Discontentment

Over the past few months, I have been struggling with some feelings of negativity. Then I realized that the root of my unhappiness was that I was not contented.

I was not contented because I compared myself with someone else who has what I don't have.

It seems to be in our human nature to always want to compare with someone whom we perceive to be doing better. As a result, often we feel unhappy, resentful and even jealous.

When I was young, I compared myself with my friends who did exceptionally well in their studies (like those who got straight A1s). Then I started comparing myself with my friends who obtained overseas scholarships. As I get older, I compared myself against my peers who seemed to be super-high achievers in both the private industries and civil service.

What I have forgotten is that I myself have not been doing too badly either. I hope to learn from Apostle Paul, who says it plainly in Philippians 4:12 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

I think that for me to overcome discontentment, I need to be thankful that I have been blessed with things that many people don't have. Also, I need to trust that God would supply all that I need.

And finally, that brings me peace, joy and contentment.

Review of Year 2008

On looking back, 2008 has been a challenging, yet amazing year for me personally. Through it all, I can only say that God has been faithful and good. He has given me a certain level of successes at almost every front. I'm quite sure I could not do it, if not for His grace.

1. I was given full teaching load in school, together with other departmental and committee duties.
To RI basketballers: You guys have fought hard together in 2008 and achieved commendable results. And that has taught me more about the Rafflesian Spirit. Thanks, guys!

2. I continued to serve actively in church as a cell leader, imparting my life to the cell members under my charge.
To Kenneth, Jarrell, Kevin, Joel, Joash and Glenn: You guys have been great and teachable. Thanks for sticking together all these years. I've seen all of you grown both physically and spiritually. I am really privileged to be your cell leader.

3. I continued to be active in community work - serving as an adult volunteer at TOUCH Cyber-Wellness Centre almost every Sat.
To Yong Hong, Andy, Nicholas, Yongsin, Mukhlis, Vishnu and Jin Chai: Thanks for being part of us all this while. You guys made a difference to my life.

4. I had to plan my wedding together with my then-fiancee, Dawn.
Planning a wedding must be one of the biggest project anyone would undertake - especially if you intend to get married in Singapore. But thankfully, Dawn and I had a great team of helpers, led by my wedding coordinator, Wai Mun, who made almost everything run smoothly throughout my actual wedding day.


I'm thankful that 2008 didn't pass by just like that. My life has been touched by many people, and I too, had the chance to touch some lives.

I'm looking forward to the year ahead, 2009. It is going to be another extraordinary year for me, I'm sure of it. Not only I have God, but I now also have my wife, Dawn to face the challenges of life together with me. =)

Happy & Blessed Birthday, Junhao!

Last Sunday (yesterday) was Junhao's birthday. I really thank God for Junhao - a good brother to me all this while.

He has being such an encouragement to me and my faith. And I know that I can count on him when I need help. That's what spiritual brothers and family are for. =)

Singapore Flyer

Two Sundays ago, I brought my parents to the Singapore Flyer. It was a good time together, and I realized that I haven't been bringing them out like this for some time.

It was our first time on the flyer. To be honest, after a few minutes of rotating, the initial excitement died down quite fast.

But on a more positive note, I found myself taking some photographs from angles previously impossible. I caught a glimpse of F1 build-up, IR construction, floating platform, and yes, even IRONMAN (the competition).

Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class

Uploaded by http://www.cellspin.net/

I like WALL-E. I just watched it earlier this week.

Two things that I picked up.

1. Be more environmentally friendly. Do your part to reduce, reuse and recyle. Don't let our earth really end up like the one the movie - full of trash.

2. Exercise & keep fit. I don't want to be like the people inside. That's why I have Wii Fit! =)

Hwa Chong Council Reunion

Last Saturday night, the Hwa Chong Institution (College) 32nd Students' Council organized a really massive Council Reunion. Of my batch - which is the 25th Students' Council, 14 of us turned up.

The shared memories that we had was something that each of us will never forget. I'm really thankful that during my JC days, I didn't indulge in computer games or waste my time away. I was able to build lasting friendships (not to mention serving the school).

Hence, I'm very sad when I see many young people today building their lives in the virtual world all day long - WOW, Maple Story, Runescape, Lineage. They seemed to have forgetten that there is a real world out there.


Even now (almost 10 years since we've parted), I can still relate very well with the councillors of my batch. It's really amazing.

Dream. Team. Fight. Win.

After months of training and preparation, and a month of intense competition, the RI 'C' Division Basketball team finally defeated Yuying Secondary in the South Zone Final and emerged as the new South Zone 'C' Division basketball champions!

The road ahead isn't going to be easy, we all know that. We're right now in the midst of the nationals round 1. We're up against Bukit Panjang, Dunman High and Presbyterian High.

We won our first game in nationals against Bukit Panjang today. 7 more games to the national's title. We can do it.

It is a dream that the RI basketball team is built around. We'll fight together and win it.

My Newest Toy!!

All my life, I had never own a video game console (like Nintendo, SEGA, PS, Xbox) before. My parents deemed them 'useless', and that they only serve as distractions from studies. But of course, I found entertainment in computer games like Dune 2, Command & Conquer, Warcraft, etc.

Earlier this month, I got myself a new toy. Nintendo Wii!!

I've tried out the Wii console many times prior to buying it. I really enjoyed the interactiveness of many of its games.

One of the main reasons why I wanted to have the Wii console is that I believe that it can be used to engage my whole family, especially the kids. It is family-oriented.

And Wii, unlike other consoles, allow young people to develop their psycho motor skills in a fresh and fun way. At least that's what I believe.

Just last week, when my niece and nephew came over, we had a good time playing Wii Sport and Mario Kart (even though they kept losing!).

My sister and brother-in-law had a great time too. It was really easy for them to pick up the games.

One last reason would be that I want to keep myself fit - hence, I'm looking out for WiiFit (a fun game that makes exercise fun)! Sadly, it's out of stocks in almost the whole of Singapore, as of now.


To be honest, in this time and age, we need to be creative and intentional about engaging families. I hope I'm on the right track in doing that.

My brother-in-law and my brother's daughter

RI Community Day 2008

Earlier this year, RI dedicated 20th of March as RI Community Day. It was a day when all RI students collaborated with external VWOs (Volunteer Welfare Organizations) and serve the poor and needy.

RI Basketball worked with TOUCH Community Services in doing something very unique. We were featured in the TOUCH Newsletter.



It is truly more blessed to give than to receive!

MAGICBOX

For those who love magic shows, you must not miss MAGICBOX.

For those who love musicals, you must not miss MAGICBOX either.

MAGICBOX is both a musical with great music and dances, and a magicshow filled with amazing illusions. It will be at the Esplanade from 12th - 20th July.

Here's the sypnosis from the sistic website:

"Gateway Entertainment is proud to present Singapore’s beloved homegrown illusionists, Lawrence and Priscilla Khong in a brand new show – MAGICBOX at the iconic Esplanade Theatre. This highly anticipated production combines the world’s most incredible magic expertise with a heart-warming tale of love and family values in one spectacular show. Be dazzled by locally acclaimed talents, enchanting costumes, magnificent sets and skilfully composed music.

Featuring an international team of stellar magic consultants like Jim Steinmeyer, credited with "defining illusions" for David Copperfield, along with John Thompson, the legendary guru of magic, these masters will devise acts unique only to MAGICBOX. Directed by Loretta Chen, MAGICBOX with its many daring and never-before-seen magical illusions, promises to enchant, enthral and entertain from start to finish."



For more details, visit http://www.magicbox.com.sg/.

Don't miss one of the most exciting shows in town. I'm going for it.

A Tough Question..

I saw this question posted on the tagboard early this morning: "there're some questions i wan to ask. if jesus is really god. and if he's a good one. why are there suffering?"

I believe that Jesus is good because I have seen how He has changed me from inside out since the day that I received Him into my heart. I have also seen how He has changed the lives of those around me - be it youths, adults or the elderly.

With Jesus as my fixed reference point in my life, I found myself able to make good choices - that bless both myself and the people around me.

Hence, my premise is that Jesus is God, and He is full of truth and grace. Obviously, my faith is that this premise is true. Everything works out from there.

As to why there's suffering in this world, I confess that I have no good answer to that. For me, according to my faith, I believe that God allows certain things to happen for His purposes - that I may not necessary understand.


In the end, it is a personal choice as to what you choose to believe. No on can force you. I have made my choice 5 years ago. And till date, I really have no regrets.

Geylang Chinese Methodist Church

This will be the church building that I'll be using for my wedding at the end of the year. It's right next to Aljunied MRT.

It's really by the grace of God that I manage to rent that building.

An Extraordinary Valentine's Day

Last Thursday was Valentine's Day. It was most unforgettable for me.

No, I didn't go somewhere super-romantic or super-posh, in case you're wondering.

I spent my Valentine's Day with my church family - the YCYPAO Cluster!



We had our choir rehearsal at TCT at Bukit Merah. We spent that evening giving praise to God, celebrating Valentine's Day with Him and the church family. What an experience!

I really thank God for my spiritual family!

Pulau Semakau... Where's that?!

Today, together with some of my colleagues went on a Learning Journey to an island called Pulau Semakau.

I had never heard of this place before, except that it's some kind of landfill. I envisioned it to be a place filled with rubbish. Smelly place, of course, or so I thought.

Google Map of the Pulau Semakau...

But to my pleasant surprise, it was nothing like that.



Yes, Pulau Semakau is actually quite a nice place. Really. Look at my smiling face. :)

Basically, let me try to summarize Singapore's solid waste (or rubbish) management. Every day, waste collection companies will first collect waste from various places. Then these trash will be sorted into incinerable and non-incinerable. Those that are incinerable will be sent to the 4 incinerator plants in Singapore. They will be burnt and reduced to ashes.

Then all of these ashes, together with the non-incinerable trash will be ferried to Pulau Semakau. They will be used as landfill around a marked-out boundary, which will form some kind of reclaimed land. Eventually by 2040 (estimated), all of the empty spaces will be completely filled and Pulau Semakau will no longer be useful for landfill. And we will need to find other ways to dispose of our trash.

We have to prolong the lifespan of Pulau Semakau. Every one has to learn to practise the 3 Rs. Exercise personal responsibility.

Reduce!
Re-use!!
Recycle!!!

On a lighter note, the island is also used for recreational activities - like stars-gazing, sport fishing and inter-tidal walks (to see the sea animals like starfishes, etc). One couple even took their wedding photos there last year!

Today had really being an enriching day for me.

That's life...

Just a day ago, I received news that one of my secondary school classmates, Eugene (not his real name) suffered a relapse. He was found to have cancer of the blood a few years. Thankfully, he was able to overcome the illness at that time.

Until now.

And so it happens that Eugene had a very good friend, Jason (not his real name again). I was in the same class as the two of them when I was Sec. 3 and Sec. 4.

Jason had passed away about 4 years ago. Cancer of the blood as well.

I really asked God "Why?". Eugene and Jason are both of the same age as me. Good academic results. Good people. Good characters.

My heart was really heavy when I went for service today. When I read Psalm 27, together with the rest of the church, it gave me great comfort. Though I still don't have an answer as to why things had to happen to Eugene and Jason, I believed that I will eventually see the goodness of God in this fallen world, and not just tragedies. I just need to wait.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Life can be unpredictable. Are you cherishing every moment of your life as if it's the last?


There's something practical you can do for Eugene. If you're between 17 - 50 years old and are reasonably healthy, do go down and register yourself as a Bone Marrow donor. You just need to give a small amount of blood to be checked and fill up a simple form. Find out more at this website: The Bone Marrow Donor Programme. You can save lives.

Lasair: flame on!

About two weeks ago, RI had its annual Sec 1 Orientation Camp.

The theme of the camp was Lasair: flame on!

Boys been boys, a camp will bring them closer together than any other activity. Thanks to Sec 1 Year Head, Mrs. Maas and the Peer Support Leaders (PSLs), this orientation camp was really fun and successful. The Sec 1 boys really got to bond with one another, first as a class, then as a batch.

I hope that the Sec 1s will enjoy their time in RI, and that their passion for learning will always be there.

Auspicium Melioris Aevi!!

It's been 7 years since I...

Last Thursday night, I received a shock sms.

"You have a new NS Call Up. Please check http://www.ns.sg/ to find out more."

I had finish my National Service on 22nd May 2002. From then until now, I had been placed in a holding list and hadn't been call up for reservist. Until now.

My first reaction to this sms was fear and uncertainty. I had became a specialist (3rd sergeant) at the end of 2000. I became a BMTC (Basic Military Training Centre) Instructor after that. Hence, it's been 7 years since I 'chiong sua' (means fighting in the jungle) with Standard Battle Order (SBO).

SBO looks really familiar...

I went on to check the website. And things kind of got worse. I'm asked to go for Annual ICT (In-Camp Training) for 3 weeks (!?) in July.

My next reaction was predictably "God, why me?!?! 3 weeks?! So long..."

I was whining and grumbling for some time. Until my girlfriend, Dawn pointed out to me that there are several things to be thankful about in this situation.

I finally then calm down and became more rational. I thought about what Dawn said, and it really make sense.

1. I thank God for my ICT because it gives me an opportunity to lose weight! Isn't that one of my new year resolutions?
2. I thank God that SAF informed me 6 months in advance and hence, I can make adequate preparations, especially in school.
3. I thank God that the ICT timing doesn't clash with my Marriage Preparation Course (MPC) Classes.

Sometimes, seemingly negative situations just need a change in perspective.

Back to army! Preparation phase (now): Get back into fitness.

Are Your New Year Resolutions S.M.A.R.T.?

One of the key reasons why people fail to achieve their new year resolutions is because their resolutions are not SMART.

Don't get offended. I don't mean SMART as in clever or something.

SMART means

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time-framed

We need our goals to be tangible, and not vague. Let me try setting some SMART new year resolutions..


1. I want to lose weight and hit below 70 kg by the end of the year!
At present state, I'm about 78 kg. This means that I have to cut down on fried food and fast food. I must exercise regularly. My aim is that I will go to the gym 3 times a week.



2. I want to go home for dinner 3 times a week (twice on weekday nights, and once on weekend nights).
I really want to spend more time with my family. Family ties are important to me.


3. I want to finish at least 4 Christian books by the end of the year.
In 2008, I want to enrich myself. When I read books, I really can tap into the wisdom of people who are far wiser than me.

We're in 2008!!

I wish everyone a Happy & Blessed New Year! May this new year be filled with more blessings & joy than ever before.

Yesterday, Wai Mun Tribe had a very special thanksgiving event whereby we came together as a spiritual family and thank God for 2007. It was a time of fun, laughter and joy in the Lord. We played games like Winning 11 (thanks to Kenneth & Tzer Wern, my cell group won!), Bang and Bluff.

After games, we had a good time eating KFC, thanks to Elkan's cell who bought the food. Then we went to time of thanksgiving by individual cell groups. I realized that all of the cell groups gave thanks for the closer relationships between one another.

Nothing matters more than relationships with one another. I thank God that I'm closer to my spiritual family than ever before.

Subsequently, at night, we all went to Expo for our FCBC Countdown Party! It was really a night of excitement and fun. All the clappers, lightsabers, balloons and plastic balls. Most significantly, as a church, we entered the year 2008 together.

I'm just so excited about 2008!!

Kevin's BIG Day!!!

Last night, I finally was able to baptize Kevin at TCT. He has been in my cell group for almost 2 years. I have seen him grow not just physically (yes, he's taller than me now), but also spiritually and emotionally. I really thank God for his faithfulness.

Here's his baptism testimony:

"Before I receive Christ into my life, I was a very quiet person. I did not like to talk to people and hence, I did not have many friends in school. The only people that I talked to were my own family, especially my sister and my mother. I could talk to them about anything. However, this did not last because when I was about 10 years old, my parents decided to have a divorce. My sister and I disliked our father and even called him names. And because of the divorce, I was very upset and started eating non-stop. I wanted to forget all the bad things through eating a lot. I grew fat rather quickly at that point in time. Then my mum’s friend began to bring me to her Catholic church. However I did not have a relationship with God, and I was still very much bothered by my parents’ divorce. No one seems to be able to understand what I was going through.

Subsequently, when I was about 11 years old, another of my mother’s friend brought my mother and I to FCBC. My mother went for the adult service, whereas I went to the Sunday school. I did not really know why but I decided to accept Jesus into my life when the pastor gave the altar call. Perhaps it was because deep down inside, I wanted God to help me take away the pain and hurts in my life. Coincidentally, my mother also received Christ on the same day. Thank God for it.

After receiving Christ, I began to realize the importance of living a true Christian life. I wanted to change my way of living and looking at things. However, I failed to do it initially. I went back to old ways and didn’t want to talk to anyone and kept over-eating. My cell leader, Nicodemus, told me many times about the things I need to change, however, I refused to listen and shut him out. Finally, towards the end of secondary one, there was once when I felt the Holy Spirit convict my heart to change after Nicodemus talked to me again.

Now, by the grace of God, I stopped my over-eating habits and I started to view life more positively. I also managed to break out of my old self and was able to interact more with others, especially my own cell brothers. I am faithful in attending church and cell activities weekly. In school, my results have improved significantly. However, I recognize that I still have to work on the way I treat my teachers.

My relationship with my mother and sister improved as well. I learned to care and love them better. For instance, I do the housework regularly. I am still in the process of learning how to forgive my dad. The good thing is that I definitely do not dislike him now as much as before. Thank God for all these breakthroughs in my life. Amen!"