A Christmas Greeting to Our Friends

We decided to spend the holidays here in Penang, and the Lord blessed us with new furniture, yay! So now, we've done nothing but host our Penang friends, sit around the table and just EAT!  [Album in the making]

So on that note, we would like to wish you all a fatastic Christmas!

And to all our friends, we have posted our Christmas music selections on our family Multiply site.  Sorry we couldn't make you the cd, as per our tradition. Instead, you can download or listen to it online here: Christmas at Our Home 2007 Don't forget to add "thejhensons" as your contact to do so.

For Gia and Freida.AVI

Merry Christmas! Miss you so...

Images of Christmas-Past

Our Christmas portraits through the years...

If you're unable to view photos, click HERE

A Broken Compass...Pass the Word Around

"My books are about killing God."

-- Philip Pullman, author of "The Golden Compass"

Please be forewarned that this movie is a blatant attempt at promoting atheism among our unsuspecting children.

Link

The Gospel According to Bono

Interview with Bill Hybels


See it in its entirety as it was shown at the Willow Creek Community Church in August of 2006.

APEC 07, SINGAPORE

It's been 2 years since our last Singapore visit. 'Twas for the same purpose when we last made the trip by land with our entire brood. We had just moved to Penang then... Time does fly.

We made the trip this year sans our kids. It was the most mind-blowing, vision-enlarging conference to date, thanks to our generous mentor, Kevin York.

We are grateful to the pastors and staff of EN Singapore for hosting this event. Thank you for all your tireless and dedicated service.

PS Here are some clips from the "Celebrate the Nations" event:

APEC 2007 Report from Every Nation Church (Singapore) on Vimeo.

Hillsong Conference '07 [Opening number]

Jojo and I recently had the opportunity to visit the Hillsong Church in Australia.  We went to the 4:30pm "off-hours" service.  It was a 'small' group of probably a thousand, yet the excellence and the level of annointing was simply staggering to out-of-towners like us. [In other words, na-'ciano kami.]

For a glimpse, I'm posting this excerpt of their 2007 Conference, the dvds of which my family and I have been feeding on the past month.  So if any of you get the chance, register ahead for the next conference in July '08.  (Our KL church sends a delegation every year.)

Hillsong Conference 2007 Opening
Uploaded by ajchz

[Thanks, Carol, for posting this on your blog In Love.]

U2 Praise & Worship

Our 21st on the 21st of Septembah...in Australia

Yes, we spent our 21st anniversary in the Land Down-Undah... It was an amazing experience, to say the least.

Hunter Valley

Can you see the bags Pop is holding? That's our wine, hehe! Children under 18 cannot go wine-tasting eh under penalty of law.

Blue Mountains vs. Mine's View

Manly Beach

Part of One Fine Day in Sydney

Darling Harbor

One Fine Day in Sydney

We had a buffet lunch at the revolving resto atop the Sydney Tower which is the tallest manmade structure in Sydney. Grabe, we were awestruck by the view... and by this treat. We were so overwhelmed cos no one treated us like this in a loooong time!

Photo Album 2009-07-29

one-word survey

1. Where is your cell phone? LeSportSac
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend? GORGEOUS
3. Your hair? DRY
4. Work? MINISTRY
5. Your father? SICK
6. Your favorite thing? iMAC
7. Your dream last night? FORGOT
8. Your favorite drink? COFFEE
9. Your dream car? AUDI
10. The room youre in? SUITE
11. Your pet? DEAD
12. Your fears? CLAUSTROPHOBIA
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? FIT
14. Where did you hang out last night? GENTING
15. What you're not good at? SPORTS
16. Eyebrow rings on the opposite sex? HMMmm
17. One of your wish list items? CAMERA
18. Where you grew up? UPS2
19. The last thing you did? YouTube
20. What are you wearing? TEE
21. What arent you wearing? SHOES
22. The website GoofyAuctions.com? WHAT?
23. Your computer? MAC
24. Your life? CHANGING
25. Your mood? UPBEAT
26. Missing? MOM
27. What are you thinking about right now? FUTURE
28. Your house? EMPTY
29. Your work? EXCITING
30. Your summer? LOOONNGG
31. Your relationship status? SATISFIED
32. Your favorite color? WHITE
33. When is the last time you laughed? TODAY
34. Last time you cried? TODAY
35. School? LIFE

Unlikely Star in The Star

   "Good morning kids! Your picture's in the morning papers today."[yawn]

Hehehe! I think not.  This mommy-cum-blogger spent half the morning scanning the pages of The Star, one of Malaysia's leading newspapers.  No mother will EVER get used to or tire of this.  I could easily switch my title to 'publicist' (drawing from my college pursuit) if any of my children ever decide to take it seriously and pursue a career in front of the public eye.  Maybe one of them will even aspire to ...

Around the World in 80 Days

My kids' school, Sri Pelita, recently hosted a play at no less than the
Dewan Sri Pinang. It was an amusing adaptation of Jules Vernes' novel done by their school to celebrate their 7th anniversary.

Jonathan played the lead as Phileas Fogg, Scott was Passepartout, and Simone was Aouda. Joe played two parts: Mahmood and Capt. Speedy, aside from being the choreographer of the opening dance. Jenny sang a duet and a solo. Luis led the Chinese Drum number. All in all, Mom and Dad were brimming with pride.

Stay tuned for additional links...Around the World in 80 Days (Addendum)

Around the World in 80 Days (Addendum)

These are the additional links to my album Around the World in 80 Days:

• Alice Koh's blog
  
• Joe's album and
  
• Simone album

I can't help it if I'm a proud Mama.


L.O.V.E. Jonathan's song and dance number. A bit blurry, but it's a teaser to the more professionally done (school-sponsored) DVD

I Just Love Maps

...Especially those that show you where you've been. I guess I love travelling, going places, moving on.

My Flickr Map ... the vivid blue and geen map below
My Google Travel Map ... the light blue map below

My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Thanks Thelma

idahenson’s Music Profile

http://www.last.fm/user/idahenson/
Couldn't help doing this blog-game. So I'm making it singit here on previously-posted link...

Directions:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Send Out a Prayer by ANOINTED

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Written in the Wind by ERIC MARIENTHAL

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
These Foolish Things by Rosemary Clooney

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
'S Wonderful by Dave Grusin' (OK, I had to click twice cos I got Corazon by Luciani & Simone, then Great Outdoors by John Mayer)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Gerard Joling & Tatjana

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Come Back by Jose Padilla

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Your Smiling Face by Mike Francis

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Época by Hôtel Costes [Translation: 'time']

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK ABOUT YOU?
Where Does the Time Go by Julia Fordham

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Santa Chuva by MAria Rita

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BESTIE?
Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Les Paul & Chet Atkins

WHAT SONG WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR WEDDING?
Speed Dial No. 2 by Zero 7

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Lord You Are Good by Israel Houghton

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Deephouse by Sade

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Jamaica by Al Jarreau & George Benson

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
One Less Bell to Answer by Siobhan Pettit

WHAT WOULD YOU BRING ON A DESERT ISLAND?
Take That to the Bank by Shalamar

WHAT IS YOUR PET HATE?
Our Love is Here to Stay by Rod Stewart

IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Weight of the World by Chantal Kreviazuk

HOW ARE YOU FEELING AT THE MOMENT?
Loving You Always by Coldplay

DO YOU HATE ANYONE?
Walk On By by Siobhan Pettit

DOES ANYONE HATE YOU?
Corazon by Titán

BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, WHO/WHAT DO YOU THINK OF?
Moody's Mood by George Benson

I AM...?
Not Forgotten by Israel & New Breed

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Corcovado by Elis Regina & Tom Jobim

Please V0TE for "Jump!" by Jonathan Henson

http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/217295

My New Hobby

...if you can call it that.  I'm just aliw with the fact that there's a way to put your fave sites in a widget.  These are mine (fave sites, I mean):

Get this widget!

Get this widget!

Get this widget!

Get this widget!

Pink Kitchen Benefit Food Festival

Fundraiser [A project of Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala]

Heads up, everyone! Here's an event that looks interesting, heartwarming and rewarding...

<>"A benefit food festival"
What: Fundraiser
Host: I can serve foundation
When: Saturday, August 11 at 11:00pm
Where: Rockwell Tent</a>

 Wishing I could be there, but since I can't, maybe you could go in my place?

Dance Party @ the Big Dome 1/2

We are so amazed AND so entertained... our favorite dancers caught on camera. Please forgive me, but I just have to share.

We just L0Ve the Marcoses!!! (And Aranetas! Too bad we don't have Cecile on video, rocking it out on the choir platform.)

Dance Party @ the Big Dome 2/2

Talk about discipleship, now we know where they got it from. Three generations of our fave dancers... We just L0Ve the Marcoses!!!

Confetti and Globes

We Were There ... EN07

With Pasha from Latvia

It was odd going to Manila without a camera (stolen the week before we left). Those few days were life-changing, to say the least. I find solace in the fact that events like these are recorded in heaven.

Yet, Multiply addict that I am, I just had to scrounge around for some proof that "I was there." And so I finally have an EN07 album.

Thanks to Carlos Fab, Mandy Marcos, aNa del Castillo and Jon H for lending me your lens... [Kaya panay youth ang nasa pics]

PS I'm accepting picture donations at idahenson@gmail.com... hahaha! Talaga!
[Thanks Lowell!!!]...

[Additional photo credits: Chinkee & Nove, Krisha, Biko]

Friday the 13th

Carrot-ginger and pumpkin soups for Jojo, and tom yum noodle soup for me

It was a REALLY good day, beginning with a date with my hubby at Secret Recipe. Sabina was with the Harrises that morning to celebrate Ellie's birthday at the new mall playground.

After school, our other kids went for futsal with their classmates, and were planning a night of video games at the Harrises (diverted to my house at the last minute). This presented an excellent opportunity for a belated birthday surprise for Joe.

So we did it with only a couple of hours to spare, and it was a whooping success! (Videos are posted in the replies.)

Incidentally, this set of photos marks the end of my partnership with a much beloved companion, playmate, and comrade -- my Casio EXlim camera. A robber stole into our house last night, and rummaged though my handbag which I left in the living room.

I have pondered the loss for the past fourteen hours, and I have come to the unequivocal realization that this is a vivid reminder of the Lord's protection over my family. The robber could have very easily gone into any of our bedrooms. He had access into my home, YET he was supernaturally barred from harming my TRUE treasures.

My Lord is good and faithful to me...

What a Day! Joe's 16th

I've had him for 5836 mornings, if we credit four leap years.

This is the day itself... April 11. Oh, I love the day that the Lord gave me Joe. He was the first one I gave birth to in Baguio. It wasn't a pleasant experience. But aren't prophets born that way...

He's been an obedient and ever-reliable son, a friend, a loving companion, a comedian, a confidant. Thanks Joe for being a gift to me.

My Papa and Mama's Wedding, circa 1964

When we packed up to move to Malaysia, I had to carefully select the items I would take with me. We each had two balikbayan boxes for our clothes and shoes. An additional two boxes went to our Christmas ornament collection, two each more for books... and two for our family albums. This was in my memorabilia box...

This album is posted specially for my sisters who panicked when they realized it was "missing" from their stored boxes. Well, Gia and Freida, Ate's got it safe and sound, all digitized, edited and uploaded.

Our 1st Penang Wedding

Koot Sung and Carina's 7-7-07 Wedding at the new G Hotel in Penang.

Our congratulations to the wonderful couple.




PS Joe posted his take on the wedding. View his album Wed At The G

LUIS: Persona Unmasked

Again, my friend Alice creates a masterpiece! Okay, okay, I'm obviously biased, but as you can see for yourself, it IS a work of art..  Read the story behind the portrait: Silent but Deadly

Sunsets

It's mystifying that each day ends with a sunset, the visual tail of an ongoing spiral of time.  And although we do expect to see that same view the next day, each dusk brings a nostalgia.  “Love makes us poets, and the approach of death makes us philosophers.”  And what is sunset, but the death of a day... the passing of time we will not encounter again.

My condolences to our dear friend, Bong Mabilog, who lost his father last night.   Please pray for him and his family, as they recently lost his wife's mother and are currently battling Biko's cancer.

Our last service at The Heritage Club

Abishek, Sui Ji and David graduate from Medical school, and are off to Singapore.


Mitja, Lea, Isabella and Aleksej are moving to another neighborhood.
Philipp, Daniella, Ana and Leo are going back to Germany.


 

Our farewell dinner in between our units.

Sabina and Friends at Home

Here is Sabina at our home with her friends...

Aleksej

Leo

Her brothers

Papa!!!

Harris Kids [At the mall/second home ]

Log on to the EN07 website to join our version of Funniest Home Videos. Win a Sony video cam if you dare!

Our New Home

... for the church, that is.  As our more recent visitors will attest to, we have outgrown The Heritage Club.  More than that, the nesting bug has finally bitten our pastors, and we all felt that it was about time to get a permanent address, sink our roots into the culture and get ourselves OUR VERY OWN CENTER in Penang!!!

Located right across the newest mall on the island, the Queensbay Mall, it is our hope that we can reach and serve the people of Penang more effectively.  We have already begun renovations, and we hope to begin holding services there on the second week of July.

Please read our missions director Michael "Jap" Paderes' most recent blog, New Center for EN Penang, to see the project details and designer's perspective of how it will look...

Requiem

My old Samsung phone finally croaked.  It was a faithful friend, accompanying me constantly the past three years.  It was actually a gift from Marife del Valle who felt led to give me her phone back in January 2005 when my Jonathan jumped in the pool with my Nokia.  From then, it journeyed to KL, Bangkok, Singapore...saw our "assignment" change from Peru to Penang, witnessed our move to a new home, made land trips to Langkawi, Singapore, KL, Ipoh, Cameron, Taiping.  It flew to Manila, NY, DC, Phoenix, San Diego, LA, Baguio...

Hehehe! I said all that just to plead with you to PLEASE text me your numbers.. I lost them all in my dead phone. 

TEXT ME @ +60 12 474 5124.  THANKS!!!

Digital Scrapbooking...Oooppps, got it working now

My heartfelt gratitude to Alice for this digital scrapbook page. 

I met this beautiful lady through our kids.  She and her husband, Claus-Deither, have an only child Hui Xian. Just like her parents, she is a computer whiz, whose pet online project grew to proportions they never expected.  It was through this that she met Lois, Adrian Campos' daughter online, and they became fast friends. Without ever meeting in person, they arrange to adopt Lois for almost two months early this year.  We met them, enjoyed that first meeting enormously, our kids gelled, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Alice markets her digital scrapbook designs online.  You can view her creative layouts on her MULTIPLY SITE, or purchase her designs online on SCRAPBOOK ELEMENTS.

My "3 Brothers Series" on Flickr

Yes, the tables have turned in my house.  Mommy is now a copycat, a wannabe, the fledgling.  I take my pointers from my sons, ooh-ing and aah-ing at their spur-of-the-moment creations.  If YouTube has video responses, this is my "album response" to Jonathan's portfolio of sorts  POW!












These are the "behind the scenes" takes of an afternoon's shoot at the beach.