the halloween bbq is over. it was a massive success. people were really happy with their purchases, the evening went smoothly and we raised a shedload of money.

the stairclimb is over. we let hong chi know we are a proud supporter, and we helped raise awareness and funds for their organisation.

and yesterday, the day after the rugby tournament (where sela and jasper scored tries!!! yes they did!), was the icm banquet.

i got there around 11am and stuffed inserts into programs. it was interesting seeing my words come to life on the program and i just trusted that God prevented any errors from creeping in! we prayed for the success of the evening, and then we took the programs, the annual report, and another insert, and we put one on every single place at those 52 tables. this took well over an hour. and then we began unwrapping auction gifts. and then there was a slight emergency and so i had to make a small trip up to the business centre. you know, typical stuff that ALWAYS happens.

getting ready. a long velvet embroidered jacket, magenta silk shirt, black skirt. 

and that was it.

the evening was a massive success.

and i fell in lust.

i didn't have time to fall in love. but now, i have all the time in the world, because charles and i are the PROUD owners of two new pieces of mixed media assemblage artwork by stella tansengco-schapero. they are green.

anyone who knows me will be very surprised at the green bit. growing up with a birthday on st patricks day gave relatives a great excuse to dress me in green at all times. i was a shamrock with a dorothy hamill haircut for far too many years. so i tend to avoid green. however. this artwork grabbed me. i bid against charles' colleague for it for goodness sake! i will get you a picture.

the trip to the versace show sold at a great price, there was great competition for the arsenal vs manchester u game (business class tix!), the all inclusive india trip, the luxury seven bedroom home in phuket…all great prices and good fun.

loads of people stepped up for the medical programs, to support kindergartens (we saw photos of our kindergarten!) and then all guests were treated to watch two minutes of this 2006 winner from the berlin film festival. i invite you to take six minutes and watch this. six minutes is all. you can fast forward the first 90 seconds if you wish.

and the hands to transform a community by buying rice for them, came up fast and furious.

ICM raised HK$7million for the impoverished last night.

someone who reads my blog agreed that while i do like to suggest alternative ways things could be done, i also volunteer because i like to give hope. there is a difference between volunteering at your child's school and volunteering for a charity aiming to help people rise out of poverty. everyone who attended last night, whether by buying a bottle of wine, or by sponsoring rice for a village, gave hope last night and it was amazing to be in the room.

HK$7 million. 

thank you everyone.

please watch the video!