WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

Sorry for the 2 blog updates.. owe you guyz/gurlz one manz.. but i shall compensate it with this current blogpost, which in the midst of this, will be half-asleep, so pls. forgive me if i dun make any sense in my following blogpost! =)

Remember on my Apr 26 blog, i mentioned about my FYP got an 'A' grade?? I didn't believe it.. so I asked my lecturer.. and guess what... she said considered 'A' but does NOT mean you would get 'A'.. when I heard that, I was like then why are we here in the symposium where we wld not get a guaranteed 'A'? So to cut the long story short, been to school for 2 consecutive days for 3 hrs each day, and do NOTHING but sit around and chit chat.. no one even bother to ask us questions.. we wear until so formal somemore.. its a WASTE of time manz.. arrgghh..

anyway, that's NOT the focus of this blogpost!

Today went with huimin, Ivin (my mission trip mate), jeremiah (my kor's churchmate, whom I thought was a Malay and i still dun believe he is chinese!!), howie (Ivin's friend), minghui (my mission trip mate), and a gal (dun koe her name but its minghui's friend)..

we went to this place called third place and watch perousia perform.. a local christian band.. today they played acoustic, so not those kind of hard metal rock songs today becos' they have a drummer problem.. so ya.. i muz say that perousia is pretty good.. =).. and a few days back, i then koe that the vocalist of perousia is actually the cousin of my mission trip director!! such a small world huh?? heard from huimin that the vocalist of perousia is actually a professor in NUS and i think he is only in his 20's-30's.. impressive huh??
there is this part of the concert where the vocalist forgot to tell the audience that they are suppose to echo a certain part.. so when come to that part, huimin and ivin actually echo and then the vocalist was like a bit embarassed.. so huimin and ivin joke that both of them can become perousia's fan club.. so on the way back, huimin was saying that the fan club of perousia would have only 4 members (me, huimin, ivin & howie).. i was like laughing all the way lohz.. a bit pathetic right.. ha.. a fan club with 4 members?? LOL..

but b4 the performance, we went to this zhi-char place and eat dinner.. and i saw a familiar face.. and the person is none other than........................... *drum roll*.............. the aunty from the chicken rice store opposite my house who now has sold her stall to another owner.. she happen to serve me, and i chatted with and (again, hoping for a discount) her for a while, telling her that I miss her chicken rice.. (at the same time, also hope i can get discount..=P).. but everyone actually agreed that her chilli is nice.. hot and sour.. juz the way I like it.. =).. after i went off, i said bye-bye to her..(again, hoping for a discount!) one day muz patronise her stall again.. =).. but a bit far lah.. outram.. see how next time..

after this dinner, i went to a nearby tiong bahru pau shop and buy 10 char-siew pao and 4 siew-mai for tml breakfast!! my mum call me to buy so many one.. so dun blame me.. =)

yupz.. think that's abt it.. need to sleep early.. need to wake up tml at about 9am to attend a mtg (which actually I'm not involved in, but the person want me to go) at PS at 11am.. haiz.. a bz and hectic week for me, but i like.. haha..

So till then, will blog soon.. the keyword is "soon".. hope not to long.. ha..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT weekend ahead,
<<< aBRIeL >>>

BLOG REVAMPED!!

At last!! finally found some time to revamp this blog.. For those of you who are already sick with my previous blog design, believe this will definately give my blog a refreshing look huh.. =)

But of course, the features of my blog are more or less the same.. except that I canceled the column, "Today's SIZZZZLING Topic", becos' no one seems to be taking part in it.. =(

But anyway, have spend the WHOLE morning + a bit of the afternoon (6hrs in all mind you) to revamped this site!! Look simple right?? but I tell u, its like trial and error, plus sitting in front of my com and crack my head as to how to solve one of the difficult problems that I have.. but will not elaborate.. lazy to type and I think u also lazy to read.. hahaz.. =)

So what do you think of my revamped site?? Pls. give me FEEDBACK via the Shoutbox! column. Thanx a lot!!

If you are a FIRST-TIME visitor, feel free to inscribe your entry into my guestbook.. Thank you..

k.. gtg and rest.. tired manz.. think I'm suffering from computer vision syndrome, which symptoms include blurness of eyes, dizziness, and pain in the back, etc..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< aBrIeL >>>

BLESSINGS JUST KEEP OVERFLOWING !! PTL!!

I just realised that I have been TREMENDOUSLY blessed by my heavenly Daddy! i just got a call from my lecturer and she told me that my group got an 'A' grade for my FYP (Final Year Project)! Thank God!!

When i heard that, i was not say very happy, even though I should!! Becos' I'm required to attend the FYP Symposium whereby students and lecturers would see our posters and ask us questions.. and if we answered well, then we would be promoted to having 'Distinction' grade for my FYP. so ya.. thought i can relac one corner a bit, but now, have to go back to school.. haiz.. but overall, i still want to Thank HIM !!

To God be ALL glory!! =)

Site Updates:

* apparently, the spelling for the Crampler bag is spelled WRONGLY! The changed "version" is already done! Thanx Chay!

* Also changed the countdown to a earlier date as well as event.. will explain more in my following blogpost!

============================================================
U LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY !

After service today, my whole gin-gang (except Carlise) went to Broadway coffeeshop (@ Potong Pasir) to have our lunch, becos' most of us have to attend committee mtg.. and suddenly i got the shock of my life!! The Hainan Chicken Rice shop has closed down!! the BEST chicken rice I've tasted so far has closed down!!
Kor.. can u believe it?? i'm sure you mention abt chicken rice, and trust me!! this chicken rice stall that i mentioned, is one of THE BEST!! ya.. haiz..
but actually, dun plan to eat chicken rice during lunch!! plan to eat the Fried Hokkien Mee instead.. its famous and i muz say nice!! but chilli not as shiok!
So in order to maintain my weight, i share my lunch with my dad.. but in the end, he ate more than me! haha.. my dad also plan to lose weight! =)

so anyway, after that, i suddenly got the urge to drink MOCHA RUMBHA FRAPPUCINO from Starbucks!! wendy got me influenced to switch from Coffee Bean to Starbucks! serious!! but of course, she drink latte and i drink my fave. drink lohz =)..
so she actually like 1 week, drink 5 times of latte! 1 cup a day! bad for health wendy!! =P..
so Starbucks now come with a redemption card.. so I actually got my FREE Frappucino frm Wendy!! so ya.. =)
so think frm now on, I'll go to Starbucks and drink my kopi instead! ha.. =)
anyway, we are that desperate, that the whole gin-gang went frm Potong Pasir and take a NEL train to Plaza Singapura's Starbucks.. we a bit crazy right?? true but we also want to pass time!! we have got like 90mins before the mtg starts!! so its quite logical lah hor!! =)

You may wonder y such a title for a blogpost!!

well.. because today i attend the church committee meeting (finally!).. and of course, i NOT committee member but go there and kpo lahz.. but it seems like i'm one of the committee member liaoz.. becos' if i not there, my pastor wld ask my dad or ppl like Wendy, where am I.. so yupz.. not official but considered one! *grins*

anyway, today my pastor not present at mtg, so the leader of my church took over. He gave a short sermon abt. our priorites which I would like to briefly juz state the 4 priorites, and they are in DESCENDING ORDER !

1: GOD
2: Family
3: Work
4: Ministry (Its more of fellowship-ping with one another!)

so yupz.. when i heard this, i thought it was rather useful.. so if you can, try to base your life on these 4 priorites and you will be pleasing in the eyes of God, becos' you have priortise your life well =)

k.. so dun u think u learn new things today?? ha..

anyway, juz received a mail from ForeRunners that I have a music practice on the 07/05/2004 (Friday) for the WHOLE of Campus Crusade Mission Trippers! The event is called, "commissioning nite" and this will be like an official start-off to the project!! woo-hoo!!
We, the music missions team have the privilege and the honor to lead in worship for the Commissioning Nite.. so yupz.. looking forward for that time manz.. can't wait for 07/05/2004 to come!! you all now can see how 'gan chiong' or excited i am ya?? =) *grinning from ear to ear with excitement"!

I've got the Thai Song (for my mission trip) frm my a gal who is in my team, and she studies Thai !! I have sent her a personal email to request for the translation of the song, so that I'm able to sing it as a special item in church.. =)

k... think that's all.. sorry for the long blogposts for the 2 blogpost of today!! think my habit of being a old grandfather came back again.. =)

k.. gtg and sleep.. very tired..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< aBRIeL >>>

WEIGHT LOSS!!

Well.. sorry for the multiple entries that was entered into my Fri, Apr 23's blog update !! They look the same, but i added some things inside like thanking my jie, etc.. so the updated one is of course 23/4.. yupz.. =)

Anyway, the subject of this blogpost states it all !! Believe it or not!! I LOST 6kg just by studying/preparing/sitting for my main examinations!! I was that stressed!! But feel really happy lohz.. in my whole life, i NEVER manage to lose so much weight!!
So currently, i'm trying very hard to maintain my current weight (ie, after the 6kg loss), and if possible, i will cut down my diet!! yupz.. that desperate to lose weight!! not becos' i'm going NS or what!! It's just i dun koe.. a guy thing?? =P
So kor, i was telling jie at cell today.. maybe you cld study a lot or get urself stressed, so that you can lose weight too?? =P.. but a question!! do you eat more when u are stressed?? if you do, then i'm afraid that this does NOT work for you !! =)

Anyway, 3/4 of today i was at the computer changing the soft copy of the chords of my worship team's worship compilation.. becos' i'm appointed the role of the 'chief musician' in my church (make me sound so old!!).. but anyway, I've got this new responsibility of changing the soft copy as well as the hard copy (for EVERY wk's service).. 'shiong' right?? But manage to finish 3/4 of it, so not so bad..

yesterday, (Fri - 23/4/2004), i spend the WHOLE day doing my church camp FINAL church publicity ppt (for screening on 15/5.. I'm NOT fast!! I'm juz doing in advance.. u wld koe y later!! so read on..).. glad it turn out ok.. and wendy said no problem!! so its juz left for approval for the camp chairman and my pastor !! think shld not be a problem, but rules are rules.. need to go thru' them first b4 screening!!
i tried to burn it in a CD-RW, juz in case i forgot to burn it for their approval on thurs, becos' i going for camp mtg on thurs.. so yupz.. on the way.. but wat happen was my computer kenna virus, so that means i have to RE-FORMAT my com.. haiz.. another 10 hrs of work in order for my com to work properly again.. =(

anyway, while doing the ppt yesterday and changing the chords this morning, I have been listening to my music missions CD at least abt 20-30 times!!
because i got the burned CD by ForeRunners and they asked me to hear it, so that I would be familiar with the songs, so that i can also play easily when on the keyboard.. =)

but i muz say the songs are quite secular!!I at first thought it was 2-3 secular songs, but didn't koe that there were abt. 4-5 songs that were secular; only knew this when I let Nicholas (my cell grp mate) hear it and he told me its a secular song!! There is artistes like Stacie Orico (singing "more to life" & "i promise"), Joey Mactyre (singing "stay the same"), and Smashmouth (singing "i'm a believer" from the Shrek movie soundtrack). There is also a metal rock song from a dun koe wat rock grp.. not into rock.. juz hope i'm not playing for that song!!
Apparently, there are 3 keyboardists (including me!) on my mission trip, so think each of us plays different songs.. i think!

anyway, out of all the songs inside the CD, i like the Thai song the best, and yes! its in Thai and I muz learn how to play the Thai song.. juz in case.. but I've spend about an hour on it.. and I'm glad to say that I have figured out more or less the chords for that Thai song.. and of course, its by trial and error or commonly refered to as "playing by ear" (not literally hor.. ha).. if i'm not playing the Thai song and I dun sing, I plan to learn it and get the chords.. may do it one day for my church special song!

remember juz now i mentioned about y I do my ppt. so fast and i mentioned that i have no time, this is becos' on the 10/5 - 12/5, i have to attend a stay-in Alpha Retreat organized by ForeRunners to get familiar with my team-mates and all.. and after which, its daily trips from 9am to 5.30pm to ForeRunner's office (which is at South Buona Vista Road-- its VERY far from my hse!! I stay in the North mind you!) for INTENSIVE practice sessions for 1 mth! then its off to ChiangMai, Thailand from 6/6 - 18/6.. so now u koe y i said I no time.. =)

WATCH (Wendy, Abriel [that's ME!], Tiffany, Carlise, Huimin) had a short mtg after cell group today, discussing as to whether we want to undertake a step of faith to lead a session of worship for the Full Gospel Fellowship's conference (where there are a lot of businessmen).. Wendy was telling me that at first, she reclined the offer becos' she thuoght i wld be enlisting in the army during the august period! but the person told her not to worry.. God will provide!! and true enuf, i got deferred until 16/8 and the conference wld be held from 12/8-14/8.. and that means, I got deferred juz in time for this conference..
so Wendy was asking us whether we want to undertake this challenge!! and of course, we all say yes lahz!! I was thinking that it wld be a really BIG step of faith, since we only face to a congregation of abt. 40+ every week.. but this conference is different!! it would be in front of about 1000 ppl who makes up the congregation!! this really needs a BIG step of faith!! never in my life, I would imagine myself to be in such a situation!!

But certainly, I believe that God really has a Will for me to be in this area of worship.. first, its my mission trip.. then came to this conference thingy!! really thank God for all the blessings that He has showered me!! Both events will definitely be part of my life n i will treasure it for the rest of my life, as it would be one of the interesting chapters in my life.
In future when l'm in heaven, i wld really want God to tell me, "good and faithful servant!"

*suddenly so inspirational.. probably i wrote this at early Sunday morning!*

Well.. the following thought juz came to my mind while I'm writing this blogpost!

"What is life?"
Is life all about studying? enjoyment? sleeping? have the 5C's (Cash, Condo, Credit Card, Car, Country Club)? or is life's all about fulfilling God's purpose and do His Will?

Well.. take time to ponder over the thought!! not sure whether it makes sense (becos' i'm like hald-dead when I write this blogpost!).. but at least, it makes ur mind work a bit.. =)

k lahz.. hope you are now more 'filled-in' with my life.. =)

gtg and sleep.. wake up 7hrs later for church..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< aBrIeL >>>

HAPPY.. SHALALALA...

Well.. its been 19 days since I have touched this system and all you hungry ppl out there who are dying to koe my whereabouts, happenings, etc.. you shall get ur fill in this blogpost.. hahaz.. =)

anyway, today is the day where i finish my final year exam paper and i dun need to go to school anymore (except for the graduation ceremony).. =)

so anyway, today paper is relatively easy.. quite confident that i will get a low B for this paper.. =)

then the next thing I'm happy about is that I have been SUCCESSFULLY defered of my enlistment date.. so my new enlistment date is 16/08/2004 instead of the 10/06/2004 !! All glory be to God!

Thanx God huh.. =)

Before i went to CMPB, my jie (ie, Huimin) actually sent me an encouragement SMS.. which says that the burden is lighter as we are sharing the burden in prayer and God is in control.. so sweet right ?? was tremendously touched when i saw that SMS.. ok.. i was exaggerating on the touchy bit.. but seriously.. i was so touch and encouraged at the same time.. =) so THANK YOU jie!! =)

Then i did my quiet time this morning.. and the scripture reading for the day was Isaiah 40:25-31.. and I was so shocked to see that of all days, the verse (Isa 40:31) did NOT "come out" in my daily QT and of all days, it came out today! and of course, I'm claiming the verse the whole day!!
The verse is Isaiah 40:31 - "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Indeed the Lord has sustain me throughout my exam period (studying late nites and all.. and also all those cramming becos' study all last minute mahz.. and on top of that, my deferment issue..) But God was so gracious.. in a sense that He gave me the strength, and also prayers and encouragement SMSes frm close friends from church.. I feel so fortunate to have such an AMAZING, SUPER DUPER HEAVENLY DADDY as well as close friends.. But of course, all these are God-given !! =)

Anyway, throughout yesterday (21/04/2004), I've got this strong feeling that God is testing my faith, since support raising comes easily to me.. =)

so its like after my last exam paper today, I kept on praying along my journey.. I prayed even more intensely when I'm at CMPB.

At first i went to this counter.. i gave her 3 things (my own personal type-written letter, the e-receipt for the air-ticket and the letter written by the director of ForeRunners) and i told her about my situation.. then she called up her "boss" and they say cannot..

then i told them that it is already paid and not refundable.. mentioned also the cost.. $1800..

then she called me to show proof.. i then showed her the e-receipt.. she then ask me i book b4 the date of enlistment letter (ie, 01/04/2004), and i said yes! she then called me to show them.. but of course, I can't.. so i suggest to them that they can call the travel agency.. but they still insist that i shld get a receipt from the travel agency.. apparently, the e-receipt was not enough.

then one lady officer came out and took my letter and all the necessary documents and went into a room and discuss with dun koe who.. then there was no one.. i prayed this time very intensely.. i actually prayed in tongues!! and then i saw this lady photocopying my personal letter, simon's letter and the e-receipt, and i koe that i got successfully defered!! PTL!!

so i was like very happy leave CMPB...

well.. this certainly make my day..

this yr, dun plan to go to my school's graduation dinner becos' very ex.. so instead, I will go out with my friends another day to have buffet or sumthing.. =)

so ya.. dun koe wat else to say anymore.. =).. too much to say..

k.. gtg and do other things liaoz.. i so happy.. =)

Ciaoz n have a GREAT day ahead,
<<< aBrIeL >>>

HAPPY.. SHALALALA...

Well.. its been 19 days since I have touched this system and all you hungry ppl out there who are dying to koe my whereabouts, happenings, etc.. you shall get ur fill in this blogpost.. hahaz.. =)

SUCCESSFULLY defered of my enlistment date.. so my new enlistment date is 16/08/2004 instead of the 10/06/2004 !! All glory be to God!

Thanx God huh.. =)

Before i went to CMPB, my jie (ie, Huimin) actually sent me an encouragement SMS.. which says that the burden is lighter as we are sharing the burden in prayer and God is in control.. so sweet right ?? was tremendously touched when i saw that SMS.. ok.. i was exaggerating on the touchy bit.. but seriously.. i was so touch and encouraged at the same time.. =) so THANK YOU jie!! =)

Then i did my quiet time this morning.. and the scripture reading for the day was Isaiah 40:25-31.. and I was so shocked to see that of all days, the verse (Isa 40:31) did NOT "come out" in my daily QT and of all days, it came out today! and of course, I'm claiming the verse the whole day!!
The verse is

Indeed the Lord has sustain me throughout my exam period (studying late nites and all.. and also all those cramming becos' study all last minute mahz.. and on top of that, my deferment issue..)
then i told them that it is already paid and not refundable.. mentioned also the cost.. $1800..

then she called me to show proof.. i then showed her the e-receipt.. she then ask me i book b4 the date of enlistment letter (ie, 01/04/2004), and i said yes! she then called me to show them.. but of course, I can't.. so i suggest to them that they can call the travel agency.. but they still insist that i shld get a receipt from the travel agency.. apparently, the e-receipt was not enough.

then one lady officer came out and took my letter and all the necessary documents and went into a room and discuss with dun koe who.. then there was no one.. i prayed this time very intensely..

Saturday, April 03, 2004

AS USUAL.. =(

Well.. as the title goes.. as usual.. the same stuff each time.. anyway, its like i'm sleeping a lot of late nites and wake up early in the morning.. if this goes on, i think i will die standing.. hahaz.. =)

anyway, nothing much to update.. its work and studies.. nothing really significant this wk.. probably becos' of the same thing that I do this wk..

but nxt wk is definately one exciting wk!! music retreat, passion of christ movie (which I'm dying to see) and the easter outreach at Temasek Polytechnic.. interesting huh..

so yupz.. you have to wait till nxt wait for another dose of updates.. meanwhile,

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< aBrIeL >>>