Saturday, December 31, 2005

New Year Resolution
Last day of 2005. Need to have some sort of resolution for 2006. Haven't had time to consolidate my thoughts and make specific plans & goals for next year. The saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" is hanging over my head. I've never chosen a verse as a resolution before so I think this is promising.
Here goes.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-3
Looking a little further down, I see
If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25
Yup. Sounds good to me.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Lip Synching, Cross-Dressing & tons of smoke....
The last few days have been very pleasant. I made the effort to spend time with people who matter to me.

Last night we went to entertainer Kumar's new place Gold Dust. This is at Orchard Towers - which does a rather unusual transformation of target audience from day to night. The place was packed and smoky. The lip synching and dancing crew of cross- dressers put on a great show.
My favourite act was the Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey impersonations of the song "When You Believe" (from the Prince of Egypt). Those two fellows were spot-on in the two divas mannerisms. "Whitney" had far better legs and body than any of us real girls there. "Mariah" was like two Whitneys put together. Loved the way they, and Kumar also, can do all that lip vibrations....like the way opera singers do. Outstanding comic relief.

Back to the song. Great lyrics. Good stuff. And I believe it too!
There can be miracles, when you believe.
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.

After the show, we adjourned downstairs to Harry's to escape the smoke. We had the ditziest waitress. We were all non-alcoholic drinkers and ordered things like Evian, Pellegrino, Iced Tea & Orange Juice. That bland order must have been so unique in a watering hole like Harry's that she kept forgetting what we ordered. She must've been thinking What's wrong with these people? Why can't they be like other tables and order something alcoholic????
Sheesh.

Back to the song. Good melody. Great lyrics.
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

Think I will usher in 2006 with the theme of this song ruminating in my head.
Yes, I have a few miracles in mind I would like God to answer.
That would be considered my prayer I guess. They seem impossible at the moment.
But then, perhaps that's why the definition of a miracle is
1. an event recognized as an act of God 2. an amazing event

Monday, December 26, 2005

After Christmas....
It's been nice talking to so many different people over the last few days. The parties started last Wednesday and included a whole spectrum of people - acquaintances, new and old friends, relatives, close friends, people I haven't seen in eons, very dear friends who have come back from other countries etc. But now I'm just about all talked out and one part of me is ready to crawl into a hole somewhere and hibernate for a while. There are also a few people whom I would like to catch up with and wonder how they're doing this season....but haven't done so. Inertia...and a slight awkwardness because our circle of friends are different and paths seldom cross.

The other sobering fact has been the passing of a friend on Christmas eve. I feel for the family because she has two kids...one of whom is the same age as I was when I lost my mother. It will not be easy for the kids to cope. I can remember the pain and the feeling of loss. I really admire my friend for the strength and courage with which she faced her illness . She definitely had the peace of God that passes all understanding and was a testament to His love. I regret not visiting her after coming back from Camerons. We had received the text that she was hospitalised again then, and I had planned to visit. But I was caught up in a flurry of activities and did not make the time.

I am reminded of a quote in an article in yesterday's Sunday Times of a fellow named Ah Hock whose motto in life was to : Treat everyone you meet as if you will be dead by midnight.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Love Actually......afterthoughts
Really enjoyed reading Mel & Cheryl's entries, as well as Claris' on the OC blog. Think they write very well and captured the essence of the whole experience for all of us. I was more of an observer from the periphery but there was no escaping the fact that the Spirit was moving very freely. Personally, I found it very heart warming to see open hearts & hear the testimonies that follow from it. Indeed, OC has made a number of quantum leaps this year and it's exciting to have a glimpse at what God has planned for this vibrant community. Nothing short of life changing transformations I'm sure. All progress has to be tempered with the sobering fact that the awful fellow with the pitchfork is on high alert to inflict some damage somewhere somehow. It is, after all, spiritual warfare.

I had a power nap after coming back on Wednesday. Got a text from a dear friend I haven't seen in ages. So went to Double O (club off Mohd Sultan) that evening to socialise. Haven't seen this bunch in many years. It was slightly surreal to meet up again. It was a real throwback to almost 20 years ago when we were all on the brink of adulthood and leading a life of decadence in a country across the ocean. Some things have really changed.......and other things haven't at all. The conversations flowed freely and many laughs were shared. But at the back of my mind, I couldn't help wondering whether each and every one of them has seen the light.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Xmas vs CNY
It's impossible to read today's Straits Times without seeing some ad on shopping. On the front page is some short write-up on how the weekend before Christmas (yes, today & tomorrow) are the 2 busiest shopping days of the year! All the shops gear up for these two days....deals galore and open till late. Just the thought of venturing to Orchard Road to battle the crowds gives me a mild headache. Also, I can't stand it that LTA has decided to cash in by charging ERP in the evenings!!!! Plus there is now ANOTHER gantry, in addition to the one at Tangs, just past Plaza Singapura. Talk about cash cow.

I have to confess. I prefer CNY to Christmas. My personal opinion is that it is truer to the meaning of the season. There are too many things about Christmas that are commercialized and in a way, infiltrated by other things. Although I do enjoy things like log cakes, Christmas trees, exchanging presents, attending parties.....and on the rare occasion, shopping till you drop.

When I was standing at the cashier counter at Tangs waiting for my stuff, I found I was staring straight at a sign (behind the cashiers) that said Even wise men seek Jesus. Interesting. What a clever man - Mr CK Tang. I admire that. I remember as a kid that Tangs was not open on Sundays.

To me, the reason for the season is to reflect on the incredible......preposterous even.......idea that God became human. The concept of Incarnation. I think it's mind-blowing. I can only try to begin to grasp it. Is that something like me condescending to be an ant? Not quite I don't think.

For some perspective, I am reminded of my recent plane trip looking out my window on the same level of the clouds, at the tiny little houses and roads from 20,000 ft. I couldn't even see the people because they were too small. The rivers and plots of land were the same size as what I would draw if I were to take my pen and draw some squiggles on a piece of paper. See what I mean. It's a miracle....really.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

One Day Stomach Flu
There are 13 of us travelling together on this trip. One little guy was wretching all the way up from Singapore. We thought he was just car sick. Actually he caught the stomach flu and within the next 2 days, 11 of us came down with the bug. Pretty awful virus. We all took turns making awful noises vomitting everything out. I escaped the vomitting but felt like I was dying with a bloated, gassy abdomen. The house was abnormally quiet yesterday as we all just lay about completely listless. Mrs Wong had nothing to do as even the aroma of food made us nauseous. Amazingly, almost all of us woke up this morning feeling brand new. Yesterday was just a bad memory. Bizarre.

We went to check out the Boh Tea Plantation at Sungei Palais today. There's a cool new building with a cantilevered terrace overlooking the plantation. Gorgeous 180 degree view. Tried a nice light garden tea called Bukit Cheeding.

It's been really wet. We heard that 6 cars were trapped up at Gunung Berinchang yesterday because a landslide had blocked the narrow road. They had to send the Orang Asli with food and supplies for them to stay the night. Just now we saw a helicopter - perhaps to rescue them.




Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
I'm sitting in a noisy internet room above a shop. It's buzzing with the sounds of shooting and explosions. On my left is Tim's caddy and on my right a little further is my little caddy. They couldn't be older than Elliott.
We played 11 holes in what must be the muddiest golf course I've ever trampled around in. We had to stop because of the rain. Now I know where my tip & caddy fees have ended up in. They're real cute though and they did a good job as caddies.
We're staying just down the road at a quaint old, old house that overlooks the 8th hole. It's called 'Mount Vernon'. For us Singaporeans who have been to the other Mt Vernon, it's quite amusing to be living in this one.
Best part is that it comes with an excellent cook, Mrs Wong. Her sole responsibility is to feed us silly. She does her job very well. She makes this killer belachan that made her noodles simply delicious. Looking forward to the curry puffs we'll be gobbling down for tea later.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Pong is right about going manual with the gate of course. Can never go wrong with dependable hand and leg work. That is, until one expires I suppose. But such is life....have enjoyed the comfort and ease of automation and thus, I find myself waiting impatiently for the technician to come install a new gate system. Should have been done by now but it rained all morning. I usually like rain but then I really need to get this out of the way so we can leave for Cameron Highlands in peace next Monday. All this, by the way, is costing an arm, a leg and some white hair.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Grrrhhhh........
Need to vent. I'm frustrated at my gate. It's been behaving erraticly. The diagnosis was that the microchip in the panel was faulty. Recommendation - replace the panel. Cost of panel $280. Labour $80. Now the panel is ok but the gate somehow cannot be re-engaged back. Recommendation - replace the motor. Estimate $700-$1000. ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Post HCMC thoughts
It was sobering to visit the War Remnants Museum and see all those photos of soldiers, Vietnamese villagers caught up in the decades of war. The cruelty that war times bring out in people. The photos & displays of the people affected by Agent Orange were particularly disturbing. The visit to the Reunification Palace was very educational. It was like a time warp to the 60s. The architecture of the building, the furniture. Apparently it hasn't changed at all since the tanks crashed through the gates in 1975 to give the Vietnamese people the liberation they had been fighting for decades.
Met up with some folks who took us to Cholon, HCMC's chinatown, and we feasted on grilled river prawns (the size of lobsters!), tamarind crab and a very young, tender roast piglet...."siew chi". Really memorable. Afterward, we went to check out a jazz bar. At midnight, all pubs close. So we left and were accosted by some kids trying to sell us flowers. They were hitting Tim because he didn't buy any. Fighting spirit.
Good trip. Also good to be back.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Impressions of Saigon
I'm in an internet cafe in Pham Ngu Lao, the backpackers location of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Sensory overload so I'll just jot down some brief images that remain. There are motorbikes everywhere. It's an national obsession to honk. Of a population of 8 million in this city, nearly half own bikes. Some things I've seen being transported on two wheels rather skillfully: a washing machine, a 12 ft ladder, at least 5 slabs of granite about 6 ft long. Nobody wear helmets here. It's caps & hats, and masks & hankerchiefs around the mouth.
Food is yummy. Had 'pho' (beef noodle soup) twice already, delicious Romano pizza, duck l'orange & crepe suzette at Augustin last night, crispy Vietnamese spring rolls at Restaurant 19 the night before.......juicy swimming crab grilled to perfection.
Some eventful things. While crawling in the Cu Chi tunnels yesterday, I thought the old fellow in front of me was going to have a coronary heart attack. The tunnel was only 20m long but he couldn't take it. It was pitch black and possible to navigate either on all fours, or duck walking. Tim was crawling behind me and taking photos of my behind. Tsk. Those tunnels are something else. A testament to willpower and determination to live. Very ingenious. There are three levels - 3m, 5m and 10m.
Today, we went to check out Diamond Plaza. There was a elderly lady that fell backwards on the escalator. Think it was her first time. Yesterday we went to Ben Thanh market. Reminds me of Chatuchak in Bangkok, though not as big and with concrete floors. Rows and rows of street stalls. Tim is doing more shopping than me. It just gives me a heachache really.
One last image before I sign off. Bottles and bottles of snake wine. I find myself staring morbidly at the various snakes bottled in there. Always the requisite cobra standing straight up giving me the eye. Bleh.