Saturday, January 31, 2004
Today's church service was excellent. Pastor Benny Ho was the guest speaker, and I've always liked the way he preaches. (If only he was also a FCBC pastor...hehe...) But what struck me in the end was his testimony about the manifested presence of God. I found it interesting that he used water vapour as an analogy for the manifested presence of God, and I remember using that same analogy years ago to explain the same thing to a friend. And I think I must be true to my teaching subject: I used the triple point of water as an analogy to describe the Trinity as well. (Maybe this is why I liked his preaching. Something about the way he thinks connects with mine.)
Anyway the altar call was powerful. I was hesitating whether to go forward, but I heard God say, "Just go.", which to me translates as one fat kick to my arse to get moving. So I went forward and knelt. But as soon as I was there, I felt God's touch on my head, and I went lower, and lower, and soon my forehead was on the floor and I can't get up. Uncontrollably I started to cry. (Quite loudly too.) I haven't cried like this since Encounter weekend, and before that, I think was when I was in Sec Sch. Something wrenched my heart as I was there, and I could only cry. I think it was God's love pouring itself very strongly upon me. I don't really like crying. I am not the emotional sort. Heck, I don't even get angry much, much less to say, sad.
I was crying for a long time. And kneeling there (if you can call that posture kneeling) for a long time. And I couldn't get up for a long, long while. I've experienced what pastor Benny said to be the weight of God's glory before, and I'm really glad to know what I've experienced was...orthodox? I've always wondered if I'm the only weird one who kenna this...still, it was a touch from God that I really needed.
Anyway the altar call was powerful. I was hesitating whether to go forward, but I heard God say, "Just go.", which to me translates as one fat kick to my arse to get moving. So I went forward and knelt. But as soon as I was there, I felt God's touch on my head, and I went lower, and lower, and soon my forehead was on the floor and I can't get up. Uncontrollably I started to cry. (Quite loudly too.) I haven't cried like this since Encounter weekend, and before that, I think was when I was in Sec Sch. Something wrenched my heart as I was there, and I could only cry. I think it was God's love pouring itself very strongly upon me. I don't really like crying. I am not the emotional sort. Heck, I don't even get angry much, much less to say, sad.
I was crying for a long time. And kneeling there (if you can call that posture kneeling) for a long time. And I couldn't get up for a long, long while. I've experienced what pastor Benny said to be the weight of God's glory before, and I'm really glad to know what I've experienced was...orthodox? I've always wondered if I'm the only weird one who kenna this...still, it was a touch from God that I really needed.
Friday, January 30, 2004
I lugged around my pool cue in its case around the whole NIE in the morning till evening. It felt weird carrying that thing with me; at least, that's the impression I get from the way people look at the case. I hope nobody thought it's a fishing rod or something.
I was finally going to play pool using the cue that my friends and my Significant Other got for me. The ironic thing was that I was playing pool fairly frequently until I got the cue. Then I didn't find a chance to play for like a couple of months or longer.
It took me a while to get the hang of it back, and to get accustomed to the cue, and I must say, my precision has somewhat improved. I know I was making shots more accurately, and I generally played well, even if I didn't win. Made a few exceptional shots too. I'm one happy man...the cue's good too.
I was finally going to play pool using the cue that my friends and my Significant Other got for me. The ironic thing was that I was playing pool fairly frequently until I got the cue. Then I didn't find a chance to play for like a couple of months or longer.
It took me a while to get the hang of it back, and to get accustomed to the cue, and I must say, my precision has somewhat improved. I know I was making shots more accurately, and I generally played well, even if I didn't win. Made a few exceptional shots too. I'm one happy man...the cue's good too.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
This is the first Lunar New Year I'm spending outside of Singapore. It's a very different feeling not to be involved in the visiting of relatives. I'm spending this holiday in Desaru.
It's a really nice place. And I am glad to know that I can actually spend a couple of days in a place that is not connected to the internet, and not think about it at all. I guess that shows that I'm not an internet addict huh? Unfortunately there isn't really that much to do there except relax, which is a good thing too, since that is precisely what I went there to do.
The beach there, while not being as fabulous as some other places I've been too, is still pretty good, with quite soft sand, though the colour is a deep brown. (Singapore beaches have such coarse sand...sigh.) And the waves come in much stronger than you'll ever see in East Coast. Had some fun picking up clams from the beach when the waves come in, after the backwash (I still remember my geography! Swash...backwash...swash...), despite my knee wound. Salt water definitely will hurt.
The sucky thing was, it rained all the while I was there, except the evening when we arrived. So it was merely short moments at the beach. Spent some time playing table tennis in the hotel lobby in fact. But still, it was relaxing...
It's a really nice place. And I am glad to know that I can actually spend a couple of days in a place that is not connected to the internet, and not think about it at all. I guess that shows that I'm not an internet addict huh? Unfortunately there isn't really that much to do there except relax, which is a good thing too, since that is precisely what I went there to do.
The beach there, while not being as fabulous as some other places I've been too, is still pretty good, with quite soft sand, though the colour is a deep brown. (Singapore beaches have such coarse sand...sigh.) And the waves come in much stronger than you'll ever see in East Coast. Had some fun picking up clams from the beach when the waves come in, after the backwash (I still remember my geography! Swash...backwash...swash...), despite my knee wound. Salt water definitely will hurt.
The sucky thing was, it rained all the while I was there, except the evening when we arrived. So it was merely short moments at the beach. Spent some time playing table tennis in the hotel lobby in fact. But still, it was relaxing...
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Today sucks. I went all the way to church to attend a seminar, only to find the doors shut, the lights out, and no one around. I called my cell leader and then he told me that this week is Chinese New Year break. I told him that the next time he finds out something last minute do remember to inform me. Sigh. It's the third time already. I wonder why I am the only one who doesn't know. Is it just me? I can't be that blur right to miss the announcement (if there was any) three times so far...
I crossed the road to the bus stop to make my way home. I happened to bump into a friend who said he was bored and going out, so I tagged along. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't go home straight away and turn this into a wasted trip. (Darn it, I should have gone home...)
We went out to somewhere near Peninsula Plaza to look at toys, but heck, they were too beastly expensive, although it's nice to have a walk down memory lane...and lament that we should have kept all our toys...would have fetched a decent price. Then we made our way to Suntec.
We ended up walking through the War Memorial park, and realized that the side nearer to Suntec is all fenced up. So being the lazy men that we are, we decided to climb over the railing. All things considered, it was a low railing, and nothing dangerous about it. But when I went over it, thinking that doing it suicide window style is safer for me since I was wearing slippers, I banged one knee against the cement edge. Excruciating pain, for a while, then it was alright. So we continued to walk. Then it began to hurt. And my three-quarters was feeling slightly damp inside. I lifted it up, and saw a 3-cm wide gnash across my left knee that looked about half a cm deep. Maybe it looked deeper because it was swollen up.
So I walked all the way to Watsons to buy some big plasters. I went to the toilet to wash the wound, and attracted the stares of many people, giving me the look as if they wondered if I got the wound from some gang fight or something. A Caucassian guy remarked, "Man, that looks bad." What a knack for the rhetorical I thought. So I cleaned it up and went to Subway with my friends.
I called my Significant Other (as my fiancee calls me) to inform her of the dumb thing, and she insisted I go see a doctor. The difference between a woman and a man. A guy simply wouldn't bother, unless the wounds fester or something. I'm glad to have a woman who fusses over me though. So in the end I went to Raffles Hospital, after visiting 3 clinics which already closed. Paid 40 bucks for consultation, 12.50 for an ointment, and then I realized the doctor didn't even clean up the wound or bandage it. I actually forgot about it. Expensive bad service. And I still have a scolding in store from my mum. Argh...
I crossed the road to the bus stop to make my way home. I happened to bump into a friend who said he was bored and going out, so I tagged along. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't go home straight away and turn this into a wasted trip. (Darn it, I should have gone home...)
We went out to somewhere near Peninsula Plaza to look at toys, but heck, they were too beastly expensive, although it's nice to have a walk down memory lane...and lament that we should have kept all our toys...would have fetched a decent price. Then we made our way to Suntec.
We ended up walking through the War Memorial park, and realized that the side nearer to Suntec is all fenced up. So being the lazy men that we are, we decided to climb over the railing. All things considered, it was a low railing, and nothing dangerous about it. But when I went over it, thinking that doing it suicide window style is safer for me since I was wearing slippers, I banged one knee against the cement edge. Excruciating pain, for a while, then it was alright. So we continued to walk. Then it began to hurt. And my three-quarters was feeling slightly damp inside. I lifted it up, and saw a 3-cm wide gnash across my left knee that looked about half a cm deep. Maybe it looked deeper because it was swollen up.
So I walked all the way to Watsons to buy some big plasters. I went to the toilet to wash the wound, and attracted the stares of many people, giving me the look as if they wondered if I got the wound from some gang fight or something. A Caucassian guy remarked, "Man, that looks bad." What a knack for the rhetorical I thought. So I cleaned it up and went to Subway with my friends.
I called my Significant Other (as my fiancee calls me) to inform her of the dumb thing, and she insisted I go see a doctor. The difference between a woman and a man. A guy simply wouldn't bother, unless the wounds fester or something. I'm glad to have a woman who fusses over me though. So in the end I went to Raffles Hospital, after visiting 3 clinics which already closed. Paid 40 bucks for consultation, 12.50 for an ointment, and then I realized the doctor didn't even clean up the wound or bandage it. I actually forgot about it. Expensive bad service. And I still have a scolding in store from my mum. Argh...
Monday, January 19, 2004
As many people seemed interested in my proposal attempt(s), I shall give a brief narration of it.
Sun 28th Dec 03 - First attempt
What I had done was to print out our photographs into cardsize, printed with the words "Will you marry me?", slotted it into a plastic sleeve affixed with two three-spoke-plastic-holders, and planted it in a tub of ice cream. I got her to open it and presto! "Will you marry me?" staring her in the face. She said yes.
Hey it was at least a sweet proposal. I mean, the proposal was all coated with chocolate chip ice cream.
Unfortunately, the acceptance was revoked one week later due to the innocent comments of several individuals I shall not name (you know who you are, you eeeevil people...) along the line of "where's the ring?" It was also then that I realized that when a woman says no (more specifically, "No, I don't need to have a ring for the proposal"), she means yes.
Tue 9th Jan 04 - Second attempt
This time, I got the ring prepared. In fact, I had two rings prepared. One was the ring that she really liked, and the other was a very prrrrrecious ring. I decided to surprise her by going to her block and wait for her downstairs before she went to work.
Yep, she was really surprised to see me. And happy too I guess. Then I gave her...the ONE RING to throw her off-track. Guess that worked. And then, I gave her the REAL RING. Accompanied with a little proposal poem. And this time, she said yes, without revoking it.
Sun 28th Dec 03 - First attempt
What I had done was to print out our photographs into cardsize, printed with the words "Will you marry me?", slotted it into a plastic sleeve affixed with two three-spoke-plastic-holders, and planted it in a tub of ice cream. I got her to open it and presto! "Will you marry me?" staring her in the face. She said yes.
Hey it was at least a sweet proposal. I mean, the proposal was all coated with chocolate chip ice cream.
Unfortunately, the acceptance was revoked one week later due to the innocent comments of several individuals I shall not name (you know who you are, you eeeevil people...) along the line of "where's the ring?" It was also then that I realized that when a woman says no (more specifically, "No, I don't need to have a ring for the proposal"), she means yes.
Tue 9th Jan 04 - Second attempt
This time, I got the ring prepared. In fact, I had two rings prepared. One was the ring that she really liked, and the other was a very prrrrrecious ring. I decided to surprise her by going to her block and wait for her downstairs before she went to work.
Yep, she was really surprised to see me. And happy too I guess. Then I gave her...the ONE RING to throw her off-track. Guess that worked. And then, I gave her the REAL RING. Accompanied with a little proposal poem. And this time, she said yes, without revoking it.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
How fast a year goes by. This year end passed by rather peculiarly, as if it sneaked up on me. I didn't really feel Christmas coming, nor the year end. Anyway I had a really cool church countdown at Fort Canning Green. Other than the sound system which seemed to have some problems, and that the praise and worship team seemed to have prepared too few songs, it was really great. I don't remember having an outdoor worship session like this before.
Today I was sending my girlfriend home, and when passing through Simei, we came upon this cute little brown and white cat stuck on the tree. There were two kids trying to get the cat to come down by tempting it with food, but the poor cat was so afraid that it just kept on mewing. I found some tables at some void deck and borrowed two of them for a while. The tree wasn't particularly tall, but about one storey high, and very straight; I couldn't climb it, and even with one table, I couldn't reach the cat. The second one was to let the cat have something nearer to land on, but the cat just didn't dare to jump. After trying all kinds of means for about half an hour including the kids throwing slippers at the cat to get it to jump, we gave up, and I continued sending my gf home.
On my way back, I deliberately passed through the same area, and there the cat was, on the trunk like a mountain climber, hugging the trunk with the head up and tail down slowly clawing its way down. Halfway it just leapt off onto the ground, without even using the table I set up for it. I wanted to sayang it a bit, and the (ungrateful) cat just darted straight for the food. Bleah.
Today I was sending my girlfriend home, and when passing through Simei, we came upon this cute little brown and white cat stuck on the tree. There were two kids trying to get the cat to come down by tempting it with food, but the poor cat was so afraid that it just kept on mewing. I found some tables at some void deck and borrowed two of them for a while. The tree wasn't particularly tall, but about one storey high, and very straight; I couldn't climb it, and even with one table, I couldn't reach the cat. The second one was to let the cat have something nearer to land on, but the cat just didn't dare to jump. After trying all kinds of means for about half an hour including the kids throwing slippers at the cat to get it to jump, we gave up, and I continued sending my gf home.
On my way back, I deliberately passed through the same area, and there the cat was, on the trunk like a mountain climber, hugging the trunk with the head up and tail down slowly clawing its way down. Halfway it just leapt off onto the ground, without even using the table I set up for it. I wanted to sayang it a bit, and the (ungrateful) cat just darted straight for the food. Bleah.