Life

Monday, May 30, 2005
My Kitchen Playroom

So beaten now. Had a super long day today. Did so many things.

Started my day with a morning tuition then went to Auntie Alice's house for lunch, when we decided to bake carrot cake and make sushi for the day.

So after lunch, we went to see Dr Loke for our appointment. While waiting for Auntie Alice, I played table-tennis cos Emerick and Nigel were playing when we arrived at ah ma's place, and Shawn wanted to join in the fun. The last time I played table-tennis was when I was in sec, during the cca orientation try-out. Well.. I've nv learnt how to play table-tennis but I really think I'm gifted in it cos I played rather well.

After Auntie Alice was done, we went to JP to do some marketing for the ingredients to make sushi and carrot cake.

So the minute we got back to her place, I taught her and Ann how to bake carrot cake. We made 2 cakes today.

While waiting for the cake to be baked, we starting preparing the stuff for the sushi. I thought auntie Alice knew how to make sushi roll (maki) but when we began, she said "Jie jie, u go wrap the sushi for Shawn. I dunno how to roll leh." Eh.... but she said they always make sushi at home. Well the sushi they usually make were the handrolls and sushi balls made from sushi moulds.

Hello, the last time I rolled a sushi with my mom at home in our kitchen was when I was in primary 5, which was like 9 years ago. Diong..... Nonetheless, with my forever-trial-and-error spirit, I did it. In the end, I made most of the sushi tonite and also taught auntie alice and ann how to roll a maki. Well.. what can I say? God gave me a gift in it too.

I just love to cook and bake in Auntie Alice's house cos I dun needa clean up and hear all the nagging from my mom. And also thank God for Ann, the super spontaneous maid, always ready to clean up and clear the mess and also responding to my every single request instantly.

Made the sushi for them to eat then had to give Shawn tuition cos he couldn't wait to play counterstrike after tuition. So fedup with him. Made me so angry. Never learn spelling still lie to me and throw temper at him when I wanna punish him, then he locked himself up with I wanna cane him while uncle allan was leaving home for work just now. My uncle forever so soft-hearted. Over-pampering his son le. Asked me to talk nicely to him but I heck care him la. After him left, Ann gave me the room key to unlock the door and I scolded Shawn and caned him gently on his leg 4 times. He wanted to bargain with me, but for more strokes instead of less. Siao la. Wanted to whack him even harder but just let him off la. Made him stand on one leg through the whole lesson.

After tuition, I continued making sushi while Shawn was in the shower, until my mom came. Shawn is really a sushi-nuts. He ate so much sushi until his stomach so round. Diong diong la. Packed some sushi home for my parents. Dad said his lowest sushi-expection is from Sakae sushi, and not mine. Well indirectly saying that mine not as good as Sakae's one, but I think he likes my sushi although he din say it.

If I got time, I shall invent more.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/10:37 PM}

A busy month ahead

Hey hey, May is coming to an end. Survived many ordeals that in the last month, my exams, my change in cg, well and also a huge test of self-control. Lalalalala.... I'm a survivor. Body still aching after that day's pilates class. Kickboxing coming up. Siao liao. I think that's gonna be more physically demanding. Help help help........

Well as I was looking through my schedule for the month of June, I realised that I'm really packed with many events. Starting work and juggling with tuition leave me with no time for my gym. Well supposed to go Suetie's new house for a swim on this coming wed, but gotta work. Hai... Long long nv see her liao. Actually supposed and planned to do many catching ups with many of my friends this holiday, but looks like I've gotta cast them aside for a while. Needa earn back my driving lesson fee.

Emerge coming up, followed by COPE's fathers' day big day gathering, cg retention weekend: AGAPE, Shawn's bday chalet, Chantal's bday party...... the list just goes on and on. And guessed what, I just discovered that Shawn's bday chalet cum bbq, Cg AGAPE and COPE's father's day celebration all fall on the same day, 18 Jun. Ahh......... How am I gonna split myself? I'm in such dilemma now. How? Now I really pray that God'll give my grace and wisdom to help me through la.

Even if I managed to convince Auntie Alice to celebrate Shawn's bday on the 19th, it'll fall on Kaiqing's bday which I dun think they will wanna celebrate Shawn's and Kaiqing's bday together, besides, Chantal having her 21st bday party on the 19th too. Ahh...... How how how?

I wanna go Singapore Great Sales. Wanna go buy so many things, but no money. Hai... So sinful to ask a poor shopaholic to go shopping especially when sales going on everywhere. My next few weeks will just be work, tuition, church, cg and that's it. Not forgetting that bible study starting after Emerge. God, strengthen me and stretch me. I think I shall see how I can manage my time after trying out for a couple of weeks bah. Ultimately, I still wanna play and have fun this holiday.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/12:14 AM}

Saturday, May 28, 2005
What's your thinking style?

Your Dominant Thinking Style:

Modifying
Super logical and rational, you consider every fact available to you.You don't make rash decisions and are rarely moved by emotion.
You prefer what's known and proven - to the new and untested.You tend to ground those around you and add stability.

Your Secondary Thinking Style:

Visioning
You are very insightful and tend to make decisions based on your insights.You focus on how things should be - even if you haven't worked out the details.
An idealist, thinking of the future helps you guide your path.You tend to give others long-term direction and momentum.

What's" Your Thinking Style?

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/1:31 AM}

Friday, May 27, 2005
My 1st Pilates Class

Ouch.... Just had my 1st pilates class. Initially very easy, but then as we go into the lesson, super tough liao. So straining on my abs and back. I really wanted to give up, but never. God din create me to be a quittor. I shall practise hard and catch up the next lesson.

Hai... Starting work next week. Starting next wk, my life will only revolve around church, work and tuition... Ahhh....... No more time for myself. I wanna go shopping. But cant. No money liao. Need to input before I output. So many things that I wanna buy especially during this Singapore Great Sales. I want money. Gotta save up for my driving and also get geared up for the building fund. And I still needa call Ms Cheong back for my piano lesson which I've stopped for almost a year. God, rain and pour down money and blessings. I shall update my wish list again.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/11:03 PM}

What Planet Are you from?

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability.

You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea.

Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion.

You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone.

If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

What Planet Are You From?

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/10:56 PM}

What's your love style?

Your Love Style is Agape

You are a caring, kind, and selfless partner.
Unsurprisingly, your love style is the most rare.
You are willing to sacrfice your world for your sweetie.
Except it doesn't really feel like sacrifice to you.
For you, nothing feels better than giving to the one you love.

What's" Your Love Style?

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/10:40 PM}

Thursday, May 26, 2005
Which proud princess are you?

You are a perfect princess! You are every queens dream, amazingly beautiful, a joy for the spotlight and your dream is to get married and have a proud royal family. If any paparazzi come after you, one wink and an innocent smile is all it takes to dumbfound them. You have an immense sense of duty and would never go against the wishes of your family. You spend your time flicking through magazines looking for the latest clothes and jewellery. This doesnt mean youre an airhead though! Behind your striking appearance lies an amazing mind. You have the ability to conjure up the wittiest sayings and are immensely intelligent. Such a combination of intelligence, creativity, power and beauty is often intimidating to those around you.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/1:09 AM}

A Friend

A Friend... is a tissue when you can't stop crying

A Friend... is a shoulder when you feel like dying

A Friend... always listens when you have something to say

A Friend... is a week when you need a day

A Friend... is a crutch when you have a brokenheart

A Friend... is some glue when everything falls apart

A Friend... is a sun when the rain just won't stop

A Friend... is your'mom when you run into a cop

A Friend... is a phone call when you can't leave your home

A Friend... is a hand when you feel all alone

A Friend... is a wing if you want to fly

A Friend... understands without knowing why

A Friend... is an ear for a secret to tell

A Friend... is an aspirin when your head hurts like hell

A Friend... is a love that can never let go

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/12:50 AM}

Thursday, May 19, 2005
Finally exams over

Praise God. Finally pulled through all my exams and now awaiting me is a 3 and a half mths of holidays. Hurray... Although got holiday, my schedule will still be kinda packed. Yet I still wanna make extra money. God, rain down money over my life otherwise my output cant tally with my input.

After exam, went for lunch at Raffles Place with Sally and Chantal, then after that Chantal and I went to open the "long-awaited" UOB campus account. Took so long there cos gotta wait for the person to register the internet banking for us cos their system was down. Diong...

After that, we went for our spa at Green Sanctuary. Hulala... Did the spa wisdom detox treatment. It's a foot soak with a body scrub followed by a body mask and completed with a full body massage. Praise God for the invention of spa. After the massage, I felt so rejuvenated. All the nodules built up by exam tensions all cleared. Sheena said that my money was screaming to bless her and not for me to do spa. Haha.... Well know wat, spa long existed since the ancient Roman times. Spa is a kind of healthy lifestyle to promote physical and mental well-being. My skin also felt so fresh after the mask.

Now I'm waiting for money to let me go do my facial next month. Gotta indulge myself completely before the next building fund. Well and also gotta start saving up for my trip to Australia this Dec. Dunno how again cos might be going during Xmas. Wasn't in town for xmas last year and already caused so much unhappiness. This year dunno how.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/10:09 PM}

Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Ice Cream

Just heard this from the radio:

A research study in UK discovered that eating ice cream can really make a person happy. During the study, researchers found that when one eats a mouthful of ice-cream, all the sensory neurones and nerves that are related and associated with happiness will be activated.

No wonder everytime when I'm down, I craved for ice-cream. Especially those expensive ones. Haha

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/5:27 PM}

Monday, May 16, 2005
What is marriage?

couldn't resist the temptation of the vcd lying on top of the player, so decided that I shall just watch it. What was I watching? "Shall we dance?" Well it's a typical type of Jo-watching film, drama and romance.

Really like Richard Gere. Find him very charming for a man of his age. Well, just find him kinda charistimatic with the way he speak, smile and dance. Hei hei... Yesh... Dance...

The way him and J. Lo danced was like some kind of fairy tale ballroom dance. Well.. I guess I'll never dance so gracefully. Bluah.... heehee...

Ok that's not the point about this entry. Wanted to share something which knocked some sense in me from the movie. When Susan Sarandon suspected her husband Richard Gere of having an affair, she hired a PI to follow her husband and one question she popped to the PI was "Why do pple get married?"

The PI answered "For passion." Susan's answer was "Marriage is to witness someone's life. There are a few billion people on earth and you cant possibly witness everyone's life and you cant witness your own life. Your spouse will be like a mirror reflecting who you are for you to witness his or her life and yours too."

Felt that makes lots of sense. Why over the years divorce rates keep scaling? That's cos too many people are getting married for the sake of getting married, for the sake of instant passion, for responsibility, for incentives, for the sake of others and age pushing them to be married. Nonsense. Rubbish.. Such marriage wont last long. Well not all such marriages wont last, but over 90% of marriages based on the above reasons dun last. Statistics have shown that more and more couples are seeking divorce within 5 years of marriage. What's wrong with this society? It's sick. God please help this world.

I remembered that I once heard from the radio 3 years back and I still do remember abt it cos it's kinda interesting that the passion, chemistry and intense feeling of love would normally last for at most 18 months between a couple if the relationship isn't maintained by both party. Hey dear all out there, know what I think if ur present relationship is less than 18 months long, it's nothing. It's only after the 18th month then will the tough gets going. So the most important part of a relationship is the time after 18th months cos that's when a relationship get really stable.

Dun marry someone whom u got an instant crush on, cos when you marry someone whom u hardly know abt, u may not be able to find urself in that spouse. I believe the spouse in ur life is a decision which u make by choice and this choice will reflect the kind of person who u wanna be or even who are you in life. Just like the bible which allows us to reflect on ourselves daily, a good spouse will be able to do so too.

I never support or agree to pre-martial sex, cos I just dun feel right abt it. Virginity is something which God gave to everyone to be presented to the someone special of their life on their union day. It's holy and sacred. Yet so many people abuse this gift. When pre-martial sex isn't in place, the reason of marriage due to responsibility will not exist then.

The whole worry is so big and yet to be able to find the person of ur life will be a great blessing. And that person of your life will just have to be the perfect witness of ur life and u for him.

Read an email about the missing rib and I believe that many of u would have read it too. Well I really do believe that God created man and woman in a perfect pair whereby the woman is created from the rib of the man. The rib will only fit into the perfect cage and not any other Tom, Dick or Harry's rib cage. Give some thought to that.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/9:27 PM}

Sunday, May 15, 2005
Finally got the joke

Ytd pst Phil shared a joke during svc 3. Everyone in the congregration were laughing while we the choir members on stage were trying to figure out what pst said cos we couldn't hear clearly due to the feedback on stage.

Thank God for Claris. Now I dun have to wait for John or Terence to find it out.

Haha... Pst was kinda "bad". Teasing his daughter-in-law.

He shared it only when she wasn't in the hall. Hahaha..

He was saying that the name Leah (which happens to be his daughter-in-law's name) used to mean crossed-eyed cow in the ancient hebrew, haha but now it means beautiful lady.

Haha...

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/10:21 PM}

Thank God for choosing to use me.

This weekend was a very delightful weekend. Finally seeing fruits in both my full-time ministry.

There was an article in the Straits Times on 9th May 2005, Monday, commending on us COPERs. Yipee... Finally making an impact to the society. I shall continue to shine for God. Hey guys, know what, COPE is a very meaningful and purposeful ministry. If any of u out there interested to join COPE, let me know. Life will never be the same when u are a COPEr. For ur info, my mummy just joined COPE. Finally she got a ministry after being in church for so long.

Felt myself growing stronger each day and more deeply-rooted back to my choir ministry. Was once feeling super detached from it, but now I'm back again. Ever since Benny Hinn's Crusade, my view about my ministry was never the same again. And once again, God sent Pst Phil to affirm that in me. Choir is a creative art ministry, yet it is a very important ministry. One weapon which God gave us to fight against the world is PRAISE. Being in the choir, it is very important for us to build up the spiritual atmosphere in every service. Yesterday during service 3, pst Phil prayed for all the people in the creative art ministries, which included the choir. As I was standing in front of the altar waiting for Pst to pray for me, I was trebling and tearing and before I knew it, Pst Phil's hand just laid on my head and I fell under the power of the Holy Ghost.

Pst Kong said that the praying and laying of hands aint just for encouragement, but it's for the impartation of power through the anointing.

Amen.

I decided to go on vow to focus myself on my ministries. Now that I've, thank God. Ytd Pst Phil also shared that when we make a vow to God, keep it. Eh... That must be for me.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/7:40 PM}

Saturday, May 14, 2005
Faith Comes by Choice

A wearing week of exams, a great week of faith-evaluation. Praise God for all that He done for me throughout the week.

This week of exams made me realise that I've actually grown so much in my trust in Him. Finally I can say I'm almost back on track. I've never felt so calm ever before for exams. Never. My last exam was my piano exam. Well I had to admit that even during my A's, I was still quite nervous even when I know I could trust in Him.

But this time, well I simply lift up everything into His hands. Well cos I've seemed super calm this week even when I never finish studying, Sally and Chantal kinda dun believe. Well I too was surprised at my calmness. But seriously, the week before, I really felt stress and yet calm. Well why? Cos I've got the Holy Spirit as my Comforter.

Motivated by Sheena, I bought the latest Hillsong United CD. I love the last song in the album "Awesome God". Simple yet powerful.

Our God is an Awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above, with wisdom, power & love.

That's it. The lyrics for the whole song is just the above. I was so blown away when I saw the lyrics and in no time, I found myself singing it all the time.

Some things which I like to share with you guys out there of the things I learnt during Pst Phil's conference and weekend services this week.

Anxiety is the most difficult emotions to rule. Worries and fear are like weeds, you dun need to make any decision for them to appear in life, but FAITH comes by decision. Make a decision to sow that seed of faith in life. Faith was the factor for my trust in God, that everything in my life is in good hands. Phil 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus." Amen and amen. This was the scripture which held me up through my stats exam on Tues. And through the whole week, 10 minutes before and after my every paper, I just laid hands on my paper and lift it up in prayer to God and believe that He'll take care of it. The other scripture which sustained me throughout the week was 2 Tim 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
The level of our complaining indicates the level of our capacity. Complaining is the language of victims. Well... I had to admit that I'm a super procrastinator. God, I repent. Pls pls forgive me. Wanna be a VICTOR, not a victim.
Trial produces patience. We need to be strong to endure hardship and be long-suffering. Strength is formed in tough times and through tough things. Well my life for the past 4 mths was indeed a great trial. 1 and a half more mths to end this trial. "Jo, u just had to endure it." Well this whole week had been travelling to expo for my exams. It's always kinda torturing and super gitty to pass by Bedok every morning. Well I just have to endure it for the one last time next wk and maybe I wont have to travel pass that place anymore.
Be alert at all times and awake to every are in life cos the devil will seize any and every opportunity to destory God's people. Hey devil I phew u. U sux. U belong to hell and not here lo. What makes u think that I'll still let u find a chance to destory me. Although I had to admit that my alertness slackened in my area of relationship during my vow to cause my breakdown, I still am trying to get back on track. God is putting me back so, phew u devil. Dun u dare lay hands on me. I'll bite u. Ruff.....

Well there are so many things which I wanna share about the things which God spoke to me during service and conference this wk. Love pst Phil. Praise God for creating such a great man and sending him to be a great fren of CHC.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/11:47 PM}

Friday, May 13, 2005
A great afternoon of rotting...

hurray... Down with 4 papers. Now only left with POB next thur.. Well praise God for the whole week of strength and peace and wisdom.

Had lunch with Claris this afternoon at raffles place (well... more like tea cos by the time ris reached, it was almost teatime). Went to the coffee club at raffles place. Love the environment there. It's almost exactly the kinda of cafe I wanted to open. A glass house in the middle of nowhere. We just sat in there to rot from 2.45.4.20pm... we talked and ate and thought... then I came up with a very stupid idea... ask him out for dinner... Got ris to call him.. well I guessed God foreseen it all and planned it all that he couldn't make it cos he gotta go attend svc 1. Okok.. I know I said so many times that I'm ok ald, but perhaps there was a little self denial in it. The past wk of studying while listening to the radio... his name just kept popping out through the day in song dedications and etc.... well I had to admit that his name is a common name but seriously I've never came across his name at such high frequency. Even Shawn's classmate in kindergarten has the same name. Wanted so much to sms him on his birthday, but dun feel it's wise. Ald got ris to do it for me liao and also ernest to do it indirectly. Throughout the week there were so many times of distress that I really felt like picking up the phone and call him to comfort me and encourage me like we always used to.. but I din dare.

After lunch, we strolled down from Raffles Place to Orchard Wisma... Well it isn't as long as it seems. We took 2 and half hour to reach wisma, stopping at many places in between. Was in a super walking mood today, but not shopping. We went into Stamford House cos it has been so many years since I last stepped in there and I made many wow wow discoveries.

Discovery 1: Had always hoping that our church would have a Christian library, like national library but national library cant have christian books. Cant afford to buy all the books which I wanna buy lo. But thank God, I found it unintentionally at Stamford House. It's called Whale's Belly and to our surprise, we found many CHC related products. Upon enquiry, one of the parterns for that library is from CHC. Wow....
Discovery 2: Found a pretty lovely bridal boutique there. Hey Sally, I think u can go there to check it out for ur bright pink pom pom wedding gown.. haha.... cos I saw they even have red gowns in there.
Discovery 3: Found a super neat place where I could hold my 21st bday party next year. Shall not reveal too much... U'll find out IF u get the invitation next yr. Even if u dun get the invitation... I still want my presents. heehee... (Hey Ying Jie and Suet, where are my bday pressies? Mid may liao leh...)
Discovery 4: Found 2 shops which sell all those super ex beautycare products. Those kinda shops which I would typically go in.. which u pple branded them as Jo's kinda shop. If u know what I mean.

When we reached Wisma, I finally collapsed at Coffee Express. My eyelids were dropping. Haven have enough sleep this day. I guessed I used up all of energy for the day then. So having rot there for another 1 and half hour, I finally decided to go home.

Yawn... Sleepy liao...

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/11:43 PM}

Thursday, May 12, 2005
Something to say

So sian now. Still piaing my econs. 98% clueless abt the things that I'm reading now. Sucks. Sleepy yet i only studied 1% of the stuff. God save me....

Living in a practical world yet I know emotionally I'm not practical. I know I may feel norm on the outside but now I really am clueless about my feelings to everything in life.

So many thoughts I wanna pen down yet no time. Shall blog them all after my exams.

By the way, Sally is getting engaged. Knew about it last week but din blog abt it cos Chantal haven know til ytd. Hahaha.... :b... Chantal blogged abt it ytd but her com hang... Haha... Shall fill u people with the other details abt it soon.

God, I just need the wisdom and spirit of discernment to pull me through tml for econs just as You did for me today. Pls God...

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/12:21 AM}

Saturday, May 07, 2005
I love my new Cell Group

Has been a wk since I last blogged. Well a week kinda short but yet seems long.

Been in my new cg for a wk. Well din get to see them everyday in the last 7 days, but cg meeting last week and the fellowship after svc just now was really fun. Haven had such great time with members. My members are all very nice pple to be with.

Sis Xiaowei's dad was suffered a stroke this morning and was admitted into the hospital. She had to rush down to the hospital just now after svc. Yet she din tell us anything before the svc and acted like normal, putting on her big wide smile. She din want her problem to affect the members. She only told us abt it after svc. I think many of the leaders in the zone also dunno.

Just finished synchronised prayer with Sheena, praying for Xiaowei's dad. Really felt that Xiaowei is indeed a woman of strong faith. Will be visiting her dad tml after cg.

Thank God for putting me in E205.

OH, i'm so in love with victorian at {/11:52 PM}