Star Creations

my graduation...love this song

2010-09-21T15:29:00.001+08:00

a full-learning sunday

2010-07-21T02:07:00.003+08:00

spent the whole of sunday in church from 9am to 7pm - one whole day of learning.

9am to 12.30pm - helped out at JAMS church, service for the mentally challenged. it was a humbling experience to watch how they help each other and how accomodating they are of each other despite their condition. it was fun to be singing praise and worship with them.

12.30pm to 2pm - sunday service and we have Ps Kong!! so nice to have him preach the sermon. his love for God is amazing. his love for people is just as amazing. he's a true disciple of Christ. to those who are skeptical, i suggest you come visit us at City Harvest Church. there are 4 services over the weekend at 2 locations. there has to be one service fits into your schedule. besides the english services, there are also the chinese, dialect, filipino and indonesian services. visit the website for details...www.chc.org.sg

after service, had lunch with Amy. so nice to see her afer not being in jurong for the last 2 weekends. :)

3pm to 7pm - help out at dialect service. didn't get to sit in at service this time round so missed the praise and worship. doing praise and worship in dialect service is really wonderful. the old folks are an interesting bunch of people. love talking to them. i ate durians!!! one of the volunteers bought for us. :D

after that, rushed to chinatown to collect knitting yarn that i ordered. got there just in time as they were preparing to close for the day...then it's home sweet home.

that's one fulfilling sunday. looking forward to monday at SOT!!!

full of activities..

2010-07-10T11:14:00.002+08:00

i am amazed at so many things and many things continue to amaze me. signed up with Signifique, a song signing group from Singapore Association for the Deaf. did 2 simple performances and thoroughly enjoyed myself during the performance. there is still much room for improvement though.

also started teaching jewelry making in Azalea Park...5 wonderful ladies creating their own jewelry. i am just so happy to be able to share what i know with them. will post some pics when i get them.

saturday classes at clementi west are still going strong. the numbers have increased and the fun is getting more fun. just love them all. look forward to it every week. :D

SOT, School of Theology, is daily learning of even more amazing stuff....

my kids...thank you once again for coming through for me...as always. thank you for staying strong and helpful. thank you for loving me.

loved today

2010-06-06T02:59:00.002+08:00

event one - morning
went for volunteer orientation at Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf)...and i understood what the speaker was signing!! haha...not too bad yeah. :D
i was most impressed by the song signing performance by Signifique. they were really having fun. signed up for "public education" and of course Signifique. hee hee...cannot sing songs at least can sign songs, also good.

event two - afternoon
craft session at clementi west st 1...another wonderful afternoon of doing all things crafty plus food and drinks. though dinner with a friend was cancelled at the last minute, it was still a good evening. i stayed on to finish a necklace when everyone's gone back and a group of kids came over to keep me company. it was fun talking to them. they showed me a pendant that they picked up and i decided to make it into a necklace for the only girl in the group. i'm sure they'll be back next week to say hello. they wanted to walk me home thinking that i stay around the area!! so cute...finally walk me to the west coast plaza where the shuttle bus is.

was really glad i stayed on to finish my beading project. having so much fun that i almost missed the last shuttle bus to clementi central at 9.45pm.

another good day tomorrow - fleamart day!!

what's happening?

2010-05-16T22:26:00.002+08:00

many amazing things happening in SOT...healings, deliverance, hands and legs growing, visions, blessings, many many more to come. i'm looking forward to everything. another 3 months or 12 weeks and it's graduation. time flies when there is so much to do.

can i cling on to the end? i don't know. there is so much fun and yet so much pain. so much love and so much hurt. i need a direction, a divine direction.

fasting last week was the toughest for me so far. it is not something i have not done before but somehow, the spirit was weak and battered....it is hurting so much now.

it's amazing how just one person can do so much damage...even when everything and everyone else are ok.

i will strive to stay out of your sight...

so much to learn...and enjoying it

2010-04-12T21:29:00.002+08:00

there is something new everyday...new knowledge, new experience, new encounter, new revelation. i have a whole bible to finish by aug and 10 book reviews of 500 words each by jul plus 10 sermons to prepare. hmmm....sound like alot of stuff in the next few months but shd be manageable. i have got lots of supportive ppl around me. it was my turn to do refreshment for last friday's cell group meeting but the best cook in our group called and said she will do for me. i am so so so blessed.

had a bbq with my SOT team mates last sunday at west coast park. we were REALLY noisy. the team is made up of 50% singaporeans and 50% taiwanese. had a great time. the guys were so nice to do most of the cooking. in fact they brought most of the stuff! thank you everyone. :)

going to have mock cell group in another 2 days...and i have to sing. how?? i don't have a loud enough voice to lead. what if the guitar is louder than me? how?? anyway, i know it's going to be lots of fun.

one of our team members have to withdraw from the course because of work. sad to see him go but guess the Lord has got greater things for him to do in the marketplace first with what he has learnt so far. he'll come back next year and get double portion of anointing and blessings. :)

have to go do assignments already...will be back.

good night and sweet dreams.

last few weeks

2010-04-02T23:31:00.003+08:00

it's been a fulfilling 3 weeks...

there is so much to experience and learn of God's presence in SOT. not only that. it also gives me an opportunity to be in different ministries. besides my usual greeter and talking hands ministry, i have had the honour to be involved in dialect church and children's church ministry.

dialect church - did ushering and packing of food. the logistics involved is mind-blowing. providing transport and dinner to almost 700 elderly... *~*
however, they are an interesting bunch of people. they've got their habits and concerns. they sit quietly in the service with a few more active ones taking part in activities. sitting at the back of the hall, looking down, i see spots of red among the "silver haired". these are the volunteers. the passion they have show in their patience, care and concern for the elderly. they are all ready to jump to their feet the moment someone stands up, usually to go to the toilet. some would want to go on their own and then cannot find their seat when they come back. the volunteers will be like the shepherd guiding them back. what's interesting is they look out for each other. the pastor can be preaching but as long as their friends are lost, they will stand up anywhere they are like a sore thumb to be the "landmark" in a sea of others who will be sitting down. but then who cares? their objective is to get their friend "back home". that's how the Lord is...doesn't matter what others think, doesn't matter what happens...he wants to get us home. i enjoyed the experience and the service though i didn't really understand the message.

children's church - did ushering on both days, yesterday and today. the logistics is just as mind-blowing as for dialect church. yesterday was not too bad with about 600 to 700 kids i think. they came from different childcare centres and schools. reminded me of my stint in the childcare centre. today...wow! there were more than 2000 kids!! from childcare centres, schools, church members and their friends. it was chaotic. with experience and system, the ops team did quite a good job of controlling the crowd. the adults had to leave the kids in the mainhall and watch the easter drama on screen at level 4. the kids are so so so cute. it was fun jumping and waving my hands with them to the songs. love them.

looking forward to serving in the rest of the ministries if opportunities arise. i need to manage my sleep. the reading assignments have started. 10 book reviews and a whole bible to read plus tests for bible study!!

I CAN DO IT!

online shop for handicrafts

2010-03-31T23:25:00.003+08:00

finally set up an online shop in etsy. then realised i don't have anything to sell. :D

did more teaching than crafting....

i got lost in the most familiar of places today

2010-03-30T05:08:00.002+08:00

the estate opposite the church. how can i get lost there?!!

go there to eat after service practically every weekend. still...walked around the shops to find birthday cards and couldn't find my way back to the church. *sigh*

took me about about 5 mins to get my bearings right before i found the way out. arrgghhhh...
but i discovered interesting shops :D :D :D

gonna explore again sometime.

a wonderful journey

2010-03-19T20:52:00.002+08:00

i want to walk this journey forever...and ever...and ever.

SOT has been nothing but fun and exhilarating. look forward to it every morning, don't want it to end in the afternoon and cannot sleep at night. the mind just keeps working.

visions, encounters, revelations...

going to get our books ... that means hard work soon!!

Monday - 15 March 2010

2010-03-13T02:18:00.003+08:00

in anticipation of Monday...things are going to be different. starting on 2 of my "wants"...

1. SOT - School of Theology ... taking that step to grow my spiritual self
2. doing my portfolio - getting myself signed up with a casting agency

i think there are about 6 or 7 sectors to the whole being...i'm only on my number 2. there will be lots more to learn. however, i'm just gonna let things be and follow the lead and enjoy the journey.

my journey to cell group meeting

2010-03-05T23:24:00.005+08:00

it's a nice relaxed day today. makes all the difference to stay connected with the universe at the start of the day. my bus journey from ubi to pasir panjang, though long was easy going. not that traffice was good, it was the usual heavy traffic but somehow everyone seems to be in a more relaxed mood. maybe because it's friday. :)

in the morning, saw the security uncle doing orientation for someone new. they were on their bicycles, slowly cycling and talking. can see the pride on his face. he is proud of his job. something seldom seen nowadays.

just like i was enjoying my journey and looking forward to cell group meeting, many were making their way home or to meet up with friends. most were relaxed and happy.

passed geylang and there were lots of food outlets. same at bugis. looks like food is everywhere in singapore. different crowd in bugis though. they were more dressed up. the crowd in geylang were more casually dressed.

watching all these, i started thinking about some non-related stuff like have we outgrown our house?

what do i want in my house/home? the answers were very standard.
what i want my house/home to do for me? now the mind works differently...now it's doing some serious thinking.

whoa whoa whoa

2010-03-02T22:47:00.004+08:00

why am i feeling restless? like there is so much i have to do but don't know what to do...

i'm stepping into the unknown. don't know what's going to happen...don't know what to expect...don't know how i'm going to manage...don't know how to clear the house...don't know if i should sell the house...don't know if my kids will be ok...don't know if they are going astray...don't know where i'm going...don't know what else. there seems to be so many many many many things but ... i'm in anticipation...frozen in space and time. am i getting too comfortable? is that what having a job does to someone?

i want to put everything in place before i become unemployed again next month. it's like all time was spent at the job and many things are left undone. now don't know how to start again. *sigh*

i'm glad, however, that the craft projects are starting to come. in the last week got an order for a knitted sweater and a crochet blouse, request for patterns for beaded necklace and neck wire, want to think of ideas for handmade/self designed stuff to sell, work out quotes for craft classes and another request to learn a necklace i designed and proposal for easter gifts. hmm...time to organise all my yarn and jewelry and craft stuff. i need to pack them. they're all over the place!!!!!

actually looking forward to taking a break from work and spending more time with crafts again. the 6 month break will be an amazing time though i may not be able to spend much time on my crafts because there will be lots to study. i will miss the office but i will be learning a lot and achieving much. it will be a milestone for me. another goal achieved. learning sign language was also another major milestone for me. 2010 will be an awesome year. it's only the beginning and i'm moving forward.

i've done what i want to do for personal growth and i'm doing what i want to do for spiritual growth. it's been an amazing journey so far. there is one other area i've always wanted to be better at and that is in the home front. i wish i can be more domesticated. haha....be good with the home. it really takes a lot to be a good homemaker. i'm not ready for that yet. been working on it but not very successful.

i will reach there...one day...one step at a time. i will.

what i have been noticing...

2010-02-19T18:39:00.002+08:00

CNY holidays .... a good break for me. really miss the times when i can sit somewhere with a drink and just read or craft or just watch. it was really nice to see so many parents and children having good meal conversation when i was at burger king for lunch on the 2nd day. parenting is a different set of skills now as compared to what it was years ago. no more "hard sell" of ideas. it's all discussions and listening to opinions from both sides. nice to see more parents listening to what the children want rather than what they want. :)

anyway, things are going to be different for me from next month onwards....going for School of Theology. it's going to be different for my family as well. i'm taking a step of faith. it's going to be tough on the kids as income will be extremely limited. faith...that's all i have.

...full provision and protection all the way.

the aftermath

2010-02-09T00:52:00.001+08:00

wah...after weeks of being busy, many are starting to fall sick and CNY's coming soon!

H A P P Y

L U N A R

N E W Y E A R

T O

A L L

2 down 2 more to go

2010-01-25T03:35:00.002+08:00

one training and the event - over

two more trainings to go and i'll be back to routine next week.

looking forward to it? not really. though really busy, it was fun. what did i miss most in the busy-ness of work? my quiet time :(

my most precious time on the way to work was taken over by sleep..
my next most precious tea break time when i come back from work was taken over by late nights in the office
the final slot of the day - before i go to slumberland ... can't keep my eyes open anymore.

*sigh* - so looking forward to sunday's service for my alone time with the Lord and i could hardly concentrate! i need to go back to my tent or i'll get back in the rat race! that cannot happen! i have yet to reach my destiny.

anyway, i enjoyed the process of organising everything, of meeting all the overseas guests, i'm thinking of being a tour guide but changed my mind when my daughter told me i had to learn history and remember EVERYTHING about the different cultures and keep up with anything new in singapore. decided i'll just stick to doing the operations part. hmmm....hopefully some opportunity will come my way.

anyway, accomplished almost all of what i set out to do today so it's been a good day. a day to be thankful for. God is good. :D

good night and sweet dreams.

hmm...what have i been up to?

2010-01-16T00:00:00.003+08:00

been really busy the last few weeks. organising 3 trainings and helping with another big international event. all these 4 events happening in a span of 1.5 weeks...back to back. it's been fun though. lots to learn from the more experienced. will all be over end-jan. then can go for a break...official break - CHINESE NEW YEAR ;)

went for first cell group of the year today after a 2 week break. nice to be back. love them all...the sharing, the support, the laughter, the food...the fellowship.

thanks Cecilia and Kok Lee for providing us with a wonderful place to grow in Christ together. thank you.

nice monday :)

2009-12-29T23:33:00.003+08:00

took half day on monday. since it's a delivery day, i didn't expect to leave office till about 2.30pm or 3pm but guess what? there were no orders to be delivered and that means i can leave by 1.30pm!

some more to be thankful for...
1. the contractor doing the shifting of the photocopier and some re-wiring came in the morning
2. the new table came just when the contractor finished the shifting and re-wiring

all that needs to be done was completed before i left the office. came home then made my way to peninsula shopping centre with jeremy. on the way there, got message from pamela who was already there saying it was raining heavily. no worries because i knew the rain would stop when we reach. it did.

then went to valley point to send in the camera for repair. met an ex-colleague there. someone i've not met for a long time. thought had to walk home but then....there is a free shuttle from the office tower to tiong bahru plaza :)

the final errand - going to the laundry. took one big paper bag of clothes to wash at anchorpoint. was praying hard that the bag wouldn't give way because it was really heavy. it did but only when we reached home :)

what else can i ask for? someone's looking after me.....

2 wonderful and amazing weekends - part 2

2009-12-21T23:20:00.002+08:00

continuing from the last weekend post....

19 dec - my long awaited one day craft workshop. this proposal was submitted like almost a year ago! anyway it had been a really exciting day with 18 kids from 8 to 12 years old. the day started with me rushing out of the house to tampines and then realising that i have forgotten my phone. nothing new i guess...considering how many times it had happened before. :)

after a short discussion with the other 2 trainers, made our way to tampines cdac. some of the kids were already there. did a quick setup and intro, grouped the children and it's get set, ready and GO!!

like i said in earlier post, i am constantly amazed at how things fall in place. initial planning was done for max of 20 kids. grouping them in 4 will make a team of 5. ok...i have enough presents for a team prize since i have 6 of the squishy paper weight toys. nearer the date, the number confirmed were 15. trainers decided to have just 2 groups of 7 and 9 each! oh no...racking my brains to think of what i can give as a team prize but i really do want to give those squishy paper weights because they are so cute and i know the kids will love them. anyway, i decided to just leave it and see what happens. i know things will work out somehow. lo and behold, one night before, news came that we have an additional 3 participants...bringing the total number of kids to 18 and there we have it. another testimony that God is in control of every situation. now we have 3 groups of 6...my squishy toys will be just nice because i only have 6. :)

what else happened? i only have $6 in my wallet. breakfast at mac - $5.55 / lunch - provided / had to get stuff for my sunday's craft session....how? got paid $50 for trainer's fee. cost of stuff - $50. end of day at hospital to visit my dad, went to have dinner at Kopitiam...balance in my card - $4. my dinner - $3.80. i'm still amazed as i recall all that has happened. the Lord is good, He is in control and He is my provider. more amazing things on sunday at candlelight service.

20 dec - serving as greeter for candlelight service. after getting dinner last night, i'm left with $15. thinking to myself that it should be enough to last me for the day inclusive of offering since i'll be paid for the stuff at craft session later in the day. realised i need to top up my card so used $10....balance $5. come offering time, that's all i have Lord, what if i need cash before my class? well, He has never failed me in times of need. i shall not doubt. so the $5 goes into the offering envelope. now i'm broke. after service, remembered i had to get a file for a customer. oh no...how? no more cash. gathered all my coins and i have $3 with me. guess what? went to the bookstore and there is this one file that fits perfectly and it's $2.55. how great is our God? mightily great. that's all i can say. he never fails those who are faithful. it's almost the end of the day and there are more amazing things to come. i gave $5 at offering, i got back many times more before the end of the day....$50 during class and when i got home, found a cheque of $67 that came in the mail for me....and it didn't stop there. monday, that's today, i got a letter from the company stating that i'm getting a one month bonus and a salary increment of a little over 3% for next year...all these are not in my contract terms. i am not entitled to these but i am given. i am loved. i am blessed. He never fails. He continues to amaze in all ways.

2 wonderful and amazing weekends

2009-12-21T16:53:00.008+08:00

i am constantly amazed by how things fall in place....

volunteered to help out at a blood donation exercise on 12 dec and was told that a proposal for a whole day craft workshop is happening on that same day! i really wanted to be at the blood donation drive and yet the craft workshop was something that i have always wanted to do. the wonders of prayer....the workshop was cancelled. however, another one was happening on 19 dec with 18 participants!

12 dec - blood donation drive at riverwalk - it was a fun event with games being played and snacks being served. we had an angel, a santa claus and a santarina and lots of reindeers as well. it was also heartwarming to see members of the public coming in and a lady even made her way home and back again because she forgot her IC. another young lady could not donate because the nurses could not find her veins so she went for a meal and came back again asking them to try one more time! mankind has got hope of redemption. heeheehee...

after that, went for my handicraft session at clementi west. it was a really enriching experience. to be able to immerse myself in my passion with a group of like-minded people, to share and learn at the same time, i could not ask for anything more. we had so much fun, stayed on for almost 3.5 hours.

13 dec - service at expo sitting with the hearing impaired and watching the seniors sign the whole praise and worship, announcements, sermon and everything, i am in awe. it's so beautiful to sing and sign at the same time. gives a different feel to the whole song. after that was preparation for the christmas party in roland's seafood restaurant in marine parade. we had an overwhelming response of about 90 people - volunteers and the hearing impaired with their families. i sat with 3 ladies whose husbands are also hearing impaired but their kids are not. i salute them. how they discipline their children and communicate with them and still keep the bond with them without a voice humbles me. they are just like you and me. they love having fun, they love having friends and they know how to enjoy themselves. they are just as normal as anyone else. everyone in the room were just having so much fun. my batch of volunteers signed a christmas song - the last christmas... and the batch after us signed another song - o holy night.

our performance...it's a facebook link.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15257060622&ref=ts#/video/video.php?v=1218370771786&ref=mf

that's one wonderful weekend of sharing, learning and serving.

many things to be grateful for...

2009-12-04T20:10:00.003+08:00

just love the song on my blog. it's so nice. thank you steffi for putting it up for me...it was a really nice surprise. my kids know me well. :)

been really busy at work lately with all the many events happening at about the same time. there are lots to learn and master. so proud of myself. dance graduation this saturday and art class starting soon!!

so much to learn, so much to share, so much to love....life is great. material gains is not everything. though a good thing to have but do we rule money or does money rule us? a question i was asked at a seminar. something to think about...

look out and up .... not in and down. keep smiling. :D

our wealth is our own responsibility

2009-11-21T00:45:00.003+08:00

went for MMI (millionaire mind intensive) over the weekend. learnt things about myself that i never realised ... i am careless with money. not in the "always losing it" sense but more like what some may say "no respect" for it. wow!! this is indeed a revelation for me. also found out that inside me, i've always felt i don't deserve to have it. no wonder i always spend what i have. hmm...got to learn how to manage it differently now.

what else have i been up to?

organising trainings and a big event for the company i'm on contract with
organising christmas party for the hearing impaired - doing door gifts and decor and helping with props for drama... :)
making little children's present for a friend's wedding
working on some mini adverts for Just4U (Pam's doing it) and Hobby House
learning latin and ballroom dancing
finalising details of programme for a one day children's craft workshop in december
bible study will be starting soon!!! yippee....
loving life to the max
basking in the Lord's embrace of joy, grace, mercy and love, nothing else i can ask for ...

have been awhile since i went to work at sakae. probably don't need my services for now. oh no... i've forgotten the jap word for when the customer walks in! will check on it another time.

had a really good lunch break with an old schoolmate today. we just had drinks but enjoyed the conversation and company. after that we went to the art museum that's in the same lobby as the office. oooh ... i can sit there the whole day and get all consumed by the art pieces. sit there and stare? no. sit there, stare and feel it inside me and get drawn into it. cannot be described.

i will like to thank You for another happy day. :D

there are nice people around :)

2009-11-09T23:14:00.002+08:00

saturday morning...had breakfast with mum and sis at the housemen canteen in sgh. it is cheaper than Kopitiam in the hospital itself. dad's recovering well and he had his first cup of kopi-c since 17 sep 09. heehee...the nurses satisfied his craving. whatever he drinks goes into this bag since his swallow pipe is not connected to his stomach yet. so he can't hide anything. we know what he drinks... hmm. his next target will be roti prata after his pipe gets connected back with his stomach. he is really recovering well...

mum and sis stayed back to accompany him while i made my way to the station for service. 3 big guys from china approached me and asked where the blood donation centre was. they were responding to a radio broadcast for blood donors and they have been here for only 6 months! they came even though they didn't know exactly where the venue was. that is heartwarming.

after service, 2 little boys came on the train and there was just one seat next to me. they didn't fight for the seat but just shared that one seat and the elder brother rested his head against the side and got the little brother to rest his head on his shoulder because he said he wanted to sleep already. oh boy...they were so cute. will they stay this way when they get older?

was at the coffeeshop for dinner tonight and this old man, between 75 and 80 year old, was using a walking stick as he had difficulty walking. with him and holding his hand was his old wife, about the same age, who also had a little difficulty walking but was better than him. though they had a maid with them, it is nice to see that they still had each other for company. no grumpiness at all. just smiles and acceptance of each other. how many can be like this at their age?

look around and there are many nice ppl and wonderful things around us. take time to admire the flowers along the road. life is not just about ourselves. it is about everything and everyone else around us.

i am blessed

2009-11-06T23:35:00.003+08:00

have got no form lately....tired in the spirit and everything seems to be a test but i draw strength from the Lord. i'm counting my blessings and there are so so so many.

received a digital camera
received a book on the works of a great artist
received clothes
received bags
received shoes
received a study bible!!
my dad's ready to be discharged
got more than enough for fleamart
got orders to fulfil
got a great bunch of classmates for sign languange class
getting tickets for MMI
opportunities to add value to many
timing always just nice for catching the bus to work
appointments get adjusted on its own such that everything falls in place
saw beautiful flowers along the path on way to office and along pasir panjang road on way to cell group...really beautiful flowers
dance class on saturday and i still remember the steps .... yippee yippee yippee

wow....endless. burden lifted after cell group. continue to praise and stay in the Lord's house.

my walk to esplanade

2009-11-01T00:35:00.014+08:00

my art excursion...

from city hall, through city link and my journey starts. the space by ticklearts - a short walk but i was there for 45 mins, immersed in my own world. wished i had a camera with me. now cannot find any pics on the net. *sigh*

what they have...the first few spaces had items arranged such that there was a feeling of confusion, messiness, a feeling of having too many things happening at once. the next few spaces had more focus. presented in the same format but there was a feeling of something more organised and it had system. however, it also gave me a feeling of boredom and no variety. went back to the first few spaces....now there is a feeling of excitement but the strong sense of confusion was still prevalent. these exhibits stirs up emotions.

the last few spaces were an expression of conjoined twins eg having 2 chairs merged as one with 2 backrests, seats joined to become one but sharing the legs. aims to create awareness of the awkwardness and reliance on each other. my feel on it? reminded me of a message during one of my cell group meetings. talks about how if we had a conjoined twin, we had to know everything about the twin and to look beyond the imperfections and learn to rely on each other. how one has to look to the other for support in all situations and to have no secrets, how one twin will know everything about the other. the question is - what if the Holy Spirit is your conjoined twin? something to think about. we should all treat the Holy Spirit as our conjoined twin. we will wake up together, say good morning to each other, talk about everything and do everything together throughout the day. one can't go anywhere or do anything without the other. the Holy Spirit will then be our best friend knowing our deepest desires and hurts. a best friend no one can do without. the best support anyone can have. :)

that's the first 45 mins of my journey...after that i walked past the big empty space and there were lots of young ppl practising their dance moves. nice to see them enjoying themselves.

walked through the tunnel and there is a vibrant display of colours. it's aptly titled "Celebration of Life III" by David Joe Lim. prints of gears on what looked like metal sheets, colours that blend seamlessly from one colour to the next. there is this wonderful flow of colours and shapes which seems to interlock yet are individuals with their own characteristics. walking through that tunnel showed me how every piece i.e event or people, works together in harmony to create a full circle of life. nothing and nobody is alone such that even in transparency, we blend and move together in some way, we can never be alone. that's how the universe works.

from the tunnel, i stepped into the esplanade and there were short movies in the basement plasma tvs. sat through and there is this one that i will remember. it's named "Humdrum", about the journey of a roll of toilet paper that escaped from an abandoned toilet bowl. the simplicity of it was what struck me. who would have thought of using the toilet paper to show the happenings of a day? certainly not me.

moved on to street level and the energy there was wonderful. many things happening and yet there was a very relaxed mood about the place. i explored every corner and just loved every minute of it. there was one exhibition of visual arts that i almost missed. it's titled "九9 IX". one has to look up to see the exhibits, located at what is called the "theatre street cones", along the mall. so next time you do your shopping do look up and you may be surprised with something interesting. "九9 IX" is a display of craft. the artist, Hafizah Kasim, used knitting and crochet methods together with wire to create illusions of depth. i loved the colours used.

on the whole, i had a great afternoon. i'm gonna do this again. it will be added to my list of to-do items.

blur wendy today

2009-10-27T01:51:00.002+08:00

blur blur blur...

left office little earlier because got sign language exam today.
went to bus stop and realised left phone in office - went back to take.
came back down - bus left already.
decided to take the next bus to aljunied mrt station - faster journey
top up card, went into station, got on the train, sat down, took out my book to read, then i heard.....TANAH MERAH !!!!
what happened? wrong direction ....how? i'm gonna be late.
reached riverwalk at 8pm instead of 7.30pm. *sigh*

teacher Wee Wee was so nice to repeat the questions for me ... :)

I HAVE COMPLETED THE BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE COURSE.. YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!!!!!!

did not forget updates on my esplanade walk. need to look for some pics first. will search tomorrow. i'll be back....

continuing from where i left off

2009-10-25T05:53:00.003+08:00

started my dance classes again after a long long break. feels good to be moving this old body again.

have got craft classes to organise .... need to get those brain juices working as well.

decided to visit the esplanade last sunday. it was a really nice relaxing time...i love that place. will elaborate more in my next entry. have to sleep now. ZZZzzzzzzz................

what i've been up to

2009-10-24T13:11:00.002+08:00

not much actually. dad's went into hospital for emergency op because of a ruptured esophagus. it was a shocking experience, a journey of faith and learning to trust in the Lord for all things. He has been faithful throughout my dad's stay in the hospital, keeping the infections contained in the lung area. it is amazing that he's out of the icu in 3 weeks and out of the high dependency ward in 1 week and now recovering in the normal ward. at his age of 73, he is recovering tremendously well. the Lord has brought us through till now, He will bring us through to the end when my dad has to go for the final surgery to connect everything back. in no time, he will be as chatty as he was before. we all know...for the Lord can do all things and He cares.

my thoughts

2009-10-08T21:09:00.002+08:00

i'm still in limbo with updating my blog...so much to share but everytime i log on to blogger .................................................................................................................................... stoned!

writer's block? no words to pen. *sigh*

had this idea to start again by writing as and when throughout the day and copying over when i can get hold of the computer. so here goes....this is for last night.

went to the 24-hour coffee shop at the other end of the road to get dinner. realised i've not sat there to eat and do my stuff for a long long time. decided to get my plate of mee goreng and cup of tea. after that took out my small diary and started updating my appointments and classes and to-do-list. sipped my tea, think some thoughts, write in book, sipped my tea, think some thoughts, write in book....and it goes on. feels good. i miss my 2-hour breakfast time when i was not working. :)

last night......started walking back after getting dinner for the kids. somehow the walk seems really long. feels like i will never reach home. feels like i'm walking on the spot and the world is just passing by me. then i felt this desperation of knowing my destination but WHY am i not getting there? it's a familiar route, my feet are moving. i can't be lost but WHY am i not getting there? it's such a long way home. i need to get the packets of dinner home for my kids. i need to get home quick. it's taking too long to reach home. every step i take feels like it's sliding back to original position. what if i keep walking and can't reach home? what if i have to keep walking and walking and walking forever? will i tire out? i don't know. will i give up? no i won't because i have to get dinner home for the kids. i will probably just keep walking for as long as it takes to reach home. then it dawned on me that's how the grandmother with dementia felt when she went out to get lunch for her grand-daughter and could not find her way home after that. when they found her in the streets, she could not recognise her son and daughter-in-law but she recognised her grand-daughter. the joy of finally being able to give her grand-daughter the packet of lunch showed on her face.

what if i have to walk forever.... I WILL ...because i have a destination and a purpose.

how?? i need to repent... :(

2009-08-06T01:45:00.004+08:00

i'm getting to be not so disciplined. i'm getting to be not so nice. i'm beginning to be not so patient. i'm beginning to be not so tolerant.

like now...so much to share and do but sitting here in front of the laptop doing not so productive stuff. *sigh*

how??

going to sleep now and start another day tomorrow. shall make it a meaningful one. :)

findings for the day...

2009-07-22T05:41:00.004+08:00

had a good day today...went to a new canteen for lunch and walked block A of my office building and found "bagman world". they were having sales but was closed today for some company function. will drop by again to have a look.

GG>5 is also in the same block! hope they have a warehouse sales soon.

found the warehouse for precious moments! wow...lots of pretty stuff but can't go in. can only visit their showroom which is at the other end of the building. :)

also found a warehouse with lots of perfume on sales. gonna check it out and see if can get some bargains for all of you ok? will update again. maybe can do a spree on perfumes.

going to do some more exploring in the next few days.

many things to be thankful for

2009-07-16T22:49:00.003+08:00

yes...it's been a great day with many things to be thankful for.

the bus i'm taking had to stop at the traffic lights for me to cross at a leisurely pace and still get to go on it - don't need to rush
had a wonderful lunch treat from 2 friends
started a new craft session in the east and having loads of fun
someone agreed to give me guidance for just a cup of coffee
friend's brother's cancer cells didn't spread and it can be treated
my boss is giving me her digital camera!!

wow...that's like 3 or 4 items to be ticked off my prayer list. i am blessed.

happiness is dependent on situations, joy comes from within and stays with me forever no matter what happens. :)

i am thankful

i am blessed

where am i to go from here?

2009-06-30T23:42:00.002+08:00

what's stopping me from moving on? i don't know.

how?? i can do more. i want to do more.

bring me forward. lead me there. use me.

thank you...

-_-

2009-06-13T10:07:00.001+08:00

came and went -_-

so much to share but brain freeze...cannot think of what to type.

will be back.

it's been in me the last few weeks...

2009-06-09T13:06:00.002+08:00

this song's been in my head the last few weeks...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2D0g4Kizto

anyone knows why i can't embed the video code??

achieving my dreams

2009-06-04T23:05:00.002+08:00

though i've started on a contract 9am to 5pm job, it's still good for me. it's been almost 4 mths and i still look forward to going to the office and doing what i do. the journey to the office and back home is a journey i enjoy. if the office had not moved to ubi, a 45min bus ride, i would not have made time to read and enjoy the world around me. i would not have the free nights after work because i would have slot in work hours at sakae. i would also not be updating my blog now. :)

the best part of my bus ride? that would be when the bus turns into merpati road and out at circuit road. it's a short stretch that gives me a nostalgic feel. reminds me of my childhood at my granny's place, norfolk road. a quiet estate with neighbourhood folks sitting at the coffeeshop. maybe one of the mornings, i'll drop off there and sit with them before going to work. would be a great start for the day.

there is also a stand alone "bungalow" at 61 merpati road. looks empty. not sure if it's occupied. caught my attention because it's of a different decor from the rest of the buildings around it. makes me wonder what's in there and who was or is staying there. i'll keep wondering...

personal achievements:
- started sign language classes and taking exams on monday
- passed my exams to be a certified arts and crafts trainer... YES!! getting my cert soon
- going to the 3rd part of my bible studies... total of 10 parts
- finished a program for value investing... yet to put the skills to work for me
- finished a beading project i thought i'll never finish and starting on a second one!

random stuff:
- i miss sakae... the singing in the kitchen, the grumbling on the floor, the joy of finishing everything before 10.30pm
- i want to learn drawing
- i want to start dancing again
- i want to do more with the skills i have
- i want to make a difference

many many more but will do it one at a time and achieve them as i am led.

irresponsible behaviours

2009-05-17T10:10:00.003+08:00

picture this (fictitious)... a young man, john, suffers from a painful disease and family has to look after him both financially and physically. though painful for him, it was more painful for his family to watch him. after some years, decided to free himself from the misery as the pain was too much to bear. jumped down and died. my verdict....selfish bum. result....parents and siblings cry their eyes out every day and after so many years, his parents still can't get over it. life for every family member changed and relationships were broken. parents became depressed, siblings became protective of parents and could not let anyone else come before them. would it have been different if he had been more appreciative of all that the family is doing for him and work on love and concern rather than having the focus on his misery and pain? would it have been different and easier on the family if he had died in the process a happier person? i believe so.

don't harp on what's negative, be appreciative of what's available unconditionally.

smokers...i've said this before and i will say it again. SELFISH. why deceive yourself by saying "if the family loves me, they will accept my smoking". how about telling yourself "i love my family and i will not allow smoking to destroy them".

receiving is happiness, giving is even more satisfying. don't expect to be receiving all the time. after a while it will stop. start giving to receive more. what you give will be returned many times more.

my boy's back from vietnam

2009-05-10T04:52:00.002+08:00

had a real good rest last night. slept well.... :)

woke up, got ready for craft session at clementi west. was not expecting many to come as it was vesak day and mother's day weekend. however, glad to have company. was there till about 5pm then went to clementi's cityVibe for ramen and the 99c sushi....i'm not going back - nothing fantastic with the food. it was a disappointment. anyway, managed to be in time for some foot "adjustment" at jurong west. it was painful!! hopefully it's just for now and will be perfect from monday onwards. *sigh* better walk properly and not injure myself again.

went to the airport after that to pick jeremy - finally he's back from vietnam. fine young man he is. love you boy and miss you too...glad you're back though it means no more free use of the laptop. it's ok. rather have you at home. :D

i'm looking forward to service and monday's bus ride to the office. it was a wonderful ride on friday morning and i'm looking forward to seeing more in detail on monday.

5am...better sleep now or else going to be a zombie soon. good nite and sweet dreams.

i need more discipline...

2009-05-08T00:33:00.002+08:00

yes, i need more discipline with my time. :(

will have to work real hard on that. focus, focus focus...

anyway, here's what i feel like saying today - combined cell group meeting was A W E S O M E !!

great message, great company, great day. :)

message for me -
natural growth starts from infancy to dying ... we lose the joy and hunger to learn and improve
spiritual growth starts from dying to infancy ... we grow with joy and hunger to learn and improve

that's the difference of walking alone and walking in Christ. AMEN

was at bus-stop waiting for bus after meeting and this guy was smoking at the the bus-stop. that irritated me. my bus came and we were taking the same bus! sat behind him, then decided to move to the back as i could still smell the smoke. happy happy took out my notes to read, then this lady came up the bus and sat next to me and i realised she's got this sweet smelling fragrance on. that irritated me again. i prayed and prayed for her to go away. then it dawned on me...."why should i be praying for her to go away? it's not her problem. it's my problem". i prayed again but now for a spirit of tolerance, a spirit of obedience and a spirit of acceptance. after a while, opened my eyes and my prayers were answered. she alighted at the next stop.

...reminded me of a message from today's meeting as well - "we can only receive as much as we can give" - will pray for a spirit of giving.

it's been a great day. good night.

love this...

2009-04-15T00:29:00.001+08:00

got to post this for the record... amazing precision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrOMLylvhQ

work

2009-04-12T22:21:00.002+08:00

getting busy at work now with the office move happening 2nd week of may. have got letters to prepare, sourcing of furniture, stationary to change, contractors to meet, packing to do...but it's fun. :)

i'm still enjoying what i'm doing just that i will miss the area. we will be moving to ubi! so far from town. so far from my comfort zone area. new places to explore and new food places to check out plus i'll be nearer to cell group location. there are always things to look forward to.

it's a wonderful world out there...don't contaminate it.

FIREPROOF

2009-04-11T03:44:00.001+08:00

check out the trailer for FIREPROOF... seems real good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5lSu6GkC2k

what's been happening

2009-04-04T20:10:00.002+08:00

many things happening but nothing for me to be really busy about and yet i feel like i'm not doing very productive stuff. *sigh*

i'm going to miss cell group meetings and bible study next week but it's ok because it's EASTER!!it will be an amazing weekend.

...and next weekend's my investment training programme. oh no...all those numbers. not sure if i'll ever be able to understand them but have told myself it's time to learn something abt the topic. i need to know to understand and to communicate and to reach out. i can do it. :)

going to do some search on a new movie "Fireproof". will keep posted on my verdict.

will be back soon.

doctors!!

2009-03-30T23:55:00.002+08:00

what's with polyclinic doctors? does minimum rate = minimum svc??

brought jeremy to the doctor today for 2 reasons - injured ankles and fever. the security guard, the counter staff, the admin aunty were just great. they were so helpful and so friendly. the doctor had to spoil the whole experience.

jeremy injured both his ankles...can walk but painful so the counter staff offered to let him have a wheelchair. the doctor pissed me off the moment we went into the room. she's so young and she's behaving like someone who has lived her whole life and everyone owed her everything.

doc: mdm leong kian...
me: it's him not me
doc: oh...only old ladies take the wheelchair
me: *~*
doc: ok what's wrong?
jeremy/me: sprained both ankles
doc: how did it happen?
jeremy: didn't see where i was walking...
doc: both ankles? show me how you landed.
jeremy: (demonstrated)
doc: that's not possible. you can't get a sprain like that!
me: ok. twisted?
doc: how can it be twisted! landing like that will not give a twisted ankle.
jeremy: then i don't know what.
doc: you've got to tell me what's wrong. i will not know because i'm not the patient here.
me: (patience running out and trying real hard to keep my cool) ok. so it's not sprained, it's not twisted. tell me what it is.

...in my heart i was actually saying - untidy doctor (because her hair was in a mess), just check and tell us what's wrong. if we knew we will not be here. you are the doctor.

she didn't even feel his feet to check. went straight to say it's probably a muscle pain because of the impact and will give him some painkillers.

next told her abt his on-and-off fever. told her no fever now and it usually comes late afternoon or night. started on thursday. that's like 5 days already?? again, no check or anything. just said the painkillers will help to bring down the fever as well.

i was like "huh??" whatever! i'll monitor him myself. went to get medicine and of course the painkillers will bring down the fever. it's paracetamol! what the ****. i'm speechless.

before we left the room, she offered - if don't get better after 2 days, come back and see me.

i'll go back but definitely don't want to see her. i've been treated by better doctors in polyclinics.

A M A Z I N G

2009-03-23T23:12:00.002+08:00

can't seem to embed the vid. so had to use the link. amazing performance. must watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnqBwXBe3HE

In God's Eyes

2009-03-23T23:00:00.002+08:00

something worth reading....get your tissues

IN GOD'S EYES
by Candace Carteen, Portland, Oregon

By the time I was ten, I was totally ashamed of my father. All my friends called him names: Quasi-Moto, hunchback, monster, little Frankenstein, the crooked little man with the crooked little cane. At first it hurt when they called him those things, but soon I found myself agreeing with them. He was ugly, and I knew it!

My father was born with something called parastremmatic dwarfism. The disease made him stop growing when he was about thirteen and caused his body to twist and turn into a grotesque shape. It wasn't too bad when he was a kid. I saw pictures of him when he was about my age. He was a little short but quite good-looking. Even when he met my mother and married her when he was nineteen, he still looked pretty normal. He was still short and walked with a slight limp, but he was able to do just about anything. Mother said, "He evenused to be a great dancer."

Soon after my birth, things started getting worse. Another genetic disorder took over, and his left foot started turning out, almost backward. His head and neck shifted over to the right; his neck became rigid and he had to look over his left shoulder a bit. His right arm curled in and up, and his index finger almost touched his elbow. His spine warped to look something like a big, old rollercoaster and it caused his torso to lie sideways instead of straight up and down like a normal person. His walk became slow, awkward, and deliberate. He had to almost drag his left foot as he used his deformed right arm to balance his gait.

I hated to be seen with him. Everyone stared. They seemed to pity me. I knew he must have done something really bad to have God hate him that much.

By the time I was seventeen, I was blaming all my problems on my father. I didn't have the right boyfriends because of him. I didn't drive the right car because of him. I wasn't pretty enough because of him. I didn't have the right jobs because of him. I wasn't happy because of him.

Anything that was wrong with me, or my life, was because of him. If my father had been good-looking like Jane's father, or successful like Paul's father, or worldly like Terry's father, I would be perfect! I knew that for sure.

The night of my senior prom came, and Father had to place one more nail in my coffin; he had volunteered to be one of the chaperones at the dance. My heart just sank when he told me. I stormed into my room, slammed the door, threw myself on the bed, and cried. "Three more weeks and I'll be out of here!" I screamed into my pillow. "Three more weeks and I will have graduated and be moving away to college." I sat up and took a deep breath. "God, please make my father go away and leave me alone. He keeps sticking his big nose in everything I do. Just make him disappear, so that I can have a good time at the dance."

I got dressed, my date picked me up, and we went to the prom. Father followed in his car behind us. When we arrived, Father seemed to vanish into the pink chiffon drapes that hung everywhere in the auditorium. I thanked God that He had heard my prayer. At least now I could have some fun.

Midway through the dance, Father came out from behind the drapes and decided to embarrass me again. He started dancing with my girlfriends. One by one, he took their hand and led them to the dance floor. He then clumsily moved them in circles as the band played. Now I tried to vanish into the drapes. After Jane had danced with him, she headed my way. Oh, no! I thought. She's going to tell me he stomped on her foot or something.

"Grace," she called, "you have the greatest father."

My face fell. "What?"

She smiled at me and grabbed my shoulders. "Your father's just the best. He's funny, kind, and always finds the time to be where you need him. I wish my father was more like that."

For one of the first times in my life, I couldn't talk. Her words confused me."What do you mean?" I asked her.

Jane looked at me really strangely. "What do you mean, what do I mean? Your father's wonderful. I remember when we were kids, and I'd sleep over at your house. He'd always come into your room, sit down in the chair between the twin beds, and read us a book. I'm not sure my father can even read," she sighed, and then smiled. "Thanks for sharing him."

Then, Jane ran off to dance with her boyfriend.

I stood there in silence.

A few minutes later, Paul came to stand beside me. "He's sure having a lot of fun."

"What? Who? Who is having a lot of fun?" I asked.

"Your father. He's having a ball."

"Yeah. I guess." I didn't know what else to say.

"You know, he's always been there," Paul said. "I remember when you and I were on the mixed-doubles soccer team. He tried out as the coach, but he couldn't run up and down the field, remember? So they picked Jackie's father instead. That didn't stop him. He showed up for every game and did whatever needed to be done. He was the team's biggest fan. I think he's the reason we won so many games. Without him, it just would have been Jackie's father running up and down the field yelling at us. Your father made it fun. I wish my father had been able to show up to at least one of our games. He was always too busy."

Paul's girlfriend came out of the restroom, and he went to her side, leaving me once again speechless.

My boyfriend came back with two glasses of punch and handed me one."Well, what do you think of my father?" I asked out of the blue.

Terry looked surprised. "I like him. I always have."

"Then why did you call him names when we were kids?"

"I don't know. Because he was different, and I was a dumb kid."

"When did you stop calling him names?" I asked, trying to search my own memory.

Terry didn't even have to think about the answer. "The day he sat down with me outside by the pool and held me while I cried about my mother and father's divorce. No one else would let me talk about it. I was hurting inside, and he could feel it. He cried with me that day. I thought you knew."

I looked at Terry and a tear rolled down my cheek as long-forgotten memories started cascading into my consciousness. When I was three, my puppy got killed by another dog, and my father was there to hold me and teach me what happens when the pets we love die. When I was five, my father took me to my first day of school. I was so scared. So was he. We cried and held each other that first day. The next day he became teacher's helper. When I was eight, I just couldn't do math. Father sat down with me night after night, and we worked on math problems until math became easy forme. When I was ten, my father bought me a brand-new bike. When it was stolen, because I didn't lock it up like I was taught to do, my father gave me jobs to do around the house so I could make enough money to purchase another one. When I was thirteen and my first love broke up with me, my father was there to yell at, to blame, and to cry with. When I was fifteen and I got to be in the honor society, my father was there to see me get the accolade. Now, when I was seventeen, he put up with me no matter how nasty I became or how high my hormones raged.

As I looked at my father dancing gaily with my friends, a big toothy grin on his face, I suddenly saw him differently. The handicaps weren't his, they were mine! I had spent a great deal of my life hating the man who loved me. I had hated the exterior that I saw, and I had ignored the interior that contained his God-given heart. I suddenly felt very ashamed.

I asked Terry to take me home, too overcome with feelings to remain.

On graduation day, at my Christian high school, my name was called, and I stood behind the podium as the valedictorian of my class. As I looked out over the people in the audience, my gaze rested on my father in the front row sitting next to my mother. He sat there, in his one and only, specially made suit, holding my mother's hand and smiling.

Overcome with emotions, my prepared speech was to become a landmark in my life.

"Today I stand here as an honor student, able to graduate with a 4.0 average. Yes, I was in the honor society for three years and was elected class president for the last two years. I led our school to championship in the debate club, and yes, I even won a full scholarship to Kenton State University so that I can continue to study physics and someday become a college professor.

"What I'm here to tell you today, fellow graduates, is that I didn't do it alone. God was there, and I had a whole bunch of friends, teachers, and counselors who helped. Up until three weeks ago, I thought they were the only ones I would be thanking this evening. If I had thanked just them, I would have been leaving out the most important person in my life. My father."

I looked down at my father and at the look of complete shock that covered his face.

I stepped out from behind the podium and motioned for my father to join me onstage. He made his way slowly, awkwardly, and deliberately. He had to drag his left foot up the stairs as he used his deformed right arm to balance his gait. As he stood next to me at the podium, I took his small, crippled hand in mine and held it tight.

"Sometimes we only see the silhouette of the people around us," I said. "For years I was as shallow as the silhouettes I saw. For almost my entire life, I saw my father as someone to make fun of, someone to blame, and someone to be ashamed of. He wasn't perfect, like the fathers my friends had. "Well, fellow graduates, what I found out three weeks ago is that while I was envying my friends' fathers, my friends were envying mine. That realization hit me hard and made me look at who I was and what I had become. I was brought up to pray to God and hold high principles for others and myself. What I've done most of my life is read between the lines of the Good Book so I could justify my hatred."

Then, I turned to look my father in the face.

"Father, I owe you a big apology. I based my love for you on what I saw and not what I felt. I forgot to look at the one part of you that meant the most, the big, big heart God gave you. As I move out of high school and into life, I want you to know I could not have had a better father. You were always there for me, and no matter how badly I hurt you, you still showed up. Thank you!"

I took off my mortar board and placed it on his head, moving the tassel just so.

"You are the reason I am standing here today. You deserve this honor, not me."

And as the audience applauded and cried with us, I felt God's light shining down upon me as I embraced my father more warmly than I ever had before, tears unashamedly falling down both our faces.

For the first time, I saw my father through God's eyes, and I felt honored to be seen with him.

2009-03-23T22:54:00.000+08:00

i'm back

my true fear...

2009-03-23T22:51:00.001+08:00

What is your True Fear? Your Result: Disappointment You are a fun-loving, energetic, and cheerful person. You love adrenaline rushes, and going out at night. You constantly have to be having a great time to feel completely happy. Your biggest fear is not having anything to do, or having a huge disappointment/let down in your life. You hate being sad, and if something in your life suddenly went wrong it would be extremely hard for you to deal with. Just remember that everyone has to deal with hard times. Stay strong, and pretty soon your fun, party life will get right back the way it used to be.
Commitment
Losing Someone
Being Alone
Looked down on
Where Your life is Going
Death
What is your True Fear? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

me today

2009-02-10T00:46:00.000+08:00

zombified

morning prayer meeting

2009-02-09T10:52:00.002+08:00

morning prayer meeting was amazing...the presence awesome...the crowd wonderful.

didn't sleep the night before as i was busy sorting out some stuff and before i knew it, it was already 5am. since i have to leave the house at 6am, decided to just get ready and have an early start.

it was still dark when i reached the place at kreta ayer. went in and there were just a few people in the theatre. closed my eyes in prayer and when i opened them...wow, so many people! i had a great session. looking forward to tomorrow morning's session and the whole week's sessions. revelations? yes...for me to know now, for you to know later. :)

love this song..click on link. can't seem to get video copied over. hope you like it too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b3SdiwBqCs

2009-02-05T11:05:00.002+08:00

SAND AND STONE

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT;
AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT,
BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE !
AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:
'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE '.

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM,
'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'

THE FRIEND REPLIED :
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND,
WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.'

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON,
AN HOUR TO APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY TO LOVE THEM,
BUT THEN AN ENTIRE LIFE TO FORGET THEM.

TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!
DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE ! :D

sent to me by a dear friend via e-mail. thought it's too meaningful to be forgotten.

meeting again after 30 years

2009-02-05T01:06:00.005+08:00

our get togethers seem to have taken a pattern of it's own. had our first gathering in a chalet 10 years after we left school. the 2nd one at a hotel's function room another 10 years after and just had our 3rd one at a restaurant another 10 years after....just hope the next one won't take another 10 years!

BEAUTIES OF SAC

what irritates...

2009-01-28T01:05:00.003+08:00

ladies who "manja" around and feeling good when disturbed by guys and what do the guys think? .... these are good to have as girlfriends but not "wife" material ... they are for fooling around with. not a good way to feed the ego. it's short-term booster but long-term crusher for self-esteem.

guys - why the difference?? i wonder the reason for having a girlfriend and the reason for having a wife. serves different purpose?? sometimes wish i was a girlfriend than a wife. girlfriends have more attention, time, care and concern from the guys than their wives have. PLUS ... girlfriends are always right.

don't "boss" people around when you have not earned your right to do it. having more experience doesn't earn someone the right to be bossy. it's getting the results that works. so stay out of my arena when i'm there unless you can prove that you're doing a better job than i do. recognising a person's strength and helping him use it to do better. that's the way to get things done and not just ordering for things to be done the way you want it to be done.

"W H O O S H" - my whooshes for the day.

O Lord, grant me the strength to serve, that i speak words of encouragement and not agony.

my thoughts...

2009-01-26T01:49:00.003+08:00

can i not be strong

can i not be capable

can i not be "nothing is impossible"

frustration and anger and disappointment

NO...i can't and shall not be

I SHALL BE STRONG

I SHALL BE CAPABLE

I SHALL BE "EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE"

why??

because...

I HAVE 3 WONDERFUL KIDS WHO LOVE ME

thank you for being supportive and understanding and strong and capable.

LOVE YOU ALWAYS

melts the heart

2009-01-19T01:54:00.001+08:00

got this from my elder girl.

wow wow wow....so charming. must share :)

a "do-what-you-feel-like-doing" craft session

2008-12-27T05:14:00.004+08:00

christmas presents bought, given and opened. new year's round the corner. time to work on those ang-pow lanterns for CNY. i've always been in central and west. i'm going to the east in 2009 ... pasir ris.

details in http://www.star-guidance.blogspot.com/

this is my birthday present from my kids. handmade...thank you. :)

christmas at holland

2008-12-27T03:39:00.029+08:00

occassion: christmas

venue: holland avenue

date: 24 dec 2009

time: 7pm to ......

... for a moment i though the two in the background were reflections of the 2 in the foreground. haha...
- the present and future?
OR
- the present and past??
scary leh.

... that's 3 generations - granny, mummy, son

... the christmas lights, and that's my wedding photo inside the room. *~* ...the tree and presents.

... the cakes

... and of course, the people

the last week...

2008-12-27T01:58:00.005+08:00

christmas celebration in the office - it was a comfortable and relaxed gathering of office colleagues with food and music and a video testimony. it was good for a first time, it shall get better every year. i think everyone in the company is really blessed. office politics aside, bp is not a bad company to work for. it's tough compared to years ago but then where else is it not tough??

danzation 2008 - dance production by dance group NRA from ngee ann poly. always amazed at how they can move their body. it's like every part is independent on it's own! was seated at the 6th row this year, close up view. hee...my elder girl's one of the dancers and choreographers. have a look the following video - the importance of precision...angle body is bent, height of where the hands should be, how high the kick should be, timing of each and every move, everything. it's all the hard work especially in a big group but can tell each and everyone of them was having so much fun. will put up some more videos of the wonderful performance another day.

gift exchange at sakae on 25 dec after closing - all the laughter and food and drinks. they are a bunch of crazy ppl.

finally...

2008-12-23T02:08:00.003+08:00

my contract job has ended - i was getting a little "paiseh", like an "overstayer", if there is such a word. it has been really fun and wish i could stay longer.
i'm going to start on a small scale some "do what you feel like doing" craft sessions for the public. not sure how it's going to be like but i'm going to just follow the flow. details in www.star-guidance.blogspot.com
i'm getting more popularly known as the "workforce calefare". i like this title and i love all the jobs i have been in. just realised that all the experience has helped me to relate better with people because i have more to share and talk about! hee...
started on a ministry in church - the Greeters' ministry - while waiting to be enrolled into the one i've registered for. it's quite fun, welcoming ppl to church and chatting them up. have to learn some pick-up lines. :)
C H R I S T M A S ... is coming. looking forward to the drama OPERATION SAVE THE WORLD - http://www.chc.org.sg/christmas08/index.php

changes to blogskin

2008-12-08T17:47:00.001+08:00

I LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO MY BLOG!!

love the layout

love the song

thank you

...

a pleasant surprise from my kids

:) (:

memorable sunday

2008-11-18T02:25:00.002+08:00

16 nov 2008 - special special day - my water baptism :)

i can swim, i can hold my breath under water, i can float in water face up or face down, i can make myself sink under, still....that very moment of having my head under water is one i will never forget. the feeling of uncertainty before going in the water and the feeling of joy and peace upon coming out and gasping that first breath. there is, however, something i cannot put my finger on. a vision when i went down, the sense of being drowned but not afraid, the feeling of incomplete revelation. i want to stay down under for a little longer....

in God's time

i will know

a new beginning

2008-10-31T00:36:00.003+08:00

whatever is not meant to be

has to end

for

something newer and better

to take it's place

time to update

2008-10-27T00:55:00.005+08:00

it's been a long long time. many interesting things have been happening. :)

sakae sushi - still fun to work in. hmm...the aunties can be grumpy at times but then they don't mean any harm. guess it's their way of destressing.
went back to bp on contract to do phase 2 of a project - it's great to be back with friends i've known for over 20 years.
remember the one day workshop in my last post? guess what - someone called and asked if i'd like to be part of their 3-day programme. i am so excited abt this. it's just what i've been visualising for the past year, combining crafts with entrepreneur skills. have to figure out what to propose. better start working on the options. happy happy...
just last week - got enquiry to conduct a 2-hr christmas workshop for the office. 15 to 20 pax...have to think of what the guys can work on. was reminded of something i learnt when working on this proposal... "ask the right questions". this is necessary to know the customers' needs. my initial assumption was that it's an all female thing and everyone's doing one same item. speaking to the person-in-charge and asking questions put everything into perspective and now i know her expectations and will be able to work out a more relevant proposal. this will have to be finalised soon for submission to management for approval.
service was great and amazing as always and i am looking forward to Asia Conference. made a decision to go for water baptism and have decided on the ministry i want to be in - community service/hearing impaired. have always wanted to contribute and make a difference in that area but never knew where to start. this is an opportunity and i am sure it will be the start of many good things to come. i want to be able to communicate with them, to share and learn together and to reach a wider audience with my handicrafts. i want to be able to teach in their language. it will be a milestone for me and another step closer to reaching my dream - a place where everyone and anyone can come to learn and share anything under the sun.
arise and build - i know my limits but i also know my talents and gifts. i shall not focus on my limitations but on what i can offer. praying abt it and have got some idea of what i can do but need a clearer direction. i get really excited everytime i think abt it. you know the feeling of knowing and not knowing at the same time? aiyoh...terrible. want to go somewhere and sit there just working on it till everything is in place. can i do that? what if it takes days and weeks to work things out?? don't need to eat and sleep already. i'll get this right. i know i will be led by the Holy Spirit to do what's right. i will i will i will.
just today, after service - another request for quotation!! yes...the Lord provides all and more. with the right source, it will be a net profit of between $150 to $250 just for this transaction. all this from an initial goodwill transaction of $18 net profit.
what did i get from today's sermon - with the Father, all things are possible. seek first the kingdom of God and everything will fall in place.
what else do i have in mind? hmm...many interesting and exciting stuff i'd like to do. shall update again when i get to them. one thing at a time. life is never boring when you find the joy in all that you set out to do. it becomes an adventure.

i want to do more, i want to do much more, i want to be able to do much much more. in God's time, i will. He has never failed me and He never will....i have learnt to walk in faith and live by faith. i will be prepared and ready when the time comes to follow and obey.

Matt28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

busy busy busy

2008-09-19T21:47:00.002+08:00

working at sakae is taking up most of my time now but that's ok as long as i still get to do what i love most...teaching handicrafts. i'm gonna be one step closer to my vision of doing a handicraft workshop camp. though it's a 1-day and not a 3-day workshop like i have visualised, it is still something i am excited about. it's planned for mid-dec. proposal just got approved and will be published for registration soon. ALL THE BEST TO ME AND TEAM!

i'm also going to start dance again. going to do bachata...accompanying one of my cell group members. without her interest, it will probably take me a really long time to get back to dance. i'm glad i'm just going to do it. next to catch up on will be my running. :)

sakae - i started just cleaning tables and taking orders during the first few days. then went on to do billing and now i'm in the kitchen! not food preparation of course. they have the experts doing that. i'm what they call the "runner". bringing food out from the kitchen to the customers. most difficult are the noodle bowls. so big, so heavy and so hot...haha. my hands not big enough to carry them without burning. anyway, now i can remember what the items look like and being in there and watching the kitchen staff, i've learnt something as well. enjoy most the cooked food section. temperature and timing is most important in this section. the kitchen has got to be the most exciting place in a restaurant. next learning task will be cashiering i guess.

more to update but another time. have to go get dinner now. jeremy's running a fever. pray for him ok? thank you.

peaceful warriors

2008-09-09T00:39:00.002+08:00

The time is now, the place is here. Stay in the present. You can do nothing to change the past, and the future will never come exactly as you plan or hope for.

A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does.

Where are you? Here.
What time is it? Now.
What are you? This moment.

quotes from the movie - Peaceful Warriors. only managed to watch edited parts of the movie. anyone has a copy to share?

what i have been ....

2008-09-07T05:15:00.004+08:00

was just thinking through the different jobs i've done and how i have grown with them...

sales promoter - dishwashing detergent and i didn't even know what it was called in mandarin! :(
tutor - the kids were either too sleepy to listen or too hyper to stay in place *sigh*
liquor promoter - good money during 7th month cos got big angpows on top of salary :)
bank teller - told a lie to get this job just to work in bank...didn't tell them we were students on year end school holidays.
cashier - busy busy busy but learnt to be really really careful and stay focussed on whoever i'm serving.
ticket seller / crowd "director" - just love this job...good pay with tpt and meals provided plus get to meet all sorts of ppl.
customs clerk - first permanent job
despatch clerk - stock updates, order processing, etc, etc, anything to do with deliveries
admin clerk - reports, reports and reports...the dept i was in made this job really fun. the only female in an all male environment...prob seen all sorts and got immune to their behaviours, esp when out of singapore away from families!
customer service asst - more reports
customer service exec - even more reports and ppl management
cleaner - tough job...really admire the cleaners. how can they do so much in so little time!
teacher asst - helping out at a child care centre and just luurve those kids...miss them.
course facilitator - most satisfying to see the participants' achievement at the end of the course knowing that i have made a difference. every session is a learning experience for me though the programme may be the same because every child is different.
f & b service crew - that's what i'm doing now for 2 weeks already and still enjoying every minute of it. tiring at first but getting used to it. teamwork is of great importance and following the process just get things going and with a system, anyone can go to any outlet and get the job done.

that is a wide range considering that i've only worked full time in one company moving from customs clerk to customer service executive. the rest are "as and when" jobs. makes life really interesting. i'm almost there with my list of "what i want to experience". left with 2 or 3 more to check out. hmmm....not too bad for this lifetime.

what's outstanding:

tourism
books
dance

one more of great priority - grandmother... haha. maybe shouldn't rush this otherwise no time to work on the rest.

with all of the above, there is only one constant passion - the opportunity to share my handicrafts with many. it's been 15 years now and this will be forever till i'm not able.

life's been tough but it has been really good. nothing beats loving what you are doing.

can we be one?

2008-09-05T15:17:00.003+08:00

to the same destination

we

take different routes
think different thoughts
speak different words

can we still be one
in body, soul and mind
?

many roles in life

2008-08-06T23:00:00.003+08:00

responsibilities responsibilities responsibilities...

we become what we are committed to...

situations are results of our own reactions...

hope to get results soon from actions taken...quick quick.

:)

being in my element

2008-07-31T19:45:00.002+08:00

had a great weekend in KL. was part of the logisitics team for Money and You. many learning experiences. every position requires different focus and every position has their distractions. however, the main intention of being in logs remains the same for all positions and that is to support the participants, to ensure that they get the most out of the program.

i was lucky to be given the opportunity to be many "parts"...to be part of the handout team, the mic runner, the door master, the bell ringer, love nest assistant and help with "zenning" the room at every break time and end of the day. lots of teamwork required. it is also at occassions like these we see the true character of a person. i loved the whole experience and i'm going back again end of the year. i want to be part of transforming lives all year round.

makes me think of what i'm doing now. i somehow feel out-of-sorts. not sure why. feels like something is not in place. feels all messed up.

am i doing something out of my element?? don't know....

heart of a servant

2008-07-19T20:23:00.008+08:00

to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh....lesson learnt for this week, both at bible study and then a revelation at cell group. went to our own corners to have our time with the Lord and "to walk in the Spirit" keeps coming to mind.

is what we want to do with our lives also what we are here for? seek our purpose and live for that purpose. walk in faith and confidence in the Spirit and everything will come to light. accomplishment in the flesh is short-lived. accomplishment in the Spirit is forever and nothing goes out without achievement. Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." - in the spirit, nothing goes out without achieving anything.

will like to share this lovely song - Hati Hamba (Heart of a Servant)

the joys of teaching

2008-07-13T04:13:00.005+08:00

i've always wanted to be a teacher. registered with MOE the moment i got my A levels...was not accepted. couldn't get into uni...so started working. thinking back, if i had been a teacher in an academic school, i wouldn't have met the sweet lady at work who taught me knitting. then i wouldn't have picked up the hobby. even if i did, i may not have had the time to start a business and started teaching handicrafts! guess what? my dream did come true. i'm still a teacher - of handicrafts. i would not have made a good academic teacher. the kids will take over the class. ;)

anyway, i never like to follow the rules when it comes to teaching. participants usually leave with what we originally started out to complete. my motto : learn the basics and create something to call your own.

the most recent in a primary school...a bracelet that looks like this. they learnt the basics and at the end of the 3rd session, none came close to the original. the result, abt 25 different designs of different colours and shapes. each a unique piece for the students to call their own. the excitement on their faces when working on it and the joy when it's completed make everything worth the while. wish i had pictures of their artpieces to show but forgot the camera....again.

will have to remember for future sessions. looking forward to more fulfilling moments.

a moment so personal and intimate

2008-07-09T12:28:00.004+08:00

sunday service was phenomenal. Rev Mike Connell gave a real powerful sermon. I had a breakthrough and it's amazing how one can have such a personal, warm and intimate moment with the Holy Spirit in a fully packed hall.

on the bus to church, prayed for an open heart and mind to receive the message to prepare myself for a learning experience. was early, so sat there and just be in the presence. though everyone was busy getting a seat for themselves and the ushers were working like ants doing crowd control, there was a sense of peace and quiet around me. i am ready to receive and i did. :)
the only other time i felt a strong connection was some weeks ago on the bus back to the interchange after service. had to close my eyes and just let the feelings flow. there were words waiting to be spoken but guess i was not ready then. just like aftershocks of an earthquake, this was like an overflow from the church hall. took a while to let the "energies" fill the whole of my system before i could open my eyes and bask in the joys of being filled with the Holy Spirit and loving everything i see and experience. it's a beautiful world out there.

last sunday brought my spiritual growth to a new level. the Holy Spirit filled the whole hall and Rev Mike was right. when you are ready with open arms, you will receive anywhere. did not walk down the aisle for altar call and i received right where i was seated, far far from the stage towards the back. words can't expain how i felt. wanted to tell my daughter the moment i left the hall but could not. it was a most joyful moment to share but it is also a very personal and intimate moment to be cherished and remembered....

what's happening?

2008-06-19T11:50:00.002+08:00

the last 2 to 3 mths...went through life "routinely" and forgot to love myself. in the process, got lost and did things for all the wrong reasons. have always lived life on "do things only when i want to and not when i have to". lost focus on that and some tasks became a chore and that's when resentment sets in and then many other negative feelings will start to come together. rushing through life and not doing anything about it just make things worse.

re-focus, re-align, re-connect and do what you love most. nothing can go wrong with that.

one more thing...Hort Park is a nice place. will try walkin round Botanic Gardens one day. haha...so not related. anyway, that's where i re-connected with nature.

sunday is coming soon!! so looking forward to service. :)

responsibility

2008-06-03T23:15:00.004+08:00

i'm seeing laziness, irresponsibility and self-centredness going towards the extreme. is this my doing? i allowed this to happen? i am becoming invisible and just there for the necessities. none of my requests gets done. nothing at all.

why? why? why? why? why? why? why? why? why?

W H Y ?

living a life without limits

2008-05-27T12:09:00.003+08:00

Perspective / Vision / Choices

only i know what i want, only i can say i'll have a good life, only i can make it happen

living a life without limits

the Covenant

2008-05-26T12:28:00.004+08:00

an example of living the Covenant?

in his own words, how he moved from "a life without limbs to a life without limits"...in 3 parts. search YouTube for "life without limbs" and there is his testimonies in several other languages. an inspiration, a great example on living a life of faith.

full of action

2008-05-22T23:45:00.003+08:00

so much happening ... aching body now. the list -

craft session with a girls' brigade group
fleamart at holland v
fund raising event for an association
staff sales at ITE
amazing race at a secondary school
volunteer at meet-the-parents session
opening fair at ngee ann poly - coming on friday and saturday. it's from 11am to 8pm, so do drop by and visit

other than the first event, the rest was/is happening within the same week. non-stop from one to another.

YAY .... just got the results on TV.

DAVID COOK is American Idol !!!!! YAY YAY YAY.

i'm so happy happy happy. YIPPEE YIPPEE.

~

2008-05-17T00:18:00.001+08:00

find the time to do the things we want to do

or

do the things we want to do when we find the time?

that's not the question
the question is....

which one get things going and which one get things done?

*~*

going to be busy busy busy

2008-05-15T11:41:00.004+08:00

have been doing lots of stuff lately and next week's another hectic but fun week...one day of fleamart, one day of fund-raising event, 3 days of pushcart sales and stock takes in between plus 2 days of regular craft sessions. that's almost a whole week filled up.

i'll be back with more updates :)

check this out....

2008-05-06T20:48:00.006+08:00

The Underground Motel

www.theundergroundmotel.com.au

i want to go there! those beautiful opals...ooohhhh. so pretty.

feels good taking action

2008-05-02T23:20:00.003+08:00

most of last week and early this week has been lazy days for me. moved around doing just what i needed to do. nothing more and nothing less...not a good feeling. a lethargic and really zombie-like feel to everything i do. haha...not very productive. it's similar to going in to the office and doing what needs to be done, time's up - go home, watch tv and sleep. next day, the same thing again.

mid-week, decided to make better use of my time. started spring-cleaning my "war-torn" house. slowly clearing the mess. tough job but getting there surely. looks like it's going to be a long term event. :)

yesterday, decided to start my planning routine again. sat at the coffeeshop after getting lunch for the kids. started writing down what i want to achieve, prioritising and deciding on action plans and taking action on those that can be done immediately to start the ball rolling. what can i say about this? IT FEELS REALLY GOOD!

this is not just doing things for the sake of doing. this is doing things to get things going, to reach that final goal and make a dream come true. just dreaming that dream is not going to make it real. it's taking those small steps to get nearer to it and finally arriving at the destination. glad things are happening again.

my learning journey...

2008-05-02T01:26:00.004+08:00

all my life, i've never had to worry abt anything. i just lived life as it is given to me. didn't remember much of when i was really young but looking at photographs, everything seems ok. nothing seems to have affected me in anyway. when in school, other than being lazy and picking up only when i got to secondary school, i had fun and lots of memorable moments. then i started working. i spent what i earned. then i got married. hubby took care of what's at home and i just had to be concerned with the kids. i still spent what i earned and very much just did whatever i felt like doing. guess i must have taken things for granted. so much that i did not realise things were changing until it became a crisis! did i learn anything before this? school education certainly didn't prepare me for this.

this was when my learning starts. i realised there is just so much i do not know and how unaware i am as to what's happening around me. i was one of those who thinks i know but actually do not know. :)

decided to sign up for a personal development programme and have never looked back since. realised the best gift for myself and for everyone around me is to continue learning and growing and loving myself. it's only when i can confidently be myself, can i be of support to those i love and to those around me and so i went on a journey of self-discovery and personal education. my 2-year plan for personal growth became a 3-year plan because that's how long it takes for me to get clarity and to know who i am and what i want. i may not have all that's desired in the world but I'm happy with who i am now and i will continue to learn and grow and i also know i'll be ok if i have to be alone. there is no more fear of being by myself.

having got personal growth on the move, have set myself another discipline to work on - spiritual growth. i'm working on it and learning as much as i can. this is bringing so much joy that i want to tell the whole world abt it. there is much i do not know. i will persevere and i know i'll make a difference someday with the Lord as my "director", I'll walk His way. going for service is no more a chore, it's a joy. time and distance is no more an issue. why? guess it's time for this to happen. it has to be in His time. :)

my journey continues... and God Bless.

the dancer in the family...

2008-04-29T02:50:00.004+08:00

went for my daughter's dance concert on 18 march and i really loved it. we were initially sitting at the top section where we see movement and enjoy the dances. it was quite ok and my daughter's friend got us these front seats! we were like the 4th or 5th row and now it's not just watching and enjoying the dance. it's FEELING the moves. whoa...it just gets right in to the whole being. to be upfront and to be able to see the looks on the dancers' faces and watch every muscle move they make, makes all the difference to the whole experience. up there, it's just watching and enjoying. down here, it's feeling and experiencing the performance as a whole.

the dancers were just great. can see them panting when they freeze but the moment it's their cue to move again, the energy they exude is amazing. how can they do dance after dance and still have so much energy to last the whole 3 hours? yes, they have breaks in between. still, it takes lots of commitment and passion for the sport to be able to last 3 hours and to be able to remember the steps to so many songs. the fun they are having and the sense of pride and achievement show in all their faces, every single one of them. thank you all for a wonderful night.

...love these pics.

american idol shocker

2008-04-25T00:21:00.002+08:00

CARLY IS OUT!!!

so sad.

the joys of life..

2008-03-28T18:07:00.003+08:00

never thought i'd feel this way about going for service. i actually look forward to worship and praise. i can feel the joy in my heart and the spring in my steps when i walk.

always contented with just saying my prayers and occassional quiet times because He has never abandoned me though i've put other chores before Him. that's how gracious He is. :) now i know He's even more. Since my decision to be more disciplined in my spiritual life, i've been receiving everyday - customers orders, new friends, new opportunities and directions on how to move forward in whatever i am doing. gives new meaning to "giving is receiving".

the joys of life...knowing there is Someone who will always be there for you, no matter what.

Praise the Lord. Everything's achievable in His time.

fleamarket woes...

2008-03-23T06:42:00.004+08:00

the weather has not been very good for stallholders at the holland fleamart...so unpredictable. not only are we at the mercy of mother nature, we're also at the mercy of the organisers. wait for confirmation of table space. :(

NO WORRIES though :))

decided to do something about it. initial thought was to BE the organiser. then i'll have to find venues, tables and chairs suppliers and vendors. i should be able to manage this since i've been on the vendors' side. i'll know what they want and what they will need. then decided it's going to take me too much time to organise all that in a short period of time. there is the licencing and permit stuff to look at as well. hmmm...not good for now. maybe next time.

then decided on something else...an Online Fleamart. heehee. this should work just fine. no harm trying. no cost. just time spent and i'll have to take nicer photos of some of the stuff. working on it now. i'll make this work. i know i will. i just know.

something else to share. this keeps popping up in my mind as i write this post...."the Lord is my Shepherd, i shall not want". He has always provided and provided in abundance. He shall lead and i shall follow. that's how i know.

have a look and feel free to comment and if you know of anyone who doesn't mind a well-kept second hand book, pls forward the link ok? it's http://www.starbuys.appee.com. thank you very much.

how time flies...

2008-03-15T11:45:00.002+08:00

2 years since i started to blog. wow...i certainly have come a long way from an IT sotong to an IT not-so-sotong. doing most of my stuff online and getting most of my contacts from the internet and have realised that this is a great way to keep in touch. found a friend i have not been in touch with for years and some old schoolmates on facebook! this is amazing.

anyway, i have a decision to make and i will want to decide fast. got things to work out first.

something interesting happened on the 13th of March...the kitchen wall tiles came tumbling down at about 3+am. now have to wear helmet when entering the kitchen. looks like some more loose tiles may be dropping off. the HDB guy came to take some photos...and they will be doing it free for us. WHY?? because those tiles were originally from them. yeah!!

watched Army Daze and it is funny lah. now army where got like dat....

Family Status

2008-03-02T16:09:00.004+08:00

as of 01 March 2008

we are officially a

Family

Unemployed People

Wishes-Come-True Day

2008-03-02T00:50:00.003+08:00

today is a day of wishes come true...

1. great start to the day - saw something inside one of the handbags that i carry (actually my 2nd girl's). thought it was one of the books she wants me to return to the bookstore for her. turns out to be a gift from her friend and it's none other than the "FACING THE GIANTS" DVD !!!! thank you very much. will put it to good use and pass the message to a wider audience. i am sure it will inspire many. once again, thank you Lijia.

2. went to a workshop at the National Library organised by ACE and the NUS entrepreneur club. got first hand accounts of the obstacles, struggles and winnings of some singapore startups. this is the 2nd in a series of 3 workshops. missed the first one though.

3. had lunch at a no-frills coffee shop in people's park centre, Manna the Deli, run by a group of men who were once in a rehab centre. took my fried rice, drank my tea and did some notes and planning in the midst of nice live music by one of the staff. he was strumming his guitar and singing some pop songs and some hymns. stopping to serve only when customers walk in. feels really "kampung". about 2 or 3 shops away is another one run by some who are still in rehab. can't remember the name of the makan place but it's the only one there selling tim sum. i love their porridge. maybe drop by next week for breakfast.

4. craft session at clementi west was fulfilling - many completed their projects today and will be starting on new ones.

5. finally, i've watched Death Note 2 - the Last Name. hmm...reviews says it's too long and boring. i find it just as interesting. it's the war of 2 geniuses and i didn't feel the drag in timing. now to wait for the last segment - L Change the Word. it's sad to know though that a parent may do the best they can for their kids and teach them all the rights and wrongs, or so we think. how it affects the kids, we will never know.

that's all for today. praise the Lord for another great day. feels really good. time to sleep and be ready for fleamart in the morning.

Facing the Giants - DVD

2008-02-27T23:14:00.006+08:00

continuing from earlier post on movie Facing the Giants...

couldn't find the DVD anywhere - :(

finally found it here - :)

i love this movie.

know what you want and get what you want

2008-02-25T02:26:00.006+08:00

"know what you want" - is this enough? apparently not. it has to be "know what you REALLY REALLY want". this is the message i got from a seminar by Jack M Zufelt, author of "The DNA of Success", that i attended on friday night. must want it 100% and actions will happen to achieve what you want. anything less than that and you will be shortchanging yourself.

started questioning my actions to achieve my goal in life. it has been mediocre. i have made some advancement but there are also times when i procrastinate and find "excuses" to do it later or not to do it at all. what do i really want? i know what i want and i also know i can do more. i'm clear on that. next question will be "is this desire at the 100% mark"? i'm going to put this knowledge to what i have learnt in EAP about discipline in the different aspects of my life. question myself till i get to the Core Desires for every aspect and work on it. thought about it immediately after attending the 2nd talk by Jack on saturday morning, started taking action and am already seeing results. it's interesting how discipline comes naturally once that is in place.

plus what i learnt in today's message at church:

Love is Unity and Selfishness is Division
We are where we are for a reason
Our actions should be from who we are and we should not become what we do

Everything points to "actions must come from the heart". Be sincere, be selfless and everything will fall in place. the Lord will provide. yes, i'm going back to the house of GOD. it's about time. i've been away for too long.

*Lord, your servant is coming back. use me and guide me so that i can be your beacon of light for all to see.*

DEATH NOTE!!!

2008-02-25T02:18:00.005+08:00

Great show...just watched the first segment and i can't wait to watch the next one. i was like "whoa"ing and "wow"ing after the show. now i'm a fan. must watch the whole series.

Facing the Giants

2008-02-18T18:47:00.004+08:00

great show to watch - an inspiration and lots to learn from it.

with GOD, nothing is impossible....

perfection, precision and trust

2008-02-03T22:47:00.000+08:00

this has to be the ultimate in mastery...understand this husband and wife couple took 8 years to perfect this performance. watch only when you have time to enjoy and appreciate it because it's perfection to the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lN96dgt_Y

be aware of your surroundings...

2008-01-26T00:50:00.000+08:00

don't rush through life and leave not knowing what has happened or have regrets.

went to a farewell party at Tapas Tree in Clarke Quay. really nice and cosy place to sit around with friends. the sofa chairs are not really comfortable though. sort of sink into it and gets so comfortable that getting out of it is really tough. ladies...don't wear short skirts. :)

whatever it is, it was a great night with wonderful company. there was even a 3-man band that's supposed to be walking around serenading the guests but there were just too many of us and they could just stand at one spot to perform. very nice.

after that, just felt like walking home alone. it feels good having the breeze in my face, listening to the sounds that the different vehicles make, feel the ground tremble when a big one goes pass, watch the many people walking around. makes me wonder what their day was like, what they had for lunch, where are they heading to.

passed by a pub and there was a live band playing. such beautiful music. stood there to listen for a while before moving on. passed by coffee shops with friends and family sitting around enjoying each others' company. some with children running around. passed by bus stops with exhausted looking people. looked into a company called Jackson. didn't know what they are dealing with but was attracted to a whole wall of nice paintings and another wall with shelves full of books. can't make out what books they were though. too dark to see. hmm...maybe the paintings were photographs. will make a point to have a look in the day for a clearer view.

overall, a pleasant walk along the river and around the neighbourhood. this has got to be the shortest route home by walking - 45 mins. used to take me about an hour to one and a half hours. walks home from the clarke quay or river valley area are reminders for me to LOVE AND RESPECT MYSELF. many memories along this stretch of road and inside some of the buildings. all learning experiences that has made me who i am today.

be aware of my surroundings...don't let life pass me by.

i am living my passion and i refuse to be shortchanged by anyone or anything.

be open...be ready...for opportunities when they come

2008-01-16T01:03:00.000+08:00

went for a networking session after work. stepped in and thought i was at the wrong event. felt like i've stepped into mini-china. it was mandarin everywhere. no one seemed to know what i was asking in english!

saw the signboard and confirmed i was at the right place. went to the reception desk, looked at the books they had there, asked for the price and they gave it to me in MYR! we are in singapore, why would i want to know the price in MYR?? asked for the SGD price, the lady took the calculator, pressed some numbers, put it down and started talking to her colleague...didn't tell me anything and totally ignored me.

WHAT IS THIS?? where is the MnY spirit? i didn't feel the closeness, the warmth or the friendliness. decided to go home but didn't get into the lift when it arrived. thought to myself, "what do i have to lose? since i'm here might as well stay and see how the night goes and boy am i glad i stayed. i've gained from the evening. i'm inspired and a great night of networking. there are people from china, taiwan, usa, malaysia and a few other countries i didn't remember. DC was great, Wilson was fantastic and Jannie Tay from Hour Glass was also there!

there is a decision to bring MnY back to Singapore and i can't wait to be a part of it. i want to be totally involved. i want to make a difference. the night has given me more clarity of what i have been wondering about in the last few weeks. now i'm ready to start the ball rolling.

YIPPEE! life is great, life is fun. life is full of opportunities. be open and you'll see it when it comes....ALOHA!

what have i been up to?

2008-01-13T01:39:00.000+08:00

stuck on FaceBook
teaching lots of knitting
teaching lots of lantern making
converting picture patterns to words
making lots of doraemons
feeling uncertain - I NEED GUIDANCE - need to look for a mentor.......

many more things i want to do but don't know where to start plus i need to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzz....

look like panda already.

HO HO HO...

2007-12-24T11:01:00.000+08:00

santa claus is coming to town!!!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

and

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

to ALL

cute mini knitwear

2007-12-17T17:58:00.001+08:00

so cute....make some and sew initials on to give as presents.

just lovely.

YEEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-17T00:37:00.000+08:00

SINGAPORE WON!!

HADY IS ASIAN IDOL !!!!!

...and my boy's a Lance Corporal now :))