In closing...

2007 has indeed been a fantastic year for me. Fantastic not as in all mountain highs. 2007 is almost like the year that I am most stretched in terms of my physical, mental, emotional & spiritual being.

If there is one thing I have grasp in 2007 is that God's grace is ALWAYS sufficient for me to meet my daily needs. There are nights when I literally cry & ask God "Why?" or even tell God that I am really feeling very tired. Sometimes in the hustle & bustle of life, I even wondered, very often, where is my joy? What is my life purpose? Have I lost it? Is it hidden? Yet, my Father has remained so faithful even when there are times that I am faithless. Lighted my path, refreshed me daily, protected & guarded me. I know I can totally trust that He will meet my daily needs - be it at work, with family or with myself.

2007 has her fair share of tears indeed. It, too, has its fair share of joy!! (1) 2007 is a year that I celebrate friendships. Close friends got closer. People whom I do not seem to know very well, I am a step closer. (2) In 2007, I also got to know myself a tad bit more. Which also means that I am STILL a work-in-progress. (3) 2007 IS also the year that I hit my big 3-0. Being 30 does mean a lot of me. On the top most list, being 30 means that I get tired easily too. Going the extra mile takes a little more effort (actually, I don't know is it my age or my job that makes me tired. Either way, I think it's co-related). (4) Starting my career as a social worker in 2006, in 2007, there is one year of sufficient time to hear unsuccessful & successful stories from people (professionals & clients alike) we work with. (5) 2007 also means that I "lost" my beloved younger sister to a Mr Ng. (6) Most importantly, it is also a year that I really learn what family is all about. I learn what it means to be there for my family when needed. Like how I celebrate friendships, I celebrate family ties too. I learn how to express myself better with my parents. I learn how to empathize & I really enjoy every moment I get to spend at home. Contrary from what I was before.

I do not know what God has in plan for me in 2008 but I have in mind plans that I would like to put in place. For this, I shall share in 365 days time (I hope I remember to blog that).

Ending this entry at 11:45pm. Below's 3 pictures of how I ushered in 2008 - with a new outlook.

Cheers!!!!

This is the before pictures of my 2 dogs - filled with hair. Sent in for full grooming at 10am. Collection time is 4pm.

That's how sister & me spent 6 hours - Lunch, shop at Far East Flora for hand bouquets & a new outlook for me. (At this point, I must commend my sister's patience! She waited for me 3 hours with no whines & complains! Really gonna miss her a lot when she flies.)
This is how 3 of us looked at the end of the year - WELL-groomed with a totally new outlook!!

Stealing

"There's only one sin... And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft... When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal a wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness." - The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini.

Was intrigue by it & gave it a thought & thought of the many times that I have 'stolen' from others or self.

"When you choose bitterness, you steal your own opportunity to experience grace & forgiveness." - Me. :)

My December @ work

November & December has been a stretching & tiring month for me & my two other colleagues. My first Christmas party was on the first week of November! Being in a welfare Home means that when school holiday starts, outings begin. Before the holiday started, we started to receive invitations from various organizations to bring our kids for outings. There is almost no one day that we are not going out. If not for outings, it's for miscellaneous issues like settling quarrels, purchasing textbooks, driving around, meetings, conferences, courses, etc.

As I am typing this, I am really not doing it in a complaining mode. Yes, it's tiring but I get hands-on experience on what it's like to be a parent. Yes, I am feeling a little burnt out but in exchange, I get closer to the hearts of the children, parents & guardians whom I work with. Yes, I have given more time to work during the weekends but through that, I get to experience what it is like to look forward to going to church on Sundays. Likewise, when I have lesser time for my friends & family, I experience what's it like to miss them & yearn to spend quality time with them. Yes, I may not be in the BEST mood for Christmas shopping but I saw how a very simple personalized card/gift goes a longer way.

Through it all, this is what I gathered "God's grace, strength & mercy is always sufficient to see us through the day."

1st Dec 2007


One of my dream is to be part of a backstage work in a Theater. Thanks to the exposure that I am receiving in where I am now, I really do get to go places. One of it is Esplanade where some kids get a year-long training to dance.

2nd Dec 2007


This is me with many other kids & uncle & aunties watching a Tiger-Burning performance on a Sunday afternoon.

After that, I got to roam the streets of Orchard on a Sunday finally!! I haven't been doing that since March & I really really miss walking down the streets on Sundays. I love watching Baskers perform. It's ironic really... Despite how much I hate crowds, I really do love the atmosphere that happens along Orchard Road. The above clip is something that I caught that day & I really really adore it. My favorite - Percussion!!!



8th Dec 2007

Had a DVD movie at Trader's Hotel. When I turn the van into the Hotel, we received a very very warm reception. We were guided into a room that was specially decorated for kids. Had sofas, bean bags, Ikea fun table, throws on floor with lots of pillows. Had popcorn, food, drinks, ice cream all ready for us. Just waiting to be eaten only!



14th Dec 2007

Beyond's Graduation Day held at Spring Singapore. Being in a growing organization, it takes corporate events like these to meet my colleagues from other departments. It's in times like this when camera go snapping! Oh, not forgetting that it's the ONLY day that staff at Beyond dress up & ironically, in black.


15th Dec 2007

After more than a decade long, I finally went to the zoo with the kids!!! On that fateful day, I bumped into my Exec Dir with his family & my HR Dir with his friends. It's like a meeting place for Beyond staff! It was hot, humid & some places, smelly!


After that, went to a bungalow at Pasir Ris organized by HDB for a time of games & food. The weather was so "ARGH!!!" It was hot & humid in the morning & later in the afternoon, it was raining. Heee... Check out the plastic "hat" we tied onto a girl's head.



26th Dec 2007 (Today)

Met up with my colleagues for lunch at Tiong Bahru Plaza. It was a very relaxing way to end 2007... =) After lunch, after tea/coffee, one of us just felt this strong need to take a group photo! It's amazing how 5 of us managed to squeeze in!

After which, I brought 9 youths to the Singapore Army Museum together with another colleague. Well, it's not exactly a VERY fantastic place but sufficient in preparing the young boys for their future that will come one day.

On a personal note, I do get some hair-raising moments. Moments when I feel slightly more patriotic. =)

Reflect & Resolute

Couple of days ago, I spent about 3 hours to pack my wardrobe. This time, I told myself to "harden" my heart. Meaning - To throw whatever that I cannot wear, whatever that I can't bear to throw previously. Altogether, I had about a third of my clothes gone & had some clothes/bags to give away too.

Yesterday, I bought a table top & whilst changing it, again, I cleared my stuffs & changed the layout of my room. In total, I threw away 3 huge bags. Next, I would want to pack my books & my shelves. I need to find a system or a best way to pack it. I doubt for that, there will be much to throw though. Books is something that I can never bring myself to throw.

This year, I am most satisfied having thrown things away. In the past many years/times when I do clearing, it's always "I can't bear to throw this. Ok, I keep.". This time, I really felt like I am cutting myself away from unwanted stuffs or otherwise known as waste. Feels good knowing that I am starting a new year totally fresh.

It's that time of the year again to reflect & resolute.

Disney Christmas

Today had a Christmas party at my HQ. However, I didn't stay for long since it was an official half day. Met up with an colleague from my old department and had a session of gift exchange. What matters most, to me, wasn't the gifts I received but the great big warm hug she gave me. It's amazing how my friendship with her has grown so much ever since I joined. We have shared many moments of joy & tears. Merry Christmas my dear... :)

Pride & Joy

Someone once told me that it's VERY difficult to find someone who is humble. Everyone has pride & I must say "So do I".

Today, I am very proud to present my handiwork!!!! *Drum Roll* A lampshade!!!!!! WoooooHOoooo!!!

The night before, I kinda conceptualize how I want the shade to look like, how I would work on it, etc. After my friend left my house this morning, I looked at the sheet of plastic cardboard & started working on the lampshade. After a good 30 mins, *wa-la*, there it is... *smile* I always enjoy the process of "nothing -> something". Nice...

And yes, I am proud of it. I wanna thank Mr Abba my Technician from my Technical Class in my Secondary School who taught me what is "Finger Joint". I wanna thank my mummy for giving me a chance to make a lampshade. I wanna thank my daddy cause I think the genes for handiwork comes from him. I wanna thank blah blah blah...... *CRAPing away*

*Looking forward to a friend returning from US*

Blasting end to 2007!

Just yesterday, I was blogging about how frustrating it is to NOT meet my dateline. Last night, before I sleep, I prayed & told God that only He will work things out.

Today, I received 2 great news (naturally pertaining to the dateline) & it is really the best Christmas gift for me. The best closing gift for 2007.

I really love proper closures. Nothing beats a good closure.

6 days to Christmas, 5 day to dateline

If not for my friend, I would not have remembered that it's just 6 more days to Christmas. Where has my friend, Time, gone to?

Right now, Christmas is really more like a deadline than a celebration for me (quoted by my friend). Am advocating for the kids in the Home to be able to spend some time with their family over Christmas and not receiving the green light, it's weighing a little burden & pain on my shoulder. Everyday, I can almost visualize the tears in the kids' eyes.

5 days. It's really all the time I have left.

No man is an island

I exceptionally love this phrase "No man is an island"

Today, I met up with 3 friends. As I was on the train on the way home, I realized that, in some way or another, these 3 friends have played an important role in my life in a season of my life.

One was my first shepherd I had when I returned back to Singapore from Brisbane. In her, I have learned faith & love. She is one fantastic girl with a great fantastic voice with a heart that is so filled with love. I remember her for one who stayed far away from me, worked at the other end of where I lived. However, she makes all effort to make life easy for me & shepherding was usually held at Starbucks at Simei. She worked as a Youth Worker back then & was studying the Grad Dip in Social Work. It was only when I went through that path, I realized how tiring it can be working, studying & shepherding. For that, I give her my utmost respect.

One was a first "official" sheep. A girl whom I looked after spiritually for awhile. She has taught me what it means to love God. Jesus said "If you love me, feed my sheep." Through her, I felt that being a shepherd is a task that is commissioned by God. Thus, learning how to feed His sheep has helped myself to be disciplined in keeping my walk with God tight.

The other lady is neither a sheep nor a shepherd but one whom I have worked with several times - over friends' weddings or in church ministry. Our friendship really grew during those times when we worked together. Our understanding, care & concern simply stems from the fact that we are sisters in Christ.

Sometimes, it amazes me how friendship grows through the different circumstances. Meeting up with friends always refreshes me.

Today was a unique meet up because we ended up walking from one MRT station to another just in search of a conducive place to pray for one another. We did not know what to pray for thus we asked the Holy Spirit to lead us. Indeed, when 2 or more are gathered in His name, His presence is there with us.

Yes, meeting up with friends refreshes me. Leaving each other after a thorough prayer leaves me refreshed spiritually. The family of God is an amazing family to be in.

*Tired*

I gotta admit it - I am really physically stretched - tired.

Working in a welfare home for children is not a joking matter. Especially during the school holidays, it's madness. Outings, parties, outings, parties.. Basically, it's busy busy till no time to think or even to process any emotions

3 more weeks to the end of school holiday. To all reading my blog, please keep me in prayer for help at work soon. THANKS!!! *SMILE*

I'm back!!! With a VENGEANCE!!

My PC is finally up & I am back with a vengeance!!! Not with lots of words but with lots of photos from my trip 2 weekends ago!!

DAY 1

2 happy girls & 1 very very grouchy boy

The girls kept their ever-ready smile. The boy was too captured by the beautiful surroundings that he cannot help but break into a smile... ^v^

I was in one of my laughing fits. Mandy told a VERY cold joke & I can't stop laughing (though the both have stopped)!
After the meal, we decided that it was WAY too good & filling, we decided to walk to a nearby stack of rocks. So wanting to spray "Sandra was here" (" ,)

Conquered the rocks & we thought "Ok la, the island on the other side don't look all that far. Let's walk over." 45 mins walk!!

This is us on the island - Doing nothing but silly poses. Even the guide has to stifle his laughter. He must be thinking "What are these Singaporeans doing?!?!?!?!?!"

Basically, the only agenda we had was to eat, rest & take photos. This is how we rested after a 1.5hr walk to & fro. We came to a conclusion that as Singaporeans, wherever we go, we like to rest our feet on something higher. Is that true?

Check out our MADNESS!!! With just one diving mask that I brought over, we had like an hour of fun!

Let me tell you... This is LIFE!!! Rather, that WAS life. It was so relaxing... And guess what, other than a 1.5hr walk we were in that lying position for a long time & OH! For the first time, we saw a full rainbow - From left to right. Other than God's covenant with Noah, I thought of Care Bears! *Hee!!*

DAY 2


This is how soft the morning looks.... :)

And this was how sound we both slept! Aiyo... Thought we sleep in the hut on stilts in water, would not have mozzies. WHOLE night, I was chasing mozzies away from my face, my ears, etc. That is why, early in the morning, I brought my pillow out to Zzzzz....

*SIGH*... Sad to say, despite the fun, my two buddies had a great fight!! I TRIED to interfere but alas... I failed. Then again! Whoever loses, is my buddy. Whoever wins, ALSO my buddy! OK, I am crapping.

Now, this is REAL crap. First, there was a snake stance, then a tiger claw, a crane stance, a monkey move, a preying mantis stance & a DRUNKEN stance. Hahaha!!! How well we 3 entertained each other. *tsk*
After all the fun, we just relaxed at the pavilion staring at our "therapeutic" rock, amazed totally at how God has created everything in the world. Good things have to come to an end. We moved from the first resort to the next. No longer do we live on stilts but in air-conditioned room. Basically, our scenery was also taken away from us. It was a total bare & empty beach. Well, still, I brought home sea-shells. =)

Our first meal on a kelong - Seafood!!! Whilst waiting for food to arrive, we walked around - Posing YET again our silly shots.

After every good meal, we have to stroll. We had the company of a very beautiful moon. See that yellow dot behind? That's the moon. Small as it may seem, it was HUGE to us! Simply beautiful... *.*

*sigh*... I am really unfortunate. I am *ahem* the smallest in size THUS, my two buddies decided that I am the EASIEST target to bully. Mandy ku-chi (tickled) me like almost everyday!!!!

DAY 3

Last day... Really not a lot of photos to take already. Mainly because most of the space in the SD card is used to video me being BULLIED!!!! *Grrrrrrr*

To round it up... In all honesty, this trip could have been a very boring one. Yet, somehow, the 3 of us entertained each other well. For me, I have gained quite a bit from this trip - A relaxed mind; 2 buddies; Admiration of God's creation from the simple sunrise, sunset & rainbow. These are really just 10% of photos that was taken. More can be seen at my Multiply.