Bling it on!

The hippest place on 15 November Saturday, wasn’t at Sentosa, it wasn’t even at Orchard Road, the hippest place to be was right at the Riverwalk!

 

After last week’s success, Bling! Part 2 was glitzier this time around as cellgroups tried to outshine each other for the Best Dressed Cellgroup Award. Members and friends arrived with their choice of Bling  accessories -  sequined scarves, embellished suspenders and even gold gloves! Guys and girls alike were dressed in the shiniest, most eye-catching outfits vying for the Best Dressed Male and Best Dressed Female Award.

 

Bling! kicked off with icebreaker games like Record Holders, hosted by Amber, Ming Hui, Joseph and special guest host Loga from Vasantham Central. Cellgroups had to send a representative to compete for categories like the Longest Breath, Sexiest Pose and Strongest Memory. The audience members also had a chance to guess and vote who was “The Real Thing” among three other imposters onstage. There were a few hits and misses, and some of the posers were very convincing! In case you’re still curious, Hui Wen is half-Thai and Ivan Lee is our zone’s lightweight boxing champion.

 

Next up was (beatboxer’s name) who wowed the audience with his awesome beatboxing skills!  Another stellar performance was by ET zone’s very own dance team, Urban Groove Remix, with their encore dance number leaving the audience breathless.

 

Aside from the games and performances, everyone was really looking forward to the Big Reveal of the makeover session. At the start of the program, the “Before” pictures were shown to the audience, and the room was filled with anticipation at the results of the makeover. When the models entered the room with their stylists, people were craning their necks to get a view of the made-over ladies, but their faces were screened, heightening the suspense. When the models’ new looks were revealed, appreciative “oohs”, “ahhs” and an occasional “Is that my cellgroup member?” could be heard among the crowd. The models in their Oriental Rock, Cowgirl and Party Girl looks strutted down the runway as the audience cheered their glamorous transformations.

 

Many were touched and encouraged by Edmund Tay’s message on “Unleashing One’s Potential”. Jesus, though He was tempted on His Identity, His Methods and His Faith, was able to fulfil His calling successfully by being confident in who He was, not basing His security on abilities or outward appearances, but trusting in God. No matter how ordinary we may look on the outside or feel on the inside, if we’re willing to lay our lives down before God – He can use someone ordinary to do extraordinary things for Him!

 

As Bling! drew to a close, the winners were finally announced: the Best Dressed Female – Valerie (N317),  the Best Dressed Male – Lester (N415), the Best Dressed Cellgroup – (W320) and the Best Makeover – Joycelyn and her model Karen.

 

Bling! was filled with surprises and has been the most exciting zone gathering this 2008! As a new year approaches, we can expect more events to showcase our creativity and talents!

The Bling factor!

The Bling! event had been the talk of the zone the past few weeks, and Part One of two awesome Bling! experiences was held on 8 November, Saturday, at Riverwalk.

Members and friends came dressed in their very best, to add to the razzle-dazzle of Bling! And with the ‘Best Dressed Cell Group’ title up for grabs, the various cell groups really cracked their brains to come out with the most creative Cg identity. From outfits made of shiny CDs to masquerade masks and cool scarfs, it was truly a fashion bonanza!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specially invited to host this first-of-its-kind event were Kids Central hosts Primero and Candice and they definitely stirred up the crowd with their enthusiasm.

Bling! started off with a beatbox performance, followed by our very own ET Zone dance item. Though it was our dance team’s debut performance, they brought down the house with their funky hip-hop moves.

There were also fun segments such as our very own version of popular Taiwanese host Jacky Wu’s variety game show, ‘Guess Who?’. A total of 4 contestants went up each round and we had to guess, according to categories given such as the best limbo-rocker, the national skipping champion, the real from the fakes. Some of the fakes were so convincing they fooled us all! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge highlight of Bling! was the makeover session for 3 lovely ladies, Celine, Xiao En and Lijun. When each of the models sashayed down the “runway” in their new hairdo, makeup and eye-catching outfits, all their cell group members could not recognize them! Kudos to the make-up artists, Iris, Michele and Joycelyn who transformed them from ordinary to really ‘Bling Bling!’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event was truly a success! It showcased the immense talents and abilities of our members and how creatively colourful we all can be.

Part Two of Bling! is happening this coming Saturday, 15 November, at Riverwalk and is all set to be even more exciting! Continue to invite your friends, and show them that Christians are a cool bunch of people too!

Comments from participants of Bling!

 “Bling! is special because we get to see another side of our members when they really dress up! The games were fun and helps to bond the cg and our zone together!”
Alfred Leow (E462)

“This event shows our friends that it’s not just about reading the Bible, praying, but using our  talents to shine for God and to learn new things as well. Even if one can’t dance, being willing does it!”
Ravi Rayan (? – one of the Bling! dancers) 

A real life testimony of how one witnessed the deaths of both parents before the age of 21, but instead of giving in to anorexia and depression, she rose up to be who she is today. In an article published in the November issue of Cleo magazine, Lim Jer Blinn, or Jerb, as she is affectionately known to most of us shared about how she coped with the loss of her parents and also having to grow up quicker than her peers in order to fill the very huge shoes that were left behind.

1998 was probably one of the worse, if not, the worst year that Jerb had to go through. It was the year whereby she was sitting for a major examination and having to watch her father go in and out of hospital before succumbing to lymphoma, made it worse. The passing on of her father took away more than just a physical presence, but it caused Jerb to develop depression as well. What makes matters worse was that two years later, her mother who was the sole breadwinner of the house passed away suddenly. Being the eldest of four siblings, Jerb had to quickly put aside her own emotions and together with her younger sister, they took over the running of the household.

Besides having to take care of her siblings, Jerb had to look after her ailing grandmother as well. They had to take turns to accompany her for her dialysis sessions, adding to the fact that she couldn’t be left alone as she was suffering from dementia. All these were done while they were still in school.

 

 

Through all these, Jerb was never once bitter but instead, she said, “I’m also in a better position to counsel my friends as I can genuinely empathize with them, and not just offer token words of advice or comfort.” We are often put through trials and tribulations, not because we deserve it, but because it’s through all these that we learn how to really have compassion of people as we ourselves went through it before. 

A Big Welcome to the ET Zone Website! Coming from all ages, and from different walks of life, we are
a family of like-minded individuals who worship at City Harvest Church. With an emphasis on being a God-seeker and a vision to win the world for Christ, we have grown into a family that grows and discovers God’s plan for our lives.

Thank you once again for dropping by, and we hope that you can join us for our cell groups and weekend services. We believe that you will enjoy our friendship, warmth and love!

 

 
EDMUND TAY