In a shoe

I went down today to get my parents and myself some lunch and on my way back, I saw a bunch of caucasians looking amazed at their surroundings. And I tried to look through their eyes at what they are looking at. (1) A field that's filled with little boys playing soccer. (2) Lego-land! All the HDB flats of different shapes and sizes. (3) A train that passes through 2 HDB flats.

Yes.. They were amazed. They were like "Awwww....! This is SO cool!"

Honestly? For awhile, I wonder to myself - "Now Sandra, WHAT exactly is so amazing?"

Having been "bred" and brought up in the land of Singapore, it's no wonder I am not amazed what what is my surroundings. However, just now, I told myself to look through their eyes instead of mine and I realised that "hey.. It's indeed nice IF I am looking at things as though as it is new." I just thought too that "Hey! I was like that when I landed in Australia 6 years ago! I was amazed and I have my mouth wide opened. If any Aussie saw me, they would have thought I was a mountain tortoise."

Today, started pretty bad frankly. I woke up all ready to meet a girl together with my colleague only to have my colleague sms-ing me that the girl has decided that she has no mood to meet. OK!! So well, no more swimming, no more work. All of a sudden, I was SO frustrated! I mean "Heh! I am willing to put down my own agenda just to meet you and here you are, cancelling everything just because you don't feel like it." For a moment, I nearly broke out in tears because I really don't know what to do with no "movements" with this girl. I asked God "Why?" I was really so frustrated. I know through studies and constant reminders for myself that in the social service line, it is Client's agenda over Own's. I am NOT willing at all to give up yet I am so so stuck! I can't engage the girl. I can't WORK with her. I can't even have a compromised agenda! I prayed and asked God for wisdom and started my day thinking what to do later feeling rather "stuck".

I thank God really for the lunch trip downstairs cause that incident with the caucasians brought a word to my mind - Shoe. I started asking myself.. Ok.. If I am that girl, in that situation, with that problem, what do I want? WHAT exactly do I want? Why not look at things through HER perspective instead of selfishly mine?

The thing about following others' agenda is that there is this instilled feared that you do not know what the future lies. I simply do not know what plans the girl has and that frightens me. Just like so many times when I am going through bad times, I will ask God "Oh Lord, where are you leading me to?" But, yet, this is where having faith applies! Many times when I look back at those dark times, I "triumph" at the victory through Christ because if I am asked - Do you want to go through it again? My answer would be Yes, I don't mind. Because it was through the bad times, I relied on God even more. Faith built and strengthened.

There and then at the traffic light, I rest my case with God and enjoyed the rest of my day with my family, dogs and my godson's birthday bash in the evening.

See.. I took a photo of my "hometown" a couple of months ago and I LOVED it so much. There's so much joy and peace in the picture even though it's only a flat and a field. I never thought my place look so beautiful. Loving it so much that I think I won't want to shift out of it.

A push

Words of encouragements and affirmations from friends has always been a delightful dessert on a gold platter.

Yesterday, my friendship was liken to an iron. As iron sharpens iron, so one sharpens another. Today, I received an ecard from another friend that encourages me to continue to allow the Lord to be my constant source of love and encouragement and that I will be prayed for.

Not only are they sweet desserts on a gold platter, they are also a form of a push for someone. Going back to my resolution for this year, I have decided that I will be a person who will not hold back affirmations when needed. To be an encourager just as I have been encouraged and affirmed.

My day ended with shopping in Orchard with my beloved sister. We went for Jap food and boy! Was it yum yum!! Had a great chat and sister received an overseas call from her dear which revealed for itself that I will be having a new bag as a gift. *bliss* After dinner, shopped for earrings and then shopped for my godson's birthday pressie. YES.. A very rushed gift taking note that tomorrow's the party. Too busy la... While shopping, got a call from colleague and yes.. my swimming plans have to be postponed. Meeting up our client. Thankfully, that didn't pull my spirits down too much taking that I am glad that there is "movement" in this very difficult case.

On the way back, sigh.. we met with a massive jam. I hate CTE!!! Driving in Singapore can drive a person mad. By the time I parked my car, I was suffering from leg cramp! (Yes.. Mine's a manual-geared car)

Acting busy

I am BUSHED.

I stepped into office at 10am and I met up with a client. They left at 12pm. Immediately, there was another client who was waiting for me since 1130am. Met her at 12pm and she left at 115pm. Went for lunch and came back about 2pm and another client came in early at 215pm when it was a 3pm appointment. Well, I was a little "evil". I made her wait till 245pm since that was the appointment time. Must "discipline" these clients once in a while... =) By the time they left, it was 415pm. By this time, I was truly bushed. Mind you man.. It wasn't all pre-arranged appointments! Then came my colleague from another department (we join forces) to meet our client at 530pm.

Amazingly, I was the one who "acted" busy the whole day. Haha!! Honestly, I don't know if all sessions were helpful. I don't know what I did was right or wrong. And in ALL honesty, gosh! all the time, I was praying for wisdom! I am constantly filled with the "I don't knows"!! And man.. I really felt quite inadequate. Praise God for His timely interventions, timely wisdom, timely courage.

We (my colleagues and myself) wanted to end Wednesday night with a movie but it ended up with just 2 of us. We both decided that we were way too tired to watch a movie and so, we went for dinner. It was a great dinner! There was conscious effort NOT to talk about work and so, we had a great chat and fellowship and colleagues-turn-friends session.

Short Short And shorter

Lately, I seem to get this "argh" in me whenever I see certain schoolgirls (not to mention any schools) wearing their skirts real short. Ok..I admit that I was young once and my skirt was perhaps a little shorter than what alot of adults would want it to be. But I was nearly screaming out "ALO! Can you at least sit a little better? Cross your leg or something? Why open legs until so wide?" Truly something I can never fathom. Is it a trend? Is it a norm? I seem to see many school gals doing it.

These days, I seemed to be faced with some "Short Skirt" issue. There's this gal in front of me at the escalator wearing a very very short skirt and I was going UP the escalator. Even as a gal, I have to force myself to look away from her. I mean.. Not nice RIGHT? Then, today, this gal checked her very short skirt in the train "mirror" right slap front in front of many others. A few days back, this very pretty gal who wore very short skirt came in to the train and stood in front of me. I noticed that immediately quite alot of eyes were on her.

Honestly, I don't know what is this thing about short skirt. Looked good? Looked great? I felt for a moment, it's almost gratifying to the eyes of the men. I wonder most importantly - Do they know the dangers of wearing it? Sometimes, I felt like I fear for their safety more than they fear for themselves! I mean... Ok la.. Don't have to 抱 yourself up until like a dumpling but I am not joking about the short-ness of the skirt..

I don't know I don't know andI really don't know. It has been like "irritating" me for a long long time...

BLACK BlacK bLaCK

Your true color is Black!

What's Your True Color?

Brought to you by Tickle

"Sandra, your true color is Black!

Your color is black. The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you."

Coincidentally, I love Black. And White. I think sometimes, I am quite a Black and White person. Which sometimes do make me quite a boring person. I am hardly grey. However, when one knows me, you really must be wondering - Does Sandra really love black and white? Most of my clothes are filled with colours! Haha!! Well, I guess it's a phenomenon that I, myself, do not even know how to explain.

More than ever

In a crisis situation, many times when it's time to make a judgement call, it's so very very hard. Logical & objective decisions have to be made. When I am asked a question, I have to know why I do what I do. I can't say "I don't know.". Think Sandra THINK!!!

More than ever, I felt that in my job, I need God so so so much more. For discernment, for alertness, for anointing, for wisdom, for courage, for strength. More than ever, I felt this hunger and desire to pray more, to know God more. More than ever, I felt grateful - for a job, a family, sister, friends, comfortability of a home and even an own room, food and more importantly, the love of God. More than ever, I felt so strongly the question of "How I wish so-and-so know this God whom I know! Wouldn't that solve all problems?!". More than ever, I felt my patience & love tested and find myself giving chances after chances. But more than ever, I have never never EVER felt so motivated to work everyday.

Perhaps where I am working right now is a community where it is pretty well-known for being the elderly area and that's why, I am seeing more funerals than I have in my normal life.
Today, as I walked towards my workplace, I saw 4 wakes. I find myself asking - What was his/her life before like? Does he/she has an opportunity to know God? What have they left behind?

When I asked my good friend - Who do you want your life to be likened to? She said - A snail. A snail is very slow. But as it crawls, it leaves behind this slimy trail. And she said that each step she walked, she wants to leave behind something good - be it in her workplace, her home or someone's life. And I felt - If I were to leave the world tomorrow, what will I be leaving behind?

No no.. don't misunderstood that I am going to get all melocholic and emotional here. =) Just a question to motivate myself.

Heart Condition

I remember one prayer that my leader from Brisbane prayed over me in Feb 2002 - that my heart will always be soft to receive His Word.

I was walking to work one day and I saw that along the pavement that I was walking, there was a patch of grass that had very beautiful small flowers but anywhere else around it are bare. Somehow, the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-8) came to mind. It speak about the growth of the seeds that fall unto different grounds - pathside soil, rocky ground, thorny soil and good soil.

The pathside soil is where it's often trampled upon. And when that happen, the soil are usually hard and it's hard to plant seeds. So, let's say, if my heart is hard, no seeds are able to be grown out of it!

Rocky ground is where there's soil but there's lots of underlying rocks. Though the seed will grow, the roots will not go deep thus it won't survive for long. Is my heart shallow? Can the Word of God go deep to me?

Thorny soil. Well, I can't imagine if any seed were to be planted next to lots of thorns and weeds. If I were the seed, I will be choked. Is my heart then cluttered with the cares of the world?

Well, no need to explain further, when a seed is planted on good soil with the right temperature, right condition, right weather, etc, the seed will be fruitful. Is the condition of my heart good?

What IS the condition of my heart?
When I hear the word of God, what is the condition of my heart that receives that word? What then can the seeds grow into? Seeds of fruitfulness. Fruits of joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Man..! Don't I want these fruits.. So many times, I find myself saying "Gosh!! I need MORE patience!!!" or "Ok! I need to be more kind and show grace and mercy!".

I pray that I might have a heart that is always soft to His word. That I may have ears that will be tuned to Him all the time.

Yup.. I will always remember that prayer that was made for me.

S.I.A.N

"I am sian of doing such stuffs"

In a span of 5 days, I have heard several people telling me this statement - "I am sian of doing such stuffs". Mothers, friends & students alike.

Honestly, my heart will feel some kind of ache when I hear that statement. I often find that at at stage, it means also the simple fact that "I am going to give up soon. I don't want to persevere any longer."

Today, I went and re-looked at my organization vision. It has a GREAT HUGE vision - To reach out to EVERY youth in Sg..... Hey.. it's not 50 or 500 or 5000 but my heads in my organization has an idea to reach out to EVERY youths in Singapore. In line with this, I was reminded by Hope's (my church) vision. "To fulful the Great Commission in our lifetime by building strong and biblical churches in Singapore and ALL over the world". Remembering when I came back to Singapore back in 2002, me and a few overseas grads met up with our pastor and he shared "The power of an Idea" that led him to Sg to plant a church.

See, it's an idea that drove my organization to where it is now. It's an idea of reaching to ALL over the world that led people to move to other countries. It is from an idea that led to an application and to living it out. It never was meant to be easy. Perservering is always hard. Halfway through we will get "S.I.A.N." big time. There are times where I wonder too - Why do I have to go through this? It's so sian. Why?

I have learned over the years and am still learning to go back to that idea that started everything. To me, it likens to an analogy of a crossroad. At that X-road, I make the decision. I think and I decide. At the point of decision, I will take that step and walk forward. When I get stuck along the path, I try my best to go back to that X-road junction and ask myself - Why did I make that decision despite so many other choices? And that, will help push me forward. So, therefore, I see it so very important now to make solid and Godly decisions. Then there is a "basis" where I can stand on to "justify" for myself on why I do what I am doing.

Perserverance as quoted from a book is this - Capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat." Gosh.. BIG word heh? No wonder making Godly decision is just so very important. Just gotta pray for that Capacity.

Ok ok.. I think I am blah-ing too much. Too much thoughts after work. Will need to download to God after this.. Meanwhile, it's yet another GREAT and tiring day but it'll be a GREATER day tomorrow!! Nights...

I am stuck...

...Stuck at Job chapter 1.
Ever since I had my QT several days back on Job 1, what Job said was stuck in my mind for days...
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

The more I read, the faster my heart beats. To put it simply, Job was basically wiped out of everything that he owned in his life. However, when he received the news, he STILL chose to praise the Lord.

It wasn't the first time I was reading that passage actually but this time, somehow, it spoke to me in a different manner.
It became a challenge I put to myself also. Would I have done what Job did?

Coincidentally, in today's CG discussion, my CL challenged us to think (1) what is one greatest regret we have, (2) if we could turn back the clock, would we? (3) if yes, would we have done it differently and would it have been salvaged?

Inevitably in life, we HAVE regrets. Regrets from young or even any recent regret. Sometimes, anything that require you to make that judgement call may also end up as a regret. And for me, my greatest regret is really to make one grave mistake that caused a friend to bar Christianity out of life. Would I have turn back the clock if I can? Yes and No. Yes cause then, I would have done it differently. No cause well... I learn from mistakes la.. But grave mistakes not good to make too often!! And would I have done it differently if the clock is turned back? Yes... I DEFINITELY will as mentioned. It is labelled a regret only because I wished I didn't do what I did. I "grief" for that soul.

After all shared, this statement was passed "Everyone desires to have a 2nd chance in life." It's true. It's so very true. Every prisoner would LOVE to have their families embracing them back again. Naughty youths would, deep in their hearts, still long for parental love. Everyone longs for forgiveness when we did wrong to a person at some point of time. Everyone does desires a 2nd chance in life one way or another. And for me, I am so glad that God is a gracious God. After that grave mistake made, I remember only how lovingly God embraced me back. How God ran to me.

If I were to be stuck in a situation again now, I will want to remind myself to always make Godly decisions. To learn to be like Job - To always give thanks... God gives, God takes. Whatever I have on earth is own by the Lord. I believe that there is power is giving thanks.

So glad I am on late duty tomorrow!!
Nights to all...

In His Face

In His Face.
This is the book that I am reading at the present moment. It's an amazing book. Let me quote this statement from the book "It's very important where you take your questions. The invitation is to bring your questions into His presence and inquire of Him in His face." The author went on to explain that many times, we throw questions like "I dun understand why is God doing this to me." What hit me was when the author said - Don't turn; That's unbelief. See ah.. If we have to ask that question - Ask it straight to God.

I stopped and analyzed my life.
I realised that in the past while I was still growing in the Lord, when I face a problem, I will turn to my friends and start to ask "Why is the Lord putting me through this?". No answers.
Honestly ah, if you ask me that question, honestly la, I will have NO answer too!!!
So, I start to bring these tall-order questions to God. And when that happen, I felt that the verse that says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

I am sure that everything happens for a reason. And I am sure that as long as we stick with the Lord, everything will be fine. At least, I know I will be fine.

Looking beyond

"Hey Sandra, which high school are you in?"

*eyebrows raised* "Huh!?" was my immediate reply.
Another friend who walked passed laughed non-stop. I just couldn't stop laughing too!

"Hey.. Don't laugh.. Seriously, which school are you in?"

With a very straight face (I try my best) and said "XXX, I am 29 this year." Smiled sweetly and batted my eyelashes.

"WHAT?! Are you sure? What you working as?"

That, led me to a conversation with an ex-social worker student. Batch 92.

Hmm.. Sometimes, I am not quite sure whether looking young is a compliment already. In my line of job now, I am beginning to feel the heat looking young! I mean.. I am really thankful that I look young but it's quite a disadvantage in my job. I have been asked accusingly several times "How old are you?" But, NONETHELESS, I am still glad that I look young.. Least when I am really older, I still look younger. Haha!!

Today was a real happening day. Had HopeKids in the morning and it was great being part of HopeKids Live. I mean... heh.. The kids just brighten up my day truly! Each time I step out of HopeKids, I felt so much more refreshed. Felt so much eh.. younger. And today, it was the Easter service. We had a Ice Age skit and a cooking lesson by Teacher Hong Teck. It was learning all over for me. With kids, I have learned not to be myself. Hee... Didn't Ps Jeff say in a sermon? Executives look real profession, tall and hard to talk to. But when they see a kid, the kid in them just surface as they go "phblaat"..! Haha!!

You know, one beautiful thing about being in a church is that it's one place where you get to work with people from all walks of profession. I have worked with teachers, engineers, financial planners, logistics, chemist, IT, people in the music line, accountants, etc. If I apply it correctly, honestly, I really may be able to learn from each of them a thing or two!

Anyway, I came home straight immediately after lunch. Needed to give a real thought and complete my report.. At the same time, I had a great dinner with TomYam soup from mummy then watched TV for awhile together with sister. It's a beautiful rainy Sunday...

Easter

Happy Easter day to all...

Today, I have to work. I have to push myself to wake up cause I wasn't feeling quite right as my body ached due the the accumulated lack of proper sleep over the past few nights. In my 4 months of work, I have never been involved in an intensive case before. Well, here's indeed my chance to learn!

By the time work ends for me, it's already about 230pm. Had very much wanted to pop by my Unit Leader's place for my Unit Outreach event but I decided that more than ever, I needed some time just for myself. Thus after much inner debate, I made my way home.

While I was walking towards the train station, it rained. Gosh... One part of me felt real good getting wet! (Ok.. I love rain) Another part of me felt very COLD! Haha!! Well, health precedes everything else and I ran into a shopping centre to dry myself as well as to search for yet another umbrella to buy. Then, my sister smsed me saying "Jie, God is crying!". At that sms, I remembered the death of Jesus. Before Jesus gave up His spirit, He cried out in a loud voice. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn apart. The earth shook and the rocks split. I thought to myself "God must REALLY have hurt a GREAT deal, a great great deal...just for all of us. For me.".

After I purchased my umbrella, I continued my journey. Well, recently, I learned a little about abortion and by law, any pregnancy that is more than 24weeks, an abortion will NOT be allowed. I read in a news article about a teenage mother saying "I want to abort because I can't afford to raise him up. Yet, when I do give birth to it, I do not want to put it up for adoption. It's like asking me to cut a flesh off me." Then I wondered - What's it really like to "cut a flesh off me"?

Well, too much thoughts for the day is just not good. I came home and unwind. Slept so much till my mum has to rock me up and my dog has to come lick me. Haaa...

After dinner, I prepared myself for HopeKids' games. Just gotta run through the game in my mind over and over... I just pray that I won't panic or get over-anxious. Just relax and enjoy the game myself too! Not forgetting, tomorrow I have to go back to Toys 'R' Us to exchange the robot arm that I bought! Regretted not checking thoroughly. I didn't realised that the clamp is missing a piece of rubber. Without that, picking things up with that arm is gonna be a tall order.

I'm going to end it with a DVD that my colleague lent me - Gospel of John.

It has been a great Easter. Happy Easter to all!

Source

Jer 17:8

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Today, I remind myself over and over again about Jer 17:8. Reminding myself to be like a tree planted by the waters. Like a lamp that needs an electrical source to have its light, the tree receives its ever flowing source when it's planted by the streams. Praying for Godly wisdom to make Godly decisions...

Countenance

I remember vividly that there’s this friend in my group of friends who used to have bad mood swings. We will usually use the Richter Scale to measure how swingy the mood is.

One day, I got sick of guessing what happened to the mood of my friend and I plucked up my courage and asked. It’s amazing what the answer was – Nothing happened to me… I am just deep in thoughts. All it took, was someone to approach my friend to break that ice.

I have lost count on the number of bad impressions I have given to people. I have often hear comments like “You look fierce”, “You look way cool”, “You don’t look like someone I will talk to initially” or straight forward “I didn’t like you in the beginning.”. After which, I will be nearly “begging” my friends “Hey… That’s not a fair judgment! I can’t help how I look… But I don’t eat you when you spoke to me right?…”

When I was much younger than what I am now, I get pretty confused why no one dare to ask me the simple question “How are you?”. I will often wonder “Am I really that fierce?”. However, when I give it a real thought NOW, I have come to understand also that asking that the simple question is REALLY not easy too! Sometimes, I may just have to brace myself for a very bad response and perhaps, I am guilty of that sometimes! I may have indeed given such a bad response that “scared” my friends off from asking that simple question.

By and by, I honestly, don't really care how people view me. If they wanna think that I am unfriendly, then so be it. I will live my life "MY WAY"! =)

Awhile later in Brisbane, I start to see the importance of putting on a good countenance. I start to constantly and conscientiously take care of the image that I am giving to people. Personally, I want to take ownership also that I am an ambassador of Christ! It's really no longer MY WAY but GOD'S WAY! I can’t imagine how things will really be if people kept thinking that I look fierce! Well, be patient with me ya! I am STILL making the effort to SMILE and not look fierce! Heehee..

Life is INDEED beautiful no matter which angle I look at it. Just keep a thankful heart and I am sure I will see more of Life's Beauty!

Can't help it

Can't help it to write a new blog with so much thoughts running in my mind lately.

Ever since my arrival back to Singapore from Hong Kong, I longed for intimacy with God in congregational worship. (Not sure why but I love the feeling of the whole congregation coming together to praise and to worship God.)
During the trip in Hong Kong, I thought, I felt, I dreamt and I was reminded to remind myself of God's goodness in my life. Honestly, I do not know why! Each time I do something or say something, something just stopped me in my tracks to give thanks for what I had learned from my past mistakes.

And today, we sang "I'm held by Your love" in service. Tears just automatically flow. Memories of yesteryear flowed back today and yes, tears fall. I started to think of how I felt when I was hurts, of the agony of giving something up, of the pain of giving something away. And that was when, I know - God hurts EVEN more when Jesus died on the Cross. That's when all loose pieces of jigsaw fell into places. Giving thanks was to keep me in track to keep the joy! Keep the joy of Salvation! It comes for free but it didn't come easy.

The land of Language Barriers

早安! 请问你要吃什么?
For 6 days, I have been listening to lots and lots of cantonese.
So thankful that I do know a little Canto here and there. Well, it was indeed a challenge to read the mandarin words and trying to understand what they are trying to tell me.

Ok.. I think I accidentally published the post yesterday so I shall continue today but without photos.

Yups! I went to HongKong last Sunday and came back to Sunny and Wet Singapore yesterday. For a moment, I REALLY missed Singapore.

DAY 1

HongKong - A bustling country!
Indeed, when we (me, sister and Janice) touched down at 8+pm, the airport was super bustling. We had to take a City Flyer bus cause the train ride's WAY too expensive! A whopping S$20!! Along the way on the bus towards Tsim Sha Tsui, the streets were still brightly lighted and with many people walking. It was almost already 9+pm and I wonder - Ain't these people tired?
Because it was a hostel that we stayed in, it wasn't prominent in the map so I wasn't really sure where to alight too! So thankful that with that tad knowledge of Cantonese, I managed to get the bus driver to direct me on where to alight. THANKFULLY, when we alighted, we were pleasantly surprised by a staff at the hostel. (Apparently, we were late for check in.)

We ended the day with "鱼蛋"(Fishballs) & Yong Tau Hu! Man...!! The saying "A hungry man is an angry man"... For me, I will say "A satisfied Sandra is a Sandra who can sleep well!" Day One ended. =)



Catch you guys tomorrow!

DAY 2

Are you guys still with me?
Well, Day 2 is basically just shopping and NOTHING much!
We started with a good breakfast - 公仔面.. and I had 奶茶 and it's VERY milky!! It was REALLY amazing how 3 gals TRIED to interpret the CHINESE menu...
After which, we walked from Tsim Sha Tsui to Jordan (Relative of Orchard CK Tangs to Somerset perhaps) then we gave up and took a MTR (Train) to Mongkok.
Hmm... I marvelled at the flats in HK. It looks really messy and er.. Dirty from the outside. But when I had the chance to peer into one flat, it does really look clean, neat and tidy. Looks are deceiving heh!
Stopped by a signboard that said "一夜情". Can't help to stop and snap it down.
Well... It was reeaaaallly lots of walking in HK. I was beginning to feel that those living in HK has very strong feet and butt! Gosh! There's lots of stairs to climb and LOTS of streets to walk! But then again, I am speaking from a very tourist point of view. I seriously do wonder what's it like staying there.
That day, I was the greatest shopper. I just had to take the opportunity to get some necessity clothes! I have er.. grown slightly fatter and can't fit into quite a bit of my clothes. Not forgetting also that I have moved to another job that requires me to dress real casual. At my previous job, I need to be formal. Didn't overbuy. Just nice. =)

This day left me feeling OVER-WALKED!!! That night, got lovebites from bedbugs!! ARGH!



Catcha!

DAY 3

Day 3 is ESPECIALLY dedicated to Disneyland.
Many asked me - "So how's Disney?"
When my reply was "Good!", the counter reply was "Really meh?"
Hmm.. honestly, that made me wonder - Is it really that bad? I guess for me, I just made a decision to enjoy myself no matter how bad it is. Cause it's DISNEY!
Ok ok.. I REALLY love Walt Disney cartoons. I MISS those classic cartoons... I dun understand why cartoons now are so "violent". Why can't they remain that innocent and classic as it was?
For those who knows me will roughly guess that I am not really those kind who love rides alot alot that kind.. neither am I those who love to queue up to take photos with mascots..
BUT, for this trip, I really enjoyed doing all these. Fussing over photos, fussing over the mascots on how cute they are, etc. Enjoying the rides, the carousal...
Hey man.. I told myself - I am young ONLY once and I am here ONLY once... and, it's Disney.. HAHA!!
I guess, ultimately, I enjoyed the company I was with.. =)







See ya tmr!!

DAY 4

I didn't manage to do my blog yesterday cause firstly, I was too tired. Secondly, I was preparing other things. Hopefully, I can complete my HongKong trip today. Been taking too long *smile* My memory is starting to get a little fazzy (NO SUCH WORD). If there isn't photos to back up, I DOUBT I can remember what I did on Day 4!

Well, we made our way to the very famous Victoria Peak. For those who love heights, will probably love it. I love heights but hmm.. Personally, I dun really like Victoria Peak. It has become too commercialized. I do not enjoy it though I do enjoy the HEIGHT!



After which, we went back to HongKong island and we scouted like nearly half an hour to find a place for DimSum! 3 of us just refuse to give up! We simply can't believe that it's so hard to find a DimSum place in Hong Kong.. Come on man.. I thought Hong Kong was famous for its DimSum! Because three of us were on budget, we could only go for DimSum ONE time.. Well, what's the verdict? It was a GREAT DimSum!! Gosh.. We were so BOWLED over the food that we just went "Oooh... Ah... WOW...!"

Well, did I mention above that HongKong is like a SHOPPING paradize? Well, we shopped till we felt that our legs/feet just didn't belong to us! Gosh.. I was so so tired! HongKongers seemed to walk so much.. By the time, I reach the MTR stairs, I was nearly pulling myself UP the stairs!

We couldn't make it any further so we went back to rest.

Evening, we went to this place called the Avenue of Stars 星光大道! Eh.. Well, since there is even a title for it already, I felt that the place sort of lost its "flavour" in being authentic and quiet... It became very commercialized!! (Hmm.. at this point of time during my travel, I felt I have AGED!! I need that kind of holiday where it's just scenic. Less commercialized things and more nature)



We made our way to the Cultural Centre and coincidentally, it was Film Fest! Gosh!! We saw Daniel Wu!! Man... *faintz* He is handsome!! Can't help myself but to snap the poster of Maggie Cheung.. Wish I was able to take some photos with some stars.. That will be SO memorable of the whole trip.. *smile*

Day 4 ended with cheap Fishballs and cuttlefish.. *YUM*



Day 5

Up for our daily breakfast and by this day, HONESTLY, we were exhausted and we really just wanted to rest. Guess, three of us just wanted a holiday out of Singapore so we were pretty ok if there's no shopping and just rest. Therefore, Day5 has NO agenda.

Because it has NO agenda, we decided to pop in a saloon and have a haircut and highlight!
Man.. it cost me only $40 in total...! Poor sister and Janice... Waited for me patiently reading the gossip magazines! Hmm.. What's my experience like? Fantastic! It feels different being a tourist having a haircut! Personally, I love the treatment that they gave. Very customized. If I were living there, I will go back!



Hum... honestly, by now, even as I write this blog, I am left with no more story to tell.. Other than shopping and eating, we slept. So, after haircut, after a short while of shopping, we went back to Hostel to sleep! Went out in the evening to buy food to eat again! That evening, we had a feast! We bought dumplings, yong tau hu, veg, etc etc etc... In order to commemmorate our last dinner in HK, we video down the process! Gosh!! We DID enjoy eating SO much!

When we were all done with our eating, we watched TV, relaxed and had a friend over for a chat... =) It's nice seeing old friends again... We chatted and laughed... Sometimes, I wonder - What will things be like if it were Brisbane days again? :)



Hmmmm.. What I like most about this trip?
I love the time I spent with my sister the most... But not forgetting, I love the feeling of being in a foreign land. I love looking at maps and navigating (though not much in HK la).. I LOVE travelling. I love to know the culture. It's so amazing to know how similar humans are YET so different!

In all honesty, all the time when I was there, I can't help but think - What will life be like if I were to work in HK as a Social Worker? Gosh.. Other than the Language Barrier, the societal issues is really another headache... I have read a book before that states the similarity of the societal issues of Singapore and HK. In a geez, it speaks mainly on the youth and delinquency issues. Personally, it is an area which I am interested to explore. Well, I will just see how God leads! For now, I am just very happy in my current work place!

Anyway, and so, I came back from HK on Fri and Sat, I caught West Side Story with my family. We went for a hearty dinner and my sis and myself brought my parents to walk the Esplanade Walk and went to the roof top. We took photos after photos! The scenario was so beautiful that for a moment, I really wished that time will stop..

As for the show, my heart melts when the singers sang... I am more in amazed of the conductor! Everything has to be precise. Every step that the actor made, every snap that the finger went, the conductor has to know it inside out and conduct the WHOLE orchestra. Next to the beautiful songs and actors and performance, my applause really went to the conductor!

Joy indescribable

Joy indescribable when I dropped my final paper into the pigeon hole today.

Will be gone for 6 days! So you guys take care!

Cheers!

A simple wedding

A simple wedding is what I attended last Sat together with my sister. Personally, it is a very nice wedding because it is very simple. A reasonably small gathering for a buffet lunch at Sentosa. It has been a long time that I really enjoyed myself in a wedding cause in this wedding, we get to talk to the groom for a long time. There was no hurrying from tables to tables.

It's rather interesting that though it's my Uni friend who got married, I was in a table that is filled with my Poly friends. =)

Best part of the wedding was my good friend's daughter...! I love her eyes and her cheekiness! I love the fact that she knows how to reject strangers. I love the fact that I can easily grab kisses from her. I love the fact that she doesn't act too girlish. Haha! Indeed, she lighted up the whole table with her presence. In the whole wedding, the bride and groom is the highlight. In my table, this princess is the light!