ONLY BY GRACE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EDITH AND CANDY....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! They turned 25 in Aug and September respectively and it is our tradition to celebrate each other's birthday every year. So far, we have been keeping to it faithfully. In fact, we have been told that our batch is the one batch that has been successful in meeting up regularly; at least 3 times a year!! Kudos to the magnificent 7 of The Outdoor Adventure Club of Temasek Junior College :) Left : Candy, Right : Edith We are a cool bunch of people. A mixture of philosophical, emo, logical, blur blur and whacky individuals in this group. The 7 of us really went through fire and rain to run the club well when we took over the baton from our seniors. The 2 years that we had together were superbly memorable and I always felt that if not for this bunch of people who stuck through with me, my 2 years in JC would have been rather 'empty'. Hehe thanks a million guys and gals for making my memories of JC life a wonderful and unf...

26th August 2008 - Tuesday , 8.30pm : Probably a night I will never forget. Scored the 1st goal in my Inter-Class Games (Soccer) and it came so fast and furious that I didn't even know the ball bounced off my knee and zip into the net it went. Welll...the pass was fantastic to start with. Mr Yu Chze gave 1 solid kick and it came straight to me and my knees jolted up and yah...the rest is history :) Somehow I believe there was some divine intervention man...I didn't even see the ball coming towards me as I was squashed in between so many others but well my knees just came up in the nick of time and hehe...THE GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! My class was estatic coz the 1st goal really pumped more confidence and drive into the team and our fighting spirit was solid. Impressive and commendable! :) Personally, the goal was such an encouragement as I was (at that time) the only gal in the team and I felt the pressure to not let the class down in anyway. My soccer skills are not even near a novice...

Introducting .........JOANNA YAP HWEE EE!!!! Who is she???? Ha...my bestie since secondary school. Actually we knew each other in primary school but she keeps insisting we didn't! But I forgive her because I'm pretty used to her left-much-to-be-desired memory! Hahaha On hindsight, how we became fast friends and eventually best of pals is something quite amazing. We gradually became closer (as friends) and before I know it....zoooommm...its been almost 11 years leh! We graduated from sec sch, then went on to different JCs and Uni (she did hers overseas @ Melbourne). At first we thought we'll lose touch when we're separated but no leh. But during the period of separation, we totally missed the calling of each other activity! Goodness, during our JC days, we'll talk on the phone like nobody's business. I don't even know how we can have so much to say to each other everyday! Even during our preparations for the 'As'! Ha...sometimes we wondered if we didn...

I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Many a times, man fails to keep his promise but God never. He makes a promise and we can be so sure He will keep it forever and ever. Man may fail but He nevers. Sometimes, we may wonder if God is really doing the right thing for us but I know one thing - trusting Him is the only thing that can never go wrong :)

Yeah! Singapore won a silver medal in the women table-tennis team event! This is really a historical milestone in the sporting life of Singapore. I also see this as a defining moment for this nation. It is cool to know that it was a 21 yr old youngster who led the nation into victory. I feel this is so significant. Then there are the detractors who will bring in the perennial debate about foreign talents and that it was a China A team vs China B team (since the Singapore contingent comprises of 3 Chinese nationalities). Hey people, look at the bigger picture will you!? Why keep dwelling on the fact that they are not Singaporeans (by birth)? They have made the decision to become a citizen of Singapore, so should not we embrace them as our own? Why the 'us-them' divide? Is it really necessary? I think sometimes, we focus on the minute matters that we really miss the more significant stuff. I'm not being nationalistic here but I just think all these silly debates about foreign...

HUMBLE ABODE ATOP A HILL These 2 shots were taken just at the entrance to my room. By the way, for those who didn't know, my room is situated in the very hall that's found on a little hill! To me its the centre of this 'Nanyang Universe' because it leads me to almost everywhere within walking distance! Not sure if its a blessing or a curse! :) And oh yes...my room is at the TOP LEVEL (6TH) but the view is good (if u can tell from my pics). It kinds of allow me to overlook the campus in front of my hall and the breeze (when it comes) is incredibly refreshing! In a nutshell, I am thankful for this little corner of Hall 8, that I'll be calling home for the next 1 year. But its not all that pleasant. Twice there was a black-out only at my level plus water was trickling down from the shower heads and taps! A few times, I had to stop showering as the water was pathetically little, and trudge down to the 4th level to continue my shower! Yeah...this is the not-so-wonderful ...

The long awaited night cycling with Jasmine and Abigail finally came! The weather that night was perfect. After the afternoon showers, the night was cool and not humid unlike the first night cycling I had. It was truly a night to remember - our gungho-ness to venture into unchartered territories, the wackiness (in order to keep us all awake), the food (errr...not alot tho') but above all, it was the company! Hehe...though we were totally whacked out after almost 10hrs of cycling and clocking an approximate total distance of 40km++, I totally enjoyed myself! It was indeed an achievement for the 3 of us as we covered most of the connectors in the east, allowing us to travel from ECP to changi beach, then pasir ris, then bedok reservoir, bedok and finally fort rd back to ECP. No regrets. Want to do it again, maybe longer & farther the next time? OF COURSE! WHY NOT????!!! We were quite glad that we managed to connect to our 3rd connector of the night, but was in for a surprise lat...

A new season at NIE and there's quite abit of adjustments I must say. I came in without knowing anyone in my PE course and also I have yet to know anyone in my hall! Haha...wow it feels as though I'm studying overseas. Having to start afresh is not exactly an easy thing...its like being Pri 1 all over again, except I'm more able to take the initiative to make new friends. Sometimes, there's this feeling of being lost and not knowing who to turn to in the midst of so many strangers but I'm glad that in the last 2 weeks, I'm getting to know more people and things are slowly picking up. Well, its really strange to be in a class where there r only 3 gals and the rest r guys. Yah...people says I have a lot of choices but pls...most are taken! So sad right...:( Haha..but anyway, I'm enjoying the journey. Learning to slowly get used to the pace of things in NIE and also balancing the 'play hard and work hard' mantra! Its easy to get lost in the 'slack...

I know this posting came a little too late but its because I just created this blog so the delayed effect. :) My last day with Pei Hwa was the 18th of July - Friday, which happened to be our CCA day as well. I went for an orienteering session with the Sec 1s to Punggol Beach. Boy..what meant to be an hour's walk ended up to be 2 hours because my group took a wrong turn and ended up chalking extra mileage! Hehe...reminded me of myself when I was a trainee in my Outdoor Club during JC days. Kiddies...its never the end point that matters but the journey and process to the destination that is precious. Ended the session with a sumptuous pizza feast, courtesy of Miss Jennifer Yeo (in red tee), my lovely HOD cum boss! Before I said goodbye, the kids (Sec 2s and 3s-not all though) asked to take pictures with me and the other Miss Tan (Sophia) who was also leaving the week after. I wished I had taken a few shots with the cute Sec 1s but I missed the chance. Never mind, the next time I go b...

It was an initiative by my senior - Zhenlang (our Chief Instructor of the batch 99/00) who wanted to have a meet up before 3 distinguished members leave for overseas assignment; Yongquan (Hawaii on exchange), ZL and hubby to thailand (hubby on overseas posting for 3 yrs). I almost didn't want to go for the gathering but I was glad i did eventually. It was rare to be able to meet up with my seniors and reminisce about the good old times. Hah...time flies. Everyone is grown up. Most of us have started working and my dear CI is expecting her first baby! How cool lah! I mean, the last impression I had of her was in her PT attire, screaming at us at the track and now she's turned into this demure hot mama! Wow...totally 2 different person lor. The power of love and marriage I suppose :) btw, congrats Zhenlang and hubby! I'm so thankful for this group of friends. It is heartening to know that all of us make the effort to keep the gatherings going despite our individual schedules ...