New place

I love my new workplace-to-be. I love it, I LOVE it & I REALLY love love it! Land space is huge & greeneries are plentiful. Rooms are spacious & children have the freedom to run (hopefully not out to the road). Plenty of space for myself to time-out whenever I get emotionally high at work, that means either to cry or to vent my anger. I am already thinking of bringing my bicycle there, my guitar there (not like I play it often at home).

What turns me HIGH - Nature

What turns me OFF - Creepy crawlies!!! Yeeekz!!!

Chasing the Sunset

On my way to Bible House for Word for Life, from across the road at the Singapore Philatelic Museum, I saw an astonishing sunset. I was so drawn to it that I had to chase it. Worth every climb that I took across Fort Canning Park.

As I stood there amazed at God's beauty, every ounce of my burden & frustration from work seemed minute.

Words

One of the 5 love languages is Words of Affirmation. Proverbs 12:18 also says that reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. That is but only one of the many verses that speak about how words has the power to bring life or death to a person.

Strengths Perspective, in essence, is all about looking at things positively. A weakness can be viewed as a strength - if we choose to do so.

Often when a child act out, my very first immediate adult response is the need to take control & order things to be corrected. However, should I learn to take a step back, look at the child's behavior and read the meaning behind it, I would probably learn how to appreciate the child more & sometimes even can learn something out of it.

Choice Theory says that the only person whose behavior we can control is our own which means that we have to power to choose how to react when faced with a situation.

Sudden inspiration

Life is a journey;
awaiting for you to unravel its mysteries;
Live it well and it will serve you well.

Long weekend

I need another holiday from a happening weekend!!

Friday
Went with CG to Bedok Reservoir for a time of obstacles & tree climbing & flying foxing. Check out more photos here & check out Forest Adventure here.

Hee.. I particularly like portrait shots. Thanks JM!

Saturday
Together with Ced, Rianne (his daughter) & Geok Hong, we went to Bruno's house for a farewell party. Bruno, my Uni pal is moving down under for good! Well, I couldn't really capture a shot of Bruno cause he's super on the move. But my eye is always towards the young ones... *smile*

"Papa, I give you ok?"

Sunday
Made our way to the Singapore Flyer today after church, after CG discussion & after shepherding... $29.50 for 30 mins. Hmm.. My take? It's an experience indeed but do go when the IR is up. I would believe that the scenery is less of construction & more of beauty.

Relationships

Humans are really made for relationship. One of my girl (very young one) was hospitalized since last Saturday & since then, I went to visit her everyday for at least 3 hours. (I really really really really can't bear to know that someone I know is hospitalized so I'd try to go every other day)

Anyway, only yesterday, I stayed with her the entire day as I was told that she would be discharged. However, at 4pm, the doctors decided to let her stay one more night. Before I left her, I told her "My dear.. Tomorrow then you go back ok? Papa, Mama, sisters & Auntie Michelle & Auntie Leelah is coming." She looked at me with her huge eye & asked "You leh? You not come ah?"

When I went to her bed this morning, she was already playing with her family members. At the sight of me, she ran to me & hugged me.

I thought to myself - Spending time with someone is really the only key to a greater relationship. Drawing the analogy to my relationship with God, I realized that on days when I pray more, I talk more to God, I feel close to Him. However, on days when I am just busy with my daily routine life, at the end of the day, I might ask "God, are you there?"

Final conclusion: Can't keep God out of my life's equation.

Birthday & Wedding

My mummy is one happy lady for two days. Took half a day off yesterday & gave my parents a treat at Fish & Co. After that, brought daddy to G2000 to get a suit for my sister's wedding.

Today, we "officially" cut cake. Mummy giggled when I called her the "birthday girl". Then after cutting cake, daddy decided to sing the birthday song.




Mummy's friend sent her this video! So CUTE!!!
*I think my mummy is REALLY a modern mummy!*

Anyway, we are all getting excited about Carol's wedding. Although mummy never say anything, I could tell that she was so excited when I brought her to chinatown for her make-to-measure cheongsum. Then, brought her to a shop that sells all those RED things for newly weds. She had a hard time getting out of the shop. The BEST buy that makes her a happy mummy is a BRIGHT RED umbrella that comes with lace. *woohoo* Wedding cards have pretty much been done & sent out. Almost everything's ready - Just waiting for the bride to return home from US. Hee...

Preparations for a wedding is really not an easy task. Gotta take care of every detail & of course, gotta bear in mind, it's a wedding for two families, not one. Although I might have complained that it can be tiring, at the end of the day, I must say that I do enjoy the process as my sister's helper cause I just want the best for my only sister. Hee!! Even my best friend, Pearly's so excited as a jie mei! Checking with me what accessories to match her dress, what games to sabotage the groom, etc. I am really heartened to know how much she loves my sister.

Forgiveness & Joy

All of a suddenly, it seemed as if everyone around me just zoomed out & I was the only one left seated at one of the green seats at Nexus.

Today at church, I was transported back in time to my first Sunday Service nearly 8 years ago at Brisbane. Complete déjavu. The story of forgiveness & joy once again rang loud & clear in my mind.

If I may be blunt & brutally honest, I am a person who can easily fall into the trap of anger. When I do get angry at a person because of a wrong that has happened, or my face been lost, or when I've been hurt, my only defense is to have my wall built up real fast. When that wall is built up, for awhile, I will not realize that I'm hurt or angry. When the numbness is gone, then I will probably be angry. After the anger is subsided, I will battle on how to forgive when I can't forget?

At a supper with a friend 2 weeks ago, I poured out to her how I felt about my anger & my disappointment in myself in not being able to forgive when I cannot forget. She said to me (paraphrased) "Even if you have forgiven, you would not have forgotten the hurt inflicted. The scar will always be there to remind you. This is the time when, after you have forgiven, that you will need God's grace to see you through."

As I sat on the green seat today, looking on at the pantomime staged by the wonderful actors, I fell in love once again with this Jesus whom I acknowledge as my savior. I am just amazed at His love for me & I felt broken once again. Scars will always remain. The ball is in my court whether I want to exercise God's grace & mercy.

A sermon so timely after 4 months of struggle. 8 years back, that sermon on forgiveness & joy was what led me back to God. I am but a work-in-progress.

Teach me

For the past couple of months, this verse of removing the plank in my eye first before complaining about the small speck in the eyes of others have been swirling around my head. (Matthew 7:3-4)

A critic by nature, I do understand that unless I learn to judge less, I learn to embrace more, I will love easier. However, I often fall into the trap of judging more, embracing less thus loving became harder.

Lord Jesus, help me to understand your heartbeat & your love for your people. Teach me your ways & teach me to focus my eyes on you always. May the plank blocking my sight be demolished before I ever speak about someone's speck.

Trying out new software!!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Teachable moments

"We adults tend to define success with kids as getting them to do what we think is 'right'." - The Resilience Revolution, Chapter Five.

How many times have I heard this statement "You run away from me, I call police ah!!!"? Initially, I will see the kiddo draw back in fear. Soon, I see the kiddo STILL irritating the parents/guardians, totally not afraid. When the word 'police' has been abused, parents/guardians turned to punishment, often not thinking of the consequences, nor putting themselves into the shoes of the child. Instead of restoring, they punish. So long as the child is doing what we deemed okay, right, they are all right.

A child is like a sponge, always ready to absorb. So, instilling values are BEST done when they are young. Teachable moments are often find NOT in official settings like school, CCAs, etc. It can be done through a casual chat session or even a trip to the clinic. Neither are teachable moments found through punishment as that will probably create the child to obey out of fear, not understanding.


It is despair, loneliness, and hopelessness. We need someone to talk to; we need to be taught how to talk. We need people who really care about us, support us.... Teach us to hope. Bring some kind of meaning and purpose to our lives. - High school student; Hanley 1989, 85

Conversation with a 4 year old...

... is USUALLY filled with "Whys". Conclusion: My godsonny's a chatty person... Very sanguine!

Expect the Unexpected......

... & things WILL BE unexpected!!!

I was awoken really early this morning due to some slight debate between my parents with regards to my dog. Decided to just get up & go to work early & hope to get some sleep on the train.

So, I hopped on the train with SLEEP in my mind. Unfortunately, I chose a seat that's beside a mother who was trying to educate her son. FORTUNATELY, it was a heartwarming 25 mins journey to hear a mother educate her son through her church leader's mission trip to China. She shared, throughout, how blessed are they to have a roof over their head, never having to worry for food (and she quoted from the worry-free sparrows from the book of Matthew), never having to be overly concerned about money because parents are working. She shared how cold the weather was in China YET, the people of ROC slept on the floor. More importantly, she emphasized that despite the lack, they are still so happy!

I was very very glad to see that the conversation was NEVER one way. Her son replied in great awe & said "Wah! I am really blessed hor?!"

In this time & age, I feel that children in this small island has lost the ability to be thankful. Just last night, I saw a little boy scolding his dad for not ordering his favorite food (yet, the table was full with dishes). I am not saying that parents have not done their job to teach their children well. However, when one is fully provided for, it's often difficult to see how poor the poor can be. And for this, I am not talking about the financially poor too.

That scene set the mood of my day, in a way. I was reminded to be thankful in ALL circumstances. To be thankful for the things that I already have and will have in time to come.

Unexpectedly, I did not have to work till 2pm. I was SO glad that all the residents' parents were able to spend a day with them so by 11:45am, I was relieved from my duties. I made it to UDMM in time & managed to squeeze a little time to Plaza Singapura to get some scrapbook stuffs before I make my way to a kiddo recital by the Tang Quartet organized by Acts 3 International!

It was one of the BEST performance I have seen of the group. It was entitled Journey with T'ang Quartet & the guys really brought us through a journey - First lullaby, First day at school, First sports day, First frightening moment, First happy moment, etc. I have to admit, it brought out the reflective part of me, thinking of my many Firsts. I love every moment of the 60 mins!!

Proverbs 22:6
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Expect the Unexpected......

.... & you will find yourself wondering "What's next?"

Thinking that Saturday's my off day, I decided to bring my parents out for lunch. The minute we entered into PIE (Pan Island Expressway), I felt that my car was dreadfully heavy. Speeding up to 80km/hr was a feat. I decided to keep to the left lane & maintain at 60km/hr whilst I wait for the opportunity to turn out at the first exit. I had wanted to stop at the expressway but it'll be way too tough to grab a cab for my dad.

As all might have guessed, I had a punctured tire. The wait for AAS was great. In the busyness of my life, with cars simply zooming past me, horns sounding, I was, in a way, forced into a no-choice situation but to do nothing. It gave me the best opportunity to slow down my own life & reflect. My all-time favorite question for myself is this "Time flies... & what have I achieved?".

It's not about the things that I have achieved per se. Rather, what have I done in my life that is set for eternity? Is life YET another routine? Have I used my life to touched the lives of others? *shrug* Food for thought...


When the tires are settled with $170 for 2 new ones, I made my way home. Spent almost the whole afternoon writing Carol's wedding invitation cards with mummy. Actually, despite the tight schedule, it's quite fun doing things together with mummy. I see it as a chit-chat session!!!

Since I can't bring parents for lunch, I brought them for dinner. Not too far, just a nearby coffeeshop about 10 mins drive away. Had SO much food that I could feel my stomach burst!! HAHAHA!! Made my way to meet CG to SURPRISE Steven. Haa!!

Attitude

For the first time in my life, I felt "insulted" in my course of work today. I was at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) & I made my way to the information counter at Blk 4. I was given great service & I then made my way to the Medical Records department. Ding dong a few times & I made my way to another department. As I got lost, I was guided & led by the Health Assistants to the office & felt really pleasant the whole time, thinking that SGH has GREAT service.

I introduced myself & spoke politely to a secretary of a doctor. The reply to me was like a slap in my face. She raised her voice at me, telling me that I shouldn't be there in the first place, she is very busy so I must make appointment first & lastly, scaring me with security guards coming to "catch me".

I began to wonder to myself - Is the life in Singapore SO busy & fast that people gets edgy at first instance? Not only did she not give me a chance to hear me out, she retorted back rudely. Even if I am not supposed to be there in the first place, is there a need to be angry, be fierce & be rude? Is there a need to throw negative comments?

I left the place feeling lousy. Sometimes, all it takes is just one incident to bring what was built up, down. Unfortunate incident.

*Sheepie*

John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."