cj20n
cj30
zzzf_mser_form
cj32
cj20
me21n
me28
me9f
migo

making any sense? Yea, I thought so too…

I’m lost in the world of SAP atm.

/end

I think I can safely blog about Soh Hem Sem now. And I think its very much worth blogging too. When it first started off, I was still a Management Trainee based in Penang for my 3 month Sales stint. During that period, I had an offer to become a talent for the brand itself which became highly rewarding. First, I got to be more involved with the brand, I had a chance to step up to the plate and to be given a nod from your own team, that’s a mighty handshake of assurance if I may add.

Come many months later, the SHS hype has probably come and gone, with post mortem being in process right now and planning out for phase 2. Yes, Mr Soh and Brylcreem has yet to breakthrough, keep tuned to new happenings.

Personally, I was very much involved in this category because I was probably most hands on with it. I got a chance to track the numbers, to indirectly be a frontman of a campaign. I am glad to announce this and basically wraps a very very good year for me at Sara Lee. This now stems up as new engine for me to push even harder during Y2 at Sara Lee because I am more familiar, confidence has leveled, trust and integrity has been earned; most important – respect among peers who are now friends. I look forward to this new financial year with them.

What would that mean for me? A lot more work, a lot more push and expansion, I would most likely be stretched, the word is already in but on a personal level, I have also set my own goals and intend to break them in the most accounted ways I can.

With this, I am thrilled to say that last Thursday night was the 2nd Asia Interactive Awards 2007 (for Asia Pacific) held in Singapore and I’m delighted to announce that the submissions for Soh Hem Sem website won:

- Best Consumer Marketing Site – Silver – Soh Hem Sem (highest award in this category as there was no Gold awarded)
- Best Viral Marketing Campaign – Bronze – Soh Hem Sem

http://www.asiainteractiveawards.com/
This was the 2nd year for the Asia Interactive Awards – the only regional awards focused on Internet/interactive work. It is organised by AdAsia and prime sponsors are Intel & Yahoo!, The submissions come from all over Asia including China, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia. Judging was done by a jury of 14 from countries like Singapore, Australia, USA and Malaysia.

Also attached the ADOI and Brand Equity write-up that appeared in June in which was spearheaded by the agency, Arachnid. They are such a fun group to work with!

Once again, thank you Lord.

25%

TWENTY FIVE PERCENT!

TWENTY FIVE PERCENT!!

TWENTY FIVE PERCENT!!!

THANK YOU LORD.

I have never been much of a reader in my early days. Nor even an appreciator for things. More appropriately, I think I have many years passing before me as – let the day come, and let the day go; for time waits for no one.

I don’t think I read a lot now either, I only feel that I have a lot to catch up with. I missed out on the Dickens, the Blytons even. I have probably crumpled more Sasbadi pages in hope to score perfect letter grades like ‘A+’.

For some greater reason and season I can say myself, there’s a certain more alarming state that is taking place before me. I am becoming more aware of the present and future, and deeply attached to the past – moments that made history.

In a nutshell, history matters. For it matters me.

Over the spread of 2 1/2 years now since returning, I have frequent Malacca mostly for my self indulgent makan trips that comes along with vintage landscaped moments, conversations that beckons a return. Pouring hot weather, silking in new fabricated thoughts for own beliefs that surpasses my understanding, but an overwhelming desire to come back and search more. So for many months now, as and when I can, I go back and have conversation – with the pioneers and seniors of their time. It’s been tugging my heart to find out more.

Why?
Predominantly because of Ah Pa.

In my teens I had a very strained relationship with my father. It had many, many breaking points in which still scars the very me. But God is faithful in removing the thorns and reconciling the bitter pills swallowed. We’re definitely on a much better platform together now. For now.

It got me thinking and seeking, why was Ah Pa the way he is? Then it dawned on me, that it best to know about his life more, his younger days and what he was like. That was Chapter 1. Many pages later, inclusive of my on written selections; there is now a greater bookmark to be discovered and I am about this close on starting this project.

I have talked to a few people and have given me the nod to go ahead. A family of publishers and presses gives me the libery to stretch my dollar further. My passion and interest for appreciating the old so that new may come, a chance for me to better at my writing if it is ever suited for tithing, I think my best capture would be this endeavour. Can’t say so much about my grammar. But I always say this, things must always sound ‘right’. Whether in music, writing, movies or friendship. There must a nice sound to it. There must be a tone and manner. In that zone, I am carefully playing new notes in my life in hope that a melody of genuine brushes may shine through out of my life, and may ultimately be poured out to others.

Recently I googled “The Royal Press + Malacca”. I do this sometimes matching other words to see what comes around. And was real suprise to find this:-

… Malacca is a city with an irreconcilable past, in which history is hastily rewritten and packaged for mass consumption; in which the oldest buildings are condemed, their parts sold to willing buyers; in which the past is wrongly told but unquestioningly swallowed; in which traditional communities are displaced by the inexorable drive for profit; in which historic icons are ripped out of context and exploited for tourism. A city whose name is a “saleable item” and nothing more.And a city in which the voice of common sense is seldom heard.
This from the preface to Lim Huck Chin and Fernando Jorge’s new book Malacca: Voices from the Street. (source)

“We began by listening to the voices of ordinary Malaccans. We listened to the city’s streets, as we searched out hidden corners and abandoned alleyways. Listened to houses and temples, ruins and cemeteries. Even to the murmurs and whispers of empty spaces. We listened at every turn, at every step. To the living and the dead. The past and the present. In the hope that the story of an extraordinary place and its people would be told. And we heard them speak.” ~ Lim Huck Chin & Fernando Jorge

In those many pages, there was a picture that jumped out at me in the most remarkable form and spring forth many thoughts and queries. To set some background, my family originates from Malacca, I had some of early holidays there where I ran around playing with the farm animals, catching and breaking their eggs and get spanked for it. I was also fed early meals n expected to sleep for the night at 6pm. Grandmother would fan us to bed every night in quiet stream while she looks out the window and probably thanking God for grandchildren. She was 87 I think when passed away.

The Royal Press in our family’s printing press that stands historically with the rest of Jonker Street. And it most recently captured in the above mentioned book. This picture was taken and nothing has changed! Except for the part of me growing up.

If you look closely, right at the end, you can see a picture of my grandfather which really captured the most amazing presence for me in terms of what family history meant. He passed away at 47, I never met him. And this is poignant in a sense, that he is bloodline and I don’t know him other than that picture mostly. Sometimes we don’t have to look very far do we, even in within we sometimes lose contact so quickly with our very own loved ones. Bible passages depicts those scenario very well too. People forget. We forget. I forget. Easily. Sometimes who we are and our purpose.

More on Voices, found here.

Another equally evocative photo is that of The Royal Press. This photo of a wall with its uneven coat of paint and plaster, loose sheets of paper hung on a metal hook, wooden frames with rows and rows of metal type depict a business that has become a relic of commercial progress / computerisation. ~ speech by Ms. Tan Siok Choo

I naturally emailed them and wrote to them about my amazement and also sharing my relations with The Royal Press and memories (I’ll insert an excerpt of that from my work email because its stored there)

***
The crunch got me stirring and this afternoon, I paid a visit to my aunt as we brought food to her after lunch and I spoke about interest in wanting to find out more and possibly doing an interview with a few key people for this project. She was thrilled to be chatting and sharing this moment and appreciated the effort of preservation. I am also excited in some ways and found out so much more in the 20 minute conversation we had. Things I never knew. Quite quickly, on the Japanese occupation, brief introduction of my great great grandfather. I actually come from a family of christian from way up the line. So I really need to dig deep from this point onwards to find out and in hope to may write something about it, maybe even publish at personal printing press cost obviously. Get a good enough content and maybe dreaming to portray a fictional story based on this collection. A movie perhaps. No limits basically.

To ground first, foundational pursuits is key. If anyone can help me with this, let me know:-

1. How do you best conduct interviews? Pen and paper, Voice recorder? My dilemma is this, I want to sit and absorb every moment being told and also wanting to jot it down.

2. How do you best structure your interview or research process, is there is a system in place on doing such, please share?

Photography would be key, I’ll either hop on this bandwagon alone and snap along the way. Or maybe bribe some people with good Malaccan food and company to tour with me on this little adventure.

I think this is gonna keep quite busy for a while. To the Royal Press. Pressing the royal flavour of history today. Did some someone call me Honey?

I found a really encouraging email this morning and this is indeed such an abundant blessing. Knowing a little from quick catch up with CK over msn yesterday, who had just returned from South Africa. He was there for a month for holiday plus conducting drama workshops at churches there. I look forward to his story telling experience in that effort. Considering no email and phone with status check at 400 emails to date since a month away. Such surrendering to the Lord. haha. I would never be able to pull that through – zero internet connection. zero mobile contact.

Nonetheless, CK mentioned of great news to share and indeed it was. Below is the excerpt of the email which I felt best captured the amazing-ness of God and His faithfulness. Time and time again, I am so thankful for that the time in FP and the work that has come out of it. And to know further, during this year of ‘rest’ – God is still working greatly in the lives of others where I have personally ventured to other areas and serve in other ministries.

In all His ways, I was also very much blessed by the friendships found and relationships built from that ministry, and in that aspect is already a great reward in itself. To find people who can run the race with you. My shape and mould was contributed by the grinding and binding of those relationships. And that they taught me how to appreciate the word and work of the Lord.

Truly, truly – God is SO MUCH bigger than us.

***

Anyway, while I was conducting workshops in South Africa, 3 of my students expressed how they had been blessed by “Runaway Bride”. I thought they watched it in Malaysia at the conference, but then they told me they had watched it on DVD! Their pastor (senior pastor’s wife) had a copy, ordered from CDFM! When I asked the pastor if I could take a look at the DVD, she was surprised that I didn’t have a copy of my own. When I explained to her the issues, she just said, “Don’t worry; I’ll make you your own copy tomorrow!”I got my copy and offered to screen it for the other students in my class and anyone else who wanted to watch it, during one of the free slots.

About 30 people turned up to watch it. It was quite surreal watching you guys performing in South Africa “via satellite”, I tell you! Anyway, the next day, Hanlie, one of the students in my class, a lady in her late 30s, came to speak to me. She told me how she had watched the play and had enjoyed it. But on the way home, her mind began to be drawn back to what she had watched, and suddenly she found herself weeping “for myself and for my church”. She had to pull the car aside because of her tears, and just come to the Lord in prayer. She asked me to convey her thanks to all of you for your efforts and the message of RB. (It was also a very strong affirmation to her of the power of drama to communicate God’s truths.)

I was just so moved at how God was still using our message way across the world in South Africa a whole year after we’d finished with RB, and how blissfully ignorant you guys all probably were that you were still “performing” and God’s Spirit was still moving.

Isn’t God great?!!!

Soon Wei, a couple of people particularly shared with me that your AIDS guy in “The Untouchables” spoke especially to them. AIDS is such an epidemic in Africa and the church has to face up to the challenges it presents. Who would have thought, eh?I hope this bit of news will be an encouragement to you as it was to me, and that you will together join with me in praising God for his good work!See you all at the WHT reunion next week!

***
If you want to know more about Runaway Bride itself, find it here. Or you can join me when the dvd comes, I would like to see it from the other side of the fence for once

Thank you, Abba Father. For using me in ways for your Kingdom.
I look forward to 2008.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool ~ Psalm 99:5

Whoever said you can’t get no blood diamonds in Africa? This is definitely one gem of remembrance!

So there I was, all comfy and getting ready for bed, got myself all restful and ready to spend time with Abby, plugging her into my ears. Just as I lay down in the pleasure of my neck resting with my soft pillow.

Bed song for the night? Third Day – Love song.

Just after the first line, a knock on the door and MC comes in saying, “eh, you sleeping already?” I replied, “Oh just about, why ah?”. “Oh nothing, so early. I just wanted to borrow your Ipod”. I replied from the ease and comfort of my bed, “Oh, but I am just about to listen to it…(ponders for a bit)…nevermind, you can have it. I’ll just go to sleep”

I think we’re all going to have to take turns to book the ipod and well, at least it brings conversation together too. Somewhat, I felt good letting her have it. At least I was at piece. Or maybe I was just too tired.

Genesis 30 tonight illustrated such an intense pictorial about the lives of 4, of which selfish motivation reigns first in their lives. Even when God was blessing them in their own many ways, they resurrected the one key thing behind their responses – motivation.

Laban. Jacob. Leah. Rachel.
And to the many, many offspring after.

I also learnt about Mandrakes (the tongkat ali of their time perhaps) – like avacados, are considered in some countries to be aphrodisiac and to induce fertility. They are a fragrant plant with a small yellowish fruit. Very much used in the written fantasy novels I hear.

I had my second brush with Re Yin tonight, she’s really cute as she turns one. I think I’m starting to get a little soft with the appreciation of babies. Maybe it’s also the panda & zorro rubbing off me. Maybe its the eyes of purity and freedom which I want to see in me too.

I had a good day. Good conversations. The year has started on a good note, let’s hope to keep this sailing. And I thank Him for his word, every single day.

Abby sleeps with my sister tonight. So much for my Ipod moments.

And I learnt one more thing, never stop investing in the people or things who matters. Invest in them the genuine heart of yours and you’ll see a great reflection of yourself. Sometimes, it takes a little while to paint picture, but really we all know that masterpieces takes a long time but only a moment of brilliance.

Note to self: need to allocate more time for meals. Doing dinner in 5 minutes and scooting off is not good. And, good one on shoulder icing.

[Pre-takeoff Announcement on a China Southern Airlines Flight]

This is a true account of what was heard on a recent flight from Shenzhen to Qingtao by China Southern Airlines:

“Good afternoon, Ladies and the German. This is your cheap purser Wang Lui speaking. On behalf of China Sudden Airlines, I would like to welcome you on board our Bowling 737 from Shenzhen to Qingtao. Members of my crew speak Chinese and other languages that you do not know. It is a great pressure serving you to-die. Should you need any resistance during the fright, peace do pest the call button. I and my gals are available to make you feel comfortable. Meanwhile, the airkwaft is going to fry. Peace sit upright and keep you belt tightly fastened until dinner is served at five dirty p.m. Hope you would enjoy your fright with us. Funk kill.”