Sunday, November 27, 2005
I'm back from Thailand! The trip was good, especially teaching at the primary school in the village. It really made me realise how tough a job teaching could be, trying (desperately) to keep the children, mostly with attention spans of <10 minutes, interested in what you are teaching for 3 solid hours. But along with teaching also comes the feeling of satisfaction. Of being responsible for the addition of knowledge to a growing child's life. Although they'd probably have forgotten it by the next day. But I choose to believe otherwise. Although most of the time us and the Thai kids couldn't understand each other, we still had a good time playing sports and learning together. I guess some things just transcend the language barrier. :)
You know each time I go back to Thailand, instead of getting bored I find myself falling more and more in love with the place. I like the warm nature of the people there, and I find the Thai language so beautiful. I'd probably migrate there if I were to choose a country to move to. And like what everybody teases me about I'd probably have no problem integrating there since I look like a local myself, considering my dark complexion.
Anyways, 3 days after I got back, a beach volleyball tournament was awaiting me. So the past 2 days of this weekend was spent at the beach. And I must say it was a good and superb 2 days! I think our team is surprisingly united, and equally strong in both defence and attack. We won all the matches we played, paving the way to a smooth entry into the finals!! But I just have a little problem here. I can't make it to the finals, which falls on 10 Dec.
You know the good thing about using written words is that it doesn't betray the true feelings that's going through me now. Do not be deceived by the calm demeanor I'm putting up. Because I'm none of that. HOW CAN I BE?!?! It's my first ever beach finals and I can't make it!!! You cannot possibly imagine the disappointment, the anguish, the pain!! Everything's that's happening is gonna happen. Without me. :( And it's the official opening day of the Clementi beach volleyball court. Clementi!! My own hometown!! My territory!!! And I won't be there to witness this never-before-once-in-a-lifetime event. I mean, a beach volleyball court in Clementi?! Clementi, the aging estate where 50% of the population is >45 years old? It's like finding an apple on an orange tree!! (highly impossible but still possible). But ultimately, the thing that's gotta hurt most is not being able to make it for the finals...
But on hindsight, I guess it might as well be so. I've got a flight to catch at 8.20am on 10 Dec, heading for a missions trip to Cambodia. Not that I have a choice, but if to choose, I'd still choose going to Cambodia. I don't think God will be very happy if I did choose personal glory over working for Him. But that's not the point. Beach volleyball finals I can work for it again, but working for God, it's not something to be taken frivolously. It's a commitment.
And I have to really thank God that everything was ok in the end. I thought we'd have to concede defeat in a disqualification or walkover in the finals (the most unglam way to lose) if I can't make it, but the organiser was kind enough to allow a player substitution, something which you don't really see happening at all. I really would love to play in the finals, 'cos beach volleyball is my passion. But I guess God is trying to teach me a lesson. That I'm spending too much time on worldly pursuits more than eternal ones.
Probably this is just the intro, the appetiser, to more things I'd have to give up for God in time to come. I won't deny its hard, but nobody said it was gonna be easy..
Although I can't be with you guys physically, I'd still be with you all morally! All the best, West Four*! :)
*team name, comprising Mingli Xiaowei Tiffany and Chun Li.
I have this premonition that I'm gonna forget to bring something. I just know it. But what exactly, I have yet to determine. Don't you just hate this feeling.
Anyways the flight later, which departs Singapore at 8.20am, will fly to Bangkok, following a transit to Udon Thani (where in the world is that!). Then somehow or another we will arrive at Nongkhai where we'll be teaching English and interacting with the children in the village. And guess what! I am excited about the trip! :D
It's a good 8days there and the whole group of us, 27 to be exact, will be back in Singapore by the 23rd, around evening if I'm not wrong. What I hope to get out of this trip, I am not too sure yet. I also don't wanna let myself be bound by any expectations because I may be disappointed. Just going there with an open mind, to give whatever I can give to the people there, and who knows, maybe the people there will be teaching me more than we will be doing so.
Anyways, last words to my dearest teammates: please take care of yourself ok train hard don't slack don't get injured get plenty of rest plenty of water and most important of all don't miss me I'll be back before you know it. (:
i haven't forgotten!
You know the thing I love about attending wedding dinners, other than the food and the chance to dress up, is that everyone is dressed so nicely and elegantly! It's a good change of scenery from the usual fashion I see on the streets. And the bride and groom! It's always sweet and heartwarming to see 2 people so deeply in love with each other that they have decided to spend the rest of their lives together in matrimony. And when they interlock their arms for the champagne and when they kiss, all everyone could do was go "awwwwww". Maybe they had their fair share of disagreements before, maybe there will be more to come (hopefully not!), but for this night, just this night, everyone is happy. :D
I love weddings. It makes me happy.
I can't imagine myself blabbering or whining on about how screwed up everything is how terrible I feel how deeply entrenched in shit I am (aha pardon me for the crude expression but there is no better way to describe it accurately). My mom said I inherited my dad's passive genes. Hey but you know everytime I see my dad sitting there seemingly stoning at his beloved luohan fishes I know below that calm demeanor are torrents upon torrents of thoughts, because my dad is a clever man. He always has his own special way of dishing out advice, even in silence.
I donno, but it's almost as if I have this phobia about letting people into the deep recesses of my mind. Or heart. It exposes the weak and vulnerable side of me. It's almost like, supplying others with the deadliest weapon to destroy yourself, don't you think. Sometimes the closest person can hurt you the most.
I think I'm selfish. Like a fishmonger.
997 more to go! I told ya I don't cheat. ;)
I thank God I met you. I really do.
It was a dark and deserted night after training yesterday. Everyone was long gone because the coach gave a much lengthened talk than necessary to a few unfortunate chosen ones. When he finally decided to end his speech, I was dog-tired, especially after one whole afternoon of training under the unforgiving sun. I dragged my jelly feet and headed for the toilet near the basketball courts.
It was there that it hid in ambush, waiting for the moment to attack.
As I turned into the female toilet, totally defenseless and vulnerable with nary an ounce of energy left in me, it decided to strike. It was so sudden I had no time to react, only capable of letting out a piercing scream of shock and terror. My heart thudded against my ribs as I came face to face with the attacker.
A large and hideous looking toad was squatting near the entrance of the toilet, attempting to pounce on me (but apparently only succeeded in reaching the height of my ankle). I cannot explain my irrational fear but the thought of it even coming close to me is enough to give me the creeps. I pressed my back against the toilet wall and inched my way in, never taking my eyes off the disgusting amphibian.
At that moment I so wished, sooooo wished that my hero, my knight in shiny armor, my superman, my ryu, would come rushing to my rescue...
You know if given a choice I wouldn't have showered, but hygiene is in my genes, it flows in my blood, and I stink from training. I swear I've never showered in such a short time ever before in my entire life. I couldn't wait to get out of that cubicle because every second my mind was entertaining thoughts of the slimy toad peeking up at me from the shower floor, worse still, clinging on to my feet.
When I stepped out of the shower cubicle, still dripping wet because I hardly bothered to dry myself properly, horrors of all horrors it wasn't there anymore! Which means it can anywhere, which means the disgusting toad can see me and I can't see it. Ugh. So hurriedly I swept everything into my bag, and without even bothering to preen, ran out of the toilet.
I tell you I can't be more relieved to take in a breath of fresh cool night air. It was such a harrowing experience I was still in a highly traumatised state on my way home. And thinking how nice and sweet it'd be if a knight in shiny (preferably black) armor really did came to save the day.
I hate toads.
oh where art thou? thy playful batter turns my face scarlet!
I'm back from Thailand! The trip was good, especially teaching at the primary school in the village. It really made me realise how tough a job teaching could be, trying (desperately) to keep the children, mostly with attention spans of <10 minutes, interested in what you are teaching for 3 solid hours. But along with teaching also comes the feeling of satisfaction. Of being responsible for the addition of knowledge to a growing child's life. Although they'd probably have forgotten it by the next day. But I choose to believe otherwise. Although most of the time us and the Thai kids couldn't understand each other, we still had a good time playing sports and learning together. I guess some things just transcend the language barrier. :)
You know each time I go back to Thailand, instead of getting bored I find myself falling more and more in love with the place. I like the warm nature of the people there, and I find the Thai language so beautiful. I'd probably migrate there if I were to choose a country to move to. And like what everybody teases me about I'd probably have no problem integrating there since I look like a local myself, considering my dark complexion.
Anyways, 3 days after I got back, a beach volleyball tournament was awaiting me. So the past 2 days of this weekend was spent at the beach. And I must say it was a good and superb 2 days! I think our team is surprisingly united, and equally strong in both defence and attack. We won all the matches we played, paving the way to a smooth entry into the finals!! But I just have a little problem here. I can't make it to the finals, which falls on 10 Dec.
You know the good thing about using written words is that it doesn't betray the true feelings that's going through me now. Do not be deceived by the calm demeanor I'm putting up. Because I'm none of that. HOW CAN I BE?!?! It's my first ever beach finals and I can't make it!!! You cannot possibly imagine the disappointment, the anguish, the pain!! Everything's that's happening is gonna happen. Without me. :( And it's the official opening day of the Clementi beach volleyball court. Clementi!! My own hometown!! My territory!!! And I won't be there to witness this never-before-once-in-a-lifetime event. I mean, a beach volleyball court in Clementi?! Clementi, the aging estate where 50% of the population is >45 years old? It's like finding an apple on an orange tree!! (highly impossible but still possible). But ultimately, the thing that's gotta hurt most is not being able to make it for the finals...
But on hindsight, I guess it might as well be so. I've got a flight to catch at 8.20am on 10 Dec, heading for a missions trip to Cambodia. Not that I have a choice, but if to choose, I'd still choose going to Cambodia. I don't think God will be very happy if I did choose personal glory over working for Him. But that's not the point. Beach volleyball finals I can work for it again, but working for God, it's not something to be taken frivolously. It's a commitment.
And I have to really thank God that everything was ok in the end. I thought we'd have to concede defeat in a disqualification or walkover in the finals (the most unglam way to lose) if I can't make it, but the organiser was kind enough to allow a player substitution, something which you don't really see happening at all. I really would love to play in the finals, 'cos beach volleyball is my passion. But I guess God is trying to teach me a lesson. That I'm spending too much time on worldly pursuits more than eternal ones.
Probably this is just the intro, the appetiser, to more things I'd have to give up for God in time to come. I won't deny its hard, but nobody said it was gonna be easy..
Although I can't be with you guys physically, I'd still be with you all morally! All the best, West Four*! :)
*team name, comprising Mingli Xiaowei Tiffany and Chun Li.
writing at 8:13 PM
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
I have this premonition that I'm gonna forget to bring something. I just know it. But what exactly, I have yet to determine. Don't you just hate this feeling.
Anyways the flight later, which departs Singapore at 8.20am, will fly to Bangkok, following a transit to Udon Thani (where in the world is that!). Then somehow or another we will arrive at Nongkhai where we'll be teaching English and interacting with the children in the village. And guess what! I am excited about the trip! :D
It's a good 8days there and the whole group of us, 27 to be exact, will be back in Singapore by the 23rd, around evening if I'm not wrong. What I hope to get out of this trip, I am not too sure yet. I also don't wanna let myself be bound by any expectations because I may be disappointed. Just going there with an open mind, to give whatever I can give to the people there, and who knows, maybe the people there will be teaching me more than we will be doing so.
Anyways, last words to my dearest teammates: please take care of yourself ok train hard don't slack don't get injured get plenty of rest plenty of water and most important of all don't miss me I'll be back before you know it. (:
i haven't forgotten!
writing at 12:40 AM
Monday, November 14, 2005
You know the thing I love about attending wedding dinners, other than the food and the chance to dress up, is that everyone is dressed so nicely and elegantly! It's a good change of scenery from the usual fashion I see on the streets. And the bride and groom! It's always sweet and heartwarming to see 2 people so deeply in love with each other that they have decided to spend the rest of their lives together in matrimony. And when they interlock their arms for the champagne and when they kiss, all everyone could do was go "awwwwww". Maybe they had their fair share of disagreements before, maybe there will be more to come (hopefully not!), but for this night, just this night, everyone is happy. :D
I love weddings. It makes me happy.
writing at 10:37 PM
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
I can't imagine myself blabbering or whining on about how screwed up everything is how terrible I feel how deeply entrenched in shit I am (aha pardon me for the crude expression but there is no better way to describe it accurately). My mom said I inherited my dad's passive genes. Hey but you know everytime I see my dad sitting there seemingly stoning at his beloved luohan fishes I know below that calm demeanor are torrents upon torrents of thoughts, because my dad is a clever man. He always has his own special way of dishing out advice, even in silence.
I donno, but it's almost as if I have this phobia about letting people into the deep recesses of my mind. Or heart. It exposes the weak and vulnerable side of me. It's almost like, supplying others with the deadliest weapon to destroy yourself, don't you think. Sometimes the closest person can hurt you the most.
I think I'm selfish. Like a fishmonger.
997 more to go! I told ya I don't cheat. ;)
writing at 11:38 PM
Sunday, November 06, 2005
I thank God I met you. I really do.
writing at 11:02 PM
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
It was a dark and deserted night after training yesterday. Everyone was long gone because the coach gave a much lengthened talk than necessary to a few unfortunate chosen ones. When he finally decided to end his speech, I was dog-tired, especially after one whole afternoon of training under the unforgiving sun. I dragged my jelly feet and headed for the toilet near the basketball courts.
It was there that it hid in ambush, waiting for the moment to attack.
As I turned into the female toilet, totally defenseless and vulnerable with nary an ounce of energy left in me, it decided to strike. It was so sudden I had no time to react, only capable of letting out a piercing scream of shock and terror. My heart thudded against my ribs as I came face to face with the attacker.
A large and hideous looking toad was squatting near the entrance of the toilet, attempting to pounce on me (but apparently only succeeded in reaching the height of my ankle). I cannot explain my irrational fear but the thought of it even coming close to me is enough to give me the creeps. I pressed my back against the toilet wall and inched my way in, never taking my eyes off the disgusting amphibian.
At that moment I so wished, sooooo wished that my hero, my knight in shiny armor, my superman, my ryu, would come rushing to my rescue...
You know if given a choice I wouldn't have showered, but hygiene is in my genes, it flows in my blood, and I stink from training. I swear I've never showered in such a short time ever before in my entire life. I couldn't wait to get out of that cubicle because every second my mind was entertaining thoughts of the slimy toad peeking up at me from the shower floor, worse still, clinging on to my feet.
When I stepped out of the shower cubicle, still dripping wet because I hardly bothered to dry myself properly, horrors of all horrors it wasn't there anymore! Which means it can anywhere, which means the disgusting toad can see me and I can't see it. Ugh. So hurriedly I swept everything into my bag, and without even bothering to preen, ran out of the toilet.
I tell you I can't be more relieved to take in a breath of fresh cool night air. It was such a harrowing experience I was still in a highly traumatised state on my way home. And thinking how nice and sweet it'd be if a knight in shiny (preferably black) armor really did came to save the day.
I hate toads.
oh where art thou? thy playful batter turns my face scarlet!
writing at 10:10 PM
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