Jane Talks!

I may say that after being a christian for 8 years, this year is my 1st time caroling. You must be wondering what took me so long… Anyhows, it was an incredible experience as you go from house to house, lighting up the hearts of people, making their christmas brighter & joyous which is what it is all about.

Initially, i was a little worried on what little time we had for practising as we only had a week. The odds are also because none of the members are in the choir. Well, i used to be in the choir but i am definately a rusty one because of my failure to sing in parts. However, God was definately there to anoint our voices because we actually did quite well, no one threw anything at us(For bad singing) & it actually brought more people from nearby HDB blocks to gazed thru their windows and listen to us.

Like what Pst Kong always says, God never uses people that are perfect but He is looking for those that are willing & carry good attitudes in whatever He calls us to do. I must say that my cg worked hard, we practise & we practise & we PRACTISE! As i have already told you, we are totally untrained vocally but I am glad that all our efforts have paid off. Thank God for the opportunity to serve.

TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS ON CAROLING 2006:-

10. The yummy food. Every family is just so generous about feeding us after each session of caroling. Sweet.

9. The thrill of playing with tamborines & whistles. what a joyful noise we made.

8. Car pooling. Quite fun to drive, racing each other around from east to north then back to east.

7. Out of the 5 christmas songs we sung, we sang Jingle bells the Best!

6. The great fellowship & unity built together as we focused to shine for God thru caroling.

5. The thought of turning pro with caroling.

4. Total no of house visits: 5   

    Total no of people being sung to: More than 20

3. God turning our voices angelic.

2. Neighbours from surrounding HDBs peering thru their windows to hear us sing as well.

1. Seeing people’s faces light up, not because we set up christmas tree in their house but that we actually brought joy into their lives.

Christmas is 11 days away and many of us are rushing to buy presents for our friends & family. (Ok, many some of u aren’t too bothered about that) Presents or gift-giving can be a very tricky thing. If you want to give good gifts, you can’t afford to be cheapskate. (Oh.. did i hit on the right button??) Well, everyone is hoping & wishing for year-end bonuses so that our year-end expenditure will be covered. (I am still twisting my fingers for mine… Bonus Bonus!!!)

Just to make things fun, i have come up with a Top 10 list of things you don’t wish to get for Christmas this year…

TOP 10 THINGS YOU DON’T WISH TO GET THIS CHRISTMAS:-

10. Presents that are wrapped up in layers and layers of newspaper.

9. An unwanted gift that you gave away last year returned back to you.

8. A self-made CD filled with your tone-deaf friend’s voice, singing Christmas Carols.

7. Used stockings. (+_+)

6. Leftover Fruit cake from last year’s party.

5. An ipod Video player…oh i mean an ipod video player POSTER.

4. Fake Hello Kitty Soft Toy with a Curry stain being set out for a while.

3. $2 Discount Coupon from NTUC Fairprice.

2. Perfume box not open before but when you open it, the bottle is almost dried up.

1. Total christmas gifts received this year: 9

(Unfortunately, all 9 gifts are gifts that are listed from pt 2-10.)

Believe it or not, as i was singing Praises to God during the service last Sun, i saw this auntie dancing & twirling around from aisle to aisle with a smile on her face, not a care in the world. The rest of the world/crowd seem to be non-existant to her, she was dancing as if no one was in the hall. But i believe that those who saw her dancing too also pretended that she wasn’t there.

I wonder what made this auntie danced and twirl so freely when the rest of us are doing what everyone else is doing, standing & singing. Which made me think of 2 groups of people that we are: Free Spirit people & Law-abiding people.

Like what Newsboys sung, we are now free to sing, free to run, free to love & most importantly, free to live. However, most of us still can’t achieve based on dancing auntie standards but most of us are free from bondages such as fear, sickness etc

However, a free country that we are, many people prefers law in their life, basically to save themselves from trouble. One time, i went to this certain hotel to eat hi-tea with my family. As i made reservations with them, i kindly told them that i have reserve a table of 6. However, we were told to wait for 10-15mins because they couldn’t find our name in their reservation book but the fact is that there were still so many tables left unseated yet we have to wait for them to find our names before we can be seated. My mum told me that they were law-abiding people. Is true..

Guess is better to be in the middle to be free but in control and to be law-abiding but also practising flexibility as well.

Do you remember my blog entry about Kitty Ways? (If not, just scroll down, you can read it) Yesterday afternoon, i saw the same cat again at the same shop location! Remember the top 10 list of what i thought the cat was doing??? I finally got the answer. (At least 1 point was right) Check out this pic.

Answer: Kitty was waiting for free kitty treats from the shop owner. (However, i believe that kitty treats might be doggie treats cos the shop owner only does and sells doggie stuff. Sshhh… Don’t tell Kitty)

Today is the 1st day of Dec which means it is just merely 30 more days before we end the year 2006. I must agree that time has moved very fast this year. With just a twinkling on an eye, we will be welcoming 2007. Scary i must say.

Normally, people’s reaction to year-end is often filled with excitement & joy cos it is when there are tons of parties to go to with Christmas & year-end countdown around the corner, some of us might get year-end bonus or just the opportunity to have a long holiday.

I for one, surprisely ain’t that excited. Every year, i get very excited about christmas but looking and being in the crowd in Orchard Road just turns me off. The traffic is bad, everywhere there is a crowd shopping for present (Already) & decorations done in orchard doesn’t seem to impress me too. (^_^)

What can we do before 2006 comes to a close?? 30 more days people. Stop dreaming & start performing!! i know i will.