March 17th

Happy birthday to meee...

Happy birthday to mee....

Happy birthday, happy birthday......

*ahem... *feedback from the mic... screech...

Happy birth...... day........ to.....................

mee......

yup, just less than 2 hours ago, I am officially, *ahem, Twenty... TWO!

That's right, people! If you're thinking I'm some old geezer still trying to hang on to teenage angst, jumping around in my jeans and T-shirt, tearing up sound amps with the head of my guitar before launching them into the unsuspecting crowd, you - are - SO - wrong! Cos, I am still at the prime of my life, unlike some who have turned 28! *ahem...

*For those who have no idea about the sport of guitar launching, I'll explain it in my next blog.

the truth is, I feel like I'm at an age where I'm neither here nor there. It's like you've taken a walk somewhere in the country and the path had become more and more familiar to you, although that's when you start questioning yourself if this is the right path to begin with.

Sometimes, I feel like I've landed in Oz and I'm still trying to find my way back to Kansas. Now, the trick to getting back to Kansas is to always walk on the yellow brick road... Thing is, I'm not too sure if where I'm walking is the yellow brick road... :P

Right now, where I am, the light seems to be a little deem and the clouds overcast.

Then again, I remember that in the story of Oz, the yellow brick road led Dorothy into a dark forest that was eerie and scary too.

But that was also where she found the Tin Man who along with the Scarecrow and the Lion, helped defeat the Wicked Witch of the East (or is it West... whatever...) and brought her to Oz who helped her get back to Kansas.

Come to think of it, the story of Oz is very synonymous to our Christian walk. We glide through the good times, we venture through the bad times, but in our hearts, we carry with us a deep yearning for Kansas, that gives us the hope that keeps us going. And on this journey, we meet friends, though as inadequate as they think they are sometimes, they're actually the ones who possess the strength and the courage to encourage us and pull us along the way this side of heaven.

As Bono of U2 sings in One, "We get to carry each other... carry each other..."

I'm so thankful for friends and buddies who have walked with me through my life these Twenty-TWO years of my life.

Guess I'd like to take this chance to thank them and acknowledge them for their encouragement and the light that they have shown in my life

Thanks to Chao Yang, who is a brother that the Lord had brought into my life. Thanks bro, for the wisdom that you've given to me so many times in our friendship and for allowing me to catch a glimpse of the Father's love in your life. You're indeed a father to the nations! :)

And to my dear Bro, Mun Gor, thanks for always being there. We've known each other since our pagan days till now and we're still walking the journey of knowing more of His goodness and grace in our lives each day. I'll see you in the Faith Hall of Fame when I get there.

Thanks to John, who stood by me through those times, when I was a pain in your neck. Thanks for believing in me and giving me the patience and the space to grow. In you, I truly see Jesus.

To Ben, the Eagle, God indeed sent you into my life bro, to walk this journey of obedience to Him even though the hope is minute and the journey incurs long-suffering and lots of heartache. You're really my nan xiong nan di. :)

Then to my dearest sisters, Joyce, Pei Ling, Lindsay, Jen and Cami. In each of you, I truly see the character of the woman in Proverbs 31 formed in you.

Joyce, thanks for praying with me and believing in this brother of yours even when there were times when I don't even believe in myself. I have so much to thank you for, that it'll make me shed tears. Thanks for showing me how a woman so broken can be transformed by the Lord to be one who is so beautiful and precious in His eyes.

Pei Ling, for all the car rides and conversations of our journey with the Lord. Your simplicity is like a refreshing spring in the desert of cynicsm and doubts in this life. I've been greatly blessed by our friendship.

Lindsay, you still owe me a hug. Hahaha... we have many hours of intellectual conversations at the porch of your house to catch up on. :)

Jen, wherever you are right now, God's plan and destiny still waits for you to be fulfilled! :)

Cami, for being a such a great fellow hamster in this cage that we run in. :) thanks for your companionship, without which, I'd prob have gone crazy already... :P

And I just wanna say to my little sheeps, Sim Chun, Yuan Chang, Eleen, Yuling, Sharon and the rest, in the famous words of Chao Yang...

"Daddy lubves you..." :P hahaha...

There are still many I'm grateful for the Lord for bringing into my life. Don't have space to put so many ppl, but each of you are precious to me. :)

And thank You Lord, for giving me a chance to say my Oscar speech on my blog, where otherwise, I would never have had the chance to, since chances of being on a stage and saying all this would be pretty minute...

Thank you for being my Shepherd that...

"I shall not want,
He lies me down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake

Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death,
I will fear no evil,
For You are with me,
Your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me,
in the presence of my enemies,
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup overflows.

Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever..."

Amen

*a round of applause.... clap, clap, clap...