Webcam whoring

Went to study with Jinli, Mush and Aiwee today. Had dinner and continued studying. And seriously, studying non stop is such a bore. So we decided to play a bit to relax. Haha.

My webcam is seriously the best! haha. Here are some photos

Love Crucified, Arose

Reading Tiffany's blog just reminds me of this song.

Love Crucified, Arose
Long ago He blessed the earth
Born older than the years
And in the stall a cross He saw
Through the first of many tears
A life of homeless wandering
Cast out in sorrow's way
The Shepherd seeking for the lost
His life, the price He paid

Love crucified, arose
The Risen One in splendor
Jehovah soul Defender
Has won the victory
Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Throughout Your life You felt the weight
Of what You'd come to give
To drink for us that crimson cup
So we might really live
At last the time to love and die
The dark appointed day
That one forsaken moment
When Your Father turned His face away

Love crucified, arose
The One who lived and died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again

Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Love crucified, arose
The Risen One in splendor
Jehovah soul defender
Has won the victory

Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
for the heart that sin and sorrow broke
is beating once again

Love crucified, arose
The One who lived and died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again

When I first heard the song, I was really attracted to the melody. After getting this track, it was the whole feel that the tune had. I could just sense how the musicians must have been feeling. It really drew me into the whole mood. I mean, don't you think the music arrangement is just simply amazing. I think just the tune, in this arrangement, is enough to bring me to tears.

So I decided to know for sure what the lyrics were. It's like icing on top of a chocolate cake. These lyrics have so much meaning behind them. No, I'm not going to tell you my analysis, but yeah. This song is really worth listening to. Yeah. It's a really really touching song.

----

Today I learned about how easy it is for someone to lose their loved ones. Three siblings I know, from my church, has lost their older sister yesterday because she died in a car accident. And somehow, it just really made me so sad. I don't know this sister of theirs, but somehow I just felt so burdened with their lost. You know people say, treasure each living moment. It never hit me till then. At that moment, I truly understood what it meant. Who would have expected to get into a car accident? And even worst, die because of the car accident?

Each living moment is really through the grace of God. And ultimately, when our time on this earth is done, who is going to be able to stop Him? So yeah. I learnt how to treasure the times that I am alive, for being healthy, for being able to move about on my own, etc.

Life is just so fragile. Besides treasuring your own life, treasure the lives of those loved ones around you. Don't live to regret not forgiving/not making things right/showing how much you love, etc, that person.

I really hope that family is feeling better. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be there to comfort them.

----

Oh a totally different note, today my psychology teacher was telling our class she had this student, year 11, who was looking for someone to teach her general maths(apparently it's supposed to be easy). So anyway, she approached me. I'm still not very sure if I should teach that girl. I don't know for sure if I can teach. Like I may be able to do the math, but I may not be able to explain. And apparently, that girl is even willing to pay me and stuff. Hmm, shall see how it goes on Thursday. I'm going to be meeting her and then I'll see if she still wants me to teach.. Now to just confirm if I am willing to take this up.

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!

Dear Rachel. To think that I actually knew you when we were younger and if I'm not wrong, you were the reason why I ended up in mg. I remember my parents asking me if I wanted to go to the same school as you or rachel gong. Haha. I had to choose between the two rachels. (Ok that doesn't mean I don't like you rachel gong!)

I'm so glad that God placed the two of us in the same class in sec 3. If not for that, I don't think the two of us would actually talk to each other. And for 2 whole years, those drama in class and all the weird stuff we had to do, I'm so glad you were there too.

Ok this is sounding cheesy. Haha. But yeah, I'm kinda happy that even until now, I can still randomly say hi to you and it doesn't feel awkward. Haha. Yeah.

This is to many years to come...

Hope you had a blessed birthday. Continue to grow in God!

:)

Yay for the good times

For all 'bad' things that happens, I must admit that good things happen as well.

Today I went to QV with mush and ben to 'study'. We barely did anything. And then after trying to push mush off the chair, I got a splinter. Mind you, mush can actually get rather strong if she is fighting for something she wants. Eg. BUTTS! hahahah.

Ok so I had to try to get that splinter out and it was painful and it was this tiny thing that went in too deep. So I went in search of a place that would sell a tweezer and I tried really hard to get it out.

Joey eventually managed to get it out after much digging and stuff. I had to squeeze my finger while she attempted to grab it. I think there's a hole in my finger now.

Dinner. was. the. BOMB! I thought yesterday's was good. Today's was better. And tomorrow at Ying Thai will be the best! The soup was really tasty and not weird at all. Main course was roast chicken, mash potatoes and coleslaw. Yummy yummy. And to top it all of, chocolate mousse. Oh and a bit of Ben's carrot cake. Wow I was so full. Partly because I drank a lot of water. Yeah. But dinner was really really good.

We were supposed to go for a walk but ended up talking outside Joey's door and then did some running, which I am not going to explain why. Haha. Poor poor mush. Haha.

Now to find something else to do. Maybe I should start clearing my room. haha. Exactly one week ago I had such a terrible day, such a contrast to today. Yay for the good times :)

... the workers are few

In the background, I hear the booming beats from the pub next door.
I try desperately to listen out for the silence
Give them 3 more hours of such 'fun' and at 3am,
When the pub closes, is when the fighting will begin.
sighh

Sometimes, I really don't understand why people go through such lifestyles.
It's like, work, drink, fight, sleep
Part of me really feels sorry for them

Anyway, OCF today was good. The thing that hit me the most was this verse:

Matthew 9:37
Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

When I read that verse. It really hit me. I came here, so determined to do God's will and as the days go by, I start to get distracted by everything around me. It's like me returning to square one (well almost..)

I know there's so many things that I can do, but I think my priorities are all wrong. I can still remember how much faith I had after the mission trip in 2006, when I said that I wanted to work in the mission field. All that passion. Gone.

But gone where? There's no way I'm going to let it stay away. No.

I've got to retrieve that passion!

But anyway, I think I'm just going to be thinking more about that verse. I have that feeling that God is trying to tell me something more. Just pray that the revelation will be clear.

Ok that's all I want to blog about today. Haha. Toodles

Today I learnt that sweating is good for the pores. Haha. Stupid clogged pimpled pores. Haha

Trials are over!

I'm so glad that trial exams are over. (ok so fine. I only had 2 papers. So what?!!!) And it's so funny to see all of us so relieved it's over when this is only the trials. Haha.

So today is my only day of rest. No homework(because I didn't bring home my methods book) and no need to study for anything the next day(further math is so not counted. I'm getting bored with that SAC)

Come to think of it. Time really flew by. To think that it's already approaching June.

OK side track a bit. This is the first time, I'm actually not really looking forward to June. I love June. Especially 5th June. Just that, this year, it's not going to be special anymore. And so, it doesn't really matter to me even if it just come and went.

Yeah. So like, wow. I've been here for quite a while already. Ok but if you count it. I've only been here for like 4 months. Yeah. Slightly less than 4 months. And it seems like eternity. I really wonder what it'll be like the day I go back to Singapore.

Ok, now I'm just too lazy to continue blogging. My thoughts shall just remain in me unless someone asks. Haha.

Now to hit the sacks.

Oh and um. I just had to blog this. I found out that Andy(refer to the post on the menu typos) was actually Andrew and he's quite a nice guy and the not so nice guy is called Simon. AND IT'S SO SAD BECAUSE ANDREW IS NO LONGER WORKING FOR TOAB BECAUSE OF SOME CONFLICT WITH TOAB. Stupid TOAB!!!! Andrew made really nice desserts for us plus he was sooo nice. Sigh...

TOC

I really really miss TOC.

Ok not trying to boast or anything, but seriously, can you find another level as cool or cooler than us? I highly doubt so. To think we went through so many things together. Such a fun level.

I really miss you guys

Not everyone is in the picture. (Sarah, Julien.. and that's about it. haha.)

stone blocks

I got this from the mush's blog

I remember learning that "computer", according to Principal Cranshaw, refers to a piece of scrap paper. Well, I supposed that in his generation, they carve words on stone blocks and make fire by rubbing twigs.

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHHAHA

Isaiah 65:24

I got this off Gloria's blog which I believe is rather meaningful

Isaiah 65:24 - 'Before they call, I will answer'

This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa.

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).

We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). 'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.'

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.' While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?'

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, 'Amen'? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator! Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.

By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the..... could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!' Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked: 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it that afternoon.

Praise the Lord for having a plan for everything. Indeed, He makes all things beautiful in HIS TIME :)

Weird dream

I am definitely sick. And I really don't like feeling so drained all the time.

Anyway. I had the weirdest dream just now. It was so so realistic, everyone had the same personalities (a word which AGNES doesn't understand) and the scene was so real.

I'm not going to type out the whole dream, because that's too troublesome. But woahh. Freaky stuff man

chocolate MOUSE???!!!!

When I said there's something wrong with the food I eat here in the hostel, I bet no one really believed me.

So here! Evidence!!

1. Fish soup soup? What is that exactly? Normal soup already tastes and looks so weird and wrong, what more a soup soup?
2. Andy's cake of the day. Do you know why they strike out the word andy's? Because, trust me on this, the cake most probably sucks and andy is this really mean guy. So they are just trying to protect him
3. Chocolate MOUSE????!!!! Ummmm. That's kinda strange... I don't think I would want dessert that day. haha
   

Tsk tsk TOAB. You should have known that such typos would one day be used against you. MUAHAHAHHA...

HAPPY SWEET 16 GLORIA

Happy sweet sixteen dear Gloria! hahaha

May Your 16th birthday be a special one.

xoxo

Updates

I really thank God for my friends, both new and old.

To think that sadly, it took me so long to realise how much I really appreciate the friends that I have here. All the non stop laughter and all the nonsense.

(just that nowadays I got to be careful with what I say. Ensuring that I don't repeat the same word too many times, if not Jinli would have to remember it and comment on it. Talking is becoming stressful!)

But anyhow, life here has been rather.. pleasant?

Yesterday I went to a music concert with Aiwee and Jinli. Aiwee came to the hostel first and there was such a weird conversation. I just finished bathing and was changing in my room when there was this knock.

Me: Who is that?
Person: Huh?
Me: Is that Aiwee?
Aiwee: Is that Monica?

I was thinking. Umm, yeah. Of course it's me. This is my room. Haha. So we went to meet Jinli and took the tram. And the whole night, Aiwee kept singing random weird songs, making us look like a bunch of lunatics.

The concert was somewhat nice. It made me realise how much I really miss my performing days, how many instruments I really want to learn and how much I miss my piano. Overall, it was good. Yeah.

Oh the way back, the three of us were making so much noise, laughing at everything. And making fun of Aiwee. We kept quoting her and using her own lines against her. It was hilarious. We wanted to go Max Brenner's but it was close so we ended up talking in the middle of the street. Yeah

Kinda liked the talking on the street part. It has been a loooong time since I had something like that. Where everyone puts studies aside, and just talk. Yeah. About the most random stuff and all.

Oh well... Pam and Andre are going to be in Melbourne tomorrow. I don't even know how long they are going to be here. Haha. Oh well. Doesn't matter.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZITENG!

HAPPY 17TH LIM ZITENG!
Wah you're so old already. Tsk. And as I remember it, you keep putting such unglam photos of me on my birthday... (ok but the photo isn't unglam. SO I EXPECT NICE PHOTOS this year onwards. BTW MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING!!)

And yeah. I can't believe we survived after growing up together. haha. (inside story. You got to know us to understand why.) haha. oh well. This is to many years to come... (right jess? haha)

Btw, it was not easy finding a photo of you/with you. Which means, when I come back, we're updating all the photos with new ones. And the same goes to everyone else. Don't you dare not take any with me!

HAPPY SWEET 16 DELICIA

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN DELICIA DEAR! HAHAHA!

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Because...
YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE THE SHOWDOWN

xoxo

Happy Mothers' Day

Yeah, today is mothers' day. So this post is just for laughs. Yeah
And to my mummy dearest, HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!

Disclaimer: The post below is not referring to my mum but to all mums in general. Enjoy.

My Mother taught me...

To Value A Job Well Done
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

Time Travel
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

Logic
"Because I said so, that's why."

Foresight
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

Irony
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

Osmosis
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

Stamina
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

Weather
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

Hypocrisy
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

Circle Of Life
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

Behavior Modification
"Stop acting like your father!"

Envy
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

Anticipation
"Just wait until we get home."

Receiving
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

Medical Science
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

How To Become An Adult
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

Genetics
"You're just like your father."

Wisdom
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

Justice
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"

My armpits are in the way

Me: "Eh mush, help me pick up the cushions from behind the bed post"
Sing Yee (aka, mush): "I can't reach it"
Me: "Bend forward lah"
Mush: " I can't, my armpits are in the way!"

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

Thursday is OVER

There's this huge sigh of relive now that thursday is over. I can't believe I stressed out over today for the longest time. Or then again, maybe it was because I was stressed out that I put in more effort in studying.

Whatever it is, I'm glad today is over.

And to think the weekend is almost here. Why is time passing by so quickly? Don't get me wrong, I really can't wait to go back to Singapore, it's just that. WAHH UNI LEHH! Why would I want to go uni so soon. And it's going to be another whole round of saying goodbye to friends and all that. Sighh

I shall not start on this now. I don't feel too well.. Maybe I really need to see a doctor. Sighh

drained

I'm so physically and mentally drained. I can feel how weak my body is right now. And the worst thing is, I have no idea why I'm getting sick. Like more sick by the day. I need to do something about it tomorrow.

It doesn't help that I'm still feeling so overwhelmed by the number of assessments I have tomorrow. It doesn't help that I over slept by an hour just now. It doesn't help all the more that I'm still blogging about it and not doing anything about it now

And to think that after school tomorrow, I still have a long list of stuff I must complete. Sigh.

Well on a lighter note, today after lessons in school, there was this multicultural festival. Which I am not going to blog about now. Yeah.

Ok, back to the books

Stressed and Overwhelmed

I hate being so overwhelmed with so many things to do. I hate the fact that I think I'm so overwhelmed because my time management is not exactly the best thing. Haha.

Yeah. Just thinking about my work load scares me. Let's see. (Ok I shall do it in point form)

• Thurs - Maths Methods and Accounting SAC. F Maths test
• Have to start studying for psychology exam
• Have to do super a lot of math methods and F maths (I need to keep that momentum)
• Study for Accounting!! (oh where do I even start...)
• Finish accounting practise SAC
• Finish all my maths homework
• Settle the bank term deposit THIS WEEK
• Lifegroup later
• This huge load of stuff I have to do but can't say anything about it

Ok I think that's about it. My head hurts now, so I don't want to think about it anymore. And most of my to-do list have to be completed today and at most tmr. Sighh. STRESS!!

And the worst thing, I'm SUPER DUPER ULTRA GOOD at procrastinating.. Sighhhh

I'M SO STRESSED OUT NOW! I REALLY HATE THIS OVERWHELMING FEELING!!!!

The Mum's Overture

Got this from Bonnie. In her words "so coooool and true"

French

Today I heard this lady speak using a French accent and so I decided to copy her. Haha. And ever since that moment, I am able to speak using a French accent and it's so so funny. Haha. I'm just entertaining myself.

Ok I'm bored of updating already. Till another time

Emotions taking over

I don't know what got into me today. Especially on how I let my emotions take over.

I don't exactly feel really proud of myself right now.

I really hope tomorrow is better.

School is getting soo taxing