The Way to Get to Heaven ...by 5 Year Olds

I always love to talk to little children. Despite their youthfulness and innocence,
they always speak from the heart. If we really want to know whether we look good, ask a child, and he will speak the truth just like the child in the fabled story,
The Emperor's New Clothes. I received the following email from a friend, Elena Ho,
and would like to share with my readers.



The way to get to Heaven.......... by 5 year olds......


I was testing the children in my Sunday school class to see if they
understood the concept
of getting to heaven.
I asked them, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and
gave all my money
to the church,
Would that get me into Heaven?"

"NO!" the children answered.
"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything
neat and tidy,
would that get me into Heaven?"

Again, the answer was, "NO!"
By now I was starting to smile. Hey, this was fun! "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the
children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?"

I asked them again.
Again, they all answered, "NO!"
I was just bursting with pride for them.
"Well," I continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?"

A five-year-old boy shouted out,

"YOU GOTTA BE DEAD."

How Embarrassing!

My second sister Ean Ean had just called me on my mobile phone, and told me she
could not get through my home line. Upon checking I realised it was faulty. Hence
I called up Singtel and the operator confirmed that indeed it was out of order. She told me that she would send a technician to my home between 2 to 4 p.m. It was a
Saturday, and I was surprised at the efficiency of Singtel.

At 2.30pm a Malay technician came and he was so cheerful and amiable. Suddenly he
smiled and said, "Your phone is not working because the plug has been disconnected!"

I was so embarrassed and apologised profusely. I said to him, "Alamak, malu-lah! Saya sangat bodoh!" (Oh dear, how embarrassing! I am so stupid!)

"Don't say like that. It's ok, " smiled the cheerful technician. I told the technician that I have techno-phobia and when any gadgets go wrong, it is difficult
for me to figure out and do something about the gadgets.

About an hour later, he called me to check that my land line is working fine.

I am always so grateful that we have such great services and wonderful attitude in the various government departments.

Gan Cao

With Passion, Everything is Possible!

 

Our District 80 Governor Aziz Mustajab with charming Keynote Speaker, Pat Johnson, International President who came all the way from Canada!

 

One of the many lively and passionate toastmasters from District 80 with Pat
Johnson

 

Amelia Ching delivering her wonderful speech as test speaker

 

A pose with Dr. William Tan and his book "No Journey Too Tough". A neuroscientist and medical doctor, Dr. Tan is well known for his record-breaking attempt to race
in 10 marathons in 65 days across 7 continents.

Frankly I had been somewhat hesitant at first to sign up for the District 80 Semi-
Annual Convention in Singapore 2010. Of late my health had not been good and I was
afraid of over-exhaustion. But I was glad I signed up. I had not been to any overseas convention, but would not want to miss the conventions in Singapore, as it
would be less exhausting for me to travel.

I enjoyed every moment of the convention. It was indeed a good time to catch up with
toastmasters from Singapore and Thailand. I was blessed by the speeches made by Pat Johnson as well as the inspirational speakers like Dr. William Tan and Foo Fung Liang. I had read about Dr. William Tan's tenacity in overcoming his polio and to carve for himself a good career. Most admirable is his zest for life and determination to help raise funds through his many marathons.

I also enjoyed the humorous speeches. I laughed so much that I could hardly take my dinner after the contest. I was proud of Amelia Ching, my good friend, for her confidence and poise in delivering her speech as a test speaker. It is not easy to be a test speaker, because after the speech there will be some seven to eight contestants evaluating your speech. It takes a strong person to have "arrows being shot at you". Nevertheless, it is a wonderful experience for we will improve
tremendously!

The convention ended with a sumptuous dinner at the Safra Club at Jurong. We enjoyed the dance items on stage as well as the inspirational speech by Dr. William
Tan. It is always wonderful to attend toastmasters' conventions because you will
always go back, enriched and inspired, and become even more passionate in your toastmasters' journey.

Gan Cao

Yann's Creative and Cosy Home

 

 

 

 

Recently my eldest sister and I visited Yann's lovely home. My sister was mesmerised
by Yann's lovely handiworks which are displayed all over the home.

Somehow Yann's home reminds me of the lovely homes I had seen in Canada. Likewise, many of the retired wives would often occupy themselves with doing arts and crafts.
Many elderly Canadians can knit and sew very well.

As my eldest sister also loves handiworks, she asked Yann for some of the ready-made
patterns so as to make toys, flowers etc. Yann also sews lovely curtains for her
master bedroom and her children's room. The cosiness in her home gives an ambiance of
a country home.

Though I enjoy looking at all these lovely handicrafts, nevertheless I will not have the patience to wait till completion. Perhaps in a few years time, when I have more time on my hands, I will venture to try out making some of these handicrafts.

Yann and her husband have just bought a corner terrace house which comes with a bigger piece of land. I look forward to her new decorations and designs. Whenever I am with Yann, I am reminded of the phrase, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Gan Cao

Introducing Yann's Interesting Blog

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010Handmade Cards
Recently I received my orders from Joann.com and Amazon.com. I was so happy and excited like children getting their new toys. There were my scrapbooking materials, fabrics and books. I just couldn't wait to start new crafting and sewing projects. It was tormenting for not having time to create with holidays and happenings around. After 10 days of long wait, I finally settled down to create.


With my beloved Aunt Choo Choo's birthday around the corner, I made her a card. No sketch, just playing around with my new puncher and stamps. The velvet ribbon and metal alphabet used on the card exudes class and elegance.

I still prefer hard copy birthday cards than e-cards where I can touch, feel the textures and read the hand written messages. Thus, I like to take the effort to handmade them for those who are dear to me. Something I had done since my high school days. When beautiful imported Hallmark cards were too expensive for me to afford them. My simple cards of drawings with watercolour on water color papers had warmed and touched hearts.


Today, with the availability of modern tools and art supplies, more beautiful and fancier cards can be made easil

 

Yann's travelling journals

 

Some of the interesting people Yann met during her travels

 

The past two months had been busy months as many of my relatives were in Singapore for Ning's concert. I also flew back to Penang to celebrate my beloved second brother's 70th birthday, and just shortly after returning to Singapore, I went with eldest sister to visit her daughter, Esther, in Kuala Lumpur. We also took the
opportunity to visit my beloved niece, Yann, at her lovely and creative home as well
as to visit some relatives in the capital of Malaysia.

Yann has started an interesting blog in which she shares with readers about her travels to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. She also shares her creative handicrafts in her blog. The above are some of the pictures that have been posted in the blog.
If my readers are interested, they can log in at http://yannkam.blogspot.com

The Mesmerising Moon!

 

 

 

 

My friend, Soh Yah sent me the above pictures of the moon. The pictures are so
well taken. I just love them! Hope my readers enjoy the pictures too.


May you always have work for your hands to do
May your pockets hold always a coin or two
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain
May the hand of a friend always be near you
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
- Irish Blessing

Home Sweet Home - Houses below US$100,000/-!

 

 

 

 

I saw pictures of the above houses in various towns in America and they are all going
for less than US$100,000/-. The houses remind me of my student days in Canada. I just love the houses because they are cosy, homely and comfortable. The Canadians are very adept at decorating their homes. I enjoyed my part time work as a cleaner
when I was studying in Edmonton. I loved the different homes I was sent to.

I guess many of us will envy the Americans for their lovely and cheaper homes. Now, with US$100,000/- we cannot even buy a 3 room HDB flat! Apartments in Singapore are getting smaller and smaller and we call them shoebox apartments. Measuring some 330 to 500 sq. ft. whoever lives in these apartments must be adept at maximising the space. Of course the best is that little time is needed to clean these smaller dwelling places.

I guess at the end of the day, feelings of home sweet home will arise from how comfortable and happy we are. Frankly I would prefer to live in Singapore, as the island is small and more compact, and it is easier to zoom around in the mrt, bus, or taxis. Where the distance is less than 2 km, I will usually walk instead, if I am not in a hurry or am not carrying a heavy bag.

For those of us, who would like a little more space at times, travelling overseas during vacation is a good option. Next December, I will fly to Edmonton to visit my friends, Mary and Ryan.

In conclusion, it does not really matter where we live. Most important is how happy and at ease we feel. Remember that someone had mentioned in the Book of Proverbs,
"I'd rather eat a piece of dry bread in the stable than feast in a mansion with a nagging wife. I remember how I was so happy growing up in Jelutong village in Penang. Though our attap house was not a grand one, I was extremely joyful staying with my wonderful family members. Sometimes when it rained, the rainwater would seep through the old attap roofs, and we would scramble to get pails to catch the water. When the ground was flooded, we would make paper boats to sail on the water. Papa and Mama were always so hospitable, and we often had guests at home for lunch or tea.

Let us all make our homes sweet and happy. It is the people in the home that are more important than bricks and mortars. Let us be hospitable and share with others our home, no matter how small or big. Home is truly where the heart is.

Gan Cao

A Dog's Life....

 

The sweet retriever that goes for his daily nap at his neighbour's house!


"An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head. He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.


An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with non stopping chatting wife, 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.
Can I come with him tomorrow?"


Dogs are so clever. I could not help smiling when I received the above email from a friend, Michael Rodrigues. I remember how our pet dog, Bobby, would go to the temple in our village in Penang, where he would have his daily nap. It was not because our home was noisy; but with his thick fur, Bobby found comfort and coolness sleeping on the tiles of the inner sanctuary of the temple which for some reason, were especially cold to the touch. Enjoy and smile!

Ladies, please try to jabber less. Even dogs find us somewhat too noisy for their nap. Someone has said that when a man dies, the first part to rot would be his eyes! As for ladies, the first part to rot would be their tongues and mouths! Moral of the story?

Men should ogle less; and women should jabber less! You can be assured that now I am trying my utmost to talk less and listen more! :-)

Gan Cao

Foreign Workers Should Be Banned From the Casinos

I read with dismay of many foreign workers trying their luck at the casinos. It is sad to think that their hard earned money would be wiped out at the gambling tables or through the jackpot machines, for the chances of losing are far greater than the chances of winning.

So many of the foreign workers have left their home countries to come to Singapore to earn a living. They will send back portions of their earnings back to their family members and some still have debts to pay. Some have borrowed heavily from family members and friends to come to Singapore. It is unthinkable that because of their penchant for gambling, they would lose their focus which is to earn as much money as they can, so that with their savings, they can return to their countries to start a small business or build their dream home.

It is quite alright if the foreign workers spend a little money to try their luck on Toto, 4D or the Singapore Sweep. I heard that one foreign worker won the first prize in a Toto draw, and he had only spent $1.00 buying Toto. I believe that if a person is lucky enough, even with one ticket, he may have the good fortune to strike a prize.

Some of the foreign workers work at construction sites under the hot blazing sun. It is sheer, hard work. Why let the slots in the jackpot machines devour your hard earned money? For those who are gradually getting addicted, flee for your life, before you become slaves to gambling addiction. While the rich could afford to lose thosands if not millions, the foreign workers just cannot afford to lose any money.

I have never been inside the two casinos in Singapore, and I don't think I will ever pay the levy of $100. I still believe in sheer hard work and wise investments. I will never let Lady Luck play a role in my acquisition of wealth, for Lady Luck will allow me to win a Mercedes, but lose a bungalow if I do not flee fast enough.

Gan Cao

My Favourite Advertisements.....

 

 

 

 

Whenever I watch my favourite television programs, I would try to make use of the advertisement segments to read, or take a coffee or toilet break. However, when the Odourless Nippon Paint advertisement is on, I would watch it for it is my favourite.

I always smile when I watch the pug dancing in unison with the Samurai painter. In general I like advertisements with music and animals in them. I also like the Tomato Catchup advertisement where a white duck catches a piece of French fry in its mouth and walks towards a little boy holding some tomato ketchup sauce in his hand as he eats his fries. The little boy's eyes grow bigger and rounder as the duck approaches him and dips its French fry into the tomato sauce.

The Media Corp needs advertisements to run its programs. How wonderful it would be
if all advertisements are tasteful, unique and interesting. But sad to say, some are absolutely boring and I think you know the ones I am referring to.

Hey! Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods.....

The other day I was taking a ride from Outram Road MRT station to Clementi. I could not help smiling when I heard a young couple's conversation. The lady looked like she was an expectant mother.

Wife: Honey, when our son is born, I want to name him Lee Wood Wood.

Husband: Yucks, such a funny name. Wood - Char tow! (Hokkien for wood). I prefer Lee Bao Bao or Lee Kim Kim, or even Lee Tang Tang.

Wife: Didn't you notice that the world's top golf players have a "Wood" in their names eg. Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood. Hope our son can grow up to be the best golf player in Asia if not in the world.

I smiled as I realised how anxious parents are for their little ones, even when they
are still foetuses in their mothers' wombs! The couple must be golf enthusiasts, and perhaps even as they watch golf games on television or play golf on the undulating fields of green, somehow the foetus in the womb would also be affected.

I know of a friend who shared that she tried to listen to more classical music in the hope that her baby would turn out to be musical. I guess she was right because her daughter now excels in her piano playing!

With competition getting stronger in every field of specialisation, I guess parents are now not resting on their laurels which probably explain why preschoolers are even receiving tuition in languages, art, music, etc.

I guess mothers are now no longer singing,

"Hey, Sarah, Sarah,
whatever will be, will be.
The future's not ours to see,
Hey, Sarah, Sarah.

But mothers and fathers are now taking their offsprings' childhood and adolescence
in their stride to ensure a bright future for their children. :-)

Gan Cao

Indian Mom

A friend sent me the following email. Hilarious!

Indian MOM

A Mom comes to visit her son Kumar for dinner.....who lives with a girl roommate Sunita. During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Kumar's roommate was. She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Kumar and his roommate than met the eye.

Reading his mom's thoughts, Kumar volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Sunita and I are just roommates."

About a week later, Sunita came to Kumar saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver plate. You don't suppose she took it, do you?" Kumar said ,"Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure."
So he sat down and wrote :

Dear Mother:

I'm not saying that you 'did' take the silver plate from my house, I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the silver plate.. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.

Love,
Kumar

Several days later, Kumar received an email from his Mother which read:

Dear Son:
I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Sunita, and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with Sunita. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the silver plate by now under the pillow...

Love,
Mom.

Lesson of the day:
Don't Lie to Your Mother...........especially if she is Indian !

 

The room feels like it is air conditioned with 24 deg. Celsius

 

Wow! 22 deg. Celsius - the lowest temperature ever shown on my thermometer



This morning I woke up at dawn. It was kind of cool and somewhat windy. Later, as I was reading, I heard the howling of the wind, and the rain became heavy. I closed my windows and to my surprise, I could hear the howling of the wind. Though somewhat musical, nevertheless the music sounded eerie and somewhat scary, like the music you would hear in movies when ghosts are about to appear or something tragic is about to take place.

I could see the young trees on the ground swaying vigorously. As the foliage of the trees are heavier because of some branches, the skinny trunks look like they would be broken anytime by the strong winds. Wow, if the strong winds already appear to be somewhat frightening, what are tornadoes and tsunamis like?

The only even more powerful winds I had witnessed was when I was in secondary school. My cousin, Sim and I had gone to Penang Road to catch some movies. When the heavy rains came down, we took shelter at a coffee shop near the cinema and had our lunch. Suddenly I saw a huge rubbish bin being swept up into the air and it landed on the roof of the now defunct Rex Cinema. Fortunately no one was hurt, because the movie had not yet started. The chopsticks and cloths of the stall holders started flying around. It was scary. I could never forget that afternoon, when my cousin and I watched movie in a cinema with half the roof gone! Incredible. On reflection, the cinema should have just refunded the patrons their money for their purchased tickets, because it could be quite dangerous to be in a cinema with half the roof gone! Luckily nothing untoward happened. Well, those were the days!

The lowest temperature I had recorded was 25 deg. Celsius. Yet, it seemed to be even cooler this morning, and I guessed the temperature could be lower than 25 deg.
I was right! It was 24 deg.! I thought of the people who might be out on the roads at dawn. Helen, my neighbour, would probably be making her way to her food stall to prepare food. I hope she would not be thoroughly soaked by the heavy rain. At moments like this, when the winds and rain are at their most ferocious, I think of Noah and the Ark. Truly we need to be dependant on God for blessings all the time, just like Noah did.

It seemed to be even colder and when I checked my thermometer again, the reading was
22 degree Celsius! Wow! The lowest I have ever recorded!

These few nights have been quite cool, and I need not even turn on my ceiling fan.
I only turned on my air conditioner when the haze was around, for it caused my eyes to tear.

Happiness is when I could keep my utilities bill low and greater happiness is when I looked out of my windows, and saw that none of the young trees in my estate have been broken! It is like an analogy for us. When we go through the storms of life and the tempests of torment and sufferings, God is still there for us to protect us and to give us strength, peace, comfort and joy, because in Him we trust.

Gan Cao

Much Ado About Heroes and Heroines...

My toastmaster buddy, Kala, whom I recently got to know through our Changi Prison Speechcraft, sent me an email on CNN Top Ten Heros.

I am glad to receive the email, for it is interesting to read of the wonderful works and contribution of the various great people.

I read through the works of the ten nominated heroes and heroines. They all play an important role to help the needy in various ways. For eg. Narayana Krishnan has given up his job as a top chef to set up Akshaya Trust to feed millions in Madurai everyday. The team will travel a radius of about 200 km to serve food to the hungry. Harmon Parker builds bridges in Kenya to help the poor cross dangerous rivers infested with crocodiles. Aki Ra helps to clear land mines to make it safer for his people in Cambodia. He and his wife also took in orphans and injured children. Anuradha Koirala saves young girls from prostitution and set up Maiti Nepal to look after these girls, give them training and hope for a new lease of life. Magnus McFarlane-Barrow, a Scottish farmer quit his job and set up Mary's Meals which feed more than 400,000 hungry children in Malawi, Haiti and other developing nations. Susan Burton helps newly released lady prisoners find encouragement and hope so that they do not go back to their old ways again. Evans Wadongo helps his people in Kenya by replacing their dangerous kerosene lamps with free energy saving bulbs. Linda Fondren helps her city of obese people to lose weight and to live a healthier lifestyle. Guadalupe Arize de la Vega helps to build hospitals in Mexico. Dan Wallrath builds free mortgage homes for returning veterans to America, especially those who have been wounded in the war in Afghanistan.

All these heroic people have something in common - sacrifice. Narayanan gave up his post as top chef in a new posting in Switzerland, but when he saw an old man eating his own faeces he was so shaken that he decided he would feed the poor and hungry in Madurai. He and his team would wake up at 4a.m. everyday to cook. He also gives free hair cut. Guadalupe Arize risks the danger of a country infested with drug war lords and criminals to provide health care for the poor. All these heroic people have done so many courageous and admirable acts - so how do we vote for the best? What is the criteria for top heroism.? How do we say that one act is more heroic than another?

CNN has already honoured all the ten heroes by giving them recognition and awards of $25,000/- each. Instead of voting for the winner who will get $100,000/- why not increase the award of $25,000/- to $35,000/-? I feel that it is difficult to determine the most heroic of them all!

I also feel that voting may not be accurate, for eg. if I were a very fat lady and I am obsessed with losing weight, I would vote for someone like Linda Fondren who helps the obese in her City of Vicksburg, Missisipi to lose weight. Or some people would be nationalistic and vote their own country man. I have been to Nepal twice and love the country and her people. Hence I am most likely to vote for Anuradha Koirala, who saves young girls from prostitution, my pet concern. See what I mean.? I am also sure that these ten great people do not like the idea of competition. They have started their projects with just wanting to help where help is needed. Seeing the fruitful results of their labour is already a great reward for them. Awards and honours are bonuses which they receive with grace and thanks. There are also many unsung heroes in the world - people who have given of themselves. I am sure the ten heroes are already happy and contented to have their works recognised.

In conclusion, I feel that CNN should do away with this voting. Take the $100,000/- and divide into ten with each hero getting $35,000/- each to further enhance their works. This would be fairer and more practical.

I hope I do not offend anyone with my thoughts. Just my two cents worth.....

Gan Cao

Excuse Me, Are You a Property Agent? (30)

 

Various Certificates are given out during our once a month, ALM Meeting

 

Team Associate and Senior Directors enjoying the comfortable seats in the Auditorium
of Orange Tee Building

 

After the meeting, agents get a treat of beer and sumptuous buffet during the
"Happy Hour" at the Sky Terrace of Orange Tee Building.

 

"This place is more like a resort, so windy and beautiful", said Ming Wei with pretty fiancee, Joy.

My partner, Dickson, an agent from Orange Tee, has been co-broking with me for the past four years and has often been persuading me to join his company. Hence I decided to join him when his company moved to the new premises at Toa Payoh, a beautifully designed new 16 storey building, located just next to the HDB Hub.

Change is never easy, but I like the computer system in Orange Tee. The Work at Home allows me to have easy access to information from the company, and my team's performance. I can also easily search for information on properties in the computer.
The system is just wonderful for someone like me who enjoys working from home. Yet when I have to be at the office, there are ample seating places in the company. With 288 free seating places, I am spoilt for choice!

I could also easily meet up with clients at the various meeting rooms or at the Sky Terrace. Recently, a client, Mr. Ong, recommended me to help his niece, Joy, purchase a condominium in the Hillview area. I requested that we meet at the office. It turned out that Joy's fiance was none other than my ex-student from ACS!! Both Joy and Ming Wei enjoyed themselves at the Sky Terrace.

My colleagues are all very friendly and helpful and I am enjoying myself at my new work place. Our Executive Directors, Mr. Michael Tan and Mr. Steven Tan, and Director of Training and Development, Mr. James Tam are approachable and open to new ideas. Orange Tee Building is just 6 MRT stops away from my home, and when the new downtown line is completed, it will only be only 3 MRT stops away! Happiness is saving time when I go around with my BMW - Bus, MRT, Walking! I am so grateful for the wonderful infra structure in Singapore!

Gan Cao

Do People Mistake You for Jesus ?

I just received this email from my friend, and it has set me pondering. It has also renewed me with a determination to walk more closely with Jesus, and most importantly to walk my talk!

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago . They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner.



In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples at the airport. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind!
She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display.
As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, 'Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?'
She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, 'I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly.'

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister....' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, 'Are you Jesus?' He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered.

Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?' Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our Destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would.

Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Please share this..... Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know...Thanks

NOWADAYS ..TOO MANY CHRISTIANS ARE NO LONGER FISHERS OF MEN AND WOMEN BUT KEEPERS OF THE AQUARIUM.

Grandma is Still Driving ......

 

I received an email from Bilora, a friend who is also a toastmaster. I was hungry for the evening before, I had a very light dinner. However, this hilarious article filled my tummy with joyful air of laughter.! What a great way to reduce food
intake! I am sure my readers will also enjoy the article. Have a great and roaring week ahead!




Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:

Dear Granddaughter,

The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker.

I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting.

So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.

Boy, am I glad I did! What an uplifting experience followed.

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.

It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that lots of people love Jesus!

While I was sitting there, the guy behind me started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!'

'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!'

What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!

Everyone started honking!

I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people.

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!

There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach.

I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air.

I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant.

He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.

Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back.

My grandson burst out laughing. Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.

I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.

So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection.

I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared.

So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!

Will write again soon.

Love, Grandma

Surpassing Beauty - SSO Concert

 

Kam Ning, as soloist

The month of November will be a happy and exciting one for me, for I will be able to see all my siblings in Singapore and many relatives from different parts of the world.

It is rare for all of us five siblings to meet together as we are staying in different countries. It is sheer happiness for me to be able to see all of them.
Eldest brother, Kee Yong's orchestral works will be performed by the SSO, with his daughter, Kam Ning as soloist. It will be conducted by my ex-student from ACS, Darrell Ang.

I hope my local readers will try to make it a point to attend the concert if time permits. It will be a very enjoyable concert! The following are the details of the
concert.


SURPASSING BEAUTY at Esplanade Concert Hall, on 12th November 2010, 7.30p.m.

Darrell Ang conductor
Kam Ning violin


KAM KEE YONG -The River 河 for orchestra
KAM KEE YONG - Fantasia of Insects 昆虫幻想曲 for orchestra
KAM KEE YONG - Kuang Xiang Qu 狂想曲 for violin & orchestra
KAM KEE YONG - Surpassing Beauty 零落依草木 for violin & orchestra
KAM KEE YONG - Tranquil Night 静夜思 for violin & orchestra
KAM KEE YONG - Lao Jiang Xing 老将行 for violin & orchestra
DEBUSSY - Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
RAVEL - Daphnis et Chloé: Suite No. 2


Ravel's ballet music for Daphnis et Chloé was completed in 1912 as a result of a commission by Sergei Diaghilev; from the score Ravel put together two orchestral suites, the second of which is arguably the more popular. Singaporean violinist Kam Ning, Second Prize winner of the 2001 Queen Elisabeth Competition, presents a selection of Chinese-inspired pieces composed by her father, Singapore's Cultural Medallion recipient Kam Kee Yong.



Pre-Concert Talk: 6.30pm, Library @ Esplanade


Concert Duration: approx. 1 hr 45 min (inclusive of 20 min intermission)

Happiness is .......(48)

 

Carlsberg had come up with a creative stool that could be easily folded and carried around

 

Voila! The stool can carry the weight of a man or woman weighing over 120kgs!

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Happiness is .....(47)

 

The lovely sunset around the Tanjong Rhu area in Singapore

 

My new delightful canine friend....

 

The friendly maid, Jean, with her owner's dog, Cassy

 

A cute and friendly dog

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My team member, Yvonne, had advised me to take a bus from Aljuneid MRT station direct to the client's rental property at Costa Rhu. However, it would mean a slightly longer journey.

Happiness is taking a fast ride via the new circle line and terminating at the Stadium MRT station, and then taking a walk along the waterfront to Costa Rhu. It
takes about 30 minutes for the walk, but I thoroughly enjoy myself, for I would be
most likely to meet many dogs along the way!

When the viewing was over, the sky would be setting, and it would be even better as there would be more dogs being taken out by their owners or maids. Ever since my three pet dogs have passed away, I now find joy and comfort in loving other people's dogs, and hence have become "godma" to my neighbours' six Shih Tzu. I also make it a point to talk to and pat dogs I meet along the way.

I am thankful to our government for the cleanliness and wonderful city planning in Singapore. Maybe I am just an easily contented person who takes joy and pleasure in simple things. I also enjoy raindrops falling on my head, or hear the pitter patter of heavier rainfall. Even though I am quite scared of lightning and thunder, it is as if the Creator is taking a photo of the earth each time lightning strikes and the sky is filled with sudden streaks of light! Each time lightning takes place, I am reminded of how frail we human beings are and how needful to be dependant for grace and mercy on the One who creates the world.

After all, happiness is a choice, and not merely dependant on circumstances.