Left hand

A couple of weeks ago, during my 5th keyboard lesson, we were being taught to use our left hand to play the different chords. It was very difficult because my left hand is very inflexible; it was unnatural because my left hand feels clumsy. In fact the music that my left hand plays sounds rather boring. However, just before the lesson ended, perhaps to motivate us, the teacher demonstrated to us how the left hand chords complemented the right hand melody and played a very nice sounding simple song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” That is when I realized the importance of getting the left hand techniques right so that I can play a beautiful tune, together with the right hand next time. This simple principle also reminded me how, as we live our life in step with the Holy Spirit, we can live a life that is pleasing to Jesus. Many times in our life, we are ignoring the Holy Spirit, treating Him like the awkward left hand. As a result we are unable to live the kind of life that Jesus destined for us to live. Therefore, I have to learn to be intentional in relying on the Holy Spirit at every moment. It may seem unnatural at times like using our left hand but as we do it over time, we can be assured that our life will be a sweet sweet song, rising up the throne of heaven…

Learn in Faith, Serve with Love

Last night, I began my very FIRST keyboard lesson at Faith Music Centre.

It is something I always wanted to do but somehow got delayed by one reason or another. (Time schedule clashes, miscomm etc...) so I am glad to have finally gotten started.
First lesson was pretty basic; we spent the whole hour learning fingering techniques. Right hand scale up, left hand scale up and both hands scale up than its followed by right hand scale down, left hand scale down and both hand scale down…
It really requires a fair bit of coordination and lots of practice

Why do I learn the keyboard?
1. It is something I really like. I am always very impressed by those that can play nice music on the piano, keyboard and I love listening to music ( Kevin Kern, Richard Clayderman etc )
2. At $230 for 10 lessons, it is fairly affordable
3. It is near to my house
4. Wifey’s encouragement.
5. I want to learn a new way to worship and help others to worship in a group setting subsequently.
6. A good leader should be a lifelong learner.
7. No one will laugh at me… ;o)

Haha I included the last point because I am pretty sure that the environment is quite a relaxed one with people of all ages and no music background coming together to learn, which is a major plus point for people who may feel shy about learning music at an older age.

I hope I can learn well for the subsequent lessons to grasp a solid foundation of the keyboard.
* Thanks wifey for accompanying me for the first lesson!

Good Friday/ Easter Sunday Long Weekend

Last Thursday, I finally moved into my new office at 3 Toh Tuck Link (3TTL) everything is very new so everyone seems rather excited. Initially I thought I have to go back on Saturday to unpack but thank God the unpacking was finished on the same day so I get to enjoy the long weekend peacefully.

my new workstation
After I knock off, me and wifey went over to look for Abel and Alex’s home to have dinner together and watch a little bit of the “Gospel of John”

Friday morning, got up bright and early at 6am to bring wifey’s dad and mom for a walk at the newly opened Labrador Nature and Coastal Park. We took a bus there but we met a bus driver who is not very friendly, plus I think we alighted at the wrong stop too. Rather dangerous to walk along the highway while pushing my father in law’s wheelchair but we managed to reach Labrador MRT safely as we linked up with J&S.

We started walking about 9am and the weather was still good, the place was also very wheelchair friendly so it was easy for dad who looks to be enjoying the walk and greeting passerby along the way.

Personally I like the walk as I get to enjoy the beautiful sights of reflections@ Keppel and the sea view towards the end.

We finished the walk near 11 am and decided to head towards Vivo City before the storm which was already brewing.

(Really thank God for holding the weather!ONLY GOD...)
We had our lunch at Putien which sells Xinghua cuisine. We had their famous fried bee hoon, deep fried pig trotters, pork mantou, vege and beancurd. While we are eating the rain outside continues ever so heavily. After lunch we headed home after sending folks back in a cab. We rested a while, caught the comedy Dodgeball on TV before heading back to vivo for barcelos…. ( we have been craving for that for quite some time ). Both myself and wifey had the ¼ Chicken meal. After dinner, we shopped for awhile more at Uniqlo before heading back home. Nearly bought a Bermudas and pants which were on sale but decided against it.

On Saturday morning I played a bit of Football with Matt and Micky. Had lunch with folks at Bukit Merah and did some grocery shopping. Wifey and I prepared seafood aglio oglio for dinner. It was a commendable first time effort although it was a bit soggy and very spicy. Oh we also opened a can of tomato stew to go with it.

Jesus' Special Gigi

I have a niece whose name is Gianna Foo Shi Hui. Because Gianna was born pre-matured she is smaller in size and to help her hear better, she now wears a hearing aid. Even though she has gone through a lot as a baby, she is one tough fighter…beneath her wee frame, is a rugged little girl whom her uncle and auntie Theresa is very proud of. We always have a lot of fun with Gigi and discovering how she amuses herself. We pray that she grows up to be a healthy, beautiful and intelligent lady.. most importantly, she can grow up to be a woman whose heart will be so lost in Jesus that a man has to first find Jesus, before finding her. Gianna, Jesus loves you so much. Kuku and auntie Theresa loves you very much also. You are special in our eyes. Muacks….

Celebrating Talent

This post is dedicated to my beautiful (inwardly and outwardly; o)) wife Theresa.

I want to celebrate her talents. God has given her the talent of doing very pretty craftworks. Over the past couple of months, she has tried her hands at making her own tote bags, tile magnets and recently she has just completed the 3 miniature wall deco set that we got from Taiwan.

Wifey is serious and very dedicated when doing her craftworks and she is also very eager to learn more and new ways of honing her skills (thanks Prisc for guiding her!)
I pray that she will continue to find joy doing her craftworks and also use it to bless people around her.
oh, not to mention, she also makes a mean cheesecake....

wifey's awesomely yummy-licious Oreo cheesecake.
God is most pleased when we use our natural abilities for His glory.

Hollywood After Hours

Last evening, wifey and I went in to Univesal Studio for their Hollywood After Hours. It was my first time there and it reminds me of our honeymoon at Hong Kong Disneyland. Although we were neither allowed to visit the entire place nor take the rides, I was already more than satisfied.

Universal Studio is so colourful that one feels happy just by entering the place. We had our dinner at the Malaysia Food Street ( fried lao su fen and bak kut teh) before going in. The entrance fee cost just $5 per person. We went in at 7pm to take pictures, stroll along the streets and enjoyed a 10 mins display of beautiful fireworks. We also bought something for each other as a souvenier. ( A mug from wifey and a lanyard for her )
It was a indeed a memorable date with my wife.

The Power of Life Groups

Last week during sermon, Pastor Jeff used the evolution illustration to describe LG.
It was a very apt an interesting picture to paint as many times people go for LG feeling very tired after a day’s work, some problems we face or troubles we encountered.
However the LG has the power to encourage and give life if it’s working right and when the spirit of God is present. Many times, we walk out feeling refreshed and our spirits get lifted.

Conversely, it also means that if the group is one that is life ‘draining’ whereby there is no authentic fellowship and where brothers and sisters are divided… a person may walk in alright but leave the meeting feeling tired and drained… the model goes backward.

Let’s make LG a life giving one!

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47