Responsibilites.
When presented with one, make it happen. With 100% effort. Or at least try.
People say, the finale should and is always the best. We've had 2 awesome Youth'ems. Let's make the 3rd a roaring success. Let's give 100% chance for ourselves to be the new normal. Let's work towards an uncommon breakthru. It starts...TODAY!On Wednesday night after work, this is what I did. =)
Not bad yea, Phoebe? ;)
More pictures from Sentosa Games Day...and its aftermath @ Vivo. =)
The art of Communication.
Zz sisters: Zhinian and Zoe. 
Love this pic. It's what I like to do in photography haha. To position the person on one side of the frame. 
Used to do this test that has been renamed MyType by Facebook. It basically determines if you are:
-Introverted vs Extroverted
-Sensing vs iNtuitive
-Feeling vs Thinking
-Judging vs Perceiving
And so I decided to try it again. Verdict: I'm an ISFJ, aka The Nurturer, aka Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging. =) Check out the detailed (really so! In Jamie's words, if you are my true friend you will read it right? hee...) description of me below and tell me if it's true! ;)
As an ISFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you takes things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system.
ISFJs live in a world that is concrete and kind. They are truly warm and kind-hearted, and want to believe the best of people. They value harmony and cooperation, and are likely to be very sensitive to other people's feelings. People value the ISFJ for their consideration and awareness, and their ability to bring out the best in others by their firm desire to believe the best.
ISFJs have a rich inner world that is not usually obvious to observers. They constantly take in information about people and situations that is personally important to them, and store it away. This tremendous store of information is usually startlingly accurate, because the ISFJ has an exceptional memory about things that are important to their value systems. It would not be uncommon for the ISFJ to remember a particular facial expression or conversation in precise detail years after the event occured, if the situation made an impression on the ISFJ.
ISFJs have a very clear idea of the way things should be, which they strive to attain. They value security and kindness, and respect traditions and laws. They tend to believe that existing systems are there because they work. Therefore, they're not likely to buy into doing things in a new way, unless they're shown in a concrete way why its better than the established method.
ISFJs learn best by doing, rather than by reading about something in a book, or applying theory. For this reason, they are not likely to be found in fields which require a lot of conceptual analysis or theory. They value practical application. Traditional methods of higher education, which require a lot of theorizing and abstraction, are likely to be a chore for the ISFJ. The ISFJ learns a task best by being shown its practical application. Once the task is learned, and its practical importance is understood, the ISFJ will faithfully and tirelessly carry through the task to completion. The ISFJ is extremely dependable.
The ISFJ has an extremely well-developed sense of space, function, and aesthetic appeal. For that reason, they're likely to have beautifully furnished, functional homes. They make extremely good interior decorators. This special ability, combined with their sensitivity to other's feelings and desires, makes them very likely to be great gift-givers - finding the right gift which will be truly appreciated by the recipient.
More so than other types, ISFJs are extremely aware of their own internal feelings, as well as other people's feelings. They do not usually express their own feelings, keeping things inside. If they are negative feelings, they may build up inside the ISFJ until they turn into firm judgments against individuals which are difficult to unseed, once set. Many ISFJs learn to express themselves, and find outlets for their powerful emotions.
Just as the ISFJ is not likely to express their feelings, they are also not likely to let on that they know how others are feeling. However, they will speak up when they feel another individual really needs help, and in such cases they can truly help others become aware of their feelings.
The ISFJ feels a strong sense of responsibility and duty. They take their responsibilities very seriously, and can be counted on to follow through. For this reason, people naturally tend to rely on them. The ISFJ has a difficult time saying "no" when asked to do something, and may become over-burdened. In such cases, the ISFJ does not usually express their difficulties to others, because they intensely dislike conflict, and because they tend to place other people's needs over their own. The ISFJ needs to learn to identify, value, and express their own needs, if they wish to avoid becoming over-worked and taken for granted.
ISFJs need positive feedback from others. In the absence of positive feedback, or in the face of criticism, the ISFJ gets discouraged, and may even become depressed. When down on themselves or under great stress, the ISFJ begins to imagine all of the things that might go critically wrong in their life. They have strong feelings of inadequacy, and become convinced that "everything is all wrong", or "I can't do anything right".
The ISFJ is warm, generous, and dependable. They have many special gifts to offer, in their sensitivity to others, and their strong ability to keep things running smoothly. They need to remember to not be overly critical of themselves, and to give themselves some of the warmth and love which they freely dispense to others.
Haha, I think this is pretty much me. If you don't think it sounds like the Zoe you know, then there is more for you to find out about her! ;)Was just reading Val's blog and was inspired to check out past personal reports...
Here's are a few that are making me think and reflect upon now...
11th May 2004...
"Sis Jialing actually spoke to me about me being stuck in my life and not breaking through to where I should be, because although I have the members’ respect, I do not carry the authority..I really went home to reflect upon this in my QT, and God really spoke to me about the difference why I had the respect and not the authority, and about certain mindsets to be changed. Respect is really something that we win from people over time, which causes people to look up to you because of your actions. It does not require a taking charge of, and is more of a natural leadership (and in this I know I have and can do.) However, authority is something that requires one to take charge in the realm of the spirit constantly. Its not in the words or actions, but what people sense by what you carry, which makes them submit to the authority. Its about walking in the dominance you have in the spiritual realm and taking control of the constant battle between the spiritual and natural. Its also about not being complacent and feel that since others can do the job better, they should do it, but about believing in my position and speaking positive words instead of negative words that will dampen the spirit man."
Hmm, respect versus authority. Something for us leaders to ponder on.
Here's another about accountability...
7th Nov 2004...
"I remembered what Bro Chris also shared with us after service, that accountability is not so much about having to account physically to God’s given authority (though that is important), but its about knowing that in whatever you do, you are able to do it with the peace of God in you, as if Jesus is standing right in front of you looking at you doing it. In essence, as I thought about it, it’s really about godly fear."
Thought these verses are speaking to me currently too...
"Thank God that he brought me back on track again and I was really encouraged with Heb10:35-38, that says “do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise. Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” Can’t draw back from now on and live in my comfort zone where I let negativity stop me from pursuing my dreams! "
And here's one about self-control and having the strength to overcome challenges...
21st Jan 2005...
"God also spoke to me one day as my mind came back to the times...: “If you learn to exercise self- control, you learn to place a value upon something. It becomes worth the effort and you learn to cherish, to hold close and most importantly to commit to the plans of God. There lies power and love in overcoming the odds.”"
I'm excited to see changes unfold. In the months ahead. How about by the end of this year? It's less than 3 months left to the end of 2008. Change will happen in rapid motion. Daddy grant me the adaptability to handle these changes.
I'm gearing myself up for new challenges. Let me count them: 1...2...3...4...5...6...7! Wow what a perfect number of possible changes.
I'm ready!
Just want to share some random pictures of the past few days, and my coolest pals around...
Decided to make some pretty cards for the VIPs in my life: PAD, i.e. Phoebe, Angela, Diana. My colleagues were asking me what's the occasion, and I realised that I'm a person who loves surprises- giving gifts on occasions is nice, but I think surprises are the coolest and sweetest thing ever. ;) 
Yay! My finished products!
Check out the saga aka love seeds aka xiang1 si1 dou4. Got my collection when I was staying in Hillview last time...used to collect the seeds one by one with my sis beside the railway station! =)
Today, we celebrated Elena's birthday! It was a day with all things swedish, or related. Happy Birthday, pretty Elena! =)
Countdown, BFF! I'm proud to be your maid-of-honor in 3 weeks time!
What can be better than having a BFF? Having 2 BFFs! So blessed, I can't contain it...lalalaaaa....
AwwwWWWwww Toffee! I want a doggy too...I love it when Toffee puts his head on me. =) Nevermind the drooling. Hee.
And check him out here! AwwWWwww...he was in super toffee-ish mood today. 
Ending off with the coolest bunch of dudes and babes existing on planet Earth! And oh...did I mention they all happen to be in my family?
I love tennis. Not the sport.
More parables...
Wanted to blog for some time but was wondering how to put it aptly. Anyway, I think I'm so undetachable from my hp: it accompanies me on QT for a higher calling, i.e. for me to record down what God is speaking to me. I figured typing on my hp is faster than writing on paper...
I've been praying and thinking about a couple of things the past week...
I've had a revelation through my bday week (yea, thank God that I can use the word 'week' here!) about having a thankful heart. It really blesses my heart when I hear from people who are not really close (physical distance and interaction) to me over this season. Received bday greetings from some of my ex-cg members such as Roy, Janet and Wenlong, and of course Jialing; and a surprise gift from Roy (thanks so much! it really made my day! =D). Suddenly it dawned upon me that many a times, it's not the people who are talented, born leaders, wonderful soul winners etc. who leave an impact in my life and cause me to remember them, but it's really the people who remember to give thanks. Those who know that 'hey, you're not perfect but thanks for sowing seeds into my life and believing in me. that mattered.'.
Was talking to a good friend and we had a common consensus. At the end of the day, who are the people who are closest to a leader's heart are really those who come with a simple heart of gratitute, not so much coz of what wonderful things the leader can or have done for them, but coz they CHOOSE to honor the 'invisible' seeds that have been silently sown into their lives. They give thanks coz they love, no strings attached. These are the people who will really go far in life, no doubt.
You know, I think that is so similar to us staying with and in a family. Sometimes, it just does not reside in choice, but it is a matter of destiny that we have been meshed together with a certain family. Your life is made to be tied to this group of people- there's no escaping despite the good or the bad. We just learn to love and embrace. Going elsewhere can make you happy, but you can never be fulfilled, because that missing puzzle piece is found in this family, in this home.
I need to learn how to be a better daughter to the house of God, to this family I have been placed in. More. Wadda bout' you? =)
Of barium enemas and detangling shampoos...
Yes, parables indeed.