The above title is named after one of the Beatles' hits that became famous after they split. It was written surprisingly during some of their most turmoil periods just before they separated. I'm not sure what inspired them exactly, and I refuse to venture into the reason because I believe that druggies don't think along the same line as non-druggies. So I'll probably never know.
But the weather here kind of spells it out. I finally saw the sun today. After almost 48 hours of rain. I woke up wanting to turn off the aircon, but found that it was off. That was how cold it was. Freezing. Shivering. I'm more receptive to heat than cold, the exception being when I'm in my army uniform.
Sun's out! Yeah... And I have to go shopping for my family members' Christmas presents. I wonder what to get for them. At least I don't have to bring an umbrella this time.
Dad and Mum. I have really no idea what to get for them. Dad seems to like everything I give him. I remember giving him a lighter in the shape of a bronze horse on my return from Beijing. Well, the last time I checked, the oil meter was still full. Haha... Mum, erm... It's tough buying anything for Mum coZ she doesn't have a preference for anything. Being a good son is pretty tough enough.
Andrew... Erm... He likes clothing and facial products. My knowledge of fashion and chemicals is really bad. So I can't buy either. Tough one again. And he's also the kind who'll criticize you if you buy cheap stuff for him... Darn...
Nicholas... Aiya... Maple E-cash can le lorZ... Not too difficult la...
Gina! Wah... Tough tough... She likes kinda weird clothing and funny jewellery. Like long, flowery skirts and black rubies on gold pendants. She likes teddy bears, but I think I've gotten too many for her le.... A card's too simple... She deserves better... Sigh.... I think my creative juices are running out le.
Well, at least I'm done with the youths' presents....Haha.... Okay, going Christmas shopping le. =)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The Beauty of Christmas
Don't you just love Christmas? Seems as if snow is falling around Singapore when it's only rain or some rude bird peeing downwards, the cold winter's chill that's either a figment of your imagination or the air-con from the supermarket, and the roast turkey covered with thick gravy on the table that's actually the skinny kampong chicken that mum boiled with soup. But whatever the case Christmas is so special you can feel it around you, smell it in the air!
Erm.... How come I get the feeling I've lost some readers here already? You mean you don't feel it? That's sad... Now, I want you to pause and imagine a scene from Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol". Ahh... Feel the snow, smell the smoke from the chimmneys. It's Christmas time!!
Haha... I love Christmas... I used to love it for the presents I was going to unwrapped on Christmas morning, anticipating the delicious food during family gatherings, and most of all, the happy faces of everyone during the season. My brothers and I just can't wait for this moment, because our parents usually know what we like, and the presents and food are usually suited to our taste.
As I grow older, I still love unwrapping presents, but I realize the heavy strain on the family budget despite my extremely generous parents' comforting smiles. My parents spend alot during Christmas, not just on us boys, but on the numerous relatives and friends we have. Sometimes, I feel like telling them not to buy us presents so that they can save on the money (and it's quite a big sun I tell you), but experience has taught me not to do that because it only upsets my parents, significantly my dad. Giving gifts is his No.1 way of telling us how much he loves us, and I've learnt never to reject that.
Good food is still a must for any type of gathering among Singaporeans. My mum's the best cook in the world. You can tell by our waistlines. Imagine the amount the exercise I gotta do before maintaining my weight. By food is only part of the greater bonding known as fellowship, which brings us together to enjoy each other's company. However, as I grow older, I learn the politics of mingling with relatives. Politics is a hateful game, but though I don't like it, I gotta admit that I'm pretty good at it. How I miss the time when my innocence got the hold of me to gather all my cousins to play hide-and-seek around the house and talk about silly things for the whole night. Now, we've all grown up, and every action is watched upon by our relatives. A finger into the nose, a spill of drink on the floor, or an insensitive remark made is equivalent to death. Family politics. Sigh.
Smiles are everywhere during Christmas. Everyone is happy, especially to me when I was a young boy. But as I grew older, I began to see through the smiles of people. Many of these smiles are fake, if not forced. Many of these smiles have ulterior motives, and fade as quickly as they appeared when their goal is not achieved. Sad isn't it? Are you one of them?
Hmmm... Sounds like a really pessimistic view of Christmas huh? Nevertheless, it's still my favorite time of the year. Yes, some of you have guessed it, I'm an optimist, unlike my two younger brothers. Too optimistic I guess. But it provides balance to the family. Christmas is a beautiful season. There's a dressed-up Santa on his sleigh giving out cheap presents, Rudolph prancing with his electric bulb nose about to fuse anytime, and the baby Jesus that looks kinda comfortable in the horseshed.
Jesus, beautiful Jesus. There won't be Santa or Rudolph if not for you. No presents, no smiley faces. Perhaps just a simple Boxing Day and decoration for the New Year. 2006 years ago, God gave us the biggest present that we could ever wish for on this Christmas Day: A ticket to Heaven.
Are you going to accept it?
Erm.... How come I get the feeling I've lost some readers here already? You mean you don't feel it? That's sad... Now, I want you to pause and imagine a scene from Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol". Ahh... Feel the snow, smell the smoke from the chimmneys. It's Christmas time!!
Haha... I love Christmas... I used to love it for the presents I was going to unwrapped on Christmas morning, anticipating the delicious food during family gatherings, and most of all, the happy faces of everyone during the season. My brothers and I just can't wait for this moment, because our parents usually know what we like, and the presents and food are usually suited to our taste.
As I grow older, I still love unwrapping presents, but I realize the heavy strain on the family budget despite my extremely generous parents' comforting smiles. My parents spend alot during Christmas, not just on us boys, but on the numerous relatives and friends we have. Sometimes, I feel like telling them not to buy us presents so that they can save on the money (and it's quite a big sun I tell you), but experience has taught me not to do that because it only upsets my parents, significantly my dad. Giving gifts is his No.1 way of telling us how much he loves us, and I've learnt never to reject that.
Good food is still a must for any type of gathering among Singaporeans. My mum's the best cook in the world. You can tell by our waistlines. Imagine the amount the exercise I gotta do before maintaining my weight. By food is only part of the greater bonding known as fellowship, which brings us together to enjoy each other's company. However, as I grow older, I learn the politics of mingling with relatives. Politics is a hateful game, but though I don't like it, I gotta admit that I'm pretty good at it. How I miss the time when my innocence got the hold of me to gather all my cousins to play hide-and-seek around the house and talk about silly things for the whole night. Now, we've all grown up, and every action is watched upon by our relatives. A finger into the nose, a spill of drink on the floor, or an insensitive remark made is equivalent to death. Family politics. Sigh.
Smiles are everywhere during Christmas. Everyone is happy, especially to me when I was a young boy. But as I grew older, I began to see through the smiles of people. Many of these smiles are fake, if not forced. Many of these smiles have ulterior motives, and fade as quickly as they appeared when their goal is not achieved. Sad isn't it? Are you one of them?
Hmmm... Sounds like a really pessimistic view of Christmas huh? Nevertheless, it's still my favorite time of the year. Yes, some of you have guessed it, I'm an optimist, unlike my two younger brothers. Too optimistic I guess. But it provides balance to the family. Christmas is a beautiful season. There's a dressed-up Santa on his sleigh giving out cheap presents, Rudolph prancing with his electric bulb nose about to fuse anytime, and the baby Jesus that looks kinda comfortable in the horseshed.
Jesus, beautiful Jesus. There won't be Santa or Rudolph if not for you. No presents, no smiley faces. Perhaps just a simple Boxing Day and decoration for the New Year. 2006 years ago, God gave us the biggest present that we could ever wish for on this Christmas Day: A ticket to Heaven.
Are you going to accept it?
Friday, December 15, 2006
Christmas is Coming!
I'm just back from the youth camp, totally shagged out. It's fun hosting a youth camp, though the planning process can be really boring and tiresome. And personally I hate meetings. That's why I don't call for any unless it's absolutely necessary.
Anyway, I would like to thank the seniors for helping me out during this camp, namely Jason, Matthew, David, Michelle, Jennifer, Jowyne and Nicholas.
Jason, thanks for being there for all my camps and giving advice, albeit some really crappy ones. But it's the presence and participation that counts, and you've never failed me in that area. If I've never acknowledged it before, here's one for you. You're a great accountant and not afraid to speak up. I still don't understand why you're so good with girls, and I believe the Nobodies don't have a logical explaination either. Thanks again for all the help you've provided and I look forward to working with you more in the future!
Matthew, I really, really appreciate you coming down despite the already-big-headache of the Christmas party. Thanks for lugging down the PS2 too. Added so much fun to the camp during the guys' free time. Hopefully I can be of service towards the deco and stuff though I must admit I'm not the arty farty kind of guy. Pray I can do the singing session and MC properly though, I tend to crap when I'm on stage.
David, I could sorta tell you weren't too keen on this camp, but I'm glad you had so much fun you wanted to stay the night over despite having another camp the next day. Thanks for being the pillar of support and generating cool ideas from which the camp would not have been a success. Looking forward to you contributing towards the teaching ministry next quarter.
Michelle, you're the best. If the girls need a counsellor, mentor, friend and example to follow, you're the number one girl the Agape Youth can offer. Thanks for coming down despite having school and stuff to do, your presence did wonders that I believe the camp could not have gone without. I'm glad the younger girls are opening up to you and I look forward to you stepping up to greater responsibility in the youth. Don't be too stressed about anything, for in all situations, trust not yourself, but our Lord.
Jennifer, thanks for acting in Caleb's place during his absence. You're a great leader despite whatever you might think. Some people work behind the scenes, some take all the limelight. You belong to the former, and I admire the dedication you have towards the youth group despite your heavy work schedule. Thanks for approving the budget so I can work without fears of going broke during the camp, and for your help during Persecution Night.
Jowyne, thanks for offering to stay over during the camp despite having so many tests and projects to rush during the week. I nearly had to send all the girls back home because there weren't any female seniors staying over, till you and Michelle kindly offered to do so. Thanks again babe!
Nicholas Hui Kok Cheong. If there's anyone who can remain cool and yet confused in life it's my little brother. Okay, he isn't so little anymore, kinda bigger than me already, but yeah, he's cool. At least he makes a good torturer for most of Persecution Night. Haha... I'm sure you enjoyed torturing others, especially given that you have no one to torture at home... Thanks for the help and all the nice clothing you got for me from KL. You've got taste I must admit.
A short word of thanks to Uncle Anthony and Uncle Chow, both of whom have been exceedingly kind and understanding towards this camp. I hope the church is left as when I began, and any mess would have been thoroughly cleared up before your eyes saw it. Haha...
And I also would like to specially thank the girls Runjin, Chloe and Clara. You all have been so helpful during the camp and I really hope you enjoyed being part of it as much as I did. I pray that you all learnt something from this , even if just a single lesson. Inside me, I believe that the three of you will grow up to be fantastic ladies living out the Christian life for your friends to see!
Ahhh... Done. Credits are long, but a must. Acknowledgement is important, for without them, there's no encouragement and love involved. Therefore, my final kudos must go to our Heavenly Father. Thank You Lord for watching over this camp and it's participants. Trusting You is hard, but when it is done, the results are amazing. Thank You for giving me strength when I'm tired, creative ideas when I'm dry, and friends to be with when the path becomes lonely. Your presence is most wonderful and without You, there would be nothing. I pray this camp was a worthy project to accord to Your glory oh Lord.
Oh honor and glory be to Your name!
Anyway, I would like to thank the seniors for helping me out during this camp, namely Jason, Matthew, David, Michelle, Jennifer, Jowyne and Nicholas.
Jason, thanks for being there for all my camps and giving advice, albeit some really crappy ones. But it's the presence and participation that counts, and you've never failed me in that area. If I've never acknowledged it before, here's one for you. You're a great accountant and not afraid to speak up. I still don't understand why you're so good with girls, and I believe the Nobodies don't have a logical explaination either. Thanks again for all the help you've provided and I look forward to working with you more in the future!
Matthew, I really, really appreciate you coming down despite the already-big-headache of the Christmas party. Thanks for lugging down the PS2 too. Added so much fun to the camp during the guys' free time. Hopefully I can be of service towards the deco and stuff though I must admit I'm not the arty farty kind of guy. Pray I can do the singing session and MC properly though, I tend to crap when I'm on stage.
David, I could sorta tell you weren't too keen on this camp, but I'm glad you had so much fun you wanted to stay the night over despite having another camp the next day. Thanks for being the pillar of support and generating cool ideas from which the camp would not have been a success. Looking forward to you contributing towards the teaching ministry next quarter.
Michelle, you're the best. If the girls need a counsellor, mentor, friend and example to follow, you're the number one girl the Agape Youth can offer. Thanks for coming down despite having school and stuff to do, your presence did wonders that I believe the camp could not have gone without. I'm glad the younger girls are opening up to you and I look forward to you stepping up to greater responsibility in the youth. Don't be too stressed about anything, for in all situations, trust not yourself, but our Lord.
Jennifer, thanks for acting in Caleb's place during his absence. You're a great leader despite whatever you might think. Some people work behind the scenes, some take all the limelight. You belong to the former, and I admire the dedication you have towards the youth group despite your heavy work schedule. Thanks for approving the budget so I can work without fears of going broke during the camp, and for your help during Persecution Night.
Jowyne, thanks for offering to stay over during the camp despite having so many tests and projects to rush during the week. I nearly had to send all the girls back home because there weren't any female seniors staying over, till you and Michelle kindly offered to do so. Thanks again babe!
Nicholas Hui Kok Cheong. If there's anyone who can remain cool and yet confused in life it's my little brother. Okay, he isn't so little anymore, kinda bigger than me already, but yeah, he's cool. At least he makes a good torturer for most of Persecution Night. Haha... I'm sure you enjoyed torturing others, especially given that you have no one to torture at home... Thanks for the help and all the nice clothing you got for me from KL. You've got taste I must admit.
A short word of thanks to Uncle Anthony and Uncle Chow, both of whom have been exceedingly kind and understanding towards this camp. I hope the church is left as when I began, and any mess would have been thoroughly cleared up before your eyes saw it. Haha...
And I also would like to specially thank the girls Runjin, Chloe and Clara. You all have been so helpful during the camp and I really hope you enjoyed being part of it as much as I did. I pray that you all learnt something from this , even if just a single lesson. Inside me, I believe that the three of you will grow up to be fantastic ladies living out the Christian life for your friends to see!
Ahhh... Done. Credits are long, but a must. Acknowledgement is important, for without them, there's no encouragement and love involved. Therefore, my final kudos must go to our Heavenly Father. Thank You Lord for watching over this camp and it's participants. Trusting You is hard, but when it is done, the results are amazing. Thank You for giving me strength when I'm tired, creative ideas when I'm dry, and friends to be with when the path becomes lonely. Your presence is most wonderful and without You, there would be nothing. I pray this camp was a worthy project to accord to Your glory oh Lord.
Oh honor and glory be to Your name!
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