Dear friends,

It is with great apologies that I had left this blog almost empty since the last blog entry. A lot of things had taken place and happened over the past few months that I can't believe it took place over such a short period time. So this is the time to update everyone on what is really happening.

1. Working at TOUCH YOUTH Cyberwellness and Sports for the past 4 months
2. Am very happy working there. Have two wonderful and absolutely fun boss, super colleagues, great pals and great job satisfaction.
3. GOT MARRIED!!! (Yes you read it right! I got married.)
4. Finally moved into my new home. It's smashing!
5. Went to Greece for the honeymoon!!!!

Well that's pretty sums it all up! I think I can be a bit more elaborate, but I'm just too lazy.
And beside I got no pictures to show yet, cuz the photographer haven't gotten back to me yet and no one sent me any photos taken at the wedding. If you have any, please email me can? Please???!!

Will post the pictures once they are here! Stay tune!

Hello! I know I know... been away for way too long. Also realised that a lot of other people have not been blogging as well. Guess we are all too busy. The message God seem to be speaking to me this year is "New Beginning"... Not too sure what that will mean for me, but it is gonna be a year of new challenges, new life (getting married is one new life!), new career, new walk with God. I think I am really gonna enjoy this year and see God's promises and goodness fulfilled in my life.

I had accepted the job at TOUCH, and looking forward to starting work there. Already met up with the people there and I am looking forward to be working with them. I pray that God will let me excel in my work in TOUCH and I am going to work real hard! Grrrr!!! Charged and ready to GO!

Last few days in SAF before I ORD... so gonna really finish up some work and close this chapter of my life. It had been a great 6 years of God's grace and goodness, and I am ready to advance and take over what God have install for me!

Hey all,

Just some updates for everyone. Will be ORDing from the SAF on the 1st Feb. Really looking forward to move on from this chapter of my life and into a whole new and exciting new phase. Had been looking for jobs, doing up my resume and looking through the newspaper. Well praise God I got not one but TWO interviews lined up. HAHA! God is good! One will be with Association for People with Special Needs as a instructor/Job placement officer, another with TOUCH Community Services as a Programme Executive. Pray for me that God will direct and guide me to the right one, and they will offer me a good pay.

Hey all! Sorry for not blogging any entries for so long, but I was really busy with stuff, and not to mention lazy bug... Anyway more of God's miracles and blessings to report and encourage!

I GRADUATE OFFICIALLY!!!! HAHAHA! Had my graduation ceremony on thursday 11 Oct, so it was a time of reflection while waiting to get my cert, that I thank God for His grace and mercy in those 4 years of studies. It is amazing how God work in my studies and bringing me through those nights of study and having to juggle work and study. I testify God's goodness and grace with this degree... it is indeed His glory. Without him, I wouldn't had gotten through it. Lord you are awesome!

I had also set up a site to put my blog, photos as well as my wedding photography projects, so do drop by www.funkygroovejive.com and check it out!

This is one major thanksgiving to God, the everlasting Father, who loves His children and provides for them! A bit of history... Becky and I had been looking for a flat unit since the beginning of the year. We tried the conventional methods which include going to HDB to ballot, not once but many times but just couldn't get it. Too many people. So we decided to try resale. The prices were crazy man! Really high prizes! Everyone is just cashing in because some dopes in Tiong Bahru sold his unit for S$700k. That got everyone's attention. So for a while, we were just looking at flats online, calling agents and asking for prices. Minimum up front cash were at least S$40k.

When we decided to arrange to meet agents to view flats, it was a start of a terrible and tiring week. From Monday to Wednesday, we view flats every night.. and it was really tiring. Some flats were nice but not to our liking cuz of the layout.. some were just way off, and some were just dirty. The most interesting event was one viewing on the third day. We view one unit in Toa Payoh, and we liked it, so we decided to consider and ask the agent to help us notify the seller. However, another couple who was viewing with us also liked it. They were with another agent. So we had to go somewhere else, and decide who was gonna get the flat. Becky was gonna just forget about the flat, but I thought we should try and put up an offer and see if the price was right. So it came to a closed bid thing. We had to write our price offer on a piece of paper and show it together to the seller agent. Whoever offers higher, gets the unit. It was really tense situation, Becky and I hate it. We went to a corner to pray and ask God for a figure to write down. Came to the amount of S$222k. We showed our offer and the other couple offered S$223k! Lost by S$1k. We were kinda sad and disappointed, but decided that maybe God had other plans for us.

That night, at 2330hrs, our agent called us again and said there was a viewing at another location at Toa Payoh. We were really tired, and decided that this would be the last viewing of the week, and will put of viewing for two weeks if we don't like the flat. The next evening, Becky and I went earlier to the flat void deck to pray. We asked God for His blessings, providence and to continue to trust in Him. So when we went up to the flat with our agents, we were surprised to see a pair of army boots outside (we were told it was a single lady owner). The first miracle of the day starts here. The owner opened that door, and there stood a friend of mine!!!! We were working together in an overseas exercise 2 years ago! I was completely stunned. The second miracle was the flat's renovation and condition were almost what we asked for. Clean, no ugly cornices, spacious. Becky and I like it the moment we saw it. So we decided to offer our price. As we could not match her asking price, we had to offer slightly lower than that.

So I was praying really hard that it will be accepted. She took the offer, saying since friend, no problem la!!! Praise God!!!! Whoo hoo!!!! Third miracle! I was totally stunned, and amazed at God's marvelous timing and providence. When God close a door on another, He will always open another better one for you.

Will post pictures of the flat soon. Stay tune for more of God's miracle here!

I know the blog had been really really really quiet and I must say, there wasn't any interesting thing to blog. Well, just to keep everyone updated on what's happening in my life and when I am going to finish my service in the army. Originally I was suppose to finish the service on the 6th Dec 2007. However, I just received an email from the Chief Clerk telling me that if I leave on that day, I would forfeit the year end bonus. In order to qualify for it, i can only leave on the 1st Feb 2008. This leave me little choice but to make a few calls to important people in my life, to ask for their opinion. And the answer was unanimous, and I had to push my release date till 1st Feb. Sigh... although it was quite a "xian" moment, I guess looking on the bright side of it all, I would get a good bonus to tide me till I get a new job and have more savings for the wedding and house. It is indeed all about the money... and I am so into it!!! AAAAAahhhhhh! So pray that there won't be anymore changes.

By the way, if anyone know of friends who are having a wedding and do not mind having an extra photographer running about with them, please let me know? I wanna get more experience and shouldn't be charging any fee until I know I am capable. Thanks

I kena tagged by Merf... didn't realise it till I shall his website to see if I got lucky. He hardly blog. Here goes....

Rules of the game:

1. Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself.
2. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly.
3. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names.
4. No tagbacks!

1) I was always the first in the class line from Primary One till Primary 5 or 6 cuz I was short. When we had to line in twos and hold hands and finger on our lips. It sucks to have to be the few guys with the girls. But hell i was cute.

2) I also have the itch to dig my nose whenever I stop at the traffic light... it seems to be a driver habit.. maybe all the aircon blowing in my face dry up the nose. Okie.. gross..

3) I do a uber impersonation of Robocop when I was young. I could act out the whole scene of 5 mins from Robocop 1 without reference. I still can... haha! (Watching it everyday on video tape till it snaps says alot about how much robo means to me then)

4) I gave my brother an upper cut when we were playing fights when I was 13 and he was 6 i think, or maybe slightly older. It freaked me out. Cut his upper eye lid. Thinking back, it was kinda funny... haha!

5) I appeared on newspaper when I was a young kid at BIG WALK event. I wasn't walking, I was on my dad's shoulder!

6) The only lucky draw prize I remember winning was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Blimp Machine. I won it from submiting the completed TNMT sticker book. The toy was huge man!

7) I always "steal" the computer keys that lock the CPU from my dad when he isn't home, so I can play games. If he comes back, I would wait till he goes to bathe before putting it back. Same spot same position. I was good. He didn't notice anything, or maybe he did, but never scold me. I love you dad.

8) A lot of people say that my best friends, good friends and only friends are from church only. Think quite true.. but after being in Army so long, I made quite a bit of great pals too.

9) I was punished for lying and had to kneel outside my nanny's house, with my mouth rubbed with chili. It was horrid... but I really think that my nanny is the best one around and I know she taught me lots about character. Love you Aunt Margaret.

10) I use to be part of a group of boy gang in primary school. We don't do fights but just hang around and chill and play. I was the only other chinese boy among the malay boy group. We even eat with our hands during recess. It was craze. Here's the weirdest part, we even name ourselves the hardy boys...super wrong name right.. haha!

That's all! I don't know who to tag... all being tagged before.. see how.. haha!

Okie, this is a idea from Mengyang's blog. The reason for doing this are as follows:

1. Just keeping tab on what I would like to reward myself with once in a while so I won't go haywire on spending on non-priority stuff.

2. Since birthday coming (a few months so you people can start saving up hahaha!), you guys won't have to stress on what you wanna get for me (if you are, no pressure.. I'm shameless eh?)

3. No one can blame me for articulating what I would like to have.

4. A test run on future wish lists for example, wedding, house warming gifts. (Usually for wedding, cold hard cash would be perfect.)

5. I'm bored at the moment.

So the list is not in priority yet, but I will place them once I give it a good thought. Meanwhile, sit back and be disgusted.

1. Badminton racket (Yonex Nanospeed 7000 onwards)
2. Badminton thermal bag (Yonex BAG5724 75x22x32cm Red would be nice)
3. Shuttlecocks RSL Tourney No.1 / Yonex Aerosona 30/40 (Few rims will be nice)
4. IPOD Video 30GB
5. PS3 Console (I know.. Can't I just wish?)
6. Wii Console (Can't I just wish a bit more?)
7. Xbox 360 (shut up...)
8. Canon 400D
9. A new lens for my Bessa R Voigtlander - 35mm Skopar screw mount will be nice
10. Nokia E61i
11. Saffroto Camera Bag (ask me for model)

Hahaha! Alright.. that's for now.. totally incomplete list but i shan't shock anyone anymore as it is already.

Call me shameless, call me disgusting.. but I'm just having fun la...

2 June 2007... will always remember this day. Lots of fun, seeing friends, old and new, the heat of Singapore, the tiredness and the joy. Helping Mervin and Huifen for their wedding was indeed superd as well as an honour to be Merf's "xiong di". It was really awesome trying to get him to collect the bride without going through the door (He went through the window while we distracted the sisters)! Haha! That was priceless. So the brothers got away with the crazy tortures, which include wasabi mix with ice cream..phew. We just ate REALLY sour plums, drank some honey water and had to put lipstick on to give Merf a kiss. That was the most horrid. Compared to the previous wedding as a brother.. this is chicken feet! haha!

Had a lot of fun taking pictures as well, working with a borrowed Canon 350D (thanks Justin!). Tried different stuff and technique. Will post the pictures on my photoblog soon, so wait out! Meanwhile, D and I are waiting for our turn to go HDB to select our flat. We received the letter that state our appointment time and date. So pray with us that we will indeed be blessed by God and we can testify about God's grace and providence. Stay tune for the good news!

Took me IPPT test yesterday, and yep I passed!! With a silver too! Heh heh... Was really stress before the run cuz it always give me a sense that I will not make it. But every run that I go for, I would always pray for God's strength and He had never failed me once. It also help by singing a praise in your head as you run, especially if it provides a steady beat. For me, it's always "I run by faith, each step by faith, to run by faith, I put my trust in You." Usually the last part I would pick up cuz the tempo would do so in the song a little bit. haha!

Second thing is, badminton really improves by physical condition on the whole! My standing board jump and shuttle run improved! I could jump much further without a lot of effort and shuttle run reaction after picking up the item is much faster. So go play badminton! It's good! But my sit up quite cock up.. big tummy equal less sit ups.. did only 35 in a min. CRAP!!

Anyway, Thank God it's over! And no more IPPT till reservist! WHOO HOO!! ORD LO!

Finally, after the long wait for the third installment to come, I was practically bouncing in my seat with excitement. The guy in the red and blue suit has always been one of my favourite Marvel super heroes. So the show started and everything was great...great...good...good...hmmm....

Wow.. venom is here.. cool effects.... sandman... nice... Gwen Stacy...ooohhh... ZZZzzzzzzZZZ...

The whole show was really just too draggy and a tad too much freedom. Wish they could had just concentrated on Venom or Sandman at one time. Guess they were too anxious to end the trio episodes with a great bang by introducing Spiderman's nemesis. The love story between MJ and Peter had always been a great one in the comics, but in this movie, it was just long and irritating.

Catch it for the sake of finishing up what you had started.. but need not get too hype up for it I say. Since Pirates of the Curry bean 3 is coming, I'm gonna not get my hopes too high about it, even though the second one was pure awesome. Stay tune for the review on that!

Ever wondered who or how this phrase came about? I was reading some article and this phrase was mentioned, so I googled it and something about it came out. Check it out, it's kinda interesting!

[A] Some versions of this modern American proverb do refer to opera, so many performances of which seem to end with a set-piece aria by a well-built soprano, but its recorded appearances are mainly connected with sport, so much so that some people are sure that is its true origin.

Commentators do often say the phrase to remind people that it’s the final result that matters, often in a spirit of reassurance to the supporters of the losing team. It has been suggested that it was the brainchild of the San Antonio TV sports editor Dan Cook, who famously used it during a televised basketball game in May 1978. It’s probably not one of Yogi Berra’s phrases, though it has the same sense and much of the style of his “It ain’t over till it’s over”.

But we now know that Cook didn’t invent it. Fred Shapiro has found and published an example in the Yale Book of Quotations which appeared in the Dallas Morning News on 10 March 1976. This is the full quote:

Despite his obvious allegiance to the Red Raiders, Texas Tech sports information director Ralph Carpenter was the picture of professional objectivity when the Aggies rallied for a 72-72 tie late in the SWC tournament finals. “Hey, Ralph,” said Bill Morgan (Southwest Conference information director), “this ... is going to be a tight one after all.” “Right,” said Ralph. “The opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings.”

In the same newspaper on 26 November 2006, Steve Blow followed up the discovery by contacting Mr Morgan about the incident: “Bill vividly remembers the comment and the uproar it caused throughout the press box. He always assumed it was coined on the spot. ‘Oh, yeah, it was vintage Carpenter. He was one of the world’s funniest guys,’ said Bill, a contender for that title himself.”

These comparatively recent sports’ associations disguise the fact that it is actually a rather older expression, which occurs in several forms: It ain’t over till the fat lady sings, The opera isn’t over until the fat lady sings, or Church ain’t out ’till the fat lady sings.

This last version appears in a 1976 booklet by Fabia Rue Smith and Charles Rayford Smith entitled Southern Words and Sayings. Ralph Keyes wrote a book with the title Nice Guys Finish Seventh in 1992 in which he says that several informants recalled hearing the expression for decades before it suddenly became nationally known in 1978. The use of church here suggests that its origin didn’t lie either in opera or sport. It may even be a proverbial Southern expression.

(Extracted from World Wide Words, http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ita1.htm)

A friend of mine from my previous church, Jeffrey, just passed away yesterday and the last time I saw him was on sunday. Had to admit, I was quite taken aback when I saw him at the hospital, cuz he lost loads of weight and looked really different. Prayed with him and the family and really believed in my heart that God will bring the healing, but it was not to be. Maybe God had other plans? No matter what, when death takes place and someone is lost, you can't help but wonder why God didn't answer that prayer of healing or restoration? Wouldn't it serve an even greater glory and testimony if the miracle takes place?

But as I think back, maybe the miracle and testimony that God wants to use is that even in death, there is hope and who better to share this hope then the family and love ones of those who lost someone? There is a hope that he/she is with God, that death is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of another adventure. There is hope despite not being with that someone because we will see them again. There is a time for everything, a time to mourn and grieve but life goes on and there are more people who needs God, and we need to tell them this hope that we have.

When there's passing on of a friend, I hope my last words to them will not be good bye but rather "Talk to you again..."

Movie Review - 300

Finally, I got to watch this at the cinema and as expected, I was not disappointed at all. Not one bit. 300, the story of the Spartans and their fight against the odds was truly engaging, inspiring and definitely impressive. Effects are fantastic but most of all, it is the way the story is delivered that determine for me, that this is the best show for me in 2007. Period.

The Spartans are strong, they are unwavering and they are one lean fighting machine. They fight as as one unit, covering for each other, for one suffers, all suffer.

Gerald Butler (King Leonidas) is a really good actor and I am convinced those 8-packs abs are for real and they really did some serious body building and training for this show.

For a full review of cast and story, check out http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/

Finally, I think this is show NOT to be missed and worth every penny. I love war show, but this war and battle show is way better than any I have seen so far. If you think "Saving Private Ryan" is good, you have not seen "300".

Met Steven Curtis Chapman in a concert last year and had the opportunity to see him up front and got him to autograph his latest album. He may be less popular in the Christian music scene in Singapore, especially with the younger ones, but this is the guy that got me hook on Christian music and my love for music and worship. Had been hoping since the day I heard his first album that he will come to Singapore and even wrote to his website which his coordinator replied! That was years years ago. Seeing him is like remembering the reason why I began to enjoy worship and serving God in this area. It is not about the fame, but the desire to seek God with the music and the words. You can say he was my inspiration. Check out his albums, you won't be disappointed. Check his website too, @ www.stevencurtischapman.com

Hopefully, the next one will be Third Day.

This second day of CNY is just absolutely awesome and smashing! Had the guys and gals over at my place to celebrate the festive mood, and as usual the whole house was converted temporarily into a gambling den! haha! With some on the mahjong and some on the card games, it sure was noisy and fun. Thanks to all who came to my place, the company and laughter will be something I will never forget, nor will I trade it for anything else in the world. Special thanks to a few special people who really took the extra effort.

Mengyang: For bringing the game cards!
Xuefeng: For walking up and down (TWICE) to get the cards from the car.

Xuemei: the explanation of how to play bohnanza is clear and precise.. your teaching skill quite polish i think! so keep it up!

Yibao: Thanks for the shirt! I really like it!
Xueyan: Nice hair cut, and thanks for coming even though you could have spent it with your family, with whatever little time before flying back

Cheowsheng: Bro, first to come, appreciate the punctuality man! Commendable!

Yuyun: Pungol or Sengkang? Doesn't matter la!! haha! but Advice noted!

Alvan and Eliz: THANKS FOR THE ANG BAO!!!!! WHOO HOO!!

Mervin and Huifen: Really thanks for coming, even though you got to help your dad and coming so late. Hope you had fun! Oh Merf, that last card game is super fun and exciting! we should do it soon.. with MY and Eliz...Ssshhh just btw us.

Wenlong: Thanks for lending me the CD, hopefully I will go buy it.

Ling and ching: For letting me see you driving, FINALLY! Hahaha!

Ashley: For the noise... thanks! hahaha! Nah, thanks for rushing down by cab, just to spend more time with us.

Fangmeng: Bro, hope you had fun! thanks for coming!

Dear: Thanks for helping me serve and take care of the guys and gals' makan needs.

That's all i think.. hopefully i had not left anyone out! See ya next year!!

Haven't done a review in a while, since Capt JACK and his bunch of merry makers, so here's one that I think is worth mentioning.

Singapore Dreaming.. A story of what I feel is the constant pursuit of happiness and what a general perception of good life should be in Singapore. There's the Ah Pa, played by Richard Low, which I feel is one of the best character in the movie. i totally enjoyed his performance. Ah Pa is a traditional father figure, who believes that the son is always the best and deserves the best. Loves his lines in the show which i will share later.

Ah Ma (Alice Lim Cheng Peng), the loving wife, who cooks and looks after the house and family most diligently. Favourite past time, cleaning and boiling herbal "liang teh".

There's Ah Seng, (Dick Su) the son that Ah Pa loves really much and would do anything for him. Seng is a manifestation of what the society demands of workers. A good degree from a reputable university. If not, you are nothing.

Ah Mei (Yeo Yann Yann), the eldest sister in the family, look down upon by Ah Pa cause she's a girl. She's frustrated by the favouritism shown by Ah Pa to Seng all the time. Instead, she channeled all her attention to gaining acceptance at her work place, being seen as an indispensable secretary.

C.K. (Lim Yu Beng), husband of Mei, ex-army regular turned insurance agent. Not making it big and having lotsa problem at work. Lim Yu Beng really is a great actor, world class! His acting is really convincing, and when he have to speak chinese for a short moment in the movie, that was simply hilarious.

There's finally Irene (Selene Chen), Seng's fiancee, who yearns to have the perfect marriage and family life, and pour all of her heart and sweat into making sure Seng comes back to marry her after his studies by financing his studies. But shit happens...

Best quotes of the movie:

Ah Pa: 1. Why work for the rich bastard when you can be the bastard?
Want to do business, do big big!!!

Ah Ma: Ai lim liang teh mai? (Hokkien: Want to drink herbal tea?) Most of her lines revolves around liang teh!!!

Catch it if you can, it is out on DVD already. Worth your time.

It's been a while since I posted pics I took, so here's some for you guys to take a look. Give your comments and help me improve. Been trying really hard to take good pictures, getting it into creative zone but not much success. Guess it takes a while to learn.



Own interpretation of "Remove your sandals, for the ground you are standing on is holy ground"...



Remembering those who had gone ahead of us...



Spot the picker!



Me papa, mummy, and dorky bro! haha!

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls..friends.. people.. LEND ME YOUR EAR!!!

I PASS MY EXAMS!!! WHOO HOO!!!! Ok this is quite old news about a month late but that's cuz I was busy with some other stuff.. My bad! But hey I pass my exams, did pretty well this time, and I will be graduating in Sept. Ok don't ask why so long, i don't know.

Really thank God for His grace and mercy and providence. Without Him, I wouldn't have gotten through my studies for 4 years.

Meanwhile.. have not been posting pictures, so get to that soon, so wait out! And check out my good bud's blog which is wicked, with games review and other stuff you wouldn't wanna miss.. like how and what he named his car... that's super funny! http://myboredatwork.blogspot.com

See yah!

Today, I realized that life is not something that you live for your own, but rather for someone whose more important than self. It means that I'm no longer just responsible for my own, but each and every decision and move I take in life will affect another. And I like that! The person who says that this is no freedom is a silly one. It beats having to live life making decisions on your own, when you can have different opinions, where you see the whole picture, not just the big ones and someone to challenge you physically, mentally and spiritually. I absolutely love it! LIFE is indeed not my own to live, cuz beside living for Jesus, I can share this life with her.