wonderment

Yes, that’s me … many many years ago… like 5 years ago? I say many because I definitely look like I belonged to another era. Hehe! This picture was taken in 2003 at West Coast Park (I think?) It was the third year graduation outing and for some reason all the boys in our batch weren’t there! Ahh… the memories of yesteryear. I remember that I was so involved in Campus Crusade that I’d always go to the CCC room after class, above Canteen One, on the third level, in Ngee Ann Poly, to find someone to talk to, or just chill.

I’ve just had dinner with some of those people in the picture. There was Eileen on the far left, Lijing (second from left) who joined us at the last minute, Calyn (next to me) and Cheryl who didn’t come. Likai, my ex Campus Director and Sharon my senior also joined us.

Felt really nice to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in ages. I miss being able to talk about our ministries, and share the hard parts as well as the rewards. It really made today, a day that began rather badly, end off well.

Personally, I rate today the worst day I’ve had in a while.

Oh no, nothing major happened. But when you find yourself crying in the shower it’s probably an indication that something’s not right somewhere.

Now, I don’t need any coddling from this, I’m not trying to illicit sympathy or attention. Frankly, I don’t know why I’m feeling so miserable - probably an accumulation of disappointment at not doing well in the project presentation even though we’ve spent so much time and energy on it … fatigue from starting the week being super late for work and spending an entire week’s transport allowance on a single cab ride … maybe it’s general burn out from running for so long. I don’t know, frankly I don’t. It’s a myriad of different factors that I could account for but cannot bear the thought of having to figure out which one’s the main culprit. The tears came, I let them go and the water washed them away.

I was feeling so bad, I  wanted to cancel my birthday party this weekend. For a moment, I felt how pathetic it was to plan my own party … but as I walked around the house a bit, I realised, that if I don’t, I was going to let my milestone year slip away unnoticed. I did that for my 21st birthday, I ain’t gonna let it go for my 25th.

So I sat down and started doing up a shopping list and the more I wrote, the more ideas came to me. And as I thought about the different things I would do to make this party special, I felt my spirits becoming a little more uplifted. I love the fact that I am blessed enough to be here at 25, living healthy and free and being surrounded by the people I love. I love the fact that I can do something special for them in return for the grace they have given to me.

I just wish however, that I had 3 other friends to celebrate with. Too bad they’re scattered faraway overseas … Funny that 2 of them should email me today. Perhaps my sadness is from missing them too.

As I was coming into work, I noticed how sunny and blue-skied today is. Reminds me a little bit of Melbourne. So nice.

My birthday party has been settled. A nice little KPT (kueh pie tee) party with my near-and-dears. Yay! After an entire month of just running around, I’m looking to enjoy finishing it with a nice night of celebrations.

Having dinner with Andrea and Jason.

I could kick myself for forgetting to take a photo with them, so you’ll have to imagine along with me.

Andrea and Jason were/are my closest friends in  Melbourne, and I laughed, cried, cooked, prayed and spent hours chatting with them. They stood by me when I first broke up with the boy (another story for another day!), challenged me into ministry, inspired me on in my faith. Andrea who stayed round the corner from me, was my chatting buddy. We often stood at the porch of her apartment and chatted for up to 2 hours in the freezing Melbourne nights after OCF. You can say, without those 2, my life in Melbourne wouldn’t have been so interesting and colourful.

Andrea’s back in Singapore for a short bit and we had to catch up because I rarely get to see her. I chose Bakerzin at Paragon because I’d heard about its wonderful chocolate lava cake and seafood pasta.

I don’t think we were really interested in the food as much as we were interested in catching up. We probably sat there for a good half hour before ordering dinner and spent another 15-20 minutes yakking before ordering dessert. It was all very good and fulfilling to hear about how Parkville is changing under a few people who are burdened enough to change things. As I listened to Andrea regal me with stories about our friends and ministry, I could just feel myself being transported back to Melbourne, walking down Swanston Street to go to OCF at Arrow Heights.

Oh the memories… I’m glad though, I was scared I’d gradually forget about Melbourne, but with people who bring me back news, it’s always a refreshing experience.

I love my Aussie friends today!!!

I’m so inspired I’m going to write a few emails to the some other people who’ve emailed me but I never got round to replying …

Toodles!

Things I love TODAY …

Top on the list, definitely the bouquet of cherry-black tulips Hsien surprised me with when he dropped by after church. They were languishing in the summer heat but when your boy is sweet enough to bring over flowers to cheer you up, they’re beautiful no matter what state they’re in. Anyway, now that I’ve switched on the air-conditioning in my room, they look revived and fantastic.

Another thing I love is the Intensive Night Time Hand Serum from Marks and Spencer.  John and Pris got me this for Christmas. They actually called me in the middle of work and asked what I wanted for Christmas. My hands perpetually feel like sandpaper so on a whim, I said “hand cream” and didn’t think too much about it. Then when I actually got hand cream, I had to try it out and this light, hydrating floral-scented cream has got my hands actually feeling soft! I hope M & S always carry it!

…

My cousin and I were talking at our weekly gathering at our granddad’s house. Her birthday and mine are pretty close together so we were talking about how we were going to celebrate our “mid-fifties” - midway to fifty. Ewww, I prefer to just call it “turning 25″. So anyway, I celebrated it last year with a bunch of close peeps and had a ball of a time at my “What is Special to you” themed party.

It’s another 28 days to the big day … what shall I do to make this party exceptionally memorable? Ideas anyone?

Cheryl’s wedding was a blast. When you know the bride on a personal level and have loved her like a sister, seeing her married to a guy you know who will protect her is very nice.

It’s 421am in the morning and I am still up. 2 deep talks with 2 very important people in my life has created a buzz in my head. Of joy and the surety of knowing that come what may, (even though I may be at a loss for words or I have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about), I can still count on them to love me no matter what.

I thank God for them. : )

It’s been 12 days since I last updated!

So many things have happened over the past 2 weeks, bloggable things but ever since I’ve returned to Singapore, it’s been a challenge to fit back into the rigours of a normal life. Yes, normal in the sense that you have the telephone ringing at all times of the day, you have fires to fight, important people (note:personal key relationships) to keep up with and on top of that, maintaining the house chores (and more!) and greater church involvement.

But I don’t resent it, I love it. I love the fact that I no longer live in an uncertain fantasy bubble (that Melbourne was for me) and that this is my real life - dirt and all. Sometimes it’s hard; I’ve cried a few times in just the last 2 weeks, over work, over my sister going away to study for four years - I’ve felt like strangling some people and biting their heads off - but hey, isn’t that what life is all about?

Anyway, I gotta go. Just dropped by to say hi and to let you know I’m still around here. The clock’s struck 545 and I’m off to embrace my weekend!

Catch you all soon in the next post. Cheerios!

Something from 4 years back that I found when Flickr migrated all my Yahoo Photos over because they were closing down.

She is so going to kill me.