Yabadabadabayaba....

Don't know what title so thought of some babyish language...

Rain has finally come to a near stop and the sun is finally out to play. Ecstatic me is real glad that I can finally hibernate my brolly once again!!! If it continue to rain, I would seriously consider buying a pair of construction boots! My lovely silver sandals that I received for my birthday gave way while I was briskly walking in the rain. Thankfully, I was near a market so I bought a pair of $2 slippers. Next thing I know, automatically, I called the giver of my gift to sob.

Sigh... I love the rain. The smell of rain, the feel of rain gives me great feeling! Yet, the consequences is one 4-month old pair of sandals that gave way and one 5-year old pair of sandals heavily soaked in the rain. Both - my everyday sandals to work. *sob sob sob* December is a VERY bad month to arrange for home visits!! Argh... (-.-)"

Anyway... end off today's blog with this...



There's no change in me right? *chucklez*

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

... my true love gave to me...

A rainy weather for the whole day!!

Haaa... yes! It was raining the whole day. I passed a remark "Oh.. God's crying..." She said "Yes.. with joy..." and she continued ".. heard that there's a great harvest this Christmas in church.." I went "REALLY!! Woah!! Cool!"

Anyway, on this first day of Christmas, I experienced the spirit of giving. In the morning, I was packing the storeroom and jotting down our client's family/youth/childrens' wish list. Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box has sent in batches the wishes. Whilst packing, I noticed how some donors has donated MORE than what clients wished for and how some tie a small ribbon to beautify it.

In the afternoon, I went with three of my other colleagues to collect the general/household wishes from them too. These are food wishes. We had rice, canned food, biscuits, instant noodles, diapers, etc etc etc.. To illustrate the amount, we made two FULL van load of food. I am serious about it being filled to the brim. My colleague has to rely on the side mirror only.

When we went to collect the food, I was so touched by the boys sacrificing their holiday going back to help out. Trust me.. it's, again, NOT an easy task. Like one colleague described "A back-breaking experience"! Each time I was at Eastpoint Simei, I will be very touched whenever I see the boy's standing smart in their uniform asking for donations. Personally, I do not think it's an easy task. Asking for donations that is.

Had a short chat with my colleague and we both agree that all the hard work is truly all worth it. Sometimes, it's really hard for me to fathom what's it like NOT to have rice at home. I have always been provided for and have always been able to pay for a simply meal. Yet, there are families out there in Singapore that may not have sufficient to get pass a day's meal. Not only worth it for me and my colleagues.. But those boys and staff of BB deserve a great big pat on their back!



This year has really been made special because I am in a job that's not a career. A job that allows me into lives of people. A job that brings me to places which I will never be going by myself. A job that shows me the various type of people around. A job that allow me to see what giving is like.

To end the day, I had a 3-hour steamboat with a friend. It's amazing how 2 girls can eat SO long. When she decided that she was full, I went "Erh.. I not yet leh.. Actually, haven't felt that I was even half filled!"

Her conclusion was that I had really worked hard doing all the "chor-gang" carrying the groceries.. But after much thought (No worries.. I did not kill lotsa brain cells thinking).. Rain has made me hungry!! Hee.. I do not know what logic is that though.. :)


A corny end to the marvellous steamboat expedition! And erh.. 2 girls, 3 hours, 6 plates of food + 2 glasses of lime juice. *blurz*

Christmas Celebration

How did I celebrate Christmas 2006?

1) Friday - Fancy Dress Party at workplace

2) Saturday - Christmas Service @ Kallang

That was fantastic! The props they made, the actors and actresses.. they are fabulous. Not forgetting the choir, the music team, the singers...
I was absolutely touched.. Church to me, has been like 2nd home. It's usually in events as such that we see how people come together with one common goal and purpose.

3) Sunday Christmas Eve - Christmas HopeKids service @ Kallang (Morning)

Gosh.. what a GREAT crowd there was! Kids were overflowing.. I don't know about the rest. To me, time just simply fly past me without knowing. By the time service is over & packing up is done, I had no more energy. All energy seemed to be sapped out of me! I was so glad to be going home to rest before my evening event. I decided that I may not be cut for a childcare teacher. Hahaha!!!

Christmas celebration @ Hog's Breath (Evening)
Met up with my Brisbane friends for Christmas celebration. (that's the underlying reason) More importantly, we met up to celebrate Carol and Janice's birthday.

I am always amazed by this group of friends. You know.. it's always usually very hard to have more than 8 people coming up with a date/time in unison. 8 different people with 8 different lives. Yet, 4 (who initially couldn't make it) still made this event a priority. When their event was cancelled, meeting us up was the next in top priority - even one who was sick!

2006 has been one fruitful year for us. For the record, we have met at least 3 times and with each time, new friends (partners of friends) are made & friendships were renewed..



4) Monday Christmas Day

Sleep!!! I woke up at 11:30am then made my way to Ikea with my family. Gosh.. we basically queue for everything except paying. Queued for a parking lot. Queued for a seat to lunch. Then, it was so crowded that it was so hard to walk having to be so careful about treading upon someone's feet.

After which, I made my way to Parkway Parade. My dear sister spoilt a top while ironing so we went searching. By the time I was home, I just wanted to stone... :P

Getting ready for work tomorrow & looking forward to the next long holiday...!

Exit with grace, Enter with a huge bang!

Haven't been here for some time.. Been so so busy with work and stuffs.

Phew.. After much planning and sourcing and conjuring and decorating and whatever you can think of, today marks the DAY of my company's Year End Party! A Fancy Dress Party. Somehow, as planning committee, we have to dress up even more elaborate. So.. here we are, all dressed up. (More pictures up later)

And here's me wishing one and all - A really blessed Christmas. May the love of God truly bring you to an even greater level in whatever you are doing. Always remember that He is always there - No matter what.

I shall end of with one quote that touched me today. From the new book that's just published recently entitled "My Voice - Breaking Free".. It says from one person's inner voice "I chose not to give up. I chose not to be mediocre. Everyone has that choice no matter how many times you fall or how many steps you have missed in life. As long as you choose not to give up, not to be mediocre... as long as you keep trying... as long as..."

Let us not give up in what we are doing. Instead, with each step, with each obstacle, let's learn something and not fall the same way again. May we exit 2006 with grace and enter 2007 with a huge bang.

Merry Christmas!!!

Down and out and OVER! Woohoo!

Amazing weekend despite being depressed. I think it's really human. But it's really when you are low and down and perhaps a little out, you feel that God is much closer than you thought He is.

It's a brand new week!

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Cor 12:9

Your faithfulness

I stopped. Ears plugged to iPod. Tears fell.

Your Faithfulness
by Brian Doerksen

I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain
If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?
I don't know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die
Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?
No, I don't know how much time is left
But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts and storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

2006 marks the year where I changed my line of job officially. 2006, a year filled with tears. Either out of anger or out of desperation or out of inadequacy. 2006, a year that I have learned so much about myself. Admitting my weaknesses and recognizing my strengths. 2006, a year filled with challenges which I have never thought of facing. 2006, a year that speaks of pitfalls and successes. 2006, a year I found myself wanting to lean closer to God.

Today, I woke up asking God - What will today be like? What will tomorrow bring for me? What is my future like? Will 2007 still be as stormy as 2006? Will 2007 be better? Will I still have the strength and wisdom to face life's challenges? Will I still be groping in the dark?

I went to do some Christmas shopping after work today and to stop salesperson coming up to me, I stuck my ear with earphones. I stopped short in my footsteps as the song Your Faithfulness came on. It answered my questions that I asked in the morning.

I don't know (and I wouldn't) know what holds tomorrow. I know WHO holds tomorrow. I know in the midst of the raging sea, in the midst of a dark tunnel, I can still trust in the ONE who holds my hand.

Tiger's Child

Completed the next series by Torey Hayden - Tiger's Child and a sequel to One Child which I have blogged not too long ago.

Being an educational psychologist and a special Ed teacher, she chronicled a very detailed picture of her experience with her clients.

In Tiger's Child, Sheila who was in her teens did not grow up to what Torey imagined her to be. In the whole book, it seemed that Torey was trying to "find" that Sheila that was lost in her growing years. As I put down the book, my mind was focused on one sentence that a co-worker told Torey - You do what all of us do in this business: pray that in the end, you've helped more than you've hurt.

Last week, I had a small debate with my colleague. A debate on whether Torey has crossed the professional line with her 6-year old client. The sequel showed very clearly how her intervention has seemed to cause hurt to her growing years.

I choose to believe that in this line of work, we make decisions based on what we think is the best then. Location, government, culture, ethinicity, rules, laws and whatnots play such an important role to understand the context of a case. More so than ever, a team decision is very important. Especially for major and sensitive cases, it's so very important to gather a team together to make one decision. Not only does it lessen the guilt on the caseworker if anything goes wrong, it helps because in a team, it helps the caseworker to be objective with no personal emotions involved.

I made a weekend trip to Malaysia for the purpose to relax & to evaluate my 2006. Coincidentally, I was reading Tiger's Child in the trip. Her books brought out a huge stirring within me. That sentence rang deep. To pray that in the end, I really have helped more than I have hurt. This, indeed, I pray hard.

Beyond's Graduation

"The awards are not going to kids who score As. Even if they don't get As, they deserve to be awarded for trying their best!"

I love what my ED said today at our Beyond's Graduation Ceremony. It's always the process that matters and it's good for kids to be encouraged along the way. I was so touched when I see the little ones going out getting their awards. I feel like a mother!! At that moment, I just feel that life has SO much to offer for them! They are so young and they have a lifetime ahead of them!!! After all the grouses and complains and little downs as a Social Worker, today seemed all so worthwhile.



Will be away for the weekend. Don't miss me too much! *grinZ*

Love makes a Friend be a Friend like you

Have grown to love this song lots. Given to me by a friend ages back. I used to often receive songs from him once every few days. Never really appreciate it till he got busy with life and new relationship. Hee... I guess.. it's human nature ain't it? When something happens in your life so regularly, you just take it for granted. When it stop, then you realised the "impact"? Of course, for me, not much impact since it's just songs. But in a way, it does "teach" me to treasure things while I have instead of taking things for granted.

Anyway, lovely song. LOVELY LOVELY song. I used it for the video clip that I was editing. I could already memorize the lyrics!! Good things must share so I've posted the song up here.

Love makes a Friend be a Friend like you
Sandi Patty and The Friendship Company, 1989

What makes you give your last cookie away
Or help me clean my room all day
Why would you let me use your stereo
Or save me the middle of your Oreo
Why do you always try to be there
When I really really need you there to care
You're always willing to share

Love makes a friend be a friend like you
Love takes a friendship and turns it in two
Something to last your whole life through
Love makes a friend be a friend like you

And what makes you want to give your heart away
What makes you open up and say
All of the feelings that you hold inside
All of the secrets that you tried to hide

Why do you always try to be there
When I really really need you there to care
You're always willing to share

Love makes a friend be a friend like you
Love takes a friendship and turns it in two
Something to last your whole life through
Love makes a friend be a friend like you

Love makes a friend be a friend like you

Power Praise

I just did not go for church service for ONE WEEK (I spent last Sunday at HopeKid Retreat) and there have been changes in Orchard already! I was in awe truly! I gazed amazed at the new "wing" opened at Centrepoint thinking how can it be up when I was away for just one week?! Somehow, my life has been so used to having my Sunday spent at Cuppage Plaza that not going to church for one week, feels somewhat long.

Though now I vaguely remember the P&W songs that we sang this morning (don't mind me! I have problems remembering so many songs!), I do know that the songs we sing are about praising the Lord - in good times and in bad times, in the good and the strife. After one long week of "ordeal" at work, today, I am in a much clearer mindset.

As I was praising and worshipping the Lord today, I kinda thought that God talking to me "I will live up to my promise. I will see you through the darkest days of your life." And I thought "Boy! You are so KEWL God.." For indeed, He did see me through my ordeal. As I look back and reflect, I knew that I survived because He was my strength and my refuge. In all my grousing and whining, I knew that God wasn't far from me.

A few things I learned from ordeals:
1) It will definitely strengthen us when we choose to commit it to God. When we look back, we will get that feeling of "How did I even managed to do it?". That's when you know you didn't. God did.

2) From ordeals, somehow, it will break us. There is so much truth in the statement "When all else fail, God will always be there!" Being broken, it provides me an opportunity to seek and go to God more. As in "Oh God ah..!! I really cannot do it liao! I think I am drained of patience!! I want to give up!" Then, after that moment of crying out to God, you somehow just feel that "Ok.. I seem to be still able to carry on." Spiritually, you will feel a sense of refreshment somehow.

3) Self control. I learn to deny myself. You know.. sometimes, it's really very tempting to just run away from problems. Sometimes, I can really justify for things. E.g. I will be better off elsewhere because blah blah blah... But when I cool down, think about it, there is a certain degree of a need to deny myself of my "rights" & "justification". To not run away from my issues but to face it squarely.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Be joyful always! Give thanks in all circumstances!" are verses that are all so familiar to me. It's so SO true that when things are down, it's really not easy to praise God. However, I learned that when I choose to still praise God in times of struggle, I see things in a different light.

I picked up another book from Kinokuniya the other day entitled "On Children and Death" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Heee.. it's a book that I wanted to read so as to increase my awareness and knowledge. Somehow, when you read about dealing with grief and bereaved parents, you get a sense of urgency - To seize every EVERY opportunity. To live life to its max. And I was very encouraged by this that was written:

That I may grow a little braver
To face life's trials and never waver
From high ideals that I have made,
To face life squarely, unafraid;
That I may yet more patient be
With those who falthering lean on me;
To profit by mistakes I've made
And let them from my memory fade;
That I may always faithful be
To those who put their trust in mel
For these dear heavenly Lord I pray
That I may prove worthwhile today.

I think it summed up what I really feel. That I may run the race well, that I may stand before the Lord and have Him pat on me.

Good night.

Argh...

Argh!! Sometimes ah.. I really "hate" myself. I completed the video yesterday about 10:30pm. Then after rendering, I watched the video and I realised that it's not good enough. And so, I edited it again. Then there was a glitch in one of the testimonies. I wanted to close one eye (-.O) BUT, I can't get past myself. Thus, I edited it again. By the time everything was nicely done, I rendered again. Gosh.. it took more than 2 hours! In the end, I went to bed with my PC switched on.

I think sleep does wonders.. And it opened up a person's mind. In the morning when I woke up, I watched the final version AND again, I feel that it's still NOT right!! Went to work, came back and worked on it again. Now, after 2.5hours, it's still rendering. (o_o)" I am beginning to wonder.. IS MY PC TOO SLOW or what? Argh!!!

Spent the whole afternoon child minding taking care of a pair of twins. I noticed that one's a Sang and one's a Mel. However, Mel or Sang, twins are really quite a hassle to take care of! Twice the joy but twice the hectic-ness!! After that experience, I thought that I would not want to pray that I will have twins sia!!! Previously, I felt that one shot, pain one time.. Hahahaha!!!

After child minding, I dropped by Borders for books! There's discount going on! After walking one whole round, I chose two books. I cannot decide on the 3rd book to buy. I can only get the discounts 3 books and above. On one hand, I would really love to make the purchase. On the other hand, I think of the things that I have to pay for this month, I thought I better put a hold on the books.

While waiting for rendering to be completed, this is what I have completed:

1) Read a week's of newspaper
2) Planned my Christmas gifts
3) Chatted with a friend
4) Completed one CD
5) Poo-ed
6) Ironed clothes
7) Replied all emails
8) Packed my bag for tomorrow
9) Charged all the necessary stuffs
10) Planned my expenses
11) Surf blogs

All done so that I won't fall asleep.

- 17% more of rendering to go. Nights. -

Deadline met!!

Woooooohoooo!!! Finally completed my Sub District's Christmas video!! Now praying hard that it will be approved!! Next week's a busy week with my organisation's Graduation Ceremony for the P-Sixes and O levels! Then break for the weekend! WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

Now, waiting for rendering of the video to be completed then I shall go SLEEP!!!!

- Beauty sleep BADLY needed -