WELCOME BACK, IT'S 2017.

It's been a year long hiatus. And a lot have passed. I've moved on to developing more vlogs. As I'm typing this post, I'm realising that this is somewhat awkward since I've no idea where to begin. To be honest, I'm also not that great with stringing sentences together. (Thus, the vlogging)

However, I've come to realise that I've started this blog exactly 10 years ago and what a better time than now to revive it. I guess it's good to jot down my feelings and also the fond memories.

Soooooooo, I'll be back very soon.

This post is actually really just for myself. So that this space will never be forgotten by me.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

I've finally passed my probation! I AM A CONFIRMED FULL TIME STAFF! *throws confetti, cue fireworks!

PRAISE THE LORD, for He is forever faithful and good. Truly blessed with all the awesome colleagues and the entire company culture. Everyday I thank God for the unearned, unmerited favour. So super grateful God placed me here. Honestly I can't imagine myself anywhere else and this place is great for a first job! My stepping stone to the workforce, equipped with patient and kind colleagues and opportunities to learn and grow. 

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!! I'm finally not contributing to the unemployment rate hahah. Looking back now, I finally understand God's plans for me! This job is really special and close to my heart, because I am and have also been passionate about our beautiful country. Heheh. In everything, give thanks. Praying that God will continue to give me the strength and ability to excel in my work.

Carmen will find favour in her fellow colleagues and superior eyes! Amen. Believing that God has placed me here for a reason (:

I LOVE YOU MAMA

Growing up, when my parents had to work, my grandma would take care of me. She would always bring me to Chinatown and catch all the Cantonese opera. And that's how I picked up Cantonese. Today, I'm proud to say I can speak and understand my dialect, all thanks to my dearest grandma.

Even though my grandma has dementia for many years now (I lost count), I'm so glad she remembers all those precious memories she had with me when I was younger. Now that I'm all grown up (I'm technically an adult now) I want to create more of these precious memories with me. And though she may not even remember them, I will do so for her.

This video was taken just before I started working. It was pretty sad that immediately after we went home from spending the entire day out together, she forgot everything. She couldn't remember where we went and so I made this video to remind her time and time again. The smile on her face when she saw the video was priceless.

I love you mama.

IN HIS TIME, NOT MINE

One by one, all my friends are getting a job, which makes my home stay a little more pathetic. The real battle begins - waking up each day thinking how should I spend my time at home wisely, while thinking of all my friends at work.

Honestly, I am enjoying my home stay holiday. I love time alone. But when the reality hits you, it hits you hard. "I have a degree, but no money to support myself, nor my family." The kanchiong spirit really comes out and points back at me and says "Why are you the last to find a job? Are you the most inadequate?"

Yet time and time again while I countdown to the day I graduate (next Wednesday), I am reminded that my job WILL COME IN HIS TIME, not mine. It's really not about your qualification, the number of resumes you sent out, or the number of interviews you go for, it's all about Jesus and favour upon you. IT'S OKAY, even if I get a job after my graduation is over.

When God opens a door, no man can shut. And when He shuts, no man can open. Isaiah 22:22

The test of faith. To be honest, after going for a few interviews, the reality scares me. I don't know if I'll be ever ready but I guess my might God will forever be with me, so whom shall I fear. 

For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but the power of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

If you are reading this, I know everything I am typing out sounds contradicting. But, this is truly what's going on in my mind right now and the battle I am fighting. Pray with me.

MY JOBLESS LIFE

Now that I'm back from being away for almost a month, the job hunt continues. It isn't easy trying to find a job you want which also fits all your other criterias. Still strongly believing that Daddy God has the best job for me coming my way soon. Amen! I want to get hired before I officially graduate from school on 26th Aug!

Meanwhile, the best part of being jobless is probably having lots of free time. Time to catch up with friends and of course some alone time at home. I've been editing so many videos these past few weeks in the midst of sending out all those job applications as well.

Friends of a Decade
Meet my best friends since good old Secondary school days! Super thankful for being able to catch up with y'all all throughout the years. Hahah can't help but always look back at all the times we spent together back at Tanglin Secondary and see how far we've grown together. Even though we don't meet as often because of our individual hectic lifestyles, I'm glad we still feel comfortable with each other!

My last care group (CG): Durian and Dance (D&D)
Wasn't looking forward to the durian, that's for sure hahha. It was truly a good closure at last week's care group. Thank God for the last opportunity to lead worship (play my guitar). It was smooth even though I didn't get to practice it a lot. Just wanna share that the Lord is forever faithful! He has not only blessed me with some many opportunities to serve and to hone my skills, He has also provided good leaders to teach and guide me along the way. Thank you so much Yeukeed, Joyce, Jon for patiently teaching me the guitar and Lizzy, Sara, Cheryl for giving me the eye to see creatives in a different light.

Looking back now, my Varsity journey has been so much more than I expected. The Lord really exceeds your expectations! I wanted new friends and He accelerated my friendships with so many people, so I would feel at home quickly. I wanted to hone my skills in guitar and creatives, He gave me the open doors to serve in CG worship leading and the Creative ministry. Without knowing, the Lord has grown me and placed me with good friends who were always there to support and love me. I am truly blessed and grateful for all the experiences and opportunities. Though sometimes, through the skills honing process, the honest feedback hurts; but there's where you know you're growing and learning constantly (:

Sigh. As much I don't wanna leave, my spirit is telling me to leave and go be planted in my new season at Genrev, as a working adult :')

Monday blues? What Monday blues?
Met up with Quinie for lunch and a movie date on Monday! Came across Project Acai and was intrigued at how it has been so popular these days. So I had to try it for myself and give it a verdict. Truly, it was pretty good. But to be honest, it's a little pricey to keep up with this healthy food trend. Before having it, I was asking Quinie what does Acai tastes like? Judging from the colour, I continued asking, "Does it taste like blueberries?" Her reply was simple, "It's hard to describe the taste, you have to try it for yourself." Hahahha sold. So I bought it and truly, the taste is quite indescribable. I just love how it tastes so refreshing and there isn't any lingering aftertaste, except for the fruits that came along with it. So the fruits mainly provided extra flavour that complimented the acai bowl.

Still, I think it's too overpriced here in Singapore.

Caught the movie, Ant Man. And to my surprise, it wasn't as lame as the trailer. It was pretty (ant)ertaining! Hahah #tryingtobepunny. If you're not a fan of ants, be warned that during the movie, there are plenty scenes with ants closed up. Hhaha so it's like staring in your face. I kinda did love the plot and all the cool gadgets. It's a pretty cool invention, if put in the right hands (:

Dinner catch up at Marche with Jolene! Side note: Their Rosti is still as good as ever. And I really love the ambience and the rest of the food it offers. It's like an underrated Pasarbella with a lesser crowd. God has been so awesome really, accelerating our friendship to a whole new level each time we meet. Honestly, thinking how I was assigned to her as her befriender was really a cool story. So thankful for the numerous amount of similarities we have and how we can just let go and be ourselves when we're together. Thank you Jo! You are truly my other soul or something hahhah we think and act pretty similar too!

HELLO HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

Hokkaido Family Trip. 

7-13 July 2015.

Looking through all those 1,000 over videos and 500 over photos we shot was no joke. But thank God everything is finally settled and arranged neatly into our hard disk folders. Will upload the photos soon for memory sake! :D

Been doing a lot of vlogging recently, mainly documenting my life into snippets of live videos strung together. Sorry if this blog is pretty dead. I'll try my best at continuing this site, uploading and updating with new posts, using this as a memory storage. So that years from now when I look back, I have something precious to refer to! 

This coming long weekend will be filled with more exciting and celebratory vlogs! So stay tuned. On a side note, I've been editing way too many videos since July till now. So pardon me, if there isn't a new concept to my videos. Still, they are way precious to me, footages of awesome memories, so enjoy them! :D

SOUVENIRS OF SINGAPORE

Hello fellow Singaporeans! Aren't y'all getting pumped up and psyched for the long celebratory weekends in a few days time! I know I sure am.

Anyway, catch the 1965 movie today and I really loved it. The emotional close up shots, props, cinematography, casts were all pretty good I must say. Especially Qi Yi Wu's character and this was really a breakthrough of his 'wooden block' usual characters. The movie shows pre Singapore's independence and after our independence. I'm really really so proud and thankful to be part of this young nation. I thank God everyday for the good government leaders who seek the best for us, without corruption, enabling us speedy growth for the nation and the citizens' wellbeing.

Learnt so much through the movie, especially how we should all love our neighbours as ourselves. Being a united, multiracial loving community!

After the movie, headed to the National Design Centre at Bugis to check out the cool inventions and artworks by fellow Singaporeans. The event was called "Souvenirs of Singapore". Bought some temporary tattoos to get ready for NDP this Sunday heh. Pretty much enjoyed myself and wanted to buy so many things, but obviously can't afford them all. So just took in all the sights and jotted them down my memory lane.

Red Riding Hood Lah! (Singlish edition)

MY BROTHER IS ENLISTING!

My brother is finally enlisting! It feels like the entire family has been waiting for this day, anticipating the growth of a boy to a man (physically, emotionally and mentally). It was pretty cool having a tour around Tekkong and getting a glimpse of what my brother will be going through during his time at BMT. Can't wait to see him back home with his new botak head hahah. And probably a change in his character as he matures and take on more responsibility!

Army so cool leh. Besides learning how to protect your nation with all that modernised cool weapons, making new buddies for life, you also get to become fitter and more responsible. I secretly also wanna join. (Okay, not so secret anymore)

CG GRAD PARTY

So apparently, I officially graduate from Varsity today. Doesn't feel like it at all, especially since I was away for the past month. Time really flew by so quickly with this family. New kingdom friendships fostered, skills honed, memories made. Gonna miss y'all loads! But for now, it's time for a new season. Genrev, here I come!

GOOD MORNING!

Good morning y'all! ^^ Been pretty occupied juggling with SEA Games volunteering, church camp stuff. Stay tune for my upcoming SEA Games vlog heheh.

HELLO JUNE

It seems like I'm only blogging once a month these days.

Anyway, welcoming the post-graduation life, trying to juggle between looking for jobs and enjoying life as it is. This entire week has been just going out for interviews and catching up with friends. Pretty tiring, kinda broke but satisfying.

The interviews wasn't all smooth, some I didn't like the job and others just not much mentorship or prospects given. Still I'm really not rushing this because I still wanna enjoy my break right now. Plus I know that Jesus has got it covered, when He opens a door, no man can shut. The Lord declares in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." So in short, just trusting Him that He is craving a job specifically for me. A job I want, love and will enjoy and pays well hahah. Thank you Jesus, you know my heart desires!

Moving on, meeting up with friends are always fun-filled and I really do enjoy everyone's presence. However, it also means my pocket money is depleting hahah from all that cafe hopping.

Embracing another new month together with my closest peeps yesterday. It was a crazy ride from Five and Dime, Bingsoo place at OC then heading down to Sentosa. Still, it was filled with laughter, joy and lots of weird things from Sharon hhahahah

Wish I brought out my camera yesterday so I could do a new vlog but I didn't so boohoo. Till next time! We're in the midst of preparing to shoot our 10th year friendship anniversary! So stay tuned.

Excited for what's installed in my June schedule. Lots of activities already planned out to do:

1. SEA Games Volunteering

2. Church camp in Malacca

3. Hillsong Conference in Sydney

So get ready for more vlogs coming your way!! :D Thanks for stopping by to my 'almost dead' blog.

UPDATES

I'm starting to realise I've been neglecting this space ever since there was Instagram. Probably because I'm starting to get lazy to type every single blog post. However, I will and shall continue whenever I have anything interesting to share. Also, since I'm really interested in making Vlogs these days, you'll mostly be seeing them on my Youtube channel and posts here. Don't wanna make this a burden, so I'll try to update once a while (:

Moving on, what am I up to recently?

I've finally completed my final semester of my 2 year degree program, awaiting for exam results and my graduation convocation. Receiving mixed feelings about this because on one hand, I'm really excited to move onto the working world to explore and experience what God has installed for me! On the other hand, I'm really sad to say goodbye to my oh-so-many years of education. I can't believe this is really it. Gonna definitely miss all my awesome project mates, school mates, lecturers (maybe), schools and really just the entire school experience. Even though studying hasn't been the smoothest journey, especially mugging for exams, I'm gonna miss it. But I shall look forward and start planning ahead. Been thinking of which companies I wanna send me resume to and what I should do before officially working full time.

Praying for God's guidance and direction to what's best for me.

RESURRECTION SONDAY

Decided to make some good old pancakes for this special day - Celebrating Jesus! :D Words can't even describe how thankful I am to be a child of God. Fresh anointing, undeserved, unmerited favour, abundance grace and blessing upon us all! Because He has risen, we can call him Abba Father!

Celebrating Jesus! 

And my dearest Cher, blessed 21st :D! Welcome to the young adulthood heheh can't wait to htht and know you better, roomie! :D