Built to Last

‘Surely you and I are beyond speaking, when words are clearly not enough’ ~ Edmund Bertram to Fanny Price (Mansfield Park 1999)
'Beware of fainting fits. Beware of swoons.' ~ Fanny Price (Mansfield Park 1999)


Work after Friday was filled with laughter with Yang Mui, Shi Min and Diana.
We went to Café Cartel located at Hougang Mall.
Hehe.. Thanks to the time we reached the place and my discount card, we managed to eat quite a fair number of items.
It is a good thing to be sitting there past 9pm.
The cakes go for half price. ;)
Shared 3 types of cheesecakes and each of us had very filling main courses.
I unfortunately made a not so good choice and ended up with a dish, which tasted more like KFC. -.-lll
Laughed and continued to walk around with them and before saying byebye to Yang Mui, she was trying to explain to me the difference between and Alumni band and an Alumni.
I was so confused that she had to explain it to me online… only then did I really understand… hahah

Saturday morning and the class of kids.
Almost lost patience with one of em’.
She may look like a doll with her big eyes and curly hair, but she has the ability to make one want to tear out hair and knock heads against the wall.
Just the right situation to help me practice my patience.
Thank You God.

I sat in an 80 and went all the way to Fortune Centre to meet TKM and YKM.
Bought TKM a lunch of prawn noodles. Hehe… the bowls there are value for money!
Had me a good, relaxing and painful facial.
Yes, there was irony to be had in the above sentence.
Clogged pours are a bane to me.
The 3 ladies walked to Plaza Singapura from there and I took them to Hougang Mall for dinner at Café Cartel.
-loud hysterical laughter-
Yes, I have a tendency to go back to certain places within a small time frame.. haha…
Dinner was not as good as I had hoped. The food was to blame.
Namely the source of the dish, which I had ordered.
It was poured over my meat dish in excess to the point of overkill.
Far too much for my liking… and to think that that particular dish is supposed to be an award winner… I wonder what kind of pallets the judges have.
-shudders-
Got home and belatedly realized, after watching television, that I had missed out on the conservation hour from 8 to 9pm.
-hysterical laughter-
Oppz.

Sunday morning I woke up and one of the first things that came to mind was:
Oh, it’s grading day.
I have come to the point where grading is not all as exciting as it was when I was a colour belt.
The previous grading prepared with emails being sent out to the Black belts and all sorts of SMSes flying here and there.
This time, no email was sent and the morning breakfast was a very quiet affair.
Only Jon, Charmaine, Umera, Victor, Daryl, Alvin, Ding Qi and I were chowing down on McD.
Don get me wrong, it was still a lot of fun. =]
Plenty of laughter and even the ‘brand-name’ Game… heehee… which is reserved for special occasions… or should I say… situations…
Buah hahahahaha~

We reached the CC with so much time to spare before the doors were open, that we managed to get changed into our uniforms and even joke/dance around with the other students before getting down to the serious business.

Grading went by in a flurry of blurness and with me almost losing my voice because I had to constantly say the same things over and over again to different batches of students for the sake of more efficient proceedings.
Coach is usually in those kinds of moods during gradings.
Never ever do anything worth of a scolding during that window of time, because if you do… you will lose your head… and that is a guarantee.

GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!!
Special thanks to the 'inner-circle' - You know who you are ;)
You guys did a fantastic job!
Next time we make blood flow like river, ok?
Hehe~

Thankfully, we all survived till the end of the day with our heads intact.
A few hairs missing here and there.
As caused by some pupils, a few parents and one black belt in particular. (Who in my opinion, is more of a poser than a black... should go back to being a white... )
I got a few blue blacks from sparring with one of the brown belters.
-smirk-
I kinda miss the battle scars… but the ones on my left leg are bothering me more than those on my arm. Bleah~
Looking back, I did learn a lot while I was training, so I guess it’s time to test myself once more… and seeing that I might be taking another ‘test’ in the future, I might as well pump up the ‘volume’ ;p
All the students made it through the grading, but we can’t say who passed for sure because it was a different grader yesterday. I got no history with the fella to be able to tell how the students might fair.
Lunch with my friends at Yoshinoya once everything was wrapped up at the hall.
I can’t remember when was the last time I ate there. Hehe… but it was a very nice treat from Sir =]

Walked around Heartland Mall with the gang before going to White Tangerine for desert and plenty of talking.
Heheh… the younger ones were full of energy, until they had to say their good byes… =[
It was good while it lasted.
We took plenty of photos and teased someone about humps and humping... feel a bit bad about it... but then again... I think the person should have seen it coming...
-psychotic laughter-
The 3 older ones stayed back to chit chat… since it has been ages since I last hung out with Eileen, it was a really good sit down session.
We ordered tea and just talked from 3 to almost 8pm.
Wow… I totally enjoyed the conversations because we were compounding each other’s knowledge and getting closer in the process.
Can’t wait to hang out with them again! =]
I thank God for giving me the chance to see situations from different angles and for the energy to last the entire day… if not for Him, I would have gone bonkas half way through the grading… haha~

Now to today – my Monday.
I walked into a dustbin in the office.
Think I was too tired.
Was already feeling the effect of sleep deprivation yesterday. I walked into a table and broke an ornament. Bleah…
Money fly go byebye~
-pulls self back from digression-
Closed all the accounts today and started on the new months stuff.
Sickerning sensation at some points but managed to get over it.
Looking forward to tomorrow.. going to Winnie’s house right after work and then to cell group… heehee =]

Mika Hakkinen.
He caught my attention today from the newspaper articles written about him.
-migumi laughter-

Yang Mui!
I managed to find the song I was talking to you gals about on Friday night… hahaha
I think the introduction has been used for a hand phone and television programme commercial before.
Here it is =]

Built to Last – Melee

I've looked for love in stranger places,
But never found someone like you.
Someone whose smile makes me feel I've been holding back,
And now there's nothing I can't do.

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
But most of all it's built to last.

All of our friends saw from the start.
So why didn't we believe it too?
Whoa yeah, now look where you are.
You're in my heart now.
And there's no escaping it for you.

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
But most of all it's built to last.

Walking on the hills that night with those fireworks and candlelight
You and I were made to get love right
'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
But most of all it's built to last.

'Cause you are the sun in my universe,
Considered the best when we've felt the worst
And most of all it's built to last.


Sign off time~
Blessings!
^-^

Threadless Superman Friday Freedom

“A city built on rock and roll is structurally unsound.” – Anonymous
“If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you are with.” – Anonymous


Threadless Ts
Ever heard of them?
I didn’t know of their existence until Thursday morning when I was listening to 91.3FM. Mr Joe was talking about them and how he was for once “trendier then thou”. (Thou - referring to Petrina and Elliot Danker.) Apparently, the designs are submitted by the public for approval and then if the designs are well received by the public via web poles, they are printed en mass for consumer purchasing.
At least I think the system works that way.
Any-o-how, I decided to take a look at the website when I got home. Low and behold, the sale was on, just as Joe had promised and now I am going to be the proud owner of 3 Threadless T-shirts! Ordered in bulk with Vanessa and her friend, coz Vanessa and I do not have credit cards and her friend does… so you can imagine the mad rush I had to make trying to decide which designs I wanted before a certain time, so that the spree to be fully utilized. Yes, the mountain tortoise in me has been learning a few things about online shopping. The livejournal website was rather intriguing. =]
Will be receiving the shirts in about a months time. Hopefully they will arrive in good mint condition; if not my faith in internet shopping will be torn to shreds. Ha~

If you are wondering… yes, I have started listening to 91.3FM. I used to just skip that station because I thought that all they played on the air was techno music, but now that the management has changed the image of the radio station, they play plenty of ‘today hits’. And the pair ups of radio DJs are somewhat better than the other stations.
They have 3 way conversations instead of the usual 2, not forgetting the fact that they have a different direction on the way they lead conversations as compared to the other radio stations.
It’s a fresh look on things, so I do appreciate that. After all these years of listening to the Media Corp stations, it is nice to have an alternative choice, and be able to make full use of it. Haha~
BUT, before you write me off as a fully converted radio addict, I must raise my hand and say my peace. I still listen to the other radio stations. It’s just a matter of what time I turn on my headset. Heh

Good Friday was very good.
Service was spent in Bethel with my cell members followed by fellowship with my ministry members and then to Grace’s house for a jamming session.
Had planned this jamming session 3 weeks in advance and invited quite a few ministry members, but many could not join us in the end. The final group was made up of Linus, Grace, Joseph, Samuel and I. Small but powerful gathering. God was really praised with the music which we made. The gifts we have are being put to good used.
-does the dance of joy-
We had tea at the house and played from 2pm till 8pm.
Yeap, music for the Lord is ceaseless and wonderful.

Saturday’s tuition session was full house. Been a while since I’ve seen some of my students.
Went from Seng Kang to Hougang Mall, to return library books and then to Kovan, to borrow books and then back home. Hehe… Watched Evan Almighty and laughed all the way.
Thank you Andrew for letting me borrow the DVD.

Easter Sunday. I had hoped to be able to finish with service and go home early to sleep.
God had bigger plans for me.
Had lunch with my cell members and then on the way home, YKM called me up to accompany her to get her spectacles done at Heartland Mall. This I agreed to and thus spent all my allotted sleep time at Kovan. Decided not to go home to get my dobok coz it would have been too much of a rush, so went to the CC to exercise my eye power instead.
My dinner that evening was at Compass Point with Jared and Alvin.
Found out which dish is the most worth the while at Wasabi.
THE CHICKEN KATSU CURRY!!!!
-hysterical laughter-

Taking of buses to work – cost vs time
I’ve been taking permutations of bus and train combinations to work for the past two weeks. Trying to find out the various costs in fairs and the amount of time spent on the buses.
So far, the quickest and most expensive route is that of taking the LRT -> MRT-> Bus.
Lagging far behind are the single bus journeys. I board the bus and promptly fall asleep due to the monotony of the trip. The entire time is spent either looking out the window or trying to read a book, both of which are not exactly good for my eyes. Reading in the bus is also not very great for me. I get a bit dizzy from that.
The bus route challenge continues…

Yvonne’s wedding date – 1 Oct 2008
Hehe… she told me last week when I contacted her about a tuition gig with regards to one of my college’s children.
Time to go shopping for a good dress!
-hysterical laughter more-

Jared visited me at work yesterday during lunch.
He was in the area and so decided to drop by. Wherever station he goes to, there will always be someone he knows in the surrounding area, so he drops by to say hi.
Hehe… talked about this, this and that before he went off to settle the next case on his list.

Me thinks me be falling sick.
Yuck.
I shall not claim it.
God is my healer. =]

Training last night was filled with an air of ‘freedom’.
I decided not to wear my knee support.
It was a spur of the moment decision because I have been wearing a knee support ever since my knee got twisted 2 years ago… geez. Has it been that long? X.xlll
Anyway, might as well give it a try since I knew that there would only be poomsae the entire evening – Grading is this coming Sunday!
-throws pompoms all over the place-
The result of not wearing the knee support – ‘Wow’. Didn’t know I could still do so much without the darn thing strapped to my leg. Albeit, my knee did feel a bit weak after some time, but then again, it has to be exercised in order to gain back the muscle strength ya?
Ran all over the place, did poomsae from the top down and back up. Didn’t have time to try out the backwards versions though… but it was all good at the end of the evening. Training for the brown 1s and myself, plus Ding Qi and Victor was upped a level.
Everyone was subjected to doing push-ups as punishment for not being able to remember the specific patterns. Can imagine how numb the arms felt at the end of the session.
-hysterical laughter-
It was good to join the students in doing the physical exercises… have to tone up my own bod anyway… if not I feel like a jellyfish… yuck!

Headed home alone, after the DQ and WJ got their cheese cakes from White Tangerine.
Which by the way, is where I had my dinner at.
Had a nice little conversation with Uncle Derek about a website called Foodgowhere.com
It’s a website with plenty of reviews done for eateries of all types. Ranging from small establishments to really big ones. There is a ratings system as well.
Sadly when I went to view the website, there was an assailment of English which was found lacking in terms of proper structure and spelling.
The way the reviews were written showed more about the person than the place that the said person had patronized.
Goodness me… what is Singapore coming to?
-shakes head-

Today is the day I went to Serangoon Broadway to pick up my graduation gown and trencher.
-runs mad around the house-
Finally after so long… and another week more… I will be attending my university graduation ceremony.
-continues to run around the house-
Mum and Dad plus Korkor will be attending the ceremony.. I had wanted TKM and YKM to come along but… oh well~
It promises to be an exciting and expensive experience. Yes, three E’s at one shot.
-hysterical laughter-
Ran into Keith and Bernadette at the studio.
Yeap, 'Superman' was in the house... with his mother no less. ;)
The build up to the actual day has begun!

Hoot~!
^-^

None but Jesus

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise
~ None but Jesus


How quickly a week goes when there are so many things to be done.
It always seems that whenever I am super tired there are a lot more things to be completed.
HAHAHAHA
Here is the summary of the week thus far.

Had tuition on Saturday, a nap and then a mad rush to Plaza Singapura to meet Claudia, Ya Hui, Gary, Paul and Aziz for dinner at Manhattan Fish Market.
I had no idea that Manhattan Fish Market is a Malaysian brand.
It beats Fish n Co’ face down into the ground with a bloody good pounding.
The standard of Fish n Co’ has dropped a lot.
My side of the table had a platter and one main dish to be shared. It was a good idea. Saved us quite a bit of cash, gave us some variety in the food department and got our tummies filled at the same time. =]
As Ya Hui said, “Now that we’re working, every cent counts…”
Yes, I totally agree Mdm.

Took a stroll to Cathay Grand for Ben and Jerry’s.
Talked more rubbish about this and that.
3 out of 5 are working in banks. One in SIA and the last one is working for the ga-mern.
Ice cream was good.
Laughter was priceless and I can’t wait to take photos during my graduation ceremony!
-hysterical laughter-

Rushed home in time to get ready for the 3 service marathon on Sunday.
3 services?
Yes.
First and second service BCM.
I was praise and worship leader. =]
The jamming/practice sessions in between the services were wonderful.
I am totally looking forward to the session tomorrow.
Hehe… more on that later…

Praise and worship leading was good.
With constructive critique as well.
Thanks to Elsie jie and Arnold.
Had lunch with Elsie and received an SMS half way through from Caleb inviting me to jam before Youth Service.
FUN XIA~
Youth service was fruitful.
Very blessed by the chosen songs of the day.
It’s so wonderful to get lost in the worship.
Block out everything around you and just spend focus on worshiping God.
There is such peace and joy in the presence of an Almighty Savior.
-dances around the room-
Left during the last portion of the service because I was in danger of being very late for the training session at Kovan.
Took bus followed by train in order to ‘fly’ to the CC. Could have taken a cab, but I was on a tight budget and I think God wanted me to take the bus.
Hehe..

Reached the CC in time for the kicking session, but then, I didn’t have the chance to kick any ‘drum-sticks’ that day. Such is the life of a black belt.
‘All work and no play’ – that’s what they say.
Teaching students the whole day.
The joy you have is them learning something.
And if they manage to get it right
You’ll feel like a Queen.
At least for one night.
Stayed back with Woei Jun.
She’s going for July grading so have to make sure she is of a passable standard.
As it is, she is doing quite well now, and if she wanted, she could already go for the grading.
However the point here is not to just pass, but pass so convincingly that there be no shadow of doubt in the way the student performed.
Me got high hopes for the her. =]
Same goes for the other kiddos but, she will be the first female senior I am coaching.
-psychotic laughter-

Ironman madness.
Yes, I am officially crazy about IRONMAN.
I even converted the video clip and put it into my phone!
Watch it whenever I feel like and I think I’ve memorized the dialogue. O.o
I was not this crazy about the Transformers when its trailer first hit the screens.
Then again, I did not have the url to the converter at that time… hehe… Transformers is on my list of favourite movies all the same~
Tony Stark… whoohooo~~
Yeap… May 2 was never further away.
-migumi laughter-

The office has its share of ‘interesting’ moments.
Coming from the clients.
In the space of a week I have come across two very prominent figures of whom I wish really wish to kick serious bum.
One was all flustered because the attendance list was tattooed by a child.
Another one made a super hurricane out of a tea cup and used that as an excuse to get the child out of the centre.
Who gets caught in the cross fire?
Who has to deal with the ashes at the end of the day?
What makes them think that they are ‘the boss of me’?
It’s not I who was caught in the war, but I feel that such APGP people should be charged for causing personal distress to more than one individual.
I am sure the court would have a field day with the case.

Finally a non-wet day on Wednesday.
That results in a good training session at the CC.
Held at the usual place of the netball court, so much more can be accomplished.
Irritation reigns at the loss of elasticity in my legs.
I can’t stretch as far as I could last time.
SICKERNING!!!
Walking today is a bit painful because I did a lot more jumping that usual last night.
The session was good. Can’t wait for next Wednesday xia… I want to kick targets and perfect my poomsae. Need to make sure the side-kick can go higher. 360 needs to be worked on. I tend to hop too much.
Yes, tweaking to be done.
Looking forward to it.
Have to do it on my own clock though… the students come first.
Hehe..
Dinner/Supper after training was good =]
Bought cheese cakes and brownies home.
Must remember to drink more tea… I feel my body going into the coughing mode very soon… yuckz

Tomorrow’s Good Friday.
The most significant day on my Christian calendar.
Why?
Without Good Friday, my faith is nothing more than a religion.
It is the basis of my relationship with God the ultimate example of how much my God loves me.
Enough to send his only son to die for my sins.
A decision made before I knew Him.
A decision made before because of Love.

I will not be attending service with my parents.
Going to Bethel with my cell members and following that, I have organized a session of fei-low-jamming-bonding-ship with my BCM first service crew. Invited some others from the Dynamic side, but have no idea whether they will be joining us.
Reason being: They have yet to reply my emails/sms.
Final head count will be done after service tomorrow.
Hehe…

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow!
May blessings abound!
^-^

I want Tony Stark

“Is it better to be feared or respected? And I'd say is it too much to ask for both?” ~ Tony Stark


Watched 10, 000 BC last night with Jared and Alvin at Plaza Singapura.
It was an interestingly grandiose, with plenty of computer graphic effects, cold winds and pinches of salt all over.
The movie is so historically inaccurate that it has to be seen in a mythical light rather than realistic setting. If you see the entire thing as being based on true events, we would be flying in space ships now.
The actors could have done better, but I guess that the main stars of the show were the CGI effects rather than then people with long Rastafarian hair. It’s amazing how ladies can have such nice eyebrows without the aid of tweezers. Their hair being so neat at times can be such a puzzle too.
Language is the most interesting one. I had not the faintest that English was already spoken during that era. Then again, I did mention that the movie has to be fantasy in order to have balance.
At the end, the movie went more into a phase of trying to please the audience rather than going against the grain, predictable and cliché? Jared and I did come up with other alternatives for a possibly better ending. Haha…
The next movies on my list are:
The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian

Went to Youtube to find the trailer, also went to find the synopsis of the other books which will be made into movies as well. I read that the production is rather hurried because the producers wish to finish the movies before the children become too old for the characters they are portraying.
We will all grow old and our former glory of youth will be but a memory in the pages of men.
Did the same digging for Ironman.
Gosh… Tony Stark – they’ve found the perfect guy to take the part in Robert Downey Junior. He’s got the right combination of S’ol and whatever else is needed to be a hero.
Then again, I see some similarity to Batman. Gah… who am I kidding?
-shrugs-
Tony Stark~
HUUU~~
Be still my heart, be still…
The trailer blew my shoes off. It gets better every time I watch it. The music and effects have come at no better time. Just imagine the possibilities when they do the second movie with War Machine and then add in the Mandarin. It’s gonna be mind blowingly AWESOME.
Just show in some hot-rod red and everything will be good to go right?
-migumi laughter-

Crazy client was met today.
I think he had a rough day and was trying to find something to take out his anger on.
We just happened to be stuck in the place for him to verbally attack us.
Not much we could have done.

Jared was in the area today on assignment.
He popped by my office to say hi.
Hehe… I also got introduced to his partner for the day: Hide.
Interesting name... Wonder if it’s supposed to be pronounced in the Japanese way.
-ponders-
They happened to come by during the lull period.
Was nice chatting to them about work and some school stuff..
The madness at work – everything happening at one time, took place right after they left.
I was alone on trying to handle the crazis. I could have lost my head trying to get everything under control at one shot. Know the situation as it was, I bet it could have gotten a whole lot worse.
Yuck + Bleah

Came home after work today, had dinner and then took a walk with TKM to Compass Point. I seem to be going there a lot these past few weeks. We always end up buying stuff and I am pondering about that book I saw this evening.
If I see it the next time I am in that shop, I think I will buy it =]
Then again, it all depends on whether I remember that I was in want of that book.
Let it go and if I recall then I am meant to have it.
Hehehe… it’s not that cheap ok… have to fork out quite a bit (by my standards anyway)
;p

Aight, the weekend is here.
Need to recharge.
The joy of the Lord is my strength!
^-^

Until the end of time

What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~ by Ralph Waldo Emerson ~


Took panadol today but was still experiencing quite a bit of pain.
The kind that is not sharp but dull and your body knows that it’s gonna be in that state for quite a while. And a while it was before I could get back into functioning properly. Bleah.

The weather has turned wet of late.
Rain a plenty in every area that I spend time at.
Comes down in buckets and covers the scenery in a blanket of grey.
The irritating thing is that the rain tends to stop, the sun shows himself and then gives the time back to the rain clouds again.
Cause for concern due to the fact that this kind of cyclical changes make people fall sick very easily.
It’s happening all over the island.
-screams and runs around the room with hair flying all over the place-
Rock star anyone?
-continues to run around the room-

If equal affection cannot be
Let the more loving one be me

Justin Timberlake
"Until The End Of Time"
Listen
Woke up this morning
Heard the TV sayin' something
'Bout disaster in the world and
It made me wonder where I'm going
There's so much darkness in the world
But I see beauty left in you girl
And what you give me let's me know
That I'll be alright'cause if your love was all I had
In this life
Well that would be enough
Until the end of time
So rest your weary heart
And relax your mind
Cause I'm gonna love you girl
Until the end of time
You've got me singing
Oh whoa, yeah
Oh whoa, yeah
Everybody sing
Oh whoa, yeah
Everybody singing
Oh whoa yeah
Now if you're ever wondering
About the way I'm feeling
Well baby girl there ain't no question
Just to be around you is a blessing
Sick and tired of trying to save the world
I just want to spend my time with you girl
And what you're giving me
Let's me know that we'll be alright.
'cause if your love was all I had
In this life
Well that would be enough
Until the end of time
So rest your weary heart
And relax your mind
Cause I'm gonna love you girl
Until the end of time
You've got me singing
Oh whoa, yeah
Oh whoa, yeah
Everybody sing
Oh whoa, yeah
Everybody singing
Oh whoa yeah
This one's for the lovers
If you're out there let me hear you say
Yeah, yeah, yeah(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
This one's for the lovers
If you're out there let me hear you say
Yeah, yeah(Yeah, yeah)
This one's for the lovers
If you're out there let me hear you say
Yeah, yeah, yeah(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
This one's for the lovers
If you're out there let me hear you say
Yeah, yeah(Yeah, yeah)
Oh whoa yeah
Oh whoa yeah
Oh whoa yeah
Oh whoa yeah
'cause if your love was all I had
In this life
That would be enough
Until the end of time


Went to Vivo city with the TPY kiddos in the evening. i.e. Daryl, Umera, Jon, Charm and Alvin. Alvin's not a kid but part of the general group. =]
Dinner at Sakae Sushi. Service was not that great, but we had a good time chatting a mile a minute.
Very fun time playing a particular game, which revolved around various brand names. The ulterior motive was certainly met and the laughter was over the top. Spent quite a bit of money on dinner as well on a piece of clothing AND a pint of BEN AND JERRYS!!!!
-does the dance of joy-

It’s now Wednesday.
Thanks for the prayers.
Leaving it all to God now.

Toddles~
^-^

Let the more loving one be me

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total darkness sublime,
Though this might take one some time.

~ Wystan Hugh Auden ~


The weekend that just passed was full of inserts.

Saturday was supposed to be composed of only tuition and plenty of sleep.
A facial appointment got inserted in between the two activities and sleep got pushed to 12am.
YKM and I went to Compass Point after our appointment with Auntie Shelia and I managed to get a new book as well as sign up for the library’s new update system. They will email or sms you 7, 5 or 3 days before your book’s deadline to remind you to return the book. There are also other services that come with this program but I can’t remember them off the top of my head.. Will have to go check the website.

Sunday’s service was good.
Morning BCM saw the return of Wee Jun.
Forgot how much we all laughed whenever he’s around.
I hope he is able to make it next week.

2nd service and Ps Peter’s message.
Shiok.
It was impactful and definitely not something I will forget for a while to come.
Especially the reasonings about L.O.V.E.
God’s love is so beautiful :D
Was supposed to do tract-ing after the service but through some logistical blunder, we ended up going for lunch instead.
Sharon and I went for munchies at the local McD.
Yeap, Da S and Xiao S.
She’s older but small size than I.
I leave it to you as to how the decision of who is Da S and who is Xiao S is come to.
Chatted with Caleb until it was almost 3pm before we headed to the bus stop and straight for home.
I stayed in my house for a total of 44 minutes.
Then I went running all the way to Buangkok MRT station
Was late for class by 15 minutes and in my hurry, I forgot to bring my belt – ended up wearing half dobok lor~
Gavin, Rachel and Garrett finally came back after such a long haul away from training. Rachel’s grown about a head taller. Last time can still carry her around the hall, now I have to use quite a bit more energy.
-tired laughter-
Geez… age is catching up on both sides.
Bleah~

Stayed back to coach Woei Jun in preparation for her black belt grading. It’s slated to be in July, should be able to make sure the standard is there by the time the month rolls around.
As a result, I reached home around 8.30pm. Still managed to watch My Girl and have dinner at the same time. Me thinks me am beginning to like that show a lot. And got only 4 more episodes before the show ends its run on Channel U. oh well, all good things must come to an end.
I’ll always have reruns to turn to. Either that or I can go invest in a DVD box set of that particular drama.
-hystical laughter-

Today super tired at work lor… had to resort to some drastic tactics to keep my eyes open. It didn’t help that the weather was so darn fine for sleeping. Could just imagine myself curled up in bed with my pillow and dreaming of a nice holiday to New Zealand.
-swoon-
Or maybe resting in a beach chair on a white sandy shore… the sea stretches out and only ends when it touches the sky… the water’s clear with dolphins and plenty of nice sea breeze.
-swoons more-
RIGHT... what a way to make myself want to sleep all over again...
-.-lll

Will be leading PnW again next Sunday and if everything goes according to the schedule, I am slated to lead for both the first and second service.
HUUU~
-does the dance of madness-
Yeap.. Pulling a double yet again. I must admit that the last time it was rather draining but then again, I had so much fun I think everything was very balanced at the end of the day.
Then again, Germaine or Reuben might be taking over the first service duty.
My plan B, as of 1pm today has already been formulated and will be disseminated to the others later... hehe
Doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan in case anything goes awry.
Never expect anything to go right, then you will never be let down by the circumstance. It’s having unmet expectations that cause a person to have depression ya?

Got a few suggestions from Sera, Winnie and Sharon regarding my new and oh-so-white school shoes – buy fabric paint and paint some design onto the shoes!
It’s a nice concept no?
Saw the exact same thing on Goong =]
I might just go invest in another pair of sneakers and do that!
-evil laughter-
Have a feeling it will set me back another 50 bucks?
-evil laughter turns to psychotic laughter-
Donno if I will be as creative as they were but I guess if the project goes down in flames, there is always the option of painting the entire shoe BLACK.
-psychotic laughter continues and grows louder-

Over the past weeks of working here, I have come to realize that kindergarten teachers are some of the biggest liars on the planet.
Why?
Let me paint you the picture.
Imagine a student of age 3, which would come under the category of playgroup or toddler, coming into the centre for the first time. After spending all his/her life with her parents before entering the centre, the parents will be leaving the child with a stranger for a major portion of every weekday/working day.
The child initially finds the place interesting because there are so many other children who are the same age and the colours distract him. The first visit is always with his parents and then subsequent time spent at the centre with their child is decrease till the parent just sends the child to the venue and then goes straight to work.
The child, wondering where his/her parents are always ends up crying due to insecurity. They may seem alright in the morning but the crying/wailing/screaming/tantrums always start up (and with a lot more vigor) when the child wakes up from the afternoon nap. Owing in part to the unfamiliar environment, and the lack of familiar people around, the term ‘chang qi’ is used to describe the lung capacity and consequently duration of which the child is able to maintain his/her crying and at what pitch.
To placate the child, teachers always say things like:
Don’t worry, Mummy will be here soon.
Ok, we call your mummy to bring you home ok?
Korkor will come over once his class is done. (if the child has an elder sibling in the centre)
Mummy is on her way… stop crying and she will be here faster.
Etc…
(Note that the ‘Mummy’ is interchangeable with any other family member whom the child is extremely close to)

One might argue that these are not lies but truths stretched.
Yeap… SUPER STTTTRRREEETTTCCCHHHEEEDDDDD~
Such liars we all are… even to our young.
Maybe one day they will realize that all the ‘truths’ told to them were nothing but a façade. Once that level is met, then they will start saying the same things to their own children.
What a vicious cycle.

*phew*
Enough from me for one day.
Blessings~
^-^

I carry your heart

I start this post with a song that has been playing on the radio lately.
It’s catchy and the tune makes me wanna go buy a piano just so that I can play the song.
I wonder how much a good keyboard costs these days… 2nd hand I also don’t mind… haha


Love Song – Sarah Bareilles

Head under water,
And they tell me to breathe easy for a while.
The breathing gets harder, even I know that.

You made room for me but it’s too soon to see,
If I’m happy in your hands.
I’m unusually hard to hold on to.

Blank stares at blank pages.
No easy way to say this.
You mean well, but you make this hard on me.

I'm not gonna write you a love song,
'Cause you asked for it,
'Cause you need one, you see.
I'm not gonna write you a love song,
'Cause you tell me it's,
Make or breaking this.
If you’re on your way,
I'm not gonna write you to stay.
If all you have is leaving,
I’m gonna need a better reason to write you a love song today.
Today.

I learned the hard way,
That they all say things you want to hear.
My heavy heart sinks deep down under you,
And your twisted words, your help just hurts.
You are not what I thought you were.
Hello to high and dry.

Convinced me to please you.
Made me think that I need this too.
I’m trying to let you hear me as I am.

I'm not gonna write you a love song,
'Cause you asked for it,
'Cause you need one, you see.
I'm not gonna write you a love song,
'Cause you tell me it's,
Make or breaking this.
If you’re on your way,
I'm not gonna write you to stay.
If all you have is leaving,
I’m gonna need a better reason to write you a love song today.

Promise me you'll leave the light on,
To help me see with daylight, my guide, gone.
'Cause I believe there's a way you can love me because I say,

I won't write you a love song,
'Cause you asked for it,
'Cause you need one you see.
I'm not gonna write you a love song,
'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this.
Is that why you wanted a love song,
'Cause you asked for it,
'Cause you need one you see.
I’m not gonna write you a love song,
'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this.
If you’re on your way,
I’m not gonna write you to stay.
If your heart is nowhere in it,
I don’t want it for a minute.
Babe, I’ll walk the seven seas when I believe that there's a reason to,
Write you a love song today.
Today.


I managed to find the music video on Youtube. It’s pretty cute, with the main character being stuck in a jukebox. Hehe… very marionette doll. Not so much like N’SYNC’s Byebyebye but more arty?
Hehe… thank God for youtube, coz I don’t have MTV at home..
-laughter-
Then again, even if I did have cable, I’m way too busy to watch television.. unless it’s CSI!
-migumi laughter-

Spent the afternoon on the phone, calling parents and hanging metaphorical pig heads on phones. I guess you know what I was after when I say ‘pig-heads’ ya?
Had to finish a lot of stuff in the office today, almost did not have time to drink water again. Looking forward to the weekend and all the activities on my schedule book, which reminds me.. I have to update the book for next week’s ‘headless-chicken-run’. It will be a memorable week. ;)

A few weeks back, when Parveen and I went back to SRJC for the literature night, the following poem was performed.
It’s been stuck in my head for since that night.
So I wanna share it with you. =]


I carry your heart with me
(I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it
(Anywhere I go you go, my dear,
And whatever is done by only me is your doing my darling)

I fear no fate
(For you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world
(For beautiful you are my world, my true)
And it’s you are whatever a moon has meant
And whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
And the sky of the sky of a tree called life,
Which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
And this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart.

I carry you heart
(I carry it in my heart)

~ E.E. Cummings~


Let me know what you think about it ya?

Have I mentioned that I adore Famous Amos’ soft baked cookies?
Especially the no-nut ones.
Always have to chug a lot of water every time I have one, but it’s still heavenly.
-swoon-

Oh, before I sign off, let me tell you about my evening last night.
I went to the Police post – to officially change my address.
Went shopping after dinner with TKM.
We walked from home to Compass Point and I tried on quite a few sets of clothes.
Ended up buying a skirt, long sleeved blouse and two short sleeved blouses for office wear. Cost bomb. I say bomb because it was not as much as usual, coz usually I will say that the bomb was of the nuclear or atomic variety but this time I would say that it’s a normal bomb because the prices were not as extravagant as compared to the previous spending sprees I’ve taken part in.
Thank you to Mummy for buying me the clothes =]
We walked home after the money ‘outing’.
I have yet to calculate the distance between my house and Compass Point verses the distance between my old place and Kovan Heartland mall… if and when I do, I will definitely write about it.
-hysterical laughter-

Faxed in my convocation materials to the two places.
Convocation will be held at SIM HQ on 3rd April.
Guys, please let me know if you will be in school on that day, can meet up and take pictures!
-bounces all over the place-
Make the most of my gown rental!
-more hysterical laughter-

Laters~
^-^

Zonked-ed-ed

Great is thy faithfulness
O God, my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changes not, Thy compassions they fail not
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto Thee
~ Great is Thy faithfulness ~


Went for an interview yesterday.
Now I know what to avoid on the internet.
Some advertisements can so SO misleading… ended up wasting more than 3 hours of my life. The late lunch I had afterward burnt the top of my mouth and I can still feel the skin hanging at the top. Bleah.
Yes, I could have left the interview early and cut my loses, but I thought that since I was there, I might as well sit through the entire thing and see what I could come out with. Every experience is one which you can learn from no?
Apart from the sitting and learning, I have also realized how well I can perform in an interview when I seriously do not care about it.
-hysterical laughter-
Since I was in the area, I decided to pay Daniel Korkor a visit at his office.
Haven seen him since Chinese New Year.
Not that long ago, but it’s different to see him outside of family gatherings.
Spent quality time talking about this and that, what and what not, maybe and probably not. That kind of stuff… hahah…
Managed to make it home in time to get my stuff and go out again for training. Since it was raining, we ended up training at Kovan Hub.
Black feet/ Feet of black/ Feeto black/ Blacko Feet… call it what you want, it was still very dirty at the end of the day… yuck…
Crispy Chicken salad to end off the night.
The usual company and plenty of madness to boot.

Played piano today.
Been ages since the last time I touched proper weighted keys.
The music of such, made to praise the Lord and in turn, sooth the soul.
Good exercise for the brain and fingers at the same time. Hehe

Been so tired lately that my reaction time has been delayed by a lot.
I tripped twice on Tuesday, and had a few other accidents during the evening. For instance, I whacked my hand against a sharp edge of Winnie’s table while I was at her place for cell group. No blood, Thank God.
Fell asleep in the bus and MRT on the way home and to whichever venue I’ve been headed to.
And now, there is a nagging headache that has been moving around my brain since morning.
It started out at my temples and now has settled at the back of my skull. Geez… what a nomad…
My tripping on Tuesday evening has left me without part of my nails on a few toes. At first it was like a free French pedicure, but it started to hurt even more so I had to get rid of the hanging nails…
I’ve had to walk around with plastered toes for two days already, but it beats having my skin exposed to the elements. Me thinks me should go buy more plasters to stock up for the next few days… hehe

Bought the March edition of FIRST this morning on the way to work.
Almost fell asleep while reading it. Not that it’s boring, but I am too whacked out today… oh dear. Better sleep earlier tonight… then again, no matter how much I want to sleep early, I always end up sleeping around the same time and maybe even later than usual on certain occasions.
I look forward to Saturday – the one day I can get my nap. Provided I do not have any commitments in the afternoon or evening. High chance of me sleeping so long that I might as well sleep until Sunday morning. Haha… then again, TKM would never let me miss out on a proper meal =]
I do miss home cooked food. Plenty of plus points.
-pauses-
- pulls self back from digression-
The FIRST magazine has reminded me which movies I wanna catch. I wait with baited breath for the edition with information pertaining to The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
WOOHOO~~~~

Aight, that’s all for now.
Need to go make nice with my pillow…

^-^

To God be the glory

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” ~ Psalm 8:1


My ears got shot out today by the new kids at the centre.
They scream like they’re being sent through hell and we’re the officers in charge of their beatings. Geez. What’s more, they have limitless lung capacity. Screaming or crying at the top of their lungs without stopping for more than 2 hours at one shot.
I did ask one of the teachers how she managed to survive the screaming/shouting/wailing/crying/extreme noises. Her reply was that she had already lost part of her hearing and even her own children complain coz they need to repeat themselves a lot when speaking to her…
The ringing in my ear is not a good sign.
Most ironic thing is that the centre is super noisy but the phone which I have to answer on a daily basis is lousy in the volume department. Always so paiseh to ask the caller to speak louder. Maybe I should put in a request for a better phone or at least get me some very good ear plugs.

Celebrated YKM, TKM and Korkor’s birthday yesterday evening.
Kor brought a rum-black forest cake over. Wooo… RUM…
-giddy laughter-
I miss the Irish cream ice cream from Ice Cream Gallery.
Shiok only… it’s been ages since the last time I went there…
Anyone for a trip down memory lane with me? ;)

There are a few movies which I wish to watch this month:
10 000 BC
The Leap Years
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
(have to go check which are the others I want to watch.. hehe… these 3 are off the top of my head)

I watched the trailer for the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian when we went to watch Jumper.
Gosh, how the children have grown!
The youngest two are now the tallest and it is as if the other children never aged at all. I feel both old and relieved at the same time. There is some solace in the knowledge that some people will never look their age.
-evil laughter-
Among other things, the movie seems a lot darker than the first. I doubt that some of the characters from the first movie will appear in the second one, this conclusion was made after considering that the time span between the two movies is 1300 years.
Man was not meant to live for such a long time. I somehow doubt that the grace of long life would be extended to every character in the novel. Even if the time relativity is different in the two worlds of the novel.

I have been looking for the Catherine Lim novel: Leap of Love.
The Leap Years is based on that novella and I am rather interested in getting my hands on it. I bet reading it before the movie itself might kill some of the anticipation. Either that, or I would be so excited to watch the movie, I can hardly contain myself.
-hysterical laughter-
The story is about the choices which people make with regard to love and what it means to follow your heart. From what Vanessa has already told me about the movie, it is a mega cry fest with plenty of tissue paper to be sacrificed in the name of sappiness and the emotions which the movie will evoke.
Yeap – can’t wait to watch the movie.
Have to find female kakees first though… don’t want to be the lone crying lady in the theatre.
That would just be queer.
-more hysterical laughter-

Here I go,
Scream my lungs out
Just to get to you
You are my only, my only one
*my tian.. so singlish*
-faints-

Chaoz for now.
^-^

Much within so little

‘Revenge is living well, without you.’ – Joyce Carol Oates
‘Well, I thought it was funny.’ – Stephen Colbert
‘Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts.’ – Harold Ramis
‘Liars, hysterectomy didn’t improve my sex life!’ – Joan Rivers
‘Brought it to a boil, often.’ – Mario Batali
‘Secret to life: marry an Italian.’ – Nora Ephron
~ People summing up their life story in six words


New Month!
Happy Birthday to my one and only BIG brother!
Happy Birthday in advance to TKM!
Happy Birthday in advance advance to YKM!
-throws confetti all over the place-
CELEBRATION!!!!!!
-throws even more confetti all over the place-

Since my last post, I have been making the most of my time, and can honestly say that my weekend was not wasted! =]
Friday was a half day for me at work. Had to apply for the half day because of a job interview… hehe
Wasn’t all bad, but the devil is in the details ya?
Been trying not to over analyse the fine lines of what went on in the interview. There are a few things I could have done differently, but overall I am very satisfied with myself J

Went to donate blood at HSA right after the interview and signed up to be a bone marrow donor. Who knows? I might be able to save a life with my cells…Asked a lot of questions with regard to the other blood program - pallet donation. I might try it out the next time I ready to get the needle stuck up my arm… but the nurse did say that it would be important for them to check how ‘good’ my veins are before I am allowed to sit in the chair for 1.5 hours.
-hysterical laughter-
Yeap, I will have to give up 1.5 hours to do the transfusion. But I guess it will be worth the while as long as I help save someone’s life aye?

Bought a new phone for the study. I was given directions to make sure the phone was of a specific type – as simple as possible. To minimize the possibility of problems in the future… as long as can make and receive phone calls can le~

Saturday’s tuition class wasn’t all bad. And the time spent after that at home was good.
I slept the entire afternoon. There is a chance that I could have slept till the next morning but that would have meant that I would miss out on the good dinner which TKM had prepared for the family. ;p

Sunday morning in church. Lead in PnW and then taught the bible lesson. One of those days which I was in front for more than ¾ of the service. Not that that’s a bad thing… I enjoy being able to influence in a positive manner.
It does help that Joel decided to get the other kids to clap for me after the lesson. Very encouraging indeed :D

Got me a new pair of ‘school’ shoes. Cost more than half of what other places are selling them at!
-bounces all over the place-
Thank God for the shoe shop outside church!
-continues bouncing all over the place-
Had to get them coz I need to replace my other pair, which I have had since I was in secondary school. If I were to count myself as having it since Secondary 4, it would mean that the pair of shoes has been worn by me for more than 7 years!
Goodness me! What a long time!
Thank you shoes.
You have served me well.
Your memory will not go quickly from my mind.
There are a lot of photos which you appear in anyway… Hahaha

Took the bus (half way home) with Sharon. Made in home in time to have a bit of a nap before rushing down for training. Spent the entire time training other people.. gotta make sure I get in some kicks the next time xia… my stupid regime has gone out the freaking window! X.xlll
Need to get my groove back and launch right into the grading preparation.
Which one?
That is for me to know and for you to come ask me about it! ;)
Wahahahaha~

Signing off for now.
^-^