Dear Mandy..

Some really nice clips. =)



SNSD singing "Way to Go" =)



Tae Yeon singing "If", with Eng Subtitles. =)

Dear Mandy,

It's the end of April, and truth be told, I really think that it has been a very long semester. Couple it that the last day of April has an exam, and the first week of May culminates in a paper on Monday and a paper of Friday, and the packed schedule that I have ahead of me, I sometimes wonder what I've gotten myself into.

I know that it's difficult, and hey... anyone who sees the schedule and the hurdles that I've crossed in the last semester would probably say that it is challenging (not promoting myself here..), but I am very thankful. Because for some reason, there are always people who have been there to encourage me, pray for me, and bring me back on track. There even have been areas and avenues of short-term escapism, what with my beloved NUS FASS EL majors of 2007 gatherings, and our prayer points, to short but meaningful conversations with Chipmunk, and the more amusing ones with KT and Vonne.. it has been good. Thank God for these little avenues.

But the more I think of it, the more I realise also that there is much to be done. I honestly don't know if I have what it takes to make that difference, so I know that if anything, it's really up to God. I don't want to labour in vain, so I have to build my foundation on the rock that is the Lord. So... I don't know where to go from here.. and I don't know what else I can do. I'll just take it a step at a time.

Haha.. really some covenant this is. =) I'm beginning to realise that.

Dear Mandy,

It's week 13... and I actually have had mixed experiences and feelings about this semester.

My workload increased (well, which is typical as you take higher level modules), and my responsibilities increased. Truly truly as what God told me while I was in Canada, He really did prepare me for what is to come. Just to share, while I was in Canada, in one of my very common moments of sitting by the river side, or in running, or even in solitude prayer, God told me "My child, enjoy this period of being in Canada, and rest as much as you can, because your holiday will be over when you return."

True to God's word, my responsibilities have increased, and I finally am able to see the struggles of balancing, and thank God for my SEP, because being there enabled me to be more independent, and also, to grow more in terms of dealing with situations that present themselves. I stand in awe at how God's grace has been more than sufficient, and even at His divine plan and provision.

Despite all that, though, I also realise that there is much thanksgiving to be given, because God's glory is truly great. But with the obstacles that loom ahead, I too see the struggles of keeping to an unwavering faith... truly, the higher the level, the greater the devil... and I'm often found wanting.

I sometimes wonder what's the purpose of it all... =)
Well... I guess we all do.
But I believe God has a purpose.. so until the time is right, I shall be prayerful. =)

Dear Mandy,

Listening to Tae Yeon sing these two ballads.. they really make me feel rather bittersweet, and I can imagine how it would feel... =)

"If"



"Can you hear me?"


For the second clip here, Seohyun is on the piano with Tae Yeon...

Though sad, but I love them, because they do put me in a reflective mood... and I really love Korean ballads. There's just something about them. =)

Dear Mandy,

I absolutely love Joi Chua, and her songs, coupled with her wonderful voice, just give this whole calming and soothing effect. It's almost like in Canada.. having a nice cup of tea while watching the sunset, or observing the quiet tranquility of life around...

I was listening to her greatest hits album, and this song, 戀之憩, really stood out for me. Translated, it means the opening of love. The lyrics in Mandarin are as follows:

戀之憩

作詞：梁文福　作曲：梁文福　編曲：Terence Teo

什麼樣的溫柔　才能輕撫你的傷口
什麼樣的思念　才能遷走你的憂愁
什麼樣的擁抱　才是你寂寞的盡頭
什麼樣的守候　才能被你接受

你的眼是芬芳的醇酒　凝著許多記憶的深憂
我是未曾醉過的溫柔　淺淺一嘗就不能罷休
你的眉是幽幽的港口　蹙著許多靜靜的綢繆
我是一個情感的水手　短短一駐就不願再走

別再說你能不能夠　只是問你接不接受
啊無言的你可知否　並非回憶才天長地久


If you'd like a English translation, go to www.translate.google.com for an ungrammatical and somewhat incomplete translation, but it's a very very sweet song. That I really admit. =)
If you wanna listen to it, either youtube it, or ask me to send the song to u. =)

Joi Chua really is one of my favourite Mandopop artistes. =)

Dear Mandy,

I guess that even as the new semester is more than halfway through, we return to that ever daunting "essay and project season"... haha..

It's definitely not easy, and amidst the busy chaos of research, writing, I somehow realise that I'm also becoming increasingly more distant, and even, to a large extent, selectively sharing about myself even more than normal. It's actually rather funny, but I quite like that. Keeping things to myself never used to be a strong suite of mine, but of late, I think that I am doing that very often.

It's interesting to a large extent, but at the same time, I think that I just need time... =S

Dear Mandy,

This is a really really sweet song.. and a very wistful one as well....



The lyrics are as follows:

So Close- Jon MaLaughlin (Enchanted OST)

You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive

A life goes by
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I wanted to hold you
So close

So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close

How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
So close
And still so far

Dear Mandy..

There are times when I know that we all feel alone in this world.

We really want to find someone who cares, and someone who's willing to accept us for who we are, and who thinks from our perspective.

It's really ironic sometimes, when you find that the people who you really care about, sometimes take you for granted? And it's also even more ironic, when you realise that you're particular about small, little things that let you know that you matter. Because it's the little things that count.

But then... am I being too sensitive, I find myself asking that question..

But then.. for some reason, I realise that it's really the more you care for someone, the more you open yourself up to them. You trust them, and you somehow believe in certain things about them... that they'll be there for you. That they'll be sensitive to you. That they'll be able to tell when things are wrong. But it's funny how when you've been hurt before, and you really need their considerate natures the most.. that they sometimes fail to rise to the occasion. And then you hide back into a shell that you know you should have stayed behind all along.

But then again, think about it. Am I like that for others? Am I as sensitive as I am to them? Because I doubt that I have been, so do I have the right to deserve such things?

Point being... in the end, we're all selfish people. It is only by the grace of God that we are able to do certain things.. so I really wonder...

What is the purpose of all these things to begin with anyway? What is the purpose of life? Sure... people say as long as you walk right with God, you wouldn't have all these thoughts.

Easier said than done... and before we make such blatant comments... perhaps we should evaluate ourselves, and ask ourselves if we're really doing that very thing right?

Because I think that there's always something to learn, and in this case, the apparent paradoxical nature of it all.. I wonder... what will the end result be? I don't know, and being honest, I'm worried about what the outcome might be from all these...

I'll just be prayerful.

Dear Mandy..

Sometimes it's kind of strange to realise how life can really turn you 360degrees around and land you back at the same spot.

And above all else, I sometimes feel that there's more to it than just that. There's so much to do, so much to learn.

And I'm extremely thankful for the wonderful friends that I've met along the way...
Audrey, my dearest best friend.. thanks for being there all the time.
KT and Vonne, my guardian angels.. =)
And the tribe, my beloved 20th, and among others more.

What can I say? I'm just a jumble of thoughts. =)

Dear Mandy,

Happy Chinese New Year and Happy Valentine's Day.. =)

It's a day that encompasses meeting up with relatives that are long not met, as well as a day where lovers celebrate a day of love. For me... it seems that this year, it's a tad slower and wistful than normal.. for a few reasons I guess?

Sis is getting married, so this is technically the last CNY I have to spend with my beloved sister who's seen me grow all this while. Though we've had our rough patches, and due to the work that we both have, haven't had all that much time together, I know I'm going to miss her. Sis is and will always be an integral part of my life, and as time slowly but surely passes, I know that this intensity will just get more and more strong. I'm happy for sis that she's moving on to the next phase of life, but similarly, a tad wistful that it's going to also mean farewell. =)

Perhaps I'm just not suited to think of it as Valentine's Day, but more of just hanging on to know that it's going to be just another day that's special. But I wish all couples out there a happy Valentine's Day, and I pray that you'll be richly blessed. =)

These days, I think that the workload's going to start getting more and more, and this break isn't going to be too much of a break as I want to get work done, start on my projects and essays, and to get ahead on my readings.. but I know that with the Mid Terms that are coming, I'm going to have to make time for those as well, but I want to do well. There're so many responsibilities to balance out, so many people that I want to make time for because they mean so much to me, and above all, the need to find some... "me time". I've really appreciated the ability to have that kind of time in Canada... time to just space out, to do the things that I want to do, have time to just... read the things I want to read, and all these while still being ahead of my own game.

I never knew that it'd be such a huge difference in adjustment upon coming back, but I guess that it's really true when you say that the grass always is greener on the other side. I just need to get back into that rhythm, and stop finding excuses for the things that I haven't done. I need to be more optimistic, and I need to remember that it's so much easier to give into sadness, because that's surrender... There's a battle to fight, but I want to know that God will be with me so I will be strong and I will make it through.

That being said.. there are so many questions that are going through my head as well.. and I know that there's no need for me to get the answers now, but I really wish I knew. Oh well. =)

Dear Mandy,

I tried this thinking quiz.. this is my result. Rather apt for my major, don't you think? =P

Some people have a strong preference for one style of thinking, and find some skills come more naturally than others. Other people tend to adopt different thinking styles in different situations.

This test gives you an idea of what your current thinking style or styles are. But remember - the brain is a very adaptive organ. You should be able to improve your performance in any one of these categories with practice. The Renaissance ideal

The leading thinkers of the Renaissance were not just experts in their own field. The renaissance scholar was expected to master all branches of knowledge.

With his insatiable desire to know everything, Leonardo da Vinci is often held up as the ideal Renaissance man.



You are a Linguistic Thinker
Linguistic thinker

Linguistic thinkers:

* Tend to think in words, and like to use language to express complex ideas.
* Are sensitive to the sounds and rhythms of words as well as their meanings.

Like linguistic thinkers, Leonardo made meticulous descriptions in his journals. He also made an effort to learn Latin - a foreign language

Other Linguistic Thinkers include
William Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath, Anne Frank

Careers which suit Linguistic thinkers include
Journalist, Librarian, Salesperson, Proof-reader, Translator, Poet, Lyricist

Dear Mandy,

Somehow, I think back on what I've heard over the last years, and today, one comment came to mind...

"You cannot trust everything you read. You have to discern, check the author's credentials."

And somehow, I wonder.. whatever happened to trust? When did it become so difficult to trust, and to believe? How has our world evolved to become one that seemingly is so different, that seemingly... is cold, hostile.. that a kind act out of sincerity can even seem to be interpreted as devious, scheming...? It's a sad thought!

I realise that no matter how the author writes, it's possible to find positives and learning lessons to take away. So in that respect, every author is good, because there's always something we can learn. We choose how we want to see the world.. positive or negative? Which comes back to the point of even in times of adversity, can we still find it in us to give praise and thank the Lord? It's all a choice, an attitude of the heart, and that is what the Lord sees. He does not give us more than what we can bear... but He challenges us enough so that we know that without Him, we can truly do nothing.

It's a bit of an unearthly paradox, but one that I feel, and strongly believe, is one that moulds us to become who we are today. It's an interesting outlook, but one I want to try to adopt.

I'll be optimistic as best I can... but I also know, that my God is the reason why I can smile. =)

Dear Mandy,

As the second week of this semester starts, I somehow wonder about a lot of things.

I've never been this overwhelmed at the start of a school semester, but I have been.
I've never been behind on my readings at the start of a school semester, but I have.
I've never has a presentation on the 2nd week of school but I had.
I've never had a semester where I don't have classes with Isaac and Jasmine, but I do.

The list could go on and on, but I've decided that I want to count the blessings that I've been given, instead of the losses or disappointments I've encountered.

I made lots of new friends in my modules: people like Steffi, Ying Le, Andrea, Sabrina, Shirin, Amelia and Bang Rui.
I realised that it's alright to have an eye candy (ok, this is just in for comic purposes).
I realise that responsibility is actually a privilege, as it exemplifies the trust that people have in your capabilities.
I got a very apt "back to school" package from emo-buddy! =D
I'm starting the year with really good friendships. I'm still awfully thankful that I've got Aud, KT, Vonne, Vette, Prisc and KristyK around. =)

And when you stop to think about the blessings that you've been given, you're actually starting to focus more on the happy things. I think these days, I could use all the happy vibes I can get. =) Life's just too short to be dreary all day long.

So I know that there'll be times I'll start thinking too much, slip back into that feeling sorry for myself mood, but I know at the very least, I'm blessed, and I'm loved. =)

Dear Mandy,

Well, to those who don't know, I'M BACK IN SINGAPORE. Nice sunny Singapore, with the familiar faces, the nostalgic food, and the new challenges that lie ahead.

I've got quite a fair bit of stuff on my platter, but I'm kind of relishing the challenge that I'd have to balance out everything with my studies this semester. I'm going to believe God gave me these responsibilities for a reason, and I know that He'll see me through.

I do miss Canada though.. there's no two ways about it. I miss being close to nature, the quiet tranquility of my surroundings, the fun and good lecturers, and the friends I've made while I was there. It has been quite an experience, I've learned a lot. And now it's time to get back to reality, and to use what I've learnt to teach, learn, improve... and to make a difference to the community in Singapore.

THere're issues that I know I have to address soon with God, but for now, I've been suppressing and pushing them away. Well... I guess that when it resurfaces, God probably wants me to deal with it... Just wondering why. =)

Dear Mandy,

I've finished my exams here in UVic, but instead of the normal euphoria that I would feel in NUS after finishing my exams, I feel relief, and a twinge of sadness, because this is it. It's the end of my school life here, and as I'm in the library typing this, looking out the library's window to the quiet, peaceful, serene campus of UVic, I gotta say that I'm actually a tad wistful.

It's been great here. I don't have to say more. I love the people, the community, and even my lessons.. if anything, that's just been an awesome experience that I really can't wish for anything more. Sure I've had my ups and downs in this place, and it's also been a journey of growth and learning. But above all else, as I look back... I see how God has blessed my SEP, and how I am certain, and confident that I'm more prepared, rested and ready for what may come when I head back to SG.

Of course, I'm not saying I'll ever be fully prepared, and God has kind of prompted me that it's going to be quite a bit of things to do when I head back... be it church, school, personal life.. let's just say that this might be the last long break that I'm going to have from responsibilities for quite some time. On this journey, I discovered more of who I am, and what I want. Also, discovered that there's a whole new culture and life out there that no one can really know and have enough of. I know for certain I'm going to miss the community here... heck, I'm already missing them already, seeing how they've all flown off to their separate parts of Canada, and soon, so will I.

Heading back to SG... mixed feelings, definitely. But it is what I have been called to go, it is where I have to be. At least until the Lord tells me otherwise, this is where I'm to be. Though I'd love to stay here in Victoria and do stuff for the homeless here where I've really seen a real need... but it's either not my calling, or not my time. So back to SG it is. =)

My last days here in Canada. =) Je'taime Canada! =)

Dear Mandy,

The time here has come down to the last 16 days, and how do I feel? Mixed.

There's really so much to let go of, but the truth being that it's not just about Canada, UVic, or the people and community that I've met and lived with... but it's also stuff back in Singapore that I've gotta let go of. I have this feeling that I'm not the same person that I was when I left Singapore., and that I've grown up more, and even a tad more mellowed than normal. And I think that that's good. =)

It's definitely a lot of things that I'm thinking of, a lot of things that I know that I have to reflect on, think clearly about, and a lot of things that I'll have to do upon my return. I don't know how my adjustment back to SG would be, but hey... I'll walk trusting the Lord for that. =)

But it's definitely easier said than done! Meredith Grey said in an episode in Season 5 : "Every minute in life is borrowed time... so we push each loss as far away as we possibly can." How so true... how so true.

Dear Mandy,

There often comes a time when God drops His little nuggets of reminder, or inspiration, or revelation, and you can only just stand in awe of Him.

I went to the Mustard Seed today. It was the IVCF's last week of serving and cooking for the homeless, and it was fun. Initially, there were only a few people: Gareth, Cai, Greg and Adam when I came over. Then subsequently, more people came. Elizabeth and Marie, Brittany, Janice and Amanda, Allie(Ally? Ellie?) Luke and a couple of guys who I don't really know came over as well. And it was fun. What with lettuce fighting with Elizabeth, spraying water from the lettuce over Marie, and basically just having all rounded fun and laughter.

When the homeless people came, and we served them, we were efficient. That I've gotta admit. The mad rush was.. well... mad. And if anything, the desserts were selling like hotcakes! And I had fun serving, and chatting with the people. Cutting up the cakes into small slices was the hardest task of the day.. Allie, Amanda, Janice and I were just exerting brute strength to cut the cakes, and it was by no means an easy task, cause the cakes had been placed in the freezer.

But that night, God revealed more to me, not just in fellowship and serving. But in simple truths.

I met Jeffrey that night, and how we met was absolutely funny. He asked if he could have another serving of chilli and rice, and well, I just gave it to him, and we started talking. He was working as a construction worker, and his hands were extremely callused and hardened. But he was happy. And he told me that he used to be a bad person. Moving from one rehabilitation institution to another, just a man angry at the world, and just on drugs and smoking. And he still is, but he's better now. And now, he told me "people are beautiful." He'd sleep on the streets if it meant that his friends could pay their rent. He'd be willing to go hungry if he can help his friends out with their debt. And he was happy- contented. And life is going well for him, because he was in the midst of discussing an investment with the bank. But... he was still smoking pot, and he drank beer? But he had cut down his intake by almost half, and the friends that he helps out, are all rallying him, helping him cut the habit. And I think he even has a girlfriend.

BUt what he told me was so impactful. He said.. "All you really need is a little bit of faith, you know? That with hope and love, and everything is just beautiful. I never thought I'd be able to get a job, but here I am, working hard, and earning my money. It's meaningful, you know?" And I was struck by the simplicity of his statements. Here was a man, with literally no home, working hard manual labour, but with the optimism and love of a little child. It reminded me of a verse I read in the Bible which says that the poor are always more willing to give than the rich... I think this is very much exemplified here. And before he left, he gave me a big hug, and said "People who don't like hugs must be nuts". And then off he went, into the rain and cold, but leaving behind me, with much wonder in the words he said, and knowing God had spoken through a homeless man like him.

After that, we had a bit to bite, and we cleaned up a bit. And I went outside to play with a dog, feeding it water, and it has such beautiful blue eyes! Then when I came back in, Allie was about to go, and we chatted for a while. And Allie said "don't underestimate the smallest thing that God prompts you to say. It could mean something to someone. I really want to thank you for sharing that song and testimony about your friend who was locked up for her faith. It spoke to me, and it assured me, because I was once like that too." And I was so astounded. I really like Allie, being honest. She's rather quiet, and keeps to herself, but she has a sense of humour that when she says something, it's actually rather funny. And she's always calm, composed, and I can tell, she's someone who really loves God. And that really reminded me of things. That if God has prompted you to do something, even if it's really weird, do it. Because you never know who you might be blessing in the process.

Well, as the day came to a close.. I thanked God, because I know that He was there, He worked through us, and all glory to God.

Dear Mandy,

As I'm sitting here, the day after "Exchange for Change Culture Fair", I look back on what has happened, and have been going on, and I marvel, because I see how God has been in it the whole way through.

Exchange for Change (Back row, L to R): Sherri, Martes, Stephen, Jet, Josh, Peter (Front row, L to R): Barbara, Emma, Me, Takashi, Tomoya (Not in picture): Juliet

When the project first started, we went through a slow start... choosing a beneficiary for our project, and discussing over it, splitting into committees... And then that's when the difficult part began. Coming from different cultures, Exchange for Change (EFC) is actually made up of people from England, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, and we all had to work together. Seeing clearly the meaning of Sociology when they say culture differences, each country actually had a uniquely different style of working and functioning.. or maybe, it's just an individual thing. On a couple of occasions, I was silently stewing over the progress of the meeting, and at times, certain characters and comments made at certain times. It got so bad, that I actually found myself praying to God for patience and tolerance, simply because of this simple thing: culture difference.

Then came the period of stress. Half our committee went travelling over the reading break, and there was communication breakdown. Coupled with venue problems, booth issues, and publicity matters, it seemed like the event was struggling. But then, I remember reading once before, a story in Joshua Harris' book, "I kissed dating goodbye", about this boy's birthday party, where his dad requested that all his friends come with their fathers, sort of like a male fraternity party. But each father brought a gift to give to the kid. One father gave the birthday boy a nail remover. And he said "There will be days when you realise after building a house, that you've made a mistake. What would you do? Carry on building and risk the safety of those living in it, or start over from scratch and waste time and money? Well, these are the times when you would realise it's better to take the house down nail by nail, and to start from scratch. It would take an immense load of courage to do so, but it moulds character, and it is what God does with us."

With that thought in mind, I agreed with scaling down the event, and Josh and I proposed an alternative Plan B in case it doesn't come through. So the moment reading break ended, God prompted me to go and meet Sherri, the International and Exchange Student Services student advisor for this project, and to discuss and update what has been going on. Then came more whoppers, when some previous connections that we had established to help set up booths in the event could not be contacted. At this moment, I was really a tad worried.

Would you believe God knows? One Saturday, feeling overwhelmed, I wanted to click on Joel's msn to talk to him, or to e-mail Audrey, Yvette or Prisc.. and then Audrey came online so I could talk to her, and the next day, Joel msn-ed me, and even gave me a long distance call. And this is what he told me "God doesn't care about the end result; He cares about your heart. You're too used to organising good events, aiming for perfection, that when it comes to a time when this event isn't going well, you feel like the burden's on you. But carry the Lord's burden, and the Lord looks at the heart, and your attitude. What is your decision?" That day, I knelt before the Lord at night, and I prayed to commit the event into God's hands.

I was reminded of this song by Avalon, called "The Greatest Story":

"You cannot measure worth by human standards
That's always a lie.
Oh you have to see through heaven's eyes how

Your life
Woven day by day
Is a new design
Of the glory God displays
From the canvas of creation
To the poem of history
In the pattern of redemption
Running through the tapestry
Your life in Christ could be
The greatest story ever told"

So with that, I agreed with Josh's proposal for Plan B, and we decided that inevitably, we would have to scale down the event. God prompted me to go and meet up with Sherri, the International and Exchange Student Services advisor for the project, and we felt more allieved when she said she would look into finding an alternate venue. This that despite news that there were some problems contacting the Chinese Student Scholars Association regarding their setting up of a booth, it didn't affect me too much, because I took by faith that God was in control, and the event is in God's hands.

Daily I prayed for the event. And as God would have it, at the second last meeting before the event on the 27th Nov, everything happened. First, the Association for International and Canadian Students Society helped us book a place at the Student Union Building, and a Bangladeshi group had expressed interest in joining us. And if that's not all, we had plenty of donated prizes for the raffle draw! New Balance donated prizes, as did a bookstore and a cafe down at Caboro Bay, and so did some of the members on the Committee! And in one day, we started rolling. Posters were done up, raffle tickets were done up, and the handicrafts were ready to go.

The posters were up that coming Monday, and we started to publicise our event. Then, the CSSA said they couldn't help us due to other commitments, but they donated prizes to our raffle draw. The meeting ended earlier than normal, so that we could all go and do our own preparations for the fair. I headed home, Juliet and Beth came along, and we backed two batches of brownies (which are really nice), friendship bracelets and some administrative documents for the event tomorrow. I did get frustrated at some points in the night, Aud and Yvette know what it's about, but thank God that He got me through. Martina McBride is also a really good singer to listen to for late night stints... I survived the night on her Christmas album. =)

Woke up early and headed to school to set up the place for the event, and it was amazing. We got everything done in about an hour, and we had our first customer as early as before our opening time. That was truly amazing, honestly, because it was from my Psycholinguistics Class! Praise God, because it was like He was affirming me that it's going to work out. The weather was sunshine as well (it'd been raining non-stop), and that further affirmed me. I had to go for class, but I was certain that things would go well.

Imagine when God gave me a B+ for my Grammar test! All along I'd been getting B- for the last 2 tests... I jumped two grades!! Talk about amazing... which made me really excited (despite the lack of sleep). I went back, and well, we never really had a crowd? But we did make a substantial amount of donations, and sale of raffle tickets by then. What's important is that I felt God with me, and everyone had fun and bonded. So much so, that we were joking, laughing, and generally accepting that whatever will be will be.

We made $706 from the whole cash donations, and that's excluding the other donations that we got, like socks, sleeping bags and general utilities, so it was a successful event. And it was all that I could do, except to stop and say "thank you God", because He saw me through. He really saw the event through. So praise God and all glory to Him. =)

Our beneficiary, "Our Place" is a place for the homeless people of Victoria. They provide lodging, healthcare, showers, free meals, but are only open for 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, due to lack of funding. But the place is run, established and visioned by Reverend Allen Tysick, who's an amazing man. A bit on the rough edges, but passionate about what he feels God has called him to do; serve the poor and the homeless. Not an easy call, definitely. But something he does with gratitude and humility.

I'm just awed by God in all of this. =)

Dear Mandy,

I'm sitting in Vertigo at the SUB now, with a nice teriyaki chicken wrap in my hands, a bottle of blueberry and cranberry juice before me, and a nice clique of Linguistic majors before me.

There's Megan Harris, who's quite the affectionate woman; almost like a big sister. Meghan Cobbs is this really smart woman. Maciel is really calm, and composed. And then there's Christine, who's like this energy bubble who's like a little sister to me. Yes yes, my clique of Ling325 people, and they're all amazing. We were discussing the 5th assignment of LING325, and it's interesting to hear the different viewpoints of each individual about the questions, and I really think that they're an amazing bunch of people. =)

And of course, there's LING370A, where my lab experiment group consists of Janine, Susan, Sarah, Meara and Dominic. We're a rather diverse and extremely fun-loving bunch of people who still manage to get work done efficiently. I'm just quite glad that I managed to find such wonderful people amongst the Linguistic fraternity.

So, pretty much, even in class, I find peace and friendship! And I LOVE IVCF! Wonderful group of people who serve God... though there are some aspects of IVCF that took some adjusting to because it's different in Singapore, but I do feel the Lord working in IVCF, and how they're a group of people finding their way in knowing God. =)

So while I'm heading back soon, trust me when I say I'm going to miss this group of people who are fantastic. Completely fantastic. =)

Praise God for His provision.

Dear Mandy,

There comes a time when you realise that it's not about you; it's about God.

I always wondered why God made me do a 40 day fast from meat, and to do a fish and vegetable diet... I found out just today.

I've been cooking the last couple of days. Cause it's the reading break, my landlords went to Tofino, and so, I was left at home. And the weather outside is frightful. Haha.. So I bought stuff, and I cooked. =)

Of course, being a novice, I'm not that keen to cook and experiment with meat... Admittedly, I'm seeing more green on my plate than any other colour, mostly because, well, vegetables, to me, are easier to cook. =) So, when my friends came over yesterday to crash, and I cooked for them.. they mentioned that it's mostly vegetables. And even today, when preparing lunch, they mentioned the same thing... and God reminded me of my fast. If I hadn't done that fast, I probably wouldn't have felt so comfortable with vegetables here. And it made me wonder about the immense awesome nature of our God. Truly amazing stuff.

And for the fish? Fish is RARE here. Haha.. unless I choose to go for the fish and chips, which I truly don't mind, except that it's kinda expensive actually. So I had my fair share of fish in the fast, and now, I'm truly truly comfortable food wise.

But what about other things? What about the friendships we hold? I'm glad that I've found a little clique here, and they've been an awesome bunch to be around and have fun with! God's provision is really sufficient. =) And yet, I miss the people back home. From what I know, there're a lot of changes, a lot of new adaptations. But through it all, I pray God's hands be upon it, because in all honesty, I don't know what else it could be. And well, even if it's something that isn't good, God can turn it around. There's a lot to be anticipatory about, and in that light.. I'll be prayerful.