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*