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
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