| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Action & Adventure |
yeaps, today is 冬至，or winter's solistice in the Chinese calender. We celebrate this festival by eating 汤圆, or rice dumpling-balls cooked in sugar syrup. According to my mom, we are supposedly to grow one year older also ("冬至吃汤圆大一岁"), and this is supposedly a festival of more significance than Chinese New Year.*
Had to help mom roll all the little floor balls in the morning, Hadn't been doing that for a while - it's therapeutic actually. 
One disturbing thing is that I kept humming the tune from 大长金，the koran soap drama that just took Asia by stormn earlier this year. Very disturbing. Thank God I didn't break down in tears and ask my mum, " Can I really make good dumplings?"#
Well, here's wishing everyone happy festivity!
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For more info on 冬至, follow this link: http://aeea.nmns.edu.tw/2001/0109/ap010918.html ; on 吃汤圆大一岁，follow this link: http://lkcn.net/eubbs/index.php?s=&act=ST&f=13&t=60339
* Yes, a lot of "supposedly". That's what happens when you have different schools of thought on traditions : "According to what Mother said" vs "According to what Grandma said" vs "According to that auntie who lives across the block, but has been close family friend since kampung days" ... 
# Yea, just borrowed the DVD series from my friend a month ago. But I've been slow-going in my viewing, only up till disc 5, and there are 19 discs altogether! *Groan*
On Monday, I bade farewell to a bunch of lovable people I've grown to love and banter with. Yeaps, have been volunteering at a Christian organisation for the past one and a half months*. It has been a good time labouring with fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ. Even though we were not doing the same work, I can sense that we are all workoing for the Lord.
Well, learnt a few things while voluntering there:
1) It's not all airy-fairy, roses-champagne working for the Lord.^ The workplace just went through re-envisioning and merging of few regional entities into one office. Due to bugetting constraints, people were laid off in the process, which in turn raised questions and concerns among the staff. I guess saying that you trust in the Lord for providence, and actually living it out is pretty two different matters altogether. It's a real struggle, but that's where building your faith comes in, I think...
At the same time, I am gladdened at the way the leadership handled the questions of the staff. It was prompt and transparent, with leadership coming all the way down from the top. I am also heartened by the way the staff chose to respond. Brings to mind Hebrews 13:16-17:
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. - Heb. 13:16-17 (NIV)
2) It's good to start off the work day with corporate worship and devotions. This is my first time experiencing morning devotions at a workplace environment. The spiritual food that is passed out every morning during these times are so essential to setting my posture and position before the work I was to do. Basically, my job function wasn't a very glamorous one.** I was to be in charge of cataloging the audio recordings at that palce. In the end, it came up to about 5000+ CDs and 2000+ audio-record tapes. Yes, pretty mundane and boring job, by job nature. Thank God for the constant encouragements and help I had from my other team-mate and the rest of the staff, in doing this task. Also, the morning corporate-session helped to anchor my thoughts in "I'm working for the Lord". Think that was one big element absent in my attitude in my previous employment.
3) I am blessed beyond my wildest imagination - not only materially, but spiritually. I have 2 fellow workers who came and share with me their personal journeys. How what I am going through is not an accident or punishment, but something that is intended by God. And the prayers that were prayed over me and for me - really, really appreciate that.
Also, technically I've only worked 1 and a half months, by my count. So I filed in my re-imbursements for transport and lunch money. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I received additional money - it was a love gift from the people there. It was not much^^, but it was not the amount that counts. It's the thoughtfulness and appreciation that goes behind the love gift.## Plus that little amount does goes to contribute me being a little more merry. 
Well, I still haven't written that farewell message to the bunch of peopel I left on Monday. Still thinking of what I'm going to write. Lets hope I can get that out by next week... In the meanwhile, have a merry, merry Christams, and a blessed, blessed new year, my fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ!
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* yea, the days where I've been working la. in actual fact, it was around 2 months, if you count in all the Public holidays and sick and rest days that I took...
^ erm, guess i'm a bit naive to think that la. But that's what a lot of people wish for, that life would be smooth-sailing and troubles-free... Guess I'm still a babe# with regards to that thinking
# as in a "baby" or "infant", not "hot chick" 
** haha, when I first told people about my volunteer stint, they always ask me "Singapore got Christian radio station meh?". Then they would follow up with "So, you now a radio deejay ah?"
^^ not that I was expecting a lot, or even expecting the love-gift in the first place.
## John 21:15-18. "Feed my sheep..."
yea, been to Johor Bahru (J.B.) twice within the space of a week... First time is to go in with 3 church kakis on last Thursday. Haven't been catching up with them for a while, so accepted their invitation to go for an outing to J.B. Had a great time in there, because it's really been a while since I've went around the town of J.B. Even though I stay 10 mins walk away from the physical causeway link, I've seldom ventured into J.B. Yes, it may be easier for me to go JB than to go Orchard, but I seldom go in. Just see it as a hassle to go in. But it sure makes a difference when you got kakis to go with.
We decided to chill out in City Square for the day. The girls had their own agenda. Basically, they wanted to a) shop; b) shop and c) yes, you got it, shop , cos' "everything is so cheap"! I actually cringed# when people say that out loud in J.B. Bad enough that we "kia-su" Singaporeans go in by droves and hordes to make use of the advantegeous* rinngit exchange and drive up the living costs in the town of JB. To say the obvious fact out aloud... That's why I backed away from the girls when they were in the "shopping frenzy-rave"**. It's like standing next to a lamp-post in the middle of a desert during a thunder-storm.^ But I'm glad they return to "normal" after they were done with their shopping... 
And by God's grace, we weren't clobbered to death by the J.B-ians, so all was well.
Well, me and the guy weren't into shopping. He went for a relaxing thai massage while I roamed outta City Square and went walking around the town. Didn't venture beyond 5 minutes' walk away from City Square. Was busy trying to recognise landmarks and features. I used to go into J.B. quite a lot when I was in primary school. That was because I got dragooned in by my mum to help her carry all the groceries she bought during the weekly Sunday wet-market shopping trip. Not bad for a 8-year old, to carry 2 large plastic bags of vegetables, meat and fish across the causeway.## Anyhow, I magaed to recognise a few old buildings and landmarks. For some weird reasons, that gave me a simple pleasure and joy I can't describe. Must be getting old and being nostalgic...
After that, we decided to go catch a show at MegaPavilions. My guy friend treated us to the show. Even though he had to pay for 4 person's adult tickets on a Thursday, it still beat paying the equilvalent of cheapest movie tickets in Singapore on a weekday. We saw 
After that we adjourned for a sumptous dinner amonst the back alleys of the town. All in all, it was a great trip.
Well, I related the trip to another church friend, and that got him all itchy into going inside J.B. So we went in with another friend on Tuesday 2 days ago. We went in much earlier this time round, and I was treated to a sumptuous dim-sum breakfast at a kopi-tiam. After that we decided to go but movie tickets. According to my friend, Tuesday is a good day to catch a show in J.B. as it's 6 Ringgit per show whole day (tops S$3 per show, if you convert by exchange rate). They have a lot more other promotions for movies - methinks it's because they have to fight with the "pirates". Anyway, we watched Great day it is...
Well, I think that's enough of JB for a while. Probably would go in again around August or September, when it's time to buy mooncakes again...
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# Yes, physical reaction, like when people scratch their fingernails across glass surface? ewwww...
* to us Singaporeans la...
** almost like shark frenzied by the smell of blood. hmm... maybe can ask National Geographic to do a special on that.
^makes no sense actually - why would people put a lamp-post in the middle of a desert? But you get my point...
## but you sure won't want to be caught in a jam on the causeway with fish on you. Trust me on this one; I'm talking about the days before they had air-conditioned buses for bus service 170. and even if you got air-con, that may not be necessarily better. Better for the fish if they were in air-con; not for you who are carrying them. hmmm, maybe taht's why I did'nt like going to J.B. : negative association...
^^ as the Brits would have said it...
*** Yes, Narnia to me is that good...
another wedding for this year, making it the 4th one amongst my closer friends in church. Have the honour of being one of the "brothers" of the groom ("做兄弟"）. One of the easier times* I had as a "brother". For one thing, didn't have to wake up at unearthly hours to go the groom's place. Assembly time was at 8.30am~ can you imagine? One reason why is because the groom's place was relatively near to the bride's place; also there weren't as much ceremonial stuff that was scheduled.
Going past the sisters' challenges at the bride's side was also quite benign^ The wasabi-jam sandwich weren't the worse I've eaten. Plus, I've learnt my "lesson" well - took a smaller piece than the rest of the brothers. Anyway, I've decided to become part of the new generation brothers - follow the sisters to "tekan" the groom. 
if you can't beat the sisters, should always join them, I say... niak niak niak!
For the church ceremony and solemnisation, my friends chose SAM (Singapore Art Museum). For that section, I was tasked to be the worship leader**. That one I stress - ask me to sing karaokae, still can la. Ask me to lead people in sing-song, that's another matter entirely. 
^^ By God's grace, I had a superb team of musicians and vocalist to back me up in the worship.
The exhortation was led by my church associate pastor, Pastor Tony. It was interpreted into Mandarin by his wife, Choy Moi. Haha, even though it was supposed to be preachings on the Word, somehow it didn't stifle the ceremony. Pastor gave a great message, and his wife's interpretation was superb. I hoped the couple had time to absorb the message...
The reception afterwards was good. And God really blessed the weather - even though it was quite cloudy, it didn't rain and there was enough lighting for photography. All in all, a great wedding. The couple went for honeymoon - they should be back in Singapore by this time of writing. Maybe go "dee seow" the couple a bit, niak niak niak...
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* I've been "brother" so many times, think use my fingers and toes also cannot count liao. if I really do believe the "curse" that you won't marry if you do "brother"-ing for people more than 3 times, then I would be a big challenge to SDU and SDS.
^ Compared to my other horror encounters. You can tell how horrible the "tortures" are by the way we brothers address the female companions of the bride. If we call them auntie ("阿姨") instead of sisters ("姐妹“）, this is a sure indication that we are not having a time of enjoyment...
** Yes, all very organised and meticulously planned one. All pre-wedded couples would solicit the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), in Microsoft Word and Excel document form, from their already wedded friends. Makes you wonder how did people get married before the days of IT ...
^^ Yes, yes, last time scouts go campfire and stuff; but that's different, you see...
argh, where have all the time gone to? It's been a while since i last blogged. well, better make up for lost time ... Am gonna write a couple of entries... all on the same day. Enjoy...
P.S. Have attached a poll on my latest entry. Do vote for ya favourite!
| Rating: | ★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
Been singing this song for morning devotions these few days. The tune and the lyrics kidna stuck in my head....
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Majesty (Here I Am)
Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty
Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Written by Stu Garrard/Martin Smith ©2003 Curious? Music UK
Turned on my PC this morn and tuned in to K-love music, an online station. Great selections of songs they had this morn!
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Third Day - Sing A Song
From the album Offerings II
I want to sing a song for You, Lord
Lord, for You I want to sing a song
And I want to lift my voice to Heaven
And listen to the angels sing along
A song of Your faithfulness
A song of Your grace
And of Your loving kindness
To the glory of Your name
With everything that's in me, Lord
Listen to me say
I want to sing a song for You
I want to sing a song
I want to live my life for You, Lord
Lord, for You I want to live my life
I want to praise the name of Jesus
Pray above all things You're glorified
And I sing about Your mercy
And I sing about Your love
Your goodness, Lord
Your righteousness
I want to sing. . .
And we'll sing holy, holy, holy
We'll sing holy, holy, holy
We'll shout holy, holy
Are You Lord almighty
Yes, You are Lord
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Steven Curtis Chapman - God Is God
From the album Declaration
And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don’t know
And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fly, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust
God is God and I am not
I can only see apart of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God
And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I
Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass
Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through Him and from
Him are all things
So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone
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Chris Tomlin - Indescribable
From the album Arriving
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea,
Creation's revealing Your majesty.
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring,
Every creature unique in the song that it sings. All exclaiming...
(Chorus)
Indescribable, Uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God.
All powerful, Untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees and we humbly proclaim,
You are amazing God.
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go,
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light,
Yet conceals it to give us the coolness of night?
None can fathom...
(Chorus)
Incomparable, Unchangeable,
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same.
You are amazing God.
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May you have a great start to the weekend!
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Animation |
