Waving goodbye to 2008

'O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.'

~Isaiah 37:16~

30.12.2008
Shall be remembered as the day which I had to lay in bed and get over a fever and other bodily misfunctions.

Medication taken on a regular basis makes for a very good time of going boneless in bed.

Sleep is good for the mind and body.

Boneless chicken also...*hyiak-hyiak*

My health hasn't been all rosy this past year.

Have collected so many medication bags over the last 12 months.

I think I have been sick more times this year than in my entire life before 2008 combined.

Shesh... At least I know that this will not be a repeatable feat in the future. =]

Spent some time on the computer trying to get personal agendas completed.

Stumbled upon some information that leads me to the next few words which need to be gotten off my chest:

To whom this is for, you are where you are because of who you are.

Thank you for helping me get over you.

Linkin Park - Leave out all the rest

I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
Cause no one else cared

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here
So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Don't be afraid
I've taking my beating
I've shared what I've mean

I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you
So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
[Chorus]

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are


Went to catch Ip Man with Krystal and friends on Saturday.
Its a shiok movie!!!!!!!!!
Historically questionable but artistically wonderful.
Gives me the sudden urge to take up yong chun.
It's a 'girlie' martial art anyway~
-psychotic laughter-
The movie has its various plus points.
One of them being Donny Yen.
Gosh, that man is talented!
Can play the piano and kick the living crap out of his opponents on any given day of the week.
I appreciate men who can kick and still play a musical instrument.
-migumi laughter-
Not forgetting that he looks good in both period and modern clothes...
He can direct, fight and speak a number of languages.
-swoons-
Yeap, me have crush on the Yen-man.
-continues with the migumi laugter-

Now, I await the release of the DVD.
Heehee...

Been a tad nuts about pool too...
Its rather fun to think of all em' angles and the potential ways of getting the balls into the pockets.
Very satisfying to have a successful creative shot.
Frustrating to not get in a simple poke.
Oddly enough, I do better on tough shots then on easy ones.
-hits head against wall-
But ultimately, the company is the most important part of it all.

My boss recently went for lasik surgery...
Me now thinking of taking the same path.
Ka-ching, ka-ching gonna go bye-bye...
For the sake of a clearer future?
I think it's worth the investment...

Now... since this might be my final post for the year... I have some thanks to make...


Krystal,
Thank you for coming into my life.
You've helped me through a lot of tough times and even been a source of inspiration.
Thank you for being so positive and sharing many of 2008's high points with me.
You're like the sister I never had. =]

Parveen,
I attribute part of my surviving this year to you.
My one and only Parv-mama-Sugar-Babe.
You rockz my world.

Ying,
We made it through 2008!
Rejoice!

Marilyn~
Thanks for your words of wisdom and listening to my ranting.
I wish you all the best for your new job.
I know you will do fantastically well =]

Shoon,
Thanks for making time for me.
Amoung other things, hanging out with you is always a highlight on my calendar.

To all my friends whom I had the chance to meet up with throughout the year.
I thank you for being a part of my year.
It's been a trying time for all but you have made life more beautiful than it already is.

Last but not the least...
My Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the people You have placed in my life.
Be their time fleeting or of a longer stance, they are Your way of telling me how much I am loved.
This year has been one of tears, laughter and plenty of headaches.
Through it all, I have seen Your grace and mercy, felt Your peace and unquantifiable joy.
With You holding my hand, I will not worry about anything.
Thank You for loving me.

^-^

The boxing of Boxing Day

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
~Matthew 6:25-34 ~


Once again, I wish all a blessed Christmas.
I hope you have had the chance to be with people you are about and whom care about you.
I hope there was plenty of warmth.
I hope that you had fun and a might amount of laughter.
I hope that you made a lot of happy memories.
If you didn't please print out this message and come find me.
I will give you a nice big hug to make up for it.
(I will try my best ok?)

Yes, me shall acknowledge that me make entries on very inconsistent timings.
Here is another post to compound the factoid.
-hysterical laughter-

Had wanted to donate blood during the mobile blood drive at Plaza Singapura last Saturday but... the crowd was very large and I was given very misleading information.
My heart was set on getting some donation done... so I waited... give and take and then...
All in all, no 'poking' was done and 3 hours of my time was wasted on the waiting...
*pui*
This blood donor was and is very disappointed with the way things were carried out on that day.
*tsk tsk*
Then again, it is nice to know that there are a lot of other people in Singapore who are willing to get 'poked' for the sake of others.

Good thing XJ san was there with her stall... saved me some heart ache.
Did some buying as well =]
Hope to see some of the creative ideas soon!
heehee~

Economic woes are getting to my wallet...
Its high time the wallet got played closer to the chest...
Alamak...
The company is doing the same thing.
Doing exit procedures for people you hardly know is one thing.
Doing exit procedures for people you are close to, that is another ball game.
Life goes on.
I hope that the economy recovers really soon.

It's that time of the year again when I can shamelessly listen to Carol of Bells.
Pass the URLs along to friends and still be within the season.
Wahaha...
12 days of Christmas...Still got time to be crazy over the tune.
Ladida~~

Bought Christmas goodies for my officer personnel.
Had gift ex-change within my department.
Wished plenty of people Merry Christmas.
Made plans for the office shut down.
Want to take leave next week... not sure if it will be possible.
But all good things come to those who wait patiently on the Lord.
Heehee
Shall do my best to get that leave... but if I don't use it... I will be around for my colleagues.
Still a win-win situation.

Lunched with Shoon on Sunday.
We went to Hougang Mall.
Wow... tried the food at the Xiao Long Pao restaurant.
Not bad xia~
Value for money.
For once in a long while, I didn't go straight for the Japanese food.
Hahaha...
Chowed down the La Mian then walked around the mall.
Ended up having ice cream and doing some extra people watching before heading to Kovan training.
Chatting all the way through.
Can't wait for the next meet up.

My department dinner was held on 11 Dec 08 @ Jurong Point.
Kushin Bo was the venue and sashimi was the dish most favored by me.
I think I had my fill that night and then some.
Haha...
No sashimi for me for another 1 year, or so I thought... coz one week later...
I went out with a make-shift CMC cohort to the Mongolian buffet and then stuffed my plate with sashimi again... that in the end means that I will not be touching raw fish for another 2 years?
-faints-

Birth Month is coming up... round the bend... the planning hath began.
-psychotic laughter-

Bell choirs are amazing... but the high notes can be a bit painful on the ears at times.
Just try listening to a few tunes... rather soothing when the lower melodies are played.
Hahah
Of course, Carol of bells as played by a bell choir is the most original and still the best method of having it performed.
If you recall a previous post... I wrote about the most beautiful Carol of Bells experience I've ever had. Back when I was 15 and in Disney World.
Gosh... I can still recall it like it was yesterday~
-sighs in contentment-

Me are wanting to go to Sentosa to play.
Wanna go down the mountain on those go-cart thingys.
Hang out with friends and chill... but have to plan a good day to go... no idea when would be a good time... Chinese New Year holiday period?
-ponders-
Wanna do a lot of things... but plenty of things these days hinge on the amount of ka-ching one has in the holder, which also goes by the name of WALLET.
-ponders harder-
I usually go broker during the December/January period...
Best outings are always the ones which mix and maximise the no-money-fun theory with wonderful company.
Wahah~

Currently on a 5 day holiday - Christmas break.
So that means there are more chances for me to catch up on my sleep.
Which is what this missy has been doing.
Sleep is good - but the crappy thing is that the internal clock can't be switched off and I always find myself waking up at 5.30am.
-.-lll
The good thing is that I lay awake for about 30 seconds and then knock out again... hahaha
Hopefully I will get enough sleep before work comes around again on Monday.
But then again... Just have to 'ren' for 2 or 3 days before it's holiday period again.
-does the dance of joy-
Speaking of which, the weather has been a wonderful blessing in terms of it aiding the sleeping atmosphere.
Rain + blanket + pillow + MY BED = blissful sleep. :)

Me had so many good plans for the period.
Day after day was supposed to be packed to the brim.
Who would have known that all the elements would have gone c-r-a-z-y?
If I learn anything at all from this period, its that: the best laid plans always get blown to shreds.
Plenty of pigeons fly along with kites in the wind.
At the end of the day, be flexible and commit all to God.
Hahah...
That said... or written rather...

Christmas dinner on Christmas-eve was good.
Plenty of spread.
Warmth of family.
Gifts exchanged and Ian to be played with.
Hehe... His birthday is coming soon!!!

Christmas day was beautiful!
Started out with going to PLMC.
Went with TKM and then met YKM.
My way home and then went to meet the kiddos for the annual Christmas lunch @ Sir's house.
We ate, talked, ate, talked, played card games, talked, watched Red Cliff, talked, took photos, talked some more... then took more photos.
After which, we headed for White Tangerine for dinner around 8pm.
Dinner was shiok.
Extremely value for money.
Played pool afterward.
I won 2 out of 3 games!
My tian... first time I've done so well!
-bounces around the room-
Thanks goes to Krystal, Alvin, Daryl, Victor and the other tkd mates for being a part of all the fun =]
Wine is good yes?
-hysterical laughter-

Trainings of late have been rather good.
I train until my feet get burned by the ground, or blisters form, then head home and knock flat out in anticipation for the next day at work.
Nothing is more exhausting on the mind that realising that one will not have enough rest before the next day of pounding in the office.
Looking at the clock before knocking out... 12am... my mind goes :
"Oh @(#%... still got to work tomorrow... *bleah*"
and then I black out.
Only to be awaken by the alarm clock... the reminder of:
"Oi! Wake up!!!!!!! You gotta go to work!!!!"
The whole headache created by the lack of sleep is made worse if I have dreams during the night, because it would feel as if I never went to sleep at all.
A tired mind is worse than having a tired body.
-does a crazy dance with ladida included-
-drags self back from digression-
I so wanna get myself back into shape.
Flabby stuff needs to be un-flabbed.
Wanna get myself ready for the next grading.
As of January, I am officially 'green-light' for my 2nd Dan grading.
-starts banging head against random wall-
Its more than just being prepared for all the modules.
Its about being able to get ready mentally and physically.
You don't just go for a grading on a whim.
Have to be able to with stand whatever your potential opponent is able to throw at you.
Not something very easy to accomplish... that's why there is a minimum 2 year window time frame imposed on all who wish to go from 1st to 2nd Dan.

Speaking of which...
Toa Payoh sports hall is going to be renovated in preparation for the Youth Olympics, which will be held in 2010.
Plans have been made to hold all subsequent centralised gradings at the Jurong Sports Hall.
-runs mad around the house-
-pulls out hair-
-screams at the madness of it all-

ok... lets take a break from my insanity...


Sarah McLachlan - Building a mystery

You come out at night
That's when the energy comes
And the dark side's light
And the vampires roam
You strut your rasta wear
And your suicide poem
And a cross from a faith that died
Before Jesus came
You're building a mystery

You live in a church
Where you sleep with voodoo dolls
And you won't give up the search
For the ghosts in the halls
You wear sandals in the snow
And a smile that won't wash away
Can you look out the window
Without your shadow getting in the way?
You're so beautiful
With an edge and a charm and so careful
When I'm in your arms
Cause you're working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery

And choosing so carefully
You woke up screaming aloud
A prayer from your secret god
You feed off our fears
And hold back your tears, oh
Give us a tantrum
And a know it all grin
Just when we need one
When the evening's thin
You're a beautiful
A beautiful fucked up man
You're setting up your
Razor wire shrine
Cause you're working
Building a mystery

Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
Ooh you're working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Oh yeah you're working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully

You're building a mystery


Back ground history as reason to why I have posted this song...
Not very sure if I've done it before...
Any o how...
I am a fan of Sarah McLachan's music.
Her voice is hauntingly beautiful and the lyrics make sense, most of the time anyway,
not the crash-bang-bang which the radio usually has.
And she has my respect for being able to play her own instrument and being able to sing 'live'.
It's hard to find singers who can really perform 'live'.

Now... since it is already the tail end of December...
Must list down the movies which I wanna watch.
(though I honestly doubt that I will have the chance to catch all of them before the year is up...)
Ip Man
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Red Cliff - part 2 (okok, that one comes out in Jan 09)
Twilight
Australia
Pride and Glory

So, I shall have to give my keyboard a rest.
I've been whacking it for the past 3-4 hours...
Till the next post~

^-^

Blessed Christmas to One and All

"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation."
~Ephesians 2 : 14~

Blessed Christmas to One and All.
May this season be filled with love, laughter and warmth.

You have my love as well,
^-^

Rewind please?

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
~ Isaiah 55:1 ~

I'm back!
Record timing for another post... at this time anyway~

Coming back from camp on Saturday was somewhat bitter sweet.
I miss hanging out at WWS.
The environment and the people as well as the activities...
-silly smile at memories-
Really wanna bring more friends there next time.
Expose them to the beauty of Singapore and the importance of keeping it green.

Knocked out rather early on Saturday only to be woken up by the alarm to get ready for church.
Service with the small group of kids.
They had their own camp too.
Poor Arnold got injured last Sunday.
Cast on his left foot and he got it whacked during service when the seat fell on it.]
-winces at the image-
Had lunch with the cell group and was blessed with a lift half way home.
Reached home, went into black out mode on the bed and then woke up again to go running out of the house, in the rain, to the CC for class.

How long has it been since I last wore my dobok?!
-screams at the number of months-
I miss wearing that piece of uniform.
Blood, sweat and tears... literally... looks like I need to be wearing it more often.
Maybe, if the brain gets a bit too hot, the Me might contemplate bringing the dobok to the office to train in the Gym room.
-loud hysterical laughter-

Anyways, training was not too bad.
Just wondering if the Me should push into harder training territory.
If that is the decision, have to buy sparring guards and target(s).
More money flying out of the bank account...
-continues to wonder-
Need to up the poomsae standard a few notches.
Too long have I spent away from the 'one' I adore.
-more hysterical laughter-

Had dinner with Krystal, Alvin, Chin Mei and Mandy @ White Tangerine.
Am so touched by the fact that Mei and Mandy made the trip there.
Taking into consideration where they live, I think you would go 'Wow' too.
Food was eaten to the brim of tummies and monopoly was played.
I am SO not going to run my own business next time.
Krystal quite literally wiped all of us clean out.
She bought a grand total of 15 houses on 3 plots of land!!!
Just landing on one plot of her land would render you bankrupt!
-runs round the room screaming-

We talked, photo-ed, ate, played until closing time.
May mei had to leave earlier coz she was getting a tad tired from the day's events...
We sent Mandy to the MRT station and then walked Krystal to the bus stop.
Yes, part of a walk down memory lane.
The reality of it all.
Headed home from Serangoon side with Alvin... walking is so much fun (when one has the time).
By the time I got through the door, it was 12am.
Hair only went into dry area around 2am.
So there in lies the reason for me looking like a vampire panda today.

Thankfully the weather is cooling =]

Maybe go take a nap later...
Wahaha~

If there was a chance to rewind and replay my weekend - I would.

Aight... on to the other activities which were written about in the previous post.

Panasonic Tree planting day @ Seng Kang.
I helped out.
I got chao ta.
My daddy came along.
Photos were taken.
Waha~

Bowling tournaments.
I am a long kang cleaner.
My colleagues are now ranked rather highly on the Singapore Panasonic scale for bowlers.
Balls all round!

Outing with pals at Clarke Quay.
Hooters, dinner at Suntec, plenty of walking, some alcohol and spending quality time getting to know my friends better.
It was SHIOK!
That is another weekend I wouldn't mind reliving.
The hangover wasn't fun, but the time spent with friends before that was priceless. =]

Went to Sitex with some friends.
Bought thumb drives and drove my blood pressure up at the same time.
It kinda irritates the hair when bargins are seen after purchases have been made.
And mixed signals are never fun at all.
The products were good all the same, just that I abhore crowds.
Got the Me pushed around on more than 4 occasions - till the temper was let on the loose for a while... did some barging of me own.
-evil laughter-

Southern Bridges was fun!
Went with other colleagues.
Plenty of photos were taken and the best part is that we got closer.
Crozz department outings are such a joy~
Got myself chao tar-ed again.
After which, went a-walking around Vivo till late with Mandy and May mei.
We did retail therapy... feels so good~
-more evil laughter-
May mei left earlier, but Mandy and I hung around for the 2nd anniversary fireworks.
Shiok~~
More photos!!!

Running aorund the office in high heels.
I love my heels, but the aftermath is painful.
Good thing I've got two pairs of shoes left in the office.
-psychotic laughter-
Have to buy new ones soon though... I tend to make my way through my shoes rather quickly.
Oh dear.

So that's the run down.
Run back in time please?
God makes everything all work out aye?

Blessed be all.
^-^

What joy is mine

“Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”- John 10:7, 9-10




Oh wow, how long has it been since my last post.
Ok, you don't have to answer that.
Needless to say, a lot has transpired.
Here's the quick run down:


Panasonic Tree Planing Day
Inter-Panasonic Bowling Tournament
Sitex
Southern Bridges walk with PFSAP colleagues
Outing with pals @ Clarke Quay
Switching of job responsibilities
Shopping sprees
Office running arounds
WWS Camp Jaga-r-ing
WWS bicycle patrol


Those are the few which I can recall off the top of my head... considering that I haven slept much over the past 24 hours... I think it's a pretty mean feat.
Haha

Now typing on the computer from WWS... Woohoo~

Took leave for the first time yesterday.
All for the sake of coming to WWS early.
Yes, it's my small heaven.
I miss coming here loads...

The weather over the last two days has been superb.
Raining like crazy every once in a while but not much that I have to be worried about because I Was not the one in charge of the camp this time round.

Me only play the role of advisor. ;)

-does the boggy-

Stayed up for most of the night... Krystal was instrumental in keeping me awake.

If not. the Sharon would have already hit the table with the jacket covering her head.

Worser still being the possibility that I would not have woken up from my nap at all... Hahahahhaaa

We chat, ate, chat, ate some more and did poomsae.

That last activity was the most successful in keeping my eyes open.

Right before 6am... Me suddenly got high and started dancing away at the fact that we did not have anyone to take over us in the shift.

-hysterical laughter-

Good thing Jimmy woke up soon after the dancing began to take over us.

Krystal and I went back into the office and completely went into the K.O. land of stars.

Got up again close to 10am and did my best to get my head on straight and ready for the bicycle patrol.

We saddled up the bikes and sped off to find Uncle Edward.

Enjoying the breeze along the way... no rain on our faces, just plenty of wind. =]

The scenery has changed so much since the last time I went for bicycle patrol.

F1 has brought about a whole new route for us to travel on.

The roads are paved so well that its literally a breeze to cycle down those tracks.

-swoon-

Took quite a few pictures with the cars which are currently at the F1 stalls.

Soong... like my personal car park... all those beautiful bodies...=]

Now listening to music and typing... hopefully I don't fall asleep at the computer table.

haha...

Got a nice 2.5 days ahead of me before having to go back to Tuas.

Life is a blessing from above.

Looking forward to the holiday season.

Bought most of the Christmas gifts already, now just have to continue with planning my schedule.

Got to make sure that it flows seamlessly into the new year...

During camp, I was asked by Jimmy to be a judge for the skit performances done by the kiddos.

Which was rather interesting and insightful.

I had not idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised.

The night was rather insightful.

But before that I must mention that plenty of shopping was done before the night shift commenced. Krystal and I took a nice 2 hour walk to Suntec City.

We bought food, food and more food.

Heeeeheee...

Anyways, night time work only began at 3am. That was my timing, Krystal has got more energy than me... she was up for the majority of the night. Had wanted to watch movies but the laptop ran out of battery...

-shrugs-

We ended up talking for most of the night.

=]

Jumping right on to the aftermath of the bike patrol...

Lunch and hanging in the office.

Banging away on the keyboard.

I am really glad that Krystal made it for this camp.

Thanks for coming along dear =]

Aight...

Enough of my typing for now...

Will try and get in more info about the other activities in the next post...

Going into panda-zombie-vampire mood le...

Blessings~

^-^