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23 Dec '09: Christmas Gathering with Mentees '0809
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091223-gathering.jpgThe guys came... ate... caught up... first gathering of its kind. More to come in the future? :)
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11-15 Dec '09: Trip to Macau & Zhu Hai
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091211-macau.jpgVisited Macau with dear and my in-laws... a good respite! (:
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06 Dec '09: Singapore Marathon 2009
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091206-scsm.jpgFinally a marathon finisher! :)
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29 Nov '09: Swee Xiang & Ruth's Wedding
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091129-sweexiangruth.jpgSecondary school classmates for four years... now colleagues together and more importantly, brothers in Christ. Glad to see Swee Xiang tie the knot! :)
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28 Nov '09: Wei Lin's CO Performance
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091128-nypco.jpgWent with some of the guys to catch Wei Lin performing with the NYPCO... good stuff from the orchestra!
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26-28 Nov '09: Marraige Breakthrough Weekend
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091126-mbtw.jpg3D2N @ Pulai Springs (JB) - Good rest, good fellowship, good learning. :)
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25 Nov '09: Dear's Strawberry Cake/Kueh
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091125-strawberrykueh.jpgA super duper original delicacy!!! :D
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20 Nov '09: Commencement Dinner
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091120-dinner-darren.jpgThe night came and went by... four years... hai. Haha... With Weilin (terribly wonderful helper) and Darren (terribly wonderful student).
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20 Nov '09: 4E1'09 Class Chalet @ Aloha Loyang
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091120-4e1chalet.jpgWent and stayed over at their chalet after my evening lesson... the one and only CSE EP class, the first and the last. Also the class that I find myself more attached with... ;)
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18 Nov '09: Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Cake
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091118-chochazelnutpralinecake.jpgFinally managed to make this... Didn't know that hazelnuts are that expensive here! Haha... but well, this is my best tasting cake yet!
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05 Nov '09: HCVB 'B' Div 2009-2010
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091105-hcvb.jpgHad the opportunity to catch the team in action against Sembawang Sec... Won in two sets! (:
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02 Nov '09: Dinner with HCI 1A'06
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091102-2adinner.jpgBlessed to be invited for a 'reunion' dinner of sort - how time flies!!
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23 Oct '09: Mentees Phototaking - Sec 4 IBP
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091023-ibp.jpg(Top - Clockwise from Left) Jonathan, Gordon, Darren, Jian Yang, Jordan, Hongwei, Wei Lun, Izumi, Zi Song, Shao Jie, Si Heng, Jun Yi, Yang Cheng & Jordy
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23 Oct '09: Mentees Phototaking - Ties That Bind
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091023-ttb.jpgReally glad to witness the growth of the peeps in this Service Learning group. (:
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23 Oct '09: Mentees Phototaking - Sec 3 & 4 CSE
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091023-cses3n4.jpgMy Sec 3 & 4 mentees from the Centre for Scholastic Excellence
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23 Oct '09: Mentees Phototaking - Sec 4 CSE
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091023-cses4.jpg(L-R) Bryan, Shannon, Kelvin, Junxiong, Arnold & Yu Song
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23 Oct '09: Mentees Phototaking - Sec 3 CSE
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/091023-cses3.jpg(Top - Clockwise from Left) Zheng Ting, Zheng Jie, Max, Louis, Zhewei, Zhonghui & Tiet Ho
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21 Sep '09: Chocolate Banana Walnut Cake
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090921-chocbananacake.jpgMy first attempt at baking a cake... tasted rather good! :P
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12 Sep '09: Dinner with "Ties That Bind"
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090912-ttbdinner.jpgPleasantly surprised by their treat and gift... gladdens the heart to see how much they've grown through the project!
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08 Sep '09: 庆祝老三15岁生日
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090908-laosanbday.jpg认三儿已接近两年...看着他们成长,心总含有丝丝欣慰之感。
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29 Aug '09: Last Lesson with Dr. Harold Robers
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090829-ectacp.jpgThe Constructive Psychotherapy framework is one that I'll be mindful of and use in my sessions... :)
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28 Aug '09: Cooking for Syahir, Eunice & Joseph
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090828-eunicejoesyahir.jpgHaven't met for some time... '5' asked to meet, decided upon a cook-in. Was a good time of chillin' and catching up. (:
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16 Aug '09: HCI IBP F1 '09
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090816-f1.jpgTaking a floor shot with the guys in F1. It really hasn't been the same as last year's batch, the interaction, make-up and all. They're a good bunch; hope to get to know them better with time.
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12 Aug '09: Celebrating Chenrui's 15th Birthday
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090812-chenruibday.jpgOur first birthday boy of the floor for this cycle! :)
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31 Jul '09: CSE IBP F1 Seniors Cookie Baking
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090731-cookiesf1.jpgJonathan, Gordon, Izumi and Jianyang wanted to bake cookies to welcome the new batch of boarders in F1... gave them the chocolate macadmia cookie recipe - it turned out rather well!
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21 Jul '09: Baileys Cookies
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090721-cookiesbaileys.jpgBeen wanting to try a cookie recipe with Baileys... finally managed to do so. Not bad for a start, managed to have a hint of the taste in each cookie. Hope to bake this again... with more taste!
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15 Jul '09: Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090715-cookiesearl.jpgFirst time trying out baking shortbread cookies... method's a little different. Turned out really well... personally liked the earl grey fragrance a lot!!
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10 Jul '09: Strawberry Tart
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090710-strawberrytart.jpgWe got this recipe off Martha Stewart's magazine... accidentally flattened the crust to the first tart (sob) but the second one turned out well... and tasted well too!
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10 Jul '09: Cha Soba Dinner
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090710-dinnerdear.jpgTreated to cha soba and grilled vegetables for dinner! Thanks dear! :D
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05 Jul '09: "Ties That Bind" @ Hair For Hope
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090705-ttbhfh.jpg -
04 Jul '09: Celebrating Rebecca's 21st Birthday
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090704-rebeccabday.jpg -
04 Jul '09: HCI CSE Class Rep Outing
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090704-kbox.jpg -
27 Jun '09: Syahir's Exam Piece
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090627-syahir.jpg -
25 Jun '09: 庆祝阳城16岁生日
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090625-yangchengbday.jpg -
20 Jun '09: Fathers' Day Cook-In
http://www.galvs.net/images/slideshow/090620-fathersday.jpg
0 |
:( :( :( :( :(
啊我的天啊!
My own house is a disaster zone - I've never seen floor tiles so dirty before... litter sprawling around... sob sob. Thankful my room wasn't that bad. BUT...
There's going to be so much cleaning to do before we can start shifting stuff back. :(
So many things to clear, so much shifting, so much planning... :(
Any kind souls around who'll like to help clean or/and shift? No CIP points though...
And we have to complete our shifting by the 15th cause aunt has called a cleaner to clean up our current place of lodging on the 17th.
:(
There goes my December 2007. Boohoooooooooo.
One more day to December! Reflection month! Since things are getting busier (irony upon irony that I should be working so hard when everyone else' in the holiday mood boo) I guess it'll be good to start writing earlier in small chucks, as much as I'm given time to do a little reflection here and there.
First off, a little recap of today's proceedings. Felt like a dodo for a while... Read about SITEX the annual tech fair on Straits Times and decided to go take a look in hope of getting some extra storage space at a cheap price. Took a bus to town... walked all the way to Suntec Convention Hall. Went up to the exhibition halls... there's this exhibition going on on one level and it was all quiet at the topmost level.
Then I realised that I might have gotten the venue wrong. Texted gpp... hais. So it's held at Singapore Expo. :|
Initially wanted to forget about the whole thing, walk around and return home... but yeah. I ended up at Singapore Expo an hour later.
Got what I was looking for though... worthwhile trip! Bought printer cartridges at cheaper prices too... give NTUC shopping vouchers some more! Hahaha...
But yeah. This month's balance is in the reds. Those things I bought were paid from my own savings... and after many rounds of pacing up and down the vendor area. Heh... oh well. It's a matter of constant trust. And hopefully there'll be bonus in December... hope hope. Not to mention the loss of monthly rental fees... am going over to collect the keys later on. Funny though... I'm a bit excited at the prospect of moving back to my own room. :)
Ah. It's time to go over soon... Guess I'll write in another entry. Till then!
News of the dragon boat tragedy that resulted in the loss of the lives of five very promising young men has been the talk of the town the past few days... as of today, a combined memorial service was held in honor of them before they enter their final rite of passage here.
It's heart breaking to read through all the messages and eulogies left by friends and loved ones on their Friendsters and memorial blogs.
But one thing that consistently shone... are the legacies that they've left behind, young as they were (20 - 31), how through this brief span they've touched so many with their lives and the way they'd lived.
I heard from Ivan my school's administrator that Mr. Stephen Loh was from his church. Actually I wouldn't have blogged about this if I hadn't gone to his memorial blog again just now... Tears started dripping as I read what his students had left for him.
Stephen... I draw inspiration from you. In all my dealings with my students I will remember what I've read about you... thank you for paving the way, for setting an example. Till we meet again when that day comes, this I can safely say. God bless you, brother. :)
If only it can be eaten. *crunch crunch crunch*
Hahahahhaa. :P
I feel a little stupid; the 300 or so copies of the album have been in those boxes in my room for quite some time... I used to get quite a number of requests... then it stopped somehow.
It dawned on me some weeks ago that I had taken off the details on how to obtain copies of the album quite some time back. Diao diao right.
Now that I've gotten the details back up, requests are coming in again... Should be sending about 27 copies out next week. Hope that He'll use them to bless. :)
Mmmm. Finished recording vocals for the last song this evening at the studio. What's left to be done: mastering of the songs and album eventually, album production, design... Hope to get it done by the first quarter of next year bah. This album is meant to be sold... advanced order anyone? :P
The meeting this morning in school went well. I was giving thanks actually as I was walking along the pathway after the meeting... how I'm blessed with a rather good boss who isn't condescending... who's pretty much willing to lend a helping hand since I can get quite clueless at times. Haha... yeah. Lots of work to do on top of setting up the online system - this being the first year not just for me but also for the centre, I am tasked to come up with all the relevant SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), yadda... seriously. On one hand it's an exciting season for me... on another I know I'll definitely feel more at ease doing something that has been done before or taking up some person's portfolio, etc. Aye. I really didn't expect the prophetic word to be so accurate - a brother (I forgot who) did mention in the past that it seems that I'm called to pioneering work... it's like. ZEN ME KE NENG?!?!! (HOW CAN IT BE?!?!)
It's going to be a difficult December... but time still has to pass yeah. I just hope that in the midst of all the busyness I'll not neglect what's not to be neglected. :)
(Losing doesn't make losers... Winning doesn't make winners)
The volleyball guys lost their match against Victoria School.
They lost by very, very close margins on both sets.
I wasn't there for the match, but going by the looks of the margin difference, I can imagine that they would have fought hard... very hard, against a formidable team.
Sure, perhaps there might have been slips here and there. Perhaps they might have given away free points even through mistakes... but knowing how much they've trained and how much they really wanted to win, disappointment and devastation would have come naturally... and they did.
But I'm sure they'll pick up pretty quickly once again... for it is in that fighting spirit that they're winners.
Jiayou guys. ;)
I for one... refuse to be a loser no matter what the circumstance is... regardless of all the losing situations that I've been in.
Thank God for the ultimate victory in Christ, that I am more than a conqueror in Him who loves us.
A lot of people think that finding contentment in God means living a substandard life of non-pursuing (since I'm already contented).
Actually, contentment in God drives you to be discontented for the way things are for Him... and not for self. And you'll find yourself motivated in life to do all things to the best of your ability not for personal glory but unto His.
And the beautiful thing about this... is that when that becomes your ambition to glorify God all in all, you'll find that you're able to accomplish much more than you can ever imagine, because you'll be borne by strength not of your own... but of His.
Of course, the danger lies in the shifting of focus to self once accomplishments set in and one starts to rely on self rather than Him... and in the worst case, it winds up being self glorification.
He gives, He takes away... blessed be the name of the Lord.
"As for me and my house... We will serve the Lord" - Joshua 24:15
Mmm. Reflection's always good... this time round, I've uncovered the reason to do my best again. Thank You Papa. :)
It can be quite galvinly impossible to pull this off... this whole thing of exploring, learning and setting up a new content management system before the new school term.
And that's amidst all the other planning, orientation included.
And that's besides the other projects that I have to finish.
And that's apart from shifting house.
Apart from the need to keep family finances on the floating level.
Woots.
Wooohooooooo. :P
I shall make a mental note of the smile and gratitude and I'll be having when the new year comes... knowing that He'll bring me through yet another season.
But yeah. Faith and trust comes in when you're in the midst of the process.
Shall sleep and recharge myself before continuing with the exploration of the system later on.
Hope they'll (the vb guys) win the match later on... after which they'll be in the top four at least. Gogogo! ;)

There are about 300 copies left of this album to be distributed. Interested parties, do drop me an email here with the following details:
- Full Name
- Contact Number
- Mailing Address
- Number of Copies
This album is available to you at no cost. However, it will be much appreciated if you will consider to make a contribution to cover costs (production, postage, etc). :)
For more information, please visit the "My Songs" section. Thanks!
Photos will have to be up together with the actual event later on... just leaving a quick one before I take a quick shower and hit the bed - got to wake up real early later on.
Just want to use this entry to commemorate the realization of two of my wishes this very day... Haha I know they ain't anything huge, may sound frivolous even, but it's really something that's quite significant to myself.
Those two wishes were one, that someday I'll jog from home to school... and two, that someday I'll jog from school to botanical gardens.
I was lamenting to Char how I didn't get the time to jog this past week... then she suggested the brilliant idea of me jogging to botanical gardens for the senior web prayer retreat recce while she takes a bus there and wait for me. And so... we decided to try it out.
Not bad at all... hur. Reached school in 50 minutes, took another 20 minutes or so to the final destination. One word to sum it up... shioook. xD
Spent the rest of the saturday morning with Char, Markudesu and Sue walking round the gardens... ending off with a lazy lunch.
Caught the ACJC drama production - "Arabian Nights" at ACS Barker in the evening together with the rest of the WG - the costumes that Gabriel designed were marvellous! The performance ended late though... and I was hit by a sudden hunger pang. Adjourned to Newton Food Centre to have a little something to eat before heading home.
And now off to the showers I shall go... and off to bed thereafter.
May the guys win the match later on in the morning. :)

The match against West Spring Secondary was already in progress when I entered the hall... the boys were leading in the first set. (Fast forward fast forward fast forward... hahaha) The boys won 2 - 0 in the end. :)
It's a nice come back after the defeat by the reigning champions two days ago. They'll have to win the rest of the two matches in order to secure a top four position.
Jiayou bah guys!
Resilience can only be learned and honed as one sails through choppy and crashing waves.
He who emerges through them emerges stronger.
Oh yah... my introversion was seriously at work and interfering with my professionalism as an educator this afternoon... in case any of the upper sec guys whom I met happen to drop by, apologies for the reticence and daoness! Bleah bleah. :P

The server configurations stuff that I mentioned in my previous post has finally been solved as of few hours ago. YES!!! Haha... I can finally move on and get myself acquainted with the content management system (CMS) that I'll most probably be using in the new year for my work. In a sense it'll be a pretty tough journey initially due to all the learning that's needed... but once I ease into the job, it should all turn out fine.
Come to think of it... this job really requires me to utilize all the different areas of my knowledge and interest - the technical in terms of the backend application that I have to churn out with, the graphical in terms of the frontend website, the communicative in terms of doing all the liason with staff from different departments, mentors, students and parents, the affective in terms of getting to know the guys and walking this journey with them.
Actually it'll be heaven if I only have the last thing to work on. But ya. Hahahahahaha...
Gee. Now that I've listed down my scope of work... I realised that I actually have quite a bit of stuff on my plate. But yeah... beyond doing everything unto God for His glory, I know He sees my heart... and for the kind of passion and love that He's placed in me for them that they become so important that I won't mind stepping out of my comfort zones for... I'll pray and hope that He'll constantly be that strength and guide of mine, especially in times when I know I'll feel gao wei (irky) and stressed. :)
Spent the afternoon at West Coast Part together with Char for a little long overdue retreat. It's great to be back! But but but... the spot that I used to sit by under a palm tree... the entire area's cordoned off for some kind of development. :( So we walked a bit further and found a new spot under a new tree. Haha... took some photos (I know I'm obsessed with my white havaianas lol), did the readings, wrote in my little black book, played the guitar... wrote a song! :)
HALLELUJAH VOICES 2007
22 November 2007
I am lifted by Your mercy
Ever lifted by the grace You gave
Enduring love that lasts forever
Fills me up each day
So that I can stand up come what may
Through the seasons, You've been faithful
You're the faithful constant in my life
The Alpla and Omega, the Beginning and the End
You're the Holy One, the great I Am
I lift my hands
To the great I am
I lift my voice
I will join the many voices singing
To the Lord of lords and the King of kings
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah voices fill the air
I really cannot imagine my life now without You... and you.
:)
Thanks to all who've been keeping in prayer... now that I've gotten that frame of mind back again, do pray not that I won't be stressed or that I'll finish my work... but that I'll constantly be seeking Him first, knowing that everything else will fall in their rightful places. Gracias! :)
... but I'm pressing on. Yeah. :)
Spent the past couple of hours fiddling with some server configurations with the hope of properly setting up a local server to test out some web installations I'm trying to evaluate for next year's scope of work. From the setting up of the local server to the actual applications themselves... everything's kind of 'new' to me... well. Tried to set it up but I'm currently back to square one.
Can't afford to fiddle around with it now anymore 'cos it's late... got a meeting in school in the morning before a project group meeting with one of my ThinkQuest groups. Then I'm off to SouthWest CDC at Woodlands Civics Centre for an interview to see if they'll be able to help cover part of Dori's medications for her leukemia condition...
Still have some documentations to prepare for the interview.
And two projects that I ought to be finishing.
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders... I know He'll carry me through all these. Ah wells... still human, still get pek chek sometimes... frail... humpf humpf. Shall go take a shower before preparing the documents.
Will appreciate if you can afford a prayer to Pa for me. :)

Hahaha... I can't decide between the two entry titles so I've decided to put both. XD
Yeah. Ever since the Senior WEB games day two Sundays ago, I've taken an interest in sports photography... it's exciting to follow the game and take in-action shots - very cool la! Hahaha... but that's besides the point for today. It's more exciting to see the boys win their match today. :)
Knew from Max about the game at Hougang Sports Complex today... decided to da qi da qi yi xia (hit air hit air one down - O_o"... give support I mean).. it's kind of meaningful also since I know practically the whole team.
It was a long journey down though... went to the swimming complex earlier for a swim and spent some time walking round the neighbourhood. It's amazing how Hougang has four to five food centres within the same area... within walking distance from one another! Haha... walked back to the sports hall thereafter to catch the team in action against Xinmin Secondary.
The scoreline for both sets was really close till the end... but the boys hung on... really proud of them! YOU GUYS ROCK! XD It was a bit nerve wreaking especially towards the end of the second set when Xinmin kept on leading the scoreboard... losing that set meant playing another one. But yeah, the boys turned the tables in the end. Aye. I feel like I'm reiterating myself. Haha.
It is to me a privilege actually... having taught across consortiums so I actually get to know students from more than one of them. Shaw Shian and Jing Jie very cute... they were training outside the hall when I arrived and they had to rush into the hall to announce my arrival to Max. Well well well. Haha.
All the best guys... all the way!
Every victory, big or small, is worth congratulating and celebrating... and we can also learn from every defeat, big or small. I was looking at how the jiao lian (coach) debrief the team... and I actually learned quite a bit just by looking at his poise and the way he spoke and analyzed the game.
That He'll empower me to be a good coach to my current teams... and a good friend (not nice... but good) to those He'll bring across my path.
;)
Okay. Dinner time!
...that I felt really good this morning in school when one of my students acknowledged me a couple of times each time we met... when the bunch of basketball guys called out to me from the court while I was walking back to the library from the canteen... when one of my other students passed me a packet of chocolates he bought from his overseas exchange programme out of the blue at the library (though I guess it probably wasn't meant for me in the first place... it's really very out of the blue).
As in... I felt appreciated through these gestures... yeah. :)
Haha... and yeah. Final session of IDT (Intentional Discipleship Training aka I Daily Touched) today... spent quite some time after work today to revise the stuff before the final term checkup. Did pretty okay... half a mark less than my dear Char. Haha... Spent the rest of the time at her place finishing up the last few episodes of Sassy Girl Chun Hyang... ended up getting home pretty late.
If everyday can just be this simple... and nice. :)
PSALM 23 (from memory)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores me soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your staff and your rod, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
PSALM 121 (from memory)
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD will watch over you - The LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
... and I thank You Lord.
For being always there.
Even though I've not been the best of a child.
Your mercy and grace is something that I'll have to spend this lifetime figuring out... and I know I may not fully understand it even when that day comes... well. Perhaps I'll know then. For now... thank You. And by Your strength and only Yours alone... draw me closer to You each day. Teach me to continue to live the life that You've called me to... that You'll lead me in my every thought, deed and action... that You'll forgive me for any of those that are done on my own accord and against Your will.
For You are good... and Your love endures forever... and Your faithfulness continues through all generations. Amen.
This is my favourite song in the drama... 응급실 - eung geub shil - Emergency Room:
huhoe hago issoyo
uri tatuteon keu nal
kwaenhan chajunshim ttaemune
kkeut na chago mareul hae peorin goya
keumbang pol chul arasseo
nal chajgil paraesseo
heona myeochili chinado
amu soshik chocha opso
hangsang naege neomu chalhae cheoseo
swipge sanggakhaess na pwa
ijen ara nae kochib taemune
himteurossteon noreul
I paboya chintcha aniya
ajikdo nareul keurohke molra
noreul kajin sarang na pakke ops neunde
chebal nareul tteona kachima
onjerado nae pyeoni toejun neo
komaun chul moreugo
cheol opsi na meosdaero hangeo
yongseo halsu ops ni
I paboya chintcha aniya
ajikdo nareul keurohke molra
noreul kajin sarang na pakke ops neunde
chebal nareul tteona kachima
neo hanaman sarangha neunde
idaero nareul tugo kachima
nareul peorichima keunyang kkok anajwo
tashi sarang hage torawa..

Sugar & Spice... what little girls are made of. Hahaha... It's actually a title of a japanese movie starring Yagira Yuya of "Nobody Knows" fame - the boy (14 year old then I think) who won best actor at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. It's showing only in The Cathay and Orchard Cineplex... Char, Dori and I caught it on Tuesday.
There isn't very much a storyline... or rather, the whole film depicts the life of Shiro (Yagira Yuya), a seventeen year old boy fresh from high school graduation, how he fell in love for the first time... and how it ended with a breakup.
He's a good actor (aiyah that's why he won best actor... duh right). He makes u feel for him especially towards the ending portions of the film... the way he acted in the film... raw, truthful. He really projected the innocence of a boy who really gave of himself to someone whom he thought he could love for the rest of his life.
Nice. :)
Dori and I met the rest of the gang near Peter's place to spring a little surprise on him on his 17th birthday. The dazed surprised look he gave as we barged into his room was a classic. Hahaha... ended up going home really late - his mom prepared quite a sumptuous supper. :P
I knew this boy since he's 13... Five years. Whoa. The thing about youth ministry is that you don't just look after them spiritually... but you treat them very much like they're your own sibling. I know I've written this like over a million times... but yeah. It's really a privilege to see these ding dongs grow up, rising up, stepping out of their comfort zones, tackling issues in their strides, giving glory and honor to Him in the things they do. :)
Caught up with a dear brother over dinner this evening... just thankful to see the way He's watching over him and granting him such great experiences with student council and all. :)
Remember the boy whom I wrote about some entries back, the one who's working as a cook and who hasn't been going to church for the past two years or so?
We chatted over the phone tonight...
He wanted to "re-accept" Jesus into his life.
My heart was smiling as we chatted on... ended off with a prayer of rededication and me praying for him.
It seems like he realised he's been a pai kia aka xiao hun hun for too long and somehow he just felt he needed to get back.
And all I had going in my mind then... is that Pa is indeed faithful.
And personally He's telling me to constantly let go and let Him... because He will.
:)
Okay... time for bed. Gonna reach school pretty early tomorrow morning for a meeting. Ciao!
It's been a long day.
Projects left untouched. Deadlines dragged... and still unable to lay hands on them. Part of it's due to inertia... but the bulk of it lies in my recent impossible schedules.
Then there's the paperwork for Aunty Witwit's transfer to our name - her renewal of work permit and all... I've been going to and fro bukit timah plaza quite a number of times for that.
I've also received news that my little desire to have a scope of work included in my jobscope will most likely not be realised. There's a little struggle and dejection... but ultimately I must learn to entrust all this to Pa. Basically... I don't think I'll be able to have any direct working relationship with my sec one boys this year. I'll be reunited with quite a number of the current sec two going on sec three boys though... quite a substantial number.
It's still a little daunting to know that I'm going to work with the cream of the cream of the crop... but yeah. Hope I'll be able to ease into the role in time to come.
Spent the bulk of the day at Focal Pro Audio Solutions studio located at Joo Chiat... recorded vocals for two out of the three songs left. Left me quite drained at the end of the day... but yeah. Really thankful that brother Patrick's around - and it's a super huge privilege and honor to have him lend his vocals to do backing vocals for the two songs today. To me he's a great example of what it means to exercise his God given talents and gifts with utmost humility... it's really a very refreshing feeling to be in the presence of His humble servants. :)
Yeah... really tired though.
And I can really make do with having myself detached from certain issues and individuals. Given the same Galvin years ago, I might have been drained off totally for being overly concerned over others who wouldn't even care.
And then I realised... that I'll just have to trust Pa to link me up with those who'll respond... and as for those whom I find difficult to communicate with and those who just don't wish to respond... I'll have to learn to surrender them unto His hands... and call it a day on my side.
And that's part of personal soul care I guess. :)
Here're two clips of Patrick singing... Imba to the fullness can. :P

Just came back from Yvonne & Ron's wedding dinner not too long ago... Really happy for them. :) As Yvonne walked down the red carpet with Ron towards the stage, there was this sudden feeling of being touched and thankful... that I've been blessed with a class that manages to stay pretty close so many years down the road.
You know, junior college life's been filled with many wonderful memories of just enjoying one another's company, crapping, chatting... Yvonne's one of the student councilor in our class then. Petite in size but fully packed with cheerfulness and bubbliness. Haha... who can forget the way she giggles as if she's having an asthma attack *hur hur hur hur - deep breathing deep breathing - hur hur hur... * Hahaha...
There were no blogs then... but being half a computing class, we came up with our very own online class journal, which we actively write in till today. In retrospect, I think that's a major reason why we still stay so connected till now. I guess classes nowadays have the advantage of many tools to help them stay in touch... and as for our class then... it's really something to be thankful for. :)
Yuntian's the next in line... 20 Sep 2008. She's been actively asking us to attend both the church wedding and evening dinner - from sitting at the table just now to her latest post in the journal.
Xinyu: Yah lor... you advertise the whole night not enough must still advertise on journal...
Yuntian: cos u guys are important guests to me mah hehehe :P
That feeling of being touched and thankful came back again. Haha.
And so... I added a little paragraph:
Hahaha... frankly. u guys are du yi wu er. irreplaceable. i'm never good at articulating myself... but to put it simply, i can have friends in different circles... but this bunch will always be one tt's really cherished and much treasured.Really touched to see Yvonne zhao dao hao gui su. 99S31... jiu shi 99S31 le lar ah. :)
:)
Came back from my Saturday jog... mmm. Refreshing. :) Having RT off my schedules means that I'll have to take extra efforts to make sure I have sufficient work out each week... discipline. Heh.
When it comes to pull ups, it's easy to get a few more counts if you do it improperly, as in, you do not do the full motion before you attempt the next pull up. It's a resolution in the coming year for me to attempt to achieve a decent number of counts for proper pull ups... the count stands at three for now.
It can be pretty daunting when you've done two and you let yourself hang there on the bar... your mind starts to wonder if you can manage another one. So far so good... hopefully I'll break three to make four next week. :)
I am unfit la okay. Hahaha.
Raymond, a dear brother, turns 30 this year. Gpp and I celebrated for him a couple of days ago... and something that he wrote on his blog caused me to pause and nod in agreement:
I gave me the best gift of salvation when I was at the tender age of 15. I lived the next 15 years of my life with the new found faith and understanding of the Lord Almighty... Learning to be obedience to Him. Struggling through my sinful nature whom keep wanting to take control to the temporary happiness instead of striving for eternal joy.
The schemes of the evil one not can be, but is insidious and highly delusional in a sense that he makes the wrong look like the norm.
And as a result we tend to pursue transient happiness more often than not. Happiness that will not last... pleasures that'll last only for the moment. We set our goals and directions in line with temporary prizes, only to find that there's more and more to garner and laud over when we've reached our preplanned destination. Money. Power. Sex.
As one grows in his relationship with God, he'll find his perspectives of things change, his life "transformed", not that he's suddenly blessed with much wealth and health, but that he'll learn to see things from heavenly perspectives... and when that happens, certain things and goals that might have mattered in the past will not matter that much anymore.
He'll learn how to be content not in his situations and circumstances but in God, not that he'll end up slacking off, but he'll be constantly seeking His directions and moving as He leads, which can be really exciting. (*cough cough... personal experience. Haha*)
A great misconception and lie (told you the devil's pretty crafty) is that life will be free from struggles and suffering when someone follows after God wholeheartedly. The truth is far from that.
Where sinful nature resides together with the Holy Spirit in the body, there'll always be a constant battle in the heart and mind, a constant tussle in which one will be given the power to choose. Whereas it may be really hard to attain to the point of winning all the time without struggles, a constant struggling marks a healthy life in Christ, as it shows reality of the battle inside.
The scariest is when one engages in sinful acts and finds no sign of struggle or tussle within him.
Still... I hope for myself that the day will come (as in, before He comes again) when I will be able to stand in victory without that much of a struggle inside. And I'm reminded again that the way to do that isn't so much of focusing on battling those things and thoughts... but casting my eyes on Jesus over and over again, seeking Him, His Kingdom and His righteousness... falling in that love over and over and over again.
Aye. It's supposed to be a quick one. :| Hahaha... bleah bleah bleah.
thank God for three (One still in Oz land) very unique brothers that I met in the net through blogging. You guys taught me the meaning of friendship without expectation. You guys are always ready to pray and interact for each other even though most of us dun belong to the same church. Except Galv and me.Thanks Galv and Chewy for preparing and planning the surprise dinner. Seriously, it didn't come across my mind that you guys are meeting me for dinner to celebrate my big 30. Thanks for blessing me with such a yummy chocolate cake.
WELCOME!!! 5 more years for me!!! XD
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy, I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
And I thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my Friend...
I had lunch with 5 & 6 today at Holland Village. Mmm. It's been quite some time since we've sat down to eat and chill... the three of us. I kind of anticipated the silence in the beginning... was smiling at myself. Haha... but didn't exactly have the "oh no what's next" feeling...
Then the conversations began.
I'm thankful in a way for the things that's transpired... I consider these times as precious moments, where I can hear them speak their mind and provide a little personal input. As to whether they have any take homes that'll benefit them, I'll just have to leave it to Pa I guess. :)
Could have gone on a little longer... but I was late for my next appointment. Didn't expect our conversation to last that long... so when I checked the time on my phone, it showed the time of my supposedly next meeting. I was close to being freaked out. Hahaha... thank God for sending that cab in the midst of the many occupied ones. :)
Today I finally got my permanent job scope fixed... at least for next year. All I can say right now is that I am really venturing into uncharted waters, with no predecessors before me, no upperstudy whom I can learn from, no systems in place... it's very much a pioneering work. On one hand I feel kind of excited... but I must confess the fear and trepidation part as well. The scope of work's requiring me to step out of my comfort zones totally, in terms of sourcing for resources, working with others, speaking out... Mmmm.
He's brought me thus far.
And so... what can I do... but to trust... right? :)
And yeah. As if there wasn't enough on the list... I actually requested for more work. Crazy boy right... but yeah. I did. And to a bunch of people, it may be good news... but well, who knows? Haha... If anything, I am looking forward to that, should that portion of my job scope for next year be finalised as well.
Don't ask for more clues... I've dropped enough. Hahaha...
Alright. Time to sleep. Oyasuminasai. :)
THANKFUL
09 November 2007
I can't imagine how
My life would end up being without You
You came in just in the nick of time
Should it happen a few years late
I might have traversed beyond the point of no return
Thinking that's the way to go
I didn't ask for this
The way I am, I see, I touch and feel
But just somehow, it came to be
Still it feels like a mystery
How the power of Your love caused me to see
And eventually set me free
Lord I thank You for Your grace
In Your Presence Lord I stand amazed
With a life transformed in Jesus
I will stand and testify
Of Your love
And the joy it is to be in Christ
I'm not a super being
I'm frail, I'm weak, I make mistakes, I fall
And boy, I struggle darn whole lot
Mercy falls on the undeserved
That once again I may stand upright and walk
With the light unto my path
Ho ho ho... Cooking ain't easy. :| Haha... Am at Char's place now, about to finish cooking the last piece of pa jeon - Korean pancake. The first few pieces were disasters... it wasn't till the last few when I finally achieved that crispy texture. And and and... I kind of had my fill when I tried to finish off the rejects. :| Haha... now Char's in the kitchen finishing up the last step for her jiao zis... and we can finally have our dinner... after three hours of prep work.
Haha... taxing, but quite fun. But I guess it'll be a luxury to have such times in the future... must remind myself that it's time to be made. :)
Took down about half a wall of photos this morning and scrapped off the blutac... beginning to visualise how these photos can be arranged back in my own room when we shift back this december... heh. My room spots the same colour combination as that with Island Creamery... Maroon and light brown. Hur. On one hand I really can't wait to return to that room... but I'm kind of dreading the shifting process. But yeah. Nothing beats your own room and your own home... and hopefully I'll really have my own home say, two years down the road? HUR. :P
Okay. Time to eat. :)

I met up with another bunch of my students today for lunch... interesting to observe the way they communicate. Haha. Then spent some time at the arcade with them before heading home to rest a while before starting work again.
Yeah. I treated them on both instances.
So that means I'll be feeding on more instant noodles for the next two months or so. Hahahaha...
I figured that most of them, if not all, come from families that are definitely much well off than mine.. many more times I guess.
One of them messaged me last week and thanked me, curious still as to why I would do such a thing even though they haven't exactly achieved anything extraordinary that's worth the treat. Well... I guess it's true to some extent that we are getting sanitized by the meritocratic system that we're living in.
That we get rewarded when we achieve.
That we strive hard to achieve in order to get something.
I personally have learnt how to give because I've been given... by Him, through a lot of people... especially him. This dear brother whom God brought into my life some years back showed me just how a person can give of himself, his resources, time, energy... for people, things that on the surface do not warrant that kind of treatment... and for one, someone like myself.
And it is through this constant giving by him and many others, the inpouring of themselves and their resources into my life, that I've learnt to do likewise unto others. It is through this constant inpouring that I find myself spurred on to journey on and progress... and for those students, I'll hope that they'll be encouraged to fare better next year. There's an unwritten clause that they'll have to shave off 0.25 from their current mean grade for their first term results next year... shall see how they'll fare. Hur.
And as to why these two classes... well. Every year through my interactions with the several classes, there'll be some people in some classes whom I'll be able to communicate with beyond that teacher-student line... and after which it kind of translates to the entire class somehow. Not that they're receiving preferential treatment from the other classes that I've taught. :)
Heh... It's been years since I last played Daytona. Not bad that I'd actually came in first in one of the sets okay. Don't play play!
And yeah. I'm serious about the instant noodles bit. Just bought another two packets of Koka. :P

The last time 99S31 stayed overnight in a chalet was most probably about 8 years ago. Hahaha... Thank you Destdest for organising this. Brings back quite some bits of really nice memories... Lua and I originally wanted to return home after the bbq, but somehow we all stayed back - everyone actually. Played cards... I guess we won't exactly have that kind of energy as before as 18 year olds in the past... but there came a particular moment when I smiled amidst the playing... :) We'll be meeting again really soon - next week, for Yvonne's wedding dinner! Two more years... and it'll make ten.
I was telling Lua on the bus on the way to the chalet... that we've known each other for 12 years. He freaked out - he refused to admit that we're getting older. Hahahaha...
Friendships do mature and grow with time I guess. :)

And then there's always this bunch of Kakis. Today we met up at Central to celebrate Ray's 30th hatchday. Ramen followed by tea followed by cake blowing at Central. This bunch of friends... godsent. Ray had to go off earlier for another appointmnet - stayed back and chatted with gpp before heading home. And it's as always... refreshing. :)
I briefly read an article sometime back about friendship... how the author categorized it into three types - friendship based on utility, friendship based on pleasure and friendship based on who they are.
Friendship based on utility hinges upon how useful the person is in relation to you. It can be subtle - like how friendships are formed in classes and social groups - you are friends because you belong in the same place for that particular time frame, and they're there to provide company and support. That, according to the author, is the weakest form of friendship.
Friendship based on pleasure sits in the middle; you are friend with another person because you feel good being in the company of the person. The distinction between this and the last type is that it is still self centred.
Friendship for who they are... basically means that you choose to be a friend not for what they can provide you with. It may have something to do with life's stages... but I realised that I'm really shifting into this portion quite a bit.
And that's where true friendship blossoms.
It's pretty much the same as how true love begins when one stops falling in love.
When it becomes a decision, both in the heart and mind, when a commitment is set in stone. And yeah... I guess most of the time it's a progression along those three stages... and for those who've landed there at the final stage... :)
Will be officially recording the following song I've written about five years back... and come to think of it. I'm really thankful to see how friendships mature with time. :)
FRIENDS FOREVER
Remember the first times
when we got to meet together?
Awkward faces everywhere
As we tried to know one another
We're starting on this journey
Of love, of hope and faith
A new beginning
As we start to find our way
As time passes by
We have grown to be more acquainted
Our conversations seem
Much longer than they were
The times we have together
We'll cherish till the end
It's not by chance
That I have you as my friend
We are friends together
Now and forever
Till the end of time
We share our joys
Our woes and sorrows
We never say goodbye
Even if we go our separate ways
I know we'll meet again someday
Friends forever
Let our hearts beat as one
We are friends together
Now and forever
Till the end of time
We share our joys
Our woes and sorrows
We never say goodbye
Even if the sun forgets to shine
Still can feel this warmth inside my heart
Friends forever
You and I
We'll be together
We're friends forever
We'll be together
Forevermore
We'll be together
No matter where we are
We'll be together till the very end
It's been a really refreshing week reading A. W. Tozer's book. "The Pursuit Of God" comes in an omnibus version together with two of Tozer's other books, which I bought over from a sister in Christ some years back. Gems they are... but somehow I left them sitting by the bookshelf collecting dust. :| But yeah. Really thankful to have read it this week. Hailed as one of the classics, it indeed is a "A MUST READ for every genuine follower of Christ". In fact, anyone who wants to gain an insight into the realness of the faith should have a read.
The good thing is that it's available online... for those who want it in a pdf format, you can download it by clicking here.
THE PURSUIT OF GOD - A. W. TOZER
The Christian Classic - One of the top 10 spiritual books in the world
CONTENTS
- Following Hard After God
- The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing
- Removing the Veil
- Apprehending God
- The Universal Presence
- The Speaking Voice
- The Gaze of the Soul
- Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation
- Meekness and Rest
- The Sacrament of Living
Don't wait too long to read... who knows what'll happen. :)

Took my final RT IPPT this evening... I failed again. :| Actually, there was a huge chance that I could pass... but well. I met my nemesis yet again called Standing Broad Jump. I think I'm going to have phobia of the number 189 - my jumps have been that consistent.
I need to jump at least 210cm to pass. :|
There was so much hope when I passed shuttle run... that perhaps I could finally pass IPPT for the first time in my life. Hahaha... looks like it's got to wait. But mmm. It'll come! :P
Scored 'A' for 2.4km!! First time... won't be the last! Thank You Papa! XD
Spent the bulk of the afternoon with some of my students... ate lunch and caught a movie. Enjoyed the time spent with them. :) But yeah, I'm now a bit haunted by the 'boo!'ing from one of them. This guy kept coming up in front of me and played 'boo!'. Ya. Thirteen year old going on fourteen. SO UNBECOMING RIGHT.
Hahaha... yeah. Will be nice to see them grow, don the college uniform... graduate. Yeah. Nice.
And that isn't exactly a wish anymore.
Because it came true. :)
I hold on my hand this day a tremendous piece of God's faithfulness.
On this day, the 31st of October 2007, I signed the letter of appointment.
From 1 January 2008, I will be an official teaching staff. Permanent official teaching staff.
For those of you who know the story, you will probably understand how I'm feeling right now.
All odds were against me given a teaching appointment due to my qualifications, or rather, the lack thereof.
The way He fulfills the desires of my heart... haha.
:')
And the increase in salary more or less offsets the loss of house rental fee from next month onwards. Which means no net loss of present income for the family. :)
Char and I had dinner at Buddy Hoagies, this western eating place at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre. One of my boys' working there as a cook... so we decided to drop by.
We had a great time... the food's nice and pretty affordable. And it's nice to see how this boy's applying the skills that he's learning... and I'm definitely glad to see how he's finally gotten some directions ahead of him. :)
Sometimes I wonder what's the chief end when it comes to working with youths in a youth ministry context. I've seen people come and go... and sometimes it can be quite emotionally draining on my part to see how they've chosen to take paths contrary to what I hope they'll take... but yeah. I've come to accept that in the midst of pointing people to Jesus, I am called to be a genuine friend.
And for this boy... I'm just glad that there's a skill that he can use, things for him to do, a direction for him to move towards. As for whether he'll return to the flock in the future, I'll have to trust that it's all in His sovereign hands.
When he knew we ordered a waffle with ice cream, he came out of the kitchen and said he'll make it personally and make sure it'll turn out crispier.
"Ya... because you like crispy stuff mah. Don't think I forget."
My heart melted at that point. It really did. :)
Returned to catch a few more episodes... and yeah, I made a mistake, it's not "My Sassy Girl" but "Sassy Girl Chun-Hyang". Haha... if the drama's ever a reflection of real life, I'm just thankful that my relationship with Char isn't that complicated.
There are so many things that I really hope I can articulate so you may catch a glimpse of the kind of grace God's lavishing in my life... but yeah. :P
Sarang Hae Yo...
To You... and you. :)
Galvin in Come Reign In My HeartHey Zeppy, thanks! I've got quite a number which I'm finding time (probably in the future) to upload and make available.. thanks for dropping by and hope the songs encourages you on in your walk! (:
zeppytoh in Come Reign In My HeartThanks for sharing all your songs. I'm a newcomer to your site, and a fellow Singaporean believer with web design aspirations. Like this song a lot too! Hope to get to know you :)
Galvin in Day 96: NUH Ward 53 Bed 48Hi Kannan, so sorry for replying this late. I'm not quite sure about the rest, but St. Lukes generally takes care of patients well. When my mom was there, they rendered their services professionally and even helped her recover from a very bad state of bed sores. There's PT and OT available at the hospital as well. In fact, she'll be heading there for a few weeks this coming December as her caregiver returns home for a while.
Galvin in Superstructure, Structures and SubstructureHi Linda! I actually have some extra copies... you could get one from me if you don't mind a bought copy. If not you can contact Covenant Resource @ covenantresource@cefc.org.sg - I'm not sure if they post overseas. Cheers! :)

Galvin Sng Minghui • 孙明辉 • Born in 1982 • God touched and changed his heart and life in 2001 • Constantly seeks to live the transformed life from the inside out • Married Charmaine Tan Mei En in 2009 • Works as an Education Programme Officer & Boarding Mentor in Hwa Chong Institution (High School) • Attends and serves in Covenant Evangelical Free Church • Aspires to inspire till he expires, though much work needs to be done • Apt in Web Design • Songwriter by Inspiration • Amateur in Writing • Counsellor by Training • INFJ/INFP • Can be rather quiet and withdrawn

