2010, here I come

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Honestly, right now, I'm starting to feel rather overwhelmed; simply by the thought of what I have to do, what I want to accomplish. I have big plans, big dreams and I don't want to give up. Even if I don't get to reach those goals, I want to have that fighting chance.

But God is good. He has been giving me that verse every time I feel down and discouraged. So I believe that end of the year, I would be able to look back and see that all that I've done is really not by my own strength, but God's. I'm going to be rejoicing throughout the year for the strength and perseverance that is given by Him. I'm not going through this alone.

2010 has officially begun for me..

Smile

Smile, though your heart is aching

Smile, even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by...

If you smile

With your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just...

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just...

Smile, though your heart is aching

Smile, even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by...

If you smile

Through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile...

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

Extra Extra!!

Headlines: What is Monica up to now?

That was my poor attempt to make this post sound a bit like a newspaper article. Haha. I can't even be bothered now to continue in that 'newspaper-ish' tone. Haha. So anyhow, some updates..

• 2 more days till I get my piano!! WOOHOO.
• OCF is starting soon; I'm quite excited!!
• Uni is starting soon; mixed feelings. I'm actually excited for lessons, not excited for the huge amount of readings, assignments and then exam preparation.

And really, that's about it. Hahah. So sad, all 3 of them is about things in the future; things I'm looking forward to. In other words, there's really nothing interesting happening in my life right now. Haha.

And anyway, this is quite funny. JC Lightbulb Joke. You probably have to be a Singaporean/someone who studied in Singapore, to really understand it.

Q: How many RJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 4 whole faculties. One to design the new bulb, one to
manufacture and test it out, one to write a proposal on it and one to market it.

Q: How many HCJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: The whole school. To compete with RJC.

Q: How many VJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: The whole school. One student to screw it in and the rest to cheer and wave flags and banners to give him/her support.

Q: How many NJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They can study without light.

Q: How many AJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: They’re too busy trying to be one of the top 5 JCs.

Q: How many ACJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They’ll rather use all their money to employ YJC to do it for them.

Q: How many YJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. Only one teacher to tell them what a light bulb is in the first place and to demonstrate how to change the light bulb.

Q: How many CJC students does it take to change a light bulb? (Hint: High abortion rate in the past)
A: They’ll prefer it to be darker.

Q: How many JJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. Their physics is so bad that they made their macho male physics teacher cry.

Q: How many TPJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. Would they even bother?

Q: How many SAJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They believe in praying for it.

Q: How many NYJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They are still using oil lamps.

Q: How many SRJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Huh, what litebarb?

Q: How many PJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Heck the light bulb lah, the principal would do something about the rightbarbs. Let’s do 300 jumping jacks for not wearing the proper school attire.

Q: How many MJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They are too busy trying to get promoted.

Q: How many IJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They are Innovians. They’ll find ways out of the dark.

Q: Who wrote all this?
A: A TJCian.

Q: How many TJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They think they are already very bright.

The Time Is NOW

Do you think the children in less privilege countries know that they are missing out on a lot?

Do you think the less fortunate children actually yearn for more, if they don't know what is out there?

Wait. Am I basing happiness on material stuff? Tsk me. No but really. You know when you look into their eyes, and you see this emptiness, sadness? It's really sad :(

But that aside, what can be done? How do we constantly engage ourselves with community, with the people out there who aren't like us? Is it enough to just give money, to pray for them?

Rick Warren said, "The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now." It's time to once again engage myself with the community (and also finish my brainstorming..)

Real Community

"One key to courteousy is to understand where people are coming from. Discover their history. When you know what they've been through, you will be more understanding. Instead of thinking about how far they still have to go, think about how far they have come in spite of their hurts.

Another part of courteousy is not downplaying other people's doubts. Just because you don't fear something doesn't make it an invalid feeling. Real community happens when people know it is safe enough to share their doubts and fears without being judged."

Pachabel Rant

Unleash the classical musician inside you and laugh your head off with me.

Tick Tock

I really really like this clock, or the idea. Will someone buy it for me, or do it for me? Please??

Silver Lining

You know what's one nice thing about staying with your family?

It's when you're all alone at home, you can still be assured that no matter what, they'll come home and you can have dinner with them (unless of course we have other plans).

Plus, I don't have to be in charge of all the bills and banking and whatnot anymore. Woohoo!!