Discontented

I chanced upon a book in Borders and so decided to purchase it since the title of the book- 'The Road of Lost Innocence' caught my attention. Somaly Mam, the author of the book was a survivor who has been through many hurtful experiences. She had a slight glimpse of who her mother was when she was younger. However, her mother decided to leave her for unexplained reasons. Somaly Mam was a taken care of by her so-called 'grandfather' who constantly abused her and mistreated her. Out of desperation for money, 'grandfather' had no choice but to trade her body for money.

CHILDHOOD PROSTITUTION. It is still prevalent in Cambodia till today. And the reality behind childhood prostitution is due to the fact that people in Cambodia are generally poor. Although there are the really rich Cambodians in the country, they never offered help. Because of this, the rich becomes richer; the poor becomes poorer.

It pains me deeply even when I started to read Page 1 of the book. And as I continued reading, I was overwhelmed by many extreme emotions. I felt sad that at such a tender young age, when she did not even know what sex was all about, she was sold into prostitution. I was angry at how 'grandfather' would beat her up when she comes back late or when she rejected the offer of sleeping with men that 'grandfather' had introduced her to. She was raped time and time again till she had no understanding what pain was all about. She trusted clients who claimed to marry her, only to be fooled later that the marriages were indecent proposals that led her to much destructions.

Is there really no end to all these? I asked myself. I finally know the reason why there's an organisation like UNICEF. Children ought to have their rights, survival and protection.

This book has indeed opened my eyes to see the unseen things happening in other regions of the world.

You found me in that secret place

I love this song 'I believe'. Guessed the lyrics of the song really captures the very essence of happiness when you realised that your dreams have come true.

Indeed dreams do come true when you believe!

Diana Degarmo- 'I believe'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29M4kt2zKA&feature=related

Have you ever reached a rainbow's end
And did you find your pot of gold
Ever catch a shooting star
And tell me how high did you soar
Ever felt like you were dreaming
Just to find that you're awake
Cause the magic that surrounds you
Will lift you up and guide you on your way

I can see it in the stars across the sky
Dreamt a hundred thousand dreams before
Now I finally realize
You see I've waited all my life for this moment to arrive
And finally I believe

I believe in the impossible
If I reach deep within my heart
Overcome any obstacle
Won't let this dream fall apart
See I strive to be the very best
Shine my light for all to see
Cause anything is possible
When you believe yeah

I can see it in the stars across the sky
Dreamt a hundred thousand dreams before
Now I finally realize
I've waited all my life for this moment to arrive
And finally I believe
Yes I believe

Ohh Yeah

Love keeps liftin me higher
Liftin me higher
Love keeps liftin me higher
I said love keeps liften
Love keeps liften me
I said Love keeps liften
Love keeps liften me higher
Said love keeps liften me higher
I said love keeps liften me high

Few Sundays back, I attended a talk entitled 'My Vocation and God'. The speaker gave us a definition of 'vocation'. Vocation is a call of God to serve Him in the world, then that vocation is sacred because it comes from God.

The speaker gave us 4 questions for us to ponder and help us realise our calling.

1) What are my gifts and talents?
I said: Compassionate; Love to give health advices to people.

2) What is the deepest desire of my heart?
I said: To work with/ befriend children living in underdeveloped countries.

3) Where do I personally sense the needs of the world and feel the brokenness in God's creation?
I said: It really breaks my heart when I see children suffering, especially those of them that are living in poverty. Seriously, they don't deserve such a life.

4) What is my unique personality and temperament?
I said: I have no idea. I need affirmation from you people=)
They said: Sociable, kind, helpful.

An amusing joke

I love jokes, no matter whether it's dry, lame or crappy. Jokes exist for a cause. I guessed it helps people to look at life with laughter rather than with mere sorrow.

I was at work few days back, when Person A approached me with a joke. Unknowingly, I was led into this joke and became a real joker at the end of the day.

Person A: Eve, I have 'Ba Kua'. Do you happen to have a halal scissor in the pantry? I need a halal scissor to cut the 'Ba Kua' into smaller pieces for one of our chinese colleagues to try.

Me: Halal scissors?
(I went to approach Person B who is a muslim)
"Eh, does our pantry have a halal scissors?"

Person B and Me burst into laughter.

Person B and Me: Why should Person A request for a halal scissor? Isn't 'Ba Kua' made from pork? How can a halal scissor be used to cut pork.

The fact that halal scissor is used on pork shows that it is already non-halal. Hmm, shouldn't Person A just request for a normal scissor then?

What a silly joke indeed!

Let it sink into my inmost being

I enjoyed the meet up session I had with my poly friends on Saturday. Seriously, I was looking forward to catching up with them cos I wasn't present during the last makan session. I feel that our friendship has grown from strength to strength over the years. Though there were some conflicts within the group, we managed to work in out and allow time to heal the brokeness. We have matured alot I would say. The content of our conversation was just different. Perhaps, now we are at a different stage of life. Previously, it was about assignments, projects, lecturers and shopping that we talked about. Yesterday, we brought up issues such as work and some of important life choices. I'm beginning to treasure this bunch of friends even more.

Today, we sang 'I Love You Lord' during the worship service. And as I was worshipping God, I was just thinking what it really means to love God more than yourself. Yes, my desire and other christians desire is to love God wholeheartedly. How then should we live up to this desire that we so dearly profess?

I guessed it zooms down to one answer 'Surrendering every aspect of our lives to God'. When we love ourselves more than God, we begin to take things into our own hands, to glory in our accomplishments. However, when we start to allow God to take the wheel , to take it from our hands, our perspectives of life begin to change. We will have this blessed assurance of knowing that God is in control even in the little details of what life can bring. Having our identity sealed with Christ, we need not chase after the wind. May we decrease and let Christ increase in our hearts.

I Love You Lord

I love You, Lord
Greater than anything
I love You, Lord
More than my heart could sing
I love You, Lord
More than I love myself
I love You Lord
I love You Lord
I love You Lord

On a side note, Cons and myself went to do threading at Little India followed by a short shopping spree at Bugis Street. The entire lanes were crowded, with so many people doing their last minute CNY shopping. I'm glad that I managed to change the 'Ah Lian' top which I bought 3 days ago. I had no idea why this top caught my attention initially. Perhaps it was the $10 price tag that was attached to this top that led to my impulse buying.

I'm looking forward to more exciting days ahead. God be my strength!

A Defining Moment That Will Last through Eternity

I did some reflections while reading 1 Timothy 4 and 6 on 4th January, 10:15pm. And I actually pen down my thoughts at that very moment.

Here it goes.

"It just dawned on me that my lifestyle is no different from a non-christian. I've been going through the motion of life without practicing the presence of God. I recognised that I've failed God time and time again in Year 2008. I pray that God will make me a better person in Year 2009. Today, I want to declare 'GODLINESS' in my life."


" Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present and the life to come."

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."

Testify to love

So many major events had happened in year 2008. I thought it would be good to pen down all that I've been through so that I could learn to count my blessings in the life God has bestowed upon me.

The last days in GNC were great. I was actually very sad cos I couldn't bear to leave my colleagues as well as my comfortable working environment. I'm glad that I sang for my D&D. Although I did not come in first in the competition, I enjoyed myself in the process. The 5 minutes of fame on stage was simply an experience. Well, I made a decision to leave anyway because I wanted to do what I've been all along passionate about- Nutrition.

I'm thankful to God for providing me with a new job at HPB. It's been 6 months and I'm enjoying every single minute of it. Seriously, it has always been my dream to work in this company. Still remembered when I was in Secondary School, I would always tell my friends my desire to work in this company. I knew from the very beginning that working in HPB would be impossible because only the best people get to work there. So, the fact that I'm working there now simply means that nothing is too impossible for God. I'm once again amazed at God's provision and grace in my life. I've just been given new responsibilities and I just can't wait to start my new assignments. A new year with new beginnings :)

And yes, I was the bridesmaid for my sister's wedding last Nov. The preparation that led to the actual day of the wedding was fun. I had the chance to go KTV with sis, matt and gab to practice their song item. And then, the many meet ups with gabriel to come up with the emcee script. All was worthed it cos seeing my sister so happy during her wedding day just made me happy too. I will definitely miss her presence at home. A home will never be a home without her. But I'm glad that our relationship is even far better right now. We will sms and call each other up just to find out how the other is doing.

I want year 2009 to be a year of great discoveries. I want to embrace life with confidence. I want to make my life count for Jesus. I want to impact others with my life. I want to testify to love.

Oh Night Divine!

This year's Christmas was just different. It's really hard to describe the difference in Christmas mood as compared to previous years but I know that my heart is all awed and filled with much joy.



So many significant events have taken place in the month of Dec. Having dinner together with my fellow colleagues was one of the best things that have taken place. We headed down to Hog Breath Cafe at Chijmes straight after our Christmas Celebration in HPB. We ordered alot and ate to our heart's content. Following, we went to Eqinox, a pub that is located at Raffles City. Because the pub was at the 70th storey, we got to see the nice landscape of our lovely island. The view was simply breathtaking. How I wish I could step in there again, sit by the big windows and do some solid reflections. I told myself once again never to take any more liquor. As much as I like to drink, I know that my body will one way or another reject it. The following day, I felt terribly sick during work and went to the Polyclinic downstairs my office to see the doc. I was given days mc. I had to forgo the meet up session with my dearly-missed poly friends that day as well as the Christmas party at Edwin and Sharon's place.

During this festive season, I've also got a good bonding session with Rae and Yenru over dinner at Hong Kong's Cafe. So glad that our friendship have come a long way even after sec school. And then, the wonderful dinner with my ex-colleagues Kenny and Cheryl at Spageddies.

Went with Brandon to watch Yes Man. Not too bad a show. Would rate it 3.5/5. Seriously, what would the world be like if everyone has no choice but to say Yes? I guessed the world will be chaotic. 'Yes' to me is not always a positive word. Sometimes, it's just good to stick to 'No'. The media and everything else is brainwashing people to pursue things with their own strength without thinking of the consequences that would befall them. I think we should all be a little more considerate and think before acting so that no one gets hurt as a result.

Blessed Boxing Day one and all!

What saddened me most during this season was when Aloysius broke the news to say that he has a cyst in his left brain. He actually laughed about his condition but I know that he's just masking it. I pray that he gets well and that he'll be able to get the best treatment.