Mui-Yan-Po...

I have a dear friend and colleague whom I dubbed as Madame Social-Butterfly. She somehow managed to set up a blind date for a 'Chin-dian' (of Chinese and Indian descent) acquaintance with another 'Chin-dian' who was a friend of a teacher who taught this lady's daughter.. Who would have thought such a confusing but inspiring feat could be achieved?? So, the opportunity to try my hand at something like this came knocking at my door in mid 2007.. I went to a BBQ and spent the evening catching up with folks I haven't seen for some time (blame it on the busy and hectic Singaporean lifestyle). We talked about the weather.. work.. and eventually dwelt on the very important topic of why women were marrying at a later age. Then one of the ladies lamented that it was nearly impossible to find a suitable partner cos all 'good' were already taken... M: Show me where are the guys??? WHERE??? Me: Ha ha ha! M: So how's the worship team? Anyone new in the band? Me: Yeah..we have a new guitarist M: Oh? Hmmm...did he play at camp? He did a solo? Me: Er.. I wasn't there.. maybe he did.. I think he was rostered bah? M: He is very good right? Wah.. the way he played the chords really melted my heart! Me: Yeah.. (Long pause.. suddenly somewhere in my head.. a gong went.. BOOOooonnnnggg!!!) Me: Hey you know what? He is single and available leh.. you wanna meet him? Do you mind? M: Er.. like that ah.. pai se or not? (Blush.. blush..) Me: Try lah.. never know till you do! And so, I set up an simple introductory meeting.. in a group of course.. so nobody would suspect anything or ask questions if things went a wee bit awry. It went something like this.. 'Oh Mr. A, this is Ms. M.. you probably don't know her cos she left before you joined us'.. next l got them connected online.. then I had to mediated their quarrels (both on and offline).. and finally sang at their wedding a year later.. I am happy to report that this couple has been blissfully married for almost a year now.. I just LOooVeee happy endings!!!

The Prodigal Husband...

Recently, during Easter Service, the creative team did a touching short film based on a true story. A husband walked out on his wife who had just given birth to their 3rd child to be with his 'other woman'. Overnight, the wife had to take care of the home and family matters by herself, and became the sole bread winner for her children. What sort of guy does that to his wife??? The mother of not one but THREE of his kids??!! Even animals have the instinct to provide for their young at the very least. So how could one human being do this to another.. someone whom he had once professed to loved and vowed to protect? Those were my exact sentiments when I heard the news then. But not only did she refuse a divorce.. she forgave him, embraced and welcomed him back after his distasteful exit FOUR years ago!!

Frankly, I'm not sure if I could have done that.. at least not by my own strength (definitely require 101% supernatural intervention from God). I had the experience of being a pseudo 'single' parent for 6 months when Jimmy was posted to work In KL. It felt like an unending cycle of work, cooking, feeding, cleaning, laundry, ironing.. sleep.. going through the same motion day after day. I was exhausted.. especially when Justin fell sick, the germs would inevitably spread to me!

So KUDOS to her courage and spirit of endurance.. I admire her determination and patience in holding on to her marriage.. I'm inspired by her love for her children.. and I guess her husband.. I'm happy that her children have a father-figure again. I certainly hope that I won't have to go through such a trial and my fervent prayer would to 'AVOID this cup if possible'..

Singapore Flyer and A Crush???

We finally had the occasion to get on the Singapore Flyer.. in celebration of our 14th wedding anniversary! Okay.. so it wasn't a romantic two-some...but it certainly was more fun and entertaining with our boys in tow. Jared, being the pessimist, was rather worried about the idea of getting on it.. while Justin was more concerned that it would resemble some sort of the roller-coaster ride. So, we sat on the bench inside the 'drum' and didn't walk around until it felt 'safe' about a quarter-way up. Looking down from the highest point, I can imagine how scary it must have been for the folks who were stuck way up in the air when the wheel broke down. Fortunately, it was smooth sailing and everything went without a hitch.

But the highlight of the whole event was Jared's innocent but accurate definition of Valentine's Day:
Jared: Valentine is when the boy has a crush
Me: What is a crush? Like when I sit on you and squash you?
Jared: NO LAH.. You don't know? When you have a crush.. the guy buys flowers and a ring...then he goes on a date with the girl lah...
Me: So can I have a crush on you?
Jared: NOOoooooo!!!
Me: How about Daddy? Can I have a crush in Daddy?
Jared: HUH??? That means you have to rewind everything and start all over again? Then Justin and I won't be born yet?

BOY! Kids start young these days.. I don't remember being such a savvy 7 year old? Hmmm.. I had better keep a close eye on him.. worrying trend.. ha ha ha!