Working Scene

Am very thankful that my grandpa's condition is improving, and that set my heart at ease, which is a very helpful thing at this point in time cos work is starting to pile up and I do have a few urgent stuff to complete and submit.

Optimistically speaking, the pressing demands at work would force me to pick up new skills faster than I would have on my own. However, it could get quite stressful for me. Some of the stress are self-imposed as I inevitably benchmark myself against my other colleague who joined the Division at about the same time as me. The diffference is he just completed his phD, and he has got experience in this area of work. For the past month of so, all the pressing work were given to him to complete since there is no one else, and I must say that he did a fantastic job for those projects. The bosses were v impressed and satisfied with him. So, although I am happy for him and that our section is "saved" by him, I do feel the pressure to perform as well.

I thank God that this colleague of mine is generally very helpful in guiding me on the technical stuff. He is an easy going person and I do feel very comfortable with him. And that is very important as I concentrate on learning the technical stuff...

Then just last week, I was given a "ridiculous" task to do. To prepare materials (seminar-style) to provide insights on the things my section does (best practices, techniques etc.), this when I am still fumbling with it myself!! And the given timeframe? Early Nov!! How impossible!! And my colleague is very tied down with pressing projects at this point in time. Well, I am taking on this challenge in my stride, and I will give of my best. And I know that God will help me through this as I commit it to Him and choose to look to Him for wisdom and strength =) I am so glad that I am in God's team. Heh.

With the looming deadlines, I decided to bring my work home this weekend. So its a relief that grandpa is better now. Spent the whole afternoon working on the laptop, and am taking a break now. Gonna continue later. I certainly wish to go out and relax, but I know I can't. Not today...Sigh...

On another note, in the course of my site checks on Thu and Fri, I actually pulled the muscle near my left shoulder blade. I was carrying lots of stuff and walking around for about 2+ hours and now I am suffering the pain of it. It was very bad last night and this morning and am praying that the pain will go away soon. Meanwhile, have resorted to using a muscleache patch to relieve the pain. =)

Recent happenings

I attended yet another wedding on Tue... that of my JC senior. Knew each other when we were in Student Venture. And guess who I met there? Its ah Loo from Hope! Its such a small world, and to think he was my senior in JC as well! One of my friend who was at the wedding remembered that Loo used to be quite high profile, "shuai4" kind of guy, causing many gals to swoon over him. Ha ha, hearing my friend's description, I could kinda recall having seen Loo on campus last time... No wonder he did come across as familiar-looking when both he and El joined Hope. At that time, I couldn't pinpoint where I've seen him... Hmmm so funny hor. And it didn't seem that long ago when we were in JC, but in actual fact, it's been V LONG already!!

Just a while ago, I received an sms from my Uni Cru DGL out of the blue. A pleasant surprise! Am really excited to hear from her as she has been MIA for quite a long while. Have always looked out for her at all the Cru functions I attended since graduation, but have not seen her at any of them... Wonder how she has been. So yes, am super excited that she is initiating a meet up :)))

Most of you out there reading this entry would prob not know her or understand my excitement. Well, she has been a deep influence in my life during my Uni days. She is a living testimony of someone who walked with the Lord, who loved the Lord, and who chose to obey the Lord through each struggle. She led me on my 2 MTs to India and Japan. She is very genuine and she used to share her heart so openly with us when I was in her DG. I remember that many things she said to us made much sense to us, and provided insights to God's Word. Through her, I see God's Word come alive! Yes, I also remember being afraid of her, cos since she walked so closely with God, I was afraid that she would see through me and know my secret thoughts or struggles. I was also afraid cos this lady would seem to know my fears and she would challenge me to take faith steps to trust God... I remember breaking down before her once, when I was super depressed and stressed, and she was so gentle and comforting. Yes, God has blessed me with this dear sister.

Coincidentally or by God's divine arrangement, just 3 days ago, when I was feeling quite down, I picked up a book (given by her) to read. I read her little note written to me on one of the pages, and I reminisced about the past, and God knows yeah =) Well, the book is entitled "Questions God asks, questions satan asks" and it ministered to me as it reframes my mind and sets my perspective in place again. Thank You Lord.

Am also quite pre-occupied the past week becos my grandad was admitted to TTSH on Tue. He had difficulty breathing and it was diagnosed as pneumonia and lung infection. The doc informed us to be prepared cos ah gong is quite old already... so my relatives have all been visiting him at the hospital over the past few days. Was quite affected initially, but now am trying to be more prepared emotionally. I thank God that ah gong had known the Lord when he was younger... And I thank God that today, his condition seemed to have improved somewhat.

BBQ

Finally got down to hosting a BBQ at my place for my JC clique last Sat. It was a small cosy group, about 12 of us in all, including my parents, bro and sis in law. Very comfortable group and my folks knew them since my JC days...

And we had 2 adorable kids in our midst - 3 yr old and 3 month old. My mum just went "gaga" over the 3-month old baby, carrying him and playing with him. Ha ha, all my friends were commenting that she is all ready to have a grandchild. Stress for my bro and wife?? I think so, although mum is unintentional about showing her excitement. Hee.

I didn't really get to catch up with everyone as I was either busy around the house or doing the bbq or somewhere lah. Nevertheless, it was long overdue gathering for everyone. Think its such gatherings that keep us posted on what's happening in each other's lives. And I still thank God for this precious clique of friends who grew up together with me, who formed the first Christian group that I was comfortable with and where I experienced spurring on in the faith.

Makan Gatherings

I had 2 gatherings with different colleagues today - over lunch and dinner, so have eaten quite a lot. Duh. In fact, yesterday I had another farewell lunch with this other colleague I got to know recently, and she is leaving after only 2 months! For personal reasons lah, she said...

Was initially hesitant about going for the dinner cos quite a number of people I am comfortable with backed out last minute.. . It was a gathering with an ex-colleauge (and with his wife and daughter) who went to work in NZ and is back for a few weeks. Was wondering how I would sit through the dinner and talk to people I don't really know. But am so glad I went, cos the little gal just made it all worthwhile! She was soooo cute and friendly and adorable! Sparkling eyes and big sweet smile. In fact, I think she bears some resemblance to this guy that I had a secret admiration for some "donkey" years ago! But that's beside the point lah. Arella (think it means lion in Hebrew) is her name and she is such an active, yet well-mannered child, and she warms up so quickly to new faces like me. She is about 3 years old and can speak quite well.

Of course I have seen many other cute kids, especially in church. But one thing that sets her apart from them is her bubbly and uninhibited nature. In fact, I felt so comfortable playing with her as she was so responsive and smiley. I didn't have to crack my head to think of things to occupy her =) Oh no, I am swooning over the kiddo!!

The family is back till end October. Hmmm, am now contemplating about visiting them in NZ sometime in future :P