Category: Life in SG

Life as of late?

在工作方面, we’re in transition phase, wherein I’m handing over my responsibilities to my colleague so she better be prepared to take over before I leave the company. We’ve been so busy doing rounds of system testing and content development once again. My eyes blurred at many instances; I just wanted to go home and sleep right away.

But I also have pending tasks for my writing job that must be accomplished and submitted on time, so I had to spend less time sleeping in order to get to my goals. I thank God for giving me strength and persistence required of me. After 1.5 weeks of being much occupied, 終於辛苦了!

Last Thursday, our company director had treated another employee who’s soon leaving and me to a farewell lunch, along with our HR manager and accountant. I felt the pang of realization the next day that I only have 1-2 months before I’m out.

I’m anxious about is my upcoming wushu performance. I never asked for it. But since the chance was given, even if I’m not totally prepared, I said okay, I’d go for it. It will be a solo performance for a Chinese New Year 2012 celebration, here in Singapore. I’ve been thinking about what form to present two weeks now.

Since I don’t have any weapon with me (e.g. broadsword, cudgel, straight sword, dagger, etc.), I’ll just be performing with bare fists. I need time and concentration to practice. It’s tempting, I must admit, to back out. Can I make it without embarrassing myself? I looked up to the sky and asked the clouds, but they didn’t answer. Anyway, I still got three weeks before d-day.

To motivate myself, I bought my costume last week in Chinatown. Hahaha. It was my first time to go to the night market in Pagoda Street and to wander around Chinatown, Singapore. I really felt like I was back home—in the Philippines. Sweet.

Often, it is in these last few days of December that we look back at the crooked path we’ve worn throughout the year. It’s also in this season when we feel grateful for every chuckle, snort, giggle and guffaw that this year brought our way, when we remember the kindred souls who took in our words, understood from their own perspectives, and gave us advice and comfort.

Our learning then becomes enhanced, and using the same past, we can plan for the near future’s bite-sized portions.

Weighted down but ready, we bring our bricks and baggage to pave a perfectly patterned road ahead. But then we have to acknowledge the fact that shift happens and we can’t plan it away.

As always, the earth shifts, cracks occur and we start to stumble; yearly, wearily living along another winding path. We can make scenarios and contingencies, but we just can’t be sure as there is simply no way to chart the changes that come along.

♠

The two words that have repeatedly ran to me during this beautiful and bumpy year? Too much. They creep in as I over fill my to-do lists. Without fail, the end of the day arrives and I’m shaking my head when I anticipate the items that are still not off the day after.

The two words pop up as well when I ponder the expectations people have on me and when I think on how I should work to disallow them to crash around my feet. (Prayers are a big help with contiguous breathing for calmness.)

It’s also in these last days of the year that we let go of the mindset of excess. The least [and best] we can do? Leave as much baggage as that can be left, to feel lighter and happier as we wander across the rest of the next pages of the calendar. We lace up our marching shoes (and perhaps we’d be walking the same paths together).

We ask God every day, “What are You going to do today that will blow my mind away?” For whatever it is, we just have to keep our faith strong and believe–for He may choose the least promising for us but in truth preparing us to be the best.

♠

I could wait until January first, the New Year’s Day, for the release of this announcement. But since this is my final post for the year, I’d want it to be extra special, one that would make a mark of another milestone.

Over 50 people already know this but the rest of the world also has a privilege to know.

I’ll be going back to the Philippines for good on March 13, 2012.

Enjoy the holidays!

What is Help-Portrait? 

Rooted from the US, Help-Portrait is a non-profit organization composed of photographers coming together across the globe (54 countries) to use their photography skills and give back to the less fortunate (those who didn’t have their photos taken for the longest time, some even since the day they were born)–on the same day, December 10.

Help-Portrait Singapore was established two years ago, but it was only this year when the group had realized the mission successfully. And I’m just so happy to be part of it. I’m not a photographer or videographer but I helped with my own special way.

You see, people in the pictures would not appear as beautiful without me. 😛 I was the hairstylist sans professional training, experience or expertise–but with a certified caring heart. ♥

As the assigned lead hairstylist (walau-eh!), I considered the angles of people’s faces (of different ages, races and countenances) and the texture of their hair matched with the limited products and props I brought. Hard work was paved off when I saw smiles of people fully satisfied of the designs I creatively concocted.

My “clienteles” in Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations were mostly women, while all were men in Breakthrough Missions except for the wife of one resident.

Funny was when a number of them thought and commented that I was a pro, maybe because I extolled much confidence and downright shammed that I knew (and sure of) what I was doing. But, oh my gosh! It was my first time to ever groomed people’s hair other than my sister’s and mother’s. I felt rewarded with their compliments and also with the amazing and inspiring life stories they have shared with me.

I witnessed them received their printed photos with a glint in their eyes. True enough, every photo illustrated a sketch of humanity. It would be an item they’d cherish for the rest of their lives, as it mirrored both (a) the joy they had when they welcomed our help and got pampered; and (b) their self-image making up for all the pain, survival and hardship they have surpassed.

Once again, I have earned an involvement with such great exposure. I’ve met wonderful people and saw residents in the shelters in a different light. We volunteers worked through day until night. We were bone-tired yet lit with hope; we’re grateful that we had been spared and motivated to help those who had not been as blessed.

Now I’m excited for the release of post-processed photos and video documentations of the event. Stay tuned for the news and update by visting their website.

Ever had the feeling of running so fast as if you were floating and you couldn’t feel even your legs?

Metaphorically, that’s what I’ve been feeling for many months now. I feel like being one of  His many experiments who stand alone in rehearsed crowds lost in a maze of widowed daydreams, trying to find tomorrow with transient eyes shut to the reality of yesterday.

I feel like living a dream; I am asleep, with my mind awake wandering around and just trying to stand strong against the inertia of time. Sometimes I ask, why am I here; what am I doing here; how can I surive the next day?

It is when I lock myself inside my room and when I am all alone at night that I can open my mind to think about all these. This is when I not only see but recognize that I am just one of the many questions which camouflage as the answer trying to find a way out.

My mental freedom is being held hostage by the knowledge inside the cages of isolated thoughts.

I see things like domino blocks in slow motion. When all pieces are congruent and positioned in the right places, they begin to tumble down from one to the rest. When I’m fed up, all I do is pray and wait, with pools of salty tears mixed to make an ocean that drowns myself in. But in most times, my utmost patience still drives me to hope.

Let me share with you a quoted story of the Four Candles, which have been imparted with significance by our church’s network coaches:

There are four candles.

The first candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.”
Then Peace’s flame slowly diminished and went out completely.

The second candle said, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.”
Then Faith’s flame slowly diminished and went out completely.

Sadly the third candle spoke, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.”
“People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love went out completely.

Suddenly, a child saw the three candles no longer burning, he cried and said they’re supposed to stay lit until the end.

Then the fourth candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”

With shining eyes, the child took the candle of hope and lit the other three candles.

Moral:Never let the flame of hope go out. With hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be, peace, faith and love may shine brightly once again.

Hope can be found everywhere. It’s just not bottled and packaged precisely the way we want it to be. And with hope, we say thanks.

Thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings and mercies toward us throughout the year.

Thanks for people who broke and tore us down,
who hated us, criticized us and stole away air from our lungs,
who supported us, empathized with us, cheered us up and helped us,
who appreciated, loved and cared.

Happy Thanksgiving day!

It’s 11.11.11 and early on at midnight, I read my Twitter feeds flooded with mushy, special wishes for today and angst towards (again) the end of the world. Keeping on with the trend, if ever I’d still be awake to catch the time at 11:11 tonight, I will use my default wish: I wish for love, positivity and good health for my family, friends and myself.

But I neither think nor feel that there is power in numerology and that there is meaning that accounts for certain dates in the calendar. By contrast, I believe in living each day as if it were our last and praying every day on our hopes.

As we’re now more technology-oriented, I’ve figured a better way to combat anxieties and remind us how to deal with life whenever interruptions of our day-to-day operations occur. Don’t ever commit suicide and just hit the Escape key but CTRL+ALT+DEL.

CTRL (Control): Take control of your life, take 100% responsibility and clearly understand what you want.

ALT (Alternate): Look for alternatives to get different results. See things with a different perspective, a positive one.

DEL (Delete): Delete all negativity in your life including attitudes and habits that are not working for you.

Remember that when the world starts to fade and the fiery reds burn to ash and you can’t see the colors anymore, understand that it’s not the world that’s fading—but you that’s standing in the light.

I’m so excited that I couldn’t sleep well last night. I think I just slept for five or six hours. I’m not sure of what I’m more excited about: Louie fetching me at the airport or seeing my family for the first time personally after nine months! You do the guessing. 🙂

Both can be right, so just give yourself a thumbs up for trying to guess either.

Nine months of not living with my family (meaning not having anyone to cook, do laundry and iron clothes for me but myself) was like being in a mother’s womb or cave but this time, my metamorphosis into becoming a more organized, more patient, more disciplined, more experienced worldlier and better person became fuller.

Yes, living alone in a foreign country provided me the avenue to learn how to become  independent, self-trusting and more sociable (because in order to adapt, understand and learn others’ ways, I need to always communicate with them).

I’m a jotter, with the days of my life penned on these [web] pages minutely detailed and written meticulously. However this time, I have a feeling that my next few days in Manila cannot be described in coherent sentences, and my feelings expressed through pictures will do them better justice. When words seem to fail and fall through me, photographs will not. Photos will be posted on Facebook. Wee!

 Picture credit: http://thelionking.com.sg/

I was hoping to get a free ticket to the Lion King Musical last two Thursdays ago. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get one, so I found my own way and got discounted tickets at least.

I searched via GumTree and bought four tickets from Max, who sold us S$55/pax instead of the original price of S$65/pax. The show opened last March 2011 and was supposed to close last June. But maybe because of great public demand, it got extended to the end of this month.

My housemate, Aby, is so much of a big fan of the Lion King production that if given a chance, she said, she’d watch it for the second time. She was one of the first in the first batch of people who reserved and bought ticket for the show. She even bought a book-memorabilia as a lovely keepsake, because audiences are not allowed to take photos and videos while the play is on.

Yesterday, I’ve finally experienced and witnessed this “astonishing triumph of theatrical imagination” (quoted from London Evening Standard). It was a grand show filled with colorful and incredible costumes, artistic changing of backgrounds and wonderful songs that made me relish my childhood escapades much.

The venue was at the Marina Bay Sands Theater. The atmosphere was trembling. The characters, I could see, were truly dipped in zeal and drenched in devotion as their voices and dance moves sparkled with eminent gracefulness. Every bit was just so…hauntingly beautiful that even before I went to sleep last night, the melodies were still in me.

Aside from the cute and funny Timon and Pumbaa, my favorite character was Rafiki whose voice echoed in the whole of the theater and astounded the audiences. Her performance was so captivating that you could almost feel the emotion running through her veins, transcending her own body, filling up yours and covering you in goosebumps. It was hypnotizing (perhaps adding to this was that she sang in Swahili, a foreign language we all couldn’t understand).

I’m also proud to say that the kid who played as the young Simba is a Filipino! Here’s a stolen shot of him and Mufasa:

It was my first time to ever watch a live musical. I was so moved!

As said, the show is still playing until end of October. You still have two weeks to make that purchase while tickets are still available. So quickly now, book. : )

Sample Videos Taken From YouTube:

Last Friday after work, I attended this seminar called “Incompletely Complete” which talked about relationship plans—how individuals and couples find completion in their search for a life partner.

The guest speaker was Jessica Kwan who five years ago had answered God’s call to serve in full-time ministry because of her love for Him and an immense passion in mentoring young adults.

With extensive pastoral and mentoring experience with young adults in her church and integrated creative approaches and open dialogue, she motivates young people to reflect on who they are; identify their passions, potential and principles; and help them negotiate personal and professional challenges.

Here are my top three key takeaways from the talk:

1. Every one of us is already complete (even if we’re still single), with God as the center of our lives as he had surrendered to cast our sins away. If we practice and uplift our good relationship with Him, then we have already met this criterion of having a well, absolute life.
2. However, we will be further complete or completely complete if we’re to be with a man or woman as partner in marriage. Since He created every being to be in the likeness of Himself, then if we experience “the other” of us through our relationship with the opposite sex by love and submission, we become fully united with the Creator.
3. We cannot super confirm or double confirm if he or she is the ONE for us (by God’s rightful plan) unless we get to know the other person better through time, and nothing prepares us in correctly answering the question before the after-marriage events.
4. We will have problems regardless we’re single or married.For singles, external and internal pressures come in the way often. Examples are those from family members, attached friends, media and the social culture who would push singles especially in the late twenties to early thirties and ask them whenever they meet the million-dollar question: “Why are you still single?” And then, they’d try to introduce and match-make him/her with whom they think is suitable.

   Oftentimes, these don’t work, and the problems arise over and over again. Tip: If you feel irritated and bothered of people asking you the big question repeatedly, you can ask in return, “Why are you so ugly?” (I couldn’t stop laughing when Nalinee, the host, cracked the joke.) Why? I think it’s effective! Both wouldn’t have straight answers. And both parties would feel appalled! (Hey, at least you have your retribution next time, you know.)

   For married couples, we know that every bit of decisions and perceptions are different so understanding each other and having a give-and-take relationship are really important.

   Marriage is a wonderful thing designed by God, but it’s not perfect and it’s certainly no fairy tale; it is one of the greatest blessings and deepest joys, but it also takes work and sacrifice.

   The best way we can prepare for it is to run after God with everything we have. He will bring the togetherness in us so that we can do more than we ever could apart–and no classic fairy tale can pull this off.

The Don’ts:

“Do not marry the person you think you can live with but the one you can’t live without.”

This person should not complete us but complement us.

“Do not marry someone who has characteristics you feel are intolerable.”

You may plan to change him or her in the future, but that probably won’t happen.

“Do not marry impulsively.”

Marriage is a critical decision we should not leap into without careful thought and prayer.

I hope you’ve learned something from this post. Thanks for reading! Also, thanks to Lynn and company for having us taste her baked potatoes before the talk began. It was delicious!

Hello to MommyLou, my faithful cute rabbit, who I was thinking about during the entire talk. Who loves you? Me. ღ♥ღ See you soon! : )