It's been reaally quiet in office nowadays.
CEO's away on long leave, dept boss appears only now and then. Majority of the people are away clearing their leave for long weekends. It all adds up to a quiet and shudderingly cold place.
Hehe decided to make it a blast of a last day by wearing the superstar...I mean, Lead Singer jacket to work. :D
And my colleague say I look very nice in it! Yeahhh....finally someone appreciates it. Heh, we decided to end the day with a late lunch and leave the office for the rest of the year. (Feels good to say that)
Headed over to a restaurant in little india for a bonus year end treat from our indian colleague. Finally got to see his 5 month old kid which we've been hearing for a long time.
Little bundle of cuteness
The food's pretty ok, since it wasn't really super traditional indian food type. But boy, tasting the food brought back memories of my stint in India with my unit back in 2005. It really makes me wonder how did I survive 1.5 months of extreme weather conditions, indian food and curry almost everyday man.
Definitely a memorable time man. The experience of sleeping out in the open field in the extreme cold of the night under the star-full sky, waking up to the chills of the morning with vapour coming out of your breaths. It was really a blast taking photos there too, with the gorgeous scenaries.
Well, I'll end this year end post with some snapshots of my time in India. Enjoy, and a happy new year. =)
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Man...I've always wanted the feeling of running through fields of tall grasses and wheat.
Guess this comes closest to it.
On a hilltop with 2 other indian soldiers
Climbing the hill ain't easy.
But the view sure makes it worthwhile.
With temperatures rising above 40 degrees, nothing beats chilling out
under the shade with a bottle of cold 7UP
You've heard the phrase "Xian hua cha zai niu fen shang" (fresh flower on a cow dung)
Now witness it :s
Another soothing sunset
Cows crossing. Drive slow.
Brothers in arms (literally) at the Observation Post
Standing at the take off/landing strip of a private jet without any earmuffs.
Once a lifetime I guess.
Hitching a ride with 2 of the indian villagers
Sigh...I'd really like to experience the hilltop's view and windy chills once again
Heh, it's probably the last thing you'd expect us to wear in India.
But yep, the winter season's really cold....you won't even break a sweat.
Here today, and gone tomorrow...
I was half expecting giant snakes to dart out of the holes and grab me in...
Tornado-like sand storms was a constant thing out in the field
Check out the size of that thing!
Man on a mission
Really some breath-taking scenaries over there
Ahhhh....enemy stampede invasion!!
Now that's a giant spotlight
Young street hawkers
"Can I have that watermelon over there on the bottom most row?"
One of their local cabs
Some local percussionists
A small town cinema I think
One of our end-exercise dinners.
Can't remember what they're roasting though..
Hello there, you narssistic indian bird
Some local typing services provider I think
Not something you'd find easily in India I suppose
Mission accomplished.
Thank You, for Your protection and sustenance.
Was kinda late when I reached Harbourfront this morning for work.
So there I was, waiting for the shuttle bus to arrive....when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turned around to see this familiar looking face, asking if I was from the company. It was a guy from my company, and we've seen each other before, though we don't really know each other.
Cool idea. So he got another person who was from the company as well, and 3 late men shared a cab to the office.
Chatted with him abit on the cab. He's a contract staff as well, though much older than me. As I shared about my consideration to get a degree from laselle next year, he gave a pretty negative opinion.
Turned out that he was previously from the advertising field for 5 years, and had some experience of doing graphic design and such. Basically, he painted a picture of low starting pay and over-crowding of graphic designers locally.
Well, I already know about these issues beforehand...but hearing it from one with experience in it....I don't know man.
The thought that I've been contending with within for the past month is this: It's one thing to like and have passion for something, but quite another to be able to do well in it.
Realistic consideration, or negative, discouraging thought pattern?
I guess abit of both. Sigh...now...what?
...a year's coming to an end. But, what about the season..?
It's Christmas Night. The house is quiet. Even the crackle is gone from the fireplace. The last of the carolers appeared on the ten o’clock news. The last of the apple pie was eaten by my brother-in-law. And the last of the Christmas albums have been stored away having dutifully performed their annual rendition of chestnuts, white Christmases, and red-nosed reindeers.
It’s Christmas night.
The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I’m awake. I’m kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed.
The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stopwatches and weapons. We stepped off our race tracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.
It’s the season to be jolly because, more than at any other time, we think of him. More than in any other season, his name is on our lips.
And the result?
For a few precious hours, he is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him. People who have been accustomed to using his name in vain, pause to use it in praise. Eyes, now free of the blinders of self, marvel at his majesty.
All of a sudden he’s everywhere.
In the grin of the policeman as he drives the paddy wagon full of presents to the orphanage.
In the twinkle in the eyes of the Taiwanese waiter as he tells of his upcoming Christmas trip to see his children.
In the emotion of the father who is too thankful to finish the dinner table prayer.
He’s in the tears of the mother as she welcomes home her son from overseas.
He’s in the heart of the man who spent Christmas morning on skid row giving away cold baloney sandwiches and warm wishes.
And he’s in the solemn silence of the crowd of shopping mall shoppers as the elementary school chorus sings “Away in a Manger.”
Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near.
It’s Christmas night. In a few hours the cleanup will begin—lights will come down, trees will be thrown out. Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for half price. Soon life will be normal again. December’s generosity will become January’s payments and the magic will begin to fade.
But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that’s why I’m still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him next August. And I can’t help but linger on one fanciful thought: If he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?
'Do You See Him' from 'God Came Near', by Max Lucado
--------------------------------------------
I actually received the above from a non-christian colleague at office. She received the mail from another colleague who's a christian, and forwarded it to me as she thought I would find it helpful and apt during this period.
Wow....I don't know....a blessing, from a non-christian? I personally don't really get that very often in a sense. Or maybe my eyes have been blind to it at times. But this particular gesture of my colleague, I really appreciate it. And looks like I'm not the only one who likes Max Lucado's work in the office.
And like what Max's sharing above talked about...I guess He really does come near...even through non-christians.
---------------------------------------------
23rd....
23rd Auguest 2004.....that was the day I enlisted into army. 2 years and 4 months of donning the military uniform. There are still times I look back and wonder....how did I really manage to get through all of that? Perhaps the lack of an answer, helps retain the wonder of it I guess. =)
23rd Singapore Artillery. My NSF unit. Yeah...I guess some of you had heard a fair share of my experiences and complains over there. But undeniably, it was a memorable stay. The people, overseas exercises, the exposure to do all the photo shoots and videos....it won't be forgotten. It were also days that I felt really alone...with no one physically to turn to....tear stains of which can still be seen.
A year of anniversary. 23rd December 2005...that was the day of my return as a civilian. Has it really been 1 year since I ORD-ed? Yet it feels like being in a stand-still for me. Just like being in a temporary holding place?
If I recall, 23rd Dec was also the day we had the fabulous, heart-warming dinner at Pastor David's home. The setting, ambience, games, music, food (yum), and especially the people....most wonderful. Nice. =)
23rd....that was also when it started.
Oh...did I mention, 23rd is my favourite number too? Heh.
24th....let it not be the only day I tell myself to slow down and think. Things have all been going way too fast for me. Better for me to slow down before I lose all strength and stamina. And remembering You, Jesus?
24th?
Nahh....it would be wise for me to ponder and remember, not just Your birth, but also Your life and sacrifice, all the days of my life.This is the tale of a cute, lovable, kind, good-hearted and brave dog by the name of...Snowy. Often seen as nothing more than a ball of cotton wool, behind those beady eyes, is a dog who will brave all fronts for his master....
One usual morning...
Ruff ruff!
(Translation: Hello good morning. Time to wake up.)
Woof woof!
(Translation: Wah no response at all, you are a pig more than I am a dog!)
Sniff sniff lick lick.
(Translation: Eh weird...why is there no reaction? Something's wrong?!)
Grrr growl rahhh hew hew wheeee!
(Translation: Ahhh....wake up, don't die! Not at least until you put me
in the washing machine to wash!)
Whine...
(Translation: Oh no...he must be sick! Ok cool down snowy...you can do this...
He told me before, if he's sick or on the verge of dying,
the most important and crucial thing to do is....)
Pant pant woo woo.
(Translation: ...call his boss and get sick leave!! Quick quick!)
*dials phone with nose furiously*
Woooo arf arf poot poot pui.
(Translation: Arlow, Deqi is too sick to work today. Dying. Thank you. Bye.)
(Translation's translation: Arlow, Deqi don't feel like working today. Need some time to tuang and keng. Thank you for permission. Bye.)
He may have just been a dog.
But on this day,
dangers were averted,
lives were saved,
or at least,
someone got to rest for the day.
They say he's gone back to being a normal, plush dog.
But we'll never know,
when the day comes,
where we'll look for help in the form of a
soft, fluffy, cotton, beady...
...Snowy.
*Cue war inspirational music*
-------------------------------------
Haha...oops. Oh no...I think I'm really getting abit bored. It's a day of rest for me, as I stayed home to rest from the flu. Somehow, after not being sick for a long time, this period of downtime seems especially prolonged.
But anyway, I just wanted to rest well and recover, for my meeting with my backend developer on friday. Yeah...he'll get to be away on holiday at Hong Kong next week, while I'll have to prepare for the client training trip to KL in January...still don't know what to feel for the trip man...oh well.
It's kinda scary, hearing all about the floodings, landslides and crashing of trees around us from the heavy rainfall we've had. It makes me realise just how vulnerable and small our country is to such weather conditions. Infact....I wonder with all the weight of all the buildings and all on this island, if the rain had continued to beat down on us...would we start sinking? :S
In fact, we seem to be sinking in with all the saturation.
Look all around us. Studies, work and expectations are rising. You gotta be top of the crop to be noticed...it definitely wasn't thrill that caused the people to be desperate enough to jump track. Tv screens and resolutions getting bigger and sharper, the music and games are getting louder...the chase for satisfaction from entertainment doesn't stop, cause it only enlarges the vacuum, not fill it permenantly.
I don't know about you, but this saturation all around seems to much for me at times. Infact, I'd really like some time away...maybe some backpacking trip to a country or something. At least a slight change of environment would do good. Yeah...I've been thinking about that.
So...anyone interested to take a hike with me?
With the arrival Wednesday, it marks the 3rd consequtive day the rain has been going on. Funny how the rain clouds just don't seem to run out of water...alternating between light and heavy rain.
A most cosy atmosphere to sleep in at home...but in office? Brrr.
Managed to hitch a ride on my bro's new car this morning to the mrt station. Definitely much preferred over waiting and taking the bus in the wet weather. Funnily, he passed me a little packet of pineapple tart buscuit in the car which he brought back from the trip overseas. Mmm...Taiwan breakfast heh.
Hmm..reminds me of my time in Taiwan back then..
Had to lunch alone today again. Thankfully, the pretty good food around really does help in making solo-lunches more bearable.
Mmm....abalone sauced pork chops with butterrice.
Heh...somehow the 2nd best thing I like about food is taking shots of them...
...okay...I was feeling bored as well.
Was reminded of the lunch I had yesterday with 3 of my colleagues. Amidst the cold, wet weather, dry hearts were bared out over the lunch table...as 2 of them (both christians) shared the frustration of their work life. 1 was the sad fact of having all his labour and efforts gone unnoticed, unappreciated, and under-valued. Not even when he made discoveries that helped the company save money. The other was a lady, worn down by the office politics, having to second guess hidden meanings amongst other colleague's words and actions, fighting battles and putting on identities.
I wonder how much and how long I could take it if I were in their shoes.
Would I still be able to tell myself to do my best and give my all , honouring Him with my sweat-filled efforts, while seeing people climb all over me? I don't know...just hearing about their side makes me feel tired already.
No wonder the bible doesn't skimp on the raw, heart-felt groanings of Man with their sufferings with the likes of Psalm 13...
How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall..
[Psalm 13:1-4]
Makes me realise deeper the extent of His covering over this area of my life up to now. But I guess for these 2 colleagues of mine...the feeling's just like the rain which has been unceasing lately...wondering, when would the rain stop..
..But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
[Psalm 13:5-6]
Little bundle of cuteness
Man...I've always wanted the feeling of running through fields of tall grasses and wheat.
On a hilltop with 2 other indian soldiers
Climbing the hill ain't easy.
With temperatures rising above 40 degrees, nothing beats chilling out
You've heard the phrase "Xian hua cha zai niu fen shang" (fresh flower on a cow dung)
Another soothing sunset
Cows crossing. Drive slow.
Brothers in arms (literally) at the Observation Post
Standing at the take off/landing strip of a private jet without any earmuffs.
Hitching a ride with 2 of the indian villagers
Sigh...I'd really like to experience the hilltop's view and windy chills once again
Heh, it's probably the last thing you'd expect us to wear in India.
Here today, and gone tomorrow...
I was half expecting giant snakes to dart out of the holes and grab me in...
Tornado-like sand storms was a constant thing out in the field
Check out the size of that thing!
Man on a mission
Really some breath-taking scenaries over there
Ahhhh....enemy stampede invasion!!
Now that's a giant spotlight
Young street hawkers
"Can I have that watermelon over there on the bottom most row?"
One of their local cabs
Some local percussionists
A small town cinema I think
One of our end-exercise dinners.
Hello there, you narssistic indian bird
Some local typing services provider I think
Not something you'd find easily in India I suppose
Mission accomplished.
