Curry Week

If I am what I eat, then I think I look like curry now. Green, brown, yellow, red.. I am abstaining from these for at least one month from now. I am serious.

20 Dec to 26 Dec 2007 at Sri Lanka was Mason Works' incentive trip for all staff and family. To sum it up, it was really great, very honestly. I need time to savour each moment spent with the group, at each hotel and corner visited. Will attach some of the interesting photos soon. Was at Sigiriya rock fortress.

Savouring the nature that Sri Lanka holds, I am just so charmed by the romantic side of God.. How small am I, yet He knows.

SCSM 2007

My body is aching from the run yesterday and my patience is running from the slow loading needed for each of those photos taken during the run... So if you are free, do take time and enjoy the photos on the website below (Limited time only!!!). And I'm sure that you're also kind to let me know when you do see me.. Hee. Anyone that looks like the girl on the other photos on this blog, I think you will not miss. Short black hair, with spectacles, knee length pants, the same blue adidas gym top, a little 'well-fed' :( , and with ear plugs. Well, I should be smiling all the way. And if you do not know me and doing this favour, a bigger thank you!

Oh BTW - I was running the 10KM-Women's Race. Look out for Evelyn, Jenny Yeong, Kelvin Tan, YongLiang, Pei Yuan, Adrian, Daphne, Jamie, Edmund, HanQiang too! Check out this soon! http://www.adidas.com.sg/marathon2007/

Hey, I had also found my results on the SCSM website:
http://www.runpix.biz/sin07/11/finord.php?LastNameEM=53235
Evelyn, Jenny, Jamie, Daphne did better! Congrats! Haha, means I need to pull up my socks if I plan to compete next year. Or should I have wrote on my card: 'My first and last 10km'. Kidding.

This is Life!

Every day had been just so... undescribably awesome.
Fulfilling. Abundant. Abiding. Overflowing. Totally Awed?
No words. Simply beyond description. :)

Since early November, there had been so many people gatherings (which are not all recorded) :
met many of my relatives I hardly knew over the years at my paternal and maternal cousins' weddings, then welcoming the new entrys of new relatives;
bowling and dinner at Allan's yacht club - delicious seafood BBQ and getting to enjoy the fellowship of the worshipper's club;
attended An Ding's baptism pior their return back to China end of the month (Luo Yun was there as well) afterwhich joined Sean, Esmer and FangBao at East Coast Park for cycling (it was the first time ever that Esmer cycled! That was real cool, thanks to Sean's hard pedalling infront of their double bicycle. Haha!);
Catch Andy Chee (for lunch on Sunday after service) who stopped by Singapore for a short while; Swam with Teresa;
Listened to Sherin's awesome research and spiritual journey;
Felt happy on WeiXiang's first day at Ritz Carlton (his vacation job, and it's at my favourite hotel!);
Dumpling Party at Mervyn's place as farewell for AnDing and LuoYun; afterwhich joined the Pictionary party at ShuJun's place (I enjoyed myself so much that I plan to get pictionary too!);
Went swimming with colleague Sukey nearby our new office;
Attended Thanksgiving Worship Service at Geylang Chinese Methodist Church with Habitat for Humanity Singapore - it was great catching up with the thankful bunch;

Today Biaoge's 'last English class' before he leaves for Kazahkstan; it was wonderful learning English in a new different way with the students, using Rick Warren's 40 Days of Purpose Driven Life book. Went for Enchanted with Gee Wee and totally enjoy the company and the movie. Bought a mosquito helicopter for Christmas and meant it as a mystery gift to the fun-at-hearts in the family (Shh..Do not tell my mother yet, okay?)

GOSH, I am overwhelmed. Do not worry, it is not 'overloaded'. Wish there is time to explain all.. the emotions, thoughts and joy.. However, I am exhausted from all these. I shall leave this blog as it is now... Oh GOD, I am so sleepy now.

Shifting our second home

The 'last' lunch (which I recall to be also the first lunch I had on my first day with Mason) - Salted vegetable, stewed peanuts and pig's intestines from Yong bak kut teh stall at Mohammad Sultan Road was eaten in reminiscence. The office is shifting to Alexandra Road within hours and I simply had no mood but to wait for time to pass quickly. Looking forward to the new location!

Goodbye, Kim Yam. I will bring along the memories of this shophouse; interesting neighbours with their cigars, black dresses and suits, japanese cusine, beers, music (and residents, together with their animals and plants); dust and noise from surrounding constructions (3 different condominium sites, by the way); extended area including Mohd Sultan, UE square, Liang Court, Clark Quay; Killiney Road, Singtel canteen, Orchard Road - the routes my feet covered.. And the spiritual journey I treaded in parallel time.

forget-Him-not

My greatest fear:

to forget what I realised about God and His ways

(Rom 8:28 - that everything indeed has a purpose)

My greatest joy:

when I remembered that without faith, it is impossible to please Him

My greatest assurance:

He is always present to remind me once again; to re-discover the joy of re-discovering Him

Facebook - 'My Room'

Woo.. These images has been cropped from my favorite feature in Facebook! Recently acquainted with (yet) another 'internet club'...

It's fun and, I totally enjoyed this 'My Room' feature. Nancy, hor? ;)

Glam Affair!

An evening just spent at tcc (the coffee connoisseur) at Atrium, next to Plaza Singapura. It was filled with glam and (I must say) that much thoughts had been put into the entire event. I totally enjoyed myself!

There were quite a number of the good-looking people we had see on television programs. It was cool as much emphasis were made in support of the arts scene in Singapore. Just some snapshots taken!

(instant photocard taken with Sukey and NN)

(tcc client rep - Abbey!)

(more snapshots... guess which is whose!?)

(one of the special guest we got to take photo with: Einstein!!!)

(Tatoo fun! one of our directors - Wan!)

(That's it for now!)

*tcc is one of Mason Works' (my current company) clients - who engages MW's professional service of contracting interior fittings to most, if not all, of their boutique cafes. :D

Nieces

I had lunch today with somebody who took care of me for awhile when I was very young. Perhaps, I was only 1. It had been a very long while since I met Gu Ma (姑妈). We never really understood each other very well due to the time spent together. For the first time perhaps I felt I start to know her better. Just as I looked and listened to her (especially when she addressed me as her niece), I was reminded of my 1 month-to-be niece that had just arrived. :) Tears welled up in my eyes as she described my younger days. Haha..

And mothers, how self-less they are! To carry this responsibility, flesh to flesh. Their sacrifices belittled. Perhaps misunderstood many many times. Relations are fragile; yet so special - Specially arranged.

Looking forward to Kai Xuan's (my niece) full month this coming Saturday.

(photo posted on 31.10.07: Kai Xuan on her full month)

More dates to remember:
3rd Nov - cousin (maternal side) David's wedding
4th Nov - cousin (paternal side) Jason's wedding

Perceptions

Lunched today at simply bread at robertson quay, with River Place in view. It was an unusually normal lunch with a friend (I would now call), whom we had spent that year 'battling' for our dear passion * design * on 4th level of soon-to-go Lasalle SIA campus block at Goodman Road.

Tanny had her Club Sandwich and I, the Chunky Egg sandwich. It was absolutely yummy (just my share cost s$8.10, for which was loaned on the terms of simply grace extended by this dear friend. :D) It was simply heaven, just sitting by the river, biting into our chunk of stuff.

I was shown STPI gallery, which holds the 27th Anniversary Exhibition of Printmaking Society Singapore.

It was not the exhibit. Out of 'no-where', I realised the art form as an expression of the diversity of human perceptions. There can be no explanation, no limitation. Or vice versa. It becomes your call. Definitely you can say I am wrong. ;)

Gosh, so philosophical. A sign of growing up, I guess.

Thank You

"It's bubbling, it's bubbling, it's bubbling in my soul..", sang Pastor M. Geppert, very often when we used to hear him speak to the congregation. Now I can feel it. I do not like to depend too much on feelings but it does denote a lot about what's going on inside now. It feels as if my feet aren't really touching the ground. Yet. Indeed, there's a time to sow, and a time to reap. We sow in tears, but we reap in joy!

I met a few new friends this past 2 weeks. And it brought back some wonderful memories from the past. It simply is, amazing. The Author reveals when we least expected. I anticipate what tommorrow brings. All I want to say is just, "thank You, thank You, thank You. You are all that matters, Father."

The Wake Up Call

I had a glimpse of what was showing on TV Mobile during my short interval bus ride to work this morning. Channel News Asia presented short clips of important people in US giving speeches on this fateful day, commemorating the tragic that happened six years ago. Soon there will be Freedom Tower.

It was depressing as I had pondered about the hopes we unknowingly hold within. I had hopes for a home i can feel rested in, 'God's leading' for things to go well in my daily life, satisfaction in work and relationships. These, I presumed to be reasonable. However, things around me came to wake me up. Someone in the office mentioned a man whom he knew for years had just committed suicide. The details caused me to ponder, like never before. I was really disturbed. Then, I heard someone had died during a run. This person is my age. Young, intelligent and full of potential and a bright future likely ahead of him. How many times I had heard of these stories and how much I took life for granted. Last but not least, my parents has completed their proceedings to be divorced. Life starts all over again.

'Life is fragile', I will hear everyone say. Now, each time I look at the news on the papers, its clearer to me the situation we are in. But I dun see many people seeking to live life in its full purpose. Just for example: How shocking can it be to hear from close friends (whom some are christians) I have known who expressed open-ness to homosexuality. 1 Corinthians 6

How long can this physical earth remain? Why is there Earth Day? Why find life on Mars or other possible place for survival? Hope is dimming each day for this world. I had only found one answer. I especially found comfort during this season through the song 'The Answer', as prepared in Corrinne May's album, 'The Gift'. For the past 3 weeks, I am just filled with such joy and purpose. No longer thirsting and wandering. I remembered. I was just blinded with ambition, thoughts and plans.

Walk On!

18 August The Heartstrings Walk officially started at 9 a.m. It was the first time I walked with a crowd - through the Singapore River trail. It was fun to have PL as company as we treaded the route that had been marked out for us. It took us an hour to complete the 6-km walk.





Kareen joined us at the end and we lunched at 'Old' Hong Kong at Marina Square foodcourt. Last snapshot was of the equipment on-site for the evening fireworks. After lunch, we got on separate appointments and that's when Mum, Aunty MeiZhu and Esmer accompanied for that evening's fireworks - it was simply awesome but quite brief. I was indeed glad to be back home after a full day at Marina Bay!

Discovering the Gender Difference

I have completed my read of the book, 'Wild at Heart' by John E. There is a lot of stuff in there which I felt has helped to clear the fog i see of the musculine soul. Now I am reading the other book by John and his wife, Stasi - 'Captivating'. There is discovery and freedom in these reads, and not another set of 'to-do' lists. Recommended.

Posted on 11.09.07

Run, My Child

I shall attempt to write some poems. Can be very kindergarten-ish..

Start training for the race,
Fix what is in disarray,
Fight with what you have,
For there will be an end.

Stop the wandering,
disheartening and wondering,
For there shall be no difference
At the end.
Hebrews 12

The other day I stumbled upon the repeat telecast of 跑吧！孩子 (Homerun), directed by Jack Neo. I had missed earlier telecasts and so I sat there watching like a curious cat. I started watching from the point when one of the main cast - the sister, was with her mother who in labourpains, needed the attention of the midwife who had dozed off across the other side of the village. Parallel senario - the brother was running a race with a very strong competitior.

The young girl raced over difficult grounds - part of which was scattered with glass chips, to get to the midwife; the boy got stuck in deep mud with many other runners passing from behind. Their common goal was similar - to run for the one they loved. In the end, the mother delivered, the competitor at race became friend, and they received their priced new shoes. What an impressive production.

I felt the need for me to take action - to do something, especially with what is ahead as a start.

Updates

An urgent deadline which required extra hours from Thursday till Saturday late evening. Earlier plans to go Streams of Praise (SOP) and stayover at Kareen's were cancelled. Grateful to Rachel Ou who swopped vocal slots at last minute.

Managed to catch some great fun with CTSS Grads '98 at Aloha Changi on Sat night, binging on barbequed chilli sotong and the usual few of us played 'blind cat' with much persuasion from Pornsak (be sure to catch him co-hosting some of the variety shows on television only if you are free). Left early to rest for the next day, which I realised was a wise decision. Running between 2 services on Sunday morning to make sure I captured Mum on stage at Chinese Service and listened to Ps Tim's message at English Service, had lunch and listened to Ps Song's message at Bilingual Service, had coffee with Andy Chee before he leave for US today, and sat through 3 hours of Pentacostal Foundations.

Back home yesterday, I had to think through some of the things which had been bugging me - and especially having spoken with Andy over coffee. (How can I not thank you for those words at the end, if you recall what you said? You seemed to have hit on the nail, brother.) The kind of counsel much needed these days, came from this trusted man, whose faith brought him to where he is. Thank God for you.

Will be attending wake of Eugene's grandfather this evening.

Celebrating Possibilities

This year's National Day celebration is definitely going to be fun! Check: www.ndp.org.sg

I will definitely be walking with President S R Nathan at the Marina Bay Challenge in the morning of 18th August, and looking at fireworks in the evening @ Singapore Fireworks Celebrations!

We are small, but we are hot!

'A New Beginning'

It is one of those moments to feel happy, yet upset. A milestone.

An sms from Sis that informed that all the proceedings are going to be settled and over.. in a month's time.. What to think, what to say?

Only to keep moving forward.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Verses from the Bible, as quoted in 'Wild at Heart' by John Eldredge:

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you
a heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Ezekiel 36

'Petrol Kiosk' Break

I have finally made the choice to step back a little from back-up singing on alternate Sundays. It felt sad to draw myself away from a commitment I enjoyed, yet there seems to be the need to slow down to see if this is where I should continue to move onwards. Even if it means to stop doing what it seems to be right.
(Right: Majority of worship team members - Jeff, Derek, WenKang, Weisheng, WeiJie, me, Adrian, MeiZhen, Ps Tim, Amy, JerYaw, Allan, Daphne, Petrina, Shawn and HuiJun)

I remember the words quoted by Mervyn, friend and cell group leader, whom I respected and received much encouragement and support at times needed (especially in terms of missions and my spiritual growth):

Success is to be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.

tcc @ german centre

This was the first retail conceptual design I did for my company last year.
Even though it was not selected for construction, it was fun doing it. :D

Feasting Season

All the dinners with good old friends recently had made me fat and down with gastric pains, despite the attempts to exercise more nowadays. Wave set on the low with the need to give myself a break, to watch my health and get 'detoxificated'. Maybe to eat vegetable for a while will be good.

Since late June, these are where I had been (eating):

Wasabi Tei, one Japanese restaurant well-hidden on the 5th level of Far East Plaza. Esmer and I spotted a long queue of patrons on a Friday evening and joined the queue for curiousity sake. The pricing is reasonable, for good serving of good authentic Japanese food, but just too long a wait. Esmer and I could hardly walk after the meal. It was too much.

It felt like many years since I last met Adele, whom we got to know each other through the housing re-construction trip we had made with Habitat for Humanity to Aceh, Indonesia in Dec 2005. Dinner at Hooters @ Clark Quay, had us caught up with each other.

The group that is familar to itself crowded around a table of home-cooked dishes at YongLiang's place, as we enjoyed special company from Perth. Thank you, Andy, for the words and love you've brought! (photos: YongLiang, BingXin, ChongZhen, Andy and Mervyn/ JinYu, Andy and me)

Szechuan Court at Raffles The Plaza served pretty delicate and unique Chinese cusine. That was where we went for our company's mid-year dinner. Nice ambience and company of bosses and colleagues: Wan, Robin, Mr Ng, Lao Wu, Vincent, Jessie and NanNan.

I had attended three wedding receptions within 2 weeks, there were:
Rachel (her husband, Ray), my poly-mate from SP (DAT), at Novotel (photo: Lydia, me, Rachel and Peiling. It has been long since we meet up, gals. It was great to see MeiMei, Ridzuan, Nicole and Jeff again),

Adrian and Daphne, (on 070707, together with 700 other couples in Singapore on this day), at our church and

Tsu Ching (her husband, Jeffery), my secondary school-mate from CTSS, at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel (photo: Kevin, Nancy, me, KongSeng, ShuJun, HuiYin, Eugene, Teck and Moses).

Mum's birthday is just around the corner. Her culinary skill never fail to satisfy the 'multitude' as she provided lunch for her regular singing khakis at the church carporch (photo: Sis, Mum and 'god-grandmother'). Jie (in her 6/7th month) posed with my nephew, KaiJie, whose birthday is nearing too!

Last Tuesday was the second round of the singing competition. No, I did not get through this round. I am disappointed but it is not something to dwell on for too long. It will take a lot more that singing, to become a good stage 'performer'. I cannot totally say I am not heading that way. Therefore I need to keep improving. We had supper, with Sean and Esmer at Cineleisure's Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe before heading home that night.

Lunch Buddy!

My poly buddy, PL and I lunched together at Singtel (just next to Somerset MRT exit)

Hee.. Food's really cheap!

Overdued

The past two weeks had been really good. Enjoying myself so much that I procrastinate the less enjoyable (still enjoyable) - to find words to describe. I am really not a good writer, but I love to share. ;) And so I shall blog..

This noon I have sent out the details for the missons office to Ps. M. 5 hours this morning to work with and I think I am satisfied with the first draft design. I believe it is sufficient for the contractor to understand. Why am I not in church on Sunday morning? Eh.. Yes, I should be in church this morning but I choose service otherwise.. Hee.. Moreover, I was feeling unwell so it was good that I have the bed once I completed the work. I was bounded to bed till around 6pm today, missed the regular badminton sessions every Sundays with the regular group. Felt relaxed and lazy and so went for a haircut. Its really short now. :D Since a long time I cut it so short as I always looked kiddish.. but I am not so bothered already. Just cut. Brother said I looked nerdy.. whatever lah. 8)

Today I started flipping the pages of 'Wild At Heart' by John Eldredge and it drew me to read more.

++++++
Renewal Camp 2007 @ Hyatt Regency, JB

03.06.07Sun Bilingual Service was over at around 12:40pm and I met Ps. M at the church office to take a look at the mission office to see how to make the space more conducive for working. It was a good start as I got to know her better before we got on the camp. The advance party consisted of 33 of us, mainly young adults, who departed for JB at around 2pm.
We arrived at Hyatt Regency at around 3:10pm. It was simply beautiful, grand and just neat. Just after we settled our bags in our rooms, all of us went to City Square for shopping before heading to Taman Sentosa for seafood. Shaun F., Alex, YP and myself shared cab. The 4 of us never really know how the taxi fare worked in JB and made bad acquaintance with one cab driver. Well, that was a good lesson and we all learnt to always confirm the fare before getting onto any JB cab. Seafood dinner was good.. We (Ps. M, Sam, YW, YP, C and R) had stingray, chilli crab, ma po tou fu and I like especially the herbal chicken wrapped with earth. Sugarcane juice which came a size larger than what we have in Singapore. After the satisfying meal, we returned to the hotel for a session of worship and sharing. That stretched from 9-10:45pm as YYH, Ps. M and AY shared on the purpose of the young adult ministry. My heart was much stirred again when Ps. M touched on missions.

04.06.07Mon The official first day of camp started. The administration's done and everyone seemed really to encounter God and a refresh of our souls. The English speaker, Richard Williams, was the main highlight of the retreat. He spoke of how to restore our cutting edge. He was really entertaining, but that is not all, he has something we all wanted. Anointing.

The evening session held something unexpected. I received a word.

RW: "I saw a picture. Very interesting. A person is laying in bed. God is saying to this person, 'You used to talk to Me about everything. But something is lost. Something got complicated. And I am always waiting for you.'"

Immediately I broke down and dropped the mask I tried to wear so that people will not be overly concerned that I cannot handle. I had tried to be tough. And that was not too tough. All I needed to do was to ignore the emotions. I do not recommend this method as it really do not work. It will only choke up your waste pipe. That picture came so familiar. It brought back memories of the time where I spend time with the Lord - on my bed. Playing guitar, kneeing or laying down praying, with my head on my tear-patched pillow. Bedtime chatting with A led us to finding common hearts.

05.06.07Tue After the first night, the rest of sessions were highlighted with powerful messages that just motivate and send. For the young adults like me, YYH collated some video and materials related to the book we are so familiar with, 'Men from Mars, Women from Venus' by John Gray. I had read halfway through this book and passed it to E. I have also gone on to some other books relating to the opposite gender. 'Bringing Up Boys' by James Dobson was solid information and reliable study. 40% through. I guess being a woman who had somehow a poor idea of a man's character, I struggled along my brother's growth as a boy, now a teenager. The absence of a father can be destructive. I failed at times when my words do not encourage but spoke negatively. These books helped a lot and I recommend them for women who do not have their own children. It is never too early.

To learn swimming again was not intended for this camp. Nevertheless it was one achievement to I picked up where I left when I gave up on swimming, with much encouragement from Constance and Vivien, who are really great teachers. Then soaking in the warm 'boiling' jacuzzi was absolutely luxurious. Come to dinnertime, it was set aside just for Mom. It was the company, not the food that count. :)

06.06.07Wed The last night's session, the church leaders prayed for almost everyone. Ps. M came and prayed for me at the front while I was doing vocal back-up. It was confirmation and invitation. Sidetrack: Sis, God heard you. He spoke, not once but twice.
It was past midnight when I visited the young ladies and played some games. It was a pity that I had so little time with them but they seemed to enjoyed each other's company so far, so I was glad. :D

Overall, it was one camp I would not forget. I believe many, if not all of us, were refreshed.
++++++

12th June, I got through the first round of BAS half-hearted as I almost wanted to give up. Thankful, I had another chance to give my shot. Now, what song to sing? What song with a message?

Mayed

MAY had been a lot of evaluation and thinking done. I love life not for its hipe but for its up-and-downs. Just like a roller coaster ride, filled with mixed emotions which made it confusing sometimes, but memorable. Without the 'downs', I will not know how high I had actually been. It can be frustratingly amazing.

3 days, and the design I was talking about had been submitted. I think it was okay but until the client get back to us.. I shall keep my fingers crossed for now and hope for the best. Shall put it on blog later on. :]

There is this new anticipation I have for this year's church camp which will be from 4th till 7th June, next week actually. I am excited to be bunking with Amy, a sister whom I served with in the English service but have yet to know very well. There is something I respect and admire about her - her using her talent to serve God, with much faithfulness and joy. And also two other Chinese ladies I enjoyed, YP and YD, from my cell group. I just so look forward to hanging out with them and also checking out the other younger ladies (GW, Rachel, C) with whom I served with in the youth ministry when we were younger-er. And also to spend time with Mom. I shall share about this camp when I get back. ;) I am soo excited.

Also, I need to find time to practise some of the songs for the competition coming up.. Its crazy to think I have gone this far. But, just like the same thought I had which JY also happened to mention to me when I am in doubt - quoting Esther from the Bible: I will never know where this may lead me. Esther's story had inspired me alot, especially working in the marketplace. She was going for a beauty pageant (so secular) and then became the king's concubine (even more secular). However, 'for such a time as that', she saved her own people. I believe she had never thought her story would be recorded in the best selling book today. In many ways, we can be like her. I shall go for it, hope to get through a few rounds and improve on my skills. And not forgetting that I will not get anywhere without my Mordecais.

Over Time

'Spicy seafood' tastes better than 'mushroom chicken'.

Back to office today to quicken the completion of a cafe conceptual design. It is exciting, but yet a little scary. Since early April, I had been doing mostly back support tasks. A little nervous, but glad, I need to get this is one task done well, especially that I will have to critique my own work now.

Step by Step

Patience... and more patience.. I always think that we are kind of waiting for something to happen all the time. I still think so. It is part of a process. Flowers need time to bloom. O.. How I wish I would be able to appreciate the beauty of it, and I mean, NOW! :)

The Narrow Path

Life have been going on more or less the same as it had always been for me before May 2006. It had been months of tough times.. And I mean, really tough. Only those in close contact knew, and I really thank you for walking with me (If you know who I am refering to, and you are reading this: Thank you from the bottom of my heart!). But most of all, it had always been Him, showing me how to live. Taste, and know that the Lord is good, always!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Click here to read Romans 8:28-39

Stretched and stronger, I now pick up where I had left and tread slowly.. Walk alongside with me, if you would. For now I seek true company, to walk the narrow path which I may not deviate from, ever again.

Mirages

Mirages are not real. What seems beautiful and mysterious from afar turns out different once you see it closer.

What's real, comes with a price. A love sacrificed, a difficulty overcame, a painful experience - finished and not ran from, tears fallen and the ugly exposed. Open, is different from open-mindedness.

What's behind the success of those that seemed to be, could only be known by those who had been up close and immediate. Nobody's prefect. Rumors we had heard and perhaps passed are nothing unusual. A murderer or a liar, or just a thought that spells evil - makes a sin. Only by grace can we enter.

Never stop loving because that's the only way out of the circumstances unexpected. Love, if there's fear. Love especially those most difficult to love, and not just those who love in return. Never give up.

Getting Directions

I remember with details of one assignment given to me and my groupmates as part of our design programme in interior design. It set us on a fresh approach to 'find our way' to our actual project site through asking for directions even though we already knew where it is.

We set about our journey at different day and time, within the proximity where it was situated. As best as I could, I tried not to think about the way I knew how to get to my destination and started asking for directions. Initially there were a few people whom I had approached, gave leads to my hunting. And, there were a couple of them who gave wrong directions! Of course the rule of the game was to follow the leads. Thinking that it could be the description that I had tried to give that were misleading them, I attempted to make myself clearer. Where was it near to, what the place used to be used for, etc. Nevertheless, the people who 'helped' still confidently pointed me further from where I needed to get to. Somehow, what could have been a walk of 20 minutes, turned out to be a couple of hours of 'chasing wild geese'.

The last person that finally brought me to my destination left the deepest impression on me, even till now. He was a trishaw guy waiting for some tourist to board his vehicle. I had introduced myself to be a student trying to find this place for my school assignment.. blah blah blah.. Without much hesitation he offered me a ride, F.O.C. (free of charge)! As quickly as the offer came, I agreed without much thought given. At normal rate, a tourist had to pay around S$50. Sometimes when I think back and realise that it could have been dangerous to hitch ride like that, but thank God, I believe there was just this peaceful trust I had in this kind old man who happened to be just waiting for the unseeming patron. Or rather, I was just too glad that I had a chance ride on a trishaw! For free and to give my feet a much needed break. 'It must be from God', I must have thought to myself.

It was almost evening and the sky had darkened. The ride took us through some very interesting places; some historical, some ethnical and some illegal. Much of which I had never seen. Apart from soaking in this amazing ride, we chatted and I gave description to the site. As it seemed to be all planned, the route of the trishaw ride fell perfectly where my destination was. We were right beside it and the journey ended. We bid goodbyes and I was so filled with gratefulness. He could never get to know that I would have get there on my own. Honestly, it did feel like deception. But I do not think I will ever do that again. God forgiven me.

This act not only gave direction to my design project. It also gave me the furtherance of the meaning I tried to seek in living each day, that focuses on a journey, not the destination. So here I am, putting thoughts into these words. What seemed to be a wrong direction and 'goose-chase' had turned out to be the directions which lead to the interesting and unexpected discovery of a divine adventure.

Whenever I pass by this same spot where I had first met him, I would look out for that familar face. However, that was the only time I met him.

His Word

TO ME, there's really nothing special about the 3rd of May. However, I want to start writing so that people can know the person I am.

I want to dedicate the first space to the marvellous words found in the Bible, in Isaiah. For His thoughts are higher than mine.

Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed." ISAIAH 55
New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society