Friday, April 29, 2005 11:16 a.m.
I'm at my mum's office again, rotting. Going to meet Alex later for lunch since he's on MC and my mum asked me to come along to her office because it'll be nearer for her to send me to meet him later. I like coming to my mum's office! Everyone is so nice! Her secretary went out to buy me curry puffs for breakfast and she made super nice ginger milk tea to go along with it! I get to mess around with the imacs in the office, Aunty PY tells me funny things and her other colleagues are always smiling and all! Plus, Victoria (who got into SMU Accountancy too!)comes here quite often with her mum too so I got company to play blackjack and do nonsense! I like everyone here except the lady in the marketing department who always stares at me because I'm walking around in Jeans, screaming "heart attack" with Vic, finishing all the cookies in the pantry with Vic and I slept on my mum's sofa the other day while waiting for her to send me to meet Michelle! Had bible study last night and so few people turned up! But it was still good! We were looking at the first three kings of Israel, examining their strengths and weaknesses and talking about the tension that arises when leaders desire to serve God but power and all others come into the picture. Had chicken porridge for supper with Yado afterwards and talked for quite a bit before we went home. And now, my mum's office line keeps on ringing but I don't know what to press to answer the phone. Irritating. And nobody is around to help me because they are all in a meeting till 1130AM.Wednesday, April 27, 2005 10:05 p.m.
Dang dang dang.Wednesday, April 27, 2005 12:34 p.m.
I am going to die in this weather! It's so freaking hot! There is no breeze! Even the aircon is not totally cold! I shower at least 4 times a day (5 times yesterday). It's really too hot! I am going to die! Anyway, found THIS article on MSN the other day on the significance of the Jewish Passover, the food they eat during passover and the reasons why they eat those food. Interesting.Monday, April 25, 2005 12:45 p.m.
You know sometimes I wonder if what the Universities write in their admission letters, like of you being of such high calibre and all are really true or they are playing up the facts and all to make you feel so good that you've made it into their school that you just want to accept their offer? For example, NTU's letter of admissions says "Due to the large number of applications this year, we have been very selective. You are one of those whom we believe will benefit from the unique NTU education aimed at nurturing leaders and advancing knowledge for Singapore and beyond." OK. Fine. I believe the part about the large number of applications but what do they mean by they have been very selective? They only looked at my grades! They didn't even interview me! They didn't even ask for a recommendation from my teacher to see if I have the suckiest personality and they don't even look at my testimonal! If a US/UK universities writes to me telling me that, I'm more inclined to believe them because the universities, especially the US universities, don't only look at your grades and SATs but they look at your achievements, essays, recommendations from form teacher and subject teachers and CCA records! SMU writes about extendning the privilege of admission to applicants of high calibre as the competition gets more intense each year. What really is high calibre? If all the triple As students decide not to apply to their school and instead, all the students with triple Es apply for admission, they'll still have to admit those students right? Otherwise, they'll have no freshmen in that course! I'm thinking that all this admission letters are played up and polished to perfection so as to swing your decision to enter their school. This is not to say that the US universities don't do that too. But as I said, I'm more inclined to believe them because they look at a whole host of things before admitting you. Take a look at this admission letter I got from this US university. I don't know. I feel like it's written in such a way to "buy" me over and to make me feel so good about myself that I want to go down there. "Admission is highly competitive and is extended only to the most promising candidates. The University's action not only honors you for your past achievements; it also signifies our highest expectations for your success in the future. We know that a student with your abilities and potential will extend the tradition of excellence that defines this University. In the years ahead, you can make a difference to our community... Your admission also represents our pledge to provide you the resources for a world-class education - both inside and outside the classroom. Our institution is nationally recognized for academic excellence and will give you exceptional prepartion for your future. As a graduate of this school, you will join a long line of successful alumni who have helped to change their worlds, thanks, in no small part, to their experience here in this school. " Perhaps I'm reading too much into it but this is what I feel when I recieve my admission letters. I don't think that the entire letter is a fake but just that some parts are just really played up. At times, I feel like it's another form of advertisment to influence my decision. (It probably is) There's really no need to present it so nicely because if I really want to enrol in your school, I'll go ahead and enrol, regardless of whether you praise me or not in your letter. Maybe the US and Singapore Universities should take a lesson or two from the British. The UK Universities simply forward their decision to UCAS and UCAS replies in a one or two sentences like " This offer is subject to you obtaining..." or " Unconditional offer" with the name of the school and the course you applied for at the top and only a paragraph or 2 telling you how to go about rejecting or accepting your offers. Sweet and simple!Monday, April 25, 2005 10:44 a.m.
Daddy brought me to Funan yesterday after church to scout for a new laptop! We had lunch at Pastamania because Sarah wanted to eat there and omg, the food really sucks! I'm never ever going to eat there again! I wouldn't even call it an Italian restaurant! Yes, anyway, my dad wants to get me a new laptop since the HP laptop I'm using is rather old already. He wants to get the Apple ibook but I'm not too sure if I'll get used to it. It's nice and small but I have problems figuring out my way around the imac so I don't know if I want to get the ibook. Was considering getting a Fujistu laptop but my mum is already using that so I can always take it from her if I want it and I saw a really neat Toshiba laptop but that cost S99! I can't decide! I just wish my dad would choose it for me instead of asking me to choose what I want because I know nothing about computers, rams, drivers and whatnots.Saturday, April 23, 2005 12:44 p.m.
Yesterday night's Alpha cell was slightly different. We had 3 new girls from the Singapore American School join us and for myself, I felt it was quite challenging. I didn't know they were joining us till they walked into the room and all along, I was thinking of having a discussion based lesson. But since they were either non christians or not church going christians, I realized that the lesson couldn't be discussion based but rather, there had to be more teaching. I had to change my teaching plan and then, it was a challenge trying to balance a few things like engaging them, making them feel comfortable, reaching out to them, teaching them and the rest of the cell something. Very challenging trying to balance all those and also subconsciously making sure I didn't use those "turn off" words like "sinners prayer" or talk about certain topics/concepts/words that they wouldn't understand. Thank God they were really open and responsive. I'm glad I got the chance to experience that. I thought that was what Alpha Cell truly meant. Oh well. Signed up for driving too yesterday with Leanne. No more procrastination. Haha. Went down town afterwards for lunch and shopping! I bought my I've-been-thinking-about-you-for-a-long-time khaki coloured pants while Leanne got her I've-been-thinking-about-you-for-a-long-time-too skirt! Haha. Hung around Orchard till we met Alex at Adam Road for dinner. Alex's hair is finally growing back at a very slow rate! Haha. Thursday was my Aunt's birthday and so my Dad and myself brought her out for a late lunch at Crystal Jade. Had Bible Study in the night and it was really interesting again. It's just that I'm dreading the reading assignments because it's really alot!Wednesday, April 20, 2005 12:04 p.m.
NTU Accountancy! Hooray! Thank you Lord! At first, I didn't know if accountancy is really the course for me because I never really considered it until my parents, Lydia and a few others started telling me the merits of taking up accountancy and so I guess, I listened to them, weighed my options, prayed, applied and got in! I've all along wanted to study Economics because I am interested in it. I like Economics. All my courses overseas are also for Economics except in Illinois. I've always doubted Accountancy. I hear of accountants/auditors coming home from work at 12 midnight and having to go back to work at 8AM the next day. I see people like Hwai May getting so stressed up and crying every time she comes for cell. Ryan's friend apparently takes cab everywhere because she works so hard that she has no time to spend her earnings so she spends it on cabfare. She too cries each time she's at cell. I heard all sorts of things like accountancy is such a dead boring subject and studying in NTU makes it even worst. Even Ryan sat me down and talked to me when he realized I got into SMU accountancy because he wanted me to be absolutely certain of what I was going to do. But I decided that I must give accountancy a try. My parents gave sound reasons and I believe that my parents want me to do something that is good for me. My dad kept on saying that Economics is so general, that it's just slightly better than a Business degree and that I can always pursue it at the postgrad level. To persuade me to study at NTU, he even promised to send me to and from school everyday if I don't want to stay in the Halls. I believe that no parent would hurt their child or give false information to their kid. Lydia, Hwai May, my mum's friend (who is an accountancy professor) and my uncle helped me understand that Accountancy is not all number crunching and that it actually includes a bit of business, economics and law. I prayed to the Lord too and told him that if it was not his will for me to study Accountancy, that he'll shut the door tight and don't let me get into NTU's accountancy so that I'll just land up in Economics. And after all this, I guess my door has been open. It's not that I have a choice now to study Economics since SMU and NTU came back with offers in Accountancy. But I'm going to stick to it and I'm actually looking forward to it! I'm going to get my white bag too because my mum promised me she'll get it for me if I make it into NTU's accountancy! Hooray!Monday, April 18, 2005 12:52 p.m.
I'm here at my mum's office now waiting for her to finish her work and bring me out for lunch. I'm sleepy and extremely tired! Had to wake up at 630AM this morning so that my mum could fetch me to church to meet Zaneta to discuss about sunday school stuff! I couldn't go any later because it would mean that I had to take my own bus since my mum had to go down to ACS(barker) to do follow up for the ACS boys. Since I had to wait for Zaneta to finish following up with the boys, I joined Daniel's group and it was quite interesting to see the dynamics of the group and all. It was really difficult waking up this morning. I really haven't woken up at such an early hour in a long long time! I was half asleep till my mum bought me ice milo and I was quite shocked to see that the ACS primary boys were playing badminton just before assembely started! How did they get so much energy? Don't they suffer from monday blues? Anyway, Zanet and myself discussed about the sunday school material for this sunday and we have come up with a very interesting game for the Sec2s and Sec4s this sunday! It's top secret so all the sec2s and sec4s, just head down to the tennis courts this sunday after worship! A very exciting game awaits you! :) Had cell leaders meeting on Saturday afternoon and it was good stuff! I always like cell leaders meeting. Every one shares openly and we always have deep questions to think about and answer and that is good because it always make me think and give me fresh insights into the Christian faith. We learnt a bit about spiritual attacks then after that, we girls broke off from Ben, Dan and Edmund and shared. I don't know but sharing opened my eyes quite a bit. Oh well. Headed over to Jac's house later for dinner and Gilly, Jac and myself watched the Italian Job and we had nice microwave popcorn to go along! The show's really really cool! I want to drive Ryan's mini cooper now! Haha. Anyway, got to go off for lunch now! I hope we can have lunch at the Straits Kitchen at Hyatt!Friday, April 15, 2005 11:39 a.m.
It was Mummy's birthday yesterday so we went out to celebrate and have dinner at the Mezza9 at Hyatt! My Dad bought my mum an ipod for her birthday! It's so unfair! I've always wanted it! My dad bought it for her so that she can listen to music while she's at the gym! Haha. Thankfully, my mum's going to share it with us! Yay! My mum also got a foot massage/reflexologist from her brothers on Sunday and I'm using it now while on the internet and it's super shiok! I no longer have to go for foot massages!Wednesday, April 13, 2005 01:27 a.m.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005 10:29 p.m.
I had Gelare waffles and I went shopping today with my advanced allowance! And now, I'm at Jen's staying over and we're having baked peach tarts for desserts! It's been a lovely day!
Monday, April 11, 2005 11:31 a.m.
Sunday, April 10, 2005 05:08 p.m.
Went to watch Beauty Shop yesterday which was quite ok and hilarious at some parts. Not excatly the best show but The Pacifier ran out of seats. The movie ended around 11:15PM, and when we walked out of the cinema, we were quite shocked to see that Cine was still packed with people! (youngsters in general) I mean the whole place was alive, noisy and shops were still open at that hour! Don't people have to go to bed and all? There were so many young people (younger than me, definitely) just hanging out outside Cine and I thought it was quite a sad scene. They were so restless! I mean, if you're at Cine watching a movie, fine. But if you're just hanging out at that hour, GO HOME! GO do your homework and prepare for your mid years! I don't know. I just don't really like the sight of youths hanging outside Cine, smoking and cursing, wasting their time away and being all restless and bored! Don't their parents set curfews? Don't they have Mid Years and homework to be done? Wasn't Arsenal playing last night? Maybe I'm just getting old. Oh Well. He didn't like it either. We went out shopping and I got my pair of Levi's Jeans and a pair of black pants from Dorothy Perkins. I'm horribly broke after buying those 2 items so I've got to ask my Dad to advance my allowance. Don't think I can survive with only for the next whole week. We met up with his friends for dinner at Nooch at Paragon before the movie. Tried looking for my mum's birthday present too but I still can't find anything. I really don't know what to get her. I know she'd rather have intangible stuff than tangible ones like jewelery or clothes but I don't think I can just leave it as that and don't get her anything. Oh well.Friday, April 8, 2005 01:57 p.m.
Last night bible study was nonetheless, interesting! Honestly, I'm really being fed and blessed each time I go for bible study and I always leave the room, 2.5 hours later, in wonder and awe about God, the way he works and the things he do. We did the 10 commandments yesterday and everyone knows about it but it's so interesting to note that these commandments are timeless truths and all encompassing. There is no way you can do anything wrong and not find it stated there. For example, if you're lusting after your neighbour's red ferrari, the tenth commandment of the 10 commandments has something to say about that. "You shall not covet .. anything that belongs to your neighbour" Interesting because during the time the Law was written, there wasn't any ferraris or prada handbags or Guess? jeans but yet that last law is still applicable up till today. And because I realize that the 10 commandments is all encompassing, I realized that God really is all knowing. He is not a God of that particular era but a God of eternity. He sets down laws that are timeless. He knows that people, 2000 years later after the law was written, will covet over something else that is different from what their ancestors were coveting and thus writes about not coveting someone else's property instead of writing all sorts of different sub-laws like " you should not covet your neighbour's rattan basket and donkey" and for the people living in this century, " You shall not covet your neighbour's Miss Sixty jeans" Our God is truly all knowing. He gives laws that covers every aspect and can remain true forever! Even politicans and lawyers cannot say that of themselves! They think that their policy is all good now and specifically defines the boundaries but they are not all knowing and so people either realize that the laws and regulation have a hole in them or the law becomes void in a few years. Another reason why I truly believe that God is truly all knowing: He had all those strict food laws and laws about clean and unclean animals like " Every creature that moves about on the ground is detestable; it is not to be eaten." and we're thinking, what an absurd thing to say God! Why go about differentiating clean and unclean animals so that the Israelities can eat only clean foods? Isn't it just totally warped to be seperating food as clean and unclean and taking such precautions in making sure we eat the clean food you state? While we now know that God set those food laws primarily for the Israelities to realize that they were distinct and had to be set apart and be obedient, God also set those laws because he knew that if people ate those creatures like ravens or the horned owl, they might contact some sort of diseases or be susceptible to high blood pressure/cancer/high cholestrol levels. Of course at that time, the Israelities didn't know about high blood pressure and all so it might have been stupid to be eating only 'clean' food but I think this only serves to show us that God was all knowing ( He knew what food would cause harm and hurt to his people and thus forbade them to eat it) and God was good! Aunty Lay Eng also brought up the point that if you look at most diseases and medical problems today, it can be linked back to the simple reason that we eat food that God had once forbade the Israelities to eat! Interesting isn't it? I think the reasons why God had to set those laws was because laws give us a sense of belonging and that it allows us to enjoy and play the game of life properly. We talked about the attributes of God, respecting our parents, family life and all and it was so interesting! I really really enjoy bible study. Anyway, after bible study, I went over to Yado's house to meet him and Dan for supper. When his dad realized that I was doing Disciple bible study, he started telling me more about the programme, how I should go about reading and all and lent me the youth study manual! Now I can compare my adult manual with the youth one as I study! I didn't even know that they have youth disciple bible study! Headed over to Zion Road afterwards for supper (prawn noodles!) before coming home.Wednesday, April 6, 2005 11:09 a.m.
A highly amusing and extremely interesting article on cheerleaders. (I didn't know that Bush was a cheerleader back at Yale! Haha) Read it Here. Happy Birthday Sophie! :)Monday, April 4, 2005 11:27 a.m.
Giant Panda milk chocolates my father bought home from Shanghai's DFS. The pandas look freaky and fake and the chocolate is totally not rich at all because the milk that they used is cheap condensed milk.Monday, April 4, 2005 10:54 a.m.
Joe joined our cell on Friday night during Alpha and he said a few things that struck a chord within me. He mentioned that he stopped buying pirated VCDs and stopped downloading songs from the internet since he became a Christian and I thought that was pretty interesting. He admitted that he now pays more for all these electronic stuff but it's worth it. I think sometimes I forget that a sin is a sin no matter how big or small it is. The world might say, "oh you only stole a candy bar from the mama shop. So I'll just hand you over to the police and they'll mark it on your record and you go on probation for the 6 next months." And then when a old man rapes his grandaughter and her friends, kills his daughter and burns the flat, the world goes "This chee koh pek and evil man. He must be caned 24 times and given the death penalty!" The world tags different punishments on us according to the magnitude of our crime/sin. But God doesn't. A sin to him is a sin. No matter how big or small it is. And so when Joe said that, I realized that it didn't make any difference whether I cheated in a test, killed my neighbour's wife, disobeyed my parents or I downloaded free music off the internet. I have sinned. And I need God's forgivenss. Not just once but everyday because I still continue to sin everday. We were also sharing about how challenging and difficult it can be to be a Christian in this world. Especially so for teenagers as image to us is very important. Who wants to be called a Holy Mama? Who wants to be sidelined just because he has to attend church on Sundays and cell on Fridays? I was sharing that I've always missed class gatherings or outings with friends as a result of meetings/special events that were happening in church. The problem is that church meetings/ special events are also held on the days that it was most suitable for everyone to come toghther. And so is it with outings too! They are mostly held on Saturdays or Sundays when people are most free to get together. What do you choose? All girls shopping spree or church? It is no doubt tough being a christian in this world. But I think it ultimately boils down to priorities. It's not that I see my friends as inferior or whatever. I love to meet up with my friends, try all the dresses at topshop, hang out with the girls, share a chocolate fondue and complain about boyfriends, but if I have something important going on in church and I'm involved in it, I would give up that outing and meet my friends another day. The reason why I decide to put God and his work before many things is because I choose to and because it is my desire and response to a God who so lovingly and patiently draw me back into his presence despite the fact that I have sinned countless times, doubted his existence and even ran away from his presence. Why is it you don't say your prayers before meal times? Why is it that you lied to the teacher about not completing your homework Why is it the bible says you should not date a non-christian but you're doing so? It will be tough. The world will condemn and judge, you might be marginalized, but I believe God will provide the strength and that this condemntation, hatred, name-calling and all are just temporary. I think I have also come to realize that I am where I am today not because of my own capabilities but because of God's grace, mercy, love and favour. I did not complete 12 years of education because I was capable or lucky. I did not get unconditional offers in the UK and acceptance into the US universities before my A level results were out because my SAT scores were super high or my parents paid to get me in. I got in because God blessed. And I've realized that I'm a sinful, wretched creature and that I owe everything to him and it is only my desire, this year and for the rest of my life, to please, worship, adore, serve and love Him.Saturday, April 2, 2005 11:35 a.m.
My bible study group is going to visit a Jewish Synagogue! That's way too cool! Bible study on Thursday was about deliverance (God bringing the Israelites out from Egypt and delivering them from slavery) and we watched a video where this Rabbi explained about the Passover festival and meal that the Jews eat during the festival and all of us were so fascinated, we decided to organise a trip to the synagogue! The video that we watched was really interesting! The Rabbi was explaing that the reason why the Jews celebrate Passover is due to historical and agricultural reasons. He went on to explain the dishes that are served during the meal and explained why they are served! If I remember correctly, one dish was Parsley and they dip it in saltwater before eating it! I can't remember the reason for them doing that though. Anyway, my mum is getting more youth oriented, it's scary! haha. She wrote me an email, and signed off "Cheers! Your mum". Since when did my mum know how to sign off with Cheers? She even bought M&Ms for her 8 Sec 3 ACS boys that she's doing bible study/ rededication with! But I think the boys are pretty funny! She told me last night that she asked them for prayer requests and this boy, Adam, said he wanted her to pray for his computer screen because it wasn't functioning properly! Haha! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------