Mark's Cosy Corner

Mark's Cosy Corner http://marklim.multiply.com/ Welcome to Mark's Cosy Corner! Thanks for dropping by. Feel free to snuggle into a cosy chair while you explore around. Drop me a msg yah? Cheerios :) Fri, 9 May 2008 16:18:43 -0000 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:02 -0000 Mark's Cosy Corner http://images.marklim.multiply.com/logo http://marklim.multiply.com 100 100 Phuket Trip A much-needed rest for Sue and myself in the midst of mastering one of the most difficult transitions in life. Our February 2008 trip was a memorable one for us as we not only whipped up a storm at cooking school, enjoyed the breathtaking scenes of Phang Nga Bay, as well as basked in the full glory of the Phuket sunset. Truly an adventure a la Thai... http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/29/Phuket_Trip_ Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:02 -0000 Cousins' CNY Visit (Feb 08) It's the first time Sue's cousins joined my cousin for a CNY visit to our new place; hopefully the start of an annual http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/28/Cousins_CNY_Visit_Feb_08 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:01:42 -0000 Sweet Moments <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R9VvRgoKCj0AAGwGVWE1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R9VvRgoKCj0AAGwGVWE1/IMG_1044.JPG?et=9y4E3D0D5oykVuMt78Ec7A&nmid=" border=0></A>I remember a Multiply post by a newly-married church friend who wrote that there were moments each day that he would wake up to enjoy the sunlight shining on his wife's face and thank God for providing him with such a wonderful lady. I share his sentiments. It's indeed been a blessing to enjoy every waking moment with my dear wife Sue. We cherish the precious moments each morning when we walk along the canal to work; and before we reach home each evening we would already be exchanging sweet messages expressing how much we long to see each other. Well, we're only entering the third month of married life but it already feels like we've been married for a lifetime. The stresses of learning to live with a new person have definitely been quite an experience for us; coupled with settling the remnants of house renovation work as well as coping with everyday concerns such as housework. And there are the times that we have carved out to spend with our families; which we have had to ba... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/38/Sweet_Moments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:49:28 -0000 Birthday Dinner 08 My 31st Birthday was special in that it was the first time we celebrated it as a married couple. My dearest wife decided to surprise me by cooking a sumptious Japanese dinner. It's the first time that she's cooking a complete meal in such a scale and I was deeply touched by the lengths she took to prepare the food - from buying all the ingredients to researching the recipes and actually cooking the food. Love you Dear http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/27/Birthday_Dinner_08 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:03:44 -0000 Wedding Photos A pictoral history of 29 December 2007, one of the most momentous days in my life; a celebration of God's love http://marklim.multiply.com/links/item/6/Wedding_Photos Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:41:01 -0000 A Day to Remember <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R4oI3AoKCj0AACxYtvU1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R4oI3AoKCj0AACxYtvU1/Mark%20%26%20Sue.jpg?et=SsZ2ql%2CwJtlaqaU80kLaQA&nmid=" border="0"></a>    The past two weeks have gone by in a whirl. I have apparently undergone two of the most stressful transitions in life - moving house and getting married. Everything's still surreal - with the latest being our move to our beautiful new home yesterday. But what's on my mind is the special day 29 December 2007, which will forever be etched in my memories.     It was a day filled with precious memories - of a church filled with many dear friends and relatives; of a ceremony sealed with a solemn vow; of a celebration of love, of song, of youth... Most of all it was a recognition of the God who has been the source of who we were, are and will be.     I am deeply moved when I think of all the people who worked so hard to make our wedding day such a special one not only for us, but for all who came. We have since spoken to a number of people who came to the wedding. Many of them have shared that they were deeply moved and ministered by the love th... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/37/A_Day_to_Remember Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:39:05 -0000 Wedding Highlights This video captures the essence of our wedding on 29 Dec 07. Created by my dear CG mate Jared who's a wonderful http://marklim.multiply.com/links/item/5/Wedding_Highlights Sun, 6 Jan 2008 16:37:31 -0000 A Christmas Story <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R3BdlAoKCj0AAHuzAZg1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R3BdlAoKCj0AAHuzAZg1/IMG_0196.JPG?et=DhV9Kto38E7XZ9mUclFOqg&nmid=" border=0></A>Christmas morning has always been a time when I wake up and allow the night's euphoria to settle down; a time when I take a second look at my presents and remember the people who gave them to me; a time when I reflect on the things that hold meaning and the people I love. Christmas Eve 2007 was special. In the midst of a busy wedding preparation and house renovation schedule, Sue and I were still able to spend time with the people close to us. For me, the Christmas Eve lunch with my cousins was precious in that it was a rare gathering for us - only the second time in thirty years that we have gathered together as cousins with no reason other than to spend time with each other. Sue and I have been together for almost two years, and I've been blessed to see how close her family is. It's since been my desire to also see my family grow closer. Really hope to start a tradition of gathering the cousins on Christmas Eve - and more than that - to see us walk through the journey of life to... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/36/A_Christmas_Story Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:04:06 -0000 A New Beginning <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R1l7ngoKCj0AAGrTEOc1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R1l7ngoKCj0AAGrTEOc1/CIMG5473.JPG?et=ZU1QsMK1VoJcoefzdtd0Zw" border="0"></a>    "The date of the final resale transaction has been fixed for Monday 3rd December 2007 at 4pm." That letter from the HDB, just two and a half weeks ago, was what we had been looking out for since we first went to the HDB resale office more than a month ago. It meant that we would finally be the proud owners of our own house.     Today, that reality began to sink in as we opened the doors to the construction workers who will transform our place into an "Asian contemporary resort". That's the theme for our flat, and our purchases over the past few months - the furniture, lights, toilet fittings, and even the tiles - have all conformed to this idea.     We can now say with a certain authority that we know the difference between a "solid" table top and a similar item made from "post-form". Then there's also our familiarity with furniture precincts such as IMM and famous lighting districts such as Balestier. Throw in the occasional warehouse sa... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/35/A_New_Beginning Fri, 7 Dec 2007 17:25:07 -0000 Out with the Old, In with the New <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RyoCewoKCj0AAFYJLdo1"></A><A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RyoCwwoKCj0AAFxMfBE1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RyoCwwoKCj0AAFxMfBE1/CIMG4405.JPG?et=hzQXQx%2C2rOQpN75WO%2CU3RA" border=0></A>I've suddenly become a "sort-of-an-expert" on renovation work; now I know the difference between homogenous and ceramic tiles, between laminate and parquet flooring, between solid and granite surfaces... the list goes on... It has also become somewhat of an interest to observe the way mosaic is laid out in public places, as well as to assess how a feature wall can accentuate the aesthetics of a room... Yes, the renovation bug has hit in; not least because we will soon begin renovation works for our new house. Nothing too major - just hacking off the old toilets completely, adding a new kitchen cabinet top, laminating the floor of our bedrooms, adding a laminate platform for our balcony, re-wiring and re-plumbing the entire house, and giving the place a new coat of paint. Still, Sue and I have become "somewhat-of-an-expert" in the renovation process, no thanks to our sourcing of at least five different quotations from the numerous home renivation companies. We are thankful that we final... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/34/Out_with_the_Old_In_with_the_New Thu, 1 Nov 2007 17:19:00 -0000 Our Wedding Website Beginning a new life together :) http://marklim.multiply.com/links/item/4/Our_Wedding_Website Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:35:39 -0000 Seasons of Change <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RwSRewoKCj0AACDufqs1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RwSRewoKCj0AACDufqs1/SSM11405.JPG?et=neWmRLCSdvVLP3ITktAZTw" border=0></A>It's been a restful few weeks at home supervising the upgrading work and packing up the house in preparation for the Big Move which will likely take place before and after the wedding. This has certainly been a season of transition for me as I close my chapter as an administrator in the youth sector to handle more direct work teaching the youths - I will be lecturing at a polytechnic come next week. It is and has always been my passion to work with the youths - that was why I made the switch from the journalism world to the youth sector more than two years ago. I did not once regret the move, and these two years have been a joy for me as I learnt the ins and outs of the youth sector, and how youth organisations work on a national level. Beyond the arena of work, I have really grown to love an office culture that cultivates individual growth and personal relationships. There have been many colleagues whom I have grown fond of over these past two years, and I have come to call them my f... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/33/Seasons_of_Change Thu, 4 Oct 2007 07:33:34 -0000 Planning for the Future <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RuQedAoKCj0AAGubC0g1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RuQedAoKCj0AAGubC0g1/IMG_0292.JPG?et=muwE2LvOYcmIdEXTUNGxYQ" border=0></A>Over the past few mornings I have been awakened by what I have termed as the "Seven Dwarves Symphony" - a chorus of shouts accompanied by the loud pounding noises one hears when large items are thrown on the ground in rapid succession.... Yes. Upgrading has come to my block. And my turn will be next week. In the meantime, I am being treated to a foretaste of what is to come - from the housing contractors who seem to enjoy throwing the upgrading fittings onto the concrete floor just outside my room, resulting in the series of noises which have roused me to my senses each morning. In the midst of all the upcoming renovations, Sue and I have surprised ourselves by buying a new HDB flat. It was just two weeks ago that we decided to wait until a more appropriate time. However, just days after that decision was made, God provided us with a beautiful apartment unit, and we made the move to quickly secure the place. Our new dwelling place is ideal for the following reasons: 1) It i... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/32/Planning_for_the_Future Sun, 9 Sep 2007 17:06:42 -0000 By the Singapore River One of the past-times that Sue and I enjoy is to take a walk by the river.... Just to enjoy the night breeze and reminsce about the days gone by... http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/26/By_the_Singapore_River Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:24:29 -0000 Cousins' Nite In (Aug 07) As one of my cousins shared - National Day Eve comes once a year but this Cousins' Meeting is the first in 30 years! Hope this will be the start of many more good times together http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/24/Cousins_Nite_In_Aug_07 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:29:47 -0000 Of HDB Flats & Other Harrowing Matters <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/Rsp1mAoKCj0AABXh7Bc1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rsp1mAoKCj0AABXh7Bc1/Drink%20in%20Thailand.jpg?et=0HreW7JtG9yc0GRgiLzCAg" border=0></A>When I learnt I was going to sit in for this year's National Day Rally speech, one of the first things that Sue asked me to do was to pay special attention to any new announcements on housing - that given the recent surge in the property market prices. As a matter of fact, property was one of the items mentioned in the speech; although it did not affect us as much as we had hoped for it to. To put things in perspective, Sue and I took part in the recent HDB balloting exercise for 4-room and 5-room flats in mature estates. Although we already have a 3-room flat, we were however thinking ahead and preparing for the arrival of our children, when the time comes for that to materialise. Together with another couple from church, we had been eagerly anticipating the release of the balloting results, for the 354 flats that have been released. We finally received the results yesterday, only to learn that of the 10,200 people who had applied, our queue number was 6,071 i.e. we would only be... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/31/Of_HDB_Flats_Other_Harrowing_Matters Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:57:02 -0000 No Greater Love <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/Rq10KAoKCsYAAEXAEQg1"><IMG class=alignleft style="WIDTH: 188px; HEIGHT: 129px" height=174 src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rq10KAoKCsYAAEXAEQg1/Elisabeth%20Eliott.jpg?et=pRAvcftLizexfoNvQS1WVg" width=269 border=0></A>"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." These words by missionary martyr Jim Elliot have resounded in my heart ever since I first heard them many years ago. They reveal the heartbeat of Wheaton College graduate Jim Elliot, who chose to surrender his worldly career and life to God, venturing into Equador against conventional wisdom and making first contact with the Auca Indians, a tribe known for their brutality. Jim was later killed, along with four of his friends, by the Aucas, who had mistakenly assumed that the five men intended to eat them. The entire tribe later came to give their lives to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, after Jim's widow Elisabeth took her daughter Valerie to live among the tribe for two and a half years. The ministry of Elisabeth and the other widows touched the Aucas as they could not understand how these women could forgive them despite what they had done to their husbands. I was reminded... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/29/No_Greater_Love_ Mon, 30 Jul 2007 06:03:16 -0000 Mentoring the Next Generation <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RoncCwoKCsYAABXFdOs1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RoncCwoKCsYAABXFdOs1/Group.JPG?et=tldkwqk%2BXI544drqP0V27Q" border=0></A> The message from last Sunday's Youth Day Service is still imprinted on my mind. It was a celebration of youth, and the pastor spoke on the different types of youths present in today's society - the poseurs, the muggers, the emo, the sporty, the cool... Then he shared personal stories of the youths in church, to illustrate how some of them have grown in stature over the years. The story of one particular youth brought tears to my eyes. Fast and furious they flowed; uncontrollably, and unashamedly. This was the story of someone I have been mentoring since I first answered God's call and entered youth ministry five years ago. He was then an ordinary youth who was one day chosen to be a leader because he was a year older than the others. The journey has been long, and I still retain many fond memories of the times spent together over the years, as I started a mentoring relationship with him and other youth leaders. Since then, this youth has grown much in statur... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/28/Mentoring_the_Next_Generation Tue, 3 Jul 2007 05:59:48 -0000 The ABCs of Marriage Preparation <A href="http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RndrQwoKCsYAAHeaVSo1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RndrQwoKCsYAAHeaVSo1/Thailand%20Silk%20Exhibition.jpg?et=%2CwCoXy9CKR0%2CDxTB09t3aw" border=0></A> I can understand now why couples are so busy preparing for their marriage. For starters there's the wedding preparations - drawing up the guest list, booking the church and dinner locations, choosing a bridal studio and going for the photoshoot, finalising the helper list, meeting the wedding coordinators, drawing up the actual day wedding schedule, deciding on the folral decorations, the list goes on... Besides that, many couples are also tied down with the other physical preparations - such as deciding where to live after the wedding; and if they decide to live on their own, they would then need to buy an apartment and renovate the new home.  I'm thankful that for us, this process has been simplified somewhat. We're indeed very blessed that there's no need to look for a new home, as I'm already living in an apartment which I call my own. What's however important is that when Sue moves in, for the place to be "ours" and not only "mine". Hence the need for renovations so tha... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/26/The_ABCs_of_Marriage_Preparation_ Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:34:57 -0000 "Look at each other, smile harder..." <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RlW1hQoKCsYAAAbl7iY1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RlW1hQoKCsYAAAbl7iY1/CIMG1853.JPG?et=CUg1G2N3GgIZw%2B3wEOSRyw" border="0"></a>We had a most enjoyable day embarking on one of our first major projects together as a couple - the wedding photoshoot... A feature of most weddings in contemporary Singapore, the photoshoot has often been associated with long hours of preparation, bad weather, stressful schedules, persistent photographers, chessy photos, the list goes on... But thankfully our wedding photoshoot had none of that. We awoke on the 24th May 2007 to bright sunshine, blue sky and white clouds - quite a contrast to the weather forecast of "thunderstorms and rain over a few areas in the late morning", a phenomenon which had occurred consistently for the past two days. It was one instance when the weatherman got it wrong, and we enjoyed the sunny weather all day long. Assembling our items in packages both big and small, we hailed a taxi and made our way to the quaint photo studio nestled in Emerald Hill, a relic of an era lost in time; but all the more fitting to serve as the location for our photoshoot. We were g... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/25/Look_at_each_other_smile_harder... Thu, 24 May 2007 16:37:41 -0000 Plans for the Big Day <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/Rkc-JAoKCsYAAAMuNZA1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rkc-JAoKCsYAAAMuNZA1/P6301144.JPG?et=3vz0KCtoOHcGlnv%2CPy1hPw" border="0"></a>Today we've finally confirmed the major arrangements for our wedding on the 29th December this year. After weeks of persistent phone calls by Sue and her mum, we finally found a place suitable for the occasion, and decided on the lunch reception venue for the wedding - at a cosy restaurant situated at the foot of Mt Faber... By confirming the lunch reception venue, we're now able to confirm the church - Grace Assembly of God at Tanglin - which is a really warm church that both Sue and I love. And since the family dinner venue had already been decided upon earlier, it seems we're now set and ready to go :) It's truly been quite a busy time for us both. Within the span of one week we've bought my suit and the wedding bands. We're also taking time to prepare for the photoshoot which will take place a little more than a week away. Today I also took time to finally draw up the list of wedding helpers - and have realised that there are so many people who will be involved in the wedding - can ... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/24/Plans_for_the_Big_Day Sun, 13 May 2007 17:08:31 -0000 Living & Leaving a Legacy <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RjS4CQoKCsYAACC9UxY1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RjS4CQoKCsYAACC9UxY1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.marklim.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RjS4CQoKCsYAACC9UxY1/CIMG3097.JPG?et=7f%2ByXuopxa5ZvhhNHMWMGQ" border="0"></a> Two weeks ago, one of my colleagues asked me for my opinion on what would be a good name for an upcoming conference on mentoring. I modified one of her options and suggested "Living & Leaving a Legacy" as a possible title. In essence I feel that's what mentoring is about - to live out one's life as a living testimony for others to follow. It's been a few months now since the senior youths in my church came together as a cohort, leaving their previous cell groups for the newly-formed Senior Zone which comprises three new cell groups. It has indeed been a joy for me to take up the role of mentoring the leaders of these groups on a fortnightly basis together with two other adult leaders. Over the course of these past few months, we have seen old bonds strengthening, new friendships forming and newcomers receiving Christ as their personal Saviour. That these youths have since integrated with the rest of the youths has been really wonderfu... http://marklim.multiply.com/journal/item/23/Living_Leaving_a_Legacy Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:27:05 -0000 Wild Mushroom Soup Adapted from one of my favourite chefs Jaime Oliver, this hearty soup is made from a choice selection of fresh mushrooms. The secret is in the freshness of the ingredients as well as in the fine touches which complete the http://marklim.multiply.com/recipes/item/3/Wild_Mushroom_Soup Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:52:00 -0000 Whiskey-Beef Garlic Fried Rice A hearty meal of Japanese garlic rice, peppered with whiskey-beef, and sauted with Homeiji mushrooms, egg tofu, scrambled eggs, diced carrots and spring http://marklim.multiply.com/recipes/item/2/Whiskey-Beef_Garlic_Fried_Rice Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:23:03 -0000 The Growing Up Years Album 3 A Return to http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/23/The_Growing_Up_Years_Album_3 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 16:19:15 -0000 The Growing Up Years Album 2 Childhood http://marklim.multiply.com/photos/album/22/The_Growing_Up_Years_Album_2 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:16:14 -0000