Life as a Singaporean

As silly as this may sound, life as a Singaporean may seem boring. A clean- safe environment, a regular job, little concerns, etc. At the announcement of GE, emotions and thoughts that were once suppressed began to unravel. Netizens shared resentment or view about how things are run in the country. It's historical to witness so much upheavel amongst the citizens who were onced regarded as docile and nonchalant. Singaporeans may seem nonchalant at times but I believe we all love our little island nation and are proud to be Singaporeans, despite the incessant complaints...May the best candidates win this Saturday. It's about time that we embrace a new identity and make a difference!

The broken world

While the next few weeks or even months may be filled with joyous anticipation of something fun, a holiday or even something simple like the premier of a movie, there's someone out there struggling to make ends meet. Someone who may be exploited by selfish human nature, someone who is oppressed for the gain of others...it's everywhere!

At times, you may witness a feeble old gentlemen clearing the mess we make at food centres, and it makes you ponder if they have their own families, do they have any financial support? Or how they feel about working at the supposed 'retirement' age? Even when you pick up a magazine with pictures of scantily clad women, isn't that a form of exploitation as well?

Are we guilty sometimes of 'exploiting' someone? Are we guilty of devaluing man? Even for a wretched fellow, or just a passing acquaintance, a yelling kid at the playground, a beggar making ends meet...all man are created in the image of God. But do you see the value of man as much as God does? I am guilty of not loving His creation as much as He intended. May the Lord convict me to love my neighbour as myself. Not in a superficial manner but with sincere and genuine hearts. Caring for people like how Christ will tend and love His flock.

Milestone

My 2 weeks of break seem to pass very quickly. Most of my time is occupied by completing assignments and meetings. Next week, I will be starting my tenure! It blows my mind that I have the slightest idea of what to expect. At the same time, T and I will be picking a unit for our future home. I do feel taxed, thinking about our finances for our house, my studies and our wedding. Nevertheless, this is a GREAT milestone in my life! :D With great anticipation for the future, I look forward to how things will unfold in due time!

Relaxed Saturday

Began the day with T over breakfast before I headed to Alliance Francaise for lessons. As always, I enjoy time in school but it has been increasingly challenging to pick up the specifics of French. The day was rather hazy, probably because of our neighbouring forest fires. Ironically, we went for a BBQ with T's uni pals in the evening. I enjoyed the small chats over food and drinks. It has been years since I visited East Coast. (around 5 years?) As I sat with the group and chat about life, it seems most Singaporeans strive all their lives for a bachelor's, get stuck with a 9-5 job and life goes on with the usual struggles and reality. Life in a tiny city lacks spark and lustre...but the company that we mix with makes a whole lot of difference. I thank God for all the friends and family members that He placed in my life.

My kind of fairytale

Finally! It's my last day in HML. Never had I thought my tenure with them will be so short. Perhaps it's God's timing? I believe the people whom I meet or the things that I learnt here is God's plan for me.

This is a special week. Ser had a sleepover at my place, Tim's family will be here and it's also Timmy's and my anniversary. Although our lifestyle and work is hectic, I am grateful for every little moment that I can spend with him. When I was much younger, I had childish definition of a girl's 'prince charming'. Alas! God knows best...He knows what's best for me - a man who loves me just the way I am, someone whom I can deal with the realities of life with. At the same time, the pessimistic part of my mind ponders about 'God giving and taking away...' I don't know when God will take away some of the things in my life, but I pray He will enable me to always praise Him.

Viola!

Tomorrow will be my last day at HML. I could finally heave a sigh of relief! It's great that I don't feel a sense of attachment, nevertheless, I am just happy to move on and begin a career in the humanitarian field.

The weekend was a great one. As always, I enjoy French lessons very much (At Alliance Francaise). T prepared and treated me to a 6-course Japanese lunch for me which includes chawanmushi, bellied pork, cha soba, etc. :D In the afternoon, we headed to Chong Pang for some durians and I had a small accident on our way back to his place. While carrying the bag of durians, I crashed into the wall with the durians...needless to say, my left knee was covered with poke marks from the thorns...T unsympaththetically said we should document this because he feels more amused than sorry for me. Haha! Some things never change. I will always be clumsy.

This morning, apart from reading updates about Japan, I read about Knut's passing too. Kunt is the polar bear cub that was abandoned by his mother and reared by a keeper. The cause of his death is unknown. Although I enjoy watching the animals in the zoo, I think its best to let them go free in their natural habitat.

Waiting room

Today's sermon was from Mark Chapter 8, which talks about the disciples missing the point of Jesus' miraculous feeding of 5000 with just a few loaves of bread. They failed to see that Jesus has the power to provide and create...Have you forgotten that Jesus can provide for you?

I felt that God was speaking to me through the sermon. Everyone goes through a waiting room phase...a time when you wait for your results, you wait for an answer or even for a certain date. T and I are waiting for some things in our lives. Waiting for the results of our application, waiting for his family to visit, waiting for a job that allows us to glorify God. Have I missed the essence of what God is teaching me as He makes me wait for many things in my life? As I ponder about what God is saying, I feel at peace, as He gives me His assurance...I believe God will give me an answer with a confirmation for the very thing that I seek. An answer to a life-changing and covenantal decision. Lord, give me the patience to wait upon You...

Crossroads, again

I am writing now for fear of forgetting this. At every juncture of someone's life, he has to make a decision about something. Sometimes the decisions are small, sometimes it carries a life changing consequence. I, am caught in the crossroads once again. I know the next few months will be life-changing and in my cauldron of emotions, frustration is what I experienced most during this period. The lack of control and helplessness is inevitable yet frustrating. Perhaps, when I look back at this post in a few months time, I may laugh at my silliness of doubting God's providence.

At the same time, some things were brought to my attention - the helplessness of the oppressed. I do not know if God will call me to the works of restoration but I will be willingly...though unready and unworthy. The uphill task of restoration is beyond my capacity.

Despite being at the crossroads, I want to thank God for everything He has given me. My bf, my family, my friends, the comfort of having freedom and a home. Surely, since we are blessed richly, we too should bless others because of God's love.

Edification

Lord, I thank you for your word that was shared today about edifying your church, acting out of love for you. Show me Your ways and teach me to love others always! For you!

(Romans 14)

Finale

It feels like one of the "How I met your Mother" episode about Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's the time of the year when we binge ourselves silly and meet up with friends and loved ones. It's also the time of the year when most people will go for holidays or indulge in shopping sprees.

I like Christmas. Not just because of the warmth that you get from spending quality time with your loved ones. I like Christmas simply because it's a good way to end the year by remembering God's love for everyone. As the finale approaches, I want to give thanks for everything that had happened in 2010. May God be praised for yet another year.

More than Conquerors

Today's sermon was taken from Romans 8.

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This was the exact passage that God showed me in 2008, during the Christmas season. Nothing keeps us from God's love. This advent season, it sparked some reflection about how I had lived my life for the past 12 months. In the passage, it says we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The word 'Conqueror' means winner, it originates from Old French word, conquerre, from Vulgar Latin conquērere (unattested) to obtain, from Latin conquīrere to search for, collect, from quaerere to seek.

Because of God's grace, we are able to conquer, to seek His true love, love that is all sufficient, all powerful, unconditional. How beautiful to know that the love we receive from God is so perfect!

God led me to this hymn for comfort. May God give me strength to declare that it is well with my soul...


It is well with my soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul

It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

Cauldron of frustrations

There's this growing sense of frustration. With my personal life, work as well as striving to maintain a balance in ministry. God, please help me... How do I keep my cool in the midst of all these?

Good things

All good things are from God, and Him alone. I am thankful for the little blessings this week. For the time spent with Val, catching up with different groups of friends, a nice home-cooked lunch on Sat as well as the day spent at MHKY's wedding. Indeed, let us not stop giving thanks. In good or bad times, may God continue to help me to give thanks and praise Him.

It had been a trying week for T and I as we iron out some major differences...will iron sharpen iron? or will things just fall out between the both of us? I pray that God will continue to lead us and help us to honour and please Him in our decisions...

What kind of light are you?

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

- Matthew 5:13-14

This had been a rather unusual week. An unusual week of catching up with friends from church, and school. The topics and issues that were discussed really piqued my interest and sparked some deep reflection about my faith. A close friend shared how she felt uncomfortable sharing some things with Christians...We are called to be salt and light of the world, being ambassadors of Christ...yet somehow, being set apart may be the very thing that makes people uncomfortable...I thank God for helping me to live a christian life, at the same time, it is my prayer that God will use me as a light that brings comfort and not one to be shunned.

Blunder Blunder, God is Greater!!!!!

I made a huge blunder at work today and had to apologize to the relevant parties because of it. Felt awful for the implications but I am thankful that God helped me to admit my mistakes and move on. It's probably the best way to deal with the situation.

I want to live a God-ward life, praising God in good and bad times, under all circumstances. It has been a great week with the arrival of Baby A (2). I can't wait to see Tim's little nephews in Feb!!!! There are so many things that I want to achieve at the moment. I want to have better financial stability, career achievement and a right relationship with God and my loved ones. May God guard this passion.

Crêperie

Met up with a group of gal pals at a local Crêperie. Food is great. Taste just like those from Brittany. YUMMMMMMM...

Basil escargots

Creme Brulee

crêpe Suzette

crêpe Normandy (mushroom, cream, ham)

crêpe grande

Move it move it...

I haven't been discipline enough to blog regularly but so much has happened in 2010. Switched jobs, went to France, celebrated 2nd Ramly anniversary with bf and started my Bachelor's studies in Counselling, Jo got married. It's an exciting journey no-less. I am happy to finally embark on my dream to be a counsellor.

At the same time, 2010 marks my career switch. Bidding teaching good-bye, I embraced a secretarial job in the corporate world. It's amazing how things work out but I'm loving it. I feel just like the lion moving from the zoo to Madagascar. New adventures, new people, new experiences. Lovely.

Rawwwww

(pic of one of my bestie with the perfect expression on her face)

It's a new year! It's a year speckled with excitement and anticipation! I'll be schooling (again) and bidding farewell to my profession for the last 2 years. Looking back, 2009 has been a great one for me. A year of meeting new people and gaining new experience. There's so much to look forward to this year! I'm lovin' it. And I'm very thankful for the ones who have stood by me all these while, especially God and my hunter b.f who has been catching lovely seafood for me.

Octobre commentaires

2009 is almost over. Glad it's almost the end of school term. I'm excited about Nov :) New start, new beginning! I feel like the guys on the jetty. Walked a long way this year...the end is near, yet it seem so far.