The Strum of Freedom

2008-01-17T23:45:00.000+08:00

A song written in dedication to my Godmum on her birthday, and the first song I've written in more than a year. One day this song will be recorded. Props to Jasmine for some sweet keyboard inspiration at 1am in the morning.

But most of this song's dedicated you Mummy Ling... happy birthday, much love always.

By The Way, Happy Birthday
Lyrics by Rico Ventura
Music by Rico Ventura and Jasmine Chan

There was a time
When darkness fell upon my life
A joy degenerate
and into oblivion
this pathetic soul, dissipates

Lost in a rubix cube,
in a chamber
of perpetual darkness
a blistering cold, a world without release

And like an angel you came
you held my hand
you held me close
you gave your love

and that's why I sing

Thank you
Thank you
I love you
I love you

By the way, Happy Birthday

2007-11-11T23:31:00.000+08:00

What's up with the Eastern States?
12th Nov 2007, 0045hrs @ home

So this was one of the pieces I wrote for my final journalism assignment and it so happens to by my most favourite article, love it. Full reckon it's high distinction worthy. enjoy..

What's up with the Eastern States
by Enrico Ventura

Now really, what is the hype about the Eastern States? Everyone WANTS to go to Melbourne, everyone has to see Sydney, politics happens in Canberra and hey, ‘Sunshine’ is in Queensland.

We as humans are taught to attribute things based on their prominence in the world. For example, you think towers, it’s either Paris or Pisa. You think walls, it’s China or Berlin.

Similarly, think cricket, you think of the MCG (Melbourne), think arts, the Sydney Opera House (duh!), think fun, who doesn’t like Dreamworld? Sadly you think of boredom, you think Western Australia, Perth more accurately.

So, what is it really? Is it the fact that Melbourne has Eureka Tower? Sydney hosts the Australian Idol Finals? And you catch ‘delicious bass’ off Tasmania?

Is it the fact that WA houses one of the most violent towns up north or that we’re the home of the miners? Still WA did not host one of Australia’s biggest racial riots of the 21st century.

Maybe it’s because we are the industrial capital of Australia, maybe we’re seen as workaholics? Impossible, Woolworth’s closes at 5.30pm here, even Tasmania has Woolworth’s that open till midnight. Workaholics? Nah.

I was catching up with an old friend the other day and after I was enlightened that he now resided in the land of maple syrup, I said, “I’m studying in Australia.”

And he replies, “Which part are you at? Melbourne or Sydney?”

And I replied with a hint of pride, “Perth, where I’ll probably live as well.”

“For real! Dude! What’s in Perth man, it’s dead town there!” was his almost instantaneous retort.

Just a little ticked I replied, “Well there’s heaps in Perth, have you ever been here at all?”

“Well…. no.”

My point exactly.

2007-09-21T22:22:00.000+08:00

These Same Hands
Friday, 21st September 2007 @ home

So I was just randomly searching the net the other night for nothing in particular and found myself at the webbie of this youth group in the UK called Planet Youth. One of their latest songs was posted on the webbie. Maybe it speaks to me, maybe I just like it. Can't seem to tell the difference. If I can get the song uploaded I will, if not just make do with lyrics.

These Same Hands
Planet Youth, UK

I see you, in the faces of those
without a voice
Those beaten down, wearied from the road
You will protect

I hear You, in the cry of a child
Without hope
God help to be a light for those,
Who cannot see

To the least of these
I will reach out
To a world in need
I will go

These same hands
I lift to worship to You Lord
I pray that you will use them all
For your glory and for those who wait for God
I will stand
God let your kingdom come to earth

Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done

2007-09-12T22:04:00.000+08:00

From Indonesia with Love
Wednesday, 12th September 2007, 2200hrs @ home

Dear Mr. Enrico Jay Ventura

Prosperous greetings!

Hallo how are you? Hopefully you are healthy always. Wish to introduce myself. My name is Ernita Nathalia Grace. I am used to be called Ernita. I am the 2nd child from 2 children. I have a big sister. I am now studying in 2nd grade and I am 7 years old. I was born in Yogyakarta City on November 28th 1999.

My family and I would like to thank you, Mr Enrico Jay Ventura a lot for the willingness to be my sponsor. I also pray for peace, prosperity and God's blessings to lead you always.

How many siblings do you have? Where do you live? I am glad to say hello you, although through a letter only. God bless you.

Love,
Ernita

*The reply letter from my sponsored child in Indonesia, received 9th Sept 2007. The letter that stole my heart*

Now God will do many things to call you back, to wake you up, or just to reassure you. They come in actions both small or big. It's up to us to pick it out and attribute them back to God. But still when these tangible things do not materialise, will you still stand for your God? Will you still praise your God?

Let that be my encouragement to you guys.

"I will praise You in this storm"
Casting Crowns

2007-08-25T07:19:00.000+08:00

Not Dead
Saturday, August 25th 2007 @ home

Now for many a person who came under the impression that this blog was dead (including me), and figured it needed "CPR" (Phua, G., 2007), or any form of resuscitation - I am pleased to post this short paragraph to disprove this 'fact'. SHE'S STILL ALIVE BABY! SHE'S STILL ALIVE!!

There will be a couple of interesting posts coming, including this full emo one, which is on sale for $50 to the aspiring short film maker. Bordering on melodrama and emo, it would be an instant hit (subject to negotiotion and declination). "NOT!!" (Borat, S., 2006)

Cool bananas, done deal. Wishy washy and plenty of coffee, Rico has not use of the tele.

Peace

2007-05-30T10:10:00.000+08:00

Wise Words 3
Sunday, June 10th 2007 @ home

Seth Brooks said this at Cockburn Combined. For the Singaporean reading this, it's pronounced, Ko-Burn and not cock-burn. It was a combined service of about 4 youth groups in the city where my church is planted. I'm writing the Rico version, so obviously Seth did not say this exactly, but the implication you understand

Place a guitar in Gerald's hands and there's no difference between a musical instrument and another weapon to hit Rico with. Put a guitar into Rico's hands, he could probably make some music out of it.

Place a keyboard in Rico's hands and he definitely would not use it to it's fullest potential. Place Nat there on the other hand, master musician shows skill.

Place your life in your hands or the hands of others, you can be almost certain your buggered. Place your life in God's hands however, there is just so much that can be done.

Seth Brooks (REV - Rico's Editted Version)

Fasting - Giving up something you love, for the one you love
Sacrificing something you love, for the one who sacrificed for love

Joel Chelliah, Senior Pastor Centrepoint Church

Unwise Words 1

If you have love the size of a cricket ball, whack it hard into the stands for 6 runs.

Rico Ventura

2007-05-28T21:48:00.000+08:00

To my Mum
Monday, 28th May 2007, 2200hrs @ home

Well I reckon this is rather late on this side of the world, considering I manage 2 blogs, or rather have not time to blog at all, but yup. For all you guys on this side of the world, this is the poem I wrote for my mum for the first year anniversary of her return to the King.

I really wish it could be tighter, but yea, this was all that I managed to get out of me, it's all heart I reckon and yup. 2 months of holidays for me now, loads of thinking to do, loads of things to do as well.

All I know is that these 2 months ahead should be the most life changing for me in many ways, spiritually and probably physically, in many ways.

"What can I say, what can I do, but offer this heart of God, completely to You.
I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all, I'll stand my soul Lord to You surrendered all I am is Yours."

I love that song, really I do, there's just so much surrender in the song, there's so much reliance on God, so much helplessness but yet so much hope. Reminds me of a psalm, and I won't be surprised if it were derived from a psalm.

Well, I felt I had to rant on about something like that, it's something that I felt I need to do. There's a song for each season in our lives I guess, much like the 'soundtrack' thing that was mentioned in Ally McBeal.

And this seems to be it now, for way too long there's been this vacuum like thing in my heart , way too long, I've been so empty, like there's this void, the lack of that link that makes us Christians who we are, that tangible hope, like how Manson puts it (in the crudest of forms) a bandaid, the God bandaid. And it seems like I lost it for way too long, and now it's just on again, and that void, just now it's beginning to fill up, and filling up, and yea there's so much joy but so much uncertainty, and all I can really do is offer myself..

Well that was quite a bit of ranting, but here's what this post is all about. Love ya mum.

A year gone

Three hundred and sixty five days

Fifty two weeks gone, in a gaze

A year, sums up the number

Yet, I don't see summer

An emptiness ever constant

At my heart's end, somewhere

Times it feels like being burnt

Or a sudden dip in the atmosphere

The gentle fingertips that caressed my face

The arms that held, in a strong embrace

The one voice that calmed my soul

Before my Lord God, made me whole

I thought things would return to norm

But things are bound to change

Many times I still fight the storms

And sometimes it feel, just, strange

Yet I do not complain

You're where there's no pain

A privilege it is, to sit with the King

His worship forever you'll sing

Many times I wish you were here

But that's plain selfish, I know it is

Yet I know you'd still watch from there

The day I kiss my maiden's lips

Everyday, I've got solace knowing

You're with my saving King

I love you mum, I always will

Rico

2007-05-16T03:01:00.000+08:00

What makes Rico
16th May 2007, 0300hrs @ home

At this point in time, I find myself in the zone where the effects of the first can of redbull has more or less faded and the initial stages where the body is still absorbing the second can of redbull.

This state can be deemed to be a vegetation, where the body feels a near total loss of strength and yet is tapping on energy that is flowing like viscous liquid. The result, vegetation, to the asian chinese, 'nuah'.

I found myself in this state finding a cute personality cocktail thing online. Interesting..

How to make Rico

Ingredients:
5 parts competetiveness
5 parts crazyness
5 parts ego

Method:
Stir together in a glass tumbler with a salted rim.
Add lovability to taste! Do not overindulge!

I just found that pretty amusing especially the crazyness and more so the ego. cute.. very cute..

1 week, 1 major essay and 2 tests away from the end of the semester..

2007-04-24T17:16:00.000+08:00

Wasting Time 101 (WST 101)
24th April 2007, 1720hrs @ home

Wasting - the act of being consumed, spent, or employed uselessly or without giving full value or being fully utilized or appreciated.

Time - duration regarded as belonging to the present life

www.dictionary.com

Hence wasting time can be considered the act of useless spending or consuming a duration regarded as belonging to the present life.

This article will focus on Subject Rico revealing how he successfully managed to 'uselessly spend' a duration of two hours (regarded as belonging to his present life).

At 1330hrs, Rico ended his tutorial held at the Education and Humanites (EH) Computer Labs. Having an essay to complete, Rico proceeded to the main computer labs beside the library. There it dawned upon him that he had not logged out of the telnet (internet gateway) in the EH Labs, meaning he would not be able to retrieve his essay which was posted on the web.

Rico then proceeded back to the EH Lab in his attempts to log out. However then realising one of his classmates, Catherine, was doing a test. Hence he would not be able to enter the lab.

Rico went to the IT Services Counter where he hoped they could do a bypass logout for him. The operator told him they could reset his password and it should work. Rico then went to the library computer lab to attempt logging in to the net, this effort was in vain. He then however, took the initiative to complete an assignment post which could be completed on intranet. Intructions on the intranet also revealed that the IT Services Counter could in fact do a logout for him.

More confident, Rico went back to the IT Service Counter where the dude still gave him a negative reply. Seeing that an hour had passed, he took the trek back to the EH Labs hoping Catherine would have ended her test. 15min of waiting behind the locked door of the lab proved otherwise. Rico walked back the the library to collect his gear that he had left at the computer lab.

The time now is 1450. A whopping hour and 20 mins had passed. Rico now considered sitting in bush court and pen does his essay since typing was out of the question. 10 meters away from the exit.. he meets Catherine! After a brief conversation, Rico found himself walking back toward the EH Labs as a saftey precaution just so his internet quota would not be used up. LO! the lab was still locked.

"Fated to the pen down my essay" returned to his mind as he trekked back to Bush Court. As his eyes scanned the court for a decent tree to sit under, his eyes fell upon Tracey Choy, worship leader from his church and someone he really needed to talk to regarding the skit that was happening the coming sunday.

A conversation and long queue behind the photocoyping machine later, the time was 1515hrs. Rico was going to meet Nat at 1530hrs. "15 minutes should be decent enough to get a good point penned down," he coaxed himself.

He found his tree, removed his notepad and pen from his bag, had a seat - just in time to look up and see Nat walking toward him.

The study above has most of the ingredients to the art of wasting time. Unplanned activities, impulsive decisions and also distance between buildings. However it may not be all conclusive as the duration of two hours (of present life) maybe considered negligable to some.

This study would be good at analysing and understanding smaller scales of the given art of time wasting. This study was henceforth named the Ricov Model of Wasting Time.

2007-04-06T21:09:00.000+08:00

Saviour King
6th April 2007, 2100hrs @ home

Let the weak say I have strength
by the Spirit of power
that raised Christ from the dead

Let now the poor stand and confess
oh my portion is Him
And I'm more than blessed

Let now our hearts burn with a flame
a fire consuming all for Your Son's holy name
and with the heavens we declare
You are our King

We love You Lord
We worship You
You are our God
You alone are good

Let now Your church shine as the bride
that You saw in Your heart
as You offered up Your life

Let now the lost be welcomed home
by the saved and redeemed
those adopted as Your own

We love You Lord
We worship You
You are our God
You alone are good

You asked Your Son
to carry this
the heavy cross
our weight of sin

I love You Lord
I worship You
Hope which was lost
now stands renewed

I give my life
to honour this
the love of Christ
The Saviour King

2007-03-29T10:59:00.000+08:00

Fire
29th March 2007, 1100hrs @ home

I'm sure this question has been posed to you many times, in the event of a fire. What will you remove from your house? And frequently I'd say, guitar(s) as my primary answer.

Then their question would proceed to, what you remove from the house would be what means the most to you, what has your heart what has captivated you or is still captivating you. And obviously there is a politically, spiritually and physically correct answer.

Last night Uncle Quincey comes in my room and says "Rico we gotta get outta here, fire at the neigbours".

So I jump off bed. And this was the sequence.

1. Put on fresh undies
2. Put on hat
3. Take wallet and mobile
4. Put on ring
5. Split

This was followed by spectating a burning car at the adjacent neigbours place for about half and hour and watching the fire department in action.

And it came to my mind, "2 years of service comes to naught with 2 mins of these guy's (firemen) jobs."

The smell of burning rubber, petrol and whatever else was in the car, wow adreneline pumping, and no where else to release it. Rico stood in silence on his front lawn and watched the car burn.

"zero zero this is zero three charlie message over!"

"zero zero, send"

"charlie, alpha's been wiped out over"

"zero zero, how the heck did that happen"

"charlie, alpha were first platoon in, killed by toxic fumes from all the burning cars over"

If one car could give out fumes like that, I don't really want to imagine what it'll actually be like when a BUA (Built Up Area) get's artied (artilleried) before a battle.

But back to the main point now. Seriously.. what will you bring in advent of a fire. I reckon if my house was on fire I'd react differently but still.. A change of undies????

2007-03-27T22:17:00.000+08:00

Walking Away From the Woman
27th March 2007, 2230hrs @ home

Well I'm still reading Wild at Heart by John Elderedge, and some of you may say, 'ooo rico you're such a slow reader'. Which I would have to agree with, but also it's my way of reading I'd say. I'm not a fuss about finishing a book in 2 days, but you know, soak it in, apply what u'z reading.

So this is my rendition of the chapter tt's really been speaking to me, probably preach on it one day.

As we begin to turn away from the false self, we'd feel vulnerable, exposed. And as much as we know, that the free self, the one that is empowered, forgiven and victorious in Christ, is the true self, the fact that we're human and living in the world causes us to think otherwise.

We seek comforters, we seek different things to tell us who we are. And for the male, at times we look to the female for our sense of masculinty. It only makes sense don't it? Binaries - one can only exist because of the existence of another. WRONG. We must walk away from her as well. Do not get this part wrong though, do not leave your wife, or girlfriend or your love interest, leave the part where she validates you, leave the part where YOUR MEANING is derived from her. YOUR MEANING IS DERIVED FROM GOD!

The masculine journey will always take a man away from the woman. This is in order for him to return to her with the question answered, not with the question. A man does not go to a woman to get his strength, rather to offer it.

Ponder this point. There was a period of time in Eden when Eve had fallen into temptation and Adam hadn't. And there came a point when Adam had to choose between God and Eve. Imagine what ran through his mind, just think of what possibly went through. But we all knew the ending.

Adam chose Eve.

Who will we choose today?

2007-03-25T23:23:00.000+08:00

Wise Words 2
25th March 2007, 2330hrs @ home

I should really be studying. Those words sound pretty wise and logical, but that's not it.

Being 'fruitful' when understood in original Hebrew context does not only mean, for argument sake, a tree which has capability to produce much fruit.

It actually means, the tree's capability to produce more trees. wow

Hopefully that gives you insight to the next time you use fruitful in your spiritual lives and in church. It is quite a powerful word really.

That was from Pastor Ken Lee's sermon this morning. Jesus loves...

2007-03-13T21:22:00.000+08:00

Wise Words
13th March 2007, 2222hrs @ home

"In order to sacrifice, there must be love"

"We can't love, if we don't show"

Wise words by my senior pastor, Pastor Joel Chelliah, during his sermon on Sunday.

2007-02-27T22:04:00.000+08:00

Spend Spend Spend
27th Feb 2007, 2330hrs @ home

To spend as stated from www.dictionary.reference.com, would be : to use up or pay out (money). And I tend to find this brings about negative implications to the depletion of my funds, it tends to bring about an air of splurging.

I will hence attempt not to put myself under any scrutiny or possible backlash, so I'll just say, "There's always something to buy, or something that needs to be bought, or something you WANT to buy."

There is:

a whole stack of A4 size papers, a great big two hole punch, a great big stapler, a nice big black file, a better writing pen, a sharpener for the Justina Christmas pencil, ink cartridges, blank CDs, pencil lead, cute metal ruler.

Footlong BMT with meatballs and double cheese on honey oat bread, subway double choc cookies, kyneton guava and peach drink, brown's mocha chill, brown's coffee chill, large double quarter pounder meal, kfc wickid wings meal, sausage sizzle, 18 pack of solo, 6 pack of coke, carton of milk, can of V, Mrs. Mac's pie, polo chicken and rice in the Murdoch Chinese food store.

Colouring of hair to jet black, hair cut, Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner, Garnier Fructis hair mudd, Clean and Clear face wash and toner, nice great big bag of starburst lollies, big bag of smith chips, uncle toby's granola bars, sandwich bread, bacon, ham, cheese, butter, domino's pizza.

New pair of glasses, new pair of sunglasses, metrosexual looking shirt, t-shirt and polo tee, pair of tennis shoes, raquet strings, tennis balls, rental of tennis court, petrol, car maintainance costs, new speakers, new gear shift knob, cricket bat, cricket ball, Freo dockers scarf, Freo dockers t-shirt, Manchester United jersey, Wallabies jersey.

Great big Fender Amp, small az Fender frontman amp, guitar strings, guitar picks, effects pedals, headphones, new skateboard, a boomerang.

wow....... and the list goes on

2007-02-22T23:17:00.000+08:00

Funny Az
23rd Jan 2007, 1230hrs @ home

Now these are a compilation of pictures taken at random. They're broken into 2 parts.
___________________________
Part 1:

Now this would hit home for most of you army boys. Yup they need a reader in uni to teach you how to do SOC.

There was a time when Darryl earned the 'worst parking award' (please view http://www.friendster.com/photos/3316037/0/822071694#pic=38500928728639 ), Nathaniel evidently has emplaced himself unto the throne.

This is serious aight. This pen was left in my car from the period between 1145hrs this morning till 1400hrs in the arvo. The midday heat and the greenhouse effect in my car caused this pen to warp.. cool az..
I just think this face warp of nat is simply hilarious.
___________________________
Part 2: These are pictures that I found in my drawer that've been lying in Australia waiting for my return for the past 2 years. The quality's kinda tacky cos they're re taken using my phone.

Back when xiao mei was really... like yea.. xiao mei. Sera's the one on the left mind you.
Back when Darryl was still slim and Aaron was still a kid.

When Garden Tech Football Club were still united. When Ah Wei was still single, Hakim stayed at terrace, Rakesh earned the title 'Paleri', Vivek still unchanged and Ganesh still in primary school.

2007-02-18T22:28:00.000+08:00

Last day of non-studenthood
18th Feb 2007, 2330 hrs @ home

Here's another song that has been speaking to me, it's by Christian City Church from the Great Is Our God Album. Have a listen if any of you can get a hold of the song.

Free

With You I am free
You give me no worries
Like the sun you warm my heart
and I'll follow without a doubt

Now I'll face a future hand in hand with You
And Your Spirit freshens my soul like waters new
Your peace it stills my busy mind
You are holding me

Everything works out for good
for those who love the Lord
So blessed am I with You
Always, always, always

And I will not bow down to this world
I will praise Your name
For You are worthy
And I will not bow down to this world
I will praise Your name
For You are worthy

2007-02-16T23:28:00.000+08:00

Random Points
17th Feb 2006, 0030hrs @ home

Point 1 - Should anyone for some slim reason be holding a 3V button battery, mobile phone, wallet, car keys and was in need of doing something. Please do not, let laze overcome you; place the mobile in your pocket, wallet in your back pocket and hang your keys.

DO NOT - in light of trying to free your hands, place the 3V button battery between your lips, and continue doing your stuff. This would in fact cause a closed circuit to be formed, between your upper lip and lower lip, it does not help if you are earthed to the ground. After about 30 seconds or so, you would feel a tingling sensation, which would lead to pain, and a sore lip for about half an hour.
_______________

Point 2 - Things said at random can be extremely hilarious, for no reason and can stick for ages. So this is it, me, Nathaniel and Michael Bing were chilling by the field.

Nat goes, "Let's race to the goalposts."

Rico says, "I'll win."

Michael says, "I've got a phone."

A few moments later, after witnessing something close to fight.

Rico, "look at that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force, Matthew 11:12. whoa, that's like something out of 'Wild at Heart'."

Michael goes, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye."

2007-02-13T22:56:00.000+08:00

Wild at Heart by John Elderedge
14th Feb 2007, 0003hrs @ home

A Beauty to Rescue (Excerpts) :
Romeo has Juliet, King Arthur fights for Guinevere, Robin Hood rescues Maid Marian - A man wants to be the hero to his beauty. What would Robin Hood and King Arthur be without the woman they love?

"Don't be afraid.. fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives, your homes," Nehemiah 4:12-16

You see, it's not just that a man needs a battle to fight, he needs someone to fight for. The battle is never enough, a man yearns for romance. I'ts not enough to be a hero, it's that he is a hero for someone in particular.

2007-02-07T10:03:00.000+08:00

So shall be the first post in Australia
7th Feb 2006, 1100hrs @ home

Now, i'm going to put aside my somewhat warped views about blogging in which - as most of you all know, I dislike the use of the blog to be one in which goes - ok, today I did this, then I did that, then I did this too, O did i tell you, I did this too and now I'm tired, I want to sleep.

But yes, my view of a blog is that is should be one of those reflective surface thing - well sue me if you think otherwise, or get me a diary with a mirror for a cover or something.

Yup, I will actually go through in manner as chronological as possible, what I have been my tidings since stepping back into this beautiful country since the the 3rd of Jan.

The Wedding

So I had the honour of attending both the wedding reception and dinner of the newly weds, Peter and Eudora Hammer. A very sweet wedding, very nice, where we got to see Eudora's brother, yes the one with the 'act cute' look on, 'sia suay' himself jialat jialat, but well, kudos to him and also a very big congratulations to both Pete and Dory. This one's for Weiping - I still think your wedding has and was the nicest one that I have attended in a long time. Peace brother. A special thank you goes to Fred, Jordan and Andrew for the really good looking G2000 coat they got for me for my birthday.

Planet Shakers '07
Well, I also got to attend Planet Shakers Conference '07, which really rocked pretty good, there was this awesome speaker Chris Hill, who was simply awesome, should I get any of the sermons I'll send some back or something. Some of you may also know the whole offering story thing - please refer to Gerald if you have not. Play the video on the side panel, that's the opening sequence of Shakers 07. it's really nice, but it's tacky cos the vid quality isnt good.

The Cleanup
I spent something close to one week packing up my room which has not been packed in the past 2 years. Actually spotting things that I was searching for in Singapore and so on, some cool toys from the past, you know the works. For those of you who wanted to know what i looked liked with bigger hair, or a fro like thing here it is.

The Pet
So one day I see this shadow run past the floor of my living room and I thought I was imaging things. Lo it was this spider about the size of 2 Australian 50 cent coins. So it freaked me a little, but its my pet now. Enter, 'The Killer'.
I spend half my time at home in search of smaller spiders to feed it. After spending 10 bucks on a pet container for it, it passed away 3 days ago. God knows why, but yea, think it ate a bad spider. bugger me.

The Job

Yes ladies and gentlemen Rico is back at working at Subway eating the healthy diet with more that 8 subs sold with less that 10 grams of fat. Gerald, you should go some. LOL. On the first they do it a fit on first day 'geh kiang'ness, an accident happened. ouch,

The Pictures
Been trying in vain to get a couple of nice pictures of the sunset out - cos the sunsets here are breathtaking, it's time to get my dad's SLR out.

here's a poser one of me, Lionel and Linus before we 'raced".

The Fish
Well got to go fishing as well, just once though, and much to my dismay there has been a draught on the catches since I've been gone, and my return did not bring better tidings for the fishermen either. The only thing I caught was this really nice picture over Kwinana Beach.

The Car
Enter the '95 Ford Festiva Trio aka The Little Red Monster (ok sorry Alvin that was taken from you). I've been back a month and it's been to the mechanic twice, so much for a monster. Well at least I have a car, much unlike some people with a license, without a car, and yet steals my iTrip and in turn results in my having to purchase a new one.

So that's all for now people, God bless ya all.

2007-01-04T01:04:00.000+08:00

6 Days and counting
4th Jan 2007, 0100hrs @ home

So well this is draft one of my farewell poem thing, sounds a lil tacky i'd say, but it puts some of my feelings in a nutshell, so I'm happy. I'd prob do some edits on it soon enough.

Wanted to do one of them, "ooo arty farty" things for this entire occasion. have a read.

What calls?
A land of blue seas and skies
In the summer, brings many flies
It calls my name, beckons me to return
O the name, sounds like heaven

What leaves?
A place where 18 years I've spent
Too where, many emotions hound
Not only sadness I meant
But where too, joy I've found

What brings?
But go I must to this beautiful land
of golden soils and countless beef pies
Still, there maybe, I'll take my maiden's sweet hand
But a future yet unknown, therewith lies

Absolution
"Come what may" I shall say
To the future that's blurry and gray
But to one thing I will cling
Is the grace relentless, my God brings

2007-01-03T01:58:00.000+08:00

Batam
3rd January 2007, 0200hrs @ home

This gonna be a fast one; me, my dad, gerald and his mum went to Batam today to get one of them full on body massages, which well, rocked right. ok the main point, we were at this shopping mall right, and ok, they were playing malay music.

So much like chinese songs played over the air in most places, and most of you comprehend, I understood everything that was over the radio, though to gerald and his mum, it would have been the greatest gibberish.

But there was this one song, that went

Apa rasanya,
Bila saya perlu meninggalkanmu
walau saya cintaimu
rasanya harus berhenti

ok that was the main jist yea, and i wrote it in malay, just to parade my, still functioning (in)ablity to write in malay.

It goes,
what is the feeling,
when i have to leave you
when i still love you
but this feeling has to end

ok so i was kinda hit hard by that song, for some reason or another. I'm shaking it off now, shake if off mate.. shake it off...

2006-12-29T02:59:00.000+08:00

The Greatest Gift
29th Nov 2006, 0340hrs @ home

I shan't ramble, I'll keep it simple. This is a song by Hillsong London called The Greatest Gift. I would upload the mtv or something, but I can't seem to find it on youtube or anywhere, so make do with the lyrics, if you want the MP3, ask me, I'll send it to you.

It's a song that's been speaking to me this entire Christmas season which I will write about in another post on another time, hopefully before the new year.

Once again, I'm brought back to a time when, I, so undeserving, so lost, was embraced by the arms of the Almighty. Where faith once diminished was restored, where dimming passion began to burn bright again. Where a heart so cold, began to mellow and see the love of the Savior again, and began to love again.

So this one's to all who's hurting out there. Your God is big, He's strong, He's mighty. It may be hard to see, or feel, but you know it's true, cling on to it. He loves.

The Greatest Gift
Hillsong London
Jesus Is

Condemnation falls away
Never more to call on me and I am clean, yes I am clean
The powerful work of you in me
Breaks the chains of guilt and shame and I go free, yes I go free

I take them to your cross and leave them there
Captured by this grace I’m free at last

It is the great gift of Your salvation
Working in me, working in me
It is the life giving taste of heaven
Your kindness revealed, Your kindness revealed to me

It’s the greatest gift of all
It’s the greatest gift of all
It’s the greatest gift of all

Your mercy’s pouring down on me, Your mercy’s pouring down on me
And I am clean, I am clean
Your mercy’s pouring down on me, Your mercy’s pouring down on me
And I go free, I go free

2006-12-14T15:53:00.000+08:00

Conflicting Views
15th Dec 2006, 0130hrs @ home

Wow.. I've finally got the inspiration to write again. Now this is not taken from anywhere, it's my rendition of things in a Star Wars format. This IS understandable, so have a read
******

The airtight doors wooshed open sending a spray of compressed air onto his face. The familiar scent of the Jedi Council, so high above Coruscant, entered his half clogged nostrils. The Jedi Council - a place he's been to so many times.

"What brings you to us today Master Rilo?" questioned the domineering Master Jedi.

"I assume you already know, Master, with your high level of Jedi Mastery.." Rilo replied

"As fiesty and rude and disrespectful as ever, that, I don't need to sense"

"Me aside Master, I come regarding my padawan."

"Your padawan? What has he done this time?"

"It's more along the lines of what can be done," noting the cynicism in the Master Jedi's voice.

"As you already know, Jedi have been asked to sector 4 of the Pia Speela System. I've been invited to be deployed."

"Yes that I already know.."

"I want my padawan to come with me, as a Jedi Knight"

"No.."

"Why?!" he bulleted back, despite knowing already the reply.

"He is not ready.."

"He IS ready..."

"He is not!" replied the Master Jedi, with strong emphasis on his firm state of disapproval.

"I think I would be in the right place to know, I AM his master after all."

With his deep blue eyes piercing through Master Rilo's

"Who else agrees?"

"Master Skye"

"That only makes 2.."

"So there ARE people who agree with you?" sensing how much of a losing battle this was.

"Master Ruahl's train of thought is apparently contrary to yours and Master Skye's"

"She whaat? What does she know?? What would she know?"

The mild irritance that was evident in Master Rilo from the very beginning of the conversation began to errupt.
Wave after wave of frustration swept through him like the countless waves of droids the Empire sent out.
Every moment of Jedi training he ever underwent led him to this point.
One where he did not have to fight the enemy, but head on against his master and the council.

"What would she know about my padawan? Tell me master, apart from your judgements about his current state, what else is there?"

"It is everything."

"In that case Master Jedi, there is nothing else that I could possibly say. Your time has been very much appreciated."

Channeling every bit of Force knowledge he had, in controlling his patience, he about turned with a elegant yet aggressive swish of his robes.
Pulling on his hood he strided out of the council, his boots clicking behind him.

2006-12-12T00:43:00.000+08:00

The Pang Seh
13th Dec 2006, 0100hrs @ home

The ticket lies in an envelope,
left in a file on a table in a house
The papers completed, signed and filed

The miscellaneous items,
stowed away in boxes,
in random spots in the house,
bracing, for the inevitable dust

clothes lined up,
only the nicest survive,
only the most comfortable survive,
in earning the utmost honour

The unwanted, disowned
Cast into the unending darkness of the chute
Left by the dumps, beckoning to be called upon again
Never to be seen or heard of again

10th January 2007, 0910hrs
The chosen date, the chosen time
The Pang Seh is complete

2006-11-26T19:53:00.000+08:00

Angel
26th Nov 2006, 1950hrs @ home

Having your iPod or any MP3 player for the matter playing at shuffle can bring back some memories. Especially songs; for me it works when I get to listen to an old (well I don't mean Kent Henry old) but say a song that I used to play when I was in Perth - like something out of United's 'To the Ends of the Earth' of Shakers' 'My King'.

But quite interestingly, I stumbled upon a song by Sarah Mclachlan that I once loved so much called Angel:

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

For one like me who got lifted out from a dark pit of depression that I pretty much suffered alone, the line, "You are pulled from the wreckage, Of your silent reverie"
actually means alot to me.

For one thing, I thank my God so much for being the true one who lifted me up from the pit.

Another thing I thank God so much for would be all the 'angels' He's sent these past few months. People who've loved me and stuck through thick and thin with me, and also all the new people He's brought into my life, who I love so so dearly. Well you all know who you are..

"Sarang Haeyo" people

I'm off to church camp, see you all in 4 days, hopefully I can tap some wireless from the hotel in Malacca. Peace out and sarang haeyo once again.. I love that phrase.

2006-11-25T23:23:00.000+08:00

The Beautiful Day of the Lord
25th Nov 2006, 2320hrs @ home

I've actually spent quite a bit of time thinking about what to actually post. I'd arrow this block to the fact that I've been down with a pretty bad flu over the past week.

An interesting feeling to be sick gain, it just brings you back to a point where u gotta depend heaps on God, esp when a simple flu could leave me bedridden for a day. You just learn to depend on God to be your strength once again, and once all's done you just look back at it and you say, "whoa, my God is an awesome God!"

Now today, I got to see the sun again, having spent a better part of the week at home due the flu or under shelter cos of the heavy rains, refreshing is the word. I remember being on the MRT along the way to church looking at the beautiful sky, and everything just so clear and whoa!

And it kept on ringing in my head "His mercies are brand new everyday! His mercies are brand new everyday!!" and you feel so recharged and energised, and so blessed, so happy. whoa I love my God. haha. So that's the quote of the day people...

"His mercies are brand new EVERYDAY!!"

On a totally different note altogether, gotta say, on many occasions, what you wear can actually make you feel happy. For example today, taking into consideration the long trek from home to clementi, the trek from admiralty to church and the possibilites of the Speedlight room aircon to be down, I wore shorts and a t shirt - now that makes everything like, 100 x more comfortable? yea I'm happy.

Hence

Adidas Tennis shorts with a Formotion Sports Top - my ideal attire. Just as maybe some people like, I don't know who finds it comfortable - a purple long sleeve shirt, PINK tie and long pants, I love, my tennis attire.

Anyway to all you people, "Sarang Haeyo"

2006-11-24T10:31:00.000+08:00

An Ode to the Manpower Branch
24th Nov 2006, 1150hrs @ home
This one was actually dated 14th Nov 2006

After Speedlight and cell a couple of Sundays, me and Jeremy found ourselves sitting at at Koufu and later at church designing the our band t shirt, which is actually turning out to be pretty good. So boys and girls, I'm posting the image, have a look.We'll prob print it b4 I leave.

I'm really under the impression that I'd come under alot of flak from my fellow leaders and church leadership for this one, but what the hey, one for the road, before I leave. But I reckon we'll try to mellow it down a little, I still like it though. *You gotta click on the blank space below to view the picture*

Spent some time after that with some of my army guys at Marina where we went bowling and all. Now I've got to say that really did bring back quite a number of memories. Bowling, going for a one times solid solid dinner fighting over dessert.

As I sat in a certain silence between turns and later scoops of rice or forkfuls of noodles, I was slowing brought back to an office on the 3rd floor of the Basic Military Training Center School 2 Headquarters. Back to an office where men came and went, where newspapers were collected from, where the low rumbling, "EERRRR HUUURRGGHHH!!!" from the MPO was heard daily, where the good men from the BMTC School 2 Manpower Branch were at their element.

Loathing breakfasts at the cookhouse, but just eating it because it was free. Having Chuang making his 'wet and wild' float out of a piece of bread. Watching the COS's having their first parade, rushing to the office before boss actually reached.

Playing the guitars in my cubicle, ranging from my Yamaha Classical, to my Ibanez, to Alwyn's black guitar and finally the Fender Stratocaster. Dueting chinese songs doing ancient rock classics from the eagles.

C-A-N-T-E-E-N at 1000hrs, getting blasted because the whole branch disappeared. Rico fighting with SSM, CO, 2IC, TO and nearly every other senior officer or warrant officer around. Preventing Alvin from going for smoking breaks preventing him from eating double helpings, just so he can 'jian fei'

Going for a lunch time swim with Nat, Alvin, Alwyn and Ah Soon. Jordan nearly drowning on that fateful day in March, where he nearly drowned me while I trying to save him - So Jordan, everytime you choose to Bankai with your 'Qili Reverse Nod', don't ever forget I literally saved your life.

Coming back to office chlorinated and a tan line on all our butts. Forced to wear smart 4 again, finding a way to spend the afternoon away. Conducting peer appraisals for companies, scolding recruits who don't march right, kicking the metal cabinets in anger, throwing chairs across the office, smashing telephones.

Spending some time on the iNet computer playing what started off with Marvel vs Capcom, then the crazy alien killing game that Nat managed to crack, the moving on to watching Naruto and Bleach.

Soccer in the afternoons at the Raven Coy basketball court or early evening runs after the stupendous last parade. Having dinner at the canteen or SBL, followed by “Tong Xing Yuan” on Channel 8 with Log Branch or just searching for lame videos on Youtube.

Going back to bunk at 11 plus, shack out also still play either Nintendo DS or PSP until happy. Taking a shower and midnight, doing pushups in the toilet before showering just so Nat could work on his "chest". Picking up flying insects and throwing them into the purple insect killer. And doing everything all over again the next day.

This post goes out to all the men and women of the BMTC School 2 Manpower Branch from December 2005 to July 2006. The people I respected and those who in turn respected me - and many of whom I would have taken a bullet for. God bless all you guys.

BMTC School 2 Manpower Branch, Dec '05 - July '06

Captain (NS) Ng Chin Sen, Manpower Officer
2LT (NS) Ventura Enrico Jay, Deputy Manpower Officer
DX6 Susan Yong, Chief Clerk

LCP Soh Qili Jordan
PTE Sherman Tang
DX6 Ng Hwei Nee, Irene
3SG (NS) Chuang Kwang Wen, Documentations Specialist
3SG Khong Wen

3SG (NS) Alwyn (Stickman) Ng, Regimentation and Discipline Specialist
CPL (NS) Alvin (Ah Pui) Lim, Regimentation and Discipline Clerk
LCP Tang Zhongkan (Kiam Pah) Kamiyuki, Regimentation and Discipline Clerk

3SG Nathaniel Tan, Personal Affairs Specialist, Platoon Sergeant
LCP (NS) Lim Yong Soon, Personal Affairs Clerk

LCP Alex (Shredder) Yeo, Despatch Clerk

CPL (NS) Lim Wee Teck, ORD Clerk
CPL (NS) Han Jiajing, Documentations Clerk
LCP Ngo (Chao Kheng) Wee Han, ORD Clerk

2006-11-19T21:43:00.000+08:00

To Mothers
19th Nov 2006, 2145hrs @ home
This post is actually dated 18th Nov

Now I was on the way to church this morning, feeling an utmost low after a terrible night the day before. Just so many things happening, so tired, so many things to do and things... ah, well I shall omit.

So now here I am minding my own business on the mrt and comes along this mother and son pair, the son being only about 9 or 10 years of age. It's been very evident to me that since my mum's passing, I get many flashes of the past especially when I see things like these.

The kid, now he was engrossed in playing with his Game Boy Advanced, and concurrently, his mother was in fact trying to get his attention, trying to talk to him, tickle him, wipe his perspiration and simply baby him. A scene so familiar in my not very distant past. And this boy was simply disinterested.

In actual fact, I do no blame the boy, he's so young, probably doesn't know the weight of things. But for some reason I feel, I remember. I'm taken back to times when I simply brushed my mother off during the times she wanted to talk to me, when she wanted to show me love. And now it pains me.

At one point or another, when you know you're mum loves you, it becomes a constant and you think you don't really need to know more. My dear friends, please do not ever let that sink in, love your parents, love your mums, cos "There's no love closer to God's love than a mother's love"

This post goes out to my very great mother, Mrs Mona Ventura, a woman who lived a legacy, a woman who changed the lives at others, and who loved people whom she probably didn't know - but nevertheless.

It also goes out to all the "mother's" who've surfaced ever since my mum's passing - who've been there for me and have decided to step into my life and loved me.

To the "Mothers"

Sister Ling - I truly don't know what I've done to deserve the love you've shown me, to deserve the hugs and kisses you give me - also the sweets. What I've done, to be babied by you, but I thank you, I thank you for love so undeserving, yet you give it, thank you so much. Your love, your advice, your prayers, especially your shoulder during my darkest times. I love you so much Sister Ling.

Aunty Siew Hoon - You've been there since the very first day I started working at SE and though most of the time your form of love was not the baby baby sort, the fact of the matter was that you still loved - Your advice which so uncannily sound like echoes of my mum's advice some time back.

Aunty Jessie - For your kisses every morning, really.. that really makes it for me, every morning. The hugs, very cold jokesthat really remind me of my mum, haha. For your smiles,your loving truthful words. Thank you.

2006-11-19T21:41:00.000+08:00

That Red Light and 154
19th Nov 2006, 2130hrs @ home

So I've got 'B' Class License (Beng Class License) which was handed to be by Gerald, when in actual fact I have no idea what I've done to deserve, apart from some stupid things I've done which does not really warrant beng. Cos you see, stupid don't really warrant beng. And just cos I drive with the windows open, with Hillsong United blasting and the sports feel to my '93 Toyota Corolla, it's NOT beng. You will soon know when you get your license, little things like saving petrol by not having the aircon on and driving on thr right lane.

So the main point despite this 'B' Class License, there are only a few things that actually tick me off on the road. One of which would be the sparodic driver who's actually out to kill himself and in the process risk other people's lives, especially those that are in my car.

Next would be the pedestrian who proclaims doing the right thing by pressing the 'green man' button, whatever you want to call it and then crossing at first instant even before the green man comes on. This leaves a stranded driver stopping at the red light, with no one crossing, and the above mentioned probably already enjoying tea at home.

Now it's becoming more and more apparent to me that red lights are out to get late drivers and commuters. Many an occasion I'm rushing to say church, or my dad's rushing to get me to the bus stop, I really do not think it is a coincidence that every single red light from the one outside Tanglin Sec to the one at Esso and also the one at Clementi Interchange, would be... RED! It's a conspiracy.

This too would be evident the day me and Darryl were out to get a good dinner (at 11pm mind you)having not eaten anything since morning. With our impending hunger growing and our dinner destination unconfirmed, we encountered a whopping 3 green lights over a distance of west coast, to pasir panjang, to clementi, to bukit timah, to bukit batok, bukit gombak and finally choa chu kang, which could have totalled up to 30 traffic lights?? like I sai, it'a conspiracy.

Now, enter the legendary bus 154, for those of you who have taken this bus, you may in fact know what I'm talking about. Having been brought up taking 154, since the days in Taman Jurong till now, I'm very much (dis)pleased to say, NOTHING'S CHANGED!

So 154 was one of the last few busses to convert to a majority of air con busses, much to my dismay in secondary school when most friends got the comfortable 190 or 105. And the frequency of the busses are appalling! You can actually find yourself waiting for an hour for a bus, and we're not even in Australia. And in a day and time such as this, a friend of mine actually told me that just recently she had an encounter with one of those ancient, non aircon double deckered 154s. amazing..

But here's the thing, when you don't have a need to take the bus though, you see it EVERYWHERE! I mean it. Look! 154 in Boon Lay. O another one at Stevens Road. Look, one on AYE! errrr (not Ze Hao), 3 AT CLEMENTI???? another in like what? Aljunied? Another conspiracy I tell you.

2006-11-19T21:39:00.001+08:00

Well it's been a long time since I've actually posted, but here's gonna be a whole chunk of them. I've actually writtens stuff for this blog when I'm on the go or something, but never really got the time to post them. So yea, enjoy, if you wanna enjoy it.

2006-11-07T23:07:00.000+08:00

The Way of the Beng
7th November 2006, 2330hrs @ home

Slip on a pair of Darryl shades (which I lost), have highlighted hair, maybe throw on a Crumpler bag... supposedly that's 'beng'. I don't get it.

Now, let's get something straight... parachute band IS pretty good. At this point there are still quite a number of songs that I still do not like, because, fine it's not really the kind of stuff I'm really into, but STILL (which is also a song by Hillsong, covered by Don Moen *terribly*), they're pretty good. Wow, it was an awesome worship session and CHURCH WAS PACKED!!! al 4 levels, that makes errr, 8000 people?? niice. Here are some random pics from before and during the concert.

Me and Fi

Shane and Eileen

Jeremy more engrossed in the PSP

David going down the Road of the Punk

Me and Nat

Could remember whole lot of fatigue on Sunday morning, mainly due to the fact that I slept at what? 6am? doing the basketball presentation, now that took a lot out of me. 6 non stop hours, a night with MTV, a can of redbull and a computer crash later, I'm proud to present the Speedlight Basketball Video, thing, it's not really a video, not really that WELL done, but...

Remember my fatigue, it didn't really help that i was carrying, my laptop, a 1KG PACK OF RICE and Jordan's actual present all the way to church.

So we gave Jordan the decoy presents on the morning itself, much to his dismay? come on! it's the thought that counts right?

Decoy A: Gerald gives him a singlet and those 'uncle' spectacle strings. This one is mainly to bring out the uncle look in him, since he's already at it. Imagine (no no, not all the people), imagine Jordan in the singlet and the glasses string.. HAHAHA!!!

Decoy B: Rico gives him a 1kg pack of rice and a 'good morning' towel. Apparently Jordan used to make some so-called award winning fried rice, in which we as brothers have not tasted or even smelled for the past 1 year. Hence the rice should give him no excuse to cook it for us, not to mention the towel which he could use then he perspires in the kitchen, like the 'char kuay teow' uncle.. no?

But the reall present was given to him after service, in which a very time pressed and agitated Jordan received his true gift, the 'brother's picture' in a frame. Reckon it came as a shock, cos he actually thought the decoys were real. think he would have cried after my comment of, "We've been brothers for how long, dya think we're so kiam siap to buy you a 2 dollar present???"

Managed to get the songlist sorted out with Shane. So boys and girls, the confirmed worship songs will be 1 - Amazing love 2 - All for Love 3 - All I need is You 4 - All I want is You 5 - All for love (reprise) 6 - And now my lifesong sings.

Got to have a hit with Charl, Aish and Ganesh after that, in the RAIN? ok, now that was something. So this little girl called Charlotte right, never ceases to amaze me, it's been 2 weeks since I last saw her play and like, yup, her backhand drive has improved from like good to GOOD? to Charlotte: if you try to forget about style and just focus on some basics, you'll be really good. listen to me on this one, I've been there and done that.

But anyway, besides that I got a new haircut man, it's another one of my 'late teen crisis' thing,where I tell myself "Let's just do this when I still can" oooo.. such a rocker!

Well such things have gotten me the blatant 'beng' reply. It seems to me that I seem very much to be associated with that category ever since i coloured my hair. Gerald should you ever colour your hair, pierce ur ear or something, you're not getting any slack from me. But whatever... when else can u try stuff like this.

Today's Jordan's actual bithday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATE! As uncle as you are, as sometime kiam siap as you are; like wanting to have our weddings on the same day just to save cost, and as UNDERHAND as you are, it's been really cool watching you grow in faith over the past 1 year. and on many occasions, you've been some source inspiration, seeing you're desire and passion to serve our awesome God. Keep putting Him before you and trust in His ways, things will fall in place. "He's faithful to those who are faithful" Rock on dude!

This uncle shot is for you.

2006-11-04T23:37:00.000+08:00

The Boy Who Wanted to be BIG
4th November 2006, 2330hrs @ home

Little by little I find myself falling back into a state very much unwanted. A state in which I remember vividly from a time a couple of months back. A state in which everything in life becomes a blur, and a span of time just elapses without much consideration. One where I spent time being sorry for myself and sinking into a certain state of depression. A time in which I ended up doing countless of stupid things which I shall willfully omit.

A time where after close to 2 months of sinking into a pit so deep and so dark, so morose, was so graciously lifted out by the glorious hands and love of my Saviour. At a point where my fingers holding on to the slippery edge of life was at breaking point, where my spirit refused to believe in myself or anything else. Where love was something I had to do - and I questioned the meaning of love.

Love so unfailing, He picked me up and pulled me out. Revealing to me once again, the true love of God. Revealing the love the people around me had been showing me. And allowing me to love once again, and giving me new people to love.

And there is a certain sense of frustration to it when you're so graciously delivered AND you being falling back into the same pit! But this time, you're stronger, with greater faith to believe. So when you begin sinking, you can almost immediately stand up and pick yourself up. And I'm reminded of a story I read in Mark Buchannan's book:

Now, it's about a certain boy, who had a choice - to be really big, or really small. He chose, to be big, really big. And his wish was granted, and he became big. Bigger than the tallest mountain ranges.

He swam in the oceans as if they were a swimming pools. Plucked the tallest trees and used them as toothpicks. Kicked mountains as though they were ant hills. At one point or another, he simply got sick of it, tired.

Here's my bit of it: at the end of all that, the stuff he felt still remained. The pain he felt from a girl who doesn't share the same feelings for him, still remained. The loss of a loved one that haunts him on certain nights. The fact that he had a job to do still remained. That he carried the weight of leadership with him.

Now, it simply comes to show:

We don't need to be big to sort out our problems. We just need to trust in a God who is BIGGER than everything else.
Amen, I love my God

So in ending, I'm gonna share yet another song, that has spoken to me for many years, and made a reentry a couple days ago when my iPod was on shuffle.

Where the Love Lasts Forever
Hillsong United
Album: To The Ends of The Earth

Your mercy found me
Upon a broken road
And lifted me beyond my failing

Into Your glory
My sin and shame dissolved
And now forever Yours I'll stand

In love never to end
To call You more that Lord
Glorious friend

So I'll throw my life
upon all that You are
cos I know You gave it all for me
when all else fades
my soul will dance with You
where the love lasts forever

Forever I will sing
Lord forever I will sing
of how You gave Your life away
just to save me, Lord You saved me

Don't really mean to preach or bore some of you. I reckon in sharing stuff like this to both the known and unknown faces behind the many computer screens around the world, it could actually be of use to one of you.

Be blessed people.

2006-11-03T23:23:00.000+08:00

2 Complaints and a Refurbished Phone
3rd November 2006, 2345hrs @ home

Of late I seem to be setting records that I would really rather no set. One of which would be the whole 'eating in the same place' thing which has seemed to have stopped as of today. Just got to see who I'll be going for lunch with tomorrow.

But now on a note that is far from what one would consider 'lighter' (and I don't mean the zippo kind), I awake to the realisation that I've gotten 2 complaints from 2 different customers over a course of 2 days.

Customer A would be the dude who got wrong information from a different service center (note different) and expected us to do the same for him. After a very elaborate explanation which he refused to accept, which went something along the lines of him not getting a one to one exchange over the counter, I replied,

"This is our policy here, and I'm pretty certain the other service center follows the same, you may have understood wrong from them, but I believe that you believe otherwise. IN this case then, I would cordially invite you to send your product to them"

Well, he flipped, and left saying out loud, "I hate it when my integrity is questioned"

I think to myself, then do not put yourself in scenarios where they have to be.

So, he gladly tells my manager, "I'm not angry by the fact that I cannot get what I want, I'm just unhappy with the attitude your staff showed me"

I tell my boss, "He's unhappy with my attitude because he's angry at the fact that he cannot get what he wants".

Customer B would be some other dude who comes with a new phone, OK, so here at SE, we don't do one to one exchanges.

Fault: when the phone is locked, the keylock screen will appear, followed by his screensaver, and this will continue flashing, BUT this is an intermittent problem, hence I cannot see the problem. I asked, was this a very big problem, cos really, I'm thinking "Who in the world looks at their phones post locking??" But apparently, it's a huge problem.

I informed him, best I can do, reload the software.

He goes, "What?? Reload the software??"

Once again, I found myself in one of those dazes that I've been having spells of recently. And I caught myself thinking, "Yup, what more did you expect?"

Here's the interesting part, when I actually caught a hold of what I was thinking, I came to cold realisation a split second later, I actually said that out... hmmmmm.... Unhealthy these dazes are.

Well this dude makes a complaint to my boss this afternoon, and my sincere apologies goes out to this dude, some 'Florida's Natural Juice' Manager thing or something. If you're reading this, I would like to extend my sincere apologies to you, I did not actually have mean to say that, but well yea, I did, fine, but in a more tactful manner which I failed to jargonise before actually releasing it.

But now on a much LIGHTER note (and i still do not mean the zippo kind), my phone was returned to me today after about 4 glorious days of using a W810i. And to my delight, Kok Wah (the technician) actually did an entire refurbishment of my phone in which he replaced the entire front, middle and rear casing for me (this would cost $88.40 for customers). Also doing a thorough service on it.

Thanks so much Kok Wah, we've ragged each other down before, cussed at each other, but thanks mate, really. I'll get you that Black Forest thing from Starbucks you wanted - though you're pretty certain it's a drink, I'm pretty certain it's a cake.

This is Aunty Jessie's adhoc sketch of me over lunch in her vain attempts in breaking my train of thought.

2006-11-02T23:36:00.000+08:00

Something about Eating in the Same Place
2nd November 2006, 2345hrs @ home

Now if I remember clearly, I made a comment about how there was a point in time when I had the same meal from Burger King for 3 days consequtive.

This was followed by the Tori Q Set A, which I had for a record 4 DAYs in a row.

Now this would seem to be recurring thing after I've had Mos Burger's Yakiniku Rice Burger with a medium coke, large fries and corn soup for the past 2 days. I have this very weird feeling the same thing would be on the menu tomorrow. Interesting.

Anyway just to share some pictures me, Sharon and Jun Liang took over lunch yesterday. Maaann.. someone's not gonna be too happy.

After that spell of pictures I feel a certain stupor in wanting to get a pair of those very tacky, 'beng' and 'obiang' shades. If any of you get the hint, 30th of December is coming. something orange would be very much appreciated.

I had the privilege of having Darryl and Azmi for company over lunch today - as Azmi made the (un)wise decision of allowing Darryl to drive his Mazda 2 to my workplace. And Darryl making the congested passage from Dover to Orchard.

Now it is at this point in time when Darryl begins his antics all over again, which I have to say left us all in stitches. I'm under the impression this is why Darryl doesn't really like corn soup too much - cos he's drank enough in his lifetime to make himself as corny as he is.

Rico, "Where shall we eat? Mos? (Mos Burger)"

Darryl, "How can!!! You also not Muslim, go Mos (Mosque) for what??"

Darryl then finds himself in Coffee Bean, forking out $30.60 from his very slim wallet buying me and Azmi a chocolate brownie, some chocolate cake, a cheese cake, 2 mocha ice blendeds and a brew of the day. This was supposed to be some "here's treat as I passed my driving test" to us, but in my context it's "here's a treat to Rico for nearly wrecking his car and life the night before".

Darryl and I spend some time at the counter waiting for our drinks as there was some stuff up on the side of Coffee Bean dudes. Darryl flusters up and get's impatient, and some other customer, who probably frequents the place alot says, "they take time as the orders are given out at random."

Rico, "hmmm, thanks for the tip, we don't really frequent places like these all too much. We're just guys who drink 'teh ping' at hawker centers"

Azmi, "Hmmm, it may not be a wise idea to drive to bras basah, traffic's gonna be very heavy along Orchard Road"

Darryl, "OF COURSE HEAVY LA! Cars also where got so light!!"

3 of us spent the next 5 minutes in non stop laughter drawing much attention from the surrounding people, probably breaking a couple of muggers' trains of thought.
Darryl and Rico - Mugger Enemy Number One

2006-11-02T23:18:00.000+08:00

Halloween - Strange things Happen
2nd November 2006, 2315hrs @ home

Halloween day, the 31st of October would be a day to be greatly remembered. A day where despite massive time constraints, managed to complete quite a number of tasks which on a normal day, I would either have not had the time to complete, could not have bothered to complete or simply would not have been able to complete.

This very incredulous story begins with my previous post as a prelude to events. To set the record straight (not in the gay sense), the 31st was in fact my off day. Much to my dismay, I had Adrian, my boss, calling me back to work the night before. So we settled that I'd work from 11am to 4pm, just to cover over the lunch time.

Work saw me moulding enough chakra to probably summon out the Kyuube. Sleeping at 2, having to wake up at 0730hrs, driving from West Coast to Hougang, returning to work and having been down right insulted by a customer took a lot of control out of me. I don't think my statement of, "If you choose to believe and want to believe the fault lies in YOUR phone and not anything else, I assume there is nothing else I could say or do to make you think otherwise." This was followed by a blatant "shut up!" from the dude. But Amen my Lord saw me through.

Managing to rush home from work at 1600hrs with the much (un)enriching company of Darryl, I found myself all dressed up for my very much anticipated hit with Ganesh. 1715hrs found me outside a locked tennis court which was supposed to be open by 1630hrs. Me and Ganesh played a match where the Head Flexpoint Radical emerged tops over the Wilson 6.3 Hyper Hammer. Of course Ganesh my man, you weren't using your racket, so that's always unfair aye? You're still an awesome player. We'll level out the score on a level plane someday.

Post tennis, Darryl and I made our way to the RC to linkup with Gerald and Fred for dinner, note, dinner. This would be at 1930hrs. It is at this point that the very sight of 2 friends playing snooker gets very very very very tempting. Awhile later, Darryl and I are starting a game of snooker on the adjacent table.

Bankai

Still on a high from the victory on the tennis court, I play Darryl, and surprisingly.. won. Kudos to Rico!

This was followed by a match with Fred, where I lost, very sadly, but Fred's improved heaps since he made the switch from pool to snooker.

Now here comes the really interesting part, that has me still mellowing down from it's apparent high.
Gerald for some reason Gerald wanted to play a match with me, and was not taking no for an answer - despite my famished state. How could I say no to my best mate though.

The first match saw me REIGNING VICTORIOUS over Gerald by 35 points! And trust me, this is no mean feat.

IN his very dazed and shocked state, Gerald demanded a second match. in WHICH!

I win again. Shocking, indeed, shocking stuff.
Gerald bro, I'm as shocked as you are.

Pointless: having little or no sense, use, or purpose
Same meaning can also be derived from having a HUGE dinner of Hor Fun, Fried Rice, Tofu and Prawn Paste Chicken after a solid workout on court. This can also be known as 'bo hua'.

Following this was a very action packed drive home in which Darryl having just passed his driving test was found to be driving my car home. Barely 500m down the road, nearly driving into the arse of a reversing lorry. So much for the comforts of being driven around. Day's end is marked by Darryl's rubbish parking at home.

2006-11-01T23:32:00.000+08:00

A Certain Street in Hougang
1st November 2006, 2330hrs @ home

0730hrs on the 31st of October, I find myself waking up (2 hours earlier than usual) gearing up to make journey to a side of Singapore that I never knew by name. A place that I could direct people by car, whose directions remained imprinted in my mind despite the unending road improvements over the years. A part of Singapore that I could reach only by car or taxi, having no clue whatsoever about bus routes much more my beloved MRT.

A place that I referred to for many years, simply as, "Atok Man's House". A place that I frequented for something close to the first 10 years of my life. During a time when Saturdays were spent watching an 'Eric Cantona era' English Premier League with an unmarried uncle and aunty, a grand aunt who once lived, and the legendary Atok Man.

Stepping into the house after a more that 8 year drought brought an interesting nostalgia, as memories lost in my endless stream of thought began flooding back. Memories of time when a different kind of stress plagued my little mind - a stress of being accepted by friends, of having the style, of taking the PSLE.

As I sat in an apparent daze, due to the lack of sleep, I began surveying the house that once, I deemed to be a second home. The ground, whose entire surface area I must have already covered as a child. The walls that still hung the same pictures and posters for the past decade. Everything looked so familiar yet so distant, so surreal, so dreamlike.

As faces of tha past just began flashing through my mind all over again, events just began unearthing themselves in my dazed mind. And I told myself, "This house has seen a lot huh".

A house that has seen me wear my red and yellow 'tumble tots' outfit to a point in time where I was on the verge of choosing Islam as a religion. Where I wore my Junior Scout Unifrom with the Arrows of an Assistant Sixer on my sleeve till a time when Manchester United won the treble. A place that has seen Abang Sharin get married, and Nenek Manis' passing away, Kakak Shareen's interesting courtship with Abang Omar and their wonderful marriage.

Countless events, happy and sad. Hundreds of people, from Indonesian visitors to Chinese men coverted to Islam. From the tasty Hari Raya goodies, to the spicy smells of Atok Man's speciality, Chillie Crab. The house remained the same; the same tiles, the same sofa, the same dining table, the same lights, the same Atok Man.

So shall continue to live, a certain man, in a certain unit, in a certain block, on a certain street known as Lorong Ah Soo, at the junction of Hougang Ave 1.

2006-10-29T22:22:00.000+08:00

The Sabbath
29th October 2006, 2315hrs @ home

It's amazing how I managed to wake up on time today or even drag myself out of the bed. I had problems sleeping last night, pretty big problems, only managed to get to sleep at 4.30am, which in fact isn't even night. For some reason, so many things were just flashing through my mind, and it didn't really help.

But cool stuff happens in the morning when I meet Gerald at the street opposite Koufu. He comes up to me and says, "Bro!! You know what I'm thinking??"
And this is pure truth aight, and I answer without thinking twice, "You wanna have breakky at Macs right?"
And he goes, "Spot on.."
This is the definition of pure brothers.

So I just I eat Egg MacMuffins because they come with ham, and ham and cheese is nice. BUT, I don't eat egg in that 'sunny sunside-up' format see. SO, Gerald got to have a Sausage MacMuffin with Egg(s)

Anyway, at one point or another, when one is tired and has a splitting headache, due to the lack of sleep, (s)he would tend to do something to stay awake. And in the advent of forcefully closing ones eyes, partaking of candy and mindless soliloquy (Swaminathan, D., 2006) to no avail:
Enter: MR Headless Fender

Leaders cell today was very spirit filled, and I really thank God and Shanon for having that session. I've been really wanting a session like that for pretty much some time. I've been having this hunger for the presence of God for the entire week and this just brought everything to the max for me.

Leaders of the Transformer Cell - Shane, Me, Eileen and Rachel

But all in all, I've really been wanting to put the stuff I've been reading in Mark Buchannan's book, 'The Rest of God' to use. But sometimes it's so hard, and well, time consuming. But as he mentioned in his book, we wanna get rid of the 'taskmasters' in our lives, the things that beckon us away from finding the spiritual rest we require and start drawing us back into the world. We're outta Egypt now! We're no longer bound to the taskmasters of Egypt who force us to labour, but we are free from bondage, and rest in Christ can be taken as an when we please and require.

And I'm glad that I managed find rest in the Spirit today, something so awesome and peaceful. Up in faith, up in strength for the coming week ahead! Fire ahead for God!!

2006-10-28T22:47:00.000+08:00

Thank You
29th October 2006, 0003hrs @ home

I've spent the past 2 hour staring into this screen typing out this entire entry about how customers can be such a pain and so toublesome. Demanding things when on many occasions the fault lies in their own negligence, for example cracking their LCD screen and dropping their phone in water.

But after awhile, of thinking and well, praying, I figured it was not the best thing to do. It just builds so much, spite and unnecessary resentment in oneself. Not all that healthy when it's your job and not only that, a job that's been provided by my Lord God.

Reflecting (without the aid of a mirror or any shiny object for the matter) and looking through how God has led me through rough times and even the circumtstances I face now. How His promises are yes and Amen, for the fact that He makes all things beautiful in His time, I can only thank my Lord.

So today I reckon I'll just share yet another song. This one by Christian City Church Youth, called Thank You:

Thank You, for the promises You give
For the gift of life You gave
Always I will sing Your praise

Thank You, for the chance to live again
For Your grace that never ends
Always I will sing Your praise

Hallelujah, my beloved King

You mean everything to me
You're all this world can ever be
Your name reigns in my heart
You're all that I depend on
_____________________________

Daily, I thank my Lord for everything He's done for me. And it moves me to tears.
Grace and love so amazing, that to my knees I must fall.
For the people around whom I love so much (You all know who you are)
For the love they show me.

For all the things He's provided.
Simply for letting me live,
for saving me when I don't deserve it.

You bought my forgiveness

2006-10-27T23:05:00.000+08:00

Day Off
27th October 2006, 2315hrs @ home

The morning was marked by the ending of 2 Naruto Movies. Having started screening at something close to 4am and Rico having interrupted sleeps by the sparodic "Rasengan", "Chidori" and some other forms of jutsu, and Gerald unpresidentedly waking him up at 0530hrs to load the second movie, both brothers found themseves having a rendition of breakfast at the Ayer Rajah Food Center at 1130hrs.

Back to First Person
Went back and completed some of my paper work for my university application and made my medical appointment for Monday morning. Met Ally after that to get the pictures from the Speedlight Basketball Competition from sometime back for me to start making the video compilation of the event. Now I've got this video added to my to do list - which seems to be the only thing that has a deadline... so gotta get something started soon, some help please... INSPIRATION!!

Met Charlotte after that where she made many (good) attempts in winning the game. Would reckon she would have won if I had not kepy my guard up. Scary, well done Baby Face, you're making tremendous improvements. Today would also mark the 3rd Consecqutive day that I've eaten the Tori Q Set A for lunch. Don't really think I'm actually sick of it yet, we'll see if I have to have that for lunch tomorrow. I'm under the impression the probility is quite high.

Subsequently we went for a walk from Wisma to Plaza Singapura, call me evil, I'm sorry - one of my (un)wise plans. Reckon she was not to pleased about it anyway. Shan't give the I'm an army guy reasoning.

Anyway, got a chance to go for a hit with Dody today after I got back at about 9ish. Been wanting to do so just to get some hits off my Flexpoint Radical which is worth every single cent. THE BACKHAND IS BACK!!

"God is bigger than, the air I breathe, the world we live,
God, will save the day, and all will say,
My Glorious"

Big Amen to that one

2006-10-27T12:53:00.000+08:00

To the Snooker and Naruto Fan
27th October 2006, 1310hrs @ home

Kuchyose no Jutsu
The summoning technique in Naruto that requires the user to sign an ancient scroll in their own blood and end the signature with a handprint, also in their blood. Subsequently, they form the seals of the Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey and Ram, allowing them to summon an animal to aid them during battle.

Kudos goes to Gerald for coming up with the idea of fusing some Naruto alongside Snooker, especially during times when he gets his funny bone tickled by the fact that I can't reach more than a quarter down the table.

*for those of you ignorant ones, a snooker table is actually substantially bigger than a pool table, yes they ARE 2 different games.

So, Gerald's brilliant idea of summoning the rest coupled with Rico's MacBook and video editting prowess, we're proud to present you with the Kuchyose no Jutsu video.

Please be patient, the first 10 seconds of the clip is just a black screen, just enjoy the music.

2006-10-27T02:54:00.000+08:00

Snook
27th October 2006, 3am @ home

Decided to walk home before joining Darryl and Gerald at the RC for snooker. Thought that maybe a shower would improve the game, the main reason was just to get the car, so there were more options for post snooker.

Stuff from here on, get pretty much random. It was one of those interesting nights in the RC taking into consideration our prolonged period of absence from the place due to many of our own reasons. For me it was really awesome being back there after something close to a 2 week break. Or rather the very slapstick nature that Darryl airs was just a little too much to handle. veeeery interesting.

Something to be proud of, I actually won a game today. Not that I'm entirely the sucky player that Andrew portrays me to be, but rather, Darryl and Gerald are just a cut above me in this sport - if u want to consider it a sport that is. But we'll settle this on the Tennis Court one day. eat that!

On an entirely different note, some love goes out to Darryl cos he's taken one of the first few steps to becoming an adult, with his successfull passing of his driving test today. He is now a proud owner of a Probational Driver's License. Good job mate, really I'm proud of ya. Truth be told, there is no need to get a P Plate without a car, lest you choose to have dinner on it, since it IS a plate...

At 1am in the morning a very tired set of friends found themselves in the 24hour West Coast Macdonald's having supper or rather dinner for one who went by the name of Rico. Herewith I would like to quote Darryl, who cracked one of the most original joke that I've heard from him over the past 8 years of our friendship. You'll need chair, trust me.

Macdonald's chick says, "What sauce would you like with that?"

Darryl replies, "Extra curry sauce and mayonaisse"

Rico adds, "Extra barbeque sauce please."

Darryl has to add as well, "aiyah!!! all the sauce that you have all also give la, all the SAUCEPAN, SAUCER and also the *FLYING FLYING ONE!

Some peace was gained when Darryl got too tired to even do anything. Amen for peace and quiet.

Me and Gerald'll probably spend the rest of the morning watching Naruto. OFF DAY TOMORROW!!

2006-10-26T16:41:00.000+08:00

Lunch
26th October 2006, 1600hrs @ work

Today marks the day that I've eaten the Tori Q, Set A for the second time in 2 days. One would think this was a sure way of getting sick of something really good. But kudos goes to Tori Q for their Set A, it's really good, try it sometime, sorry Div, but you're really missing out cos you're a veg, but I'm assuming you're not swayed aye?

This kinda reminds me of the time I had Bk for lunch for 3 days in a row and eating the same French Chicken Sandwich meal. Fine example of how one get's tired of something so good. Once with Aunty, then will Lil Miss Charlotte then with Jun Liang. I can't stand the sight of it anymore, but please do try it, it's actually pretty good.

But anyway, I was having a conversation with Auty Siew Hoon about my plans for tonight and the rest of tomorrow. So I mentioned, "Oh I'm going out with my friend" ie to say, Gerald, cos we were gonna snook tonight.

Then... She went oh "ni de peng you ah? shui? AH PUI ah??!!"

Once again, Gerald my bro, this one's for ya!

SNOOK SNOOK SNOOK SNOOK!!! 3 HOURS!! 3 HOURS!! 3 HOURS!! 3 HOURS!!

2006-10-25T23:39:00.000+08:00

Berserker Rage
25th October 2006, 2345hrs @ home

how interesting a day can be. had lunch with Phina today, and for some reason our conversation on the way back to work made a very much unexpected detour to my mum's last few months alive, since the time i got my chicken pox in April, till the time of her eventual passing in May, sigh, 20th May 2006. And for some reason i led her through some very vivd description of the proceeds.

I reckon when I finally returned to work, I was pretty much not in the right state of mind after that conversation with Phina, it brought back much memories, very much memories. The last Mother's Day, the song i wrote, the night with Linus and Alvin Tay and her last breath. Just makes me think, for the past 3 or so, I may have just forgotten, it's ok that i forget the process, but at one point I was so scared I may have just forgotten about my mum.

So I upon return I was faced with a customer who very much unhappy about his bluetooth headset whose mic cover broke off. Something that would take a day to fix was inadvertently extended by an undertermined period of time, since we did not have stock. The matter was aggravated by the unpresidented fact that every other SE service center in Singapore are unable to provide him his replacement.

And it's frustrating that when you enter the tech room, you're getting blasted all over the place with motherhood statements that don't really help at all. Statements like:
"Aiyah! Just tell the customer to wait!"
"Tell him... everywhere also don't have stock, what else can we do?"
"Simple la, tell him when ready that time we'll give him a call!"

That's just brief comments, which I usually get, and for some reason, today I simply blow. In a nutshell telling them,

"If I had not already told him a more tactful version of the above statements, and the customer bought what i said, I would not be in here"

Be aware that the above mentioned is a milder, less vulgar, lower toned and less frustrated version of the events that unfolded, which led me to blasting, Ah Tan (who somewhat deserved it), Chun Kit (who did not deserve it), Adrian (who i did not deserve) and Elizabeth (who so has been asking for it for so long) and a lil to Aunty Jessie as well.

Then comes the part when I give some to Aunty Siew Hoon.. hai. I spent about 15 mins just shaking on the chair trying to mould some chakra and cool down. The entire spell actually left me pretty much infuriarated for something to close to one and a half hours. Which left me feeling pretty low for somewhile.

It's during this time when God speaks, and in a song that I was listening to this morning, by Switchfoot, Meant to Live
The bridge goes:
"We are more that this world's got to offer"

And I tell myself, in Christ, I'm so much more than the way I acted, I'm so much more in Christ. And it's all cool. really.

Anyway, some love goes out to Lil Miss Charlotte, who made pretty decent attempts in trying to cheer me up with very "mature talk for a 13 year old". Impressed me quite abit.. Well done Baby Face

A lil bit more goes out to Gerald for reminding me we've not gone to snook for the past 2 weeks and settling to go tmr night.

All the love goes to my God!

2006-10-25T14:20:00.000+08:00

The Fluffy Guy
25th Oct 2006, 1430hrs @ work

Well, back to the story about Sabrina. We were on the topic of the friends that I had, and she was making reference to a certain person that I constantly hung around with. Which she referred to as THE FLUFFY GUY. And I'm thinking, who? Fred? and she's no... He does not look like a Fred, more like a Bernard..

So i said who? the stick man? ie to say, Jordan.. but she's like no, not him, Bernard, The Fluffy Guy. There's no Bernard in my click. hmmmm, ponders.

We leave the topic.. and I was talking about the things me and Gerald used to do. and she went... here goes nothing:

YEA!!!! GERALD!!! THAT'S THE ONE!! THE FLUFFY GUY!!!

I went.. diao... hahahaha, and I told her, well that's my best friend? The Fluffy Guy. Now.. that's new. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH, Gerald.. this one's for you.

And so, since we're on the a partial topic of linguistics, I actually like the Gerald made reference to their meeting Rachel and Sab during Miracle Service the other day.

"O Sabrina, I had an encounter with them in Miracle Service.."

Well done Gerald that's one up for you (Increase Agility), anyway, Sabrina that one's for you.

2006-10-25T11:46:00.000+08:00

Enter.. The Brothers
24th October 2006, 1330hrs @ work

So I was having this really funny conversation with Sabrina on the night of Tommy Emmanuel. It was about the certain clique if friends that I have in church. I'll make reference to that later.

Before I actually proceed with anything more, I'd just like to introduce some key characters in my life, as much reference will be made to them in my posts.

On the extreme left, we have Andrew, now.. he's the cell group leader of their cell, which was my old cell, but they split see, so he's the new CGL

Beside me and above, is Jordan Soh Qili, also known as stick man, but more commonly known as Uncle Soh.

Below him is the best bro anyone could ever wish for, my best man, my best mate, Gerald, the Jazz Frog

Next to him's Fred, he's the new guy, newest addition to the cell, awesome dude, capital fellow. Fred, the Hidden Talent

2006-10-24T23:09:00.000+08:00

Weddings
24th Oct 2006, 2330hrs @ home

A big congratulations to Joel and Cherry on their wedding today which i had the honour of attending. It was a really sweet wedding I have to say, nice and not very simple, but it does it. I mean it's a wedding, if they don't look nice there's gotta be something wrong.

Was attempting to use the 'Blog This' function on the new SE Z610i, but seemed to have failed, didn't want to bugger up any of my settings even before I start anything major. At one point or another I really do have to get myself one of these 3G phones.

"When you're a kid, you enjoy going to weddings, cos they look fun. As you grow older and go to weddings you tell yourself...... apparently not me..."
That's a quote (or rather my rendition of the quote) from my best mate/best man(since we're in this wedding context), Gerald when I was having this brief sms conversation with him thru the ceremony

Back to weddings, despite my immense lethargy throughout the ceremony, I could not help but begin to feel those pretty much unwanted feelings that I had subsequent to the last wedding I attended. Maybe the feeling wasn't as impactful as it was the last time cos I didn't really know Joel too well. But a part of me really am certain that it's tangible up in my spiritual growth through the course of these past few months.

I could remember pretty clearly, after Weiping's wedding that I felt a certain sense of, "ah... I aint going nowhere" and a bit of, "how lucky is he?". It's really not about me wanting to jump into marriage or anything, I mean, YES I am single. But it's the fact that I'm 20.. wooo hoo, well almost, soon to be. And I question myself, "there are so many single dudes older than you in this world and they're not complaining, why're you??"

I put the blame on impatience. My personnal impatience regarding these lil matters of life that at one point or another blow themselves huge, and bugger me up. And many times you so wanna just grasp the reigns of life and drive the chariot of your life yourself. But for many of us, it don't work that way, really it doesnt't. As much as it takes patience, and faith to wait on God, it also takes that same measeure in us to allow God to mold us into the person He wants us to be.

I'll close with this verse that speaks to me so much:
"To the faithful You show Yourself faithful"
2 Sam 22:26

Amen, my God is so Good.

2006-10-24T18:12:00.000+08:00

Here's a story for bass guitarists
24th Oct 2006, 1920hr @ work

So this was a joke that Tommy Emmanuel told during his concert yesterday night.
Think it was awesome, so yup guys, here's some musical humour for you all.

Just imagine now, a rock and roll concert, the band's doing awesome and stuff and there are people all around.

So the lead guitarist (someone like me) is doing his stuff and looking around and is thinking, "Aight! look at all the pretty girls around today.. I look good, Yea!!"

The drummer (someone like JJ or Isaac)is looking around and he's thinking, "Look at all these people! Imagine all the money we're gonna make tonight!"

And the pianist (someone like Min Shiung or Jeremy Wong, haha PASTOR PACER!!) looks around and he's thinking, "pmmmfft! I'm the greatest musician in the band!"

And the basssist (SHANE!!!), he's doing his stuff as well, and he's thinking, "C, G, C, G, C, G, C, G"

sorry about that Shane, you're still one of the best bassists I know. There you go some comic relief courtesy of Tommy Emmanuel.

2006-10-24T02:58:00.000+08:00

So shall be the first post of Rico
24th October 2006, 0400hrs @ home

Returned from Tommy Emmanual's concert couple of hours ago and i'm stoked man. It's been some time sinve I've actually seen, much less heard some awesome sounds off a guitar and our dear Tommy from our wonderful land of Australia quelled it all for me. He's whacking his guitar, doing some precision guitaring, fast fingers across the fretboard, ahh.... I was telling Timothy, a person like Tommy can cause a guitarist to do 2 things, strive to wanna do better or just chuck his guitar away.

But tonight was as pretty interesting night, Ally and Tim were on the other side of the row and i sat with Sab, whom for some time I've actually not had a heart to heart conversation with. But i'm under the impression she learnt a wee bit more about me, err herrm...

And so thanks to Nathaniel who actually passed me 3 of his CDs to expand my collection of music to populate my iPod, I've been listening to the new Planet Shakers album, Pick It Up and Switchfoot's, The Beautiful Letdown. And it's cool how so many of the songs are speaking to me. I'll share an exurpt of the chorus of one of Switchfoot's songs called On Fire:

I'm on fire when You're near me
I'm on fire when You speak
I'm on fire burning at his mysteries

For those of you who are getting me wrong, You refers to God. Just speaks to me so much after recovering from the low feeling I felt for the past 1.5months and God picks up, and burns the fire bright in me again. Couldn't help but really look to God and declare His sovereignty over and over again. I love my God..

So that was just a lil bit of sharing, haha

But well, I'll dedicate this first post to dear lil miss Charlotte, who's been the only one to successfully talk me into getting a blog, which truthfully I've been wanting to get for sometime, but just did not have the time or did not want to spare the effort to do so. But well you go baby face.. (ur gonna kill me)