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VERSE 1: ©1998, 2000 We Mobile Music / Integrity's Praise! Music |
(Taken from http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/AsWeWorshipYou.htm
)haha, this is the final week leading up to my pay-day, so you can guess my bank account is pretty "dry" by now*... So just remember I still haven't opened up my spiced pork cubes (五香肉丁) yet. So I made a plate of Indo-Mie Mee-goreng (dry) with my pork cubes. Tasted pretty good - despite getting my thumbs burnt a bit from not handling the plates and bolls with mittens.
WARNING: Cooking without the proper hand equipment while handling hot plates and bowls from the microwave /oven will result in burnt thumbs fingers, being laughed at from your fellow colleagues and severe loss to ego. :p
* what we Chinese like to say experiencing a drought "处于干旱境界"....
Disclaimer: Nope, these are not the actual shots of the stuff that I had; just got these pics off the Internet
"you want 2 chopsticks, must pay for chopstick surcharge"...
"Wait you eat bad tir kua"...
http://jacks51.multiply.com/music/item/121?mark_read=jacks51:music:121
hoho, got this in the e-mail from my friend at work. Well, some of them are pretty old, still, it's good to chase off ya monday blues :p
Went a bit earlier today to talk to the security guard. He called up the man-in-charge and lo and behold, it's Robert, the ground-keeper of my church. haha, he's a nice guy, but no-nonsense sorta fella. He gave me a firm lecture on how i was not to do my ninja thing again. :p I just have him the sheepish "boy-caught-in-the-prank" look and apologise profusely. He held up his finger and thumb an inch apart and said he was that close to lodging a police report when he heard what I had done. And we did have a nice chat on where I can park my beloved bike; it's okay to lock my bike on the church premises. Just make sure it's somewhere I can get to it easily in future.
望月怀远
张九龄
海上生明月，天涯共此时。 情人怨遥夜，竟夕起相思。 灭烛怜光满，披衣觉露滋。 不堪盈手赠，还寝梦佳期。 |
So here comes my serious effort:
Gazing upon the Moon in longing for someone afar
As the Moon rises over the sea, where-ever one's whereabouts is in the world, we are sharing the moment
The lover bemoans the longness of the night; and pines for his love
As the candles goes out, the light of the night fills the place; one puts on the overcoat and feels the heaviness of the dew
Cannot wait for the actual meeting face to face, back to sleep to anticipate the meeting in one's dream...
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Not so serious translation:
Sea-up-birth-bright-moon, sky-cliff-enjoy-together-now;
Lover-moans-long-night, actually-burglar-up-thought;
Put-out-candle-compassion-light-full, wear-clothes-feel-dew-drop;
cannot-fleeting-hand-give, go-back-to-bed-to-dream-of-best-date.
http://web2.tcssh.tc.edu.tw/school/guowenke/books/tangshi/poem127.htm
Thankfully, my "Jamis-maru" is up to the challenge. Even though it creaked and groaned a bit on the last 凶凶 stretch**, I managed to climb the slope without stopping! 
So had a good workout even before the start of church service - thank God I didn't stink up the main sanctuary with my perspiration...
So went downstairs to sit at the white tentage area. Turns out to be a sauna session, as the sun was really blazing around that time. Well, just by sitting there and doing nothing, sweat poured off my body - a veritable sauna session. But still, enjoyed it, just sitting there, marvelling at the green leaves on the tress, looking a the sparrows hopping on the ground, observing the people enjoying themselves, especially the young kids who were having a fun ruckus of their time in the playground...
After the baptism service, one of my friends asked me over to his office to try out his new Nintendo Wii machine~ It was a fun session! Imagine doing sports in the comfort of air-conditioned environment, having fun at laughing our heads off. I played tennis, bowling, boxing and baseball. Am quite proud to call myself a competent sportsman. While the graphics may not be superbly fantastic for next-generation gaming consoles, I still put my money down on the Wii for re-playability and group interaction over the rest of the consoles. Can't wait for my friend to buy new games, so that can go over and try them out, niak niak niak...
After a gruelling 3 hours' work-out session, I bade m yfriends farewell, and returned to my church to try to pick up my bike. Unfortunately, the area where I locked up my Jamis-maru was already sealed off by grille. So I couldn't get to my bike, as the security guard had no access to that area as well. So even though I know my bike is safe in the house of my Father, I still wished I could have ridden it home. Maybe it's His way of ensuring I do not cycle my way home, as I was quite tired out after the whole day activity.
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* This is a belated posting, so do not get conwhused by the time reference...
** think it creaked because I am too heavy 
*** where the parents of toddlers and babies can play and take care of their little ones while watching the sermon via video-feed.
So what's it about? Well, my friends** at work are crazy this Japanese drama series, called Ichi Rittoru no Namida or "1 Litre of Tears". "When I heard it i was incredulous. To cry 1 litre of tears, you'll probably get very sore eyes after the bout. So I jokingly say,"Eh, why stop at 1 litre? Go for 1 TONNE of tears la..."
Think my friends upped it some more, he renamed the title of our Skype chatroom as "1 reservoir of tears"... that one best la....
Wiki Entry:
* There's a follow up to this. "... But Christian men can cry." I don't know how the logic works...
** eh, more like only 2, and they are guys... and yesh, they are crazy because of teh female lead, Erika Sawajiri.
this morning while on the way to work, decided to stock up on my office pantry rations supply again. So dropped of the bus at one bus-stop further down the road to walk to NTUC to do my "marketing". Stocked up on my 2 litres Meiji milk again, with a can of Campbell's NEw England clam chowder and Vick's cough drop. Went to office and fixed up a fantastic breakfast, with three big piece of baguette to go with the soup. The soup tasted a tad too salty - maybe shouldn't have added the cheese? My friend said it could be because I didn't add enough water. Well, i'll find out tomorrow...
Woke up early in the morning* and decided top go buy breakfast for the family. Realised haven't really been doing much for the home this week, just go out to work, come home and plonked down to sleep. So decided to spend some quality time over "makan". First thing my mom asked when i reached home was how come my sis had to wake up at 4am to prepare. Think my sis had to help out in her church service again, that why had to wake up so early. Which is a first, cos she always have troubles waking up early in the morning. :p read the papers, bantered with my mum** and then rushed off to my friend's place on my bike***. It seems like his internet connection is finally working again. He had some problem over the last few weeks, and it was seriously affecting his work from home. Thank God that at least its' up and running again, so that he won't activate his dastardly plan to public shame the telco for their tardiness in solving my friend's woes. :p His mum treated me to fried 年糕 with 番薯. Quite an interesting combination - my mom usually just fry the 年糕 on it own.
Went home for lunch after raiding my friend of his comics and anime selection. :P My bro was gushing about the gifts his friend brought back from Japan for him. Showed him my raided goodies and he went to them like a bee to honey. :D After that, went online and chatted to friends online. Was so blessed by the conversation to one of my friends from CG over MSN. Really blessed my heart with her sharing. Was initially think of taking the afternoon off and "nua" at home - do some self-care. But after that conversation, guess it's His way of prompting me to go to church for that training session.
And I was glad that I went - had a good time of being ministered to by the sharing and lessons shared by not only the pastor, but by fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ who are undergoing the same journey. Had a good time of accounting to my leader, as I shared with him my fears and hopes. haha, was also challenged to think about membership into the local church seriously. ah well, that's another ball game altogether. Gotta pray more about that. :D
well, only 8pm now, so the night's still young, Might just go out for a movie later; but my heart is willing, but my wallet is not. :D the only show that I might want to catch now is "Meet the Robinsons." yesh, laughter is good for the soul...
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*around 8-tish. know to some people, that's unbelievable early for their saturdays. But I dun usually sleep in one la - morning person by nature.
** more like "suan" one another. Yesh, that's how we show love for one another. By throwing verbal barbs, Weird family mine is..
*** tentatively called "Jamis-maru". Initially wanted to call it "Zenki-maru", cos sounds Japanese and macho^. Then realise "Zenki-maru" is "鬼子丸". Don't want to have my mentor come have "kopi" with me on the theological significance of naming my bike "Son of Ghost"; so give it the tentative name of "Jamis-maru". Jamis is the brand of my bike. Model is Ranger SX.
^yes, we men think up of all kinds of crazy name for our toys. :p
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Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
Taken from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/amazinggracemychainsaregone.html
YouTube (Amazing Grace MV version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg
YouTube (Chris Tomlin Live performance) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeRdfnfCJwA&mode=related&search=
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“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”- Romans 5:6-8
My friend sent this sms early in the morning, which blesses my heart. May it bless yours too-
" 'The difference between trees and houses is that houses are built but trees grow, and anything which grows is always more beautiful to look at than anything which built - Lin Yutang, writer.' God creates trees, man build houses. Don't 'build' Christians, let His people grow...'"
Prior to the start of the sermon, we were treated to a choral performance by one of the choirs that were formed by the Indonesian churches of the Reformed Evangelical Movement. Me being musically dis-inclined*, can't really appreciate the full extent of the performance. But it was moving, to see the various singers performing in harmony and synchronisation to the conductor's leading. The choir performed Part III of Handel's masterpiece "Messiah"** for about 10 - 15 minutes***, but it felt like an eternity of being ministered by angelic voices.
After that and the worship service, Rev. Tong led us through a brief slide-show on the latest update of the church-building project in Jakarta. It was inspiring to see so many of our brothers and sisters in Jakarta gathered^ even before day-break, to go to the immense plaza to pray together.
After that, Rev. Tong went into the sermon proper, where he summarized on what he was led to preach earlier on for the Easter service on the preceding Saturday evening service and the Easter Sunday morning sermon. In a nutshell, he taught on how Jesus is the Lamb of the Passover for us and how Jesus is also the Lion of Judah. More nuggets of knowledge tumbled into my mind. An example of new knowledge is about the Roman Catholic and the Lutheran views about Limbo and Purgatory, and how it came to be that the line "he (Jesus) descended into hell/ to the dead" came to be incorporated in the Apostles' creed. Rev. Tong just mentioned the Latin term Limbus Patrium; and I sort of guess how that term became a vulgar^^ corruption into "Limbo". Yes, sometimes my mind just gravitates towards this kind of apparent useless trivia. Well, something learnt is something gained~
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*"tone deaf" and "music buffoon". :p
** from No. 50 onwards
*** I'm guessing, didn't really keep track of time.
^ about 3,000 plus people, if i remember the figures being reported correctly.
^^ "vulgar" in the sense of becoming the common vernacular, not having the meaning of "profanities".
See also
http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Limbus
http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/LEO_LOB/LIMBUS_Lat_for_edge_fringe_eg_o.html
Tried to wake up at 5am this morn, but after downing that can of Heineken before sleep last night really did me in. I managed to wake up to turn off my handphone alarm, before hitting the sack again. :p Next thing I knew, woke up at 6am~ :D
Did a quick wash-up and rushed out off house, without even drinking my first cuppa. That's why I think my demeanor was a bit black and grouchy while travelling from home to work. Did my expenses mentally in my head, and realise I actually went over my budget already, after less than 2 weeks of receiving my pay cheque. This means no more movies or "makan" outings for the month, and I gotta do breakfast and lunch in office for the next three weeks...
Decided to have a good breakfast, so went to NTUC to buy Campbell soup and freshly baked french loaf from the boulangerie*. Bought the Mushroom with roasted garlic flavor soup. Went into office, shredded a few leaves of my Chinese cabbage, plus toss in a few strips of cheese to thicken the stock. Then cut 2 hearty large slice of "roti" to go with my soup, and to top it off with a tall glass of Meiji's milk, fill cream. Simply heaven~~ Think I'll have this again for breakfast tomorrow. Although I wonder if i add bacon bits, will it change the texture?
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*ahahahha, totally lost all my French! My 1st rendition of the word was "boulingerie" :p in case you still can't guess, it's just french for bakery la...
All the colors of the rainbow
All of voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough
With every breath I take I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the Hope in every heart will speak what love has done
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Yesterday, the church choral group sang this song to start the service. Was very much ministered to by the lyrics. May this bless you all richly!
