Redemption.

Nike - US$300; Flight Prep - abt S$1900 (incl air ticket, health cert, vaccinations, microchip insert, quarantine etc); Relationship - Priceless. There is something money can't buy, for everything else there's mastercard.

It's tedious having to prepare Nike's flight back to Singapore. He was due to depart on 15Oct by Korean Air. All necessary preparations(above-mentioned) have been arranged prior to my departure and had my room-mate to look after him for a week before Nike departed.

I was browsing through my mails one night after arriving back. I was shocked when I came across an email by my room-mate that Nike has been sent to an Animal Shelter(SPCA) and it can never be redeemed back. I was furiously mad for the fact that he acted in his own accord without consulting me. After which, I called him at that very moment and teared while confronting him. I remembered clearly saying this to him; No matter what it takes to redeem Nike back, do it. I pursued and demanded the contact no. of the Animal Shelter he had sent it into. I called to ask if i can still have Nike redeemed back for the simple fact that the person who brought it in, impersonated me to be it's owner? That fellow agreed after having discussed with the supervisor. *phew* a huge sign of relief. I had someone else to redeem on my behalf and took care for the remainder of days before it's departure. Nike is now in the quarantine station and releasing on the 17Nov.

The reason for sharing this is because the moment that fellow agreed to have Nike redeemed back; there was such joy that i can hardy express. The Lord revealed at the very instance that that was the very reason why He chose the cross, even to death on the cross. Its for us to connect/draw back to Him, having that personal relationship with Him in which He desires.

Daryl

Fingerprints of God.

I can see the tears filling your eyes
And I know where they're coming from
They're coming from a heart that's broken in two
By what you don't see
The person in the mirror
Doesn't look like a magazine
Oh but when I look at you
Its clear to me.

(Chorus)
That I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God.

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand and perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living, breathing
Priceless work of art.

(Bridge)
Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
And God's not through
In fact He's just getting started.

Flip any women's magazine and you're sure to see beautiful, fashionably dressed models on nearly every page. Their perfect hair, slim figure, flawless make-up and unless you're Angelina Jolie or Jessica Alba; you wish you could look like her. Apparently that's what 13yr old, Emily Chapman was thinking one afternoon as she leafed through some magazines. She began to cry, feeling less than perfect and gorgeous when she could not look like any of them in the pictures.

Fortunately, Emily's parents were there that day to dry her tears. That might have been all that came of that rough afternoon for Emily. Steven wanted to give her more than just a hug, he wanted to communicate his and God's love without sounding preachy so he did what he does best - he wrote a song. He said; I don't know what you see when you look in the mirror that you don't like, but what i see is God's fingerprints all over you. That's how this song was written.

There's so much truth in the lyrics. All of us experience the same feelings in one way or another - We don't feel good looking enough, perhaps we don't feel popular, godly or don't seem to measure up to the standards of the world. Psalm 139:13 says how He has formed us in His image and that's just the way He loves us. Why would we want to look any other way.

Raylet - Nike Prairie

I know nothing.

I was having dinner with few of my friends at Beach Rd Army Market that day when i came back from States. I never knew Fried Hokkien Mee tasted so good although its standard dropped. I looked up from where i was sitting and saw a gathering. Out of "kepo-ity", few went up and saw a crowd with 4 police officers standing next to my car. Some suggested that i come up to take a look but i brushed them off; ah ya, don't kepo lar.. what can happen? One of my friends (refused to be known..*callsign - donkey*) highlighted that there's police officers next to my car.

*signing* As i walked up.. indeed A CROWD. I was thinking to myself; what's the occasion? until i saw a leg hanging out from my car boot. OMG! How did this happened? Reporters came not too soon. I walked towards my car but before i could say anything, i was handcuffed after admitting to the ownership of the vehicle. I kept pursuing them that i really don't know anything about "that thing" or why is it there although the vehicle is mine. One police officer shoved me into the back seat of the police car; anything save it when we're back at the station.

But don't you want me to open the boot to look at what's inside exactly? I replied.
No! We will save it til the forensic arrives, he answered.
But.. but.. i want to know what's inside also, i pursued. The police officer had me freed after arrival at the station but was brought into a dark room.
You will stay here until the result is out, the officer responded.
You mean i can be released once the result is out? How long does it take? What if there is no cause?

(Few secs later..)
A phone rang.. the officer answered. His expression looked disturbed as the conversation went on for quite sometime.
I asked anxiously if the call was from the scene after he hung up.
He replied; Yes.. you're in serious trouble and you can't leave but this call was accompanied with a piece of good and bad news. Good news is the leg is fake but the bad news is your boot is pried open for further investigation and you will be charged with public disturbance. You can say anything now but whatever you say will be used against you in court.
How is my story-writing? The truth of the scenario is as such that i only escaped with only a verbal-warning. The crowd dispersed and we left for Gelare @Suntec.. hahas'

Daryl

I'm back but...

I departed Texas on 7 Oct at 1030am, 2330hrs local time. It took me abt 24hrs to arrive at Changi Airport, having to transit over at Los Angeles and Narita(Japan).
I've decided to cut short my trip due to various reasons. Many guys would see it as; crazy fellow, are you out of your mind? Giving up your queen-sized bed, your garage, your BMW, oversea benefits, US$1 movie tickets, moreover leaving my Nike behind etc.

I descibed my trip to Texas as horendously disastrous. It has always been my dream to fly but sad to say that this reality became a history. Its not that i've violated any orders or offences but too many things has happened within a short span of 4mths. I've struggled for abt 6mths before making this decision not to continue fly which resulted in an early return.

One factor is the unresolved tension between my admin clerk and myself. She joined us in Dec '06. Due to her inconvenience of not having a driving license back in S'pore, she'd often approached few of us to hitch a ride to work, home, grocery-shopping or get dinner. Not too soon after she got her license but she'll still need someone to sit beside her while she drives. To cut the story short, as this continued on.. her "vehicle cmdr" reduced to just afew of us. She'd often ask few individuals out for meals, shopping etc and that includes me. Both of us were seen outside by our colleagues and the gossips start spreading from then on.

Another factor is the fact that some of our cars where serviced/repaired by this Thai mechanic near our base. There was this occasion where i brought and left my car there for service. The mechanic called me back few days later that my car was ready but my reply to him was that i can't collect the car yet within the next couple of days due work commitments and will call him back once i'm free. My car was left with him for quite sometime until news got to me that i don't want to take back my car, no money to pay for the repairs etc. It got so distorted to the point that i owe the mechanic US$15,000. This issue got to the management before i knew it. I explained to my supervisor who will investigate the source/cause of this rumour.

There would not be any training values for me to stay if i request not to fly again. I've did many considerations before laying down my decision. Some decisions are painful but its what i've got to do. I've cried over the issue of not being able to fly and not being able to bring Nike along with me. This feeling is really tremendous and even broke down on several occasions but God has never left me through it all, not even a single sec or when i'm sleeping.

Daryl.