This was what I saw at Mount Nebo, 10 kiliometers west of Madaba in Jordan, about 2700 feet above sea level. Mount Nebo was where God showed Moses a view of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1-7).

I remembered many of my tour mates taking pictures of these special-looking “trees” during our study trip during the fall of 2005.

[Update: Thanks you Andrea from Hajos Cactus these are plants called Agave Americana 'Marginata'. Each thin stalk emerges from the centre of a succulent base and it's actually a part of the flowers which bloom on the branches at the top.]

Oh yes, The Store is one of my favorite shopping stops in Johor Bahru (JB), in Malaysia. My dad first brought me and my sis to one of it’s outlet in 1990 and since then whenever I’m in JB, I must make a trip to The Store.

The Store reminds me of the ambience of an old neighborhood store that has closed down but was very popular when I was growing up.

The Store isn’t your typical posh department store and that’s why I like it.

These snapshots were taken in the evening last Saturday, before hub and I drove our way back to the customs.

Some of my best buys from The Store are leaf-shaped plates, a mini Luminarc jug and even unbelievably cheap Benetton t-shirts, all made in Italy!

I have seen these mousepads by Kokuyo on zakka magazines…then came one evening, while waiting to meet up with the guys (my bro and my hubby) for dinner, my sis and I spotted them at the Kinokuniya bookstore, just fresh out on display and because she knew how much I like the Unikko patterns, she bought all 4 colours available…for me! I resisted but she insisted so I’m but a thankful recipient.

Each piece is only as thick as paper and comes without a rubber backing which means they are just too delicate for a mousepad, I think. So I decided to convert them into magnets. Using 1 to 2 slim magnets with a sticky side to adhere to the back of each mousepad, these pretty Unikko blooms are now adding cheery colours to my fridge and magnetic wall.

Earlier this month, I received my Back2School swap from Catherine. Her package included a pretty collection of papers, a handmade notebook and ribbons too.

My goodies for her included some of my favorite pens, highlighters and a round card from Artecnicainc that unfolds into a 6-foot long floral garland.

I had a good time shopping at different places to get everything ready. There’s just so much stationery supplies to share and that meant lots of decision-making! Well, we all go through that and enjoy every minute of it, don’t we?

“He is no fool who gives what He cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot

Just last weekend my brother handed me this book “Men Of Faith- Jim Elliot” that was somehow left behind in my family’s bookcase after I got married and moved out. He knew it belonged to me because the friend who gave it to me had penned a thank-you note inside. I have forgotten that I had contributed finanically to her mission trip to Romania in ’93 and the book was a little gift to her supporters. It’s always nice to read notes (and messages) written in the past. I’ll be having dinner with her and a bunch of our good friends next Tuesday.

Since campus days, the life of Jim Elliot has been a powerful testimony to me and to this group of friends I’m meeting next Tuesday. Jim and his wife, Elisabeth, were part of a team of young missionaries to the Auca Indians in Ecuador. In 1956, Jim and four of his fellow missioners were murdered by the hostile Auca Indians. He was 29. His wife and the other four widows forgave the Aucas and continued their work in that area with wonderful results.

In Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot, Elisabeth Elliot relates the account of the martyrdom. In late July, a musical on their life story called “Love Above All” was staged here. I didn’t get to see it but my bro did. Maybe next time.

A while back during the spring/summer months, my sis and aunt traveled to Budapest and China respectively and here’s what they got me:

Paprika in a mini sack with a painted spoon. The threads are colours of the Hungarian flag.

I mustn’t forget that the powder expires next month.

My aunt bought this matryoshka while visiting the Russian Street, a shopping district with lots of Russian (as well as European) influence in downtown Dalian, China. Dalian was once colonized by Russia so this street is one of the places to catch glimpses of the old colonial architecture.