Only 10 Things a Day

Remembering the weekend…

Kelvin Larry — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:18:56 +0000

I think the weekdays are here to help us rest from the weekends? You think? Haha Why do everyone love weekends so much? Coz we get to do our own thing? Coz we get that much needed rest? Coz we so need to sleep in? Coz that’s when the kids can ask you a thousand and one questions? Probably all of the above! Let’s give thanks for our weekends! No matter how short there may be or feel like!

1. I’ll remember the sermon this morning – “Male by birth, Man by choice”. Thanks Ps J for the message!

2. Eventually decided on the gift for my dad’s 60th birthday! It’s gonna cost, but we think he’s gonna love it!

3. Wife was in the Sunday Service with me this morning after being away from the main service for about a year! Yaay!

4. Our kids finished all their homework over this weekend!

5. Wrote another entry for my other blog! Woohoo! We’re rolling!… i think

6. Am thankful that I’m blessed with the ability to drive and being able to bring my family all over the place. I think this is something we many times take granted for.

7. Our son attended his first ever art class and we’re grateful to the teacher who was really encouraging. Thanks, God, for bringing her close by!

Juz another day?…

Kelvin Larry — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:58:15 +0000

I was prepping myself for just another day at the office. And WHEEEE! It’s Friday Haha! It was staff appraisal day at the office and I was praying that my staff would do well with the management. And at the end of it, yippee! Although the day started out “as per normal”, there was a huge thunderstorm this morning. It provided a mood. A setting. A sense of nostalgia. Let’s see… where am I leading to? Heh heh! Good ‘ol Frank! Popped in my Frank Sinatra CD and WWOOWW!! Still really loved his voice and music! The drive to work set up my whole mood for the day. And it was a lovely feeling to relax with.

Haven’t sung these in ages! Motormouth time! (i.e. singing in the car! Hahaha!)

Japanese dinner…

Kelvin Larry — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:20:43 +0000

My wife had taken ill this morning. She had the works – flu, cough, sore throat… think it was I who passed it to her. I was sneezing up a thunderstorm over the weekend. But this didn’t last too long. After some rest and vitamins, she was feeling much better. So much so that she said she would prepare a japanese dinner for our family this evening! WOW! And was it delish!! She made miso soup, chicken cutlet, japanese curry, japanese rice… oh no! My mouth is watering again!!! Haha! Really thank God for her! God knows that all of us needed to be taken care of! And He also knew that she would be the best person to care for all of us.

1. DINNER!

2. Completed a proposal submission this afternoon! Yeah!

3. The kids were out of school today because of examinations for the higher standards. I think they really enjoyed their time at home, especially when my wife was home today too! Thank God that they the day off.

4. Thank God that the kids have 2 days off! Yes, they’ll be home again tomorrow! So kool to be school going kids! Haha!

5. For one of my staff. She volunteered to help with some other submission so that I did not have to start from scratch. Thanks WW!

3rd time Uncle!…

Kelvin Larry — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:51:16 +0000

My sister-in-law delivered their 2nd child this weekend! And I’m now a proud uncle for the 3rd time! Heh heh!! It was a really smooth delivery. Thank God for that! She was originally due for today but she felt some “pain” this past Saturday and was admitted into the hospital. Lo and behold, we received a text message a couple of hours after that to say that she had delivered! Both mother and baby are doing well. Praise God for that too! And they will be discharged tomorrow. Baby deliveries were the biggest news for me these few days too. My colleague, who is also due today, eventually gave birth this evening after being in the delivery ward for the whole day! And how did she manage it? Because the mother-to-be in the next room was screaming and shouting, and she herself felt compelled to push!! It took her awhile, but *pop* came out the baby! Haha! It was also a smooth delivery and both mother and baby are doing well! Thank God for them too. “Life is fragile,” my wife puts it as she recalls to me an incident which happened to one of friends today. She was almost hit by a cab who ran a red light! Just as how fragile a baby comes into this world, our lives seem to remain “fragile” until we meet God. How interesting…

1. My niece!

2. My colleague’s son!

3. For protection of our friend who was crossing the road!

4. For finally clearing that audit letter which I had pending in the office! Haha! It’s really a load off my shoulders!

5. For our eldest daughter’s performance yesterday evening at one of the shopping malls here. It was a lovely musical rendition!

6. For our youngest daughter who managed to find some time to go swimming yesterday at a friend’s condo! Totally unplanned for too!

7. For our son who spent that time playing the computer! Also, totally unplanned for!

8. For my wife who is ever so devoted to her ministry!

9. For being able to give thanks for little things each day!

Remembering peace…

Kelvin Larry — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:59:55 +0000

And the day began with the knowledge that there was a great deal of work to be done. It kept me very unfocused and led me in all directions. What a confusing day at the office! Can you imagine being torn from one end to another, then only to be pushed forward and pulled back all at the same time? Now I know what Mr Fantastic feels like! Haha! It’s amazing how I can still crack jokes even through a day like this. But really, that was exactly how I got through the day! I came in, smiling from cheek to cheek, making “smart alec” comments, cracking jokes. My staff knew I was stressed and they really helped me to get about all the work. Each tried to attend to their individual matters, drive their own issues, clarify their own thoughts. They also willingly (or at least, I hoped!) attend meetings on my behalf! I found that I was able to rely on them to get things through and this eased some of the load off my shoulders. But yet, more work poured in. Oh well, that’s how things go. In all this complex confusion, how does one find the time to sit down and rest? Or even reflect on what to do next? Almost everything seems to be instinctive! How does one remember inner peace? It had also been said that it would be better to spend that time to seek God and know peace before the hustle and bustle of work! Rather than to have the busyness of work take our precious time away from God. Which should we choose? I think I chose wrong this morning :-/

1. My boss affirmed me for my work and effort for this first half of the year. He told me that he could see how I had managed to bring the team together and how I had questioned many of the assumptions of the existing processes. It felt really good to hear his!

2. Lunch out of the office canteen! So-so, but it was the environment and company which made it so enjoyable.

3. Remembering God during of Life Group this evening. His presence. His grace. His love.

4. At our Life Group, we touched on the subject of anger and I remembered how I used to be really a short tempered person. When I blow up, I really can BLOW UP! And usually, at least 1 person will get hurt… either emotionally or physically or both. Yeah, that’s me. Little known secrets of me but God has changed me so much. I am definitely not the same person.

5. Who is like Thee, O God? No one! Thank you for instilling my identity in me

The beginning…

Kelvin Larry — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:05:41 +0000

Today marks the day before a new beginning of sorts for me at my workplace. My fellow colleague will be away to deliver her little baby boy from tomorrow onwards and I will be covering her portfolio until she returns. So exciting! Alright… it’s ok exciting. I get to do project work which is one of my weakest attributes as a manager. So this will give me a chance to practice and hopefully, I will screw it up! Otherwise she will have my head!! It also provides me with an opportunity to multitask even more than what I am currently doing right now. This is also one of my weakest features. But I get to manage a couple more people, which I think is something which I should be able to handle? Maybe Well, whichever it is, I’m looking forward to it because I know this is the opportunity that God had paved out for me. I always remember that when God wants to build some character is someone, He does not just give you that ability or character or that feeling, but He will put you in a situation where you can experience His immense grace and love such that you will not ever forget the lesson that He wants you to learn. God is really a great teacher

1. I’m glad that I’m feeling better after a couple of days of headaches ad backaches

2. I came home late from work and met with a traffic jam, compliments of a broken down vehicle. But lo and behold, I was still able to pick the right lanes and get home fast! Wow! Smooooooooth traffic!…in my eyes, at least!

3. This morning perk-me-up coffee!!

4. As I attended an appraisal meeting this afternoon, I felt really glad that I had been blessed with such a great team! They range from the very young to the near retiring, but yet, they still come together and work harmoniously! It’s amazing! Truly grateful for them!

5. The day before yesterday, I was able to draft out my thoughts on the motivational development of kids. It was kool! Check it out on Thoughts on Skill vs Motivation.

End of a long weekend…

Kelvin Larry — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:36:15 +0000

The long weekend over our National Day ended yesterday, but I had to extend it another day. For the only strange reason that I could think of i.e. the bed was too soft and the pillow was too soft, I was totally unable to sleep last night and keep waking up throughout the night – every hour yet! Why was the bed and pillow so soft? Well, they were not mine. Our family spent the night at Resort World Sentosa’s Hotel Michael. Compliments of my dad’s frequent “flyer miles” to the casino over there. My parents, my brother, his crew and our gang were there. We did not go into Universal Studios and spent all our time outside it! Faarr-neeee!! Hahaha! The main objective was family time. This was the first time that all 3 families had “taken a trip” together. Let’s see… 1 grandfather, 1 grandmother, 3 mothers, 3 fathers, 4 sons, 2 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 1 daughter-to-be, 2 grandsons, 2 grand-daughters and 1 grand-daughter-to-be. What a big group!!… considering that there were only 6 of us adults and 4.5 of them kids. What a blast!

1. This weekend further confirms my belief that “grandchildren spoil faster than overnight potatoes at the grandparents’ place.” Heh heh! But thank God for grandparents!

2. Thank God for the wonderful weather this past weekend! Beautiful!

3. The weekend of also a time to remind ourselves of how far our nation has come along through the years. It is indeed admirable and something to be grateful for. Thank God that He has continued to bless the nation and the leaders of the nation.

4. I managed to catch the traditional fly-by performed by our fly-boys! Woohoo!! Wanna be a pilot anyone?

5. Swimming time at the hotel… hotels! We swam from 1 hotel, walked over to another, and swam again! The kids sure had lots of fun! So did the grandfather! Haha!

6. I thank God for the sermon this past Sunday. Flee and not fight temptation, and replace and not resist such thoughts. The message was clear.

7. FAMILY TIME!

8. This morning’s COFFEE! It is exactly what you need after a night of extended intermitten sleep.

Patriotic weekend…

Kelvin Larry — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:59:57 +0000

It is time to celebrate independence day over here. Our country’s National Day is this coming Monday and everything is gearing up to it. I was posed an interesting question yesterday. I was asked, “Do you put up the National Flag outside your home?” To which, it was an empathic “Yes!” My colleague then proceeded to ask someone else the same question. In short, some did and some didn’t for whatever reasons. Then, came this answer… “It’s not whether you put it up or not, but whether you are patriotic in your heart. National Day is not just a single day, but it should be every day.” Isn’t that the simple truth?

1. Yesterday, we had our annual National Day Observance Ceremony at the office. There was the usual singing and dancing (with a special treat from our very own Singapore Idol!). And the message was clear and is still ringing in my ears. “Live your dream! Fly our Flag!” Be proud of who we are, of our heritage, of our coming of age, of what we dare to do, of our simplest dreams and goals. This was a timely message as well as a reminder for me, especially as I search for a vision or a renewed vision. Oh yes, I still have to look over our family vision again! Gotta be serious about this!

2. We celebrated further in the office by heading out for lunch! PIZZA for everyone!!! Then ICE CREAM for everyone!!! WOOHOO!!

3. I also got a glimpse of the latest iPhone4. What a spectacular piece of machinery! And all that antenna-reception hype is so bull! Where we were, the reception was already pretty low (only 1 reception bar). But as I covered the entire wrap around antenna, the reception was still there. So, just goes to show what some minority of people would do and go through to make a quick buck or in this case, to receive a free iPhone case.

4. My wife and I had friends come in from overseas and we met them (more like just him) up for dinner. He was my wife’s old classmate. Although there was some language barrier on my part, I was grateful that we could have dinner together and I was thankful that I could be there to enjoy the company…. alright alright, as well as the food! There, I said it! Haha!

5. Some days back, I wrote that I took over my wife’s desk and yes, she deserved a new one. Yes, we got her one today. It’s a high bar table with an accompanying high bar chair. It was something that she had been wanting for a couple of years now. I was not able to get this for her earlier, but I was able to do so today. It was almost like I was able to help her fulfill one of her dreams! Thankful for this situation!

6. Today, our younger kids were also invited to a birthday party. And because of this, my wife and I were able to spend some time together and yes, bought the table and chair

7. My new blog would be to help kids or parents of kids who do not seem to be, well, motivated. I do not have any content yet, but I am sure it would come along. All I have is this concept idea which I believe can reach out and help people. Even my wife will be co-authoring this blog! So, Be-All-You-Can-Be Kids will be launched shortly!! Yeah!

Breakfast “prata”…

Kelvin Larry — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:13:31 +0000

It has been awhile since I last had “prata” – for those who are unfamiliar, it’s like pita or fajitas, except that it’s indian and it usually goes with either sugar or curry. Well, I had that opportunity this morning and who else better to accompany me than my wife (Hi, are you reading this? Heehee!) Well, not so much about the breakfast, but more about the company. Although a short time, I thought it was a really relaxing and refreshing time. We do not usually get to be able to spend time like this, especially in the mornings when the air is fresher and when there are no kids about. So, it was a good time. It was almost like a “catching up” and almost as if we were dating. (Heehee! So shy!! Haha!!) We talked a little about ministry, a little about people, a little about kids, a little about work, a little about what’s going to happen later in the day. Pleasant!! I think we need to find that time where we could do this more often!

1. Breakfast! Prata! Yumz!

2. Had a good rest at home today. Really made the difference.

3. My mother called today. They have a $500 voucher for a new mobile phone and they don’t want it! Hmmm looks like I might be getting that iPhone 4 anyway! Haha! Thank God for parents!!

4. My mother called again today. Father has a hotel room at Sentosa for 1 night over this coming long weekend! Looks like the kids are going to enjoy themselves! Thank God for parents!!

5. I have an inkling about what I might want to do or at least want to try out, but I’ve not sorted it all out in my mind yet. But I really thank God for revealing it to me and leading me towards it. I already created another blog for this, but no content yet :-/ well, working on it!

Passion & effort…

Kelvin Larry — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:55:19 +0000

“If you do things with passion, you can’t help it but be excellent.“ This was an interesting statement I saw. It bears much truth that passion and effort are highly positively correlated. And passion is so wide that it can cover so much and so many aspects. From courtship to worklife, this statement prevails. (Hmmm no wonder my boss keeps asking if I’m passionate about my work…) I like this. Short, simple, sweet and powerful! Thanks HT for the statement! Perhaps the main question is what is our passion? Then at least we will know where to best channel our excellence towards.

1. I think I am slowly finding my “passion”… that’s a good thing! Better than being lost and running amuck, i mean, about. Haha!

2. I managed to somewhat clean up my desk at home… after my wife re-arranged the furniture, everything that was “neatly packed away” suddenly surfaced! Heehee!

3. I now have a new desk use! Thanks to my wife, who sacrificed her desk… hmmm… maybe she’s hinting for a new one! Oh well, she deserves a new one

[5 Aug 10] I thought I should add this. Just heard this on the radio this morning – “With passion, you can make the unimaginable, imaginable“.