Dear Mandy,

Much going through my mind, and much to settle.

I understand clearer now Shakespeare's famous line in Hamlet:

"To be or not to be, that is the question."

Well, it's always a choice what we want to be. And expectations, society and many other things always have that clear cut definition of who THEY want you to be.

If you're smart, then there's the expectations that you'll maintain that level of academic excellence. It doesn't matter if you have low EQ. You just need to maintain that.

If you're capable, then everyone expects you to always be efficient and able to make ends meet. You can never make an error judgment, because you aren't supposed to be overwhelmed. You're capable, remember? So no matter what comes, you can handle it.

Or is that so?

God's greatest gift is choice.

And I kind of believe, that God never intended us to feel that way. That we need to maintain expectations, that we need to continue to be somebody that others see us as. Not what we see ourselves as.

As humans, we're innately selfish. Even I admit I am. So let's put aside the pretences for this one moment and admit that we are all selfish people. We care for ourselves more than others. We are not selfless because we cannot afford to be self-less.

And for me as a Christian, I acknowledge that it is God that gives us the capacity to love.

Perhaps the question to ask is how close are we walking with God? I know that the recent weeks it's been a rocky journey. And as recent events show, it does reveal much to me. Wherever is the innocence and childlike naivity that we used to exude, or rather, that we are supposed to exude?

Perhaps, seemingly lost.

And then we come back to square one all over again. Ugh.

But.. when we come back to square one... is it really the same square one? Or the square one of a newer level?

I'd like to think we've learnt from our experiences and somewhat start at a different square one.

So.. I will be stronger, and I will be more guarded. Because gradually, I see clearer what I believe in.

Dear Mandy,

I am somewhat overwhelmed, yet somewhat overly blessed. =)

Overwhelmed because somehow, everything is getting to me.

Overly blessed because of my EL Cohort and my NUS Open Cell's mooncake festival celebrations that were held on thursday and saturday respectively. Thank God for them.... And overly blessed because of the fact that I not only spent quality time with Jasmine Goh and Isaac Ng over running in the morning and over a drink, I danced 3 hours straight of ballroom, and my dance partner Michelle has been such an affirming and endearing sister... I should really count my little blessings.

Thank God for Jasmine Tan, Peace, Fei Ting, Jeannette, Talia, Putri, Isaac Ng, Jasmine Goh and Surong.
Thank God for Deborah, Amanda, Liyun, Justin and John.
Thank God for Michelle Tan, Pei Zhi, Siew Ping, Yuan Ting, Wing Yee, Bridget, Poh Yee, HuLin and the dance seniors and instructors...

It's people like these that sometimes make me feel like there's more to life than just stuff. =)

Dear Mandy,

歌词：

我是真的爱你爱到不灰心
你也许难以相信
所以离开我去证明
我闭上眼睛天空变得透明
阳光温柔蒸发所有泪滴
不问回音让爱继续
我是真的爱你爱到不成比例的专一
疼惜你想飞的孩子气
我用我的孤寂换你自由的呼吸
我是真的爱你留在世界边缘呼唤你
用我不够华丽却是唯一坚持的声音
等你终於倾诉我是真的爱你
(音乐演奏)
你是可以放弃我却不能忘记
请让他溺爱倔强的你舍不得你偷偷哭泣
我是真的爱你爱到不成比例的专一
疼惜你想飞的孩子气
我用我的孤寂换你自由的呼吸
我是真的爱你留在世界边缘呼唤你
用我不够华丽却是唯一坚持的声音
等你终於倾诉我是真的爱你
(音乐演奏)
我是真的爱你留在世界边缘呼唤你
用我不够华丽却是唯一坚持的声音
等你终於倾诉我是真的爱你
我是真的爱你
(我是真的爱你)

Dear Mandy...


See the peas in the pan? That's kinda how I feel at certain times of the year.

And right now, I feel like that.

I feel like a pea rattling about in a great big pan with other peas..
Not sure where I fit in or belong to...

And somehow... I doubt you'll ever know why. =)

These days, I just kinda feel happier being alone. Or at least, with the closest friends I have talking to me and around me... I'm not being anti-social. I just need time to myself.

Time where it's just me and God.
Time where it's just me and myself.
Time where it's just me and that small group of friends who have earned the right to be within my immediate circle, who know what I'm going through, and who have seen me through my tears and my failings.

Yes. Them.
And you'll know if you're one of them, because you just would. =)
I'm not one to keep that fact to myself. =)

Sigh. Recess week is almost over. =)
What have I done? Much, actually.

What have I achieved? That.. I really don't know. =)

Just being prayerful. =)

Dear Mandy,

Ballroom dance has been fantastic. =)

Love the dances I'm doing, love the new friends I've made, love my new dance partner.

Worried about the choice I may have to make. =)

Dear Mandy..

How fast time flies...

In the blink of an eye, it's already Week 5 of the semester. Life has such a funny way of doing things.. and God has an even greater sovereignty over them all.

I doubt that it's a coincidence that all the ongoing lessons and even the QTs that I'm doing are mostly talking about one of the following:

God's faithfulness
The heart of things
Prayer

And it's perhaps a call to return to the basics. And as I struggle to keep to my new regime of morning and night QT, and the seemingly impossible to overcome things on my hand, I somehow... find that it is so easy to fall into a defeatist attitude.

But the Lord has overcome the grave, which gives us the greatest power to break free and overcome.
But He has also given us the authority of choice, in which He honours greatly.

And such, it comes back to ourselves. Difficult as it may be, what is our posture towards responsibility and commitment, and what is our heart and attitude towards that particular posture, and even in the responses, be it negative or positive? These are questions that have given me a very strong revelation of late.

What is my own posture, and what is my attitude and heart? Is it good, is it bad? I have no idea. And that brought me to yet another thread... do I really know myself? And what are my motivations for doing the things that I do? Are they personal, are they for others, or are they for God? I'm at a loss.

Which then brought me to yet another train of thought. WHY do I not know?

And then I realise that I'm once again falling into the defeatist attitude, which isn't what God wants.

So what next? I'm going to find out. And instead of saying I will, and not doing it, it's time to act out what I say, and just go do it. Despite the heavy inertia and the overwhelming workload... I know that I have more time than I think I do.

I'll keep trying. =)

Dear Mandy,

My song of the moment...

許願

女︰我喜歡回味　記憶的美
讓人懂得感謝
男︰你現在讓誰　聽你喜悅
陪你掉眼淚

男︰嘿　好久不見
合︰請　你許個願
男︰要感情不再那麼容易變
合︰讓心不被距離拉得太遙遠

男︰我寄了張卡片
合︰地址是感覺　收件人叫永遠
像是你又遞來一杯熱咖啡
生活有了你的溫柔調味

男︰我寄了張卡片
合︰畫你的笑臉　寫祝福的留言
請把我的名字默念一百遍
好夢就會趁你睡醒實現

男︰我習慣感覺　記憶的美
能讓溫柔不滅
女︰你現在讓誰　吻你的臉
疼你的一切

女︰嘿　好久不見
合︰請　你許個願
女︰要感情不再那麼容易變
合︰讓心不被距離拉得太遙遠

女︰我寄了張卡片
合︰地址是感覺　收件人叫永遠
像是你又遞來一杯熱咖啡
生活有了你的溫柔調味

女︰我寄了張卡片
合︰畫你的笑臉　寫祝福的留言
請把我的名字默念一百遍
好夢就會趁你睡醒實現

Dear Mandy,

My EL Honours Room. =)
A place where new memories are constantly being made daily...
A place where I know we'll remember in days to come.

Kaiting and Yvonne...
Two wonderfully lovely friends that I made taking EL3204: Semantics and Pragmatics... it's funny how we got so close. But a friendship I cherish a lot. =)


RP 5 at Nicole's 21st birthday party...
It constantly amazes me to see how God works.
Despite not being their direct mentor, I managed to make good friends here. =)

Lastly...
HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY TO ALL TEACHERS! =)

Dear Mandy,

NYP Primers at the NDP Appreciation night

RP 5 Motivators at NDP Appreciation Night

NDP is over, and with it come many memories... as is always the case with the culmination of an event that took such a long time, it came with memories, with friendships, and what really surprised me were tears. =)

My words to my Green Sector Motivators

This was given to me by the entire RP5.

This was given to me by a clique in RP5... Yizhen, Nicole, Darika, Jasmine, Marc, Samuel, Kai Jie.

This was given to me by NYP primers. =)

I guess even as NDP comes to a close, the memories that have been created, and the time spent, and the blood, sweat and tears.. they really mean a lot. =)

Even as I've started a new semester in NUS, I still feel like I'm rattling around, trying to balance out everything, trying to adjust. And knowing that I forgot abt the 160MCs worth for graduation kind of makes me feel rather -_-", but I believe that God has a plan that I know not of, and that will be for the better good. I believe.

But oh well.. =)
I'm just slowly trying out everything and, as my covenant comes to it's final month, I'm finding it harder and harder to keep to it. Also, I just feel tired and lethargic, and I have absolutely no idea why.. I'll keep praying. =)

Dear Mandy...
What would you do if you fell suddenly from being a rich millionaire to a servant girl with nothing left? How would you react to life? What would you do?

Adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett's "A Little Princess", Shokojo Seria (A Litte Princess: Sara), does have the same storyline, with little twists, but also, with much more to understand and to hold at hand.

"Every girl is a Princess."

Seria's constant mantra for herself. Her staunch belief in the fact that every girl is a Princess, and no matter what the circumstances, they shouldn't belittle themselves, or lose their self-belief, because they are all Princesses.

When Seria is admitted to Millenius Seminary, a prestigious boarding school for Japanese teenage girls, life is rosy and beautiful in the beginning. Under the helm of Mimura Chieko, the headmistress, the Seminar focuses on etiquette, upbringing and an all-rounded wholistic education. However, the sudden death of Seria's father results in Seria losing her status as a student, and is instantly demoted to be a servant of the school, as there is no longer any capital for Seria to sustain her school fees and boarding fees.

Seria's classmates all love Seria for her optimistic and happy-go-lucky personality, though Takeda Maria, the top student feels threatened and jealous. Seria does make a few good friends though, in the form of the other servant, Kaito, who loves to study, and loves to read Shakespeare, and Masami, a rather dim-witted woman, but loyal to Seria to the core. Also, the two mice in the attic bedroom, Nemi and Zumi, who keep Seria company.

The trials and tribulations throughout the 10 episode drama brings you through an emotional roller coaster, and I really agree with what Seria goes through, and in some sense, can understand how she feels. The hard work, the shame, the loneliness, and the slamming of words and actions from the headmaster, Maria, and the chefs... they are all so hard to bear at times. Seria, being human of course, isn't always as cheerful and bright, but she attempts to be. In the process, she sheds the subconscious mentality of being a rich lady, and gradually learns to understand, sympathise and be sensitive to the thoughts, views and perceptions of others, while remaining true to her own staunch beliefs and views.



She even develops a small romance with Kaito, and meets the unorthodox yet pedagogically inclined teacher, Aran, who teaches English, French and Japanese. Such little things are what encourages Seria to continue walking down that path, to go through life, and to make the best of what she can.

Seria taught me a lot.
I realised through watching Seria, that the perspective that I adopt towards things, and the hardworking, never-say-die, sensitive nature of myself has been somewhat lost. And it is quite sad, when I realise the reasons that made me lose those aspects. I'm not contented with that, and I guess I want to be better. Enough of complaining, enough of lamenting... other than those that have truly truly earned the right to be my closest friends. =)

In the process of toiling, Seria eventually leaves the Seminary, but ends up being found by a childhood friend who Seria's father helped to regain his composure, and Seria finds herself reinstated to the prestige that she once had. She buys over Millenium Seminary, to help it get out of their financial constraint, and through her sweet nature, wins over even Headmaster Chieko, who hates Seria due to the shadows of Seria' mother (Chieko and Seria's mother were schoolmates), helps to release Kaito so that he can go to study, and enters back into school at Millenius Seminary. I won't spoil the ending for you though. =)

It's funny to see the things that you can learn from a Japanese drama. Be it the tender compassion, love and optimism that Seria exudes, to the gentle care and encouragement Kaito shows to Seria, or even to the eventual overcoming personal hatred to form a compassionate relationship.. there's much to learn. I do like Seria and Kaito, but I find Seria's classmate, Kaoru, the most interesting.


Kaoru's the girl holding the glass in the picture above. She's a recluse herself... always refusing to be involved in the ongoings of the class, but observes a lot, and understands people through her quiet way of observing. Contented to not be the first, as she dislikes the attention given, Kaoru is the one who truly understands the situations, and each person's feelings, and in some sense, I feel like Kaoru. The only difference? I'm sociable, she's not that friendly. But she accommodates, and she doesn't treat people with disdain. Just that she's straightforward, and she's blunt... which I like. =)

Well, it's another Jap drama, and much to learn! I think that we can see Godly values that we can pick up in this drama... and it's much to really be. =)

Dear Mandy...

Just some pictures of my week. =)

Some pictures from NDP... =) My lovely NYP motivators. Just so enthusiastic. =)

Dinner with BKC. =)

Fun, energy and joy at NDP.
Love, happiness and bliss with BKC. =)

Dear Mandy,

Having been dignosed with HFMD, I've spent the last few days at home, and am on Medical Leave until this coming Wednesday. It's given me a lot of pain, and it's been rather torturous, but it also allowed me to finish watching a Korean Drama, IRIS and also, a Nicholas Sparks' book-became-movie entitled "Dear John".

IRIS is an action drama that revolves around Kim Hyun Jun (played by Lee Byung Hyun), and his career as a Special Operations Military Personnel, and due to his outstanding performance, was selected to enter a top-secret National Organisation known simply as National Security Service (NSS). In the process, he meets Choi Seung Hee (played by Kim Tae Hee), and the two begin a blossoming romance.

A mission in Hungary starts the beginning of a period of difficulties, trials, and betrayal, leaving Hyun Jun and Seung Hee separated, and thinking that the other is dead. Hyun Jun is betrayed by Sang Woo, his long time buddy who entered NSS with him, and yet, is saved by this unknown person who Hyun Jun only knows as "Voice". As Hyun Jun regains his confidence and health, he starts to plot and launch an attack back on the people who betrayed him, and who allegedly determined his destiny for him. In the process, he wins over Kim Seon Hwa and Park Cheol Yong, agents from North Korea, and they uncover the existence of a society known simply as IRIS. In a change of events, Hyun Jun has to fight for something much greater than his own revenge, but uncovers along the way many secrets about his past, and even, rekindling his romance with Seung Hee.

I guess this drama is really nice and touching. I love the romance between Seung Hee and Hyun Jun, and also the build up of the story. But what disappoints me is the ending, which is all too sudden for me.. I shan't spoil it for people, but it is a relatively good drama that I'd recommend us to watch if we have the chance. =)

"Dear John" was a bit of an expectant film for me, given that I've read the book before, and I was quite immersed in the bittersweet and somewhat, nostalgic story of John Tyree and Savannah Curtis.

Basically, John Tyree is a Sergeant in the Special Forces of the United States Marines, I think, and while he's on vacation back home, he meets Savannah Curtis, a university student who's studying special education, by jumping off a jetty to save her purse. Sparks fly, and the next two weeks unravels into a romance that is honest, sincere and true. However, John returns for his tour of duty, and thus begins the most romantic thing ever: long letters to each other.


It's amazing how many letters they kept up... but when John nears the end of his year of duty, and heads home for a short weekend, Savannah is ecstatic, only to find that what what was supposedly only a few months, had to be a few years. John re-upped his tour of duty, and was duly sent to Afghanistan for the next 2 years of duty. In doing so, John left behind his autistic father, who has a passion for coin collecting ever since John stumbled upon a Jefferson Mule, and Savannah.

Time flew. But sometime in the span of his duty, Savannah stops writing. 2 months later, John receives a letter from her, only to realise that she had found someone else, and was getting engaged. Heartbroken and devastated, John burns the letters that he had received from her, and in an ensuing patrol, was shot. Upon his recovery, John signed an extended tour of duty, making it his career, and thus, began his solitary journey as a military sergeant. He was sent back to America for a period of time though, when he found out that his father suffered a stroke. He manages to reveal his true emotions to his father in a letter, and shortly after, his father passed away.

John goes to meet Savannah, and realises who her husband is. Upon discovering the lymphoma that her husband had, John meet up with an old friend, and stays for dinner with Savannah. In a heated exchange, John realises the pain Savannah went through, and how much she still really loves him, but being the man that John was, John left shortly after a moment of sharing about the places he had been.

While back in Afghanistan, he receives a letter suddenly, and realises that Savannah wrote to him. The letter, sweet and short, leads to a very different ending from the story.. and one that I think I like more. =)

There are a few things that I like about this movie.. the first is how letters are the main form of communication of love, of emotions, of happenings, of change... seeing how this movie brings back the romantic and authentic meaning of hand written letters makes me smile.
I like the mutual exchange of farewells! It's always "I'll see you soon then." Which to both of them is an indication that it's a matter of time before they'll see each other again. Which is why when John leaves Savannah's house after his dad died, and Savannah said "I'll see you soon then.", she almost pleaded with John to reply the same words to her. John, knowing the indication of these words, simply said "Goodnight." It's amazing isn't it? The pragmatics of it all. What was once commonplace, when broken, can mean so much.
Lastly.. I like the simple nature, and the raw emotions between them. I guess I can relate to them, because after all, my only serious relationship ended while I was serving my time in the army. This movie does change my impression of Amanda Seyfried though. =)

So thus ends my movie and drama post. =P

Dear Mandy


Well, 6 of the 07 Batch of EL majors have graduated officially as of 12 July 2010. And it is with bittersweet feelings that we bid farewell to them. There were more who graduated, but we didn't manage to see them, and also, there were our seniors who graduated as well.

I'm really going to miss them.
Xuan Yu and William: Two wonderful EL Genuises.
Alex: A happy-go-lucky woman with a bright smile.
Rashes: Part of BKC, someone who is very open and friendly, and always ready for a laugh.
Isaac: Crazy gym partner of mine, but superbly efficient and dependable.
Jasmine: A very gentle, kind and sweet woman, who has become one of my closest confidantes.

We didn't really feel the sadness until all of them left us collectively to go into the auditorium for their graduation, and that was when Peace and I looked at each other, and said "It feels so sad!".

3/5 of BKC have graduated. Wow.

It wasn't until then that I realised how much I would miss them, and that I really didn't cherish the times that we had with each other in our university days together. Times where we could have shared more... times where we could have spent time together.. each of us caught in our own little world of commitments, responsibilities and classes.

But despite it all, each of us remaining close, each of us keeping each other in our thoughts... and more importantly, each of us promising to keep in touch. Whatever happens 5 years down the road, I know not of, but one thing is for sure... this batch of EL Majors is something different. We're bonded, we're close.. and I believe that we'll still meet up occasionally once in a while. I'm looking forward to that. =)

So to the graduates, CONGRATULATIONS! KEEP IN TOUCH AND TAKE CARE!!!
We will miss you guys.

Dear Mandy...


Well, the elementary Jive and Tango class has officially come to an end, and honestly, I've really liked jive. Samba and jive have been so much fun! And in this class, we've all bonded as a family. From dancing with Cheryl, to finding a sister from FCBC in Eileen, to knowing Stacey, Yuan Ting, Katie, Alice, Agnes, Beatrice, Nick, Andrew, Ethan, Shawn, Don, Chyaw Chyaw and many others...

Today we had this mini competition.. and Allan was so much more humorous and friendly today. From hi-fiving us, to joking with us.. it was rather amicable.. He split the class into 3 groups of 3 couples with an additional guy, and each group had to dance 5 dances. 3 jive and 2 tango.. and then he appointed me the leader of the white group. Now.. in the other groups, they each had a couple that were competing in a ballroom competition this coming weekend, and to top it all off, they each have at least one senior dancer. Well... never mind right, so with a quick prayer to God, and having to rise up as the leader of the group, I danced two jives, Stacey, being the one with the most experience (at only 16!), dance two tangos, and Beatrice, who's one of the better dancers, danced 2 jives as well.

So the order went this way:
1st Jive: Cheryl and I
1st Tango: Stacey and Nick
2nd Jive: Beatrice and Gerald
2nd Tango: Stacey and I-don't-know-what's-his-name
3rd Jive: Beatrice and I

Ok, so... the scores for the dances were rather uneven at times? But we were close I guess. We totally lost out in the 2nd jive, as the other two teams sent out their competitive jive teams, but we were competent enough! So at the end of it all, in the last jive, blue group sent out a strong team of a competitive male dancer in Hu Lin, and the SnB ballroom welfare IC in Michelle, whereas orange team sent out Jing (who's quite good), with Chyaw Chyaw, who's the ballroom vice-president... so imagine how shocked Beatrice and I were when we were tied with the same score for the blue team for first place in that round!

Though our group were 3rd in this mini-competition, we lost out to the 2nd group, orange by 0.5 points. Not bad considering we were made up of a group of amateurs who have never taken competitive dance before... we did really well, and I'm really proud of my team. Thank God for having pulled us through! =) There was much to be optimistic about.

Looking forward to the next course. =)

Dear Mandy...




I guess that this much is true? When you live your life thinking that everything is a miracle, then your whole perspective towards life changes.

I think that living in such a fast paced society, we tend to want more, better, and to always move on, achieving the next level. That sometimes... we forget to stop, marvel, and smell the flowers that we pass by on the road.

A wise man once said "Take time to stop and smell the flowers- we only pass through this life once."

Thinking back, I think I got caught too much in wanting to achieve a certain standard, that I forgot to marvel at what God has already done. Perhaps too often, we don't celebrate.. too often, we don't rejoice, even in the littlest things. I wonder since when achievements mattered more than the simple things in life that come for free. Things like love. Like joy. Like peace. Like hope.

Being honest.. over time, when you share about your experiences and achievements, you don't share about the material things, but you share about your emotions, your hardships... in short, what you FELT when you went through the ordeal.

It isn't the achievement that makes a memory.. it is the process that makes the memory. =)

SO... rejoice in the littlest things, for it is the smallest things that eventually make a big structure. =)

Dear Mandy...

So many thoughts that are running through my mind at the moment... haha.. I think every year, there're at least 5 times where I feel like this very old, cliched sentence that I use: "I feel like a pea rattling about in a great big pan with several other peas; not knowing where I fit in or belong."

Is it true? I think that it is in certain seasons of life. Be it in the eventful throes of situations, or the quiet tranquil moments of reflection, or even in the midst of company, we can feel that, and it often leads me to wonder where are we headed, what should we do, and above all... what is my purpose?

Sure enough, with God, those questions get answered... but I find myself thinking beyond myself, to the people around.. ok, specifically the people that I mentor and care for, and wonder in such situations, what can I do for them that would help them feel better. It varies from person to person, I realise... much akin to Dr. Gary Chapman's "5 Love Languages", which in all honesty is actually quite apt.

But... what else is there? I think that modern society tends to see things on the peripheral, and very few think of the intricate cognitive works. A word to people is just a word at times. And more often than not, each person takes a word for what they prime it to be. Does anyone stop to think of how a word, when used in a different context, sheds the priming that it does? Does anyone consider the possibility of semantic prosody? Or do people stubbornly hold on to their own views, and then insistently stick to it, not realising the changes and adaptability of how a word can have so many different functions, connotations and implications when the surrounding supporting words change.

Is not the world as such too? That we adapt and change according to our surroundings. You wouldn't wear a winter jacket in summer to school, would you? And more importantly.. in the face of the ever changing trends of our society, what are our views and takes on it? And... above all else... what have we got on our hands, that enables us to make a difference? Or are we simply, as for the majority of us, just simply blind followers, who for the sake of brevity, self-comfort, ease or whatever it is, we stay in our comfort zones and don't move out.

While some accommodate, some assimilate, there are some who coerce others to conform to their thought of thinking and working. It's good, because there is a diversity of people to which all these somehow mingle and work together, and form a good working team. But then there lies the cracks that people tend to overlook, and human nature forms that potential unbinding component that breaks the priming that has been done from the very start. Well, not always, but sufficient times to draw a conclusion that human nature is a strong catalyst.

So what now? That's the big question. We've seen so much, and what can we do? Hahaha.. truth is I don't know. I do feel that we can do all we want, but change and learning begins with a simple choice that each individual makes. I don't know. I'm still trying to sort that out, and hopefully come to some sort of conclusion how best to balance out this unique diversity that is actually a healthy problem. =)

So at the end of the day, we still come back to God, whether it's our direct approach, or after one big round, only God knows. And am I glad I have this wonderful Saviour to guide my path! =)

Dear Mandy,

It's the start of a new week at work, and work here has been interesting, to say the least.
It's a new environment for me, but the learning curve is steep, and I'm still adjusting, being honest, to this new, but conducive and family-like place.

Things are on the uprise, but I guess that there's still much to do, think, and act on. At least the first step is done. Now, it's time to continue to look forwards, and to walk in that direction that God wants us to do.

I guess I don't know much, but I'll walk by faith, and trust that everything will work out in His time. =)

Dear Mandy...

I just bought Carole King and James Taylor's "Live at the Troubadour" cd, and hearing it really brings me back to Canada, where Jim and Nicola introduced me to Carole King's "Tapestry" cd, which, of all the music that I listened while over at Jim's place, Carole King is the one that I still listen to dearly, the other one being Ian Tyson.

And it really brings back memories, but even as I did listen to it, and I travel further back? I realise so much... how many memories have I missed out on? How many memories I didn't have to make? How many.. How many... the list is endless actually...

Oh well... perhaps it's just me? Or it could be how the world thinks? But I am suddenly very tempted to go against what is the norm of who I am, or how I'm supposed to be like, and just for once, do what I feel is right. What my priorities should be.

Perhaps being deviant never just meant going against the norm; it could also mean standing up for yourself and what you believe in.

Dear Mandy..

I just watched a completely hilarious Korean movie called "My girlfriend is an agent", and it was so funny! I laughed and laughed at the funny antics of the guy, Jae-Joon, and his girlfriend, Su-Ji.

So Su-Ji is an undercover espionage agent working for the government, and she ends up dating Jae-Joon, her college sweetheart. As her job requires, she has a fake background, and as Jae-Joon discovered her lies, broke up with her. 3 years later, at a chance encounter, they meet. And well, as can be expected, sparks and blows fly.

What is surprising is, Jae-Joon also has become an espionage agent working for the government, but in a separate agency. And he's new, he's bumbling, and he makes a heck of a mess of the tasks given to him. Apparently both parties are chasing the same deal, but different people. Where Su-Ji's team focuses on South Korean cases, Jae-Joon's team focuses on overseas cases. Coincidentally, both teams end up converging on the same case, as Jae-Joon's suspect is doing a trade deal with Su-Ji's suspect for a biological weapon.

Su-Ji meets up with Jae-Joon, and the end result is that they fight, but both realises that they haven't really forgotten each other, and the story takes a topsy-turvy tale, much akin to that of a sine curve, as their jobs causes them both to encounter each other in, shall I say, unexpected and disastrous circumstances. It was heart wrenching at times, and hilarious in others, to say the least. However, the end is a happy ending, cause I'm not spoiling it for you... a hilariously, sweet happy ending...

Well.. I somehow feel that the story line is nice, and the humour apt. And... the romance is a tad cliche? But all in all, it is a good heart-warming movie.
.
Honestly... just really like this movie and it's a must watch! =)

Dear Mandy..

Just some really nice and cute clip. =)



"Ooh La-La" by SNSD. =)



"Merry-Go-Round" by SNSD. =)



"Complete" by SNSD. =)



"Forever" by SNSD. =)

I think that these songs are simple, cute even, and I am really reminded of the simplicity of how love should be... Be it a dream, not knowing why one smiles... or how one is like a merry-go-round, where really, how long should one go before one can really be with somebody... or even, as a fairy tale, or to want to continue dreaming with somebody... Is it really as such? Should it? I don't know..

But all I know is this... that if love is truly true and simple.. then it requires effort to keep on going, but it is worth it, and it will be easy and simple.. because... you do it just because you love someone. =)

1 Corinthians 13 after all, kinda sums it up. =)