Hello & hello! :)

Hello there dear all,

Oh gosh! Once again, I apologize for the lack of posts since July. It's the iPhone's fault! I don't get on the PC often enough ever since I got it last November. And I have difficulty blogging using my iPhone. My bad, sorry!

Mmmm....I wonder whether anyone still follows or reads my blog anymore? If you still do & would like me to keep it going, please leave a comment or note. Then I'll make the effort to blog & update more regularly. If not, I'll let it die a slow death. Boo hoo!

Lots has happened & it'll take me some time to update & share with all of you. Many firsts have happened!

My first manicure (a gel one no less ok!) after like 5 years (if not more!) Cost me $68 and it matches my red shiny red Clarks shoes!
Seriously, I just can't get enough of them! They really lasts and if you know, I work with young children and wash my hands alot, and also quite "chor lor", so this was quite a good options.
My first pair of wedge heels from Clarks! (Note the pattern you are seeing here??). It's two-toned and I love that I can wear it all day & not have my feet complain or ache at all! Hooray! What sheer joy!
Besides at my dad's wake, this is my first time I wore a white top & think I looked quite good in it! Always thought it might make me look even fatter. Quite flattering I would day.

So there you have it, my first of a string of many firsts recently. Will write more soon! Cheers!

Helllloooo!!!!

Hi there dear all,

It has been more than a month since my last blog! Oh dear, the result of having an iPhone which makes it hard to get onto blogspot & no need to be in front of a desktop PC anymore.

Sincere apologies to those who check-in regularly.

The month of May was crazy with case conference & tons of reports to do. You all know how much I dread paperwork! Still, bcoz of the kids & the need to show how much they've progressed in the past 6 months, I will do it & keep on doing it for many many years to come!

And I barely recovered from easter's "The King"! God is good!

And by faith, I signed up for MIT to India! Oh my! What did I do? The trip draws near on 17 - 24 June. Please pray for protection, safety & good health for me & my team members. More importantly, for God to move mightily & signs, wonders & miracles to take place! Amen?

Off to collect my Silver Blood Donor Award at the Science Centre. Family's going to support me!

Cheerios! :)

On 2 days MC

Hi pple!

Yups am ill. 1st MC of the year since school started & it's for 2 days. Started feeling feverish & got the chills after dance practice on Sunday. But the time Bob Fitts concert started, felt quite bad. Should have gone home to rest as did not enjoy myself as I'd like to.

Throat is badly swollen & it hurts like mad when I swallow. Boo hoo & voice hoarse! But nothing that my beloved serratiopeptidase can't do!

Serratiopeptidase is an anti-inflammatory agent that can be used to pacify mild to moderate pain and inflammation. Common conditions associated with pain and inflammation include arthritis, trauma, surgery and fibermyalgia. Additionally, serratiopeptidase helps to reduce fluid retention in affected areas, which contributes to proper drainage and a quicker recovery. It is also important to note that many over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatories have negative side effects which serratiopeptidase does not share.

Am also feeling much better after lots of sleep & comfort food of porridge with carrots, spinach, canned peanuts & minced pork. :)

Read more: What Are the Uses of Serratiopeptidase? eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5562941_uses-serratiopeptidase.html#ixzz1IcMxlmzi

Poor Sick Me!

Yups! I caught the bug! Suspect I got it from my kids coz most of them had chesty coughs & running noses with thick greenish phlegm.

Throat started to feel inflammed & dull ache when swallowing on Sunday & I knew a big one was coming.

By Mon, my voice was hoarse, nose blocked & running at the same time & was spewing out thick globs of greenish phlegm!

Immediately went to see the doctor after school on Tuesday & he gave me 9 medicinal items!

He wanted to gove me MC but didn't take it coz not worth doing so for half a day of 2.5 hours on CNY mah so loon lor.

But I slept & slept & slept since Tuesday afternoon & reunion dinner was my first proper meal in 2 days & managed to keep it down.

Hope I get well soon! Happy feasting & bonding with your family & loved ones! :)

Blessed Joyful Lunar New Year to One & All!

Wishing you all


心想事成 (Psalm 37:4) God will grant you the desires of your heart.


万事如意 (Romans 8:28) All things work for the good of those who love the Lord.


岁岁平安 (Philippians 4:7) The peace of God will guard your hearts & minds.


事业有成 (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know my plans for you, plans to prosper you.


BLESSED LUNAR NEW YEAR peeps! :)

A Summary of January 2011

Less than 5 posts for the month, this means I have been working hard! Sincere apologies to those who check in here regularly & see no new updates.

Well, am almost ending the 4th week of school & I have more or less gotten used to waking up early & being in the morning session. But the matter of fact is that I am not a morning person & I'd still prefer to sleep in late late.

Panda eyes aka dark eye rings are forming coz I sleep about 5 hours every night but I crash & concuss on the sofa, flat out, once I reach home. Like a log.

I have been also been trying to save money & eat healthier by bringing cut fruits & wholemeal sandwiches from home. But end up eating at least 1 meal ($2.50) from the school canteen.

Oh & I have been having out at Nex ALOT. It is like my 2nd home since I'm like a stone's throw away from it.

Been watching plenty of movies from the Shaw there. Haha! Life is good!

Ok, time to concuss, will update more soon!

New "Hot" Hairstyle

Red hair with gold highlights.

Kind of remind me of the cartoon character in Dragonball...bright spiky red hair!

Hairdresser helped to style this, I can never do this on my own!

Nice nice??

Girlfriends Night Out!

Oooohh aren't you excited!?!

Healthy fresh fruits one side & cakes/cookies/rolls on the other. Balanced diet? Yah right!

16 small balls scoops of ice-cream - belgium chocolate, strawberry, cookies & cream & vanilla.

Dip, dip, double dip & triple dip! Yipee yay yay!

Can't believe I did this!! My doc will shake his head when he sees me doing this! Ssshhh don't tell him!

Still, nothing beats the great company! Thank you fabulous girlfriends for the awesome company & treat! So blessed by your presence in my life & cheers to many many more years to come!

Ingrown Toenail AGAIN! Arrgghh!

Yeah...how cool that this seems to be an almost once a year thingy!

Went for my usual 3 monthly podiatrist visit & while she was cutting, cleaning & digging, she casually said "Oh the right side of your right big toe is slightly ingrown. Let me dig out & cut everything out for you now".

And she started digging in to dig out what was embedded happily. Not painful, just slight discomfort & a dull aching pain.

The very expensive antiseptic cream the podiatrist used on me. High class leh, around $32 per tube. She said I can use a cheaper lower end one at the moment, don't need the "cheem" one yet.

Though I was supposed to keep the dressing on & dry for next 2 days, after 1 whole day of chasing the kids in sandals, I don't think it was very hygienic to leave it on overnight. So removed the bandage to hop into shower & will apply tea tree oil (can right?) & redress the wound.

No pain at all, just have to be careful not to hit the wound or have a kid stomp on it. It happened before. Hope it heals in time for me to wear covered shoes to church on Sunday.

Watoto Children's Choir@The Esplanade

So very much wanted to bring one or two kid home!

When I get married, I am so seriously thinking about adoption rather than having kids of my own. Let's see how things go.... :)

Even Shorter Hair Me!

How how? Nice not huh? I find it quite refreshing! :)

A Heartfelt Email I write eons ago......

Hi XX & YY,

This is Fiona here, also from TCC & you might have seen me in church every now & then. I caught your family's blog from YX's & am very touched & encouraged by your simple yet honest sharing of God's grace & His hands upon both your marriage, lives & kids!

Also working in a VWO, I could relate to the low pay, restrictions placed by policy olders (i.e. Means testing) & frustration one face at work at times. Still, after 5 year of being in the system, I guess it is still the kids that I love & serve that keep me going strong w/o being affected to much by it. Otherwise, how to survive?

When I first started out in SPED, i kept asking God, why are there children with special needs on earth if He is such a loving & good God?

I didn't really get a clear, definite answer but after much pondering, traumatising my pastors & questioning, peace came into my heart with the understanding that we are after all in a fallen world. On earth, the prince of darkness has dominion yet God's Sovereignty still reigns.

My experience with the parents of the kids I work with has proven time & again that special kids are given to parents who are special b'coz they have the heart big enough to love & accept them unconditionally - no matter what!

I got to know Jesus when I was studying overseas at Murdoch, in 1999. Attended TICC which later merged with FCC in Perth. Oh well, it was a rollercoaster ride as my mom threatened (at that time) to terminate my studies & asked me to return to S'pore immediately since I want to follow Jesus. May as well don't waste time & their precious money studying so much.

My years in Perth were the foundations being laid for greater & better things to come when i returned to S'pore. (I didn't know it then)

The 1st few years upon my returning were fighting battles - one after another. To the extent whether i should return back to Perth to "escape" my family. It was not the right thing to do & my granny was seriously sick then. Thus I has to be with her as I was her favourite granddaughter. She was the one who lovingly took care of me when I was born premature at 7 mths (another thing i am grateful to God for).

When I sank into depression b'coz of some medication & work related pressure in 2005, i experienced for myself what it meant when the Bible said the devil's aim on earth is to kill, steal & destroy. Whatever lies I could believe, i did! (still can't believe i did!) But still, our God is a faithful God as He sent people to minister & comfort me & His Word slowly walked me out of those dark, unforgettable & hideous times.

As He did His restorative work in me throughout the whole of 2006, i relearnt alot of things about myself, my Heavenly Father & those around me. my walk with Him has taken a new dimension of faith & of who He is & what He can do. Indeed, He is the Rock that I can absolutely cling onto when trials come!

Sorry for this long sharing! Thanks for reading! Just want to let you know you & your family's journey of faith is a reminder to me once again that He never fails!

God bless!

Cheers, Fiona :)

Me & my even shorter hair!

I went back to the hairdresser's again 1 week after a trim & colour. The intention then was to grow it out, keep it long. But after 1 week of "trying it out", cannot make it la. Kids in class mess it up easily, fringe irritating me & I didn't know how to manage it. It was too much of a hassle, with the natural curls & such. As such, here's presenting to you all my latest look! I think short hair suits me quite well after my weight loss. Friends & colleagues have feedbacked that I look refreshed & "awake" even though I might be sore from lack of sleep. Haha...that's good enough for me!
Think I still prefer the "wet" look. The above is blow-dried, set with wax. I don't quite like it....

What do you all dear ones think? :)

Strength to Live: Healing Journeys for the Widowed

A book I gave to my mom for Christmas...she has started reading it, think it's blessing her lots. I pray that as she goes thru' it, the spirit of God will touch, speak & minister to her. Amen?

Bible Verses that Minister in Times of Need

Thank You Lord, for giving me the opportunity to do so. And giving me a 2nd chance to minister to those who are going through what I've gone through.

Indeed, You are a God of grace & mercy. How great & awesome You are! None can be compared with You!

My heart is humbled & in awe at what You have done & will be doing in & through me! :)

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words...

This photo was taken in 2005 when I was in Yogjarkata for the 17th Asian Conference on Mental Retardation.

It was also the year I was struggling with depression due to the side effects of some medication I was on & stress at work (coz of unrealistic expectations I had of myself & was relying on my own strength rather than on God's).

It was also the year I dropped 20kg (unhealthily) as a result of it, though people who didn't know better complimented on my rapid weight loss.

I have fully recovered from it ever since then - thanks to the grace & mercy of God! Though the weight piled back on, I am learning to lose it the right & proper way through regular exercise & a sensible diet.

The recovery process was painful & at times, I felt as if I might not make it sane & alive. I very much wanted to give up. The lies & thoughts that the enemy tried to make me believe were scary & deceitful! It was so tiring & felt as if there was no hope. John 10: 10 says that the enemy's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. God's purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

My Abba Father loved me so much & had relentless belief in me that I will come out of it stronger & better than before! He sent loved ones to support & walk me through in my times of need. Death as no hold on me anymore for Christ has given me the victory & His Word has set me free!!

I clung onto 2 Timothy 1: 7 for my dear life: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Suffice to say, it was a dark period of time in my life. During my road to recovery, I did ask "God, why me?". I may never know why till the day I meet my Creator face to face in heaven. But we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8: 28)

Looking back, it was His way of refining & molding me in the Potter's Hands. It was as if God was refining & purifying me as pure gold & silver so that I may once again offer acceptable sacrifices onto the Lord as in Malachi 3: 3.

For this, I am eternally grateful & thankful for! For I will never be the same again! :)

I Want to Go Further

It has been abt 3 years since I've obtained my DISE (Diploma in Special Education) qualification. Having worked in this field for close to 6 years, it is time for me to upgrade, update myself & renew my passion & increase my knowledge & expertise in this area.

How, what & when, I really don't know yet. All I know is that God has been placing the right people and connections along the way so far. I pray that in whatever decision I make in the end will be guarded by God's peace and blessed assurance.

Lord, may Your perfect will be done.

My Pal's House: Makeover leh!

A very good friend of mine added some special touches to her house recently. Here's sharing some of the ones I like with you!

New fish-comers into the tank!

Old MacDonald Had a Farm! Look! Even the chicken lay eggs! Haha!

The little doggy is lost among the lime-green money plants.

Golden Showers that she likes tremendously. Just don't get her any snakes as she's terrified of them!

My favourite! Only $2.50! Pal, get me one or a few k? Haha! Thanks!

What I like best: Cows drinking water in the countryside!

What I like least: Litterbugs at her block, despite a big dustbin right in your face! *duhz*!!!!

A "Secret" to Share with you all......

For those of you close to me or have interacted with me recently, you'd have known that from my recent blood test results done in Dec 2007, my blood glucose (BG) levels were mildly on the high side. (Due to certain pre-existing conditions, it's complicated)

As such, I have to go on medication, Metfomin, to control it. In addition, I also have to test my BG levels regularly, esp. when I wake, before meals & 2 hrs after meals, to ensure they are in control.

My new "Optium Exceed" glucometer (RP:$149) from Abbott (right) & Easy Touch Lancing Device (left) in a handy black carrying pouch.

To clean, kill & destroy those nasty germs.

Needles to insert into the lancing device to draw blood from my fingertips. (Around $18 for a box of 200)

MediSense Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips. (Not too sure about the price but think around $30+ for a box of 50 strips, if not more)

It is not a condition that means a death sentence. This means I just have to be disciplined with my diet & lifestyle to keep it under control.

This does not mean I have to starve myself & not eat at all. It just means I have to watch what I eat (esp. all the hidden dangers such as salt, sugar & starchy stuff) & eat in smaller & more regular portions, rather than stuff it all down in one seating.

So, if I decline a meal or treat outside or refuse dessert (which like never happens!), pls understand it's not coz I don't want to eat with you or don't like you. It's just that eating out exposes me to temptations. More than I can handle at times.

I exercise more now these days not coz I am "forced" to. But rather, I have started to actually like doing so & enjoy it! It can be quite addictive.

Of coz, this does not mean I do not enjoy life anymore. It just means I have to be more well-balanced, in all that I do. (Actually, this applies to all aspects of our life)

I do falter & fall at times. But I am thankful for the chances that my great & gracious God gives to me when I fail.

My Abba Father knows my heart & desires.

I was telling Him that all these stuff are going to cost me quite abit in the long run. Not that I can't afford it but still, it'd be a burden on my finances. Purse strings have to be tightened & shopping sprees have to be limited. I wasn't really complaining to Him, I was just pouring my heart out to Him. Ranting actually...

My aunt, who's a nurse at a restructured hospital, said she'll get all the stuff for me directly from the supplier. Indeed, it is much cheaper. Instead of $149 for the glucometer, lancing device & 50 strips, she got it all for $110 & an extra 50 strips! I was thankful for whatever savings I could get.

I was ready to transfer the money over to her bank a/c. But guess what she said? It's all FREE. She has decided to bless me this "1st round" of items plus a box of 200 lancets! Wow!I could hardly believe what I heard. This is really God's providence towards me! *blown away*

So now that you know my "secret", for my birthday, CNY or Christmas in 2008 & in the many years to come, you are highly encouraged to get me any of the above-mentioned items for me (esp. the thin lancets & blood glucose strips!)

Celebrated My Birthday!

On 1st Jan, I turned 28!

Gosh! And I felt age catching up with me on the 1st day back to school. Think holidays play too much, now back to full 5.5 hours of chasing, changing, carrying & on the feet, body not used to it yet. Could feel the physical tiredness in my bones! (if there is such a thing!)

I celebrated the day with my family.

Dad, me, mom & bro. Sis dun like to take photos.

I was treated to a tim sum lunch@Yum Cha@Chinatown. Not my 1st choice but no choice as we woke up late.

Dad's favourite dish. Pig trotters in vinegar black sauce. Think Christina will love this dish too. Eeww.....

My favourite yam paste with ginkgo nuts (not the best I've tasted so far) & sis' mango pudding.

Visited NTUC Finest at Bukit Timah Plaza. Very Cold Storage like. Apple crumble, pizzas, tarts & pies! Woo hoo!

"Blow your tastebuds off"-looking cakes that are sold by quarter blocks. Chocolate fudge cake, chocolate brownie & mocca cake were $10 per block. Carrot cake with cream cheese was $13 per block.Blueberry & Oreo cream cheese cake were $19 per block. Lastly, Tiramisu with mascarpone cheese was $24 per block. Was so very tempted to buy it but didn't.

Has frog leg porridge for dinner. I like the one in Chinatown near SGH.

Finally, like any typical S'porean, how could I not go claim my free birthday ice-cream from Swensons? *grin*