The old has gone and the new has come! There's no many many things that I want to do this new year. Never mind the financial constraints because I know that my God will provide. I will never look back at my life ever again. Let the past belong to the past and the future belongs to those who are willing to do something about it. 1 year, 1 dream, 1 destiny. Here I come Lord.

An excerpt from the Harvest Times which I find it beneficial to share:

Going beyond the past hurt

When you think about a past, painful event today, how do you feel? Are there unresolved feelings of bitterness and resentment? You know you have "forgotten" when you can think about that pianful situation today and not feel or controlled by negative emotions such as anger and resentment. Yes, there may always be a trace of unsease and doubt when we remember those times, but if we walk with Jesus, He will heal our hearts over time and empower us to look at the person who has wronged us through His eyes of love and mercy.

In a few days, we will usher in a new year that will bring with it new meanings and new beginnings. But possibly one of the best things we can do for ourselves is to learn to leave behind the experiences of our past and move ahead with confidence in God, knowing that He is always in control of our lives.

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" Think of how many people you can influence each day at work and in the home, community and church. Each of us has the opportunity to influence what people believ, and the potential to make a real difference in people's lives...and to contribute to the growth of the Kingdom of heave." Luke 1:37 it says, "With God, nothing is impossible."

Thank you God for bringing me through year 2009. Although it wasn't very smooth-sailing, the thought of knowing that you are always by my side gives me the confidence to tackle life's challenges everyday. In a few moments time, year 2009 will come to an end. And I want to enter Year 2010 with a fresh new dose of faith, because I know that it is very easy to slip back into running my life on feelings and sight rather than faith and the Word of God. Faith comes from only one source and it is the Word of God. I want to lead a life of confidence that is faith-filled because I know that leading a life of confidence stems from knowing that I have the victory in my Lord Jesus Christ, and that I can look forward with the hope that you have given to me.

The end of a year sparks the beginning of a new one. I pray that if my resolutions are in line with your Word, let it be done. Because I know that a good dream is good, but a God dream is even much better.Year 2010 will be a year where I start drawing closer and closer to you, because when I do so, I know you wil l definitely reciprocate in a greater manner. Amen.

I did not believe it initally when the movie critics gave 5 stars for Avatar. However, after watching it, I could not agree lesser that it is a 5 star movie, probably even surpassing that benchmark. A very touching story that offer movie-goers an extreme form of escapism from the harsh reality that they are living in. It even brings awareness to the extent of degradation humankind is creating on the environment. It all boils down to the greed of humankind. We are never contented with what we have and always wanting moreeven if the means to getting what we want brings harm to other species/humans.

On a brighter note, this movie displays the nobility of love. How true love can compel one to do accomplish things that are beyond their wildest imagination. Even if it means forsaking your own race in the name of justice. As much as I wish i could be situated in such a utopian world, the reality seems to pull me back to earth. Watching this movie was definitely worth the 2hr 41mins and the skipping of my night classes. At least I have learnt from this movie that the magnitude of mylove for people pales in comparison to the love displayed by the main lead. After all, we are all living for the audience of one.

Today's service message was one of the best that I have encountered so far. I feel empowered to do even more things for God. People often remarked that Science and Religion disproves one another. But testimonies have shown otherwise. God promised us in the bible that Christians will always be the head and not the tail. Biblical evidence has reflected that more than half of the scientists that have changed the face of the world completely are Christians. Names like Galileo, Issac Newton, Michael Faraday, Blaise Pascal probably ring a bell. They are famous scientists and are also Christians who believed in the Lord Almighty. God is not only the author of all faith but He is also an author of all knowledge. In the book of Proverbs, It is said that Only a fool say in their heart that there is no God. It is so so true.

The reason why we are able to stand strongly to testify for God is because Jesus bore all our infirmities and carried all our diseases on the cross. Even the Devil cannot go beyond the cross because he is afraid of the power in the blood of Christ. When we surrender our lives totally to Christ, a series of miracles will definitely happen. If someone is knocked down by a truck, He will definitely be injured severely. What's more the power of the Almighty God, if he enters your life, and being infinitely more powerful than anything, how can we say that our life will be the same? Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy. He will put you down, discourage you and pull your dreams further away from you. But Jesus came so that we can have life, and have it to the full!

Therefore, we must set big dreams for God because our God is a Big God. We do not need multiple Gods just like our religions do becos our God is able to do everything that is beyond our wildest imagination. If we try to grasp his ways through our human logic, we would not be able to fathom it no matter how high our IQ is. It is because of the fact that our God is unlimited, that is why He gives us dreams that seem impossible to human.

Year 2009 may be a stormy year for me. But i managed to brave the storm and overcome it. However year 2010 will be a completely different year for me. Armed with new resolutions and the Word of God, I'm going to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.

This Christmas was pretty well spent. Chilling out in the House of God and attending 2 services with 2 different great messages. Getting to know my cell people more too. Went for countlesss trips of shopping, but in the end didn't buy anything for myself except more food and more more food. Watched countless of movies, both online and in the theatre. Had minimal amount of sleep as well. Went for Bball practise and ended up with a swollen finger. But it was all worth it. I really wish this Christmas will last forever. But life has to move on, Year 2010 will be an even exciting year for me. With the upcoming tests and projects due on january and feb, hopefully I still can make time for some form of entertainment in life. Christmas party was awesome ( including the food). Although the place was small yet I felt at home. The next party will be even greater!

Time really flies. It's Christmas's Eve again! On the very same day last year, I was on my comfortable small bed nursing my chicken pox. The feeling of staying at home while every single friends of yours are happily enjoying the festive season outside ain't really marvellous. This year it will be a entirely different feeling. I'll be spending New Year with a different group of friends doing different kind of things, visiting different places. Probably next year it will be another whole new bunch of people again with a whole new different experience altogether. Till then.


Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow ; Don't walk behind me, I may not lead; Walk beside me and just be my friend.
Albert Camus

Being an entrepreneur means going through a path where no one else went through before. To prove to the rest that the ominous untrodden path can lead you to the fulfilment of your dreams. Taking this path is not easy because you will face many rejections, many discouragements even the loss of your loved ones. The people who are unable to grapple with the idea of you succeeding is not worthy to be called your friend. Yet there is one who never fails to believe in your potential to succeed, to pick you up when you land hard on the ground, to carry you when all the mockery and insults hurled unto you saps the strength out of you. As you try to run away from the malicious crowd, he tells you with the still small voice, "Be Strong, for I am with you. Put on your armour and carry your sword for I will give you victory." His name Is Jesus Christ.

Having a candlelight service is a rather novel idea to me. But well, it shows how a single flame can illuminate the whole place. Although a man's abilities are limited, Jesus has displayed how a single mortal through the strength of God is able to be the light of the world. People tend to have a misconception about Christmas, that it is a festival that is associated with feasting, santa claus, gift exchange etc. However, what is the significance of Christmas if people do not personally know Christ. This Christmas means alot to me because it celebrates the birth of our Saviour Christ giving rise to new hopes, dreams, resolutions. This Christmas I want to see the salvation of my family and friends this Christmas. For through Him I found a purpose in life.

Chingay leader's orientation went pretty well despite the heavy rain. Got to know a new bunch of enthusiastic people about serving the community. The organization, Heartware, coincidentally has the type of vision in which I was searching for high and low. It is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and lead a similarly enthusiastic bunch of volunteers to believe in their potential and in the midst of it acquire communication skills and explanding their social network. One thing that pricked my heart was the fact that when Singaporeans walk pass a bunch of foreign workers, e.g bangla workers, we would stigmatize them and cast them a demeaning glance. But have anyone of you thought of stopping by, asking how is their day and offering them a chilled bottle of drink? These little actions may seem insignificant to us, but it may mean the world to them. As the future leaders of the nation, the onus falls on us to integrate these workers into our society. Ultimately most if not all of our skyscrapers and even the place we live in would not be around if they do not play a part in constructing it. Let us try to live cohesively in this increasingly cosmopolitan world.
Anyway, I went for shopping in town for clothes today and the whole street was packed with locals and tourists alike. Spotted some shirts from Zara that were pretty decent. The price made it rather discouraging to purchase it but I'll be waiting for some year end sale before laying my hands on it. Watched a ballet performance by some street performers dressed up as raindeers. The way they gracefully danced was rather captivating and at some period of time humourous. Today is a rather good start to a long 2 weeks holidays, a break from the stressful workload piled on my desk. With exams and projects looming around the corner, I would have to sacrifice precious time outside to trade for those indoors. Gotta catch 2 more movies next week before i lock myself at home to study, Avatar and Sherlock Holmes here I come!

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son Of God and that He has come to save the world? If we do, why are we so caught up about what happens to our earthly body in this mortal world?

Love is tough but not impossible.

Today's one of my most stressful day of my life. I almost buckled under the pressure. But hey God, I know you are still there for me. Because today I survived because you gave me that promise that I will be an overcomer.

I feel so detached from this Christian community. Where I'm suppose to find love and feel loved, I do not get it. I know that I'm being tested constantly in this area of my life, where the devil is using loneliness to get me back into the world.I'm facing dreams that seem so far away, discouragements that seem to disagree with every single action that I take, temptations that made me so caught up with the trends of the world, the things that non-christians seem to delight themselves in. Life all a sudden seem meaningless to me, is there all to life then just eating merrily, amassing accolades and achievements, becoming filthily rich and wait for your own deathbed. Yet one thing I know is that no matter what circumstance I'm going through right now, all the trials and temptations and loneliness, God you are always there with me. When I couldn't overcome it anymore because my legs are tied down with shackles, you carried me through. Because of that, I know that no matter how rich or poor I am, how strong or weak I am, how smart or stupid I am, it really doesn't matter. All I need to know is that I have a God who can do more than what we can imagine. That he will empower me to rise up above the occasion. I thank you for placing all these tough times in my life because when I am weak, you will be strong. When I am lesser in life, you will be more in my life. When you have tested me in this furnace, I shall shine forth as gold.

Today is the day that I waited so long for. The standard chartered marathon 42.195km. The atmosphere was great and it's so crowded that I have to squeezed through people every now and then. Anyway, I witnessed how fast the africans are. When I was at my 12km mark, they were running back from east coast at around the 29 km mark alr. Mad generation of people. The first half of the marathon was pretty smooth. Ran at a comfortable timing of 1hr 30mins for 21km. However, I experienced minor cramps at the 25km mark and started to hobble a little. At the 32 km, the muscle cramps were so bad that I almost cried while limping. The pain was as though some flesh eating bacteria is consuming bits and bits of my flesh every seconds. Running a marathon is really about persevering because it is an emtional battle. Although I hobbled the last 10km of my race, I didn't give up because I know that God has never forsaken me. I ran this race 1 hr shy of my expected target but I'm still proud of myself for completing this race despite suffering excruciating pain. Once bitten twice shy, I've learnt from my lessons from this marathon. Although it may seem just like a run to many, I have learnt much more things that were unknown to me previously. Wait and see, sundown I'm coming.

Today's been a relatively busy day. Rushed up and down to settle admin procedures for my boss. Had a relatively long chat with my boss too. Sometimes thinking about it, NS ain't exactly something bad. Especially when I'm working under such a knowledgeable boss who offers me advices because he knows that someday I will be sitting on an executive chair and giving the very same piece of advice to my subordinates. Ate plentiful of food, gymed twice today, ran 7km for everyday of this week. A pretty good headstart for marathon preparation.

Anyway NMS will never be the same again with all the old birds leaving and new pple coming in. Sometimes I think that signing on isn't such a bad idea after all. The flipside which kept me hesistant is probably the significant fact that the pay is way below my expected pay. However, it is quite an iron rice bowl. Days where I can gym everyday, run during free time, sleep when I'm tired and chill out when I'm stressed out will soon be gone. (1 more year..haha) Thanks for making my 2009 life in Navy quite a memorable one, including those who gave me trouble in the course of my work. It is quite true that during hardship can one forge true friendship and at the same time moulding your own character. Hardship reveals our true character, be it good or bad, weak or strong.

Year 2009 seems like a rather tumultuous year, I have grown alot in maturity in this seemingly short phase. I was once the menace who like to give pple trouble, who gave no regards for money, who studied without priorities and did not cherish the pple ard me. Although it is blatant of me to say that I have changed for the better, but I can declare it conscious-free-ly that I feel more like an adult after NS year 1. Working in the real world isn't exactly a bed of roses because you will face many oppositions as everyone has differing thoughts. But to blame others or grumble about your circumstance ain't gonna change anything. Everything changes when you know the purpose of why you are doing what you are doing now. When we actually place ourselves into other pple's shoes, we are in fact a step closer to loving our neighbours as ourselves as written in the bible.

Anyway I will brace myself for another exciting year ahead. Year 2010 will be a period where I look forward to growing even more. Not just older but becoming more matured. December 14th 2010 will be the day of liberation as well as the deadline for accomplishing feats that I once thought was impossible for a nondescript like myself. Anyway happy ORD for those who are leaving NMS. I hope the post-NS phase will be another exciting journey for all of you.

Help me to always remember this Lord, that nothing is going to happen in the next year that you and I can't handle together, because I know that during the toughest period of my life, you will always be there to carry me till the tide subsides.

I don't need anything in my life, because nothing beats knowing the fact that you will always meet my needs overabundantly.

WTF

Took half day leave today to accompany my fren for double despatches. It has been a relatively bad day tdy. An MP with only an LCP rank at MINDEF by the name of lee shao hao abused his authority jus becos both my fren and I are only privates. First I was refused admission into the camp because I wore cargoes when i was given permission by his fellow colleague. Secondly, my fren tried to change for a visitor pass with his navy attire and was told to change into a proper attire before asking. However, his previous experience was that pple are allowed to book in with his navy attire. After making him wait for few minutes there and passing that LCP his 11b , my fren decided to change into the full No.3 uniform in their toilet. When he returned, the very same person did not allow him to enter becos he wore spectacles that is not approved by MINDEF which was totally nonsensical. When approached amicably to resolve this issue, that guard told me fren to wipe the smile off his face otherwise he will book him. This wasn't the best part yet. The worst thing was that he denied taking my fren's 11B and refused to search for it. In the end we tried all means to resolve the issues but to no avail. The servicemen's attitude totally appalled me. To think that such a person actually exist. An LCP acting as though he is the general of the camp. In the end, we left the camp without delivering the documents we were suppose to deliver into the camp. An hour later, he called my camp to tell them that he found my fren's 11B in the toilet which is bull crap becos my fren searched the toilet b4 he left the place after changing so that he will not leave anything behind. This leaves us with only one conclusion. That the servicemen kept my fren's 11B in his drawer either intentionally or ignorantly and tried to shift the blame by saying that he found it in the toilet. What a jerk right? To think such a person actually exist.