2) Is so looking forward to Alia @ Bali, he can smell it.
3) This week has been super fantastic, my birthday week are always fantastico!
4) Family, is the most important thing next to GOD! Praise the Lord!
5) Grace is all around we just need to standup and be counted.
6) 100 Days of Favour is an amazing book,
7) Highlight of the week: Having attended two amazing birthday parties both organized amazingly by my glorious wife.
M
2) Is receiving more email on his Yahoo mail than his work mail.
3) Absolutely loves multiple tasking on the iPad.
4) Going to get a new computer this weekend after 3-4 years the old machine needs to head to scrap.
5) Misses blogging.
6) It's Thursday! One more day to go!
7) Highlight of the week: Eating MIL's cooking especially heibee haim!
M
Sent from my iPad
2) Thinks that the Kinect is a pretty cool device, if only it did more than just games.
3) Thinks that he will be spending more money at Tomato, he was quietly impressed.
4) Knows that he is the child of the most high God!
5) Prime lenses help you to become a better photographer.
6) Sophie is a passionate girl -Hart of Tomato
7) Highlight of the week: Spending a full day with the wife and catching a movie after almost 2 years.
M
2) Had an awesome Friday with his fellow Beloveds.
3) Had a strong desire to run for the opposition. Dunno why?
4) F1 season has ended. 119 days till 2011 opener. Can't wait!
5) It's been 7 years and I still love her more than ever.
6) Looking forward to spending a full day with the wife.
7) Highlight of the week: Was to receive the news that we will have 3 new servers! PTL!
M
4) My family, never dysfunctional but quirky would be a word to describe them but I love them all the same.
3) My first born Sophie, who is in many ways a mini reflection of my wife with some grindings of me for added spice. With her developing her own traits, every day is a new ride.
2) My beautiful, cheerful, smart, funny wife popularly known as Maji. There no adjective too good enough for you babe. Everyday with you is a blessing!
1) My most wonderful Jesus, because of what He has done the above list is possible.
Majimo Blogs.
So I decided to start a blessing list; which are not things I wish I could do before I die but things I am thankful for each and everyday that I am alive at this moment. Things I can see, touch, smell, feel right now. This will not be a weekly list of NEW things but a growing list of blessings that I am thankful for in my life that I have been blessed with.
In a sense it's a life stock take, and since I am the most blessed man in the world, it will take a while. <Grins with satisfaction and gratitude to the Man above>. So if you are reading this why not think about starting one, if your are thankful for something, might as well shout it from the mountain tops, albeit in cyberspace.
Blessing List - Edit 1 to follow.....
M the most blessed man in the world
2) Has too many things too be thankful for, is a super blessed man!
3) Over anticipation can be hazardous to your well being, things will come in it's own time.
4) Has been kept waiting probably due to some glitch in paperwork. -- See point 3).
5) Needs a new super computer for the home, a Cray would be nice.
6) Diet or rather née lifestyle has gone fora toss this week. A nice Aji Tataki will set me back on track.
7) Highlight of the week: Was to spend only 1.5 days at work this week and the rest with his 2 favorite girls!
M
2) Loves to read the Manga Bible
3) Has been doing some serious contemplation when at work
4) Looking forward to Saturdays' drinks for Halloween
5) Thinks that Irn Bru is just like Kickapoo Joy Juice
6) Has too much to write about but does not know where to start from
7) Highlight of the week: Fever breaking and knowing I have SuperMOM as my wife!
M
Sometimes they can just be about wearing the white shirt or the blue shirt or perhaps should I have grilled fish shioyaki or sashimi for lunch. Other times it can be life altering, like should I leave this job and move on to the next. Life is full of decisions....left turn or right turn?? Go straight???
Depending on the magnitude of change, they are hard but change is good, sometimes. The burden of decisions sometimes gets easier when you have been partnered with a woman of wisdom and understanding. Such is what I have found in the woman sleeping next to me. It's 6.36am and that person is obviously the wife, to be exact Sophie is between us, but that's another blog post altogether.
She's an analyzer, well she does it for a living, so she is a fantastic analyzer. Pros and cons, cost benefit, long term vs short term gains are just some to the tools in her unseen arsenal. Whatever the case maybe, her opinion carries weight, to me! Especially when I am emotionally clouded she helps to wade through the crap and baggage and bring clarity to all situations.
Proverbs 31:10-11 (New American Standard Bible)
10An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
Thanks babe! You are my Proverbs 31 wife!
M Uber Blessed
2) Is glad that he is wanted from a professional standpoint. Thank you Jesus!
3) Has fallen in love with Japanese salads at Tomo Izakaya.
4) Needs to find healthy Indian food, it must exist!
5) Is privileged to be in ROCK KIDZ!
6) Knows that this is a season of tremendous blessing
7) Highlight of the week: Dressing up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for ASA!
M
2) Has a new life altering decision to mull over.
3) Loves to talk about holiday plans with the wife.
4) Fell madly in love with Saffire in Freycinet, Tasmania. -- AUD1.4K a night!
5) Chee Cheong Fun with no sauce just chilli, has been included as a breaky alternative to 4 hard boiled egg whites, I am stoked!
6) Shiro maguro is my now fav sashimi.
7) Highlight of the week: Negotiating with a headhunter while walking in Spotlight. -- the quietest place I could find.
M
For the past two weeks I have been on a, what some would say, crazy diet. The goal was mainly to detox my system because it seemed to be bursting at the seams quite literally.
Prior to starting work, for some reason I went on an eating rampage. To ingest all my favorite foods if possible within the short time frame of a few days before my work started. My typical day would be to wake up early, send the wife to work which signalled the flag off for the food odyssey.
| Breakfast Location: Madras Woodlands Meal: Rava Thosai with copious amount of red (chilli) chutney followed with two appams with coconut milk and orange sugar Drink: Indian coffee | ||
| Lunch A Location: Toa Payoh Lor 5 Meal: Bar Chor Mee Drink: 100 Plus | OR | Lunch B Location: Jalan Kayu Prata Shop Meal: Chicken or Mutton Berayani Drink: Teh Halia |
| Post Lunch Dessert: Magnum Almond. -- they were running a 1for 1 promo so guess what? Yep genius here didn't want it to melt so makan both! | ||
| Midday Snack: Some potato chips perhaps | ||
| Dinner: was whatever was cooked at home, regular stuff | ||
| Midnight cravings: When wife and baby is asleep, I sometimes stepped to the prata shop for two kosong prata with a Teh halia chaser! |
This happened for a few consecutive days. Excessive no! It didn't last long. My digestive system protested violently and I was in world of discomfort. It wasn't a sickly feeling but when you are backed up back there, moods go for a swing. Not a good thing especially when starting a new job. So now I am on a detox program. Here my new menu, it's short so don't fret
Breakfast: 4 hard boils eggs -- white only, strictly no yolk
Drink: Kopi-O or Teh-O kosong or water
Lunch: Salmon Sashimi -- no soy sauce just wasabi and a squeeze of lemon
Drink: Water up till 5pm!
Dinner: Bowl of salad, with only vinegar and olive oil dressing.
Drink: Funky tea that makes you go the next day.
Result:
I'm down 4 plus kg in weight and also two belt holes. I feel a whole lot better for sure. Moods are in check too.
I guess to some extent sustainability will beg and I will answer, moderation is key. Healthy diet goes a long way. I am not going to shun my favorite foods but I intend to make this a lifestyle choice. To choose to eat healthy when the alternative is there, and once in a while to indulge myself.
This weekend will mark the 2 week of this regime, which signals the return to normalcy from a dietary perspective. Of course, i ain't gonna let all that hard work and abstinence go to waste, so I say again "Mod in Key". New mantra!
With a dinner party tonight and a wedding lunch tomorrow, let's see how I go.
M Detoxing
2) Has discovered that taking the train to work is not all that bad when you have a seat.
3) Chicken Pox is no longer a one time event, it's can reappear as Shingles.
4) Is glad his shows are back on air.
5) Hard boiled eggs white can be a really filling meal.
6) What you put in REALLY determines how you will feel.
7) Highlight of the week is to have lost close to 2.5 kg with his new diet.
M
2) Is extremely grateful to be tithing again! It's a privileged I have so missed.
3) Loves to watch Sophie's head bobbing around as she rouses from her slumber.
4) Has found a new instant buzz with Toast Box's kopi cow!
5) Is finally buckling down to read A Purpose Driven Life with the wife.
6) Highlight of the week is the Singapore Grand Prix!
7) Wrote 1 - 6 on Thursday and forgot about it completely till Sunday, it's been a looooooong weekend. In a way glad it's over....doh Monday!
M
We have decided to ditch baby school for Sophie for the next year almost. After all the dramas that school brought her, we have done the usual young parent thing and begged out parents (Sophie's grandies) to be overseers with the domestic helper as the primary caregiver.
Definitely the sense of security is much greater with this arrangement but, we need to be wary not to get to a stage of taking our parents for granted as they help us out in such a big way. It's really easy to take them for granted with our schedules and scarily it's mostly unintentional.
When we get home from work, we would like to spend all the time we have with Sophie before she nods off to bed and by that time she does that, either we are completely exhausted and join her or prefer the sanity calming effect of the TV. I guess nobody wants to take their parents for granted but it just sort of happens. I dunno , it seems that when we decide to do something about it, it's normally too late. Oh well, at least it's in the back of our mind as we endeavor to not get thing to that stage.
M reflective at 6.18am
2) T.M.Levin shirts are poorly made and over priced, they look nice but they suck!
3) Never had so much fibre in his diet.
4) Bras Basah MRT station on the Circle Line is brilliant.
5) Is glad to have Sophie's care taking arrangements sorted out.
6) Realised that he is a child of the most high God, it's beats all and it's real.
7) Highlight of the week is being greeted by my awesome wife and daughter when I get out my car.
M
1) Is glad to have his smiley girl back.
2) Top Chef in Singapore! Wow!
3) Has found sumptuous sandies OZ style at Bratwurst Shop in Plaza Sing.
4) Is working in Internet Hell, all external emails are tracked and USB ports can only recognize mice. Wrote a blog but can't send it out, the post is literally trapped.
5) Two monitors are better than one.
6) Is thinking of how to self reward himself. Any suggestions?
7) Highlight of the week is meeting baby Emma.
M
It was a tough day. I usually do not have Monday blues because my Mondays are normally busy at work with an abundance of activity. Of course, this was my first “work Monday” in months but, it was blue because I spent the first part of the day aimless. I loathe starting a job when the first assignment is to takeover someone who is moving to a new position. One, they do not care about you but are more interested in their new position. Two, you spend most of your time, waiting for them to “find time” to show you the ropes. Three, I do not like waiting!!
This has been the case last Thursday and Friday, and first part of Monday was no different. It was made worse by the fact that the wife was away in Hong Kong, she left on Sunday night. So Monday morning I roused by myself to Sophie’s cries and brought her over to the bed for some quality time and play. As I was running out of time, I got ready to leave for the office but, when I was all ready to go, I just simply could not leave the house. I kept looking back at Sophie being carried by helper Jeanie. Sophie kept looking at me with those big innocent eyes of hers, and there I was struggling to get into the car. I would have given a king’s ransom to know what was going through her little mind.
I of course, got into the car after 5 rounds of goodbye, helper Jeanie was probably thinking I was crazy. I was heartbroken but I knew the Sophie would be fine but because we’ve sent off Mum countless time and as the cab turns the corner her attention is on something else. However, I clearly wasn’t ok. As the first paragraph and basically this post demonstrates.
But somewhere after lunch, I got an email from the wife. Errorlyn who was at home sent these to her in Hong Kong and she sent them to me!
My day, in an instant, was completely changed! I eventually had a great end of day. Thanks to my wonderful little GIRLS!
M so lucky a guy!
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
2) For This I Was Born by Brian Houston is well worth read.
3) Just visited Marina Bay Sands Skypark and am absolutely amazed.
4) Misses Sophie when I'm at work.
5) Has come full circle after 2 years exactly.
6) Ate at the Jalan Kayu cafe near office. Irony!
7) Just had his first TGIF in months.
M
In laws in town, always great have them around because the house becomes full of activity, kids running around always noisy. Laughter all around just warms the house so much so that the cats have moved in to soak up the love. Sophie is loving the additional attention, for us it's great to have more hands to carry her around.
Last Friday, I signed an employment contract, after almost 7 months of REST and doing all sorts of cool projects, I am heading back to work. Though I have not blogged much about it, it has been tough, not so much financially, but more mentally and emotionally. That for me was the major challenge, to not lose myself and faith amidst the discouragement and the disappointment. To basically to take all things as it comes and to truly see what is important in life. God and family!
Last Wednesday, our domestic helper dropped a bomb on us. She said she wanted to move to another employer to work. She claimed she did not want to take care of Sophie anymore, an excuse that surprised me because she loves Sophie so much. They have so much fun together and it all seemed so genuine. To cut a long story short, by Friday we were prepared to send her off, ONLY when a new maid arrives but as we woke up that morning we found her all packed up and ready to leave. We weren't expecting that! After a few rather traumatic conversations we reached the real reason, which frankly was darn stupid, we clarified and cleared the misunderstanding. End of story, all is back to normal, at least on the surface.
So pretty much your average roller coaster ride of a week. Let's hope next week is smooth, as I start work and as things fall back to normal. MIL will be staying an additional week, thankfully to help handle things with Sophie. Now all I need are some new shirts.
M in a new season
I have been expecting a call for the past few days. It has been a nerve wrecking wait. Every time, I step away from my phone when I come back to it, I religiously check it. And upon seeing that there are no missed calls, it leaves me sighing. Thank God for this Lock screen that counters all sighing!
It turns it into an instant smile!
M thankful for my two “S”es!
This post serves as a marker for today, the day we as family planted a miracle seed! No one plants a seed and leaves it without the expectation of a harvest. Funnily, early last year when we planted our first miracle seed, we saw many different miracles happening but the biggest miracle harvest of them all only came to our realization last week, when we looked back at when we planted our seed.
15th Feb seed planted, 2 weeks later after around 8 month of trying, Sophie was conceived. 9 months later Sophie popped out and each day with her has been a miracle that keeps on getting better. A supernatural harvest in 2 weeks!! Gosh! I can't hardly wait for what what Jesus has in store for us!
M more than expectant
1) Book is in final edit. So exciting.
2) Wants to watch YOG but tickets all sold out but the stands are so empty.
3) Misses Tex-Mex food from El Arriero in Kokomo, after having mediocre Mex food at Lazy Lizard.
4) Finds that Temasek Review gives for interesting a reading at the most.
5) Helped two people on the road to iPad ownership. Apple Evangelist?
6) Is going to plant a Miracle Seed for the immediate future this Sunday!
7) My book is out of final edit but, I realised that I will have to delay it for a while more to sort out some fundamental economic issues. Oh well. Enjoy a sneak peek at the cover!
M
One new discovery I wanted to share in more detail was the idea of eBooks. I was initially revolted at the idea of replacing actual pages, the feel, the smell of new pages, the texture of coarse beige paper with a lighted screen with text. I found the concept to be soulless. Typical of me to have such a strong opinion of something, only to quash it myself.
With the arrival of my iPad (thanks again wife, you are amazing, awesome & beautiful), and the creation of iBooks I was indeed going to give the idea of eBooks a fair shake. It bombed out!...with the fact that there is no iBookstore in SG. What a bummer. Then I found Kindle, which is the Amazon version of an eReader, instead it's build like an iPad/iPhone app. So after installation it was time to re-fire my long unused Amazon account.
Since, then I have read 3 fiction and 1 non-fiction book, all electronically purchased and delivered instantly via Amazon.com and all read via an iPad or an iPhone. So simple! With my next purchase, I was torn between 4 books, here's what I did. I downloaded a sample of each book, read each of them and eventually purchased one. In case you were wondering it's For This I Was Born: Aligning Your Vision to God's Cause [Kindle Edition] by Brian Houston and so far it's been rather inspiring a book.
Overall from a user perspective, the experience has been simple, efficient and most importantly enjoyable. I find buying books like clothes, in that they may look great in the stores' fitting room but on the mirror at home a completely different vibe. With Kindle, that no longer an issue. Do try it.
M Kindling
1) M chooses not to worry. Jesus will provide all things.
2) Is breathing super clean air; thanks to the new air cleaner.
3) Loves the fact that Sophie is in such a cheeky mood this week.
4) Just realized he missed an Asian Geographic Expedition to the world's highest railway by a few days. Damn!
5) Has been converted to eBooks, Kindle on the iPad has been a revelation.
6) John 8:31-32 - Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
7) It takes more faith to believe in the power of stones and coins than in the power of man.
M
1) Is about to self publish his first book! So cool!
2) HFMD is a bad word.
3) Has witnessed the first miracle this year!
4) Has been spending too much time at Mount A.
5) Has used up his bad news quota for the year. From here on; only Rainbows!
6) Need to start pounding the pavement soon.
7) Believes in the 'Dunamis' power of the Word of God
M
1) Beware of free online services that have limited time offers.
2) Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
3) Is looking forward to the rest of the week; 3 musketeers are back together!
4) When people go on vacation, they need to identify backups who can do at least part of their job for the sake of continuity. Or are you that insecure?
5) Loves Molton Brown!
6) Is glad that Mad Men is back! Great first episode!
7) Is in a Japanese state of mind!
M
A few weeks ago my cousin from the UK who was backpacking around South East Asia arrived at his final destination of his trip in Singapore. Since I was available, I volunteered to be his driver and go along with him for some sightseeing.
With tourists, the normal programme would be shopping and eating in Singapore. If they wanted to see some tourist attractions, the Singapore Zoo, Sentosa perhaps Chinatown and Little India for the culturally inclined are some place that might be on the cards. But backpackers normally come with a list of activities all planned out thanks to their trusty Lonely Plant guide books.
His first stop was the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. When he told me that I was dumbfounded and never knew that Singapore had a monastery that was worth seeing. Come on Singaporeans how many of you know about the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery?
To add insult to injury, after a bit of a search we found that the place was just under 4KM from my parents place, where I have lived for about 33 years. Just under my nose. So now I had to see this place! I was blown away with the size of the place and also the fact that it was a perfect day for taking photos! Blue blue sky in Singapore not a regular occurrence.
Have a see!
M Amazed
1) First public exhibit went off better than I expected. Lots of great comments!
2) Wonders why there are so many vampire themed shows out.
3) Is trying to trace the source of the virus that is plague my household.
4) Injured his hamstring while feeding baby Sophie.
5) Wonders why it takes so long to prepare a simple contract. Patience M!
6) Is starting to remember being a smiley child after seeing smiley Sophie.
7) Loyalty is what I consider a virtue above all other virtues!
M
About a few months ago I decided to take some photography classes. I searched and I found a professional travel photographer called Felix Hug who conducts classes at a more advanced level.
The advanced class was conducted over a period of 4 Saturdays and culminates into a small photo exhibition. Personally that was the main draw for me to have my pictures displayed. Basically what we had to do was to pick a subject that is related to Singapore Tourism and produce a few pictures that would be displayed during the 4th week.
Rather than picking the usual, I decided to do something a little different and something that is not photographed very often here in Singapore. My subject was extreme sports in Singapore and in particular skateboarding and freestyle BMXing.
After photographing this subject for the past four weeks, I now have some great photos and even more not so great ones. I have developed a deep appreciation of the sport and an admiration of these young daredevils. I have made some really good friends and best of all hanging with these younglings has made me feel younger.
So if you are in the area, do drop by and have a see:
Where: SPRUCE Restaurant, 320 Tanglin Rd, Phoenix Park, Singapore (opp. Brunei Embassy)
When: July 18th (pictures should be up for 2 weeks, if I'm not wrong)
What: Photography Exhibition (I have 5 pictures on display).
M on display
1) Is getting nervous about his photo exhibit. Is it good enough? -- read next post......
2) Loathes corporate recruiters with fake western accents, come on be yourself!
3) Has found a way to watch Formula One without subscribing to cable tv.
4) Publicly confessed to be a fan of all things Stargate. Facebook is public lah!
5) Already misses his wife who has just boarded a plane to HK. Boo Hoo! (at time of writing though)
6) Loves the Southern Ridges and basically all of Singapore National Parks!
7) Is having World Cup withdrawal.
M
A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her prayers which went like this:
"God bless Mommy,
God Bless Daddy
and good-bye Grandma."
The next day the grandmother died. Oh my gosh, thought the father, this kid is in contact with the other side.
Several weeks later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say:
"God bless Mommy
and good-bye Daddy."
He practically went into shock. He couldn't sleep all night and got up at the crack! of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day, had lunch sent in and watched the clock. He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay.
He felt safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every sound.
Finally midnight arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief and went home.
When he got home his wife said "I've never seen you work so late, what's the matter?"
He said "I don't want to talk about it, I've just spent the worst day of my life."
She said "You think you had a bad day, you'll never believe what happened to me.
This morning the milkman dropped dead on our porch!!
Orginial Post on Witty Fish
M
It's harvest! A month ago we planted a little herb garden in the plot outside our house. Since then we have been diligently watering and watching the "fruits" start to pop out. So after a little bit of impatience, I have finally decided to take a pair of scissors to prune these little wonders.
One of them was clearly chilli padi but the other was not so clear. The pot was labelled as yellow chilli but after a few Googles I was doubtful. After harvesting and cutting into it, I realized that they are baby bell peppers. So the obvious thing to make was anti pasti!
Of course the chilli padi got sliced and doused in soy sauce and lime juice. The baby bell peppers were quartered, pan roasted till slightly charred and lightly fried with lots of olive oil and seasoning. Looks positively yummy as that was as close as I got to it with my recovering wisdom tooth extracted jaw which has reduced me to the same textural diet as Sophie!
M harvesting
2) Can lose complete track of time when talking about Jesus.
3) Realizing that all things considered, is still the most blessed man on the planet.
4) Loves the intense drama of Hell's Kitchen and thinks that Chef Gordon Ramsay is a genius.
5) Has a new affinity for fish eye lens such a new and interesting perspective.
6) Is delighted that the siblings are now talking via email on a regular basis.
7) Would like to have a vuvuzela!
M
With Sophie crossing the 7 month mark of her life with us, she has developed so much that we are now starting to see her as an individual with her own character and personality. For me the greatest joy is to see a certain trait that resembles me. Like how she gently moves her feet to feel the bed fabric is something that I do till today. It's things like this, that underscores that she is part of me. Another person crossing a milestone is..., actually it's both of us, becoming 7 month old parents. The journey has been amazing and challenging but a joyful challenge for sure. We have gone from parents who have no idea what to do with a screaming child to what I would like to call as instinctive parenting. We have become so intuned with Sophie that we more or less know what to expect from her. Of course she does throw us a few curve balls here and there to keep us on our toes but in time we are up to it.
Looking ahead there is so much more to experience and to see. I look forward to Sophie's development as I bask in the glory of being privileged to be a parent to my little sweetheart.
M Basking
No this is not the model number of one of my new gadgets but it is a new running program I am following. Yes you heard me right, running. I know that in the past I may have said that running is for losers because it is utterly boring but, I decided to give it a try after reading about this program.
So far I am in the 2nd week and its has been really good. Unfortunately, I have been sick of late and that has sort of hampered my consistency. I intend to get going the moment I am better, because surprisingly I have found running to be not as boring as I thought.
So this time its the case of the mind being willing but the body being weak.
M running
1) Last week's list was lost in Cyberspace. Sorry!
2) Has been enjoying this World Cup more, because he has been watching it at home.
3) Does not like hospitals but has a special respect for all who work there.
4) Believes this is his last visit to ER in Jesus name!
5) Is always amazed at Sophie's ability to infectiously smile even when she's unwell to lift the spirits of all around her. (picture taken at the isolation room of Mt Alvernia Hospital)
6) Does not like people with fake accents
7) Proverbs 11:26:
The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
M
He is consistent, level headed, generous, loving and always quietly selfless. The head of the household whom all look up to. With great power comes tremendous responsibility. Such is the pressure that he shoulders quietly and best of all without complain and much fanfare.
It's has been a true privilege for me to be counted in this group and to be called a FATHER.
Happy Dad's Day you guys, we ROCK!
M Fathering
1) Realised that people give up too easily.
2) Wished he had a vuvuzela.
3) Sometimes needs to imagine the world from the perspective of a 6 month old.
4) All of the World Cup matches I have watched ended in draws.
5) Believes that something great is around the corner
6) Has found a new love in skimmed milk
7) Has finally become an iPad owner thanks to the wife.
M
Did I mention that Sophie is wisdom in
French?
M holding onto wisdom
1) Has been mingling with extreme sports people.
2) Happy Birthday my beloved Lim Siew Khee (private joke).
3) Loves the toilets at ION Orchard.
4) Grace supplies, Love gives, Faith takes.
5) Loves the new iPhone 4 and can't wait to get his hands on it.
6) One more day to the biggest football tournament in the world. Viva la France!
7) You can never have too many bags - I wonder who was the first person who said these immortal words of justification.
M
A few posts ago i wrote about how I found a good book to read in Penang. Well after getting half way through, I realised in Singapore that I left it in my sis-in-law's car back in Penang.
My sweet wife scoured the various bookshops in SG and bought me a copy. It's was really nice thing she did for me. I settled down to read it that night with much satisfaction. The next morning I was going to continue but the book vanished!
Seriously I spent to good half of yesterday turning all stones in the house and still no book. Re-tracing steps did not yield much. I must have misplaced it. The wife said "Maybe you are not meant to read this book." Perhaps….
Oh well. Still searching, in the meantime I have started a new book; Superfreakonomics.
Sidenote - an iPad with iBooks will solve this misplaced book fiasco.
M still looking.
1) Penang has the best hawker food - refined simplicity yet so very
delicious.
2) Finds books that dramatises the Bible give for interesting reads.
3) Loves to hear tiny comfort murmurs and purrs from his wife and
daughter when they sleep.
4) Has a real appreciation for Chop Shop on Discovery Turbo - true
artistry.
5) Believes that guys who 'chew on' one chapter of Proverbs a day are
rewarded at the end with a 'Proverbs 31' woman. Living proof right
here, so guys start ruminating.
6) Has had a successful start to his photo project. Details to follow.
7) Within humor resides the truth
M
This past weekend we headed back to Penang with Sophie in tow. Her first trip out of Singapore and her first flight. Sheesh and she not even a year old. Oh well this is the world we live in.
Anyways the whole Malaysian household were awaiting the arrival of the new arrival and soon all were cooing and smitten by her presence. With Hainanese being the communication medium of choice and with the telly on either some violent cartoon or a Cantonese drama, I needed to find something to engage myself. With no Wifi as well I needed to get back to basics by settling myself down with a good book.
On one of my maiden trips there, I bought Home Beautiful magazine, in desperation, and I read it cover to cover, all articles, snippets and columns. I even played close attention to the ads. After that I became interested in home decorating and eventually that magazine became the inspiration for our current home. So began the Penang Book Club.
Luke's Story is a novel about Luke's life and how he became one of the authors of the Bible fictionalised to put it simply. Within two days I was half way through and was looking forward to continue my read on my flight home. Guess what? Of all the things to get left behind in Penang, it had to be this book by the authors of the Left Behind series. Ironic. Now I need to scour Singapore for this book so I can continue my read.
M loves to read
**Rrriiiiinnnnggg, rrriiiinnnngg,**
**'Hello?'**
**'Hi honey.**
**This is Daddy.**
**Is Mommy near the phone?'**
**'No, Daddy.**
**She's upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Dave.'**
**After a brief pause,**
**Daddy says,**
**'But honey, you haven't got an Uncle Dave.'**
**'Oh yes I do, and he's upstairs in the room with Mommy,**
**Right now..'**
Brief Pause.
**'Uh, okay then, this is what I want you to do.**
**Put the phone down on the table, run upstairs**
**And knock on the bedroom door and shout to Mommy**
**That Daddy's car just pulled into the driveway.'**
**'Okay, Daddy, Just a minute.'**
**A few minutes later**
**The little girl comes back to the phone.**
**'I did it, Daddy.'**
**'And what happened, honey?' **
'Well, Mommy got all scared, jumped out of bed with no clothes on and ran around screaming.**
**Then she tripped over the rug, hit her head on the dresser**
**And now she isn't moving at all!'**
**'Oh my God!!! What about your Uncle Dave?'**
**'He jumped out of the bed with no clothes on, too.**
**He was all scared and he jumped out of the back window**
**And into the swimming pool.**
**But I guess he didn't know that you took out the water**
**Last week to clean it.**
**He hit the bottom of the pool and I think he's dead.'**
*****Long Pause*****
*****Longer Pause*****
*****Even Longer Pause*****
**Then Daddy says,**
**'Swimming pool? ………..**
**Is this 486-5731?'*
**No, I think you have the wrong number……
M
2) Is completely reliant on His supply for the days' demands.
3) Does not like this time of the year. The season ends for all my
favourite shows. Bye bye Lost and 24!
4) Realised that Twitter is basically spam!
5) Thinks there is divinty in the time 11:11.
6) iPads all sold out!!! - was the title of the email I recieved at
4am from sister visiting the US. Just when I psyced myself on getting
one. Oh well!
7) Not only do I think but I know I am the most blessed man in the
world. Thank you Maju and Mojo. Thank you Jesus!
* Ha! Yet another change in title, more fitting yes?
M
Ease your Monday blues with this:
After getting all of Pope Benedict’s luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn’t travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.
‘Excuse me, Your Holiness,’ says the driver, ‘Would you please take your seat so we can leave?’
‘Well, to tell you the truth,’ says the Pope, ‘they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I’d really like to drive today.’
‘I’m sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I’d lose my job!
What if something should happen?’ protests the driver, wishing he’d never gone to work that morning..
‘Who’s going to tell?’ says the Pope with a smile.
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kms.. (Remember, the Pope is German..)
‘Please slow down, Your Holiness!’ pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.
‘Oh, dear God, I’m going to lose my license — and my job!’ moans the driver. The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.
‘I need to talk to the Chief,’ he says to the dispatcher.
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he’s stopped a limo going 205 kph..
‘So bust him,’ says the Chief.
‘I don’t think we want to do that, he’s really important,’ said the cop. The Chief exclaimed,’ All the more reason!’
‘No, I mean really important,’ said the cop with a bit of persistence. The Chief then asked, ‘Who do you have there, the mayor?’
Cop: ‘Bigger.’
Chief: ‘ A senator?’
Cop: ‘Bigger.’
Chief: ‘The Prime Minister?’
Cop: ‘Bigger.’
‘Well,’ said the Chief, ‘who is it?’
Cop: ‘I think it’s God!’
The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, ‘What makes you think it’s God?’
Cop: ‘His chauffeur is the Pope!’
M
1) Is starting to see distinct similarities between Sophie and me.
2) Health tip -- Symptom: Right shoulder pain can be a sign of indigestion. Cure: Rub tummy in clockwise motion 80 times to increase blood flow which will aid digestion thus easing shoulder pain. Cause: There is nerve running from the digestive system to your right shoulder.
3) My mum has an inexhaustible repertoire of English and French nursery rhymes.
4) Children are like sponges they are constantly absorbing all they see. Imagine this bumper sticker : Adults beware, Children absorbing!
5) Loves Phaidon books! The CENTURY book we bought nearly 4 years ago is still an amazing book to flip while on the white throne.
6) Has given in to the high Pay-TV price to watch the 2010 World Cup. It better be good. :-)
7) God always shows Himself in places you least expect only if you care to look.
*Changing the title from 7 in 1 to 7 things
Innocent little minds are like sponges, they are absorbing non-stop. Sometimes we adults take for granted the intense impression and influence we have on them. I remember using the F-word many years ago when I was talking on the phone. My niece heard it, she was 4 at the time and started to repeat it to her mum who was in the room with my parents much to their horror as well as mine! That was nearly 16 years ago.
Now that I have become parent, I want to set the best possible example for Sophie. Of course I will do this in the best way I know how which incidentally will differ from other parents. Not only will they absorb our minor indiscretions but also our idiosyncrasies and soon they become the images of ourselves. Personally, its quite scary sometimes to fathom someone walking, talking and acting like me.
It’s quite a responsibility to shoulder. But I look forward to the day when Sophie does something good and someone says “Oh, she’s just like her Dad!”
M proud of my little girl
1) 50mm f1.8 lens has been a revelation of a lens and it's so cheap
2) Found out that meals are more satisfying when dessert is eaten
first. Much more!
3) Self improvement is better that static improvement
4) Cats are vile creatures
5) Loves Manchester United
6) Simple and thoughtful gifts are always sure winners
7) I work to live and not live to work
We folks who head out for work have it easy. If we feel demotivated at work we can always head out for a quick latte or have a chat to a colleague for relief. A mom hardly has this luxury, when she's demotivated she sucks it up and changes that dirty diaper, makes that bottle of milk or tries to pacify the crying child. But the greatness comes from the fact that moms are never demotivated and each thing they do is a labour of love. I am sure that none of us attend meetings, or give that presentation, or polish off that report in the labour of love vein.
I guess that's what separates mothers from the rest of us. It's all a labour of love. It's that consistent, unwavering and intense passion that allows or rather necessitates them to dig deep each and everyday. If our workday was anything like a mother's we'd be job hunting and quitting.
So Mums, here's to you and all the things you do. My admiration for you is bountiful but it cannot be compared to that labour of love. Nothing comes close to you!
Happy Mothers Day!
Just a new weekly post that I am starting; 7 in 1 which is basically 7 new things in 1 week. So enjoy!
1) Phoenix's 1901 is an awesome track for that quick pick me up.
2) Should skip lunch more often. Find myself eating it because it's
lunch.
3) You can open a bank account online.
4) 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear
-- this has been my mantra this week
5) Enjoys the bad habit of reading on his iPhone in complete darkness
before bed time.
6) Just finished Michael Crichton's Pirate Latitudes, it was published
posthumously. I will miss his storytelling.
7) Ruminate!
Everyday is a new puzzle. Us adults are trying and trying to figure out why she is crying, or not drinking her milk or not wanting to sleep. What amazes me, is that there is always some explanation why things are not happening the way they are meant to happen. It is usually because there is something the “all knowing” adults have missed. It can get a little frustrating, I must admit because I sometimes get completely stumped.
Like today, after her afternoon nap she normally wakes up hungry and as usual I start to make milk, its a cocktail of EBM and Formula. So when feeding commences, she is not drinking. She’s struggling, complaining and so I tell myself not hungry, so I feed later. But it has been 4 hours since her last feed, she should be starving. So I try again after 15 minutes. Same result.
Perhaps she is wet, but the indicator on the diaper is still yellow not blue (blue is wet), the quality control engineer thinks maybe this diaper is defective just change. After the change, still the same result. Sweat is forming on my brow at this point. Hmmmm….perhaps its too warm lets move to the room. Nope! Same same!
After 4 attempts, I realise that she is really not hungry but she is whining that “hungry whine”. I try one more time and she rejects it. At this point, I am exasperated so I turn to prayer, I look intensely at the bottle and say “God, you have blessed us with this milk, Sophie will drink this with delight”. My intense stare at the bottle gives me my divine answer, WRONG TEAT!
Teat swapped and babe drinks, 140ML in under 10 minutes. So clearly, I do not speak baby, but my Heavenly Father does!
M enjoying Fatherhood
It’s funny. Its the 2nd week of Sophie at infant care, and in these two weeks she has stayed home 3 days. Of course this has been at my discretion because honestly, being at home without the little bugger is quite challenging. After I drop her off, I head for some breaky and then home. Once home, I count down to the time to pick her up. So rather than doing that these few days she has been wagging.
Not the best of examples that I am setting considering the fact that in 1992, I skipped a total of 73 days of school! But of course it’s only hookey, wagging, ponteng or truant when it is compulsory schooling and since infant care is somewhat “voluntary”, we are volunteering NOT to go. Perhaps the separation anxiety is still apparent………….who cares!
Oh well, I need to fully make use of this time as it is irreplaceable and precious. I have been given a great opportunity to spend this time with her and till I head back to work which will be soon, I want to spend that time with my little girl. What can I say, she’s my No. 2! If I could have my No.1 with me as well, then it would be bliss. Ah TGIF, means that the 3 of us will be back together again!
Happy Friday!
M super pleased!
Anyways the first day went by pretty smoothly. We left her there for half day and since we dropped her off late, she was only there for a few hours.
Today would be the real test. Kids are resilient unlike us adults. On Day 1,the wife was feeling the separation anxiety big time, I was ok. To be honest I was prepared and I knew if I was too emotional, I can picture us standing outside the child care centre, in the middle of the business district hugging each other as tears streaming down our faces. Hahahaha so mama drama.
However Day 2, I did the drop off by myself. Struggling with a stroller, some documents in hand and a large baby bag, I fumbled to sign the check in sheet. Temperature was taken and before I knew it she was taken away.
I stood there alone and lost. I didn't say my usual bye bye and give her a kiss. I was, for lack of a better word, a victim of separation anxiety. I aimlessly walked out of the centre and headed for breaky.
As I ponder now over my toast and coffee, I can't help but wonder what Sophie is doing. Is she wondering why her daddy did not say bye and kiss her?Oh shit tears are forming. Mama drama liao.
M missing my 2 girls
I have collected a few more and have been following them via RSS. But
most of them have fizzled out barr for a few which are still great
reads. So I am now asking my collective and mostly silent audience to
recommend me some of their favourite blogs.
Tell me which blogs you visit daily and feel disappointed when there
is no new post up.
M in need of inspiration
When I first posted the first pictures of Sophie on my blog and Facebook, one comment that stayed with me was “she has so many different expressions”. It’s true, normally most kids under 4 months, very have few expressions. Here are the standard faces:
The Straight Face
The “Please Do Not Cut My Toes” Face
The Fully Fed Face – complete with drool
Of course there are The Smiley Faces that just melts all hearts:
Awwww!!
Starting the “non-standard” faces there are The Flustered and Harassed Face
The “You Owe Me Money” Face
One of my favourites, The "What you talkin' bout Willis?" Face.
Of course we have The Concerned Blur Face as well
and once in a while you get The Disguised Look where you wonder, “Hmmm who is this ah?”
The Hurriedly Worried Face
The Butch Face
The KKK Face
And of course The Coy and Adorable Face
Yes indeed Sophie does have many looks and she keeps us entertained. Here’s look’in at you kid.
M a Proud Daddy
These past few days, I have been spending much time in the word. Recently PP has been speaking about meditation over God's word and how a verse can become so real in one's life. It's pretty hard to explain
but suffice to say the wife got it down pretty well as she blogged here.
For me, every few days I find a verse that jumps out at me and that would be my meditation verse. What I also do is to make this verse as my Facebook status, just for fun.
What I did not expect was the verbal melée that ensued via status comments each time I made a posting. One thing is for sure religion is a touchy subject especially for the misinformed, misguided and misunderstood. I wanted to copy and paste the thread but after 14 comments, a blow by blow account would be too cumbersome.
It’s funny how people are quick to blame God for the things that He “made” us do. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is free will which is defined “as the ability to make a choice without coercion”. Lest we forget the consequences.
M Praying
Well not exactly the road per se but more the path. My long awaited return to cycling has come. I guess the reason why it took so long was the mental block about just getting all the gear together and plonking myself on that seat and pounding the road. Now that I have finally, it is a good feeling. But as with all first time cycling attempts this was not spared from dramas.
This time around my best mate, Selvam and I after much, much, much talk (we have been talking like almost a year) we finally found time for to take a ride together. It was meant to be an early morning ride on the Changi Park Connector Network (PCN) but that would not be the case.
After dropping the wife off at work, I headed to Tampines to get Selvam. The weather which looked perfect took a turn on the way there with a sudden downpour of torrential rain. Thank God for the KPE which got me out or shall I say under. Soon we were on our way to Changi Point which would be the start of our ride on the PCN, when the rain came again. Thankfully the rain stopped when we hit the Changi Beach carpark.
We unloaded our bikes and just when we did, the heavens opened! This time it was here to stay. We ran to a nearby shelter and soon was joined by a crowd of people who were doing the same.
In the foreground are a bunch of students camping and learning how to tie knots. Yes clove hitch, reef knot, cross lashing kind of knots. In the background are “orange” guys from SembCorp who were supposed to be doing some landscaping work. All Stuck!
This was not how I envisioned my return to the road. After almost 45 mins of chatting and quietly laughing at the knots instructors cheesy attempts at humour, we had enough. If we are not going to ride we should do the next best thing.
It started with a warm cup of coffee to warm up but the rain did not let up so…..order up!
The food was surprisingly good. I messaged the wife to tell her that my bike trip has now become a foodie trip to Changi Point. While we were chilling out here, she was playing Incredible Hulk.
Eventually the rain slowed by mid morning (10ish) and so we decided to hit the road. I am glad we stuck to it. It was a great 30KM ride. The PCN was a great idea, there was no need to contend with heavy vehicles and drivers in cyclist unfriendly Singapore.
We rode from Changi Point to East Coast Parkway before turning back towards Changi Point. On our return trip we stopped at these rest point and soaked in the view and the breeze. It was great!!!
I noticed on the other side of the pictured waterway was a large yellow beacon. We decided to head there to see see. 
It was the Tanah Merah beacon. It was located on a tip of a break water and the view from there was awesome! Too bad just had my iPhone with me to take some okay pictures. Here is the view towards the East up the breakwater.
And here’s the view West wards, up East Coast Park and way in the distance is the CBD. This photo does not at all do justice to the view to be honest.
So as we headed back to Changi Point, I was already thinking about our next cycling trip and promising myself that it will not be 3 months or 3 weeks later but 3 days later, unfortunately as luck would have it the bike is in the shop for servicing and hopefully I will get it back soon.
M Riding
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