once again~

the BEST holiday of the whole year, and the most wonderful way to close this WHOLE year...

...IT'S CHRISTMAS!!...

the best time of the year for me. the wonderful festive feel in the air, the much cooler weather as compared to the previous few months. A time of laughter, joy, happiness and love.

Love the exchanging of presents, the happy faces that you see during gatherings, the laughters that fills almost everywhere you walk to.

'It's the season to be jolly!' woo~ lots of meet up, talking much about the year that is approaching its end...many many things to do!

'It's the season to give!' the exchanging of presents, handing presents out to friends and see the smile on everyone's face...

not forgetting the most important thing... the TRUE meaning of Christmas...

guess with all the hype, decorations and the shopping fever, the true meaning of Christmas has been made blur along the way. The image of presents, food gatherings and santa claus have slowly replace the very heart of Christmas - CHRIST.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" - John 3:16

Jesus was born on this very day! Saving us from sin, and giving us an eternal life~We can now live a new life~

without Christ, there will be no Christmas :)

Nice song

My Best Friend (eng) (click on the link ^.^)

Nice and sweet lyrics~

Shall dedicate this to my friends :)

21 years~

grateful for everything that You have given and provided all these years:)

thankful for all the many love and wishes

deeply touched~

너무 너무 감사합니다!!

'Thank you' ~ 수퍼 주니어 a sweet song to end the day :)

restarting the engine...

its the end of recess week!!!! now time to go full force...all the way to the end of the semester...

never under estimate the power of unity~

R & R?!
its recess week~The time to take a rest, a break. But with the amount of work that needs to be accomplish, I don't think its possible.

I just can't wait for the end of the year!!!!!

setting my eyes on things above~

school has started

already in week 5!!!!soon, it will be recess week and that will signify that half the semester is GONE!!! time to go full force, study study study~

its been more than a month since i came back from Korea. missing Korea~the time spent there, the place, the shopping, the food...almost everything including studying!! studying seems so much more fun over there especially without the bell curve...나 한 국 가 고 싶 어!!

alright got to go back to finishing my readings and assignments!!!!!

A closure to this Summer~

it was great fun! lots of activities!!! 3 months of holidays, went to 3 different countries and only approximately 3 weeks in Singapore. The rest of the time, i'm flying around, moving around... jet setter lifestyle?? well...something like this :)

It all begins with Taiwan. Great to be back. with all the great food, nice shopping and more exploring! especially out of Taipei. together with great friends and an enjoyable time

Next was Penang. A great time connecting with God and with the people in Church. The many laughters that we share over supper and afternoon free times. The time spent connecting with God and listening to His still soft voice and seeing how He move. His plan that He has already in mind for every single one of us. Indeed, He works in ways we cannot see...

Last and the most impactful trip! KOREA. The culture, the places we visited, the school, the process of studying, the many people we met, the things that we did... many many wonderful and beautiful memories stored. Leaving the place in which I lived for 6 weeks (the longest time i'm away from home), it was kind of difficult. I wouldn't say that it was freedom, I would describe this time as 'an experience of independence'. an experience in which you can never get in Singapore, a place in which one is so protected in every single way, where there is always everyone around, where studying is closely monitored with daily work and the bell curve... it was really indeed an experience of a lifetime! love the place, especially the shopping, missing the place greatly. I WILL GO BACK THERE ONE DAY!!!

A great, impactful and eventful Summer '10

He works in ways we cannot see. He makes all things possible.

One last look~

sitting at Incheon International Airport now. Waiting to check-in luggages.

Taking a last look at Seoul. I WILL BE BACK!!! :))

Can't bear to part with the place...for the past 6 weeks, it was filled with wonderful memories and an experience of a lifetime ^.^

Luggage is quite heavy lets pray that we will NOT get charged!! or maybe better, upgraded!!! :))

The Last few days~

finals are over!!and the Summer Program is moving towards a closure. in a few hours time, it will be the graduation ceremony... the feeling.... well... alittle sad

6 weeks pass by really quickly. the beginning was alittle tough. slowly everything picked up speed and everything just went by without much notice. the many weekends spent on SHOPPING!!!, walking around SEOUL, experiencing a different lifestyle in which we can't get it in Singapore and sitting for much more relaxing examinations...

With Korean Language examination, it marks the end of official school in the Summer Program for me. Went out to experience the night life in Korea. Dongdaemun was still bustling with LOTS of activity even at 1am in the morning. Sipping coffee and chit-chatting at a cafe, follow by going to Noraebang. Something which we can't get back in Singapore.

Cherishing every single moment that is left and loving it~

Finals tomorrow~

its the beginning of all the final papers. final examinations. but i don't feel like studying!!!! what have I been doing so far when I'm suppose to study after dinner... watch TV, watch wgm on youtube and on tv, chat online, facebook, surfing around the internet, manicure~oOo~hahahaha

5 weeks have went by really quickly and now the number of days left in Korea can be counted with fingers. oh man...single digit!!!!! we all want to stay here longer. we want more holidays. more shopping :))

it is indeed an experience of a lifetime, filled with wonderful memories that will be kept in our hearts.

SEOUL ~

Have been away for ONE month~

~

i've been in Korea for a month!!! the longest time I'm in another country :) still loving it~

time is running out already!!!there are still many other things to do!! doesn't wish to go back where school starts almost immediately. reality kicks in and many things needs to be done.

we're trying to make full use of the time that we have left here in Korea. Visiting places which we missed out. places which we were always so close to but missed it. there are so much more things to do, more things to buy, more things to eat!! enjoying every minute that is left... :)

6 years ago, i came to Korea on a holiday. the things have not change much. Great to be able to do more shopping and exploring of Seoul~i have never thought that i will want to come back here to stay for sooo long~

enjoying the culture, the shopping, the food and the studying(well a small part of it :))

we are halfway through~

it has already cross the halfway mark! we are halfway through the semester, halfway through the summer program, halfway through the time left in Korea...

well, i'm not suppose to be typing here, but i just don't know what to type for my essay any more!!! i still need a few more hundred words!!! so many more!!!and my points are limited already (left with 1?!)!!!

it has been raining the past few days. its quite disappointing to realise that when you step out, its raining. the mood to shop, the mood to squeeze through the crowd and the mood to walk around just lost. BUT still we had fun!!! going to express bus terminal again (its underground!the rain doesn't affect shopping!). this time, there were lesser people and more shopping to do:) bought some things...we even had a trip to NAMSAN park. Going up Seoul Tower, its good enough. it just makes the whole trip worth it. though it was raining, the view was worth it!!

from there, you can see alot of things. you can see how Seoul actually looks like. high density and close building. everything in your eyes, relaxing and enjoying. it provokes your thoughts! imagine God looking done on earth, everything is so tiny and small. If He can create and care for this vast and big world, what more about His precious creation, US! its amazing~all your worries just goes away...

there is nothing to worry about for He cares for you. :)

Philippians 4:19 "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"

He is more than you can ever imagine~

everything in FULL swing~

its the 2nd week already. more work, more lessons, and the upcoming exams...

Interesting culture Korea has. They hold pride in their language and the things that they have accomplish. a very united and closely bonded nation, i would say.

Lessons are interesting. Not forgetting having my very first exam in Korea, Cross-cultural Psychology. All I have to say, Singapore is so much more competitive (esp. with the bell-curve for uni students). At here, I can happily tell myself 'hey!there is nothing to worry about. I'm only competing against myself. the grades that I get is hardwork. some statistical force will not affect it'. The kind of peace you get when you get the paper is sooo different from that in Singapore. Oh man. Think I will miss such system...

Enjoying the shopping!!!! its hard to get cheap and nice clothes in Singapore, but here, its so easy! There are so many things to see! to buy or not to?? not only shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories are fun, shopping at supermarket is fun too!! their supermarket is big. the varieties of products here is so much more than in Singapore. they have some quite interesting stuff too!

I had the opportunity to experience something which we can't get in Singapore!!it was sooo much fun and tiring at the same time. Waking up early in the morning was all worth it!! just for that few minutes! :) They were right in front of people. Less than a meter away and walked pass us!!! oOo~ *shall say more next time*

More to look forward to. Especially shopping!!!

A few thousand miles away, a different time zone, an experience of a lifetime with wonderful memories to cerish~

How do you operate the washing machine???

its laundry day!!!washing clothes...

today marks the 1st week in Korea~S.E.O.U.L :))

Much have happen along the week, orientation, school starts, going to lessons, exploring the area around the school and of course, going shopping!!!

Currently, still in the adaptive mode, trying to make adjustments to the usual daily activities back in Singapore. Its interesting that I'm taking so many cultural modules this time. Contemporary Korean Society (in which I can learn more about Korea's culture) and Cross-cultural Psychology (in which I can learn about different cultures giving the diverse culture we have in class). Getting to learn more about cultures, people's behaviour, thinking and values from different countries. Countries out of Singapore. Such an opportunity doesn't come frequently. In Singapore, we hear and read, but its still best hearing it directly from the people in the culture. Lessons are fun and interesting. Different teaching styles much more interactive than in nus. However, the part about readings and exams...well...lets just not talk about it:))hahahaha

Korean lang lessons are fun!!!I know how to read!!!however still requires some time to get the sound out completely. meaning of words??still don't know.so know how to read, don't understand.:)

Shopping is fun!!looking at the changes that have occurred, its interesting. 6 years ago i visited Korea on a holiday trip, now, to stay for 6 weeks. We have covered most of the shopping places available here. but have not complete and fully explore each of the places. we can always visit back. we have another 5 more weeks~woo hoo!!!

God works in ways we cannot see~ pray~

From Daily Journey...

worn out?

I’m just so tired.” It’s a common phrase that I’ve heard from people in my counseling office over the years. Sometimes they say the words to play the “pity me” card. Others are unknowingly lying to themselves— falling deeper into discouragement and depression. But in many cases, they’re voicing a legitimate cry of an exhausted heart.

At a time when Israel was still growing as a nation, Moses found himself going through a difficult situation where he was physically and emotionally spent (Exodus 17:8-16). Journeying through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, the newly freed slaves came under attack by an experienced army of desert nomads known as the Amalekites.

During the battle, God instructed Moses to stand on top of a hill and hold up his staff (a symbol of God’s power). As long as Moses held the staff high, the Israelites won. When the staff became heavy and his arms started to lower, the Amalekites got the upper hand.

Over the course of the day, Moses started to tire. So the people rolled a rock underneath him to provide some support. A couple of men also stood next to Moses and held his weary arms up in the air until the battle was won (Exodus 17:12).

As the story unfolds, it’s almost as if God intentionally put Moses in an impossible situation to teach him some important lessons. He and the people still had a lot to learn about living a new life of freedom. One of the things God wanted Moses to understand is this: When we run out of gas, we need help from others to get through.

Are you tired? Do you feel worn out? Learn from Moses and seek help from God and an earthly ally or two.

let go and LET GOD take control

Bible Camp '10 -- Destiny

back from bible camp. This time its at Penang. somewhere further than the usual places that we go.

This year's bible camp seems different. Everyone is looking forward for something. With the big change approaching, everyone searching.

Its amazing how God works. At times, it may just seems like He is never there, but if you were to look back and think through after the situation is over, You will only come to realise that all this is never possible if not for Him. Just like a Don Moen's song

"God will make a way, when there seems to be no way.

He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.

He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side.

With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way."

It depends on us whether we want God to be the one in control of our situation or ourselves.

Next trip coming up~exciting times ahead~ is this the right decision?

why is packing so difficult??!!! How I wish that all my things can just appear suddenly over there ~:)

TAIWAN '10

WooHoo~ after 2 years, back to the same country TAIWAN!a long and well-deserved holiday after 2 long years!

The same place, same kindness we experience, little changes:) Like previously, the kind of warmth that the locals extend to us is amazing. We were dragging our heavy luggage, walking towards hua lien station when a lady stopped by the road and offered us a ride. Even though our luggages were big and bulky, she still offered us the ride. The 1-hour walk was then cut down! Will we experience such acts of kindness in Singapore? I wonder...

A 12-days trip filled with food, shopping, walking, some sight seeing, food, walking again, 'star'-sightings, more walking, a concert, a delay and a flight experience of a life-time. An exciting journey~

We covered quite a few night markets, ate nice food both standing and sitting, squeeze through crowds, queue for 100 odd numbers... not forgetting going back to places which offers great food!!! :P

A little prayer and a big miracle! We were able to reach early on the day of our departure from Taipei. With that, we were rewarded with an upgrade to BUSINESS CLASS!!!wah!! Though we ran from the front to the back of the airport, going through custom like a bunch of crazy and late people, but the experience was quite enriching. Great service, great seats, but the 'air' was different :)

This has really shown me what God can do in an extraordinary way:) a little prayer for a safe and easy trip to airport became a trip on business class.wah! never underestimate the power of God.

Surely a great and well-deserved trip. EVERYTHING just melt away and all things were thrown behind. Putting aside everything and just purely enjoying this trip.

A place where the divide between past and present can be experienced so clearly. back to the basic (walking) or taking the transport conveniently (esp in taipei), we experienced everything. Love the warmth and kindness of the locals, the great food, the nice weather~Taiwan.:)

Till the next time~ flying off again soon~next stop.... *next post*

SUMMER BREAK~

yeah!! a break at last!!

to kick off with the summer break....

first stop --- TAIWAN!!!

can't wait!!!

before the exams begins...

was just reading psalm 37 this morning for tag. such a timely reminder :))

many more things to look forward to. many more things that needs to be done. the uncertainty builds up. But I place my trust in the Lord.

Doing my best and leaving the rest to the Lord who does miracles :)

Lots of things to do, lots of things to look forward to~

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul

- Psalm 94:14

Stepping into 2010~