Mails?

Was trying to maintain two separate archives for the two different jobscope I was handling. Thought that would be neater, but ended up even more complicated. Decided to combine and have one archive to work on.

It's mid March 2007, barely two and a half months into the year. And I have a whopping 657 mails!!! The redundant mails have already been cleared as well! So they are all related to work and action items! Man, how did I survive this for the past four years?

Looks like there is quite a bit of things to keep me going in office for a while. That is a good thing. At least I feel that I am contributing. Or I hope I am! Ha! For some reason, you can always feel like there is so many things to do, but suddenly you are deemed not doing much when it comes to work appraisal. Then again, as long as you are happy doing something, as long as the remuneration is reasonable, it is good enough for me. But is it enough? Hahaha...well, would not complain getting more, since I am paying for the house. Wonder if I will really move in on target date January 2008. Hmmmm...........I so much want to stay my own for so long..............

The Transition

PC formatted and officially transit from laptop lo. Been a long long time since I got my first laptop issued by the company. First transition from "Go to Hell with Dell" to IBM and now to IBM PC.

The good thing about the transition is from 11" laptop screen to 19" LCD screen. That really makes a difference many hours staring into the screen. I guess that means I will not be doing much at home since I do not have a laptop to carry home. Some habits die hard, still checking work emails from home though.

Now officially got to handle work in the new area. It takes more than just being able to read street directories...........

Review

Went for review this morning.

2 more months of pills.

GTT after. HBA1C as well.

Run run run!

Feast @ East

Went for dinner with Connel, Vanessa and Josiah. Feast @ East in Mercure Roxy. Always love buffets. Not necessary the quantity of it (though it is good not having to think coz it's fixed price), but there is variety and each one can eat whatever he or she feels like whacking.

So there you have Vanessa whacking the food so much more verocious than both of us. She was stalking the waiters coming out of the kitchen with the food. Connel and us just eat and chat and laugh. Josiah is so obedient and quiet in his little pram. He is one well-behaved kid. Still remembered us bringing him out. Three Man & A Baby.

LXG - League of Extraordinary Gentleman.

Cool.

Well, till we next meet again!

Exercise?

Seems that I am developing some habit of wanting to move the body.

Tuesday & Thursday Run

Wednesday Badminton

So far seems okie. Bidadari is quite a nice place to run!!! But the Gurkhas are quite inhuman. Their walking pace is like my running pace sia...

Well, a healthy lifestyle is still a good thing to have. Don't see why people wanna do things for the sake of dieting and the likes. Life is enjoyable!!!

Again

Agent Jay:
Put it on.

Agent Kay:
What?

Agent Jay:
The last suit you'll ever wear.......again.

Catch it tonight at 1945hrs on Channel 5.

2007 First Timers

1) First Job Rotation

(well, technically only allowed once every two years anyway)

2) First Levis

(slow beginner really)

3) First slim phone - Nokia 6300

(the phone or me, one of us has to be slim. guess who?)

Music & Lyrics

Saw the movie with Tingie earlier. I love the movie. It was probably an expected ending, but still it is nice. Second time for Drew Barrymore since The Wedding Singer.

Well, at least the guy is not a jerk in the movie.

Rocky Balboa

Just finished watching Rocky Balboa with Alpha. It is not too bad a movie, though not exactly classifed as a fantastic one. But well, just kind of grew up watching Rocky (series) and this just had to be watched for the sake of completeness.

I thought it kind of depicted the state of many people. Sometimes choosing to live in the memory of the past and kind of living in the present with the past embedded. It is in the subconcious state, but it happens because of the memories. You watch the show and remember the Rocky series when the soundtrack comes on. If "Eye Of The Tiger" was played, it would have been the absolute classic moment.

The Italian Stallion. An amazing story of mind over body.

There are some things you have to do in your life before you feel complete.

Confirmed Job

New position confirmed on 9 March 2007.

Shifting desk. Losing laptop. Gaining knowledge.

Will I Be Remembered?

Will I appear somewhere in a certain chapter of another's life?

What part do I play in the journey of another person?

Will anyone remember me when I'm gone?

Dinner at Katong

Went for a late dinner with Tingie becoz of Excel spreadsheet! So no chance to shop or walk a bit and I guess that means she still cannot wear that dress. Let's hope she gets to alter it on Friday........

Hmmm, went for some food at Katong Village. My first time there lor. As usual, suaku bah. Astons was closed, so ended up there. Only two of us eating there, listening to two guys who were karaoke-ing upstairs. Tingie wanted to throw the glass upstairs at them at one point leow. Hahaha....their singing was big time cannot make it lah.......

And here is Tingie trying to ask me if I lost weight.

Tingie:

You suck in your tummy is it?

Prawnkid:

...

*Bee Gees' YOU WIN AGAIN is top favourite again*

Coloured Balls & All

Fantastic dinner with Akira, Mr & Mrs Atom.

Snooker time after......

Finally!!! Prawnkid 3 - 0 Akira

First time I beat him three in a row! Woohoo.....must remember this for a while......

Rest

Break from mahjong today!

Hmmm....work is going to start again with the preparation for the new aircrafts......looks like double portfolio again (and perhaps triple considering the third backup) for quite some time yet.

Should be more interesting to look at stuff to be equipped on the aircrafts though.........

Exciting days ahead :o)

First Day Of Work

First day of work back in office after the official Chinese New Year public holidays. I guess some people wished that the 15 days of Chinese New Year are declared as public holidays as well, similarly for the 12 days of Christmas.......but then again....even such dreams are hard to come by......

Just finished mahjong with Mindy, Jacy and Patrick. The speed of some of the games are pretty scary! But well, it was quite fun. I always love the game...but sometimes not easy to find the kakis to play.........

Now back to cleric duties.........
Down with the zombie mushrooms!!!

The Gathering

The "brothers" came to my house for a nice time of gathering. I hardly host such gatherings at my place, but I guess it was a good one. There were people watching TV and some playing mahjong. Chit and chat and chit and chat.........I suppose can have this again somehow sometime.

Went to Atom's place to bai nian after. With Ah Gal, Jacy and Ah Sky. Siao Lang came later. My turn to watch TV and play some mahjong. Poor Ah Gal watched TV all the way with Ah Sky. Hahaha.....no choice lah, since they are not interested in the mahjong or card games........that was probably the longest time I spent watching TV though.......

Came home to rest and relax since I will be working in about 6.5 hours. Guess I am saving leave for some other day......mabbe I should plan a trip again. First time I am asked to go travelling together with someone. Will think about it. Unless the person is pulling my leg. Hmmmm....

Over and out.

Unwholesome Talk

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"

-- Ephesians 4:29

The word unwholesome covers any type of speech that tends to tear down another person, either spoken to or about another that person. And Paul's prohibition against this type of negative speech is absolute: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up" (emphasis added).

-- Excerpt from The Discipline Of Grace by Jerry Bridges

The Fire Wizard & The Cleric

Full time gamer.

The Chosen Path
PrawnSoup - Fire Wizard
PrawnHealer - Cleric

The Becoming
PrawnStabber - Bandit
PrawnArcher - Hunter
PrawnChop - Spearman
CutePrawn - Lightning Wizard

The Supporter
OreNjewS - Storeman

Reunion Dinner

Today is a day of eating. Woke up to have lunch! (Came back early morning from mahjong and slept till lunch time.) Porridge, so quite okie lah. Was getting hungry towards the late evening though.

Then lao yu sheng! This time my brother remembered to buy the radish! Hahaha....so funny last year where he didn't know the radist were sold separately and we used beehoon to lao yu sheng.

Tomorrow (or rather later) is going to be even better! My favourite noodles!!! I can eat it for 3 meals a day for 7 days a week for that! Anyone who had tried the true blue Henghua noodles will love it too! Hehehe..........

Can't wait till that happens......should catch some sleep now....

Long Weekend

The beginning of another long weekend! Goody....so there is till next Tuesday where I have to plan of things to do. Many people would probably be doing their visitations during this time, guess I am over that phase :op

Parents will be going overseas, so got free time and space to havoc lo! Mabbe it is time to wear those shirts that I have been buying for the longest time and just staying in the cupboards. New Year, New Clothes? Lame reason to wear stuff really...

Mahjong tonight!!! Have not played that for some time, so I guess it is a good time to start again. Hand itchy lah. Quite fun game, especially with this usual gang. Super funny lor.....except the 2nd hand smoke!

Have a feeling that I am going to be a full time Mapler these few days...
Mushrooms beware!! PrawnSoup is on the loose............

Farewell

Had farewell lunch with my friend / colleague / mentor yesterday. The whole department went to a nice restaurant somewhere in Joo Chiat. The price is really cheap for good food. Though most of it had so much curry, I kind of avoided. BUT there was still enough nice food. It was about $15 per person and there was about 15 dishes excluding desserts!

Then there was the usual farewell speech. I guess the department has kind of grown used to having him around. He will soar to higher heights (literally). Maybe one day he will come back as my boss, if I am still in the company. Hehehe...

Well, all the best William!

Ball or Bar?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Headed to Bugis MRT after work today and met up with some friends to go Sim Lim for some purchases. Was there to get something for two colleagues while my friend was on a special mission.......The search for a mouse with ball(s).....

That's right...in an era where optical mice (using infrared technology) rule, he wants to look for the authentic mouse with ball.............claims that is the best for gaming so far........am surprised that it is really more difficult to find that these days.......

Then again.....can you find someone who is still playing Western Bar? I tried to search for it and only came across an auctioned piece in Yahoo e-Bay going at USD35! I hope they start to re-market that game......coz I would really wanna buy it..........hehehe........

The familiar sounds of Western Bar deeply implanted in my head.....

dor deh duh dor deh duh
*sound of items sliding across bar counter*

TERK! *sound of apple hitting head!*

doink chik doink chik
*animation of character losing one 'life'*

tur tur duh tur ter der tur, the tur ter duh tur
*sound sequence for game start again*

dang dang dang dang, dang dang dang dang, (pitch going lower)

dang dang dang dang, dang dang dang dang, dang dang dang dang (pitch going higher)

THE ONE ON ONE fight in Western Bar!!!! Woohoo!!!!

(whoever reads the above might probably be thinking of the game and it does not really matter if I capture the spelling of the sounds correctly.....I'm sure there was that momentary transport back in time and memory)

Hmmm.....I am stuck in history for a moment...........

Neglected Blog

Neglected blog for a while because just busy with work, sorting out some stuff, health check and basically slipped off my mind! Anyway, I guess I will be coming back to this for a while as I have been thinking some things and memory is getting poor to remember them. Ha!

Just came back from a nice dinner with Alpha and Ah Gal. Practically finding a place to eat Japanese food and ended up at Sushi Tei behind Takashimaya. Not the BEST of places, but not too bad. Ichiban Boshi was just too packed at Wisma. Anyhow, it is the company that counts :)

Not very sure what the cashier was trying to prove, but I am still wondering the whole point that he was trying to communicate to me.

*handing over bill to cashier for calculation of amount to pay*

Prawnkid:

Is there any promotion with any credit cards? (You never know till you try.)

Cashier:

Oh, we had the promotion with UOB and also Sushi Tei members with special meal sets and discount.

*About to take out UOB credit card from wallet*

Prawnkid:

Ah okie. So it's a 10% discount with UOB credit card?

Cashier:

Sorry, the promotion is already over.

Prawnkid:

Huh???

(What the heck was the whole conversation about then?)

Incurable Controllable Condition

Diabetes is incurable, but controllable.

Just got news that Martin's dad passed away this morning :o(

There were some complications....failing eyesight, dialysis issues and finally infection that could not recover proper due to diabetes.

I'm not discouraged, but I'm sure some will say this better be my wake up call........

GTT Part 3

Finished with GTT Part 3, the final of the three. Confirmation of the undesired, but bestowed without request.

Simple meals from now on...

Time to get back to running too.

GTT Part 2

Completed GTT Part 2. Not so good news so far. Paths narrowed to two possibilities.

GTT Part 1

Went for GTT Part 1 this morning.

Part 2 at 1015hrs.

GTT

Going for GTT tomorrow. Fasting from tonight and no food till noon........can I survive?

Club 7

Club 7 - The Club Of Fun & Laughter

Reality Distortion

"By no means can we infer that our own trials are, like Job's, specially arranged by God to settle some decisive issue in the universe. But we can safely assume that our limited range of vision will in similar fasion distort reality. Pain narrows vision. The most private of sensations, it forces us to think of ourselves and little else."

-- Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey

Seen it countless times from people I know or people that they know. Always words of inner strength, unbelievable faith in the positive or an ever optimistic view. THEN one day these same people crumble in the most common of hurts, pains, disappointments and what not.

How so?

Some things are just unexplainable. It always seem like a "come on, you'll get over it" kind of thing when you are listening to other people talk about their experience. But when it comes to yourself, it always seem like "you don't understand what I'm going through".

Ironic actually, but always happens.

New for the New Year

Well, finally changed to the new blogger for the new year. It looks the same probably, but now I have to login differently.

Hmmm, what's new for 2007?

New login for blog.
Same design and author.

New jobscope.
Same department and office.

New year.
Same months and weeks.

So, what's really new????

Same old brand new me.

Christmas

Melli Quismus!

It all started with the company celebration on Friday and me winning $20 NTUC voucher! Wahahaha, a DVD player the year before and now some vouchers to buy rice!

Since then it is a period of mushroom cultivation for me at home. I can do that till 3 January 2007 when I finally go back to work and start training in my new position! Learning everything from my colleague, fresh from his honeymooning in Japan. Coolz!

Still raining everyday. Been eating tons! That is probably part of Christmas, or maybe part of my lifestyle (more like it).

The Square on 23rd, Curry Fish Head on Xmas, Vienna tonight......

I'm so going to roll from place to place now........

Favourite Bond

Bond...

Which is my favourite Bond?

This one.

Lunch & Dinner

Just came back from great lunch and dinner. Shiok and shacked.

Thanks guys for the celebration. Now I can start to understand your feelings of a 30 year old.

Hehehe...

Visionaries

Saw all 13 episodes again after ALL these years. Those were the days where you hear people memorising the lines. Even reading these quotes bring back those days.....

"Oh mist-filled pits, dark, dank, unclear, Touch all before me with frost-fingered fear!"

- Cravex (Spell of Fear)

"The arrows turn,the swords rebel, let nothing pierce this mortal shell!"

- Lexor (Spell of Invulnerability)

"By what creeps,what crawls, by what does not, Let all that grows recede and rot!"

- Darkstorm (Spell of Decay)

"Power of rot, obscuring truth, What once was old restore to youth."

- Darkstorm (Spell of Youth)

"By nature's hand, by craft, by art, What once was one now fly apart!"

- Cindarr (Spell of Destruction)

"Whispered secrets of a shattered age, I summon you: renew this sage!"

- Leoric (Spell of Wisdom)

"A whim, a thought, and more is sought. Awake my mind; Thy will be wrought!"

- Arzon (Spell of Knowledge)

"Sheathe these feet in the driving gale, Make swift these legs o'er land I sail!"

- Witterquick (Spell of Speed)

"Three suns aligned, pour forth their light, and fill the archer's bow with might!"
- Cryotek (Spell of Might)

League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen

One night of mahjong, one day of rest

Tomorrow's the day, it'll be the best

From kid to boy to man

The league of extraordinary gentlemen

-- Prawnkid Productions

I'll see you guys tomorrow :o)

Forever Young

3 more hours....and I am listening to Alphaville's Forever Young!!!!!!!

Forever Young - Alphaville

Let's start in style, let's dance for a while

Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies

Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst

Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?

Let us stay young or let us live forever

We don't have the power, but we never say never

Sitting in the sandpit, life is a short trip

The music's for the sadman

Can you imagine when this race is won

Turn out all the faces into the sun

Praising our leaders, we're getting in tune

The music's played by the madman

Forever Young

I want to be Forever Young

Do you really want to live forever?

Forever, you'll never

Forever Young, I want to be Forever Young

Do you really want to live forever?

Forever Young.

Some are like water, some are like the heat

Some are a melody and some are the beat

Sooner or later they all will be gone

Why don't they stay young?

It's so hard to get old without a cause

I don't want to perish like a fading horse

Years like diamonds in the sun

And diamonds are forever

So many advantages given up today

So many songs we forgot to play

So many dreams swinging out of the blue

Oh let it come true

3-day Celebration

Should finish work on time today and start 3-day celebration towards the big 3.

Wahahahaha.......counting down the younger days.......

Wedding Anniversary

Parents celebrated their wedding anniversary with a huge buffet dinner including Debs and me. Debs was wondering whether to join them for dinner. Well.....OF COURSE!!!

Without their union, there would not be us. We are celebrating too!!!

(Actually.....any reason to eat is a good reason lah)

Rootaatee

Interview done.

Success.

New Year.

New Scope.

The First Commandment

The First Commandment

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

"To be commanded to love God at all, let alone in the wilderness, is like being commanded to be well when we are sick, to sing for joy when we are dying of thirst, to run when our legs are broken. But this is the first and great commandment nonetheless. Even in the wilderness -- especially in the wilderness -- you shall love him."

-- Frederick Buechner

Assumption : Life Should Be Fair

"And most heroes of the Old Testament (Abraham, Joseph, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel) went through trials much like Job's. For each of them, at times, the physical reality surely seemed to present God as the enemy. But each managed to hold on to a trust in him despite the hardships. In doing so, their faith moved from a 'contract faith' -- I'll follow God if he treats me well -- to a relationship that could transcend any hardship."

"I challenge you to go home and read again the story of Jesus. Was life 'fair' to him? For me, the cross demolished for all time the basic assumption that life will be fair."

-- Excerpts from "Disappointment With God" by Philip Yancey

Job Rotation

Applied for a job rotation last week which I am eligible for every two years according to my contract. Feel that I am ready for a change.

Should be able to handle something even more challenging and probably operational.

Interview scheduled next week.........

The Main Point Of Job

"We tend to think 'Life should be fair because God is fair.' But God is not life. And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life -- by expecting constant good health, for example -- then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment."

"God's existence, even his love for me, does not depend on my good health."

"If we develop a relationship with God apart from our life circumstances, then we may be able to hang on when the physical reality breaks down. We can learn to trust God despite all the unfairness of life. Isn't that really the main point of Job?"

-- Excerpts from "Disappointment With God" by Philip Yancey

The Big 3

Just returned from father's birthday dinner. Had so much that I thought even a buffet cannot fight.

Reminds me too....

My own big 3 is coming......

Use Your Heart, Not Your Brain

So it sinks in today. A habit probably developed into a character by now, but it does not give me any excuse not to try and change.

"You just talk too much fact and practical things instead of listening and giving more compassionate replies."

"You used your brain more than your heart."

Brief & Accurate

一言一重﹐千言無用

Chilli At The Side

Finally went to check out Grape Vine near my place with Angela. New place, new friend, good combo. At least can talk about the deco if I run out of topics! Ha...Anyway, communicating was pretty easy. But I was surprised at the unique serving style.

I ordered baked rice. Angela ordered Salmon with Chilli Soy Sauce. After 10 minutes, the waitress came out.

Waitress:

Do you want the salmon cooked with the chilli soy sauce or at the side?

Prawnkid (motioning to Angela):

(Thinking that they probably ask because chilli might be too hot for some)

Your dish, your choice.

Angela (to waiter):

What did you ask?

Waitress (repeating in super polite manner):

Do you want the salmon cooked with the chilli soy sauce or at the side?

Angela:

Oh, cooked with the chilli soy sauce is fine.

Waitress:

I don't think they can do that.

Prawnkid:

Huh? Then what are you trying to ask?

Angela:

Huh? Errrmmm...then at the side is ok.

After another 10 minutes, both our orders are served. Looks good and exactly like the pictures in the menu. I am impressed.

Angela (moving the salmon left and right):

Hmmm...where is the chilli?

Prawnkid (pointing at brownish sauce below fish):

I guess that's it. Says chilli soy sauce on menu.

Angela:

Oh.....soy sauce ah? Ok....

Finishing our meals.

Angela:

Hmmm...not very spicy mah. So funny, they ask whether cook with it or at the side, then say cannot cook with it. Hahaha...

THEN, we noticed a bottle of Tabasco sauce beside the plate.

Prawnkid:

Right. I think that is your chilli at the side actually. She literally put at the side of the plate.

Angela:

Huh? Chilli is use tabasco ah? Really at the side....hahaha....

That sums up my first time going out with Angela. Really sound like a twin sister of Yiling.......

Grape Vine

Good food (barring chilli at the side definition), good drinks, good chill out place, fantastic polite service. My kind of cafe concept :o)

Martial Arts Material

This week is an aching week, all because of that 18-hour sleep! Argh, I better stop taking those. Ache so badly that I decided to go along with my friend's recommended massage at People's Park. Took what seemed like a million years looking for the shop that his friend recommended, and got hogged by those bust popping ladies trying to lure us into their shops. I bet guys get raped in there. But anyway, could not find the exact shop and ended up at a traditional one that practices acupressure massage.

My friend went into his own room and I went into mine. We could hear what happened in each other's room. My friend was happily chatting with his masseur (lady that he cannot reject), while my masseur was determined to prove his knowledge of every acupoint and maybe his internal strength. I could hear and feel him breathing on my body as he press on the acupoints with EVERY SINGLE OUNCE OF STRENGTH in him. Right, I could barely move, not to mention talk. Deep down I thought, if he can't soothe the ache, he was probably just trying to break my entire body, joints and all.

He finished by cracking both my full arms, THEN a conversation started.

Masseur:

Hmmm, do you practise boxing?

Prawnkid:

No.

Masseur:

Taekwondo? Karate?

Prawnkid:

No.

Masseur:

Martial arts from young perhaps?

Prawnkid:

NO. (I think he's been brainwashed learning acupoints really.)

Masseur:

Oh well, it's a pity. Your body is flexible (he twists my arms full 180 degrees for both) and would be very suitable to do it well. Too bad.

Prawnkid:

...

*thinking of smashing his head with a single stroke of Xiang Long Shi Ba Zhang*

I told my friend about it and he was laughing his head off at my encounter. I figured if I really knew martial arts, I would have used Quan Kun Da Nuo Yi and get out of there.

My friend had the cheek to ask if I wanna go back there again???!!!

Hear What We Wanna Hear

Suddenly remember a TV commercial on a father hearing comments about his son, who really really cannot make it playing tennis. But he automatically filters out the "not so nice" words and end up hearing that his son can be a future Andre Agassi. (An advert for a radio station.)

Well, sometimes people are like that. Sometimes I am like that. If we do not hear the things we want to hear, we reject it as wrong and we switch off listening.

Is that always right? Are we always right?

I don't think so. That is being stubborn. Will need tons of time to learn this lesson......

Sleeping Therapy

Was told that sleeping is good therapy. Think I overdid it. Slept 18hrs on Sunday!!! Now my neck, shoulders and back are aching.

Whoever tells me sleeping is good therapy......where did that come from???

Which?

Honda 8 Civic?

Mazda 3? 6?

Honda Integra?

Mark X?

Suzuki Swift?

3-door Rav 4?

Mini Cooper?

Evo IX?

Bus???

Offensive Angel

On the same day, I have two different people describing me.

One said I was offensive, and the other said I was an angel.

Right... Offensive Angel...

NEVER Beyond The Reach or Beyond The Need

"Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace."

-- Jerry Bridges

Your grace is sufficient for me.

Home Alone

Need to remind myself of the stuff to do for staying alone!!!

Gotta feed the dog and the fishes

Feed the dog and fish

Dog and fish

Dog fish

Done.

Sleeping Holiday

Didn't work from Friday to today (Tuesday). A break that I slept and slept and SLEPT. Literally more than the total I slept in a week.

Needed a break to rest the body and that was what I gave it. Headache and sore throat from the haze, that was irritating.

Had backache today and need to massage it while lying on bed. Hope it does not stay. That is just as irritating.

Still feel zombie like...

Back to work tomorrow. Hope I remember my login password :op

Current Favourites

Not too bothered by what others think. My two current favourites...

Lee Hom Concert

Back from watching Lee Hom concert with Irene.

He is THAT good.

Thought it was interesting to see him play from one drum and progressing as the other pieces are added in by the stage crew.

One night demonstrated his talent to play guitar, keyboard, drums, piano, violin and erhu.

Next up.......Parachute Band.........

Believe In The Father COMPLETELY

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

-- Matthew 7 : 9 - 11

If I believe that my Father will provide for me, then the belief should be COMPLETE. It is inevitable to hear pangs of doubts or unbelief ringing in the head, but it is with the faith and strength through the Holy Spirit in me that I know and can assert my victory.

All was conquered on that cross. Now's the time to claim that victory.

A Conquest From Within

"Jesus, who could destroy Jerusalem with a word, who could call down legions of angels to force subjection, instead looks over the city and weeps."

"God holds back; he hides himself; he weeps. Why? Because he desires what power can never win. He is a king who wants not subservience, but love. Thus, rather than mowing down Jerusalem, Rome, and every other worldly power, he chose the slow, hard way of Incarnation, love, and death. A conquest from within."

-- Philip Yancey

First Timers

Quite a number of first timers this year.

Duane & Hiromi
Met Duane officially for the first time in more than 10 years and his wife, Hiromi. They graciously offered their place for my stay in London. Cooooooool.......

Tingie
Met U for the first time this year too! U crack me up! Aaaaahh...

Karen
Always thinking out of this world or seemingly floating in her thoughts......first time I meet such kind too!!! Pay attention Karen!!!

Damian
Your first time in Singapore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooooohooooooo........ which means my first time to Underwater World in Sentosa! Hahaha...

Qi Qin Concert
My first live concert in Singapore :o) Hope there are many more to come!

Taiwan
First time there this year. All thanks to Rachel's wedding. Chill place with scary waves!

Joshua
First kid of Marijke, first time I met him! Cutie! Of coz, that means my first time in Reading. Nice quiet place...

The Love Of A Father

I saw this a couple of times and it always touches me.

That kind of love magnified is how much my Heavenly Father feels for me.

London Up, Paris Down

Some people get affected by the travel class when going on flights. Moan about not getting first class or business class from before till after the flight and some days later.

I'm just happy that I get to go London and back from Paris. Not many people out there get to travel even!

Had a great trip! I am satisfied :o)

Joshua is soooooooooo cute......

Prawnie - The Sumo Kid

Life is good here with the hospitality of Duane and Hiromi. Have now upgraded to sumo status.

London - My 2nd Home

Right now back in my 2nd home -- London

Feels good to see the familiar sights after 4 years away from here. Some things have changed. But it feels good to be walking down the streets that have changed and yet familiar to me.

This is almost like an international meet up for me I guess.

Damian (Poland)

Marijke (Holland)

Vicky (Hong Kong)

Momoka (Japan)

Damian is coming to Singapore! Finally........after I visited him in Poland, now is his turn! Gonna take leave and bring him around. Might be the first time for me to go some places in Singapore! Hahaha........

Purpose of Passwords

Login and password. The essential thing to safeguarding the information in my work laptop, the different applications I have to run, the secure websites I need information from, the email program I have to use too!!!

I know the purpose is for security. When it starts to expire and require a new password every X number of days, security goes up another level. A constant change, just let the hacker have a go at it!

BUT......the following may be some requirements, depending on which application:

- a new password every X number of days

- must consist of at least one lowercase alphabet, one uppercase alphabet, one number, one symbol, blah blah blah

- must not be the same as TEN previously used passwords

- must be minimum 8 characters long

By the time I think of all these, I cannot remember what I wanted to login for.

What THEN is the real purpose of the passwords??? I need to remember 10 different ones (at least) whereas the hacker concentrates on hacking one. You mean that is security?

Long Lost Disciple

A "disciple" from long long time ago. Lost contact in between because we were each busy with our stuff. And then I try to call a few weeks back and realised that the number is no longer in use.

Determined not to slowly lose in contact with the people I've known and were part of my life, I managed to get her number. She just got married. Time has flown by so quickly. My disciple has grown up so much. I think I want to meet up and catch up with her. I hope He is still part of her life.

Hmmm...now I remember the words of Tingie...

This is a year of restoration.

Importance of 5Cs

5Cs came to my mind and I think they are important.

C reator

C ommitment

C ommunication

C onsistent

C ontentment

Relationship between EMOTIONS and LOGIC

"LOGIC is low when EMOTIONS are high."

Letting Go

Currently on course led by a lecturer who is also a counsellor.

One common trait seen in her experience:

"Not everyone can let go even if they know they are suffering."

Pretty much sums up why a lot of people are struggling with issues.

What Is The Real Problem?

The English Version

Said Also Don't Listen

Listen Also Don't Understand

Not Understand Also Don't Ask

Ask Also Don't Do

Do Also Do Wrong

Wrong Also Don't Admit

Admit Also Don't Correct

Correct Also Not Happy

Not Happy Also Don't Say

The Chinese Version

说了又不听

听了又不懂

不懂又不问

问了又不做

做了又做错

错了又不认

认了又不改
改了又不服
不服又不说

Impossible To Live With?

"Being a "chosen people" had a cost. Just as God found it nearly impossible to live among sinful people, the Israelites found it nearly impossible to live with a holy God in their midst."

We want God to act in a direct, closeup manner and at the same time are unwilling to have a lack of personal freedom. Are we intending to let God be in control within our control?

Big Breakfast?

Debs :

Hey, you've eaten? I bought Fan Choy and Chwee Kueh. Which do you want?

Prawnkid :

Anything. You eat first.

*Debs brought the Chwee Kueh to my room*

Debs :

Nah. Give you Chwee Kueh. So cute, inside got one only.

Prawnkid *mumbles* :

Eat until left one and give me still say cute. How cute can ONE Chwee Kueh be???

*pause from CS, opens packet to eat and finish the Chwee Kueh off*

Revelation sets in.

That's the first cute Chwee Kueh I ever eaten in my life.

Definition of a cute Chwee Kueh :

A Chwee Kueh measuring 9 centimetres in diameter.

Why Wait?

People can be taken for granted so easily.

Must remember that friendship does not exist because we are deserving, but by a concious decision of the other party to want that relationship.

Sometimes we only cherish what we have only when we are losing it.

Why wait till then?

Pride

What is so difficult about putting pride aside and admitting / apologising for mistakes?

The pride is the difficulty and also the accompanying humility needed.

I must learn to be sensitive. I must learn to be reasonable.

Respect is earned. Humility is practised.

Patience is a virtue. Godliness is a character.

Pilot vs Engineer

Finally went for some recreation after church (and beef kway teow at Purvis Street) today. Shijie has gone to JB, Amelda decided to launch an aeroplane by staying home to shit and Isaac has gone back to China...

So it's Matthew, Pat, Grace and me! There definitely is no wind at Marina South today. But somehow Matthew could get his kite up.

I'm sure Matthew had a great time kite flying. Mine was in the middle. Pat and Grace seemed to have fun kite running.

Patrick :

That is why Matthew is a pilot and we are engineers.

(Even fly kite also better!)

Giving Up

I feel sad for you, about you, with you.

Is your happiness really worth giving up just because of that one time?

In The Beginning

"At the heart of the universe is a smile, a pulse of joy passed down from the moment of creation. A new parent who holds a baby, my baby, close against flesh for the first time knows it. And that is the feeling God had when he looked over what he had made and pronounced it good. In the beginning, the very beginning, there was no disappointment. Only joy."

-- Philip Yancey

Which Part Of Life?

"People move on with their lives. We cannot insist to be part of theirs forever."

-- Prawnkid Productions

I hope my parts were those of nice memories.

Fly?

Happen to see Matthew at the canteen at lunch time today.

Matthew :

Hey, so how was the kite flying last Sunday?

Prawnkid :

Don't say already lah! What kite flying?! Fly aeroplane have lah!

Disappointment

"Disappointment occurs when the actual experience of something falls far short of what we anticipate."

-- Philip Yancey

How should I cope with the disappointments that I have?

London? Taiwan? Thailand? Anywhere?

Thinking of dropping by London for a few days in end September. Hop over from France work trip if possible. Still thinking about it. Quite a number of people to meet there and catch up. Hopefully there is enough time.

Momi, Vicky, Marijke, Damian, Richard?

Noticed there is a possible long weekend in October due to public holidays and weekend. One day of annual leave would return five days off. Thinking of going for a short trip.

Taiwan?

Quite like the place and thinking of going again. Could meet up with Rachel & hubby again. Jonny Jan the kungfu master too?

Thailand?

Just a cheap place to go. Cannot think of much to do there though. Definitely not Thai massage. I refuse to be a contortionist experiment again.

Anywhere?

Maybe I should just go somewhere I have never been before?

Main question : With who?

Seems more like who wants to with me?

Tired

Clement :

Are you ok? I have not seen you smiling like before for quite some time now.

Prawnkid :

I'm just tired.

Tired of what?

Invisible Boss?

Early morning meeting involving different people from different departments. Two attendees were there with me earlier, but my boss was nowhere in sight.

Attendee 1 :

You very cute hor. What's your name? Which department are you from?

Prawnkid :

Errrmm.....this is my department. I organised the meeting. We just need to wait for my boss. I think I am going to give him a call.

*excusing myself from the room to make phonecall*

(Boss is arriving and just parking the car.)

Attendee 1 :

So your boss is not here yet?

Prawnkid :

He's on his way...probably just coming in now. I just called him.

Attendee 1 :

*giggling*

You so funny. So I am right lah, he is not here yet lah.

Prawnkid :

Errmmm...

*mumbles* Isn't it bloody obvious? If he is in, you would see him right? He's not invisible what!

Just wondering who is the one who is weird now...

QQ & QY

Qi Qin & Qi Yu are just S U P E R B...

Hopefully can get the Lee Hom tickets *cross fingers till cramps*

Chyi Chin Concert

In 16 hours, I will be in Indoor Stadium watching Chyi Chin concert live!

Hehehe...

Atom, thanks for the tickets.

Weekday Karaoke

Went K-Box on Thursday night till 2am, only slept at 4am plus and still went to work today. Strange to be following doctor's advice to not sleep if I don't feel like sleeping.

Never knew that there were so many people with free time around. K-Box seems pretty filled up on a weekday. Some people were still there when we left.

Found a Wang Jie in Siao Lang. And definitely know the reason why AlphaGaymeo is always chanting in Club 7 Server. These guys are hilarious......

Expected New Craze :

Singing only half of all the karaoke songs and cancelling them to sing the next.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

There are only three days that I have :

Yesterday

Today

Tomorrow

Yesterday has passed and I cannot change it

Today is tomorrow's yesterday and I live it

Tomorrow will be a better day

With nice memories of today

I'll live my best everyday

For a better yesterday

-- Prawnkid Productions

Doctor's Advice

Was sneezing badly ever since I stepped into the office today. Started to sniff also. Figured I should be showing the first signs of sickness. Wanted to work through the day but it was getting too irritating. Decided to see the doctor. (My new office is just 1 minute walk to the clinic anyway.)

Doctors always give the correct advice for our health problems. They are supposed to!

*** In Doctor's Room ***

Prawnkid :

Good afternoon Doc!

Doctor :

Yes. How can I help you?

Prawnkid :

I am feeling cold and have been sneezing non-stop since this morning. My throat feels dry. I have not been able to sleep for the past three weeks too. Not at least till 2am, sometimes 5 am.

*After usual open mouth 'Ah' test and temperature check*

Doctor :

You are suffering from normal cold. And sore throat I believe. (Actually I don't!!!)

As for your sleeping problem....are you stressed?

Prawnkid :

You mean stress causes that? (Actually I know :op) I'm not exactly stressed or depressed.

Doctor :

Do you bring work home?

Prawnkid :

No. Or rather I try not to. I don't really work at home much now. Anyway, I am on medication for a blood allergy and it causes drowsiness, so it helps me to sleep. But this is not a good solution because I do not want to be pills dependent. But I cannot sleep too little everyday as I need to work next day too.

Doctor :

Do you feel tired when you wake up? Some people do not need so much sleep, so it is OK.

Prawnkid :

Sometimes I am a little tired, but I have enough energy to last me through the day. But this is not good in the long run right? Sleeping really late (5am) and getting to work early in the morning. I try to rest on my bed but I cannot sleep. I just feel awake.

Doctor :

There's no point tossing and turning on the bed for 10 - 15 minutes. You will realise that you might as well get up. This is what you should do. If you are not tired, then DON'T SLEEP. Do whatever you want to do. Go to sleep only if you are tired. Your body will adjust itself.

Prawnkid :

Oh..............

Yes...that should solve the problem. Great! Thanks.

*applauding the FANTASTIC suggestion in my head*

*Bee Gees playing YOU WIN AGAIN in the background*

Insomnia?

Thought I was going through some pangs of insomnia, so decided to take leave today and sleep it out. Then again, since when have I ever had "normal" hours. Anyway, slept at 5:10am and woke up at 10:00am.

Decided to go blading in the afternoon with Ah Gal. Did not do much because the ones she rented was crap and it gave her an abrasion! I had the privilege of using the ones Martin lent. Wonder what kind of turbo wheels he had them fitted with, but definitely smooth....too smooth....bum lander for the first time today!!! Argh...

Took a walk from MacDonalds to the Food Centre. Had a feast there! I will NEVER let Ah Gal do the ordering again. I think she is ordering food to prepare us for starvation in times of war. Decided to take a walk to Atom's coffeeshop after. Only lasted till Siglap and took a bus. Atom left!!! Aaaaaaahhhhhh.........we took a drink each and talked about stuff...........think it is good that I shared with Ah Gal....always been close to me......feel better now........

Gotta still look for Ayako somehow.........hmmmm.........

Ah Gal, let's do this again next weekend or something....

Belinda Goh aka Ayako Sakai

I am looking for you my friend but I cannot find you. HP number is terminated, no replies to emails, no responses to messages on Friendster.

I cannot seem to find your address from my whole room of junk. I am so useless. Can't even arrange my stuff properly.

God, I really hope to find a way of contacting her. Please do not take her away before I find her.

I am so down because of you my friend.

Love Is Blind

I watched The Break Up yesterday. Did not quite like it because it was boring. But it does show correctly how important communications is, especially for a relationship.

Very often we go into a relationship and people cannot understand why. So the most common reason would be "love is blind". That's just the easiest answer and also no other further questions need to be entertained about the relationship.

Why then "love is blind"?

Because that is precisely how it is when you are in love. You are blind to all the things that you do not want to see and notice the smallest details about what you like in a person. You think the person is funny, even if not. You think the person is cute, even if not. You think the person just knows everything you need to know, even if the person is not super knowledgeable. Love is blind to faults, shortcomings, tempers, blah blah blah. As Josh Groban puts it, "In My Eyes You Do No Wrong"...

There is nothing wrong with love being blind. I think it is good. But I do not think that is all. There are many other virtues associated with love. Love goes beyond being blind. It gives the additional strength and energy to want to do more. Do more for the sake of yourself, for the sake of the other and most important, for the sake of both. It is active, not passive. If both see it and understand it, then the walk together begins.

So what then is LOVE????!!!!!!

Love is YOU.

(For everything else, there's Mastercard.)

Up & On

I sang this as a small boy. Never felt more passionate to sing any other school song. Always believed that a great many graduated in wisdom and stature.

Up & On
Lives are in the making here
Hearts are in the waking here
Mighty undertaking here
Up and On! Up and On!

We are arming for the fight
Pressing on with all our might
Pluming wings for higher flight
Up and On!

Up boys! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game! Keep the flame Burning brightly ever!

Fair before us lies the way
Time for work and time for play
Fill the measure while we may
Up and On! Up and On!

Life and time will not delay
Time is running fast away
Life is now today today
Up and On!

Up boys! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game! Keep the flame burning brightly ever!

Foes in plenty we shall meet
Hearts courageous scorn defeat
So we press with eager feet
Up and On! Up and On!

Ever onward to the fight
Ever upward to the Light
Ever true to GOD and RIGHT
Up and On!

Up boys! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game! Keep the flame burning brightly ever!

Past, Present & Future

I cannot change the past nor history.

I cannot erase my memory.

I am in the present.

I remember the past.

Can't change what's gone.

Can change to move on.

The falls to remind how I got up.

The joys to savour how I grew up.

I think about the future.

What is now will be the past.

Each fall I will get up.

With joy I will fill up.

-- Prawnkid Productions

Lessons

Just finished a two-day course on Fraud Prevention. Due to my nature of work before, I guess this is an important course. Learnt some lessons from the course...

Lecturer:

What should the manager do when a fraud is detected?

My group:
Not sure. We are not managers.

(Why do I have to be the team leader???)

*lecturer gives weird look and scratches head in surprise*

Lecturer:
How many of you have staff reporting to you?

*raising of hands by some including me*

Lecturer:

Then surely you are managers if you have staff reporting to you?

Prawnkid:

That just makes us the Head Slave.

*lecturer speechless*

*entire class laughing in chaos*

Note:

I am sure they are not laughing at what I said but just in total agreement.

Some people really do feel that way.

Trust

TRUST

Requirements

Let go.

Love

" And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. "

-- 1 Corinthians 13:13

Every new day your glory unfolds

Filling my eyes with Your treasures untold

The beauty of holiness brings worship anew

My greatest love is You

Call me deeper into Your grace

The river that flows from the holy place

Wash over me

Cleansing me through

My greatest love is You

Hope

" Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; "

-- Lamentations 3:21-25

My life is in You Lord

My strength is in You Lord

My hope is in You Lord

In You, it's in You

I will praise You will all of my life

I will praise you with all of my strength

With all of my life

With all of my strength

All of my hope is in You

Faith

"Faith is easy when you're standing in front of a miracle. The real test of any faith is when there aren't any signs."

- quoted from Lynnette's reading

Forgetting what lies behind
Setting our hearts on the prize
Always keeping our eyes on our Lord Jesus

We're running the race to win
All the way to the end
Breaking down every sin that will seek to hinder us

And we'll be faithful to our calling
For You are able to keep us from falling
For in Your promise we will trust
We'll be faithful to finish the work You began in us

Weekend

Weekend went by in a breeze......someday someone should start the trend of 5-day weekend and 2-day weekdays. I'm sure most people would prefer that. Hahaha...

I actually arranged to pick Yiling up for breakfast at 5:45am on Saturday for breakfast!!! Without sleeping since Friday night too...that marked my first visit to Swee Choon (along Jalan Besar) for dimsum and porridge. Not bad......at least we didn't just eat MacDonalds...well, dropped her off to go make some money in Malaysia and help me buy some clothes. Headed home for 2 hours of sleep...

Woke up to have a good chat with Tingie. Interesting how we were talking about the same things and yet they gave us different revelations. Hang on there ok? You are an encouragement and a pillar of strength...

Really wanna go fly kite....literally....date has been set as 27 August!!! Am really looking forward to it....

The kite reminds me of myself...if I was a kite, I want my Father to be in control of the string. Pulling it at the right times for me to cut through the winds of trials and changes. If the string is broken, the kite might seem to go up high on its own, BUT eventually will fall somewhere. Father, please be in control of the string and guide me with your gentle tugs...