There was a drought in my life. A dry spell, a season of nothing. Suddenly, it starts raining, and when it does, it started pouring. I wish I knew all the right steps to make the most of the current weather. I guess someone had another impression and expectation because maybe, just maybe he thought he knew better.

Let’s start things off with a high note now, shall we?

O&M has made a kind offer for my job position as an Accounts Executive. I’ll be responsible for servicing, maybe consulting would be a more appropriate word here, the client – British American Tobacco specifically the Pall Mall account. In terms of the salary package, I was quite surprised with that they offered because I was expecting 20% less from my current expectation. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely comfortable with that account.

I still had not met up with Sara Lee and talked about the package yet when I knew of my O&M offer. I met them yesterday and we chatted.

I was offered an excellent salary package, by far the most attractive one to me. In terms of their benefits, again it surpassed most of the other companies as well. I like how they have the program structured and shall work towards building the foundation and securing a good growth for my career. In terms of job security and corporate stability, I think they came out as winners. However, there was this that really sealed the deal for me and I felt the peace to take it.

They emphasize on work life balance. Which is to say, your weekends, are your weekends. We do encourage family time, church or your private time for your own concern. They are not a company that eats into my personal time. I had expressed my personal commitment with Footstool Players and church, they were absolutely supportive of my other commitments.

There is also a flexi hour system where you can come to work between 7:30 – 9:30am. This means, if you come in at 7:30 am, work ends at 4:30pm and if it is 9:30am, it ends at 6:30pm. The reason being, management at Sara Lee recognizes that working mothers may have to send their kids to school and then come over. Some others, may have difficulty heading out during a time where traffic is heavy.

Having said that, it is not a system you can abuse but to take caution and the fact that the company does take care of you. They focus on results and performance and not based on clocking how many hours you work to define effort. Which is something I abide to anyway.

My work at Sara Lee only commences on July 3rd. That means, I have time to basically, well, do anything for a month before commencing. Footstool commitments are no issue now, I can really sort out and do whatever I want before work starts I guess. I am glad at this point when knowing. Initially, I had the impression I’m starting next monday till I went back to look at the dates again.

So my situation, I had two offers in hand. One was an immediate start at O&M and Sara Lee which is a month later. O&M was pushing me for an answer. After weighing the cost benefits and seeing where I would like to be, I gave my answer. I had decline O&M and committed myself to Sara Lee.

Rapp Collins also called to mention that I have been shortlisted. In the midst, of scheduling an interview to talk about things further. I’m just going to go, to get the experience and learn as much as I can.

When the sun was down, my body was physically tired and my mind was drained – I spent the last couple of moments on the computer, just updating till my father figure had returned home and spring forth the ‘father-son’ chat.

Well, it was trinity conversation you ask me, Dad, Carlsberg, and me. So he came in all bravado and said, “SO, what’s the deal? What story did these companies tell you?”

I gave him my breakdown and told him everything. Well, honestly, I didn’t like his response. To me, he just came across too strongly. He said you should have taken the job at O&M for a month, then work on over to Sara Lee. Who knows, you might just like O&M and forget about Sara Lee anyway. He said, “One day, you’ll be on the other side of the fence and you’ll have make the call”.

I replied with pure honesty, and told him I was not aware of situations like these where you can give a 24 hour notice, and well, he just wanted me to swipe in the best of both deals. He furthered focused on that if a company wanted to hire a person, they would have taken him immediately, why wait for a month?

I said, “Sara Lee ends their financial year in June and begins their new year in July and that is when the program starts”

He snapped back, “What happens if Sara Lee goes bust and doesn’t make ends meet and says, sorry friend, we can’t take you in! This is all corporate cock and bull, I have heard and see in all through my life!”

At this point, I seriously felt like hitting him.

I tried to contain myself and replied, “It’s a MNC, there are structures and programs, obviously they would know what they are doing and I have signed the papers, there is a certain loyalty and credibility for a company that has a long standing history, right!”

He will never back down and shot back, “Just because you’re green, people might just take you for a ride and you’ll never know it. If I could talk to you before, I would tell you take in all the options and then decide.”

I was seriously quite taken a back and things were starting to get a little messsy. It’s hard to talk sense when he is under the influence of alcohol. I just ended the conversation with nods and yes and faintly smiled as he disapppeared back into his room.

I spent the night thinking about what I did. And about what he did.

For me, I think that I had approached this journey with God in mind, and God first. I felt that every decision and step I took had the peace and wisdom that God has given and guided me. I wasn’t even thinking of the insecurities that Dad had mentioned but instead focusing on God will provide, I weathered through the dry spell. Of course I felt dejected and worried and at times, just so low about things but I tried to keep heads up. I was definitely being very prayerful about this job and the other opportunites coming along. I also didn’t want to take a job for a month and quit on it just because of monetary reasons. First, it didn’t seem ethical and you’re taking a job so close to an industry that crosses over, it just doesn’t reflect well on me.

His case was, the world is like that, he has had people walking out on him after 6 days on the job and what nots, and what if people are in desperate need for income and needed to support their living expenses, they wouldn’t wait. He ended his case by, I’m not judging you but I just wanted to teach you a ‘lesson of life’ and there is something what we call ‘rental time’. You’re basically not being rented for a month till you start and you may just be better off elsewhere.

He contradicts himself so much! At times, he says just go for the experience, you don’t need the money anyway. You know where you’ll be anyway after this. This shit just never ends.

I didn’t like the word ‘rent’. I totally understand the meaning but I believe that God doesn’t shortchange us. The more I see our on-off conversations take place, I know that my perspective has a strong conflicting difference, but I am standing my ground.

Even if it rains and pours, or lightning strikes. I’m not going to let the world dictate my life nor make me compromise my values. I can only do one thing, pray for dad just even more I guess. It’s a long and tiring process, but in times like this, it just spurs me on to do just pray more and be thankful that I have been given the privilege to do so.

May the rhythm of the falling rain strike a chord in the heart someday.

It’s just one of those bad days in weather, I know the sun will shine soon. One day.

First off, I got the job at Sara Lee. I received a call at 10:30 in the morning, the day after the interview, Jessie from HR said, “We would like to offer you the position as our management trainee in our company. Could you come by…”

I nearly choked up.

Most importantly, I want to thank each and everyone of you who has been praying for me and working with me through this. I truly appreciate your support and care during my months of ‘wait’. Yes, it has finally paid off. To Nick, who prep me for the white shirt and glasses look and all the rest of the funny crap we were talking about, thanks bro! Doesn’t go wrong getting help from a Goldmans candidate huh? :p

Anyway, I’m going in on tuesday to discuss more about my job scope and pay package. I’ll be in their management trainee position for 6 months which entails me to run across the different functions in the company. I think this is an excellent starting point for me. After which, I’ll move into their marketing or sales team, although I expressed my interest in brand management but we’ll see. I look forward to learning and contributing as much as I can. The people there seems really great too

I spoke to Jessie, asking how did the whole selection process go. She said out of the 1000s that applied, they took in about 30 for the interview and then shortlisted 8 for the final interview. From there, they took 3 people for the position. Woo hoo. Such a sweet telling tale. Thank you, LORD!

You know for me, this month has kind off been a great blessing to me. I had an opportunity to shoot for an ad and that meant income for me. Then the job, in times like this, I don’t want to sway from the main focus that the LORD does provide. I don’t want to get into the high flying rut and forget about everything else. I am also thankful for the wonderful Footstool experience that has been teaching me ‘real’ christianity. To read what others have wrote about the play, it gives me a vision or some sort of setting what we are actually portraying, because you know, the actors will never ever get to see it coz we’re always on stage.

Friends, as I head off to Penang this weekend with the team, do remember us in prayer. I thank you, once again

10 am, 23rd May. Be there. You’re meeting her, Sara Lee.

I spent an hour before bed, doing some research. Identified the key brands that Sara Lee (Malaysia) was handling. Kiwi, Sanex, Ridsect and Ambi Pur to name a few. I locked down Wondebra, but unfortunately, as mentioned by them, it’s not in their listings for the Malaysian region. I looked at competitors to see what they were going against. I did some market research, and got some consumer insights through AC Nielsen. With that, it gave me a general overview about the consumer markets.

I spent some moments in prayer. I slept, or at least I tried to. Tossing and turning, couldn’t just get myself to sleep. Had all sort of thoughts running through my head. People and what-if situations. I think too much. Just too much.

*8:15am* Alarm rings! Rise and shine baby, and felt pretty good when I had woken up.

Had my usuals for breakfast, a glass of milk, 2 half boiled eggs and vitamins. Got ready my interview face and attire. Played down hairstyle, glasses, white shirt and dark tie and the conventional black pants. Yeah, it’s all about getting into character here. I did some face warm ups too. Gotta practice that smile and enthusiasm for sure!

Anyway, got to the office 10 minutes before and was escorted in to the board room. They had some serious gallery of achievement awards all over the walls. Talk about consistency, some awards dating back in the ’94s. Well, before I knew it, Hitesh (the HR director who first interviewed me came in to say Hi) and mentioned, that the people will be coming in soon. Make myself at home. Well, I quickly stood up and started gathering as much info as I could across the room. Psycho analyzing can really go beyond the human mind, just take anything and whack it right in. They were displaying their range of products across the room.

The interviewers. Mr Pak (Sales Director) and Ms Chui Hoon (I didn’t get her card) came in and started the ball rolling. The interview ended in 20 minutes. I couldn’t believe it, it was fast. There was a series of questions asked and I think I handled them pretty alright. I asked them this however, because of my previous understanding, that the 2nd round interview was an interview where we had to spend the bulk of the day with them and prepare for a case study. Is this happening in the next round?

Chui Hoon answered, “We felt that was not necessary anymore as the candidates we have shortlisted are currently in their third round. So yes, this will be your final interview. We’ll let you know by next week”.

Glimmers of joy

So I kinda took a peek at the list. It was something like this.

1st Ballroom, Room A
1. xxxxxx
2. Ee Soon Wei
3. xxxxxx

2nd Ballroom, Room B
1. xxxxxx
2. xxxxxx
3. xxxxxx
4. xxxxxx
5. xxxxxx

I was the first they interviewed this morning. They are going to see the rest throughout the day. Well, in situations like this, it can somtimes work for or against you. As far I know, only 3 will be selected. Man, sure feels like a tinge of a world cup finals here. Well, may the best man wins. Do remember me in prayer.

After an exhausting weekend, I have much to be thankful for.

God was moving and definitely evident in the various churches and to the many hearts, including mine. I felt His presence really going forth before me during our performance weekend. I am, simply, encouraged.

We performed at 3 different churches, Eagle Point Covenant Fellowship, Bangsar Lutheran Church and Praise Baptist Centre respectively. All had their interesting moments I must say.

At Eagle Point, it was a series of unfortunate events for me that night. After Pharisee Boot Camp, where I had the lights right in my face and eyes, I was totally blinded after that. I had thought, I had somehow maybe caught a glimpse of God! haha. I could not see for the heavens of me, and was walking to find a major prop, the table to place for the next scene. During that scene change, I had walked on over till I passed the mark location, again, I went by ‘feel’ not by sight. As I used my feet to guide me, I realized quickly that my next step had let me to the steps. I panicked! Time was ticking, I was still blinded (this is probably the worse case ever, the stars didn’t help. I was only seeing spots!) and I was going to myself, “I can’t see, I can’t see, I can’t find the table”, which I think verbally did come out before one of them heard me. I try to track back my steps and move closer to where I thought the table would be, and *BAM*, I found it! Quickly and swiftly as I could, I got hold of the table and started carrying it to the marked spot. As I was travelling, the table started growing out on me! I was like, what in the world is happening, I realized then, that the drawers were coming off! When were there drawers!! Oh Lord, I said, this is what I call adrenaline rush because for me, it was definitely running high. In the nick of time, I placed it and had no chance to get down for a swig of water. Instead, I just went to my Untouchable postion, and with the Pharisee cap that I still had on, I took it out and flung it out to the side. *Phew*. In times like these, the verse in Philippians says, “Forgetting what lies behind and pressing on towards..” I did just that, trying to contain myself and moved on.

But well, luck wasn’t on my side that night, I had another round of surprise for myself. After Untouchables, I needed to bring the next prop, a basket for the next scene. This time, I really couldn’t find the basket. I had no idea or memory where it was placed. I searched high and low, swimming around the floor nearly making out with the steps because I was knocking into everything I could possibly feel. I was speaking again, “I can’t find the basket, I can’t find the basket!” I had held on to some items, but I knew it wasn’t it. Thank God for Adrene, who came to the rescue and helped me out. I am so thankful I didn’t end up groping the audience because I was desperate for some basket contact. haha. When everything was over, I realized that one of the items that I thought was the basket and wanted to bring up to the stage was actually a plastic container that had our bags of stars, tape and measuring tap itself. It’ll be extrememly funny if that gotten up and they had to improvise

Again, I was left panting and by the time I finished the last sketch, I was relieved and had made my way back down to the seats. I thought to myself, “ahhh, I made it, it’s over..” Before I knew it, I knocked myself once again into the seats creating a *bang*. Man, it hurt and I was going, “crap crap crap, not again!” So shy man, I tell you

Even with everything that had happened, God still moved mightily and challenged the crowd and moved hearts. I am thankful in spite of everything, I could somehow keep a good focus. Definitely, it was God bringing me through. Thank you Lord!

Our second performance at BLC the next morning was an interesting one. Interesting stage to work with, everything was downsized compared to Eagle Point which had a stage fitting an olympic size swimming pool for length. I was glad that at BLC, we had some natural lighthing to move around too as well. But we were faced with an interesting challenge. 18 kids, and out of the 18, 15 were aged between 1-3. That could mean only one thing, the crew of destruction of focus was in our midst. An actor’s nightmare indeed. But I must say, somehow, through God’s grace, the team had kept their focus and delivered through and well. I think all of us probably thought, “Wow, God, just wow”. I know from previous experiences, it is so easy to trigger off us to lose our concentration and focus.

I particularly enjoyed the worship and style of worship at BLC. Two songs that still ring true to my heart right now. Come home running by Chris Tomlin and Arms of love by Kutless. I downloaded Kutless (I know, I should buy originals! ), but I still prefered the BLC version of the song, more minimalist and lighter for sound. Anyway, the lyrics for the songs really hit my heart and I took that for my reflective and pondering moments, to digest and feed on it throughout the day. It fitted the theme of runaway bride and it helps in character portrayal as well especially Love Story.

By my third performance, Praise Baptist, I was exhausted. I skipped nap time and felt the tiredness coming upon me during our setup time and warm ups. I tried to think about the serious theatre professionals who did this day in and day out and I tried to psyche myself to pushing myself further. But the flesh was weak and having negative vibes about sealing the last performance. Personally, I felt engagement of intense characters take the most out of me and I was starting to feel that if I had kept on pushing, I might just crack and breakdown. The idea is to keep that potent intensity, that verge of breaking down but holding it there, and in response get your audience to feel it so dear, that tears trickle from their own eyes. Now, that’s interaction!

Through our prayers as a group, God answered and worked once again, beyond my imagination. I felt that we had a strong performance at PBC. The emotional intensity was evidently there, and it was controlled and not over bearing as well. Maybe, I am learning better now and God has increased in us for comfort levels in acting. In our scene change for Love Story, psee que had problems looking for the hat, and he too, had searched high and low for it. Well, this afternoon, I was driving and just reflecting over our funny moments and the performance itself, all these little moments does have a spiritual lesson to it. To me, sometimes in utter darkness, we’re lost and we can’t find the things we want, God does bring that key person into our life and guide us to the things we’re looking for.

The most joyful thing is to see the change of hearts, the warm and heartfelt response of the people we minister to. The reason being, is because I feel I am being ministered to as well. I feel that I am learning something new everytime I talk to someone about it. These little notes have become an encouragement to me, a source of strength to see God move in the small and big ways.

It’s good to have a friend. We’re all different anyway, but probably come for the same roots, if you really think about it

A man had not been to church for the past 18 years. He was sitting in one of the front pews, and there we were presenting the message of Runaway Bride. I realized something.

Passion. Conviction. May the truth be revealed.

I really sense God moving much more in our second season with Runaway Bride. My responsibility? To speak forth the message with conviction and a great sense of pure reality in which Christ has chose and still do love us, no matter what.

Through the prayers with the team, feedback from the various people we talk to, I realize the great need for this message, and may God continue to sustain us. I have personally been so blessed and in brings me to tears sometimes, when we really drive home the message with God leading first and foremost.

My lessons from BSF learning about Abraham, and faith has come wonderfully rich for my knowledge experience and also in terms of my service for God. To make a name not for myself but to exalt and glorify Him to the highest.

My other friends, to those who have been praying for me and the ministry of Footstool Players, I am encouraged by this, appreciate the partnership that I have with you. You have definitely been a great blessing and do continue to remember us in prayer.

Another lesson learnt over the weekend was that the effort we should take to invite the people that we are concerned for. I am challenged to do so, to pray for the various people that are in mind. To keep myself focus on God and that He’ll do his work and in His time.

I have also been blessed recently by the key people that have come into my life to encourage me in my journey with God. Words can’t express how much I am grateful and thankful for their friendship and sharing in the small and big moments.

During this time, I rest in Him and continue to persevere to the truth and the promises ahead.

I seriously believe, that something great is going to come out of this as I continue to put my faith in God and not swaying easily by using logic and common sense for the common gain of man.

The tears of heaven came.I captured a moment. I love rainbows. A moment in time. A timely moment.

The highlights of my trip:-

1. Great time spent with time with dad. A father-son relationship, a man-to-man bonding sessions and just the fact that we got along so well moving around together. Yeah, we both decided that we’re cool! My wingman, my bruva, and he thinks he’s 28. So go figure.

2. Food, glorious food! What can I say but to those post pictures.

3. The arts. Musical, plays, galleries, just got myself drowned in them. Really, I wish I was still drowning.

4. Friends and fellowship. Caught with a whole bunch of people. I miss the time spent with them, each and everyone of them. I just like how we can just catch up over meals and coffee, take walks and talk about everything under the sky. There was a sense of freedom and openness as well. Well, for this, I don’t have pictures.

5. The IPEX. It takes printing to whole new level. Mega, over the top and fast moving industry at its peak and finest. To see what is being churned out in the next few years is madness. No more is it just printing, it’s now communication on demand.

Alright then boys, are we ready? Let the pictures roll!