He had KO-ed since 7plus pm. There's no doubt that his medicine could cause drowsiness.
Good night prince charming.
Things have definitely changed so significantly. It's amazing how one's life can change, sometimes even without he himself knowing it.
For the past 25 years, I was leading a single life. Singlehood is not a bad thing; it's subjective though because people at different stages of their lives would want to feel loved, cherished and cared for. But being an independent and ambitious person, I didn't feel lonely or emotional during that time. I felt it was a time that I can choose what I want in life, to pursue my own dreams and have time for myself, without any restrictions and of course no objections to the decisions I made.
I am now happily attached to my boyfriend, Kim Han. He's a sweet and loving guy who rides a bike. He does things such as bringing me to places to eat the food I crave for, ensuring that I reach home safely by riding me to my house and walking me to the lift before heading home. All these gestures, whether big or small, have touched my heart in many special ways.
Although I'm in a relationship for nearly three months till date, I'm still learning to let less independent and more 'inter-dependent'. At times I still find myself making decisions on my own. There are also times when I couldn't come into agreement with my boyfriend and we ended up having cold wars and quarrels. However I'm glad that we would give in to each other and reconcile before calling it a day. We do cherish and love each other very much. :)
Today (31 Oct) is Ellice's birthday and we (Ellice, Alisha, Ah Dee, Tony, dear and myself) had steamboat at Marina Square. Dear went to Swensens to buy her an ice-cream cake. We decided to collect the cake at Plaza Singapura branch since we were heading there. We played arcade and some of them (especially Ah Dee spent quite a bomb on catching soft toys) lol. We celebrated her birthday at the food court and took pictures. *Snap snap*
The above are just some of the things that I want to share for today. I hope to blog everyday from now on, since I find it's a great habit to pen down my thoughts on a daily basis. It helps me to recap my daily happenings and makes me treasure my life more.
If you happen to be a 'passer-by', I just want to say thanks for visiting! Do drop a note at the yellow box. Cheers! =D
So yes, He will lift me up once again like He did. I will not be left un-restored. I will wait on You.
Ever wondered why some prayers are left unanswered? I used to ponder about this. Thanks to Joshua Goh for the audio sermons, I listened to Dr Bernard's the art of asking and I got it.
(1) For every effect there's a cause, whatever you are getting, there's a reason why you are getting it. If you don't like what you are getting, you have to identify the cause and change it.
(2) Conditions are effects. Thoughts are causes. Whenever conditions you are experiencing, your thoughts brought it all. Your conditions in your life are expressions of what you are thinking. Thoughts govern behaviour.
Believe that you receive.
1 John 5:14: This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ASK anything according to His WILL, He hears us. If we know He hears us, whatever that we ASK, we know that we have what we ASK of Him.
The question is:
'Is the real issue receiving or is it asking?'
If we ASK according to His WILL, the condition is always placed on ASKING, not receiving. If we ASK right, we'll receive. The issue is not on receiving, it will take care of itself. We can tell ourselves right in the face 'I believe I'll receive', but if we don't ask right, we won't receive. We need to change the way we ASK. It's always in the ASKING.
If we don't ask right, the application will be rejected.
One of the issues of asking is the TONE. It doesn't matter what we are applying for, the TONE must be right.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously/liberally to all without finding fault and it will be given. When he asks, he must believe and not doubt. We must believe and not doubt when we ask. We need wisdom in asking.
Asking is the basis for receiving. The better we are in asking, the more likely we'll receive.
The attitude of asking determines the emphasis that we put on it.
Forms of asking:
(1) Ask intelligently
Our God is very intelligent. Education is different from intelligence, you can be educated but not intelligent.
When you ask intelligently, you have the understanding of the effects that you are asking for is going to have on the totality of your life. When you ask for one thing, you are asking a lot of other things that come with that.
A lot of times we ask God for something that would wreck our lives, and God in His wisdom puts it on hold. If we keep pursuing, quite often we will get something that will move us out from the perfect will of God into the permissive will of God. Then we have to deal with the consequences of His permissive will. It's not something He wanted us to have but something we insisted on, so He is allowing us to experience the consequences of what we asked for. He hopes that it'll teach us not to ask for it anymore.
(2) Be specific
As we mature in Christ, we become more specific in our conversations and prayers. When we were babes in Christ, we'd ask 'God bless me', but when we start getting things we are not asking for, we realise we cannot give a general term like that. Specificity affects me in the process of asking because when we are general and vague, we cannot be focused in our faith. Our faith loses intensity when we are too general. Like a lazer beam, when we get light concentrated like a lazer, it's more powerful and effective as opposed to it being diffused all over the place. We want our faith to be focused. The more specific we are, the more focused we'll be in our asking. How much, what colour, what kind, by when? The moment we put a deadline on it, it really impacts our activity. Of course when we ask we got to be realistic.
If we really ask begin to ask according to the will of God, it has a radical effect on our lives.
(3) Ask in faith, expecting to receive
What is faith? Faith is the willingness to take intelligent risk. Faith must not become ego. The question is do we have the faith to see through what we are starting? We would rather have a million dollar worthed of faith then a million dollars, because if we have a million dollars and we run out of money, we are broke! But when we have a million dollars worthed of faith and we run out of money, we'd get another million.
Four factors involved in asking:
(1) Attitude - our frame of mind, our way of thinking what we are asking.
We got to have the right attitude, attitude is everything. Our attitude can cost us to not receive what we are going for.
(2) Approach - our tone, how we approach people
Wrong approach will result us to not get what we ask for.
(3) Timing - are we ready to receive?
Faith is in essence the support of things hope for. If our faith cannot support it, to give it to me will create a crisis in our lives. God is not gonna to put on us what we cannot handle
Notice the time when we ask and there's quite a distance between when we ask and when we receive, God is strengthening our support. What happens between the time we ask and the time we receive is the time God deals with us. Quite often, it is to strengthen us in character so that we can support the thing that we are receiving.
(4) Appearance - how we appear
Dress for the right occassion. Appearance is part of asking.
One of the most important thing to ask is yourself. You must ask yourself what kind of person you must become in order to receive what you are asking for. If you don't become the person that you need to become, you won't get what you are asking.
This whole process of asking has an incredible effect on your life!
Too many things to blog about.
(1) Finland friends (14 April, Tues).That was a month ago! Hi Anna and Elina! It is awesome to know the both of you, hope you guys enjoyed the stay in Singapore (haha, as if you would read this =P).
We went to Little India, then to New Asia Bar at Level 71 of Equinox Complex (beautiful night view, a great place to chill and simply let your hair down!). We had steamboat dinner at Bugis. We decided to have 3 different soup base (ma la, suan la and chicken soup). Suan la tang turned out to be unbearable for Anna and Elina (hehee :X, but that was my fav leh). Holding chopsticks was a seemingly big challenge for both of them, but their persistence to snap a photo with it kept them going.
Our final destination was to a dessert store not far from where we left. The two Finnish gals had jelly desserts, Jol had durian jelly, Shing had mango jelly and I had xue er. Shing's mango jelly ice was considered the nicest, although my xue er tasted sweet and more zi bu yang yan. Many other photos were also snapped here and there (especially candid ones).It was fun to see Anna and Elina eat. I could tell from their facial expressions (fear, joy, curiosity, expectancy, etc). Haha
(2) 30 April (Thurs) and 01 May (Friday), movies and chilling with Yee and Sol.On thurs, I met up with Yee and Sol at PS after my night class. We watched X-Men Origins Wolverine at 10.40pm. We were all very hungry and I was craving for KFC (haha, like what Elmo says, 'this is a once in a blue moon food'). But we had very little time left. Sol suggested to buy in to eat! Haha imagine others have flying pop-corns while we have flying chicken??!! No wonder KFC have pop corn chicken, that could be how it got started. We decided to dine in at B1 instead.
Wolverine is worthed watching, Hugh Jackman looks dashing in this movie and also in Australia. Went to Pacific Plaza's Starbucks to chill till 3plus am. Fri 01 May was Labour Day! I didn't have cg, so I met up with Yee and Sol again (lol) at 10plus at night. Sol had a long day as he had barely slept. He reached home in the morning and went men's conference a few hours later. We were battling whether to sing K or not. But since Jol was still at home and the rest that we called weren't free, we dropped that idea and went Cineleisure for dinner at the Jap restaurant downstairs instead.
It was already 12plus 1am when we finished. Went arcade then watched movie (Friday the 13th, argh don't ever watch that, it was gruesome. A movie full of violent killings and bloody scenes). It was already 4plus am when we finished, we stayed at Mac till 6am to catch the first transport.
(3) 02 May (Sat)Service with Steve Munsey from US. He is very different from other pastors. He acted out a story of a preacher who was told by God that his true love can be found from a prostitute. He illustrated to us through that story that though we were wretched, also bounded by sickness, shame, guilt and eventually to death, God still chose to pay the price to redeem us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I was traumatized by his dramatic roleplay. Thumbs up! Steve Munsey please come again! ;D
After svc, dinner at HK cafe (ECP). Get to know Yi Da (aka Huang Yi Da). I realised there was something new over there. Yes, they now have liveband! Wah seh, so attas =P They sang many songs that I like. The atmosphere was relaxing yet emotional at the same time. Should have some fast songs too ya..
(4) 09 May (Sat)Mother's Day weekend! Funny drama beginning with 4 pregnant mummies. They were chatting and asking what names to give their babies and the final one said 'water break'. lol...
The mothers of the two gals wanted their daughters to get to know guys. But both attempts failed as the first gal (a Harvard graduate) met a blind man whom she doesn't want to be with. The 2nd gal who is plump is also not the gal the pizza delivery man wants. The mothers decided to bring their daughters to a marriage centre.
In the end the Harvard graduate gal met her dream guy who is the pizza delivery man and the plump gal met hers too and he turns out to be the blind man!
Nana was with us on that weekend! She was the first cell group member I saw after 5 weeks! I really really miss my cg members. I haven't seen my cg ppl for 5 weeks as the previous cg meetings were all on Thurs. Sob sob...
Anyway I want to thank Jol and her cg members for treating me like one of them. Haha Jas aka Jasmine Roo (Roo Roo?) Everyone of you (32 right?) yup you guys rockz! Thank you for showering me with love, joy, care and concern. There's no doubt that there's great love and strong bonding within the cell group. All new friends who come will truly feel welcomed in a special way!
It's late, gotta go...
Oh yes, if you haven't noticed, my playlist is playing 30 seconds samples. You need to register an account in order to listen to the full song on Imeem itself.Tata!
Jas Fav
But you know what, I went all the way there to find that there was no class. They postponed it yet I wasn't informed! Trust me, I was really prepared to battle against the 'Z monster' during this 4 hour class. I even bought a cup of coffee (thick and rich, koptiam auntie's coffee won't lose to Starbucks) and lots of snacks to go through the wilderness. Hmm, since there was no class, fine, I'm actually quite happy about it. Oops. :X Mug at home lo.
It was a fruitful and enjoyable week! Breakdown:
(1) Last Sat 28 Mar - Pst Phil's svc! He looks more youthful each time we see him! He loves sailing. He began sharing, that each time when the current hits, his speedboat will be directed to another position, away from the direction he is moving towards. But with his motor on, he has no worries. He can steer the wheel back to the right direction each time it gets diverted. The same thing applies to our life. Each time when we get distracted by our daily cares and burdens, away from our visions, we can shift our steering wheel back to the right position. The control is in our hands. The control is definitely also in His Hand. As long as we keep moving and not lose heart along the way, we WILL surely get to our 'promised land'.
After svc, we celebrated Shing's birthday. We went to 'The Aston' at SIA Flight for dinner together. They have business class seats, haha mainly for phototaking and chit-chatting purposes. The food was yummy, Jol and I shared steak and rib eye, half of each. Just wondering where's the spicy fries which I had at The New Cathy, nvmind. After that we went to Bistro Cafe to listen to live band! I kinda love live bands, especially when they sing the songs I like. The song 'Hey Jude' was rehearsing on my mind for days before I finally forgotten to mumble it. But feels like it is here to stay!
(2) Last Fri 03 April - Had cg at Dbouby Gaut. After cg, my members went to the foodcourt just directly at the flat downstairs to eat. Nana and I decided to watch movie after contacting Jol. We walked to the new Cathy to check out the movie timings, then to PS and eventually we settled at Cineleisure. We bought the tickets at 2.35am for the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Jol came after her meet up, bought us chips, not Calbee hot & spicy de, :( . Haha :P
The movie talks about a woman Rebecca who loves shopping way too much. She has 12 credit cards at her expense. One day she is retrenched and is desperately searching for another job to keep her massive shopping addiction. She finally gets a chance to go for an interview at her favourite fashion magazine. Before that she sees a green scarf which matches her outfit very well, yet her credit cards just won't let her as a small amount of each still hits the credit limit. She runs to a hotdog stall wanting to exchange her cheque for money to pay the difference.
'My aunt is in hospital and that's her favourite scarf,' she lied. After much talking with the hotdog owner, one man at the start of the queue decides to give her the money.
'You get your scarf and I get my hotdog,' he said.
When she reaches the office, to her disappointment the job has been offered to another woman who is tall and seems outstanding. The receptionist tells her that there is another offer at the same company as an advice columnist. She decides to give it a try but to her surprise it is the guy (the editor, Luke) whom she saw at the hotdog stall.
The story goes on, she gets into this job and an advisory report that she writes about financial spendings gets the magazines selling like hot cakes. She is soon crowned as a 'the lady with the green scarf'. Luke and Rebecca gradually fall in love with each other. The joy adds in when her best friend, Suze is getting married and she is her bridesmaid. While she hopes no one uncovers her identity as a woman who is heavily in debt, her pushy debt collector comes searching for her and consequently exposes her identity during a live interview. Her world falls apart. She lost Luke. Suze's trust is gone too when her bridesmaid's dress is mistakably given away.
She decides to give up her addiction and she begins to sell off all her favourite clothings, even her green scarf which seems so significant. She trades off her expensive clothes in exchange for her bridesmaid dress. True repentance. :) The story comes to a close with her reuniting back to her love ones and most importantly living a life of integrity and openess.
(3) Last Sat, 04 April, met my cgl Rachael along the way to svc, so we sat together. Svc by Pastor Kong was fun, especially the one on 'annoying habits'.
(a) Policy of radical honesty - learn to be a truthful person.
(b) Policy of joint agreement - never do anything without any enthusiastic/mutual agreement between you and your spouse.
After svc, we went Baba King to have dinner. It was a sumptuous feast! Five dishes: devil's chicken, spicy kang kong, bean curd soup, wu xiang and the final one very chim, but it took Kelvyn some time to finish. He used an ice cream stick to scrap the ingredients to the meat, haha... not easy. We rewarded him by serving him first for that dish.
Kelvyn drove Peiling, Elaine, Jol and myself to Eunos station. Jol and I eventually chilled at Raffles City Starbucks until 11plus.
The end! ^^
The picture is interesting too. Do the hands belong to the same person or is the one on the left Bella's and on the right Edward's? Does anyone have any idea?
At work, first thing before lunchtime, I saw the door handle resting near the basin because the one inside came off, lol. I used it anyway. When I removed the latch I realised I could not open the door from inside at all. Thank God another lady who wanted to use this toilet opened the door from outside. I warned her not to use as she would be trapped. I informed my lady colleagues at the same time. According to my colleague after that, when she walked past the toilet, a lady was practically shouting from inside to ask for help. In the end the lady cleaner managed to save her. Someone fixed it shortly after.
At around 3plus today, my ex chinese director came to visit us! He is now based in China but he had to come back for 3 days to see his dad who was sick. When he saw me, he commented that I've lost a lot of weight. I have to say it has been proven that I've slimmed down because when one says it might be subjective, but some many people commented the same thing! Even my cgl & SL (section leader) says so!
Continue the rest tomorrow.
Pastor Phil is in town, gonna hear him preach tomorrow!Yeah!
It was rather a long day last Sat. I went for class at 2pm, after that rushed down for svc. Walked past many many exhibition fairs, one of which was Adidas! Wanted to go in but never as I was super late, reached like around 6plus. It was already announcement time! Phew, thank God Shing and Peiling reserved a seat for me.
After svc, I had a short fellowship with Jol's cg and I went to logistic to look for Yee, Sol, JJ and the rest. Saw Si Jia, Peng Boon, Eugene, and many others there too. After that went La Thai to meet Jol's cg for dinner. Nice Tom Yam noodle, spicy enough although is maggi mee. Left there at around 10plus and walked back to hall 1 to look for Yee and the rest. Yee, Sol, JJ and I took a cab down to Cine as JJ's gf was there waiting for him. We said bye to him once we alighted and we walked to PS.
Wanted to go to HK cafe straight away, but realised that the rest were still in Expo. So we went up to a Jap shop to have a look. Yee saw a yellow neck strap and bought it. We strolled for a while and went to HK cafe as Sol was already very hungry. We reserved around 8 -10 seats. Sol ordered chicken rice for himself and po lou buns (erm HK fav) for Yee. I decided to share mango dessert with them since I already had dinner. At around 11plus, the rest of them came. There were Cass, Vincent, Jon Ho, Alex Yiu, Gaius and Jeremy Lee. We fellowshipped till 12plus before going off.
Slept at 4am that day, was online chatting and looking at websites. I hardly slept for more than 3 hours and I was on my way to JW on Sun morning.
Yup that's about all. :)
Happy Tues!
Anyway, this blog has been collecting a lot of dust, spiderwebs and whatever you name it because personally I haven't been here for some time! But a lot of things are happening and I am trying to make it less routine and more exciting and meaningful.
I always feel a change is necessary, sometimes it is caused by circumstances. If not, the change should come from you. If everyday is the same, one is just going through a momentum and life becomes stagnant and boring.
Since the beginning of the month, I have been going to Expo for svc because of my class on Sunday which will clash with Sun svc 4 timing. I've been joining Jolin's cg for svc and dinner. Get to know friends like Shing, Wei Qiang, Verneia, Peiling, Li Jun, Pearlyn, Kelvin, etc.
Shing - song writing is cool and the singing is awesome, great passion! Jia you and happy mugging for your FYP. And SOT soon! Which I've always been wanting to go. Target 2011.
Wei Qiang - though your work can be tiring at times, but you are enjoying it aren't you? And you get to attend so many concerts!
Venetia aka DJD 'Da Jie Da' (suggested by someone, lol) - thanks for letting me join your cg for svc and fellowship. We stay so near each other, haha very convenient to cab home together.
Peiling - you are sooo sweet. =) Thanks for texting and helping me to reserve seat.
Li Jun - hope accounting gets more fun for us.
Pearlyn - so surprised that your office is directly facing mine, same tower same level and you even know my colleague! Is this a small world or a God-incident, lol.
Kelvin - didn't get to talk to you until last Sat. Someone who is smart and with a lot of experience. God is indeed prospering the work of your hands.
Thanks for the great company. Great to know all of you and hope to know you guys more. :P
Will blog the rest tomorrow. :)
I was a quick wet boy
Diving too deep for coins
All of your straight blind eyes
Wide on my plastic toys
And when the cops closed the fair
I cut my long baby hair
Stole me a dog-eared map
And called for you everywhere
Have I found you?
Flightless bird, jealous, weeping
Or lost you?
American mouth
Big bill looming
Now I’m a fat house cat
Cursing my sore blunt tongue
Watching the warm poison rats
Curl through the wide/white fence cracks
Kissing on magazine photos
Those fishing lures thrown in the cold and clean
Blood of Christ mountain stream
Have I found you?
Flightless bird, brown hair bleeding
Or lost you?
American mouth
Big bill, stuck going down
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Last Sunday we went singing. I booked a room for 10ppl. We needed at least 8ppl, if not we would be required to pay more. At first I thought only 8 of us could make it, but who knows in the end 14 ppl turned up. (Yonghui, Wanyun, Jason and his Ms Sunshine, CK, Daphne, Thomas, Junjie, Bernard, Yee, Jolin, Mic, Boonxiong and I)
I believe all of us had loads of fun. Just that towards the second half of the session, I was reminded of an incident which had affected me quite alot in the past. Silly me, I was rather upset after that. Hey guys, thanks for all the good and noisy friends for cheering me up haha. I'm not just fine now, I am feeling really happy now! Must be the joy of God. Life is never always a bed of roses, so it's ok to fall but must get up and walk (and even run) again!
It hurts...
REASONS:
(1) It was our first time to visit two countries (Bangkok & Taiwan) at one go.
(2) There were only the two of us and we could only depend on each other and the people around for help.
(3) Expected hiccups had happened. Unexpected hiccups had also happened!
Nevertheless our Almighty God sheltered us throughout the entire journey. Every time when hiccups happened, God showed His grace and performed miracles. This was the first time I experienced God in such a tangible way, especially when we were so desperately in need of a miracle. He proved Himself faithful and our prayers came to past! Hallelujah!
Our hotel in Bangkok, Baiyoke suite. We stayed in an executive suite at storey 36 because all the normal rooms were taken up when we made the reservation. We only had to top up another SGD 10-15 bucks to enjoy this luxurious room, which consists of one living room and one bedroom with two TVs. One of the TVs is a lcd screen. A very cozy place to sit down and nuah. ('',)
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We went to eat A&W on our first day in Bangkok. That was what I have been longing to eat for a long time! For years, lol. A&W pls come back to S'pore. Hoho.
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At A&W.
Outside A&W, a lot of passer-bys.
Jolin & I: Perhaps we just love to hug this long lost friend.
Baiyoke sky: 80 + storey building.
We were sitting in a To To, one of the common transports in Bangkok. It was 33 degrees so I had my shades on.
The back view of Mr Toto. You must know the story behind. We were on the roads when the wind blew my Adidas cap off my head! I was stunned and thought that my cap would be gone forever. Who knows he stopped driving and ran back. With his right hand he stopped the car and with his other hand he rescued my cap. Although by then my white cap had been rolled over by many cars and had 'neo-prints' on it, I was extremely impressed by his heroic actions! Bravo!
Another picture of Baiyoke Sky.
The Platinum Mall.
Macdonalds' sitting area is at basement. So take the tray and use the escalator down.
Our lunch at MacDonald. We ordered the Samuri burger.
Bangkok mrt control station. This gentleman buying a ticket using the machine.
Here we go. Their transportation card, like those we used in the past. You slot in and it jumps up.
Inside the station. The plates of food were moving so it looked as if that guy is eating them. On the other side it was a lady eating the same food, lol.
At Chatochuak (forget about my wrong spelling, hoho). At that place itself, there were no changing rooms. So basically you just wear this big piece of cloth over (like what Ms Jolin is doing) and try to change. I simply refused to even think about it.
Sky Lounge. The highest storey at Baiyoke suite, level 43. That was where we had our breakfast.
Our lunch at KFC. The small drumlets on the left were great. They use glass cups. As for the whipped potato, they scooped it at the time when you placed order.
Our second luggage bag, zao lou (runaway bag). Jolin's in orange, mine in pink.
At Bangkok airport. The map of the airport.
At Bangkok, we met one incident. Jolin wanted to exchange SGD 200 into Thai baht. When she received her Thai baht, she noticed the money was little but she didn't question at that time as she thought it was correct. When we went back to hotel after everything, Jolin realized that the receipt showed the amount exchanged was SGD100 which means a shortage of SGD100 worth of Thai baht. We went straight to the money changer but it was already closed by then. We then decided to go to our hotel reception.
Here we go to our new destination, Taiwan (16 - 19 July).
Upon arriving at Taipei airport, we bought Freego tickets to board the bus.
Pictures taken while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Interesting translation - Freego : Fei Gou.
Some of the pictures taken along the way. 
Rainbow hotel at Ximen Ding.
MacDonalds at Ximen Ding. Over there, the people clear their own trays after their meals.
At Wu Fen Pu, we bought our favorite bubble tea at Xiao Mei Zi.
This dog is real! At first it was not moving so I had a shock when it moved!
On our first day in Taipei, we heard that typhoon had come so we headed straight home at around 6plus pm. We decided to buy mian sian takeaway.
We bought taiwanese hotdogs to eat as well.
The second day in Taiwan we went Dunkin Donuts for breakfast.
Interesting idea! The cafe had two levels. As the sandwiches will be freshly made upon receiving an order, customers will go up to level 2 to sit but they will be given a control like this. When the food is ready, this control will vibrate and have red lights to inform you that your food is ready for collection downstairs.
I love the ambience of this place.
Mind your head!
Welcome! Please go up to level 2.
Photos taken with their crew.
Paul met us up at Guo Fu Ji Nian Guang station to bring us to Jay Chou's cafe!
Cgl, Paul.
Photo taken with the three Singaporeans whom we met there.
Shhh... Zhe shi bu neng shou de mi mi...
Some of the exclusive collections at Jay Chou's cafe..
Paul brought us to a bank to change money.
We walked past 101 tower.
On that day when we met Paul, we first went to Jay Chou's cafe, followed by to bank to change money. We also went to a supermarket where we bought a lot of instant noodles. Shortly after, Paul's member, Finny came. They helped us pack our groceries into a few boxes and carry them all the way to our hotel. That is so sweet of them!
We went back to hotel and rested for a while. We left there a while later and headed to Taipei Main station as it was the last day to buy our things. We agreed to meet Finny at 7.30pm so that he could bring us to their church where they would be having their prayer meeting.
However, we were late and we had informed Paul about it. However, Finny wasn't told at all as he didn't have his phone with him. At last we reached there at slightly past 8pm. When we reached we ran to Finny and apologise. He just said 'it's okay' with a calm and patient voice, without even the slightest sign of anger. Immediately after saying he took our two big bags from us to carry. . .! This 18 yr old brother is so cool!
Evidence. Haha... We call him 'Xiao shuai ge'
Two of Paul's members.
You can buy water from this mac
hine.
This steamboat cafe offers ice cream from 4 countries!
Jolin's hand was splashed by the soup. When Paul told the watiress about this, that lady immediately came with one big bag of ice and medicine for her to apply on the wound. The boss even came to us to apologise for this incident. They gave us a plate of fish to show their apology.I was like 'Wow! they have excellent service!'
After the gathering session with Paul and Finny, Paul called a cab for us and we reached hotel at around 1plus am. After showering and packing, we finally slept at 3plus and woke up at 4plus. At 4plus we quickly washed up and leave the hotel a while later.
We boarded the cab which the hotel had helped us to book and headed straight to Taipei airport. We reached airport at 6plus am. Everything was okay until it was our turn to check in our luggages. Our luggages added up to be closed to 80kg and the lady wanted us to go to another counter to pay for the taxes. We followed suit but to our horror, the lady told us that the tax for 1kg of excess luggage is 400 taiwan dollars and we would be taxed for 30kgs. Which means we had to pay 12,000 taiwan dollars (equivalent to SGD600)!
We had only 1000 worth of Taiwan dollars left, we refused to pay, we decided to check in 50kg and hand carry the rest. I remembered Paul said always visualise that the positive things will happen. At that point of time, I visualised that we were inside the plane and chatting happily because we manage to avoid the taxes. Finally when we were able to board the plane, the manager of Thai airways stopped us as he felt our luggages were too big to put in the cabins. But fortunately after some discussion, we agreed to separate the things into various bags and he let us in. At the end of the day, we did not have to pay a single cent of tax! Our prayers indeed came to past!
Through these trips, I've learnt the countries' cultures and I was also impressed by their willingness to go the extra mile to serve their customers. It was a good break for me and I have learnt many new things through personal experience. I've enjoyed myself and I look forward to visit these countries again! ('',)