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 finally managed to decide on one company last week, and will soon begin the process of choosing materials for our place.

Things have been on the acceleration for us over the last couple of weeks; I'm thankful that my new job has been wonderful :) I realise that I love teaching - not least because the young people under my care are so much like the youths in church. It has been three teaching weeks so far, and I feel I have largely done a good job; most challenging to keep my students engaged during the after-lunch sessions from 1-3pm, but the sessions have been nonetheless fun. I'm also continually surprised by students who take the initiative to play Youtube videos and perform skits during their presentations, and that without the need for me to instruct them on this.

Sue reminded me today that we have less than two months to our wedding. It still hasn't sunk in yet that within the blinking of an eye, December will pass and both of us will embark on our married life together. What I am reminded to do, however, is to prepare myself for the upcoming transition that will change my life forever. And I know nothing better than to ask the God of my life for His guidance through it all.

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 friends - even my bosses who have been really encouraging and have taken time to nurture me both professionally and personally (I write this not because they're here on Multiply as well, but this is something that I've come to cherish during the span of my working life there).

Ecclesiastes 3 reads: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven... What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time... I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man."

I'm thankful that God gave me those two good years in my previous company; and as I take the next few steps in my life - to embark on a new career, to buy a new house and to get married - I aspire to take pleasure in all that He has given me - to the glory of His name.