Saturday, August 22, 2009

my heart goes out to them....

twice within a week i think,
I have 2 groups of school kids
smoking at the staircase landing
in my HDB flat...
I usually take the stairs all the way down
from my 8th floor flat.
It's about 2pm++.
Just after school.
1st group is Malay boys,
2nd group is Chinese with a girl,
the main smoker.
There isn't much feelings of detest
as i hated smoke from cigarettes.
I only felt sorry for them.
I prayed for them.
For the Lord to deliver them one day.
Teens nowadays are so troubled.
By demands of societies,
and hence pressures from parents.
Temptations of media
spinning them round and round
in a confusing and crazy world.

Recent adverts on papers and TV also
annoys me a bit.
Slimming programmes, beauty reality TV shows,
with taglines, "Beauty is Everything".
"I want to Slim Down."
Everything is about looking good and perfect.
I do admit i'm very concerned with my outlook.
But the way the advert and publicity
are really too much and giving the wrong idea.
How can you say "Beauty is Everything"...
in Chinese, it's even more grotesque..
"美就是一切"
I would prefer "Love is Everything".
To be precise, Christ's Love.
Not the secular "love" that most pple perceive as.

Monday, August 17, 2009

just some random thoughts

Daddy made a big fuss over his claims for his injury at work
Mum felt utterly frustrated over his never ceasing grumbles
So were my sister and myself
Dad just can't seemed to see beyond this accident
that it's was a blessing from God and a lesson too.
His heart is "too small", cannot let go...as what Mum said.
He's greedy and not easily contented.
Always saying "what if", "if only".

As a poor graduate, I've lost $900 over a flight cancellation.
And just a few years back, I damaged my sis's car and also
forked out about $1000. I guess these were the
two major monetary losses I've incurred.
It was painful and without Christ and the Spirit working in me,
I wouldn't have healed so quickly.
And to see beyond all these losses...
that I'm able to drive ever so safely and more focused,
that I'm able to take failures and loss more bravely.

Now following this Korean drama online
Talks about two extreme ends of lifestyle
One is the struggling working class
the other is the top echelons...
all struggling to either climb up or to stay up there.
Can understand how is it like that
every dollars and cents make a difference to my life
Though i'm not born with a silver spoon
I'm blessed to be able to do a lot of things
throughout my 26years...
graces from God...
sometimes i almost emptied my savings
just to fulfill some travelling plans
and of course some careless overspending at shopping...
I still survive.
I'm not sure if i'm wrong.
To try to lead a life that's beyond my capability...
that i'm a overspending and not having a healthy savings record.

Many people cast doubting eyes at me
when they hear that i'm taking a break..
a break that might last a year...
before I go and land myself in a full-time job
for a Masters graduate.
I judge and think that they must be wondering
why am I so slack when everyone is trying to make a living?
Closed ones might wonder why am i not eager to work
and quickly share the responsibility to take care of my family...
my dad and mum...and also give them allowance.
The unspoken pressure is there...
And walking in the opposite direction of the norm
to defy what society has made us..to be economic machines...
Is really not easy.

In name I'm taking a break,
and I'm really resting...
enjoying the work i'm doing in church..
but i'm also wary of the time lag...
that i might lose the competitiveness and
"freshness" of my skills...
Am i just thinking too much,
over-worrying...
yes indeed perhaps...
Well, since i've discerned to do this
and I've prayed about it.
I shall just go on walking this path with faith.
A different kind of cross to bear..
though i'm glad the academic cross is out of the way for now.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

back from short getaway & back to full throttle



Had a really really good 4D break...
Did lotsa things
exciting, scenic, romantic, childish, yummy...
But also had ample time to nua and chill
Had the most glorious tan (90% of the body)
since dunno when...

Almost couldn't board the flight to Langkawi
My first such ever heart-stopping moment
But truly, we're just humans who shldn't
think everything is in his control.
It is only in Him and through Him,
that things are made possible.

The trip opened my eyes and heart to a couple of things
Help me experience new things
happy, sad, frustrations etc..
A culmination of many...

Came back and do feel a tad recharged
Did more work back in Youth ministry
Prepared dinner on one of the weekdays
As a little belated present for my mum.

Korean Kimchidang

- Oven roasted garlic salmon
- Calamari
- Stir fried broccoli with beef slices