o v e r f l u o

Was reading 1 Corinthians today, and the end of chapter 12 leading to chapter 13 showed something new. The verses talk about gifts from the Holy Spirit, then says, "But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way", then begins the famous chapter and most accurate, selfless, crazy definition of love – "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.   Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does no boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth....

You know how some people say they don't want to bring kids into this world because the world is such a dark and gloomy place with wars and mistrust, and will only get worse? Well, I can understand their argument because it's true that there can be a lot to face in life, and hey, why let someone else go through the difficulties? But I was just thinking – but, there are so many things in life to be experienced. The feeling of sorrowful betrayal but also long-standing loyalty, sadness but also unexplainable joy, loneliness but also overwhelming love. Friendship, family, accomplishments, satisfaction, discovering purpose, and even discovering yourself. So many things to experience. I am reminded of Steven Curtis Chapman's song which goes, But I've been shown the Saviour's love The grace of God has raised me up To show me things the angels long to look into And I know things the angels only wish they knew Yes, I think life is ...

Ashton Kutcher's message to teens at the Teen Choice Awards: Opportunities look a lot like work The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart, thoughtful, and generous. Build your life, don't live one: Everything around us that we call life was made up by people that are no smarter than you. You can build you own thing, your own life.  Watch it here .

My Nord is here! Megathanks to my man :) We ordered one a month back and the store guy said it'd take a month or so to arrive. It's a popular keyboard, so they get snapped up really quickly. So we were waiting, waiting, waiting for it. One day Ian got a call but decided not to tell me, and just picked it up himself.  So, tadah! I have a new keyboard. So happy :)  Grateful to my parents for sending me for piano classes, and Mrs Chia who decided to give my brother and I free lessons when my parents thought of stopping those classes.  The keyboard arrived in good time too. It was the day I met someone who teaches piano and asked if I was interested to teach too. So for a start, last Wednesday, I taught my first piano class in Australia.

Now living in a country with four seasons, three being colder than not, I've come to appreciate the sun more. In sunny Singapore, we used to think foreigners were crazy to sit out in the sun – alfresco, they say. Now, I get it. When you get cold most of the time, the warmth of the sun makes for a treat. The sun was out today, and it paired well enough with the winter air to warrant a walk. So I went freestyle around my neighbourhood. With a general sense of direction, I just walked and walked, walking far enough, and then guessing my way back. Walking takes so much longer, but you see so much more. In the car driving by streets, it's just about getting to the destination. In my shoes walking down those same streets, I "got" so much more. Gardens, windows, arches, walkways, a peek in if a curtain happened to be drawn, a neighbour smiling, and cockatoos with yellow "mohawks" in the park. Soaking it all in, while reminding myself to walk fast enough for...

27 September 2012 Cutest taxi ride ever. Old grandfather driver. Conversation about life (he said people who have lived overseas have a hint of caucasian in their look haha). Wasn't embarassed by my bare chinese punctuated with english. Could tell he was really contented and fulfilled. People like him show you what really matters - family. 11 October 2012 A contrast to the previous cab ride with a content grandfather driver. I was trying to figure out what made me feel somewhat burdened from tonight's cab driver. Was it loneliness? Or what? After some mulling, I realised: Judged.  That's how the uncle felt. Judged. The first thing he asked once I got in the cab was: What are your views on older men (uncle type) going out with a twenty something year old young girl? I said I didn't have an opinion (partly because I didn't have the ability to express it adeptly enough in Mandarin. He was speaking very fast. Chimification). He told me he does that s...

What difference does believing, make? Last night I watched Rise of the Guardians with Ian. It was pretty good! I loved the way they imagined and portrayed the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman and Santa Claus, and the part they play in children's lives. Loved it! But anyway. The point: The Guardians are protectors of children's innocence – the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman and Santa Claus. But they are threatened by the Boogeyman who has launched an assault on Earth. His greatest gripe is that he is not believed in and hence cannot be seen. Nobody thinks he exists. To change that, he turns Sandman's dreams for children to nightmares. He steals teeth, which contain children's memories, from the Tooth Fairy. He ruins all Easter eggs so children cannot not find any on Easter. And he wrecks Santa's workshop so Santa has no presents to deliver. Through these he robs children's hopes and sense of wonder, and one by one, children stop believing in each ...