1 + 2 +

Know what's that?

Count or don't count? Play or don't play? ............
One of my school's student told me today, she has problems counting and always can't get it right after so long. Incidentally. she happens to be one of my oldest student in the school and learns 2 instruments (piano and violin) She was still mumbling the count when she left the school.
She said that she couldn't count and play at the same time. Told her to take it easy and do it slowly.

I always admire her courage of learning to play musical instrument at this age (72) and still perserve on as i have many younger than her has already given up. She has become a role model in my school.

Thank GOD

Yesterday was a busy day (Thank GOD)
Frankly, i would prefer busier than free. Some hicupped early afternoon when one of my guitar teacher sms to say that his mum has met with a road accident and hence couldn't come. Pray for his mum's well being. Thank GOD when he said his mum is fine.

It was the church Walkaton Day @ Padang but as usual couldn't make it for the event caused of work. Heard all of them was blessed with good weather to complete the course. Thank GOD
Managed to complete my Walkaton card to raise funds for the Touch Community services. Thank GOD as only one has rejected me when i asked for donation.

After work, met up with my sponsor for coffee, some discussion and then attend service.
Thank GOD for a smooth Sat and today too.

Ah Boy

Today is my friend's child Ah Boy's 2nd Birthday.

Have not seen him for sometime already. He is small, adorable, lovely and most important i believe he has a kind heart.
Hope to visit him one day.
Happy Birthday Ah Boy.

49 vs 283

Guess what do the above numbers represents? Secret code? Favourite number? ............

Well, it has something to do with Katong.
Yes, the two rival shops number of the famous Katong Laksa separated by a street.
Tasted the 2 different shop's laksa? Which do you prefer?

Didn't like to have it for lunch caused it's not filling to the stomach. Only choose to eat laksa when friends or visitors come for a visit. The most unique of the laksa here is that they are been eaten with spoon instead of chopsticks. Almost every coffee shops in Katong sells Katong Laksa.
I have a favourite table sit @ one of the laksa shop.

Which is the original and most authentic laksa? Heard one of them run by an elderly man has shifted to somewhere in Bedok.
The only other laksa store i tried was @ Pasir Ris (only sells in the day) Not too bad ..........
Any laksa stores to recommend?

Goodbye Dani

Remember the maid that i wrote on my blog a week ago? She teared when she was at the shop ........

Now, i finally know the reason. She has gone back to Philippines already as i was surprised when another maid brought the employer's son for lesson. I believed she had gone back for good.
Have been trying to contact her for the past few days without avail as i have wanted to tell her that one of my church's Pastor will call her so that she can share with pastor her 'problems'.
May never know her troubles now that she has gone back to her homeland. However, i believed GOD will bless her whenever she is.

Busy day today with appointments and meetings.
Oh, has been humming this song, How Great Is Our GOD in my mind for the past couple of days.
Cooling day ............

How Great Is Our GOD

Chorus : How great is our GOD! Sing with me How great is our GOD !
And all will see how great, how great is our GOD!
The latest song i learn ............This chorus is taken from the song, How Great Is Our GOD

I like slow christain song, felt it's easier and more comfortable to praise the LORD with it esp where the expression is concern.
After weeks of headache, today is time to DECIDE

When my technician friend saw me on Mon, he said that i have many more white hairs now and asked me to re-join my ex company. (haha) Getting old? Stress? ............
Leave it to GOD's hands now. HIS grace, glory and mercy.
Isn't our GOD Great?
Continue to pray ............Yeah. Amen.

July

If there is any month i dread, it would undoubtedly be July............

Last July, i received a very saddening and heartbreaking news while this July i am going to make a zero sum decision. It's going to be D D soon (The Day, Dooms Day .........) sometime this week. (would prefer B B instead, hee hee)
Had a important discussion yesterday but opinions differed, however once i make the decision there would be no turning back and it will take at least another year to know the 'results'.

Sponsor prayed for me last weekend. I pray for direction...........
One thing for sure, if it 'fails' i will and must not blame GOD. For "GOD is good, all the time".
To my sponsor and friends, thanks for your views.

100K Blessings

Heard of this "100K Blessings or Campaign"?
It's an event onto its 2nd week now whereby 5,000 FCBC warriors has been commissioned to bless 100,000 people for Christ.
It started from 8 July and end on 8 August.

These 100,000 people must not be from FCBC, they can be people from all walks of life, young and old alike. So far, i think about 6,000 FCBC members have signed up for this campagin and as of yesterday it has already blessed more than 30,000 people.

Was surprised when one member came into the shop, showed me a card and asked if i heard of this 100K Blessings.
Well done, my brother as it takes a lot of courage to come to a stranger to ask if they wanted to be bless. I have experienced it though not as a warrior in this campaign but approaching people for donations for the poor and needy.
He asked me for the profile of the people in this building ...........

With GOD's grace and glory, i believe this 100K Blessings's will be a success and reached its objectives. Snr Pastor Khong said yesterday that he hoped next year this campaign will be extended to all churches in Singapore and to bless 1M people.

To all the 'warriors' (including my friends) 'Jia You'
GOD bless you.

Girl In 7th Heaven

Bangkok : A baby girl born on July 7, 2007 - 07/07/07 - in the back of a taxi bearing the licence plate 7777 is to receive a scholarship worth 700,000 baht (S$35,500) a college said on wed.

The Panyapiwat Inst of Tech has promised the girl, nicknamed "Seven" a bursary until she graduates.
"It's an unconditional scholarship that we gave to her because she was born on July 7 of the year 2007, and in a taxi with the licence plate 7777" said rector Ratana Prasertsom.
"And when the mother and the girl checked in at the hospital, they were given room 707 on the seventh floor."

Thais place great faith in the mystical importance of numbers, and the succession of sevens in the baby's birth has been seen as deeply auspicious.
(Agence France-Presse)

Clueless............

Have been a busy week so far with appointments here and there.
However, next week will be more crucial and time is running short in determining what's the best out of those worst choices. Either choice i decide could end up in dire straits, however it's Hobson Choice.

GOD has given me a 'clue' but ............. Can only pray for GOD's grace and glory in helping me to get the best out of it. Hope i can get a direction after tomorrow's service ..............
Good choice to choose can cause headache but bad choice to make gives more problem. Believe, everyone prefers the former right?

Oh ........No

When one of my school's student maid brought him for lesson today, she said that she needed to be counsel as she has some problems. When i probed further, she said it's personal so i just left it as it was ........Told her GOD will blessed and help her solve whatever problems she has, pray and have faith in the LORD.

Just then she teared, oh .........no, what was i going to do? SOS ! I asked her to go to one of the piano room and let her 'rest'. (the room is call 'Fan Suo' which a dear friend name)
Thank GOD, when she came out, everything was 'ok', cracked some jokes to her.
Seemed like i have to get some help ..............Hmm, what problems could she be facing?? She told me is not family and money.

I once was blind ........but now i see

This was a part of the lyrics from the song Amazing Grace. Was pleasantly surprise to hear this song from the church website's during their last week's service yesterday. Remembering a dear friend likes to sing this song to my ears and i can't 'stand' it. (Wonder how it would be like if i were to hear again?) So i also ended up doing a recording of the song as a gift to this friend. (haha)

I find the lyrics of the song Amazing Grace powerful and meaningful.
"I once was blind .........but now i see" can be used in many context. One not necessary have to be physically blind, it can be emotionally, mentally, ..............in not realising or seeing the truth. Our judgement may have been impaired by certain factors or circumstances.
We often hear our friends saying during an quarrels or arguments, "i am blinded to know or trust you"

How often do you use these words?

'Niece'

I have a very cute 'niece' but have not seen her for ages. She is very adorable and lovely.
Due to some unforseen circumstances, i couldn't meet her nowadays ..............sigh
Hope everything is fine over there.

Still keep 2 out of her 3 messages, she sms me this year.
1) 18 Feb 2007
Uncle, happy new year to you. May God bless you a good and properous new year. Yeah ........
2) 21 Feb 2007
Uncle, how's your performance today? Hope they are bless by you ........Smile. God bless you

Nothing fantastic with the messages but i like the way she calls me 'uncle' ............
As there are limited messages (sms) i can store in my hp (eg 30, so now you know what kind of hp i carry), i selected those birthday greetings i received for the year till my next birthday. However, I choose to keep also these 2 messages in my hp.
P..., Uncle may not be there but will continue to ask GOD to bless you.

Service (14 July)

Met up with my sponsor after work yesterday........ Every Sat, we shall try to meet up before service, have coffee, some catching up and discussion since i am not able to attend his cell group during the weekday. I shall devote a blog telling who's this sponsor next week, hope to have a photo of him then.

How careless of me to mix up the date as i thought there wasn't any deaf service yesterday (thought it was 8 July) so i went for the hokkien service. My sponsor will usually join me for service after he has 'settled' down with his duties.

There was a guest speaker, Rev Oh Beng Kee doing the sermon. He is a free lance speaker about 60+ (i think) Oh, initially during the few minutes, it was quite 'dry' but as time goes on he began to add much wit and humor in his sermon, couple with his expression. I enjoyed those parts where he asked us 'questions'. The sermon became very interesting, entertaining and yet bringing the message of GOD and some of the 10 Commandments across. These are facts of everyday life that people encounter and yet missed the 'essences' of it.

Rev Oh's sermon started and ended early.
Gone upstairs to speak to Pastor Patrick and his wife Nelly. He has also just ended his service.
He told me i can choose between attending his or Hokkien service on Sat. A relief indeed or i shall be in a dilemma.
Pastor Patrick shared some of his recent experience in Israel and said he hope to go back again but this time on his own (Free & Easy) instead of 'work' as he will have more time to see GOD's Chosen Land. Expressed interest to join him if the opportunity arise.

Met Rev Oh when i was on my way back. Thank him for the wonderful service.
Looking forward to listen to him again.
Thank you GOD

Quiet

It's a quiet day @ work ............. 2 of my teachers are on leave. A relief for one of them MIA (trying to call her since yesterday, hope she is ok)
Few students esp guitar gone for NDP (National Day Parade)
A new student supposed to come for his first drum lesson but didn't turn up and yet didn't call. Nowadays, students in general don't seems to have any sense of responsibility and disclipine, didn't want to turn up for lessons and too lazy to dial that few numbers. I believe a lot of students have handphone and in fact all of them their phones (features) are better than mine.
The pace seemed to slow down today compare to past weeks ............ which doesn't argurs well.

Will be meeting my sponsor after work and then followed by service.
Looking forward to attend service every weekend and i try to make sure i wouldn't miss any.
Next week, will have to 'run' 2 sides as the Deaf Service resumes.
Today, Pastor (don't know who) should be preaching about Abraham .............

Hope tomorrow will be better.
Thank GOD

When thunder roars, go indoor .....w that iPod

Listen to an iPod during a storm and you may get more than electrifying tunes.

Physicians have reported treated people suffering from burns, sustained during freak accidents while using personal electronic devices eg beepers, walkman players & laptop computers outdoor during a storms.

A Canadian jogger suffered wishbone-shaped chest and neck burns, ruptured eardrums and a broken jaw when lightening travelled through his music player's wires, while a Colorado teen ended up with similar injures when lightning struck nearby as he was listening to his iPod while mowing the lawn.

"It's going to hit where it's going to hit, but once it contacts metal, the metal conducts electricity," said Dr Mary Ann Cooper of American College of Emergency Physicians.

When lightning jumps from a nearby object to a person, it often flashes over the skin. But metal in electronic devices, metal jewellery or coins in the pocket can cause contact burns and exacerbate the damage.
(Trenton, US) - AP

The Word Singaporeans Love

LOVE is Singapore's favourite word, according to a poll by the British Council.
The British Council decided to shortlist 60 words to commemorate it's 60th anniversary in Singapore. Out of the more than 5,500 online entries made over a period of 4 months, the word LOVE topped the list followed by "peace", "family", "mum", "dream" and "cool"

What is your favourite word?

The Marriage Train

Do you ever feel like you just don't love your spouse anymore?
The fact is love is not dependent on our feelings and emotions. The fact is feelings come and go. None of us always feels intensely romantic and loving towards our spouse.

In a genuine love relationship, there are times of closeness and caring, but there are also times of distance and disinterest. And worst feels nothing at all.
Emotions are very unstable. They are just ephemeral. And you can't build anything so permanent on something so shaky. So where does the stability in marriage come from? How can we weather the vicissitudes of everyday life?

The key to a lifelong love is found in a commitment of the will, which is like the engine on a train - it will keep you moving down the right track. But feelings are like the caboose, being pulled along by the powerful engine at the other end. Once you make up your mind to have a successful marraige, no matter what, you will no longer be shaken by the ebb and flow of emotions.
Which end of the train is pulling your marital relationship?

It's a question worth pondering.

Cook Your Food Well !

Cooking our food well is just as important as buying, handling and storing food properly. Harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning can be found on raw or undercooked food, esp meat, poultry, seafood, eggs and dairy products.

Heat kills bacteria. You can keep food safe by cooking it thoroughly. Food is properly cooked when it has been heated for a long temperature ( at least 74 deg C) to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.

Food Safety Tips :
Cook Meat Thoroughly
The meat, esp meat patties, should not be pink and the juices should run clear.

Ensure Food is Cooked Evenly Throughout
Turn and move food around when barbequeing to allow the heat to cook the food evenly and throughly.

(Source AVA)

The Central

Heard of this new shopping centre? It's situated just above Clarke Quay MRT

Gone there yesterday for the first time to meet an ex colleague for coffee. He has chosen the place caused he was meeting another friend (after me) and would be attending a seminar nearby. Have not seen him for a few years already till that phone call last weekend.

I like the place caused it overlook Clark Quay and esp Singapore River. I liked water very much.
Met him at fine dining @ Kopitiam and i chose a table where i can have a good view of the river. Believed i would have been to this new shoppping centre much earlier and many times if not of ...........Could imagine myself sitting along the banks of the river with my friend.
Took a close look if i could catch a glimpse of a friend's office.

Well, he introduced 'something' which i have already known for a while. Nevertheless, i was good to catch up with him after so many years and he still looks the same.
Nothing to shop but the view such as the river can entice me to the mall in the future.

New 7 Wonders of the World (Results)

Here are the results of the new 7 Wonders of the World (though not all would agree)

1) Chichen Itza (Mexico)
Pre-Colombian city built around 500 AD in the Yutacan Peninsula in Mexico. 4 staircase of 91 steps lead up to a platform, making a total of 365 levels - 1 for each day in a year.

2) Machu Picchu (Peru)
Mystical city of legendary temples, IIama husbandry and steep slops in Peru's Andes. Invading 16 century Spanish conquistadors never found the city, which was only discovered in 1911.

3) The Coliseum (Italy)
The symbol of Rome. Was built nearly 2,000 years ago during the Roman Empire. Financed by the Roman conquests in the Middle East, it is Rome's largest amphitheatre.

4) Stature of Christ the Redeemer (Brazil)
The symbol of all Brazil. Inaugurated 75 years ago on Mount Corcovado after 5 years of work. Rio's top tourist attraction with 1.8 million visitors a year.

5) Petra (Jordan)
Centuries-old pink coloured ruins carved in the rock was the capital of Nabataean nomads more than 2,000 years ago, and a junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes of the era.

6) Taj Mahal (India)
Constructed in the 17 century by emperor Shan Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz, who died while giving birth. India's most visited monument, with 3 million visitors a year.

7) Great Wall (China)
Constructedtarted by Emperor Shi Huang Ti over 2,000 years ago. The longest monument in the world, it extends from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of Central Asia.

Which of these attraction would you want to visit?
If i were to choose one, then it would be candidate 4 ................

7 Wonder's of the World

There was a rescent poll to vote for the new 7 Wonder's of the World @ Lisbon, Portugal. Which of these do you reckon?

Statue of Liberty, New York City, US
Pyramid @ Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Machu Picchu, Peru
Acropolis, Athen, Greece

Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Neuchwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany
Stonehenge, Amesbury, Britain
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
Great Wall of China, China
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan

Petra, Jordan
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Kremlin, Moscow, Russia
Statues of Easter Island, Chile
Timbuktu, Mali

Have you visited any of the above 21 candidates?
For me ..........er ...................

Wedding Ceremony

My army buddies for 19 years

The family photo with the esteem monks

The stars today : the bridegroom and bride.

Thank GOD that i managed to find one of my teacher to help me man the shop for a few hours and hence i was able to attend one of my army buddy's wedding.

This was the first time i have attended a Buddhist wedding ceremony. Armed myself with my camera, i took photos and also a short video clip of the ceremony as a gift for the newly wed.

BTW, his wife hails from Thailand and therefore a translator was present to 'explain' or 'translate' to her which is a must under the law.

Managed to catch up some time with my other buddies too.........

After the ceremony, we proceeded for vegetarian lunch while i have to rush back to work.

Once again, my heartfelt well wishes to the couple.

May GOD bless you.

07/07/07

Wow, raining like cats and dogs now. A shower of blessings for my friend and his wife.

Many around the world will be saying "I DO" today.
The number 7 is also auspicious in many cultures.
In Judaism, GOD rested on and sanctified the seventh day and Buddha walked seven steps at his birth. And there are seven heavens in the Islamic tradition.
3 sevens gives a player 21 points on the blackjack table, while 7-7-7 is a winning line on slot machines.

ROM (Registry of Marriages) nearly got into a triple seven sweepstake - there will be 772 solemnisation ceremonies today.
Many businesses will be triving today eg hotels, catering halls, bridal shops .............

Sometime back, a friend said to me in the bus that i shall get hitch in 08/08/08 which of course remains to be seen (very unlikely). This day, i believe may exceed today's figure of marriages.
Well, may be able to 'sneak' out for a couple of hours to witness my friend's wedding ceremony afterall as a teacher was kind to help me man the shop. Thank GOD

Congratulations to all the newly wedding couples in the world.

Visitors

Had a couple of rare visitor yesterday @ the shop.

The bridegroom to be for tomorrow's wedding visited me as his wife was doing her hair at a salon @ Parkway so he dropped by as well as to have his favourite Kuay Teow @ Yong Huat.
Maybe it was GOD's planned as the chances of me attending his wedding ceremoney (07/07/07) seemed remote after last night as all my part timers aren't available to work tomorrow though i would like to attend to offer my well wishes to the couple. It is difficult to have a 20 years of friendship which i cherish.
Sorry, as i was too busy to entertain you yesterday.

Later in the evening, my ex partner (current business) came. Perhaps, it was GOD's arrangement again because ............. As usual, he would give some suggestions here and there. Thank you for your advise.

Thank GOD for my 2 visitors as i know your purpose of 'arranging' them to come.

Price Hike

Wow, almost everything has increased starting this month.

The (char siew, roast duck, chicken rice) shop that i usually patronised has raised their prices from $2 to $2.50 Gone are the $1.90 Nasi Lemak price. The only silver lining was the price of Yong Tau Foo remains the same.

Everything seems to have gone up, rental, NETS transaction, food, stamps, cable TV .............together with the government's GST
The noodle shop, Yong Huat (opposite the building) lamented of the balloning cost showing me his shop rental receipt earlier. Aiya, no wonder nowadays he gives only 2 fishballs instead of 3

Another interesting MacDonald's advertisment shows the woman selling tissue asking the patron to pay more eg $1.20 for a pack of tissue.
Like housing, if supply is less than demand then the prices will go up esp in the resale market.

Most business people that i spoke to complain of the high cost of doing business.
It's the landlord's (owner) world now. sigh

Weekend

A good weekend last week.

Met up and have coffee with my sponsor after work on sat. Have had a short and fruitful small discussion with him. And it was service as usual............
The sermon was conducted by Ps Lee Hak Ming who has injected much wit and humor into it.
He has made it interesting and yet enriching.

Attended a customer's mum wake @ Garden of Rememberance (old Chua Chu Kang Road) before rushing back to office (west to east)
Had fond memories of Chua Chu Kang as it has been my playground for many years (my army days). Recently during my reservist , i was also there for live firing.

Trust (II)

When we grow in our trust in GOD, we will see a corresponding growth in our trust in people. GOD meant for us to live not just in relationship with HIM, but in relationships with people.

Without trust, we can't develop strong and healthy relationship with those who lead us and with those we lead.
If there's trust, there will be transparency in relationships, a willingness to be open and be real with each other. Accountability and submission flows freely and lovingly in an atmosphere of trust.

Trusting people empowers them. It brings out the best in them because it express your belief in them. All of us want people to trust us and want to be trusted. Unlike GOD whom we can trust wholeheartedly because of WHO HE IS, we must build trust in our relationship. And trust is built not just on Character but in Competence.
Keeping commitments, delivering results, making effort to get better, all contribute to the trust account with our family and friends, our leaders, our cell members.

What do you think of the above?
Easlier said than done? When was the last time you lose someone's trust or you don't trust him or her? Is it easlier to gain or lose a trust?