Roy and Yoke's visit to Sydney!

Royston and Yoke Hian came for a visit to Sydney before I left for the Sunshine state( felt really bad not being able to bring them around) Yoke had to attend a seminar for his discipline at Syd Uni so Royston tagged along:P

I think it was pretty interesting for them to visit Lidcombe- and taste the nice korean food we have at Joa Snack Bar( RIGHT!!). We had korean food like two days straight.hee+

Royston sent me off to Brisbane and I thought the scene was fairly amusing- he sending me off when it should be the other way round..thanks for being there!!

Hope you guys had a great time in Sydney and see you real soon!-HUGS-

The sunshine state in Summer.

11th December to 20th December 2007- I headed to the sunshine state where i met up with Cai and Casey. Queensland had a pretty much sunshine feeling compared to the gloomy Sydney but the clouds kinda followed me over to that place as well because it rained when I reached there.
Anyhow we headed to movie world!!! and got some crazy rides. I had a concussion and was feeling a bit giddy after the rides- a little too exhilarating for myself:)

And then we had a 2 days stay for the next few stops- Brisbane city, Noosa @ sunshine coast,Murwillambah( Mt Warning) and our last stop for the leg of the travel @ Port Macquarie.

Elf and I at movie world!! Brisbane CityMt Warning,Murwillambah Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie.Adopted a koala Aussie Mick at the hospital

Traveling around Brisbane and meeting ladies from Switzerland, Netherlands, Taiwan, Ireland who some gave up their work to experience a work and travel experience Australia is pretty intriguing. Personally, I wished I could do that some day. The question will be: will I be ready to give up for what I have done in Singapore to go about for a year or two? Maybe..Maybe not. The maybes and perhaps- how fleeting can dreams and ambitions get at times isn't it?

I managed to finish my books- Drawing near by John Bevere and The God Catchers by Tommy Tenney. It's been a book sitting on my shelf for a year and when i finally completed my book in these days-the journeys on the trains. The book left a vivid message of the Fear of the Lord- is it found in my heart? Even if I say I love the Lord, but do I fear Him? What's fearing the Lord all about-fear and love Him at the same time? John discussed about the truth behind speaking tongues in Church and was really an edifying entry for myself. I am currently reading- Leaving Microsoft to Change the World. Update you guys when I am done with it.

The lady from Taiwan made this comment- Traveling alone gets really pitiful because you are like a nomad- you pitch your home as you roam and nobody that you could turn to when you get into desperate boredom.

Well, I will be heading to Victoria in January and Fiji at the end of Jan( hope to book the tickets soon otherwise we gotta spend that time in Sydney..LOL). Let me see if it really gets a little too quiet when you are alone. Pray for internet access when I get to Vic:P

PS: Wishin you all a blessed Christmas! John 3:16.

The wait.

BLESSED xmas to you fellow readers of VIvi's blog!!!
Ahh..it must have been a long wait since I last blogged about my mama's arrival- she left on the 6th december 2007 with my two other little imps. Well, she was gonna cry before she enter the gates when she told me to take care of herself.I kinda mastered the skill to hold my tears pretty well- didn't want to start another melodrama of flooding like it was at Changi Airport 5 months ago. It was just amazing to have them with me,having the smell of Singapore, the language of Singapore, the food of Singapore.

Pandan CAkeHar BeeMaggi Noodle from Singapore!!Ikan bilis for soupNonya SAuce and Assam sauce:)

*applause for my family for bringing all these amazing stuff from Singapore*
It just amazes you when their love for you goes beyond the weight they have to carry. They had one luggage specially for food..it was so funny because that luggage was empty after they came here and filled again with all the OZ products before they head back to Singapore.
I felt that after seeing them, I had been a bit off being a Singaporean. They talk too fast and too mumbled when I speak to them and they don't like to walk too much.
Nevertheless, my mummy came and cooked for me almost everyday except the last two days i cooked up meals for them cuz they were busy packing. Mummy finally ate what i cooked and said it was not too bad. GOod for a start..LOL~THe wait for my mum ,bro and stef to come was pretty much a mixture of feelings. Having living alone with people who could not tolerate you and left you in 5 months, it makes u a little apprehensive to want to live with them having known that you might have caused terror in the past 22 years of my life( esp for my mum who has to deal with my ever frequent forgetfulness and sudden outbursts of erratic screams). I supposed that's what make them your family- seeing beyond your traits of terror and live with you all the same, never once remembering the terrible things you threw at their face. Then again,I have not seen them for 5 months- it's quite a far bit to bear with having seeing them for 22 years of my life isnt' it:P
We had a pretty relax itinerary around Sydney for the 2 weeks- visiting the sights and accommodating to the relatives' requests of meet ups that got me a little messsy. THe highlight was at Port Stephens because my mother did Sandboarding!!! hahaha..someting that she will not participate if she was not coaxed.
pictures for view and memories for me tokeep:)

Mum back in singapore

mummy dan and stef has returned to Singapore..exciting times we had..the occasional squabbles and well..overall a reminiscing time for all of us:)
Mama kinda teared at the airport..well.if i didn't hold back mine,we will have created another flooding at the kingsfordsmith airport..:P

I suppose when i look back at the times we spent, though it was a short two weeks..hm..it was another occasion when i thank God I am alive to see my family and they are alive to meet me..and not everyone gets the opportunity..if they did not come this summer..i will ahve to wait till next year till i meet them again. For my friends, if u are going to come and visit..pls drop me an email..so we can hang out and chill:) i miss the activities i do with u guys..heaps heaps heaps of activities that i can't get to go back to Singapore and start finding people to do:)

EVON!! thanks for your letter..i received it..will reply u soon ya..with all the juicy stuff..that i don't reveal on my blog..LOL..

Alrightey..just some updates of where i might be heading off to- Perth/Darwin( the northwestern territory), Cairns, Surfers Paradise and hopefully NZ or Fiji!
well loads of travelling..hehe..pretty much but i gotta see how much money i have..LOL..God will provide!!

saving up to go for more conferences too( after willow creek's)- the hillsongs women conference and hillsongs conference.:)

Reuben-my big bear

As I took my walk to school today, I did something that I normally will not engage in. I kept looking at the ground- the black and white shades that seem to fuzzle into grey patches. I did not dare to look up because the images before me might make me forget how Reuben looks like.

Reuben went home to be with the Lord on Friday, 23rd November 2007 after a dragon boat accident in Cambodia and went missing after the boat capsized. Yesterday, his body was found some distance away from the site of the accident and is due to return to Singapore. Jill txt my Singapore line and if my cousin *with that line* had not been here, I will not have known about it [no internet to access to news:(]
I cannot imagine myself returning to Singapore a year later to find out that Reuben is gone. It's just..

I met Reuben when I started rowing in NYP. He was a tall burly dark bear that walks around, looking really fierce. That image fuzzles out when he smiles because he had a really nice set of pearly white teeth. I remembered that I first spoke to him on my birthday in 2004-because of a box of winnie the pooh jigsaw puzzle. I took my first photos with him on that day and we made our first email contact on that day. We had our first medals in NYP together at Bedok Reservoir. Joyce tried to trick him into doing something if I won a medal but it neve came to pass. He never fails to tease me about pull ups- always asking me to bring up the muscles to hit the pull up bars in NYP. We were teased by teammates because we just kinda hang out and laughed at a corner when we are supposed to be training. His passion for rowing blew me away when he bought his own paddle and trains almost every other day. The distinction in his tasks and pursuits made me understand the driving power of enthusiasm and passion.We had our occasional MSN chats when I will receive links to his webby for his music-double blown away. We will just exchange few thoughts about his music( though I think I was never much of a help) but still he took that thought and probe till he is able to prefect it. His music was rarely only for himself. The random tots that we exchange, big bear always give me weird answers. He gets a little too busy with music and our conversations always get left hanging. Big bear likes chicken rice-at least that was the only thing we ate together(with Yixue). I left my team not long after that and rarely saw him. Till one day near church, I met him with his group of friends- he could not recognise me cuz I was in a skirt( yea, he acknowledges me as a guy most of the time:P)We said let's meet up but..

I did not say goodbye to him before I left for Australia because he was too busy with work as well. He facebooked me and said we should meet up when I get back, and that will only happen next year.

People questioned why God takes away people who had so much ahead of them, having not finished doing what they are ought to accomplish. They say that God is unfair. Is He? For myself, taking such wonderful people away spoke to me- what have they left behind for the people in this world? Have you made use of every mince of your time that you have wasted none on this Earth? Regrets abound when u remember them?


Big bear, when I return next year, I may not get to see you the way I wished, hear your voice and laughther, your teasing and pokings the way I wished. You could not care less about what people's comments are as long as you were true to what you were doing- that was the amazing focus you had. The tall dark figure will forever lay to rest and be home with our Father. I pray that you will find the peace that you have been searching for. You gave me memories in rowing- from the first medals, to the first marathon, and first secret training that we could not let coach know. The words we exchanged were few.. but those words will not amount to the weird affinity we shared about life. You gave your all everytime,perhaps knowing that living for that day was the most worthwhile thing to do. Your music will play on in my heart.
Remembering your backview on the last time I met you at Adam road, I just thank God that I met you. *big hugs*:)

PS: He is the fourth person to leave me ever since I came to Sydney.God, aRe you telling me something?

The smell of home~

Mummy, daniel and Stefy arrived on the 23rd November 2007 at 2005h, Kingsford Smith Airport T1. I got there by 1930h because they were scheduled to arrive then so i ended up waiting to close an hour before seeing them.

As I was hanging around the places, people (like myself) were gathering to welcome their friends and family members who have been away for some time-long/short- it didn't really matter. it was the distance of separation that made the heart grow fonder. The hugs, run ups, screams and kisses that they share just made my heart melt. It was a feeling that I could not explain- that warmth that surges up your throat and gives you the goosebumps.

School internet does not allow me to add pictures..so yea..pictureless blog for a long time..

Mum cooked her first meal in Australia for me:) 4 dishes 1 soup and it's been a long time since I ate her food. *sobz*

Enjoy every moment with her and the two punks while they are physically with me:)

SCHOOL's OVER! bring out the play!!!!

YOOO HOOO. updates updates!!
It's been quite a long time since I got out to blogging. Pardon me because I was swamped with assignments,take home exams and well my last paper just finished at 1430h. ( that's because I finished early.got tired of waiting so I left the room early:P)
hmm the thought of doing so many things for summer just excites me..well I am not returning to singapore for the summers so i will only get to see u guys in like next year july ( except for fran..she will leave early next year to the US:/)

I got time to blog because I am locked out of my stupid house AGAIN! the last time i was locked out i had to wonder around like some stupid lost soul.so upsetting..so now i am spending my time here to do some productive things ( relative in this season).

The past week has been really upheaving. New housemates, exams, new seasons to come.
new interests... hm and i really wanna let my hair down like some wild kid before i return to be a working adult:)

Haven had time to do a lota reflections this week. and guitar playing. and exercising. Putting on the weight with late night atrocious eating because of work. so hungry lately..*ahem*

I will be out to Gosford next wednesday for overnight session at Mia's house and then MUMMY DANIU AND STEFFY IS COMING!!!!! *jumps in the air* for 2 weeks..then i might head up to brisbane cuz shirlynn is going up to attend Linda's graduation. and then..beginning in january after the fireworks and celebration..i am headin tot he countryside at Albury where larrie stays n enjoy some good camping with GIRLS:)/hehehehe..how exciting can that get. MOre to come..and i pray that I will be blessed with finances to travel. AMEN!!

okei dokes..gotta go out now..hving bbq table at a korean restaurant near our house for celebration for the Georges Avenue girls.

Xmas is coming people!! haha..any orders for TIM TAMS?? i might consider getting my brother bringing it back:P
haha

tke care..luv ya all

1 week of wireless:)

I finally get to do some blogging after a week of being "wireless". The feeling ain't that bad or helpess. Feels like the days when I had to survive on dial up and internet was not at my disposal of use- I had to ration the hours so that we don't bust our bills.

I suppose having no internet at home has directed my time to other events at home like eating. baking.cleaning.washing.and playing soccer in my house!! hahaha..~ except for the last item, i think the rest just increased its frequency with the free time i have..not forgetting the guitar and the TAWG. YES! my housemate has a soccer ball so i can kick some balls in the house..just like what i used to do back at home with my lovely brudder* I miss him manz*.

My new housemate is really funny. He gets bored easily..and he behaves a little like Daniel- he likes to sit around the house but not his room.. he plays soccer..listens to RnB music. I think they might make good friends.. anyway, that's beside the point. With my new housemate, my neighbours get to eat big watermelon that costs AUD 7!!! without having to carry it home themselves..LOL.

Things had not been really good for the past week since last Tuesday but I am thankful for the grace of God is ever bountiful. As I look back on the things that have happened in my house, it's not a sad thing after all. Hm..a pity it can be but I have decided to pick up the pieces, clear the mess and look forward just like before:)
I took 2 days off from work( leaving me really behind time from completing my assignments hehe) to attend the Global Leadership Summit 2007 at Wesley church. It's their Sydney leg and they had a video conference for 2 days. My rating- 9/10 stars!! It was truly inspiring and the speakers they had were amazing.. Jimmy Carter( US president), Bill Hybels( Senior Pastor of Willow Creek), Marcus Buckingham, Carly Fiorina( ex CEO of Hewlett Packard), Richard Curtis(director of NOtting hill), Colin Powell and Michael Porter. It has got me really thinking what I have been doing with the last 22 years of my life, the money and time I have wasted on things that (perhaps) could have made a difference if I chose to. I got down to do something I had always wanted to- bring a sponsor-a-child program to my friends back in Singapore. I believe there are many around and this is one that my cousin Terence started for the SEA and East Asia children. It's tough work but unless I get down to doing it- I will never know what I can accomplish for the kingdom of God:)

YEAPS!! so hopefully when I get back, I will be able to bring back something awesome for all..or better still, get this over even before I return:)

PEOPLE>TAG YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!! so i can send u xmas cards..LOL..otherwise I can't get them to u. I am trying to collate the different TIM TAMS and arnott's biscuits here to do a blog entry on it..haha..will stun u with the varieties we have!!
IT"S MANGOES season..cheaaappp..so happy!!

God bless your week ahead people*hugz*

And so my section sings- If we hold on together

Am missing them so much:)

Last day of school!!!

It was the last day for lectures actually.( we had school for another 3 more days because of tuts week)
There u go pics pics and more pics..

Lina with her pretty pizzaLina and vi!!! back together after 6 years:)
Eliane!! she's really sweet!!
Gloria!! *dazed*
Mia and the mooncake I gave her- she makes the Caucasian kinda mooncakes..We are going to her home @Gosford for summer hols!! Kayaking here we come!!


Well..everybody's moving on..While we have another semester to run by:P
I will most probably hoping my last day will come real soon:)

Snail mails for the next few months.

Hi everybody!!
Am back with more astounding news:)

I will no longer be having internet nor landline as of today. It has got to do with the things I am left with after my current housemate shifts out because she is taking away my phone,modem and router. SO YEAPS! I am wireless literally:P

However I am ALL FOR snail mails, emails, txts* IF u wanna pay intl' fees:P* Hehe

MY house is kinda empty now..only left with a washing machine and some pails. It's such a feeling that I am glad I may have nothing much but I have the greatest person by my side- my Father in Heaven. Well, even if I am only left with God alone, it's the only thing that I need because I don't exactly seem to hold onto the tangible things as badly*compared to the past* AND YES! thank God for my new housemate's pots and pans, utensils, and cups. God provides and *Am believing for a double portion* when you choose to honour Him in all that u do, AMEN??!!

gotta go. so long~till i get internet..*If i ever do:P**HUGZ*

PS: I will still update my blog..but not that often yea:P
TAG your mailing address everybody!!! so if I have to send u mail..via snail mail..exciting to see letters in your box isn't it!!

"Over my head" Brian Littrell. You cover me.

I tried to figure it out
Time and time again and time again
I guess there's just some things I'll never understand
'Cause Your ways aren't our ways
But deep down in my soul, down in my soul
There is one thing I know that I know

I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head

I've been holding on
Now I'm letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don't know where I'm going
But I'm surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You

I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head

You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me

Vi to God: Father, I just want to give thanks to you. That you saved me from my past, that you saved me from the vengeful spirit, that you saved me from the pits of hell, that you saved me from my sorrows, pain,hurts,betrayals especially of people whom so thought I knew them. And because you saved me- I could lead a new life. A life that does not need to thrive on striving, a life that does not need to thrive on earning good works, a life that does not need to fear of what people might say or criticize, a life that does not need to please men, a life that does not seek revenge nor advocation of my "given" rights, a life that I can freely live without a qualm about what may come tomorrow because I am living it for you. Just like the song- time and time again, I tried to understand. Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are completely different from yours", says the Lord. " And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than yours." then deep down I am convinced that perhaps all you ever asked from us is a dependence on you and not to worry about anything. Father, thank you for loving me. That is the greatest gift I could ever received from you:)

Pray for me

Hey fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!

I figured out I can't send a mass email because I always get punked by the server so I decided to post a blogpost to call for a time of prayer.

I can't really explain to you the situation I am in but all I ask for is with your prophetic ministry skills, pray for me. Health, studies, relationships...I sense that I am kinda trapped in a lot of situations that are really faith testing, integrity testing and might be detrimental to my career.

Well, I didn't realise the gravity of issues until my good pals highlighted to me about how my character of being perhaps nonchalant/indifferent has caused unnecessary misunderstandings- which I can't control people's reactions and their choice of words about my behaviour. However, I am believing that my God is my hope that will not disappoint and He will be my vindicator.

I remembered P.Gary giving me a note saying that human beings are not perfect..and so am I. If anyone has caused distress to you or has come to accuse you of anything that has happened to them- just forgive. Because we are all imperfect creatures that we should we give each other some slack.

All I want to say-*speechless* Let my God do the talking:)
P.U.S.H= pray until something happens.:)

When I had too many questions on my mind.

Hm.
Bleahz.
This is what happens when you have too many questions on your mind. You don't know where to start from:)

The weekend was pretty interesting. It had its ups and downs. Like, without Jees and/or skype, I think i will still stay at strumming the same rate.LOL- Jees, must pray for me that God will come and visit me when I hit the strings, hit the bed and the songbooks.
I met up with Kah Fei( not the one from IGNYTE) my cousin cuz he's flying to Singapore in 3 days time. Why is everybody flying:( He's so excited because he can finally return to his homeland of food and eat his daily dosage of PRATA!!!:( i want prata. hahaha- tissue prata, plaster, egg, egg and onion. *sobz*

visited May ku ma and family and had a chitchat session as well. Ah qiong drove me to town cuz I had to meet someone for dinner. *erhem* hahah..waited till I felt so constipated but I can't go. But I must be appreciative because this person has got me a decent dinner at the revolving Sydney Sky Tower, 360 Bar and dining with a mesmerizing view of Sydney city. THANK YOU!!!*smiles brightly*But you could just imagine with me.. Star city, Darling Harbour, Harbour bridge and part of the opera house with thousands of " candle light" flickering and nice cruise ships passing by..pretty ah? We got quite amused with the lights in the restaurant because we cannot see anything on the menu and we got to grab those mushroom headlights. I didnt take pictures because it was so dark and I didnt know I was going there for dinner.:/ haha. The brownie is NICE..and so is the apple souffle pie. Ah~ I was asked to find apple bits in the custard ( when they were non existent by the touch of my tongue) because I could not finish it. Got kinda amused with that request and got the person who asked me to do so to do it too~ So did he find any apple bits? NO.

Should go there again..when I have the money.hahahah~

Exams are coming. Gonna camp full time in the library..almost full time. As for blogging... I might disappear away for a day or two..or a week..hm.

PS: It was not one of the best weeks around. History repeats itself to a point of disgust at times. I just pray that no more infering and no more backstabbing will happen again.

Floriade 2007-Canberra and Parliament House

one of my random posts during my studying time- was getting bored with packing my notes:P

Floriade is an annual floral event organised by the state of Canberra, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Avid photographers, families and couples flock to Canberra to catch the evidence of arrival of Spring in the state and bask in the sea of tulips, pansies and daffodils and many more floral kinds~

We decided to pick a trip up on our own and got discounted tickets..LOL:) Shirlynn, Shirleen, Casey and I took the 0800 h bus up to Canberra and boy~ I never saw so many flowers in my life:) hee+ My favourite is sunflower but I grew to like white
tulips and lilies somehow... I like the sunny flower because it makes

me smile..its big face just reminds me of smiling no matter how bad the day is!! Hm..maybe another criteria for my future husband- must not be allergic to pollen..LOL.

I wanted to buy flowers badly but they did not sell the kinds I wanted to get. Am looking forward to get some flowers for the weekend hopefully because I need to get some uplifting moments for the week:/
The Floriade had different themes like surf.sea.sand, sports craze, the musician and whole loads of interesting icons of the Australian nation.

We headed to the gorgeous fountain and we saw a rainbow!! I really admire those who stay near there-daily reminder of God's faithfulness at your window. how cool is that!

The Parliament House, past and present, interestingly were situated facing each other. The present PH is built such that the people can go to the roof top and "walk over" the top of the House. I suppose it's a symbolic representation of how the government can have their people climbing over them.

I gave some thought when I saw the past and present PH facing each other- pardon me if I think too much at times- but I felt that people tend to look back at the glorious past or successes in what they have done, trying to formulate the same method, not realising that times have changed and evolved- the past may serve as a lesson but not as a replica for solving current problems.

Hm..food for thought~

Santa came early~

Christmas is only coming in like 2 months' time but I think Santa came a little early this year- there you saw the two things that got highlighted in my wish list.. I got both within a week. Santa must be working overtime this year because he's afraid that he will finish giving in time.I think~

Hopefully the rest will come to reality soon:)

PS: Santa is a fictitious character.

I saw him and his guitar? Is he the one?

Jees, now that you are not around to teach me guitar..I need someone to show me new stunts..LOL

I thought I found one.. but yesterday's encounter somehow told me it's not possible.

Haiz~

It's all dependence on my Father in Heaven to anoint those teeny fingers and poor sense of rhythm to create miracle playings~


Praying for doors open to find the one.

guitar-TWANG~ new receipes

hehe..Guitar playing has been progressing, I can finally sing and play at the same time..LOL!!( yes Jees!! ) Hm.but I need to move from my current playlists and my strumming. I need to start learning how to pluck and strum and well.. be better:) for Jesus.

Maybe when I get better, I will just video myself..LOL.

I have learnt to make my own meatballs!!! yea..handmade ones~hee. I started on my receipes for my Cocoa crackles- i named it pok pok because of the crunchy sound it has. I am making a new flavour this week and will post it on if i remember. Gonna start on my pineapple banana cake later! been waiting to bake the cake for so long..hee+ and soon i shall endeavour to be able to open a mobile cake shop when i return to Singapore..hahaha+ Membership is up for grabs.. so if u have VIP i will give you good discounts and freebies..LOL

alrightey..gotta go bath and bake cake.. woosh!

I chose to give them a chance.

On the Saturday that just passed, I went down to the Reibby Juvenile Justice Centre to spend a day with the boys playing touch footy. RJJC is at campbelltown and keeps the boys off streets after they have kinda break the law from petty to serious crimes.

I went with my mates from church and it was really interesting to see so many nationalities coming together to go have some fun and at the same time be a blessing to these guys in Reibby. It was a really long drive(1.5 to 2 hrs) up from Sydney city to Campbelltown. I took Brian's car with Debra behind and I think we were all about to fall asleep when we finally reached the place.

We had a game or two with the high school age boys. I am really amazed at these boys. Yea, they are people who broke the law but I see how they are quite shy when talking to us. In fact, the guys are really polite and they will really gentlemen. I never play touch footy before in my entire life but they didnt really mind. Some of them even asked their friends to pass the ball to the girls so we can have a run to score a try.

Although it was only 2 shorts hours and we did not really do much talking, but being with them just opened my eyes to the inside world of a juvenile centre and it really started making me think what could have caused them to commit crimes when they really seem harmful people.
Some of the guys were really apprehensive in talkin to us- maybe as much as the society is afraid of them, they are too afraid of us. The lady chaplain, Lee, told us that many of them are really fearful of returning back to the community, so much so that they did not want to leave. These boys doesn't have visitors and I think when I made a choice to go there, I would most probably be the few people they know from the outside community besides the wardens and their teachers. How can you not be fearful when that's all you know about the outside world? They have televisions and games, classes..but that's not all about it. The people out there, might be the greatest hurdle they will meet when they leave the centre. I was really touched when they gave me the ball and ask me to run for the try. Trust me, all of them can run so fast you can't even smell the whiff of their fart..LOL. just kidd~I suppose that they will want us to give them a chance as well, just as much as they have given us on the field.
Many of them did not choose to be born into the families they grew up in, the community that they live in. It's ironic that how much the society has progressed yet relegated/forgotten about the many poor families that these children come from-perhaps we should do our part instead of blaming their community and parents. And when are you too consumed with the worries of your life, think again. I know I have God with me but these guys, many of them don't even know where they are heading after they leave the centre- are you just like them, aimless about the days ahead of you?

Recaps~

It's yet another week in Australia. School's ending in another 2 weeks and I apologize for missing you guys out in sharing my mini travels and excitements in the weeks after my blue mountains trip. That's about 2 weeks i think.hmmm...

Anyhow, after i had blue mountains..i kinda conquered the bays and the beaches (except Bondi and Marouba) and the trekking around Syndey Metropolitan area with ferries, buses,trains n my ever enthusiastic walking kaki Shirlynn~

Summary=
1) Coogee Beach part 2
2) Sydney Olympic Park
3)Manly Beach on my birthday Weee~
4)Double, Rose, Mosman and Watson's Bay, Cremone point.
5)Floriade 2007 @ Canberra
6) Ferry to Sydney Olympic Park Terminal from Circular Quay.

Will post the adventures in separate entries..LOL..otherwise this entry will be forever ongoing.

well..After the entire series of walking around, this was one thing that I kinda want to share with you guys.hee+
What keeps two friends together on the sea?Friend-ship:)

Facebook~

Ehlo everybody!!

School term just started after two weeks of running, walking, tramping around Syndey. Shall post the pictures of the tours I had. I suppose that this birthday I had was the most eventful one because I had been to so many places- more than my 3 months here before I ventured out with Cai to see Sydney.

School's back with more assignments- 3 to hand in, 2 for take home exams and a written one for value law and ethics for health care professionals.:P
In fact, exams are gonna end on the 15th November and I am planning to have a pyjamas party on the 16th November..LOL. Well, that might be the last one because my other housemate has decided that she will shift out because she is not comfortable having strangers living with her( well, I wanted to get people in so it will not be so expensive to handle the rent). Yeaps! so..PJ PARTY!! entrance only for girls.LOL...

After that, my mother, brother and Stefanie are coming over for 2 weeks. Exciting 2 weeks..have kinda ran around Sydney to check out what good scenic places to view and the yummy places to whack. woohoo~

I have gotten myself kinda partially hooked onto facebook. hehe+ so you guys can add me..i think i put my full name ..LOL LIM FENG YU VIVIAN..yea that's my search name...

alrightey..gonna post the pics soon..take care people!

The mountains resounding His majesty~

26th september to 28th september 2007- The Blue mountains, Katoomba/Leura/Wentworth falls.

My first bushwalk in the real mountains was just breathtaking. It was really exciting to be on my first backpacking trip - though it wasn't to somewhere really far. With Eileen and Cai, we headed to blue mts on a 2 hours train ride to katoomba and stayed for 2 nights. Blue mountains is called blue mountains is because of the blue haze above the mountains that can be seen..
For the 3 days we went to trek to see the famous 三姐妹 and the Jenolan caves series( Lucas caves) and the waterfalls. 3 girls running up and down the cliffs..It was unimaginable the amount of climbing and walking we did- close to 6-7 hours a day.

It was all worth it to just witness how the mts and caves and forests and valleys were formed- the history and stories behind the places were interesting( it helps to have a good tourguide). We lost quite a bit of calories but gained a whole load of insight on our abilities to climb and trek as well as (for myself) how the hand of God can be so creative.
When I saw blue mountains, I can't help but start singing -
When I think about the heavens, the moon and all the stars,
I wonder what you ever saw in me.
But you took me and you loved me and given me a crown
And I will praise your name eternally~
O Lord my God, how excellent your name is
How excellent your name in all the earth.
The glory fills the Heavens beyond the furthest stars
How excellent your name in all the earth.

The most memorable part of the trip was the journey to the caves. When you thought you saw the great cliffs and forests at the blue mountains itself, when the coach drove past the mountain range and the Great Dividing range and Megalong valley- I was just overwhelmed with the majestic outlook of the fields and mountains. I so wanted to hug it and bring it home. hahah..so I did that with buying postcards.

We went to places like chocolate factory and the famous wentworth pies, not forgetting the rides all around the blue mountains.:) Ah did i mention about the Kangaroos..they are SO CUTE!!!! aiyo~ i was so amused by them. They came pouncing on me when i gave them food..and i got to hug one:)I hope that my husband will never have to sit on that. Venturing and conquered the mountains!Thank you for this awesome time, Eileen and Cai:)