Before The Clock Strikes Twelve...

I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Titoudao tonight.

I think all the actors and actresses are excellent. Special mentions to Pam Oei, Sebastian Tan, Chua En-lai and Beatrice Chia-Richmond. They brought the characters to life.

The story takes the viewer on a journey of the life of a woman who found life in traditional Hokkien Opera (wayang). Kudos to the the production team who intricately interspersed legends and fables in the operas with the story of the main character living through the sixties.

The stage production is good too, blending the backstage of Chinese opera with painted banners that served as backgrounds for the various opera scenes. The usage of Hokkien, English, Mandarin and Malay to portray the characters is also a refreshing experience for me. For those of you who do not understand non-English languages, most of those scenes comes with English subtitles (but like I said, MOST...).

And the jests are genuinely funny. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Catch it if you can, the play ends this Saturday.

[ About Titoudao]

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I had a thought today.

I hope I do not turn into a snob.

No, really. I've been noticing that I've been having snobbish thoughts about people. Picking on their English, Mandarin, mannerism, how they treat me and even how they look.

A part of me argued that it's a part of the change that I am going through now. Given my more recent exposure to people and situations recently, it's natural that I form my perception of people based on my experiences.

In fact, I'd be the first to say that I judge people secretly. My first impressions of people are not always "Oh, he/she is soooo nice!" Because sometimes, I feel that I am better and more superior than them in many areas. I am not always right. No, make that most of the time. Most of the time, I am wrong in my judgement. Fortunately (THANK GOD), I was able to get to know the person better to wipe away those misconceptions.

Granted, we are all different in the way we do things. That's how God made us. But that doesn't mean if I can do something better than you, I am superior.

So... I will consider my thoughts before I quash my perception of others.

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I also had another thought.

Tonight I realised that I am actually behaving and looking a lot more like a woman now, instead of a girl. I mean, I know that I AM A WOMAN NOW.

It's hard to describe to you the feeling. It's a realisation, the thought of me being a woman, instead of looking forward to be one. You see the difference? Just like a man knowing that he has became a man, instead of a boy or a youth.

I wonder how much of this realisation would change my life this day forth.

Ponderings And More Nice Things

Y passed me a link to this site sometime back. I ventured the blog tonight and went into a site by Focus on the Family called Boundless.

After reading Blessedbabe's site and some articles at Boundless, the Single Woman in me pondered about my own situation.

Ponder-ponder-ponder-ponder.

I decided that tonight, I will pray a different prayer.

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More Nice Things...

5) I forgot to mention that another of my friend is going to church too.

She was one of the girls who went to our Chalet gathering earlier this month.

6) I am going to Bangkok next-next week!

Since plans to Nanjing has been shelved, L asked me along for a exam break trip with her in April. I am excited. I was with a shopping group the last time I went, and didn't have a chance to check out the city. I shall do so this time round!

7) Tomorrow I shall watch Titoudao with LL!

8) A Malaysian friend who is currently working and living in San Francisco is now "in a relationship"

At my request, he immediately forward to me a picture of the both of them spending Christmas in Canada at the girl's house. They look like a really adorable couple! :D

I know I know, the last item has nothing to do with me. I am just feeling really happy for him and joyful 'cos the search is over, for one of us at least. Heh...

Thank you for the nice things you've showered and shown me, Lord! I am truly blessed!

Nice Things....

1) A good friend of mine is 3 months pregnant

We got acquainted during my first mission trip. Since then, she has been back to Canada and Malaysia and now settling with her husband in Singapore. A great encourager for me and a cheerful soul, always displaying her strong faith in the Almighty when both of them meet head on with difficult trials. We don't meet up often, but she is one of those stay-the-same-friendship-without-need-to-meet-up.

We will meet up soon! I am excited to see the new mommy! :D


2) My ex-colleague has been going to church!

Whoopee! This morning she messaged me about my message on MSN about going to Bangkok in April. Then somewhat, she suddenly typed "Hey, tell you something"
"I've been attending church recently..."

When I saw that, I was thrilled, and my spirit rejoiced. It was great to hear that from a friend. Though I was not the one who has been "preaching" to her, I thought maybe somethings I have said or done in the past did an imprint on her. And she was comfortable to share this good news with me. I didn't want to corner her into a "So have you confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?" mode yet. I guess I will probably ask her when I meet up with her.

She was brought to church by her cousin, and it's encouraging to read that she enjoys the teaching of God's word, and is not influenced by the people.

Isn't that great news! Thank you Jesus!


3) Mr Bean's Holiday

P, J and I went to watch the movie with J's sister and mom, since J's dad works at the cinema.

The movie has typical Mr Bean's antics, but what really really charmed me were the various scenes of France. I like how they producers incorporated a video camera into the movie, where Bean videotapes the people, things and sceneries whereever he goes. It captures the essence of what a tourist would experience in Paris.

Makes me want to zoom to Paris immediately! :D

Overall, the movie was much better than the previous one made. We enjoy ourselves thoroughly. One big boo-boo though. They censored a part of the movie that was in the trailer :S Was it necessary, I wonder.

Oh, I think I am getting the soundtrack of the movie :)

4) I've just finished fixing a fan, all by myself

My mom's fan has broken down this morning, and I believe, beyond fixing. So I shifted my fan into her room , and told her I will be getting one after work.

I finally got a fan after going in and out of Carrefour PS, BEST DENKI PS and finally Carrefour Suntec. Lug it home and first thing I did was to fix the fan up.

It took me about half and hour and it felt good after I had it fixed up. In case you do not know, there are still people out there who do not know how to fix things like these...

Anyway, I am proud of myself. At the very least, I will not bake in the humid weather tonight.

Yippee! :D

Matthew 24

I don't do this often. But I thought I would share this chapter online.

I was doing my Quiet Time today and I came to Matthew 24. It was very real to me as I listen to the audio version of the chapter and refer to the written version. It is powerful. It is real.

This is the audio and text version pertaining The End of the World, according to the Word of God, the Bible.

Matthew 24 (NIV) - TEXT

Matthew 24 (NIV) - AUDIO (right-click to save target)

Compare what was written some 2000 years ago, to what is happening in the world today.

I hope you will be inspired to be hopeful with me about the things that will happen, when everything is over.

Amen.

The Good Life

And it happens to be another one of those memorable ones.

Went over to Changi to meet friends, E and LL for lunch. I thought we should meet somewhere else other than town. LL suggested we meet at Changi, near her office and promised me a good view. So we met at SAF Yacht Club.



And a nice view it was indeed. Endless sea view. Nice sailboats. Bright skies. Sea breeze. Endless, endless view of the beautiful, beautiful sea.

We talked and talked, and I am updated with what's happening with their lives. My life pale in comparison with theirs. But I am not complaining. Sometimes, I silently wish I could have that portion of their lives. Other occasions, I am just relieved that I do not have a difficult MOL (mother-in-law) to handle. :)

So, yeah. It was a nice lunch.

Before the end of lunch, we have made a promise to meet up again.

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I went home for a while before meeting up with P and J for a concert at the National Stadium.


The event name was called "We Sing Our Songs" and is organised by one of the local Chinese radio stations. It was an opportunity for us to be at the stadium before it made way in July this year for a new stadium. (And gosh, the stadium is just a year older than me!)

So anyway, we had alot of fun at the concert. The organisers invited quite a number of local singers who were pioneers for 新谣 (xinyao), and it was fun to singalong with about 5,000 people familiar tunes that were the very songs that were a part of our growing up years. There were mostly Chinese songs such the campaign song to promote Chinese in the 80s - "大家说华语" (Let's speak Mandarin), and Cantonese song such as "上海滩" (Theme song for 80s HK tv series "Shanghai Nights (?!)") "浪子的心声" (The Song of a Drifter), Hokkien "爱拚才会赢", (literally translated as Gotta Fight to Win The Game), Malay and National Day classics like "Count on me Singapore" and "Stand up for Singapore"!

The concert lasted for 3 hours and our vocal chords were strained at the end of the concert. But it was all worth it. At the end of concert, we all bid goodbye to the big guy who has hosted many sports events in Singapore.

My heart took a picture of the night and the moments.

(Here are some real pictures I took of the stadium. It's all I can do to keep a part of Singapore's heritage and history.)

Aching All Over

For just 5 minutes of "Hula-hooping For Beginners". My sides are literally splitting.

On the bright side, I get to work those untouched muscles. Hence the ache, because they have never been exercised.

I am imagining stronger muscle and pain-free sides in couple of weeks.

Perservere! Ganbai-dez!

What A Wonderful Day

This morning, I joined my classmates for a "mock" certificate presentation at school for our translation courses.

It's amazing how we can still chat as if we have been seeing each other everyday, despite the fact that we are no longer attending the classes. Our favourite professor is in town to teach, so we had him to present us the certificates. After the "ceremony", we had catered lunch (graciously provided by the school) and there were non-stop chatterings with one another after the ceremony. And much laughter too.

I am very thankful for this bunch of classmates. We bonded so well thanks to one of the younger professors who kicked off the class with his unique teaching methods that got us warmed up to one another. One of the girls who joined the class later has been telling us that she prefers our class than the current batch, who kept more to themselves and are very serious, compared to the crazy bunch of us.

It also helped that we maintain email correspondences and update one another of the latest developments in our lives, and that our conversations picked up from where we left on email. What really keep us together is also a few of them who, due to their nature of work, are people person, and offer much "entertainment".

We left the school in a happy note and are reminded that we should continue to stay in touch. Which we will.

I truely hope so.

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Eventually, nothing could change my plans to not attend the wedding. Requested my sister to put in my ang pow at the wedding. After my "ceremony", I took my nieces and sister to Sentosa instead.

Sentosa on later afternoon is not as hot as it is in the mornings. The beach breeze was nice, and the sun was kind on our face. Nieces had LOTS of fun playing with the sand and the the waters. It is easier to get around the island nowadays, just hop on the tram, the skytrain or the buses. It was a nice place to get out of mainland to relax.

We did not tired ourselves out by trying to do to many things within the short span of time. It was the beach and the luge next. But because my sister was afraid that the girls would have nightmares about hanging in the mid-air, we had to abandon the plan.

Left the place in the skytrain which took us to Vivo City. Had dinner and went to Toy'RUs. Bought a hula-hoop for them and one for myself, since it's on for one offer. Took the train home.

What a wonderful day.

When I Am On My Own

I was at the waiting area at the MOS Burger Restaurant, waiting to collect my dinner and my mom's.

I saw people in pairs or small groups. Couples, friends, colleagues... The only other person who was as alone like me was a middle-age lady who, like any other lady of her age, was dressed in black slacks and a bright green blouse. Her hair was permed and tied up, with a hint of makeup on her face.

Then it hit me.

I am a lonely woman, sitting at a takeaway fast-food restaurant, waiting for her dinner to be "da bao" and taken home. The same woman who does her grocery (or mostly snacks and tidbits) alone at the supermarket. The woman who goes shopping on her own, who goes to town alone after office hours.

(I have thought of going to an arts event on my own, but the cost of the ticket kinda lessen the desire. It's not really the price, somewhat, I felt unjustifiable to pay for a ticket money to see an event on my own. Yeah, it's weird. I hope to overcome that someday.)

Friends either have better company, or are busy with work or family.

I felt very lonely for about 1 minute. And then I recovered.

I have a feeling these moments will come more often now.

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There was a little incident that happened this week.

A gift that I thought was too much for me to receive arrived on Wednesday. After I've decided to keep the gift, I realised the gift was a replica of the real thing. So I have to return the gift to the sender, who wasn't aware that the gift was not the real deal, so that he can get a refund.

During that period, there was this intense moments where I ask myself repeatedly: I don't deserve this. I don't deserve this. It's too much. It's too expensive.

I know some of my friends have no problems receiving gifts of higher values. To them, it's a gift, and if it is so, just receive it. I know too, that it's not right to reject a gift that was well-intended.

And when I realised that the item was a knockoff from the real deal, I have like, this thousand thoughts running through my head. Erm... So what do I do next? It's so bizarre that events took a turn. I was at lost of what to do for sometime.

Thankfully, we IM and decided that the item would be returned. I actually get to return it, which was what I wanted to do in the first place. Another strange turn of events.

So anyway, after this, I have decided that I should have a new attitude when I receive gifts. Gifts of anything: compliments, presents, attention... I need to fix that "I don't deserve it" attitude and accept them with grace. Afterall, I don't deserve a lot of things in this world I live, but The Giver has given so much to me beyond my "Things You Deserve" list.

Just as He graciously send me angels to "gift" me with things, I shouldn't use my human emotions to evaluate whether I qualify for those gifts, and reject His presents.

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I am thinking. Maybe changing this attitude will change the "singlehood" aspect of my life.

So now you know my problem.

Near Blackout

I was grasping for air during aerobics class just now.

I had difficulty breathing and had bouts of blackouts on and off, during the class. I had to paced down half way through the class and didn't complain the entire routine. I thought I was going to collapse.

It must be the potatoe chips I had eaten at the office couple of hours before. I was feeling really hungry, and thining that I would need the extra energy for my class (lame excuse, I know), I tore open a packet of Jack & Jills and shared it with my colleague.

It must be the chips.

The carbohydrates were not completely digested before I started the routine. Somehow, somewhat, energy was not consumed properly, and by doing the vigourous exercises, I might have upset the digestion process.

No more junk food for me before exercise. It's no junk food or no food at all.

This day forth.

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I heard over the radio this morning that one of our local swimmers broke World Record (WHAT? You mean you haven't heard of it yet?) .

Press Release from Singapore Disability Council

PDF of the results

Congratulations to Theresa Goh!

Then just now on tv, there was a trailer of a show featuring people who made it against all odds, and this person is on the same national team as the record holder.

Flashes of thoughts come to my mind. I ask myself why do we do well in the paralympics but not the olympics?

Strings of thoughts later, I came to a conclusion.

This event displays the true trait of Singaporeans. When we are fine and dandy, we tend to slack more. Taking for granted everything is there for us, and will be there for us forever, and that there is no need to strive.

However, when we are down and out (metaphorically speaking), we Singaporeans have sufficient will power and determination to rise above the waters (no puns intended) to push ourselves to be the best that we can be in any situation.

Just a general thought, not meant to be applicable for all Singaporeans.

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On another note, the trip to Nanjing has been shelved. I was the only one who responded to the call when the organiser asked for confirmation.

Oh well. Someday.

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On another-another note, I have got my motorola phone back for like a month already. Just too busy to post about it. Friend who works in the company helped me to get it fixed. So far, it has not given me any problem. Hopefully, there will not be any problems.

Ok, time to sleep. Good night.

Noting What's Notable...

Friday Night:
Yummilicious Thai food with ex-colleague, colleague and their friend. Ex-colleague was a copywriter with us and was married to an Taiwanese American and they had their Singaporean wedding reception last month. I met their friend at the dinner.

I'm sorry, was too busy talking and going "Mmmmm...!!" that I forgot to take pictures of the food. Every dish is superbly delicious and authentically Thai. Had a great time too.

Restaurant is located along Maxwell Road, opposite the Maxwell market. It's one of those shophouses sandwiched between Telok Ayer Methodist Church and Maxwell house. And the restaurant name is called Lotus something.

Must try: Lemongrass salad, fried Kang Kong, Red Curry, Tom Yam soup. They didn't order the Volcano Chicken probably because of the way it's presented, hehz. You can have a preview of that at the iMac terminal in the restaurant.

Wondlicious, or as colleague said... "Oishi!" :)

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Today:
Was my first time stepping into Children's Ministry in church. Adorable 3 - 4 year olds. But we were lucky, as the sister who asked me to come in had additional 3 youth helpers, so it was very much under control. Yeah, the kids cried for a little while when they came in at first, but they were pretty much okay after the praise and worship.

It was fun, and they are all so huggable! :) And so tiny... :) Reminded me of my first time joining the children ministry back in PC. I couldn't understand why is this ministry so short-handed... Maybe I haven't experience the terrible ones yet...

So yes, I loved my experience today, can't wait to return next week! :D

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After church, friend and family invited me and a few of church friends to Sakae Japanese Restaurant. Yep, another round of eating again! :D I am blessed!

After the entire meal, we (and the other 3 guys) realised that it was my friend's birthday, and she told her husband to get us all together for a treat! Hehehe... See what being nice brings you? :D

Fortunately, Japanese food are less fat-inducing than Thai food :) I ordered my regular toufu and salmon sashimi and kakige and shared the other cooked dishes with the guys. The guys are residents of a half-way house supported by the church, and friend's husband is one of the helper. That's how I got to know them, through the Christmas party I went last year.

It was nice for friend's husband to gave us a treat, especially for the guys, because unlike us, they don't go for such restaurants often. It gave them an opportunity to taste Japanese food and to understand that not all Japanese food are raw. Heh!

Everyone was happy when we stepped out of the restaurant. After that the men and the guys went home, friend and I went for Ben and Jerry's! Woohoo! Then we went to Daiso. Friend need a a longer time to look at the stuffs in store and so I left home before her.

I came home to "stone" after that. Just basicaly lazing around, not wanting to do much except tv watching, hehz! Finished tv marathon with Ugly Betty. Somewhat could identify with her as an underdog in a creative industry. The tension, the demands, the requirements... Oh well, don't all jobs have the same requirements too? :)

Alright, time to go sleep and wake up to a brand new day!

Good night!

A Cheery Post At Last!

I was more than glad to took 2 days leave off work to join my former schoolmates for a chalet gathering yesterday.

The most memorable scene was when we sat down together around a table and just talk and chat. I remembered stopping for a moment and observe what was happening around me. And I like what I saw. A group of friends smiling and eating, talking about the good ol' days and teasing one another.

We have known each other for 20 years (we stayed through NPCC since secondary 1). There were those who are married, those who have kids, those who are high flyers, one of them is doing good with a leading insurance company and married a scientist (get that!). After that we continued reminiscience the good ole days in schools, pulling out photo albums, calling out names, updating each other who's married to who, who's gone wayward. Which guy had a crush with which girl, who's the goofiest, who's the most competitive...

I got my Paddington bears from the girl who went to London (Yes!) Strangely enough, the previous gathering wasn't as good, but this time, it seemed so much better. At least for me, I felt that I am now included in group conversations, or even talking with one another.

Maybe because now that the group has become smaller, we get more "small chat" time with one another, and we talk more. And the previous resentment I have to them have changed. I think it's probably because I wasn't present on several of the gatherings in the earlier years after we graduated, I might have felt distant from them. This time, things seems to have improved alot. I am thankful :)

Here are my bears :)



And here's one latest picture of me, taken last Friday.


In case you all wonder what I look like with my one month old curls :)

Ok, I am in a more cheery mood now because I am on leave today. Oh yes, my church friend have asked me to co-lead worship to the cutsey (but I heard, hard to handle) preschoolers this Sunday during service! She has got a sore throat and the doctor have asked her to rest. So I will be using my today to select some songs.

I am glad things are slowly moving on in my church participation too. Looking forward to more "unrevealings" from God.

:)

Where Was I?

Not On MSN? - VERY busy at work; Very mentally tired to chat.

Blog Posts? - Very, very tired after busy days at work. I tried to revive my tired body and mental with some dinners and a "Dreamgirls" movie middle of the week. The food were great, I took pictures. The movie was fantastic, I am still humming to the song "Love You I Do". But I am simply too tired to compile everything and put them online.

Missed "Heroes" on Wednesday night due to a dinner, and caught a repeat telecast at 1am. BIG MISTAKE. Threw me off my balance for the rest of the week. Friday was the ultimatum. I went to the client's office with a groggy head, but still had to pretend to be energetic because I need to clarifiy certain issues with her. Not long after I reached my office, I had to take off again with colleagues to make some purchases. She let me nap a while in the car while she drove to the supplier's. In fact, both of us were tired.

The worst lasted the rest of the day, till 9pm at night. I began to feel that the world was consistently spinning around me time and time again, during the later part of the working hours. It continued through 9pm, where I had to stay back in the office coordinate some web work for a client on behalf of my boss.

It was bad. I have never worked like this before. But thank God, I recovered about half an hour before leaving the office and was able to drop flat as fast as I could on my bed when I reach home.

I know this sounds silly, but on the way home, the taxi drove by the building where I used to take my translation class. Surprisingly, I was able to look at the building and thank God that my course took place last year instead of this year. Imagine if I had to go for night and weekend classes that spans two weeks (this year's timetable arrangements). I would be totally flat out if I had to go for the classes as well as handle the current busy schedules of my job.

So thank God for knowing things and planning them out for me before I even know it. I know He is stretching me now, but He will not strain me. I strongly believe this is in preparation for things to come.

What kind of things? I don't think I have the answer for you. I have told God in a prayer that I completely trust Him, believe in Him and depend on Him in everything concerning my future.

That night, I let go of things that I hold on to and gave Him the control. It is scary. But I think my future are in good hands. This period of testing will be over, and the fruit will come.

I believe.