Already Back from Phuket Lah

Pardon the blog silence for the last couple of weeks. Been busy at work, then was overseas and after returning, spent my time editing my travel journal & my beloved pics.

Savoured wonderful sights, sounds & smells in Phuket island and Krabi and more in between. View full collection of pics here.


Customary window shot


Gem cutting & polishing - such delicate work.


Kid holding kid?


Beach! Except it was monsoon season.


Admiring the scenery (Viking cave beyond)


The elusive streetside coconut ice-cream


Pig's trotter rice! Mmmm...


Good luck jasmine garlands


Big Head Ghost Cave


Limestone wonder


Cave guide and Nardia


Little Barney's


Serendipity - Island in the sunset


Karaoke machine


MK restaurant - Streamboat joy!


Shopping joy!


Reminders of the Tsunami


Countless tuk-tuks along Patong beach

Safer Sex

The last we'll ever see in land of 4M smiles: Safer sex kits (courtesty of NYTimes) in Freshmen Orientation goodie bags.

We Live in Singapura

Check out this hilarious number by "funny boy" Hossan Leong who even mentions "sexy pastor Ho Yeow Sun." Haha!

Light & Darkness

I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.

Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 142

It gets to me. On one hand, work. On the other, past wounds re-opened.

I stand alone. God, so near, yet so far.

Before me, nothing but darkness. Grasping for light, gasping for breath.

The joy of the Lord be my strength, for I am weak. Amen.

The Weekend, The Weekend!

Free As A Bird
Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey

Free as a bird,
it's the next best thing to be.
Free as a bird.

Home, home and dry,
like a homing bird I'll fly
as a bird on wings.

Whatever happened to
the life that we once knew?
Can we really live without each other?

Where did we lose the touch
that seemed to mean so much?
It always made me feel so...

Free as a bird,
like the next best thing to be.
Free as a bird.

Home, home and dry,
like a homing bird I'll fly
as a bird on wings.

Whatever happened to
the life that we once knew?
Always made me feel so free.

Free as a bird.
It's the next best thing to be.
Free as a bird.
Free as a bird.
Free as a bird.

Moving Along

And so, S30 is no more... my ex-CG mates are literally being scattered across four corners of the island. Well, change is good, and more importantly, necessary in this case. So what's in store ahead? No idea but with faith, I move on.

And at work, CK's moved on to a different part of the building. Fellowshipped over burgers @ Hard Rock today with CH & D. Wonder what's ahead for myself... No idea but with faith, I move along.

When one is lost, one naturally searches for a guiding light. Am I really on the verge of something? Is there a triggering action I gotta first fulfill? No idea, but with faith...

Be Still My Soul

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

Chorus:
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Chorus:
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Chasing Cars

This ear-worm by Snow Patrol has been stuck in my head since I first heard it on radio. And it rings a bell because I've been busy at work chasing figures for management reporting, chasing people for their inputs...

Apart from the title though, the song speaks of a longing for independence and detachment, which during immense stress or hopelessness, are convenient holes to bury our heads in. But for too long have I allowed myself this. Stepping out in faith to reach for the next level is what I need.

By Snow Patrol

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Real Run But No Kick

Took part in the New Balance Real Run last sunday - clocked a time of about 54min. Held at Sentosa, the 10km race included stretches of 2.4km trail and 2km sand. Turnout was pretty good, but organizers seemed to be overwhelmed (runners were still streaming in after flag-off).

Overall, it didn't prove as challenging as it was hyped up to be - and I'm not blowing my own trumpet. To be fair, the hilly road proved challenging and the sand stretch was utterly annoying, but the trail stretch was practically a walk through the park on a paved track. Perhaps I had delusional ideas from Eco Challenge, a truly gruelling multi-day adventure race.

Memorable, though FAR from pleasant, was being tormented by a fellow runner having the runs. And since he was running at the same pace as me, I was hard-put to out-run him. Admirable is all I can say. Remember, the race's slogan is "Get out of the way."

Spotted a cute shoulder tattoo on a 18yo-ish guy - it was of Dino, the pet dinosar from the Flintstones. No further comments.

Most important take-away: I run for God and for myself. Don't bother understanding it. But run with me, you must.

Awesome Weekend

Renewed anew - that's my MSN nick right now.

3 messages by Dr. A.R. Bernard is what it takes to change one's perspective - radically!

Still at a loss for words...

Seize the Day!

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. (Psalm 103:15)

You Will Not Like Me

Caught The Libertine (2005, Laurence Dunmore), a film depicting the colourful but brief life of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester.

For all the man's intellect and wit, he wasted his life away in an essentially nihilist belief. Debauchery notwithstanding, he simply neglected to focus his talents constructively. Of course, this film is offering its own representation which may not be complete and accurate.

Read some of his works here.

I pray that I will not waste my own life away, distracted by pursuits of things that are temporary and unprofitable.

A Fragment of Seneca Translated
Lord John Wilmot

After Death nothing is, and nothing, death,
The utmost limit of a gasp of breath.
Let the ambitious zealot lay aside
His hopes of heaven, whose faith is but his pride;
Let slavish souls lay by their fear
Nor be concerned which way nor where
After this life they shall be hurled.
Dead, we become the lumber of the world,
And to that mass of matter shall be swept
Where things destroyed with things unborn are kept.
Devouring time swallows us whole.
Impartial death confounds body and soul.
For Hell and the foul fiend that rules
God's everlasting fiery jails
(Devised by rogues, dreaded by fools),
With his grim, grisly dog that keeps the door,
Are senseless stories, idle tales,
Dreams, whimseys, and no more.

Big Bang

Caught the 2nd last installment of the Fireworks Fest last night. Staked out next to the defunct Clifford Pier with fellow sneakers.

Pics aren't fantastic, but it's my 1st shot.

See pics here.

Castro

Viva la revolution eh? See NYtimes slideshow of Castro pics.

Happy National Day

Relished ST's National Day supplement this morning - truly as progress beckons, we mustn't forget our past and those who are left behind.

Just the other day, I remembered a friend who's spent the past half-decade or so in the States and if given a choice, probably wouldn't return. On the other hand, there's me who's lived here all my life and would still choose to continue my life here. Reasons abound, but I would just say this is home.

Let's be thankful for the good things around us, never mind the imperfections. After all, being contented is a choice.

Cheers!

Museums Open House on Natl Day

 

See flyer.

Courageous Wordsmith

Was tasked at work to author a paper on my own. Particularly challenging because of the political sensitivity involved - in fact as I type this, I'm already selecting my words carefully.

Have spent hours poring over words, typing/deleting/re-typing/editing late into the night. Paralyzingly fastidious becomes me, to the point that between 2 drafts & 3 hours apart, the content hadn't changed much. Boss was frank in pointing that out - I weakly defended that I had written much but deleted much too.

His next words were pithier still: You are too fearful.

It hit me hard - the procrastination, agonizing over words, mental block. Emotions welled up within as I nodded to advice on how to proceed next. Thankful I am though, for an encouraging and patient boss.

One of the last to leave the office, I sat at my desk. It was either despair or deliver. I chose the latter. Turning to God in prayer, I asked for faith, courage and wisdom to complete the paper. There was a strange shiver - was it His presence I felt? But heartened I definitely was.

11pm - heading home in a cab, blank and exhausted. Didn't utter a word when family spoke to me.

Am I fatally self-reflective without the capacity to cope? Is there a blanket of fear and worry that grips the core of my being? At least now I know my body can do with less sleep and more caffeine.

What is God's will for our lives? If victory is a choice, have I taken that pivotal step?

God help me, victorious living, here I come.

Hallelujah

By Jeff Buckley

i heard there was a secret chord
that david played and it pleased the lord
but you don't really care for music, do you
well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth
the minor fall and the major lift
the baffled king composing hallelujah

hallelujah...

well your faith was strong but you needed proof
you saw her bathing on the roof
her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
she tied you to her kitchen chair
she broke your throne and she cut your hair
and from your lips she drew the hallelujah

hallelujah...

baby i've been here before
i've seen this room and i've walked this floor
i used to live alone before i knew you
i've seen your flag on the marble arch
but love is not a victory march
it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

hallelujah...

well there was a time when you let me know
what's really going on below
but now you never show that to me do you
but remember when i moved in you
and the holy dove was moving too
and every breath we drew was hallelujah

well, maybe there's a god above
but all i've ever learned from love
was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
it's not a cry that you hear at night
it's not somebody who's seen the light
it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

hallelujah...

Food Glorious SG Food

Check out SGPOW's theme this week: Food.

Funny Quote of the Day

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself."

Josh Billings

Reel Revolution

Reel Revolution: for young people with a passion to discuss social issues.

Let my lifesong sing to you

One of my favourite albums at the moment.

Lifesong

Empty Hands held high
Such Small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you
Chorus:
Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my life song sing to You
I want to sign your name
to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord, I give my life
A Living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you

Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You

Click to listen streaming radio on radio.blog.club.

Tau Huay Slugfest

Read AsiaOne Wine&Dine: Spilling the beans.

"LifeStyle visited both shops last week and uncovered a sticky family saga that involved not just David and William, but also a third brother, Koon Meng, 61, who too had left the family business to set up his own shop."

Saturday Day Night Quickies

Quickie blog posts, that is. Round-up of week past:

The tao of work

Been manageably busy, with work straddling 2 related domains. Told some that work is busy boring (as opposed to boring boring), but upon re-consideration, that's not entirely fair. Pushing paper may not be glam, but it does require a certain mental agility to achieve dictated aims.

Most importantly, am reminding myself that my first calling is not IT or running my own business but unto God. That said, keeping the right perspective's a daily effort.



Faith, the substance of things hoped for

Been reading Lee Strobel's book, the Case for Faith which tackles philosophical questions such as "If God is love, then what about all the suffering in our world?" and whether it's possible to believe in both miracles and science.

Interim take-away: it is through life's vicissitudes that people build faith and knowledge about Him.

Getting married

Caught up with a few army pals today, apparently 1 of the guys has ROM-ed and is due to drop the red bomb soon. Am glad for him, of course. Just that it begs the question when it's gonna be my turn. Mom hasn't been pressuring me, thankfully. Have realized that I don't take well to teasing 'cept haven't figured out why.

"Sir, you're not young anymore."

Enquiring about multi-vits for men, I asked which age group the product caters too as "I'm still young, only 27."

Sales asst: "Sir, you're not young anymore."

*near-bawl*

Small feet

Went shopping today, but was another failed attempt at buying the perfect shoe. I think I'm a terrible shopper.


Au Revoir Simone: Verses of Comfort, Assurance & Salvation

Discovered a couple of beautiful synth-pop tracks off Pitchfork, do have a listen. Musical tastes being so diverse though, it's always good to keep an open mind.

Here He Comes to Save the Day

Just caught Sartorially-salah Man aka Superman and couldn't help but notice the strong affinity with Christianity - one man sent to save mankind through personal sacrifice. There's more but I won't provide any spoilers here.

To my own surprise, I quite enjoyed the movie and found the pace at most, leisurely and not as draggy as otherwise informed. This sequel stayed mostly true to the original - to the best of my memory - without overly focusing on action and special effects. A tad cheesy at certain parts but hey, even Superman has his weaknesses...

Most of all, glad that family enjoyed it.

Read Anti-Christ Superman: The Superhero and the Suffering Servant.

Old vs New

The disparity between the old and the new ever widens. My dad continues to utter "Microword Soft" and I can't be bother to correct him anymore, instead I resign myself to the fate of domestic IT support.

After tuition at my cousin's, I complimented my cousin for building a worthy home-made racing car as his Design & Technology project. I genuinely wished that I had such 'cool' subjects during my time. But my aunt revealed that it was his dad who had painstakingly taken care of sawing wood and final assembly. She went on to lament how her sons return home with little homework and have too much time to laze out and that she now has to undertake the responsibility of teaching her youngest son how to write in chinese.

In the news: mrBrown's column has been dropped from Today. Pity.

Made another card for my cellgroup member's birthday. All this effort, I wonder what it goes towards.

Pardon me, saturday ramblings...

Flickr SGPOW:Talk is cheap

Talk is cheap
Originally uploaded by yongkle.

One of my fav websites now.

Goodbye My Lover

By James Blunt

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer and when i wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bare my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.

A sad song that speaks of love forlorn. Worthy of a blog, but not reflective of my state of mind ;)

Funny Face

Caught Stanley Donen's Funny Face (1957) on Arts Central last night. Surprisingly watchable, with the entertaining musical numbers & dance items, and an romance unfolding between between Fred Astaire & Audrey Hepburn. A high point I thought was when Hepburn's unassuming bookworm character had blossomed into a fashion model with a spontaneous flair in posing for the camera. Scenes from around Paris were also stunning. Didn't watch it to the end, but I suspect a typical "happily ever after" ending.

Brothers

En route to tuition at my cousin's, I spied 2 young brothers walking side by side, backpacks & sandals alike. Engaged in eager talk, the younger bespectacled one gestured while kor kor listened. Heading to tuition perhaps? Where were their parents anyway? A reflection and perhaps a reminder? Deeply touched, I thanked God for the family I'm blessed with.