after meeting up with my financial advisor, a friend after 3 years of not seeing her, I learnt that I should probably be watching my finances more tightly. If not for the fact that the mortgage is paid for via CPF and that there is rental money coming in from the new place, I would have been in the red. Even though my contribution to my parents and the household has increased by more than threefold, there are certain ways to reduce my spending.
My short term plan for the next 6 months is this:
No weekend travels.
No purchase of unnecessary stuff (electronic gadgets, clothes, bags, etc).
No buying of alcohol (except if it's Absolut collectible)
No eating at cafes/restaurants more than three meals a week.
The good news is, my CPF OA investment is enough to pay my mortage for the next 5 years even if I do not work. I thought the purchase of the new place almost wiped my CPF OA dry. Hidden money is good sometimes.
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
I finally conquered SBV Road!
It was 1.4 km uphill and 1.4 km downhill. I never thought I could manage that jog. Many thanks to my co-runner and motivator! :)
Whilst jogging downhill by myself (while the crazy one kept running through the park), some thoughts came to mind.
The thought of jogging uphill was daunting; I imagined a steep slope, my knees hurting, and my back aching.. I had prepared to walk before I even started the jog. It didn't seem that difficult as I did that step by step. I didn't even know that I was jogging upslope many times. And because of that, I thought the run down would not be entirely downhill (no ups means no downs right?). But I was wrong, it was truly a downhill run, which ended the run so pleasantly. I couldn't see the upslope because I was merely concentrating on my next step.
It's the same with our own spiritual journey, I think. While it is true that we want to plan and think ahead, we do not want to be bog down by the worries construed by our thoughts about the future. God gives us sufficient grace to live the day, and hence, we really should not worry too much about the future, but just walk in step with Him. Worrying too much about the future only makes the journey more daunting. So not helpful at all. Then again, I can only do things like that once or twice a year, like the 10km jog. Hehe
I also learnt something new about myself through the run. When I was not able to see the end, it was easier to keep going. When my running mate said "I think we have another 3 corners more to reach the top. You are doing well, keep going! ". I felt like stopping. It's like that whenever I am on the treadmill too. I try to cover the time and distance with my towel and just run. I often feel that the run's tedious whenever I am counting down because my focus will be on the time and distance covered. I will be thinking: "How much more before I finish?" I am still trying to figure that part of me out. Maybe it's related to how I am often excited about new projects and start planning way in advance, but once the structure is in place, I often had to wait till the last minute before putting in the details. hehe. Will think more about this when I have more time. Ciaoz.
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Whilst jogging downhill by myself (while the crazy one kept running through the park), some thoughts came to mind.
The thought of jogging uphill was daunting; I imagined a steep slope, my knees hurting, and my back aching.. I had prepared to walk before I even started the jog. It didn't seem that difficult as I did that step by step. I didn't even know that I was jogging upslope many times. And because of that, I thought the run down would not be entirely downhill (no ups means no downs right?). But I was wrong, it was truly a downhill run, which ended the run so pleasantly. I couldn't see the upslope because I was merely concentrating on my next step.
It's the same with our own spiritual journey, I think. While it is true that we want to plan and think ahead, we do not want to be bog down by the worries construed by our thoughts about the future. God gives us sufficient grace to live the day, and hence, we really should not worry too much about the future, but just walk in step with Him. Worrying too much about the future only makes the journey more daunting. So not helpful at all. Then again, I can only do things like that once or twice a year, like the 10km jog. Hehe
I also learnt something new about myself through the run. When I was not able to see the end, it was easier to keep going. When my running mate said "I think we have another 3 corners more to reach the top. You are doing well, keep going! ". I felt like stopping. It's like that whenever I am on the treadmill too. I try to cover the time and distance with my towel and just run. I often feel that the run's tedious whenever I am counting down because my focus will be on the time and distance covered. I will be thinking: "How much more before I finish?" I am still trying to figure that part of me out. Maybe it's related to how I am often excited about new projects and start planning way in advance, but once the structure is in place, I often had to wait till the last minute before putting in the details. hehe. Will think more about this when I have more time. Ciaoz.
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Saturday, October 20, 2012
Re: Eternal life
I have always seen eternal life to be a phase after life on earth ends; when my physical body dies, my spiritual body, the soul, gets to spend eternity with God. And isn't that what we tell prebelievers too? That when we receive Jesus into our lives, we have eternal life.That is true, but what if eternal life is more than just life after death?
Henri, my latest human/non human idol says it very aptly: "eternal life is life in and with God, and God is where I am here and now. It is the divine indwelling that is eternal life. It is the active presence of God at the centre of my living- the movement of God's Spirit within us- that gives us the eternal life."
Therefore, I think, eternal life in heaven, is a continuation of our present life with God after our time on earth ends. That when they say there is eternal life after death, they mean death as not a physical death but the death of self to the lordship of God.
Henri's life reminds me, that indeed, fruitfulness of one's life is much more visible only after one's life on earth ends, which leads me to this very important reflection: What kind of legacy am I leaving behind?
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Friday, October 19, 2012
25 randoms in 2012
1) If Henri Nouwen were alive today, I would fall in love with him (if I meet him and he likes me too, hiak hiak).
2) I am making my brain more balanced by using my left hand more.
3) My generation 4 non-coloured ipod is still working.
4) I thought about taking it with me to Phuket but changed my mind because I do not have a lot of time alone.
5) I can be an Aussie tour guide. I helped a stranger teacher do up a 2 week itinerary to Sydney and surrounds today.
6) I should be born an Australian.
7) My nose has only bled once since I used the anti- inflammatory nose spray.
8) I think my plan to check myself into hospital is gonna fail. :(
9) I feel a certain sense of security that my health insurance is fully covered.
10) I am working on my brother's health insurance.
11) I am thankful that my parents and my bro are saved!!!
12) I really like to take my family on a holiday.
13) Sometime, I forget that Cookie is a dog. She seems so human.
14) My hair needs maintenance soon.
15) I need retail therapy.
16) I like to be debt free in 2.5 years, god willing.
17) The first thing I like to do is to go for Hillsong Conference.
18) The next thing I like to do is to experience Spring and Autumn.
19) I am desperately wanting to use my LDS but can't find anything to use it on.
20) I feel smarter if I read the newspaper for that day.
21) I feel wiser if I read the bible that day.
22) I heard many bad things about the English HOD who's coming in next year. I am thankful I am in the PE department.
23) I came out to another of my classmate taking the Masters Programme (total 3 now).
24) I am exhausted and wish I can be bedridden for 1 week.
25) I think this post is boring. I think I grow more boring the older I get. :(
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2) I am making my brain more balanced by using my left hand more.
3) My generation 4 non-coloured ipod is still working.
4) I thought about taking it with me to Phuket but changed my mind because I do not have a lot of time alone.
5) I can be an Aussie tour guide. I helped a stranger teacher do up a 2 week itinerary to Sydney and surrounds today.
6) I should be born an Australian.
7) My nose has only bled once since I used the anti- inflammatory nose spray.
8) I think my plan to check myself into hospital is gonna fail. :(
9) I feel a certain sense of security that my health insurance is fully covered.
10) I am working on my brother's health insurance.
11) I am thankful that my parents and my bro are saved!!!
12) I really like to take my family on a holiday.
13) Sometime, I forget that Cookie is a dog. She seems so human.
14) My hair needs maintenance soon.
15) I need retail therapy.
16) I like to be debt free in 2.5 years, god willing.
17) The first thing I like to do is to go for Hillsong Conference.
18) The next thing I like to do is to experience Spring and Autumn.
19) I am desperately wanting to use my LDS but can't find anything to use it on.
20) I feel smarter if I read the newspaper for that day.
21) I feel wiser if I read the bible that day.
22) I heard many bad things about the English HOD who's coming in next year. I am thankful I am in the PE department.
23) I came out to another of my classmate taking the Masters Programme (total 3 now).
24) I am exhausted and wish I can be bedridden for 1 week.
25) I think this post is boring. I think I grow more boring the older I get. :(
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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Solitude in meditation
So many people, including Henri Nouwen, have recommended meditation as a form of deep communication with God. I believe in contemplating on the word of God, meditating, chewing on the word of God, waiting for God to speak to me. But to ask me to sit in silence and wait is not exactly my cup of tea.
I have a different idea of solitude. My definition of solitude is a restedness in God's presence. It is when my mind, heart and soul tune in to God's voice. This may happen in the solitude of silence for many but I believe it can happen in the solitude of that moment when I am alone with God, even in the presence of "distractors".
The deepest level of connection I have with God is when I am wrapped in that bubble with him. For me, that can happen with worship music playing in the background or even in the foreground. It can happen in a sermon. It can happen when I am praying with and for someone. It does happen when I am really really alone as well.
It is solitude for me as long as God and I are inside the bubble communicating even if there distractors outside of the bubble.
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I wanna write write write
Does not all creativity ask for a certain encounter with our loneliness, and does not the fear of this encounter severely limit our possible self expression? - Henri N.
Yes yes yes, it does!! I am longing and praying for that extended period of time when I can just sit and seek God and give the space for all His inspiration to flow through all my writings. Prose is starting to bore. Yet prose can be more beautiful than poetry. I want to write both. Rawrrrerrrressssssssss! God willing, in 3 years! In 2015 mid year! When I am 36.5 years old.
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
a Noahide
and so I met one yesterday and spoke to him a bit more about his beliefs. He's the teacher sitting opposite me. Once he started talking, my gaydar sounded. He must be gay, I thought. He's a atypical gay man in terms of physique though. Haha. He even brought the Torah today and I think it's for the reason of engaging and "educating" me about his faith but I didn't feel like engaging him on his beliefs so I didn't ask him what he was reason. It was also because I was partly distracted by the pretty PE teacher but of course, I was mostly concentrating on marking well. haha.
This is a brief summary from Wiki about them and their faith:
In Judaism, the Seven Laws of Noah form the major part of the Noachide Laws.
According to religious Judaism, any non-Jew who adheres to these laws is regarded as a righteous gentile, and is assured of a place in the World to Come (Olam Haba), the final reward of the righteous.
The seven laws listed by the Tosefta and the Talmud are:
1.Prohibition of Idolatry
2.Prohibition of Murder
3.Prohibition of Theft
4.Prohibition of Sexual immorality
5.Prohibition of Blasphemy
6.Prohibition of eating flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive
7.Establishment of courts of law
Noachide Laws comprise the six laws which were given to Adam in the Garden of Eden, according to the Talmud's interpretation of Gen 2:16,[8] and a seventh one, which was added after the Flood of Noah. Later, at the Revelation at Sinai, the Seven Laws of Noah were re-given to humanity and embedded in the 613 Laws given to the Children of Israel along with the Ten Commandments, which are part of, and not separate from, the 613 mitzvot. These laws are derived from the Torah. According to religious Judaism, the 613 mitzvot or "commandments" given in the written Torah, as well as their reasonings in the oral Torah, were issued to the Jews only, and are therefore binding only upon them, having inherited the obligation from their ancestors. At the same time, at Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel were given the obligation to teach other nations the embedded Noachide Laws.
Summary: They don't believe that Jesus is God. And they believe that Jesus is the false prophet that the bible was talking about. So OMG right? Am I gonna engag tomorrow? Will pray.
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This is a brief summary from Wiki about them and their faith:
In Judaism, the Seven Laws of Noah form the major part of the Noachide Laws.
According to religious Judaism, any non-Jew who adheres to these laws is regarded as a righteous gentile, and is assured of a place in the World to Come (Olam Haba), the final reward of the righteous.
The seven laws listed by the Tosefta and the Talmud are:
1.Prohibition of Idolatry
2.Prohibition of Murder
3.Prohibition of Theft
4.Prohibition of Sexual immorality
5.Prohibition of Blasphemy
6.Prohibition of eating flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive
7.Establishment of courts of law
Noachide Laws comprise the six laws which were given to Adam in the Garden of Eden, according to the Talmud's interpretation of Gen 2:16,[8] and a seventh one, which was added after the Flood of Noah. Later, at the Revelation at Sinai, the Seven Laws of Noah were re-given to humanity and embedded in the 613 Laws given to the Children of Israel along with the Ten Commandments, which are part of, and not separate from, the 613 mitzvot. These laws are derived from the Torah. According to religious Judaism, the 613 mitzvot or "commandments" given in the written Torah, as well as their reasonings in the oral Torah, were issued to the Jews only, and are therefore binding only upon them, having inherited the obligation from their ancestors. At the same time, at Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel were given the obligation to teach other nations the embedded Noachide Laws.
Summary: They don't believe that Jesus is God. And they believe that Jesus is the false prophet that the bible was talking about. So OMG right? Am I gonna engag tomorrow? Will pray.
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