a breath of fresh air

That would be how I would describe today.

Lunch was supposed to be with both Raphael and Daniel Cheah but someone was late. (It’s okay, I know you had to recover from your sleepless sleepover! Haha.)

For the uninitiated, Daniel was my leader in Central days and Raphael was my UL/SDL in JC.

And I am so incredibly blessed to be able to call them my friends. This is why, even though they have like 10million other people in their groups they could have chosen to meet, they made time for lunch with me. I was marvelling at this with Daniel, who promptly reminded me, “We’re friends. You know with friends, you enjoy each other’s company. It’s not like you have to make extra effort.”

I suppose I was relieved largely because I could be myself with them? I didn’t have to answer questions as though I was being interrogated. I didn’t have to deliberate on what I wanted to say. I could be real. I could be ‘unspiritual’, even. (:

These friends want the best for me – to grow in Him. And I love how they say it in the most unassuming manner. (Only Raphael is capable of sending two-worded smses out of the blue. Yes, I will keep dreaming.  I believe I’ve long forgotten what it means to dream big.) Thank you both for listening to me. I’m fully aware of the vast amount of listening that leaders have to do. I promise to listen to you even more next time. I’m a friend, too, remember?

Oh, I caught The Duchess with Mark, Melvin and Leon in the evening. It was fairly interesting all thanks to Leon’s whining on the left (“When is it going to be over?”) and Melvin’s occasional commentary. For some strange reason, I tend to roll my eyes 79% more than usual when in company of AC guys. Anyhow, thank you for giving me the free movie ticket!

For now, I’m returning back to my prolonged train ride. Train of thought, get it? (:

drover

This has to be my favourite movie of 2008. Baz Luhrmann never fails to produce fantastic work. Perhaps what made it more enjoyable was the fact that I had watched behind the scenes footage on my flight home from Perth.

I think I cry too much during movies. >.< I must have teared at least 5 times for this one.

(: Oh, and watching the movie with the cg was awesome. For instance, squealing together at Hugh Jackman when he enters (most valiantly, can I add?) the scene on a galloping horse, hearing See-yun shriek at the kangaroo part, squealing some more at Hugh Jackman, See-yun clutching my arm at the scary parts…

(Sorry for featuring you so often, Siyun. You were next to me.)

A confession: This movie sorta rekindled the fanatic in me my love for Hugh Jackman. (: (: (: His acting in Australia was top-notch, though I would draw the line at that particular I-am-so-sexy-watch-me-pour-a-gallon-of-water-over-myself scene.

I shan’t spoil your fun, go watch the film.

how to be thankful

This may sound strange and incredibly warped: But I wish I didn’t do well for the exams.

It’s easy to say “Thank God” when you have achieved something way beyond your expectations. However, in the case that I crashed, would I be so quick to give Him praise?

Because of this, I know that the “I thank Him” uttered in face of a bad (subjective, I know) result slip is far more powerful than a “You did it, God!” said in response to a shower of As.

this is my prayer

A pure heart
That’s what I long for
A heart that follows hard after thee

A heart that hides Your Word
So that sin will not come in
A heart that’s undivided
But one You’ll rule and reign

A heart that beats compassion
That pleases You my Lord
Sweet aroma of worship
That rises to Your throne

just two

ZONKIES

I’m sorry I couldn’t stay for the entire gathering! But those 3 hours I spent with you all were great fun and the highlight was seeing DARLINK again.

And really, did you people have to read my Christmas cards out loud at the same time? (:

HC CG REUNION

I have never had such ab-inducing laughter in a while. (: And yes, I was really heartened to hear stories of how lives have been transformed ever since we went our separate ways. So much has changed and yet so many things remain as they were in the past. (The nature of our humour, for starters, is still very much the niao-ing sort.)

Many thanks go to Songjun and Yvonne for the games, Leeyang and Weiwen for praise, Jiexun for being my worship guitarist (again!) as well as the kind host of the event, Fung for excellent chairing and… all of you. <3 (This includes those who couldn’t be with us yesterday.)

There’s this thing about reunions with old friends that make me go all warm and fuzzy inside. Next up, get togethers with EZOAC and 06A13!

the heart of christmas

It was hectic and a mad rush at some points. But I met Him. (: And that was the best gift.

why i write christmas cards:

People must think I’m crazy to write more than 100 cards. But I figured, if these people matter to me, what’s a few minutes spent on penning heartfelt words to them?

Writing the cards was a rather reflective affair this year. (: It made me incredibly thankful for the people God has placed in my life.