Restarting my fencing classes

Today, I restarted my fencing classes again. I was already falling into inertia, so it was a good jolt, as I did a "refresher" course. Believe it or not, I was the only adult taking classes! The rest were secondary school kids! My colleagues were not continuing (some only next year).

However, this time round I tried épée for the 1st time. This is different from foil; epee's target area is any part of the body. So I had to remember that I can poke anywhere, and must be quick & swift. The épée, descendant of the duelling sword is heavier than foil with a larger guard. Yes, got an injury on my fencing arm (won't "show it off" this time around). Will need to wear some bandage on my left arm next time for better protection.

On the whole, it was quite exhilarating! Though I need to build up my stamina 1st and train myself to be fitter. Need to train my thrusts too, so that I can hit target accurately.

Marley & Me

I've finally finished reading Marley & Me ~ "The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life".

This is a must read for all dog lovers! I learned a lot more about labradors. It takes a lot of responsibility. I didn't know dogs grey too when they get old!

The book records the life of Marley from the time of his "adoption" as a puppy till his death. You get to know this dog as he journeys with the writer & his family, from the time they were newly married to having kids, like a personal friend & you feel you're a part of the life of the dog, endearing him to you. You'll find yourself laughing & crying as you read along. I nearly choked on my tears as the book went into its last few chapters when Marley was reaching the end of life's journey.

Don't you just love dogs? Unfortunately, I don't own one.

Unequally yoked & infidelity

Today, attended another event and there was some talk about why a Christian must marry a Christian. Surprisingly, not all Christians seem to agree...or rather they don't agree that you can't date a non-Christian, but the person can eventually be converted (it seems that mostly guys think this way, but an occasional female did say the same). Also, a lady friend of mine commented that it seems that it is "easier" for guys to get gals to convert rather than the other way. 1 person even said he had "no preference". It seems to be like some people think that "well, if the other party is a Christian it will be better, but we can settle for a non-Christian & they will eventually come around".
Huh?! Forgive me, I'm really sometimes very surprised/puzzled when fellow Christians think this way & I myself never considered such an alternative once I became a believer. Maybe it is the way of the world that changes people's perspective on such a matter as the relationship dynamics in society change.

Anyway, that's beside the point. I believed I mentioned earlier that if that's the case, you're more motivated for self-interest and there might be repercussions in future.

Ok, back to the chat. During the conversation, I seemed to have a sudden revelation or rather a light bulb went on in me to ponder if being unequally-yoked is actually like infidelity towards GOD. I am someone who cannot stand infidelity (as do many others). And seeking someone not of the same faith is like side-stepping the path which leads to GOD and succumbing to temptation outside the body of Christ. It's hard for me to explain why I suddenly had this in mind or felt this way, but it's like you're committing "adultery".

For me, I strongly believe in finding a Christian to be my bf and husband. Hence, I hope/expect the other party to share this same value as me, that he will only look for Christians to be his future partner. Although I don't wish to be judgmental, but it might reflect on how he looks at his faith. For me, leaving your options "more open" for people of other faiths is like opening a door to step into darkness or a host of temptations & danger. Why risk it?
It's perfectly fine to be friends with people of other faiths, but boundaries have to be put in place if there is a risk of going further incautiously. It's like walking on thin ice and as the ice melts (like the other person melts you :P), you can drop in anytime in places that are more vulnerable than others to be swallowed underwater. (Maybe that's why ladies are more prone to "melt away"?)
Ok, it sounds bleak but i'm pretty serious about it.

It's not about settling for something that you can have right now (even when you know it's against His will), but GOD honours those who are patient and willing to wait.

Do I sound very 专制？ I believe there are those who share this belief with me.

A Season for Everything

It seems GOD has been repeating stuff (at least to me) lately. From my earlier entry about his faithfulness, this time, He's emphasizing about patience.

This week's network meeting mentioned about "A Time for Everything" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8); about the chronos, kairos & pleroo times of life.

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace"

Then, this morning as I was reading a section of a chapter of a book, the same verses came out. After that, as I was reading "Our Daily Bread" The same verses again!

Guess as from the previous message, I have to be patient & let GOD do his work at His timing; He's saying "wait a while lah".

Amazing how GOD repeats His message to us...maybe He knows I'm those brooding kind, so needs more?

Putting your "Isaac" on the Altar

I believe some have heard the biblical account of Abraham commanded by GOD to "sacrifice" his only GOD-given son, Isaac, who was born to him when he was 100 yrs old (GOD had promised Abraham that He will make him the father of nations).
Abraham, being the obedient servant of GOD obeyed & brought Isaac to the designated area & built an altar, placing Isaac on it. Just as he was about to carry out the deed, an angel of the LORD stopped him and said that the LORD has provided something else (Genesis 22).

Anyway, what I'm trying to write here is that at this week's network meeting, our pastor mentioned about putting her "Isaac" on the altar.
For me, are there any "Isaac"s that need to be put on the altar? I believe I have and the LORD seemed to be telling me to leave it in His hands and He has his timing. I should let go & let GOD and not keep thinking & fretting over something I know I can't control.
I'm trying to do that & keep praying, though I still tend to want to know & am anxious to know.

Management vs passion for directive

Sometimes, one really wonders if the management, bosses & supervisors really agree with the mission & what top level management sets as the direction to go, or are they just doing it just for the sake of doing it because top management says so.

Working in my organisation, I cannot see my boss & division head being really passionate about the mission/cause for what we are working for, which has been a focus for many years, though in different words from time to time. They are doing it because they "don't have a choice" and you don't see them understanding what it means to be a librarian (mind you, our division head does not come from a library background). They do not fight for us nor give us the vibes that "hey, let's work together in carrying out the mission/goal". If they themselves don't agree or have the drive from within (the heart) to fulfill the purpose, how would staff be motivated to carry it out? I'm passionate & see the good of the cause we're moving into but am demoralised by management coz they seem to be doing things just for the sake of doing it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not too long ago, another unit from our division had submitted a request to go for an overseas trip to further knowledge. My boss asked the general manager if I could be included too. That manager just said that it is too late now to include my name as the CEO had already approved that unit's request (what kind of reply is this anyway?). Then, recently we found out that someone from another unit of another division managed to be squeezed in because her boss pushed for it. What a difference it makes when management supports staff and at least try to fight for you! My side, they just turn your request flat down without even wanting to try. And they are very inflexible.

God is faithful (II)

Can you believe it?! This whole week seems like it is a message of GOD's faithfulness and promises!

Had network meeting tonight and guess what was the Word shared? It's about GOD's faithfulness and that He will not forget the promises He gave; He will fulfill His promises and answer your prayers (of course those that are in line with His will...His answer can be yes & no and at His own time)!

I'm so amazed at the message given to me since the beginning of the week where He keeps affirming me that He is indeed always there. Our GOD is a faithful GOD and there is certainty in His promises.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

I am really grateful as He has granted me much favour so far. He gives me clear answers when there is a need, whether it's my studies, job and relationships, allowing me to experience Him first hand. I can't help "wow"ing.

Can't help singing "Our GOD is an awesome GOD, He reigns on heaven & earth"...

GOD is faithful

I was so struck by GOD's faithfulness that I must post this (though with not all the details).

You see, I had prayed on Sunday for GOD to answer some questions on the same day. And as I went about doing my stuff, and chatting with someone, GOD gave me the answer! I didn't expect the answer to come by in that way & at that point I was just struck by amazement that wow, GOD answered my prayer! And within the time frame that I asked for! And I was still thinking of how would I get the answer...I was more like thinking that GOD would just open the door direct to the answer or I would be "thrown in the fire" to get the answer, and not when I wasn't really paying attention where there was a "hidden" door.

Well, I am really thankful that GOD has been faithful all this while and He always affirms it. Though I can't say I've been so, coz I have neglected Him from time to time (and a bit ashamed too coz most of the time, I have something to ask for). Reflecting over the years, GOD has brought me through ups & downs and given many answers to my prayers. My words are not enough to express His awesomeness. Even today, as I did my Daily Bread, the Word mentioned talked about GOD's faithfulness to His children.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

~ Hebrews 10:23

Career disappointment & restlessness

This is long overdue...have been wanting to post this for a long time.

Recently, I feel more & more strongly about my job scope being so not librarian.

For the past 2 years, what I've been doing is more liaison & PR and I'm not doing that much of professional librarianship. I feel really unhappy coz I have not been able to develop a librarian's professional skills. I can't proudly say I am a selector (i.e. collection development) coz I am not doing "real" selection of materials or specialising in any subject area or genre...I'm not developing any specific collection; just receiving & allocating don't really hone any specialised skills coz I must admit, because of all these, I don't know enough about any collection in the library. And to tell the truth, I'm not recognised as a selector among the selectors.
I keep trying to defend that I am a sort of selector but it's kind of far-fetched now...and now, since management doesn't seem too supportive of selectors, I will probably not end up with much skill in that area.

Secondly, another professional skill I want to develop is cataloguing, which i've been wanting to do for a long time. However, I've not been able to try it out yet. If possible, I hope that I can transfer to the cataloguing dept some day if there is an opening.

I'm sick of the liaison work I have to do...I don't want to be a professional liaison officer, I want to be a professional librarian! I know there will still be a need for all librarians to do some liaison work (related to librarian work), but not most of the time! Furthermore, management have some weird mindset of not hiring any more library officers, only librarians...so we have no helpers to carry out the admin & operative stuff?!

Anyway, when I joined the organisation, I was supposed to be part of the collection development team which has since been separated from my unit. As I was new, they gave me the current job scope (& some other areas which has now been allocated to others...shorthanded then) to familarise with things and promised me that in the next FY, I could start on doing collection development on a certain area so that there could be a easier cut-off in terms of the evaluation form. Fine.
Then, when the new FY came, they decided that the collection development of that area should remain with the current selector since she is very good at it (of which I agree...but she's also overworked...I don't mind working on other subject areas too) while I concentrated on the expanding scope of one of the areas I was working on. Eventually, I am not doing that area anymore since management has decided to hire 1/2 staff to work on that because of the expansion in scope. Fine, as I wasn't coping well with 3 areas of work although I seem to be still doing some of the things here & there.
Recently, I was told that they want to "expand" my job scope to cover 1 of those areas of which I have handed over...and a lot more liaison stuff which really is not my forte or like. In the end it was disappointment after disappointment.

The current work I'm doing has not developed me enough to be viable anywhere else in this industry, so hopefully I can transfer somewhere where I will really do some professional work as what a librarian should do. How can I move on when the current work is so...?

Newly discovered cafe

The other day, I discovered this cafe within a paper craft shop in Plaza Singapura. The shop's name is called Made with Love, if I recall correctly. The cafe is inside, very small, with just 2 tables (but each table can seat 4 people comfortably). I wouldn't have noticed it if I didn't see the menu displayed outside (else I would have walked past the shop and proceeded to Secret Recipe coz was hungry). They serve mostly cakes & pies and of course drinks. I ordered a steak & guinness pie (to find out what it was) & a glass of honey lemon.

There was real steak inside! (sorry about the mess...was eating halfway before deciding to take a pic). I wouldn't say it's fabulous, but it was quite ok. The price is also very reasonable (think the pie cost about $5). But I like the idea that it was nicely tucked away in the shop. You get to avoid the crowd!

Anyway, it was an interesting shop on its own. I believe they conduct lessons there too coz there was a special room right at the back.

plaza singapura