Friday, July 29, 2005

Colleague left, so what's next?

Colleagues come and go at my workplace. Recently, one of my lunch kakis also left. She is more than just a colleague - she's the reason I started TWWJ at my workplace, for the purpose of growing her knowledge and faith in God's goodness. When she told me she was leaving, I started to wonder where the purpose of TWWJ should head...

However, after this, on at least 2 occasions, I saw how she has applied God's grace in her thinking and outward behaviour towards others. Wow! So, that was it! God seemed to have spoken to me at that instant, that I have achieved what I want, or rather, what He wants through the TWWJ.

It's also a bit 'scary' when you know people take your words very seriously... Earlier on, she was hinting me of her resignation, by recalling some 'advice' I have given her - that everyone has a God-given purpose in life, that one shouldn't waste too much time 'wandering around' but seek to fulfill God's will for their lives.

Ha... and now, indeed, she's going towards where her talent, passion and desire lies. May God bless her abundantly in her "land of milk and honey"!

B is flesh, A is grace!

When I logged on to my uni's website and saw my results, I was indeed surprised but glad nevertheless. Perhaps the word 'glad' is too 'dilute' for the description...

Got B for Abnormal Psychology. Didn't quite expect that (though there was a small possiblity) cos' I have not totally covered all the topics. Wow! B!!

A was for Research Methods in Psy A. Thought I would get a B at most, cos' that was based on my assessment of how far I could go. Now, I learnt that with God, I can go a lot further! This is indeed God's grace =) As this subject was actually a repeated one, I remembered praying to Papa that I want to do very well, since this was a repeated subject. However, when it comes to the revision, urgghh, it just didn't seemed that realistic. Nevertheless, all glory due to Him!

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Assignment Blues & Exam Ever...

Now! I'm back to 'civilisation' too!! Feels so wonderfully great! =D

Actually, today marks the beginning of my exams. Why the celebrative mood? Well, for the past week, I have been deeply buried in intensive revision. Before that, I was frantically rushing for assignment deadlineS (nope, it wasn't last minute attempts, in case you're judging too early ;> ). You can almost say that I have 'reclused' in isolation during those days. What do you call having to eat with, drink with, bath with, sleep with, dream of XXX ?? Replace the 'XXX' with assignment or exam revision, you'll understand what I mean by my rational for using the word 'recluse'! Seriously! Apart from the usual daily necessities, I was just doing revision. Being sick didn't help either... Many (I think I'm the 5th to 7th candidate) have caught some virus at work over the past few weeks. Was mentally doing the 'Sars-like' flowchart already...

Still remember that late afternoon after coming out from a meeting, it begin with an innocent feel of itch on my throat. Hours later, I started to feel some throat uncomfort. At night, reality hits! -> It's REALLY sore throat! How come so suddenly? In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling something weird in my throat (can't remember if it's terribly dry or pain). When daylight comes, indeed, my worst fears came true - I can hardly hear my voice. Have 'lost' my voice twice and was once mistook as a mute but sweet girl (that fellow even said "wasted"!) ;-{

And in case you think, that's the worst it can get, that's not just yet!! At the nearby clinic, doc took my temperature and said I didn't have fever (only when I asked). I saw that the reading was 36.9 (hope my science teacher is not reading this but I kinda forgot what degree was the 'dangerous' level =P Was 36.9 degree celsius the norm or ceiling? Feel free to post yr comments...) What confused me was that among the medicine given to me, one of them was for treating fever. When I exclaimed in question "I have fever?", the pharmacist look at me strangely, and tactfully answered that I could take it "when needed".

????? So, do I or do I not have fever?

Anyway, after the 'fever' (felt somewhat better after taking it and sleeping), I started to develop phlegm and later cough. The 'finale' was flu. Was probably tired b'cos of that. Hee... this is not very lady-like, but I actually slept on one of those rod-iron chairs that allows for lean back, when I arrived 1 hour earlier for an external meeting. No worries, cos' I was in neighbourhood area, not cosmo city area ;) Could hardly make it through the day. Was given a kind 'go home' by my nice supervisor after lunch. Still, much as I can't wait to sink into slumberland, I can't just leave yet cos' that day was the last day before I embark on my 11-work day leave! Took an hour (thank God it's not more!) to clear some work and arrange for some handover during this period.

As you can see, the sicknessES just added to the typical stress while one prepares for exams. The first paper (have 3 papers in total) is most crucial, cos it's one of the papers that I failed last year. This particular subject has high failure rate, rumored to be as high as 40% last year or the previous year (lecturer even said that one student had a heart attack during exams! *gasp*). Need to sit for 2 papers to complete the exam for this ONE subject! And no fooling around! If you fail one but pass the other paper, even if your total aggregate justify for a pass, you will still be considered having failed the course! I was given feedback that I failed more in the first paper. So, now you get the full picture why the last week was esp. stressful for me?

Nevertheless, thank God for bringing me through. Tks to those (you know who you are) who have kept me in prayers during this period =) I nearly spent the entire time studying for the wrong chapters. Thank God that I discovered it earlier! If not, I will have to race even harder against time to complete my revision.

Alas, as I was walking into the exam hall this afternoon in Spring Singapore (the former PSB in Bukit Merah), I still have not adequately cover all in revision. However, it doesn't make sense to linger outside the halls though it was then just the 10 minutes reading (but no writing permitted) time, when everyone else are already busy thinking up answers in there. And so, I went in. Believers, that's the best way to allow Him to work through you, isn't it? Bo-bian mah, so, how? Die or don't die, also gotta trust Him. Who else can I hope in anyway? Whatever the case, He never fails.

After a gruelling 3 hours (even my pen ink run out! gotta used spare pen), I came out, thinking, ok, it wasn't as bad as it can be. However, this was strangely familiar when I took the exam the first time round last year (I even joined coursemates in laughing it off, saying how easy it was! Come to think of it, aiyo, so ashamed...) *Sigh* Hope in the Lord, hope in the Lord...

Got 2 more papers to biah... Can afford to relax a bit but can't be too complacent =I Can't wait for this whole exam season to be over when I will really pamper myself...=} No, not going to paint the town red (otherwise, my heart will 'pain' + account may be also turn 'red'). Have already drawn out a list of stuff to do after the 27th! ;] Anyway, focus, focus!! Study!

Monday, May 02, 2005

T.W.W.J.

Behold... it's TWWJ, not TGIF, not WWJD ;)

TWWJ -> This Wednesday With Jesus!

Ha... this name is kinda 'franchised' from the lunchtime fellowship group i adopted from one of my ex-work places. Yea, have (finally!) started a lunchtime fellowship group at my current workplace. It's been a year since i joined my current organisation that i started the group. Was quite not used to the 'void' initially when i first joined... cos' in all my 3 ex-work places, i've enjoyed attending some sort of Christian fellowship group @ work (i'm blessed, i know.)

So, how did it all start? Well, ... the story goes... first was the yearning (as stated above). Second, i got wind of a man of God (known in Christian circle) setting up some businesses nearby my workplace, which translated into shops! One of which is conducive enough for a small fellowship group. I mused and didn't gave it much thought, except this: Is this a sign from God? Third, i was convinced by Him (during a mega Christian group meeting) to just do it! Fourth, i approached the man of God, who readily agreed! PTL!!

Fifth, i started falling sick and if i remember correctly - was not at work 'coincidentally' for two consecutive Wed (wasn't on MC for two wks though, in case u're wondering...) Hmm... some warfare at work?

Finally! The group started. Though the first two sessions were just the two of us (myself and another colleague who is kinda "wandering in the desert" but keen to "come home"), i found myself benefitting a great deal as well! This small ministry cause me to study the Word more since i normally prepare for the sharing. So far, i have been leading the worship, Word, well... the whole session. Hope newbies can take over some of the time soon!!

The last Wed we met, another sister joined us. So, now indeed, it is "the two or three" of us who gather together, and God is among us as He promised! There were two more colleagues who expressed interest to join us but were constrained by work during the Weds that have passed.

From the beginning, i told myself, even if this group begins and ends only with two members, it's worth it - cos' it brings the Truth closer to my "wandering" colleague, and by His grace, will bring her back completely. TWWJ's objectives here are to uphold one another in faith and prayer, as well as to share the Lord's goodness.

If the Lord makes this group grow, He will provide a bigger place (say amen!). Interestingly, last Wed, i saw one of my big bosses on my way back to office (carrying the guitar). She's quite a fervent Christian, as far as I know. As you might have expected, questions were asked and answers were given factually. And... i ventured in good faith in sounding her out for a room within the office (having religious meeting @ work might be quite sensitive; was told by a colleague to keep it 'low profile' if i were to hold it TWWJ within office premises). My big boss said "Uh...", nodded and smiled... well, not sure if wryly or thoughtfully. Now, come to think of it, a lot of things I've done did require some degree of 'extraordinary courage'? Muz have gotten it from Him!

So, do pray pray for provision, ya? A meeting room within office premises will certainly save time (precious time esp during lunch hour) and the hassle of bringing the guitar about.

The Lord taught me one lesson on trusting Him during the last session. I was quite concerned on the space constraints (i was told that the current place can sit three persons). Initially, it seemed that five persons would be coming for last wk's TWWJ!! Though i kinda exclaimed "Huh? How??" in my heart, i remember the oil in the widow's house - the poor widow Elijah ministered to. Miracluouly, the oil's supply seemed infinite though bottles after bottles were brought to contain it. The oil run out ONLY when their oil bottles have run out. I thought, hey, i shouldn't be too concerned about chairs and inadequate sitting capacity... After all, TWWJ is His meeting. He's the ChairPerson and will ensure there's enough seats.

True enough, while three of us turned up, there were four seats in the room, plus one more which the shop staff offered as an extra.

Talk about trusting! Ha... Keep us in prayers. Shalom!

Monday, March 07, 2005

Car's coming! Bang!!

6 March 2005 (Sunday night)

J & I were returning home from my mom-in-law's place slightly after 9.30pm. Were planning to catch The Apprentice at 10pm and before that driving to the nearby more economical petrol kiosk to pump up our petrol. Instead, at 10+, we ended up in the middle of a T-junction...

I was puzzled when J gave way earlier to some oncoming vehicles but still went on with his right turn when a long blue lorry was obviously approaching. I told him (which he later told me I did so - calmly) that there was a car coming. Next thing, BANG! I was pushed further by the impact to my right side. The lorry hit the side of our white Toyata Corona - at the side door where I was sitting! Part of the left front side on the car was also damaged; the left tyre was knocked into a dent position; the left front light "oozed" out; and of course, my door was jammed; aircon was down also.

However, I am safe and sound! In one full piece! No blood, no sprain, no bruise, no blue-black! Had just some slight discomfort that resulted from the sudden impactful knock but guess there shouldn't be any internal injury. My first thought was: God! My guardian angel must be seriously injured! To think that the car was travelling at a fairly fast speed!

Thank God that the lorry driver and his pregant partner was safe and sound too! The mother-to-be just got a bit of a shock and some brushes on her leg. Friends advised her to do a scan for her baby. She was quite nice and even smiled when we came out of the car! I later learnt from her that at the point before our vehicles collided, she told her partner to quickly brake the lorry, which certainly lessened the impact on my seat door! Otherwise, where would I be now?

J's insurance could pay for the damages of the lorry (they could still drive it though) but nothing for our car repairs which could easily cost up to $2000. J is quite discouraged. We have recently just re-collected our car as it was tough to service the instalements. Now this happened.

Nevertheless, we are still glad that we escaped unscathed. No police reports made; no demerit points. Just some financial issues to grapple with. Those who knows our Abba, talk to Him about us, ya?

He is our covering.

Friday, March 04, 2005

1st Anniversary =)

21 Feb 2004 - That's the date I was officially taken off the title of singlehood. Ha... sounds sad? Not exactly though. So soon, one year has passed on. Though marriage has not been totally smooth-sailing, I would say the pluses has surpassed the minuses so far. It takes two to clap, a "Third" to get involved, usually, to make things right ;) Tk U, Abba...

18 Feb 2004
That was the Fri i took leave from work to embark on a purposefully-planned 1st anniversary honeymoon with my honey hubby ;) The Sunway Lagoon trip was certainly better than our first honeymoon at Bali. Over there, we get to go to a wet and dry theme park, enjoyed a nicer view room w cable TV, and wow! endless streams of shopping! (and mind u, they're extending the shopping area!)

I took note of their indoor ice-skating rink as well. Been donkey years since i last ice-skated at Kallang Leisure Park. Dinosaur years since i skated at MacKenzie!! (some more "senior" folks might remember??). Didn't get to note the price but overall, most of the prices at KL are lower than in Singapore.

J & I really went on a shoe-string budget. We didn't have much $ anyway but did want to enjoy our marriage. Little but important things do count. Don't get caught up by the urgent, seemingly bigger stuff in life, right?

We went to Sam Hui's concert too. Allocated seats were near the right side of stage but sound projection poor :( We wandered to the opposite side of stage which though was further away, we heard the words much clearer! First time for me to attend a pop concert (to think it is out of my country!). Didn't think it was that worth the $. Musicals more worthwhile.

Back to Singapore on 20/2 nite. Back to work on 21/2 - which was in fact the actual date of our wedding anniversary. But, hey, who cares? So long we have celebrated! Ya? =)

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Winn's blog is born!!

Haha... so glad! Been almost 2 yrs since i wanted to start a blog for myself - after a friend from Aussie emailed his 'blogsite' (if there's such a word).

A gd friend is going to NY soon. She, too, has just started a blog. Good for updating..

Hope this webblog (think this's the more correct term...) will be done right.. Am passing time now in Pacific Coffee, waiting to meet friend at 11.15am elsewhere in town.