hanrong's life story..

finalised bride and groom for rufus and gracia!

2009-10-14T19:28:00.001-07:00

bride and groom!

2009-10-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

taking up the challenge.. tks lijia!

2009-09-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

I think i need to challenge myself w my skills and lijia just gave me a great idea!

10 Oct is a church wedding for a lovely couple and i think i shall make them a balloon couple!
i need to source for their photograph first though..

below is one really nice balloon couple done by piggy and pinky and i think i shall work towards this design..

BY http://www.piggyandpinky.com/

they are amazing balloonists..

look forward to 10/10 and see what i produce here!

and yes! im working hard towards organising the balloon workshop for the kids on 26 Sept for Church Mid-autumn festival..

teaching them balloon lanterns.. anyone wanna come down to help?

26 Sept (Sat)
Aldersgate Methodist Church
6.30pm onwards..

pls drop me an email at joeltan7@gmail.com.. need all the help i can get :)

baby in bathtub

2009-09-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

aft aug 4..

2009-08-08T03:58:00.000-07:00

wow..what an experience.

my first project..30 balloon centrepieces for fairfield founders day dinner..

lots of things happened..like how a water-filled balloon burst on a vip table...how the bouquets started to burst even before displaying..how panic seeped into my veins when it's 5pm and still got 20 centrepieces to go..

so here's what we (desmond and I) managed to do from like 8-5pm..

was quite disappointed with the water base because it took alot of effort to make the geo-blossoms half-filled w water..

so..

i got help from Thelma Levett... who is SUPER nice! she purposely made instructions to teach me how to do this...

its abit leaning though.. hahaha

thanking God for opportunities.

2009-08-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

im amazed at the many doors opened recently for me to practice my twisting.. jurong pt twisting for charity, American Association's July 4th, Vivo city giveaway..

Its just so nice to see God paving the way for me to hone my skill.. hopefully this means its my calling and that i can use it for His glory :)

so excited for tml.. doing a 30 table centrepiece for a dinner.. shall post photos and detail the outcome of it tml..but today..its off for the aussie med PQA test and then a visit to the balloon supplier!

balloonbaron..here i come =)

balloon twisting

2009-05-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

yupp..took 1/2 day off to go for a balloon class by lily tan..let the balloons do the talking =D

im really soo busy in office..and im getting quite filled up w thoughts of work..so worried abt this and that..

thank goodness balloons help me destress man.

for balloons by gabriel (the pro)..refer below

.

2009-05-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

'there's a thin line btwn passion and obsession' okto

.. im treading between the two now..

always felt that i nv had the artistic flair.. and it still shows that i dont have good colour sense, bad sense of proportions, maybe a little difficulty creating something new..

it explains why a 5min sculpture for some learning on youtube.. i would take 1/2 hour..

but seems like i've gone crazy ov balloons..

i spent $150+ on balloons so far.. 160s, 260s, 350s, 6" hearts, bee-bodies, 10" transparent hearts..

seems like im going overboard.. there's sooo many balloons now in the fridge and sometimes i dun know what to use the bee-bodies or hearts for..hah

hoping to use balloon twisting for ministry.. but i think i need to pray for God's direction cause there seems to be few openings for that.. the only ones i can think of are sunday sch and mission trips..

quite surprised at the events that took place at the church anniversary lunch today.. haha.. edwin's tatoos for my once-pretty princess..

seeing this princess..a senior ministry lady from the other table requested for a princess since its her bday.. when we gave it to her and sang bday song..she was so happy and wanted to hug me.. and my pcg table were like making me soooooo embrassed..

and how judy (a APC staff) made that dragonfly and we soon attracted soooo much attention from other tables.

here's to end it off with a Jesus balloon.. in celebration of Aldergate's 30th anniversary. cheers.

balloons 4

2009-04-21T05:06:00.001-07:00

for my dad's company event.

balloons 3

2009-04-19T07:10:00.001-07:00

did this w jesse.. we made mermaid, elmo and nemo.. got a problem with the sea-shell bra though.. cant seem to make it appear like the one in the older post (done by the pro)

goodfriday/easter dates.

2009-04-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

something i din know...

Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons). Instead, the date for Easter is determined on a lunisolar calendar, as is the Hebrew calendar.

next yr's easter is 04 april ..

that makes..

02 april good friday..

and my 21st bday!

coolness..

my creations 2.

2009-04-12T05:11:00.000-07:00

im running out of certain colours.. which is actually impeding my practicing.. and it seems that i've yet to master all these in speed.. definitely need to get exposure in having queues of kids waiting for balloons and i've only like mere seconds to come up w a new creation..

balloons.

2009-04-04T03:08:00.000-07:00

had a really really good informal session with ephraim (http://www.balloonstobless.com/) and joanne (http://ballooncraz.com/)..

talked abt ministry and how ballooning comes into the pic..

of course the superb balloons i learnt from them/see them do..!

ephraim

joanne

my role models man.. sooo going to see how i can follow u guys footsteps.. note that these wont done by me hor..

yay! been experimenting and im proud to say.. i can do all the above! (except the rabbit..havent had a chance to find the instructions for it)

things to look forward to..

2009-04-01T02:27:00.000-07:00

balloon meeting w professional balloonists (im really really interested to explore this area of making balloons for parties, gospel lessons, ministries)

from twistedchicken.blogspot.com.. i think i can do this though..

bb enrolment (11 april) -leading worship which im not quite prepared for it yet..
chapelthon! (15 may)- fairfield's night of praise and worship.. really excited abt this..last yr's turnout was a bomb..it was great.. =D

personality test

2009-03-12T04:57:00.000-07:00

read this on minyi's blog so i decided to do it..

online.. just answer a few random-unrelated questions and here's what it showed abt me..

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties. quite true.. i like to listen to both sides first

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes. well..i dun think so.. no one has ever expressed that im attractive =/

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship. true true

The seriousness of your love:

Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates. beg to differ. but i do think im rather straightforward.

Your views on education

Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.

The right job for you:

You have many goals and want to achieve as much as you can. The jobs you enjoy are those that let you burn off your considerable excess energy.

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous. SO true. im so afraid that i will fail.. fail in entering med, fail in even graduating even if i get through.. i dun even have the courage to step into it..

What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear. u shld see my wardrobe..its terrible..

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

here iam Lord.

2009-02-26T23:47:00.000-08:00

in christ alone.

would love for these two songs to be played in my funeral.

timeless song.

spirit song

been thinking.

2009-02-21T22:18:00.000-08:00

church has been going on ultra-mode on missions.

which is something that has been 'burning' in my heart..always had this thought of why ppl need to go overseas to serve when there's alr a harvest here in spore that we need to place our attention on.

dun get me wrong on this.. i applaud and even stand in awe of the amazing stories of bible translators, missionaries, ministry workers reaching to unreached corners bringing the gospel in their own tongue and culture.. yes, sheperding may be common practice in israel but it could be herding in another culture.. of how bible stories are made relevant to cultures so diff from ours..

but yet there is this desire to see more work being done in our (church) backyard. there is unfinished work in spore that requires attention too.

yup. im talking abt fairfield.

aldersgate is the sponsoring church of the fairfield schs..yes, we provide the pastors as chaplains, we provide the CMS for both schs, we join them for funraising (which happens ever so often), we do follow up after easter with those responding to know more. we sponsor 4 gb.bb coys in the schs. sounds alot..

but what made me think was when i visited living praise presbyterian church last month. they are right smack in the sch compond of kuo chuan presbyerian pri, kids running in the canteen have only to walk 10-15 steps to enter the church sanctuary. sat through the pri sch chapel and i was really amazed at how involved the church is in the sch..

they have a church diary (like a sch diary) that lists down all the details of how the church was reaching out to the schs for that year..chapels, devotions, CF,prayer meetings, bb & gb..the upcoming sch events that the church gets involves... the objectives, details and prayer requests for the diff events, the strategies the church is using for new-believers from the sch, the support (skills, prayer) church membs can render.. they list them all down.. even right down to the dates for the bb/gb camps and trainings..the church office becomes a lounge for pri sch kids to rest and relax during recess and games are always available for them aft sch..

that is what i call total involvment by the church in sch man. the church presence is felt not only in terms of the building..but also the non-tangibles..and the whole church is mobilised for it.

i see that aldersgate is placed in a really good position to reach the fairsians.. our sanctuary is used for bb/gb devotions, our pastors go in for devotions and chapels, our members volunteer to tutor the kids aft school.. but yet, i feel that more can be done to involve the church membs in the sch's activities.

yes..our bb in mostly run by aldersgate worshippers (rather the bb ppl came to aldersgate to worship and settled down)..but the gb seems to have lost attention from us..

i personally feel that we put our CMS staff in the schs to battle for souls alone.. with the occasional involvement of youths for major events like chapelthon, alpha or christmas party..

of course we help out financially with 2nd offerings to the schs during youth day and children's day.

but yet, there is a desire for more to be done so that aldersgate's presence can be greater felt in fairfield.

im actually very excited abt chapelthon 09.. of how aldersgate can once again make a greater presence in fairfield..but more importantly, i see it as an opportunity for fairsians (past and current) to make a commitment to lead a godly christian life. i have seen friends stray away, drink, smoke and mix with bad company.. its sad.. hopefully chapelthon will gather the fairfield family to pray for God to touch the lives of all fairsians.

sounds ambitious hah? =)

cool.

2009-02-19T06:55:00.000-08:00

lord of the rings themesong (classical- irish wistle)

lamb of God (now my official favourite song..super meaningful)

gives a kind of mystical-middle earth- narnia feeling doesnt it?

makes me wanna get a tin whistle..

my creations

2009-02-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

Lamb of God

2009-02-03T03:23:00.000-08:00

heard this song at kuo chuan prebyterian pri during chapel.. meaningful song that sounded soooo familar to another song..

Your only Son, no sin to hide
but You have sent Him from Your side
to walk upon this guilty sod
and to become the Lamb of God.

Your gift of love, they crucified.
they laughed and scorned Him as He died.
the humble King they named a fraud
and sacrificed the Lamb of God.

o Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God
i love the holy Lamb of God
o wash me in His precious blood
my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

i was so lost, i should have died.
but You have brought me to Your side
to be led by Your staff and rod
and to be called a lamb of God.

o Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God
i love the holy Lamb of God
o wash me in His precious blood
my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

(i'm)yours.

2009-01-31T17:51:00.001-08:00

Yours
Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman
Album: This Moment

I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Somthing that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm remindedThat every street in London in Yours
Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I'm reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Houston
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize

That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father's world

I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe

But still even here in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or deathGod we belong to you.

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything

It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, GodI
t's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, GodT
he glory is Yours, God

You're the King of Kings
And Lord of Lords

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty

Everything is YoursYeah, it's all Yours
We are Yours
The glory and honor is Yours, everything is Yours
It's all Yours, God
My life is Yours, my heart is Yours
My hands and my feet are Yours
Every song that I singIt's all Yours, all is Yours

All belongs to YouOur gifts are Yours, God
All our dreams are Yours, God
All our plans are Yours, God
The whole earth is Yours, God
Everything is Yours

cny

2009-01-26T19:04:00.000-08:00

cny.

the tan family (dad's side) meet up quite often so it was the usual gathering... playing w the kids evan and shar maine.. and making balloons.. shld have taken photos of it but haiz.. i din..

so here's youtube vids of how i learnt to make them

and i made something like this for sherman's gf.. lim's side was rather interested in balloons too..surprisingly..

so if you're wanting something for valentine's.. drop me a msg and i can gladly do a special heart shaped thing FOC! im training my skills FOR NOW.

reflections of the wk..

2009-01-17T22:07:00.001-08:00

man..the ordeal is finally over..

something happened in office last yr dec and it couldnt be solved cause it was quite a problem.. and i was probably the cause of it..

havent been feeling quite good for the past month..waiting for the outcome of investigation, sourcing for solutions etc..

finally had a final word from boss (indirectly) that the problem will be finally settled.. and it is found that it was not due to negligence. phew..

that aside.. i felt really relieved (yet understanding that i shldnt be too relieved until the problem is totally solved..which is in the midst of.. )

fri: went for lunch w boren at JP, met w joel siew for CHANGELING at plaza and supper with the sc6 guys at zion food centre + exploring dempsey and neighbourhood for the first time..
movie was lonngg and plot quite monotonous for me.. but nonetheless interesting..visiting dempsey for the first time was cool.. but the cooler thing was when we explored the nearby rich-famous neighbourhood.. super huge houses with long driveways n some having guards (aheemm..)

sat: did some stuff in the morning then had cycling w dad at ECP.. bday party @ pasir ris for aaron's 21st.. man.. daniel,aaron, leann, eugenia and some guy.. this good friends for fmss are super super hyper bunch of ppl.. eugenia will just shout and scream for no reason.. and just wish everyone happy bday everywhere..

sun: church, driving.. tahts abt it..im so exhausted from the wkend activities..and im going to nap!

zits.always speaks of my situation at home. =)

2009-01-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

man. i like kids.

2009-01-04T04:10:00.000-08:00

and now i'm considering my uni options..

man..need to pray hard hard abt it..

SMU Social Science
NUS Real Estate
Australia Med

maybe i can be a pediatric doctor that studies on societal behaviour affecting children and loves to invest in properties. (does ballooning as a hobby)

hmm.

sounds like a plan.

balloon flower bouquet!

2008-12-30T00:23:00.000-08:00

Guys..

to fund my hobby of balloon sculpturing, I'm making balloon flower bouquet's for $10!

6 flowers with stalk (various colours)
1 red balloon ribbon

Perfect for birthdays, valentine's, house-warming..

Self collect from my house at Toh Guan Rd or Jurong East MRT. Drop me an email at joeltan7@gmail.com to find out more. =)

looks something like this.. will post more photos of self-made ones in time to come.

fairfield involved in madoff fraud.

2008-12-28T23:23:00.000-08:00

food!

2008-12-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

Buffet spreads for under $15

1) Amirah's Grill Restaurant & Cafe Where: 14 Bussorah Street , Tel: 9383-1994 Price: $9.90+ Buffet hours: Noon to 4pm daily Serves: About 30 dishes, including beef casserole, Egyptian-style shepherd's pie, a choice of mushroom or chicken soup and desserts such as creme caramel.

2) Restoran Tepak Sireh Where: 73 Sultan Gate, Malay Heritage Centre, Tel: 6396-4373/6291-2873 Price: $13.90 Buffet hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30am to 9.30pm Serves: About 13 dishes, such as beef rendang, laksa, chickpea soup and desserts like bubur cha cha.

3) Yuki Yaki Where: 03-210 Marina Square , Tel: 6338-9680 Price: $8.90 Buffet hours: Noon to 5pm on weekdays Serves: Liquid ice cream that firms up when poured on a freezing pan. The ice cream comes in four flavours, including coffee and vanilla. There is also a choice of 16 toppings ranging from nata de coco to dried fruit.

4) Orient Ocean Where: 401 Havelock Road , Hotel Miramar, 3rd floor, Tel: 6736-3677 Price: $10.80+++ on weekdays and $13.80+++ on weekends Buffet hours: 11.30 am to 2pm Serves: A dimsum buffet with 30 items, including favourites such as har kow and siew mai.

5) Crystal Cafe Where: 131 Killiney Road , Orchard Grand Court serviced apartments, Tel: 6830-2020 Price: Weekdays - $9.80+++ for adults, $7.80+++ for children. Weekends - $11.80+++ for adults, $9.80+++ for children Buffet hurs: Weekdays - noon to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm, and all-day on weekends and public holidays Serves: A Taiwanese porridge spread with dishes like braised pig trotters, fried chicken, braised peanuts and ikan bilis.

6) Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe Where: 01-02 North Bridge Commercial Complex, Tel: 6339-7745 Price: $10.80+ on weekdays and $11.80+ on weekends Buffet hours: 11am to 10pm Serves: Laksa, mee siam and curry assam fish, with Nonya kueh for dessert.

7) Quality Cafe Where: 201 Balestier Road , Quality Hotel, Tel: 6355-9988 Price: Weekdays - $10..80+++ for adults and $6.80+++ for children. Weekends and public holidays - $12.80++ for adults and $9.80+++ for children Buffet hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm Serves: An Asian rice lunch buffet with items like Hainanese chicken rice, pineapple rice, chilli crab and mutton curry.

source: some forum :)

nice brunch photos!

french toast with apples and fig & honeyice cream from Marmalade Pantry

Willin’s scrambled eggs on toast

Graze’s cast iron pan brunch

and im sure going to learn some recipes and do some cooking!

fondue at my place..anyone?

eventful weekend.

2008-12-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

fri was at this conference at national library..level 16 @ pod.. really cool conference called interesTHINK 3.. whereby its just speeches by diff speakers, then discussions with strangers and just networking with all kinds of ppl (social activists, youth workers, teachers, social workers etc.) .. so darn cool man.. i was kinda lonely at first cause i went alone..but ppl came forward and talked to me.. shared their interests and wanted to know more abt my passions..man i want to go for interesTHINK 4 next time..met yx for supper aft that..talked for a while..

sat met up with yuxun, ruihon, jingyi, saratri, jasmine to buy bday present (choc fountain) for guoneng..then watched BOLT in 3D.. then met up with guitar mates at bugis..then rush to habourfront for the bday party (guoneng)

sun had steamboat at dover because it was raining..quite an experience man..in that cold weather and that steaming hot seafood steamboat was amazing..then went to imm to meet up with some long lost bb friends..haha.. great to catch up with nigel,loke,dar,matt,boren,chi fai and sirong (not bb though).. boren's NS stories in the force, matt and chi fai's army experiences, loke nigel and dar's poly happenings..

next up would be 4b annual christmas party @ weijian's..maybe a council reunion for class of 05 (any suggestn of venue?).. looking at a jc class christmas/newyear party @ adam's if he got his wii all bought, a bigger bb mates reunion? .. and a christmas rendevous with cell group

hah..that would make my year end quite nicely =)

well.. im going to sleep satisfied that i got to catch up with friends =)

wake-up call.

2008-12-11T06:48:00.001-08:00

got me thinking when i went for a funeral just now.. what would ppl remb me of when i die?

man.. reality sinks in that life is indeed short..and i often take life for granted.. would worrying another day solve the prob or even make it better? would being obsessed with the latest IT gadgets or lofting on the couch be any productive in how i live my years/days/hours/mins?

why din i think abt it differently that i may not even have the chance to say my last goodbyes, strengthen my friendships, cherish the ppl around... tml or the day after or even in the future?

its a hard concept to grasp but life on earth is temporal and there is eternal heaven waiting for you and me.. but how can ppl believe in that when we can't see,feel,touch or even sense it?

of course faith in God makes it certain that heaven does exists and the bible speaks only the truth.. but that makes it even harder to explain to ppl..or it doesnt make it easier for ppl to swallow and believe..

i guess one with a close personal relationship w Jesus will help him/her sense God's presence and 'concretes' the truth that heaven exists and the bible is God-breathed and 100% true. (individualised encounters w God if i put it this way)

Revalations 21
4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

sometimes i get goosebumps when i stop to pray in a hymn, sing a verse in a song that applies to me, or when someone prays for me that happens to minister to me at that particular moment. shivers that just give me the.. ____ feeling.

i guess thats how i feel God's presence is near me. :)

feeling: contemplative

vid shared by ps. MS (starwars acapella)

2008-11-16T03:54:00.000-08:00

.

2008-11-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

im just so dead tired.

8am to 1am is too much for me.

and i missed the annual camp at 33j.

what more?

youtube surfing..

2008-10-27T08:03:00.001-07:00

went to look at britain's got talent videos again.. amazed man.. amazed

connie:

signature:

kombat breakers:

paul pott (2007 winner):

george sampson (2008 winner)

america's got talent's 4 year kaitlyn (the thank you girl):

which eventually led me to:

celen dion and josh (singer of 'you raise me up'.)

o.. it was a great long wkend guys.. the fairfield gang watching my first ghost movie.. and to sc6 for going to hanabi/settlers..man..its hard to plan a gathering..

im back!

2008-10-17T04:37:00.000-07:00

heyy..

just wanna share something..

this past wk has been madness.. scary..panicky madness..

i couldnt do work cause of some problems with my com..and i had to find solutions to dish out my stuff using other coms.. the scariest part was that there was a possibility of losing everything i did the past 9 mths.. and deadlines were still there..

imagine that.. all the templates i have come up with..all the old files that would save me sooo much time as i do my work..

had to 'act' busy for a few days.. and i couldnt take the fear of not meeting the deadlines..so i redid some documents from the start..

so on thur.. i called the support staff and ask if it could be saved..my documents.. they said that the earliest wld be next wk.. mind you that i have been waiting from the previous wk liao..

2 wks of waiting would be .. alot of work aft that..

well..so on thur i prayed and prayed.. needed help man.. divine help.. well.. thank goodness i received a call from my hp saying my card (to access my com) was ready..and all my documents have been recovered!

i definitely did not have the faith.. i was so worried..so uncertain..and almost wanted to give up waiting.. but God works in miraculous ways.. =)

update!

2008-09-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

ok..hi

longg time nv update my blog..so here goes..

been going m'sia every sat..cause i probably did a wrong move la.. ordered contacts at m'sia thinking its cheaper..so 1st time in was to order..2nd time in was to collect..and it was of a wrong degree.. 3rd time to recollect..

ok..its not very clear when i use it.. a little blur..so im afraid its a bad decision..we'll see how it goes..

and its terrible putting it on.. i took 45 min in the shop trying to put them on man..sian diao..

haiz.

of course we shopped alot and ate alot.. so ya.. jb probably earned alot from us man.. we took 160 from jurong east and alighted at the customs there..really convinient..

other then that.. nothing much i can say abt my life so far..yes.. im learning driving..and my ftt is 25sept..

work in office is the same.. more sats coming up that will be on standby..and of course sai kang here and there..

and im doing something for a event in oct.. something special =)

thats abt all. =)

fri 15 aug

2008-08-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

ok..so i took off today..
guess it will be my LAST fri off cause mwo p. has tracked how many fridays i took off/leave and he thinks its unfair to the rest if i get more then that..

did so many productive things..hah!

1) got a letter from dr lai to get MO to send me for an OP.. nose job i shld say..but its more of correcting my nostril hole cause its just obstructing breathing..so to those bunk mates tat MAY have sleepless nights because of my snore.. its going to be GONE! =D (actually..i dun think i affected u guys la).. my nose has been running away from me... so ya.. time to get it fixed..
aft all..the gedong air is not too friendly too.. + the obstructed passageway + 7th mth burning..
no wonder my breathing is _______

2) bbdc to sign up for driving! mr quek intro by joyce and gang.. met billy (33rd ) along the way and we really talked quite a bit.. its really fun being around him cause he's just so lively and cheerful.. its amazing how he keeps in contact with SO many current fairsians..and he really connects with them man..

o.. and i met sarah too! my p1 classmate! and she has like..inspired me to go send joanne goh this sat/sun ..even though im quite reluctant (cause sat i got manning activation).. im going to see long lost friends + send joanne off + fellowship with my pcg.. thats THREE IN ONE!

3) went for bible quiz.. quite surprised that most of the Boys still remb me from the last few quizes.. glad to see it all coming into place with the competition tml.. actually.. i really look forward to BQ cause i learn super ALOT as i prepared the questions.. if i din step into bq in sec2.. i would have nv ever stepped into bible studying so seriously.. looking into the details of bible stories that we take for granted.. and just immersing urself in the culture of that time to fully understand why they do the things they do.. u really APPRECIATE what you read alot better.

its amazing how these boys will eventually grow up to be men of faith and character.. and i played a tiny bit in their process of growing up.. =D

o..and i must say God answers prayers man.. i've been praying for my acjc classmates ..for them to be open to coming church and just being open abt the faith.. last wk.. aft the class gathering..i brought some of them for service..hoping this will just carry on hah?

great weekend.. 52 stories above grnd level..

2008-08-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

had a great great sat..

swisshotel @ stamford at 52 level..watching the whole NDP preview from this high level is just..amazing..

those black knights just flying across the sky at ur eye level just makes it amazing..and the fireworks..

wow..

burst right in front of ur eyes..

pics say a thousand words..

so here goes.

finally over.

2008-07-30T04:25:00.000-07:00

ops manning was over.
it was freaking scary being in that ops room at a camp at pasir ris.. kept refreshing the page to see if there was activation and kept standing guard for the phone..

the day before (fri)..kana scolded like crap over the phone when i was on my way to pick bro up from changi airport..really really was in super low spirits man.. was even prepared to make my way to camp on a fri night to help settle the 'problem'.. i had to put my phone at a distance and just kept saying.. "yes sir..yes sir"

sianz.

kana 3 extra.

but thank God all is over now.. there was no activation.. there's no news of the extras SO far.. and im having a good time 'recuperating'..

been so pareniod and scared over the past 2 wks.. staying back in office to do work..thinking thru the process over and over again.. and trying to find out if i missed out anything..

life is good now.haha.. im looking forward to this sat's hotel stay to watch nice fireworks.. and just slacking a weekend! havent had a good weekend for a while liao..

brick walls are there to deter ppl tat cant get over the problem.. they sieve thru the list and ensure only the tough ones survive.. i hope im one that survive. =D

cant wait for august.

2008-07-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

this coming week is going to be quite hard..

ops manning starting this tues..so i got lots to do..and of course Sat's duty at PRC..pls dun activate.. sianz..

i need a lonngg break man.. and im looking forward to august..2nd aug going for a short get-away..and im looking forward to national day long weekend..

i need God's strength to face the new week.. it's just so dampening of spirits whenever i need to book in on a sunday.. sitting in the car onroad to gedong..

sometimes im just so lost.. no idea if im doing whats right in my job.. but who dictates what is right and wrong in my job anyway?

chapelthon.

2008-07-11T11:15:00.001-07:00

super glad to see friends down for chapelthon..

darren, nigel james and jon wee.. told darren abt it and he roped in the 2 others to come down for it..TOTALLY unexpected..shock of my lives when i saw them at the gate..havent seen them for years!

vanessa and jessica fong..both my acjc classmates..wats so special is that vanessa just came to Christ not long ago and she was down with her WHOLE female g12 group (cell)..mostly fairsians for the event.. WOW!

i kinda shared my thoughts abt this event on www.youthphoria.blogspot.com ..so check it out there..but just wanna share that this particular event was very very special to me..

it was actually my dream that i wanted to see being realised.. and it did become reality..of course joyce was the one to make it a reality..haha.. =D

because of this desire of mine to see fairfield turn to God..and seeing chapelthon as a great start to work towards that goal.. i created the facebook event pg for chapelthon and checked it like 4 times a day! i was so so worried that publicity wasnt going out..so i msged everyone in the event pg like..twice.. posted the event on all the facebook groups i created (hoping someone would see it).. and getting others to msg ppl in fb to publicise..

my worries seemed to like.. become reality when i saw the slow response on facebook..the confirmation of attendance.. and on the event itself.. the 'not-so-many' ppl coming in through the gates of fairfield..

i was worried it would be a de ja vu of fairfield ignite..

seems like God wanted to give me a wake-up call.. i shldnt underestimate his ability.. he can do all things tat are impossible!

check out the post on youthphoria.blogspot.com for more on this..

..just so tired..

2008-07-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

well..some of you guys knew what happened..

aft duty last sat morning..i took a cab out of camp..and a train to fairfield funfair..walked one round in the fmps grounds and i received THE call..

just like how they activate the power rangers..

my hp rang.. "mr derek calling".. O NO.. sounds like trouble..

i dished out my mobile.. (tore my clothes.)

joel's down to save the day!

hanrong.. transform!

civillian in one moment.. military the next..

haha

okok..

i was activated.. both brigades on standby were activated..so sway

rushed back in my dad's car to camp to do my part in national security..

"with great power..comes great responsibility"... even leaving the funfair and the 4b reunion that i longgged for..

okok..

so thats that fateful day..

my OWN brigade is on standby on 22july onwards.. pls dun dun dun dun activate..

i will freak out.

july4th.

2008-07-04T08:03:00.001-07:00

ok..so here i go again.. im stuck in camp on a friday doing duty.. recall duty this time..and i have not one..but TWO possible activations tml..making it quite hard for me to plan my activities for tml (sat)..

tml is funfair and i cant help joyce and team for the balloon store..sian.. and my 4b class is having a reunion dinner at 6.30 and im not sure if i can make it in time for that..and guess what..i planned for it..

o my word..

i really really hope that i can make it for funfair.. its aft all almost a part of me..fairfield blood runs in me.. 10yrs thru and thru..

sian

chapelthon team is really really huge i must say..and im actually very excited abt it! im taking off for that fri and im hoping the response would be GGREAAT! hope to be of help for that man..

was just listening to www.godlistens.com.. and they were saying that today is independence day..usa enjoys freedom and democracy..but 2000 yrs before this day.. Jesus gave true freedom to us all by being that sacrificial lamb..

well.. i din know independence day could somehow connect to Jesus sacrifice on the cross..but it did put this thought.. HEY! im free in Jesus..freedom that is far diff from the freedom the govt can give!

hah..

july!

2008-07-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

wow.. 6mths gone liao.. seems like my NS life is 1/4 through! i know i know..xinglong..u have 130 days left.. and jason, augustine, cedric..actually..almost like 1/2 of u guys are ORDing this yr..

sian..

everyday takan me with your.. O..joel.. 2010 ar.. guess what.. i have only ____ days left.. christmas 2008 can enjoy the full 12 days.. you still have to book in the day aft christmas..

sian..

aiya.. my time will come la.. but i must say i really learnt alot from this 6 mths man.. the number of formulas for EXCEL i learnt can really help me in the future man.. from mail merge to COUNTIF..from VLOOKUP to CONCENTENATE.. i think im having a 2 yr intensive course on excel man.. it really boils inside when the formulas just dun produce the results i need..then ERR appears because they just cant calculate it.. or i just cant do my work as efficiently as i could possibly do.. but i guess it takes time and i have LOTS of it =D

who can actually say that they know how to use the above formulas man?

" i may nv fight in the infantry, shoot with the arty, fly over land and sea, i may nv march in the NDP, but im in the Lord's army..yes Sir!" remb this children song? =D ok i kinda forgot the lyrics and i made my own version..but its just so true for me man.. im totally not doing all of those listed..LOL

hey peeps

2008-06-24T04:27:00.000-07:00

hi..

ultimate sian-ness..doing duty on sunday when its youth sun! so much is going to happen on that day man.. the dance,mime, choir..and all those hardwork for the prep by the youths and i cant see it..sian

was in publicity but did nothing much cause i was just too too busy at camp.. poor diana had to do everything alone.. well..let me do my part now =D

youth sunday- break out and rejoice!
special sunday whereby aldersgate methodist church allows its youth to lead the 3 services with their vibrancy and enthusiasm! come experience the warmth of youthphoria (name of our youth group)
its also a special event open to all fairsians!

time? 8.15am, 10.15am, 2pm (mandarin)
place? 98 Dover Rd- inside fairfield methodist pri
attire? anything vibrant/bright!

ok.. on another note..

looking forward to ALOT of other stuff that are going on in july.. (ok..not all in july im looking forward to la..xinglong understands)

fairfield funfair! 5july..shld be able to see lots of familar faces there..like how i met super alot of ex-fairsians at mr glen tan's wedding..all the bb boys, council mates, alumni, classmates! The only thing is this.. i may be activated on 5july.. ultimate SIAN-ness..
pls pls dun call me back!

chapelthon.. 11july.. been trying to get publicity out cause tats the only contribution i can give here in camp.. we're trying to change the venue cause we're expecting a huge crowd for this worship session @ fairfield! heard that bb/gb are coming..plus the fairsians+alumni..i shld think that the response will be quite encouragin..

council reunion! date is kinda set.. 19july.. really looking forward to this cause its 5 batches of councillors we're talking abt! lijia's trying to get the venue settled..once thats done..i think its chop chop kali pok in the prep.. food etc.. my batch guys shld be able to come bah.. ALL in OCS..and their 3 wk confinement shld have ended! (yupp..all in OCS except the poly dudes and me and zr that are pes E and C)

i realised that with these events that i can look forward to..i can pass my ns quite well =D

o..btw..heard the good news? 33j got best coy for the very first time =D great job man.. though i only contributed in bible quiz last yr due to the As..

hoping to serve in bible quiz and annual camp.. well..its kinda confirmed im doing just that =D its quite rewarding seeing the smile on the kids' faces..

encouragement verses..

2008-06-17T05:34:00.000-07:00

been through a tough wk the past 2 wks.. nv experienced it during my schooling days..

just wanna share some verses that i try to bring to my mind during the 2 wks to encourage me.. God was speaking to me thru these verses whenever i most needed them =D >>

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:5-6a

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

i must admit that i shld nv ever worry (something that was impressed upon me during devotions before those major exams) .. just that my human nature just keeps bugging me and just making me feel so tensed up and anxious..
ah long n andrew kept asking me to take the chill pill ov the 2 wks..then others called me the kanchiong spiders.. but im still working at being calm in difficult situations and just leaving the situation in God's hands.. its not easy man.. im the kind of guy that just cant stop worrying

must say that staying in was a good option aft all..i started to do my qt AGAIN..after many many failed attempts over the years.. with the bible in my locker that keeps reminding me that im missing out on God's specific msg for me each day if i dun open it to 'chew' on it.

hoping to make the best of my 2 years. to those out there just letting time past..are you missing out? =))

some nice christian music that would really help me through hard times..

glad its over.

2008-06-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

past 2 wks was hell-like.

working till 10pm almost every night.. friday stayed till 1.30am..
i almost went bongus over every little thing..

maybe my open office skills not up to standard yet..a simple page of spreadsheet takes me so long to print it out nicely spaced out in a a4 paper..

i probably killed dozens of trees as i shred the papers...

today was terrible too.. everything that could go wrong went wrong.. there was hardly any redeeming factor..

its so hard to praise God is such a situation.. but im sure He is moulding me through this man.. and i believe that one day..when i look back this past 2 weeks + the faithful day today..i will remb how God gave me a chance to struggle alone so that i could realise that im still dependent on Him..

sun.

2008-05-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

joined audrey, marcus and cheesiong for worship leading at the preschoolers today in church..it was super duper fun!

i must say that i attract kids man..thats scary.. everywhere i went..that bunch of preschoolers kept trying to 'attack' me.. especially this small girl that really just 'pounced' on me.. shoots..of course the usual taylor and issac..and joy were really active and jumpy..but those really quiet ones were super super cute..
maybe as what SE said..it may be my calling.. (thats what my aunt told me too.. shoots..she say i would make a good pediatrician).. u see.. i play w my baby cousin since he was like 2. now he's like 7 and he's still sticky to me..hahaha

awwwwWW..

met up w my jc guy friends and then sec sch mates.. really good to talk to them aft a lonnggg time of MIA.. heard that some of them from sispec coming to gedong.. (bad for them la..but finally i got company!) yay! im staying in on tues also mah..so now..i can go meet them at their building and just talk cock w them! HAHA

hope that the kunming trip (FMPS) will go on well ..aft all the happenings in the region..going to china at this period may be challenging.. but im sure God has He's ways and im sure He will protect the kids going. actually had a desire to go too..but my office is just so busy.. (actually.. im SUPER busy)..will manning and ict coming.. im becoming to fill more pareniod of my work..sianz.

time for an update!

2008-05-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

well.. had a great time yest..went for tea w the dean for smu social sci and really really very persuaded to take up smu..but im still so confused and unsure of what i shld accept..

saratri got into smu social sci too..and i met a fairsian that just came up to me and say.."hey..were you a councillor in fmss? I seem to know you..but im 2 years older then you".. wha.. i was shocked man.. began to talk to her quite a fair bit ..and me, the fairsian (qk) and saratri decided to ask tons of questions abt smu with the admissions officer ..haha..

found out abt the admissions this year..how was the selection.. % selected..potential SCHOLARSHIP awardees..schs that supply the most smu applicants etc.

must say im really convinced that smu will give me opportunities like how acjc & fmss gave me.. and i hope my SAT results may boost my chances for a smu scholarship.

well.. even better still..the admissions officer is a fairsian! we started to talk abt mr lim s. heng, mr hou ming hsein, mrs choe wailing being the NICEST teacher (and imagine how many yrs she has taught in fmss!).. she graduated in the 1980s and we super young juniors in 2003/05.. lol.. it was really interesting as we discussed abt teachers that seem to stay FOREVER in fairfield..

and did i mention that.. she rembs my application form aft i gave her my full name? lol

wow!

so thats for smu.. aft that i went for guitar concert at acjc performing arts centre.. back to see my juniors =) concert was quite good.. feels nostalgic just watching them perform =) but as you all know by now.. my gold w honours qualifications is only for 5 songs.. i only know how to play 5-7 songs! hehe..

its great always just meeting up w friends.. hearing all their uni application process.. 2 in sciences, 2 awaiting med sch, 1-2 business/accountancy, 1 awaiting biomed+tcm (which was my 2nd choice) etc.

well.. im still praying abt my uni choice.. honestly.. im still holding on to my childhood dream of studying med.. very very convinced abt smu but yet unwilling to let go real estate because im still v interested in urban planning (planning the IRs, jurong lake, brash basah, orchard road etc.).. even the prof will personally mentor me cause he's my dad's good friend..

sian la.. its so hard to make a life-changing decision.. i need advice!

well.. btw.. just to let you know.. im going to stay in from thur onwards..hoping it would be fun.. im thinking of my after-office timetable now..

work ends at 5.30-6pm.. im thinking of dinner.. then bathe..slack around..maybe play some bridge with collegues.. read bible..do qt.. watch a movie or serial.. surf the net in the office.. read a book...learn malay+french.. play bastketball.. kenny suggests that i gym at 46.. maybe catch rats? (darius did that when he stayed in camP).. learn highway code..prepare notes for jonathan..

seems like it will definitely spice up my ns life.. cause i could have applied for stay-out pass but i was thinking maybe i shld experience staying in..save $, bond w collegues+maybe have some interesting stories in my 2 years here..

o..and im abt to make my blog public soon..so check out here often for more details =D

freeze.

2008-04-28T23:29:00.001-07:00

banana phone!

2008-04-28T22:40:00.000-07:00

i LOVE the song!!

wellz..

2008-04-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

i took leave today to do some SAT questions (exam on 3may) and to go for the bb course at night..

so sad..april is like half way through and before i know it..its soon back to the normal workload and usual 'busy blue housefly'.. i'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the remaining months..

still trying to find out what is God's purpose for me in my current vocation.. cant deny that i do feel jealous that other clerks may be like slacking their 2 yrs away..and also feeling blessed that i may be in a better vocation then others in combat.. but i wanna really make the full use of my 2yrs.. i wanted to see myself as a big slacker in jc but it turned out that God had other plans. Hope that it will be the same in NS.. =D

today is like 3mths and 2 days into NS liao.. i must say that i have had a steep learning curve in terms of being more street smart..more independent..more grown up..and of course face the true realities of the outside world..

i do see changes within me too.. (aft what i read in someone's blog abt how NS changed him).. hoping that i will still hold this dear..that i will not conform to the pattern of this world.

well.. i seem to enjoy tutoring this p5 boy.. the fact that i can try mentoring him as he grows up to be a teenager.. gives me joy to know that he enjoys the sessions (according to his mum).. i miss interacting w the Boys in 33j man.. though the few times i did was probably bible quiz and camps only..

gotta go back to study my math.. did u know that in a 30-60-90 right triangle.. the sides are always x, x(3)^(1/2), 2x ... interesting hah? seems SAT math isnt as easy as it seems..

asian idol..

2008-04-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

wow..its super cool..

music does unite the ppl..man.. they shld have world idol again real soon! it will be the next olympics.. i think it works far better than politics/diplomacy..

sister act videos!

2008-04-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

been watching these quite a few times..really really cool! take a good look..

april..lull period =)

2008-04-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

its my lull period! =)

yupp.it means im quite free in office.. of course got some follow up to do.. but other than that.. i can take time to do my SAT book and read my alpha book..

went cycling w bize and syang yest.. it was crazily tiring..cycled from east coast park (macs) to changi village and back..went for nasi lemak..the famous one.. while cycling..we met a large group of soldiers marching along the beach.. and guess who we met marching? ASHLEY!

makes me feel how blessed i am..

ok..so im like clearing 5.5 days during this month.. forced leave actually.. but ok la..

and im like peeling like a snake.. must be the sunburnt from last wed's sentosa and yest's cycling..man.. im leaving my dead skin everywhere..its like a big mass on the office chair ..lol

and i just realised freddy (33j) lives in my area! JUST A BLOCK AWAY.

wow.. so there's darius.. joel loke.. shu yi.. and who else lives near by man? haha..

april!

2008-04-03T07:54:00.000-07:00

yupp.. my birthday was yest.. thnx to the ppl that smsed me (long lost friends,church mates to even the office ppl), facebooked me and the few that friendstered me the bday wishes.. it means alot to me =D

nv really celebrate bdays.. nv had a bday party where i invite my friends ..but im glad this yr i finally had a chance to go out w my classmates to sentosa.. not a big group..just 5 of us ....but its really great getting a change in activity aft so much routine work in the army..

even my tuition kid's mum bought me a small cake..

went out w family for a simple dinner at NTU @ one north ..

thats abt it.. and of course my office ppl keep teasing me abt going to sentosa w girl nv geoi them..and hitting me on my shoulder when im crying out in pain (sunburnt)..lol

its been a faith-stretching experience since the time i enlisted..and i've seen first-hand how God is really working in the lives of the ppl around me..

initially shy to openly share abt my faith.. i can now share a tinsy bit of it and how it encourages me to press on and look towards God for peace and comfort.. and i do see encouraging responses =D

u can say i've been raised in a greenhouse environment..controlled to the max ( in the sense grow up in a +ve environment).. christian sch all the way w little exposure to the outside world..
army definitely opened my horizons..

i take comfort that i've been handpicked specifically by God to be in the office im at now to do this tiny bit on His harvest field =D He chose me to make that small impact to the ppl around me..and im hoping im cherishing the friendships im making there..hah

well..just to share.. before my jc..before my sec sch days.. i prayed that God will give me a fruitful and memorable experience..something that will last throughout my lifetime.. and He hasnt disappointed me.. even going beyond what i can ask or imagine.. hope my ns days will be likewise.. =D

evangelism.

2008-03-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

ok..there's some stuff that seems to be super coincidental.. too coincidental to ignore in fact..

was just reading this chapter abt how God guides us and leads us..how we can be prompted to do God's bidding.. the alpha book la..

then like 2-3h later on msn.. yuan hao asks me the same thing.. and i was just summarising what i read to him.. and he told me quite frankly that he's exploring christianity cause he feels some events in recent days have been too coincidental too..

o my word.. its actually quite freaky but amazing.. i guess God is indeed piecing the pieces together..like a jigsaw puzzle..

thats one occasion..

another was my buddy .. ..cause i've been praying for him but saw nothing happening until that day's question of how i can stay cheerful in the office..

of course there's also my sc6 classmates from acjc.. who at the beginning were making fun of me when i say grace etc.. they came for a few sessions of youth in the past few months and that has been a miracle to me..

and how i've been praying for hsein tze's salvation since p5..with his involvment in bb and even bible quiz..and all the chapels in fairfield.. he din really respond to it.. but recently i just heard that he has started to attend Church of Singapore (bkt timah)

and my office collegues that are sitting next to me even told me that they attended church for a few months before.. and it just so happened that i found that out only when i saw them singing the christian song that was playing on the com (connected the mp3 to the com).. and i was just praying that God will open their hearts to Him..it seems that someone had alr taken the first step of bringing them to church..

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

a lifestyle of evangelism.. results/fruits may not be evident immediately.. it takes time to bear fruit. aft all.. i plant the seed.. someone else may water it..but ultimately..God makes it grow.

o..and as a sideline..joel loke just moved to my area! HE'S AT BLK 286A.. im at 287A.. and it was like.. we moved within the same week! how freaky! haha.. well..maybe God arranged for us to do something together.. living so near each other..hah

fri.28032008

2008-03-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

today is fri.
tml is sat.
day after is sun.

weekend=enjoy?

nope.

sat got activation..quite confirmed..sure 10pm end..so im missing acjc funfair
sun got ops manning duty.. staying over from sun to mon.. so i'll miss service and lose 1 more wkend..

praying that april will come quickly..i need to rest.. i seriously need it now.

on another note.. im hoping i get a reply from URA man.. i just got smu interview scheduled on 5april.. hoping ura considers my application..

my new house =)

2008-03-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

my new room.. its super super big..which i feel super uncomfortable now..cause my previous room was so so cosy and small.. i could reach for the table by the bed.. it takes time getting used to.. even adam has space to break dance beside my bed la..

ok..so there's this kitchen, dining area, living room, masterbedroom and my bro's room..but cause the house is big..there's this extra room that was created by the previous owner..

supposingly a study area..but as you can see.. i made my dad do it into a cosy corner+study corner.. hoping to be able to host friends in this place..and maybe get a projector to play movies/videos/watch tv on the white wall next to the carboard. There's alr this white creative speaker on the table..so why not? =))

just have to buy a tv tuner for the laptop + projector to install..

once i get this up and running... i will start inviting you guys over to chill =)

other than that.. wellz.. my house is kinda near imm and jurong east mrt.. so if you're thinking of dropping by.. just hop onto a imm shuttle bus from clementi/jurong east/boon lay..lol =)

the only thing is this.. i gotta get used to the traffic noise man.. im closing my windows to sleep cause im not used to it..hillview was so peaceful and serene.. that jungle crickets making that nature calls w that radio tower blinking me to sleep..sianz.. i miss those days..

post aft a lonngggg break..

2008-03-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

heyy!

faithful reader that must have been really irritated that joel hardly updates his blog?

*joel apologises*

hehe =D

wellz.. been super busy packing stuff and moving over to new house.. if u din know..my family has this 5-yr migration period..moving to a so called 'better' environment every 5 yrs..

my new home is a hdb at jurong east (next to imm)..but the size is sooo big..it will take time getting used to.. my room is 2 times the size of what im in now.. shall post pics of it once i finally settle at my new nest..

lately there has been much going on..

office is in its peakest period.. so im getting quite drained.. to top it off.. the head of general staff wants us all to be stay-in personnel..NOOoooooo!!!

praying for the best..

moving house this period has 'robbed' my opportunity to go for bb enrolment.. quite sian tiao but no choice.. aft all.. this 5-yr cycle is unavoidable.. and enrolment occurs yearly..so how my mum argues back..

got my first pay from the tuition kid! not much.. but its rewarding

got news of my friends' posting in army! matt and hong chin in ocs..most of the rest in sispec..
really wonder to myself what kind of posting i would have gotten if i was still in combat.. but i guess i shld be thankful for my current vocation..

o..and.. there was this armour event (some run) that had 1/2 day aft the event? well.. mine was eaten away by you-know-who.. sianz..

the stay-in thinge is actually quite worrying..cause my SAT preps, tuition and my other commitments are kinda affected (now and in the future)...like the outreach ministry, toddlers ministry and bb.. and also cause its pointless for service personel to stay in when we end work at 1730h..

o wellz.. pls pray that God will accept whatever decision is made for me..

and how one of the smoking guy..who is a christian.. is starting to be (slightly) mindful of his words because he thinks im a super pure guy..lol

.. indeed.. wherever God places ppl..there's opportunity to reach out and change things around =)

now..just waiting for the results of my application to NUS and the URA scholarship..havent applied to SMU and NTU yet..but im planning to do so once we settle down at jurong..

nus- real estate, FASS, business
ntu- FASS,business,NIE
smu-FASS, business, econs

hope i really do get into real estate + ura scholarship..had mdm to write me a testi + sch to print an extact of my graduation cert liao..nothing more i can do..

o wellz.. tml's going to be a longgggg day of moving.. hoping i WONT get mobilised tml..cause got ops manning currently.. sianz.. or not i wont be able to help move house..

.

2008-03-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

results are out.. disappointing to my standards..

gp D
chem B
math B
econs(H1)B
bio A

pw A
chi (H1) B

i was just super shocked with gp.. i've consistently been a B/C student..then a shocker it turned out to be man..

of course its still a pass.. (below E then is a fail).. but considering the fact that its the first subject on the result slip and its so ugly..initially when i told ppl that it was a D..they were kinda shocked (first thing that comes to mind is a D7..but i realised that this new system CANNOT be compared to other years)..
i've no comments..

before i collected the results..i prayed that God will help me to praise Him for watever results i got.. im tryin VERY VERY hard to do that now...
(not that i wanna compare..but when i hear of friends w straight As..my heart just sink right down)..

im taking SAT on 3rd may to boost my application to smu.. cant do much to boost my nus/ntu applications since they wont accept SAT

o..and just to share with you..i've been praying for my pri sch/sec sch +bb classmate (hsein tze) from like pri sch till now.. and he's finally going to church!

hoping that i can still bring adam and rh for youth alpha..its been a while since they last came.

i will boast.

2008-03-02T02:06:00.000-08:00

answer to life is in Jeremiah 9: 23,24.

This is what the Lord says:

Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
Or the strong man boast of his strength
Or the rich man boast of his riches.
But let him who boasts boast about this:
That He understands and knows me
That I am the Lord, who exercises
Kindness, justice and righteousness on earth
For in these I delight.

.dotz.

2008-03-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

a level results coming out this coming week.

can say i really dun know what to expect.. but im trying to have this mindset that any kind of results i wanna give glory to God..

the papers i took were quite .. speechless.

econs felt like a disaster..i felt like running out of the hall for toilet break and nv coming back cause i was stuck kinda thing..

chem was..

math was ok..but here and there not too good..

what would it turn out to be man?

have been checking the papers daily in office to check for date of release of results.. check until sian liao..

ok..something abt my life right now..

i feel so distant from God know.. just feels that way.. i cant seem to find the appropriate words to describe my current status now.. both of spiritual walk and my own personal growth.. there's this unexplainable dryness.. and i feel that i've not have the courage to stand up for my faith..

its just some incidents that happened during my outings w friends + office time that made me realise that i dont have the courage to stand for my faith.. how they make fun of Jesus and i just let it be.. how i seem to be like peter.. denying Him time and time again even though in my heart.. i strongly believe in Jesus..

lets just say i feel weak and helpless.. and i let it be..

and i dun think that its right of me to let this matter rest and just sleep ov it.. praying for God to just have the courage to engage in friendly discussion w my peers when such jokes arises from them again..

job is getting heavier now..and worst still..my buddy sunk deeper into depression.... hoping that i can still continue to have the joy of the Lord as i serve the nation.. and that i can really make it my ministry out there to help make working in the office a joy..haha..

God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cant change, and the courage to do the things i can change.

christian jazz.instrumental.

2008-02-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

jazz.

2008-02-26T05:16:00.000-08:00

hillsong playlist.+ hillsong acoustic.

2008-02-26T05:10:00.001-08:00

enjoy =D

looking at my archives.

2008-02-17T06:41:00.001-08:00

been packing my room to move house..

and i've found my schooling archives in my box!
wow.. what nice memories that box has man..

how i wanted to make a diff to the lives of ppl..

how i always rushed home to catch the latest cartoons on cartoon network (and not having that childhood of playing w neighbours)

how i stayed in sch until 6pm..being that kiasu studious kid studying like crazy to get into the best class..and getting free consultations from tchers to get that extra help

how i struggled to belong and fit in into my cca..(and u would have thought i fitted nicely)

how i cherish the many funfairs and learn@fairfield sessions w all the free food from parents before the Os (and seeing nigel stuff washabi into buns and seeing ppl turn red when they eat the buns)

how time flies as i complete my 2 yrs of obligation and continue this journey of self discovery and fufilling God's purpose..

for being that one person that still feels little abt himself though ppl often say im just too humble abt it..

how im still tat same shy guy that seems to be a perfectionist in all he does...but nv good at doing hands-on stuff..hehe

wow.. how TIME FLIES.

avalon

2008-02-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

im starting to love this band/artist. avalon.

sang this at 33j carolling last yr.

we are the reason =D

people need the lord (really meaningful song)

Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care, headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain, living fear to fear,
Laughter hides their silent cries, only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize...people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right.
What would be too great a cost for sharing life with one who's lost.
Thorough His love our hearts can feel all the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life only we can share.
That we must give our lives for

2008-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Everything To Me -Avalon

I grew up in Sunday school
I memorized the Golden Rule
And how Jesus came to set the sinner free

I know the story inside out,
and I can tell you all about the path that led Him up to Calvary
But ask me why He loves me,
and I don't know what to say
But I'll never be the same because He changed my life when He became..

.(CHORUS)
Everything to me
He's more than a story
More than words on a page of history
He is the air that I breathe, the water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
Oh He's everything, everything to me

We're living in uncertain times
And more and more I find that I'm aware of just how fragile life can be
I wanna tell the world I've found, a love that turned my life around
They need to know that they can taste and see
Now everyday I'm prayin' just to give my heart away
I wanna live for Jesus, so that someone else might see that He is...

(CHORUS)

And lookin' back over my life at the end, I wanna meet you, sayin you've been..

(CHORUS) 2x

cny.

2008-02-07T05:16:00.001-08:00

my family in coincidentally matching colours.

cute cousins using uncle as a horse.

family photo. 7 male (1 overseas) cousins and 1 female. among the uncles/aunties counts 2 docs, 1 pastor, 2 teachers, 1 church worker, 1 ibm-er, 1 army regular and 1 housewife..hah

this cny will be my first cny in my ns days.. ppl keep asking me why i nv shave my hair..like how tinsley shaved in the pic above (extreme left)..

here we go again... my story.. retold.. AGAIN.

well..going to have cny gathering for my mum's side at moi house tml.. we kinda meet up once a year and my family wants to get to know them better.. we have a new believer in my mum's side..and we're working towards bringing the extended family to christ =D

another song i love =D

2008-02-02T22:20:00.000-08:00

complete (parachute band)

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you, Lord
In Your strength will I break through, Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
And I will be complete in You.

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord.
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
And by faith, I will walk on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day,
And I will be complete in..

I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again
So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears.

Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And I pray I will hold on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete inI will be complete in
I will be complete in You

i will sing.

2008-01-31T04:03:00.000-08:00

Lord You seem so far away. A million miles or more it feels today.

And though I haven't lost my faith, I must confess right now that it's hard for me to pray.

But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.

But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.

I will sing.

I will praise even in my darkest time through the sorrow and the pain.

I will sing.

I will praise. Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true.

I will sing.

Lord is hard for me to see all the thought and plan You have for me.

But I will put my trust in You.

Lord will meet Your guide to set me free.

But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.

But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.

I will sing.

I will praise even in my darkest time through the sorrow and the pain.

I will sing.

I will praise.Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true. I will sing. (2 times)

-

2008-01-27T05:19:00.000-08:00

time to share w a song i love..

-

2008-01-22T03:03:00.001-08:00

if you managed to read my blog.. you're the lucky few! i've made my blog private cause of some matters.. have to try ensure i stay out of trouble because of the blog..

hope you understand..

well..im just thankful that 1 week has passed and now things are starting to look better.. im trying to get myself away from army thoughts aft bookout hours..

im super super ambitious..i want to give tuitioN! i want to learn driving! i want to do outreach! i want to serve bb! for now.. i kinda have time for these.. not sure abt my timetable next time..

thnx goodness my segeant is a christian..a bb officer too! he told me stuff abt botc (bb officer course)..like how he managed to get permission to leave office early for course etc.. i think its God's plan for me..u see..botc was one of my resolutions..but i had apprehension abt the timing and whether i can rush down kinda thing..but GOd has arranged a 'guo lai ren' to advice me and even set the dates of the botc in the off peak periods of my office! praise God!

heard that there's an acjc guy that just got posted into the office 1 floor down..hoping to find him out soon..he's my batch..even 1 class diff from me only!

i look forward to only 2 words everyday.. 'book out'.. but i do hope that the day will come when i will actually (by some miracle) enjoy working in the office =D

i hope to come to the stage whereby the office feels handicap when i take leave/off.. LOLLL.. ambitious sia..

maybe..maybe..

councilreunion.

2008-01-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

council gathering before some army enlistees enter army..
glad that turnout was real good..even mr chia came down!
even met some fairsians from class of 2002 and 2004..HAHA

see you guys soon =D

somethings..

2008-01-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

weemun.jerry.chinhan.benlow.yuanteck.justinang.

2ndrow: joshua.edwin.alson.joel loke.me
1strow: guohao.nathaniel

been looking at past photos.. really feel that yellow and blue fairfield blood starting to surface kinda thing.. like .. WOW.. i knew so and so since pri 1..thats 10 yrs of friendship!

and in so doing.. i really look back and see like how.. with certain ppl..my friendship w that person just didnt really continue as years went by..as we went different classes and streams in fmss kinda thing.. even now.. i cant even start a conversation w them because i dun know how to! haiz.. its kinda sad.. i really REALLY wanna meet up with them..reunion or something..ask them how they're doing..what's going on in their lives now.. how's their relationship w God kinda thing..but as i thought abt it.. have i really done that even w my sec sch mates!

i guess it a conscious effort to try to get urself involved in the lives of your friends hah? thats my resolution for 2008..to really meet up w p1, p6, sec1 and sec4 classmates during this whole year! ambitious sia..but facebook groups are up!

i feel fairfield is special to me..in the sense that we really see ppl grow..either from p1 (7yrs) or sec1 (13yrs)..either way..man..you look at them now.. such a big change in them! its good to look back and reflect on how things have changed..and how God has really brought us as a cohort through those years man.. also how other cohorts change la.. as we interacted w them in sch and stuff..

i think i really really very emo liao.. been thinking of how students have walked through the gates of fairfield..still not coming to know Jesus and their Lord and saviour.. those ppl that i wanted to reach out to but din dare to ask them to come to church.. feels like its too late to do anything now..

also cause im in outreach in aldersgate..our target ppl is fairfield.. i really feel this deep desire to pray for fairfield..pray like nv before.. for fairsians past present and future..pray for God's hand to work through the schools.. and those ex-fairsians out there..

there's this deep sense that.."heyyy.. there's this great opportunity to reach out..and we're just missing it!" like.. 300+ days of devotions a yr.. many many chapels.. x (no. of yrs in fairfield schs).. these fairsians (past and present) have heard it all before..many times in fact! isnt it a great opportunity to explain to them what they've been hearing all these yrs? i guess we really need to pray for revival in the schs and the alumni.. =D you knw when you are passionate abt something..your heart just screams when you touch on that topic..you wanna share w ppl..you wanna do something..you wanna start it right away..thats the kind of feeling i have now..

right now.. as i think abt this topic..my heart's beating like 2 times faster..haha.. i really hope that this thought of 'prayer for fairfield' is not my own..but God's plan and purpose.. but i wont deny the fact that i missed the opportunity during my schooling days and im starting to regret.

i hope i will be able to not let this opportunity go to waste.. hope prayer for fairfield can kickstart a thinge whereby we dont miss this opportunity of reaching out to fairsians..

sc6 video! i made it myself hor..

2008-01-03T00:50:00.001-08:00

great memories at acjc sc6..
wonderful times that push me out of my comfy zone..hehe
i gym! i lan! i tennis! i swim! wow.. joeltanhanrong is a CHANGED man.

if you're wondering..we're the class that takes..

h2- chem,bio,math
h1-econs OR lit OR geo

2007 reflections.. (1st post)

2007-12-27T20:55:00.000-08:00

2007 was super eventful. For one, my A levels were like the big mountains for the year... SYF was like this super huge achievement for me and my guit mates.. class moments that really made me open up a whole lot and really trying to hold on to my faith in the midst of all the influences.. bible quiz training that really tested my commitment and time management.. and many other things bahh..

i guess everyone faces their own set of challenges during the year.. each according to his/her interests, personalities and God-given tasks.. for me, the A levels was just too overwhelming man.. no longer that top 10% of cohort..no more that above-average joe i thought i was in sec sch.. i was now struggling to pass my prelims, at least get an A for a subj.. make sure my choice of a jc educatn is a gd one..

make matters worst.. we were the guienea pig batch.. new syllabus..new demands..no TYS! also.. i felt that my spiritual life was starting to become dry.. mugging taking over my QT slots.. stuff like that .. even durin the papers..i really wanted to cry out to God man! o my.. econs was terrible.. i did essay first..and i stupidly chose the micro Q..super difficult..and i became confused even in my own thoughts! i was so tempted to just walk out of the hall..and nv come back! it was terrble man.. my best subj just felt like crap! well.. i thank God that even though that thought came..i din dare to give up =D i guess i did my best and am leaving God do the rest.. i do need a miracle for an A for econs..but i do believe God can make it happen! that was just one subj..chem was quite bad in p3.. u know u shld have that confidence that you knw EVERYTHING the day of the A levels right? well..i din have that. haiz..
bio was just so so wierd.. the q was so random and abstract..little we could even prepare lor.. i did tourism for gp essay.. wont know how it turned out cause gp is so subjective..
math..wellz.. i had tuition last min..wont know how it will turn out..but i do have a GC lying idle on the table..selling it at $100..interested?

A levels really was a rollercoaster journey.. from the prelims all the way to the actual exams.actually..it started even during j1 man..all those tests/exams just for that certificate.. it was also during this up-down journey that really brought me to my knees at times..begging God to just bring me thru that period where i was at the brink of breaking down..

syf
something that will really remind me of God's providence! you see.. almost the whole ensemble din know how to play guitar when we joined.. we were so hopeless that our tcher asked us not to prepare for syf lest we embarass the sch and ourselves..we decided to carry on.. find a new coach and really work hard and try our best, leave God to do the rest.. well.. we played 2 really simple songs that some schs felt that it was not worthy for syf.. and we played our hearts out! you know the rest.. we got GOLD W HONOURS ! yup..we cry, scream, hug, stood in awe. God indeed does miracles! man..i think it was definitely God working in our lives..

class
well.. i think those who really know me well know that im a couch potato..i live to laze and laze to live =D i dun really go out very much.. i like to just laze around all day and see the day pass by.. sc6 really helped me to actually get that habit away (slightly)..especially yuxun.. always asking me to gym and stuff.. even playing LAN and stuff w them.. our class is really buffet, lan, occasional party and of course im always the butt of their jokes ..haha.. well..i dun really mind..so its ok.. also..they helped me to get out of my comfort zone.. asking me inquisitively like stuff abt christianity aft chapel in acjc..or even reminding me.. 'what would jesus do?' ..' joel..got say grace or not?' i thank God that they actually respect my beliefs..and sometimes forcing me to stand firm on my beliefs/faith.. =D

bb
thank God that He helped me to be of some impact to the Boys.. managed to be enroled as an Officer.. 'mr joel tan'..and also being the trainer for bible quiz.. and then carolling at the end of the year bah.. other than that.. i couldnt do much because of As and guitar.. but i really enjoy interacting w the kids..really remind me of myself ALOT as a kid.. all those child-like innocence (which some ppl say im losing ..) and that bright smiles for simple things.. acprimers was just silent la.. at least i did my job ..typing all their records for graduation cert.. im no more a 12th sponsored primer aft acjc graduation! HAHA! i think the only thing i spent using their funds was for a subsidised kayaking star1 and orientationcamp..

for one..i think my targets for 2007 were kinda met.. napfa silver..syf gold and above.. getting to moi classmates better and stuff like that..thought my grade targets seem kinda distant.. o wellz..

other than that.. i really thank God that even when i din know what 2007 was in stored for me.. He made sure that i could get through it w His help cause he knew exactly wat i was going to experience..

2008 is coming in 4 days time.. time to reflect on 2007 and write down resolutions for 2008..to re-pioritize my life so that 2008 will be a yr where God is the centre.. where God is going to use my mightily in where He placed me... in the ministries i shld be involved in.. and the plans He wants me to be involved..

for one..i think i need a mentor for my spiritual life.. am praying that God will avail a bro that will be willing to hear my woes ..hehe.. =D and also to keep me in check la.