LIITA (Love is in the air)

That's our Christmas program in church this year. No big production with Chinese wise men and shiny dancers. Instead, it will be entirely cell-based and cell-driven! Now, this is to be taken seriously, because all the leaders got a 38-page file of program notes. On the first page, there's a note saying that the program has been adapted from Trinity Christian Center, Singapore with their permission.

Now these "pointers for you to take note off" were under the dinner heading:

· Plan your menu and decide on the décor at least three weeks before the actual day.

· The menu should as far as possible be appropriate for your guests. For instance, prepare Asian food if the majority of them are local food lovers!

· Please ensure there is enough food, napkins and utensils (eg plates, forks and etc). It is also good to prepare more than just enough

· If you are catering the food, do remember to ask the caterer to set up at least 30 mins beforehand.

· Cooked food must be ready fifteen minutes before the program.

· Please ensure the young kids do not stand near to the food for their safety.

· Chill your drinks. Have ice at hand if necessary.

· If you are serving hot drinks, please make sure there is enough hot water.

· You may prepare some snacks or finger food for guests to munch.

· Relax and smile.

I dunno man. Only a Singaporean would find it necessary to tell you stuff like "chill your drinks" and "relax and smile" at a cell dinner.

Seven weeks to go

My favourite part of the year is its end. 

It's the time to be simultaneously outward and inward looking - there's a platform for you to celebrate and appreciate the people you love and reconnect with those whom you're usually too busy for, and also where you can contemplate your last 12 months and envision the next 12. 

Around this time too, there is also a mad rush as people realise that they to have something to put into the big box marked "ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR" come December 31st. Sometimes the momentum starts mid-November, sometimes only in the first weeks of December. For me, it started right on November 1st this year. It's a very heavy month on all fronts; I'm handling a large, new product at work, there's an influx of birthdays to celebrate - 7 in the first 3 weeks of November - and there are many other plans! Projects! Trips!

Ahh...I love the smell of productivity. Watch this space.