturday we’ll be holding the Melbourne-side memorial service at my place.
Posted in Prayer
Posted by: sammerz | 25 May, 2007
Present for Lee-Mei
Steph, Elisha and I chipped in for Lee-Mei’s birthday present. Happy 21st, Lee-Mei! Unfortunately due to recent events, Steph wasn’t able to come to the party. Praying for her safe arrival home!
Swarovski pendant
Posted in Celebrations, Friends
Posted by: sammerz | 25 May, 2007
To Heaven He Goes
Gabriel passed away at 5:45pm (3:45pm Singapore time). He’s in a better place now – no more pain, no more worries. I once knew him as the only other guy in Citylife (well, at least in our circles) who had chubbier cheeks than I do! I really do feel for Betsy, because she is very, very uncertain about her future at this time, and at the point of breaking down. I can only pray that God’s hand of healing and comfort would be upon her – because more so now than ever, she needs the joy of the Lord to well up inside of her. It was truly a miracle for Steph was able to:
- take a week off work;
- get a flight there;
- make it in time to be within 48 hours of still being able to hear Gabriel speak (his last words to her: “Steph, you put on weight!”);
- say a prayer with Gabriel’s mum (who is an unbeliever – though she did not understand Canto, she still smiled); and
- get a flight home, after spending enough time to see it all through at Betsy’s side.
Posted by: sammerz | 21 May, 2007
To the Airport…
This evening I took Stephberry to the airport to see her off. She asked me whether it was a rash decision to go, and whether I was ok with it. I reassured her that she was doing what had to be done – and that they needed her support more than I did at this time. So she left for Singapore, and I prayed that Steph would at least make it in time…
Posted by: sammerz | 19 May, 2007
Yamagata Teppanyaki
This evening we joined James and Lee Mei (JKLM) for a double date. Japanese again! We went to Yamagata, a Teppanyaki restaurant in Doncaster East. This Teppanyaki place was different than the last one we visited back in October, in that the chef was more good-natured and fun, throwing eggs and bowls around. However the let-down was the food wasn’t that crash hot – and we found ourselves eating food that had a burnt taste to it. Perhaps it was because we shared the hotplate with other guests who began their course half-an-hour before us. And that was the other let-down: the other guests (mind you the guy sitting next to me was ok) were mostly drunk and their behaviour weren’t that respectable. One guy even tried to pick up Lee Mei – what a jerk! Other than that the four of us were good company to each other. Think I drank too much sake hehe.
The plan after Teppanyaki was to head over to Maccas for some dessert and have a chat, however TongTong received a distress SMS from Gabriel’s mentor in Singapore. Gabriel’s 13 month fight after being diagnosed with cancer had taken a drastic downturn. The chemotherapy that only recently begun was affecting his liver. So he has been taken off the chemo and is now taking nutrients and morphine. Steph made the decision to head over to Singapore to support Betsy and Gabes. Both Betsy and Gabes studied and worked here in Melbourne. However both went back overseas. Betsy was in HK, who went to Singapore to visit Gabes. Betsy is Steph’s best friend and needed her support.
Posted by: sammerz | 16 May, 2007
5 Months!
5 Month Anniversary! Stephberry and I went to Shira Nui in Glen Waverley. If you have to visit this restaurant, you’d want to dine Omakase. Literally it means, “letting the chef decide the menu.” You would sit on the bench and watch the expertise Chef Hiro-san and his protégé as they efficiently but delicately create each sushi. In 10-15 minute intervals, a pair of sushi is placed on the tray in front of you and, after a quick description, the chef politely suggests “no soya sauce” or “with soya sauce.” Stephberry and I, being the organisational type, wrote down each dish!
Posted in Celebrations, Food, Photos
Posted by: sammerz | 12 May, 2007
Miss Saigon
This afternoon we joined about 15 others to see Miss Saigon, a musical production. This is the first time I went to a musical, as those high-school productions don’t really count! And, yes, this would be the first time SGS has attended a musical together! It was just amazing, especially how the lighting, stage props, orchestra and of course the acting, were all put together. And to think they do this twice a day for about 5 months!! Superb talent!
Miss Saigon
Posted by: sammerz | 07 May, 2007
Sick!
Stephberry and I took sick leave today… Both of us had to sit on the throne for extended periods… not sure if it was the pancakes, but apparently James was sick too, and he didn’t have pancakes. Hmm… Anyway, for lunch Steph took me to her favourite Vietnamese noodles spot in Richmond… the soup had no MSG (or minimal only)!
SGS 
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