ThunderStorm

No spoilers.

Image by Pixabay Dating is tougher now compared to in the past because it is hard to stand out in a bigger pool of options. The globalised dating scene also offers multiple opportunities and possibilities. Before proceeding, make sure that getting married and settled down is what you want before dating. If that is not your end goal, then don't date. It will save you and the involved party the heartbreak and time. To avoid being overwhelmed by the paradox of choice, one should firstly mind your own lane. Stop comparing yourself to others or getting pressured into doing activities you are uncomfortable with to build a certain attractive persona. There are charming and deceitful people out there who will go all out to achieve their selfish gains. Some may even lie about their beliefs to develop their reputation and gain your trust. Keep your eyes wide open and observe if what they do matches what they say. Lies do not build trust. 1. Be comfortable with yourself. Work on embracing sin...

February 10, 2021 Letters from Esther “Grief and Growth: The New Questions That Help Us Create Closeness Now”  My responses to her questions: In a post-Covid world of social distancing, do we feel socially distant? For me, yes. When you’re longing to socialise, what are you specifically longing for? Physical presence and emotional assurance that we are in this together. What other emotions come up for you? Feelings of insecurity of being unloved, unheard, unfelt and insignificant. When you’re feeling antisocial, what aspects of socialising are you looking to avoid? The energy drain from empathising with someone else or listening to a long rant. Usually, this state is a result of physical exhaustion. What other emotions come up for you? Frustration that I am not allowed to rest. When people ask you “how are you doing?” what do you say? I'm alright. I've been busy working. What do you wish you could say? I am thankful to God for my work although at times I do feel unmotivated a...

I've been reading this book that was on a recommendation list. Action Steps: 1. By reading relevant material frequently and taking action steps *5. I definitely need help with this.

Image by Lalmch from Pixabay UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIFICATIONS LIST

It's time for the Nov 2020 BTO season. Thanks to the internet, getting information about buying a flat has never been easier. However, with extensive research and information comes the problem of whittling the options down to a few and making the decision. While information about 3-room flats and bigger are often the main focus for property agents, the smaller families and singles who are looking at the 2-room flats are neglected. Here are some videos scoured from Youtube to give you an idea of the kind of space you get to play around with.

I attended a basic video editing workshop today and was introduced to this online editing platform called Kapwing. How does this fare against Canva, I wonder? Let's see. Created with  Kapwing.com : Created with Canva.com : Image by:  https://unsplash.com/@tanelah Just going by quality of templates, I must say that Canva has more modern and stylish options, even for fonts. Dealing with image layers on Kapwing was somewhat annoying, since the picture borders were segmented into parts for some reason. Canva is a lot more user-friendly to me, which was why I deleted my Kapwing account within the same day of creating it. I'll be sticking to Canva for now while it's still free.

Having watched numerous Dr Phil episodes, I am appalled that many parents continue to enable their children's bad behaviour and just nag at them, only to repeat the vicious cycle and later resent their children for being "out of control". "Repeating the same behaviour and expecting different results is insanity." Give a warning and assign direct consequences for each negative behaviour. Take away their privileges. Let your child experience failure in a controlled situation. Let them experience a little pain and suffering and they will learn to appreciate what they had. They will survive and learn independence. Give them the chance to grow rather than stifle their development and cover up their mistakes. Don't wait till they become adults to try and reverse your method of upbringing. It will take years to undo all that you have conditioned them to do. You don't reward negative behaviour. Code word: B.F. Skinner. Operant conditioning. Image from: Pixabay

Image source:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/shorter-operating-hours-for-national-care-hotline-after-dip-in-late-night-calls Crisis hotlines:  IMH Mental Health Helpline (24h Mobile Crisis Service) – 6389 2222  SOS (24h) Hotline – 1800 221 4444   Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin)  –  1800 353 5800 (10am to 10pm, except public holidays)  Tinkle Friend (for children)  –   1800 2744 788 ( Monday to Friday,  2.30pm to 5.00pm)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 What is love? It is a daily choice. I recently stumbled upon these biblical websites, which offer incredible teaching and learning resources for free. BibleTalk.tv | Free Bible Studies for Adults In Love For Life: Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage Recommended reading: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman A survey on the hierarchy of needs of both sexes

To the budding writers out there, you may consider submitting your entries for the following contests: https://singaporeyoungwriterspress.com/ https://www.sota.edu.sg/news/campus-buzz/school-outreach (Annual Creative Writing Competition) https://thercs.org/youth-and-education/the-queens-commonwealth-essay-competition/ https://bookcouncil.sg/awards Ages 12-25 https://all-in.bookcouncil.sg/

I've been tired from working on the laptop, so much so that there are moments where I am tempted to toss away my phone and laptop just to get away from the constant barrage of information and push notifications from people who expect instant replies. Send, send, send. I desperately want to disconnect from tech, but I can't. It's convenient and efficient, but it's wearing me out. I need an indefinite break, a sabbatical period of digital cleansing. It doesn't help that updated information is critical during a period of isolation due to COVID-19. Nation-wide precautions keep changing from week to week, and there are those who need to be kept in the loop. What can I do during my time of unexpected distress but lift my eyes to the hills to my God who is peace? Psalm 139:7-12 NIV 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the...