Thinly sliced...

I'm studying...

Well... I would be if the space between my index finger and thumb won't hurt so much...

See...
I was preparing dinner.
Slicing up the thick and slightly woody Kailan stems.
The weapon I was using was a recently sharpened samurai sword!
Ok ok... It was a kitchen knife, but it was recently sharpened.

Being lazy, I refused to use a chopping board, so I simply sliced the stems like that...

1. Hold the kailan with the stem up and leaves down.
2. Place the impossibly thin blade in the middle of the stem.
3. Gradually apply pressure till the blade slices into the stem
4. Slide the freakishly sharp blade towards your fingers till the stem is sliced to the leaves.

Of course... application of pressure is difficult to control.

Safety measure?
NONE!
I applied the pressure and apparently applied too much of it.
(Heh... I'm way stronger than I thought I was)
The sharpened piece of steel bit into the stem and straight into my hand!
OWWWW...
Of course, the blood then flowed and I had to stop to console myself.

Now... any rational person would by this time, take out the chopping board and continue to slice the stems without further endangering his or her remaining fingers......

But Noooooo....
Mich had to be different.
I repeated step 1 - 4 for the rest of the stalks, and repeated up to step 5 (the slicing of the hand) a stupid 3 times!!!

*says very dramatically*
Can you imagine the pain I'm in???
*takes a theatrical sniff*
How can I study at a time like that?
*pauses to listen to reader's response*
I can? You're evil...

I'm ALIVE!

I've been dead for weeks... no... maybe even months...

Someone read from the Egyptian book of the dead and now...

*ROARS*
I LIVE!!!!!!

Oh k... So I've been hardworking enough to have 'caught' a cold.
Better step up the Vitamin-C intake.

It sucks to fall ill at all, but timing matters too.
You see...
It sucks to fall ill before and during the exams...
It sucks even more to fall ill after!

Weather has been pretty decent...

OH GAWD...

Why am I talking about the weather?
Hm...

I can't study at home la...
Too many freakin distractions.
But I don't love studying alone either...
As in... I need people around me. They don't have to talk to me or anything.
Heh... Sheep mentality... Boy do I feel sheepish.

(Can imagine some motivational speaker asking 'So, if they jumped off the cliff, will you follow?')

Actually... Hell YEA!

I'll make sure I'm last to jump though...
Those who've jumped before me will provide a woolly landing...
Also...
Think of all the mutton! *tummy growls*

Know what I'm feeling?

No need to guess (if you haven't already guessed from my entry)

Happy!
In fact... it's not happiness...
It's JOY...


HAHA... YEA! That kind of JOY!

Now I get it...

The Sonnet Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLDf) Romantic, hopeful, and composed. You are the Sonnet. Get it? Composed? Sonnets want Love and have high ideals about it. They're conscientious people, caring & careful. You yourself have deep convictions, and you devote a lot of thought to romance and what it should be. This will frighten away most potential mates, but that's okay, because you're very choosy with your affections anyway. You'd absolutely refuse to date someone dumber than you, for instance. Lovers who share your idealized perspective, or who are at least willing to totally throw themselves into a relationship, will be very, very happy with you. And you with them. You're already selfless and compassionate, and with the right partner, there's no doubt you can be sensual, even adventurously so. You probably have lots of female friends, and they have a special soft spot for you. Babies do, too, at the tippy-top of their baby skulls. ALWAYS AVOID: The 5-Night Stand, The False Messiah, The Hornivore, The Last Man on Earth CONSIDER: The Loverboy Link: The 32-Type Dating Test

'Reflective'

You know...

I sat up in bed a few mornings ago...
My eyes still heavy from the weight that sleep brings.
I opened my eyes, looking towards the amber dawn.
Then I thought to myself...

This is not the life I want to live.

I feel so unfulfilled.
There's something lacking.

I doubt it's anything material.
I'm already working on the spiritual.
Let's not talk emotional (because we ladies use the 'once-a-month' occurance thing too often).

What is it?
Why am I here?
What kind of life am I meant to lead?
Whose life am I meant to make a difference in?

I got a word in Bible Class today...
'Reflective'
Strange...
I am always reflecting... or at least I try to.
Thinking of what happened in the last few minutes, trying to understand why someone else or I acted a certain way...the why and how of things.

What kind of life are you leading???
Tell me... I'm interested in knowing... really.

Over and Out

The IVP journey is officially over...
Last game against Ngee Ann - 1-0...
I'm not going to try consoling myself or the team.
We fought and we lost and that means we were just not good enough.
All the more reason to push harder next year.
Heh... sometimes, too much comforting backfires and is not motivating.

But I must say that a whole lot was gained this year.

1. Huge change for myself.
I'm finally following my passion and playing GK.
Now this position has setbacks (just look at the condition of my knees), but all in all, it's fulfilling. I'll continue to work hard at being the best... if not, at least 2nd best.

2. Learning to be teachable.
This is important for everyone. Being teachable means having an open heart and being willing to learn from others. It means being able to accept criticism and working to overcome that criticism without feeling bitter about it.
It's really easier said than done. Because (we reason with ourselves), no one does what one thinks is wrong, so, as a result, we try to justify our actions, be they right or wrong.
No harm shutting up once in awhile and listening to another's point-of-view.

3. Developing a true team spirit.
Being a trainee... I did not get to play much, since we were never too many points ahead.
It might seem very trivial, you know, being benched and not playing, but seriously, it sucks.
Imagine this, you see all your pals running their hearts out, getting involved, contributing in terms of actions (action speaks louder than words)... and you just feel lousy about not being part of that action on the road to victory or otherwise.
It's a humbling experience.
I learnt a whole lot of self-constraint, a whole lot of patience and being happy for the team took a whole lot of overcoming pride.
*takes a deep breath*
Yea... now that's playing as a team.
You function as a whole, not individually.

4. I met and was led by Sonia.
I must admit, when she was first made captain, I had reservations. I mean, she was new to the team and all, but, seriously, I learnt a whole truckload from her selfless attitude. I learnt from her as a leader, player, keeper and as a person. She motivates like very few people can. She encourages and always makes you feel better about yourself. She's always helping you to improve and spends time passing on her knowledge.
She's my new idol.
I hope our friendship is not limited to floorball.

In fact, even if we did not have floorball anymore, the bond between us girls are so strong that we no longer need floorball as a bonding medium.
It's that secure, it's that powerful.
It's all good.

Now, on to the next challange... EXAMS!!!

*Falls into a dead faint*

Sunday Post

Been reading Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul.
Seriously, it's giving my heart back to me.
Be it laughter or tears.

Have you been trying hard to be 'perfect'?
Well, how do you define 'perfect'?
Is it from God's point-of-view or mankind's point-of-view?

Remember this...
Our Saviour was perfect, yet his reward was a cross...

Let Go, Let God...
In the words of Carrie Underwood,

"Jesus take the wheel,
Take it from my hands,
Cause I can't do this all on my own,
I'm letting go,
So give me one more chance,
To save me from this road I'm on,
Jesus take the wheel."

I need to learn to do that.
You know not what the Lord has planned for you, so why be a fool and try to insist on getting your way?
You know that he'll never leave you stranded (even if you feel like you have been).
Have some faith.
Pray.

The again, on a lighter note...

Some "Wholly Holy Bloopers!"

Witness the following samples of bona fide bloopers culled from various church bulletins!

* Jason Chen and Bonnie Nah were married on Oct 24th at the church. So ends a friendship that began in school days.

* This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north end of the church. Children will be baptised at both ends.

* For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

* The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth into Joy."

* This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs White to come forward and lay an egg on the alter.

* Thursday at 5pm, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers will please meet with the minister in the study.

* Next Sunday, Mrs Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience".

* Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

See how important good language is?

Long live these bloopers!
And may there be more to come.

After all,

"Humour is mankind's greatest blessing"
-Mark Twain-

WTH

OMG...

Someone slap me!

I just re-read what I posted before this.
I'm a whining idiot!

The only one who can choose to let something affect me, is well... ME

No one can make me smile,
It's a choice I alone must make.

No one can tell me what will make me happy,
That alone I'll know.

No one can give me daring,
It's a challenge I have to undertake.

No one can give me confidence,
True and lasting confidence comes from within.

The good days are here!
SMILE!
It might not be easy to make lemon into lemonade.
The juice might sometimes get into your eyes, but hey, if you don't attempt to squeeze the lemon, you'll never get your lemonade.

*Takes a deep breath*

HEllllooooooo World!

To Live...

Alas...
Just when we managed to convince ourselves that we would not let in any goals and that we'll score countless ones......

We don't.

The IVP teams are strong.
Physically, tactically and even psychologically.
In a way, it's a good thing... Floorball-playing can only get more challenging.

I've not played much, which is what I expected.
Afterall, I'm merely keeper-in-training.
But it sucks not to be able to play.

I keep looking in the Bible for some hope, encouragement, comfort...
Not exactly finding any, but maybe I'm just not interpreting it right...

Exams are nearing.
It's seriously scaring me.
It's been forever since I've taken proper exams.
Exams at TP were few.
Everything was a project, a practical...
Things you don't really have to book-study for.
In fact, you can't.

Help?

Don't know why, but it seems I've lost the ability to be joyful and alive.
Time of the month?
Nah... It's been like that since...awhile...
I want back the old me, the one where nothing was of lasting consequence, everything could be laughed at, where a waste of time was one not spent laughing or smiling, when I was bold, nothing could daunt.

Do you recall those times?
Happy-go-Lucky times...

It's very important never to lose faith in living life.
Have a purpose, a few small goals in the near future...
Or else...
Why is life worth living?

IVP on the way...

Alright now...
Ready?
Set?

The Inter-Varsity and Polytechnic Games are here!!!

Starting January 8th, the SIM Blacks will be playing against other institutions to claim the Championship!
Yea... you heard me right...
I think the ladies stand a good chance this 2007.

Of course, we have quite a bit to work on still, but hey, we've improved as a team by miles.

It's quite scary really, that the games are here so soon this year.
It seemed like we had way more time to prepare for last year's games and that we had a whole lot more training.
I don't know... this is the first year I can officially participate and represent SIM.
GK I'm set to play...
Seeing the whole list of names made me realise how official and real this competition is...
Hold on.
*turns away, stuffs pillow into face and gives one long and loud scream!!!*
Ok... that's better...

I'm just rambling... this is so much a waste of time to read eh...

Sorry mates...
I'll write something more entertaining soon.

By the way...
How is your spiritual health?
How would you answer God's question of "Why should I let you into my Heaven?"
How is your personal walk with God like?
Do you talk to him one-on-one?
Do you talk to him through prayer?
Then what is prayer?
Is it confession? Is it 'Aunt Agony' time? Is it 'Total Request Live'?

I talk to God all the time... Conversation-style.
He walks with me, beside me, he's in my head.
These are the good times.
Sometimes, when I get too involved with living the material life, God disappears it seems...
You know... I lose the feel of his presence.
I turn and I find only 1 set of footprints instead of the usual 2.
I get distressed and sad.
Then I try to find God again, all that guilt weighing me down.
I cry from within my soul, sometimes not knowing what to pray for or how to pray.
But then, during times like these, the Spirit prays for you.
(The Bible tells me so)
And you realise that it is times like these that God is carrying you.

It's such a warm fussy feeling that you have no choice but to be cheerful about it and spread the love and joy.

*Sighs in contentment*

Right... one more thing... should you ever get the urge to pray for someone.
Just Do It!
Don't hesitate.
Don't underestimate the power of a prayer...

HAPPY 2007!!

2007 is quite a significant year for Tiger Babies...
We turn 21!

Anyway... to start this blogging year off...
Let's do something fun... heh...

Name 11 people you can think of right off the top of your head. Don't read the questions underneath until you write the names of all 11 people. This is a lot funnier if you actually randomly list the names first. NO CHEATING!! At the end of this, choose 5 people to do this.
(It's the whole 'tag' you're it!)

1. Esther
2. Sunitha
3. Vinitha
4. Wayne
5. Nesh
6. Jeremy
7. Melissa
8. Pricilla
9. Glennise
10. Annabelle
11. Cui Jing

How did you meet 10?
Seeing that our mothers are sisters... I met her fresh outta the womb!

What would you do if you had never met 6?
I would not have a family pet... :p

What would you do if 6 and 2 dated?
OMG!

Have you ever seen 4 cry?
No siree... but if so, I hope it'll always be tears of joy...

Do you think 1 is cute?
OF COURSE! She's to die for!

Tell me something about number 11.
She's always been Miss Golden Girl to me.

How do you know 8?
Through floorball! We play for the SIM Blacks by the way...

Would you ever go on a date with number 5?
Ahahahaha... we've been on outings of course!

What's 7's favourite colour?
I think green... *sms-es to check*

What would you do if 6 confessed they liked you?
I would scream and shout 'of course you like me... I'm your sister! It's default!'

Fact about number 9
She's one of the most gentle and witty people on our planet.
One more thing... she's dubbed 'Guni-face' for a reason...

Who is 4 going out with?
Hm.....

Who is number 5 to you?
A very precious buddy...

Would you ever live with 11?
Now that would be interesting...

Is 2 single?
I think so... but don't think it'll be for long!

Where does 7 live?
AMK... Singapore... My heart...

What do you think about 3?
I always look forward to her smiles... They're the 'light up the room' kind...

What's the best thing about number 8?
The more you look at her... the prettier she gets...
Now that's rare...

What do you like about number 10?
Almost everything! Dude... we grew up together and are in a way 'telepathic'!

Favourite memory with 2?
Sun: "Hey Vin! We look like twins!"
Vin: "We are twins..."
HAHA!
Also... snorting during ballet...

And the 5 random persons TAGGED:
1. Esther
2. Sunitha
3. Vinitha
4. Neshie
5. Glennise

CHEERS!