Let the fun begin!

Yes! I did not break my promise this time! Been on sgrunners.com this days to check out the various events that I can take part in next year. I came across this SAFRA biathlon thing. Cool crap I tell you, but as it is my first time taking part, I have to go for a swim trial. To complete 30 laps in 40mins is my objective.

Went to the pool to try today. Drats! Did a 42+min swim. There is still a long way to go norman. Buck up pal. Yes I will! It is so cool to work, train, chill and enjoy life. I love it to bits! That's all for my update, more coming up! =]

This is way overdue..

Hello friends! Man, I have to start off by apologizing again. Such is the nature of man to always be trapped in an age-old disease called procrastination! Ok, to start off again the 2nd time: I've ORDed! =] Geez.. This is way cool. Finally, after a year and 10 months, it is all over. Anyways, don't get me wrong yah, I ain't THAT glad to be out of army. It has been a wonderful 1 year 10 months for me in there, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself TO THE MAX! Coming out, I have to think about my future, what I can do with such a long break before school starts, etc... Life is much simpler in there. I love you SAF!

Well, I've been doing loads of stuff after my service in the army. I'm currently giving tuition (primary and secondary school levels), learning driving, going for hospital attachments to learn more about the medical field, running, swimming, cycling, reading, and stuffs related to Ms Sunrise =) Boy, I sure am a busy man. Hahas..Through all these, I came to this conclusion that life is never easy, never a bed of roses. It is how you approach it that makes a difference, because life will keep tossing obstacles at you, keep getting harder to cope, it is only your attitude that can change the way things appear to you, that can determine whether or not you learn something from an experience. So, in short: Attitude is key!

God has been super-kind to me all these while, lifting me up when I fall and sustaining me through when I had no more strength. He never fails! I wish to share this song which really speaks to my heart to focus on Jesus, and you will do the impossible. Because it is not you who does the impossible, but you have a God who does the impossible doing it through you! A loud amen to that please..

Ok, so here is the song's lyrics. It is from Lifehouse and is entitled-Storm. Enjoy =]

(Verse 1)
How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

(Pre-chorus)
If I could just see You
Everything would be all right
If I'd see You
This darkness would turn to light

(Chorus)
And I will walk on water
And You will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into Your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright

(Verse 2)
I know You didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I'm so used to living underneath the surface

God is so great! Ok, I will end off here. Promise to update this regularly from now. Hahas..Take care and have a glorious holiday season ahead!

God's wonderful!

Hello world! I have 5 working days to my overseas training! What a journey, it's nearing the end...I'm feeling a little nostalgic already. =[

Anyways, some interesting things to share. I've got my IPPT Gold award for my 2nd year. It's really a testimony to share man! The night before, I slept only an hour due to some unforeseen circumstances in which immediate attention has to be given to. I felt like crap the next day, but a couple of bread, chicken essence and ginseng tea topped up with a cute hamster did the job of perking me up for the test.

My problem was again the standing broad jump. I prayed before the test, and knew deep down inside that no matter what happens, that day was the day I was going to get my Gold. Faith still works with doubt in your mind. I cleared the SBJ with relative ease and all that remains was the 2.4km run in which I had little to worry about.

I ran in wave 1, clocked the timing of 9:08mins. My Supervising Officer then said that the whole wave's timing is to be voided due to some conducting error. I was seriously pissed! Here I am finally able to get my Gold award and there he was preventing it. How lame can this get!? I decided to run in wave 2 in order to get another 2.4km timing. Cadets and colleagues around started talking among themselves and asked me if I was crazy. I smiled and believe that all will be well. =]

I started the 2nd 2.4km of my day and I felt shitty. Coming in for my last lap I had only 1min30secs left in order to clock the gold timing. I knew I was doomed..However, due to some divine assistance, I managed to clock 9:31mins! What a killer day! After the run, everything seemed blurry to me. My head was super painful and my limbs were weak. But the feeling inside was wonderful, it was such a satisfactory feeling. I love to push myself to the limit! Praise the Lord, I got my Gold award. $200 into the account.

Other than this event, life's been pretty usual for me. I've learnt more about myself through the interaction with a certain special person, and everything's been looking up. All glory to God most high. Take care people and God bless you loads! =]

Leaving you with a super nice quote from Jodi Picoult's Second Glance:

'Love is not because, but no matter what.'

Updates updates..

Hello world! Another month has passed by and we're drawing closer to Christmas! Woohoos, I can hardly wait! Ok, pardon me..I know Christmas is a good 4 months away, but what the heck! =]

This month has been wonderful for me (except the last few days, but actually it could be counted as wonderful too). Anyways, my conduct for Single Tank Battle Course was superbly successful, if you don't bring in the weather and tank break down factor..Everything went according to plan, and God has been gracious as always to hold back the rain on the first 2 days, enabling the cadets to clock their runs. They even superceded the number of runs that I had initially planned for them! Praise to the Lord! However, the night battle course was affected by the number of tanks that broke down. In my life in Armour until the STBC, I have never seen so many vehicles break down as compared to what happened on the first night of my STBC. Gosh, it was really bad. To cut the long story short, God has other plans and somehow we managed to overcome the situation. =]

To make things a little sweeter, I passed my Basic Theory Test! Ok, this sounds super loser-ish, but well, I rock! All glory to God nonetheless. Before I took the test, I was kind of running late, so aI decided to take a cab down. After waiting for so long, I started to pray, in like 1 minute, a cab appeared! Mega killer concept to the max I tell you! God can really delight you in even such a small thing. He really loves us to the max! I feel so enveloped in his love..

Ok, lastly, I've completed my first self-composed song! Totally original from the music to the lyrics, it sounds really nice..Ok, that's all folks! Take care and God bless you loads! =]

Overwhelmed...

Hello world! It's been like 2 months since I've last updated..=[ There's so much to say that it discourages me to blog because time is needed to pen this thoughts down. So as the days go by, as things pile up, I just simply shoved this blog aside.

Thank you, those pals who still check out this weird blog for updates! Hahas..hope I do not disappoint you again in the future with a 2 month no-post streak. =]

Anyways, so much has happened these 2 months! I've drawn closer to God, been transformed, achieved a greater understanding of things around me and realised that God is always there with me. Just last night at a BBQ function, a spoke with a 50+ year old lady whose words of wisdom touched me and answered some of my heart-pressing issues. I love talking to people who have gone there done that. Their experience is really worth tapping into, and understanding such a simple fact could save you loads of time searching for the purpose of your life, or any other solutions.

A book and a film also greatly ministered to me these months. They are Wild At Heart by John Eldredge and Facing the Giants respectively. For those who have not read nor seen the above-mentioned book and film, I strongly urge you to do so. You never know how it can impact your life, like it impacted mine.

Lastly, I'm leaving you guys with something the lady said last night - The shortest way to God is on your knees. God bless you loads!

Monthly update.

Well..it seems like this blog is dying, sorry for the 'no-post' man..Have thought of documenting some interesting things that happened in the month of May, but didn't got down to doing it. So, I'm going to summarise everything that happened. Hahas..=]

Went to watch VJC play against RJC in the Inter-school Soccer Championships that day. It was relieving to see the same support that victorians have for their soccer dudes, except that there's no drums now. Apparently, the principal banned the usage of drums during cheering. Let me let you in on a little secret..The drums are the only thing that we can hear while playing on the pitch!! Hahas..Anyways, VJC lost on penalties, the first time we had to play penalties in the semis, and the first time that we did not qualify for the finals in 8 years! Well, there's loads of first times yah? Honestly, I felt that RJC played better, they brought the game to VJC. We were nervous and had trouble keeping possession of the ball. The lost was fair. RJC then went on to beat MJC in the finals, what a team!

I had the opportunity to do something illegal recently. I caught a baby snake. Fearing that it might die in the wild because of its small size, and the problems that it might have catching it's food, I decided to care for it. Whether it was against it's will or not, I have no idea. =] Well, I have tried to feed it with beetles, crocroaches and ants (because that's all I can find in camp!), but it will not eat them. So I decided to try dig for earthworms, which after 30mins I still can't find any. Therefore, when I booked out, I brought it home. I went to NTUC and bought some fish for it. I cut the fish to a managable size, then fed the snake. It ate the fish, boy wasn't I estatic! Finally, after so much tries, the darn snake ate the food I offered. However, after keeping it for about a week's time, and feeding it to the max, I set it free in the wild again. I hope it is still alive now! =]

Anyhows, I'm leaving for Vietnam on a backpacking trip with my mom tomorrow. Will take photos and post them here..In the meantime, take care people, and God bless you loads! Below is something which really touched me recently:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Philippians 2:12-16

Stuffs from Taiwan..

People! =] I'm back!! Whoah..I seriously miss home man..Singapore rocks..Telling you the truth, if I could, I'ld rather trade 3days of R&R for an early flight back to my motherland. However, since I can't do that, these are the pics that I took during my 3days there as a tourist. Enjoy..

Pictures from TAM-SUI OLD STREET

People in Taiwan live in kelongs too?

This is just a typical scene in the crowded TAM-SUI OLD STREET. There are loads of stalls selling food and products. It's foodies' paradise I tell you!

Look at the signboard! Dang, who would eat such a thing?

Pictures from CHUNG-CHENG PARK

This looks like a scene from a European country. Notice the KEELUNG sign in the background..Kind of reminds you of the HOLLYWOOD one yah?

Pictures from JEOU FEN COUNTY

This is similiar to the streets in TAM-SUI, but the only difference is that you have to climb a really long way up! =] There's this nice coffee house on top, but to get your date up there to have coffee with you would be a tall order guys..

A glass sculptor is busy doing what he does best.

The GOLDEN WATERFALL at the outskirts of JEOU FEN COUNTY

This is the YUAN-YANG SEA, water from the GOLDEN WATERFALL flows into this sea resulting in the difference in colour as observed in this photo taken. As quoted from the tour guide, scientist are still baffled over the colour difference in this particular sea..COOL!!

Pictures from MIRAMAR MALL

This is the ferris wheel located at the top of MIRAMAR MALL, you pay 150Yuan = S$7.50 for a 15mins ride. The view wasn't exceptionally beautiful, perhaps you have to take this ride at night to see the full effect..

This is the view below when you are in the carriage. Beautiful machine I would say..

Pictures from XIMEN-DING

XIMEN-DING to Taiwan is Orchard Road to Singapore..

The food that I ate (not all, but just some cool ones)

Potato chips from SHILIN NIGHT MARKET..BBQ flavour!!

Donuts from Mister Donut at XIMEN-DING..

A super big bowl of beef noodles at MIRAMAR MALL (ok, just joking..)

The pictures I took

Me, Eng Yeow and Eugene at the GOLDEN WATERFALL

Daryl, Jeremy, Joash, Yongqi, Sheng Yang and Me at XIMEN-DING

Overseas..

Heys people! As promised..I'm posting!! =] The internet here is pretty cheap..$1 an hour! hahas..I'm in camp in case you are wondering..Anyways, the past few days have gone by pretty fast..The things we (advance party) did were pretty fierce..But when we're done for the day, we know how to de-stress..hahas..visits to the 'xiang ji pa' aunty were frequent at night..

On thursday night we even visited the nearby town's equivalent of Sim Lim called Nova. Dude, the electronics and IT stuff there were much more expensive as compared to Singapore. Killer prices I tell you! The visit was heading towards the dumps when we walked around the vicinity only to find nothing much. Failing to even hail a cab, we continued to walk..Then we stumbled upon this place where they sold food! Power la..food was everywhere..Our visit continued, much to the relieve of my gang..I even bought a pair of Mizuno street soccer shoes, it was half price! Shioks man..

The first 2 days were spent to take over all the training equipment. Today, we went to recce the training area. Tomorrow, we are going to play! Going to town! Yeah! The last chance to relax before the main body comes on monday..Then, it would be a mad rush for time, and I doubt I could surf the net this often..=]

Anyways, in case anyone is worried, don't be, I'm fine over here..the weather is superb..Praise the Lord! Oh yes, I've got a testimony to share! On tuesday when I touched down and was transitting from airport to the campsite, we were transferring our luggage to the minibus, I almost left the airport without a bag containing all my important documents, if that bag was lost, I'm sure my head would get lost too..Praise the Lord that after walking 50m I suddenly remembered! I believe that God prompted me man..Killer concept..Yup, so far this is my life here..It's good..=] Take care people..time will fly and I will see you all soon!

Join the bookworm club!

Sorry peeps, haven't been updating this blog diligently, but well, I'm doing it at last.. The past month has been one learning journey for me. Books really have the ability to transfuse values and morals and teachings to us in a way that no other medium could (at least that is what I believe, it's my opinion, do not take it as fact, unless there is scientific evidence supporting this stand).

Read many books this month like 'the curious incident of the dog in the night-time' which I felt was a little over-rated even though the author really emphatised pretty well to an autistic boy; 'to kill a mockingbird' was a joy to read, brilliantly written to drive home values and the changes we go through from childhood to adolescence; then was 'man and boy' which spoke of how the lack of self-control (or the author can argue, Harry Silver's view of love) can screw the whole world up for you, I'm going to read the sequel 'man and wife' soon when I lay my hands on it; lastly, it was 'the alchemist' which spoke of pursuing your dreams and never giving up, it was a beautifully crafted work of art by Paulo Coelho, you should read it too!

This coming month, I will be spending most of my time up in Taiwan training the cadets. I will even celebrate my birthday over there! Drats.. Anyways, bought like a couple of books from borders as my friend had like this 20% discount thing, woohoos, expanding my book collection..=] Anyways, I am leaving on the 11th of April, and will only be back on the 7th of May, so until then, I will try to blog using the computers over there, but no promises. =] Take care people and God bless you loads!

Darn busy bros..

Heyo people! It' s been long since the last post. I apologise for that..=] Anyways, the training now is getting high-tempoed, so I might not be able to update this space so regularly..pardon me.

Well, I've just returned from outfield yesterday. It sure was tiring, but I could feel that the Lord was always by my side, even though I'm kind of experiencing some dry spells spiritually. It was on the 2nd day when I took a cadet for a battle course run. The course route was like one of the simplest I've ever seen, but that cadet managed, somehow, to get lost. I, taking for granted that he will not get lost on such an easy route, did not navigate. When he told me that I was like, "Dang! we're seriously lost!" I took over the navigation to get us back to the training shed, it was raining pretty heavily then. Then, the comms failed, thus I had to guide the driver using a guiding stick. This was the worst-case scenario I tell you. My plan was simple, to drive till I see something familiar, then do a map-to-ground reference. We travelled a long distance, I was drenched from hand to toe, thanks to the rain, and somehow we did not seem to be heading back. I then whispered a silent prayer unto the Lord. Next, I made a left turn and went straight, guess what? I saw the training shed. Man wasn't I relieved and thankful. This is a killer account I can assure you. Simply sublime to the max!

Well, from this I really know that no matter what, He is always there for me. I cannot picture a life lived without Him by my side. Well, sometimes you know you are wrong, but it is so hard to try change even though you want to. It seems that it is impossible, but well, I'm taking on the impossible! Wish me success..

You just have to ASK..

Hello world, been missing in action, yah I know..So here's something uplifting to all those out there who needs help! It's a pretty long account so bear with me..

When I reported for work the first day as an instructor, I was immediately tasked with the organising of an incoming/outgoing dinner for the incoming instructors and the outgoing ORD personnels. Thus I went about doing my task. However, whenever I set a date, called everyone to confirm, there bound to be someone in the ORD group that could not make it. The top priority was to get all the ORD personnels back for this dinner, hence, all have to be present! Other than this condition, there were more. The dinner had to be on a week day, an instructor has to be at the wingline looking after the cadets while we dine, the place we are eating at has to be air-conditioned, and the price has to be cheap. I changed the date again, and again, and again in order to satisfy all the conditions. I bet everyone is irritated by the fact that the date is always changing. I came to a point where it was literally a dead-end. I had to get the dinner up in a week's time because 1 person in the ORD bunch is flying off for further studies. I was desperate, and helpless. Then I remembered God.

Perhaps I was too pre-occupied with this whole organising thing that I forgot about asking God for His guidance and help. I thought I could do it on my own. Asking God for help didn't even occur to me. I whispered a quick prayer and asked Him to settle this for me, to make everyone available on a particular day, and to show me that particular day.

I chose a day (Friday) and consulted my superior, he was against it because there will be night training that day. Then I saw Thursday, there was no night training. I then called everyone to check if they were ok with that day. After each successful call, I thanked the Lord. Finally! the calls were done, and all were able to be present. Next, I called my friend who was an instructor a couple of weeks back before he was re-posted out to another unit, to supervise the cadets while we dine. He was ok with it. Praise the Lord. He settled this HUGE problem when I asked. This testimony serves to remind me that the Lord can do whatever men cannot. We will only fail if we depended only on our strength and not His.

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. - James 4:2

Busy, busy, busy..

Hello world..I'm back after so long..This week felt like a month man! It is in this week that I realised the true weight on my shoulders caused by my 1 black bar! Being an instructor is not easy..hahas..This week I conducted PT training for the cadets, and was introduced to the art of planning for lessons. The conducting officer would have to cover all areas and details. A minute detail that is left out could lead to undesirable results. I learnt that in my first conducting lesson.

However, administration aside, I learnt alot too! From planning to proper presentation of work, and how to manage my time well to do all that was assigned to me. Being an instructor was also very rewarding. Seeing the cadets learn new things and being able to execute their new-found skills well brought loads of joy to me. It is only a week into the training programme, and there is a long way to go with much more things to learn and teach. This is the best environment where I can cultivate my character and develop myself. I am really grateful to God for this posting. Okay, enough said, I am booking in early as I am the duty instructor for my course tomorrow.

What a night..

Above are the pictures taken at our start point: East Coast Park. It is really a pity that the majority of the cell couldn't join us, but we decided to carry on with the plan. It was an arduous journey through the night, but we had one another, and the beautiful sights of the night to accompany us. Downhill rides were the most exciting, and uphill ones - tough. All in all, we covered alot of unneccessay ground to reach our destinations and in the process, got to know more areas in our homeland. The hightlight was definitely the sunrise we witnessed when we returned to East Coast Park, enjoy the pictures posted below..

Happy New Year!!

Last year went by in a flash! A new year beckons, and so too its challenges..This year had been pretty rewarding for me in terms of self-discovery and character development. National Service was the medium that made all these possible. I believe that as long as one is positive, one will definitely many things and find joy in doing even the lamest things (not that I'm suggesting that National Service is lame).

Well, this 2007 I will embark on my instructorship tour, taking 2 batches of cadets, training them until they commission. I believe that there are so much more things that I can still pick up on the job, and I can scarcely wait. This is going to be so darn exciting! Furthermore, I hope to also develop my inner man, to reach a higher spiritual level, to have a breakthrough! Also I would stand firm in His Word, and live my life right. All these would be my resolution for 2007! So what's yours? Start penning them down; as research shows that people who write down their goals tend to achieve it as compared to those who don't. All the best in the new year people! God bless you and your family richly!! =]