5 days already in Melbourne.
Melbourne-Singapore, Singapore-Melbourne, Melbourne-Singapore… This routine of coming and going has almost become second nature to me- I no longer shed tears and miss the homeland as much as before. I really have to say, this time round, I just seem to get into life a lot quicker than before.
I definitely can still recall last year- how gutted I was to have returned here for my studies… so gutted that I plunged into this dark period of depression and refused to accept my life, until about a month later. That was definitely an experience, of pain. I’m so glad I did not encounter this drastic chasm once again.
Leaving the airport, I did a ‘Ben Raja’- as I would call it from now on. The ‘Ben Raja’ way of leaving- quick, decisive and…cool. Cool, so unlike good ol’ Ben Raja, hahahahaha!
Jokes aside, it’s really simple: when departing, only look back ONCE, I repeat once. Not only will you appear cool, but it also makes you detach from the place much quicker. Do not look back to take mental pictures, wave sad goodbyes, perform final gazes or whatsoever reason. Do not, do not! Do a ‘Ben Raja’ leaving style, look ahead and set your thoughts on what’s before you. Set your sights on the vision, on the big picture- the master plan that is your life.
So I left…
*thoughts enter… ‘Geez… It’s… Singapore!’
I grin…
I am still human after all, and the fond memories in Singapore will definitely remain in me. But I will make them memories of happiness, not something I lean on and hang on so tightly to, that I forget how to live in the present. No, they will not be a clutch of any sort. It will not thwart me nor bog me down. I will stand this time and fight for my happiness and pursue the Godly life that I should have!
Ohh, the some ACS theme just came into my head that goes really well with what I wrote above. It goes something like this:
The past we inherit,
The present we create,
And what is to come…
The Best Is Yet To Be!
Ok, back to the present.
College square is student land- I have reentered life as an international student once more. No longer am I away from the main city, living in the ‘badlands’ of Doncaster (not that it is a wilderness by the way). The gym looks pretty cool. I really hope I will be able to continue running every night like I used to in Singapore, for the 2.4km run actually leaves me on a high every time I finish it.
Thing is, the internet is simply pissing me off. It is broadband, but stuff like Skype and MSN video conferencing truly suck when I utilize it here. How can I talk to my family if these services do not work properly!! Fix it guys!
My room is kindda furnished already so there’s no need for much.
[Judge Judy is being screened in the background as I speak]
My schedule for this week is pretty gay, as there’re neither tutorials nor workshops in the first week.
I want a job…
*thoughts enter…
Oh, and I still miss everyone back home.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
departure date
well, I'm off. Thank you everyone for the wonderful 3 months.
as the curtain falls to mark the end of the summer holidays, I am somwhat sad to leave these fond times behind... but another part of me knows that the future holds more.
be it bright or gloomy times, life has to be lived in the present- looking forward.
no turning back now...
see you later Singapore!
as the curtain falls to mark the end of the summer holidays, I am somwhat sad to leave these fond times behind... but another part of me knows that the future holds more.
be it bright or gloomy times, life has to be lived in the present- looking forward.
no turning back now...
see you later Singapore!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
the boy will learn
amazing. how time has flown. looking back, my last post is dated on the 14th of January- it has been more than a month since I've written already!
But my, how wonderful the experiences were during that interval.
My mission trip to Khon Kaen, Thailand, was surreal. I sometimes feel words cannot describe what a great time it was, that words may potentially tarnish this wonderful memory.
Despite living in places with flawed conditions, I still found so much joy! The people, both Thai and Korean- they exude such positive forces. Thai culture is ever friendly. People there do not put up such cocky facades. When you're in their company, there is the absence of the cold attitudes and resistances that many at times we will experience when you're in the company of a person regarded 'superior' to you. [There is no superior man. That's bullshit.] And their gaze, unlike our society, do not look upon you with contempt. It is a simple love that they show, to both God and people. They inspire me, to be humble and not conform to the arrogant and self-centered attitudes that cultivates in men when living in such fast-paced, career-minded, 'dog-eat-dog' cum office politics worlds.
After that trip, I have also come to respect the Korean youths who have gone forth to evangalise in the province- laying down their everything. People who are so well off, yet decide to come to Khon Kaen, to spread the Word, to live in poverty, to be devoid of comfort for months. Their very passion sends chills down my spine as I am moved to tears by such awe inspiring attitudes. How they pay to suffer, literally! All for the glory of God. I really hope that someday, that zeal may just run deep in my veins too. Koreans, wow... They inspire me, truly to be a better person.
And the way both cultures worship. Wow. Simple yet powerful. It brings me to my knees. The way the music is played, the way they sing, really inspiring stuff! During that period, I felt such a powerful spiritual aura when I was in the company of the Christians there. How I wish that powerful aura could just linger in me wherever I go... forever. Their worship, it inspires me- I wish to find and reclaim that aura.
But now, it is over. That spiritual trip that lasted from the 18th-26th Jan, has now become a fond and beautiful memory. I will learn. I will cherish it.
Now, here's where I stand...
Feb 19th 2006, I am spending my last days of summer holiday. On the 23rd, I fly for yet another study trip to Australia.
It's a Sunday, and my midweek flight means that I would not be attending another THOP service till Nov. Immediately, the youths will come into my mind: From the older ones whom I respect to the younger ones whom I will guard. Gosh, I will miss them all. For the youths have become family to me- My brothers and sisters. I feel like a brother so in love with all of his siblings, that it's actually quite sad to leave them behind. They are family, I hold them so dear to my heart, everyone of them.
So till November...
Through all the experiences, from people, situations and circumstances, the boy will learn.
But my, how wonderful the experiences were during that interval.
My mission trip to Khon Kaen, Thailand, was surreal. I sometimes feel words cannot describe what a great time it was, that words may potentially tarnish this wonderful memory.
Despite living in places with flawed conditions, I still found so much joy! The people, both Thai and Korean- they exude such positive forces. Thai culture is ever friendly. People there do not put up such cocky facades. When you're in their company, there is the absence of the cold attitudes and resistances that many at times we will experience when you're in the company of a person regarded 'superior' to you. [There is no superior man. That's bullshit.] And their gaze, unlike our society, do not look upon you with contempt. It is a simple love that they show, to both God and people. They inspire me, to be humble and not conform to the arrogant and self-centered attitudes that cultivates in men when living in such fast-paced, career-minded, 'dog-eat-dog' cum office politics worlds.
After that trip, I have also come to respect the Korean youths who have gone forth to evangalise in the province- laying down their everything. People who are so well off, yet decide to come to Khon Kaen, to spread the Word, to live in poverty, to be devoid of comfort for months. Their very passion sends chills down my spine as I am moved to tears by such awe inspiring attitudes. How they pay to suffer, literally! All for the glory of God. I really hope that someday, that zeal may just run deep in my veins too. Koreans, wow... They inspire me, truly to be a better person.
And the way both cultures worship. Wow. Simple yet powerful. It brings me to my knees. The way the music is played, the way they sing, really inspiring stuff! During that period, I felt such a powerful spiritual aura when I was in the company of the Christians there. How I wish that powerful aura could just linger in me wherever I go... forever. Their worship, it inspires me- I wish to find and reclaim that aura.
But now, it is over. That spiritual trip that lasted from the 18th-26th Jan, has now become a fond and beautiful memory. I will learn. I will cherish it.
Now, here's where I stand...
Feb 19th 2006, I am spending my last days of summer holiday. On the 23rd, I fly for yet another study trip to Australia.
It's a Sunday, and my midweek flight means that I would not be attending another THOP service till Nov. Immediately, the youths will come into my mind: From the older ones whom I respect to the younger ones whom I will guard. Gosh, I will miss them all. For the youths have become family to me- My brothers and sisters. I feel like a brother so in love with all of his siblings, that it's actually quite sad to leave them behind. They are family, I hold them so dear to my heart, everyone of them.
So till November...
Through all the experiences, from people, situations and circumstances, the boy will learn.
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