One Month's time.

I know, I know it is still some time away.

but I simply can't keep this to myself.

=]

I have already got some presents and cards for my friends.

Trying to see if I can surprise some of them.

I'm so excited!!!!!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!

=]

I love carols, I love hymns.

I love the Christmas lights in Orchard road.

The joyful season where everyone has a smile on their face.

Even non-believers who don't understand the significance of this day are happy,

because it's a holiday and a long weekend!

I'm so looking forward to our Christmas service.

Eating good food with my LG mates. =]

I think I have shared before that our family don't celebrate Christmas.

Sad. Very very sad.

But, I am a big girl now.

I can go out with my friends to celebrate. =] (Have been doing that some years now....)

Though I really wish we can have a Christmas tree at home.

At the same time, I am well aware that it is not practical, it is also quite troublesome, really.

And taken out only once a year, otherwise it'll be kept in the storage room collecting dust, 

taking up lots of space.

One of my LG buddy shared that their family is going to get a 2D Christmas tree this year.

And I think that it is an absolutely great idea!

So I went to the net to check some other Christmas trees.

To get some inspirations for my Christmas for my house in the future.

=]

I love happy colors. =]

Can't wait for December.
Can't wait for Christmas.
While I would love to see some snow,
Thank God that Singapore is on the equator. (I'm kinda sensitive to cold)
Lights, songs, food, presents and people!
=]

God bless!
Aren't you glad that Christmas is coming too??
Ho ho ho
=]

Serve your Nation well.

I have been in contact with some of my friends in secondary school.
It's a blessing to know what is going on with their lives.
There is this group of very special people to me.
My best friend and I jokingly call them my band of brothers.

It has been years, since we have graduated.
For quite some time, I was very absorbed with my own life.
School and club took most of my time away, church takes up the remaining.
My guilty consciences ate into me that I didn't even have the time to connect with my very own family.
Much less to say, my band of brothers, my family from when I was in secondary school.
Besides, everyone else were just as busy. Probably.


As I close my eyes and calls up the scene that I crafted into my memory, it flickers like a very old film.
Countless times had I seen them playing basketball in the court right beside our classroom
every recess time and everyday after school.

I still remember them playing, I can still see it with my mind eye.
From a few different views.

In lower sec, during recess time, my point of view would be from within the classroom.
The never changing weather,
the afternoon heat that makes me drowsy,
the height of my study desk that I had laid my head on to rest,
and the rhythm of the basketball bouncing had a hypnotising effect on me.
The peace of the early days lulls me to sleep.
Through the metal railings and glass panels, I hear them laughing, hear the cheering.
And once in a while, I'll open my eyes, watch them for a bit then go back dreaming.
Some of them have yet to undergo their puberty changes,
still shorter than me in height. I think.
But all so full of energy, like little monkeys refusing to waste any time sitting still.

After school was one if my favourite times.
Since if I had went home, I'll be alone anyway, I'll just stay back in school.
Or I'll be waiting for my CCA to start.
My point of view changed.
No longer were I in the sleeping position on my desk.
Classroom is locked, but I got a better view.
It's where usually a coach would sits in a game.
There was a great view of the goal post, and a good view of the entire court.
There, I witness the teamwork that came so naturally between guys.
No words needed as they pass the ball soundlessly and effortlessly.
They were playing sports, but the ball seems to had came alive in their hands.
I just couldn't take my eyes off until the game ended when they got tired,
or until its finally time to go home.

There was yet another view.
This time, I was on a level above, watching the bird eyes view of the entire court.
Trying not to attract any attention to myself, trying not the let them know I'm watching their game.
Although, I must had failed miserably, I caught them looking up once in a while.
My brothers, they don't usually team themselves up against others.
So I would end up having a brother here and another brother there on both teams.
What can I do?
I only had to cheer on both teams.

Though I don't play basketball, it's a big part of my secondary school life because it is part of theirs.
I like watching them play the game.
To be very honest, it doesn't matter what sports it is, it could be hockey or soccer,
I'll probably end up watching them play as they get even better with their teamwork,
their never ending energy, and their sudden growth,
which made them suddenly becoming one or two heads taller than me.
They are my brothers.
The very special people.
The me at that time, really wished I were a guy too.
The bromance that girls will never understand, I kindda envy them.

Gone were the days slacking and skipping in doing home works, and end up sitting outside the classroom.
I was very fond of messing their hair and slapping on their backs hard.
Yes, I used to be way too violent.
Our batch, under the Chinese zodiac is born under the monkey sign.
And everyone of them just like monkeys, skinny and way too playful, way too energetic.

I ruined it, didn't I?

It has really been a long time since I had a decent conversation with any one of them.
Well, once in a blue moon, we'll still see each other.

So I causally texted them asking how are they.
Most are doing well.
That is great to hear.
One replied with 'serving the nation'.
The same monkey I knew?
I didn't know what happened to them over the past few years, lost the chance to know and too late to regret.

Nevertheless, spoke to a few of them.
Oh man!
How much have they grown!
Out of nowhere, I had great pride for them.
They are serving the nation!
The same few jokers who fools around everyday in class.
I feel like a mother whose sons had grown in a few years in just one day.

I'm not laughing at them questioning if they can really do it.
I'm not shocked nor in doubt.
No, that's not what I thought.

I was overwhelmed with pride.
They grew up.
And I feel safer with them in the national service.

Dear brothers,
It's been a blessing knowing you lot.
You people had brought much joy into my life, and I pray for your blessings.
And as you mature into men and grow into adulthood,
I can never be prouder to have known you who are now serving the nation.
I know I am safe in your hands, as would be for every other citizen.
Serve your nation well.
And I salute you, from the bottom of my heart.
Be safe.
God Bless.

The road to becoming a better person: Making people laugh (in the attempt to)

One of the things I wanted but do not have,
is the ability to make people laugh.
Though, I do very well in making fun of people.(Sometimes)
Both them and their jokes.

I can take jokes, but I just can't tell them.
Instead of laughing at the joke,
my friends usually laugh at me or the awkward silent when I expect them to laugh.
Or even worse, they'll laugh when I make a serious comment.
Which to them, seems very funny.
I wonder why.

So I always thought that I am a boring person, serious type.
And I truly think that I write better than I speak.


I have deep respect of those who have this gifting.
Bringing a smile onto someone, cheering them up.
It's a great way to bond too, it helps breaking ice easier.
I find that people who have this talent is far more approachable and friendly than any other personality types.
Yes, I want to be like that too.

So, I downloaded some Jokes app to learn some new jokes.
Since, I am such a serious person,
I shall seriously try to be a more cheery person.
(Though I don't think I'm much of a serious person too,
more often than not, I'll be at rainbow-candy-la-la-land.)


And I am not saying being serious is not good.
I like being serious, and there are many situations that calls for that too.
Just that, in my opinion, people would relax faster with a new friend
who is smiling and good at cracking everybody up,
instead of a straight-laced stone-faced person.
And I do want to have things to say to fill up awkward silents here and there,
to new friends, or old friends I met on the bus.


Well, I shall share some jokes with you!

 Walking home after a Halloween party, two young men decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery for a thrill. They both stopped abruptly when they heard a mysterious tap-tap-tapping noise in the shadows. Their eyes grew large until the mist cleared and they saw an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping at one of the headstones. 'Geez, mister!' one of them exclaimed. 'You scared us half to death! We thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?' The old man replied angrily, 'Those darn fools misspelled my name!'

 A college physics professor was explaining a particularly complicated concept to his class when a pre-med student interrupted him. 'Why do we have to learn this stuff?' one young man blurted out. 'To save lives,' the professor responded before continuing the lecture. A few minutes later the student spoke up again. 'So how does physics save lives?' The professor stared at the student for a long time without saying a word. Finally the professor continued. 'Physics saves lives,' he said, 'because it keeps certain people out of medical school.'

 A man approached a very beautiful woman in a large supermarket and asked, 'You know, I've lost my wife here in the supermarket. Can you talk to me for a couple of minutes?' "Why?" 'Because every time I talk to a beautiful woman my wife appears out of nowhere.'

LOL!
I still have to work on it...
Jiayou!

And God bless!

=]

Business-ing.

Over the past few days, one of my old friend got into contact with me.
And she shown me a business plan.

As a business educated, it makes prefect sense.
The business plan is good, the system and model is good.
The entire system is so intelligently designed that even ignorant idiots can't messed it up.


They have it all planned out for you.
Their products are good.
In fact, after I seen it with my own eyes, I think they are amazing.
I've done some researching and people rave about the brand left, right, center.
The product range is very wide too.

Capital is minimized.
The entire business prospect of it is great.
Too good, Which made me skeptical.
Not about losing money or they being a con group.

I know this plan will work.
They already have so many success stories.
Real living people.

The people are friendly and strive for success.
And very motivated to make it work.


Though it is a network and internet based business, it is unlike a Multi-Level Marketing.
I was once involved with a MLM company, and I saw all the differences.
It is nothing like a Multi-Level Marketing at all.
They focus not so much on sales, but more of the people and the network.
And they have great ethical rules which I like quite a lot.
Good morals.

Anyone heard of Britt World Wide and Amway?
It is part of it.



If I were a more worldly person, I would have definitely joined them by now.
What made me so wary of it is the push factor for their motivation.
Money and dreams.
Big money and Big dreams.

I lived my whole life simply and contented.
My God is my provider.

I do have dreams too.
I want to buy a house, to be able to pay the full mortgage,
everything that I need in it, and all the renovations,
before I turn 35.
In Singapore.
By myself.

Though, I know that money is not evil,
it is the greed of money that is not right.
Being too attracted to it makes me worldly.
I don't like it.
My fear is if I got what I wanted, I might start wanting more.
Forgetting that God is my provider.
I'll hate it if I become like this.

Also, since this is a networking business,
it would means that I'll be bringing many people in.
I have no doubts that this is workable,
Who don't want to earn extra cash?,
but I feel sad that I am able to bring people to business and not to God.
It's like work became more than God.
And I really don't want that to happen.

It seems that God had something in mind for me.
I believe it is God, through my friend, brought me there, listen to them talk.
The timing is just like what God would do.
And I saw some godly men and women there too.

What do I do?



Dear Almighty God,
If it is truly the plan you have for me,
grant me success, give me your blessings and favor.
Let me be reminded of your goodness,
and be grateful to all that you have done for me.
Help me to use this platform for your kingdom,
and be a blessing to people around me.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.

God is Love.

Heard this from a guest speaker some time ago.
And it really fills me with pride and joy, that I am a child of God.

And God Said, “No”

 By: Claudia Minden Weisz

 I asked God to take away my pride,

 And God said, “No.”

 He said it is not for Him to take away,

 but for me to give up.

 I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,

 And God said, “No.”

 He said her spirit is whole,

 Her body is only temporary.

 I asked God to grant me patience,

 And God said, “No.”

 He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation,

 it isn’t granted, it’s earned.

 I asked God to give me happiness,

 And God said, “No.”

 He said He gives blessings,

 Happiness is up to me.

 I asked God to spare me pain,

 And God said, “No.”

 He said, “Suffering draws you apart from worldly

 cares and brings you closer to Me.”

 I asked God to make my spirit grow,

 And God said, “No.”

 He said I must grow on my own,

 but He will prune me to make me fruitful.

 I asked God if He loved me,

 And God said, “Yes.”

 He gave me His only Son who died for me,

 and I will be in Heaven someday because I believe.

 I asked God to help me love others,

 as much as He loves me.

 And God said,

 “Ah, finally you have the idea.”

This is who God, our Father, is.
God is love.
He always wants the best for us.
And the truth is, He is the best.


God bless you, who have yet to know who God truly is.
You have to experience Him yourself.
Because no matter how much you read or heard others testimonies,
you will never know how overwhelming His love is until you see it for yourself.

And God says, those who seek shall find.
If you seek God, He'll reveal Himself to you.


God bless all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
For this is a tough journey.
Consistent battling with our sinful nature and the worldly temptations.

 Mark 13:13
 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

I love Saturdays

My church have a few services each week.

Because there's too many people and, 

although we just moved to a new and much bigger place, 

the auditorium is too small a space, can't fit everyone in.

The group I'm in is the young adults group, 

our service is scheduled on Saturday evenings.

And there is no better time to come together and worship God!

Even if sometimes we have to reject some invitations from prebelieving friends,

miss out on fun events that you want to go.

But there is nothing better than putting God as the priority and come to Him.

=]

Another reason why it is such good timing is that after service, it's party time.

Together with this bunch of awesome life buddies, we would always go try out new places, chill out.

We share our lives with one another, we do our lives together, we are a lifegroup.

It has always been a great and fulfilling time with them, growing and learning together.

So last Saturday, we went to somewhere we have yet to go before.

Singapore Food Trail.

Why haven't I been there before??? 

It is right under the Singapore flyers.

We walked over from promenade MRT Station.

Then we finally reached there, Singapore Food Trail, Old school style.

Great ambiance. There's air con, no kidding.

GREAT FOOD! It's like a gathering of the best and traditional food from all over the island.

Bah Kut Teh (Highly recommended by my friend)

The sweet garlic, spice and pepper pork ribs soup with their best condiment partner, 

chili padi in dark soy sauce. 

You eat this with white rice, but I like to add some dark soy sauce in the rice.

Awesome! 

I'm drooling as I'm writing this.

Also, if you are not the shy type, and if you can't get enough of the flavorful soup,

You can go back to the vendor to get a refill of soup.

There are some side dishes for Bah Kut Teh too. The braised pig's trotter looks so good.

Another dish that is recommended by my friend, Satay Bee Hoon.

Not my cup of tea but my friend said it's nice. 

Though I like the cuttlefish which is tender and soft.

My all time favourite anywhere I go, Oyster Omelette.

It is mainly eat as a side dish, together with their special tangy chili that compliments the fresh oysters. 

Singapore's pride: Chicken rice. They have their special chili sauce too, which is usually heavy on garlic.

Hokien mee, Usually fried with seafood.

You can't really see from here but they are probably hidden inside somewhere. 

Fried Kway Teow. Another flavorful dish.  

After the heaty meal, sugar cane drink cools you down immediately.

I find it over priced, so if you mind that a lot, bring your own water.

As desserts, they have Ice Ka Chang Ball.

Nowadays, you rarely find them in the ball shape, which made it extra special and extra traditional.

I saw that they have black/white carrot cake too.

Which looks delicious, but I was too full with my Bah Kut Teh.

Will be trying that the next time I go. ^^

Great price. Considering that it is at a tourist attraction area, 

and people don't mind paying the price for good food.

Great company. =]

It's my first time there and I am simply blown away.

Will definitely bring friends there.

A great place to eat, but it will be quite troublesome if the group is too big like ours.

Since we have to find seats for all of us, and if you are not aggressive enough, 

you most probably lose it to our hungry-for-good-food-and-don't-like-waiting locals.

After dinner, we had a surprise birthday celebration for a brother.

In the cave that is in the park right beside where we ate, it's too dark.

Saturday is a great day.

God bless you,

have a fruitful day everyday.

=]

Here's my LG, family in Christ.
There are some missing but here's the most of us. =]

Sakura International Buffet

Recently, all that I have been thinking is food.

Seriously!

Cries looking at my double chin. (But serves me right)

If I were to go back in time, to before I eat, I'll be the exact same decision. 

Eat!

My colleagues and I went on a weekend night after work, near our workplace.

Sakura international buffet at downtown east.

Whenever I go there, I'll head to the sushi section first.

My style is to eat a little of everything.

And this Mango Ebi fry maki is really nice combination.

Then I'll spam on those that I like. 

They have some quite interesting stuff here.

There is some deep fried cheese mochi wrapped in spring roll wrappers.

Another one, deep fried durian ball. (Not my cup of tea because the 'skin' is too thick and sticky)

Also, my favorite ebi fry and the very small shrimp wraps, with the tempura sauce. =]

 Of course they have many more variety of food: 

aska, chicken rice, steam dim sum, the grills corner, 

and some dishes from the zhu ciao store. 

They have the chilli mussels!!!! 

I loved them. 

And how I wished there were some fried mun tous to drip in the chilli sauce. 

It is very similar to the chilli crabs' sauce but minus the fishy crab smell and taste.

Delicious.

Chawanmushi

This is something that I have always wanted to try, but... no idea what to do.

I'll usually stand at this counter very awkwardly, staring at the condiments, then walk away.... T-T

And always, always ends with desserts.

A little of everything...

They also have Ben and Jerry's. 

Though the range is kind of limited, but it's makes me happy just seeing it. =]

And I got some strawberry cheesecake flavored ice-cream to go with the brownies.

Nice!

The trick to eating buffet is to eat at a reasonable fast pace.

If you were to eat slower, the food would be well digested by the time you go to your second plate.

Though it is unhealthy... you didn't go to a buffet with the intention of staying healthy, did you?

This is my colleague who entered the same day as I did.

Her name is Jocelyn, she is in the HR department.

=]

Oh right, the staff there told me that it is not allowed to take pictures inside.

But I told him that I have already taken some, 

and he just smiled and said "Nevermind, but don't take anymore."

=]

How Great Thou Art!

Do you know who is TheFuMusic?

My friend introduced me to a show some time ago, 'Internet Icon'.
It is a friendly competition for youtubers to be a youtube star.
And it is really cool, I think.
Seeing real people stretching themselves and their abilities to create something that they will be proud of,
It's cool.
It made my friend really inspired and motivated to make a video too.
.... Jus need to figure what and how...

And the Fu brothers are my favourites.
Sad that they didn't win, but they are still my favorite group there.
They are smart and creative, they are Asians! Duh~
and I'm looking forward to Season 2.
It's amazing what people can come up with when you put them in a box.

So I was following them on their youtube channel, The Fu.
(The Brothers Riedell calls them "The Fu, F-U".)
and they have a series of 'weekend worship'.
And, I got to know this song.

How Great Thou Art.


Yes, I know I'm slow.....
Sorry if I shocked you.
I do not know this song until yesterday.
20 years of my life, not knowing it.

Since I'm brought up in a Chinese Buddhist family,
we seldom celebrate Christmas at home.
We do not sing hymns.
We do not eat Christmas meals,
We have neither Easter nor Thanksgiving.

Our parents don't give us presents on Christmas too.
*Gasps!* O.O
It's okay.
I'm a big girl now.
Since I'm working, I'll get what I'll need.

But we do get a red packet on Chinese New Year.
Well... Better than nothing.
=/

So I didn't know such a beautiful song existed,
until I heard the Fu brothers singing.
Then I went to check the original song and BAM!
I didn't know it was that popular.

It's a really powerful song.
Full of God's strength, yet sang really gently.
Like the lion and the lamb.
It is easy to soak yourself in God's presence and mediate on God's words with this song.

If like me, you didn't know about this song, you do now. =]

God bless TheFuMusic,
God bless you.
=]

I have quite a limit range of knowledge of worship and praise songs.
Appreciates a lot if anyone have any recommendations.
Thank you very much ^^

Freezing!

I don't know why but the air con which is directly above me seems to be working extra hard today.

Probably also due to the fact the I don't have much work to do,
I'm not moving around as much as other days.
And that I'm so bored now, I'm posting a blog.

It's freaking cold!

And my pastor is not helping....

So cold......Freezzzzziiing.

On time like this, I'm really glad that it doesn't snow in Singapore.

But it is raining a lot.

Take lots of care!!

God bless.

=]

Once a week: Sabbath

Just last week, I was talking to an older colleague of mine, who is a new convert to Christ, about attending services every week.



I have forgotten where I read the article, but it really give me a lot of encouragement as a fellow Christ follower.
There is a man who wrote to a local news publisher, "I have been attending church service every week for the past 30 years, but I have never remembered was told." This man said something along the line with "what's the point of going to a service, it is just a waste of time."
This article had brought in an uproar with the readers for quite some time as the city is a 'Christianity' city.
Until another man wrote in to the news publisher with his response.
He said, "I have been eating dinner made by my wife every night for the past 30 years, and I have never remembered what are the dishes. But I do know that they are made with love and the nutrition kept my body alive. Just like how food keeps your physical life alive, spiritual food is what keeps your spiritual life alive." Something along this line.

This had added on to my conviction.
To make it to service every week, to keep my spiritual life alive.
Stay strong and connected to god.
Amen!

Also, God set aside a day per week for rest. Because in the beginning, he created the universe and the earth and all things in it for the first 6 days. And on the 7th day, he rested. That is what he wanted for us too, as stated in the Old Testament. He planned the Sabbath day to be a day of rest, and a day that is set aside for the people to come together and worship him.
Following his will.

Jesus paid for us with his very blood and flesh. With every holy communent, we should be reminded of this.
To compare to that, how insignificant it is to give our time to The Lord? Just once a week, a few hours.
Making time for The Lord.

As we invited God into our lives, we are not longer alone. As we are baptised in the Holy Spirit, our body is no longer our own. We are the temple of god, as his spirit dwells in us. We have to respect that our body is the Holy temple of God, so take care of your bodies, and bring what belongs to Him back to Him. Honoring God with our body, is what He deserves.

Amen!
God bless all of you.
Take care of yourself, many people falling sick these few days.

It's raining

I'm kind of bored.

Being Upset.

Sometimes I frown, but I'll not realized it until someone points it out to me, telling me to relax.
It's not something that I can control, frowning.
Besides, I don't see my own face all the time, so I don't catch myself with my expressions.


I messed up at work today. Or the past few days, and today I am experiencing the effects of it.
As I probably had mentioned before, I am a logistics planner.
My job is to make sure to have everything ready for the company's production.
Ordering raw materials, production scheduling, stock take and ensuring everything is in place for packaging.
Make sure we have OPP Film, small packaging boxes, triple-wall boxes, pallets and other packaging  for all the different products.
(and different products have different requirement for their packaging)
And I missed out one of them.
For an urgent product on top of that.

I have been here for half a year.
I shouldn't be making these kind of beginner's mistakes.
It felt so terrible.

I'm upset at my incompetence.
It seems that my colleagues who are mostly older than me by decades became worried about me, knowing that I'm upset.
They told me to relax, don't worry, don't stress myself.
But how can I not?
And they should be upset at me too.
(Like my boss who is ignoring me right now)

No matter what, Thank God for them.
And Thank God for his backing and deliverance.
God brought us through.
Thank God for the suppliers as they have stock or else we would have to be stuck for one week. (Urgent product)


I should thank them properly, my colleagues.
Thank them for not putting more pressure on me, looking out for me and worrying for me.
I should apologize to them properly too.
For causing them trouble, making them worried, and my incompetence.
But God, you know that your servant is not good with words.
And you know that your servant is not good with expressing.
I want to write a card to them, but I don't have paper.
Besides, I think it will be more sincere to thanks them face to face.

What do I do?

Card ideas: When more than 10 people are writing.

And... I was making a card for my friend.

Because there are quite a number of people writing, we have to make sure that there is enough space for everyone to write something.




So I cut out some 10x10 squares card paper, distributed one to each who wanted to write.
When they are done, I paste the patterned paper on the other side and punch a hole to lock them up together.

For me, I used different patterns for each piece of card.

But I think if you have a nice design, it's perfectly fine for everybody to use the same pattern.
Honestly, it will look much neater.

Will be decorating the front. Not sure how yet.


You can add more cards into the pile for last minute writers.
Just have some spare paper and a hole punch ready.

=]

For this kind of card, it's the more the merrier.
If you only have 2 or 3 people writing, it won't look as impressive.. I guess.
So that when you put it all together, it looks cool.

And with a bundle like this, the receiver won't have to accept you and your friends' card one by one.
It's a group thing.

And for people who are lazy to make or go buy a card,
just help them prepare the paper and pen,
they'll just have to do the writing.


=]