#108 Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

2009 wasn't smooth sailing. There it was when the Big O's hit and all the stress that came with it, strained relationships, crying, people coming as well as people leaving. I made new friends, completed my O's, learnt who my true friends are.

These are just some of the things I conquered this year. The greatest is actually surviving the year. 09 wasn't easy. Many times I felt like giving up and throwing in the towel. I felt like I could no longer do it because I was so tired from all the studying, school, and the little rest that I was getting. I never saw the light at the end of the tunnel. But here I'm at the last day of the year, alive and well and I would like to thank everyone single one of you for helping me get through the year. For always listening to me, taking care of me, feeding me with positive thoughts, encouraging me, praying for me, being there for me. And in the darkest moments showering me with so much love and care. I really appreciate everything you've done.
For wiping those tears to making me laugh. This year is ending of well because my closest pals sticked through the year, the best and the worst, with me.

You know who I'm referring to. Thank you so very much. I've learnt so much from everything that happened this year from the beginning to the end. I journeyed a year with you, and despite all the downs, this year is a memorable year because you were part of it. The you refers to all those that I once gave a post to. Yes you. And through the year, I must that the AWESOMEST OF ALL.

JESUS. I survived! Because of Him. He guided me, He blessed me with every single one of you to cheer me up and to physically be with me but it was Him who carried me through the year and every situation I faced. He gave me the strength and blessed me with my first passing of Tamil. He was always present in time of need. He gave me everything I asked for. Thank You thank You Jesus, so much for blessing this year and guiding me and always being present for me. Thank you for sacrificing your life for me, and for blessing me with so so many friends, people who love and care for me.

Thank you so SO SO much Jesus. Your Hand held mine throughout the year. I hope in 2010, my journey with You would be even more fruitful and that I would also thank you for the results cause Lord Jesus, My Trust, Faith & Hope is in You. You are my ALL.
I can never ask for a greater Daddy God, Thank You for being mine and for everything.

I love you Daddy God, lots and lots.

#107 Days Reaching Christmas & Christmas

Sorry, I've totally neglected this diary. Basically, very very tired. The Bali post is up, partially. But these were probably the highlights of the trip and so if you want to take a look at what I was up to, there you have it.

The days reaching to Christmas, let me do a little summary for the 19th (Agapeland party), 23rd (friends), 24th (Christmas Eve Dinner), 25th (Christmas), 26th (Family).
19th was a day at Church - An Agapeland Christmas Outreach. It started out at 130pm and I reached home at 130am - does that say enough?

To summarise it we were all in our read tees preparing for the Christmas party. The whole group were youths (which I wouldn't agree was the greatest decision though) Anyway. We were cleaning and clearing the LOR/Shalom room as well as decorating the place for the children when to come later that evening for the party. Even though I was in charge of the front desk table I still tried to help reduce Auntie Doreen's load by helping in whatever way possible.

After helping here and there went to do balloon tying which killed and broke my nails. While helping all thoughts in my head lead to, "Selfless Service", it totally wasn't easy cause it was a bunch of playful youths but I tried my best in everything 'cause of that value. Selfless service wasn't to make myself look wow but rather just to glorify Him and be grateful to serve Him.

At 3, we head a devotion by Ps. Thomas before heading to the main service for bread distribution, with the youths. Walked to block 3_ .Partnered the awesome Shalyn and distributed bread and invited people for the Chinese service / Agapeland party. Came back, dinnered with Aunties - hee. And party time.

It was real crowded, lots of children. Everyone was so red and everything. Even though I was feeling very :/ and everything and rather pissed as well, I think Darius did an awesome job. He connected with the kids, none of them were distracted, or fidgetty. But everyone was paying attention, so much attention. It was so clear God was in control of the whole thing, that his presence was so strong. What a sight seeing children jumping for a God they hear for the first time.This taught me how Great our God actually is as well as how Darius, someone who sees this children for the first time yet he can connect to them and that taught me that its possible to engage children just like how it does.

What a great sight.

On the 23rd, 6 of my closest friends came over. But my closest 2 couldn't make it. That afternoon I was at Hazel's place celebrating Christmas together with my bestfriend. That night, my closest councillors gave over to my place for a time of food, fellowship, fun and lots and lots of photos. They totally made me smile and laugh, a hell lot. (: On the 24th, I wasn't well in the morning. I slept till 530 before waking up for Christmas Eve dinner.

Pastor Lili and her husband came, we had my first steamboat. Hahaha. Totally nice and I was rather overwhelmed by all the food actually. Sat down and talked till we welcomed Christmas, as a family. Opened all the gifts after. Thank you guys, totally sweet of all of you.

Merry Christmas everyone!

On the 25th, Jia Wei came over and we went to watch Reckless Musical. It was nice. Aunty Christina's part was so so funny I tell you. Wished the little ones after the musical and off for Christmas dinner at KFC. Shopped around Thompson Plaza after and bought shoes. Heh.

On the 26th, Geetha came over. As in the family rather. Pictures, food, family, gifts and lots of love. It was really nice seeing the whole family come together once again.

Pictures all up on Facebook! (:

#106 Bali :)

#2 First Day in Bali
The first day of our holiday has come to an end. Surprisingly fast! We left Singapore at 8; feeling extremely tired 'cause I only slept for an hour+ due to all the last minute stuff which includes packing!

The flight wasn't that bad but there wasn't any nice movies to catch. Also, I gave the food amiss. We touched down in Bali at 1! Headed straight to the hotel in Ubud - where I'm now - Lunch was at the hotel. Nap time came after before we headed out to the spa!

Dinner from there after, at Casa Luna, totally wonderful! Lime tart was tooooo sour though. But yes, I've finally ordered the right stuff! It's 11pm now, and it's pouring outside. The view is still as awesome! Come to think of it, I think I do like this place, all the walking as well- it gives me a sense of farmiliarity and the homely feeling.

One last thing to add! I think the Balinese are really wonderful people. Despite the language barrier, they still try so hard to make us feel at home, they're always smiling and are all so friendly! Also, they do try their best to understand our English, really sweet people, something Singaporeans should learn from! Okay I guess it's time for bed?

Goodnight!

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The second day at Bali is nearing an end. Time is really zooming past! Woke up early - here the Sun rises so early that when it reaches 7pm Bali time, it'll be like 9pm back home. Basically sets fast too!

We left the hotel at about 9, and headed to Ubud Art for a little while before heading to Batan Waru for breakie. Honestly, having survived on 'bird food' for the past 11 months, I really find it a struggle to adapt to such heavy breakfasts.

After breakfast it was just walking and more walking! We've covered the whole Monkey Forest road in that scorching Sun! You could call it window shopping since everything was just KIV. But yes, I really do enjoy all the walking. Back in SG, everytime I thought about Bali, I'm always reminded of that road and all the walking we do- something relaxing that I enjoy.

We were back in the hotel by 3, having walked ever since 11. The only scary thing about the walking, other than the heat is actually the dogs which are Huge, dirty, fierce. They bark non-stop and I always fear they have Rabis and become afraid that they'll bite me. But yes, we survived the dogs today!

Headed to the pool after. Happiness!! When was the last time I swam this year? August 9. And this is the second time I'm swimming this year. The only difference is that the whole family's swimming with me! Which was really fun! By the time they came into the pool, the pool was empty so we had the whole pool to ourselves! All the way till 530 it was swimming and more swimming despite the heat, heh.

Washed up, read for awhile before heading out for Dinner which was really really fabulous! Japanese food currently the Number One restaurent here at Ubud. The food was really great, the place was beautiful and the people were awesome, as usual.

We just returned home from Maluni. I have quite a crazy schedule for tomorrow but I'm going to spend the night with Kash to check things out and hopefully return safely back to the hotel room tomorrow morning.

No frogs, flies, mosquitoes, insects or dogs attack us please!
Till tomorrow!

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#4 'Ya?'
That's the favourite word of the Balinese, heh. Today was a good day, other then for now when I just feel like crap. So yeah, last night K and I visited the library till about close to 1 in the morning. After, we headed back to the hotel and back to the room for the night.

We woke up at about nine in the morning and I felt totally strange, the phone was ringing away but Kash who was sleeping beside it couldn't pick it up. I shouted for him to, only to see a boy covered till the head with the blankie and two pillows over his head. For a momment I thought he sufocated and died. Ha, but no that didn't happen. Heh. We left out to Casa Luna for coffee and then began our walk. This time from the market direction. Oh and the sun was a total killer today! Badly burnt I guess. We walked till about 1 and then headed to some cafe by the name of Cafe Moka for lunch which was supherbly awesome!!

Oh yeah, before I continue something strange happened at the market. This market always brings about the ugliest side of the Balinese cause they can get pretty fierce and agressive. In this market, everyone sells exactly the same thing which brings about great competition among one another and well, tourists as well. I was walking down the lane, this time a man came dancing towards me with a scarf and placed it around my sweaty shoulder. I froze. K pushed him aside and returned him his scarf and walked. Scary eh?

So we walked down Hanuman street as well, interesting stuff they got there. We walked all the way down, back to Batan Waru before heading back to the hotel.

Read and then headed to the spa! for a wonderful super nice, flower bath. From a Balinese massage to a face and body scrub ending off with the bath. I loved it do much, i had trouble leaving the place!

Dinner was at some random place which was near the hotel. And now we're back in the room. I hope I could call it a day soon. I shall not spoil this entry with unpleasent stuff.

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#5 Kurta!
Yesterday we spent the day out of Ubud, we headed to Kurta which was an hour and a half from Ubud. Kurta's the place for shopping. So that's basically what we did! Shop shop and shopppp! But comparing it with last year we didn't get as many things.

Lunch was fantabulous after a year long wait for Blue Fin! Japanese food, again. While eating, we witnessed another festival which was so grand- cremation. Here in Bali, they're so religious that they have festivals everyday. It was so so so grand, pictures would be one facebook once I get home I guess.

Because we were bored and tired, we left at 430 and arrived back in time to hit the waters! Heh. I love the floats here, they make the whole experience so very relaxing. Pizza Bagus for dinner! Which was after a year, again, heh. But still thumbs up though,

Washed up and it was to Bikini Bottom, heh.


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#6 God of Wonders! (Sunset)

I'm really in so much awe at how wonderful God has created the Earth, it's just so hard to comprehend the beauty, right?

We started off the day, bright and early with breakfast. Sad to say, I've totally given up on having Breakfasts. One of the aims here was to begin my breakfast routine. Sadly, I have totally given that aim up. Their portions are just too huge and not something I consider as breakfast. Fried rice for breakfast?! No breakie for me. Washed up and headed to the outer area of Ubud to view some gallaries before heading for lunch which was such an experience!

We went to the Balinese healing center (Daddy read a novel about her experience there so, there we went) the place was.. Scary. The 'healer' looked dazed and stoned out. I would consider her a 'pontianak'. She kept speaking to Spirits to tell us what's bad in our body. (sorry, but I don't believe a word she says) so anyway, her lunch was totally vegetables and raw good. It just tasted weird. The whole place seemed strange. As usual, the portions were Huge! She seemed to be detoxifying me? With that meal and 3 hand made leaves water. Oh my! As I sat there, I was just thinking about the poor people lacking good and gulping every mouthful without even swallowing! Trust me, when the lady stares, 'Dr Wayan', I totally freeze! Brother and I were just so confused by her ways. We left straight after. Trust me, that was so scary!

Home after for about an hour. Kash went straight to the reception demanding for meat. He was just duper annoyed by the experience at lunch. When I questioned him where he was heading, he replied 'to read peoples palms to tell them what they lack in' I literally fell after hearing that, Ha!

At 3, we left the hotel to be out of Ubud again. This time to the temple at TanaLot. Don't worry it ain't another 'healing' session or whatever else, it was to watch the Sunset!

I tell you, it was totally Breathtaking! I was just msrvelled at how beautiful the sun, sky and sea were. Waves just kept crashing onto us, we stood on rocks. The photographs here are totally lovely. I got a little wet and I was raking a picture when a huge wave arrived. Daddy was so worried I'll be swept by the current he went 'don't move! Just stay thereeee!' my, it was a little funny looking back at it no, ha! After all the photos, we set on that rock and witnessed that Sun set, it was gorgeously great! God of wonders!

Shopped at that area for a little while before heading for dinner, an hours drive back to Ubud and off to Wayan Cafe! The people still remember me and Marvell at how much I've grown in 12 years! They treat me and Kash like special guest. The food was great this time! And we were given complimentary ice-cream, heh. It was an early night after.

You'll find out why tomorrow!
See you!

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#7 God of Wonders! (Sunrise)

I was too tired to actually go and record my thoughts of yesterday, so I'm doing it now, facing the padi fields and holding The Time Traveller's Wife.

We arose at 230 in the morning and made an hours long journey to Mount Batur, a volcano. Upon reaching, it was cool. As in cold. We faced complete darkness. We began to climb the volcano. Honestly, the journey was tough. In the beginning every was rather fine, enough oxygen, straight, sandy paths, lovely. But as we got closer to the summit, it became more and more difficult. The pathway became more rocky, it was sliding rocks, small ones as well as big ones. Soon there was oxygen debt, no place to rest as well as no energy. Through perseverence, we made it to the summit. The Sun was rising just in time. It was beautiful, the mountains opposite, the clear lake and the Sun shining through everything, wow. The clouds slowly began to condense itself.

It reminded ne of life. Or rather 2009. In the beginning it was rather smooth, everything was managable. But when the O's neared, it was no longer the same, the crashing feeling, the sense of hopelessness as well as the sense of giving up. But we were so close to the finish line. This was when I remembered MdmChoo's repeated 'finish strong'. True enough, I've finished 2009 strong, as well as the volcano.

It's not about the destination and how beautiful it is, rather it's about the journey and how you endured. What a morning! We came back, read and at 5, floated in the pool as well. Dinner was Casa Luna, the food wasn't as fantastic though.

Came back, brother sister bond at Cafe and out.
Lalaland after.


Love.

#103 Wait!

Hellohello,

I'm still in the midst of my holidays. I've done notes fir it daily but strangely it doesn't get copied from my Gmail. So please be patient and wait till I'm back! Not that I want to come back to facing the reality of things though. I'm happy and satisfied here, heh. I would love to have such a big place and a private swimming pool back home. But yeah, dreams VS reality.

See you in.. 4 days? 12 days just sped, boo.

#102 Life Became Brighter...

'cause of?

YingYng; my very first friend and longest friend in secondary school. Its amazing how our friendship bloomed over the years, from the shy quiet girl to now, both being super duper close. Its simply amazing. Thank you for all the times we spent together - table partners, lessons mates, classmates, after school mate & weekend mates! Ohmy! Thank you for always being there for me, accepting me, cheering me up, being available to create more memories for ourselves to keep, doing things together, traveling and touring Singapore together, thank you for being with me and accompanying me. Thank you for taking care of me, listening to me, helping me with killer math and just always being available for me. I wouldn't have survived secondary school without you. I'm going to miss you for sure. Changes and me don't go well but I hope we'll still be there for each other. You know I love you, :) And yes, I'm always free for you as well.

Dharishini; someone who's equally important to me. More so, in the last two years. Basically, upper secondary. Thank you for withstanding all my blahs blahs and more blahs and for accepting me. Thank you for withstanding all my nonscence and my nicknames and rants. I still cannot believe how formal I was to you previously and now? We'll always be squabbling. I guess that brings the friendship even closer. All the laughter, rubbish teas, random doings, people -talking, everything that we do together made you even more special to me. Even though we both fear the results, I hope we'll never neglect this friendship wherever and whatever we're doing next year! Love you!

Jia Wei; Hello, President. :) I'll never leave KCP forgetting you because you made my stay here super duper memorable. I guess council spelled you basically because of the times we spent with each other there. All the way back to the Secondary 1 Orientation when you were a newbie in KCP. Every council event was memorable because you and Hazel were part of it, and both of you made me feel very special. Thank you for accepting me and the rubbish I sometimes give to you. Thank you for being a listening year when times were tough and when I didn't want to go on. Thank you for always bringing a smile to my face and making me laugh like crazy cause of the things you say. Thank you for always making the slightest most boring thing seem so memorable just because we both were part of it. Thank you was always being available for me despite other commitments you had but you still gave me your time. You created many many many sweet memories to keep because I know you truly cared for me. I'll remember the special moments we shared, for taking care of me and making me breakfast one prelim morning, thank you so very much. You've made my stay in KCP so pleasant because of your simple gestures that mean a lot to me. Then again, looking at the future, I don't know what its going to be like but I hope our friendship would blossom even more. Remember even though I've graduated, I'm always always always available for you. Despite other commitments or my busy schedule, for you I'll always be available. I'm always around. Lots of love.

Mdm Choo! ; the most wonderfullest (self-created) wonderful most lovely teacher who not only made a boring subject like SS so fun and interesting but also always being available for me through the ups and downs as well. Thank you so very much. Thank you for taking care of me, trying your best to help us in every way, teaching me and brightening my life so much. I'm sure you know you've molded me so much this year and also taught me so many "out-of-class" lessons like life values that would probably carry me through life. Thank you very very much. And also through the stress-est moments allowing me to play with your super adorable children. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm surely going to miss you. Love.

Hazel; my bestfrienddd. Thank you so very much for always being available to study with me throughout the whole exam season. For never failing to encourage me and being available for me when I needed help with my work. Thank you for your sweet notes that I still keep till today that motivate me to go on. Thank you for being my buddy in every related thing to council with JiaWei. Thank you for being my buddy and my friend - for always staying with me and accompanying me so that we can go home together. Thank you for making honey water for me when I was living with a sore throat 2 years ago. Thank you for being so present in my life, availing yourself in every situation I face and cheering me up, taking care of me and giving me a listening ear. I wouldn't have made it through the O level madness if not for you. Then again, despite the uncertainty of the future lurking around, I hope our friendship would be even stronger than ever before. You know I'm always here for you as well. Thank you for leaving me very beautiful memories to keep of us together. Love you plenty.

Sarah; 6 years classmates and beyond! Heh. Thank you wonderful Sarah for being my reliable friend for the past 6 years, for seeing me through the ups as well as the downs. Thank you for always encouraging me and making sure I'm fine. Thank you for always praying for each other and also for pointing each other to God whenever we feel so afraid and tired. You're one friend that I'll never forget thanks to all the times where you made me feel so very special and for taking care of me. Thank you very very much. I hope we'll still be friends despite the changes that we may face in the future. Friends Forever! I'll always be here for you as well when you need someone ya? Love.

Sharmala;
Sharmiee. I still remember last year, June 2nd that night when I was faced with so many thoughts that prevented me from sleep. You were there for me helping me through that cold night. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend, not only because you always greet me but also because you always made me smile in the toughest circumstance you were there to put that smile back onto my face. Through the O's you were there coaching me on Tamil and being a partner to read and talk with. You made life in Kuo Chuan so much brighter. Thank you for cheering me up, pulling me around and also changing my impressions of certain happenings. Thank you very very much. I hope we'll still be close friends despite whatever that happens in the future. Love.


Murphy; the awesome committee assistant. Thank you for always taking the lead because of the crazy schedule I had this year. For always brightening up my days with all the random funny thoughts you have. Thank you for always giving me a helping hand when I really need one and for also cheering me on when life gets so tough. Thank you for making my journey in council a very fruitful one, for always taking care of me and for creating many memories for me to keep about the two of us at council. You're really a gem. I really hope that we'll keep in touch with each other and I'll never forget you and how great you were, Murphy! Love. Oh yes, and you know, I'm always here for you ya?

Shalin; my twin. Every time I think of Tamil class, you're going to be part of every memory. Thank you for brightening my whole 4 years Tamil class journey. For being there for me through the darkest moments and for helping me live through the fear by creating the lifetime jokes that really brightened my Tamil days. Red jumpsuit with black tail and pitch fork? It really does make me smile. Thank you for all the times where you made me feel so special, for making me laugh like crazy and for always cheering me up and calming me down by saying the funniest things around. Thank you so very much. You made me one happy girl... who still worries but probably less. Thank you for always availing yourself to be there for me and make me smile once again. Thank you for also making my council journey a livelier one and for opening me up from the shy girl to someone who can go crazy anytime! Thank you so very very much. I really hope we'll still be twins and keep real close in the future. I love you!

Rajam; my table partner in upper secondary! Thank you for withstanding all my nonscence and being a wonderful friend. You and D made upper secondary very memorable! I hope we'll be as close in whatever that may happen in the future. For everything you've done for me, I'm really grateful. I know one day I'm going to see you as a scientist in the newspapers, heh. But really thank you very very much, I really appreciate you. Lots of love.

This post made me realise how wonderfully blessed I'm. Thank you everyone for brightening up my life and thank you Jesus for blessing me with so many people that love, care and accept me just the way I am.

Lots of Love.

#101 A Year Full Of Fun & Stress

Memories;
That down the road would stay.
One of the most mad years of life is over.
There's many people to be thankful for and so,
I've decided to create a special post for every special person.

But here's the collated video for viewing!

#100 Where's The Love?

This video gives you something to think about,
Where's the Love?
Once so lovey dovey down at the park and next?
War, destruction, confusion & pain that comes from loosing a loved one.

Create Peace, Not War.

#99 Agapeland!

That's Sunday! I'm finally finally finally back in Agapeland! It felt.. different at first. I kinda felt as if the bond I previously had with the children wasn't there. They've grown up a little and yeah basically felt as if they forgot me. Worship was just helping Aaron with his pants and at the corner. I tell you, sometimes I just want to smash my head cause it always wonder way deep into surface thoughts which isn't the best thing.

When the children slowly move back to the Shalom room, I guess that's where I realised I'm me. When I became so busy bringing the children to the toilet, watching their story-time, helping with the craft which was really funny simply because I've the youngest two to make sure is fine - Aaron and Shannon! Shannon's new to me. Aaron set with children his same age but Shannon did not! This brave girl joined the k2 boys and was the only girl. Trust me, she was really cute. Talking talking talking and playing with each other. She kept leaning on me when I didn't respond to her because I was teaching craft! "JJ Thunder! Scream scream!" and I'll reply nope, its the drums next door my dear. And the cycle repeats.

She's too active. Bored of craft? Jump over me and run away! While Aaron sits there and waits patiently. Worlds apart! Then I'll have to play hide and seek with her. But both Aaron and Shannon are really adorable - my two favourites!

When it came to cake cutting, I was feeding Aaron when Shannon just sucked the whole cake onto her face! She's really fast and messy! But yes, adorable to see the both of them enjoy eating and creating a mess of everything. Shannon is very talkative, she can really make you laugh and really cute with Cow Water and all the random conversations, really brightened me up.

I guess, it'll take time to get back to the routine previously but, I'm happy to be back, I hope.

Love.

#98 The Wedding Bell Rings

This was Saturday! I woke up at 730am, cause some humans were just so noisy, shouting at each other and jumping and throwing stuff around. So yeah, i was woken up to see Kash & his friends all here, a room away from me. Was busy watching the tv to avoid hearing and seeing the chaos upstairs. Anyway, BestFriend, YingYng, came soon after I took my bath. Watched the Chinese show still we had no choice to leave and meet Sonja. Walking in the heels were tough and honestly, I had very mixed feelings. I didn't know whether I should be happy going or not. While walking with YingYng, I was sharing with her a little about the thoughts I was feeling. It was rather mixed.

I don't know whether I should share those fears I had here but they were not ordinary fears. (not like those eg. what if i fall? or any other what ifs) But rather, about whether we're the same or... Its kind of hard to explain if you're not someone closeclose to me, so I'll leave it as that. In the end, we met Sonja. Went over to Causeway and had lunch which were fries and walked even more. By then, my legs were seriously crying for mercy. After my lemon water it was to the interchange to go to the church.

I must say the church looked really really beautiful. The worship was fantastic, the songs were lovely cause they're all my favourites. The wedding was sweet, lovely couple, lovely smiles, so simple and sweet. Everything seemed so nicely done, the bride was pretty, the message was good and ah, it was just really nice and sweet. After the wedding ended, bestfriend and I were crazy over the desserts! My peach tart and her chocolate cake! We remained at the counter having even more. I guess a total of six? :) They were really awesome! After saying hello to the bride & bridegroom and having pictures snapped, we were on our way off.

Off to? Orchard! With the killer heels! It was scrapbooking material-shopping with bestfriend time. I bumped into Autie Valerie and oh did I mention that Uncle George and Auntie Sue was at the wedding as well? Small world! Anyways, shopping in killer heels were tough. Got the materials and went off bare-footed to the bus stop and took bus all the way home. It was a wonderful journey, nice chats, nice company and just feels great when I'm with someone I love and know she loves me as well, a great sense of acceptance I guess.

I totally loved the day and the company I had throughout the day. Despite all my thoughts, Ms Foo, thank you for not forgetting me and inviting me to your special day.