Barfy & Wira; the precious Westies turned 2 a couple of weeks ago. Here’s a silent movie of the celebration. They even got presents from Unc Peyman! Pig ears to chew on and eucalyptus and tea tree shampoo. *roof roof hoorayyy*

That’s Wira posing with the shared pressies. He’s the rounder, fluffier looking one and very playful.

Barfy with the cake… *grin* We sometimes call Barfy ‘old man’ – more grumpy, moody and just growls when he’s not in the mood. Otherwise he gives you the most heartwarming welcome with his signature style – by picking something up in his mouth to give you – be it a slipper, his toy, or anything he finds around – just to say welcome home

 Dorin Ranee at 11:31am November 7

Hon.. that’s called midlife crisis at 30 (or before!). Going through it now too. LOL!

Anthea Chew at 12:05pm November 7

That’s it!!!!! Those are the words!!! It’s Mid-Life Crisis before 30!!! Thanks Dorin!!! I’ve got an excuse now to do something different!! haha!

Anthea Chew is having a mid-life crisis 7 months before 30!!! I need a big change!! Thanks for figuring it out for me, Dorin!!!

<more to come!>
]]> http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/mid-life-crisis-at-30/feed/ 0 dorinranee http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/whitianga-trip/ http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/whitianga-trip/#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:51:10 +0000 dorinranee http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/?p=150 ]]> [Transferred from dorinranee.com. Published Nov 6, 2008]

Hooray for the long Labour weekend! Glad we decided to go ahead with the trip to Whitianga despite the weather forecast. It turned out sunny on Saturday and Monday. Sunday was a little gloom; the sun couldn’t decide whether to shine or not. We call that sissy weather in NZ.

We walked 45 mins to Cathedral Cove… 

Some sunrise pics of Mercury Bay, just across the road from where we were staying. I’m so proud that I managed to get up even before the alarm goes off at 5.30am! *shoulder pats*

It’s such a breath-taking view! Yea, breath-taking cos it was cold as well. Felt so close to nature; and was marvelling at how awesome God’s handiwork is. Look at the crescent moon! This is all so picture perfect.

 Whee! At the break of dawn. And finally one of me sailing through… Looks ghostly… hmmpph, an artistic ghost. *cackle cackle*

I really love this photo. JC looks mischievious – as always. We’re trying out his new Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8 lens that we just picked up earlier in the morning. This is taken on Lorne Street, just outside Nillo Hair Saloon. Yeap, JC just got his hair cut and looking very much like a Taiwanese Superstar. LOL!

JC

Here’s the birthday video production for Jeff – the photog. Put together while he’s away in Malaysia.

Life’s good when you have friends to do life with.

At Vivace on the day Jeff arrived back in Auckland…

JC

A ‘manly’ birthday kiss from Keith to complete the night…

*shhhmaccckk*

At the end of it, big smiles and empty plates…

Happy Birthday Jeff! *burp*

Two thousand women who have been dealt a tough hand in life – those who suffer abuse of violence, street workers, Women’s Refuge residents came together for a night of pampering at Life South Centre. It was a night of fun and celebration – with free gifts and prizes, chocolates and nibbles, karaoke contests and dancing. It was the ultimate makeover party – where they get their makeup, hair-do, nail treatments, shoulder and foot massages, and facial done!

Thumbs up and shoulder pats (and of course, bountiful rewards in heaven) to Debbie Baker, manager of Streetreach who headed this huge huge community project. It’s definitely a tangible way of saying “You are beautiful!” “You are special!” “You are worthwhile and you matter!” to those women of whom Debbie said some have never heard such praises from anyone before.

*******************************

Miss Susilowati and I was privileged to have been involved in this project; Susilowati did nails and I did the makeup. We were doing it non-stop from 7pm till 10pm and time just flew us by. I felt truly grateful for the experience and it’s my one way of using my skills to bless others and glorifying God.

There were probably around 35 makeup stations to accommodate the mass. In total I probably did around 10 women’s makeup in that 3 hours and girllll, that was fantastic practice for me! I get to do makeup on different features and work the colors on different skin tones. So really, it was exciting for me. The women were just lovely and I was greatly encouraged by their compliments on how they love my makeup on them. It was also fun when they were trying to guess my nationality while I work the brushes on them. And ohh, they said I’m real preeetty too… Awwww! Look who’s pampering who now.

*Ponder mode*

"hmmpphh..."

I felt really good that night. In giving and in receiving. I felt good that I was able to do something for those women. I felt good that it put smiles on their faces when I hold up the mirror to show them how they look like. I felt good that they can see themselves beautiful. Soon, they will know too that they are beautiful because they belong to the Most High.

How nice. This is my idea of an ideal work. When my passion is combined with compassion.

Work = Passion + Compassion

*No pics as we were busy bees that night… and my usual photog is not around. Will see if I can grab it from somewhere.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17

Here’s a clip of being part of Latinissimo Performance Team 2007. Looking back, I’m glad for the experience despite the feet-dragging rehearsals.

Salsa started when I was looking for something to do in Auckland in 2006. Lately, I don’t have the time for it now but perhaps one day you’ll see me back on the dance floor.

My Prayer

I don’t care how defeated this family has been in the past.

This is a new day.

I boldly declare we are more than conquerors.

It doesn’t matter how broke we’ve been.

I declare we’re going to lend and not borrow.

I don’t care how big our obstacles are.

I declare that no weapon formed against us is going to prosper.

I don’t care how powerful our enemies are. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

We’re not victims anymore. We are the victors. We are blessed and we cannot be curse.

]]> http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/prayer-of-declaration/feed/ 0 dorinranee http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/im-an-encourager/ http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/im-an-encourager/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:35:52 +0000 dorinranee http://cluckingducks.wordpress.com/?p=58 ]]> 6  May 2008

I learnt about developing a healthy self image – Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now. I want to see myself as how God sees me. A victor, a champion, confident, intelligent, eloquent, good in communication; I see myself as a successful lady with her business, encouraging and inspiring women to reach greater heights and be used by God in all possible ways. I see myself as a wife to a wonderful man of God who is being loved, cared for, cherished and adored by him. I see myself as a wonderful mother to my children and bringing them up in the ways of the Lord.

Yesterday, Ashley (Chin Ling Leong) texted to arrange about our meeting and it was just interesting how the message evolved.

That was really awesome! Thank you Lord! You are soooo good!

Jeremiah 15:6 You have rejected me,” declares the LORD. “You keep on backsliding. So I will lay hands on you and destroy you; I can no longer show compassion.

It is a choice that we make whether or not we want to obey the Lord. I pray for strength from now on to love God and obey His words and live His ways.

Reminder to self: I need to be disciplined on keeping my body fit and toned. Eat well. And invest time to build up business.