La-la-la...

 

My toys were pretty excited. All because it was like them, pint-sized, had a cute little personalised drawing on it, and we all had a sing-a-long session.

Random teenage blurb

Seeing how a good friend's daughter has grown into a teenager brings back memories.

I asked an old friend what was the first cassette he bought, he thought, and went "Paula Abdul's Forever your Girl". I chuckled. That was my first cassette too.

Managed to rack my brains to think a bit of my teenage years, and came with these interesting snapshots.

1) Buying the same Esprit bag as my partner in Sec 3, and bringing home the wrong bags one day. There was no mobile phone in those days and we had no choice but to bring them home first.

2) Sitting in the square in Takashimaya during short day Wednesdays in JC days. Orientation groups, classmates, ex-classmates. There was few suburban malls, no exciting places other than Orchard then.

3) Swapping letters with a good friend every day during common lectures. We wrote pages and pages. We still email now.

4) "Staying back for Projects" was always a great excuse to use for a social gathering of classmates.

5) At 13, I still do not know what possessed me to conduct a science experiment with my partner on 'which brand of chocolate melts the fastest'. In room temperature in tropical Singpore, pretty much none did.

6) Listening and recording songs played in radio- easiest time to do it is during 'Song Dedication' timeslots. I sent a dedication to my class, and also my first crush.

There is no forever after, but happy moments still remain in retrospect.

Flip flap...

When one door closes, another opens.

True and honourable relationships stand the test of time.

Try a little faith...

How do you feel about trading your wisdom for faith?

I tried a little last week. The fact is, your wisdom, still works to certain extents when it comes to the outcome. You can, like me, pour through annual reports, SEC fillings, headache-inducing 138 pages of guidance between GAAP and IFRS in anticipation of the latest interview. But I did something different this week. I asked God to take over, to not land an offer because I did the above, to then take full credit for being 'so prepared'. Of late, I was wary of wanting to orchestrate situations and its outcomes solely by putting faith in my wisdom. I decided to exercise a rather irrational card- faith. I prayed that God gives me the right things to say, that I honour him in my answers. 

I used to think someone will laugh at me for being simplistic if I just trump situations with the 'have faith' card. I thought it might even sounded mindless. Not that I do not prepare for interviews anymore, but I learn not depend on wisdom, but on God's goodness and sovereignty. 

I must say the outcomes have been supernatural too. Such outcomes certainly feed my soul better than a proud pat on my back that my own wisdom has brought me across the circumstantial gamble. 

I found a quote by Tozer that I noted in my journal a few years back.


“To believe actively that our Heavenly Father constantly spreads around us providential circumstances that work for our present good and our everlasting well-being brings to the soul a veritable benediction. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart.

There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God. Our insistence upon seeing ahead is natural enough, but it is a real hindrance to our spiritual progress. God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.” - Tozer

Importance

It takes 4 weeks to gain attachment, 4 months to grow affinity, 4 years to root importance.


It takes 4 weeks to dull attachments, 4 months to change preferences, 4 years to root importance.

What is important to you today? Will it be the same in 4 years time?

Faith

Faith - how to get there

First dig yourself a fairly large hole
Next jump into it
Try your utmost might to get out of it
Realised you have not got a chance to get out
Fret, get angry, frustrated
Cry for help, contemplate giving up
Wait, don't lose hope
Know that someone heard you
Know even if you don't know how
Know even if you don't know when
Know that you will somehow be saved

Or blame yourself for digging the hole
For jumping into it
For not bringing a ladder down
For losing your cool
For acting weak by crying for help
For wasting time to hope
For having no comfort
For uncertainties
For you know that you might never be saved

The things you can be sure of, are death and your own created consequences. God has unseen plans which you need the key of faith to unlock.

I am unlocking a few things.. and it has been exciting so far... unbelievable some days...

When I was 18...

I was just browsing through some classified ads online and came across this particular ad:

i have currently just turned 18 and i wanted to start my own family by starting off with a kitten , if anyoneeeee has one that they will give to me or ill pay a bit before , please contact me , i really want to save and give a good kitty a home

When I was 18, the most independent thing I had done by then was to take an overseas trip out with some friends. I was impressed by this boy because he related turning 18 with the maturity one needs to take care of something else. He posted an ad, and he's willing to even pay a small price (listed in ad as $100) for this experience. He's got a goal in wanting to save a cat.

I kept wondering what my own kid will want at 18. Would he be asking for more responsibility? Would he start relishing in standing on his own two feet?

I am pretty impressed by his maturity.