I saw this on my friend's blog... gasped, then chuckled.
GOSH. I slept exactly in the last two postures when i was in Architecture school!
And remembering this brought fond memories of my studiomates during those days. If i slept like in the very last picture, bent over the keyboard, there would always be someone who would come by, gently nudge me and persuade me to lie down to rest instead....
.. yes, on our makeshift beds under the drawing tables - simply a platform created by winding raffia strings over the parallel bars of the table legs.
Not much better, but at least in my dear friends' term 'at least your back is not strained'.
Did i just make the life of an architectural student sound miserable? Ha.
From left: Ainiah, Amy, Belinda (coach intern), Ronghui, Yati, me, Elizabeth
Call it occupational hazard or 'trying to be difficult', even during my catch up dinner with my first batch of life coachees last night, I could not help but ask them these leading questions:
* How do you think you have grown in the past year? (Most of them entered a new stage of life into the Polys last year, one of them emerged through the O'levels, and another began working for the time being)
* What do you hope to work on in your personal life that will make this year better than the last?
The truth is, i wasn't trying to be difficult. I believe in the power of speaking out your growth journey and personal goals. It is always different when we hear our own selves articulate these, especially the affirmation of our growth.
So there i was trying to 'poke' into their lives though our official life coaching journey ended more than a year back. But it definitely paid off to be meddlesome in this case. My heart leapt with unspeakable joy as i heard each of them share from my questions above, especially when some of them expressed that they had overcome certain issues that were brought to light during the coaching journey!
I guess the best answer that i had gotten to my first question above was: moustache.
This year's personal highlight for Midautumn goes to.....
Tung Lok's Bing Pi Mooncakes!
Icy....yolky..soft... and melts in your mouth... Bagus!
* * *
My parents and i had dinner at my grandma's tonight. Normal dishes, but the lil' time of catch-up over the meal beat them all. As usual, my mum and granny was asking me to eat eat eat, gosh they would not even believe when i told them that my weight is above 50kg - definitely healthy! =)
My dad is back, and tonight i whispered a silent prayer for him as i massaged his shoulders! hee.
* * *
On my way to my grandma's, i passed by once again the old site of my primary school. Though the building was already redundant a couple of years ago, it was only recently torn down. There was a lil' tinge of sadness at the thought of not being able to walk my school to relive the lovely memories. But hey, one of my life principles is that i will choose to look ahead at all times. The reason is simple - the future is always full of surprising hope and opportunities that i can tap on, whereas the past is not for me to change!=)
Saw many kids playing with candles and lanterns tonight. I felt an urge to join them but i didn't. But i definitely miss these moments of simple tools, simple joy and simple fun. =)
My NUS aki friends and i used to carry lanterns and play with candles at the playground =p
And i am simply glad that we still meet up till now. =)
Caught the movie Evan Almighty with a few of my ex-coachees, a bunch of dear girls who have truly blessed me with their ARKs!
(Click to zoom in)
*Yati - readily offering to carry the things on my hands for me! *Belinda - a trustworthy and sincere support in the things i do! *Asyiqin - such a humble and teachable girl who is so willing to receive advice and counsel *Shereen - art is your gift! Always so touched by the things you make *Elizabeth - your sweet smiles make me feel so welcome each time! *Amy - your words have been kind and encouraging to me *Ronghui - always adore your cuddles and notes of love! *Ainiah - though you are usually blur, you have brought much joy to the group!
My family are lovers of good food and good travel (and I add on good arts and music for myself).
Ever since I became wisdom-less (?!), oops i mean wisdom-teeth-less, i have been dining good stuff. Well, enjoying a good meal with my loved ones and friends is definitely my definition of a good time spent.
(Okay, i had used 6 'good's in the mere three lines above. Ha)
In the month of June...
***
My dear spiritual son Cerwin called me up to celebrate, i thought my belated birthday. To my most amazed delight, he said, 'Nope, remember I said I would give you a good treat when you recover from your wisdom tooth surgery?'. Aww....
And before i got over the surprise, he shoved a wrapped present and a card into my hands, saying 'And these, are your belated birthday presents!'.
This is the second gift from him which is personalised with the words 'Mum Mirabel'.
I can never thank God enough for this son for 3+ years. Son, in this race, there are times when any of us can stumble. But the fact that you never gave up despite this, even if you had thought of giving up, is really wonderful. I am proud of you. =)
***
Birthday Treat for Simin's 16th birthday!
When i first met Simin 3 years ago, she was a scrawny blur-looking kid. Ha. Look how pretty you have grown, Simin! =)
***
Popcorn feast with Sheryl and Ben (new friend!) etc. at the movies!
Sheryl is one the bravest young girls i have ever known. She is one with a certain drive that i did not see in me at age 14.
Sheryl, God the Dream Giver will propel you towards your dreams! Keep shining for Him; you are a star*! =)
***
Lobster Spread at Jack's Place with Mummy!
Imagine two big red lobsies spread over your table!
Not forgetting our lobster biques and stuffed lobster-and-crab mushrooms! haha.
***
Dinner with Lilian, Jing and Stella at Sun with Moon Japanese Restaurant!
Pretty food, pretty company, pretty talk. =)
I have been sensing the word HOPE for Lilian and Jing a lot recently. May you receive it dears. =)
***
What a retro setting. Thus i sepia-ed the photo. Ha.
Oven-baked pasta and mudpie at where else but N.Y.D.C!
I caught up with Yvon2 months ago before she embarked on her poly studies, and this time after.
Dear Yvon, know it's not been an easy beginning in poly for you. May you always remember the Father's delight upon you. That's truly enough. =)
***
Now now, i didn't say i was going to write a food critic right? So, sorry not many photos of food. Ha.
Thank you the many of you who dropped a birthday blessing for me physically, thru' the smses and celebrations etc last weekend. I was indeed overwhelmed. Birthdays do not mean a great deal to me, but nonetheless I am always deeply touched by every little loving gesture, especially the unexpected ones, on this day. *smiles*
On Thursday evening my date picked me up from my office and brought me to HER house for self-cooked dinner. Yesh my dear Ahmi Yp lovingly cooked for me! Awww I love her cooking.. and her. Ha. *wide grin*
After that on my way back i met up with a dear girl Xianglin who gave me a BIG bottle full of *stars* that she made herself, for me! *eyes almost twinkling with tears*
I was at my church's Encounter camp to serve as a guide over that weekend. Towards 12 midnight on Friday, after receiving a few smses (my dear daughter Amanda wanted to be the first to wish me, but alas she was not =p) and dozing off at the same time, my spiritual nieces Fidelia and Baoling suddenly woke me up at the tick of 12, and Fidelia presented me with her handmade present! What a precious doorknob hanger with my name on it!
The next morning i woke and was welcomed by my daughter Meiqi exclaiming 'Happy Birthday mi!' to me, while my eyes were still blurry. *grins*
As dawn broke, I took a while to admire the forest and morning sky - shades of yellow and orange were spilling over from the dazzling rising sun. Smiling, I exclaimed quietly 'Good morning Father' and then I heard a tender voice from heavens'Happy Birthday, My daughter'. Awww that was the best birthday present I could ever get! My heart leapt with such joy and strength.
The day passed on quietly till evening when Ps Josephine came to me "I heard today is your birthday. So you must treat us Macs!" Ha. And she got all the guides and her tribe's leaders, together with Ps Seng Lee to sing and pray for me. I felt so blanketed by the love and warmth of the big spiritual family.
Everyone knows the guides usually wake earliest and retreat latest. Ha. As i dragged my feet back to my room that late night after a looooong debrief, the door opened to me, with a sudden burst of light and mighty chorus "Happy Birthday Mirabel!". Wow ALL the girls from YP tribe who were at encounter were inside with a slice of cake which i seriously didnt know how they smuggled in. Ha. They sure shook the whole level.
Straight after Encounter ended, some of my other daughters joined us to celebrate for me!
Thank you Meiqi for organising this, and making it so special for me, together with the above dearies. (To those who could not come and smsed me your blessings, I had been truly touched too!) *hugs*
Below: The videos containing my daughters' blessings that night! (Disclaimer: I seriously don't know why their blessings sang the same tune! Huh huh huh. Ha.)
And Novie, how come my voice and Meiqi's sound so 'deh' in the video. Eeee. Haha.
That night as i laid on my bed, thinking about these beautiful moments, and reading the cards of my daughters and others, i sobbed and sobbed and sobbed myself to sleep. So touched.
Especially that all these showed me a big portion of God's love for me. God's love through these wonderful people in my life. And yet it is only a fraction.
How great is Your love, my Lord.
In the dozens of prayers i received for my birthday, i heard a consistent thread of victory that the Lord is telling me through the words Tree, Reaping, Harvest, Many, Enlarged Territories.
I remember that when i began serving in ministry, i told God i want to be a Tree that shades, shelters and supports many. And He is affirming me now that i will be a Tree with branches even more widely spread out! =) Amen!
Yati is one of my life coachees in whom i have witnessed transformation thru' our journey together.
Reason? She has a desire to improve herself and pursues it.
And that, always touches me.
Boo, she said she still does not consider me a friend now. I exclaimed "WHYYYYYY??" and she told me she will always view me as her life coach.
I shan't debate over our differing definitions of a friend, ha, but really there is no need for the 'level difference' between us. =)
She shared many many things tonight. I had no solutions for her, but she expressed that tonight was already a breakthrough for her to be able to tell someone that much.
I can't tell you how, once again, i am so proud of her to dare to be brave.
To the rest of you and even for myself, i think we can learn from Yati in her courage to face up to her weaknesses and circumstances. That very first step of daring to be brave marks the beginning of the breakthroughs and breakouts for our lives.
Once again i cant thank God enough for how prayers really work.
I have been having a painless recovery since Wednesday. (Right now only waiting for chipmunk cheeks to go away 0^0)
After the surgery, my wounds were bleeding quite a lot. But after i regained consciousness and prayed, the nurse came by her third round and said, "Good, the bleeding has stopped!".
After two days of feeling undernourished and food-deprived (only had little portions of soft food, boo), i ate my first packet of hor fun last night. =)
I had also been having long hours of sleep like never before, well rested even with the intermittent waking at 4am to take my antibiotics.
Thank you for being with me through this little ordeal. =)
"Sometimes i wonder why many people trust me so much".
He answered, 'Well you have a gift, of making people comfortable with you'. I remembered a pastor affirming me similarly that i have an endearing spirit.
* * *
i was very surprised and warmed to see Amy's (one of my precious life coachees) note on my tagboard (at sidebar). My blog has become her 'motivation core'? What an honour. i asked her in what ways, and she described,
"Should be those pictures you put up.. those happy smiling faces, and those meaningful quotes (from the Bible) which make me feel so comfortable and awake. Gradually i saw the meaning in life".
* * *
Last Saturday evening i had a date with yet another girl from one of my Trybe sessions three years ago.
Yvon trusted me within half an hour of knowing me when i first met her as a Sec 2 student. I was so thankful to be allowed into her life.
She is still reading the Bible i gave her 3 years ago. Grins.
Though we talked maybe once a year, we share an incredible bond which i know has been preserved and blossomed by God Himself. It could not have been, by our own means.
She is now a beautiful 17-yr old who just started her Ngee Ann Poly stint today with much boldness for the new stage, excitement for the new environment and love for her newfound friends. I am proud of her. =)
* * *
To all these, i truly thank God.
* * *
Sometimes i wonder how i can have so much strength to continue loving people and more and more.
I am no superwoman of course. I do feel rejected by friends and family at times too. I did harbour thoughts to stop loving certain people too. I remember myself crying out in anguish to Jesus a few times before, "Lord, it is sooooo painful to love. Sooo painful.....".
I do fear giving my all for persons too. I too, don't like to be disappointed at the end of the day by people. There are times when i feel like a failure in handling certain relationships.
i am as human and feeling as any of you.
But my God, as described in the song below, is my strength.
Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered thegrave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything i believe in
Now i surrender
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus
I need compassion?... Jesus has it the most. He has that even for those who murdered Him.
I need to forgive.... or even to forgive myself? Jesus teaches me how to. With His dying breath, He asked the Heavenly Father to forgive the murderers.
If He can move even mountains, if He has the power to even overcome death, nothing is impossible for me. Yes Jesus was resurrected!
When i am afraid or feel like a failure, all i need to do is to surrender. At the Cross.
Today i wrote a thanksgiving email to Rachel, Jaime, Jia Huey and Nicholas, staff of Trybe (formerly Thumbs-up) where i am volunteering with. They are my heroes who have inspired and supported me a lot through the five years, together with many others in Trybe whom i did not mention. =)
I hope you see what i mean here when i say i embrace Jesus' words 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'.
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)
luv,
mirabel
* * *
Hi wonderfuls,
I was reflecting on my journey in Thumbs-up!...Trybe for the past years last night, and my heart was filled with much gratitude and thanksgiving.
Thought I will drop a note to you faithful sowers in Trybe to give thanks. =)
In all i do see that i have grown personally (not just in age, haha) through the training and opportunities Trybe has given me. A first essential outcome of these was enabling me to understand myself more. Secondly it definitely empowered me to give to others, in ways beyond my expectation and imagination. You need to understand how powerful this empowerment has been for me. I grew up as a shy and probably self-conscious kid, never daring to put my hand up in class to speak out. My family was very protective over me, and it turned out to 'discourage' me from stepping out of myself many times.
Interestingly I just recalled that I joined Trybe when, for the first time in my life, I dared to step out for myself, to follow Christ. I did not have an easy time with my parents then. Now I see that it was really God's painstaking planning to place you guys in my life to support and strengthen me at that time. Thank you too for trusting me enough with your resources and releasing me to deliver Trybe to the masses - both in You can do it! and Life Coaching. (Do you ever wonder what i teach the students??? Haha).
I think I gained much more for myself than what the students always said they got. One most important learning here is the part of being conscious and watchful of my every action and word, if not I can be teaching others the wrong things. As an imperfect person, one of the things I have been intently learning for myself, is to always speak to build and not break others.
Until now, I am still marvelling at the relationships God has allowed me to build with many students through Trybe over the years. Students who attended my You can Do it! sessions years ago still come to me now for advice and friendship even though we may not have met up, for years too.
I hope 'my life can be an example to many, because God has been my strength and protection' (Psalm 71:7, NLT), especially against the worldly standards.
Thank you for letting me discover and trusting me (or more accurately, Jesus in me) that I can be a positive example to others! =)
This Easter program for a part of Yishun neighbourhood is a collaborative effort between Touch Young Arrows (mainly Yishun Young Arrows (YYA)) and the RC for that area. We blessed the community with a good time of games, magic show and an awareness of the true message of Easter.
I felt unwell the whole of today. Have been so since i had gastric on Monday night. I nearly ringed Shereen to tell her i would not be going down, but i really wanted to give her the support at the event, not forgetting that she is not too familiar with YYA yet.
I must thank God for Shereen who really put in a lot of efforts for this, ever since i asked her to take charge of the manpower and planning of our games stalls and the stage backdrop decor. I wanted this to be a good exposure for her in serving the community through tapping on her strengths. Well done, Shereen!
Not forgetting Yati, Asyiqin and Shereen's 3 friends who came down to help. I knew there were times it got hot and boring, but you stayed on. I hope the innocent fun and joy of the children warmed your hearts today. I learnt so much from the children; they are always so delighted by little, simple things. =)
Seeing the teens at YYA grow and anchor their own stall today was heartwarming too!
I couldn't believe i took Neoprints again... after maybe five years?? Ha. Gosh.
Thanks dear Xianglin for reintroducing it to me. I had a fun time with you! But i would still prefer my Canon Powershot which costs cheaper for every photo too. Hee. Hey dear, thanks for your time of sharing your heart last evening. It is so invaluable that you still trust me so much though we had not met for two years. It is so delightful to see how you have grown from a secondary school girl to a warm young lady.
I thank God that He spoke much peace and truth into your heart last night (Is it that my voice is boring so you sense peace talking with me?? Ha kidding =p). Remember, His blessings are for you to claim. And i bless you with faith to do that. =)
hugs, Mirabel
* * *
Last Saturday i took my Granny and Mummy for lunch at Soup Restaurant. I always marvel at this type of three-generational gatherings. The most fun thing is that, nobody believes that my grandma is my grandma, and my mum is my mum.
Cos' they look soooo much younger than their ages!
I claimed this youthful-looking legacy long ago! Hee. You can try guessing which are my grandma and mummy in this picture.
We could have a good time of shopping after lunch last Saturday, but i suddenly felt very unwell and we all retreated home. Shall have a 3-generational date again soon! =)
To my wonderful LCs and best coach intern Belinda,
I was not surprised that, when i asked one word from each of you to describe how you feel about your upcoming stage of life - enrolling into polytechnics, taking the O'levels, graduating from polytechnic, most of you said 'fearful' and 'worried'. It is understandable.
Nonetheless i want to bless you with courage. Courage to brave up, and move forward, knowing that the future is there for you to behold. You may face successes and failures altogether, but remember, failures too are excellent opportunities for us to learn and grow out of, and into our potentials.
If you never give up, nobody can ever make you give up, on pursuing your dreams.
I am excited for each and every of you! =) Having walked through you gals for almost two years (Belinda, 4 years?), I have seen each of you grow, and i know that you gals really have what it takes to shine, more and more.
Let me say this again, thank you gals for allowing me into your lives! =) *huggies*
Gosh, i have not heard Ernest (guy in tee) call me 'Ding dong bell' for so long. One of the most determined and enthusiastic Architecture mates in my NUS years, he never failed to make us roll on the floor through his loud choking laughters that could transcend through the entire level of our studios, and the way he pronounced some words. Ernest, i could never forget how you pronounced Chijmes as 'Chiiiaammms'. Haha. But hey you succeeded saying it correctly in the end.
That's how persevering Ernest is. =)
He's now working in the firm of one of my favourite architects Steven Holl in New York. Hey, God bless you Ernest with journey mercy when you travel back to the States. =)
"Mirabel, when i was praying for you just now, i saw you holding a bunch of keys. This bunch of keys was given to you by God to empower you to unlock the hearts of people. However sometimes you get frustrated and cry out to God, when you use the wrong key to unlock the hearts. God is going to grant you Wisdom, to know which key to use at which time. I can see you walking through the prison corridors, and setting the captives free. You are a woman of Wisdom. Cling unto His Wisdom." ~ Pastor Victor Wong (22jan2005)
How i want to live my life
I do not need everyone to like me.
I want to live such that people see how Jesus transforms my life, and desire for the same Jesus and His transforming power in their own.
If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad. ~ Ruth Stull
"Ding dong bell ah, you are not coming right?"
