Friends: Sunday 17 May 2015

Met up with Crystal at Traders Hotel on Sunday as per our earlier arrangement thru whatsapp.

She is here for a business conference, and so nice of her to remember me and asked for a meet up. Thank you dear for your time and also the shortbread cookies.

It is my first time going to Traders Hotel, and we went up to the SkyBar at level 33 for our brunch.

I have heard about this SkyBar for more than a decade, but have never have a chance to go up there, and today, I managed to go up and spent a few hours there with someone precious. 

I thank God for such precious moment I got to spend with a lovely sister. We were there for about 3 hours, and were chit-chatting continuously, non-stop. So many things to catch up with, especially for church and the Singapore Fashion Week that many of the worship team attended the night before. And I realised that we both do have a lot of similarity.

Crystal, a precious sister I knew when I first joined the choir family. That was in 2012. But I barely knew her, because she is the leader for week 1 & 3, and I usually don't like to get close to leader. But, she often gets my attention by her sweet voice, and her patient and gentleness when she spoke to the choir, be it openly or privately, I really admire her character, and her talent in singing, as well as baking. And throughout the years, she has been promoted as the leader for the choir family. I thank God that He appointed such a lovely and faithful person to look after the psalmists of His house.

Although I am no longer serving together in the choir family, my heart is always with the choir and I hope to be able to serve with all of you again in the future.

I declare that God's blessings are upon us, and He will lead us in every situation as long as we let Him take care of us. Thank You Jesus for always placing good and nice people around me, to remind me that I am loved by them and I am especially loved by You. Hallelujah!

Elf's: Life...

Have not pen down what's happening around me for quite some time...

I have been thinking a lot... many thoughts are running on my mind, not just recently, but always...

Maybe I should record down my life after returned to KL for more than a month now.

Family:
Trying my very best to adapt the lifestyle my sis and mom are living, it's not as easy. Perhaps, I have been too used to living by myself. Although I was staying with aunt for the past 10 years in SG, but, I was mostly on my own, and I don't need to mingle with them, if I don't want to. But now, with my very closest one, my mom and sis, I simply can't live like that anymore, they won't let me too, if I want... Lol~! Our vacation to Thailand had been fun yet challenging for me... Thank God that all is well!

Work:
I have turned down the offer from Sonata, because of some unreasonable terms and conditions stated in their letter offer to me. Since then, I have started to look for other jobs again from Jobstreet. There were 2 agencies and one company HR called me up ONLY. (looks like it's not easy to get a job, and sometimes I wondered if I made the wrong decision to reject the first offer that I got.) Anyway, there were 2 interviews arranged, I only made it for the very first one, with Teledirect, as a CS for SIA KrisFlyer program. Went for the second interview too 3 days after the first interview, went through different tests, such like English grammar test, essay, problem solving, typing speed, listening test, role play... And I finally got the job offer on last Friday, about 3 weeks after the interviews as well as call reference to my ex supervisor. Phew~~! It's something new to me, shift work, big team, big organization, and 2-3 months of training before starting the job. New life, new beginning! Praise Jesus!

Church:
I have not attend to any of the local church service thus far... Not sure which one I should go, I miss nccsg! Miss my fellow ministries' servers, miss the venue, miss Pastor Prince... Can I still get a New Creation Church in KL? Guide me, Lord...

Friends:
So far, been meeting up with CY and SY quite often... met KL, YT & CY for once only. MY was too busy tied up by her balloon business, hence, can't meet up with us for dinner on the other night, but it's okay, we shall meet up again. Other than them, I have not been meeting up with anyone in KL.

I made a trip to SG last week with CY and SY, to take my remaining belongings back to KL, with CY driving. Met up with CN, on Saturday night for dinner, then JD & PS on Sunday morning to attend church service together, most of the WWJD team for lunch, AT, NL, QH, JL & JO for coffee at Jamaica Blue, and last but not least, dinner with RT at Brotziet. It was a fruitful trip for me, to be able to attend church at nccsg again, and to meet up so many of friends that are close to me. Thank You Jesus, for delighting me with the desire of my heart.

Was not able to meet up JR, as he was busy with work, that's the only regret for that trip.

Overall, it's just the beginning of my stay in KL, I should not be making any conclusions yet. And I believe I should do my best, live my best, enjoy my moment here with my beloved family members, and God will continue to direct my step to the life He has prepared for me. Amen!

Movie: Into The Woods

Watched this movie on Wednesday with Jus & Ben.

It was totally out of my expectation... okay, it was just me coz apparently, Ben enjoyed the movie very much and he even thanked me for introducing this movie to him.

This is, as far as I remember, the first movie that made me wanna walked out from the cinema, and also the first movie that I wish it is finished during the half way of the show.

I like musical, but this one just don't seem to fit me.

However, the 2nd half of the show, they mixed in some bible story shadow into it. Like the woman that committed adultery with the prince charming of Cinderella, she came under the law and end up, she died.

Overall, it's still acceptable and not as bad as Twilight pt 2 that made me sleep in the cinema.

Nice company has made my night better, thanks buddies!

Friends: Charis

Charis (χάρις, ιτος, ἡ) the greek word for grace, favor and kindness. It is defined as:

(a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, 
(b) favor, 
(c) gratitude, thanks, 
(d) a favor, kindness.

Last night, I was having a quality + fun time with the girls from choir, Nell, Jus, Hong & Da.

We went to Foster at Holland V for our dinner, and thanks to Hong for treating us the dinner.

Later on, we headed over to Starbucks for the second round and while drinking our fav drinks, we decided to play a little game. We will draw lot for the name of the person and give a bible verse for that person. 

Nell happened to have papers, pens and even so decorative stickers with her, so, it's ON!

Eve - Jus

Jus to Hong

Hong to Nell

Nell to Da

Da to Eve

Such a wonderful and meaningful time to spend with these beautiful girls in my life. 

Thank You Jesus for kingdom friendships that I found in NCC. I literally lost one, but I got back so many... The year of His Restoration, indeed! Love You Jesus! And thank You for loving me! 

Hong created a temp chat group to share all the pictures we took, and I realised that there are 5 of us, the number of Grace! So, the chat group is now renamed as CHARIS! How divine, how awesome!

Elf's: Godly Friend

We were suppose to catch a movie together yesterday, however, we missed the show time as he insisted that I should take a proper lunch. There's always next time for the movie, right? 

The dessert we had was super yummy - 楊枝甘露 from 香港盛記甜品店 at Vivo City. My lunch was so-so and I believed his 燒賣 were the same. 

Yummy 楊枝甘露

We went for a walk at Vivo City, stayed outdoor at one of the balconies at level 1 and talked for awhile, about his encounters at HK. Apparently, Causeway Bay is a very nice area and very atas, specially for expats that work for Cathay. Wow! And he loves that place. 

Then I suggested to take a walk at the Sentosa Boardwalk. And it was his first time walking there. I felt so priviledge  and special as he is going to walk there with me for his first time. So, we walked and paid $1 as entrance fee to Sentosa. 

Walked at Sentosa for awhile and we headed back to Vivo by taking the LRt. And we headed to the coffee house he has suggested although I wanted to go to my fav Costa Coffee so much, but I really don't mind trying any new thing with him. 

So, it is a newly opened coffee house - abc that is located just next to Jamie's Italian. Nice environment. Cozy and warm. I wanted to order my fav drink - Flat White, of coz. But he teased me that I made a good choice for Flat White has the highest milk contains compared to the rest. (I was being advised by my GP to avoid milky and oily food as I was having gastroenteritis). So, I knew I have to change my drink and he suggested mocha, which is my second fav drink. And latte for himself. He also has ordered a piece of brownies to share, and he checked with the counter that it doesn't contains milk. How thoughtful and swet can he be? 

My Mocha in red cup, love it!

My mocha came in a red cup, which is our fav colour. I was super happy with it. And with a heart-shape latte-art (although my order was not latte), its almost perfect. And when I tasted it, it was good. Fragrant and smooth textures. 

His Latte

His latte came with a heart-shaped latte art too. Not sure how it taste, but I guess it's good. And I think his fav drink should be latte, as this is not the first time he ordered latte. 

We had a not so long but definitely one of the best conversations we ever had. He truly cares about my future, and gave me his sincere advises, and encouraged me that it's not too late to start my planning now, I am still young. 

Me and my red cup Mocha

Then, he suggested to take a pic of me drinking my mocha in my fav red cup. So cute of him. He also commented that I like to dress up. I told him I like to dress up but not dress out, and will dress up for special people, special function or special ocassion only. 

When we bid our goodbye to each other, as we were going to different way, I need to take CCL to go back to BL, and he will take NEL to go back to LI. I went down the escalator by myself, and enter the train. I chose to stand at the corner and I noticed that someone sat at the twin seats next to me, and that person was using his phone at me as if he is taking a pic of me. I did not pay much attention at first and thought maybe is just a tourist, then that person is like trying to get my attention, so, when I looked again at that person, wola! It was him. I was surprised coz he was supposed to rush home after meeting me up. And he told me that he needs to drop something at his home at TB. So I asked if I can go with him as it was still early and my aunt did not cook for me. 

We walked to his block and I waited for him under the block while he went up for his business. We talked a lot... and while walking back to the train station, I saw a very unique buildings, okay, it's 3 buildings actually, and I asked him if he knows what building was that. It was called Reflections @ Keppel Bay. And he also shared with me that this is like the proud of Keppel Construction, and the buildings are also featured in Keppel's advertisement, the one with a very nice instrument, and we hummed it together. It was almost perfect. A perfect moment for us. 

Reflections at Keppel Bay

We give each other a hug while waiting for the lift to go down to the train station, it has been so long since we last hugged each other, but we did not prolong the hug, just a short and solid hug for each other. 

“But I think we both knew, even then, that what we had was something even more rare, and even more meaningful. I was going to be his friend, and was going to show him possibilities. And he, in turn, would become someone I could trust more than myself.” 
― David Levithan, Boy Meets Boy

We love because He first loved us.  - 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

Elf's: iSteak

Had a quick dinner with JR on this Thursday night after my trip to MBS buying the pillow mist for dad from Bath & Body Works.

He suggested iSteak, a grillhouse located in a hawker centre at Holland V, that cooked nice steak (at least for him) and also one of the eatery that we promised to revisit and try again.

So, we met up at about 7.30pm at TB station, and headed to HV together. 

JR suggested that we ordered a big portoin 250g rib eye steak to share and I agreed with his suggestion.

We have waited for about 30 minutes for our order - medium raw rib eye steak with mushroom sauce and we order french fried (his choice) and greens salad (my choice) as our sides. 

The steak was cooked just nice. It was grilled perfectly outside and inside, it's tender and juicy. It's my first time eating such a big or rather thick steak. And JR only shared a bit as he needed to go back home for dinner. I was surprised to know that he needs to return home for dinner as he was the one who initiated the quick dinner meet up.

iSteak - 250g ribeye steak

Well, overall, it's another good catch-up we had. We talked a lot, politics issue from the protests in Hong Kong to the 3000 pairs shoes of Imelda, the ex president's wife from the Philippines, and we talked about my sisters and future. 

I am touched to know that he prayed for me to be more independent and stronger in handling all things in my life, and ha has been praying for me in this area, so, I guess the power of prayer is truly powerful, coz I know that I have transformed actually.

Thank You Jesus for friends who care and pray for me! 

Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. - Proverbs 11:14, AMP

Movies: Café. Waiting. Love

Watched it last night, finally!

Thanks to Cindy whom accompanied me for this movie, we both had a super duper good laugh during the movie.

Well, I felt that it's like 90% different from the book, but they are equally good. I was like watching a movie with a new story.

It was good. The main actors are fresh and acted well, the highlight is truly the Hong Kong famous artist - Ms Vivian Chow 周慧敏, she is as beautiful as 10, 15 or 20 years ago, so divinely beautiful.

I was having high expectation on Vivian Chow's character as the 老闆娘, however, the movie version has almost changed the whole story about her. A little bit of disappointed, but the movie version has set her late-boyfriend as her guardian angel before she could let go of their past, it is a plus point for the story, very touching, I must say... (Cindy has shed her tears for towards the end of the movie)

The movie is much more crazier than the book. But, seriously, equally good, you will definitely get a good laugh in the cinema, because the audience on that night did, and it was almost full house, on a Monday evening, and most of them are guys, that surprised me. 

As a conclusion, Monday evening could not be better to spend with a good sister in-Christ, having a quick but yummy dinner, a crazy yet sentimental (in a way) movie and DESSERTS! 

Thank You Lord for the blessings around! I am truly greatly blessed!

For The First Time

P/S: Cindy is actually born in Taiwan. So, dating a girl from Taiwan to watch her country's production, is a good combination too, I guess! ;)

Elf's: Dessert for two

We met up last night for dessert... 

I was staying up late in the office to gather the childcare info that he needs. 

(Well, I am his PA now and he gives me task to complete... like a game...)

He wanted to give me a treat for dinner, but I was too full, so, we settled for dessert.

This is our favourite... Thai coconut from 320 Below Nitro Cream Cafe, located at Mackenzie Road, near Little India MRT station.

He has decided to order waffle with 2 scopes of ice-cream to share. 

To share? That surprised me coz he usually doesn't share food. But, yes, we shared the desserts.

He has opted for Thai Coconut, and I chose Rum & Raisins, for a try.

Dessert for two, and a very nice sunflower painting on a paper cup.

We talked a lot. He told me that the Malay girls at his office tends to like to flirt with him and he doesn't know why.

Honestly, I was angry to know that there are girls out there flirting with him, staring at him and flirting with him, with he notices that. 

But, the night was good. He had a new hairdo, he combed his hair neatly, and look really good in my eyes, very decent and smart. I love it!

Okay, I should wake up.

Elf's: Supper with JR

We met up last night for supper after my late dinner at Crystal Jade @ Holland Village.

JR was craving for steak, yes, steak @ 11pm..... Yes, 11.00pm, 2300...

And to our surprise, we did manage to find a steaks' place at this hour. 

iSteaks Grillhouse is the place! It is actually located in the Holland Village Hawker Center and JR discovered this place while I was withdrawing $ from the ATM nearby.

I now know, not that he never told me before, but I see with my eyes now, he really loves steaks. And how he can behave like a child when he is craving for his favourite food!

After getting a table, he quickly join in the queue to order his 250gm rib eyes steak ($19.50) and he likes it medium. 

Look at the steak, so thick & juicy... I was sooooo tempted to ask for a bite from him, but alas, I stopped myself. He doesn't like to share food, or I should say taste other people's food, but he doesn't mind if other will be trying his. So, I thought I should respect him by not tasting his food too, to be fair... :)

And he wallowed up all the food on the plate in less than 20 minutes... and he looked so satisfied after finished up the food. A satisfy man is a happy man! Lol~! And I am happy and satisfy too to see how happy and satisfied he was.

After he was fully satisfies, straight away we headed to hunt for a place to have a drink. Actually, I was asking if he wants to have beer at the hawker centre, but he did not allow me to do so... So, we finally decided to go to XinWang located at Lorong Mambong for our drink. He ordered a watermelon ice-blended without sugar while I had my usual hot drink - lemon honey.

We spent our time there, listening to the korean, mandarin & cantonese songs played loudly in the background, chit-chatting with each other, playing bowl with friends on our phone, and chit-chatting... 

This meet up was good. I truly enjoy having a friend like JR. 

And maybe we both know that I am leaving Sg for good soon, we somehow treasure this time together very much, I am not sure about him, but me, definitely! However, I can sense it from him. 

It's so hard to bid farewell... But baby goodbye, doesn't mean forever.. reminded me of a song I once like it very much - Goodbye Girl by Bread.

Well, till we meet again, hopefully soon, and hopefully we can do it often before I return to KL for good.