Floral Friday Inspo

Feeling a little dark and dramatic with this week’s inspo images

Image Credits: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Review of January 2016

Helloooooo! Is there anyone out there?

Anyway, with an audience or without, I’ve decided; I’m going to sweep the dust off this ol’ blog of mine and start blogging regularly again.

Why? Well… I’ve started to notice I’m no longer as eloquent as I used to be (ahem), maybe because due to the lack of thought processing/formulation and articulating those thoughts. I want to record my observations of the world that I’m living in, to journal down the changes I’m going through, to keep a digital record of my life here, and to share whatever I’m liking and enjoying so far.

So this year (as with any other year with the same aim at bettering myself), I’m going to make it a point to blog, at least once a month, to share what I’ve been up to for the month and so on so forth. So what’s up in January?

I went to Bangkok with Kevin on 1 Jan (immediately after counting down at JL’s place)! Our early morning flight saw me make use of the Snooze Lounge at the transit area at Changi Airport (for the first time!) to catch forty winks. I didn’t sleep particularly well because:

1. The area was still too bright for me (I need pitch darkness to sleep)
2. The security did a good job to make sure to check that passengers who are arriving in Singapore do not overstay in the transit area (hence they woke me up) and
3. I was feeling cold, I had worn shorts and not my long comfy pants that I usually wear for red-eye flights. #ichosepoorly

It’s been at least a good 3 years since we’ve been there and on top of the usual places we usually visit (like Platinum Mall, Chatuchak Market, MBK, etc), we checked out new places like Asiatique, Em Quartier, Terminal 21, Talad Rot Fai Ratchada (also known as Train Market) and cafes such as Audrey Cafe & Bistro and Karmakamet. Ahh, too many cafes on my list to check out, but too little time! I love Bangkok, but I think… I’ve may have outgrown it? =\ It no longer thrills me to score a bargain like when I was still a poly student (things are already so cheap to begin with!!) so I no longer try to haggle with shopkeepers.

I’ve also begun exercising more! I’m hoping that I can keep this routine up as the year progresses 🙂 I no longer have to leave home at 7am for work, so I use that time in the morning to get a run or workout in, read while having breakfast before prepping for work. Which brings me to the next point…..

I’ve just started on a new job this month! I know, I know, you may say that it’s still too early to tell it’s the job for me, that I’m still the honeymoon phase, but honestly if you ask me? I know I’m in my sweet spot, doing what I do best, surrounded by people who simply want to do good work. I enjoy being creative, I appreciate it when my opinions are valued, and I enjoy the work I’m assigned to do (with the occasional cup of coffee on the house, hehehehe). Which brings me to the next point…

Sometimes you can only connect the dots when you look back. Last year was a difficult year for me career-wise (though my natural eyes saw it as a restoration of finances), but it’s a journey I needed to take. The past year saw the breaking of my pride (which I didn’t know even know existed), the changing of my mindset (to stop comparing myself to others) and really knowing my identity in Christ. There were several occasions where I felt unvalued and my hard work unappreciated but these experiences are needed. Now with the benefit of hindsight, I see that if I don’t live by the men’s praises, I wouldn’t die by their criticism. I now know that my Daddy God’s heart for me is good and He will not bless others at my expense. I shouldn’t be comparing my behind-the-scenes to people’s highlight reels because everyone runs a different course. If this job had come up any earlier, I wouldn’t be as thankful as I am now. Well, this job was most definitely a door opened by Daddy God for me, so praise Jesus!

And so, that’s my January and I’m looking forward to an awesome February where I get to travel for work! 😀

#highlightsof2015

What a year 2015 had been! I’m thankful that by the grace of God I’m still alive (something we take for granted), for the experiences I’ve gained this year and here are some of the best things that happened this year:

I took a bite of the Big Apple. We were greeted by buildings blanketed with snow upon our arrival despite it being spring and I didn’t take as much pictures as I wanted as my fingers were freezing (hello, -2 degrees). Nevertheless, I had a good time with Kevin, who acted as my compass/GPS in the city. 🙂 We visited museums, Hell’s Kitchen flea market,stood in Times Square, got a bird’s eye view from the top of Empire State Building and Top of The Rock, cycled in Central Park, experienced falling snow (!!!) and even visited the flower market!

Daddy God has been so good to me this year, I was blessed with a pair of tickets to catch Hillsong’s No Other Name concert by a friend.

I’m so happy that this year I got to show Kevin around the place where I called home and studied for 1.5 years as he’s never been to Brisbane/Gold Coast/Queensland before! This is the first trip that Kev didn’t need to plan. =P We even made time to meet up with Adila for dinner! Btw, it was the coldest winter I’ve ever felt while we were there. We went to the regular haunts that I used to visit and places that I bring friends to when they come to Brisbane. Oh yes, I saw so many rainbows while we were there, Daddy God knows what really makes me happy! On this trip, we made an impromptu decision to rent a car and drive up to Springbrook National Park to hike.

One of the major highlights of the year would be attending Hillsong Conference 2015! It was awesome, with many qarah moments that only Daddy God can orchestrate 🙂 We learnt from our first Hillsong Conference experience and we packed our own meals for the Conference. It was really nice going with friends too!

 

This year also marks another milestone in my Rock Kidz journey, where I’ve also taken up the role of a pulpit teacher. I feel thankful that Daddy God entrusts me with His little sheep to take care of and to preach the gospel to, it really is a privilege. Nothing gets me quite as excited as seeing little hands raised wanting to invite Jesus into their hearts 🙂

Birthday Wishlist

November is my favourite month of the year because… it’s my birthday month! Now I’ll be glad if any of these items make its way into my possession… 😉

1. Calfskin Messenger Bag in Burgundy, JCOS STUDIOS
2. iPhone Slim Case in Marble, Society6
3. Love Style Life by Garance Dore, OpenTrolley
4. Pocket Tote – Black, TheDailyEdited (love the monogram!)

If You’re not my One Thing

In every season, there is a song that speaks to me, and wrecks me in a good way. In this season, this song is my heart’s cry… Because if Jesus is not my One Thing, everything I have means nothing.

I tasted the world seen more than enough
Its promises fleeting
Of water and wine I emptied the cup
And found myself wanting

But there is a well that never runs dry
The water of life the blood of the vine

Cause all I know is
Everything I have means nothing
Jesus if You’re not my one thing
Everything I need right now
All I need is You right now

Just one thing I ask and this I will seek
If only to know You
To be where You are and go where You lead
My God I will follow

The things of this world I’ve counted as loss
I lay it all down to take up this cross

Cause all I know is
Everything I have means nothing
Jesus if You’re not my one thing
Everything I need right now

Cause all I know is
Everything You are and nothing
Jesus if You’re not my one thing
Everything to me right now

And I’ll sing
Whoa whoa
I want nothing but to know You
And to be with You my God

And I’ll sing
Whoa whoa
And with everything within me
I will worship You my God