Merry Christmas!! Ho-ho-ho!

Xmas pageant at SFA by St Joseph's Home

2008 is coming to an end?!
Omg...
Reflecting back, 2008 was supposed to be full of hypes and promises.
By the world, by Singapore.
A lot of buzz going on with Beijing Olympics being the highlight.
Which truly was spectacular and memorable.
To round the year off, we ushered in Recession.
One of the worst nightmares to happen.

Xmas season despite being joyful, always reminds us of our human failures
and how fragile our lives are.
A couple of years back we have the Tsunami,
and now we have a human disaster, Recession.
Christ was born at one of the most darkest periods
and we look upon Him during this season for hope.
Just imagine this year end with no Christmas,
with no hope for the coming of our Lord,
with no Christmas Sales and the yuletide gay,
the world would have been in deeper sorrow and mourning.

At church, many things were going on.
Having to juggle between choir, youth ministry and also
wrecking my brains over thesis, it's sure taxing.
Was I then spiritually prepared for Christmas?
Though I did not actively make a great effort to prepare myself,
our loving God has kindly helped me to do so.
By showing his immense love and mercy at my recent confession
By revealing to me the beauty and sweetness of love
Of tolerance, of patience, of forgiveness.
Anticipation and hope for the future (my pay, competition, reimbursements)
Affirmation and rewards of my hard work (dissertation)
Opened eyes and heart to new perspectives
on needs and wants.
Little little insights gained here and there in the span of one month
has been fabulous but hopefully it'll continue to reside in me.


Xmas dinner at Home

Christmas parties and feasts
All the fun and food, babes and hunks
shopping and more shopping
Will it seemed to mask the meaning of Xmas?
What about those people suffering?
God has given us the greatest gift of all
His beloved Son
This is certainly something to celebrate and be joyful of
Haha, shopping malls and some retail shops seemed to
adopt the colours of Advent (purple and pink)
and they've been playing Xmas carols that announces and rejoices
the birth of Jesus. Really hope this will somehow "brainwash"
people or have some kind of influence on them.
And it also reminds me of how universal and omnipresent our God is.

As 2009 arrives, I just continue to pray to be a person of hope
and the world will continue to give people hope
and not try to dramatize and emphasize the darkness and sadness
and may the oppressed be freed spiritually and not indulge in protests and terrorists' act.

Running 21 at the age of 25

I've told myself before that the Army Half Mara that
I ran during my officer days is my once and for all experience.
Never knew I wld "break that promise" to myself
and running for this yr's Standchart Half Mara.

Was very skeptical about this run ever since I signed up
I just wanted to run with the gorgeous and
fulfill her dream of running 21 again.
I knew I need a lot of time and training to build up my stamina

3 months...with less than 10 runs
And off we go...to challenge our limits
7 Dec 08, 6.30am.
The ambience was great and it's really enjoyable to run with so many people
Scenery and weather were good.
Felt bad tt i've to leave gorgeous at the halfway mark
and carry on by myself in hope of clocking under 2:30
The last 7km was a mad dash for me
Dunno where I garnered the energy from
Was madly whizzing past people
and my knees were madly in pain too
but i thought to myself...since i'm already in this madness
then just go for it!
Looking at my watch, i thought I still can make it.
The last stretch for the Padang was quite shiok,
running along the F1 racing track route
and I gladly finished in 2:24.
Though slower than my AHM of around 2:05
it's still a feat for me
For i'm now 25
With no 5BX every morning.
Happy for gorgeous who came in with 2:45
and thank you for bringing me to this race.

Full Marathon?..hah...let's see....

2nd Sun of Advent....summary of Cell Group @ Lighthouse

Started with a song, "Father We Come to Worship You".
One of my favourites.
And the five of us gathered in a circle on a colourful rug
Candles lit, books ready and wondering where's everyone else?
Hah...well it's the season of Hope anyway.
Be it two, three or ten people, we'll just do our bit to share,
to listen and to prepare.



Somehow, started off talking about what's God's hope for us?
Fr Michal sums it up with John 10:10
"I came so that you may have life."
Certainly, God wants us to live our life to the fullest.
And this fullness of life and knowing what's the Truth will fulfill that.
Nevertheless, He wants us to receive the gift of salvation.

And then we digressed a bit further and talk about God's will.
Well, we often question if we say that God has given us free will,
then why is it that we still talk about God's plans for us?
To make things less complex, this free will given to us,
if it satisfy certain "criterias" of God's will, then we won't go wrong.
Again, Fr Michal interprets God's will as what prophet Micah has said in Micah 6:8.
- Act justly
- Love tenderly
- Walk humbly with our God.
and this reminded me of the song "Companions on the Journey"!...

AND so...moving on to the Gospel reading...
Prepare the way for the Lord's coming...
How to prepare?
Hmm...we were asked to identify the "poor" and "afflicted"
in our societies. Not necessarily physically, materially, but also spiritually and emotionally.
What about ourselves?
Have we felt "poor" and "afflicted" at times?
Has any form of help been offered to me? Any comforting words from people?
Did we see hope?

As we continue with this Advent journey,
let's think how we can offer a certain hope to people around us
People whom we might not know, people we are "poor" and "afflicted",
and maybe ourselves even, to stretch out our arms to receive some kind of hope from others too.

May we pray and ask the Spirit to increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and find joy in fulfilling God's will and yearning for God's hope in us.

1st week of Advent...reflection

Did a posting on BLYM blog...so just copy and paste here....:P

~~~
Just a reminder, our Friday CG in the Youth room has stopped for this year and in place is our Advent Cell led by Fr Michal at Level 3 St Mary's Room. Do come as it's a wonderful preparation for Christmas! =)

Ay, here's what we started off with.
Discussion on "Hope".
What does 'hope' mean to us?
Some said there's active and passive hope.
You either sit there and dream about it
or you do something about it.
Fr M said there's secular and christian hope.
And here in this christian community,
it's the christian hope that we shld hold dearly to.
So what is this Christian Hope?
It surely is the yearning for a fulfillment,
the fulfillment of the fullness of love from God,
the perfect love, the everlasting and eternal love.

Ha...we also discussed a bit about people of other religions,
what is their hope then?
Ultimately, we believe that it's still the same God,
and we have the similar fulfillment that we're all yearning for.

And what about "hopeless" people?
In God's creation, there's nothing hope-less.
We're given the Gift of Life from Him,
to lead our lives fruitfully and meaningfully
and to be people of hope.

How do we remain hopeful?
The gospel reading of this Sunday tell us to
"stay awake!" and be watchful.
For the first time, I actually interpreted it directly
that I can't sleep! Surely, it's not about that. lol...
It's about us not indulging in the secular world and
not falling asleep in the christian world.
We ought to hear out for God's voice and the
opportunities that he has given us.



We're all beautiful seeds of the Sower
Tiny as it seems
Let it grow and flower
Bearing fruits of hope.

Roughing it out for Thesis Prep

Don't know why and don't know how
I somehow garnered this immense strength and determination
To cover the major waterways that i'm studying by foot, bus and train.
It was a crazy and tiring journey.
To walk like I've never walked before.
Walked like there's no tomorrow.
Walked till the rubber soles of my shoes all came out
by the end of the 2 days of trekking.
Muscle-ache, blisters on my foot and mosquito bites still itching.
But well, all these tribulations that placed on me
has definitely benefited me.
My stamina and endurance,
enjoyed place-hunting and took buses that i've never taken before.
Seen and visited. Opened my eyes to things.
Luckily Singapore is this small...
if not i wld have take one week, one month or years to do a substantial study.



Trust and believe
Take the first step and just go ahead
Holding back will just impede progress and stagnate your passion.

Tensions...

Has been quite a while since I last quarreled with my sister
Arrghh...over such a trivial matter so more...
Happened just when I sat down to eat my dinner
and she's about to finish already
Then she proclaimed, "So when do you want to use my massage voucher huh?"
And I replied with a sian voice, "I'm not free leh, all my weekends are packed."
Impatiently and annoyed, she said, "Can you watch your attitude of reply to me?"
Feeling maligned, I rebutted back and said that I was merely stating the fact and asked why she kept forcing and insisting that I have to take up the offer. I'm feeling unappreciative. And some more, she throw these questions to me when I'm feeling stressed over my exams the next day and worrying over my thesis. BaH....what a timely squabble over dinner.
She stormed off the dinner table and began her temper throwing feat.
Seriously, at that point, I just shook my head and continue to finish my dinner.
What is really the big fuss? Why is she picking on me at this instance?
She's always quite sensitive about not being appreciated...
for what she buys or does for people.

Anyway, yesterday, somehow I felt the tension.
Maybe it's just me feeling it.
When she's home, we speak a word to each other.
But then again, we seldom talk on weekday nights also.
Tired from school and work.
But yesterday was different.

Haiz...my peace continue to dwell at our homes.

Finished complaining.

November mad rush

Adrenaline rush
Completing endless list of tasks
Tired, worn out and stressed
Yet excited and joyful

Thesis still not well-developed
But alas! There's some direction.
My life revolved largely around thesis,
BLYM and church choir.
And in all these, I know He is journeying with me.
Tt's why i never give up, or resent
And also the sweet gorgeous
always there to support and encourage me
and spice up my life.
And my friends and family.
How blessed! What else can i complain?
Bring it ON!

Oh...the confirmation mass on Sat.
It's another emotional moment for me.
Brought me back to 10 years ago!
With that stamp of the Holy Spirit on me,
I've indeed grow and extend this Spirit to many.
Thank you.
And i tink the youth ministry has connected quite well
with this batch of confirmands.
Really hope we can nurture them well.

Alritey, another week awaits...or rather has started 40mins ago.
Just hoping that I keep my eyes, my heart, my mind and my soul
focused on Him (which is everyone I meet!). Tough yah?...
Come what may!

A blessed week in Barcelona

Thank you Lord for this more-than-special opportunity
Din think i'll be able to go Europe until after grad
But also thanking my parents
For being able to fork out the money first
before getting subsidy from school.


World Architecture Festival
3 days of great exposure
Meeting students from other schools
Seeing famous architects face to face
Heartened to see a couple of local architects
coming forward to support us at the Student Charette
WoHa, first time seeing them.
Pple from RSP Architects and DesignSingapore Council.
Well, though we missed the winning prize by that little bit,
we did our best and many are proud of it.


Torre Agbar by Jean Nouvel


Parc Guell by Antonio Gaudi

Next few days of sightseeing
Visiting all the major highlights in Barcelona
Great weather, no pickpocket incidents,
bumped into some cheap and good food.


Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi

Went to mass successfully at La Catedral and
luckily i went to the earliest mass, which is the only one
that used the real pipe organ and main altar.
The subsequent ones are at the central area with a separate
digital pipe and congregation area. How blessed again.


La Catedral


Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van de rohe

Yes, there were struggles during the trip...
trying to warm up to people.
The need to tolerate one other's differences
Controlling my rage against some who pissed me
with their behaviour, attitude and mentality.

Yah...and a major struggle in resisting the temptation in shopping.
But bought quite a number of worthy stuffs.
The shopping here is one of the best i've seen...comparable and bigger
than in Korea. Though slightly more expensive.
But the shopping experience is dynamic.
Love the streets and the vibrancy.
Hated the smoke from cigarettes.


View from hostel, alleys of La Rambla

Well, now it's back to reality
to work on my thesis
which is still in its infant stage or hibernation stage i think.
The trip has definitely opened my eyes to quite a number of things.
A number of revelations or architecture and architect.
No wonder architects get inspired while travelling to
ancient monuments like Pantheon.

1/4 less wise...

Quite unnerving experience
Seeing the tools used to ply my tooth out
Hearing the grinding and tweaking sound
WOW...din expect that.
But my dentistry fren is more nervous than me i guess
His prof is quite good.
A young Indian man with a strong accent
Wonders how my fren understood what was he asking
Ay, it's out. Felt as if a part of me is out.
Quite a big piece of "bone". =D

Love and obedience....

Taking a step back
To relook at things
To review and question
what's all these buzz about in my life?

Despite all the spiritual warfare
and mental battle...
Friends shared and stuffs I read spoke
It's all about love.

Have I been genuinely loving my service to Christ?
And loving the people in service?
Have I been obediently serving
or just plain self-righteousness and motives.

It shuddering to go back to basics.
It's frustrating.
But I guess it'll be renewing
And a good wake-up call.

Random...=D (click on image to read more clearly)

"LUST"

Lust for peace in the mind
Lust for freedom from sins
Lust for truth
I wonder

Lust for beauty and good looks
Lust for material possessions
Lust for monetary rewards
I'm yoked

Lust for time and relaxation
Lust for something different
Lust to rebel
I'm burdened

Lust for temptations
Lust for pride and status
Lust for lusts
I'm enticed

A period of spiritual warfare
it could be
The Holy Spirit is weak within
And satan's voice ever louder
Or who is whose voice?

I discern
I pray
I struggle
I seek

and ye shall find...

like this article from TODAY newspaper...

Yet again...another 'delivery'

Hurricane-swept room - the aftermath


Packed all my readings into three transparent
holders...now under my table for good.


It all began in late April
About 4 months.
It was an academic research madness
Colonized central library, IRC and some nice cafes.
Had excuses to go ECP and cooking at fren's place
in the name of doing dissertation...hah. But well worthed it.
Had an agonizing time trying to complete survey
LISS people prayed for me
Finally did it.
Fellow archi frens got so depressed and distressed at certain point
Lent a helping hand whenever i could
despite me being very stressed too
But I guess the Almighty gave me the strength
Many wonderful things happened over this quarter of the year
lots of blessings, joys, revelations, comfort,
confessions, cleansing, deepening....
despite having this dissertation thing
haunting me at the back of my mind
Thank you Lord Jesus, for carrying this cross with me
May i learn to carry your cross more willingly too. =)

Mid-autumn @ Jurong Park

First lantern festival celebration @ Jurong Lake Park
With some of the choir members and Moli
Omg, the queue for the cars to enter the park is crazy!
Luckily we went to park at the HDB and just walk over in 5mins.
Pleasant experience, unexpected fireworks, good weather
and more peaceful at the Park then squeezing with the crowds
in Chinese Garden.

my 2nd river of life drawn...(lost the first one)

din have the mood to draw out the details...
used colours to represent eventually...

A blessed "ordeal" last friday

(LISS - Life in the Spirit Seminar)

Hi Martinus (group facil),

Just wanna share with you something.
Hope you have the time to read this. Not too long lar...

After your very spirit-filled and empowering sharing with me that Sat evening at Teresa's place,
it gave me a major "headache" actually which left me with a big dilemma. But it was a good headache. In fact, it's a wake-up call to actually answer myself what is truly preventing me from going for the retreat.

I went back home, feeling really burdened with thoughts, feelings and decisions to make.
I was tired and decided to sleep early. Before i slept, I pick up the handout that Br Emmanuel gave us. I read it. It then dawned upon me that i've been so silly all these while. I asked myself this question, "Why am i so stupid?" The fact that I want to go for the retreat is to have "Freedom". And to really experience this gift that He'll be giving me. I've been asking and seeking all these while, and then in the end, i held back. I just broke down and cried.
There and then, I can really feel the Holy Spirit speaking to me and the gift of reconciliation that He is offering me. I could feel the yearning of Him for me to go before Him and seek forgiveness, to just "let it out", so that He could grant me the peace and comfort.
This experience was heart-wrenching, but yet beautiful.
It opened up the doors in my heart and empowered me to seek this reconciliation.

It won't happened without LISS and without you talking to me.
I do not feel stress anymore.
My heart says, yes, i will go for the Sat's evening session and will stay over till Sunday.
But also, I will not feel disappointed if I can't go for it in the end due to my commitment in church.
All i need is just to create and find another opportunity for me to reconcile with Him and experience the fullness of the HOly Spirit. Actually, what i really need now is a good confession.

So yes, the following day, i went church to see if there's any possibility that i can go for the retreat.
My youth ministry's retreat still stand at 5-6Sep and on the 6 Sep we have a youth mass (6-7pm). Unfortunately, Moli supposed to play for the mass but she's at the retreat, so we got a stand-in organist to play. The youth choir that'll be singing is also newly-formed. First time doing it. Looking at this, I really need to be back for the youth mass to hold the fort.
On Sunday, 7 Sep, similar thing. It's a stand-in organist and I'll need to work out the psalms with her and to be present for the practice in the afternoon.

Seriously, I would have felt very stressed that the situation doesn't seem to allow me to go for the Retreat's Sat evening sessions. But He has showed me the way and that he has opened doors for me...perhaps i can't enter it for this LISS retreat, but I will in the near future.

....He has transformed people in different ways, and for me, weirdly, even before the retreat started.

Sincerely,
Michael.

Glimpse of my aRCHI life...

City Exhibition '08. A rewarding closure to my 4th yr of study

Cycling frenzy from ECP to Changi with Sarah and John
(my first time)

Cooking session at Zou Tong's place with John and Sarah..
in the name of doing dissertation together...=D

Year 4 Cohort 07/08


Some decided there's more to life...grad with Honours
and many frens showing our support!!

Ultimate test of patience..lol.

Asked my LISS group to pray for patience thru'out the wks...esp for friends..
Ended up being put to a series of tests...AH!!...but luckily, that song came and "save" me. +)

Screaming kids on the bus
Why can't their parents control them?
Do they own the bus?
Simply intolerable...
really felt like going up and tell em off
But just closed my eyes and try to focus on my mp3 songs

Screaming kids in my class
They're just so full of energy and joy
Not frustrated by their behaviour
But more of the deafening decibels
and the losing of my own voice to make myself heard

Waiting for the bus at the interchange
Strange guy beside me singing along to his mp3 music...
Tamil songs...Indian guy...
Everybody's is in their own world?

Noise noise noise...

Saturated mind and saturated discussions in school
Dissertations...
Back at home...just wanna have peace.
But mum just wanna "nag", well...she's just doing her daily rituals
But i just can't take it for tt week...
Best solution, just keep quiet. No point retaliating.

Smoked out..!
I hate the smoke coming from the cigarettes into my room
All thanks to my neighbour living below me
Have the urge to write a letter and tell em what i've been
suffering...but told myself to try tolerating a little while longer.
Just blast my fun towards the window and get the smoke outta the way!

Fed up with my warped mind sometimes
The addiction to certain sins...
Satan happily planting his seeds in me
And sometimes i "happily" nurtured it..
It's so tough fighting...
worldly desires, self-centredness,
confusions, identity, true feelings...

Will these "scars" make me stronger for life?
Yes it will, and I trust in Him.
But the road is just tough.
So let me complain...

Song that rang in my ear and heart...

"Praise You In This Storm" - by Casting Crowns
Youtube MTV

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/praiseyouinthisstorm.html

tick tock tick tock....

Must document my anguishing moments of the past two wks
before September arrives...
Working towards the 22nd Aug Final Draft submission was a tremendous feat
Never knew it could be as mind-wrecking and energy consuming as design submission
In anyway, I've made it. Thank God. Really. For sending all the guardian angels and "support groups" to help me tide through these difficult periods.

05 Aug - Cooking session at Zou Tong's place with John and Sarah. Memorable and fun. Did my initial survey compilation. Mundane but exhausting.

18 Aug - Just finished content page and sorting out materials. Trying to finish reading stuff. Stayed in library till 9.30pm with John and Sarah.

19 Aug - Organizing my thoughts in word doc. Skipped tuition as i begin to panic. Stayed in school till 10pm. Wrote abstract and about 1500 words and finished compiling the survey. Yay!
Rushed home to catch Olympics highlights.

20 Aug - Lecture lecture...continued to work on dissertation till 10.30pm. Really really desperate now. Wrote 3000words. After catching the Olympics highlight, couldn't bear myself to sleep. Continued writing and *bleagh* came another 2000words...total 5000words. Cool, can sleep liao. 3am.

21 Aug - One day before submission. Worked from morning till 5pm at home before i rushed off to give tuition. This thurs class more impt, so can't really apply leave. But...at least i'm almost 3/4 done. Came back home. Same ritual. Olympics first. Then work like mad till 3am. Don't know why, think my brain a bit saturated and overworked, only managed to spit out another 1000words. By then, still left with the last chapter and conclusion. Shucks...never mind. Still got friday morning.

22 Aug - Literally jumped out of bed at 9am, quickly get into the writing after all the morning rituals. 2pm, finally hit over 10,000words. Immediately got into the printing phase and it took long....3pm. Rushed down to the shop near my place to do binding for my prints. Aunty not in, cannot do the job. *Screams* I knew it...it's just part of this "Calvary" journey that i'm in. Never mind, took a cab, rushed down to school, went YIH to do binding. Time: 3.50pm.
10 more mins to submission deadline. In the end, handed up to tutor at 4.05pm. Only saw Sarah and a few others going about the frantic sprints to hand up our drafts. Ultimately, found out that this deadline isn't after all that crucial. Some tutors didn't even follow strictly to that. My prof said I just have to be confident that I can do it within the next few weeks, then he won't "fail" us at this stage.

So what's with all the hype and the obsession with the deadline? Nearly made me aged by 10years. Anyhow, am relieved that i've vomitted out those words. Now is just to refine, consolidate and solidify.
Need to thank my gf and the LISS members for keeping me in their prayers.
Praise and thank God. Although it was tough and nerve wrecking, it was a fruitful sprint.

Walking on tight rope...

31 Jul 2008. One day before August.
And i'm feeling like walking on a tight rope
Swaying from left and right, trying to find my balance.
Felt so insecure and vulnerable once again.
Trying to write 400o words for dissertation draft the day before
Struggling to find bind my thoughts and write coherently
10 dollars left in my wallet Bank reserves at all time low
What i eat, how i commute
All took a toil in my head to plan
and make sure i can survive with that 10bucks
Kept thinking: "Money isn't everything, but without money, is really quite a headache"
Constantly remind myself to just let go and trust in the Lord.
Well, at least i have 10 bucks and not 10cents.
Went to help out set up the City Exhibition at Vivo
Decided to catch the last bus back to Boon Lay..
not enough for cab anyway.
The bus 30 ride back was unexpectedly rewarding.
It weave through the coastal estates of the west,
the old neighbourhood estates of Jurong
Watching the industrial estate glitters in the far distance
And quite landscape passing by..
It's really quite a nice feeling.
Oh...i think it's the start of the hungry ghost festival
People lighting up candles and lined the streets
Burning incense paper that has the nostalgic smell lingering in the air
As i reached Boon Lay Interchange, I was making a decision between
taking a $8 cab back (use nets) or just walk back.
Somehow, strangely, there was an urge to make that night walk.
No regrets. It was peaceful and therapeutic.
Watching the town in shut down mode, I see the ice-cream man packing up,
empty cabs cruising around and looking for their "preys",
empty streets and roads, and i simply enjoyed jaywalking.
>(insert...gosh...am writing this @ Vivo coffebean and it's annoyingly noisy!
An uncontrollable kid just cried non-stop at the atrium...)
Anyway, continuing...
I've walked 20mins before reaching Macs to grab a hot fudge sundae.
Remaining journey home was more familiar.
Thinking back, if I haven't been that barren in the pocket,
I wouldn't have experienced all these,
which is so un-ritualistic and unconventional of my hectic life.
Reminded me of how I used to walk back from the train station
back to the hostel in Korea.
Also about a 30mins walk.
Our dearest Father in heaven,
thank you for always giving me little pleasant surprises now and then
although it does comes with some "training" and "hardships"
But it meant something
To learn to not hold on too tightly to whatever plans i have
But just to let go and let You take charge.

Loving life and loving You. ~

Chilling @ Arts Canteen on a bright sunny morning

Felt like i'm on holiday
Chilling out at a comfortable place with good view
Sky is clear and blue, so is the sea (that i could see in the distance)
Morning rush hour was madness
Took 1.5hr to reach sch for my dental appt
The sea is also bustling with activities, so packed with ships and boats
Wondered how they navigate to avoid crashes
Still, sitting here and watching activities and time goes by,
simply enjoyment, that i much treasured,
that would not come by that easy
in a couple of years' time when i enter workforce.
Fret not, just live everyday like you've never lived before.
Thank God for this beautiful morning.

Anyway, a momentous episode that occurred yesterday.
Saw someone left their keys on the mailbox
Happened to me a few times too
First reaction, just leave it there. That person will come and claim.
Went into the lift, mad struggle within.
"Should I just help? Or ignore?"
Door opened, and i press "Close" again.
Went down to first floor, walked towards the mailbox,
took out the keys and went to find the unit no.
*Knock knock*..."wrrff, wrrfff!!" dog barked.
Heard noises in the house. Owner came and peek through the viewer.
Refused to open the door,
probably because i dressed like a salesman then.
But i didn't relent.
Kept knocking only into believing that the door will be opened.
After several failed attempts, I left.
But left the keys hanging at the door. That's the most i think i could do.
~ Thoughts ~
Problem with high-rise HDB living nowadays.
People don't know each other.
Live in the same block, same column some more.
Didn't recognize my handsome face.
Scared that i'm a salesman or someone up to no good.
Why would a salesman come and sell things at 10pm?
Really puzzled me. Is opening a door so difficult?
At most just turn down the offer if its a salesman.
Everyone is just closing up and setting up a huge defense shield.
They ought to chill men...
Haiz...
好心没好报。。。

Blessed experiences

2nd July 2008
Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong Funeral Mass
shortly after I came back from Vietnam
Read about this good shepherd returning to our Father in heaven
He was the one who graced my Sacrament of Confirmation
Laid hands on my head and confirmed me
A humble and amicable person
A very grandfatherly figure
And that simply explained the crowd that was present
Standing outside under the shady trees, the cool breeze prevailed
It was a bright sunny day, not until rolls of thunder filled the air
It was sudden, and fast. Dark clouds started gathering
at one corner of the deep blue sky. A welcoming tune from heaven?
A truly memorable mass i must say. =)


8th July 2008
Singapore National Youth Orchestra Concert
Stole a shot of the Esplanade Concert Hall interior
Jeremy performed alongside with his counterparts
And so shiok, they're going Italy the following day.
They played familiar tunes and very nice pieces indeed.
Love the flute, the cello and interestingly the timpani.
About 20 people from the altar servers and choir went to watch
A mini parish outing? Haha. Nice.


12th July 2008
Saturday morning walk to the Southern Ridges
Finally got to spend some quality time with Moli...
Booked ourselves a date to check out the bridges along the ridges
Impressed with the architecture and landscaping
God blessed us with an unusually bright sun and blue sky
Superb for a good tan and photography!
Didn't take more than 3hrs to finish the fruitful walk from
Hort Park to Mt Faber and finally chilling out @ Vivocity



The Henderson Waves. Designed by my archi prof.
Congrats and great job! Refreshing design, great height,
good view, shiok wind, and funky furniture.


Went to Vivo and recalled that I was in-charge of a
roof canopy design (that silver aluminium curvy thing)
during my internship @ DP.
Cool. It was constructed. Pretty close to what I've
submitted for Tender before I left. Little sense of
achievement. A tiny footprint. =)

Youth Expedition Project to Northeast Vietnam

15th Jun - 26th Jun 08
Landed with 20 odd people at Giao Tien School, Xuan Thuy.
A coastal town with vast plains of rice fields and lots of moths.
Water and Electricity are scarce and rationed
No air-conditioning for the next 11 days
Many "don't-haves"
Several gains
Wrote in great length in my travel journal
In summary, a good 11 days of minimal stress and anxieties from the worldly domain.
Lots of positive ions generated in my body from the fun, laughter and crappy talks.
Many mornings of quiet time to communicate with God
Basking under the gentle rays of the rising sun
11 days of holiness
Journeyed with my 2 dearest friends of Christ
Thank you John and Sarah.



Nevertheless, toiling from 7am to 7pm was no joke at all
We were all serious to get the library up and completed by the 11th day
Pushed ourselves to the limits
Our skins charred, muscles toughened, fat burnt to almost zero level
Lots of trials and testings along the way
We held on together and braced through
By the strength and grace from God
Without all these tribulations, this YEP would have meant less to us.

A small tiny library of less than 60sqm
Built using the most primitive method in S'pore context
Hard human labour with minimal machine
It all seemed so daunting and toiling
How do people of the past construct monuments with no machinery?!
Madness. But everything is possible in God's plans.

Learnt many things about architecture and construction
from this simple building. It was the many last minute
on-the-spot architectural decisions that were more successful in
the outcome. Seemed like all the times spent in designing back in
Singapore only constitute 50% or less to the eventual product.

26th - 30th Jun 08 R&R @ Hanoi.
Nothing spectacular or particularly memorable that can overshadow
the Xuan Thuy experience.
It was only the tough struggle in decision making to continue the extension
of my trip to 5th Jul or come back with the rest on 30 Jun.
Thankfully, He spoke to me through my prayers and John.
I would have missed my matriculation for Masters course
and lost a good one week break before getting back into
the crazy course of life in Singapore.

Missing the slow pace of life with nothing much to worry about
Glad that i'm back in the comfort of home
And back in the embrace of princess's care
Learnt to be more disciplined with my spiritual life
And ever thirsting for God's word now
Moli, the book you gave me is fabulous! =)

Let the pictures speak. Visit my flickr website.

25 years on earth...part III

Reunions...


CSS Prefects...

JC Council....

JC Class...(the girls are opposite..it's nt an all-guys outing)

And I started flying all over the places...


SEP @ Korea...came with my 1st experience of snow


Pinnacles, WEstern Aus...

"12" Apostles..the one in the foreground
collapsed one wk after i visited...

Sydney Opera House and Victoria Bridge...
true architectural wonders...


Love for Dogs...
tks to my sister..


marvellous creations of puppies, kittens and babies...

NUS...

NUS Rag n Flag...reclaimed our honour as a design school.
Sweeping victories...was truly blessed to be part of it..
even though my role is small.

my archi studio mates.
Bday celebration. Got really really drunk
after drinking just one deadly shot...hoh.

FOC. My 1st and last big involvement
in the Catholic Students' Society. A good one.

MUSIC ||


CSS Music Ministry...where my passion grew.

Voices for peace. my church choir...
where i felt belonged and purposeful...

Corrinne May. The inspiration of my life and music..
leading me closer to God..

Journeying the next phase together...