Mini celebration

So the second day, there was a new year celebration for all the Chinese in the school. Ron and I geared ourselves for some exciting time!We did not see any of our frens around but the program was entertaining enough to keep us feel warm and fuzzy. There was a chinese dance being performed,peiking opera and Lion Dance. So with all those blasting ,cherrio chinese new year songs, that certainly helped to make us feel more at home and happy. We even got to taste some new year goodies which we have been craving.

After the performance, we head off to Mason's place to have another round of feasting. Coz this guy is a great cook!!His crab was delicious and we were not hesistant in finishing them as we missed seafood so much. The Sri-Lankan crabs are so hard to find over here. After that, we were shocked when the yu shen was brought out. Man, I couldn't believe this could find it over here. So, we went mad and began our messy stirring of the yu shen. But i thought that was still not as "rough" and "vibrant" compared to back home. Gosh I missed those fun!

Missing home

I missed home so much. My first time spending CNY out of the country. I miss those big gatherings when all the cousins will just hop in a few cars and go home visiting.Those new year goodies, those nice exchanges of updates in each other's lives..i miss that.

It's quiet here. You can easily forgotten it is CNY. Ron just got back from NYC on the new year eve. I bugged him to invite his friends over so that we can have a celebration.I am too used to having many people around during CNY.8 in total was the head count. So we whipped up a few Singaporean dishes. Not the authentic crusine we have back home coz my hotpot has not arrived yet.I missed huoguo.

Felt happier to play the host. Games followed after dinner. No guessing the riddles ,just some drinking games but everyone was merry.the night was dark. Everyone left. We called back home. It's chuyi1.have a short chat with dad and he asked " You remember is my birthday today?"
I said ," yes .That's why i call home."

A tinge of sadness surged. I miss the yearly cake cutting with him and brother on every chuyi .

Pictures of the guests

A surprise

Thunderstorm on the 13th February, eve of Valentine.Rain pouring heavily.
Ron: I got to pick up some notes from one of my fren .So let's drive there before we head back home
Raine : Why is that so?
Ron: Remember I skipped my lecture that day so I have asked him to pick up for me
Raine: Alright.
(About 20 minutes later.....)
Raine: How come your fren stay so far? Since we are heading towards the cheesecake factory, why don't we pop by and have a slice of cheesecake and dinner...oohh...i have been craving for that..
( No reply...then he turned into the lane heading towards the cheesecake resturant)
Raine: Hey how come we are here??I thought we are suppose to go to your fren's place.
( Silence for a moment and he said...}
Ron: Wait in the car for a while..i will be back soon.
( 10 minutes later..)
Ron: For you.(and then hand me a cheesecake paper bag)
Is it my vday present???I open it...my gosh it was a 8kg GODIVA CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE!!!!!!All by myself.....!!What a pleasant surprise and such great telepathy we have yah?
Raine: You order this in advance?
Ron: Yes, I am afraid it will be gone on the 14th.

How sweet isn;t it? Simple but it warmed my heart.
My present for him has not arrived yet.Shooz.

No more daughters of Babylon!

I like Berth Moore's bible study on Daniel.It made me reflected how much today's world is like the ancient Babylon who is self absorbed ,ego stroked and over indulgent.The Babylonian Empire in Daniel represents symbolically of today's world of materialism,image building ,excessive and indulgent culture. I am convicted sometimes, how i was being influenced by these as well.

Today my devotional is :God forbids superiority. We all know that.I esteem you highly as I am pondering the same questions right beside you.King Nebuchadenezzar of Babylon who build his golden image so that he has the greatest kingdom which makes servants of all heralds some loud questions:

1.Do we feel important when surrounded by those we deem important?
2.Do we feel more important when someone important notices us?
3.Do we like to be seen with those who seem important?
4.Are we name makers or name dropperes?

Any timid yes to any of those questions nods its head to Babylonian indoctrination.The need for identity and sense of significance is as human as our DNA. We begin his search in pursuit of ourselves only to arrive solely disappointed or cavernously empty.I prayed god will lead the RR family to be more like Daniel to resist this modern babylonian lure and temptation and be more consistent in the walk in his kingdom.Amen.

1 Peter 5:6 (New International Version)Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Blogsphere

We all knew that blogging has been getting more pervasive throughout the world. Even BB has to do one case study on blogging in Korea in his MBA program. This afternoon, I was going through some websites during my research and gosh, some of them led me to more blogs' links and more. Very interesting to hear how teachers ,educators from all around the world have blogged on their research findings and publications. Finally, i have managed to find some blogs that are related to education.And yes, they are all relevant to my areas of interests: Mind-Brain education , learning disabilities etc.

I have just started a new blog on wordpress.It was launched earlier this year, a channel which I can keep track on my readings and findings.( One Step towards my resolution.) I will summarise some of the papers which I have read. On this blog, you will find links to many associations that deal with brain and education. I am ony members of two associations and hopefully when things are more positive in March. i will join more associations to keep me in touch with all the recent issues. I hope this will be a good way to motivate me to be more concientious in keeping myself updated with all the recent research works and of course the education scene in Singapore in general

So far this site has not many entries as I found it pretty hard to summarise what I have read. Is a challenge for me now to learn how to do some critical thinking and then summarise and write.

Here is the new blog link: BeBehaven

By the way, I also happen to chance upon this article which said that VJC was one of the winners to the college blog!!Yipee!!So here is the campusmoblog initiated by Singtel to promote learning.

Hotpot!

I got hooked to ebay and amazon. They really have lots of good deals.
I just ordered our HOTPOT for the chinese dinner!Dah dah!!Here it is!We have been trying to look for this kind of 2 in 1 hotpot but couldn't find any around here.Finally, on amazon, I find it!!Online shopping is the way to go!

Spin And Spin!

So weekend was so packed with activities,I was drained and couldn't get myself gg on a Sunday morning. Either, I have become so lazy or I have grown older. I just did not have the energy level which I used to have.

Saturday was energising!I went for my first spinning class at 9.30am. Gosh, it was a great workout for me. I totally worked my butt off on that morning for an hour. The music was motivating, the instructor was inspiring.She used visualization techniques to spur us and gosh, I feel like I am a competitive cyclist trying to make it to the finish line. The rest of the students in the class are so determined and focus. Literally, the girl besides me is just pedaling with all her might. So with each exhalation and inhalation, I tried to pace myself to get in the game but sad to say, I have to take a 5 minute break after 30 minutes of cycling. What a weakling!! I am so embarrassed when I have to get off my bike and have a drink.I am determined to build up my stamina now!!!

So after a great work out, the afternoon was spend in the Grand Asia Market with Ee Leng where I was just literally trying to stock up for the CNY dinner. We were intending to invite a couple of friends to celebrate.Evening was followed by two dinners. One with Susan and her family who has kindly invited us to her house. A pig out on hainese chicken rice and rendang.The other one was a birthday party celebration for Terry. I ended the day with more calories:)

Pump it up!!!

I finally got my Duke Spouse Card being made.I wish i have done this earlier so that I can keep a healthier regime.But nonetheless ,is better to be late than never.Now, I just fixed my schedule for the classes i am interested in so that I can fully utilised the recreation centre facilities for free:

Monday:Gym
Tuesday 5.30pm: Indoor cycling classes with power pact music
Wednesday 6.30pm : Cardio Tone class
Thursday 6.30pm: Pilates class and then indoor cycling
Friday 5.30pm : Pilates
Saturday: Hiking or swimming with BB

This is looking good. At least i am getting my new year resolution to exercise more than three times a week going. And with the classes set in the evening, I can have the time in the afternoon for my research work to be done in the library which i just found out that they have a really good selection of databases and publications....ooohhh...things are looking good!!

I kinda of regret not joining dear Ron for his ski trip today. Now i am all alone at home. No pictures and no workout. Don't ask me why...i think i am just a scrimp and want to save money lah!!

International Wife Fellowship

This morning, I am terribly excited and happy again!!!
Went for my first International Wife Fellowship at the First baptist Church. Wahhh...I wish i have done this earlier!!So for the first 45 minutes, i chose a stamping class. Well ever since I am here, I am learning how to do scrapbooking and blah blah and now i am so pleased with the stamping class. I know how to make envelope with lining ,design cards using stamps,bookmark and beautiful place cards.Oohhoo...I am so happy!!!Of course, there will be more to come in the future lessons.

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My butterfly purplish card and envelope

After the class, we had a short break and then we proceeded to our bible study . It was only four of us while the rest of the internationals went and took english classes.I think it was a nice way to reach out to people.The leaders were so nice and guess what, i finally met some Singaporeans. This mum is the coolest mum i ever met. Susan is here with her husband who is working in Duke Hospital as a doctor and yes she is going to introduce me to 6 other singaporeans' families .Ooohoo, I have more friends to hang around with and Singaporeans who will realli make me feel at home!! Is always great to meet friends in such activities!!
After class, Susan invited me to her house for lunch and her two lovely kids are just so adorable. very intelligent and obedient.Check out Vanessa and Brandon!


Hahah , and my banana wanut muffins which looked good but not soft enough

The SWING

More activities coming up now.
BB and I have signed up for Ballroom Swing Dance classes on every Monday Evening and yesterday was our first class. It was fun as the music was catchy and the steps were pretty simple. But since both Ron and I are totally new to dancing, we are the slowest learners in class. We had a hard time remembering the dance steps. There's no stepping on feet but there were a fair share of times when he swirled me to the other end of the room. It was fun and relaxing and I thought it was a great activity for couples to join . Dancing and in particular partner dance requires both of you to synchronise in your steps and movement to create a very gracious movement spartially. I think it will help both of us to have better telepathic communication. Dancing helps us to develop a different kind of language communcation!!!I am so excited about it and now there will be a new activity for us at home. Yesterday straight after class, we went back home and have half an hour of dance practice together. Of course this time round, i think we sort of cheated and modify the steps to make them simpler!

I don't love my husband anymore?

I like doing devotionals!Like what the bible says, the word is like the living word which refreshes your spirit and soul. I feel dry when I am not worshipping the lord each day. Is amazing how the word nourishes you. Is addictive. Is rejuvenating. God's word is forever true. It is the true living compass to your everyday life.

I Don’t Love My Husband Anymore
By Lysa TerKeurst
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure…” Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

I was saddened by what my friend was sharing. She was tired of her husband so she was leaving him because she found the man she dreamed of being with. I was shocked by my friend’s decision.

I had been in their wedding and heard the lifetime promises made from their hearts. I had been with them to celebrate their first anniversary. I had been with them just after the births of their first and second child. I had shared their laughter, encouraged them through their tears, and enjoyed doing life with them.

While their relationship had not been perfect, they did love one another. But something had gotten broken in their relationship and neither of them knew how to fix it. It led to a stale quietness that seeped into their home and made each feel lonelier and isolated than they ever knew was possible for a “couple.” He had grown distant. She had grown frustrated. Life was busy, finances were stressful, and they stopped making time for romantic conversations they used to enjoy. They used to be a team and felt they could beat anything life sent their way. Now they just fought against each other. Then she met an attentive, financially secure man who seemed to be the answer to all of her unmet longings.

She traded her life for the thrill of something new, the lure of something she perceived would be so much better.

But just two years later I ran into this friend and was stunned by her confession. With tears in her eyes she admitted that she’d discovered fairy tales don’t exist. Every relationship feels exhilarating at the beginning but then real life happens and marriage is hard work no matter who you are married to. When I asked her to tell me about her new husband she smiled shyly and said, “Well, he’s hairy.”

What?

What did she just say? My mind was spinning. Of all the words, all the descriptions, all the romantic terms I expected her to use, “hairy” was no where on the list. How telling that the man that was once so irresistible that she traded everything for him, had now been reduced to one word…hairy!

I’m convinced that in marriage the grass isn’t greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water and fertilize it.

Dear Lord, please help me see my marriage as a sacred thing. May I always understand that being married was not meant to just make me happy but make my character more holy. Help me remember being married is less about having the right partner and more about being the right partner. Shape me into the wife my husband needs and deserves. Help me to pause before I speak so I don’t react out of anger, frustration, or selfishness. Show me how to respect, love and give to this man in a way that honors You and brings joy to our home. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Marriage Life Coaching Call with Lysa TerKeurst

What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:

Write a list of all the things you love and admire about your husband. If you can’t think of any now, list what you liked about him when you married him. Find some time today to share the list with your husband. Spend some time in prayer for your marriage and for your husband.
Consider signing up for a marriage coaching conference call for women with Lysa TerKeurst. Follow the link in the resources section above to learn more.

Reflections:
As a wife, is your goal to help your husband become all that God intends him to be, or all that you intend him to be?.

Have you bought into the cultural idea of marriage being some sort of fairy tale?

Sometimes, being a helper is actually a lot of work. How can you better fulfill your God-given role as a helper to your husband?

Power Verses:
Genesis 2:18, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”

Matthew 19:5-6, “’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

1 Corinthians 7:13, “If a woman had a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.”

Good weekend

On Friday, I passed my theory exam and was able to drive around with a learner's permit now.I almost got into some accidents since i am a novice and that got me tramautised. But Ron was a very strict instructor and he said you would never overcome your fear if you never practised. So after much pushing and scolding, I have been driving around with sweaty palms and legs on the highways for the past few days. I wasn't able to gauge properly when to cut lanes and that was super dangerous as there were a few times, I almost crashed into someone else.Hopefully this week, I will be able to take the driving test and pass to get my legal driving license! More importantly, to pass with good driving skills and be a safety driver!



Saturday was eventful. Early morning, we began our usual routine of waking up to have a walk in one of the parks. And so this week was Eno State Nature Park which was just 30 min away. We loved this park. It has great trails. We went to the Cox Mountain Trail which was 3.5 miles in total. Very nice walk which took us across the hill and then making a return loop along the river. The park has about 82 trails and so we were mentioning that we would come back again.



Night time, we went to Kensuke's place for a Ramen Party with the other Jap folks. Gosh, i finally know what is Dashi stock after asking the Iron Chef Shigeto who was being applauded by everyone for his fabulous culinary skills. Gosh, the dinner was good!!We had some small dishes as appetizers and then all kinds of miso, salt,soya ramen with pork and egg!!We slurped the soup and noodles and did not care about making noises since we are with the Japanese.Mai was very hospitable. After that,they had sake drinking session which was followed by the dessert--green bean soup which was prepared by both Ron and I. Wahahha it was a simple dish ( we were so tired after the hike that we could not prepare anything )!!!But the Japs love it so much and kept asking for recipes!!On top of that, we still had the double chocolates chip ice-cream.

I am super full at the end of the night but I really enjoy the night as they were really nice bunch of people to hang out with.I look forward to more parties like this.I think next week , there will be a Tapas party. I am really looking forward to it.

template change

attempted to change the layout of the blog with the link littlesnooze shown in her blog but did not turn out well...too tired now...time to zzz and will try again some other day