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We are all discoverers... travelling the world, learning its truths, its people and its meanings every single day. Grab your backpacks and let's embark on this journey of mine, one that holds a lot of meaning to me... Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker

Saturday, October 15, 2005

 

Remembering Others in Prayer

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Interesting article... However, I keep telling myself there is no right or wrong way of praying, most important is you mean what you pray... however this does help you to remember others in prayer.


Use your hand.
Your fingers can be used to bring to mind different things to pray for.

thumb
this is the strongest digit on your hand. Give thanks for all the strong things in your life, like home and family, relationships that support and sustain you.

index finger
this is the pointing finger. Pray for all those people and things in your life who guide and help you. Friends, teachers, doctors, nurses, emergency services and so on.

middle finger
this is the tallest finger. Pray for all the important people who have power in the world, like world leaders and their governments, members of parliament and local councillors, the Royal Family, other world leaders and their governments.

ring finger
this is the weakest finger on your hand. It can not do much by itself. Remember the poor, the weak, the helpless, the hungry, the sick, the ill and the bereaved.

little finger
this is the smallest and the last finger on your hand. Pray for yourself.

Source: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/learnpray/

 

Tired but Happy

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Alright, I have completed my first week @ work. Somehow, when I woke up today, this Saturday morning seems to feel different... Yes I am tried but then I find that I am also happier.

A Different Work Culture
I still can't believe that I am so tired this week despite the fact that I was out of office visiting centres and have not really officially started work. Guess all the travelling has taken its toll on me. Over this one week, I have met so many people. Up till now, I am really very impressed with what I see and really happy with the work culture here. The whole organization really seems like one big family and you can literally feel love everywhere... Everybody is so nice to one another despite their position and you basically call everyone by their first names, no Mr-what, Ms-what...


team meeting by wagg66

Take yesterday's meeting for example, the culture is really different from other places I have been. In most places, meetings are solemn affairs and when it comes to tasks to be done, not many will willingly take up the task. However, when I went to the meeting yesterday I was so amazed that everyone actively participates in the meeting and volunteers to undertake tasks. There was also so much fun and laughing around, even with the directors (at one point, someone even wanted to cheekily throw a cup at someone :p), but in the end, work is still done... really very different culture; one where you can feel love and passion @ work.

Concerns about Work
Work-wise I am starting to get the hang of things and the tour of all the centres really did help me to better understand all the centres and their services (since I am a more "visual" person), would be crucial since I need to know the vokunteer needs to be able to channel appropriate volunteers to the appropriate centres and programmes. I am not worried about channeling volunteers but rather concerned when I am approached to provide volunteers for projects because I do not know which pool of volunteers to tap and so on. Praying for God's blessings and guidance in coping with the porfolio and also helping me to implement some of the ideas I have for my work.

The week has definitely been a tiring week but I also find myself happy to be in my new workplace... and now I cherish my weekends more for rest and more fellowship with my friends.

Going for Cell
Could have given myself the excuse that "I am too tired" and "cell is too far away from my workplace, at the other end of Singapore" but I pick myself up and nonetheless took a 1hr 15mins bus journey to cell group. Anyway, found myself to be a little more opened-up at cell today, relative to last week. Maybe because I am beginning to warm up to the cell or maybe because I have been amidst nice people the whole week and is less uptight with all the love around... I thank God for that.

Being God-Centered & Sharpened Spiritually
Anyway, our cell leader was not around yesterday as she went on a missions trip. Hence the cell was taken over by another one of our cell mates and he was so easily embarrassed that we kept laughing because it felt funny running the cell group without our leader. Anyway, we discussed the last sermon in cell and the "replacement" cell leader told us to take a piece of paper and draw a big heart and position Christ and 2 other things that are important in our lives in the heart, with the one which means the most to us towards the centre of the heart. In the end, I drew Christ, family, friends and work relatively near to the centre. I shared that I am still in the midst of trying to put Christ towards the centre, something that could be quite easy since I am working in a christian organization now and I can see the grace of God at work everyday. However, I tell myself I must be careful not to let work be my centre again, it is so unstable. But I still hold family and friends close to my heart. Also was reminded to have a mentor or at least an accountability partner to help sharpen ourselves spiritually.

Scared of Praying in Groups
I think I have a problem... I do not know how to pray! It may sound ironical but then it is something that I am worried because sometimes you will be called upon to pray for others amidst a group and everyone seems to be able to pray for so long while my prayers are so "short and sweet". I mean I know that the genuineness, rather than the length, of the prayer is important but there is just this peer pressure and not wanting to appear "weak" in front of them... ego thingy la... something I have to work on.

To the Airport!
After cell, met my friends for a while for a short roadtrip to the airport to chill out the rest of the night (or shall I say early morning) before we retired for the day.

Hope I will be using this weekend productively and meaningfully for rest.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

 

What Makes News in Singapore?

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US Kay-Po and Slaps Singapore becoz they feel Singaporean Cannot Speak Up

The heading of the Financial Times article on MSNBC reads:
"US envoy slaps Singapore over freedom of speech"

and after reading the whole article, I can't help but feel, why US so kay-po one ah? Especially so when I read:
"Ms Herbold (Patricia Herbold, successor to outgoing US ambassador to Singapore, Mr Frank Levin) a lawyer and Republican fundraiser, told a US Senate hearing on her confirmation that she would continue a dialogue that Washington has with Singapore regarding the openness of its society and its political system."
Don't get me wrong. I am not against freedom of speech. Indeed, I recognize the fact that the what may have seen by others to be "tough-handed" style of governance might have been especially useful in the initial years if nation-building and that with a populated becoming more educated, it may be necessary that governance adapt to allow for more participatory governance. I had my fair share of disappointment when the decision was made to continue with the building of casinoes, despite clear objections by its people. However, why US? I can relatiively accept it more if it is a UN-Singapore dialogue but US-Singapore? Kind of really feel that US is really playing the role of Big Brother to the world and poking its nose into others' affairs. This of course, is my opinion.


Source: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9670156/

OK, went around reading more and found 2 more articles on it, found in the Straits Times and Today papers. Notice the angle which it is coming from? If I read this first (or read this only), I would not have felt so irritated... words are scary, plays with your emotions...


Article from Today Newspaper
Source: http://miyagi.sg/?p=147


Article from Straits Times
Source: http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2005/10/one_outgoing_us.html

Singaporeans Slaps Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board's Mistake in PSLE Paper


Source: http://www.todayonline.com

These few days, there seems to be coverage on SEAB's mistake in one of the PSLE papers; that a particular Maths question is flawed. Corrective actions were then taken and the SEAB stated that all students will get 2 marks regardless which answer they chose.

Frankly speaking, I was disappointed that such things can even happen but human err don't they? It seems that nowadays we are taking life so seriously that the slightest error could not be tolerated. Now, even the "2-marks" issue can become news in this island-nation-state.

I found the news coverage to be especially interesting. First they filmed a student who mentioned that 2 marks is important and it could make a difference between an "A*" grade and an "A" grade (Guess he was upset that non-deserving students can get an A* because of the 2 marks hehe) and then cuts to another student saying how important the 2 marks are as it can make a difference between a student "meeting the rrquirements of the school" and not "meeting the requirements of the school" (Guess he meant that the 2 marks can make a difference between passing and failure the subject).

Lastly, it cuts to a parent who related how this mistake would have caused considerable psychological stress that may affect the students' performance? You mean a 2-mark MCQ question has that effect? If this student is really stressed by the question so much so that his/her performance will get affected, then how is this student going to survive secondary and tertiary education? A mistake has been made and we must learn to gracefully accept it, learn from it and move on...

OK spoken my piece... just kind of disturbed with these two articles guess I wanted to share my views about it.

Work Piles...
Anyway, I continued with my "tour" of the centres under my organization and fortunately today the weather is not so hot... Anyway, got my office back today in the late afternoon and started to work on my email. Work seems to be piling up as I went on my tour and in the past few days, I had an excuse not to do work because my email was not activated. Guess I have to start work now. Anyway, got back about 7pm and talked to my ex-colleague for almost 2 hours on the phone... seems that things have not been going well for her and she is getting more stressed day after day. Lent my listening ear.

Me? Pre-occupied with Self? I? Me? Myself?
My sis mentioned that I seem to be more preoccupied with myself recently and upon reflecting I think it might be true le. This blogging business has somehow moved my focus back onto myself. Must balance balance so that I am not too self-preoccupied...

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

 

Noble Giving, Noble Gifting

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Another day has passed and I am now having a slight pounding headache... very tiring day and collapsed the moment I got home... even struggled with the idea of updating my blog.

Anyway there is nothing much today. Today, I mainly visited the social enterprise components of my organization which deals with used items donated. Visited their processing centre and was amazed at the scale of operations. Basically this social enterprise part of the organization helps to make the organization and its services sustainable... the idea is to collect unwanted items which are relatively still in good condition, restore them for resale at a second-hand price...

There were all kind of things from used clothes, luggage bags, furniture, art pieces, exercise equipments etc and some are still in good condition. If a specific request is made by a low income family through our social services, some of these items will also be in turn donated to them. Those which are not usable will be recycled. At the same time, the processing centre also engages ex-convicts, ex-mental patients etc in work therapy, helping them to reintegrate back into society and earn a livelihood. What a wonderful concept! Met the general manager who is a very innovative persion passionate about his work, can really learn from him. Love his "giving" attitude, helping to make the organization and its services viable while expecting little back. He reminded me that we don't go to church to just listen to a sermon, feel good and then continue living our lives forgetting what was taught... we need to do the work of God everyday, even in our work and this is how he is doing it.

OK, head pounding liaoz... need to sleep...

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

 

Singaporeans to Sit for Exam in November

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Just received an email from my friend and apparently, the Ministry of Home Affairs will be "setting off some bombs" in MRT stations in November or December...

There will be no warning, no schedule. If you happen to be a commuter at the selected stations — and the exercise is likely to take place during peak hours
This is meant to be an "examination" for Singaporeans to see how ready the nation is when faced with a terrorist attack.

The full article is on http://www.todayonline.com/articles/75655.asp


Source: http://www.delldjsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6502
Without warning, next month, there will be explosions

Weekend • October 1, 2005

SOME time in November or December, bomb blasts will be heard in as many as four MRT stations here. The Ministry of Home Affairs wants to know how well- prepared Singaporeans are if terrorists strike and, unlike other SCDF exercises, Singaporeans won't have a choice as to whether or not they want to take part.

There will be no warning, no schedule. If you happen to be a commuter at the selected stations — and the exercise is likely to take place during peak hours — Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng is waiting to see how ready you are.

"Please cooperate with us, please carry on as normal, but at the same time please play a part. But as to when it will happen, we will not say — there is no warning by terrorists before they bomb a station," said Mr Wong in an exclusive interview with Today.

In fact, when he heard about the July 7 terror attacks on London's subway trains, his thoughts turned naturally to Singapore.

"I thought, despite all the preparations they've made, it has happened to them. Which means, despite all the preparations that we're making, or have made, it can happen to us," said Mr Wong, who is also the Home Affairs Minister.

He commended the London authorities and Londoners for the way in which they dealt with the attacks. Would Singaporeans be as brave? "I hope they would respond the same way," said Mr Wong.

The exercise in November may offer some clues, though officials here started taking notes much earlier.

Soon after the London blasts, a team of police officers from Singapore visited London to see what lessons could be drawn from the tragedy.

Mr Wong was coy about sharing details. "The last thing you want to do is to let the enemy know what you're doing."

But he added: "We've learned a lot. And in time, we'll share that with others … But looking at how Londoners reacted to the bombing, and how they went about their normal lives, I think that is something Singaporeans should learn."

His greatest fear is that if, or when, terrorists succeed in hitting Singapore, its citizens will flee. "We have to make sure that we can't be defeated by this," he said. "If a bomb explodes and (people) run away, I think the terrorists will have won. We cannot let ourselves be defeated by our own doing; we have to stand up and say: 'No, we must persist and we must carry on.'" — Teo Hwee Nak

 

You Eating Lice Hor?

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Haha, below is a little excerpt of the sms "conversation" I had with my sis this evening. She wanted to ask me if I would be having dinner at home. It goes something like tat:

Sis: You eating lice tonight hor?
Me: Well, not reallie into eating lice le, still used to rice. Think I will give it a miss this time, shall stick to my rice diet.
Sis: You must try you must try, how do you think I maintain my "slim" figure?
Me: Crazy woman!

Haha, for a moment, thought I joining Fear Factor hahaha.

Exhausting Day
Still managed to report to work on time, yeah! But, guess I slept late yesterday since I was typing my blog entry for yesterday till 12 plus so was still a bit sleepy on my way to work. Anyway, spent the whole day going around the various centres meeting people. Today,we visited 6-7 places in the East, all the way in Changi, Pasir Ris and Tampines.

The tour did help me better understand the various programmes and services offered by my organization which is important for my work. Everyone I met today are so friendly, feel like I am in a big family although my shyness got the better of me again. By the end of the day, I was so exhausted that I dozed off several times on the way home (was never so tired before). Maybe I was tired to begin with, and with all the travelling and the long break I had from work, it would take me a while to adjust back to working life :D More centres to visit over the next few days.

I was also incredibly hungry several times today... maybe use too much energy ah?

Talking with SMS
I saw my fellow hearing and speech impaired "office mate" again on bus on my way to work. Somehow it felt funny seeing her but then not being able to communicate with her verbally. Though we had no pen and paper, we both immediately took our handphones out and communicate by typing what we wanted to say. What an interesting way to communicate! :) Maybe should learn sign language one day.

 

First Day of Work

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Source: www.zer02.com

Today is my first day of work and I enjoyed it.

Woke up real early in the morning (at 6.30am), not really used to it yet but then have to adjust. Worked out a bit and then prepared for work.

Along the way to work, I prayed for God's blessings to help me settle into my new workplace and for me to do and say the right things on my first day.

Was warmly welcomed by my department and we ate breakfast together (yummy beehoon). They also joked that everyone who came into the department will normally grow fatter (oh no!) :)

After breakfast, my tour of the HQ building commenced and I must have met some 30-40 people in the whole HQ and by the end of one hour I was like so overloaded with faces and names that I can't remember a single one (with the exception of my department mates). Nevermind, shall take my time... Friendly place.

Went to another centre to meet with my predecessor to discuss about work and made my way back to office in the afternoon. For the rest of the afternoon, I basically buried myself in files, reading all the correspondences and minutes in my predecessor's cardboards... info overload.

Just before I left office, managed to break the ice with another colleague seated in my room. She is hearing and speech impaired. However, we managed to communicate with each other using pen and paper. Appreantly, we met each other this morning at the traffc light while making our way to office. We bidded each other farewell.

Home bound!

Sunday, October 09, 2005

 

On Purpose

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Woke up this morning feeling sick again, was sniffing and had a bit of wheezing... anyway, refused to give myself another excuse for not going to church, I pulled myself out of bed and made my way to church.

Anyway, today's sermon is on purpose... some kind of summarizes the 5 purposes God has in stalled for us... (that reminds me, I have not even finished "The Purpose-Driven Life"). Anyway, think the following questions is indeed good in helping one think about the purpose of one's life:
  1. What will be the centre of my life? (What am I living for? Who/What am I worshipping? Money? God?)
  2. What will be the community of my life? (Fellowship)
  3. What will be the character of my life? (Comfort or Character? Being christ-like)
  4. What will be the contribution of my life? (Getting or Giving?)
  5. What will be the communication of my life? (Promoting myself or sharing Christ?)
Also ask yourself, what is your S.H.A.P.E.?
  • S - Spiritual Gifting(s)
  • H - Heart
  • A - Ability
  • P - Passion
  • E - Experiences
Anyway, found today's sermon to be quite meaningful and ordered 2 copies of the sermon maybe to give as gifts to friends who might need it.

For me, I am still finding my purpose but then hope that I am going the right direction (will be starting a new chapter of my life tomorrow when I start work). Just received a letter informing me that my application for a job in a government ministry is not succesful but wasn't the bit affected, more looking forward to tomorrow when I start work.

Had also received a gift from my ex-sup. She gave me a bible study guide that helps me study the bible and presents it in a chronological order... so glad, initially had wanted to study the bible but didn't know where to start since all the guides are so expensive, another prayer answered. :D

Anyway, have also decided to help organize my cell group's christmas party and attended the meeting.

 

Down the Streets of Orchard

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Monday is coming and that would mean that my "free-end-easy" lifestyle is coming to an end and I am going to re-join the working class, aiyah...

Spent the evenings this weekend at Orchard Road because went to meet a friend and his girlfriend who was working there during the weekend. There is really nothing much to do in Orchard except shop. Since we do not shop, we quickly find ourselves struggling to find ways to entertain ourselves... Literally, we were just taking it easy and pamering ourselves.
  • My first try of gelato (italian ice-cream) bought from Venezia at Taka food court

Gelato Galore!


My coconutty Gelato with Wafer!
  • My first try of Aunt Annie's pretzels found at Taka basement, outside the foodcourt

Mickey likes pretzels?
  • We laid back on our chair at Subway® (Orchard Hotel), enjoying our 6-inches sandwich while looking up at the "cloud-filled" ceiling (the place is still pretty much the same as it was when we visited it 8 years ago: quiet)

Clouds Overhead!
  • We "chilled out" at 24-hours MacDonald's (Forum Galleria) till 2am
  • We challenged each another to pronounce the word "itinerary" and spell it... later adjourned to Kino (Taka) to search the dictionary to verify its spelling... of coz we also spent a considerable amount of time doing some "cheapskate free reading"

Hardworking neh? Studying the dictionary
  • We visited and ate at "Pepper Lunch" (a new Japanese chain fast-food steak restaurant) in Taka where your food is served on a special high-powered electromagnetc cooker which heats up the hot plate to 260 degress Celsius in just 70 seconds and then at about 80 dgeree Celsius for some 20 minutes.
    Apparently meat grilled at this temperature is supposed to remain tender and juicy. I went for the curry beef pepper rice. The fun part is mixing the rice and the beef as the meat sizzles away and dousing it with as much honey brown sauce, garlic soy sauce, pepper and salt as you want. Taste like "guo ba"and the rice was fragrant, also dunno if it is because I put too much sauce, oops.
    They also have this interesting staff culture where the all the staff regardless at the counter, in the kitchen (or maybe even in the toilet) all will greet you when you enter the restaurant with "Irashaimase" (Japanese welcome), makes you feel welcomed. But after a while and after hearing countless shouting of it (which sounded like "ey ey ey"), it can get rather noisy

    My Curry Beef Pepper Rice




    Read the instructions!


Done!
  • Watching a whole row of photographers with their humungous black boxes, elbows out, standing in line, shooting a fashion show... *flash-flash-flash-click-flash-flash-flash*

*Flash-Flash-Flash*
  • Shopped for cheap $9 Tee just because I was so silly enough to wear his thick long-sleeve shirt and I was perspiring madly... (well it was raining and cold in the morning what).
  • Spending time away from my "treacherous" laptop which I have spent my last 2 years slogging away on and would feel so lost without

 

New Worship Songs for the Repertoire

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Forever
By Chris Tomlin

Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand
and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever

His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Foerver you are with us
Forever
And ever
Yeah

Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Forever you are with us
Forever
Forever
You are God...
Forever
And ever and ever...


You're Worthy Of My Praise
By Jeremy Camp

I will give, you all my worship
I will give, you all my praise
You alone, I long to worship
You alone, are worthy of my praise

I will worship, with all of my heart
I will praise you, with all of my strength
I will seek you, all of my days
I will follow, all of your ways

I will give you, all my worship
I will give you, all my praise
You alone, I long to worship
You alone, are worthy of my praise
You are worthy of my praise

I will bow down, and I'll hail you as king
I will serve you, I will give you everything
I will lift up my eyes to your throne
I will trust you, I will trust you alone

I will give you all my worship
I will give you all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

I will give you all my worship
I will give you all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

You are worthy, You are worthy
You are worthy of my praise

Oh, I will give you all my worship
I will give you all my praise
You alone I long, I long to worship
Well, you alone are worthy of my praise

You are worthy of my praise

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