阿比-艾莉爸爸 成長歷奇

Stories about me, my family and my daughters, Abigail & Eliana.

Abigail Jackline--Father's joy. To Connie and me, Abigail is a wonderful blessing from God, our precious jewel. God blessed us with Abigail as Connie and I went through the journey of infertility.

Eliana Faith--God answers. God hears our cries and heals us not only emotionally, but He also gives us Eliana, a precious gift, as a sign of his faithfulness.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The Chengs' Update (Dec 2010)

It's been a long long while since I last put an entry on this blog. A time to update.


關心我們的大家:

大家好嗎?今年的聖誕及新年大家過得怎樣?對我們一家來說,這個聖誕會是我們在溫哥華最後的一個聖誕了!今年因Philip實習的緣故我們轉了在本地人的教會聚會,有更多機會見識到一些北美風俗和教會慶賀聖誕的傳統:例如在本地人家裡見到為聖誕而別具心思預備的擺設,以及在連續四星期的將臨期以等待的心來迎接主耶穌的降生。我們都覺得這些經歷很難得!

Philip很開心這個學期能夠順利完成,剩下最後一個學期了!在來自功課壓力的影響下,Philip在這個學期初常擔心完成不了這學期的課程。但感謝天父,透過在教會實習的過程竟然幫助他完成了大部分的功課。在整合學習與事奉的過程,Philip有機會集中研究如何為小朋友編寫課程。Philip能完成這份六千字以上的習作是他讀神學以來一個突破性的創舉,這個學習歷程亦令他對最後要完成的那一萬字畢業習作有更大的信心。期待天父在Philip最後的學期繼續祝福他,賜下認識祂的各種學習機會。

Connie一直專職照顧兩個鬼馬小靈精:早上要步行接送阿比回校,照顧完兩位的午餐後,下午又會帶阿比到附近的社區中心參加興趣班。雖然Connie每天都很忙碌,但她慶幸女兒們很享受每天的活動以及一起相處的時光。近月來Connie還可以在星期日將艾莉交託給兒童部後輕輕鬆鬆地參與崇拜,她特別感恩的是終於可以專心敬拜和完完整整的聽完講道信息了!

快五歲的阿比(悅兒)除了喜愛上學外,也很喜愛芭蕾舞、演藝,及音樂唱遊班。她不是那些表現很出眾的小朋友,但她享受參與在其中的樂趣,我們作為父母也很喜歡見到她慢慢的成長。她現在溝通的能力也進步了很多呢!在家裡,她能更懂得用較完整的中文子句去表達自己所想的。在學校,她又能夠明白老師及同學的英語對答。她在學校有很好的拼音訓練,以至她現在愛上了拼音,無論在街上或在家裡見到字就會試試拼,有趣的是她甚至會聽見中文字的讀音然後以英文字母試試拼呢!

快一歲半的艾莉(允兒),她的成長更是令我們讚嘆不已!她有很好的觀察力,往往很快便從家姐身上學會了身邊各樣的新事物。她甚至會主動的幫忙執拾玩具和幫爸爸洗菜呢!她那可愛的笑容更時常逗得周圍的人很開心。姊妹兩人的感情相當要好,當然間中亦會為爭玩具或引媽媽的注意而吵架。但很開心的是妹妹很喜歡跟著家姐到處去,而姐姐又會保護、關照著妹妹。

我們已決定了回來香港的日期,甚至已訂了機票呢!我們期待在Philip四月尾畢業禮過後便在五月五日從溫哥華回來。相信我們日後仍不會忘記這三年來在溫哥華的奇妙旅程,怎樣在新環境裡更深的體驗神—祂對人的愛、祂的同在、帶領。相信我們也會不時懷念這裡美麗的自然環境、大小朋友也嚮往的自由空間、重視鄰里的社區生活,以及幾年來所認識的朋友。然而,我們期待回來,而且一直期盼這日快來,重新投入工作崗位,以及可以再和大家一起生活,一起經歷上主及祂所賜生命的豐盛!

祝願你新一年shalom**滿載!

偉立、康盈、悅兒、允兒
2010.12.25. 於溫哥華

**注:shalom中文常譯作「平安」,英文及希臘文也常譯作“PEACE”,但聖經原文不只是指無災無難安穩的意思,乃是指你全人的豐盛(full flourishing)—無論你與神或與人的關係,都按照起初世人被創造時的心意,得著和諧、發展。 ^_^

Thursday, August 26, 2010

My brothers and sisters, I Invite you to share with me some thoughts...


I have been greatly impacted by the Manila hijack incident for the past few days.

Being saddened by the tragedy and disappointed by the poor handling, I grieve with many others. Anger seems to be one of the emotions that come along with this tragedy. I see many Hong Kong people expressing their anger and frustrations verbally online. I can understand their reactions, yet I don't agree with the slanderous accusations, especially towards ordinary Filipinos.

Now I ponder:
How would this affect our corporate worship this Sunday? Thinking of our communal congregation, how should the pastoral team/lead worshippers respond to this incident through prayers, songs, scriptual readings, and sermon?

I still remember the first Sunday after the June 4 incident, our worship service was very different than our usual one. It was a lament service which I saw many grieving for the victims and nation. I was only 13 and I can no longer remember the details. But apparently, Christians can express their grief and concerns corporatively in worship services, providing that it is being encouraged among the worship ministry team.

What's your thoughts over this concern? How would you plan/make changes to this coming service?

How should one respond to one's anger and expressions biblically in this context?

Thursday, August 19, 2010

由參選香港先生說起…


昨晚我偶爾上到電視三色台網頁,看到今一屆參加香港先生競選的介紹。當我好奇地看一看不同參賽者的檔案,參賽者的檔案中有兩欄問到自己最滿意的(身體)部位,以及最希望改善的部位;另外,參賽者亦從網民投票中得出網民對其個人特質的評分:分別從「人氣」、「型格」、「談吐」、「魅力」、和「氣質」中看看自己的表現和得分。不過最吸引我看的是參賽者的參賽原因。因有參賽者道:I want a self achievement before 30. Breakthrough and reach to another stage of life (想在30歲前有所成就,突破自我,向人生另一階段邁進) 。我心暗暗欽敬這參賽者的想法…umm… achievement before 30。想一想自己也已過了這個年紀,自己是否一個追求有achievement人生的人?

然而很快我便轉念:過了三十歲是否能參選香港先生?看那些參賽者都算年輕,我正想看看有否一些較成熟的面孔,又想到:一個有了家室的男仕可否參加這比賽?是否都是要英俊年輕?可會是一個成熟或甚至是年邁的長者?種種的問題都是我把自己投射進這個瀏覽的過程上。

從網頁的活動相片及一些對以往香港先生競選的回憶,比賽都是大概圍繞「晒肌肉」、才藝表演、答問,以及逗女藝人嘉賓及司儀們歡心的環節。心想,其實香港先生競選無非是在那些參賽者中從眾多條件中選出最受人歡迎的一個,亦為參賽者提供知名度及進入影視娛樂的門徑。問題還在:什麼是「香港先生」/「港男」?一個「香港先生」應具備什麼條件?社會上對男子漢的看法是受民族及身處的文化stereotyping主觀印象影響。是要有過人身材、口材、受女性歡迎?抑或是學歷、財力、社會地位? What’s a man? 我作為男性,‘Man’ 些是否對自己性別的應有取態,令自己在朋輩中及社會裡取得認同?

我轉念又想:香港裡男子至少有幾百萬位,其實每位都是「香港先生」,問題只是大家會是一個怎樣的「香港先生」。怎樣的being/becoming去活得可以代表著香港的男子漢?作男人之道?

寫這blog時我還未對這topic作很深的反思,只知道自己有太多的弱點與限制,感激的是一直被身邊家人及朋友的愛接納與支持。我渴望自己能有更多幽默感去把歡樂帶給身邊的人,亦渴望更有情趣的愛太太及更有智慧耐性去做個好爸爸,教養女兒們;若健康能力許可的話,讓我在餘下三、四十年裡更成熟的活,為主耶穌、為祂所愛的世人,特別是身邊的華人,作點點影響、貢獻。

我期待和其他男子漢、香港先生,散發真正 ‘manhood’ 的氣息!我會成為真正的「香港先生」!

後記:大學時代的roommate—Raymond時常用一句 “Be a man!” 去鼓勵、鞭策大家做個真正男子漢。今日就讓我以此和其他男仕說聲 “Be a man!”

Saturday, August 07, 2010

I'm enrolled in a new degree program--Master of BBQ

This summer, I've been able to try a number of BBQ dishes.
This is one of the most interesting assignment so far--my favorite pork belly

Special thanks to Marine Li from Toronto, who generously share with me this recipe.

材料 : 五花腩肉 2-3 斤 粗鹽 適量
醃燒肉料 : 紹興酒 1 湯匙, 幼鹽 2茶匙, 糖 1/2茶匙 , 五香粉1 茶匙

Steps:
1. 先用刀在五花腩肉表皮上刮去污穢物及毛, 用水洗淨, (Optional step: 再將五花腩放入滾水內煲大約10-15分鐘至五成熟, 然後取出過冷河)
2. 五花腩抹淨.. 抹乾. 將紹興酒抹上五花腩上. 再將其他醃料拌勻後再平均抹上.... 皮不用醃..
3. 再把全塊豬皮篕上鹽,放入雪柜at least 5小時。用鹽焗的方法是令到豬皮表面水份全部蒸發, 達至表皮鬆脆效果. 所以, 沒有被鹽覆蓋的地方表皮會較韌.
4. 預熱焗爐至380F,把肉從雪櫃取出,把豬皮上的鹽全部刮走,然後用幾油捽勻豬皮,放入焗爐, ,焗45分鐘至熟,
5. Set 焗爐 to BROIL. 焗多大約8分鐘至豬皮全起細泡。
6.出爐侍凍,斬件上碟;

This is quite simple, isn't it? Bon appetit! ^_^

Saturday, July 10, 2010

艾莉是「超級撒亞人」?

昨天晚上與宣小同事Skype後,之後竟然又在夢裡見到自己回了宣小教書,派發成績表與家長會面。熟悉的情景又再現夢境,很有趣。期待真正再會的日子。

早上起來見到Abby & Elly在我床上,她們一起玩時Elly竟以雙手擺出「龜波氣功」的姿態,「OOH!」一聲後又將雙手放在腰間擺出一副儲氣的樣子「EH! EH! EH!」,莫非她打算變身成為漫畫龍珠裡的「超級撒亞人」? ^_^

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Recurring dreams

Have you ever dreamt about something over and over again? In Canada, I often dream about teaching back in Alliance Primary School Kowloon Tong, where I had taught for 10 years and was also my home school. In those dreams about APS, I would see faces of my dear colleagues and students. The school building and people appear so vividly to me. I don't recall much of the details in the dream, only knowing that they relate to the typical teaching life in APS. The general mood of those dreams is quite happy, but I also recall once that I had to bid farewell to a good colleague of mine. I can tell I really look forward my return after finishing my theological study here at Regent. I guess these dreams do reflect such yearnings in my subconscious state.

Recently, as an alumnus, I have written a poem for the 55th anniversary of APS. It captures some unforgettable scenes of school life back then. I'm posting it here to share with you.


Blessings by Philip Cheng, Class of 87
To APS, past and present

M any sweet memories came in mind
Y es, as fond melodies rewind

Y earning to live in that space again
E ach moment of past retain
A s I think of that three-storey school
R ecesses ended with a way so cool
… “Ding Ding Ding” as you’re having a groove
S hall you no longer move

I am glad true friendships grow
N ow in touch and still we know

A fter so many years gone by
P ast reminiscence does not subside
S ing our school song with me again
... To God: “Amen” our joyous refrain

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

死亡清掃人 (Death Sweeper)


這則新聞令我想起最近愛看的一部漫畫--死亡清掃人Death Sweeper。故事由主角發現自己哥哥自殺死去作開始……我只看了頭兩卷,但已被這故事及人物發展吸引著。這部不是以驚慄、怪異作招來的漫畫,卻是藉主角及其他不同角色直接面對死亡的實況,在描述人性的善惡以及對生命意義的反省,甚為細膩,值得推介。

This manga is about the job of cleaning up scenes of death, and discusses the meaning of life and death. Through interactions between the deceased's family and friends with the death sweepers, we understand the meaning of death. No matter is it is a peaceful death at the ends of one's life, murder, suicide, death from illnesses, when death comes, who would be able to predict it, or prevent it? That is why we have to try our best to live on.
(Quoted from Baka-Updates Manga)

Abby's Adoption Story on TVB