On Oct 28 2007, another lost sheep found her way back to the shepherd.

Join me as we praise God for his work.

Washington was so much more than i expected and then some.

There was so much that I learnt during the trip that its difficult to fully process them all. Right now, i'm afraid that as i get caught up in the hussle of school, i might forget them all.

The trip was really worth every bit of that $25. I got glimpses of dc that no tour group would bring me. I met people so different and unique in culture, background and ideology and yet so similar in desires and dreams that as I reflect, i'm still reeling from the amazement and wonder that such a small group of 13 could contain such diverse people.

As we visited the homeless shelters, temporary housing, non-profit groups and soup kitchens I found my stereotypes of shelters and homeless people melting away. I'm sure that there are shelters and homeless people that fit my initial stereotype. However, i know now that they come in different forms. The realization that anyone can one day become homeless, including me, is also something new to me. And its a very terrifying idea.

When I went on the trip, all I wanted was to know more about homelessness and maybe get a little sightseeing done. Now, after getting to actually meet and interact with some of the homeless or previously homeless, i've become more aware of the fact that these are people, with lives and desires and dreams and pasts, not something i walk past along the street or sometimes not even notice at all.

i think that sometimes i forget that they are people, in the midst of my fear and uncertainty and skeptism towards them. most times i just try to avoid them altogether. this not exactly something i'm proud of. but coming back from that trip, i'm gonna try to change. its a work in progress.

I would blog about my washington dc trip. but this is more important...

To everyone reading this, please pray for rain because there is drought in the south eastern area of the United States (including North Carolina).

I heard there is only 90 days worth of water left in NC.

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

My Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

One thing about being so far away from family and close friends is that I don't have people close by when i want to vent. People here are different. Things here are sometimes done differently. I know that. But really, sometimes, just sometimes, i want to be able to just go up to someone and go URGH! I realize its not the big things that get to me. Its the little, tiny things that built up. When small things happen, i tend to keep it all inside. maybe thats why i usually reach a point where i get so frustrated that i NEED to talk to someone. sorry to anyone who've ever heard me vent before...and thanks for listening.

I'm going to washington dc for fall break!! AND it'll only cost $25 for 4 days and 3 nights. woohoo!!

I got into this program at my school called alternative fall break. this program takes students to dc or other parts of north carolina to do community service and learn about the poverty or healthcare issues at that place. for the dc trip, we're mainly dealing with homelessness and urban poverty.

signing up for this trip, i realized i have A LOT of mixed motives for wanting to go. obviously, i want to go for the low cost (i mean how many people can go to dc for 4 days and pay only $25?!) and i wanted to sightsee. at the same time, i'd like to see what a homeless shelter is like. i want to know what kind of living situation these people are in.

i know we'll be going to a few shelters and a food bank. we'll probably be helping out with the cooking, cleaning and serving of food. i heard that we may also be helping homeless people with their resumes and job-hunting. it REALLY sounds like a lot of fun. i pretty excited. all this will be new to me though, so i really hope that i will have the correct mindset when i reach dc.

i know we will have time to sightsee so i'm excited about that too!! there's so many things i want to see and visit but i think i might have to go another time to be able to visit all the places i want to see. i don't mind though. the experience from this trip is something i'm sure i cannot get in any tour package.

just pray for us as we go that:
1) God will keep all the members going on the trip safe
2) the group will be able to work well together
3) we will be prepared - physically and mentally
4) we'll all have a great time!

Life's getting busier now. If I'm not having a test this week, I'm supposed to be studying for an upcoming test the next, so yup, life's picking up pace.

I might not update that often now but I promise I'll try.

Last Saturday, the Singaporeans celebrated Mid-Autumn festival (MAF). I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures but if you do have facebook, they're all in the photos section.

MAF was GREAT! for the first time in our lives we actually made rendang! woohoo! i was so pleased with our cooking. there was tomato eggs, long bean eggs, mee goreng (more like instant noodle with lots of hot sauce), chinese cabbage and corn soup, REAL rice, moon cakes, pineapple tarts, etc. I was super happy! haha

I can't really describe it but there's a great deal of joy in making and eating these familiar dishes and a great of triumph in actually seeing these dishes come out correctly and enjoyed by the people there. I loved it. A lot. It really reminded me of home....

With the food getting worse or less varied at the dining halls, I'm starting to crave all the singapore food. Hokkien mee, chicken rice, bak chor mee.....ahhhhh!! cannot keep thinking about these or I'll really start drooling. Ya, but seriously, whoever said that i'll miss the food A LOT is SO right! I think if I want to eat all these, I'll just have to learn how to cook them. Recipes anyone??

By the way, these pictures are for me to drool over. AHHHHH!! cravings....