🚙 Family Trip to Penang, Malaysia (17 to 20 Dec 2018)

          As currently now I am in university, December would be my 1 month winter break. It was the only time where I could truly enjoy because for this entire 1 month, I have no homework/exams and do not need to study at all. It was something which I was truly looking forward too, especially after enduring so much during my 1st semester in uni. My relatives (my father's side) had already booked a hotel and a mini tour package at Penang, Malaysia. My father asked me last minute whether I would like to go with him for this trip. Sadly, my mother or sister did not manage to tag along. My father wanted to treat me this trip as a birthday present for my 21st birthday.
           Initially, I was not keen in going at all because I have been to Malaysia countless of times. In this December, I was supposed to go to Malaysia two more times. However, one of my mini two day trip was cancelled last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. I got more inclined to this trip since then as I missed out one trip already and would not want to miss another potential overseas trip.
           As my father booked the trip last minute, me and my father took a different airline from our relatives. Our flight was a transit flight and we flew from Singapore to KL and from KL to Penang and vice versa for the return journey. I was slightly worried as I have a fear of heights and this meant that I have to take a total of 4 airplanes. As recently there were two major and serious commercial airplane crashes (lion air in Indonesia), I was afraid that something could go wrong during one of the 4 flights that I will be taking. 4 flights to take, 4 times more the chances that something bad could go wrong... I kept listening to christian songs and praying to God until I felt calm during the 4 flights. All 4 flights were quite short being roughly about an hour each and I just watch only 1/2 episodes of anime during each flights.
            After reaching the airport, my father bought data. As I recently started playing Pokemon go due to the influence of my CCA peers, I was quite happy as I could catch Pokemon on a foreign land. There was also a double candy and Christmas event which spawned much more ice and Christmas related Pokemons than usual and I made the full use out of it through these 4 days!
            Me and father arrived few hours earlier than my relatives so we explored the streets and shop-houses near the hotel. As my hair was quite long and my parents dislike me having relatively "long" hair, my father took me to a saloon to cut and wash my hair. I was quite thankful as I only paid 36 RM for it, which is about 12 SGD. For a cut and wash in a saloon, it is considered relatively cheap as compared to Singapore where a wash and cut could amount to twice the price or more of what I paid. In addition, the haircut experiencing was very soothing and relaxing overall as the hairstylist put in her 100 percent effort in cutting my hair and also massaging my scalp. The haircut experience last about an hour plus and I thoroughly enjoy the whole process. This is one of the most worth 12 dollars haircut ever.
           The real adventures begins on the second day. We went to Penang Hill. It was one of the main highlights in this trip, going high up the hill in the cable car. It was possible to climb up the hill by foot, but there was older adults and a toddler so we chose the convenient way anyways. The view high up the hill was breathtaking and spectacular. Took quite a number of picturesque photos and even saw an eagle soaring high up in the sky. In addition, I on my Pokemon Go app, to my surprise, there were a hoard of starters that spawn frequently without lures or incense.
           I ate a lot delicious food at Penang. The one that was the most memorable was actually an Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. For me particular, I love meat a lot and would definitely prefer a meal with some meat over a meal with no meat at all. However, the meal I had at that Indian vegetarian restaurant changed my mind. Surprisingly, the vegetarian dishes were scrumptious.
           Furthermore, I also grew closer to my niece, my older cousin's young daughter. Usually in family gatherings there will be a lack of chance to interact with my young niece one to one on a close personal level. Most of my relatives will "chope" her first. However, during this trip, I got to interact with her personally as I held her hand while touring around Penang many times and she enjoyed it and was delighted whenever I approached her to hold her hand.
           The only tilting part in this trip was the return flight. Not only it was another transit flight, both flights were delayed. On top of that, the plane did not have space to land on the official landing area so they landed somewhere far else outside. They have to send a private bus to ferry us back to the main terminal. In the end, I was supposed to reach home around 7 to 8 pm but I only reach back at 12 am midnight.
            Overall, still it was a pleasant journey and I do not regret at all going this trip. Initially, I was not very receptive in wanting to go this trip but thank God I did went for it in the end.

Pic: this is an eagle soaring quite high up

   Pic: my hotel

This train was quite fun but scary as it went uphill and I believe it was overloaded

Pics: scenery high up Penang Hill

Pics: Pictures of me and father and extended family from my Father's side

🔧 Year 1 Semester 1 NUS Common Engineering/Mechanical Engineer Modules Review

 Hi to whoever is kindly reading this blog, I am a Y1S1 (Year 1 Semester 1) Common Engineering student in NUS (National University of Singapore). How common engineering works is that first year we will take common engineering pre-requites modules that other engineering majors also will take in their first year like math, physics/chemistry modules. After the first year, we will be streamed compulsory into a major, which currently I am aiming for mechanical engineering. Most people in common engineering are aiming for computer engineering, because their A-level cut-off point could not make it as now computer engineering is a very competitive course like computer science in which even the 10th percentile consists of straight As students. I am writing this blog mainly to give a modules review of the modules that I had taken this semester.
               

1) EG1111 (ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE I)     

6 MCs

10% Oral Presentation
15% Written Report
35% Project and quizzes
20% Mid-term quiz (week 5)
20% Finals quiz (week 12)

For all engineering majors who are not from the poly direct intake, they have to take two EPP (Engineering Principle and Practice) modules in their first year each per semester. A usual module in NUS consists of 4 MCs (modular credits). However, both EPP modules are 6 MCs each. EG1111 is compulsory for all mechanical engineering majors to take it. In the first 6 weeks, you will learn about stuffs you learn before in JC (Junior College) physics if you take it. Some of it is also very similar to what u will learn in PC1431, another module I took in this semester with this module. The content is relatively easy to follow through initially and the bell curve for the first quiz was quite high, an 18 out of 20 is a A. The quizzes are all MCQs. From week 7 onward, the content gets harder and harder as you will come across stuffs you never learn or see before. The final quiz was extremely hard and the average mark was around 12 to 13 out of a 20. For the first quiz, the questions were relatively easy and some of the questions were repeated questions from past year papers. For the second quiz, the question types were new and were relatively hard. For the oral presentation, it will be an individual component and the week you are supposed to present will most likely be accordingly to alphabetical order of your name. You will be given the question topic two weeks before. Half of the marks will be graded on your engineering content, the other half will be graded by CELC (Centre for English and Language Communication). CELC will be grading you on your English and how effectively you deliver your presentation to your audience. Likewise for the written report, you will be doing it in your groups and while half of it will be graded on your engineering content, the other half will be graded by CELC on the English. For mine cohort, there were only two short quizzes, and they contributed to 3 percent each of the whole total module. The quizzes are open book by the way, just no electronic device that can communicate during both of the 20 percent quizzes. For each week, during one of the studio sessions out of two, one of the session will be graded. To score well for this module, the two quizzes will play a very huge difference because in my group, our final grades were very diverse even though we got the same marks for our studio sessions. I did very well for the first quiz (18/20) and average for the second quiz (13/20) and roughly average for the other components, but I still did quite well in the end.

Expected grade: B+/A-
Achieved grade: A-

2) MA1505 (MATHEMATICS I)

4 MCs

20% tutorials in-class-assignments
20% mid terms
60% finals

The first half of this module covers A level H2  Mathematics stuffs. The second half covers advanced calculus. The 20% in class assignments is easy to score and secure because discussions were allowed in tutorials and if you come for all the tutorials. The other 80 percent is just exam, but an A4 sized double sided cheat sheet is allowed into both exams. You should be able to squeeze in every formula into the cheat sheet if you write or print small enough with extra spaces to copy down some tough questions from tutorials or past year papers. For my batch, the bell curve was in our favor as everyone find it very hard. Generally, the time given for the mid-term paper were very little and most people did not have enough time to complete the paper. For the finals, the questions were very tough and many of the questions types were unseen or the working are just too long. Even though I did not know how to do the questions completely or get the final answer, I just try to write down whatever formula or working I can because they mark quite leniently as generally everyone could not get the final answer. Even if you completely do not know what or how to do, just write something down like some formulas or even just copy down the question and do some simple manipulation.

Expected grade: B+
Achieved grade: B+

3) PC1431 (PHYSICS IE)

4 MCs

10% Lab
60% Final
15% Mid terms
15% Online quiz assessment

This module teaches advances physics, way beyond your H2 physics. It consists of 3 dimensional aspects, which attributes to the toughness of the questions set in exams or tutorial. For the 15% online quiz assessment, it is a free giveaway if you attend the lectures regularly or get the password code from your friend. As long you submit all the answer within the given time, regardless of the accuracy of your answer, you will still get the 15% participation marks. The 10% lab assessment is split into two labs, one mechanical and and on heat, each 5%. The mid terms was very tricky, I did very badly for it, scoring about 1 or 2 marks below the average/median marks. For the finals, I could not do most of the questions. I just blindly wrote some equations and formulas. I even left a few parts blank. In the end, I did slightly better than what I expected to get but I still SUed it because I got a lot of SUs to spare.

Expected Grade: B-
Achieved Grade: B

4) CS1010E (PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGY)

4 MCs

10% Mid Terms
2% Online Quiz
18% Lab
5% Class Attendance
10%, 15%, 20% and 20% Continual Assessment Lab Test

This module is a cap killer module. Most people tend to do badly in this module. During my semester, my batch was the lucky batch as how the components were graded were easier to score as compared to previous semester. For most people, coding is something is either you dont get it or get it at first. If you belongs to the first group, if you put in lots of hard work, you should be able to do well. Even so, a lot of people will have computing background before they enter university so when comes to the bell-curve, you might be at a disadvantage if you dont have some computing background. My best advice you guys who wants to take this module is to read up ahead and practice coding before doing this module as you will definitely have a much better advantage. 

Expected Grade: C
Achieved Grade: C+


5) GEK2041/GET1025 (SCIENCE FICTION AND PHILOSOPHY)

4 MCs

60% Essay (6 x 10% Individual Essays)
10% Blog
15% 2 Quizzes
15% Tutorial

This module is a GE (General Education) Module, under the GET thinking pillar. This module is an very interesting module because it combines both science fiction and philosophy into one entire module. You will get to explore many science fiction plots in a philosophical approach. The lectures are broadcast-ed and uploaded online. The lectures are very interesting to listen to though so if you have time dont give it a miss. I got like a 4/5 for my first essay and then subsequently all 3/5 for the rest of my 5 remaining essays. The grading is all bell-curved for the essays as they have a certain limit to give out the 5s and 4s too. For the quizzes, you just have to read up the essential readings which are just science fiction tales and they will test up basic questions. For the tutorial, as long u attend the tutorial sessions and answer what the Prof/TA asked you you will get the full tutorial marks. For the blog, you just have to comment three times on the blog which is quite easy but of course if you are adventurous feel free to comment more.

Expected Grade: B+
Achieved Grade: B+

                    Overall, this semester is quite a tough semester because of CS1010E. Even though I got quite a bad grade and knew I would be SUing this module, I still put in quite some considerable number of time into it. Even though CS1010E was a 4 MC module, for most people who agree with me, it feels much more than 4MCs. In the end, I only SUed my CS1010E and PC1431 which my cap became a second class upper. The modules that I took I enjoyed a lot was my GET1025 and MA1505 module. It was a pretty good semester to begin with and I am glad that I cleared the most probably hardest module in my entire 4 years which is CS1010E. 

💵 Work at JJ LAPP Cable

After I ORD on April, I decided to lepak and chill for one month. I decided to go and find a job as I realised things start to get very boring and mundane at home and I wanted time to past faster for me. I also wanted to spend my time more meaningfully and to meet new people and forge new friendships. I also wanted to learn new skills and at the same time earn some money and not just rot at home and do nothing all day.

I decided to apply through recruit agencies as I felt that it would be faster and I would be able to land a job in which I am looking for. I was looking for an admin job and the location preferably to be near my house. I was also looking for a 8 to 5 job without much OT. When I applied to the agency, I received multiple offers but not one seem perfect. I prayed to God for God to land me a job which fits what I wanted in mind. In the end, I got a job which I wanted a lot. Praise God! The company location was near my house and there was a company bus from Jurong East MRT Station to my company and this reduce traveling costs and time greatly. The job requirement was from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, this allows me to wake up every morning at 7 am and sleep by 11 30 pm everyday, retaining my 7 hours of recommended rest. The job pay was 8 dollars per hour and 12 dollars per hour during OT, which was not too shabby. My superiors and other colleagues were very nice towards me, always willing to extend a helping hand to me and giving me free food and snacks. The upper management was very welcoming and friendly towards me, even though I was a temp staff, they always find a way to engage me in conversations and trying to get to know me more. I was also very glad that my superior was very understanding and graciously allowed me to take two week of leaves for two of my uni camp and one day MC to check out my ear. I also got the job scopes which I pretty much wanted.

My company size is very small, around 10 plus people as it is part of a bigger regional company. My role in that company was too handle calls as an informal receptionist. When someone calls my company direct line or my colleagues line, my telephone have access to it and my job is to handle my company main line inquiries and to help answer the phone if my other colleagues are on the line or unavailable to answer their phone. However, this was just the tip of the iceberg. I was tasked to do a wide array of jobs, ranging from simple to intense filing, folding invoices, helping to send acknowledgement emails back to customers, check stock and price, to even a perm staff job of keying and processing an order using the SAP software. However, I was thankful for such opportunities as I was recognized as being smart and capable by my other colleagues and superiors and at the same time I got to learn lots of useful and applicable soft-skills and hard-skills at the same time. I also learned how to deal with colleague and work relations skills.

Talking about work relations, I had this part time colleague too. She came in one and a half month before me and left 1 month before me because she went overseas with her friend and at the same time her school begins earlier. She was the same age as but, but because she went poly and took a gap year after graduation from her poly, we both are going university at the same year. She seemed nice to me at first, however i was so wrong. Just to set some context here, both she and I have very different ideologies and mindset when comes to working. I can feel the main driving factor for her to work was the money and since she stayed a 15 min bus ride away, she did not mind OT at all because she stayed near and she needed the cash. In contrast, the main driving factor for me to work was for time to pass by fast enough for me as I was so looking forward to campus life and the two school camps and one church retreat camp that I would be going. Just set things straight, before I apply for my leave through agency, I already told my agent that I would be taking leave on that specific for my Engin Camp and my agent said he approved it and had already informed my company. And also, keying and processing orders is not my actual job scopes and by right I do not need to know how to do it because I am not supposed to require to do so in my company, but she just taught me in advance first because it was good to know more things and I can help my company which was in "hot fire" at that moment because there was a swap with almost all the staff members and there were a lot of back-locks as the staffs who left did not need a proper handover. I took down notes and wrote exactly  what she taught me exactly on papers. I was not given any proper training and everything that I did as part of my job scope was what I picked and learned offhand from observing my other colleagues and doing the same thing. I was not given any proper training on how to handle calls, when I was thrown with that job, I just did what I learned offhand from observing the other temp colleague of mine.

When I went away for 1 week for my camp and came back, I was quite sick and down with a flue. Still, I did not take MC because I knew I already went away for 1 week and I know I had my own commitments and responsibilities. Before I left, I also OT that Friday before my camp so that on the next Monday when I am not around, my colleague would not be so lost and have to clear my pile of "shit". When I came back, she just started testing me on the part about keying and processing order. She told me when she was testing me, I could not refer back to my notes and wanted to make sure I knew everything right. To be honest, I was not given any proper or formal training on how to use the SAP software and I was also not given ample opportunities and time to familiarise myself with the software. In addition, even though she went through a lot with me before regarding the SAP software, she did not go through the complete flow for each different scenarios. Even though she was just like a temp staff like me, someone of an equal rank, she just treated me like I was below her and kept testing and scolding me and tekan me for every time I got something wrong when she tested me. She scolded me also when I tried to refer to my notes. No one really cares if you refer to your notes while using the SAP software. Moreover, I am just a temp staff and not even required to know how to use it, and here is another senior temp staff who is trying to abuse her 'seniority' trying to making me memories things I am not required to know in the first place! She did not even care that day how I sick I was and just kept tekan me.

After scolding, she made a sarcastic remark that I took a long one week to leave her to 'die' alone and she OT a lot. I remembered clearly I even told my agent when would my camp be on which day before I even got this job and my agent already informed my company. I basically already applied for my leave before I even entered this job. Secondly, she was already working alone and OT one month before I came in. In a sense she was already used to it, and since she needed cash and stay near, all the more she would be more willing to OT. Not to mention in the corporate world, it is common for people to take a week leave and the other colleagues will help to assist and take over, this is a common and mutual understanding and practice. Even in my company, there were few times where several of my colleagues took 1 week leave and everyone got busier as we have to do their work too. However no one complained because we know that if we took leave, the other party will be glad to do the same and help backup us. Not to also mentioned I specially OT on Friday so that I would not need to dump my work onto her and I still came back to work despite being down with a flu.

If I was not a christian, I probably would have acted differently. The moment she tekan and scold me when it was not even my fault, I would have just rebutted straight away and scolded her back. I would have lash my anger back at her, because it was not nice to being scolded by someone of equal as you and when it is not even your fault in the same place. I could have make a big scene out of it, without fearing anything because I knew that I was completely not at fault. However, I chose what Jesus would have done so. I just kept my mouth shut and listen her to nagging. I just kept apologising to her. I realised that there was no point and logic in making a big mess and also letting someone unimportant in my life to ruin my day and incite future tensions in the office. If I just humbled myself down and learn to give in even when it is not my fault, I could prevent things from getting ugly and ruining office relations and creating tensions.

I humbled myself down and let her continue nagging. In my mind, whatever that goes in just comes out. I try not to absorb too much in what she said to prevent me from getting infuriated by her unreasonable words. As I reflected on this whole incident, maybe what I could have done better was to confront her one on one after the incident and sort things out. However, I felt that what I had done was already good enough, something that most people would not have done so in the first place. Sometimes, in life whether it is or not our fault, it is better to be humble and give in to the other party as no conflict is better than a conflict.

At the last few days, I felt very sad to leave the place as my superior and colleagues are very nice people as I never had such nice superiors and colleagues at my other workplace before. On the final day, due to clashes in everyone schedule, they could not have a proper farewell meal with me. However I almost cried when they gave me a farewell gift: a Starbucks gift card with 100 dollars inside! Yes, hundred dollars. To working adults, this might be a small fee but to me a young part time student, this meant a lot to me.

One thing that God had really done for me in this season was really answering my prayer by giving me a job in which the working hours, location and pay was what I actually hoped for. In addition, I also prayed for nice colleagues and superiors and God delivered them to me. Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. As I sought God sincerely with a pure heart, He delivered me in my prayer. God is so real and He really provides for me and you.

Pics: pictures of me and my lovely colleagues and bosses :-)

Pic: this is an interesting mini story. There was this person not in my office but another office which I had to work closely with. He was also just a new staff like me but was a perm staff. He was very patient with the mistakes that I made and was also very helpful. Really blessed to have work beside with someone like him.

😊 YAYP Retreat 2018

I signed up Grace YAYP (Young Adults Young Professional) Retreat 2018 which was held on 3rd to 5th august. Before signing up for it, I was contemplating whether to go for this or my NUS Orientation Week which would be held on 2nd to 4th august. Both events clashed, I was leaning towards more of O Week then I realised all my church friends who were going to faculty of Engineering in NUS were all going for this retreat. In addition, I was already going for Engin Camp 2018 which should suffice. This was my first YAYP retreat, I did attend two youth retreats and 1 main retreat before, but I could not make it for the YAYP retreat during my 1st year because I just enlisted and was unsure about my schedule. There was no YAYP retreat for my 2nd year so I just went for the main retreat. I really wanted to experience one YAYP retreat and was glad I managed to went for one after 2 and a half year of being in YAYP.

Before retreat begin, I prayed and seek God for signs and confirmations pertaining to a specific and personal issue and for God to speak to me about it during retreat. I decided to take the night bus because I recently brought a friend to church and she cant make it for the day bus. In this retreat, it was a 2 person bunking and I bunked with Jason Kwok, one of my close church friend.

Before I go into the details of what happened in retreat and how I experienced God and what I learned, I got to give you guys some contextual clues of the people I attended retreat with and how God can connect different unique individuals together. How I know Jason Kwok was by my close friend Edwin who introduced Jason to me back then when I was in the youth service. When I moved up to YAYP Service, me and Jason were both in the same mother cell and we always went dinner together after service. Even after our mother cell split and the two of us were in different cell, both of us still became quite close as we always hang out with each other after service. Other than me, 3 people from my cell group also attended the retreat. God recently restored one of my old friendship with one my ex-colleagues in IRAS and I recently brought her to church. Coincidentally, one of my cellmates was also looking for a female partner to room with as she did not know who else to room with. I can really see that God has placed much divine appointments in my life and God have use me to connect people around me with each other.

A day before retreat, I had a sore throat and my throat was feeling very hot even though my back, head and armpit was not feeling hot. I use a thermal thermometer to double confirm it and realised that I might have a mild fever or a throat infection. I decided to pray against it and rest well for the night while drinking lots of water. I got to thank God that He answered my prayer, even though I still had a sore throat and a bit of flu, my fever was totally gone.

The second day is where the main bulk of retreat took place for me. The R and R ( Relax and Recreation) was held on the second day (thank God). At first I was quite sad because this means I have to settle my lunch outside and this means higher costs. However it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Sean, one my cellmates, suggested a seafood restaurant to eat at. We took a 15 minutes grab ride to that place. I really enjoyed the food a lot as it was long since I ate crab and it was my first time trying out the XO Prawn Soup. It was one of the seafood meal I ever had.

Guess how much this cost per person? : 50 RM ONLY !!!

Moving on, some interesting things took place as well. When we were heading to back to the shopping mall, we got stranded halfway on the highway as the car wheels got punctured by one of the tyre. Luckily, we managed to walk to one of the nearby buildings which was around a 10 min walk and we managed to call another grab to come fetch us up in a short period of time. We did not shop much in the shopping center, but I had my first Thai upper body massage. I did it with the same room as Jason. At first, both of us screamed as it was both painful and ticklish at the same time. After a while, I got used to it because I did Thai foot massage frequently and I got used to the level of pain. However, Jason did not. He kept screaming in a high pitch voice throughout the whole massage. I kept laughing as it was too funny and other people who were quite a distance away from us heard it too. I remembered the Thai masseur scolded Jason in English and Thai, asking to why small thing cry and ask him to not cry to his mother and father after that.

At night, we stayed up till 4 am to play blackjack and spyfall. Jason, being Jason, drank his strong beer and got high/drunk during all the games. During one of the spyfall games. the location was 'Polar Station'. Jason, being the spy, gave it away in his drunkenness. When it was my turn to give a description of the place, I said Demi Lovato. She was the singer who sang "Let it go" in Frozen, which "Frozen" resonates well with 'Polar Station'. When I asked Jason if he knew which song that Demi Lovato sang, Jason in his drunkenness said "Hillsong". When asked why he said it, he just said he thought I was speaking in tongues. Everyone just broke into laughter. This was one of the most joke and hilarious stuff in retreat.

Lets get on to the more serious stuff in this blog. The main theme for this retreat was the five-fold ministry. God has given us one or more than that five fold ministry gifts in each and every one of us. Some of us displayed these gifting in our everyday secular life, but this is not God had wanted for us. Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, and for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Notice in verse 12 Paul uses "for the work of ministry". God did not just gave us these 5 fold ministry gifts to be just used in secular settings, He gave us these gifts so that we can use it to serve Him in church and glorify His Kingdom with it. In our lives, our callings in the five fold ministry can change overtime as God can be calling us into different office as we transit into different seasons in our lives. Some of us might have several inclinations towards more than one officer, generally God has called each and every Christians towards one office.

To me, when I took the five fold ministry test, I found it to be very accurate. I scored the highest for Prophet. It was probably because that many times God used dreams and visions and even songs to speak to me and I am also quite sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I also scored quite high for Apostle, which I did not see it at first but when I reflected on my life, I realised that God have constantly use me to start new things, form new connections and also I have been leaning towards techno entrepreneurship recently for my studies in NUS. I also felt several inclinations towards evangelist, as I have been trying to reach out actively and evangelise to most of my non-christian friends after I rededicated my life back to God upon joining Grace. I also felt God recently increasing me in the gift of teacher, as I started becoming a part time tutor and cell leader recently, in which both I have to teach others.

However, even though everyone might be different as they have different giftings and callings in their lives, everyone is important and no one is more important than the other. We all still worship the same and one God, which is our Lord Jesus Christ and we all belong the one and same single church under Him. Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

On the last day of retreat, during worship in service, the song "YOU" by Hillsong was played. I started to felt the tangible presence of God and started to cry. I heard God speaking to me, that everything will be alright, I do not have to worry about anything as He will set my path and to stand firm in His word. God asked me to focus on Him first and everything else will fall in place, especially the personal issue and confirmation which I kept seeking the Lord about on. I was then having a very bad sore throat at the point in time, I almost had no voice left but I still wanted to sang my heart out and worship God because He is my Lord. When the third song, "Build my life" by Housefires came in, during the bridge, God asked me to not sing and just listen to the song verse while saturating in His Presence. As I heard the song verse, "I will build my life upon your love, it is a strong foundation. I will put my trust in you and I will not be shaken", I started to cry even more. The meaning of this verse should be self explanatory to you guys. To sum it up, God just wanted me to stop worrying about my future (relationship, academics, careers) etc and God wanted me to trust in Him and seek Him first and everything else will start to fall in place. The fourth song became a confirmation, as the song title was "Jesus be the center". God wanted me to put Him at the center of my life and not thinking and worrying about other things in life.

At the end of the sermon, the Pastor gave an altar call. I just went up as I was already serving in church as a cell leader and I wanted to serve God more and also wanted to be part of YAYP growth. As I found my spot and knelled down, I instantly felt the strong presence of the Holy Spirit falling upon me and I kept crying and crying during the whole altar call. At first, I did not know why all these supernatural stuffs happened, but as I reflected on it, I realised the Holy Spirit was doing a work in my heart to my response in wanting to serve God more. Also, this altar call was aligned with my VCF (Varsity Christian Fellowship) Camp in NUS that I had one month ago, as I caught the fire and wanted to serve God more actively in that camp.

The next day after retreat, as I was just reading the bible on my bed, I saw a vision of a picture of a foot stepping on clear waters. I felt that this vision was aligned to the season in my life which is about to come very soon ahead, which is my NUS campus life. I am very worried whether I can cope well in my studies, especially I am very keen in doing a double major, my possible career pathways and also whether I would get into SEP (Student Exchange Programme) or NOC (NUS Overseas College). God is telling me to not to worry and to step out and step on the water in this new season ahead of my life.

I learned a lot personally from God during this short 2 days retreat. To the people who are reading this blog right now, my story might be one of a kind and your personal spiritual encounter with God will not be exactly with mine. However, God still wants to speak to you and and is still reaching out to your heart day after day. God has given each and every of you many and different gifts. How would you use it and will you use it to serve God in the body of Christ?

⛺️ VCF FOC Camp 2018

When I first signed up for VCF (Varsity Christian Fellowship) FOC (Freshmen Orientation Camp) 2018, I thought it would be like just another NUS school camp, I was so wrong. It was a 4 days 3 night camp. At that season of my life, I was still working as a part-time temporary admin assistant at a company under a recruit agency contract. I was getting paid per hour so I had 'unlimited' leaves. When I want to apply for leave, I have to ask both my direct superior and my agent. During that period, my company was in a busy period and I was afraid that I would not be able to take my leaves successfully. However, thank God I managed to take leave in the end if not I would not be writing this blog at all.

It turned out that this camp was more like a church camp than a normal NUS orientation camp. I prefer it that way because it was a long time since I had actually attended a church camp. Also, I wanted to know and experience God more and better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere. In this camp, there were people from many different denominations. The fellowship was lit as I get to have many "Heart to Heart talks" and intellectual deep theological conversations with like-minded people. By interacting with people of different mindsets and ideas, this broadens my own perspective and mindset about certain things in Christianity and life. I got to see certain things differently. Also, as I fellowship-ed with my OG (Orientation Group), I got to learn that actually there were a lot of people who share similar struggles with me and I was not alone. In addition, one of my church friend, Daniel, also coincidentally signed up this camp. Even though we were not in the same OG, we managed to hang out and fellowship with each other in the camp during various activities and this camp strengthened our friendship. Also, me and him spent like 1 hour prayer and interceding for our upcoming campus life as we prayed for different areas and aspects of our campus life.

Also, as I fellowship-ed with other Christians, I realised that there were a lot passionate Christians. Some of them went through a three month bible study course during their Holidays, some of them went for mission trips and some of them who were also cell leaders also served actively in their church in other parts of ministry area in addition to just cell ministry. I reflected and decided to rededicated my life to wanting to serve God in more areas in addition to just cell ministry whereas possible. I wanted to also bring that fire back to my church to ignite others to start loving God more and having a passionate heart in wanting to serve God actively in any small or big areas in church.

Most importantly, the main theme of the camp was "Time to Treasure". Believe it or not, Jesus is coming to Earth soon in His second Coming. Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. However, in Matthew 24:36 No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. In the chapter Matthew 24 verse 36 onward, Jesus said that even though we might not know when is His Second Coming, we should be prepared for His Second Coming by being Holy. And how do we respond to this passage? This is actually very simple but requires dedication and discipline, just be rooted to the word! Read and study your bible regularly, do your devotions and pray daily, go to church and cell groups regularly and even fellowship is consider as part of how to be rooted to the word! This theme was very relatable to a dream I had 4 years ago. If you had read my previous posts, I dream about Jesus Christ 4 years ago and He told me that He will becoming sooner than I expected and told me to be Holy. After having that dream, I tried to prepare for His Second Coming. I admit until now, I wont say I am 100 percent confident ready for His Second Coming but I know I am trying my best to prepare for it. During this camp, as we had many discussion about this theme, am I really giving my 100 percent in preparation of His Second Coming? After that camp, I decided to renew my mindset to study and work hard for God and not just myself in my future campus and career life. Everything I do, I give in my 100 percent effort for the glory of God.

After reading this, what would you do if you know that Christ is coming back in 10 years, 5 years, 1 year or even tomorrow? Would you have live your life differently? What would you have done differently and what would you have regret not doing in your life? YOLO, you only live once.  Millennias casually use this word YOLO in their everyday life, but this word YOLO packed a powerful meaning. We only have 1 life in this world. How you would like to live it depends on you. At the end of the day, you still have to account everything to God yourself. No one can help you with it except you yourself. Do you want to live a life without much meaning, or do you want to live a life next time when you meet God face to face, God might say this to you, "Well done my child".

✝️ Encounter with God on a bus

It seemed like a normal Wednesday that day after I woke up. I thought so too but I was wrong. I dream earlier on about someone who was special to me, that I was dating her. I was unsure from God whether what I dream was from God. I am someone who thinks a lot, especially worrying about my future. I always worry a lot about my health, my studies, my career, my love life, my family's salvation, my own cell etc. During that morning, as I walked my way to the MRT station, I prayed to God, for his sovereign will to reign over in my life.

Fast forward, I boarded my company bus after reaching Jurong East MRT Station. One year ago, after my church service, there was a booth that gave out free christian books. Being the typical "kiasu" Singaporean, I decided to take quite a number of books because no one wanted it anyway and it was free. However, despite taking quite a myriad of books, I did not bother to read them at all. I decided to start reading them again and I am currently in the midst of reading a book about prayer. On that bus, I decided to read this book about prayer because I realised that there were no other other perfect and convenient timing in doing so. I wanted to read this book about prayer because I am constantly worried about the future and I wanted to learn how to pray effectively for my future.

As I was reading this chapter on how prayer brings life greatest happiness, I was also listening to music through my earpiece at the same time. I listen to all kinds of music, christian songs, secular english pop songs, chinese songs, Japanese songs, etc. My playlist was randomised and I did not pick the song I was listening to as I read the book. My phone started to play "At the cross" by Hillsong as I was reading this chapter. As I read the book, it mentioned a part in the bible where Jesus mentioned "It is finished" after He gave His life for us and died on the cross to overcome sin. John 19:30: When Jesus received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished". With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Just then, coincidentally or not, the bridge of the song also played this,"You tore the veil, you made a way, and you said that it is done". The chapter in the book and my song said the exact thing at that moment. As I continue reading and listening to the lyrics of the song, I started to feel the tangible physical touch of the Holy Spirit. The moment I heard the phrase, "It is done" while reading the book, I knew very well God was speaking to me and I started to tear up. I hold back my tears because I was in a public bus. Even if I did cried, no one would have probably notice as I sat at the back and there were very less people at the bus at that instance.

"It is done" This phrase/sentence have very powerful meanings. Firstly, in recent days because I kept wondering whether I might loose my salvation because in my life I kept sinning repeatedly and I felt that I failed God miserably. However, this powerful statement reaffirms my faith and what Christianity stands for, which is that Jesus gave His life for us at the cross and died to grant us salvation and. Only His grace will save us and not by our own works. The moment Jesus died on the cross, it was done. We do not have to do anything more to secure or receive our salvation. If we believe and and accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour and receive Him into our lives, we will not loose our salvation because Jesus already died on the cross and this settles everything.

Secondly, on an individual level, I felt that God was also speaking to my life circumstances directly. I felt that God was telling me directly that He holds my future in His hand. Before I was even born, He wrote my future. When God said it is done, it is really done and I should stop worrying about my future.

As I reflected on this incident, I really felt touch and awed that God use two simple ways to speak to me, a christian song and a christian book. I did not expect this to happen, God indeed moves in mysterious but powerful ways. I am still unsure if the dream I had that night might be from God since that morning I had a divine encounter with Him also. Still, I do not want to think so much about this now and I leave everything to God because He is my Lord and my Master and He writing my future is done already.

Jeremiah 29 11-13. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." As I called on God that morning and seek Him about my future, I indeed found Him, that is why I had this divine encounter with God.

God died on the cross 2000 years ago. All you have to do is to believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour and you will immediately receive salvation. If you are worrying about anything in your life right now, seek God with all your heart and pray to Him with a sincere heart and you shall find Him and as He hears your prayers.

🇸🇬 Once In Our Lifetime, Two Years Of Our Life

Some people would usually ask this, if you were given a choice, would you serve two years of NS (Nation Service) willingly? To be honest, if there are no repercussions in not serving NS (not being able to find a government job easily, loose citizenship, get charged etc), many people would do it, including me. Many people have different reasons of not wanting to serve, some feel that they wont be able to withstand the physical challenge, some feel that they wont fit in socially well, some just want to use this two years of their life to study or work instead and some simply find these two years is a total waste of their time. To most Singaporeans males, NS give females a 2 years head start in life because females do not need to serve NS.

 However, despite all these negative general opinions, I did not find my 2 years in NS a total waste of time. In fact, I did appreciate these two year of NS as it gives me time to do my other stuffs. In school, we are tied to rigid schedules and strict timetables. Every single second is important as it could be used in studies which eventually will most likely determine whether you can attain your dream job. Even in weekends, if we had nothing to do and exams are coming, we still have to mug like crazy if we want to score results with flying colours. However in NS, during our admin time and when we bookout, we do not  have to study or do projects, we can just literally slack and do nothing and enjoy every single moment of life without having to worry about anything. We can just play computer games, watch online movies and shows, go out with friends etc without having this fear of losing out to others academically in this paper chase race. We have literally nothing to worry about during our free times. These two years was a well-deserved break from the rigours of studying. I get to do many things during my free time, like reading countless books, learning guitar, watching lots of movies/tv series, catching up with old friends, reading up about my uni modules, spending more time with my family, being able to go church regularly etc.

In addition, I also learned a lot of skills and life long lessons in NS. Being exposed to people from different backgrounds had greatly opened my eyes to different situations that people are going through and also widened my perspective in life. Through interacting with different people, I get to learn different lessons from them. I admit, it was hard adapting and fitting it at first physically, mentally and socially, but after a while things got better after BMT (Basic Military Training). Life was definitely not a bed of roses in my army life, I had been through rough seasons and harsh encounters with unreasonable superiors and other people. Still, I learned a few lessons from these experiences. I learned how to be tolerant with some people and learn to respect people of higher authority and how to deal with unreasonable people. Sometimes, life is unfair. I had learned on how to accept certain unfair things and deal with it during my army life. I also learned how to trust God when I was in deep waters, because in the end He never failed me through any situations during my 2 years in NS. On the other side of the coin, the hard skills that I learned in NS was also very useful. Being a mechanic in NS impart me with technical skills that I would need to have in my future course in University (Engineering) and give me a taste how it would be like to be an Engineer.

This is personal to me due to the favourable situations, but I thank God for giving me a general stay out life and my camp which is near my house. I remembered before getting my unit posting, I kept praying to God to let me be posted to Kranji Camp forever after my vocational training which was also at Kranji Camp. Things got ugly during the posting session and somehow the clerks blundered, but whatever that happened or meant to be happened, I thank God by His grace that when I was in two different unit, my location was always at Kranji Camp. This saves a lot of my transport fees as I do not have to take the public bus or train when I book in or book out. Also, because my camp was near my house, I could wake up later than my other friends in the morning and reach home earlier too after work. Even though the work environment was quite cancerous and there were frequent OTS and several outfield, the location of the camp being near my house really made up for all of that. Having a workplace that is walk-able from my house is already such a great blessing from God. Eeven though the environment in my unit was cancerous, I learned a lot of life lessons from it and made quite good friends from it which made up for the cancer.

These two years in my life is really a unique and an enjoyable experience for me. If given a chance to serve NS out of freewill, I might not choose to serve it but I definitely do not find these two years a total waste of my time. In fact, I am thankful for this season in my life as it taught me a lot of life-long lessons and values, allowed me to take a break from studying, letting me relaxed and doing the things I wanted to do during my free time. Once in our lifetime, two years of our time. If you are about to enter NS or going through it right now, make this two years of your time enjoyable, make more friends and make full use of the time you get away from studying/work so that you would not find NS a total waste of your time.

📱 Miraculous Return Of My Lost Phone

12.06.2018.

From 11.06.2018 to 14.06.2018, I had a glimpse of what campus life would be like, I went for NUS Engin Camp18. On the second day, we had an amazing race around the campus. That day, I wore SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) admin pants, in which my pockets were small and loose. After finishing the games at the station at the science faculty, we took the NUS Campus Bus A1 from the science faculty to the computing faculty. At the games station at the computing faculty, I realised my phone was not in my pocket which I last placed my phone inside. I got scared and decided to check my entire bag for my phone. Realising my phone was not with me, my mind started to spiral away, thinking of the dreadful outcomes if I cant find my phone back. I mentally braced myself of the worst thing that might hit me, which is not finding my phone back.

If that really happened, my remaining two to three days in the Engin Camp would suck damn bad and I would regret signing up for this camp, never ever willing to go for any other camps again. My parents would be so mad at me, of how careless I was. Cancelling my phone number  and getting a new phone would be very troublesome. All my precious photos and important friend contacts would also just be gone like that down the drain. It would be hard to start over again socially. I would be depressed for like about a month, no mood to go out with friends or continue working. At that moment, I knew that there no one which I could look up to except God. I started to pray in God and spoke in tongues softly. As I prayed in the spirit, I heard God is telling me in my heart that everything would be fine. I was unsure if I left my phone at science faculty, on the A1 bus or around computing faculty. Just then, I felt from the Holy Spirit that I just left my phone on the A1 bus.

Putting my trust in God, I told my OGL that I probably left my phone on the bus A1. It was also probably the easiest and nearest location to search first. We then took another bus A1 all the way to the terminal, hopeful that the bus stopped at the terminal and not in the midst in its second or third trip. Throughout the journey, I remained calm all the way. From my past experiences, God always delivered me through and out of the storm, I believed and have faith that this time round He will still deliver me. I just keep remembering of how in the past I been through worse things in my life, yet His grace always extend to me and He never fail me. Somehow, God's miracle would always manifest in my life through His grace and power even though I had failed Him countless time. When I reached the terminal, there was no one at the main office to help us. I just had this idea instantaneously to tiptoe and look at the back seat (where I previously sat) of every A1 bus to see if my phone was on it. However, I was not tall enough. My OGL decided to help me out with it and thank God, we found my phone at the back seat.

In conclusion, God was very faithful. I thank God for giving me peace in that situation and also delivering me miraculously out of that situation.

🌱 Restoration Of A Friendship

I first met my childhood friend, Joel Heer, at my old church (Hebron) during one of the Sunday classes that I attended last time in church when I was 12 years old. I recognised that he was also from my primary school, De La Salle Primary School. From there on, we became good friends and always hung out with each other after church. During church events and camps, we would always stick together. After PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examinations), I started learning playing DM (Duel Masters) and I introduced Joel DM. We both started spending money buying more and more DM cards and started to play at our house and even during and after church. During the December Holidays, I would frequently visit Joel house to play DM, chess and computer games. We would sometimes play basketball too. Even though our PSLE scores were of great difference, even though we entered different academic streams, we still went to the same secondary school- Kranji Secondary School by God's grace. Even though we did not tell each other our choices for our secondary school that we keyed in the system, we were shocked that our first three choices were the same. It might be a coincidence, but I believe meeting him was a divine encounter from God.

After my Alevels, I went into army and he went into Poly. We grew apart as the rhythm of life split us apart. I messaged him and also Facebook message him to ask for meetups, but he did not reply back at all. The last time we met was in 2016, we went to Republic Polytechnic Open House together. For two to three years, we did not met at despite staying so close to each other, literally a neighbourhood away. In 2018, which would be this year I am typing this blog, I started to praying to God desperately for God to move and restore this friendship. After a while, he messaged me first stating he happened to saw me from his car which passed by me. I knew instantly that God was moving. After a while, we decided to meet up on 02/06/2018, have lunch at yew tee point. We had an awesome catch-up and ate at 18 chefs. While we were almost done eating, I saw Kin How, one of my secondary school friends whom I was good friends with but also lost contact. I called him out and He came to talk to us. We decided to talk cock and had a great catch-up. Kin How also knew Joel as they were both in the same CCA (Co-Curricular Activities). He was mutual friend. I thank God that fateful day. I thank God for listening to my prayers and answering them. I also thank God for instead of restoring just one friendship, He also extend His grace to me by restoring a second lost friendship.
     
Friends, after reading this, even though this might be a personal testimony, there could be still some takeaways. God will restore things, so do not give up and keep praying to God for restoration!

playing chess and duel masters to relieve childhood memories

🙌🏻 God in my Workplace - IRAS

2 years ago, after A Levels, almost everyone got their PES status and enlistment date except for me. I was still on PES D (pending status) because I have several medical conditions. I decided to work part time with two of my JC classmates who were enlisting in April 2016.

My initial plan was to work until I receive my enlistment letter then I quit. What happened was me and my other colleagues were split into two different teams. Me and this guy called Ogawa were sent to the back-end team while the rest were sent to the front-end team. I was very unlucky to get an eccentric and unreasonable superior. She favoured Ogawa more. Also, she didn't like me because I was very close with the front-end people and I kept taking frequent breaks to the pantry and the toilet.

This worsened when one day, after getting my A Levels results, I wanted to take a day off since I was also sick so I texted Ogawa for her number. I messaged her and another one of my superiors. In the end, Ogawa gave me the wrong number and she was very angry at me taking leave even though I already texted the other superior and Ogawa was the one who gave me the wrong number. My two JC friends were planning to quit 1 month before April because they wanted to relax and enjoy before their enlistment. If I were to enlist in April I will also choose to cut work one month before I enlist.

When Ogawa submitted his resignation letter, she also asked me to resign. At that point of time, I was very upset because it was unfair to me as I only took one day leave when I was really sick and it was after my A Levels results. Also, it was obvious that she was biased towards Ogawa and she also disliked me from mixing with the front-end people and getting very close with them.

As I asked God why did I got 'sacked' even though I didn't deserve it because I originally wanted to work till I get my enlistment letter which I expected it to be around June, God had a better plan for me.

Few weeks later, I received a call from MINDEF asking if I want to enlist in April or Octocber. I obviously replied April because I already 'quit' my job and I wanted to enter University at the right year. Throughout this whole experience, I was wondering where God was after I got 'sacked'.

However, after a few weeks later, I could see God's hand in my life. God actually had a better plan than me and He broke me so that His glory could be manifested when I feel broken and at my lowest.

Sometimes, when we feel that God is not there or we can't hear or see God or we can't figure out why some 'bad' things happen in our lives, God is actually working behind the scenes with a better plan crafted out for us. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.

🇸🇬 Viewpoint on Army PES B2

Every Singaporean male have to go through National Service, be it in the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force or the Singapore Civil Defence Force when one reaches 18. Everyone is given a PES (Physical Employment Status), in which the status will help to factor in which vocation one is posted to.

Before enlisting, the medical officer talked to me and asked me if I wish to go to Tekong because of my sleepwalking condition. At that point of time, hearing how good PES C life is from 8 to 5 while only going through a 1 month BMT (Basic Military Training) course, I was very keen to get PES C. I told the doctor that I wanted to go into Tekong, because I thought I would get PES C and I did not want to get PES E.

In the end, it was one of the worst mistake that I made in my life. I got PES B2. PES B2 is the new PES C1. Most people who are PES B2 will get PES C vocations. The only two notable difference between a PES B2 and PES C recruit is that PES B2 have to go for IPPT and includes a 2-month BMT course instead of 1 month.

This might seem good, but the main bulk of people sees us as PES fit instead. They assume we can do PES fit stuff. However, PES fit are people that are PES B1 and above. We are excused from SOC and more than 10km route march in BMT. We also cannot go to command school after BMT and we have a lot of physical statuses and conditions. Some people see us as PES, some people see us as PES fit, but no one sees us as an individual unique PES B2.

We are the sandwiched PES, doing the chiong sua stuff in BMT but in the end don't have a single chance to go command school and most of us end up in PES C vocations. Being a PES B2 serves no motivation in BMT. You are deemed as PES fit and they make you do some xiong stuff and push you above your physical limits, but in the end some of us cannot get silver or gold for IPPT due to us having excused 1 or 2 stations. We don't even have a chance to go command school, so there is no point trying hard in BMT.

People in PES B2 all either want to up or down PES, no one wants to get stuck and stay in PES B2. Why bother staying in the middle where you can chiong or geng all the way? Don't forget that even though we are deemed as PES fit, even if we pass our IPPT beforehand, we still won't get 2 months off our National Service, unlike those PES B1 or A people which if they have passed their IPPT beforehand they will only have to serve 1 year 10 months.

Personally, I, like the other PES B2 people, also feel very discouraged by my PES and very demotivated in my BMT. However, this does not mean that my world ended. Even though till now I sometimes still feel very salty about my PES status, I still learn a lot of things being a PES B2 soldier.

In life, there are certain mistakes that you will truly regret and also there will be some unfair circumstances. However, this is what life is all about. I am just being exposed to a small part of the world by being in the army. I have learnt how to deal with certain unfair circumstances and learnt how to accept certain things like my PES status in my life. I have also learn to be grateful, because imagine if I got PES B1, I might be dying right now in some combat unit. Also, I managed to learn a lot of useful skills in army which i can apply in the future in my life.