Korean Poison

Thanks to Joyce I'm watching this Korean Drama Roof Top Prince the second time round...

So what makes a good korean drama?

Plot
To me the plot is the most important. It must be fresh, interesting, realistic and have twists along the way. I can accept far fetched shows with themes like time travel, dinosaurs, aliens, etc. That can be as absurb as possible. But for the natural parts, it needs to be as realistic as possible. Eg. two people cannot fall deeply in love suddenly out of no where. A character cannot change his thinking so suddenly it becomes unbelievable.

Character development

As dramas are usually across 20 episodes typically, the pace must be correct. Developing a character too slowly puts people to sleep. Developing a character too fast, doesn't cause it to be digested by the viewer easily. Developed characters make you feel as if you know them as real people and want to see how they react to the plot.

Humor
What is a drama without laughs. As I said, it should be a good mix of plot, character development drama spread out across the episodes. Laughter opens the hearts of the viewer and allows the drama to input something in the heart. Great scenes usually happen after funny scenes.

Good lookers
Hey, to me all korean actresses look the same. Some say its because they visit the same plastic surgeon. I don't think the actresses or actors here have done plastic surgery. I half suspect botox, but thats not the same. Anyway, I am totally okay with plastic surgery. (although i will never allow joyce to do it. Joyce you reading this?) If your job requires you to look good and young, by all means look the best you can. It is just professionalism.

Touching scenes
I guess touching scenes are the ones that make the drama memorable. The word drama means there must be some drama. I have to say out of hongkong dramas(usually the ending is quite abrupt and plot is usually predictable), taiwan dramas(i think abit too draggy for me), korean dramas are the best.

I'm still poisoned so watching 2nd time. But i think my poison is dispersing so I might just finish it and that's it.

Haha

C.S. Lewis - Master of hidden messages

"'Please, Aslan,' said Lucy. 'Before we go, will you tell us when we can come back to Narnia again? Please. And oh, do, do, do make it soon.'

 'Dearest,' said Aslan very gently, 'you and your brother will never come back to Narnia.' 

'Oh, Aslan!' said Edmund and Lucy both together in despairing voices. 

'You are too old, children,' said Aslan, 'and you must begin to come close to your own world now.' 

'It isn't Narnia, you know,' sobbed Lucy. 'It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?'

 'But you shall meet me, dear one,' said Aslan.

'Are — are you there too, Sir?' said Edmund. 

'I am,' said Aslan, 'But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.'"

Relaxing Sunday

I guess it's important to relax once in a while, away from work, family and baby. Just to be free for that couple of hours is refreshing! Every parent needs a break.

Plus you need to go out with your wife one on one once in a while. We've not done so in a while.

Obviously enjoying ourselves. One thing about Joyce and myself, we like to pose. Perhaps Joash will get this trait as well.

Anyway we went Lido for lunch, shopping and movie. Went Tangs, DFS and Isetan mainly. Bought some cheap house decoration stuff. Also went to check out some GSS sale offers on some items I would buy one day when I have the money. Haha.

I was only a couple of hours, but it makes all the difference.

Joash's Baby Dedication

Joyce and myself are so happy to dedicate our Baby Joash to the Lord on 19th May 2012 Saturday.

I am so thankful that he's growing up healthy and happy.  He's whinny with strangers, likes to chew on steering wheels, poos in large quantities suddenly, cries in his sleep and wakes us up.

But so happy he's growing up big (9.6kg at 5.5months)

Of course to every parent, love comes naturally.

But I am so in awe of the love of parents who have children who are born with down syndrome or autism or severe skin problems.

It hurts to see your baby like this. But they still love.

Their love is so much greater. Like God's own love.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

-Psalms 139:13-14

Yes, finally I'm 30.

Yes, finally I'm 30.

I'm not given to birthday celebrations. In fact, my 21st birthday had no chalet, no nothing, just mos burger dinner with jc friends. Turning 30 is no different.

They say 30 is a big deal. If you watch "Friends", there was an episode where Rachel turned 30. She was miserable. When Joey turned 30, he cried out to God, "Why God! We had a deal, let the others grow old, not me!"

I guess to some, 30 was sort of a state of decline, you'll have more wrinkles, you're considered middle aged, sort of, and you'll be frowned upon should you fail to achieve certain achievements in life based on the world's expectation of you. "Wah, 30 and still not married?" "Wah, 30 and still no stable job?" etc.

To me, 30 is just a number.
It simply means I have to go make new IC. It means I have to get used to writing 3 as the first number when I'm filling in my age. It means 10 more years and i'm 40.

Many people peak way beyond their 30s. Kentucky founded his finger licking good chickens in his 60s if i'm not wrong.
A pastor in my church got married in her early 40's I think. It's our attitude towards our life.


Don't let your age determine your attitude. Let your attitude determine your age!


:)

Fatherhood

It's been some time since my last post. Honestly, I have hardly time to sleep, let alone blog. :)

Joash is growing big and heavy. At 2.5 months he's 7.9kg, 97th percentile for his age. I think must be all the formula he's drinking.

Life is now adjusting for me. Major events clashed together last year. With Joash just out from the womb, I was already out and running busy settling the renovation of our new home. Yes. It's at punggol. Yes. it's far. Yes. it's ulu. But it's home.

In the past, Joyce and myself could go out on dates, watch movie, eat a nice dinner, go meet our friends etc. Right now, we have to consider Joash. Where should we put him? What time should we pick him up? What time was his last feed? If we decide to bring him out then, have we brought his milk powder? Have we brought extra diapers? Have we brought change of clothes?

I guess it's all part of being a parent. In fact I have a new simile. As busy as a parent. As tired as a parent. Or as poor as a parent. Ha.

But after all the sleepless nights, and night feeds, I have to say it's all worth it. You'll never feel so fulfilled having a child of your own to complete your family. Because the correct simile for me to use is really as happy as a parent.

Cheers!

Revelations

Worship is God imparting Himself to us. -CS Lewis (I think)

Worship is never about us, its all about God.

The moment you are conscious about people around you, you're not worshiping anymore.

The more you experience God, the more you want to experience Him. The more you have, the more you want.

God Himself is more important than what He can do for you.

The slower the worship, the better.

The moment you think, "Ah, look at the way I worship, I must love God very much", you lose your worship.

No matter how busy your mind is, learn how to slow down, and lift up your burdens to God.

Use your heart to worship. 用心敬拜

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Liverpool

I like to do player ratings after massive results like these.

Friedel - 5. Can't comment on his performance cause he didn't do much the whole game. Good job staying awake throughout the game.
Walker - 6. Promising, fast and likes to go forward. But gives the ball away at times.
Kaboul - 6. Decent game, dealt with Carrol's physicality pretty well.
King - 7. Considering he doesn't even train with the team. Good game.
Ekotto - 7. Another consistent performance. Again not much threat after the sent offs.
Bale - 6. Shades of his Champions League form, however lacked power during crossing and shooting. A few bad misses, didn't even hit the target.
Modric - 9. Redknapp better start thinking of a replacement for this guy. Not a single mistake the whole game, every pass was perfect. Superb goal too.
Parker - 7. So much better than previous game. His usual breakup play style gives little for the defenders to do. But his passing has the creativity of a rock.
Kranjcar - 6. I'd rather use him as a super sub, rather than a regular. He should cross more and fall down less.
Defoe - 7. This guy only scores goals that are difficult. Easy goals he fluffs.
Adebayor - 9. Scores two. His hold up play is what Spurs are lacking last season. Crouch and Pavluchenko can never do what this guy does.

Subs.
Van Der Vart - 6. A few good passes, but didn't really make a big difference. Needs to get back to full fitness.

Prayer for my son

Dear God,

I pray that my son will grow up to be

Happy and Healthy

Clever and Witty

Rugged and Sporty

Obedient and Courteous

Courageous and Valiant

Gentlemanly and Kind

Understanding and Wise

Spiritual with the Fear of God

In the Name of Jesus,
Amen.

But if in any case I can only choose one pair, I would choose happy and healthy. (I've got Nothing to blog)

What's in a name?

Joyce is coming along nicely with her pregnancy. As of right now, its about approaching 6 months. What's next? Apart from receiving some baby clothes and receiving some toys, it's time to think of a name.

We really want a unique name. Yet it must not sound strange. Challenging!

Proverbs 22:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

Proverbs 22

 ¹ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
      Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

We came up with a few that we both agreed upon.

1) Edison \e-di-son\ as a boy's name is pronounced ED-ih-sun. It is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Edison is "son of Edward". The name is used in honor of inventor Thomas Edison.


2)Leon \leon\ as a boy's name is pronounced LEE-ahn. It is of Greek origin. Variant of Leo. Thelion is a central figure in the art and religious symbolism of many different cultures, usually meaning kingliness, grandeur, and courage. See also Lionel. Author Leon Uris.


3)Toby \t(o)-by\ as a boy's name (also used as girl's name Toby), is pronounced TOH-bee. It is of English origin. Short form of Tobias (Hebrew) "God is good". Actor Tobey Maguire.


We sort of decided on Toby for now. Of course things might change.

Money doesn't grow on trees

With reference to my wife's blog on her finding a cheque in the mail, (http://joyciejewel.blogspot.com/2011/08/ive-got-cheque-in-mail.html) I myself am quite capable of earning money the "unconventional" way.

Guess what I found on the ground today!

It's not much, but its $2 out of thin air. Nobody claimed it, so I claimed it. 

I suddenly remembered a few years ago, I picked up money on the ground on 2 separate occasions within the space of a few days. I must have been good.

They say money don't grow on trees. 

(At least they stay on ground)

It's a boy!

 Joyce is finally 5 months pregnant, went to do a full scan to check the baby's health. So far so good! Look at the spine!

For the first few visits, the gynae already suspected that its a boy, but she kept saying it can only be "confirmed" on the fifth month. And there you go, this is the proof. 

 Many of you probably won't be able to make out the abstract pictures above. The one below is the clearest.
You can see him looking at you. If you can't make out what this is, I can't help you.

Joyce went "crazy" and went to buy this burberry romper for our baby. Quite ex hor. Burberry (real one). One piece only some more. 

 I was joking me and Joyce don't even have a burberry anything. Yet our kid already has one waiting for him before he is born. HOR MIA!

Officially missing you

Last weekend, Jayesslee came for our church service to sing a few songs and to share their testimony. I have to say I'm very encouraged by their faith, talent and anointing!

Anyway I stumbled across one of their videos "Officially missing you by Tamia". The crazy thing is they have 7million+(correct as of today) hits. More than the original!




I was inspired to pick up my rusty guitar again to learn the tabs of this song. Good old days. :)

Random Thoughts

I hate road accidents.

Accidents cause jams, jams cause delays, delays waste time and time is precious.

I find an amazing truth in accidents.

Whatever we do, causes an effect that affects not just one person, but a whole multitude.

An accident between 2 vehicles in lane 1 of ECP can cause a massive jam involving hundreds and hundreds of cars.

A small rudder can steer a titanic ship.

A wrong attitude can poison the minds of many.

A vote can affect the future of an entire nation.

Watch this now!!!

Vote for him at http://www.thisishome.sg/video.php?v=dSoo9qKIMVU

I don't care much about birthdays but...

I had a revelation recently... "Birthdays are supposed to be spent with people you really care about"

Overwhelmed by the flood of birthday wishes :)

Thanks to W416 and W452 for the wonder dinner fellowship at Manhattan Fish Market @ Marina Square. I really feel very loved and appreciated by your generosity in your time and gifts.

Felicia Lee for her home made super duper Tiramisu cake! No pics...wasted...

Thanks Gavin Huaybing Jimmy for the Starbucks card. I blame you if I'm addicted to coffee again... :)

From Suzy, the nicest girl on earth with a heart of gold. Whoever marries her is so blessed. Thanks Sue! =)

Had a nice dinner with my parents, sister, Joyce @ Seafood Paradise (defu lane) My sis paid for it! haha....

Then Joyce cooked for me a nice warm dinner. Ate half a pot of rice...

What more can you ask for?! I am blessed!

Perfection

I like things to be in a certain order, folding blankets after you get out of bed, aligning my car seats so that they are in line with each other, washing my cup in the office on monday mornings are just a few of my habits.

I like things to be in good condition, trying to make them last as long as possible, like wallets, watches etc. Recently i noticed some scratches on my seiko frankenmonster, worse still, the clock face had a few chips due to my carelessness. Ouch.

I was pretty disgusted in the beginning, it's almost like the whole watch had lost its value. Its no longer perfect, scratches on the face! I would be reminded that its defaced everytime i look at the time.

Should I get another watch? Should I?

Then soon after, I kinda forgot about it, got used to it,

Sometimes i don't even notice the scratches anymore. Yes it's old and not new anymore. But it bears my mark, followed me through daily life, and its still keeps good time, its still my trusty watch!

I guess you don't need something to be perfect to love it.

New Years Resolution 2011

Well well, 2010 breezed by so quickly. It's amazing. In a twinkling of an eye, its already the eve of 2010.

Looking forward, I'm going to set some goals for this coming year.

Spiritual
-plan more YA outreaches
-do visitation once a week
-disciples
-read 4 books

Health
-exercise 3 times a week(swim/run/gym/badminton)
-no snacks and soft drinks
-eat more fruits

Finance
-save 15% of income
-use only 1 credit card

Relationships
-visit family 4 times a month

Career
-finish tasks ahead of time
-go for courses

2011 here I come!

One of the hits during my younger days

I need a new phone!

I must say it looks very very good... :)