Blog vs Facebook

It has been a long time since I last wrote on my blog. I seems to be a thing of the past to blog now that Facebook is the in-thing.

Do I still want to maintain a blog if I am using Facebook? Something I will ponder...

A "spiritual" taxi ride to the airport

This was the most fruitful taxi ride that I ever had in Singapore.

J and I took a cab to Changi airport on 4 September 2008 to catch our flight to Hong Kong.

Taxi driver: "Where are both of you travelling to?"

Jay: "Hong Kong."

Taxi driver: "What are you doing there?"

Jay: "We are going there for a church conference."

Taxi driver: " Oh...so both of you are Christians! What lead you to become Christian?"

I shared my personal conversion story and the taxi driver, who is about 40 years old, shared that he was born of a Christian family and when he was younger he wondered and questioned whether his Christian faith has any solid basis. He went on his personal research and journey of who God is in his life.

Taxi driver: "Do you know that many religions' scriptures were written by people after the founding of the religions? Before Jesus was born, there were already hundreds of prophecies written in the Old Testament about the birth and death of Jesus with pin-point accuracy. You read Isaiah 53, Micah 5, Daniel 7, Psalms 2, 110."

He shared as we grow in knowledge and understanding of who God is in our lives, we will pale in comparison to His greatness.

He used to be a chef and he worked in Thailand and Switzerland for a several years. He gave a very interesting illustration about faith.

Taxi driver: "The Chinese way of cooking soup and the Western way of cooking soup is different. To thicken the soup, the chinese add corn starch while the western adds flour and butter. The chinese soup will thicken as it is heated but as the soup is heated continuously, the soup will become watery again. The western soup will get thicker and thicker as it is heated continously. Our faith in the Lord should be like the western soup. As we grow in the Lord, our faith will grow stronger and stronger."

Our faith is like a seed that grows into a tree whose roots go deep into the Word of God. Our faith will grow strong when we build ourselves on the right foundation. If our faith weakens over the years, it is likely that we are building our faith on the wrong foundation.

Taxi driver did not give me a good impression initially as the taxi was a rather untidy. Our God does not look at the appearance but He looks at the heart. This man has great wealth of spiritual knowledge and understanding that has blessed our hearts, minds and souls.

A 45 minutes journey on the road was indeed a blessed one from the Lord.

Happy Birthday Singapore!!

God bless Singapore!

Are you a good listener?

This week I was watching the Star Chef 2 on Channel 8 where contestants are to cook based on a given theme. They were judged not just on their cooking skills but also character, time management, marketing skills and etc which are required of a 'world-class' chef. Sam Leong, who is a co-host and a judge, chided a contestant for not being a good listener who likes to do what he wants and is not open to comment and feedback. He said that to be a world-class chef is someone who is open to critical and contructive feedback so that he can improve his culinary skills and also at the same time build a rapport with his team (if he has a team with him).

I am currently reading the book of Proverbs and I was reminded of these verses:

"Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."

~ Proverbs 8:32-36

Even as I learn to be a good listener in my daily life, it is also important that I take time to listen to what God wants to speak to me. Most of the time we can hear His Voice clearly when our hearts are still and ready to hear His Voice. When we hear His Voice and we can speak His Heart and Voice in our world.

Good food at Caffe Pralet

Located at Eng Soon Street, there lies Caffe Pralet. It's location is quite obscure and it took J and I a while to find this cafe recommended by J's friend. This cafe is also owned by Chef Judy, who also runs Creative Culinaire Cooking School of which I am considering signing up.

Both of us ordered a set meal each which comprised of a drink, main dish and cake. The total bill only came up to $22. J has fish and chip, plum juice and the signature cheese cake and I had Seafood baked rice, plum juice and Irish Bailey Gateau. Both of us left the cafe very satisfied.

Good quality food at very reasonable price.

I highly recommend this cafe.

Standard Chartered Marathon

J, my sister, brother and I just signed up for Standard Chartered Half Marathon on 7 Dec 2008.

I did my first half marathon in 2004 (see photo on the left). I really felt very good after completing the run. It felt like I have did something great and challenging in my life. Maybe one of these days I will try FULL marathon ;p

My company will fully sponsored this run which makes it a good reason for me to participate this year ;)

I have not been running regularly and I will only have 4 more months to shape up. It is time for me to regain the lost ground and to remove any mental block that will hinder me to complete the run. It's a physical and mental challenge.

I am looking forward to run with my family. Our first time running together ;)

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. " - Hebrews 12:11

The Busy Woman's Guide to a Balanced Life

I have been reading this simple yet practical book which I bought a few months back at Bible Society.

I highly recommend to ladies who need fresh ideas and tips in our daily living.

Let me know if you want to borrow this book from me :)

Poor Lewis

It has been an eventful morning. Lewis was caged and he was furious and he tried to force his way out of the cage using his teeth. He broke this front upper tooth and he was having difficulty breathing. I was so shocked and worried! I quicked called my sister in Taiwan and told her what happened then J and I drove down to Animal Clinic to treat Lewis. I prayed for him on our way there that God will preserve him.

We waited for almost 2 hours before Lewis was "checked out" from the clinic. While waiting we chatted with a few pet owners about their pets and their experience with animals. Quite interesting!

It must be a painful experience for Lewis. He was tearing and it pained my heart to see him teared and breathing so hard. We met the vet and was told that Lewis needed to do minor surgery to remove his tooth as it is affecting his breathing. As much as we would like to preserve his only upper front tooth, it has to be removed.

His only front tooth is gone....;(

Thank God that He preserves this little one.

Sweet Indulgence

I have a dream of being one of the best chef around...haha...will this dream come to pass?? We'll see...keke..

Yesterday I went for my first dessert making class at Bentfork Cooking School. Out of the 6 students, 3 students of them drove all the way from KL to attend this class.

We learnt how to make:

1. Lime & Jasmine Parfait
2. Tiramisu
3. Mille Feuille of Summer Fruits with Vanilla Sabayon
4. Chocolate Hazelnut cake

Too much sweet stuff for the night ;p

Next month, there is a pasta class. Probably I will go. I love pasta!

Baby-sitting....& housekeeping

J and I are baby-sitting this whole week till this Sunday. My family are away for holiday and no one is at home to take care of our pet rabbits, gold fish, tetra fish, terrapins and to water the plants. We move to our parents' house temporally to feed them in the morning and evening.

This is Lewis. He is about 7 years old. Quite old for his age and thank God he is still healthy...;)

I still have a lot of my personal stuff at my parents' house. I have been trying to clean and clear my stuff to bring to my house. As I messed around, digging deep to stuff that I have not touched for years, I discovered several 'treasures' that are long-lost. My mom found a $50 note hidden away in one of my bags. I saw a Precious Moment cross-stitch that I did many years ago and it still needs a few finishing touch before completion. I saw a lot of the encouragement cards and letters that church friends, my brother and other friends gave to me since my school days. I read a few cards and letters and I was moved and touched.

Even as I reflect, we live in the here and now and a lot of times we forget the past that led us to where we are today. God reminds me to be grateful and thank God for all the people that I have met, I have been touched and I have touched. Thank God for the sweet memories that remind me of His goodness in my life ;-)