Imagine that ERP is everywhere...

ERP = Electronic Road Pricing.



Though the ERP is to 'sooth morning traffic', but it also makes drivers broke by $2 - $15 when they have to travel within the ERP Zones. To give credit, i must say, that it does sooth morning traffic to a certain extend.

People are smarter too. They leave for work earlier to avoid the ERP at 7am. So, they leave for work at 6am.

I'm seriously just waiting for that 'one fine day' that we are told that ERP will start at 6am, because the jams start from 6am, because people jam the expressways so that they can beat the ERP at 7am. Grrrrllll....

Imagine if ERP expands its territory to the waters and the air.




I'd be inclined to turn vegan, instead of my current state of pseudo-vegan. Because fishermen do not want to come in to Singapore to deliver their fishes, Jurong Fishery Port will feel empty, the wet markets will smell only meaty, because there's no fish for sale. Even if there is, Fish will be such a sought-after commodity that people will pay $50/kg for it. And i'm just talking about the normal Ikan Tinggi. (Abalone is like a rarity) Ahhhh.... Nooooo!!!!



Imagine that ERP is in the air...Airplanes will refuse to fly into Singapore Airways. In the air also kena ERP. I can imagine other airlines doing this: Fly from Australia to America. Only fly from Aust to Japan-Transit to America. Cannot direct flight because will past by the Airway in Singapore. I can't imagine how much the ERP will be...

During National Day, no more performances in the air. Fighter jets will only be 'vases' stationery on land for people to see. The moment they fly, they have to pay ERP. Parachuters also have to pay ERP the moment they just off the plane (they must also pay ERP). So imagine them having a cash card terminal strapped on them and that totally annoying "Beep" that tells u that your cashcard is being debited.

Thankfully, this is only my imagination. I still love Singapore, because it's my home.

But still, ERP is not and will never be something that i will love about my homeland.

My mind is full of nothing but Mac

It's only 2 days from my last touch with Mac, and i feel myself missing the Mac ... !!

Even as i'm typing on my Windows Vista laptop, when i want to copy and paste something, i went into auto-form and try to look for the command/apple button, and 90%the time, i found myself slapping my forehead, and telling myself to "wake up ah! I'm on Windows, not on a Mac!" And this is a repetition inside my head for the past 2 days... and foreseeing many days ahead. I hasn't even got to the part of the F11 button, and looking for the 3 small circular buttons that follow the color of the traffic lights, telling me to minimize or close. Argh!!!!

*Sigh. I've converted to Mac without my realization.

Anyway, i gave myself a verdict which i've shown on my msn:


It's quite silly to work on a Windows when u have the working mind of a Mac.
My mind's full of Mac. And i'm working on a Windows. And i'm constantly trying to remember that i'm still on Bill Gate's side.

And, someone actually shared my exact sentiments. Hahaha...

It's a very apt and very relative statement that i'm making around here. Do u feel that too??

After 5 days of Asia Conference...

Currently i'm a bit too lazy to blog now. But will give a few entries on my thoughts and feelings on the whole Asia Conference. It was totally great, and mind-blowing. Here are the Highlights of the Conference, which i will expand in the upcoming entries.

a) Jack Neo came and was interviewed by Pst Tan.
b) Petrina Feng Bo Bo came and shared her testimony.
(People in the marketplace, shining in the marketplace!)
c) Dr A.R Bernard and his messages, the continuation of Kristo Kai Kosmos
d) Pst Phil Pringle and his messages
e) Pst Chris Pringle and her revelation on "Jesse".
f) Pst Zhuang got Ordained as a Reverend!

What are the things i'll miss:
a) Waking up at 5am.
b) Jumping out of bed at 6am and realized you have overslept BIG time.
c) Leaving the house looking like -$1,000,000 (sans make up)
d) Disturbing Ms V about her crush on a guy called Nick.
e) Taking cab together with Peiling and Liphin.
f) Running to the toilet at the wrong times during service. *Oops.
g) Singing "Heaven" every single session during AC.
h) Operations on Mac Book Pros, and all the various computer terms we use. *Argh.. somebody save me from the Mac-Invasion..... I WANNA MAC!!!!
h) Wear winter clothes + gloves in the Chorus Board container.
i) Eating food and surrounding the 'Order of Service' table standing up.
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Beyond all these, it's all the friendships that we have built over the past 5 days +++ of working together to make Asia Conference a success.

Thanks guys! Though i won't know when will be the next time we cross paths again, but it's been really great to work with u all (though i know u guys might not read this). Hope to serve together soon.... Hopefully not until Asia Conference 2010!

Hmmm despite being lazy to blog so much, i realized i did write quite a bit. *Sigh.

2nd day into Asia Conference

Today is the 2nd day of Asia Conference. And seriously, we are really breaking through lotsa mindsets and boundaries. The preachings, and the electives, they are really very beneficial for all of us. Though i didn't get to attend like all 6 selected electives, but so far i've How to be a good PA to pastor, and Effective Counselling, which is really good.

We see in the way that the breakthrough is coming and on the way.
Yesterday: Out of the blue, there was very very heavy showers.
Today: 2 of our ministry leaders fell sick (which is also out of the sudden).

Physically we are very very very tired, but yet the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Can't wait to continue serving for the next 3 days!!

My dogs likes to do silly things

Alright! Before i begin my hiatus from tomorrow till next Monday (17 - 24th November 2008) in preparation for *drum rolls* Asia Conference 2008 , i will share on the silly things that they are doing. So, i will miss blogging!!! For sure! Maybe maybe, i'll try to get a few sentences up whenever possible, like an update or something.

Three-quarter of the time, my doggies are really hard to handle in terms of taking nice pictures of them. And, it's always challenging, especially with Furby, which i think he's really camera-shy or that he hates things that are dark in color.

Without further ado, i present my 'prizes' on my conquest to take Furby's pictures.



If u remembered Jerby as a forlorn damsel-in-distress which is kinda cute, Furby can lure people's heart too. See, he's acting cute! (So, i guess, every cutie that sticks out their tongue is trying to act cute huh?) Not forgetting his blocked-by-his-fur eyes. 咪咪眼 oozes more cuteness!!



Introducing his latest hairstyle - Short G.I Armani. Which, consisted of short fur, yet retaining the mane and the long fur on his ears. This shot is kinda precious because i had to do 2 things at the same time: a) Keeping my right hand steady to take shot, b) my left hand lifted high with a treat to entice him to look up.



I tell u ah, taking this shot is very challenging. Because, it's not every time i can smoothly take his pictures, even while he's eating. Not to mention the direct-facing shot of him. He's eating his dog biscuits (Carrot flavored, from Burp). Ah, this one is not so silly lah.



Sometimes Furby is just so funny. See! He's pretending that he's a sealion. Nah... that was what he always do when he's stretching.

Both of my dogs, Furby and Jerby, has something in common: their yawning is exceptionally cute, and sometimes u can smell their dinners last night when they yawn right under your nose. Ewwwww....



Cute???

On a side note, non-pet owners must be wondering why Jerby is wearing a trumpet on his head.




It's actually to prevent the doggies from scratching itself with its mouths. So Jerby happened to have been scratching itself with its muzzle mouth and caused bleeding in his hindfoot.

No matter how difficult it is to take pictures of them, but it's really very fulfilling to find super-duper beautiful or cute shots of your doggies. It's not going to be easy, but it's do-able.

Local online fashion and beauty magazine

These days i've been pretty free, apart from Asia Conference preparations. So, after i'm done with my stuff , i like to surf the net to read up.

2 weeks back, it was Brandon's wedding, and so Diana has kindly helped me with the fake eyelashes, which was really amazing on my whole appearance. But doing it is such a chore. And i've heard of so many different ways of putting it on.

Today, i googled the topic on how to put on mascara and i found myself on a local website which i've never seen before.



Everyone, this is http://www.lovely.com.sg/, a local online fashion and beauty magazine.

The first impression of this website is that it's very cool, seeing that it's in black and grey setting. But what catches the eye is really what we ladies want - We want information! We want skin remedies! We want articles that are relevant and important to us!

Lovely.com.sg has many articles that are related to what we ladies want to know, and maybe do not know how to go about finding out. Topics include:

• Skincare
• Hands & feet
• Bath & body
• Hair care
• Make up
• Plastic surgery
• Health & Fitness

For the category that i'm looking for, which is about fake eyelashes, Lovely.com.sg has provided 2 articles which i learnt more about them:
a) Eyelashes and their complementaries - Very informational. It's not just eyelashes alone.
b)How to use the lash glue effectively for the types of fake eyelashes - very helpful i must say, since all fake eyelash failures are caused by the lash glue.

Beyond that, i have also read other articles that interests me:

7 deeds that stop u from having that damn good skin - conviction just fell upon me... I need to sleep like NOW!!! It's 1.15am.

DIY-ing your hair color at home - i need a new hair color pronto!

Applying your eye shadow NOT the way u do it all the time - impressive!! I didn't know that there's so much things about applying an innocent eye shadow color on my eyelids. Beautiful eyes! i see you! i see!!

There are many many more articles there that i hasn't read. But i am very sure i will go visit it again, for more information.

Countdown to Asia Conference: 08 days

Everything that my heart, mind and soul is focusing on at the moment: Asia Conference.

For the past 4 weeks leading to the conference, we were busy with a lot of preparation works, such as learning how to use the Mac software and operating the Mac system as a whole. As u know, the more common OS used is Microsoft Windows.

For me, i've never come across a Mac. I've used it once at my student's house, and oh how i hate it to the core!! Where's my START button??? How come no ALTERNATE button one..??? Why don't have DELETE button....??? And i hated that horizontal line of programs and how it disappears on its own and u have to search on your mouse in the desktop to make it appears. Argh!!!

When i heard that Chorusboard is switching to Mac, i was excited and yet worried; as i know how different Mac is and how irritate i was with a Mac. Though its exterior is to die for, but the internals systems ....

SO i went for training, expecting to feel overwhelmed by the internal system. And actually, it's not that hard after all. It's true that the Mac does operated quite differently from Windows but i guess it's a matter of BEING EXPOSED to it.

They don't have an alternate button, but they have a Command/Apple Button which works somewhat similar. They have this thing call Spaces where your opened documents can be accessed at the click of a few buttons; Command-Tab works just like the Alternate-Tab. But what i like most is the F11 function, which minimizes all open documents and shows the desktop. That is something that Bill Gates may wanna work on - i feel pissed half the time when i wanna see the desktop and i have to minimize every other opened document, which Alt-Tab never works for me.

And, the wonders of technology has enabled the ministry to really go up another level higher. With the next software that we are using, it has enabled us to save time on doing up songs databases (15mins compared to 5 mins), react much faster with one button (one alphabetical button compared with check the outline for what number, type and enter) and many more. But then, that's the benefit of this technology, which helps us to maximize potential with minimal time taken. OMG!! I wanna a Mac!!!!!

As i was saying, preparation work is not just about learning how to use the software, but also on practical practice. As JW is still on another system (watch out for Mac-invasion in December!! Woohoo!!), every chance that i have to practice, the ministry will make arrangements for me to serve at Expo. SO far i've tried it once 2 weeks back. When you are on the Real McCoy, u see the benefits of this newfound technology. It's not exactly idiot-proof, but it really helps a lot a lot with accuracy.

The countdown to Asia Conference is 8 days! And this week i'm gonna go full-force into practice this weekend. So it's gonna get good. Not forgetting the Tech Runs that has been going on for the past few weekends. It's gonna get better and better!

My focus for this week is this: Sleep more. I don't think there's much time to sleep next week. Beyond all these things, we need to engage in prayer.

It will be the best Conference yet!

A week of morning prayer

Just last week, we had given of our pledge to build God a great house, during our Arise and Build Weekend.

In this new week, the best thing to do is to continue to trust God, and be more steadfast in Prayer. And how apt it is, for Church to hold the morning prayer meetings again.

The other 2 times when the prayer meetings were held, i didn't indicate that i would go at all. Frankly, i'm not a very morning person. I usually wake up feeling crappy and grouchy. Especially when i sleep late, which is not a very good habit of mine.

But when the announcement of the morning prayer meetings are taking place this week, i decided to try and go and took a step of faith, and indicate that i would go for Wednesday and Thursday, at Chinatown, this Kreta Ayer People's Theatre (Church of Singapore, Harvest).




On Monday, i was talking to Di early in the morning. She had just gone for the prayer meeting and was very early for work (Good testimony =) ). So she was telling me about how the hunger of the people at Singapore Post and the presence of God was awesome. And i was totally stirred in my spirit, and in my heart, and there, i made a decision to go to Singapore Post (Heart of God church) the next day. In the whole of Monday, the only thing on my mind is the prayer meeting.



Well, why didn't i go to Kreta Ayer? Well, i didn't remember if there will be anyone there, and besides, i wanna go Singapore Post because many of the members are there.

And what touches me greatly is how our cg members encourage one another to go for prayer meeting. Grace Choo gave me wake up call at 5am (though i woke up at 4.45am because i was too excited over attending the prayer meeting), and met up with Sky and myself to take the Mrt to Paya Lebar. Fyi, all of us met up; leave the house by 5.45am, take the 1st or 2nd bus, and take the 3rd or 4th Pasir Ris-bound train.

The presence of God was very strong the moment we stepped into the auditorium on the 12th floor. From 6.45am - 7.45am it was Personal prayer time. It was time for all of us to build our own altars before God.

It is a challenge to stay awake, i must say. But when i remember why i am here at 6.45am, a time where i'm usually still on the bed, at a place where it's at least 30km away from my bed, and knowing the reason of why i am here, is to seek the face of the Lord, i know that there is no way i'm gonna fall asleep. I will do nothing except to pray and to seek the face of the Lord.

On Tuesday and Wednesday (today), i was at Kreta Ayer. Our members continue to encourage one another to come together, giving wake up calls at 5am and meeting up, buying breakfast or drinks for one another while waiting .... It has been so encouraging to pray with one another, even though we were praying individually.

I'm really excited about tomorrow's prayer meeting, and i'm gonna go to Singapore Post (Hahaha.. that place is the beginning and the end of this week's prayer meeting for me) together with the rest and gonna spend time in the presence of God there. Man! I can't have enough of morning prayer meetings! I think i'm starting to await for the next round of Morning prayer meetings in 4 weeks time (2nd week of Dec 2008).

Despite waking up at 5am and being readied by 5.30am...


My alarm clock is showing 5.30am... just ready to get out of the house

Despite looking like a million bucks.... Make it a billion bucks - in the negative sense...
*Ugly photos coming up*


Crappy hair, eye bags and make up that looks non-existent


i look bloated in the morning - Somebody photoshop away my double chin!! =S

Despite having to sacrifice my sleep, and looking ugly and all, it is 110% worth it!! To wake up early to go for prayer meeting, seeking and committing my day onto the Lord, it is something that i've thought that i could never be able to do it. But, i did. And..... i'm looking forward to the next time we have the week of Morning prayers!

So if u haven't attend any morning prayer yet, just come tomorrow. I guarantee you, No regrets!! [Quote from Diana]


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added on 7th November @ 9.21am:

I woke up at 4.40am after hearing my alarm clocks ringing.

"still early, can snooze a bit ah" [And i dozed off to bed]

Vaguely heard my alarm clock ringing, and my phone was ringing and then it stopped.

I stared at the clock. It read 6.05am.

HUH!!!!! 6.05am!! And i saw that Sky called me. And i called back.

Sky: Hey where are u ah?

me: CAN U BELIEVE IT?! I'M ON MY BED *sigh*

Sky: ....

After i put down the phone, i was laying there, and feeling very very frustrated with myself - Darn, why did i snooze?! And there, i decided to sit up and chiong all the way to Kreta Ayer.

Did a time check: 6.10am. I thought to myself, "Ok, 15 mins to ready myself, and get out of the hosue at 6.25am". 2nd thought drifted "wha, must run to ATM, i dont' think i have money to take cab now..."

Thankfully i left my house on the dot at 6.25am, and was walking to the lift, and thinking about going where to withdraw money. Instinctively, i took out my wallet, and Lo and Behold, i saw a red $10 note sitting in my note compartment. Woohoo!! Praise God.

And i reached Kreta Ayer at 6.45am. Praise the Lord!!!

Arise and Build 2008

Last weekend was the launch of another season, another opportunity to give to the House of God. It's our Arise and Build 2008!

Like past years, all of us will pray for an amount that we can sow into the Kingdom of God.

For me, i've been saving up carefully for the past 6 months, to prepare myself for Bible School next year. And i'm glad to say that i have saved up sufficiently to bring myself through SOT without worrying about school fees.

I myself, i prayed for an amount. And to me, it was something that will challenge the amount of savings that i had. This was my initial amount.

On Friday, i was having a discussion with Di, and i suddenly came to the conclusion that i might really give one shot and then slowly build on my savings again. And during CG that night, i was totally convicted in my heart that there is a greater amount, which requires greater faith.

Leader shared out of a message that she heard during her company devotion. And how true it was:

~Everything we have is from the Lord; the moment fear comes into our lives, we turn from a STEWARD to become a PROPRIETOR.~

And, i know fully, what i have is given to me for my comfort and enjoyment, but, it's also a time for me to find out if i'm a good steward of what God has blessed me with.

Knowing of this struck me deep; and i know that i am willing to give the amount that God has called me to sacrifice. Even though i increased the amount at the last minute before we pledged, but i know that being a STEWARD of the blessings that God has given to me, i know that God will never shortchange me. And this is the biggest-ever amount that i've pledged, and it was close to 2 times of what i've originally pledged.

Right after the service, i kept thinking about when i should give my firstfruits - and there and then, i turned to a AXS kiosk and gave my first instalment - 35% of the total amount. At the moment where my card was charged, i felt totally happy and at peace, despite knowing that i have lesser preparatory funds for SOT.

I'm praying for sponsors for SOT. And super-duper good tuition assignments next year. (i want a take-home of $2000 per month!)

An amazing thing happened: As u know, i've been sick since last month with all the cough and stuff like that. With this sinus, i will have this urge to cough very deeply, especially at night and in the mornings. But yesterday was one day where i realized that, despite all the cold drink and chocolate ICE-CREAM and Chilli, i didn't even cough or have phlegme! Praise God!