Pastor Judah Smith hails from Seattle, who pastors Generation Church (the youth arm of The City Church). He came to speak at the CityLife Church weekend celebration services as well as a special combined Youth and Young Adults event last Friday evening. This evening he was able to grace his presence to a small group of youth and young adult leaders over dinner. It was awesome to have a bit of a chat to an awesome man of God!
Posted by: sammerz | 30 January, 2007
Judah Smith
Posted in Events
Posted by: sammerz | 27 January, 2007
Moonlight Movie
Today was the first time I went to the Moonlight Cinemas. It was held in open air in the Royal Botanic Gardens, and I was pleased to spend this special evening with Steph. There was a forecast of rain, but other than a few drops mid-way through the movie, it was slightly chilly with a gentle breeze. Wrapping up on bean-beds and under some picnic blankets, it was very romantic as dusk settled and the movie played. The movie, The Departed, wasn’t that great, but iwhat made the evening great was the great potluck picnic-dinner and the atmosphere. A few of our friends from church were there: Allen, Corinne, Hangers, James, Jasmine, Laura (Sarah’s friend), Lee Mei, Mandy, Nigel, Sarah, Zahal (Sarah’s friend). We later drove to Lygon St and enjoyed some drinks and dessert at Café Notturno.
Posted by: sammerz | 20 January, 2007
An 80th Birthday Celebration
This evening we celebrated Steph’s Grandma’s 80th birthday. A HUGE event! The ‘family’ was about 24 people!!! We dined at the Tongs’ favourite Saturday evening spot: Superstar Restaurant. The food was good – it had to be, as Steph mentioned it was about $60 per head! It included abalone, lobster noodles and drunken chicken.
Following the dinner, Steph’s 3rd Uncle (Dennis) and wife (Anne) invited us to their place. At Christmastime I have only met Steph’s 2nd Uncle (Michael) and wife (Sandra). We played Monopoly with Cecilia their 7 year old daughter. She is a cute one, and I suppose my table antics with the fake dog poo and fake spider somehow helped us get along. Steph later asked Cecilia in my absence: “Do you like Sam?” . She nodded. I was beginning to make family connections!
Posted in Celebrations, Family
Posted by: sammerz | 16 January, 2007
1 Month!
Our 1-month anniversary!! One thing to remember – there was a power outage all throughout Victoria today. The bushfires have been raging for about a month and a half now, fuelled by the drought season. The plan was to have dinner and watch a movie in Glen Waverley, but all the shops, restaurant and cinemas there had no power! I also managed to find a petrol station in time to fill up 48 of the 50L tank! Phew! So it’s like a blow to me as I like to plan and organise things, but this power failure has certainly taught me a lesson: plan ahead, but still be flexible. Even if things don’t go to plan, learn to enjoy life by making the most out of the situation. So travelled to Box Hill we did and we had a good feast of Shanghainese food – and yes we got dumplings! (Steph was craving for them over the last month.) We went to Steph’s place and snuggled up on the couch, watching Garfield. So yes, we got the movie too!
I also gave Steph a gift: it was a jigsaw puzzle picturing a variety of sweets. Well, gifts wasn’t really on the agenda, but I love to spoil Steph in any way possible! Sweets because she is the sweetest person I’ve ever known. <<Insert AWWWWW!!!!>> Puzzle because our relationship is a journey and we’re discovering each other piece by piece – each piece amazing, and each piece making up the person God has made us to be. The card included in the gift contains 4 fragments, each piece containing a clue as to the whereabouts of a gift I will later hide on our 1-year anniversary. I’ll give her the other pieces on our 2nd, 3rd and 6th month anniversaries. =) Tis all about devotion – I’m already thinking about our 1-year! Forward thinking. Now I’m thinking as if I’m working at a bank… which bank?
Posted in Celebrations, Growing
Posted by: sammerz | 13 January, 2007
AAMI Classic
Today was not too hot, but the sun was still shining. The event of the day was the AAMI Classic held at Kooyong Tennis Club. The first match was betwen Andrew Murray from Scotland and Marat Safin from Russia. Murray is seeded 15 for the upcoming Australian Open and Safin only 26. Murray won in two sets, the match lasting just under two hours, including a tie-break in the first set. The second match was between Roger Federer from Switzerland and Andy Roddick from the USA. The match lasted a mere 85 minutes with Roddick winning two sets to one. I believe Federer (seeded 1) was merely practising his drop-shots and volleys against Roddick (6) for the Open which starts on Monday.
Posted by: sammerz | 09 January, 2007
Subtle Hints
Steph kept hinting about some sort of surprise today. When I finally took the hint, I decided to look around my work desk… what could it be? I checked my backpack… no, it can’t be. Don’t think she knew I use my backpack, instead of the leather work bag. Hmm… then when I opened my wallet, there was a card. On the front was a quote:
“I love you because you’re created with love from heaven above.” – Karla Dornacher
And then her message on the back:
My dear dear dear Sam,
Surprise! =) Thank You God for sending you to me, because you’re the most amazing guy that I’ve ever met; and you made me to be THE HAPPIEST GIRL ON EARTH, ALWAYS! Becoz you love God before loving me =)
TongTong
Jan 8, 2007
So blessed!!! ^_^
Posted in Surprises
Posted by: sammerz | 31 December, 2006
NYE ’06
So Steph took me to a hair salon in Box Hill, for a more Hong-Kong style cut. But I believe my hair grows too fast to support the Hongkonger look!
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- Final Photo for the Year
We crashed at Dave Chin’s place to watch the fireworks on TV. The social games we played then were more interesting though.
Posted in Events
Posted by: sammerz | 26 December, 2006
Final Christmas Feast
Our gastronomic week is coming to a close with the fifth (and final) Christmas dinner – with Steph’s ANZ colleagues (and their friends/partners/tag-alongs). It was a night of games, Wii, food, fun and more food.
Posted by: sammerz | 26 December, 2006
First Movie
Our first movie together: Happy Feet!
Steph with a Baby Mumble
Happy Feet
Posted by: sammerz | 25 December, 2006
Meet the Tongs
Christmas Feast #4.
This time it was with Steph’s extended family. While the rest of her family are in Hong Kong, I had the privilege of meeting her grandparents, uncles and aunties, and cousins. Her grandparents gave me a silver coin from the Australian Mint which depicted next year’s Chinese animal: the pig. Apparently these were given only to family members – so I guess that meant I was officially inducted into the Tong household! =P
2007 Year of the Pig - Silver Proof Coin
Uncle Michael (Steph’s #2 uncle) is an amazing chef – check out the food!
SGS 
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