Reflections

Goodbye 2006. Hello 2007!

2006 has been a year of ups and downs in my life. It saw the passing of several people, one of them whom is my beloved grand-uncle. I attended several wakes & funerals which reminded me of the realities of life. It is also a year where hospital visits seems to be the norm, for the good and bad.

While there are those who passed on, there is joy of life as well. There are several friends who just gave birth, some going to, some planning to get married or just got married.

The beginning of the year was terribly tough due to major changes @ work. However, it was also these moments where i found myself really stretched, pushed myself to a new level as responsibilities doubled or tripled, and dealt with alot more things which in the past, i didn't need to. In a way, i don't know how but i guess i managed to struggle through.

It was a time when i felt that the workplace which i am familiar to sudddenly became foreign. I felt alone, without the support and team-spirit which i used to have. But i am glad that God sustained and i found the peace & strength in him. It was a time where i relied on God so much more, and learnt to hear from him for directions.

It has been a year where i had many 'interesting' dreams and some came to pass. I wonder if it's my gifting. Or it actually is. I just need to know how to interpret it correctly. Ha ha!

I went to taipei, jakarta, bangkok, davao, manila and of course, the unforgettable trip to melaka this year. Had lots of fun and look forward to going to places that are further, maybe holland/europe next year to visit john, pat, kim & steph? or perhaps to sydney and melbourne to visit susan, karen & steven. Ok ... for a start, am going M'sia on 1 Jan.

Ministry wise, besides the usual Hope Vision which i am involved, i joined choir, something which i enjoyed & have a passion in. Like what i told some of them, my only regret is that i should have joined them a long time ago. But well, better late than never. I made many new friends too. Many of them who has brought extra cheer and joy in my life. How could i forget the usual bunch rite? U guys know who u are and you have been simply fabulous. Thanks for your continuos love, care, support and encouragement all these years. For those from HOPE, thanks for all your important prayers which are simply priceless and the best gift for me.

Uncle Henry & Auntie Wah went for their baptism this year. The same goes for Mabel. It was a prayer, a dream and a hope that came true. My dear friend, i bet you never knew how hard & how long i have been praying for u. I thank God and look forward to opportunties for the others in my family to follow suit. It is my life-long dream and desire which no-matter how tough the journey is, i will hang on to the day it happens.

Lastly, it is this year that i started blogging too. When i was young, i love writing diaries which i still have it with me today. But this time, it's only through a more high-tech way which people referred to as 'on-line diary'. Great for me.

There will be loads of changes next year and i just hope and ask that it will be a better year.

To all my friends:

May you always enjoy the love of family & friends
May you be blessed with health & happiness
May you continue to enjoy new experiences with God
And may your walk with the Lord be closer than ever
Thanking God for you and asking him to bless you abundantly in the coming year

Have a blessed year and Happy New Year!

It's A Wonderful Christmas - Part 3

I love these shots which was taken during the christmas service @ kallang theatre. I had an awesome time worshipping God.I love these moments.

It's A Wonderful Christmas - Part 2

The unit christmas party was held at my place. We had food competition between the 3 cgs that nite and were all busy with the preparation in the afternoon. Each group had to come out with 3 dishes (one main, one appertiser and one dessert).

  

























I did the non-competive item which is pasta and pasta salad. It was easy making it but had to cook in large portions as we had to feed almost 50 people. Thanks to Chayanid, Nic & Jo who helped me with all the chopping and cutting of the ingredients.

I tried the 2 recipes that Cheryl N gave and yeap, it turned out well considering the fact that it was my first time making it and only asked for the receipe around mid-nite the day before. From our group, we had chicken wings, fruit/chocolate fondue, vegetable dips and pastries. Cecelia helped to make 3 different types of drinks, my fav being sangria.

From the other 2 groups, we had home-made log cake, stew, mango-prawn salad, seafood appetiser etc etc. The food presentation was simply outstanding. Very much like restaurant standard and many would agree that it's better that the usual catered food. Even mom said so. She was really impressed and kept telling my aunties that all my friends are good cook. Sunny was the judge and surprise surprise, our group emerged as the winner.

We had a good time singing carols led by Wilson and myself, with Karen & Lynette on the keyboard and Alvin with the guitar. Of the many Christmas carols which we sang, i love this beautiful song called "We are the reason". Like what Lynette said, this is our 'theme song'.

A big thanks to Jo as well for helping us produce the booklet which was extremly well done. As what Dave said, thanks to her superb sub-editing skills. We are indeed priviledged to have you produced this for us.



To add on to some special touches, we included some thoughts in the booklet on "What Christmas Means To Me". This is what our friends shared:

"It is a time to reflect on God's mercy, grace and love in the form of Jesus, especially seen in the light of the year's events, and humble the heart in thanksgiving to God" - Evelyn Tang

"It is a giving and joyful season as Christ has saved us" - Chayanid

"A birthday celebration is incomplete and meaningless without the birthday person's presence. Christmas gifts and parties without the birthday person's (Jesus Christ) presence is thus likewise" - Cheryl Quek

"It is more than just silver bells and mistletoe. It's a time to celebrate the Saviour's birth, amid good food and wine, and together with people who mean the world to me" - Karen Lee

"The birth of Christ is the beginning of a miracle; reminds me that 'We are the reason' why there is even a Christmas!" - Lynette Sim

"It is when family becomes friends and friends become family" - Alvin Poon

"It is spending time with family and close friends to celebrate Christ's birth together. Birthdays are always spent with people close to you and Christ's birthday is no exception" - Bellina Yu

"It's about the reason of the season, Jesus Christ. There's good food, carols and presents - extra meaningful when you celebrte it with close friends and family' - Wendy Tan

"It's getting together with loved ones and a day to remember and be thankful for what Christians are and have in Christ"- Mabel Tan

"It's the celebration of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and spreading the good tidings and blessing those less priviledged" - Jimmy Loo

"Time to feast on friendship and laughter. Time to indulge, on one of it kind festive mood. Time to ponder, on the past year and the one ahead" - Soo Guan

"A season for giving (and receiving) and a reminder of the start of my journey in the Hope family" - Galvin Lim

"It's a celebration of life, a gift of eternity which God has bestowed on us. It marks the compassion and love of God; his ultimate sacrifice of sending his son down to earth, born as a normal man and finally dying on the cross for the sins of the world' - Alan Sim

And lastly here's a picture of Jed (our small photographer) who took a picture of ..... (hmm ... i'll leave it to u to guess).





We had many new friends joining us for the evening (close to 60) and i hope each and everyone of them had an enjoyable time. Hope Christmas brings a different meaning to them this year, and many more good ones to come.

It's A Wonderful Christmas - Part 1

It has been a wonderful christmas and a busy one, especially on christmas eve. Yes, my cousins and cousin-in law came for the christmas service @ kallang theatre. All six of them , with the exception of Shen who crashed out after his company party last nite. But too bad,couldn't find them in the midst of the crowd.

I was trying to look for them. But blur me ... was looking from the middle section onwards when in fact, they were seated just at the second row. Didn't get to meet them after service although i did bump into them at the supermarket after lunch. Met them during family dinner just now and they told me that they enjoyed the service and was amazed by the props and said that the clips were very well done.

Family Dinner (Mom's side) @ JW & KY's place



Received a self-made christmas card from Wushuang (very sweet of her). OK ... i got your message which was written in the card loud and clear (just between us ok).



After months of choir practice, we also finally made our 'debut' @ Kallang Theatre. I can't believe myself, only managed to memorise the last song on friday morning. For myself personally, it has been very ministering and enjoyable. So great and wonderful being able to be part of the christmas celebration.

I bump into Sham after the service. When i told him that i saw that he had a visitor who came down the aisle and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, he told me this :"oh ... thanks to all your singing". Hmm ... wow .... what an unexpected answer. It's certainly not just my singing, or the choir singing although it helps to set the mood and ambience right, but certainly, it's God who moved his visitor' heart, and the hearts of many.

Of the many songs which we sang, I really find the song "Beautiful Saviour" really beautiful, powerful & ministering.

Beautiful Saviour - Henry Seeley [Planetshakers]

Jesus, Beautiful Saviour
God of all majesty, Risen king
Lamb of God, Holy and Righteous
Blessed Redeemer, Bright morning star

Pre-Chorus:
All the Heaven shout Your praise
All creation bows to worship You

Chorus:
How Wonderful
How Beautiful
Name above every name
Exalted High

How wonderful
How beautiful
Jesus your name
Name above every name
Jesus

Bridge:
I will sing forever
Jesus I love You
Jesus I love You

Jesus, Beautiful Saviour

I am sure everyone of us who's involved in the christmas service enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and it's indeed been a priviledge being able to serve in this manner, and be part of a wonderful group. Got to know many more new friends, especially from the youth and tertiary group.

Hope Choir





绝对SuperStar aka Project Superstar aka Adults Choir



校园Superstar aka Campus Superstar aka Youth & Tertiary Choir
The young, energetic & very much alive bunch. Reminds me of all my interns like aaron, chris, nelson, jessie, huishan, wenqiang etc.







And here's a look @ the behind the scene in Orchestra Room 1 which belongs to the choir gals.

Busy doing hair & makeup for the gals. Here's Cecilia & Lijun in action.



While we were busy, we had some fun time taking pictures as well. Here's the gals adults choir members.



And the few of us were 'entertaining ourseleves' with different pose.





And here's the Hollywood .. Bollywood pose from Sisy, Cecilia, Cuifen and me. Ha ha! Whatever it is, we had fun onstage, and off-stage.

Christmas Celebrations

JW messaged me that Joyce, KY & her may be coming for sun 10am service. I really hope they come. I've not had the chance to ask my family yet. Will ask them tomm. Christmas is extra meaningful to me this year as well coz. my good friend, Mabel is joining me for the first time (also as a christian) at the christmas eve party. My gosh ... it's something which i've prayed for so many years and it's finally happening. It's undescriable joy.

It has been a good practice tonite and got to know afew more people from the youth service. Meiyi stands on my left during worship and she is only 16yrs. On my right, there is Yushan and Kaining. I think Yushan should be also around 16yrs and Kaining is just 14yrs. Really young rite? But it's been quite enjoyable with the youths. Some of them are really energetic and wow ... i really admire the teachers and lecturers. It's certainly not easy handling 'extra hyper' kids and students. Tough job.

Had my third christmas celebrations today. The first was the gals-get together @ Evelyn's place last sat. Second was a company event and third, a mini-christmas party cum lunch in the office which we had today. The fourth which is on christmas eve is at my place with the unit & fifth, would be the family dinner @ JW's place. Hmm ... that's why christmas has always been my fav.

Christmas Party/Lunch in the office today
(pix with the interns, bonnie, jasmine & alicia)




Christmas Get-together @ Eve's Place (No log-cake ... this is what we had instead)

Uncle Roy

It was a long day yesterday. I was dead tired by the time i reached home at midnite only to hear the news from bro that uncle roy met with an accident. The front of the car was totally smashed as he hit either the truck or tractor @ tuas. The impact must be quite big coz. the 2 air-bags actually came on. Understand that he called auntie rebecca that he had an accident and was rushed to A & E. Heard from mom this morning and my grandma & auntie wee were crying badly while they were on the way to see him Mom said Auntie Gemma cried too. Dad added that mom probably cried too.

Well, he was too tired and dosed off for a second. Now, there is even more reasons for him to give up the business even though it is a major loss. We have all advised him to do that a long time already. This reminds me of what my colleague, May told me sometime back. That she rather have the family earn less but everyone happy and contended. The same goes for uncle roy. We want our uncle back. My auntie wants the husband back. My grandma wants the son back. My mom & aunties want their brother back.

He's been a 'slave' to his boss & partner for such a long time. No rest at all. He is made to live and breath work. He even stays @ his workplace at times and had to work even on public holidays. Can't believe the boss comments when auntie rebecca called to inform him about the accident. It's just unbelievable.

But my heart is really filled with thankfulness to God that he covered Uncle Roy with his protection and not take his life away. I ask dear lord so much that whatever sacrifice he wants me to make, i ask that God speaks to him within his heart that life is not all abt work and money. I pray that whatever opportunity arise, God will give me the confidence to share abt the goodness and realness of God to him. This is my most precious and priceless gift to him. God's gift to him too.

Sometimes, i can't help but marvel at how amazing God is. So manytimes when i feel uneasy, it's bec. something had happened. I was @ pratice yesterday in Kallang Theatre. Halfway through, i felt heavy-hearted. Just couldn't joke or laugh much. Only later when i reached home did i realise why.

Tonite and the next few nites would be singing alot of praise & worship songs. This gives me a greater reason to dedicate the time to God and thank God for keeping Uncle Roy alive. Will not have the time to visit him these 2 days bec. of performance. Hope to see him on christmas day during family dinner.

Wet Wet Wet

It was mentioned over the radio that it rained for 18 hours. My goodness. I had a company christmas function @ the Loof yesterday. It's a roof-top bar and thankfully, they had a marque. If not, i think the party would have been disatrious. Despite the heavy rain, i am glad that the turnout was at least decent. The guests certainly made an effort to come, with umbrellas in their hands. After the party ended, rushed down to nexus for practice. I was really late, but well, better late than not turn up at all.

It's still raining




The 3 Interns


It was also pouring heavily on monday as i made my way to meet up with some friends for dinner. It was wet, wet and wet. Wish i didn't need to take public transport. But well, at least the food was good. So it was all worth it. Am really thankful that N & J gave me a ride home after that. If not, i guess i'll be either stranded at the restaurant or reach home @ midnight (again).

While waiting for C & G at the train station, i called Karen who's in down under. Hve not spoken to her for ages. She was trying to put Kallista & Jolene to bed while 4mth old Ryan just woke up. My gosh ... Kallista is now 8yrs while Jolene is 6. Time flies. The last time i saw Kallista & Jolene, they were just 5 & 3. Karen says she took a year off from work to take care of the kids. Good on her. Kind of a full time tai tai but she says the kids keep her really busy. Am looking forward to seeing them next June when she brings them back for a month-long holiday.

Breakthrough

BREAKTHROUGH .....

I see the word on the banner at Nexus Auditorium at least once a week. The banner is hung at the side wall of the stage and have been there for a long time. As i was having rehersals on tue @ the auditorium, the words on the banner just struck me. There are indeed several areas in my life which i need breakthrough. Spiritual and non-spiritual.

As the year comes to an end and moving towards a brand new year, i hope to see breakthroughs in certain areas and really, it will only be possible when i seek God and rely on him. Looking forward to that.

Friday Rest

Finally ... i am on leave today to run errands and catch up with some sleep. I am simply tired, in fact, exhausted. The last which i went on leave was in Oct. It's been a good 3 months.

Have been busy these couple of weeks and i can't believe it, my schedule is packed all the way to Christmas Day. There's something on every day/nite and that doesn't leave me much time to rest, pray and prepare for christmas. If it's not because of church committments, then it's work. There's choir rehersals, practice with the 'music team' for christmas eve party, pre-christmas gathering with different groups of people, company christmas function etc . But it's exciting and am enjoying it.

So this afternoon, will need to do as much as i can.Talking about Christmas, my favourite time of the year ... i'll be inviting some friends and cousins to attend the service. Hope they can make it.

It's a season of giving and sharing. Always great to bless others and see a smile on their faces. It's so delightful. I gave the first present to Lynn, my dear cousin last week since i'm not sure if i will be seeing her these 2 weeks. It's a pair of mphosis slippers with some 'diamonds' on it. She love it so much and hee hee .. i like it too. Which explains why i got an identical pair for myself also.

Anyway, had a great steamboat dinner just now with the two M & M, XF & Ginny. At last, we finally used the free M-hotel food voucher which we had. Luckily, it's a free meal. If not, i really think it's not worth paying so much just for steamboat. Had an enjoyable time and Ginny was sharing with us her experience of child-birth.

Am really tired already. I'll end here and go to la-la land soon.zzzzzzzzzzz

Bad Monday

I had a 'not-so-good' day today. What a way to start the morning, day and week. Felt pissed off with boss comments early in the morning.

And my poor colleague came to me saying that boss went to tell her off about the same thing 3 times. Before meeing, after meeting and after lunch. Had to tell her not to put it at heart and just ignore his remarks. I think this statement is for myself too.

It's a situation when my staff makes mistakes and i'm responsible and answerable for it. Sigh! But it doesn't help when u have a boss that harps on the same thing many times. What to do ... just bear with it. If only he can be more understanding and patient.

Auntie Rebecca was talking to me abt Uncle Roy's boss on sat. The boss makes my uncle works real hard. He works till the wee hours, over the weekends and even public holiday such as CNY. She read the bible on sat morning which spoke about loving your neighbours and enemies. She commented that in this case, how is she going to love Uncle Roy's boss. She'll try, but it's tough.

In my case, i find it really tough too. Loving my boss, my gosh! It's easy to tell yourself to do so when things are alright. But it's tough to see the goodness in him during 'stormy weathers'. It's like ... hmm .. no way. But it really does remind me of a sermon which was preached abt a mth or 2 ago.

It has been a bad day. So didn't want to stay late in the office. Have been staying late for the past 2 weeks, including fridays. But in the end, i was almost the last person to leave again. By then, everyone has left except XF & me. She has had a bad day today too because uncle goh has tendered.

I know that everytime i feel really pissed off at work, i'll go to the washroom to pray. I did and as usual, it made me feels better. A friend called in the afternoon. I think the familiar voice did bring some comfort and made me feel better too.

It's So Strange

Most people sleep early on sunday since the next day is a working day. I wonder what's my problem. I usually end up sleeping late coz. there's alot of things to do.

It's also strange. Woke up this morning with 2 dreams. Or was it one dream and 1 thought. Well, dreamt that Lynette was pregnant. And this afternoon, Lisan told me abt it. It was announced last week but i didn't know coz. i wasn't in church. My gosh ... why am i always having such dreams and it's so accurate. I had another 'baby dream' afew weeks back about another couple. No, i am not telling anyone who i dreamt of. (Just in case it's not correct and dissapoint people). But so far, it's been rather accurate.

The other dream is a nice dream. I won't be writing it here but i just hope that it'll come true.

Auntie Gemma

Auntie Gemma went for operation afew days ago. She had cysts and had to forego her
holiday to egypt. Naturally, my cousin was very disappointed coz. the luggage was actually packed and they were all ready to go.

I was working late over the past few days and did not have the time to visit her. Most of my cousins did. Mom went too. When i went to visit her on sat evening, my gosh ... didn't realise that she was discharged in the morning already. Opened the door of her room in hospital and it was in total darkness.

In the evening, had a family gathering and went through some of the photos which was taken during JW wedding. Saw this funny photo.



Well! The next time when we meet up will probably be on christmas day. I enjoyed sat nite with them and also, it was very nice to stand at the balcony on the third floor of the house enjoying the evening wind and in the darkness of the nite, watched the planes flying in the sky coz. they are staying near the airport.

Earlier in the day, went to the new Ikea and bought new furnitures. It's gonna be quite exciting and fun coz. am revamping my so-called living room area upstairs.

John

Met up with John or as my brother calls him 'Uncle John' for dinner. He arrived today from Netherlands and is here for work till friday.

Afew weeks back, mom received a postcard from them. Since they will be there for 4 years, i think i'll want to save up to visit them hopefully next year. Hmm .. i badly need a break and a long holiday. John said the best time to go is in May when there's flowers and tulips everywhere in holland. Where they are staying, it's not too far away from France and Belgium. There's a canal behind their place which he says it'll lead u to Amsterdam. I am excited and can't wait to be there.

John is doing well, in fact, very well and i'm proud of him. Glad that sis pat has found such a good husband. Mom & me always say that his 2 gals & sis pat is really fortunate.