August Babies

Blessed Birthday Ps. Joseph, Bro. Dimin, Bro. John & Sis. Li Li!

May the GOOD LORD BLESS YOU!

My Comfort Zone

It’s officially one month since I started working in FGAC. Work is fun and I enjoy it every single day. I am starting to get back my design inspiration. I have a new computer, an office, and a bunch of GREAT colleagues! *grins* I am deeply loved and deeply blessed. Thank You, Lord!

My humble little corner

1 year 6 months old

She’s almost 2! Grown up baby Avery *wink*

She has just received her report card, and this what her teacher said about her:

Name of child:  Avery Tseng

Date of Birth: November 12^th 2007

Date of report:  November 2008 (Updated May 2009)

Present age:      1 year old ( 1 year 6  months)

General Comments

PYP Attitudes

Avery is a very mild-mannered child who seems to have adapted fairly well to her new environment.  She is a very affectionate child who likes to be cuddled.  Avery has become more trusting of caregivers and often will smile when being approached by them. She is slowly adjusting to the daily routine mainly during naptime.  Teachers are encouraging her to help put herself to sleep by not taking her out when she cries, reinsuring that she is okay.

Avery is a very quiet, and somber child who enjoys being close to her teachers.  She has adjusted well with her friends and all the teachers at the nursery.  When exploring her environment she continues to return to teachers for comfort and assurance, (May 2009)

Potential areas for growth (challenges) reference the developmental checklist

Avery is determined to try and get a toy that is out of reach. She is able to maneuver her body into the shelf or small spaces. Avery has become more confident as she will try to stand on her own and look at her caregivers for encouragement.  Avery enjoys listening to stories and songs and will often sit for short periods of time.

Avery language is progressing.  She is able to say words such as “JoJo”, “baby”, “Hi”, and “Jack”.

Avery is now walking with confidence. (May 2009)

PYP (adapted) Transdisciplinary Skills

Avery is able to feed herself finger foods such as cut up fruit and dry cereal.  Teachers are encouraging her to hold her bottle.  Avery is able to communicate her needs with a few sounds and gestures. Recently, she has become very vocal through babbling with excitement.  Teachers are encouraging Avery’s language through our daily songs and stories

Avery is now showing more independence by feeding herself and sometimes using a spoon.    At times she will get upset if teachers offer their help.   Avery enjoys looking at picture books and naming familiar objects such as “duck”, “book”, and “babies”.   (May 2009)

The PYP Learner Profile

Avery is learning to be an inquirer!  When outside she will explore the playground by picking up the flowers and leaves on the ground and looking at them.

Avery is a risk-taker! She will try to climb up the slide when outside, and stand on the small sofa in the classroom.  Avery is very observant.  She will often watch what her peers are doing before participating.

Avery is learning to be a Communicator! She is able to say about 4 -5 word, and say her friends’ names.  At times she will use gestures to let her teachers know her needs.   Teachers will continue to give her words to use to accommodate her needs. (May 2009)

Effectiveness of the environment on the child’s learning

Avery joined ACE Nursery and Preschool in October 2008.  Before this time she was home with her grandmother. Since joining she has made much progress in adapting to her new environment.  Avery is very confident and comfortable with her teachers and peers.  Teachers will continue to extend Avery’s learning and development through our units of inquiry.

Avery continues to enjoy her environment and seems to look forward to coming to school.  Most times she has an easy separation from parents in the morning.  Teachers are continuing to encourage Avery to interact with her friends more as she likes to be very close to teachers and often becomes very upset when they have to move. (May 2009)

Class Teachers                                                    Date: November 19^th/08/ May 2009

Shanette Robinson

Sheree Mullan

Awaken

It’s 3.30am. I was awake despite my 3 hours of sleep. I tried to put myself back to sleep but a lot of thoughts just came into my mind. After 2 hours, I was still awake and couldn’t sleep. And during these hours of sleeplessness, I sensed His voice speaking to me.

I admit I am a very emotional person. I used to get upset when things don’t happen the way I’ve planned it, I cried and put myself into self-pity in certain situations, I get anxious when I don’t see result, I had irrational thoughts and made my own conclusion to problems and ended up getting mad. I believe everyone is tempted to be angry occasionally. It may be one day, one week, one month or even more. But, the Bible  instructs us not to stay angry. It tells us: “When angry, do not sin; do not let your wrath last until the sun goes down” (Ephesians 4:26). We can be angry, but we must not stay angry. We can be disappointed, but we cannot let it rob us of joy. Someone might hurt your feelings, but we are not to hate that person, instead to love and forgive him/her for Luke 6:35 states that; “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.“

Note that it says “without expecting to get anything back.” Well, that’s the difficult part for most of us because most of them time, when we do something good, we expect something good in return or something even more. Having said that, I feel foolish at times for not obeying His commands although He has prompted me to do so. Many times, God allows “my-unwanted-incident” to happen, to teach me and to create opportunities for me to learn, but I took it for granted. I tried to solve things by my own strength and ended up feeling stressed out; mentally, physically and spiritually.

In reality, we cannot runaway from our problems, but we can look at them as opportunities to become better people. Face it, admit it and deal with it. If you’re angry, admit it. If you have a bad attitude, admit it. If you are jealous, admit it. Facing truth about yourself may be difficult but the truth is, go ahead and ask God to help you in this area of your life. Make a commitment to start being honest and owning your feelings. Facing ourselves and taking responsibility for our attitudes and actions is one of the most difficult things we can ever do, but it is also one of the most important.

May You Rest In Peace

Ah Ma passed away this evening while she was being sent home from the hospital. I am sad. I broke into tears when I heard the news from Papa. None of us get to see her for the last time except for Mommy. Thank God Mommy made it to S’pore on time. I believe Ah Ma was waiting to see Mommy before she left. And now she rests in peace. This is the latest picture we took with her 3 years ago.

We miss you, Ah Ma. May the Lord be with you and may you rest in peace.

Graduated!

July Intake 2008 Graduation Ceremony at G-Hotel

All the best to all my fellow chefs!

In A Blink of An Eye

Two weeks have passed in just a blink of an eye. Many things happened and many errands to run. After my practical training at EQ, Papa was admitted to hospital to remove a lump on his left thigh. He went for MRI and doctor saw he big stones impacting his pancreatic duct. He failed ERCP and had to go through a major operation the following day. After his operation, Papa was in pain for almost 1 week. Tiubs were all over him and he couldn’t sit up and talk clearly. My heart broke when I saw him suffering but I know for sure he was going through the process of healing. Mommy, Xian and myself have been running up and down the hospital to console, pray and comfort Papa. It was a tough time. However I thank God for the instant recovery 2 days ago and I believed God has touched Him and healed him on the spot. Looking at his condition 3 days ago, we never expect he could get up from bed so fast but God proved us wrong. He is our strength and our healer. Anything can be done through Him and I am so thankful for His power that flows through Papa. Papa is discharged today. Finally, home sweet home for him *grins*

Not only Papa was admitted to hospital, my purse was stolen last Tuesday night when I was exercising in a dancing studio at Kulim. Do you believe an aunty in her 50’s actually stole my purse? It was too late when I couldn’t find my purse anywhere. Sadly, my cash, credit cards, ATM card, IC, driving license, Touch-and-Go card, a 4GB pendrive and photos were gone!! More errands to run. Went to make new IC, driving license, bank cards and etc.

At the same time, I had to prepare for my final exam. Last Monday, I sat for my theory exam and it went well as for my practical exam, I am satisfied with my result. I know I have done my  best and for the first time I cooked something nice and presentable *haha*. Here’s what I cooked:

Pan-Seared Fish Fillet served with Pineapple Sauce, Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Sauteed Vegetables

Our graduation will be held at G Hotel tomorrow. I am getting my Diploma in Professional Chef Training. Yay! Who wants me to cook? Come… come…! *wide grin*

Finally everything is over and guess what? I am starting my new job next week! I am so excited and for sure, I will get to attend Sunday service every week. Haha! Lord, thank You for Your wonderful blessings and unmerited favors. I am going to serve You with all my heart. May You transform me into a better person. Grant me Your wisdom to do what is right and pleasing to You. Open up my eyes to see what You want me to see. Open up my ears as You speak to me. And may the words that I speak are Your words. Let there be breakthrough after breakthrough and may Your Holy Spirit continue to guide me and lead me.

Another Chapter of Life

Five months have passed. My training at Equatorial Hotel, officially ended at 4pm today. As I was clearing my locker, my heart suddenly felt so heavy, reflecting on the good and bad times here. Tears welled my eyes as I walked out from the hotel. I missed my friends especially those who have helped me and guided me. Although I used to complain  alot, this place has brought me wonderful memories. I am going to miss those who called me Ah Moi, Cha Boh and etc. I did not manage to say thank you and good bye to some of them. Here is the list of people whom I wanna thank and may God bless you all:

From The View

Chef Looi, Chef Palani, Chef Fahmy, Dwayne, Chan, Jimmy, Warren, ‘Papa’, Zul

From Pastry & Bakery

Chef Khor, Kak Azira, Kak Su, Kak Rena, Abang Idris, Abang Eddie, Anthony, Abang Fazlee, Abang Ezri

From Muslim Kitchen

Chef Rais

From Cold Kitchen

Chef Wan, Chef Khor

From Butchery

Chef Haizar

From Main Kitchen

Chef Jeffrey, Chef Zairi, Kupang, Mr. Renny

From Kampachi

Chef Teh, Chef Kok, Chef Azlan, Chef Laurence, Abang Miron, Clemence, Abang Wan, Sham, Abang Taqiu

Stewards

Aunty Suria, Chow Loon

and not to forget my fellow trainee friends too,

Yeok Fong, Tong Leong, Tony Bok, Lauren Kam, Jia Ling, Yeap, Kwan, Lim

Lord,

Thank You for this journey which You have brought me through. Forgive me, O Lord, for the times when I fell back and for not putting my trust fully on You but You are a loving God who forgives. Thank You for standing with me all these while. Lord, I ask in Jesus name that You bless the list of people stated above. May Your angels guide them and lead them to where they shall be. And may my next chapter of life bring You more glory. This, I ask in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Confused

Time is moving. People are busy. Schedules are tight. Confused thoughts and decisions to make. People are near yet seems so far. Sometimes I wonder why…

God has made a way for a reason but I still do not know why and how…  What shall I do? This reminds me of what Ps. Sam has preached a while back. He said, “Don’t tell God how BIG your problem is, but tell your problem HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS!” Amen. I totally agree with that statement. And he also mentioned, “Don’t ask HOW, but said WOW (because my God is great) to your problems.” I do not know what my future holds but I believe what I am going through now will help me to accomplish God’s work for me and all I need is strong faith in Him while waiting for His answers. When there is faith, there is hope. But most importantly, I got to learn to love myself more and not to give myself so much pressure. Hardships and sufferings are just temporary but His promises are eternal!

Lord, I commit this time and my life into Your loving hands. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bring me back to You

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

Father,

Sometimes I don’t know what’s going on around me. My mind is distracted. I often find my thoughts are not right when I am alone and I don’t understand this problem. Lord, I know only You can help me to eliminate these thoughts and have the right remedy for me. Lord, bring me back to You. I need You more than anything else. Guide me and show me Your ways that leads to a fullness life. In Jesus name. Amen.