It might sound kinda cliche and odd to thank God for Him, but I have many good reasons for doing so, though I'll just pick out two.
1) He saved me before I was born.
Well, He did that for everyone, when He died on the cross and rose from the dead 3 days later, more than 2000 years ago. His blood cleansed me of my sins, and tadah! I am saved!
2) He saved me again.
You see.. Everyone has a past, and mine was pretty bad. He saved me from literal spiritual, emotional, mental and physical death, and when someone saves your life, you would work your entire life to pay him/her back right?
Same concept. And even after that, I could still be an ungrateful wretch, but He always reminds me in words, actions, everything, that my faithlessness will never cancel out His faithfulness.
I never was born feeling joy, or having faith in God, and I am someone who is extremely hard to convince. That's why.. When all those events happened, it just opened my eyes, time and time again, to how treacherous the world is, but also how wonderful He is.
Now friends, I'm not saying all these because it is my obligation, I'm saying all these because it really happened to me, I know He is real, and I want you all to be part of the blessing.
This wraps up Count Your Blessings week, I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll return to normal posting in the next one.
Enjoy your Saturday, Sunday and Monday, my friends! :)
Signing off @ 10:12 AM
Friday, October 29, 2010
Blessing #6: I thank God for relationships!
I was thinking about what I should write today.. And I came up with a blank. It's not that I don't have things to thank God for, but I wanna write something that God wants me to.
So I prayed, and as I went through my devotions and what I learned in cell group tonight, I realised that all three were about relationships.
1) my relationship with God
2) my relationships with people, especially Christians
We were made with interdependence in mind, and even though we might have problems with other people, that's only natural cause we are all made differently!
So even though I know that somewhere out there, someone hates me to the core, I know too that, there is someone out there, who loves me just as much, if not more.
Buonanotte! :)
Signing off @ 10:48 AM
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Blessing #5: I thank God for sunlight!
Today, I filmed a commercial with my group. We managed to cover most of the scenes by 5, and we were left with our last few shots.
So we've got our model on the beach.. And it's all bright and sunny.. Lighting's really good, but we didn't notice that the sunlight was fading, ...because we were too busy talking. -____-
So by the time we realised, only 40% of our awesome lighting was well, left.
You can imagine our panic when we realised.
And that was when it hit me, the importance of natural lighting.
Cause no matter what we did, be it flash, shutter speed, ISO and the works, nothing beats the natural light God gave to us.
And I've known all along how essential natural lighting is in an outdoor filming session and photoshoot, but its importance only hit me today. :S
Sigh. I always seem to learn from my own mistakes, and not others.
But that's okay, cause I'm still learning, right? :)
Right! So a little treat for you guys!
Model:Jovey Prop:Reiki Photographer:Rachel
I'm not a professional, barely even an amateur, so as long as it looks good, bear with me. :)
Natural lighting is awesome.
Signing off @ 9:19 AM
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Blessing #4: I thank God for languages!
I think that everyone has a favourite / comfortable language in writing or speaking, and I think that it's amazing that there can be so many languages at the same time!
English is the language I love and am most comfortable with. And it's such a beautiful thing. It definitely sounds lovely coming from the British, right?
And the many different ways it can be written, is just sheer awesomeness.
Well sadly, English is the only language I can speak or write. I can't even speak my native tongue. :S [I see my future in linguistic opportunties burning away]
Well.. I'm just saying that, whatever language you grew up with, be it English, French, Greek, Chinese, anything, it is just as good as any others out there.
I mean, come on, wouldn't it be boring if everyone only had one language? I'm not talking about a language being used universally, but just one language in the entire world.
Also, I simply cannot imagine being unable to read or write! Our ancestors sure had it hard when all they could communicate with were drawing pictures or talking!
Can you imagine a world without language? Cause the above would probably be what you would see on my blog, and I can't even decipher what I just drew.
Unibrow cows FTW!
Now on to the weird stuff,
Yeah, I tried the Honeycombs without chocolate in the afternoon. There was a burnt aftertaste! So I dipped it in chocolate, and I'm gonna find some victims to test it out on tomorrow. ;)
Next, I was really bored yesterday. So bored, I created a new form of art. "Steam art" [Copyrighted!]
Lool, it's really just sprinkling water on a piece of glass and blowdrying it until it remotely becomes something you think it is. [but is totally not.]
Check this out.
On one side, don't you think the one on the left looks like an angry parent, and the one on the right looks like a crying child?
On the other side, don't you think that the one on the right looks like a samurai warlord with thick lips [LOL], and the one on the left looks like a Japanese soldier? :O
Can you see it? Cause if all you see are just blobs, then you're normal.
Congrats! :D
Lastly before I go, I checked up the "5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays" part and it's true, but the "823 years" part isn't.
Yupp. Got the original info from a friend. Aren't my friends the reliable ones!
I'm only joking. I love all of them. :)
See you tomorrow!
Signing off @ 5:35 AM
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Alrighttt.
Blessing #3: I thank God for beef!
LOL. I know. Some of you would probably be holding your heads and groaning, some would just go like "What the-", and the rest would probably be happy for me.
But before you do anything, hear me out first.
You see to me, beef is the best meat in the world. Of course that doesn't mean I should gorge on it everyday, but you know what I mean.
So, groaning people go "Whyyyyy"
Well my friends, in Genesis 18:1-8, Abraham is visted by God and he cooks for Him a meal of beef and some other stuff.
Now, why would Abraham not serve God his best?
Food for thought. :3
Of course, it could be very subjective. Maybe Abraham loved beef. [See where I got my love for beef from?] [Straight from the roots, yeah!]
Well, if God were to visit me, I'll serve Him my best..
My best = My favourites
So I'll probably give Him
1) Beef [AHA. KOBE Beef.] 2) Chocolate [Beryl's bitter chocolate. :O] 3) Caramel Macchiato [Starbucks!] 4) Milk Tea [Japanese / Hong Kong?] 5) Kailan [It's a vegetable] 6) Apples [Just to even out His meal a little. Don't want Him getting indigestion now, would we? ;)]
I know it looks so strange.. But He's God, He can stomach anything. Mwahahaha
Now the next thing is, what would YOU give God if He were to appear on your doorstep one day?
Another food for thought. :)
Right. So as I was saying before in my previous post, I was gonna bake them Honeycombs.
Well I did.
First batch was an utter. Failure. But we learn from our mistakes right?
I tried a second time, but took it off early when it looked scarily black, And now it's kinda soft and gooey, like Caramel!
Hmm.. I think I need to do a couple more batches to get it right. I'm currently letting it rest, so I don't know how it'll look like tomorrow..
But I hope it tastes like.. Something that is meant to be eaten. :S
I accidentally burnt my thumb while making it too. Horrible experience. There wasn't a sign of redness, but it felt like my flesh was burningggg.
It's fine now though. :3
And to end this post, which genius would try to get a slogan out by motivating her group with this:
"We need a happy slogan! So I want you guys to go into your happy place, and come back and tell me what was in your happy place!"
Yeah. Cause it totally worked.
Signing off @ 8:20 AM
Monday, October 25, 2010
Blessing #2: I thank God for my parents!
While the above is extremely cliche, [Yeah, I know] the thing is..
Pinch yourself right now. Yeah. Feel that? Flesh. And then we have bones and organs and this whole complicated system going on in our bodies.
So.. All of this, me, came out from two people's union. Isn't that amazing?
And really, if not for them, I wouldn't be able to give the world this piece of awesomeness. [Kid.]
AND if not for God, they wouldn't be here, their parents wouldn't be here and so on. You can see where I'm going with this.
So.. It's not a shoutout to my parents, and I'm not saying I'm filial. I'm just saying,
Thank you for bringing me into existence.
Cause you know, man, the amount of hard work they invested in me, makes me wanna not have my own babies. [I'll probably have 5 kids.]
And that ends my Blessing of the day.
Next up, you know how Halloween's around the corner? Yeah, I don't do all that stuff, but because of that, there's plenty of candy articles going around. There were a couple of selections featured on MSN.com today.. I'm sure some of you guys have seen them, and I am totally in love with the recipes.
Which means.. There's gonna be a [fail] bakeout! :DDD [Cause you remember what happened the last time I baked.]
And I'll probably make the Honeycombs dipped in Chocolate first? I KNOW. IT SOUNDS SO GOOD.
Once again, those living in America or United Kingdom, yeah, you can go all "Pshh" on me.
But seriously, I've NEVER. NEVER. In ALL my years of living here. EVER SAW. Candy stores that sell REAL candy.
You know, like "Taffy in a paper bag" kind of candy. Yeah, all you find are Cadbury bars here. I'm still amazed that they have such a wide selection.
Note: I know how I make my country sound very backwards. On the contrary, in every other aspect, they're extremely forward. Just the candy part, and a couple of others. I mean, they have candies, just not the kind you find that are homemade-ish. ): Not HOME-made but- I should probably stop trying to explain myself.
Right, so that finally ends my post. [I know, I just go on and on and on.]
Sorry for the long post, and I'll keep the rest for tomorrow.
[THERE'S STILL MORE?!] [Yes huns, there still is.]
[Cause we all like my awesome like that.]
Signing off @ 5:44 AM
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Count Your Blessings Week
"Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God." Ephesians 5:4, NLT
I've been thinking about having a Count Your Blessings Week for quite some time now. I planned to start it today, and I got this for my devotion.
How timely! :D
Basically, it lasts from from Sunday to Saturday, exactly a week, which would be Oct 24 - 30.
I'll be posting a single blessing I thank God for everyday.
So I would like to try something out.. And what I would like YOU to do, is to write one blessing you are thankful for and why.
You don't have to, but you are welcomed to participate!
I would love to hear from you guys, and I'll definitely reply to each and every comment. :)
Right, so I'll start.
Blessing #1: I thank God for my great health!
Why?
Well.. Recently, a severe forest fire from a neighbouring country, has resulted in my country's air being extremely unpleasant. What with the haze and all, my classmates are dropping like flies. I was sick for a day or so but I was healed by God's grace! :D
So uhm, it made me realise the importance of health, and how easily it can fail!
Ball's in your courts now, my friends! Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow! :)
Signing off @ 7:29 AM
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Disclaimer: In the event of inaccurate translations, please take note that I am just a nub. :3
Hello! I know, I know. The alignment is all messed up. I'm too lazy to fix it so bear with it for just one post! [Actually, it's because I don't know how to.]
ANYWAY, this video is really really nice. And it's the annual youth conference my church has!
They've really outdone themselves this year with the video! :3
Desktop Background! :) Take it if you want!
Well, today's youth service was awesome! After all that jumping, all I feel like doing is lying down on that carpet and staring at the ceiling.
Well.. If you've seen the video, and you wanna listen to the podcasts / see the website, go to
www.theedge.org.sg
Alright! It is 11.14pm, so that means bedtime.
See you all in 2 days or so!
私は神聖なよ！ [I am holy!] [Please refer to the latest podcast, and if you don't, I'm gonna..!]
[Do nothing. ]
Buonanotte! :D
Signing off @ 7:53 AM
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sleep sleep, the whole day away. When I was younger, I never was this way. It's just that right now, I'm afraid my studies might go astray. But if that's the case, shouldn't I sleep less and study more each day!
Have a happy day, my friends! :)
Signing off @ 8:21 AM
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
DID YOU KNOW? That this October has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays? Happens once every 823 years.
O___O Interesting isn't it?
Well, I'm really drained. Today marks the end of my individual assignments.. And the start of my group assignments.
My school sure knows how to plan.
Well whatever it is, I'm just glad that I'm blessed with groupmates I can get along with. Thank God!
Apart from that, it feels like my inspiration has run dry for the time being. That's what reports do to you!
And according to a "reliable" source "Hun, methinks this Marketing assignment has somehow unsharpened your wit." While that is true, I never had an ounce of wit or humor to begin with anyway. xD
I wanna go to The Old Brown Shoe one day. Bangers and Mash anyone?
Signing off @ 2:23 AM
Friday, October 15, 2010
Utterly. Wiped out.
I was rushing my assignment yesterday.. So I didn't get any sleep at all.
It's bad enough that I've adjusted to England's timezone. Now I'm pushing for America's as well. -__-
Best part is, I still have more assignments to rush.
You know, I'm having one of those moments whereby.. You just wanna lean your head on the table, and never get back up.
How depressing!
Well, I woke up 4 hours ago. And now I'm gonna claw my way back to bed.
Good night!
Signing off @ 9:06 AM
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Warning: Long post with many pictures ahead.
Alright. I went missing for a week or so.
Well basically, my school started last week, and I've just been so busy since.
For one thing, my classes start at 8.30am every morning. SO. For someone who sleeps late, it's not funny.
Which resulted in me skipping two days of school. And much as I sound like anything but a nerd now, what I did was, I got up anyway and went to McDonald's... To study.
So yeah. You know you're definitely a nerd when you skip school, feel too guilty, and study. Lol.
Anyway, on the 5th of Oct, I was looking around a pet shop.. When I saw this strange sight.
Apparently, they were hand-painted at the fish farm, before being brought over.
I wonder if that will harm the fish?
So right after that, I went to have lunch with my mum. And we found this absolutely lovely English cafe tucked in a corner of the mall.
It's so quaint and English.
Lots of figurines and expensive furniture.. :O
There's even a British poster boy!! :D
And only here, I reckon, can you find REAL scones in my country. And probably the next.
So on 10/10/2010, my church had a carnival called the Perfect 10 Party. It's pretty amazing in the sense that, this date will only call again in a 100 years time. ;)
So well, the days leading up to 10/10/2010 were hectic. I really don't know how I lived through that week, if not by God's Grace.
The carnival turned out to be a success! :D
So this week's Prayer & Fasting Week. My assignments are due one after another, and in between church, assignments and school, I have got plenty of other things to do too.
So pardon me if I don't update as often.
I try..
I reckon you wouldn't wanna hear from me anyway, if it ain't interesting.
So I just saved you the trouble of reading! :D
I'm gonna stop blabbering now and do some work. I KNOW I sound like I'm in a rush. I am. I'M SORRY.
Blue as a blueberry. Busy as a bee. I don't have aBlackberry, But that's okay, because it's not my cup of tea.
My God is Mighty to Save!
Signing off @ 7:29 AM
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sorry guys! I have been really busy! School started last week and with the addition of a church event on 10/10/2010, I've been really worn out!
I'll update tomorrow or on Wednesday!
PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE!
Signing off @ 10:07 AM
Monday, October 4, 2010
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
- Carter
Signing off @ 10:03 AM
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Highlight of my week: My mother asking me why a website rejected her email, when she keyed in XXX@hahaha,com,au
I'm only joking. I love my mum. :)
This week, on Thursday and Friday, I went overseas. To the neighbouring country, to be exact.
That meant I got to go home every night. [Yay! :D] But that also meant that I was too tired to do much by the time I got home. [Though I had the time to do some work. NERD ALERT!!]
Anyyyway, I would like now, to profess my love for one of God's greatest gifts to mankind. BEEF. WOOF.
Like, I'm not even talking about just BEEF okay? I'm talking about pure 100% ANGUS BEEF. And the like. YEAH. I know many people over here can't down the beefy taste. But seriously, I don't know why. It's awesome! :D
But I guess if I relate it to lamb, I should probably understand.
So anyway, on Thursday I was at McDonald's with my friend.. And we sat down at a table, I looked right and froze.
me: DUDE. DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? friend A: NO I- *turns head too* WOW. TRIPLE CHEESEBURGER. me: YEAH. LIMTED. TIME. ONLY. WHUTCHU SAY? A: ..I think I'll skip. It's too much. me: Really man? Really? Come on. IT'S BEEF. A: ...I really think that's too much beef.
So I was convinced, didn't get it in the end. And the funny thing was, when I got home, I JUST COULDN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.
Now for those people who are in.. America or Europe etc, your burgers are HUGE. So I guess a Triple Cheeseburger is like "Psshh, been there, done that like 300 years ago."
But the thing is, I reckon the McDonald's in my country is lucky enough to keep the Double Cheeseburger. Cause you know, people can't stand the beefy taste. ..Or how girls here are like "Eww gross" or "..It makes you beefy too."
Yeah. *points to arms* These babies didn't grow by themselves okay?
I kid.
Point is, I kinda regretted not getting it on Thursday.. So I went back on Friday, with a different friend at the same McDonald's branch.
friend B: ..Why are we here again? me: I NEED that Triple Cheeseburger. B: *stunned for 3 seconds* NO WAY. YOU TOO? me: O__O You like beef? B: I LOVE BEEF. me: BEEFY TASTE?? B: ALL THE WAY.
It just so happened that we arrived at the entrance.. And there was this HUGE poster for Triple Cheeseburgers.
me: IT'S LIKE THEY KNOW WE'RE HERE. B: ALL I CAN SEE IS THE "LIMITED TIME ONLY". me: EXACTLY.
*stares at each other for 5 seconds* *both of us run into McDonald's*
And here is the legendary burger.. 's Box.
"Daging Lembu" LOL, sounds like Raging Bull.
Messy. I know.
And proof that there really were three patties.
I have realised my dream of eating a Triple Cheeseburger! Been dreaming bout one for years!
Yeah yeah. They're really thin patties. But beggers can't be choosers yeah? I'm just glad they even sell beef! :S
Well it's actually 4 am here. That should explain my nonsensical choice of words. [and unnecessary drama] I bet I wouldn't be able to understand it tomorrow morning.
I should sleep.
Bonne nuit. :)
Signing off @ 12:23 PM
The Girl
About me
Rachel
twentyone
I think I'm supposed to write something awesome here.
