Monday, November 27, 2006
this is one expensive xmas tree. can you see how many teddy bears on it? enough to open a small teddy bear shop. perhaps.
oh that's cara and me somewhere in the corner by the way.
think again i am very blessed indeed. after commenting on how much i wanted to eat crab, 3 ppl (that i consider dear friends of mine LOL) offered to have the rare meal with me. the thought really counts even though one of the meals turned out to be prawn party instead ><
oh well, prawns are nice too. hehe. actually, seafood is heavenly dishes.
as xmas is drawing near and yes it's the season of giving, i started to pay more attention on what others like or need. to me, the key of a gift is 'sincerity'
nothing beats that.
- when you put extra effort in getting to know what i really need or like. not anyhow tikam
- when you personally go out to search, pick and pay the particular gift with your own money (it takes a lot of time trust me)
- when you pass it to me with a smile
that's why i like cards, cos it is personal. something that you make yourself is very personal as well. i think when it's personal, you can feel the message behind it; the sincerity, the warmth and the love of the giver.. and that matters =)
by the way, i don't mean to give hints or anything, just sharing my thought.
half hearted equals to no heart.
• • • • •
Saturday, November 25, 2006
i'm full of cuts and bruises. i got so many things to do. SIGH.
i complain when there's nothing to do, yet when there are lots of things to do, i complain as well. tsk tsk.. bad spirit.
anyway now that it's weekend, i'm trying to compensate it with something exciting.
bao asked the cg to gather at vivo to explore the place together this afternoon, but at the end, i ended up shopping alone. LOL.
weiling was busy with her bedroom, susi was too tired, nic had something else, mei was studying, the rest were working, bao had a games session.. oh well.
surprisingly, i totally enjoyed shopping alone. i managed to see a lot of things, bought quite a no of stuff... xmas shopping (though it's still very early LOL).
i guess when there's no one else, you don't need to worry about waiting for one another, deciding where to go etc, cos it's just me and me alone. total freedom.
it was my first time there and the place is huge, took me more than 4 hours to complete my exploration.
later part in the evening, bao came with cara and the 'games' team so i had company for dinner.
i realized that recently i prefer to be in smaller crowd. i don't really feel like socializing anymore. in fact, being alone is great. hmmm.. that doesn't sound very good. haha.
anyway, just realized that homesick by mercy me is really extremely super nice.
You're in a better place I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for You
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with You
I close my eyes and I see Your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand Your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if You showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see Your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see You again.. To see You again
And I close my eyes and I see Your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
• • • • •
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Spiritual Warfare and Sin: DistractionsAnd Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." --Luke 10:41-42
Failing in his frontal attacks upon the child of God, Satan often turns to more subtle means of achieving his evil purpose. He resorts to devious methods in his attempt to divert the Christian from carrying out the task God has committed to him. He often succeeds by involving the saint in some other lesser occupation and so distracting him....
Satan's distracting words often come from the most unexpected quarters. Martha would call Mary away from sitting at the feet of the Master. Sometimes, if we are not careful, our best friend may distract us. Or it might be some very legitimate activity. This day's bustle and hurly-burly would too often and too soon call us away from Jesus' feet. These distractions must be immediately dismissed, or we shall know only the "barrenness of busyness."
• • • • •
Sunday, November 19, 2006
someone told me that one day i would die of overdosage. not of drugs, not of dota, not of anime, but of passionfruit yoghurt drink.
can it really kill me just because i drink it everyday?
diabetes maybe.
chilli crab. black pepper crab.
as i passed the coffee shop downstairs, can't help but to notice those families sitting on round tables eating crab. Suddenly i remember those days when my mom loved to cook crab for me, my dad can make very nice chilli to go with it.
i guess that's the disadvantage of not having parents around.
sigh. i wanna eat crab. how many years have passed since the last time i actually had a crab dish in front of me?
***
last week was a busy one. didn't have time and mood to blog it down LOL. since my boss asked me to help out in the other business (that belongs to her husband) i have been fully utilised in office. xmas is coming, so they really need the extra help, not that i mind since the office is just beside mine.
juggling between 2 jobs was tiring but fun, cos i managed to get to know more colleagues and learnt more stuff. the business is dealing with expensive cookies and wine.. you won't believe that there's a type of cookie called 'wicked dark chocolate' being sold. i can almost imagine how wicked it is =)
i have just finished ouran! (so much for being addicted), 26 in 2 days. i'm surprised myself cos i love the anime. haha. i guess fantasies are what we want from time to time. imaginary world, imaginary people. ouran is a total crap but that's why i like it.
last note: (for myself) stop talking and have some actions!
i gotta call my ex-colleagues out soon and get my sowing going on.
• • • • •
Sunday, November 12, 2006
jim brickman's music is making me very mel. i feel so tired.partly perhaps cos i woke up too early this morning, actually i'm amazed that i really managed to reach nexus at 7 something. i enjoy serving, beginning to think that i'm a martha.
i thought about this just now.
serving is supposed to be fun rite? but sometimes it has become a burden when ppl are not satisfied with what you do, but why must we care about others at the first place? we are serving God, not men.
as long as you know that you have given your best to God, sometimes the result is not the most important thing.
ppl like to criticize, hey i'm not an exception. cos it is easy to say things like oh the singers sang off tune, the drummer missed the beat, couldn't hear the guitarist, the worship leader was not excited enough, the video was poorly done, the sound was too loud, the lyrics were wrong, the drama had a bad ending, the preacher's not funny... you name it you get it.
i heard someone once said "why don't you do it then?"
ok that doesn't sound really nice, but seriously it is true in certain way.
we are just full of complaints, even when we watch soccer and the guy missed the penalty kick, naturally we'd condemn the guy as one of the most stupid guy on earth. come on, penalty kick may not be as easy as it seems, especially with all the millions pairs of eyes looking at you.
don't get me wrong, we can always give comments with objective of improving the person, we all should be happy as the receiver. if no one tells you, there's no way to evaluate and improve. and when they do, we gotta be teachable.. though sometimes you just feel like having bad spirit (easier to do that)
but if your comments have no purpose whatsoever, i think it's better to keep it.
how about when you got blamed for something that you didn't do? well in an indirect way maybe. i think a leader got this a lot, especially in a ministry. gotta shield the whole team and take the overall responsibility. my.. it's a tough job isn't it?
i think we have to cultivate the habit of encouraging rather than finding mistakes.
it's tough enough to be in a ministry or as a leader in a pastoral or even both.
let our work be a joy, not a burden.
servants, just do your best, guard your heart from pride and know that God is looking. your work is never in vain.
i am not comforting myself, self pity or blaming anyone here, it's just a thought. i have many things to reflect myself as well.
listening >> crossroads - jim brickman
i am disappointed with how things turn out with certain friendship that i have, some which are partially broken by myself.
maybe that's why ppl said friends are not forever. perhaps it is true.
• • • • •
Saturday, November 11, 2006
grave of the fireflies
heard of this famous anime from long time ago, i don't think you can still find it considering that it's a classic from 1988. those who have watched claimed that it's one of the most heartbreaking story that you could ever find.
i managed to find the live version, though it may not be as good as the original, to me it is still captivating.
what a movie.
it's not just about war. it left me thinking about LIFE.
it deserves my claps and of course.. my tears and tissues....
• • • • •
a week with susi?last sat i went to botanic garden for the first time. not that it is very interesting inside but it's quite a good experience nevertheless. i think it will be quite fun having a wedding there. garden wedding has always been a wonderful one.
anyway after much walking and taking pics, we walked out from one of the exits, to our horror, the wrong direction.
with no bus, no enough money for cab and no road signs, we ended up walking the long way and finally stumbled upon this small coffee shop at evans road called 'mr.prata'. LOL. it's just divine so we sat there for a tea-break.
surprisingly the prata is very nice! the place is very peaceful as well.
sitting there taking a break after getting lost made me feel almost like a tourist.
a little adventure in the midst of all daily routines ><
after that we continued our walk, but instead of holland road, we walked out towards bt timah road instead.. it's just hilarious.
took a bus from the main road to holland v. the place is in a mess now with all the construction work. we went straight to 'provence' (perhaps the best bakery in spore), many things that i saw really brought back memories.
i bought a camera there (finally) HAHA. i think it's really God's blessing, didn't spend as much as what i expected. so far, am very much satisfied with my new toy.
closed the day with a very romantic dinner at 'essential brew', nice food with affordable price, sitting on the floor with big cushions and lazing around is simply the place for me =)
i fulfilled my promise to treat my cg at 'rice table' on sunday. God has blessed me tremendously with this new job and thus ended my struggle for the past 3 1/2 years. the money is just secondary, we are blessed to bless, i have to remember that always.
the indo buffet is not bad btw, i think i ate too much though. greedy livi.
i walked with susi to borders after that, bought her her heart desire as her bday gift LOL.
we celebrated susi's bday on wed nite. before the dinner, we came across a stall selling accessories and believe it or not, we ended up standing there for one hour.
three claps for timothy, perhaps one of the few rare guys who's willing to wait for the gals patiently HAHA.
susi and nicole took an unbelievable time in choosing necklace. hungry me.
we left the stall buying 5 necklaces and 3 pairs of earrings. good customers huh.
walking around clarke quay, we finally settled down at this italian restaurant by the river (i have no idea what it called). but we managed to get a very good table, right at the corner near the river.
once again surprisingly, we didn't spend as much as what we expected. i think it's a very good deal.
happy bday again to susi.. seriously, just her presence alone has blessed me greatly ^^
still not enough, i met her again on thu for 'step up' .. well simply because it's a dance movie.. we just love seeing ppl dancing, the difference is of course she can dance, i can't. not for a million year.
btw watching movie at the new cathay building is actually cheaper compared to other places, especially if you're paying with uob card... really nice. visa is the way~
listening >> secret place - planet shakers
this blog is my journal and it is mainly for myself, isn't it? or not.
• • • • •
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
thanks yingfang for the link. it is indeed one of the most hilarious clip i've ever seen ><
this is a must watch for those who play world of warcraft!!!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
people with no life. LOL.
• • • • •
Monday, November 06, 2006
oh my gosh. i have just realized that phantom of the opera is coming to spore again. i wanna watch!
esplanade 23 March - 15 April 2007 (8 pm evening shows)
price range : $70-$160
this one needs early planning and booking.
who are interested to watch with me? =)
• • • • •
Friday, November 03, 2006
"Forgiveness is not forgetting, excusing, or smoothing things over. Instead, forgiving breaks the cycle of revenge and creates a new possibility of fairness by releasing us from the unfair past. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." -David C. McCaslandsomeone said that yoghurt is for kids -_-
it is not.
nvm.. to each its own.
anyway today i feel very free in office, way too free.
i wonder what do people think about guys being gentleman? is it weird nowadays seeing a guy who will open the door for you, letting you walk out of the lift first, pull the chair for you to sit down, offer to carry your heavy stuff, lend you his coat in cold place/weather (rainy season i mean)? without ulterior motive, just purely being a gentleman.
do we still see that? LOL.
not that it is very important, in fact i never put a thought about it until today. just think that it's amusing.
i know someone (not going to say who) actually does all those. very well mannered?
i guess it is good in certain ways, even though we always say that men and women are equal, there are just certain different kind of treatment that women would love to receive from time to time. i admit this.
another thought-
why is it that when guys look at pretty gals and make some comments we tend to think that they are struggling with lust and it just doesn't sound right, but when girls openly admire good looking guys it just sounds very normal?
or am i the only one who is thinking like that?
just now i read someone's blog entry about what guys dislike about gals. so amusing but very well written.
on the other side, WL sent me a few emails on what gals dislike about guys as well. is there a war going on or something? ><
i think the most disappointing part about guys is they are hardly faithful. i am still trying my best not to stereotype.
ppl with God should be sanctified rite? so shouldn't be that bad.
what is the one thing that i really hate ppl saying to me?
shut up
i think these 2 words are plain rude.
if you ask me to shut up, i will really stop talking to you forever.
suggestion: use better words, eg. keep quiet or pls be silent.
ok i know i'm weird but that's really what i think.
am i a scary person? is it very intimidating talking to me?
last nite i went to kovan with mei, we ended up having dinner with gerald and dropped by his house to take something. i think i've never had such a long conversation with him before =)
on my way home i received sms from my cousin that one of shirls' old friend whom i know too just passed away. seriously i don't know what to think or say. i guess i'll always remember him as someone who gave shirls the idea on tickling me whenever i wrapped myself in my mom's fave curtain.
where is he going now? are you certain that you'll go to heaven? do you know that you can lose your salvation?
why am i asking so many questions?
• • • • •
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
aaww.. true worshippers is really cool. shirls just brought home their 'shine like stars' dvd.
very nice songs, fantastic music, great vocal, happening stage, excited audience.. and.. spirit-filled!
for $30 something, it's definitely a good investment. i'm not promoting them just because they're indonesian pnw band, but they are really really good. no joke.
i should pay JPCC a visit the next time i go back to jakarta.
note: JPCC -- Jakarta Praise Community Church
went to meet germs at her 'workplace' for a while today. couldn't find the correct dress lolx, been wanting to buy a dress recently, to be more like a woman?
at the end i accompanied her back to toa payoh. i love TPY, the place is just so simple yet alive.. many cheap stuff to buy. i listened to her advice and bought something from pepperplus hahaaa.. and the otah bun from the new shop, it's quite nice. last but not least, i managed to buy the precious marigold's passionfruit & pear yoghurt drink (big size) phew~
it's weird that i have to drink that at least once a week.. unconsciously it has become my staple drink.
God is good and full of surprises... i feel so blessed today.........!!!
• • • • •