My Company D&D

I could not quite fathom why people can be so excited about company D&Ds. The theme for this year's D&D was 'Heros and Villains'. Way before it, many of my colleagues were already discussing about which characters to dress as. Even one of the eye doctors was trying to decide for me which character I should dress as. Finally the day came,......

It turned out to be quite an enjoyable night. I went dressed as Peter Pan, which I am now affectionately known as in my workplace. We played some games on stage, which I was volunteered (or rather forced) to go. Not bad, I ended third among a hundred or so people.

Applause please. :)

The food was so so. Did not really fancy it. I guess the fun part was being with my colleagues and seeing them dressed as different characters. The MC was really good. His humor really brought much laughter to the crowd. Its been a long while since I have laughed so hard.

Busy Day

Sigh. Had a really busy day. Was expecting my afternoon to be more free at work but I was wrong, so wrong. Ended trying to sort out other people's problem with their spects. Took a lot out of me. The end product (glasses well done) always brings me satisfaction but the process can be quite tiring. Anyway, it was a pair of glasses screwed up by an optical shop outside that I tried to fix up for a really nice auntie so I guess its worth it. Well, when the final product comes out in one to two weeks time, we shall see.

Now I am in the midst of my night shift in the clinic. Was hoping for an empty session but again I was disappointed. The patients seem never ending. My God! And tomorrow I got a long day ahead of me. Better rest early tonight man......

How I blew my love life 3: Damage Control

We met at City Hall Mrt that evening. Then we proceeded to Curry Flavor for dinner. We had a casual chat during the course of the dinner. We talked bout church and ministry at first. Can't recall whether I felt anything at that point of time. After we finished and the plates were cleared, then came judgement! Nay, it was not that serious. We started to talk bout the more "serious" stuff. She felt that we had very different views of what a relationship was. She also mentioned bout how infrequently I called her on the phone. Then came my part. Actually there wasn't very much I said, if I remembered correctly. Think I asked her to give me more time and cut me more slack. I was not one (still not one presently) who chats a lot over the phone. In fact I always had a phobia of chatting on the phone and coming to the part when there was nothing else to talk about. The awkward silence over the line always got to me. So I tend to avoid talking to others over the phone and always preferred to sms or talk face to face. I explained that to her and then the dramatic part came. I can't remember what I said but I started to tear as I spoke to her. Wah, so drama. Started to show the emotional side of me. Good thing I am not too given to bawling or that night would have really been a sight to behold. But thinking back its kind of funny. Imagine a pretty girl and a guy siting facing each other at the table and the guy starts to cry as he speaks to her. Good thing there aren't many people there that night.

Still remember the night after that when I was talking with my sis. We had our worship practice and we drove to some place to wait for my brother in law. I rememer telling my sis bout the super quick damage control I had to do the night prior. I also remember telling my sis bout how I should be thankful for my life. I got the girl whom I wanted for so long, got a good job, etc.

Laughter

Was reading an article about laughter by a doctor a while ago. I am reminded all over again to laugh often and to live life in a more light hearted way. In summary, here are some of the benefits of laughter:

1) healthy function of blood vessels. It cause the blood vessels to dilate thus facilitating more blood flow.
2) release of endorphins. These are natural "pain-killers" which contribute to a sense of well-being as well as conteract effects of stress hormones.
3) may boost immune system as well as reduce inflammation in the body.
4) relaxation, another buster of stress.
5) reduction in blood pressure.
Hmmm, there are still more benefits that I have not listed but I suppose the above should be enough to motivate us to laugh more in life. It is said that children laugh a hundred times a day, sometimes more. When we reach adulthood, the frequency falls to a handful within a day. How sad. No wonder the bible encourages us with verses like:

Proverbs 17:22 (Amp) A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 15:15 (Amp) All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].

How applicable are these verses to our time and day. So, food for thought. How many times have you laughed today?

:)

Funny

Found this in the toilet of my dizi school, quite funny.

My day

Hmmm, today's been a pretty normal day except for a couple of things,......
1) one of my colleague's last day, or rather last half day. Sad.
2) i did not play as well as I wanted for my dizi today. Frustrating.
3) my gym instructor commented on the outbreak on my face. Devastating!
Hmmm, on second thoughts, think I ought to sleep early and end my day, sometimes life seems better when you are dreaming it instead of living it. :)

Funny

Read an email forwarded by a friend. Thought it was quite funny......

> Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and
> working in the family business.
>
>
>
> When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when
> his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with
> which to share his fortune.
>
>
>
> One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most
> beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took
> his breath away.
>
>
>
> 'I may look like just an ordinary man,' he said to
> her, but in just a few years, my father will die, and
> I'll inherit $20 million.
>
>
>
> Impressed, the woman obtained his business card... and
> three days later, she became his stepmother.
>
>
>
> **Women are so much better at financial planning than
> men.** J
>

Easter sunday

Hmmm, not feeling too well emotionally today man. Think I am feeling lonely. On the way back from gym, I was pouring my heart out to God. Was complaining bout how I seem to have lost some friends ever since they got attached. Sigh, don't wanna go that direction again. Anyway, the bible says that my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. If its a friend I need, its a friend He'll supply. :) Actually, I am also contemplating on whether its time for me to move on to another church. Don't seem to be able to contribute much to Petra anymore. The youth ministry does not seem to need me and the worship team does not seem to need me. Hmmm, gotta seek God man. Cannot make decisions when I am in the midst of emotional upheavel. God I need wisdom.

When I was in the gym just now, I was watching the news bout the mess in Thailand. In the midst of it I was pondering to myself how come people can be so free to go about doing all these protests and causing such stir and unrest among everyone. Then I was reminded about Maslow's hierarchy of needs which lists physiological as well as safety needs right at the bottom of the list. When these people (Thais) are placed in the hierarchy, they are at or near the bottom. For most of us here, we would be placed on the top or near it because ours would be more of the emotional needs that we are after. Then I realised how blessed we are that we do not even need to worry or be concerned bout the safety needs and our physiological needs are very much taken care off as well. That's why we got the time and energy to go for the 'higher' needs. Many a time, people in poor countries have to contend with even the most basic need of survival while people like us have pretty decent governance and thus we do not even consider such need and we move on to 'higher' needs like our emotional well-being, self-esteem, etc. How blessed we are. Thank God......

My Easter

Was looking forward to Friday. Finally I get the chance to sit down for a few hours listening to God's word being taught. The church was holding a 'Gospel Academy' with the intention to teach in more depth about what the gospel is about and some other topics related to it. Enjoyed it though I came in late. After that I joined the youths for dinner at Swensens. Felt a little awkward though. Think I have not joined them for too long. Did not have much to really chat about. Hmmm, feels like I am losing touch with them. Been wondering lately whether I should continue to serve in the youth. Don't think there is very much that I can contribute to already. God, I need answers......

How I blew my love life 2: Pleasant Surprise,...... Warning Letter

For close to 3 weeks, we acted as nothing happened. I thought probably it was a subtle way of her rejecting me without having to tell me straight in the face. So life went on as usual till 20th jan. I was up earlier cos I was going to be serving that Sunday morning. I realised that I had received a sms that morning at bout 12 plus a.m. It was from her. In the sms she said that I was probably asleep at that time of the sms which was so true. Next she said referred to the thing I said to her and said that she was willing to give it a try. Seriously at that point of time I felt nothing. Maybe I was still not convinced that it was actually happening. The night prior she was at Jay Chou's concert so I replied I had Jay Chou to thank for this favorable reply. Then I remembered replying as well that it would be my first BGR so I requested for her to be patient with me. Then I went on as usual to get ready and made my way to church. I also sms my sister bout it cos she knew that I had liked this girl for the longest time.

When I saw her at church I said hi and went on as usual. She had requested earlier that we keep the trial underwraps till a later time. So we acted as usual. When we were done with church, she sms me though we were in the same room to ask me if I was leaving and stupid me I asked her across the room if she sms me. To me, I thought that she probably had sms me earlier and I wanted to confirm. For her, it was to ask me so that we could leave subtly together. My first mistake. Dumb me...... So we did leave subtly together. Next mistake, I should have sent her home. When the train came to my stop I just got off. Kind of embarrasing to admit but I did just that. No wonder she got upset. But I was oblivious to that. On the wednesday, I was out with a couple of friends and she was in church having a meeting. A friend offered to send me back to church to meet her. At first I was not too keen cos I was feeling sick. But I finally decided to. So I met her in church and went back with her. As usual, I left at my stop but this time I sms her a little while later to tell her that I intended to send her back but I was not feeling too well. It was then that I realised that she was upset. So immediately I called her. But I really did not know what to say so I just apologised. Still remember that was one of the most silent conversations I ever had on the phone. After we hung up, I knew I was in trouble.
Next morning I saw that I had received a sms. It was her. She said that we needed to talk cos we seems to have different ideas of the relationship. So I replied and we set a place that evening to have dinner as well as to talk. Still remember that it was Curry Flavour at City Hall. Only four days into the relationship and I got my first warning letter so to say......
to be continued......

Hmmm some free time

It's kind of cool cos I got some free time on my hands this morning. Because I am stationed to a clinic near to my home, I could wake up 20 minutes later than usual. Soooo precious! Also, the clinic workload is much lighter than my hospital so I could sit down leisurely to settle my admin stuff rather than rushing through it most of the time. In fact I am now typing this blog in my room with Kenny G music in the background. Wow! If I do this for too long, don't think I can work the normal life again. :) Now I am learning to be busy at work but yet not flustered up, which can happen whenever I am packed up with patients and things to do. This can be tough yet I realise that if I want to be able to work for long I must learn to keep stress at bay. I remember my pastor reminding a number of times that you might be busy outside but inside it must a calm sea of galilee. Been concerned bout my health off late. Seems that my body takes longer to fight off sickness and to recover. Was down with flu bout 2 weeks ago. The flu has left but I find myself still having a lot of phlegm and trying to cough them out day after day. My doctor was concerned for me cos I seemed to be falling sick more often which should not be for my age. Hmmm, seems that the stress really ain't helping much. So now other than dealing with the stress I also have to go back to healing scriptures to remind myself that all these sickness and diseases have been already carried by Jesus on the cross 2000 years ago. Thank God......


Mat 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES." (NASB)

1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

And I say "Amen"......

My dream physique

Nope. That's not me. Wish it was though...... This is the physique that I am training towards. Been working out a fair bit for the last few months. Hopefully there will come a day when I can have this kind of physique.

Proud of myself: Confession

I am so proud of myself. Came back home earlier today. Managed to practice my dizi, keyboard, and my sax as well. Its been so long since I last touched my sax. Really rusty man. Hmmm, felt like the good old days when I had hours to practice my instruments. I used to dream having so much money that I could stop work and spend my time learning all my instruments. That would be heaven...... Now I just need to push myself enough to start on my guitar. Been slacking in it for a long time as well.
Enjoyed my first dizi class on thursday. Surprisingly, it was easier than I thought. I went thinking that it would probably take me some time to make my first sound on my dizi. But the sound came out almost instantly. Guess my sax background helped somewhat. But I was a little shocked at my instructor though. I don't know where I got the idea but I just thought that he would be a decent looking person, prim and proper. But it turned out that he had golden long hair! What a contrast! Anyway he was quite patient with me so I suppose that's okay then. I was a little concerned that I might have a challenge trying to pick up the instrument and that if my instructor was fierce, that would be the end. Still remember when I took my sax class. I probably heard the word 'no' during my class more than I ever did in my lifetime! So I dreaded my classes. As soon as I had grasped the basics, I stopped classes. So thank God this instructor is more patient. :) Well, hopefully I can pick up the instrument quickly. Would love to start playing it for the chinese worship. Shiok man.

How I blew my love life

It was the last day of the year. We had so much fun together. We had ended a karoke session and were on our way back. I did not know where the idea came from but I very much wanted to tell her that I liked her. I had a crush on her for bout 2 years prior and I actually wanted to leave it as that. Guess at the back of my mind I never expected her to like me. After all, she was the pretty and confident one, whereas for me, I shall not elaborate. That night was special. Call it impulse or what, I just wanted so much to tell her that I really like her. But it was tough man. After all, I had never ever told a girl that directly before. We went pass one station to another. Time was running out. Somehow, I was convinced that if I did not say it tonight, I would not have the guts to do so ever again. So as we went pass Toa Payoh station, I looked straight at her and said,'........, 妳知道我喜歡妳很久了嗎?' She was shocked. So was I. Even though I wanted to say it, I was surprised that the words did escape my mouth. There was silence for a long while,......
She:'I don't know what to say.'
I:'You don't have to say anything.'
Silence........
She:'I really don't know what to say.'
I:'Errr you don't have to say anything.'
Silence.......
She:'I am tired. We'll talk about it tomorrow (another time, can't remember which)
I:'Sure.'
Though Yio Chu Kang mrt was not too far along the way, it sure felt like it.
Still remember the scene as I was walking across the bridge towards home, everything felt so different. It was a load of my back. Imagine liking someone for 2 years and finally being able to tell it to the person. Frankly, I don't think I would have felt very much if she rejected me there and then. The feeling of relief was already superb.
to be continued......

A little about me

Just a little info bout me. I love music. It's kind of strange. Cos I don't remember being passionate bout music when I was young. In fact, I can remember the time I was forced into learning the electone when I was in primary school. My brother and sister were great in it. Coupled with the fact that they were involved in the school band as well. Then came to me. Still remember that I was the only one in my electone class to score a 'D' for my exam which was really elementary then. It was so funny. All the kids laughed at me. Good thing I didn't give a damn then. The teacher started by announcing the students who got 'A', followed by 'B' and then 'C'. Then she told me that I should have realised by then what I got. Thinking back I wouldn't be surprised if that examiner let me pass out of sheer sympathy. Could never really stick to anything then. Errr, still find it tough to do so now...... Guess things started to change after I became a Christian. There came a time I wanted to be able to play to worship God. Finally after years of waiting (the word 'Procrastion' is a vulgar word now), I finally started taking keyboard lessons as well as guitar from this place called 'Believer's music'. Then I started to want to pick up more instruments. You can call me a 'jack of all trades, master of none' cos that pretty much describes me. Took up alto saxophone as well, a little of drums and now dizi.

Gonna start class today man

Yippeeee. Gonna start on my dizi class today. Been procrastinating for so long. Hmmm, seems my life's been pretty marked by this word 'procrastination'. Guess I am a rather passive person by nature. For many what I consider "milestones" in my life it usually took me months or sometimes years before I embarked on what I have on my heart to do. Like massage for example, I remember having the desire to learn it since my army days. I only took it up when I was 2-3 years into the workforce. So I procrastinated for at least 3 years! My goodness! Should have had my middle name procrastinate man. I did even worse for my keyboard class. Think I took bout 4-5 years at least. Oh gosh. Need to be more proactive man. Anyway, what's past is past. Trying to kick the habit of crying over spilled milk. Anyway, glad that I can start on my dizi class finally. Hope that it would be great.

Pace of life

Hmmm, seems that its not that easy trying to kick start the habit of blogging again. Usually blog when I know that I have a long stretch of free time so that I can take my own sweet time. But that does not seem to happen. I do not seem to have long stretches of free time. If I do, I happen not to be in the mood to blog. Life sucks. Feel like I have been packing my schedule up to the brim to the extent that I feel stressed trying to get things done. Like yesterday, I tried to pack my usual day of work with gymming, running errands and meeting friends to try costume. So I found myself rushing from place to place and not fully enjoying the process of it. Did not enjoy my gym cos I was rushing through it. Did not enjoy buying my dizi cos I was frantically trying to find the 'ulu' shop in a 'ulu' place. Was rushing my way to the costume place cos I was afraid of being late (which I ended being early). Thankfully, my pace of life slowed after we started to try the costumes. Am attending my company D&D late April and the theme is "heros and villains". So my enthus bunch of colleagues decided to go to check out the costumes available. I tried 'Jack Sparrow' which was pretty cool but too elaborate for me. Then I tried 'Peter Pan' which I ended up booking cos it was simple yet nice to me. Hmmm, don't think I should do this kind of schedule too often. Don't wanna die of stress man!