Inspiring conference

Credit: SPIKES Asia

Really want to thank God for this opportunity to attend the SPIKES Asia conference. In our advertising industry, it's a norm to have annual conferences on a global level, where the gurus are invited to speak and share of their experiences and thought-processes. Where outstanding work are being nominated, acknowledged and subsequently awarded. It's an annual platform for top notch creatives, industry players to meet and network.

Each conference pass cost S$1,150.

The blessing is, ever since I joined my new company, I've been given ample opportunities to attend trainings:
- Presentation Skills
- Negotiation Skills
- "How to read people for sales"
- Powerpoint 2007
- Excel 2007 (next month)

And I managed to get the complimentary pass to this conference as well! Some of the advertising campaigns are just huge. Surprisingly it's less of selling products but more of changing lives and influencing perceptions.

i.e. "The Great Schelp" campaign has certainly helped to move the needle for Obama's Election, the "Teach India" campaign has helped rallied 100K volunteers to teach over 2 million Indian kids who couldn't afford to pay the fees and many more.

This has opened up my eyes to the power and impact of mass communications, plus once again reminded me that God has placed me in this industry for a reason.

The most inspiring stuff I've heard and seen would no doubt be the "David Droga" session. This guy.. is so creative yet modest in the same breath, to the point where I find it hard to believe.

He's a legend in our industry, and it was the first time (only for his session) that I've seen the ballroom packed with people (as usually it's a come-and-go workshop structure). I've not met anyone who is still passionate abt advertising (after spending so many yrs in the industry) as much as he does.

I'm tired but blessed @ the opportunity to be a part of it. Hahaha and God gave me ideas for my work as I sat through it!

thinker

Credit: Getty Images

Ever since I got into my new role as a Strategist, I've been using my brain a lot more often (gee, was I thinking in the past?) Haha but really, after spending days and evenings (@ Starbucks), I realised one thing - I enjoy thinking of ideas.

I like that sense of open space, white canvas; the idea of creating and forming things. Through all of this, I'm convinced that God has given each of us wonderful gifts that we can grow in and express through in our vocation.

All of us can.

Pretty Birthday Gift

Credit: Sephora

This year, I'm growing in my journey of experiencing God's goodness & blessings. And really for my birthday, the greatest blessing are my friends. From church (kakis and cell), to Seconday sch pals, new Yahoo! colleagues and kakis from Saatchi.

Haha and on my birthday, I managed to take the day off (and it's the first day of my campaign launch!). Haha declared it a Public Holiday for myself! Yea, just wanna to chill out, do the things I like and spend time with God.

Will share more of where I went. But foremost, I got a really pretty gift that makes me feel so girly in a nice way! Thanks to my new boss & team who has just been great!

Yep, it's the sweet fragrances & lotion from Sephora!

I feel like a fish

I discovered that there's a rooftop swimming pool right at Suntec just barely 3 weeks into being at my new workplace.

Was there last Thurs, swam laps till sunset (which was just surreal to me cuz' I hasn't had this kind of luxury for the past 4yrs due to my previous hectic working hours).

Today, I'm back again (with a colleague) and prob. hoping to keep this up on a regular basis. Smelling of chlorine now but lovin' it!

lovely evening | with pals

Credit: Asia Just Women

I really enjoyed the evening out with my Sunday Co. buddies today. Small group and cozy with just James, Jason, Josh, Blink & Pauleon.

3 of us had dinner @ the National Youth Park before heading over to Oriole, a cafe that comes highly recommended by Jason. And you know what? He's right about that place ;p

Located at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites in Somerset Road, Oriole is owned by the same owner of Aerin's, Bedrock Grill & Bar (next door to Oriole) and Whitebait & Kale and boasts Singapore's number 1 and number 3 baristas, which makes their coffee a must try! Esp. Pincolo latte.

The interior of the place is comfy with orange lights and wooden decor. Kinda reminded us of 1 Vox (the legendary Christian cafe of our times haha).

Though I gotto leave early cuz' I was somehow soo tired, but you know what guys? It was one of the beautiful evenings I remembered till date this year :) Thanks for the lovely company and inspiring photography sites' pictures.

Today is THE day.

* Wedding
** TYA camp

Will be out next Wed.

Trusting God that it will be beautiful and lives will be changed in the camp. Praying for immerse strength & energy! (I think I'm growing old for camps, hahaha..)

Haha for all my advertising friends - you know it. It's as real as it can get! Haha for friends who are not in this industry, this is what we deal with day-in, day-out.

*Amazing rite?

tweet tunes

I'm a bit surprised, but maybe I shouldn't.

Ever since I got back from Bali, it has been pretty much an expressway with things.

Left with only 2-3 days; needed to do personal errands, meet ex-client for lunch, finish wedding videos, get in the loop of the wedding prep so that I can prepare for usher briefing (IC). Plus I'm the vocalist (so learn & memorise Chinese lyrics) and know the activities due for the morning "sisters entourage" - yes, I feel a weenie bit of stressed (deliberate understatement).

In addition, pack for the weekend TYA camp (same night as the wedding).

Back-to-back: wedding/camp/start work

Hopefully life will slow down after that.

Tiffany & Co.

Shh... a subtle beauty in view.

Stepped foot into a Tiffany & Co. today at the Takashimaya store. Haha was given the liberty to exchange my gift for something else (since I've already got a cross necklace).

So I went in there and the shop was busy for a Wed afternoon (hmm.. I was surprised but maybe I shouldn't be).

Went around and when I lay my eyes on this ring, I knew this is it. It took me less than 5mins to say yes.

The beautiful thing is that for a few years now, I've always wanted to get a good ring to remind me of friendships. Haha Blink & Shar wanted to get me one for my birthday last year but somehow couldn't find a right one.

And when I totally forgot abt this, this came to pass in God's timing. Seems like this year is a year of fulfilling past dreams. The surfing trip to Bali is another testimony to it.

Will share more ;p

Credit: Google image

I'm convicted that God is not good to only 1 but ALL of us! Trust & believe, I'm trusting on your behalf that you will encounter God daily in your life.

Want to thank God for my blessings. To my surprise, I just received a necklace from Tiffany & Co. plus $50 worth of Starbucks vouchers today.

In addition, we've just received news that our company (now my ex-company) has reinstated the normal pay next month. This means that I will get more money (as I'm currently off-setting my leave days into June).

Finally just before I fly off to Bali, I managed to finish blessing my 10th personI hope to continue even in June. People are just looking everywhere for blessings!! : )

Isn't God amazing? *Whoa

Credit: Getty Images

Nowadays I find that the only reason why I'm doing a lot of things is because of love. Things that I normally would not volunteer to do or put in extra efforts to make it beter. But I'm doing it now because I choose to love and I want to do it. Haha sometimes even though a decision is made with a good reason, it doesn't lessen the sacrifice needed to keep to the commitment.

Reason why I'm feeling all these is because along with my G12 family, I'm helping out for 2 weddings. Yes, 2 weddings in our spiritual family within a short span of 2-3 weeks! What a joyous occasion and there are more to come (with 2 more couples currently going through MPC).

Now I'm at Spinelli, figuring out how to do the wedding montage video for my G12 siblings. Though I managed to grasp the iMovie software the other time round for Jo's video, this montage will require a lot more.

With me preparing to leave my current company this week, TYA camp briefing tmr and a vacation trip to Bali this coming weekend, I kinda need to do it within these few days.

And you know what? I think I'm still gonna enjoy the journey of loving & giving. Though it may take something away from me, I know I will gain a lot more by being a blessing.

"Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" - Acts 20:35

Well, do pray that I have wisdom, patience and creativity! *muacks

Thank God for my CHC kaki! Haha.. got an sms from him that he had accidentally bought this album twice, so he passed me a set.

Every morning, am just enjoying God's presence on the way to work, and on my way home. The power of worship!