Olivia Ong

Came across this singer when I was at Millenia Walk's Sembawang. Olivia Ong, a 23 yr old singaporean singer.

Quoted from Wikipedia "Olivia moved to Japan to further her studies and career as a solo artist. In Japan, she became a member of a Japanese pop (J-pop) group called Mirai, before she released her bestselling début, "a girl meets bossanova" at only 19. With her sultry, soulful, pristine and innocent vocals, she reinterprets Frank Sinatra such as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" and other jazz and pop numbers."

This is one of her best songs, The Rose.
(It's my current background music.ENJOY!)

Some say love it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razer
That leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
And you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love
In the spring
Becomes the rose

numbies in the lion city

This post is due for a long time. And each time I felt ready for this, I always get caught up with errands for me to run or perhaps on the contrary, I was just being too lazy. I have no idea how is life here in lion city, I feel so numb. All I know is that, I have been busy? And at times, busy with who-knows-what. I am still doing job-hunting and yes, I am pretty anxious about this because it’s already mid-march. Praying for a good job, with good environment and people and of course it has to be the place God wants me to be. Have been attending CHC regularly, and found myself a cell group (all thanks to John). Meeting different people in my so called kiasu country is really a challenge for me, you would expect different reactions towards certain issues and how they carry the issues across. Thank God, Christine is here with me and though at times, we question ourselves how weird it is, however we have to keep in mind that this is not Melbourne after all.

Just 2 days ago, I went for an interview at UOB for a banker position and because it was a group discussion informal interview, we conversed among the 8 candidates and 3 interviewers. One of the questions is, “what motivates you?” And 7 out of 8 candidates answered “money”. I was speechless but yeah, for the world, money means everything to them. This is the world and we can certainly choose if we want to be transformed by the world or not; to have all the wealth and not the soul. Well, this is definitely not what I desire.

Puffway to Heaven, a Singapore Short Film Produced by Ngu Ping Hwei & Kelvin Fok

and I found out exactly what it is

"The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zeph 3:17)

My all time favourite, Lenny Leblanc.

Indelible by Brooke Fraser

Walk along here, feel you move somewhere in front of me
I can't place you with these eyes for the doubt
I can't see

How could someone so beautiful
Feel something for me?
Hold me and love me and touch me again
And show me why I believe

That the first time I see your face
Everything else around me will fade to the background
And I'll be struck, full, by the truth in your gaze
As you work an indelible change in me

All I have and all I am and all I think and do
Can find its purpose and meaning and life only in you

How could someone so beautiful
Feel anything for me?
Won't you hold me and love me and touch me again
And show me why I believe

That the first time I see your face
Everything else around me will fade to the background
And I'll be struck, full, by the truth in your gaze
As you work an indelible change

For the first time I see your face
Everything else around me will fade to the background
And I'll be struck, full, by the truth in your gaze
As you work an indelible change in me
An indelible change in me
An indelible change in me

ON THE SIDE OF ME by Corrinne May

I’m not the easiest person to love
I’m often the one who lets things go unresolved

Yet you choose to be
on the side of me
on the side of me
Yet you choose to be on the side of me
on the side of me

I’m not too proud of some things
I’ve done in my life
The skeletons in my closet
Are too big for me to hide

Yet you choose to be
on the side of me
on the side of me
Blessed Charity
You’re on the side of me
on the side of me

Everyone needs a friend to hold
when it’s cold outside
and there’s no place to go
Everyone needs a friend to hold
all alone I cried
there was no place to go
I remember when nobody cared
but you

I’m not the easiest person to love
But you, you’ve opened your heart to show me what I’m worth

‘Cause you choose to be
on the side of me
on the side of me
What a mystery
You’re on the side of me
on the side of me

Everyone needs a friend to hold
when it’s cold outside
and there’s no place to go
Everyone needs a friend to hold
all alone I cried
there was no place to go

I remember when nobody cared
Nobody cared
But you…

Yeah you choose to be
on the side of me
on the side of me

Goodbye 2007 and Hello 2008

This is year 2008. This is a brand new year with more expectations of changes in spiritual life, relationships, habits and emotional wellbeing. This is the year, my year, to step out and allow God to lead me to where my circle meets. Woah! Year 07 was really phenomenal. I started a year as a new Christian, surrounded and loved by many beautiful men and women of God till this day. My involvement in community work and church conference took off at early 07 which back then, I ushered at Planetshakers City Church Conference 07.

Every day was all about fellowship, relying on His word and making sure everyone’s not left behind in this glorious journey. However, my beloved cell group was multiplied on april 07. It was hard to accommodate initially but after much perseverance and God’s faithful guidance, I began to start serving the Lord as an usher at Church.

Ushering was something that I really looked forward to because I know a smile which is truly from the heart can really bring someone closer to the Lord. Why I enjoyed ushering was because back then at the conference, a girl came up to me to give a big bear hug and said she was felt so loved and welcomed because of my smile and hospitality. Although I only ushered for 3 months at church due to time commitment, it only proved to me that it is the sincerity that counts and that is all you need, to pour out God’s genuine love for the people.

And on the 8^th April 2007, that special Easter, I met Adrian for the very first time. We merely talked about our plans after graduation over dinner and we didn’t know each other well until Planet Uni camp came along.

May 07, Joel boh, my neighbour from Singapore, came to Melbourne for a week to visit. It was really fun to have him over in the foreign country and he left quite a few impression and footprints over there =) Most importantly, on the 2^nd June 07, Adrian and I were officially together. He is really a gift from God. Like what Adrian said, I also waited and God honoured. It is definitely not an accident or coincidence that we met each other. And when I fall, he is always there to encourage and to lead me from where I was to the destination God has promised. I really thank God for the wonderful past 6 months and more to come! I love you baby.

From ushering, I was called to serve in the university ministry as a new people carer. The truth is, I was kept in the dark until someone called to inform me that my leader submitted my name to them. I was rushing my law report and didn’t sleep for the last 24 hours. I was in a constant state of fatigue in my final year so there I was; I broke down and cried out after the phone call. However, that didn’t stop me from serving. Those months, I was battling with the thoughts of surrendering and also, pressing on to see the purpose of this calling for me. I held on and realised that I was just terrified and having almost no faith that I can still make it through if I serve for the Lord. For months, I was in the carer group and was involved in 2 major uni outreach events. I have no regrets because I met some brothers and sisters who are really passionate about people, I really enjoyed myself serving alongside with them.

On the other hand, I was devastated as I was forced to give up 1 major for my bachelor degree. I planned to have 3 majors: Management, Finance and Financial Planning. I failed 1 of the units and was forced to give up financial planning so that I can graduate on time. I was questioning God why that has to happen to me.. and thanks to Adrian and my previous leader, Peijet, I was able to get over this with more faith that He will continue to provide and He won’t give me anything less than I truly deserve. That was also when I reminded myself God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. God is big, bigger than any issue on the earth!

On July 07, I packed my bag and set off to Sydney for Hillsong Conference. It was an eye opener because that was really one big massive congregation. God’s presence was definitely there and that His fragrance was upon us all. For the first few days, I was weary to worship and unable to stay focused. However, the word of God and His promises were flooding through my mind. He reminded me to focus and to rely on Him instead of mankind. I called out and for 5 days, my mind was renewed and kept in mind that everything’s gonna change after the conference. And it did.

It all went back to August 07, when I was so negative and spiritually dry (weird isn’t it? But God has His plan behind this), but Peggen came up to me. She said she was going to pioneer a new cell group at Burwood and she needed my help. Woah! I have no idea why but I was totally pumped up and ready to serve! I was really excited and was suggesting on different ways to reach out to the students at my uni. That was like a key, which really unlocked my heart.

The meetings were held at my place and thanks to Les, my landlord, who gladly provided us his seminar room without much hesitation. At burwood UL, I was in the core team, serving alongside with Peggen, Hau Wei, Jeff, Hui Jen and Aaron. The chemistry between us was so strong and over the months, we built really good friendships, worshipped God wholeheartedly and really shared like a family. There is none other, but a reliable family who generously gives and leads. That was also when I had my first discipleship with Ps Matt and Sharene.

Most importantly, on 29^th Nov 07, I became a graduate of Deakin University. Those are just too much I could ever ask for. I am truly blessed and grateful by how much God has imparted for my family, friends and relationship. God works miraculously and I couldn’t be who I am today, without God and the wonderful friends/bros/sis as follows:

Les and Darralyn, Peijet, Peggen , Hau Wei, Adrian, Michael Abulencia, Joel Boh, Julie, Charlotte, Josephine, Chloe, Linda, The Tan Sisters, Aaron Tan & Teh, Jeffrey Leong, Hui Jen, Kim, Juni, Tjokro, Joshua, Paul, John Tee, Jason Leow, Rachel Ongkili, Sue Lynn, Tse Min, Cynthia, Sharene, Denise, Ee Lin, Chloe Chuah, Andrew, Sylvia, Shena, Maureen, Stuart, Dheenul, Jane Lee, Ps Russell, Ps Sam, Ps Alex Seeley, Ps Matt and all members of Planetshakers City Church.

I won’t leave my 2008 resolutions here but I sincerely wish everyone a blessed 2008! The best is yet to come! God Bless!