Random Ramblings of a Reconditioned Reporter

Can't believe that Raffles t-shirt's actually eight years' old... 

posted by Al @ 1:02 am |

Long awaited photo from THAT night...

The expression said it all

posted by Al @ 1:41 am |

Prayer

Lord, I had an inefficient day at the office.
Empower me to buck up and make tomorrow count.

Can't believe the scenes I saw in Hotel Rwanda - it pains me just to imagine what reality was like.
Help me to have more love for people around me.

Most importantly, be with me and guide me in Your ways.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

posted by Al @ 3:31 am |

Manila

The best thing about Manila is this - everyone speaks English.
That's a rare trait in the region.

However, throw in the traffic jams and rubber time, and it might be a peaceful, though not necessarily smooth trip.

But... I thank God there's no sign of political instability.

'That's only in the news', the hotel driver said as he met me at the airport when I asked him about the political situation in Manila.
Rather, it's the traffic jams that threaten to unsettle any travel plans rather than military revolutionaries.

Accomplished a lot with regards to the SEA Games... met a few interesting characters which I can't really blog about. *read sensitive*
And of course got to know some of the bowlers better. Though it was weird initially, cos I was the only reporter there. But at least our coverage of the tournament was a full day ahead of the OFFICIAL newspaper - the Manila Bulletin - what a joke?!

For now, it's home sweet home... to await the arrival of Beckham, Blair, Besson, Raul et al for the IOC meeting in July.
*fingers crossed for Sharapova to make a last min appearance*

posted by Al @ 1:09 am |

YEAH!!!

PROMOTION DISCOUNT OF 20% FOR YAKINIKU (BBQ) BUFFET LUNCH & DINNER

posted by Al @ 2:48 pm |

Cell... at last

It's been well too long, but my church cell grp - Judah - finally met today.

Been a little *ahem* lazy to get things going, but after the prophetic word at the Camp, I knew I had to cast all sloth aside and just do it!

Thought it went well - all 7 of us came (Jerry if u're reading this, yes we're still waiting for u...) and we had our fair share of light-hearted moments and deep theological discussions.

Not forgetting a fantastic time of prayer too!

And we came up with a list of makan places to visit by the end of the year.
1. Jon's ECP MacDonalds drive thru
2. Lynn's Chinatown chay kway teow place - the one next to CK (not Calvin Klein)
3. Wenshan's Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao
4. Miriam's Turf City seafood - the long one in the middle with the garlic lobster
5. Mel's Geylang duck rice
6. Mich's Jumbo seafood at ECP
7. Al's Shima

yummy...
Now to literally work my butt off so I can afford (in more ways than one) to eat all these.

posted by Al @ 9:56 pm |

Camp reflections

Being in the camp after a three year absence is fantastic! And it was more rewarding serving in the committee.

No doubt, this hotel was crap in terms of rooms and recreational facilities, but everything else was superb, esp the company!

I must admit, it felt weird initially with all the newcomers/non-Christians in our midst, and with the less than ideal start to the camp - bus arrived late, missed the turning into the hotel, rooms that couldn't be unlocked and missing fridges, towels, not to forget being roach infested.

Watching movies with Ben in Residence 1 aka Room 802 with my laptop and the projector was a highlight, as were Chris Long's workshops plus that amazing message. His football theology rocks!

And who can forget the durian feast just before we boarded the coach?!

Or The AmazinG race. Which turned out to be the most fun and most stressful bit of the camp for me.

Was volunteered by my grp to take part in the beauty pageant, and I had to be dressed as Mr Sporty, and do the catwalk. Thank God I was so starved of sleep, and was 'inspired' by crazy Ben Stiller in Zoolander that I whipped out my whacky self, which ppl in church hardly get to see. It was super embarassing, and I didn't expect to win cos Sporty is no where near being a biblical term or a fruit of the Spirit.

Yes... did I forget to mention that Geri's an excellent drawer, and Sis Elaine a lady with boundless energy and loads of talents (which include designing pageant sashes, and juggling taking part in the race plus attending to her 2 yr old kid that needed to poop).

Received a timely prophetic word on the last night as well.

Now to burn off the excess flab from all the fab food and to continue building the relationships that were kindled...

posted by Al @ 10:32 pm |

Presidential Idol?!

Hilarious- Check this out

posted by Al @ 10:06 pm |

KL

Sitting at Starbucks sipping my Mango frap and chilling out as I wait for the campers to arrive, I'm recovering well from the stresses of work.

Was expecting some calls from office yesterday, cos I had a couple of articles out today. Thank God they turned out good.

It was no fun waking up at 6am to catch the coach though. It's worse when I had to miss the last 2 sets of the classic Nadal-Federer French Open semi-final.

Nothing much has changed in KL since I was last here in Feb. Weather's hot, and the streets dusty. But the locals here seem a lot relaxed than we are back home.

Sampled quite a bit of local cuisine around the hotel (what to do, when u're in charge of F&B, you just gotta eat and eat... =) haha).

So much for keeping fit.

posted by Al @ 3:15 pm |

A familar feeling...

It sucks when you have to get up on the first day of your leave, and work!

Can't they just leave me in peace?!
What's the use of off days and leave if they can't be enjoyed?!

posted by Al @ 11:15 am |