Kids' pneumonia

is so scary. 2 friends had their boys being hospitalised just last week. Both had similar progression. Pneumonia - bacteria in blood - wheezing - cough - liquid in lungs - pus in lungs. 1 was more severe than the other because 1 was generally weak in nature since a baby. So, the weaker one had 2 surgeries (really don't like surgeries due to the complications it involves). These kids are only 3 years and 5 years old.

So burdened and worried for my friends and the pain of seeing tubes in a child so small. Everything the doctors and nurses had to deal with was shrunked and tiny.

Had nightmare one night of me trying to unclog my kitchen pipes with a strong cleaner. THEN as I poured the cleaner the kitchen sink started disappearing and I screamed! Not knowing how to stop it from disappearing. At that moment, my friend's kid was with me and he played with the cleaner and poured it onto his hands and he screamed and was crying and I quickly grabbed him to rinse it away at the disappearing sink. I was crying and panicking and saying 'silly boy' to him. Then I woke up. The feelings were horrible! If being Aunty is already filled with such emotions/feelings, what more a parent seeing their child in hospital and the kid being miserable with tubes stuck to his body and feeling all sick.

Went to see kid M and tried to cheer him up with a dancing robot. Just thought a dancing robot was a funny creation and he could sing a song as it danced. My heart dropped when I saw him, he lost weight due to funny medicine taste remaining in his mouth. Thankfully he ate abit more of his dinner than usual. Prayed for him that he will learn to trust God, our Creator, and not in himself.

Thankfully both kids are on their way to recovery. Keep parents' health and their siblings' health in prayer during this time. So much to rely on our Lord who is ever so faithful to us =)

Christian parenting priorities

is it to raise your kids to be moral and hence not be a menace to society, or to know the Lord Jesus, be saved and hence not be a menace to society? Often find even in my relationships with friend's kids I tend to do the osmosis of morals. Still learning how to help them get to know my Lord Jesus.

Lobang for my M'sian friends...

Hear ye! Hear ye, my dear M'sian friends!

Found out from an angmoh trainer (base in M'sia) during my IT course that M'sian passport holders get some discounts from Singapore Visitors Centre. It will differ from month to month. Trainer said there was a time they gave out Robinsons voucher, and another time Jurong Bird Park entry which costs SG$18, M'sian passport holders could buy tickets for Ringgit$18. Cool hor! Quite innovative I must say. Bring your M'sian passports to Singapore Visitors Centre and see what you get yar! Abit like lucky draw. haha!

Quick! Come visit me =)

Context is powerful

which may have been overlooked. Whether in conversation or reading a book, hearing it in context or reading in context, gives the understanding and pow! it hits you.

If you read infamous passage Matthew 28: 18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

When you read it, depending on your background, you probably think, if you heard of Jesus, you might say of course all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. He claimed to be God.

How many people remember conversations in context? It'll be horrible if a sentence of a conversation is taken out of context.

How about in meeting discussions? It's usually in context otherwise other team-mates will correct what it is said if taken out of context and usually, they'll check with one another what was documented as a one liner.

We have those skills yet when we read the bible, we don't apply that skill we so normally do in our daily lives. Why? God's bible is not a mystery and neither is it something only pastors or priests have access to since we all can easily read it daily and ask God for understanding of what he said. No need for isolation from the world in order to ponder and think about God's word.

If you read from beginning of Matthew 28, Matthew 28:18-20 is all said after he has resurrected from the dead!! That's HUGE! His resurrection and then saying "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..." It's such a push factor in the believers who were grieving at first until they saw Jesus their Lord infront of their eyes, ALIVE! And such comfort to hear "...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.". Do have a think about it and ponder Matthew 28 in its context. May you have a pow! moment as you read in context.

He has resurrected from the dead >> All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me >> I am with you always, to the end of the age

Walking in Singapore

to explore the side streets, the shortcuts is what I love to do. Visited Changi Museum recently and chanced on a book "A Walking Tour: Singapore". Loved the maps and sketches of the prominent places in it, so bought it hoping to challenge myself to memorise it and try it out. Then discovered online that there was a book launch by the author, last year Dec in Netherlands!! Quite amazing really. I wonder if after the book launch, Netherlands people would buy it and prompt them to buy a ticket to fly here, instead of being attracted by the launch of IRs (integrated resorts) and Casinos? I wonder. Would history/culture be more attractive than the latest IN or new thing? Hmm...

Prayer for a sick friend

is something I stumbled upon as I thought about a colleague who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing radiotherapy right now for the next 4 weeks.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:15-16 (NIV)

“And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”
James 5:15-16 (NLT)

Dear Lord,
You know my friend/family member so much better than I do. You know his/her sickness and the burden he carries. You also know his heart. Lord, I ask you to be with my friend now, working in his life. Let your will be done in my friend's life. If there is a sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven, Lord, please help him to see his need and confess. Lord, I pray for my friend because your Word says I should pray for his healing. I believe you hear this earnest prayer from my heart and that it is powerful because of your promise. I have faith in you to heal my friend, but I also trust in the plan you have for his life. Lord, I don't always understand your ways, and why my friend has to suffer, but I trust you. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward my friend. Nourish his spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort him with your presence. Let my friend know you are there with him through this difficulty. And may you be glorified in his life and also in mine.
Amen

(Ref: http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersforspecificneeds/a/sickfriendfamil.htm)

So much to think about when sickness happens to a friend/relative just beside you or on oneself. Much much to think.

Relationships at work

should it be really separate from personal relationships? It's all about human relationships and how we relate with each other whether it be work or personal stuff, right?

If only people could give each other benefit of the doubt
If only people could just give a listening ear to the other person
If only people could gossip less and find out from the source and keep confidentiality
If only people didn't become mini-gods of their own lives
If only people didn't keep thinking about themselves and think everyone's out to harm them
If only people could turn and repent before God whom they have pushed away, ignored, pretend he isn't there

God our Creator will still be God the Creator of all, whether he's recognised or not! Amazing as that is, only one thing for us to do...pursue what is the truth about our world and conclude that only the Lord is the true and living God.

Angel Hair with Spicy Shrimp

is what I decided to experiment just because I read from a blogger about Real Simple website. If a blogger parent (a male) with a young baby can whip up something quick and easy using Real Simple recipe, then it should be something to look into. =)

So, I got excited, spotting a recipe using Angel Hair pasta which I had some remnants and needed to finish. And looking at how easy the recipe was, I went ahead and bought the ingredients I didn't have. Changed recipe abit, as I didn't know some of the stuff it had. Have never really cooked a pasta dish which I was satisfied with, but I think this may be another full proof dish like my tiramisu! woo-hoo!

Only questions left in my mind were...
"are shrimps the same as prawns?"
"is red pepper the same as red capsicum?"
"why did adding butter make the restaurant pasta taste achievable?"
"should cooking white wine be totally void of alcohol? or should some alcohol remain?"
"will cooking on skillet and a pot achieve different result?"
"is kosher salt the same as just normal salt?"
Ok, need to google for answers.

Serves 4 Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 15m

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound angel hair pasta
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 packet frozen peeled prawn, thawed
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 teaspoon diced red pepper
• salt
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute (do not let it brown). Add the prawn, wine, red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer until the prawns are opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the butter until melted.
3. Toss the pasta with the prawn mixture.

Time to get friends over to try...

4 days with Sam

was interesting. First-time dog sitting Samantha, a Jack Russell. Quite amazing that this dog knows how to pee in pee pad and not anywhere else, she's always wagging her tail being so excited, always hungry and gives me a puppy dog look if I ate anything or if I brought home groceries. haha! It's nice having a dog in the house.

I think I conclude, it's easier to babysit than dog-sit. haha! Just partly cos I'm not experienced in dog-sitting. So much to learn, how to discipline, how much strength to use to restrain the dog from doing silly things like just sitting on the road, how much play time to give, what if I miss 1 of the 2 daily walks will it have adverse effects on it, etc.

"Does God hate Haiti?"

is an article written by Albert Mohler which is worth reading since questions like the following would be in people's minds...
"Did God make this happen?"
"Why is God so cruel?"
"Life is short, so let's just eat, drink and be merry, right?"

"The leader has the answers"

is what I keep hearing and wonder is it because the person didn't take time to find the answer themselves or they think a human leader is infallible? I'll want to immediately ask the person why he/she thinks the leader has the answers and that they wouldn't be able to provide one if they searched for it themselves? And with the answer they found, they could then discuss with the leader at the same level and be sharpened as a result? At least you know the leader isn't leading you blindly or "smoking" you.

That is, if we take the basis that we're to discern what we're taught and not blindly follow, even if the leader is sincerely teaching for our own good.

If the basis is that the leader has the answers and the only one who has the answers, then it might all fall apart when the flaws of the leader's character is one day revealed. It would be really painful and disastrous for one.

Hope that all friends will consider for themselves how we sometimes place a human leader on a pedestal and we don't want to use our brains because it's the easy way out? I urge you all to know what you believe and hold on to, and to have healthy discussions where we listen to one another, and agree to disagree, whether on the same beliefs or different.

Reminds me of Jay Smith and how he has debates with his muslim friends in Hyde Park and after the debate, they will still be friends and have a drink together at nearby KFC. It's not for the sake of arguing over words, but a strong concern for each other and to ask the difficult questions which a friend you dearly love should consider, and leave it as it is. For us, christians, we'll keep our friends in prayer after that.

Fried olive rice

I love and so quick and easy to put together. Got it from eatzybitzy, where recipes are easy.

See pic of my final product. Yums!

Mince meat, Garlic, Olive vegetables and maybe peanuts as garnish.

Babysitting for friends

was triggered when a friend asked if I could help her with her kid in 2001. And she said she just needs someone in the house so when there's fire, just grab kid and run. She also said she'll write out instructions of what to do if kid cries or anything, which helped my logical mind to be able to cope with any situation thrown at me.

From then onwards, another friend could have heard from this friend and all of them/mums had a pool of resource/help when babysitting need arose.

That's how it all started.

It has been a most helpful learning and journeying with friends who became mums and struggling along each step and also sharing the moments of joy in their lives. Had they not included me in their lives and trusted the Lord with their kid's lives in the hands other than their own, things would have been different. I might not have known their struggles, they would be struggling quite abit by themselves, no dates with husbands, I wouldn't know I could calm a child who got injured by giving water to the child to manage the pain, etc.

Thank you Lord for friends who trust you, share their struggles of motherhood, and know that their children are in their temporal care for now but ultimately belong to you in the end.

Richard Baxter

is an amazing man and the work the Lord had done in him - wow! Truly thank the Lord for what he's done in Richard's life such that today, I'm able to read his writing and be spurred on!

Anyone who's teaching the bible, especially pastoring, taking care of God's people should read what he wrote. Aiya! Think all God's people should have a read of his book actually cos gives lots to think about God's church and its leaders - now but not yet, saying no to ungodliness, etc.

Wow! There's even a free audio download of his book!

I'm surprise after not reading for so long that old english written by Richard Baxter was drawing me to keep reading. Can't wait to finish it and re-read it again. Abit like chasing after those Korean/Jap/Taiwan dramas. Haha! But of cos Richard Baxter's book spurs one onto thinking things of heaven, longing for Christ's return.

Too much cornflakes

and what do you do with it? You use the recipe on the cornflake box and use up 2 cups of cornflakes to make cookies =) I gave it a try but changed milk choc to 70% dark choc which I love. Not too bad, though it made me guilt-laden for eating each one, but happy at the taste as I consume it. haha!

Time to distribute it to friends to share the fat =)

Ingredients:
- 150g butter/margarine
- 1 cup castor sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups self raising flour
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate bits
- 1/2 cup sultanas
- 4 cups cornflakes

Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 180deg.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla essence then add eggs one at a time beating well.
- Fold in flour, choc bits, sultanas and 2 cups of cornflakes.
- Shape level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Roll balls in remaining cornflakes.
- Place onto lined tray and press down with a fork.
- Bake for 12-15mins or golden brown.
- Cool on racks and store in airtight container for up to 10days.

Root cause

is something I need to find in my IT work. So the usual troubleshooting and eventual report will appear as such...

PROBLEM: xx system failed at 3 Dec 09 01:29hrs FT.
ROOT CAUSE: invalid characters.
SOLUTION: delete failed request, correct data, start dataload immediately, repeat process chain. Error fixed at 3 Dec 09 06:45 FT. Process chain completed successfully.

Then I thought...

PROBLEM: relationships failing, husband beats wife, wife controls and makes decisions for husband all the time, verbal abuse/shouting/screaming, siblings fight over inheritance/money, friends become enemies, hatred, making horrible assumptions/judgements of each other, selfishness, wanting acceptance and love from people only, idolising celebrities, indulgences to satisfy/pampering oneself always, child rebels against parent, no trust between friends, quarrels, my way versus your way, addicted to drugs/gambling/etc, adultery, gossips, work is a pain, health not right, messed up life, death, disease, crying, pain, chaos, war, etc

ROOT CAUSE: sin/rebellion against God

SOLUTION: God sends his son, Jesus to save us from our sins (God with us). He has appeared and shown who he is, and is alive (conquered death and has resurrected) and will return and everyone will know that He is Lord and everything will be set right in his terms. He's just being very patient with us now. =)

Neck pain animation

can be seen here. That's what I have and it affects my upper back area. In pain since 8 Aug time. Now, that's a long time!

Think the animation is so cool! Get to see all the details of the insides of our body to get a better understanding. Amazingly created by an amazing Creator God!

Treatment so far: physiotheraphy, manipulation, cod liver oil, vitamin B, glucosamine, massage/kneading, neck stretches, KefenTech plaster/gel, Tiger balm muscle rub, Tiger balm neck & shoulder rub, pain killers, anti-inflammatory pills, cold pack, hot pack, neck strengthening exercises, etc.

Day at the hospital

was interesting. Never spent a day at hospital with 2 appointments back to back, which is a good thing then I don't have to take leave just to go for 1 appointment in a day, bit of a waste of leave when that happens. Later on, friends who go for their hospital appointments told me that I could have asked hospital doc to give me MC (medical leave). If only I knew that earlier...

1st appointment was with Physio. Interesting to go through the system, as I'd prior experience with a commercial and private Physio. It's tough being a hospital Physio, the number of cases to clear per day is huge. And the experience gained is not as in-depth as I'd hope. Have greater appreciation for those who bite the bullet to go private, spending 1-2hours to treat a patient. Sometimes not sure if you'll be able to fix the problem or not. But definitely reading up lots and trying different methods and attaining other methods like cracking joints.

2nd appointment was with Orthopedic again. Wasn't the same perky young doc who made me feel like he's really taking care of me and doing proper root cause analysis of my pain. It was now an aloof young one with literally his nose in the air. Sigh. Tried to breakdown the aloofness, but it held on, so I gave up and was disappointed and abit put off. He didn't read his case notes done by previous doc and re-did checks all over again, and I'd to ask him how my x-ray was. "Bedside" manners are so crucial lest one becomes all clinical. Maybe a struggle with those in medical industry is how much empathy becomes too much for them til they can't perform their responsibilities? I wonder...

Smart aleck

that's what a colleague said about Adam, the man of dust whom the LORD God formed from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Adam, a smart aleck? It's true, isn't it? Definition of smart aleck = one who thinks he knows it all. Hmm, sounds like me =P...sometimes...

Have a quick read of Genesis.

C5

means an area which is neck and upper back. Cousin said his injury in L4 & L5 refers to his lower back. Technical terms intrigue me.

Series of events triggered me to get an MRI done, since pain in C5 area still around after more than a month when the excruciating pain happened on 9 Aug. In the end, a physio friend said get MRI if company benefits are able to reimburse. MRI is really really expensive, which I just realised.

Went to polyclinic to get a referral to orthopedic specialist in hospital, so that I won't get charged private rates which is like double the amount. Polyclinic visit was interesting, doctor was young, didn't do as many checks as my sports doc friend did. And young doctor immediately started writing referral to hospital.

Good thing friends told me how to shorten my time at polyclinic queues by going there at 11.30am-12pm, as that's when most of the morning queue have cleared and polyclinic staff are in a haste to clear their work to go for their lunch break at 1pm. Also, reading mrbrown's blog about his polyclinic visit also made my visit made intriguing as it heightened my sense of observation. haha! But, I didn't dare go for Opportunistic Health Screening lah since deep down I knew what the results will be.

Hospital visit was more interesting, seeing people being pushed with a system, with a number in hand and watching all the Mr Bean silent shows on TV, picking up helpful educational brochures, seeing old folks with less alertness trying to figure out where they should be, nurses putting on stern looks in order not to be approached by just anyone, and people who return for follow-up appointments with steel rods jutting out of their legs, some with cast in their arm, etc.

Hospital doc/orthopedic specialist did like 8-10 steps to check my nerves, strength, reflexes, stability, and all ok. Then finally he went to see my neck and upper back and exclaimed "Whoa! You have muscle spasm!". haha! I almost cracked up, since I was trying to tell him I need MRI as requested by physio friend. And I thought since I couldn't turn my head fully to the left, he wouldn't have exclaimed about my muscle spasm?

As I sit at Outpatient area, amidst the hussle and bussle as though it was Orchard Road, just got me thinking as I see each face walking by/sitting/running around.....some have hope, some don't. Makes such a difference knowing that the Lord is with them whatever the circumstances. If they only knew the Lord and what he's heralding in when Jesus returns. No more death, no more sadness/mourning/crying, no more pain, no more failing bodies, no more...no more...no more...