Life giving ...

Monday, August 28, 2006
Yesterday’s homily was interesting. (Joshua 24:1-2,15-18; Psalm 34:2-3, 16-21; Ephesians 5:21-32)

It talks about love – do we love only what we like? Do we love another person based on conditions (e.g. because of his/her certain good qualities)? Are we able to love the person as who he/she is – take in all the good and the bad?

We marry our wife or husband ten, twenty years ago because of certain goodness that we see in him/her. But ten, twenty years later, do we still remember why we marry the person in the first place? Are we still able to see that goodness that makes us think that “yes, he/she is the perfect one for me”? What happened to that goodness that we thought we saw but now unable to see?

In the process of living together, we may have ‘forced’ the other person to conform to the ‘qualities’ we want them to have. We have failed to accept the person as who he/she is – the unique quality that God has given him/her. We may have caused the goodness to disappear with acts that we think are harmless. E.g., constant nagging of a certain behaviour, calling each other names thinking it is harmless.

Father mentioned something – during courtship, the couples would usually call each other names like ‘cup cake, honey, sweetie, dearie etc…’ but after a while, cupcake turns into ‘that stupid old man, silly woman etc’. What happened to the ‘cup cakes and honey’? All turned mouldy?

Hmm, so all the names calling is not life-giving. We must make a choice to be life-giving. Just like in the first reading when the people chose God over gods. By choosing to follow God, we need to embrace all His Way of life and teachings …


p.s we were very blessed. A bishop from Africa (can’t remember which part) gave us a homily (915 mass) and Fr. T gave his version of the homily at the 11am mass. Both gave us different insight and during BOW, we have another interpretation. Wow!
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 6:31 PM, | 0 comments

New look

Friday, August 25, 2006
Yes – a new look!

More colourful.

To perk things up.

Maybe I should learn HTML and do up my own blogskin.

I was talking to my colleague about what we would do if we were not in the accounting profession. Well, what sparked off this discussion was the possibility that he may lose his job in the event of restructuring. (I might be affected as well).

Well, this is not the first time he mentioned it to me. When he mentioned it to me a few months ago, I thought he was just joking and that he was tired of his current job.

Anyway, to cut it short, I realised that I was taking things too lightly, thinking that things won’t affect me. Well, I suppose I would see some changes but I did not let the full impact sink in. well, no point worrying as well. Just do my best each day and leave the rest to God…
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:45 PM, | 0 comments

Weekend is coming!

Yipee!

The weekend is just round the corner. I am looking forward to it – two days of not working!

This week just flew by … blew another 50bucks on buying medicine to cure my cough. Yea, now I have got the flu bug as well. I wonder when the cough will go away.

My kar kia took urgent leave on Thursday. Wonder if she went for an interview. She looked stressed lately.
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:33 PM, | 0 comments

What is a Christian

Thursday, August 24, 2006
Received this from a friend ...

+++++++++++++++++++++
What is a Christian
By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 7:54 PM, | 0 comments

hmm, how?

Monday, August 21, 2006
I was going through the list of guests to invite for my wedding – both church and dinner.

Somehow, it just feels funny. In my list are colleagues – people who shared the same work space but seldom talk coz (i) our work scope don’t cross and hence, not much communication (ii) he is not in the office most of the time.

Should I invite?

I felt that invitation to wedding is a personal event and should only be shared by close friends but what about colleagues? We see one another almost everyday but that is it – no more interaction apart from work. I have no qualms listing down who my friends are and who I want to share the joyous occasion with but what about those that do not fall within the category of friends?

It just feels weird for me to approach them “er, I want to invite you to my wedding (just because we are sharing the same space)”

How???
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:02 PM, | 0 comments

Blessings!


















Thank you Lord!
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 8:26 PM, | 0 comments

Finally!

Friday, August 18, 2006
Finally!

I have completed my share of the reforecast exercise.
The whole process is like playing a Nintendo game, going through the various stages and building up the budget file from ground zero.
Really felt a great sense of achievement.
Thanks be to God for the guidance and peace.
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 8:27 PM, | 0 comments

Coughing ...

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Argh – there’s so much going on at work this week – budgeting to complete, auditors to handle and whatever nonsense that comes along the way.

Top it up, the stupid cough is still not going away… I think I have spent more than $50 just going to the doctor.

My boss just told me that she will take out one of my portfolio once the new accountant comes in *yea … I think it is fair coz I have really no time to look at it. Hopefully this won’t affect my bonus at year end.

Happenings this week:

Monday
~Assumption Mass and choir duty. I was feeling sleepy the entire day but after the Mass, I felt energised

Tuesday
~Food tasting. Folks commented that the food was nice but the hotel gave us expired complimentary car passes. Hope this won’t happen on the actual day

Wednesday
~Spent the day trying to tie numbers… wanted to go back early so that I can go for a walk but work is never ending

Thursday
~Ate 2hours of snake by going to see the doctor for my persistent cough. Came back to office and kena bombed by big boss on my budget numbers as she was trying to understand. I am still trying to balance the balance sheet.

Friday
~TGIF… hope it will go smoothly.

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 9:08 PM, | 0 comments

A Long Week

Saturday, August 12, 2006
Phew ,I have not updated my blog for a long time from 4/8/2006 …

Let’s try to do a recap of what had happened.

4/8/2006
stayed till 9+ on a Friday night to help clear some accounts. There is some turnover and handover of staff and a particular staff of mine was so overwhelmed that she cried.

Being a nice boss – haha – I tried to help her reconcile some numbers while waiting for another girl to give me her report … it just amazed me that some of the girls can do such manual task without looking for an alternative to do things faster. *Faintz …

5/8/2006
went to SK II fair and was hoping to get some nice door gift but they only gave us a cleansing oil – stingy! But ah da was nice enough to buy me breakfast even though I was 45mins late on a Saturday morning =P

settle some printing stuff – gosh, I didn’t know that printing can be so expensive.

6/8/2006
Church organ finally gave up on us. I wanted to go to the doctor and miss Mass but then, I did not inform my friend in advance – so I dragged myself there – hoping that I dun cough throughout the Mass… Somehow, the organ decided to die on me just then *shrug … skipped BOW (second time in a row *argh) as the cough was getting really bad =(

Went home to do our church invitation card after getting the photographs from the bridal studio. I am happy with the results – money well spent! Also, the boss treated us to ice-cream after losing in her bet … yea, she is one funny boss.

Dearie is really creative. He had designed something for our wedding. *grin

7 to 8/8/2006
Work – it is month end closing again.

Went to check out one printer on the 8th. Really no service and no personal touch and he expected us to part with our $$$ just like that ….

9/8/2006
Happy National Day!

Went to back to the first printer. She is really nice and is very patient with us and she knows how to make recommendation.

Looked at my guest list … yea, this is one yucky part of wedding invitation. Of course I want my guests to enjoy the event… hope all goes well.

10 – 11/8/2006
Nothing much. Just doing my work and trying to finish the long overdue budget for my bosses….

Looking forward to my colleague farewell dinner at LingZhi….

12/8/2006
Need to work =(
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 12:30 AM, | 0 comments

Not my time yet

Friday, August 04, 2006
Maybe it’s still not my time to leave yet. The “opened” door was closed barley a few hours before I get to meet the interviewer.

Might as well – there is much for me to do here.

I shall walk on – won’t be smooth but I will persevere.

: ) *cough cough cough ….
 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 4:10 PM, | 1 comments