Confessions of the Heart and Mind

Another post to give thanks

2012-01-31T05:53:00.000-08:00

Yup I believe the title is self explanatory. I have three things to give thanks for. Number one, thank you God for sharing a very special word through pastor Nicky last Sunday. It really spoke to me and I feel that after the sermon, everyone in that room was empowered. For me, it reminded me to step out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to change. I agree, God will only intervene if you choose to take the first step and move in faith. God has indeed used Nicky to be a living testimony to many lives, mine including. It is good to always look forward and not remain stuck in the past.

Secondly, thank God that mummy's colonoscopy went well and that there were no complications. Yes, my mum went for a colonoscopy yesterday as she was severely anemic (very low in iron and red blood cells). The doctor recommended her to go for a check up just to make sure that there are no internal bleeding somewhere inside her body. Thank god that all was well, mum just has to watch out for what she eats and try to consume more iron foods.

Thirdly, thank God for papa's medical check up today. My dad has some scarring in the lungs and doctors are afraid that it might lead to TB. But today's follow-up showed no changes and that my dad is fine. He'll return for another follow-up in July.

So all in all, I have so much to be thankful for. Thankful for lau kim's successful head operation (my mum's aunt), thank God for uncle ronnie's leg operation, thank God for better weather this week, thank God for a wombat (haha, I love them so much more than kangaroos and koalas). Trust me, the list can just go on and on.

I'm still amazed at how faithful He is and has been in my life.

Running spree

2012-01-22T19:18:00.000-08:00

Ever since the start of spring, I realized how much I've missed running. Australians here are really athletic and you can see people running, cycling or walking their dogs almost everyday. More so on weekends. Not to forget, spring has got some of the best weathers as well. Many of you know that I took just one unit last semester, that gave me a lot of time on my own to do my own thing, and yes, there's where I started the habit of running again.

I love running in the evenings where the weather is just right, the colours around our neighborhood are just so beautiful. So yes, I started running ever since around September last year. However I must confessed that because recently I've realized that I've gotten an extra 2kg, that made me feel a little worried and have started watching what I put into my stomach. Haha. Yes, don't worry, I believed that my BMI is still of a healthy range, just that my personal aim to always maintain that particular weight and not let it fluctuate, or worse, increase! So ya, I've been running more now and also watching what I eat. See, it's important to not just exercise, but also to watch what you eat in order to be healthy again.

My dad loves to buy muffins, doughnuts, chocolates and soda drinks. My mum, ice-cream and potato chips are her favourites! So you see, yes, it's crazy how unhealthy my family can get. No wonder I've been putting on a few pounds! Really have to watch what you eat guys.

Let's make 2012 a healthy and fulfilling year shall we?

Benefit on hind sight

2012-01-14T02:31:00.000-08:00

So Papa, Mum, Monkey and I decided to take a trip down south to see what our inital choice of suburb to settle down in Perth is like. See, when my parents started sourcing out for a place to build our own property (that was early 2010), they were very interested in thornlie, a small suburb down south of perth. It's a smaller land lot, further away from the ocean, more expensive but nearer to town, and of course, UWA. We have never seen that place during that time for everything was conversed with the Singapore branch of the housing agent based in Perh.

However, due to time restrictions, the land in that particular place was not ready yet and we couldn't get it on time to fit into our plan of moving over by June 2011. So, my Dad began to source for other areas and eventually, we got Butler. Back to the story, we took an 80min drive down to see what that town actually looks like.

Upon reaching there, there was a common viewpoint that all of us shared. We were all very grateful that God lead us to Butler instead of Thornlie. I'm not saying that Thornlie is a bad suburb. NO, I'm just saying that the layout, the scenery, the everything of Butler appealed to us more than Thornlie. Though it's way further for us to travel to school, my sis and I still could bear the distance and from what we can see, the prospect of Butler is really up and coming.

I mean, the train station for Butler is right on it's way. There will be shops and businesses all around our area in about 2 years time. So, benefit on hindsight, I'm glad we ended up in Butler. Haha. I'm okay not living near my fellow Asians fellows, I'm okay being different. Just where God leads, I'll go :)

Night out at Indian Ocean

2011-12-29T06:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen the ocean at night?

Well dad, opa, monkey and I decided to take a trip to the Ocean after dinner yesterday. Yup, for those who didn't know, we live like a 5 mins drive away from the Indian Ocean. I thought the beach would be empty by 8pm. Surprisingly, there were quite a lot of people there. We saw people walking their dogs, returning back from fishing or just sitting by the benches enjoying the fantastic view.

Try to imagine this with me...

The sun was already 97% gone and only a faint ray was left. The sky was dark blue when we got there. We got out of our slippers and walked on the sand into the ocean waters. It was such a calming feeling. The sky was soon black and so were the ocean waters. What made it so ingrained in my memory was that there was a stream of light on the waters made by the light of the crescent moon. And to top it off, when you look up into the night sky, there were like a thousand stars. We saw Orion and Sirius and so many more constellations that I couldn't recognise. It was an amazing feeling.

In a distance, I could see a faint light, probably a boat on patrol. Towards the extreme right, I could see a light that seemed to be coming from a far away lighthouse. Amazing right?

We stood in the waters for quite some time. Just to feel the cold ocean waters and the sand on our feet. I seriously could just stand there, at that spot forever.

Yes, you guys probably already guessed it. I have fallen in love with the ocean a long time ago.

Let me tell you a secret. I've never told anyone before. Everytime I go to the Ocean, there is always something I love doing. I would stand in the direction that is facing towards Singapore. And I would look out as far as I can. And I would start thinking of all my memories there, the people, the places, the air. And that's all I need to make me satisfied for that moment.

Happy Christmas and Caroling!

2011-12-23T07:48:00.001-08:00

First of all....Merry Christmas everyone! Frohe Weihnachten!! First Christmas ever in Perth! Really want to use this post to thank God and to testify that He is indeed an awesome God. So, our church had our Christmas caroling and sausage sizzle for everyone and anyone this evening. Trust me, though it was a small event to bless the community, there were a lot of work that needed to be done. Thanks to all the background helpers and what I call the behind-the-scenes crew, we managed to make the event possible! Thank God for the logistic people, the BBQ people, the musicians, the choir, the pastors and of course the public who attended our event :) Trust me, they have put in a lot of effort in planning this.

And one more important thing, today was the first time my parents watched me performed in church. Okay not just me, monkey and I were involved in the caroling (the last time I've sang in a choir was quite some time back already). Today was the first time my family attended Zion fellowship and I just want to give all credit and thanks to God and to all the people who were so friendly to welcome them! This meant a lot to me. Bro and my parents were first timers and I believed that they did enjoy themselves:) I cannot change them, only God can. And I believe that today was the first step. I mean even if it is just for them to see and know the kind of people that we meet every Sunday, what the atmosphere is like and the environment is good enough for me. I cannot ask for more as this is a rare moment for me.

Glad that my dad had good chats with the people, understanding that there are many people who are just like us, emigrated from Singapore and are now living in Perth. Glad that my mum had chats with the other mums in Zion just to meet more people. Glad that bro was able to see what this church community is like, probably going to be his home church too come next year.

All in all, I give thanks to God. Thank you for sustaining me throughout the week. I had busy schedules for work at cotton on/typo, but yet he brought me through. I didn't get a sore throat from all the rehearsals, I didn't fall I'll, I was doing fine though I had to wake up at 5am today for work.

I owe you big time God. And I'm still believing that you have a good reason why you brought us here to Perth. Expecting something big and awesome guys...

Okay, das ist alles. Ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und alles Guten zum neuen Jahr! Have a blessed Christmas and a fantastic year ahead everyone!

Mid December reflection

2011-12-14T06:59:00.001-08:00

Hey there! Well, another reflection post (update) from me. So it's mid December and honestly I am looking forward to Christmas and of course the new year. As I stepped into December, boy I must say that life is going slow, but at a comfortable pace. So I've started my Christmas casual job at cotton on. So far so good. Hoping that it would last longer though. I mean, though I'm just a Christmas casual and my contract will end my early Jan, I do hope to earn a bit of extra cash for next year. People are nice, customers are awesome and friendly. For mer, that's enough. I just have to learn to gel with the community and be willing to learn.

Oh yes, and of course, Christmas is coming up next Sunday! I'm so excited! Monkey and I are going to be involved in caroling! La-la-la. We are going to have about three rehearsals before the actual day of caroling which will be on the 23rd December, Friday evening. Free sausages will be served too! :) first Christmas ever in Perth! And I have a feeling that our neighbour is going to invite us over for a Christmas dinner! My parents had already prepared a wine bottle in case they were to call us over.

Any who...I am not as nervous as I thought I would be in receiving my grade for this sem as well as knowing who my professor would be. I guess, what's meant to be will be. I have already chosen to accept whatever the outcome and just trust God. I guess that's the best option for me.

Tomorrow grandmama and I will be making tang yuan! I know the official day to eat them is on the 22nd, but I just can't wait! Hahaha. I love to eat them! Hoping to make different shapes and not just circles.

Well, one more week and my nii-San is coming back to Perth. I'm sure he misses us. Have been emailing him updates about our lives regularly, not to forget our weekly Skype on Sunday.

By the way, dad, monkey and I visited a small town called two rocks recently (named that due to the fact it has two rocks on the beach shore). Beautiful and peaceful. Will definitely explore more when opa is back.

I guess that's about it for now. Will update soon.
goodnight and God bless!

PS: Singapore, I do miss you.

Guten Tag Sommer!

2011-11-25T19:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome Summer! Yes with temperatures ranging between 28-38 degrees celsius. Still, I think I'll love it. I mean I'm an all-time tropical girl from Singapore who practically lived in a sauna for 22 years. Haha, well summer's not here till december though, just a few more days wait.

Now that uni's out, I can't wait to start something different. Yes, I can't wait for Cotton On kids to give me a call! I mean, what could be taking them sooo long? I've gotten the contract signed and my working pass, why are they still keeping me up? The store said will probably start around december...just have to wait for her call. Okay, I guess I'm being too impatient since the summer vacation is going to last till end february (which is a long time!) and this is my first time working in Australia which just makes me excitied. Well, a little nervous but definitely excited. Hmm, and also since both my parents are currently not working, I'm hoping to be able to keep this job to earn enough money to pay a little for my school fees.

And, if I can keep it long enough, I think I would like to visit an Orthodontist, hopefully I can get my teeth fixed without having to go for a jaw surgery. Maybe I should tell you a little bit of my history. I was supposed to wear braces around 2009 to get them fixed, but according to the doctor, well, it might take three years to get the whole procedure done. Of course, my family could'nt wait that long as we'll be emigrating to Perth in June 2011. So, we cancelled the surgery. Trust me, I was quite sad at that point of time. But now, looking back on hindsight, I think it might be a good thing. Because I really do not want to go for a surgery, I'm really okay looking like that, just with straight teeth :)

Okay, that's like my own secret wish. Teehee. I mean, He made me this way, I don't want to dislike it. Like I always say, learn to embrace things instead of hating them, that way, life will be so much easier.

So back to life for me. Yes, still waiting for an assignment to a professor...still waiting to start working...still counting down for my brother to come back to perth....still waiting for what God has in store for my life.

Had a great korean dinner with my cell group yesterday. Had an incident on the train back, but it was alright. Today, my sis and I are having another dinner at subiaco. One of our uni friends is going back to Germany (Yup finished her SEP). My last chance to practice my deutsch mit ihr. Danken Sie Ihnen für Ihren Zeit heir. Sie sind sehr freundlich...Ich werde du vermissen. I shall used formal tone with you :)I'm sure we'll have a great time tonight.

A perfect love story

2011-11-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

I heard about a girl and believe me, her love story is one that touches my heart so so much, and so I'm here today to share it with you.

There was once a girl who lived with her parents. She was the oldest child and she had two younger brothers. Since the day she was born, her parents didn't love her. They favoured her two little brothers even up till when they all grew big. This poor little girl did not live like a daughter, instead, she lived like a servant in the house. Her parents would make her clean the house, cook the meals and when guests come, she would have to serve them tea. Every now and then, she would go downstairs to a provision shop to buy goods and replenish the food in their house. She wasn't a daughter in their eyes. To her parents, she was like a maid, a child that they didn't wanted, all because, she was a girl. They only love boys.

Soon her two younger brothers each got a girlfriend and they were happy. But this poor girl, who is now in her late twenties was still single and had to do the housework. But what amazes me was that though she was upset and lonely, never once did she disobey her parents. Everyday, she would obediently do the housework and clean the house. She never did mix with anyone except her close cousin, whom she shared her feelings with.

One day, she made a mistake while doing the housework and gotten a scolding from her father. He was so mean and said that she was useless, could never do anything right, that's why no man would want to marry her. Upon hearing that, the poor girl began to cry. She felt so hurt that her own dad would say that to her. In her heart, she would love to get married. She would love to have her own family one day. But at that moment, she couldn't retaliate. All she did was to phone her cousin and poured out her feelings to her.

Now this girl had a very good neighbour. And they would often greet each other when they see each other. One day, this neighbour was buying some goods from the same provision store that the girl always buy as well. The shop owner, who had a hired hand whom he treated like his own son, asked the neighbour if she knew any girl who is kind, homely and sweet that he could matchmake with his hired hand. You see, this hired hand was a nice lad, and he had no parents since young. So the boss took him in and loved him like his own son. Immediately, this neighbour thought of this poor little girl who is living with her parents. The neighbour said okay, she'll try.

After visiting the shop, this neighbour went to the girl's house and told the girl's parent about it. Upon hearing the news, the girl's father got so mad, but he didn't say a word. When the coversation was going on, this girl was actually standing one corner, listening intently. When the neighbour left, the girl's mother asked her daughter about it and the girl, who was so happy to hear that there is someone who wants to marry her, immediately said yes.

So it was a happy marriage. The couple knew each other as the girl would often go to the provision shop to buy goods for her family. And she would always see this hired man (this nice gentleman). They had a quiet wedding, but both bride and groom were super contented. Of course the neighbour who introduced the matchmake was there and she wore a nice pretty dress to celebrate the happy occasion.

The boss of the provision shop was so kind to allow the newly weds to stay at the empty house just above the shop. Ever since the girl got married, she would seldom returned to her parents' home. She knew that if she were to visit them often, her parents would make her do the housework again. She would only go back on their birthdays, on new year's day and moon cake festival. Other than that, she would prefer staying at home with her husband, cooking for him, helping out at the shop and doing her housework.

And that's the end of the lovely love story. They lived happily ever after. The lonely girl ended up having three beautiful children who now probably had their own children. Every new year, she and her husband would visit her neighbour who brought them together. They loved that neighbour very much. Sometimes, her neighbour will tell her about her parents, who now had to do the housework. Once in a while, they would spot her mean father sweeping the corridor.

To me, that was the nicest love story I've ever heard. This is a real story, and this poor little girl is now already a grandmother. The cousin whom she was so close to is my grandmother. Yes, it is my grandmother who told me this story. When she got married, my grandmother wasn't there as she just had my uncle and was in the hospital. After that, they never saw each other again. But she knew that her cousin is no longer a poor, sad and lonely person. She knew that her cousin now live a happy life, who earned her freedom to live her own life.

I was so moved when I heard her story. So happy for her. And I would love to share this story with my children one day.

This is always hard for me

2011-11-07T03:18:00.000-08:00

To don't know when I'll ever see you again
And this Makes saying goodbye so hard
The past three days had been a blast
Oh how I wish they could last forever

Six years of knowing each other
So many memories that we had shared
The laughter, the studying, the friendship
All comes to an end yesterday at the airport

Thanks for flying four hours just to visit me
It wasn't easy but yet you chose to take that chance
I can't tell you how much that meant to me
Only to be able to express these words here

I don't know when I'll see you again
All I can do is to trust that one day I will
And till we meet each other again
Let's continue to keep each other in our hearts

Moore River Adventure (Jurrasic Park)

2011-10-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Take a look through my eyes of Moore River.

I'll come to explain why I call it Jurrasic Park later. Promise.

So, my adventure started when I drove to one of my cell sister's house. Reached around 1105am. Played with her pretty dogs. Trust me, I know that they are boys but they are so so gorgeous! Anyway, then we watched a bit of Japanese drama and finally, the rest came around 1145am.

We bought lunch from Hungry Jacks (Aka Burger King) and McDonalds and brought them over with us to Moore River. The trip took around 45mins. On our trip, I felt like I've grown a little closer to the two other sweet ladies in the car. We talked a bit about our experiences, shared our opinions on different issues and just had a good laugh. I guessed that's me. I love people who are genuine towards me, people who are just able to put a smile on my face, people who allows me to be me.

We arrived around 1 plus...there were so many people. Thank God that we managed to find parking lots. Got down the car and brought all our barabg-barang. Found a nice spot, open the mats and ate lunch.

Let me tell you why Moore River reminds me so much of Jurrasic Park. It is because of the hills that separated the river and the ocean. Yes, that's what so special about Moore River. On one side it is a river. So blue and pretty. On the other side it is the Indian Ocean. Greenish-blue and deep. The thing that is separating them are the hills and the beach. You know, it's like how the river is running along a series of hills and tall trees that really reminds me the opening scene of Jurrasic Park III. Sometimes when the tide is strong, some of the ocean waters will cross over to the river. Amazing right?!

So, after lunch, we walked around the beach. It was so refreshing. I could smell the salt waters and the fresh water at the same time. Love to get my feet wet and sandy. Climbed up a liitle of the Jurrasic Hill, thought the walk up was therapeutic. Loved the view from up there. It was stunning. Guess what, I did something that I always do whenever I am at the ocean. I would turned towards the direction of Singapore (come on, I was once a geog student, my directions can't be that bad). Yes, I turned to looked as far out of the ocean as I could, in the direction of Singapore. The country that made me who I am today. That usually brought some comfort to me, though it's too far to see anything, I was still happy to be reminded of all the people that has once crossed path with me on that country.

Anyway, after the walk by the beach (we were alternating between walking along the river waters and the ocean waters), we went back to our mats and decided to go kayaking. I remember the last time I kayaked was like 5 years ago...when I was 17. Man, how fast time flies. I kayaked with my buttercup around Pulau Ubin (a tiny island of Singapore). That was how I got closer to her, cos we were kayak partners with a never say die attitude as we kayaked through a storm. But this time, I kayak with another awesome person :) With the cell sister who has been so sweet to me since the day I know her. It was during the kayak that I realised how much more the hills and the river look so much like Jurrasic Park. Haha. We all took turns to kayak. While waiting, we played monopoly deal and uno.

Our day kind of ended like that. Headed for home around 5 plus and came back home for dinner with my family.

I can't tell you how much I love the sea. It was like my first love. It is an amazing place. And I think everyone who has the opportunity should give Moore River a shot. Going down to have a good time and just be in touch with nature really freshened me up for the coming week.

I would definitely go back there again, afterall, it is just 45mins drive from my house :)

The things that just make you think

2011-10-19T23:12:00.000-07:00

Guten Tag Die Welt! Finally the ranking of the professors is here. Trust me, I thought it would be an easy process, but honestly, it was super difficult. I mean, if you had 24 choices, you would definitely feel the same as I did. I was nervous when I rated them, not knowing which choice I would get and knowing that once the supervisor is allocated to me...that's it. No more changes. So ya, I took sooo long just to rate all of them. Now it's up to God to take control. Getting a little excited and yet scared for next semester to begin. Anyway, until then, let's just enjoy this semester till it ends.

Anyway, yesterday I had a nice chat with a friend in school and I must say that she is one of the most open person I've ever known. I've never really met anyone who would be so open about her feelings and what she's going through to me, someone who does not really know her that well yet. That kind of hit me...in a way that the things she said, her values and beliefs are kind of similar to mine. But yet at the same time, I admire her courage to take such a huge step of faith. To be willing to come out of her comfort zone and to experience something so new and so different a culture. Honestly, after talking to her, it kind of built up my courage too. I've never see myself as someone who is shy or afraid to try new things. But after thinking for a little longer, I think there is somewhere in me that is still shy and scared. I guess that's normal. Haha. Really thank God for allowing me to have that opportunity to talk to her. I mean, I was suppose to be the one encouraging her on, but now when I looked back at it, it was kind of like she is the one encouraging me. And I think that's how God works. He brings people to you to speak to you. To help you understand the world better.

I'm slowly starting to see why I'm in perth now.

No, I would change nothing

2011-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I keep telling myself
What if life is not meant to be like this
Looking back at all the photos
Their faces make my heart ache

I asked myself, why am I feeling this
Things are still going fine for them
Yet somehow I wish I am back there again
So why am I feeling this

And then all of a sudden
Something hard hit my soul
And I know that I have to let go
Because of a greater person who is in control

A perfect plan was designed not just for me
But for them as well
And if it is meant to be
Then let it be

For I know that things will be fine
Just like when you told me that you'll never leave me
And brought me to a whole new chapter
Some three thousand miles away

If I can't move on
Then they can't as well
So it's better if I learn to let go
Or things will just become complicated

Yes it is never ever going to be the same
But that doesn't mean that it is bad
All there is to it, is just a brand new start
To a new chapter in both mine and theirs

I was once part of their lives
Living, breathing, talking with them
But now I'm just doing this differently
Now it's time to be different

When I said that I will change nothing
I didn't say it confidently
Because there is something there
That was holding me back

But now with a new confidence
I can look back at them and say it once again
This time with a different strength
This time, there is no holding back

So if someone were to come up to me
And ask me if I could turn back time
Is there something in my life
That I would like to change

I think this time
I would look straight into his eyes
And with a light smile I'll answer in faith
No, I would change nothing

Reflections

2011-10-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Things just keep on going like an endless motion...

I mean, you can stop whatever you're doing or thinking but time will still continue to move. The sun will still rise and set, the wind will still blow and you'll still grow older. And honestly, that's what amazes me the most. Yes, I am thankful for everything in my life, but sometimes I feel that everything is happening so fast. If I can just grab hold of 1 moment, just that 1 moment and make it last longer, I think that would have been impossible. Because it is only meant to last as long as it was meant to last.

The bottom line is that you should try to live life as best as you can, giving your best in everything, just so that you will have no regrets. But will you oneday become tired of doing so? Will you oneday burn out? I think for me, it is important to be honest with yourself....which I often failed to do so. I will tell myself that I can do this, I can handle this, this is for me. But the truth is, I'm always relying on myself, never letting go. To the one above me.

So back to the question, will you ever get tired of always giving your best? I think the answer is no, if you are able to let go, and just let another one of greater power take control.

The thing that scares me the most is that what if things would not have been this way if I had given more? I mean how much is considered my best? How much is considered enough?

I will often ponder upon this issue only to come back to where I have started. Always questioning what if I've done a mistake, what if I have taken a wrong turn?

The truth is, I'll never know. And that's where faith comes in. That's all I can do. To decide on it, and just have faith that it is the best. And I believe that with Faith, comes this Power to believe. And I think that's when the whole situation will turn around. From something so uncertain to something hopeful. Form a negative feeling to a positive one.

And that will change everything in your perspective, your thoughts, your world.

Study break getaways...

2011-10-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

First of all...Tag der Deutschen Einheit! Happy National Day Germany :) Yup, today is the day Germany was reunited together into one nation. Anyway, here are some updates from me again.

So, life is still the same. Had our school 1 week break and I went for the Psychology Honours Conference. I must say that I cannot believe that I would be doing that next year (presenting my research in front of the entire lecture theatre!) But I guess for me, the thing that concerns me most is to find a professor. Yes, you'd probably could tell that I am still struggling as to what topic to do on. It is tough and I really feel no direction in this.

Okay, enough of school.

Oh yes, Uncle Albert and Debbie came over to visit us. Totally love how it is so easy to talk to them. Even though we were not close when we were in Singapore, I am thankful that because of our migration to Perth, we've gotten quite close. Really thanked them for the small heater and the fishes :)Tomorrow they will be coming over for dinner one last time before Uncle Albert flies back to Singapore.

Also, I've gotten to Kings Park to see abit of the Spring Wild Flowers as well as to the IGA Perth Royal Show to experience what a carnival is like. Since when I was a kid, I've never been to a carnival and I thought that it might be nice to enjoy and sights and sounds of one. Of course, the best part was the fireworks that were set off at 8pm.

Well that's all for me. This week school is back as per normal.

To all who is reading this...here's wishing you a great day!

Here and There

2011-09-25T01:25:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how similar the situation is. It was like a feeling that suddenly just hit me and I realized that ya, I was in this situation before. Don't worry, it is not a bad thing. I'm just amazed. So let me tell you what it is. When I first came to fcbc in 2005, we were planning to move to expo. We were in tct and tc and wanted to have a place where both places can unite to attend service together. So God gave us expo and we were there for about four over years. So my first (one and only)church in Singapore had a major move not long after I came in.

Today, our church in Joondalup moved to Clarkson. And this gave me such a nostalgic feeling. It was like The situation in Singapore! We just came in not long, this is my first church in Perth, and we are in a 'Big move' again :) cool right? Ya. I'm so thankful for the place as now, it is just a 15 min drive from our house. Not just the distance, but the entire building looks awesome! Totally love the new premise! Once again, reminding me so much of fcbc.

I don't know why I'm amazed by this, but ya. I guess I'm the kind of person who is easily contented, amazed and haha some people say gullible. Really praise God for the new building!

Went to Kings Park to catch a glimpse of the wild flowers festivals. Can see some pictures on my Facebook. Beautiful. And of course, glad to be able to have a lovely meal with Debbie and uncle Albert :) love the pandan cake, totally missed it!

To say thank you to a special place...in a special country

2011-09-05T23:13:00.000-07:00

In the morning when I wake up
I see the golden rays on the wall
Then all of a sudden I recalled
That I am no longer where I used to be

Looking out of the window
I realised that the surroundings looked different
So different, but so beautiful
Everything that I once knew are now left behind

You gave my family a chance
To try out this new place
And open a brand new door
To a life we never knew
But I know that it's alright
As if it is meant to be, then let it be

In a blink of an eye
Three months has passed
And all I can say is thank you
For everything is going fine

People, environment and life
Are really just as nice
It is like walking the aisle of a coast
Where the journey seems to never end

You gave my family a chance
To try out this new place
And open a brand new door
To a life we never knew
But I know that it's alright
As if it is meant to be, then let it be

Thank you for this gift
Thank you for this place
Cos in my heart I know it's meant to be
So much more

You gave my family a chance
To try out this new place
And open a brand new door
To a life we never knew
But I know that it's alright
As if it is meant to be, then let it be

PS: Dedicated to Australia and God

Lifestyle change

2011-08-29T01:36:00.000-07:00

I just realised how much my lifestyle has changed since moving. It's funny how you naturally adapt to a place where you are yet. I call it "Human Natural Adaptation", body, mind and behaviour. Haha. Let me try to make a list of the changes or rather, what is considered normal for me now.

1) Bread is like my lovely main meal here. Only get to eat 1 meal of rice (usually dinner)
2) Started eating cereal with MILK (something that I don't usually drink in Singapore)
3) Driving a lot more to get to places
4) Long walks are so enjoyable
5) Hearing dogs' bark like almost everywhere I go
6) Watching more foreign movies (esp German movies! whoohoo!)
7) Hot favourite TV programmes are The Simpsons, Big Bang Theory and The Zoo
8) Wearing Sunnies :)
9) The sight of Indian Ocean when travelling on Marmion Ave
10) Cold nights with in-door slippers!
11) Getting to see the sky, like the entire sky without being blocked by any tall buildings

Honestly I don't get to see these so experience these so often when I was in Singapore. Now, there are part of my life. Embracing every moment of it.

That's all I need

2011-08-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

You are there with me
Even when I cannot see You
You watched me breathe at night
And You greet me when I wake up in the morning

They say that You are the One who provides
They say that You are the One who loves
That You know every thought in my mind
And never ending mercy in Your arms

So I'm running to You
Even if the storm come against me
I will not stop running to Your outstretched arms
For I know that once I'm there with You
You'll hold me together
And that's all I need
Right now, then and forever

Sometimes life gets into my head
And the world tells me 'this' and 'that'
But I know to You, they are all meangingless
For to You, love is the way, the truth and the light

So I'm running to You

Even if the storm come against me
I will not stop running to Your outstretched arms
For I know that once I'm there with You
You'll hold me together
And that's all I need
Right now, then and forever

Only love will be able to make my life shine
Oh Lord, don't ever stop teaching me
Speak to me just like how You've spoken in heaven
For I am here, ready to listen

So I'm running to You
Even if the storm come against me
I will not stop running to Your outstretched arms
For I know that once I'm there with You
You'll hold me together
And that's all I need
Right now, then and forever

Just another ramble...or not...

2011-08-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

Winter here is almost ending, and I must say that I am not sorry at all. I miss the hot Mr Sun and his lovely rays. Winter is cool, windy and of course, the rain never fail to get on my nerves. But other than that, the surroundings are still as beautiful as ever. People are walking so fast to get out of the cold. Boots, jackets, hot chocolates and umbrellas are the pictures that I see most of the time in Winter. My day in school was a peaceful one. Went to see a student advisor regarding my study plan, he is a nice guy and it's funny how you can end up meeting a person whom you've emailed randomly about more than a year ago to ask about honours programme here in uwa. Like what my mum said, I can match a face to a familiar name. Uwa and Nus have so much in common. So similar, yet so different! Anyway, I'll be doing a 3 sem honours programme. Which means, I will only graduate end of next year. Yup. Looking forward to get a part time job here as my sem is so not heavy at all. Have applied to diva and cotton on, not sure how it'll goes. My bro just emailed me today that he has helped me return my matric card to Nus' office. With that gone, I'm officially not allowed to enter any libraries or rooms with special pass required. I've gotten my degree certificate and official transcript from Nus too. They are now in the safe hands of my brother. Anyway, I'm not an Arts student anymore. After holding a record of 6 years being an Arts student (2006-2011), I am now a science student. That's because the department of psychology in Uwa is in science. Sad yet glad to have a change after so long. I have always believed that Arts is and will still always be a huge part in my life.

It's exciting to see how things just slowly fall into place. I know that above all I still have to remain faithful and trusting Him for an awesome plan in my life. So far, so good. Cell group has been going well so far. Really thank God for the people here. Everybody is welcoming, friendly, and I like it how you can be yourself as everyone around you came from where I've came from and speak like how I speak.

Grandmama seems to be adjusting reasonably well too. She hates the cold, but I know she is contended wherever He leads. To her, any house is His house. My bro misses Aussie, can't blame him. His entire family is here, but it was his choice to finish up honours in Nus. About one year ago, he was discussing this huge dilemma with me. Thank God everything worked out and he is now staying at U-town. Monkey is stressed out about school. Lectures, presentations, endless readings and crazy assignments are the things that stress her out. I guess that's part of uni life. I'm sure after a sem or 2, she'll get the hang of it (just like how everybody does who was an undergrad before). Papa and mummy are starting to apply for jobs, though their age is quite good for retirement, finding something to keep them occupied seems like a favourable thing to do. Mum always tells me that we have to start stocking up our funds too (I want to help join in too).

Oh and guess what, Fathers' Day is in September here in Perth. cool right? Think in Singapore it was like June or something?

At the end of the day, I'll just commit my life once again to Him and ya, to be grateful and excited as life starts to stabalise.

Don't go through life, GROW through it.

Holy Spirit

2011-07-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

So I woke up one day and told myself that since school has not started yet and I want to continue building on my spiritual walk with God, I thought perhaps the best way is to take up a Christian book to read. The book I chose was by Benny Hinn and I must say that so far, it has been teaching me a lot about the holy spirit. His life has been a great encouragement to me. Even though he may be going through difficult times, he never ever quitted on God. Think that's what I admire about Benny the most. That his fire and passion is so strong that nothing can stop it. So why I've decided to blog today was because I kind wrote a song or rather, a poem(if you like)about what I has learnt from the book and also what God was to teach me about. Here goes....

Yes, sometimes we can't feel Him
We think that He is just"my own thinking"
We even thought that He is a force
That He is not a person with emotions

But my prayer is that one day
You'll see how real He is
As a friend, a lover, a person
Who cares for you more than anyone else
In the world

He loves you, He lives in you
He wants to be with you forever
Let Him speak, let Him come in
Let Him tell you "you are so beautiful"
You need to know Him
Trust me, He is our protector, our guider
Our comforter
And He longs for you to say "you are so beautiful" back to Him

Come and open up your entire being
Come and see just how and what He can do
In your life now and forevermore
He really wants to be with you

He loves you, He lives in you
He wants to be with you forever
So let Him speak, let Him come in
Let Him tell you "you are so beautiful"
You need to know Him
Trust me, He is our protector, our guider
Our comforter
And He longs for you to say "you are so beautiful" back to Him

Believe in Him
Believe in HIm
Believe in Him......Holy Spirit

I thank you for giving monkey a place I'm UWA. It's so exciting!

You are in control above it all

2011-07-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

Only You know what's best for me. And honestly, all that I can do right now is to trust You, to believe in You that there is an awesomely good reason why You chose to bring me here. Lead me to where You want me to be. Where You think is best for me, where Your purpose and plan can be fulfilled. I'll be so lost without You. I am so thankful and grateful that You're here with me, going through this with me.I've heard so many news about so many people, people whom I love. And I feel so lost after hearing about them. I want so much to be there to comfort them, just to be with them. But then I thought of You, and I remember that You are always and have always been there for them. And that comforts me, knowing that You are probably the best person who can comfort them, who can counsel them, who can love them so much more than I can. So I'm letting them go to You. Suddenly I love email and FB where I can stay in touch with them.

Life here in Aussie after 3 weeks!

2011-06-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm not going to tell you about the weather or the pretty sights here in australia since most of you have probably heard them in general already. I'm going to give a more in depth(day to day living) here in perth to let you darls know how it feels like :-) basically it's like a compare and contrast between s'pore n aussie.
First of all, people in perth and australia in general drive in the exact same system as s'pore. The driver is on the right. But, here in perth, they love to use round abouts instead of traffic lights. Normal roads are generally about 2 lanes. Oh, and they don't call it expressway, they call it the freeway. Remember, here in aus, highway is not equals to expressway. It's freeway instead. The traffic crossing buttons are exactly the same as s'pore. Big, round metal buttons with an arrow, but the traffic lights are similar to malaysia's designs. Their number plates are like a number, followed by 3 alphabets, a dot, n then 3 numbers. Eg. 1DGJ.323. Their local model is called Holden. But they do have toyota n bmw etc. The food here are definitely more expensive in aussie. If you go to the food centres, a plate of rice is about $9. Ya. Oh, but the supermarkets do have cheap stuffs! For eg., you can get 3-4 packets of biscuits(like oreos or tim tam) for $5 n orange juice for about $1.50. My family in particular loves to get the 3 for $10 pizzas! Haha. Anyway, the trains n buses are quite good. And in my opinion, perth is not that a quiet, boring place. It's quite happening too. In town, you do get to see a lot of people. And during peak hour(around 6pm), the trains and buses do get very crowded. You might even have to stand on the train(like mrt kind of train. Exactly the same in s'pore. Okay, maybe s'pore is still more crowded). Oh yes, in town, you can find bubble tea for about $3.50. Yes, even koi is cheaper. Hey, but look on the bright side, they have free upsize on mon n $2 on wed. Not so bad right. I've tried a bubble tea called eternal love milk tea! Cool names they got there:-) anyway, they use $2 coins here, not notes. Their notes starts from $5, then $10, $20(which s'pore does not have), $50 etc. In winter, the sun rises about the same time as s'pore, but it sets super early. By 6pm, it's like 9pm in s'pore, so so dark. The tv channels are quite good, ya, no chinese or korean drama, but they have sitcoms like big bang theory every wed night :-) oh and hi-5, hmm man vs wild etc. Whenever people get off the bus, they'll shout thank you to the bus driver, so nice right?! People in aussie here love to greet others by this phrase, hello, how are you? Haha. And of course you'll have to reply hey, i'm fine thank you. Yup. That's kind of how people are here. My neighbour is a lovely family from south africa. They have only 1 daughter. The estate that i lived in are mainly british migrants. Trust me, they are very nice people to me. Sometimes, on the streets, when they see me walking, they'll shout ni hao. Haha. Usually i just say hey back. My mum thinks that they are making fun of me, but i honestly do not think so. And yes, i love the sea. As always, it's so beautiful. In perth, i've seen so many rainbows! Think more than 5 times already. Winter is usually more rainy. But today is sunny:-) yay. Just to let you know. My parents are in s'pore at this very moment. Handing the house over to our new owner.They'll probably be back first week of july. I'm still abit scared to drive in aus as i'm not very familiar with the roads. So all in all, i'm doing good. Yes, so far i've attended a church service in a nearby church near my area. But i still would like to visit fcc(faith community church which is down south perth. I live in the north). Probably can only do that once my parents return. Guess i'll end here. Anyway, about my plan in life, i'm hoping to get into honours psych this aug. Closing date of application is 25th july. My parents in s'pore will help me collect my transcript from nus then i can apply. Yup. I miss everyone in s'pore. Love ya. Will update soon.

1st post in aussie: I really miss the internet :-(

2011-06-23T19:54:00.001-07:00

Everything's going great here in Aussie. Yes, jiayee's doing fine, and she really wish to update all her friends back at s'pore about life here. She thinks about them everyday. But, the only problem that she faces is that the internet connection in her home is not up due to some complications with the system. Jiayee wishes telstra(the singtel of aussie) will fix this soon.

Lifetime

2011-05-31T04:21:00.000-07:00

SINGAPORE 22 Feb 1989 - 31 May 2011
AUSTRALIA 1 June 2011 -

I'll tell you everyday that I love you...

2011-05-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Today my cell group threw an awesome farewell party for both monkey and I. They were so sweet! Everyone (except monkey and I ) brought some food and trust me, their cooking were fantastic. Every moment was spent with laughter, fun and smiles. The games by wei jian were so FUNNY! I've never laughed so much in my entire life! haha. Really had a super duper fun time. Then came the sad part. Everyone of them said their farewell speech to me. The moment yong chean started, I already wanted to cry. (And sheng kept taking unglam photos of us!). But I kept on holding back my tears, until Grace's turn. I couldn't take it anymore and just started crying....it didn't stop until after everyone prayed for us. I really can't hold back anymore...it is so painful to say goodbye. I couldn't even look them in the eyes as I'll start crying like mad! This is really my most painful experience that I've ever gone through so far. Gave everyone my farewell letters, think I'm able to express myself better in words rather than speech. It's like a bitter sweet moment. All of them were sad that we are leaving, but yet happy and excited for us as well. All of us in the room believed that God has a perfect plan for us and like what michelle said, to claim Jeremiah 29:11 even as we fly to Australia. After all the crying and flooding, we played games again, but only for a short while as the function had to be closed at 10pm. Sheng was so sweet to drive us out to clementi station. Took 99 back with grace, and she was so kind to walk us back to our block.

All I can do is to let go. To let my cell group go to God. Both my teens, my cell brothers, cell sisters and cell leaders (Michelle, Jo, Yik Chun, Peyrou and Eunice). How I wish tonight could last forever, BUT OF COURSE THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE. You darls always say that I'm nice, but I've never ever saw that in myself. I'm nice because you guys are also so super nice to me. Really felt so blessed today. My cell group really make out a huge part of my life.

To my teens darlings, thanks so so much for the awesome lunch picnic at vivo sky garden yesterday. Like what I've always say, I love every moment spent with you all. You darls have brought so much joy into my life and I have to say that my spiritual walk has grown a lot too due to you all. I know that yesterday, some of you did feel a little sad, but you all wanted to make me happy, to end it with happy moments instead of sad moments. I love every single one of you. You darls are my joy when I come to church every week and I really thank God for all of you. Continue to grow closer to Sam, and continue to draw closer to God.

To my cell group, thanks so much for tonight. You darls mean the world to me. And I will miss you all so so very much. All of you have been a great blessing to me, and honestly, I looked forward coming to cell every friday, coz I really wish to see all of you. You darls had also brought a lot of joy into my life. Continue growing strong in the Lord. Thanks so much for tonight, every moment was unforgettable.

How I wish I can take you all with me to Australia, but I know that that would be very selfish of me. Every time I think about Singapore, I'll think of you guys.

Thank God for all of you, and I'll never stop saying this...

I LOVE YOU

Muar Retreat 20-22May + Dinner with neighbour

2011-05-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

Yup as the heading says, I was at Muar, Johor from 20th to 22nd May. It was an awesome get away with God and cell group. As some of you may know, this was the trip that I really wanted to go. I know monkey wasn't as excited as I was, but ya, she came along in the end. Let me tell you why I really wanted to go to Muar. First of all, I really wanted to have a time-out from my family. My parents had been arguing recently ( and still is), and I just felt that I really needed a break from all the noise. I've never cried so badly in a long time, and now because of this, I cried again. Secondly, I wanted to go to Muar as it is a prayer house owned by my church and I've never been to it before. The previous time when my cell grouped went to Muar, my parents objected me from going. Thus I wanted to go as this is probably my last chance to go. I kind of insisted on going, of course by asking nicely and by God's grace, He allowed me to go. And lastly, I really needed to seek God. I have so many questions in me, so many issues I needed to ask...I really needed an alone time spent with God.

We reached Muar around 1 plus in the afternoon on friday. I fell in love with the prayer house immediately. It was quiet, serene, super duper clean (like the cleanest place in Muar) and of course, the care taker Auntie Grace is the nicest grandmama I've ever known. She actually personally went out to buy back breakfast and lunch for us. That was so sweet of her. When we first got there, Auntie Grace shared with us the history of the prayer house. How the Lord preserved the place from the Japanese during WWII. Many christians came to hide there and worship there and the house is still stanidng today. That story changed my perspective of the place. That it is indeed a unique and special place.

We explored Muar on friday. After lunch, we walked for nearly an hour before reaching our so-called 'The Promise Land', a shopping centre! haha. As you know, Muar is a small town towards the end of Johor. To be able to find a shopping mall is already considered really cool. The girls and guys split upon entering. I bought a pair of shoes for about $15 sing. CHEAP man. The guys went grocery shopping, they bought a lot of snacks. On our way back to the prayer house we ta pao-ed dinner. Had KFC. We ate, bathed, and went for our night session. Thought that it was good. Michelle shared on the grey areas in christian living such as going clubbing, wearing bikini and smoking etc. God spoke to me on not doing anything that will cause a stumbling block to my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. After the session, we ate snacks, played a bit of games. I slept around 1am...

Sat 21st, woke up around 830am. Had breakfast (the one ta pao-ed by auntie Grace). Then we had our morning QT till about 11am. Then the girls and guys had a split session. For the girls, we had an informal session with Michelle and just chatted and heard her sharing about her business trip in China. I got to understand what she's been doing in her job and how tough career life can be. We ate lunch at around 12 noon. Then it was our own personal solitude time with God. I went into one of the rooms in Prayer Hall with a piece of majong paper. The entire room was empty except God and me. God lead me to the book of Hebrews and I just sat there reading the entire book of Hebrews. I had 2 agenda on my mind. First is regarding my career and calling in life. There's a part of me that wants to help children with special needs, that's why I took psychology in NUS. However, there's also a part of me that wants to work in an area that has something to do with creating christian songs in a christian music industry. My second agenda is regarding my family and the rocky relationships that we're going through right now because of some money issue. Regarding the first agenda, I told God, God if it is really your plan then bring it to me. If it is not, take it away. Just like how I've told Him regarding my family's immigration to Australia. If it is His plan for me and my family to go, then provide a way. But if it's not, then do not make the application successful. Well, all of you already know that we got our PR status in the end. After the session, I really thank God for speaking to me. He reminded me to live a life by faith, that I should trust Him and do what I have to do. And He showed me that the reason why I have to go through this tough time with my family because God is disciplining me. And He disciplines because He loves me. The rest of the day was spent playing games, went out for dinner, and another night session about the goals for our cell group.

Sunday was a round-up sharing session. We took pictures and set off for lunch and then boarded the bus at 115pm to Johor Bahru. We then took SMRT transit 170 to customs and back to S'pore.

Reached home around 530pm. Washed up and went over for an awesome dinner with our neighbour. Mrs Ang was so sweet to invite us over for dinner with her family, it was such a lovely time and I love talking to her.

Okay, my post is getting really long. Guess I'll end here.

The ending to a new beginning

2011-05-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

Finally sat for my last paper in NUS today. I remembered while entering the exam hall I was still laughing with joy as we were talking about lulu and the Noose. haha. Glad to start my last paper without any fear...in a sense. 2 hours and it's over. Went to print my papa's handbook on "Beginning a new life in Australia" and binded it for him too. Have to do it. He asked me to help him before fyling off on april 25th, today's already the 5th...really should get it done for him. Had been putting it off my mind for a while as I was busy preparing for my papers. It's over! yay, I've survived 6 crazy yet awesome semesters in NUS. Still remember the day I received the brown letter saying that I've been accepted into NUS. Was jumping up and down, think I almost cried. I knew that entering NUS was already God's grace in the first place...and He saw me through every semester. K, why am I reminiscencing the past now?...Anyway, had an awesome, sleepy, fun (as always) lunch with the powerpuff girls at vivo after our paper. I love thai food and I realised that my tolerance to spicy food is quite high. haha. Oh yes, some updates, I cut my hair! Not a drastic change, but I have fringe now....decided to get rid of that long, half covering eye, fringe. Still trying to get the hang of it. (I had long fringe for a pretty long time). Anyway, papa, mummy and monkey are coming back tomorrow night. Can't wait to see all the pictures that they've taken. Was talking to my mummy just now. The house final payment is done, we've gotten our house insurance coverage, furniture...practically almost everything. Grandmama asked me to start packing tomorrow. It's weird how I feel that my life still carry on as per normal when in actual fact there are a lot of changes happening in the background.

Well I'm just going to take 1 day at a time. Realised that it's no point counting down, it's just going to make not just myself but all the people around me upset too. Tomorrow is going to be 'spending time with shing yee day' and then cell group dinner (after exam celebration)! can't wait.

Godd night.

Goodbye car

2011-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today papa finally sold our car to his friend. It definitely is going to be weird not having the car anymore. I mean ever since I was 8 years old, my family always had a car. Let me see, from nissan to ford to masda and finally toyota. Well, guess it's time to rely solely on public transport for our final 2 months now. To the next owner of our toyota wish, do take care to it. It is an awesome car, really served us well. I'm sure you'll grow to love it. And it's the first car that I've driven after getting my licence. Think I've driven it about a total of 8 times. Not bad, thanks to papa who allowed me to get the hang of driving on 'real' roads like expressways and of course trying to improve my extremely bad parking skills. Well, that's our last car in Singapore, I guess. You know what, I'm really not thinking about anything now, just trying to get by school is crazy enough to fill my mind. I'm just going to let things come naturally, and ya, to live one day at a time. Think I might be subconsciously counting down, everyday is starting to mean a lot to me now....anyway, I have about 60 days left in Singapore, so ya...that's how short it is.

Promise to treasure everyday...thanks to all my friends....I know that I'll be able to go through this.

The Day I turn 22...the most awesome dinner ever:)

2011-02-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

Today is the day I turned 22 :) Michelle Ho Jia Yee was born on 22nd Feb 1989 at 115am! Thank you Father for creating me, for bringing me to this world to meet 3 awesome people. haha. The 3 darlings, joy skeen and rui qi fetched me from vivo city to riverboat for a perfect dinner :) It was a total surprise! Yes they didn't want to tell me where we were going. I was shocked to realise that we were at the sea. It was a restaurant on a SHIP/BOAT! yes I ate dinner on the sea! Oh goodness! Joy remembered that I fell in love with the sea ever since I was a kid. Haha must be their idea to give me this awesome treat:) After we ordered out food, we went to the so-called deck to take pictures. Had a lovely time. Dinner finally came, had a 1 for 1 special. We ordered 4 giant meals and skeen ordered her all time favourite caesar salad! haha yes, we ate a bomb! I wanted to try the earl gray tea, rui qi introduced it to me the other time and I remember that it was very nice. So decided to get that. It was such a lovely atmosphere, I love the lights and the ambience of the whole place. haha. The darlings bought cupcakes for both skeen and I :) haha sang birthday songs for both of us and we proceeded to the roof top of the jetty/port. Skeen and ruiqi were starting to get sea sick so we had to leave the ship. Went to roof top of the port and we ate our cupcakes there. The night sky was amazing! We saw orion, a beautical constellation with the 3 stars in a row. You can still see it now at this time of the year :) There were so many stars, so pretty! Then it was my favourite moment. We took pictures!!! A lot and a lot of pictures:) Did so many jump shots! haha can't wait to see all of them! There was so much laughter, joy, fun, peace...I felt like the world just stopped and we were just in our own time zone...the night sea was so so beautiful. I bet you can already tell that I have a weakness for the sea, the ocean, the blue horizon....kept saying that the sea is so beautiful. I wished it would last forever...soon it was time to go. My parents wanted me to be home early as I've been staying out late so often these few days. Before leaving, the 3 darlings presented to me a card and my present :) haha took individual pictures with each of them together with the present. It was my trademark. haha Those of you who did notice me clearly, I am a earring person. I always wear earrings to school, when I go out...anywhere:) haha. My three darlings got me this sweet flower earrings. Will definitely wear them to school :) We then surprised skeen and presented her a picture of BUTTERCUP :) haha. Yes in case you don't know, the 4 of us are called power puff girls + mojojojo. Rui qi is blossoms, skeen is buttercup, joy is bubbles and me, mojojojojo. haha though I think it's quite ironic for me to be mojojojo. Can you believe it, I was mojojojo by default, cos I wasn't there to choose that day. Anyway, we'll pass to skeen her present on mon when it is her actual birthday.

We went back to jiahao's car and when we got into the car, something crazy happened.....the car couldn't start! We accidentally left the small lights on for about 4 hours! That was when the battery was flat and the car couldn't start. Skeen and I got out of the car and quickly grab a nearby person who just parked his car for help. He was willing to help, problem is he didn't know how to...skeen and I then ran into the port building, found a policeman in the office and explained to him our situation. He was a kindest person ever. He got out to help us jump start the car using the other guy's car battery. It took awhile to transfer his car's battery to jiahao's car...but to cut the long story short, we managed to get everything back in working order again. To the owner of the toyota grey car, thank you so so so so much for lending us your car, your time, your effort and your patience. To the policeman who helped us, you really saved our lives man! Seriously, without you coming out to help us, the 4 of us will be stuck at marina till god knows when. The 4 of us really owe it all to you both.

Finally got back at nus at around 11plus pm....Rui qi darl was so kind to call her dad down to fetch skeen and I home. Got back home at around 12 midnight. Monkey showed me the bag that she got from IMM, I totally loved it!

Just finished reading the card that they gave me. Knowing that this is my last birthday in Singapore makes me want to cry. I wish I could stop time, I feel so lost, I don't know how to react everytime I think of Australia....To the 3 powrpuff girls, you 3 are very very precious to me. Still remeber the first time I met all of you, joy in fairfield, skeen in pjc, and rui qi in nus on a field trip to IMH. I will never ever forget this birthday. To rui qi and skeen, thanks so much for enduring the sea sickness on board just to have dinner with me. To joy, thanks for everything that you've prepared. I know that the 3 of you have put in a lot of effort to make this night so special for me. You know something, knowing that the 3 of you are all attached somehow makes me feel at ease...that when I leave, you'll have not only each other but you are all safe in another guy's hands. I'm so so happy that you 3 have already found that special someone. haha okay, I feel like a big sister now...anyway I am the big sister! I'm the oldest among the 4 of us. I cannot tell you how much tonight meant to me....it was so special...if I were to say thank you, think it'll last till the day I die. Thanks you for everything. We'll always be together in our hearts....no distance can ever separate us ya?

To joy, my dear darling friend since 15 years old. Thanks for always being so sweet to me. You cheer me up when I'm down. You're always with me whenever we meet up with our 4c mates. You always study with me....since year 1 sem 1, we've taken modules together every sem. I really treasure you as a dear dear friend. I know sometimes in life we can have so many questions, but sometimes it might be a better idea to just let go and let god take control and all we have to do is to follow him and see what he has in store for us :) thanks for everything.

To skeen, my dear cheery friend who never ever fails to smile:) I love you for who you are. I love talking to you. I know that deep down inside, you are a friend who is willing to go the distance for others. I've always enjoyed all the times we spent together, in darwin lecture, when we were just talking together over lunch or outings. You've always bring so much fun and joy in my life. ahahaha and I know that you want me to find a boyfriend, but we'll see how things go ya? If it is meant to be, it'll meant to be:) thanks for everything.

To rui qi, my dear sunshine friend who through time, I have come to realise that you have brought in so much warmth into my heart. I loved every moment spent with you. You always say that I am the nicest friend you've ever known...haha I am not okay. You'll be surprised, think there are people who actually thought that I am a cold person....think it's just my face....I know that you are someone whose heart is so caring, so sweet to those who are precious to you. Over time, I realised that you are actually a very generous and loving person. thanks so much for everything.

I love all 3 of you so much! I wish I can take you all with me when I go over, but that will be so selfish of me. I can't bear to do that. Will really treasure every moment we have together....

That's it for my account of my 22nd birthday celebration :) Thanks for hearing me ramble on and on....I just can't help it. Better stop writing now...before I go, Happy Birthday to Me :)

New Makeover..

2011-02-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

So here's the deal, we do up the house abit in order to fetch a higher price when we sell it. Sounds like a good plan. But there's just so much work to be done...

Today 5 men campe to our house to do a major re-paint. They arrived around 8plus in the morning(I've barely woken up) and first thing was to hack away our ceiling plastic. Yes, every single furnitutre in our house were covered with plastic sheets for protection. The entire floor was covered with newspapers. Basically my house didn't looked like a house. Papa went our with 1 guy to buy the paints...man he chose a colour that I didn't quite fancy. But ya. Anyway, once the paint had arrived, the men got to work and they painted our WHOLE house. All our ceilings, all our walls, in every room, and even our pipes in the two toilets and kitchen. Amazing ya? I thought it was cool, but our house was in a major mess. haha you could hardly walk around. The floor is covered with ceiling plastci chips and I always stepped on paint. Nonethless, like what I've learnt in teensxicte today, we must always give thanks. I thought the five men were amazing, they painted our whole house in about 11hours! I mean it was a lot of work and yet they were efficient :) Thank God for them! I didn't go for sat evening service. After having cell group with my darlings teens, I came back straight home to help my family with the cleaning up. I was surprised to see the whole house in a different colour (Ice white)! Everything was kind of cleared, just that there were still dust and chips on the floor. I quickly ate my dinner and helped mopped the floor. Oh I did wipe the chairs too:) This is indeed my first time seeing my house having such a new make-over(sort of, but not really). The living room ceiling looks so much better now.

All in all, I can only look back and thank God. Thank him for the five men, thank god for my family who worked together to clean up the house and thank God that despite the chaos in my house, I was still able to attend tenns service with my girls. Haha Anhyway, my parents are flying over to Aussie next wed, (crap they won't be here to surpport me for my driving test). Guess things are slowly starting to shape up. I'm just letting nature take it's course man. I'm sure with the Lord, everything will work out well. I'm excited yet nervous.

Well, that's all I have for today...oh yes, glad that I was able to spent time with some people this week:) meetings with friends meant a lot to me...especially in this season

The beginning of the last semester

2011-01-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

Yeah, school has started. So far it's been alright. Normal I guess, lectures as usual. It'll all soon pick up pace as we go into week 3 onwards. I must say that my modules are as interesting as ever...interesting is one thing by the way. Difficulty is the other. After looking back at almost 3 years of university life, I must say that my love for psychology has never once wavered. Which I thank God for. It reassures me that psych is what I want and what I can see myslef applying next time when I go out there to work. Many of my friends are getting a little stressed up over graduation, whether they can do honours or should they just file for graduation this semester. Well, it is a serious decision especially when you're kind of approaching the end of your tertiary education. For me, I've just filed my graduation today. Yeah, going to get a BA end of this semester. Somehow in me, I feel that it is God's plan for me to do honours in Aussie. I mean, In Aussie, psychology is so much more established and ya, all my life in NUS I've always admired people who've been on SEP. They come back with awesome stories about their time spent in Canada, UK, Korea, Germany etc. And I remember hearing them all and telling myself that is it indeed a great experience to go for SEP. Really and eye-opener. Well I guess God has been gracious to me. My honours year will be spent in Australia and I'm definitely going to treat it as my very own SEP. I want to start 2011 right, being a good student is not really what I'm aiming for. More like, wanting to treasure everything I can about NUS, friendships, FCBC and of course, the one and only Singapore. Time seems to fly pass me and I entered into 2011 without even realising it. Amazing isn't it? I know that it's going to be a year of great change, and sometimes when I think about it, it is as if my heart can barely take it. It's like exciting, yet fearful, happy, yet sad. Looking forward is something that my papa has always taught me. He told me to never regret doing anything as that's part of life. Part of growing up. I agree with him. My policy is that, whatever that your heart has set out to do, do it to the best of your ability. Why? 1) It pleases God, it's worship to Him (coz He gave you His very best) but 2) So that you know that you'll have no regrets. Whatever the outcome maybe you'll just have to accept and learn from it, take it as an experience. Don't have any regrets, coz you've already done your very best.

Not esay, but possible.

One more thing, after a while, I feel CAP or GPA doesn't really matter. I mean, not that one should heck care about it, you should definitely aim high and still work hard. But I mean, you shouldn't let it dictate how good or smart oyu are. Coz it's not accurate. I mean 4.06 is just, ya 4.06. That doesn't mean you're not a good student. I don't know, but I strongly do not believe in that. Sadly, most students in NUS do not think the likewise. Anyway, it's gettign late, I'm turning to my bed now. Take care peeps.

Countdown 2011+ Lunch at Serene's house + Hiking + Updates

2011-01-04T04:41:00.000-08:00

Guten Abend Leute. Wow, have quite a few stuff to give thanks for and also to update you about. Let's start with countdown on 31st Dec. Had an awesome day at jo's house again. Arrived at around 11am. Wir spielen X-box und Karten. We played X-box and card games, yeah, some of the girls loved monopoly deal. Wir haben Pizza gegessen. Ich finde, es ist sehr lecker. We ate pizza for lunch, had a nice time introducing the girls more to Louis. Then, it's movie time. Watched 'I am Sam' (I cried like MAD!) and Step Up 3. Not too bad. Then jo came back. Did a short thanksgiving session with everybody and off we go for dinner. It was a simple dinner at a hawker centre, soon, we set off for tct for countdown. By the time monkey and i got back home, it was already close to 2am. Very tired, feeling a little sick, but yet, I just can't help it but to thank God for a wonderful time. I'm glad that I was able to spend time with some of my darls, to cross the new year worshipping God together.

After service on 2nd Jan, the special project people procceeded to Serene's house for a lunch treat. It was my first time going to her house. It is beautiful. Everything looks so new. Ja, sehr sher neu und schön. Ate Pizza again, had a nice time chatting with Serene and her husband. Really thank God for such awesome people. Watched a bit of Harry Potter (was trying to explain to some of them the story). Reached home around 6plus...

Today 4th Jan, went on an awesome hiking trip with my darls (Izzah, Jona, Jeanna and Kester). Can you believe it? We started at Kent Ridge Park, to Hort Park, to Henderson Wave, to Mt Faber, finally to Vivo city. Took around 3hrs plus...did a lot of jump shots...talked, laughed. haha Ate luch (more like tea) at vivo and we talked and talked and talked (the topic was on KIDS!!) The thing I like about them is that we can talk about anything and everything for hours! haha went zara after that, reached home around 7pm.

All in all, I must say that I've been blessed :) Thank you Father for making the weather so beautiful for us today. It didn't rained till we've finished our hike. You have brought me so much joy and fun as I entered 2011. Tmr I'll be spending time with my awesome 3 ladies (Joy, Rui Qi and Skeen). These 3 ladies are awesome people who also always bring so so much joy to me :) Thank you for giving me so much before entering back to school. I know that it's going to be a great year this year. Just so excited to see your plans unfold. Use me, I want to be part of it.

Amazing development of my future house

2010-12-23T08:58:00.001-08:00

There you have it people. Das ist unser neues Haus. This is going to be my new house in Australia. It's not perfect yet, but it'll be soon :) Work started around late sept or early oct this year. Ich finde das Haus sehr toll! I find the house amazing. I remmeber six months ago, papa and I took a trip down to our house agent's office in perth to select the tiles, the colours, the everything. And now, I can actually see all the selections that were made falling into place. Thanks to email, we can get frequent updates and photos of our upcoming home. haha perhaps I should explain to you abit about the house. The first picture is the side view of the house. The transparent sliding door that you can see is going to be our laundary place. The washing machine and clothes rags are going to be there. Yup. I believe the windows belong to the kitchen. The bottom picture is the front view of the house. Can you see the front door? The huge hole on the left is our garage. Vater will zwei Auto haben. My father wish to have 2 cars. The huge windows on the right belongs to the master bedroom. Ya that's about it.

I can't wait to see the end product. So far it looks good. Thanks to Don Russell, everything's going according to plan. Thanks alot guys. Viel viel dank! It wouldn't be possible without you guys.

Inspiration

2010-12-21T23:28:00.000-08:00

I've heard somewhere that where your heart is, there you'll be. You can be physically here, but if your heart is not here, then I believe that it is as though you are not here at all. Cos your heart is not here, it belongs or longs for somewhere else. When people meet, they share and bonds are created, that's where hearts born and bond. Yes, I believed that our hearts are connected to many people, your family, your friends, people who are close to you. When a person leaves, his heart gets entrusted to his friends, family...and they will carry his heart for him, as an encouragement, as an inspiration, as a remembrance. Our hearts are not exactly in our bodies, it's connected to so many other people. Guess that's what keeps people connected even when they are gone...or distance away. The sad thing is that this world is not perfect, sometimes this connection is just one sided...

People fight and protect the things that are dear to them...I believe that people do fight to protect their hearts and all the connections it has. Amazing ya? I mean have you ever thought about it...like when a friend is in need, you'll want to help him or her. Even if it is just a simple prayer for that person, you'll tend to want to do it...because your heart is connected to her's. When your grandmother needs something and you're already so tired, you'll still get up to help her.....because your heart is connected to her's. And yes, there's something else that I believe in as well...if you want to do something or if you agreed to get something done, then do it to the best of your ability, wholeheartedly. Be it in helping a friend, in your studies, in organising a party, in writing an essay, finishing a tutorial....do everything with no regrets. If someone does things halfheartedly, it'll not benefit both herself and the other party.

I heard somewhere too that people fight for 2 things...one is to protect their pride, the other is to survive in the world...but ya, it kind of boils down to 1 thing, people fight to protect their hearts. But I also believe that there are people who fight to protect what they believe in. See, it is not our background or up bringing that matters, but it's our choices that makes us who we really are.

I got alot of inspiration from anime stories, they are really not all about fighting and exaggerated effects, but their stories do have meanings and learning points. Perhaps that's what I like about them. Perhaps that's why it is part of my dream to see movies with beautiful meanings being made and share to the world...

okay, it's getting late...I'll stop here.

Gute nacht.

Another day to thank God

2010-12-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you once again. Yes I know that you've seen me through every sem without fail, and you always suprise me time and time again (Guess that's what make my life interesting). I wouldn't ask for more, this is enough. Was talking to some of my friends, yes I believed that they'll give thanks to you too. I know that you're seeing them through their every sem all this while.

I really can never thank you enough :)

Retreat was a real treat!

2010-12-11T23:10:00.000-08:00

Date: 9-11th Dec
Location: Jo's house at woodlands
Theme: Hobbies

Day 1 (9th dec evening) : Went to jo's house with the rest of the babes in the evening. Arrived around 8plus. haha. The house was a peaceful, simple and the best part is that you can see the sea! You can see Johor, the causeway. We did a house dedication, watched step up 2, naruto and 3 idiots. My hobby was up first, and yes i think some of you can guess, it is watching anime that's why we watched naruto together. Just a short comedy clip, about 20mins. So much laughter, joy and fun till 4am.

Day 2 (10th dec full day): Woke up around 8plus...QT....grace's came. It was monkey's hobby next. Walking! So we all went down to woodlands waterfront and walk along the sea...or isit causeway? went to a jetty, alot of people were fishing (the water's quite dirty tho). Then...played at a so-called multi-generation playground. Felt like a kid, remember the times when I played with the kids in lakeside family daycare, always so much energy. I loved the swing! It makes os feel so free. Everytime you put in effort and strength, you go higher! Like the wind is pushing you...

act lunch at the nearby hawker centre...went grocery shopping....bought a lot of ingredients for phyliicia's cooking hobby :) went back, and it was grace's hobby. Watching movie time! Inviticus...(if I'm not wrong). Great show about Nelson Mandela, South Africa and rugby. Then, around 4pm, it's phylli's cooking hobby. We all got together to help cook a meal, which will be our dinner for the day. I really loved it. Think that's my favourite hobby. I like it how everybody helped one another, be it cutting mushrooms, washing the pots, pealing the onions, garlic, or even just taking photos of us...it was all amazing. Grace decided to use the extra minced meat to make meatballs! Yummy! Yeah, I helped her fry them.

Went to TC for campus rev, came back around 11pm...bath...and time for Vic's awesome card making lesson! Yup that's one of her hobbies. It looks complicated, but if you pay attention and try, it is not that bad at all :) Jo showd us some wedding videos and went to sleep around 2am plus...I LOVE PHYLLI's BEDTIME STORY. haha

11th dec (to me it's whole day): woke up at 7plus...left the house with all our bags at around 815am....set off for Punggol Marina Country Club. Had stomachache along the way and had to drop at buangkok to go toilet. aiyo...missed the shuttle bus so we all took taxi to the club (that was quite hard...). Finally did wakeboarding. Yeah, that's jo's hobby. You can go facebook to see some of my photos. Everyone got a shot at it and I must say that we all really did enjoy ourselves. I managed to stang halfway, but ya, still not quite there yet. FUN! Chiong to bath, and took the shuttle bus to compass point. Ate lunch and rush down to tct for teensxcite and ushering. Went for adult service and finally reached back home around 10pm plus...

So tired that i slept on the floor. haha Gor did talk to me abit, but I think I only answered him abit. Pa and monkey had to drag me to bathe...finally went to bed slightlyover midnight..

I loved every moment of the retreat. Though it was tiring, but this experience really got me to bond closer with the darlings in cell. It helped me to understand them better, what they enjoy doing, what they like, how they feel, each other's strengths and weaknesses...was debating between going for this retreat of helping out as a guide in teensidol camp. I'm glad I've chosen the former. I've always tell myself that i need to spend time with my own cell and not always with the girls...it's really a balance of the two...and of course, I need to spend time with my family now...next week papa took leave, so ya. Can spend more time with them all. Ever since after exams, it has been going out with friends...

Thanks JO and LOUIS for hosting us. Your home is beautiful. It was really awesome to have a retreat there, the both of you have been a blessing to us all :)

Das ist alles leute. Viel viel dank.

Post exams update...after a nong nong time...

2010-12-02T03:15:00.000-08:00

Gute Abend Leute: Good evening people :) haha it has been a while since I've last posted something. Well school was crazily busy, so yeah, didn't have time to just stop and think, and write something. Though I must say that I do think a lot in my free time. Ya Ich denke sehr viel, aber ich finde es ist nicht so gut (I'm not too sure if the sentence structure is correct). Trying so hard not to loose my german, especially if I cannot take german 3 next sem. Sigh, I do think a lot but I don't think it is a good thing. I mean, sometimes, the more I think about it, the more upset I become...why make life so difficult? Just trust God and move on. Think that is a much better plan.

I was just looking at the modules that I'm considering to take next semester. Schade!! So viele 'modules' kann ich nicht nehmen. So many modules that I can't take as the timing clashes...it's sad because this is my last sem to take...okay guess I just have to make do with whatever I can now. Too bad jiayee.

Ever since the exams ended, I've been having a great time, a great time hanging out with all my friends. Es ist wirklich sehr toll :) Went out on monday with the house excos, played at mines cafe for like 5 solid hours:) tue was a date with my 3 ladies, watched 500 days of summer at joy's house, played monopoly deal and ya went to drink tea at TWG:) I've fallen in love with tea again, thanks to the 3 ladies :) Wed was my movie day. HARRY POTTER is the name of the movie. haha accompanied monkey to cut hair at 10 plus, ate lunch and went to cine to meet my lovely 2 ladies. watched harry potter, waited forthr 3rd lady to come and went off to meet jo to get amanda's living life book for her mum. Today, went to meet rachel in the morning, met amanda's mummy during lunch time, went driving and yup now at home. Tmr, going shopping mit meine oma :) with my grandmama. haha. then drving again and meeting ivana for her farewell party. She's going back croatia.

Sigh, I miss my friends and it's great that i can have time to spend with them. But sometimes I wonder if I should spend more time with myself. To just pause in the midst of everything and come to terms with just me..I'm not emo, haha don't get me wrong, it's just that...I don't how to say. Naja, das ist okay. Ich glaube, manchmal ich will allein.

Anyways, it's been an awesome week! Eine tolle Woche!! Thank you everybody for making this week so fun. I love you all.

PS: counting down the days to christmas, then after that, counting down to 2011...the year where everything I ever knew is going to change...

Das ist alles für heute. Auf Wiedersehen!

Waseda Shibuya Senior High Awesome Funfair!

2010-09-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Arrived around 2 plus in the afternoon, all the activities, games, fun had already started long ago, since 930am. But yet, their energy never dies...they still smile at you, invite with the most enthusiastic way :) haha monkey and I played hmmm number 6(roku), which I believe it's a maze game. haha Had to go around trying to earn as much money $$$ as possible. haha we decided to save money and choose to go study in Iraq instead USA...it was so fun. One of the satation i/c started talking to me in Japanese, oh but I don't understand, he realised in the end and used English after that. Trust me, their English is really not bad :)Thought that all the students there were so creative...can tell that they've put in alot of effort in pulling this whole programme together. By the way, I'm so not shy la...was very high :) really enjoyed myself! We went to vote, haha of course vote for...hmmm..number 6!! haaha but wasn't lucky in the lucky draw. But it's okay. We walked around the campus after that...they really have awesome facilities. You can go to my facebook to see more pictures. We took pictures of their caligraphy, artwork and many more! Yulian joined us after that, played one more station game called Ninja Warrior! yay! It was so cool! First time that I threw a Shuriken:) no correction, I threw 4 Shurikens :) haha oh yes, saw many good-looking guys. I was telling my monkey that some sof them are just born perfect to me. So beautifual features and they're always so polite :) haha at the very end we went around taking pictures with a few of the students :) :) haha yulian, monkey and I played with the posters too! trying to pose like them.

Thanks so much Waseda Shibuya Seniour High :) yesterday was like the most fun day I ever had this year...somehow it seems so surreal! Like in fairytale land. Would love to meet all of you oneday...If God will provide a way...hahaa. Wish I could understand Japanese, wish I could speak Japanese too.

ありがとうございます!

Have a great semester ahead!

がんばって

German Post attempt 1

2010-08-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hallo alles! Wie geht's?
Ich habe viele Hausaufgaben und keine Zeit schlafen ;( Warum? Weil bin ich an der Universitat NUS. Das ist spass, aber jeden Tag die Lehrer und Lehrerin unterreicht viel schnell. Jetzt bin ich in dritten Jahr und studiere Psychologie :) und dir? Was studierst du?

Okay, meinen Freuden sind Freundlich...jeden Tag sind wir zusammen ins Kantine essen. .......
Abendessens esse ich zu Haus.

Okay, das ist alles fur Heute!
Tschuss!!

Why isit always like that!

2010-08-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Father why isit always like that? Everytime I try to put you first in my life...but there will always be 1 obstacle, my parents! They will see me as being influenced by my friends...socialising so much outside home and always come home late! Why!? Even when I tell them that I want to reach out to a friend....my mum will ask me to stop it and just care for myself. You told me that as long as I have faith, all things are possible....I want to believe...I want to put my trust in You, but then why do I still find it so hard? Why do we always end up over heated conversations when I tell them I'll be late cos I have church...prayer meetings....meeting up a friend in need? It's not like I come home everyday...and to them if I come home after 10pm is late...:(

Yes, I wish that they are believers....that'll be so much eaiser....but I know that this is not His plan for me....they just don't see that way You see....I know that if I ask You, You would approve....but You gave me earthly parents and you told me to love them...to honour them....

Help me to believe in You...no matter how hard it is...help me to keep walking....keep going on...there are other people who are in a more challenging situation as compared to me....

K JIAYEE....just stop complaining now....

FAITH + LOVE

2010-08-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that "Faith makes all things possible....Love makes all things easy." I thought that this is totally true...Faith isn't faith until it is all that you're holding onto...but it is because you still choose to hold on to it, you still choose to believe in it...that gives u a ray of hope that it is possible. Thus faith makes all things possible, even though you can't see it, but as long you can feel it, as long as you can see it in your heart...that makes it possible.

Faith is believeing in things when common sense says not to. It is the knowledge of the heart, not of the brain....

Even if your brain says it is stupid, it is so hard...people will think that you're crazy...you're not going to make it....but if your heart choose to disregard all these and instead choose to hold onto faith, then you will see the opposite of all these comments.

But I feel it is that it is important that faith is accompanied by love. You need to love others and not just get too caught up with what you want to attain. Beacuse the things that we want to attain will afect people...don't be too caught up with your own targets....but see people as humans with feelings, with hearts....with pains, joy, anger etc...People are not mere objects...don't let your faith just be things to attain...to achieve...goals....but do achieve them with a heart of love...

That's why faith and love need to go together. That's when you can fufill and experience your purpose. That's when you'll see His dreams, your dreams for Him, and yet to still be a blessing to the people around you.

6 weeks of FAITH + LOVE...soon it will be a lifestyle...I this want to be my lifestyle.

Thank you so much AP!

2010-07-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Today was my last day at AP. Spent about 2 months there. It had been as awesome experience, really learnt alot from the therapists. haha had like a mini celebration with the children. Ate pizza hut...blew balloons...played wii. It was fun, but the sad part is that I'll miss all of them. They are so special, so innocent, ya afterall they're God's creation and I know He loves them alot.

Gave each of them a farewell present, a cereal box...gave out my appreaciation letters to the therapists...that's about it. 2 months just fly like that. I must say that my interest in this area of Psychology has increased. I've always loved working with children, just never considered dealing with children with special needs until now. I just want to be a blessing to them and to help them understand our world better.

Thank you so much for making this school holidays of mine so meaningful...I will miss you all but I know that you all are in good hands...continue to grow big and strong...

PS: I gave my first kiss away today...to a 2 year old boy. HAHA anyway he did kiss me back too!

Goodbye to Michelle...5 months till we meet again my dear sister

2010-07-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Okay let me tell you about my day.

Woke up at 1030am....took a shower...ate breakfast....did QT...last min studying for my Basic Driving Evaluation...left the house at 115pm...went to BBDC...passed the test...went to meet Zah at West Coast Market at 330pm...ate lunch...bought bubble tea...went back to her condo and chill at her clubhouse...talk like mad...2 young japanese boys playing cards opposite our table...saw a really cute baby...the shy boy...the friendly mother...took her condo shuttle bus to clementi at 705pm...went to changi airport...

Yup today was the day michelle left for Australia...Newcastle. She's going there to complete her final year of university. I am happy for her, knowing and trusting that it is God's plan. I believe that michelle will settle down well and have an awesome time in Aussie. I want to thank God for her lovely parents..her mom...she's really blessed with a fantastic family(just like me :)). Yup she went in at about 1015pm...it was painful for her...gave her a last hug...and ya..she went off.

She should be sleeping on her plane now...take care michelle...all the best for your studies...we'll meet again this november...our heavenly Father is going with you, so don't worry.

God bless and I love ya :)

Goodbye Gerald...

2010-07-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

IZZAH JONA JEANNA ZOE GERALD

These 5 names...since 17 years old I've known them. Being in house exco...being OGLs....being always there for one another....5 people who went through thick and thin with me. Today, we said goodbye to one. Gerald left us for Australia today at 1135pm. Jona, Izzah and I went to Tampines to finish up the scrapbook for him in the afternoon. Somehow I've never imagined this day would come where we would see 1 of us leave...yup gerald is going to do his degree in Melbourne....three years is quite a long time. As the clock ticked closer and closer to evening...I can't believed that I was actually a little excited....excited yet upset...

When we finally saw him in T3...somehow all of us were filled with smiles again...smiles for 1 last time before saying goodbye. So many of his friends came to say their final farewell too...gerald you're really lucky that you have so many people who cares for you...especially Izzah. Everything went quite okay...gerald was full of smiles as usual...saying last minute goodbyes to everybody...zah got a little emotional after a while...when it was around 1040pm...he had to walk into the departure gate...didn't feel like crying then...he hugged everybody 1 last time...then as he walked through the custom etc...that was when I wanted to cry...I wanted to cry as I know that we will be seeing him lesser from today onwards...for me...I know that gerald is coming back to Singapore oneday....but I won't...I'll go there forever and will not get to spend so much time with these 5 people anymore...

All the arguements we had when plainning the amazing race back in 2007....all the laughter we had in school...going to school together in the morning...attending meetings together....sports day.....having to work with Student Counsil sometimes....being orientation group leaders together...seeing each other through NS...Uni...all these memories will be kept deep down in my heart...still remember that there was a time when I was actually angry with gerald...waaa...that was so long ago...it was due to having different views about the amazing race planning...the 6 of us kind of gotten into a disagreement over it...but the most beautiful thing was that we still went out for dinner after that...we still love each other for who we are....and the amazing race turned out to be a huge success :) Guess this is life...people come and go...nothing is permanent...but I don't want to let time fly like that..I want to treasure every moment with everybody who are dear to me...we'll see him again end of this year...yup.

Goodbye gerald...you've only left us for awhile...we'll meet up again...take good good care in australia...we'll be at the extreme ends of aussie next year...do still keep in touch with your family...esp with Izzah...she'll miss you like crazy...all the best in your studies...settle down well in your new school, new home and make new friends. The 5 of us back in Singapore will miss you alot....thanks for always bringing so much joy to us...

2006-2007 The 6 friends were in PJC
2008-2009 Gerald/Jona - NS
2008- Jeanna/Zoe/Zah/JY - NUS

2010

GERALD LEONG - Monash(Melbourne)

JONA - NUS(Engin)
IZZAH - NUS (Arts)
JEANNA - NUS (SDE)
ZOE - NUS( Science)
JIAYEE- NUS (Arts)

My Winter Sonata At Perth

2010-06-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, just gotten back from Perth Australia yesterday with my dad, so I'm here to post our happenings and updates about our house. It was just a father-daughter trip( first time travelling overseas just with my dad) And yes, It was my first time experiencing winter in Aussie, but I must say that the weather is beautiful and it really wasn't very cold, except at night. Temperature rages about 17-23 degrees. The amount of daylight is alot lesser as compared to during the summer. The sun will only fully rise at about 8am and it sets at about 530pm. By 6pm the sky is completely dark, as dark as 9pm in Singapore. Yup, the people there majority wore winter clothing esp when walking around the streets. So here's how the 6 days has been for both my dad and I.

DAY 1 - Left our house at 630am, took a cab to terminal 1. Flew off to australia at 905am. Touched down at 210pm at Perth International Airport. Took a shuttle bus from airport ro our hotel. By the time we got there, it was already 4 plus in the afternoon. Shops usually closed by 6pm, so papa and I quickly checked in and went out to buy some food in the nearby supermarket. By 5 plus, the sun was already setting, we didn't walk around much...just went back to hotel. Watched world cup on the TV, think it was south korea and somebody...haha. Went to bed around 11 plus pm.

DAY 2 - woke up at 9am. Ate breakfast and we set off to find our land and the area where our future house is gonna be. Took a train from perth city to clarkson, the ride is about half an hour. From clarkson, took a bus to Butler. Butler is a suburb north of perth city. And yes, we walk like crazy to find our land, eastwall parkway! I thought it was near the ocean, it was, but not that near where you can see it. It is quite a distance still. After that we walked to Brighton estate, beautiful park. I love the pond, the garden, the people. Ate our lunch at 3 plus pm. It was an awesome lunch at an awesome restaurant. Haha took the bus back to clarkson station at about 530pm. (While waiting for the bus, I fed the ducks in the pond...hehe). Reached back perth city at about 7plus pm. If I'm not wrong, we went to buy some food from woolsworth. That's it, our day kind of end like that, of course we went back to watch world cup. Went to bed at 1am.

DAY 3 - woke up close to 10am. haha set off to glendalough station. We went there as we had an appointment with our house agent, Don Russell. Spent about 3 hours plus there choosing our tiles, house colour, bathroom, carpets, garage etc. So many choices, so many selections, but it was very fun. All thanks to Jan who made the process so meaningful and fun for us. She offered alot of advise, and yes she herself is awesome too. We broke their record for choosing everything in 3 hours plus. Most people need about 6-7 hours. We went back to perth city and went shopping, bought plenty of food stuff. That's it for day 3.

DAY 4 - haha same as usual, woke up to close 10am. Took a walk to swan bell. Papa saw the cruise promo and thought of trying out the river cruise down sream and up stream as well. so we hopped on the ferry at 12 noon. Bought a few sandwiches and orange juice before getting on. The cruise is lovely. The captain told alot of stories about the history of certian buildings along the swan river ( I like esp the contravercies). We headed down river towards Frementle first. Couldn't go more than that there after as we would hit Indian Ocean, so we went back and headed up river. The waters up stream is alot calmer. And there was a crazily rich Singaporean who bought a huge mansion along the swan river! By the time the river cruise ended, it was 430pm. I was gald we decided to take the cruise as that day was a little rainy, it would have been difiicult to walk. Went to eat dinner at 5 plus pm at hay street shopping district. I ate thai mee goreng, yummy. Day 4 was alot colder than the other days, guess it was because it was raining the whole day. We went back to hotel to change to thicker clothing after dinner and set off again to shop for food! Came back about 8 plus pm, watched world cup and yeah, went to zzzzz.

DAY 5 - Went to UWA today. There were having exams, saw alot of students studying around campus. I went to the administration office to enquire about the application for monkey and myself for wanting to do honours there next year. Took a few picutres. Then, we set off to Kings Park, the biggest park in Perth. We walked like crazy. Went to Synergy Park first, then to the Botanical Gardens. Took many pretty pictures and we walk and walk and walk. I love the view on Mt Eliza where we could see the Perth Skyscrapers and the Sea! There were alot of people at the park, relaxing, cycling, picnic etc. It really is a very beautiful park. I kind of knew that this is our last day to really explore Perth before heading back, so we walked alot. From UWA, we walked throught Kings Park and all the way back to Perth city. It took us around 3 hours. But it was worth it. Papa decided to reward ourselves and thus went we went to eat KFC.

DAY 6 - woke up at 830am. The sun has just risen(yeah i slept beside the window in our hotel). Papa wasn't in, he went out to walk i think. I went to wash up and ya did some packing. Papa came back, we ate breakfast and checked out our hotel at 10am. Went to put our baggage down at the lobby and yup went to walk around the park that's near our hotel. We couldn't walk much. Went to buy orange juice, and went back to wait for our shuttle bus to fetch us back to the international airport. Our flight took off at 340pm. Touched down at Singapore at 9pm. It was quite a rough flight back to Singapore. Somebody threw up in the toilet and the cabin crew made an announcement if there's any doctors on board as someone had heart troubles. I was a little afraid when the plane took off as I could smell leaking fuel, or was it gas. But nothing happened, so okay.

I chatted with the woman beside me on our way back. She was from Perth, but came to live in Singapore in the 1960s ( boy, she really saw Singapore change!). Yeah, she was saying how much she loved Singapore and ya, she didn't really like Australia. I was thinking, man I'm like the complete opposite from her! Her son is an Architecture, he is one of the designers of our circle line.

All in all, I really did enjoy myself, and I'm sure my papa did too. Australia has always been so hospitable to us. This trip wasn't meant to be a holiday, we had a mission to accomplish. But somehow, I did enjoy myself. Oh man, think I've put on some weight, their food portions are huge! haha but yes we walked alot too. And the weather is beautiful! So yup that's all from me.

That's all for my winter sonata in Perth!

Thanksgiving!

2010-06-06T08:08:00.001-07:00

Afterall that has happened, all I can say is to look back and just give thanks to God.
God deserves all praise and honour and glory...I know that He is doing something great and big in our midst.
Thank you Father!

Jia Yee...the girl who thinks alot...

2010-05-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody....sorry, I turn to my blog as recently there's just so many things going through my head. Yes, my father in heaven understands, but I thought it would be better too if I write them down here and just try to express my thoughts and feelings out. Hopfully I'll feel better there after. Sigh, exams are over, but yet, it did not end it the way I've wanted it...One of my friend had a brain tumour...went throught 3 operations...I've visited her twice in the hospital. So far, I heard that she's recovering well. Really thank God for the miracle that He's shown towards her and her family.

I've (as usual) started thinking about Australia again...yeah...papa and mummy are in the middle of getting the house design plan out...the rooms....the kitchen....the tiles...the outside....so many opinions, so many visits to our property agent. Everytime they come back, there'll be new plans, updates....things are slowly taking shape. I've emailed UWA regarding my postgraduate studies after my thrid year...still waiting for them to reply...have been praying about it.

Papa and I will take a short trip down to Perth next month to check out our house area (Brighton, Butler). We're suppose to take a look around the area, the shopping malls, the buses, the neighbourhood etc. Papa wants me to stop by UWA to enquire more about monkey's application next year....I'm eyeing on a particular church already...first time experiencing winter in Australia...

Trying to understand other people's pain, emotions... life...etc...Heard another news about one of my darlings' mum....All I can do is pray and believe God in everything, that He is in control...

Hoping to spend my vacation volunteering in an Autistic Agency called Autism Partnership....really want to gain more experience working with children...also to spend a meaningful summer holiday...

Jo's wedding! Awesome and exciting, so looking forward to the big day! Want to help up (esp my given task) to the best of my ability to make this day an extra special one for Jo and Louis!

Mummy wants me to learn driving....should I...I understand her point of view...I can't always depend on my papa, he's getting older, and no one else could drive...isit it high time that one of us learn too?

I've also been thinking alot lately about how I think, my thoughts about life, people, the way I make decisions, the way I allow my emotions to take over me...why do I think like that...why do I feel like that? I've always been a people's person, but I've never realised it to such an extent until recently...Am I getting too caught up with emotions in general...my mummy always says that I cannot allow myself to be consumed by my own emotions, especially if I want to help others...if I'm too caught up with my emotions then it'll be a loose-loose situation....

Jia Yee has changed throughout the years....I used to be a rather quiet girl....isit? But now I'm more open....isit? Why am I feeling this way...why am I thinking of so many things, I know that all I can do is to surrender everything to God, I know that He is in control, He knows best, He understands best...He sees the situations better than I do...but why do I keep thinking about them...

I asked my papa the same question..."Papa, do you think that I think alot?".....His answer was "Yes, sometimes..."....I believe that he understands what I'm going through...but not totally I guess....only my Heavenly father knows....it's hard to talk about everything to a particular person...that's why I talk to God...but then why do I still feel of bottled up with emotions? It's like, for this situation, I should feel happy....yet for another situation I should feel worried and concern...and yet another situaiotn I should feel upset...

Okay Ho Jia Yee...stop it....you know that you have to surrender everything to God...if you don't, then it's going to be hard for God to use you, you'll just be too caught up with yourself...your conscious....Father I'm sorry that I feel think way...You understand me better than I myself do...I don't know why I'm going through all these...but I know that You are sovereign at all times...thank you for everything, for Your comfort, for Your strength...I pray that You'll bless all the people around me whom You love, whom I love too Father...protect them, heal their pain, bless them, overflow their cup, bring people to them who will love them and be an encouragement to them.

Amen

Sorry for rambling so much...I'll stop this right here.

MY DREAMS for GOD!

2010-04-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday during cell, we talked about our dreams, what is it that we want to achieve...
I was nervous, haha that's because I've always been so shy to tell others what I my aspirations are. But today, as I was preparing cell for my darlings girls tomorrow, I bummed into this website written by a woman who is strong in faith, and she was talking about dreaming for God. She said that we should always write down our dreams, be specific, thank god for them everyday, pray about them and believe that they will come to pass.
Yup so I'm going to do this now...I'm going to write them down....Thank you so much God for teaching me how to trust in you, how to grow in you, how to believe in you...

I have 3 dreams, I realised that they are really alot. haha

1st - Some of you know that I'm currently majoring in Psychology in university, yes, I love people and I've always loved to help people. I want to understand them, to help them, to bless them, to encourage them. My heart goes out particularly to children, those little children who come from broken homes, disadvantaged homes...I believe that they need a touch from God and I want to be that vessel that will bring them to God. So yes, I want to be involved in a children's centre, a children's home, an organisation or something like that to bring hope to them, to let them know that there is a hope...that they can still achieve their fullest potential that God has for them...I want to change poeple's lives...

2nd - haha think some of you know about this too.....I love music! This dream came to me recently, and that is I want to touch others with music....with songs that speak of God's faithfulness, of the hope that we have...that the world is so broken without God, that things of the world can't satisfy us. One singer whom I really admire is Britt Nicole :) Her songs really build me up in my down moments and yes I believe that God has used her songs to touch others. But the thing is I'm not a good songwriter, I mean I've never written a song before. I want to grow in this area though...I want to bring songs, words that are from God to minister to people. And yes, I'm not sure if I'm a good singer too. haha (I worry too much!) I mean I was from choir for my first 3 months in JC (like Senior High) but, I quit after that as I realised that I didn't like that kind of singing. Recently I've been looking into christians bands and singers in Western Australia (Perth)...yes I believe God is using Australia to reach out to the masses! Haha think some of you already know, Perth is going to be my future home. My prayer is that God will use my in Perth to reach out to His people there with songs.

3rd - Last aspiration. Some of you know that I've taken a couple of theatre modules in NUS too. Want to know why? Coz one of my dream is to touch people through movies. For me, I didn't like how the movies/entertainment industry has turned into a world full of hurts, things/scenes that displeases the Lord etc...I've always want to do movies that will spread God's love, that will touch lives through the stories...I want people to walk out of the cinema changed, in their hearts, spirit, way of looking at life etc...
Why reach out through movies? Cos everybody love to watch movies! That's how you can reach out to the masses. That's how to can touch poeple on a large scale.

Are these dreams impossible? NO! I'm learning to trust God, to believe that they will come true. How? I don't know. But I'm willing to learn. Father, plan this path out for me. You will be my director, You will be my guide, my teacher. And Father, should I ever loose sight of doing your will, pull me back. You taught me to dream big, I want to dream big for You...I know that Your heart is for the lost out there....I want to have the same heart as Yours.

Thank You for always moulding me. Thank You for finding me, for Your love, faithfulness, Your promises...Help me to be more and more like You, each day.
Amen.

You can Walk on the water too

2010-04-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Are we going to play safe.....again?
Yes, it is always nice to be in our own comfort zones...but...

Am I going to hold back what He wanted me to do?
So often I tell myself that it is better to loose my pride than to loose that chance to bring someone closer to Him.
So what am I waiting for? Why isit so hard to talk about this issue to people?
Take that first step. You know that it is always He who is in control, so why are you still holding back?

I tell myself that I want to love the world just like the way He has loved me. He loves the world, and if I say that I love Him, then that means I must love what He has created which is the world.

I don't want to follow the world. The world says that I'm not good enough, I'll say 'no'. He is with me and I can do all things in Him.

I want to love people....teach me how to love people. Every individual is created by You.
You love him, her, he, she, they....You love them, so I want to love them too. Every individual is so precious to You, so I must treasure people...coz they are from You. You think of them everyday.....You want to fellowship with them everyday...so I want to do that too...

You didn't give up on me, so I don't want to give up too.

I don't want to let my insercuritues alter me. I don't to always think about ME. I don't want to be afraid to stand out, even if the whole world laughs at me, I know that He won't laugh at me. Even if the whole world does not believe me, I know that He believes in me. Even if nobody will do it, I want to be the one who stills hold on and do it. Even if it is very difficult, I don't want to give up.

I know that I am made for more.
So what am I waiting for?
Don't be afraid....

Faith is all it takes to walk on water....Your faith is all it takes for you to walk on water.....too.

The Wanting to Build People up...

2010-03-07T00:44:00.000-08:00

This post goes out to 3 special people. These 3 are my close friends whom I really treasure alot. Throughout this week, these 3 people had shared with me part of their lives, their struggles, their worries and concerns....You know I went back home and ask myself....Jia Yee, is there anyway that you can do to build these 3 precious ppl up, is there anything that you can do to encourage them, to tell them not to give up...to press on...It's been hard to tell them face to face, somehow my thoughts and words are just not organised...so if anyone of you 3 are reading this post, these are my words to you...

To person 1- understand that this week has been a crazy one for you. Alot of datelines are coming up and I know that the workload just keeps piling. Rmb when you shared with me that even though you feel like you've put in so much effort, somehow the results just doesn't show. Understand that sometimes we just don't see the results and we feel like quiting, feel like giving up. My encouragement to you is to hang in there. I know that it can be tiring, n sometimes things just get so tough and pointless, but you know what, I believe that oneday your effort will pay off. God is not so mean to make you work like crazy and yet doesn't reward you. I'm sure that if you keep trying, keep believing, you'll soon see the meaning of doing them all. It is through these difficult times that we grow, that we become discipline, that we become stronger....

To person 2 - I thank god that i get to understand you more after this week. You shared with me about how you feel that your dream to be a doctor is destroyed after entering into fass. My encouragement to you is that God has a perfect plan for you. Yes there will always be things that we will never get to understand, that we don't get to see the reason why all these things are happening, but you know what, my encouragement to you is not to give up believing that there is something out there for you to discover. Maybe god didn't want to you to become a doctor cos it'll be too much for what you can handle, maybe he wants to protect you from something that you may not be able to see it now. God broke my pride when i didn't get to see my name up there on the screen, scoring AABB for A levels. And i thank god for doing that, if not, i'll become arrogant, if not, my heart will harden. But you know what, he didn't short change me, he still brought me to where i wanted...I'm sure he's doing a similar work in your life too. He may hv broken your heart to mould you in something better. But he will never short change you...that's what i believe, you may not be able to see it now, but im sure oneday you'll understand...My prayer is that you'll find your place in fass, you'll find meaning and purpose in what you're doing soon. Maybe this is the best for you. Keep holding on.

To person 3- First and foremost, i want to thank god for you. Everythime i talk to you, i get to understand you a little better. Life is not just about getting into a university, it is so much more than that. Yes, getting into a uni is important, but it is not everything. I know of people who didn't make it into uni but are doing well in life now. Understand that sometimes life seems unfair and that there are so many things that happen that we don't understand. The more we think about it, the more confuse we become, the more frustrated we become. That's why i choose not to think so much, but to treasure what i have, what i can do at this moment and to pick myself up again to see what's the next best option in my life. I pray that your mom will come to understand you better, to understand her son's heart, emotions, thoughts...understand that being a teacher may not be what you want...i hope that god will provide you an opportunity for you to talk to your mom, to share with her how you really feel deep down inside....and yes, sometimes we feel that our position in life is so limited, so constraint and we don't have the resources to venture out into another world to persue what we want. i totally understand that, but you know what, my encouragement to you is to not give up believeing in what you can do in singapore. Don't let all these pull you down, try to see a positive light somewhere, try to see things in another perspective, and I'm sure oneday you'll find something where you'll find joy, meaning and purpose in doing it. Take time to find what you like that is reasonable and worth persuing. Yes not everybody end up doing what they like, but my encouragement to you is to take a chance no matter what. Choose to give yourself that chance, you'll never know until you try....yup i do hope too that we'll still remain in contact 10 years from now...if my blog is an inspiration to you, then i will never stop blogging, i will try to encourage you with my life....it's not perfect, but if it can shine a light in your heart that can cause you to see things in a different way, then i will continue blogging for you...life is so much more beautiful if we choose to see the brighter side of the grass instead of always focusing on the darker side...i believe that what ever you're going through now, they'll make you a stronger person, they'll make you into a better person...hang on...don't give up in yourself...don't ever give in to that thought...

Thanksgiving time!

2010-01-24T08:15:00.001-08:00

Praise God! I'm finally going to be baptised! My parents finally approved. It's going to be a new beginning!

PERTH Western Australia (6th-11th Jan)

2010-01-12T02:51:00.000-08:00

Okay darlings, here's my post on our Perth Trip :)

DAY 1 - Arrived Perth International Airport at around 615am. Checked in hotel (everyone feeling tired). Ibis hotel is beautiful, I really love it! Monkey and I shared a room. We all went to snooze for a while. haha and yes, gor and I did our bidding in the hotel. In the evening we did went out abit. We went to swanbell near swan river. Again another a beautiful sight. Couldn't take pictures though as our camera was out of batt and papa forgot to take out the extras. Yup. We ate Macs for dinner.

DAY 2 - Took a bus to University of Western Australia! Still remember the bus number, 102! It wasn't a long ride, about 20mins. UWA is so cool! It look ancient, old but so pretty. The place is spacious and the architecture is just simply awesome. The place is rather quiet as they are having holidays still. Their semester will open on Feb if I'm not wrong. Yea, we wondered around and took alot of pictures :) haha monkey even took a picture of the toilet. We did see some lecturers (if I'm not wrong) walking around. Gor and I thn went in the visitors' office to ask for the prospectives of UWA (ya monkey will most prob be studying there next year). Our day kind of end like this. We took a bus back ibis hotel after that.

DAY 3 - Happening day. We took a train to Fremantle. I love the place. It's like a port and there were alot of ships and boats parked there. We had our lunch there (I ate fish n chips). I LOVE THE SEA! Oh, there were alot of seagulls there too, took many pictures of them too. By the time we went to perth city, it was already in the evening. Papa didn't want to waste the train ticket, hence, mummy, papa, monkey and I took another train to Armadale, a suburb. It was quiet and peaceful, it's like a housing estate. We went shopping for a while in Woolworths and of course ate dinner at Hanz Asian Cuisine only. Yummy, I ate laksa. We wanted to take the train back at around 745pm, but there were no more trains by that time. So we took the bus (907) all the way back to Perth city. It was a long ride, my butt was seriously aching. There were alot of people on the bus with us. haha saw a drunkard man, some bunch of youngsters ( I believe they are Americans due to their accent). We got back at about 9 plus at night. all of us were tired. Went to shower and slept like a pig....

DAY 4 - Today was search for a house day. K, we took a train and bus to this place called Joonjalup, somewhere in the north. haha it is a remote area far away from Perth city. Know why? Coz they have alot of show houses there! They are all so beautiful! The houses there are not only big...like super big...but also cheap. Papa did talk to some property agents (boy they are all so friendly and helpful) to check the price of settling down there. Joonjalup is near the sea, so ya, it is quite ex as compared to Armadale. We waited rather long for the bus to take us back to Joondalup train station. I got bored and started taking pictures of myself.. hhahaa. When we've arrived at the train station, we went shopping in the shopping centre just beside the shopping centre. Bought some stuff for my friends back in Singapore. We went back to Perth city after that. End of day 4.

DAY 5 - Again went on a train ride to another suburb called Mandurah. It's down south again (same as Fremantle and Armadale). Again beautiful place. Took alot of pretty pictures at by the jetty. There were alot of shops along the walkways, sellings necklaces, pearls, paintings etc...simply beautiful. We ate lunch there, something like a Malaysian Restaurant. Man I miss rice when I was in Perth. It was yummy. Took a bus back to Mandurah train station and all the way back to our hotel in Perth city. We went shopping at Murray Mall Street. ahah bought bags :) In the evening I went out with Papa to buy back dinner for everyone. Bought a few stuff from the sovenir stall.

DAY 6 - Not much that we could do. Ate breakfast then went to do last min shopping. Got another bag, a book and lots of earrings etc at diva! We went back to the hotel after that to wait for our shuttle bus to take us to Perth International Airport. yup

Arrived at Singapore at 905pm. Came home nearly 10pm. Super tired. Tomorrow's another day. School has already started....oh man. okay. haha all in all I love it! I love Australia. The people there are all so hospitable and kind and friendly and sweet... haha I can go on and on...I like it when you walked into a stall and they go "Hello, how are you?", I mean, almost nobdy in Singapore does that. I l oved it when they called you "Dear, sweety, love..." it's so sweet. They have been very kind to my family for the passed 1 week. Really made me realised how much Singaporeans are lacking man. anyway, that's all from me. I got to go sleep now. Tomorrow's another day.

Thank You Perth, Thank You Australia. You have been a blessing for me and my family :)

First post of 2010

2010-01-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

First of all, let me wish everyone a HAPPY & BLESSED NEW YEAR! It's finally 2010, wow can't believe it. 2009 has alot of ups and downs but I just want to thank God for always being there for me, for seeing me through. Last semester was 1 of the toughest for me, really hope that next sem (which will begin in about 1 week's time) will be alot better. Seriously, I need to manage my time properly.

Honestly, I can't wait for this year to start. I know that it is going to be exciting and there's so much to expect and to look forward to. I must be ready and strong. I know that my heavenly Father is preparing me for greater things and I want to experience them to the fullest, I believe that He has been training me up for the years ahead. Yup. Hope that I can go on an overseas mission trip. I'm sure there'll be so much to learn and experience. The last time I've been on one was like 2005(freaking long ago!)

Oh yes, I'm so counting down to 5th Jan, because that's the day my family will fly to Perth. It's my third time going to Australia(beautiful country) but my first time to Perth. Somehow flying there is a totally different feeling from all the other trips. Guess some of you darls already know the reason.

Well, Vic left for USA 2 days ago. Hope everything is going well for her. It's going to be an experience of a life time. So excited for her. 6 months is quite a long time to me.

Anyway, that's all I have for you guys today. Have a great 2010 peeps!

This week plus the most special 10-11 dec!

2009-12-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

We were watching Enchanted and Kung Fu Panda from the 'black box' when my mummy's phone rang. Everything went normal until a few seconds later my mummy screamed (abit) and came out of her room. We all stared at her. Yeah, somehow we knew that it was 'it'. The news that we have been waiting for. Well what happened after that was unexplainable. Haha. My mummy called my papa and when my brother came home we told him too.

The next few days seemed to be pretty normal though I know that this was in the back in all of our minds. Suddenly it doesn't seem like a fantasy anymore, it is real this time. On 10 dec(yesterday) we got an email, yup it was approved and it was finally officially given to us. Today morning (11th dec), I accompanied my papa to the embassy to collect it. And walla, it's done. All we have to do now is to wait for 6th Jan. The day we will make our first 'landing' to start it.

What will happen after all these I really don't know. I can't tell you yet. You will have to wait and see. I guess I just have to take 1 step at a time. But yeah, a part of ourselves now belong to that place...

You have never ever stopped showing me what You want me to see...And I don't want it to stop

2009-11-27T23:41:00.000-08:00

Yes it's exam time, but somehow I feel like my heart is not really into exams. I feel like I'm more concern with so many other issues that You had shown me. It's been a roller coaster ride and I'm still lost in thoughts. There must be a reason why...there must be something that I can do and learn from all these. I guess it's on my part to still trust You and to follow whatever You want me to do. Oh, sometimes I wish I understand why You want me to go through all these, I wish I could understand or see things the way You would see them. How or what would You do. Won't You teach me? Sometimes I feel like it's way beyond what I can handle. But I know that if it is from You, then it's through You and only through You that I can do it.

What isit that You want me to do before You'll let me go? Will You ever let me go? I wish You would tell me. But I know that most of the times You would rather show me than tell me. If I have to touch one more life here then I would do it. If it is for me to finish what I was set out to do here, then I would do it. If it is for me to learn something before going then I would do it. I would do it if You said so....but I can't do it alone. I need You. I know that You will help me. Don't give me something beyond what I can handle.

How will this situation turn out? I know that You are in control...that's the only comforting thing that I can hold on to. You love your child, You won't let any of them go. I commit this issue into Your hands.

(What will you do? Who will you listen to? What will choose in the end? )

I want to choose to listen to the Voice of Truth...Your Voice...Only Yours...

How do the lost get found?

2009-10-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

You say that you are His child, but are you faithfully dependable?
How do the lost get found?
It all starts with you.

Hello my friendI remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You wanna run but you're hesitatin'
I'm talkin' to me

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

Why do we go with the flow
Or take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the way

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe(Stand out)
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out(Stand out)
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it

Britt Nicole

DEAR JESUS...

2009-10-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

Bring me through this sem Lord. I pray for your strength and protection not just for me, but for my family, all my friends in school who are also very stressed up. May you watch over us forever :)

What would I say...What would You say...

2009-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

If I can stop time to think, just think about what's happening around me what would I say...
If I have 1 more day to see all of you, what would I say...
If I have to start all over with just Him and my family with me, what would I say...
If all I know will go away, what would I say...
If I'm living this life for You, what would I say...
If You say "No", what would I say...
If You say "Don't worry, it'll be alright, just trust me", what would I say...
If I have to conquere my fears and do the things that I'm afraid of, what would I say...
If You tell me that You'll be forever by my side, what would I say...
If I can turn back time and live today again, what will I do? What will I say...
If I have to do this to help someone, what would I say...
If you come and ask me, what would I say...
If You tell me to wait, what would I say...
If this is my last day on before going back, what would I say...

If I tell You that I'm afraid of this, what would You say...
If I tell you that this is my last month to be with all of you, what would you say...
If I can't walk this journey all by my myself, what would You say...
If I tell You that I only want to please You, what would You say...
If I tell you I'm sorry, what would you say...
If I walk out of this, what would you say...
If I can see You everyday, what would You say to me...
If I'm already there, what will you show me? What will you say...
If I choose the other path, what would you say to me...
If I tell You "thank you", what would you say...

Understanding the condition of my heart...after so long.

2009-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

My must confess, it took me quite a while to get the hang of my second year. I began this new year stuffed up with alot of emotions. Everything happened so fast that i realised i didn't have time to think, to reflect. But after 3 weeks, i think i managed to understand why it took me so long. I even have a list to tell you.

1) I couldn't bear to leave the children in the childcare. I was upset that they were upset. I thought it was going to be alright since they've seen so many people come and go. But somehow i think they'll still be upset whenever somebody leaves.

2) I was quite apprehensive about my theatre module. It's hard to juggle with a theatre mod as it requires a huge investment in both time and effort. Though i must say that the past experience had been enriching, it was still tough.

3) I heard the death of two people. One was my old friend in my secondary schhol, the other is a relative of a friend. I was shocked. The news did affect me in ways i can't explain. Sometimes i ask God why, why did this have to happen? But the answer lies with Him and all i can do is to trust whatever He's doing.

4)Anticipating the news about Aussie. Hmm it's hard to describe this one. But oh well. ya.

5) My hotmail crashed on me. It's a stupid thing to get upset. But it can be quite frustrating.

All these were stuck or i should say trapped inside of me. I began my semester like that. I couldn't tell why i felt so uncomfortable at first. I thought it was PMS. Haha but no. It was a big ball of feelings that tied me down, that made me feel so lost, helpless and frustrated. Well, i must say that after 3 weeks of school, i'm finally getting the hang of things. Taking one step at a time. That's the only step. Yup. It's going to be a hectic sem, but i know that with God beside me, I can go through it.

I have to thank all my little girls. They cheer my up in ways nobody could. It's fun to be with them, hearing them out, talking to them. I realise my joy comes when I make others happy, when i spend time with poeple i love. Thank you Jesus for all these wonderful people. I pray that you'll bless them ever so abundantly.

The Burden

2009-08-22T01:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I'm feeling like this. This feeling has been lingering since school started. Lord, I want to have your peace. I want to trust you. I pray that this is the right thing for me. Help me to hold on to your promises. Your strength is my source of comfort, my source of hope.

I want to have no regrets.

My Saviour My God

2009-08-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands One who is my Savior

I take Him at his word and deed
Christ died to save me this I read
And in my heart I find a need
For Him to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, but once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, my Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God He was, my God He is
My God He's always gonna be

Yes, living, dying; let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave his place on High
And come for sinful men to die
You count it strange so once that I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God He was, My God He is, My God He's always gonna be

My Savior lives, My Savior loves
My Savior lives, My Savior loves

Aaron Shust

Wrapping up the experience at Lakeside...

2009-07-31T23:58:00.000-07:00

First of all, I want to say the biggest THANK YOU to all the little ones in Lakeside Before and After School Day Care!! Thank you to all the teachers as well! These past two months had been awesome and I really considered myself very blessed to know such a place. Yes, we met the President today. Haha, the kids were super excited about it, many of them were meeting him for the first time. For me, it's just that one last day with them, so just thought of accompanying them on this trip. Yeah, it's amazing. Saying goodbye was a little difficult. I know that many of them are sad to see jeanna and myself leave. I just want to praise God for using me to be a blessing, to impart something in the kids life. I know that they will grow up to be great men and women of God. Praise God for all the teachers and Hwee Chin as well. Their unconditonal love, time and effort for the kids are fantastic! Even auntie lina derserved to be priase as well! (Man, I'm going to miss her food).

Being in Lakeside for the past two months had taught me to treasure life more. To lean on God's strength. Men's strength are too little to make an impact. The children there deserve so much more and sometimes I feel like there's nothing I can offer. Nothing that I can do to take away their pain, nothing that I can do to change their lives. Only God can. All I can do is to show them love and joy everytime I'm there. Father, protect them, watch over them and bless them. Bless the teachers too for they too are holding on to you. Only you can change them God. Gosh, I so feel like crying now. I thought that this farewell is going to easy, but they made it so difficult for me. Many gave me presents, hugs, and final play time before I left. I spent my final 1 hour taking pictures with them and carrying all of them. Haha. Fun yet sad. I will miss them. The memories that I have will be deep in my heart.

From the very first day I stepped into the centre till the day I leave, there was never a moment that I've felt sorry about it.

Darlings, jie jie jia yee just want to you that I love each and everyone of you so much. I will come back when I'm free. Be good to the teachers and your parents. Listen to them. Don't always make them angry ya? Study hard in school. You guys all deserve so so much more. Hold on to God's promises. I pray that oneday you all will come to know Him. Take good care of yourselves, look after each other. Promise me that you all will have a bright future. god bless you and I will miss you dearly.

Saying goodbye, thinking, and once again, the planning begins

2009-07-16T00:15:00.000-07:00

Jenny left us on the 12 july. We went to the airport to say our final farewell. Honestly, I did teared abit on that day. It's like...how should I say this? I've known jenny since 2005, but I must say throughout this time I feel like I don't really know her. What I know her is by outward appearance...I've never known her in my heart. That's what made me teared. I felt like I didn't make the effort to know her inside out. I once made a declaration that Iwill love everybody in the world. I feel like I didn't love jenny enough, I wish I could go out more often with her, talk to her like best friends, like sisters. Perhaps it's the age gap that kept us apart. She's 6 years older than me. Saying goodbye is tough, but deep down inside I know that this is God's plan for her. Her life is in His hands and I'm comforted by that fact. Jenny, I just want to tell you that God loves you. He has a perfect plan for you so don't worry. Spend more time with your family ya? I'm sure they've missed you so much. Don't forget what you've learnt here in Singapore, don't forget the people here. Continue to walk in His ways. Come back whenever you have the time. I'll always remember you as that sweet, caring and loving darling. Thank you for everything jie jie. I love you.

Anyway, it's already the middle of july. Time really flies. My holidays are coming to an end. Bidding is going to start real soon, well it's then back to school again. I'm rather indifferent about going back to study. I feel like that there's so many things going on in my mind all the time. Sometimes I get frustrated over them. I know that I can pour out to God (and I did), it's just that, it's stiil there, deep deep down. I keep telling myself that I have to trust Him, that I CAN trust Him. But why do I still feel like I need to rely on my own strength? You know, people used to think that I'm a strong person. That though I can appear gentle on the outside, but inside it's like a solid rock. Yes it's true to a certain extend but it only happens because God is inside me. Whenever I choose to rely on my own strength, actually I'm very weak. I can breakdown easily(some of my friends had seen that side of me). I need to have faith. I need to know that there's a solid rock inside my heart that will never fail me. Yes, I may appear funny, crazy, smiling alot. But sometimes I cry quite alot when I'm alone.

Anyway, that's all I have today. Think I'll stop here. Just want to say to my family and friends, thank you for being there. You guys cheer me up even though you may not realise it. Thank you and I love you all.

They have gotten me thinking so much

2009-07-02T23:27:00.000-07:00

Yes they are naughty
Yes they are hard to control
Yes they have an attention span of no longer than 30 minutes
Yes they can run 10 times longer and faster than you can
Yes they can scream louder than you
Yes they ask you alot of questions ( especially about yourself)
Yes at least 1 person have to cry a day
Yes some of them can eat more than you can

BUT...

Yes they are so adorable
Yes no matter how naughty they are, you can never get upset and angry
Yes they are still so innocent to me
Yes they still want you to play with them
Yes they still want your attention
Yes they still need your affection
Yes they have so much more to learn
Yes they will always be so much fun
Yes I still love them so so so much
Yes they will always be little darlings to me

At the end of the day, I will walk home feeling happy, light hearted and smiling. It is all worth it.

What if it is all just a dream? + Updates of me

2009-06-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

I've often wondered if what I've always wanted, dreamed, hoped for are all just meaningless desires. Yes, I'm a girl who dreams alot, who wants to touch the world, but sometimes I feel like that is not for me. God did not plan it out for it to be this way. What if it is all just my own fantasy? My own selfish desires? Man! I wish I knew what's the plan for my life! Haha, ya I do get frustrated sometimes. But I want to be grateful to the fact that I have a God who cares and will lead me the right path. That's the only truth I can hold on to for now.

Okay, oh guess what. I'm so back into exercising again. Yup my love for running is back! Since now is the school holidays, I'm aiming to run at least twice a week (mon and thur). Hope it'll be successful. I remembered when I was in school, I used to love 2.4km run. Everytime there's a 2.4km run for PE I'll be very happy (ya while the rest of class will start scolding the teacher). Haha, I am the fastest girl in my class okay! haha nothing to be proud of (not like I've won $1 million or something).

Oh, the kids left only 1 week of school holidays :( yup then it's back to the normal study routine again. Well, what can I say, this is the life of a Singaporean! I wish to start school soon too. I feel like this holiday is so long. Which reminds me, I have not plan on what modules to take next semester. Sigh. You know, I've actually thought of taking another theatre module. I mean I love to act, but what stops me is the fact that I'm afraid that I cannot handle the stress. Theatre modules are usually quite heavy and having already taken 1 module in my first semester had already indicated to me that it is stressful and time consuming. Anyway, I still have to start planning soon. Psych is already enogh to kill my brain cells!

Haha. Okay that's all for this post. I'm just rambling.

"Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living"
1 LIFE. LIVE IT OR BREAK IT!

Living in an innocent world?

2009-06-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

To be as shrewed as snakes but yet at the same time, we have to be as innocent as doves.

Difficult to follow, but true. It reminded me of how I live my life. Am I somebody who thinks and acts wisely or am I somebody who thinks the world is just full of flowers and everybody is sweet and nice? I guess I'll be naive if I continue to hold on to the second option. Honestly, sometimes I have no idea why God put me to be in certain places, to go through certain situations, to meet certain people...If I can see Him face to face, I would ask Him 'why?'...why did you give me these? I agree that sometimes God works in ways I can never understand, all I can do is to continue to trust Him...that's all.

Coming to a different point, haha I must say that ever since I've started volunteering in a childcare centre I've really come to love children ALOT! Honestly, being with them is like in TellyTubby Land all over again. Yes, they od have their naughty moments, but I still see them as such innocent children. their mistakes are innocent. That's why we have to teach them to do the right thing. Haha. I loved it when they grab my hand and want me to show affection to them. I love it when they climb onto my lap with a storybook and asked me to read it with them. I love it when they pull me and ask me to play with them. I love it when they call me 'Jia Yee Jie Jie' But best of all, I love it when they look me in the eye and say, "Jie Jie, I love you". It will make my heart melt. Just melt infront of them, at that spot, at that moment. Aww...so cute! Seriously, I adore every single one of them.

Yeah, I do wish at times that life would be that sweet, that simple, that innocent. But it is not. In fact it never will be. What pastor said was true. We are living in a world of wolves and the only option we can choose is either to be like one of them, or to be different and choose to reach out to them instead. I want to be a blessing to anybody that I meet. It is not easy, but it's just my personlity, the way I want to live my life. Anyway, I must say that I have no regrets volunteering in Lakeside Before and After School Day Care. I will treasure every moment of my time there. Thank you God for placing me there to serve your children.

The end of year 1

2009-05-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

okay, so I'm down with flu again. Got it on the first day Singapore confirmed its first H1N1 case. (Tuesday) haha don't worry, I do not have swine flu. Mine's just a common cold. I'm trying my best to recover as fast as I can because I want so much to go down to the childcare centre on monday. Hope that I will be better, really don't want to spread it to the little kids. POOR THING!

okay, what I want to say is...today's message is dedicated to a very special person. That person has answered my prayers, He never ever fail to surprise me, He remain faithful to me even though I've disobeyed Him or complained....He has taught me so many lessons and I want to say a big big thank you. You have always been with me, you have never left me, you never ever stop believeing in me and I want to never ever stop believing in you too.

Thank you for seeing me through my first year. I couldn't have done it without you.

Even if I didn't say it, I hope that you still can see it in my heart.

Lessons from Good Friday Event

2009-04-14T01:30:00.000-07:00

My church had decided that this year's Good Friday was to be celebrated as a cell-based event. I must say that it was indeed a rather different and crazy experience for me. It was a time of mad rush, getting things organised in the midst of our busy schedules. I still remeber the Christmas party that we had last December. We had alot of time to plan for that one since it was during the holidays. But for this one it was so near our tests and exams, nonetheless God works in miracle ways and beyond what I can ever imagine. All in all, it was a great experience for me. Even though on the actual day itself I was busy fetching people from khatib mrt to the funciton room(which is quite a long walk away) and missing alot of the activities, I think that was God's role for me.

I've tried to invite friends for the campus party but got rejected. I've been trying to reach out to this girl but even up till Good Friday I was not successful. I couldn't understand why until on Friday itself. God knew that I'll be really busy on that actual day. Too busy to take care of Carina, and it'll be too rush for me to meet my friends for the campus event in the evening. God knew that it was too much for me to handle and hence did not want to stress me out. At first I was quite disappointed that I didn't managed to invite anybody, but now I'm thankful. Honestly, it's not the numbers that concerns God, it is my heart, my faith. Even though I couldn't bring friends to the event, but I keep on trusting God to change my heart, my attitude. Guess what, on Easter Sunday (just yesterday) on of my girl's mum invited their neighbour to church and asked me to look after their 2 adorable daughters during service. I know that God is working in their lives and I want to thank God for Si Hui's mum for reaching out to them.

You see, I finally understand now that I don't have to rely so much on my own strength, my strength can only do this much. But God's strength is so much more. And all I have to do is ot obey Him, trust Him and He will provide the desires of my heart. I always know this in my head, but never in my heart. But I think this is the lesson that God wants to teach me on this very Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Thank You Jesus for being so patient with me. Thank you for this beautiful lesson, thank you for your willingness to mould me. I want to understand your heart. I want to see what you see, to feel what you are feeling.

Some things have to be believed to be seen.
Won't you believe today?

Thanksgiving

2009-04-09T00:10:00.000-07:00

So many times, I've felt like I'm not good enough. So many times, I think I did not give you my best. So many times, I have all the wrong thoughts. So many times, I've tried to do things my own way and relied on my own strength.

But yet, all these time, you've remained faithful to me. You gave me strength when I'm weak. You gave me hope when I feel that all is hopeless. You believed in me even though I did not believe in myself. You loved me even though I've disobeyed you.

You are amazing. You are awesome.
And I want to learn to be like you more and more like you each day...If only you would help me to...

Follow your honest convictions, and stay strong
The only journey is the journey within

Dying together is what that makes it all bearable

2009-04-03T01:12:00.000-07:00

My lecturer gave a report on monday and we have to complete it by tomorrow 6pm. I tell you it's crazy especially when there are quite alot of research and analysing needed. We were working on the report the whole day today. Started at 10am with my 4 WONDERFUL and EXCELLENT groupmates and we didn't leave the school till 11pm. haha. Yes you can see now how crazy we can be. There were so many things thay we were unsure of, so many issues to clarify. We kept on trying to figure out how to analyse the graphs, how to draw the links and make good inferences. Trust me, it's tough!

We didn't eat dinner. Had some snacks, but not a full meal. Towards 10pm, we were starting to get high (guessed we were all too tired). But you know what, through it all, it was worth it. It was worth it to spend the whole day with my project groupmates as they are really the best project mates that I can ever find. We worked hard together, try to figure things out together, everybody is just so helpful to each other. Always encouraging, always so accomodating and patient. I love them. Not only did we joke alot, but we also shared with each other our own personal stories and that's what keeps us so united.

Well, I really want to thank God for this great bunch of people (the 3 of them). Because of them, we've managed to complete our project on time. It doesn't matter even if I can't go home the entire night. The time we spent together....It was all worth it. haha

lay kuan, Joey, Yiling.....THANK YOU!

Quote of the day: "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
Sometimes you just need to get out of your comfort zone and find your purpose.

Making the right decision

2009-04-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a feeling where you felt abit uncomfortable with a person but yet choose to accept and help the person? Well, I was in that shoes recently. Let's call this friend of mine A (just to maintain privacy). It's not that I am scared or angry with A. It's just that, even though I knew A as a friend, yet the last time we spoke, A was upset over something and I didn't exactly knew how to respond. We didn't talk alot after that for quite a while.

Well, recently A approached me and asked me if we could do an assignment together(trust me, it is really tough and I still do not have the faintest idea on how to start). At first I was a little afraid and to tell you the truth, I hesitated a bit, just abit. I was afraid that our friendship will get even more weird and I wanted to avoid it altogether. Not that we have argued or something, but just that we havn't spoken to each other for a while and all of the sudden, I was asked to work together, as a team.

Guess what, I said okay in the end. I wanted so much to put my feelings aside and just trust God that everything will turn out fine. That our discussion together will be fun, meaningful and productive. By now you guys would have guessed that our discussion was over and I'm about to tell you how it went. You are right. It was fantastic! We had such a fun time and I'm very sure both of us ended up taking our friendship one step higher :) Though the assignment was tough, yet we joked, laugh and managed to get a headstart. To me that's one of the best feeling I've ever had. I know now that sometimes it is wise to give yourself and your friend a chance to make things right again. If only you'll put your prejudice, your fears, your negative thoughts all aside and choose to take that step of faith. It's not an easy decision to make, but once you've come out victorious, you'll know that it was all worth it. But if it did not turn out the way you wanted it to be, at least you know that you've given yourself and your friend a chance and you'll definitely have no regrets.

However, I believe that if you really believe in something, then go all out to make that believe come true. It's possible so long as you have the right attitude. But that's not the hard part. The hardest part is to take that first step to make that decision to give the situation another chance. That's the crossroad and you have to decide.

You choose.

Quote of the day:
Mind is all that counts. You can be whatever you make up your mind to be.
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.

When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.

Starting over with a new chapter, a new blog

2009-03-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

Hey, I've created a new blog. The reason why I'm doing this is because I want to get rid of the old stuff that I've posted in my previous blog. It was a great blog, just that sometimes I just feel like I've written some really useless things and things that don't mean anything.

So I'm starting all over again. Hopefully this blog will be more meaningful for you guys.
The layout is really simple, haven't changed anything, maybe soon.

Today's Quote:
"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today"
Touch the world with your hands man.