Eventful Day

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"Today is a real eventful day", that was the first thing I told myself when I opened my eyes in the morning... I had to go attend a meeting with volunteers in the morning to discuss an upcoming event, in the afternoon, I got to go help out with the preparations for a friend's wedding dinner later that day.

Meeting with Volunteer
The meeting with volunteers went extremely well. I was still worried about it because I had previously had a brief meeting but because there was no structure... nothing much was achieved. With the event just 2 weeks away, I just needed to make sure that things are running well and if not, I needed to know that someone will look into things to make sure the event will run well.

I can't help it but sometimes I am just a very structured person and wants to make sure that proper planning is done for everything I was involved in. I think that also explains the reason why I love developing guides and workflows.

Surprisingly, everyone was very cooperative and we covered a lot of ground during the meeting (though I kind of get the feeling that volunteers just do not like such planning, they just like to go ahead and "do it"!). Surprisingly also, I was rather extroverted today at the meeting despite meeting new volunteers. How I hope I can remain this way with my volunteers instead of constantly shying away.

On my way home from meeting, I saw Mr Chiam See Tong (politician from opposition party) who was dressed rather casually and was carrying some plastic bags (think he just finished shopping at the market). First time seeing him at close range and he just didn't seem to put on airs and just look like you and me... I just went home and typed the meeting minutes and soon was preparing to leave for the hotel.

Wedding Planner
First time being a wedding planner; was appointed as the "operations manager" by my friend to make sure the dinner went well. I didn't really know what was expected of me until we met with the hotel team. I had to:

• Liaise with the captain to let them know 10 minutes before to open the banquet room doors so that guests can proceed to the dinner from the reception
• Liaise with the captain to prepare them for the 1st march-in
• Monitor the consumption of wines
• Help explain to guests should they request for beer (as beer will not be served at the dinner)
• Help monitor the tables and open the reserve table if necessary
• Help coordinate the photo taking

Fun, fun, fun but somehow think I was more excited than my friend; he seemed so relaxed one :) Anyway things went well too and I am glad although I did not do much. Had a first hand look into how a wedding is planned.

Facing a Soured Friendship
Because this friend who is getting married is a common friend with me and my friend who was "beginning to hate me", it is inevitable that we will meet at the dinner (and especially I am helping to coordinate the photo-taking, I am sure to meet him). I seriously dreaded this day because I didn't know how to "behave" when I see him; I didn't want to be not genuine and yet hope things not to worsen. I had wanted to be prayed for this at last week's service but did not have the courage to go forth. However, I did ask to be prayed for this at my cell group yesterday and just hope things will go well.

In the end, I saw him as he was walking into the reception hall. He caught me by surprise and I did not know what to do because he just suddenly came through the door beside me. I just smiled but he just walked on... not sure if he caught my smile.

Later throughout the dinner, I sat in such a way that he was sitting 2 o'clock to me and I can see him at the next table and so could he. Several times, I did try to catch a glimpse to see if he was looking over (and I kind of get the feeling he also did that) but throughout the whole dinner, our eyes never did cross path. If indeed he did try to look over, I presented myself to be cheerful and was smiling the whole while I was talking to people on my table (not sure how he would interpret that).

When I later went around to help coordinate the table photo-taking, I went to his table but did not look at him directly; was looking at everyone else and asking them to prepare themselves for the photo-taking.

Although it could have gone better but I am at least glad that it did not worsen things (I hope).

Answered Prayers
I think at least all 3 prayers were answered and I can ask for nothing more...

Post-Dinner Celebrations
After dinner, went out with my friends and brought them to Le Meridien Changi Village to share with them my latest discovery. We later adjourned to Fishermen's Village in Pasir Ris for drinks. I have never drank so much in my life and I guess I was "concussing" by about 2am, after having downed a glass of champagne, 2 glasses of red wine, 1 glass of white wine and a bottle of hooch. By the time we got to Changi Airport, I was literally semi-conscious and slept throughout the journey home. But I think I slept quite soundly the whole night.

Night of Prayer

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Call was a little different today; our cell leader could not join us today and so she has left instructions to my fellow cell members on how to structure the cell this evening... very funny, can see everyone so lost and at times there was silence because no one knew who was to do what the next moment, hahaha we all laughed about it over supper after cell...

Prayers Answered
We all started cell today by talking about the time when we were so need of help and had our prayer answered. Everyone shared and I came to know about how one of my cell mates had got into trouble earlier this year because he had indirectly caused the death of someone in a car accident... this did come quite as a shock because he seem a cheerful person but no one knows deep inside him, this is weighing down on him a lot, even till this day.

His testimony has also helped me opened up and for the first time, I shared my testimony with the cell about the circumstances how I came back to Christ. Except, I was more emotionally stable this time round (unlike on Tuesday when I can hear my voice trembled when I shared my testimony with my colleagues at staff devotion time). I spent some time sharing about:

• the dramatic circumstances that brought me back
• how sermon messages seem to always be so timely in helping me with struggles I had
• how things have just fell into place nicely, how despite the fact that I wanted to leave th social service sector, God has blessed me with a wonderful job and has continuingly bless me at work... even till this day (I wouldn't have dared take a job in a Christian organization in the past given that I backslided but all just came so timely... the job offer and me coming back to Christ)
• how I am a much happier person now (in just over a couple of months... even pains and aches which has bothered me has gone)
  
• how I felt much love again amidst people who care; helping me to nurse past hurts
• how I live each day with gratitude for God
  

Praying for Brothers and Sisters
Galatians 6:9-10 spoke of doing good to all:

⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
and indeed we did a lot of praying for people today; praying for one another, praying for loved ones, praying for christians in other countries who are struggling with persecution.

For once, I openly asked to be prayed for:

• That my meeting with volunteers tomorrow for an upcoming event will go well
• That my friend's wedding (in which I am helping with the operations) will go well
• That I will know how to "behave" in front of my friend who was "beginning to hate me" when I see him at the wedding tomorrow, praying that things won't worsen

For once, I also prayed out loud, nothing spectacular and the prayer was short and succint but nonetheless a good first time try.

Celebrations after Cell
We celebrated 2 of our cell group mates' birthday after cell discussion finished and it seems they bought 2 "cakes" for the 2 guys... one real cake and one "watermelon" cake hahaha (because that guy didn't like cakes). You should have seen his face when he saw that watermelon cake being brought out... he was speechless :)

Watermelon Cake!

After that, to thank us for our wonderful cake, that guy offered to bring us to a "romantic" place but just refused to let us know where... Evetually brought us to the roof top of Le Meridien Changi Village. It is a quiet place where you can catch a breathetaking view of the night sky and the jetty with the outlying islands in the backdrop. You also come in close encounter with planes, which occasionally flying past... very nice place...

Le Meridien Changi Village

by-nc-nd

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Yeah, cool ah, these symbols? What does it mean ah?

It's simple a "by-nc-nd" license. Still don't get it? It's the "Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives" license, kinda like a copyright that allows people to share my blog contents but with acknowledgement, cannot be used for commercially and cannot be modified (you can read the full license on the right). Cool! codfishy's got its own copyright, courtesy of...

I-SOAR

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I find myself to be a systems person and one who like to create things. As such, I would usually find myself trying to make sense of things and life and translating these insights I get into easily comprehensible formats. That is also the spirit behind codfishy's blog... a blog on my reflections of life and lessons learnt.

Anyway, had always wanted to write this down but never had the chance to sit down and think through and write it... now comes the chance :)

How I-SOAR Came About
I-SOAR is a problem-solving model that I have devised with some of my friends at an alumni meeting (and was further refined by me). We were facing some challenges and were trying to strategize to address these challenges. By the end of the meeting, we realized that there seem to be a pattern that we used in the meeting. We traced the line of thought and discovered that the discussion was carried out in the following manner...

Situation-Objectives-Approach-Resources-Inertia

Hence, the 1st version of the model was out... SOARI but then we found out that the model sounded horrible... like "SORRY". So we agreed that "I" (Inertia) is important and that every project should also look into potential problems that will hamper the progress of the project; failing which would just cause the whole project to fail, despite having a good understanding of the Situation, being focused on the Objectives, having well-thought through and tested Approaches and having garnered the needed Resources. Hence, we moved the "I" to the front and it became ISOAR...

Inertia-Situation-Objectives-Approach-Resources

A few months later, I was asked to prepare a presentation for my job interview and I used this model to structure my presentation. Interestingly enough, I managed to impress my interviewers who were impressed with the model and who further suggested that I add a dash in between the "I" and "SOAR" or else it would sound like "EYESORE", not a pretty sight... Hence, version 3 was born: I-SOAR.

Soaring High
Miami Seagulls by tycity

I-SOAR - The Problem-Solving Approach
I have used this model for problem-solving and it has so far served me well. Let's look into it in detail:

Situation (S) - Before attempting to solve a problem, we need to first establish what the problem / issue is that warrants our attention. Failing to correctly assess the problem to address would only mean wasting time, effort and resources trying to solve something which is not even the problem in the first place and this can bring about great fustration. Other subpoints to pay attention to:

1. What is the current situation? Both the presenting & underlying problem(s)?
   
2. If there are many problems to address, what are their priorities?
   
3. Despite being a situation which needs to be addressed, what are some of the positive aspects and opportunities?
4. Who are the ones affected by this situation or problem(s)?

Objectives (O) - The next step is to identify the end point; the objective(s) of the project. If the problem is solved, what would it look like? "Begin with the end in mind", says Stephen Covey. This is especially important because different people will have different perspectives of the same situation and how it should be addressed. Ensuring that the objective(s) of the project are clearly spelled out ensures that everyone in the project team is aligned in terms of understanding why the project is initiated and what it aims to do. Other subpoints to consider include:

1. Who are the stakeholders?
   
2. What are the stakeholders' (e.g. team or organization) "philosophy" and whether is the project in line with it?
3. What are the stakeholders' vision and how does the project contribute to that?
4. What are the goals and are these goals SMART (Specific, Measureable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-limited)?
5. Principle of "underpromising" and "overperforming"
   

Approach (A) - After considering and being clear about the situation and the objectives, the team can now collaboratively work on the solutions. Consider the following:

1. What are some possible solutions to address the situation and underlying issues?
2. What are some attempted solutions used to address the situation or similar situations by the team and/or other people?
3. Use Mind-mapping to help chart some of the solutions, be creative
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of some of the approaches?
5. Use De Bono's 6 thinking hats to think through
6. What are some of the work processes needed?
7. What kind of timeline (including review and evaluation processes) is needed?
   
8. How do you track progress?

Resources (R) - What are some of the resources needed to address the situation and to implement the interventions. Subpoints include:

1. What partnership(s) needs to be forged, remembering the concept of "win-win" for all parties involved? Everyone will bring with them certain strengths and resources which would be useful in addressing the situation. The challenge remains to match-make everyone and ensure that everyone is happy and that the situation is solved.
   
2. What specific resources (both existing and new) are needed e.g. manpower, financial, logistical etc?
3. What are some of the existing strengths that can be tapped on?
4. How does the current working culture help to make things better?
5. Task allocation considering the fit between person, skills and talents and task
   

Inertia (I) - Lastly, we need to be prepare for things that will go wrong so that we will not be caught unaware and know how to address potential obstacles that may appear along the way. Looking at inertia ensures that all that could hamper the progress of the project is avoided:

1. What are some of the possible threats?
2. What are some of the possible solutions to these threats?

And there we have it... hope this model is useful :) Just sharing this model with you and hope no one "steals" it and call it their own.

May you soar... fly without effort and ride the wind.

Draggy Day

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Almost died... today is a draggy day... Why? Well because my mood was somewhat dampened in the morning so the rest of the day was like ruined.

Actually it is no big deal... just same old me at work again; always being a perfectionist and having high expectations of myself. Have struggled with this issue for quite some time now and have always been trying to keep expectations of myself in check but sometimes just not successful.

What happened was this: my director came to me in the morning asking me about a certain phrasing which I have used in a publicity material that I have drafted. I had based this on older publicity materials done by the previous person in my portfolio and since it was OK to be used in the past, I presumed that it is OK. However, it was not OK and my director came to ask me to rephrase a particular statement, given the current level of public confidence and sensitivity to charities. See, no big deal right, especially since I wasn't reprimanded, just told to change and submit a copy to the PR director for comments? But somehow, I was upset with myself for not being careful enough and the fact that I forgot to send a copy of publicity material to the PR department...

Then later on in the day, I put in a spot. I was supposed to do a talk to a company which is keen to get its staff help out in our organization but being new, my director suggested that I get help from a fellow PR colleague to go with me. But somehow my colleague thought that it wasn't necessary. Hate this kind of feeling when I am lost... However, somehow she saw that I was lost and said: "well if you would like me to be around this time, I guess I can come along as well." phew!

Later in the day, another colleague asked her staff to approach me for help in allocating volunteers to her but the problem is, I am serving the whole organization and cannot show favourtism by only allocating volunteers to her centre. Tough trying to balance people's expectations of me.

When I was about to make my way back home, I realized it was raining heavily outside... wow... it rained so heavily that many parts of the road were flooded... even walkways become like "long kang" (drains) with water gushing (yes, no joke, gushing) down the steps of the walkway...

See the walkway becoming a "longkang"?

Now watching "Tong Xin Yuan", sighhhh, think don't know how many fishballs "died" in this show... the whole show you just see fishballs being smashed onto the floor... fishballs being stepped on etc... poor fishballs.

Source: www.cg-dreams.com

Just Do It!

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Sometimes, sleeping over an issue does help. At least, the dilemma I faced yesterday became less so a dilemma today when I woke up (yes, I was still thinking whether to respond to the sms the moment I opened my eyes)... I was thinking: "It does not kill me to respond to the message right?" and so I did... I mean, if things were to get better after this, then good... if not, then so let it be... And so I gave a simple response. Nothing much...

"Run away or not, this is a decision you will have to make"
Just before leaving for work today, I switched on my laptop to transfer a file (which I needed at work) to my portable harddisk. I never will switch on my laptop in the morning because my laptop has retired; I do not use it for work now because I have my own desktop in my office. Anyway, this is a good thing (doing work on a desktop) because if I were to do my work on my laptop, there is a higher tendency for me to work at home because I have my work with me! Now, I have my sanity and life back, because once leave office, I choose to leave my work behind and just focus on rest and relationship (just as the biblical day planner proposed)... healthier in this way.

OK, back to my laptop... I switched it on and saw an email from my friend, who have read my blog entry on my dilemma... she related to me how she also had a similiar struggle and has in a way left her friendship "dangling" ever since. She highlighted to me that whether I choose to run away or not, I still have to ultimately make the decision whether to continue with the friendship. Well, I guess that is true... for now, I am taking the "let's-wait-and-see-how-things-develop-then-I-go-with-the-flow" attitude. A valuable lesson indeed!

Alright, now that the lesson is over, I have to decide how I will put it to practice and frankly, I am still lost as to what to do... I just have to give it a careful thought how I genuinely feel about the friendship.

Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom"
Today is staff devotion day and we discussed today's "Our Daily Bread" article on "The Right Focus". The article, written by Joanie Yoder (who I come to know to have passed on earlier this year), wrote on how important it is to have the right focus early in our life: focusing on gratitude for Jesus and His gift of eternal life.

Well, it makes sense doesn't it? I mean, as I have mentioned in a previous blog entry, we all have about the same amount of time to live and what matters most is how we use that time given to us. Physically, we can never guarantee a able body without aches and pains as we reach the "sunset years" as we have even heard of able-bodied young people who also fall sick... What we can do is to ensure that we age gracefully, psychologically and spiritually... If you see birth as the beginning of life then life is relatively more full of hope than if you see birth as the beginning of suffering and death... I think that is the secret to life and why some people despite being sickly and frail at their sunset years can remain so still and positive about themselves...

Especially for christians, living a life of gratitude does help as you see each day as a gift and blessing. I myself am trying hard to live this life of gratitude and trying to have a bit of quiet time with God every morning.

And for the first time, I bravely shared my testimony with my fellow colleagues... I shared the circumstances i which I was brought back to Christ after having back-slided for so long and how after returning I have continually see God's blessings and God's grace at work, week after week... (many of which I highlighted in another blog entry). As I was relating my testimony, I could hear my voice trembling (luckily I never did cry or else will be so "malu"). But I do not know why I was so brave today to share my testimony, about me having back-slided but I guess maybe is because everyone were very frank in their sharing of their own experiences which have made me feel safe about sharing.

New Department Pet
Haha, someone today brought a "pet" to the department which has invited many curious colleagues to pop their heads in to have a second look. Someone brought one of those life-size cats that seems to be sleeping serenely and placed it at the waiting area of the department and everyone who walked past the department just wanted to catch a glimpse of that serenity.

Sleepy Kitty

Performance @ Esplanade
OK, typed enough, have to pack up now and make my way to my friend's house nearby for some pork stew and then we will be going together to a T'ang Quartet performance in Esplanade... very cultured hor hahahaha...

Fresh Catch!

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Kind of like those little stickers you see on some websites; those that make your website or blog seem like some war veteran... decorated with colourful colourful strips. Made some for myself...

Just what codfishy is about...
discovering the ways of the world...


Gone fishing for discoveries...


While fishing, take time to reflect...


codfishy helps others to
take a peek into my world


a world that is unfabricated


Sharing lessons learnt


Capturing interesting things
before they are gone


I am just SO addicted
to blogging...


Always remember to be nice...
I SAID BE NICE!!! That's better.

You've Got Dilemma

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About Relationship
"Beep Beep!" my handphone called out... I have just received a sms which I would never had expected to receive... It was from Z; that friend who "was beginning to hate me". His SMS caught me by surprise and I just became lost all of a sudden.

This time, it is nothing nasty, just a normal (or I hope it is normal) SMS asking me if I know someone in my friend's "wedding band of brothers" (which I had pulled out from because of my souring friendship with Z). I am so lost... a lot went through my mind:

Why did he message me? Is he trying to salvage the friendship? Is he genuine? Is he trying to salvage the friendship to make things less awkward when we meet at my friend's wedding dinner this Saturday? Is there a hidden agenda? Should I respond? Is this an opportunity to set things right? Can I let go?

I don't know, I really don't know... I have received a dilemma and just hate having to make this decision of whether to respond or not and what tone to take... I do not want to make the wrong choice only to regret it later... Ultimately, I tell myself I am still hurt but shouldn't I be offering forgiveness? Some of these life decisions are just that plain difficult to make...

About Work
Side-tracking a bit... I was kinda bored again at work and kinda dread going to work a little in the morning. I am not sure why I feel this way despite my current job almost seem perfect.

I was thinking about why I feel this way and maybe it is because I am used to working in a fast-paced environment. There is work here but somehow it is not urgent and I can afford to take my time to do things.

It might also be because I lack confidence and my current job requires me to meet people, call for meetings and coordinate large scale projects... I just hope this does not last too long... getting kind of worried whether it is normal for me to feel this way.

Giant Elephant Spotted Climbing Up Esplanade

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Spent a good part of my day in City Hall after church service...

Pampering Myself
First stop was Funan and I pampered myself by buying myself a new portable HDD, yoohoo, finally! Bought a 80gb HDD which is slim and now I can easily bring my data around and backup my data just in case my laptop fails on me. Had always wanted to buy a HDD but now feel a bit guilty since I have spent quite a bit (on medicine, food and entertainment) this month. Next month must be frugal a bit.

Me, Walking Tourist Information Counter
Not sure why people kept approaching my friends and I for help... There was this chinese nationals who approached us to ask us where they can find city hall and I had to struggle to explain to them in mandarin that there is no landmark called city hall and it referred to the area since some important civic buildings such as the high courts, parliament house are found there. Next, a family approached us for help with their video camcorder because they did not know how to record with it... and much later, we were also approached by another family on tour to help them take a photo... hahaha, hard work being the walking "Tourist Information Counter". Oh by the way, caught an interesting sight of a giant elephant climbing the walls of esplanade...

Giant Elephant Spotted Climbing Up Esplanade (Back View)


Giant Elephant Spotted Climbing Up Esplanade (Side View)

Finally Got to Eat @ Makansutra's Glutton Bay
I had previously marked Makansutra's Glutton Bay (just beside Esplanade) in my Google Earth but have yet have the chance to eat there... However, was quite disappointed when I was there... nothing much really appealed to me and the food seems to be so-so.

We reached there a little early, at about 5.20pm and some of the stalls were not even opened yet. We hung around until some eventually started business and after much deliberation I bought myself a plate of Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee... the aunite was friendly when she took my order (seriously I expected them to have bad attitude since some stall owners will become so proud since they enjoy good business). Generous serving of big red prawns... later we also bought a couple of chicken wings and friend carrot cake to share. The carrot cake (black type) was nice and sweet...

Glutton Bay @ Esplanade

My Friend Hokkien Mee served in opei leaf

Sharing a plate of fried carrot cake and chicken wings

A Touch of Korea
Finally, we ended up chilling out at "People's Say" cafe in Marina Square which is a korea theme-cafe. They have these LCD TV in the centre of the cafe which showed korean MTV, nice cosy environment. They have this sunday promotion which gave you a cup of coffee with every purchase of cheesecake. I spent $5 for a slice of walnut cheesecake and a cup of Frech Vanilla Frappe. Not bad.

My Walnut Cheesecake

I am in Love!

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The night ended yesterday relatively in a bad note, with me feeling heart-wrenched after having recollected on the series of events leading to the souring of a friendship.

Feeling Victimized
As I made my way to church for service this morning, I tuned into my regular chinese radio station. They played the regular pop songs; some of which are "sad-sad" songs relating to emotional struggles that people face when in relationships. I had liked listening to such songs especially when I am down because somehow you can relate to the lyrics; I remembered listening to some of these songs during the time I experienced difficulty in my friendship. Looking back, this almost seemed like "wallowing in self-pity" and it since the songs was mainly on emotional struggles, it is no wonder one can sometimes feel victimized and spiral downwards. As the train pulled over in each station, I just felt more and more heart-wrenched...

Falling in Love
However, things took a change for the better at service. For the first time, I felt overwhelming love for God while I sang the worship songs for today... songs which has reminded me how I was reborned and saved by His grace at a time when I was most down... I felt such great appreciation that I wanted to proclaim my love for God, several times, almost tearing (and almost fell to my knees)... I was in love and I was in an eternal relationship with God... I am once again reminded that despite my relationship with my friend soured, I should still keep in mind my relationship with God; a relationship in which He is faithful to me but I have been constantly been failing him again and again. I felt love for God and I felt loved...

Worship Songs

How Could I Live
Hillsong United

How could I live without You
How could I survive
Without Your love
Without Your touch
You're the One that heals me
And cleanses my heart
And sets me free

Now i come right before You
With my hands lifted up
With my heart humbly bowed
At Your work on the cross
As You hang there and die
You were paying the price
For my life, For my life

For Your love is higher than the heavens
Deeper than the seas
And all I want is You in my life
Noone else can satisfy my soul
Can make me feel this way
Only You Lord, only You

It's All About Jesus
Planet Shakers

It's all about Jesus
It's all about the way he changed our lives
It's all about Jesus
The power of his blood can't be denied
It's all about Jesus
It's all about the convenant he made
It's all about Jesus
Victorious he rose up from the grave

We lift our hearts to him
He is the reason that we sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We praise your name

It's all about Jesus
It's all about the way he set us free
It's all about Jesus
Bearing all our sins at Calvary
It's all about Jesus
It's all about the gift of love he gave
It's all about Jesus
The precious lamb of God was slain

We lift our hearts to him
He is the reason that we sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We praise your name
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We praise your name
We lift our hearts to him
He is the reason that we sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We praise your name
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We praise your name
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We praise your name
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We praise your name

As the Deer

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship thee

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship thee

Unto You
Planet Shakers

I live for You
All of my days belong to You
You draw me to
Your tenderness, You make me new
Into the secret place I will run
Where my heart can be free in the
Grace that I found in You

Unto You
Be all Glory and Praise
How my heart seeks Your Face
As I'm waiting on You

Only You
Are my strength and my tower
Fill my life with Your Power
As I stand here in awe of You
I stand here in awe of You

Important Lessons from Sermon
Incidentally, today's sermon was on divorce and remarriage and although I am not going through a divorce, there are also important lessons which I have learnt from the sermon which could be applied in this instance... 2 particular verses were useful:

When in need, cry out to God (Hebrews 4:16):
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Ask for and offer forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-2):
31.Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32.Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

To this day, deep in my heart I am trying to offer forgiveness despite how hurt I had been. I guess that is all I can try to do at this point in time so that I can move on... At the end of service, there were continously call for people to come forth if we need prayer and I had wanted to go but hesitated... in the end, I did not manage to garner enough courage to go forth but myself prayed for God to guide me as I go for the wedding next week and meet this friend whom I had fallen out with; praying that I know how to behave in front of him.

Let's Drink to It!

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In a bid to celebrate the British East India Company's successful acquiring of the rights to set up a trading post in Singapore, Raffles brings along... mineral water?!

This was found in The Strait Times (Sat, 12 Nov 05, Home section, page H5)...

Look carefully! (Click for larger picture)

Source: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=161238