Adieu, adieu

This post was meant to be done before 2007 was here, but alas due to unforeseen circumstances it was delayed. Quite abit. So here I am at 10:36pm on the first of January reflecting abit on how the past year was for me.

Personally, 2006 was a very transitional year, and a year that forced alot more upon me than I was willing or ready to take. A few highs (and lows):

1) Transferring from rugby to CO. A rather painful decision I realize now that I had to make. I don't think many of you know this, but ever since sec one when I first joined rugby my mum has been pressurizing me to quit. I endured it for 2 years, before April this year when I finally gave in. And yes today now at this moment I can see the benefits, as my skin has been in wonderful condition the past 2 months. But still I wonder if I could go back in time; would I have made the same decision, and spared myself the jeers, animosity, sniggers behind the back? But it's over, and like it or not here I am today. But thank God that my entry into CO was smooth, I quickly found a place and I must say I'm quite happy with the way things are going in CO at the moment. I still think the concert rocked. Well, it could have been worse. At the moment I only know of one person from rugby who has more or less openly declared that he can't stand me. But I'll live =)

2) Schoolwork. For the whole of the first semester I found myself unable to cope, and subsequently did rather badly. But I'd like to think that I woke up after the June hols, and started to buck up. I'm alot more satisfied with my performance in semester 2 (although sem 1 continued to pull me down). But I know that I can still improve much further for my sciences. Graar.

3) Europe Trip! Haha it was quite an experience going out with the school. Abit of an eye-opener in more ways than one. But even though we spent altogether too much time on the bus I have to say that I enjoyed it lah. Even if Stan and Wang think otherwise lol.

4) 3P! Hahaha what a crazy bunch of people you all are. Enjoyed myself in the class, heh but I still think that we're too loud. Fortunately no O's otherwise I think we'll all die -_- But I guess that's our unique class spirit right! (Although its this very same thing that I think got us all the strict teachers for 2007. -facepalm-) Here's to another great year ahead; may we all grow closer and stronger as a class!

5) PSL. Was really really proud to be chosen. Hope that I can make my mark next year, and bring forth a great s1 batch of 2007. Still really really nervous though.

6) Forged alot of new friendships, and got to know alot of people better! =)

7)VBC '06! Hahaha I had so much fun there. Can't wait to go back next year!

8) Grown back closer to the Lord. I've gone through most of this year stumbling through, pretending I could get by without Him. But I've been humbled before Him in this past month. How naive; the only reason I got through this whole year was God. Only through His grace did I manage to make it. Bless the Lord my God! =))




Now for my set of New Year Resolutions That Arrive Late!

1) Do a daily QT and draw closer to God! (Impt!)
2) Do well for Bayley as Aesthetics Director
3) Study alot harder
4) Play less games
5) Do well for CO
6) Mature!
7) Do well for O's!
8) Be a better friend
9) Be more outgoing
10) Draw closer to God!

Yup. It's a whole new year ahead. Let's make the most of it, mm?

Bangkok Bombings

I guess this will be my second last post of 2006. Originally I wanted to just do a reflection of my whole year, but something just seems more pertinent at the moment, so that will have to wait for a little bit.

Of course, I'm referring to the Bangkok bombings that just happened earlier today. Heard about the news only around an hour ago, and whatever revelling mood I was in rapidly dissipated. (Not that I was really in any mood for partying anyway.)

6 bombs. 12 confirmed dead. I don't know about the injury count, but either way the situation is bad enough as it is.

Isn't the turn of the year a time when we can just look back upon the year that has passed, and remark either "Hey what a good year 2006 has been, hope 2007 will be even better!" or "Hey 2006 has been a really lousy year, hope 2007 will be better!". Either way, the turn of the new year signifies hope. Hope that no matter what the past has been, that the future will be even better. But I guess this year we were all cruelly reminded just how fragile our lives can be, and how untenable the world is today.

I think that this news may have hit me particularly hard because alot of people that I know and care about have been to Bangkok just recently for the holidays, and I realize that the bombings could have happened at any time. The reality of it just hits home. And I'm really thankful that everyone has returned safely.

But...I don't know. Is it the right way to feel? When people have already died over at Bangkok? It just feels really dirty to think thoughts like these. But with the world as it is, I guess it's something I'll have to get used to. Sigh. Will be back in a bit with my concluding post.

How I Spent the Last Day of the Year.

--> Interesting title, huh.


Anyway.

Thanks for the encouragement Josh!

Went for FL today, and went out for breakfast (sort of) with Robin for the first time in months. Hahaha I really miss those sessions man, just going out, talking nonsense and just laughing and growing closer to each other. Sigh seems like so little time before he flies off again on the 14th. Must make the most of the 2 weeks we have left yeah!

After coming back at 11, signed up for Fusion2007, then sat with Amanda at the booth watching and also doing Kakuro puzzles hahaha. For those who don't know, it's sort of like Sudoku, except "more sophisticated and harder" according to Amanda. Lol. Apparently my trial and error method doesn't work. I shall try her logic method next time, although I don't think I have the proper type of mind for it. Haha.

Somehow I ended up going for lunch with a whole bunch of YAMers (inc. this year's JC2s). Took bus 14 to suntec (only realized today that it goes to suntec!) with Amanda Audrey Gavin and Daniel and met the rest at the suntec foodcourt. I realize its the first time I've been there in months. >< Deprived, I know. Had alot of laughs (at Amanda Bennett's expense HAHA).

Seriously she's really funny! Robin was asking her what food was there to eat at her house, then she said 'Satay!'

'Not cold meh?'

'No la, put in the toaster can already!'

Me and Robin looked at each other and just burst out laughing nonstop for the next five minutes. Both of us had the picture in our minds of the bread toaster, then you put the satays in and then after two minutes it flies out. HAHA. After a while she realized then told us 'Oven toaster la!'. Hahaha but still, it was damn funny. xDD

I left at about 315 to come home, cos guests were coming over. I thought I was early, but when I came home I found them using the xbox already -_-. And here I am blogging while they're still out there haha. Whoops.

But yeah it's been a nice way to end off the last Sunday of the year. Heh I think I'll post something tonight before it strikes 12. And hey sorry I can't go for Watchnight service!

Homework

Today has been a day spent mostly frantically trying to rush out that stupid chinese book report. As of now it stands only 3/4 done, not including the copying out I have to do. Hmm.

And my commonwealth essay is in quite urgent need of redoing.

Looks like my first two days of 2007 are pretty much filled.



Oh, and I've been confirmed as Bayley Aesthetics Director for next year. I'm still not entirely sure about this; will have to pray about it. Yup.

=)

Thanks lots (=




Okay.

Long day. Went to school for cca, the new pieces for the perc concert are imba. It's mad. Sigh I must work harder if I don't want to screw up on stage. Then headed to church for SYC Camp Echo, which only 30 ppl attended. It's heartening and really great to see God working in so many lives through the camp, my own included. My eyes were really opened during the session, like how similar my stories were to Jotham and Joanna, and what Joshua said about tongues and Siqi's own testimony about tongues really was more than coincidence. I believe it really was God speaking to me through these people, giving me people to identify with and learn from. And so we return to the basis of Christianity, which is faith. (=

And I've let go. One thing that has really been ringing through my mind these past few days is God really telling me: "Is not my grace sufficient for you?". And my answer is YES it is. It is MORE than enough. Amen to that!

Curse of the Golden Flower

After another full day of camp, (which makes it about 20 hours of lectures in 2 days) I finally managed to go catch the eagerly anticipated Curse of the Golden Flower. Went to watch it with Stanley, Hanlin, Tiankai and Samkoh right after camp. We were let off at about 630, then we rushed (sorta) for the 650 show and we made it! To my surprise.

It was.........okay. Not jaw-droppingly fantastic, but not bad.

Two words that can be used to describe it is 'ci4 yan3'. The garish colours totally fill the whole screen. It's like watching a kaleidoscope -_-

Of course, the review can't finish without the mentioning of two things.

One: Jay Chou. His acting is still quite emotionless; he tries, but can't pull it off yet. He's still raw. One classic scene was a fight scene where the cries and grunts continue and we just see blurred snapshots of him, and the funniest was when they showed a closeup and he puckers his lips (for what I don't know). Lol.

Two: The excessive showcase of cleavage. Precisely what its use in the movie? None whatsoever. It's like a requirement for the actresses in the movie to be at least a certain cup size -_- And yes it did become an eyesore after awhile. Really! You can ask Stan and Hanlin.

Perhaps I shall do an analysis of the plot tomorrow. After much discussion after the movie, we all came to the conclusion that we don't get it. (y)

Hold On

It's been a really lousy two days.

Can't remember the last time I felt so...crushed. It's not something I'd like to go through again, but it's more than a bit naive to think that I'll never feel this way again. It's something I'll have to learn to cope and deal with, no matter how painful or impossible it may seem.

And nope, I'm not emo-ing. =/ I'm not in a 'the whole world's against me!' mood, just a rather sad one.

Wasn't helped by the fact that PSL camp today was a lecture lasting from 8am to 640pm. Tried my best to appear okay. Hah. At least the boredom helped me take my mind off stuff abit, weirdly enough. It's good to be busy at times. God's provision =)

How can I help someone when I can't even get my own life sorted out? You know what? I don't know either. All I can do at the moment is cling to the Lord. Cling for dear, dear life, and never let go.



He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelations 21:4

I cling to the promise. Desperation, was it not?

Anew, Afresh

Hi all.

After 125 posts at rizern.blogspot.com, I've decided to move - here!

Not only because of the fact that the name 'rizern' was beginning to irritate (just what was I thinking? Peng's puns must have been getting to me), but because I think I need that fresh start. Away perhaps from the emo-ing that plagued 2006, away from the pettyness, away from the way I was. Maybe it's just psychological. But I think my blogging style HAS evolved, and changed over the past year or so. (I've only earnestly blogged for a few months now.) Matured? I'd like to think so. Don't laugh xD

Oh, and although I liked my old blogskin very much aesthetically, it's a tad too emo for my taste. No more emo for me. Haha.

Hah. It's almost 2007 already. Sec 4 year. The year when my batch takes the forefront of the school. Do I feel like a Sec 4? Not really. But then again, something I read in a Calvin and Hobbes comic once springs to mind. When you're a kid, you think that adults know everything; they hold the solution to everything. It's only when you grow up that you realize that adult life is mostly ad-libbed. I like the way it was put - 'ad-libbed'. Leaders of a school, a premier institution. Can't get my mind around that fact yet (at least to the point where I ring myself into it), but that comic gave me a measure of reassurance, and not to mention levity. Haha. The world's a stage, and we're merely players, and we're ad-libbing our way through =)

Anyway, see the title? (Man, I enjoy finally having the luxury of a title. The next blogskin I find must have the option for titles) It's a twofold meaning: It's a new blog, a clean slate. But also, it's to signify that I've grown from the person I was, the selfish bugger who held grudges, got angry easily, the easily tempted, to a new creation in Christ. I'm sorry if you don't like reading all these religious stuff (but Christianity isn't a religion per se anyway-it's a relationship), but it's as much a part of me as eating, sleeping and breathing. =)

Yup, so I'm here for a whole new start! Wish me luck =)

And we're walking hand in hand into the distance...