Firefly tour! (feat. Crocodile Farm, Chinese Herb Garden...18/11/07)

1 Day @ Pengerang with Mum! :D

Initially we planned to go KL or Bintan but my work is getting busy and mum is leaving soon enough. This trip happens to have the right timing (1 day tour only), cheap (S$55 per pax including 1 seafood lunch with baby lobster, 1 seafood dinner, air-con coach, a tour guide and of course the highlight of the tour -- Fire Flies River Cruise!

Doesn't it all sound value worth the money spent? :P Breakfast at Sentosa Town on our own expenses...a great way to start a brand new day ya? I LOVE BAK KUH TEH!!! *drool*

There is a slight difference in the bak kuh teh in Singapore: the addition of the beancurd skin and more vegetables! Looks healthier and more yummilicious to me! :DD

After a satisfying breakfast, we head down to the Crocodile Farm...a place you probably wouldn't want to mess around with its inhabitants...Crocodile has very long life span and some can live up to hundred over years. The owner specially kept these crocodiles ancestors in special confined area where visitors have to view them from the overhead bridge. The reason being is that when he provoked these cold-blooded reptiles in the water, you would not be able to get wet, or 30% less of the chances of getting drenched by the splashing water....

This crocodile here is known to be over 130 years old already...coolz... :XCrocodiles are everywhere and they look about the same. Their eyes can blink and close and open...and each stare is a cold and scary look...shedding crocodile tears huh?This is how fierce crocodiles can become when they are provoked.Baby crocodile!

I don't know if I should call them cute...hahaha...lolAnd this is a rare crocodile that is borned without tail! A little poor thing to me...Found crocodile egg shell around the area. As seen, they are pretty soft and kind of plastic like.

The hatching season is in April and that's the only time crocodiles will lay their eggs. At the end of the crocodile farm tour, the owner pass us a few baby crocodile which we can place on our bodies to take pictures with...it is so fun! :))

My mum is certainly cute like everyone says...she dare to place the crocodile on her head! :DIf I kiss the crocodile...will it turn into a prince? :PNext up -- Chinese Herbs Garden!

The garden is not big but the herbs are planted systematically in rows and everywhere that has a usable land area. They where all labled with a sign showing the name of the herbs and its medical functions.

You will be surprised to see quite a number of herbs here that you used to often see them around our neighbourhood...isn't Chinese medicine looks amazing!

The name of this plant is so familiar hor...hahaha...lolSometimes, the herbs don't just grow upwards up but from the sky hanging around the ceiling. This herb is uniquely designed to grow in this special way...Lotus pond!

Somehow I find this pond very pretty...probably reminds me of those Chinese ghost movie where the beautiful ghosts will appear in the shelter that stands in the middle of the lotus pond...oh well I can get really imaginative manz... :PLotus is a plant that is very very useful as every part of it is edible and has a use on its on. My mum used to cook soup with the lotus roots and seeds last time...yummy...The lotus flower! :DD

It's very big and bright in the pink colour...mesmerizing... *Awww*I didn't know there is use for "fox tail" too ya? *grinz*

Herbs don't just come in leaves and grass but also in the forms of flowers.

This is the herb that girls may like it -- Rosemary.

Small lotus-like flowers that I found outside the temple there...love their bright colours!

Finally seafood lunch @ Pengerang!

It is actually the same town I always come in the cycling trips with my church friends to Malaysia...but not the same restaurant that we like to frequent. I suppose this town is really famous for their seafood and lobsters ya? :D

The highlight of our tour -- Fried Baby Lobsters! Woohoo! :D

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