wonderment

6 days to Melbourne!!! Goodness … I can’t believe that this time next week I’ll be groggily groping around a new country, a new place, new room, new IP address, new ….

Anyway, to celebrate the final countdown yesterday … hahah, yah like real, Val and I headed off to … SENTOSA!

Sentosa Luge

Val had a two-for-one package coupon deal and when we finally found it on the other end of Tanjong beach, it was a sight you only get to see on the snowy heights of the Alps.

The Luge is really this hillside racing circuit where one to two riders get onto a sled at the top and race all the way down to the bottom of the hill. Now, to get up the hill, you had to get onto this chair lift thing to bring you up - the trip up is included in your ticket.

I’m not really acrophobic so the chairlift didn’t look all that scary to me and the first part wasn’t ‘cos the drop down was still a manageable 3 stories at the most.

But after we passed the first support beam we were hoisted higher than I’d ever been before in a seat that was swinging precariously in the wind! When I decided to look down, a chill ran through the bottom of my feet and suddenly my body went totally jellified. Higher and higher we went until we were sailing past tree tops and people on the Rasa Sentosa beach looked like this “i” here in this sentence.

After that I gripped the seat and refused to let go until my feet touched the ground of the landing pad. For the acrophobic, this is one experience that will either cure you or make you curse and swear about why you did such a silly thing.

The first time we came down the hill we were very careful about not bumping into anyone and so we went like a snail, braking at every possible moment. So that trip wasn’t particularly memorable.

However, the second time we went up the chairlift, Val and I were so used to it that we could take funny pictures for the camera and when when we went down the hill on the luge, we were a couple of speed demons, sweeping curbs and zooming past the first timers.

Woo hoo!

People normally take the trip up on the chairlift but you could choose to take it back down too. It costs $3 per trip.

This activity is not only for the young and courageous, we spotted a couple of ah peks trying to go down this gravity ride. I wonder how they felt when they got to the bottom.

Someone zipping down the hill on the luge.

Second time round, Val and I were so confident we could make faces at the camera hoisted on the support beam.

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After going on the Luge, we headed to the beach to do what we were there for - getting a tan!! In the end there were just too many people there but we caught sight of something else ….

Kayaking!

Yep, so we kayaked around and talked in the middle of the lagoon on our kayaks ala Survivor when they want to form alliances? Hahaha, but me and Val? We’re an alliance made in heaven!

Sentosa on Day 2 of Chinese New Year was quite busy but for 2 girls going in for some fun, we did manage to get our fair share. In the end we had to walk out of Sentosa to get back to Harbourfront in time for our various dinner activities but it was great way to end the CNY hols.

Sorry, I had to start off this blog post being awfully cheesy. The answer? Well, it could be any of the above.

I turned 23 on Friday and then on Saturday morning, the girls from the cell group sprang a surprise breakfast outing (ok not so “surprise” because in these last few weeks they’ve been acting funny, anyone could guess!) and presented me with a slice of wonderfully chocolatey cake, lots of conversation, oodles of girlish laughter and their presence on a Saturday morning when they could have been at home sleeping or getting ready for their reunion dinner. That to me, was the best present ever. I know people like to say these sort of things to make those who’ve thrown a party for them feel good, but seriously, I’m more of a quality time person than a gifts sort of person. You could give me any sort of gift, but if I can see you’ve put in a lot of effort to think of the gift, whether it be a dollar, I would absolutely love it. So these girls really blessed me with the gift of their time.

I lurvvee the gals!

Now, being 23 is aweirdinbetweenkindofage … at this stage of life, significant birthdays include your 16th, 18th, 21st and 25th so 23 … weeeelll… is kinda in between. And furthermore, now that I’m going off to study for a bit, it feels even more weird. Am I supposed to feel adult-y? Or can I (re-)assume some of the nonchalance of a carefree student?

But we’ll leave the philosophy of that for another day. I spent the actual day quietly, preferring it that way. Ordinarily, I would have wished for some hoo-hah, but this year, I was just content that people remembered, some sent early birthday cards, and a couple wanted to come over for the afternoon - I shooed everybody away and spent the day at the dentist. :#

So my teeth are fine, thank you very much.

Happy happy Chinese New Year!

So how was your Chinese New Year? I like CNY for no other reason than to meet up with old relatives and cousins and be zany like that. Yes, the angpows add a nice touch but ever since I started working, the money became inconsequential to the kind of company you get.

Surprisingly, I didn’t get any of the “do you have a boyfriend?” nonsense this year. I think everyone was just too caught up with the fact that I’m heading back to school again. I got more Angpows for my birthday and my upcoming trip! Hehehe ….

Today was just the weirdest sort of day.

I was supposed to meet 3 friends today. 2 of them I meet quite regularly, 1 was an old friend from my previous church.

Yet, by the end of today, I’ve met another 4 people I know.

The first was Cheryl whom I bumped into with her 2 friends while browsing through a shop. We stood there stunned, staring at each other. It’s been 5 years since I last saw her - when she was still in Sec 4. I wouldn’t forget her for the world - she was the frank, tomboyish, reckless one and she made us seniors feel very uncomfortable with her unconventional ways and deep, piercing eyes.

The Cheryl I met was no different from before, still a tomboy, still having those eyes that seemed to peel away the masks you wanted to wear to appear strong. I didn’t have time to pretend I didn’t see her and slink off so I thought I’d just say hello and get on out of there. We began talking about life and when she found out I was going to Melbourne, she started giving me advice ‘cos she just spent a year in UniMelb.

Perhaps 5 years ago, we were all very different people. Underneath her straight-talking exterior was a real character that many people couldn’t accept. Back then, I was the senior girl, the one who had to schmooze with the popular clique in her cohort so that I could hold my position with respect. That group didn’t like or tolerate her so neither could I.

How funny it is that now as I look back, the friends I admire the most aren’t the popular girls I tried to woo with my friendship so desperately but the girls who enjoyed themselves even if they weren’t included in the “in” group.

Years on, I don’t think she’s lost that fiesty character of hers, but definitely, her raw edges then have been smoothened and now she’s a fine young lady. We didn’t speak long but I still felt refreshed by her sincerity and maturity. In fact, as I looked into those eyes that made me feel really uncomfortable once upon a time, I saw a very good soul.

Moving on …

I was just finishing dinner with Joyce when I saw Ms Song and her sister Ruth Song.

When I was in Sec 1, (Ruth was then Sec 4) a group of us new GB recruits used to worship the ground our Sec 4 seniors walked on. I didn’t know Ruth personally so my “worship” didn’t extend to her, rather, I bragged to the others because yes, I share the same name with her, even right up to the Hanyu Pinyin of the first letter of our Chinese names.

But that was about it. She didn’t even know who I was. It was only during the Sec 4 farewell camp, while we were lining up at the same water cooler to refill our bottles, did another Sec 4 girl, Suwen (whom I absolutely adored) tease her and me about having the same name. In fact, I was more pleased that Suwen noticed me rather than Ruth actually knowing I was the other Ruth Song.

So it wasn’t unusual that just now while we were all standing together, we nodded at each other in acknowledgement and said nothing more.

On the other hand, her older sister (Ms Song) used to be my PE teacher-cum-captain of GB. She’s moved on into full-time ministry now so we talked a bit before the situation got a bit odd with nothing else to say but me gushing, “Oh how pretty you are now, Ms Song!” so Joyce and I left.

And finally …

I took the MRT back and was walking out of the MRT station near my place, I don’t know why, I suddenly turned back.

And my heart skipped a beat.

If time went back by 10 years, my heart would have stopped beating then.

There, only 2m away from me was the only girl who could make my world light up in a second. Okay, disclaimer first - NO, I AM NOT GAY. 100% STRAIGHT. CAN?

Suwen. Yes, THAT girl mentioned in the Ruth Song story. The one I absolutely adored? She was standing by the ticket office and I knew I had to go say hi.

You must know, I used to spend afternoons comparing notes with another friend about how many times I saw Suwen in school that day, whether I managed to catch her attention, whether she smiled back, and it was like THE highlight of the day if she saw me waving. That was how much I liked her. She wasn’t a squad leader or anything, but she had a special way of making you feel “noticed”.

She saw me coming and smiling like a crazy idiot but she pretended not to notice. Right up to the time I stepped in front of her, waved and said, “Hi Suwen”.

Like Ruth, like Ms Song, she had this look of utter confusion on her face. All of them couldn’t recognise me at all! (Just look at my I/C and you’ll know why. I sported the same look all throughout secondary school and poly. Real change came after I graduated. Hee.)

The difference that makes Suwen the amazing girl that she is, comes from the fact that she really cares and not just pretends to make you feel good for that moment.

It may not seem like a big thing, but she got my mobile number and gave me hers. Later, she SMSed me, asking me to just give her a shoutout if I needed help in Melbourne because she’s got friends there. I asked for her email address and she gave it to me.

I intend to email her. Goodness, after so long!

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Such a long blog entry but I think I can rival John Tay now with the number of friends I meet on the street, can I, John?? Hahaha … but honestly, I’ve never met so many old GB girls in one day and so many who’ve cast such a deep impression on me.

Now, for those I did arrange to meet, they left new memories for me to cherish and I’ll probably talk about them 5 years down the road? Hehe …

“Noah’s Ark” is slowly gaining in bulk.
In fact, I should call ‘em “arks” now with 2 heavy duty suitcases and 1 mini trolley-pull.
Every day, a little more is added, and today a huge reshuffle - my dad can’t possibly have sanitary pads and high-heels in his suitcase if he’s travelling alone, can he????

I’m weighing in at 27.5kg for the case I’m taking and pleaseeeeeeee *crosses fingers* do not go into excess. Honestly, 27.5 kg is a heck lot of weight. I tried lifting it when I first packed it and my goodness, I hope at 5am in the morning, I will be awake to maneuver this suitcase - alone. Pearline will probably have her hands full already. I actually thought that this thing was heavier than me! Yes, yes, this dodo tried to put the suitcase on the weighing machine but nothing registered because the wheels weren’t resting on the weighing scale.

Rachel didn’t laugh when she heard about my sorry plight and just taught me how to weigh myself first, then weigh myself carrying the suitcase. Okay, I felt super silly because that method came out in my Primary school assessment book once. Anyway, I did that and tadah … 27.5 kg!

Enough about the weird antics of ruth song. I’m starting to get apprehensive how I’m going to survive living on my own.

Saturday - At the Pre-departure seminar.

Nothing new at the seminar, at least nothing I’ve heard from friends who have returned. This event was probably more for our parents, to assure them that all we’ve said is actually true!

We managed to settle insurance, airport pickup and our Australian bank accounts, so that’s good! One thing less to worry about once we get there, eh?

But I think, the good part came after the seminar was done and we got to get into our own little uni groups to mix, exchange numbers and probably meet up once we settled in Melbourne. Not surprisingly, RMIT was a much smaller group as compared to UniMelb, there were perhaps, about 15 of us there? Again, the communication fac claimed the most with nearly half of us being in Advertising, Journalism, PR and Media. But there were surprises - like Pearline and I met Sihan, who’s also going to RMIT (Sihan’s my coursemate and knows Pearline). Seems like the cohort this year is a much older one with a lot of the guys coming in after NS and us 3 who worked for a while.

Standing there in the corner of the ballroom, you caught a glimpse of how diverse this group was. I was talking to this cheena-looking (complete with lots of hairgel and curly sideburns) AhBeng who spoke excellent English and knew all about Melbourne and promised to bring us around. Then, there was this Taiwanese-Japanese girl taking a degree in Chinese Medicine for 5 years! The AhBeng liked her A LOT. Also, you had your punk boys, goth girls and the fresh-from-JC kind. Looks like me and Pearline are going to have some fun Down Under.

Sunday - Supper at Al-Ameen

Chris, Gabriel, Val and I met up for a late night snack (or dinner, rather) at Al Ameen - and talked kok after a long week.

I think I will look back at this post when I’m craving for roti prata in the middle of the night and s-a-l-i-v-a-t-e. Do not read on if you’re feeling hungry. May induce manic thoughts to get out of the house for a high-sugar, high-cholesterol fix.

My milo dinosaur and Gab laughing at something …

The boys ordered food like they had been starved the entire day.
See-hum boiled in lemongrass water, mutton bryani, prata, etc!

Then Val and I had to act macho by ordering a whole pizza murtabak.
In the end, we were so stuffed, we ended up only eating the stuffings
and leaving the skin behind.

Val and I … Vee for victory! Hehe ..

We took up one table by ourselves to eat … then after we were done with round one, we proceeded onto round 2 … we ended up claiming another table just to store our finished plates and cups. We were there for 2.5 hours and the Al Ameen guys didn’t clean up everything until we left.

Cool weekend. I’m down to my last 2 weeks. Exactly! 2 weeks from now … I fly!

” You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” - courtesy of a young listener when I asked her if she was an old classmate from JJC.

“Obstacles are the stupid things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” - courtesy of my sister when she heard the above quote.

Visa approved finally.

One step closer to Australia.

Pre-departure seminar on Saturday. Pearline texted me and asked to meet up before the seminar. I think she’s apprehensive at leaving family, friends and her church ministry.

Me too.

I packed today … I intend to live very simply for the next couple of weeks, so if you see me in the same T-shirt, you’ll know why. Don’t worry, I’ll smell nice.

Anyhoo, packing is a real art, I tell you - I spent 3 hours packing, rolling, folding, then unpacking and rearranging and packing again. I’m thankful for friends who’ve been there and back. They’ve been marvelous in telling me what to bring and what not to bring - otherwise, you can be sure my whole house is going to follow me and I’m sure, my excess baggage will exceed the $3000 the Mongolians incurred on their way back home. My target is to manage my trip with one suitcase and at the very most, Dad will have to bring another small one. So just when I gleefully thought I’d be able to go with just one suitcase …. I tried to close the suitcase.

I tried to close the suitcase.

Oh yes, I’m quite sure the commuters on the train platform were rather amused looking in and seeing me do the knee press, then the bum-sit, the heave-ho, the saddle position, elbow jerk … you know, the whole body rest thing, etc?

Even with my miracle vaccuum bags, the suitcase just wouldn’t budge and all the smaller items I’d hidden away in little air pockets were falling out.

Nearly screamed, but what good would it be for a whole bunch of strangers seeing a crazed woman go berserk in her own home? So very quietly and serenely, I unpacked almost half my stuff and put it back into my wardrobe for another day.

Well, for one thing, I’m grateful Dad’s coming a week later with the rest of my stuff. I just need to bring the essentials to set up home at my new place.

Now, to just get the essentials to fit into that suitcase.

Preparing for worship isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do on earth, but when you have a theme in mind, it gets slightly easier.

This week at YA, we’re going to be talking about missions and an old song immediately came to mind - a very traditional Campus Crusade song, the kind that gets you all fired up to sign up for the next mission trip. I’ve not sung this song in some years … ever since my first mission trip to Bangkok and then upon graduating from Ngee Ann.

It’s a beautiful song - drawing much imagery from the Last Supper where Jesus broke bread and poured wine for His disciples.

When a Campus Crusade senior sang it for the first time at that mission trip, it sent chills up and down my back. I guess you could say this is the “milestone” in my life that changed it from being self-serving to God-serving.

I guess one of the things I’m most apprehensive about with going to Australia is that I might drift. I’ve drifted before and it’s not something I’d like to do again - so facing the reality that I’d have to be more disciplined and not rely on other people is a little scary.

For the past 2 years, I’ve been super pampered 1) having daily devotions with my office peeps 2) getting regular spiritual checks by friends 3) attending a good Bible-believing church and young adult ministry 4) and being more involved in the lives of God fearing friends.

Well, I guess after the super pampering comes the time to test what my mettle is made of, eh?

Hehe, God willing, I’ll come back stronger than ever - and this degree will be used to make some kind of impact for His kingdom.