Time with my neice today

Tonight, my brother and sister-in-law were both not at home. My nephew had to study for a spelling test tomorrow. My niece decided to visit my room tonight as she wanted to play "hair dresser".

I was tired but thought that it has been a while since I enjoyed private time with the kids. Therefore, I obliged.

Although tonight, only Megan showed, I had a great time. First, I played some tunes on my keyboard with preprogrammed drums and rhythms. Megan loved the sounds and rhythmns and danced to the tune. She may be fat but she is a cute dancer.

While I was having a shower, she had fun experimenting with the keyboard. I then took the music piece she is learning at Yamaha and set some suitable preprogrammed drums and rhythms to accompany the piece she is learning. I wanted to enhance her interest in music and 'hear' the different experimentation she can do with even a simple piece.

I think my settings were too advanced for her and she could not catch the timing of the rhythms well. But, I think over time, if I give her exposure to various pieces and rhythms, she will catch on very soon and play along with the rhythms.

Finally, I allowed her to be my hairdresser. We took turns and I also had a chance to be her hairdresser. In our imaginary salon, hair color plus hair cut only cost $6 - very cheap. Time flew and our imaginary salon did not last long because my mum soon asked her to go to bed.

Past Week

Work was really intense the past week. It was so much that I had to engage another team of 4 people to help me. I was fortunate that I have the full support from my supervisor and I may utilize additional resources and can progress my work without too many resistance.

Also, I was fortunate that I had enough energy each day to accomplish task at work. Although I am still coughing, my chest felt clear and I could sleep well every night.

It was an exhuasting week. This coming week will also be very busy. I need to continue to pray for good health, lots of energy and good rest.

One Step at a Time (一歩ずつ or 一步一步来）

Over the last few months, I have reflected and tried to practise doing things one step at a time. I think for me, understanding and practising this truth is a survival skill I must learn. And I realise this truth goes hand in hand with Jesus command to Christians "to remain in Him" (John 15:4). Why? Because by remaining in Him, we learn to listen, respond and be obedient to Him even when we do not know how our little actions, one step at a time, may lead us to.

To me, if I do not learn to do things one step at a time, I may really end up not accomplishing anything and end up being frustrated when I am faced with difficult tasks. Practical applications for me in doing things one step at a time are as follows:

1. Work
At work, I face many issues and problems that require time to resolve. I need to prioritise important issues and quickly troubleshoot, establish and document feasible processes and to set the procedures for many people to follow. If I do not take things one step at a time, I think I will be very stressed and will not be able to set an example of calmness and sound mind at work.

2. Dealing with sickness/fatigue
Sickness often either make me very unproductive or it spoils my schedule in trying to exercise and build strength to feel better. In moments of sickness, if I do not take things one step at a time, I think I will either go mad or feel very frustrated. In illness, taking things one step at a time means to focus on actions that will make me well. This includes sleeping, eating right and maintaining a calm composure. Forget about unaccomplished tasks and massive number of unread emails at work since to worry about such things and not taking care of my health is a sign that I do not trust God, is willful and is not glorifying to God.

3. Growing in Christ, Overcoming Sins
Everyday, I display a multitude of sins. If I focus on the number of sins I commit each day, I would have found myself most unworthy to follow Christ and may give up in my walk with God. Yet, if I focus on each sin item that Jesus brings to my mind each day, and submit myself to overcome one sin at a time, my walk with God would not have been as frustrating.

Indeed, I think taking things one step at a time is all about trusting God. God has the big picture which I do not. Thus, to me following behind Him one step at a time is to trust that He will lead me in the right path. It means being obedient to His directions each day in my life even when I do not readily see what that obedience leads to. Indeed, I would like to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. I believe God delights in such simple obedience. Thus, even though I have my limitations now and cannot go and accomplish greater things in the kingdom of God, I believe when I obey one step at a time, God is already very pleased with me.

一番幸せな人 (Happiest person)

Today, I felt like I must be the happiest person on earth. I was very happy today because of the following reasons:

* it is Friday
* early in the morning I heard a friend will be going to Sentosa with her family and the weather looks good. I am happy for her and her family
* I feel more energy than usual
* I spoke to a very good friend the night before and good dreams carry over to the next day
* I was resolving issues at work and helped ease many people's troubles
* I ate very yummy instand noodles for lunch
* I am planning a holiday to Japan this September

To top it all, for the 5th day in a row, my nephew and niece came out of the house to greet me when I returned home from work. This time, their parents would take them out in the evening and they wanted me to join them. The kids were very excited and I was too! In the end, we went to the Library at Bishan, had delicious ice-cream at Haagen Daaz and bought one of my favourite drinks - milk! I was so happy and excited today that I cannot sleep now. It was a good day and I did not want it to end. Because I am so happy today, I have to capture this moment so that when I don't feel as good, I may look back at this blog entry and remember how happy I felt!

Indeed, God has blessed me much and I am very thankful to Him. May I not forget His goodness to me.

My Music Composition - 我的心声 (My Deep Desire)

Music Title : 我的心声
Date of Composition : Fall 1996
Location : At the hostel in the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver
Time taken to complete song : cannot remember
Language : Mandarin

Link to music : http://www.box.net/shared/pna1j41c8o
Link to voice : http://www.box.net/shared/afi78wzgg8

This song was presented as a birthday gift to a Taiwanese friend, Tiffany. A few weeks before Tiffany's birthday, I asked her what she would like as a birthday gift. She told me she would like to have God.

Since God is always present with us, God is with us and is readily obtainable. Whether we are able to experience God or not depends on our heart condition. Therefore, I think Tiffany's real desire was actually to experience God deeper. Feeling inspired, I wrote this song for Tiffany. But, actually, I think this is my own love song to God.


我的心声
感谢神， 你捡选了我，
并应许我拥有丰盛的生命。
但愿神， 能赐福给我，
并让我更经历你的大能权柄。

哦主！ 让我渴望更加爱你,
让我愿意在你面前完全顺服。
哦主！ 让我全心全意依靠你，
让我一生一世都追求你的旨意。

Lyrics translated in English:
Thank God, you chose me,
and you promised me a full and abundant life.
May God bless me,
and allow me to experience your great power and sovereignty.

Oh God! May you create in me a deep love for you,
so that I may completely submit to you.
Oh God! May I whole heartedly depend on you,
may I spend my lifetime pursuing your will.

The Little Ones, Their Little Hugs and What They Mean to Me

For three evenings in a row, my nephew and niece ran out to the garage to give me hugs after I returned home from work. I am not sure why the sudden warmth from them since early this year, they stopped frequenting my room to play. Also, as they are beginning to have busy schedules, I only get to play with them on Sundays after their nap time.

I thought since I have less time with my nephew and niece, we will not be close anymore. After all, relationships with people are like the breakers. New relationships formed replace old relationships. I believe once my nephew starts attending Primary 1, he will have lessor time with me. As he grows up, different people will have different places in his life and very soon, I will just occupy a very small place in his heart.

Knowing this reality does not stop me from showering them with love and attention. I do not care about where I will be important in their hearts in the future. But, I care about whether I am maximising my time with them when they are available, and that we have great memories together. Therefore, whenever my nephew and niece want my company, I always give in and spend time with them.

So, for three evenings in a row, I got special hugs. My mum complained to my nephew and niece that she did not receive such warm greetings from the little ones. I am thankful to God that although I now have less time with the little ones, they have not forgotten my goodness to them and I still occupy a big place in their little hearts. Indeed, I am blessed with their favor and love to me in spite of reduced time with them.

My Music Composition - Rest for the Weary (Matthew 11:28-30)

Music Title : Rest for the Weary (Matthew 11:28-30)
Date of Composition : 4 July 2008
Location : Home
Time taken to complete : 10 mins or 1 year?
Language : English

Link to music : http://www.box.net/shared/ljh7dnx3kc
Link to voice : http://www.box.net/shared/e4qpmy3cw8

Lyrics (In the words of my Lord Jesus):

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls,
for my yoke is easy and light.
And you will find rest for your souls,
for my burden is easy and light.

My comments about this song:
This piece consists of a piano duet. As you listen, you can think of it as a dialogue. The louder, repetitive, continuous string of music is "my voice." The softer tone that comes in the 2nd repeat of the tune is "Jesus' voice".

Both parts of the music were composed at night. "My voice" was composed last year and was an expression of feelings to God after a very "frustrating and uncontrollable experience". For a while, every time similar experiences come to me, I will play this tune and it always makes me feel better. I cannot put words to the tune and neither am I aware what I was trying to express through this tune. Was I complaining, grumbling, angry?

Last Friday (4 Jul), as I struggled with sleep and a tightened chest problem, this tune came to my mind again, and the tune to "Jesus' voice" came too. Out of the blue, my mind also flashed by the verses from Matthew 11:28 to 30. To my amazement, even the bible verses fit the tune to "Jesus' voice". I thought in my mind,"Surely, this must be Jesus' dialogue with me!"

Although I have never experienced God's healing power when I feel I most needed it, I feel that through the Christian songs I have written by the power of God, I am building ammunition to withhstand the flaming arrows of the evil one. I feel encouraged through this song that although my voice of frustration in difficult times are loud and rumbling, Jesus is always there in His small, still voice talking to me. In the process of this song composition, it took me about a year to hear his small, still voice. What about you? Have you heard his voice?

Hermit Crab character

Hermit crabs are often misunderstood. As I am keeping some hermit crabs now, I have been reading about them and wondered if I kept them because we are very similar. Hermit crabs like to stay in their shell and sometimes, for days, can keep to themselves. Yet, they enjoy company and can be sociable.

Recently, one of my hermit crabs died. The other one was alone and kept to himself all the time. I decided to find him some companions and bought 3 other crabs to keep him company. After introducing 3 of his friends to the crabitat, he started to come out of his hut and began to show off his climbing skills. I can hear the crabs sing as well.

I am like the hermit crabs because I, too, can stay on my own for a long time. Yet, most people do not associate me with being shy or unsociable, since I can make friends with people easily. Yet, I rest best on my own and out of 7 days, I need 1 full day by myself.

I am like the hermit crab. But, what about you? What animal would you use to describe yourself and how are you like the animal? I think I am going to use this question as an ice-breaker question in my cell group next time. So, cell group members who read this blog, be prepared :- )

At peace

Actually, I think I am a very blessed person. This is because God makes me a contented person. I enjoy spending quiet moments in my room reading, sleeping, praying, studying and playing the piano. It is a plus when my nephew and niece come to my room.

Today, I got to do all the favorite activities I just mentioned. When my nephew and niece were in my room, they were doing their own stuff, but I felt at peace with God and everything in my room. Love was in the room too. The kids know how well loved they are, thus they are comfortable in my room. I know I love them very much and they reciprocate by wanting to spend time with me and giving me their warm little hugs.

I thank God that I live in a nation of peace, and that all my family members are together and healthy. God has provided me well in all aspect and I thank Him for that as well. I do not take for granted the blessings in my life. Recently, I am also learning to take unpleasant things from God and becoming more patient with handling unpleasant "presents" as I learn what submission means.

It is great to be at peace with God. But, is this true peace? Is peace that I experience when times are good true peace? Honestly, I am not sure if I have developed enough character to experience peace even during turmoil. But, I believe God's grace is sufficient for me. Thus, I am not worried how my character holds in difficult times. God will shine through when trials come.

My Music Composition - My Bento Friend

Music Title : My Bento Friend
(A Song for Nakajima-san)
Date of Composition : Sometime in 2000 or 2001
Language : English

Link to music :　http://www.box.net/shared/zdnxj204k0
Link to voice :　http://www.box.net/shared/zjzwheb0o0

Most of the songs I have written are Christian songs. I am a direct person and can only write songs spontaneously on subjects or topics I really feel about. Thus, I usually write songs about God.

This one is special as the song is not about God, but about my Japanese friend and ex-colleague, Yuko Nakajima. Nakajima-san was working in US tax compliance when I joined Ernst & Young in Tokyo sometime in year 2000 or 2001. I think in Japan, it is not easy to integrate in the Japanese social group quickly. When I joined the company, all my colleagues get their own bento (lunch box) and ate at their desk. Either life was really busy or people were not keen to social. To start with, I am not great with remembering names so it was hard in the beginning to remember my colleagues' names. Honestly, I was bored with a group of people who usually work and eat by themselves.

However, I brought with me the Singapore food culture to Japan. I soon made friends with Nakajima-san who seemed to know all the places to get bentos which looked tasty and "pretty" (きれい/kirei). The bentos and food soon became our topic for communication and I soon learnt that once I become friends with a Japanese, the Japanese can be very sincere in being friends with me.

Unfortunately, Nakajima-san soon made it to move to work in Corporate tax which is a different business unit from where I was. As part of farewell, I wrote this song.

Interesting items to note:
1) In Japanese, bento is not described as "pretty". Instead, it is described as おいしい (oishii which means yummy). But, in order to display my mark of "naughtiness" in this song, I purposely used an incorrect but literal description since my first reaction when I saw Nakajima-san's bento box was, "it sure is きれい!"

2) Until now, Nakajima-san sends me a photo of her twin daughters to me every year so I get to see her daughters' growth from those pictures which I kept. Indeed, we are still friends after being apart for 6 to 7 years.

3) Every time I visit Tokyo, Nakajima-san and Okada-san (another friend and ex-colleague) search Yahoo Japan! for nice restaurants to take me to. As we are all interested in good food, it is great that we may all have great fun eating together and enjoying one another's company. Indeed, I miss my friends in Tokyo.

Lyrics :

Verse 1
Life was a bore since I came,
I had no friends and was waiting for some fun to begin.

But, thanks to the very blessed day,
it was through your pretty bento that we soon became friends.

But, good things never last for long,
you'll be transferring, to another section,
through another door! Ooh...

Life has been fun,
life has been good,
with your presence each work day!
I can't imagine life without you
and your 'kirei bento'!

You will be missed, as you leave,
Oh, why do you have to leave us so soon,
and take your bento with you.

Verse 2:
Although I know I will miss you,
I also know that love is not possessive in any way.

So, my blessings go with you,
as you venture out into a fresh new field.

May you enjoy every task you do,
in your new area,
And don't work so hard that bento is left to cool. Ooh...

Life will still be fun,
Life will still be good,
as I'll check your bento each work day,
and continue to be amazed at your kirei bento.

I know we'll be good friends for long,
as we both share a special friendship,
that goes a long way back to the bento
that I will miss so soon.

My Music Composition - 让我们齐来赞美 (Let us praise God)

Music Title : 让我们齐来赞美 (Let us praise God)
Date of composition : Fall 1996
Location : at the hostel in the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver
Time taken to complete : 30 mins
Language : Mandarin and English

Bible verse : Psalm 100:1-2 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."

Link to music : http://www.box.net/shared/ez4ioz2cko
Link to voice-Mandarin : http://www.box.net/shared/b6x449lw0w
Link to voice-English : http://www.box.net/shared/10ga9vikgo

This song was originally written in Chinese. Then, I managed to write an English version too. I think I was spiritually strongest in Vancouver and even considered entering seminary then. If my memory did not fail me, this was probably the first Christian song I wrote. I was sick a lot in Vancouver and decided to give up my graduate studies after the first semester. But, God was closest to me then.

Lyrics
让我门齐来赞美
Verse 1 :
我门的上帝真是美真是好，
我门要天天于他和好。
我门天天看上帝造的奇妙，
天天就赞美他。(Chorus)

Verse 2 :
无论有什么事情多么繁脑，
我门都有上帝可靠。
上帝必带领我门走出黑暗，
我门就赞美他。(Chorus)

Chorus
我门要每天向上帝欢呼，
把荣耀归给他。
他是我门热爱的君王，
让我门齐来赞美他。

Let Us Praise God
Verse 1 :
Our God is so good and He's so beautiful,
we shall worship Him everyday.
We see God's wonderful creation in awe,
and we shall praise Him. (Chorus)

Verse 2 :
Do not be anxious about anything,
for we have God to lean upon.
Our God will surely lead us out of the dark,
and we shall praise Him. (Chorus)

Chorus :
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
may all glory be unto Him.
He is our beloved King of Kings,
may all the earth give praise to Him.

My Music Composition - 小羊的生命 (A Sheep's Life)

Music Title : 小羊的生命
Date of Composition : 10 February 1997
Location of Composition : University of Bristish Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada
Time Taken to Compose : 20 mins
Language : Mandarin

Bible verse : John 10:10-11 Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Link to music : http://www.box.net/shared/090yk7m88g
Link to voice : http://www.box.net/shared/nfgnf5q80g


This song was written when I was sick a lot in Vancouver in 1997. Although I was sick, I was not complaining and even dream of becoming a full-time missionary for God. 11 years have passed and my desire to be a missionary has not stopped.

This desire to be able to serve God full-time one day motivates me to strive to meet the following three primary conditions:

1. Develop and maintain good health;
2. Achieving stability in my Christian walk with God; and
3. Praying for my family's salvation

I am not sure if one day I will be able to serve in the missions field, but I think God is happy with me when I am able to take things one step at a time and to be faithful to the things I am called to do now. Such things can be as simple as eat well, sleep well and exercise well so I do not get sick.

As you listen to this song, consider at this point in life, what has God called you to do and if you are now faithful in doing what he has called you to do? We do not need to have high aspirations, but we need faithfulness and obedience. I believe it is through this simple faithfulness and obedience in following Jesus, that we may have life to the full.


Lyrics

小羊的生命
Verse 1
感谢耶稣你愿当羊群的牧者。
你舍身带领羊群到青草地。
让小羊们能享有你赐的饱足。
你认识羊群，羊群也认识你。

Verse 2
感谢耶稣你让魔鬼试探我。
让我能从中更加认识你。
你是我患难中仰望的救世主。
我愿意一生一世都跟随你。

Verse 3
我愿意奉献当主耶稣你的使者。
到世界各地去传扬主福音。
让迷失的人们能认识主耶稣。
愿一切荣耀冠冕都归我主。


English Translation:
Verse 1:
Thank you Jesus that you are willing to shepherd your sheep,
that you laid down your life to lead your sheep to green pastures,
so that your sheep may enjoy the abundance that you provided.
You know the sheep, and the sheep know you.

Verse 2:
Thank you Jesus that you allow Satan to test me,
that in the midst of testing, I may know you better.
You are the Saviour that I look to for help during difficult times,
I am willing to follow you for the rest of my life.

Verse 3:
I am willing to serve as an ambassador for Christ,
to spread the gospel to various parts of the world,
so that the people who do not know Jesus will know you.
May all the glory be attributed to my Lord and King.

My Music Composition - Daybreak

Music Title : Daybreak
Date of Composition : Year 2000
Time Taken to compose : 5 mins
Link to music : http://www.box.net/shared/5xi9bf3c0o

There must be a nest by the window outside my room in year 2000. Often in the morning, I heard birds chirping close to my room. So, one early morning, as I played the piano before going to work, I listened to the birds and composed this music.

Through this music, Jesus reminded me his words found in Matthew 6:25-34:

"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?..... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I like the cheerfulness of the music as I imagined the tiny happy bird family chatting away and living in bliss. Such happiness can only happen if they have no worries and are well provided for. I believe only God can provide such true happiness - meeting all our needs, and giving us joy, peace and much carefreeness. May you find truth in His words and may the music speak to your hearts.

Some Moments with my Nephew and Niece

I have not been home in time to see my nephew and niece for the past two nights. So, we did not get to play for the last two days. My brother is in Boston this week and my sister-in-law was home late tonight. Therefore, I decided to return home earlier tonight to have dinner and spend time with my nephew and niece.

When I returned home for dinner tonight, my nephew and niece were elated and left the dinner table to give me warm hugs when I was still at the garage. It is instances like these that makes my home such a lovely home to return to.

I have a deep relationship with my nephew and niece. We play together often and I shower them with lots of love. Unlike adults, kids are receptive and respond to people's love readily. They do not think about whether the love showered on them contains any hidden agenda. Thus, it is easy for me to love them as I do not have to consider if my love to them will be misinterpreted. I like being able to just love them spontaneously.

(P.S. I have attached a link that contains a recording of some of my time with my nephew and niece tonight : http://www.box.net/shared/rf31ik9c0w. Tonight is the first time I have this recording and I enjoyed listening to the kids. For those who do not know my nephew and niece, my nephew is 5 yo and my niece is 4 yo and you get to see their picture. They are cute, adorable and good kids. I love them!)