My Journey

Be Still and Know That I am God Psalm 46:10

2007-08-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

These eight words found in the Psalms speak volumes about putting God
at the center of our lives.

Be still....

Stop worrying. Calm down. Don't be afraid. Stop trying to figure it
out by yourself. Stop trying to make things happen. Slow down. Take a
deep breath. Forget the money crunch. Take time out from the
pressures at work. Stop striving. Stop talking ... and listen.

Know that I am God....

I know you. I know your needs. Nothing surprises me. I am the Creator
of all things. I care about everything that concerns you. I am love.
I am peace. I am joy. I am holy. I am sovereign. I am all-knowing. I
am all-powerful. I am eternal. I am faithful. I am merciful. I am
gracious. I am the King of kings and Lord of lords. I am your Father,
your Daddy. I am the same yesterday, today and forever. I love you
with an everlasting love. I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Consider this…
When we are willing to be still ... and to know that He is God, He
will become the center of our lives. And everything else we do will
revolve around Him and all that He is.

Prayer
Father, teach me to set aside all my anxieties and fears and "to-
do's" and to truly be still before You. Help me to know you better,
to begin to grasp your greatness, your love and your mercy. In Jesus
name ...

Purpose Driven Life

2007-07-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

by Rick Warren

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think yourgenes are superior.
Don't philanderbecause you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can'ttrust.
Don't cheat.
Don't lie.
Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.
Don't stagnate!

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past.
Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life.
Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.
Write poetry. Love Deeply. Walkbarefoot. Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait forsomeone to take care of you.
You light up your life. You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn't true that life does not geteasier with age. It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't loseyour capacity to love.
Pursue your passions. Live your dreams. Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, youare giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time isyour life. That is why the greatest giftyou can give to someone is your time.

Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not whatwe think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves.

God is good all the time!

Singapore, My Second Home

2007-07-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

As I 'm about to celebrate my first anniversary of living here in Singapore I'm planning to list down the things that I observed and really liked about this island. To my surprise somebody did it for me, I came across this article that tells everything that I wanted to say. So here it goes...

Singapore, My Home
Posted by — Justina @ 1:01 pm

Often, we write/complain more about the bad than we do the good. With our Nation’s birthday a little over a month away, I thought I’ll do a summarized reflection on why Singapore really isn’t a bad choice to call home.

Safety

Singapore is really safe. People walk the streets at night without the fears that someone would stick a gun at them and rob them, nor do they have to clutch their purses while walking along the road to ensure that their purses will not get snatched by thieves on motorbikes.
Here, guns are not a norm. Only law enforcements and the military have weapons. In fact, possessing a gun and firing one leads to the death penalty. Likewise, smuggling drugs is a big no-no, with the death penalty in place for those who try. This is not to say that guns and drugs aren’t available - they are, but they aren’t mainstream at all. Parents need not fear that their kids will have easy access to drugs, because it is not a common thing.

In the US, murder cases are so common, it takes a serial killer to make headlines. Here in sunny Singapore, a murder is big news. It’s simply not tolerated in Singapore.
Many outsiders would deem the laws too harsh, but such laws are what help created such a safe island, and such laws would hardly affect the normal citizen.

Taxes

Taxes are relatively low. Those whose taxable income is less than S$20k a year are exempted from paying tax. Even the highest tax bracket of 20% is still lower than that other developed countries like USA (35%) or UK (40%). To reach the 20% tax bracket, one would have to earn an annual taxable income of S$320k.

Interestingly, a large number of Singaporeans do not pay tax. That isn’t good news though, as it means that a lot of Singaporeans aren’t making enough.

Apart from income tax, there is also the Good and Services Tax (GST). It was first introduced in 1994 (3%), and has increased to 4% in 2003, 5% in 2004, and will be 7% on July 1st, 2007. Right now, it is comparable to similar taxes in the US. While the intentions for the increase is to raise money to aide the poor, the poor will be among those that will be hit by the 7% increase. Perhaps Singapore might follow states like California in the US, where common commodities like food and household items like toilet paper are tax-free, thus making sure that everybody, including the poor, will be able to afford at least the basics.

Tourists should note that there is a GST Tourist Refund Scheme, where if they make purchases from participating outlets, they can claim back the GST paid.

Education

Primary School education is compulsory, and education from primary to junior college in public schools is free. There is however a low miscellaneous fee. On top of that, there is an edusave scheme where the government contributes S$170/yr for primary school children and S$200/yr for secondary school children. Upon reaching 21, any money in the account not spent is then transferred to their respective CPF accounts.

Entertainment

- Shopping -

Singaporeans are known to love shopping. This is evident by the countless shopping malls located throughout the island, and the famous Orchard Road which boasts a rows of shopping malls for endless shopping pleasures. New malls sprout up all the time, like the recent Vivocity at Harbourfront, and existing malls are constantly being expanded and upgraded.

- Arts & Theatre -

Most major plays and musicals make a stop in Singapore. Singapore has numerous theatres to house these international and local events in locations like The Esplanade, The National Library and Indoor Stadium to name a few.

Stomp, Le Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Quidam, Snow Wolf Lake … these are a few international shows which have been to Singapore, some more than once.

Apart from that, local theatres like Wild Rice, The Necessary Stage, Toy Factory, Dream Academy, all provide us with local productions, with local content, that locals can identify with!

- “Asian Venice” -

Singapore was featured in Australia’s Time magazine talking about it’s new look to come. It has been described as the soon-to-be “Asian Venice”, with the two major Integrated Resorts (IRs) in the makings. Soon Singapore will be able to boast it’s own theme park by Universal Studios, probably the only theme park in Asia that isn’t dominated by Asian characters on their signposts.

Most westerners or english speaking tourists would be comfortable here, plus with other attractions that will come with the IRs, and other attractions like the Singapore Flyer, plus existing vibrant nightlife at places like the St James Powerhouse … Singapore is set to be a tourist destination.

For locals, we can finally get to visit Universal Studios without playing over a thousand dollars to fly to the US!

- Beaches & Reservoirs -

Singapore is an island surrounded by water! This gives us access to tons of beaches. At East Coast Park, we get to enjoy cycling/walking tracks which stretch on for miles, and enjoy chalets or bbqs by the beach, and take up some sea sports.

There are also quite a few reservoirs in Singapore, and a few of them have opened up to activities like canoeing and fishing.

- Events to come -

Plus who can forget that F1 is finally coming to Singapore, and in a night race set in the city!

Government

Our government is still largely a one party government, and with the recent unhappiness about the large pay hikes ministers are getting, the fact still remains - the government is still doing their job. They may not be perfect, but without them, Singapore could still very much be a “fishing village”.

Normal affairs are largely transparent. One need not have to figure out if bribing is necessary to expedite normal tasks like getting your passport issued or if driving licenses are given tho those who really can drive. Things aren’t so clear-cut in other countries.

Singapore is known for it’s campaign and schemes. Campaigns like “I Love Children“, set up to encourage us to have more kids might sound cheesy, but at least they make the effort to provide some reliefs for those who do intend to have more kids.

There are also tons of schemes available from work-related to school-related, but you often have to make the effort to find out about them.

Environment

Singapore is clean and green. It’s highways and roads are lined with trees, to provide both shade and a pleasant drive. Being small in this sense is an advantage, as it’s easier to plant trees to cover the island.

Trash is collected daily and a large ‘invisible’ workforce of sweepers and cleaners help maintain this ‘clean and green’ image. Sweeper trucks sweep the sides of the streets daily, brushing and vacuuming up dead fallen leaves, as do the sweepers. Trees are pruned regularly. And best of all, Singapore doesn’t have to deal with chewing-gum related damage, as the sale of chewing or bubble gum is prohibited in Singapore. (If you buy a pack overseas though, you can still consume it though.)

To top it off, for a small island, we have quite a few state parks (eg. Bukit Timah Hill) and reservoirs (Macritchie Reservoir, Seletar Reservoir etc.) which are opened to the public. Efforts have also been made to connect these parks with park connectors. Hiking in these parks provide a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and can take a few hours to complete! We do also have a ‘mountain’ called Mt. Faber, though it’s more a mount than a mountain, but still high enough for scenic views.

The Public Untilities Board (PUB) has also embarked on a project to turn Singapore into a ‘blue city’, and not just a ‘green’ one. It intends to do this by turning our existing storm drains and canals into waterways and rivers, so that it not only appeals to the eyes, it also helps improve water quality and provide more areas for recreational use.

Food

Nobody can forget the food. Singaporeans love to eat, and so we have all kinds of food available in Singapore. We boast a large variety of local food, and most foreign food are also available in Singapore. German, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Turkish, you name it, we probably have it.
Connected

Transport

Traffic on major highways can get a bit sluggish during peak hours and especially when there is an accident, but compared to a major city like Los Angeles, where the traffic on highways crawl almost all day long, is still an efficient way to travel across the island. Cars are more expensive then in most countries, but the low range cars can be bought for about S$30k+.

But unlike countries like the US and Australia, where cars are sometimes the only mode of transport you have, the public transit system here enables you to get to any part of the island. Bus and train rides are relatively cheap and are quite well connected.

Train stations already has a information board near the entrance of their stations that informs you when the next two trains will arrive. SBS Transit has also recently come up with a system to let bus commuters find out when their next bus will arrive. The system has been branded ‘Ask Iris‘. This can be done via the web, or via sms (singtel only). On top of that, they have also started a rewards program, where points are given for evey bus ride, and these points can be converted for food items or services on their website.

Taxis are an alternative to cars. With a flag down rate of $2.50, still affordable.

Communication

Singapore has 3 major telco operators, with reasonable cellphone plans starting from $19.95 a month, or for the visitor, prepaid cards are also available at $18.

Internet

There’s both cable and broadband in Singapore. But what is more interesting is the concept of http://www.ida.gov.sg/Programmes/20061027174147.aspx?getPagetype=36, which will cover most public places with free 512kps internet connection. Singapore will not only be connected locally, but will be connected with the world.

Alternatives

Should one ever find the need to get away, other asian destinations are just nearby. One can take a boat to nearby islands like Bintam or Batam, or a bus ride up to Malaysia (about S$50 to KL, and RM$50 back).

Besides that, there are several budget airline carriers like AirAsia and TigerAirways which would otherwise connect Singapore to other vacation hotspots, and even to Darwin Australia.
Of course, there is always …. the cruise to nowhere on cruise ships like Star Cruise.
—–

It's Like Finding $20 From Last Year's Winter Coat

2007-04-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

It's a perfect week ender when things you had just been thinking/dreaming about yesterday actually happened unexpectedly today, it's fun, it's like finding $20 from my last year's winter coat..

An Untoward Incident

2006-12-20T06:49:00.000-08:00

It was a rainy monday morning, got in the office at 9:30, switched on my laptop, grabbed a cup of milo, sit back and relax after a long walk.. just a typical monday morning.. not until we started hearing rumors that someone was found dead downstairs, initialy we thought the man had a heart attack but we're all shocked after knowing that the he jumped off from the rooftop!! We rushed towards the other side of the building and from the window we saw the man covered with white cloth and a police tent. Apparently, the man is a Finance Manager at IBM and was last seen on the skybridge connecting building 1 and building 2. Till now no official reports on how and why the incident happened, let's just pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

I will never ever forget this in my entire life...

Rainy days in Singapore

2006-12-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

Today's weather will perhaps be added to my Singapore 'FIRSTs' list. I've been here for four months and it's only now that I've experienced a whole day of rain and lightning, typical rain here lasts only for a max of two hours. Well it feels great to lie down, watch the rain fall and write a blog!

Did you know? "Singapore has one of the highest rate of lightning activity in the world. Lying near the Equator, the weather is hot and humid almost all year round. Conditions are favourable for the development of lightning producing thunderstorm clouds. An average of 171 thunderstorm days (days when thunder is heard) are recorded annually in Singapore. You've more chance of being struck by lightning here than winning the lottery"

SOME LIGHTNING DOs AND DON'Ts

DOs

TAKE SHELTER IN A HOUSE, LARGE BUILDING OR CAR IN OPEN AREAS, SEEK SHELTER IN A LOW AREA SUCH AS RAVINE
IN A FOREST, SEEK SHELTER IN A LOW AREA SUCH AS UNDER A THICK GROWTH OF SMALL TREES
IN OPEN WATER, HEAD FOR THE SHORE
ON A BICYCLE.MOTORBIKE OR GOLF CART, GET OFF
ON A GOLF COURSE (WITHOUT ANY NEARBY SHELTERS), PUT DOWN YOUR CLUBS, TAKE OFF SPIKE SHOES AND CROUCH INTO A BALL ON THE GROUND
IN A GROUP IN THE OPEN, SPREAD OUT

DON'Ts

AVOID USING THE TELEPHONE, ELECTRIC APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
DO NOT STAND UNDER TALL TREES OR NEXT TO A TELEPHONE POLE
DO NOT STAY IN THE OPEN OR ON HIGH GROUND SUCH AS ROOF TOPS, HILL TOPS ETC...
STAY CLEAR OF WIRE OR METAL FENCES, METAL PIPES AND RAILS
DO NOT HOLD METAL OBJECTS SUCH AS UMBRELLAS, GOLF CLUBS OR BICYCLES
DO NOT LOAD AND UNLOAD EXPLOSIVE OR INFLAMMABLE MATERIALS

Fabulous!

2006-12-06T01:36:00.000-08:00

I have to check this out before the year ends! The location is 9 stations away from the office via East-West MRT line..

Christmas tree adorned with $1.55m worth of diamonds
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 05 December 2006 2319 hrs

What's Christmas without a Christmas tree? Especially one that's worth a cool $1.55 million. The tree stands at 6 metres tall and is made of crystal lights. But the centre of attention is surely the diamond-encrusted star at the top of the tree. It is made up of 21,798 diamonds worth 900 carats. The "Diamond Christmas Tree" took three months to complete. It also made it into the Singapore Book of Records for being the first tree to be decorated with the most number of diamonds! It will be on display at Bugis Junction till the end of the year.

Wo Hui Jia Le!

2006-12-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

Wo Hui Jia Le! - I'm going home! No, I don't speak mandarin yet, thanks to my good friend Xiaowei Mei from Nanjing, China for always translating my english phrases.. 18 days to go and I will be flying back home for the holidays! Everything's ready, completed pasalubong shopping last saturday, my things are packed, flight confirmed, my mind i think flew ahead and is now in the Philippines! hahaha.. Looking forward to be with my family, friends, my dogs, my car, sleep in my bed with my fave smelly pillow, terribly excited to be back home!

My Flight Itenerary:

From Singapore (SIN) to Manila (Clark) (CRK)

Saturday, 23 Dec 06 Flight TR 502

Depart Singapore (SIN) at 07:20 and arrive in Manila (Clark) (CRK) at 10:55

From Manila (Clark) (CRK) to Singapore (SIN)

Tuesday, 02 Jan 07 Flight TR 503

Depart Manila (Clark) (CRK) at 11:35 and arrive in Singapore (SIN) at 15:10

My flight on the 23rd is too early, I have to leave home at 5am, no public buses and trains yet during that time so I have to get a cab to bring me to the airport, bad news is, there is a 50% late night surcharge, but good news is, Ganie will be on the same flight and will sleep at home on the night of 22nd, meaning, we'll be sharing the taxi fare. I hope he'll pay the whole amount but knowing him.. NAH!!!! hahaha..

Going home is very costly especially it's christmas, I did a little accounting of my finances and found out that I spent more than my airfare just for pasalubongs! But that's alright, making people happy and being at home is priceless!!

I wish I could extend my vacation so I can attend the wedding of my friends, Erwin and Tin on the 8th, Jorge and Weng on the 6th of January, best wishes!

For now i'll keep crossing out the days on my calendar and wait for the big day..

Kick-Off!

2006-11-30T07:39:00.000-08:00

I admit, I was never into writing ever since, but was forced to do so years ago for the sake of completing school requirements. It's not that I am not good at it but it's just that I don't have the drive to put my thoughts into writing, besides, there's nothing much to talk about my life then. Looking back, whenever we have writing assignments I spend hours with my draft due to my write-erase-write habit, probably because I am not certain on how I want to deliver my thoughts before I start moving my pen, also, ideas starts popping out while I'm in the middle of writing my piece, forcing me to reconstruct from top! But hey, I am getting fairly good scores on my essays!

Blogging has become so famous lately that you won't miss a day without hearing about it or seeing it being advertised on tv, magazines or over the internet. But never did it strucked me to indulge into it until I recently discovered the blog of my good friend Cat. I enjoyed reading her posts, I can recall when we were still in the Philippines I often see her writing her journal on her beloved Starbucks diary but of course it's a personal thing so I never had the chance to read whatever she has written in there.. she writes very well I think! Ei Cat you owe me a Starbucks frappe when you visit us here in Singapore!

Publishing my first post is an achievement, really! It is still a struggle for me to write until now, but nevertheless I'm taking this as a challenge! I hope my blog critic Cat will give me a passing grade for my kick-off journal!

No idea yet on what to talk about on my next post but it will defenitely be about my adventures, basically about life's hits and misses! Come, join me on my journey!