I am sitting at Burger King now attempting to blog using my phone! As a tech laggard this is new to me. But i am definitely taking longer to key in my words. Good practise for my sms skills though :) Ok how do i start a new line,hmmz.

Ha i found out. Press '0' thrice to get an arrow sign and then hit '#'. Anyway trying to phone-blog is not supposed to be the main content of this entry. Now comes the (ahem) serious stuff.

Just went for a job interview today with a boutique fund management firm. After reading about the firm and hearing rave reviews about it,I was so excited and nervous about the interview. Will take it even if pay cut!

The interview was initially conducted by a lady and a young man, both very pleasant and nice. But they grilled me about banks, including areas I was unfamiliar with. The lady seemed very familiar with credit issues, and that was definitely not my forte. Stressed. But the male interviewer was very nice, kept nodding his head as if to agree and to encourage me as i was trying my best to 'sian' my answers.

Then the big boss arrived. He seemed like a very nice experienced man. I suddenly felt my stress level rising and the butterflies in my stomach were flittering like crazy. This is the boss! So with my nerves going crazy, i stumbled in my reply abit while trying to maintain a calm composure. Then I was asked a question and gave a reply. Then the boss asked me for another example and I just could not think of any. Sighz. Bad response. But the interviewers still seemed nice and the boss explained his answer to me. So daz.

Despite the glitches during the interview, I left the interview feeling quite positive but a bit disappointed that the firm had no vacancy at the moment.

But the more i think about it, maybe the interview didnt go as well as i thought. There were some questions I could not answer, but I really dunno mah. But I know I did my best and will just leave God to do the rest. Feeling a bit braindead from the grilling during the interview but it was a good experience.

Deep down I believe God has a job planned out for me somewhere. I just gotta keep searching, practising my interview skills, and the job will come in His time!

In the meantime, I am thinking of getting a WII set to while my time away :)

Tumble of Financial Titans

15 September 2008 will be a day that will go down in memory lane. After many months of having their share prices tossed around (mainly downwards) in the credit storm, some of the biggest names in the global financial sector are keeling under pressure.

3 big news today:
1) Lehman files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
2) Merrill Lynch sold to Bank of America for US$50b
3) AIG turns to Fed for financing in the face of rating downgrades and to ward off a looming liquidity crisis

It is scary how events in the financial sector have unfolded. Now, 3 of the biggest names in the banking sector will only be history.

Bear Stearns was the first to go when it was bought over by JP Morgan in March this year for pittance - $2 per share, over 90% discount, you can't even get such bargains at GSS.

Now no one wants to buy Lehman. The US government has decided not to stand behind Lehman as it has just recently thrown its backing behind US mortgage giants, Fannie and Freddie, who must not fail at all costs. So Lehman is left to collapse in the cold.

AIG is an international insurer, and I dread to think what would happen if anything adverse should happen to the insurance group. The millions who have paid AIG for peace of mind (me including) are probably all feeling panicky now. But I surely hope that the US government will support AIG. It will be unfair if even insurance monies are subject to the same great deal of volatility we have seen in the capital markets.

It seems cash is king for now. Deposits placed with banks may turn to nothing when banks collapse, and the monthly insurance premiums we set aside as protection for our future is now facing the possibility of turning to dust.

I really really hope the financial storm will come to an end soon. We are already seeing a restructuring of the financial sector in general - big names disappearing and new giants emerging, soverign wealth funds taking stakes in some of the banks, banks segregating the more risky investment banking business from other businesses...what's next to come? I surely hope clear skies are on their way.

None Like You

I'm a bit hesistant about writing this, cos it may be a coincidence. But again it may not be.



Coincidence #1.

Was in church today when I heard a song that sent tears welling up my eyes the moment I saw the lyrics on the projector screen.

Backtrack a week ago, it was worship during church service and it seemed a song was placed in my heart - one of my favourite tunes of all time - "There is none like You". And for some reason, I really felt like singing the song and was wondering whether God placed the song in my heart for a reason, and wondered if it was a song we would sing during service. But it didn't happened, and I just told myself I was being oversensitive.

But this week, coincidence or not, this song was sung in church! I had forgotten those thoughts from last week, but when I heard the song, I was reminded how this song was popped into my head last week..and as I heard this song, I felt that God was telling me He listens, He always listens, even to small wishes like these, and He answers...in His own time.

Coincidence #2.

I'm a pretty hygenic person by nature, and always feel a bit awkward with the manner bread is passed during Holy Communion every week. Cos there is a bun that goes around and everyone pinches a bit of the bread from the plate. That is bordering on my hygiene limits a little, but I brush it off by telling myself that it is just a more convenient way of passing bread since this church observes Holy Communion every Sunday, and since my stomach can be quite sensitive at time, I would pinch off only a miniscule bit each time. And that was something I would accept if I decided to make this the church I were to grow in.

But surprise today...the church swapped the bread to pre-cut separate pieces of dough! I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed that God knew about my reservation and made the swap on exactly the same day when He decided the song in my heart should be sang in church. I felt He wanted me to know that He is real and He is really real.

How do I know He is real? I just know..but sometimes, I get doubts, but I want to cling on to reminders like these to remember. Honestly, I fear commitment to church, but I know I need to overcome this if I need to move to a closer relationship with Him. I have some fears, some doubts...but I also know above all, if He really is real as He has shown himself to be, then He is more important than anything because it is my relationship with Him that will count ultimately.

There are some things placed in my heart that I don't dare to utter, cos I'm not sure if its just my own thinking or God's thoughts. When I was much younger, I used to envy those who could hear God and I wondered why God never speaks to me? A bit jealous with His seemingly partiality...considering all I have been through (although it probably pales in comparison to trials others have faced)...but I've learnt all things happen for a reason, and its not for me to question, but to persevere and to make the best of my circumstances.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts andyour minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

Fireworks

Fireworks never fail to excite me! The neon colours, sparks and noise all add to the festivity. It is almost impossible to feel down when one is busy admiring fireworks display.

I had the opportunity to attend the Singapore Fireworks Celebration 2008 on Saturday. Got free tickets from the purchase of my LG microwave.

It was raining cats and dogs on Sat PM though, but lucky it reduced to a drizzle in the late evening. So aunty me - armed with my brolly and shades (yes, I needed both items to protect my new-found perfect vision) - was able to view the spectacular display of fireworks at Marina Bay. The rain became heavier just as the fireworks display started, but never mind the rain - the show was awesome. As I sat there staring at the display of lights against the dark-pitched sky, I thought to myself how fireworks were like many many shooting stars at one go. Its gorgeous and reminds me of the first time I saw my first spectacular shooting star in Australia.

Fireworks are a sure way to grab anyone's attention - young and old, who wouldn't like them? A great way to celebrate, it never fails to excite, and at least for me, I know I'll never tire of this great invention.

Here are some photos of the fireworks, but they definitely don't do justice to the actual display. Always better to see them firsthand.

Some other photos taken after the display.

Pre and Post Lasik

It was a gruelling 4 weeks having to stay away from contact lens. Having to don spectacles from the age of 9 led to the self-realisation of the vanity trait that was inherent in me (well, most ladies are vain and few would stamp their feet in protest of this fact).

For a start, I would usually avoid wearing glasses unless necessary. Hence my spectacles were found more often hanging off the middle of my pinafore instead of my face..and it didn't help that I had a flat nose so I was constantly irritated by my glasses slipping off my face. Life was such until I was introduced to contact lenses - freedom from glasses! Still, I consciously alternated between glasses and contact lenses because my eyes would get irritable if I were to wear contact lens for consecutive days. It was always my wish to undergo Lasik, but I always hesitated, having heard of the risks, as well as having concerns with my unstable degree.

But finally, having heard all the positive comments from my friends who had gone for Lasik, I decided to take it up. So that was the start of my 4 weeks off contact lens. In some way, it was also a path of self-discovery. During these 4 weeks, I realised that I could not bear to put on any make-up or wear skirts..not with my spectacles. Somehow, inherently I felt that glasses made me look ugly. I inspected myself closely in front of the mirror..I know I'm no beauty, but certainly I don't qualify as ugly with my glasses rite? But nonetheless, that was how I felt, so for the entire 4 weeks, I was always dressed very simply. But the advantage was that it halved my time spent in dressing up - minus the time taken to rinse and wear my contact lens, putting on make-up - I certainly became more efficient, and in a way, less vain.

The day of transformation came on Thursday - 21 August 2008. I finally had my Lasik operation. I was feeling a little apprehensive and nervous. This is not the first operation in my life, but nonetheless fears were unavoidable because the gift of sight is so significant to me. My right eye had also been itching on and off for the past 2 weeks, which was why I decided to postpone the operation by a week. But the surgeon allayed my concerns and said that the itch shouldn't pose any problem.

The surgery was not as scary as I thought it would be. I just made sure I kept my head stationary and my eye fixed on the blinking red light. Otherwise, it was just a bit of eye pressure (presumably to cut my cornea?) and then the laser zapping away to trim my cornea to give me 6-6 vision. It was painless and fast, and my doctor was most encouraging.

The first night my eyes felt a bit of glare and there was slight pressure in my right eye. The next time, my eyes felt much better. But I still feel that my eyes are tired. And I am still trying not to overstrain my eyes...resting and closing my eyes as often as I remember. My fears of the risks of Lasik had made me realise how important and how precious the gift of sight is. And I would say it is the most important amongst all our senses, including ladies' 6th sense.

I thank God that my Lasik was successful, and I now have perfect eyesight. I just hope to be able to take care of my new eyes so that my vision will always remain this way (Btw, I'm drinking a cup of wolfberry tea now). And today for the first time in 4 weeks, I wore a skirt out =)

The convenience of life without glasses. For an instance, I still subconsciously tell myself that I need to go and remove my contact lens later. But the next moment, I remind myself that I now have perfect eyesight! I'm glad I made the decision, and certainly, I echo the same comments from all my friends - No Regrets!

Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore!

This year's National Day Song is great..the tune and the meaningful lyrics got me hooked the 1st time I saw the MTV on TV. Now I stay glued to the TV whenever the MTV comes on.

Thanks to the great invention of Internet and Youtube, I can rewatch the MTV over and over with just a few clicks on my laptop. If this was 10 years ago, I'll probably be holding a tape recorder to the TV and recording the song onto a casette tape. So many thanks to advancements in technology I have already ceased this primitive practice.

Shine For Singapore - Hady Mirza


There's also a Chinese version by Cai Chun Jia, although I much prefer the English version by Hady.

Qing Kong Wan Li - Joi Chua


Listening to National Day Songs brings me back to primary and secondary days where I'll be crooning National Day Songs almost every other day in school. In those days, my top favs were "Heritage" and "It's the Little Things". For the past few years, National Day Songs have become more contemporary and are no different from K-songs..I'm hoping the MTV of this year's National Day Song will be available at KTV so that I can belt to my heart's content. I'm already starting to do so at home..opps.

As National Day approaches and I am reminded how a little fishing village 43 years ago survived against all odds to become a busy financial hub today, I feel a sense of national pride. I hereby unashamedly proclaim that I am proud to be a Singaporean, and I thank God for Singapore. My life would be totally different if I was born in a different country. I love the green in Singapore, the excellent spread of local delicacies, the strict laws against littering, great security which gives me peace of mind, our capable and uncorrupted government, freedom of religion, and our belief in racial harmony and equality.

As a tribute to the country I love, I've posted the videos of some other National Day Songs which like:

There's No Place I'd Rather Be - Kit Chan


We Will Get There - Stephanie Sun


Where I Belong - Tanya Chua


Home - Kit Chan


And here's a song written and sung by my pastor..although this is not exactly my type of song, i think it is apt to post it because the video includes footages from World World II and serves as a good reminder of how far Singapore has progressed, and to be grateful for the peace and security we are enjoying everyday!

Keyboard Classes

Post MFE..I'm leading a life free from lectures and textbooks. Currently only in 1st gear when it comes to sending out job applications. I admit life is pretty good in the absence of work- and school-related stresses, but at least I've embarked on a meaningful and enriching activity - weekly keyboard classes.

Meaningful because as far as memory lane takes me, I've always wanted to learn the piano/keyboard, but somehow always proscrastinated. So it means a lot to me that I am in the process of fulfilling one of my goals in life. Enriching because I believe music enriches one's mind and has the unique ability to touch one's soul.

Every week, there is a theme behind the songs we learn to play. Other than having to grasp with the challenges of playing the keyboard with my stiff fingers, I also learn more about God through the class.

Last week, I learnt that God often referred to Himself as Yahweh (Eternally Existing & Unchanging One). At first, it meant nothing to me. But as I sat there and pondered, it dawned upon me how awesome this name was. The name seemed to have an aura and authority that evokes both awe and fear in me.

This week, I learnt that the universe contains at least 1 billion galaxies, and I like the way my instructor puts it - we are individuals in Singapore, which is part of South East Asia, which is part of Asia, which is part of Earth, which is part of the Solar System, which is part of the Milky Way, which is part of 1 galaxy, which is part of 1 billion galaxies. And God only had to speak, and the universe was created.

To put that into perspective, we are infinitesimally small in comparison to the universe, but we are not insignificant to Him!

This morning I was awoken by tummyaches, and had to rush to the toilet a couple of times. After that I felt perfectly fine and went out. After being out for 8 hours, I felt slight twitches in my stomach on my train ride home, which were signs of impending tummyaches - and when that happens - resumption of mad rushes to the loo. To me, it was abit unusual how my tummyaches only resumed when I am back home. Psychological? Maybe it had to do with the teh-si I drank when I was out? Or maybe God was just reminding me He has full control of all situations, even this

When I sit to think, and put my heart and mind to remind myself that God really does exists, my perspective of life changes. He is in full control all the time, even though events do not always unfold the way I would like them to. I am not sure how my job interview went, but I know that He will give me a job with a firm of His choice in His own time, and I'll just have to do my best, work hard, contribute, and try to be a blessing to the colleagues around me.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)