A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love." -- Mother Theresa

Faithful Mother

The most beautiful scene I've ever seen in these monkeys. Specially the mother and the baby monkey. There were so many people taking pictures of them. And that moment, this mother was not sure whether these people were harmless. One thing she never gave up, was keep protecting her baby with her embracing hands, at all times, at all unknown conditions and situations.




I think that baby monkey was not understand what's going on. And wondering why he was not allowed to just walking and playing around. Well it reminded me when I was little, I was not understand why I could not walking and playing around as free as I wanted to. I felt so bored. But actually... it was my Mum who protecting me with the best she knew how.

"Mom, I just bought a camera, using a loan from bank, but now I have 2 projects already ..." I said when I was on the international phone call with my Mum yesterday, she has just recovered from cancer and staying in Bandung, Indonesia. And she asked "How about your daily living cost, must share with us more, don't keep every burden to yourself ya." ... "I could still survive here, Mum. Don't worry ... will have more projects coming soon," I said with tears in my eyes. Her words means so much for me at this moment. Give courage to my heart. It's been a tough times for her since she knew that she had a womb cancer. But yet her willingness to protect me is always endless. Thank you Mum, the care you've given and the love you've shown, have enriched my life in more ways than I can count. I hope I could bring you happiness ...

Is A Leader Born Or Made?

ICG6 ... a small christian group which is part of Indonesian Service City Harvest Church big family. I'm so honored to serve these people. Today we had a big challenge which happened in last minute, finding a place to conduct our cell group. But yet finally we found it and the cell group was great, atmosphere was so strong even in the midst of pressurized using the place for only a very short time. But everybody is running together with me as their leader. Today when I looked at them, I knew I was not running the cg with normal members, but I was running with extraordinary leaders, who makes things happen together.

Some people are born with natural leadership qualities that need to be developed. But don't look at leadership as something attainable only by rare individuals with great talents. God delights in using common people to accomplish uncommon things. Common people with uncommon goals who make an uncommon commitment can help an uncommon number of people who can also lead other common people to do uncommon things. ICG6 ... all of you are HEROES in my heart and LEADERS in my journey.

Special Connection

Met as strangers in Indonesia 12 years ago, known as seasonal relationship 10 years ago, draw close as friend in Singapore this year. When we first met, we were just knowing each other casually. Say "Hi" and "Bye" within few minutes. But right now, we are saying "Hi" and spend time as if there is no "Bye". Ha Ha Ha ... interesting! We have a special connection because our identities and destinies are inextricably linked by God's design. When a person committed to their personal growth and destiny, that makes grow up really a fun journey with unpredictable divine connections always at the right time. Like what Thomas Jefferson says, "I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial"

Lone Rangers

Foreigner ... That's what we are called, for people from Indonesia, China, Japan, India and other country, who came for studying or working in Singapore. Every foreigner have this thought in mind "Will I be a lone ranger in this country?". I've seen many foreigners living as lone rangers here. But yet, I've seen foreigners living as if they are at home in this country. Today I was attending Unit Asia Jazz Concert in Singapore Concert Hall together with a group of Indonesians. Since I lived in Singapore, I've always given a chance to meet new people very often, specially Indonesians. And today I met another two new Indonesians who came here for a job. We were enjoying our time together, laughing together, care for one and another... feels like having a family here. Why is this happening?



I guess it's because we were created to give. Perhaps you feel you have nothing to give and you are a nobody. But the truth is .. you are somebody, and sure you could be a giver. This is what I see in a beautiful friendship today. Some give a smile, another person give a hug. Few person do some menial but meaningful task to help someone. Initiative contact few friends to join. Waiting for one another. Taking pictures. Being there together, tell jokes, sharing and laughing together. Share umbrella. All that simple actions ... strengthen one another, create a warm family touch to everyone's journey even though we are far away from home. Friends, somebody needs what you have to share. Somebody needs your friendship. Because you are unique, and God didn't make you to function as "Lone Rangers". Every single one of you .... is SOMEBODY even to SOMEONE. You could start from a simple action ... SMILE =) , that's make a huge difference on our journey.

Welcome To The World

Dear Bensan & Merry,

To the world you may be one person. But to one person you may be the world. Both of you are a great parents that Evelyn could ever have. Through all the challenges, pain, panic moments, long suffering... yet your love, faith, perseverance, commitment, dedication, prayer... create voices that mold Evelyn beautifully and healthily. Makes her whole as a person and unforgettable for the rest of her life journey. Just to let you know we share in the happiness of the beautiful new life you have created! Our love is with your new family.

The Hidden Messages in Water - Masaru Emoto

Yesterday I was so blessed by the sermon of Pastor Kong and Pastor Aries. The message was about as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

And I learned a lot from this illustration that was mentioned. Using high-speed photography, Dr. Masaru Emoto discovered that crystals formed in frozen water reveal changes when specific, concentrated thoughts are directed toward them. He found that water from clear springs and water that has been exposed to loving words shows brilliant, complex, and colorful snowflake patterns. In contrast, polluted water, or water exposed to negative thoughts, forms incomplete, asymmetrical patterns with dull colors. Molecules of water are affected by thoughts, words, and feelings. As we ourselves are water, no matter where we are, our thoughts, our words and our feelings, could impact the earth and our personal well being either positively or negatively.

And God, the Creator of this universe ... with His magnificent thoughts made this Lydia with her body contain 60-70% of water like most people. Lord, You have done Your part amazingly, every single moment always admire and have confidence towards me, simply because I'm fearfully and wonderfully made by Your loving hands. So I want to do my part, to think, speak and feel positively about who I am, like how You think, speak and feel about me. So that I could have the capacity with all of my mind, my word and my heart, keep running together with You, with Your mind, Your word and Your heart, faithfully ... all the days of my life.

Ansel Adams (American Photographer, 1902-1984)

Adams described himself as a photographer — lecturer — writer. It would perhaps be more accurate to say that he was simply — indeed, compulsively — a communicator. He endlessly traveled the country in pursuit of both the natural beauty he revered and photographed and the audiences he required. Adams felt an intense commitment to promoting photography as a fine art and played a key role in the establishment of the first museum department of photography, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The work at the museum fostered the closest relationships of Adams's life, with Beaumont and Nancy Newhall, a historian and museum administrator and a writer-designer, respectively.

As Beaumont Newhall writes in his FOCUS: Memoirs of a Life in Photography (1993), "Ansel was a great party man and loved to entertain. He had a very dominating personality, and would always be the center of attention"

Wah... Ansel Adams has quiet the same personality with me. His quotes alive my soul. This picture, I took in front of one mirror... would like to introduce my great companion to everyone, which is my camera... my instrument of love and revelation on this journey.

“Some photographers take reality...and impose the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and revelation.” — Ansel Adams

LOVE Is A Choice

"To Love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket-safe, dark, motionless, airless-it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable... The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers... of love is Hell". — C. S. Lewis

Lydia COOKING!!!!

Alamak Lydia!!! Nasi Goreng only what!!! hahaha Exactly.. this is nasi goreng, but it's an extraordinary nasi goreng hor ... this is my first time cooking again since many years ago. I've been living alone for 12 years, renting a room without any kitchen could be used for cooking like this. And guess what ... I did great ... it was super delicious!!! Haha this is what happen when an extraordinary food stylist believing in an ordinary photographer. Thank you Yuli, you made this journey of life so colourful in discovering this amazing Lydia day by day.

Being Different!

"Hi Uncle, would you mind drive me to 75 bedok food court and wait for me to buy a porridge for my friend who is sick right now, then go to her place at Paya Lebar." Actually I've prepared my heart to face a rude answer from the usual Singaporean taxi driver. But... no choice, I had to try it since I was rushing.

"Sure, let me drive you there" ... said the taxi driver. And along the way he was very kind, willing to wait for me about 5 minutes near the food court, talking with me nicely and politely. This taxi driver is... UNIQUE. I know a lot of common pressure make most of taxi driver here have the rights always to complain. But his attitude was totally different. It was a heavy rain outside, but his kindness in serving with his best really brightened up my day.
Some people always stand out from the crowd. It's hard to work out why; they just do life differently. They are unafraid to express who they are, they will stand up for what they believe no matter what people think of them and keep travelling.

"Ok, total is $11.25, you could just give me $11 will do" said the taxi driver. And I said, "Thank you so much for being so helpful, can I take your picture?"
"Ou .. why?" he asked curiously ... and I said with a big friendly smile, "Because you're unique, Uncle. That's what makes you stand out from the crowd and makes you different ... Thank you for letting me enjoy this journey".

Good Bye ...

This morning was so silence, as I walked out through the kitchen, I saw an empty garden. I knew ... he was gone ...

Sometimes separation can be difficult, but it's a natural process of life. And it's a season that I experience today with this charming dog. Although we've just met for 2 days, but this friend of mine was being there at the time I'm most needed and bring courage to my soul. Good bye my friend, I will remember you.

Seeing how God could take care of you until the way you are today ... I know He's showing to me that's how God could take care of me as well.

Passion

Passion ... this is what I always see from this close friend of mine, Yuli Maria. She loves food passionately, and her passion sparks her journey. We have quiet a lot of similarity, bubbly people, whenever we spend time together always so free to be who we really are, full of "loud" laughing voices out from our heart ha ha ha. Most important, both of us are people with passion and courageous dreamer.

Today she involved me in her photo shooting session for "Food & Travel" magazine. She is a regular freelancer Food Stylist for this magazine. It's a privilege for me to be there and be part of her passion journey.

Yuli Maria is a creative Food Stylist. I was so amazed to witness her achievement in creating fantastic layout of yummy food according to the theme. And the taste ... oh ... my ... my ... delicious. Her website www.yulimaria.com is under construction right now, but stay tuned!!! And you'll be surprised upside down by the journey of her passion through the website.

Passion is really powerful. It is the first step to achievement, increases willpower, changes lives, makes impossibilities possible, changes me. Thank God I found my passion in video, photo & design creativity. Sparks my journey ... oh .. my .. my .. I loveeeeee this journey of my life.

If you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life. Find your passion and follow it. That is all the career advice you will ever need, thus says John C. Maxwell. Hope you could enjoy your journey of passion together with us =)

Good morning, my new friend!

"Hello", that was the first word I said to this new friend in the morning. Immediately he came towards me, welcoming my touch gently and embracing me with his face.

My identity journey is one of both connection and separation. Separation and change always go hand in hand. Therefore I want to learn not to resist change, but embrace it in my world. God will use situations, circumstances and people to get us moving in the right direction again. This is what happened today, a new friend of mine, amazingly appeared out of a sudden just at the right time, a new divine connection on this life journey. His strong charming face and the way his eyes looked at me, gives me a new courage to start all my activity today. Thank you . . . for being part of my journey. Everyone could embrace the divine connections happening in this life, let's enjoy our journey start from today and you'll be amazed to see how unique & wonderful is your life. Simply because you're fearfully and wonderfully made .. =)

Identity journey

This dog was found on the streets near my house yesterday, unwanted and homeless. My landlord was generously embrace this dog to stay for a few days until he'll be send away to SPCC (Singapore Pets Care Centre).

While I was sleeping today, this dog was continuously crying aloud, right below the window of my room at 2nd floor. I felt this dog was so disturbing. I went down with my camera, was thinking to take a few shots of him. As I saw him, my heart melted and in tears. This dog has no friends, no family, no house, unwanted and alone. It reminded me of my past. And as I touched him gently, flatter him. I could see a strong sign of happiness shown from his body language. I've never been impressed with any dog before... but he impressed me amazingly. This dog with his big size body like a wolf, strong character outwardly but yet gentle inwardly towards touch and acceptance, open himself to be loved. Made me secure to be near him, taking picture and comforting him in the same time.

And I realize wrestling God on this identity journey will give you something unique -- your very own limp. It is a mark of the experiences you have been through as an individual on your journey. It is something that reminds you of the price you paid to bring the real 'you' to the surface. You can't copy the way someone limps after they have wrestled with God, because their style is individual to them. So I'm thanking God today for every limp in my life journey, has mold me uniquely, and I'm fearfully and wonderfully made.