2nd year anniversary

2 years ago on this date, I officially switched profession. Over the two years, I have learned much! I remember when I first started as a Social Worker, the very first day when I tagged along my colleague during her home visit, I was SO astounded by the sight of a HDB 1-room rental flat. That was when I truly felt how "stupid" I was from the LACK of knowledge NOT KNOWING that there are flats that one could rent from HDB. Also, I was really embarrassed being a Singaporean NOT KNOWING how poor the poor can be.

Thereafter that first day of work, my learning curve was steep. I keep reading & surfing websites. Going into the details such as the fine prints. Understanding the lives of the disadvantaged is another obstacle only because there IS NO way that I can understand them. Earlier when I had to do marriage counseling, that was worse!!! But like everyone encouraged me "You do not need to be a drug addict to know how a drug addict is like". Likewise, I do not need to be married in order to hear from married couples.

As I worked, I knew then that my heart & burden is for the young ones. I hold dearly the principle about how when we bring up the kids in the correct way when they are young, they will likely grow up to be adults who are useful. I then streamlined to be where I am currently.

My friend has asked me before "Have you ever thought of taking sabbatical leave from this industry?" I thought about it and answer is still "No..." Still, the simply joy of being with the children supersedes the tears that I have and will shed.

Comforted

I cried half a day. No. I bawled. To be exact, it's the whole morning. From the time I stepped into office to lunch time.

For reasons that I cannot explain, due to work confidentiality, I will only share how I stopped bawling like a baby.

In the morning when I woke up, I was very tempted to go to the doctor & get a day of Medical Leave. However, I couldn't bring myself to do it since I really wasn't sick. Since the meeting that ended at 9pm last night, I haven't been feeling too good - emotionally. Whilst still on bed, I asked God for a word. He's faithful; He gave me a verse & a song.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. - Psalms 23:1

I kinda told God "Orh..", then I went on to do my usual routine - bathe, walked my dog, have breakfast, set off to work.

When I reached the office, I switched on the PC & I just start to tear (not that want to). Tearing soon became crying. Unknowingly, it became bawling. I went to my favorite place - The toilet. Because the ventilation was SO terrible, I kinda hyperventilate. Stepped out of it & decided that a walk around the neighborhood would do me good.

The walk was good. As I sat under the light drizzle & scorching sun, overlooking a rather vast green land (vast because we are in Singapore), the verse from my morning continued.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. - Psalms 23:2-3a

I did not know what happened. I just simply stopped crying & felt comforted. Very comforted. I sat for awhile longer & made my way back to office.

When I stepped in, the auntie (at my office), informed me that my big boss called. She also "sayang" me, patting my back, assuring me that all is well & all will be well.

I called my big boss, expecting to be questioned. Well, I was questioned but it's also through that question that he encouraged me too.

I cannot say that I am in the BEST of spirits right now but I CAN say that God is always always here for us. Last night when I came home, I have had wanted so much to talk to someone. Yet, something kept me from calling anyone. Even as I spoke to my friend this morning, it was just brief as I really do not know how to put things across. It's in those short moments when I took my walk, I understood the song "What a friend we have in Jesus".

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. - Psalms 46:10

Weekend of FOOD!!

I literally had food galore the past 3 days (in fact, since the start of January!!)

On Friday, I had crabs. Met up with a friend, just two of us, we had two crabs. Had a real "shiok" crabby dinner!

Come Saturday, met up with CG (Steven P missing from this picture & we did not take a photo of us 4!!!) for dinner. Decided that it WILL be Terminal 3. Went to Earle's Swensen. Nelson and I had Fish & Chips and we were pleasantly surprised that it comes with salad buffet!! We had a great fulFILLING meal! Rest of the pics at my multiply blog.


Ah huh! After being such a naughty girl for 2 nights, I really missed mummy's home cooked food. It was such a spread when I returned home from church today. If you are wondering what's in my rice, it's Chinese Sausage, otherwise known as "lup cheong" in Cantonese. (Just realized that I have no vegetables for today!!!


Counting my blessings indeed. Comparing to many many others, I am very very blessed to NOT ONLY have food to eat, but very rich food. Cheers!

Children & their child-likeness

"Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:4

I am usually cautious when I use superlative words. Best, greatest, most xxx, loveliest, gentlest, etc. I often find myself in doubt wondering "What defines this moment the BEST moment/situation? Would there be an even better one than this particular?" People always say "一山又一山高" (There will always be higher mountains), so how then, can I know what is the best, what is the greatest, etc?

It's in times of my own doubt that God's words are so ever ringing, solid, confident & unshakable.

The verse very very very clearly state that one who has that childlike faith, childlike humility, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Today, I took on the houseparents' role & took care of the kids. Evening came & I went to pick up the youngest resident. I found her in the Principal's office because a little boy bit her forearm. When I stepped in, her eyes lit up. She couldn't wait to run to me. When the Principal finally got the boy to apologize, she quickly ran to me & hugged me, and we proceeded back Home, she just holding my hand with not a word spoken. Back Home, all she did was to stretch out her arm & she knew I would kiss her wound.

At that moment, I was simply bowled over by her simple faith in me. Her every actions has shown me that she trusts me. She knows that she can always come to me. She knows that she will get that love. That simplicity almost brought out every maternal instinct within me. How could one (or any parent) not love a child (or their child)?

In essence, I knew for certain - How can God, not love me, HIS beloved child?

The extend of God's love

Just this morning, I was thinking "God is love. Therefore, we love." I decided to blog-surf & found this from Andrew's.

God's love is truly extended to one & all. No one is written off His book of Love unless we deny it.

Astounded & touched.



This is her testimony.

3rd day of expensive dinner in my stomach...

Of the 3 days of wedding dinners, today's dessert is my favorite - Cream of Mango!!

Today's the food tasting for my sister's wedding banquet. Had quite an enjoyable time with my family.

Positive looking

Received two interesting smses from an old friend:

1) Living on earth is expensive. But it does include a free trip around the sun every year!

2) Cheer up! Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock. You are born an original, don't die a copy...

Tell me about looking at things with a positive view!!!

Wedding bells

"... Wedding bells will ring so merrily. Ev'ry tear will be a memory. So wait and pray each night for me. ...Till we meet...again." - Moonlight Bay

The past week has walked its way into Sandra's guiness book of records having 3 weddings in a week! Just as I thought I am past the age of "attending weddings" (as most friends are married), it seemed otherwise!!
Attending weddings' always a privilege cause it means sharing the joy with the couple.

Yesterday was my secondary school friend, Jo. 3 of us went over to stay at her place on Friday. I remarked "The last time we stayed over Jo's house was 17 years ago in August. That time was to celebrate her farewell to another country. This time is to celebrate her matrimony." If I didn't recall wrongly, I got my first kiss from Sharon when the clock strike 12 on my birthday when we stayed at Jo's.


Anyway, I decided to scan some old photos... That was how we all looked like back then!

Quite nice looking at how we have all evolved. Life is indeed an art of drawing without an eraser with memories etched deeply in our memory bank. Our past helped mold us to be who we are for a journey to be enjoyed.

Unfortunately, I did not managed to take any photos at today's wedding dinner. I will go bug the bride everyday for the table photo that we took!!!!

Weddings

After work, I met up with a wedding jie-mei-s "committee" to discuss how to sabotage the husband to be. [jie-mei: entourage] It's quite an honor I must say. It came to my knowledge that it's a wedding that's only meant for family and very close friends. I can't say I am very close to this sec sch friend of mine but we know that we are always there for one another. Makes me feel that once a friend, always a friend.

There's a phrase that says "two women makes one market". I totally agree with it. When you get 7 ladies to gather together, what you get is ideas bouncing back & forth, laughing loudly & forgetting our basic etiquette (not that I have any to begin with). We had a good time indeed. Without knowing, it's 10:30pm already. Blessed me, got my best friend to fetch me home. Now, I can't wait till Friday where we'll be staying overnight at the bride's place. I believe it'll be a huge wholesale market.

Came home and started making 2 hand bouquets for my sister's photo shoot tomorrow. Quite an enjoyment working with Tulips and Calla lilies for the first time. Calla lily has been my all-time favorite flower. I have never handled it before. Neither have I touched it before. One thing I found out when I did the bouquet just now was that Calla lily is stronger than I had always imagined it to be. It's a flower with just one petal. From the stem, out blooms the petal in yellow/white/purple. Always gives me a majestic blossoming feel.

Oh yes... My dog sleeps on while her two sisters were hard at work. One on flowers. The other on her self manicure & pedicure.

My first day of 2008

I kick started my first day of 2008 by keeping it real quiet & focused. I set out 3 goals for myself today.

1. Cook an Ikea Swedish meatballs meal for my dad (Went to visit my colleague few weeks ago & she whipped up that Ikea meal for me & other colleagues. It was so nice that I thought I'd do it for daddy.)
   
2. Finish part of the hand bouquet for my sister.
3. Complete the pillow case I am making for my sister.

I am proud to say that I have completed the 3 goals set!

The self-invited guest of the day is Nelson. *smile*... He was free & wanted to finish off what he promised me last year - Change the tubing & tire of my bicycles. (I'm a tad lazy to learn how to change) And so, he came, worked real hard & in return, I prepared him a LARGE meal. Look at Jan's & Nelson's happy faces.

I really enjoy inviting a few friends over. Firstly, my parents enjoy having visitors. Secondly, I enjoy having good friends over for a meal, for a chat. Er.. This is the first time I had the combination of Jan & Nelson though. Haaa!!!

*It looks exactly like a meal at Ikea hor? This is exactly the same meal my colleague prepared for us! Hee.. Paying it forward.*

*Satisfied & FULL*
*1st goal MET*

*2nd goal MET*

*Chris to accompany me via webcam while I sew vigorously*

*Check out my running stitches! I REALLY wished I had a sewing machine. Hee...!!*

*Finished product*

*3rd goal MET*