Consistency – the key to success

Today, I got my P4 students to do a math exercise in groups (which was quite a messy experience, haha).  The exercise involved solving some sums to form a sentence which was “the key to success”.  And this sentence was “Practice makes perfect”.

Consistency basically contains this same concept.  Only when you are consistent in doing something will you be able to be a master over it.  Yet many a time, being consistent in our outlook, emotions, disciplines can be so so tough.  It always seems so much easier to do what we like, say what we like, whenever we like it. 

In the past month, this word has been coming up frequently in my thoughts and conversations.  Inconsistency has often been described as a problem for kids and teenagers.  But I realised, as adults, we still battle this monster, largely due to the ups and downs of feelings and emotions.  Well, at least I still do. 

How can I be a more consistent person in the things I do and the things I say?  I believe this is one of the challenges for the new year and it is going to take more than just willpower and strength to do it.  Maybe a little touch from the Holy Spirit will help?

Karen Cheng’s Snippets of Life

This is just a free advert for one of my favourite blogs/bloggers: Karen Cheng.

I’ve been following her blog since Ling Kai introduced it to me 4 years ago?  And through the years, this blog has evolved to include more and more genres.  I think most girls would find something they like to read about in the blog now!

But what really draws me is Karen’s thoughtful and honest writing, her sharing about her family, especially her reflective parenting.  For someone who became a parent as young as she did, it’s amazing how much insights about parenting she has.  Well, even if you are not interested in that, her little anecdotes about her 3 cute little boys are bound to make you laugh!  Unlike many other blogs which rant about their feelings, Karen’s posts are always positive and light-hearted.

So if you are looking for something heart-warming to read, go to Karen’s blog at www.karencheng.com.au. :)

Celebrating the new year

It’s the start of the new year!  I haven’t been blogging for some while, but yay I’m back :)

Just past midnight on 1 Jan, I happened to be writing my goals for the new year and I wrote this: Do something new!  Haha.  This is like the worst goal ever – not specific, not measurable, no action plan as yet and may turn out unrealistic.

So I was thinking about it again today…  Ever since I started university and came into church, each year I have done at least 1 thing new – produce a musical, gone overseas on exchange, start working, serve in a ministry etc.  But 2009 I didn’t do anything new…  In fact, 2009 was a year of CHANGES instead – change cell group, change job, change my lifestyle.

So after all these changes, I’ve decided that this year it’s time to do something new again!  Learn guitar?  Go on mission trip?  Whether it’s big or small, my options are still open…  We shall await and see what happens!

2 holes and an aching arm

I have 2 mini pierced holes in my right arm and left middle finger, and an arm which is going to ache tomorrow, but my heart is filled with joy at the gift of life that someone is possibly going to get.

If you haven’t donated blood before because you find it too scary, let me share my story…

2 years ago, I was grossly afraid of needles, blood and pain. I still am. Haha. When I was going to enter university in 2004, I had to go through a medical examination – the first in my life. I was so nerve-wrecked about the possibility that they are going to draw blood from me that I couldn’t eat and sleep well for weeks, pondering whether I should quit school to avoid the examination. That lasted till I ascertained from a friend that she did the test and no blood was drawn.

My 2nd experience with medical examination came in 2007 when I had to do one before my company confirmed my employment. Same routine – I asked around if blood would be drawn but I didn’t have many close friends who were employed by the same company. Once again, I wondered if I find out that they are taking blood, should I run away and quit the company… Sounds crazily stupid, but I was THAT scared.

Ah well, no one in the right mind around me would have let that happen (not that I shared with many people cos I was ashamed of my fear), so I went for the examination and THEY TOOK MY BLOOD!!! I nearly freaked out that morning when I found out, if not for the fact that my good friend did the blood test calmly before me and that I assured myself that God would protect me.

Surprisingly, it was pretty painless. I was so shocked at the lack of pain that I immediately decided to go for blood donation. So here I am, after my 2nd blood donation experience, still not daring to look at the needles, and still shaking when I sit in the chair, but convinced of the impact that this bag of blood can make, and happy that I am healthy enough to give.

Here’s my message to all those who can, but haven’t given blood before: Donate blood, save lives!

(P.S.: That being said, and especially if you are a girl, please try to get someone to accompany you on your first time… And that is another story in itself :) )

My grown-up camp experience

I’ve been in a camp the whole of the past week. When I tell people that, they look at me strangely, wondering how come I sound like I’m “back to school”. I’m not! But well, it essentially feels like it..

My company has a 2-week stay-in induction programme for all new joiners at NACLI, which is one of our training institutes. Hence, this week, about 30 of my fellow course mates and I checked in and spent a week together. Most of us are below the age of 30 (I think), and for many, this is kinda like their first job. Thus, despite this being my 2nd job already, it somehow feels like I’m back into a mini university once again (my 1st company took in about 300 fresh grads – can form a school on its own right?).

Games, cheers, teasing, lectures, morning exercises, late nights doing projects, hostel staying and the lot – how much closer can I get back to school life? Haha. But well, I’ve had a fun week overall, knowing new people and knowing my company better. I must say, I think I’m a better student now! I only fell asleep during 1 out of like 8 lectures (as compared to 7 out of 8 previously :P)!

On a side note, sometimes I really miss the crazy days of hostel life – hanging out and talking in friends’ rooms, late night suppers, the production days – working for things and people I feel for. But I’m also enjoying the new stage of life I’m currently in now, and looking forward to my life ahead, despite its unpredictability. I must remember to live life in the present, not in the past or the future, or in a hope or dream! Godliness with contentment is great gain :)

Why I laugh when things don’t go my way

This is one of my favourite lines, and its taken from a song called “State of My Mind”, written by my friend, Jonathan, who has just recorded and released his album!  (Picture taken from http://jonchong.com/)

WOW. Haha.. Jon is the 1st singer-songwriter and 1st phD grad whom I know, and he’s only 29 yrs old! Yet in my 4 years of knowing him, he’s always so down-to-earth and humble. The simplicity of heart and loving nature of Jon and his wife, Belinda, constantly touches me.

Check out Jon’s website @ http://jonchong.com/, and hear his rock/funk/jazz style of his own, or catch him on RazorTV @ http://www.razortv.sg/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/38576.html!

All the way, Jon!

UP! – Relationships vs sentimental value

About 2 months ago, Alvin, Gerald, Seow Chean and I caught UP! It was a cute and funny show, yet with a lot of meaning.
After the movie, I penned down some thoughts for the night:
- Where do we place current relationships in comparison to things of sentimental value which remind us of past relationships?
- Are these memories more important and worth keeping, even at the expense of current relationships?
- Are we willing to “give old things up” for new things to come?
- And how about relationships in comparison to other tasks or things that are important to us?

I used to get upset over non-living things, like when my favourite TV shows didn’t get recorded, and made my whole family unhappy. I don’t anymore, not for TV shows, but there are still some things which I hold on to a little too tightly. I think each of us has. So the next time I face a dilemma, I shall ask myself: What are the things that will last, that are important for eternity? Don’t think it’s easy to always choose the right thing when I don’t feel like it, but ah well, I’ll try :)