Bandaged Soul...so I can open my heart to you again.

I'm a happy girl today. Had worship rehearsal in the morning, team leaders' meeting straight after, and went IKEA to get some stuff for TP Band's visit to SAF Central Band. Just drove in to the car park when Peck and I was on the phone and we decided to have the BBQ at F2 East Coast Park like we talked about the last time I was there with them . I bought this 'lil instant BBQ pit (no kiddin', it's really little and I have photos to prove it!) at Giant after that, looking forward exactly to what we had today. If Peck had not instructed me not to bring anything (she just grabbed whatever barbequeable from her freezer, I would have detoured home to retrieve my box of bacon-wrapped oyster that I had prepared a few days ago. I find it amazing that Peck would drive all the way from Bukit Panjang to this part of the island to let her kids indulge in sand play. I wonder when the kids will grow out of this. But as long as they are still at it, I would like to be a part o...

When you fall, don't stay down and let the devil win, because you are a child of the Most High God! "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

It's a little stressful at the office today. But this video made me laugh.

Have you ever felt so broken inside that you couldn't cry even if you try? It would be better if you could find release through streams of tears. So when that doesn't happen, everything just gets choked up inside like a lump in the center of your chest - a constant pain going deeper and deeper, taking more effort to even work it out into a groan. When it gets easier, you wonder if it's good or bad. It's so tiring to try again, and again, only to realise that all the hard work seems to just lead to a series of failures. It's an emotional roller coaster when you work on a relationship like a blind person, feeling your way through the unspoken rules you didn't set. And your own rules? They are non-existent because they are easily broken with the fear of losing someone you treasure. Just when you think you hit the right switch, the bulb blew in your face... again. Of course I have learnt to deal with it by making the choice not to be affected. Yet I feel that by do...

Here I am, again, chilling out at The Olives after 2nd Service and a 2pm meeting with Fiona and Aili to discuss contents of vocal workshop for the Worship Ministry Worship Vocalists. So I finally went to watch the movie - Okuribito (English title - Departures). Embedded is a piece of music of the same name by Joe Hisaishi. The melody has a calming effect, especially so with the accompaniment on the piano - the chords beneath bring out the melody line so beautifully. It gives me a combined sense of contentment/resolve and serenity. Okuribito - 久石譲 I also found the music video of the soundtrack with vocals. Nice arrangement, with a wider variation in the mood, and soothing alto voice of this singer called Ai. It's a 4.5/5 tissue box score movie for me. Makes me think of how I want to live my life, and how I want to love those who are important to me while they are still alive.

Micaela's Aria - "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante" - Kiri Te Kanawa (Click here if you can't see the YouTube video.) Was at St Hilda's Band Camp on Wednesday with my manager, Sonny Lim, who was invited to speak about the music that they were playing for SYF. He told them the story of Georges Bizet's opera, Carmen and explained the story according to the different segments arranged in the CD. Though the music was not in chronological order, but based on what he said, I could visualize how the story went and was particularly attracted by the character, Micaela, and her love for the dumb mule (haha) who fell in love with Carmen. I had to hold back my tears at the segment where Micaela's aria was played. Now that I finally know the full story of Carmen, I feel like watching it. I'm still craving for Popeyes' biscuits. Probably end up at Singapore Flyers the next time I go MSq. Oh...I might be going there this Saturday after all! See if I can drive...

The Trouble With Being a Winner A short article by Ron Hutchcraft Even with all the scandals we hear about on the news, I thought this one was particularly stunning: the governor of a large state, arrested by the U. S. Attorney for what he described as "a corruption crime spree." The charges included allegations of seeking bribes in choosing someone to fill President Obama's Senate seat, bribes for state jobs and contracts, attempting to intimidate a newspaper into firing reporters who were critical of him. This one seemed really over the top! Chuck Colson knows about abusing power and paying for it. He spent time in prison for his corruption-related activities in the Nixon administration. He said the Governor of Illinois had the same cancer that has brought down so many successful people. Colson called it the "spiritual cancer" of pride. I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and Chuck Colson's insight on this story are, or should be, convicting for many of us. He said of the...

It's been such a long time since I last shared at my fortnightly prison visit that this batch would not have heard from me before. I've been telling my group members that this is not what I've signed up for when I entered this ministry...that was like, what, 5 years ago? I have this phobia about sharing God's word. It's like, what if I teach the wrong thing? There was once I even bailed out last minute. But this time...couldn't seem to get away from it when I was asked 2 weeks ago to take the sharing. I was promised help if I need it and was also convinced that I shouldn't keep putting off what I should eventually progress towards. Today came. How everything came together was nothing less than God's grace. I prayed, God answered. I got the topic, did a bit of search in the Bible, asked a few people questions to get some ideas and inspiration, and finally came out with the notes for this afternoon. The topic - 'Grace'. How apt. The past 2 weeks h...

OMGosh...my back is aching! Well, as expected lah. Went for a facial spa and body scrub with my colleague, Fayanne yesterday afternoon... as a 'friend' for this exclusion promotion under her credit card. It was supposed to be a pampering treat. But for people like me, who has a low pain threshold, I think it's not value for money. Cuz I'd either be laughing away or all tensed up in anticipation of the pain. The laughing part probably releases the tension...and that's about it. One thing I know for sure, I'd definitely not want to park at Orchard Hotel again. It was a weekday and the first hour costs $4, and $1.50 for subsequent half hour!!! Wah, thank God they sell this 4-hour ticket at $4.80. We were there early so plus the whole treatment, I paid another $1 more. I would have to pay $14 plus if not for that ticket! Faint... After the treatment it was MSq Xin Wang for dinner and some shopping. Today I tried this red bean ice. Wah, super nice. Gotta have that ag...

So it was another movie with Kenneth. We wanted to watch "He's Just Not That Into You" since like last week, oh but, so many movies, so little time...haha. We watched Slumpdog Millionaire a few days ago with Hilyah at Great World City. My second time there for a movie, and still, didn't get to shop much cuz it was quite late after the show. Next time must make it a point to go for a later show so I can jalan-jalan before that. Not that I have a lot of things to buy, but I just want to explore that place. And I thought the Long Service Award performance was going to be a cruise. Well, it is lah, technically. Just that overall, there were more practices than expected. Nevertheless, it was still fun. We were so on that we decided to do a surprise number and we're going to get them to sing along. Seldom get to be on the same stage with my sister. She's not singing, but will be emcee-ing at the event tomorrow. Hope the rest of the awardees and Directors and PCEO en...

3 new areas of replacements today. First, 2 new temp staff in the office. The band replaced the old cabinets with 3 new ones. My house fridge has been replaced...finally. Now I know that when you bring in a new fridge, you should let it stand for 2 hours without turning it on. So we waited till about an hour ago. The turning on was delayed because mom hasn't finished organizing her stuff and didn't want to keep opening and closing the fridge door. Now, whatever we put in are still not cold enough and the ice not frozen up yet. I'm dying for some ice cold water. I haven't had my daily dosage. :P~ Long Service Award this Thursday. 2 weeks ago HR called me for a meeting with a few other recipients to come up with a performance item. So stupid. I told my sister (who's in our HR) exactly how I felt. I thought those receiving the awards should be honoured. Why make us perform to entertain people? As if our performing talent is part of our job and the reason why we are rec...

This morning I was moved by Pastor Yang's message. The praise and worship hit home for me and prepared me for His word. This is the song that did it for me. It reminded me of His faithfulness, and I was overwhelmed by His love all these years since I became more conscious of my faith. Crying makes me feel so tired... and sometimes it makes me emotional the whole day. Get a grip! Anywayz, hope you'd be ministered by this song... :) God Of My Forever - City Harvest Church GOD OF MY FOREVER by Gan KC VERSE 1: God of my youth, I remember Your call on my life took me o’er Your love has seen me through all my days I stand here by Your grace On this altar I’ve written my life Tells of a story I have with You, my Lord I want the world to know CHORUS: God of my forever And forever I’m with You My life is saved with a price Your sacrifice redeemed my soul God of my forever And forever I will sing My greatest honour will always be To serve my Lord and King VERSE 2: God of my all, I’ve sur...