And so... shame on you!!

What a 'memorable' 2nd day of the Lunar New Year I had!
So hubby & I checked ourselves into Sentosa Resort & Spa Hotel for a mini getaway this Lunar New Year + Valentine's day holidays to relax and all.

And since Sentosa was very near to Vivo City, naturally we booked a movie show in the evening of the 2nd day of LNY, went to Vivo for dinner before the movie.

After dinner as we still had some time, we went wandering around and decided to get some toiletries at Guardian Pharmacy. When we were at Guardian, we went our own ways to find the toiletries we need. I was walking up and down the aisles just browsing and reading new products, product descriptions, etc (That's how girls can spend 1 hour in a toiletries shop!!!).

And so I walked myself to the aisle for what seems like "taboo adult things" (note:- condoms, lubricants, pregnancy test kits, ovulation thermometers), my curiosity got the better of me and I picked up a pack of pregnancy test kit and stood there reading the instructions on how those things work. [And yes, I am not pregnant... just plain curious, that's all].

Ok, the condoms and lubricants were on the top shelves and the pregnancy test kits were waaaayyyy at the bottom of the shelf, I ended up - kindda squatting down while reading the instructions. (I think I was being convenient - like since it's at the bottom, I might as well pick it up, read it while I was still squatting & put it back without having to stand up and squat down twice just to put it back after reading).

Along came Mr. & Miss juvenile (whom by the way were much older than me or my hubby in age) who walked down the same aisle, stood behind me and made lewd remarks. The guy said to his partner (they were obviously not married since I noted that they both had no wedding bands on their wedding fingers later) in a cocky manner "Oh, should have thought of protection (very blatantly hinting to me who was squatting there reading the pregnancy test kit) now that someone's knocked up" (with his equally annoying partner giggling away at his comment). And he continued saying something along the lines of "might as well get some of those on top [the condoms] and the lubricants now that it's too late for any prevention".

At first I totally ignored these pair of idiots who were obviously made perfect for each other. I didn't bother to lift my head up to take a look at them at all and continued reading the kit. When I was done. I stood up and looked around for my husband in the pharmacy to see if he is done. THEN in front of me (imagine the image being zoomed up 3x to the idiotic pair), I saw the dynamic duo face to face. The guy didn't see me as he was glancing at the products.. the lady who was clinging to him like her life depended on his shoulders saw me and said this in what she thought was a whisper but too bad for her it was audible enough that I heard EVERY SINGLE WORD "Oh look, that's the girl who was checking out the pregnancy test kit and probably got knocked up".

*GRRRRROOOOWWLLLLLss* At that, she awoke the sleeping tigress. I saw my husband, told him about it. We went to the cashier to pay for some items. Bananas in pyjamas were in front of us and she continued to give me that sneer as she didn't really see me holding my husband's hand. Until when Tweedle-Dee saw hubby & I and before she turned her back on me to rejoin her Tweedle-Dum, I said in a calm matter of factly tone "Arhhh, OBVIOUSLY some people are inconsiderate in their remarks as they speak so loudly".

Hubby & I saw her cowering under her partner's arms when she heard what I said. She whispered something to him and he turned around, pretended to look past his shoulder at my hubby & I and gave the "oh dear" look as he stretched his lower lip downwards. SCORE!!!

I found such people really rude. I totally do not know them at all and even if I do, I don't think it was the nicest thing anyone could say to someone, moreover strangers! It was a classic case of judging someone before knowing the full picture (not that one can judge even when they know the full picture) or commenting before thinking it through. Just because they saw me alone in the aisle reading a pregnancy test kit means I am knocked up? (I was squatting, mind you.. so they can't see if I had a tummy or NOT if some of you do think I looked pregnant).

It was plain rude. Ashamed after seeing me with my husband with wedding bands on our fingers and cowering after hearing my retort? Yes, I think they should be! Dynamic duo not so dynamic now eh?

This may be far fetched but imagine if someone is knocked up or raped (or any other scenarios for that matter) and is checking out the pregnancy test kit out of fear that they are really pregnant? Don't people know that words do hurt others too? Moreover, they had no association with me - a total stranger! Further more, I can't believe that both bananas in pyjammas are much older than me and yet they can behave worst off than a 3 year old. I think a 3year old might have better manners and more sensability!!

And so... shame on them! *And my kitty claws glistened*

Some Resolutions ...

Ah.... into 2010 and to date I have not made any resolutions as yet. Tsktsk! After thinking about it and reading that almost every blog entry had blog owners making resolutions, I decided I shall be like everyone else and make some resolutions too.

So here they are:-

(1) To finish all existing toiletries and make up before I buy something new. (Of which I have a number of toiletries bought from Taiwan and Korea and erm... ok, this may sound gross from my Japan honeymoon too.)

(2) To be intentional to walk up the escalator towards people standing on the wrong side and stand close to them so that they can move to the correct side or walk right up the escalator. I figure it will give me and them some workout in a way and also make them stand on the correct side.

(3) To cut down on caffeine. It includes - coffee (urgh!!!! what have I done?!), tea (yes, green tea is still tea!!! Which also includes bubble tea!!! URGHHHH!! What have I done again?!!) and *drumrolls* this obviously includes soft drinks especially coke zero andandand...CHOCOLATES! Yes, unfortunately chocolates though my favourites (note:- that's milk chocolates for you.) do contain some amount of caffeine. Why do you think it makes you feel good and fuzzy other than the endorphins it releases? Hehe.

(4) To moisturise my thirsty skin regularly. Trust me, getting me to the bathroom is already hard enough and lazy me here did not grow up with the habit of lathering my body with moisturriser. I think this would probably be the second hardest thing I'll have to carry out. First of cos is... as most of you know ... getting me to the bathroom for my shower. Don't get me wrong, I love to bathe. I love the smell of clean skin and floral smelling hair. BUT the notion of being ever ready to bathe is really not natural to me like it is to most. Just imagine with me a farmer pulling an animal to the slaughter house. Yup, that's the same feeling I get when I have to go to the bathroom to bathe.

That's all for now. So far for the last 18 days of the New Year, I have been making progress with all four pointers above. *Pats own back* but we'll see how it goes by June 2010.

2009 Flashback

2009 flashback! 2009 was a year full of many firsts! It was also a year where God truely opened my eyes and be convicted in my heart that nothing is impossible for God!!!

As we all know pictures speak a thousand words, I have compiled my 2009 here with some pictures through the year.

New Year's day of 2009, we celebrated this new chapter in 2009 at YR's place. Had a potluck and everyone guitar heroed with much laughter and lotsa food. This was my first attempt at cooking Pineapple Fried Rice for the potluck. To my delight, the bowl of pineapple fried rice was cleaned out! *Pats my own back... lol*

And then my world class (hehe) hubby surprised me with a trip to Lombok, Indonesia. It was our first time there. It was meant to be a one year anniversary surprise but I discovered about it early and so it became our retreat instead! Hehehe. When we arrived there, we were informed that we have been upgraded to a 3bedroom villa to ourselves. It was a sweet surprise though there were only two of us. Lol.



This was my first Chinese New Year as Mr. & Mrs. Chris Goh. After hosting CNY at our place, my hubby & I decide that if possible, we will try to run away during CNY to avoid history repeating itself. Heheh. Playing hosts during CNY is seriously NO JOKE especially when there are many, MANY (yes, MANY!!) screaming children, crying children, annoying adults, hungry ppl that seem to be extraordinarily hungry during this time of the year. ALSO, annoying neighbours who brought their WHOLE GANG of their EXTENDED family members to our place without informing us. AND what's worst was they came solely for the food, took alot of the food and left without much socialising. Yes, that's why we're hoping to run away from it all this CNY in 2010 if possible. Otherwise, CNY with our own nucleous family is actually very nice.



2009 I turned 3* hehehe. And my (have I mentioned world class? hehe) hubby together with Reina organised a secret surprise birthday party at Macdonald's. I think it was my first birthday party at Macdonald's with my adult friends. It was touching that they came at such short notice and I had a blast of a time playing kiddy games! Felt like a rockstar! Thanks again, u guys!

Of cos, my lovely husband also planned for a personal birthday surprise with just the two of us. He brought me to Dozo - a Japanese French fusion restaurant and the waiter made him posed with a kiss for me. Usually he (or rather us!) are quite camera shy with such poses. Heheh.
Nonetheless, the food, the ambience, the service at Dozo was excellet and I kindda like this pic! Of cos the company I had was the best!



Then came my family members' water baptism! It's always exciting to see people having a new spiritual birth, moreover my own family members! Praise God!




And to celebrate our one year anniversary, my hubby & I booked ourselves tickets to Taiwan. This is a picture I took of Ximending. It was my first time in Taiwan.


My first pair of Crocs - in Mary Jane style! My husband bought his pair of crocs and bought me a pair too as a first year anniversary present. My husband is an ardent fan of Crocs cos they are comfy! He has I think 5-6 pairs now. In hindsight, I have 3 pairs of Crocs now and they are all bought by my husband. Sweet!!! =)



Us happy in Danshui, Taipei. Happy One Year Anniversary to us!


One of the times that my husband dated me out for a special dinner. He researched and brought me to this place - Okinawa Restaurant. It was our first time there. The food was spectacular and unlike the typical Japanese food such as tonkatsu, japanese curry rice, sushi or ramen.

The food was unique, very fresh & tasty. It had a retro feel and we both love the food there.


Lol. The pic below depicts us playing with the props at Chinatown Heritage Centre. This was also my first time there though my husband has been there a couple of times. Together with my uncle at the background of the picture, we posed as though we worked in this retro tailor shop back in those good old days in Chinatown.



And mid year of 2009, alot of us usually get very excited for church camp. This year, we went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and had a wonderful time playing "red devils" in our 5-10mins showcase of Red Devils Vs. Jesus United. The showcase theme was saving the world. We came up with a soccer match of good vs. evil with the globe as the soccer ball. And of cos at the end of the showcase soccer match, Jesus saves the world by preventing the devils from winning at free kick time. Lol.






This is soccer Jesus. Cool right? And he sure does a pretty good job of saving the goals! Lol.



Having fun with a number of props during church camp.


Then after dinner one night with my family and cos we were soO full from the delicious dinner. We decided to go to Macritchie at that crazy hour of 9+10pm to walk our bloated tummies away.


Thankfully my torch/flash light crazy hubby has like 6 or slightly more torch lights? So we all carried our own torch (lol...) and walked in almost pitch darkness through Macritchie. There was absolutely no one at the park already but it was cool evening and oh-so-fun to have our first night walk as a family! See how dark it is even with flash? Nothing can be seen at the background though its all trees and plants and more trees.



The Singapore national day long weekend, Chris and I with a bunch of our friends drove up to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our first road trip with Mabel, Thomas and Alan. Pretty easy going and we had lotsa good food and shopped a fair bit. =) This is us with sweaty brows and foreheads and me looking uber tired from a long walk to get to the monorail to take us back to our hotel.




We had a gathering at Stanley's house for the first time. MustardSeeds had lotsa fun playing charades. It was a guys vs. girls event and the guys won - can you believe it?! A lovely group pic together... shortly after this pic it was an almost all out war of guys against gals in charades.

After church service one Sunday, we had our lunch at Kushingin Jap restaurant. It was my first time eating in this restaurant which is just few floors below my church auditorium. Having been in church for 5 years, this was my first time visiting this restaurant that serves pretty authentic grilled Jap skewer food. The prices are also very reasonable. This bento set cost me only SGD 15 if I recalled correctly. And look at how filled to the brim the bento set was? Worth the visit!


I took this pic of the coreteam during one of the meetings. It was our first time there as core team. I think it will also be our last. Hahahahaha. That's cos the cafe has since closed down. Not because the food or service or prices were bad. Quite like this pic and of cos this cafe since it was quite tucked away in a shopping mall with not many ppl in it. Which explains why they closed down I suppose.


We attended our first Intentional Disciple Making Conference (IDMC) together as a cg.


Alot of us learned alot from this conference and it was renewing our mind with new insights to the word of God.

The girls posing for the camera before the conference begins again. Lol.

And Korea happened. My husband asked me if I wanted to go to Korea in September and I thought he was joking. I told him the trip may cost us a bomb since we didn't plan or set aside finances for this trip. Lo and behold, God provided. Somehow additional income came in and our air tickets and lodging (which is the main cost of the trip) were all covered without touching our savings at all! Praise God for His providence and blessing!

This is us in A Twosome Cafe in Pusan. My first time in Korea with my husband with an almost all paid for trip sponsored by my Father in heaven. =)

Our first all vegetarian meal in Sanchon, Insadong in Seoul.

They had 20+ dishes. FYI - we didn't order that many okayyyyyy! Hehehe. There is only one menu and the price is fixed. This is what the menu consist of. Although the thought of vegetarian may put a number of ppl off, but these dishes were carefully prepared using the freshest of mountain vegetables and the taste is just superb! Never in my lifetime had I enjoyed an entire vegetarian meal tremendously. AND it was really filling too!

The first time we took a Viking together and enjoyed a Theme Park together. *Bliss*

Then Penang happened too in October. This time it was planned. Planned by me! It was a surprise birthday treat to my husband. He has not return to Penang for a good 20+ years now. He used to visit Penang regularly since his mum is from Penang. Again, this was my first time in Penang.

Us at Cheong Fatt Tse Blue Mansion in Penang.

Our first family board game together! We played Risk that night at my Aunt's place. Risk brings out the challenger in all of us. It was a night where everyone was instigating everyone to go to war to conquer new land. Hehehe.

In November we also had our department's first Amazing Race teambuilding event. Again here I must give kudos to God for blessing us with cool weather and holding the rain clouds back on the actual day of the event. Also, everyone commented that this was one of the best teambuilding events they had in a long while. Praise God! When He is in charge, I'm assured it will be a smooth event. This is a pic of the committee of the event.

The entire department after completing the entire Amazing Race.

In November, Chris and I also cooked for the first time for my best friend Joan and Chris. Yes, both Chris-es! =) Since it was an early birthday celebration for Chris and Chris likes cheesy stuff, we planned our dishes around this theme - Cheese!

So we had a summer salad (top left pic) - Watermelon with feta cheese. Then we made portobello mushrooms with (real) bacon bits and baked it with mozarella cheese (next to summer salad pic). Bottom left pic I cooked Mussels with Sweet Leeks (where's the cheese u say? It was cooked with cream sauce - cream is a cousin of cheese!! hehehehe). And Chris' special request to us was Nachos with melted cheese and shaved honey baked ham. For dessert, we bought a tiramisu cake from Cold Storage (which is so yummy!!! It is those Christmas collection cakes that are usually featured only during this festive season) and topped it off with Rum and Raisin and Cookies and Cream ice cream. =)

My best friend and Chris at our place for the first time.

Mustardseeds went to Batam together for the first time as a caregroup. We were so thankful that out of the blue, we spotted a tour guide that had brought one of the girls around Batam before. He brought us to have our Thai/Traditional massage at a dirt cheap price! SGD 20 for one and a half hours of massage (90 mins worth)!! Our initial arrangement with the hotel for massage was actually $50 and above for a 1 hour massage!! Ripofffff!!!

This is a pic of hungry us waiting for our complementary dinner. Zann arranged alot of the logistics and travel for our trip to happen and we are so thankful to have her too!!

The girls gather in in the room for a pic at batam! Lurve this pic!

Hubby & I played scrabble for the first time (with Japanese cookies from my bro and sis-in-law for our christmas present) and he beat me with 20 points more! I shall not concede defeat... HUUMMMPPPHHH. Hehehehe.


Christmas day itself we had a party for the first time in eons with the rest of my family at my Aunt's place. Posing for my hubby in reindeer hat. Lol.

Hubby & I on Christmas night itself at our family gathering.


That's not all to my 2009! Christmas eve service itself we were amazed that there were so many visitors - 13 in total from our cg. We weren't expecting many but all visitors came in full force. Out of these 13, 5 of them came to accept Christ and we were so happy and thankful to God for them.

Looking back at 2009, He has been consistently faithful and awesome. There were ups and downs in 2009 of cos but overall the year was great simply because He was in it and He was so involved in my life. It's touching to me because sometimes the human me still cannot believe that someone up there loves me so much and is crazy about me. And for 2010, I tell myself that I want to glorify Him even more and not let emotions especially during down times get the better of me knowing that my Creator is in control of everything! So for 2010, I wish all of you good health, lotsa love and joy and more importantly a positive perception for the New Year. =)

Funny Things I've Been Hearing

Not sure if its cos of the pretty high amount of work I'm getting in the office that causes me to hear funny things or simply just cos people tend to say the funniest things.

Here's some stuff I've been picking up from conversations with people, from the radio, from hearing how strangers talk amongst each other (er... they were talking really loudly.. not that I was keen in their conversation).

(i) The runners are running. (Hmmm.. I wonder why they're called runners then.)
(ii) This is where the performers perform. ?!?!?!?!?!?!?
(iii) The fire fighters are fighting the fire.
(iv) The hills are very hilly (I heard this from a tour guide on a family tour to the States and it stuck in my head until now! For real!).

Any of u encountering any of such stuff being said above? Hehehe. It kindda tickles me when I hear ppl say it. Hehe.

My Seoul's Delight

So I didn't blog for the entire September and now it's HelllOooo October.

What busy months September and October were.. though October isn't over yet. My schedules are like super packed already.

Went to Seoul in September and enjoyed the time away from my own country to be with my husband alone. Holding hands while exploring new places together is bliss for me. Knowing and discovering a new culture always seem to enlighten the mind...at least for me that is.

One of the pics I like best in Seoul with my husband is this pic I snapped of us at Krispy Kremes, MyeongDong:-

(yeahyeah.. my hand and my reflecting image can be seen... but that's ok. I still like it. Hehehe).

My husband had his first Krispy Kreme in Pusan, Korea and got hooked. He now blames me for introducing good food to him.

When I came back from Seoul, I kinda felt that I was hit by reality. There were so many things that wanted a piece of me or that I had to attend to that I felt that I never really left the country at all or had a vacation in the first place. Amidst the hecticness, one piece of good news and blessing from God was that I got promoted at work. It wasn't simply just the promotion that made me elated.

It was simply knowing that I have a faithful friend in Him - constantly encouraging me, assuring me that His blessing that will come. I know this was all possible because His words came to pass. Also, I know many ppl like my caregroup, my friends and my husband prayed for me and encouraged me too. It's the ppl that walked with me in this journey leading to my promotion that touched my heart the most.

As for the promotion? Well, it's awesome yeah but what I meant to say is.. someone once said for good work done is more work. Lol! There's plenty of truth in that saying.

Anyway, despite the many issues which I have to address at work, at ministry, etc.. I found strength in Him. He made me realise one day being back from Seoul that this is life. This is the reality of life. Ppl do have issues, ppl do have problems, ppl do have needs. But I am focusing on the wrong things. He reminded me that I should place my focus on seeing the joy of ppl experiencing breakthroughs in their situations, issues and not on the problems or the no. of problems or issues I have to address. Almost immediately I felt that He has shed light and shifted my perspective towards the positive end of things.

Though September and October continue to be busy for me... I also realise that living a totally hunky dory life day in day out can be boring and mundane. Hehehe.

So what am I doing here since I am supposedly busy? Well I've been given 2 days medical leave by my doctor today. I'm diagnosed with stomach flu, colic stomach and mild fever. And the doctor said (in his exact words): "You are now contagious. Pls do not share food, drinks, use common plates and bowls and cutlery or cups with your family members and friends". Somehow, his comment made me feel as though I am radioactive and covered with glowing green slime.

Though its stomach flu and the toilet bowl has been my good friend since last night. The ironic thing is there is NOT MUCH CHANGE in my weight. Drats. I shall leave you with a picture I took in Penang. A trip treat to my husband to celebrate his birthday in advance.

(Penang Char Kway Teow. Malaysian Ringgit 6 bucks with 6 big prawns. Something u'll never get in Singapore.. the 6 big prawns at that kind of price I mean.)

Those That Should Be Banned...

Went to the cinema recently and I found myself totally annoyed with some folks. Here are some peeps that I think should not visit the cinema at all and stay home to rent a DVD instead. Hehehe. I know it sounds mean but watching the show with such people can really cause World War III.

Those that should be banned (in no particular order):-

1. Those who crunch their nachos and chips really loudly during the impregnated pause of the show.
2. Those that open their bags of chips and snacks and plastic bags during the impregnated pause of the show.
3. Those that start telling their friends/partners what will happen next during the impregnated pause of the show.
4. Those that stand up in the middle of where they sit to go to the toilet during the impregnated pause of the show.
5. Those that read the subtitles out loudly throughout the entire show.
6. Those that sit near you and keep using their mobile phone to text someone, make a call, answer a call throughout the entire show and the light from their mobile phone is sooO bright in the pitch dark cinema.
7. Those that answer their mobile phone and talk like there's no one else around.
8. Coconut trees - Those who are so tall and yet they sit upright through the show & they block midgets like me from getting the full view of the screen. Hehe. Not their fault.. but I guess too bad? Heee.
9. Those who verbalise everything they see on screen loudly.
>For instance:-
[Screen shows Thai scary preview movie with Thai ghosts speaking in Thai language and with English subtitles]
Loudspeaker to fellow friend:- "A Thai Scary Movie"
[Screen shows preview of animation movie that will be shown in 3D coming soon in Dec'09]
Loudspeaker to fellow friend:- "It's a 3D animation coming in Dec'09] Urgh.... we can read for ourselves, hello!!!
10. Those that keep kicking your seat through the entire show.

Or maybe I should rent DVDs and stay home instead. Hahahahhaa. Hopefully all of you have better encounters at the cinemas than me recently.

Happy National Day, Singapore!

We're 44! And where was I? I was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ... lol. I am patriotic mind you! I pay my income taxes okay!! And I support the government's campaign for a more gracious society in Singapore! I do.. I really do.. I hold myself back until I turn green or a shade of blue and not scold or curse the typical Singaporean who cuts in on me when I am queueing up properly while waiting for trains, buses, anything! See.. that's me supporting the government in it's campaign by being gracious. Lol. =)


Hehehe... I enjoyed myself in K.L recently. Got to know Thomas, Alan much better and caught up with Cara and Mabes. Most of all, I always enjoy time away from Singapore with my hubby. Half of this trip however, the girls and the guys split from each other so that we can 'divide and conquer' the places we want to go. Men = food, drinks, foot massage and more foot massage! Women = Shopping, shopping, more shopping and even more shopping. Hehehe.


Here are some of my fave. pics from the short road trip:-

This is the fountain attraction at Pavilion Mall (K.L's newest mall to date) . It changes colours. very pretty!

This is us at the Pavilion Mall.

Us at the Petronas Twin Towers, K.L. Lurve this pic that Thomas took for us.


Another view of the Petronas Twin Towers.

Okok, enough of Malaysia whilest my blog title is Happy National Day, Singapore! Lol. Well, when I was in Kuala Lumpur, though I enjoyed myself... I must say that I didn't felt it was relatively safe there. I had to make sure that my handbag was not next to the side of the road whenever I walked on the streets. We saw dried blood (not just in drips.. but drips and then led to a small dried pool of it) on our way when we switch trains. Not a pleasant sight indeed.

It's things like these that makes me appreciate the cleanliness, the greenery of Singapore and definitely how safe Singapore can be especially for women. From it's history of being a fishing village to a renowned dot on the map to being able to host F1 racing (first night racing in the world too!) ... I thought it's a pretty big feat that we have achieved thus far in a short span of 44 years. So.. I wanna say.. Majulah Singapura (progress Singapore! in malay). =)

July

July - So many weddings. Our first MustardSeeds' wedding - Mr & Mrs. Loke! And then my colleague's. Ok 2 isn't exactly alot but it felt like it was when it was one week after another. Hehehe. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed both weddings especially Priscilla Gan and Andrew's.

In the month of July, I want to specially thank God for the mini breakthough at work.
Also, I had the first hand priviledge of seeing and experiencing God moved. After the meeting with my UL, the number commited was 5 for outreach for the next half of this year. After I told her 5, I was telling myself I must be crazy!!!! Hehehehe. Somehow or rather, I have no idea why I felt convicted to give the no. 5 then. But I strongly believe that the more impossible for me ... the more possible it is for God and the more it will be a good testimony to God.

I shared that number with my cg and I was very touched that they caught the urgency and started reaching out to their folks. We saw Zann's cousin, also known as Priscilla (there are 3 now in the cg! hahahaha) came to service for the first time last week after hearing so much from Zann.

Prior to the ESS S1aN service which was today, we received that a number of visitors were coming. Though eventually only 1 came, I was still happy because I saw and experienced how God moved and mobilise the cg and cleared the way for even that 1 visitor to come today! Also, Stacy joined us for Cg and service this week. She's a cool chick and it was like a God answered prayer that she joined our cg from AWAM. Now Stanley is no longer the youngest in the group, we have a new "mustardseed". Hehehe. Very thankful for how God moved this week.

Also after service today, we all had a great time catching up over at Macdonald's. Even though after that it was only Stan, JY and Shuping left, we continued to chat and I had a good time talking to them and laughing and all. I would like to think its the effect of Macdonald's reinstating their garlic chilli that might cause this effect. BUT I seriously doubt so and think most likely is the good company that matters! =)

As July comes to a close, I look forward to August, September, and October! I really want to see more of God moving the months to come. It boosted my faith to believe and claim the impossible when our God of all possibilities is moving on our behalf! =) God is moving so swiftly, I want to ride on His wings and enoy that wind!

Happy Anniversary MustardSeeds!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary MustardSeeds!!!!!!

Okay, this post is a tad late considering that our cg was formed in June last year and its 1st of July 2009 today.

Looking back from where we started and where we are now... I am really left in awe of how God bond and gel all of us who are so diversified together as one family. I looked at each and everyone of mustardseeds and I know I've had the pleasure and the first hand privilege of seeing each and everyone grow in their walk with God. For that, I am grateful to God for putting us not by chance or fate or luck but by His wonderful plan together as one family. I hope God will take us deeper and closer to one another as we draw nearer to Him in the next half of 2009.

On a totally separate note now... recently I came across some baby article (before u think otherwise.. pls note that this was really by CHANCE that I came across this short article on babies.. =.=) it was said that if both parents participate actively together in looking after the child, the success rate of the child being confident, happy, filial (something along these lines la.. cannot rem) would be very high.

I told that info to my husband and guess what was his reply? "Oh really? Okay, I will look after our child actively with you too. Next time, I hold the child, you hose it down to bathe it ya?".
=.= After that, I was struggling between being serious and yet I can't help laughing at what he said.

Ever wonder why we aren't having children yet? That's why. Hehehehe.

When Darth Vader Meets Hello Kitty...

My husband and most folks know I have a thing for Hello Kitty... as for him, he has a thing for Star Wars (Most men do anyway.. hehe). So one morning he sent me this...

*source: unknown.. got this from my husband who got it from the web*

The Little Lessons In Life....

March and April went by in a whizz. No wonder I keep hearing older folks say each year passes faster than the previous. I never felt that way until now that I have to agree that saying is true. March was a marvellous month... Birthday surprise after surprise by my husband, my cg mates, my colleagues, my best bud Joan... and most of all by God himself. Reminding me time and again that I am loved by Him. And then there was Taipei - where we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. Taipei in short was splendid. Time away and alone with my husband always refreshes both of us. Always when I am travelling.. I think about God even more. Strange. Lol.


So came April. And to be honest.. I can't recall anything much for April except the fact that I was involved in the Image Team for the Easter service doing make-up for alot of people. I think that marks the most pairs of eyes that I applied eye liner and mascara on in my lifetime. Lol. The chance to testify God's goodness on stage in church - nerve wrecking! Ohohoh.. and then I was surrounded by my managers one fine day at work (yes, I am not kidding. They came to my desk in a group.. giving me a shock) and the next thing I know, I was coordinating Big Boss' birthday party. I joked to my manager in charge that if only I could have this on my performance appraisal. Lol. =)


Now that we've come to the month of May. Almost half of 2009 is gone. As I was on leave today.. I pondered on the recent things on my mind. And I have decided to blog this entry down again as a reminder to myself of the little lessons in life that I have learned thus far and also to blog down the many swirling thoughts on my mind recently:-

The most precious commodity

• Time. Speaks for itself yet often taken for granted by most. It's amusing and amazing when I read somewhere previously that the average man (and women of cos.. ) spends 5 years waiting. Yes... 5 years. That includes waiting for taxis, waiting for ur friends, waiting for your internet pages to load, waiting to be served at an eatery, waiting in a queue for things, etc. *Gulps* That is quite a lot of waiting time.

The Past, the Present and the Future

• Too many times.. we looked at the past and remininsce the past for too long. We worry about our future and we forgot how to appreciate the present. Too many times (even I myself fall into that) we keep asking the "If Only... " or "What If"... but truly forgot to enjoy the now.
  

Pricked by a single rose

• One time my colleague sent me a powerpoint and what caught my eye on one of the slides which I remember up until today is this lesson:- "It's crazy. We get pricked by one rose and we stopped loving roses altogether." I thought that was a very meaningful message. How often in an attempt to protect ourselves from being hurt again we end up losing our compassion/passion.

Of expectations and standards

• I learned throughout the last few years (especially in the recent years) of how people easily have a set of expectations and standard of how one should live, behave, react, etc. Often when they imposed such expectations and standards on others... I find it very strange that too often the same people who imposed such 'benchmarks' cannot reach these expectations/standards that they set themselves. OR they really hate it when ppl imposed the same on them OR they cannot wait to dish out these expectations and standards YET when it comes to themselves it seems the situations have changed in such that it is okay for them to react differently from the same standards and expectations they imposed cos theirs is an exception case. Through the years, I find that I come across more of such ppl and wonder what gives?! Hehe.

Happiness is a state of emotion ... whereas joy is a daily decision

• At least the above statement/little lesson is applicable to me. Being joyful in the Lord, being grateful to the Lord for the things we have and the things that we've already been blessed with is a decision. When I say this.. I speak for myself. I learned recently that happiness is different from that of joy.. especially inner joy. It is a daily decision that I have to make - to be joyful in the Lord regardless how my day will end. I find that when I make that decision my day is already a much better one already despite how it will unfold. The fact that I am breathing and able... is already a joy that my God has blessed me with.

Turning deaf to negativity

• You may find it strange but I was listening to Gwen Stefani's "Whatcha waiting for?" song and I was inspired by that one sentence sung in her song "Tick tock tick tock.. Look at ur watch now.. u're still a super hot female... ". I know its kinda lame.. BUT I am not saying I am a super hot female. What I am driving at is that sometimes I think it is good to turn a deaf ear to negativities (is there such a word? oh well if not.. I just made up a new word!! *pats my own back* heeeee) that are really bad for us. For instance, after some observations I realised that ppl have this mentality that "oh I am getting older, I better not do this for fear of my bones will crack ... I injure myself... I get hurt... and the list goes on". I'm not talking about serious strenous exercises that will injure our bodies. But I am talking about allowing fear and the "negativities" grip us such that we don't live a fuller life than we should be truly living! I look at Joshua in the bible and in his old age he still wants to fight! How amazing is his positive mind and attitude! I want to have that kind of attitude even as I age! Even George W. Bush senior did an amazing sky diving feat at the age of 80!!! http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-06-13-bush-jump_x.htm

So yes, these are just my little lessons in my life. Things that I have learned and things that are on my mind even mroe in the recent years. =) Okay then.. until next year! Wahhahaha just kiddin.

>>P/S: Special kudos to Shuping who always chases me to blog because without her.. I wouldn't be blogging this entry. So this is just for you. =)

This Is What Doing Life Means...

I am blogging this down as a sweet memory and again to make an altar in my life to remind me of God's goodness.

Last Thursday we had our cg. During P&W, I thought Esmond led well and for me I felt God's presence strong amidst us. After that Shuping & Reina led discussion and thought they did well too considering it is their first time. It was a short but sweet lesson.

But as I read the notes again ... HS brought about a revelation to the notes on intercession, a lot of thoughts and examples came into my mind all of a sudden. He gave me the examples of Jesus at Garden of Gethsmane, He reminded me of Abraham interceding for Sodom, etc. It happened on the spot. After I shared about it, I went home and went .. "Did I just say this???"... God you're amazing.

Afterwich we prayed for each other and Shuping's sharing for me was spot on (Thanks, Shuping! I needed that!).

What was also amazing was that we came together as one on our knees to intercede for others in our cg. It's not about the kneeling down part that was amazing. It's the resonance that everyone had and shared - that everyone was willing and ready to intercede, to stand in the gap for another that was amazing. While praying, I heard the Lord say "This is what doing life means... this is what cg is all about and I am well pleased". I am touched...

God, You brought us this far from being a new cg last year.. bring us deeper to where You want us to be. Bring us closer to Your heartbeat and thank you for showing me time and again that this is what caregroup means.. what doing life together in your Kingdom means.

The Little Things That Mean So Much...

Been meaning to blog about this way before I went to Lombok and cleanly forgot about it.

About a month back, I wasn't feeling exactly enthusiastic towards my life in general. Not sure why and also can't remember why too.

As I was dragging my sorry feet and body home after work one evening, I came back to my lil' lovenest and saw this:-

I noticed that my hubby have been packing the bed and even to the extent of folding our PJs neatly. A smile came on and when he came home that night, I asked him why he even folded our PJs and he said 'to make it feel like hotel so baby (yes, that's madame~ here for u) can enjoy when she comes home from work mah' and he grinned at me.

It's really true.. it's the little things that mean so much.. Thank you, Oonie-chan!! I am blessed to have you and I am spoilt by you!

The silver lining

Recently my husband and I were in the car and we were on our way to somewhere. The skies loomed with dark clouds and the last bits of the sun that was peering out from the surrounding gloomy clouds could still be seen.

It was then, I exclaimed to my husband "Look! Silver lining in the dark clouds!". It was one of the most shiny silver linings I have seen. In fact, I don't recall myself really paying attention to the silver lining which was shining so brightly as the dark clouds continue to block out the sun.

The melancholic in me begin to ponder about life. As I think about my life in general, I discovered that I had the same attitude towards life in certain situations. What I meant to say is that it is also during dark times of my life that I dont pay attention to the silver lining that is still shining ever so brightly in my troubled and sad times.

Perhaps because like the clouds and sky that are so dark during heavy rains and that these dark clouds sprawl fast over the sun, problems and difficult situations too seem to spread out quickly, blocking the good and happy times in my life. Maybe my eyes have been so affixed on the problems and hard times that my eyes cannot see or pay attention to the silver lining in these times.

While I was thinking about all these, it started to rain. The smell of rain always stirs my senses. It was not too long that the rain clouds were blown away by the wind and the sun emerged again. I suppose like flowers, they need both the rain and the sun to be able to grow and I need these ("rainy") times to appreciate the good times, to treasure the happy moments and to be able to grow - well.. spiritually and mentally in these aspects at least.

More importantly, to recognise that my God is sovereign and to press forward and wait for the sun to come forth again in rainy days in my life. It can't rain forever.

Lately, whenever I see dark clouds looming again, the first thing I try to look out for is where is the silver lining. When I spot it, it still is as beautiful. I hope in 2009, I continue to look to God - my silver lining, come what may.

4 years ago...

4 years ago - Someone broke my heart and my life was in shambles.
4 years ago - I was not in Your house and I knew You but felt You were distant.
4 years ago - I was estranged from my family and my life lost its colour when my heart was broken.

4 years ago - I wanted to further my studies for a degree but didn't know how.
4 years ago - I didn't think I could believe in love again.
4 years ago - I didn't think I could even trust men (even as friends) again.
4 years ago - I didn't think I would excel in my job.
4 years ago - Most of my friends then were his friends, my own set of friends had their own lives or were overseas.

4 years ago - Bitterness, Cynicism, Distrust, engulfed me.
4 years ago - I was self-driven but empty.

Since coming back to His house, He has changed all that.

During this Sunday's praise and worship, the Lord reminded me where I was 4 years ago and where I am now and how He brought about that transformation in my life. My heart was filled with gratefulness and thanks. I thanked Him for what He has done and is about to do.



Looking back at that past 4 years, I don't expect to be in His house.
But things started to change when the prodigal daughter came back to the Father's house...



I didn't expect to make many friends, brothers and sisters whom I now called my extended family. And a number of these people who were once total strangers and I didn't know of their existence... I have grown to love them.



I didn't expect my family members to become closer than before and to have the honor of worshipping Him in the same house.



I didn't think I could work full time and study my bachelor's part time, sponsored myself, stayed sane amongst the busy schedule and most of all, to graduate with a degree with honors.



I didn't think that while studying part-time, I was promoted twice consecutively in my job.



I didn't expect my poly best friend, Joan and I to rekindle and yet our love for each other remained strong and intact.

I didn't expect to be married to a fantastic husband who is also now one of my best friends.



I didn't expect Him to use whatever experience I had in my life, good and well the not so good to help and bring His hope to others who are in the same situations I was previously.



I didn't expect myself to be filled again with His hope and His love so much so that the colours in my life are more vibrant than before.



I didn't expect I could have the courage to believe in myself and believe in others too.



I didn't think I could pick myself up from a fall but He came down into the pit to carry me up and out of it... helped me stand on my feet and showed me how to walk again.



During worship today, He told me that where I am now is only a fraction of what He is going to do in my life. My mind was blown away when I heard that.



I want to pen this down as an 'altar' in my life of what He has done in my life since 4 years ago, to thank Him for His deliverance, His hand upon me and what He is going to do still in my years to come. Whatever it is...I know He has given me meaning and reason to my existence.



I pray some day next time, I will look back at this entry and be grateful to Him of what He has done in my life lest I become forgetful of His goodness and faithfulness and troubles seem too overbearing.



What about you? Where were you few years ago? =)

There is more

Arh... how fast November has parted with us. November seem like a whirlwind of events happening. It seems like I just blogged about November earlier about my relatives receiving Christ into their lives and then winning the inter-department company DnD cup.

Looking back, November was eventful indeed. Chris' good friend in good ol' Brisbane days, Puji was in town and I finally met him after hearing so much from Chris. It was amazing how a just acquainted friend like Puji could make people feel so comfortable to talk to him and it felt as though I have known him as long as Chris has! =) Talking, sharing and listening to Puji made me realise that we are definitely created for a bigger purpose than my own inhibitions, desires, wants, needs, worries, troubles, etc.. etc.. etc.

Adding on to this realisation from talking to Puji, recently I have been listening to Edmund Chan's audio sermons and as I was listening to one of his sermons on running with horses, the delivery in gist was that we are to run with horses with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and with God on our side! Yet when we run with men (small, daily routine challenges), already we are complaining about everything about how weary we are, how we can never outrun them...no time... blah blah blah. How can we run with horses when we can't even handle running with men?

While listening to the sermon, I was thinking to myself... Here I am in comfy Singapore... worrying what should I wear to work tomorrow when there are others who only have one single set of clothings to wear until goodness knows when.

Here I am whining to God about my problems and complaining why He is so slow to act and why God sometimes can't be reached by say sms or something more convenient? And here I am complaining to God why He can't talk louder when the answer is pretty clear. The problem lies with myself.. busy with schedules, busy with activities, busy with appointments, busy blogging, busy even to some extent baking.. always tiring myself out BUT seldom a proper hour or two for God everyday. How can I be still before my God and know deep down He is God and to let Him speak when I am tired out from everything that I "created" (appointments, activities, rarara.. the whole works of a typical Singapore city life) with my own hands?

The last few days.. God brought me back to realising once more that I am made by Him for something more.. for something bigger than my own wants, needs, desires, worries, complaints, etc. And more importantly, to feast on His word, to feed myself with spiritual food and to sit in His lap and have intimate time with Him and know Him more than I ever known.

One morning I woke up with a thought... 2000 years ago, He was calling His people back to Him. 2000 years later, He is STILL calling His people back to Him. How faithful is my heavenly Father! This morning I woke up... and I heard one praise song lyric that goes something along the lines of "Your beloved for me.. still You made a way... ". That line struck me... I think no one in their sanity would send their own son to die for unappreciative people or to put it simply, specks of dusts who are too concern with themselves! But my God did that to free me and to give this speck of dust (me) a purpose!

To me... it simply doesn't make any sense. Yet I am left awe struck that He not only loves me a lot, He won't give up on a speck of dust, He takes time out to listen to this speck of dust whine, He assures this speck of dust. He faithfully waits for a speck of dust to spend time with Him and talk to Him. It's bizarre yet it's unbeliveably true!!

There is more of Him that I have not seek.. there is more of Him that I don't know. I don't want December and 2008 to pass me by without having more of Him. There is definitely more that He wishes to tell me, to reveal, to listen to.. and there is surely more of His character that I desire to know. There is more of His heartbeat that I long to hear and be familiar with....

November 2008 - Month of celebrations

1st November 2008 - Our department won the annual Dinner and Dance inter-department's performance competition. Praise God!!! While the results were being announced.. I was praying for God to move and claiming victory in Jesus name! So thankful to God! Also, I want to take this opportunity to thank my husband for contributing wonderful ideas to help us in our DnD performance script and also for fetching me to and fro on the actual day of DnD and more! Thanks, Oonie! Wuff Juuuu!!

Sweet victory

9th November 2008 - My Aunt Sharon and her husband, John came to receive Christ! Hallelujah!!!

November has not end as yet.. but I know that I am already so in awe of my sovereign God. I want to align my priorities and make God my priority!!!!