colla

A pictoral post.

1. My grandma's birthday on 14th Jan.
Ever year, we would celebrate her birthday together by gathering together and having a good meal. 2006 was no exception.

photo of me taken by my cousin

my aunts and uncles.

my grandma in red

2. As you read below, my cousins marcus and ryan are staying with me. Here are some photos of them playing sparkles with trace and me outside my house. photos are a little blur so apologies for that.

ryan playing with sparkles very cautiously at first. He was a little afraid of it at first but he was all right after the first one or two.

trace showing ryan it can be done. i decided to play with my camera's settings, increasing the exposure and reducing the shutter speed. and ta da! we caught the sparklers like this!

an extremely blur photo of marcus making circles with his sparkler.

3. 23rd birthday celebration. my birthday is officially tomorrow but due to my working schedule, my church friends celebrated my birthday on friday, 20th Jan. It was suppose to be a 'suprise' birthday party but well i kindda got wind of it a few days before but i acted suprise =) we had an amazing cheese cake which was extremely chessy.. yum yum. extremely huge piece each one got and i couldnt even finish my piece. thank you all. after that we hung out at starbucks... just to sit around.

Hannah and I (the lady behind the whole evening)

the fantastic cheese cake... doesnt look lethal but it is.

anthony and a big mug of...

from left: anthony, ivan, me, andrew, chris, daniel

(according to them, i'm the thorn among the roses... ... whatever)

4. making jam for pineapple tarts. okay, making pineapple tarts from scratch is more difficult thank you think. I helped my mom (alittle) the day my sis came home. All i did was to stir the mix so that it wouldnt burn at the bottom and that it wouldnt spurt. constantly stirring is no fun .. no fun at all.

pictoral evidence of me helping out.

a myrid of stuff

A Myrid of events

My gosh, so many things have happened i dunno where to start!

Okay, first and foremost, i went to a Backstreet Boys concert today! My aunt who stays with me bought these amazing front row seats... Instead of entering through the normal north, south east west entrances, we went in through the premier entrance on the ground floor of the indoor stadium! Not bad eh? heheheh.. and of course i waved my light stick madly. Not entirely a huge fan of backstreet boys but it was extremely entertaining .. just a little paiinful to the ears. this boy behind us, he kept screaming. Not a manly scream mind you , one of those piercing types which you feel like your eardrums are going to burst at that very moment.

the other important thing that recently happened is that my cousins are in town! The auntie that is staying with me, (tracy) has a brother i fondly call ah hiah. He has been staying with us for a month now but last week, his family came from Perth for holiday. he has two adorable sons, ryan, 5 and marcus, 8 this year. I have photos of them playing sparklers which i will post once i get the photos uploaded.

these are just two things that have been happening. Much is happening in the office as well. if i get time durinig lunch break, i shall update. =)

Till more.. =)

I love this song, may we all look for beautiful souls and not just pretty faces =)

Artist : Jesse McCartney
Title : Beautiful Soul
Album : Beautiful Soul
Genre : Pop

[Chorus]
I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
You're the one I wanna chase
You're the one I wanna hold
I wont let another minute go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

I know that you are something special
To you I'd be always faithful
I want to be what you always needed
Then I hope you'll see the heart in me

I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
You're the one I wanna chase
You're the one I wanna hold
I wont let another minute go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
Your beautiful soul, yeah

You might need time to think it over
But im just fine moving forward
I'll ease your mind
If you give me the chance
I will never make you cry c`mon lets try

I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
You're the one I wanna chase
You're the one I wanna hold
I wont let another minute go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

Am I crazy for wanting you
Baby do you think you could want me too
I don't wanna waste your time
Do you see things the way I do
I just wanna know if you feel it too
There is nothing left to hide

I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
You're the one I wanna chase
You're the one I wanna hold
I wont let another minute go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
You beautiful soul, yeah

the last two weeks of the year

The last two weeks of 2005 ....

flew by (still flying actually) in a whirlwind of events. Some significant ones that happened include:
1. Love A Kepala in season

What is "Love A Kepala"? Translated to mean 'love ahead', Love A Kepala is the acappella group i'm in this Christmas. As part of ForeRunner, Love A Kepala was dotty dotz's management project which she did a fantastic job at! The program was amazing. I love everthing about the program, the turkey song, shopping song, Sharon's amazing testimony and what else, the song that hold's the title of our program, "a love that will last".
















So much has occured in this past two weeks and i just dunno where to start. We had a christmas party (B&S) at my place where JJ brought i think 6 friends (medicine friends, rugby, random friends). we had fun playing games, followed by caroling and stuff. Thank you all (the guys) for cleaning up as the gals had a pedicure session. =)

Oh, went to watch Chronicals of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I enjoyed the show but tot the kids were a little stiff. Like Andrew, i tot Mr and Mrs Beaver were awfully sweet and cute. Their bantering (lao fu lao qi) very sweet. hahaha.

hmmm what else? Oh, went out on Christmas Eve to Orchard Road and boy was it crowded! It was like a riot there, where almost everyone was armed with a can of foamy stuff. The Objective? JUST SPRAY ANYONE THAT COMES YOUR WAY! bleah. It was scary and i am so not stepping into Orchard Road on Christmas Eve anymore.

A lot more happen, but i guess i just a little lazy to blog. I'm a little sleep deprived, what with all the late nites due to work committments and holiday parties.

A new year, a new start. =)
Happy New Year everyone!

a busy Christmas

A Busy tiring Christmas.

Firstly, merry christmas to all! This Christmas has really just crept up behind me. didnt really get to savour Christmas, just rushing from place to place trying to connect. I really need to wind down at this end of the week .Maybe i'll take the whole week off. Day time to spend mcuh needed time with God. Got to attend Meta Conf in the evening.

Will update another day. Tired from it all.

2nd image for the winter holidays.

Patience

This morning's quiet time was about being patience - willingness to wait. Are we impatient all the time to know what's ahead, get what we want, see things happening? I know i'm often guilty of that.

But it's not just about waiting to get what we want. Ultimately its about waiting for God to accomplish his agenda in our lives. It says, "Patience is about how much we trust in God. The quicker we become uptight about life and our predicaments, the less we really believe that he is with us and is in control."

How much trust and yieldedness can i say i have in God if I'm not patient to wait upon His timing? I know that over the years, God's timing is the best. But it is the WAITING upon HIS timing which is the hard part.

When i did a word search on "patient" i realised that the Bible talks alot about the need to be patient. Here are just some.

Proverbs 16:32-32
32 It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Zephaniah 3:8
So now the LORD says: "Be patient; the time is coming soon when I will stand up and accuse these evil nations.

Romans 2:4
Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?

Romans 12:12
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.

2 Peter 1:6
Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent

New Google icon

Here's a new google icon to add to the ones i already have ...

The previous ones were:

Here are some photos of the Outreach Comm Anthony and I head in our church. They are a bunch of amazing youths! I am proud and honoured to know them!





2nd Row: Jansen, Daryl, Alvin
1st Row: Anthony, Colleen, Jingyu
























Colleen and Jingyu are new gals who recently joined the sec 4 girl group i teach in church. Classmates in SCGS, they are beautiful 16 year olds, with a huge heart. You should see them in action in the hospitals -> No edging is needed i tell you.

As you have probably read in the tag box on the left hand side, i have the honour of knowing these 2 guys. On the left, Christopher, is currently part of Love A Kepala, the acappella project in FR i'm currently involved in. I've known him for wow.. many many years and he is like a 'jie mei' to me. the very few people i actually open up to. Guoliang on my right, was my SP (i.e. Secret Pal) I went to work that day and came back to a 'candle light dinner' all for myself and a card (not written by him... he got caryn to write) though he really quite ah beng (yes you are, GL) but he is a fantastic guy, lao shi, dependable, just rough on the edges.

SYC photos

SYC Camp - 9-12 Dec 2005

Held in church, SYC was a cosy crowd of about 50 this year. everyone got to know one another, through games, meal times and workshop sessions. I got to hang out with my gals a lot more and it was good fun!

Here are some photos.

Learning from Team Prayer

Learning from Team Prayer

"One thing I ask of the Lord,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to seek hin in his temple."

--- Psalm 27:4

Like any other Thursay afternoon, we had Team Prayer in the office. It was a time of sharing what we have learnt from our quiet time as well as a time of praying for ministry matters. This afternoon, Pat shared something really sweet. Last week, being really busy at work, coming back late almost every night, He didnt have an opportunity to spend time with the kids (Kyrie and Ryan) as they would have gone to bed already. on a tue morning last week, pat woke up to see kryie standing at the side of the bed just looking at him. When asked y she was there, Kyrie (who's 3 on dec 18) said, "i miss you daddy."

Pat drew a parallel to our relationship with God. if only we desired to be with our daddy just like little Kyrie. she missed her father, the father who played with her, taught her stuff, (even scolded her). She stood at his side just waiting, just gazing at him, and waiting for him to wake up.

I thought about my own walk with my Father in Heaven. Have i been waiting upon him? Seeking, gazing at him? Desiring Him?

Stomach Flu?

Stomach Flu Situation?

Not feeling too good still in my stomach, I decided to make a wild guess and check out the symptoms for stomach flu on the internet. Here's what i got:

When you have stomach flu, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
nausea
vomiting
stomach cramps
diarrhea
mild fever
fatigue
chills
loss of appetite
muscle aches.

Of all the symptoms mentioned, i have been having stomach cramps, diarrhea, mild fever, fatigue, chills, loss of appetitle and muscle aches. sigh. Maybe a mild one. Internet says that it will take 1-3 days to get over with and usually does not need medication. so, Praying that it will be over soon...

Psalm 23 comes alive!

Psalm 23 comes alive.

Weekends as usual are filled with tons of things. With so much to do and not excatly tip top in health, plus, I didnt have time to spend personal time (PT) with God and I was running on my own strength. Hence, i was hit by a wave of attacks. I felt like i was back to sq one, unable to handle conflicts that came my way. I couldnt understand nor comprehen things. I seem to have lost the mind of Christ.

On top of that, i was confused cos of many conversations i had over the week. Like what my quiet time said today, i lost all sense of direction. I was like groping in the dark, and i was hesitant to take the next step. But God was there.

In Psalm 23, it talks about the valley of the shadow of death. The Hebrew word for that doesnt just mean death. It refers to all dark and bitter experiences. it is broader that it appears. When i read it, i thought, 'hey, i can relate to this!"

But the verse doesnt stop there. It reads,

"Even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me."

----- Psalm 23:4

Though i cant see him, God reminded me that HE can see me and he knows excatly where i am even though i didnt. AND he will give me excatly what i need (not what i want but what i need).

=) Hope it encourages you too.

Desiring Less?

Contentment - should we desire less?

As i was making my journey down to work one day, i decided to give my songs on my ipod a rest and to take that time to feed my soul. I played an audio sermon by Dr Larry Crabb entitled 'Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled'.

In John 14:1, Jesus says, "Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." This if spoken by anyone else would have sounded silly and really simplistic. But not so if Jesus says it. In the previous 2 chapters (i.e. Chpt 12 & 13) Jesus has just told his disciples to relate to each other in a way that it exposes them to painful rejection (want you to wash people's feet, humbly serve others, give up all efforts to impress, abandon all strategies to protect your own soul). Take a HUGE RISK in how you relate. He also revealed that one of them (his disciples) would betray him and that even the leader of the group would fail badly (Peter denying Him three times)

Yet, He says after that in John 14:1, "Do not let your heart be troubled." What does He mean?

Is He saying, "Stop wanting so much, deadened your desires and be content." That is what Buddhism says.

To be content you need to want less. end your desires and you will be content. Decrease your desires and you will find perfect peace. Stop wanting.

But is this what He says? How can He say this if our desire is built into the fabric of our life by our Creator.

"Do not let your heart be troubled. TRUST IN GOD, TRUST ALSO IN ME."
Jesus doesnt ask us to kill our desires, He asks us to deepen our desire in HIM. Deepen and you will find Joy amidst suffering. It is our deepest desire that allow us to realise that the rest are nothing.

He shares 3 points:

1) Hope of Heaven gives us the courage to look deeply into our heart when life is hard and to discover our deepest desire.

2) Path to discover our deepest desire REQUIRES that we feel our lesser desire (both pleasure and pain)

3) Only when we discover deepest desire in Christ, satisfaction in CHrist will we be able to richly love one another.

after listening to this sermon, I was encouraged that God doesnt ask us to kill our desires, to be a dead soul which doesnt expect anything. But He asks us to desire Him more so that we can find Joy in the midst of our suffering and our pain.

Tired and busy at work

Haven posted in a while, apologies for that cos the weekend was really just flew by really quickly. The weekend was packed full of activities like skyping with my sis, sleeping my afternoon away, being late for bible study (opps!) and watching David Tao live in concert which was really really good. (i think he's cute and tall.. my friend wants to kidnap him home) Sunday, was another long day as i made my way to church half an hour before FL started to prepare for announcements and so on. After FL, it was off to EAST COAST PARK for a time of fellowship with the sec 4 class (a total of 21 of us). The outing went really really smooth and the guys and gals really bonded! You all are the best! I'm proud of you guys, esp regina for learning a new sport.

However, I fell a couple of times which was more funny than embarassing, with one exceptionally 'spectacular' fall. that one was a pretty hard fall, as i fell backward and hit my head on the concrete pavement. It was an accident due to a slope. i'm okay already just a little sore.

Today, i learnt so much in lesson as well as through a sermon but i didnt have time to proccess them as my day just flew by with meetings one after another. Lots of work to catch up on. I'm no longer bored at work. Got much stuff to do.

Do pray for strength and wisdom on how to make full use of my time. I would need to really be a good steward of my time in the office, to memorise my scores, send out emails, do admin.

Till more stuff when i have processed it, i would like to share some of the things i have been learning bout contenment (since i've seen so many pple with that kind of nick on their msn..) and bout spiritual leadership.

For now, tired and waiting to bath so that i can get a good rest and be alert for driving tom and woman's conference worship prac rehearsal in which i'm a musician this time round (something i've not been for a really really long long time.. )

Cheerios everybody!

what on earth am i here for?

What on earth am I here for?

Do you know what you are created for? Or more simply, what's God's will for your life? This question comes up once in every 2-3 days for me but i'm extremely thankful that it is now not something i have to know. but somehow, i've obtained that sense of assurance and peace that God will show me in His time.

Maybe it's my procrastination not to do something about it, or maybe i'm not hearing right.
Please pray for me as i learn to hear God's voice, learn to become the woman that God wants me to be.

Thanks.

A Fantabulous Day

It has been a fantastic day! =) Working in a Christian organisation, I'm entitled to take one day per month for a retreat, aka spending time with God. So with VOID stuff more or less done, and A Kepala stuff not really starting until the end of the week, i decided to take time off today. Got up slightly later than usual, bathed, changed and packed my bag (bible, journal, a book, my ipod mini, and an umbrella) i journeyed out for my 'date with God'. Walking out of my house, I wondered, okay where shall we go today? I usually spend my retreat times by the beach on the breakwater but since the weather wasnt holding out too well, lets go for breakfast instead.
YA KUN! So there i went, to Ya Kun at parkway, hoping that it would be empty enough for me to spend some solitude with God. When i got there, it didnt seem too bad so i bought my breakfast and sat down to eat.

But somehow, i didnt feel settled at all. Did some theological reflection (which is basically reflecting with the mind of Christ, something i learnt from my mentoring session i had on Sat) and was itching to go somewhere else, so got up and left. Wasnt in the mood for great planning so just wandered around a little.

Most of the shops were not opened in Parkway. The thought of fixing my glasses did occur to me but nothing was opened and i thought oh well, maybe better not break the momentum. But lo and behold, one little optician was opened so i said, oh what the heck, get it fixed, more comfort! so went in, sat for awhile and came out with a new pair of glasses. Not pretty at all i must say, but for home use, whatever lah.

By this time, God kindda decided where we should go next. Took a 36 and off to the Suntec Starbucks i went! I sat there for close to 2 hours and it was an amazing 2 hours. He was on a date with me! Oh, i would love to share about the time i had but well, dun really know how to write it down and a little weird to be writing about it here. so maybe i just write a little.

I learnt first hand the intimacy that God wants with us and i thank God for that. He asked me to read 1 Cor 13 once again and also Song of Solomon 2:10-14 and 8:6
Guys you may not understand these passages if you turn to them (esp the Song of Solomon) , but for me (or any girl for that matter) it was really like God was pursuing me. He became more than a Father i could go to for comfort. He was my knight in shining armour! =)

Remember my previous post? About Paris, a prince of Troy yet cowardly, making his man fight his war? today, i realise that Jesus is just the opposite. Jesus is God, he is our King. He was innocent of any wrongdoing unlike Paris. Yet, because of the horrible stuff that we have done, we deserve to be punished. Deserved to be wounded, beaten and even dragged by our enemy. But instead of allowing us to suffer that consequence, our King chose to take our place. He choose to be the sufferer.

If we lived in a country ruled by a royal family, it means that the King has decided to take the punishment of his people on his own self when he didnt do anything wrong at all. wow. A loving King.

And that's who God really is. A loving King.

Hector vs Paris

Hector the man vs his brother Paris the useless bum.

I'm now watching TROY with my mom on HBO and bloggin this entry and indeed, Paris of Troy, is a useless bum! I remember the first time i watched this show and thoughout the show, i was exclaiming loudly. I'm sorry, but how can a prince, let his man go to war for him for a woman? I may be a woman myself, but isnt this a little silly? But in the end, it wasnt about love anymore, it was the greed of man for power.

As i watch this, i wondered why does man go to such extent? Is there really a need to go to war, to fight against one another? To win all the time?

I mounted my first curb!

Today, drivin was disasterous. First and foremost, i mounted a curb. Oh gee, so embarassing. somehow, i was really edgy today, coudlnt really handle the sterring wheel properly as i tried to be in control of my car. As we turned a major junction, i almost hit the lampost somemore! I feel sorry for my driving instructor mr ng who had to sit through with me today. I was a wreck today. I dunno whats wrong with me. I used to able to get the biting point, but nowadays i cant. hmmm why why? can anyone tell me?

Driving is now not so fun . got so many things to look out for, rear mirror, side mirror, blind spot, reckless motorcylist, bus lanes, changing of lights, horrible taxi drivers, impatient singapore drivers the list goes on and on...

On to a happier topic. Today, having not much to accomplish in the office, I asked for permission to sit in the new staff training on the life and ministry of apolostle paul after dotz came in raving about it!. Sitting in the lesson i learn a lot of new stuff! for example, After Saul's conversion (becoming Paul) he immediately took the step out to share his conversion with others. But it was only after many years later (its recorded in Gal, 14 years) that Barnabas went to look for him in Tarsus that Paul actually began his missionary journeys. This was something i never realised until today and it's cool!

Also, i'm going to have a chance to backup sing again in a worship team! whoo hoo! (and maybe keyboard.. but must audition first) campus crusade Staff women conference is happening next year, and lillian (a Forerunner staff) is the worship ic. she asked me today whetehr i would be interested in being part of the band and i said, "Sure!" Hope i pass the audition though.

Yeap, Thats all for now, here's a beautiful photo a friend took.

Christmas is drawing near again!

Woke up this morning to accompany my parents to the market and was hit by the Christmas decorations along the doors as well as on sale at Cold Storage @ Siglap Centre. To top it all off, they were playing Christmas songs already. Oh gosh, time has really flown by this yeah. Still remember my birthday celebration with Sam and Hannah, watching Emma Yong in concert after that.hmmm..

Anyway, haven blogged for awhile now. This week has flown by really quickly as well (so whats new rite?) Interestingly , there have been many meetigs this week, FR Ladies Lunch on Mon, Vision Touch point on tue, Team prayer on thur, Meeting up with the BOss on thur, and STint TOuchpoint on Fri. With VOID stuff coming close to an end, i'm busy with other stuff in the office.

Anyway, no mood to write, so till more next time.

Full Evangelistic Gig @ Civil Service College

Singing Bring Me to Life By Evanasance @ Civil Service College

More more photos!

me @ black canyon coffee in BKK

A collection of events & thoughts

My 4 days off in lieu was indeed quite fruitful. Many things happened in that 4 days as well as days leading up to today. I have been intending to blog but i guess never had the time to really think through my thoughts and pen it down. Just a quick view of some of the things that occured i guess.

As you know, i painted my room (just one wall actually). With the idea in mind to paint my room, i asked around for any left over paint people had and lo and behold, Sara did indeed have some. So believe it or not, i didnt fork out a single cent for paint! just an extra roller, a container as well as a brush. cool eh? with 2 temporary workers (mom & dad) off i went to a painting job. That took awhile, about 2 half days for 3 coats and peeling of old flaky paint. My room has also gone through a revamped with furniture moved here and there! Lots of space now in the middle which was what i wanted! HOwever, sleeping on a single bed gets getting used to cos i'm so used to two single beds adjoining together.

Wed afternoon, after lunch with siao Yang, i went to tingni's place to meet her before, she, brother Jason and i went rollar blading @ East Coast Park! It was really fun! balancing on 8 wheels (4 under each foot) as i tried to look professional without falling down. By the time we decided to call it a day, i think i fell a total 3 times. not bad for a beginner i feel. Brother Jason is a really patient teacher too teaching me the skills step by step. Next time i rollerblade, got to go faster! Faster! Swish swish!

Friday, saw me going back to office after a 4 day break for team prayer as we shared personal prayers (mostly thanksgiving for the rest) as well as prayer requests from the various bands in action right now, i.e. VOID; love, A kapala; 7 Days; Bangster Band. After lunch, i met anthony and judy @ NUH as we tagged along Jessie, Sharon and Alice as they brought joy to the children's wards at NUH. Though emotionally draining, the afternoon really brought alot of thoughts into my mind, what with seeing all these babies and children around me, medical students looking tried etc. i wished i could do more for these children, more than bring a smile to their face for one day. hmmm. The night saw a whole bunch of YAMers going down to Settlers' Cafe @ Holland Village for a night of silly games! 14 of us turned up and we played CRANIUM, a really cool game i realised that i have at home. Next time, we should play it!

wow, and we come to today.
Since i had to work in the afternoon, i decided to take the chance to play badminton in the morning. Gavin, Chris, Jeremy and I play badminton from 10-12pm over at clementi Sports hall. So far?! cos work was in the west for Chris and I while Jeremy and Gavin lived in the west so pretty convenient in the end! Had a mini training session with Gavin and learnt good stuff which i hope i will be able to internalise within me. Shall learn more skills from Gavin the great. =)
Tonight, KY and i will be doing something we've never done before in our lives! i hope we survive it. Stay tuned to what we did yeah?

That's all from me. ciao!

Pat's beautiful daughter

My fav. little girl is Kyrie, Pat's daughter. She's 3 this coming december. A cutie pie if you get to know her. When you do, you will find out that she has a generous heart and a cheerful disposition. =)

Some photos of her. enjoy.

1. little kyrie at one of our govt school gigs

Painting my room

As some of you might know, i have embarked on a new project. This time it involves giving my room a new revamped look. =') today was part one of the project. After coming back from driving lesson (after stopping for like a month) i decided to begin my project. My parents chipped in by helping me purchase the tools i needed, as well as helping in the painting. It was a tiring task but really fun. Only the sealant (undercoat) is up but the wall is really smooth now. Cant wait to paint the colour on.. =)

One part i dun like about painting is the cleaning up though. It's messy and hard to remove paint stains from your hands, legs etc

know i actually asked around like anyone interested, but thanks for offering but think i will be able to handle it. A good family project to do and think its much needed. =)

Yeap. shall attempt to post up a photo of my new wall when my new bed comes in.. =)

Happy Holidays you guys!

p.s. oh yeah! there is a new google image: a halloween image

Kyrie and Sharon

Kyrie and Sharon at one of the school gigs.

21st French Film Festival

yesterday night while i was on msn chatting with ky whilst doing up my Nov newsletter she chio-ed me to watch a french movie today at 2pm. Why not? So i went without really knowing what i was watching. but hey! it was really sweet show and we really enjoyed it! Shall be going back for more!

=)

Check out the webiste though, if you wanna go check it out.
http://www.sfs.org.sg/home/index.html

Assembly gigs are over!

After two whole weeks of concerts, setting up, tearing down, waking up at unearthly hours, spending tons of money on cabs (a whooping amount of S$33.75 from Tanah Merah to Yuan Ching Road in Jurong), putting on makeup with bad light etc, our assembly gigs are over in a flash!

As Sharon mentioned before it even started, it would go by us without us realising it. and gosh, how it has!

Now with the next part still at hand, pls pray for strenth as we continue to perform to the students with vigour and enthusiasm.

Some photos for you. Enjoy. =)


1. girl power!

2. Students just hanging out with us

3. Sharon and me (with sara hiding behind looking angsty)

From L to R: Daniel, Sindric, Donovan

Our very own sound crew: Simon, Haiks, Jeff

more photos of VOID gigs

One week down, one more week to go

Today marked the half way mark of our on the road journey as VOID. It has been nerve wrecking, exciting, funny, scary, frightening etc. There are tons of war stories to tell. which i guess i will slowly blog.

But here's a really cool photo of dan, dotz and me singing our last song, "Lean on me"

God, What is your will for me?

"follow your heart, NOT your circumstances, more importantly follow the LORD"

"God doesnt play hide and seek with us, he wants to communicate directly with us."

Inner Beauty is What God's looking for

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight."
-----1 Peter 3:3-4

There it was just staring back at me. My answer to my troubles.

What am I?

Have you ever felt the feeling like you are not worth anything? Not worth looked at, not worth people's attention, people's love? Today as i sit in the office, i feel unworthy. Unworthy for this place, unworthy for anyone. Somehow i'm convinced that no one would love me for me. Who can love this freckled heavy girl, with bad hair all the time? With lousy skin, a horribly authoritative voice. Who would ever look beyond appearances.

But i know that God's love is there for me. And can it be that you love me this way? Taking me as i am? Can it be? When will the time be that God's love is all i need? all i want?

VOID on the road!

It's here! VOID is on the road. It's here, after 2 months of gruelling practice, writing and re-writing my messages, memorising lyrics, we are officially on the road for 2 weeks. Yesterday, we went to our first school and it was nerve wrecking. Everyone was nervous. for the first time in a really long time, my hands were actually shaking as i held the mike and sang our first song by Sheryl Crow entitled "Soak up the Sun". But after that we warmed up and everything went more smoothly. Phew give thanks. Pls keep me in prayer as we continue on to perform for God.

My Sis's Photo Site

Her site url:
-photos -

An Opportunity to Rest

The past week has been a frenzy for VOID as we had check outs for our programs on Monday & Thursday. Focusing all my energy on getting the lyrics right, communicating with the audience, Dotz & the band, remembering my lines for the messages i'm giving, @ the same time that i'm communicating with my audience; eye contact, gestures, use of stage, appropriate facial expression.

all that practice i've got during secondary school in addressing large crowds of students have really helped me. Without that experience, i think i would have to deal with my nerves on top of all that above.

On top of that, Acappella rehearsals have began. With rehearsals twice a week, Dotz, Sharon and I are down for rehearsals almost every night. One thanksgiving is that this week, no lessons were scheduled at 9am so we could come in later. However, there were things the to do, like liasing with teachers, going through the messages again, going to check-out the venues that had to be done. =) My Life for now.

Thankfully, i had the opportunity to destress yesterday. after VOID practice in the morning, i played badminton with some friends in church. Gavin of cos made me run around (but i actually told him to do that cos i wanted to improve me skill) After that it was back to church for YAM (no lessons again though) and to work in the evening. I was down to play the keyboard for Dotz as she sang 'Jesus Knows'. despite it lasting really long, it was extremely meaningful as we were singing to pre-believers. so even though we ended late, we knew it was for a good cause. It felt different. Just a 3 girl team (sara, dotz, me) following our national director, setting up a simple keyboard and one vocals. I wondered whether this was how it like in the early days of the music ministry.

Today, after church, i came directly home, to rest and relax before a busy week ahead of concerts. curled up on the sofa like a ball and slept in that uncomfortable position for a good 2.5 hours. Yikes.

The past week has been a test of faith as i learnt to be humbled before God. Pride has fallen as i deal with work. Indeed some of it has been truly overwhelming. But i'm grateful for the team that i'm working with for their love for each other is ever so real. I'm glad that you (you know who you are) shared today, despite you not knowing. For it makes it concrete. You tell the devil that, "see this is what happened and people know about it so you cant bluff me that it didnt happen that God didnt pursue me." That step of faith is amazing to share with others! you are going to just get better at it.

to friends:
I know i have been a little silent. apologies. Things at work are getting busier by the day as we come close to the end of one and the beginning of another. I would love to share with you some day if you wanna hear. Catch up for a drink sometime yeah you all? =)

Time to log off. Till the next time i blog.

what encompasses a gospel message?
Should there be a best way to write it?
If you dont like it, than you write it your way
you deliver it. Dun ask me to do it.
Dun ask me to write it.
Why do you ask me to write it in the first place?
At the end of the day, what are we arguing about?
Stupid. Stupid.

Lost as to what to do next

I have been hit by many thoughts, many decisions lately. Feel like an indecisive little girl, not knowing what would please her Father. I want to please my heavenly Father with my decisions, what i do. But i cant seem to be able to hear him clearly, rocking from one extreme to another, swayed by what i see, my emotions everything but the mind of christ.

It has been awhile since my last post here. Many things have happened over the past two weeks that would take a very long post for me to update here. so i wont.

The weekend that passed, YAM (Young adult ministry) celebrated our 1st year anniversary at Sentosa on Saturaday. It was really fun! A whole bunch of young adults (20 and above) running around on the beach, playing games like soccer, ultimate freesbie, volleyball etc. Pastor Leslie brought his whole family along as well, which comprise of 3 kids. Lucas, Lydia and Lisa. They are really adorable. I'm glad that i went (though late) as i really had loads of fun at the beach and even at coffee club after that with my table group of people. =)

Over @ work, things are getting more and more hectic. Rehearsals are in full swing now. Tons of things to memorise now. the 2 messages i'm doing, song lyrics, advancing to do. I have good and bad days at work but all in all i'm am indeed learning a lot about myself through the process.

Thank you all for coming to read my blog. Do leave a tag somewhere so i know who reads yeah?

i have been waiting for google to change it! it has been a while . i tink this is in celebration of google's 7th birthday!

Inability to multitask at times.

just a few minutes ago, i did something awfully silly. I was having a conversation with my friend in the office and pouring water into my cup for my soup. Keh kiang lah me, wanted to do two things at one time and i ended up pouring a whole cup of cold water into my soup mix without even realising anything was wrong. haha. Silly me.
Tried to savage the situation though and it kindda was still usable . Oh well.

Working in an office.

It's has been a few months now as i work in the office. Still cant get used to it. Afternoons are really sleepy and sometimes feel a little claustrophobic in the office kindda like stucked here with no where to go.

Yes i have stuff to do but they are things which do not require me to be in the office. Oh well, getting used to it day by day ..

Cheerios everyone .

Reading material currently: Apologetics

Some of the books i'm reading currently, include The Case for faith (hoping to get my grubby hands on The Case for Christ) , Mere Christianity...

These books are also commonly known as apologetic books in which diffiuclt questions about God are raised and answered. The Case of Faith, written by Les Strobel an extremely gifted journalist, is one of the easier books to read and understand. Mere Christianity, CS lewis though a little harder to read and internalise, sees him writing profoundly.

On top of that, i have read snippets of Job, Habbakuk which deal with suffering.. Why does God allow suffering and pain in this world?

I encourage all (whether you are a Christian or not) to go read it if you haven read any. It is an informative book about the religion Christianity explaining some hard questions that have
always been raised.

The bane of my life - Lizards

Of all the amphibians and insects that are commonly found in homes, lizards are the worst. Every day when i open the trash bin located in the kitchen, i would kick the trash bin first and strain my ear to hear the frightened scuttles in the bin as a sign of their presence. Most of the time, they would scramble out of the bin but some would still be in the bin even when i open the lid! my reaction? scream and jump as high as i can to prevent my toes from coming into contact with these scrambling lizards! urgh!

Sat, some of us from B&S went for dinner @ Chinese Swimming Club. Here are some photos which were absolutely beautifuly candid.


my sis (cooing away) and little caleb, the star of the dinner














My sis and my bible study leader Gen, old 'old' friends since secondary school

To make the switch or not...

Some of the specs of the iBOOK G4

1. 1.33GHz PowerPC G4512K L2 cache @ 1.33GHz
2. 12-inch TFT Display
3. 1024x768 resolution
4. 512MB DDR333 SDRAM
5. 40GB Ultra ATA drive
6. Combo DriveATI Mobility Radeon 9550
7. 32MB DDR video memoryBuilt-in AirPort
8. ExtremeBuilt-in Bluetooth 2.0
9. Scrolling Trackpad
10. Sudden Motion Sensor

COST: S$ 1788/- (maybe can get discount) Should i?

What Trust Looks Like

What does trust look like when we can't explain our trouble, or see beyond it? Listening to others as they try to show faith in crisis can be confusing. Some say they are believing in God for a job, restored health, a reconciled marriage, or the return of a prodigal. Others say reliance on Him means accepting that His ways are not necessarily our ways. In the waiting room of prayer and helplessness, I've concluded that questions about what it means to trust God can be almost as troubling as the problem itself. I've also discovered that it is for those struggles that the wisdom of the Bible has been given to us.

Don't be too hard on yourself. The most godly men and women of the past were deeply disturbed by the crises of their lives. King David wouldn't eat or be comforted as he pleaded with God for the life of his dying child (2 Samuel 12:16-17). Even though David was a man after God's own heart , the songs and groans of his life reflect recurring fear and despair (Psalm 6:1-7). Job's experience was similar. In the dark nights of his loss, his first expressions of trust turned to bitter anguish (Job 3:1-26). Then there was childless Hannah. Her prayers for a baby were so deep and emotional that her priest accused her of being drunk (1 Samuel 1:13-15). Even the apostle Paul had "great heaviness and continual grief" for unsaved family and friends (Romans 9:2). Together they show us that trust can cry, and groan, and even doubt. Expect to be misunderstood by others.

In times of profound loss and concern, even our best friends will try to make sense of what has happened to us. They may forget that people do not suffer in proportion to their wrongs. Some pay quickly for their mistakes. Others do not. Some suffer for being foolish while others are punished for being wise (Psalm 73:1-14). Such irony complicated the ancient tragedy of Job. When his friends heard him express bitterness and despair, they wrongly assumed that he was suffering for a secret sin (Job 4:1-9). Although they came to his side to divide his pain, they ended up multiplying it (Job 16:2). Don't be afraid to be honest with God. An elderly Abraham laughed at the absurdity of God's promise to make him the father of many nations. Jacob wrestled with his Lord over the uncertainty of what lay ahead. David openly expressed his despair and helplessness in circumstances beyond his control. Job accused God of being unfair. When heaven seemed t o be ignoring them, they said so. When they thought they had an argument, they expressed it. They learned to trust God in the dark valleys of their doubts. Take one step at a time. Sometimes it helps to break the journey down into small steps. Jesus encouraged us not to worry about tomorrow since today has enough of its own problems (Matthew 6:34). In the weakness of turbulent and unsteady emotions we may need to settle for short steps, the wisdom of the moment (James 1:6), and the present reassurance of the one who says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Don't be self-destructive. In times of disappointment or distress we need to avoid quick fixes that are harmful or self-destructive. None of us can afford addictions that kill the pain for the moment but complicate our problems in the long run. While there is a time for sedatives and pain killers (Proverbs 31:6-7), they can be abused at great risk to ourselves and others (Proverbs 3 1:4-5; 20:1). We also need to ask God to help us avoid taking out our anxiety, anger, or despair on those around us.

Lashing out can be its own kind of addiction. Don't underestimate God. One of the great truths of the Bible is that when we are helpless, God is not. A wise person has said, "Of this I am sure: There is a God. And it's not me.If God doesn't answer our prayers in the time and manner that we've asked, it's because He can see what we cannot. Joseph learned to trust God after being sold into slavery by his older brothers. When he was reunited with them later in life, he was able to say, "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Ask but don't demand. In desperate circumstances we are apt to think we know what we need from God. Like a small child who cannot be consoled, we are inclined to beg Him for what we want, when we want it. In those moments God understands our weakness and fear. Yet He is also the One who uses the depth of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara, or the wonder of the night sk y to calm us in His presence (Job 38:41).

Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer observes, "When I am in the presence of God, it seems profoundly unbecoming to demand anything" (see Job 42). Doubt yourself. Job finally got to the place of doubting himself more than he doubted God. After being reminded of the eternal power and infinite genius of the God of creation, he fell to his knees. From a heart that was both broken and relieved, Job said, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked "who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know . . . . I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You (Job 42:2-6).

Father in heaven, we want to trust You. But sometimes we get so confused. Please forgive us for wanting answers so that we don't have to trust You. Thank You for be ing so patient with us. Please help us to have the same patience with You, as we wait to see that Your plans and timing are better than our own.

VOID rehearsal 1
Date: 18th August 2005
Venue: Apollos Room (GCTC)

Yesterday night we had our first meeting as VOID, the newest addition to the ForeRunner ministry. It's a pop/rock band that comprises of all sorts of people; working adults, students, stinters, staff. We are heading for the road in OCT and we're all geared up for it.

The next few weeks is going to be tough but exciting (weird combination huh?) as we trust God with all script memorisation, chord charts, remembering song lyrics and most importantly doing checkouts for teh message.

Oooooo... May God himself make me strong, firm and steadfast.

Beautifully taken by my care group leader with his Digital SLR, it caught me in an extremely weird facial expression! kindda of funny hence i tot i share it here with you guys. =)

Faith and love in the Pastorals and throughout Paul's letters signify a correct and personal knowledge of and belief in God, and its proper, active outworking in the life of the believer (see notes on 2:15). Pure heart and good conscience are technical terms in the Pastorals. The heart was regarded as the inward part of the person and the center of one's spiritual and thought life. The total inner life of the believer, cleansed from sin, could be depicted with the term pure heart. For Paul and for us, the conscience is that part or faculty of the mind that gives awareness of the standing of one's conduct as measured against an accepted standard.

Often we struggle with the fact that we believe in an invisible God. We cant feel him, cant see him, can touch him. Some say He's a fragment of our imagination. Who is God? If you arent an aethist, you would agree with me that God made this universe, that it the things of the world, animals, nature, mankind did not come together out of randomness.

But the next question would than be, so whose God is the real God? C.S. Lewis the well known author of the Chronicles of Narnia, the contempory of J.R. Tolken was a self-proclaimed aethist until he went to prove that Christianity was false. Through his search, he came to admit that indeed God indeed does exist and it exist in the Word of God. Similary, Les Strobel (still alive today) , a journalist who was all out to prove Christianity wrong only to become one of the best Christian writers around, proving the existence through proofs.

They all have a common point:
They took that step to search. A search which first started off as one to put the faith down.

An interview with God.
http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.html

Today, my past entered back into my life. Not permantly, but for a while. I realised I never made plans for how to deal with it when I encountered it again. I have been just pushing it away, ignoring it time again, avoiding any possibilites of encountering it. But it doesnt work that way.

I"m thankful for the things GOd has showed me over the weekend; for my security does not lie with others but with Him. With this, I managed to deal with past today.

The old has gone the new has come

Very often like the clip depicts, i have short changed God, not taking up my cross daily often taking the short cut out in order to reduce our suffering.

[apologies, have taken the clip off, but if you would like to view it, just go to: http://www.donghaeng.net ]

The 7 dangers of Cat Theology

A sermon by Bob Sjorgen, a fantastic American speaker. His first sermon was entitle, Cat vs Dog Theology.

A Dog says, "you feed me, you care for me, you love me, you must be God."
While a Cat says, "you feed me, you care for me, you love me, I must be God."
The first danger of Cat Theology is selective listening and reading where theology is a 'feel good' theology. if what is written works for me, makes me feel good, than cat christians would do it. But not if otherwise.

Dog’s focus is on GOD while cat’s focus is on themselves. Cat’s are using God for themselves, where the reading of the bible is all about themselves.

"How can God help me?" "What is the plan for me?"

Qns: are you a cat or a dog?

The good and bad of the day

Good:
Today, i met up with tingni (finally! after much procrastination) back in school. Wow, never would i thought i would say this but, I miss school! Sigh, it feels so carefree there, so serene (school hasnt started) Meeting up with, sharing about what has been happening in our lives, the ups the downs, and praying for one another. I know she doesnt read my blog but just want to say how thankful and blessed i am to have such a sister in christ whom i can share all my thoughts, burdens hidden secrets. After meeting her, i felt like a burden was shared, my heart was @ peace.

Bad:
My nose is runny! Sigh.. it's all the dust around and the lack of rest that is causing this viral attack!
Nose status currently: sore; skin around the nose is red and painful from all the blowing and rough tissue paper i have been using.
I used up tingni's 3 ply tissue paper and was grossed out by myself as i used the same piece of tissue to blow my nose and to wipr my teary eyes.. Ewwwww!~

So there.. my day. NOw in a few mintues time, its off to IKEA to buy a cupboard and meat balls! =)

Today, i went for my very first Campus Crusade Staff meeting @ Boon Keng together with other fellow STINTers Daniel, Haiks, Manson. It was really interesting really, quite funny and interesting.

Word from Ecc was shared today and it was really interesting.
Did you know...?

1. in Ecc1:2, the NIV version says "Meaningless! meaningless!" is actually a translation of the greek word (in english) of vapour. In this essence, there can be 3 different understandings:

a) lacking of concrete substance - fruitless, futile
b) disappears quickly like mist (from liquid state to gaseous state) - short lived; transient; fleeting
c) cannot be grasped - mysterious, enigmatic.

Often when i read (or even sang before with Victoria Chorale) i have had a one dimensional view of this word meaningless. Replacing every word "meaningless" with the word "vapour " really gives you a different perspective of the book Ecc.

Go try it. Challenging but interesting.