EODM - End of Month Debrief

heh, end of the month.. end of the day debrief. still remember 2WO Lim going through the massive stacks of EODDs for alpha battery. i have to say that out of the different non-commissioned officers in 18da, i respect him the most.

anyway, the symposium is over. i got... very busy. somehow i was held accountable for the stage, registration, and technical aspects plus some of the signage. messy that was. at any rate, i'm told i did a good job and they did kinda look sincere as they said it so i'm just going to leave it at that and plop this symposium onto my resume. whatever happened, it was a good learning experience.

oh and Romi was a cool guy. stay calm. be cool. things are all good. haha, picked up a few control room tricks from the technician. he does concerts, gigs, and equipment rentals too and one thing i like which he mentioned is bringing backup music -- if the customer's cd isn't mastered (volume normalized, etc) properly, then he'll just use his own. no need to go all crazy over a small issue -- in the end, it's the ambiance and flow that counts, not the exact music used.

and i must thank God for bringing me through. i had been falling sick for weeks and the week of the symposium i was really hitting the rocks. maybe cuz i wasn't doing a lot of telemarketing anymore and correspondingly drinking less water. whatever the case, i'm glad that the crash came on earlier this week. wow. earlier this week.

wow. the symposium really felt like it was ages and ages ago. must have been a really long week and in a way, it was. i'm getting better with the kids now, being more firm and all.

on other fronts, PCM is getting better. getting closer too. choir will be throwing me a farewell dinner 7th of August. looking forward to that. will also have to look for a venue since they're leaving it up to me. haha!

this blog post is starting to really wander so i'm just going to bring it to a close with two things. first are two lines from the last song i'm singing with the choir before i leave, Wherever You Are - "but the will of God won't lead you / where the grace of God can't keep you". they're so nice, they let me pick the song. haha.

the second is a video of Michael Jackson performing Man in the Mirror. the lyrics have been on my mind for sometime, especially the part "that's why i'm starting with me". starting. not if it's to be, it's up to me but if it's to be, it starts with me. i like that. i really do.

Symposium

wow.. i keep saying that life's been plodding along but i hadn't quite realized that it's been so long since i last posted on this blog. erm.. lemme see, life is ok. busy these days since the symposium on protecting your child against the cyber menace 24:7 is just next saturday. i'd been roped in to do telemarketing.. then it transitioned to include being in charge of the registration team on the day itself.. and then it became i'd be the hands-off ic instead and focus on getting the tech-team to be ready since the original dudes won't be back in time to recce the place. i really hope we get to set up the night before or at least before 9am. 9am gives us 30 minutes to get every bit of IT and sound up and running and tested, including integrating the speakers presentations in. oh well, should be fun.

on other news, avita's anniversary is doing black light theatre instead of dance. a little disappointing and surprising at the same time. blt is a blast from the past. it's been 8 years or so since i last did it.. but haha, muscle memory still seems to kicking about.

and on other notes, i'm contemplating purchasing a contemporary bag. one of those sideslung ones. been browsing about, converse seems to have a nice one. i suppose it's appropriate to show the briefcase that i'm planning on getting:

you can take a closer look at it here: ShopMarriott Minimalist Briefcase

whaddya think? liked it after spending quite a bit of time browsing through different briefcases online. i like clean lines and simplicity. haha.

Life

Life is once more plodding along. Telemarketing in the morning. Childcare in the afternoon. Nights are random. After watching Kung Fu Panda with Ziliang and The Incredible Hulk by myself, I've decided to implement a new habit which is a movie every weekend. Current plan is Hancock tomorrow night 8pm. Next week is still undecided. Anyone who wants to go watch a movie together can just sms me. It'll be guaranteed that I'll be watching *something*.

Started reading up Boundaries again. Will lend if others are interested, will finish it if no one is. Still going through You were Born Rich. Let Go and Let God is making more sense now. I'll be moving on soon.

And just as an aside, before I leave, I'd like Gretel to become comfortable enough to not mind-blank the moment I go near. Maybe even hold a conversation. Haha. We'll see.

Keep whistling "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin. Trying not to in class. Haha. Whistling not allowed.

Just three things really: a hymn, a verse, and an email

1. Hymn

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

~ William and Gloria Gaither

2. Verse

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

3. Email
Don't give up, because He did not

One day, I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, and my spirituality.
I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
'God', I asked, 'Can you give me one good reason not to quit?'
His answer surprised me...

'Look around', He said. 'Do you see the fern and the bamboo?'
'Yes', I replied.

'When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year, the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo', He said.

'In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit', He said.

'Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6 months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle', He said.

He asked me, 'Did you know, my child, that all this time that you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?'

'I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others', He said.

'The bamboo had a different Purpose from the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

Your time will come', God said to me.

'You will rise high'
'How high should I rise?' I asked.
'How high will the bamboo rise?' He asked in return.
'As high as it can?' I questioned.
'Yes.' He said, 'Give me glory by rising as high as you can.'

I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.

For the Christians, Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,

Tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Rick Warren Interviewed by Larry King

i did say i'd be going to sleep soon and indeed i have to. i got started reading a transcript of Rick Warren being interviewed by Larry King and well, i very much respect Rick Warren and ended up reading all ten pages worth of the interview. i recommend it for reading as well.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/22/lkl.01.html

and on that note, i'm going to look up my Purpose-Driven Life (hopefully it's in Singapore) and start reading it again. =)

edit: oops, linkie without text..

just plodding along

mm.. yet another update to just keep plodding along, keep in the habit of posting to this blog. mmm.. started a new book, You Were Born Rich, recommended by my mentor and thus far finding it really thought-provoking. i've never gone through a book so slowly and thoroughly before, save those journal articles that require a check in the dictionary every few words or so. amazing stuff. i'm not done yet, but i'd recommend the book to anyone.

on other fronts, i've picked up a job in a daycare centre; should be good. i like kids. =)

on other other news, i did a good job on my solo in choir today. happy. =)

Where in Heaven is Mozart?

wow, it seems every time i visit youtube, something fascinating and inspiring pops up. this one is of a family that decided to take a leap of faith and tour the world, letting their daughter experience the world in a way i definitely wish to let mine own future children experience.


explanation: the girl's nickname is Mozart, the music is by Pachelbel.