All things happen for a reason...?

Being Christian, I believe in God and acknowledge that He knows and sees all things, and that He makes all things for a reason. In my work and life, I have always felt assured that in the grand scheme of things, He will always work it out for me and provide for me. For example, in my years of running my own business, there have been opportunities, and I have thanked Him for success and providence.

However, in the last year or so, business has been slow and opportunities less. I also question my difficulty in starting a family. Is this all for some reason too? Sure, there are trials and tribulations, but how do I overcome these?

Recently, I have been introduced to some really good products from direct marketing companies. One is the No Work Shower Cleaner by Melaleuca, another is the Renew Moisturiser (also by Melaleuca), and there's the Anion Sanitary Pad which is truly innovative. I've never been an active follower nor a fan of direct marketing companies, but these products, I feel, could serve a greater good, so to speak. Were these all happening to me for a reason as well? Perhaps it was to show me an avenue to earn my keep, as well as help the people I care about.

I have also had the opportunity to get to know a new friend from another country. She chanced upon my blog and I have had the honour to chat with her over email. I'm sure this happened for a reason as well. Maybe in time, we can become good friends?

In the grand scheme of things, I guess only He up there will know why things happen. I can only pray for His shower of blessings and opportunities, because like the weather lately, it has been dry, hot and stifling.

PS - Will review the Renew Moisturiser and Anion Pads when I can.

More lessons from the past

I realise my old posts from multiply were on my blogspot as well. Here are the links:

http://farrer-park.blogspot.com/2008/11/lessons-from-beautiful-wedding.html

http://farrer-park.blogspot.com/2008/11/10-things-you-should-be-aware-of-in.html

Both great reads :)

Binding Contracts

I found this on my old multiply account, posted on 9 Nov 2008. Thought it made perfect sense.

----------------------Repost------------------------

All around me nowadays are anecdotes of marriage. Strange coincidence? Or is He trying to tell me something?

Today at church, the preacher mentioned that marriage is not a contract but a commitment. The sermon topic today was not one of marriage, but this short note suddenly came in. I might be over-analyzing and being too sensitive, but it is true, marriage is something that two people commit to and then work at for the rest of their lives. It is not a contract they can break and get out of. After all, what God put together, man must not divide.

I guess it's easy for most people nowadays to view marriage as just a piece of paper. After all, if they lived perfectly fine together in the same house, what need is there to go that one step further on the level of commitment they have to each other. Perhaps it can be viewed that if the scenario was like that, then if they were to take the step towards marriage, it should taken with utmost reverence and importance. I always find it funny that in times of anger and frustration, we humans who are married forget the words we said when we got hitched - "...for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part..." Having financial difficulties or dealing with sickness and ailments are both not easy things to do, and many do bail out if they happen.

Also, as with contracts, many do think if the one they are currently in do not fulfill their expectations and level of commitment, it is fair for them to think of contingency plans. After all, the long-term is at stake here, and perhaps there's something more promising elsewhere. This could be likened to the contract the Singapore government has with Las Vegas Sands. With Sands' big boss in financial difficulty at the moment, the Sg government has searched out previous bidders to cushion the shock should the project be stalled or delayed. The long-term is of course the goal, and if Sands' in trouble, maybe there will be someone else more suited to take its place.

Whilst I do not think Sands will give up so easily, I believe married couples facing problems should do likewise. Commitment is key, and working out the issues should be more important than breaking their "binding contract".

Why do I feel happy sometimes and sian other times?

"Sian". A Hokkien word used to denote a lot of feelings. Singaporeans all get "sian" at one point or another, at one thing or another. In English terms, some adjectives that describe it would be bored, indifferent, mentally-tired, lethargic, disinterested, frustrated, a general sense of fatigue...

This morning I made Avocado Scramble with sausage slices and tomatoes. Sounds pretty yummy. But after I packed it to bring with me for lunch, I felt sian and wanted to eat something else instead. Perhaps it was the colour of the oxidised avocado, or the bland taste that did not seem to awaken my tastebuds despite salt and sausages. I chucked it in the fridge and promptly texted awwesomepossum to buy me a sushi set from Jasons Marketplace. The sushi seemed very exciting although I had to pay $5 and waste a good amount of avocado and egg.

As I made my way to office, I had the usual encounters on my train journey. Dingy Outram Station where I had to change trains, no 3G network on the SMRT line, unable to send and receive emails, having people block the train doors as I try to exit at Tanjong Pagar. And then there was a long queue of people trying to get their hands on calligraphed Chinese New Year wishes. Sian...everything seemed so dreary and dull, including the scenery, and it's a bright sunny day.

Perhaps I'm just suffering from an early PMS, or insufficient sleep. Next week will be different, not sian at all with the great move!

The wonders of dashi and mirin

My apologies for the slightly blur photo, for this Oyakodon (chicken and onions with egg on rice) was calling out to me to savour it quick, and for its lack of colour, as I did not want to buy spring onions just for garnish (!).

Ah, the wonders of dashi and mirin. Dashi is a soup stock made from kelp and bonito, and it forms the base of many soups like miso soup. Mirin is a sweet rice wine. I used to lament that it was difficult to obtain these two ingredients, unless I went to a Japanese supermarket. And in most Japanese food, dashi and mirin feature strongly on the recipe list. A quote I found on Wikipedia, by Shizuo Tsuji in 1980 said, "Many substitutes for dashi are possible, but without dashi, dishes are merely a la japonaise and lack the authentic flavor."

Thank goodness NTUC actually sells these two ingredients. They were under my nose all this time! And, they weren't very expensive. I was so pleased that with just these two items, my rice bowl transformed from a Chinese one to a Japanese one.

Here's my adapted recipe should you wish to try this out.

Oyakodon
Serves 2.

Ingredients:
Japanese rice (however much you like to eat)
2 chicken thighs
Half an onion
2 eggs
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
3/4 cup dashi stock
1 tablespoon sugar

Let's cook:
1. Steam the rice until it's nice and fluffy.
2. In the meantime, debone the chicken thighs and slice them into bite sized pieces.
3. Thinly slice the onions.
4. In a saucepan, add a little oil and fry the onions until they are slightly translucent.
5. Add the chicken pieces and fry them around a bit.
6. Using 3/4 cup hot water, dissolve half a packet of dashi powder and then add it to the saucepan.
7. Add the mirin, sugar and soy sauce.
8. Let everything simmer until the chicken is cooked and the onions are soft and translucent.
9. Beat the 2 eggs in a bowl and pour them into the saucepan.
10. When the eggs start to curdle and get cooked, turn off the heat.
11. Place the rice into two bowls, and pour the chicken egg mixture equally over both bowls of rice.
12. Add chilli flakes and sliced spring onions. (optional)