Shell Life

So heres a peek into my workspace. Nice Herman Miller Aeron Chair in the foreground and the space is really big and comfy. Its Monday tmr and Im looking forward to work.


From L to R: Yi Leng, Rodchana, Me

Sent my colleague Rodchana off today. She was the one I was supposed to replace as she went home to Thailand. Its been a fast 3 months and time has flown by since I joined. Yi Leng is my buddy who has done a great job at helping me feel welcome and inducting me into the company.

Blown Away

Well many of my peers have been to Hillsongs and raved about it bt I somehow was never convinced. I thought well they put up a good show it was jsut another conference so yeah. Furthermore, I'm in the Rhema comm and ive shared this a number of times that i still miss camps. And I've never been completely sold on the idea of a conference. Tonight, marks a turning point.

David happened to send me a link to the opening of the Hillsongs Conference 2007 and when I watched it I was blown away. I've probably replayed it like 50 times and even as I'm typing its still playing haha. I guess AWESOME kinda sums up my reaction.





The first few times I watched it I was like yeah its a really nice show. But it dawned on me that hey it had an impact on me. It made me sense the majesty and awesome power of God as I watched it and stirred something within me. As David and I talked, we rubbed off our enthusiasm on each other and really theres so much synergy flowing for Rhema.

I guess at the end of the day I wanna be part of something that will leave an impact on the participants. Not that we may say we did the best Rhema Conference to date, but that we glorified God! That we will strive to exceed and surpass what we would ormally do, to create a conference on a scale never seen before, but still within our capabilities, to worship God, much like what Solomon did with God's temple. I hope that it'll allow every participant to be stunned and awed into realising theres something more to their current existence. there is a God that loves them and a faith worth being passionate about.

Even as the comm works, i hope you will lift us up in your prayers, that we wont just do the work to make a big conference, but that people will see how BIG our god is. truly then we would have done well. Im excited, and passionate, and it will be a long journey, but I know it will be a fruitful one if we stick to this vision. Whooo hooo!

On a Telecon

Its eight and I've finished a good dinner at home, been eating out too much haha. Home cooked food does taste good. Waiting for the rest of the participants to call in from Houston and Rotterdam. Guess the plus of working in an MNC is the exposure, but that also means working from home at these hours and taking a good chunk of my social time haha. Well I'd probably just head in later tmr as usual haha.

It has been a good week thus far, not that work still isn't mundane. Was feeling rather drained and frustrated for the last few weeks cause I've been struggling quite abit with my purpose and direction in life. Also I was feeling rather distant from God for no rhyme or reason. So these couple of things were wearing me thin.

I realised also that I hadn't been listening much to God and had been talking incessantly because I was afraid to quieten down for fear that I wouldn't be able to hear Him speak and get a deathly silence. I guess talking was within my control, listening was not haha. So I had to yield and let God speak again and to just humbly listen. And it was refreshing just to hear God speak again and to feel His presence around. It did wonders for my soul and refreshed my weary spirit through and through.

So from this, I managed to regain my vision and perspective and now daily I'm striving to honour and glorify God in the littlest of things. Also Ive been watching my words to quit complaining and start praising and worshiping haha. Its really turned my days around and really experience God's joy lifting me up.

Haha the telecon has ended and I'm free for the rest of the night. Woot!

Supposed Kelong Trip

We were supposed to go for a Kelong trip today but it was canceled after much deliberation. Instead we went fishing at Bedok Jetty haha. Well it was a stark contrast to our other experience there when we didn't even catch a single fish. Today we caught tons of fish and they were biting non stop! Must have been the great weather after a week of rain.

Food was also a highlight, having lunch at Changi village and dinner at East coast Hawker Center. Good stuff haha. We then went to Sentosa to catch Songs of the Sea. Well my advide is to just try to enjoy the show ahsha, the fireworks were nice at least and its definitely better than musical fountain. After th show, it was the luge! Its basically a small kart which u race downhill and it really did give me a shot of adrenaline, which was much needed. Its 2am and im half zonked. At last I can retire. A wonderful day with the 3 girls and it was really memorable.

Chilli Plant and Others

Today I planted my Chilli seeds. Yes you heard me right, I finally got around to planting it. My mom had this to say," Wa, no wonder today suddenly rain so heavy!" Incredulous as it seems, but I managed to overcome my inertia and be one of the last few to work on this project of fruitfulness. The moral of the story - its never too late to start haha.

Today I've decided to fast COD4 for an extended period of time. Its hard and as I'm typing, the AWSD keys remind me of the game constantly haha. But I've realised that nothing should master a disciple except his master and when something takes His place its time for action.

Its really hard glorifying God when you feel that you wanna be some place else and when the things before you seem unimportant and boring. As the day goes by I'm trying to pray and to seek God on how I can be a witness at work, to be attractive for my Lord.

I leave you with a rich quote that I came across today,

"Are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word, and to fully taste God's infinite goodness?" - Henri Nouwen

Recall

Today I recalled my application. Not my will be done but Yours.

007 Aspirations

Came across this position in the Straits Times today. Essentially its the Singapore Intelligence Directorate hiring. Its Singapore's equivalent to the MI6 and CIA. Well I attended their career talk way back in October last year and I was rather intrigued. Looking at the job responsibilities and requiremnts, it really intersts and suits me. The only drawback is that its a government job and I'll have to give up my cushy job in Shell.

Ministry of Defence
We are a civilian organisation under Mindef that is rapidly expanding into newly emerging fields. Our work is vital to the safeguarding of Singapore's national interests and effective decision making. We seek change-oriented individuals with the drive and vision to join our team in shaping and directing our operations.

Responsibilities:

• Actively conduct research to seek new information sources.
• Assess, select, interpret and analyse information.
• Prepare timely, accurate and objective reports to facilitate critical missions and projects.

Requirements:

• A degree in Arts, Social Sciences, Communications Studies or Science.
• Acute awareness and interest in regional and international current affairs.
• Strategic and conceptual thinking, with a sharp eye for details, and a natural curiosity for behind-the-scenes workings.
• A flair for learning regional languages will be advantageous.

Come to think of it I'm paid heaps right now, get to go back early, and why am I still unsatisfied? I guess at the end of the day its the nature of the work. Do I really want to be stuck in Finance for the rest of my life? This is a real conundrum man! Well I'll send in my application and see what'll transpire from all this. Haha.

After 2.5 Pratas & Teh

Back from a good supper after GLI and I'm mighty full and awake. I won't be sleeping anytime soon, so i'll prob blog and play a little. Tomorrow i've decided to work from home cause this week's been a lull and its awfully dull, weather included.

Lately I've been kinda under-challenged at work. I've also been whining alot about how I'm not suited for the job and how boring and how undynamic(if theres such a word) it is. I remember the days of consulting at PwC with tight deadlines and tons of research and synthesis and I miss it now and then. But was challenged today that even in the mundane, I can practice seeking God's presence. To give glory to God even in doing the little things, and to be a bright and salty witness for Him. Its something I'll continually struggle with cause I need strong motivations for the things I do and if I dont have any interest in it, I'll switch off completely.

Given how free I've been, its ironic that when I've got the most time, I do not use it wisely. I hardly make time for God and most of it is spent in frivolous pursuits. I'm reminded of stewardship and how we're called to account for the resources, including time, that God has entrusted us with. Sad to say, I haven't done too well lately. I guess at the end of it all, it all boils down to living a disciplined life and its something I'll train for.

Finally ending off, God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Things are bittersweet right now and I'm needing to find solace in God alone.

Falling

by Pocket Full Of Rocks

Father it remains to me a mystery
Why You still love me
When You see the bad in me
You show me mercy
You show me grace
You call me Your own

Day by day I'm finding out, just a little more
Just exactly what the journey is for
It is to love You, hold You, touch You,
to call You my own, my own

And I trade treasure, I trade fame, just to hear You speak my name
I've been touched by You and I will never be the same
I will never be the same for

I am falling more and more in love with You my King
My heart sings a song that even angels cannot sing

Father it remains to me a mystery
Why You still love me, when You see the bad in me
You show me mercy
You show me grace
And You call me Your own

Day by day I'm finding out, just a little more
Just exactly what this journey is for
It is to love You, hold You, touch You, to call You my own, my own

And I trade treasure, I trade fame,
just to hear You speak my name
I've been touched by You and I will never be the same
I will never be the same for

Over the Weekend

Had a rather eventful yet restful weekend. Got to celebrate Joseph's and David's 21st birthdays, and both did in different fashion. We had breakfasts at Botanic for Joseph's and a BBQ for David's. In all the highlight I guess was to grab David when he was blindfolded and trying to whack a Pinata and dunking him in his pool. haven't done that in awhile haha.

Caught Leap Years with Esther on Sat too. Thought it was a real girly show, kinda like fantasy la. Took abit for me to stop rationalizing and to enjoy the show. Though its take on love and life ran mostly contrary to my belief system ahaha. But its just a movie.

Bought Sam, Hoho and HCH lunch on Sunday at Sushi Tei. I think they kinda controlled their appetites but nontheless they were full haha. A good change from the usual buffets cause they cant eat much anyway so might as well eat good.

Its ultra late, been hooked on COD4. I need to sleeeeep!