grandfather

Haven't blogged for a while. Last week, my Ah Kong died at the ripe old age of 84. He was sick and old and it was perhaps his time. He led a good life. He wasn't a rich man, but he raised 10 kids with his wife and that should say something of the man himself. We were not particularly close, me being 1 of 20 grandchildren, but there was an element of respect there. Now that he is gone, I would like to say 'Rest In Peace, Ah Kong! We know you are in a better place and not suffering like you were when you were with us. With God you are now, and there, may you be made complete.'

breathe

As I write this, I am having breathing difficulties. There is a big bush fire at Tampines Ave 9 and the air is thick and pungent with smoke. I think its affecting my breathing. Gasp! Why doesnt the weather station issue CSI readings?

Went to Civil Service Club (CSC) to swim today with Chin, Ben Ng and his bro, Marcus. It was a nice place and Ben really inspired me to push myself. Hence I am now very sore. Ouch.... He and his brother are nice kids though. Hope this becomes a regular thing.

black

Just sent my car to Groomworks and collected it. It looks fabulous now! Back to the showroom black and the interior is just gleaming! I highly recommend Groomworks and Glare at 51, Jln Tua Kong. And the service by Francis is marvellous cos he insisted on waiting till I came to collect the car before leaving, ensuring that a proper handover was in place. Great service!

valentine

This review brought to you by Dodo Fishballs and Carlsberg Beer.

Watched I do, I do today. It has nothing on Best Bet but worth my 6.50. I thought Jack did pretty okay with the plot but I think he has problem with romances. This one fell into cliche by the end and Jack was also not very good with romance in That One No Enough (his forgotten flop). With Best Bet, he got the pulse of the heartlander spot on but in this one, he kind of loses the plot halfway. Supporting cast was admirable, with Ah Nan stealing the show as a fey hairdresser in the mould of David Gan. Marcus Chin also turned in a hilarious performance and he gets to end up with Margaret Lee too. Hui Ge play multiple roles, ranging from Getai Owner to Tang Kee to Fortune Teller to the Prime Minister and is his usual pathetic but humourous self in them. I thought that Adrian Pang was a bit subdued and his lines were not that good. The less said about Sharon Au the better because she does not manage to generate the right empathy by the audience. Allan Wu is Allan Wu. The product placement was terribly intrusive and sometimes even disturbing. One scene was practically a Dodo advert for Mee Tai Bak while Marcus brings Carlsberg to "cheer up" Sharon. Great, make her an alcoholic while you are at it. It just irks you. The ending was totally unnecessary and quashes the glimmer of hope that the film holds out for aging singles up till that point. It is somwhat cynical to say that singles cannot find love if they were not set up by their parents. Jack, this was worse than Best Bet's ending! What are you doing? However, the film does take pot shots at everything from governmental bureaucracy, the Baby Bonus, Public Entertainment licensing, etc, etc and those jokes are pretty refreshing and hilarious. Overall a (2.5 +.5 ) 3 star show, 0.5 * more for Margaret Lee in a bikini. LOL. Kidding!

apathy

Bought a book called Bored With God, on overcoming student apathy with their Christianity. Its quite a good read and is suitable for my circumstances. The cover has 3 guys looking bored on a couch. How apt that I bought this after CG time. The book writes on ways that we can help our kids overcome their spiritual apathy. It has tips like be direct, show you care, etc. Basic stuff but good. It also reminds us to depend on God to melt the hardest of hearts. Amen!

I really want DB to see that they can lead overcoming lives, lives that are sold out for God and will count in eternity. Can it happen? I will start praying for a breakthrough spiritually, that they will not be afraid to confront their unChrist-like qualities and draw closer to find fulfillment in Him. God, I really need Your help !

damai

Checked for posting today out of curiosity and they were early. Found out that I am going to Damai Sec for practicum for 10 weeks. Hmmm. Was there 4 years ago for 2 week attachment so shall we say this is a return of sorts? Sharing the same supervisor with Gene, who is at AHS. Lucky sod. Have people going everywhere from Cedar and VS to Serangoon Sec, St Hilda's, Xinmin, etc etc. A very good mix all around. Hope and pray there will be no nasty encounters at Damai for me. Funny thing is I keep cycling round the back of the school on my bike rides..... Hmmm, wonder if I can still ride incognito like that still.

rooster

Hmmm, a quiet CNY . I think as you get older, the festive seasons get more somber. But it was still a good time of rest before the chaos of practicum. Too bad Grandma is now in a wheelchair, so no more special new year food from her. Sianz... You don't know what you've got till its gone

Anyway, more than one relative has remarked on my corpulence. It is disturbing so I promptly went on another 12 km bike ride. Whoosh. Away fats! Anyway, betweem all the new year sweet stuff and all, it is imperative to try to lose a little weight.

chinese

Again it is CNY eve. This day has always had a special. glowing feeling surrounding it. A mixture of elatedness over reunions and getting rich over Ang Pows. Had a 2 hr lesson that we blew through. Thank God there was no traffic on the roads or else I would feel even more frustrated. Now going to watch Constantine with the boys. Its a happy hot day!

mutterings

Just in the midst of the weekend before the CNY break, which will be my last real break for a while. Got a ton of assignments on hand and I will look at those over the break, making it a working holiday. It is the proverbial calm before the storm, before a torrent of work-related stress pours in like so many unwanted wave lashing. Its practicum in 2 weeks...

Anyway, I am hopeful cos God is on my side. He proved it in worship today and I am always floored and humbled that He can take a guy who can passably sing, with a running nose and have him lead a time of worship that was so real and intimate. Indeed, we are made for Him and there are few better places to go on a Sat afternoon than in God's presence. As my stoic Indonesian friend would say: God is real in my life! Amen!

Felicia leaves this evening. I will miss her truly. Wow, it was just like yesterday that we were talking about whether or not Wellington would take her and now she is going.

"Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red taillights
Heading for Spain
I can see Daniel waving goodbye
O it looks like Daniel
Must be the clouds in my eyes"

-Daniel by John and Taupin (1974)

yay

RJ said yes, now its up to MOE to second. If this is God's will let this come through! Weighed myself today and the news is not good. Dr. Jessica is on my case. Must lose 5 kg in 6 months
Yikes!

rj

Went to RJ for my talk with Mr E. today. It was strangely comforting meeting him again after so long so we caught up. It was an OK session, no firm answer given but I leave these things to God. Going to RJ would be an honour and if they feel they have a place for me, then I would gladly accept. Mr E is going to retire to Bath at the end of the year. Hope he enjoys a good retirement after so long in SG. I would think it would probably be strange for him after teaching in SG for quite so long.

Met KP and Ping in RJ, and sent Ping home. Waiting for him in the canteen and realised that there are a lot of beautiful people in RJ, both chio bu and yan dao. Does being smart=being beautiful ?

Bookshop uncle at RJ has retired. He was a good man who sold me many a copy of 8 days in the day. LOL.

Read Hybel's Couragous Leadership today, Picked up some good ideas on leadership. A stirring read indeed.

Tmr is SPR presentation. Hope it goes well