Back, finally (for good?)

Hello everyone!

Well, at the insistence... I mean encouragement of my wife, and my own gian-ness, I have decided to start blogging again. I know I know, you probably think that this is going to be my only post in the next 5 years. But I believe that with my wife's continued insis... I mean encouragement! I'll *hopefully* be posting more frequently than I used to. =) Haha.

We finally made it to the restaurant that Jonathan's working at for dinner, after such a long time of saying we would. Guess it's also good timing (not about to attribute it to God, it's a buffet and everyone knows buffets are of the Devil!) cos the restaurant was supposed to close for renovations in end August. We couldn't make it till then cos we've been busy with the house and just settling down after the wedding. Then he tells us that they've extended their closing by another 2 weeks, till mid Sept. But I can't go cos I was on night shift the past 2 weeks! (which I'm still desperately trying to recover from) And so I thought (rather mournfully, if I might add) that that's it, I won't get to eat at Jonathan's restaurant. But lo and behold, they decide to postpone their renovations by another week! And so we decided that tonight would be the night, that we would head down to the Triple Three Buffet Restaurant at the Meritus Mandarin, to bid it (as well as our diet plans) a last goodbye.

And what a last goodbye it was! Food was awesome (it didn't help that I skipped lunch for it), I don't even know where to begin. Best idea of what it was like? Go visit my sister's blog, one can always count on her to have a photoblog up before the night is done. And the company was great too! Lixin, sis, Joash, Ah Tan, Weisiang, Oon, Declan and Dot, and of course our resident chef Jonathan himself, carving up Prime Beef Ribs and 5kg Legs of Honey Glazed Fatty Ham with pure relish that we couldn't help but feel completely famished! Of course, our friends Dot, Dec and Ah Tan very nearly didn't get to join us because they thought that we were going to MARINA Mandarin, even though we had arranged to meet at Somerset MRT. At this point, the discerning reader should be exclaiming in a wild incredulous frenzy: "But Marina's NOWHERE near Somerset!!! (add exclamation marks ad infinitum, ad nauseum)"

Precisely, gentle reader. Precisely.

Anyhoo, now that they've been sufficiently made fun of and embarrased, suffice to say that all's well that end's well, Joash and I rescue them from what could have been a disastrous night out (imagine our poor heroes/heroine at Marina Mandarin wondering where everyone else is!) and we eat till "our stomachs tear", to quote Declan.

The Mrs. says that we're going on a vegetable diet for the rest of the week. I'm surprisingly inclined to agree. I think I had enough meat tonight to last me quite a while.

Another pleasant/happy thing that happened this evening was that I got my new CDs from our resident entrepreneur extraordinare, Jason Oon! Got Lincoln Brewster's "Today is the Day" and New Life Worship's "Counting on God". From the little that I've listened to so far, both titles sound GREAT! And thanks to Mr. Oon, I get these CDs at a fantastic price of only SGD$18.90 each! That's right, only SGD$18.90 each! (now I sound like one of those infomercials on TV.) I'll talk a little more, maybe do a review of these albums in my next post...

That's it! I shall turn my blog into a CD reviewing online newsletter! Genius! Wanna buy a CD? Don't pay cash for something that's not worth it, visit this blog in future for indepth reviews of brand new albums before deciding if you should shell out some hard-earned (or hard-begged, depending on your profession or lack thereof) moolah for them! And maybe I'll do a tie-up with Oon's site, so he supplies me with free CDs and I review them for him! (I suppose this is where the daydream falls apart, cos the poor dude needs to make a living too...)

But I think that's what I'll do. Review CDs as a pasttime. Do my bit for the community, help you save/spend your money! And maybe, one day, after many many years of CD reviewing, they will call me the Ebert/Roeper of Christian albums... ha. And I can write books called "Your Album Sucks." (Check our Ebert's review page, he HAS written a book called "Your Movie Sucks." Super hilarious!)

Wow, blogging is a lot more therapeutic than I thought... it's actually quite fun! Now I know why my sis blogs all the time... cos she has nothing better to do... HA! But yeah. I guess this means I'll be blogging more often.

I HOPE. =)

Ps. I LOVE MY HOUSE AND WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH IT! =)

Maria's Wedding (a photoblog)

These photos were taken when we were on our way to and at Maria Ng's wedding at Raffles Marina. Enjoy! =)

Beautiful sunset vista at the marina...

And then she arrives with her dad (Uncle Dennys) on a yacht! (pronounced yaught, people).

Hahaha... my sis caught the bouquet!!!!

This is my sis trying her hand out at one of her possible future career possibilities: wedding photography.

Desmond thinking he's in a scene from 24. Reminds me of that episode of Arrested Development though... "And that's why, you never pose like you're in an episode of 24..."

Our favourite shot of the night! Looks like my sis IS cut out for wedding photography after all. She just needs a better camera to work with. =)

My parents with the happy couple (Maria and Ken).

Hands-down, the cutest shot taken tonight.

It's our turn next year!!

Lixin dear...

It's gonna be beautiful. I can't wait! =)

BLOOD!




You HAVE to watch this. There is no way this cannot cheer you up, no matter how grouchy you're feeling. I've watched this almost 10 times now, and I still collapse in a hysterical, giddy, asphyxiated fit on the floor every time.

I was just looking around Youtube for nice videos and remembered this one by SCC. It's a beautiful song and an equally beautiful video to boot... I remember listening to the song for the first time and tears streaming down my face. Yeah I know, I always cry. =)

But this is one song that holds so much meaning for all of us, don't you think? SCC wrote it for his adopted daughter from China, Shaohannah. But it could very well be a song shared between a couple (I performed this for Wilson and Wendy's wedding, and I still sing in every now and then for Lixin... I know, so romantic right! Ok, you can stop puking already), a song a parent sings to a child (whether adopted or not).

But best of all, it reminds me of God's song to us.

So while you're listening to this one, just close your eyes, and know that His love has taken you in.

And everything's changed.

She said YES!!! =)

It's kinda hard to surprise Lixin cos she has this knack for pre-empting whatever surprise I plan for her. However, I am most happy to report that this one caught her (almost) completely off-guard. Hahahaha.

So, on National Day, being the patriotic Singaporean that I was, I took Lixin out to this really nice French restaurant at Dempsey. It's called Au Petit Salut. I know, even the name sounds classy haha. Who cares what it means! Anyhow, unbenownst to her, I'd actually made prior arrangments with the staff to give me a nice table to carry out my plan. Here're some pics from the restaurant... it's really nice!

It's empty cos we reached pretty early... apparently, they're usually packed. There're some nice seats outside too, and it was a breezy day anyway so I wouldn't have minded sitting outside (they originally could only get us outdoor tables). Anyhow, the moment we walked in and I introduced myself, the staff were all nodding knowingly at me - something which thankfully escaped Lixin ha. She goes to the toilet and the staff all gather around me and ask me "how how? Ok or not? We got you the best table! And we're gonna make sure that the table next to you remains empty so you've got some privacy." How's that for service!

We order 2 set dinners. And to be nice to the staff since they were so nice to me, I'm gonna do some advertising. The pics below are what we had for dinner:


Lobster salad. Absolutely divine... the greens were very fresh and the mint sauce was tangy. Lobster claw was yummy too.


This is the famous French dish, foie gras. Or just simply, duck liver. I know, it sounds gross. But I was pleasantly surprised - it tasted really nice! I suppose as long as you don't think about it being the insides of a duck, it's pretty enjoyable. Note for the health-conscious: this baby packs a ton of cholesterol. Which explains why it tastes so good haha.

My main course: medallion of beef with shallots and mashed potato. Lixin and I loved the mashed potato so much we nearly ordered a bowl of the stuff. It's the milky kind, absolutely delicious.

As Lixin later recounts, she was actually thinking I might propose that night, but being the excellent actor that I was (somebody give the man an Oscar already), I was cool throughout the process and she gave up that idea after a while.

(She did really give up that idea but I was TOTALLY not cool. My hands were shaking throughout. Somebody give the man some points for honesty already.)

This was dessert, some orange (marinara?) souffle with chocolate truffle. The texture was a little not to our taste, but it was alright.

So by now, I'm getting extra fidgety and wondering what's the right time to pop the question. And she's getting restless too, wanting to ask for the bill and all. So I decide, it's now or never (cue music: "The Final Countdown") and I...

Send her an SMS.

Ok ok I know what you're thinking, but I DIDN'T ask her to marry me through SMS ok! It was just to distract her while I reached into my bag and took out the ring. Clever right! So finally, I ask her the all important question, and...

She takes like forever to answer me. I tell you, I've never felt more tortured in my life. But of course, she finally says YES! and I heave a sigh of relief haha. She later tells me the reason why she took so long was because she didn't know how to answer the question. Note to all girls: when you are proposed to, it's either "YES" or "NO". So don't have to think so hard and torture your man in the meantime. What, you want fries with that?

Because she's so touched (ok, just glad that I finally popped the question) she starts crying, prompting one cheeky waiter to come over and say "Miss, miss, don't cry!" So this is our happy photo after it's all over:

Isn't the diamond huge? Hahahhaa it's huge to ME. So the next time you feel something shining in your eyes, it's just Lixin flashing her ring in the sun.

Well it doesn't end there. I'll be honest and say I didn't go down on one knee when I proposed... ok ok I know I know, that's so terribly unromantic. Hahaha. Ok enough already, let's see how well you guys do the next time YOU propose!

So we headed down to Science Centre Macs to grab a drink before heading home, and to make it up to her, I took the ring from her, got down on one knee and proposed all over again. =) So I DID kneel down lah, for all you die-hard romantics out there. But I was so nervous I got the hand wrong when I was trying to slip the ring on, I pulled her right hand instead of her left! But I suppose that makes it even more romantic?? And it gives Lixin something to tease me about the rest of my life. =)

So anyway, to end off this post, here's a pic of Lixin being decidedly unglam in a very glam restaurant:

Hey, I told all the funny/embarassing things about me! So this is just me getting a little even hahahaha. =)

"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship..."

=)

My Complaint / God's Reply.

Part I - My Complaint

Job 21
1 Then Job replied:
2 "Listen carefully to my words;
let this be the consolation you give me.
3 Bear with me while I speak,
and after I have spoken, mock on.
4 "Is my complaint directed to man?
Why should I not be impatient?
5 Look at me and be astonished;
clap your hand over your mouth.
6 When I think about this, I am terrified;
trembling seizes my body.
7 Why do the wicked live on,
growing old and increasing in power?"

Part II - God's Reply
Psalm 37
1-2 Don't bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
In no time they'll shrivel like grass clippings and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.

3-4 Get insurance with God and do a good deed, settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with God, get in on the best.

5-6 Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done:
He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.

7 Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.

8-9 Bridle your anger, trash your wrath, cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.
Before long the crooks will be bankrupt; God-investors will soon own the store.

10-11 Before you know it, the wicked will have had it; you'll stare at his once famous place and—nothing!
Down-to-earth people will move in and take over, relishing a huge bonanza.

12-13 Bad guys have it in for the good guys, obsessed with doing them in.
But God isn't losing any sleep; to him they're a joke with no punch line.

14-15 Bullies brandish their swords, pull back on their bows with a flourish.
They're out to beat up on the harmless, or mug that nice man out walking his dog.
A banana peel lands them flat on their faces— slapstick figures in a moral circus.

16-17 Less is more and more is less. One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,
For the wicked are moral weaklings but the righteous are God-strong.

18-19 God keeps track of the decent folk; what they do won't soon be forgotten.
In hard times, they'll hold their heads high; when the shelves are bare, they'll be full.

20 God-despisers have had it; God's enemies are finished—
Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time, vanished like smoke in thin air.

21-22 Wicked borrows and never returns; Righteous gives and gives.
Generous gets it all in the end; Stingy is cut off at the pass.

23-24 Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he's happy.
If he stumbles, he's not down for long; God has a grip on his hand.

25-26 I once was young, now I'm a graybeard—
not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets.
Every day he's out giving and lending, his children making him proud.

27-28 Turn your back on evil, work for the good and don't quit.
God loves this kind of thing, never turns away from his friends.

28-29 Live this way and you've got it made, but bad eggs will be tossed out.
The good get planted on good land and put down healthy roots.

30-31 Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone, rolls virtue around on his tongue.
His heart pumps God's Word like blood through his veins; his feet are as sure as a cat's.

32-33 Wicked sets a watch for Righteous, he's out for the kill.
God, alert, is also on watch— Wicked won't hurt a hair of his head.

34 Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path.
He'll give you your place in the sun while you watch the wicked lose it.

35-36 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad, croaking pretentious nonsense.
The next time I looked there was nothing— a punctured bladder, vapid and limp.

37-38 Keep your eye on the healthy soul, scrutinize the straight life;
There's a future in strenuous wholeness.
But the willful will soon be discarded; insolent souls are on a dead-end street.

39-40 The spacious, free life is from God, it's also protected and safe.
God-strengthened, we're delivered from evil— when we run to him, he saves us.


I rest my case.

Back.

Well, it's been a long time coming, but at least I finally got down to it. Shout it out from the rooftops! Elvin BLOGGED! I think my last post was like, millenia ago?! Something about Weilian winning Project Superstar. That's how long ago my last post was.

Have been wanting to blog for quite a while but like they always say, the spirit is willing but the bed is calling. Or something like that. So why am I finally dragging my fat rear end to my laptop and blogging now? Has to do with the number of people reading my blog that I wouldn't expect to. First, a coupla months ago, Sis. Susan Comiskey was talking to Lixin during the girls' event and somehow she mentioned that she'd read my blog and then she offered to send my letter to Sis. Angelina Ng to Sis. Angelina Ng. We kindly declined of course, I'm waiting to do that myself in the future when I invite her for my wedding. =)

And then today at CCK during the practice for regional outreach, Uncle Matthew came up to me and told me he came across my blog (never knew I was THAT popular) while searching for VFC stuff on the net. So with that final push, I'm back here in Blog-dom; hopefully it's not the first and last time in a long while.

So, speaking of the regional outreach. It's the main reason why I'm blogging tonight. You see, we're gonna have 6 different dramas going on at the same time tomorrow in 6 different locations. And one of those dramas is the one little gem I'm directing, called More To This Life. And truth be told, I've got butterflies in my stomach. It's always like that before opening day. A billion things can and may go wrong. Suddenly you realise that there're things you haven't done, contingencies you've never thought of. I would say that I'm going to have trouble sleeping tonight but that would be a lie because all Foongs sleep like pigs anytime and anywhere. My sister is a prime example of this. Even if the world were to end around her, she wouldn't twitch.

Anyhow. So tomorrow's the big day. I'm anxious (who wouldn't be) but I'm also excited. Excited about what God could do through our little production. It's not much, just 15 minutes worth of 3 vignettes and a dance item. But who knows what 15 minutes means for someone else's eternity? Even now as I type, I'm imagining people giving their lives to God and being totally changed and transformed.

What's even more exciting and amazing is the supremely talented (I kid you not) cast and crew I have the pleasure and privilege to work with.

Evangeline, the indefatiguable coordinator for all our logistical needs (and also last-minute-roped-in actress).

Rina Au, multi-tasker extraordinaire. Somehow, she can talk on the phone, listen to me and give me suggestions all at the same time.

Jude, Mr. Manhunt/Mr. Genie, our props guy.

Brian, Mr. Pneumonia, our lighting expert.

Vincent and Martin, the tireless sound engineers.

That's the crew. Of course, the cast is perfect too. Lixin the 'Auntie'. Some actresses shave their heads as a sacrifice for their art. Lixin went beyond that. She had to act and dress like an auntie. I think she's scarred for life.

Eliz and Lisa, the Poon twins. Someone give them an award. Heck, give them TWO awards! (So they don't have to share and hence won't end up fighting)

Jaclyn Ong, Ms. (I'm being politically correct here) See Queen. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll be able to stay with us throughout the whole season. (I'm imagining the whole thing to be like a season of the Singapore Arts Festival. It sounds THAT MUCH more posh and glamourous.)

Uncle Benny aka Crazy Boss. How many times must this guy get it right? Many many times! (Inside joke... don't try, you won't get it unless you're part of the cast and crew)

Jonathan and Jocelyn aka 'Toot Toot'. These two deserve Best Newcomer awards. From stony, deadpan deliveries to performances that are totally believable, they've worked hard and it's paid off. Great job guys.

Ok this one is totally no link but I must thank my sister. She helped me find and change my blogskin. Isn't this like the coolest skin on earth? Ok maybe not but I thank her anyway. I'm totally lost when it comes to changing skins and adding music and all that crap. She's the queen who changes blogskin once every 2 days or like after each post. I have only one thing to say to her. GO AND STUDY LAH!!!

They say that when you're surrounded by geniuses, you tend to become one as well. No wonder all these people are getting smarter and smarter by the day! You can tell they've been hanging around me. Ha. Seriously, I'm honoured and thankful to be given the opportunity to work alongside such a fine group of dedicated and committed people who love the Lord (and who love my sanity enough to not reject me when I first asked them to come on board).

It's gonna be great tomorrow, I know it.

I just know it.