My Second Dish with earnings!

Oh my gosh! After looking through my older posts I realized it was only after a long 5 months that I've embarked on my second dish!!! Pai seh pai seh *blush*

The best thing about me is I need to write my recipes down else I'll simply forget how to cook it. Blogging it down is good! :P

I'm certainly more encouraged to cook. My frens says that the rice is good! (Despite the fact that I've forgotten to add salt!!!! Maybe the oyster sauce in the marination is salty enough) Another encouragement is I actually made $15 from cooking the glutinuous rice!!! Heeheehee!!! Looks like this could be one of my hidden talents after all.

One of my dreams is that in future whichever country I go I can survive with a meaningful skill. And as one of my fren says "Cooking will never go out of need because people need & (some) love to eat!!!!"

Glutinuous Rice/ 糯米饭
Why I should cook this:
Simply yummy & easy to prepare. To balance this high carbohydrate dish you can add more chicken & mushroom or even green peas. However don't over eat on this as glutinuous rice takes a longer time to be digested.

Ingredients:

• 0.5kg glutinuous rice

• soyabean oil

• pepper
• five spice powder

• oyster sauce

• shallots, pounded

• garlic, pounded

• chicken slices

• chinese mushrooms

• handful of dried shrimps

Preparation:

1. Soak Chinese mushrooms in water overnight till soften. Cut into small pieces

2. Marinate mushrooms & chicken (separately) with oyster sauce, pepper, sesame oil, five spice powder

3. Add garlic, shallot, dried shrimps & mushroom. Fry until brown.

4. Add glutinuous rice & chicken & fry. Add a little water to prevent rice from sticking to pan.

5. Once all the ingredients are throughly mixed, transfer the rice mixture into a steamer.

6. Steam for 30mins. Thereafer check if glutinuous rice has soften. Else steam for another 10mins.

Note:

1. Do not need to soak glutinuous rice overnight. Just wash the rice clean before use.

2. Add chicken together with the rice else will end up overcooking the meat.

Kermit's Learning:

Dun take five more months to cook the next dish. Heys people remind me!

*Special thanks to "My mother who taught me!"*

Internet rape - are you safe?

Reference from Digital Life Oct 22, 2007

16-year-old Amanda (not her real name) is your typical teenager who enjoys hanging out with her friends and surfing the Internet.

There was something irresistible and liberating about the way she could just come home from school, throw her real identity out the window and take up whatever persona she liked online. With her cute nicknames, Amanda never fell short of online friends who enjoyed chatting with her. Her favourite friend, though, was 29-year-old 'bikerboy2000', who was always sweet, considerate and knew exactly what to say. Both exchanged personal information and she soon found out his real name (for this purpose, let's call him John).

In return, Amanda revealed her own name, school and contact number without any qualms as she trusted him and wanted to meet him.

John finally asked her out for lunch three days later and Amanda agreed, albeit reluctantly at first. Her first impression of him was that John was shy and boyish. But his constant praise of her beauty had Amanda hooked - she felt like a princess in his company.

On their second date, John said he liked her a lot and asked Amanda to be his girlfriend. She was elated and couldn't believe her luck. She was so smitten that when John invited her to his place on their third date, she hurried over brimming with anticipation.

That was when Amanda's luck ran out. John started to get physically close to her, and when she pulled away and asked what he was up to, John attacked her. Dazed and confused, realisation slowly sank in. Amanda had been raped.

Time stood still - five, ten, even 20 minutes could have passed - she wasn't sure but after the ordeal ended, Amanda dashed out of John's house and ran straight home.

Her grades plummeted as Amanda battled with feelings of worthlessness, shame as well as the fear of pregnancy and parental rejection. She withdrew from her friends and family until she one day, she couldn't hold it back no longer.

She told her close friends about the awful experience and received intensive counselling. She made a police report and identified John, who's currently being investigated.

Amanda soon learnt that she wasn't the first girl that John had raped. Despite feeling angry at her own stupidity, she also learnt a valuable lesson from her experience. She's now a more Internet savvy user and understands what to do to avoid becoming a victim.

Her advice - NEVER reveal your identity or address online, as well as your school, mobile number or online profile (such as Friendster or Facebook) as your identity can be easily traced.

Be careful of people with seemingly innocent nicknames and dispositions online.

Ultimately, do not meet up with strangers you meet while chatting, even if they insist on doing so.

After all, prevention is always better than cure.
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Kermit: How true. Some scars stay with you for the rest of your life. Is it worth taking the risk then????

Hang Loose for a Moment

A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.
>>"Hello ? Is your daddy home?" he asked.
>>"Yes," whispered the small voice.
>>"May I talk to him?"
>>The child whispered, "No."
>>Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?"
>>"Yes."
>>"May I talk to her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No."
>>Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?"
>>"Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman."
>>Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak to the policeman?"
>>"No, he's busy , " whispered the child.
>>"Busy doing what?"
>>"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer.
>>Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?"
>>"A helicopter." answered the whispering voice.
>>"What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.
>>Again, whispering, the child answered, " The search team just landed a helicopter."
>>Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?"
>>Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle..."ME."

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Kermit: Got this joke from Joanne. So funny!!! :P

Satisfying Motherhood

When I hear someone comment that being a mother and homemaker is boring, I have a simple response: You’re right!

The truth is, almost any occupation – telephone operator, pathologist, lawyer or dentist – requires long hours of tedious activity. Few of us enjoy heart-thumping excitement every moment of our professional lives.

I once stayed in a hotel room next to the room of a famous cellist who was performing in a classical concert that evening.

I could hear him through the walls as he practiced for hours. He didn’t play beautiful symphonic renditions – he repeated scales and exercise, over and over. He began early in the morning and continued until it was time to go on stage.

As he stepped onto the stage that night, I’m sure many in the audience thought to themselves:” What a glamorous life he must lead!”

Some glamour! I happen to know how he had spent the entire day in his lonely hotel room with his cello.

I doubt that being a mother and homemaker is more boring than most other jobs. As for the importance of the assignment, I believe that no job can compete with the satisfaction of moulding & guiding a child.
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Kermit: Do you like what you're doing (E.g. working, attending CCAs, studying etc etc)? Yes/No/Not Really? If no/not really.... Do you then know why you're still doing what you're doing? WITH THE END IN MIND, things could sometimes be much clearer & makes more sense!
Studying - Teaching us to use our brains & equipping us with knowledge
Working - To earn a living & provide for our families & a kick start in our career life
CCAs - To train us in useful skills beyond mugging geeks!!

Embrace Change

Sometimes in the winds of change

We find our true direction.

Kermit: Dun b afraid of the unknown or future to come. Am generally a very safe kind of person but is learning to slowly take steps out of my comfort zone. & it has been enriching & exciting thus far. The greatest barrier is sometimes in our mind :)

From a 过来人point of view. Haha!

Peace be with you!

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest... perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture. Do you know why? "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

Isaiah 26:2-4
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Sexual Grooming (Getting Sex Via Sweet Talk)

The Sunday Times, September 23rd 2007

One girl tells Nur Dianah Suhaimi how she was taken in when an online 'friend' turned on his charm offensive.

When I met Jetson , I was 15 and was looking for a boyfriend online. At school, almost all my female lassmates had boyfriends. I had never even been on a date. I never had a guy come up to me asking for my number. But on the Internet, things are different. Guys come up to me because they cannot judge my looks. That was how it started with Jetson. He was 25 when we met yet we connected so well. He didn't treat me like a kid the way my parents and teachers do. When I told him my age, he asked about school. He was concerned that I was failing half my subjects and advised me to work hard. I was touched. My parents rarely paid attention to my grades.They were more concerned about my elder sister who is a straight A student.
That first time, we chatted for five hours - from 10pm until 3am. He was smart, funny and kind. He gave me a cute pet name. Before we ended the chat, he said to me: 'I think you're a very interesting girl. You must be beautiful too. The boys in your school must be stupid not to be your boyfriend. 'I was flattered. Nobody had called me beautiful before. Then he asked me out.'I must see what you look like,' he said.
Two days later, on a Saturday afternoon, we met outside Orchard MRT station. I was a little disappointed when I saw him. He was short, skinny and had many pimples. He wore jeans with a white polo tee. But he was as nice to me as he was online. We had lunch at Burger King which he paid for. We then went window shopping and he held my hand. I felt happy and proud. Proud because a 25-year-old guy who was mature and nice was holding my hand.
He was very gentlemanly. He kept asking if I felt tired and if I needed a drink.When I spoke, he'd put his face close to mine and listen intently. Before we parted at the train station, he gave me a long kiss on the lips. My heartwas beating so fast. It was my first kiss. We went out again the next week. Again, he kissed me.
On the third date, Jetson suggested we go to his flat in Bukit Batok. He lived with his parents but they were at work. (Kermit - this guy could be a bum living off his parents! No wonder so much free time!) At his place, he kissed me many times as we watched TV in the living room. There was heavy petting. After that date, Jetson asked me to be his girlfriend. I was already falling in love with him so I agreed. All our dates after that were spent at his flat. Without fail, there'd be heavy petting. I'd go to his place as often as three times a week, mostly after school becausethat was when his parents were not home.
Each time, Jetson would ask me for sex but I said no. I was afraid of getting pregnant. He'd get upset and tell me he was so close to his ex-girlfriend becausethey had sex. This would make me angry and jealous.
About two months later, I revisited the chatroom where I had met Jetson andfound out that he was still chatting. I became suspicious and decided to chat withhim using a different nickname.
I was shocked. He used the same tricks that he had earlier used on me. He gave me a pet name and said I was beautiful. He also asked me out. I realised that I had been used by this pervert. I called him on the phone and broke up with him. He didn't even explain himself; he just kept quiet.I never saw Jetson again. I also stopped chatting. I'm now 17 and still do not have a boyfriend but that's okay. I don't want to risk being used as a sex object again.

Switzerland 2007

Just came back from Swiss & jumped straight into a work trip in Malaysia then right into my church camp in St John's island. In total I was away from home for about two weeks. Thankfully my mom was very understanding. Totally busy recently I would love to share more about my wonderful holiday otherwise.

Switzerland - Awesome land of natural beauty









Snowy alps - when u're that close to them, right there with them, woah! the feeling is indescribable. Want to go back again someday
















Conquering the mountains! - That's the mountain we conquered. 2.5hrs to trek down. Some parts were so steep we feared for our lives if we missed our footsteps. Definitely memorable journey. At the foot of the mountain though we can't see any possible path from which we could have trekked down from but in our hearts we know there is a way that we came down. Different angle, different perception. I wonder if He's smiling. Looking up or peering down - the view's different.

The 5 Love Languages

Our emotional love language and the language of another person may be as different as Chinese from English. No matter how hard you try to express love in “English”, if your friend understands only “Chinese”, you will never understand how to love each other. There are basically five emotional love languages—five ways that people speak and understand emotional love.

Words of Affirmation: I feel especially loved when people express how grateful they are for me, and for the simple, everyday things I do. (Generally in words/writings)
Quality Time: I feel especially loved when a person gives me undivided attention and spends time alone with me
Receiving Gifts: I feel especially loved by someone who brings me gifts and other tangible expressions of love
Acts of Service: I feel especially loved when someone pitches in to help me with some work or running some errands
Physical Touch: I feel expecially loved when a person expresses feelings for me through physical contact

Communicating love isn’t as easy as feeling “in love,” because it’s quite a different thing. Falling in love is not an act of the will or a conscious choice. It’s effortless. Love is something you do for someone else, not something you do for yourself. When you choose to speak someone else's love language, whether or not it is natural for you, though you might not even like the language, but speaking it will clearly communicate love. Love is a choice.

Think about your family, close frens, special frens. What is their love language? Can you bless them today by speaking a love language that they understand best? :)

*Special thanks to http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/

Rats & My First Dish

Remy the mouse & the late Auguste Gusteau, France’s greatest all-time culinary genius, is the author of Anyone Can Cook, the cookbook that inspired Remy to dream of becoming a chef.

One of the slogans that etched deep in my memory bank is "Cooking requires bravery, courage, creativity! It is not for the faint-hearted!"

Man! I never see cooking this way before. Anyway after talking about cooking since 21 Aug I've finally cooked my very first dish after last Sunday.

Ma Po Tou Fu / 麻婆豆腐 (Bean Curd with Chili Sauce)

Why I should cook this:

This is an inexpensive dish that is rich in protein, iron & calcium. The small amount of meat stretches the vegetable protein in the tofu, & adds B vitamins. Although the dish is low in kilocalories & relatively low in fat, it’s quite substantial. Add a light, salt-free soup, a small bowl of rice, & a portion of deep green or yellow-orange vegetable, & you have a well-balanced meal.

Ingredients:
• 4 soft soyabean curd squares (tofu)
• 1T soyabean oil
• 0.5T sesame oil
• 4 shallots, pounded
• 4 cloves garlic, pounded
• 1.25cum piece ginger, pounded
• 150g lean beef, minced
• 1T preserved soyabeans (taucheo),rinsed and pounded
• 4 spring onions, cut
• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp ground Szechuan peppercorns
• 1T Chinese rice wine
• 1T tomato puree
• 2T tomato ketchup
• 2.5 tsp ground red chilli
• 1T dark soya sauce
• 0.5C (125ml) chicken stock

• 1T cornflour

Preparation:
1. Dice the bean curd into 1.5cm cubes, place in a colander in the sink, and allow water to drain off for 30mins
2. Heat the oils in a wok over moderate heat; add the pounded shallots, garlic & ginger, & fry for 30secs. Then add the minced beef & fry until it loses its pink colour. Add the preserved soyabeans and spring onions and stir.

3. Add remaining ingredients except the cornflour paste & bring to a boil. Add the cornflour paste & stir-fry until the sauce is thickened & clear.

Kermit's Learning:

1. Dish must not only taste good but also look good. I cut some ingredients too fine such that only see the tofu at the end.

2. Less ketchup (too sweet), more chilli

*Special thanks to "the complete Asian Health & Diet Cookbook"*

(A true warrior) Inside & Out

Arise warriors arise!

A four-year-old boy was finally put into time-out after battling with his mother. "Sit in that chair until the timer goes off," the mother said in frustration. The boy sat down, fearing greater punishment, but said, "Okay, Mommy. I'm sitting on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside!"

Last weekend wasn't fantastic. Had a misunderstand that lead to much frustration & anguish. Half of me was battling to do the right thing, the other part of me offered nice little excuses & reasons not to. Put it simply I felt lousy & defeated. Yucky yucks feeling.

After a while of self pity & guilt I woke up one morning with this sudden thought that popped in my head. "You're a warrior. Warriors fight, warriors emerge victorious."

Woah woah woah. It's pretty amazing. As suddenly as it came I suddenly realized that though I was a warrior on the outside (My church's theme for 2007 is everyone of us are warriors of light) but really inside of me I wasn't one.

Well whimpy warrior no more. And my favourite female warrior is non other than Hua Mu Lan! Yeah! Arise warriors arise!

Didn't know you were married! xDDD

"WinDz: Hey, haven't visited for a longggg time . Didn't know you were married ! xDDD"

I had a minor shock then burst into laughter when I saw the tag from an ex-student! (Hey there WinDz no offence eh to use your tag as a story! I'm inspired that's all! :P)

Eventually I'll be married WinDz but currently I'm not a Mrs yet!!! :) So who are these people calling me mummy. I'm not into adoption either. keke! I've to do a bit of history digging here. These are my extremely close bunch of church mates. So close that we're "related" literally.

My friend invited me to a Christian rally years ago and there was no looking back. From someone who disliked anything related to Christians previously somehow I became more open to going church. It must be a miracle. A good miracle at that! Started attending church with Penny & that girl wanted to join a cell group! OMG she actually called church to asked how to join one. Anyway being good frens that's how I got dragged into one. *But heys Penny dear, thanks!!

In church I've a spiritual family & belong to one. My spiritual "mother" Serene is a lovely mum! I've learnt so much from her. She'll always avail herself to listen when I'm troubled. Best of all, she believed in me even when I don't myself.

From a shy, suspicious, angry, uptight person. I'm glad to say I'm much happier, more confident, learning to trust & enjoy having some lame & fun now. Thanks be to God! Who loves us & has a wonderful plan for each of our lives.

The Power of a SMILE

Saw this on Reader's Digest September 2007 edition "The Power of a Smile - by Anne Mullens" & thought that it's really good.

It's 7am, and Susan Jenks would love more sleep, but she can hear her 5-month-old son, Angus, rousing in the next room. "I'm hardly able to drag myself out of bed," says this mother, who, with both an infant and an older son aged two, is no stranger to fatigue. "But when I look into his cot, and he gives me a big smile, it fills me with joy - and then everything is fine." Such is the power of a simple smile.

Studies have found that if a parent responds to a baby's smile with an expressionless face, the infant gets upset. "This indicates how important the caregiver's smile is for the infant," Infants of depressed mothers also show fewer signs of happiness and smile less often than infants of non-depressed mothers.

Keltner notes that while some people are born with generally happier temperaments, which set them up for success, others can become happier by being taught how to cultivate a genuine smile.

"In the happiness literature," the greatest association with happiness is connection to others. Teaching smiling is important becuase it helps us connect.

Putting on a happy face not only helps us make friends, it translates into altered brain chemistry that makes us feel better.

A smile is a powerful part of our conversation capability. If you can't smile, you are very limited in your ability to pass on information and relate to other people. (Dr Ralph Manktelow)

Also 一人一半，感情不散....

Tribute to Mr Chong who found this video i grabbed from his blog de. www.historymaker20736.blogspot.com . Check out his original post 一人一半，感情不散....

Dun ask me why I just love the music. Catchy and reminds me of the show (watched local production 881 with my colleagues). I didn't really laugh much with the flood of hokkien songs - probably due to language barrier. The ending was unpredictable for me. So touching! Sobs :~(

The storyline gets better and better as the show progresses. The small papaya, though she's like so gusty and loud but she has her tender side too towards her "sister".

One thing I got from the show was the sacrifical love of small papaya, the carry chicken guy & the auntie. Each of them gave up something because of their love & commitment to another. That act of sacrifice may not appear big in another person's eyes but from my point of view (as a viewer) I think it means a great great deal to the receiver.

My not so NEW hobby

(You know I must be really excited to be blogging at such a weird timing - Yes of course! I've just completed my scheduling for my Australia trip, hopefully can confirm the air tickets tomorrow. keke)

I'll be going for my holidays soon! Oh I'm so excited!!! Previously I've only travelled to the Asian countries like Thailand, India and China (oh yes China. Will be there again next year. Join my team in Chengdu to help the vagabond children!)

It was pretty interesting actually. A fren of mine asked if I would like to visit Switzerland with her. My immediate response was "NO"! I'm not someone who spurges on holidays to destress plus the fact that I'm planning for a long awaited family trip to Australia soon; money and annual leave are huge concerns. However almost immediately this other thought came into my mind (seriously the brain is really powerful; mine is! It's like in a split second so many things have flashed passed my brain monitor) "Oh Cynthia you ulu turtle, haven't seen much of the world ya". I paused for a moment. dotz dotz dotz. It's true. The last time I went for a real playing holiday was after my graduation to Redang Island with my friends. Well long story cut short -> I've been bubbling with excitement since then. Snowy mountains here I come!

Many good things have actually came out of this decision to go for the trip. Money/savigns became something that I started thinking about seriously. I can no longer be satisfed with my current savings. Rather I need to replenish them to a healthy level again. (Love for money is the root of all evil. True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.) Dun worry I'm not going crazy on a money finding spree. But I'm now on the lookout of finding some good skills or a personal forte. A good skill that I can leverage on wherever I go in future.

After a week of seeking. Ta-da! This is my first option! COOKING! I used to cook when I was younger. I stopped trying to cook for my family when I got really busy studying etc. Oily kitchen is a no no. So it's not just any cooking. Probably healthy cooking. Minus the frying and the whatever that will stink the kitchen and make the floor oily.

Okies. Enough said. Gotta pick up a cookbook soon.

A lifetime's not too long to live as friends

Sandy Beaches Golden Sand, hope you be my faithful friend...

In my primary and secondary school days when it's time for us to switch classes or even schools at the end of the year, many of us will flash out nicely decorated autograph books to get them autographed (Which really what Friendster is doing now - just that the medium is different)

We pen words, poems; paste stickers, photos etc etc to beautify up the little space that our frined has entrusted to us to leave our paw prints on. It still bring back fond & some faded memories when I flipped through my dusty, yellowy autograph book. Some are really hilarious! (I'm sure those I wrote was too. Haha)

I typed "Definition of a true friend" and million of pages came back. I looked through some of them and decide to come up with my own. Not because theirs is not good but I felt that my definition/expectation of a true friend will be different from someone else's definition. Simply because each of us are unique and different. How a true friend is really true to a person may not mean as much to you. (I'll talk more about this in Langauge of Love some other time)

The last time that I was really traumatized by an unfortunate happening in my life. I called a really good friend of mine just wanting to talk to her a bit. But as I shared with her there was a point I just kept quiet a bit choke by my emotions then. But she understood. Initially I was still trying to assure her that I'm fine & that I just needed someone to talk to. That's all. Trying to sound normal over the telephone thinking that she won't see the tears. Though she was busy she just gave me that time and told me that she will not put down the phone or talk till I'm feeling better. I wept quietly over the phone with her for... I can't remember how long.

At the end of the conversation though she didn't have an answer to the problem but I felt assured and comforted deeply to know that someone is alongside me. Praying for me, not allowing me to fall, wanting me to be strong again. It really touches me. Thank you so much Penny. I always thank God for you.

FRIENDS by Michael W. Smith

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show

Dreams - Elusive or Within Reach

Met up with a fren recently. Lynn & I didn't know each other for long but we hit off pretty well. She was going overseas to study really soon so we arranged to meet up, have a drink before she files off to pursue her dream.
She's going off for two years in Switzerland to study watch-making. Isn't that cool cool cool! It's not really the kind of profession that would come immediately to the mind of a typical Singaporean. Most of us dream about being a doctor, businessman, teacher, banker, dentist, actor etc etc.

I asked Lynn why she chose that course and she says that it was a chance opportunity that that she heard of the course from a close church friend. Incidentally around the same period of time she found out about a distant relative of hers who has been in the industry. She tried it out a little at his place, feels that it suits her personality; considered about it, discussed with her parents and mentors, flew over to Switzerland for the entry test and passed the interview. (Not everyone have a knack for handling watches you know!) And the rest is history.

Here's the link for your reference. http://www.wostep.ch
WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Technical & Educational Program): a unique institution in its field. WOSTEP is an independent and neutral institution that is recognised as an exemplary training centre in the field of watchmaking. The WOSTEP courses can be held in English, French, German and Italian.

I admire her courage and daring to step out of her comfort zone. How many of us truly have a dream and know what we want? I can't even say that I already know that for myself. Well, I know what I don't want and roughly what I want. But to really really confidently say I know my dream... not really really yet. It's complicated. Ya, it is. So start thinking about it early! You're never too late. At least don't drag anymore. At least you have chance to trial and error along the way.

Go for it young people. Explore your various strenghts, interests & talents early. (Yes to study hard but don't just mug in the sea of books all the time) It will help you in making some decisons along the way. :)

We're all unique and brought up in different environment so don't expect everyone to have the same dream as you or if yours need to be the same as them. If yours is non conventional it aint't mean you're any less than others. Each of us have our own race to run. You can't run another person's race; neither can another person run your race.

From Lynn (when I asked if I could share her story) - Pursue your dreams. Nothing is impossible with God!!

Bride wears cheongsam, groom in kilt

July 30, 2007 The Straits Times

(A mix of cultural traditions at wedding nuptials of MP Irene Ng and Graham Berry)

THE groom read a poem of love and spoke of a union that crossed continents. The bride quipped of a union that fulfilled four government policies. She is from Singapore and he is from Scotland.

The four policies their marriage covered: it is pro-family and it promotes active ageing, foreign talent and racial harmony.

Policy or poetry, the wedding of MP Irene Ng to Scot Graham Berry was a sweet, elegant affair that mixed elements of the couple's different cultural traditions.

They were married in Scotland on July 7, after a whirlwind romance. They met last August and he proposed two months later.

Yesterday, Ms Ng, 43, and Mr Berry, 62, held their marriage blessing ceremony at the Church of Singapore in Marine Parade.

The church hall was decorated with white orchids, tartan ribbons, teddy bears and organza. Music by the T'ang Quartet - the couple's favourite string ensemble in Singapore - filled the air before the service began and photos of their wedding set against the scenic Scottish highlands were screened.

Ms Ng glided in, on the arms of her father, looking radiant in a white cheongsam with a sheer kebaya-like sheath over it.

Her father, Mr Ng Soo Chye, 75, told The Sunday Times later: 'I had been hoping for this day to come. I have attended many church weddings and I would always think when it would be my turn to walk my daughter down the aisle.

'I thought I had no chance but thank God that I could walk my daughter down the aisle today.'
Beaming with pride, Mr Ng handed his daughter to Mr Berry, who was dressed in a Scottish kilt. The tartan design was from his late father's regiment when he fought in World War II.

Before guests, that included the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, MPs, family and friends, the couple also shared their love story.

They met at a reception in Edinburgh on Aug 17 hosted by Mr Berry as chief executive of the Scottish Arts Council. Ms Ng was on a three-month fellowship at the University of Edinburgh.

A day later, he asked her out for lunch purportedly to talk about 'collaborations' between their two countries, but he was really just keen to meet her, he confessed.

Love blossomed. Dates, of hikes, walks and concerts, followed. He proposed just before Ms Ng, an MP for Tampines GRC, left for home.

But she couldn't give him an answer until he visited Singapore and her Tampines GRC constituency. He did so in November, and fell in love with the country and her constituency.

Home now for him will also be Singapore. His two children, Louise, 38, and Mark, 36, from an earlier marriage, who were at the ceremony, both expressed their happiness for the couple.

Friends and family were also visibly happy for the couple, touched by their declarations of love and affection. Said labour chief Lim Swee Say: 'I'm very sure they will have a lot of happiness together.'
As the day came to a close, Mr Berry told reporters: 'The weather was good, the company was fantastic, the church was wonderful...and of course, who can ask for a more wonderful bride.'

'Dear Graham and Irene, Wishing you both many years of joy and fulfilment together!' PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG AND WIFE, MS HO CHING, writing in the couple's guest book before the ceremony.
'I'm very happy for Irene. I want to welcome Graham to Tampines GRC. Hopefully, we've got a new grassroots leader. They look wonderful together and we wish them a long and happy marriage.' NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER MAH BOW TAN, who is also the anchor minister for Tampines GRC where Ms Ng is one of the MPs.
'Irene and Graham look very happy together, very much in love and we are very happy for them.' MISS PENNY LOW, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
'The hope is always there.' MISS LOW on whether Ms Ng's marriage gives hope to single women.
'I hope it will be contagious.' MP AHMAD MOHAMAD MAGAD, interjecting Miss Low.

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Kermit: How sweet :) And it seems the parents are amongst the happiest around as they see their children settle down.

Teen reports molest case a decade later

July 30, 2007 The Straits Times

A TEENAGER now, she finally reported to police that she had been sexually molested when she was just five.
She had kept her ordeal to herself for over a decade.

The teen, now 15, finally made a report to the police earlier this year. On Monday, her relative, a 24-year-old man, appeared in a district court, accused of committing a series of obscene acts with a child spanning a period which began in 1997. Both the man and the girl cannot be named as it would lead to her identity.

The man is said to have first sexually assaulted the girl when she was only five in a flat in the north-eastern part of Singapore in 1997. The following year, he allegedly repeated the offence in the same flat. He was also accused of sexually assaulting the girl again in 2002. No plea was taken.

The man, now out on $12,000 bail, was warned by the court not to approach the teen while he is on bail. He is due to return to court on Aug 16. If convicted, he could be jailed up to two years.

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Kermit: Gosh, she actually kept quiet about it for so long - 10 years. I think the relative might have still been harassing her else she might have continue keeping quiet about it.

But the relative is not like some old ah-pek.....he is just a youth!!! (24yrs old now, so 24 - 10 = 14; he started when he was 14!!!!!! ) How scary.... Keeping quiet might not be the best long-term solution. Girls if you're in trouble or need help, PLEASE approach a trusted adult or email me at kermittee@hotmail.com

The Test of Time

If you want to know whether or not you're really in love, give it the test of time.
Infatuation is the name we give to that first bright burst of attraction between two people. It sets our pulses racing, and it makes us think of clouds of and fireworks, and stories that end in "happily ever after."
There's no doubt that infatuation looks and feels very much like love. The only problem is it doesn't last; it's a quick, emotional high, with no commitment behind it. And when it runs its course, we find ourselves back where we started, with little or nothing to show for the experience.
How then can we distinguish real love from temporary attraction? If the feeling is unreliable, how can we measure the commitment of the will? There's only one answer to that question: It takes time.
The best advice I can offer a couple contemplating marriage, or any other important issue, is this: Make no important life-shaping decisions quickly or impulsively. Measure your motivation carefully, and when in doubt, stall for time.
Give your emotions a chance to evolve and oscillate, If your love is real, it can handle the wait, and your relationship will be all the stornger for the seasoning of an unhurried foundation.

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Kermit: It's true. Though the wait can be unbearable sometimes but time will surely tell. My mentor told me this once which I feel was very enlightening:

There's no need to be overly concerned about romantic interest or target. Start by being a friend. At the end of the day, if nothing comes out, we still gain a friend! *lightbulbs* Let's be enjoying the friendship because friendship built will last a long time to come.