choir concert and ice-cream

choir concert at RJC with clique 2006: seet, joiz, ching & me (camwhoring as usual =P):













Dun u find this pic a bit disturbing...hmm



Free cone at Ben's and Jerry's with best pals charmaine and jieying! (queued for like 25-30 mins, but worth the wait for Chocolate fudge brownie...)

Love God as He loves YOU

Testify to Love (Avalon - Maze of Grace)

All the colors of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify

For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to god above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the hope in every heart will speak what love has done

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee Inspirational story

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He
then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under thetable and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want youto recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would stillbefull.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put thesand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time andenergy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit withgrandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the houseand fix the disposal.Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand ."One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Easter Sunday - Give thanks to Him for He died for our sins

Psalm 55:22
"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted to share it with my family and dearest friends. I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel. At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying " don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the Car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little. She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City . Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there. So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?" This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people." It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings... Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards.

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could You please get that for me?"

Try again, never stop believing

Life is full of ups and downs, like a rollercoaster. Never would i imagine myself even getting through the interview round for council. The surprising yet elating news seemed so eons ago. Now...now i cant wait to forget the memories of council campaigning. Truth be told, it was a wonderful and enriching experience for me. The planning late into the night (with the emotional outbreak), the buying of materials, the painting of banners, the putting up of posters, giving out stickers are all etched into my memory, and pictures in reminescence of the stressful, yet fulfilling times. But experience is just the name we give our mistakes. I have let myself down countless times, including this time. I cannot stand the feeling. The wave of emotions that rush through me as i stared at the board with countless name, none mine. I tried to keep it in, but it just erupted like a volcano, the outpouring of tears instead of lava. Concerned faces and people trying to console me. I really thanks you all, but no one will really understand how i feel deep down inside. Even when i dun wanna think about it, it all comes back to me, together with that rush of emotions, that really wanna just make me breakdown and cry. Learning to forgive somehow seems easier than learning to forget. I am really trying hard to. Sooner or later, it will just be a part of my life where i stumbled and fell, but for now, it is a large barrier that i need to overcome, need to forget, need to let go. Congrats to all those who made, whose efforts have paid off. My efforts never made it through. I know God has other plans for me, which is the reason why He decided not to fulfil this dream and hope of mine, and I will live with it, cos He is the mightiest, and will lift me up when my spirits are down. Trust in him, I shall. And He will light the path and guide the rest of the way for me, so I will not stumble and fall yet again.

Happy Birthday Yun Zhi

Went to vivo yesterday to celebrate my friend's birthday. Vivo again! It was kinda difficult trying to meet up with her cos her friends organized a 'surprise' birthday celebration for her, where teachers were invited. And they even booked a table for 2o at swensons, but ended up the whole big group only ate 3 plates of fries. All these were related to me by the very embarrassed birthday girl. So in the end, she managed to get out and join us for dinner at Secret Recipe. Ate bbq chicken...yum. Then after that we went to haagen diaz for chocolate and cream ice-cream. Aww...so much indulgences. Gonna lose my fitness soon =P. Ended up talking throughout the whole dinner, sharing all the stories and jokes about JC life. Her sister came along also, and she's trying to appeal into RJC next year from NUS high. Hope she can get in! Holiday life is so hectic la, with all the homework given =(. But I can cope, cos Im proded... =P

OG pics

Taken during o2 by our OGLs (award-winning jump shown below)

I need my knees back

I have been taking my knees for granted for a very long time already, i guess. =( Anyway, after floorball training on wed, my right knee started wobbling and could not support my weight. (panics...) Plus, there was second orientation the next day, so i was dragging my right leg throughout the whole day. bleh! BUT, 2ndO was fun. The external activity picture-taking part was the highlight. And, YES, our og won sth again - for the best jump. YAY, bbO3 u rock =) Walking to take the pictures was a tiring chore for both my legs. By the end of the day, the right calf and ankle started to hurt as well cos all the weight of my upper half were going to that area plus the other functioning leg. Spammed counter-pain in an attempt to numb the wierd sensation in my knees and stank up the whole place. Im glad its healing quite ok now, although i cannot put a lot of weight on it yet. The doc said sprained knee, 2 weeks no physical activity and knee guard. Oh well, im not gonna miss training, but i still missed class outing =( Thanks for all the concern ppl, im fine now or should be SOON!

Birthday =)

A big thank you goes out to everyone who made the 28th of Feb such a wonderful and memorable day. Thanks for all the wishes, the presents, the cards, the celebrations and all the pictures and camwhoring! =) Luv ya all dearies!

Vivocity

Prep for Mud's Bday at Vivo =)

RJC uniform

Just went to get my uniform today (2 blouses, 3 skirts). Already bought 2 blouses from a different place. The material of the other blouses is thicker and whiter. Anyway, the skirt is ultra long. I had to fold it 5 times before it seemed the right length.

Year of the Pig

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE PIG! oink

True Colours

By: Eva Cassidy

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness there inside you
Makes you feel so small

But I see your true colours
Shining throughI see your true colours
That's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colours
True colours are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
And don't be unhappy, can't remember when
I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I see your true colours
Shining throughI see your true colours
That's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colours
True colours are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

OhhhhI can't remember
When I last saw you laugh
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I see your true colours
Shining throughI see your true colours
That's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colours
True colours are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

I see your
True colours shining through
See your true colours
That's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colours
Your true colours are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

JC Life

WOW! I havent blogged for a whole month. Probably still adjusting to the hectic schedule of JC life. Havent even blogged about orientation.
Orientation seemed eons ago, but i totallly agree with our OGLs. It was and will still continue to be the best part of our entire life in JC. It feels like only yesterday that we began learning our school song, our batch song, and our batch dance based on the theme L'audeamus, where most of us embarrassed ourselved learning the dance moves. I can still vividly remember all the games we played - the war games, station games and external activies. SVCK rocks the house! We came in first from the location we were assigned to go. Anyway, at least my og is still bonded. We meet every morning at the l'odge and quite a few people turn up. Hope this can last til the end of the year =)
Now on to my class! SO3J rocks as well! =) At the start, our class had a gender divide. the boys would sit at one table, while the girls would sit at another. But now, i am glad that our class is really bonded. We met up 2x so far in school to play sports. Its called the 3J sports day every saturday haha. I have gotten used to the lecture-tutorial system although it may be quite tiring for us to climb to the 7th floor for lessons almost everyday. (the lifts are useless, so few ppl can fit into 1 lift).
CCA! am now in floorball. Still havent gotten to play much yet. Our first actual training starts on mon and i will be getting my stick on wed. (it costs me a hefty $128 bucks). Hope that cca trainings will be fun, and the team be bonded as well.

Happy 2007

All the best for the 364 days ahead! =)

Hokkaido

10 things you should know about this tourist destination (in Winter):
1) temperatures can drop to -41 degree celsius in the mountains/valleys
2) japanese food there is very authentic and extremely mouthwatering especially the ramen
3) they are famous for seafood - scallops and crabs
4) you should get ready to put on at least 2 kg if you want to go there
5) amazing scenery especially when snowing (prepare a camera with memory stick of at least 1G)
6) people there are very well-mannered (they keep on bowing)
7) communication can be a problem cos seldom will you find a jap that speaks eng
8) main things to do there: take pictures of scenery, eat n sleep
9) highlight of tour is usually hot spring baths which most singaporeans do not dare to try
10) everything is expensive
BUT it is indeed a wonderful place to be in winter! =)

Awesome Hokkaido

Some of the 400 over pics taken...

Picturesque Hokkaido (first set)

Just came back from Hokkaido, Japan. Shall just post pics first. 'Captivating tale' will come later =)

Memories of RGS

To all my friends:

Thanks for always being there to lend a helping hand, for sharing my ups and downs and for walking with me my 4 years in RGS. Will see you all in JC. Luv ya!

To my teachers:

A big thank you goes out to all of you for helping to increase my knowledge of the world around us, for making me more mature in my senses, for building and strengthening my leadership qualities, for guiding me in everything that I do, and for making me a better person as whole!

To my dearest school:

Thanks for all the facilities that provided a proper environment to enhance my learning, for all the journeys we have travelled together, for all the wonderful memories of my secondary school years...

FAM 2006

Prom was a BLAST (as my dear friend put it). Everybody let their hair down, and enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Will never forget the night where most of the sec 4 batch of 2006 gathered in the Orchard Hotel Ballroom to celebrate our graduation. The theme being Retro Nite, we were treated to our very own 'Elvis Presley and the Go-gos' while eating 8-course dinner. There were also many other perfomances put up by the Prom Queen wannabes, including a tap-dance by our very own debbo (404 rocks)! Then there was also the lucky draw where hps, cams, dvd players and many other attractive prices were given out. Too bad, I didnt get a lucky ticket haha. The announcment of Prom Queen 2006 got everyone hyped up, but the best part of the night was the photo-taking...YES...THE PHOTO-TAKING. Everybody looked really different, but very pretty at the same time. 40 mins was simply not enough time to finish taking photos with everyone we met. The photo-taking continued late into the night at our hotel room. A big thank you goes out to everyone to contributed to the prom in one way or another, especially all my friends. Luv ya! =)


Chng Min and I














Charmaine and I














Joyce, Ching, me, Mud, Kavya & Seet














Sec 404 We Rock!

Sharing the storms

You Raise Me Up- Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Book Marathon

Just finished My Sister's Keeper for the second time. Have read it before when i was sec 2 i think but decided to refresh my memory. It's one of Jodi Picoult's best novel so far. The twist ending is really touching. It can really move you to tears, if you are the emotional sort. Earlier on, i read The Chamber by John Grisham. His novels are mostly about law and punishment and they are surprisingly not dry to read. He puts the theme in fantastically by creating twists wherever possible. No one is able to second guess what the story is going to be like. This twist skill is the same for Picoult's books. Just after chinese 'O's, i finished Perfect Match also by her, and the entire plot is filled with twists. I simply could not put the book down. I seem to have an affinity with novels about law. Many books i pick up (including all 3 above) have certain elements of the law within the actual plot. Now am moving onto Mitch Albom's new book: For one more day. Hope its as good as his 2 other books.

School BREAK

(named after prison break, nah just kidding)
finally after a really long wait, our school vacation is finally here. it is the time to slack away before a new term starts in jc. here's how i shall spend my time (not in order of preference):
1. watching tv (go watch 24! its a really good english serial on countering terrorism)
2. reading novels (finished Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult, on to The Chamber by John Grisham)
3. using the computer
4. shopping
5. practising piano n vocals (exams in march)
11 days to PROM :) Graduation will always be a sad occasion but most of us will be going to RJC anyway so we can still keep in touch easily

here are some pics taken on the last day of school: 404'06

Wound

Red,
Raw,
Oozing puss.

A bus driver's sudden jamming of the brake.
Jerking forward, arms flailing.
'Wham!'
Into a nearby seat,
Elbow-first into the handle bar.

Plaster after plaster,
No;
Should just let it heal.

That's the result of inconsiderate bus drivers.

My friend drew this

Amazing Art

List of books i wish to own/read

John Grisham
- The Innocent Man
- The Brethen
- The Client

Jodi Picoult
- Perfect Match
- Keeping Faith
- My Sister's Keeper

Mitch Albom
- For One More Day

Paul Coelho
- O Zahir
- Eleven Minutes
- Veronika Decides to Die

Neil Gaiman
- Fragile Things
- American Gods
- Mirrormask

and the list goes on...

Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses

There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
very morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.

The Pelican Brief

Just finished reading this book. The plot was so captivating i simply could not put it down. Read for 4 hours straight before realising i needed a break.

Summary from the internet:
The plot of this one is no different to his normal type of book. Darby Shaw, a second year law student, is dating her law professor Thomas Callahan. Callahan is a supporter of a Supreme Court judge, Abe Rosenberg who is mysteriously murdered on the very same night as a fellow Supreme Court judge, Glenn Jensen. Nothing seems to link the two but everyone seems to think there's a connection. Prompting every law student in the country to start investigating and coming up with theories as to what happened. Of course with her boyfriend being quite fond of Rosenberg, Darby starts to look into it herself. She even goes so far as to write a paper on it, which she shows to Callahan, who is so convinced by it he hands it to a friend of his within the FBI. Then just a week later after a particularly heavy night out Darby refuses to get in the car with a drunk Callahan, deciding to walk home instead. But just minutes later after starting his car Callahan and his car are blown up. Little did Darby realise how accurate her report actually was. Now she has to fight for survival, aided by journalist Gray Grantham who wants exclusive rights to her story. It's a race against time for Darby as the people trying to keep this a secret close in on her. She needs to do something quick.

Exams are over

i cant believe it. time flies by so quickly. i feel so free now that exams are over. now there is time to relax. have been watching movies (VCDs) and reading books. addicted to Jodi Picoult and John Grisham. wow, the feeling of not doing anything serious for once is so cool :)

Lovely notebooks

Can u believe these are the notebooks my friend made for 2 other friends and I. She is leaving soon. Oh man, her artwork is really amazing and the effort put into making these gifts was obviously tremendous. I really treasure handmade gifts. These are the ones that will never lose their sentimental value in time to come, and the friend who gives these gifts will always remain etched in one's memory. Should seriously scan in the picture of 2 cats she drew for us as well, really fantastic piece of artwork. Picture of the notebooks first (mine is the blue one, cover made of cloth), picture of the cats later.

WEP

Went for work experience over the june hols at Thomson Medical Centre (Paediatric clinic). The experience was an eye opener for most of ur who went. We got to see the nurses adminster jabs and suppositories for the babies. The poor children...so young yet have to undergo so many medical tests. Just because they have high fever, then the doctors send them straight for blood and urine test. More likely the clinic wants to earn money from the parents then anything else. Anyway, we also had the opportunity to meet triplets. They looked alike (duh!). So cute. Here are the pics.