爱

今晚， 感触有些深。

我回到了妈妈家。其实在新年期间也刚回到过。不过今晚，当我看到她实在非常开心看到我时， 我真的心里有些说不出的感触。当我看到她不舍得关门时，一直在门口和我挥手告别时，却又满脸带着笑容时，我真的有些想掉泪，有些很深厚的感受。我又难过，又不舍得，有感恩，又感动。不想的时候我当然没事。想的时候， 我心里就充满着思念及感动。应为我也回到了当年熟悉的时刻，想起妈妈无微不至的爱， 想起我成长时候如何和妈妈亲近，如何如何的点点滴滴。

也应为明白妈妈已开始老了，我知道更加要珍惜。
又或许知道她从不粘着我，反而一直鼓励我追求幸福， 虽舍不得，却在两年前满脸带着笑容祝福我们，一直默默为我们祷告。

这份伟大的爱，真的有股好到好强的力量。个子小小的妈妈，竟然都让我有些掉泪了。
今晚，大概会是失眠夜。

From CNY Fatigue to Loving It

Beginning of the week was the CNY celeb, and by the end of Day 1, I had an unceasing headache, and by the end of Day 2, I popped 2 paracetamol tablets. I wondered if anyone felt like me - that while CNY was definitely a time of celebration and rejoicing, it is sooooo tiring as well.

Again, the usual festivities, feastings, fellowship continued thru'out the week, including a whirlwind trip for Steve (back for less than 2.5 days). And certainly, amidst all the food, most important of all is the fellowship. I think absence makes the heart fonder. The quality of fellowship with family and friends have grown richer. (I noticed alot of the words in this para starts with "f"!).


This year is special because all 3 of us sisters were home - all at the same time. And Tiffany and Trevor are so loved. Cheeky, and beautiful kids. :-D

A most special visit this year round was to David's house.
David was one of those who interviewed me more than a decade ago, and I ended up in a most unusual job role working on Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) - which is so so unlike me. However, I was really touched by his sincerity thru' the interview process, and then, the rest is history. I realised I have been with SSG (WDA) for a really long time.

His family has grown fond of Kenji over the years and they have pet-sit Kenji in the past. It was so memorable. Now, they have their own Yoshi. :) It's the second time I meet Yoshi, and she's grown so well - obedient, lovely and loves to chase after moving things (like Kenji). :-D
I've been really blessed by David and his family - their warmth and hospitality, and 家常饭。真的感恩。

See Yoshi's face - haha. refuses to face camera.

And CNY just came and went like that.
I thank God for the 2 runs I managed to do too. :-D
Yesterday morning was so good! I said I felt fatigue in the early part of the week, but yesterday, I felt strong! Went with Perry and friends for a run - and we did about 19km! Haha, and I felt strong!! And, the night before, I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to manage the long run. But I was so glad so glad I did.

This time round, from MacRitchie, we went to the treetop walk, passed the BKE, thru' the Durian Loop, passed Temask Club, saw some railway tracks, went to the Singapore quarry, and also again to BTH. I was really very happy. It's just a very nice way to spend a morning even though I had to wake up at 6.15am for it.

Yay - so glad I did the run / walk / hike.


The very very nice and warm fuzzy feeling after a good run. And.... I met Selena at BTH too. Seems like everyone likes a nice morning exercise. :-D


Oh - and did i mention that I saw an uncle painter, as well as a huge water lizzie?? (I think it is a lizzie).

I really enjoyed the morning run because it provided a change in the environment, which from research, is good because it stimulates perspectives and thinking. The getting away helps one recharge, and find joy. I didn't think about anything in particular, and was careful not to slip and fall again. I think I also need a new pair of shoes because the current pair of Asics has really no more grip. So when I went down-slope, I focused on not falling. When I go up at certain points, I tell myself not to stop and to keep going. When the roads are flat, I admired the new sights like the several nice bungalows we passed by too. When we stopped for breaks, I just felt so good! And when we finally finished the run, I was thankful and feeling all the good effects of the endorphin rush. It was well-worth waking up at 6.15am. :-D

And as Sunday draws to a close, I also calmed down a little. The week has been jetting from 1 episode to another - and finally, it's the close of the week. 真的是很充实的一周。

I counted my blessings as I finished the week with a short run at MR Pranus Trail. The dusk, once again, is so beautiful. :))

My Epiphany

Yesterday in service, Pst Bob preached about joy, that the Chinese character 喜, in its root form is actually made up of 2 characters - signifying 壴 (instruments, band and music) and 口 (our mouth and voice to make a cheerful noise). Every year, as we count down towards CNY, I am always thankful that it is like a new beginning, again. That this is the goodness of God, there is a re-new beginning from Jan 1st. Even if we've had a bad start to the year or fouled-up, there is a new chance to re-start. And hence, we can take heart, be joyful, and celebrate.

And this year, since it is about 喜, it is about that joy in the Lord being my strength, regardless of seasons and times. It is about Rejoicing in Him, always.

I've had an epiphany this week. In work discussions, suddenly, it crashed upon me how a job is not just a job. It is more than doing well at a given task, more than seeing the job as a means of livelihood (I am sure this is just my own reflection and others may feel differently, and that's all right too). But... it crashed upon me that the vocation for that particular season in time - will be one of a "Responsible Professional" and a "Leadership Professional". This came from conversations with SJ, and I left the conversation feeling that I've really learnt a lot. A responsible professional will think deeply, be curious about his / her work, gives his best, go beyond what's required. Because the notion of a professional is - a professional, in all sense of the word. It will be oxymoronic if the professional doesn't take responsibility for his own profession. The professional will not just execute his task, but be held accountable to high standards for his profession - and that means he will also learn and develop to become the best professional he can be. 

A professional can only be called a true professional as he becomes really good in what he does, and leads and brings others along, driving change for the better along the way. I ponder about the notion of doing good work, influencing change, thinking about the skills agenda and thinking about passion, being purpose-driven. I coined "purposeful passionate professional" in one conversation, and while my thoughts are all over, they certainly are, because I think, I am becoming clearer and more purposeful in my own work. 

May God continue to give me the wisdom and the understanding in all that I do.

And so, I've had several meetings, dinners, conversations, catch-ups this last 6 days. Time again, dunno go where?! But it is all so so so so good. So good. Unbelievably engaged and fulfilling. In the midst of all the busyness, I attempted a most incredible thing yesterday - ran up Bukit Timah hill. It was that "just say yes", and then "just do it". I went with Perry who already knew that whole area so well. The morning was beautiful - I have never been to Bukit Timah area to run, and I just love the fresh air, the exploration and nice surprises (like crossing BKE, like seeing some rapids, some camps, some mountain bikers zone, etc). It was really such a great way to usher in the weekend!

CNY is just round the corner. And Steve is returning back home tomorrow. Counting down. 

Tonight will be some lou hei and fellowship with good friends. This 2019 - will be one filled with much 喜。