Take a long time to upload pictures! faint!!! =p

Finally can rest after settling at Ninja Tokyo Hostel! Just exploring outside the hostel.
Asakusa area! all the souvenirs!
Bought a cute bowl here!
Caught a Sumo to take pic with me! Ai yo... scary....=p
So many arcades for japanese to vent their frustrations here.

My heavy heavy lugguge! Shouldn't have bring so many things to Japan!
Bullet train Nozomi behind me!
This is the bed that I slept on at Ninja Hostel.... Domitary style! haa... nice experience if I didnt need to carry the heavy lugguge!
A look at the corridor inside the room leading to my bed behind.
This is the living room at Ninja hostel. Actually out of 10, I will only give 6-7 for my experience here. Still prefer K's house! At Mt. Fuji and Tokyo. =)

different Hello Kitty hat! =)
Yellow cab !
Spiderman! wrong hand!
Peterpan... no show that day!
Hollywood dream........... scream my heart out! Fun! legs shaking before & after the ride!

Japan adventures part 2

Snoopy world at Universal Studio!
Very fantasy world!
Jurassic Park! The ride!
Standard merry go round!
The pink cafe! Pink panther! =)
Cute shop logos are common along Shinshabashi streets osaka!Love this street!
After Dinner by District manager Daisy Wee, she spent $10,000 yen ($130) for each person here. Generous boss!
We make it! AIA 12th Mini convention! =)Davy Goh is my manager standing behind me. Boss Daisy and funny uncle Jimmy.
At the dinner!

Day 3: Universal Studio adventures!

AIA is great to have given us 3 options to choose for our tour. Kyoto day trip, Kobe beef trip or Universal Studio! Don't have to think much, I have chosen option 3 and never never regret my decision!

AIA provided a return train ticket to Universal Studio, the entrance ticket and meal coupons of $3000 yen! Wow, how generous are they! =)

Had a great time there but ended up with a sore sore feet.. nearly fainted from walking too much! Had the most wonderful and exciting rollar coaster ride! It's called "the hollywood dream". =) Fun indeed!

Caught 2 toys at Osaka Shinshabashi!!! Minnie and pooh!! thanks to the sales assistant who helped me! Spent less than $10, abt $6 for each toy. =)

Eat very nice Ramen!!! So nice!!! Thanks to S for the treat! =)

5th sep is the day I travelled to Tokyo from Osaka by the Nozomi bullet train! Fastest train in Japan! Took about 2.30 hours to reached Tokyo.

First lesson to learn: Never bring alot of things when you travel! Keep your luggage as light as possible! Ha.... I didnt know why I brought dozens of clothes, shoes, jackets and skincare in my big luggage till my dad is wondering if Im going to be away for a year! haaaaa..... and my brother told me that I should be bringing things back from Japan and not bringing so many things to Japan! haaa...... In the end, I have to pull my heavy luggage from the station to my hostel in Tokyo!!! Its torturing!!!! and thanks to 2 Japanese I saw at the station who helped me to carry my luggage up the long stairs... Really sorry to see them "suffering" too.

Finally at Ninja Tokyo Hostel! But 2 poor ladies (The receptionists) have to help me carry my luggage up 5 levels. Oh, ke lian!!! I was supposed to stay with Kassey and wife at their apartment in yohohama but because of Jac, I stayed with her in a hostel instead. It's a domitary style bed that we have chosen 'cos it's cheaper. But I ended up in bruises... haaa....

Had the most dramatic event the next day. To be continued....

September - continues....

With Laura, just arrived at Japan! 7am
My plane food (Japan airlines)
After changing into something comfortable, at our hotel, New Otani Hotel Japan
Hello Kitty shop at Osaka, shinsaibashi!

This week has been a good time catching up with long time no see friends. Met up with Huishan on Monday at her place for some catch up. Shandy came on Tuesday and had a good time catching up with my Japan adventures. On Wed, met up with long time no see friend KC who came back from Korea and said that "The face shop" products are super cheap there! =) Yesterday met up with Li li. She is getting married on 11th Oct, coming soon and I will be her bridemaid! Haaa.... seems like all my good friends are getting married! Coming up, I will be attending at least 5 Weddings for the rest of this year!



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JAPAN ADVENTURES 1st Sep to 11th Sep



Having sat on Japan Airlines plane for the first time, I felt that Singapore airlines did a better job in term of facilities and food. Japan airlines not that fantasic afterall except that the Japanese Air stewardess is much more friendly and service oriented. Japanese service is always rated top.



Had an overnight flight and I did not manage to sleep soundly throughout the flight and was quite tired the next day! Arrived in Japan in the morning at 7am! And all is bright! The weather is hot! Hotter than Singapore I think. Nonetheless we proceed to a Spa resort and I had my first experience of what's a Japanese Onsen is like. Their Hot spring. Ha... but not experiencing it 'cos all the people (gals only) are required to bare it all in order to go down the pool of hotspring water. I just requested to take a look inside and had a feel. I decided to only do it when nobody is around or when there are only Japanese strangers, definitely not friends. So pai sey! =p



Went to Shinsaibashi Osaka the first night. It s the best place for shopping! Especially for skincare and comestics! Cheap and good! and all the shops are very interesting! Very nice outlets of shops. Tried their Mos Burger, nice place and tender chicken! Coffee comes with pain water too!



2nd day is the convention plus Gala dinner! The food wasnt nice but everything else was okay! Oh, and I didnt have a chance to put on the yukata that I borrow from Sze. Sad! But its okay. There will always be a chance. =) anyway, i found one similar red yukata at a shopping mall at a 70% discount! $500 yen! That's abt $7. Very cheap. Normal price at $3000 yen!



i better put up some pictures before i continues next time..... ciao!!!

Preparing to go out for my mee at s11 AMK now! Going to Vision Rally at night! =)

September 2008 - exciting month

Back from amazing Japan last week. And this week started with lots of commotion over AIG & AIA news. What an exciting month for me! =)
I have so much to blog, but I have to wake up at 730am tmr! Cailing gal, if you
are reading this! I'm very sorry to miss calling you on your birthday yesterday! Was busy with doing customer service (handling customers calls) and chatting with a galfriend at home! So sorry! Will catch you soon to play okay!!! =)

I am actually not afraid at all with the recent AIG news. If you ask me, I really think that it's only through tough times that you know how tough a person/company is. Many people (Hundreds) queue to redeem AIA policies yesterday without knowing what is happening. Just hearing rumours from friends and some news from the net/papers. But AIA is doing just fine EVEN WITH THESE PEOPLE SURRENDING THEIR POLICIES. AIA is very strong indeed. See that? If this happens to another company, it may not be able to take the risk. But AIA has more & above sufficient capital and reserves to meet all obligations. I have great faith in such a great company.

By the way, according to the Business Times "AIA policies a different animal from Lehman's Minibonds" by GENEVIEVE Cua, it states that AIA could well be the most conservative of local insurers. What this means is that the life fund (when we pay our premium mthly or yearly, these money goes into the life fund. All insurance companies have a life fund) that AIA holds are invested in very conservative instruments unlike other local insurance companies that invest more aggressive in equities markets. This is important because this life fund determines the future payout of bonuses and claims. We can't afford to lose life fund money and AIA is the most prudent local insurance company to do that. (Check out MAS/LIA website if you are not convinced) Attached something to read on below. Full version at http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/specialfocus/story/0,4574,297222,00.html?

"On the issue of its stability and financial strength, AIA has more than enough capital to meet policy obligations. In an interview last October, AIA general manager Mark O'Dell told BT that its aim was to maintain a capital adequacy ratio above 200 per cent - 'which is well within the strongest band'. 'We're easily within the 230-240 per cent range,' he said then. The MAS's required minimum is well below that.
Of course, insurance funds are not shielded from market risk or loss. But AIA could well be the most conservative of local insurers. As at end-December last year, its participating fund was valued at $14.8 billion. Almost three-quarters of that is invested in fixed income securities. Only 10 per cent is in Singapore equities and 4 per cent in mutual funds and foreign equities.
As for policyholders who have put money into investment-linked AIA products (ILPs), there is even less of an issue in terms of the vulnerability of their assets to AIG Inc's problems. ILPs are effectively unit trusts where investors own the units and bear the market risk.
Of course, the asset values of those funds will reflect the mauling that global markets are currently enduring. But panicking and redeeming units at this time will only exacerbate the falls in the funds' asset values.
Insurance - particularly policies with substantial sums in protection value - is a long-term commitment where the decision to terminate should not be made lightly. This is because an individual in poor health may not be able to secure protection elsewhere.
What's more, the contracts are structured with long breakeven periods. So, early termination is usually done at a heavy loss.
AIA's policyholders should sit tight. This crisis is painful, but it will pass."

Enough of AIA reassurance.

Tough times don't last. Tough people (AIA) do!

Shall return with my Japan trip adventures!!! God bless! Praise the Lord!!! =)

Leaving for Japan 1st to 11th Sep 2008

I'm having mixed feeling.
Oh Lord, Help me.

I have been really elated lately because of my trip to Japan soon.
Thank God for His grace and miracle that I am able to make it there.
Thank God for helping me through it all.
Thank God for giving me a chance to leave Singapore for a while.
Thank you Jesus that I can have a break, a time to recuperate and recover.

A transition period is always so tough, yet it is filled with new anticipation for a new adventure in my life. I have decided to serve in Chinese ministry! After giving it a thought for the past one year, it's time I obey God and go.
A serenity and new joy came upon my heart for the things to come!
Worshipping God in Mandarin, dancing for Him and serving the elderlys and the young adults! God give me a new compassion for the elderlys. To be able to serve them and see them through the last stage of their lives warm my heart. Ya, what a privilege to be able to do that! Learning to pray in Mandarin will definately do me a lot of good in praying for my brother, dad and people around me. Praise GOD! What a joy came into my heart again!
We love because God first love us!
I finally understand why I can't feel joy for the past one year even though I know deeply I love Jesus so much. That is because I have not step into the place that He has called me into! Now, I feel so loved and in joy again!

This Japan trip, I wish and pray that God will instill lots of His love into my heart, refreshes me with his mercy and grace daily, empower me with his wisdom and power to pray and serve, heal me of all my struggles, brokenness and disappointments.. Let me sing and praise You without limits and without holding back.

Looking back at my last convention pictures Sydney brings back fond memories and sadness... Those happy pictures we took together with the orchids flowers bring tear to my eyes. How I wish we are like what we used to be. Receiving a week of love letters from you knowing that you always miss me whenever I am away...

I actually wanted to leave for as long as possible.... to travel and hopefully to stay and work in other countries as I travel. But I know I can't. I can only pray for God to work miracles in my heart now.

Yup, still looking forward to a wonderful new adventure at Japan! May God bless me with a delightful wonderful fabulous experious and bless you all who are reading my blog now.

God's love endureth forever! Amen!

peaceful July 2008

Peace is not when things are smooth and when there are no trials or tribulations or trouble. Peace is when you can search deep into your heart to a place of sufficient grace, bountiful love and the serenity of peace when things fail and when things don't go our ways.

Today is the last day of July and I just felt that alot of things had happened in this month. However, the most beautiful thing will be this; spending quality time with God and time praying and worshipping with friends in the presence of God. A deep sense of God's love overwhelm me this month and I just felt so much in love with God again and again.

Thank God for the chance to go to City Harvest twice this month, to hear Pastor Kong Hee preached again is really refreshing! 3 nights spent at Faith Methodist Church from 21st to 23rd July for the 2 years once Christian Counselling Conference! Meeting Dr. Siang Yang Tan and Dr. Wei-Jen Huang and hearing from them was really really great. Dr. Tan told us a love letter from God to us and Dr. Huang told us some really interesting facts and stories. Both of them psychiatrists are really some godly men who are making a great difference in the marketplace. As I mentioned before, Dr. Tan has the noblest face I ever seen while I must say, Dr. Huang (First time seeing him) is the most humble man I ever seen. Dr. Tan is from Singapore but residing in U.S now while Dr. Huang is from Taiwan and residing in U.S too. Dr. Huang came on stage and just thank God for the chance to minister to us, confessing that he is actually not smart but how very bless he is to be used by God now. I am amazed by his humbleness and the way he talked and know deeply in my heart that God always uses the humble hearts. Guess what, I was elated when Stream of Praise came to Singapore too and Jac and I had a really really great time dancing and worshipping for Jesus.

No wonder I felt so in love with God, so many exciting events and words of God just happened this month! I had spent some quality time praying and crying before the Lord too. Went to Jac place and she really is very nice to me. Cooked 3 dishes and ba ku tea soup for me despite her tiredness. Then as usual, I will asked to listen to Stream of Praise songs and as I listened to one song, "abba father", I cried and cried and cried. God is doing some amazing work in my life, changing me bit by bit. Praise God for his love, visions, peace and presence. I pray that I will not be lazy and will spend time with Him daily. Only then, life can be so fruitful and purposeful. Had some good time praying with Hannah, Huili, Laura, Fayth, June and my cell members this month too. Thank God for the chance to pray with Brandon on the 27th July. =)

Of course, not all things will be smooth in life. I failed my driving test again. Yes. Again. What? Shirley! Auto car you know! Yup, I know. That is why I was quite desvastated this time round to fail my driving test for the 2nd time. I even cried infront of the tester when he went to print out my driving test result. I couldnt believe it. Another round of learning and paying for the expensive driving test. For the rest of that day, I was in a bad bad mood. Getting easily frustrated with people around. I even said "I dont want to learn driving again!" to myself. Thank God, I regain my sanity that very night and got back myself the next day. I searched deep into God's love and peace again and thank God for the lesson to learn. Failures, this is how it feel like, Shirley. I believe God is using this experience to teach me to empathise more deeply with people who fail in exams or anything. Thank you Jesus. Now, I can say and really know the pain.

Just watched 2 movies with Brandon today. "Money not enough 2" is rated 1.1/2 stars over 5 by some review. But personally Brandon and myself give it a 4 stars. Why? Even though its not very very funny and unpredictable. It sent out some very relevant lessons for Singaporeans; The poorest man in not the one without a penny in the pocket but the one with no loved ones around to spend money with; Treasure and love your wife who is there for you through thicks and thins; Be content with what you have; Love and cherish your family especially your mom when they are still around. It did bring some sadness to me when I saw one scene that reminded me that mom is not with me now. Cherish when you still can.

I'm reading "Full service" by Dr. Tan Siang Yang now..... another great lessons to learn.... thank you Jesus. Praise you Lord.