Joy to the World

5 MINS FROM 2012 and I'm alone at home

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000+08:00

This holiday season has been whooo! Someone give me a slap if I ever volunteer to make calendars from scratch again, attempt to cook a 5 course dinner for 6, make cupcakes for 40 people in 2 days, and then plan a thanksgiving dinner for 111 people. Suffice it to say I am now very convinced that I perform best under pressure.

Honestly, today does not even feel like New Year's Eve. How should Christmas Eve feel anyway? How should one feel when a single movement of the minute hand on the clock makes a difference between 2011 and 2012?

Time, time, where do you go

2011-12-05T13:37:00.001+08:00

December has once again creeped up on us, bringing to some the anticipation of merrymaking and others a sense of lost time. It has always been my favourite month: gatherings, food, presents and songs. It means that however hard a year I had, it was coming to an end; it also means that I was going to spend time with people whom I had no opportunity to do so with in the year.

This year though, just seems different. Minimal anticipation and a great deal of sense of loss. I feel I am squandering my time away even as I type this.

I suppose I should go forward with the intention to celebrate Christmas for its true meaning and not linger over my lack of enthusiasm for the season, and remember that everything that happened this year was in His plan. I just cannot help feeling a tad depressed though. Seeing people talk about their futures on social networking sites makes everything worse.

So school's finally over

2011-11-24T11:30:00.000+08:00

and I still can't believe that we're halfway through November already! Where on earth did the last 10 months go to? I feel like I haven't done anything meaningful or useful. On the other hand, I have some vague memories of slogging away before a computer in an office earlier this year. I need to chronicle my life more systematically, however boring it may sometimes.

Anyway, just a really random thought, since when were we allowed to start our sentences with 'but'? Or was 'because' the forbidden one?

J.R.R. Tolkein

2011-11-15T01:06:00.001+08:00

"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost. The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless again shall be king.”

La Noche

2011-10-24T01:22:00.000+08:00

I only seem inspired to write at night, when my door's closed, the air-con's on and I should be asleep. Like I need the whole day to settle myself down; like my soul only comes alive then.

Marilyn

2011-10-20T00:30:00.000+08:00

Marilyn Monroe. One of the most famous actresses of all time.

Sadly, the world has limited her to a billowing white dress. There is so much more to her.
The photo on the right is my favourite.

2011-09-16T12:38:00.000+08:00

I just sent off a friend who is currently on her way to London for her uni studies. And I can't help feeling a little sad at the thought of not seeing her in church for the next three months. And it'll still be different even she's back during her holidays. Then I started thinking about how much worse her parents must feel. They may be with her now, to help her settle in and everything, but in the end they still must come back, no?

Then, I began to doubt my desire to work overseas. I'm probably overthinking things, but I can't help feeling a little guilty about going overseas to work and leaving my parents here. Although, in actuality, my mum had done it to us. Okay, that makes me feel better actually. I feel a little silly now.

Anyway, to my little friend who is now on the plane either trying to sleep or watching a movie, thank you for the lovely card. Take good care of yourself, keep a lookout for Jude Law (!), have the time of your life, and always remember that God is with you.

The Dream Job

2011-09-14T23:55:00.000+08:00

When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a teacher. Mainly because that was the only occupation I knew.

When I was secondary school, I wanted to open a bookshop with a cafe because of a book I read.

When I was in poly, I wanted to plan events and such. I also wanted to be a barista.

When I graduated and started working in an exhibition company, I wanted to be barista again. And a professional photographer.

When I got tired of working from 9-5, I wanted to become a student again.

Now that I am a student again, I want to work in a 9-5 job again. I also want to own a small restaurant. Or maybe spend my whole life working from home as a translator. Perhaps marry the man I love and be a good housewife? Or work overseas in the Singapore embassy, or as a translator and meet interesting people.

When I was young, all I wanted to be was a teacher.

Disappointing Myself

2011-07-22T00:03:00.000+08:00

Since 2009, there are two times in a year when I would feel very determined to make myself into a determined person, and tell myself that I will be a conscientious student; attend every class annd spend more than three hours on each assignment. So far, this make myself a determined student plan hasn't been working very well. I rarely attend class, leave my assignments till the very last minute and lose my textbook the night before an open-book examination.

The time has come around again. This is its second and last appearance for the year. Will I disappoint myself again?

Mayhem in May

2011-05-19T23:54:00.001+08:00

May has never been so crazy. In the past, Boat Asia would have ended by now and my workload would usually be much smaller by mid-April. But this year is a total different story. My cousin's ROM, exams, my uncle's illness and subsequent death on top of Boat Asia really filled my time to the max. Out of all these though, there is a reminder somewhere inside of me telling me that this is nothing. Compared to my cousins who suffered together with their father and watched him slowly lose his life, I think I'm living it pretty well.

The mayhem has come to an end. I think. And hope. And it's past time to get on with life, to get past Boat Asia.

I want this!

2011-04-19T17:17:00.000+08:00

From Aldoshoes.com

Further Consolation

2011-04-16T13:50:00.001+08:00

In short, I did not manage to complete my list. I'm still looking for a place to do spa, and Bangkok was simply too tiring.

Things have been crazy at work. I really need God's grace. The number of things happening in May is astounding. Boat Asia, Ling and Qin's ROMs, and my exams and my birthday. I need to find time to study!

My sentences are so short.

Steps to Consoling Joy for her Failed Japan Trip

2011-03-23T20:53:00.000+08:00

Step #1: Get my nails done *check*
Step #2: Shop online *check*
Step #3: Stuff myself with good food in Bangkok
Step #4: SPA
Step #5: Shop like crazy in Bangkok

2011-03-22T22:27:00.000+08:00

Once in a while, you suddenly realise that a decision you made a long time ago actually plays a very important role in what you're doing currently.

It only recently occurred to me that my internship stint in Shanghai played a very important part in the things I'm doing now. Studying translation and doing designing; both started in Shanghai. I would probably be clueless about both skills now if I hadn't gone there. It was really, quite an important point in my life.

Many have asked why I chose to study translation and interpretation. Truthfully, I do not have an answer myself. So, hopefully, I made the right decision.

Love is a Great Thing

2011-03-12T21:47:00.000+08:00

Love is a great thing, yea, a great and thorough good.
By itself it makes that which is heavy light;
and it bears evenly all that is uneven.
It carries a burden which is no burden;
it will not be kept back by anything low and mean;
It desires to be free from all wordly affections,
and not to be entangled by any outward prosperity,
or by any adversity subdued.
Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble,
attempts what is above its strength,
pleads no excuse of impossibility.
It is therefore able to undertake all things,
and it completes many things and warrants them to take effect,
where he who does not love would faint and lie down.
Though weary, it is not tired;
though pressed it is not straightened;
though alarmed, it is not confounded;
but as a living flame it forces itself upwards and securely passes through all.
Love is active and sincere, courageous, patient, faithful, prudent, and manly.

-- Thomas A Kempis

The Inspiration to Write - Version 2

2011-02-25T00:25:00.000+08:00

It is frustrating, not being able to think of something to write about when you really want to do so. Your hands are itching to type but your mind refuses to churn out anything; you feel like pouring something out of your chest, but you don't know what exactly; you sift through your memories of the past few weeks and even try to remember an interesting dream you started to forget the second you woke up so that you can write about something, but there's just nothing. And it is exactly how I feel right now.

The Inspiration to Write

2011-02-12T00:30:00.000+08:00

So I went to Ho Chi Minh City a few weeks ago.

Before I went, many people asked me what I was going there for and there were basically 3 reasons. First, I was quite desperate to travel somewhere. Second, my mother wanted to go there. I really cannot explain the first reason; I just had this deep hankering to go somewhere, to visit a foreign country. So I decided to tag along with my parents, who being my parents, fully sponsored my trip. Which is really my 3rd reason.

So off to Ho Chi Minh I went.

It actually is quite a nice city. It reminds me of Bangkok maybe 10-15 years ago, before the huge influx of tourists and expats, before the BTS, before they all started to learn English. There is no doubt that there are places that are obviously set up for tourists, but it isn't as painful. We chose not to stay in town, District 1, and booked a hotel that is (duh) out of it. My mother kept lamenting about that fact that we should have gotten a hotel that is in town and while that would have been much more convenient as almost all of the places we wanted to visit were in District 1, we wouldn't have had to chance to eat the very fresh and succulent mussels and clams, the Vietnamese cendol, or visit the market.

So as you can see, it was another food-filled trip.

Which really, should fill every one.

The REALLY good buffet

I love cendol!

He really was one of a kind

2011-01-01T19:23:00.000+08:00

No one else sings, dances, and gives the smouldering look like Elvis did.

Black Gold

2010-12-29T19:03:00.000+08:00

This is the most wonderful time of the year

2010-12-22T20:15:00.000+08:00

I really like Christmas. The songs, the gatherings with the people I love, and the food. Hahs.
During this season, everything just seems better. It's as if whatever hardship you experienced in the past 11 months is no longer significant and you just want to celebrate. Like everything can wait till Christmas is over. Like it really is magical.

Or maybe it's just me.

Of Weddings and Photos

2010-11-25T19:10:00.000+08:00

You know how sometimes there are certain things you only like to do with certain people only because you just know that it will not be as fun with others?

Well, I like to attend wedding dinners with my relatives. It's one of those rare times when we can get together as a family. But I think we really got carried away taking photos at my cousin's wedding in Sept. The worse thing is, we totally ignored the bride and groom. I think we took more photos than the couple.

2010-11-23T19:05:00.000+08:00

我寻找爱，因为它能使我欣喜若狂。这种喜悦之情如此强烈，使我愿意为了几个小时的喜悦而牺牲生命中的其他一切。我寻求爱，因为爱能解除孤独--那个可怕的孤独像是一颗颤抖的心灵站在世界的边缘注视着下面冰凉、毫无生气、望不见底的深渊。

I want to go on a holiday!

2010-10-27T20:11:00.000+08:00

Preferably to Italy!

Recently I have been having this deep deep hankering to go for a holiday somewhere. I've just been feeling so itchy and fidgety. You know? It was probably brought on by my sister's recent trip to the U.S. Plus, from Facebook, it appears that many many of my friends either are overseas on exchange, or went somewhere for a vacation. I want that too! I would lurrve to go somewhere to live for a while, although I know I'll miss Singapore like crazy.

Japan next year seems so far away. I need something this year. Anywhere.

Do you mind...?

2010-10-13T16:30:00.000+08:00

I realise I have not written in a long while. Write, as in more than a paragraph long, other than taking down notes in class or filling up forms kind of write. I miss penning my thoughts, telling stories and even scolding ppl in words. I haven't been updating the blog regularly, and when I do, I'm uploading photos. Nothing wrong, I know, but I just miss writing. Guess that's one of downsides of Facebook and Twitter.

This reflection was actually brought about by playing Sims 3. Weird, I know, but it did. The characters in the game can actually write novels and sell them to earn some money.

Anyways, I have a question. What do you answer when someone starts a question with "Do you mind"? If I ask you "do you mind if I take this chair", what would you answer? Yes or no?
I experimented this with a cashier one day. She was asking if I would mind topping my bill about 50cents more to donate the excess to a charity. And these were her exact words, "Do you mind if I top up your bill to $20 blah blah blah?" I decided to reply, "No". And guess what, she returned me the 50cents. The same thing happened in Dome the other day. I really meant, "No, I don't mind." Why do people ask questions in the way that will not get them the answer they want?

The Icing Room

2010-09-05T18:26:00.000+08:00

My sister and I decided to get a cake for my mother on her birthday from the Icing Room last month. It was really quite fun decorating the cake! Plus the cake was quite tasty.

If I were a Pharisee

2010-06-29T11:04:00.000+08:00

Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is studying the Gospel of John this year. After 4 months of study, I really wonder which way I would have gone if I were a Pharisee. Would I be Nicodemus? Or be part of the rest of the Pharisees so bent on getting rid of the one Man who dared to rebut their teachings?

I would wonder from time to time if I would be a believer if my parents weren't. Would I have believed in what the Bible says? Sometimes I find it hard to process the idea that all the Bible stories actually did happen many many years ago. Like there really was a flood that nearly wiped out all mankind; the Red Sea really did part; Mary really got pregnant without doing it; and Jesus really did die and resurrected.

But then, I guess it really just comes down to one thing, faith.

2010-06-05T18:53:00.000+08:00

This is what happened when my sister borrowed my scissors but didn't return it to my pencil box.

I am back.

2010-05-12T19:48:00.000+08:00

I am back. After a 6-month hiatus from blogging. Sooooooo MUCH has happened. The evangelistic event in church, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, Boat Asia and many many other things that were enough to killlll me.

But I also took a trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou that I enjoyed. 7 days of escape.
The trip made me want to do a solo travel. The only thing holding me back is mealtimes. It really is kinda sad to eat alone. Furthermore, I like to try different dishes. I only want company when eating. :D

--

I used to get post-show blues after Boat Asia. I got it again this year. After working day and night for a few weeks, you just let go and don't feel like doing anything.

Right now, I so look forward to doing nothing for more than two days. To have nothing on the agenda of the day, nothing to plan for, nothing to worry about and nothing to organise. How nice.

I Love..

2009-10-24T00:27:00.000+08:00

the new colour of my room. Even though nobody else thinks it's a good idea.

passionfruit! Excellent source of antioxidants, Vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber. But most of all, I love the intense flavour. Try it!

2009-10-06T00:16:00.001+08:00

Terence Yin Sings Hallelujah from Daniel Wu on Vimeo.

Ignore the lyrics.
I love the melody and his singing. I like his version the best so far.

These are a few of my favourite things

2009-09-12T21:03:00.001+08:00

Beef burger with bacon. I used white bread 'cos I didn't have the chance to get the right one. Hehs.

Tiramisu

Clams. Once I start, I can't stop!

2009-09-11T01:28:00.000+08:00

The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet the best of them is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:10

Squad 11, Slam Dunk, Rubber Band Wars and Scandals

2009-08-10T23:13:00.000+08:00

I just came back from a primary school gathering. It was a lot better than I expected; I'm really glad that I don't have to regret my decision to not go to play beach.

The last time we met up was almost 6 yrs ago when we were all Sec 4. The girls were expecting plenty of awkwardness between e guys and us, but it turned out rather well. I guess it's because we're all grown up now. We no longer hate the boys like we used to in primary school and it is always interesting to find out what everybody is doing now.

It'll be good to keep it regular, but I can't imagine meeting up say, every quarterly. We'd run out of things to say really soon. I mean, how much time can we spend talking abt the past and what we're doing now? Not that I don't like reminiscing, I find our past antics really hilarious, but there really are only so many things we can talk abt, no?

But I won't mind meeting the girls more often. Haha. Dbl standards. But seriously, I'm quite happy that we could pick up from where we left off the last time we met (which was last March) and just continue our friendship.

Earlier this year, I was really envious when I heard that 6A2 was going to have a gathering. Now that my class has had one, I wouldn't mind having a cohort gathering. It'll be fun to see ppl from other classes too.

In addition to the items listed in the title: playing catching, writing autograph books and listing my top, best, special, good, normal and bad friends, chicken nuggets with chilli and ikan bilis, and playing basketball for every PE.

In Case You Were Wondering..

2009-07-31T10:34:00.000+08:00

1. I got that 'pencil box' when I went back to TMX to get some free stationery. They're moving office, so there was a lot of junk to be cleared out. The 'pencil box' is actually the packaging for a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne. Michele convinced me to use it as a pencil box. :S

2. I have started school.

3. I will be working at Dome cafe at UOB Plaza in Raffles Place from 4th Aug.

4. I just came back from a long-overdue trip to Kerteh with my relatives on Monday. Kerteh is a small town(?) in Terengganu, Malaysia. It's my mother's hometown; my uncle, some of their cousins and old neighbours still live there. We also travelled to other towns/cities like Kemasik and Kuantan. I ate: kampong eggs that had orange yolks everyday; crab and roti chenai for two meals (not together, duh); durian, mangosteen and rambutan that was harvested that very day; and a meal in a restaurant where every table was connected in one way or another by someone. I heard more Hainanese in those 4 days than I ever did in my life.

5. I am starting to get addicted to travelling.

My New Pencil Box

2009-07-16T15:40:00.000+08:00

Many Many

2009-06-29T16:22:00.000+08:00

I haven't blogged in such a long time that I don't really know where to start again. The momentum is lost.

Sometimes something happens and I think to myself that I'll blog about this when I get home. But as you can see from the sporadic entries so far this yr, I've been quite slack about blogging. I really do have a much more interesting life you know.

I wanted to blog about my birthday and the fantastic cake that we bought from The Patissier; the church retreat that just passed; the meeting up with Corrin, De and Jiahong; my cousin's ROM at Amara Hotel and other small things that makes life likeable and enjoyable.

Somehow I am that much more faithful about blogging than keeping a personal diary. My past attempts at keeping a diary always failed after two or three entries due to my laziness and plain forgetfulness about the diaries' existence. But blogging is different, I guess, probably due to having an audience.

I'll be back soon. I hope. July may prove to be an even more exciting month than June.

Mac VS PC

2009-05-20T14:08:00.000+08:00

Dang! Watching this makes me regret getting a Dell laptop SOOO MUCH! *roar*
Why can't EA have Mac OS-compatible Sims?
Why can't my external HDD be read on a Mac?
Why do I have Adode Master Collection for Windows??

*ROAR*

Offering

2009-05-13T11:09:00.000+08:00

1 Chronicles 21:24 But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

I came across this verse while doing my BSF homework. We are now on the chapters after the Ten Commandmants were given. One of the verses in Exodus mentioned that each man in Israel was to offer what his heart prompts him to give. The verse from 1 Chronicles above was given as a reference.

David had insisted on paying for the threshing floor, the animals and so on for the offering to God because he didn't want to sacrifice something that did not cost him anything to God. How can it be called a sacrifice if there is no cost?

What are we offering to God? Are we giving Him our residual time left over from school or work and other commitments? What are we sacrificing for Him? What are we giving Him in return for all the things that He has done for us?

He is often a 2nd thought. Or a 2nd priority. He comes after school, after work, after rest, after leisure. Because He is not visible, we often forget Him as we scamper around filling our lives with things that we think would fill us.

We do devotion only when we remember or if we're not tired. We only join in church activities if our schedule permits. We only serve in church if it doesn't require us too much time.

Why are they all conditional? Why can't we put Him above everything? And I do mean everything. School, work, family commitments, social life.. EVERYTHING.

If the gift you're offering up to Him today does not cost you anything, is it still an offering?

2009-05-09T17:23:00.000+08:00

If I decide to leave, I will leave a letter and tell you why I gave up.
If I decide not to give up, I hope that it is because you gave me a reason not to.

Hong Kong

2009-04-21T14:47:00.000+08:00

I realise I never did blog about the trip to Taiwan in Jan. I still have yet to get the photos from my cousin. :s

The whole preparation for this HK trip was quite a low for me. I just didn't feel excited about the trip. I guess the only reasons I went were because I have not been there before, I do love to travel, and we could go see my mum.

Then things got worse two days before our departure when I sprained my ankle. I got really apprehensive about the trip and whether I'll be able to fully enjoy HK with the sprain.

Frankly speaking, I really did not enjoy this trip as much as the Taiwan one. I cannot really put my finger to why, but it is just a feeling. My travelmates for both trips were great. They made the trip so much more enjoyable and crazy.

Anyways, the 5 days in HK were CRAZY. We walked like at least 8hrs each day. Thank God the weather was still quite cool. I think I'd have gone crazy if we had to walk around with Singapore's current weather. But I guess I am kinda of satisfied with the trip, as in I don't have any regrets (except for the fact that I didn't get to eat egg tarts!!!!) because we went to most of the places on our agenda, we took almost all of their different kinds of public transport and we had a lot of good food! Of which, I have to say is the most impt thing of this trip.

We have relatives there (my mother's cousin) who was really really nice. He followed us everywhere and brought us wherever we wanted to go. Anyway, the huge joke is that although he's my mother's cousin, he look a lot like my dad. He got mistaken as my Dad once or twice before. You'll see him later in the photos though I don't think they look so alike now cos my dad has put on weight.

We also came up with silly hand gestures that you'll see appearing frequently in the photos below.

DAY 1

Went to Sha Tin to meet my mum, uncle and his wife.

DAY 2
We ate DIM SUM for brunch! Happiness. They sold unheard of items like braised duck with century egg and so on.. The har gow was good. Porridge too.

Spent half a day at City Gate Outlet Mall shopping. Basically it's a shopping mall full of factory outlets of various brands like Kate Spade, Armani, Adidas, etc.

At night we went to the famous Nu Ren Jie 女人街. I think we were all quite excited about going because of all we have heard about the place; plus there was supposed to be a street full of shops selling sports shoes next to it. Unfortunately, we only went home with a photo of a half naked Aaron Kwok to make our cousin jealous, and souvenir stuffs.

DAY 3

Ocean Park, the PEAK and Madame Tussaud's.

They were very smart in situating Ocean Park at its current location on a hill. The view was really great.

The PEAK was sort of a disappoinment to me. I don't know, I think it's because I have never saw pictures of it, so I was like imagining something more outdoors. When we reached there, we walked straight away into a shopping mall that was extremely tourist-y. I was quite irritating and complain-y while we were there too cos I was really tired. I had given most of my weight to my left leg because I sprained my right ankle. By the time we reached the Peak, the muscles in my left knee was burning. It was quite frightening because I have never felt that before.

But Madame Tussad's was good, though it was over too soon.

DAY 3

Went to visit my granduncle (mum's cousin's father) in New Territories. He lives in an undeveloped area where there's you know, wild growth and everything. Like a kampong except he lives alone.

We took the famous "small bus" that we always see in HK dramas. You know, like when a couple quarrels and the lady walks off and gets on the 'small bus'. The guy tries to get on too but can't cos it's full. And there are no bus stops. Basically you just call out to the driver whenever you want to get off.

Then we took a looong bus ride to Causeway Bay, all the way from New Territories to HK island. It was good for all of us so that we could rest.

I bought a pair of shoes there! We took sometime looking for Asics Onitsuka boutique cos my cousin wanted to buy their shoes. In e end I was the one who bought shoes. :D
It was way off my budget; I had planned to buy Converse.

DAY 5

Had a really really good lunch at 糖朝 (Tang Chao) in Tsim Sha Tsui. The porridge, carrot cake, black sesame and almond paste were all really good. And we finished one huge tub of tau hwey. Let me just state first that there was only 4 of us. 4 girls. And the tub was really huge.

2009-04-17T22:14:00.000+08:00

I rarely do entries where I list out what I do in a day nowadays. But, I simply have to blog about this day.

I woke up early that day to go to Suntec to change money for our HK trip. Before I left, my sister sms-ed to say that her friend has lost contact with the boss of the moneychanger and to just find another one. So I decided to go to Parkway cos my cousin had just changed there and the rates were quite good.

At Parkway, when I used my sister's ATM card to withdraw her money, I realised that the money from the cheque she banked in on Sunday would only be available in the afternoon, right around the time when I would be playing badminton in Hougang. So I told her I'd go to one in Orchard the next day since I was going down for a haircut.

After that, I met my cousin and went to Hougang Sports Hall to play badminton. After less than 5 mins of playing, I sprained my ankle. It was entirely my fault; I was playing bare footed. :P

Of course we couldn't continue playing since there was only 2 of us. So I decided to cab down to a Chinese sensei near my church.

When we reached there, I found out, to my horror, that they were closed for lunch until 3pm. It was not even 1pm. >>.<<

So we went home. Or I limped home cos cabbing was expensive. Bus-ing is much cheaper.

When my father woke up at around 3plus, I asked him if he could drive me to a doctor later. And he got irritated at me and complained saying why I was so troublesome. I got SOOO angry I told him I don't need him to drive me anymore. At that moment, I would rather let my feet rot then have him fetch me.

After a while we both relented and he drove me to this Chinese sensei I visited before.

If you think this is the end of my adventurous day, you're wrong!

Guess what, it wasn't there anymore!! Thank God my dad drove me because I really don't know what I would have done if I had gone there by taxi.

Then he drove to the area around Hougang Sports Hall (-_-) and we found the Eu Yang San clinic. And that, is the end of my very frustrating day.

I was at such a loss when I sprained my ankle. Because of it:
-- I couldn't play badminton; I really have been wanting to play for a long long time.
-- I couldn't go for my haircut and I was really irritated with my hair then.
-- I couldn't go to Orchard to change money for my sister. We were leaving for HK two days later.
-- WE WERE LEAVING FOR HK 2 DAYS LATER! How can I walk around HK with a sprained ankle???
-- I was supposed to go to Sentosa w Eileen and Jane for volleyball the Sat after next. How to play with a sprained ankle???
-- I made a decision that I hope is what He wanted.

Joy Heart Royal China at Raffles

2009-03-18T16:29:00.000+08:00

Make that 'HEART'.I love everything there. The decor, the service, the FOOD. Oh man, the FOOD. I have never eaten such good dim sum before, not even at Hong Xing. My sister and parents are constantly lamenting the fact that the dim sum buffet at Shangri-la is no more, but I really cannot remember how the dim sum there tasted since I was quite young then.

No matter what, Royal China has the best dim sum. To me. The baked items like egg tarts and char siew tarts are only baked after you've ordered so they take some time to arrive at your table but it's compensated because they're so fresh and piping hot! The har gow is SUPER nice. I can't wait to go back for a 2nd round! :D

Blue as a robin's egg

2009-03-12T21:40:00.000+08:00

This girl is amazing. Not only the things she was talking about, but even more the way she carried herself and her confidence and the way she gave her speech. She was only 12 then. Not to mention the 12 year old Singaporeans now; I can't imagine myself giving such a speech now. It really shows the different emphasis between her country's education system and ours.

Please take the time to watch and listen. It is really enlightening to hear the issues she has brought up.

I think it is very saddening to know that the world only caught on and started saving this earth 15 years after this speech was given.

Belated Spring Cleaning II

2009-03-03T11:53:00.000+08:00

And yes, I have finished cleaning up/out my room. My bookshelves now look more like bookshelves, my study table is no longer covered w my bags and I now have a makeshift dressing table. Now if only I can get myself to re-paint my room and put up the curtains.

I came across a box of letters that got me really nostalgic. I used to exchange letters with a few of my friends from primary and secondary school. We would write like 5-7 pages long letters to each other filled with crap and I don't know what else. I really miss it.

Anyways, I have finally started the internship in church. It's kinda lonely 'cos I'm the only one.
But I really hope that I will make FULL use of this time.

Belated Spring Cleaning

2009-02-24T21:55:00.000+08:00

I finally came around to cleaning up my room. I have finally decided to steel my heart and start throwing away all the things that I have not been able to bring myself to throw away for the past 21 years.

As with every spring cleaning, I always take more than 3 days and Day 1 just passed yesterday. Today wasn't counted as Day 2 because I didn't do anything.

So I was cleaning out my drawers, and I found this file where I kept a bunch of things from my overseas trip w my school when I was in Pri 6. I found the itinerary, Do's and Don'ts of the trip, To-Bring List, a journal of the trip (I forget if we were told to write it or I brought that book along to write because that book is simply too ugly for me to have bought it), and some other miscellaneous things. What really amused me was of course the journal. I was seriously amused by my thoughts when I was that age. And I do remember some of the things that happened, though I really cannot remember what I did wrong that got me a scolding from Mrs Samuel.

That trip rocked though. School trips are the best way to travel. OK, sometimes. Not all the time. AARRRRR I want to go back to pri sch!!

And I think I made friends rather easily back then unlike now. I was really close to this girl who was like in a class that was the opposite end of mine, both geographically and "level-ly" during the trip. I'm quite sad that I didn't continue e friendship but then again, I didn't even continue w those in my class. :/

一辈子不离开祢

2009-02-21T20:44:00.000+08:00

Your love is king,
crown You in my heart.
Your love is king.
You're the ruler of my heart.

- Your Love is King by Sade

2009-02-18T20:42:00.000+08:00

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church in California , gave the invocation at the Presidential inauguration last night. His insights about life are remarkable, especially now that his wife has cancer and he has garnered tremendous wealth from sales of his book.

When interviewed by Paul Bradshaw, these are the things Rick said:

People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is ※my problem, my issues, my pain.§ But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.

It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings , not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.

Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.

Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD .

Painful moments, TRUST GOD .

Every moment, THANK GOD.

Of Bad Moods and Happenings

2009-02-17T01:23:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday started bad. I think my tiredness contributed a lot to my bad mood, but seriously, I was not in that mood while on my way to church. My brain was still half asleep then.

I know I shouldn't have spoken so brash and rudely, but really.

Saturday was good though. Highlight of my week. Or month if you come to think about it. Not that I have much happening in my life now, you understand.

I think both Jane and Eileen are also quite satisfied with our V-day outing w each other because.... we finally managed to play court! Yes! Usually when we go down to Sentosa, we don't play in the beach volleyball courts because there are so few in Siloso. Last Sat we decided to head to Tanjong beach because we anticipated a huge crowd in Siloso. I don't really like Tanjong beach because of the extremely coarse sand there as opposed to Siloso's finer sand, but it turned out to be a great decision because, maybe due to the smaller crowd and thus bigger space, there are a lot of courts around the area and we managed to play in one for a while! Yay!

I'm so happy we finally got to play court and I really really miss the feeling of playing as a team and all that. BUT, I also found out that I have really lost my touch in playing in court. I couldn't receive the balls properly. Nvm, we shall practice lots!! We just have to find the people to do so. :/

This almost compensates for the tan I get for every time we play. Almost.

Oh, and we had a super.... exciting V-day dinner. We totally underestimated the V-day crowd and spent around 30mins walking around Vivocity looking for a place to eat. In e end, we were too hungry and decided to get sushi from Cold Storage and eat them by the sea. How romantic.

Life's a Beautiful Mess

2009-02-13T12:16:00.000+08:00

As always, I have TONS of things to blog about. So many that I am too lazy to sort them out. I'll list them out in case I forget them: Christmas, looking back and looking forward, YA Camp, random stuffs.

But let's go one at a time in case I get confusing.

First things first, Christmas. Or rather, life after TMX.

I managed to get through the final 2 weeks of 2008 not without some struggle. I finished the data entry in 3 days with about 9hrs of slp throughout that 3 days. After that, I had gatherings every other day. Admittedly, I slacked some hours away in front of the computer and my books, but time was spent on preparing for the gatherings as well! Especially with the potlucks.

My greatest regret this Christmas is not sending out Christmas cards especially to my Pri sch friends. I do it every year, and I think they were expecting it. But I disappointed them! I feel quite sad even now as I type this. :(

Never mind. What's done is done. Or rather, what was not done has to be left undone.

I promise I'll send cards out this Christmas!!

Anyways, I wanna post photos!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above was typed more than a month ago. See how great a procrastinator I am? Anyways, below are the photos that I wanted to post:

Matrix Robbery

2009-01-16T18:41:00.000+08:00

I forgot how hilarious this was!
Make sure your sound is loud enough :)

YA Camp 08 - Love God, Love Others

2009-01-14T22:15:00.000+08:00

About a month before the camp, the RCT and the mentors were cracking our heads over the name of the camp. After plenty of weird, lame and simply CMI suggestions, we decided to just go with YA Camp 08. Then our t-shirt was made and frankly speaking, why on earth didn't we think of "Love God, Love Others"??

Anyways, the camp was quite fun. I'm glad the participants had fun. I'm sad that a few ppl couldn't make it.

Day 1
We had a slow start to Day 1 because of the late check-in time. But things picked up when we started playing the games.

And I found out that I am sua-gu queen!!
We were playing this game in our group: All of us will put our hands flat on the ground and go around saying sth that we have not done before. Others who have done that particular thing before will have to fold one finger in. After the first round, I realised that I was the only person who did not have any fingers folded in! In the end when somebody finally had all 10 fingers folded in, I only had 2 fingers folded! So that's how I became sua-gu queen.

We had a talk after that by Daniel Teh and it was quite.... entertaining? Haha. I can't believe all of us sat on the floor for more than 2 hours. I think I have not sat on the floor for so long since primary school.

Then we played Clu-do! Isaac got killed again!

Day 2
The Ubin day that I did not take part in. I know I should go learn how to cycle so that I won't miss out on these outings anymore. But I'm just so lazy! One of the groups had a great time wading in the mud while I was taking a nap and watching TV. Hahaha.

Talk that night was by Stanley.

Then we took a looong walk to the Changi Boardwalk and we did WUTS! It was fun! We really should do it again soon.
We also played campfire-y things like the Friendship Dance and Father Abraham. I can't believe the younger ones do not know the Friendship Dance! -_-

And then we did this mutual encouraging where we sat in 2 circles - inner and outer and rotated so that we can speak to different people, encouraging or simply getting to know each other. It was really really good. I think we all benefited from it. :)

I still don't know why, but I was still quite high after we got back to the chalet and all the other girls except Krystal had gone to sleep. But we decided to go to slp in e end. And found out that we didn't have space on the mattress(es) for us! So we forced Amos and Sam to give up their rooms to us. Wahahaha! OK, I did feel guilty then. I did! But... no choice right. =P

For God so Loved the World

2009-01-13T13:34:00.000+08:00

Watched twice, cried twice.

Blast From the Past

2009-01-07T17:35:00.000+08:00

Looking back on 2008

Every year as I do this, I read through my blog entries for that year and remember the things that I went through. This entry is going to be real long, so prep yourselves!

I started the year with an entry on 2007 and moving into 2008. I remember feeling really apprehensive about working under a new boss in a new department with a new job scope. I actually enjoyed work. I had interest in what I was doing and my colleagues were great. My boss was really nice. Although I was working from 9am-11pm or even later almost everyday for 2 weeks, I didn't mind. I think I was running on adrenaline then. Then ADEX and Boat Asia came and went. And everything went downhill. After the crazy rush period ended, I let myself go totally. I started doing other things in the office, everything except work. I procrastinated and procrastinated until the very very last minute. I have no idea why I could not get myself to change and be hardworking once more.

Then everybody in the team left. Ariel, Amy, Korice, Keisha.

So by August, I was planning to quit and continue my studies. I think it made matters worse because I was going to work everyday with my last day in mind. After much agony on my and my boss's part, November finally came. I tendered on Nov 14, and started planning my handover and the leave I must clear.

I will miss Michele, Zann and Cynthia. I will miss ADEX and BA. I will miss the convenience of working in Suntec. I will miss the monthly income! I will miss the bomb shelter we call an office.

Right, moving on.

My 2nd entry for 2008 was a short passage written by George Carlin. I have no idea who he is, but I like what he wrote.

Often I wonder what my friends/family live for. What is their purpose in this life? Do they even have one? As a Christian, my life is supposed to be for God. Sometimes I forget it, sometimes I remember and thank Him from my heart that He is my life. But other times, like now, I wonder what exactly am I here for? We read about how this world is just a passing land to us and that eternity is waiting for us. If that is the case, I would really like to go to eternity ASAP. I'm quite sick of this world, frankly speaking.

I want to find the joy in loving Him, in Him again. I want to submerge myself in Him and get to know Him all over again. I want to feel what I feel when I'm singing praises to Him even while I am walking on the streets.

Which brings me to my next subject. '08 was a low for me spiritually. During the first 4 mths of the year, I was so bogged down by work that I had no time at all to think about God and church. I did what was expected of me and that was all. After the busy period ended, I expected myself to insert more time and priority into church, but I didn't. My personal relationship did not improve as well. Then I resigned and got caught up in extreme busy-ness. Even YA Camp didn't really help.

I really liked the YA Camp. Putting a bunch of people together for 3D2N in one place usually works. Things could have been better, like higher attendance. BUT, I'm not gonna complain to God after He has shown us His grace. I'll talk more about it in another entry.

Last year was a year of 21st birthdays for all 1987 babies. I don't know about you but I enjoyed myself with the many gatherings and meetings-up with old friends, especially my Pri sch friends. I really miss them lots and the crazy things we did in the sch. Basically, I miss school!

One highlight this year was the iMac my sis and I bought together with a 50% donation from my mum :D I really like the HUGE screen and its vibrancy and the little space it takes up. Since I've downloaded the Mac versions of several applications, I shan't complain about it. However, I miss playing my Shockwave games and having a shared folder on my MSN.

We formed RCT - Radical Core Team late last year. I think we're progressing so much more over the past 3 months than we did in the two years under me. I seriously hope and pray that we will really make YA alive again. Being the president of YA really drained me in the sense that I got so discouraged that I didn't feel like doing anything.

I'm really happy though, that YA has gotten bigger. Thank God for Larry, Shu Ying, Claris and Amos Tan :)

I have always disliked how some churches aim to have maybe 5000 or 8000 members in their church by a certain deadline. I mean, so now these people are statistics? I thought we are to bring people to the Lord because we love them and we want them to be saved!

I really don't know if it is me or if I'm just a control-freak, but I just don't like how things are discussed between 2 or maybe 3 persons, then the decision is just announced or actioned upon without letting the rest of the team know in advance. Maybe it is because copying the relevant persons in an email has been so ingrained in me, but I don't understand why an email cannot be sent to inform the rest of the team what is happening.

Anyhow the year is over. It's time to move on.

Next year, I would like to........

Learn to play an instrument

Spend at least 30% more time with God and on God

Reach Cynthia's target

Busy as a Bee

2008-12-18T21:24:00.000+08:00

I feel that I have gotten busier since I became jobless officially. But I think it's just the season and should be extremely grateful that I am jobless because I really do not think I can finish everything while holding a job.

I have TONS of things to accomplish before the end of this year. Christmas cards and gifts, camp booklet, printing camp tee, the many potluck gatherings, translating sth for my mum, designing invite cards for my previous company. DIE!

Next!

2008-12-11T22:19:00.000+08:00

Today was my last day in TMX. It turned out extremely differently from what I had imagined ever since I tendered all due to a management decision.

Yesterday we found out that two of our colleagues will not receive a confirmation after their probation and were asked to leave. Another was offered a contract job instead of a confirmation and so she has decided to leave.

So the atmosphere in the office was really sad. Jestin was really emotional and all.

I didn't feel sad at all. Not over my departure, nor over my colleagues' departure.

I know the reason for the latter. I am leaving after all. It really wouldn't make a huge difference and I do understand why these 3 ppl were let go.

But as to why I wasn't sad over my departure... I reasoned that I would have been sad if I had resigned maybe 6 or 7 months ago. I must admit that I was more attached to the previous team and I was enjoying my work then. Now, even though the idea of not having to wake up early anymore for work starting from tomorrow is still kinda surreal, I totally love this sense of relief of not having to worry about work, or fret over the tasks I have to accomplish the next day.

I must reach the target to work at Boat Asia 09!

2nd Family Trip

2008-12-01T10:23:00.000+08:00

I'm going to TAIWAN!! :)

There has been a flood of ppl going to Taiwan this year. At least within my circle of friends.

Yesterday night, my sister and I made a very instant decision to go to Taiwan with my relatives. Maybe not instant, my sister mulled over her decision for quite sometime before we went ahead with booking the air tickets.

I'm going to have to forgo buying a few things like my Warehouse bag, my phone/iPod... BUT, it should be worth it because I have been looking forward to going overseas since long ago. Hopefully I can get sponsors... Hahaha.

Before I Leave

2008-11-24T22:02:00.000+08:00

Yes Corrin, before I leave.

I tendered my resignation the Friday before last. I can't wait for my last day to come.

There are many things happening in the office that I have not told anybody. Nor will I ever. You just don't talk about things you do wrong.

But I guess this way, it is so much easier for everybody.

And, through this incident, I experienced the amazing grace of the ever-faithful God once again. I had absolutely no right to turn to Him after what I did, but He still helped me through :)

I guess... it's His way of telling me that He is always faithful even when we are unfaithful.

Lunar Got Me

2008-11-10T19:28:00.000+08:00

Something has been in my office's air since 1 Nov. A few of my colleagues have been down with flu ever since our company outing. But I didn't catch anything despite having the sick birds sitting just next to me.

However, when I was in Lunar Bar last Saturday night I started sneezing. By the time we left the place, I was having a sore throat, which didn't bother me much as my friends also had sore throats from shouting to be heard over the extremely loud music in the bar.

Then I went karaoke on Sunday afternoon with my sister and cousins. At 5pm I took a 2 songs long nap. I was so lethargic and I was lugging around my huge bag filled with 3 days of clothings and church paraphernalia.

When I reached home that night I felt like I was emanating heat.

So I finally got my wish.

2008-11-07T21:01:00.000+08:00

我还在寻找一个依靠一个拥抱
谁替我祈祷替我烦恼

TMX Day Out

2008-11-03T12:22:00.000+08:00

My first and last TMX outing I think.

We have had Girl Night Outs before this: we went to Kbox, Mind Cafe or dinner. But as the name suggests, those were limited to the girls which frankly speaking, includes almost everybody in the office except for Herman at one point of time.

The turnout for this official TMX outing was great. Everybody came with their other half and kids in tow. There was lots of food including Jestin's prata, Cyn's non-halal beehoon and Viv's chix wings.

We had originally intended to go to Sentosa for a picnic and I was so looking forward to the sun and the vball, but it had to rain heavily up till around 10am. Thankfully Zann managed to book the function room at Nerdy's condo.

I had plenty fun regardless, playing Taboo, Dai Dee, and Phase 10.

I think half the fun in this outing was planning it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to go to Sentosa with them at least once before I leave.

And hopefully we will have another Mind Cafe or Kbox outing before I leave.

The Brain Wiring Test

2008-10-30T12:47:00.000+08:00

Total score if you are a woman: 230 points

Most males will score between 0-180 point and most females 150-300.

Brains which are 'wired' for mainly masculine thinking usually score below 150. The closer to 0 they are, the more masculine they are, and the higher their testosterone level is likely to be.
These people demonstrate strong logical, analytical and verbal skills and tend to be disciplined and well-organised. The closer to 0 they score, the better they are at projecting costs and planning outcomes for statistical data, with their emotions hardly influencing them at all.
Scores in the minus range are high masculine scores. These scores show that large amounts of testosterone were present in the early stages of the fostal development.

The lower the score for a woman, the more likely she will be to have lesbian tendencies. Brains that are wired for mainly feminine thinking will score higher than 180. The higher the number, the more feminine the brain is, and the more likely the person is to demonstrate significant creative artistic and musical talents. They will make more of their decisions on intuition or gut feelings, and are good at recognising problems using minimal data. They are also good at solving problems using creativity and insight.

The higher is the score above 180 for a man, the greater the chance he will be gay.
Males who score below 0 and women who score above 300 have brains that are wired so oppositely that the only thing they are likely to have in common is that they live on the same planet!

The overlap
Scores between 150-180 show compatibility of thought for both sexes, or a foot in both sexaul camps.

These people do not show a bias for either male or female thinking and usually demonstrate a flexibility in thinking that can be a significant advantage to any group who are going through a problem-solving process.

They have the predisposition to make friends with both men and women.

Dreamy Idealist (DI)

2008-10-21T11:03:00.000+08:00

Dreamy Idealists are very cautious and therefore often appear shy and reserved to others. They share their rich emotional life and their passionate convictions with very few people. But one would be very much mistaken to judge them to be cool and reserved. They have a pronounced inner system of values and clear, honourable principles for which they are willing to sacrifice a great deal. Joan of Arc or Sir Galahad would have been good examples of this personality type. Dreamy Idealists are always at great pains to improve the world. They can be very considerate towards others and do a lot to support them and stand up for them. They are interested in their fellow beings, attentive and generous towards them. Once their enthusiasm for an issue or person is aroused, they can become tireless fighters.

For Dreamy Idealists, practical things are not really so important. They only busy themselves with mundane everyday demands when absolutely necessary. They tend to live according to the motto “the genius controls the chaos” - which is normally the case so that they often have a very successful academic career. They are less interested in details; they prefer to look at something as a whole. This means that they still have a good overview even when things start to become hectic. However, as a result, it can occasionally happen that Dreamy Idealists overlook something important. As they are very peace-loving, they tend not to openly show their dissatisfaction or annoyance but to bottle it up. Assertiveness is not one of their strong points; they hate conflicts and competition. Dreamy Idealists prefer to motivate others with their amicable and enthusiastic nature. Whoever has them as superior will never have to complain about not being given enough praise.

As at work, Dreamy Idealists are helpful and loyal friends and partners, persons of integrity. Obligations are absolutely sacred to them. The feelings of others are important to them and they love making other people happy. They are satisfied with just a small circle of friends; their need for social contact is not very marked as they also need a lot of time to themselves. Superfluous small talk is not their thing. If one wishes to be friends with them or have a relationship with them, one would have to share their world of thought and be willing to participate in profound discussions. If you manage that you will be rewarded with an exceptionally intensive, rich partnership. Due to their high demands on themselves and others, this personality type tends however to sometimes overload the relationship with romantic and idealistic ideas to such an extent that the partner feels overtaxed or inferior. Dreamy Idealists do not fall in love head over heels but when they do fall in love they want this to be a great, eternal love.

*Accurate sometimes. I never thought I'd describe myself as dreamy though...

For yours, please go to http://www.ipersonic.com/test.html

Frustrated with myself

2008-10-04T12:01:00.001+08:00

I now totally understand why kids misbehave to attract attention. And I'm just so frustrated with myself for having thoughts like that! It's so stupid.

I also cannot stand myself because of something else. I just feel so lousy and useless when it comes to YA. Even after 2 years, I still feel that I have not learnt anything, nor made any improvements, and worse, made any impact on YA. I would love to blame it on work and thus the lack of time, but I cannot escape the fact that it is just me. The lack of 'burden' for this ministry, my laziness, my forgetfulness, and most importantly, my relationship with God. I do believe that He can make use of us when we think we are not, but I seriously do not see it happening to me.

Then again, it may be because I have been too self-centered.

2008-09-26T20:51:00.000+08:00

The Motorshow was a disappointment. SO glad I did not pay to get in. Many of the luxury and big brands weren't there.

Today was Korice's last day in TMX. I'm going to miss her.. After so many comings and goings in the company, I'm sort of immune to all of it already. Since I joined SIM in 2007, I have seen at least 13 ppl leave the company, some for a better job, others for reasons too complicated to tell. It's going to be my turn soon. I wonder what I will feel then.

A contradiction

2008-09-16T22:22:00.000+08:00

I just did a personality test on facebook. It was FULL of contradictions. :/

And I think I like belong to the erm, minority group?

Openness - 51%

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer novelty versus convention. Approximately 5.5% of respondents have a lower openness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is down-to-earth and prefers things to be simple and straightforwards. You might say that it just makes life easier if things don't change unnecessarily, that the arts are of no practical use to you, and that you think tradition is more important than others do.

Conscientiousness - 40%

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer an organised, or a flexible, approach in life. Approximately 11.5% of respondents have a lower conscientiousness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is impulsive and whimsical, and fine with it! From your responses it appears that you would say that sometimes decisions need to be made quickly, and that you make them quicker than most! You would say you are zany, colourful, and just generally great fun to be with... as long as someone isn't relying on you to get some work done.

Extraversion - 31%

This trait refers to the extent to which you enjoy company, and seek excitement and stimulation. Approximately 5.5% of respondents have a lower extraversion raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is quiet and somewhat withdrawn. Your answers describe you as someone who doesn't need lots of other people around to have fun, and can sometimes find that people are tiring.

Agreeableness - 51%

This trait refers to the way you express your opinions and manage relationships. Approximately 21% of respondents have a lower agreeableness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who people can find difficult to get along with when you first meet, as you can be suspicious of their motives. Your responses suggest that over time though people warm to you, and you to them, although that doesn't stop you telling them "how it is".

Neuroticism - 41%

This trait refers to the way you cope with, and respond to, life's demands. Approximately 46% of respondents have a lower neuroticism raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is generally calm. Based on your responses, you come across as someone who can feel emotional or stressed out by some experiences, however your feelings tend to be warranted by the situation.

Then..

Jungian Typology Estimate

ISTJ

Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging

ISTJs thrive on organisation. They keep their lives and environments well-regulated. They bring painstaking attention to detail in their work and will not rest until satisfied with a job well done. ISTJs are faithful, logical, organized, sensible, and earnest traditionalists. They earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Shutting out distractions, they take a practical, logical approach to their endeavors. Realistic and responsible, they work steadily toward their goals. They enjoy creating order in both their professional and personal lives. ISTJs are persons of thoughts and (sometimes) emotions. They prefer dealing with the present and factual, using various options to make decisions.

Happys

2008-09-10T20:28:00.000+08:00

I'm feeling quite happy now. I just found out that the iPod touch is going about $100 cheaper! Yay!

I lost my wallet 2 Sundays ago. :(

But, surprisingly, I did not feel really sad. Just sort of irritated with the person who took my wallet and DID NOT bother sending back my IC, and with having to take the trouble to go down to ICA to make my IC.

Just signed up for Facebook. Kinda stuck on it now, it being a novelty and all that.

Confused

2008-09-01T14:04:00.000+08:00

I'm in a serious state of confusion now.

I'm going crazy trying to figure out the direction to go in for my further studies. AAAHHHH!!!!

Fishes in the Sea

2008-08-19T22:23:00.000+08:00

My office has a water feature with a few fishes living in it. Those fishes are the most timid fishes I have ever seen. They "fee-eew" off to hide when they see somebody looking at them. Once I decided to feed them. I purposely waited silently after pouring the food in to see if they will come out for the food. So after a while, I saw them shooting out of their hiding place one by one to grab the food, then shooting back to the hiding place immediately like some kind of covert op.

God's grace

2008-08-08T00:33:00.001+08:00

I have something that I must share!!

It is now 12.33 AM Friday morning. I'm on leave today cos I'm going to KL with my relatives for the weekend. I wanted to send out an work email at about 11.40PM from home. But when I logged in, I saw an email from a magazine chasing for an ad! *horror* I'm at home, my laptop is in the office, my thumbdrive is new meaning I don't have the working file for the ad with me, AND my com is new so I don't have the software I need in my com! How bad can this get? Plus, the ad is for an August/September issue. It is already 8 August.

Anyhow, I replied to the email, while scrambling to download the necessary softwares and find the raw visual for the ad so that I can do the ad.

Then, the lady replied and told me to send her the ad by next Tuesday. I really have nothing to say. His grace is really, astounding. I was even contemplating getting my father to drive me to the office when he comes back from work later so that I can use the laptop I left there.

Time and time again He just renders me helpless and shows me that He is aware of everything around me and wakes me up from my apathy. :)

My day

2008-07-16T20:33:00.000+08:00

Long ago photos from my 21st birthday party in May below..

I guess the only thing that went wrong that day was the popiah filling. It went bad. So we executed Plan B and got out a 2nd batch with the help of my aunts. So the 2nd batch was like very chunky cos the vege were cut in a hurry.

Anyways, was kinda disappointed that a lot of my colleagues couldn't make it. But it's alright, because my house was bursting at the seams with YA. They seriously filled up my entire living room. And because they were busy watching Transformers, didn't even got to talk to them proper.

ANYWAYS, I love my pressies! I really did get some surprises like Koricey's, Corrin's, Calvin's and Zann's and Cheng and gang's. Thanks all of you! :)

Feel old though.

2008-07-11T16:59:00.000+08:00

I just took my first MC for this year. Woke up with a swollen left eye in this mrng, gave myself a small shock.

I've been busy every night making something for my colleague's wedding present, so I haven't had the time to update the blog.

There.. basically isn't much going on in my life. I do have things happening, but I don't feel like talking about them. I also have thoughts and feelings I would to blog about, but they make me a little sad, so I'd rather not.

I've been back a few weeks from church camp but haven't had to chance to blog properly about it. Don't have all the photos with me yet also.

We just started on this Caring Evangelism course in church, and we were doing this exercise that got me thinking.

We were to list down the 5 most impt things in our lives besides God. After which we have to cancel them out one by one according to their importance until there is only one left. That item has the highest possibility of being a false god in my life.

But I got stuck when I had to choose between church and friends. Actually, I got stuck at item number 5. I had no idea what to put down. That's a little sad isn't it?

Anyways, I'll be back with photos from my birthday and the camp soon. Catch you then.

Church Camp!

2008-06-08T00:27:00.000+08:00

I'm leaving for church camp tmr!

The word "camp" is kinda misleading, I know. We're just going to a resort in JB for a retreat. Camp just sounds more, for the lack of a better word, personal than retreat.

I'm really excited about this one 'cos almost all the youths are going! Except for BK n Julia :(

Hopefully we won't be so tired this time round.

I'll be back with photos! :)

Just wanted to say that I'm really excited abt church camp. :D

The iMac has landed

2008-06-03T10:38:00.000+08:00

We finally replaced our old PC with the iMac yesterday. It is really really very cool. Apple really wins hands down in terms of aesthetics. I have not used the Mac yet, so I can't say anything about its contents, but just simply the look of it is enough. Everything is so streamlined from the computer itself to the keyboard.

I had thought the question I did not dare voice out was quite "sua-gu". But later I found out that it wasn't. And yes, the monitor is all there is to the entire iMac, excluding the keyboard and mouse of course. The hard disk, processor, speaker, and web camera are all built in the monitor itself. How cool is that?

My sister is thinking of having a "open iMac" day. I told her the idea's kinda crazy. But just let me know if you want to come and experience my iMac. :P I have yet to see if it is better than the MacBook.

2008-05-15T14:17:00.000+08:00

Something is wrong with me. I feel so un-excited about things nowadays. It's like I haven't recovered from ADEX/BA and there is a distance between me and the rest of the world. Or even worse, like there is an invisible barrier around my heart and mind and the things that are happening are not getting to me.

I just feel like taking a few days off, go to a nice resort all by myself, and spend all day and night reading, lazing around, and order room service. I'm sure I won't die of loneliness.

What's bothering me most is that I'm feeling this huge reluctancy to do things related to church. I'm fine with outings and all that; it's the responsibilities part I'm having trouble with. The worst is that I can't get myself to pray to Him. Not in corporate prayer, nor group or personal. I feel so distant to the extent that I'm reading a novel every night when I read my customary chapter for the day.

Today was Amy's last day at TMX. I hate separation, but it always comes around.

Work is piling up again.

This job has really shown me my many weaknesses. For the lack of better words, it has been a humbling experience.

I just finished reading Mercy by Jodi Picoult. Her books are controversial and this one talks about euthanasia, or mercy killing. As the story unfolds, I get the feeling that the story is not about mercy killing, but more on mercy itself. Or to make the difference clearer, forgiveness. In the book, the 2 main characters, husband and wife, are not the ones in the mercy killing, though they are very involved. The wife loves the husband more - 70/30. The husband is first attracted, then falls in love with the wife's new assistant.

I have this tendency of getting too involved with the books I read. I sometimes forget they are fiction and start to judge the things they do as if I were reading of it from a newspaper. As I read the book, I kept shaking my head in disapproval at the choices the husband made, and the things that were going through his head. What I most disliked was how he comforted himself at the end when the mistress left and he decided to stay with his wife.

But, I just love how the wife gathered all his possessions and sold them in a garage sale after she found out.

Then my mind started wondering. if my husband ever has an affair with another woman, and worse, falls for her, will I forgive him and continue ours lives like before knowing well that he loves somebody else?

They're over, but it still goes on

2008-04-29T12:10:00.000+08:00

The shows are finally over. Yesterday was the last day of BA08. But I still feel kinda surreal about the past 2 or 3 weeks; just cannot believe that the two events are over and that the days of working from 9am to 11pm or later are over.

Now that I finally have a life, I need to start planning for my 21st birthday celebration next month, come up with my wishlist (:P), and pack up/continue decorating my room.

The celebration should be on 18 May (Sunday) from 2pm onwards, at my house. Will be cutting the cake at about 4pm. Everybody's invited! Space is limited at my very humble abode though.

As for my wishlist..... please see below :)

1. iPod Touch
2. Bagsssss
3. Jack Johnson Albums
4. Anything pretty and frivolous that you think I will like
5. Accessories
6. Basically anything you think I'd like

I hope this is good enough. :P

Busy busy!

2008-03-15T13:01:00.000+08:00

Alrights, I have officially not blogged for 1 month and 3 days since I last blogged. Mmm, record? I think so.

The thing is, something is wrong with my blog now. I can't see my entries on the blog itself.

Nothing spectacular happened/happening to me, only that I return home all tired from work that I'm too lazy to use the computer. So people rarely see me online at night nowadays.

But work has been good! I think I'm the only who thinks so though. :(

I know Mummy has been dreading work ever since Herman started holding her responsible for the sales. And now Koricey is feeling too stressed as well. Thus my nick on MSN. Koricey asked me about it this mrng, but I didn't know how to explain to her.

I'm either too dense or too happy. A little of both, I'm thinking. But I thank God I like what I'm doing, and my colleagues are great. Stress is inevitable, especially since we're in events; but all's well. :)

I can't say the same for my spiritual life though. It's at an aaaallllllllll-time low. Perhaps it is time to re-align my priorities?

AND, I've finally bought a camera!! I bought this:

Yay! After wanting one for like 5yrs? I finally bought one. Congratulations to me.

I also need to learn to watch my expenses. Big news. *bleah*

Happy Lunar New Year!

2008-02-12T15:13:00.000+08:00

As usual, had an enjoyable CNY. We played the Twist Game on the first day. May be better known as Twister or something along this line. You know, the one where you get down on your hands and feet and twist yourselves around. Got us all panting and sweating.

I hope that there will not come a time when I no longer get excited for CNY. I once read a book by Max Lucado, and it was saying that we no longer hate bedtime. When we were young, we used to beg our parents to extend our playtime even though we could barely keep our eyes open. Now, as teenagers or adults, we cannot wait for bedtime, cannot wait to catch a 15mins or even 1hr nap.

I think it is the same for CNY. It used to be highly anticipated when we were young. Nowadays, so many of us are seeking to go overseas during the two days hols instead of taking the time to get together with family and friends. Perhaps it is different for me. My extended family's quite close, thus we don't mind getting together. Whereas others may have horror stories when they meet their relatives during CNY.

On Tues, I received a very, how to say, pleasantly surprising email. That isn't a very apt description and is certainly an understatement. Let's just say that the email certainly lifted my spirits and encouraged me a whole lot. Hopefully I will not give cause to let her regret what she said.

2008-02-04T16:36:00.000+08:00

Just a quick entry before I go to sleep seeing that I have not been updating recently.

Do I really not look stressed when I actually am? Good or bad?

It finally feels like CNY because I finally have the $$ for a shopping spree. :P Had a great time shopping with my sister and cousins yesterday (it's after 12 midnight now). It's funny how we're closer now that we're older. Very often it works the other way round doesn't it?

Anyways, back to work a mere 8 hours later. I'm really struggling to meet my boss's as well as my own expectations of myself. And I have yet to make up my mind wrt my further studies plan. I keep changing it. >_<

BUT, none of this is going to mar my CNY! Looking forward to steamboat sessions and gatherings! :))

TMX Show Productions

2008-01-29T12:00:00.000+08:00

Look at the uber cool photos taken in the new Marina at Keppel Bay. There weren't any special effects done to the photos.

A Message by George Carlin

2008-01-16T02:52:00.000+08:00

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak!

And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 5 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

2008

2008-01-06T20:55:00.000+08:00

Okie, review of my previous year.

I was reading through my posts in 2007, and I just miss school soo much! Can't believe that I went from student to work-er in the span of 3 mths. No matter how much I like spending my own money, being a student is still tops. Sigh, shall not linger over this issue anymore. If things work out, I'll become a student again! :))

And I miss Corrin, Denise, Jia Hong and even Calvin! :( Miss the crap we used to dish out on each other daily.

My life in 2007 was generally occupied by 3 main things: work, church and family. Not necessarily in that order. Working from 8.30am to 6pm everyday was sth I had some problems adjusting to because I was so used to short working days in school. Besides work, my other huge commitment was church and with so many things happening in the lower half of the year, things just got quite crazy. And the worse thing was, despite the large amount of time spent of doing God's work, I sort of drifted away from Him in the last qtr of the year. I have no idea how it happened. I just feel like, lost at sea now.

And it's like, when you spend so much time on some things, problems HAVE to occur. They simply cannot stay away. Real irritating.

But I think, the most changes occurred at work. It's a very very long story, and I don't really rmb the details so I'm not gonna tell it here. But to keep the long story short, my company got sold and is now known as TMX Show Productions. Lots of staff change now, and I really really really hope that things will change for the better now.

But I'm really scared that I cannot match up to expectations. Really really scared that I'm not competent enough.

Work was great because of my colleagues. I mean, of course there was a fair share of frustration, but overall, I still thank God that I managed to get this job.

Over breakfast on new year's day, a friend said that he was, perhaps still is, feeling apprehensive about the new year because he didn't have a good 2007. After hearing him, I got sort of depressed too. I feel apprehensive not because I didn't have a good 2007; in fact I had a great one. However, there are just TOO many unknowns this year in my life and I just feel so unsure of myself.

Anyhow, walking in the darkness with God beats walking in the light without Him handsdown. So, I shall have to trust Him. :)

Happy belated New Year everybody!

Phuket Trip

2007-12-13T09:28:00.000+08:00

First time to Phuket!

The day before we left I was feeling quite harrassed because the server was down but I had to print some things for our party there, actually it's several things, out before rushing to meet Jia Lin and the rest for dinner.

Woke up bright and early on Thursday morning for our flight at 8am. OK, maybe it wasn't that bright, but it was definitely very early!

The budget terminal is truly, budget. At least they still had Duty Free.

Before we left I was quite confused as to whether I should be excited for the trip, because all of us had the expectation that we'll be going there for team bonding. However, few days before leaving, we found out that more than 40% of the time there will be spent on our own, exclusing bedtime of course. We were a tad disappointed, to say the least.

But it's OK! We had lots and lots of fun there! We didn't really do any exciting things, but the company was great! I guess, at the end of it, we bonded. Photos hereon!

Random

2007-11-30T06:59:00.000+08:00

Haven't been reading much lately, mostly due to my desire to in Lala land by 11pm every night. Haven't been spending proper time with God as well. :( Feel distanced now.

Went to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Esplanade on Tuesday with my sister. It was nice! Heavy on the pocket though. :/

Still - Hillsong

2007-11-30T03:43:00.000+08:00

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are King above the flood
I will be still and know you are God.

Teared while listening to this song just now at work. Emo. >_<

2007-11-22T16:00:00.000+08:00

Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119:33-37

May your day be a Shay Day

2007-11-11T01:36:00.000+08:00

I cry every single time I read this story, ever since I first read it in primary school.

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.

After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?'

Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ...

The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay!'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!' As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Should I?

2007-10-27T15:22:00.000+08:00

I feel very insecure right now. Unsure and confused. All because of one person. OK, I know where the minds of some of you are going towards right now; stop it! It's not what you think.

I just feel like telling her that I'm not doing it anymore. Feel like pulling out even though it is the only thing I'm doing by choice. Feel like relieving myself of this self-doubt and emotional wave I'm putting myself through.

But if I do, I am giving up; I am throwing away 2 years worth of improvement and hard work. I hate the thought of that. I'll also hate knowing that I was a quitter, knowing that I didn't hang on.

It's just torture though, to know and feel such things and yet still do it.

On a happier note, this is pretty cool: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22535838-5012895,00.html.

And for the guys who read, this game is pretty much tailored for y'all: http://www.addictinggames.com/theimpossiblequiz.html.

:) Enjoy!

Lovess

2007-10-15T14:18:00.000+08:00

I love waking up in the morning feeling refreshed and knowing something good is waiting for me.

I love lazing at home with a good book.

I love popiah parties on special occasions.

I love going out for hawker food with my relatives.

I love chillin' with my friends, talking about everything and anything.

I love cold and windy days where you can walk for hours and still feel refreshed.

I love laughing till my tummy hurts and I can't catch my breath.

I love receiving something unexpected from Him.

I love opening up my presents and finding something so much more.

I love going to sleep at night tired, knowing that I made a difference that day.

But most of all, I love knowing that Somebody is loving me unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

2007-10-13T14:05:00.000+08:00

Some of you know that I was tutoring some kids in my church some time back. This is the first time I taught 4 kids together. I think I had several strands of white hair more after the 9 sessions. Actually, just Chloe and Jacky would have given me enough.

Love thy neighbour as thyself

2007-09-27T11:01:00.000+08:00

I don’t know how many know of a RI teacher’s letter on his coming out of the closet. I just read his letter and admit that everybody is capable of prejudice and discrimination in one way or another. As a Christian, my stand against homosexuality is very simple. I don’t approve it; I accept people who are. To me, homosexuals are like everybody else. It’s just that their sin is different.

In his letter, the teacher mentioned Jesus’ sermon on the mount to the disciples, specifically to the command to “love thy neighbour as thyself”. Actually, this is not the only time this phrase is mentioned in the Bible. This is, in fact, the 2nd greatest command all Christians must follow.

The thing is, we are not saints. We are just as susceptible to falling into temptation as any other person; it is only that we have a guideline on our Dos and Don’ts. Yes, many a time we do not do what we preach; but as I said, we were, are and will always be sinners, as long as we are here.

Ok, I have digressed from my point.

What prompted me to write this entry is the teacher’s use of Jesus’ words to prove his point that the society should not discriminate homosexuals. I was just a tad peeved seeing them use Jesus’ words to judge others on one hand, and blatantly ignoring God’s laws about homosexuality on the other. Talk about hypocrisy.

Plenty of comments regarding the teacher’s statement on him not going to hell because he’s gay, but I shan’t say anything here.

Such a controversial entry has not been seen in this blog for the longest time!

Too many things to say

2007-09-17T15:57:00.000+08:00

I've got so many things on my mind that I don't know where to start.

Had a busy weekend again. I think I made the right decision in not singing this time round. Don't know how I'd cope if I was. This time, we all learnt a lesson in double-checking things. He really showed us that He is wiser than us all and His ways always work for the best.

Saturday evening was an enjoyable gathering with my maternal relatives. It was my grandma’s 85th birthday? Sometimes I get a little wary of elderly people, especially those 80 and above. :S Thankfully she’s still going strong. As Philos ended early, I managed to rush down in time to eat popiah! :)) My third aunt’s popiah fillings is really the bestest ever. Unmatchable. Tops! Hmm, perhaps I’ll just have a popiah party for my 21st.

OK, anyway, I downed two immediately after I reached her place. Then I ate the mango and basil cake. Alrights, it’s the weirdest cake I’ve eaten, but it was good. The basil added a nice twist. Please visit http://www.thepatissier.com/ for their delicious creations.

You know how fun it is when girls dress up together for a night out? Well, it was interesting, to say the least, to see my aunts doll up.

Much to my cousin’s and the Teng sisters’ consternation, the aunts decided to take bus 65 to Vivocity. Our starting point was Ubi. That pretty much sums up why we felt that way.

When I walked into the restaurant, I was very unimpressed by their décor. BUT! Everything from the ginseng cracker to the chicken sharks’ fin soup, from the iced Chinese hawthorn tea to the roasted chicken, from the addictive buttery mushroom to the fantastic dessert was more than great! Despite our very filled stomachs, we still managed to finish the dessert. Oh, just remembered something. The steamed fish wasn’t good. The meat was tough and the sauce tasteless. But that was the only downside. My sis and I were already making plans for a 2nd visit with our parents in the middle of the meal (my parents are still overseas, so they missed it). While on the bus there, my fourth aunt had asked if any of us would want to hold our wedding at Mt. Faber. I think we’d all rather have it here. (!!) Can you imagine our entire family coming back here for wedding dinners 4 times? @_@

Highlight No.2 of the evening: I played with the iPhone! OKs, I know many of my friends aren’t tech-savvy and are not interested even if I kissed it, but the phone was soo cool! My cousin demonstrated the different functions and you can just see why Apple will always be one of the industry leaders. My cousin doesn’t recommend the phone due to several reasons, but I think most of them were related to the fact that Apple is trying hard to prevent piracy, thus there were a lot of security measures that didn’t allow file-sharing. As such, it really dampens the mood of Singaporeans who lurrve file-sharing. He did, however, mention that it is better and cheaper than a lot of PDAs out there that run on much slower micro-processors.

Seeing that it is Apple’s first foray into the phone market, you really have to acknowledge that they are already better than a lot of other phones out there.

All that talk about iPhone has made me hanker after the iPod touch! I’m now considering between 8GB and 16GB. I’ll just see if 6 months down the road half the people on the streets are walking around with it.

I really have to curb my ‘hankerings’ if I want to continue my studies. >_<

My friends are ignoring me :(

2007-09-11T10:48:00.000+08:00

I couldn't help missing my mummy as she left for China with my Dad for almost 2 weeks.

Anyway, I bought this at the airport when sending my parents off:

And I love it! The fragrance is very musky and subtle. However, it is very much an unexpected expense, plus I need a haircut, so will hafta to watch my spending again.

My sister and relatives refuse to let me buy the camera of my dreamm the Sony Cybershot T100 despite the good reviews I saw on the net:

Thus, I may be getting this:

P.S.: Why do I have to listen to my sister when she's not even paying for it??

Hilariously incredulous

2007-09-07T06:49:00.000+08:00

Somebody please assure me that this is a rare occurence in the Malaysian papers. Despite the fact that people are passing this around and everybody knows how ~~stupid~~ silly the Association is being and the call is blatantly reported in the newspapers, I shan't say anything about how I thought it was a joke initially, and later wondered how ignorant En. Ambi Mohan, the reporter, the editor and the newspaper in general is due to our countries' close relation. He can throw words like semantics but have no idea where Da Vinci came from.

Note: Please remember to close your mouth after reading the article.

Tagged! by two people!

2007-09-05T14:42:00.000+08:00

1. The person who tagged you is:
Grace Sng and Krystal Chew!

2. Your relationship with him/her is:
Church friends

3. Your 5 impressions of him/her:
Grace - Lame; very lame; confident; self-high; talkative
Krystal - Likes beetle juice; laughs a lot; close to her sisters; favourite movie is some old cartoon :D; quiet during BSG

4. The most memorable thing he/she did for you:
Grace - She bought us voice gums :)
Krystal - Hit me just for fun

5. The most memorable words he/she had said to you:
Grace - "Woo Hoo!" when she's self-highing :D
Krystal - "Why??!!" Don't ask me why I remember this.

6. If he/she becomes your lover, you will:
Grace and Krystal - :s
Define lover.

7. If he/she becomes your lover, things he/she has to improve on will be:
Grace - Tell better jokes
Krystal - Her fascination with beetle juice

8. If he/she becomes your enemy, you will:
Grace & Krystal - Try to love them?

9. If he/she becomes your enemy, the reason will be:
Grace - What's with this enemy thing? Anyway, because I finally cannot take her jokes? :D
Krystal - She forced me to squeeze a beetle for its juice.

10. The thing you most want to do for him/her now is:
Grace - Pray for her so that her month with Poly Serve will be meaningful
Krystal - Pray for her so that her mugging for her promos will be effective

11. Your overall impression of him/her is:
Grace - Crazy
Krystal - There are too many.

12. How you think people around you feel about you?
>_< To quote Krystal: It's what others feel.

13. The character you love about yourself is:
I forget about unhappy things quickly.

14. The characters you hate about yourself are:
How come the previous qns is character while this qns is characters?
Jumping to conclusions; judgemental; lazy

15. The person you most want to be is:
Jesus

16. For people that care and like you, say something to them:
Thank you for loving me, I lub you too! *muacks*

17. Pass this quiz to 10 persons that you wish to know how they feel about you (they are not placed in any order of preference)
1. Shirley
2. Rena
3. Cheng Cheng
4. Mei Hui
5. Isaac
6. Afiqah
7. Corrin
8. Ben Koh
9. Faith
10. Florence

11. Who is no.6 having relationship with?
Good question.

12. Is no.9 a male or female?
Female

13. If no.7 and 10 are together, will it be a good thing?
-_-

14. How about no.8 and 5?
Hah! I daren't imagine.

15. What is no.2 studying about?
Business. Right? :P

16. When was the last time you had a chat with no.3?
Last Sunday. :)

17. What kind of music does no.8 like?
Eh.. Another good question. Sorry Benji. :D

18. Does no.1 have any siblings?
Yep, 3 sisters.

19. Will you woo no.3?
I'll let this pass on the basis of ignorance.

21. Is no.4 single?
Yep.

22. What's the surname of no.5?
Uncle LIM!

23. What's the hobby of no.4?
Mh likes to sing, shop. Anything else?

24. Do no.5 and 9 get along well?
Eh.. They don't keep in touch..

25. Where is no.2 studying at?
SMU

26. Tell us something casual about no.1:
She just passed her 20th birthday last Thursday.

27. Have you ever tried developing feelings for no.8?
Erm..... awkward question. How do you try to develop feelings? Anyways, no I have not.

28. Where does no.9 live?
Bendemeer

29. What color does no.4 like?
It has evolved over the years.

30. Are no.5 and no.1 best friends?
Not best friends, but good friends, right?

31. Does no.7 like no.2?
Nopes, strangers. Besides, 7 is attached.

32. How do you get to know no.2?
Classmate in Sec 3/4.

33. Does no.1 have any pets?
Nopes.

34. Is no.7 the sexiest person in the world?
This question is obviously.. you know, but Yes, Corrin is the sexiest person in the world! *tongue in cheek*

Fulfilling weekends

2007-09-03T13:00:00.000+08:00

Rmb I mentioned that we had an "official photographer" for Windchasers? Here's a very good shot he captured. Our resident ah bengs in action. :)

My weekends have been quite fulfilling. :\
We decided to meet up to play Ultimate Frisbee last Saturday, and boy did it drain us of our energy. BUT! I got to play volleyball! More of that later :D

Due to the lack of space in church, we decided to adjourn to a park in Tai Keng Gardens. The place was grrreat! Big, lots of different equipment, lots of space, and most importantly, swings! You rarely see guys on swings, and thus the picture. BUT, these boys and Krystal have no idea of the intricacies of using the swing!

Anyway, volleyball was fun! At first it was just Kevin, Qing Long, Krystal and I playing. I managed to spike a few times! But the boys refused to spike to us, so I didn't get to you know, receive the ball? It used to be my favourite thing to do. OK, I'm having a lot of difficulty blogging about this, because all the volleyball terms I know are in Chinese, so bear with me.

After that, the rest joined us, so we set invisible boundaries around us. However, we were more tired from laughing than actual playing because of the boys. OK, Krystal played a part too. Krystal and I were more familiar with the game and the rules, but it was impossible to tell them all of them, so we were just telling them when the fouls occurred. But, the boys viewed them as attempts to score points for ourselves. See the problem? Isn't it right that when the ball hits an obstacle like a tree, that round is considered invalid? Who asked them to keep abusing the trees?? :p

I am seriously out of touch now. My balls kept spinning and they don't go where I want them to! Erm, it's not as drastic as it sounds la, just that they go some degrees off. >_<

Anyway, everybody got too tired to carry on playing after a while due to the Ultimate Frisbee earlier, so we decided to go off after a while.

At night, we had a plan to surprise Ginnette on her birthday! Thank God Jia Lin could drive her Dad's car, so we had transport. :D Grace and Wei Lin were soo excited over becoming robbers and then cops on a stakeout. Hahs.

We filled the entire house with smoke from the sparklers, so we took a photo in the smoke. Got atmosphere right? Haha.

Shopping with a woman who had not been shopping for the psat few months can be quite scary. After the very tiring day before, I went shopping with my mum from Raffles City, to OG to Bugis, from 2 to 7. And I wasn't wearing the right shoes. :\

Finally got to meet up with Cheng and the rest for dinner that evening. Our past few attempts had been futile. I think none of us have changed, but they are going to get busier with school now. Hearing them talk abt school makes me glad that TP put us through PBL. :)

Ok, so i love TP. I went back for an alumni thingy yesterday with De, Ai Li, Wency and Harveen. I so want to go back to school! I really miss campus life..

Anyway, I was sooo tired when I went to work on Monday that I couldn't bring myself to find more politically correct ways to talk to my boss. Could barely bring myself to do anything.. But, on the positive side, at least I spent my time well. :)

2007-08-23T03:15:00.000+08:00

I find myself missing quite a few things nowadays. Then again, maybe the feeling has been lurking in me for quite a while already, and it only comes out when I have more free time on my hands. In my last entry I was just talking about wanted to relive the Windchasers night, wishing that the seconds had gone by slower so that I could have enjoyed them more.

Not necessarily in order of importance:

1. Volleyball – Jane gets the brunt of this. I’m always bugging her about this, but we just can’t seem to find the right time, place and people to play.

2. Badminton – This is not so much of missing, but more of wanting to play because I realise the serious lack of exercise in my life. :) I realise I can’t do sports like jogging. I can’t run for nuts. However, I can play ball games like badminton or volleyball for long at one time. How come huh? I want to learn how to play tennis! Ok, basically, i miss the sporty stuffs I used to do. I mean, I've been involved in a sports cca in both Pri and Sec sch. Poly was bad enough, but at least I used to go to the gym once in a while. Hee. And now, working life! :(

3. School – Students may never realise this, but the schooling years of a person’s life is really the best. Years when you don’t have to speak politically correct; when you don’t have to please anybody; when you don’t have to worry about anything besides school; when you can make mistakes and laugh it off; when you see your friends everyday and yet not run out of anything to say; when you can go to town after school to avoid the weekend crowd.

Just last year in mid-Sept I was an intern, and now, I'm going to look after the student who will be having her attachment in my company!!!

4. Shanghai - Of course I was yearning to come back to Singapore while I was there. But the ppl and memories you leave behind, the no-pressure lifestyle. It was different, the kind of 'missing', from while I was there in Shanghai thinking of Singapore. This is like reminiscing abt things I left behind, while the latter was more of cannot-wait-till-internship-is-over-and-I'm-back-in-Sgp kind of feeling. Do you get the difference?

This was actually brought on by replying to an email by my juniors who will be going there soon. I can't wait till I can go back there for a holiday!!

There are some more little things, but let’s just leave them out for now. People, do ask me out for a game of volleyball or badminton!!

I'm thinking if it actually is a blessing in disguise. He works in mysterious ways.

Photos from Windchasers!

These are actually just photos of the band from WeiLin and Richard's camera. Haven't gotten the photos from the "official photographer's" camera yet.

Before we began..

While packing up..

Finally the entire band :)

From top left in clockwise direction: Isaac - Bassist; Amos - Drummer; Ian - Guest vocalist cum acoustic guitarist; Wei Lin - Electric cum acoustic guitarist; Jia Lin - vocalist; Me - vocalist; Grace - vocalist; Ginnette - Pianist; Richard - Guest vocalist.

Playing with Isaac's 'wife'

I may post other photos when I get them; depending if I have the mood. :)

Windchasers - The Endless Pursuit.

2007-08-14T14:30:00.000+08:00

Events are tiring, time-consuming, frustrating and I like them. Despite all the rough patches, exasperating and maddening times, annoying people you have to deal with, the event itself is so gratifying that it all seems to worth it. Almost like child-birth. :P

After all the preparation, practices and rehearsals we had for Windchasers, the night itself was over in the blink of an eye. Right from the start of dinner to dessert. From the ice-breaker game to “More to This Life”. Sometimes I wish we can go back to 6pm on Saturday evening and relive the fruit of the hard work all of us have put in. The food cooked, the logistics of having everything ready, the skit and music, the welcome package and all the minute details that make or break a show.

It was heartening to see so many of us coming together to do God’s work, to spread His Gospel even from outside of the church. Of course there were disagreements we had to smooth out, eggshells we had to walk carefully on and compromises we had to make. But it was all for Him and I must say that it was all worth it. I think everything paid off when we heard Pastor David thanking God for the hands raised.

I ran myself haggard that night; seems that I always do so during events :/

I can’t wait for the photos and videos taken. I’ll put them up asap!

Yet when I surveyed all my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:10

2007-08-08T15:40:00.000+08:00

They are now trying to replace cocoa butter with vegetable fats in chocolates. The reason? Money of course. The load of crap they are pouring down to the general public is that it will keep costs low as cocoa butter is more expensive and the savings can be passed down to consumers as well.

HOWEVER, how much savings is there going to be? 10/20 cents of savings for a change in taste and texture (cocoa butter actually gives chocolate the melting texture we all love)? As a chocolate lover, I really have to say that I’d rather have cocoa butter at a higher price than lousy chocolate that is cheaper by 20 cents or so.

Speaking of which, I have not had Godiva’s chocolate drink yet!

2007-08-03T23:24:00.000+08:00

I just finished reading Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult.

Controversial and riveting. The kind you just want to read from beginning to the end at one go.

I wonder if she agrees with the actions of her characters.

I get very involved in the books I read, especially if there are moral issues involved.

I've been feeling really irritated today. Irritated and just a tad depressed and demoralised. Which is stupid, because it was supposed to be a good day. A good lunch with Amra and Afiqah, the All Staff. Albeit it was Afiqah's last day and there were feelings of sadness, but it didn't warrant the relatively bad day I had. I know it sounds very very much like an excuse, but I have to get it out: It must be PMS. I get like that once a month; I simply cannot pick myself up to get excited abt things, and I get irritated at everything and everybody. I hope that when I wake up tomorrow it will be a better day. :(

Mm. I wonder if Afiqah sensed that I was having PMS today.

Brits

2007-07-28T11:16:00.000+08:00

I have always loved the satirical and dry humour of the British, as have my sister. It must have been her influence :s

Ok, so this one's not from Britain, but it's still so funny!