The Singapore Experience for Annemarie

Itinery from 4th to 8th February!

Tuesday:
*Touchdown!
*Straight to the lagoon at East Coast for a Satay snack

Wednesday:
*Braised Duck Noodles, along with complimentary Coffeeshop (Coffee and Tea) Language Education
*Visits to the Indian and Chinese Temples, C.H.I.J.M.E.S, St Andrew's Cathedral, Church of the Good Shepherd
*Appreciations of the City Hall, Parliament House, Courts, War Memorials, with spontaneous historical background included
*Flowers admiring session at Bugis with Bitter Cooling Herbal Tea and sweet Chrysanthemum Tea Refreshments
*Best egg tarts and barbequed pork pastry
*Chinatown tour of shops and ornaments, followed by food section with Annie's hands and mouth both full of Chinese New Year goodies samples!!! (Pineapple tarts, almond and peanut cookies, Taiwan jellies, preserved apricots, pumpkin seed crackers, marinated pork slices a.k.a. bakwa, fresh coconut juice, etc)
*Geylang Beef Noodles and Frog Leg's Porridge for mains, Durian and Mangosteens for desserts

Thursday:
*Brunch at local indian stall - Cheese and Mushroom Prata, Kosong Prata, Plaster Prata, Egg Omelette, Teh Tarik!
*Singapore Arts Museum Tour, featuring a lovely scent exhibition (my personal favourite!), and lotsa Philippines and Thai artwork, some Singaporean paintings too.
*Orchard Road Galore!!!
*Our famous Pork Floss Bun from Bread Talk. Oh yes. Had to pay a tribute to this each time i came back. It's a sequal to Annie's taste of the bakwa.
*Lunch at the best food court in Singapore Food Republic - Fried Prawn Noodles a.k.a Hokkien Mee, Sliced Fish Soup, Pad Thai and Lemongrass Juice a.k.a. (well at least this is what i call it) Fruit Loops Drink
*Instead of drinking coffee, we went to Plaza Singapura for an Arcade Challenge! Bishi Bashi (Go crazy and whack and laugh game) and Mario Kart! WOOOOT! More than enough energy after.
*IDP post departure Seminar Gathering for new SA students, at Just Acia at Dhoby Xchange at Dhoby MRT. Ministry timeeee. :)
*Fitness corner and playground at my house area... Power walk! and on the foot massage stone circle too. Ouchh. Our blood circulation is still not the best eh? Heh.

Friday:
*Brunch at my Jalan Beseh Hawker centre! The best chinese meesiam in Singapore. Cos it's my godma's shop! YUM. And fried economy beehoon noodles, kaya and butter toast with half boiled eggs, and complimentary sugar cane juice and cut fruits from my godma... *touched*
*Sentosa Beach! The Luge, 4D cinematics, Fort Siloso, Images of Singapore. but not enough time for the beachhh.... :(
*Romantic C.H.I.J.M.E.S dinner experience... Love it. :) Walked to Clarke Quay and saw people getting tortured at the extreme bungee experience, and absorbed the breathtaking and 'makes you wanna dance' atmosphere at the pubbing scene.

Saturday:
*Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre - The best fried carrot cake in S'pore, Chicken Rice, Curry Noodles, Chee Kweh, Red bean with ice shavings and syrup a.k.a ice kachang, lychee drink, dried longan drink, grass jelly drink, and soya bean milk
*East Coast Beach where we cycled and bladed and got really tired... With aching butts too. haha. But i think we burned off like just one meals worth of calories. Considering the stuff we've been eating at every meal... hahah.
*Big Fire Cooked Meal a.k.a. Tze Char! At my family's favourite place. Hahah. Not telling you where. I'll keep it to myself. :) Annie knows where... Chili crab, Oatmeal Prawns, Hotplate Tofu, Sweet and sour pork, veggies and rice. Oh! They gave us free thai sweet corn and coconut dessert too. Since we already know them so well... :)
*Mustafa Centre walk of awe.

Sunday:
*8:30am Church of Singapore (Marine Parade) Service. Great msg. Struck me real hard... Gave me inspiration for my own walk, and also KAIROS planning for OCF.
*Katong Laksa, Minced Fish Paste in Banana Leaf a.k.a Otak otak, and Mix of stuff in shrimp paste a.k.a. rojak. Finally presented to her!
*AIRSHOW! Hotttttt and we tried our best to be excited. hahah. Singapore's booth was awesome. They even put in a Butterfly garden there where we could take pictures with Smithalings (butterfly in German)
*Aravin's Aunt's place for dinner. New experience eating with hands, and having never-ending food on the plate. Learn swear words in both Tamil and German? hAHaahha.

Monday:
*sniffs*
*Another can't have enough of prata and Teh Tarik time
*Another can't have enough of Sentosa time
*Last local food banquet at Simpang Bedok - Nasi ayam goreng, cockles a.k.a lala (not Ah-Bengs/Lians!), sambal kangkong, oyster omelette, sambal stingray, milo dinosaur, holicks etc.
*Byebye........ sniffs and lotsa hugs and kisses*

(For everyone else who might be tour guides to friends next time, or who are considering coming down to Singapore for a good time)
*Places we passed by and saw: Esplanade, Vivocity at Habourfront,
*Places we didn't get to see: Science Centre, Bird Park, Zoo, Night Safari, Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Botanical Gardens, Tree-top Walk, Macritchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah Hike, Perenakan Museum, Marina Barrage, Kranji War Memorial
*More food glorious food: Bedok Blk 85, Rochor Beancurd, Changi Village, Golden Mile Complex or Centre, Kuishinbo, Ang Mo Kio Central, Tiong Bahru Market, Long Beach or Turf City for Seafood, More indian at Little India

Till next time Annie! I really loved every bit of the time with ya. Glad I could have you over at my place! Will miss ya lots. Germany the next time!!! :)

Hope you run into your families arms (don't slip on the ice) and have a whole round more of yummy home food with the best times home yet again. Send my regards to your family! Esp your dad who called me... hahaha. Oh! And Happy Singles Day/Chinese New Year/Birthday to everyone else!

がんばって ください！

No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.

http://www.foreignmissions.com/articles.asp?AID=261

Blade fever

I managed to blade at cycling speed today, for a long long long distance. From ECP Mac's to after Safra Resort, and back! WOOOT! :)

And.. i was a little healthier. Ate 2 apples. haha. Hopefully i got rid of some cholesterol! Super must detox after this week...

Sleeeeepy. 8:30am church tmr!

Theory abt eating places

Did i mention that C.H.I.J.M.E.S. is one of the most romantic eating places that i know of?
Absolutely love tealights at the tables... and more lights hung up all over the place.

A pleasure to bring Annie there!

And since i said the place, won't comment on the awesome food that we had. haha. Just one of my theories in life. If you know of a good eating place, tell it to your good friends only. If not, if you blog about it online, everyone will know about it, and then it'll be either 1. Too crowded. 2. Start getting so much profits that it'll open branches and the quality or quantity will drop. or 3. It's won't be so special to me anymore...

Of cos, it only works if only i use this theory and everyone else continue to tell me whether other places i never knew about have good food or not. HAha. So perhaps, i just have to make many good friends.

Altho' there are exceptions. For instance. My cousin's Peranakan restaurant will be opening real sooooooon. IT WILL BE THE BEST. Seriously.

I'm not fussy about what i eat. But i have high expectations... Not being biased here. It WILL be the best. haha. Looking forward to it! :)

yeahhh.

Can't help remember my phrase that i often use:
'It will come around one day!' (used when i wanna get away with blessing someone and not wanting to take anything back in return).

I was blessed by Kenneth who put me up and brought me and Sammie around Hong Kong and Macau for 8 days!!!

I was blessed by Samuel Yim and Arthur Foo who put a bunch of us up too after Convy, and just kept planning and planning, calling and messenging, driving fiercely (meaning:fast, with great skill and fearlessly. haha) around M'sia and constantly asking more friends down to accompany us...

My turn now to bless! If i can't give Annie a balanced diet, at least i aim for 7-8hours sleep everyday. Haha. We have SO LITTLE fibre, veggies and fruits these few days la. Aiyo. Hope her complexion is not too affected. At least i didn't overstuff her with yummy food today.

Well done me. :) lols.


*Note to self: Please remember to praise or thank ppl in front of everyone they've served. And not just say it when the person's no longer around... He/She doesnt get so much honour then.

Annie my dear... 1st day!

It is amazing how the perfect model works. I saw it in action today...

My parents and brother graciously opens the house. My dad, of course, gives her the important story-tellings.

Chuan Zhi is our AMAZING driver + tour guide. Seriously, he knows the history of our buildings and roads like the back of his hand. He was quicker than textbooks, and more passionate than one who's being paid. Totally admire his knowledge in culture and countries, and appropriate sensitivity that comes along with that knowledge too. *respect*

Rachel is our itinery informer. She tells all our OCF friends, who know Annie, our confirmed programs and whereabouts so they can join us anytime, anywhere.

Adelyn brings the soft spot to the group. She balances us out all very nicely. And, she helped me bargain for our durians... Well done girl. :)

Aravin is the fun guy. He's a natural at making Annie laugh, and you can tell the genuine care and concern as a friend. Good stuff.

I just need to do the other tiny things. (And i get to learn cool German words.)

Annie gets the luvvvvv.

Perfect.

The model of how every part of the body works together. Every part is honoured, all shall rejoice! :)

2010

It's been a long long time since i last blogged...!
So much has happened since the last, and it's been a crazy journey walking with God and for him.
I think it'll be good to do some reflections from the past and for the yr ahead, and how even some resolutions have already begun.

There's my personal growth, where i struggle to become an adult. I'm 21!!! And to me, it's just another added year that didn't mean anything different from other years to me. But i figured, I had to find out what's so special about this year even though no one is teaching me, or telling me anything definate at all. :(
Why do ppl organise grand parties on the day, and go on and on about not being childish anymore. What does it actually mean? Well, take the initiative and find out then! This year's hunt included a whole new world of learning:

1. Financial management and why there's a need to have financial freedom, from the perspective of a kingdom mindset and a heart of stewardship, not riches.

2. Will writing. Wasn't part of the list at all, but the young adult group organised such a workship. How interesting. My assets are like... prob my sesame street stuffed toys, my lappy, my baking equipment, and my most treasured personal recipe book. Haha. Who wants 'em?

3. The need to love my number 1 (God), and the patient wait for my number 2 (ahem. my life partner la). I'm not ashamed to say it... Haha. I don't have the gift of celibacy. And according to science, it's best to give birth to children before 30. This leads me to the 4th point.

4. Marriage and families... Yes. Go on and laugh. hahaha. So what if i haven't even found my life partner? Haha. I just figured i need to know. I wonder why people study their whole lives for their career, but schools never taught anything about families, even though it's like the basic and essential unit of society. There's too many dysnfunctional families around, behind closed doors. It's never meant to be this way...

5. And the compatibles of loving and serving, power and prayer, foolishness and wisdom, humility and confidence, simplicity and awareness, innocence and shrewdness, rejoicing and mourning, stillness and passion, fear and boldness.

6. (Said in a uber cool way, with uber cool pose) Discipleship... It's the way to go :)

7. To be a very expensive asset... Got to level up till i add much value to wherever i choose to work/live/influence... Not only do i have to study really hard, i will also choose to continue serving. Kenneth shared a very powerful point last night (paraphrased and added on):
When we choose to serve God, we will be blessed in return.
Compared to others who just choose to only study and nothing else, struggling to grow and serve others will give us a more all-rounded education. It's not just the textbook knowledge we need when we go out to work. But we need to know how to relate to ppl, work in teams, lead and teach and encourage others, juggle more responsibilities and love them yet correct them. This is the wisdom that is needed. Theory is not sufficient! That is the value we can add, and that perhaps might be the reason why we are blessed when we choose to bless others...

It's not just theory, as i've learnt while serving in OCF. It's the living out of what we've learnt. If it's not shown in your life, you haven't learnt it yet.

So there, the most meaningful and frustrating holiday yet... Meaningful because one: I spent much more time with family this time around. Although it's still not enough, and i think i haven't been enough of a granddaughter, daughter or cousin. And two: After praying, God really answered and provided opportunities already! to learn alot of stuff from my resolutions.

Yet, frustrating and alot of fear already for the yr ahead. RAWRRR! I hate this feeling... I'm not just happy and radiant all the time you know? But i must not be afraid to face it. Sigh. So so hard eh?
I will be victorious... If God is for me, who can be against me? The battle has already been won. I will get my hands on the movie 300 for inspiration, as recommended by my most respected chef.

*OCF ah OCF... So much mixed feelings..................................

Anyhow, I've declared 2010 the YOD - Year of Decisions. We'll re-evaluate at the end of the yr, and hopefully many times in the middle. Psalm 25:12 Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

Note to self: When i can't sleep, dark chocolate and red wine (i only need a few sips) works superbly an instant good peaceful sleep... Yesterday night was proof. :)

P&W

Became a worship leader for the first time this morning. Set-up the place (by cleaning up my room), then chose my own songs suitable for my own walk, and repeated them as many times as i needed. Awesome... :)

2 songs that calmed, spurred, and prepared my sensitive heart most:



What A Friend I've Found

What a friend I've found
Closer than a brother
I have felt your touch
More intimate than lovers

Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, friend forever

What a hope I've found
More faithful than a mother
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other



Michael Card
Galatians 3 & Romans 3:22

Chorus
To hear with my heart
To see with my soul
To be guided by a hand I cannot hold
To trust in a way that I cannot see
That's what faith must be

When the universe fell from His fingertips
He decided He wanted some fellowship
But the man and the woman would not submit
So He made a better way
When the moment was right He sent His own Son
And He opened the way so that everyone
Could have hope and believe that when time was done
He'd be able to make us one

Chorus

Now I understand that there is a key
It's Jesus in me, a reality
That God is in Christ and that Christ's in me
That with faith I see what is unseen

Chorus
That's what faith must be




Gamabte Kudasai, Mel~

Gonna have fun preparing meals

I finished my exams... I finished my exams... I finished my exams!!!

And i'm having the time of my life now. Back out from the books and my room, to the people in the world outside. :)

WOOOOO!

But just one more day at home. Before i keep going out, and neglect slacking at home time. Wanna work on my latest quiet time query to God. :)

Betty's staying over at my place now. SO EXCITED. I can cook for her every night, not forgetting desserts of cos! Not going to chat much to her outside of mealtimes, cos i just want her to study for her papers on Tues and Thurs. She's been a real darling to me. A confidante, and a huge encouragement. She deserves to have unlimited talk time and free sms, cos she uses it well, to bless others. haha. Like how i've been richly blessed by her thru' the toughest of times.

She's sleeping in my living room now. Let her sleep early without much chatting/catching up (which we did quite alot during dinner actually, but there's so much more to say of cos), so that she can spend the whole of tmr studying. Which was her plan, and a wise one indeed. She hasn't STARTED STUDYING!!!

So since i can't chat with her now, i'll give chat about her here! haha. I'll miss Betty SO SO much. She's been a real joy to hang around with and go crazy with as a friend, to serve alongside in ministry like fully-armoured warriors for Christ, and to share burdens, blessings and passions with as Sisters-in-Christ.

The most obvious fruits of her ministry so far, is the large number of new members that OCF Flinders has this year. She really did a fantastic job for orientation. Leading the centre to reach out to many newbies on campus, and create awareness of OCF. So that even tho' we had abt 1/3 of an exodus last yr, we still increased in membership to about 34!!!

There's many other lives she's touched, intercession she's prayed, burdens she's borne, and struggles she's faced. And still, her life still shines ever so brightly for Christ. Great role model... :)

がんばって Betty! JIAYOU for exams!! Hope you enjoy the food, and have an enjoayable stay here. Gonna miss you when you're back in Melbourne...

1 more to go!

1st paper on Human Physio went all right! Praise God. I'm surprised i could remember stuff.. Not prepared enough compared to last semesters..

1 more to go! Biochemistry.. Bo-ring.. I'm trying to make studying this as fun as possible already. Have abt 1 more day to study!

Haven't gotten back my results for Jap and Introductory Exegesis. Wonder how i fared...

Meanwhile, i'm still eagerly desiring after the gift of healing.. and trying to put it into practice. Figuring, sorting, using, praying... :)

?

My emotions run wilder than when i saw our handsome Renal Prof. Haha.

It's been SO long! Why why why?

My sista

15min gang membership is up to 5 now!!! Newest member, LI ENG!!!

My family is expanding... Somehow, i'm starting to get an idea of how this 'fictive kinship' (term coined by theologists) works. Perhaps it's not so fictive after all. Just a glimpse into eternity? Are we actually living it right now? Nahh. We're far from it. What can i do to change this?

Li Eng from UniSA, my Edge church buddy just accepted CHRIST!!! WOOOOOOO. Super happy. This is like the 2nd person that i'm close to, who accepted Christ this semester. Omgomg. It's brilliant to see the fruits of sowing and planting... The Spirit has worked, and we can continue doing the good work of his ministry. OCF! Even for all the stress that we've been thru. Salvation of souls makes it all worth it.

Meanwhile, i will try my bestest to disciple Chin Chin, our new sister in Christ from OCF Flinders! Aunt M says that you should continue investing until you see the person become a disciple maker herself. That's what i'm gonna try... So far, the few sessions have been short, but fab! Miss the sessions i had with Serene. haha.

I wonder what will happen next season. But first, selection of the committee.

Big decision for me again...................... What will it be? Tell me, Lord.

The reason behind sniff

I am trying to figure out why i stopped going on MSN for a long time... I have many reasons... but i'm starting to remember why again.

Why was i scared for such a long time to come online you ask?

Perhaps the main one was:
It's like a roller coaster of emotions from every msn conversation.
And i hope to listen/help/celebrate/cry/laugh/whine/joke/kick/plan/encourage/correct... for/with/to/at everyone.

How is that even possible?

Ha. This wonderful world of MSN. Will i ever be run away from it again? Perhaps.

Meanwhile.. GO study la Mel.

muggers unite

The beginning of Mugging week! It will go very well. I actually feel relieved that i can just stay home all day and study.. Perhaps by the end, i'll go abit mad.. but it's going well so far.

Must do well for exams... GAMBATE.

Brother is in San Francisco now. Praise God for the safe trip there. Hope he has the time of his life!!! I get a 4 yr holiday, he deserves an explosive experience too!

Back on MSN! :)

And my dark eye circles are disappearing.. Phew. Masks and sleep and just less stress.

Boo

I am very sad.

Finished my 2500 word exegesis on the Parable of the Sower, but it required so much explanation that i don't like the parable anymore. Wonder how i will score?

Tried uploading the muffins performance on youtube at home, but the internet connection is so lousy it keeps getting cut off halfway.

Haven't run in like.. 1+ month now... too cold... and lazy too. Must start after exams.

Exams are in less than 2 weeks time and i'm no where near prepared. By this time last yr for both semesters, i already finished like 1-2 rounds of revision. :(

And....... I HAVE DARK EYE CIRCLES NOW!

*sniff* cannot fail these 2 core topics... exams are 50% and 60%, and they're so heavy on content!

The cold cold winter doesn't help me in my mood. *blehh*

But... at least i still have MasterChef on TV and Restaurant City on facebook that keeps me a little bit happier. Julie and Poh are still in the competition!!! Grins. Do check out the website everyone! You can even watch it online. So just whack~

http://www.masterchef.com.au/home.htm