lao ban niang forgot about time off for me today. and was apologetic. let me have the van after the last delivery and allowed me to drive to DG. really really thankful and appreciative. lao ban playfully threatened to charge me for the use of the van and said to learn from the bible to be shrewd with money. *question mark* and he gave me discount for my cycling secret weapon. woohoo. Serfas Podium Road Shoe. SPPS. emily got the NTU letter lo. super proud of her. lunch on her man. tmr first ride with the church people. super excited. hehe.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
E's living the dream
this post is about me living the dream. not of an astronaut nor pilot nor successful head hunting businessman, but as a delivery man in a bicycle shop. how i got started living the dream is a story for another time.
its been two weeks exact since i've started working and its been amazing how God brought me to a deeper albeit still blurry understanding of why i am here in i had a conversation with the lady boss yesterday in the shop. i asked about my time off on alternate saturdays for cell group. and that led to us talking about her past as a christian for over a decade with the boss. how they were baptised, how she had been scarred spiritually and how she confessed she's backslided. that incident kept me thinking and its a funny imagining my boss being baptised. usually that would entail kneeling before the pastor while he sprinkles water that has been prayed over or full water baptisim. and i compare that to the boss he is now. hmmm.
amazing cos its a wonder how the employers share such a past with an employee like me whose just started working barely a month. living the dream cos its probably beyond my imagination wat God wants to do through me in my stint at the shop.
for now im doing abit of everything. delivery, repair, sales and storeman. to be faithful with the little things God has blessed with. and to be ready for the huge ones that are to come. will remember BX saying that God has in plan a ideal job this hols.
electric foldable bike anyone?
its been two weeks exact since i've started working and its been amazing how God brought me to a deeper albeit still blurry understanding of why i am here in i had a conversation with the lady boss yesterday in the shop. i asked about my time off on alternate saturdays for cell group. and that led to us talking about her past as a christian for over a decade with the boss. how they were baptised, how she had been scarred spiritually and how she confessed she's backslided. that incident kept me thinking and its a funny imagining my boss being baptised. usually that would entail kneeling before the pastor while he sprinkles water that has been prayed over or full water baptisim. and i compare that to the boss he is now. hmmm.
amazing cos its a wonder how the employers share such a past with an employee like me whose just started working barely a month. living the dream cos its probably beyond my imagination wat God wants to do through me in my stint at the shop.
for now im doing abit of everything. delivery, repair, sales and storeman. to be faithful with the little things God has blessed with. and to be ready for the huge ones that are to come. will remember BX saying that God has in plan a ideal job this hols.
electric foldable bike anyone?
XK (2)
a little about myself - i'm no serious rider. i can't tell a bike chain from jewelry, nor gear teeth from molars. the only dismantling i ever do is when my bike starts falling apart by itself. the thing is, i ride everyday.
it all began one fateful day in april 2006. i lost my wallet. well actually, i believe it got stolen. i took a dump, leaving my wallet in the library in my pouch, and when i came back it was gone. i am so thankful that for goodness knows what Reason [;)] my hp accompanied me on my journey, so it was safe albeit a little stinky. so anyways, there went my concession pass - i could no longer take my $52 a month unlimited bus rides. i really didn't wanna replace it, cos that would mean a replacement fee. but after Counting the Cost [;)] i realised i should replace it, cos it would do me better in the long run. while waiting for the card to come, i still had to travel around in the meantime. then it hit me - why don't i start taking the mrt? the concession's only $45, cheaper than bus! oh yeah - you gotta bus from the mrt to school. strike tha.... wait a minute. what if i didn't have to bus? what if i had.... a BIKE?! and thus began my love affair with DB - my first ever foldable bike. DB is a real copout for a name, cos it just stood for Da Bike, the brand of my bike, but it worked. and so DB came to be.
now with my foldable bike craze, came my crazy dad. he was at an exhibition for Big Boys Toys when he got introduced to the STRIDA. this is a way cooler bike, it's folding action is sleek, sexy, superb. it's got amazing finishing, is extremely light, comes with a bell, headlight, and tailight. it's got disc brakes and is extremely clean cos it comes with a kevlar belt - no grease (ideal for a hypochondriac like me)! and it cost $1200 (not good for the scrooge that i am). i waved away my dad's constant attempts to interest me in getting it. "come lah, i buy for you... it's really very nice! look at it [thrusts advert for STRIDA enthusiastically in my face]!" i managed to hold him at bay for 6 months. then one fine day in September 2007, i came home and found myself face to face with the confounded contraption.
it.was.beautiful. i cannot deny that. but i was adamant. i berated him once more for getting it (now that's another story altogether. in a nutshell, it was my mom who got it, cos she was so fed up with him for talking about it so much that she got it for him). i was loyal to DB! i didn't drop her! until of course she got a tire puncture. this time, i didn't wanna spend on repairs again - so with a reluctance that bordered on happiness, i tried the darned STRIDA. and i haven't looked back since (well, technically not true, cos when STRIDA got punctured, i went back to DB who was serviced by my kind mom, cos i didn't wanna waste money on repairing STRIDA, but then DB, being more than 10 years old got punctured again, and her gears fell off, and her brakes stopped working... so yeah. STRIDA has now ascended the throne).
oh, the STRIDA's name is much better than DB's though. cos i go everywhere with her, my gf got fed up cos STRIDA kept getting in the way - it's difficult to paktor and push a bike all over the place. so she said 'it's your wife right!' and i said, 'nah... it's just an old hag...' and there it was. old hag. what a beaut for a moniker!
i thank God that in the transition between DB and old hag, smrt has grown to be more accepting of our union. initally in 2006, i had to be as covert and nonchalant as possible, avoided eye contact with all security personnel, was banned from going into certain stations, and could only travel on certain times (something i flouted constantly). i lived in fear. but soon, smrt realised that unlike the singapore govt, it had to be more open to the vast variety of life that avails in the world. so it became 'foldable bikes allowed, but only during non-peak hours'. i travelled with greater ease, but still flouted the second clause with furtive glances. and lo and behold, in march 2009 - 'foldable bikes allowed, at all times'. VICTORY! we have been accepted by society! no more discrimination, no more fear, no more looking over our shoulders! i am now even friends with the lavender, bedok, and dover security personnel!
the thing is, how have my actions changed since 2006? they haven't. i still go on the train with my bike. the difference then is in the heart - the joy i have each time i do, knowing that i'm not being judged (by smrt at least), and that i am living in Freedom [;)]
so the point is, what's the use of God in your life, if you haven't needed Him all this while? what change is He gonna bring? well, let me just say, that even if your actions show an absolutely zero displacement between the time before and after to decide to accept Christ as you Personal Lord and Saviour, you will find yourself, incredibly, irrevocably, exceedingly, and amazingly, transformed.
ride safe.
it all began one fateful day in april 2006. i lost my wallet. well actually, i believe it got stolen. i took a dump, leaving my wallet in the library in my pouch, and when i came back it was gone. i am so thankful that for goodness knows what Reason [;)] my hp accompanied me on my journey, so it was safe albeit a little stinky. so anyways, there went my concession pass - i could no longer take my $52 a month unlimited bus rides. i really didn't wanna replace it, cos that would mean a replacement fee. but after Counting the Cost [;)] i realised i should replace it, cos it would do me better in the long run. while waiting for the card to come, i still had to travel around in the meantime. then it hit me - why don't i start taking the mrt? the concession's only $45, cheaper than bus! oh yeah - you gotta bus from the mrt to school. strike tha.... wait a minute. what if i didn't have to bus? what if i had.... a BIKE?! and thus began my love affair with DB - my first ever foldable bike. DB is a real copout for a name, cos it just stood for Da Bike, the brand of my bike, but it worked. and so DB came to be.
now with my foldable bike craze, came my crazy dad. he was at an exhibition for Big Boys Toys when he got introduced to the STRIDA. this is a way cooler bike, it's folding action is sleek, sexy, superb. it's got amazing finishing, is extremely light, comes with a bell, headlight, and tailight. it's got disc brakes and is extremely clean cos it comes with a kevlar belt - no grease (ideal for a hypochondriac like me)! and it cost $1200 (not good for the scrooge that i am). i waved away my dad's constant attempts to interest me in getting it. "come lah, i buy for you... it's really very nice! look at it [thrusts advert for STRIDA enthusiastically in my face]!" i managed to hold him at bay for 6 months. then one fine day in September 2007, i came home and found myself face to face with the confounded contraption.
it.was.beautiful. i cannot deny that. but i was adamant. i berated him once more for getting it (now that's another story altogether. in a nutshell, it was my mom who got it, cos she was so fed up with him for talking about it so much that she got it for him). i was loyal to DB! i didn't drop her! until of course she got a tire puncture. this time, i didn't wanna spend on repairs again - so with a reluctance that bordered on happiness, i tried the darned STRIDA. and i haven't looked back since (well, technically not true, cos when STRIDA got punctured, i went back to DB who was serviced by my kind mom, cos i didn't wanna waste money on repairing STRIDA, but then DB, being more than 10 years old got punctured again, and her gears fell off, and her brakes stopped working... so yeah. STRIDA has now ascended the throne).
oh, the STRIDA's name is much better than DB's though. cos i go everywhere with her, my gf got fed up cos STRIDA kept getting in the way - it's difficult to paktor and push a bike all over the place. so she said 'it's your wife right!' and i said, 'nah... it's just an old hag...' and there it was. old hag. what a beaut for a moniker!
i thank God that in the transition between DB and old hag, smrt has grown to be more accepting of our union. initally in 2006, i had to be as covert and nonchalant as possible, avoided eye contact with all security personnel, was banned from going into certain stations, and could only travel on certain times (something i flouted constantly). i lived in fear. but soon, smrt realised that unlike the singapore govt, it had to be more open to the vast variety of life that avails in the world. so it became 'foldable bikes allowed, but only during non-peak hours'. i travelled with greater ease, but still flouted the second clause with furtive glances. and lo and behold, in march 2009 - 'foldable bikes allowed, at all times'. VICTORY! we have been accepted by society! no more discrimination, no more fear, no more looking over our shoulders! i am now even friends with the lavender, bedok, and dover security personnel!
the thing is, how have my actions changed since 2006? they haven't. i still go on the train with my bike. the difference then is in the heart - the joy i have each time i do, knowing that i'm not being judged (by smrt at least), and that i am living in Freedom [;)]
so the point is, what's the use of God in your life, if you haven't needed Him all this while? what change is He gonna bring? well, let me just say, that even if your actions show an absolutely zero displacement between the time before and after to decide to accept Christ as you Personal Lord and Saviour, you will find yourself, incredibly, irrevocably, exceedingly, and amazingly, transformed.
ride safe.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
XK (1)
woah! this is a surprise... hello all. my name is fong xiongkun, and i'm a great believer in bingxin, and the blessings he brings to those around him. i'm not sure what role i could possibly have in this blog! but prayerfully i will move as God directs. hey there binx! always good to see you, on/offline!
Monday, March 23, 2009
E's first contribution
hello! to the faithful/once-in-a-while-nothing-to-do/cycling enthusiast reader. thanks to bx's invitation im here. and to distinguish his post and mine, mine will be titled E's. no inspiration from nor reference to any sitcom/comedy. just my initials. heh. will be writing as often as possible to complement bx's entries. going for our first night ride later at 11pm.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
My Favourite Team
Sometimes I wonder if supporting a team meant anything. Will they win/lose because of one more person cheering them on? Since I watch alot of basketbal, my eyes are glued to the TV screen most of the time.
I have not watched any form of competitive cycling live and that's a real pity. I definitely wouldnt be able to watch any Pro-Tour riders live, unless a miracle happens that puts me in France this July.
So most of my cycling races come from the ubiquitous utube videos or eurosport.
Yesterday was the Milan-San Remo. My favourite team won!
Wait! Isn't cycling an individual sport? Why'd I say that the winner is a collective group of people?
Well to make it simple, cycling IS a team sport and although made up of individuals, cycling teams consider it a victory if one of their riders finishes first.
Therefore, other riders will all help each other in their team to win. How? I think that's another story for another day.
For now, here's the video finish to the race yesterday. Extremely exciting and called for a photo-finish.
I have not watched any form of competitive cycling live and that's a real pity. I definitely wouldnt be able to watch any Pro-Tour riders live, unless a miracle happens that puts me in France this July.
So most of my cycling races come from the ubiquitous utube videos or eurosport.
Yesterday was the Milan-San Remo. My favourite team won!
Wait! Isn't cycling an individual sport? Why'd I say that the winner is a collective group of people?
Well to make it simple, cycling IS a team sport and although made up of individuals, cycling teams consider it a victory if one of their riders finishes first.
Therefore, other riders will all help each other in their team to win. How? I think that's another story for another day.
For now, here's the video finish to the race yesterday. Extremely exciting and called for a photo-finish.
Check out that bike throw!
The winner! Mark Cavendish from Team Columbia.Wednesday, March 11, 2009
My Right Start to the Day
Yesterday at the VCF Fellowship Teaching, the Freshman Orientation Camp people ran a hilarious skit on starting the day right with God.
My streak of days not riding to school stopped at 12. This morning I took the DiamondBack because Blackie is still a bare frame. It's amazing how beautiful the frame is by itself. Of course, the highlight was the debut of E's Black Gold. For now it is just black but the gold decals are on the way.
For me, I'm just happy to add 10km to my mileage. On top of that, I had an amazing headstart to the day.
I casually enquired about the bottle of home-made lemon tea, asking whether it was left over from yesterday. The proprietor(drink stall uncle) explained that he took pride in ensuring the quality of his products. I meant no harm because I am usually not careful with the things that enter my mouth. My words preceded my thoughts as usual, accidentally striking a conversation with the uncle. An encouraging exchange ensued.
Halfway through the conversation, the uncle shared that before the 1990s, he was not a patient man, much less a businessman. The amazing line came when he said:"There came a real change when I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ."(translated)
That line, besides being the best start to my day, struck me as the best start to a conversation with a stranger.
The timing was perfect. As he ended his testimony, came the delivery for sandwiches and pastries. He was off, busying himself with the work.
I do not know if his best start came from the quietness of the dawn or the constant presence of the Lord.
I knew that my right start came when Christ in us manifested through His people as they meet, share and encourage.
My streak of days not riding to school stopped at 12. This morning I took the DiamondBack because Blackie is still a bare frame. It's amazing how beautiful the frame is by itself. Of course, the highlight was the debut of E's Black Gold. For now it is just black but the gold decals are on the way.
For me, I'm just happy to add 10km to my mileage. On top of that, I had an amazing headstart to the day.
I casually enquired about the bottle of home-made lemon tea, asking whether it was left over from yesterday. The proprietor(drink stall uncle) explained that he took pride in ensuring the quality of his products. I meant no harm because I am usually not careful with the things that enter my mouth. My words preceded my thoughts as usual, accidentally striking a conversation with the uncle. An encouraging exchange ensued.
Halfway through the conversation, the uncle shared that before the 1990s, he was not a patient man, much less a businessman. The amazing line came when he said:"There came a real change when I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ."(translated)
That line, besides being the best start to my day, struck me as the best start to a conversation with a stranger.
The timing was perfect. As he ended his testimony, came the delivery for sandwiches and pastries. He was off, busying himself with the work.
I do not know if his best start came from the quietness of the dawn or the constant presence of the Lord.
I knew that my right start came when Christ in us manifested through His people as they meet, share and encourage.
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