Work and play

It has been such a tiring 2 weeks since the start of work, but ironically it's only the beginning. Because training (honeymoon period) just ended last Friday and work will start properly tomorrow. 

In the midst of the craziness, there's much to thank God for. 

1. Allowing me to find a group of friends. Haha one of my biggest concerns was that the people at work are going to be distant and different from me. It was awesome to find friends who are friendly and helpful at work. The best thing about them is their positivity. I am a natural worrier/planner but trying to change really badly. The people I met are really chill and positive, even coming out with quotes like "Don't have any expectations and you won't be disappointed", "Enjoy the beauty of life." Having a nice support group made easing into work much easier.

2. Catching up with the best friends at JB

Doing what we do best on a relaxing trip to JB-  Eating the steamboat from Arashi, followed by a weird comedy movie (Mastermind- the jokes were quite lame bahahaha. We'd look to each other during the movie speechless at the jokes lol. But it had a good ending so that's good! And $6 each only!), and then the finale was kbox with buffet. Love the buffet so much, spoilt for food choices.

We left quite early at 9pm but to our horror, there were hoards of people at the customs checkpoint. It took so long to clear!!! I was panicking about not being able to report for work the next day 😂 

The bus from msia checkpoint to woodlands checkpoint had a queue that'd probably take 15 buses to clear, so we decided to WALK all the way back to woodlands 😭😭😭 it took 40min for 4km, plus an exp cab ride from woodlands to home, but alas we reached home safely at midnight 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

We made a mental note to be more kiasu and leave much earlier next time. 

Haha but it was still a very fun and rejuvenating day!! 💪🏻

3. Playing piano accompaniment for Church Jubilee Celebration

When I was asked to play the piano accompaniment for a duet song, my first reaction was fear that I won't have enough time to prepare since work takes up so much time and I only was given 2 weeks to prepare for it. But somehow I was also inclined to do it, and in my heart I reasoned it as me wanting to dedicate a song to God.

Still hesitant, I decided to pray for a sign. I prayed that if I can find the full piano sheet for the song I'd do it, but if I can't find the piano sheet (i.e. I'll need to improvise) then I'll decline. 

After a high and low Google search, I realized that I could only find a piano sheet that had the right hand part of the song @.@ so it was only half of what I was looking for (and normally the left hand is the more complex part and I don't really know how to improvise!)

But I was still quite persistent in wanting to play the song for the duet. I think I was thinking aloud to my parents when my dad quipped "I thought you asked God for a sign?"

Me "yea I did, I said I'll only play if I have the full score"

Dad "so why did you decide to do it when God didn't grant you success in finding the full score?"

I was taken aback. 

I didn't think I'd be one who would blatantly disobey God, but I did...

Dad explained that prayer has to be taken seriously, it is conversation with God! God knows the very depths of our heart.

After some soul searching, I came to the realization that I really wanted to play not because of God, but for my own purpose of gaining exposure in playing for a large crowd. It really made me so ashamed that I cheated myself that my motivations were right. 

So what happened next? Dad told me to ask God again for direction. I prayed that this time I'll follow what He tells me to do. So the "plan" was that I'll decline first, and if the song leaders say okay, it will end there, but if they insist that I play, I'll do it. 

Surprisingly they still wanted me to play! Maybe my motivations are correct now? :)

And so begins 2 grueling weeks of preparation, made extremely tough with work commitments and the temptation of relaxing after work ends. But thankfully I could slot in a 1 hour consultation 😂 with my piano teacher who COMPOSED super nice tunes for the intro and interlude @.@ That's just mind blowing lolol.

Yesterday was the day of the performance, and it went well!! 2 weeks of playing the same song over and over paid off. It was an amazing feeling to play the praise song for the duet! The song leaders are so incredibly talented in singing. And I realized that playing accompaniment is much less stressful because the attention is more on the vocals muahaha. 

Hahaha focused face. 

But finally it's done and I am relieved now!!!

I'm thankful for this episode because it taught me to me serious in prayer, and God changed my motivations to be focused on Him instead of myself.

Trusting in His strength for everything that is ahead.

Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.