First Day

Its kinda a few first days today. My first day of work!! But not much la, cos I was induced to join the induction session lasting 3 days for NINETY new hires today. My name wasn't on the list due to some mess ups, but in the end I had to sit through the entire day of lectures. Most of which I had heard before 1.5 yrs ago, with a little updates of cos. What made it worse was the fact that I had a flu and headache the whole day. My nose was a runny tap the whole morning. Interestingly, I met a new hire who would be joining me in the same team as well. And I didn't even know there was another hire in the same team prior to meeting him, so when I found out we had the same manager, I was like "What the..". Cool though! Also, I met a "Cain" early this morning, and the next person I introduced myself to was an "Abel". Interesting haha :)

Anyway, I'll be at my desk tomorrow at last. The induction will continue next Tues. Thank God! But I'm going to have an early nights rest to recover as much as I can before tomorrow.

Another first day would be a first day at my new house in Khatib. I've finally moved back to the north!! "Yippeeee.." as Algene would exclaim with me. I left my house for work from Jurong this morning and headed straight for Khatib for the return train in the evening. A pity I couldn't help my parents with the move, but thank God the movers from Breakthrough Ministry were quite efficient, or so I heard. I've been trying to help put everything back in place and enduring the dusts, so I reckon my condition has worsened quite a fair bit. Another lament would be, my DIY'ed workstation table has turned into my parent's coffee table in the living room because they thought it was nice! Right.. Now I need to get another one. That table costed me 1 blister on my right middle finger anyway.

Need to shower and sleep now. Another long day again tmr.
Special thanks to those who wished me well for today! :)))

It's been a long time since I had an unhappy post. :)
So here's one.

Recently, I've been really upset with myself. For many reasons such as not being strong, resilient, determined enough. Not being disciplined to do what i REALLY need to do. Making all the wrong choices one after another, and doing so poorly in my various areas of service. I need to make it right again, but I need time. And I pray that God have mercy on me, cos I'm really sorry for having willingly chosen to enter this pit. Indeed it's true, I am weak. I thought I was different, that I was stronger, but I'm just a helpless lad. :(

Anyway I need to get myself back to normal. 2 weeks. Anti-brood Daniel reborn :)

Oh and Joey, Rachel and Eliz bought me some gifts today to cheer me up though! Thanks! Just let me say "I'm sorry" here and now, just in case I pass my broodism to anyone in my current state.

Berakit Mission Trip 13-16 June

Berakit Mission Trip photos! Gonna be quite internet traffic intensive, so please be patient. And do click on the photos for better view on them :)

Day 1

Whole team gathering at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal early morning.

Wow loaded with cards..

90min boat trip!

Took the chance to "eat air" at the back of the Ferry.

Monkey Face 1. While waiting for travel agent settlements upon arrival at Tg Pinung.

Monkey Face 2. Samuel joins in.

In high spirits despite the initial waiting time.

Even had time to do some tidbit, ice cream shopping.

Thereafter proceeded to Pelangi Hotel for lunch enroute Palong village.

Hungry.. but the food was seriously not bad.

Ok, stomachs filled. Time to move out to Palong village.

2 hrs later in the village. But everyone feels a bit lost in translation at first.

First, we had to clear up the church which was to be our shelter for the 3 days.

Cleared up and now to be cleaned up.

Oooh the church window view towards the open sea.

Oooh, Sam Fung's glamour shot with priceless background.

Our neighbour's houses.

The initial part of the long bridge leading to the church (while was built over water).

Time to check out the area which we had to build the new shelter.

Veron and village headman, as he gives his instructions.

Time to start work!! Clear the ground and level it first.

We need to draw and carry water from the well to drink and bathe. Tough work man.

Thats me .. 苦 中 作 乐

Yep.. 苦 中 作 乐 again.

真 的 好苦 啊!!

Back at the church, our neighbour loaned us his sampan for leisure.

OCX and I, enjoying the sunset.

Day 2

The boys smelling the early morning breeze.

That's breakfast. Excessive egg diet. Made us develop serious egg phobia after that.

Start work again. OCX knocking the planks in to hold the concrete in place later.

Needed more sand, so Algene, Nat and Sam Fung took a sampan out to grab more.

Concrete mixing time! Our first time doing that.

We were a bit slow at the first round, but subsequently got quite adept at it.

Juz doing my share of the mixing.

The kids playing on a pile of sand. Laid back lifestyle.

The simplest of things could be their toys for the entire day.

Sam Fung's award winning shot.

The headman leads by example. The villagers were seriously amazing skillful at their crafts.

One of the few charcoal producing dome ovens in the village.

Laying and leveling the concrete.

Yes, they love us!

Subsequent concrete mixes were much prettier and faster. Much thanks to the villagers.

At the end of the day, we were rewarded with a nice relaxing sampan ride back to the church.

Some guys took the liberty to take a dip in the water.

Uncle David trying hard to save the sampan after some nifty boat-rocking action by Dan Fung.

To no avail though. Haha!!

Quite bath and enjoying the sunset soon after.

Day 2 debrief!

Day 3

Another self made morning breakfast using purely charcoal heat.

Our pig sty.

Braving the extreme sun and heat to start work.

Finally the concrete is done in the morning. But someone ran over it!

Time to make the benches and tables after lunch. Our own carpentry work.

Our masterpiece. Which needed further improvements but not bad for first timers :)

Its not all work. We took time to interact with the kids. Such as swings and soccer!

Joel found his favourite kid.

Just a few of the people who worked on the shelter! Mission complete for now.

Day 4

On our way back to Singapore at the pier. What a fantastic experience. Notice the new tan?