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Just realised this year I have not presents. Well, at least not yet.. there will be one from YH, one from D'Zul and one from sis.
I think this year is one of my happiest moments. Two groups of unexpected celebrated with me - my new colleagues and my primary schoolmates.
Hey, I did received a present all the way from HK. Man Man gave me a box of handmade "chocolate flowers" and a heart shaped "grow your own plant" seed.
Amazing.
- Mood:
surprised
He is funny. Check out his other clips too. Period.
If I became a parent one day, there would be 3 principles in life that I would teach my child(ren).
1. Never ever be the last.
No matter what you do or do not do, don't be the last, even if you are ranked 39 out of 40 in class.
2. Make room for improvement.
Constantly improve yourself. If you got 50 marks, aim for 55 marks next time.
3. Press on with determination until the job is done.
When you start a course or project, no matter how long you took, just press on and finished the work on hand.
As I am looking through the photos I have taken recently, I hope I am not trying to comfort myself but that I really did lose some weight and my complexion did become better.
This pic was taken on 9 May 2008.
This was taken in Feb 2008 during CNY. My face and body looked expanded. Notice I am wearing the same polo tee as the first pic. I also realised I like to sit on the left side.
This is for laughter. Taken in Oct 2007. I just joined RAS at that time. Prior to that I was having a lot of stress and I didn't sleep well when I was marketing mooncakes at my previous hotel job. My face looked red and I had acne outbreak. I look fat, very fat in this pic. Damn.
In conclusion, there must be a work and life balance. I neglected my health and fitness the last two years while building my career. I am glad my life is more balance now. I exercise about 4-5 times weekly - swim, run and row.
- Mood:
amused
I had a chat with Cyn and Mark and I promise them that I will be attending Sunday Service.
Today Clarence is preaching. It's always a mix feeling whenever he stepped onto the podium. He is like a Pandora's Box something but today's message about the last value -- hope.
The passage was taken from Psalm 90.
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psa 90: 12
Rephase in my own words:
1. I am insignificant
It's not saying I am not important or that I am unless. Rather, it is a point to direct us to the greatness of God. The universe is so big and I, on the other hand, is like microscopic.
2. Life can be uncertain
We have no control over our lives and the events that happened. Even devoted Christians encountered tragedies.
3. God can get angry
Often we have a misconception of God's angry. A better picture is one of Jesus getting angry that people has turned the temple into "a den of robbers". God is angry when things are unjust.
4. Get a sense of God's blessing
Tragedy or what we may think it's tragedy may happen but counting our blessings help us to live better and be thankful.
- Mood: thankful
Man Man is here in Singapore.
Man Man a.k.a Karen was one of my HK friends who took part in a bi-lateral International Youth Exchange Programme between HK and Singapore held between December 2007 and Feburary 2008.
She is currently studying in Global Business Studies in the Chinese University of HK. This trip to Singapore is to expose her to some of the local MNC. She will be going to Denmark in August to study a semester there.
Man Man is one of the most bubbly and cheery person to be around with. I remember she was the last person to board our tour bus in HK and I was the first Singaporean that talked to her. :)
I was supposed to bring her to Sentosa but I had to ask Pui Shan and Xiu Xian to host her instead as I had to attend National Youth Environment Forum.
Despite sleeping only 4 hours the night before, I went for my dragonboat training after NYEF. Then after I rushed to Vivo City by 7 p.m. but waited 2 hours for them cos they were due to watch Song of the Sea at 7.45 p.m.
It was a tiring day for me but a quality one.
- Mood:
tired
Honestly I didn't want to go. After all, I haven't seemed some of them for 12 years.
I'm glad I make it to the gathering.
Our goal was to create the gathering with the highest turn out ever, and we did. All in all we have 19 of us attending: Yong Fatt, Keren, Jian Bin, Fabian, Michelle, Li Yue, Wai Chin, Jessica, Wan Ying, Meiyi, Jane, Jin Shui, Wilsen, Charles, Chin Xing, Yong Xiang, Sufian and myself.
With the two jokers, Keren and Yong Fatt around the mood is definately lighter.
They also planned a birthday celebration for me, which I didn't expect. And.. no sabotage or silly games, what a surprise! :)
It really amazing to see my primary classmates and schoolmates after so long. Some of us have achieved something, others are still working towards it. Looking forward to what life can give and challenge us to do.
- Mood:
awake
How do someone with nipple rings get pass airport security clearance? Won't the buzzer go off?
Then what do you do? Explain to the officer that you have your nipple(s) pierced?
- Mood: amused
As I grow older, I begin to enjoy the intangible gifts that life has given me - friends, family, health, activities.
This week has been very packed. In fact I work till 12 midnight yesterday to rush out a report for SSC. And today I had meeting with SAGE and NEA.
I am really glad that things are getting moving.. so far we have a few big players coming in as our LOO campaign partners.
I am really happy that I didn't make the wrong decision to career switch from the blooming tourism industry to the the non-profit sector. At least I feel that I am contributing more to the society and felt more valued.
Today as I celebrate my birthday in office, I wish that our goal of 70% clean toilets come true.
I just talked to PH, telling her about my application for IATSS and if I were selected I will be taking two-month unpaid leave to study the Japan culture. I'm glad I get a nod from her. Now I must pray hard that I will be selected.
- Mood: hopeful
How sweet! My colleagues planned a surprise birthday party for me.
Actually it's not much of a surprise cos my manager wrote the following in one of the emails and cc to me as well:
"We will be celebrating Malcolm’s bday later today. We bought a cake for him and would like to invite you to come over and share with us. Time: Around 12 plus (depending on Malcolm, as he is out of the office). Location: RAS Office"
I burst out laughing.
Actually I don't intend to have any celebration this year.
As I grew wiser, I prefer to spend the day reflecting on my life - what I have done and what I want to do and how I can make my life more worthwhile and fulfilling. I applied for leave tomorrow, that's why my office people decided to have an advance celebration to me.
I once read an article. In the content, it said that on our tombstone, our lives are merely just represented by a dash, i.e. 1984 - 2070. What that makes the dash matters is the lives that we touched when we were living.
- Mood: content
Ferras sang of a girl who lost herself in the frame of Hollywoods.
How many times have we lost ourselves when we try to pursue frame and fortune?
I came back from cellgroup today and saw a letter with the print "ON GOVERNMENT SERVICE" on it.
Somehow I know it's not going to be good news, I was guessing something to do with my reservist.
I had a shocked when I open the letter.
"... We would like to remind you that failure to notify MINDEF of overseas trips more than 24hrs is an offence, and offenders are liable to be charged in court and fined up to $2,000..."
I realised I had forgotten to apply exit permit for my Hong Kong.
After my initial shock ceased.. I wonder, what took them so long to type the letter? My trip was in Fed/Mar and it's May now.. I know sometimes MINDEF can be lagging, for this case.. 2 months behind.
- Mood: blank
Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.
It's not a question
but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.
Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Anyway, I have been eating less rice recently, partly to cut down on carbs and also to save the world 'cos the price of rice is raising. (Don't you quote me on this!)
I was wondering what I have been busy with, 'cos recently my life consist of an intense period of work and stress then follow by a time of relax and slacking. Maybe I do have work and life balance after all. This is of cos after my therapeutic lunch session with Norhana whom I haven't met for 4 years.
Nor is now working for NYC (not New York City, it's National Youth Council), she mentioned several times during our lunch conversation about the important of having a "work-life balance" and not to get burn-out easily.
Well, when my commitments ain't chasing after me, my weekends are pretty relaxing.
Usually I will wake up at 7 a.m. on Saturday to go for a run at East Coast with my friends from SE Joggers (a running group set up by South East Community Development Council). After run, I will indulge into a sinful breakfast at either coffeebean or Mac. Family bonding is next - I make it a point to have Saturday lunch with mom whenever I can. After the much needed rest of digesting the hearty breakfast and lunch, I'm off to hit the water with my dragonboat training.
In between the day's activities I will read the Saturday's edition of The Straits Times. If you are a thrifty person, the Saturday edition is the most value for money. It is extra thicker and packed with tonnes of knowledge for a mere price of only SGD 0.80.
The Saturday edition consists of the usually Prime section, Home and Life!, PLUS the additional "Saturday" and upsize potion of CATS and Recruit. "Saturday" usually contains interesting special reports and Recruit always features interesting job profiles, job tips, organsational and personal development articles.
On Sundays when I don't attend church (well, I seldom attend church service nowadays since I find the place rather political now), i prefer to wake up to a lazy Sunday. Usually I combine both breakfast and lunch together with my Sunday Times reading.
The Sunday Times is very different from The Straits Times, although it is just the Sunday edition. Well, you are looking for "value for money", the Sunday Times is not for you. It is the thinnest but it is filled with useful investment articles, food trails, coloured cartoon comics and whether you need for an afternoon of bed-and-reading.
I try to keep my Sunday Sabbath, maybe a swim in the afternoon or a visit to grandma dearest.
Come to think of it, my life isn't that stressful (when I am not a workaholic).
- Mood: rejuvenated
In less than 9 hour time, I will be taking my IPPT. It's my first physical fitness test in almost two years and I am feeling nervous.
Well, actually I shouldn't cos I already (think) know the outcome. I doubt I am going to pass. Hey, I am not a pessimistic person but one has to be realistic. I have been too busy with work and career building that I neglected on my health and fitness. I am glad that I have started exercising again - swimming, jogging and dragonboat, but I am far from the passing mark.
Guess I need to suck it in, go for the test, attend remedial training and strive for a Sliver for the next window period.
- Mood:
anxious
When I log on into this account, I was greeted with the message, "last updated 1 week ago".
Finally, I have finised the toilet audits for all the SSC centres! I even have time to learn how to conduct a WEB programme by PUB.
This month of April had been a busy one for me. So much so that I felt like breaking down.I am glad that my TMC, Fengshan Toastmasters Club is doing well. As the Vice-President Education of the Club, my job is to ensure that every members get the best learning experience from every event we hold.
Also, I have completed my first Young ChangeMakers Panelist grant-making session.
Not to mention, I got myself wet during the PA Paddle Championship at Bedok Reservoir Park couple of weeks ago.
Sad to say, I need to let go of my commitments at Joo Chiat YEC. Well, we have to strike a balance in life, heh?
Just now I submitted my application for IATSS Forum. It's a two month study tour to Japan. I hope I can get in and that my company will approve my two month unpaid leave.
Last but not least, really to have fun while working.
- Mood: relaxed
<- Myself with my team mates and the Novelty trophyPasir Ris West CSC Dragonboat team took part in PA Paddle Champion 2008.
Although we did our best but we were only a finalist in the Inter-Divisional Race A. Not all hope is lost, our other boat won the championship in the Novelty race!
Contrary to popular belief, dragonboat is a water sport that uses not just your arm power but your entire body strength. Having said that I hope that joining dragonboat will get me fitter and also a nicer tan.
Check out my team blog here.
We are recruiting new members, contact me if you are interested..
- Mood:
busy
OMG.. when Nutcracker meets Toy Soldier (Souljay). Cool!
awesome! very cool mtv. check out the ending scene.
It's been more than 3 weeks since my last blog entry. I wonder what I have been busy with..
Work - Busy traveling around Singapore, conducting toilet audits at numerous hawker centres.. presenting speeches at JTC Corporation regarding bad behaviours of users.. next week, assessing toilets at the Singapore Sport Council's facilities all over the island.
Personal - Fengshan Toastmasters Club is doing well. I have been going to other toastmasters clubs to network and to promote awareness of my club. Really hope that my members can play a more active role.. feeling burn out..
Toastmasters have taken up a lot of my time.. I really need to give more time for Joo Chiat YEC and YOUnique. Commitments from Young Changemakers are building up too.
Fitness - I have to admit, I am getting lazy. I really need to make it a habit to wake up at 7 am and go for a jog or some weight training exercises. Saturdays are usually my work-out day, jog in East Coast Park in the morning and dragonboat at Bedok Reservoir. This Saturday is the first time I am entering a dragonboat competition (PAddle Champions). Feeling nervous, yet excited. Teamwork is very important. Hope we can pull through.
---
Yesterday I had time to watch the goggle box and catch the show "Xi You Ji" on Channel U. The show is about Singaporeans who choose to work/live overseas. The episode is about Issac, a young man who went to Argentina because of his love for tango.
Recently I started (again) to re-examine my life. I feel that I am not living a fulfilling life. I don't feel happy. I feel that I need more challenges, I need to be out of my comfort zone.
I thought of taking up a Certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and find a teaching job overseas.
If there is one thing I truely love, I really want to see the world. It's not about visiting many countries and posting photos on my blog. I want to experience new cultures, learn new things, see the world from a different angle.
- Mood:
confused
