What makes your dream house?

I'm sure many of us have had plans, ideas and fantasies for our homes of now, and of the future. We'd want a certain theme, setting, mood and feel for it. We'd probably spend lots of time, effort (and even money) to source for, and find the best for our homes. We'd paint it up with our favorite colors and spice it up with little quirky items here and there.

I'm on this note since we're looking forward to moving out of this house and into a new one, and I am certainly excited. And of course, I've begun looking around for the theme I would like for my new home. 

I was of the opinion that beautiful home would make the occupants happy, and bring a family closer together, until yesterday. It was a cool Saturday as I made my way to a couple's house for a time of sharing.

It was my first time to their house, so I was naturally excited to appreciate and experience the way families would normally do up their homes- and I thought it would be able to provide me with some pointers and ideas for the planning of my new place.

I went home that day with a drastically altered perception, yet with an enlightened heart. This couple in concern didn't have the most spectacular place to call home. The perfectionist streak in me could go on and list what would have, and could have been done but I shall not. They weren't living lavish lives, yet were comfortable, contented, and full of love. This was evident in their interactions with one another, their body language, and in everything they did.

It brings me to recall the times I snapped at my family members because I felt that they refused to help me in cleaning the place (I'm a clean freak), or didnt exercise any effort in keeping the place as clean as possible(I'm a clean freak) or my poor brother who bears the brunt of my frustration when he isnt tidy enough for my liking (I'm a neat freak). All these had accumulated much frustration within me and added much un-needed tension within all of us at home. And I thought I was doing all these so that a clean house will bring us happiness, time together, and not to mention, healthier noses.

Not that it didn't, but I guess my approach was far from ideal.

I tried to stay away from cleaning up today, but ended up doing some minor housekeeping, but with a heart of love instead. Lo, my mood was much lighter and I was certainly taking everything on a lighter note.

The brief for my new house? Easy to maintain, so its less of a hassle for all of us! I'll so miss my idea of an art-gallery based home for sure. But the tradeoff is worth it, as long I as I don't suffer from a heart attack again.

as the dawn of weekend approaches...

Today is A Friday. Hooray! I made it to provide an update within two days of my previous entry.

Before I forget, let me shout out a birthday wish to Ben (13^th) and Alan (14^th).

I’m sitting in my mom’s office entering this post after a spending half a day helping her to run her school concert. Finally after days of preparation, sweat and much stress, everything fell into place by the grace of God. True, there’s much room for improvement, but I do feel that everybody involved put in their best for today. There was marked improvement exhibited by every performing group. And these are primary school kids who have invested much time and effort into putting up a grand show for today!

The major bonus is of course, to be able to forge new friendship, and bonds with those I worked with for this project. Naturally speaking my brother Leon was part of this project too. My mom sure activated all the resources that she had!

After having hung around a school environment for days, I’ve realised I do miss my school days: The days of innocence, where everything begun and ended with the signalling of a bell, and we went gaga over simple things like the Pilot pen, erasers of every country we would buy (not to use, but to play with) and the talks of hanging out at the nearest shopping centre after school. Then, Thomson Shopping Centre and Junction 8 were the coolest places in our little world.

Then as we grew up, we learnt more about friendship, politics, fell in and out with ourselves, and learnt to be more careful with choices. We learnt about relationships I still can’t believe I had my first experience at Primary 5. Predictably, it didn’t last. We chose to end the relationship because, uhm, we ended up in different secondary schools. Right.

The most memorable relationship I had was in Sec 2. I tried so hard to chase this girl, got her at last (with a little help from my friends of course) and then broke up over some silly issue. We fought and quarrelled a lot, but we knew that this relationship was one to remember with sweetness. Almost ten years later, we’re still in contact. I dare say we’ve really made our marks on one another.

Ah, puppy love.

I feel really old to be turning another year older in a couple of days. It really rocks knowing that you can’t even earn yourself a green note for change when you tender red notes.

As I approach this magical age I’m looking forward to be blessed with a partner. Not for the sake of status, but one that I can grow and mature with, and experience things together. Above all Id like to know what it is really like to love somebody.

Funny post? Yep, attribute that to a really tired me. But hey, I mean every word I say here!

“Attention, its time to dance” 

midweek ramblings

Time flies. It’s midweek already! And I’ve missed the Tuesday deadline which keeps me in line with my goal of updating this place every two weeks.

It’s a sweltering Wednesday as I pen this. So much for telling Meida that the weather’s turning for the better- it decided to prove itself otherwise. The searing morning heat, although uncomfortable, was a welcome change for the sake of the laundry just hung up the night before!

Notwithstanding the weather of 18-22degrees in Hong Kong sounds like something I could look forward to. For the sake of the bills and environmental concerns, I shall not attempt to replicate that kind of temperature in my office.

I am pleased to announce that there are ZERO casualties from my gardening attempt-not bad, considering that 8 pots were changed, along with the soil and what not. Perhaps four days is too short a period of time. Those gardening pundits might agree.

On another note, the camera I’ve always wanted to buy, the Panasonic FX38, is now more affordable to me at $480. That’s a lot closer to the $400 I’ve set aside so far as compared to the original retail price of $549! That said I might need my mom’s help in chipping in for the mini tripod and extra battery pack (:

I’m glad to have finally expressed my frustrations over the PA ministry in church to the head honcho who has always been very patient and supportive, while keeping me in check. Once, I thought things were not going to move, but finally, the wheels are grinding. Boy, I am glad! Prayer moves mountains.

Monday morning’s storm proved to be a disaster: I left for work early and ended up soaking wet and dripping. Seriously, it was flooding all over Ang Mo Kio! Every sheltered walkway, a supposed blessing, ended up as wading pools that many disgruntled residents like me had to deal with.

And then there was this bird brained driver who cut into the sheltered walkway as I was crossing halfway. AND because she stopped right smack in the middle, blocking the way, I just looked at her. She just waved an apology, and that’s it!

So, I had to step out of the shelter and get myself very wet in the process. Mind you, she wasn’t waiting for anybody, and I thought that she should have reversed a little, and come in later. She was depriving us (the pedestrians) the use of the shelter, for in my opinion, her selfish little convenience.

I was close to asking her if she would bother to send me to the MRT station since I was already soaking wet. All she could offer was another feeble wave of apology. What an imbecile.

At that point I swore to myself that I’d never be that idiotic as that woman. Later I was on the train, furious, wet and angry. I was asking myself if there was anything to be thankful for, and somehow I managed to come up with this feeble list.

1. My train gets me out of the rain
2. I could have slipped and fell with all the water around, but I didn’t
3. Despite my encounter with the bird brained driver I still boarded the train in one piece.
4. The crazy storm didn’t stop the train from getting me to work anyway.

And so I was momentarily consoled till I alighted. And there, again, was a heavy storm for me to counter. I swear I was really soaking as I was nearing the office. Then some taxi driver decided that my morning shower wasn’t enough, apparently. And I got even wetter, from crown to feet!

Another learning point: I’d be dammed if I sped on a rainy day and got some pedestrian soaking wet because of my lack of consideration. Ugh.

And for some major reliefs: I am thankful that my leave on Thursday and Friday is approved so that I can help my mother with her graduation concert and prize giving ceremony. The last I heard, the recent rehearsal had tons of room for improvement.

So that’s my major consolation for the week, besides the fact that we met up with two nice clients over the two days, which helped in chasing the overcast clouds away. And with that, I end my midweek entry!

 

 

 

 

 

10 days away...

An eventful Saturday and a refreshing Sunday service later, (not to mention an equally blissful nap as well), I'm listening to the tunes of Beauty & The Beast being played on the piano as I type this. Leon (my brother) is playing the song for his school recital and has been working extremely hard on the piece. I'm almost hearing the fluidity in the piece as he nears the corner of perfection in playing this beautiful piece.

Finally, after three working days, I've gotten my phone back after having it checked in for service. I must say its time to get used to this phone again- I was missing the small buttons, the decent in-built camera, and the authorative audio quality for some time! When Leon checked in his phone for repair a month ago, it took three weeks to repair. (Well, he's not complaining cos they replaced the entire phone!)

I'm almost itching away as I type this. I spent the Saturday afternoon cleaning up, and decided to work on the garden since all my plants were outgrowing their pots, and uhm, obviously not growing anymore. One change led to another in rapid sucession, and I ended up changing at least 8 pots,including the soil, potting mix, and supports for the plants. As expected, I was jumped upon my spiders, bitten by wierdest stuff in inconvenient locations, while adding more strain to my already not-functioning-so-well left leg. It took four hours-but it was worth it! My garden looks much better now. Note: its a garden and not a jungle.

One incident that really tickled me was my neighbour's shocked reaction to the creepers I had tried to grow outside my window ledge. I didnt invest in poles of any sorts, so they were left dangling haphazardly over the ledges.

Kelvin walked over, greeted me, took a glance at my creepers, and asked incredulously: "What's that?!"

I got the hint. I cut it off shortly. It was indeed something to do away with; not growing well and certainly not working wonders for the aesthetics of the garden. My mom had a good laugh: she had been wanting to tell me to cut them off as well!

I wonder how many times my Maker had to apply the same treatment on me, taking care of me in various way, changing my pot when I grew, making sure that the soil wasnt muddy, infested by wierd stuff or bad in any way so I could grow even more, or perhaps feeling sad when I chose not to grow, or worse, even wither away. I thank God for not having my patience (read: no patience) and for having tended to each of us so selflessly and tirelessly.

Like how I hope my plants will flourish and grow after the investment of time and effort, I'm sure God is hoping and awaiting the same for me.

Geez. God works in wonderful ways. He can even make use of this seemingly mundane activity to teach, and impress upon me certain things.

And with that, I end my Sunday post.

Traffic Lights

So here I am again within two days of my previous post, as part as my efforts to keep this blog as alive as possible, and to spare myself the process of having to summarise everything like what I did in my last post. (to my own surprise, actually)

Friday nights are supposed to be light and happy. Not today. I fell ill on Monday, was coughing through the week, and dragged my heavy bag and aching body back from work today.

Not that it was a bad day at work, though. I just decided to rest well since I'd be needed for worship practice tomorrow. After dinner, a little housework and an enjoyable time with my brother Leon, I sit here ready to end my day after this post.

Why the post title? I feel that once again, God seems to be beaming His red traffic light in front of me. By that, He is once more asking me to entrust all of my cares unto Him.

Goodnight.

That's quite a lot, actually. I've been so caught up in planning for this and that, being worried for the wrong reasons and causing much damage to myself when I had an easier option- to submit all these in prayer.

God, like my driving instructor, seems to have pulled up the emergency handbrake, drawing me to a screeching stop, and prompting me to cast my cares upon Him.

How foolish I've been indeed. Little wonder why I'm burnt out and frustrated just about everything.

Lord, if there's one thing that I ask for today, that would be the FAITH to depend on You and commit everything I am doing, or undergoing, into hands. Amen.

I'm still very much alive, thanks.

It must have been light years since I’ve last visited this little online adobe myself, let alone make efforts to post anything on it. And for those who have been nudging me to update this blog, here’s a little reward for your patience!

Stumbling through the cobwebs, droppings and stale air, I throw the windows open, flinch at the amount of sunlight coming through and begin my entry.

As I pen this, I bemoan the fact that I’m turning 26 this month, still single and making my way up that proverbial shelf on the wall, and not getting more handsome...NAH….Godliness with content is great gain!

So much has happened in the past few months that it’s almost impossible for me to list them in chronological order. For the sake of your sanity, I shall demarcate, and shed light on the more significant ones.

a. Love Life.

The last I shared, there was this sister in Christ I was praying for. I’m glad I’ve finally made known my feelings to her, and though it was tough accepting the fact that we could not be together, I delight in the fact that we did not wreck our already close friendship, and I will still love her as a dear sister.

It wasn’t easy. I remember the night I learnt that she was exploring another path with another gentleman. I remembered - the wallpaper on her laptop were obvious tell tale signs. I almost cried.

But it’s fine now, that I’ve gotten over the hurt and rejection. I’m enjoying my singlehood as of now, and waiting upon the Lord. In the meantime, I’m actually actively seeking the Lord. My heartstrings have been tugged once again.

A shout out to all those who have expressed their care and concern: I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

b. Walk with God

The Lord has used this incident to encourage me, and prod me in the direction seeking Him actively-even as I was hurting over this. He has, in many ways, brought me in broken-ness and hurt before Him, allowing me to experience His inconceivable, gracious love. For that I’m thankful.

It’s been a positive experience spending quality time with Him and I look forward to growing and maturing. Its all easier said than done, though. The battles of the men (outer, and spirit man) are strong, and my strong reaction to “injustice” gets in the way of me responding in a biblical manner to the many struggles I face.

I can only look to Him for faith, courage and assurance as I press on.

c. Ministry Life.

I’ve have had the pleasure of meeting several nice folks in the course of serving in the PA ministry as a wedding and event technician at church. Several of these acquaintances have become friends, and one couple has even introduced me to rock climbing (thanks guys, I’ll see you in three months!) and I’m thankful for these friends and family in Christ that God has placed into my life.

At times I feel burdened, worn out and tired. It’s can be a challenge availing yourself for rehearsals, events and being involved in other activities where humanly speaking, the time could have been better spent on sleeping, and other affairs you may have to attend to. Yet I’m always reminded that this is a God given gift- and if need be, I should endeavour to bless with what He has so graciously provided me with.

God takes care of this aspect too. It brings a smile to my face when I recall that the bus to church always appears in no time (when I am on duty), and He sends people to send me home (when I make the effort to facilitate rehearsals and stuff) and for an understanding family who doesn’t moan about my often disappearances from home.

Enough of the rosy part. I feel extremely challenged working with people who, in my opinion, lack initiative, responsibility and urgency. I am, on many occasions, tempted to ask them to “wake up their ideas” and “get their act together” when they fail to notice things. Mind you, this is an I/C I’m referring to. I’ve always held on to the opinion that I/C’s should set a good example.

I’m frustrated because all these negative feedbacks come to me (and I’ve long passed the baton, mind you) and not to the I/C. My guess is that they’ve tried, but it has all come back to them void. So, they’ve reverted to telling me.

And since this is my personal blog, I spare no qualms in telling you that I feel exactly like the ex Prime Minister of a certain country, who is probably regretting passing on the baton to his successor. I alternate between wanting to throw my hands up in the air, and giving the person concerned a piece of my mind.

Enough is enough!

d. Work Life

Let me begin this post by thanking God for S and P, my great bosses, colleagues and family in Christ, who have offered their ears, sane advice and helping hands in time of need.

There comes a point of time when you feel stagnant, un-needed and thoroughly unmotivated. Then, you start wondering if you should move. You get held back my emotions and uncertainty, and then your work performance suffers. You keep asking yourself why you’re in this place yadda yadda.

That was me.

If I did not have bosses who possess great faith in me, I would have joined the ranks of the ever increasing population of unemployed individuals as I type this. But I’m not. They understood my concerns, fears and struggles and were very gracious with me.

I was presented with an open door (an events company) and decided to pay the chaps to have a feel and learn more. I went with an open heart, and decided that this was pretty much a closed door for me. If I had to make a choice, I choose to grow this company with S and P, no matter which division I end up in. Enough said.

The road ahead is exciting and I can only look forward in anticipation. Then again, I feel God’s prompting for me to rise up- and fulfill His purpose in where He has placed me, and in contributing to our corporate vision of growing His Kingdom!

Other personal affairs; the final point.

e. Sporting activities

I’m missing climbing for some time (3 months actually) because of a long term injury that was awakened recently. Its pretty humbling not being able to walk as briskly as I used to without experiencing sharp pains in my leg, and I now am able to empathize with other individuals who get shooed out of the way by impatient folks like me. So much for rushing into getting back into action! I’ve actually caused more damage to my already busted leg. =(

I went back to the walls yesterday to return a loaned harness to a friend, and was sour having to walk away without giving a shot at the walls. It was a terrible feeling.

Randy and Desiree, if you’re reading this, I won’t be able to have fun defying gravity with you for some time. Let me heal and I’ll see yer there in three months max!

On the other hand, cycling and running don’t seem to invoke much pain and damage (as far as I’ve observed) so I shall be catching up on these activities in the interim.

f. Year end plans.

Leon’s musical performance is slated to take place on the 23rd Nov. A few days away from us turning older, and I hope I can be there to catch his performance.

My mom’s school performance is really round the corner, and while I’m a little stressed, I’m looking forward to making this an event a memorable one, and an opportunity to lay my hands on her new sound system! =)

December beckons, and so draws near my much anticipated trip to Melbourne. My cousin’s getting married and I’m looking forward to be part of this chapter of her life albeit in a different setting altogether. This should serve as the perfect wrap up for 2008, and a perfect time for my family to bond and catch up with old friends residing down under.

And so, wraps up another long post from noed resarf. Guten tag!