happenings in my life

Guess there are many things happening in my life at the moment:

1. Planning for Nathaniel's birthday
2. Launch of a new product/drug for osteoporosis at work
3. Following up on a "abnormal" reading for a low heart rate with a cardiologist
4. Planning for a Perth trip for the family
5. Completing a week of guided prayer with the Sojourners companions
6. Ad hoc stuff happening day in-day out.

All these are just taking up quite a bit of time. And the thing is to balance work, church, and family life. There are ups and downs, in everything I must say.

It was great meeting a few people at St. Bern's fun fair today! Zoe and Daniel (who told me she was getting married next year!! Good on them!!), bubbly Janice (Nat's godma), amongst the few. A pity we could not stay long as we needed to go visit my granny.

Can't really explain my mood today. The day started badly with a splitting headache when I woke up. It only started to go away in the later part of the afternoon.

Hmmmmmm.... I guess one thing did affect me later on in the afternoon. The thoughts went through my mind.
Must we, as humans be appreciated for the things we do? For example, doing church work. We should be doing it from the heart. We should not ask for anything in return. But that is church work. What about other aspects of life? Family, work etc. I guess as humans, we all expect to be recognised for what we do. It is difficult to not expect anything in return. It is something I think about from time to time. And that is not to expect anything in return. However, when someone does not recognise your role, ahhh..... it can hurt. Life goes on.......

Angel in disguise?

Eversince I found this album, I have been so attached to it. It is not everyday that I find a music album so filled with meaning and that I could identify with. And the best thing is, the singer is a Singaporean... and one I had a brief brush with when I was in Uni. She happened to be attending the same catholic camp as I was. A small world indeed.

Touching words from the songs of Corrine May are what I am referring to. And in particular, songs from her second album, "Safe in a crazy world".

A favourite piece titled "Angel in disguise" would be the theme of today's writing.

I guess when I bought this album probably about 2 months ago. This piece stuck out. It reminded me of the people around. These people could be angels in disguise. And guess what, we usually take them for granted. You know how capable we are in this. We always need constant reminders to get back on track, to appreciate our significant other, families and of course our friends. The song then reminds us that we too, could be angels in disguise!! Or rather, we CAN be angels in disguise!!! Such cool words that strike home whenever I listen to the song. The album is truly inspiring as I guess there were times when I wondered why this and why that. It was never verbalised or put down on paper. And I guess for Corrine, her talent in writing and singing helps her to evangelise. For those of you who are interested, here are the lyrics to "Angel in disguise".

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING KIND OF BLUE
AND I STUMBLED OUT OF BED AND DRAGGED MY FEET ACROSS THE ROOM
RIGHT OUTSIDE MY FRONT DOOR WAS A ROSE
AND A NOTE THAT SAID "SOMEBODY LOVES YOU"

BUT OUT OF THE STREET IT STARTS TO POUR
AND BEFORE I GET SOAKING WET
A TOTAL STRANGER RUNS TO GIVE ME THE JACKET OFF HIS BACK
I TURN AROUND TO THANK HIM
BUT HE WAVES ME WITH A SMILE
I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE MY EYES
HE PUTS OF A HALO AND STARTS TO FLY

TAKE A LOOK AT THE ORDINARY
DON'T NEED TO LOOK FOR PARADISE
YOU COULD BE NEXT TO AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE

I MET A GOOD FRIEND FOR LUNCH
AND WE HAD A DELICIOUS MEAL
BUT I FORGOT TO BRING MYH WALLET
I FELT LIKE AN IMBECILE
BUT SHE WAS SWEET, SHE GAVE ME A TREAT AND
BOUGHT ME A CHICKEN SANDWICH
TO TAKE HOME FOR TEA

BUT OUT ON THE STREET WITH NOTHING TO EAT
A MAN AND HIS SHOPPING CART GO
TRAVELLING TO PLACES COLLECTING SOCIAL GRACES
I GIVE HIM MY SANDWICH AND WE CHATTER FOR A WHILE
I SEE A RAINBOW WASH OVER HIS EYES
HE GIVES ME HIS HALO
AND I START TO FLY

TAKE A LOOK AT THE ORDINARY
DON'T NEED TO LOOK FOR PARADISE
YOU COULD BE NEXT TO AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE

DON'T TRY TO HIDE AWAY FROM ME
I KNOW YOU'RE BE BY MY SIDE

TAKE A LOOK AT THE ORDINARY
DON'T NEED TO LOOK FOR PARADISE
YOU COULD BE NEXT TO
AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE
EVERYDAY CAB BE LEGENDARY
EVERY MINUTE, AN ENDLESS SURPRISE
YOU COULD BE THE NEXT ANGEL IN DISGUISE

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING
FEELING KIND OF NEW

So many things I can share about her songs, but I shall save that for another time!

Accident

Guess it had been a long time since I met with an accident.... but it finally did, AGAIN.

Happened on Saturday 5th August on my way to church. I was on the PIE at the Paya Lebar flyover. Suddenly a Toyota braked. That led to a Honda Jazz, a Mitsubishi Lancer and my car (the last car!!) getting involved in a pile up. I saw it coming and braked, but it was too late! Was a little lost at that time at what to do. Anyway, they managed to get a tow truck to the workshop at Paya Lebar/Eunos. I was told the bad news at the workshop. I had to pay for own damage as I was the last car. The other cars would also claim from my insurance. There goes my no-claim bonus!

In any case, I did not get to church!

On hindsight, as I was in a cab on the way home, I was a little shaken up. But I was glad that I was alone and my family was not in the car with me. Would have been dreadful!

Its Thursday and I have already collected the car from the workshop. They told me the damage was not that great to my car. Obviously, since they managed to get my car fixed by today (sat and sun, they dun work.. and wed was national day). But I had to pay $1000 plus because of the excess and all that. BUT, am so glad that S and N were not in the car with me.

Driving around now of course is a little funny. Everything affects me. Am afraid of getting into another accident. I guess it takes time again to really get back to normal. However, the scary thing is complacency. And that is something I need to check, next to more patience and less swearing!!

Bad Day---Daniel Powter

love this song!!

wow... has been very long

Well, I must say it has been a very long time since I blogged. I guess so many things have been happening in my life that really restricted me in blogging. Stresses of family, work, church and all have been kinda taking a toll on me. Its not that I am not happy or anything like that, its just finding the time to do this. Even my other blog on the LIMS has been neglected. Actually I have loads of pictures of little Nathaniel that I could blog, I guess its just getting down to it.

Well, I will start to blog soon...... but I would probably start with the LIMS one first... more exciting seeing the boy growing!

Valentines Day

14 February 2006 came and went. Very quiet day........

I guess Valentines Day did mean a lot to me when I was much younger. I remember during my JC days at CJC, it was quite a big thing. I would be giving out stalks of flowers and would get stalks in return. Letters, cards and such were the norm. These were amongst good friends I made whilst in JC, nothing romantic in case many of you wonder. Of course there would be one or two which were "special."

But as time went on and I became more sensible, VD seemed to me quite senseless. For many years now, I never celebrated Valentines Day on the day itself. It just was dumb spending a bomb on flowers, presents and the dinner. On any other day, everything was cheaper..... and so for a couple of years when I was attached, I used to celebrate VD the day before or after. No point I would say. This year, Shirl and I decided to not even buy anything for each other and not even celebrate VD. What we did was to have a simple "Italian" dinner on the 13th. We felt that maybe we should just save the money for Nat. But I did get her a nice card telling her I love her and all...... but that was all. It did feel a little funny not getting anything, but my my, can you see what marketing can achieve? To make you feel bad not buying anything for your partner.... isn't that amazing!

I do know of some people who similarly do not celebrate VD on the day itself, but their reason is that "Everyday is Valentines Day..." Now to me that is rather idealistic or close to absurd. Can you feel romantic every single day you are together with your partner? Doesn't he/she get on your nerves sometimes? Anybody who is married/engaged/going steady etc. can tell you that after the first six months to a year of being together (honeymoon period), that "Everyday is NOT Valentines Day."

Anyway, these are just what I think.....no offence to anyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIDEON!!

Shirley and I was invited to Ngian C and Dee Y's son, Gideon's first birthday party yesterday. Was not armed with the digital and thus did not take any shots there. It was great meeting our friends again though it was not that long since we all met! But it was nice.........So thanks Dee for inviting us and HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIDEON!!

Time passes so quickly. GIDEON is already one. Soon it will be NATHANIEL'S turn.

Was just reading an email sent to me by my parents about cherishing our loved ones and that is what we should do. Life is just too short to take people for granted, even how eccentric loved ones may be. Should have saved it to blog it.

Anyway, you get the idea.