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Marked by experiences... not physical age.

And so I'm thankful that I've been put through various experiences - humbling ones, painful ones, happy ones, sad ones... that I may grow.

There was this instance the past week when the question was asked of a supernatural power that one would like to have imbued in oneself. It was with some thought that I noted that I would like to have the power to heal.

Not because I have a messianic complex.

Perhaps one could probably be able to better empathize if one should know that I have a bedridden mom who had a brain hemorrhage, a younger sister who's currently facing the dilemma of taking up a new clinical trial due to her losing response to the current medications for her chronic leukemia, and a dad who's suffering from diabetes mellitus... who's currently on heart medication for a suspected heart attack.

Yeah...

But nothing compares still to the power of inner healing, the healing of the heart.. to see hearts and relationships restored.

And I realised that given my own capacity, there's just so much I can do, and so many I can reach out to... for I'm a simple person and I frown when I meet complex people or those who put on facades or are bent to make things complicated.

His grace is enough... His grace is enough. :)

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I'm BACK! It's late though... so I'll just be posting the stuff I typed on the plane and then catch up with some rest. Work looms ahead... shall not think about it for now!

Here goes:

I'm currently on board SQ15 from Seoul, about five hours from touching down to Singapore once again.

Well, it's been a good trip on the whole, just that I didn't really get to have much personal time to rest - the schedule's practically packed from day one till the very last day - the only times I had was in the nights when I would take quick strolls and hang round the nearby supermarkets... Haha. I remembered how I enthusiastically wrote long journal entries for my '98 trip to Los Angeles... don't think I'm game to jot down everything in detail this time round... just some bits and pieces and the things that stood out.

The plane touched down at San Francisco International Airport Saturday afternoon... then we're ferried to the Parc 55 Hotel near Union Square where we checked in and immediately went out for a bus city tour. A very chilly experience crossing the golden gate bridge on the exposed second deck of the bus I must say! Haha... but I'm thankful... can still remember the thoughts I had the year before, that it would be great if I could make a visit someday either through ThinkQuest or a personal holiday... and here I am now. :) We had dinner (another thing to be thankful for, for the team and chaperones to be travelling and touring together) at the basement of Macy's, where I had a taste of Boudin, the apparently famous bakery chain. Took a little stroll around the area and enjoyed a bit of the cool and dry air that I last enjoyed ten years ago. Haha... yup, that pretty much summed up the first day.

ThinkQuest Live! officially started on Sunday morning - headed down to the Parc Ballroom where the event's held. There was this staff at the registration counter who recognised my name - she mentioned that she had been with ThinkQuest even before Oracle Education Foundation took over its running... Haha was quite surprised that I'm remembered! Met Hui, the Oracle Foundation staff from Singapore, who's mending one of the registration tables. Chatted a while before heading into the ball room for breakfast.

They have this area where they set up a network of computers connected to the internet for our usage - it was previously known (pre-Oracle days) as the Generator - now it's called the Think Tank. Took the opportunity to check mail first... haha. Ice-breakers came next... then the coaches had a separate "seminar" luncheon in one of the rooms that basically talked about facilitation and role of coaches in general.

The boys had their website showcase in the afternoon - they took turns to present their website while the rest went round the other booths to listen to the other teams. It's heartening to see the way they presented and explained their project to those who surrounded their booth - sure did bring back some memories of me doing the same thing ten years ago! Haha... Had a good chat with Hui exploring the ways we could extend the competition to more students and schools in Singapore in the midst of the showcase - there's this tugging of the heart to know that I could be more involved in the future... but for now, I know the station where I am to keep to, and as far as He has led, I'll just continue to trust in His leading and provision. Haha... yeah I know this sounds cryptic. :P

Welcome dinner was held at a yatch club near to the golden gate bridge... we were treated to some great sunset views of the area (check out the photos! (: ) before returning back to the hotel.

Monday marked the start of the workshop. The entire team opted together to attend the "Sustainable Design" workshop - we visited Argone, a kindergarten with 'green' architechture and also a private "showcase" apartment built entirely on 'green' concepts - very posh looking! The most amazing part is that it has a huge wind turbine that generates about two-thirds of the house's electricity needs.

We're tasked on the second day to think of sustainable house designs - each group was given a different area of the house to think about: energy, water, public stuff (living room, kitchen) and private stuff (toilet, bathroom). The groups were taught brainstorming rules and engaged in a time of disccussion before each team came up with their ideas. Ruijin and Fanghui were in the private stuff group... they invented this all-in-one self sustained toilet seating furniture that doubles up as toilet bowl, work space, shower... you get the idea. They later termed it as iPoot in their presentation to everyone on the third day... which brought much laughter in the hall. Most of them understood it as iPoop, as Poot isn't exactly a term that most would know. Haha... cheecky boys.

We went to the Alcatraz and the Exploratorium for our excursions... The audio tour in Alcatraz was interesting - it was an intersting sight too to see the throngs of tourists walking around the place in unison but in different paces, each listening to the audio device given to us. It's interesting too to note how money is being made now off a defunct prision facility... Haha. Exploratorium was cool though!! We were given two hours or so to explore the place... I didn't have time to finish all the science exhibits. Spent a little time in the shop before we were supposed to meet up again to return to hotel... was contemplating hard whether to make some purchases... there's this air pump gun that shoots out a strong puff of air which caught my attention... but I had to leave before I had enough time to clearly make a decision. Sigh! Now it feels like there's unfinished business... I want to get back there! Haha...

Met up with Jason!!! Haha... he's an American friend whom I've met face to face in 1998 - ever since then we've been in contact - had the privilege to have an extended stay at his place in San Diego back then... twice! Haha... Worked subsequently with his mom on a couple more winning projects in 1999 and 2000. He saw my Facebook status and knew about my location, popped a message to say that he's just forty plus minutes from my hotel... and so we arranged to meet on the only free afternoon I had - Wednesday afternoon, before the Awards ceremony in the evening. He came to the hotel... we took a walk round the area. He called Mrs. A (his mom) on his cellphone and we had a chat for about twenty minutes while walking... eight years since I've last heard her voice!! :D We bought Ben & Jerry's and headed towards Union Square to sit and chat... had a good time hearing from him about his work at Microsoft and his dances. Really appreciated him making his way down just to catch up! :)

Then the highlight of the week's events began - the Awards Dinner and Ceremony. It was held in some theatre - we had red carpet treatment complete with paparazzi-like photo taking... hats off to the people at Oracle Foundation. Haha...

I'm sure this has been quite an experience for the five of them, as well as for all the other privileged students. One of the students from India noted something on the last day during farewell dinner... which I resonated with very much in my heart, that ThinkQuest really has given much to those who've participated in it in its true form - the chance to taste international collaboration, and especially for the lesser privileged, the chance to travel and have their experience of a lifetime.

Which is why I really hope that this year the boys will learn to go beyond their personal comforts and their focus simply to win the contest, but be challenged enough to meet new friends from over the world and work on meaningful projects. Exciting days ahead...! :)

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Day 00 because it's a day before the official activities begin... Haha...

Hello from San Francisco! (:

The air journey was a rather smooth one - the plane's rather new I think... even the screens in the economy class section looked like they're first class... and most importantly, I managed to sleep accordingly... so... no jet lag issues!

Actually it's Sunday 11am now. We just had our first breakfast and a "Getting to know you" session... the boys are settling in quite well - two of them are going around picking up information from everyone else (an activity they've been 'tasked' to do). Mm. I'll probably write a more coherent summary when the whole event's over... currently uploading the first day's photos on flickr right now.

We made use of the free time after touch down the day before and toured round San Francisco on an exploration bus - those double deckers with the second deck exposed kind of bus. The golden gate bridge ride experience was whoa. SO COLD. Haha...

There'll be a lunch meeting for the coaches later on.. after which the teams will be engaged in a project showcase session before a welcome dinner in the evening.

More to come... think will spend some time to do some collages at night. Till then! :)

1

Here I am at Changi Airport Terminal 3 using their free wireless internet service... there's still about 45 mins to the opening of the boarding gates, just nice for an entry before I leave for San Francisco. Yeap. This year's been amazing in terms of travelling... I know it's nothing for those in families who have the time and money to afford yearly getaways... Haha yeah. Australia in the second quarter, now United States in the third... and probably a trip to East Asia in the fourth quarter... I can never imagine myself to have such opportunities... well. What can I do... but to be thankful? Mmm. :) This trip is especially meaningful... I can never imagine myself to be immersed in the 'ThinkQuest' buzzword ever since I stopped taking part in it as a student member ten years ago... and now there're students from the school winning again, I hope it'll spell the dawn of another new era for the school. Mm. :)

Thank God for yesterday night's mid term checkup for my discipleship course... I was reminded in a very perculiar way... how He's always been around. Char came by my boarding apartment in the early evening and we were supposed to study for the test together... but I ended up doing some packing... time basically dragged. In the end I did not manage to revise any of the memory verses which I was supposed to revise. We took a cab to church... and on the way I was feeling apologetic... kept telling God that I was sorry that I did not put in the effort and make the time to study - work took its toll. I would do my best, knowing that this 'best' isn't exactly my best... if you get what I mean. And I was prepared to fail.

I almost froze when the paper was distributed - Ps. William suddenly mentioned that the memory verses section would take up more than fifty percent of the paper... which meant that even though I could score full marks in the other sections, I might still not be able to pass. Started doing the sections which I studied for... and then the memory verses.

The bulk of those tested came from the Psalms. We were required to write out full Psalms... and somehow I just wrote... and I kept on writing... and giving thanks as I wrote them out.

Despite my unpreparedness, God taught me something. You know, I've always been plagued with low self esteem and low self confidence, even if my outer shell doesn't show. To make things worse... I can be quite a perfectionist for my personality, sounds rather contradictory I know. Even in my walk, there are times when I doubted myself.. asking myself time and again if I've moved on or if I'm still dabbling in shallow faith.

Char is right. At least our results showed how much of His Word is internalised and not cramped up in a day or two... and I'm thankful. Not to mention that my marker was lenient and didn't penalised me too much... I was given 96 percent in the end.

I'm humbled on one end, knowing that it isn't a score that I should deserve, yet affirmed on the other, that quite a bit of His Word has been etched in my long term memory. Ever more thankful... because I have very poor short term memory.. and my dear dear can attest to that.

Mmm. :) Please pray for me... that I will make use of this trip fruitfully, the free times in between, that I'll be given times of refreshing in Him. And hopefully I don't have to deal too much with jet lag... haha.

Thankful for the two boys who sms-ed me well wishes for the trip and another couple others who msned... they've overturned the impression that I have that this generation of youths don't really know how to encourage and affirm. Haha... on the other hand, I know these boys are an exception to the norm la. So what to do. :)

Okay... time to go for now. I guess the next time I leave a post, I should be in San Francisco already... till then.

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I have yet to pack for my trip.

I have yet to study for my test.

Things were pretty bad the day before.

I have this impression that I just got into some more colleagues' bad books because of my being concerned... a story that's quite complicated to tell.

Won't be surprised if word's going round that I'm too lenient and nice to the boys (another matter).

Then there was this administrative mayhem towards the end of the day... and I kind of got affected by it.

It really doesn't feel like I'm flying tomorrow morning... Haha.

Well. It'll definitely be a good getaway for personal reflection. :)

In the end... I probably am not the person for the job.

Haha well... guess I'll start studying. :)

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Those who know me personally will know that I rarely make purchases for myself.

This shall be an exception.

Mmm.

(:

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I was asking God on my way to the hospital for a heart that loves Him... a heart that desires Him. In my heart I was hoping for the kind of heart encounters I have with Him in the past, those precious times when you simply feel so broken and so loved at the same time. The songs in my iPod (thanks gpp... it's been put into much use (: ) played on... and just a few stops before I had to alight, Jeremy Camp's song started playing. Every word... every word represented what I wanted to say to Him:

MY DESIRE by Jeremy Camp

You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
You want to be someone laying down your pride
You want to be someone someday
Then lay it all down before the king

You want to be whole, you want to have purpose inside
You want to have virtue and purify your mind
You want to be set free today
Then lay it all down before the King

This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire to be used by You

You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
And I know my heart is to feel You near
And I know my life
It's to do Your will
It's to do Your will

This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire, to be used by You
Oo yea
This is my desire, this is my desire
To be used by You

All my life I have seen
Where You've taken me
Beyond all I have hoped
And there's more left unseen

There's not much I can do to repay all You've done
So I give my hands to use

This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire, to be used by You
Oo yea
This is my desire, this is my desire
To be used by You

Reached SGH's haematology centre at about 10:35am. Saw dad at the registration counter who told me that Dori's in one of the wards already. Yep.. she had a bone marrow aspiration appointment today. Her white blood cells are on the rise even with the increased dosage of the medication that she's been taking for the past five years or so... and so her doctor suggested that a bone marrow test be done to see if she would qualify for a clinical trial for a new form of drug used to treat chronic leukemias.

Went into the ward and saw Hui Fen (Dori's cellgroup leader) with her. The first thing Dori uttered to me was "no sedation". A nurse came by to explain that whereas she was given dormicum - general anaestesia - in the past, the hospital would not be giving it anymore as the drug might cause more harm than benefit.

I've not seen my sister so fearful before... she extended her left hand and asked me to hold it to see how cold and sweaty it was... and after which she teared amidst all the controlling.

She had a very bad experience the first time round eight years ago when she wasn't given general anaestesia... the pain to her was unbearable. Three nurses in all came to 'pacify' and tried to talk her to go without sleeping... in the end she insisted. One of them consulted her doctor, who agreed to give her the minimum dosage of the drug.

We proceeded to the room with the bed.. Dori changed her clothes and returned. We prayed... Prayed for her that God would take away all fears and doubts in her mind and that His peace and comfort be with her... that He would allow the procedure to be a quick and painless one.

I had to tilt my head upwards after ending the prayer... I had to keep quiet and keep still for that few moments to keep tears from spilling over the cornea.

The procedure went smoothly... Dori was awake enough after it to do some chatting before she took a little nap.

Yeah... I have a strong little sister. (:

We proceeded to Central for a very late lunch before she went to browse some books at Kinokuniya while I returned to boarding school.

I'm just glad that I'm allowed time-off today to be with my sis.

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That's how I feel sometimes.

Perhaps I should just disregard the burdens and let my communication remain on the cordial level.

Selfishness would dictate: Why waste your time when you know that the mindset's fixed and that your words would just go unheeded? Why jeopardize what could be a good relationship? Why spend such time, energy and resources pondering over these things?

But I can't.

It's draining to reason things out... or think of other ways for the matter, especially when you see that the interest's not there at all to look at one's self and the things that may not exactly be congruent.

I can't...

but I'll pray.

It's ironic and interesting at the same time to see how I'm driven to pray this season of time.

He calls me in for a purpose... and I'll just trust that He'll see everything through.

And that I'll be less selfish to confront, rebuke, correct... and guide.

I don't want to end up being nice but ineffective... that, would be a great disservice to my charges.

4

"Goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and that both united form the noblest character." - Samuel & John Phillips

"To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." - Theodore Roosevelt

Oops. I realised it's been 8 days (*mind thinks of the radio jingle for a local magazine - "8 days every week...."*) since I've written anything here. Originally wanted to do up a collage of the photos taken before writing a post but I reckoned that it might take forever again. Haha... so yeah. I think I better write a post first. Then go for a jog. Yeah... I'm still at my boarding apartment on a Saturday afternoon... but it's intentional. It's the first time I realised I needed time alone, for myself. Call it a recharge bah.

It's interesting how many people around me started commenting about me ballooning... in a sense I'm thankful, that colleagues and students alike are frank enough to help keep me in check in a way. I'm not quite sure why, but I guess the new boarding school lifestyle (with all the less travelling and walking up the slopes, etc) might have caused me to neglect my weight watching. My shirts are starting to look oversized... and yeah, this is definitely not in line for the photoshoot lined up in December and the actual day in May next year. Haha... and so I've started my regime once more. With so many pairs of eyes keeping me accountable, I do hope that I'll be able to shed a couple of kilos along the way. Just hoping that I won't fall to sweet temptations... sigh. Haha.

I attended a two day character education course by Prof. Thomas Likona together with some like-minded colleagues. Introverted as I am, I think when it comes to work and a common vision, I do get energised when I identify colleagues around me who're on the same page with the same goals... and who believe in working as a team. And I'm thankful that God blesses me with such people around to think aloud with and to work with. It had been a fruitful course... and if anything, I think I'm beginning to find my niche in character education.

I'm always thankful when I come across individual students who have both performance character and moral character - they do their best and are respectful to others, their demeanor naturally pleasing. Some may not be faring as well academically, but the good attitudes they exude gives others the wanting to help them along even more... yeah, even as I'm writing this I can see faces flash across my mind... which is, good! Haha... then there are those who are academically strong but yet lacking in moral character... and it does puts others off sometimes. The insidious thing I realised... is that sometimes they themselves aren't even aware of their lacking, and that the way they do things and behave are self perceived as normal. My heart sours for these boys... as much as I can see the vast potential in them, sometimes I just don't know what can be done or said that would actually help.

It's true that as much as it took them ten over years to build up self formed (most probably) values and habits that mostly went unchecked and misconstrued (probably cases of over pampering or over disciplining), it may take that equal amount of time for them to rework their values and unlearn bad habits.

My heart sours... because I believe they're good boys at the end of the day, not the stereotypical guai kias (well behaved boys but with bad connotation), but those who can discern the right from the wrong, who can show proper respect, etc.

Well... I'm learning. The course is a good start I reckon. Ultimately, I pray that it'll be Pa who works miracles in lives. Which reminds me.. of a piece of good news I received a couple of days ago. I was meeting up with this boy and chatting with him when he said he had to leave soon for cell group. I took a double take and asked him - "cell group?". Then he confirmed that I wasn't hearing the wrong thing. It's a joy indeed... and yes, Pa answers prayers. :)

I believe in specific and professional skills in the area of affective and character education... but on top of that, I believe that He's gonna be the one who causes hearts to change for the better. He is love after all. Mmm. :)

Another highlight of the week would be the Projects' Day grand finals and awards ceremony. Chen lao shi (my sec 4 chinese teacher) was invited to be one of the judges... so it was a good opportunity to catch up a little with her and have a photo taken (yayyyy hahaha) with her. It's still quite amusing to know that she's taught Char as well in a different place and context. Haha...

Three of the teams that I'd coached went on stage for their high distinction wins... proud of each of the three in different ways - all three showed perseverance and the willingness to listen to critique and suggestions... but what's most important was their drive to finish their project... and to finish it well. Heartened to know that a number of them are waiting to start on next year's ThinkQuest project... at this juncture, I am beginning to see a glimmer of hope for the ThinkQuest baton to be finally passed on. *smiles*

I felt really proud (though I had no involvement at all hahahaha...) when the time came for the secondary three cohort to go up on stage to collect their trophies - I guess I'm the only one who would feel that way... hahaha. :)

We had a mini mid autumn festival celebration in our boarding programme yesterday evening where we had mooncakes, chips, tea... and a dose of my guitar playing and singing. Taught them to sing the song that you're currently hearing here (Thank You, My Friend) - I really don't know if it's too premature to teach them... but I'm hoping that this song would mean something to them, especially at the end of next year. Ya... THEY SANG! :)

Then we had the Myer-Briggs Temperament Indicator (MBTI) course in the morning where I ascertained my type as INFJ again, this time round officially. Yep... all that's happened till now. Char came by with her bestie Euns just now for lunch... we'll be meeting again to spend the evening together. It's been hard still, trying to get used to the new schedules, where gone were the days when we could walk slowly down the canal, when I could walk her home and then walk home myself... well. Haha... aye aye.

Alright. Shall be off to have a jog for now. Collages should be up at a later date... in the meantime, the photos have all been uploaded - click on "Photos & Videos" on the top menu bar to view.

I wonder still... if people actually read these entries in their entirety??? If you have read to this point (HAHAHAHAHA..... gosh this sounds so familiar), leave a comment or a tag?

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... should be renamed September Busy. lol.

I finally brought my guitar to my boarding school apartment... there are times when I really feel like reverting back to those good ol' times (not that it's that very long ago la) when all there was was coming back home to play the guitar and write new songs... and in a way, that was when I was spiritually very much filled too. But I know I should not rely on that to get my walk with Jesus goin... it should be in all circumstances... YEP. Still, I am glad that the guitar's here!!! (:

Went to catch ACJC Drama Elective Programme Year 1's exam pieces, "Inventio 2008", where 5's in one of the plays. The five bucks for the four plays... it's pretty worth the price - standard's there... don't play play. Haha... seriously. The play 5's in depicts the life of a family of which the daughter's stricken with cerebral palsy. Some of the feelings and frustration shown in the play were heartfelt... my mom and I were really close in the past. I being the quiet one (still very am), there would be times when I'm just sitting or lying by her bed in her room listening to her yak yak non stop... I would be the one following her around as she worked, from the music centres to all the kindergarten centres. There were many great moments we shared, even those times of just being in her centre, just the two of us...

Things just weren't the same anymore ever since mom had the brain hemorrhage and lays bedridden with a tracheotomy tube. There were many moments I had to guess if she actually understood whatever I was saying - every little nod or mouthing of word became so precious. Due to the nature of the brain bleeding, there is no way to assess what she knows or not know, what she remembers for has forgotten... there was a period of time I kept asking her to identify me by mouthing my name.. just to have a reassurance that she knows who I am.

Just a week ago, I decided to take a step forward and asked her if she knows where I am currently staying now as I told her about my school's boarding programme. All along the kind of responses I've been soliciting from her are those generic "yes", "ok" answers... and so I asked. She didn't respond first... so I went ahead and said "Bukit..."

Then she mouthed the word "Timah".

Haha... the part of the play whereby the daughter with cerebral palsy stood up and explained to the audience came to mind. In my mind I was imagining what my mom would be thinking then... like, crazy son... asking me such childish questions over and over again. Haha... I don't know if I share all my thoughts with her she would understand everything? I don't know... but I think I'll try that from now on everytime Aunty Witwit goes for her day off and I take over.

I hold on to the hope that she'll be well again and that I'll hear her voice once again... mm. :)

It's great to see the rest at the play too... I miss them. Yeah... I really do. The times... the fun... mm. I guess I can't help it that we've seemingly drifted - it's something that I'm still trying to comprehend, how some relationships are kept in tact in spite of the lack of regular meetups and some just aren't. Well... well well.

One of my students got involved in a road traffic accident and was warded in NUH. Thank God it wasn't a serious case... he was still bubbly and very much himself (haha... yeah this boy has quite a unique personality) as he recounted to me the story when a couple of us visited him (and his forth time recounting that day). He was crossing the road when he was hit by a front view mirror of a lorry. According to him, his view was blocked by a bus... his recounting really reminded me of a piece of news I read as a young child that kind of stuck with me all the while, whereby a school student was hit and sent flying twenty metres or so as he was dashing across the street in front of a stationary bus.

I don't suppose that my student was jaywalking at the traffic lights - if not the bus nearest to him would have been moving and not stationary. And so... thank God that he wasn't running across... if not his whole body would have met the lorry head on. Mm. Really relieved to see him at his usual self... haha.

I wouldn't know how I'll react or respond if anything serious happens to my family, friends or my students. I wouldn't know how I'll perform as a counsellor in such times... and I can only hope I won't be found in such situations. So... yeah. Hope you'll get well soon. ;)

Char had her gown selection!! My dear dear's gonna look mature as she walks down the aisle... and princessy at the dinner! Hur hur... Her gowns selection took a couple of hours while mine took 15 minutes. Hahaha... we decided upon a chinese collared coat since I already have a normal collared one... so that gives us more selection for photoshoot and for the day itself. Time flies... 8 more months. It's quite scary to think of it, with so much of the preparations undone... but yeah, really thankful thus far for all the stuff that's covered, and really thankful that we've got a planner who's really responsible and "on the ball". More updates soon in time to come. :)

Ok. Dinner time.

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I'm currently at Singapore General Hospital's Polar cafe... Dori and I were supposed to meet at 10am (and so I rushed and I huffed and I puffed from Bukit Timah all the way down... okok I didn't run but I did rushed) then dad decided to come along last minute.. and they only got onto a bus from home at 10am. So here I am waiting... being thankful that I have my laptop with me.

I have been clearing spam off my site's comments... it has since become a daily routine. Spam bots would flood my comments with loads of junk posts and thankfully, this version of Movable Type has the capability to screen off most of them before they could be published. Still, I'll have to log into the system and remove them.

Then I realised... that there's a lot of spam in life too, things that are thrown into our lives which we do not necessarily need. All the messages and what nots... the only thing is that sometimes we get spam that's alluring and enticing and instead of trashing them we find ourselves keeping them and letting them clutter up our lives.

Hmm. It's a good time to do a self check. I'll need to rid myself off unwanted spam.

Hahaha I hope this makes sense.

The topic of love languages was briefly touched upon again yesterday at the marriage preparation course session. It's a good refresher and a reminder of how faithful God is for me personally. For those who may not be in the know, Gary Chapman has coined the term and lists five forms of love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Gifts and Physical Touch. We all give and receive love in these five forms, some responding more to particular forms, some less.

The interesting thing about Char and myself is that we have rather differing forms of love languages... so there were many moments in the past where we couldn't sense our love for one another when we were actually giving it in forms that the other party couldn't quite appreciate at that time. It was weird to talk in through initially for me... but now with the understanding, we are able to see and identify when we're expressing love in our language and we are able to reciprocate and respond in a way the other party will understand.

I respond to acts of service most somehow... and naturally I find myself expressing love and reciprocating concern with acts of service as well. Words of affirmation comes next, followed by gifts, quality time and physical touch.

There was this time when Char was asleep while I began to do up the laundry at her place... I know it sounds weird but I actually had a good time doing so. Haha...

Which is why I guess I enjoy my work in school... seeing the things I do as a form of service to the boys. And when they reciprocate in kind, I found myself especially touched. Like some of the boys who volunteered to help out at the parent teacher gathering last minute... when they didn't have to. Haha.. I bet they didn't even think it meant so much.

I went down to the CSE Hub (it's an old staff lounge now converted into a resting place and office space) to take a look before coming to the hospital - the furniture's in and the sockets and network points are in place. The next thing is to shift my stuff down from my library office... perhaps it'll spell a new season with a change in office space and environment... I don't know. But we'll see. :)

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Thanks to Shannon & Oswald who smsed... Siheng and Yaonian who wrote on my wall on Facebook.

I smsed Ms. Tan, my primary six form teacher who's a principal now, on Friday... today she replied "Happy trs' day too :) Hope all is well w u". Haha... It's weird receiving back the same greeting from whom you've been giving all these well... with some colleagues as well who were my teachers. I wonder how many of my boys would end up in this profession as well? That would be meaningful. :)

Received sms greetings from Banky and Zheng Xiang, two current J2 students in the college section whom I mentored two years ago in a project. Was rather surprised that they actually remembered me. :)

Spent most parts of the day in the apartment with Char - she's making use of this term break to ensure that she gets a good rest. I spent some time doing up results analysis for the boys... then we proceeded for our third marriage preparation course session in the evening.

Will be accompanying Dori (my sis) to the hospital tomorrow for her checkup.. and afterwhich spend some time together before meeting Char and the rest of the people whom I have not met for a LONG LONG TIME to catch 5's drama exam at ACJC.

Till then.