Another day, another time

So it's been another few weeks since I last blogged. And as usual, not much has really happened in my life. Well, unless you count the occasional overtimes that I need to do at work, things have been relatively peaceful, or is it?

Well, 2 weeks ago, things have been extremely turbulent in my life. It had to do with finances and trying to do something about family finances. I was introduced to network marketing, and the money prospects were very good. But there were inherent moral issues that I had with it, but I was pressured into joining the group. In some way, I pressured myself into it without thinking too well about it. I didn't like the system from the start, but the money was the one thing that attracted me to it. It wasn't that it was easy money, you had to put in the hard work to succeed in that business. But it was very good money, that if you did well, you can make 5 digits a month. I struggled very hard in my heart and head about the entire thing, between money and the "how" of making this money. It was a very painful 2 weeks, since I was brought into the system by my friend. In the end, I agreed to join the system. I needed to find a large sum of money to do the initial investment, and I started asking around. But it was after I spoke with my mentor, that I finally realised that it was not what I wanted to do at all. I had no doubt I could succeed in that business, but the ethical and moral issues would unsettle me forever. My mentor brought a light into my life just as I was about to step off that cliff. And I turned back. I dropped the business immediately and since then, there's been a peace within me about the whole finance thing. I still cringe at some of the things that was said to me about the whole network marketing thing and I acutely feel the turmoil and darkness that was within me those 2 weeks. But I am glad that it's over and that I'm back on the right track again. Once again, I believe that God brought just the right person into my life to help me realise that He is never far away and that we should not do things only in our own power, but trust in Him. I'm going to remember this episode as a lesson for many years to come.

On to more joyful things. I just went to the Jason Mraz concert last Friday, in the Esplanade Concert Hall. He was AMAZING! Such a great performer and entertainer, with a beautiful voice. His stage presence was out of the world and his jokes original and fresh. I went with the GIC people and also some church mates. Everyone agreed that Jason Mraz was great. He had the SoCal geeky but cute look and feel, and his jokes reminded me so much of the ones me and my fraternity brothers would crack together. Coupled that I just watched "Just like Heaven" which was shot in San Francisco, I had a huge jab of nostalgia that lasted days. After the concert, we headed to Timbre for drinks and pizza and more live music. Nothing like Jason Mraz, but it was a good night out.

Saturday was mainly tutoring. I'm getting more students now, with a tuition center, so I'm working most of Saturdays now. A 6 day working week. I make way more money tutoring than my National Service, and I need it to survive. After tutoring, I went for dinner at one of my Disciple Group member's house. He had a dinner gathering for all of us. It was great coming together for fellowship and dinner, talking and chatting and getting to know each other. We even had 2 DG friends from OMF International talk to us about their ministry work and what's going on in North Korea for ministry. We chilled, and talked, and it was an excellent way to spend Saturday night. Never felt so rested.

Sunday was church, and it was really fun too. The sermon was a little draggy, but I keep meeting old and new friends at church. I met up with Wong Yann again, after 4-5 years of not seeing him. Stella was there too, along with the GIC people, etc. Going to church is always refreshing and it starts me on the right foot every week now. I had "Just for Newcomers" in the afternoon, a church session for newcomers to ARPC. I've been in the church for 7 months, but haven't been to one of these 14 week sessions, so I'm attending it right now. I miss a couple because of my frisbee league, but once it ends, I'm all the way for JFN.

Then I headed to Seiwei's place to play X-box, and watched "V for Vendetta" with Pearline, Seiwei and Kris. The movie was good! Not a typical brainless action flick with all action no plot. It had good plot, good thought processes but not so deep and heavy that you'll be stressed out with the ideology. Well, apparently, my sociology friend was so excited about watching it and seeing all the sociology implications etc. behind the movie. Too deep for me! After the movie, had dinner with Andy, Pearline and Kris at the S-11 beside Junction 8. I haven't been there since like secondary school, when I studied at RI. Not much has changed. We chatted and just talked about school, my fraternity, and church, etc.

It has been good times lately. And things just flow naturally in life. Although there are still things weighing down in my heart, it isn't as bad as before. I'm still deciding what my life is really about, but that one will take time anyway. And of course the occasional demons within me that need to be exorcised because it plagues me now and then. But all that is within control, and things are getting stable again. Need to pray to God to get rid of these demons and be able to live a truly joyful life again.

Until the next post,

Peace be with all of you! Shalom!