Wherever you go, I follow – Italy: Rome & Vatican

“Wherever you go, I follow”… The promise that I made to my husband on our wedding day.

Wives, follow the lead of your husbands as you follow the Lord. The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. The church is Christ's body. He is its Savior.  The church follows the lead of Christ. In the same way, wives should follow the lead of their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24

Hence I flew off to Europe without any knowledge where I am heading to, except for my husband who have painstakingly did up the itinerary for us. I am a control-freak, so it was a new level of faith and allowing hub to take the lead.

Day1: Rome City

Once we touched down at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in the morning, we took the Leonardo Express train to Rome Termini Station. And just 5min walk we reached Hotel Dharma. Explorer you could call us and we love doing it by foot and clearly we conquered the city in a day.

First stop:
Spanish steps with my colorful umbrella

Since it was raining heavily, we had buffet lunch at Open Colonna at only € 16 (only on weekdays lunch)

After the good Tiramisu, hub started his navigation and off we wandered again.

Ps: Beware, they grab hold of you so tightly and
request you to take photo, afterwhich, they made you pay.

Pantheon

What a waste, it was a gloomy day

And you gonna try this! In my opinion, this is the best gelato I ever had!

Address:
Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Roma, Italy

Vatican: Day 2

This is one of my favorite ceiling. From the left, it is the story of the Pact between God and Noah (Genesis 7). Continuing clockwise, the Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22). Moses before the burning the Bush (Exodus 3) and finally Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28).

Below is the Stairway toward Sistine Chapel.  No photo is allowed in the chapel.

The ceiling of the Chapel was drawn by Michelangelo in 1508.

We ended our Vatican day tour by climbing up to the dome of the Vatican Chapel. It was breathtaking.

The night was young as we understand that Rome is having a "night in the museum" festival going on which allows visitors to pay only €1 to enter from 8pm to 2am.

We headed to somewhere random for dinner but it was reasonably good in food and price

There are too many museum we could choose from but we were alittle sick with sculptures, so we decided to tour the a castle in the night. Eerie...  Castle Sant' Angelo we went.

Us climbing the long stairway
to the top sleeping chamber.

Pre-Wedding Photoshoot

Both Sheng and I agreed that planning for wedding ceremony is tedious and troublesome I would describe it, but we are handling it well, from venue, outfit, to the tiny details of wedding flavors and colour theme. I guess both of us work in a way that compliment each other, we understand what we are good at and prefer handling after dating for 7 years. This long run we had before marriage allows us to take the lead on and off along the journey. We did our couple test and the result shown that we do not have a clear leader in our relationship and was told that we need to work on this area, however, I guess this is something special about us. God has been the leader for this relationship and has blessed us in many ways through this journey.

In the midst of planning and counselling, the pre-wedding shoot came in timely allowing us to take the stress away and had a fun-filled day, or rather 2 crazy days. We did 2 shoots, 1 in Singapore another in Bali.

Sheng is a natural entertainer and joker among friends and relatives but he is quite strict toward me. He has high expectation on me so the past 2 years he has been training his wife-to-be to be a more confident lady who is able to handle situations. The training was tough, he joke lesser and I would often complain, but I appreciate his intention. Hence, this pre-wedding shoot was a teaser for me to get back to his crazy self where he talks rubbish to me to get me to laugh naturally. Even the photographers enjoyed his accompany, having him around make the shoot really easy! 

And don't he looks like a model in the below photo? This moment swipe me off my feet once again... I'm in love with this man again!

These are some of our photos for the pre-wedding shoot:

Singapore

As you can see, sport plays a great part of our life.

Bali

Yes! Maddy is turning Seow, Ms Tan to Mrs Seow. I thank God for this man who generously showered me with his love.

Sing O Barren Sing

Though my first half of 2013 was challenging, the last part was eventful! I am blessed with a new career, many travel trips and a new phase of life. However today agenda is not about my 2013 but it's also along the line of thankgiving.

It has been a long time since I last updated. Here I am again because I'm inspired to share a thought.

"Sing O barren, Sing"

Read again... "Sing O barren, Sing"

"Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD. - Isaiah 54:1

Give a thought... How a barren woman could sing with joy when she is infertile?

Could you sing praises to the Lord when your prayers have not been answered?

Honestly, it's hard for me to give praises believing that all will come to pass.

But how many time did the bible proved us wrong.

FAITH

The faith to believe that God knows what is best for you and in His timing.

I am thankful that I learn to give thanks in many little things in my life through the 100day challenge. It make me a more appreciative person and it was a period to train my faith. I would say the reward is more than I ever expected.

If you are going through a hard time now (or for my future self when I face challenge) I hope that you could be inspired to start giving thanks for the things you have and continue praying.

Let me leave you with this thought, would you dance when there isn't a music?

Prayer is the believe that you could hear the music in the future, and faith is the boldness to dance today... 

The next step to saying I Do

http://theweddingvillage.com.sg/

It has been a month and 15 days after I said I do. And it's a great time that butterflies and cakes organised the Singapore’s first biggest wedding exhibition show at Suntec Convention hall this weekend. Though it is very early for us to buy any packages at the exhibition but it definitely gave us an understanding  what to plan and expect for for our special day. The photographers at the exhibition have great amazing works, the wedding venues are unique and the decorations are fairy tales! Like a dream comes true...

As we are planning on the theme of our wedding, we are working on some important issue, which is our differences. Wedding is moment we celebrate the vow we are making but it takes a lifetime to building a happy family, so we are starting our marriage counselling to work on some issues that we might not know and hope we don't kill each other. =)

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."  

Hanging my heel

I'm taking a break in between the transition and yes I'm hanging up my heel for my new job.

And I have a new hair cut! 

For those that would like to know, it is a home saloon at Hougang ave 5. I am very comfortable with Pei Shan and over the 3 years she kind of know what I want. In my recent visit I told to make the decision for me because I don't know what I really wanted but just need a cut. So here it is:

Strictly by appointment only. You could contact Pei Shan at 82477136.

Thinking back about my 2 years in this company, I'm really thankful that God has send those friends as angels. It is through laughter and sharing that made my working experience more enjoyable. Thank you for the guidance and the memories!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

100 days challenge - Gives Thanks day 100

The 100 days warm up exercise has comes to an end. Though anxious but am more excited for what God has installed for me next in the full marathon race (life itself).

I have started the 100 days challenge without any knowledge of how this will bring me joy but God has been faithful. Focusing on the simple blessings each day has brought simple happiness in my life.

There is too much to testify His great love. Just a simple assurance that He is there in any of my situations to the great gifts He rewards me put me to the highest point in my life.

He has seen all these coming my ways and I am glad that I were obedience enough to follow His. Within the 100days, many things have happened; I passed my test, I learned to forgive, I gained back some of my self-esteem, I passed my interview, I promised to be married to my wonderful partner and finally I'm into a new job. God has it all planned, so nicely that the 100days challenge ends on the first day of a new journey. How amazing He is! If your plan is not working out nicely, why not leave it to God. I would always say, the last thing to do is to pray and submit to God but truly that is the only way.

I can't thank Him enough but to continue to run the race with Him.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrew 12:1-3

100 days challenge - Gives Thanks day 99

It's coming to an end. One more day to a new start. Thank God for the 100 day challenge and I'm excited for more. The journey might be tough but it's all worth it because I feel more of God! God has once again WOW me in many ways.

He knew everything even before I commit myself to the 100 day challenge and He is faithful.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.-Luke12:7

There is so much to testify His Love! Too much.