Today has been a long wet day. Rainy season in July. Early in the morning, I took the train to Buona Vista to report to work at NUS TMSI. I enjoyed the train ride as I spent it meaningfully reading my BIBLE and Daily Bread article on We Are Connected c.f. Romans 12: 3-13. The key takeaway was that whatever I do, whether good or bad, will influence the people around me. Once again, I am reminded to be conscious of how I conduct myself in a manner worthy of my calling as a Christian.

During the train ride, I observed that people tend to be rather inconsiderate. Why? There's still some space in the middle of the cabin, yet many get squashed and squeezed at the door of the train cabin due to the inconsideration of people who refuse to move in and squeeze further in the middle of the cabin. Perhaps, for fear of being unable to get off the train at their stops? I wonder. Hence, I took a few shots of the early morning rush hour squeeze in the train. Hmmm... think I will start editing my song CONSIDERATION IS THE WAY OF LIFE to emphasize more on this issue on BE CONSIDERATE!

Well, I spent my time productively at NUS TMSI in the morning till around 2.30p.m. I am glad to accomplish a few tasks: settle admin matters, meet Dr Raju to discuss the details of my job scope as a Casual Junior Research Assistant and check out the photos of the research project. As the data of the research project is confidential, I am not to divulge any information regarding it in my sharing here. Hence, I can only share about the general stuff (knowledge common to layman) about my current work to update about my life.

I was elated to be exploring the use of iMac to do photo-stitching/ merging to form paranomic views. Yeah! I love discovery learning. Eager to learn, I had borrowed a few books from National Central Library @ Bras Brasah since Saturday to study the use of iMac's softwares: iPhoto, iMovie and others. A good time for me to further my interests in photography and editing of photos and videos. Reading and learning goes hand in hand to achieve new knowledge and skills. Well, being a long-time Windows user, it takes a while for me to figure out how to use iMac. Heehee, I guess it's my turn to S.O.S. friends of mine who are pro iMac users. Windows friendly softwares tend to be rather different from iMac friendly softwares. Not to fear, with a heart to learn to improve, nothing is too tough. With God's strength and power, I will conquer! This same principle of having the heart to learn and persevere applies to all who are getting a hang of new stuff...teachers or students; adults or children.

For now, I am loving this new job as a Junior Research Assistant. Working 3 days a week since I am on part-time employment. Hee... clock 24 hours in a week. Happy with the pay and the job scope given. A good place that provides me with the opportunity to learn more new stuff and upgrade professionally. Love the working environment there too. Heh, I make myself comfortable in my own little cozy corner/ work station. Haha... my second home... up on the NUS hill surrounded by greenery (secondary forest), fresh air on the outside, and air-conditioning in the building.

After settling some work there, I took a long bus ride to THE SEAVIEW for my new tuition kid, Albert. His home is lovely. The 1 hour of English tuition was carried out productively as I zoomed in on his area of weakness in sentence construction. Using 2 Grammar guidebooks, I summed up the key points with him on the basic structure of a simple sentence: Subject, Verb, Object; 4 types of sentences and the 4 key Word Classes: Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives.

Using the assessment book that I bought for him to use, I focused on the Word Order section with prior knowledge that most children are weak in this area on sentence construction. With that section, I derived my own 5-Steps to Word Order:

1) Read the words.

2) Identify the Subject, Verb & Object.

3) Label the S.V.O.

4) Number the words to rearrange.

5) Write the sentence.

After the tuition, I was exhilarated to meet up with my 2 friends, Pat & Qing, to get my miscellanous stuff from them. Seeing them brings cheer. It's the little things that brings joy to my heart and soul. Heehee... Well, shall meet them again some other day for makan or cuppa when they are available. Teachers are ever busy as bees. Praying that God bless and keep them always.

Following the short catch-up, I walked to Parkway with my barang barangs (da bao xiao bao) to meet my friend, Meiling for dinner @ Ichiban Sushi. Yummy, love eating the sushi there. Good time of catch-up with her too. Heehee, looking forward to be her photographer on her R.O.M. day to build up my portfolio as freelance photographer.

Life is an adventure now. It's just like eating chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. Sometimes, it's bitter; at other times, sweet. Flavours of life. Taste and see that it is good. Thanks be to God for everyday. Rain or shine, God promises rainbow at the end of it all. Slowly discovering the rainbows... Faith, Hope & LOVE!