Sunday, March 23, 2008

Tina's Birthday! =)

Happy Birthday girl! *hugz* =DThe birthday cake bought by Tina's brother...so sweet! :PThe birthday girl! Tina and her brother & his familyThanks you dear for sharing your birthday cake with me...we are truly the March babies! Muahahaha.....lol
Alright just to sign off with -- "I AM NEXT!" Hahaha...lol *faint*
Thanks Tina for inviting me to celebrate her birthday with her at her brother's house...he stays only a few blocks away from me! Her brother cooks really wonderful dishes and we had such a blessed lunch at his house! :DD
I haven't feel like that for so long, like spending time at home with my parents is such a rare thing when they are always not around. Seeing how blissful her brother's family is like makes me want to have a family which serves God so much too. It will be such a wonderful thing to share the message, talk about church and God with one another, teaching your kids about the bible stories...so loving... :))
Tina's nephew even play his violin for Tina upon her birthday request! He is now a grade 4 violinist and he plays well...such a soothing melody to the souls...
Thank God for my wonderful sister Tina...you are always the best gal! *hugz* :)

Good Friday, Great Week! =)

Chilling out @ The LoofBirthday girl of the week -- Miss Tina Ong! =pTina's Birthday Celebration! Night out @ Holland Village with the guysIt's getting harder to meet up with everyone now...treasure this time... :)

Highlight of the night -- TIRAMISU!!!

Hahaha thanks Joe for the recommendation...love the dessert, love the place, love the time spent chatting our dreams again...oh wells... =p

Good Friday and Easter has come and gone. This year I couldn't serve in the easter production because of my work commitments and the company policy that I cannot take leave during this period of time. Cannot help but feeling a little disappointed initially as I want to learn to be in the crew. Oh well, there are still plenty of chances to come aren't they? =)

This year easter my cell group alone has 30 friends attending the service with us just for the past 3 days and a few of them responded to the altar call...Praise the Lord! =D Nothing beats the joy of seeing people going forth to the stage to give their hearts to Jesus and ask him for forgiveness for their sins. Though none of my friends is available to come, I am glad that I could help with other new friends brought here as there are just so many of them. Flo and I were both taking care of the new friends in jw and expo respectively. Certainly God will never let us work alone without the helps of others around...lol

Yet this afternoon I still have to go back to office to work as the report need to be out on Monday morning. How I wish I could fellowship with the rest a while longer...... :/

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Endless Love

From the very begining, the girl's family objected strongly on her dating this guy. Saying that it has got to do with family background, and that the girl will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.
Due to family's pressure, the couple quarrel very often. Though the girl love the guy deeply, but she always ask him: "How deep is your love for me?"
As the guy is not good with his words, this often cause the girl to be very upset. With that and the family's pressure, the girl often vent her anger on him. As for him, he only endure it in silence. After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated and decided to further his studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the girl: "I'm not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?"
The girl agreed, and with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in and agreed to let them get married. So before he leave, they got engaged.
The girl went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas, continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails and phone calls. Though it's hard, but both never thought of giving up.
One day, while the girl was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. When she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She realised that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum crying, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that all that could come out of her mouth was just a sigh. She has lost her voice......
The doctors says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose her voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming out from her, she broke down. During the stay in hospital, besides silence cry,.....it's still just silence cry that companied her.
Upon reaching home, everything seems to be the same. Except for the ringing tone of the phone.Which pierced into her heart everytime it rang. She does not wish to let the guy know. And not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she does not wish to wait any longer.
With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions and millions of reply, and countless of phonecalls,.. all the girl could do, besides crying, is still crying.... The parents decided to move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything and be happy.
With a new environment, the girl learn sign language and started a new life. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend came and told her that he's back. She asked her friend not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't anymore news of him.
A year has passed and her friend came with an envelope, containing an invitation card for the guy's wedding. The girl was shattered. When she open the letter, she saw her name in it instead.
When she was about to ask her friend what's going on, she saw the guy standing in front of her.
He used sign language telling her "I've spent a year's time to learn sign language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me have the chance to be your voice. I Love You.
With that, he slipped the ring back into her finger. The girl finally smiled.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

A Night To Remember :)

Grilled Salmon Steak!
Seah Street Deli is an american food restaurant right inside Raffles Hotel. Love the place with its retro design...pretty similar to that of Billy Bomber...lol
I guess just to be able to dine at Raffles Hotel is a luxury experience, and enjoying a sumptuous tasty dinner like this is such a wonderful thing. Not to mention the coziness of the place and the friendliness of the staff...what a dining experience indeed...
But what I enjoy most is still the time spent together...
THANK YOU so much for your treat!!! :)

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

What's next?

Work is still the same with me on another client's job now near ang mo kio area. I will probably just stay here for another month plus...and probably audit for ang mo kio town council after that...which means I am gonna stuck here for good! :o Oh well it should be good coz I don't stay too far from where I work...hehe...lol

Sometimes when with my colleagues, we would just talk on what to do when our contract has ended. After all, there are several staffs left recently and there are even more and more new staffs coming to our office week after week. Some of us just can't wait to leave the company, some wanna go to study or work else where...and some just want to have that long holiday. For me, I am still in planning...

Plan #1: Go abroad to study
Main problem: Study where and study what? Is it really useful for my future?

There are many courses I am considering to take up but the important issue here is WHAT really helps me. What do I want to be besides being an auditor? Should I go deeper into what I am doing now and study on something to do with accountancy to be an accounting manager, accounting principal, or even a partner one day? Should I learn something similar like finance and continue with my CFA exams or have a degree in B&F? Or should I just take up something totally different yet I like though...but not of much use on my work...or even very hard to find a job on? Like art lessons or psychology which I have never touched before? Gosh there are just so so many questions!!!

I didn't plan without thinking twice though. I have done some work and research here, asking around friends and colleagues and seek for some advice. Currently, Joe and Vincent introduce me to go for INSEAD as the school offers a campus life both in Singapore and France and US. (Read it up yourself here: http://www.insead.edu/home/) Their MBA course is highly recognised by the MNCs and big firms. I really like it though but the expected fees and expenses are like figures I used to see in my audit -- simply beyong my affordability. And if I were to take on a loan, could I make it to pay up within a feasible period of time? This is really bothering me sometimes...but I can never stop to upgrade myself ya? :)

Plan #2: Go start a business...full-time
Main problem: Is it sustainable and profitable? How long should I plan for it?

My business plan with Yingz to sell bags is still in the progress. This month we gave up our stall again because I cannot make it as it falls on the easter weekend. I choose to help out in the drama production as they really need helpers...even much more than that in Xmas. Besides, Yingz want to study for her exam too. So we are applying for another stall next month towards the end of April...hope we will get it! :)

The trip back in China during CNY is not as fruitful as I thought. Most of the cost prices have risen up over a short time and there is a chance it will rise again. So I need to find another source if I were to make it profitable. Or even to sell something else...but what? Work has been busy for me these days so I have not had the time yet to manage online selling. I will do it probably end of this month. I really wish to turn this into something that can last. Krystyle and Sharon had made it...I wish to see mine someday too...jiayou! lol

Plan #3: Work overseas for 1 or 2 years...either a new company or secondment
Main problem: I will miss my family and my friends here...

The nearest place to work at will definitely be Australia. And I know they need accountants and auditors. They pay good salaries and they have great welfares. But...will I get use to staying there? I know I will certainly miss my friends here...sigh...I don't if I could be still as strong over there. But whatever it is, if there is a chance and if God wants me to do it too, I know I will go.

Another alternative is to ask for a secondment from my boss. This means I will need to be contracted back to my firm again. This is good because there is a high chance there will be promotion too upon return. Moreover, accomodation and other miscellaneous will be taken care of by the company...probably there is some allowance or grant given too. There are just less things to worry about for secondment. Do I have the capacity to get that nod from my boss?

"Dream a little dream with me... :)"

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Wishes

Radhika has left our firm before I could even go back office to say goodbye to her.
The sweetie has left with us a small gift she made herself, and memories of the time we spent for our CPA games training together... :))
Villa Bali! :DD

This place rocks!!! If only I have the car I will drive here much more frequently...hehe...lol

I have never done this before but it would be fun to put it up here...so guys here it goes:

Birthday Wishlist

#1. Backpack for my laptop and personal things so that I can carry them to work -- comfort is just as important as dressing up too...

#2. A dress! -- something I can wear to weddings, dinners or just to work!

#3. Audio sermon -- any kind that is good to recommend to me...I quite enjoy listening to it when I am at work so far... :)

#4. Espirit bath towel -- they just look so comforting to me...heehee...

#5. Books like "Man are from Mars, Woman from Venus", "Pride & Prejudice" (movie cover) or any other books that are highly recommended. -- I need more wisdom ya? *bleah*

#6. Crabtree & Evelyn -- oh yes to enhance my crappiness...muahahaha...lol

#7. More shoes perhaps? -- How about a 4th pair of havaianas slippers? I will never get sick of them anyway... :D

#8. Eat Holland V fish head bee hoon, bak kwa and sushi! -- did I say I am on diet this month? :P

#9. Travel guides to NZ, Taiwan, Vietnam, Grand Canyon -- just reminding myself to go to the NLB again soon here...hahaha...lol

#10. Dinner with my friends on the special day -- just hope I don't have OT that day too...so anyone? :)
Birthdays don't seem to get me that excited anymore compared to the past...is this a sign of aging? It is still important to me though for this is the special day that God has put me on earth. Just that all those celebrations, excitement of the arriving of that day seems to have buried together with the increasing workload and stress and the busy schedules of the adult livelihood...is this good...or is this bad?

When that day is near, sometimes you would just start to think about the past too. Out of the gifts I have received in the past, I guess my most special gift is a teddy bear with a bumble bee on its nose. Hahaha...well honestly it wasn't the best gift of all, not exactly pretty too with that bumble bee on...but that's just make it even more special right...ha... :P

And birthday prayer? Perhaps a boyfriend? :P Hahaha...oh well not really looking for it now but I am opened up to it! :D So maybe I should consider joining the next TTT session...hahaha...lol

After all, I am pretty clear of my feelings now too. Just bumping around I guess... :)

Love is really something unique. It will change you when you are in it, waiting for it and fell out of it. The fact is that you can choose to love many. Or, you can choose to love just one alone. And the most important thing is that loving him does not mean to have him...especially if in the first place he doesn't feel the same way back.

Maybe you are just waiting for someone to sweep your feet off the ground. Maybe you just can't let go of your past. But whatever it is, if you love, keep him in your daily prayers. Not to pray that you guys can be together which would be a really selfish thought...but to pray for the one you love. Pray for him for his spiritual growth, studies, health and everything else...for this should be the way to love someone because when you come before God in faith, he will answer your prayer and you will share the joy of the person who will be blessed too. Doesn't really matter if he loves you back or not for love should be unconditional...when you can do it, you will realise you would no long feel jealous, envy or anxious but simply at peace...

God is not interested in changing your circumstances...he is interested in changing you... :)

Weekend service with F.I.R.!!! =D

F.I.R. had come over the weekend to attend my church weekend services...woohoo! :DD I manage to film a small part of their performance, as well as their very own testimony of how they come to know Christ and their changes after being a Christians. Oh manz this is all so powerful!

Yet due to the limited memory space on my card and some technical problems experienced with uploading the video clips here, this is just a small part of the whole process though...hope you guys enjoy it! :)

F.I.R. Guest Performance @ Saturday service!

F.I.R. Testimony - Part 1

F.I.R. Testimony - Part 2

Watching FIR performing live in front on the stage is really great. And to hear testimony given by them on how they came to know Christ is even so so much better! :D Truly, hearing testimony from someone with authority, popularity, or simply someone you know is so much more stronger than to hear it from a total stranger.

I believe for a celebrity like FIR to stand in the stage and share like any other christians will not seem to be a easy thing. I mean, the more popular you are, the more prejudice you could be exposed to. It feels really comforting and encouraged to see them on the stage like that. And to see the crowd responding to the altar call...wow... :))

SERVANTHOOD

by Rev Kong Hee

John 13:3

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God."

  1. You got to know your power -- WHAT God has given you.
  2. Your position -- WHO you are in Christ.
  3. Your purpose -- WHERE you are going.

John 13:4-5

"So Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

  • Jesus Christ becomes the servant of all.
  • It's the lowest service job to wash the feet of the weary travellers.
  • The fact that Jesus had to do this himself is because none of the disciples are willing to take up this job at that time (to wash one another's feet).
  • God is not against greatness -- God wants us to achieve greatness by serving one another.
  • At the end of the day, is God going to praise you for the title you gain or for what you have done, your willingness to serve others?
  • Servanthood is Jesus' way of showing his love.

3 Things On Servanthood

#1: Servanthood is the key to PROMOTION.

Philippians 2:5-7

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

  • Servanthood is to do with attitude.
  • "Bondservant" refers to a slave.

Philippians 2:9-11, 12-15

  • God gives you the ability/gift you have to let you shine in the world.
  • Joseph turns from a slave to become the chief of staff.
  • [Daniel] has ability to serve in the king's palace. (Daniel 1:1-4)

**Do you have the ability to serve?**

#2: Servanthood is the key to AUTHORITY.

Luke 9:16-17, 19

"Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them."

  • Later on, God called them good servants and gave them not just city, but cities to take charge of!
  • Dr Janto, who started serving in church as an usher for over 10 years, is an associate professor of Harvard Medical School, as well as a physician to ministers and generals, and even Suharto!
  • Our member Dr Francis Seow put aside his own duties and went to help out at the tsunamis crisis in 2004 for 3 months long, even though at that time he just started his own practice at the Mt Elizabeth Hospital.
  • At the tsunamis crisis in 2004, there are about 30 doctors and over 37 nurses and hospital staff took unpaid leave to help out in Indonesia.

#3: Servanthood is the key to DESTINY.

Genesis 24:18-20

"So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels."

  • Just for the information, 1 camel drinks up close to 53 pails of 20-litres of water.
  • To draw water from the old well, you will need to climb up and down 50 steps each way with your pail.
  • Rebekah help this total stranger to fetch him water...and even for ALL of his camels!

Genesis 24:22, 53

"(verse 22) So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold,...(verse 53) Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother."

  • Rebekah was richly rewarded for her great servanthood.
  • She has also been chosen as the bribe to Isaac, the son of Abraham, because of her willingness to serve Abraham's servant and even to his camels.

**You got to know how to serve God --

Do you give a thirsty man water or bread?**