My Guitar Breakthrough

Happy!! Learned how to play in D yesterday so now I can play this in addition to my all time fav G key. [reference sidebar for the song I learned yesterday]

A quick stocktake of songs that I know how to play in order of most recent recall:

1. Offering by Paul Baloche (in D!!)
2. Complete by Parachute Band
3. All the Earth by Parachure Band
4. Enough by Chris Tomlin
5. Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin
6. Blessed be your name by Matt Redman
7. Who am I by Casting Crowns
8. How Great is our God by Chris Tomlin
9. God of Wonders by Chris Tomlin
10. Here am i to Worship

As you can tell, I'm a Chris Tomlin fan when it comes to guitar songs. Was nodding vigourously when he shared during this interview that he only played songs in G. *hee*

Think I'm slowly being transformed...

My Mid Year TO-DO list

Ok...I decided to force myself to write a list of things that I hope to finish by year end (plus or minus).

Had a moment or two the other day and realised to my utter horror that it's nearly end July and all the things I said I wanted to do remain undone. *sigh* I know..what's new.

Anyways, the rolling list of "To-Dos" can be viewed to the right..there is no order what-so-ever except perhaps by time urgency. For eg, the SHAPE run is on 9 Sep so obviously I need to work towards that. Yup..you get the idea...

As I did a stocktake, this is where I am thus far:

1. Get into shape for SHAPE Run.
- Barely surviving..5 km should be manageable but I really am wondering what's going to happen after the 5.25 km mark. Anyhows, will keep all updated abt what happens come 9 Sep.

2. Travel again!!
- YAY! Some of the probable destinations include India (Delhi including Agra, Mumbai), Ho Chih Minh and perhaps Taiwan if I am extra persuasive in getting my travel companions to co-operate.

3. Think about my future.
- I have been a great procrastinator. However, I do know that I have to get round to doing this sooner or later and seriously think through what I would like to do next. Perhaps get my 1-star michelin status by 2009??

4. Lead worship while playing the guitar.
- My attempts to play the guitar can be described as laughable at best. Although I recently got a backhanded compliment that I now change chords faster?!!! *mutters* Fine...don't think I'm going to be a guitar prodigy anytime soon especially given my ill discipline in practising. But I really do need to keep going at this if I hope to improve.

Update: I tried playing WHO I AM the other day though. *beams* My kind friend commented that my rhythm was there!!?? Let's just say that I have many kind friends...

5. Read all my books collecting dust in plastic bags.
- Yes, everytime I head to SKS, I hardly emerge empty handed. It's abit like shopping, when you come across good deals or see a SALE, my instinctive nature is to buy first and back justify later.

6. Tame the snack junkie.
- The first step to recovery is recognizing that one has a probem. So the recovering snackaholic is beginning to see that there might be a problem having ma-mee for breakfast. Do bug me though when you see my hand in the next bag of honey mustard pretzels.

7. Transit out of Wesley.
- Intend to spend the remaining year tying up loose ends, prepare to transit my youth group out of YM as well as get ready to attend Ed's church. Am going to trust that everything will work out in His time. Alas, I have heard a few jokes already about going to a brethren church. From the need to wear a veil to suppressed womanhood...I AM STILL GOING though..*determined look*

*Puts on armour* Watch me as I start ticking off each item one at a time....=D

Romeo, where are you?

As some of my friends might testify, I am kinda 'famous' for my discourses (some might say tirades) on relationships and what we should look for. At any given opportunity, I would happily launch into a lecture...And all this before I even got attached!

Recalling this list that I once made during my schoolgirl days on what I wanted in a boyfriend, realised that what I thought was once important eg. charming, tall, witty isn't all that essential if the key elements of the person's personality are not in place.

After 27 long years on this earth, have come to realise that if i had to summarize and drill the various qualities down to the 3 most impt things in finding our other halves, it would be:

1. Shares the same beliefs - For me, he needs to be able to spur me on in growing and becoming a better person in Christ.
2. Supportive- In addition to him being supportive of me, I need to want to support him in his ministry, through his trials and dreams etc.
3. Chemistry - This is where the personal 'like factor' comes into play.

Let me qualify....I'm definitely not this love guru and I might not be utterly correct. As I journey along with Ed, I'm sure my views will continue to be reviewed and refined. What I do know though is that at the end of the day, our other half should complement and they should love us for who we are and see us for who we can be. Love is in spite of, not because of...

Currently reading this book which came highly recommended... something that put a smile to my face: Just as strength is a man's charm so charm is a woman's strength.

Hmmm....

Will definitely continue to share more about I have learnt from this book so stay tuned!!

Emancipation of the GSS

With the advancement of age and the toil of time, we have all changed. The group of once Giggley School Girls (GSS) are now career women wannabes. Our gawky jeans, tucked in t-shirts and track shoes have been replaced with trendy work attire and dainty high heels. The once upon a time, fresh youthful skin is now slightly dulled with ever growing eyebags. Heck, even conversation topics change.

Until recently, have never spent so much time talking about contractors, bridal packages, which hotel venue gives the best rates etc. It's ironic how these once yawn-worthy topics suddenly seem so important and ever so relevant. How things have changed in 10 years:

• It's no longer about getting a cute boyfriend but a faithful husband.
• It's not about how one got attached but rather how one was proposed to.
• Focus is no longer on growing a r/s but building a life together.
• Gifts are no longer stuffed toys or pretty accessories but diamond solitares.
• We have evolved from renovating our bedrooms to building a dream house.

Funny enough, although we might have outgrown our school uniforms, each of us remains very much the same inside. Still the same quirky personalities with strange mannerisms and worldviews. All we need is a table to huddle around and we are all set to gossip.

Our priorities might have changed and although more jaded, it is a reflection that we have grown (thankfully!!).

For me, this is simply the Emancipation of the GSS - the coming of age of a group of once young schoolgirls maturing into women of strength and character (or that's what we hope).

Content Malfunction

Contentment..what exactly is that? Is it the sense of glee I experience when I buy a NEW bag that will be my constant companion for the next month? Or after a particularly satisfying raku indulgence in addition to feasting on the buffet at The Line? Alternatively, is it the fact that I know I am loved...

"Not because of who I am, but because of what [God] has done,
not because of what I've done, but because of who [He is]. "
- WHO AM I by Casting Crowns

This last week has been an apt reminder of what it really means to remain content and maintaining a grateful heart towards all that He has given me in my life. Learning from Eve (Genesis 3), her mistake was not so much that she ate the forbidden fruit but that she focussed on what she could not have versus being thankful for the rest of the garden ie. other trees that she could freely eat from. THAT was her downfall.

Drawing it back to my life, I do see parallels. I know how easily I can be discontented with life, dwelling on what I don't have when I should be giving thanks continually for the many blessings that have come my way. Deep down, I know that I have led a fairly charmed and blessed life...but I will never be truly happy if all I choose to see is what I don't have yet in my life. Talk about content malfunction...

As I endeavour to maintain the right perspective, want to give thanks for the many blessings in my life:

• Companionship with God
• Ed
• Family
• Friends
• Youth group
• Colleagues who have evolved into friends
• Working environment as well as work
• Health
• Comfortable lifestyle

Know it's going to be a conscious effort to turn my eyes from the forbidden fruit ie. things that I might gripe about not having and keep them fixed upon His abundant provision and blessings. This is when it becomes really important to continually give thanks and remind myself of all that He has and will bring into my life.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18