Midautumn lovelies

This year's personal highlight for Midautumn goes to.....

Tung Lok's Bing Pi Mooncakes!

Icy....yolky..soft... and melts in your mouth... Bagus!

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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.

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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! =)

A poem that i wrote this February when i treaded that old neighbourhood fondly remembered:
A trip round my childhood's neighbourhood

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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. =)

A. R.andom act of K.indness

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!

So blessed to have all of you! =)

Lovely people from Canberra Camp!

Ding Dong Bell...

Believe it or not, that is a nick which some people, including my own mum, used on me.

Once my friend phoned and asked for 'Mirabel', the next moment my mum was exclaiming as she held the receiver, "DING DONGGG BELLLLL your call!"

Many associated my ding-dongness with my sporadic crazy moments. Well, try me. =p

I always fondly remember at a few Christmas parties, my friends had sung 'Mira-bell.. mira-bell... mira all the wayyy' to the tune of Jingle Bells. Maybe they are the ding dong ones. Ha.

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Well recently i discovered i really like the sounds of bells. I began to imagine God watching me dance to the rythmns of chimes. A certain clock tower chime has been stuck in my head for two days.

I dearly remember a beautiful museum in Hokkaido. Amidst the white landscape laden with snow piles of different heights, rows of dark oak shophouses line the streets, and one classic grayish brick building stood in the middle of somewhere.

As you step in, an aura of nostalgia and fantasy welcome you together with the sounds of a thousand chimes - of different frequencies, tunes and beats, which yet gently symphonise.

Rows and rows and storeys of different musical boxes of all sizes and shapes fill the space...

[A picture which i took when i was there]

For more information on Otaru Musical Box Museum, visit here. You can even create your own musical box there.

What i've been busy with

I know this blog has been obviously churning less in the recent month. Thank you all of you who still bother to visit often enough to check on me. =)

It's been an intensive and fulfiling time for me. Most people could call it simply busy. Many said i look more tired nowadays. Yes it's been rather tiring, but joy and excitement have been leaping within the peace of my heart. =)

Just last week i was hosting a few Japanese delegates who came for my church's Gateway Cities Youth Convention (Pictures above). These dear ladies, especially Eri and Nozomi, are really close to my heart. They thanked us profusely for taking care of them here, but I think we ourselves had been so blessed by their simple hearts of love and faith. God's arm is indeed never too short, to have amazingly built and preserved our bonds across time and geography.

Been at my new (not so new now) job for 1.5 months. I have been busy learning new things and managing many more things at one time. Challenging as it is, but i have not wanted to be afraid of facing my limits. Instead getting to know them better makes me conscious to surrender them to God, and rely on His power to push myself through. This, always works. =)

I think i should really honour my words and tell you all about what my new job is exactly about soon. =p Soon.

Other upcoming exciting stuff:

* My heart always knows it belongs to a traveller. I am really looking forward to my Israel trip in end November. What an encounter it will be.

* Two days after i land back in Singapore from Israel, i will be a bridesmaid for Ps Adrian and Aunna's wedding. What an honour, and privilege to serve this precious couple. =)

* I may be taking a short trip to China for my dad's company's 10th anniversary celebrations. Gosh 10 years. I want to go because i want to show my dad that i am honoured to present myself as his daughter. And it has nothing to do with the career, achievement, post he holds. =)

* My family is planning for a family vacation next Feb (gosh, don't let my boss see my travel plans, ha kidding). The places in mind sound really fabulous. I am drooling over them!

* My contemporary dance course is commencing on 17 Sept! Gosh dear God, You truly never forget my dreams.

I better stop here before you guys think that i am been busy simply daydreaming about the upcomings! =p

i want to understand your pain

I attended a 3-day course on Understanding Youth Mental Health and Wellness this week (i thank my boss for sending me!). The lecturer Dr Ko Soo Meng, a senior consultant psychiatrist, gave very insightful elaborations about the various conditions and disorders prevalent in today's people - both young and old. Did i mention that he is such a clever joker as well? Ha.

Course syllabus aside, my first interesting observation was that more than half of the class were Christians, including Dr Ko himself. I thought i felt God's heart of love and compassion palpitate throughout the course; the many of us in the social sector really want to be God's heart and hands to the youth.

I was saddened to hear about the many extreme cases among Dr Ko's patients. Like a teenager with my emotions fired up, i felt the urge to become a psychiatrist. But with the sound mind of an adult, i do not do things rashly based on my feelings.

I wish the youth out there will be sound enough not to do things to hurt themselves on a spur of pain and depression. Guys, that is really an unnecessary choice.

Talk about it. Write your pain out. There is always someone who cares. Really.

Meeting up with dear Ps Kelly!