Have been having Greenbelt training over the past few days (6 sigma is to be part of my DNA as a GE employee). I finally understand that risk assessment program that Ben Stiler used to evaluate Jennifer Aniston in Along Came Polly - the official name for it is Quality Function Development (QFD). Quite fascinating, actually, and though it may seem super geeky, it's a good evaluation tool for - a life partner.

(I know I've just made myself a social pariah :P)

But seriously. Anyway the topic has been coming up over the past few days. Had a good catchup with Mum as we walked to the mamashop together on Sunday to buy snacks after dinner, and she sounded me out about meeting the children of her church friends to 'expand the social circle'. That opened up the topic of hubby requirements.

Ok, to put it on CTQ terms (i.e. what, in the customer's perspective, is Critical to Quality) and their ranking in terms of importance (5 most impt, 1 least impt):

1. Christian - 5 (I'll be living with this person daily - He HAS to share the foundation of my life)
2. Higher education level - 2
3. Intellectually compatible - 4 (this is different from education level, mind you. I know of some people who score straight As but can't carry on a stimulating conversation)
4. Same church ministry - 3 (but I realise this is a variable over time)
5. Same ministry passion - 4 (probably more of a constant than church ministry)
6. Financially stable - 3 (impt, but well, if God calls us to full time, then this becomes irrelevant, cos we'll be living on God's provision)
7. Good relationship with family - 5 (YES! One of the biggest 'tests' any potential mate must go thru)
8. Maturity - 5
9. Looks - 1 (seriously...all the guys I've had major crushes on are NOT good-lookers (hope none of them are reading this. But then, they'd prob not know I'm referring to them ;)))
10. Confidence - 3 (though I find I'm usually attracted to confidence)

Note that this list is NON-exhausive...will probably be adding to it in the time to come. I can just see this raising complaints about the pickiness of Singaporean women etc etc. But hey, marriage IS a decision that lasts for a lifetime. They say that there are 2 important decisions in life - marriage comes first, and career choice second (a distant second, to my opinion, cos you can always change jobs, but not a spouse. At least for traditional ol' me, likely N/A for Hollywood, which may probably switch jobs and marriage around in terms of priority...).

Ultimately, am still trusting God for my own 'love story' to come to pass, in His perfect time. For now, am definitely enjoying the gift of singlehood; biological clock satiated by youth ministry :)