Another addition to the 'family' has arrived

Ok. Went down with mich to get my new baby/wife from Maestro today. Here's a couple of photos from it.

Label in body with brand and model name

Baby resting in its 'cradle'

Ha. Just couldn't resist taking shots of it when I got home. Now comes the issue of finding a space for it in my room. Of course, I could hug it to sleep every night, but.... the hard case is kinda heavy, and well, just too hard to sleep with, lol. Parted with 695 bucks from my comex earnings for it, but it's gonna be worth it. Mich liked the feel of it also when she played with it a bit at the shop. Haha, she's also tempted to get a classical, but she's saving for her Mayday concert sometime later.

Heh, anyway, gave a call to Terence yesterday. Seems like his back is better. Got 2 days of mc, but do not know how is his back now. Maybe I'll drop him a sms later in the day to ask how is he doing.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Getting caught by the Z monster.

Yawning as I'm writing this, and it's in the late afternoon! Guess I shouldn't have left the half of my marketing assignment till the last minute and only finish it at 6 in the morning. *Yawnzzz* 4½ hours of sleep isn't really enough to start the day properly with. Still managed to sit through marketing earlier without dozing off too much, I think. Heh. Gotta have to start listening to the recordings I made during my lectures soon.

One more day before I'll be able to head down to Maestro to pick up my new guitar. Mich, if you are reading this, you still wanna come along? Drop me a sms. You are not answering my calls or sms. Actually, it's already ready for pick up. Got a call from the shop yesterday telling me that it can be collected already. Well, I don't really have the time. Observatory gig at NUS UCC later tonight. Have not heard their new album or seen them perform for some time now. Since last year, I think. Then again, I'm too busy. Chalet's coming up. Time to switch to planning mode and finish up the proposals for the treasure hunt as well as gather my thoughts for the sharing session that's on the first day. Still have not thought about it yet.

Bumped into Tim for dinner last night at taka's Ajisen Ramen. Looks like he managed to survive the Brunei jungle. QJ and two of his scout mates came along also. Starbucks after that at Paragon to chill for a while. Will really need to cut down on my expenditure soon. Time to diet, else my appetite will get the better of me.

Was reading Xinyi's blog when I realised the extent of her health issues. Sis, if you are reading this, take heart. Know that The Lord is always with you and He'll never forsake you in times of need. Do continue to pray and commit your health to the Lord and never give up. Will be praying for you and Terence also, whose back seems to be giving him problems and he's having trouble getting out of bed.

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near" Isaiah 55:6

Praying

Been praying for CK, and thank God he's better now. He went through an op on tuesday apparently when he was transferred to SGH then. Some of us visited him yesterday and earlier in the late afternoon. Still confined to the bed cos of the tube attached to his side, but he's better. Hope he can discharge soon. Think he's quite bored just sitting there and not being able to move around. Tim's back from Brunei in one piece. Thank God for that. Have to talk to him soon; kinda missed him.

Been a tiring week. Managed to get some rest when I slept in late on tuesday and wednesday, then headed to school after, but apparently it's not really enough. Felt really tired during my classes for the last few days, even falling asleep in IBM earlier in the morning. Just couldn't keep my eyes open. Only felt better in the later part of the lecture when I zoned out less. Gonna be a working weekend, missed it for the last 3 weeks due to soci class on saturday, so guess I'll have to skip the later half and head to work. Else, my christmas shopping budget will be really low.

Wondered whether is it right for me to juggle so many things at once. Don't know how I can endure, but guess will have to depend on the Lord. The song, Strength and Peace by Andrew Yeo comes to mind. Really like the chorus part of the song. Goes like "You are my strength when I am weak. You are the peace that reigns in me. You are the reason that I live. You are the refuge that I seek. Nothing can seperate me from this love that You give to me." Need to seek His strength and peace for my life. Have to draw nearer and learn to listen for His voice. To grow in faith and love in Him, that's what I want to do now.

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:24-25

Gonna be $695 poorer on the 27th

Ok. Finally managed to get the funds for my guitar. Comex pay was in last week, so got the money I need. $695 for a semi acoustic, hard case with humidity monitor, cable, cloth, polish, strap pin, tuner. But it's gonna be worth it. Won't need to borrow a guitar for performances anymore. But will only be able to collect it on the 27th as the boss is not around to drill the holes to install the pickup for the guitar; apparently he's in china till the 23rd, and will need a couple of days after that to settle his admin matters. Can't wait to get my hands on my new baby.

Caught in the rain 3 times in all yesterday. Should have borrowed the umbrella from Emily when she offered it to me after she dropped me off at tampines central after lunch. Missed my stop after taking 518 from TP and landed somewhere behind UE square. So had to walk in the rain to TTSH. Drowned rat is an understatement to describe what I looked like. Glad to see CK feeling better. Got a shock when he told me he was admitted for a collapsed lung. Had a chat before Mich, BS, Luis, Seng and Dennis arrived. Then I had to head down to maestro before it got too late. Visited him again earlier in the morning with Jiayan. Not sure when will I have the opportunity to visit again. Those who are reading this, help me to pray. He's fine now, I guess. Just have to wait for his lung to expand back to its normal size.

The guitar room in the afternoon seems to be really empty without the people around. Only had Eliz and Xing Tian around studying when I came in after getting the mob file from maju. Still got lots of things to settle for me in this period in time. Another guy came in later on. Played around a bit with him, and shared with him the wonders of tab reading. Not bad a player. Can certainly have him for performances. I definitely need more people, so that I can get at least a couple of teams when a stage presence is needed.

Numb is the word to describe my life for the time being, I guess. Even though I know now it's the Lord's will, I still find it difficult to let go. Eventually, I'll have to. Just a matter of time before I do. Meanwhile, I'll need to work it out of my system before anything bad happens. Guess a long distance jog is in order. Have to place my trust in Him. That He'll always be my faithful comforter. My very present help in times of need, my provider and all in all. Guide my ways, O Lord, and make the paths straight.

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel" Psalm 71:20-22

Gonna fail soci test horribly...

Ok. It's not as if I didn't study for it. I did, but not as much as I should, I guess, heh. Should have combined the notes and the article instead of just reading the article.

Thank God that I managed to defer the mob briefing. Still have to head over to maju to pick up the file though. Sigh. Hopefully I can get placed on the holding list. I need peace from mindef till I graduate. Too many things on my plate to handle this year. Having a 7 day week schedule is very taxing. But I have to go on. Still got things I want to achieve this year. Just have to rely on the Lord for my strength.

Celebrated Xinyi's birthday at cell on thursday, which was actually the day before. Got a book for her called Drawing Near by John Bevere, which I shared with some of the other cell members. Siew Ming got her a nice cake from Q Bread. Supper at Bedok followed. Blk 85 Rou Guo Mian rocks ü

Felt the Lord speak to me when I was asleep on tuesday night, after doing my quiet time. He told me she's not the one, and that I'm not ready, if I remember it correctly. Guess it's a bitter pill to swallow. A very bitter one. What can I do now, but to focus on the Lord. Focus on Him and let Him mold me. Felt low for the rest of wednesday, to the point of not going for CF in the evening and skipping dinner. Bumped into Addie and had a talk with him about the situation, but didn't reveal who's who. Basically, just hung around in the student lounge (actually, sleeping in empty cupboard) while waiting for CF to end before heading out for supper with a couple of them. That's when I had a good talk with them and they shared their views and past thoughts. Realised what I need to do. Have to sort out my feelings and thoughts first and then do what's necessary to salvage the situation before it got out of hand. Felt better now than on wednesday, but still a bit numb over the whole thing. Attending miracle service helped a lot. What can I do but to surrender to the Lord's will and learn to let go?

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11

Still exhausted..

Been a busy couple of days so far. Basically been trying to finish my readings for ISDM so that I can at least make some sense of the assignment question. So far, am still trying. Hopefully I can finish it later today after marketing and before CF starts. Got a couple of hours at least to work on it. Praying that I can get it done on time.

Monday's class was the last before Joshua had to go for his reservist for 2 weeks. Will miss him in a way. Don't think many of the members will come back when he's not around. The room will be open though. Hope to be able to play with some of them during this lull period. Getting my guitar this coming sunday, hopefully. Comex pay cheque's in. Together with my pay for the month, it's about 1.4k odd. Will be able to pay back my dad also. Thank God.

Hit a low point earlier after I came out of the library in school in the early evening. Don't know why, but my emotions started to run rampant again. Been trying hard to keep it in check, but somehow it got loose. Needed to get away for that bit of time, so decided to grab a bite even though I don't really feel like eating. Felt better after, but still kinda unsettled. Can only depend on the Lord to help me control it, to turn this weakness of mine into a strength. For all my needs, all my cares, burdens, worries and fears. Will trust Him always, at all times. For patience, and His timing, particularly in the area of my feelings. Can't do anything but to trust Him, that He knows what's best for me. Teach me to surrender to You, Lord. Total surrender to You, and You alone.

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strength your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

Exhausted

Been a few exhausting days. 9am lectures for the last 3 days, and friday being a complete day from 9am till like 12+ at night. Guess I need to plan time for rest during the weekends at home when I'm not working instead of going out like I normally do. Soci lectures on saturdays is more or less a waste of time. Could have read the notes by myself and crash Porntipa's class on wednesday mornings (hopefully). Still have yet to study. Praying that I'll find the discipline to wake up early on mondays and tuesdays and head to school early to study before the lunch time prayer meetings with Joyce and the others. She mentioned last night that she's thinking of moving the prayer meetings to tuesdays and just have meetings to discuss stuff on mondays if necessary. Thanks ü. I'll be able to concentrate on my readings at least. A lot to do this coming week. ISDM assignment due on thursday, and soci test on saturday. Talked about some stuff about the club last night on msn. About the vision, what will happen after she and Sam and Sebastian graduates, planned events and the upcoming chalet, and more. Still have a lot on my plate regarding the club, that's why she told me to take things step by step.

Hope to be able to get the departments filled up with some members so that I can delegate tasks soon. Not really easy to juggle my commitments and studies and work and still get enough rest. Praying for strength and wisdom to get me the next few montsh. Also have to focus on the Lord all my days. Still have a lot to grow in the Lord; feel like a toddler learning to walk. Just finished "Good Morning, Holy Spirit", by Benny Hinn. Good book, inspirational to say the least. Now, am thinking of starting on "You Can Hear The Voice Of God", Steve Sampson. Really want to draw closer with Him, to commune and fellowship on a deeper level, and to know Him more intimately. Need Him in my life, to provide for my needs and take care of my cares and burdens. If He wasn't in my life, I know how life can be. And I certainly don't wish to go back to those days of my life.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-31

Planning planning planning

Hmm seems like I'm involved in a lot of planning of late, mainly for guitar. Chalet's coming up, and I have to plan the timetable as well as prepare the proposal to submit to admin for approval. Approval's more or less settled, just a question of the budget for the event, which wasn't included in the proposal.

It's gonna be a long 3 weeks before the chalet starts. Finally a chance for me to stretch my legs and get some r&r for a few days without anything to bother me (hopefully, lol).

Monday was a rushed affair to get down to school in time for the prayer meeting. And, Joyce told me to inform the others regarding the prayer meeting, but I didn't really catch that line in her sms, so which resulted in only Eliz and her coming for the prayer. Guitar lesson went smoothly again, though one of the guys quit. Joyce gathered that he was bored, since it was aimed at the beginners and he is one who can play. Felt he should have hung on, cos Joshua should be covering more exciting areas in the 2nd month. Dinner with Eliz and YEN people at clementi central followed. 2 rounds of meals for me, which kinda raised lots of eye brows for most of the people there, heh. Seems they don't know how hungry I can be. Have to start dieting and get my metabolism to slow down, and deflate my stomach. One comment from Joyce about my stomach getting bigger has already surfaced :Þ

Tuesday was a virtual repeat of monday's, though this time I informed the rest about the prayer meeting and all except Samantha managed to turn up. Sebastian got on new contacts, which was affecting him very badly. Seems like he's not used to it. He got me a book as a birthday gift as well, Every Man, God's Man, which was what I almost bought on sunday, heh. Thanks bro ü. Dinner in school, and a bit of shopping at clementi central followed, before we started homeward bound. (nice song btw. Simon and Garfunkel, an oldie ü)

Lunch with Joyce and her fellow cell member, Jacqueline (correct spelling?) on wednesday followed. Apparently, Joyce forgot about her hp and left it at home and almost couldn't find her till she called Finna to get the number. Guess we all are too dependent on our hp's phone book to help us remember numbers. Imagine losing it *shudder* Too many contacts stored up inside, too valuable to lose. Did keep a physical phone book at home in case this does happen, but it's not updated for ages. Lots of contacts over the past year were added. And I can only remember, like my dad's number, as well as a few friends'. Really think I should work on that name contact program I've been thinking about for the last few years, just too lazy to go about with it :Þ

Talk on the end times at Wesley Methodist Church behind YMCA went on in the evening. Running joke about meeting to eat at YMCA's mac and finding that it's gone was aimed at Winston, lol. Supposed to eat at mac and in the end, we grabbed our dinner at Long John Silver's at the mcdonald house branch. Talk was good, reinforced some points. But there was some use of unfamiliar terms which got me confused. Maybe could be due to the fact that the pace of the talk was a bit fast. Will have to review the recording later on.

A visit to the Ancient Civilisation Museum in the afternoon earlier today came about, mainly to view the exhibit on the vatican collections. Rather interesting, I would say. Lots of information about Christianity and Catholism, mostly of the latter though. Some of it, I already know. But it never harms to revisit information from time to time. Contains lots of relics from the past, as well as paintings from a few centuries ago. Never really liked art (I suck at it, heh), but I can appreaciate some of it at least.

Finally managed to find Shariah and get my letter from her. Can only pray now that the email will be received soon and I can get my deferment. Else I'll have to think of drastic measures. Maybe showing my timetable to the officer in charge will help, as suggested by Daniel. Just praying that it won't have to come to that.

Looks like another long blog. Guess I'll have to blog more often then. Time to get back to planning, and studying. Draft plan's up already, just needs refinement. And guess I'll turn in early later. Else I'll face another scolding. Take care, y'all. God bless ü

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" Proverbs 1:7

Birthday Wishes

Hmm been a good few days since the last post. Friday's cell was good. Helped Peiwen lead in worship (still feel you should sing louder) by playing on guitar. Songs played were Here I Am To Worship and Still. Then came the sharing part that hit me. Talked about the will of God in our lives, and how to seek God's will. Whether a closed door can still be opened. Supper followed at mac as usual. Weiqiang and Peiwen followed me to just chit chat while I ate. And got nagged at again as I finished my big mac in like 5 mins, which according to Peiwen, I need to chew my food slowly, heh. Oh well. Used to eat fast, a lingering memory from NS.

Saturday's soci class was boring. Sunny Goh spent the first half of the lecture basically talking and talking about essentially nothing. And a test in 2 week's time? Sigh. Got MOB briefing then. Still trying to get the deferment done. Really have to get myself placed on the IHL list asap. Then I can concentrate on my responsibilities without having the government on my back.

Lunch followed with Elicia, Jiayan and Joyce Pan at the canteen, then a visit to the library followed to get a book for soci to go zap, and to book the discussion in the library for monday and tuesday for lunch time prayer meeting with Joyce and the others. Got like 4 hours to pass before Miracle Service starts, so decided to head to bugis to while away the time. Have not really gone there for some time now, to find people new and old to play against. Might not have time to head there in the next few weeks. Gonna be busy with the things I need to do, not to mention study. As the weeks pass, so do the exams draw closer. Have to pray for diligence in my studies.

Arrived for MS rather early, 6.10pm. That's after having dinner at the coffee shop opposite the church. No one I invited were able to come for the service, so decided to head to Tampines instead of Woodlands for church. Just sat there on the 4th row praying and watching the videos of past weeks being played on the screen. Once worship started, just felt the presence of God in the place. Couldn't stop crying then. Just wanted to let go and just enjoy the presence of God, like what Terence mentioned before, but somehow could not. Lasted quite a while though. How I hunger for such an experience again. Really feel that it's in the sanctuary in church that I can feel the presence of God the most. Oil anointing for protection against dengue followed at the end of the service. This is a rarity, as I heard the last time the church did this was during the SARS period. About 4000 lighters got anointed this night.

Sunday, a day I'll remember. Not being late for church and having to take a cab down, rather all the well wishes that came flooding in through my sms inbox. Thanks to all who sent me birthday well wishes. Really appreciate it ü Especially those who I have not contacted or seen for some time now due to my busy schedule, really surprised you all still remember. Oil anointing followed again, and Pastor preached a different message from what was on the Link, basically a repeat of the night before.

Hung around Tampines mall checking out Life bookshop for any books I might want to get. Headed down to Cornerstone's faithworks to make use of my voucher to get the books I want. Oh well, they don't have it. Every man, God's man was what I was looking for. Bumped into Joyce at the entrance. She was there with some others to pick up a book also. Total forgiveness was the title. She left soon after to head to Katong Hostel to help her friend with her essay. Bumped into Caleb also and had a chat with him before he had to go. Went back to browsing and smsed Joyce for recommendations on books covering the Holy Spirit and God's will. A friendly church member helped, and let me make use his discount card. Thanks brother. Though I kinda forgot his name. Justin-something. Me and my short term memory for names. Got the titles, "Good Morning, Holy Spirit", "You Can Hear The Voice Of God", and "The Comforter". All recommended by Joyce and other people in the shop. Looks like I'll have lots of stuff to read, heh. ü

Got a call from Felix to meet him at suntec after I left Cornerstone. Seems like he can't make it for the dinner outing since his mum's birthday is drawing near and his sis is too busy to celebrate on other days other than on sunday. Well, family's more important. Hung around suntec for quite a bit just walking about and talking. Sat at KFC while he ate his pre-dinner snack. Which consisted of a 2 piece meal. Then he popped the question of what was my birthday wish for the year. Hmm, didn't really think about it, since there wasn't any cake so far to wish over. So I wished for a deeper relationship with the Lord, to draw closer to Him, and for a deeper friendship with a certain person. Still waiting on the Lord for His will in this matter. Have to continue to focus on Him first and foremost, and cast my cares and burdens onto Him. Walked to raffles place from suntec to meet the others. Passed by the Ancient Civilisation Museum. Surprised that the exhibition on the vatican is still on, though it's gonna be till the 9th only. Hmm, think I'll go down on thursday afternoon after class. Anyone wants to come along?

Dinner was a small affair. Felix can't come, Huiling got her tuition, Sebastian got his BB, Elicia and Kelvin and Samantha got dinner appointments with family, Yuhan got his diving trip, and Joyce was still helping her friend with the essay when we left the place. Ordered stingray, kang kong, you tiao, oyster omelette, and satay. Quite a lot of food for 3 people. Neo got me a banana split in place of a cake, which they can't get. Thanks for the thought ü. Decided to talk a walk down to esplanade after the dinner, as we were all stuffed. Sat there for a while enjoying the breeze and the sights of the city. Didn't really stay till very late, about 10+ or so before we all started homeward bound. Got a call from Jinyu and chatted for a bit, catching up on old times and making plans to meet up with the others from poly around christmas. Hope can catch up with all of them then.

Getting late for me now. Blogging in the morning, and having to rush to school to get check out the discussion room for the prayer meeting. The rest will kill me if I'm late again. Jya ne!

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:13-16