The Hinge

Transformed by Thanks

2020-11-02T20:53:00.000+08:00

Pandemic. That word conjures up epic panic. Maybe because of the way the word is spelt and spoken.

Many having challenges - I am not immune. It is in times like these that all the more, right choices have to be made. What frame of mind will help navigate this time. The word of God reminds that we need to walk circumspectly at this time. The days are evil. So true. Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

The recent message on Skyline Online Sunday Service was a good reminder. (see from 37th minute)

While it might seem easy to speak... I can confirm that this does help in keeping one's mind on an even keel...

Check it out.

Try this out.

Untangling Knots

2020-10-15T12:51:00.002+08:00

It is easy to be tied down with a lot of negativity at this time.

Thoughts can run wild.

Emotions can spiral down.

Condemnation sets in.

We become immobilised and unable to proceed.

But condemnation is not conviction.

Conviction is of the Holy Spirit.

Condemnation is the dastardly enemy's trademark.

I am reminded to pray this prayer at this time. Sharing in case you, o reader, need it too.

Thank you Lord Jesus.

Picture Worthy

2020-10-09T14:09:00.005+08:00

My daughter has an eye for colour. When I go shopping I often take her with me, when I can.

Recently she informed me that I have many spots in the house that are picture-worthy. This was something I hadn't noticed...

Well, during the recent lockdowns, one activity with I did was painting our house. This involved using a colour which I initially didn't like (note to self :- Hubby chose you, so don't sweat it when he chooses a colour like this!) End result is amazing dreamy but strong green-blue walls I can use for background adjustments during conference calls. Also for good photographs. Like this one.

I really like it...

Mint and Musing

2020-04-17T14:24:00.000+08:00

So I was tending to some the herbs from in the garden. I am so glad they havent died on me! They were all were gifted by friends, and came with instructions on the care needed. Needless to say, I have worked to ensure they are followed!

I am reminded Colossians 2:6,7 “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built and built up in Him, established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding with thanksgiving”

One has to be intentional in growing.

Moving During Movement Control Order

2020-04-01T10:29:00.001+08:00

So you are not a frontliner... Nor part of essential services...

What do you do when you can't move about outdoors?

What do you do when your usual activities are curtailed?

What do you do when you can feel your waistline getting beyond control?

Stay active! You can have personal trainers in your living room!

Set achievable targets daily! You don't want to get overwhelmed running a marathon at the pace of a short sprint!

Learn to sit quietly. Get a book. Get some music. Just be quiet. And listen.

Consider others in a worse off position... and see whether you can do something to help. Reach out!

DONT LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ALL THE TIME!

Yes, let's move from being negative stagnation to positive action~

Lockdown Menu - Homemade Goodies

2020-03-21T11:22:00.000+08:00

Some wonder about their meals during this Restricted Movement time.

Some keep it "simple" Like this proposed menu consisting of varying instant noodles. The designer of this suggests that by the end one would need hospitalisation!

For me, however, a slice from a nice home-made loaf of bread is always a welcome addition to the menu. Packed with whatever goodies I like, I bake about once a week.

Add to that, some homemade mulberry jam. Not too sweet. But still the right consistency.

Perfect.

Faith Focus

2020-03-19T09:55:00.000+08:00

During this time as we stay home or do essential work, let us (re-)set our focus.

One handle we can use is what is known as the Lord's Prayer. If you haven't memorised it yet, take this time to do so. If you have, then pray using it. Meditate on the Lord's Prayer. You will be richly blessed.

Integrity When No One Sees

2020-03-18T08:52:00.002+08:00

The virus has come to my nation, spreading itself speedily. To try and slow down the spread, a fortnight of restricted movement has begun.

At the start of these two weeks, I am reminded to live (walk) in the midst of our abodes (within my house) with simplicity, uprightness, integrity, and from the inside out. That our conduct shown in our emotions, passions, is that of courage and boldness (perfect heart)

Start as we mean to continue, and number our days well.

Fear Fuelled Frenzy

2020-03-05T17:45:00.000+08:00

Saw this tongue-in-cheek yet so true article

Followed by this sombre and sensible plea.

Avakas means Strong/Strength

2020-02-01T14:30:00.000+08:00

There is no substitute for a good coach when it comes to fitness training.

No/low impact. Guided workouts. Health coaching. Individual attention. Progressive training. Little repetition workouts. Affordable. Easy access.

You name it. They have it.

So glad I found this place: Avakas Fitness. Run by very qualified locals who have a genuine passion to see people get healthier at an affordable rate.

PS Here the coach is doing some stretching...

Lunar New Year

2020-01-27T12:28:00.000+08:00

A very quiet one this time round. I kept missing out on the photos as well. Mostly it is because I know my phone camera isn't good enough, and my little point and shoot camera is getting old...

But here are some good wishes nonetheless!

What to Celebrate

2019-12-02T12:08:00.000+08:00

The recent 7-shows Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was outstanding. Beyond all expectations. So many celebrated the gifts and talents. So many celebrated the props and scene. So many celebrated the songs, lyrics, cast, crew and even the children's choir!

It is an apt lead to the Christmas month!

Yes the musical has led to thoughts about Christmas celebrations. And there is much to celebrate. This story of how a seemingly helpless hopeless situation can be miraculously turned around to not only be for the good of one, but for many. And all because of one person. That is one major cause for celebration indeed! Jesus is the reason for this season.

This Christmas, I am not celebrating the fictitious nor the unknown. I celebrate the Way the Truth and the life.

Now where have I placed that invitation card ....

Shades of Colour

2019-05-11T12:22:00.002+08:00

Just heard that there was a Sikh wedding in my family. Yay!

Before that, we heard that our Malay aunt had passed away. Sigh.

Even before that, a Romany relative wrote to us from the United States. Nice!

Recently an Indian family member came to visit us. Woohoo!

Oh, and my great grandfather's surname was Perkins....

I am privileged to be in a big multi-cultural, multi-racial, and multi-religious family. There is so much to discover and appreciate. The gastronomic menu is limitless! Not to mention potential places to visit! It also helps me to make friends more easily. No hangups!

Today, I just made friends with a Fijian. The world has just got even smaller...!

Homemade Hummus

2018-05-01T14:53:00.000+08:00

Hubby loves me so much. Honestly he gives me the biggest and the best he can whenever he can.

This time he decided to make soya bean milk for me. No added sugar, full of goodness, and only natural ingredients; the pandan leaves are homegrown, the vanilla essence is homemade from vanilla pods.

Yummmmmm

Then he turns to me and says, "Did you know you can make hummus with the left overs?"

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Behold - Okara Hummus. I must say I enjoyed this very much!

As Promised .... Though Overdue

2018-04-23T22:08:00.000+08:00

So I was saying in my previous post that I would share details of that photo.

It was taken more than three decades ago. The days of slides and photographic prints. Ancient. Maybe the movie "Back to the Future" was just showing; "Jurassic Park" was years away from being a print, let alone a movie.

My Hubby and I decided to go on a road trip with some friends. Three of them. The five of us squeezed into our little Nissan Micra aka Nissan March.

Prior to the trip, we had sent the car for servicing. I told the mechanic to check the clutch. Perhaps he didn't expect a Chinese woman to know what she was talking about? Perhaps, to give him the benefit of the doubt, he did check and didn't think any action was warranted? In any case, along the motorway heading north, I suddenly felt the need to move to the slowest lane. Shortly after I did so, the car began to lose power. We found ourselves stuck along the side road needing a tow. A miracle took place then! Thankful that no one was hurt. Thankful that we were not far from other friends we knew - we stayed the night there.

Then once the car was fixed, we scouted the nearby area and found a country fair. We parked, and as we got out and walked to the main marquee, we heard an announcement calling for the person who had travelled the furthest for the fair! One of our party unashamedly went forward to claim the prize, declaring that he had travelled from Malaysia! I think the rosetta he won still has a place in his study...

After that dramatic entrance, we hung around enjoying the atmosphere. We were glad for the unexpected change in our travel plans. It was then I saw the sheep in the pen. It was then that I caught the photo.

The trip continued to be a memorable one mainly because of the company. Even eating became an adventure! That, too, will be in another post!

Not so long ago, we met up with these friends again. Reminiscing was good..... Thankful!

Digital Memories....

2018-01-29T20:14:00.000+08:00

This day and age, it is so easy to snap photos on our phones and then wonder what to do with them after. Do we ever go back to them again?

In the OLD DAYS (showing my age!) we would think twice and thrice before pressing the shutter. The roll of film did not come by cheap. After the roll was completely snapped up, one had to get them photos developed. I remember the days when we could send the roll off and get the prints a few weeks later. At that time, it seemed like a major step forward!

Then came digital cameras, and smart phones... and even better cameras. So yes, I wonder how much memory goes with each series of photos taken, seeing that it is so very easy to snap a moment.

Unlike this. I came across this photo recently. I can tell you the exact moment I snapped it - the occasion and location - and the story that goes behind the photo.

And the story doesnt stop with just the moment the photo was taken... There is a story after the story as well... but both would be for the next post...

Stay tuned....

Guess

2017-04-24T20:18:00.002+08:00

Can you guess what this is?

There will be a surprise waiting for the first correct answer....

A Pleasure Remembered

2017-04-07T22:25:00.000+08:00

C S Lewis once said,

"A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered"

As my gaze lingers on this photo, I do indeed recall the good albeit short time I had. Hubby and I had a short getaway a few years back. We were so thankful for the kind arrangements made - the good gesture by the friends manning the place meant that we got it at a very reasonable rate.

Do you wonder where this is? Looks can be deceiving. One has to climb up to the level of trees for this. Stimulating to stride up and down. I also enjoyed the cool weather by day and the briskly cold nights once the sun set.

Thankful. For the venue. For the friendship. For the time away. For the time with Hubby. Must do it again .... soon!

All the Glitters.....

2016-12-25T11:04:00.000+08:00

Another year has come and gone. In a twinkling of an eye, we approach the Auld Lang Syne time of year again.

We reviewed our year in the office the other day. I was shocked how recent events seemed to have taken place so long ago.

Over dinner a few nights ago, we chatted about when certain things happened, only to discover that it was only a year or two ago.

Since when did the time fly by so fast? With so many happenings that grab our attention, one after another, it is easy to lose sight of the real reason for doing what we do. It is easy to look at what needs and grabs our attention first, and ignore the underlying fundamentals.

Christmas then, is a good time to reflect. A time to pause. A time to realise that that which attracts and calls out for our attention should not be the most important.

It's the real reason for Christmas, the real reason of why we do what we do that matters. That HE came for us. To live amongst us, to die for us, and to be raised triumphant for us.

Christmas then, is the shedding of real light into our lives... all that glitters isnt the real light. Those merely reflect the true light.

Natural Wake Up Calls

2016-05-02T23:00:00.000+08:00

Every morning unless it rains, the same thing happens - there will chirping and tweeting outside our windows. The birds will be fighting for the best spot, connecting with one another for goodness-knows-what, and calling to one another, chatting away.

No, it's not easy to have lie-in with the cacophony going on!

It does mean that mornings and being quiet is nice. Makes me "shut down" as I relax... and sleep!

Yummy and Edible Scales

2016-04-25T23:38:00.000+08:00

Prior to this, I had not heard of this sort of fish....

Expensive. Super soft flesh. And scales that can be eaten. Kid you not. The scales are firm but not tough. The texture made me go back for more ... and more.

Cooked by simply steaming, the natural flavours are kept in place and the goodness just oozes out before your eyes. Phew!

I am looking forward to hopefully having more in a month's time!

It's Been a While

2016-04-24T22:33:00.004+08:00

It's been a while. I haven't come by here.

Pondering is done.

Hiatus is over.

Did I Write This?

2015-10-28T21:52:00.002+08:00

Did I write this?

"I am an avid writer with diverse interests, often shared with a tinge of humour. My enthusiasm for life and learning can be seen in my posts and interaction with my readers.

Why Metamor4sis?

In Greek, Meta means "after", "beyond", "with", "adjacent", "self". In epistemology, the prefix meta- is used to mean about (its own category). For example, metadata are data about data. It is a prefix used in English in order to indicate a concept which is an abstraction from another concept, used to complete or add to the latter.

"Mor" as in MORE!

4 is a play on FOR, obviously.

Sis is because I am female - and glad to be!

And finally, metamorphosis is an indication of how my life has changed over time. I'd like to think I am a butterfly today."

Yes I did! Haha! Of my other website...

A Captivating Case

2015-07-25T23:05:00.000+08:00

It was meant to be a quick stop at the mall. I couldn't park at my usual area but managed to get a spot a bit further away. I knew what I wanted and was determined to grab it, pay for it, and head back to my car in minutes.

But that was not to be. I was arrested along the way by a feature in the mall that I had never noticed before. Not being the usual route, I had not realised that there was a lovely spiral staircase tucked away in a nook at the back.

A spiral staircase... I even wanted one in my home except that there wasn't enough space, and it would have increased the cost by a lot ... So of course I had to pause and take a look.

Beautiful. To commemorate the moment of discovery, I just had to take a photo. But not just any photo. I had to wait for the perfect moment. That meant I needed people to accentuate the scene. People who would use the staircase at the precise moment, placed where I wanted them.

So I waited.

And waited.

The clock ticked away.

Until finally......

Then it was a mad dash to grab my intended purchase and make sure I didn't break the speed limit as I rushed back home.... This Captivating (Stair)Case was certainly worth it!

A Visitor

2015-07-23T18:44:00.001+08:00

What would you do if you saw a butterfly who didn't want to fly away? What a beautiful specimen too! A little touch and it just hops on your finger and stays there. You spread out your hand and it moves over to your palm. It's almost ticklish.

Amazing? Unreal?

But oh, that's what happened....

And I am still wondering about this visitor...