Workaholic

I've no time for long talk. I've nicely packed my weekdays, working from 9 to 5.30, then from 6.30 to 10.30. The former is an administrative position at Campus Crusade for Christ, then the latter is a waiter at Boon Tong Kee. Both jobs have their benefits, balancing each other off.

I'm tired, but it's worth it for my family, and I believe it opens up an opportunity for evangelism, so why not. I'm going to try to wake up at 6am to jog and train myself for an hour before I head off to work. So this is the Life.

In turbulent times, where do you go?

In turbulent times, where do you go? Who do you turn to?

Keep to yourself and hope all things work out? Like the turkey that hid its head in the hole it dug?

Or do you drown yourself in all things imaginable? Clubbing, drugging, ganging, gaming, sleeping, gluttoning, mugging, shopping, gossiping, socialising, blogging, working, grumbling?

I turn to my God, who has answered my prayers and provided for me. What my family is unable to give me, He more than supplies with a big extended family that overwhelms me with love and concern, that it is really hard to grasp it.

God, I really hope you will see through my family through this tough time, and through this, help us to trust in You. I know that You are the light at the end of the tunnel.

Shenyang Trip + thoughts

Did you ever think that I've forgotten this blog? A long recount awaits you. I went on an exciting adventure to Shenyang, China with Yun Long, his mum and aunt. That explains the long duration in which I didn't post a single entry. Jet lag, withdrawal syndrome and rashes from the cold... I needed time to recuperate and spending time on the computer isn't the best way to recover.

China, the place where the melanine incident sprang up from, the land of many thieves, of cheats and crooks, this was my destination. To the Northern Eastern part of this daunting land I proceeded, into the industrial city of Shenyang. What a welcome, a swirling tornado of gritty dust greeted me and newspaper shreds flapped at my ears. It was winter time, frigid cold and dry as rock. All the trees were hibernating, and there was hardly a shade of green unlike Singapore, except those hardy evergreens in the summer palace. The atmosphere was quite depressing, which explains why during winters, suicide rates tend to be the highest. The barreness of winter really exacerbates feelings of decay and death.

As I journeyed pass the city, I cannot ignore China's staggering rise to a global economic power. Tall, fanciful architecture arrested my eyes, again testament to the local government's endeavour to outshine its neighbouring counties. What is unsettling is that this fast pace of development is juxtaposed against slums at the parks, high levels of pollution and uncivil behaviour frequently encountered.

This is the view from my friend's apartment

Me trying to jostle with the fire, I'm a natural griller

Sitting on this piece of rock in the Summer palace with my buddy Yun Long

Apart from these general observations, I enjoyed my time snow skiing, walking around the place with my broken adidas shoe, eating (woah fantastic) and spending time with Yun Long's family. I did a lot of firsts in this trip, like eating bugs, playing with fire, witnessing a classic chinese squabble,snow skiing, doing quiet time daily during a vacation, and of course 1st Christmas spent on a plane and airport.

More importantly, through this trip God is putting a burden in my heart for the lost souls in China. Everyday I see them going through the routine, seeking after wealth, stealth and health, with no greater purpose in mind. As Yun Long's mum and 2 aunts and grandparents shared about their experiences during the CULTURAL REVOLUTION from 1958 to 1968, I realise why the Chinese are notorious for what they are now today. Books were banned and educated people massacred. During exams, answers were written on the board, and teachers are specially chosen from the worse performing candidates. (they had open answers)

Back then, they had to sing praises to Mao Zedong (they all call him lao mao now) 3 times a day and dance whenever nationalistic music is played. I found it hilarious but failure to do so is death by hanging. The scary thing was that even your friends and relatives could betray you and denounce you as a spy, so as to gain extra rations or promotions.

This I believe, led to the culture of backstabbing, ruthlessness and self-centredness we often see in chinese Chinese. But within this family I stayed with, they were very nice and I was very troubled. Even as non-Christians they could live so carefreely, as if without, we do we as Christians get choked up by the thorns of life, when we have God with us, with His mighty right arm that will deliver us. I was asking God whether God is really revelant in their lives. I left a chinese Bible in their house and hope they read it. Because after I leave, I don't think anyone will reach them with the gospel. I believe that God will touch their hearts and transform them.

The result of the 1 Child policy in 1979 :p a happy family potrait with my intrusion

Appetising, appealing? 2 of them got eaten by me, its flesh is yellow