What Faith Means To Us?

Just as Jon was inspired by the Nigerian bro (Obina) last Sun, Jon would love to extend his awe to you, readers…

From Obina:

There were three Americans from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) who shared their testimonies on how God brought them to Nigeria for evangelistic mission. The 3 Americans were given a vision to go to Nigeria for evangelistic missions. Fyi, due to some political reasons, Nigerians has always faced with problems getting visas to United States and vice versa. Hence when the 3 Americans received this calling, they knew they were facing uphill task ahead, not to mention about their financial woes of getting the money for the air tickets to Nigeria as they were only, well, youth…

Knowing that it was a vision from God, they kept faith and went to apply for visas. True enough, they received their visas without any problem. What made it so miraculous was that it only took them a couple of weeks for the approval while people had spent months waiting but nothing happened… It was an affirmation by God for them to go ahead as per their vision.

However, the true test came as neither 3 of them had the money to buy the air tickets from US to Nigeria. So what they did is to pray earnestly to God for His intervention again… without knowing how. To show their commitment to God’s vision, they booked the air tickets to Nigeria in 3 weeks time, praying at the same time that some how the financial support would come. But neither of them knew what was going to happen. What they did is simply committing themselves to prayers.

As the days went by, nothing happened. Finally the day of departure arrived. There was still no sign of anyone coming forward with the financial support to help. They were worried and gathered to pray desperately. As they prayed, God gave them Words to go ahead as planned. Without any clue, they packed their luggages and headed to the airport.

They reached the airport on time and waited at the departure lobby hoping for a miracle. However as the time drew nearer to departure time, there was still no sign of anyone coming forward to offer them any money to pay for the tickets that they booked. Nothing much they could do but to continue praying for God’s miracle. 10 mins to the departure time, no signs of anything. 6pm - departure time, still no news. 5 mins passed departure time, nothing happened. All the while as they were waiting, they were constantly in prayers… just as they were about to give up hope, there was a special announcement made from the airport’s PA system asking for anyone who were supposed to head for Nigeria but had not board the plane yet. From that moment they knew God was calling out to them, hence they rushed to the counter as directed by the PA system…

Though they were unsure where they could find the money to buy the air tickets, they simply hurried there to find out more about the announcement made. To their astonishment, the counter staff told them that a cab driver just came minutes earlier, passed 3 air tickets to her as instructed by someone that there were 3 people waiting for these tickets to go to Nigeria, and left. And what made it so special was that the flight was also been delayed for half an hour for some reasons that allowed them to check in after the departure time. Without further hesitation they boarded the plane to Nigeria!

Now that was FAITH for you as almost all the people in YWAM (Youth With A MISSION) had experienced God’s grace on them as they kept faith in Him.

Now, how many of us would do such “absurd” things? Like most people, I would at least expect God to “provide” me with the money first or “planned ahead” before replying “YES” to God… What a shame…

SUPER WEEKEND!

What a wonderful weekend it has been!

For those who are not aware, Jon has started his “Lunch Fasting” since Thursday as an act of devotion to our God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ before the actual church camp in mid June to prepare my heart for SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH! Never did I realize that the moment I take this leap of faith, God is also quick to declare His love for me as well.

FRIDAY
Had a unit gathering instead of the usual CG. Was very glad to see a dear sister, Priscilla sharing testimony on how she was invited to serve God via the CG more earnestly. It was wonderful to see how INK’s CG grew spiritually as I still remembered during one of our lunch prayer meet, we were praying for God’s hands on them. Though the testimony was a little draggy, but it was really cool as she spoke from her usual self and that counts! Brought a little memory of myself when I was sharing my own testimony… Yes, there was something I am missing now… The little “spark” in Christ seems dimmer now as I took my eyes away from the LIGHT…

Anyway, the video clip on Hope Johannesburg also inspired me. The kind of passion from those African’s eyes was the exact tonic to generate the spark in me. Yes, it really brought me back onto the spiritual pedal as I realized that there were still many things undone yet… If the Africans could serve God without having anything, what about us living in such a comfort zone with so much luxury things around us… It’s really a shame that most Christian in Singapore even grumbled that they are not “READY” to serve God yet…

Saturday
Great day of rest as I woke up at 10am, took my breakfast, watched TV and got back to bed again until 4pm… Wonderful! It’s been a while I could be LAZY for a day as normally I have football game on Sat afternoons. Was woken up by SG actually as we supposed to meet up at East Coast for blading… Woohooo! It’s been a long while since I have bladed… Anyway, the actual term for blading is called Inline Skating, folks! Met up Karen and SG at around 5pm and started skating from Mac to Fort Rd, then to Mac for a break, then to Bedok Jetty and back to Mac for dinner…

However I wasn’t realized that God is so faithful as what supposed to be a casual skating session became a very nourishing spiritual session as we discussed a lot of spiritual stuffs along the journey that were very fruitful. In fact the break at Mac was unusually long one as we went into some in-depth discussions on church, CG, people relationships and life… I knew from my heart that this was another Divine Arrangement that God pre-planned as Karen and SG “enlightened” me on couple of things which were dwelling in me a while ago… well I guess you guys would know what it was if you have been following my blog.

After skating, we also had a very long dinner as we continued our spiritual discussions and it really impressed me to see how far SG has come along spiritually as he shared about his knowledge on the history of “Jerusalem” – as we hit the topic on the movie “Kingdom Of Heaven”. It’s a good show to watch, if you haven’t…

Well, end my day on a high note as I spent the rest of my night with God to follow through on the spiritual high I had… Thank God, I am now very focus on what I’m looking for during this Church Camp (Have you?). Dear God, please continue to crystallize my vision on you!

SUNDAY
What a great service yet again. Topic: Commitment To The Local Church

Needless to say much, I just felt that God is again at the Centre Of My Life, as He knew exactly what I was going through. Just when my faith was wavering over all the things around me, in church and in CG, this sermon specifically talked about how important everyone is to CG and then to the Church. In fact, we had a CG Pledge and the sermon managed to touch on almost everything I wished to know. I really hoped that everyone listening would be re-charged into serving God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ again.

However it wasn’t the end on my spiritual “replenishment” yet. I met up Elaine (our UL), Doreen (a German friend) and Obina (a Nigerian friend) for dinner this evening. Obina (hope I spelled correctly) is a member from YWAM ( Youth With A Mission – A Missionary Organization which send people out for missionary training) and he is here in Singapore for a few months training on missionary. This guy, only 20, speaks fluent English and he inspired me inside out through his several powerful testimonies about FAITH… Oh God! What a timely intervention by your Mighty Hands as I felt my faltering faith REBORNED again!

To sum it all, “If there is any problem in life, its not a problem after all in God’s eyes.” Your job is simply do according to His calling and then leave your eyes open to see how God unfolds His plans to you.

Amen!

The things that make me go "HUH!?"

As promised, this post will be talking about what had happened the past couple of weeks that makes me go “HUH!?” For those who are a new believer in Christ, I suggest you click on “NEXT BLOG” button at the top right side of the page now.

It all started after the re-shuffling of the CGs and I was transferred to a totally stranger group. My heart was full of enthusiasm as I couldn’t wait to meet my new Bro/Sis in Christ, but my mind knew that there would be a period of transition, and I was unsure how long this period would last. All I could do was to pray… and true enough I was left all ALONE praying to God everyday!

Here’s the list that I had been through over the past weeks:

1. As the saying goes, “… but teach a man how to fish and he can fish for life…” I was left all alone to “fish” in a totally new environment.

2. I lost my spiritual leaders in Joel and Karen and was allocated a new shepherd, who dun know me, my past, my present, my work, my life & my dreams.

3. I went into a new CG who dun knows me, my past, my present, my work, my life & my dreams.

4. For many weeks, I attended Sun services and Fri CG alone and went home alone.

5. For many weeks, I operated alone as my new shepherd was busy; in fact as I am writing now, we have not met for shepherding yet…

6. I was left with “self growth” and Satan was smiling at me everyday, telling me that the world is beautiful.

7. I started to blog in order to release part of my stress into Internet.

8. I saw one of my Bro M’s blog (U know who… haha), and saw the “other” side of him.

9. As I am in advertising… my life was embraced with temptations, desires & sins…

10. My mind was constantly been attacked & my soul was draining… as I tried hard to stand firm in Christ… alone.

11. Words of God had to be interpreted by my own understanding as I found no one sharing and to confide in…

12. I looked at my previous CG where people were enjoying each other’s company each week, and each week I was left pondering who would be my next “buddy” in Christ.

13. I saw matured Christians sharing jokes more than sharing Christ…

14. I saw matured Christians looking drained.

15. I saw matured Christians not behaving like one.

16. I saw matured Christian with less convictions and passion.

17. Outreach outings went “nowhere” as people were more concerned about themselves.

18. I felt church system sux, as I became the “victim of system” as I was trapped into a “lonely spiritual world”.

19. I tried to get near people from other CG, and was given a “Why aren’t you with your CG?” stares…

20. I started small chats with people and ended with short chats.

Ok, ok… 20 pointers are more than enough to make you say “HUH!?” right? Before everyone start panicking over me, dun worry. Like I said, everything had been sorted out now…

Everything in life happened for a reason, and God has it all planned out. Like I said in my previous post, "God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life."

For those who were going through any one of the above or all the above, please do not hesitate to contact me for a chat. My heart is convicted to write this post so that you know you are not alone in Christ.

Do not worry, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39 Await the day our Lord reveals all the answers to your doubts…

Amen.

second post of the day

My second post of the day. Nway, the previous post was for yesterday happening. So here is today's happening.

This evening had a wonderful time with my CL, Chris, over dinner. It was a timely dinner by God's arrangement as I was going through a "questioning period" over my new CG & the church. Mind you, no one knew what I am going through except God and this evening I managed to see why some things happened and also I was able to get some answers I need, Praise The Lord!

I will be doing a lot of meditation tonight for further directions from God then... ok, time for QT... Will share with you guys more in my next post!

Before I leave, I felt convicted to share with those reading this blog now:
"God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life."

May you be empowered! Amen.

FTP AGAIN!

Yesterday was another miserable night with the ftp download again. Someone recommended me “CuteDownload” as this time round I needed to download 2 x 20MB files from my UK supplier. It turned out to be “Sux-Big-Time-Download”. Messed around with downloading the program alone took me the whole night, managed to try downloading the first file for almost 1 hour before the ftp went “bizarre”. The ftp folder suddenly went missing??? The folder became empty. WHATSUP?! It was already past 12am… My client needed those files first thing next morning.

Called up my UK supplier at our 12 plus am, which to them was around 4 plus pm. My UK counterpart suggested to email the 2 x 20MB files to me!? Out of “Desperation”, I obliged. Half an hour later, he called to tell me the emails bounced back! “…#@*%…”

Lastly he decided to give me via the old link that I managed to download a file the other day. It took me slightly more than 1 hour per file. What I did – slept through that 1 hour while leaving the laptop to download the first file. Set alarm clock to wake up again at around 3 am for the second file. And lastly managed to wait up again (dun noe y?) at 6 plus to off my “overworked but no OT” laptop! Juz too bad!

Anyone got a better idea to download 20MB files via ftp?

FTP Problem

I’m gettting helpless and frustrated. I’m stuck in the office for the past 2 hours, downloading a 10MB file from my London counterpart - via ftp. As I download, the window says 1 hour 38 min… In fact I dun mind waiting, but since 2 hours ago, the timer has been stopping at 1 hour 15 mins… Wassup???!!!

Someone HELP! Arggg… >=S (fuming!)

Fine, shall start blogging while waiting… It’s been 4 days since my last entry… All I have in mind is… Busy, busy & busy - with work… BUT looking at my files, there are only 2 deals from this month??? Ops! Have been working 12 hours a day, but the financial rewards seems to speak otherwise… Hiaz…

Guess that’s the cost of running a business… its like Rabbit-Tortoise race. Whoever has the patience + steady steps, the business will eventually take off one day… We shall see… Anyway gonna trust God for it right; if there is no business, it means no income for me and then I can’t tithe men… ha ha! =p

However today was a very good day. Heard a few people giving good comments on our works so far. I guess this is the beginning of great things to come. Just hope that we have the stamina to last until the great things unfolds… Well, only then I can talk about EVANGELISM! God, you heard me? Yes, I’m planning to build your Kingdom when the business takes off! Leaving all this in your hands, Lord! Amen

Great news! Just when I finished saying “Amen”, God gave me the wisdom to abort the download and seek help from Just Media colleague. They have powerful desktop. Eden, a graphic person, helped me with the download as I emailed the link over. He is staying over tonight as they are rushing on some works. Guess what? The timer indicated 41 mins only! After a while it became 20 mins and as I am writing now, the download has come to 12 mins and still counting down! Thank God! I’m going home soon.

Amen x3 !!!

A Timely Answer Indeed

Just when I woke up feeling guilty going to church this morning, I was in for a good surprise. If you have read about my ending of my last entry on “Boozes & Boobs versus Bread & Bible”, I was praying for “Self-Control” and I was also worried about the high price that Christians will be paying to follow Christ. This morning, God again answered me again at the timing only He knows best! Perhaps I shall just summarize what the sermon is and you digest it yourself…

Topic: Living Life On The Edge
Bible Verse: John 12:24
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Jon says: A short but powerful verse. Following Christ is actually a journey of slowly dropping off your old habits one by one and picking up the new “Life” bit by bit until your life is totally transformed… It is a very long and difficult process, as you have to give up many wonderful things in life that we used to be doing but was not “right” in God’s eyes… Though what is “Right” & “Wrong” are subjective individually, so it is essential that we study the Word of God, or in short The Holy Bible, understand it, and put it into practice. It is something that everyone of us struggle to do, but knowing that God is faithful and real in shaping our lives, most of us were compelled and encourage to follow what He wants us to do…

To explain John 12:24, Pastor Ben actually preached it into 2 parts this morning:

1. Following Christ means dying to SELF. (verse 24-a)

In short the process of dying to SELF is actually very well demonstrated by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Been crucified, buried & resurrected; in this case, “crucifying” our old habits, “burying” them and been “resurrected” with a new life. 3 simple steps indeed, BUT just how many of us are willing to do that? Like I mentioned in my earlier entry, how many people are willing to exchange “Boozes & Boobs” for “Bread & Bible”? Jesus has also mentioned this in Luke 9:23 “… If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Maybe you are asking what are the things to be “crucified” now, well Jesus’ answer to you can be found in Colossians 3:5 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly things: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” In fact, it really takes more than courage, my friend! With our today’s society, our cultures have all been “re-shaped” by the world, especially - the media! What do you think how most people feel when TV serials like “Sex & the City” and “Desperate Housewives” are among the all time favorite lists!?

2. Death Of SELF brings FRUITFULNESS. (verse 24-b)

Jesus has said in Mathew 10:39 “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Perhaps many of us had hear people saying that they have tried finding God but to no avail…or perhaps you are the one saying that… so now ask yourself what have you done during the process of seeking God? Especially those who were from “Catholic” / “Christian” schools from young, who claimed to know Jesus and had read the bible many times but still do not know God personally, its time to reflect again…

Frankly speaking, during this 11 months journey of seeking Christ, I must admit that there were a lot of things I am still trying to “crucify”, however looking back what I was, I guess I have done whatever I could from my own capacity… True enough we will stumble and fall at times, but the experience of God been there to guide you and lift you up from that “pit-hole” is something that re-assured me that He is there… Just like your lifetime “lover”, been with you when you are most vulnerable, dropping encouragements whenever you require them and revealing His power to give you the confidence you need in life. I guess most of us had relationships before and should understand what I am saying. Well… ending my note, all I have to say is “Lord, you have overwhelmed me!”

Amen!

“Boozes & Boobs” versus “Bread & Bible”

This morning (Sat morning) I woke up feeling like the most sinful person in church. Like Paul was compelled to share the gospels with the people during the early church planting days, I am now compelled to share with you the dark truth about today’s fallen world and the challenges that all of us (especially Christ Followers) will be facing. And the most freaking thing when I recall back is that God actually put me through this experience on Friday, 13th! (Guess you must be thinking what the hell had happened to me right? Read on…)

To those not in media industry, last Friday was actually FHM’s party and the announcement of the top 100 sexist woman was on the agenda! Just like how “sex” could stir up interest, my media friends had also made plans for this event. As their friend and “supplier” in the media business, I was compelled to go. Anyway after God has empowered me over the last 11 months, what can still “tempt” me right? Since God is with me, whom shall I fear?

However it didn’t take me long to realize that we were just another vulnerable being whether God is with you or not.

As expected, the event started off with a “bang” as 7 top female Eurasians models walked out of the stage in skimpy sexy lingerie. One by one each model paraded down the runway flaunting their assets with cheers from every corner in that all too familiar Zouk’s dance floor. Yes, I was one of them with my eyes sticking to every of their movements. Wolf whistles were everywhere and up there the models were all professionals and posed to the beats… Over at our table, we were toasting each other with every sexy pose made… without realizing much, I had downed 4 glasses of Ginger Ales and another 4 Johnny Walker with coke!

For those not in media, these are the things that keeps people coming back for media functions… eye catching shows, music, free flow of alcohol and women!!! As for gals, there will be gorgeous men as well…

Indeed it was a SWELLING function. We were treated with the countdown of Top 100 sexist woman from around the world, there were sexy runway models entertaining us in intervals with lingerie, bikinis and translucent sexy casual wear with nothing underneath… Guys were left gasping the air as disco lights shone onto the models’ body revealing their contours. Air con needs to be on the MAX to bring down the heat, tissues were in demand as most guys ended up with bleeding noses and the drinks just couldn’t stop filling up our table. Before the function ended, I felt my temperature on boiling point as my whole face heated up! I realized that I was on a high as I could sense that I was no longer standing but floating… Everyone seemed friendlier and we were talking more openly…

One thing about group outing is this: its either you “get” into the same level of “soberness” or go home… it is also to “talk” in the same frequency with them or shut up… As a “supplier” in the media industry, I guess the answer was very clear to you now.

I was actually the first person to reach that “high” level as I was drinking with an empty stomach. To a point I had to rush to toilet and gulped tap water to bring my “high” down. It was still all right for me as I was already used to drinking in the past, so I knew how to keep myself in the “safety” level. However it was the “PR” that made me felt way too “sinful”… In order to communicate with media people, I had to “speak” their language… Without long, I was back to my “old” self-swearing savvy media guy. Chats during this kind of function never moved away from women… Yes, like I said, it was a night purely based on boozes and boobs! Suddenly, I was behaving like a typical media guy… drinking and talking like a pro in the game.

I hit the cab at 3am in the morning with the smell of Johnny Walker lingering in my mouth. I was feeling so “high” that I could swallow an elephant. My mind was filled with images of sexy models and I recounted I probably sweared dozens of “F@#K” from my mouth… It was a night that I had left GOD at home… yes; it was a night that I was a SINNER! Just like Matthew 26:41 says – “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

I managed to cook a bowl of Maggie mee when I reached home. It was the only time after a long night that I could face my Lord finally. I managed to remember to give thanks for the bowl of Maggie mee before I swallowed it up. My prayers when giving thanks was this: To wash all sinful deeds from my mouth into my digestive system. To replenish my stinking soul and mind & to refresh myself with the Holy Spirit which I had left home…

This morning I laid on my bed and began to wonder… What can we do, as Christ Followers, to bring all these people (whom I met in Zouk) to God? With all the temptations, I realized that we were facing an uphill task in spreading the gospels. The price is high for a lot of people: To exchange Boozes and Boobs for Bread and Bible. Who says being a Christian is easy? The price of being one is high. That’s the challenge that is facing the non-believers right down. It’s also something that our youth will be facing in the future as they choose between “being alive and kicking” and “to be buried and resurrected in Christ”.

As for myself, I know that I have to face with all this again in the future. It is my job and it is just part and parcel to “PR” in life… Jesus had mentioned before in Mathew 10:16 – “I am sending you out like sheep among the wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” I just have to keep praying to God that I am able to practice Self Control in future functions. I hope it will be like what 1 Corinthians 10:13 says – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

New Challenge: To cast a model like this!!! Somebody Help! 

How Blessed! (Sat-Mon)

My sleep was interrupted by a call on early Sat morning (8am); it was the Regional Group Director of a regional advertising company. We had earlier confirmed a talent for a shoot on yesterday but their photographer could not make it last minute. Hence she asked if I could help?

Praise the Lord, I was just talking to Reina on Friday to see if any miracle can happen to let us handle the shoot and here I was receiving this call directly from the Regional Group Director. I told her that I could help and we arranged to meet later that afternoon 3pm.

It was still way too early before my soccer game at 11am hence I decided to go breakfast with my mum! Yes, take it as early “Mother’s Day” treat… he he, since I knew I have to work on Sun… =)

Had a bruising soccer match later that morning, ending with swollen legs on both my legs but didn’t really felt the pain at all, perhaps my mind was all set on the meeting later with the “major” client. I hurried to the office half an hour earlier to set up our meeting room, prepared all the glasses for water and also “invested” on some pastries from Delifrance to impress my client… he he… like I always said, we are in “Show Biz”!

Finally the clients arrived, total 5 of them… 1 of them was the End-Client from a well-known skin care company. In fact the meeting was “To-The-Point” as they simply briefed me on what they needed… actually it surprised my as none of them had requested to see our photography portfolios. That showed how desperate they were and how much they trusted 1 of their staff for introducing our company to them… (Yes the staff is one of a friend)

After listening to the brief, I knew we could do it, and I accepted the job confidently. What amazed me the most was how direct the Regional Group Director went about doing her business as she simply told me how much the client was willing to pay. Probably this wa the budget that they had already set aside for the other photographer who could not carry out this assignment. Luckily for us, that photographer was a well-known one; hence the budget given to us was GOOD… Thank God, it was a “GIFT”!

I knew there would be a very long taxing day ahead. From the time the meeting ended, I had to work out formal quotations, planning of shoot & last minute briefing to my Photographer-Simon. Both he and myself were equally surprised in the way we got this job… We knew from that moment it was another opportunity from God. In fact the last job that we did is equally surprising and we found out that the End-Client turned out to be a family of Catholics. This time round, the Regional Group Director was a Christian who attended church regularly. In fact, she was also a volunteer to teach Sunday school for the kids in her church… That spelled something about God’s planning right?


SUNDAY – SHOOT DAY

We knew the curtain needed to be raise on Sunday. In fact, the night before we had done some setup in the studio at Selegie Road to make it “presentable”. We had our discussion and all of us knew exactly what our own roles were: To run a great SHOW tomorrow!

It was wet Sunday. We knew there would be tough rides later, however we kept faith as we knew God was with us. We met early at 7.30am for breakfast and final discussion. True enough, the clients arrived late, so did the makeup artist, hair stylist and the models… The actual shoot eventually commenced an hour later than expected.

When the first shot was out, we knew it would be a long hard day. The model was not experienced… (3 out of the 4 models were “street-casted” by the client himself, while the last one was from our side) All the concepts we were shooting were very lifestyles and full of expressions… The model started off a little nervous and “stone”. We had to spend a while loosening up the first male model and luckily after a little while, we got the shot needed to move on. 2 more shots from him later, which turned out to be easier as we managed to get him into the right mood. next male model was Noah, our model. We had not much problem with him as we already worked with him before. In fact, 2 hours were enough to settle his part and he was the earliest to leave.

The third and fourth models were female. The first one was more versatile and we got the shot rather smoothly. That moved us to the last female model. It was 3.30pm; 1 last model, 2 more shots with her and a couple of product shots to go. We had a short break to freshen things up before the final finale. However we were greeted with waves of nightmares...

We got the first shot with little trouble, but the last shot killed us… We needed her to “Groove with the music” – meaning we needed a dance pose. And true enough she could not dance… not to mention dancing alone in front of the entire crew of around 10 people! We tried to get as many people out of the studio, leaving Simon, myself, the client and my assistance in the studio with her, but no matter how we tried, she simply could not dance to the way we want her to… Simply put: SHE COULD NOT DANCE!

Very soon, the place became a little messy as everyone tried to help by giving her ideas, which turned out adding more stress. We spent the next 2 hours “toying” her to no avail. In the end, we gave up the dancing moves, and tried to make her "pose" something “Groovy” instead. As the situation was already a little disorder, the female model also got distracted by all the different suggestions as well. As for me, after drying up my reservoir of brain juice for 8 hours… I was already almost “Brain Dead” into the mess as well. As the client was very particular on human expressions, most of the shots & proposals that we did for her were all rejected… I was very drained indeed. All I could do was mumble desperate prayers for God’s to intervene.

Luckily enough, after many shots & rejects, the client finally came out with a pose that he liked and we did some test shots which eventually turned out pretty well. We knew that was it and spent the next half an hour triggering as many shots as possible on that pose. Finally we got 1 shot out of many hundreds that fitted the bill. Case close!

It was around 8pm… we quickly moved on with the product shoots and eventually wrapped up everything around 10 plus pm… it was more than 12 hours of work... Reached home around 12 plus and slept liked a log around 1 plus.

This morning, I had to dragged my feet to work. However all my tiredness evaporated after I received plenty affirmations and compliments from the clients... =) I managed to speak to the Regional Group Director and found out that it was also through God that she allowed us to handle the assignment… She told me that I was the first person she called after the rejection from the initial photographer. After speaking over the phone and realizing that I could help, she knew that she could leave this to God, and allow FAITH to take over. And yes, it was God who set up this divine arrangement. I can not stop thanking God. He is simply AWESOME and FAITHFUL! How could I ever repay our Lord and Savior? How Blessed!

Amen.

Birthday "Ang Pau" From Our Kind Government

Guess the only thing I feel good about the whole damn national service thingy is after NS. Though we have to do reservist every year, we have a chance to get “bonus” from the people who tax us over our lives!

Finally I realized the trick of taking advantage of the New IPPT “Birthday” windows. I did my last IPPT on the last 2 days of my birthday. Good news is I passed and got $100 for Bronze. Bad news is I blew away $100 by 6 seconds. Yes, 6 bloody seconds.

The timing for silver is 11 min 20 sec, I managed 11 min 26 sec… 6 secs for $100, I didn’t know my time could be so expensive! Haha… whoever wants to ask me for coffee next time think twice… can u afford my time? =p

I was thinking of doing the re-test the next day on the 28th of April, last day before my birthday on 29th, but realized my full body is aching… so there goes my $100. Just as I was feeling shit… I realized that I can get back additional $200 from the Government again! I was told to go back the following week after my birthday to clear the IPPT test for the “new” window. Great! It means if I am able to get silver this time, I am able to get $100 + $200 within this 2 weeks!

That means I will be $300 richer! My birthday “Ang Pau” from our kind Government! Come think about it, the money is just enough to earn back the fees I have paid to attend the church camp in June! Thank God. Now it just seems like the church calendars really evolve around my life yet again! Haha.

Ok, this week will start training my muscles and jogging to get back my shape! Anyone is keen to do jogging with me? ;p

THE ROOM

Since Priscilla introduced a game by the name of "THE DOOR" in her blog, i have tried another one called "THE ROOM". Very interesting.

There are less than 4000 people in the world managed to escape this room . Have a shot.
http://flash.qbol.net/pl;p/youxi/images/04042203.swf

There are 13 items hidden in this room in order to let you get out. If you found:
0-6 items, your IQ is very low=> total idiot
6-8 items, Low IQ, u r an idoit=>
9-10 items, u r normal
11-12 items, your IQ is high, above the average.
13 items found and get out of the room
there are less than 4000 people in the world who did it.