bring me back to the good ol' cedar days..

the blue and grey, the naps we take whenever we can,

the choir singing and harmonising

camps, dances, cheers..





we heard a canadian (i think) choir sing this song at the Pacific Basin Music Festival '05 in Hawaii. really really pretty song! but we didnt know the lyrics so we had to make them up...



I see a cheekopeh go "WHEEET!" when he sees my pretty face

"what's up babe? what's up babe?

wee-ooo-weet

what's up babe? what's up babe?"

BUDDY BUDDY STICKERBOOOK! i rmbr u had problems keeping ur luggage closed when we had to pack to go back home! HAHA too much shopping seriously!

we were trying to take a photo of the cute guy in green HEHEHE

ah the good times the good times, i wanna go back and relive those moments!

i was just revising for my foundations of OT exam on monday when my phone buzzed.

a message from my mum, who's in Japan with my dad n sis:

" Mummy daddy n jodie love jeannie (a cute animation thing here) (another cute animation thing here)"

i knew straight away that they are at the airport, returning to Singapore.

my parents, and sometimes my sister, never fail to send a simple text message of love whenever they are leaving singapore or returning from another country, especially mummy nowadays since she's travelling to india and london for work so often.

i suddenly remembered how blessed i am.

how blessed i am to have such a loving family!

i can imagine qinyi imitating them on the phone when we were on our short term mission trip in thailand in primary five "daddy love u ah! mummy love you ah! jodie also love you ah!"

not much has changed, has it? =)

and i can also remember kristi laughing at how she thinks my honeymoon in the future would end up a family holiday. HAHAHA well i really dont know.. its probably a 50/50 chance that it would happen hehehe.

i remember being annoyed for the many reasons they give me for not wanting me to sleepover at my friends' houses since young, not very approving of me going to jakarta for the end of year mission trip with YWAM, not allowing me to go to the beach.

coming to Perth to study, which for many would have been a big change where they are on their own and have to be independent, wasnt quite that bad for me, considering i had my dad with me in Perth for practically the whole of year 2006 while i was settling in and getting used to everything. instead, he was the one who was facing more difficulties i would imagine. he stayed in hotels for quite a while, waiting for suitable houses to come by, having to search for internet cafes to do stuff, stayed at a friend's place, eventually found an apartment to rent, got furnitures, set up the phone stuff, internet stuff.. all alone in Perth while i was at the boarding house, well fed, sheltered, well taken care of in the company of other boarders. i was even more fortunate than the boarders cus i could come out of the b/h every weekend with my dad, eat at nice stuff at nice places, use the internet, watch tv, go shopping, visit vicky for sleepovers and fishing, attend ballet lessons, go for OCF etc.

even now when all of them are in singapore, they will still take the time out to ring me frequently to see how i'm going, if i miss any food from singapore, if uni is difficult, if geri is doing more cooking than me, if i am feeling okay or stressed or tired..

i really need to appreciate my family more.

the special and unique family, where the dad sees and announces the presence of a cockroach, where the mum's the one to kill the cockroach while the daughters scream and hop and hide anywhere they feel is safe from cockroaches. the family that stays up together to watch stupid shows like X-family (a favourite of the younger daughter), or long and neverending korean serials. the one that looks forward to midnight movies like CJ7 or ah long and cannot stop laughing about it during the whole car ride.. well until all the females fall asleep, leaving the driver lonely and bored. the unique family where the annoying driver picks strands of the our hair to tickle our noses while we're asleep. where the annoying driver becomes the screaming nervous wreck when his daughter takes the wheel. the one where the mum gets her daughter to take before and after photos of her face when trying out new facial products, or floods the house with korean serials. the family that snores like theres no tomorrow. the family where the daughters would anytime choose to eat beard papa cream puff with their last few dollars even if it meant they had no money to return home. the family that gets all hyped up about taking neoprints together x)

there's so much more about my family i could talk about, but i'm gonna stop here.

i've taken my family for granted so many times, preferring to spend my time with things i think are more fun and 'hip and happening', giving more thoughts and concerns to my own life while day still love me unconditionally, supporting me as much as they have since the moment i was born. i can be confident in saying that when all things fail me, they will still be there to catch me, welcoming me with warm hugs and showering me with love.

thank you Lord for this wonderful gift you have blessed me with <3

we made a trip all the way up to stirling today for brunch with nicolepotato and tedjemulja-aiyaya at IKEA. =)

after a hearty meal consisting of chips, gravy and 7.5 meatballs each, we trekked towards Greater Union cinema to watch PRINCE CASPIAN!

although i've been feeling so guilty about it all week with exams looming.. REALLY LOOMING.. like in 1.5 days.. i don't regret making that decision to watch it =D

i shant go into details of what actually happened in the movie but i thought it reminded me so much about our relationship with God.

it reminded me of how difficult but important it is to have a child-like faith, like Lucy's; as we get older, after having experienced many setbacks, becoming more and more selfish as we get caught up with all the troubles of the world, refusing to pin too much hope on something we can't see, losing faith and failing to see the main thing that really matters.

it reminded me of how many a times, things will come between us and God, pulling us away in the wrong direction and how many times we succumb to the temptation to depend on things that don't last instead of keeping our eyes on God, just like the wall of ice from that icy witch (i dont remember her name) which formed before prince caspian and peter, calling out and hypnotising them, trying to convince them to 'resurrect' her so she can help them kill King Miraz. the wall was later on smashed by edmund to reveal Aslan's face (maybe body too i dont remember) engraved on the wall, and it just struck me that how easy it is to lose focus on God and how important it is that we should keep having faith. Lucy's child-like faith: believing strongly and not doubting, always seeking God.

anyway, great movie! amazing sets and scenery, like seriously breathtaking. watch it!

oh yea we had a chicken themed dinner before bible study last night! hehe it was good good good! photos coming soon....

study time! haha

today, Nishita is leaving.
my first uni friend whom i met on the first day of school when she was lost and i was lost and we made our way to curtin together from the esplanade bus port and continued being lost on campus. and then school work kicked in (like immediately) and we became busy with our own lives, occasionally sending a text message to say 'hi' or 'hope ur well' .. then we decided to meet up for lunch and then we decided to meet up for lunch every monday : Nishita, Christie and me =) and after a few monday lunches, SHE TELLS US THAT SHE'S GOING BACK TO INDIA! =(
but i guess it's good. firstly, she's gonna do a doctorate instead of physio (which she did in curtin) . secondly, she'll be back home with her family and friends so there's no need to get homesick =)
anyways, we had a 'farewell' by bringing her to harbourtown to shop! guess what! i was the only one who bought stuff! =( geez.. i made choc brownie butterfly! its premix. HEHE all i had to do was stir. but it was yummy!
we had bubble tea in northbridge!
we took neoprints!
we danced amazingly on the DDR. hahaha
oh yea we did some drumming too.
and we made a notebook for her which i forgot to take a photo of but its so cool =D
byebye Nishita! thank you for being my first uni friend! WE'LL KEEP IN CONTACT ON MSN!
i hope u had fun! u havent seen many parts of perth yet so rmbr to come back! =))

i dont know where to fit this in, but... I HATE AWKWARD SILENCES. I ALSO HATE THE FEELING OF DRIFTING AWAY FROM PEOPLE I USED TO BE CLOSE TO. I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP SOMEONE BUT I HATE EVEN MORE NOT DARING TO OFFER A HELPING HAND OR SHOWING MY CONCERN WHICH I ALWAYS DO

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

we sang this song in worship today and Timon shared about how Matt Redman wrote this song during the time when he and his wife wanted to have a baby but could not.

i get my fair share of things that annoy me. the assignment due tomorrow. the thoughts distracting me from study. stuff that people say. busy life. boring life. feeling lonely. feeling offended. just the smallest matters get on my nerves and sends me whining, getting angry, frustrated, pissed, and claiming the spot for complain queen.

it is time to learn to thank God even though nothing seems to go my way, having the confidence that He is in control, knowing that He has His own purpose for placing us in different situations- to challenge us, to mould us and grow us, to teach us or to use us to administer to others. it is time to thank God for even being there for us, giving us the strength to pull through tough situations, coming out stronger and wiser and experienced.

im feeling kinda i-dont-know today. but i have things i want to give thanks for!

-i thank God for placing me in Perth, where i think i have been growing spiritually especially this year, since my life just involves uni and ocf. it gives me more time and opportunities to serve God and reminds me to not just be a Sunday Christian.

-i thank God for OCF and how they make me look forward to wednesday girls prayer meets and friday bible studies or public meets and sunday sports. where i am given the chance to serve, even as a bs leader trainee, i think it has given me a chance to talk to people more even though i dont think i have been doing a good job at that. but that means i'll be working on it and hopefully get better by God's grace! and also for judy and joel's kimchisoup and prawnmee and satay and apple crumble and chocolate molten! seriously, grow fat! how to diet!?!?!

-i thank God for family friends who so generously invite us over for meals once in a while, offering transport or any help if need be, even though they have their own busy lives to tend to. its just so nice to know that ppl care =)

-i thank God for friends in curtin! they make school more exciting! esp the lunchtime part! HEHE. although i havent got to know them so well yet, i know we'll get closer, so its quite exciting =))

-i thank God for the chances i got to talk to ppl on msn, phone, over meals etc etc. to just catch up, find out what's going on, share, encourage, complain, laugh, talk.. i really like the feeling of talking to people... when theres no awkward silences haha.

-i thank God for saturday's pouring rain and strong wind. although it could have annoyed me, geri and i were having fun and laughing so much trying not to get blown away, hopping over puddles, screaming when the cars drive past cus we were worried about water splashing, watching the poor umbrella flip over time and again. =) when the exams are over i will dedicate one day to playing in the rain! and star gazing!

-of course theres many other things i thank God for but really it will take forever to write them here....... so yesh =D

have a good week everyone! GOD LOVES YOU!

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you live your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

http://www.blogthings.com/thesesamestreetpersonalityquiz/">The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

this reminds me of the pumpkin man song..
"im the pumpkin man.........I WANNA BE YOUR BEST FRIEND!"
DONT MAKE MY LIFE DIFFICULT OK! PLAY WITH ME! hahaha

im meant to b studying.
i just finished module one of human bio. HEHE 5 more to go! plus occ n health plus FOT plus the psych test.
wheee
i like to study i like to study i like to study i like to study i like to study
it is fun it is fun it is fun it is fun it is fun
it is my life it is my life it is my life
HEH that should do the trick!

got to talk to qinyi over the phone the other night =D
and we started talking about-assumptions
just because someone did not do something, we assume that the person is irresponsible
just because someone said something, we assume that the person is unreasonable
i have a tendency to assume the worst of a person, failing to notice the many other factors that might be influencing him/her to behave in a certain way or say something. only when the person explains the real reason, then i start understanding and feeling guilty.. sometimes asking "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME EARLIER!?" and hence pushing the blame to the person again.

i want to be thoughtful. i want to learn to put others before myself. i want to love my enemies. i want to love my not enemies. and to do that, i need to follow Jesus. The one who rebuked the people who tried to stone the prostitute, the one who healed the blind and the lame. the one who washed his disciples' feet, the one who healed the ear of one of the soldiers who came to capture him, the one who loves the unloved, the one who forgave the people who mocked and laughed at him, the one who forgave the hands that nailed him onto the cross. the one who died so that he could give life to the sinners: the sad, the angry, the lonely, the proud, the selfish, the cruel, the deceitful, the jealous... us.

why do people have to drift apart....
='''''(

sometimes its so sad.. when i talk to a friend i used to be close to, knowing we have drifted apart, but he/she doesn't seem to care... sometimes i feel as though i've forgotten how to make friends, forgotten how strangers can become close friends, forgotten how my close friends became my close friends.. and thus being able to make new friends but knowing that we'll never become close friends.

but sometimes my stomach goes funny, and my heart feels warm and fuzzy, when i talk to those far far away but close to my heart, knowing that they still care, and making me feel that im actually not that far away. or when new friendships are made and i just know that God will work in it and make it grow and grow.

a guest speaker came to speak at our foundations of ot lecture today. she spoke of her bad experiences with occupational therapists while recovering from stroke and what we should not do.

what annoyed her was how the OTs were sympathetic when she wanted them to be empathetic and treat her like a normal smart 20 year old instead of a stroke patient. "the only difference between you and the client is bad luck". and really, that's it. aren't they just like one of us? i feel so guilty for looking at people with disabilities and feeling sorry for them. now im starting to get worried that i'll end up becoming one of those OT's that talk to the patients as if they're stupid, when really, many of them are much smarter than i am. how offended would you be if it was you in their position? from being treated normally like any other person to being felt sorry for, with people thinking that u can't do much, all overnight because of a stroke or an accident. with just the presence of a wheelchair would already bring all eyes to you when all the difference there is between the person on the wheelchair and people watching, is bad luck. i really really hope i wont offend anyone when i start working! GOD BLESS ME!!!!!!!!

today is.. the muffin day! the muffin day! the muffin day!

ongtingtong's house is on campus and it is the coolest! its really like a house! not like boarding house or college! so homely! and she shares it with 5 other people from curtin. her housemate did that thing on the wall. it's made up of A4 sized paper! how cool is that! n i think that dinosaur is that dinosaur..

this is so scary......the bakers: sara ong ting tong, christie goh yo yo and me!it was just pre-mix HEHE but it was still good kay!

egocentric.

its so painful to watch but i guess this is the nearest to trying to feel how God feels about sacrificing His Son for the world. SO PAINFUL! =(

so what now? what are we gonna do about it? let Him die for nothing? or accept Him into Your life? i cried when i watched the dad cry. i cried even more when i watched the people in the train who were 'saved', oblivious to the boy's death, continuing being selfish, angry, lonely.. unaware that they had just avoided death, unaware of the father mourning and crying his heart out over the loss of his dearest son whom he loved so so so so much, unaware of his pain and heartbreak when he had to pull that lever which would save them but kill his son.
are we going to do anything about it?

why do birds, suddenly appear

everytime you are near

just like me, they long to be..

close to you

why do stars fall down from the sky

everytime you walk by

just like me, they long to be..

close to you

on the day that you were born

the angels got together,

and decided to create a dream come true

so they sprinkled moondust in your hair,

of golden starlight in your eyes of blue

that is why all the girls in town

follow you all around

just like me, they long to be..

close to you

pretty pretty song it is x)

especially relevant when Christie complains about the birds coming when we have lunch on the grass.

"why do birds suddenly appear everytime you are near? just like me, they long to be close to you!"

ahha

why do people eat chocolate?

why are they addictive?

why do people like chocolate? why do SO MANY people like chocolate?

is it like smoking: peer influence, stress relief?

do you think chocolate is good just because society says so?

or is it just because it is really really good?

or is it because they are addictive like drugs smoking and alcohol?

so confusing!

im meant to be selling chocs for winter camp but i keep ending up buying the timeouts for myself to eat! how annoying.. =(

its meant to be my stress week.. WHY DO I KEEP APPEARING HERE TO BLOG!?!

Genesis 3:21-24

The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the LORD God said, " The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So the LORD God banished them from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

even though man sinned by disobeying God and made God upset, God still provided garments of skin for them and clothed them. How loving, how merciful, how wonderful is His love =) knowing that the punishment for sin is death, God sacrificed His only Son, so that we would be saved from the consequences of our own wrongdoings. Even though He was upset, even though He was disappointed, He chose to save us. Even though He already knew we were going to make Him upset and disappointed, He still chose to create us, because He loved us.

what made God take so much care to make creation glow?

He could have made it black and white, and we'd have never known.

and what made God send Jesus to die on calvary?

it could have been this special thing, i've found inside of me

that's the love of God, its never ending

that's the love of God, always forgiving

He's always there, He never fails

all He will do, is love forever

and He loves to show it, that's the love of God.

yes, that's the love of God. God loves you =D and me! and her! and him! and them! u get my point...