SG Chronicles: What Keeps the Torch Burning

One of the most remarkable words I heard so far, came from the church speaker that Sunday afternoon, and I quote, “You weren’t sent overseas for work alone. God’s not that shallow to put His purpose in you inside that box. You are His child. You are not just an engineer, a nurse, a teacher, a househelp, an accountant. Long before your coming here, you’re already a Christian. You carry God’s name with you. You are no less than ambassadors for Christ.”

That statement alone pierced through my heart. For someone like me who has always been battling homesickness since day one, going to church and fellowshipping with other believers are the most comforting of all. Unlike others, I feared the coming of weekends simply because loneliness at home will kill me again. Sundays are nevertheless revitalizing. Being there in the church really keeps the torch burning. I am strengthened. My homesickness heals little by little. And most of all, it reminds me that no matter how far I am from my home-church, it is the same one God that we are worshipping. The feel of a child running back home to embrace his parents – that’s the perfect description of the overjoyed heart pumping life to me every Sunday.

What I found in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching,” is something I have not fully understood until I scored a job some 1,400 miles away from home.  

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SG Chronicles: Eyeballing Bloggers

Ever heard of the word eyeball? Yes, that online cliché referring to meeting up in person someone whom you have been communicating with online. For so long the term sounded like no less than a desperate move, especially when it involves a couple, totally strangers to each other, wanting things more than just chatting. Com’on you know what I mean! Cyber world is just so vast, isn’t it?

Much to my own surprise, it’s through the blogosphere that I would be able to know good friends from all over the globe! One of the dearest moment by far was meeting Iantie (and husband), the author of the blog, The Journey, who hails from the beautiful land of Brunei.

So now, representing Philippines and Brunei we are Ningli and Iantie, 
readying our cameras on (instead of pen this time). 

We both had wonderful time in Singapore, catching up, digging history from forever, sharing our stories from places to places, exchanging souvenirs, looking forward to trips to beaches in our countries and of course, taking our photographs!

How funny it is to think about how each was linked to the other by just merely loving the art of writing. Want more friends then? Start blogging!

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SG Chronicles: The Lion City

Past mid-dawn it was when our first-class coach reached Golden Miles Complex at Beach Road, Singapore. Believing that money changers are readily available in the area, we came with only Malaysian ringgit and US dollars in our wallet. Much to our surprise, since we arrived in wee hours, the only store open was 7-11 where I tried bargaining with the tender to trade even a portion of our money to their local currency. The man, politely resisted though, handed me five Singapore dollars instead for us to get to our cousin’s apartment in Jurong. He’s the first Filipino we encountered. The thought of being cared for by a kababayan eased our anxiety to finally reach our destination safe and sound. And we just did! After a few minutes of arguing whether or not to take the MRT using those five dollars, we ended up catching a cab instead whose chauffer demanded us USD 20+ then. Well, it was pretty much satisfying to sit back and relax and be assured that we’re finally heading home.

After a meagre rest, off we went to Sentosa Island which, I must say, is fifty times bigger than Enchanted Kingdom! Since dollars are involved here, I didn’t dare try getting inside the amusement attractions. Photo ops are so much! I loved best the huge statue of the Lion City’s legendary landmark, the Merlion. One day isn’t enough to roam completely around the area.

After which, we tried visiting the grand Merlion Park at Raffles Square. Not so sure if the rain contributed to disable the statue from secreting water, we just took pictures of the sceneries around. Had I known it better, that I would not be flying back just on the next day, we could have opted to come at night there to see better the city’s panorama.

Since my twenty-four-hour tour was upgraded to a few more days, I had enough time to hop from one place to another. I’ve gone from the most expensive down to the cheapest shopping site in the metropolis. And I enjoyed the long walk, really!

Coming here in Singapore is a dream-made-true!

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