fresh ink

for the longest time i've wanted to get a tattoo on my forearm.

something personal.
special.
simple.

a friend suggested getting a band.
i just thought it would look like a black rubber band on my arm.
so i said No.

then i thought how about something different.
scripture from the bible...
but what?

anyway i was going to Israel so maybe i'd find something there.

as i was falling in love with Israel,
i was also falling in love with God's people.
and their worship for God.

Shema Yisrael (or Sh'ma Yisrael or just Shema) (Hebrew: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל‎; "Hear, [O] Israel") are the first two words of a section of the Torah (Hebrew Bible) that is a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services.

it continues in Deuteronomy Chapter 6;
'' ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
⁷ Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and
when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ''


today, Jewish men still bind their arm and forehead with Tefillin during worship.
i wanted to bring home a bit of a Israel. and i did.

''Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Eḥad"

Dream Big

almost a month into the new year and already there are
like a 1o2 reality competition shows on TV.

from the new season of ''American Idol"' to the brand new
Paula Abdul's "Live to Dance" & Australia's "Junior Master Chef",
it's all about someone's Big Dreams.

with the coming 2nd season of ''GLEE'',
i'm sure we'll see The New Directions wanting to proof they've got
what it takes to Make it Big.

even Oprah.
yes, Oprah has Big Plans.
with her Oprah Winfrey Network,
OWN is set to take over the world of television.
& if you asked me, if anybody can, Oprah can.

so what's my point?

i believe it's a year of Big Dreams. Big Plans. Making it Big.
not just for TV people, but for everybody!

i know i have some Big Ideas.
but that's where they start.
as an idea. a thought. the passion.

so go! do it!
you know you want to.
you know you can.
go ahead and Dream Big.

the truth?

i know some people who feel this way.
then there are many who feel this way too.
whether its your friend, family, lover or colleague.
we all have felt this way.

"i am tired.
tired from trying."

"i don't need this...
seriously.
please."
stop.''

"be responsible.
if not for others least for yourself.''

''get out!
leave!
go!''

''stop trying if you're not interested...
it doesn't make it any easier.''

''pls stop asking me to see it from your side...
for once, stop and see it from my side.''

''i'm not asking you to understand.
just listen."

it doesn't mean we don't love, treasure or respect you any less...

we just tend to keep it to ourselves.
wanna know the truth?

what's next?

the most exciting thing happened today!

i didn't trust the guy at first...
couldn't really understand what he was saying...
''possible damage... not sure if permanent..''
seriously, who's this dude!?!?!!

so i decided not to have my wisdom tooth touched.

then after 1 phone call it all changed!
i went back in,
asked all the right questions,
knew what everyone was doing and then made an informed decision.

i had my 2 upper wisdom teeth extracted at one GO!
never did i think i'd ever go thru something as gory as that,
but i did!

its only the 2nd week of 2011 but excitement is just gushing in!!!
what's next?

but for now i have to decide if i wanna remove the lower sets too?

do i have to???

go Israel.

i started 2011 with a holiday,
from 18 Dec 2010 to 2nd Jan 2011.
i know. i'm a typical singaporean.
must do everything 1st. even the new year.

17 days.
16 nights.
3 countries.
6 cities.
7 hotels.
the list goes on. trust me.

but the treasure of all this would be the 9 days i spent in Israel.

the sites, people, cities, food, culture and... His love.
its amazing cos you really see His words come alive in this land.

even now, writing this... its just overwhelming.

an awesome awesome experience. that's all i can say.
go Israel.