Actually I've only had 1.5 tarts this year (.5 was for sampling). It's funny that mom started off lamenting the lack of time & energy, but eventually succumbed to self-made tradition, i.e. tarts & steamed cake. Reunion dinner last night was steamboat fare, homemade but replete with abalone & merlot.
The break from tradition was the lack of grandma's birthday celebration (mom refuses to say why). Cake and song zilch - even though Dad's birthday falls on the same day this year (Gregorian meets lunar). Hmmm...
Grams are certainly getting older - grandma's got weak and aching knees, while grandpa can't see properly in 1 eye.
2 days of CNY = Rest, Reflection, Recreation & Relationship.
Tuesday saw a major deliverable completed at work, only a couple more to go this month. Am wondering what's next... More of Him in me, that's certainly my prayer. Definitely bu bu gao shen, as my aunt wished me!
Running No Doubt Run Running all the time Running to the future With you right by my side
Me I'm the one you chose Out of all the people You wanted me the most I'm so sorry that I'm falling Help me up lets keep on running Don't let me fall out of love
Chorus: Running, running As fast as we can I really hope you make it (Do you think we'll make it?) We're running Keep holding my hand It's so we don't get separated
Be Be the one I need Be the one I trust most Don't stop inspiring me Sometimes it's hard to keep on running We work so much to keep it going Don't make me want to give up
*snap* and January's practically over... Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. (Hab 2:2)
*snap* another photo bites the dust. Feel convicted to spend less time snapping actually.
*snap* many a lesson well learned "How to conduct meetings" "How to emcee while having fun"
Watching The Savages reminded me about life's inexorable mortality and was reminded about my previous fear of growing old and losing one's capacities.
But today I fear not because God is with me. And aging from glory to glory, hopefully youngish looks will linger :)
Indeed, from babe to kid to teen to young adult to worker bee to parent to caretaker to care receiver, Man's life seems but an intense wisp that flits by.
And Carpe Diem! we say - though translated as "seize the day", a more literal translation of carpe is "harvest" ("harvest the day"), as in the harvesting of fruit.
Occurred to me this morning while queueing: How much money does the ATM typically hold? Can I withdraw cash up to the limit and deposit immediately? Then repeat as necessary?
I had forgotten all this - my travel mate had spotted star fishes back in Phuket. Though reluctant at first to handle wildlife, I quickly found myself amused by these critters, frantically creeping over our palms with hundreds of feet.
Have had my Olympus DSLR for some time now, but admittedly pictures haven't been all satisfactory. Even my friend's photos, shot with a compact camera, turned out simple & attractive. It's all in the eye, they say (though I often blame inadequate equipment).
Even over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself learning little - but certainly significant - life lessons. And now, sharing perspectives is lending a different light.
Surely SMARTER is as smarts can be - and more, I pray. Let's pray desires will surely be found.
In the blink of an eye amidst fading pyrotechnic smoke, we thus ushered in the New Year with cheers, shouts and song of Auld Lang Syne. Had a great time with ministry mates at Sunway Lagoon over New Year's eve. Besides the food & fun, it was really the fellowship that's most meaningful - getting to know people better and shaking off impressions and stereotypes.
Life never fails though to remind us of its fragility; I can't say my life flashed before my eyes on board the Viking but I certainly saw the news about a freak roller coaster accident in Japan. As if the deaths of an Army Major and a local comedian weren't sudden enough, a motorbike accident on SLE topped it off this morning - spied the rider motionless on rightmost lane whilst car driver/passengers looked frantic.
What's that, my 2008 goals? Some are on my mind, partially penned down. The weighty thing is this, I'm realising: time to evaluate and move from "I used to" and "Maybe..." towards "I've done it!"
Caught Across the Universe with bro. Great show - full of heartfelt Beatles songs, well-depicted the phenomena of the time - war, love, peace & psychedelia - and with a touching love story to boot.
All in all... what do we believe in? What would we live for... and die for? Though a different era with an altogether different psyche, man needs a sustaining purpose & life theme.
Today I found myself weighed down by another's emotional reactions. It's as if someone's singing that Corrs song "What can I do to make you love me" and all I feel is irritation and condescension.
Ok, enough of melodrama from me.
But really, this thing called Love - how does one get into it? Perhaps romance is only for the young and foolhardy.
Hey Jude don't make it bad Take a sad song and make it better Remember to let her into your heart Then you can start to make it better
Hey Jude don't be afraid You were made to go out and get her The minute you let her under your skin Then you begin to make it better
And any time you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain Don't carry the world upon your shoulders For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool By making his world a little colder Na na na na na na na na na
Hey Jude don't let me down You have found her now go and get her Remember to let her into your heart Then you can start to make it better
So let it out and let it in Hey Jude begin You're waiting for someone to perform with And don't you know that it's just you Hey Jude you'll do The movement you need is on your shoulder
Na na na na na na na na na Yeah
Hey Jude don't make it bad Take a sad song and make it better Remember to let her under your skin Then you'll begin to make it better Better, better, better, better, better, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
1. Peace, love and joy in my family. Mom is fully recovered and back on her feet at work.
2. Talents, gifts & abilities with which to bless and serve others. As well as creativity and focus to pull ideas off. Above are pics of my virgin fisherman's pie (well received, I must say).
3. Opportunities in career and ministry, and capacity stretched!
4. Financial blessings through stocks, increment & bonus.
5. Completed my virgin marathon!
Most importantly, I thank Him that he's always my side, even when I was faithless.
1. Christmas with good ol' AC folks. Some things never change, yet things aren't quite the same ever. Was great catching up and hanging out till 4am. Till next year, guys!
2. Christmas at Chang's - Candlelight service was as beautiful as ever, so too the symbolic act of one person lighting another's candle. I teared - yes I did - as I was reminded of that night divine and more so, because of the burden for friends yet touched. Merry Christmas indeed, to one and all.
Completed my virgin 42K in 5 hours this morning - it's on target and I'm satisfied :)
As CNA put it: Just crossing the line was a big enough prize.
The last 12K took a lot out of me though - cramps in the quadriceps and calves later left me hobbling along (yes I shoulda trained properly). Even the final 5km seemed so near yet so far, and Deep Heat can only do so much.
It was humbling to be overtaken by uncles and younger girls. But it was entertaining to read fellow runners who had scrawled their "Reason to Run" behind:
Most amusing - "Have you even seen the fuel prices recently?" Most meaningful - "What's 42K compared to carrying a baby for 9months? To my wife and 6mth old son." Most thought-provoking - "Each run is preparation for the next."
All in all, I thank God for His strength and protection, and for the grace to run this race.
Next year's possible target: 4h15min with running buddies
En commute, I wondered what more might come to pass before the year ends. And there it was, your attitude determines your altitude.
Compounding that, Maxwell reminded that change isn't comfortable, but building influence and gaining leadership certainly demands change.
In the past 10 days, I worried about money and fought emotions within. When family meets (and needs) money, what's the right attitude? Where can the line be drawn?
