“The most painful state of being is remembering the future, particularly the one you'll never have.” 
― Søren Kierkegaard

2012? Bring it on.

I turned 25 yrs 3 months ago, with frankly not much to show for in the past year.

A year is a little long to be feeling a little lost and disconnected…I take comfort that this will not last forever. The upside to this is that in comparison, the new year is going to be an interesting one (in good way), and one that I will make resolutions for…something that I haven’t done in years. And different resolutions.

Not task-oriented ones that I usually make…like read the Bible in a year or pack my room every 2 week etc. Rather guiding principles that I hope will shape my worldview and who I am. The thought of change use to frighten me, but now...

At this point it feels like I’m at a crossroad...whether I want to continue holding on to the same expectations in understanding myself, others and how I’ve looked at the world, or embrace life from here and now with a more open mind and possibilities. My Source of strength, hope and faith has not changed…but I don’t want to live life backwards or looking back. While people my age are starting to live out the blueprints of their life they have already planned, it is rather refreshing to not know the blueprint of mine, and discover the choices and what else might be in store in the future, on a regular basis.

Here’s a note to self, on how 2012 will be different:

1. Be intentional

In the things I do, the people I meet and the issues to address. Be purposeful. This calls for a personal ministry plan, in keeping track of how often I meet who, remembering what has happening in their lives, have an idea of what we should be ‘covering’ when we meet, and be purposeful. If it’s just to be a listening ear, then just listen.

2. 100%

Be present to the present. So when I’m in something…be there, in both body and mind. If it’s training, put in my all. If it’s time with family, don’t split my attention and start texting. I am only given my parents for this brief period of time, and I should treasure them. Avoid ‘I should have’s! I also have a horrible habit of not listening, or being distracted when people are trying to tell me something. Asking people the right questions starts from listening…and then after understanding, connecting the dots (to their life stage, emotion etc.) and then (hopefully)…reading people!

3. Me

Don’t be everything to everybody, because you can’t. Focus on building your inner man, to be something to some people. What are the building blocks to strengthening the inner man? A song comes to mind…”Read the Bible, pray every day…pray every day. Read the Bible, pray everyday…and you’ll grow, Grow, GROW!” How simple.

Don’t pigeon hole myself. Discover and develop my own likes, dislikes, passion, gut instinct and opinions. I tend to fold others’ advice/opinions and adopt them as my own. Take them as reference and consideration and from now on, formulate my own first.

4. A mistake, is a mistake

But that’s life. Don’t be afraid to make a decision, worrying if it is a mistake. At least make it and move on from it.

5. Live life face-forward

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher (1813 - 1855). Let the past remain behind me, and live life face-forward…facing and not shying away from what may come my way. Whatever it is…I do not have to fear or worry it, for I know Who leads me.

Highlight of SUO '11

epic

A Short Prayer

LORD, nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle.

Missed an opportunity to share Christ today...my loss, what a loss.

Need to make it a point to carry a tract with me.

Seattle

Sunday 23 Aug 09

First time on Eva Air - I didn't know what to expect, so had pretty low expectations. Overall the experience was pretty good! The Taiwanese air stewardesses were quite pretty too - a few looked like Taiwanese actresses heh. Thankfully I had good seats on the way there - especially for the long haul (11 hour stretch from Taoyuan to Seattle) - where I could half-stretch my leg out on the side compartment.

~ SIN - TPE: 4hrs 35min ~

~ TPE wait time: 5hr 15min ~

DFS in Taoyuan Airport - LA MER? *snigger*

Had plenty of time in Taoyuan before my connecting flight to Seattle, so I walked around the airport and explored every inch of it. Even found a free massage chair (rather painful though) and tried out iGallop at a pharmacy. Spent the remainder of my time on MSN chatting with people back in Singapore (I love my ipod touch for reasons like this).

~ TPE - SEA: 11hrs ~

After waiting a while for my brother's flight - we got picked up at Seattle Airport!

After settling into Rach's friends' apartment (John & Jo-ae) where we would be staying the night, we set out to look for some food and settled on Dominos. Wasn't our first choice (we got kicked out of the pub/bar cos Rach & Aaron didn't bring their id!) but the pizza was GOOD. John & Jo-ae's apartment was so lovely & the hosts were extremely hospitable - pity I didn't think of taking pictures at their place!

Monday 24 Aug 09

After sleeping in some, out for some good dim-sum!

Rach & Jason had to do some planning, so Kor & I scuttled out of their way and preoccupied ourselves with the Pike Place market.

Fresh blueberries that we thought we could keep for Mum & Dad when they arrived later that evening...but we finished the whole box! :p

Had a nice time catching up with Kor, eating blueberries, trying to hit pigeons, relaxing by the pier & doing some suntanning :)

Flowers Rach & Jason bought for John & Jo-ae!

(notice the leaf in Aaron's nose hehe)

We picked Mum & Dad from the airport early, dropped off their stuff at the hotel and arranged to have dinner together at Alki, a seafood place across the sea from downtown Seattle.

The crew! (minus Aaron)

After dinner Rach & Jason drove back to Burlington while we stayed the night at Seattle Pacific Hotel, resting up for the next day at Pike Place market.

Tuesday 25 Aug 09

The space needle from afar.

The 2 'pig's in front of THE pig!

A cool take-away sandwich stand.

Back to Pike Place Market!

Ugly fish.

So fresh so fresh.

There's tons to see and do just in Seattle downtown itself (like the underground sewer walk or the legendary duck tours), but we decided to stick to just have a relaxing day at the market. Best decision; hassle & stress-free. We took in the sights & smells @_@ of the market, and chanced upon a clam chowder cafe which was delicious. We had a lovely lunch with a great view of the pier. We had to try to dungeness crab of course; the meat was unbelievably sweet (they must have added smtg @_@) & the shell so soft and easy to break through. I don't know why I didn't take pictures...too busy eating I suppose. Topped with tea/coffee at the Crumpet Shoppe & buying enough fruits to last us for 2 weeks :) I love markets.

Dad in the foreground...leaving the market in the late afternoon.

I can finally burst my (literal) bloody blister.