Boon's Birthday Bash Busted

26th may was the birthday of someone in my hospitality team - Boon. It was rather last minute already and we had nothing planned for him to celebrate his birthday. So we decided, we should make his birthday interesting by playing a prank on him!

Prank plans were being brainstormed, discussed, evaluated and voided. so in the end the decision was left to me to draft the plan and spread it on facebook to everyone except Boon. within the short amount of time we had to get prepared... i figured it is still very possible.

Here was the plan.
Luke shall be the main character in this play.
At dinner time, Luke would ask us to go for dinner. we pretend to be really busy, tired or lazy. whatever it takes to be reluctant to go out.
Luke then chooses Boon to follow to buy dinner back.

Once theyre gone, we wait for Luke's tip-off that they are returning. we then leave the conference room and head to (plan A) prayer room, or else (plan B) upstairs to hide.

When the two comes back and finds everyone gone, Luke acts shocked, confused, angry, whatever is appropriate.
Bring Boon out to the lounge where the dinner would be. Make a call to us to ask where we are - that would be the signal to ambush Boon!

We would charge in from (A) the small door at the lounge or (B) the kitchen area.
Seeing us charge in, that would be the cue for Luke to start to STRONGARM Boon - the rest of the guys would join in too - pin him to the ground and TAUPOK him!!!
The girls can help to video/take pictures, or even help the guys out.

When we feel he's been squashed enough, we can all wish him Happy Birthday!

And so it was, the plan was set, everyone agreed, and i saw that it was good.
When the time came for us to get dinner, things went unexpectedly well for the plan.
Boon actually had to go out to buy flowers... so we told him to just buy dinner for us on the way!
Luke followed him and they left. all according to plan, and no fishyness!

But then, the girls decided to do up some paper banners for him, reading "happy birthday Boon Keng". as if words were not enough, each person even added in colours, patterns and drawings onto the banner. That was what we were doing the whole time after the two had left... instead of getting ready and hiding away.

After some time, the tip-off came from Luke. "on our way back", he messaged.
I immediately announced to everyone, "theyre coming, on the way back now! lets go!"
The banners, however, were still not finished. so they frantically continued on it, wanting to finish it before going. They thought that Boon wont be back so soon. I thought that way too, but still strongly urged them to go now, just in case.
Nobody would listen.

I was going to check outside when suddenly Kenny, who knew about our plan, told me that they were back already - just outside the office! We were totally caught off guard, we were suddenly plunged into panic and confusion.
The first thing on my mind was, "major screw up! abort mission."
at that, i went outside to meet Boon. The rest of the team, however, had not given up on the plan. they responded very quickly to turn off the conference room lights, close the door and everyone hide behind the curtains. Fortunately there was enough room for everyone.
Boon came in, found everyone gone. just a little surprised, he went outside. he didnt notice anything. I realised, not all was lost; we could still do something!
ten points to the team for good emergency response.

A new plan was to be formulated on the spot. we had no time to discuss, and thus were extremely confused and disorganised. Luke and I followed Boon around, made a call to them like to ask where are they. i told them where we are - in the lounge, then to the SBS classroom, then the lounge again - Boon was getting suspicious and was moving around the place, only to see me and Luke tailing behind. I told them on the phone to come out now, increasing Boon's suspicion even more. They didnt come out in time.
Soon enough, Boon was high on the alert, running away from me and Luke, even hiding at the walls beside the mango tree. The team had come out and was trying to somehow hide outside the office; all very confused, not knowing how to coordinate or where Boon is.
Boon came out of his hiding place, and there he saw everyone outside the office!
That was it, our cover was broken; ambush was no longer an option. the only thing to do was -- ATTACK!! chiong ahh!!

Luke grabbed him from behind, immobilising him. then the guys each took a leg or his hands, and carried him over to the grass patch, and taupoked him right there!
It was not a very clean place - grass, mud, twigs and leaves covered the area, and just inches away from his face there was a rotting mango.

It was a consolation prize that at least we managed to accomplish the main action of the plan - to taupok him. But i was still rather frustrated that overall it was a failure; it could have been so much better. The coordinated surprise was totally lost. My painstakingly-crafted plan was ruined because we didnt stick to plan.
Not only that, i was being blamed for its failure.
I was accused of checking my phone late for the tip-off message.
I was accused of taking too long to decorate the banner, otherwise it might have been completed in time.
I was blamed for not getting the team out of the room immediately.
people hinted that my plan was not good.
there were a lot of assumptions. people just had to find someone or sth to take the blame.
I believe the plan would have turned out well if we sticked to the plan.

Well, it might have been God's plan that my plan failed. Cause then it also became a good learning experience. Misunderstanding, miscoordination, emergency reaction, responsibility. these are things i would probably have to deal with much in the future, and i could learn from this incident.

Lightning week

So i see my blog hasnt been updated in quite a while. While it would usually mean that my life had been boring and monotonous for that period of time; this time there was so much happening, just that i couldnt really find a chance to post it.

Previously, not too long ago, there was the whole big issue about whether to go to japan or to stay for go-fest. It has since been decided on, in a very sudden, unexpectedly easy way. Its really funny cause i had been praying, thinking and debating about it so much, then suddenly the decision came so easily, as if all those thinking was for nothing.

How was it decided on? It wasnt even my decision actually. It was my parents, by simply booking the plane ticket and accommodations for me. Apparently the available seats for flights during our desired time were disappearing fast. My dad could not wait for me to think about it any longer, and just went ahead to book it, without my consent or even telling me first.

What made it so hard for me to decide earlier was the tensions from the YWAM side that were pulling me. But after the stuff were booked, all those tensions were just gone. In the name of too-late-ness. Joseph Chean didnt say any more about it. neither did my team. My mom didnt bother to meet up with him anymore to sort things out with him since i have decided to go on the trip. In turn, Jospeh didnt bother too. Maybe the air between them was clearer than i thought. Either that or clearing the air on this issue isnt much a concern to both parties.

So thats it, the decision is made at last. I feel at peace about it. I am going to Japan on 13th august (not a very good idea for me to spend this day on the plane but no choice) and would be missing out the treasure hunting and many days of outreach in Go-fest. I should be thankful i get to attend all the conference days, though.



This week flew by superly fast. Before i knew it another week has passed. Its a good thing when time flies fast that i am able to identify where the time went to - indicating it was well spent. The week's time was largely spent on hosting the Oxford DTS team - Americans and canadians doing their DTS in new zealand. Singapore YWAM would be their first stop for their outreach, which subsequently moves on to malaysia, thailand , vietnam, nepal, and jerusalem. Being in the hospitality team, we would be the ones taking care of and attending to them.

Monday was doing housekeeping in the rooms that they would be staying in, then going to the airport to welcome them when their flight comes in. A really amusing incident happened here -that we were still happily chatting away in the office, looking at the Singapore map, when we suddenly realised that now was already their flight arrival time! We were supposed to be at the airport, at the correct gate, waving the welcome banners by this time. But instead we were still in the office.

We got into the car and sped the way there, and we prayed that the oxford team would experience delays, so that we would be able to welcome them in time, not ending up as they welcoming us instead.
God answered our prayers, even overdoing it... Late as we already were, waiting there, the oxford team still was not out yet, experiencing delays! they finally came out after about 15 mins of us waiting and guessing random people inside to be them.
The first encounter and introductions were quite awkward. They seemed less enthusiastic and open than would have been expected of Americans and canadians, in a circumstance like this. They needed some warming up to us, and vice versa.

We brought them to their accommodations in lorong 9, brought them to a coffeeshop for dinner, shopped in the supermarket, and even had them try some durians! All of them sportingly tried one, but only 3 of them said it was 'good' or 'not so bad'

Tuesday, did tea break for the oxford team, where we wanted to make ice lemon tea but forgot to bring the tea bags! nobody there had tea bags. Had to instead get teh-O from the coffeeshop.
Brought them on orientation session around singapore, showing them little india and geylang serai. They tried whole lot of indian food, especailly loved the chicken briyani, and ate till they were full - not part of the plan. We watched a live Hindu ritual in the temple too.
At geylang serai, they were all full from indian food already, so we didnt get to eat malay food. all we did was go around the geylang serai market to see.

Wednesday, did another round of napfa, which i quit after failing to get silver for pull-ups. not gonna waste time doing the remaining stations and 2.4km run, since i had graduation ceremony later in the afternoon. Officially graduated from SP now, though ive felt like i already graduated 3 months ago. Too bad i didnt get silver this time - it really would have complimented my graduation and make it a much happier occasion. But still, there was sth to celebrate anyways.

Thursday, another tea break with yet another screw up - the cakes we put in the fridge the day before had gone missing! forutnately their morning session was dragged much longer and bought us enough time to finally find the cakes back. long story.
The rest of the day was spent preparing a great feast for dinner - celebrating 4 may-babies birthdays, a farewell for a YWAMer, and also a sending off party for the oxford team. Took us 5 hours and more than 5 people to prepare it.
So that was the oxford team's last activity before heading off to malaysia. theyll be back.

Friday was nothing much, just clearing up the rooms they oxford used, and having meetings. But time still flew by really quickly. Just like that, my whole week was spent with hardly any time for anything else. I think i would love this kinda lifestyle, provided there is some time off though.

Mutual Exclusivity

To go or not to go?

Since i joined YWAM, i have been involved in the hospitality team for Go-fest asia. For now till the Go-fest starts in august 10 and continuing on till august 26, all of the work we are doing pointing towards this event. Right now we are preparing the ground, but activity level would surely increase as the time draws nearer.
At first, the concern was on me getting enlisted into the army before august, thus being a great pity that i wont really get to see the fruits of my labour in the event. But that obstacle has since been cleared when my friends enlisting in July received their letter, and i have not received any. The next intake would then be september, or later.

Now, another obstacle has surfaced, in the form of a great dilemma. My family had planned a 2 week long trip to japan, right smack in the time of the Go-fest conference and outreach (what a nice timing). The plan is to leave on the 12th, and return on the 22nd while my mom attends her corporate conference in Kobe from then on.
Change of timing for either conference is out of the question. so whatever it is, my mom has to be in Kobe on 22 aug. Going after or during the conference is also out of question, as my brother happens to start his university life on 23 aug (another nice timing).

The problem is, i can only be at one place at a time. Divided-we-stand technology has not been invented yet.

Either way i choose, it is a sacrifice. Both are great opportunities, and one of them has to go.
My parents are disappointed that this Go-fest has to come in the way and disrupt the holiday plans. They feel i should put family first, and just 'take leave' from YWAM, since i am 'entitled to do so because i am just volunteering and owe them no duty'. As my dad says, "the show will go on without you; nobody is indispensible." while my mom says," what if you got enlisted in july? it would be the same thing - you wont be able to go for the conference." it all shows that they have an impression of unimportance for YWAM, go-fest, and my role in it. I am not too sure about it myself, and cant say for it.
YWAM on the other hand points out that i have a responsibility, since i have chosen to join the team. the hospitality team is quite short of manpower, and every member counts a lot. That i am not sure too, and cant say for it.

Arguments for Japan trip
- it would be the first time going to japan for me and my brother.
- i personally really want to go to japan.
- an opportunity like this doesnt come by easily; my mom's part is all provided for by the company.
- we probably wont be going to japan again anytime soon.
- we had rarely been spending time together as a family, and even more rare going on a family holiday. we might need the revival that the trip could provide.
- the experience for my family during the trip might not be as good if i were not there.
- we could celebrate my birthday as a family during the holiday. from the past years, it has always been my family celebrating for me; not much from friends.
- go fest could turn out to be a disappointment. i might not learn much from it after all. much is still uncertain.

Arguments for Go-fest
- the go-fest is all we have been working for; to miss it is such a great pity and waste.
- i personally really want to attend the go-fest conference and outreaches.
- i have a responsibility as a hospitality team member, to look after the foreign teams.
- i would be letting my teammates down if i chose to go for holiday while they are working their guts out and i am not around.
- i could gain much from interacting with them; like making new international friends and learning new culture, which i enjoy.
- this go-fest could be a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for me.
- the japan trip could turn out to be a disappointment. things go wrong, have not much fun. much is still uncertain - very uncertain especially for a foreign country for the first time, free and easy.
- going to japan is expensive. help save money.


I need to know more. i feel like i have not enough knowledge and information to appropriately decide. i need to get a better idea of how the conference would turn out, what things i will be doing as hospitality team, what i would be involved in. I also need to know the itinerary for the japan trip, what fun stuff we would be doing there, how the family bonding opportunity would turn out.

I have been praying hard about it and also getting those around me to pray for me, and still i have received no hint of an answer. the decision always comes back to me, leaving me cyclically in dilemma. Now, my parents are already pressing me hard for a decision. They have to book the flight and hotels really soon. I am forced to choose a direction now, and take several steps in the dark into it. I just pray that the Lord's blessings be upon the decision i make.

Guided confusion

Last night, i was met with a close shave from losing both my wallet and my handphone - the 2 items that i cant go out without. A number of factors were contributing to the incident, but i think the main culprit is the pair of pants i wore that i am almost growing out of; after gaining 6kg since the time i bought it.

Yesterday i had actually intended to go for the SJC AGM, but after work i very unexpectedly received a call telling me that Junting had a free ticket for Iron man 2 that he could give me. apparently the free tickets were from his mom's company. A newly released movie that i had been wanting to watch, for free - who could resist. So a group of 8 of us decided to pon AGM for the greater good - for free Iron man 2. haha.

The movie was ok but not as good as i had expected. but thats besides the point. back to the point... because of my tight pants, i had to take out my handphone and wallet from my pockets to ease the discomfort. i placed it in the seat drink holder, and continued watching the movie, not bothering about it. After the movie, i stayed a few minutes to see if theres anyhting after the credits; which took too long and my friends had already started to leave the theatre. I grabbed my laptop bag and rushed out to catch up, talking and commenting about the movie along the way to the bus stops or mrt station or carpark.

It took me all the time from making our way through the crowd from the 5th storey down the excalators to the ground floor and almost going out of the shopping mall before i realised i left those things behind!
So i rushed all the way back up to the cinema, clueless where to go. I had no idea at all which theatre it was, and neither did i know how to get in without going past the ticket checker and the crowd. it was a state of great confusion. Then i saw an 'exit only' door and went in, hoping to retrace my exitting path from there.
It happens that that was the wrong exit door from where i came out from, and it took me to the corridor of theatres. Now i had to find out which theatre it was. I saw one which was open and had a few people in it, playing 'kick ass' advertisements.

Though there wasnt really anything to convince me that it was the right theatre, i confidently went in, down to the place where i sat earlier, and to my great relief and delight, there my hp and wallet was, camouflaged in the black seat pocket.
It might sound like nothing much; but to me, it was a frantic time, and i was very lucky in how it was resolved.

Other updates, i am no longer staying at home most of the time, being bored and doing nothing much - i have since joined YWAM as a volunteer in the Go-fest team. I would say, though we get no salary or provisions, im sure i would be much happier working here than finding a job in a corporate company. The environment, the culture is just so different for the better.
Would i devote myself full-time to the Lord's service in the future? Right now i dont think so, but that is a possibility i do not rule out.