A FABULOUS 3-day experience!!!

The past three days of training were fantastic! It's rare, really, that I'll pay such high compliments to a course. Not one moment that I actually dozed off, other than perhaps during the viewing of Supreme Court's corporate video.

Other than a personal interest in the knowing the law, my attention was totally captured because of a few practical experiences:

• I get to sit inside a court hearing
• I get first-hand knowledge (on the different sections of the law), in layman's terms, straight from the DPPs (Deputy Public Prosecutors) & SC (State Counsels)
• I get to network around with the CPOs (Child Protection Officers) from MCYS at a higher level
• I get to know what are the different courts for, what is the types of cases are heard in each court
• I get to see and feel the whole process IF an abuse happened to a child. The child might even have to stand trial. I remember I was grilling an Investigation Officer on the duration of the investigation & I was rather harsh. Through this course, I learn to appreciate the whole process. I learn to appreciate those involve in a child's life.
• They had a moot court hearing arranged for us & several of us got to be witness. I came to realize one VERY important thing - How we write a Social Report is so so so very crucial. The contents that goes into it has to be clear & concise. At any one point of time, a case that we had dealt with might have a chance of being put up at court. If a report is not done clearly, it could easily be contested & a person's credibility could easily be shaken too. As the "case" went on, all my social reports flashed me by!
  

You know, it's one thing to watch movies & serials on how lawyers "fight" & how witnesses are grilled. Until I got to see it happen, I got to realize that what goes on in reel life IS happening in real life too. Even though it's moot court, everything was so real. Lawyers fighting, judge scolding.

I'm going to go back to office to share my experience. First time, I am doing such things so enthusiastically. Haa!!

Children and Young Persons Act

"When it boils down to deciding whom to believe - the accused or the victim - the victim usually loses because he or she may be too traumatised to recount accurately the experiences in court." - Freeing children trapped in hells of perversity; [2008] 17 Feb_ST; Radha Basu, Community Correspondent

I sat through eyes wide opened, mind totally fresh at today's course held at the Attorney General Chambers - "Child Protection and the Law". It was my first taste up close & personal brushing "against" the law. We had the privilege of having 3 DPPs seeing us through the various Sections of the law, specially pertaining to those related closely to Child Protection & especially those related to rape & molest. We had the whole process (when an incident was reported to the closure of the case) laid out to us.

I felt horrid. The thought of the process gives me goosebumps. Just the thought of any child having to go through that gives me great discomfort. Just the thought of the child having to be cross-examined, having to go through guilt, having to feel that he/she's the black sheep of the family, having to go through the system & perpetrator going scot-free due to the lack of evidence literally made me squirm in my seat.

At the end of the course, I thought to myself - It really does take only ONE adult to mess up the life of a child. It takes a whole troop of adults to TRY to make things better. Let me not be that one that messes.

A "date" with my blog once a week

I realized that I have been blogging lesser (due to tiredness after work). So entries are like once a week on a Sunday. Hee.. I shall do a quick testimony sharing. Here goes...

Beginning this year on the first week of January, my 2 colleagues (A pair of houseparents & my immediate partners at work) told me that they will like to have Sunday off for the whole of this year. Though on the surface I felt frustrated inside (cause it only means that I have to do more duties on Sunday), I tried to keep cool & continue to do my part at work till my boss address the issue.

Deep within me, I was praying, asking God if it's time I move to another department or another job. The missing of so many Sundays has been keeping me away from church & friends, making me feel, often, distant & dry. However, each time I pray, I felt no peace to leave. I even asked God "Is it You talking to me or is it really just me wanting to stay on in this job?" I got no reply so I continued to pray.

Came 1st Feb, my colleague from another department told me that she can't help me on the 3rd Feb, Sunday, which so happened was my CNY reunion dinner with my family. After seeking many other colleagues for help to no avail, I was really frustrated to the point of tears. I still went through my Sunday duty. However, on my drive home, I drop tears. I felt unappreciated, tired & alone. Back home, after reunion dinner, I pondered over my situation again & that's when I realized that I have been alone really only because I have been relying on myself. I repented & made a decision to let go & let God. I told Him that I am going to entrust myself to Him. I lay it all out on the "table" & told God to do something REALLY obvious so that I will know whether or not I should stay on.

Cliché as it sounds, I have to say that when we let go of ourself, our own self dependence & go to God, He will not fail us.

The very next day, Monday, my boss told me that there will be one colleague transferred over to my side. Better still, I had a talk with my 2 colleagues about them taking on Sunday duties. We managed to work something out and they agreed!

This arrangement means a lot to me! Means that I will not be the only caseworker. Means that I have someone to make decisions with. Means that I will not be the default answer for Sunday duties. Means that I have my Sundays congregation worship back. Means that I can reinstate myself back to HopeKids.

Previous few months, my life has pretty much grown into one that is routine & mundane. I often wonder - Where has my joy gone to? Where is God in the midst of everything? It's only when I got really desperate & cried out to God that I realized that all along, it wasn't that God wasn't around. It's me looking too much at myself. After that decision made, I could literally feel my whole burden lifted off my shoulders, joy seeping into me, laughter coming back, countenance improving. I learned a valuable lesson of keeping myself plug to my Source at all times! God is faithful even when I am faithless!

He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. - Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)

A weekend of fun!

This weekend for me was a weekend that was fully packed - & fruitful!

Friday

Had CG gathering at Penn's place. I had my 3rd lo-hei for the CNY. I wanted to bring Taboo from my office. Unfortunately, I had a meeting outside of my office and I wasn't in time to return back to grab the game. In the end, we had Mahjong & Polka cards. Heehee.. I haven't touched Mahjong for 6 years but I won most of the games. *blush*



Saturday

Morning went sport climbing with Nelson & his two colleagues. We tried to get some others but most can't make it. Nonetheless, a small group is also good because Nelson is the ONLY certified person to belay us up. Sadly, I did only 1.5 climb & I had to leave to meet my friend's friend to discuss some details for my sister's wedding. Well, this climb had motivated me greatly to take up the Level 1 course. Definitely hope to do this more often. I had my 1st climb 7 years back but I was a student so can't afford to make this into a hobby. Did my 2nd climb last year but my job wasn't that stable so didn't feel that it's time to get into this hobby either. Hee.. After my 3rd climb & looking at my life being more stable now, I thought it's nice getting an outdoor hobby.


After meeting my friend's friend, I headed towards Ced's place for a time of gathering. His daughter, Rianne, is a real hit amongst the uncles & aunties! She is one of the smartest 3-year old girl I have ever come across. She spoke with clarity & full sentences. Just hearing what her dad has to say about her leadership qualities left me totally astounded.

Well, I ended my Saturday with dinner near my home with Geoffrey (he had lesson there). I realized that my fingers were SO aching that I had difficulty holding my cup upright!!


Sunday

TODAY!!! Today was a FANTASTIC day! Pearly opened her house for us, her secondary school buddies. Cooked Nasi Lemak but the main highlight was REALLY REALLY REALLY the kids. Look at the photos & you would think that it's a childcare center! Altogether, we had about 10 kids. Personally, I totally enjoyed my time with my godsons. It was nice having Matt calling me godmummy non-stop!



After everything's over, it's dinner with parents! Had my 4th round of lo-hei! Gosh! I have never had so many times of lo-hei during CNY before! Each time, it just gets better.. Heehee..

After thoughts

I'm a thoughtful person. Thoughtful not like I think of others. Thoughtful as in I am a thinker. After service today, I was thinking deeply. I realized one major thing in my life that needs to be rid of - Stagnancy. I was prayed over & the word for me was to enlarge my love for God. Only then, would loving others be more bearable. I need a breakthrough & I am going to work towards it. Will plan a personal retreat soon. Else, life would really be just a routine.

Valentine's Day

I was pleasantly surprised when I return back from my lunch yesterday. On my table, I saw a huge paper bag from Bakerzin. At first, I had wanted to jokingly scold my colleagues for leaving their things on my table. Thankfully, I decided to shut my mouth & see what's inside first. I literally exclaimed when I saw the huge box of cake for ME! Hahaha!!!! A gift from Chris, a dear friend I got to know from Brisbane.

The cake was DELICIOUS!!! All my colleagues lurved it!!!! I had 2 slices + the "flute". *chucklez*

Core Criteria

I had a chat with Hong Teck briefly yesterday. It started with a question if I've a date this Thursday, Valentine's day. I replied saying yes but it's with a girlfriend. Our conversation went on and Hong Teck asked about my core criteria for my life partner. After sharing what my core criteria is (Being a listener), he pleasantly surprised me by sending me a document as a closure to our conversation.

"Just thinking about what will make the greatest difference…

1. Work on how you speak to people so that they will enjoy listening to you. (eg. Your honesty, your careful selection of words). Make this a personal quality that people will find valuable... Major on the major and this will be prime personal development.
2. Then be thankful to God for people who are already great listeners in your life. Write it down, journal them and let them know. Faithful to them and appreciate them. God will bring more of these people to you."

What I appreciated most was when he shared from his own experience in his marriage with Mag & definitely also because he took time to "listen".

CG CNY visitations

Today we went around as a CG. First to Leng's place then to Noel & finally to mine. Leng cooked for us dumplings (which I didn't take photos of).

Before heading to Noel's place, we hopped by Cold's Storage, wanting to buy salmon for lo-hei. Can't find fresh salmon, ended up purchasing beef, fish & veg. Reached Noel's place & we had the whole kitchen to ourselves, since his parents were not back yet. Noel invented a new steak sauce with Mango juice that comes with Nata-de-Coco. Leng came up with bite-sized beef, cheese, sauteed mushroom & veg. I became the assistant to her. Hee...

At my place, we had yusheng. My dogs went "crazy", barking non-stop & enjoying the presence of all the kor kor & jie jie. Leng did a REAL good job at the yusheng. After Ps Jeff's sermon, as we tossed, we exclaimed Joshua 1:8 for prosperity & success. *HEE*

Praise

- A photo I took from Sultan Shoal Lighthouse -

F&N Orange

For without the hard work of the older generation, the younger generation will never be able to have such an enjoyment in life.

This Chinese Lunar New Year is a time when my dad reminisce his good 'ole days. To be more exact, ever since he had a stroke last March, he has been having dreams about his childhood days. This year, he made sure mummy & I buy F&N Orange. In his time, whenever they celebrate CNY, my granny will always buy F&N Orange & back then, it was a great luxury.

Despite poverty & lack that the older generation in my family faced, they did not succumb to circumstances & continued to work hard. I am enjoying the fruits of their labor & thus, I will work hard & hope that in future, my descendants will enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Lo Sheng

We already had our reunion dinner last Sunday & mummy was just preparing a simple dinner yesterday, CNY eve. However, Ivan could make it over for dinner & we decided to "lo-sheng" (Cantonese version of the Lucky Raw Fish).

As we were "lao-ing" (tossing) the fish salad, mummy asked us if we know the meaning of each individual items when they are poured into the salad tray? Then I thought that being a Chinese, it's good to know the origins & meaning of the traditions that I have been practicing for the past 31 years.

The event is called "Lo-sheng". The action of tossing is "lo-hei". "Lo" means tossing up a good fortune & "Hei" means "rise", an analogy of a thriving & prosperous life.

Apparently, there are 6 steps to tossing this particular fish salad.

Step 1: All at the table offers New Year greetings.
Words: Gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财）meaning "Congratulations for your wealth" or Wan shi ru yi （万事如意） meaning "May all your wishes be fulfilled".

Step 2: Fish, symbolising abundance or excess through the year, is added.
Words: Nian nian you yu （年年有余）and You yu you sheng.

Step 3: The pomelo is added over the fish, adding both luck and auspicious value.
Words: Da ji da li （大吉大利）.
Pepper is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables.
Words: Zhao cai jin bao （招财进宝）.
Then oil is poured out, circling the ingredients to increase all profits 10,000 times and encouraging money to flow in from all directions
Words: Yi ben wan li （一本万利）and Cai yuan guang jin （财源广进）.

Step 4: Carrots are added to the fish indicating blessings of good luck.
Words: Hong yun dang tou （鸿运当头）.
Then the shredded green radish is placed on the fish symbolising eternal youth.
Words: Qing chun chang zhu （青春常住）.
After which the shredded white radish is added - prosperity in business and promotion at work.
Words: Feng sheng shui qi (风生水起) and Bu bu gao sheng (步步高升).

Step 5: The condiments are finally added. First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.
Words: Jin yin man wu (金银满屋).
Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business.
Words: Sheng yi xing long (生意兴隆).
Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows is then added with wishes that literally the whole floor would be filled with gold.
Words: Pian di huang jin (片地黄金).

Step 6: All toss the salad an auspicious 7 times with loud shouts of lo hei and other auspicious New Year wishes.
Words: Lo hei which is Cantonese for "tossing luck".
The ingredients mixed by pushing them toward the centre, an encouragement to push on the good luck of all at the table.

Information compliments from National Library Board - Yu Sheng.

All of us misses Carol so we decided to take a whole family photo for her viewing. And yes, the dogs are part of my family. *Heehee*

A lovely day

Am off duty from work today so I made my way to best friend's new house. Finally get to wow at her new place. Finally got undivided attention from my godsons, Matthew & John. Best of all, finally got John (the younger one) warmed up to me slightly. My need for fun was met.

Twirling

Can't help but post these two latest songs twirling in my head.



“My love will get you home” Lyrics by Christine Glass

If you wander off too far, my love will get you home.
If you follow the wrong star, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If the bright lights blinds your eyes, my love will get you home.
If your troubles break your stride, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If you ever feel ashame, my love will get you home.
If its only you to blame, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.



"Vincent" Lyrics by Don McClean
Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer’s day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they’ll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent’s eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist’s loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they’ll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget.
Like the strangers that you’ve met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they’re not listening still.
Perhaps they never will…

Needs

**Disclaimer: This entry may sound a little self-centered.**

Today, my boss led me and my colleagues with this exercise of drawing a tree with:

1. Roots
2. Trunk
   
3. Branches & Leaves
4. Weeds on the ground
5. Bird (anywhere; can fly, can perch on branches, can be on the ground, etc)
6. Where is this tree?

I didn't scan what I had drawn this morning but this is about 99% similar:


Then, boss got us to name a few things for each component:

1. Roots: Without roots, the tree will never be upright. Question - whenever we are in need of someone urgently, who can we turn to? The Need for Love & Belonging
   
2. Trunk: A trunk is strong & sturdy. It's the part where the branches branches out at the end. Without the trunk, the branches will not be there. Question - what are our strengths? The Need for Power
   
3. Branches & Leaves: They are free, waving in the sky, etc. Question - what are the things we enjoy doing? What is the things we do that keeps us alive? The Need for Fun
   
4. Weeds & bird: These two interlinks. Weeds are not useful. They are things that needs to be rid off. Question - What are the things we would want freedom FROM? And in relation (to the bird), what do we want to be free to BE? The Need for Freedom
   
5. Think & share: I am the tree now, where am I located? (Boss shared that some may share that they look around them and find themselves in a cage) The Need for Security
   

Bringing it back to work, we related to how we can help the children nurture holistically noting that ALL 5 needs are very important, for without one of it, the children (& even adults) will be miserable.

After all the sharing, I made my way to lunch. Then, I received news that my colleague is unable to cover duty at the Home for me this Sunday, which means that I have to find replacement. I truly experienced today that the feeling of being rejected, not once, not twice & not even thrice, 8 times is heart-wrenching.

On one hand, I fully accept the reasons given to me (& I can't blame them for rejecting me cause to begin with, they are not from my department thus, it's really a favor I am asking) & resigned to the fact that I am working on Sunday again. On the other hand, I feel like a child who was given a whole lot of toys ONLY to be taken away all of a sudden. I was excited that I could attend my church service, I have plans to attend several meetings & finally, go home early to help out in my family's Chinese New Year reunion dinner. ONLY to be told that I could do none of it.

Then I realize that I am feeling miserable because my need for fun has not been met for a long time. *sigh* But at least one thing I can really thank God for is that after Chinese New Year, I will finally, after 8 months, have a partner at work! Which means that my weekend duties are going to be more structured. Which means that if no one else can help out on the weekend, I am not the defaulted answer people look at. Which means that I will finally have a 2nd opinion. Which means that I have someone to look out for my blind spots. Which means that I have someone to share my casework with. Actually, all in all, it means A LOT to me.

Hmm... Now that I have listed down, my heart don't seem to be that heavy after all.