RATify

Truly, it's comforting to know amidst all the changes that have taken place on this island, that the Lunar New Year still hails as one of the most well observed of Seasons. The streets were empty in town, shopping centers were practically desolate - and all manner of decoration for the season was in place around this tiny island. In the lull between preparing for the Reunion dinner and diving into the thick of the festivities, I took a trip down town to see what it was like.
The meaning of 除夕 (Chú Xī - Lunar New Year's Eve, or literally "Change", "Eve") still figures very strongly in the lives of the people here, and it's great to return to a place like that. I would not have imagined myself saying this, but I'm glad I'm here during this season, and not somewhere else where it' still Winter. I'm definitely pleased ...

Prayer

I thought it apt, to continue where I last left off in the previous post to invest more time in the study of that which mattered in the grander scheme of things. A lot of people ask these days, about Prayer, and if it really worked, or if it mattered at all? It was thus timely, that the answer came, for me at least, in the following passage taken from Yancey's recent book Prayer - Does it Make A Difference (Zondervan, 2006). Harold writes on pp. 83:

"For me, prayer is the key to making life an adventure. In the Lord of the Rings series by Tolkien, poor Frodo only gets enough direction for the next lap of the journey. As he looks back, it all works out, but most of the time he wanders around confused and helpless. Only occasionally, and in subtle ways does Gandalf actively give assistance and guidance.
Like Frodo, we live ina world of opposition, one saturated with sex and full of evil, violence and poverty. This is my Father's world? I come to God with my complaints and laments. I grapple with God, call him to account. And I believe God welcomes that dialogue. In the process, I learn who I am. Someone asked the Swiss counselor Paul Tournier, "What's your definition of a hypocrite?" and he replied, C'est moi - It is I. Prayer reminds me of that truth.
Prayer also straightens out my expectations. My son, small for his age loves to play football. He practices faithfully, slogging through the mud, and during games, he expects to get smashed by defensive players who outweigh him by a hundred pounds. He sees football as a kind of battle, and naturally it will include pain and conflict. I see the Christian's life on this planet as a battle, too. We try to follow God on a place in active rebellion against him. I don't expect prayer to make that any easier, any less problem-filled. I do expect it to give me the inner strength to keep fighting. Persistence is my way of demonstrating faith."

Yancey writes:
"If prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer. I have now written twenty books, and in some way of other most of them circle around the same two themes: why God doesn't act the way we want God to, and why I don't act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where those two themes converge."

As I work my way through the book, it's becoming increasingly absorbing as it begins to reveal passages in Scripture that are jumping out at me in ways in which I hadn't perceived them before. And to think that I dared thing that life on this Island was getting a tad bit...well, I did suppose I was getting a little ahead of myself...

Brand New Year

I'd wanted something meaningful to kick off the new year, not a resolution of sorts, nor new purchases, but something of a more lasting kind. 2007 was a year of being still, learning (not that it has stopped) and tons of reading - a retreat of sorts, and stock taking of many key aspects in life. But some of the most meaningful moments, were times spent in conversation with friends and family,the solitude of mornings in the city (whilst the world chugged on), watching traffic (people and vehicular) go by, within the safe haven of a muted Cafe, behind its massive giant glass walls. Donald Miller sums up pretty well the way I'd like to head into 2008. Quoting him in verbatim:

"I found myself reflecting on that hope, the hope we have in Christ, and I realized some of the greatest times in my life are times when I have had hope in something. If I were studying hard, I hoped in spring break, and if I was lonely, then I hoped in a new relationship that was blossoming. I have placed hope in a movie that would be coming out, in a sporting event of which I followed a team (Go Patriots) and some of those things worked out and some of them didn’t. But as great as spring break or a new relationship turned out to be, I think I have to admit the hope was even better. Reality can be a let down, as Solomon would say.

What I think is so remarkable about the hope we have in Christ is that this specific hope is promised to not let us down. God will come through even as He has promised He would come through. His hope will not disappoint, like so many other targets of false hope. And what is also interesting is that in light of the hope we have in Christ, all other things take their proper places, and we can see more clearly what they actually are, love for love’s sake, entertainment for entertainment sake, success in projects as fun and exciting, but nothing of eternal significance. Eternal hope for fulfillment is not in those things, it is in Christ alone. That perspective seems like it holds a lot of freedom."

There's a lot of wisdom in that which Miller expresses, and even more from where he draws his inspiration. Surely, such treasure merits a more judicious and deliberate investment of time in its study. Welcome to 2008 folks. It'll be an exciting year.

Mellow

Must be the age thing...I don't feel like bloggin' much these days. Just finished the fight...but there's a huge backlog of photos and stuff that needs to be put up, and Project that needs to be run...time's a slippin', but at least the time back this time round was a lot more welcome than previous. Somethings don't change though...

Back

Busy. Been back since last week, barely had time to post anything - it's mad, but I reckon I really should start clearing my leave for the year - I really should. More updates when that comes along.

Soon ...

Ten days and a wake up. Looking forward to it. Check back soon.

Again

I'm going to miss this place. Even though it's only been 3 months since I got stuck here, I'll miss this place. Those of you who took the time to meet up, thank you so much. And to a brother who's going through a very rough period, you are in my prayers. To the ever supportive CG group, thanks guys for all the farewell gatherings. And to those who met up during the course of the few weeks, GA and Art, EOKW and wifey, BN and wifey, S2, Synapseman, +K and family, JackRabbit and wifey, CW, Thumper, GT and wifey, ANYW, - you guys are amazing. Congrats to HisCreation and wife to be, BG. Thanks to the General and his gf for the wonderful hairdo - sorry I didn't have time for tea (Not forgetting the wonderful gift (BRAWL), thanks so much to FL too). I'm off to catch a flight now. Boss called, some last minute changes. Do tune in to the Walawalamuciwawa for the next few weeks. I'll keep you guys posted. For those of you travelling, Godspeed.

It Gets Better

Spent the evening with SY and WS around Springleaf (near JackRabbit's hooch') chomping to the tune of some Shanghai starchiness. In an odd sort of way, I will somehow miss that sort of food (I don't normally miss the food back here when away). Then it was down to SY/WS's home up North of the Island for dessert - and they really pimped their home big time. It was one of those classical "Extreme Makeover moments" except this time round, we were talking about some real deal local HDB constructs being given the full overhaul by some serious engineering and clever thinking. The place looks NOTHING like what it was (walls hacked down and blasted to smithereens) and the reconfiguration was a total success. Form and function collide in a spectacular demonstration of just what can be done to even the most decrepit (read - war torn Beirut) of places. Photos to follow, but I was just so bowled over by their kitchen "Island" concept...

Evening By The Grill

And so it was, an evening out with CG Epainos, plus a few distinguished guests, GA & Art, EOKW & JT as well as AT and Z with sonny ST to welcome back FL from Down Under. Pastor was there with wifey, and whilst the food was amazing, and the wine/spirits never lacking, the prayers were the most moving. The past 3 months had been a journey of discovery and exploration, these guys take it further and guide me through it all with meaning and purpose, constantly pointing me back to God above.
Thank you so much folks. You all make such a difference in life's journey, and I thank God for each and everyone of you. The men of Epainos, may His power continue to be unto each and everyone of you in the ministry that you've been entrusted. The ladies, your strength and support goes a long way in encouraging each of us to run the distance, to finish well. I'll miss you all when I'm away, but I do hope I'll do a good enough job on Walawalamuciwawa to keep you guys posted =)
Keep the Faith people.

Now Showing

That Rat can cook. Really. Great show. Give it a go. Better than some of the action flicks out there. With another lead named after pasta shapes...there is really some merit in less processed foods. Create - and push far beyond the envelope within which we are EXPECTED to work in. There's really much within the film that draw parallels in real life...it's late...I just had fast food, not exactly a culinary challenge...but definitely one for the tummy. The long week is taking it's toll on me...time to crash.

Leaving

There’s a comfort in this darkness
A Familiar Road
Though I know that you are no good for me
You’re a false alibi
You hypnotise and you keep tempting me
To throw away eternity

Time to wake-up and shake-up
You’ve kept me right under your spell for too long
Your promise is empty
Go dig your claws in somebody else ‘cause it won’t be me

I’m leaving
Leaving this path behind
Don’t need your sympathy
I’m leaving
Don’t try to change my mind

It’s a new day, a new way
Change is never easy enough
But I’m not giving up, I’m growing and sowing
Seeds of life beyond this shell
I’m going to be free, breakout from this cell

Shake my faith
You’re never going to break me
Take my strength you're never going to make me
Turn my back away from the truth
I won’t play your games, I’m nobody’s fool

© 2006 Corrmay Gourmet Music (ASCAP)

Walk On

There comes a point in life (actually, many points) where you trim the fat and go lean - travel light.

Word's out. I hit the skies again in a week or so. Walawalamuciwa will be active once more. Meeting up with part of the crew this Saturday, and it'll be a blast. +K will be there too, probably with wife and kids. It's going to be a mighty impressive CG turn out, with enough food to feed a hungry battalion. The General gave me one huge Leader Class Decepticon Brawl transformer toy for my birthday, GA and Art gave me a load of Transformers Memorabilia including an Uber cool green Autobot insignia T-shirt. S2 equipped me with a mask of both factions/allegiances of the Cybertron kind. All in all, it's great. Dad's got an exhibition due next week. Can't wait. All in all, it's been a great 3 months back here. Now for the next 3 there =)

Now Listening

Been ages since the last update. What shall I write? Picked up a copy of May's latest album (after a review on TV Mobile onboard SBS Transit service 174 - amazing considering it was during morning rush hour - to be able to listen to "Shelter" above and beyond the noise without tuning into 89.3 FM for a direct feed), and her songs pretty much sum up the past three months aurally - mellow, introspective - an album you just pop into the player and leave it on Play. It's really that simple.

Back In The City

Been a while since the last update. Been under the weather a bit, but hey, am back. The pictures speak.

Reflections

Being stranded here doesn't quite cut it really. Thankfully, this is still home, and the Lord is kind. Met up with +K after his two week vacation in Europe. Spent a good deal of time chilling at a nearby Cafe, him working, me writing. Caught up with GA and Art', Jackrabbit and Red Tim' over the weekend with the General, then it's time with EOKW and wifey. Keen Karat is back in town, and so is the KL Swede. Managed too, to catch S2 before she headed off to her little adventure in the Chu Chi tunnels. Add to that a whole lot of time with the crew from Epainos and the time here really isn't too bad. I just need to get my butt back to Walawalamuciwawaland soon cos' there's just so much to be done and it ain't budging from here.
On a separate note, Blue Like Jazz is going to be made into a film, which is really exciting. If you've not read the book, give it a shot. Donald Miller does a great job of putting Christian spirituality in pretty much non-Christian terms...no mean feat in my opinion. I bought a copy earlier, finished it, gave it to a friend and realised I actually liked the book a great deal, so I went back and bought myself another copy. It's on loan once again - but that's how it should really be with Blue Like Jazz...pass it on.

Transformed

From Bad Boys to Transformers, Bay does an excellent job. AND WHAT A JOB HE DID! In a word, the movie IS AWESOME. Jablonsky does a great job of the score. Great they've got a real orchestra doing it with a 66 piece string and 18 brass set up. For pictures of how the musical team looks like, they can be found here. CGI effects blend in seamlessly and the SOUND, gosh, the SOUND is absolutely mind blowing (AND satisfying!). Forget the pea-shooter *ping-pings*. The hearty *Thump-Thump-Thump* of really gigantic automatic weapons pounding the battlefield, the reach-to-the-back-of-the-cinema 3D audiogasmic full-bodied reverb' of the pulse lasers slamming into metal, concrete and ... well, you get the idea. Autobots or Decepticons, regardless - they moved with such gracefulness dodging all that ordnance and yet MAINTAIN that sense of weight and scale - that's RARE. Bumblebee, Jazz, Prime, Ironhide, Ratchet....they're all in there. True, many went "What's up with Megatron being an alien spacecraft...", but having watched the movie, I'm glad I didn't have to watch a silly Walther P38 pistol running about in the movie - seriously, it would have killed everything - and we're not talking about the characters in there. Starscream and company fly about and wreak havoc amongst on the silverscreen... all in all...WHAT A RIDE. WHAT A MOVIE. Go catch it.

Solace...

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

A Matter Of Perspective

After 12 hours in the air, delays at the runway, heavy traffic before landing and all that hoopla (honestly, the announcements made by some particular air crew should have been dispensed with...he might as well have been mumbling to himself...couple to that some poor radio discipline and absolutely embarrassing diction (thankfully no embarrassing conversations)....oh whatever, it doesn't matter). Point is, flight arrived safe. I'm home and dry...and stewardesses on duty did a mighty fine job looking after the passengers. At the end of the day, it's really the things that matter, that matter. It's good to be back.

Lift Off

Yep, time to fly. Will be back in a bit...till then, it's been fab with the crew =) Quite a few of them to be honest, like +K & family, JY, KT, EOKW & Wifey, Jackrabbit & Wifey, Jackrabbit's bro, Jangle, S2, Dr. Ti & family, GA and King Art, it's been a swell time, thanks for the surprise parties and super chill out times we had, the great games of Ligretto we played - I'll bring some back when I return!!! =) Will update where time permits. Got a plane to catch.
For now, it's Walawalamuciwawa. As promised 15 months ago, it's time.

Pig Year

After four solid non working days of loading up on calories, the time has come that one returns to the grind. Here's the Lunar New Year season in review... albeit a tad bit brief.