First week of tutorials

It was first day of tutorials.
It was.. unexpected.

After having classes with our new classmates, I cannot help but wonder- Are we really odd ones out?

Well. there are some nice people* can't just use one person to knock the whole boat over* direct translation from chinese saying.

They kept on talking and kept on moving for 2 hours. Unlike Singapore, we wait for someone to answer. People here answers voluntarily. No need for sweets, no need for stars..no need to be called.
So I gave all out manz..though I really did not wanna talk.

Bottomline: I survived.

I shall celebrate with KRISPE KREMES this week for the one day class week next week! hiaks!

Traces of singapore

Just when you thought Singapore was out of my league..they came to me to this southern hemisphere island.

My proud moment No.2*

I had dinner at Cai's place tonight~I cooked the dishes!
Fried Chicken fillet~soft and tender~ crunchy taste~


My victories celebrated!

Blessed weekend-reminiscing singapura!

It has been a disruptive week and to add on- unproductive week. I was not able to do homework at home so I had to lug my stuff to my relative's house over the weekend to complete it.

I went for dinner at Janet Ku's house at Eastlakes. How i wished I stayed there..LOL..because everything is just across the street while at Lidcombe I have to walk like 20 minutes..BRISK WALK!..to get my food. yea..tat's why I have lost quite a bit of weight. *I can put one hand into my Levi's jeans when sitting..when I used to struggle sitting down with it.*

The Eastlakes gang that consists of Ong suk, Auntie Jeanette, Neng Suk, Mei Ku ma and Kah Fei had dinner. I had Australia's KFC..not that bad but it just tastes different.
I developed a fear for potatoes because of some misadventure I had to help my housemate to finish up 1.5kg of potatoes..had potatoes for 2 dinners..1 lunch and 1 breakfast. haiz.but IT WAS WARM FOOD*family WARM food*..felt so blissful when i ate. We had SPAM-haaha..it's the Australia's way of saying luncheon meat. I had potato carrot soup..janet ku knew i was upset about having potatoes so we didnt scoop for me..*so sweet of her* fish patties!! and er...chicken rendang..rice..*slurps*


Mei Ku Ma n Janet Ku.

And DURIANS..haa.

I got my tennis racket!! courtesy to neng suk..LOL..now i can HIT SOME BALLS!! ARGH!

I called mama that night to talk to her..rattled non stop about lotsa things..and I suddenly missed the feeling of her tying plaits for my hair:(

Visited another church at Randwick..homely church--I had coffee break for the first time in my life during service ..it was so odd. hahaha~ maybe IGNYTE should have that.we were served by the children for offering and coffee break..so cute and adorable..loved them to bits. A band called the Marshes*dunno if i spelt correctly*. It's a family Christian band-they have five kids who are all musically inclined. 4 boys and a girl. dad hits the Electric guit and mama slams the keyboard. the 4 boys hit the drums, strums the bass and A.G and a saxophone player! the girl has a rather intriguing voice:)
Suddenly, felt like having a family. hahaha~ reminded me of my criteria list for my future husband..so I am refining it now..for the many who knew of the long list.

It was Singapore food time!!! I missed Chicken Rice so much..yet too shy to say..I jsut stare at the name of the dish for 20 minutes..haha before I decided to call for it.
Kah Fei was having Mee Goreng~

I took my first bus ride!! Finally~

Lesson of the day- Be like Job: No matter what happens, Praise the Lord.

God's preparation for His people

Whenever we have lessons or tutorials, some of us will choose to give the best in research and coming up with the line up of things to present and share with our tutorial mates. Some of us will choose to perhaps take the time and do the minimal, be glad and let the lesson passed us by.

Then I realised that perhaps when I went through my polytechnic days, that was a preparation. A preparation of 3 years that has got me in the understanding that when my one year standing alone will test my integrity, my faith, my humility, my weaknesses, and ultimately my salvation in Jesus Christ. There were times that I will slack and indifferent about the preparation that awaits me..there are times when I am all so fired up for it. Today- I asked myself: Have I gave my best in the preparation for this lone trip?

When I was hearing "At the cross", it was a clear message to me. That I hold no rights to complain, to argue, to demand because someone else is worst off than myself. In fact, because my Lord shed His blood for me- I need not do any of that because He has gone ahead for us. Even when I can be at the most disadvantaged, He shall be my vindicator.
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Isaiah 50:4-8

Lord, I am thankful for the many things you have given me. My house, my bed, my family and friends and people from Singapore that came to Australia to study with me..Even at the deepest pit, when nothing goes my way,and I may not be what like verse 8 speaks of the bravery that I should have in facing confrontations, I know there is only one way- your way- the best way:) Lead me and guide me with the wisdom that comes from you.

Looking towards a year of uncertainty.

Hm~ the year looks quite cloudy..I am wondering what has God intended for me to see His glory at the end of the day:)

Day out at Burwood

cai, case and I went out to burwood to check out the huge Asian market but we missed totally:( hahaahaha..so we ended up shopping those smaller shops where i got decent good bargains:P
I brought food out and guess what's that below!!!
*drum roll* it's japanese sushi soya sauce in a fish container.CUTE RITE!!..aiyo~hahaha..
Now...traces of Singapore in the supermarket
It was a great day of shopping, laughing and buying~ bought a pair of boots for 29 bucks*usual price is like 40-50 bucks* haha..and also got free happy hour doughnuts cuz case sponsored me a box of that. Unfortunately, I have lost a kg thus far..:(my jeans are loose~
ExtRA!! This is my new friend from taiwan~Ariel:) Masters student from occupational therapy.

First day of school after 2 months~

I believe drivers will agree with me~ when your cars stall, the worst place to be could most probably stuck on a hill. *cuz your car might just end up going downhill*

First day of school for me was like driving a stalled car~I had problems starting the engine. Must have been the erratic winter weather in Australia. It was the coldest days I have ever had since I touched down in the down under. I blew out smoke, huge amount of smoke..I can't help but just recall the days in Vancouver when I had it everyday. Like any sua ku Singaporean, I was so fascinated then. Now, I am just indifferent about the smoke. I packed 4 slices of peanut butter bread, eggs and sausages and warm water for my meals so I need not spend a single cent! And YES! i did it.:P hahaha~

It was an all lectures monday~ was kinda overwhelming. The only lesson that kept me quite awake was Physiotherapy in Childhood- Jane was amusing with her puns and her spontaneous jokes. It was quite weird- THe Asians actually stick together and the OZs move in their masses. Us, the bunch of singaporean girls..i think we felt kinda out of place. BUT! I met Goh Lina there. Aiya~ she screamed my name so loud..i think the entire LT heard my name. Goh Lina- my chemistry, biology and physics partner during secondary school. An awesome lady who's just too bright that I have to take the sunglasses out..LOL. sorry for the poor grade joke. I promise to improve. The lessons were absolutely heavy in content and scored high in the lullaby genre.

Yet all in all, I was glad that I started school. At least I started on the purpose of why I came to Australia. We are suppose to make the choices for our practicum- hmm.i am considering sports, paediatrics, rural areas visitation(staying in the lovely quiet countryside)for now.

It's a week's long break before tutorials start next week. Thus, it's a 6 day long weekend..LOL. Just kidd~ we gotta do our own readings..haiz. loads of them. BRACE MYSELF!

It's another weekend at my auntie's place..went visiting and i GOT CHINCHALOOK!!! hahahahah..was over the moon. i got a cushion and a bear..and lotsa clothes and food as usual..for the month of winter. Hm..but it was a sad weekend cuz my cousin from m'sia Kenzi, passed away on thursday night. It was a true pity because he was doing so well in school and because he didnt want to be a burden to his mum..he chose to work. I suppose his time is up and Daddy in Heaven wants to bring him home.

How fleeting life can be~ Coincidentally, the pastor at the CBC was preachin about eternal life and how we receive the new life when we accept Jesus in our heart Ephesians 2:1-10.

Been trying my guitar..haha.think I need some pro help.GOD!!

Advertisement: If you want to view a tour of my house, please TAG. Will upload when I have the numbers in the queue. Current target-13.

I really miss my dad, mum and brother. Feels so weird w/o my irritating brother draggin me around whenever we go out.:(

take care~

shopping day~

It's winter sales now..so everywhere is cheap cheap cheap. Rare to say that in Australia..but i bought a shirt for AUD 4.95. HOW ABOUT THAT? and it's those kinda shirt that sells for at least 15 bucks in Singapore:)

my friends are quite overwhelming..they bought like loads of stuff but it was sheer fun to just look at the harvest you have for the day:)

I bought quite a bit
1) Formal pants for 10 bucks
2) Fleece pants for 10 bucks
3) Cookbook for 10 bucks
4) Australian travel buck for 7 bucks
5) RUgby ball for 20 bucks
6)hmm..i can't remember:P

I have been bleeding quite a bit in the inner part of my nose for the past 2 weeks. Stale blood whenever i blow my nose.. i think the weather's getting to my nose too~ dry wind and air every day~
THe UV is so strong that i can get sun burnt just being out for the day.

I didnt bring my guitar to Australia but my uncle passed me his..very valued guitar because his wife bought it for him for one of his 40xth birthday. so yeaps! it's jammin time cuz me housemate bought one for 99 bucks..LOL.

Lesson for the day- Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I am goin to help my school mates shift their house tml..so yeaps! it's gonna be a long day:)
tata~

Airport farewell~

My church choir and goodbyes~ thank you being there:)

Goodbyes~

Sunday's out!

How's everyone sunday's coming??
I had my day out at the city at the central baptist church.
Check this out:Central Baptist Church was established in 1836. It was originally located in Bathurst street and was the 1st baptist church in Australia known as the Bathurst Street Baptist Church. The Church exercises evangelical Bible-based ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is affiliated with the Baptist Union(Convention) of NSW, the Baptist Union( Convention) of Australia and the Baptist World Alliance.

Hehe..pretty cool ah~

It was a good day after a week away from the church environment and was planning to go shoppin with Mun EE after that..:) we had tim sum and ku qiong treated all of us to a good deal of tim sum at some majestic restaurant..LOL..i love the food there..and got to eat really good deal of hongkong stuff.Kah Fei and Sab:)

Then we went to Paddy's and i got some good Lollies and a surprise for u ah JINg!!

Then it was back to Georges Avenue. :(

My first~

I wanted to tell my mum how much I love her for washing and cooking for me..because when I did my first time..I was..lost.

Somehow.God kept the colours on and the material intact though I had lousy washing skills.. I spent close to 2 hours in the laundry and realised how time consuming can washing get..so I decided that once a week washing is fine:)It's winter..people don't sweat..LOL.

I cooked my meals too~ my housemates had theirs so I ate on my own and i GOt soup and rice and some fried chicken to go with. Not fantastic for a meal of my lifetime but decent to keep me full and strong:)

My relatives gave me lotsa food..from moisturiser to food to clothes..save quite a bit. Gotta restrict the budget and cook my lunch soon.
Just got my timetable..not something i looked forward..didnt get the choice i wanted for elective..o well~ i suppose God has His reasons of putting me in that place..and I can so see it coming in the beginning:(

okei~ time to go cook dinner again.Think my housemates had theirs alrdy~ update u guys soon about the nice videos we had:)

farewell at changi-lovenotes

Post for my cousin-kenzi

My cousin got into an accident in Taiwan... The latest news is he is still alive but in critical condition..on life support. Keep him in prayer for me and his family~ Hang in there brudder~

My New House for the year~

We have finally settled in our little comfortable house on 6A Georges Avenue, Lidcombe. We are in the state of New South Wales of Sydney..and the suburb called Lidcombe. Lidcombe houses the university campus that I attend( the main campus is in the city area, campertown) and well!! it's quite an "exciting place".

THe house was kinda messy so we all put on the green rubber gloves we had to scrub, wash and clean the entire house. I think we threw out about close to 5-6 bags of trash after that,LOL..
Wendy scrubbing the toilets
Fae trying to figure out how to use harpic and farhana fixing the bed:)( she's our handyman!)

so yeaps..after a round of revamp and cleaning..furniture placing..its a new house for us..buti had not had the time to take nice pics.so soon ya.!

we had our first meal..

THe spaghetti with mutton franks.( eeks..dont eat mutton:(]- done by farhana.
After that day of cleaning..ti was the first day of school:) so we started walking to school..from home..takes abut 20 min stroll.10 min brisk:)
but we are still late ..as usual..with me around..it just happens.
That's my school University of Sydney- Cumberland campus.

It;s where alll the health sciences people gather..and well to serve as a reminder to study hard and not play around..we get the southern hemisphere's largest cemetry to be places beside our campus..so taht it provides a stern reminder that if we are not competent..our patients might end up next door.
Rookwood cemetry.

So that's for week 1!!
so fast..and i am left with 51 weeks in Australia.

Tml shall post pics of my weekend out to my relatives' place and also my first time!!-cookin and washing my clothes.

Psalms103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Dedication to my cousin Kenzi- He went home to be with the Lord on the 16th July 2007. Promising young man who had a great future after he finishes his studies in Taiwan. Though I rarely meet you in a year, I will miss those days when you bunk in with my brother to spend time with us. We will miss you..really miss you. So long~

Final farewell

Goodbye everybody..will see you in a year's time~*hugs*

Weekend out in town!!

It was town out for my first weekend in Sydney. Made arrangements to meet my cousins whom I have yet to meet for 20 over years..amazing how time flies and how fast we grew up:)

Took the train to town hall and darts~ it was railway works on that day so the trains were like snails..LOL. First time out alone- exciting*hehe*
When I got to town hall, it was a long time since I have seen buildings higher than 5 levels..LOL.. In Lidcombe and the neighbouring suburbs, the houses do not go higher than 2 storeys and the apartments are like 5 storeys high?? so the vast skies are always out there for admiration. NOW in the city~ I see tall skyscrapers. That reminds me of my trip in Vancouver 2 years ago:P


Met kahf and mun ee at the Queen Victoria building- Nice building but horrific statue.Had my phoneline activated- anyway who will come to sydney drop me an email and I can pass you mine..and we can meet up!!

It was visiting for the saturday night and I got to stay at my Auntie Mei's house so I could go to church tml morning with my cousins. Felt a sudden loss that I no longer go to IGNYTE for services and the morning adult services. GUESS WHAT~ the cantonese youth group is called IGNITE too..LOL. what a small world. maybe that's what our Father in Heaven is charging us to be. IGNITE the FIRE and PASSION!

It was cantonese all the way.. with all my uncles and aunts and boy they are surprised at my ability to speak* I can only speak simple canto* cuz my dad went round telling them I can't. hehe~ so went to wai suk's, terence's mum place and slept at Auntie Mei's house. I had lotsa food. Felt so loved. They fed me real loads before i get back. Terence mum said i lost weight.:(

At Terence's mum place, our busy man Terence just got back from KL so I was really lucky to catch him. He hasnt changed much..still as playful..and humorous.
It was such a weird moment when he asked if my boyfriend cried at the airport. I was kinda lost at how to answer..cuz I have none. hahahaha..so i said NO.I don't have one to cry for me..and then he asked if i intend to get one..I said..I don't know because I don't think I have to learn how to make accommodations for another person in my life..making that serious committment. sounds deep ah~ haha..aiya..I am just lazy la.
Had a good time of ice cream..for once it didnt melt cuz it was so freezing cold.

I do miss them..cuz being out at Lidcombe is so quiet. At least I do receive the family love in alternate weeks dosage..LOL..

My smile for u:)

First connection in Australia, Lidcombe~

Hi everybody~
I have safely arrived at Sydney and well trying my best to live life without too much worries...without too much complains...without too much sadness and with the strength and confidence that I have in God.

I wanna thank GOd for two things
1) The excess baggage waived for me- I only had 20kg but I went to the airport with 45kg!! fantastic rite~ It was quite a dramatic scene. My dad went to check in with me.. and when the ground staff said it was too heavy..he started signalling my mum and mummy just held onto the bag and ran in( imagine the swat team with their like gun running in) hahaha..a frenzy started and thank God we managed to clear! I learnt my lesson though..I will not play with fire with luggage weight.
2) The relatives, friends,fellow brothers and sisters from church..thank you for singing at the airport..feels like a live concert choir from Trinity..hahahaha.

Airport farewells have proved lethal to the dams in my eye glands because they never fail to burst it.. terribly. For those who were present, I just want to say a big thank you..i don't really know what to say besides thank you for the byes.the hugs..the rushing to send me off, the phonecalls, the gifts( I have not had time to read the letters and papers cuz I have been running out to settle stuff daily)..the tears( from my mama especially), the prayers the genuine hearts of wishing me well~ Arigato terima kasih, kam sia and krup khoon ka~ I am sorry if i didnt manage to talk to you personally..say HI! and give u hugs~..especially to my best friend jing~ :( and my mum, dad and brother.

If u wanna know if i cried on the plane... YES~ in spurts like 5 seconds and i was like scolding myself- Vivi, stop cryin. Felt the lost when i got onto the plane..haha my dear friend had to comfort me..hahaha she cried too~ cuz she just realised she will be away for at least 6 months..before returning to Singapore.

I just got my internet connection in the house..and hm..a little corner of my own for now because we have 8 of us in the house..haha..we are waiting for the previous batch to move out:)

It's cold and chilly..shivering..haha..wearing like 4-5 layers to keep myself warm.. we wear socks in the house..cuz the floor is ceramic!!! haiz~ it's like walking on ice. pray for me that I will not get flu cuz one of my housemates just kena quite badly:( so yea~
I got like a thing called hand warmer..so you rub and it's warm!! LOL.

Cant type long. Will give you guys more stuff when i finally get my room:)

till then long live to my corner!

I will have a lesson for the day from now on.

Lesson for the day- Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind.Love your neighbour as thyself.
Prayer request:Keep my family in prayers:)*

A secret holder~

Had a good meal with a buddy that went through thick and thin with me during the worst times of event organising..LOL. Satisfying the Chinese food cravings~

Thought of the day- It's pretty cool when someone lets you into a big secret- no one else knows except you and the party involved..even their partner is kept in the dark. Hee+ It boils down to the magnitude of trust and the capacity of the person's trusting personality to let it occur. It gets you all excited and the greatest part- it's a suspense that you have to withhold and a secret protective guarding ( intentional guarding) to not let anyone know so as to spoil the surprise~

When I get to hear about the "secret plans", often a glimpse of it from God.. I do ask myself- Am I excited?secretly guarding?protecting it well so the bad guy doesnt come to rob it?
I do at times, I don't at times as well. When I do, I am let into the big secret a little by little to see the eventual picture that will come:) When I don't, I just lost sight of it and though life is the same for me but the person who let it on the secret to me will most probably suffer a sense of betrayal( in real life) even though you can say a thousand sorries..it might not turn the situation for the better.i suppose.

My Father in Heaven has this thing about mistakes. He doesn't haunt you with it when you repent and ask for forgiveness. He shows it by having to keep the secret plans He had for you, sharing it with you when you are ready to return and hear. That doesn't mean I can take it for granted.

Let me share with you a story-
How do you trap a monkey that has been coming into your garden to steal yr fruits? Very simple. You hollow out a coconut shell, and drill a small hole in it. Inside it, you put some sweet food. Then u attach the shell to a tree or a stake on the ground.
The monkey, when it comes sniffing around again, will be drawn to the sweet food in the coconut shell. Very quickly, it will reach in grab the food. Now the hold is big enuf for it's hand to enter but too small for the clenched fist, clutching the food to pull out. When you come along, the monkey will get frantic, but it won't open up its fist to let go of the food even though for the simple act will set him free. Now, you've got your little monkey thief.

hm yourself? ever betrayed someone cuz you let out on a secret that you were supposed to hold? or was betrayed by someone who let out your secret?
Like the monkey, many of us struggle to let go-even though we know it's our best interest to do so. If we do like the monkey, just clinging on cuz we are worried and anxious. It could only hold you back..whether it's in the growing of believing people and even your closest people around you.

Those who blew it away- Maybe it's time to take the humble pie and Say sorry
Those who got blown away-Forgive and let live:)

Durian and oyster mee sua party

Cravings for the day- Durian and oyster Mee Sua. I had to answer the call of nature when such things occur. It doesn't really help that I am addicted to their taste and smell and I bet I will suffer loads of withdrawal symptoms when I can't get to eat them. True Blue Singaporean~ Well of course, my great companion Mr Wee came along to suggest we have a durian party!! He volunteered to be my event organiser and it was a humble cosy affair i must say.. In return, I volunteered my picnic fantasies to him so that he could create a "cool" dating affair. Finally, those day dreaming came to good use:P

Good oyster mee sua and durian.( we got mangosteens too..but they arrived late at the part)
That's the man behind the show~
Look at my pretty piece of durian meat~(sniffs)
It was a good deal of laughing at each other, poking the ego. I sent my best wishes for his picnic endeavour ( He came to told me it was a success:P) so if you need consultation for picnic fantasies- creating the beautiful picnic for your girlfriend.. i may not have the experience but i have the expertise- day dreaming..LOL.

Dedication to Mr Wee- It's been a good 17 years that we have come to know each other. Though we lost sight of each other in the early days but it was great bonus to find you again..haha. Take care and when i get back- I hope to hear good news of your mission- set out to prove that you can handle all that is in your hands. Cheers to the kiteflying and the durian chilllin~

What words can do~

I realized the power of words on me- It can really melt my heart"_
Just one line-it was enough to sweep me off my feet. I didn't know if I should use my heart to feel or my mind to rationalize about the situation. Or do both.

Speechless.

my prayer to Jesus

She was drivin' last friday on her way to cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Goin' home to see her Momma and her Daddy
With her baby in a back seat
Fifty miles to go and she was runnin' low
On faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was goin' way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinnin on thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was so scared, she threw her hands up in the air

(Chorus)
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder and that car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the back seat sleepin' like a rock
For the first time in a long time she bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been livin' my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
(Repeat chorus)

Runner's world~

Thank God "Played out-Reality bites!" I believe the many lives that came to know the Lord will be used in great ways by Him..bigger than what we can see and imagine. So..SPs..Double up! the Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few- Are you willing to be that worker God will send into the fields:)?

I got to my aunt's house to grab some warm clothings for the current winter season in Sydney..pretty exciting to see the clothes cuz I can save quite a bit when I get there. My aunt decided to send me to the bus stop and before i got onto the bus, she prayed for me. I don't know about you..but the feeling of having a family member to pray over and for you is so different from anybody else. It's something beyond the capacity of mine to describe in words. It's like someone who is related to you in blood could finally come in partnership with you in prayer. And as usual, I hit the buckets in public when she did that~

I got a pretty present from my cousin- winnie the pooh~ those mushy cushy kinda. Good for squeezing when I am in pain:P

5 more days~time's ticking. hearts racing. Tears welling~

Fowah-overwhelmed by the thought of it.

Skatin/cycling at ECP...

Jees, Robin,Fran,Fei,Vi,Samuel,Jonathan:)
Thank you for the day..Bringing that to australia for the year dudes;)


Oh yes. God brought back my graduation gown. found it back at the ECP shop we rented our skates:) He's good all the time~