I don’t even know where Capella at Sentosa is. I was told it is a 6-star hotel. Seeing is believing. Their toilet rolls are embossed with their logo and name. *gasp* I just had to take a picture. Amazing discovery.

Capella is designed like a spa retreat housed in a colonial building. Lush greenery, modern paintings, quiet waters await you as you enter into the hotel. Not only the waters was quiet, the whole place was so quiet, giving that tranquil, spa-like feel. Bliss. I am getting old. I am very sensitive to cacophonies.

Cassia and her上海滩 look. Simple yet having that elegant grandeur. Wow, are they charging one hand one leg for their dim sum?

Thankfully not really. Their amuse bouche to cleanse your palate. Prawn with blueberry and mango puree. I did not know blackberry can go with prawns. Interesting combination. Light and refreshing with the succulent freshness of the prawn together with the fruity combination.

This is pumpkin with mushroom plus some-other-veggies dumpling. I like it. Mushy, chewy, and sweet with that tinge of savory.

Ahhhh…kurobuta char siew bao (pork buns) I am not sure whether was it really the kurotuba pork that made the difference; but it was so good! The charred marinade and the tender pork with the soft fluffy bun were perfect threesome. Inseparable best friends, me thinks.

Another BFF dish; panfried yam and pumpkin. Crispy exterior with soft interior, every bite was filled with unami goodness of yam and pumpkin so beautifully fried to a crisp. There was no nauseating feeling of oiliness, just feelings of wanting another plate.

This baked pastry was not very memorable, as it is I don’t even remember what was inside now.

We were treated to desserts by the manager who has excellent service attitude; not imposing and very honest. The kitchen was not in working order that day as something happened overnight and they were not able to use their kitchen but another kitchen further away. She apologized to us and though we did not demand anything, in the end, out of her initiative; she decided not to charge us for the desserts we ordered. I had this tapas thingy, sesame glutinous ball-mango sago pomelo-some herb jelly and the other dessert was poached pear. Delicate and nice ending to the meal. *applause*

We took a walk to Bob’s bar which was at another part of the hotel and looking at the landscape, honestly who does not want to stay here? So relaxing and beautiful. Of course it comes with a hefty price. More than 600 SGD a night. *gulp*

See the difference?

Brainy? Or is it too brainy that we may become stupid one day? It’s so idiot-proof. The irony of advanced technology.

When Max passed away, I was much affected by the news. As I had followed his news for more than a year, there was this special affinity to him even though we were strangers. He was so cute and had such a sunny disposition. After he passed away, his good friend Sam also lost the battle to neuroblastoma. I just cannot imagine how the parents of both kids felt, one moment they thought they have conquered the disease and the next moment, the disease just sneaked back and consumed their child. And the rapid fire of the power is nothing one can imagine.

And today I just saw in Charmaine’s blog that she also passed away because of neuroblastoma. She has fought so bravely and hard these 2 years 8 months, shuttling between NY and Singapore and in and out of hospital countless times….fiesty is really the word to describe her. I am amazed at her strength and resilience all these while, in fact her whole family, mum and brother also; fighting together with her and never giving up hope….I really feel for the mother; single parent, doing all this by herself and making decisions not knowing whether it helps or hurts and having to see her own kid suffer and tumors devilishly growing out from different parts of the body. Though I am not a mother myself and can only feel a glimpse of what she goes through, I really cannot take it. It’s too much..

And there are many more kids out there who are suffering from this disease. I just pray that some doctors, scientists, researchers whoever will find a way to find a cure and bring relief to these children.

I have encountered a series of deaths recently and I am reminded again every day, every breath we take is a miracle and a grace from God. “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14

I can identify with Moses’ fear and uncertainty to travel to an unknown land. I felt the same way recently as I was about to chart a direction for my department next year. I am not a visionary, nor a big picture person, neither am I a risk taker. And to do something that is totally not who I am made to be makes me rather insecure. I don’t want to bring my team through a maze of uncertainties and follow blindly a course that leads to nowhere.

But the comfort of God’s words that day strengthens me. I feel like He is personally encouraging me; that as I continue to seek Him, He will see me to the end because He is with me.

Thanks dad. I am going to claim your promise to me as I look to the year ahead of me.

And now I am a convert. I loved the concert. It was simple and unpretentious. There were no glitter and glamor; unless one considered her outlandish costumes, disco ball or even light effects as part of the glitz. There was also no big symphonies to complement her vocals. I like the way 崇庆, the radio DJ in Yes933 puts it: all of us are here to 听演唱会，不是看演唱会. Because the MBS theater is small unlike indoor stadium, one has this sense of coziness; the only thing that is important thus is not the grandeur anymore but to allow her voice to stand out in the songs she presented.

And I can really feel her passion. 舞台与她是融为一体的. She was so at ease on stage and talked to us like one of her friends. I enjoyed her humor, her impressive bilingual skills (LKY would be proud of her) and her strong vocals. Truly a joy to see someone so passionate about something they love.

She shared with us the reason behind the title of the concert which is not directly translated. The English version “The Music Room” stems from the lessons she enjoyed most as a child and the Chinese version talks about how the music teacher who would always asked them to pretend to be some character which was where she found her love for stage performances.

The concert ignited in me that day my love for music and stage performances once again. I have always wanted to learn music and be part of the theater arts. I did choose performing arts to be part of my course in Uni but due to conflicting religious views with the lecturer, I decided to forgo the course. I wondered how my life would have been different if I sought to pursue a career in this area. Till now, the music and the arts scene still fascinate and excite me; it stimulates my creativity and expands my imagination. I do remember times when I was performing previously; either telling stories when a child or acting when a student or writing scripts as an adult; I feel that sense of achievement and joy to be part of that stage life.

I do wonder: is that a passion to be pursued, a hobby to be explored or just that other side of me that God has created in me; much like my interest in cooking, photography etc?

Leaves much 空间to 想像, me thinks.

The other 2 deaths were 2 Christian women that I know who have left an indelible mark in my heart; and it meant much more to me than just mourning over their deaths like Steve Jobs. As much as I am very saddened by their deaths, I am also glad these 2 godly Christian women are now with the Lord where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” Revelations 21:4. One battled with cancer, one passed on after her morning prayers with the Lord.

The cancer-stricken lady was the wife of my sunday school teacher-turned-good friend Henry. He wrote a very beautiful eulogy in her blog about her life. Though I did not have much interaction with liz when she was alive; I was very much ministered and moved by the sharings and slideshow during her funeral service. By the way it was called a homecoming service which gave death a different perspective and changed the way I view death too. Indeed it is going back home to the Lord. The tenacity of Liz, her resilience and strength, her positive spirit and her gift of faith in the Lord are just one of the many testaments of how death had lost its sting in her life, she has emerged victorious by living her life to the fullest and never once allowed the disease to consume her love for life. As we sang one of her favorite songs ‘Jesus I give you my life’, the lyrics meant so much to me now ~ “My soul contemplates Your glory, I worship in holy awe, In quietness and in confident trust, I rest in all that You are, I’ll sing to the world Your glory and grace, Until I behold Your face”. Isn’t this what the Lord taught me many years ago and I was determined it to be my lifelong mission? “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24. Obviously the wearies and distractions of the world have clouded my sight and I was so glad the Lord reminded me what my life should be there and then; in the funeral service, in the celebration and remembrance of another’s life and in the lyrics once again.

The other lady was our honorary steward in our church. She had no illness except some difficulties in walking. She always looked forward to see the Lord one day and her desire was to go back to the Lord while praying. In spite of her old age, Auntie Nancy never once spent a moment lesser with the Lord. She would spend time with the Lord daily and wrote down her thoughts and prayers and she would pray for all the leaders in the church, by name; and everyday on her knees. She never feared death and prepared herself 7 years ago. Her infectious joy and love for the Lord, her beautiful heart for people masked away the physical ugliness that will always come with old age. I only see beauty in her and nothing else.

Liz’s friend, in his eulogy said that Liz had taken an early flight home. We will see her one day in the final destination, where our home is. I also look forward to the day to meet my Father when I reach home. I know He will be waiting for me in joy. My earthly dad showed me a glimpse of that kind of love when he waited for me to come home from KL. It was past his bedtime and when he saw me come back, though he did not say anything, I could feel the sense of peace within him as he walked back into his room. I was deeply touched with his loving gesture as he is a man of very few words and expressions. If my physical dad is able to do that, I believe my heavenly dad who created me in His being will be able to do even more so and much more.

See you, Liz and Aunty Nancy, back home one day.