Ever since after O levels, there seem to be this similar trend going on among most students, whether they are having their tertiary education now or later. And it is as such...
Many find it difficult to get used to their new schools. Going to school may seem exciting and yet, there's always this fear - am I able to find friends? am I going to be able to fit in? am I going to be able to cope? and what not. At the same time, everyone seems to be leaning towards the 'depressed' side. We all tend to notice how the grass is greener on the other side, wondering what our life would be like, if we were in blah blah blah's shoes. Everything seems to be going wrong for us. Life seems to be at its worst.
And so I wonder, is this a phase of life which everyone goes through.
I went through something like that as well, and am still somewhat going through it.
When I first came to Australia, life wasn't easy. All I was thinking of was of everyone back here. I constantly wondered what it would be like if I just went to a JC or poly, basically, anywhere, but here. In my hostel, facing nothing but these four white walls, always made me realise how lonely I was. In school, I felt like an alien. Everyone seem to have their own clique, and I was just more than eager to start my own. But the question was - with who? I never felt how horrible it was to eat alone till the first few days I was here. (now it got better. yeah) And yeah, I went through a really rocky period. Going to church was never the same. Compared to back in Foochow, where I know everyone, this new church actually introduced me to the fact that I had to end up sitting alone, and have to make that effort to make friends. Yes, I've been so blessed in Singapore with so many friends, that having no friends really felt so so bad.
But the thing is this. Even though I went through what seemed like the worst time of my life, you could actually say, I survived. And through all these, I realised again, that there's really power in prayer and that Jesus wants to be your friend. That He wants you to share your problems to Him. At such moments, even though what I may want most is just a hug, I somehow felt inner peace. And I am glad to say this, I'm actually coping better than before and I know that after a while, things will take a great turn for the best.
Anyway
This whole thing also made me realise this. We have been so sheltered in our secondary schools. Ok I'm not sure about the rest, but all we mg girls were definitely well protected. Most of us having grew up together, we always had friends throughout the years. At P6, majority of us aimed to come back to mg for secondary school. And since the cut off point was only 200 for us, most of us made it back. We didn't really have to worry much, as we had so much faith that the school will take us back.
And now at this stage, we start to face rejection. We start to have to appeal, to work hard, aiming to get into a desired course. And sometimes we feel that all we've done is like, useless.
But the thing is this, no one said life was going to get easier. Studies are definitely going to be more stressful. We are all going to face more rejections. We will always think we've hit rock bottom. And then we start to run away from all these. Because we think there's no solutions, we try our utmost best to not think about it, to avoid it.So instead of avoiding all these, I guess it's time for us all to face the music. As the saying goes, 'if there's a will, there's a way' Yeah
So don't give up my friends! This is only the beginning. We must all get through this year and at the end of the year, look back at all these and feel proud that we got through it. Yeah! Plus, remember this, you're not alone. We're all in this together! :)
Ok, I don't know how I suddenly managed to type that post.hahaha. But oh well
I've been in Melbourne for exactly one month already, and I'm still surviving! Three cheers for me! hahaha
Ok, I've nothing else to say actually. I just wanted to be able to look back at this post and know that I've actually survived the first month. hahaha. Yes, I know. I'm weird. But too bad!
Till another time.. hahahahahaha (this is such a pathetic post)
I'm just blogging for the sake of blogging. So yeah. I know I've tons of homework but that can wait
Ok, today I decided to settle all my bills (well it was only one) and went to the bank to give them my tax file number. It was so hot! I'm telling you, the newspaper is lying to us. Anyway, I then decided to go and find that music shop. I want to get a keyboard here.
The shop was amazing! It was so huge which such a huge range of guitars (classical, acoustic, bass, electric...) and the sight of so many types of pianos and keyboards just made my heart melt. I think there were drums in the back, but the sight of keyboards was like a huge magnet to which my feet were the metal being attracted.
Ok I know I sound weird, but I really miss playing the piano
And there was a huge range for the keyboards as well. The cheapest being $199, then after it was $299. I thought that I would just be choosing among those cheaper range. But then this electronic piano (it's a full size keyboard, which is exactly like a piano just that it's uses electricity, and it's flatter..) WOW! I INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT! It was love at first sight (and touch.. I had to test it out first right..) And it costs $699.. Which I don't know is a good thing or a bad thing. Like, it's considered quite a good price for such a keyboard.
But where am I going to get the money
Now I seriously want to work. Like, I think it's going to be very hard to ask my parents if they would allow and stuff. I mean like, if it was the cheaper ones they may consider. But this is $700. And knowing me, I'll most probably get a stand and a pedal as well. Which may add up to close to $800. I am so so determined to work now.
My fingers just long to play that melody once again..
If anyone wants to donate towards this cause, you can let me know!!!! hahaha.
You sent me this song before I came to Australia when I felt down and thought my life was close to over.
And now it's my turn to give you back this song.
Keep Holding On You're not alone Together we stand I'll be by your side You know I'll take your hand When it gets cold And it feels like the end There's no place to go You know I won't give in No, I won't give in
Keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through Just stay strong Cause you know I'm here for you I'm here for you There's nothing you can say Nothing you can do There's no other way when it comes to the truth So, keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through
So far away I wish you were here Before it's too late This could all disappear Before the door's closed And it comes to an end With you by my side I will fight and defend I'll fight and defend, yeah, yeah
Keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through Just stay strong Cause you know I'm here for you I'm here for you There's nothing you can say Nothing you can do There's no other way when it comes to the truth So, keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through
Hear me when I say When I say I believe. Nothing's gonna change Nothing's gonna change destiny Whatever's meant to be Will work out perfectly Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah La da da da, la da da da La da da da da da da da da
Keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through Just stay strong Cause you know I'm here for you I'm here for you There's nothing you can say Nothing you can do There's no other way when it comes to the truth So, keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through
Ahh, ahh Keep holding on Ahh, ahh Keep holding on There's nothing you can say Nothing you can do There's no other way when it comes to the truth So, keep holding on Cause you know we'll make it through We'll make it through
#1 - There have this sign in the toilets of my school. And I've no idea why I'm so amused by them #2 - This was during orientation night at my hostel. This guy wanted to be the 'mummy' and the mean guys told him that in order to win, they had to wrap this face.
#3 - This is such a cool diary (look below for more details)
#4 - this is like a typical page in the diary
#5 - Seriously, read this (click on it to make it bigger if you have to)
#6 - this continues from the picture above
#7 - This picture is dedicated to Sarah. This is such a cool cookie cutter! It's kinda blur because I wasn't sure if I was actually allowed to take photo of their stuff. so yeah. It was done in a rush
Yeah. That's all for now. Stay tune for more stuff...
I was about to sleep and did my QT. And what I read, was like, wow.
Chad was the most awkward kid in his entire third-grade class. He was skinny and shy and didn't know quite how to make friends. But with Valentine's Day approaching, he announced an idea to his mom. "It's only three days away," he said. "And I want to make a valentine for every kid in my class."
His mom's heart sank, because she was afraid Chad would put everything he had into this project and not get much in return. But she didn't want to drain her son of his newfound excitement, so she took him to the store. Chad bought bright red construction paper, coloured glitter, paste, markers, stickers, and huge envelopes.
During the next couple of days, he spent nearly every waking hour creating big, beautiful, and personalized valentines for every student in his class. Finally the big day arrived. He was too excited to eat breakfast. He gathered his stash under his arms and headed off to school.
Around 2.30pm, his mom decided to bake fresh peanut butter cookies - Chad's favourite - and have them ready and warm when he arrived home from school. He's worked so hard on these valentines, and he'll probably only get a handful in return, she thought. His heart will be broken.
At 2.50pm, she looked out the kitchen window and saw five third-grade boys laughing and showing their valentines to each other as they walked home. About a hundred yards behind walked Chad. Alone. His head was down, and his hand clutched one crumpled valentine.
His head's down, he's walking faster than normal, and he's about to cry, thought his mom.
She opened the front door, and Chad ran right past her. "Mom!" he screamed.
"Honey, I'm right here."
"Mom," he said, trying to catch his breath as he spun around. "Mom, there were 32 kids in our class - not counting me - and I made 32 valentines. I had a valentine for every single kid. I didn't forget anyone, Mom!"
She glanced at his hand and noticed his only valentine was a duplicate the teacher had made for the entire class. Chad was so focused on making sure everyone around him got a piece of his heart, he hadn't even noticed he wasn't loved in return.
Tears fell down his mom's face as she prayed, "Oh Father! Make me more concerned with other's needs than my own!"
Love isn't always easy. Jesus loved. and it cost him his life. Aree you willing to pay the price to love as Jesus loved? If so, you may not be loved in return. But there's not a better idea in the world than to give your heart away. Not just today... but every day for the rest of your life. That's right - make loving others part of your lifestyle.
I don't know why, but this song has been stuck in my head the whole day. Haha.
You’re in my arms And all the world is calm The music playing on for only two So close together And when I’m with you So close to feeling alive
A life goes by Romantic dreams will stop So I bid mine goodbye and never knew So close was waiting, waiting here with you And now forever I know All that I wanted to hold you So close
So close to reaching that famous happy end Almost believing this was not pretend And now you’re beside me and look how far we’ve come So far we are so close
How could I face the faceless days If I should lose you now? We’re so close To reaching that famous happy end And almost believing this was not pretend Let’s go on dreaming for we know we are So close So close And still so far
Here are some pictures of since I've been here in Melbourne. Yeah. Ok I know that the quality and the blah blah blah may not be good. But yeah. This is all I got.. so just make to.hahahaha.
Pam bought me this penguin, which poops out sweets. haha Such a pretty sunset.
Yes I know she loves me.... (but that doesn't mean she doesn't have her annoying moments)
I don't know what it's called. But I definitely want to do it one day!
At St Kilda's beach
The incredibly huge sushi CHECK IT OUT! XINWEI IN A DRESS!!
Some olden day movie set on the streets.
These chairs are amazing. They look hard, but actually they are rather spongy and really comfortable
And his back just got smaller and smaller as he walked into the crowd...
My dad left for Singapore today. And all I'm feeling now is homesick. I miss my family so much. I never talked to my brothers so much before. I miss the food.
Ok, I'm not saying I'm not coping here. I'm actually rather happy in a sense. I mean, yeah I may be missing home, but the people I met really try their best to make you feel welcomed and stuff. Then again, nothing beats home eh.
It sucks how I never really say how I felt, assuming that you knew. I know how it would make a huge difference, if I just declared how I feel. So why ain't I doing so?
At the moment, I don't really want to blog about anything else expect this.
MY END OF THE YEAR EXAMS FINISH ON THE 10TH OF NOV!!!!! I'm not ending in December like I thought I would! YAY!!! I GET TO COME HOME EARLIER THAN I EXPECTED!!!!
Too bad if you don't want me around. I'm still coming home!
Ok I STILL DON'T HAVE MY INTERNET OR PHONE!! I only have my 2 handphone numbers. And that's about it. Yeah, I'm like using my school's ULTRA SLOW computers! Gosh!!!
But oh well. Better than nothing I guess. So yeah. I'm adjusting rather ok to school I guess and like, THERE'S SO MUCH HOMEWORK! AND I'M ALREADY GOING TO HAVE TWO TESTS THIS THURSDAY!! sigh.. And I think I'm still having jetlag. Yeah.
Ok I don't really have much to say. Just that I really want my phone and internet to be up so that I can start talking to all of you! It feels so weird not being able to message as and when I want to. Sigh!!!!
Oh well
Till next time :)
OH AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN ADVANCE CHERILYN!!! face it, you're 17 not 7!!! hahahaha Yeah, this is in case I cannot use the computer tomorrow or something! Oh and I heard you're going to malaysia! Why must you go there. Then how to call you!!! Oh well. I shall be the first to wish you then! hahaha. Love ya :)