Wedding Day Highlights

This wedding day highlight is done by Yixin from LightedPixels. Val and I love it.

To Valerie

To my beautiful Wife to be, my partner, my love.

The word "Tired" and Wedding Prep Woes

when i was in secondary school, a girl told me she was tired of the relationship and left me. Since then i have been paranoid when a girl tells me that she is tired about something. (**Val is not tired of the relationship, just to make it clear**)

anyway alot of people have advise me to enjoy the experience of doing our wedding preparation. but it seems to be full of nerve racking experiences and anxiety. Be it with val or family. Thinking about it i guess, everyone is doing it their way and their time on the same item? I think wedding preparation is a training time for teamwork and cooperation and a time to throwaway the individualistic / self centered nature of each person, i guess it is about doing things together, helping one another out(maybe helping to do things the person might have forgotten or just helping when the person is busy). Then again it is also a time for each person to be more sensitive in acting AND reacting, it is not always the reactor that is at fault. My science teacher once told me this "for every action there is a reaction". So before we respond or say something when an issue happens, we got to think and consider the other person's feelings.

With one month and 1 week left, clashes between parties seem to grow more frequent and my "man zhang" character might have make it worst. So val and i had a interesting clash that has not resolved and we identified that this prep process is not going on happily. I am wondering how can we improve on it and feel happy on the 11th April 2009. Well, I dont have an answer neither does val. I guess we will have to submit it to God and really be SERIOUS about making the relationship right with God's help and not our own way or thinking.

PreWed Pics!!

The Count Down Begins

Since the last entry on the wedding, it is now to 1month 2 weeks and 4days!!! Time sure passes by fast. Well, Val and i have been preparing and marking off the items we need to do and need to buy or organise. From helpers list to guest list to bridesmaids' dresses, to the floral arrangement for Church. God has been there all the time to help us through the processes and have bless us with friends who have bless us with so many ways.

As I count the days to that special day, i have been thinking and praying about life as a married man and a husband. Thinking about what are my roles and responsibilities, what are my weaknesses that i need to overcome and what type of changes i need to make in my lifestyle as Val and I exchange our vows. It is not a "play play" or rountine vows, it is a serious vow to each other and especially with God and I got to make sure i remember it and make sure i follow through or improve on it. All these of course i cant do it myself, I will need God to teach and guide me and change me from within in any area that needs changing.

So what have we been up to besides guest list, one of the most anticipated things we did was our prewed shoot which happened before CNY. Below is a collage of it but if you want to see more, the link is here

Are You Approachable? (2)

Taken from The Vine
When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce... kindness, goodness... gentleness.

Galatians 5:22-23 TLB

Approachable people exhibit the following characteristics: (1) Personal warmth - they truly like people. In an old Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown says, "I love mankind, it's just people I can't stand." Hello! It's not enough to love people in theory, you have to generate personal warmth toward those you meet each day. (2) Their moods are consistent. Have you ever worked with someone whose moods were constantly up and down? You never knew how they'd be. In contrast, approachable people are even-keeled and predictable. They're basically the same way every time you see them. (3) Sensitivity toward people's feelings. Although approachable people are emotionally steady, that doesn't mean they expect others to be that way. They recognise that good people have bad days; consequently they tune their moods to the feelings of others and quickly adjust how they relate to them. (4) Understanding of human weakness, and exposure of their own. Novelist Ed Howes said, "Express a mean opinion of yourself occasionally, it will show your friends that you know how to tell the truth." Approachable people are honest about their abilities - and shortcomings. They embrace the old proverb which says: "Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused." And because they can admit their own faults, they don't have a problem allowing other people to have faults as well. (5) The ability to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Author David Augsburger wrote, "Since nothing… we attempt (Isaiah) ever without error, and nothing we achieve without some measure of the finitude and fallibility we call humanness, we are saved by forgiveness."

Are You Approachable? (1)

Taken from The Vine
When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce... kindness, goodness... gentleness.

Galatians 5:22-23 TLB

Dr. John Maxwell writes: "Sooner or later, a man, if he is wise, discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take. He learns that it doesn't pay to be a too-sensitive soul, that he should let some things go over his head. He learns that he who loses his temper usually loses out, that all men occasionally have burnt toast for breakfast, and that he shouldn't take the other fellow's grouch too seriously. He learns that carrying a chip on his shoulder is the easiest way to get into trouble, that the quickest way to become unpopular is to carry tales of gossip about others, that buck-passing always turns out to be a boomerang, and that it doesn't matter who gets the credit so long as the job gets done. He learns that most others are as ambitious as he is, that they have brains as good or better, that hard work, not cleverness, is the secret of success. He learns that no one ever gets to first base alone, that it's only through co-operative effort that we move on to better things. He realises (in short) that the 'art of getting along', depends 98% on his own behaviour toward others."

So, what about you? Jesus said, "Consider carefully how you listen" (Luke 8:18 NIV). When was the last time someone brought you news you didn't want to hear? Or strongly disagreed with you? Or confronted you? If it's been a while, you may not be a very approachable person. We can give no greater gift to others - than putting them at ease.

Ruth Ling - Yesterday Today Tomorrow

some of singapore local talents i stumble upon while looking for a wedding band.

4 months and 1 Week to go

hmmmmm what am i doing with 4month and 1 week to our big day? Nothing much but I would like to say this (val would agree). I thank God for friends who are willing to help and God has really helped us both in situations that we had no solution or beyond our ability to solve. As the day approaches, we are trying to understand God's love and how to show each other more of it. As much as there are challenges in the process but we know every challenge there is something God want us to learn, to prepare us for marriage. So hey for those planning to get married, PRAY!!!! and everything will be alright (Jer29:11)
"11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

F1 Safety Car Drive

Recorded this after dinner outside city hall. 2 F1 safety cars/test cars going a fews rounds checking the track.
r

Canon Powershot G10 - My Want!!!!

Key upgrades and features of the G10 include:

-True 5x zoom wide angle lens (28-140mm equivalent.)
--Face Detection can recognize profiles.

-14.7 megapixel capture

-RAW format files editable in Canon Digital Photo Pro (instead of ZoomBrowser/Imagebrowser like the G9)

-ISO up to 1600 with binned pixels lo-rez 3200 scene setting

-ISO dial now wraps around mode dial.

-Exposure Comp has own dial to left of the hotshoe (where the ISO dial was on the G9.)

Our Wedding Prep updates

here is a recap

on the 17th of June 2008 at 11am (swiss time), I proposed to Valerie.
It has been 2months plus since that happen and it has been challenging.

through these 2month we have learned there are so many ppl expectations to be met and how certain things we need to listen and obey God (which actually makes it a definite answer to certain things when had expectations clashing)

It has really been 2 months plus of God teaching us about ourselves, our expectations, how to depend on Him on things that we dont have control of. Am i complaining? NO!!! I believe it is through these times that God is really wanting to teach val and myself, to nurture and prepare us for marriage.

just recently there was a "big storm" that happen in some sensitive areas in our wedding preparation but after being through many challenges and knowing God is always there to help us, I was like in a boat in the "storm" but i was at peace. A peace that i know is from God and know I just have to trust Him and place it in His hand. one of my favourite verse is jeremiah 29:11 where it says

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

With that, how can i doubt His love for us, He has plans for both Val and I, a future in our union not only with each other but with God too.

So I am getting more and more excited as the wedding date gets closer, see the ticker at the top of the blog? hehehe so those who have seen it, that is the amount of time you have to save for the wedding.

back to being excited, i am excited on what God is doiing in my life and val's life, i am seeing changes and i am experiencing changes in my life too. I hope till the start of our marriage great things will happen for God's glory.

Diana Krall in Singapore

Val and I will be at Diana Krall's concert in Singapore.
Booked our tickets like first half of the year.

28 things most girls do not know about men

I just got this part from one of my dearest friend Jessie's blog,

she really get it right and whoever she chooses in the future will definitely be blessed. :p

--Guys hate sluts even though they have sex with them!
(oh yeah..you're not 'popular' if you've slept with more than 6 guys..you're a HOE)

--Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about.

--Guys go crazy over a girl's smile.

--Guys will do anything just to get you to notice him

--Guys hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend or ex love-interest.

--Boyfriends need to be reassured often that they're still loved. (TRUE!!!)

--Don't talk about your guy friends to your boyfriend.

--Guys get jealous easily. (Partially True)

--Guys are more emotional than they'd like people to think.

--Giving a guy a hanging message like 'You know what?!..uh...nevermind..' would make him jump to a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking. And he'll assume he did something wrong and he'll obsess about it trying to figure it out. (TRUE!!!)

--Guys are good flatterers when courting but they usually stammer when they talk to a girl they really like.

--A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you.

--Guys love you more than you love them if they are serious in your relationships.

--Guys think WAY too much. One small thing a girl does, even if she doesn't notice it can make the guy think about it for hours, trying to figure out what it meant.

--Guys seek for advice from girls not other guys. Because most guys think alike, so if one guy's confused, then we're all confused.

--When a guy asks you to leave him alone, he's just actually saying, 'Please come and listen to me.'

--If a guy starts to talk seriously, listen to him. It doesn't happen that often, so when it does, you know something's up.

--If your best guy friend seems to avoid you or is never around when you're with your boyfriend, he's probably jealous and likes you.

--When a guy tells you that you are beautiful, don't say you aren't. It makes them want to stop telling you because they don't want you to disagree with them.

--When a guy looks at you for longer than a second, he's definitely thinking something.

--Guys don't like girls who punch harder than they do.

--A guy has more problems than you can see with your naked eyes.

--Don't be a snob. Guys can be intimidated and give up easily.

--Guys talk about girls more than girls talk about guys.

--Guys hate rejection, but they hate being led on even more.

--If you are going to reject a guy, just do it. Don't say they are like a brother or just good friends, it just hurts even more. Tell them that you aren't interested in a relationship and they will respect you.

--Guys really think that girls are strange and have unpredictable decisions and are MAD confusing but somehow are drawn even more to them.

--When a guy sacrifices his sleep and health just to be with you, he really likes you and wants to be with you as much as possible.

Additional thoughts: ==== the 28 things about a guy above is simply a look into the guy's mind, and it shouldn't act as a beacon of hope for girls out there who are looking for signs that the guy they like are into them as well. Fact is, if a guy is truly into you, he will find some way to let you know. Period.

Back from Swiss and Italy (like 2 weeks ago)

Val and I are back from our trip to Switzerland and Italy. overall the trip was smooth and the weather was managable for us to walk and follow our itinerary.
I think pictures will say more then i can describe them but just to name the places, zurich, luzerne, bern, interlaken, florence (italy), pisa, la spezia, cinque terre, rome, venice and milan.
This trip for me was really interesting as i was on a mission. A mission to ask Val to be my lifelong partner, my companion, my wife.
Well it happened on a hill top of a mountain, surrounded by mountains in interlaken at a place called Klein Scheidegg. really thank God for providing the right weather, His timing is always perfect as we when were about to leave the place, it started to drizzle and the moutains started to be covered by clouds.
The last part of the trip was to attend Damian's Graduation, which was suppose to be the main reason why we are in europe. Interesting ceremony with the principal doing a poker lie, rubbing his nose while telling us the reason for the campus to move.
enough said, here are some pictures :p

Swiss and Italy here I come

Less than 12hrs to my flight to Switzerland with Val. We will be touring swiss follow by italy and back to swiss again.

it is my first time to these 2 countries. Praying for good weather and safety as i heard many many people saying that italy have many pickpockets.

will update with pics and stories of my trip when i am back :p

Day 6!!

Today is my 6th day at IDA. It has been quite ok, knowing alittle of the culture, meeting new people, observing the activities and working habits here. As i am still new and do not know much of the projects or operations, i have been following my colleagues around and i have attended 2 briefings, 1 meeting and 2 talk.

I really want to thank God the view which i prayed for :p All i need to do is to turn around, take a few steps forward and i will see this.

BMW Driving Experience

I registered for BMW 520 Driving Experience and attended the event on thursday morning with Patrick and Gary. We get to try out the new BMW 520 and test it's agility and braking power. Overall, the 520 is quiet, stable and yet still agile.

Me, Gary and Patrick

It is true

For those at work who have heard and those who left and also have heard, i am leaving Ghim Li. I think it should not be a surprise that i am leaving, i have been in GL for 3yrs it's time for me to move on and see more of the corporate world.
Looking back, GL has thought me alot of things and it is where i will always remember where i first stepped into the working world, where I was given the opportunity to learn and lead a team. during my time here, i have made many friends and because of these, it sort of makes me sad that i am leaving.
Well, as much as it contradicts it is true. all the best to all GL staff, work hard!!!

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International Version)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 , always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation)
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New King James Version)
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.