Traveling had always been a favorite pasttime of mine. Just a few weeks ago, I had been to one relative unknown city in Indonesia called Bandung. Admittedly, I did not bear too much hope in thinking that this trip is gonna be surf and turf, rip-roaring excursion; but rather a trip to get-to-know-more with my church friends in where 12 of us are going.

Before I hook you guys up on the itinery of Bandung (which I feel it would be good information for future-goers), I would like to thank Ben for making this trip come true. Without his planning and knowledge on Bandung, we wouldn be able to go there. Thanks Micheal for being such a hospitable host for us (cheers if you are reading this)!

21 August 2009 (Bandung Arrival)

Heres the pic before heading to board the plane. We certainly look happy!

Btw, AirAsia is the budget airline where theres nothing to complain about- no frills and whats more, you have the luxury of staying in Terminal 1 for the boarding.

This is a nice photo of mountain range near the city of Bandung- Tangkuban Perahu- taken from the airplane.

Upon arrival to Bandung, we are greeted by Michael, our host and two MVPs that took us right to our hotels.

Hired Indonesian drivers had to be our main source of transport. First, there is no mrt system or suspectingly even a bus system in the city and second, there is high-level difficulty to communicate with local taxi drivers. The roads are complicated, aggressive and uninformative, with limited landmarks- which goes to say- you wont know where you are going unless you have a local driver that you can trust!

One thing I realise along the journey in Bandung is the incredible social class gap between the rich and the poor.  On one end are the high-end bungalows and mansions but on the other end, we see beggars in slumps. Children are begging for money while other energetic adults are trying to stop cars for a carwash. Makeshift stalls are set up on the roadsides selling drinks to bananas, fake leather bags to cheap toys.

21 August 2009 (Bambu Desa)

After a long ride, we pitched at a restaurant named Bambu Desa.

Actually not very used to the food there. I mean, if you are a Singaporean like me, you would find the chicken a tad too tough, the chilli a tad too spicy, the tofu a tad too wierd, and the juice a tad too sweet :P

But overall its quite alright with me, but my girlfriend din enjoyed it at all and ate very little.

21 August 2009 (Factory Outlets)

Later on in the afternoon, we went shopping. Heres the deal- its damn cheap! I mean, you would not find another place to shop for branded stuff if you have visited this place… Now let me give you an example.

One Hugo Boss jeans would cost S$30+ over at their factory outlet selling Hugo Boss, while at retail price Hugo Boss over here in Singapore is astronomical!

Below are some outlets address:

Episode Fashion House
IR. H. Juanda No. 125 Bandung
(Place where I bought my Hugo Boss jeans)

Renaritti
Jl. Riau No. 26 Bandung

The Secret
Jl. Riau No. 47 Bandung

Rumah Mode Factory Outlet
Jl. Setiabudi 41 Bandung 40161
(Best factory outlet we have seen- a lot of branded goods)

There is one thing you cant do without in Bandung- is shopping. So if you come to Bandung, remember to go to these factory outlets to take a look!

Story of Steve Jobs.
Inspiring!

I had been putting this off the back of my head for some time now. I just could not find the time to pen it down. But one day I chanced upon Joseph’s blog (www.josephauxano.blogspot.com), and I was inspired and impacted by his life story. It set me thinking about my life story and how God had transformed me and turned my life around.  Hence, I want to write about my life into this blog and hope that through this little story, it could set you thinking about your life and be glad of the little miracles and transformations that you have experienced.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matt 5:16

You could have been some of the lucky few that had the privilege to hear of my life story face-to-face. I am usually very reserved about my past and would seldom share unless I deem fit to do so. Putting this on my blog would represent a significant part of my courage out on public view, but I pray this could impact you!

My life is His song. So the tune here goes.

I was born into a family with two elder sisters. My father was a businessman and my mum was a homemaker. I was very pampered and cared for being the youngest in the family. However, bounded by traditional mindsets, I was subjected to verbal discouragement and abuse by my then critical Dad, who did not think I could make it in life.

I felt like a loser whenever I made some mistakes in life as a young man. Instead of encouragement, I received discouragement and scolding. As a result, I was emotionally shutdown and did not care about the things around me. There were times where there were arguments (and I mean shouting) flying across the house, I just hid myself in my room. I hated my Dad in the past for being verbally abusive, but I respected him that he might be right but just do not know how to express his stand.

The ‘loser’ feeling stuck to me like demon to my soul. Whenever I felt like a loser, especially in my studies in secondary school, I get very upset with myself. I seem to be an approachable and friendly guy on the surface to many of my friends, but (in retrospect) deep down within me, I was self-centered and manipulative. I was ambitious in my heart and keep devising ways to beat other people in life. Challenging others were means to tell myself- I am not a ‘loser’.

“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgment.”
Matt 5:21

I was in a Christian secondary school back then, I had been through bible studies and church assemblies. All those words in the Bible were just answers to test papers while church people always had motives to ‘convert’ me. They had no impact to my life and I had always thought that I had no one to turn to except myself. My destiny had to be controlled by me and no one else. I had overlooked the genuine love others had sown to me and had absolutely no capacity to receive it (emotionally shutdown remember!).

I know what is God but I do not know who God is!

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
1 John 4:7-8

Turning point came.

3 areas of inner struggle led myself to the lowest point of my life during the army days.  Soon I sunk myself into depression and lost much will to move on. All these while, I bared the grief and kept to myself.

First, verbal insults and criticism from people in the army built a lot of fear in my life. The fear I had amounted to myself not feeling confident about myself. I suffered a loss of self-esteem. My future, I thought, would be as stinking as my past. On hindsight, people in my past would have been surprised at how confident I am right now.

One reservist I had worked with, worked his life out for more than 10 years as an engineering graduate, he was still broke as hell and life empty as the pit. Hated his life for the mistakes he made and did not enjoy his work at all. It suddenly hit me-is life more than a degree? I was lost and shocked back then- surely getting a degree was all I needed to be a success in life? It was not what I see. Life is more than this and I knew it from then on.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
Matt 16:26

I searched for other security and meaning in life, which led to my second struggle, guilt. My ambitions led me into get-rich-quick schemes such as multi-level marketing in the army. My quick enterprise helped me persuade my friends- many of them are my personal friends- to buy into my idea, making them lose hundreds of dollars. The whole idea was a scam and I had been a brainwashed victim as well. But I was struggling with guilt and could not forgive myself for taking advantage of my friends.

Lastly, I met with an accident where I broke my shoulder joint and dislocated my right shoulder. It was a horror to my life. This injury cast an emotional effect on me as I could not function like a normal person for a period of time. I felt like a total ‘loser’. My already-lowed self-esteem was brought crashing down.

Depression. I blamed God. Fear. Guilt. Shame. All rolled into one.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”
John 16:33

I could not understand what was going on and was desperate for an answer to my entire predicament. I was longing for something or even someone- a Savior- to make all my bad attitudes and my tribulations to go away once and for all!

There was one night – I knelt down and prayed. In my army uniform and worn-out boots, I went out to a secluded place to hide. Kneeling, I cried out to the God I have heard about in my secondary school days.  I promised Him that if He fixed everything in my life, I would go to church.

Things move miraculously soon. One Christian army friend decided to ask me to go to church with him one day. I was hesitant at first but I went over to check it out.

I got impacted a lot in my first visit and the pastor spoke a lot of peace into my heart. It was the first experience that I feel safe and secure in a place. I decided to come back again and then on, I rededicate my heart to Jesus.

The prodigal son returned.

Transformation came. My self-esteem seemingly got restored and I got to grips with the inevitable challenges in the army. I built my meaning and security in Jesus, suddenly faith in my life gave me hope and freedom, and suddenly I felt the inner optimism about my future. This is the kind of feeling that could not be explained in a few words- you HAVE TO EXPERIENCE it yourself!

My friendships were restored as I humbled myself to ask for forgiveness for the folly that I have made. My kinship with my parents, especially my Dad, were restored and love in the family grew. In fact, both my parents received Jesus because they saw my change. Soon came peace in the household. I also found the love of my life amongst my group of church friends- whom has now been with me for more than 4 years! From a life filled with low self-esteem and self-centredness, its quite hard to imagine that I have the capacity to love!

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love”
1 John 4:8

I rose to the occasion while in the army. I am given leadership roles such as the vehicle commander, control-in-charge and pass-changing officer while my capacity and self-optimism increased. Back in church, I served my brothers and sisters by playing the guitar, making birthday cards and counseling.

Lastly, my shoulder injury was miraculously healed after 4 years on! It would not be possible without His intervention.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matt 19:26

With this I have to end this chapter of my story. The journey did not end here and should I tell more it would be a few more chapters.  My life in NUS had been a moulding period where God dealt a lot with my character as a maturing Christian. Right now, I am looking forward to more stories in my blog coming up! And I do hope that my life chapter could share some light with you and only you can make your own decision, make it the right one.

“When the caterpillar calls it the end of the world, the Master calls it a butterfly”
- Anonymous

One and a half year going, I have decided to revive my ailing blog.

World watching Dan all began by blogging about Daniel watching the world as he travelled most parts of Western Europe in his stint with Eindoven Student Exchange Programme. But I realised something… blogging is not about myself. It about blogging for others.. to see a clearer picture from one’s past experiences and mistakes, and make a decision to embrace or avoid them.

Travelling had been a part of my life and will be next time. I had been matured over these one and half years of void from the blog reader’s eyes. I thank God that He blessed me an ability to write out my experiences and thoughts in a clear picture, and hence I would like to blog especially about my thoughts and dreams. My dear would have been happy to have read this, where even her would find it difficult to comprehend my inner self sometimes.

In a plethora of words would I find expression felt.

So to keep a good summary of what everyone had been missing over the past one and half years:

1. After 1 full year of research and hard work, my final year project was exhibited in Central during the ID Graduation Show 2008. This final year project also marked the end of a year journey in my Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design.

Basically, my project was to design a bathing system to cater to the ageing population where potential bathroom risks are minimized and usability is explored.

2. Graduated. With Honours Degree. Throwing the square-top might be an enjoyable stance (look at the pic!), but seriously we really do not know what comes next for us. Jobs obviously do not come to our minds that instant.

3. Enjoyed my time of freedom after Graduation.

4. Hang out in Taiwan for a week – Had an amazing time over there! Thanks to the Rotting Clan.. hey you guys know who you are!

5. Got hired into >60 Design Centre as an Industrial Designer. By the grace of God, I had contacted someone whom I had worked with during my FYP, and she decided to bring me into the company. Talk about networking!

6. Proposed to my wonderful Dear during Christmas 2008! She is the greatest gift that I have in my life…

7. In early 2009, I had completed major assignments of work in >60 – got featured in the Straits Times and the City News for our work with Dementia patients. Heres the link to the City News: http://www.citynews.sg/index.php/2009/06/a-hah-a-game-for-dementia-patients/

8. Just recently in May 2009, had a quick getaway to Batam. Cheap Polo Ralphs, swedish massages, seafood and nice boat ride were the cream of the trip.

Yep, thats all for the update about my stuff for the past one and a half years of non-blogging! Been really busy with work lately though… But do hope that this could kickstart something off!

Lots of love,
Daniel

Ni and her favourite store in First World Plaza…

Vibrant and unforgettable architecture of First World Hotel…

Indoor mezzanine river with picturesque view.. Families are boating too!

Indoor ferris wheel :)

Some pics of the Outdoor Theme Park… the roller coaster rides are really breath-taking, heart-popping… some we dun even dare try it! There are also family rides and water games.. but try the trilling ones.. its worth your money!

Im not the one with penchant for heights.. my face was pale as white while sitting on the outdoor ferris wheel.. Dearie was more daring than me.. you can imagine how high it was.

Like i said, i enjoy more peaceful rides nearer to the surface of the earth..

Romanticism and child-like fantasies swirls with the carousel..

Outdoor garden.. you can feel the fog of the morning right in your face..

Genting Trip… Nice experience.. One of those trips u will keep in memory for a long time but it wont entice me to go back again.. its those “been there done that” kind of trip.. If you wanna go.. do not book for more than 3 days as u will get bored with the place and the food isnt exactly cheap..

Heres my 2 cents,

Daniel

Want to relive the beautiful pictures and comments I have written about my Holland trip?

Check out under Categories —> Holland Exchange

Love, Dan

Ive been wanting to share this about myself… you could have known me for long time but there are some little things i didn even know them myself without realising it.

Here goes…

1. I am a left-hander, but cut scissors using my right hand. I am probably a handicap on the dinner table as I use both my chopsticks and spoon with my left hand, my right hand is completely useless.

2. I stay in the east for my whole 24 years of age.. I stayed in Tampines when i was an infant and then moved to Bedok during primary school and then moved to Tampines during secondary school.

3. I havent been to Malaysia yet. But that could change this coming Friday as i will be heading to Genting :)

4. I have four strands of hair coming out from my left big toe, while the rest of my toes have no hair… i call them my Lucky Hairies…

5. I supported Newcastle United since 1996 when i was secondary school. At that time.. I only thought that their black and white jersey is quite cool :)

6. I have been a treasurer (elected, selected or volunteered) for 2 years in secondary school, 2 years in JC and 1 year in University! *Argghh*

7. I buy one pair of spectacles every other year ever since I was short-sighted.

8. I treasure friendships and relationships very much

9. Im quite cautious about spending money that i always keep a financial account to my spending in check.

10. I am afraid of flying cockroaches.

Appreciate you for everything you have done… love you baby…

Great to post up the last post of the year… its really been a year of two halves.. very much like a football match.. the first half a trilling and exciting trip to Holland, filled with sightseeing and great experience while the 2nd half is the mundane and grounding lifestyle of tough schoolwork, adaptability seemed to be taking its toll…

but overall… Its a still another great year… but i really hope that 2008 will be a better year yet! There will be high hopes and expectations going on to the new year… but i do believe that things will work out fine soon..

Its been a tough semester for me over here in Singapore.. having to adjust to the tough schedule and workload is not easy and underestimated on my part… but overall it went ok and i manage to get through it in one piece.. overall grades are in B+s and B-s… which is quite alrightz… weather in Singapore is crappy as usual, volatile like a raging woman.. one moment rain and sunny the next… in fact had been down with cough and flu for over a month already..

Lately had been involved in internship with a design company as a research assistant… got to learn a bit.. although quite a mundane job.. but its good money for the holidays… so in fact i did not spend much time to have in the hols.. now that i have stopped working.. i will spend the next 2 weeks enjoying.. :)

Thanks Chunbeng for giving me this opportunity!

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

As i have been working for the past 3 weeks, i had not been posting much about my life in the hols.. basically its mostly about working, but lately had a hectic but fulfilling Christmas season!

This is me and my mum, and sisters celebrating my mum’s birthday.. we had nice steamed chilli and black pepper crabs!

Nearing Christmas, me and some of our church volunteers visited one of my great friend.. whos a great testimony of despite being sick but yet full of faith and optimism.. … And this is our great Christmas dinner *drumroll*

Bak Kut Teh!

We had a cell group dinner after our Christmas service… i couldn help but notice that Christmas is really a time of feasting!

Anyway theres more to go..

Hope everyone have a blessed new year ahead!

Love, Dan