Actions of our belief

Lunar New Year can be such a contradicting period for us - the Christian Chinese.

There's so many superstitious beliefs that contradicts with the Christian belief. Usually, we go by the rule of thumb - as long as it does not stumble another to understand Christ.

One of the actions I've learnt along my Christian walk is to decline graciously. In the past, when colleagues around me ask me to join them to buy the "hongbao toto", I would scoff at their idea and give them the "i-am-proud-and-mighty" speech. OR, I would go into the extreme, not utter a single word about it and wait for them to collect the monies (which goes into the drain 100% of the time).
Last year, before I can reject it nicely, they have kindly included me into the purchase so that I won't feel left out. I thank them for their thoughtfulness but joke that we may not win cos God won't grant me such luck.

This year, I thank the (another) group for asking but decline nicely. They somehow were quick to detect the reason why I am not participating so they were respect it anyway. Perhaps they are the lot that are kinder and respectful on people who are slightly different.

Random happyness

Have had positive vibes in me for the past couple of weeks. Despite the haul of work - both home and office, the prolonged crisis and weak economic outlook... I'm feeling upbeat.

Perhaps it's when I take stock of the things I was elated about, excited about, the people I love, God I adore, the smiles, great music... life IS a bunch of realistic wonderfulness.

Sometimes when things are harder, the tough gets going, when the teeth needs to be gritted to move forward ... I must remind myself to put up with it cos it's through these (trials) that I mature.

And when those times comes, these pics are there to put back a smile on my face...

tree top walk

kids blowing bubbles

Nathan posing at the hotel's roof top

Bath tub time

cookies the kids made for me for my 34th birthday :)

Yu sheng from my fav stall

wild flowers sprouting on my way to MRT

my good friend married at last

Tasha posing before ice skating

XL size hamsters

my present for 34th birthday from hubber

recent birthday

The weather is a little out of whack these days. The wind feels like typhoon number 3 and now number 1.. my windows are howling with the strong wind. And no, I am not complaining :)

since my brain cells are going off with the wind these days, it's better to journal my last birthday.

Birthday 08 was nice and sweet. A few days ago, I casually commented the crave for some really good cream brulee and hubby searched for a restaurant that should serve good cream brulee. Unfortunately for him, they don't serve the dessert anymore. But we had a nice little dinner that night.

of candlelight atmostphere and red wine


veg puree as appetiser...

my fav dish - lobstor bisque with large chunks of scallops and lobster meat

oops, the mini lobster gone before I took a pic

try-ing to look pretty after a long day

This sweet man bought a pair of sunnies for my runs. A bouquet. And a mama-mia inspired necklace. Truly felt loved.

Some of the happi things to end 2008 and start 2009

2008 is a year of the unexpected. Both good and bad. However, I remember mostly the good stuffs much more than the poor ones.


There was no real plan for most things we wanted to do but most of the stuff that came out pretty awesome. If there is any plan at all, I've only plan to have holiday in March and September so that we can have some breather through the "harder" months. And there were things which I wanted to see happen, time to do a review:

What do I want for 2008? (08's Jan entry)

• - Good Health for all in family : thank God for his blessings on all.


• - good pay increment! : I left the previous job to get that increment, i guess that can be counted. - do a mission trip : nope, did not happen.


• - pick up painting or drawing : errrrrr... wasn't anywhere near.


• - do a 10km run: yes!!! not just one, I did 2!


• - hubby to take up his Masters (in whatever course) : he procrastinated it. Hopefully it'd happen soon.


• - Kids to do well for school and ECAs: They certainly did!


• - hone my golf skills: no chance at all.


• - Able to take on the job challenges given (more marketing event planning!): change of job scope...


• - less verbal fights for us: think so..


• - good domestic helper: yes! in a different manner though.


• - take up a course or two to improve on Sunday school teaching: God is the best course facilitator - attend a seminar or two for Christian life improvement: did 1 at WesleyMC.


• - try not to repeat the bad bits of 2007: it's not specific so.. perhaps..

I realised that there was alot more hands on in 2008 - be it the kitchen or the kids' studies. And I am grateful that the results were very encouraging.

Kitchen wise, there were the savoury radish cake, lotus chips, pear choc pudding, baked cheese rice, self invented carbonara pasta, hokkaido ramen - with flowy egg, ravoli, cheese cakes, prawn noodles etc... I baked lesser cookies and I think the kids missed this one the most. Thus, I probably let them have more hands on for the CNY cookies for 2009!

Then the kids progress. I realised that no matter if you have outside help or no help, there is no way they can do well without parental's encouragement. It was hard for me in some ways to have to give up watching TV from 8 to 10 from from Mondays to Thursdays. Just to go through their school work and extras or even get to know what they've been up to at school or earlier in the day at home. It's even harder to make sure I reach home at 7pm to wind down a little before starting that regime but it paid off.

I felt alot more achievements with Tasha cos she gave me some real good tears whilst seeking advise from friends or colleagues. Now, I can look back at that part of the "colorful" months and smile.

Nathan will get his scholarship award tomorrow from the minister with $300 cash and Natasha got awarded with good progress with $50 cash. They will get to use it for whatever they fancy, sensibly though.

Nathan also received best P5 camper in May and P5 best bible knowledge from church. Yes, I am one proud mum :)

There were some firsts in 2008!

• First brave act - turn up for the DTKC when she was here in person.


• First reunion for class 1990 after 18 years!


• First Olympic medal - not mine of cos.. haha. But Singapore's!


• Reunited with some of faith Ag friends.

Then there were weddings of good friends. I lurve church weddings. So pure and true.

The family trips this year felt a mix of couple trip. With the kids older, they tend to stick with their friends.

So what do I want to see in 2009?

• Good health for all in my family. Honestly the most important every year.


• Deeper in love with God/Christ.


• Nathan doing well emotional, mentally for his major exam


• Natasha to cope well in school in her new schedule in CCA and work


• Hubby to keep his job and get paid


• Be consistent in my 10km runs and take up another sport


• Cope (really) well at work and home.. like keeping my job and get paid


• Family harmony with joy and laughters all year round


• Continue to whip up and recreate more recipes


• Visit a new country

Cheerriooosss... to a great 2009!!!

My sister's XL hammie

It's not all that hard...

As I look upon Christmas with a different perspective and with different expectations, somehow, it's just another evening on 24th and another day on 25th.

Although so many people is trying to give, it was disheartening to see people fretting over the last minute gift exchange, to see people shouting over the handphones at their family to meet at a certain place after the hectic shopping, to see people freak out over the amount to spend on whatever meaningful presents they try to get, to see people think about how to please people around them and lost the real sense of this day, to see people fight because their loved ones did not get THAT gift, to see people get drunk to "celebrate" the birth of Christ and regret what they might have done the night before, to see people still freezing in the winter cold in some countries, to see people overeat and make merry but have no idea at all of why...

So much for feeling this way. I just need to get it off my chest.

However, it was so great to feel contented. Just that. Contented.

The only shopping I did was just to pick up the turkey for the family christmas gathering.
After a simple dinner on Christmas eve, we went to church and consider thank God for giving us Jesus who on this day (supposingly) became man. So that we can become like Him.

Christmas reviews

I was browsing through some of the pictures archived in my hard disk. And it's interesting how Christmas marked the end and beginning of each year - instead of the actually New Year. Perhaps because it's my birthday month as well :)
As I reviewed the years, it's amazing how each year can be so different. It's this joyous season that we truly want to remember what is the real gift.

04: we have our new home ready thus welcomed the Agape choir to carol at our place. It was lovely.

05 : We enjoyed white pre-christmas in Korea - Snow experience. Gifts for friends, kids were mostly from Korea. we enjoyed food at a Messianic restaurant with the BS people.

06: I had a chance to taste what "tai-tai" lifestyle for the whole month. I had more time to do personalised gifts. Also did alot of shopping, outing with the kids besides doing a couple trip to take in the cold cold weather in Macau, went to a relative's 15million house to play for the entire day.

07: Our couple trip was in NY. We chiong the Midnight madness thanksgiving sale thus gifts were from the US trip. BS christmas gathering was bowling and eat at CSC. However, on Christmas day itself, had a big fight with hubby - urgh, had a really poor day itself.

This year...
Change to a new work place thus no chance to plan for an overseas trip proper. We've decided that the kids will not get any gifts this year but we are secretly buying gifts for the adults. Hubby and I also did more volunteering work.
- volunteered at SingTel for their joint christmas gathering with MYMCA for the older folks. It was quite enriching and it's very easy to do. Prepare deco and layout, performed for each other, had a session of lunch and interacted.
- volunteered to send gifts to prisons ministry people. We were apprehensive at first but hubby really was helpful in follow up and reaching out. I am so proud of him.
Well, we will see what happens this year - next week!

gearing up for the weekend

Many people would be on leave since it's a long weekend - minus the 43K++ people who will run for StanChart marathon.
I sure have my fair share of tri-a-thalon.
Sat: BBQ with BS group for Natasha's birthday
Sun: morning run, dinner gathering for family (14 adults, 10 kids) - Natasha's BD.

Thank God she is okay to NOT have another PARTY for her school and ballet friends - might'as well kill moi.

AND - i've not been training for the run. Hope to just complete the run and return the chip. I am kinda not looking forward - cos I don't have anyone to run with + so much rain.

...
...
...
...
...

yeah, i'm just giving excuse for being lazy.

I am planning - with abit of reluctance the BBQ and dinner menu:
BBQ (Sat) -
. satay
. butter and salt zucchini
. aparagus wrap with bacon
. portabello mushroom with cheese
. frozen apple margarita
. choc cheese cake (Nigella's)

Dinner (Sun) -
Appetizer - Adults
.Cold TouFu with peanut sauce + century egg.
.Green mango salad

Mains – Adults (14)
.Prawn noodle, soup
.Steam rice with Nonya Chicken curry (from curry recipe)
.Short bean with Almond slice
.Finger food: Fried Japanese Croquettes, lemon grass sticks (28)

Desert
.Frozen margarita
.Birthday cake

Soup - Kids
.Clam chowder
.Garlic bread

Mains – kids
.Chicken and mushroom pie (recipe from book)
.Short bean with Almond slice
.Finger food: Fried Japanese Croquettes, grilled corn with butter

Desert
.Frozen peach jelly
.Birthday cake

I'd be marketing and storming this all up... except help from maid on Sun. Certainly hope everything will turn out well.

har har...

Natasha says she has a joke to share.

There is a girl who tells everyone that her mother is good at swimming.
There is another girl (who thinks that girl before is boasting) says her mother's good at raising, raising the family.

Me thinks: woah.. Natasha at P2 can come up with - raising the family.

Nathan says, breaking my thoughts : Mommy, you are good at racing (I think raising = proud of myself). Race us to wake up, race us to eat our breakfast, race us to go to school, race us to finish our homework...

har har.. funniest joke so far.

Holiday and simple fun

This year's holiday has no big bang, it's road trip to Malaysia again. To Sunway Lagoon and Malacca. It was such a fun trip despite it's simplicity.

The rides at amusement park were so good - we did the colorado splash, 360 degree viking ride, roller coaster, the wave pool, the tunnel slides, the "F1" slide. Hubby and I were like on honeymoon since the kids had their own friends to get around with. With occasional times to play foster parents to our friend's 3 yo and 1 yo.

Ice skating was the ultimate - bring your gears (gloves and socks) and pay RM13 to have the whole day at the skating ring! We got to witness some nice filming of ice-hockey game - totally cool. I think Natasha has some good chance to get on to get good skating skills much faster than her brother.

Food wise, we finally tasted the REAL authentic Ampang Yong Tau Fu, the kids tasted and saw chicken rice balls whilst we enjoyed the assam fish head. Sedap!

When we came home, a gecko also wanted a free ride to sg.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We finally house a nice cage at abt S$20 and adopted some 2 weekold hammies. Welcome babies..

Seasons change, city change

Some back dated and random Oct posts...

We didn't put any effort to do anything for Nathan's birthday which fell promptly in between final school examinations. On the actual day, I thought of getting him a small cake so that we will just do a quick tiny birthday celebration. And the dad actually bought the large cake from NYDC that costs $70 ... and we ate till we bloat like puffer fish.

This boy was jovial about having such a simple fare, he commented that he would have a 'normal' birthday next year since PSLE is early Oct. I wonder what he wished for before blowing out the candles - for good results? haha.

I like this family picture taken :D

On the last day of their exams, we couldn't wait to treat ourselves a nice dinner. All of stamina must have been lost through the studying so by 10pm, we were super beat and wished we were home. So after a 10mins stroll at the marina bay area, we headed home.

The next day, I saw news on the urban reservoir's opening. Fwah, with these development building around us, the sg of the 80s will soon fast disappear.

Star of wonder, star of night, star of royal beauty bright... what is the next few big changes?

God's grace

Hubby is safe for the time being. The list of those who took the package and ask to leave is done.
Out of his previous team of 5, he's the only one left. He will know the new structure in the next few days.
Thank God and I pray that His grace continues ...

Today...

Hubby went back to work today after his 2 weeks compliance leave. His boss took the package and her last day was yesterday - no handover, no goodbye. His good friend will be having his last day today. A few he talked worked closely with is already gone. Boy, what a horrendous feeling to see things collasping around you.

The exercise will carry out till this friday. He may or may not be on the list. We can only trust God for his coverage. In times like this, we can only be as steadfast in our faith and positive looking as we can be.

~~~~~~~~~

On a lighter note, he shared with me what transpired between his girl and him when he fetched her to school for her Guzheng class yesterday. Apparently, my girl doesn't aspire to be like me when it comes to spending. In her words - if the thing mommy fancy is good and cheap, she'd buy. But it's very good and nice but expensive, she won't even consider.

This came up as they spoke about shopping money and she remembered shopping with me recently and I tried a dress which she commented that it was very pretty. The tag was $80 so I put it back to the rack but bought a purple tulip skirt for $28 instead. She could not comprehend why I didn't buy the pretty dress. I told her that it was not really value for money since the price tag I had in mind for that dress is $50-60, by that I factored the skirt I bought is 28 and for a dress that covers my top and bottom should be around the same too. She still didn't quite get it so I let it be.
Her daddy asks if she would get that dress if she were me and she says : if you allow me, yes.
She either loved that dress I don that price should not be the determining factor or she does not really understand value for money concept.

I am glad that my kids are well provided for, so money is not a consequence.

the wonderful ...

Every year, he will need to go on compliance 2 weeks leave. Last year, it was used on the USA's trip with me.
This year, since I'm in a new job (=no chance to take leave), he took this time to take care of the miscellenous stuff around the house.

He had:

- repaired the ailing shoe rack.
- called the plumber to get our bathroom's choke cleared.
- bought the children's 2009 school books and wrapped them.
- did some chinese lesson for Nathan.
- did interesting lunch for kids.
- brought the kids to the library.
- set up Christmas tree.
- cleared the storeroom while looking for my recycled bags my ex-maid hid.
- clear his own mails (massive)
- fetch me to and fro work - breakfast if possible.
- bought the kids out to swim.
- helped another bible study friend facilitate one of the lesson.

This is despite the many news about his company's share is dropping like crazy and talk of retrenchment is thick in the air.

I love this man.

Pre-Exam fun

We made a trip to the the Jurong Bird Park before exams came.. and went.

The adventure started even before we reached the park, we almost entered Jurong Island. duh.. we enjoyed ourselves despite the scale of the place. I think we don't mind going again :)

Before the JBP adventure. We supported Nathan's piano teacher who was part of the NAFA orchestra team at the Botanics. So the kids poses with the statue which was presented by the overseas delegates.

Amazing love

I've been too busy. With things to do, to be done and plan to do. But I want to thank God the many things he's blessing and had blessed.

A couple of months ago, J and J asked for prayers for their little nephew, Jovan. He's a 4 year-old with liver cancer, 4th stage. That is about the most terminating stage. I cringe when I listen on - on his treatment and hospital stay.
Now, this is not the first time I hear sickness that needed prayer, needed God's merciful intervention. In the past, I've always prayed for hope, hope that the sickness will be healed and that it's His will be done and that people around the sick will know about Him.

I've underestimated God's divine grace and power.




Seriously. I lack pure faith.



One day, a week after praying for Jovan. I was praying silently during my train ride home. I felt a gut of passion crept up my throat like a cry lump. Then, I told God that I am tired of seeing prayers to get well "unhear". I want to see His work be done. I wanted to press ahead in my relationship with Him and thus, I want to see Jovan healed.

I knew that healing had taken place when I stepped out of that train that day. somehow.

Last Saturday, during our bible study gathering. J shared that Jovan's condition has improved tremendously and he is checking out of the hospital! Praise God! Amazing God, Amazing love, Amazing grace.

The kids has done fairly well for their school exams.
Their results:
Nathan at P5: English - 87, Chinese - 77, Math - 95, Science - 79 (avg 85)
Natasha at P2: English - 92, Chinese - 99, Math - 99 (avg 97)

I usually dislike watching 心晴大动员, for the fact that I want to avoid seeing hypocrites. But last night's episode moved me. It demonstrated amazing love from the family, it shows how much love we have for our fellow human kind. It taught me yet another lesson on God's Amazing mercy each and everyday on my family and I.

I am bursting to sing this chorus:

Amazing love, how can it be
that You my King would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
And it's my joy to honour You
In all I do, I honour You

Denial, lacking of.. and lesser

After mugging the entire afternoon for the exams that is around the corner. I decided we should stretch ourselves at the nearby park at 6pm. It was a good thing that it poured earlier and we had some great fresh air whilst we take our evening exercise. The kids weren't too enthuse about it, they are the "I-rather-sit-on-couch-and-move-my finger-than-go-out" type of kids. I didn't create them that way, I think hubby's genes has something to do with it.
However the idea that dinner at superdog gave them some good spurge of energy. AND the motivation that they can order whatever they want at the restaurant in exchange that they keep up with us during the brisk walk seemed to work well.
At the restaurant, it dawned on me that the few visits we came, they are always in some ways or other, denied of their want. Being typical value for money person, I'd always go for the meals that gave more - like their buddies meal or their deluxe - which has either no dog or 1 dog. And they share. They'd never enjoy one ripper all by themselves. I realised then that value meal or without, it's actually about S$5 more if they were to get to order the ripper all by themselves! It didn't make a lot of "cents" to me why I would always deny them all these while. But I could see some good sense when I saw that it could push the kids to do things they usually feel less oblige.

I was told, in many ways, when I made my kids do housechores (harder as they grow older), come home by themselves at age 9, carry their own bag pack on overseas trips, no PS or DS or computer game or gameboy for the entire school term, no TV on school weekdays, set high expectations on their results ... that I'm a pushy and "jik ark" (hokkien) mom.
There are only few occasions where I allow flexiblity and my kids learn how to enjoy themselves in other ways when a break is needed. The rule of thumb when I set all these restrictions is - not to drive them crazy and take a lot of effort and time to communicate. And I don't punish if my expectations are not met but to let them know where they've gone wrong and try again - harder this time.
With that, I could force out from them their natural self instinct when they react to these restrictions and teach moral values when it happens to go the wrong direction. I have to say, it is very hard sometimes, especially when they act up when I am tired from work or just wanted rest. I am no perfect mom and don't strive really hard to be one. I am just doing what I think is best to mould a better character.

I hope that they learn that things don't fall on their lap on its own - you've got to earn it.
I hope that they think through priorities.
I hope that they are be able to overcome temptations on their own and practice it daily.
I hope that they learn how to take care of their own things and also for the family - starting from housechores.
I hope that they continue to feel that there are greater things out there in life and strive for them.

So far, I don't think they feel that they lack of anything, it's just that they have to work hard to get to the things that they friends get to enjoy easily. Although they know that we can well afford them.

random

So I am feeling a little melancholy today.
hen Natasha told me about a friend crying over a dog that was tortured and put to death at SPCA, it almost a hard lump in my throat. Especially when she said : so mommy, the teacher says that dogs have feelings too.

Me thinks: have I been neglecting the feelings of people around me these days?

....The b decides to pass a staff who was in PA work for our director - to do pricing. It didn't matter to them if she's suited for the job. I (just) had to coach her to fulfill the part of that headcount's work. 3 months later, the truth is out. She's not suited and my feedback plays a large part of her staying of leaving. Evil. I state truth and she's out of job. I omit any truth, our team suffers a headcount.

~~~~~~~~~~~

...Last night, in attempt to give WL her wedding blessings, I searched some of the pictures taken with her whilst we were closest those days.

I found WL and I's picture from 1992 - I was 18 and WL 17. The years went on.. jun 1993, sep 1993, dec, 1994 - at sentosa with Aggie, Jerome and Lawrence. 1995 where I prepare to leave for Australia, 1996 - WL, Dinah, Meiyan, Michelle was with me with KK to roam Tassie by car.

In 1997, I become mum to my dear Nathan. I had WL, Becky, Esther to cheer me onto motherhood.

along the years, we drifted apart. I never quite made it back to Faith A/g since I settled for a church nearby. But those days were my happiest, most carefree... most treasured years.

Thanks friends - for being friends... and this song stuck with me all these years.

Friends

When girls just wanna have fun...

Facebook is such an incredible social portal to use. A secondary friend organised a long awaited get together and we had so much fun that we decide to do this every year instead of every Olympics year! To think that I was a hesitant on turning up since I wasn't sure how it'd turn out to be. I wasn't exactly the most sociable or popular person in school and a closer sec friend and I IMed... to go, not to go.. to go, not to go... and we turned up fashionably late at 8.30 and 9 for dinner. And we were glad we went anyway!

18 years ago - when we were vibrant and young

yeah, one more to year and we'd be in the MID 30s. wow..

Not every one turned up and most of us came from various classes between Sec 1 to Sec 4. Some of us knew each other before streaming into commerce, science or Arts. Some of us even go way back in Primary school!

We met last Friday night, but it was as if time had no impact on how we were..

after our dinner

Kbox - singing songs that were evergreen.

we were serenading - That's what friends are for...

Cheers to many more reunions to come!

being Singaporean

I truly feel proud to be a Singaporean when I watched Singapore's flag raised during the Olympics last night.
Even though we knew it was a difficult match to win Gold, we cheered from home for the ladies when they played against China.
This tells me that dreams really do come true....

In sickness and in health

Being sick is no fun.
For the entire ND holidays, the kids and I had to stay put at home, hecking away with aching bones. TeeVee became our best mate.
Our temperature for the day (for those interested in buying toto): 39.8, 37.9, 38.2, 38.8, 37.5, 39.2
eh, not numbers that'd win that 8 million bucks.
Being sick is no fun.
The tongue put up a strike since there's just so much medicine that's killing it's buds. It's porridge, porridge and you guessed it... porridge for 2 days.
Any other food will just taste too salty.
Being sick is no fun.
The chi in the house is stale and stagnant. We couldn't pluck up any energy to play board game or mahjong. It's just sleep, teevee, sleep, teevee...
I see people jog pass and I think it's pure bliss to be able to run into that breeze.

I wanna be healthy and kicking and so determine to plan for that Europe trip.