1618hrs right now in my office in Glasgow. It's bright outside but don't look let that fool you. The winds are still icy. In fact, the weather turned rather cold from last Saturday night onwards. Have no idea why. It was just getting better after the recovery from the snow storm over a fortnight ago. Anyway, work is quiet today and the boss is off on leave until Monday. So I thought I'd satisfy my urge to blog and say Hi to everyone! :) HI!
Been feeling like I have a lot to say, but I held back from posting because I was thinking of compiling that '25 Things About You' list that has recently been going around on Facebook. I tried and I tried, but still struggled to come up with 25 things about myself worth putting on Facebook or even on this journal. Up to now I have only... lemme count ah... 11 things that I could share with you. So I think I'll just them now and get them out of way and stop thinking of it. Hahaha! So... some facts about me:
- I log on to Facebook and Gmail on average once every hour through my phone. Only time I do not is when I'm sleeping or watching a movie or in church.
- I have sharp ears. I can pick up various conversations around me, esp in this office. I put it down my hearing ability making up for my visual ability (need for glasses).
- I have a good memory. I can recall stories and funny stuff about people and events that happened and scenes from movies even without effort. Ask me to memorise or study stuff, that would take much more hard work!
- I use my phone calendar as an organiser. I have so many things to do these days that I have to use my calendar to plan ahead, so I know what I will be doing even up to two months ahead. My weeks are pretty much packed. Without my phone/ organiser I'd feel quite lost.
- My favourite part of my body are my arms and chest. I am pretty pleased with how my body has developed in the past year and half of training at the gym. Though I also like my shoulders and abs, I do favour my arms and chest. =p
- I look after my possessions. No matter if it were my phone, my PS3 or other gadgets I own, I keep the boxes for them and if applicable, by a cover for them. My laptop is two years old and I still have the pink foam sheet which goes between monitor and keyboard when you shut it to avoid scratches. The same care applies to my loved ones: family member and partner (except I don't buy covers for them! =p)
- A few years ago I would worry if I put on weight, nowadays I worry if my weight drops. As I am training my weight is sure to go up along with muscle mass. But if I lose weight and if it isn't due to dieting or doing more cardio work, then it's worrying and I think of ways to maintain a more stable weight.
- I can do behind-the-neck-pullups. When I watched 'I Am Legend' I admired how Will Smith exercised in the morning, doing the pull ups and running etc. I felt it was near impossible for me to. But after an increase in wide grip pull ups as warm-up each time I hit the gym, I found the behind-the-neck-pull up a reality for me. It is harder than standard pull ups (I can do five per set as opposed to 8) but I am quite pleased with myself that I can do them :)
- I always carry my camera in my bag and have a spare battery along with it. I enjoy taking pictures and what can be worse than trying to take a picture of classic moment only to be greeted with the words on the screen 'Change Battery Pack'?
- I have developed a way of suppressing anger and frustration on the surface. Having worked in customer service sector since 2003, dealing with telephone and email enquiries, I have developed a 'skill' of sounding happy, impartial, nice and polite whilst communicating with frustrating or even irrate people. I find this tends to apply to my personal life to, where I am able to hold my tongue in most situations and say things in a more subtle way, soft and gentle but my heart is wanting to shout, "Arrrrrgggghhhh!"
- Hunger can lead to anger. Yes, this is one thing about me which people may relate to. I can tolerate a lot of things: the heat, the cold, even frustrating or challenging situations. But one thing I can't tolerate is hunger, especially when doing physically challenging things like moving house, DIY or stuff that means I exert energy. My metabolic rate has increased a few folds in recent times and so I find whenever I stop for a wee break from doing the activity, my stomach will speak to me and tell me to feed it. My body is like an engine. Feed me and I will keep on running/ working for you. Don't feed me and I may collapse (not literally - I may just leave and rush home to eat! =p)
Oh, here is one to add, which I suddenly remembered!
- I enjoy dancing. I once tried Salsa. That was cool. Would have went back for those free classes at Havana Bar if only they were after the smoking ban came into play! I also like Ceilidh dancing and I think freestyle, just letting the body move to the rhythm and groove to the beat! :D
There! Twelve wee facts about me. Now itis 1658hrs and it's time to pack up. Have a date with a lovely girl to attend to! Ciao!! :D
25 February 2009
28 January 2009
Email Subject: Survival kit of for you
Author Unknown
Toothpick
Rubber band
Band aid
Pencil
Eraser
Chewing gum
Mint
Candy Kiss
Tea Bag
Here's why:
Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others...Matt 7:1
Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out...Romans 8:28
Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's...Col. 3:12-14
Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday...Eph1: 3
Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay...Gen. 50:15-21
Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything ...Phil 4:13
Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father...John 3:16-17
Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday...1 John 4:7
Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings... 1 Thess 5:18
Toothpick
Rubber band
Band aid
Pencil
Eraser
Chewing gum
Mint
Candy Kiss
Tea Bag
Here's why:
Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others...Matt 7:1
Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out...Romans 8:28
Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's...Col. 3:12-14
Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday...Eph1: 3
Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay...Gen. 50:15-21
Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything ...Phil 4:13
Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father...John 3:16-17
Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday...1 John 4:7
Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings... 1 Thess 5:18
18 January 2009
Cannae sleep
It's 0101hrs right now, early Sunday morning. I should be in bed really, but I can't seem to get myself into the 'sleeping mode' yet. Sigh... lots on my mind.
I came home from working adults cell group just over half an hour ago. It started late at 2030hrs and natually finished late too, especially since Arianna was sooo cute and we (Cat and I) spent a while playing with her and taking pics of her and with her. :) At the start of the cell she was quite distant with me, having not seen me or played with me for a few weeks. But by the end of the night I managed to get the hugs, the high-fives and the winks that I asked for. Hehe! Also, her high-fives are getting stronger, must be due to her arm muscles developing. Good stuff! She speaks a lot more not too. Praise God!
So tonight's cell started off with our outlook for 2009, what we hope to achieve this year and what mistakes from last year we'd like to avoid. One of the ones which we'd all like to avoid from last year would be neglecting God, not spending enough time with Him, our Maker. There are 168hrs in week. If we give back to God that 10%, like we tithe, that would be around 16.8hrs a week with God. Does anybody you know dedicate that amount of time to God? Or would we rather devote our time to other things? Like Facebook, the gym, cinema, (these are my top three) partying, clubbing (ok, these are not mine!). I said to Aaron, what if we keep these 16.8hrs for Sundays. Like Wake up in the morning then devote the 16.8hrs (or more) to God and go to church(es) and serve God etc. That was just an idea as a joke. We looked at the cost of following Christ and when Jesus calmed the storm, taken from Matthew 8:18-27. My take home point from the night is I was reminded that God is never sleeping. Though we might go through hardship, tough times, trying times in our lives (the storms), we shouldn't think that God is not present, is too busy elsewhere or is 'asleep'. God is omnipresent (everywhere) and omnipotent (all knowing). How can He not know what we are going through? I concluded and shared, that sometimes going through hardships can be good for us. Like a piece of gold, going through the burning furnace, being purified by the refiners fire. Obviously it will not like the heat, the intensity, but it comes out purified. It comes out sparkling and shiny and is worth lots lots lots! What does not kill you can only make you stronger, and you can live to tell the tale and use it to encourage those people around you :) Amen to that!
I'm feeling bit better right now. I thank God for his gracious love that carries me through all things. From all the disappointment of taking my Advanced Driving test to passing it last week and now as I face new challenges ahead with this last module Instructional Techniques, I have to work and study twice as hard. It is not gonna be an easy ride - I have already planned out regular trips to the library after work - but I know God is gonna be with me along the way. :)
So, the things on my mind huh? Complicated. Well, not really, but is kind of because I don't want to disclose that much online you see. I know my friends read this, but some folk may not be my friends and there is no need to let the whole world know. I'm not that important at the end of the day. But another reason I can't say that much is to protect the folk involved.
One of the hopes I have for 2009 is to be more like Jesus. Yes, that is a person 'aim'. And I think I have already been 'tested' on this point on a few things and on a few occasions. Been reading some interesting blogs, some emails and some books. And my, it really makes me wonder why certain things happen. I seek God and ask for His will to be carried out in my life. Also, why do certain people behave in certain ways towards certain people? Why is the discrimination in the world? Because of sin! I hear you all say. Yes, that's true, but why do some Christians discriminate so badly? Is it because of selfishness? It must be. It's so sad when it happens so closely around you. There's not much I can say. There is not much I can teach on. I can only pray that God's love can penetrate everyone's heart.
I came home from working adults cell group just over half an hour ago. It started late at 2030hrs and natually finished late too, especially since Arianna was sooo cute and we (Cat and I) spent a while playing with her and taking pics of her and with her. :) At the start of the cell she was quite distant with me, having not seen me or played with me for a few weeks. But by the end of the night I managed to get the hugs, the high-fives and the winks that I asked for. Hehe! Also, her high-fives are getting stronger, must be due to her arm muscles developing. Good stuff! She speaks a lot more not too. Praise God!
So tonight's cell started off with our outlook for 2009, what we hope to achieve this year and what mistakes from last year we'd like to avoid. One of the ones which we'd all like to avoid from last year would be neglecting God, not spending enough time with Him, our Maker. There are 168hrs in week. If we give back to God that 10%, like we tithe, that would be around 16.8hrs a week with God. Does anybody you know dedicate that amount of time to God? Or would we rather devote our time to other things? Like Facebook, the gym, cinema, (these are my top three) partying, clubbing (ok, these are not mine!). I said to Aaron, what if we keep these 16.8hrs for Sundays. Like Wake up in the morning then devote the 16.8hrs (or more) to God and go to church(es) and serve God etc. That was just an idea as a joke. We looked at the cost of following Christ and when Jesus calmed the storm, taken from Matthew 8:18-27. My take home point from the night is I was reminded that God is never sleeping. Though we might go through hardship, tough times, trying times in our lives (the storms), we shouldn't think that God is not present, is too busy elsewhere or is 'asleep'. God is omnipresent (everywhere) and omnipotent (all knowing). How can He not know what we are going through? I concluded and shared, that sometimes going through hardships can be good for us. Like a piece of gold, going through the burning furnace, being purified by the refiners fire. Obviously it will not like the heat, the intensity, but it comes out purified. It comes out sparkling and shiny and is worth lots lots lots! What does not kill you can only make you stronger, and you can live to tell the tale and use it to encourage those people around you :) Amen to that!
I'm feeling bit better right now. I thank God for his gracious love that carries me through all things. From all the disappointment of taking my Advanced Driving test to passing it last week and now as I face new challenges ahead with this last module Instructional Techniques, I have to work and study twice as hard. It is not gonna be an easy ride - I have already planned out regular trips to the library after work - but I know God is gonna be with me along the way. :)
So, the things on my mind huh? Complicated. Well, not really, but is kind of because I don't want to disclose that much online you see. I know my friends read this, but some folk may not be my friends and there is no need to let the whole world know. I'm not that important at the end of the day. But another reason I can't say that much is to protect the folk involved.
One of the hopes I have for 2009 is to be more like Jesus. Yes, that is a person 'aim'. And I think I have already been 'tested' on this point on a few things and on a few occasions. Been reading some interesting blogs, some emails and some books. And my, it really makes me wonder why certain things happen. I seek God and ask for His will to be carried out in my life. Also, why do certain people behave in certain ways towards certain people? Why is the discrimination in the world? Because of sin! I hear you all say. Yes, that's true, but why do some Christians discriminate so badly? Is it because of selfishness? It must be. It's so sad when it happens so closely around you. There's not much I can say. There is not much I can teach on. I can only pray that God's love can penetrate everyone's heart.
14 January 2009
Pictures from Weekend
Ming's birthday: 9th Jan
Forgot to bring my camera out last Friday so didn't get any pictures from dinner. Used Scallop's camera but pictures were stored in the internal memory so couldn't copy any over. Fortunately Cat came out later for after dinner party so she brought my camera out for me. Thanks! :D
Ming with birthday cake
Getting ready for another round of Mafia
Sunday night's Games and dinner party: 11th Jan
Mum supervising me cook :p
Guys on PS3, Girls on Nintendo DS
Queueing up for food :9
Mum supervising me cook :p
Guys on PS3, Girls on Nintendo DS
Queueing up for food :9
13 January 2009
Back to studying...
Six minutes until I finish off here and head down to local library. It's called the Dennistoun Library, just 5 mins walk from my office. Gonna start studying up stuff on basic controls of the car, so I can prepare for Saturday's meeting up with Ronnie. Library will close at 2000hrs, so I will get out about 1950hrs and be home for 2000hrs to have dinner and chill.
Not sure if I will watch TV or play PES tonight. Went online and played two games against some players around the world last night. Won the first match (friendly), but lost the second match (ranking match). So I am down from 500 points to 493 points. Ooohhh!
Not sure if I will watch TV or play PES tonight. Went online and played two games against some players around the world last night. Won the first match (friendly), but lost the second match (ranking match). So I am down from 500 points to 493 points. Ooohhh!
Potential weekly schedule from next week
Monday
Study at Mitchell Library
Tuesday
Study at Hillhead Library then Gym
Wednesday
AA Training OR Cineworld
Thursday
Study at Hillhead Library then Gym
Friday
Gym or Cineworld
Saturday
AA Training then Gym / Cineworld
Sunday
Church then chill out
All will be confirmed after Saturday's meeting with Ronnie.
12 January 2009
Finally!
I am wearing a new shirt today. One of the two I bought at the Next Sale on Boxing Day. That was just over two weeks ago, but felt like much longer. After Christmas and New Year there hasn't been much to celebrate, especially since I went back to work as of 5th Jan. However, this weekend was grand! My weekend started from Friday as I took the day off. However, before I go into that, let me recall what happened on Thursday evening at the dinner with Marriott clients at the Grill at the Corner. Everything was on 50% off offer on the a la carte menu, besides the Kobe fillet and the lobster. Fortunately I had the Ostrich steak as back up. That wasn't great though. Let's not talk about the service and bad interpretation of set up of the menu (which resulted in lack of mash potatoes and honey-glazed carrots with my steak). There's something about eating birds. The meat tends to shrink when cooked. And the other steak orders all looked meat-ier and filling than my pitiful ostrich slice. I thought there were two slices but there was only one slice. The bottom half was dark and squigy and sweet. Caramelised onions. Too much caramelising I'm afraid. The sweetness and burnt-ness took away the taste of the meat unfort. At the end of it all, I was left unfulfilled and looking at the leftovers in other plates and questioning why some people would leave so much on their plate. What a waste! I'd happily swap my left out untouched splodge of caramelised onion for their meat or veg! Note to self - a free meal, don't complain too much. Another note to self - don't go for anything fancy in the future. Steaks are the way to go, man!
Friday 9th January
Important day for me this was. Woke up at 0830am, washed, had breakfast, then made my way up to Tesco for a quick car wash, then along to the Baillieston Test Centre. Yes, this was the day for my final attempt at ADI Part Two examination - Advanced Driving Test. Time of test was 1030hrs. I arrived at 1025hrs. The car park was busy, with few cars practicing on it. I reversed parked first time. Good start. Quick word of meditation to God and I went inside to wait for my examiner. Same guy as last few times!! Duncan!!! =D (No, I was not that excited to see him, but me and him do go waaaaay back! Telling me my brake light failed. Failing me for the motorway incident. Telling me my test was cancelled due to ice etc etc). After I signed the declaration we went outside for the eyesight test (no problem). Next was the Show Me/ Tell Me questions. One under the bonnet (engine oil), Four inside the car (indicator lights, handbrake, headrest on seat and tyres tread depth) The test began and funnily enough, I found myself quite enjoying it. I wasn't nervous one bit and even made small talk with the examiner just to ease the tension whilst waiting at the lights etc. Reminded myself to just think of him as a friend whom I'm giving a lift home, that he isn't marking my skills but just directing me left and right to his house. Praise God after 1hr and 10mins I reached the test centre and he told me pull up, turn engine off and relax. Then he asked for a minute for him to finish filling in the test report. Boy was that a long wait. For each scribble of his pen I imagined a mark or score of the faults he witnessed, or even a written explanation of why I failed. Then he said, "Gordon, I'm happy to tell you you have passed this time." I was like, "Yes!!" (and raised both fists up in joy) then muttered "Thank God" as he continued to say, "You did get one driving fault. Would you like to me to tell you what it was for?" I was all ears in listening to that one fault, because in my mind I thought I had scored a few. It was for Use of Speed, when I when around a corner after a low bridge just a bit too fast. Yes, I do remember that. That was one of the roads I have never practiced or driven on. In fact, throughout the test, there were numerous stretches of roads which I had never seen before, but praise God I managed to keep up my discipline and finally I have passed my second test and can move on to my third module - learning how to teach!! That is gonna be the fun part!
So after collecting my pass notes, I texted folk, called folk, drove home to shave and change. Met Mel for lunch, then went shopping for a birthday present, looked around town for Buzz! the TV quiz (special edition) but was disappointed. Had coffee in Costa and sat for a while before meeting Dilane and Roxane to go to Ming's birthday dinner at The Village, curry house.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MING!! Ma bro is a wee 22 years old.
Had a good laugh at dinner. Lots of curry and lots of naan bread. So much meat. I ended up being the only one eating whilst the waiters were clearing the table! Hahaha! We headed to Ming's place to watch some TV and then played a few disconnected games of Mafia. It doesn't quite run as smooth as playing it with the Singaporeans for some reason. We seemed to have lots of hiccups and stuff. Hmm... must look to improve it for the BBC's. I went home "early" as I had the gym the next day.
Saturday 10th January
Woke up at 1100hrs, arrived at the gym around 1245hrs and left at 1650hrs. Dunno how I ended up staying for so long. I guess it was cos I wanted to catch up on what I missed on Thusday. So I worked on biceps, triceps, forearms, as well well shoulders, legs and abs. Even did over 30mins of cardio before heading for the showers. Felt great though. Spent rest of the evening tidying and rearranging my PS3 and Home Theatre system. Managed to connect my PS3 to the dvd system so I have better sound when playing Pro Evolution Soccer and when watching any Blu-Rays. Went to bed before midnight.
One thing is for sure. Going through what I went through to get this pass in Advanced Driving. It really has reminded me how much God is in control. How great He really is! If you read back to how I sat the tests so many times. How I was disappointed with a small fail, a brake light, another fail, then icy conditions. Let down after let down. And even two nights before I sat the test, last Wed, I went out for drive practice, only it to be cut short because of heavy fog. I felt all was against me. But when God says you CAN, then you CAN! We as humans can use all our intelligence, all our skills to achieve the things we want. But if it ain't in God's time, it will not come to fruition. It will be in vain. But when God decides it is time, when He gives the go-ahead, it will happen, even if there is fog and lack of practice! Amen, people!! Hallelujah!
I just hope I can wait upon Him so diligently with regards my love life too.
Friday 9th January
Important day for me this was. Woke up at 0830am, washed, had breakfast, then made my way up to Tesco for a quick car wash, then along to the Baillieston Test Centre. Yes, this was the day for my final attempt at ADI Part Two examination - Advanced Driving Test. Time of test was 1030hrs. I arrived at 1025hrs. The car park was busy, with few cars practicing on it. I reversed parked first time. Good start. Quick word of meditation to God and I went inside to wait for my examiner. Same guy as last few times!! Duncan!!! =D (No, I was not that excited to see him, but me and him do go waaaaay back! Telling me my brake light failed. Failing me for the motorway incident. Telling me my test was cancelled due to ice etc etc). After I signed the declaration we went outside for the eyesight test (no problem). Next was the Show Me/ Tell Me questions. One under the bonnet (engine oil), Four inside the car (indicator lights, handbrake, headrest on seat and tyres tread depth) The test began and funnily enough, I found myself quite enjoying it. I wasn't nervous one bit and even made small talk with the examiner just to ease the tension whilst waiting at the lights etc. Reminded myself to just think of him as a friend whom I'm giving a lift home, that he isn't marking my skills but just directing me left and right to his house. Praise God after 1hr and 10mins I reached the test centre and he told me pull up, turn engine off and relax. Then he asked for a minute for him to finish filling in the test report. Boy was that a long wait. For each scribble of his pen I imagined a mark or score of the faults he witnessed, or even a written explanation of why I failed. Then he said, "Gordon, I'm happy to tell you you have passed this time." I was like, "Yes!!" (and raised both fists up in joy) then muttered "Thank God" as he continued to say, "You did get one driving fault. Would you like to me to tell you what it was for?" I was all ears in listening to that one fault, because in my mind I thought I had scored a few. It was for Use of Speed, when I when around a corner after a low bridge just a bit too fast. Yes, I do remember that. That was one of the roads I have never practiced or driven on. In fact, throughout the test, there were numerous stretches of roads which I had never seen before, but praise God I managed to keep up my discipline and finally I have passed my second test and can move on to my third module - learning how to teach!! That is gonna be the fun part!
So after collecting my pass notes, I texted folk, called folk, drove home to shave and change. Met Mel for lunch, then went shopping for a birthday present, looked around town for Buzz! the TV quiz (special edition) but was disappointed. Had coffee in Costa and sat for a while before meeting Dilane and Roxane to go to Ming's birthday dinner at The Village, curry house.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MING!! Ma bro is a wee 22 years old.
Had a good laugh at dinner. Lots of curry and lots of naan bread. So much meat. I ended up being the only one eating whilst the waiters were clearing the table! Hahaha! We headed to Ming's place to watch some TV and then played a few disconnected games of Mafia. It doesn't quite run as smooth as playing it with the Singaporeans for some reason. We seemed to have lots of hiccups and stuff. Hmm... must look to improve it for the BBC's. I went home "early" as I had the gym the next day.
Saturday 10th January
Woke up at 1100hrs, arrived at the gym around 1245hrs and left at 1650hrs. Dunno how I ended up staying for so long. I guess it was cos I wanted to catch up on what I missed on Thusday. So I worked on biceps, triceps, forearms, as well well shoulders, legs and abs. Even did over 30mins of cardio before heading for the showers. Felt great though. Spent rest of the evening tidying and rearranging my PS3 and Home Theatre system. Managed to connect my PS3 to the dvd system so I have better sound when playing Pro Evolution Soccer and when watching any Blu-Rays. Went to bed before midnight.
One thing is for sure. Going through what I went through to get this pass in Advanced Driving. It really has reminded me how much God is in control. How great He really is! If you read back to how I sat the tests so many times. How I was disappointed with a small fail, a brake light, another fail, then icy conditions. Let down after let down. And even two nights before I sat the test, last Wed, I went out for drive practice, only it to be cut short because of heavy fog. I felt all was against me. But when God says you CAN, then you CAN! We as humans can use all our intelligence, all our skills to achieve the things we want. But if it ain't in God's time, it will not come to fruition. It will be in vain. But when God decides it is time, when He gives the go-ahead, it will happen, even if there is fog and lack of practice! Amen, people!! Hallelujah!
I just hope I can wait upon Him so diligently with regards my love life too.
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