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Just a quick blog to "advertise" my friend. Anyone keen on renting or purchasing a flat/landed property/condo/etc, can think of my friend and give him a tinkle.. Okie? *smile*

Of surprises and disappointments

Who says life is boring? Life can never be boring! Well.. ok.. depends on which perspective you are looking at.

Yesterday, I got a surprise from my sheep.. She got me a graduation gift! That thought along with what my sister did for me on Sat made me realized how much I may have neglected my friends. When I was in Australia, giving gifts and surprises were nearly a norm there. Sometimes, I will slip an encouragement card in between my housemates' textbook or hide a gift under a pillow, etc. Hmm.. As I give it a deep deep thought.. How long ago was it that I have encouraged/surprised/blessed someone? Hmm.. A thought worth thinking and putting into action. Anyway, my sheep knows me well. I love to journal so she gave me a journal.. And I think she is observant enough to know that I like Olive Green. Haha.. It's so beautiful and precious that I can't bear to start using it.



And well, of course, with surprises, life has also its disappointments. Recently, life has not been too smooth sailing at work and disappointments is starting to taint the beautiful pic that I had in my mind. Today was an upsetting day (in a way) and (in a way), I really can't bring myself to smile or laugh.

But anyhow, I was reminded of this story of a person watching the painter paint. The picture started with bright colours and the person felt that the picture is getting real pretty. Suddenly, the painter start to splash black paint on the painting. Whilst that happened, the person start to cringe in his seat thinking why must the painter spoil the pic! Soon that cringing got less and the person start to sit up straight admiring the painting standing tall and pretty before him. What the story is illustrating is that sometimes, "ugly" colours will paint your world but if you stand firm and strong, you will emerge victorious and "pretty". It's (to me) the moulding process.. the refining process..

Thing is - If I think I am disappointed, am I the only one having disappointments? It's a matter of how to make the best of the situation.. =)

Of glass and beads

All righty.. Other than my Sat, the rest of last week, I have not been blogging mainly cause I was doing some accessories. For the first time, I am going to blog about my hobby/interest/trait/whatever.

It started 4 years back. All I did was to noticed that I look dull without something on my neck, so I made a necklace. Back then, I was jobless and a sister of mine suggested for us to set up a stall at flea market. For me, to make accessories and for my friend to paint on glasses. She was indeed one GREAT artist & designer! A few of her work..



As my interest grew, my skills improved slightly too. By and by, I didn't have the time to set up stalls but I still continued randomly.

Just a few "samples" that I did for a friend's and colleague's birthday last week.


Earrings made from Swarovski crystals and Czech beads..


Necklaces made from chunky beads.


A bracelet to match the necklace and the latest type of "stone" I experimented on was this purple precious stone necklace.

Burning eyes

It has been a long time that I had burning eyes and I had it today. My day started at 7am and it ended at 1030pm. It being a Saturday, it was barely rest for me. It started with lots of obstacle training. Though I totally enjoyed it, I got "bumped" at my ankle and shoulder. Then I went for Unit's bowling tournament. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay too long as I had an appointment with my colleagues for a birthday bash supposedly. (Something happened in the end). By 10pm, my eyes were burning with pain due to tiredness.

By the time I reached home, I had a lovely surprise that took away my tiredness. This was a picture that my sister did for me for my desktop. To make sure that I saw it, she left my PC switched on. My heart melted..

Ran the race

YEAH!!!I passed... Passed with grades that I have never expected. I SHOULD have video-d myself down when I saw my grades. I turned, I jumped, I hit my colleague and I hugged her and I hit her again and I hugged her and I screamed. Ok.. It was quite a sight that I really wouldn't want any of my clients to see. Haha!



It took me quite some time to calm down but I wasn't given much of a time because almost immediately, it was work meeting. I couldn't concentrate and my mind was a list of things to thank God for... Here goes (in NO order)

1. It was amazing how contacts and even TV shows and media linked me to my research paper. That caused me to understand my paper more and that helped me to even understand the culture of youths more.
2. My 2 lovely interviewees who allowed me to interview them. They were my saving grace! It was the ONLY 2 out of 6 whom I interviewed. Hee..
3. My colleague who helped arranged the interviews for me. Despite her busy schedules, she gave me some of her precious time. Not forgetting my ED who allowed me to write on the topic of Circus as an intervention tool for youths.
4. My family. My mother who cooked wonderful meals for me everyday that I stayed at home when I was doing my paper. My father who bought me breakfast so that I will have a great day ahead. My sister who planned a fantastic HongKong trip to allow me to relax after my paper. My family who supported me despite me being jobless while doing my practicum. No word of complains.
5. A friend who helped get me a bursery. Talk about money dropped from heaven. This was literally dropped unto my lap. That paid for my final semester's fees.
6. My classmate who was my "pacer".. It always feels good when I have someone to pace with so that we can motivate each other.
7. When I first started my practicum, I really went through a huge hurdle of emotions and transitions. Schedules and emotions were all topsy turvy. Thank God for my shepherd who was always willing to accommodate to my schedule to the extend of meeting me at my place. Thank God for my sheeps who were ever ready with prayers for me. Not only sheeps and shep but friends who prayed for me & smsed me.
8. When I was super nervous and have no materials for my paper, there was this great friend who was willing to travel with me to libraries to search for information. Everyday at home when I was doing paper, she was a great pacer, a great encourager through MSN. It's nice to meet up with her in the evening after a whole day of writing. Understood what it means by sticking through thick and thin. It was great to have someone to listen to my "crap"!
9. 3 ex-classmates. 1 who prepared me 1 year ago with guidelines. 1 who helped guide me despite her busy schedule. 1 who helped proof-read and even stayed up with me till 3am. Thanks!
10. My supervisor-turned-boss who gave me good feedback so that I can improve myself. He didn't give me lots of contact time but his advices were great!
11. God. Things were completely in place even though I never thought how I could have survived past those months.

I felt, today, a great load off my shoulder. Though my papers & practicum were over on 3rd Apr, the load was really off only today. Finally I graduated. Finally 2 years is over. I can finally step into the world of social work (even though I am already in it). It was an amazing race. An amazing race! More races to come!

Vision

I had a LONG meeting this afternoon and I was asked if I know my organization's vision. Man..Do I know? OF COURSE I know.. It's because of the vision that I chose to work in my org. It's a small org with a HUGE vision - that by - 2025, they want to give EVERY youth in Singapore, despite a disadvantaged background, to have an opportunity and chance to refuse a lifestyle of delinquency and welfare dependency. [Well, 5 months in this org and I can really tell that they are REAL serious about its vision!]

And my boss challenged us today - You are not here just to be community workers. You are not here JUST to serve the community. You are here to LOVE the community. For me, so far, I see myself as a bridge. A bridge to link people to resources. A bridge to link people to people. A bridge to link people back on track. I am nothing but just a bridge to help give one a chance.

I'd like to take this opportunity to publicize a little of what is going to happen. There will be a MILKRun coming up. [MILK - Mainly I Love Kids] MILKRun is Beyond's main fundraiser and annual Youth Day Celebration. We are looking for competitive runners, fun runners or even people like me who don't like to run to just support. Runners from all over - Corporate, Schools, Individuals are ALL welcomed!! Can check out the link for more details like the routes, event or even the program. Oh yes... Not forgetting about the MILK Concert! Personally, I am real excited about this concert because it's part of my Thesis. For those who prefer to donate, can do so too... The cause? Of course, funds that are raised will support the range programs that are operated by Beyond. These programs are programs designed to help curb delinquency among disadvantaged young people and their families. These programs develop young people who respect the law, value education and seek to become responsible persons.

Of course, it's easy to say that as a staff, I will be there. But more so, I am really motivated to be part of it. Help is intangible really. Even as a worker, some of the work done with families or youths are super intangible. Sometimes, I ask myself "Am I really helping?". It's really hard to see results BUT every little help rendered is still help.

And oh ya.. If you guys see me going around with a donation card, please don't siam me... I won't force anybody to donate... heehee...

When God Ran

Hmm... I think I am getting in touch with my emotions again.
To cut long story short, I am very thankful.

I love this song and been hearing it nearly non-stop. I believe I have posted the lyrics of this song but I will just post it again.

Cheers!

When God Ran - Philip, Craig and Dean (Restoration Album)
Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious Warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty Conqueror, and the only time
The only time I ever saw Him run

Is when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Looked at my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice he said "Son, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise, when God ran

The day I left home, I knew I had broken His heart
I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night, I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time, was the only time I ever saw Him run

Is when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Looked at my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice he said "Son, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise, and He brought me to my knees, when God ran

I saw Him run to me
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He's been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Looked at my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt the love from Him again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Looked at my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice, He said "Son", He called me "Son", He said "Son, do you know I still love you?"

He ran to me
I saw Him run to me
And I ran to Him
When God ran

Family

From the Family Court of Singapore's website, it believes that families are the threads from which the fabric of society is woven. Personally for me, I believe that families play a very important and crucial role in my life. It teaches me, loves me and help mould me to be a better person.

As of now, I am very blessed to have 3 family.

By birth, I am born into the Lim family. Brought up by very strict but very loving parents. And to curb my loneliness (I think), my parents gave me a very lovable sister. My family is not the extremely close type. Definitely not the type who will hug and kiss and free with the "I love yous" or "I miss yous". But they are definitely the type who will always stand by me no matter what. When I was young, I often felt that they are way too strict but as I grew older, I really give thanks. For if they are not as strict as they were, I will probably end up being a delinquent. In a way, I give thanks to this profession now because it has helped me appreciate my family more. I become more patient with my parents and I account to them more. I believe that I should practice what I preached. If I tell my clients to be patient with their elderly parents, what example will I be if I were to be impatient? Hmm.. Anyway, I am SURE God has His plans by placing them over me as authority. =)

Many years later in 2000, I am adopted into the family of God. By that prayer of accepting Christ as my Lord and Saviour, my life took a turn. Instead of just one sister and one set of parents, I have many brothers and sisters. By that prayer, God became my Heavenly Father and I, His precious daughter. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. - Galatians 3:17" I am totally comforted by this family that God has placed in my life. I know that when I am down, when I am sad, when I am happy, I can always be assured that there is someone there to listen to me, to encourage me and to love me.

Of late, I found that I have yet another family. My family at my workplace. Well, I ain't there for a long time. Say about 4 months soon but I can tell that this family cares alot each other (something which I am trying to get used to actually). Recently, my colleague was sick and my managers made her go to the doc to get a MC and go home. That impacted me quite a bit because, when I was in my previous company, my director will NOT be happy when either me or my colleague goes on MC. And to a certain extend, I feel that this family at my workplace has a kind of togetherness. Birthdays are always celebrated. Mother's Day is celebrated and EVEN Valentine's Day is celebrated!! However, there is just one diversity in my workplace. There is the "City-people" AND the "Country-people". The City-people sits in the office that is air-conditioned. The Country-people sits in the office that is not air-conditioned. Today, the manager at the Countryside warned us (I am a country person) to work hard at getting someone sent flowers to us BECAUSE 2 City-people received flowers yesterday and today. I warned my married colleagues to hint BIG time to their husbands!! Hahaha!!

Families are the people whom you are at ease with but they could also be people who irritate the worst out of you. But my logic is this - The reason why 2 get into a conflict is because they are close. The closeness will cause friction and that friction will cause a conflict. So often, I notice that I quarrel with my sister because we know each other too well...

Ah well.. enough of thoughts. It's TIME to sleep!!

Searching

I am searching for my book!!! *Sob*
But I can't remember who has borrowed my book... "Understanding the Purpose and Power of Woman (Study Guide)"
Erh.. Can anyone who borrowed this book raise a whisper to me?



*bliss* FOUND

A weird starting with a great ending

I woke up wondering what happened?
I dreamt of a helicopter exploding into flames, a runaway car due to brakes not pulled and a lorry which I can't remember what happened.
Man.. What a vehicle-d dream! I didn't wake up feeling good anyway. Felt like I got the flu bug and it wasn't a good feeling! Even as I lay on bed, I was serious thinking of my calendar for this week and realised that I am not able to take MC! So, I pulled myself up and get into a hot hot bath.

Went to work and remembered that internet was down since Sat after the heavy downpour. Wonder is it because of the lightning? Anyway, found that the Dlink router's faulty. MUST be the lightning. No internet so I spent the whole morning doing report after report making sure that social reports are done for ALL my clients. I'm not even halfway through. In my so-many years of doing reports (as an engineer, a research coordinator, a clinic exec), I feel that social reports are the "trickiest". However, halfway through, my boss suddenly came to me and assured me that no matter how busy he is, whenever I have a slightest question, I can ALWAYS ALWAYS go to him!! He, knowing that I am shy, asked me not to go into a corner. He told me that he may look stress, look busy but no matter what, he will always make time for us. Hmm.. Sounds good heh? It's really a very comforting assurance to know that I will always have the support of a boss.

For the whole of this week, a few of my colleagues started on a detox program which seemed to look like a Daniel Fast to me (just that it's not a fast. It's detoxing). Man.. something that I will not want to get into. Their lunch is fruits and dinner is wholemeal bread. At about 4+ when I was hungry, I was quite careful in having my daily "complains" of being hungry. Don't want to end up enticing or tempting them.

I knocked off on the dot today and target to reach Sin Wan's (CG visitor) wedding hotel at 7pm. Guess what? The bus played me out and came only at 7pm!! Ok.. I was about 20mins late. But nonetheless, I really enjoyed myself. It was a very simple wedding. A wedding that was very personalized. Somehow, when I arrived there, all tiredness just disappear. It's like attending a family's wedding. It's cozy, warm, beautiful and lovely. As I was sitting there enjoying the conversation with my CG, I looked around and I realised that it's indeed a very small wedding. Suddenly, I felt very honoured that I am invited. I felt... hmm... how to explain leh? Hmm.. I shall not explain. Some things are best left in my heart...

Off for a good night sleep. Night shift tomorrow...

Fables of yesteryear

Today, I came home early from church and watched a new DVD that I bought from Carrefour - Hans Christian Anderson (More info can be found from here) If you surf around the first link, there are actually kiddy games that you can play. (Kiddy but I enjoyed it very much.. Haha!!) Actually, it's quite amazing that there is so much info on this writer and as I read through the Chronological List of fables that he came up with reminded me so much of my childhood days. I enjoyed reading when I was young. I would be totally in love with anybody who will bring me to a bookstore and yes.. I LOVE Times the Bookstore. My uncle will usually bring me there during Christmas and I will be running straight to the Children's section to search for my books. The headache in those times is how to stretch that $50 worth of books.

Coming back to the show, I enjoyed it lots as it is a musical. It's quite amazing how songs about The Ugly Duckling, Emperor's New Clothes, Thumbelina, etc brings the story alive. While watching it, I really don't know what I was thinking but I just felt there was this very warm feeling of hope and simplicity through the storyline. It's about Hans who loves to tell stories to little children. And in this movie, he relates to them through songs. Despite being disliked by the town, he still felt that the children deserves a time of relaxation through stories and songs. He looked at life (so it portrayed) optimistically. Life was simple. He was a shoemaker/cobbler but to him, earnings are not all that important.

Somehow, I just felt that the show is so timely. I was feeling a little heat yesterday due to some financial commitments. But God reminded me that He is in control!! Don't fret, don't haste. Don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has its troubles. Well, it's simply God asking me "Do you Trust in me?". I said yes and I went to bed satisfied. You know, sometimes I feel, that in such a busy and hectic world, it's just so hard to be simple. Somehow, through a very child-like show that portrays simplicity, it reminded me once again, to keep that child-likeness towards God. Life is complicated enough. Let's not complicate things further.. Heehee..

It's a holiday today!!

Yes.. It's a holiday today!! When my ex-colleague called me this morning, she was so surprised that at 10am, I am still sleeping! Well, can't be helped - Had a late night yesterday.

I had a great smelly time at Olio Dome at SAM (Singapore Arts Museum) this afternoon. I would really suggest for all to sit at the outside if you guys are going cause the exhaust inside the cafe stinks with all the frying! Nonetheless, had a great time with a friend over 2 cups of drinks and yet another basket of wedges! =) (My 3rd basket of wedges in a span of 7days!) Oh ya... Today's wedges come with Salsa sauce. BEST of all the 3 times that I have tasted!!

After which, I went to Sim Lim to get my bluetooth dongle!! I had the WORST experience with it! It seemed like whenever its mood is good, I can get my files transferred. Whenever it's not in a good mood, no matter how I connect, I just can't get it connected. However, when I uninstall and install, it works well for awhile then mood swing again. Else, when I swap my USB port, it works well for awhile then connection fail again. Can someone tell me if this is NORMAL? It's getting on my nerves!!

Anyway, after Sim Lim, I headed back to my "hometown" cause that's where my ex colleague stays. Gosh.. It's so deep in that even the cab driver couldn't find his way in. *sigh*.. sort of wasted $2 bumming around for the right route. But I was pleasantly welcomed by my friend's daughter when she came to open the door for me! "Hello!!!!" She was amazingly friendly and even offered me her precious pocky biscuit. Awhile later, another little boy came to join in the fun. When all the adults was intensely watching Memoirs of the Geisha, I was enjoying Dumbo and Bambi with the little ones.



I came home feeling really tired. Last night's was a long night for both my colleague and self. Mentally, I was completely drained by the time I reached home and things made worse when I am lack of sleep. I'm going to sleep early today for a great day tomorrow!! I am looking forward to tomorrow cause I'll be working and I'll be meeting my sheep! What's most exciting is that in the evening, my parents will be going out with my sister and I have the whole house to myself!! Hmm... Come to think of it, I have the whole house to myself AND my dogs!! Heehee...

Rain

Today over dinner at work, I was caught by this article that I read. Guess what? Tears welled up in my eyes. Man!! Tried real hard to hide it from my colleagues! But it was a good article to read. Helped me understand the impact of having a Godly countenence. (If you guys don't mind reading a long story, do give it a read)

Today, I left my centre with very deep feelings. The analogy of the sand in the palm came to my mind. I often share this analogy with my friends. Have a palm filled with sand. Opened up your palm. After 5 mins, the sand will still remain on the palm. Now, close your palm into a fist. After 5 mins, you will notice that some sand has trickled down. Some sand is lost in the process of clenching the fist. Like in any relationship, if you handle it with love, with giving, with trust, with faith, with freedom, no sand will be lost in the process.

Hum... Understand? Hahahaha!!

Happy holidays for those staying in Singapore!! Enjoy the story below.

Rain Reminds Me of My Mother, by J Bordine

Her children stand and bless her. (Proverbs 31:28 NLT)

Rain reminds me of my mother. She loved rain. I guess I got that fromher. She was enthusiastic about most everything that grew, or that wasa part of the natural world. I didn't realize until she was gone howmuch she knew about all kinds of flowers and trees. I think she couldidentify almost any tree or flower. She would remark on the texture ofthe bark on trees or on the amount of shade a certain type of treeprovided. She knew how long trees lived — she warned us not to plant atree that didn't have a long life span. She knew the growing conditionsof an astonishing number of flowers. Even today, my mother's commentsabout plants continually pop into my mind when I go to the nursery —what will grow in what type of soil, whether it likes sun or shade. Iusually leave the nursery with more than I can get planted, because thesound of her enthusiastic voice is in my ear.

Like a lot of people in Texas, mother used hyperbole freely. In themornings she would say, "Isn't it a glorious day?" She liked to saythings were glorious. When she ate something she liked, you could counton her to say, "That's the best ____ I ever ate!"

Fortunately for me, I "caught" her enthusiasm for living in the worldday to day. As a result, I almost always wake up in the morning full ofanticipation. I listen to the doves cooing for a few minutes, a soundthat makes me happy (as does the sound of a train at night). I usuallyhurry out to the kitchen to see what has happened to the trees andflowers overnight ... what the light is like ... and which birds are onthe feeder.

My mother didn't like to shop. Once in a while she would take all ofher daughters on a shopping spree together, but I think it was her wayof trying to get it over with as quickly as possible. I don't rememberher looking at things to buy for herself (like I do when my daughterand I shop together), though I have many memories of her finding thingson the racks and bringing them for me to see. She seemed moreinterested in talking to the sales ladies than shopping. She knew someof those ladies by name, and they remembered her. She always took us toLitchinsteins, "the" department store in Corpus Christi at the time.One of the sales ladies, who looked rather snooty to me, alwaysrecognized her and greeted her like a friend. They would chat theentire time my sisters and I shopped.

Mom hated TV, and wouldn't allow one in the house until I was twelve.However, as she got older, she got a lot of pleasure out of watchingthe nature shows after she had worked in her yard all day. I believeshe had a happy life after her six children were all grown and gone andshe was living alone. A large part of her joy was because she couldwork in her yard and visit with those who lived nearby or walked by.

Her habit of talking to everyone as if they were a friend may have beenwhy she was attacked in her home. A man crawled in her bedroom window.When she went into her bedroom he attacked her, leaving horrificbruises on her arms. He had brought cord to tie her up and intended toharm her further, no doubt, but she began to pray in a loud voice forthe Lord to forgive him. He left.

When Mother was dying, she was very weak and could barely move orspeak. However, she lifted her hand and pointed to the ceiling and saidagain and again what sounded to me like, "Up, up!" I asked her if shemeant Heaven, and there was a twinkle in her eye that I knew meant yes.

I know when she got there she said, "Isn't this glorious?"

And now, as the years go by, when it rains, I think of my mother, and it's a glorious day.

ARGH!

Man!!! From my last paper hand up on 3rd Apr, my results will only be out on 26th May!!!! ARgh!! Such long wait...

Sharpening

Pr 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Know how often when our knives are blunt, we will use an iron rod/block to sharpen the knife? Yup.. Indeed, as iron sharpens iron, so one friend sharpens me.

Not very long ago, I wasn't exactly myself. My friend who was also in the helping profession asked me to find out the root of the issue. After this statement my friend mentioned, I decided to call it a night and I don't wish to talk too much - "The desire to be closer to God helps me to balance things out."

As I was praying last night, I sang this song - Draw me close. This morning on my way to work, I sang the song too. As I walk, everything just seemed to suddenly fall into place. It's not that I have lost myself. Neither am I upset. Nor am I angry. It just that suddenly, I realised, I am not that close to God as I used to be. The busy-ness of life has taken a toil on me. At CG today, I felt the Lord telling me "Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be answered. Draw close to me and I will definitely draw close to you. No longer will you feel void. No longer will you feel empty for I am with you."

Sociability LOW!!

Your Extroversion Profile:

Cheerfulness: High

Activity Level: Medium

Assertiveness: Medium

Friendliness: Medium

Excitement Seeking: Low

Sociability: Very Low

How Extroverted Are You?

It's interesting to know that my cheerfulness is high but it's astonishing to know that my excitment seeking is low since I do have a slight love for challenges. But no doubt, Sociability is Very Low.. Heehee..

M.O.N.D.A.Y

What a day! My day started great today. I woke up realizing that I slept through my night!! I didn't dream and neither did I wake up in the middle and neither did I jolt up in the middle of my sleep. It was a fulfilling sleep!

Then I went through my list of cases with my managers and they gave me a great insight to a few stuck ones. Sometimes, when one get involved in the cases, one really need an extra eye to help them with their blind spot which they really helped me in this area!

After which, I met a colleague for discussion and home visit. We decided to get a birthday card for our client and a birthday sms too. There's no reply from the sms and when we went to the home, we were rejected too. Though obviously at home, the door wasn't opened.

What really made my day was that after we left, we receive a thank you sms for the card. Well, honestly, it was quite a mixed feeling. Part of me went "Wah liao eh!! At home also don't open door!". Another part of me felt "Since my motive is just to establish rapport, a reply is great." Again, it made me think about the word "Shoe". Putting myself in another's shoe.

Well, by then, we made our way to town area to meet a volunteer for some discussion. Imagine!! 5:15pm and I am in town having coffee and wedges!! Speaking about wedges.. I had wedges yesterday and they served it with Tartar sauce. Today, my wedges was served with Cheese dip. My verdict? Both sauces taste terrible. Chilli sauce is zee BEST!! But anyway, volunteer was late and colleague and myself had fun laughing in a very empty coffee place! We played a "knowledgable" game. We decided to name all the fruits, vegetables and animals that we could think of! Man.. I didn't realized that my knowledge of these are just so limited. Anyway, after all that fun and laughter, discussion dragged till 8pm.

Rushed to Tampines to meet my ex-colleagues and their first comment was "Wah!! You look so much happier!!". Gave them a cynical look and asked "Was I very upset in the polyclinic?!" Haha!! Well, working in a job that you like does make a great difference though.. Anyway, it was a great time of catching up even though I was nearly an hour late.. Heehee..

As I end my day today, I decided to practice what was shared yesterday - Thanksgiving. I ask myself - What is there to give thanks for? And as I give it a real thought, I realized that there are lots to give thanks for. From the air I breathe to the job I hold to the friends I have, the greatest thanksgiving point of my day was that Thank You sms.

Before I say ciaoz, I'd love to share this song. A song that rang through my head today.

The Katinas - Thank You

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord just for loving me
Many times as I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh Thank You Lord, I know You're showing me
You are there when I am down and out
You're holding me, Your love is so amazing
Oh it changed me

Chorus:
Here I am with all I am
Raised my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
My Jesus, words cannot explain
Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You looked beyond my fault and You showed me mercy

Chorus:
Here I am with all I am
Raised my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I wanna say thank You for the sun
I wanna say thank You for the rain
Everything You do is beautiful
I'm so grateful for Your love

Adjectives

Heaven is a Wonderful place
Filled with glory and grace
I want to see my Saviour face
Heaven is a Wonderful place

The above is a song that we sung at HopeKids Live today. The underlined word was an adjective that's used to describe Heaven and Teacher Soo Feng asked the kids to come up with all sorts of adjectives. Check out some of the answers!

Marvellous, Fabulous, Nice, Lovely, Gracious, Beautiful, Fantastic, Excellent, Magnificent, Good, Amazing, and the list goes on...

I can't stop clapping because at the way the list goes on, it astonishes me more than anything! I don't remember my knowledge of vocabulary being so vast when I was 10years old.

Well, today's theme is based on Heaven and the place was decorated with rainbow and clouds made with balloons. (Too bad I do not have photos on it) After the little children describe Heaven, I asked myself - What is heaven to me? Personally, the thought of heaven makes me wanna cry because it's such a wonderful place. A place that is beyond any words that can describe, a place that is for eternal.

The bible says in Ps 84:10 "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere..." I can't imagine sitting beside Heavenly Papa enjoying. A kiddo asked me today - If there's so many in heaven, how to have all to sit beside God? I was stunned yes. But in the best I could answer was that "God is omnipresent."

After HopeKids, went for the 2nd service and then I joined the WAM group for lunch. After which, my friend and I went to Sim Lim to get a few gadgets then came home. I had a chat with my friend and I said "Lately, I really really REALLY miss Brisbane and Tasmania alot. It's like I am seeing Brisbane very often." My friend said "Man.. You badly need a break." "But I just went to Hong Kong!", I replied. Then I realised that my type of holiday is not the shopping kind of holiday. I need the nature! I miss my room, the CityCat (ferry) that I always take to get home and I miss my house in Brisbane. I think I am suffering from "overmissing" something. Man! I thought my transition from Brisbane to Singapore has been settled? Hahahahaha!!!


My room. This is during winter season with a heater by my bed. I love photo frames and that explains the whole stretch of photo frames on my window sill. This is my "favouritist" room in all my 4 semesters. Many count sheeps to sleep. I count stars! Perfect view of the galaxy. (See my elmo peeking out?)



My home is ALWAYS open for food. Guess what I did? I brought over my steamboat! Heee... Those were the days when coming together to eat is so easy. As students, time is always there. As workers, time is always never enough! Now, we meet only during each other's weddings.



Nah... This is CityCat. When I first moved to Brisbane, I was SO excited that I am travelling to school via a ferry! 过河上课!! My friends and I will always choose to stand at the bow of the ferry in the evening and feel the wind against our very dry skin. Haha!! Then during summer, I will just slack at the stern watching the trail the ferry left behind.

Hmm.. Am looking forward for my slack holiday after church camp. It better have NOTHING to do with shopping.

An idiot guide on how to avoid burn out

Of late, a friend of mine asked me - Are you sure you like your job? I answered - Yes. I love it. And I was further questioned - If you like it, why are you so much quieter and mellower now?

Concurrently on that day in the morning, my colleague and myself were guessing each other's personality and she guessed that I am a Melocholic and Sanguine combination and I was totally shocked! What?! Me? A Sanguine?! Hey man... Which part?

Today when I had my contact time with my managers to share about my struggles at work, I was told this "At times, you are very bubbly and warm. But on the flip side, you have a very quiet and shy nature." I quickly jumped in on the part that I am shy! I told them, my BIGGEST struggle is in establishing rapport with strangers!! I am SO shy! Then they asked me the question my big boss asked - How did you establish rapport with your close friends? My reply? "Oh... It's erm... usually not me who will approach..." (Though there are exceptions!) Somehow, I have this thing with strangers. Though now I can hold a conversation better now but there is still this slight tug in me.

So, no doubt, a yakkety job saps my energy totally. Suddenly, I understand what my lecturer meant. She says that when she is at work, she is very professional and not a hint of being shy and quiet. But when she's with her friends, she just automatically became quiet. She even warned us of behavioral changes in our initial phase of work! Man!! I wished I had listened to her lecture more..

I am perfectly aware of my own changes over the months. I notice over the four months, I have grown "noisier" at work and less "noisy" in my personal life. I notice that after work, I love to zip my mouth. I used to enjoy chats on the phone while making my way back but nowadays, on my way home, I love to just listen to music. I noticed, too, that my sms bill has FINALLY maintained under control. It no longer exceeds.

I'm definitely not upset and I am definitely loving my work. Honestly, as much as it's hard to do emotional detachment from work, sometimes, I am not even thinking of work. My mind just went blank and I think of my bed! There are times when my day was too overwhelming that I just have to do a shut down. No doubt, like what a friend advised - San, you must learn to balance else you will burn out.

So!! Therefore, to avoid burn out and maintain a balance, my colleagues and I is meeting up once a week to have a short P&W and Prayer session. Even though, I dragged myself up early in the morning, I never regretted going because I felt that my day felt so much refreshed with fellowship early in the morning! To perk our lives up, we arrange weekly swims and outings to cafes. (Seriously, it's real hard to arrange outings due to busy schedules!!) On the daily basis, there are the massage sessions, the Teh and Kopi sessions, the sing-song sessions and the MSN session. Sometimes leh, we have the Disturbing-each-other sessions. Man.. the things we do to try to avoid burn outs.

On the personal note, to avoid burn out, I keep quiet. I enjoy the silence that engulfs me. I enjoy the music in my ears and the book that I read. When I am not reading a book, I am with a comic that made me look like an idiot laughing in the train. So, for those who finds that I am changing, well, I am just transiting. =) Ah-ha-ha-ha!!

Look Ahead

I am a mixed. I am mixed between a planner and an impromptu person. I have always been a planner. Usually, I am a 5-year planner. Sometimes, I will plan ahead and I may get irritated when something is not planned well. However, there are times when my adventurous and love to do something impromptu to spice life up. I welcome those moments most of the times.

Today, I decided to plan FAR. I planned for my retirement. Yup.. Met up my financial planner and she was very detailed. Honestly, to have my life planned out in such a manner made me feel super vulnerable - At least towards a person whom I gotta share my finances with.

Verdict? I got myself a few more policies. Haaa... Forcing myself to save and well, my job ain't very safe so I better "guard" myself well. *grin*

Always Ready

Just completed a TVB show entitled "Always Ready". It's a show that depicts the life of the crews in Government Flying Service in Hong Kong. There are exciting scenes of them rescuing people off mountains, sea and even scenes of the crew themselves meeting with accidents. No doubt, every show has a tinge of romance in it and it's the same for this show.

What got me very excited during the show was the title. Always Ready. In the show, they portrayed passion for the job they do, the persistance and their reluctance to never give up in all circumstances. When they reach the scene of accident, despite the high level of difficulty, they never give up. They search all night long just for one life. Ok.. maybe two at times. At every point of time, they have to remain confident of their colleagues that they will never leave them in a lurch. Perhaps, it's just a show but I truly believe that such things do happen. Teamwork is necessary & passion for the job is crucial. More importantly, it's to trust the process of things. The process is tough but with persistance and determination, there lies a result that you can never ever imagine. There lies a satisfaction that one could ever experience.

Coincidentally, I started watching this show while I was feelng pretty "stuck" with my cases. I don't rescue people and neither do I fly a helicopter. But one thing I do learn from this show. That is to persist despite an obstacle. Every obstacle is for a better learning. For me, I'm very new in this line where I have to meet people every other day. And people whom I meet usually ask me for help. However, help sometimes is limited also. But hmm.. if I put in a little more passion, a little more thought, a little more help from God, I am sure I can persist on and work something out.

Always Ready? Am I always ready to persist on despite obstacle?