GAMES!!!

In case you guys didn't know, i'm really into boardgames...

Till now, i think it has been my single one obsession that has left me broke, well, semi broke in my opinion.

Any how, i really love collecting these games, bad thing is that i can't seem to find the time nor the like minded ppl who would spend the time playing.

Here is a list of my collection!!!

1. Blackmail

Played this game at settlers with siming and daniel, and we had a ball of a time., It was a long time since i laughed so hard. And it was one of the rare times i played boardgames. So based on that good experience, i bought the game when i chanced upon it half a year after.

Played it with church ppl and had a ball of a time again.

Interesting thing isthat this game was designed in singapore... hmmm.... blackmail.... hmmmm...... singapore..... The game is out of production now.


2. World of Warcraft: The boardgame with Shadow of war(expansion)











Always thought this game was overly expensive, but when i saw it when it was in the US, i thought that i would have saved 30 bucks off the retail price in singapore. And i lugged the stupid box all the way back thru 2 airport customs. Only to find out its $0.70 cheaper only. !@#%~#@%$#

A very good game, or so i hear from my friends who played it, but the gameplay takes so long that they have yet to complete it ever! not even after 3 hours... sheesh.... I wonder if i'll ever get to play it?

3. Ticket to Ride


Definately an impulse buy. Was reading the forums on this game and seemingly it ranks really high and is highly recommended. Read tha instructions and the game really seems too simple and linear to me. Guess owul have to play it forst to have a better feel.

Yeah, this game ain't cheap also. And i haven't played it before!!! ARGH!!!



4. SHOGUN


Love the concept of this game. No dice used, just small wooden cubes and a battle tower. What it means?

To determine the result of wars, the cubes are thrown into the tower, which has random cubes in it as well, and random number of cubes come out to determine the outcome of the battle. Sounds cheesy? ITS NOT!!! I just don't do it justice.

As usual, haven't played this one yet, but itching to try just cos of the tower. And i love the japanese theme!!!

5. Marvel Heros


My christmas present for myself and one of my favourite games. Lovely cards and artwork and with 20 superhero figurines!!!

Wonderful must try game.

The only gripe i have is that the instructions are terribly written. It took alot of effort to understand the game, but in the end it was worth it.

6. Dilbert the boardgame



Imagine Mad magazine game, dilbert style!!! Well, i think it really appeals to fans of the series like myself. The game really reflects what the dilbert characters would do. Utterly hilarious, only if you have sporting ppl to play along with you.




7. Settlers of Cataan


This game is a wonderful game which i MUST recommend to everyone and anyone!

This game could be considered a campus crusade game even, cos well, i think all the staff in crusade plays this game./ A classic and a must try as previously mentioned, and no game is ever alike as the map changes for every game and the strategy also changes accordingly.

8. Munchkins





Yes, i have that many.....

To be absolutely frank with you guys, i think i went crazy on the munchkins thing. I just kept collecting and collecting and colleecting. It actiually is my aim to collect every single munchkin set there is.

The cards are just really wacky and i love the humour. But yes, as they say........ overkill


9. Anima: Shadow of Omega

I bought this game pretty much because i'm an anime fan. Couldn't resist the artwork. HAHA. (*drool*)

Haven't played it sadly, but after reading the instructions and the game play, i think that it might be pretty promising!














10. Citadels

This game is another game which i have not played ( sad isn't it?) This game get a rating of 7.4/10 in www.boardgamegeek.com and is the top selling game in the games shop i buy my stuff from.

The game play is very strategy baseed and its alot of mind games. Sadly, it may put off some because it takes too much politicking.

Great artwork, although it does have a somewhat dark theme to it. Need to get happier games!!!








11. Sabotuer

First played this game with jonathan, as in he bought the game and introduced it to me. I was kinda bewildered by the game at first, but after awhile, i kinda liked the concept. Its a little like bluff and bridge, but much simpler in terms of playing it.

Played it in church last week and the people loved it. Not too dark a game either. Would have preferred prettier artwork though.










12. BANG! and DODGE CITY (expansion)



Another crusade game. Temasek poly crusade to be exact. Was going to conduct Discipleship with my guys one evening and when i went there, ben and the rest of my guys waylaid me to play this highly addictive game. Man and i was hooked ever since. The kids in church love this game apparently and it never fails to appear whenever there is a crusade gathering with ben around. Great fast paced fun for everyone. And alot of strategy involved too.
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I honestly can and want to expand my collection, but i guess, i need to take my time. No point buying so many and never playing them ,a although it is a joy in itself to admire all the thought and effort and detail that went into the design and production of the game.

Even so, learning to be a good steward of my cash and time.

Hope to use all these games to bring ppl together and to use as evangelism tools.

Hopefully...

Anyone care to play with me?

All pictures are taken from www.boardgamegeek.com. Do visit the site for more details of the games and their ratings. They do a much better job than i can. And i'm too lazy to type sop much. This post already took up too much of my time. HAHAH

Do you have the time?

Church Logo designed by me

I really should end the previous blog post and finish the story.

But that is not to be at the moment.

Spiritual walk is doing better at the moment. Praying, reading, sharing, loving. To be able to do these things more and more. i guess the previous week was my own spiritual revival from God. The encouragement that He is always there, always in control, always behind us, and for us. It really put things into perspective and when He showed me again how He can make things which seem so hopeless into something so glorious. It fills me with awe and confidence, that there is hope in this world because Jesus is alive and at work in our situation and lives.

But is that it? Hardly. This is not the end, but rather, it is a start. Because i'm far from being where i should be.

Cell today didn't happen because the pastor decided that since there are so few ppl coming to the cell today, that it be scrapped and we go for dinner instead. Sadly, i'm disappointed that they did that, but its ok... ... things happen.

But what really struck me today was this. I was asked this question, "How have you been doing man?"







And very sadly, i found that that question asked lacked true concern, that it was sadly shallow. I never really had to chance to share my joy of this new found fire for God. I never had the chance to share how i was feeling with my work. My concerns and burden for the people around me. My fears and my hopes.

They used to say this, that if you ask me how i am, the question is that how much time do you really have to listen to me?

This opened up 2 things in my thought.

How much do we care for people? When we ask how they are, are we just looking for a 2 sentence summary of our life at the moment? How many of us are genuinely wanting to know and share in the person's ups and downs? This person aside, how many of us are like that? To ask how a person is, only to never have the time nor heart to really find out and take an interest in the person?

I have been guilty of that many times, and i'm learning to change. To really show that person love and concern. To really have time beyond myself and be there for others. A learning point, because i feel that we would slowly become superficial and shallow in our care for others, and be a source of hurt as opposed to encouragement. I just hope that i may be an encourager, to be a faithful disciple and a resoponsible discipler.

Second thing is this.

I think i don't really have many people who care if i am doing well in the Lord or in life at all, well, that may be an over statement, but i feel that alot of the people around me don't really care. I am abit sad that i have very little people to share with, and disappointed at the depth of friends i have at times, even those i respect, but we are but only human... ... sigh.

I really pray that i have friends that are willing to be a part of my life and that i can also be a good friend that is able to be a part of a friends life.

Yeah, i guess what happened today affected me and the state of things at the moment. It easy to say nice and inspirational things, but action very often speaks louder than words. I wish that i and the people around me can stop talking of lofty ideals and intentions, but really get down to doing.

Uplift and encouragement

This friday and saturday has been a really spiritually and emotionally uplifting. It has been some time since i felt so recharged. Really thank God for showing what He can do in my weakness.

So what happened?

A little background.....

Before i left Church of Singapore, i was helping out my current church in its setting up. With
less than 20 people, we started a church together. And at that time, it was really hard. It was really demoralizing at times when you see brothers you have been doing ministry with leaving the church to go back to Church of Singapore or their respective churches. It was just plain painful and hard. And i believe that in some way, i was hurt, i felt as if they had left me to fend for myself. And with that, i really had a downturn in my spiritual walk.

Our church size

And as years gone by, the church has really moved on. Sadly our numbers are still as small, it increased abit, but still below 30. Its really hard getting used to when money is a constraint and when you are used to being in a big church which has everything you need and where you didn't have to do everything. But these few years have really taught me about myself, about how weak i am as a person. A really humbling experience if you ask me, but now looking back, i have been taught a valuable lesson about humility and depending on God.

So what happened?

The church has been trying very hard to start a church cell ministry, a small group gathering if you like, on fridays. The thing is that everyone is really too tired to actually conduct it and they way my pastor and his wife does it, in my opinion is really dry, its something which really makes me fall asleep and lose focus.

So luzanne and I decided to step up and take the burden from them. Not so much that we think we can do a better job, but we really want to give them a break to do other things and for us to learn and be a blessing.

Me and luzanne have never really worked together as a couple during Christian ministry. I have always been doing my thing and she has always been doing hers. And when we started working together, man, we really clashed. Our styles are so different. And we argues, got irritated with each other and all that. Man, i think we really got on each other's nerves. But end of the day, when we did the cell on friday, i took worship, and it was really good. Everyone there was able to be touched by God and they worshiped. And I myself was ministered. And when luzanne conducted the sharing and discussion, she is really good, she really has a wonderful; gift of teaching. And i just added and facilitated the discussion as much as i can.



And in the and, the feedback was really good and my and luzanne learnt alot about each other. And i really see God's hand and mercy in this. He really wants to bless His people, lift up their hearts. And the humbling thing for me is that He is willing to use luzanne and I to do it. The cell wasn't perfect, but i felt it was a very encouraging start.

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During the cell, i shared about the crucification of Jesus, and how when He was crucified, whipped till His skin was torn bare, had nails nailed onto His wrists and His legs, left to hang there on the cross. If it were me, i would habe hurled down curses and swearing and insults and anger.

Like the other day, Chris crushed my fingers withg his car windows accidently. It hurt so bad that i really shouted and sweared. I felt such an intense anger towards my best friend for those 10 seconds.

But Jesus, undergoing such injustice, such pain, He did nothing of what I would have done. What He did was He prayed. He prayed to God the Father to forgive those who have sent Him to be crucified, He prayed that they be forgiven as they do not know what they are doing. And that blew me away as i know i wouldn't be able to do thta. But silently afterwards, i prayed that i would be able to do that, to do as Jesus did.

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The next day, sat. My pastor msged me telling me that his father had passed away that night and he would not be able to conduct the children's programme and the church service.

That was the first thing.

Then when i went to church, we found that all the stuff we have in church, the sound system, the children's program items, gifts, the church hall.... all vandalized, some stolen. The church hall was a complete mess. ( we are renting a 20ft by 40ft hall for use, a really small church).

And the culprits were all the kids which we were taking care of for the last 1 year. We did nothing but love them, but some of them did this to us.... All our time, money, heart, love, all meant to bless and love them, all re payed by this act of vandalism...

I was devastated, i was hurt to the core. It was like a kife stabbed onto my back, i was so angry.... i was so filled with anger.... i wanted to lash out at someone, i wanted to hit someone, i just wanted to blame somebody....

Then i was reminded of Jesus on the cross. To pray, not to curse... to forgive because they do not know what they are doing.... It is not to say they didn't know what they did was wrong, but to say that their ignorance and lostness drove them to do what they did. They need to be guided and prayed for, not to be taken revenge upon.

It was hard.

It was so hard to do.... ...

Will update on the conclusion later...

Slow Morning

This morning is a very very very very slow morning. Tea break now and so taking the chance to write this down.

Was really dragging my feet to work today, but I think a more apt description would be trying to pry my eyes open today. If you guys didn’t know, I broke my glasses, or rather, according to me, the glasses broke themselves. (it’s true! Which pair of spectacles would break at the mere flipping of its foldable sides???)

So on with the story.
So due to the unforeseen tragic turn of events with regard to my glasses, I am now forced to wear contacts.

I really don’t know how ppl do it, but to wear your contacts when you just woke up, with eyes you would require a pair of pliers and a pneumatic jack to pry open. I know for a fact that I can’t do it. So whenever I wake up, I just walk around blind, ok, semi-blind until about 10am in the morning when my eyes have suitably deformed into its open position. After which I stab myself in the eyes countless times so as to put on my contacts.
The most interesting thing is how I can actually function without my spectacles. I actually get to work in a semi blind state, but to be frank, when you look at all the ppl using public transport, a good half of the ppl are so sleepy that they might as well been blind. I’m one of them.
On the side note, I’m getting used to wearing contacts, I may consider this long term, its better than breaking my specs, opps, I mean the specs being of so low quality that they break themselves. So now toying with the idea. Luzanne thinks that I look better in specs. As for me, the jury is still out for this verdict.
But it is true that I look more studious with specs.

So back to the situation at work. ALL my colleagues are feeling that it is a really slow morning, I think they are kinda overworked and the office environment is getting to them. A virus seems to be lurking around also, so ppl are getting sick, some getting ulcers ( not because of the virus).
But end of the day, it really isn’t fun to have to drag your feet to work. Work in its best sense should be meaningful and engaging. But alas, it happens at some days, and not at others.
Meeting Joshua later as he is treating me to dinner, my birthday treat, hoping to jog after that.
At the moment, its back to the reports and research I have to complete. To be fair, I am learning quite a fair bit of stuff, but man….

I NEED HUMAN INTERACTION~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, back to work…..

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Work work, yes milord? Job done~ famous last words of a worker from Warcraft III

Growing up

Finally, i can upload pics from my com... to be honest, this blog gets kinda boring when there are no pictures.

Did the picture on the left, its a pic of me and luz (duh), as an artwork in a museum. I kinda like it, a work of art as they would call it, hahaha.

Seems like i may be going to France in a few months time, man... this job really is bringing me places, but honestly, never thought i would travel,. Hope this widens my perspective of the world and culture.
Started my exercise again, did a jog yesterday and a swim this evening. Feel kinda good about myself and honestly, i'm getting very concerned about my weight. If i continue this lifestyle, there won't be much of a life left to live in my later years. I realize that once i start, i really keep going at it, but once i stop, its as if i am going on hibernation... this must change. Must be consistent!!!

ok, next thing i would like to post is pictures of my newly renovated room!

On a side note, i realized that i have changed so much through the last 6 months.

Graduating, working, impending marriage has left its mark on me.

I never felt much about money, about responsibility, about taking pride in my work. I just lived life as a happy-go-lucky person for the most part.

But now, i realise that i have somewhat grown. Lost a certain wide-eye wonder of this world, but yet i am starting to take matters into my hands and taking responsibility for the ones i love.

Its a funny feeling which i can't fully explain, but i believe that this is what every adult goes thru.

Incoherency

Random Update on my life... coherency should not be expected when reading this post.
You have been warned

Its been a bad week at work.

Got caught in the rain TWICE.
As in picture this, i was walking/running in the rain for 15min so as to get to my worksite. When i reached there, i was late and soaking wet. Hardly a professional impression to give other contractors. And when you get back the office soaked to the bone, the aircon is reallyyyyyyy COLD!

Took a cab to work and was really late cos the joker went the wrong way. And if you want to know something abt singaporean traffic: If you miss a turning on the ECP, get ready to find your next U-turn a longgggggggggg distance away.

Feeling sick the whole week, maybe cos of the cold weather and getting caught in the rain.

Bought my dad a casio (read: expensive) digital camera. The happiest person is my youngest sister who hogs it the whole day, using it at sentosa. ( i think, speculation) I feel as if i spent the money to give my sis a free digi cam. And in case you don't know, thats the last thing i want to do, spoil/pamper her in any way. Feel cheated.... sheesh. But then again, i think i must learn to be more open with my heart towards her....
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But otherwise, life is pretty good.

Getting a pay raise and bonus this month, and thats after only 5 months on the job.

Service was pretty good as well as the time spent with the young kids in church. I realise that they really make me so happy whenever i see them. Talked to the other members too. Had a good discussion and sharing.

After so many years with luzanne.... i dunno, it seems like i love her even more then i did, but in a different way, the love and affection and sentiment towards her is more mature. Thats something i appreciate and am thankful for.

Bought movie posters for a cheap price and frames from IKEA. Looks pretty good in my room. Pretty happy with my renovation works. All done by myself with a little help from luzanne. Its not professional work, but its good work no doubt, and its work done by my own hands, its something i own.
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Recommendations for songs.
Been buying some songs online, if you ever want some songs, i recommend the following.

Gwen Stefani's new album is really a good listen. Catch and fun. "My Sweet escape" is a wonderful asong for easy listening.

"Wait a minute" by Pussy Cat Dolls (feat Justin timberlake). Great song in my opinion. Super catchy and sexy.

Nelly Futado's new album is pretty cool. "Promiscuous" is pretty good, "All good things" is just okay for me, but definitely haunting as i'm still humming the song even now. Gets stuck in your head for some reason.

Found a cheap site to download songs legally, so if you got any recommendations, please give me a comment!

Prayer

I don't usually receive mail which i feel is worth posting about, but this one really made me think.

Hope this makes you reflect about the state of our ideals.
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This is a Prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems Prayer still upsets some people. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate,

Everyone was expecting the usual generalities,

But this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of __expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from Every sin and set us free.

Amen!"

The response was immediate.

A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India , Africa and Korea

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help! , may this prayer sweep over our nation and whole heartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one nation Under God."

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