here's to life.

There comes a time when you move out of the nest ...

2006-08-23T21:56:00.000+10:00

A surprise awaits you here.

Remember to change your links!!!

2006-08-22T21:49:00.000+10:00

Spotted the spelling mistakes yet? Haha, yes but it'll get better. The girl doing it had to churn it out fast so nothing was checked. This is the first draft of the poster for our upcoming Media Seminar! For the first time in history, I get to work with such a "luxurious" team ... 52 people planning a day seminar. As part of our final year project, we have to organise a symposium to showcase our research projects from last semester. We do this by inviting industry experts to participate in discussions and panels about the future of media ... as we investigated in our projects. Quite exciting!

It's been lovely working with my classmates and lecturers. Last semester, I couldn't get any one of them to even acknowledge my existence but this sem, they're not only opening up, they're also involving me in projects and listening to my opinion. The lecturers confirm my ability and I can feel that I'm no longer just skirting round like an outsider but am actively applying what I'm learning. Contrary to popular opinion, not all the Aussies are laid back, in fact, this close-knit cohort of 52 are the most competitive people I've ever seen. They work hard, play hard and are actually NICE ... something very similar to my Class of '03 MCM batch.

I feel sad that they're graduating this semester ... I just got to know them, but there they go ... sigh ...

------------

And talking about leaving, huge changes are happening to The House ... Amy, my housemate is leaving because she just broke up with her boyfriend who's living in the same place, across the corridor. Another guy is leaving too ... and at the end of the year, 2 more may be leaving.

Although I think it's for the best, they have found or will find places that suit them better, but the comfy atmosphere of The Second Floor is changing ... and I'm not used to it.

------------

Amy's definitely moving out :( . The new person moving in is both a friend of a friend I made here, and of someone back home! And I JUST found out that my other housemate is Jessica Thomas' church mate!

I thought I came here to get a bit of Aussie culture here ... and I end up staying sandwiched in between 2 perfect strangers who just happened to be linked up with me in some bizarre way.

Call it the Friendster-phenomenon.

Itchy Hands

2006-08-21T17:26:00.000+10:00

One wrong move and I blasted my old template to The Great Abyss of CyberKingdom. Great. Now I'm stuck with a pre-set template cos I'm too lazy to go find a new one. Gaaah.

Always remember to save your old template before attempting anything as simple as putting a web counter on your page. :S

---------

Driving ... now where shall I start .. hmm? Haha, I can drive, I can take a car out .. but you might like to buy a couple of life insurances if you wanna get into my car. While changing gears at 60km/h, I nearly swerved into the next lane, while trying to make a left turn after a traffic light, I lifted my foot off the clutch too quickly and the car died. When I tried to restart the car at 3rd gear(!), it sputtered and jerked and I lost it there and then. Bert had to shout above the din I was making to get the car back to 2nd gear and for me to quit screaming. On slopes, I take forever to start the car, so by the time I do, it would have already crashed into the car behind.

Hahaha ... If I get my driver's ... IF I do ... beware Ruth the Driving Menace ...

You Found Me

2006-08-20T15:27:00.000+10:00

~ Kelly Clarkson, "You Found Me"
on her Breakaway album

And I was hiding
'Til you came along
And showed me where I belong
You found me
When no one else was lookin'
How did you know?
How did you know?

You found me
When no one else was lookin'
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah, you broke through
All of my confusion
The ups and the downs
And you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me

He found me in my brokeness ... when I thought I was so unworthy.
He healed me.

Happy Birthday Esther!

2006-08-19T22:28:00.000+10:00

I was privileged to attend Esther's birthday celebrations yesterday - a BBQ at Prince's Park. Here are some photos of the event!

6 of us chipped in to get her a "goldi-mazing" gift - something totally girlie and great for a night out downtown: bronzing lotion, nail polish, shoulder/clutch bag, 2-toned scarf/belt, earrings, and a $50 massage voucher. I was very proud of the purchases because it's my first non-commissioned job as a personal shopper! Hah! I'm glad I didn't buy something as boring as another book ... again....

The selection of food that Esther got was yummylicious! The marinades were great and we all ate till bursting.

I like this photo with Jessica, my new cellgroup leader. Somehow, I know that God put us together not by coincidence but to strengthen our friendship with each other and to channel it to running our cellgroup together with the best of the ability that God has given us.

Trying to light candles when the wind refuses to stop is quite a trying task, so here are all of us huddling around Marcus as he puts the finishing touches to a beautiful blackforest cake that Marianne specially baked for Esther.

Let 2 nearly-adult girls go to play on the swings, and this is the pure joy look you get on their faces.

Well, then the rest of us joined in the fun. I'm not getting into a swing cos 1) I can't shimmy in like the rest of them, 2) I'm in a freaking white skirt!!

Cleaning up the grill with a dubious mix of lemons, grill spray and coke. Ummm...

A gorgeous, gorgeous day. Melbourne is warming up and I'm happy!

Fried Carrot Cake

2006-08-18T01:42:00.000+10:00

Remember how I didn't get to make caitowkway (fried carrot cake) for National Day? I wasn't about to give up.

Earlier in the week, I went down to the Asian grocer and came back with a block of radish cake and the all time favourite ... cai por (which roughly translates to salted radish bits).

Here's a quick rundown of the all the ingredients needed:

Ingredients
1 block of radish flour cake
4 tbs vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
1 tbs chopped garlic
1 tbs red chilli paste (optional)
2 tbs chopped chye poh (salted radish)
3 eggs
1 tbs fish sauce
3 tbs kecup manis (optional)
1 stalk fresh spring onion, chopped
5 tbs oil

My ingredients .. tadaaah! I prepared the radish flour cake by cutting them down to 2x2cm cubes.

Fried the radish cake in oil till golden brown.

Next, I fried the garlic till fragrant before adding in the cai por and frying it till it looks .... cooked.

The radish cake goes back into the pan and everything is mixed together.

Create a well in the middle of the radish cake and break in 3 eggs. Use your spatula to break the yolk and stir the egg through.

Drizzle fish sauce, stir, and serve with spring onion and fried shallots ... or if you like it a little sweet , add kecup manis and stir through.

Tadahh!! My best compliment came from Jason Ng who doesn't usually eat the black version - He tried one piece ... and then just started popping more into his mouth. Yay! Success!

I also added one chicken stock cube to give it taste. It went straight into the caipor-and-garlic phase and I didn't dissolve it in water.

While it gave great taste, the overall result was a little too salty for some of them. I'll halve the stock cube next time ...

Love ... I feel LOVED!

2006-08-18T01:16:00.000+10:00

You know you are loved when ...

Yoda heard my nose was bleeding a few days back and decides to send packets of liang teh (herbal teas to cure heatiness) from home! (He's been hinting for the past few days and I totally didn't get it!) By the time I received it, the parcel's been sliced up and folded and positively smelt to death by custom dogs. It comes complete with a nice neat little brochure on prohibited items inserted among the postcards.

The poor package looks like it went through hell and back... and proudly certified "I passed quarantine!!"

Thank you Yoda .. .I know you're a busy man but this makes my day! Gifts don't rank high on my love language ... but when I get simple gifts like that ... or handmade ones ... I go all gooey. Call me sentimental, but I'm all for simple heartfelt gifts that don't cost a bomb.

You are loved when ...

Your friends plan a surprise ambush on you!

They planned it all along ... but I didn't know Tim was going to be there when I met up with J & A .... I botched up all their plans by not being at home, not walking to route where they planted Tim and by spending a heck lot of time grocery shopping while Tim waited ... In the end, Andrea had to stall me by pretending to look at jewellery while Jason called Tim back. He crept up behind me where suddenly I noticed Andrea with a very strange look on her face and when I spun around, I screamed and hit Tim on the shoulder. Haha I know, I don't know why I hit him too. I was too happy to see all of them and to be surprised!

We all happily trooped home to my place where we had great blackforest cake, cinnamon doughnuts and choco milk.

Bliss.

I had a bit of time in the morning before driving to take a walk around Carlton Gardens. God really spoke to me then ... and I believe that the healing has begun. I'm feeling so much happier now.

Thank you Lord.

My sister said ....

2006-08-16T01:11:00.000+10:00

Koalas sleep for 22 hours a day, two hours more than Sarah! says: (1:05:10 AM)
the best people make the best of their situations...not sit around wishing that they'd have the best situations

Because Sau made me do it .... :)

2006-08-15T21:26:00.000+10:00

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Words of Affirmation.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		10
Words of Affirmation:		7
Physical Touch:		5
Receiving Gifts:		5
Acts of Service:		3

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

Home

2006-08-15T20:16:00.000+10:00

I am feeling a little homesick.

Maybe the thought of not being able to go over to my sister's room and read her magazines while talking about stuff into the middle of the night ...

Maybe the thought of not being able to see my granddad and cousins when we go to my uncle's house to visit every week ...

Maybe the thought of not being involved in my girls' lives back home ...

Maybe the thought of not feeling the breeze on my skin as it blows into my room from the balcony ...

Maybe ... I just feel more lonely than I thought it would be possible. Thought I'd gotten over the distance ... but at this point in time, I have my ITunes and beeping MSN windows to keep me company.

Doesn't feel the same somehow. Shows how much I was skimming along with his support. Now that it's gone, I face myself and the road ahead. Hard to imagine how far I'll have to go but nonetheless, I still have to walk this road. Mercifully, there are no sleepless nights because I tire myself out so much in the day that when I get to bed, I fall asleep the moment my head touches the pillow.

I have gotten past today, still in one piece, thanks to the love I've received from Dad, Mom, Sarah, Joyce, Andrea, Jason, Duane and Yoda ... Many more days to go ... I don't know how I'm going to do it but I can only say that His grace tides me over everyday.

2006-08-15T14:49:00.000+10:00

His Eyes ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

Sometimes His eyes were gentle
And filled with laughter,
And sometimes they cried;
Sometimes there was a fire
Of holy anger,
In Jesus’ eyes.
But the eyes that saw hope in the hopeless,
That saw through the fault to the need,
Are the same eyes that look down from heaven
Into the deepest part of you and me.

CHORUS
His eyes are always upon us;
His eyes never close in sleep.
And no matter where you go,
You will always be in His eyes, in His eyes.

Sometimes His voice comes calling
Like rolling thunder,
Or like driving rain;
And sometimes His voice is quiet,
And we start to wonder
If He knows our pain.
But He who spoke peace to the water
Cares more for our hearts than the waves,
And the voice that once said "You’re forgiven",
Still says "You’re forgiven" today.

Sometimes I look above me when stars are shining
And I feel so small;
How could the God of heaven and all creation
Know I’m here at all.
But then in silence He whispers,
"My child, I created you too
And you’re my most precious creation;
I even gave my Son for you."

(chorus)

Sometimes His eyes were gentle, and filled with laughter.

----------------------

Such an awesome song! I've been stuck at home trying to finish a couple of assignments due tomorrow and when this song came on, I just had to find the lyrics.

A little reminder of who God is in the day makes everything look brighter.

Beauty for Ashes

2006-08-15T00:15:00.000+10:00

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy o'er your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When what you've done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound I've been set free
I've been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

----------------------------
Another song ... I'm using a lot of lyrics these days because they convey feelings so well. I'm really tired from the events of the past few weeks. Now that the door has closed, maybe I can get back some normalcy in my life. A part of me seems to have died, but I'm just waiting for God to revive this soul and heal its wounds. You just watch and see ...

There will be a smile on my face once again ... soon, a genuine one ... and it'll be because God has healed me with His love and forgiveness.

The Weekend

2006-08-13T23:57:00.000+10:00

Volunteers @ RMIT for Open Day

Old Kingdom Chinese Restaurant
197 Smith Street
FITZROY VIC 3065

Convention Ball and National Day

2006-08-10T10:25:00.000+10:00

After 3 consecutive "emo" posts, it's time to walk out of the gloom and doom and into the sunlight. All thanks to God and His gift of forgiveness and a bunch of friends that God uses to speak volumes to me.

Thank you Mel for telling me what you did ... you don't know how much sense that made to me.

And so ... time to report on other stories.

It's Budget Diva time! ... Although I'm harbouring a growing passion for fashion and the like, I still try hard to find budget deals for the student wallet.

The Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) Convention Ball finally came round on Saturday where girls spent a bomb dressing up and the guys took 15 minutes to throw on the one suit they had in their wardrobes. For me, I had a dress already but it was dangerously dodgy "up there" so I ran out to get an alternative which didn't cost half as much as I thought it would. I can even mix and match for other occasions which is what the Budget Diva always looks for in a good buy! The shop tried to sell me a clutch and shoes for nearly 90 bucks but I just bought the necessities (top, skirt and necklace) and found the bag and heels separately for a much saner price.

While others went to hair salons to do their hair and make up, I had my wonderful housemate Amy dye my hair back to a sane brown, straighten it and even do my makeup!

With Sau ... the Not So Cool Chao Ah Beng

I hate the flash of cameras ... you can see exactly where I've put concealer ... gaaaah. Andrea looked like a million bucks in a dress found in St Kilda's for under $40. We're taking a photo with Joel whom we both like a lot for his fresh enthusiasm and creative ideas. You can't see in the pic, but the poor boy's busted his ankle and was on crutches the whole night.

Seeing everyone in their finery was amazing ... You never knew people could look so good if they just did their hair in a different way and got out of their jeans and t-shirt.

Then National Day rolled around ...

Pearline, Lydia and I invited a whole bunch of Singaporeans (9) and Malaysians (1) and Hongkies (1) over to have dinner and watch the parade. It was like reminiscing old times - I found Mamee at the local supermarket (albeit it being 3 times more ex than back home) and cooked Chicken Rendang curry. The rest brought varying Singaporean foods ... I really wanted to cook chaitowkuay (fried carrot cake) but alas! It was not meant to be when I couldn't find the pre-made radish cake in the 3 city Asian grocers.

But didn't matter lah, we had tons of food, tons of fun and we all enjoyed the night.

Watching the NDP parade on computer ... The images came out jerky and slow, but it was just nice to see and hear something familiar again.

My ex-housemate Cindy from HongKong. Haven't seen her since I came back to Melb so it was fantastic she could join us.

Food food and more food!

Nobody really took notice of 9 August here in Melbourne. Classes went on as usual, it just seemed like any other day. But one day after the "festivities" and I'm looking at the pictures of the National Day Parade, I feel a tinge of sadness like I'm missing something. This is the first National Day that I've not been in Singapore and it certainly feels weird not being able to spend it with my family and friends back home.

Living abroad is fun and you get your fair share of independence but somehow a part of my heart still remains in Singapore - where I belong.

Yet Will I Praise Thee

2006-08-08T09:53:00.000+10:00

Lord You are the one I long for
In Your presence is where I belong
Lord Your love brings joy to my heart
And Your touch is all I need to feel
Deep in my heart
Won’t You satisfy my soul

Yet will I praise Thee
Lift my hands and sing
Yet will I praise Thee
I will bow before the King and praise Thee
Give to You my everything
I lift up my hands to You
Yet will I praise Thee

Starts With Goodbye

2006-08-07T23:52:00.000+10:00

I was sitting on my doorstep,
I hung up the phone and it fell out of my hand,
But I knew I had to do it,
And he wouldn't understand,
So hard to see myself without him,
I felt a piece of my heart break,
But when you're standing at a crossroad,
There's a choice you gotta make.

[Chorus:]
I guess it's gonna have to hurt,
I guess I'm gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I've loved,
To get to the other side,
I guess it's gonna break me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye.

I know there's a blue horizon,
Somewhere up ahead, just waiting for me,
Getting there means leaving things behind,
Sometimes life's so bitter sweet.

[Chorus:]
I guess it's gonna have to hurt,
I guess I'm gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I've loved,
To get to the other side,
I guess it's gonna break me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye.

~~Time~~ God heals,
The wounds that you feel,
Somehow, right now.
~ Carrie Underwood: "Some Hearts"

And the greatest of this is love ....

2006-08-07T11:12:00.000+10:00

1 Corinthians 13
If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

Lord, I still believe that there is a human relationship that isn't perfect, but when formed upon commitment, understanding and trust, it can weather all storms and obstacles. It will come out stronger, more enduring, more vibrant. The scars it proudly displays will show the world what it means to love another more than oneself.

Lord, allow me to see that happen in my lifetime.

In a rare moment of domestication ...

2006-08-06T17:36:00.000+10:00

... I learn how to fold t-shirts perfectly.

Note that your right hand goes over your left hand. I spent half an hour wondering why the first one came out perfectly but subsequently "lost" the art. It's all in the hands!

Yes, I know, I'm 23 and I still don't know how to fold t-shirts. Perfect.

One Compelling Purpose

2006-08-03T10:29:00.000+10:00

The greatest thing for us to remember is that we go up to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s purpose, not our own. In the natural life our ambitions are our own, but in the Christian life we have no goals of our own. We talk so much today about our decisions for Christ, our determination to be Christians, and our decisions for this and that, but in the New Testament the only aspect that is brought out is the compelling purpose of God. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . ." ( John 15:16 ).

We are not taken into a conscious agreement with God’s purpose— we are taken into God’s purpose with no awareness of it at all. We have no idea what God’s goal may be; as we continue, His purpose becomes even more and more vague. God’s aim appears to have missed the mark, because we are too nearsighted to see the target at which He is aiming. At the beginning of the Christian life, we have our own ideas as to what God’s purpose is. We say, "God means for me to go over there," and, "God has called me to do this special work." We do what we think is right, and yet the compelling purpose of God remains upon us. The work we do is of no account when compared with the compelling purpose of God. It is simply the scaffolding surrounding His work and His plan. "He took the twelve aside . . ." ( Luke 18:31 ). God takes us aside all the time. We have not yet understood all there is to know of the compelling purpose of God.

~ 3 August, My Utmost For His Highest (Oswald Chambers)

I remember promising a follow up blog entry after the Servants' Retreat but I've been running around like a dog chasing its tail so that's been slow in coming.

I don't think I can sufficiently write about the experience without mentioning the above passage I read today that seemed to reduce my heart to a pile of rubble. I always say God made me do this, or God pointed me to do that ... But Oswald Chambers is right, the work is nothing compared to the compelling purpose that Christ has for me - that Christ has already chosen me.

You see, I don't have to be such and such a person to be the one Christ had chosen.
He chose me. Already.
How I live my life in the light of that purpose is what is key to living.

Of late, I pause to marvel at the timing that God has perfectly orchestrated for events in my life. I feel like a slug sometimes, His work seems a lot harder than I can possibly manage, and I can't seem to get a grip of my ravaging emotions. My QT is all about obedience and it is easy to let His words just go over the head, but it comes back to haunt ... again and again ...

I can't get it out of my head that God has chosen me.

It means that it doesn't matter what choice I make when surrounded by a bunch of seemingly "good" choices. I don't really have to tear my hair out on the choice I make. God chose me to live out His purpose, and like Chambers says, sometimes that Purpose is a lot bigger than what we near-sighted creatures can possibly fathom.

Haha, after so long, I still haven't written about what I learnt during the Servants' Retreat. But you see, for the past one month, I've already been writing about what I learnt during the Servants' Retreat. It's like the last weekend was that "sweet spot" where everything tied together.

The end result is that I've chosen to take a route that is unconventional, but isn't something that I've not walked on before. I will be moving on from my present OCF cellgroup to co-lead in another cellgroup.

Excited? Scared? Nervous?
All the above. And more.
I chose to take it because it has been what I was praying for/waiting for, even before I knew of that oppportunity. I didn't think it was for me at first, but God didn't give me a prior experience to not use it again.

Check back in the next few months. Let's see where His purpose takes me. :)

Funfilled packed weekend!

2006-07-31T12:06:00.000+10:00

I had a crazily fun-filled, packed, refreshing weekend. It all began Friday night where I stayed over at Andrea's place to hear her love story all over again ... this time from her perspective and through our sharing, realised we really have so so so much in common! I love you girl!

Then, we woke up groggily 3 hours later to leave for our Servants' Retreat at Crenswick, 1.5 hours from the city and just after Ballarat. My first nature break for the semester and it truly refreshed me. I'll follow up with another blog entry about the camp.

When we got home to Melbourne on Sunday night, I scurried off to church to catch Deb Fung in ~~purpose~~ person and everyone agrees, she's so preety! Besides, she can play the piano and the guitar and she's performed for Hillsongs Conference ... wow ...

Then my weekend finished off with a BBQ at home together with my Singapore-Malaysian housemates which we also played chortaitii, UNO, Jenga and Snap. ~~Began to feel~~ Felt like home despite the cold. :)

Whew ... nice start to the week!

At Servants' Retreat

Give a bunch of letter blocks to a gaggle of itchy hands and this is what you get.

"I love my wife!"
Right. It's just our advisor, Alvin, teaching us when and how to make the right decisions.

Crossing the river would never be so difficult with chairs!

A rare but deeply meaningful sight to see our resident jokers Kafaii and Yon How interceding fervently.

Connie and Meisun caught unawares that we were plotting to celebrate their birthday! Same day, one year apart.

Timothy tries a chicken backside (courtesy of the cooks' gift to Meisun. She loves those things!) and can't decide how it tastes like ... and after a while goes into a rather ... ehmmm... gay "whatever!"

The Gang of ... Parkville.

The real Gang - L-R: Felin, Kelvin, Adrian, Sau, Bryan, Marianne - ala Exe-Committee

Gals, gals pretty gals!

Poor Sau gets saboed ... again. The last time was at Easter Camp. You'd think he'd learn by now.
But looking at this picture, it sure looks like Adrian is getting the brunt of it.

But at other times, the trampoline is used for great fun ... even for adults.

I slept over at Andrea's on Friday and we shared deeply from our heart. I am so glad for a sister like to her to carry on this journey with!

Seeing Deb Fung at church

Meeting Deb Fung in the flesh! She's so gorgeous! And so talented!

BBQ at home

Mohan, our Singaporean housemate (he stays next to me) barbequeing chickey wings. He's brought much life into the house ever since he came.

Amy and Lydia prepping the dinner table.

After dinner and wash up, we settle down for a fantastic game of UNO. Old skool, huh?

At this point in time, I went back to my room to phone home while they carried on.

Jenga .... AHHH!

Obedience = Success?

2006-07-28T10:05:00.000+10:00

No sooner than the words are out of my mouth, God reaffirms it through today's quiet time from Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest.

28 July 2006

I never once regretted going into a relationship with bpboy. I knew God was leading me into it.
And I will never regret coming out of it because I know that God used it to show us how much we needed to grow first.

To God be the glory for the great things He has done.

Change

2006-07-27T21:37:00.000+10:00

A Poem
Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone,
To have a deep soul relationship with another,
To be loved thoroughly, and exclusively.

But God, to a Christian says,
"No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content
with being loved by Me alone,With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me,
With having an intensely personal relationship with Me alone,
Discovering that only in Me
Is your satisfaction to be found,
Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship
That I have planned for you.

You will never be able to unite with another
Until you are united with Me,
Exclusive of anyone or anything else,
Exclusive of any desires or longings.
I want you to stop planning, stop wishing,
And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing,
One that you cannot imagine.
I want you to have the very best.
Please allow Me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things,
Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM,
Keep listening and learning the things I tell you,
You just wait, that's all.
Don't worry.
Don't be anxious.
Don't look around at the things others have gotten
Or that I've gotten them.
Don't look at the things you think you want
You just keep looking to Me,
Or you'll miss what I want to show you.

And then, when you're ready,
I'll surprise you with a love
Far more wonderful than any you would dream of.
You see, until you are ready,
And until the one I have for you is ready,(I am working even at this moment to have you both ready at the same time)
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me,
And the life I prepared for you,
You won't be able to experience the love that
Exemplifies your relationship with Me,
And thus is the perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love,
I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me;
And to enjoy materially and concretely,
The everlasting union of beauty, perfection and love.
Know I love you utterly,
I am God.
Believe it and be satisfied."

I'm still the same old Ruth.

But today something changed. Remember the change I talked about just yesterday? It came today.

A close friend sat me down today and testified how God had been orchestrating his love story with another close friend. [I love them both to bits!]

I cried for the first time ... in a very long time ... because the words didn't seem to be coming from my friend's mouth, but God speaking from within my heart. I felt jealous of how every aspect of their love story seemed to be released at the right time, and they both didn't know it until on hindsight and after talking about it. Honestly, I don't cry when people tell me their love stories, but the different areas that my friend touched upon hit me at the very centre of my heart.

I was jealous yes, envious that I do not have what they have waited and gained and I want it as well. I'm going to transform that into seriously waiting on God and have Him bring to fruition His perfect masterpiece.

And then this poem appears on her (the girl's) blog! Gosh ... it's been such a long time since I last saw it. Kayyona, my first mentor and someone I totally respect and trust, gave it to me exactly 6 years ago ... when I was still young and stupid. It didn't make too much sense then. Yes, a very spiritual sounding poem but I didn't really know what it meant ... 6 years later, this poem makes its way back to me ... speaking to me more than ever before.

My troubled spirit felt a burden lifted today. I've decided to stop licking my wounds. Decided to get right with God again. With that, the recent series of rather "disturbing" QTs I've been having does make sense now ...

Obedience.
Being set apart.
Hungering after holiness.
Waiting.
Surrendering. All.
Confidence in God.

For He'll come through. In His own time and way. :D

Yay!

2006-07-26T20:12:00.000+10:00

Sunset over the Yarra

Gorgeous sunset over the Yarra River. No reason for this photo, just thought I'd like my readers to revel in some beauty amidst the disaster of this world. We've been having some pretty hot days. My bones tell me that the change of season is coming. Does it mean a change in my life as well? I'm not sure yet.

Anti-Israel rally on Swanston Street

2006-07-24T18:22:00.000+10:00

I just watched a very disturbing report on SBS about how the violence between Israel and Lebanon is taking its toll on the innocent men, women and children. As I saw the images of children with their faces blown off by the bombs, women mourning for their dead husbands and men bleeding non-stop, my stomach curled into a tight knot. [See CNN report]

This cannot and should not be happening.

Children should be able to play safely in their own backyard, women should feel secure that their husbands who go out to work will come home to them, men should care for their families instead of thinking up cruelties to perform upon other people and their families!

Where is the justice of this world?

I saw a massive anti-war, anti-Israel demonstration on Swanston Street, Saturday. Although it was a supposedly "peace" demonstration, the placards, rallying cry, looks on peoples faces were not of peace. The chill I felt seeped right through my very being.

I do not condone the violence. I do not agree of how aggressively Israel has retaliated, yet I cannot help but wonder if she did not retaliate, how much more Hezbollah would take the opportunity to wipe out Israel. I cannot stand by and agree with the peace demonstration that the Lebanese people are the only victims. Many families in Israel mourn for their beloved ones, both young and old, killed by rockets shot into civilian territory.

Israel cannot and will not be wiped out by the world's powers. Anyone pitting itself against God's country is not going get off scot-free.

But how I wish that the people who do not feel the same way as the powers that be are not dragged into the mire as well.

How fragile the world is - a kidnapping of 2 Israeli soldiers could trigger such a bloody, crazy war. I think of how complacent we are, living our own little lives, getting caught up in the inconsequential details that we hold so important to us.

What is important in your life?
I hope it is the state of your soul, and those of the people around you.

Naked I come, naked I will go.

Hectic, hectic, hectic!!

2006-07-21T01:08:00.000+10:00

I drove for the first time yesterday! My instructor, Bert Chapman is an old Aussie guy who sports a funky ponytail. I thought first lessons did not include going onto the road, but apparently they don't believe in teaching y0u parts of the car ... but actually taking you out on it! We weaved through traffic, circled the roundabout, stopped at redlights, did a U-turn ... everything y0u could possibly imagine but parallel park!

I was freaking scared that I'd hit a pedestrian or something, so I mostly crawled by on 20km/h but once we got to a good stretch, I'd go up to 40km and think I was flying! I don't know how speed demons can travel so fast and still keep the car in control.

Bert gave me the whole rundown of the gearshifts at like bullet speed ... I couldn't catch a single word, but he later drew a couple of diagrams which I still couldn't get so when Sau was driving tonight, I was watching his feet, totally fascinated. He makes it sound simple, "just step on the clutch when your car is stationery otw your engine will mati (die)."

So now I remember .. clutch down whenever your car is stationary, when you are changing gears, or when you're moving from a stationary position. First gear when you're starting out, in front of a stop line or turning a blind corner, second when you're turning down a street or when the engine begins to rattle after going on first gear for a while. Have I missed out anything else?

Lesson #2 is next Tuesday. Can't wait!

One for the camera - busy preparing the ingredients

We cooked again, this time for the orientation dinner for both Parkville and Melbourne Uni. I made caesar salad and caramelized onions and mushrooms, Andrea and her garlic mash potatoes and mushroom risotto, Jason with his proscuitto chickens, Arthur (MU) and his roast lamb and Chris (MU) who made a superbly gorgeously deliciously beautifully (darn ran out of adjectives) tiramisu (Andrea and I were licking the pan off after everything was polished off).

A fantastic time of getting to know the July freshies and just let them know that there are a bunch of people whom they can ask for help if they need to.

Another round on Saturday. This time for Parkville only and I'm cooking soup! Hope to get pictures this time. I was really too busy to take photos of the food ... but I assure you it was goooooooood.

Timetable for the new semester

2006-07-19T08:28:00.000+10:00

I'm gonna get bashed by a lot of people, but here's my timetable .... set to perfection.

Basically, my classes are set only on Wednesday and Friday, and I even end early on Fridays ... I like my lectures and tutorials on the same day, thus the manic pace of Wednesday. Production Project 2 is not timetabled in because meeting times with the supervisor are fluid and not settled yet.

Yayyy! I've got more unscheduled time to play around with which suits me just fine. :P

------------------------

God has been showing me me all week how lazy I've been in relation to His work. In a way, I don't really like a timetable like that because it makes me stay at home too much, but in an odd sort of way, it's great this time because God has placed in me a burden for the asylum seekers my church is reaching out to every Friday.

I didn't tell you this, but last Monday when I was at the driving centre taking my test, a woman from Amman sat next to me and began a conversation with me. It wasn't the other way around (although it should be) and I didn't really say much because I was tired from running and I couldn't really make out what she was saying underneath the thick accent. Nothing spectacular about the exchange occurred to me until I saw a notice in the church bulletin requesting volunteers for their Mercy ministry. That was when the realization dawned on me ... that there are too many displaced people here in Melbourne.

I was once emotionally displaced, until my friends reached out to me. I know how lonely it can get, how depressing it is not to be able to get hot wholesome food. I've endured drivepasts where a bunch of kids have yelled out racist names at me, at school, everybody sees me but nobody takes notice.

And I am a Singaporean who speaks fluent English with the financial ability to study without worrying if I need to get a job to pay the rent.

What more a displaced person who knows no English, possesses next to nothing save for the clothes on his back, and is hardly familiar with the modern day city life of Melbourne?

Swanston Street COC hosts asylum seekers on Fridays at church, will go down to take a look and report. :)

I wait upon You O Lord

2006-07-18T03:21:00.000+10:00

Isaiah 54

The Future Glory of Zion

1 "Sing, O barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,"
says the LORD.

2 "Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.

4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

Of cupcakes and donuts

2006-07-14T16:12:00.000+10:00

More food. If I'm ever going to fit into the dress I bought for Convention, a disciplined diet starts N-O-W now now now now now now!

Sau, Andrea and I met up yesterday for tea at the much talked about Brunetti's on Lygon Street. While the choice of cakes isn't exactly mind-boggling, it was enough to give Andrea and I a headache of what to choose! In the end we settled for old favourites and new flavours, much to the delight of Andrea and myself. Sau, the ever macho man, didn't care so much for desserts than for his cuppa mocha. Is it true that men don't go for sweets as much as women?

Sticky Date pudding
Not overly sweet but a little bit dry. There's a cafe in RMIT that serves delicious sticky date muffins and they've got the stickiness, sweetness and moistness just right.

Lemon Brulee
Very tart, very lemony, very yummy. We ate this one sparingly because after all the sugar, the tart flavour helped balance it out, making this top my list.

Macaroons
Ever since reading about how J of Kuidaore made macaroons, we've been dying to try some of that shiny goodness. I won't ever dare to make them considering how the great J took 48 hours just to churn out a batch, but I'll pay a dollar to taste one. These don't look like the traditional ones but the texture is marvelous with a chewy centre and crispy exterior. The best part is? They go for $50 a kilo.

Bailey's Chocolate Cake
These was the least favourite amongst the 3 of us. Ordinarily, Andrea loves super chocolatey cakes, but we all agreed that the alcohol in this particular slice was too much to handle.

Happy Three Friends!

We went our separate ways after that, Sau for his committee meeting, Andrea and I to her house for dinner and the next part - bookmark making for Orientation!

Beautiful Melissa came along shortly to help out.

Our equipment!

Andrea finishes off a bookmark.

The finished products.

Sau popped in at midnight to give Mel and I a ride home but we all ended up staying till 2am talking about ... of all things ... the things that turn you off/on in a guy/girl.

My favourite? When we began to discuss if we can fart/belch in public and how to do it with absolute class. The funniest one was a joke Mel told about a mutual friend and her boyfriend:

Friend: If you had to fart in the car of your date, would you prefer a loud but smell-less one or a quiet but stinky one?

Girl: I prefer the loud but smell-less one. At least I can turn on the radio real loud so that my date can't hear it.

Girl's boyfriend: No wonder my radio is spoilt!

Hahahha! What would YOU prefer?

After a long day ...

2006-07-13T02:56:00.001+10:00

Dinner at the Øriental Spoon would have made my DaeJungGuem-loving mom and sis proud. Full course of kimchi, bulogi, soup and pancake. The price was rather reasonable and the atmosphere was authentically Korean ... apparently the last time Calvin and Marcus came, the waiter couldn't speak a word of English. At least this time we just had to listen a little harder to comprehend through the thick accent. Didn't take any photos because I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of the others ... I only go food-photography crazy with people whom I know won't mind me sticking a camera lens in their food. :D

After dinner, no one had anywhere to go so Marcus suggested .....

.....

Something I haven't done in ages ....

PLAY POOL!

Tucked away in a dodgy backlane on Brunswick, the once-white picket fence Marcus parked next to was blackened with vulgar graffiti. Sure looked like one of them underground pool places Joyce and I used to go during our poly days.

It was in a run down warehouse kind of place. Sitting around waiting for 2 tables to free up, it certainly smelt and looked like the pool places we used to frequent, complete with lumpy sofas and angmoh ahbengs (Caucasian gangsters).

Nobody took notice of the 6 relatively well-dressed Asians who walked in. They usually don't even in Singapore unless you're stupid enough to pick a fight.

Apparently the hot chocolate was famous here. We each had a cup and for 3 bucks, it's marshmallowy sweet and creamy and delicious all at the same time. Marcus said that the guy who made the drinks was the worst of the lot. But if this is what it tastes like, I can't imagine the hot chocolate made by the best guy.

As for pool, I'm totally out of form. Joyce, add a round of pool on the list when I get back. So what did I do? Spend the time taking photos of things around the pool table.

Subsequently, after 2 hours of hitting the ball round and round, the girls gave up and the boys squeezed in their last futile game to beat apparent snooker master Marcus. We went our separate ways then, Calvin + gf went home, while the rest of us adjourned to Andrea's house for part 2 of after-dinner activities ...

Krispy Kremes - delicious whether cold and chewy or soft and melty.
You just want to take a bite!

Emperor puffs flown in all the way from Sydney,
courtesy of Jason who bought them specially for me! Thanks "couz"!
Fantastic when eaten piping hot fresh from the oven.

Pizza from Dominoes to make sure the sweetness washed down well. :D

Over Krispy Kremes, pizza and emperor puffs, we talked till 2am and it was time to go home to bed.

Although I'm really tired now, here's to a great highlight of my day!

Results!

2006-07-10T09:44:00.000+10:00

Edit @ 14.54:
I passed my L licence test and my very first driving lesson with a certain Mr Bert Chapman is next Wednesday. How exciting!
-------------------------
Edit @ 10.04: Diane replies and says she hasn't finished marking a few scripts thats why we don't have our mark yet. Can I say what a relief that is??

I turned to The Age to find out who won the World Cup and to my horror, Italy won??? I don't watch football and I don't know rules and stuff like that, but to my knowledge, France is a lot stronger and more skilful than Italy! And with Zidane sent off with a red card just minutes before fulltime, what a disgrace! :( I wanted France to win because of Zinedin Zidane. :(

------------------------

I couldn't sleep the entire night in anticipation of the release of my results t 8am but at 730, I had tired myself out so much that I really fell asleep and didn't wake until 930. I couldn't even remember that I had to check my results!

So anyway .... *drum roll please*

Media Industries - HD
Documentary Studies - D1
Newsmakers - D1
Production Project 1 - Results Withheld

Results withheld?? What results withheld?? I have a result, but why is it WITHHELD?? *Yes, as you can see, I'm going pretty crazy wondering what's with the mark.*

I've tried calling Karli, Diane and David for some sort of explanation of WHYYYY but they've all seemed to have gone on holiday! Saaaad.

Hopefully someone will be able to reply my mail BY TONIGHT.

Grr.

But for the rest of my results, I am thankful to God for His mercies. All the effort paid off, especially for Media Industries. The aggregated mark is also much higher than expected. :D

I never thought I'd be able to pass Newsmakers in the beginning, in fact, Sihan and I approached the lecturer for special tips. She didn't give any except "Read more". Maybe that was her special tip but we devoured newspapers and gradually got used to the subject.

Same for documentary studies. I remember the 50% essay question which I had absolutely no idea how to approach it! Took a lot of prayer to calm me down enough to smack it down squarely. Plus the subsequent sleepless nights, made for a pretty good paper.

Yay for my results! Except Production Project until I know what happened to it.

"Thank You" ~ Ray Boltz (1988)

2006-07-09T11:03:00.000+10:00

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now."
And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Smith Street Escapades

2006-07-09T01:03:00.000+10:00

Smith Street is amazing ... It's a long stretch of road filled with all kinds of shops imaginable for the shopaholic, but boyfriends and husbands beware ... Not your kind of stretch and you'd much rather send your partner off by herself with a cap on that sup card, while you snooze the afternoon away at a cafe.

Intersecting Little Bohemia Brunswick, it's a tidy little stretch of road with quaint cafes, like this one we went to which served tea with honey, IMHO, that tastes and smells more fragrant than tea with white sugar and wholesome muffins which taste marvelous once warmed up and decorated with patterns of strawberry jam and marmalade.

Cinnamon and Date muffin

Lasiez Faire Saturday

My pocket has suffered a considerable amount of damage ... HAHA, I won't be going again for a very long time, I hope!

How to get there:
Take Tram 86 (heading towards RMIT Bundoora) along Bourke St. It's a 10-15 minute ride but ask the tram driver to be sure.

Finally, figured out there was a function in the online learner's permit test thingy to re-do incorrect questions. It's sure going to help knowing where I've gone wrong. :P I've never studied so hard in my life.

Okay, time to go to bed. Tomorrow church and a long afternoon handwashing my clothes ... o joy.

Food!

2006-07-08T00:28:00.000+10:00

I'm nearly going to bed, but I dropped by to leave a note for posterity.

The secret ingredient for our Iron Chef competition was bread, so the first thing I thought to make was the meatloaf I saw Amy (my M'sian housemate) make and French Toast. We were supposed to produce 2 main dishes and one dessert in 3 hours and I had Ben N., Yon How and Ian in my group. After talking a bit, we decided to go with the meatloaf, marinara soup in a bread bowl and fried icecream.

The soup was burnt in the end, but marinating the marinara with a generous dash of lemon juice, salt, pepper and sesame oil does take away the fishy smell. I just have to work on how to do a proper creamy soup without scorching the bottom.

The fried icecream was high skill. We rolled little balls of icecream, about the size of a tiny lemon, coated them in flour and froze them again. Just before eating, we wrapped each ball in 2 slices of white bread with the ends removed. The ends won't close so you'll need to "tape" it close with a thick liquid. We used thickened cream. Deepfry in very hot oil. We managed to do it, but the icecream was quite melted and the bread soaked up oil like a sponge.

Calvin Tay wants to think of a better way to prevent the bread wrap from soaking up so much oil. Pris has suggested sticking the icecream in mantous, but I think the next time we do it, we can prolly soak the bread in a bit of egg, like French Toast, and make sure the oil is even hotter than we had it this time round. The maximum amount of time the icecream should spend frying should be around 10-15 seconds for both sides. If you have tried frying icecream and know how to keep the icecream frozen but the bread hot and crispy but not overly oily, lemme know.

Finally, the meatloaf receipe that had everyone positively commenting that it tasted like siewmai to donno what. I'm pretty proud of it considering I caught Amy just when she was about to go out and didn't even get down the exact amount of each ingredient. I'm including the receipe here but a lot depended on gut feel because I just added as much as I felt was necessary. Hehe, I'll try to add exact measurements for those that I can but be creative!

I think the real secret ingredient in this receipe is the curry powder. I used fish curry but you can prolly use any type. It gives the loaf a wonderful smell and taste, and no one can tell what it is!

(Serves 4-5)
500g of minced beef
10 slices of white bread (remove the sides and tear to pieces)
3 red onions; minced
150g of button mushrooms; sliced
3 potatoes; diced
2 carrots; diced
1/2 clove of garlic; minced
2 eggs
6 tbsp of curry powder
2 tbsp brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese to top

Heat the oven to 180 degrees. Fry the onions until soft. Add the garlic and fry till fragrant. Add the carrots and potatoes and cook till soft. Add the mushrooms and fry till cooked. Add salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl, add the minced beef, bread pieces, curry powder, sugar, a generous dash of salt and pepper and break the eggs into it. Wait for the cooked ingredients to cool before adding it into the bowl.

Use your hands to mix everything together throughly. Once done, oil a baking tin with melted butter and coat with a thin layer of flour. Add the mixture in. Fill until there's 1-cm left from the top of the tin. Sprinkle parmesan cheese to cover.

Pop it into the oven and cook for 45 minutes or until the top is browned. Once done, take it out of the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Voila~!

I prefer my meatloaf with more curry, mushrooms and potato, so that's what I'll do the next time round. The great thing about your mother's receipe is that you can play around with the ingredients 'cos you don't know what the exact receipe was in the beginning anyway, and tweak it till you're happy with it.

Unlike Michael's recipe, mine came out with the loaf cooking in its own juices, so I didn't need to make an extra sauce to go with it. However, if you make something to freeze, you might want to do a simple gravy ... or you can try using cranberry sauce/jam. Sounds bizarre, but the tartness of the jam compliments the meat perfectly. If you can't afford cranberry, I should think raspberry should do the trick as well.

Too bad my hands were constantly full so no photos this time. But Lee took a couple of photos, and if I get my hands on them, I'll post em.

You, Lord, RAWK my world!

2006-07-06T22:33:00.000+10:00

You ~ Jaci Velasquez "Jaci Velasquez"

Who makes
The sun light up my shadows
When the darkness tries to follow me
Who makes
The air that brings me life
So I can breathe the love that's given to me

Chorus:
You make everything good
Everything wonderful
You grace my days
And heaven fills my view
Let's forever sing
You make everything pure
Everything beautiful

You make me see the only thing that is true
It's you
Who makes
The waters of my sorrow part
And leads the gladness into my heart
Who makes
The rivers run that wash away
And clean my soul to make a new start
You hung the moon
You placed the stars that shine your love for me
I hope all that I do
Will show reflections of you

----------------------------------

Read Psalm 37 and Isaiah 35 yesterday and today for quiet time. Both are passages filled with love and hope for those who believe in the Lord. :) I reflect on the number of times I've fretted so much over something so trivial and inconsequential and wonder if I spend an equal amount of time and effort making sure I know what God's law is.

Worrying has got to be one of my top favourite hobbies even though I don't say it. I worry about everything. Yet, this time, God has gently reminded me again that as long as I follow His ways and apply it in my life, I do not need to worry or be afraid.

I distinctly remember once when my dad brought me to the exercise corner near our old house and made me climb up a ladder that was probably about 2m tall, swing my leg over the other side and come down again. I never dared to do it no matter how much my dad reassured me that he would catch me if I fell.

As I grew older, my dad has never stopped telling me he'd catch me even though the obstacles now are a lot bigger than a 2m ladder. He gives me the freedom to try and if I fail, he's there to stop me from falling too hard. I've learnt to trust my dad and in doing so, learnt to trust my Father in heaven.

How glad am I that even Hsien is also telling me the same thing. "If you fall, I'll catch you," he said one day while we were travelling in a rather crowded MRT train and I had nothing to hold onto for support. He watches, listens and reaches out for me, just like what my dad does, just like what my loving God does. :P

My dad and Hsien both know that they may not always be around me, but I am deeply moved by their godly reassurance, "If I'm not there to catch you, I know God is already there to hold you."

Yes, God reminds me each and every single day that I am never alone. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for my sins and give forgiveness. I don't have to live with the burden of my guilt and shame!

He alone is the One who can make the blue sky bluer, the air fresher, the water sweeter, love more exhilarating, work easier, charity more rewarding. He turns my mourning into dancing, my fears into joy, my weakness into strength, mending my brokeness into wholeness.

Jesus is the reason that I am here.
He has given me all that I have.
So what more do I have to worry about?

-----------------------------------------

Sau sent me a link outlining the differences between real love and infatuation. Love is not blind, infatuation is. This article is really helpful if you want to check if your "relationship" or "desired one" is more than mere infatuation. It is important to know, especially if marriage is on the cards. You don't want to wake up one morning next to your partner and realise that you only married that person for certain physical/superficial attributes.

Here's an excerpt from the article which IMHO, rings particularly true for any relationship.

 Real Love: as with infatuation, in real love the beloved may
well be the most important person in the world to you.  But
there's the big difference.  In real love, you expand your
world to include the beloved.  If you really love each other,
you don't abandon or neglect your other relationships.
Instead, you just add this wonderful new relationship to all
the others you have.  It becomes a plus, not a replacement.
You still maintain good ties with your family, your friends,
your teachers.  You retain your interest in your work or
studies - assuming that you had such an interest in the first
place.  Things that you liked to do before, you still like to
do.  Your world grows larger, not narrower.

It's easy to fall into the trap of "us-time". Time feels really short and you want to make the best of it but I'm glad we both decided to include our worlds in this relationship. In fact, this transparency with the people around us has caused me to feel even more secure and stable. Rather than dying under the guilt of sneaking around, I can now live with confidence knowing that I'm right with God, right with my parents, right with Hsien, and right with everybody else in my circle.

Like what the article says, my world has opened up, I know more new people and my life hasn't veered off from what I've been called to be at this point in time - a student. He reminds me of this often as well. Also, with our current situation, we've had to talk a lot, and I do mean, actually communicate. It's easy to say a lot but whether it's meaningful is another matter altogether.

It's another 5 months, but .... I think by God's grace, we'll survive and thrive!

---------------------------

My dad, Sarah and Hsien sent me off at five-freaking-am on Tuesday morning. I've cured my curiosity about Austrian Air and have decided that I still like Asian airlines more. :)

Even though though the flight was at such a ghastly hour, the plane was packed and in the next seat across the aisle on my left, were not one, but TWO toddlers and their mothers. I was banking on some sleep and if there were kids on the plane, I could probably banish the thought already. Now they were not only placed in some far corner of the plane, they were sitting next to me. Furthermore, on my right were a bunch of Dutch-speaking teenagers who were kicking up a racket. Zombiedom here I come.

I immediately said a prayer, praying for a good flight and also a quiet one. I sunk down in my seat by the aisle (thankfully!) and we were off.

They served breakfast almost immediately and while I couldn't eat much in the last few days, my stomach was growling for food now. However, my eyes couldn't stay open for the trolley to come to me and by the time I woke up again, the trolley had gone past, and I nearly fell out of my seat and almost smacked the stewardess' bottom just to get her attention. The mother with the toddler in the opposite aisle saw me flailing about and helped me get her attention.

After breakfast, I immediately fell into a deep dreamless sleep even though I was sitting upright and my knees were digging into the seat in front of me.

When they served lunch, I stayed awake until they served me, quickly ate the eeky mutton lasagne and fell asleep again.

We touched down to a warm winter's day. When I got off, it suddenly hit me that not only was the flight the smoothest I've ever experienced, the bunch of noisy teenagers and babies were asleep for most of the journey! Although I didn't get bumped up to biz class this time, my prayers for a good, quiet flight were answered!

----------------------------
It's been much easier to ease back into Melbourne this time around. Perhaps it's because I know my way around and I've people here to go out with on a whim, like Pearline and Sau the night before and Adrian for lunch today.

I did wonder how I'd spend the days before school starts. I even brought 2 Korean drama serials to keep me occupied. Haha, it's been 2 days since I returned and I don't even have time to finish watching one episode at one go.

My schedule is quickly filling up with my driving test set for Monday and I still can't pass the online learner's permit test, so I'll be spending the rest of this week doing it until I get 32 out of 32. If I pass, I'll start driving lessons immediately. The Australian Film Institute Library is having a working bee on Tuesday and I'll prolly be there all day. Sau is going up to Geelong on Wednesday for a hospital interview and he's asked a whole bunch of us to go along for the ride and fish 'n' chips (yayness!). I hope to meet up with my project groups sometime next week ... O yes, results will be out on Monday! We're also driving out to Mt. Danendong next Saturday and restarting the Feilow gang once Andrea and the rest get back from Sydney.

There's still the gym to start working out again, a mountain of clothes to handwash and iron, books to read, project stuff to begin on.

Before long, school will start and time will go faster than I can catch hold of it.

Whew .... and blogging. No more stagnant and stinky old blog. More pictures coming your way, especially tomorrow when I return from the "Iron Chef" competition with the OCFers. It'll be a hoot!

-------------------

Photos of my last "feat" while still in Singapore. Part Preeceelaa's birthday dinner, part my going away dinner, part proof that I can finally cook, 5 friends came over for dindin! Joyce was also supposed to come but a last minute change in schedule meant that she couldn't make it. Doesn't matter, I owe you XO fish beehoon and steak in December! :D

With A LOT of help from my mom and Sarah, we served pumpkin soup, and a rump steak with carmelized onions and mushrooms, mixed vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert was konnyaku jelly and Pris' mango cake.

Other than the steak coming out too under-cooked for some people, there were pretty good reviews all around. Haha, while I discovered a new love for entertaining, I realise that it is A LOT of work.

Hsien and I were washing the dishes and mopping the floor long after the others had gone home but I think you truly see love when your man gets down and dirty with the housework eh?

To make up for my absence ...

2006-06-29T12:36:00.000+10:00

I've been away for a long time causing someone to tell me that he's very bored reading the same post again everyday :D. You know, you really ought to be studying, hahahaha.

Well, as my Singapore break draws to a fantastic close, here are some of the photos taken that I haven't had the time to post up. Lots of fun in the sun and by the sea, getting my fill of summer before going back to freezing Melbourne.

My gorgeous SAC cellgroup. Not only are they pretty in appearance, each of them are a delight in heart and spirit as well. I'm so glad to see them going strong with each other as support.

My first time cooking at home with relatively little help. They were very apprehensive about me cooking and kept hovering around me, especially my sister! Even bpboy sent an sms in the morning telling me it's okay if dinner doesn't turn out well. HAH! I proved all of them wrong, at least this once.

I met up with Germaine who's settling comfortably into her job. We had Crystal Jade again, at the exact same place we had dinner at before I left for Melbourne in Feb this year. Amazing how things never change even after 6 years of friendship. Yay!

Pris' birthday was spent at Sentosa on Palawan beach where the 3 of us went to sunbake! You couldn't have asked for a better day.

While the 3 of us were sitting on the sand gazing at the sea, I suddenly noticed a girl in the sea, staring at us, who looked oddly familiar. I said, "It's Anna" to the other 2. They didn't think it was her until she started waving and got out of the sea, walking towards us. MCMers, you can run, but you can't hide. Fancy meeting someone we hadn't seen since graduation on a beach on an ordinary Tuesday!

And finally ...

*drum roll please .... *

it's bpboy!

A collage of photos taken at some of my favourite places, Bollywood Veggies, the Esplanade bridge and the Botanic gardens! :D

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been seeing each other quite often and honestly, it's hard to be leaving, this time for a much longer period of 5 months. But we've had many talks about it ... I'm glad that we can talk so frankly and to come to the conclusion that while we may be so far apart, God is the strength of our hearts.

Sigh ....

But before I begin to mush anyone out, here's most of what I did in the past couple of weeks. I'll be back in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon ... how fast time flies!

Answers!

2006-06-22T01:45:00.000+10:00

BPboy
1. I'll respond with something random about you
Oink.

2. I'll challenge you to try something
Wear something funky for work. :D

3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
Blue. You like it.

4. I'll tell you something I like about you
Your old-fashioness (haha!)

5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
Sitting on the curb of Orchard Road. Geeky videoman.

6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
A big bear.

7. I'll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you
Haha ... I can't think of anything cos I always ask when I think of it.

Pris
1. I'll respond with something random about you
Whizz by on a kite

2. I'll challenge you to try something
Go jogging with Johnny and I sometime SOON

3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
Fuschia

4. I'll tell you something I like about you
You put effort in your relationships

5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
Black glasses, black sleeveless top, denim capris, long hair, my chitchat partner in boring lectures

6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
Cat. I know u hate the critter, but I don't know why you remind me of it.

7. I'll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you
Ditto for BPboy. I try to ask most things when I think of them.

Joyce
1. I'll respond with something random about you
You like to sunbake.

2. I'll challenge you to try something
Wear a bikini on Tues when we go Sentosa. HAH!

3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
Ash blond

4. I'll tell you something I like about you
You're superduper loyal.

5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
Spiky hair, glasses, atrium having a snack. Dunno why.

6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
A hammy.

7. I'll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you
Why did u stick around anyway even afterv I've been such an awful idiot?

Sleepyhead
1. I'll respond with something random about you
Love is beautiful. You just have to look harder to see the beautiful parts.

2. I'll challenge you to try something
Wah dangerous, cos I know what goes around, comes around. Mmmm... I know. STUDY!~ :D

3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
Yellow!

4. I'll tell you something I like about you
Your willingness to be vulnerable to the cell

5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
On the phone. Thought some uncle called me.

6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
A PIG. LAZY and NOISY

7. I'll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you
Same. Will ask when I think of it.

Andrea
1. I'll respond with something random about you
You're so classy!

2. I'll challenge you to try something
Be a tomboy for a day.

3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
Pastel pink

4. I'll tell you something I like about you
Your cooking skills and spiritual maturity

5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
I actually thought you were nice, but quiet and shy the first time I met you. Didn't even know if I could talk to you at all!

6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
A dog. Cos you always have the dog icon in your msn chats and you're very friendly!

7. I'll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you
Ditto!

----------
I've run all my errands. Time to kick back and soak in the rest of the holidays.

Day 03 & 04

2006-06-19T03:38:00.000+10:00

Tagged by Joyce!! [I sent you the card 'cos I remembered your birthday. And I knew I was acting like a real jerk-ette.]

So anyway, for everybody else:

If you comment on this post:
1. I'll respond with something random about you
2. I'll challenge you to try something
3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
4. I'll tell you something I like about you
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
7. I'll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you
8. if I do this for you, you must post this on yours

Haha a cheapo way of getting a poll of who reads my blog so comment away!

-----------

In other news, Day 3 & 4 ... mmmm....

Love is when he listens to you carp about your broken costume jewellery and secretly plans to fix it himself.
Love is when he protects you - by asking you to keep your room door open even though the airconditioning is on.
Love is when he prays with you, for you.

:')

It was a really hectic weekend, I think we went to 7 different events over the past 2 days - visiting Grace at the hospital, my dad's church service, the "We will sing" concert at SAC, 1115 service at SAC, visiting my grandad at home, his church service and dinner with Pris & John.

On my end, it was so fun to spring a surprise on the YAers and a great time to catch up with the gals at cellgroup. It really doesn't feel like I've been away for 4 months. Nothing seems to have changed. It's a good thing. I am so thankful my parents provided for me to come back this time. More than the food and all, what I've missed are all my relationships that make me the Ruth I am.

Day 02 - Cold hands no more ... :")

2006-06-17T05:02:00.000+10:00

I ate chartowkway today (*knowing grin to andreagirl)!! and I made a funny sound that sent my sis laughing at how much I'd missed a plate of the stuff. I never used to really like it but today was goooood ... missed it so.

The OCFers had the BGR forum tonight and they took a group photo together! Think I will photoshop myself in there ... somehow. From what Andrea says about the topics, all too bad I couldn't be there!! :( But I'm sure I wouldn't have heard the last of it from any of my cell members.

Now moving on to how my second day home panned out:

The air carries just enough water to remain invisible and it's also been raining but I'm not complaining, BRING ON THE HUMIDITY BABY! I think I was born for the tropical weather. I'm sure, whether you're in Singapore or in Melbourne, will think I'm stark raving mad. Haha, I'm not cos' it's only in hot humid weather that I get to indulge in my favourite things, one of which is swimming which i did yesterday and .... *drum roll pls * bubble tea! And it's just $1.20 here, not 3 or 4 bucks at QV. Haha, and for the fact that the sun sets at a sane 7pm not 4.30. ;)

My sister's having her jazz dance exam on Monday. I was supposed to take it but I skipped off to Melbourne. Went to see her practice and I'm amazed at the progress she's made. The dance is really cool, but if I post the video, I think my head will roll, so here's a snapshot of where I used to dance and maybe u could even imagine how a klutz like me could shake properly.

Hsien returned from church camp today and came over. My parents met him up close .... they were more excited to meet him than I was :D. We sat on the verandah talking ... it's amazing finally seeing him again in the flesh! We've got a packed weekend going from this event to the next, but like he says, I'm glad we're doing it together.

L - R: [top row] Complimentary champagne, oodles of leg room, The Snack
[middle row] Appetizer, bread & greek salad, chicken bullotine
[bottom row] warm fudge brownie drizzled with caramel sauce

This photo collage ... is long overdue. Should have posted it even before yday's post, but since I haven't done it, I shall do it here. It'll always remind me of how I asked God to send a good brother or sister to give me a lift to the airport shuttle station (5 mins frm my place), so I wouldn't have to pay for the taxi fare ...
How everyone was busy with exams and school still so I didn't want to trouble them ....
How I went to hail a taxi ...
How the taxidriver saw his friend ...
How that friend was going to the airport as well ...
How the taxidriver asked him to hop on since he was "going that way" ... [airport shuttle station is in the same direction as the airport]
How the new stranger found out I was heading to the airport as well and offered to let me ride with him and he paid for it! [$50+ bucks] ...
How a prayer for a free ride to the airport shuttle station turned into a free ride ALL THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT.

Not finished yet.

How I checked in ...
and there weren't any queues for those who checked in online ...
AND HOW I GOT BUMPED UP TO BIZ CLASS ON EMIRATES.

The food was fantastic, served on real plates with real silver cutlery. I could incline in a 45 degree angle fully stretched out - for the first time, I actually slept properly on a plane. Four stewards/stewardesses were devoted to the 14 passengers in our section so the service was impeccable. I sat next to a fellow Singaporean who also got bumped up and we spent the better part of the flight talking about all sorts of stuff. So fun!

Haha, I think my online checking in had something to do with it ... You can try and see if my theory is right, but next time you fly, do an online check in as early as you can. When you get to the airport two hours prior to your flight, request for a seat change. If their business class isn't full, you might get bumped up to biz. Tell me if it works.

But whatever the case, everything that happened was a pure coincidence, so my being able to get a free ride and flying biz had something to do with a God who loves me and decides to give me a great prezzie for no apparent reason at all.

I've learnt about how to be excellent in all I do, going to extra mile for somebody else, and also how loving my God is.

Day 01

2006-06-15T16:32:00.000+10:00

Maxwell Market - No name Porridge

Clockwise from top: Century Egg porridge, fried tofu, yusheng

At home!! Swimming! In nice balmy weather!!

Brothers arise!

2006-06-13T23:18:00.000+10:00

Besides doing the usual "send-the-sisters-home" routine, the OCF brothers are rising up to be the MEN that we sisters look up to!

Yesterday, a tired-looking Jason Song (fresh from trekking at Wilson's Prom) delivered blueberry cheesecake with Sau who came by to give me his broken watch to bring home to fix, and today .... KAFAII... note girls, this is KAFAII, resident lame joker of OCF Parkville ... he drops by my place on the way to Maisy's to give us oxtail soup he made himself! The taste is fantastic, and let alone the effort! By golly wow!

These acts of unconditional kindness is what sets apart these guys. I thank you brothers for showing me such love even when you're busy with your exams!

" For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

My warm as toast tummy is blessed. :)

Warm hands, warm heart.

2006-06-13T20:31:00.000+10:00

30 hours and 10 minutes.

No more chilled hands.

2006-06-12T15:12:00.000+10:00

I have a final essay to do, but I've been so royally bored that I've either been sleeping or surfing the Internet aimlessly.

Today I woke up at a grand time of 1145! The latest so far ... thought of going down to Myer to looksee at the stocktake sale, even showered and was all ready to go, when I remembered I was heading down to town tomorrow anyway ... so I stayed home.

But rather than while away another day sleeping and basically doing NOTHING... I decided to clean my room! Wash my clothes! Vacuum the floor! Change the sheets! Stack away old notes! Wipe surfaces!

Am in the midst of it, but the more I do it the more inspired I am to finish that one LAST essay ... that one last idiotic essay that I can never seem to get around.

YAY!!!

Newly minted yoda

2006-06-10T14:26:00.000+10:00

A talk with my new yoda yielded such a conversation over MSN. Keshvani's an ex-lecturer I contacted out of pure desperation with regards to my blogging project, and while he was a fantastic interviewee (Read his webchat transcript here), he gave me an impromptu professional coaching session last night.

Here's a little excerpt of the conversation. Pardon the English used and the TIME (!!!goodgolly), but the gist is pretty much there.

keshvani says: (2:47:47 AM)
the only thing u need to work on now is how to be able to build rapport in short space of time and u will win a pulitzer

Ruth says: (2:47:56 AM)
HOWWWW

Ruth says: (2:47:59 AM)
TEACH MEEEEEE

keshvani says: (2:48:18 AM)
i only create the awareness for you to consider it

keshvani says: (2:48:25 AM)
pilosophical or what!!!

Ruth says: (2:48:29 AM)
wah liew, like yoda lah

keshvani says: (2:48:35 AM)
ha ha ha

keshvani says: (2:48:53 AM)
pardon me - am practising a new level of teaching with you

keshvani says: (2:48:59 AM)
freshly learnt yday

keshvani says: (2:49:19 AM)
its simple warm a person up

keshvani says: (2:49:36 AM)
remove yr self-consciousness and it will fall into place

keshvani says: (2:49:46 AM)
u r too busy beign conscious that u cannot create rapport

Ruth says: (2:49:53 AM)
but half the time i'm scared of asking stupid questions

keshvani says: (2:49:55 AM)
when u shld be focussed on HOW to create the rapport

keshvani says: (2:50:02 AM)
so dont ask stupid questions

keshvani says: (2:50:13 AM)
the best way to warm a person up is to ask them about themselves

keshvani says: (2:50:19 AM)
they love to talk abt themselves

keshvani says: (2:50:30 AM)
this way u are warmign them up

keshvani says: (2:50:35 AM)
voila

Ruth says: (2:50:46 AM)
but have u met pple ... who are clams?

keshvani says: (2:50:55 AM)
of course

keshvani says: (2:50:57 AM)
all the time

keshvani says: (2:51:13 AM)
with experience u will discover different personal techniques

keshvani says: (2:51:24 AM)
i betcha margo wld have looooved to talk abt herself

keshvani says: (2:51:31 AM)
question is did u try this technique with her

Ruth says: (2:51:36 AM)
NO

keshvani says: (2:51:41 AM)
u did a bit of tat with me ...but u nto aware

Ruth says: (2:51:50 AM)
cos i dunno if she would have talked abt herself so easily

keshvani says: (2:52:06 AM)
she wld have

keshvani says: (2:52:12 AM)
if not abt herself, about anythign else. idea is to warm urself and her up

Ruth says: (2:52:39 AM)
it was really scary when i talked to her ... cos i jumped into it COLD. like freezing cold.

keshvani says: (2:52:53 AM)
u also need to warm urself up boss

Ruth says: (2:53:53 AM)
i should have asked her how she survives without any access to the computer after relying on it for so long

keshvani says: (2:53:56 AM)
ruth song

Ruth says: (2:53:58 AM)
that would have been fun to know.

keshvani says: (2:54:00 AM)
u are too conscious

keshvani says: (2:54:16 AM)
thats a bloody NOT STUPID questzion

keshvani says: (2:54:51 AM)
agree boss?

Ruth says: (2:54:57 AM)
AGREE

Another thing he taught me was how we Singaporeans don't learn properly anymore. We don't have anyone to teach us, as in properly teach us.

It isn't about "here's the right answer, now you go and get it", but of someone devoting time and effort to guide another to find the right answer and understanding how they got there.

That's the kind of teaching/consultancy thing I want to go into. It was a good session last night. Although I ended up sleeping at 430am, I'm thankful to God that someone who walked back into my life had the passion in him to coach. In return, I'm supposed to do it for somebody else.

SO ....

Anyone up to be my first guinea pig? :P

2T03 in 2002

2006-06-10T02:44:00.000+10:00

So young can!!!

MEMEmememeMEMEMememEMEMEMEMmeme

2006-06-08T11:34:00.000+10:00

Instructions:
Name 20 people you can think of at the top of your head. Don't read the questions before you write, and tag 5 people to do the survey.

1. Hsien
2. Andrea
3. Sarah
4. Joyce
5. Sau
6. John Tay
7. Priscilla
8. Val
9. Han Chuan
10. Joanne
11. Janice Yong [Happy birthday darling girl!!]
12. Tara W
13. Melissa Ngiam
14. Jason Song
15. Andrew
16. MK
17. Sun Sun
18. David the RMIT techie
19. Alex the AFI librarian
20. June

1. How did you meet #14?
Met him at OCF. He's my long lost cousin. :P

Nah, he's not, but we're probably related along the line. Just a very caring brother who cooks gooooooooood food.

2. What would you do if you had never met #1?
I probably would still be one very scared chick, fearful of letting go and opening my heart to let someone come in. ;)

3. What would you do if #20 and #9 dated?
I don't know ............ HAHAHHAHAH, I can't imagine ... and first of all I'll have Huilin and Joseph down my back ... but I would fall over laughing if I ever find out two characters like them dating.

4. Would #6 and #17 make a good couple?
Nah....both have different personalities. Like north pole and south pole.

5. Describe #3.
My bestest friend in the entire world. Sometimes she can get really stubborn, but she's just a softie at heart. She's seen me at my nuttiest, saddest, angriest, happiest, funniest, etc etc. - and still loves me for who I am!! What more could you ask from a friend? Of coursse, she's my sis.

6. Do you think #8 is attractive?
Attractive IS AN understatement. She's Godly, beautiful, lovely, caring, considerate, happening ... all these rolled into one.

7. Tell me something about #7.
She wants to get married - pronto!

8. Do you know anything about #12's family?
She has a brother working as an engineer in Queensland and she's really close to him. She's also got a sis and her parents stay in a farm 6 hours from Melbourne (closer to the Adelaide border). She is super close to her family.

9. What is #8's favourite?
God, singing/dancing

10.What would you do if #11 confesses that he/she likes you?
Hahah ... she loves me and is my lovely Bible study group mate.

11. What language does #15 speak?
english, chinese - I don't even think you speak Chi that well lor, Drew. Surprise me if you speak any other language. Hehehe

12. Who is #9 going out with?
YANG HUILIN

13. How old is #16 now?
25

14. When was the last time u talked to #13?
Yesterday! She smsed me to ask about some cooking advice but I was in a lecture and MSNed me later but I was on the phone ... :P I probably only REALLY talked to her last Thursday in a marathon phone convo. :)

15. Who's #2's favourite singer?
I have scrolled through her entire Ipod list and she has so many different albums ... so I wouldn't know who her favourite singer is ... but I know she loves jazz ... right andrea?

16. Would you date #4?
DEFINTELY. We already have "restaurant-hopping" dates when I come back and we're planning a Tassie-NZ trip for July next year.

17. Would you date #7?
Hahhaa ... NO. Cos SHE RESERVES HER DATES FOR A CERTAIN BOY CALLED JOHN TAY.

18. Is #15 single?
I would term it ... "itissixyearsandcounting-complicated"

19. What's #10's last name?
Tay

20. Would you ever consider being in a relationship with #19?
Not really. :D Alex is a real dear but we'll prolly just be friends who talk a lot about films.

21. What schools did #3 go to?
Easy peasy. Galilee Kinder, Fairfield Methodist Pri/Sec, Catholic JC

22. Where does #6 live?
Jurong West

23. What's your favourite thing about #5?
He cares for his friends with a passion.

24. What do you think of #18?
David the techie is HOT! (but not as hot as mah boy) Everytime I walk past the tech office he always yells out a greeting to me. He and the other techs often make fun of my surname, once even serenading me with a makeup song. :P RMIT TECHIES RULE!!!

25. What do #4 and #19 have in common?
They like X-Men?

26. What special qualities does #17 hold in your life?
She's my amazing cellgroup leader in OCF. I cannot imagine our group without her, her encouragement, her reaching out to gel us all. Sun da woman!

tag 5 other ppl
Priscilla
Joyce
Val
Drew
MK

Looks like I will not say Yes

2006-06-06T19:05:00.000+10:00

Research says coffee may make you say 'yes'

The Australian scientists found that, after consuming caffeine, volunteers were more likely to agree with persuasive arguments.

I told you, there must be some conspiracy theory behind those steaming cups of java. A huge coffee doping scheme to make you burn holes in your pocket for the perfect latte, maybe?

What's in the life of a media student?

2006-06-06T01:06:00.000+10:00

I am a Mass Commie, before a Media student, but the situations are EXACTLY THE SAME.

Props to Drew for the link!

2006-06-05T20:19:00.000+10:00

Haven't disappeared from the face of the earth yet.

Lots of work due Wednesday, but I'll be with you very shortly.

The hair raising story

2006-06-03T00:25:00.000+10:00

Yes ... the blog post about my hair.

The hair-raising affair.

Biba called me up on Tuesday to fix an appointment to be one of their demo models. People usually balk when it comes to their hair, but I'm one of those easy going kinds that doesn't really mind whoever does my hair ... just as long as it isn't one of those HDB auntie-looking salons. I don't really do anything to my hair too so I'm always up for new challenges.

I've always wanted to find out what it means to be a hair model. Usually you see how fantastic the stylist is, but I wonder how the model feels seeing all that hair fly around ...

When I got there, I realised that I was going to be sitting in front of a classful of hairstyling students and the teacher was going to cut my hair to show them. WHEW. At least I know she can't really go wrong.

It certainly felt weird to be stared at by so many pairs of eyes and I didn't know where to put mine. Eventually I settled for looking at their diagram books where they were drawing cross-sections of the hairstyle structure.

As Lindle explained how she was cutting my hair, I didn't realise that hairstyling had so many technical jargon and their methods of keeping hair away are very different from the whole clip and hold thing. They only use a maximum of 2 clips at any one time.

Her cut was pretty simple, I think she just took off an inch from the bottom and added a bunch of circular layers and gave me a "teardrop" fringe.

I'd also requested a color, I really thought I was going back to my well-loved honey streaks but ... they had other ideas.

This time, one of the students there needed a model for her coloring class so I agreed since I was available.

We talked about my color preferences and how I liked it to look. And how I was averse to red because I think it makes me look sick ...

She then suggested a copper color and "layers". Now that word again! Haha, I had no idea what she meant by layers ... but I went along anyway.

Now when she brought out the coloring, that was when I began to wonder if I did the right thing. In the mixing bowl was a bright orange paste that really turned me off but she said that once it was on my hair, it would darken considerably.

Skeptical, but having come so far already, I just closed my eyes and let her go to work.

She didn't do my whole head. Just a heavy emphasis on the right and a little bit on the left.

Half an hour of setting time later, I was ready to hit the washers.

Then, when I finally saw myself in the mirror with the streaks, I nearly screamed. It was orange.

I think she saw my reaction and reassured me that it'd look better once it was dried and quickly started blowing my hair.

I've got to admit, I've never been so daring with color on my hair before. And there weren't streaks, rather it's a panel.

Once she finished blowdrying, the color softened considerably and everyone who walked past went "Beautiful!" I didn't quite buy it. I mean, I was okay to wear it out, but I was just wondering how much people would accept me with that color...

The next day at school, my Aussie friend told me it looked good, a couple of Asian friends said the same thing and I began to wonder ... Does it actually look ok?

Sent a picture to the boy and he said he "can live with it". Hahha, I don't think he has much of a choice.

OCFers saw it tonight and everyone was quite pleasantly surprised (I hope :P). Sau already knew about it from Wednesday night so he just carried on teasing about how I looked like Dr. Jean Gray from X-Men.

O.0

PRICE! Yes, that's the question on everyone's mind. Well, I paid $30 for the hair product and that's all. It's even cheaper than getting a haircut back home so I'm not complaining. Lindle did cut my hair well ... and the product hasn't killed my hair yet so I'm happy.

Well words can't do justice to the exact reality of my hair-raising affair. Here's a picture of what happened to my hair. Hee.

Surprise!

So anyway, at this point, I kind of like it ... Do you?

Caffeine zombie

2006-06-01T16:33:00.000+10:00

I know I can't drink coffee on an empty stomach.

I've drunk coffee earlier this semester after dinner and I felt fine.

Today, I get up and it's one of those rare days that I need coffee. So I go to school, get my favourite brekkie - a spinach pide and usually I do hot chocolate, but today I got a cinnamon latte. I finish the pide before beginning on the latte and after downing less than half of it, the effects started kicking in and I knew I was in for a BAAAD day.

Nausea, trembling fingers, breathlessness, restlessness ... GaaAAAaahhhh

So Ruth learns her lesson. No coffee ever, with or without food. :P

No more hiatus.

2006-06-01T00:25:00.000+10:00

edit: Due to some rather constructive comments ... I've taken off the second picture and a comment made by my DEAR SISTER. Sarah, I'll explain to you when you come online next. Hee.

And horror of all horrors, I thanked Sun, but never thought to thank Bryan - for being willing to drive around at such a late time and delivering the crumble to all of us. To Sau, for accompanying Sun and Bryan.

Altogether, it was a team effort that has really blessed us. Right Andrea?

-----------------

I just realised that I can never stop blogging .. Hahah, was itching to blog the whole day.

So yes, I'm back, but maybe shorter posts until the essays get out of the way ...

Well, something made me come back to blog ... and it was THIS! ------->

Blessings at midnight! I got a call from Sau at midnight, which was surprising ... asking me to come down. I thought they were bringing something from KoKo Black where they'd gone to hang out. Poor ole me and Andrea were kindly left out of the little gettogether because of our monster essays to finish ... So when I went down, I saw Bryan's car pull into the driveway and Sau pop out with something that looked suspiciously like a lunchbox. When he saw me, he was shocked at my hair (that's another story for another blogpost) but because Bryan was waiting, he didn't say much, just that the box I was holding contained something Sun had made for us "muggers".

When I opened the still-warm box, I realised how beautiful this girl's spirit is. Inside was a slice of freshly made apple crumble with a delicate custard sauce and a ripe strawberry to decorate. The crust was brown to perfection and the cinnamon powder sprinkled on top, the ultimate .... *drooling already?*

You don't get this sort of "touch" everyday, and I am glad that even though I'm far away from my friends back home, I have people here to care and love me as well.

Thank you, God. *huggles*

Hiatus

2006-05-30T22:09:00.000+10:00

Hiatus until essayitis goes away. Check back in a week.

Love, so lofty, so unattainable, so desired.

2006-05-28T12:53:00.000+10:00

"Love is an indefinite thing to most of us; we don't know what we mean when we talk about love. Love is the loftiest preference of one person for another, and spiritually Jesus demands that this sovereign preference be for Himself."
~ Oswald Chambers, My utmost for His highest, May 11

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends..." (John 15:9-13)

Have I loved my people more than I love myself?

I'm famous!

2006-05-27T19:51:00.000+10:00

Filed under: School

Yeah ... like real.

Just that my wonderful lecturer, Nisar, features the interview I did with him on blogging and is intending to pitch it for publication in a media journal!

It sure is nice to know friends in high places ...

2006-05-25T18:29:00.000+10:00

I am DEFINITELY counting down the days till I get home.

From now till then, it's essay - hell.

For May 24

2006-05-24T11:15:00.000+10:00

Filed under: For him

To my boy: I pray that I will always treasure the gem that you are. Happy birthday. : )

A birthday blessing for you, in the words you love the most.
Proverbs 2:1-9

1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Meet my new best friend

2006-05-24T02:08:00.000+10:00

I'm not particularly a fan of indomee but ever since the late nights started, he's been my companion. Meet my new best friend, Mr. IndoMee Mi Goreng Pedas.

Fear and hope

2006-05-23T11:42:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Divine surprises, For him

My radio woke me up this morning, as it does every other morning. I didn't want to get up because I could feel the cold, chilly 8am air and in the dark softness under my quilt, the world stops for me. It stops for a mo and I am safe.

I promised myself another an hour in bed because I wouldn't be able to work while sleep still claimed my brains. The hour passed rather quickly.

As I went to wash up, the unsettling feeling of another day of plowing through even more information and having to churn out another essay dampens the mood. I decide to pass up on breakfast because my stomach's hardly settled with the anxiousness of completing my tasks for today.

I sit down to do my quiet time because that is the mental breakfast I need before hurtling into the world. I prayed that God would still my heart to hear what He would say today.

As in some response to my short awkward prayer, Oswald Chambers directs me to Matthew 6:25

... do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
nor about your body, what you will put on.

That was all the mental salve I needed to get through today.

In the past few days, so many things have happened to draw me closer to Himself. He is teaching me more each and every single day, to grow, to trust and to depend wholly on Him.

I realise that in so many ways, I am still a little girl in my own grown-up world. When I step out of my world and relate to the one I am physically in, it shakes my core, questions my beliefs, challenges my trust. That is probably why I am cautious when it comes to relationships. I find it easy to be transparent, but hard to trust unconditionally.

An SMS, a long-awaited letter arrived today. My heart is strengthened by the fact that God has put someone in my life to care for me as well. He knows I'm still trying to figure out my identity and is willing to get through it together. I am sometimes frightened by the prospect that someone would put his heart on the line, I am afraid to break it. But nonetheless, I am going try, by God's help, I will try and not give up.

It's a long, slow moving kind of post today, but I hope you'll enjoy and appreciate the life God has given you. Even the inconveniences that pop up along the way are meant to remind you to see the life you already have.

projecks

2006-05-22T17:11:00.000+10:00

Filed under: School

Just finished an essay on media theory and thankfully it's for a year one subject so that wasnt' too difficult.

Now to tackle the biggies. Am looking forward to a nice long uninterrupted sleep ....

My Beloved is mine and I am His!

2006-05-21T13:09:00.000+10:00

Song of Songs 2:8-13

8 Listen! My lover!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills.

9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.

10 My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.

11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.

12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."

The Bible is full of beautiful love poetry and I am thrilled by the beauty the words evoke. We live in a world where we urbanites have given up the language of story-telling for bite-sized pieces of information.

In this particular passage that I've chosen for today, we so oft associate it with the love between a man and a woman, but on closer study of the choice of words and terms, one will realise it is about the deep and overflowing love relationship God has with us.

Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.
It never ceases to amaze me that God knows my heart, my heart that desires for adventure and living beyond a normal, plateau kind of life. That's boring, but the life hearing the call of Christ and following Him is full of adventure but safe too, 'cos you know He's protecting you every step of the way.

*dreamy grin*

Loving God Through Loving Others

2006-05-17T22:15:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Divine Surprises

From Saul Bellow's collection of traditional Jewish tales comes this story:

In a small Jewish town in Russia, there is a rabbi who disappears each Friday morning for several hours. His devoted disciples boast that during those hours their rabbi goes up to heaven and talks to God.

A stranger moves into town, and he's skeptical about all this, so he decides to check things out. He hides and watches. The rabbi gets up in the morning, says his prayers, and then dresses in peasant clothes. He grabs an axe, goes off into the woods, and cuts some firewood, which he then hauls to a shack on the outskirts of the village. There an old woman and her sick son live. He leaves them the wood, enough for a week, and then sneaks back home.

Having observed the rabbi's actions, the newcomer stays on in the village and becomes his disciple. And whenever he hears one of the villagers say, "On Friday morning our rabbi ascends all the way to heaven," the newcomer quietly adds, "If not higher."

Citation: Jim McGuiggan, Jesus, Hero of Thy Soul (Howard Publishing, 1998), p.15.

The Santos Bonacci Trio performing live!

2006-05-17T21:26:00.000+10:00

Filed under: School

I didn't know I still had a video of the Santos Bonacci Trio taken a very long time ago ... Okay not very long, this was in early February when I just came ... the day my 604 Seasons address was snatched away from me ... Sigh ... but never mind I got a better place! :D

See how good they are? Never mind the silly commentary behind, just watch those guys!

Grace: Undeserved Mercy

2006-05-16T17:24:00.000+10:00

For Grace: My lovely sister

Odd that we had so much to talk about and giggle and laugh over even though I've only known you for as long as our hour-long phone conversation lasted.

Even as I struggle away at my essays over here in Melbourne, my heart and support is with you back in Singapore as you go through this uncertain time.

Although I don't know how you look like, nonetheless you come across to me as fresh and lively as the white daisy in this picture.

I am looking forward to getting to know you as a sister and a friend when I get back.

Stay strong, stay happy, stay in the faith of the One who loves you more than you'll ever know or imagine.

One month from now, Jamie Cullum is coming. Remember our date. :)

In His love,
Ruth

Faithful Friend

2006-05-16T14:54:00.000+10:00

~ Twila Paris & Steven Curtis Chapman

(female)
Everyone knows you as a man of honor
I am glad to know you simply as a friend
You've always taken time to be my brother
And I'll be standing by you in the end

But I will never put you on a pedastal
I thank the Lord for everything you do
I'll be there to pray for you and for the ones you love
I believe that He will finish all he started in you.

Chorus:
I will be an open door that you can count on
Anywhere you are, anywhere you've been
I will be an honest heart you can depend on
I will be a faithful friend

(Male)
I am one of many whose path has been made clear
By the light you've carried faithfully as a warrior and a child
God has used you greatly to encourage and inspire
And you've remained a true friend all the while

So I will never put you on a pedestal
Cause we both know all the glory is the Lord's
But I'll be there to pray that He will keep you by his grace
And I always will remind you to be seeking His face

(female)
Should there ever come a time to cry
I will weep with you
And every single time you win
I'm celebrating too

(female and male)
Oh, I will celebrate with you

(male)
I will be faithful

(female)
oooh I will be a faithful friend

I haven't got bored of my iTunes list yet because every so often a song I've never heard before pops up. I didn't even know I had this song till I heard it today. This is one of those songs that could go on playing for ever ...

Feilow Dégustation - glad to be a part of it!

2006-05-15T14:13:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Food/ Recipes

I know I'm supposed to be doing work, but an invitation to a dinner party and then a little egging on by the cooks themselves led to a gastronomical experience a struggling student could only dream of ...

This picture shows the rate at Andrea and Jason were working to feed the guests who were coming to feast! The smells emanating from the kitchen were so amazing, you'd have thought a chef de cuisine was in the house!

Jason carefully spreading the porcini mushroom mixture over the proscuitto. Ooh lala!

Then all the dinner guests arrived with their various dishes and we all sat down to eat.

Jason's main light over the dining table was out, so we took the huge candles he had and laid out a wonderfully, romantic, candlelight dinner table. The guys admitted that if the girls weren't there, they'd probably have just eaten in darkness. So thats right ... we girls add to the aesthetic value....

Clockwise from top: Garlic mashed potatoes (Andrea), Fantastic Roasted Chicken (Jason and Yon How) and Guinness Stout Beef Stew (Marcus)

Whole Sirlon beef with proscuitto, porcini and herbs
[Jason]

Flourless Chocolate Cake [Esther]

Andrea and I

Yepp, no vegetables, just an all out protein feast! Haha, i tell you, when I get back to Singapore I'm not going to be able to fit into my swim suit ...

Stay on the road

2006-05-14T17:30:00.000+10:00

~ Corrinne May, "Safe in a Crazy World"

Don't turn your laughing eyes away
You know I love you
There's no need to be afraid
Hearts are made to be broken
They get stronger by the day
I'll take a chance and drop all my defenses
Just to hear you say

How long is the road
How long is the ride
How long is the darkness till we get to the light
Go easy on me
Cause you already know
No matter the distance
I'll stay on the road to your heart

You say I've been a fool too long
You wonder why I have the strength to carry on
I see through your weakness
Your tough guy iron mask
It's not really that hard or complicated
There's no need to ask

How long is the road
How long is the ride
How long is the darkness till we get to the light
Go easy on me
Cause you already know
No matter the distance I'll stay on the road to your heart
I'll stay on the road to your heart
I'll stay on the road to your heart

2006-05-13T17:47:00.000+10:00

Before you know it, the semester's quickly speeding towards the end. I'm finishing up final assignments; Sihan just left from discussing the Australian news & politics module we both have to take as part of our majors. I remember the beginning of the term where I was so stressed out about not knowing anything about the political system and now, I've got a fair grasp of the subject.

The pitch went smoothly on Wednesday and we know exactly what we have to focus on. I'm really excited on the 2 projects I'll be working on: The one on the Santos Bonacci Trio with Zahid and another on the CREATE Foundation with Tara. [CREATE is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that seeks to empower children and young people placed in out-of-home care through a combination of direct service provision and systemic advocacy.] Tara's thinking of doing an induction video for volunteers at CREATE.

Both projects are so dear to my heart because 1) I love music and the story behind the band that lights up a cold wintry Melbourne day on Bourke Street Mall 2) I've always wanted to do something for underpriviledged children and young people. Looks like I'll be very busy next term! : )

OH YES! While in the SSCOC bookshop looking for a gift for a friend, I SAW DEB FUNG!! Haha, at first I thought it was just another Australian-born Chinese girl talking to the shopowner, until I heard her talking about the price she should put on her single. My hand hovered over the book I was about to pick up and then I looked, no it wasn't Kerri Ma ... I turned slowly to look at the CD rack where her CD was sitting ... and then it all clicked into place ... Deb Fung ... in the flesh! She's very pretty and petite with a beautiful lilting voice and in a super rush. After settling her business in the shop, she literally ran off. Yeah, so star struck.

According to my friend, Melbourne isn't supposed to be so cold at this time in May. June or July perhaps, but it's extraordinarily chilly these few days. I can't get by without a mug of steaming hot milo every night. : ) Love the weather but can't wait to get back to Singapore ... and go SWIMMING!!

Surrender? What does it mean to surrender?

2006-05-11T20:04:00.000+10:00

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Surrender is the theme for this week's OCF, of which, I am priviledged to be involved in the worship. It's been nearly three months since I last touched the keyboard and I am very rusty but Sau urged me to take up the challenge ... which I did and regretted. Hahha, yet, the theme being on surrender, I had no choice but to trust in God to bring all the chords and playing methods back to me.

He did, and I am looking forward to tomorrow's worship.

One song particularly stands out to me:

Your majesty, I can but bow
I lay my all, before you now
In royal robes, I don't deserve
I live to serve Your Majesty

It ties in with the new quote I included in my side bar by Oswald Chambers, "The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering."

For me, the kancheong-spider type, this is something I am trying to learn every single day of my life. Not to be uselessly passive, but actively knowing and hoping for the day I am with God.

This is dedicated to Val for loving me and caring for me even when we don't get to talk so much. Love you, babe.

Another Video coming your way!

2006-05-09T21:18:00.000+10:00

Filed under: School

[Please wait for the whole video to load first before viewing it. Hit the pause button, go check your email, reply something you've put off for a while and then come back. You'll find it much more pleasing to the senses without the whole jerky start-stopping. :)]

Here's another quick vid from the production house. We shot this today at 12 (when the weather was glorious!) and wrapped up everything by 645 pm. 5 hours of production work (he had to go for a 2-hour class) for a one-minute film, but we're pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Definitely more professional than all my previous ones, this was shot with a real handycam, on a tripod and edited with Final Cut Pro. It was such a total rush for the pitch presentation tomorrow but that's the whole thrill of production work, isn't it?

Days before the shoot, we were talking about how important it was to get good sun for the shoot. It didn't really look promising, what with the coldest day of the year on Sunday and hail too! Yet, when I stuck my head out of the balcony, I was greeted with the most perfect weather for filming. The sun was out, blue skies and fluffy pieces of cloud all across the sky.

I really love the shot of the slightly off centered GPO. It was amazing how fast the clouds were racing across the sky (What you see in the video is the exact speed of how fast the clouds were going).

Our interviewees were such hoots and they weren't difficult to get. I think we got all of them within 15 minutes of just standing around and waiting. Of course, we had our fair share of polite nos, but more often than not, they were willing to talk, a lot. The dark-haired guy in the 2nd clip kept hanging around us asking us what we were doing and offering his two cents worth about what he thought of gipsies.

And the moment we packed up to go back to school, the black clouds descended and a gloomy cold wind began to blow. I uttered a thank you to God for giving us great light and fantastic subjects to work with.

Click here to read a synopsis of the documentary this was produced for. Enjoy!

SLP Outdoor Training Day

2006-05-06T22:31:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Divine surprises

The rain's been plenty here in Melbourne. I actually had to buy a brolly 'cos the skies can let go their fury at the tip of a hat. I haven't seen blue sky in ages and for a nature person like me, that spells D-E-P-R-E-S-S-I-N-G.

On top of that, this week didn't go so well. Not that anything humongously bad happened, but it was accumulated, resulting in an overly emo kind of post a few days ago. I edited that because it made people confused and I can't quite explain it in so many words on such a public medium. I've worked it out and I'm A ok now. So we'll leave it at that, all right?

I guess I got it all sorted out, or rather, put into "helicopter" perspective after today. I tend to get very myopic on the big picture, especially when I get too busy to re-evaluate and fill myself up after a particularly draining period. It has been draining, spiritually, mentally and emotionally on a lot of levels and today's break away was very very good.

No photos because I didn't have time to take any, but once I get them, I'll post 'em up.

So what's today? Well, I'm part of the Student Leadership Program here in RMIT and today we had our Stage One Outdoor Training Day at Lyrebird Park in Yellingbo, Victoria. It's about a 1.5 hours drive out of the city into the breath-taking countryside where the undulating hills soothe your frazzled "city-nerves".

I almost nearly didn't go because I got home so late after OCF last night. We were supposed to meet at RMIT at 7am and I also felt this training was really unnecessary 'cause I've been through all these leadership stuff before.

When I did get myself out of bed, and onto the bus, I freaked out totally. The bus was full of people chattering to each other and I didn't know anyone. No one acknowledged me except the staff in charge. So I sat by myself and didn't dare/was too tired to barge into conversations and introduce myself. I grew more and more miserable by the minute and REALLY regretted going.

Then, one of the issues I confronted this week came back to haunt me: What kind of person am I that I can't even meet someone in the eye and say hello?

After like 5 minutes, I still didn't have the guts, so I began to focus on God until I felt the nervousness leave and an odd peace and an extra jolt of energy come into my body. Talk about divine energy.

And I was able to smile and say hello to the next person. : )

A nap on the bus helped a great deal too. The program was short and sharp and this was probably the first structured teambuilding program I've been through. We had the usual trust-fall component, a personality profile thing and some other teambuilding games.

The main highlight of the day was a 200m trek, blindfolded, following a rope, through the forest. There was no one there to guide us so we had to trust our equally blind leader through ditches, slippery slopes, and low slung branches until we reached a thicker rope, the diameter of a thumb. When we found the thick rope, we had to pull ourselves up a nearly 90 degree incline to get to the end of the rope maze. Klutzy old me fell all over the place quite a bit (how absolutely unglam). My shoes are now caked with mud and my jeans are beyond recognisable.

Haha ... I haven't had so much physical fun in ages.

But honestly, one of the things that really touched me today was when one of the workshop leaders talked about the 5 love languages and 'follower-ship'. Although he didn't admit it, I had this familiar feeling that he was a Christian. He had that whole sereneness and peace of one. He touched me because i was craving for some kind of 'spiritual authority' in my for a while now, and was praying about it last night. What he said clicked something inside of me, and I saw the joy on his face. That just gave me the assurance that God was speaking to me through him.

After today's experience, I've learnt a couple of things about myself:
1) As a leader with school/organisational experience, I need to be more patient with those coming after me and explain things in detail before running off too fast ahead.
2) I like to get the job done, on one hand, that makes sure that everything goes smoothly, on the other, I might be too task-oriented that I forget about what people feel.
3) My receiving love language is quality time while I express "love" through acts of service. [Love or care or friendship]

I'm glad I went. God challenged me to break out of my comfort zone, spoke to me through the workshop leader and breathed fresh energy into me with the slower pace of the country side.

Plus, the skies were a gorgeous blue. : )

Love from home!

2006-05-05T17:45:00.000+10:00

It was so wonderful to be able to get together for dinner with Canon Kuan, his wife, Auntie Ai Mai, Ven Siow Chai Pin and his wife while they were here in Melbourne for a holiday!

Canon Kuan shared with Chris and I about what was happening back home in St Andrew's and I'm plenty glad that the YA is growing so strong and healthily.

Everything in its time

2006-05-03T22:33:00.000+10:00

~ Corrinne May (Safe in a crazy world)

Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it's hard to make it in this part of town
So many people on this merry-go-round

Some folks try astrology
Some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer,
To get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time

I often feel like I'm two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons
Why I should give up
But I'm stubborn in the things I believe

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign

'cause maybe there's another plan
One I still can't see
A little surprise, like your love in my life
Funny how time changes how we see

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
Everything in its time

*edited after thejanuarycook's sobriety returned*

Sabo-Rama: The tale of 2 birthdays

2006-05-02T22:07:00.000+10:00

Birthdays at OCF Parkville are always either 1) a very messy affair 2)emotionally confusing experience.

How was it like to experience TWO of these in one night?

Well, this 10 minute vid will explain all ... the inner workings of an OCF Parkville Sabo-Rama....

2006-05-01T01:07:00.000+10:00

I have a dream growing inside of me. It's not very big now and I don't know how I'm going to achieve it but let's wait and see where God takes me with it.

OCF Parkville brought the trophy home again!

2006-05-01T00:47:00.000+10:00

Haha, as you can guess, it was a joyous occasion yesterday when Parkville did their darnest best to win the most important soccer match of the year and scored!! 3 goals!!! Fair and square.

Okay, I'm not one to be particularly impressed by soccer ... I NEVER watch soccer 'cos I think it's so pointless to see 22 guys run after a ball and when the commentator talks about this player or that player, I can't recognise them to save my life!

So it was only out of pure support that I went down yesterday but it was exciting ... Really exciting!

I took 60 over pictures and videos but most of them were blurry, had only butts and backs and bad angles, I shall paste only the better looking/significant ones here. :)

OCF Carlton showing their solidarity by getting both supporters and players to wear team t-shirts and posing in ascending order according to their numbers.

OCF Parkville flagging off the second half of the Parkville-Carlton match which we won.

Supporters (like ME) froze for 5 hours on the sidelines, sitting through all 3 matches.

Melissa took this photo. I love Sun's candid look.

I think Bryan ought to be the de-facto captain. He led the guys in warm ups and even gave them a pep talk after a near run in with the Carlton guys over a hand ball.
Look at him, no wonder Sun's laid claim over him. :D

Job listing

2006-04-29T09:34:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Musing about

Haha, I've turned to job listings now, haven't I? This blog is certainly becoming more than just a blog detailing all the minutiae of the everyday life. Anyway, I haven't been updating cos life's been as usual: sleep - eat- school - sleep - eat - school. :) Hope to write about intensely intellectual stuff after I come back from a football match later: OCF Parkville vs Melbourne vs Carlton. Go Parkville Go!

HEEEE ... Okay, here's the job listing and only for people in Melbourne. They are looking for Cantonese translators now, so if you just want to get your foot into the media industry, you might like to try this. Apparently, it's only 3 sessions x a few hours and you don't have to know perfect Cantonese. Just enough to understand what's going on and do a rough translation. Call Ron Brown for more details.

[Side: Someone from Singapore blogged about their first language being English because he spoke, thought, dreamt in English. He has no knowledge of Mandarin! And I thought about myself ... yes, English is my first language and I'm slowly losing my grip on Mandarin, but I cannot because I've come to realise how important it is - with regards to reaching out to people and taking up jobs like the one below. I've already abandoned the Teochew and Cantonese part of my heritage, I can't become a one-dimensional cultural fool that thinks the world speaks English along with me. So to all "jiak kentang" (westernised) people like myself ... MM Lee's "Speak Mandarin" campaign does have its merits ...]

NEW TELEVISION SERIES REQUIRES TRANSLATION HELP

The new television series “CHEFS OF THE GREAT HOTELS OF THE WORLD” features food and restaurants in hotels around the globe.

Filmed in the language of the local area, the Producers now need help translating dialogue and interviews from a number of countries including Hong Kong, Germany, Czech Republic, China and others.

We seek translators in the following languages:

CANTONESE
MANDARIN
SHANGHAINESE
GERMAN
CZECH

An hourly rate for translation is offered, which will take place in the Edit Suite at the production office in Hawthorn.

If you speak any of the above languages and are interested, please contact the Producers at;

Ron Brown
Forté Communications
80 Victoria Road, Hawthorn East.
Tel: 0414 097 290
Office: 9882 4319

Sisters' Gathering

2006-04-27T01:23:00.000+10:00

Filed under: OCF

A quick vid I did of the OCF Sisters Gathering that happened last Saturday. It was a massive success with nearly 22 of us gathering at Marianne Mok's place to share our lives and our hearts.

I apologise for the shaky filming and awfully dark images and the music vid was put together with iMovie under 2 hours so the editing + effects aren't all fantastic and I suspect the compression is just a little bit too low to read the words properly. If you have difficulty understanding the flow of events, here it is:

a) Chiew Hui is mucking around with the guitar, but that is what breaks the ice amongst the girls
b) Mel launches into the all important "undergarment talk".
c) Our Potluck dinner is served!
d) A time of praise and worship led by Marianne
e) We watched a little sequence from Notting Hill which led into a time of breaking up into groups of 3-4 to share ... and yes, that special piece of brownie. Go watch the film to understand why there was just ONE piece of brownie per group.
f) My group consisted of Zoe and Sun Sun.
g) Group pictures!

A tribute to godly sisterhood!

Review of Hog's Breath Cafe in Chadstone, Victoria

2006-04-26T01:56:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Food/Recipes

We got out of the city on Sunday, heading towards a far, far away place called Chadstone to have one of Australia's greatest .... STEAKS!

[I know Joyce is so going to kill me know with the photos I'm going to show.]

It's a place called Hogs Breath Cafe, and no contrary to its name, they DON'T serve hog, pig. Instead, they claim to sell the best steaks in the country and I wouldn't be surprised if by the way they prepare their steaks is anything to go by.

Apparently, they marinate their steaks for 18 hours before serving, so you must book a reservation in advance other wise you might not get your steak even if you travel 30 minutes from the city to Chadstone.

It was Jason's birthday lunchie thing, so 15 of us, 11 guys and 4 gals piled into 3 cars and took off to the land of rich, juicy steaks!

The entrance to Hogs Breath: it's parked by the expressway and if you don't see the sign quick enough, you'd probably have to travel quite a distance to route back. But then again the unmistakable pink hog sign is too big and too pink to miss.

Our private party area. There's only one long table in this pen-like thing and they dedicate one waitress to serve you throughout the entire meal.

My Blackened Prime Rib with garlic mushroom sauce. Oddly, everyone else who had the same thing had a half as thick a slice of beef as I had. Mine was nearly 2 inches thick and pretty comparable to Jason's who paid A$6 for 33% more meat. Hahha ... I think the cook liked me.

On the meat: The meat was surprisingly tender for such a thick cut. Usually meat is rather tough to cook so thoroughly from inside out without any visible skewer signs. When cutting the meat, the knife sailed deftly through, producing small pieces that didn't break up after being cut. The taste of the Cajun powder was a great compliment to the slightly woody taste of the exterior. You don't really have to pay extra for the mushroom sauce because the meat is juicy enough on it's own, but you might like to order cheese sauce to make the vegetables more palatable *Hee!

The curly fries were some of the best I've eaten. Warm and crispy on the outside, hot and mashy on the inside. Not too salty and goes fantastico with the cheese sauce.

For your info ... I finished every last bit. Mr Jason thought wrong when he chose to sit next to me to pounce on anything I couldn't finish. Woo hoo!

Picture of Jason Song and the first taste of his steak. 'Nuff said.

Food and drink lets the conversation flow on this long table.

Andrea and I look pretty in turtlenecks and trenches. She and I have found a new love for cooking and eating! Yay! Looks like I'll have to work harder at the gym.

I've not eaten such a great steak in ages and it's worth the drive all the way out. Props to the guys who waited for us from church and then drove us all the way there and all the way back home.

So if you ever come by Melbourne, remember to drop by Hog's Breath Cafe in Chadstone for some steak!

699 Warrigal Road

Chadstone VIC 3148

Ph: (03) 9568 8322
Fax: (03) 9568 0480

Email: hbchadstone@hogsbreath.com.au

Trading Hours:

Lunch/Dinner 11.30am - Late 7 days

All bookings must be confirmed by phone.

Whip it up - sausages - Recipes - Epicure - Entertainment - theage.com.au

2006-04-26T01:55:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Food/Recipes
Whip it up - sausages - Recipes - Epicure - Entertainment - theage.com.au

By Ross Dobson
April 24, 2006 - 3:49PM
The humble snag.

[Sausages of all shapes and sizes are available here, sometimes even cheaper than fresh meat! I only cook sausages 2 ways - either by grilling them and eatiing them in sandwiches or mixing them in pasta sauce, but looking at the next 3 recipes, sausages can go a long ... long ... way ... ]

3 QUICK WAYS WITH SAUSAGES

All recipes serve 4

Sausage and bean casserole

Preheat oven to 180C. Cook 6-8 good-quality sausages (halved) in a little olive oil in a frying pan over high heat for 5 minutes, turning often, until browned all over. Place sausages in a casserole dish.

Add 400g can chopped tomatoes, 1 cup chicken stock, 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto (or paste), 1 tsp rosemary leaves and 400g can white beans (drained and rinsed). Stir well to combine, cover with a lid and bake for 40 minutes. Serve over creamy mashed potatoes.

Sausage, basil and pecorino pasta sauce

Heat a splash of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook 6 good-quality sausages (thinly sliced) for 5-6 minutes, turning often, until they start to crisp up.

Add 1 onion (chopped) and 1 clove garlic (chopped) and cook for 2 minutes. Add 400g can chopped tomatoes and a handful of basil leaves and simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir through � cup grated pecorino and season with black pepper. Serve with your favourite pasta, topped with extra grated pecorino.

Spicy sausage and rocket pizza

Preheat oven to 220C and place 2 baking trays in the oven to heat up.

Remove skin from 6 good-quality sausages and roughly chop meat. Heat a generous splash of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and stir-fry meat for 4-5 minutes, until evenly browned, breaking up any large pieces.

Stir through 1-2 tsp dried chilli flakes and remove from heat. Spread 1 cup tomato passata over 2 frozen pizza bases, top each with sausage mix and 8 slices mozzarella. Place on trays and bake for 15 minutes.

Top with 2 handfuls wild rocket leaves, a drizzle of fruity olive oil and freshly ground black pepper and slice into wedges."

Money!! Grr...

2006-04-25T20:01:00.000+10:00

I hate to deal with money especially when it involves friends.

Here's the issue:

When a friend introduced me to Drummond Street a few months before I came, I was enthralled with the place because it was cheap, big and absolutely near a church. In the photos she sent, I was really excited. Never mind the peeling paint et al, the place was cheap and convenient and that was all that mattered.

Being of a Singaporean mindset, I had two things against me. 1) Friends were already introducing me their rooms to let 2) Looking at the average price of real estate in Melbourne, I had to get the cheapest there was.

Apparently, there were a lot of people interested in the Drummond St room and my friend was saving it for me, I had to take it right?

So I did. Paid over $1.5k for one month's rent, the bond and the furniture.

Fast forward to the week before I was to leave for Melbourne. Suddenly my friend drops a bomb on me: the landlord is thinking of selling the house and I have to move out at the end of February! At that time it didn't occur to me how grave the situation was. I thought, "Well, fine, seems like that room isn't really meant for me." I never thought that my friend was scamming me, it was just a freak occurence of things that messed up my life a little, but all would fall into place, in time.

Then I flew to Melbourne and reality stunk so baddd..... It was depressing trying to find a house and just when I thought I'd found the perfect apartment, someone swooped in and hijacked it from me. After that, I no longer wanted to wait out the one month at Drummond St. If I found a house, I'd rather forfeit the rent and move in to the longer term option immediately.

Swinnerton then came along and though the rent was much higher than Drummond, I left Drummond after 2 weeks of staying there.

I thought about the bond, but I probably wouldn't get it all back till my other housemate returned because she was holding the lease. So I waited.

She returned and moved out during the first week of March.

I continued waiting.

Then my wallet got stolen and the money taken. Money felt really precious and I remembered I still had my bond with my ex-housemate. I checked my phone to see if I still had her number but I didn't so I sent her an email.

And waited.

I sent a message to my other housemate for her number but he didn't reply so I gave up for a while. Perhaps she would return my call or something soon.

It's been more than 6 weeks since she moved out of Drummond, I knew she would have surely gotten back the bond already and I needed to get back the money. I knew I wouldn't get back all the money, but some would definitely help!

I messaged my other housemate again and this time he gave me her number. I called her and talked to her a bit. When she finally told me how much money I'd get back, I nearly dropped the phone. Out of $520, I was only going to get back A$50+ because the rest she took to pay the disconnection fees and repairs of the room.

A$470!! That's like stealing my wallet all over again! For a place I hardly stayed in and didn't touch at all!

She probably heard the utter shock in my voice and told me to go get the bond from my friend who handed the room over to me. After all, she stayed in it longer than I did and should be the one paying for those charges.

She had a point and I strongly felt that way too. I sent an email to that friend and got her reply.

No, she couldn't do return me the money because the room was officially mine and I should settle things with my housemate and the landlord.

Okay I see her point too, but here are the 2 arguments:

1) My friend was in Melbourne till 23 January before returning to SG. I paid for rent from 01 Feb - 28 Feb. I arrived on 7 Feb and stayed till 17 Feb. In those 10 days I was there, I lived out of my suitcase and was only at home to sleep. I didn't even use the kitchen to cook. I don't think I should pay for the repairs or the disconnection charges.

2) I took over the room with the clear understanding between the 3 of us that I could stay there at least another year because that was what the landlord communicated to my friend in November. When the bomb dropped, I'd already paid my friend the 1.5k (bond, rent & furniture) and that room was officially mine. Do or die, whatever happens, it's my problem.

Grrr... I hate dealing money with friends and I did think of just waving it away as just a misfortune on my part, but I still don't think it's right. I think my friend should share some of the payment of the house.

So terrible ... and so irritating!

Writer's block

2006-04-24T21:15:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Musing about

I'm having problems crystalising a lot of thoughts I'm having at the moment. It's taking a bit of time to choose the right words, and time isn't what I have because of all my assignments due. Catch you as soon as I get stuff out of the way.

Till then...

life is meaningless if you only live for yourself.
earthly possessions are vanity, give them 100 years, and even the best songs become public domain.
love doesn't amount to much if you don't give it to someone who needs it.

Free ~ Ginny Owens

2006-04-23T01:54:00.000+10:00

the beautiful sisters gather - 22 april 2006
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
(John 8:36)

Turnin' molehills into mountains,
Makin' big deals out of small ones,
Bearing gifts as if they're burdens,
This is how it's been.
Fear of coming out of my shell,
Too many things I can't do too well,
afraid I'll try real hard, and I'll fail--
This is how it's been.
Till the day You pounded on my heart's door,
And You shouted joyfully,
"You're not a slave anymore!"

Chorus:
"You're free to dance-
Forget about your two left feet
And you're free to sing-even joyful noise is music to Me
You're free to love,
'Cause I've given you My love,
and it's made you free
(I have set you free!")

My mind finds hard to believe
That You became humanity and changed the course of history,
Because You loved me so.
And my heart cannot understand
Why You'd accept me as I am,
But You say You've always had a plan,
And that's all I need to know.
So when I am consumed by what the world will say,
it's Then You're singing to me, as You remove my chains-

Free from worry, free from envy and denial
Free to live, free to give, free to smile

Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle

2006-04-20T19:13:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Food/Recipes

After Easter Camp, I came back to an empty fridge. Well very nearly except for some frozen chicken, mushrooms, and corn. I managed to whip up some frozen ravioli in soup yesterday for lunch but how many people want to eat the same thing again???

It's been raining quite a bit so I wanted to do something warm and thick and although I haven't gone grocery shopping for about 2 weeks, Ruth ALWAYS has something in the fridge to cook. Hee.

Tonight, in the mood for some adventure, I decided to do ....

.... Drum Roll ........

SOYA SAUCE CHICKEN!!

Wooo hoooo!
I followed this recipe as closely as I could:
2 whole chicken drumsticks
3 tablespoons dark soya sauce (Added 5 ... uh why?... see below)
3 tablespoons light soya sauce (only 1 cos I ran out, so I made up with the dark soya)
4 tablespoons sugar (Only 2tbsps for me because I had half a sweet onion)
pepper powder to taste

Extras:
2 white mushrooms, sliced
Half sweet onion, sliced
1 potato, diced
2 heaped tbsps preserved minced ginger
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp mirin (jap cooking wine)
1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
1/4 cup of water

1. Fry onion and ginger in olive oil till onion is translucent
2. Fry mushrooms and potatos
3. Add chicken, fry for a bit longer
4. Add sugar and all the liquids including the water
5. Let the chicken cook in the wok until the sauce is reduced by half. Put on a cover for the wok
6. Dish out and serve after the stock has been reduced by half. It should have gravy consistency.

The result?

I cooked it for only about 10 minutes at middle heat but the heating plates are hotter than what the dial says so it was at a rolling boil for quite a while before the sauce was reduced by half and the chicken felt sufficiently cooked.

I boiled a corn cob and rice noodles to complement the chicken.

Hahha, so voila! This is the quick-n-fast method for hungry stomachs but I felt that the chicken may have turned out a little better if I had left it to simmer for at least one hour. The chicken still tasted a little bit too raw. Otherwise, it was yummmmmeeeee, complemented with the corn's sweetness and the noodles al dente-ness. Add coriander or spring onion for colour and taste. I love it especially too because even with all the extra stuff I added, this meal only costs $4 at the most!!!!

Nice home cooked food thats easy on the pockets. That I like.
---------------------------

Hahah, no this is not turning into a food-only blog! :) It's just that one of my interests now is ... whaddya know - cooking and eating! You'll see much more of the foodie Ruth appearing, alongside my other interests that you'll see at the right side of the page! Yesssss ... I've got categories!

Blogspot doesn't do categories but with a little html, you can pretty much organise your entries. I haven't had time to go back all the way to 2004 and categorise everything, but from now on, I'll be tagging my stuff, so if you miss something, just click a category to find it. There's a link at the bottom of the list if you want to know how to add categories to your blogger page too.

And finally, my blog roll. With the help of a nifty little tool, here are all the sites I try to read on a daily basis. Have fun looking around!

Haha ... so the27januarycook will be cooking/writing/thinking up a storm ... starting right here at ....

ruthsong.blogspot.com

Okay, now stop it, Ruth.

Super duper easy chocolate mousse cake

2006-04-19T22:27:00.000+10:00

Filed under: Food/Recipes

Super duper easy chocolate mousse cake!

I haven't actually tried this recipe but listening to how the cook wrote it, I'm drooling already.

Just 45 minutes in the oven was perfect to develop a crisp, crackling crust over a layer of brownie-like dough that concealed an almost molten chocolate center.

The cake is impressive enough in a rustic-dessert sort of way to serve guests or bring to a dinner party. It is elegant with a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Or you can get fancy and drizzle it with a raspberry sauce, or top it with vanilla ice cream.

Now that is something that is easy to love.

I can feel the sugary, grainy crispy crust on my tongue already. Though I only partake of such sinfully sweet desserts in very minute amounts, I think it'll be a hit at any party.

Might just try this if the cookout at Jason's house comes through. :)

Easter Camp photos!

2006-04-19T00:52:00.000+10:00

We were divided into "suburbs" all starting with the names of the Lord ... ours was named Tsaddiqvale .. Hahah, go figure how to pronounce that. There were others like Eyaluth Drive and Shaphat Square and something-ville - names you don't normally see in Singapore but are very common here in Melbourne. Most of the group came from the Melbourne Uni ministry but even then, they didn't really know each other because the ministry is so big. Xiuhua's from the La Trobe ministry which is really small, so to have her presence in our group was fantastic. Dawn and I are from Parkville, Melisa, Chris, Hau Wei were from Clayton. Gillian was the OCF Australia prez ... it was amazing to have her in our group . She's the same age as me but she just seems so wise and she's getting married next year!! I'm feeling oldd....

L-R: (seated) Dawn, Christopher (co-leader), Charlotte, Xiuhua, Heng Khuen, me
L-R: (standing) Melisa, Hau Wei (Camp commandant), Kenneth (w/flag), Gillian, Joel

My Parkville Cellgroup photo!
L-R: (seated) me, Melissa, Sun Sun (cellgroup leader), Andrea
L-R: (standing) Sau Shiun, Jonathan, Jason Ng (cellgroup leader), Philip, Shin Han

Love my cell group, love my cell group, love my cell group.

'Nuff said.

My 2 brothers that I've gotten to know quite well. The world is soo sooo sooo small though. Kenneth on the left is a CCIS friend's nephew from back home ... and I wouldn't have guessed until I remembered that she was from the same church he went to!!

Joel really supported our talentnight play where we strung up a whole lot of Bible stories to re-tell the Prodigal son parable. Noah, Moses and Sodom and Gomorrah were involved. Hmm. The 2 boys played Siamese twin sons. It was certainly memorable.

How rare is it to find someone with the same unique surname as yours?? And oddly enough, we sport the same sturdy build and tan ... Scary, maybe we were separated at birth?? Here I am with another Parkvillian brother, Jason Song doing his Zoolander pose. We found out we were absolute foodies so along with a couple of other "feilow" members, we're planning a cookout soon!

This is also another "small world " coincidences. Timothy happens to be Priscilla's sister's church friend! It seems like I know a few of her friends but I'm not directly in contact with Yin Yin (Pris' sister). Pris ... maybe one day I should just go make friends with Yin!

Ikea boy!

2006-04-17T23:08:00.000+10:00

I'm not really feeling sane enough to blog something longish about Easter Camp but just a little shout and praise to God for engineering something like this ...

Some time ago, I actually made a quick trip to IKEA to get some stuff. That was before OCF, before housemates. Now, you must note that I didn't want to go with anyone cos I was in a hurry to run some other errands, on the other hand, I needed to get my furniture quick otherwise there would be a lot of other stuff lying around on the floor.

Seriously, I didn't expect on getting too many things nor things that were heavy. I thought IKEA furniture were quite light. Right.

The moment I stepped out of IKEA, I knew I was in trouble. No doubt that my shelving unit and standing light were packed in neat boxes, but I was already experiencing difficulties trying to hoist them onto my hip so that I wouldn't drop them. A friend said that she would come over to help me when she was done with church but by the time I was done with IKEA, she still had nearly 1 hr more before she could leave to pop over in a tram which would be another 20 mins. I wasn't about to wait 1.5 hours not being able to go anywhere or do anything.

My parents nagged at why I didn't just take a taxi.

Did I tell you that when I'm stubborn, I'm stupid too? I wasn't about to be blood-sucked by a Melburnian taxi-driver so I struggled onto the crowded tram and got off at Collins Street to change into one that would bring me up Swanston.

Stupid idea. Once I got off the tram, I was so tired that I couldn't climb any more steps. It would be impossible to make it up the tram, especially now that the trams were crowded with Sunday peak traffic.

I tried to hail a taxi now, but they wouldn't stop at all so I decided to walk home. From Collins Street to RMIT. Carrying nearly 30kg worth of furniture. Go figure.

No one stopped to help me. Often, I would need to stumble over to a bench to rest a while and hitch up the boxes otherwise they were slipping out of my grip.

As I passed a Catholic church, I had to pause to catch my breath. I had never felt so entirely spent before in my life. It was as if every bone, muscle, nerve in my body was screaming at the cruel punishment I was subjecting my body to. An elderly, kindly Aussie gentleman saw me and started chatting with me and we chatted for a while, but he couldn't really help me, so I hitched up the boxes and continued on my long ... arduous ... journey home.

All this while, I'd been kicking myself and praying feverishly for God to send someone, anyone, a friend, a stranger, to help me.

In the last 100 metres to home, I was at breaking point. In my last one call to the heavens, tears sprung to my eyes because I really felt like I was going to drop everything and die.

Then someone tapped me on my shoulder.

Can I help you?

He was small sized, almost a head shorter than I am, but anyone who appeared right after I prayed must have been sent by God. When I dumped the boxes into his hands, he nearly keeled backwards from the weight, I had to rescue the shelving unit.

As we walked back home, my heart was singing for God had answered my prayer that day! Apparently it turns out that he had just come out of mass and was going to look for Safeway when he saw me in so much difficulty. He ran and caught up with me and yes, the rest is what you already know.

He followed me all the way home and I found out he was called William and that he was studying at Melbourne Uni, a freshie just like me.

When I dropped him off at the City Safeway, we didn't exchange numbers or anything. We left, and he became a story in my collection of God's last minute saves.

------------------------

While we were loading the buses for Easter Camp at Melbourne Uni, I saw someone who looked vaguely familiar. I knew him from somewhere but couldn't place him. I'd enough experiences going up to someone and saying, "You look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" - sounds like a darn cheesy pick up line lah, especially for a guy. When we reached Portsea, the whole place was just so full of people, I lost sight of him and that was that.

Then at dinner, I was talking to my group when someone taps me on the shoulder and when I look back, I'm staring at him!!

Remember me?

Ermm yes ... and no.

IKEA?

OH MY GOSH. YOU'RE IKEA BOY!!!

And then I'm sitting there going wow, I never thought I'd meet you again. Hahah, it's amazing how the world can be so sososososososososososososo small. It was good to see him again and during the camp we talked a little bit about how we were fitting into school and life here.

How cool is that, isn't it? Meeting my "benefactor" at Easter Camp ... imagine that!

2006-04-14T00:53:00.000+10:00

May you be blessed as you recognise the significance of the Good in Good Friday.

Why ~ Nichole Nordeman, "This Mystery"

We rode into town the other day
Just me and my Daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide

We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man
That my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes

So I said "Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I'll bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy, please can't you do something?
He looks as though He's gonna cry
you said he was stronger than all of those guys
addy, please tell me why
Why does everyone want him to die?"

Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And Daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering
If there was something he had to hide

So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross

And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father, please can't You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle the cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
When will I understand why?"

"My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father's side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die"

We're going on a holiday!

2006-04-13T15:59:00.000+10:00

My last post before going off for a holiday!

Yes, Easter Camp with OCF Victoria is this weekend at Portsea Camp. We're going to be hanging out with the other 8 OCF centres in Victoria so I think it's going to be just fantastic!

Kena tagged by Pris. What to do?

1. My ex is: one I've known for such a long time, and we're still friends till this day. :)

2. Maybe I should: go backpacking around the world

3. I love: close, sincere, true relationships with people

4. I don’t understand: why Australians cannot choose their own president should they become a republic??

5. I lose: all senses at a sale.

6. People say: You don't look Chinese.

7. Love is: Care, Consideration, Commitment

8. Somewhere, someone is: reading this inane list!!!

9. I will always: want to feel loved.

10. Forever is: knowing who Jesus is

11. I never want to: hurt somebody deliberately

12. I think the current US President: is silly sometimes, but he's gotta be some good if he's still there right??

13. When I wake up in the morning: I shower.

14. My past was: instrumental in shaping who I am now.

15. I get annoyed when: people keep condemning themselves and can't accept the fact and move on.

16. Parties are for: people who like to party. D'oh!

17. My dog is: a loyal creature from the SPCA

18. My cat is: Pearline's "irritant"

19. Kisses are the best when: sprung on surprise!

20. Tomorrow: is John's birthday ... and Good Friday!

21. I really want: to do something with UNICEF/World Vision/Compassion

22. I have low tolerance for people: who are perpetually late without reason

I tag Joyce and Val and MK!

The first time I set off the fire alarm.

2006-04-12T11:58:00.000+10:00

I set the fire alarm off this morning.

Never thought I'd be able to do that, but you don't put your half-eaten muffin into the microwave and walk away to do other things.

Muffin exploded and smoke billowed from the open cavity.

Rushed to open the doors to let the smoke get out but it was too late, the fire alarm went off and woke the whole house.

The house still stinks and I'm a silly doofus.

Kenyan headmaster offers students food for thought - World - theage.com.au

2006-04-11T21:27:00.000+10:00

Kenyan headmaster offers students food for thought - World - theage.com.au

Reading this made me feel so relieved that there are things such as improved agricultural methods that aren't expensive at all. Just a little innovation, a little watching the earth and how it ticks, a little hard work - this particular headmaster has given his students mental food and physical food. The impact for the long run will be much more than he'll ever imagine.

Reminds me of the little farming stint I had at home. Maybe I can do this one day! I don't want to just be working in my job in wherever, but to impact lives in a holistic way.

Please help me do a survey on blogs. Thank you very much.

2006-04-11T01:40:00.000+10:00

A silly photo I took a couple of years back finally found it's use!

Look over there on your left, and you'll find something that you can help me with. I am studying the potential impact that blogs will have on the news and we're conducting a survey of 100 Aussies and 100 Singaporeans who read blogs, whether frequently or infrequently.

I'm in charge of the 100 Singaporean responses, and believe me, I don't know where I'm going to find 100 people in so short a time. So if you'll be so kind as to leave a finished survey form, I will be sooooo grateful I'll treat you to an Al-Ameen Milo Dinosaur/Teh Tarik/bubble tea when I get back. :D If you refer other people, the treat gets bigger.

(This also includes Malaysians who have spent quite a bit of time in Sg. :P)

Random bits

2006-04-10T23:56:00.000+10:00

One of my ex-classmates from MCM is getting married in July. He was such a joker that I would never have thought he could get serious enough with a girl to marry her! And here he is, all grown up and ready to settle down.

Three years does that to you, I guess.

*********

I woke up to a chilly, freeze-your-toes-off morning. In the afternoon, I had to return home to pick up my gym stuff before returning for a spot of studying in school. Lo and behold, when I stepped out again, the temperature had drastically risen that I dumped my heavy jacket and walked back in my sleeveless top.

Even after we were done at school and were heading to Mekong for dinner, it got so warm that the boys also took off their jackets. Melbourne is back to nice, pre-autumn/winter weather and it's going to last the week!

The weather is plain strange.

2006-04-10T11:02:00.000+10:00

Alice in Wonderland was quite the experience. Apparently they put the play together in less than 2 months (Jo told me it was about 2-3 weeks [!!!]) and in my true and honest opinion, this is one of the better quality plays I've seen. There have been plays with a lot simpler set, a more professional cast and a longer time to prepare but they haven't been as entertaining as this one.

The story goes with this girl named Alice (d'oh) who goes for an audition hoping to gain a foothold into stardom. While in the theatre, she meets a whole bunch of odd characters who question her self-identity. Finally, she comes to realise that what she sees in the mirror is not as important as what she sees inside of her. Reminds me of "Queen of Hollywood" by The Corrs.

She's never gonna be like the one before
She read it in her stars that there's something more
No matter what it takes no matter how she breaks
She'll be the Queen of Hollywood
She's believing in a dream
Queen of Hollywood
It's a loaded fantasy

I really admired the way the cast was able to memorise huge chunks of the minutest detail, stuff that you couldn't even smoke through if you forgot. And they were able to say it so fast without tripping!

Yes ... it was in Chinese but strangely enough, instead of feeling alienated from the language, I felt refreshed from the experience. Sometimes when the dialogue got a bit muffled (especially when one of the guys was covering his mouth to keep his fake moustache from dropping off) or when I couldn't hear what they were saying, overhead subtitles helped a lot.

Kudos to Fishnet Productions, a theatre group made up of international students in Melbourne University. Keep it up!

--------------------

Easter is this weekend. How quickly it has come again. Australians make a big deal out of Easter. For the past one month, I've noticed Safeway grow in its collection of chocolate eggs, bunnies; fish for Lent; and all sorts of stuff for your Easter party. Shops have Easter sales, the chocolate factories are screaming out for people to come visit them and buy all the chocolate they're producing for the season. Hot cross buns are the rage, take your pick, with sultanas or not.

There was a bit of a squabble in the media last week about making people work over the weekend. The Lord Mayor says that since Melbourne is the hub that she is, she can't close down over the holiday weekend when everybody is coming to visit and then there was an opinion piece about how working over Easter is selling away people's rights to rest, relax and indulge in a bit of religiosity.

It's something like Christmas, just on a smaller scale.

Honestly, I don't feel the same way about Easter as I do about Christmas. I would anticipate Christmas for nearly a month before it came around but Easter would dawn on me one day and then I'd realise it was here. Yet, as I see all the decorations go up for Easter, it's making me wonder how much I've stopped to think about Easter's meaning.

A missionary going to Africa with his wife spoke at church yesterday. On one hand, I am reminded of Africa, on the other, I was touched by how simple the sermon was.

Jesus walked through the gates of Jerusalem knowing full well that He would die a week later. Yet he never wavered or bargained for a lesser punishment, He took it all upon Himself, even though He did no wrong.

And for that, now I can live at peace with God and with myself - forever to eternity.

Wait For Me

2006-04-07T17:06:00.000+10:00

~ by Rebecca St James

Darling did you know that I
I dream about you
Waiting for the look in your eyes
When we meet for the first time
Darling did you know that I
I pray about you
Praying that you will hold on
And keep your loving eyes only for me

Cause,I am waiting for
Praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Cause, I am waiting for
Praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Darling wait

Darling did you know I dream about life together
Knowing it will be forever
I'll be yours and you'll be mine
And darling when I say
Till death do us part
I'll mean it with all of my heart
Now and always faithful to you

Cause, I am waiting for
Praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Cause, I am waiting for
Praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Darling wait

Now I know you may have made mistakes
But there's forgiveness and a second chance
So wait for me
Darling wait for me
Wait for me
wait for me

Cause, I am waiting for
Praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Cause, I am waiting for
Praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Darling wait
Wait for me
Darling wait
Cause I'm waiting for you
Cause I'm waiting for you
So wait for me
Darling wait
Wait for me

2006-04-06T11:59:00.000+10:00

It's a Thursday already, can't imagine how quickly time has passed.

Won't be going to OCF tomorrow, watching a Mandarin version of "Alice in Wonderland" at Melbourne Uni to support Joanne who's doing the set. I still remember how we were busy translating the script over MSN so she would understand it enough to come up with the set. Glad that Sihan could come with me otherwise I'd have to climb up the hill alone in the blistering cold.

Talking about cold, I finally had to take out my windbreaker fleece jacket because the radio said it was going to be 12 degrees today. I remember the last time it was so cold was when we were in London and Mom made us wrap up in thermal underwear like long-legged snow bunnies. Now, I'm wearing a normal T-shirt, jeans and sneakers with just the extra windbreaker and my red fleece scarf. The wind's a killer when it comes around, but when it doesn't it's pretty okay. Not yet cold enough for your breath to fog up and summer-crazy people still walk around in denim minis or tank tops.

I just came out of my first test in university (I have a general knowledge test every week for Aus Politics class but I fail so miserably it doesn't count) - today's one is a visual test for my documentary studies elective. It's been a while since I've written so much in so little time. At the beginning of the screening of the first clip, I nearly froze with fear and literally saw my knowledge seeping away when I remembered Allan telling us to relax and just enjoy the test. When I didn't try so hard to remember, it was easier. I like this elective. Thank God I didn't give it up at the beginning.

My subjects are segmented into easy to most difficult - I probably could get away with Documentary studies, Aus Politics and Production Project 1 with a little bit extra effort on my part and a lot of discipline to finishing the essays, but even then, they are a lot easier than they sound. The one that worries me constantly now is the blogging research paper I'm doing for Media Industries. It's not exactly heading the way I would like it to and each group meeting is fraught with worry the night before: whether one will turn up on time so he doesn't piss the other off and I don't get the brunt of it, whether I'll have enough constructive feedback to give, whether we'll get anything done without feeling like a wreck after it.

So I guess, for the relative ease I get from the other subjects, I make up with horrible Media Industries which is really a blend of MedResh and Massina (for those only in the know :P). The lecturer is very nice, her subject is interesting enough, I just don't like the project. It's too difficult.

My sister surprised me last night by telling me that my whole family knows I've been having an absolutely horrid time until the last few weeks. They just didn't admit knowing because they knew how it'll kill my pride. How awesome it is to know that your family and friends care about you enough to know how to act along with you until you decide to come clean. :)

I love my people!!

2006-04-04T00:41:00.000+10:00

1) Got sick of the pink. Went back to earth.

2) Autumn is well and truly here. The leaves are turning from green to gold. From now on it's just going to be one word - COLD. Out comes the trench coat and wool wear. In goes the skirts and open toe shoes. Sun is setting at 6 these days. It feels weird after the glorious weather we've had for the last 2 months.

3) The production project is finally done and up on my school blog. Visit it here. Leave comments and DON'T LAUGH.

4) Returned the studio key and hung out with the techs David and Martin after school today. I didn't expect them to start talking to me about nothing in particular. They aren't hoity toity like the techs I knew from MCM Ngee Ann - these guys are soooo friendly! In fact, a couple who looked like lecturers came by and started gossiping while I was there! I heard everything. Kinda weird actually, and thankfully I didn't know what they were talking about.

5) Thank God for His discernment and allowing me to see what would have blinded me. I'm beginning to realise how far I've moved away from him. Time to come back now.

2006-04-03T02:56:00.000+10:00

Lord, teach me to please You with my life.
Not to wonder whether I'll get anything out of trusting You
Not to show others how You work in my life
Not to despise how You work even when I don't understand
But just to please You with all my soul and strength.
This is what I ask for.

2006-04-02T15:06:00.000+10:00

It's a Sunday ... and honestly, I wish that Friday, Saturday and Sunday will last forever. Don't really feel like going back to school tomorrow ... : ) Hanging out with my OCF/Church friends give me the reprieve to be who I am. I don't have to pretend I have an Aussie accent, don't have to speak up yet not knowing what to say, don't have to defend my status as an Asian.

(I'm now attending Swanston Street Church of Christ (Asian church) + the Overseas Christian Fellowship (which is mainly made up of Malaysians and Singaporeans) -> I did once claim vehemently that I would NEVER go to an Asian church because I wanted to experience a different culture, but after attending school all week, I can't wait for someone to understand what I'm talking about. )

All my friends have commented how easy my work seems to be; just read the readings, write blog entries, yeah a couple of essays here and there and best of all, I get to watch movies as part of my coursework. Of course, these make up the fun element of the work, don't get me wrong, I'm most certainly not regretting coming to Melbourne to study.

The work doesn't scare me, instead my issue is why I still haven't seemed to integrate with my classmates or lecturers. I wonder why they always stare at me like what I'm going to say doesn't make any sense. When I do try to speak, suddenly my English tongue gets stuck at second gear and I can't seem to make any sense - especially when I try to speak like an Aussie.

Some of my lecturers give me the respect I crave, they don't come across condescending and for that, I respect them. There are a few people in my lectures/tutes that take the initiative to talk to me and for that, I know all isn't lost yet ... hahaha.

But nonetheless, my closest friends here, will always be Asians whether Taiwanese, Hongkie, Indonesians, Malaysians or other-world Singaporeans (people I wouldn't ordinarily mix with back home).

I'm taking part in a co-curricular activity that will involve all sorts of students across RMIT and because we all work together, that might be less "threatening" than in an academic atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to that.

However, I will never ever question the reasons why some people who go overseas just mix around with the Asian community. I don't feel that I've lost out by not mixing around more with the Aussies, in fact, I've gained more of a cultural experience than I ever will back home. It's just that with the Aussies, you have to break more social barriers. If you do, good for you, if you don't, don't beat yourself over the head. Just carry on being who you are.

Gotta admit, I've been stressing myself out with too many small details. Like my nicked wallet, once it's gone, there's nothing much you can do about it. Get on with life and there'll be other things to enjoy!

After all, you try so hard, but you'll always find something to nitpick on. Live for eternity, sweat the big stuff, not the small, and all will follow.

2006-04-02T02:29:00.000+11:00

Sometimes I wish for the gift of foretelling so
I'd know that the decisions I make now won't be mistakes in the future.

2006-04-01T00:32:00.000+11:00

Hahha ... I have ABSOLUTELY nothing to blog about.

All my brain cells are going into my school blog which is becoming a lot more important than I thought it'll be. Apparently we have to keep a blog about our learning progress so that's kinda sucky cos I DON'T blog properly under pressure. It comes out as an essay rather than a blog from the heart ...

Had a fantastic time at OCF again. They are just AMAZING - like wow. Now I know why it's so difficult to go back after you graduate. Although I've only been with them for 4 weeks, I already feel like one of them. Eases the pain of missing home I guess. : )