goodnight and goodbye, 2007

The ubiquitous last entry of the year. I'm still writing it though. I'm in the tried-and-tested, boring ageing soul, potential save up coupons, sentimental auntie camp.

It started with a bang: Soccer training, winning the IHG championship, celebrating a great 20th birthday.

Then it moved on to autopilot and some angst: Missing soccer, going back to dance and crying about my lack of finesse and training, cruising through school rather uncaringly, getting ok but not satisfactory grades in Year1 Sem2, working at a place that gives a whole new meaning to "I dont think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto", drifting from friends who used to matter, getting the flu bug more often than ever, getting very angry over interferences, feeling numb because the performance went well at YFC but I didn't feel particularly friendly towards any of my newfound Christian friends, feeling crap because I felt like that.

The last quarter of the year was good again: Resolving to be consistent in schoolwork, letting go of friends issues, focusing on what I've been blessed with and thanking Him for all He has provided whether it's sweet or bitter, learning to be less self-centered in a relationship, learning to let go of guilt. The holidays and the festive season have become so meaningful this year. Talking and bonding with my loved ones. Going over the Jrs camp and the dynamics of people. Making plans with Ow. Becoming less impulsive in picking fights. Giving it all up to God, again.

I think it's great that while 2007 has been steadier than past adolescent years, it does have worthy moments to reflect through and to eventually come to the conclusion that I'm truly living in God's favour as Ng puts it. I still screw up. I still cry over insignificant things. I still gossip. I still have my moments of teenage angst. I still want to overspend. But they have paled into a shadow when I am aware that we as His children are in a fortress of His love and grace. So to all my exchange friends, especially Bikini and See Hwei, we are in the good hands of God! My prayers go with you and so do the prayers of all those who care about you.

Blessed 2008 everyone!

2:01 PM

Yay! I forgot my NUSmail password after just changing it on Thursday but a little while ago, it all came back to me after singing the camp song :)

Thank God for help from my little sister. Now I don't have to go back to NUS to reset the password. I was so bummed out at the prospect. Results are out on Boxing Day!

Merry Christmas everyone!

O Little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the Everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight

3:17 PM

Juniors Camp '07

Best camp ever! God's presence was real and unexpected. And I'm so glad the camp theme song is 'Come and See the Beauty of the Lord'. I'm relieved, at peace, amazed, overjoyed that in spite of everything I have done or have not done, Jesus still says "Come". I made a list of the times "come" was mentioned in the devotion verses, songs and even the day-after devotion (Lectio Divina!). And it appears frequently and in different contexts but all with the same call from God - He welcomes us to be with Him.

It's also the best camp for me because I feel rested and comfortable. No more stress from previous camps, induced by planning, leading, tensions, etc. Also, many of the happy and excited faces from everyone, especially my sec 1 sunday school kids, made this a wonderful camp. So glad to know them better. And thankful that my tonsilitis (inflamed tonsils) have been healed by the third day, the day that the seniors game was played. So much to say but I shall just smile in contentment and ponder over the ministering, the quiet times and the lessons learnt.

3:15 PM

he says it thuggishly

I asked Ow in a typical conversation about nothing and everything that if I turn into a guy ala Rachel McAdams to Rob Schneider in The Hot Chick, what would happen to us?

He said (because he abhors homosexuality and flinches at anything vaguely gay unless it's to act gay) that we will be best friends just not lovers. So I thought Fair Enough because at least he acknowledges me. And it's just too icky to think about us being together though I'm man on the outside and woman on the inside.

But he spoilt everything by saying that if I were born a boy, it would be different. Because we wouldn't even be friends in the first place: I make a very lousy guy, and he will probably beat me up, if other guys haven't done so already.

I want to throttle him and then squeeze him. Honestly what a myopic piece of $#%@!

4:38 PM

the unwitty title syndrome

Thus, more photos and less words shall grace this entry.

6:08 PM

bummer bummer bummer

The entire school term passed by rather peacefully (ie. No major falling sick, no cold, no flu, etc.)

And then the day before my last paper, I broke out into a fever which keeps subsiding and rising again for the past few days. Drama. So today, I went to the doctor. It turned out to be a urine infection cos I've been holding my pee especially when I sleep at night. Gross. I had to urinate into the cup for inspection and I spent 15 minutes trying to pee. It's a most unforgettable experience.

Now, it's swollen glands, slight fever that comes and goes, body aches and flushed lips.

Was so bummed out that I had to cancel on my Sunday School dinner date and generally, not go out too much. Been hanging with my sister and Ow. Staying at home. That's it. Oh and Chipmunk on Monday afternoon. Sigh some kind of post-exam 'fever'! :( :(

Yesterday was pretty fun though, before I came down with another round of fever. I took Jo out in the afternoon for shopping(City Plaza! The place for bargains) as I've promised her ages ago and bought her a jacket to keep warm during this pseudo winter season. Then Ow came to fetch us and we went to NUS to submit his confirmation form for next year's entrance before the 530pm deadline.

Machiam road trip sia.

We keyed in addresses after addresses into the GPS and promptly ignored all the GPS' lady's instructions. She's just too confusing and it's easier to tell her to shut up. Also, she's rather dumb and loves U-turns alot. Then we left Jo in the car to go take Ow's matric card pic at Forum (good thing that I remembered there was a photo booth there!) And then drove to Yusof Ishak House, found out that we couldn't park there, parked at Raffles Hall and made a 150m dash in the rain to the office to submit everything. And then...

I realized I left his form in the car. Ow gave me the dirtiest of looks and ran back into the pouring rain to get the stuff. All this time, poor Jo was just sitting clueless and urgent with pee in the backseat, like a "forgotten little puppy". With everything done, she finally pipped up that she needed the toilet and we dropped her off outside the porch of RH.(Not to pee on the porch but to find a public toilet... -.-) In retrospect, Ow said she's really like our pet puppy; just like Crosby whom we also "let out to pee". Hahahaha.

Gosh, I just realized this post is full of references to urine! It figures cos the people I've been spending the most time with are people like that...still I love them! They make me feel better all the time.

5:38 PM