Feelings on a foamy white christmas /// 12:47 PM
Mamma Mia!
I just had lunch with Lu and his family, and he was invited to be the chairman of the board of directors of JJC, a post which he will taking up next year! He is so friendly that i almost blurted out about how uncouth the ex-principal during my time was, except that i forgot his name and did not want to refer to him as "Mao".
It's 2.44pm now and i gotta start preparing dinner for the christmas party later! Will be eating beef lasagne and roasted turkey!:)
Following that, will be checking out some enchanting houses in the vicinity where there is a year-end competition every year in the neighbourhood to determine whose house is most beautifully adorned with christmas decorations. And the decorations here are no doubt, truely exaggerated; e.g. a human-sized Santa placed on the rooftop and the whole house can be filled with lights of all sorts and eye-catching ornaments or moving dolls at EVERY available space in the front-and-backyard. I will not be surprised if those houses can be spotted from Space.
Have a joyous Merry Christmas everyone! It only happens once a year so I just hope that every single soul out there will be surrounded by family, friends and loved ones and experience the love and warmth that surpasses all things:)
- Thank You, Lord, for sending your one and begotten son, Jesus Christ, to save us so that we can live a righteous life. -
Ahh /// 11:56 PM
Went to Sunnybank to do some DFO shopping and headed down to the city to visit a museum,
the library,
and to Southbank,
(photo below depicts a scene of the buildings across the river from southbank)
where there's a ferris wheel and a mini man-made beach right in the middle of nowhere. The beach is probably slightly bigger than an olympic swimming pool and it is 1.8m deep. There are even lifeguards patrolling the area.
Took citycat when the sun was setting again
and i'd dare say it's one of the most amazing feeling, especially when the cold wind brushes past my face while citycat rushes forward, towards a never-ending stream, and beautiful christmas trees light up the houses at the side, producing a warm, cozy atmosphere in the homes of families. Almost went numb from the chilly wind though, since it rains pretty often this summer, the temperature at night is unusually low.
Citycat is one of Brisbane's mode of transportation so Jean and I took it to church yesterday noon as well. Similarly, it was freezing cold, even colder as compared to today, and even my shirt and leggings did not serve their purpose in keeping me warm.
Spent some one-on-one time with Jean before youth service started yesterday as we headed to the city to have lunch while the adults went for morning service.
Went for a combined dinner between Judah 1 and 4 after youth yest and it was awesome:) there was no end to the conversations, the mood was light-hearted and everyone is just so nice and funny! Also was inspired by one of the older ladies, an ex-national volleyballer, who has taken her masters in counselling and sports psychology and is going back to spore to pursue her interest in educational psychology- sth i'm always interested in. Learnt a fair bit from her as she has also taught in schools before upgrading herself in Aust.
Gotta wake up at 7 as I'll be taking an hour plus journey via train to Gold Coast for a day at Movie World with my sister! Cant wait!
Yet at the same time, kind of dreading for the day to start as I've been feeling a tinge of apprehension for the release of results tmr. All the best to NUS students who are getting back their sem's grades. God bless!
- Thank You, Lord, for creative minds. -
I want to be a kid all over again /// 8:19 AM
Yesterday's party brought me back to my childhood days.
Mia looks astonished and has fixated her eyes on her brother, Joshua, who's having a battle in the pool. Perhaps, she's worried for his safety. so cute.
Their names: Ocean and River (no kidding!)
Daddy teaching Zac how to play the violin
After the party, we visited Fay, who just gave birth to an adorable boy and he was the smallest being i've ever seen (not counting in tv programs). He looks so fragile that i dont even dare to touch him for fear he might disintegrate upon contact. And he fell into such a deep sleep halfway while drinking milk from the bottle that his parents did not manage to wake him up from his slumber. It was a little scary as i feared something could have happened to him but then, just as that thought flashed across my mind, the cute baby let out an audible little fart. HAHA
Anyway, have been eating unhealthy, fried foods almost everyday. Pimples starting their immigration all over my cheeks :(
This morning marks the first time i had family devotion and the topic of sharing was pre-marital sex. It was the first time an adult discussed that sensitive issue using a bible verse from 2 Samuel 13: 1- 15 and im glad he did! As this is a touchy topic, many parents either avoid speaking about it and assume that their children know it, or only say something like "dont anyhow anyhow ah". Some parents are even ignorant about it and let their kids make the decision and suffer the consequences on their own. What's wrong with that?
(Just what I feel on this rather controversial topic.)
Well, sex should only be saved within marriage, and enjoyed between a husband and wife because during sexual intercourse, 2 becomes 1. Yes, couples get to experience closeness and both physical and emotional intimacy during pre-marital sex, but it is supposed to be a gift that is only kept and shared between Husband and Wife and should only be enjoyed with ONE person throughout our lifetime. I learnt that although this guy, mentioned in the bible, loved a lady to the point of being ill (because she was beautiful and was a virgin as well), after violating her and raping her, he harboured an intense hatred towards her and it was stronger than the feelings he had for her initially.
Perhaps, many people do not agree with my stand on pre-marital sex since "everyone is doing it" and "why not" but in any case, i feel that it will be at its best when enjoyed with that one chosen man/woman with whom we have taken the vow, with whom we promise to be true to, in good times or bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and honour, for all the days of our lives, until death do us part.
In this age, pre-marital sex is VERY common and teens are living in a culture which favours pre-marital sex over conservative values. Temptations are prevalent and REAL in our lives and I'm sure everyone faces the same kinds of temptations in a relationship but well, it depends on the values we hold to and the decisions we make and how we expect our future spouse to make the same commitment and share the same values as us too.
Dear Lord, I want to be a prayer warrior.
- Thank You, Lord, for the talk this morning. -
We will rejoice and be glad in it /// 11:18 PM
Realised that during the time i've been here, we can easily take up to a few hundred photos in a single day. With just a simple click of the button, that memory, the specific moment, is captured and stays as a piece of artefact, forever.
Here are few photos which i have 'kop'ed from my sis' cam and the dslr during our stay in Sunshine Coast:)
Noorsa Beach was packed like sardines
This moment was captured by jean bean, the lean machine. heh. She's so cute!
Getting all ready for a jump shot (tucking my shirt in to prevent overexposure)
Ready, get set...
....Go!!! Well, i look rather pathetic with this awkward pose.
Unlike my sis who looks like she has been doing this all her life.
The funniest thing is that Uncle Ben looks just like a 'fish out of water'. hahaha, couldnt stop laughing at him
Taken on our way to have lunch
Went to Buderim's forest park yesterday morning before going to strawberry farm
Gorgeous Waterfall
Credit to Uncle Ben
Back in Brisbane...
played pictionary last night and it was one of the most hilarious games i've ever played- it displayed the significance of Sisterhood as my Jean and I were always on the same channel e.g. she could guess what that blue thing is. Ans: A seal!
Another one: Jack and Jill! (the adults on the other team were like scratching their heads in confusion) haha. Awesome teamwork!
This morning found me waking up at 8 and this time, we did not have anything fanciful for breakfast. Ate steamed bread with a selection of spread ranging from nutella to jam.
Jenny jie jie drove us to Sunnybank after that where we spied on Jean from afar for about 3 mins as she worked from 7 - 11 today. Also did some shopping for clothes, groceries for lunch, baking stuff and presents for the christmas party later in the evening.
After eating beef kuay teow soup for lunch, jean, msc and i baked 4 batches of crunchy peanut butter cookies, to be distributed as christmas gifts. (photos in my cam which have yet to be uploaded) It was too sweet for me though jenny jie jie said that Australians really love sweet stuff. Nonetheless, I didnt know baking cookies could be so simple actually. One batch consists of 260g of peanut butter, 1 cup (200g) of brown sugar, dark chocolate chips, 1 lightly beaten egg, and 1 tspspoon of bicarbonate soda. No flour needed and after mixing to get a sweet batter, take a tspspoon size and roll it into a ball. After 8-10 mins of baking in the oven and leaving out to cool, viola! They are ready to be served:)
Cleaned up and hurriedly wrapped presents for the christmas party in the evening, at one of the houses which belongs to Joel, a member of Judah life group 2. Jean and I took citycat!!! to our destination and the ride was really fast and furious. It was almost comparable to a speedboat. With the setting of the sun, the scene of the wide endless river and glasshouses at both sides, and the breeze rushing past my face - it was all too good to be true. (photos also in my cam)
Everyone at the party was super friendly! Although it's the first time i met many of them, felt that we could connect pretty well and got to know many students, around my age, from hong kong, taiwan, brunei, malaysia and of course, the majority of them - singapore. Those students are taking different courses such as accounting, molecular biology, engineering, nursing, business, social work etc and at different stages of their education, bachelor to phd. Also met a 23-year-old whose purpose is also to visit her sister:)
As it was the season of giving, we were divided into 4 groups to wrap the different food items which we brought, into a hamper, and it will be donated to the needy. The atmosphere was amazing as some of them would just start singing songs such as christmas carols in a hip and comical way and even old Macdonalds.
After the party, Angeline drove Rachel, Jean and I to a shanghai restaurant (on a side note: cars are SUPER CHEAP here. Someone shared that he got his at 2000 plus no kiddin! but the usual price among students is $4000-$8000), where i had my first taste of BUBBLE TEA!!! The flavours offered are rather unique. E.g. japanese matcha tea, some wheat germ tea, etc. Rachel and Angeline ordered each and they tasted fantastic. Not like any of the flavours i've tasted back in singapore. I tried their famous roasted milk tea, and there was no doubt why it was a bestseller. It was DivinE with a capital D and E (for emphasis' sake).
Angeline and Rachel bought more after taking orders from their roommates
Jean and I (eh, think i was adjusting sth) heh
jean, rachel, joy, angeline
Alright, it's 1.20 am now and it's time for bed. Have to wake up at 7 plus to prepare breakfast, help someone move house, do some shopping in garden city and finally, the day will end off with a pool party in one of Uncle Ben's life group member's house.
Good night and God Bless!
- Thank You, Lord, for blessings that i could never have dreamt of. -
This is the day that the Lord hath made /// 2:51 PM
I'm back from the "land of retirement" aka Sunshine Coast!
It's a suburb where many tourists and locals relax and enjoy:) Not much time, so as usual, i'll just upload some photos while i shall go wash the strawberries.
Some of the activities that kept me busy from 13-16 Dec:
Noorsa National Park where I saw a small cute Koala!
Fish and chips by the river (their rivers are usually huge)
A breathtaking view on Montville (famous for arts and crafts)
Helping out with the roasted chicken
Picking strawberries with Jean this afternoon
particularly like this photo:)
- Thank You, Lord, for quality time with family. -
/// 9:40 PM
Spent the day at church, taking photos at UQ (where i was supposed to study in but choose good o' NUS in the end though it has a splendid ancient kind of design and a place where couples usually take wedding photos), decorating the house with christmas ornaments and artsy fartsy stuff, having dinner at home with Uncle Ben's phd prof and his family (they are REALLY nice btw!!).
I'll try to churn out some photos and stuff on what I have been up to so far asap as i'm running out of time.
Yeah, just a short boring post. Sis just called me to join her in playing the guitar:)
Have a great week ahead mate!
- Thank You, Lord, for wonderful days past, present and future. -
Finally! /// 8:53 AM
I've reached!
Thanks to Ruiqi and Skeen for surprising me at the airport yesterday and it was really hilarious how ruiqi was stalking me all the way (hiding behind the pillars and all) and even heard bits and pieces of how i wanted to eat at popeye's. Thanks to tingyou too for hiding in the toilet during her office hours to make that phonecall before i spread my wings and flew. Thanks to jiayee too for calling and it's okay if you couldnt make it:) And thanks to jiahao for sending me and mum there and helping us to carry our heavy luggage around. Update: Thanks to eileen, mingfen, zhi fei, evelyn, angie, joel, aunt mabel, ruiqi, skeen and jiahao for sending farewell msges before the plane took off. Appreciate it!
Slept around 5am (3am singapore time) this morning, and by then, the sun was already rising high up the sky, turning a pale shade of blue:) Woke up at 8 and started frying bacon for us 7! Jean cooked "awesome" (as corrected by her when she peeped over my shoulders) eggs with hotdog and cheese!
Gotta head off to prepare for her graduation later and shopping after that!
- Thank You, Lord, for a safe trip. -
Life is an opportunity - Take it. /// 2:00 AM
Let me spend some time updating before flying off :)
Tuesday with stats babes
TWC - perfect ambience for a catch up session
"Mango Tart" as they call it - Heavenly!
Earl Grey Tea
Ruiqi and I getting all amazed at its unique appearance
The girls came over for 500 Days of Summer and Monopoly Deal
Another photo taken in Ion :)
Wednesday with Stats girls and Eileen
Pretty lights in orchard
With Blossoms and Buttercup
I wonder whether the man felt honoured :P
In front of the christmas tree, taken by a friendly tourist
Like the effect of this photo
Both of us acting all touristy
There are just so many 'joy' in the streets
Thursday with Mum, Ervin and 06S16 birthday celebration
At Wild Honey in Meritus Mandarin with Ervin
The design of the cafe is laid-back and it made me feel so at home
Sugar cubes
Apple Crumble
A must-try! Had it with mocha which tastes too-good-to-be-true
Ji-ah-hao posing with his present
Hoyin trying to open his eyes big while posing with present too
Class family portrait
Many crazy times spent with these girls
Friday with Ji-ahh-hao
One of the best cheese fries in Mad Jack
Dip a 'fry' into the cheese and mayonnaise
End product: with copious layers of sinful cheese and mayo (perhaps this is the tyrant who gave me my sorethroat i'm having now)
How about David and Goliath?
In front of huge christmas tree at Tangs
Saturday with 4C mates
Monopoly deal again!
Of those who managed to make it + Joel
Sunday @ Church leading in worship and Vivoed
Mingfen bought this for me from Perth :)
Going around snapping photos with 'Joy'
Monday with Ji-ahhh-hao and Dawn
Poor him got fined $130 for driving around a metre on the bus lane
Our tea break, after having eaten yong tao foo for lunch
Lights at 313
Check out Dawn's dimples:)
Finally, few snippets of my life since the exams ended. Will be spending tmr with ji-ahhhh-ha0 visiting the doctor, going to school to collect my bilingualism report (35%! - heart thumping sensation), buying last-min stuff for trip and packing my luggage for Wed's flight.
Speaking of packing, i so have to pen down one incident which illustrates Mum's adorableness.
Two days ago, she was just coming and leaving the room; her hands full of clothes. She was seeking my opinions bout what outfits she should wear and what possible combinations there were. And i realised that half of the clothes she will be bringing are brand new. Puzzled, i asked her why that was the case and to my astonishment, she replied, "Must look good for photo-taking mah." Ah, no wonder.
And she proceeded on to remind me to bring "new and bright-coloured clothes" by looking through my wardrobe and taking out clothes which fit her perception of "bright" and have not be worn before and also gave a look of 'disapproval' when she saw that the clothes which i'm bringing are those 'commonly worn'.
It's getting late. Before doing my QT and heading to bed, just wanna end of this post with a BERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone! Shall update when in Aust, in case some people wonder whether i'm still alive or dead! Happy holidays! :)
- Thank You, Lord, for humour. -
