In the early morning March.

Its Chinese New Year.
Its my 2nd one in Singapore.

On the eve, I had a reunion dinner in the Samsui Women Restaurant in Jurong Point. Good food but no dessert. It was a very tense atmosphere at my table.

On New Year's Day, I went to Uncle Peter's house for lunch. He cooked his Peranakan Dishes which were really delicious. I really like going there to eat.

After lunch, I went over to join Mel's family for visitation. We went to the columbariums and then to the relatives' houses. I had a really good time of fun and laughter. Had a simple dinner too.

Thats basically my Chinese New Year.

Alright, going back to my mission trip soon! Got to go pack and stuff. See everyone soon! 6 Febuary is the day.

Hmm.

I'm finally able to come home from my Mission trip.

Mel surprised me and picked me up at when I came back :)

I'm glad I survived this two weeks. It was a slow start but once it passed the first few days, the pace grew more comfortable. I've met some really nice people and some not so desirable. But I thank God for all of them cause they make life on the island more interesting.

Anyway, I've the funny essay I wrote about Quantum Mechanics got me an interview for the NUS University Scholars Program! I'm quite excited but at the same time pretty worried about how I'm going to handle the interview.

Its Chinese New Year but I don't feel the atmosphere. Its all quiet at home, theres no decorations or new year cookies. But it makes me feel more homely.

Anyway, I've gotten used to waking up super early in the morning. I can't seem to sleep in as much as I want to. Thats why I'm here blogging at 6.45am.

NS.

I'm about to leave for my mission trip to Tekong!
I think I'll only be back like on the 23 or 24th.
Bye everyone! Bye Bed.

Dear Melly,
I'll be waiting to see you.
Trust God and have faith in Him, He'll carry us through.
Hello :)

Army.

It's finally set in.

All these while I've been thinking like army may not be that bad. It'll be over soon. But when the day approaches, its really setting in. The fear and uncertainty is beginning its insidious creep on me. I'm starting to become oh so emotional everytime I talk about army.

I feel like suddenly my life is being taken away from me. Everything that I have, all my friends, family, love ones, will be taken away. Well though its temporal, its still difficult nevertheless. Theres so many things I want to do, so many things I want to say. I'll miss my friends, family and Mel.

I feel unprepared. Mentally and physically unprepared. Spiritually too. I really pray that I won't lose sight of God.

New Year

I've yet to write down my New Year resolution.

For the year 2009, these are what I hope to accomplish:

1) A closer relationship with God
I've been writing that down every year but have always been using studies and basketball as an excuse. But all thats not going to be a problem cause I'll be on a 'Mission Trip' to Tekong as small Jon puts it. I'll really be a time where I'll have to really rely on God. I really hope to do my quiet time everyday and not use tiredness as an excuse. Mel if you read this, please remind me not to use tiredness as an excuse.

2) To control my temper
I know people who know me would think I'm a quiet guy. However, I can be quite loud at home, and at times too loud. I think I've been very rude to my parents; I'm always raising my voice to get my point across. I find that I can't seem to control my temper especially towards my mother and sister. I feel horrible and hope to change that.

3) To be a better boyfriend
I've still so much to learn, about her and about myself. I've got to learn how to love all over again, to strengthen our relationship. I think one of my weaknesses is that I'm quite self-centered at times. Many times I've neglected how she feels and hurt her. I really hope to be more understanding and selfless.

4) To do my best in Army
I want to do my best in army. I've only one BMT and I hope that I'll take up all opportunities available and leave with no regrets. I hope I can go to OCS. I'm quite a perfectionist; I want to do my best in everything I do. Well, I'll let God decide. If its with my own strength, I'll only fail.

5) Try to get into a Uni and a Scholarship
I really pray that my results will be good enough to get into a local university. I don't want to be a financial burden. I hope I'm able to get a scholarship too. Prefably one that covers my tuition fees. Its highly likely that it'll come with a bond but I guess in the current economic situation, thats not such a bad idea. I've applied for the NUS USP program. I'm not sure though if I can get in. I'll only know in March. My top choice is still SMU.

Thats my top 5 goals for 2009. Theres so much else I hope to achieve but army would probably take up most of my time. I'm in fear now. Feeling really uncertain about my future now, but I'll let God lead me. Cause, we can do everything we want but without God we'll never be satisfied.

Alright, time to sleep. I've got a picnic at Botanic Gardens with T24 guys at 1pm.

Holga

On the first day of the year,
I went to Sam Tan and Suren's wedding with Mel. We did car park duty. We had to stop all the cars and divert them to the car park unless they were relatives and placed a red packet on the dashboard. It was quite a funny idea, and some of my church members thought we were joking with them.

The wedding was really beautiful. The theme of the wedding was the 'Pearl'. It was really apt and unique. They gave out pearls in the invitation and had pearls in all their decorations. They didn't have a photo shoot before the wedding. Thought that was something special.

I thought the most interesting part was the live band consisting of musicians from my church. There was a drum, bass guitar, guitar, piano, trumpet and saxophone. They were really good.

Anyway, I was the guy in charge of taking down and packing the decos. I really thank God for lots of helpers including Joel, Clifford, Mervyn and not forgetting Mel who stayed on all the way till I finished.

Yesterday, I went to watch Yes Man!
It was a really funny movie, it kept us laughing through out. Try as much as possible to say Yes but say yes only when you really want to and have thought through it, thats the moral.

Today, I went to meet Jeremy at Ang Mo Kio.
After that, I collected Mel's belated Christmas present! Finally, after so long, it arrived. I hope it'll be put to good use. We then had confirmation class with my dad. It was really interesting.

I kept wondering, how come Lucifer could rebel against God. Where did this sin come from in the first place. My dad clarify that. He said that, God did not create sin but he allowed sin to happen. This was because he wanted all the heavenly creatures and people to have free will including the angels. And because they have free will, they're love for God will be more complete. Its like the relationship between a husband and wife. The relationship would be more complete if a wife is not obligated to love her husband but instead chooses to do so. She can disobey but yet choose not too. Thats the kind of love that God wants, rather than us being forced into loving him. That was really insightful.

Yep and my dad was super funny, I think I laughed harder than when watching Yes Man. Haha

Home

On the last day of 2008, the last hour, the last second, where was I?
I was on the 2nd deck of a 154 bus.
I was with Mely.
We were talking to God.

Anyway, I'm really glad that I didn't work for the countdown event at Marina. Thank you Mely for reminding me that money is not worth more than spending time with God. I'm really glad that we were at the watch night service in my church. I could not ask to be in a better place.

I just came back. After sending Mely home, I took the night rider to Somerset. There I realise that my card had no more money to take another night rider home. Thinking I had two 1 dollar coins in my wallet, I went to seven eleven to buy something to get more coins. I needed $3.50. I happily bought a bottle of pomegrenade tea and then paid with my $10 note. I got back two notes and 90 cents in coins. I then asked the cashier to change my two dollar note to two one dollar coins. She then had to open the cash register all over again so she could change them.

Yep so I happily went away, wanted to walk to the bus stop behind Ngee Ann City. Then on the way I looked into my wallet and realised that I had no coins in my wallet. And now I only have $2.90. I then decided to go to the 7-11 outside Taka to get something. I figured it was no point asking to change my 5 dollar note since they cant open the cash register unless I buy something. Thus, I bought a mentos. I got back a 1 dollar coin plus a few more coins and a 2 dollar note. I was elated and happily skipped to opposite Far East to take the night rider as Taka was closed and I had to walk a huge round to get to the bus stop at the back.

I waited for about 5 minutes before the first night rider came. It stopped quite a distance from the front of the bus stop and allowed some people to alight. It then droved off without allowing anyone to board cause it was extremely packed (the back of the bus was pretty unfilled as usual, sigh). I then thought that it would be hopeless to wait at that bus stop. I decided to back track and walk to the bus stop behind Taka. It was a super long walk but I saw some interesting things. The first thing I saw was an NR3(2nd bus I missed)! After that, I saw another thing that made my heart race too. A street race! What are the odds. There was like 6 or 7 cars. Each taking one lane on the road behind Wheelock. They were speeding like mad from one traffic light to the next. It was amazing how they managed to stop in time. Imagine a guy trying to cross the traffic light and turns and see 6 cars going at 100km per hour just 20 meters from him.

At 3.30am I finally boarded an NR3. Mely accompanied me through the entired bus ride until I reached safely home. Thank you so much :).

It was a real good experience. Throughout the walk, I remembered in Psalms 3:3, it says that the Lord is our shield. And that really comforted me. It assured me that I will be protected. Not to mention there were many groups of policemen patrolling. Sometimes I wonder if they will find my suspicious walking alone in town and stop me. I think the God was with me through out the experience. Reminding me of His constant presence.

Psalms 3:5 also says that when we lie down, we are able to sleep and wake up cause the Lord sustains us. Time for me to sleep and wake up. I've to attend Sam Tan's wedding tomorrow. I'm really excited.