how does it feel to be one top of the skyscrappers? haha.

i think what i find it to be fascinating about this singapore flyer is the dining experience in a revolving capsule. but it's defintely not going to one restaurant or place i would come often, having the cost in mind.

it would defintely be a great chill out venue, don't you think? it's like being in your own world with the hustle and bustle beneath you. That's also if there isn't a crazy queue for it. read more about it here.

{.Your love is extravagant.}






{.Your love is extravagant.}




doc says..

1. no sodas/carbonated drinks - means no coke. =(
2. no spicy food
3. no fried food
4. no beans
5. don't eat till your full, take small meals
6. no whipped cream
7. avoid sipping through straws and bottles
8. no chewing of gums and hard candy
9. try to eat/drink slowly
10. try to reduce the number of times swallowing
11. avoid milk/cheese/ice cream
12. no fizzy medicine - means no vit c tablets.
13. avoid gravy
14. no wheat products
15. no vegetables, especially root vegetables
16. no apples, banana, raisins, prunes, apricots

i'm sad.

that leaves me with.. porridge with dark chocolate?

to make it worse, i had my most-missed dish for dinns last night, the beef rendang. now i'm so uncomfy. the burps doesn't stop, and my throat hurts, and its making my chest hurt too. i'm the extraordinaireeee.

{.Your love is extravagant.}




reminiscing the happiest of days.

believe or not, nothing beats soaking up the sun or soaking in the water under the sun. after laps of swimming, i'm tired, i shall let the pictures do the talking.

peek of the day goes to.... *drumroll*

can you guess where this is.. it still feels like home to me.

with my tired wobbly legs, i walked all the way here to just breathe the air of biz park. haha.

i heart tp!

{.Your love is extravagant.}

{.Your love is extravagant.}






{.Your love is extravagant.}




i had a bomb of a time.

it never felt better reminiscing the past, and i sooo miss kc uniform. alright, i shall let the pictures do the explosion.



till we meet again, dear mellie jelly beannie and brainbombfreezebysophiaa-ling. =)

had supperrr with my favourite pair at simpangggg. woot~
the funniest thing is that we were all so full but yet we ordered one cheese prata, one prata bomb and one paper prata and that's beside the four glasses of drinks. madness la.
anyway, it was quite funny when (the seller)he said "longan, lychee, blueberry, bandung, lime?" to a tune. it's not just funny, it's hilarious. that's one thing i love about singapore, i love the down to earth people at the kopitiam. i can't imagine not having kopitiam uncles, aunties and ya you get the drift.

just the reply haresh will say.. ya velcome. hahaha.

even after getting all-ready to sleep, i couldn't stop laughing. my oh my. it really got me. thanks belle for the hand-made scarf. i really love it! =)

anyway, gotta head to the doctor's, there's something really wrong. i can't stop burping. just imagine since vision night. yes, vision night.

i'm imagining myself like a hot-air balloon just waiting to fly.

{.Your love is extravagant.}

sheer beauty! it's glamour in your face. get your sunnies and head out cause something beautiful's coming your way. right about now!

it feels oh so good to be walking at your own pace, being near the hustle and bustle but yet not being part of it. oooh.

it's a beautiful world. whoa whoa. if your crazy enough to hear me sing. la-la la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la. you don't know how but you can feel it somehow. it's a beautiful day!

{.Your love is extravagant.}




i still find it quite amazing to have walked home from heeren at 2am in the morning after watching babel. oh btw, babel is the 2nd worse show i've seen EVER. my oh my, i should have known it was an award winning show. goodness! how can brad pitt or anybody win an award just by being in a movie for less than 20 mins of showtime?! and seriously, what is the world coming to - naked jap woman part was obviously redundant but maybe it was there just to add some flavour, unappealing however. can someone enlighten me and let me in on the moral of the story to babel?

oh wells, one thing i learnt from it was that human lives are less important than some unresolved political issues. just because there were some issues, hence, no ambulance is coming to save an american tourist who got injured in the country, that is extreme man. it's funny how the locals are so willing to help, but the government isn't. it's weird isn't it. i guess there's alot that the show is trying to portray but defintely not in a good way.

my ratings: half a star.
p.s. lost in translation was the worse show ever.

{.Your love is extravagant.}





cafe del mar

the ambience is very chilled out, the great outdoors with day beds along siloso, and the pool bar is awesome.

it's been quite a while since i came to sentosa, and this time it has really changed. taking the skytrain from vivocity to the beach stop gives a different feel, then seeing the construction of huts on stilts, and like i can't see anyone canoe-ing/kayaking, and like sunset bay is like kinda missing, and there's the whole new cheap thrill of the sentosa luge, the beach is kinda getting smaller, and there's stereos hidden within the bushes.. it's becoming so commercialized. one day, singapore will be the next new york, and i'm defintely not looking forward to it.

it lacks culture.

{.Your love is extravagant.}





Now Showing

Movie Code: 512
Language: English
Distributor: HW

From the directors of daniel and the lion's den, noah's ark..etc.
Originally by thy Big Boss, overtaken by your truly, and now by thy Big Boss (for obvious reasons: cause He knows best)

Consumer Advice: watch with faith

Main Cast: Rachel and close companions.

Director: thy Big Boss

Release Date: 14 july 1985

Running Time: couple of hours till thy return.

{.Your love is extravagant.}




Singapore's glorious sunset.

driving to town. just look at the glorious sunset. gosh! the nicest ever. will you just take a second to look up at the sky once in a frequent while, if not, you are defintely missing out on some utmost creativity there.

skylights in singapore

oooh awesome. so majestic that it somehow feel like the thunder is going to sound, but yet so amazingly comforting and splendid.

Labels: God's creation

{.Your love is extravagant.}






{.Your love is extravagant.}

the comedy that will make you laugh till your tummy aches. and be careful not to eat too full before watching.

p.s. i had carl's jr for lunch with pheli

{.Your love is extravagant.}




LAYERS ay..

Layer ONE
On the Outside
Name: Rachel
Birth Date: 14th July 1985.
Current Status: princess
Eye Color: midnight blue
Hair Color: mahogany stripes on black
Righty or Lefty: depends, mostly righty
Zodiac Sign: moo moo.

Layer TWO
On the inside
Your Heritage: mixed jap-chinese; khek/hakka
Your Fears: the unknown
Your Weaknesses: not being expressive enough, and at times getting tongue tied
Your Perfect Pizza: little ceasars satay prawns pizza = pineapples + prawns + satay sauce + cheese

Layer THREE
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Your thoughts first waking up: what time is it?
Your Bedtime: currently 12mn timor time which is 11pm sg time.
Your most missed memory: erm.. that would be playing in the rain in my school uniform. heh

Layer FOUR
Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke: always a coke, never a pepsi.
McDonald’s or Burger King: McDonald's for obvious reasons, cause it doesn't sell mushrooms
Adidas or Nike: well, i have no preference. it depends on the design.
Lipton tea or Nestea: not my cup of tea.
Chocolate or vanilla: defintely choc! that goes without saying.
Cappuccino or coffee: timor coffee anytime!

Layer FIVE
Do you
Smoke: not even in my dreams
Curse: i'm not perfect but i try not to.

Layer SIX
In the Past Month
Drank alcohol: i had a singapore sling and a couple of beers during the weekend.
Gone to the mall: centro in bali.
Been on stage: performed the 'my heart, your home' mime if you count that.
Eaten sushi: ermm. skip
Dyed your hair: mahogany in china

Layer SEVEN
Have You Ever?
Played a stripping game: haha. ya. it's always good to dorne plenty of accessories.
Changed who you were to fit in: i used to, but now who cares. it's me for me you're looking at.

Layer EIGHT
Age you’re hoping to be married: well, 23.

Layer NINE
In a Guy
Best eye colour: i've never thought of it before, well, defintely not baby blue. normal colours like black, brown, dark blue.
Best hair colour: whatever that looks good.
Short or long hair: shorter than mine la. duh. i don't wanna be walking around with a dog.
p.s. i like tanned guys.

Layer TEN
What Were You Doing
1 minute ago: erm.. layer 8, maybe?
1 hour ago: having dinns.
4.5 hours ago: watching school of scoundrels at marina square.
1 month ago: erm.. 17 dec? in china eating yummy seafood!
1 year ago: 17 jan 06? packing my luggage for perth?

Layer ELEVEN
Finish the sentence
I love: everything that i don't abhor/dislike.
I feel: like i wanna peeeee.
I hate: S.A.tan and co.
I hide: and seek.
I miss: timor and everything pertaining to it.
I need: You to fill my life.

Layer TWELVE
Tag 5 people
ting. mich. drumwerks. shawny. random stranger.

{.Your love is extravagant.}




alright alright. i shall start blogging about my trip. for the sake of those who never knew, i'm back from my first mission trip to timor leste.

in this place where people transport food and stuff on their heads;
where they build their own houses, some with bricks, some with bamboo sticks and some with straws;
where very often there were power cuts, paper fans and candles became very useful;
where rain water was used to bathe, drink, wash clothes and cutlery;
where goats, cows, pigs, boars, dogs and chicken were pets;
where pineapples, bananas, custard apples, pormegrantes were from;
where gravels grounds form soccer fields;
where flies and mozzies keep attacking;
where houses were destroyed;
where refugee camps exists;
where everyday a single death is caused by a gun shot;
where a pregnant lady who has given birth has to be discharge immediately and walk 45mins back to home;
where people wear the same clothes day after day.

and i thought to myself, what's the point of washing clothes with dirty water? dirty clothes + dirty water = a little less dirty clothes? and yes, it taught me something, defintely not to take things for granted and be contented with what lies before you. And seriously, i would think it is easier to be contented with little then with much.



click twice for photo to enlarge. enjoy =)

the usual routine of the week.
unzip sleeping bag - bathe in the cold rain water using scoops - squat by the drain to brush teeth - prepare brekky - devotion - drive to chief's house - visit the villagers part I- lunch at moodhitara - rest - visit the villagers part II (walk on landmines, gravels, up and down mountains) - home - form human chain to fill up tub in bathroom with water - drive to collect dinner - bathe in cold rain water (sometimes with candle) - prepare for next day - squat by drain to brush teeth - lay sleeping bag - sleep.

day two to day four: the visitation home by home taught me many. firstly, it demostrated a simple life. It's amazing how hospitable they are, i mean we are foreigners, and they have just gone through civil war, indo destroying their houses, other people trying to convert them. shouldn't they be afraid of us instead? But they welcome us with open arms, they scurry to get chairs for us to sit, they were so happy to see us. It is so comforting.

They had also demostrated the love they had for their neighbours, fellow villagers of kamalelara. while visiting, i came across this house, but there was noone in, and the neighbour came to tell us that they were out at the farm. i mean, look at the trust. maybe diversity helps to bond people together. But it's more than just that, i feel the love that they have for each other.

day five: community day where we organised games for the kids, performed 'my heart, your home' mime, story telling of the right vs wrong way, and prepared refreshments.
The smiles on the villagers' faces (kids, teens, adults) after community day was awesome. it was a sight that i have never seen before, something wonderful had happen that day. Maromak diak!

while giving out the cordial and biscuits and sweets - the kids just swarm to me. like literally how bees swarm. even if there were only crumbs left in the biscuit tins, they still yearn for it.

where i stayed, i had a favourite spot which was to sit by the latch and face the wonderous sky of ever blue, with clouds floating by. this is the view. and yes, i saw 2 rainbows during my stay. fantastic, isn't it. wheeeeeeee! alright. blog more later.

adding on. the rainbows reminded me of the Hope of Israel, its manifested presence is here in the land of timor. there was not a single whole night with power cuts, and everyone in the team knew their roles and the team was so cooperative and considerate and caring and sharing like charity elephant for each other. It's so amazing la, like everything was perfect, and that includes the power cuts. there weren't power cuts when the soccer games were on. =) except when nato was in the shower, twice, power cuts happened. somehow i find it quite a blessing, if it were to be one of us, we probably get traumatised by the darkness. but since nato was kinda used to it, having lived there all his life. but still quite sway la. haha.

on the first night arriving at timor land, everyone was abit apprehensive, (anxious heart, fearful spirit) but like after the night of devotion and prayer. His Peace, the peace that transcends all understanding, that peace just fall upon each of us and filled our hearts. I can say indeed, it's such a joy to be in timor land. i wished it was a much longer stay.

During the trip, i experience the realness of God. i wanna be the arm of His love to encourage and edify the people around me. It's not as easy as just saying it. But i am determined to strive for this however unreachable goal it may seem, but i believe in the revelation of love, just because He is real.

And you know, timor land is so beautiful. somehow, less human-made things around gives me pleasure, i dunno why but it's just such a nice feeling, it's like being brought closer to the creator of all things.

funny how people with less material things are more real and pleasant.. if only things were like that all over the world. love is all around, right?

well, i can expect Him to do great and wonderful things!

Labels: vacation

{.Your love is extravagant.}






vision night 2007

{.Your love is extravagant.}






dearuz scuffy, the jack russell.

{.Your love is extravagant.}




i can't comprehend what i'm feeling inside. as the day to leave for timor leste draws closer, the words of political unrest, civil strife, war, fights, people asking for more more money as we get taken advantaged by.

physically, missionaries come back with hep A, dengue fever, malaria. having taken 5 jabs and malaria pills, the back of my mind says it will be fine. however,
the living conditions there, having to scoop water from the mountain area to your bathroom to take a cold shower is quite exciting. The 'drink only bottled water' command is quite scary la, like what if someone dope my drink with mountain water. cuz unbottled water causes an infected wound to be close to being amputated (true story). daddy says try not to eat the food there, cause no matter what still get diahorrea. (bring along survivor kit!) my thoughts may be quite silly la but still.

what if the performance falls, what if the words just don't come out of my mouth, what if i'm chosen to preach, what if they don't smile? God, please don't leave me alone k.

indeed, if i say i'm not scared, i'm lying.

as i pack my bag and seek the Lord for His guidance and love.

He said to me,

"Don't be afraid; just believe." mark 5:36

sometimes i feel, ain't human kinda useless?! i mean we are, just that we try to make ourselves look good by proving we can do this and that, but in actual fact, we can't do anything without Him. We can't breathe if He don't provide us with air and a nose and lungs etc.

But this time, why is it that we always doubt? we know that of cuz He is great and mighty and makes everything possible. After all that He has done, what I can do is to trust Him right.

why is it that we always have to be afraid, filled with fear when perfect love is all we have and need to cast out all fear?

why is it that when people poke us with negative comments we tend to take it to heart and think so little of ourselves and feel bad about it when in actual fact we are?

even tho' this time there may be civil unrest in the nation, with You there will hope, there is peace, and there is love. I know that You care for this nation and has chosen me to be Your hand of encouragement and love to them. I want to keep believing in You. I want to build a climate of faith to invite Your unlimited power and provision for this people that You love, the villagers of Kamalelara. Comfort me and strengthen me in the way that only You can, Lord. Teach me to make everything I do everyday be a hallelujah to You. loving You. Amen.

'Till I see You - Hillsong United
The greatest love that anyone could ever known
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And 'till I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

With all I am I'll live to see Your kingdom come
And in my heart I pray You'd let Your will be done
And 'till I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

I will live to love You
I will live to bring You praise
I will live a child in awe of You

You are a voice that called the universe to be
You are the whisper in my heart that speaks to me
And 'till I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy, Lord
And with all I am, my soul will bless Your name

to the cross i run.

Labels: He spoke

{.Your love is extravagant.}

Wednesday, January 3

@1/03/2007 08:16:00 PM

i think i miss you.
nah. i shouldn't have.

{.Your love is extravagant.}

Tuesday, January 2

@1/02/2007 11:41:00 AM

i've done my thanksgiving, and wrote down the plans i have for 2007.
As for resolutions, erm.. i think i've only made one which is to get the honours letter. heh. so that boils down to having consistent distinctions and working hard and discipline in exercising to activate my brain juice regularly.

As for the tentative schedule for this full of love and joy year.

first up, in the month of jan.
co-leading UB
mission trip to timor leste: 7th - 15th jan

feb: unleavened bread cell retreat

march: back to school, living in a new house with new housemates, cousin's wedding, cell-intern training, nedlands

june: exams

july: backpacking around australia. anyone interested?

aug: trip to new york

sept: convocation

oct: work at a market research company

dec: christmas/smash

it's gonna be an exciting year ahead! wooot~
here's to a year filled with much love, joy, and peace!

i guess your probably wondering why i only have one resolution? maybe because resolutions don't exactly work out, maybe because i can't remember once i made them, maybe because it may be a good thing but not a God thing.

well, i've learnt that all resolutions are good plans but not neccessarily God's plans for my life. Sometimes our schedules are so full of our own plans that we just don’t have room for God’s plans. so this year, i'm keeping it simple.

You lead and I'll follow.

Heavenly Father, I want this New Year to be a year where I walk in Your will, not ahead and not behind. I want to know the plans You have for my life, and then I want to join You wherever You are working. Teach me not to rush ahead of You. Help me to stop to pray to ask for Your guidance before making any plans. Thank you that You have good plans for my life, plans to give me a hope ans a future, plans that make me successful and prosperous. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

{.Your love is extravagant.}

@1/02/2007 11:40:00 AM

are you ready?
are you ready to take on the new year?
are you ready to face the challenges?
are you ready to sieze the time of the year?
are you ready to work hard towards your resolution?
are you ready to be emotionally laboured?
are you ready to be who He wants you to be?
are you ready to let go of your burdens, pains, regrets, heartaches?
are you ready to save the day, 365 times?
are you ready to obey?

ready or not,
here it comes.

{.Your love is extravagant.}

Monday, January 1

@1/01/2007 10:12:00 PM

defintely a fun-filled week.

was supposed to go blading in the morning but it poured, so in the end, i met up with joys for some kickboxing at amore fitness. suffered some buttache after that. then, had dinner with danny at one of the cafe in taka. pretty cramp cause we had to share a table with other people so it was quite funny. like as if we were intruders. it was nonetheless quite a plesant evening even tho' i had to wait 3hours for dinner.
thursday night was supepring with cows at the new HK cafe by siglap. the pineapple bo lo bin is not bad. it felt quite good somehow, just chatting with her. i wished the night was longer, but then it poured so heavily.

on friday, was rockclimbing with my siblings. man, it was tiring having to belay someone who climbs up so fast. uber tired. after that, we as a family went to long beach for some glorious food - chilli crabs & mantou, buttered crayfish(my fav.), claypot tofu, cereal prawns, sambal kang kong and thai coconuts. yummilicious! and guess who i met there? simon, the make-singapore-proud body builder. yepps.


i went kayaking at bedok reservoir with my track mates. it was such a breezy saturday morning, with our life jackets on, we paraded down the jetty with our kayaks. it was extremely fun. i mean, imagine lying in the middle of the waters, with the sun shining brightly, your pals on either side of you, just relaxing and chatting. it's as good as it gets! it's so funny how we trackies always work hard on our legs, but when it's time for our hands to do all the work. 10mins seemed like a half an hour. btw, jon almost made me capsized, but i survived! haha.

sunday was smash! it was the most interesting part of the day. the theme for this year was glamour. everyone was dressed in sunday's best - guys in neatly ironed shirts and ladies in the dresses. the room was shimmering with stars and balloons. my favourite part of the event was the countdown. For the first time, i wasn't doing anything for the countdown and so i get to experience the full blast of it. it rocks! haha. and the star awards sounded so mtv-ish. uber cool.

monday was smashing too. my family and i went to upper pierce as we always do every year for some reflection, thanksgiving and family bonding. on our drive there, we caught sight of soooo many monkeys like 13 of it. but i really have to say, to jail with people who don't read signs that says -"do not feed the monkeys".
after sliding down slopes, running around with leslie playing fetch, our stomachs were growling for food. headed to our usual place - peach palace for dim sum. wooot! and the deal for the day is the glorious black rice with ice cream in young coconut dessert. totally awesome!

the day for gelare came too soon this week, hadn't had the time to chew up some waffle. was busy packing my luggage, tidying up my cupboard for new books and clothes.

tomorrrow's gonna be the last meeting before my team and i set off for timor leste. i'm excited yet feeling a pinch of fear. well, i guess sometimes being ignorant is quite good after all. i'm totally looking forward to new learning experiences and amazing wonders before my very eyes. okay, crap, i just remembered i havent taken my malaria pills which was supposed to be due yesterday.

alright,
goodnight world.

{.Your love is extravagant.}