Firely tours! (feat. Desaru Fruit Farm, Fire Flies River Cruise...18/11/07)

After lunch, we came to visit the Desaru Fruit Farm...and this are Dragon Fruit plants!
I feel like a kid on a school excursion to learn the different types of fruits and their plants. :PThe passion fruit plants!

Similar to their name, they make the walk way romatic...maybe that's how love can be blossom...hahaha...lol Passion fruit! Reminds me of bubble tea... :P The gallery of the farm

Have you seen monkey riding a motorcycle? There is nothing much in the gallery except some models showing how they process or weight the fruits. There is also a huge Ostrich egg since they rare some animals in the farm too.

But most of all, the garden outside the gallery is sooooo lovely!

I love such a relaxing day strolling around a garden like this.

Behind the garden they also rare some bees for their honey.

Mum looks great here...glad she is having a good time too! :)

And here's the water apple farm!

Water apples have so many different kinds too...wooh...

My evidence of being here @ Desaru Fruit Farm :)

There are many other fruits like lime and 'chiku' around too.

Finally I spotted a dragon fruit that is not covered up with the plastic!

The owner also rears a few animals here...mainly goats and rabbits and ostrich!

I LOVE ANIMALS!

See the little goat is chewing on the leaves I gave it...so cute!

I think both me and mum loves animals. It's a great joy to play around with them...lol

That's my mum...she's such a big kid! :DD

The day has finally come to an end...it's time we say goodbye to the fruit farm now...

After another nice dinner, we head on to take the river cruise to see fireflies! :D

We are suppose to observe silence and totally no photos taking here.

Well I guess if you want to see it next time, then come on such tour yourself ya? :) It'll be so much fun and things to see and learn...yeah...

"Thank God for this great time with my mum and such a wonderful trip! :)"

Blessings

I was a little busy lately. My peak period is finally here...or so it seems. My CFA Level 1 exam is just 7 days ahead...and somehow I am not really ready for it. Mum has left too...and now I am home alone for the next few months or even half a year. Honestly, I feel like a super woman...and I can understand why woman appeared to be stronger than man because they can work and handle household chores at the same time. Hahaha...lol

But even in the midst of all these, I no longer feel that anxious anymore. Tiredness is definitely present but it is physically and not so much emotionally or mentally. My mindset is somehow changed for the better and look upon the greatness of the outcome of all these effort that I had put in the things I do. And somehow, I am excited to see the result...no matter how long I have to wait. Because I know I have a relationship with God who always there for me and guide me through. All I need to do now is listen and talk to Him.

Lately, I have made a vow to myself that I want to devote these few months till my 24th birthday next year to God. That means that -- I want to put Him first in everything I do and do my quiet time and prayers daily without fail. This is not because I have never done them before or I don't like God so much before. It is just because I want to make and turn all these practices into a daily habit for myself...just like a habit or routine that we will do and not forget such as washing up every morning and eat our meals daily. I want to talk to God and listen for any of his comments everyday. I want to build with Him a much closer relationship so that I can understand what He wants and would do to. So far, I have been able to achieve them...thank God that I didn't give it up just because I have a long day! :)

Like I share on Friday with my cell members, I realise there are many more visible blessings upon me after I have this much closer relationship with God daily. I admit I am someone who would run dry and lose faith when I couldn't see what is in front of me. And God knows this weakness of me...He just know when is the right timing to show me and give me the assurance I need.

Last sunday, I have finally received the long awaiting reply about my stall for the flea market. It was actually a 2-days flea market event that is held by LIME @ Scape, behind Orchard Cineleisure, to give people the opportunity to be a stall owner. I never expect I could get it becuase there are many applicants since it is advertised on the magazine and all you need to do is send your proposal through email. They will shortlist you if you are qualified for it. And guess what...I got my booth on the 8 Dec for 1 day! :D This will be such a great learning opportunity for me and a time for me to make some money for this coming Xmas...YEAH!!! *bleam*

Another financial blessings come when I met up with my good friend Yingz on Thursday night. She passed me some surveys that I could earn some commission if I can find people to fill them up. Actually, this opportunity is really come to her by a rare chance. And I am so glad I could help her out with it...whether or not there is money I am glad to help my very good friend too. :) And honestly, I feel so much happy every time just to be able to see her and chat with her heart-to-heart while we take our stroll or jog around our beautiful Punggol neighbourhood. God has certainly blessed me lots to have my best friend move and stay in the same area as me...

On Friday, I am blessed again too because my senior actually let me off early for me to go for cell group meeting! :D He didn't let my the other colleague to go off early but for me, he is lenient! Because I mentioned about it to him and hope to be let off probably by 7 plus or 8 since we were having OT for the whole week till about 930 everyday. I was prepared that I might have to give the cgm a miss already. Yet, I manage to finish off my work early and by 640 he let me off! Praise the Lord! :D

During cell group meeting, brother Chris preach a short message and most of the time we were worshipping and praying to God. Initially, I feel nothing as we pray with our tongues...which I feel a little anxious why I still feel nothing at all after all my regular praying and quiet time with Him. So I pray again to God that I want to feel his presence. Well, believe it or not, a warmth rise up from within me and I started to cry. The crying is something I cannot stop at all. It is not a sad cry but a joy that I am crying out loud. It touches me so deep in my heart...and that is just all that I need to feel assured and instantly, I can feel a peace that I yearn for so long in my heart. Now, I just cannot wait to see what is ahead for me in my life and not to keep holding back certain things in my heart. For what is in the past we cannot change it anymore, but our future is still in the our hands and if we follow God's guidance, we will be rewarded with his prize that is waiting at the end for us. God, thank you for showing me the way and rebuild my confidence... :)

After cell group, I had a great conversation with Shuhui as we stroll along the Singapore river. It was one of those quality times that I always like to have with my close friends. I want to thank God for this great sister too who always listen and share with me too. I am thankful that I share something I held in my heart for some time too to her. And we touch on topics we never really talk about at all too. The only thing is that...can that little secret of me come true? I wish he knows about it too but at the same time I am scared how would he react to it. I would rather have a great friendship with him than to lose a nice brother. But THAT is just a crush, a dream I hope to see to come true. We are not even close and how would there be chemistry between us right? Must be illusion...or desperation...oops! Hahaha...lol *bleah*

On Saturday, I was sitting with Christina once again on the floor area. I actually like to sit with her because it is closer to the stage and sitting next to her makes me aware of how I should take care of people. And her coming to church, on wheelchair, kind of let me see the evidence of how a person who loves God should do -- dwell in his house and worship him always, even if it is of inconvenience for you. I can see that even Christina is seated on wheelchair, she is very blessed too with a loving husband who would drive her every week to church before his work and provide her with a maid to take good care of her. It is a great marriage that I seen from her, God's blessings in her family. I wish I could have such a loving husband too one day and build God a family that would be glad to serve Him always. :)

And today, once again Yingz come to my rescue for some urgent reason. If not for her, I really wouldn't know what to do. THANK YOU so much dearie...my bestest friend ever! :)) *hugz*

I am putting all these down, because it was a truly very blessed week for me that I want to remember it in the future too. I want to remind myself next time if I every forgot what God has done for me...or so may this will never happen! :) I also want to remember that following Jesus is not always smooth and given to you freely...you need to pick up your cross to follow Him. In times when you come to valleys, we should in fact talk to God and step into His presence more often, no matter how cold, hard or unwilling we feel to come to face Him. For that's the time we need Him most...

"Father, I love you and take all of me...for all of you..."

Walking with God

Happy Birthday to Huiling & Daynia! :)

Joining in the birthday celebration with E266 @ Changing Appetite

The celebration above happened since last Saturday. Today is Jason's and Chris Su's birthday celebration during cell. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all the November babies! *grinz*

Today, Chris preaches on the message about building relationship with God. The emphasis is on focusing on the inward man (our spirits) and to renew it on a daily basis. This is because if we focus on our outward man (our bodies) which perishes with time, we will grow to become tired.

When we say we seek God's plan, it mean that God has already a plan for us. God is the designer of our lives and He has planned everything for us. The key point here for us to walk his path and become successful is just whether did we choose to listen to him...or not. It is only through the relationship we have with God, that we can communicate to Him, as well as listen and talk to Him. If there is no relationship, where would all these communications come from?

Chris told us that there are mainly four things that would hinder us to build that relationship with God: 1) Past bondages; 2) Hesitation 3) Future fears; 4) Temptations; and 5) Lack of resources. I know where my weakness lies -- past bondages and hesitation. I seem to be someone who cannot let go that easily and take time to think, too much, before action is done. The negative side of me...

Taking Peter to walk with Jesus on water is something new. In a way, you would not think about doing it immediately unless you trusted the person who tells you to do so. It is the trust that we have for God that will choose the decision we will make to God. It is also because of this trust that we have in Him that will help to build a closer relationship with God.

Sometimes, I realise I am too shy to pray for someone special in my life. In a way, I have grown to become too independent on my own. Or more like I am forced to be on my own. With mum leaving for HK again soon, I couldn't help to feel that emptiness and loneliness of my own house once again. Honestly, I don't enjoy this feeling at all and I pray always for the reason why God has to put me in this way -- does God want to train me up to be independent? Does He train me this way so I will be strong and also to become a shoulder or helping hand for others to lean on when it is needed? Or maybe making me the only child in the family is the way to prevent me to have any suicidal thoughts that I used to have whenever I faced a huge downfall in my life? Now I really feel disgusted at myself for having that thought of giving up my life...it was truly a desperate measure. But that is how much sadness I could feel deep in my heart back then when I was tested...and I have failed badly.

Coming back to God now makes me see a brighter side of life much more than in the past. In a way, I could always count on the usual me for positive thoughts and not to collapse out of the blue. I am happy to have God ruling over my life. The only thing I would wonder is did I open up my heart enough to let Him take over me? Did I take God for granted? Did I understand His words well enough and follow it as it is said? These are the thoughts that run through my mind whenever I thought of building that relationship with Him. He is so good that I just wonder if I am good enough for Him to love me the way He does to me...

But instead of running away like I used to, this time I wanna change for the better. I will study His words regularly, keep praying, attend cell and services, serve in his ministry, learn from my bible study and to apply His words in my life. If there is anything imperfect about myself, I hope to make it perfect for God so He could use me. This is the difference I feel ever since sliding back to God...and I hope to stay this positive always.

Right now, I just hope to be able to stay to the vow that I have made to God myself. I hope to be totally devoted to God alond and put Him always in my first priority until I turn 24 next year. I hope I can be disciplined myself and reach my goal. Jiayou Christine! *woosh!*

"He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. Amen! :)"

A Sassy Jazzy Night @ St. James Power House

Falling in love with jazz music...love the ambience in the Bellini Room... Since there is a promotion on the champagne, we ordered a bottle to share among us too.

A great night is certainly enhanced with great music and good wine...cheers! *grinz*One thing I would look forward to is to hang out with you guys after a long day of work...cheers to the working Ingenians! Hahahaha...lol

This is the first time that I went to St James Power House. This is also the first time ever since so many years that I went to club again. How to describe those feelings? Hmm...excited, happy, anxious...and maybe...sexy? :P Hahahaha....lol

It feels a little different now that I am officially declared as being a working adult. Financially independent, no worries about not studying and preparing for exams and tests, classified as being mature enough to identify what I can do and what I can't do in the club houses. It makes me feel that I am actually doing something out of my own decision, to hang out with friends, chit chat till late into the night and simply let yourself dance till your stress and headaches from work are dissolved in the crowded dance floor. Isn't that what clubbing is all about?

Well, one thing you need to make yourself clear: what is your purpose and motive of going to club? For me, I am here to see how the place looks and feel like -- is it just as enjoyable and fun as what everyone else is talking about? Honestly, I dislike crowds, even more to see people get drunk or to have people looking at you whenever you go. I love to hang out with friends at a cozy place, fun and probably good to chill out too, and just enjoy some great musician performing on the stage while you chat with your friends below on the comfortable seats. This is what I enjoy most for a nigth activity... :)

Good thing about St James is that there are many rooms here, namely the Movida Room (latin music), Bellini Room (jazz music), and Dragonfly (canton pop). These were the 3 rooms I went on last Friday. And out of the 3, I love Bellini the most with the jazz music, less crowded as people just sit around to drink, and cool retro interior design (there's a white grand piano on stage and saxophone too!). Movida is fun, hot and sexy. The performers wear scantily on stage and dance away in those really hot latin dances. The dance crowd is many young working adults too and many foreigners are here too.

On the other hand, Dragonfly seems to be the most boring to me. The crowd are generally older as the some of the canton songs they sing are listed as oldies already. It is super crowded but yet no one dances. Although I am not into dancing, seeing people just standing around feels a little awkward too. To me, it feels more like they are watching some kind of concert performance than coming to club...oh wells I shall not comment on it anymore then... *zipped* :X

Well, I had a great night of chilling out with my buddies manz...hahaha...and we are just as happy to go home feeling all our stress from work be gone too...yeah...lol

So who says christians cannot club?! :P

Europe Trip: Belgium > Brussel! (05/06/07)

That's Brussels right below!Coming to the end of my Europe backpacking trip of 18 days, it feels a little sad. Brussels is my final stop before heading back to London...and the airport is new and pretty too... :) Welcome to the Brussels Airport!

It actually looks similar to the Hong Kong International Airport...don't you think so?

Belgium is the place where most of the world-class chocolate originated from: Godiva, Neuhaus, Pierre Malcolini, Wittamer...do these names sound familiar? :P Need not wait longer, I can already see the wide range of the dark angels at the airport shops...oh manz... *drool*

To the chocolate lovers, Brussels is spelled "P-A-R-A-D-I-S-E".

To the pretty ladies, Brussels is spelled "S-I-N-F-U-L"!

From the Airport, we took the airport train to the central where our hostel is located. I spotted this omni-potent vending machine at the train station. It is common to see vending machines these days, but not one like this that sell all sorts of stuffs including food, drink, snacks, lotions and other daily necessities. Don't you think we are looking at an automated world in the future? And here's the Brussels Central! (also known as Bruxelles Centraal)Brussels, although the buildings still carry the usual European style, has an history or historical changes which is shorter or less impactful than many other other European countries. You can tell this from the design of their buildings and structures, and this is also the reason why Brussels is quite a stylish place.Can you tell where do I took this photo?

(Hint: It is probably the largest fast food chain in the world)

Guess what this is a McDonald restaurant! Look at the chantelier on the ceiling...that's so beautiful! It feels like I have been to a high-class restaurant somehow.

A note to Singaporeans: In Belgium, where it is famous for its fries, McDonald's does not called it "french fries" but just "fries". That goes the same to many other European countries, including France. Yet in UK, fries is then called "chips". Hence, having fish & chips is the same as ordering fried fish fillet and french fries.Other than Chocolate, Belgium is also the place for the good and famous Belgium beers, with brands like Stella Artois, Hoeggarden, Duvel originated here. Besides beer, Belgium fries, waffles and mussels are also the famous dishes here.

Fritland is the place where Daryl recommends that it sells really good fries...and this is also the place that I bought my 5 packet of the super large fries for just 1 and 1/2 day here! :PGalleries Royales St. HubertThis is the place where the high class chocolates and boutiques are located...quite similar to our Paragon if you want to imagine the look of it...Belgium waffles!This is NOT called Belgium waffle but known as Legion waffles, which is the smaller round kind. Belgium waffle is the bigger rectangular shaped waffles. Both of them will be poured with the layer of rich Belgium chocolate fudge...awwww... *bleaming* :)'''Chocolate House!

It is actually just a normal chocolate shop along the street...but here you get to see them pretty often everywhere in Belgium...Look at the chocolate fountain! :DD

I guess I am right to call here Chocolate Paradise ya?What the horse pulling here is not a carriage that is seated with human but barrels and barrels of beer or whatever inside. I wonder if this carriage here is really meant to carry the barrels for business...or simply stationed here for the tourists to see... Manneken Pis!

Manneken Pis (Brabantian for little man wee), is a Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin.

Grand Place The Grand Place (french: Grand-Place or Grand Place; dutch: Grote Markt) is the central market square of Brussels. It is surrounded by guild houses, the city's spectacular Town Hall and the Breadhouse (dutch: Broodhuis; french: Maison du Roi). The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels next to the Atomium.

Brussels Town Hall

The facade is decorated with numerous statues representing nobles, saints, and allegorical figures. The present sculptures are reproductions; the older ones are in the city museum in the "King's House" across the Grand Place.Walking away from the Grand Place and back to the streets, you can see many MNC firms and banks in the CBD district of Brussels...and even sometimes a cute logo that would stand out of the place like this one...hahaha...lol

So don't forget to try the Belgium fries when you are there next time...they taste FANTASTIC!!!St. Michael and Gudula CathedralThe St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral is located at the Treurenberg hill. In Dutch it is called Sint-Michiels- en Sint-Goedelekathedraal, usually shortened to "Sint-Goedele".It is an archiepiscopal cathedral of the Archbishop of Mechlin-Brussels, the Primate of Belgium, currently Cardinal Godfried Danneels. It is located in the national capital and therefore often used for Catholic ceremonies of national interest, such as royal marriages and state funerals.Find this garden up on a small hill (don't know what place this is). Large area of the yard is planted with flowers, lavenders and neatly trimmed bushes...how lovely!The afternoon sun is not hot and glaring at all in Belgium, but gentle and warm. Looks like sunset right? :) Feel so relax just staring out to the greenish plants... *grinz*See the purple flowers...and maybe pink carnations in the background?! So pretty! :DDThere are many modern designed houses in Belgium. The whole place is very classy and elegant, pretty much close to the ones located near the city of London...nice...I suppose this is one of the government building of Brussels, bumped into this place while walking and trying to find a flea market that I realised only that it opens in the morning till about 2pm...haiz...God is always good...coz we found this hill top that able us to overlook the Brussels city...well this is our blessing in disguise ya? :PMost of the buildings in Belgium is low-rise and mainly consists of shophouses and terraces. Brussels is not big and you can almost have access to anywhere by foot...well I mean "almost"...

So do you want to visit Belgium too? :)