Open-up-the-flood-gates-of-HEAVEN!

2011-02-08T23:31:00.002+08:00

i really want to thank God for where i am today, the vocation in the army. I'm starting to realise how great it is to have the skill of troubleshooting vehicles, repairing and servicing. yesterday was learning about bikes and it's very interesting! i'm starting to love it! love to fix and importantly loving to ride. My bike licence in on the way hoping to get it before mid year and buying a bike will be take into consideration...

a second hand bike can cost at least 2k, a second hand car cost at least 40k.. huge difference!
for a bike full tank is only like $10 and it can run for almost a week depending on how you ride, for a car full tank cost like $90!!! and also can run for a week..
but when safety is concern i think it really depends on the rider or driver.. people can drive crash and die, bike is also the same but the death risk of bike is way higher.. so... i think i will take bike.. not that i want to risk my life but it's cheap and less hassle.

2011-01-27T21:52:00.004+08:00

hmmm......

there are so many things that i want to say, but i don't know where to start.

camp:

I think the new year sucks for me.. not just new year but also chinese new year. Why?.. because of guard duty. This whole thing is really making me sick of being a Singaporean.. i'm doing because not that i love this country, i'm doing it because i've got no choice, no say, and also because i must listen to your rank(which is not leadership at all) i really want to leave so bad and just fly away from here.

After 5pm:

life after 5pm is also not really good, friends are killing each other. Makes me think of closing myself up.. seriously who can i turn to when everyone is just fighting and not solving it properly. things that pop out from my head are finding new people to mix around with. who can i trust... and many more.

church:

I need leaders! I need people who are willing to step out from the comfort zone and just move forward!.. GOD IF I FAIL, I FAIL WITH YOU. please send me people who are strong and willing to go all out for you.

Home:

not everything is going smooth... i start to wonder why mom haven't call to remind me to call her.. i know i should call.. but what do i say to mom?... i havent stay with her for the past 11 years.. it's tiring to keep trying to stay connected... i'm just a mere man... i hope you understand.. you should know the choices you made 11 years ago will affect today, i'm sorry mom... but it's fustrating to be a middle man.

2011-01-11T22:11:00.002+08:00

i'm not sure what to blog about right now, but there are always many things on my mind. right now the feeling of getting out of army is very strong. if i had a chance to just get out i would do it.

GOD!!!! help me to pull through!!

2011-01-06T23:09:00.002+08:00

the stress for the new year is gone, but now another piss off thing in the army again, nothing will ever change will it?.. now 8 of us got to sign for extra duty which is not our fault at all! is either the 8 of us are blur idiots or they don't dare to admit mistakes they made. bollocks to the army!. no wonder everybody wants out of the army. poor management and communication! the truth is if your parents go to any camp on a normal day, they will question why am i paying tax for this? really pissed off! got to get out of here as soon as 1 more year pass and never turining back, unless god wants me to.

2010-12-22T01:37:00.002+08:00

this is what the Lord had spoken to me

ARK OF COVENANT

the ark represents God's glory, his foothold on the law, his presence, his mercy seat, his throne.

without the ark, all hope is lost for Israel... the battles they fought will be lost.

but today context some battle are still lost. because we as high priest are not carrying the ark into the battlefield. We are not clean and God won't let us carry it.. in the past those who are not priest will die if they touch or look at the ark. If a priest is not clean he can't carry the ark!. so are we clean today? have we really repent? have we ask for forgiveness?

2010-12-16T16:44:00.002+08:00

clearing leave this month.

I have a warrent officer in my unit that loves to apply leave and still comes back to work!
what's wrong with him? he might as well make the camp his home or something.
and from what i heard from the old birds was he love to take other units gurad duty and give it to us! this is way too stupid.. everyone in there hates him and i can fully understand why although he is nice.

2010-12-02T20:49:00.002+08:00

And so another christmas story.

the year is ending again, it's so fast! i can still remember what i did last year end.
i've already invited some of my army friends and one of them said ok, 2 other were not sure as they may have plans so God you need to do your work. i've tried my best.

recently i'm addicted to sermon podcast and i'm listening at least 2 times a day i and still got many more sermons to go, i just kept downloading and i realise that i got 84 sermons to go!! i think i've covered 10 still got 74 more, but it's a good thing to get addicted to the word of God!

2010-11-28T23:28:00.002+08:00

3 amazing things happened today and yesterday

the first thing was about meeting up with my Lifegroup and edison's lifegroup. We meet up on thursday to discuss about what to speak to our group and we planned and planned so we thought everything will be ok, but when the day came which was yesterday edison told me "Bro what we planned was not ok to speak to the people, i don't sense it right." so i prayed and ask God to use me to speak to his people. And seconds later the spirit stir in my heart and the reyma word came and i just spoke what i learned and what the holy spirit wants me to speak!, the best part was all of them responded according to what the message was spoken!! PRAISE GOD!!!

And the other thing was about going to old folks home to entertain them. i went to different homes before to help out but that was in secondary school. So i went to the old folks home on saturday morning and amazingly i was enjoying myself! even though i did not help much but to see the old people smile and being happy was good enough for me.

the last thing was this morning. NO ONE WILL EVER BELIEVE ME IN WHAT I DID.......
I went to HOPE KINDERS!!!! i know i really dislike kids who are noisy and just cry over some things but kids are kids the only problems are the parents. How they treat the kid or nurture the kid is what you get in the future. So i went there in the morning and strange thing was i woke up excitingly, looking forward to explore this "fear factor" in my life or just really dislike them and i had a positive experience today. and i praise God for that, if you read my other entries long time ago you will read about how God spoke to me reguarding about kids, and i just didn't know how or where to start at that time and now i'm given the opportunity to do that. it's just exciting! but i'm still exploring this ministry and want to see what god has installed for me.

I realise why God called me Isaiah. Because everytime in stiuitions when i know i can help, i ask God to let me "here i am send me" Isaiah 6:8

2010-11-21T22:46:00.002+08:00

SO now Leanne and Kevin is married - congrats!

Doing all that driving is really tiring! At the end of the whole day after the dinner thank God i didn't send anyone home if not i might get into a car crash... my mind was shutting off but my eyes were open the next thing i knew was that my heart skip a bit to wake me up... amazing isn't it how our body works.. it's like the emergency button. But it happened a number of times on my way home, the worst was one time sending Jia shen home, my mind really shut, but eyes and ears were listening and hearing and thank God Jia shen talk to me if not we are dead!!, my mind shut off for 1 second enough to crash..

2010-11-16T16:41:00.002+08:00

Joy ride in a medic rover

ok it's not exactly a joy ride and it's not about me, it's my buddy. He went to see the medical officer today because our instructor won't let him go to the polyclinic in the morning so he got to come back to camp, he went to consult about chest pain and difficulty in breathing, so after he told the medical officer they sent him toYishun hospital A&E. I never expected that to happen at all, haha but he's alright no trauma. So now i get the half day off, oh YEAH!

Oh dear readers, just in case you didn't know i've change my MSN, this is my new email add: isaiah-joel@hotmail.com

2010-11-11T21:15:00.002+08:00

it's just 3 more weeks to endure in this camp.. so many things in s** makes no sense at all, no motivation at all.. my BMT days are still better.. love those days.. well GOD you got to help me aline my heart attitude again.

2010-10-27T20:31:00.002+08:00

i think FB is causing me to blog less haha.. i do all that tweet and forget about blogging esp in the comfort of my blackberry lol...

2010-10-11T21:13:00.002+08:00

another entry

well.. things are going well right now, just ended my 1 week off, now i'm in a new camp but still on course.. about to break into a new lg.. new challenges awaits for me.. but right now i want more of God in my life.. i'm still in need of him.. i still am weak to go through challenges although many times i look strong..

break down the walls of the harden hearts.

2010-09-01T21:51:00.002+08:00

it's been a while since i last blogged.. i don't really have an excuse, it's either i'm lazy at times or just busy with recent YOG and some other things... so my dad agreed with me to go overseas and work.. i really thank God for it that he supports me!.. but at the same time i know in his heart that he is also worried for my safety and all that, i can feel it. But whatever comes my way i really see that God is opeing doors for me and i know and i know that i know that being a Chef is what God called me to be.. In the FnB line God is not there but i hope to change it all to show people where God is.

2010-07-25T23:11:00.002+08:00

here's the plan right now... Chef for hire anyone?

i'm getting more and more intense in cooking good and quality food! For now i do BBQ so
here's the deal you hire me and i'll do some food that's not in the bbq wholesale shit!
Things that are good and also guarantee fresh, i don't do frozen shit.. that'a a promise
but there is a price to pay how much are you willing to spend? if you are willing to spend i can come up with better stuff. starting would be $800 to $1.5k for now. (subject to availability)

seriously i'm wondering how many people would actually respond to hire me?..
and i want to sell my skills for experience, not so much about the money but more on the food and making sure people like it.
i want army to end fast so that i can hop back to the kitchen and work and get out of here within 6 months to 1year after my ORD.. first stop crossing to the english channel-England- Fat duck.

2010-07-11T23:24:00.002+08:00

there is a little secret that i'm gonna share.. and i don't know what is the first thing that comes to your mind after i say that.. but whatever you are thinking maybe right or wrong.. but i think none will know this.

I have come to realise my heart has now soften for little kids.. yes kids... i'm just amaze that the tiny hand could actually grow after years.. yes i know it's a "DUH!" but it's God's creation that amazes me the most when we were little kids forming in our mother's womb.. came into this world growing and discovering things around us... when i just put the toddlers or baby palm against mine i'm just wow by it.. just amazing... and i would prefer a quiet kid not a noisy one if not i would go berserk.. looks like god needs to teach me about noisy ones

one day at a time to be more human..lol

2010-06-27T01:33:00.002+08:00

so from Monday onwards it's 5 days left..

where will i head to? what will i do next?..
it's full of mysteries...
only God knows my path and he will make it straight

I can't wait to get back into the working world.. it's just full of surprises even though it's tough, routine all over again, but it's just nice.. i miss the kitchen badly! so many things to learn so many things that i want to achieve.. i really want the 2 years to past fast although i will be like 23 going 24.. it's just amazing.. words can't describe it now.

2010-05-30T18:13:00.002+08:00

1 more month to POP!

day 3 of my field camp, i cried not because it was tough but because of a letter that my mom wrote to me.. it was a heart warming moment where God really just showed me how much my mom really care and love me... i can't really describe it properly but it's one of those moments where God is restoring my relationship with my mom. put the past behind and head forward.

I think God is teaching me about his timing.. everything around me seems to be happening upon his time.. God is moving!

2010-05-23T16:31:00.002+08:00

Shrek 4 is an interesting cartoon.

watched it last night at the cinema, there is something to learn from it and it's in the bible as well Genesis 25: 29 to 34.. to me it's base on the story of esau giving up his birthright for some stew.
but in shrek, he had everything he wanted.. but was also hungry to go back to live the way he was in the past.. and so he did went back.. he sold his rights to be a dad, a husband, a best friend just to feed his satisfaction of living in the past for one day.. soon he realise he was tricked and wanted everything back to normal. it is a happy ending for this fairy tale.

my field camp is just tomorrow, and after this week it means that no more high key activity! back to running and stuff. so anyway i went to navy open house a few hours ago, it's hot and the diving unit displayed a rescue operation on real time.. it's good to see, but at the same time i was inquiring about cooks in the army.. only the navy has it and i've got to sign on in order to be there, i asked the army and they say they never heard of it.. and strange thing was i saw it in the army magazine last month!.. things are a little dark for me now as i can't see where i'm heading to in the army.. it's really testing me to put my trust in the Lord of which unti i will go after july.. i don't want to lose this skill, but i want to sharpen it during my army days..

psalm 121:8

2010-05-09T17:45:00.002+08:00

I MISS FOOD!

i really really miss the days of cooking, trying weird things that came out of my mind... and i miss beef so so much... i want to get back into the kitchen!.. and after a long long time of finding good food, P.S cafe at Dempsey was recommended by one of my friend but to me... IT'S RUBBISH!! their food is too much for me to take, i ordered a salad for a starter and it came in the size of a main course!!! i want good food.. really.. i can't really take the shit from the army cookhouse anymore.

right now i'm just counting down my days to pop 1 month and 3 weeks to go.. i really pray that God would put me into a place where i can cook.. i don't care if i have to go overseas.. i need the kitchen back.. it's like part of my life is gone.

2010-05-02T19:09:00.002+08:00

2 more months to pop!

And God is still ALIVE!

remember the day when you are being water baptise? one of the question was "would you die for the gospel?"
now imagine this with me

someone is holding a knife at your throat and asking you to renounce your faith. What's your answer?

it's easy to say no right now, but what if the time really comes. Are you still able to say no? will you stand firm in your faith? and by the grace of God to see you through.

For me it's difficult to answer but when that time really comes i will know my answer. But it's a NO right now.

many Christians in china and around the world are being persecuted everyday, we must thank God for where we are right now and never take it for granted.

2010-04-25T16:31:00.002+08:00

today i finally had the chance to stay at home, just to be alone with God. It was fulfilling to hit the gym pushing myself to the limit over and over again and knowing that God is encouraging me with every step i jog, the painful part is always the start where pain will just kick in and force you to give up, but once you have a breakthrough from the pain you will be free as a Bird.

Romans 8: 37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

As long as we fight on with the pain or with anything that is stopping us God will see us through and we will conquer mountains.

KEEP ON FIGHTING!!

2010-04-17T20:28:00.002+08:00

one thing that i can't stand is that our schedule is not flexible at all.. it was a total rush with no rest time today because we are booking out, it really pisses me off and to make matters worst for me was lunch at the cookhouse was a total failure!! can't stand the sight of the food, i need something GOOD! BUT something to thank God was that during the week of hard training, there was a day that was really hot and i mean real hot that i prayed for clouds to come, and god answered me "i will send clouds and rain" and moments later clouds came and i doubted the rain part but god proved me wrong, he meant what he said.

the other good thing was that i help one of my bunk mate with integrity, because we were suppose to log in into this web and our officer asked who did not log in, so my buddy and i did not own up until i told him we should and he hesitated a little and asked is it because of integrity? and i said yes, so he thanked me.. praise god again!

integrity is a very important character to hold on to, but many times we are tempted to let go of it.

2010-04-11T16:54:00.002+08:00

the word of God was spoken to me during service in Matthew 5: 13 -16

salt and light

You the the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it's saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and be trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.

be a walking bible in the camp!

2010-04-03T13:01:00.002+08:00

city of men

Went to watch city of men last night, if you had watched city of God, it is similar to it. It's showing about 2 best friends going through thick and thin together in Brazil where they grew up and about gangs, drugs, ect.. and most importantly one of them had a kid even before he turned 18.. i believe the whole show is talking about men mainly... if a boy had no father, no role model to follow, who knows what would that boy become. The important role of a father to his son is what i believe is lacking in this world today, not just a good father role model but also a prominent figure that people can look up and follow.. we need God to rise up people with values, with character to follow. may not be a national icon but among the group of friends that we hang out with.

to all men, please do your job rise up and become who God wants you to be.

2010-04-01T23:09:00.002+08:00

a sick week

this week i fell sick again.. after i recovered from the previous week... but i thank God that my bunk mate had some panadol for fever... so anyway i was not well for the start of the week.. like for 2 days.. really prayed and depend on God to work because the fever was on and off.. then i also had block nose till now.. i can't smell and taste.. maybe i should thank God for that.. don't have to taste the bad food in the cookhouse, don't have to smell the stinky mud when it's low tide..lol, but yeah this week was till alright.. other than we had a few problems in the toilet, found a bottle of powder and a underwear covered in shit!!.. terrible!!.. so the whole platoon got it from our commanders.. no one admited for the whole day till night when everyone was punished then someone admits to leaving his bottle in the toilet.. as for the underwear.. it's a mystery

2010-03-21T13:31:00.003+08:00

3 weeks have passed and i'm still in tekkong!... i won't say i love it, but i would say i enjoy myself in there. I think it's because of the trainning, it made me more active again in exercise since my sec sch days(yes i was active during that time) and maybe also the discipline level. i really thank God that my bunk mates are mature people and not some childish kid, but there are many in the company that are really idiots that just don't understand. so now i'm sowing to my bunk mates indirectly first showing the character of christ and then slowly sharing the Good news to them... that was what God told me before i entered the army. SOW is a process that cannot be rushed, we plant the seeds and water it, and God made it grow till it is ready for harvest.

missed my dear friends out there, i remember you in my prayers. and don't forget to pray for me..lol

2010-02-25T00:14:00.003+08:00

back from Brisbane

it's a nice place to be in actually, the air is clean, the streets are clean and even the public toilets are very clean!... the people are nice too... a slow pace of life, sun's up by 6am, people start to flood the street, they close by 530pm.. i think they start work at 9.. man the working hours are short. So i would say it's better to live over there... as for the food.. i think it's slightly better than Sg... so anyway, we went to hope Brisbane on Sunday for service, and it's Good, they d0n't have a full band, they don't have a building, but they have a heart for Jesus...
we went in for the 1st service half way and near the ending of the sermon, the fire alarm rang, and everyone had to evacuate the building, they said that this had never happen before, it was an experience, so after that we went for their word for life, i went for leadership summit.. it talks about the general things about a leader, leading your own life, leading in your work place, etc... the first lesson was about a holy discontent, i read that book before, and it was a refreshment, you could just feel the heart of bill.. a question to ponder is what is the one thing you can't stand, what is the one thing that break your heart, because if that thing breaks your heart, it must have break God's heart too... what is that Popeye moment "I can't stand, i can't stands no more"... moses Popeye moment was seeing his own people getting beat up by Egyptians and God stop him at the burning bush. Nehemiah moment was seeing Jerusalem's wall broken and people mocking God.
so what is your popeye moment?

2010-02-15T00:26:00.002+08:00

it's that time of the year again-- CNY!
what's new?--- nothing, nothing new at all.. it's a routine once again eating all that heavy food that will make me gain some weight, but thank God I'm controlling all those stuff.

It's sad to see my dad again not visiting with us. His sister and mom ask my brother and I where is he?, what is he doing?... and i really don't know how to answer that.. I believe that everyone knew what happened in the past, but no one simply bother to tell me exactly what happened and why.. really getting sick of this.. every year he would just be alone during this time.. and it sucks to see it happening... it's always bits and pieces that i need to think and assume what happened... sometimes i think and believe that it's because of the divorce, because of a bad mother in law... then another lover comes by and there a broken family.. and so not staying with my mom for like 11 years.. i can feel that each year the relationship is just getting thinner and thinner.. i don't share as much as how i would in the past.. it seems like she is just going to be another person... sometimes i think to myself, why should i care about my family and relatives, when the victims are my brother and I.. and sometimes i wonder do i actually love them?.. even my bro and dad.

the heart is numb to all these emotions... it's just a scar for life..

2010-02-09T01:15:00.002+08:00

So being back in polydins service... what am i gonna do next?... impact lives, reach new grounds.. that is where faith comes into play
i'm starting to feel that i need more of it.. so much more..
Got to make an impact wherever i go-- a motto that i made yrs ago
the only thing that i look forward is the end of the next 2 yrs and the life after that.. so much more to experience, work and travel, first stop will be England in 2014 next maybe Spain then Germany.... 3 country in 5 yrs.. then back to sg and open a restaurant... by then will be around 31.. damn life is too short.. all these years will be a blink of an eye..

things to worry about:
1) will i be able to survive in Europe for 5 yrs? (able to understand the culture, language..?)
2)will i be able to reach out to Europe? (will they listen to me because i'm an Asian?)
3)will i be able to open my own restaurant? (money?.. chefs don't earn big bucks)
4)where can i find a life partner that can tolerate my nonsense? (work 16 to 18 hours a day, being picky about food)

i will find out in years to come..

it has come to the point of me losing appetite whenever i think of what to eat for lunch or dinner... Food sucks here!... it needs a big change! everyone needs to learn how to cook properly.. even some tom, dick and harry can just open a food stall and just sell what they like and earn some cash.. i think all should have a cert or something just to sell food.. to show that you know how to cook.. what is wrong with this country! i'm sick of it!.. you can say that i have high standards or whatever.. truth is the food really suck here... people need to learn how to eat right as well.. fast food is cheap but it will kill you.. or how about buying some food to bring home to cook that will cost more but is healthier?... why singaporeans can't cook?.. because of the lifestyle.. too fast, too busy.. only want it cheap... food is easily to get, just go down to some hawker or coffee shop and there you have it... but in Europe.. you will never get such luxury.. the people eats at home everyday... because it's too expensive to buy outside, and they don't have 24hr coffee shop... i feel so pissed off, disappointed...

2010-01-31T02:53:00.002+08:00

again gone from 53....

it's a little tough for me to say goodbye to the guys there.. really gonna miss them.. although there are times when i just feel like throwing everything away, that is the place where i started my career path.. in my CV i will never write that i come from a culinary school, never really learn anything there..
i think working outside you are able to see many different things like standards, how different people work, seeing true colours of a human.. get to see many bad side of life, not just in the kitchen but everywhere no matter what working environment you are in.. there is always something to see or learn and getting influence directly or indirectly... school is just a baby step to whatever door way..

now waiting to the next life stage for all males 18 and above -- NS--

2010-01-25T00:39:00.002+08:00

3 weeks have passed and now at the end of the month which is my final week at restaurant 53... i came a long way i guess since the days it open it's door at 2nd jan 2009... so the opening team that was left is me, lee(sous chef), Michael (boss) and Zach (restaurant manager)... i never imagined that i could last till the end.. half way of my attachment last year.. i remembered telling God this "if it's not your will or calling to be here, please get me out" but who knows that i just pushed till the end, slowly i saw where this place could get me to in the future.. and that is Europe and i think God has open the door for me to go there. i reconfirm with lee if he thinks that i could survive in europe, and he says that if i can survive in 53 europe is not a problem.. that was a great encouragement for me... at least i know where i stand..

2 testimonies that i want to share of what happened in the kitchen on saturday...

1) i was suppose to slice bread for one of the dish and slice more bread to serve as a mini sandwich with martinesz(same as jamon iberico ham) so the the total number that i need to slice was 90 slices of bread and the portion that i had left was like enough for 45 slices so i just prayed to God telling him that if he can do a miracle to portion 5 loaf and 2 fishes to feed 5000+ people i believe that he could do the same.. after that prayer i continue to slice and my faith seems to be drowning because the bread is getting smaller and smaller but because i was slicing it at an angle the bread became smaller but the slices are getting bigger so i started to praise God in my heart because i see that i can now do just enough portions that i needed.

2) i needed to do a paprika oil for the fish dish that we served for lunch so i had all the ingredients weigh out and i was doing it on the main stove so on that stove there was another box of salt that looked like the same amount that i had it weigh out, and i put the wrong box of salt in and i was screaming in my heart "GOD!!! SAVE ME!!!!" so i continued to cook it and after i tasted it i thank God becuase it was not salty at all!..
God saved me twice that day, and i can't stop but to thank him all the way, and there God was with me in the kitchen again...

2010-01-11T00:05:00.002+08:00

back to work

wed was the first day, many things have changed in the last 3 months, now i'm in the meat section, cooking and preparing them.. not an easy task, the meat is very expensive all the way from spain, now serving presa de iberico, it is a black pig that is raise in spain, presa is a cut that is near the shoulder, not much fat over there and very meaty it is good stuff, compare to kurobta a Japanese black pig as well, i would prefer iberico, the flavour is just so much better. so everyday i'm just sweating like mad.. rushing to do all the work from morning till night, and i'm at the grill so it gets even hotter when it's on at 300 degress.. thursday was a tiring day, because on wed night i only slept for 2 hours can't fall asleep at all then got to wake up at 615 really tired.. good thing is friday and saturday was better where i got use to it a little here and there.. much things to improve.. i would say work is more fulfilling than staying at home doing nothing..
hearing the curses and swearing in the kitchen just makes me smile a little, not that i like or want to use it but it just reminds me of the good old days when i was a trainee where i got really hammered by the chef.. so how much was in my swear jar.. sadly a $100.. that is a lot of money.. good thing is it made me aware of what are my words are.. so how it end up at 100.. well because i use it when i was in a shit like making mistakes.. so it just came out.. compare to the past.. i would just use it anytime of the day.. so it is a improvement slowly will get it out of my system. that is what is could thank god for.

2010-01-04T13:07:00.003+08:00

Faith

recently i've been capturing this word Faith, went for polydins service, and there faith was mentioned during worship, went for adults ps jeff was mentioning about faith. Then doing the photo album, and there "jesus values faith".. it's all around.. i think God is gonna stretch me in Faith this year.. don't know how but will grow in it.

starting work on wed afternoon, back to the 8am to 11pm or 12am shift..lol.. will be working for month of jan only, then army on FEB 26.. don't know what to expect overthere, but i think i do have a upper hand in advising the new ppl that i'm gonna meet in camp, because i've been through the working life.. so i hope with that experience i can just direct them in life and also to God. speaking of Work, i'm gonna have a bottle, hoping not to fill it up. with each swear word i use i will put in $5 for punishment..is alot of money, and i really don't want to fill it up.. Got to grow in the area of being consistency in living my life, not living a double standard life..

pray for me.

"create in me a pure heart, O God, and a renew steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Psalm 51:10-12

2009-12-30T02:44:00.002+08:00

end of 2009

it's ending soon, another year just pass like that. soon 2010 will just pass us by as well..

let's see what i've grown this year...
basically this year was just pure work for me.. but that does not mean i did not grow.

i've grown in my physical endurance, working 16 hours everyday i'm sure i can go through bigger things.
i've grown in my thinking.. after going through the kitchen, it helped me to think properly, know which is more important, and it does not only apply in the kitchen but also daily life.
i've also grow in my walk with God, praying and depending on him for strength to go through everyday life in the kitchen and also God did miracles when i did some stuff wrong.. he saved me!.. and i built and strong bond in the kitchen with my boss and sous chef.. love them..haha..

so what's next yr resolution?

this is what i have... to rise in leadership.. why?, i think it's a joy to lead.. although there will be many pains.. and also because i know i'm called to lead, and i will answer that call..
i'm ready

2009-12-29T00:40:00.008+08:00

KuKup

It was my first time there, i didn't expect it to be very fun. The main thing was the fireworks that's all, all of us were very crazy.. well, when you are with a bunch of crazy people you can't stop them but to join them haha..

the first stop was the fish farm that was out in the sea, there were many farms. and here is one of it.

something happened over there to xz and it was the start of the day to laugh.. you should ask here, if i blog it down, i'll be dead!..lol and also another thing that happened over there, poor Glenn stepped on a big pile of dog crap..lol.. ask him..haha

so after that we head back to have lunch, and the food.. i can't say anything.. it made me think that i should lower my standard of good food.. on the other hand i can't because if i lower that standard, then it will affect me on the things that i make. the best is try not to ask me on how's the food.. i'll comment only when people ask, when the food is really really bad and if i go to a restaurant.

so after lunch we head back to the chalet, it is really in good condition... but i wonder how they lay the foundations and all that?

and this is something interesting that i took.

this is a shit hole.. yes a shit hole.. everything goes back to the sea. but there is also a proper toilet in the chalet and it's clean so no worries.

so when we checked in i was wondering what to do, didn't bring any movies or ktv dvd... until i heard the firecracker!!... a few of us went to search where to buy it and found that it was just next door, it was like a black market! only you can get it there and xz was the one who helped us bargain..haha.. until at night we realise that the black market ripped us of a lot of cash. because there was another man came and asked if we would want to buy.

so we bought the firecrackers played some, then we went to buy some more, and bought the big boys, rockets and mortar, the 36 shots of fireworks and the classic CNY firecracker!.

at first this is how many we bought, then we think that it's not enough we want more BOOM!

BOOM!!! we spent almost all of our money in there! around 200 SGD worth of fun and a huge risk of death and injuries!... why because there were a few faults by the rockets and the mortar, a few rockets didn't fly but explode in front of our faces!.. a mortar that was fired and landed in front of our chalet and exploded! and a 36 shot of fireworks that dropped while firing and 1 or 2 shots hit the side.. very very dangerous.. check facebook for the videos.

In there we went high on the Ktv too, there was only one English disk, so we sang it like the whole day..lol.. mostly me hogging the mic..hahaha.. how high did i go? well it's like taking 2 screws off the head and taking off the skull... real crazy day..

i look forward to going there again, this time with more cash and more firepower.

2009-12-24T00:50:00.003+08:00

la fondue

offers a wide range of fondue, a cozy fun environment, have a homely feel against a medieval castle like...
whatever load of bollocks they say.. they can't provide that... i have never ever ever walked out of a restaurant before and this is the first.. reason... they don't have anything on the menu other than pasta... walked into the restaurant, i see 2 people running the floor, not walking really running... got seated looked at the menu after sometime, ready to other the Christmas set, and the waitress said sorry we don't have this right now....sad.. why bother to offer us that menu?.. so we looked at the a la cart.. ready to order again.. and she said " so sorry we don't have the meat items right now"... !!!! WHAT!.. no meat items, no Christmas special?.. only pasta... decided to walk out and head to other place to eat..

why didn't she told us before we got seated?... it only makes them look stupid!.. no man power to run the restaurant.. better to close it rather than telling the customers that we don't have this and that and also the food will be bad because everything will be push out fast.

" Our staff is the foundation of our restaurant, and the diversity and talent they exhibit is paramount to our desire to create an experience for you that comforting and unusual. We are here to set the standard of professionalism in service not otherwise experienced in Singapore"
La Fondue

really?.. i didn't see one thing that they promise on their web... what a load of bollocks.. don't write that if you can't deliver that.

2009-12-22T16:07:00.002+08:00

remake of ratatouille

i admit that the one at xz house(pot luck b'day) was a disaster.. not satisfied with it, and today i made it again.. it was so so much better... i like the flavour of balsamic vinegar and the tomato puree that i made not forgetting the portobello mushroom that gives it a earthy taste.. it does not overpower each other, the acidity and sweetness is good.. but there are 2 things to improve on, the texture and plating.. love it!

2009-12-20T23:19:00.003+08:00

What does Christmas meant to you when you are a kid?

To me Christmas was all about gifts and toys, and not forgetting the red fat man. I remembered together with my brother we hung a red sock on our window the night of Christmas eve hoping that there would be a toy inside it... and the next day there was a toy in it!.. we really thought that Santa really visited us and gave us a toy each, then we ask our dad did he put that toy in and he denied it.. it was one of the happy childhood moments that i had..

What does it mean to you now?

Right now it's not about toys anymore, but about people and God, not forgetting the food as well..lol.. it's about how God came to earth to live and die for us, also not forgetting that he rose on the 3rd day. seeing people coming to know God and being transform by him is the most amazing thing that one can ever see, truly it's not by might but by the spirit that touches that person as he/she continuously to seek his face.

----

I recognise this feeling inside me, it feels like it's eating my heart.. making it more empty and there it is loneliness, for the past few days it was eating me which i did not realize it nor did i check it, until i can't stand that feeling anymore and decided to seek God and ask why is this happening again. And this is what he said

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8-9

Indeed i will never understand God enough.. and soon enough he lifted that feeling away from me.
As i check that void maybe there is a longing for a complete family, an intimacy that i long for. But i know all these will never fill that cross shape figure in my heart.
For God longs to come in and eat with us, he desires that intimacy with us, he is jealous when other things are placed first other than him.

God forgive me of my sins.
" Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" Hebrews 4:16

2009-12-18T00:50:00.002+08:00

Dear Singapore,

there are a few things that i'm piss off about here.

1) Food- as always i'm concern that Singaporeans do not know what is good food all about. Today i was at bugis hawker centre and i ordered this prawn omelet that cost $5 and i don't think they understand the word omelet. Omelet is beaten eggs mixed with ingredients, like herbs, cheese or things you want to add in. Apparently this guy beat some eggs and cooked it into a nice square(maybe he thinks that he did something great and tried to impress me with that perfect square shape) and just added 5 pieces of OVERCOOKED prawns on top of it and some coriander on it. Looking at it, i really really with all my might just felt like throwing that thing at his face!, but i don't want to make a big scene and he is just a nearly old man. So help me here do something about the food or Michelin guide will rate Singapore as the worst country to eat in.

Good is food is about the taste, texture and presentation. Never trust those with some award winning shit or some channel U bollocks.

2) Drivers- YES drivers now i know what my English and Australian mate meant that Singaporeans are the worst drivers. They cause a massive jam everywhere when there is a accident and worst still it does not AFFECT their lane. Reason they slow down is because they are busybody, trying to get the licence plate so that they can buy 4D hoping that they will win 1st prize which will never happen.

next why do some drivers signal right and turn left or signal left and turn right?.. are they stupid?

why some people will just suddenly stop before turning in at a busy road which cause their car to be in a 45 degree angle and create a potential accident?

why are there so many ERP and cars on the road?.. so that government can earn more money?
how about taking some cars off?..

3) Foreigners- why is this country letting in more china and Bangladeshi workers which are causing more problems and making this country less safe?... because they are cheap labours?

But there are Good points in the country too.

2009-12-15T01:01:00.002+08:00

Yahweh- A name which use to describe God as a personal God if i'm not wrong... i've been listening to Yahweh from hillsong faith hope love album.. i think that song is beautiful..
reminds me that God is a personal God, he knows us everything inside out and the best thing is we don't have to act or hide about anything.

2009-12-14T01:23:00.003+08:00

Happy question

is there a sentence on my forehead that says "please disturb me"?...

well... if i have to... then i will be your victim...lol

Serious question

what are my strength and weakness?

yes i do know like 2 or 3... but friends around me should see more.. because many times i'm blind and not observing myself

2009-12-10T02:08:00.002+08:00

2 things that make me smile today

1) a kitchen mate whom i use to work with at 53, is now giving his life to jesus!, last time when he came into the kitchen he is a half hearted christian, but now he gives his life to GOD!

2) I invited another kitchen mate who is still studying at TP (came to 53 for attachment like me) for christmas service and he said he will come! thank God!..

now waiting for 3 more replys!..

GOD i've done my part, now it's your turn to soften their hearts and clear any rubbish and bring them for service. AMEN.

2009-12-08T23:59:00.002+08:00

today i went to coffee bean at amk hub wanting to read my books- bible and science and lore of the kitchen by Harold McGee(he is a brilliant scientist)... because of his book it made me want to study one last thing.. which is food science.. all about chemistry, biology and physics. that is a tough thing to study.. i got no basics.. but that is just a feel like thing some of the things that he wrote was a slap in the face, because i can't understand it!.. but this reminds me when i was a kid i wanted to become a scientist.. why because it's interesting.. maybe God is leading me there?.. or it is just one of my interest..

so anyway i was reading my books, then a guy came looking for a power point and it happened that my table have one so i offered him to seat with me... before that i already notice that guy, and i ask god bring him here so that i can try to talk to him.. i tried talking to him.. it didn't really start well.. i was thinking what should i ask him.. took me a while to think then i open my mouth "excuse me what are you doing?.. because i see many people around coffee bean and starbucks bringing their laptop doing something".. he replied i checking my mail... then he asked "where are you from?" "huh?" i replied then he asked again and say if i'm local, "yeah".. i'm thinking then where on earth did i look like i'm from.. strange... the way he reply tells me that "i don't want to talk now and i don't know you" tough to talk to this guy.. so i ask after a few minutes "what kind of sales?" he said "IT" "how long have you been in there?" "3 years".. man he really don't want to talk to me.. so i think ok, i'll back down.. God i tried but he didn't want to talk to me... after he was done we exchange a few words and he left... i guess singapore is not use to this kind of friendliness..

well God i tried...

lifestyle evangelism

2009-12-07T00:19:00.003+08:00

where does my help comes from?.. it comes from the lord, the author of heaven and universe...

remember this song?... anyway this is what i sang the moment i woke up this morning before going for service.. i don't know at first, just a sudden burst of that song... then during worship in service the word of God was spoken in

PSALM 121: 1-2 " I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help comes from?. My help comes from the lord the maker of heaven and earth."

it was the exact same thing that i sang in the morning.. not a coincident.. so from my point of view Problem is coming my way.. not sure what is it, but something definitely coming my way, and i think it will be big. because that verse and song is reminding me that help comes from God, the creator of everything, and if you continue to read the whole of psalm 121 it is saying that no matter what God is with you, he won't leave you, he will be there to go through the problems that you face.. you are not alone... whoever is reading this remember psalm 121, in your problems.. i got to remember it too.. lol

problems = growth

letter, letter... FINALLY!! 26 of February 945am report at pula tekong-
OH YEAH!!! the moment my dad told me about it, it felt like as if i won 1st prize form buying 4D(NO i never bought it before). looks like my country never forgets about me.. and then in January is back to 53 for 1 month, why because i promise that i will work till my enlistment come and who knows it's already here and also the money that i work for will be given to church building fund.. Hope is where i grew up, so it's my home too...although in the past there were thoughts of running and finding a new home... but that's in the past.

FAST AND PRAY FOR CHRISTMAS-- 3 visitors

2009-11-30T16:00:00.003+08:00

going to a pub at boat quay filled with Chinese songs and tone deaf people on a Saturday night is just gonna make me a deaf boy..lol.. yes that was where i went with 2 other guys from 53, before that we were at hooters eating 40 chicken wings! totally nuts.. i think there will be more of these in the future when i go back and work in January... not that i love busy life, but i too enjoy slow life.. when i work hard i relax hard too.. like right now, wondering what to do everyday.. wondering how to make my life count... anyway back at boat quay, because i don't drink one of the guys know the owner of that pub, he asked him to get the hostess to entertain me..lol, the outcome didn't turn out what he wanted, he wanted to get me drunk or at least high.. but too bad... learn to say no is effective in this kind of environment, and the hostess, they didn't know what to do with me, they ask me to play some card games or some dice game which i really don't know, and all i do was to speak English and they find it hard to communicate with me..haha... boat quay is always filled with fights, i was told that there was once a fight between 2 groups of Malay people and there was a crazy old man filled tattoos took a chair and sit in the middle of the fight... when i went home in the cab i saw this old man, he is really crazy... i mean screw loose.. he behaves like a mad man should behave.
the hostess they are very young girls, still in their late teens or early 20, why would they want to work there?.. i don't like that place, filled with high pitch screams and tone deaf people.

2009-11-24T20:48:00.002+08:00

now i present to you what i experience in The olive restaurant in Genting highland hotel

How i got to know this was when xz and Esther went scouting for a place where we could have dinner and the went by the olive at last prayer answered!.. the trip was not so wasted after all.

It is a fine dining place, the ambiance was nice, it has this cozy feeling, during that day it's not crowded or you can say it is dead, only 4 tables were in(including me). so this is what i ordered

a king prawn
foie gras (goose liver or fat liver)
wagyu beef
and crepe Suzette(not on the menu, waiter didn't know the price too).

I went in got seated down near the kitchen, the kitchen is a open concept kitchen, where you can see the chefs cooking and if you're lucky you may get to see shouting and scolding.

When i got seated to my table the waiter started mumbling to himself.. i had to ask him to repeat twice.. very funny.. i think he was nervous or new.. he asked if i wanted still or sparkling water.. i would take sparkling of course, note that fine dining don't serve tap water. so after my orders were done he served me 2 olives to eat.. didn't really know why, no one explained to me, anyhow he served me bread and he forgot what was one of the bread in total there were 3 different bread.. he forgot one, then he mumbled to me the second bread, which i didn't hear him at all and finally i hear and understood the last one.. it was a squid ink bread how interesting.. it was hard and has light flavour of squid.

first course came- king prawns.. it was really good in texture and flavour...
it was perfectly cooked, it has a really good lemon confit to go along as well as avocado puree, just creamy and smooth.

second course came- foie gras(goose liver or fat liver) it was perfectly cooked as well! crispy skin nice juicy and tender. goes well with balsamic vinegar. nothing was overpowering each other.

while waiting for the main course, there was a little heated argument in front of me between a waiterss and i think the restaurant manager.. not really nice to argue in front of me, the manager knows i'm looking and he decided to ask her to one side of the restaurant but she refuses and just walk off.. lol... not too nice to do that in front of customers, got to show some respect.. but i know how it works.. it will be a showdown after dinner..

main course came- while ordering i forgot to ask if it was a japanese wagyu or australian wagyu.. now this is really funny to me.. he got his facts wrong.. it was the restaurant manager that i asked.. he said that wagyu is Australian and kobe is Japanese... i was a little confuse a first and i know that what he said was wrong.. the word wagyu is beef in japanese and kobe is a town or state in japan so when someone says it's a kobe beef, means the cow was breed in kobe japan.. when someone says it is a wagyu you got to ask is it from australia or japan if japan, which state.
japan beef is a full blood pure black cow.. very nice meat, where places like australia is a half breed beef a Australia and jap cow cross breed, in the USA it is angus beef, a half breed as well.. so don't be fooled when someone tries to tell you something else.
But i didn't tell him that he was wrong, although i really felt like it.. best to keep my identity a secret. anyway the main course was nice, gave me what i want rare. and i'm not a monster or a barbarian that likes to eat things raw.. some meat is nice that way..lol but the beetroot was oversalted... he gave me a english mustard and a french mustard.. difference is english is real spicy it's like eating wasabi french is sour sweet.

and now last course... crepe suzette. is a traditional French dessert it was name after this lady called suzette. can't remember the history of it.
this is where the waiter or chef will go in front of you with a gueridon or trolly to cook or prepare in front of you, either a salad or dessert. the gueridon is equiped with what it's needed. and so the waiter cook the dessert in front of me.. well.. the whole thing was nice, rich flavour nice ice cream.. i like it..

so there was the dining of the olive.. if i go genting again, i would go back there to try other stuff.

2009-11-18T22:18:00.002+08:00

Back here in little Singapore

How was my trip?... nothing unusual

you want to know where did singaporeans get the culture of kiasu, kiasi, ect.. just look across the causeway!..lol i mean when i was in Genting that is what i see!! people rushing to the lifts, to the train, to the breakfast buffet... they are everywhere.. they will even try to cut your Q. amazing retard people...

In genting they can't give shit about service and food.. you know what i mean... let me talk about the breakfast buffet..
the 1st morning there.. it was a total mess!.. it looks like a huge canteen, not a proper dining hall really terrible... and the people my goodness the will rush for the food, and when they take their food trust me it is a little mount Everest.. when i was in the hall i felt like screaming.. you should know why.. total nightmare, a 3 star hotel?... better to give it a 0 star.. even a 3 star in bangkok could do better... no proper service and food.
BUT there was a fine dining restaurant that i went and i would say it is a near perfect and good place to go.. God answered my prayer.. the trip was like a forest being cut down and burn then i saw a little flower that is still alive and went for it, it save my trip lol... It's called the olive, located at highland restaurant... i spent like 200 singapore dollars there for 4 course food.. won't blog it down now.. will do it on the next entry... trip was still fun overall..

and still no letter here yet.

2009-11-15T18:06:00.002+08:00

In search of perfection-

may God bless me with perfection of fine food and service as i search in malaysia. Amen

2009-11-07T01:46:00.004+08:00

once again welcome to my critic post.. if you are bored of me criticising about restaurant please do not view this post.. if you are keen to know which restaurant is good please stay tune until i find one..

7atenine- semi fine setting

I have been eyeing this restaurant at esplanade.. it's just outside the open stage area you can't miss it... it's looks cool on the outside.. inside.. you'll find out soon enough.

I went with jia shen to this restaurant.. we step into the area.. there was nobody attending to us until we went to the counter.. we walked in at around 9pm.. inside we saw only 1 table but outside there were many people drinking... here goes

the waiter seated us to our table, present us with the drinks menu then we told him we were eating so he gave us the food menu.. but only gave us one to share!.. indoor dining only 1 table, done eating and we have to share the food menu?.. strange.. wonder if it is the policy one menu to a table..

this is what we ordered:
7atenine salad- jap tomatos, sweet corn, lettuce, bread crisp, tuna sashimi

portobello mushroom- protobello mushroom, coated with portobello mushroom powder, crispy shallot rings

For mains:
Lamb rack
wagyu rump

after we ordered we looked around... looks nice but we saw some things that should not be seen..
we were seating beside the window with this bombay sapphire gin deco and the deco was not clean at all!! lizard shit on it!!! disgusting!... next i saw mirror with finger prints... either the manager is blind, can't be bothered or they are all just too lazy.. i wonder where is the boss?.. or is the boss a lazy ass too?

so here comes the food they thought we will be sharing.. so never mind about that..
first 7atenine salad.. looks good.. first i took a bite at the raw tuna.. sweet, but not season at all!.. next on the bread crisp.. i was wondering when did they make it.. it was soft! then the tomato.. nice..

next

portobello mushroom.. looks good too.. ate the mushroom, good flavour... fried crispy shallot.. what time did they make it?.. it was soft and shit! i'm starting to think that the chef is a lazy PIG!

comes the main course

1st was the wagyu rump.. first look.. terrible! it's dry! the colour didn't look nice at all!.. when ordering the waiter told me that the beef can't be done rare because it is already pre cooked.. i was thinking it is either a wrong order that they gonna give me or the were using water bath to cook it(cooking in water at a certain temperature) so i said never mind i'll take it still.. because if that happens i know i will get piss and will force them to change it..-- back to the beef-- so i sent back that dry thing and then the lamb came and came along the beef that i sent back.. that was real quick to change... i looked at it, it had been drizzled with oil and it came back to me.. took a bite i know it's still shit.. so the waiter came and this is what i told him :" i doubt that the beef has been change.. it is still dry.. looks like it has been drizzled with some oil.. i'm not being a fussy customer but it's not right" he apologise to me sent it back again.. and i waited for the next 10 min... and the beef taste like a cheap Australian beef but it came from Australia anyway.

while waiting jia shen's lamb looks good but he ordered a medium rare.. cutting all open.. 2 of it was rare and 2 of it was medium rare!.. inconsistent!!! total rubbish that they are giving us.. it's bullshit!!... so jia shen sent it back too..

So came the cheap Australian wagyu beef again.. DAMN STILL LOOKS THE SAME!!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE!!!! I BET THEY WON'T EAT THAT IF I SERVE THEM!!! SHIT!!!!!! so i ate my thing totally disappointed.. then came the lamb again.. this time round the lamb was done right! at least this is something is right!! why didn't they do it right the first place?... sad sad sad.....
while eating the chef purposely came out and walk pass our table... take check on us.. then walk back to the kitchen.. i stared into his eyes when he was looking at us... then he called the waiter that served us.. they were saying something about us...
called for the bill paid it and gave the waiter 20 bucks.. he was a nice guy.. deserve some tips.. on our way out i asked him what the chef said.. he said something about the beef but can't remember.. then i asked how was it prepared.. he told me that they sear it then chill it again!!!! NO WONDER THE BEEF IS DRY!!!! AND WHO COOKS IT THEN PUTS BACK INTO THE FRIDGE!!!! BULLSHIT AGAIN! IF NOT HANDLED WELL IT WILL CONTAMINATE.. IT COULD KILL SOMEBODY... so i told the waiter that's the reason why it's dry... so on the way out i was thinking since if it's cooked and then chilled again.. how old was that beef i just ate?.. 2 days 3 days??? OH MY GOODNESS..... when can i have a decent meal in Singapore?.. through out the meal there was not enough salt... i wonder if it's expensive or something.

terrible place to dine.. chef did not put in their heart to cook... hazardous place..may kill someone... no wonder more people drink than eat.

7atenine.. more like 7ateshit..

2009-11-04T15:01:00.002+08:00

currently i'm just doing this small research of premature birth- why?

because sometime ago when i met with my grandma we were talking and all that, but i could not understand her so my cousin translate for me. She said that i was very tiny.. a small little baby because i was a premature birth. And after looking at some articals, they said that premature babies have a great risk of death after they have been delivered, due to the environment condition, then also like organs are not fully developed and are left to fight for their life.. even if they survived, they will have disabilities, may suffer from brain damage, and other complication..

But after looking at the articals i can't help but thank god that he protected me still watching over me, i can't deny it... indeed he has a greater plan for me and will use me in some ways that he wants.

1988- saved me from birth
2002- He found me
2003- He called me by name Isaiah
- I showed my faith through water baptism

along the way he showed me how much he love me.
along the way he disciplined me because he love me.
He never fail to surprise me.
till now.....

how can i ever say enough how amazing is you love.

2009-10-31T21:52:00.002+08:00

happy rainy Halloween

here i am blogging now, listening to beautiful jazz in my room.. too bad I'm not staying by the beach or else it would be even more beautiful night.. listening to waves, chilling out....

it's getting a little too bored around here.. it's just 1 month since my attachment end.. i can't stay at home and do nothing.. i must have something to do.... i can't imagine if it is gonna be 3 months... i think I'm gonna lose my head.... HELP!

and here my little poem title "letter"...lol

letter letter when will you come? if you don't come soon i'm gonna lose my head!!
letter letter i really need you now!
why don't i receive you now?

love it?....

I hate it... haha

2009-10-26T23:18:00.002+08:00

letter letter when will you come?.. as each day pass i'm getting more and more impatient!!
please come asap.

God i miss my rightful place... the kitchen.. there is this little temptation to just show up for work..
i miss working!!!.. i'm glad that lennon is doing fine in the kitchen, getting along well with everyone.. arrrrrr!!!

i feel like going back but i know i should not right now....

2009-10-24T00:30:00.003+08:00

welcome to my another episode of critic

This time i went to a Italian place.. it called AL Dante.. located at esplanade...

this is what i ordered

warm baby spinach with portobello mushroom
beef lasagne
and a bread pizza... (i'm sharing)

I think it's a good place.. i would give it a 7

walked in
found a table upstairs and on my way up i saw a waiter carring this huge massive tray with 4 plates and on the other hand another plate.. first it's dangerous.. what if he drops it? or fall.. big mess.. 2nd it's slow.. by the time he bring it up to the counter the food will be cold.. i seriously suggest a mini lift.. save time, faster service and no danger.

got to our table and i was just observing everything around me... until i realise we got no napkin.. they forgot about it while setting our table.
then nearby our casino is still under construction and the plates and drinking glasses got dusty very quickly.. can't help that... so i continued to observe again.. the waiters were all young people, it looks like as if they are there for attachment or something.. really young say about 17 to 19yrs... then also something bad which is all of them folded up their sleeves, which i think it's a bad idea because it will make them look like shit.. some are long some are short.. and if they have to put their sleeves back it will be crumpled.

Our starters came.. i love what i had.. fresh baby spinach, not over cooked, fresh portobello mushroom grilled to perfection, great flavour.. it's a good combination. Yao min had mussel.. Fresh!, perfect! not over cooked! real good.. sauce it good too..
while eating i saw a waitress adjusting a table to make it stable.. big mistake!.. she put a cardboard on of the legs to balance it!!! what in the world!! it makes the place looks bad! looks like a coffeee shop now... next our mains came i think it was alright for mine.. nothing fantastic about it.. just need a touch of salt.. oh and when we were done with our starters, manager came to pick up the plate BUT he did not clear the cutlery that we used for our starters.. he just put it by the side!! oh man.. are they low on cutlery?... why can't he just change the fork and spoon?..

then we had our bread pizza.. well again nothing wow about it.. it's alright.. it's balance in the taste..
when we were done with our meal, we sit and talk and continue to observe.. at 930pm they still accept customers to come.. when is the last order?.. even at 10pm.. anyway they were not ready to take in customers because the table was not set!.. even when customers were settled down, it took them some time to set the tables!.. again that is bad.. real bad.. they are never ready for anything... then talking halfway a waiter came and give me the bill!! i was thinking ok... i didn't ask for it.. i looked and realise that it was the wrong bill it's not meant for me but the table behind yao min.. HELLO!!! wake up!!...

service was not good.. but there was one waiter notice that i was observing them and he ask me if i need anything.. that is a good thing...

for service i would give 4/10
Food 6/10
environment 5/10 now because of the IR, but in future i believe it would be 7 or 8

overall i think the place is a 7/10...
service is real bad for this palce if it was better i would give the overall a 8

2009-10-20T23:20:00.002+08:00

according to mei hwa, 18 chef is a good place to dine.. she claims that the service is good and portion of food is good and so on... 15 min later we went there, with ace and hong siong.

BAD PLACE!!!!

let's start.

first impression was alright.. since it made a little name for itself..
Owner is Benny- was train by Jamie Oliver
so i thought maybe i could get something good out of this place.

walk in manage to get a table- once we settle down i notice the table was not clean properly.
looking at the menu, and was short of the main course menu.
the style is like cafe cartel where you write your orders down and pass it to the cashier.
This is what i ordered.

"Funky" 18 chef salad
Lamb Rack
brownie

when i was at the counter i place my order i asked if it was a lamb rack(the menu put lamb cutlet or something) then she started telling me and showing me the shape with her hand, so i got a feeling it was lamb rack and so i said it's lamb rack, then she looked at me blankly then i asked her if i could have it rare... she looked at me blankly again... then a "chef" beside her jokingly said put raw... not funny to me.. Question is WHY DOES SHE NOT KNOW THE MENU!!!! bad service!!!

after paying went to get my cutlery and i can't find it.. none left in the holder.. seconds later a china guy came with a try filled with washed cutlery and just place it at the sauce counter!!!! I was thinking WHAT IS THIS!!!! fine i went to get what i need and back to my table.. guess what my table is still not clan properly.. what a surprise... oh and the lamb rack that is ordered comes with a soup and bread.. even before i settle down to my table my soup is already there waiting for me..hahaha... it's really funny... first time ever... then my salad came.. wow i have 2 mouth to eat or something.... STUPID!!!

soup was open from a can, salad was very sour, with 4 frozen prawns, some pine nuts black pepper... really shit...

next comes the lamb "cutlet" aka Lamb rack!!! 3 SMALL PIECES OF LAMB with a SMALL Half potato that was cut into half again and it was cold!!! and a HUGE salad right next to it and a small cocktail glass filled with a little cut tomatoes and lost of chopped onions!!.. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED... i asked for a rare and it comes well done... very well done that is hard like a stone!!!SHIT... TOTAL SHIT was serve to me. i didn't try the Hugh mountain of salad i tried that cocktail and my mouth is filled with raw onions.. nice onion smell in my mouth... the small shitty cold potatoes.. guess what lamb cost 20... crazy!.

and last but not least dessert
came a real lousy ice cream from a tub.. then while the waiter was serving, i asked to serve the brownie as well.. he didn't hear me.. ok.. he is deaf... tried to find another waiter waiter but nowhere in sight... DAMN waiters manage to find one at the same time hong siong's drink was a question.. it's says that the drink has a chocolate fudge but where is it?... then the waitress who was a the cashier came and say that it is in blended in the drink itself.. i'm like thinking why do you even bother to put it on the menu when it suppose to be on the drink?.. bad.... then she asked how was my food is it alright.. i told her no... and she said ok and just walk off... why bother asking if you are not going to ask why! no i forgot to mention that she didn't not key in mei hwa's order, i think she is blind...

so after waiting for like 15 min or so my brownie came.. it was hot, BUT there were 4 HUGH massive ice cream ball around it... and i was thinking again.. did i order brownie or ice cream?? very confusing... my brownie was just a small rectangle shape.. it's dry..........

and there my terrifying experience at 18 chef.... wait stuff don't know the menu, and very inattentive... Food was horrible to the max....

anymore reasons why you should not dine there?... I don't care where the chef came from or train from.. but his standard is not what he was train with... horrible.. a disgrace to Jamie Oliver

i think it's tough to be my friend.. so when recommending me restaurant to eat.. please let there be good service and proper food... i'm still hungry.

2009-10-19T23:18:00.001+08:00

GUESS WHAT!!!!!

I JUST SIGN UP TWITTER!!!...

don't ask me why........ i really don't know..lol

http://twitter.com/isaiahjoel

hahaha

2009-10-19T22:33:00.002+08:00

currently I'm working part time for yihui's company OGL(don't know what it means) for the next 10 days.. job scope is to drive..lol... today was the first day and it was alright, tiring... i didn't just drive but also help out in deploying(which i'm not suppose to do) because things were going too slow, today i really see myself as a workaholic.. Joleen you are right about that.
we were suppose to end at 730pm, and we just had like a number of stores to go, so i suggested to complete it so as not to lag behind the next day.. today i would say that i was leading them somehow.. pushing them to do faster... and to complete what we need to do. I think it was fun today.

2009-10-16T00:36:00.002+08:00

just completed the brownie and vanilla ice cream.. it was easy to do, but i have a shit oven so the outcome is not really what i wanted but this will have to do for now.. the brownie may seem like it is very heavy, but it is light in the mouth, not like those mouth filling brownies out there and the ice cream is also light it does not have those kind of heavy thing that once you eat you feel like your whole mouth is filled with the flavour. i like the taste, but i think there is still room for improvement, just a little adjustment to the recipe.

you know there is part of me that is longing to know who is my other half i wonder who could it be?... haha i think that is what you'll get when you go into the adult group...oh well, God has his own timing and all that, just got to wait..lol

2009-10-15T01:32:00.002+08:00

at this time my brownie is about to be ready and serve... at 130am... don't really know why am i doing it at this hour.. but never mind the results looks promising.....

brownie is ready after 40min at 180c

2009-10-10T02:10:00.002+08:00

how would you feel if u ordered a beef and it taste like chicken or fish?....

or

if u ordered a beef and it has this weird soda texture in it?

i think it's amusing!... but how to do it?

2009-10-07T23:49:00.002+08:00

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Happening on a tuesday (when i'm still in starters, before Lennon join the team)

7am- walking through the door of 53 asking myself why did i choose to go through this.

705- change and take all the shit outside
710- hang all the clean kitchen towels to dry
715- slicing carrots for carrot puree and putting it in the water bath
720- portion potatoes for dinner.
722- check for horseradish slush- "shit not enough, better do more"
723- rush to the fridge to get horseradish and start peeling them
725 start to juicing it.. whole kitchen is filled with the spiciness of it- "F--ing hell joel i hate you".... "not my fault" you can see the tears in everybody's eyes.

730- weighing out the number of recipes to do for horseradish
736- clean down
740- start to slice beetroots for wagyu dish...
...
...
830- Done, at last... "Shit beetroot granita!"
831- Thank God it's enough to last through today.
832- take out scallops to marinade them
843- take out garnishes to do for scallops
910- done 1st garnish (local watercess)
920- done 2nd garnish for scallop ( parts of watercress)
921- Jap man comes. "why now!!! F"
940- done with the whole shit load of orders and run back to my stuff
941- doing 3rd garnish for scallops (corriander cress)
941- "shit forgot to do marnide for beetroot and juniper oil"
947- done beet root marnide
950- done juniper oil
- Boss comes in and talked loudly to the whole kitchen "lunch we have 25"
- "what else do you need doing?" "tahoon cress, sayur bermis and i need to see my list"
- " ok i can pluck sayur bermis" "ok thank you boss"
10am - took out 70 chicken leg to dig out for the oysters
1030am- clean the bench
1033- cutting tahoon cress
1035- done cutting
- looking at list "SHIT.. shallots and parsley"
1036- took out shallots and start mincing them
11am- still mincing shallots "Carrot puree! al could you go up and take the carrots out from the water bath and start to blitz them"
- Lee walks in with a few bags that he went shopping for us
- "here you are asshole"... "F you"
11.15- done shallots, run to the fridge to get parsley
1130- done parsley
-start to clean down
- Lee starts to shout at the pastry guys
1140- setting up for service
- "could you please clean that filthy window" "yes boss"

1150- start to scrub some potatoes for next day
12pm- first guess in
1205- "SNACKS FOR 2 PLEASE"
- "YES", "YA", "WEE"
1215- order comes down
....
...
...
...
... loads of screaming and shouting in the kitchen...

"BOSS where is the old man it's almost 2pm"
155pm- old man comes to deliever veg
- boss went out to shout at him

230pm- lunch service is over for starters
- clean down
245pm- takes out chicken skin and lay them on trays to bake them
310pm- start to bake them
312- start to do brown butter
313- slice chestnuts
- "F".... i sliced my skin off "you alright?" "ya. just part of my skin came off" "shit"
315- getting patch up
- continue to slice
-brown butter ready
320- start to fry chestnuts
330- done chestnuts
- bring the oil outside
333-start to weigh out coffee soil recipe
340-done coffee soil and baking it
- pick basil
4pm- done picking
-weigh out basil water recipe
403- done
420- done basil water
- takes out smoked eel to cut
430- done cutting smoked eel
-mackerel is done curing time to wash it
440pm-"Joe could u cut up some veg for staff?" "and also do the pasta?"
- "sure"
441- rush to do staff veg
5pm- potatoes are done
- start to portion according to the tables
515- start to portion consomme
520- staff meal done and starting to dish out
530- running through dinner prep to see what is missing
531- "wow, we are done for dinner" "now we need to scrub more potatoes, but set up first"
550- starting to scrub
6pm- "joe could you sweep the floor please" "ya"
615- back to scrubbing
7pm- guest in
...
...
...
...
...
busy dinner service... till 11pm, and we start to clean down.. 12am leave the kitchen and go home

this is pretty much what i went through.. it may seem like a very relax, but it's not, it's only my poin of view not the whole kitchen. if i had to type everything down, it will take me a few days and it will be full of the "f word" it's a rough world in there. But it's GOOD.

2009-10-07T00:39:00.002+08:00

Freedom at last!... at least for next 2 months

watch this space if u want to know what happen one day in 53....

the guys and i were talking about it that we should write a book called one day at 53.. talk about what happen how shit we got in and stuff like that, talk about our lives in the kitchen. And maybe sell it in stores, haha and then hoping to hit the new york times..lol.. but it was all talks, but i 'm gonna blog my one day experience in that kitchen. It will be bad.

2009-09-28T01:22:00.002+08:00

It's ending!!! but i'm gonna miss the place.. it's tough but that's how we will grow Lennon.

Men's conference was good, because God showed me how much he really love and care.
During the time of worship prompted by the holy ghost to kneel down before God and worship him, i obeyed. Then flash back of memories came, when i was young i got lost in the market once and i cried big time, then this lady out of no where held my hand searching to look for my mom and finally found her. So then i just cried before God because he showed me that he was actually holding me when i was lost in the market.. God really brought me back to be just like a child before him, to be true before him, to admit that i'm really lost without him, and also there is another message behind this, he wants me to bring those who are lost too. He wants to show that he is holding everyone that is lost. I could just feel the heart cry of God. But where do i start? Today's service was about bringing children back to God, somehow it's related to this experience. So am i suppose to start from there?.. because there is also a opportunity for me to do that this children'a day...

i wonder if that is really God's calling.

2009-09-13T23:53:00.000+08:00

i've made up my mind that i'm not going to extend my work for 2 weeks. i just find that it's not worth it, going through the same shit again.

i stab my hand while opening oysters, the feeling was almost the same as how i got my fingers cut, went to the hospital and got 4 stitches on. nothing big, but a little useless with one hand down can't bathe properly, can't do many things but it's recovering well thank God.

i got to cut down on my meat, almost everyday or every day i'm eating the trimmings of it, it's good but bad for me can't really resist it. lol i mean who can resist a grade 12 wagyu beef? or a perfectly cooked chicken?

2009-09-06T17:15:00.000+08:00

2009-08-30T23:27:00.000+08:00

my days are numbered.

1 month till the end of my attachment at 53, life was bad back then, but as months went by things improved and still trying to improve. many Good and bad times happened in 53 and funny things. everything was like a love and hate thing, it's sad to leave but yet i want to leave. But i'm proud to say that i survived one of the toughest kitchen in Singapore, It used to have a strong team but one by one fade away and now it's me, my boss, my sous chef and the restaurant manager that is sitll standing. The rest are new faces.

Now the next question for me is should i go back to Ns ministry or just stay where i am. Which is best i'll find out soon.

2009-08-10T21:31:00.000+08:00

life was much better with ministry, but now everything seems so different.
everything seems so meaningless.

now i know what it really ment in the book of Ecclesiastes.. everything is meaningless when God is not in the picture.. a chasing after the wind..

God help me to look in which area i can serve in my field of line... teach me and show me.

2009-08-03T21:37:00.000+08:00

new ideas excite me the most

these are the things i want to try out after my attachment

1) smoke salmon or smoke mackerel
2) candy meatball (serve like a lolipop)
3) satay- marinated chicken breast with pinenut cream or hot peanut butter and jam
lamb marinated with rosemary and garlic with chocolate sauce
marinated pork with coffee and parmasan sauce

sounds good?

waiting for more ideas

2009-07-27T09:28:00.000+08:00

on saturday night after work, togather with my chef we went to orchard towers, now that place is famous for shemale. I didn't go there to have fun, but just to take a look on the other side of life. The moment I entered a club, i could just hear God's voice clearly saying "I hate this", and i just felt angry and sad for them asking why do they want to do this?

anyone who has compassion for these people please do something about it.

2 months more.

2009-07-06T22:02:00.002+08:00

The Goodness of God

work is draining me physically and spiritually, i was on the verge of getting dried up. I kept going on asking for God to fill me up, because i don't know where else to turn to. Everyday i prayed to God to help me with my daily work. And finally God answered my prayer.

Yesterday was the last part series of end times revival, out of the whole sermon the only thing that hit me was this little thing

water = LIFE.

during altar call, i again cried out to God to fill me up, then i saw a vision of a hand sprinkling drops of water over. immediately i know it was God's hand giving me the water of life filling me to what i really need.

Jesus said whoever drinks this water that i gave will have life.

and i felt joy coming back to my heart again and feeling refresh.

But it didn't stop there. after service i went home to prep for my bbq. Before leaving the house, heavy rain poured down all over Singapore, somehow i know that God will stop the rain.

But when we went there it was still raining heavily, after sometime i started to question God why is this happening now, when will it stop?. But i still tried my very best to believe that God is in control.. it was tough, but at around 815pm, the rain got lighter so i called everyone to come out of hiding and start the bbq it was a risk i would say, it's all or nothing, while lighting the pit, light rain was still coming down,i didn't really care but after around 45min everything stopped and i just thank God for what he had done. weather reports said that heavy rain will continue till the next morning, but who knows God was at work he answerd my prayer, he tested me on my patience, faith and perseverence.

He is the best, God is always on time.
What can i do but praise him. he's the best ever.

2009-05-31T19:40:00.002+08:00

counting down till attachment ends!! 4 months left! 120 days! 2880 hours! 172800 minutes! 10368000 seconds!

i think it's really God holding me i don't know how did i survive and still surviving this crazy timings of 16 hours of work and 6 hours of rest.. but still after army i'm gonna work in this line.. there's a greater calling then just providing good food and opening my own place

2009-05-04T10:13:00.002+08:00

Revival

that was the sermon preach on Sunday base on the book of Joel it is a 7 part series talking about the end times aka the day of the Lord.

the meaning of Joel means The lord is God.

At that time God was shouting out to Israel by sending a swarm of locust to eat up all the fruits and veg and nothing was left. And because of that the people lost their joy as well.

They made a wise decision to turn back from their sins and came back to God and God bless them.

this is how god will respond

when we worship God will whisper in our ears
when we do something wrong God will speak louder in our conscience
when we still have not repent God will do something to you that way he is shouting at you and he really meant it.

So that was the first step to getting revival REPENT.
and for revival to happen we need to have a revival first in our body, heart, mind and soul. Then it will happen in our schools, work place, families. As long as we are a believer we are leaders of God.

All are called to lead, but how many answer the call?

2009-04-19T21:40:00.002+08:00

my soul hungers! after a long time stepping into trumpet praise. Surrounded by music and books and i realise that my soul hungers for knowledge, more time of devotion, music that inspires.

DISCIPLINE is the key word.

2009-04-06T04:06:00.002+08:00

thank you god.. once again your arms never fail to stretch to catch me from falling...

2009-03-23T03:07:00.004+08:00

help me! my thinking is becoming too realistic, like when i talk about things there is no hope from God or miracles in it! it's just too practical!!

now i know why people back slided even though they had tasted the power of God! this world is just full of temptations! and i NEVER want to be like them!
God please help.

Given my circumstances, i know what i'm like, there is this little fear of not being able to grow because of my work and my limited time. HELP!

2009-03-12T00:30:00.002+08:00

Kitchen Nightmare

It's not Gordon Ramsay's tv show.. it's mine own Nightmare!!!
but it's funny too

this happened last night.. i was sleeping then there were like 3 to 4 scenes i can't remember how it which is first.

1) POTATOES CALLED AWAY!

then i woke up feeling like rushing to cook it

2) Don't just stand there! MOVE!

then again i felt to move to do something

3) something happened which i can't remember but it was havoc!

guess what i also felt like i was doing something

4) can't remember

and after all that, my mind became clear and i realise i was sitting on my bed dreaming.
and my heart was pumping fast.. the adrenaline was there killing me. but it was funny though.

2009-03-02T01:16:00.003+08:00

it has been sometime since i blog... well still the same tiring life... at least one thing i know i got more discipline to go for sunday service....

it's only through the storms where rainbows are in the making... and after that everything is beautiful.. gonna trust in you God

2009-01-25T17:06:00.001+08:00

life is a struggle. I still pray and trust but it's not good enough.

It is tough, but it's tough times that shape your character and build you up. but if you choose to give up, then those times are wasted.

2009-01-11T02:53:00.002+08:00

OK guys.. restaurant 53 is now open for business it is just in front of timbre at substation... we have a whole lot of wine from Austria, we focus on modern European food, as well as a little of molecular gastronomy. we have 2 chef from the fat duck restaurant from the UK.rs

and guys, i might not be able to go for service till October... have to work every sat... and my working hours is MAD!!... like from 8am till 2am!... Good thing is I've gain respect from the chefs because of my attitude, it's a good thing.. when we work we must have a good and postive attitude.

2009-01-04T21:38:00.002+08:00

something interesting happened to me this morning.. i was semi conscience, and somehow it was like a dream and not a dream.. I heard someone but i think it's God, he was saying "this year you are going to grow" when i woke up i went WOW! I'm gonna grow! amazing how God can speak to us. But before growth comes, many test are laid before me.

The other thing that i did today was going for a jog. It feels good to jog again after a very time. I'm picking up my stamina again and gonna build myself strong.

2009-01-02T01:04:00.002+08:00

Happy new year all!

finally it's 2009, 7 years of abundance starts now!

For this year i just want it to be full of excitement... and i'm counting down 9 months left for my attachment. i think i'm very bless for 3 months my work is like very light.. Good thing is i'm able to spend time with people, bad thing is i feel like very out of touch with my skills, although i can cook some food at home, but it's not the best place...
I need to work!

I haven't set resolution yet...

2008-12-29T00:00:00.004+08:00

Authority.

can authority really influence people?

must you be loud or fierce to use authority so that people will listen to you?

This is my point of view.

i don't think authority can influence people and i don't think that a person must be loud or fierce to use it.

i'm not talking about you giving your friends the authority to speak into your life. my view is coming from boss and his workers

if you are a boss no doubt that people must listen to you, you call the shots... but must u be loud or fierce?... if a person knows his or her authority over somebody, he or she no need to be fierce or loud, because they know they will be fired. some bosses are insecure over their position, they get tied up easily and would make sure their people knows who is in control.

If bosses are good naturally their people would obey them, do to their best and listen to him or her, and there is no reason for bosses to raise their voices. As long as both sides know who is in control.

I have read John c.Maxwell book and he is an influential leader no doubt about it, but he has no authority over me. so how can authority influence people?.. it is only those who walk the talk have the power to influence.

But if u want to put it into another way.. i gave john c.Maxwell $35 and the authority to teach me through his book.

What do you think?

Authority is given to those who is under authority.

2008-12-26T14:50:00.002+08:00

christmas...

nothing special happened... the rain came on the eve and on christmas it was just another day.
next year we got to make it more happening, we got to throw in everything we got, i think we can actually do more but not many people are contributing... nothing much to say here.

i'm done for this year, i gonna wash my hands off for the end and expect the new year.

problems are always around, we can't run from it.. it is how we handle them

2008-12-24T01:38:00.002+08:00

i remembered how God called me Isaiah. there was this old song called Isaiah 43 and i love it alot, in this chapter it talks about Israel's only saviour.. go and read..
well God gave me the assurance of that chapter and u can see his love not just for me but everyone!.. he is willing to give up anything just for us.
and one night i heard him calling me Isaiah.. Isaiah... Isaiah... man how Good god is.. he called me by name!!! and that is how i got my baptism name..

God is just so awesome!

Isaiah/Joel
Major and minor prophet.

Lord forgive of my sins that i have committed.

2008-12-18T23:42:00.002+08:00

the end is near.. i'm just looking forward to next year!!! i don't know why i'm so excited but i'm just excited... i can't remember when was the last time i was excited for the coming year, but i know i am right now.. but one of the worst thing is that i haven't receive my pay yet!!! for last month. i sure hope my boss will combine it together and makes it look big..haha... MY WALLET IS GETTING THIN!!!!

seriously these days i don't know what to blog or anything interesting to blog... i think for the past few things that i blog was rubbish.. i got no idea... well... then again i'll wait for something interesting.

2008-12-11T23:50:00.002+08:00

so........

what to expect for next year?

get shouted and scream at? or get better and prove it to people.

time pass fast.. in 20 more days it is a new year, one year older with a big 21, but life goes on. and soon, another year will pass again, and again before i know it and accept the fact that I'm old and one leg steps into the coffin, nearer to my maker, heaven or hell to suffer or enjoy for eternal, that is scary.

2008-12-03T00:56:00.002+08:00

i have thought about it, my brother has thought about it.

Hopefully in 3 to 5 years time, we will open a restaurant and bar. we will be gathering info, we will be visting many bars to get ideas.

i think this idea is a good idea to generate money, with that money in, i can go overseas and learn more, go overseas and plant church without worring about cash flow, going overseas and open new restaurants, expand and expand.

i have concluded that i must be my own boss, i don't like to work for people. and that will happen.

For the past few weeks i haven't been working in the kitchen, so all my skills were rusty, but it is now the second week and my chef said that i have improved since last week, in my skills and speed. i really thank God for this, all that has happen is a good training for me.

2008-12-01T23:54:00.003+08:00

it was madness!!!

5 hours of laughter non stop!

oh man, yesterday was DI mcg we had it at sentosa, i really enjoyed myself.. and it was a day of blessing. In the morning it was sunny but half through the dark clouds appeared and threatened our fun, but before that i saw it at a distant before entering sentosa, but i prayed as well as other people prayed i believe and the clouds did not even rain on us, it was just a slight drizzle. Praise God for that. but that is not really the main fun part, the part was after mcg and after dinner together with xz, joleen, jia shen, me and some others were at vivo roof garden talking and talking and laughing till our jaws were in pain! it was from around 7 all the way till 12am!.. many funny things as well as getting to know each other more. and even as i was working today i burst into laughter and my friends thought i was insane, i think i was nuts today, laugh until i cut myself again at the same spot now there are 2 cuts there one was on sat. and not only that when i was on my way home i laugh again!.. i think i'm really mad! and as well as this morning!.. i was almost laughing the whole day!!! i'm MAD!!! hahahahahaha

2008-11-30T01:09:00.002+08:00

Feed my rush! pushing my limits

yesterday was really pushing myself, i worked 10.5 hours non stop!!! no break, no lunch... my chef told me to rest and have something to eat but i refuse.. why?. because i think i really need to push myself, it is a tough world working in the kitchen, stories i read from celebrity chef's they work their ass off and i want to push myself to see where i stand, if i can't take that heat i think i can't work at all.. and when i work i feel the rush the Adrenalin and it is being Fed by my new friend... nescafe coffee.. it feels good to be wide awake and just rushing your work.

next week is hell... more OT to do and more work load to do, total onions to cut is at least 60KG. God help me.. i think i will die.

here is something interesting.. my kitchen friend says that i look like a jap...and i was like what the hell.. i look like a jap?... he says my face structure look like them, and he has jap friends so he thought i was like a mix or something... now i'm confused... did my ancestors really come from china?.. or was there a jap blood line in me?... funny..

2008-11-28T22:53:00.002+08:00

the heat in the kitchen.

never ever irritate me when i'm tired, or i'll tell you off.
that was what happen to my maid when she kept asking me if i want to eat, never mind the question, but she kept asking me and giving me choices of food. and i snap a little.

2008-11-21T12:49:00.002+08:00

Break my heart for what break your's

the lord has spoken to me.

because of what he has done to me, now i want to do it to others.
The lord guide my every step to who i am right now, the lord bless me with my wants and needs, but how many people and children in the world has been bless?

my passion has been narrowed down from the lost, poor and sick to children.

last night at Asia conference the lord broke my heart opening my eyes and letting me see why he still wants me to serve it is because of children who are lost, they are the next generation and whoever pick them up brought them up the wrong way that generation is lost.

well it's funny i don't really like children at first, but things are changing. i haven't tell this to anyone yet, but i'll blog it down anyway. some people know that i really haste noisy kids, but actually the lord has spoken to me in this area a few times before about children. one incident that i can still remember was a baby sleeping on his mother's arms and the lord just spoke to me saying "how sad when children are lost without their parents" and that time i wanted to tear. And their are other incidents when i was at overseas in Thailand i can still remember a little girl sleeping on the street alone. and other children sitting and begging for money. that really break God's heart.

Lord i'll answer the call and humble myself and pray.

2008-11-20T00:30:00.003+08:00

for the past few days I've been trying to find answers to why am i serving God.

well I've got part of my answer thanks to James, i can't remember what he said, but it linked up to this phrase - without God i won't be who i am today. -

i'm not saying i'm a big shot person or anything but without God how am i able to find this passion in food, without God i don't know what on earth will i be doing now, without God i won't be able to know myself better. all these things came together because of him and serving him is a choice, now i got to learn how to live life in a balance, if i don't get it now, i won't be able to plant churches or do anything right.

well this is just one part of it... more to come.

2008-11-17T01:40:00.002+08:00

have i lost it?
has the passion been overcome by other passions?

it's a battle between work and ministry.
many times i just want to throw it one side but thinking again why do i still want to do it? what is the reason of serving? what do i believe in?

another change in life is another chance to grow in beliefs, character, attitudes, vision.

God help me.

2008-11-03T13:16:00.002+08:00

lets see...

today is my 3rd day since Saturday.. on Thursday i will be going to my new outlet which is called 53 and it's just in front of timbre...

i just read the strait times and i happen to read about what the head of catholic church Nicholas said about mercy killing( i didn't read the whole thing). he says that it is immoral. well it's kinda true, he says that we have no right to take our own life. true.. but on the other hand if i'm suffering lets say like i'm can't move at all, lying in bed all day, feeling helpless.. do i have the right to ask the the doctors to kill me? or should i wait to see a miracle? it's a TOUGH CALL.. another way to see is i'm actually killing myself, suicide. but how will god see it?.. we can't kill our self but on the other hand God does not want us to suffer too right?.. or let's say that i'm out cold.. i can't wake up at all for like 2, 3 years and someone says lets end it so that i will not suffer anymore will that person be guilty of murder? or what if before i was in a coma i told the person if i didn't wake up for a long time end my life. will i be guilty of suicide?

i consider this a grey area and it's hard to tell the right from the wrong. what do u think?

2008-10-28T01:51:00.002+08:00

tell me which boss is good to his staff that treats the whole team to a Japanese fine dining meal?
i can't think of any other than the owner of les amis Mr Lim which is my boss.
normally bosses won't treat their staff to real good food. well what can i say i was bless by him, together with the whole team from casa verde not just the kitchen but also the waiters.
we had free flow of japanese saporro beer, and also a number of red and white wine bottles, it's not one bottle, not two, but around 2 boxes of red and white, each box has around 6 bottles.
but i tell u japanese fine dining's portion is real small... i can finish everything!.. and i still crave for more when i'm done with the food. ok by looking at me u will say ya i need more.. but not just me.. some other guys who are skinny are also hungry after the meal. the restaurant is located at gallery hotel at the corner of boat quay.. near to this building "the pier"

well that's all my updates.

2008-10-15T00:20:00.002+08:00

Good news!

first the Italian chef Oscar said this: you are the King of risotto!
(it meant that i was doing well)

second was my sous chef said this: you have potential, i can see that you love your food.

Praise you God!.. looks like i really know what my future is really like. and i would say everyday going to work is fun and enjoyable, starting for the first few days i was dragging my feet but now is GOOD!. Work is meant to be enjoy.. when Adam was working in the Garden of eden he enjoyed every single bit of it.

so enjoy your work.. have fun

2008-10-10T00:12:00.002+08:00

u must be happy with your food, in what u do.. because when customers taste your food they will know if u cook with love. - chef Oscar from Italy - Buko Nero restaurant(at tanjong pagar).

those were the words that Oscar told me yesterday. just as i love God and the people i must love my food . i'm happy with what i'm doing now, enjoying my work place at botanic gardens it is cafe les amis located at the main entrance of botanic gardens, if u can drop by during dinner time and eat there. i'll be there maybe till end of oct.

2008-10-09T11:32:00.003+08:00

SHIT!
SHIT!
SHIT!

i have a fine to pay plus a 3 demerits point for parking in a no parking zone!.. it's stupid... there was no sign there.. it was all Private houses! but i left just before that fellow came walking!!

2008-10-07T11:02:00.002+08:00

first day of work which was yesterday, at au jardin at botanic gardens, i think it was crap, i don't really like the way how the chef work, it is because he is not assigning me to any station, although i'm gonna be there for just 1 week+ i think he should just give me a station to do, but then just before dinner service, i was transferred to the cafe, which was just opposite au jardin to help in their dinner service. It was fun there now i was able to touch the stove, i was doing pasta and together with the Italian chef, i think he is good, the way he teach me and tell me what to do, but i have to say he has a funny taste bud, i hope it's not mine..lol.. i told him the sauce is salty, but he says it's alright.. when i told him the another sauce was a little blend then he went like this in English with Italian slang "what! first u tell me it was salty, now u tell me it's blend, you want me to kill u now or later?" man it was funny but customers did complain it's salty..lol..

the sad thing working here is that now my sunday may get burn off, i don't know when is my day off... and i want to go leadership camp!!!.. GOD GIVE ME MY DAY OFF ON SUNDAY PLEASE!!!!

2008-10-05T00:55:00.004+08:00

i had a bad thought when i was buying milk just now, when i entered cheers to get a small pkt of milk, i saw this person dressing a little formal like he is a rich fellow choosing a wine bottle in CHEERS! and this thought came "stupid fellow don't know how to drink wine don't buy la".. lol.. not like i'm an expert of wine, but who in the world would want to buy wine from cheers or 7-11. he was like acting he is rich?.. then when he brought to the counter and she told him this, "i;m sorry sir we can't sell alcohol drinks after midnight" and his face turn black and tried to reason with her by saying but i'm not driving..hahaha.. then later i saw him taking a cab back home.. haha.. but i think he is feeling a little down somewhere in his heart, by looking at his face, he looks like he got no friends or something. poor fellow.

anyway..

i'm fasting!! fasting from meat and soft drinks.. and 2 meals per day till Christmas.. i'm feeling a little terrible already, no meat!! my stomach is feeling empty.. but must persevere on to see growth.

prayer points for fasting.
1) DI to have at least 100 contacts for each CG
2) To have 40 word stage contacts coming for christmas outreach service
3) to have a successful christmas service for DI
4) to have each cg at least 3-4 converts.

DI please pray with me.