Surprise, surprise!

My two friends came to ‘surprise’ me in my room last night. I was just sitting in front of my computer (trying to study) when a stuffed toy came flying into my face.

Love those two!

Haha but honestly, thanks so much you two! For the lovely card that made me smile to myself, and the stuffed toy that I’m supposed to hug to sleep (and hear it sing to me). Lol!

But in all seriousness, thanks for being there you guys! I’ve no qualms about coming out of my (quotes Suat) “cocoon” with you two, and I really thank God for friends like you 🙂

Here’s to many more years of being VER-RITATING!

(Kaye you should be reading blogs like this… you know, blogs of people you actually know!)

Five Loaves & Two Fishes

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand 

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn’t sure what good it’d do, there were thousands to be fed 

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
He said, 

“Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all.” 

I often think about that boy when I’m feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all 

But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I’ll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my “Amen”

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it’s not too small 

This song by Corrine May really spoke to me while I was driving a couple of days back.

It talks about surrendering EVERYTHING to the Father – something I still struggle with today!

Amazing how a young kid can manage something like that, when people at our age – maybe even older – still have such a hard time! But I guess we all learn. Or rather, we’re all still learning, still journeying. Takes a whole lot of trust! And patience too, of course.

School just started slightly more than a week ago. Can’t believe my last 4 years of education are here!

Still remember how we used to look forward to finally not having to study, way back in Primary School. (Oh gosh, how long ago was that?!) Now I really wonder why on earth we were complaining back then. What was there to complain about in the first place! LOL.

These 2 weeks have been pretty slack ‘cos tutorials haven’t started. So technically school only REALLY begins next week. I still have no idea how that’s gonna work out! We’ll see, I guess.

I’ve had quite a lot of time to myself over the past couple of months, time to really look back and reflect on what’s been happening. Don’t know if I’ll be able to say the same when school really starts, but I hope so! If there’s one thing I really need amidst all the business of school, that’ll be time to contemplate in silence!

My time’s up to me to manage I guess. I just pray for wisdom in planning and prioritising. I’ve been so distracted of late!

Ah well, better get down to my readings for Jap Studies. It feels SO weird to be studying again! LOL after 8 months of hardly having to think.

I guess it’s hello to Pam the Mugger, and bye to Pam the Slacker! (Hopefully!)

Building Our Faith in Community

OKAY I know I said I’ll go pack. But I got this via e-mail a while ago and thought I should share it ‘cos it really spoke to me!

Today’s the Feast Day of St. Thomas the Apostle. The first reading’s from Ephesians, the Gospel’s from John.

Ephesians 2:19-22
Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

John 20:24-29
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Building Our Faith in Community

Today’s first reading tells us that you and I are members of the same kingdom — a “country” whose residents include saints in heaven as well as the family (“household”) of God that still lives on earth. With citizenship comes certain responsibilities.

St. Paul says, “You form a building.” The foundation is the apostles and prophets; the cornerstone is Jesus. Which part of the building are you?

Are you already deeply involved in ministry? You’re a pillar. Are you covering what others do with your prayers or financial support? You’re the roof. Or maybe you’re a window, through which others look in and realize that they want to join the Church, or a window sill upon which people lean as they look for God. Maybe you’re a fireplace, warming others to the idea of having faith in God, or one of the bricks in the fireplace that keeps danger from spreading.

Are you a carpet that gives comfort to feet that have been walking on hard roads? Are you an altar because of the sacrifices you make for others? Are you a chair that gives others rest? Are you a keyhole that unlocks the love of God in people’s hearts? Are you a crystal chandelier shedding the light of truth and giving it a wonderful sparkle? Are you a telephone that helps others connect to God?

Imagine what this building would be like without you. You are needed, my friend! You are very important. There are never enough telephones and chandeliers and soft carpets, etc., for all those who visit or live in the Church.

Many try to live on the outside, thinking they can have a good relationship with God without being part of the Christian community. Some only visit and don’t help with the chores. And some complain that the building’s too large and that nobody reaches out to them.

However, the only way to experience the support and love of God’s household is to get involved. This is how we become a “holy temple in the Lord” rather than a bunch of unconnected people who profess the same faith yet remain strangers. If it seems like the Church has cracks in it, it’s because some of the construction materials are missing.

By our love for each other and collaboration, we are “being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.” This is how faith grows. Notice that, in today’s Gospel reading, Thomas overcame his doubts while in community. Although Thomas had missed Christ’s first appearance, Jesus did not go to him and appear to him alone. Jesus waited until Thomas rejoined the community.

Never underestimate how very important you are to the community life of your Church!

Off to Sydney as a Pilgrim!

“G’day Mate!”

Haha okay I shall not be lame and cut to the chase!

In a little more than 24 hours, I’ll be on my way to the airport to meet my fellow pilgrims. And soon after we’ll be embarking on our pilgrimage to Sydney along with millions of other Catholic youths from literally all over the world! The past couple of months really have flown by. I can’t believe we leave tomorrow!

So yes, I’ll be gone and back late in the night on the 22nd. Even with all the spiritual preparation that we’ve been doing, I still kinda don’t know what to expect from this pilgrimage. One thing I’m sure about, though, is that I want this to be a God experience – to really feel His presence and be inspired to share the light of Christ with the people around me!

The actual programme for WYD begins on the 15th, so from the 5th till a few days before WYD begins we’ll be conducting our Service Experiment in Blue Mountains. I hear we’ll be staying in what used to be a monastery, so I reckon it’ll be a very quiet and tranquil environment – wonderful for prayer and contemplation!

No points for guessing: I HAVEN’T PACKED. Haven’t even come close to deciding what bag(s) I should bring. Which also means I should probably not be sitting here. I SHOULD BE PACKING!

I really really hope I can leave everything that’s been distracting me and pulling me away from God right here. Haven’t even settled all my uni stuff yet. But I really cannot afford to take any of these worries with me to Sydney! If anything at all, this pilgrimage is gonna be between me and my God!

In the meantime, take care everyone (or anyone who still bothers coming here, actually)! Will be back recharged and all fired up with the Spirit!

Home Sweet Home, FINALLY!

I’m back!

From where? Let’s see…

There was the awesome CSS camp from Monday to Thursday last week, and then on Friday morning I flew off to Hong Kong with my sister to meet my mum and my brother!

The CSS camp really was an experience. God’s blessed me in so many ways – I don’t even know where to begin – but He’s never been more real or more apparent! And I’ve never met so many fun and yet genuinely God-centered people… so glad I went!

Hong Kong was different from the last time I was there. (Which was about 3 weeks ago? Haha!) Maybe because we only had 2 days there the first time. On the last night, we hopped into 4 different restaurants with food that were all OH-SO-GOOD. It’s a good thing we only did that on the last night! If we had that kind of food everyday, we’d be charged with Excess Baggage at the airport. Hahaha, okay not funny.

But yeah, I’m definitely going to Hong Kong more often from now! The night markets sell cheap and yet very very nice accessories. Too bad there wasn’t much time!

Haven’t slept in my own bed in ages. Maybe I should be a pig and take a nap now.

This Time

Tonight the sky above
Reminds me of you, love
Walking through wintertime
Where the stars all shine
The angel on the stairs
Will tell you I was there
Under the front porch light
On a mystery night

I’ve been sitting, watching life pass from the sidelines
Been waiting for a dream to seep in through my blinds
I wondered what might happen if I left this all behind
Would the wind be at my back?
Could I get you off my mind?
This time

The neon lights in bars
And headlights from the cars
Have started a symphony
Surrounding me
The things I left behind
Have melted in my mind
And now there’s a purity
Inside of me

I’ve been sitting, watching life pass from the sidelines
Been waiting for a dream to seep in through my blinds
I wondered what might happen if I left this all behind
Would the wind be at my back?
Could I get you off my mind?
This time

Got this song from the soundtrack of August Rush. Jonathan Rhys Meyers has such a charming (for lack of a better word) voice! I was practically melting the first time I heard this song. Love it!

We watched August Rush over the weekend during the Sec 2 Pre-Confirmation Camp in church. As tiring as it can me, I actually enjoyed facilitating! Hopefully the kids had fun and took something away from the camp.

I don’t know why I bother keeping this blog up since I hardly ever update it in the first place. The last post was almost a month ago. Time REALLY flies! So much has happened in the past month. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hong Kong… plus I finally know where I’m headed for the next 4 years of my life. And I hope I made the right decision! Guess I’ll just have to trust God on this one. After all He’s given me, there’s no reason not to anyway!

So yup, I should be doing Econs in NUS FASS. NUS was kind enough to offer an scholarship (quite a story behind that but I’m way too lazy to type it all out) and I’m really thankful for that considering I didn’t think the final interview went all that well. God’s grace!

I’ve pretty much just been bumming around, watching One Tree Hill (right from the first season, LOL) and TRYING to read. Started on a couple of books at the start of this year but never really got down to finishing them ‘cos all I felt like doing after work everyday was SLEEP. Pam, Pam, since when were you SO lazy?

Uh, since forever?

Okay I’m talking to myself. This shall be all from me. In case you were wondering, the US/HK trip REALLY rocked (again, for lack of a better word). Thanks DSW!

What Happens in Vegas?

Havoc I say!

Go watch the movie. IT’S GOOD!

Never really been an Ashton Kutcher fan, Cameron Diaz is okay. She looks quite good in this show though!

Point is: WATCH IT! If you’re in dying need of a good laugh, this is IT man. Suat, Kaye and I were laughing so hard in the cinema today. Looong time since I last watched a smack-thigh funny movie like this one!

So yeah, we hung out in town today, mostly for good food and more laughter. And shopping, of course! But with good reason, I needed to get stuff for the trip.

We leave SUNDAY MORNING! I highly doubt I’ll be able to sleep on Saturday. But that’s supposed to work in our favour. Shuwei says we shouldn’t sleep on that night so we can sleep on the plane. It’ll be slightly past noon when we land in LA, so we should be recharged and ready to paint the town red once we get off the plane! Not sleeping also means:

1. I have more time to pack. (Knowing how last-minute I can be, that’ll definitely come in handy.)
2. The air stewards and stewardesses will have the honour of seeing our eyebags in full force. (Woohoo!)

There are so many nice shows coming up!

It’s only coming out on the 29th here. Maybe we can watch it in LA!

There’s also:

Which I haven’t watched even though it’s already showing. And today in the cinema they showed the trailer of:

Which (as seen above) was supposed to have been released a looooong time ago. Samaire Armstrong! (Shuwei, are you reading this!?)

And of course, how can anyone forget MADE OF HONOR. They pushed the release date back to 15 May though. Darn it!

On the bright side, being in US also means we get to watch…

GOSSIP GIRL!

I’ve officially been hooked. And no, it’s not ‘cos of Nate Archibald. (Okay, fine. Partly.) But hey the plot’s pretty exciting! Anyone’s bound to get hooked!

Okay if I don’t stop now WordPress is gonna crash from all the pictures I’m uploading!

You know you love me.

XOXO,
P.

(Hahaha! What was that about? Go watch Gossip Girl and find out!)

Decision making!

(Lana and Zhi, this post is for you guys!)

I’ve never been a fan of making decisions, come to think of it. I’m always procrastinating and waiting till the very last minute before finally deciding. But this has to change!

So far there’ve been offers from NTU and SMU, really really wonderful offers. Tempting (and possibly everything I used to think I wanted) but something’s just holding me back! I’ve been very pensive of late, mostly ‘cos I can’t decide what it is I really want. It’s always nice to have options to choose from, I guess, but I’m really having a hard time deciding ‘cos I don’t want to pick something I’ll regret. I wish I had the gift of discernment!

So yeah, I’ve been praying very hard about this. There’s the scholarship interview with FASS on Tuesday. Guess I’ll see how that one goes and maybe decide from there. (See what I mean by waiting till the last minute?) I need direction in life man! I’m so clueless!

But I’ve come to realise how blessed I am. The ‘A’ Level results were big enough a blessing, not to mention a huge (but pleasant) surprise. Now God’s presenting me with so many possibilities – practically everything I’ve ever dreamed of – I don’t even think I deserve all this.

Ah well, uni issues aside, we’re flying off to LA on Sunday! Haven’t bought all the stuff we need (or think we need, at least) so this week’s the week to settle all that. Could’ve done it last week too, but I went back to work! Long story there, shall not bother repeating it, haha! (Actually it’s quite short and simple, but still I’m too lazy to type.) Uh and there’s driving which I really have to focus on this week ‘cos my test is only one week away from the day I come back from US!

I’m so gonna fail! And it’s Auto I’m learning. How embarrassing is that!

Can’t wait for the trip though. We leave Sunday morning… that’s less than a week from now! Anyone want anything from US? Or Hong Kong? We’ll be stopping over for a couple of days on our way back from LA!

“Definitely, maybe.”

Watched it on Thursday night with Yuanbing, Sixiu and Shuwei after our huge (what’s changed, huh) dinner. Good stuff I must say! Albeit pretty complicated, I thought Abigail Breslin did a marvellous job, and Ryan Reynolds really worked his charm.

At least it did work on me.

Not like that’s very hard, but you get my point. The plot was pretty interesting! And it’s a good show to catch when you’re in one of those moods.

I’m so good with words I should just be a movie critic. Haha!

That aside, I don’t have much else to say. We had a very ambitious plan to get up, go out and work out today. But, surprise surprise, we ended up nuah-ing on my couch. What’s changed, SERIOUSLY.

There was a small accomplishment though. We made Jelly Hearts! I should have taken a photo. Shall do that tomorrow.

Alright this was random and completely unnecessary. I should go.

Compulsive blogging

Something is seriously wrong with me. For a long time this place was collecting dust. And now I seem to NEED to blog.

Pam ah, Pam.

But at least I finally got down to doing my NUS scholarship application. The deadline was about 20 minutes ago, and I clicked ‘Submit’ about an hour ago. Well done! I’m a good planner.

This week’s gonna be another crazy week. My colleague’s leaving me in the lurch and going off to Japan. Which means I need to do whatever she normally does. And that’s a whole lot! Plus there’s St Nicks’ Homecoming Run on Friday/Saturday (it’s a 24-hour thing) and they really need help.

So guys (or should I say GIRLS), if you get an sms from me begging you for help please have some pity and say yes!

What else is on this week?

Too lazy to think.

What else did I want to say?

OH. I finally got to nuah today! After sooooooo long! I finally got a Sunday afternoon to just lie on my bed and stare blankly at the ceiling, without a worry in the world! (Okay scrap that, I was supposed to be writing my personal statement. Haha!)

Felt SOOO good. My sister came in and saw me lying there (after our super super full lunch) and said, “Wah, you’re a pig lah.”

Thanks Clare. OH YES. AND IT’S HER BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY MY DARLING!

You know I love you!