.. Getting Ready for 2011 ..

Time flies!! It's the 31st of DECEMBER!!! Last day of 2010!!!

So many things had happened in this year alone. Though a very very challenging year for our church as a whole, still thanking God for the many many who had remained.

Had a meet up with 3 sisters today, we had been friends for one decade. Our paths crossed in church. Though things may have changed, all of us had matured & grown & changed through the years, I am thankful that our love for our church & pastors remains. And that is really really encouraging to me. :)

God is good, always good. All things will work together for good.

I am looking forward to an amazing year once again with Him. My awesome God. :)

Thank God for fulfilling my degree dream. He not only fulfilled it, He did it in a way that surpassed what I could ask or think.

2 years in Adelaide. This is indeed true. The latter days will always be better than the beginning. It was so tough initially, in fact for the first 3 semesters, but everything turned out so well in the last few months. I thought that I will never miss Adelaide, but now I do. Which is good, cos the harshness & (somehow) cruel reality of life I experienced were replaced by good & wonderful memories, especially those shared with my LG friends & Paradise Church. :)

It doesn't really matter how it started, but it's how it ends that matters more.

Adelaide is definitely a very beautiful part of my life. Thankful to God for that. :)

And now... 2011. Gonna be another awesome year! I'm excited! Really excited..... :)

Looking forward to a meet up!! Praying that, if it's the time, it will be, for me...

New Year! New Resolutions! Gonna start planning them! Still in relaxed mode! Hee heeee! :P

.. Back in Singapore... for GOOD! ..

I am back home!!! :) :) :)

Will blog again soon... Lots of things to update!

It's been such a great and blessed 2 years journey of my life... God is indeed good!

I've GRADUATED!!! :)

.. IT IS TODAY!!!! ..

Finally!!! Been counting down for sooooo long!  And my mum, aunt, Mad & Samuel will be arriving in Adelaide today! To be exact, 5 hours' time!!!!!!

Time really flies!

And I am going home in 6 days' time!!

Rented a car to serve us for the next 6 days of travelling...  It is a good car!  :)

Praying that indeed God's protection will be upon us...  Journey mercy with all the travelling.  Minimum car-parking fees (HAHA)...  Praying for His grace & favor indeed!  AMEN!

.. Last Day in Kim Wang! ..

Finally!  Today is my last day in Kim Wang.  :)

Am HAPPY, cos it is not a work that I really enjoy doing........ But for the sake of earning the income to cover the rental & expenses, I just got to do it.

Thankful to God that I can tahan so long.... HAHA. Many times I have a rush thought to just want to QUIT!

Started working in this supermarket since June last year.  Till date, I had counted.  I had earned close to A$10K!!  To be exact, it was A$9,823!  Woohooooo!

That's really one of my biggest encouragement...  A pat on my shoulder.  HAHA...

Of course, other than that, one great thing is the opportunity to know more friends!  :)

I always believe that God can definitely bless me with another good job, if He wants to.  But there must be a reason why He placed me here...  And it has indeed been a great molding to my character......

Nevertheless, I am thankful for this part-time job.  HAHA.  I used to be one who don't know the names of the vegetables!!  What to do when I hardly do any cooking at all before I came to Adelaide!! HAHA... But now I know a lot already.  Chinese Spinach, Chinese Broccoli, Snake Beans, Chives, Choy Sum, Bok Choy, etc etc etc....

I think next time when I go to NTUC, whenever I look at the veggie, I will definitely think of Kim Wang!

Family's reaching Adelaide on Saturday morning!!!  So.......  EXCITING!!! :)

.. 宿舍好静啊 ..

Yizhi left this morning... So her shoes outside her door were all cleared.  When I came back from work, I saw the stretch of rooms from room no.2 to no.7, the passage way was so "clean". No slippers. No shoes.

So many hostel mates had returned home for holiday....

The hostel is so quiet now... :(

Life's been pretty slow for the past few days...  Business at the supermarket where I worked was super slow too... Wonder where did all the people go?? Maybe a lot of students had gone back to their home country for holiday. Some also said that because AUD$ had gone so high, so more Aussie people took the chance to go travelling cos their money is BIGGER now!

2 more days working at Kim Wang. Looking forward to Thurs!!

I miss the sound and the noise of the hostel mates...  Miss the laughter, miss the birthday celebrations etc...

宿舍好静啊 。。。。。。

.. Wheeeeee! ..

Wheeeee! GOD IS GOOOOOOOD! :) :) :)

.. I HAVE GRADUATED!! (Part 2) ..

Results out for Ethics course!  Praise God for a Distinction!!! :) :) :)

.. I HAVE GRADUATED!! ..

Praise the LORD!!!

I have GRADUATED!!! :) :) :)

I had 2 dreams last night... and in each dream, I failed 1 of the courses. One was Global Issues, and the other was Management Control Systems.  When I woke up, I was a little nervous, because sometimes my dreams do come to pass....

But really thank God!  These 2 results were released already and I got credit for both of them!!!

Global Issues was really a miracle. I failed Assignment 1 (quite badly), and Group Assignment 2 was surprisingly not done well.  So for me to get a credit for this course, I calculated that I need to score at least 80% in the exams. I was prepared to settle for a pass for this course... but deep in my heart I really was hoping that I can at least get a credit so I can maintain a good GPA.  This is indeed a miracle, all glory to GOD!! :)

And for Management Control Systems!!  The course that got me really really stressed and depressed!  But thank God to the prayers of many, I scored a credit too!!! :) :) :)

Still awaiting the results for Ethics course, but I have already passed that course with my 3 assignments. So now just praying for a good grade!

WOW! GOD IS SO GOOD! He has fulfilled a long-time dream of mine!  THANK YOU JESUS!  :)

Looking forward to attending the graduation ceremony on 20th Dec!!  :)

Thank you for standing with me and praying for me!!  :)

.. First Cycling Experience in Adelaide ..

Being a cycling lover, it is indeed unusual for me to be cycling for the first in Adelaide today!

But I am thankful for the opportunity... at least get to do it once before I leave Adelaide in exactly 2 weeks' time! 2 more Thursdays, at this time I will be settling down in my Boon Lay house!

Wow. Time really flies. What a great and memorable 2 years it has been in Adelaide! These 2 years will indeed be such a great part of my life!

Thank God indeed...  He is so good. :)

.. Leaving Adelaide in 2 weeks' time ..

Hostel mates had left one by one, back to their home country during this summer break.

I used to be one of them.  I remembered I returned to Singapore last year on the 1st of Dec.  If I am not waiting for my graduation, guess I would already be in Singapore now!

But this time is different, feels really different for me.  Cos I know that I am graduating, and will be returning to Singapore for good.

Suddenly, I realized.  Just dawned upon me that I will missssssss here so much.  Especially the friends here.  :(

What an irony right?!!  I used to be counting down to the days of my returning.

Of course I am still looking forward to go back to Singapore!  But I really feel a little sad, very sad actually, that I will not be back to see my friends here anymore........

But, I guess it's a good "sadness" lah.  Cos I used to be very determined that I will not come back to Adelaide for holiday.  But now I think, why not, maybe I will come back for visitation again someday.  Come and see the city campus holding its service in the new building since I will not be able to attend the first service that's going to be held in January next year.  Come back and visit my church friends, especially Northrington LG.  Come back to visit my AOSA mates.  :)

Adelaide.  So many memories indeed.  Were really tough & challenging days, but, God is good and has always been so good.  Thinking back, I am really thankful to how He has brought me through, and the people He has brought into my life.

Results' going to be released this Sat!  Wah.  Really can't wait.

And family will be reaching Adelaide NEXT SATURDAY!  YES NEXT SATURDAY!  WAHHHHH!  Time really flies!  Can't wait to see them!  :D

Father God, thank You for the opportunity that I can have this overseas education experience.  Indeed I am blessed.  Thank You for the friends whom I had met here, especially those whom had really made a deep impact in my life.  There are so many so many things I can thank You for.  And as I make my way back to Singapore in 2 weeks' time, I pray You will guide my path, to where I should be in, and what I should be doing.  Father, it's really like a new and fresh beginning for me, once again.  I pray I will be able to adapt well and quick enough.  I do feel a little nervous.... but I pray you will give me Your peace indeed.  Everything indeed is going to be alright and will be alright.

In Jesus' name...  Amen.

.. The Farewell ..

Had the last Life Group meeting last evening... It was supposed to be a farewell for me, Rosadel & Rony who will be leaving at the end of the year. Rosadel had graduated and will be moving on to Darwin to work, while Rony is an exchange student and will be returning to India when the semester ends in December.

What a great night it was.... We had food (there will always be good food!!), games (I taught them the tribal game that YJ taught us many years ago... it was so fun! Thank you YJ if you are reading this! :) ), forfeit and some funny awards presentation... Then came the part that I dreaded the most and yes, the farewell......

Guess I knew that it was the last LG and I will be leaving soon, for good.... I just felt a little sad, real sad actually... Tears just started to flow naturally and though I was trying to hold them back, they still came.. Aiyoyo... As I grow older, I actually dread this kind of emotional scenario lo... Haha...

Anyway, it was really a great night.  I am thankful for the appreciation speeches that the LG people gave me... I thank God that through my sharings & the little little things that I had done, it had blessed them in certain ways. This is what that will always assure and encourage me that I have live a life worthwhile, to impact & inspire the lives of people around me, for God.

Yep, had been such a great 2 years. I am really blessed, very blessed. Though had been really challenging and made me broken in many areas, this is always true: God is interested in our character more than our comfort. I felt that in these 2 years I encountered God and knew Him in a much deeper way, more than I had ever known Him. New revelations, new understanding of His goodness and grace especially.

And also, can 1 person make a difference? Indeed definitely.  My LG leader, En Qi, is a real example. Only 25, yet her faith, her passion for God, for Oxygen ministry, for the international students really touched my heart a great great deal. A good leader can really make a whole lot of difference. And I pray by His grace, I will continue to be such a leader, and even better.

Thank you En Qi! You are really amazing!

Last night LG really ended late, very late! For the first time, we left Eva's place at close to 12 am!  Thank God En Qi and David drove all of us back home. Then when I reached hostel, finally I had the chance to talk to Audrey!.. This girl huh, has been so busy till we haven't spoke for a long long while.  But I'm glad we had a good catch-up, and also said a prayer for one another. Wow, I was really touched to see how she is growing in God. She only just came to receive Jesus into her life this year, and I always wanted to have more fellowship with her, but our time-table just doesn't fit. But God has been amazing, and has been touching her heart bit by bit, day by day. God really has His ways... Salvation is indeed in His hands.

Audrey Loo! I'm going to miss you so much!

This bidding farewell thingy really dampens my heart.... But I guess, this is what building relationships is all about. When emotions are triggered, means that sowing has been done in a person's life. This kind of relationship is much better than just "hi & bye" relationships. So I should be thankful, that we have been a part of one another's lives according to His timing, to His plan. God just make our lives so much more interesting, so much more meaningful, isn't He? :)

Last but not least, I also want to thank God that I am able to give Getting Started BS to Eva & Ann. My oh my... there is just such joy for me whenever I can give BS to teach the Word! They felt blessed by the lessons, I felt even more blessed to be sharing! Though it's going to be kinda rush... got to finish the remaining 8 lessons in 2 weeks' time, I pray that we will indeed finish the series and they will have a stronger foundation in God. It's always so encouraging to see young people like them to be hungry for more of God!

3 weeks remaining in Adelaide! Excited for the next phrase of my life.... Though things seems uncertain for now, I'm sure God will guide and lead my steps. Because He is a good God. :)

.. New Hair Cut ..

Spot my new hair cut!  Do I look younger?  LOL.....

Hair's been getting a little messy... even when I tied it up, which I usually do, messy strands still hang around everywhere. Which really irritates me! Ha...

So.... wanted to tidy my hair a little, get it nicer for my graduation! Decided to ask my hostel mate Vivian if she is free to help me do some trimming. Vivian learnt hairdressing before when she was in Malaysia, and she is really talented! She trimmed my hair once last year and I liked it!

So last night we had the second hair-trimming session again in my room. And as usual, what I always do when I sat on the chair waiting for the hair-stylist, I will say a prayer! Haha. Ask God to anoint the hands of the hair-stylist and give me a nice hair-do.

But it was really funny last night.  Maybe we chatted too much.  And then Vivian kept cutting and cutting and cutting.  Then suddenly! She realized she might have cut in the wrong way. By the time she stopped, and I looked at the mirror. WOW. So......... SHORT! HAHA. Need a bit of time to adjust and accept the new hair-do. She was so apologetic! Even though I kept telling her it's ok it's ok, I think it's really ok!

This morning when I got out of bed, went to brush my teeth. Looked at the mirror, WAH!!! My hair "POM" 起来！！！ HAHAHA... It's really funny! I laughed at myself. Wet my hair and pressed it down. Make sure the POM is gone!!!

I think the hair-do is really ok lah....  HAHA. At least makes it really obvious that I had a hair-cut! I had been keeping the same hair style for the last many years, and even when I did some trimming, no one really knows I had a hair cut, unless they are really observant, or when I tell them!

Whoever saw me today, they first thing they say is, YOU CUT HAIR AH! LOL....

Good lah.  I think this hair-do is really ok! Haha. Praying that by the time 20th Dec came, it will grow and be in the best condition for photo-taking! Hee hee....

Time flies!!!  It's 1st DEC! :D  Counting down to the arrival of my family!! :) :) :)

.. 好开心！..

开心！！！ 真的好开心！！！哈哈哈。。。

EXAMS' finally over!!!

Praying by the grace of God, indeed I will clear all 3 papers and graduate on 20th Dec! :)

Today's paper was good! Yeah. It's on ethics. Quite an interesting course actually... Can ethics be taught? Yes definitely it can be... Does anyone need to learn ethics? DEFINITELY!!! I actually learnt so much from this course too.

Wow... Last paper! How do I feel?? Really great!!! Exams' really torturing for me... Haha. Nothing has depressed me as much as exams have?? So I am really so glad that they are over for me, for now. :)

Results will be out on 11th Dec.  Praying that it shall be....... GOOD! :)

.. Last Paper to GO! ..

Finally, for the first time in my Uni life, I have a hostel mate who is doing a same course as me. So we are course mates, and through her I get to know 3 other friends doing this same Ethics course. And we have been meeting a couple of times to prepare for our exam paper tomorrow.

This is a picture taken today in the library.

These gals aged between 20-23. And YES I am so much older than them. HAHA. That's why, see, they asked me to sit in the middle and they stood around me and gave thumbs-up!

It is indeed so good to have friends to study with?? Haha.. Though sometimes we ended up getting distracted and chatting away... Yea, I think it's still a very good support to have. :)

Finally I am not such a loner in this last semester. HAHA... GOD IS GOOD!

Last paper tomorrow at 2pm! WOOHOO! Can't wait for everything to be over!!! :) :) :)

.. Feels so GOOOOOD! ..

Today's paper was............... OK!

Praise the Lord!!!!!

Can't exactly say that I answer all correctly.... But at least I kept track of the time & avoided what I went through last semester for Strategic Mgmt... I left one 20marks question blank! And only left 8 mins to write 3 short paragraphs in another 20marks question. It was indeed His grace that I passed that course!!!

At least now I have a good feeling..... that I should be able to graduate indeed this December. :) :) :)

All by His grace indeed. How will my life indeed be, without Him? I really cannot imagine.......

Last paper to go! Thanks to all who had prayed with me and for me all these while. Your prayers and support really gave me such strength!

Thanks to my family for their support indeed! They are my most beloved!!! :) :) :)

.. He is the Strength of my heart ..

Just got back from church service and it was indeed refreshing. Ready to take on the new week ahead.

He is indeed the Strength of our heart.

Just a day more to go... Will just do the best whatever I can today. Have a good night rest and get up early for tomorrow's paper.

Praying that indeed things will be fine, everything will be alright. Just got to let go.... and let God take control.

Appreciate all the support & encouraging posts on my FB wall. Thank you all! :)

Been checking my Uni mailbox and the forum that I had posted. Till now, no reply from that Basil lecturer. It is really such an irony. While he was teaching us, he made comments & promises that if we have any issues, we can always approach him for help. He said that even after we graduated, we can still look for him should we need advice in anything.

Something that really convicted me after this incident. Don't talk big if you are not going to do it.  It really disgusts me.

When we say and commit something, let's do it. Don't just be talkers, but really doers.

I thank God that He never fails to His words and promises. He is indeed the One we can depend on all the days of our lives.

It has indeed been such a journey here in Adelaide. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. 4 seasons in the natural. 4 seasons also in the spiritual sense. May this Winter passes soon and let Spring comes. I am really looking forward to it.

Thank God He is always good and He never fails.  Sometimes I wish I don't always have to rely on a miracle in my studies. Ha........

Jesus. Just one more paper. I ask that You will indeed bring me through once again.

Amen.

.. Immerse Stress ..

Was in the library at 10am this morning, was doing revision all the way till about 4pm where I cannot take it anymore.  Need a break.  Need to pray.  Need to come before God to have a good release.

Am really concerned for the paper on Monday.  It is not a difficult course.  Management Control Systems.  After going through all the seminars, I can relate to what I had seen in Citibank, and come to understand why certain processes and practices are put in place.  It shouldn't be hard at all.

The lecturer told us that the exam is not a matter of memory, but understanding the concepts and applying them. And not any direction is given at all to the areas we should focus on.  Everything is examinable.  EVERYTHING.

I really hate lecturers like that.  We are in Uni.  Everything is so broad.  There is so much covered in a semester of work.  And he expects us to study EVERYTHING?

It is really such a irony.  When I failed my first assignment, all my fears were driven at failing Global Issues for Accounting.  I took the exam on Wed, the paper was ok.  Thank God the lecturer really gave us some very good directions to focus on.  So we can eliminate and concentrate on what we should revise.  I met a friend in the library just now.  Asked her about the figures for the foreign currency translation question and the journal entries.  Was so relieved to hear that we got the same figures!  Means that I should have got it right!  18 marks guaranteed.  I think I should be able to pass the Global Issues course.  Thank God for His grace indeed.

Except for the 1st seminar which I missed because I came back to Adelaide 1 week after school had started, I had attended all 12 seminars for this Mgmt Control Systems course.  And I have scored a credit average for both the assignments combined.  So I really cannot accept it if I fail this course because I fail the exam.  I looked at the 2007 exam sample that was provided.  I cannot seem to answer any of the questions at all. And no answer was provided for us as a reference guide.

I emailed both the lecturers in some sort of desperation for some advice & guidance.  And you know what?  Both are away from the office and will only be back on 22 Nov.  The day where I will have the paper.  Maybe I am expecting too much.  But I think, the lecturers shouldn't be away just before our exams?  Shouldn't they be around to help us?  I can accept it if one lecturer is away.  BOTH are away.  Who can I find now?

So at 4pm, I can't take it anymore.  I need to release my stress to God.  I came back.  Took my guitar.  Worshiped for a while.  Prayed.  Tears streamed down.

It is not that I cannot accept failure.  If I fail, surely I can do it again.  I can go back to Singapore & take this course externally.  At the most I come back to Adelaide again next year for graduation.

But tickets have been bought.  My family is coming over.  The thought of them coming and I can't graduate. I don't want to let them down.

Every semester I seem to go through the same cycle.  First semester it was Macroeconomics.  Then it was E-Business.  Just last semester it was Strategic Mgmt.  And now, this. Why can't I just have and enjoy a peaceful semester for once?

All thanks to His grace, I cleared all 3 courses.  Strategic Mgmt was indeed a miracle.  I pray, indeed if He has done it before, He can do it again.

But indeed God is good.  Was comforted and encouraged by Him just now when I prayed.  He brought to my remembrance of the 3 courses and I was really encouraged.  Indeed be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to Him.  And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

I am so much more at peace now.

2 more days.  Was contemplating should I work tomorrow, but I think a break from the books is good for me.

As the saying goes, do my best and let Him do the rest.  I just got to do that right now.

Praying for a miracle again.  Lord, please help me.

.. Exam finally starts TMR! ..

FINALLY! My first paper is going to start tomorrow!!!

Not that I am fully prepared, I mean, who can be?!! At least it starts, means one by one will get over. :)

Can't wait for everything to be OVER!! Wheeeeee!

.. Bad Sore Throat ..

Down with a bad bad sore throat... :(

It is so bad that it is so painful....  Throat really hurts and disrupted my sleep for the last 2-3 nights.  :(

Lord, I pray that you will heal my throat....  Take away the pain!  In Jesus' name I pray...  Amen!

First paper in 4 days' time.  FINALLY...  Not that I am fully prepared yet.  But I just want everything to be over soon.....

But for now, I hope my throat gets better so that I will feel much better to take on the exams too!

YEP!  AMEN!

.. 爱心晚餐..

This saying is really true.

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Our LG leaders did something that is really nice for all of us today....  Ern Chee cooked and prepared a dinner box for every one of us, and David drove & sent it all the way to where we stay.

YES! They did that for us!!!

We are so blessed.  Northrington LG is blessed.  :)

I felt so inspired and stirred.  It just brought me back to the good old days when we were under Lorrain's leadership. Her personal touch that really ministers and touches everyone of our hearts.

We need people like them.  We need leaders like them.  Who makes a difference not only by the words that they say, but by the works that they do.  :)

This dinner may just be a simple gesture, but to the international students who are preparing for exams, and where mum is not here to do the cooking, and where food is not as cheap & nice comparing to what we have back home, it meant a lot.  I am really really touched, and truly appreciate it.

Thank you Ern Chee.  Thank you David.  

Thanks for being such loving and awesome shepherds over our lives. :)

I thank God for the things that I had seen and learnt through you. :)

.. Revision Revision Revision ..

First paper is in 8 days' time!

Really wish exams can just get done & over with quickly!!  Ahhhhh....

Uni Adelaide people already started their exams today!  And most of them will finish by the end of this week.  Means by the time I take my first paper, my Uni Adelaide hostel mates can go and celebrate already. -_-

My revision is picking up momentum... though still need to be more focused and disciplined...  See, I am blogging now.  Means I am distracted at this moment. Hee hee...

Okkkkk... Will continue now...  Gambatte ok ELAINE CHUAAAAAA!

.. The Final Lap ..

This is really the final lap.

Finally after 3 semesters and now in the 4th, the pursue after my bachelor's degree dream will end after this semester.

3 more papers to go. That's all. :)

I shall save the time to blog a long one after my exams. Too many things to thank God for. This is really a dream that came true.

If you are reading this post, please say a prayer for me because I truly believe in the power of prayer. :)

Our God answers prayers. :)

Pray that I will indeed clear the 3 papers and graduate this December. They are the final 3 modules. :)

Pray that even though I will still be working throughout the exam period, my capacity will be enlarged.

Pray that I will be really diligent & be focused in doing revision with whatever time remaining I have.

Pray that my revisions will be fruitful! MOST IMPORTANT!

My 3 papers are:

17th Nov, 9am: Global Issues for Accounting

22nd Nov, 9am: Management Control Systems

26th Nov, 2pm: International Management Ethics and Values

Going to start my revision again soon...  Thank you for praying! :)

.. Oxygen Appreciation & Farewell ..

We had the last OXYGEN meeting of the year last night in the new city campus at Currie Street. I knew that it was a farewell meeting, and had totally no idea about it being an appreciation night too.

Initially I thought it will be the few of us who will be leaving at the year of the year, standing together and the people saying a prayer for us! But then they did it separately!

And I was the FIRST one to be called out!

Aiyoyo.... So pai seh.  :P

Anyway, Ern Chee & Janice came and stood beside me to give a thanksgiving & encouraging speech. And Xiao Wen led the people to say a prayer for me. It was a great prayer! I felt really blessed, touched & loved! Got some gifts... The one I love the most is the lovely flowers from the LG! :)

I honestly feel that I have not done much in this ministry, as much as I could.  Had a rather tough time adapting to the different culture & style in Paradise & Oxygen in the very beginning.... but things really changed after Ern Chee became the leader of our combined LGs. Her passion for God and for this ministry really inspires me. We need people like that to keep stirring the fire within one another! That is why it is so true that there can never be a lone-ranger Christian. That is why we need to belong to a church, to a cell group, and have a group of close friends who are like-minded. Passion for Christ is contagious! :)

I also find myself loving Paradise more as I begin to learn to appreciate the differences in church culture.

Culture is really a BIG issue. In the business world, knowing and appreciating the culture in the different countries will determine whether an international business can survive & thrive in these countries. I realized that it is really the same in the church context.

So.... as much as Oxygen & Northrington LG appreciate me, I really also appreciate the things I had learnt through the pastors in Paradise, and the people in Oxygen & Northrington LG. I wish I had done more for them....

Life is not about regrets. It's about moving on. Learning from the different experiences and lessons that God brings us through daily.

Thank you Paradise. Thank you Oxygen. Thank you Northrington LG.

Thank You God, for placing me in this great church & ministry in Adelaide. I'll always remember how I went to visit the different churches when I first came, deciding which church to be planted in. And You indeed directed my steps & brought me to Paradise...

There's nothing much I want to ask for.... except that God to really help me in my weaknesses & flaws.

I hope that I will indeed be able to be a better CGL by His grace. Help me to be a better communicator and preacher of the WOG. Help me to be able to minister to the people. Help me in..... so much so much more.

.. The Countdown Begins! ..

It's week 12, and next week will be the last week of school!

Time FLIES!!!

Exam starts in less than 3 week time, and I have 3 papers to clear before everything is indeed OVER! :)

Now awaiting for the results of 2 assignments to be released....  Really hope the global issues group assignment will get a good grade!

Anyway!!  I am believing that indeed I will graduate this Dec.  :)  And I am counting down to these dates!!

18 Dec: Mummy, Mad, Samuel and Ah Yi arrive in Adelaide!
20 Dec: My GRADUATION!!
23 Dec: HOME SWEET HOME...... for GOOD! :)

WooHOOOOOoooooO!

.. I want to preach like her! :) ..

This is Pastor Jane Evans! Senior Pastor of Paradise Community Church.

She preached in the city campus this morning, and it just dawned upon me today that she is really such a great preacher! I mean, I always feel that she preaches very well, but today I am really inspired by her! I want to learn to preach like her! :)

In the midst of listening to her preaching, I was also observing the way she preaches and her ability to connect with the people. Wow... I LOVE IT! I learnt so much today!

It is always inspiring to hear women preachers like Pst Jane. While we do not want to preach with the dynamics of a male preacher, we are women after all... I want to learn to preach with such femininity (womanliness)! HAHA...

I thank God for Paradise Community Church. I learnt so much from the people here. :)

Come to think of it, while I am sooooo looking forward to go back to Singapore this Dec, I also somehow feel a little nervous. I mean, it's a transition again to transit back to working life. Got to send resumes, go for interviews... While a part of me wants to go back to the banking industry, a part of me also hopes to have the opportunity to go into full-time ministry. But yet, even if there is really the opportunity, somehow I feel that... am I ready yet?

I mean, can I really make it as a church staff??

With the many things that have happened in CHC since Feb, and also seeing the flaws I have in my life....

I don't want to step into it, and then having to step out of it, because I cannot make it. :(

Though I may not know what lies ahead after I graduate, one thing I know for sure is that, I want to continue preaching the Word of God. :)

Yeap! Need to pray... Need to seek God. Which I know I will have all the time to focus and do so after my exams. :)

Exams' going to start in 3 weeks' time! Wheeeeee! HAHA as if I am very excited! But I am definitely looking forward to finish the 3 papers that I have!!! :) :) :)

.. Everything Beautiful in its Time ..

Had finally finished the ethics assignment!!! Not too sure if I did it correctly though.... but it's my best effort, and I shall leave it to God's grace..

One more assignment to go!  And a presentation!

Anyway, wanna take some time to blog this cos it's a significant day for Paradise South/City Church today! :)

Brief history...  The South/City Church was started 5 years ago, in the heart of Adelaide.  There wasn't any church building, so the church has been moving around for the last 5 years.  When I first attended church service, it was rotating between Adelaide High School and UniSA west campus.  Then it moved to the Irish Club, and then Hilton Hotel this year.  Initially a rental was arranged with somewhere in Franklin Street, but things always did not get finalised, and no approval from the City Council.

I guess the frustration among the church pastors was really there...  It is always better to have a fixed, permanent place for church services.  So that people don't turn up at the wrong place as well.

Anyway, to cut the story short!!  Just last week Pastor Ashley came and announced to us a great piece of news!  And that is the Word Bookshop is moving out, and through God's prompting, the pastors just went in to ask for leasing the property.... and the "strippers" were almost about to tear down the shelves, fixtures, cafe and kid's playroom!  The amazing thing is right now, we have gotten "our" place to hold service for the next 5 years, and the place really has great facilities!  The Word Bookshop agrees to keep the facilities so that we can use it.  So now we do not just have a place, we have a place with the necessary facilities!

God is really amazing!  He moves in ways that we can never imagine indeed.  Always higher, always greater! :)

This is the "main" audi.  Wonder how it will look like after all the setting up is done!

 The cafe!  Imagine how much the church saves without having to build a brand new cafe!  The coffee machine, fridge, etc etc are all there!

The kid's playroom! Can let Sam Sam play when he comes in Dec! HAHA...













It is really an amazing testimony.  Reminds me just like how CHC got our church land and building.  From JW... to Expo... and the coming SUNTEC CITY!

Pastor Jane shared something that is really good today as she led us in dedicating the place to God.

Everything is indeed made beautiful and perfect in God's timing.

She shared that they have been praying and seeking and praying and seeking...  in fact, the church has been praying....  at least for the last 2 years since I came.  and when it takes so long and the Franklin St deal hasn't come through, and the peace of God just isn't in their hearts...

What they didn't know is that, God has already prepared this place for them...  the Word Bookshop.  Located at Currie Street, a location so much better than Franklin St.  With nearer proximity to Chinatown and Rundle Mall.  Many carparking options around.  HAHA.

What they didn't know is that, God KNOWS that WHEN the Word Bookshop is moving out, and has reserved such a time for a moment like this.

Instead of a place where they have to start building everything from scratch, now, God has blessed the church a much better place, so much better!

WOW!  What an amazing God we are serving right!  It takes indeed FAITH... and PATIENCE that will obtain the promises of God!

I am really blessed today.  Cos Pastor Jane also somehow spoke to my heart...  I have always been somehow feeling frustrated that...  I felt I am so far away from my purpose in God.  I wondered when will I be able to really live my life to the fullest for God.  I really want to live out my life purpose.  I am already 30!!

But today, I am reminded that...  Everything is indeed made perfect, and beautiful in His timing.  Not mine. :)

I will continue to hold on to the promises of God... and believe that I will be doing what He has called me to do.  In the time to come.  :)

YEAH!  So I am very full on now.....  Just wanna clear the last assignment and the last presentation so that I can start preparing for exams!

I KNOW I WILL GRADUATE THIS DECEMBER!!  :D

WOOOHOOOO!

God is good!  And I really want to be like Jacob.  Like what Pastor Kong preached today...  not to be a supplanter, but to have such a spiritual hunger for more of GOD!

I miss CHC!  I miss my family back home....  I miss my church!

Paradise is great!  I learnt a lot from the people here....  it really reminds me to going back to the basics.

2 more months in Adelaide...  Time really flies.

Thank God for everything...  Though it has not been smooth-sailing, that's what it is all about.  It's not a bed of roses!  But He will build us to go above the circumstances we are in.

In God indeed...  I PUT MY TRUST!

.. Goodbye FarmVille... for NOW! ..

The time has finally come... for me to say GOODBYE to my farm! For now at least till 26th Nov, after my last paper!!!

My beautiful farm... haha... the FB game that has kept me company for the last many months... my source of entertainment here in Adelaide!

I love it when Sam Sam saw me farming when I was back home for holiday... He would sit on my lap and look at the animals, and point out to me what the animals were! He would often distinguish all the different animals correctly, and imitate the sounds of them!

So adorable right!! Sam Sam is a smart boy! :)

I will let Dan Dan do the same too next time! Sit on my lap and let him tell me what the animals are! :)

Anyway, this game is taking too much of my time... or rather, I should say, I should concentrate all the time that I have (aside Uni, church and work) to do my remaining tutorials and assignments that I have now!

Praise God I finally completed and submitted a group assignment! Wah... this is one very tough group work.. but glad it's done. Prayerfully will get a good grade for it.

Another 2 assignments and a presentation to go go go!!!

OK. Good bye my pretty farm.... I will miss you.  HAHA. Thanks for keeping me entertained all these while!

.. It is OCTOBER!!! ..

It is now 6.09 am and I am still awake!!!

Haha.. cos I slept from 6pm to 10pm plus.. so guess I should just stay up and do my assignments!!

And praise the LORD! I completed my part on one group assignment!  So now I can move on to the other 2 assignments while waiting for the rest to finish their parts..

It is now already the month of October!  Time flies... 2 weeks holiday is over and school is re-starting!  Thank God it's PH today so that we have another day off.  WOOHOO!

Daylight saving starts again!  So now the time difference with Singapore is back to 2.5 hours...  But it's good that the day is longer now!  Sky will only turn dark at 8pm.. so it's good!  Safer to walk home from Uni or work! :)

And exam timetable is out!!!  Finally!  At least now I know when are my papers... and praise GOD!!  My 3 papers are spread out so nicely!  The hardest one is my first paper, which means I can focus my revision and clear it first!  Then focus on the 2nd paper, after the 2nd then I can do my last bit of revision on the last paper!  WOOHOO!  Can't wait to finish this semester man!!  :D

Gambatte gambatte!!  Just few more weeks to gooooooo!

.. Beautiful Adelaide ..

Hee hee hee... Ha ha ha... Ho ho ho... :)

My family has finally confirmed and booked their flights to attend my graduation in Dec. My return ticket has also been booked, FINALLY! This is such a motivation and booster for me! At least now I know when I am going back! :)

Even though not the whole family is coming, I am already very thankful... cos I know the cost will really be so high (it is already very high now even for the 4 of them). It's alright! I pray that we will continue to prosper and do so well in our careers.. and we can plan a family holiday sometime again in the near future!

These few days I have been thinking about the places that we can cover in Adelaide so that my mum, Mad and ah yi can have a memorable and good trip in Adelaide!  And YES! I am so happy that Samuel is coming too! :D  Initially I was thinking we can do a road trip to Melbourne cos I don't want them to feel too bored in Adelaide.  HAHA.  But after planning the initial itinerary, I realized that there are so many places we can cover and we won't even have time to travel to Melb! So... after exams I am going to start my "research" on the places to travel...  and explore Adelaide and South Australia to the max that we can! Adelaide is not that boring after all! HAHA....

School holiday is ending soon....!! This week has been more fruitful.. meeting up group members for the assignments that we have. Hope to get the remaining assignments done and settled within the next 2-3 weeks, and then exam preparation can really start!

I am more concerned for the global issues course that I am taking in this sem... I pray that my first failed assignment will not be the fatal issue to cause me to fail this course??..  Thinking back, it was really just a bad "season" of my Uni life. I pray that God will indeed "deliver" me once again. This experience will definitely put me in a good position to encourage others next time who went through the same experience as me... and I pray that, this failure is enough.

Last lap to go!  Gonna finish it well!  :)

.. Goodbye Patsy! ..

Went to send Patsy off yesterday morning at the airport.. when she was about to board her flight, I felt tears at the tip of my eyes but I managed to control it! Hee... Makes me also think for a moment that, though I always say how much I wanted to go home... I think I will really miss this place too.

Anyway, Patsy has went back to Indonesia to attend her sister's wedding, while waiting for her visa application status. She has graduated in August... and now looking for a job in Australia. Hmmm. I don't know what is God's will for her, but I pray that God will indeed lead her and guide her steps.

Patsy was the first person in the hostel whom I had a "proper" conversation with when I first reached Adelaide last year. The first "Christian" I met, and she helped me to get connected to the internet on the very first day so that I can get "connected" to the world and my loved ones back home.  She then brought me to Paradise Community Church...  I am thankful to God that our paths crossed. I know that she has a great heart for GOD! Though there are also much challenges, I'm glad that she is still going on strong in her faith and her walk. May these few months back in her home church will ignite her love for God even stronger. I believe Patsy is going to shine for Jesus everywhere she goes!

Do not know if we will get to meet again...  But I know that the friendship will indeed go on till eternity!

Take care Patsy!  Thanks for these 2 years of friendship and support!  :)

.. Don't Stop Believing! ..

Recently we had an OXYGEN event, it's a song-writing competition. So every life group is to present a song item, and everyone has to be involved!

I'm amazed at how things managed to get pulled together despite of the short time frame that we had. And I think, it was really a job well done! All of the people in the LG enjoyed themselves, we had a good time practicing and singing together.

This is a video of our performance that day.  Out of 5 life groups, we got the 3rd prize!  It was a great achievement cos it was really quite a last minute thing for us! :)

Looking at the video brought such a smile on my face...  I think when I return back to Singapore, I will definitely miss Northrington LG!  But indeed 天下没有不散之宴席。。。I'm thankful that our lives crossed in Adelaide...  I'm thankful to have befriended this bunch of awesome people in these 2 years of my life. :)

Northrington Life Group...

Made up of international students from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, 

Taiwan, Philippines and Vietnam!

Enjoy this video.... our very own version of Glee - Don't Stop Believing! :)

.. Thankful ..

It has been a great week! Recovered from the viral infection... and got back to work on Fri & Sat! Completed the debate reflection few days before it was due.. the feeling of submitting an assignment way before the due date is really GOOD! Haha... I hope my last 3 assignments will also be like that!

Also thankful to my hostel mates whom showed their care by giving me oranges (peeled and piece by piece placed in a container).... and home-made sugar cane drink!  WOW.  Felt really loved...... and blessed.  :)

Thank you Pauline.....  Thank you Audrey. :)

Then yesterday after work, went to Tania's place for dinner.  She invited me over, and we wanted to watch the online service with Dr Bernard together!  Got to know Tania only recently, maybe 1-2 months ago??.... got to meet in a really unique manner. We were in church, and happened to sit on the same seat on 2 different rows.  Then while chatting, she happened to ask me, "are you Elaine?"...  We had a common friend, Wei Fen, who is also a City-Harvester. Had always wanted to introduce both of us to each other but never get the chance! Haha... So I am glad that we still MET! And it is really good to get to know a City-Harvester in Adelaide... knowing that you both come from "common" background!

And my oh my! Tania is such a good cook!! She prepared such a sumptuous dinner!!  Awwwwww... Been so long since I eat such a nice, homely, delicious, nutritious DINNER!!

3 dishes and a soup! Made me missssss my mum's cooking so much! :)

So after dinner, Tania, Ern Chee and myself watched the online service together. And after that we really had such a GOOOOOOD sisterly chat! About church, ministry, etc etc....  I felt so relieved also cos I finally can share some of my heart... It was really a good fellowship. And I am really thankful for that.

I just want to thank God.... indeed when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. I'm thankful to have gone through these few weeks of a low low point, and yet now, things have moved on, and I have moved on.

God is indeed good, and I am thankful for the people He has placed in my life always to encourage me and to support me. My family, my church friends, friends in Adelaide...

It's going to be the last quarter of 2010 soon! WOW! And I want to make it such a good last 3 months!

Indeed the latter days shall be even better than the beginning!

Thank You JESUS! I love You Lord!

.. 早睡早起身体好??? ..

These 2 days I have been waking really early... really early, at weird hours?.. 3am yesterday and 5am today! Maybe because I've been sleeping earlier after taking the medication.. and after waking up, I can't get back to sleep anymore! So I decided to get up! Then I realised that, WOW, 5am plus and the sky is already much more brighter than during the winter season! I LOVE IT! Spring has indeed come!! :)

Took this picture at 6.20am, it is already pretty bright! And the temperature hovering at 5 degrees only! Blrrrrr... Hope it will get warmer soon!

Actually it really feels good to be UP early! The day is indeed much longer.... and I think early morning is so peaceful! Will be good to go for a jog, or just take a stroll? Then can do prayer-walk? Wow... Maybe can get that started soon... if I continue to get up this early! HAHA... :)

Alright! Shall go do some devotion now... then can get started on assignment research. Then go to work! WOW!! Gonna accomplish so much today! YEAH!! :)

.. Spring! ..

It is now Spring! More of the sun nowadays... but it is still considerably cold to me! Hope the sun will be out more often... We need more Vitamin D! :)

Took this picture last week but haven't been able to blog it cos was so sick!.. The flowers are blooming again... That's a nice sight to see.

Some issues happened recently at Uni.. made me realized that it is indeed a harsh, harsh world we're living in. Despite that reality is harsh, I thank God that He is a God of abundant grace and mercy.

Yep, just a setback! I'll be UP! Just completed and submitted my debate reflection! YEAH YEAH!! Means left with 3 assignments to go... JUST 3!!! WOOHOO!!!

I WILL GRADUATE THIS DECEMBER!!!! AMEN!

Praise God that I am better already too!! Slept so much, drank so much water, kept visiting the loo.... Aiyoyo... But I feel more energized! Gonna be back to my normal life and self soon!

God is indeed GOOD all the time! Thank God for Him, and all the support from my loved ones back home!! :)

.. First visit to an Adelaide doctor ..

Yes, visited a doctor for the 1st time at the Adelaide City General Practice. Not sure if it is only in Australia that you have to book an appointment to see the doctor? I called yesterday and due to full slots, I can only see one this morning.

This is how the clinic looked like. The recept area with 3 admin personnels. Other then that, just about 10 chairs for patients, and then a few consultation rooms.

The meetup with the doctor wasn't very long. He asked me a few questions... Took my temp, my heartbeat, and checked my throat. Then diagnosed me with viral infection. And said that because I took so long to see the doctor, there's nothing he can do also. Asked if I want to have some anti-biotics? So he prescribed me some, and asked me to continue to take panadols to ease the pain and discomfort.

Pay so much to see a doctor and that's all they say, nothing they can do? They really are earning good money....

Anyway, then I got to go to a pharmacy to get my own medication. The clinics here don't prescribe medication. It is moment like this that made me miss Singapore even more. More 人情味？

Been sleeping almost the whole day today. Praying that will get well soon so that can get back to the normal life routine... I will be totally healed in Jesus' name!

Thanks to those who have been praying for me. Really appreciate that lots!

.. Happy Birthday 姐姐!!! ..

This is my most awesome 姐姐.... MADELINE CHUA!!

Supposed to blog this yesterday... but anyway, here it is!

My BIG sister. As you can see from the picture, always full of funny poses and patterns! HAHA...

We are 1 and a half years in age apart.. thus explain why we shared really close relationship, and I really REALLY look up to her a great deal! She is my role model, my INSPIRATION!

When we were younger, we played together, we grew up together, we fought, we quarreled! She bit my foot when I was just a baby! LOL... It was so funny. But yet, as we grew up and matured more, we fought lesser. Talked more. Shared more.

We were in the same primary school: Radin Mas Primary School. I remembered how people would not dare to bully me because my sister was FIERCE! Haha. I felt so protected then.

Then we grew up. There was a period of time where we don't shared that much? Can't remember much of it now... But I will definitely remember, how her life changed when she started attending City Harvest Church. We were from a taoist background, and I was quite a religious person. I wore a 50 cents sized pendant of the goddess of mercy around my neck! HAHA. Thank God I'm wearing a cross now!

I still remembered how she would always share with us about God. And I also remembered once, how I talked back to her and said, if your God is so powerful, then ask Him to do this lah! I saw the hurt on her face, and I really regretted so much after that! I used to be like that! Tactless! Lousy attitude! Stupid! HAHA... and my pride caused me to reject God!

But, Madeline! She never gave up! Her constant testimonies started to open up my heart towards God. I started to think, if this God is really so good? Really so amazing, like what she always shared??

It was really the change in her life that caused me to be interested in this God. I followed her to church one day, but was stunned by the environment I saw that day. It was during the Holy Laughter season, and I was shocked by the response I seen in the people. To me it all seen so fake leh. I was cynical. But something that also struck me was, the passion I saw in the people. A kind of passion I don't get to see in my "religion" then.

I didn't respond to God that day. I needed more time. But Mad asked me to go again the next week. In my heart I was thinking, huh.. see how first. HAHA. But, she is such a good sister lah. So I also felt obligated to go, so as not to disappoint her... I don't like to see her disappointed leh.

Anyway, something amazing also happened during that week leading up to my 2nd church visit. I will always remember. Cos it was the first time I made a vow to this GOD. I used to be a CRAZY Manchester United fan. Really CRAZY. When they lost a match, I would be so depressed! Especially if it was against rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal! That night it was the UEFA Champions final. Man U was down by 1 goal and it was the final 10 mins. I was so desperate and I had a thought about praying to God! I prayed and said, God, can you let Man U win this match? If they win, I will go to church this Sunday! And guess what?? Man U really won!! They scored 2 goals within 90 secs in the dying mins...... I was stunned, really stunned. I was thinking, this must be a coincidence!!! I even have thoughts about nah... can't be God. But then, a holy kind of fear also lingered in my heart. I knew I had made a vow, and being a "religious" person, I knew that I must honor that vow!

So I went to church again that Sunday! It was May 30, 1999. I dragged myself out of bed.... really don't feel like going to church. HAHA. But Mad made sure that I got out of the house with her.... It was raining heavily when we reached Paya Lebar. We shared an umbrella......... and while walking, I slipped and fell! I felt sooooo angry man! And had a thought, I want to go home! HAHA. But then Mad helped me up, I felt that cannot lah... I already promised her and we were so near to church already! How can I do that?.....

And YES, that was also the day I gave my heart to GOD! I had an encounter with God. With many people being ministered by God and laughing away.... I told God, if you are really real, let me experience the holy laughter then? I remembered we were holding hands and praying together. Mad on one side, Jace (my sec school good mate) on the other side. And, I broke into holy laughter!

Okkkkkk.... to cut the story short. That was how I came to believe in God. But it's true that our faith in God cannot be relied just on miracles alone. Cos miracles don't happen always, and if we need miracles to sustain our faith, it will be gone! Like what Jesus says, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

I will forever be thankful to Madeline for bringing me to God. She is the first in our household, and praise God! Today, we are all Christians, and still praying and believing for our dad's salvation someday!

Not just my family, she has also brought many others to Christ. She has impacted so many lives!!

Mad sharing testimony on stage!

Oh no, this blog is getting so long! HAHA but there are just so many things to write!

I am really thankful to Mad. She has been such a giving person all these years.

Too many things to thank her for! But I want to give thanks especially in these areas:

1. For her love all these years. Her encouragements, her blessings, her companionship!

2. For blessing me to take driving lessons so that I can have a driver's license now!

3. For being my role model, and I have the dream and desire to do well in the banking industry just like her!

4. For encouraging me to pursue my degree dream. If not for her, I won't even be here right now. If she didn't remind me to continue my advanced diploma in 2008, I don't know when will I be taking it!

5. For lending her financial support to carry out the dreams I have.

Of course of course!! With all these I also want to thank my most wonderful and amazing 姐夫!!! Two are indeed better than one! HAHA. Cos combined power and finances. I thank God for such a godly man. Our family is indeed blessed to have him. Mad is blessed! But I know she is blessed because she herself is amazing as well! God is indeed good and He never shortchanges!! :)

Yea... my heart is eternally thankful and grateful.

Thank God for blessing me and Wen with such an amazing sister!

I pray for such greater days ahead for you JIE JIE! I LOVE YOU!

YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Continue to be such an inspiration to all of us!! You are a legend!

WOOHOO! GOD IS GOOD!!!!

LIFE IS GREAT!! I also want to be such a legend like Madeline!

.. Awakened ..

Today, I finally received the assignment that I knew was the worst of the 20 assignments I had done.

And yes, I flunked it.

For the first time. In my Uni life experience.

Writing assignments is not my weakness... but this time I flunked it, which I know was because of insufficient research. And the many other factors contributing to it.

I am feeling.... a sense of numbness. I need to buck up.

Still can't really believe that I flunk an assignment. But yet I know, the result is fair.

Let this experience be one that will direct all my focus and energy back into this last lap.

Awakened. Definitely I am.

I know my God will help me through this last lap. I will do my best.

.. I AM BLESSED !! ..

I recently have a realization of how blessed I actually am! And I want to blog about it NOW!

Being the middle child, I used to suffer from middle-child syndrome. When there were just me and Madeline, my mum doted on Madeline, while my dad doted on me.

Then, Wen Wen came along. All of a sudden, I felt my dad's attention was given to Wen Wen more than me.

So I grew up feeling very unloved by my parents. Feeling that Mum loved Madeline, and Dad loved Wen Wen. I felt that I am here because of an accident in life. No purpose, no reason for living.

So, guess I also became very independent, as a result of that. Not that it is not good to be independent, but to be overly dependent on oneself, then it is not good.

But thank God I came to know Jesus Christ in 1999. I gave my heart to God. And I felt I have a new life. And it was only in year 2000 or 2001, after a message by Dr Bernard, that he drilled into me, "You are NOT an accident in life"! He repeated this phrase 3 times. And it was after the 3rd time that this phrase was left burning in my heart.

So I started the journey of the burning desire to discover my life purpose. After an encounter with God while I was praying one day, God told me to go to Bible School to equip myself with more knowledge of the Word. So I went to SOT in 2002.

I became a CGL in 2003. What an amazing journey it has been. To share lives with the many young people that I have contact with. My heart became younger because of the energy that is within these awesome great people. :)

Today (12 Sep 2010) is a great day. HAHA. Cos it is the day where Wen Wen is officially in a relationship...... with my dearest brother JASON NG! WOOHOO!! HAHA.

It's amazing how things work out between the 2 of them. God is indeed good. :)

Anyway, the realization of how blessed I am, is because......

After Mad got married, we were blessed with a most wonderful 姐夫！！！To me and Wen, it is really like having a big brother to us! And this brother is really so gooooood! He has set such a high standard for us in our future partner-to-be!

Mad's happy family!

So, now with Wen Wen getting attached, HAHA. I seriously want to believe God that Jason will be my future bro-in-law. Hee hee... I love this brother very much. He is just like a 弟弟 to me!

Me, being the middle child, with one 姐 and one 妹. And because of "relationship multiplication", I actually also have one 哥 and one 弟! So I am blessed with 兄弟姐妹！！！I realized that being the middle child, I am actually blessed in everything! HAHA.

I know it may sound a little silly. But, I just want to be thankful in everything. I think it is really a blessing to have wonderful people to be a part of our family.

It's really a great testimony of how my family has come together, and be where and who we are today. All glory to the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. We know that it wouldn't be possible if not because of Him.

I'm really looking forward to even greater days. Eye has indeed not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of men, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him!

Tomorrow is Mad's birthday. Will blog again.... a tribute to my most wonderful and awesome 姐姐！！！

.. Sick ..

Had not been feeling well for the past 2 days... Think there's a flu bug going on. Felt feverish, and weak... Popped a panadol and slept for few hours after work today. Now feeling much better already... thank God!

I think it's quite a bad thing to fall sick while being away from home.

And it's a bad thing to fall sick when one can't take MC from work. I thought of not going to work today, but then it would mean A$75 to miss work for today. So I still went!

Really hate falling sick cos it would mean I sleep more than doing the things I want and need to do!

I hope the next 3 months will just pass by quickly... Actually come to think of it, it's quite fast already! Approaching week 8 of school next week! Means after the 2 weeks break, it will be 5 weeks remaining, and then EXAM!! :O

3 more major assignments and a debate reflection to go. Then I can start preparing for exam! Hope I will exercise excellent time management, and avoid the crazy exam scenario like the last semester!

Oh, wanna thank God for a good debate last week! We received very good feedback from our tutor, and it was indeed a good learning experience for me!

Mad's birthday is coming! And a BIG event is happening soon too!! HOHO... Can't wait can't wait!!! :D

.. Ethics Debate ..

Just got back from a discussion with my group mates on the debate preparation that's going to take place tomorrow.

The topic is on should Same-Sex Marriage be legalized in Australia? And we are on the opposing side.

It seems a very difficult side to debate, because same-sex marriage is a human rights issue.

It's the first time for me learning to debate on something without using the Word of God as my source of reference. Cultural differences also play a very significant role, cos to the western culture, they see marriage not as sacred as we Asians see. My tutor, a Londoner, is definitely one supporting gay marriage. And he "warned" us a couple of times not to use "God" and religion as our reasonings. I think he has a very wrong mindset about who God is. And I'm praying that someday, he will come to know the true nature of God and come to believe in Him... :)

Anyway, back to the debate. It's really a good learning experience for me. As I do the research about it, (something that I would not have the "diligence" to do it if not for the debate), I realized of the great impact and implications it would have on the society as a whole.

Human rights. How far can it and should it really go?

If God has not given us this right, would the world be like what it is today?

But yet God has given us this right.

Lots of reflection to think about.......

I thank God for giving us the right to choose. And I also pray that I will always choose to do the right thing as I learn to lean on His wisdom.

Having human rights doesn't necessarily always mean good, cos human makes bad choices and decisions at times.

But one thing I'm sure, the Word is definitely true and speaks accurately of the many results of our society today.

I've also learnt to accept and receive the many diverse cultures and values. Though I don't agree with them, learning to receive them enlarges my viewpoint and acceptance of differences.

Hmmm. I pray for a good debate session tomorrow. I'll be one of the 2 speakers in my group! :)

Lord, help my group. Help me. :)

.. Hillsong United ..

Hillsong United is in Adelaide for a night!

Went to the Hillsong United concert today and the atmosphere was electrifying.

The concert was really good! They are indeed a great band... For His kingdom and glory!

I do have some 感触 too... The hype seemed among the youths. I remembered when I was a youth, I was as hype up as them. But as I grew older, I have become a little more "reserved".

I think it's not about being hype up or not. It's not just about being excited. Worship is really a matter of the heart.

I know that I really love God. But I realized that I can be more expressive in my outward acts. I can be 30, and still very energetic. I can be 40, and still very energetic. When I am 50, I still want to be energetic when it comes to praising and worshiping Him.

Today is a good experience. First experience with Hillsong United. I saw the excitement in the youths. I am stirred by them, and reminded how I used to praise and worship God like them. Then it dawned on me that, I can do better, much better.

Let not the environment that I am in, determined who I am and how I behave. I am who I am in Him. My self-concept determines my destiny.

Father God. My life is Yours. I am not getting younger. So I really hope that as I step into my 31st year soon, I will be somewhere closer to where my dream is.

.. Goodbye Winter! ..

This is Wright Street.

A street that is often "dangerous" with the aboriginals walking by. Shouting at us. Screaming at us.

A street where a "naked" man was seen few times by my hostel mates.

A street where we will not walk at night, even with a group of people.

Anyway, this post is not about this street. Haha... I took this picture when I was walking back to the hostel one day. Just wanted to capture the last "few moments" of these bald trees.

It is SEPTEMBER!! So now we are stepping into SPRING! Winter is over! :)

I guess after 28 years, I am already very used to the humid weather in Singapore. So winter is too cold for me, too cold for my liking... Even after wearing 3 layers of clothes, it is still not enough. Then I got to switch on the heater in my hostel room, which made my throat sored, my nose blocked & often bled inside due to the dryness.

Winter was also the time where I found myself eating more because I needed to eat to keep myself warm! HAHA. So I think I put on some weight too!

One last thing about winter which I do not like is that, I realized winter does make people feel depressed a little bit more often than the other seasons. I think it is true that we need the SUN to cheer us up!

Anyway, I'm glad that winter is over. Though I think I will miss it too cos I will not be here for winter next year.

It has been raining these two days, and the rain was unexceptional "long" today. 长命雨！I think it didn't rain that much last year.

I hope the rain will go off soon. I look forward to more of the SUN! Enough of the depressing days.... I want more joy.... more positivity! :)

Bye bye Winter. I'm thankful for the experience to live in somewhere with 4 seasons. I will visit you again next time, but I'm pretty certain that long stay is not for me. HAHA.

I LOVE SINGAPORE!