Stir in me a PASSION tt d world can't understand

2007-01-02T09:40:00.000+08:00

Viet Log 2 10:22pm (Hanoi Time)

I stand on the top of the roof top of the house with Mike and Grace – cold, breezy, yet warm in our hearts. Overseeing the rest of the neighborhood area of Hanoi – that’s how I crossed the New Year of 2007. Before heading back down, Mike offered a prayer of gratitude for this family and for me. This beautiful prayer at the right place and the right time kicked off my year.

We were waiting and hoping for a display of fireworks in the ever-so-hazy night skies, it didn’t appear in the skies; but it certainly did in my heart. Not a loud, noisy, celebrative one, but one with a gentle sprinkling effect – one that inevitably entices a smile from an innocent young child.

Breakfast was with Mike and Grace at a roadside stall. I loved it, every bit of it – the company and the piping hot food on an icy cold morning. We sat on stools, squeezed into a corner in the shop.

Cultural note: it is rude to leave your used tissues on the table, please throw it on the floor.

After which we had the famed Vietnamese Coffee! The sights and sounds walking there and back simply thrilled me. Lunch was spent with a Vietnamese family – Mike’s mechanic. Authentic Vietnamese food in a real live Vietnamese family situation – the hospitality of the extended family members drew me in irresistibly. Many smiles and niceties were exchanged.
Cultural Note: Never refuse someone who attempts to put more food into your bowl. If you don’t want them to take more food for you, just eat slowly and make sure your bowl is always at least half full. When clinking glasses, make sure the brim of your drink is lower than that of someone who is more senior than yourself.

I went jogging around the neighborhood with Mike and his American friend, Presley. Dinner followed at home which came with a home-made-better-than-coffee-bean-carrot-cake for dessert. Gin Rummy and Uno with little Grace before her bed time.

It’s a beautiful day. Simply wonderful.

2007-01-02T09:38:00.000+08:00

Viet Log 1 8:36pm (S’pore Time)

The log commences on my flight there, with contemplation sparked by the thought of returning to meet Michael – the thought of one primary principle he once imparted to me that I’ve almost forgotten: the principle of margin.

I’ve lost my margins, margins of thoughts and emotions – a specially set apart time of rest and peaceful ponderings. (For the benefit of those who don’t know this: margins are lines deliberately left blank on the paper for scribbling of thoughts and musings. The palate of our time should have such margins as well; deliberately set apart for rest and contemplation) Without it, the stillness of spirit and calmness of mind ebbs from me unknowingly but surely – oh, and it goes ever so subtly. Quite ironic, since all the events around me are nothing near subtle. More like hustle and bustle.

This trip is my margin.

Sight-seeing, walking around, experiencing, making new friends, yes, all of these; much more so would be contemplating, listening, loving and enjoy being led by Him through all these uncertainty and unfamiliarity. I guess this trip is my Sabbath, my rest.

In You I commit this trip. May the guidance of Your Spirit lead me to find that which will rejuvenate me, still me and most of all humble me.

2006-12-31T15:27:00.000+08:00

Hey people, i'll be in Vietnam from 31st dec to 14thJan 2007. Love you guys/gals. Keep me in prayer. Thank you.

2006-12-16T11:53:00.000+08:00

This is NOT a wishlist!

Haha... Christmas is coming and some of my frens are asking what do I need... I decided I shall not have a wishlist cos its way too egoistic! However...... if u're concerned about getting me something that I will like but totally have no idea, here are some places that I endorse and thus you may look there. Most prob you'll get something real nice there, even for yourself.

* yay...
** woooo...
*** goshhhh!!!

1. Pull and Bear ***
2. Topman **
3. Zara ***
4. Ikea *
5. Adidas ***
6. Puma **
7. Gap *
8. Polo Ralph **
9. U2 & G2000 **
10. Beach Road Army Market*
11. Sportsmenasia*
12. Prints**
13. Apple shop... hee***
14. Calvin Klein*
15. TYR*
16. Borders*
17. Beetle Bug**
18. Levi's ***
19. Face Shop*
20. Braun Buffer**

Ok... now friends will come and criticise me and say: havent become air steward already so materialistic le! hahaha... Well, what I want most this Christmas is to be surrounded by the ones I love so much so much.... People like Darren, David, Dominic... all the Ds... hahaha... Clydia, Hui Hui, Engie, Jacqueline, Jamie Sis, The trio - "Eunice, Mili, Cheryl", Alvin Chia & Tay, Yanda... etc etc...

Anyway just wanna give a small shout out to Darren for standing by me through a little rough patch that just passed. Its no small feat considering my unstoppable mouth. Thanks dude. You're the coolest doctor. And the friendliest to the nurses... ahem... hahaha...

And to Engie... you're loved. A step at a time yeah. No hurry.

Finally to Melvin, you're the bestest man... There's a million things i can thank you for. For standing by me, not judging me, listening to my crap, letting me bunk over, being absolutely patient with me and for always wanting to pray for me. If I manage to crawl outta the pithole in my life, I know its cos of ur prayers.

李圣杰_-_最近 Li Sheng Jie_-_REcentLy

2006-12-13T11:03:00.001+08:00

Holiday season... its the time where many budding relationships take their beginning steps, its where love take flight as courage fuels the most private, most sincere confessions.

This year, for me and many around me, it seems to be a time of letting go, of moving on, of walking away.

Mariah Carey-O Holy Night-Live

2006-12-13T10:56:00.001+08:00

An early merry christmas to everyone. I love you all.

2006-12-02T15:44:00.000+08:00

3 papers down... 2 more to go... This semester exams I'm quite unstressed but all the papers have been manageable so far. Thank God. Been studying alone and going through a rather lonely phase these few weeks.

Just met up with David ytday near his workplace. He brought me and treated me to korean food place which i loved. Service wasnt fantastic but food was. We caught up from 1130 all the way till 4pm. He's someone I can share everything about me with. Everything. Deepest darkest secrets. We dont judge cos we went through similar shit in life. There's no one else on this earth that I can do that with. God.... thank you for this best friend.

'An angel asked me what I want for the year to come.... ' - Ambiguous quote from nowhere.

2006-11-29T09:01:00.000+08:00

Hey pretty ger... hey super rich man... hey gigantic big seat... hey food....

2006-11-29T08:59:00.000+08:00

OH my gosh... Kenny! Your future workplace looks so big and comfortable.... -___-" haha.... my lecturers will kill me if they know i passed the flight attendant interviews.

2006-11-29T08:58:00.000+08:00

Award-Winning Company with real good good compensation, benefits and allowances... yup.. its this airline...

2006-11-29T08:52:00.000+08:00

My future mobile workplace?

nobody knows

2006-11-26T16:23:00.001+08:00

'Nobody knows' - my all time favorite movie. One of the reasons that makes me want to be the social worker that actually makes a difference. My heart just cries out for them. 4 children - fathered by 4 different fathers and a mother who eventually abandoned them to fend for themselves. The movie shows them barely surviving thru the 4 seasons in the year. Very slow moving film but v well directed. Based on the true story... and the situations of the true event were even worse.

Nobody Knows french trailer

2006-11-26T16:20:00.001+08:00

'Nobody Knows' this is the french trailer. I love the song at the end.. makes me wanna cry...

Whose Line is it Anyway - S01E01 - Party Quirks

2006-11-24T22:43:00.001+08:00

Ryan is the best of all of them man...

Richard Simmons on Who's line is it anyway

2006-11-24T22:26:00.001+08:00

This episode cracks me up the most man!

2006-11-23T12:54:00.000+08:00

Vietnam - it's starting to materialize. I shld be flying on 22nd or 24th Dec 06. Think i'll go and book the flights soon. This sat I'll go and extend my passport 1st.
I just sent in another proposal to my supervisor Timothy Sim. He's pretty nice to me. Thats fantastic.
I'll prob be there for two weeks all the way till next year Jan 5th i think. So will be spending the holiday seasons there with Mike, Jacq and their daughter grace. yay.

I got thru to the final interview with management for my SIA thing already. It will be this tuesday. The interview will be 10 to 15mins. Afterwhich, they will let me know immediately whether I get the job or not. If i do, then i'll go straight for the medical review... and ta da! you have your air steward Kenny. hahaha.... lets not keep our hopes too high ya.

Its exams period! I dont seem to be too stressed out about things... maybe cos i'm studying alone and not with my super chiong classmates. N also cos got vietnam thing, sia thing and other stuff to occupy my mind. My cdo fren been staying over my place once in a while too cos his camp is nearby and he lives gazillion years away in Jurong. Hai... reminds me of my army camp last time in Sungei Gedong.

Life is good and exciting as usual, with all the ups and downs. I'm just crazy about life. Whoo hooo....

This totally describes me man... hahah

2006-11-18T22:30:00.000+08:00

You Are a Sprinkled Donut

Flamboyant and flashy, you're easily distracted by shiny things.
You're definitely a snazzy number, and you usually catch everyone's eye in the room.
And you've got the goods to back it up your colorful image.
(Though too much of you gives people a stomach ache!)

What Donut Are You?

Disappearing Act!

2006-11-13T23:37:00.000+08:00

Hey guys! I've disappeared from the blogging world for ages!

Well i'm starting again cos i'm so free today. Just totally slacked at home. Past two weeks have been HELL! Finish one deadline and ure rewarded with the next deadline... there's so much i've already done and yet so much more to do. I miss Clydia and Hui Hui alot man... these 2 buggers graduated but always drop me smses here and there, call up here and there, clydia gave me a care package too!

My class ROCKS now. I'm the class chairman btw. Just do outings and angel mortal stuff. I love school. I love my classmates. I love some project meetings. This is the 1st time in NUS that i actually love lessons so much. There are 30 pple in class - 25 gals, 5 guys. All pretty gals and handsome guys. I have FANTASTIC lecturers who care so much for us.

Ok some quick updates!

I'm going thru some SIA air steward interviews now. got thru rd 1 and 2.. 5 more rounds to go.

I just posted an article to straits times about counselors; it got published in the ST online forum.

I most prob will be heading for vietnam by end of the year to start of next year (2 weeks) to visit my supervisor and do my research too.

My exams end on dec 7!

My class is thinking of organising our graduating trip, prob to hongkong. we're thinking of how to get sponsorship and guise it under 'study tour' so we dont need to pay too much or at all.

I have a small deadline and presentation on friday.

My brother is in thailand for the next one month for work!

I'm happy.

2006-08-08T10:17:00.000+08:00

The three malay ladies you see up there are my ex-colleagues - they are the admin staff who work their arses off everyday cos my boss doesnt care abt welfare... or benefits... haha... i shall not say bad things about them on the internet. Oh well, I did have an enjoyable time working with this company actually. I've conducted countless school workshops from primary 1 speech and drama to sec 4 career guidance. Also wrote alot alot of coursewares for them - coursewares are the lesson formats that the trainers use for the sessions. When I left, I brought lots and lots of gifts for them actually. Cos i really wanted to appreciate them.

Work has finally ended for a week now... its been a week of doing more or less what I want - sleeping alot more, sun tanning, shopping, gyming and just not rushing...

So.... here are my plans for the future... short term and long term ba!

Short term:
1. Continue giving my 2 tuitions 4 times a week.
2. Learn alot alot during this honours year and maintain my 2nd lower status.
3. Get on a stricter gym routine and diet and if possible find a gym buddy with similar workout timings.
4. Always always be there for my leaders when they need me... hopefully to train up an understudy as well.
5. Grow my hair back.

Long term:
1. Get my deg with 2nd class honours.
2. Work for 2 years at an established organisation which pays well.
3. Pay off my study debts and accumulate savings
4. Go US or Aust to do my MSW - Masters in Social Work or Masters in Clinical Counseling.
5. Work there for a few years - move from country to country to gain cross cultural exposure.
6. Calm my parents nerves abt not gettin grandchildren cos i'm studying so much.
7. Come back to Singapore to make waves.

Super long term tentative plans:

1. Director of various VWO organisation
2. Sit on boards/councils of bla bla bla...
3. Impact Social Work in Singapore - status of social work profession, raise the level of professionalism through proper training, ensure healthy competition among FSCs to maintain acceptable standards and proper networking... etc.
4. Paradigm shifts in mindsets concerning work with adolescence and families.
5. Break harmful chinese cultural modes of interactions in Singapore - E.g. not expressing love openly, not giving hugs...
6. Start new waves of awareness concerning contructive family structure and interactions.
7. Start training centres globally esp in 3rd world countries where social workers and community workers can receive proper equipping to deal with extreme cases at subsidised costs.

Thought in mind right now: I've heard pple say I'm a sweet talker. I think pple reserve their compliments a little too stingyly. If someone looks fantastic tell them that - dont need to be their bf/gf to do that - they wont get the wrong impression for goodness sake! If they say something smart, say Wow... out loud.. not inside! People wont think you're more stupid. If u just tot of someone, tell them i just thought of you and wanna wish u well. If your frens have been ur treasured frens for a long time, tell them: I really treasure you as my fren (guys to guys too.. dont worry abt sounding gay for those homophobics).

I admire nus crusade gals. They notice whenever someone feels down and oftentimes they would get each other daisys and sunflowers just to cheer them up or just to appreciate them. Clydia gets me chocolates all the time or snacks cos she knows that'll cheer me up. These people know how to express love and friendship.

Being a Christian

2006-07-29T20:55:00.000+08:00

I'm learning that being a christian is not about striving. Its about giving up. Sometimes to let go is harder than to persevere, to surrender is harder than to fight on, to break down is harder than to hold back our tears and to be weak is harder than to be strong....

I got this quote from Hui Hui's blog that speaks of a christian's walk:

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost!
That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

2006-07-25T00:12:00.000+08:00

I've shaved my head in support of children with cancer on 23rd July 2006. Basically, to raise awareness and to raise funds for the children.

If ure interested to donate to them online, just go to this webpage:

My Pledge List|

You can pledge from $1 to any amount online if you want to, if not i have a physical donation card to fill. That would be possible too.

if you wanna find out more info abt this project, go to www.ccf.org.sg and check out hair for hope 2006.

Thanks for your support pple!

2006-07-25T00:11:00.000+08:00

Here's the BEFORE shot!

2006-07-25T00:09:00.000+08:00

The PROCESS.... hairstylists from Kimage... does it matter?! haha.... it was pretty fun.. lots of ladies did it too... 100+ ladies in fact.

2006-07-25T00:07:00.000+08:00

The shaving is done as Suntec Fountain Stage Area.... SHAVED!

2006-07-25T00:06:00.000+08:00

2006-07-25T00:05:00.000+08:00

When they shaved my head, they took what remains of my brains too....

2006-07-25T00:03:00.000+08:00

Met Jacq for coffee cos she wanted to rub my head... happened to bump into the musicians at starbucks. Lijia screamed. I became animal exhibit.

2006-07-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

Melvin's Bday! He's officially my best fren in skool liao. Most generous, giving, sharing, loving friend one can ever have. Oh, its his birthday during his church youth production - Storm in a fishbowl. It was at the new sanctuary of St.Andrew's Cathedral. Real Cool.

2006-07-24T23:55:00.000+08:00

My frens have graduated! My coursemates like clydia, hui hui, Lien, Shuhui, Huimin... yes yes yes.. all girls... social work and crusade are flooded with them. But life is going to be so different without them - esp without cly and hui. Hai... those two are like pillars... one adds craziness, one make sure i do work! Ha ha...
I'm so glad for them... and i'm looking fwd to grad too...

2006-07-24T23:50:00.000+08:00

My coursemates have graduated! many of them whom i'm very close to... like Hui Hui and Clydia... Not having them ard in sch is going to change me quite a bit i think. I saw Huimin, Shuhui, Eeleen... etc etc... so many of my coursemates and senior graduate - i'm so glad for them. Its something i'll be looking forward too as well.

Thank God honors students wear orange hood.... non-honors students wear pink ones
-_-"

2006-07-24T23:47:00.000+08:00

These are some kids from my division - Esther and Joel Ko's cell. They just had a division BBQ. It went ok. But i really have to say this - the kids today have changed. Tremendously. Different.

New Tuition Job!

2006-06-13T09:30:00.000+08:00

Know what?! I got a new tuition job that gets me a pretty decent pay! In fact more than decent - wont tell you how much per month but i get $33/hr. Its giving to the primary 2 boy, Maths and English. That means that i'll be having two tuition kids for 4 times a week! Can you imagine that?! How am I supposed to cope during honors year?! Well... hope it works out just fine cos I want to pay off my honours year fees as I study so I just need to clear my $18K debt when I graduate... -.-

Ha ha... that day checked out air steward job online. So many gals going for the interviews, i wonder how the pay is like? ha ha... I wish i can get that kind of pay working as a social worker. In Hong Kong, the pay the social workers almost twice as much and they are so much more respected there. But the workload is mad too. Ha ha... maybe i work as an air steward for 2 yrs 1st?! ha ha... cannot la... i wanna get my masters in counseling and become a guru~~~...

Work now is pretty ok. Lots of free time I must say. Spent time talking on the net with frens lor. My 2 male colleagues in marketing side just quit... now i got absolutely no one to talk to. And when I cant talk... i'm quite melancholic and depressed. Thats not good. Oh... the other 3 staff thats ard the office are malay gals but they are in the office beside mine...

Here are the things I want now:

1. I want 1/2day off every week to give tuition which I will ask from my boss.
2. I want a good tan cos I'm fading into white ghost again.
3. I want to gym and build more muscles.
4. I want so get more sleep even though I'm getting alot already.
5. I want male colleagues in my office whom i can talk to.

Oh.... I finally got a haircut last nite. Hurray! No more droopy hair. Its spikey cleancutlooking hair again!

work

2006-06-09T22:35:00.000+08:00

Work has been okie...

So far i've written two courseware (lesson plans), written countless synopsis, handling a school-based workshop project, conducted one session of a workshop at ITE... yup... thats pretty much it.

Spend a fair bit of time slacking... honestly thats because i finish my work fast and i clear them once i get them. Not to brag but thats sort of how i do things... once the boss has me a courseware to develop, i'll focus for 4-5 straight hours and complete it and submit it for approval. Then i slack and talk with frens on MSN.

Oh... during my slacking time, i talked to Benjy from my social work cohort! Its amazing we never really did talk for 3 yrs (and there are only a handful guys in SW). He's doing his placement in Academy of Solution Focused Therapy right now, so i submitted my form to attend the asia pacific conference. He saw my name and emailed me. Fantastic guy. Catholic. Has a heart for people. And doing step up programme (last time i did that at Bedok South Sec). Woo hoo.... one more guy fren in SW... (if ure in engineering, u wont understand what it means to make a guy fren in SW). Rite? All the social workers who are reading my blog?!

Ha ha... i just attended the workshop on adolescence and drug addiction using Structural Family Therapy. POWERFUL MAN. I saw the counseling guru - Salvador Minuchin at work (on video). He's 75 yrs old, doing a family counseling session in Hong Kong, with a translator helping him translate to cantonese. He's good. He is GOOD. Every question he ask, every move he makes, every comment or giggle has an intended purpose to achieve an intended effect. Just blows ur mind. With one word or sentence he is able to lighten up the mood in the room or intensify the tension in the family.

I wanna be a guru (not the hindu priest).

=)

2006-06-04T20:28:00.000+08:00

Woo hooo.... Tmr i'm going for a course at FRTC - Family Resource Training Centre.

Supposed to need to pay $450 for it but 10 free spaces are open to social work students. Its on

(1)APPLYING FAMILY APPROACHES IN ADOLESCENT DRUG TREATMENT AND AFTERCARE.

the next course i'm going for would be on the 17th June Sat...

(2)Addictions Therapy & The Use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Its gonna be real exciting man cos I'm prob going to be the only student there cos the rest are professionals already... so there's gonna be alot to learn from them. I hope i dont feel out of place.

Thinking of going for this conference - Asia Pacific Conference on Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). That one in August 17, 18th. If i help out at the conference, i'll only be 100+ bucks. Hai... money money... but its really good... think i can gain alot of experience from it.

Give me a new lease of life Lord....

2006-05-30T20:51:00.000+08:00

Just came back from a good trip at Batam. Lots of suntanning at a fantastic pool. I stayed at one of the best resorts there - Holiday Inn. Best pool. Good food, good service and good company ;)
Also went for their tea tree spa - which rocks man. Paid $150 for 120mins for body scrub, body masque, body massage and the nicest ginger tea there is. Steam room, Sauna, gigantic shower room all to myself!
Shopping wise not alot - just got myself another pair of levis. I wanted to get this 512 at tamp mall going for $69.90 at discounted rates. I got it there for $47. Woo hoo.... Also got the CK undies i wanted to get... Sg 40 bucks each... dont tell u how much there! I got myself 2 pairs... YAY!

Other than that, i was a good time resting and chatting with my fren over icecream by the poolside late into the night. Rested. Thats how I felt. Thats what I need to move onto the new lease of life I pray the Lord grants me.

Tmr is the start of work. I got a job as a trainer at Elite Biz Sphere. Its a consulting company that does a variety of things, one of which is conducting workshops such as anger management etc for schools and institutions. I will be working a 5&1/2 day week 9-6pm @ BV area. That means I'll be staying over mel's place more often and working out less often. Also need to take time out to give tuition.

And most of all... I wanna take time out to spend with Him so I keep on track with Him. Lord grant me the strength that I need to push through this phase, to let go of the things that hold on to me, and draw nearer to You as U draw near to me. I give You praise in Jesus name. Amen. Please keep me in prayer too.

Tmr will be an exciting day n hopefully a God-directed day.

Who am I...

2006-05-28T23:32:00.000+08:00

Lord, can I start over with You?

-Ur Prodigal son-

Situational Report (Sitrep)!!!

2006-05-23T20:51:00.000+08:00

The reason why i used the term 'sitrep' is cos so many of my friends are in the army!

Oh well just some updates:

1 more tuition job - thats all i need to pay off my honors year while i study it.
2 more days to the release of my this sem results on 25th May.
3 more books before I complete the whole narnia series.
4 a.m. is the earliest time i can seem to get myself to sleep these 2 weeks.
5 is the number of GRACE... God's grace is greatly upon me.
6 resumes I sent out for a temp job with no returns.
7 th season of friends is what i completed watching when i couldnt sleep
8 th season of friends is what i'm watching now when i cant sleep.
9 ball and 8 ball pool kakis are who i'm searching for now.
10 and bronzed skin is what i'm trying to get... so meeting engie to swim tmr!
11 May was my birthday... one of the best cos I felt the love of many friends.
12 thats the month i intend to run my 1st marathon... hopefully.
13 More hours I will be at the pool in my new swimming trunks!
14 more months before my graduation next year! With honours!
15 years later, I'll be 39! and going thru mid-life crisis...
16 number of itchy spots of rashes i had on my body for two whole weeks.
17 one of the few numbers my tuition kid can spell correctly in English.
27 July - Army half marathon... I really dont have the stamina to make it but i want

I'm really bored aint I?! Oh well.... these 2 months more of hols I intend to train hard at gym and also complete some readings for Family Counseling and Therapy.... Hopefully a temp job pops up half way! Best would be a tuition job.

My 24th Birthday Celebrations!

2006-05-20T23:10:00.000+08:00

Ha ah.... My BHB birthday celebrations.... celebrate over 2 weeks like that sia! celebrate until grow so fat lor... ha ha.

Celebration 1: With my NUS pals - Huihui, Clydia and Melvin. Three of my closest friends in NUS.... they are really God sent...

Celebration 2: With my Churchie pals - Engie, Jacq, Yanda, Alvin Chia, Yanda and David... too bad John couldnt make it. Oh well... After that Jacq, Alvin, Yanda and I went to minds cafe!!! Ha ha... played 'Who's the boss' there.

Celebration 3: Karen and Bryan came down to the stall and celebrated for Jamie, Belle and myself (the may babes)...

Celebration 4: SFMS peeps treated me to pepper lunch on May 11th itself!

Celebration 5: Went shopping with Engie and she treated me to Crystal Jade and TCC... spent like a BOMB.

Celebration 6: Lunch at Clark Quay and after that settlers cafe with crusaders!

Celebration 7: Whole family celebration with relatives and all... for Jamie, Belle and my birthday and also Mother's day! We all went to Jamie's western food stall lor... =)

Ha ha.... now that everything is over and done with, its time to go lose my fatS!!!

2006-05-20T23:04:00.000+08:00

My SFMS friends! Ha ha... I spent May 11th itself with them =)

2006-05-20T23:02:00.000+08:00

We went pepper lunch for dinner (so ironic) and then walked ard orchard like refugees!

2006-05-20T23:01:00.000+08:00

Treated them to my cousin's stall! They really made my day man.... and gave me a small choc cake too... how will i ever survive NUS without them...

2006-05-20T22:59:00.000+08:00

Two crazy gal power... cly and hui2

2006-05-20T22:57:00.000+08:00

We went to settlers cafe after that to play this game 'BLACKMAIL' which is super fun...

2006-05-20T22:56:00.000+08:00

I treat Engie dinner, she treated me back @ Crystal Jade & desert after that at TCC! WOW....

2006-05-20T22:55:00.000+08:00

I treated some churchie friends to my cousin's western food stall... they all look like models besides for me... =(

2006-05-20T22:53:00.000+08:00

Hee... some mad guys at my cousin's stall. So glad they could make it!

2006-05-20T22:51:00.000+08:00

Here are the gifts and cards given by friends! Below are all the gifts! Oh.... i dont have a pic of the large birthday cake my cousin karen bought for jamie, belle and myself.

2006-05-20T22:49:00.000+08:00

Large Black Crumbler Bag from Churchie pals - John, Engie, Calvin, Mark, Douglas, Jacq, Alvin Tay, Alvin Chia, Yanda, Lewis Lam! Thanks guys!

2006-05-20T22:48:00.000+08:00

Angpows!!! one from dad, one from bro, one from mom, one from auntie... altogether... dont tell you how much... ha.

2006-05-20T22:46:00.000+08:00

Top man shirt given by NUS pals - Melvin, Clydia and Hui2

2006-05-20T22:45:00.000+08:00

Fourskin tee shirt given by the leaders in my division =)

2006-05-20T22:44:00.000+08:00

Brazilian Nike Polo Tee given by best friend David Koh!

2006-05-20T22:42:00.000+08:00

Picard wallet given by SFMS friends! Lewis, Andre, John, Alan, Marcus and Cheryl...

2006-05-20T22:41:00.000+08:00

DVD given by Celeste...so thoughtful gift.

Good question....

2006-04-25T20:31:00.000+08:00

Today Cly asked me a good question that Engie ask me every year....

"What do i want for my birthday?"

Yes yes... my coming of age is on 11th may... i'm turning 24... cant believe man.

Oh well... for those who have no clue about what i definitely would NOT want, here's it: toilet brush, new wallet, ornaments, card saying only 'happy bday' and ur name, thong... ouch, sunglasses, stickers, christian books (unless i told u before i really want it), all cds, key chains, cologne.... hee hee! If in doubt... ask... Engie! Think she knows best.

Things i might be looking for:
If your wallet is buldging with cash:
1. Black crumbler bag (whichever size... i cant decide)
2. Vans kinda shoes.. not the too puffy poser kind.
3. Ipod nano (i'll marry you if u get this for me)
4. Mountain bike (for triathlon)
5. A suit.
6. Predator or viking pool cue

If you're not a billionaire and you wanna be nice:
1. Gym, running & swim items: shorts, singlet, gloves, triathlon watches bla bla... whatever u think i will need.
2. White board shorts (not OP) or nice berms
3. White Brazilian havianas with back strap
4. Anything from Zara or Topman is good...
5. Really good useful books on counseling or social work related
6. Cool and Grunch looking tees, polo tees and short sleve shirts (no NUM gay themed shirts...)
7. Nice singlets? (no NUM gay themed singlets...)
8. Anything from Adidas, Puma and i think nike is good...

If you're a little tight on cash like me, get these!!!
1. Card and say nice things inside.
2. Soft guitar pick
3. Treat me movie
4. Song chords for nice songs
5. Wish me happy birthday!
6. Big smile, show all ur teeth
7. A breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, or supper.
8. Pens or other writing stuff
9. Highliter
10. Almond milk bubble tea

Hee hee... my fren say i very BHB for typing this.... hee hee... sorry my skin so very thick x infinity. Ha ha....

2006-04-23T21:53:00.000+08:00

Its the self obsessed me, doing overnight study at Pacific Coffee @ Airport again! Its that time of the year again...

In fact, monday (which is tmr) got one paper, tue got 2, wed another 1, thurs last paper! I'm packed man... packed. But after that i'm free man... free...

Well, today i bring some exam study tips for the freshmen and those taking exams soon!

2006-04-23T21:51:00.000+08:00

If studying makes you hide from the world into ur isolated own shell like this poor ger here...

2006-04-23T21:50:00.000+08:00

... or makes ur eyes heavy and cause you to be drowsy and sit properly...

2006-04-23T21:48:00.000+08:00

... or make u concuss totally...

2006-04-23T21:45:00.000+08:00

Or make you go senile.... here are some tips for you!

2006-04-23T21:40:00.000+08:00

Here are some mugging tips from the yr 3 social work gers who are, by now, the experts at mugging:

1. Books go with Coffee(when sleepy) or Hot choc(on rainy days)
2. Books go with muchies esp chips and if the place is near grass, bring the bottle of mosquito repellent.
3. Books go with lots of plugged in music.
4. Books go with pretty social work gers....

2006-04-23T21:36:00.000+08:00

Nat - one of the boys in my division. Fun fun fun to talk to him cos he's not scared of me. Dont understand why kids are scared of me... hee...

2006-04-23T21:34:00.000+08:00

We're about to go have dinner at Marina South! Little did Joel Sng know that he'll get some food viral attack and be hospitalised the next day... opss... i feel so guilty! But it was a great 1st outing for the division! I must apologise to my previous div becos i did no such thing for them!

2006-04-23T21:31:00.000+08:00

Cheryl, Alan, Andre... John was taking the photo... @ cousin's makan place.

Things to praise God for....

2006-04-08T21:35:00.000+08:00

Here are somethings that i wanna give glory to God for even though some of them arent very good news to me just yet...

1. I got A for my attachment at FeiYue which i thought i would get a B and the best I every imagined was an A- because my sup mentioned in the first instance that she does not give As only if that person is really exceptional. =)

2. SW3201 I got A+ for group presentation (20%) and got B for individual paper (20%).

3. My birthday is coming soon in May! Hopefully its a time i can get alot of the things that i really need.... hee hee.

4. I didnt get my scholarship but i got a good pat on the back from my sup saying that she has been praying for me and think that thats the best for me. She also help me find out and pull string to see if i can intern at sub court this summer break.

5. One of my close frens in school might be stinting with Campus Crusade and thats a decision she has struggled with for some time now. She's a very Godly woman and she deserves the best that God has for her.

6. 3 of my cell groups are settling into homes and stablising better, 1 is on the way. Tmr i'm having a division dinner with 6 of my leaders - our 1st division outing.

7. Some things are put in place for me to move on in my walk with God. 'Letting go of me, holding on to You' There are somethings that I love, but none of them compare to You Lord. Help me let go and let God.

Good things come in 7s... so I like to give Glory to Jesus, He knows me through and through and yet He loves me no matter - i'm stumped.

Honors, Tuition, Placement!

2006-04-01T23:15:00.000+08:00

Ok... let me start with Honours! I didnt get my scholarship, but i still decided that I want to go for my honors. At the same time, i'll try to apply for whatever scholarships that come along the way. I figured that I'll just go by faith and do it, I feel a peace about it too.

During this honours year i'll try to take on another tuition job so that i can pay off my school fees (honours year) In that way, i dont need to pay so much when i graduate. Oh well...

So... that means i have these 3 months to slack and do nothing at home!!! ha ha... no lor.... knowing me, i intend to do internship/placement at a social work organisation... will be applying to subordinate court to see if can do there or not because they got counselors and social workers there too. The other place i wanna intern at would be at MCYS - just to see how the main system works.

My current placement has ended already. Next thursday will be going down to Fei Yue to do final evaluation and get my placement grades from supervisor. I'm hoping for at least a B+ even though i didnt do alot of the work cos much of the work coincides with my school lessons all that. Anyway, my sup warned me at the start of the attachment that her expectations is very high already and doesnt give A unless I'm super duper exceptional one. Oh well, so be it.

2006-03-25T19:09:00.000+08:00

I'm in green! my color of the year! The rest are in rags... ha ah kidding... the rest are in their SFMS uniform... got to know a huge bunch of them through some frens.

2006-03-25T19:07:00.000+08:00

Marcus, Andre and Me... Andre's an indonesian... who sometimes blabbers off in scary sounding Bahasa Indonesian! ha ha... Oh well... all very nice pple! Andre plays pool not bad too. dont know why alot of indonesian plays pool well... maybe its the water there...

2006-03-25T19:06:00.000+08:00

Alan and me... acting cute... actually only me la... die... when will i grow up?! arh... i'll leave the controversial questions till when i'm a senior citizen or something...

2006-03-25T19:04:00.000+08:00

Marcus and me! Sorry markie... i know this isnt the best pic of you. Marcus is comes from a fantastic christian family with nice loving christian parents... real cool.

2006-03-25T19:02:00.000+08:00

SFMS pple! Ha ha... that day stayed over at marcus place cos had work next morning at Yew Tee... bumped into LQ at night... Singapore is so small.

2006-03-25T19:01:00.000+08:00

Hmmmm... have i backslided?

2006-03-25T19:00:00.000+08:00

It's a project that i'm doing la... on Supernatural healing in Christianity and Buddhism

2006-03-25T18:59:00.000+08:00

I love lenard's slippers! white brazilian sandal type...

2006-03-25T18:57:00.000+08:00

I find this pic and the one below of lenard looks real good... this is when we were coming back from sentosa after we went there to trial swim and run for the biathlon!

2006-03-25T18:56:00.000+08:00

wow.

2006-03-25T18:55:00.000+08:00

I've got my dive certification!!!

2006-03-25T18:54:00.000+08:00

Speedboat or flying saucer.... super fast....

2006-03-25T18:53:00.000+08:00

Hi fishy fishy!!!

2006-03-25T18:52:00.000+08:00

People tell me i've got a loose screw... i dont get what they mean... until i see this

2006-03-25T18:51:00.000+08:00

The excitement of going for a dive trip really got to me........

2006-03-25T18:50:00.000+08:00

Melvin and Kenny... woo hoooo!!! Dive buddy! We still enjoy diving alot after the certification, so we'll be going for more dives!

2006-03-25T18:48:00.000+08:00

3 gals and 3 guys in wet wet wet suits~~~!!!

Its my free day! What did I do?

2006-03-06T22:50:00.000+08:00

Today's my free day! Guess what i did?

Morning got up pretty early, went parkway to play pool with Jacq cos i wanted to see if my standard is still there to play for competition or not. Well, my form was crap, but touching the cue again made me realise i really loved playing pool!!! SO i'm just going to go ahead with NUS pool fest! ha ha.... I remember my 1st year i got 32nd/128pple placing, then 2nd year i got 11th/128pple! I hope this round i'll do better despite not having trained for more than a year now. Let's pray for a good good form, if not it'll be real boring liao.

Oh back to my day... after that went to have katong laksa with jacq, then traveled down to bugis to have Billy Bombers with Engie (Fish and Chips!). 3-5pm gave my tuition kid a test - which he flung totally at a glance... =( anyway i told him i'll be retesting him next week.

Made my way down to Feiyue after that for some work until 9+ and back home by 10 to have a real late dinner again...

This week i must find the motivation to start on some of my papers already... shouldnt delay anymore man!

Btw, i noticed the lack of photos for the moment! I'm waiting for melvin to send me diving photos which we took a whole bunch of them that i promise to post here. It's been a fun week.

Pool Fest 2006

2006-03-02T02:08:00.000+08:00

Just signed up for pool fest 2006... Not very excited about it actually cos i havent trained hard for donkey years. Dont have the time to train too. Well... its something thats pretty fun to go for and a tradition for me to do it every year i guess... go there, play a few rounds, face a national youth player and then kana kicked out. Ha ha... who cares... see how la. =(

PAPER DAY OVER!

2006-02-28T22:34:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was paper day! 2500 words to go and i havent even started a word.

Woke up and started by 9am. Sat infront of comp from 9-11am then had breakfast. 12nn-5pm continued working on paper. 5-530 made cheese fried rice for myself. 6-730 continued on the slog. 830-11pm DONE! Thank God! 12 hrs in front of comp... yummy. ha ha.... went mad crapping!

This sat is my mom's bday... i wonder wat to get for her? i really dont know... anyone reading this can help me out with some ideas? place i on the tagboard... thanks! i dont think bag and shoes are possible cos she had lots of both. Watch also cannot cos she just got one. pls help me think!

Tmr got GP workshop to run again....

Theme color of this year: GREEN! rocks to the core man.

DIVING!!!

2006-02-24T15:08:00.000+08:00

Just completed the theory and the pool training part of the scuba diving training! The open sea dive will be next week Saturday and Sunday. Its been freakily fun. Drawback is that you cant pee in the water like you pee in the sea if you're in your swim trunks... well... the good part is the the wet suit looks real cool and keeps you warm. (If u pee in it, you'll be swimming in your own pee) Melvin is my buddy! I hope he doesnt give up diving, then next time we can go overseas together. This time we are doing a local dive at Pulau Hantu - dont know if we can even see anything lor!

Other than that, my tutition job had been really groovy. The cheena kid's england sucks to the core... but his attitude rocks! Ha ha.... that makes learning fun! We have alot of fun laughing about his poor english and my bad chinese. The other good part is that I get to have fast cash to pay off my dive trip and other stuff that i want to buy. I really hope that I can get the scholarship to do my honours so I can slack a bit longer and do more dive trips too! If not i have to start considering where I want to work already (probably fei yue at the start).

2006-02-19T22:46:00.000+08:00

Here we go! the running phase of NUS biathlon.... ha ha... actually the running phase was even worse than the swimming cos i got stitch at the 2nd half of the run (so sway right>?!) oh well, its a first time experience, i didnt mind not getting a good timing! Just wanted to complete the race in one piece!

2006-02-19T22:44:00.000+08:00

Transition part - put on shirt, specs, shoes and run! Less than a few secs.

2006-02-19T22:38:00.000+08:00

OFF we goooo!!! to lots of kicking each other in the water. if you are an observer, you might think: Awww!!! Its so fun! I wanna join them to swim too!
Once you are in there, its a fierce battle of face-kicking, leg pulling, slapping, scratching and doing whatever it takes to get the people ard you away from you so u can swim... cow.... i got kicked in the stomach twice i think and pulled at countless times.

2006-02-19T22:34:00.000+08:00

Lenard... the person who jio me to join NUS biathlon even though i'm the one in NUS. I think he did a better timing than me cos of he's running. i'm proud of him.... pls do not puke at our half naked pics....

NUS Biathlon finally started and ended!

2006-02-19T22:32:00.000+08:00

At the starting line... listening to the person do a final briefing before we jump into the water!

NEW BLOG SKIN COMPLETED!

2006-02-18T13:09:00.000+08:00

Just finished by new blogskin... added a hit counter and a voting station! Soooo please humour me by letting me know ur votes! =)

Thinking of adding music to my blog, but i dont think blogspot can rite? anyone knows?

Hope you like and enjoy my blog. (tried to put a pac man game on the blog... dont think its possible unless its a website i think)

I'm so deadbeat....

2006-02-16T23:40:00.000+08:00

My day is packed... morning proj meeting 8-10, tutorial 10-11, lunch 11-12, tutorial 12-2, tutorial presentation 2-5, swim in NUS 5-6, tuition 730-10, dinner 1045-1130.... now sitting in front of comp cos too full cannot sleep even though my eyes are beggin me to...

Having said all these... I love all that I'm doing!!! Ha ha.... I just bought 2 green shirts from my skool bazaar - one adidas, one with the words 'i've proved it, kids kan!' ha ha... And i signed up for a local dive trip - this week is the pool training, march 4 and 5th are the open sea dive!

BTW... this sunday is my biathlon! Pls pray for me not to drown and not to be kicked in the face when swimming.... oh and not to be last! Marcus, Alan and John are coming to support me and take photos of me too! so nice rite?! After that i'm inviting them to Speedlight! Hope Speedlight will be POWER this sunday!

It seems that my uni life has just begun. I hope i get my NCSS scholarship to do my honours year... if not, i'll be starting work after my exams already. Very fast hor...

2006-02-13T21:04:00.000+08:00

Wheee!!! Project meeting at Cly's Church on Sat night... more work to be done!

2006-02-13T21:02:00.000+08:00

Project meeting on sunday nite at Citylink gelare's till 11pm...

2006-02-13T20:55:00.000+08:00

The 'Statue of David' was carved out by Michael Angelo from a marble stone that most sculpters rejected and said 'nothing good can come out of this'. But Michael took a different perspective. He said 'I saw an angel in the marble and carved till I set him free.'

In the same way, youths may appear as the most rebellious but there's someone with great value and potential in them waiting to break free and be appreciated. Lets set them free rather than despise them.

2006-02-13T20:52:00.000+08:00

People say I always look very fierce and dao when i dont smile... =(

Bleh....

2006-02-13T00:59:00.000+08:00

I'm subconsciously subscribing to some of these values which i should not...
Taking more than what u can handle will BREAK your bones man. Ha ha... thank God i'm enjoying all my commitments now... just dont like the traveling.

1.Take on more than you can handle. You can never do enough for God.

2.Try to be all things to all people. That's how you show God's love.

3.Strive for greater outreach. One-on-one is fine for starters, but your aim should be the multitudes.

4.Compare your ministry to other people's. If it doesn't measure up make changes.

5.Gauge the effectiveness of your service by concrete evidence. If you don't see results, there probably aren't any.

6.Set goals and push yourself to achieve them. You want to hear 'Well done' on judgment day.

7.Rarely take time off. There's too much work to be done. You are expected to burn out for God.

8.Tend to your own needs only after you have met everybody else's. Remember how JOY is spelled: Jesus, Others, then You.

9.Keep pouring out even when there's little left to give. The Christian life is not for quitters

10.Be ready to sacrifice everything for your ministry: your family, your friends, even your health. These things are temporal; kingdom work is eternal.

11.Go through every door God opens. If He didn't want you to go through them, He wouldn't be opening them.

12.Think twice about saying no to a Christian opportunity. If you do, feel guilty, really guilty.

13.Read the bible an hour a day. If you don't you are not very spiritual.

14.Feel as if you have to pray for great blocks of time. That's how you know you are in fellowship with God.

15.Give up secular activities for church-related ones. Don't waste time on things that don't count.

16.You have been saved to serve, so get going.

Taken from 'How to care for the Whole World and still take care of yourself' by Peg Rankin.

Drunk on Life

2006-02-06T00:20:00.000+08:00

Hmmm... lets see what i'm coping with now (top 10 on the list)~

1. Attachment @ Feiyue - Mondays workshop, Weds group work, Thurs nite supervision.
2. Write my scholarship essay by 08/02
3. GEK1500 - Quiz that takes up 20% of grades. 08/02
4. Leaders training - 11/02
5. Attachment related training - 11/02
6. Trial swim/run for NUS biathlon - Sun morning 12/02
7. Give tuition - Sun evening 12/02
8. SW3201 Agency planning project - presentation on 14/02, paper due 28/02
9. SSB2216 Singapore employment project - presentation on 16/02
10. NUS biathlon - 19/02

These are just some of the formal commitments that i have to attend to for the moment until 19th feb... so frens i'm sorry i gotta disappear for a bit. =) No worries about me collapsing or handling too much, its just for a while - busy period.