Birthday Reflections

10 years - a lot of things can happen in 10 years.

My birthday passed me by this week, and I thought about the last decade of my life. 

I found some then and now photos... it is a collection of thanksgiving, and as I recollect, I noticed... that whatever I write - these things are the most important to me in my life. 

It has been 10 years since Japan and N432.

9 years since I joined SkillsFuture (then-WDA).

8 years since I decided I will live life the best I can in all areas - serving God and loving people.

7 years since I got married; since church saga. 

6 years since Kenji came into our lives.

5 years since the journey of restoration, trust and believing again. 

4 years since my dad passed away. 

3 years since the pain of Dubai. 

2 years since "No toil, Rest in God; everything you need has already been given to you."

1 year since "Step-by-Step" journey; understanding I am really fallible. 

0 year since "Behold All things have become New".

How much have I grown and matured in my thinking and walk with God?

I recall how a long time ago... I was standing in JW auditorium and I heard the words spoken audibly to me - Source of Wisdom, Bridge of Understanding. 

Have I lived this out in my life? While birthdays are special days worth celebrating, this year it brought me on my journey of the last 10 years. 

Where has time gone?

Have I been wise in my decisions?

Have I lived well?

How am I now?

Where am I heading towards for the next 10 years?

Life is worth celebrating and living. Yet pain is also evident in life's journey. Victor Frankl's book - Man's search for meaning - touched me quite a fair bit. He wrote:
"If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering and in dying."
In XC's words, I paraphrase -  "if life is worth living at all, then there must be meaning in suffering".

Few days back, I was actually feeling some moments of anguish. The mixture of pain and grief, yet trusting God for an abundant life, is not so easy after all. But the respite is always in a good run and in quiet moments. I found a new corner at home that I really like. I sat out at the balcony, and Kenji just came and sat close by. I am thinking that I should get a nice chair. I can do my readings and reflections out there. :)

I am thankful for the week passed. 

I had a good lunch and office exploration with Wilson. We chatted a lot and he's like a kind fatherly figure. I said - He's got da boss de(4) seh (3). Thank you for dim sum lunch.


I had early experiences at work, waking up at 3.30am for several Zoom Conferences with Singapore and US partners. SJ said the skyline looks like Seattle. :))


My awesome work team (yes, it is a super small team) telling me I have to get online for a meeting, only to be greeted by creative drawings of fast car, flower, rainbow and.... sexy men. Laugh Die Me.


I enjoyed my time with Kenji and the kids. Such curiosity, amazement and the questions. They do love a doge.


A beautiful rainbow just right on 5 March. The evening was just beautiful. :)) I hope I can always enjoy the outdoors.


Fellowship and Praying together with Maki, over the web. :)) What an unbelievable journey for her as well.


We played some tennis. Sometimes, we are so lousy. But this is "work in progress". Thanks to Ernest for always helping us with the courts.


He celebrated my birthday with a good meal at Westin. :))


We strolled to the private yatch area, and saw some folks enjoy their time in the cosy cabins.


As the week draws to an end here, once again, I am grateful for the week passed.
It is once again time to look forward to the new week ahead.

Beautiful night with Sim

I am so happy and thankful tonight.
Attended Home Group here, and was encouraged by all the sharing.
God is indeed present everywhere. As long as the heart is open to receive.

It was a special night for me, as Sim and I continued the night at our place.
We just chatted. We talked about our faith journey, our struggles, the books we read, how good God has been to us, and we prayed for each other.

The faith journey is made alive and real because of such connections. 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

CNY Celebrations in Abu Dhabi

Back for a week, and last night was the 15th day of CNY - 元宵节, which is also known as the Lantern Festival day, where lanterns and oranges are a part of the celebrations. The Singapore Embassy here had a CNY gathering last night and so we went. 

Basically, it was a time to get-together and see some friends (most of whom we would only say hi to at these SG gatherings and events). But of course, there were a few closer ones, like the tennis kakis, Lily, the ATC friends. etc. The evening was pleasant and cooling, with quite some funny moments and laughter. 

Tennis Kakis - lotsa laughter talking about younger days, basketball, vampire cat, ghoulish things, and lou-hei together with some other SG people we met for the first time. 

With Samuel, the ambassador. Thankful that somehow, we got connected in Church, and then WorldSkills.  

2 more SG ATCs joined the force in Abu Dhabi with their families. :)

Heard that there will be more coming. It is good to know that our skills are valuable around the world.

Lily and her hospitality and generosity. As always, loving a great party. She actually tried to get me a cheongsam. SQ Girls all know how to pose and look good. 

The end of CNY also means that 2018 has started proper. In Singapore, one of those things would be - oh, when is the next holiday? Easter seems so far off. :-p. 

For me here, there is not much difference. One thing is for sure though - the weather is now gradually becoming warmer. Spring is here. :))

句点。新年。For a most special friend

The full-stop is an amazing creation.

The language before; the language after.

It speaks of a whole experience prior,

And it speaks of the end of that.

What happens after could be related.

Or it could be of closure and newness.

And hence, there is an end to the past.

Before the start of another.

“Let Go and Let God” comes to mind.

It is easy to utter this, sometimes too casually.

The actual process is tougher; the living it through can be excruciating.

That’s when the humble full-stop comes to mind;

句点and its 含义comes alive.  

And that’s when I say that Chinese New Year is so good too.

Because both speak of a new beginning.

The Chinese New Year gives us a second chance.

No matter how much we foul up Jan 1,

The Chinese New Year comes again,

Like the passover, with the blood of the Lamb.

To remind us that the year ahead can still be good.

To remind us of new hopes, new dreams, new beginnings.

It is like the humble full stop.

The old has passed away; behold all things,

Have once again become new.

So I will take heart, and I know you will too.

MacRitchie Adventure

I thought I might have just fallen in love again… with trail running. 😊 

Did Macritchie reservoir 3 times the last 2 weeks, and I was just happy to run and explore. The first 2 times, I went alone, and it was mostly along the boardwalk, but last Saturday, I went with Perry, and it was my first attempt at running through the trails. I have always enjoyed hiking and have done different hikes in Japan and Nepal, but with running through it, and keeping myself focused whether uphill or downslope, it is both a challenge and strangely therapeutic.

As I run upslope, I will breathe harder, and it is tiring. I try to focus by counting in my mind to reach, say 20. My muscles will protest and I will just tell myself that I am almost reaching the end of the slope. But I think running down slope is more difficult, especially when the terrain was slippery due to a rain before the run. At some points in time, I thought I might slip. But mostly, it is the thought, or the fear that causes me to stop as I consider if I would actually fall. Perry simply looked back and said, hey, you can do it. And I realized that if I stopped and tried to walk thinking that it was slippery, it was actually tougher than if I were to just step out, concentrate, continue, and trust my body movement and instinct.

When we ended, I felt I could run some more. :-D

And then along the way, I saw the army weapon storehouse (camouflaged in green), a very very old creaky wooden bridge, some fast flowing waters, signs of wildlife (since I did not actually see any except for monkeys), old structures, ran by a golf course, and went up the treetop walk. My first time here at the Treetop walk, and I thought – wow, it is very beautiful, but what a short treetop walk.

This Sat run must be one highlight of this trip back to Singapore. Perhaps it is coupled with the morning fresh air, plus a total change in environment – where nature enshrouds me and all I can think about is running, my footsteps, the terrain. It is so so different from the Mondays – Fridays of hectic SG life.

And because Lips and Daph’s place is so near to MacRitchie, I will definitely be back the next trip.

Perry says MacRitchie is linked to Bukit Timah Hill too – about 10km away. Let’s do this the next run!

Faithful Kenji

I think Kenji misses me. He keeps looking out of the balcony, looking forlorn or eagerly expecting. And my husband says he has been sitting out there the whole day, in different positions. He must be pining for me, waiting for me to appear.
Just like faithful Hachiko.

I told my wonderful husband that must be it.
Then he said - Kenji is like you, likes outdoors. Kenji is waiting to be brought out for his walk, and hence eagerly looking out. 😐


My beautiful Kenji. 💗💗💗💗

CNY 2018

CNY came. CNY is passing.
These few days were remarkably good perhaps because I have been productive.
A mixture of meeting up with family and loved ones, as well as quality lone time. 

To be honest, I do think Singapore is tiring. Perhaps because the time back is always limited. Hence, meeting up family and friends feature as high priority, amidst work. Steve forgot that his trip back to Singapore was a holiday, whereas for me, it is work-as-usual. :-D

In any case, even while the flesh is tired, I am always so happy and glad to meet up with different ones. To me, relationships are most important. People are most important.

In our busyness, how then do we strike a balance between the demands of family life, friends, church ministry, work, and all others? That requires some prioritization and planning, and also wisdom. So perhaps, these 3 weeks past, while it has been tiring, I must say it was so good too.

I also made some decisions (yet again). And this time, I will endeavour to live well. 
Today's church sermon reinforced that. While we always find ourselves surrounded by difficult moments, hope carries us forward. There is always a new beginning.

Yesterday was beautiful. I explored Macritchie Reservoir by myself. I was pretty tired after meeting 3 different groups, so Macritchie was god-sent. My antidote to tiredness and confusion is to run and sweat, to let it out. I didn't know Macritchie was just so close to Braddell Hill. The sunset was awesome. I ran through some man-made boardwalks, and also took the trail, and found myself just exploring the place, hearing my own heart-beat and breathing, occasionally stopping to take pictures of flora and fauna, and met some monkeys. I was a little worried that I will get caught in the dark but all was good. The waters were calm and green... saw lovers hand-in-hand. Ran up some inclines and enjoyed the down-slops. All in all, it was just exactly what I needed. A rest even while running. :)) I love the feeling of sore muscles and intense sweat. Love the tiredness yet the happiness. Love the calmness of the surroundings and yet the adrenalin of the run. I shall go again later.




And Chinese New Year really is a time of family reunion and celebration. I had a very good fellowship with mummy, then with parents-in-law. SUPER. Many times, it is taking a walk down memory lane as I go back home. I felt all the memories surge back, flood back. The humble 3-room HDB flat, the at-home feeling, where you can sit and sleep anywhere you want. It is after all, the place called home. May my mummy always be in good health, always know that God loves her.


Seeing Tiffany and Trevor were awesome too. :) A family makan together - all 3 of us sisters with my mum. It is really 难得。 I think mummy looks the best in her striking red blouse.


And whailin giving birth to her darling on CNY Day 2. Very very very happy for her. Super happy to see her well. :) 


And.... fellowship with Zeal - thankful that God strengthens, God restores, God heals. A walk always does wonders, especially if it is at Pasir Ris. :-D


Superb CNY Church Service - the group of friends I can always count on.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; 
The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, 
And give you peace." (Num, 6:24-26)




And I can go on and on remembering all these special moments of 2018.
But to sum it up, it is really in the quietness and trust in God that I regain strength. :) Therefore, Macritchie, here I come. :))

Beautiful Sunday morning in SG

Went for a run at East Coast Park early morning today and did my QT there. Inspired and thankful.
Daphieee and Lips really went out of the way to get their house ready for me. I can't describe how glad I am this morning, to be able to have a nice room, to look out and see the trees.
East Coast Park was just so nice. The sea, the breeze, the run, the early risers.

I am listening to Extravagant by Bethel as I enjoy my Sunday. It is the song of the season for me now. The weeks have passed by in a whirl again. With Steve here and gone in the blink of an eye, I have 2 more weeks here in SG, to spend CNY here with family and friends.

Zhihui and I shared and encouraged each other in the Lord last night. I had an episode recently that left me very saddened. Relationships and friendships are fragile. It left me so sad. But sometimes, things happen and then we move on. Still, there is hope always; He is always in control and He is love.

Singapore is just beautiful. Sundays are lovely. :)

The lovely Braddell Hill that I will call home for these 2 weeks. Love the old-estate feeling. 💗




Beautiful Sunday morning jog at ECP 

Winter Season in Abu Dhabi

This cold weather will pass soon. By end Feb, when I return to AD from SG again, it will be turning warmer. I remember that last year in July, we were always soaked in sweat and engulfed in the thick humidity (esp. in the nights), and would imagine how nice it would be to walk Kenji when the weather became cooler.

And so these last few months (Nov. onwards) were cool, and sometimes, the wind would be pretty strong. I have to put on a sweater or jacket wherever I go. And I found myself wondering when I can jump into the pool again, when I can be in my T-shirt, shorts and slippers again, when I can get my tan back again.

Even the house feels really cold and we have to put on the house slippers, and wrap ourselves up. Ha.

Snugly tugged, 被偷拍。:D

Today, after work, I played tennis (in 16-deg weather and with some wind), and while it was cold to begin with, I soon worked out a little bit of a sweat. :)) It was so so nice. I took up tennis lessons here and the coach is a very soft and mild-mannered Arabic man from Egypt. He is really gentle in demeanor... but packs a punch on court. I thought the 45-minute session was too short. But well... I will see him again in a month's time.


Then, because it was cold.. the next best thing to do was a hot shower, followed by Hot Pot!
Actually, we are pretty boring people and never really ventured out to eat all the "must-eats" here in Abu Dhabi. We've heard different ones recommend this place and that place, but generally, we don't think about driving out far to just get dinner, unless there's a special occasion. So tonight was kind of impromptu. We headed out about 940pm for hot pot! Haha, and it was really comfort food, like any of the steamboat buffets you can find in Singapore. This Seven Hotpot restaurant is opened by Chinese, and we had 2 soup bases and lots of the usual "steamboat" stuff. It was just... nice. :)) Now, we have 1 more place to add to our list and know where to head to for this kind of strong-taste craving.


I am wrapped up all again in the pink fleece blanket. It is time to turn in.
Tmr, Kenji will go to his "concentration camp". We jokingly term it that way because we are sure he will miss us so much. And also because he always looks so forlorn when we leave him there. He will also miss his warm couch and blankets.

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

日曜日について

This morning started out with a disruption in the electricity supply - the annual electrical maintenance. I totally forgot about it, and had to wash Kenji in darkness. :-0 Well, it also meant I decided to go to Costa, have coffee, and read a book. It is a different Sunday, causing a break to my "housewife"-routine, but whatever, I thought I would just enjoy what the disruption brought about.


So I am reading Homo Deus, and these first few chapters explore how history repeats itself, and that the human mind seeks to explore happiness and solves life's greatest challenge - overcoming death. It is an intriguing book, intriguing content. Never say never - maybe one day, #immortality?

Well, weekends are always lovely. They are a time for me to get in touch with my inner self more, to wind down a little and spend more time talking with people I love, and observing. I really enjoyed yesterday and today, especially that I am now writing my thoughts after watching Federer win his 20th Grand Slam. He teared... so 感动... I think we human beings are wired in a certain way (or at least me) - always in awe of the greatest inventions, the record-breaking feats, the stories of human strength and overcomers, whether in areas of sports, technology, business, personal life stories, etc.

I like to look at expressions. To me, the most real emotions are the most beautiful. I love it when people laugh and smile. I think people are most beautiful when they are happy. :)
This pic of Federer is one of gratitude, one that speaks of hard work and victory, toil and success, one that no one could really understand except for himself. It is not the hearty laughter picture, but one so so rich in emotions and a beautiful one of a champion.

And while weekends are to chill, life is also increasingly integrated with work (and learning matters) right now. I just saw this incredible video. Who puts this ingenuity into this little puffer fish, and taught him how to create this perfect circle and structure? How did the fish learn to do this? It is unexplainable. God must have deposited His nature into the little one.


I had a great time at work this week, and explored Medium.com today. We are thinking about starting a professional blog on the future of learning, and would likely do that soon. I pondered about skills obsolescence this week - because what we spent time learning, or what could have been a professional and technical career in just a few years back - could very quickly and snappily be over-taken by machine-wired intelligence. This is just a real example of what I learn from a friend's experience this last week. Still, learning new skills can be enjoyable, triggers the mind, brings about fulfillment. Just like the little fish. There is a purpose to his creation - it is to woo his lover. There is this nature deposited in us - to continually learn, create, do good work, be that designer.
Work and learning should be meaningful and fun. I decided to journal some of the moments of remote work in this Abu Dhabi journey because, well, this is going to become such a part of me. :))

Thankfully I could get on Video Conferencing again despite its blockage earlier this year.

This marks the end of Jan 2018.
I am looking forward to February.

5 - 14 Jan

I have been flying back to Singapore on Etihad primarily, and hence, chalked up many many miles. It was a superb New Year present when I got upgraded early Jan on the trip back. :) How nice, especially when I least expected that. Money talks, and money talks loudly --> The difference in the service treatment, the difference in the seat class... I have very bad backaches and pain sometimes... so this upgrade was really a blessing; there are massage functions on the seat.
At this age in my life, I wonder about how transient life can be, the power of inheritance, my attitudes towards what I want in life, what things truly matter, especially on plane rides.


When I am in Singapore, I think about life in Abu Dhabi. 
When I am in Abu Dhabi, I think about life in Singapore. 
This last week in particular, I keep thinking about the parallel of my day in Singapore. For example, on a Sunday afternoon, I would have been eating brunch at the local coffeeshop, drinking kopi siu dai ka C, and then perhaps do some grocery shopping, finish the Sunday Times, look forward to going for a run at the beach with Kenji or perhaps do a bike ride to ECP with Steve. These little things - I miss the most. It was so so so nostalgic when I was back last week, to just walk through the neighbourhoods of Pasir Ris and Tampines. I miss my mum. 
Maybe at the 1-year mark, most people do get homesick?

And SG is always about relationships and work for me. 
I went back for Yifang's wedding, and Zhihui and I co-emceed together, with Daphne and Lips coordinating the wedding. It was really a very good time as we have worked together as a team before. Really happy for YF and Ivann, and even even feeling more blessed by some of my dearest friends. I had so much fun with ZH... so much... thank God for beautiful friendships, and laughter always. While I fell really sick through a bout of food poisoning, I also totally recovered within 1.5 days. Too much to express; too much to remember - of this great week in Singapore.

Some of my favouritest people in the whole wide world. 




Going into office was superbly good too.
So I've taken on a new role and challenge at work, by looking at the Future of Learning for the CET sector. This is not crystal-ball gazing, but through my readings, observations, I find myself asking some key questions:
- The human species - we have the innate ability to learn, don't we? Structures, institutional systems are created to provide some form and shape to "how" we can learn. But isn't learning intuitive? A baby learns right from Day 1 how to respond and get his feed when he is hungry. For us adults - how do we continue to learn best so that we can "future-proof" ourselves? What assumptions can we challenge and are we brave enough to say that some of what we have put in place might not have worked out as well as we had hoped it would be? How will this future look like?
- Can we create and shape the future of learning in our world, especially through the many advancements in technologies and breakthroughs (which will continue to happen in our generation and the next ones to come)? I believe we can - because there are simply different societies and groups that have advanced further and brought greater good to humanity, because they create, they innovate, they learn and adapt faster and better.
- How can we then, as an organisation, define and scope out what might create the ripple effect, for the future of learning?

TRUST. AGAIN.

One of the highlights in the whole week is always to attend service and listen to sermon. The Word of God has an uncanny ability to inspire faith, renew strength from within, set perspectives right again.

January is about to whizz me by, and the start of the year has just accelerated in its pace. Thankful that I am learning new things daily. I must have been tired... I fell asleep on the coach on Friday night throughout, intermittently waking up to see Kenji’s bright eyes and black snout directly at my face. Recently, Kenji has been acting strange too, and would often give us “THE LOOK”. I can’t exactly describe it, but his eyes will narrow a little, and then there is this “Hey, why are you like this and can’t you share your seat”? energy emitted. So, we know why. He wants to get on the couch with us, and would “test” our responses. Finally, he would jump up and sit down with us. Dog behavior – and learning what is permissible and what not.

This whole weekend, I felt very much for a very dear friend. She never gives up and wonders why love is elusive and has evaded her so many times. In an era that is now so connected, we have used social media, different dating websites or applications to try to find that special someone. She has been trying too, but once again, felt crushed. When do we give up? Why do we keep keeping on? When is enough enough? Do we give our very best in loving and trying, or do we hold back? What is this mystery about a love relationship? How does attraction happen and can it be defined? I do not know. I think they defy logic and understanding. 

Proverbs 13:12 says this – That “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” The heart just keeps on searching, keeps on believing.

The Chinese language is beautiful. Each character depicts a picture; paints an emotion. I wrote this a few nights ago.

不知不觉 又过一月

不知不觉 模糊探索

有些答案 隐隐约约

有些言语 永埋心底

现实幻想 是真是假

最心深处 如何表达

痛苦快乐 悲伤喜乐

今天明天 似乎。。。 又匆匆过了一天

美丽言语 试着表达

动听歌曲 依然描述

现实幻想 模糊一片

以搞不清 是对是非

但是。。。

生活插曲 点点滴滴

依然盼望 依然美丽

神的时机 只有相信

绝续宣告 拿出勇气

旧事已过 从新再来

生命奥妙 箴言信靠

盼望无期 使人忧伤

夙愿得偿 带来生机

新的一年 从心开始

旧事已过 一切更新

再次尝试 再次努力

神的话语 舒服安逸

The best ever place in the world is that hiding place, the quiet place, where once again, strength is renewed, and that river of life begins to flow again.