Went shopping in Shanghai today after lunch.

1. Long overcoat (RMB 200) to accompany my formal suit. It was slashed from RMB1,000 because the weather is warmer now. =)

2. Adidas haversack (RMB28) to replace the one that I brought because the zips spoilt

We're staying in the current place till end March but plan to look around for other available places because the rents might increase in view of the peak period. Anyone has lobang in Shanghai?

Making arrangements to meet up with friends and trying to squeeze in some mugging during this time as well. I have 12 weeks remaining to my CFA exam.....................

Hmm, creative juices not really flowing at the moment so just doing reporting on this blog. Stay tuned..... =)

It's been a rather happening 2 weeks since I returned from Shanghai. Busy in the office and also meeting up / catching up with several people. It's always good to meet up with people. Within these 2 weeks, I reached a few personal milestones.

Milestone 1: Brought Lynn to meet my dad during reunion dinner nite. Always wanted to introduce my love to my father before the rest of the relatives get to see her *to honour him mah* and glad that I could do so. The meeting went well. Needless to say, my relatives were also happy to see her around.

Milestone 2: Lynn brought me to visit her parents and family. =)

Milestone 3: I was looking for a group of friends for support when I'm in Shanghai. Really thank God that on the first night of CNY, managed to meet up with Daniel aka Howe Kiat and it's all thanks to Adrian for bringing me to meet his ol' buddy. Cool, now I can go to church if I'm in Shanghai for the weekend

Milestone 4: Went for baptism service last night. No, I'm already baptised. It's just that I felt rather out of sorts these past few weeks. I thank God for the opportunity to speak to my team leader about my desire to move on. Next step, boss. However, there is this fear of man syndrome in me which probably explains why I have delayed doing what I should have done long ago. Really glad for the worship during baptism service where God reminded me of His faithfulness through the songs and also that He will not shortchange me. Also grateful that God used CK to send me a wake-up call.

Watched Dreamgals today. I liked the musical element in it although I'm not sure Darren and Moon would agree. Interestingly, the theme was also somewhat about that person inside. Over lunch this week, CK also encouraged me to really ask myself what I really want in my heart. What are my guiding principles? Do I really believe that ministry comes first? Or career? Or it's possible to balance both?

Honestly, with my current job, it's not possible for me to balance ministry and work. I have tried but given my erratic schedule, it's not working out. At the same time, I feel that while I try to do my best, my heart is not in my current role because I feel stifled. I need a new start. I need to grow. I need to bring it up to my boss. I need to move on.

Lord, grant me that confidence that I need to dispel the self-doubts that clutter my mind. Grant me wisdom to adapt but to remain grounded in You. Let me soar once more on eagle's wings.

Amen. Shanghai, here I come (again). Pray for me ok? To find the right time to speak to my boss when he visits Shanghai the following week. Thanks :)

Just landed back home from Shanghai a few hours ago. Believe it or not, it was first time in China!

First impressions... Shanghai is so .. erm ... cheena... hehe .. the only place in the world which has 4G (My 3G phone is still operating only on a 2G Sim Card.. hmm). Was rather lost at first with the directions and language (I eat potato so a bit rusty lah). I must say, this is good practice for my Cheena though. I do believe that my language skills have improved =)

Stayed in a suite hotel. Kind of like a service apartment with gym, living room, fridge, kitchen, microwave oven, etc. Really blessed also by my team who went out of their way to make us feel at home. Negotiated for good rates with breakfast and broadband thrown in. Went around to eat the tasty food ie. oily and salty with lots of MSG :(

It's supposed to be the coldest period but the temperature was like 5-18 degrees which was quite comfortable actually. Really could get used to the weather.

Looking around at the attire of the working class in restaurants, I couldn't help notice that the ladies really make an effort to dress up / down (depending on how you look at it. It's winter right, so not too distracting lah). However, my personal take on this matter is.... *drum roll* .. I still prefer the Singapore girl =p

Really enjoyed myself over the weekend when I visited Zhenghan and Veron. Had a yummy (read "tasty food") dinner at a restaurant which serves Northwestern Chinese cuisine, stopped by Hong Kong dessert store and then visited their place later on. I must admit, this was the first time that I really got to know them better in all the years we had been in ministry together. They're a really amusing couple. Thank God for them :)

Thank God for answered prayer. I finally managed to speak to my team leader about my future plans. We had a meaningful discussion and next step, prayerfully, is to bring it up to my boss. After CNY .. hee ... God is good =) ... Romans 8:28

OK, time to go sleep and prepare for the week ..... Philippians 4:6,7