We Can Set The World On Fire (In 2012)

But for now, let's take a look back at 2011, because I have a lot to be grateful for.

This bunch of friends.



7 years, I believe it has been, since I walked into SRJC and met this bunch of crazy people who taught me more than playing ball. They peeled off the "Loser" tag attached to my long brown skirt, and made me cool.

This year, I'm glad to say that I've rebounded back into the group, after getting lost in 2010. I'm back, yat-ches! Cheers to Moscato and more!

This bunch of friends.



We walked out of university and entered society with high dreams, hopes and ambition. Even though we are slowly weathered and stabbed by the intense winds of the working world, we still persevere.

With each meetup, we exchange stories in the workplace, what made us broke down and what made us stronger.

Ultimately, it's not the degree that makes the difference in your 5" by 9" cubicle. It's your attitude. I'm so proud of you girls (and one guy). We're still surviving!

This basketball team.




I need to admit, that everytime we put our hands together for a whoosh, I expect someone to shout "Nan Da" instead of "Jumpshot", since I've been so used to the alma mater, and also Yan's booming voice.

Somehow, I've managed to find a work-life balance through this little team that was put together by Esther. And we're playing better and better with each game.

Also, the Taiwan trip together was just what we needed for some good ol' bonding and relaxing.

People may get old, but passion never dies.

Kelly.



Kelly is so explosively different from any of my other friends because she was my colleague at WhyOhGee. Nonetheless, she's one of the most sincere and honest friend I've had. Actually she's more like an older sister, since she's a bit older. Okay, not really a bit. Haha. But still, a very precious friend who gave me 3 presents at one go.

Baptism.



In this picture, only 1 person was baptised. Guess who?

It was Wendy, on my left, who got baptised and her MP went for it. No kidding. Well, good news is, in 2012, the other 2 people in the picture are getting baptised too!

January 8th 2012, mark it guys.

Blading and Other Crazy Incidents That Only Happen When This Two Are Around



Amanda and Charlene are the perfect combi for the best times.




I learnt how to blade in 2011. In 2012, I'm going to pick up the guitar. Please pray for my musical talent, or rather, for my lack in it.

Adventures.



Diving, parasailing, flying fish. I went nuts during my holiday, and I went nuts with Leanne! More high-octane adventures okay?

Cell Group



Even though I always distract my cell group members by telling them that someone's using the bathroom every time they hear the pipes, they've not thrown me out of bible study yet.

This year, we all became closer to one another in Church. I'm really happy to say that going to church is a very pleasant thing to do, because you just feel that you're merely going home.

Working Life

When God opens a door, you know it's the right one.

Freedom

I tore away all the letters that no longer mean anything. I threw away everything that was a waste of my time. I no longer hide in the dark, I stand out in the light, with the Lord's courage.

And I'm free now.

My God

The slogan on top of my blog, "Refine Me, Lord, Through The Flame" is truly a slogan for the year. For I have gone through so many experiences, both good and bad, and I emerge more and more refined. I have been through humiliation, pride, jealousy, loss, but my God, my precious, fearful God has always been there for me every single day, refining and molding me.

2012 is going to be a tough year, but I'm not afraid.

Best. Christmas. Ever.

Church with the besties.



On a private yatch with the besties.

This is the life.

Thank God for the friends and family who're always there for me.

Thank God for making me humble, down-to-earth, sometimes stupid but that just means there's so much to learn.

Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day, people!

The 2012 Motto

向前看，向前走。

不掉头。

坚强地，向前。

前进！

有主引领我，2012 会是更好的！

Go and Dye.

After my lil sister and my lil brother went to dye their hair as a mark of their freedom from their A levels, I got a little jealous and taa daa, guess who's the odd one out in the family now?

The answer is my dad. Everybody else has dyed their hair, including me who sold out my jet black thick bushy hair after 24 years.

In the past I had hoped for my mother to say "Eh! Go and die", and I would have promptly dyed my hair as a pun, but seriously, no mothers will tell their own kids to go and die. She never used that phrase, and so my hair remained black as a kettle.

It was an impulse choice anyway.

I was sitting down in the salon, waiting for my bi-monthly hair cut + treatment, when my hairstylist asked, "You want to dye your hair?"

"Ooooh.... what colour do you have?" I said, thinking that since Christmas is around the corner, why not try something new.

She took out a book, opened it and pointed it to one colour. "This one can be seen even when it's dark, but it's not so shocking, and I think you should be able to accept this."

Wah, she can read my rather conservative mind.

"What's a lighter shade?" I asked, thinking if I should be daring or not.

She flipped over a page and pointed at a colour that could be seen miles away, or that was what I thought it would do. "Ahhh.... I think I'll go with the first one." I said, once my eyes stopped bulging.

Hey presto, after 45 minutes of watching the lady put the dye on my hair, and then feeling that itch/ stinging sensation in the scalp, I see colour! In my hair!

It's really odd, actually. To see colour on your hair. Sorry, I'm a bit sua ku, but it was the first time I dyed my hair.

When I went home, my mother asked, "What colour is it?"

"Eh, I don't know." I answered. Some sort of brown, maybe.

When my dad saw me, he asked, "Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"

Well, I think a bit of change is refreshing, especially when you're 24 now and you're still hung up over the fact that only ntuc income and a travel insurance agent who is not your friend at all were the only ones to sms you Happy Birthday perhaps due to the fact that I set my birthday to be hidden on Facebook.

NTUC Income leh! Wah lau eh!

Aiyo, I'm so petty!

Ah, the older you get, the less presents you get too. But of course, I'm grateful for those who remembered without having to rely on FB, hello Yanyan who wished me way in advance and for those who gave me lil' presents here and there.

Thank you. Now let me remind myself that I had a great birthday in Taiwan to get over the fact that only NTUC Income and the travel insurance agent whom I bought the insurance for SHANGHAI wished me happy birthday.

Oh gosh, I can't stand myself.

But nevermind, I've dyed my hair already. Maybe I can stand the new me. Whoohoo!

Drive Of My Life

Without a car, everywhere is bloody far.

Even worse now as they "su ka su ka" announce rising cab fares and increase in the number of peak hours. Everyone of my age is complaining, because everyone of my age take cabs like drinking water.

We work till after office hours and what happens when we have to rush from work to another commitment? Stick out that hand and flag lor, what to do? I take cabs 2 to 3 times a week after work, for basketball, for cell group, or for that faraway gathering somewhere not in town. Then, when we're all done unwinding for the day, gasp, it's 12am. What to do now? Stick out that hand and tell the uncle "Bishan st 13, thanks."

I know it's a really bad habit and it eats away what's left of the measly way-low sum they call my salary. Many a time Pearle and I seek to check into cab rehabilitation, and what turns out usually because a classic case of "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

Sigh!

I think I was too pampared when I was in Uni, happily flashing about with the Toyota Rush as if there were no such thing as an oil crisis. These days, the only thing I flash about is my smile, accompanied by the question, "Did you drive today?"

See, I stooped so low that I described my own smile+question combo as a 下贱 attempt once to my teammates. Okay, the word 下贱 sounds quite harsh in hindsight, but I was like a hyena pouncing on every single potential car key-holding person.

I have a church friend, Cooper, who used to call me pretty every time I drove. I did the same, whenever he drove. Nowadays, most of the time, we're left disappointed by each other. "Aiyah? Why you not handsome today ah?"

Oh, SFB8119H, Anti You never seemed so far in my life before (except when I was in Year 1 and haven't gotten my license yet).

Now, Pearle, Sam, Xiu Hui, let's work out a way to get to the friendly game in Anti You without having to take a cab but yet not having to wake up that early....

Let's call the plan Mission Impossible: Ghost Cab Protocol.

Buddies.

Me, Amanda and Charlene.

These two girls are one of the most precious sets of friends I can ever ask for.

When I went through the worst I've ever felt, they were there for me. When I needed to share my secrets, burdens lift up the moment I told them the story of my life. When I find myself in bouts of vulnerability, they knocked sense into me.

So when I say that I've truly matured this year, they can attest to that.

At the very least, I will think of consequences, since I am living with a slightly-more-bitter-than-sweet one now.

I love them so much. Also, they've taught me not to be so stingy.

Thank you God, for them.

:)

Three Things We're Grateful For

During cell group today, Gillian asked all of us to write down 3 things that we're grateful for.

I didn't think it would be common, but quite a few of us wrote that we're so glad that all of us are much closer than before, and we're more like friends now. I had the same sentiments as well.

It seemed like yesterday that it was my first few times in cell group, awkward, quiet and hiding behind Joyce and Felily.

Somehow, over the course of this year, I've began to find my voice within this cell group, become more open and join in the fun.

This is truly one thing to be grateful for.

Next thing to be grateful for, my job.

In a place where most don't last 2 or 3 weeks, I've managed to survive for 11 months and counting.

And a fact that overwhelms me is that I set out to be an editor in mind, and now I've a few episodes out on tv, all in only 1 year.

Truly, all we have to do is to boldly ask and He will provide.

The third thing is my family.

We have reconciled. After 10 years. Because of a piece of A Level notes that fell into the toilet bowl. It's amazing, and it is one burden off my heart.

It's really important to count our blessings, and see the power of God working in us. Many times, I thought I've failed, and I thought I wouldn't make it through the tough days in the office, but I did, and I gained so much favour from the bosses.

He's always here with me.

那些年，我们一起去台湾打球的女孩

As I was on the court panting, with my throat burning from the thin air, it felt incredible.

There I was, in Taipei, playing against 中华电信, who are the 3rd placed professional basketball team.

It was nothing short of a privilage, a blessing.

And also a fantastic birthday present.

Never mind we got thrashed, never mind their average height was the height of our 2 tallest players, never mind that out of so many layups I only got 1 in, never mind that we only had 7 players for the game. It was still so worth it, so memorably and precious in my heart.

Most precious birthday present ever!