Driving On Snow/Icy Road

Tips on driving on snow, based on my experience:

1. Drive slow (20mph or less).

2. Always give a few hundred yards of anticipation before stopping a car. Means, when you see a red light few hundred yards ahead, begin to slow down the car.

3. To slow down car, use lower gear, and then brake (ABS). Brake is just to help drivers behind know you're stopping. Non-ABS brake will cause car to skid.

4. Never ever rely on hand brakes. It will cause the car to skid for sure.

5. Never ever engage hand brakes while parking. It will be frozen and stuck at wheel.

6. Use chains to help the tire grip onto the snow.

7. If chain links are broken, stop at emergency lane, and find something to cut off / keep the dangling chain links from swinging free. It will damage the axle / mudguard / crucial parts to the live wheels (like, brake fluid cable).

8. Keep one or two spare chains.

9. Never ever park a compact car on a free lot before checking on the heap of ice left on that parking lot. If it is solid ice (normally left by a SUV or truck), it will freeze the compact car to the ground. You will need other vehicles to pull your car free.

10. Automobile Association membership will come in handy.

11. Be alert, vigilant, and calm.

12. Pray.

A Bid Of Farewell To My Super Senior

It was indeed a shock to me when I get to know that my Super Senior in al-Terror, EC Lim, was resigning, about two months ago. At that moment, my mind scanned through various moments, which I am going to share here.

March 27, 2001
Yep, that was my first day in al-Terror. I still remembered meeting CP, Boon Hoe, Wei Hun, and Lay Kuan in my first ever conference call with San Jose (with Eugene Gomez and Giao Pham on the other side of the line). Okay, this is the team that I would work with closely. Or so I thought - until I heard an unfamiliar name - EC - throughout the conversation. And, after the meeting, as I opened my Outlook mailbox for the first time - voila, this guy Eng Chui Lim (EC lar) sent tons of email, even 3 weeks before I was officially hired (trust me, I still have those emails)! Later did I find out that he was attending some sort of training in Singapore. And, I also learnt that he was our FLEX big brother.

A week later, I got to meet this guy. Man, he was serious and stern looking! Well, as I knew that he is the Super Senior leading a group of Advanced and Junior Engineers, I would expect that sternness. Words like, "have you checked the failure across conditions", "please dispose the lot", "please talk to planner on this and that", etc became routine official conversation. And, being the only family guy in my team (family guy as in having wife and kid), I guess he was a man not easy to befriend with. Or so I guess.

Sometime in September 2001
Al-Terror was going to have a company-wide annual dinner on October 26. One of the events during the annual dinner was the Karaoke competition. I was kinda surprised that one of the participants is - guess who - EC lar... He picked a Mandarin song called "Go Go Cat", and recruited me (together with other 7 colleagues) as backup dancer. We had so much fun! And, that's when I started realize that EC is a person who works hard and yet plays hard too, And so, I began to treat EC as a friend rather than a stern senior. And, of course, on the annual dinner night, we did have fun - with the "Go Go Cat" dance (that got cut off due to technical error), with the cheers for EC, and with beer and dance in Rozel's. (Got hangover, so no more comments)

Some time in early 2006
Through the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment, I found out that I am an ESFP person (in layman terms, it means "Let's Make Work Fun"). As I poked my nose around, I found out a few other ESFP. Guess what, EC is one of them! Yeah man! Let's together make work fun!

Some time in mid 2006
I was caught with one of FLEX issue, while EC was moved out of the FLEX team into the Hardcopy II rollout team. I still remembered that, the issue was so big that additional manpower was being pulled in. And, guess what, EC was back into the FLEX team supporting the debug! In the midst of towering stress, my other fellow colleagues and I were jokingly saying that it is hard for EC to fling FLEX.

Some other memorable moments also slowly popped up in my mind, like:
- Karaoke session
- Day trip to Serdang
- Water polo in one of the quarterly events
- All the todi-drinking trip (nah... I didn't have chance to go for any of them)

Well, all these memories are dug out of my sub-conscious memory for a purpose - to hide the fact that I am gonna miss the person whom I gained the most knowledge from throughout my 9 years working life. Although he has led me in the FLEX team for merely 4 years, his leadership in the team did leave a permanent mark to the existing FLEX team as well as the upcoming teams spawned. At least, he does leave a mark in my life.

I am not going to elaborate much here, or else Google will ban me for using up too much space for a single blog post. My personal message to EC:

"I re-activated my blog site just because of you. You better pay for my air fare if I come to visit you in Melbourne! Just kidding. Do take care, and may God bless you in wherever you and your family go. We are definitely gonna miss you."

Tanging Yaman - Lyrics and YouTube Video

TANGING YAMAN
Performed by Carol Banawa (with Bukas Palad)



Tagalog:

CHORUS
Ikaw ang aking, tanging yaman
Na di lubusang masumpungan
Ang nilikha mong kariktan
Sulyap ng 'yong kagandahan

VERSE 1
Ika'y hanap sa t’wina
Nitong pusong
Ikaw lamang ang saya
Sa ganda ng umaga
Nangungulila sa 'yo sinta

CHORUS

VERSE 2
Ika’y hanap sa t'wina,
Sa kapwa ko kita’y laging nadarama
Sa iyong mga likha,
Hangad pa ring masdan
Ang yong mukha

CHORUS


English Translation:

CHORUS
You are my only treasure
Which I cannot fully comprehend
The loveliness of Your creation
is but a glimpse of Your beauty

VERSE 1
My heart longs for You
You are my only joy
In the beauty of the morning
I long of You

VERSE 2
I always search for You
You are mine, I always feel You
With Your creation
I still long to see Your face

You Are My God - Lyrics and YouTube Video

YOU ARE MY GOD
Written by Mark Anderson
Performed by Paradise Community Church Band



VERSE 1
You're my God
I found life in You
You're the only one Who came eternally
To set me free

VERSE 2
You're my God
My life changed when Your victory came to earth
So I forevermore
Will be Yours

PRE-CHORUS
I run to You
'Cause You are the only one
I run to You

CHORUS
Your love has lifted me higher
Higher than the cares of this world
When I'm with You
Your love has set me on fire
And I will lift my voice and praise You
'Cause I love You

TAG
You are my God
Yea-eh-eh...
You are my God
2x

BRIDGE
You reign above
Every knee will bow before You
You reign above
Every tongue confess that You are Lord
3x

TAG
You are my God
Yea-eh-eh...
You are my God
2x

CHORUS
Your love has lifted me higher
Higher than the cares of this world
When I'm with You
Your love has set me on fire
And I will lift my voice and praise You
'Cause I love You

TAG
You are my God
Yea-eh-eh...
You are my God
4x

Voice of Truth - Lyrics and YouTube Video

VOICE OF TRUTH
Performed by Casting Crowns
From "Facing The Giants" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Based on Matthew 14:23-33, 1 Samuel 17



VERSE 1
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."

CHORUS
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

VERSE 2
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again
"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."

CHORUS
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

BRIDGE
But the stone was just the right size to put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me

FINAL CHORUS
And the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

END
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus You are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to You, oh You are...


Compiled from the movie "Facing the Giant"

A Quick Silverish Snippet

1. A quick message to Madam Hee: "What a joke! Suddenly hotel key, suddenly thumb drive, suddenly pepper spray canister. Suddenly yours and suddenly not yours! Hey, Madam Hee, who are you trying to fool now?"

TOO INTERESTING NOT TO SHARE:
DemonsBane00 Blog

2. Another message to Mr bin A.R.: "You will solve the problem. So, are you saying that the court's decision is a problem? Who are you to question the supremacy of a judicial decision? And, how will you 'solve the problem'? By all means?"

3. Another message to Mr Z.: "Nelson Mandela and Gandhi are revered politician who fights for people's rights. What have you fought for? What are you going to fight for? Our rights? And, what do you mean by upholding the truth? Is it not the High Court's ruling a ruling of truth?"

TOO INTERESTING NOT TO SHARE:
Mob's Crib Blog

The Champion by CHS JY

It was merely one week before the April 25 JY Gathering, when the team decided to adopt the skit based on Carman's The Champion. With only 4 hours of practice, this was what the team came out. Pretty good. Better still - the JY Gathering attendees were in awe over how Jesus' triumph over evil could be depicted in a boxing match.

View video here (courtesy of 5xmom).

Cast (in order of appearance)
Angel 1... Jaslyn DeWitt
Angel 2... Carina Rebecca Oyog
Angel 3... Michael Loh Yet Mao
Demon 1... John Isaiah Stanley
Demon 2... Adele Khor Li Ying
Demon 3... Mark Joel Stanley
Satan... Benjamin Han
Jesus... Brian John Dorai
God the Father... William Baptist

Slides Prepared by
David Chan Yew Mun

Slide Handler
Kenneth Tan Siew Kheng

"The Champion"
Written and Performed by Carman

Cameramen
Chan Lilian
Felicia Wong Yi Jin

Lighting
Clarence Jude Stanley
Kenneth Tan Siew Kheng

Choreographer
Andre Ong Lay Siang

Directed by
Andre Ong Lay Siang

Produced by
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Junior Youth

Based on Salvation History written by GOD


Pictures captured during the practice...

The Champion - Lyrics and YouTube Video

THE CHAMPION
Written and performed by Carman



In the vast expanse of a timeless place,
Where silence ruled the outer space,
Ominously, towering it stood,
The symbol of a spirit war
Between the one name Lucifer,
And the Morning Star, the Ultimate of good.

Enveloped by a trillion planets,
Clean as lightning and hard as granite,
A cosmic coliseum would host the end
Of the war between the lord of sin and death,
And the Omnipotent Creator of man's first breath,
Who will decide who forever will be the Champion.

The audience for the 'Fight of the Ages' was assembled and in place.
The angels came in splendor from a star.
The saints that had gone before were there: Jeremiah, Enoch, Job.
They were singing the "Song of Zion" on David's harp.

The demons arrived, offensive and vile,
Cursing and blaspheming God.
Followed by their 'trophies' dead and gone.
Hitler, Napoleon, Pharaoh, Capone,
Tormented and vexed and grieved.
Waiting for their judgment from the Throne.

Then a chill swept through the mammoth crowd
And the demons squealed with glee,
As a sordid, vulgar, repulsive essence was felt.
Arrogantly prancing, hands held high, draped in a sparkling shroud
Trolled by demons, Satan ascended from Hell.

Then Satan cringed, the sinners groaned!
The demons reeled in pain
As a swell of power like silent thunder rolled
With a surge of light beyond intense, illuminating the universe,
In resplendent glory appeared the Son of God.

Then a Persona, yes, Extraordinaire appeared in center ring.
God the Father will oversee the duel.
Opening the Book of Life, each grandstand hushed in awe
As majestically He said, "Now here's the rules.

"He'll be wounded for their transgressions, bruised for iniquities."
When He said, "By His stripes they're healed," the devil shook!
He screamed, "Sickness is my specialty. I hate that healing junk!"
God said, "You shut your face, I wrote the book!"

Then the Father looked at His only Son and said,
"You know the rules.
Your blood will cleanse their sins and calm their fears."
Then He pointed His finger at Satan and said,
"And I know you know the rules.
You've been twisting them to deceive My people for years."

Satan cried, "I'll kill you Christ! You'll never win this fight!"
The demons wheezed, "That's right, there ain't no way."
Satan jeered, "You're dead meat, Jesus, I'm gonna bust you up tonight!"
Jesus said, "Go ahead, make my day!"

The bell rang, the crowd cheered, the fight was on,
And the devil leaped in fury.
With all his evil tricks became undone.
He threw his jabs of hate and lust.
A stab of pride and envy
But the hand that knew no sin blocked every one.

Forty days and nights they fought,
And Satan couldn't touch Him.
Now the final blow saved for the final round.
Prophetically Christ's hands came down
And Satan struck in vengeance!
The blow of death felled Jesus to the ground.

The devils roared in victory!
The saints shocked and perplexed as wounds appeared upon His hands and feet.
Then Satan kicked Him in His side, and blood and water flowed.
And they waited for the 10 count of defeat.

God the Father turned His head,
His tears announcing Christ was dead!
The 10 count would proclaim the battle's end.
Then Satan trembled through his sweat in unexpected horror, yet...
As God started to count by saying,

"...10..."
"Hey wait a minute, God..."
"...9..."
"Stop! You're counting wrong..."
"...8..."
"His eyes are moving..."
"...7..."
"His fingers are twitching..."
"...6..."
"Where's all this Light coming from?"
"...5..."
"He's alive!"
"...4..."
"Oh - Nooooo!!!"
"...3..."
Oh... Yessssss!!!
"...2..."
He has...
"...1..." (won!!!)

He has won!
He's alive forevermore!
He is risen!
He is Lord!

He has won!
He has won!
He's alive forevermore!
He is risen!
He is Lord!

Proclaim the news in every tongue,
Through endless ages and beyond
Let it be voiced from mountains loud and strong
Captivity has been set free, salvation bought for you and me
'Cause Satan is defeated,
And Jesus is...

THE CHAMPION!!!