Recently, the church that i attend here has been doing a series about living life with a margin. Evidently, margins give people space/time and this is where relationships are able to flourish.

This semester has been a whole lot busier than the last. Taking on a heavier course load, working and being involved in more activities is starting to take its toll (especially over these 2 weeks). Its when i'm starting to think about whether all this stuff in my life is really necessary, then the message hits home. Life without margins really isn't living at all. There hasn't really been time to be with friends or even remember to be with friends. There hasn't been enough time to study properly. And my sleeping hours have become erratic. As this occurs, my standards about study drops (quite a lot), my energy level dips and I start to think less about other people (i haven't seen some people in weeks). Its an understatement to say "this is bad".

I want to say things will be better and that I'll remove most of my load soon after setting my priorities straight. but i can't. not right now. right now, my mantra is "survive this week". After this week, we'll see....you know what, I take my first statement back. things will get better, after this week. then hopefully, my posts will sound more optimistic and happy. =)

Lord, grant me the patience to await your guidance and direction and the ability to tell the difference between my needs and wants.

Happy New Year everyone!

Tis the season to reminisce and make new resolutions. I shall only do the former. Resolutions don't always work for me and they usually become forgotten by Feb. Moreover my main resolution hasn't really changed in the last few years. So i don't think i need to make a new one.

2007 has been a huge milestone in my life. Getting the a level results....working for the first time in my life....looking for a job (thats a first too)...deciding which college to go to and sticking with my decision...saying goodbye to family and friends and country for 1 and a half years...experiencing college...making new friends....dealing with homesickness and longing for closer relationships...and lots and lots more.

It just amazing, the journey I've been through so far. And its amazing that I got through it.

2007 also marks a deeper dependence on God. Without friends and family here, I tended to turn to God more and more often for help. Or to complain. i think this is a good start.

Well cheers to 2008! I hope it will be as eventful as 2007. (I might regret this statement later....)

It'll be Christmas in less than 2 hours!! actually by the time i finish writing this post, it'll probably be 1.

The holidays on the whole have been great. its really good to just kick back and relax without having to think or stress over any impending exams or papers due. i still haven't done my sitting-at-a-cafe-drinking-coffee-and-reading-my-book thing yet and sadly it'll have to be postponed until further notice.

Christmas here is a little more traditional and a lot of times I feel like i'm on the sidelines watching a movie of people's lives as they celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Its a relatively new experience though and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. Too bad there's no snow.

Anyway, for those who still read this blog, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! =D

Its Dec 11 and guess what! its 21 degrees outside. 21!!! and it is predicted to go to a high of 26 degrees later. sheesh! talk about global warming and crazy weather patterns.

well i guess i'll have to put away my winter coats for a while and change back to berms and t-shirts. not complaining though, i rather trudge to exams in summer clothes than wade through 4701384601inches of snow. hehe.

Its not new when I say humans are really adverse to change and the unknown. However, its the impact of realizing how true this is that really hits home. Coming here was supposed to get me to step out of my comfort zone. It was supposed to get me to acknowledge and deal with the uncertainty of living. It was supposed to allow me to see how far I can push myself and find out my boundaries. And so far it has.

However, I also realized that too much change and uncertainty in one go can be so overwhelming that I just desperately reach out and grasp whatever that is familiar within my sight. Many times I do this at the expense of experiencing something new or something I will potentially like and enjoy. When these things happen, I'm thankful for the many friends who have their heads screwed on right to remind me that life is like this and I shouldn't crawl back into my comfort zone and huddle in a corner just because things could potentially go wrong if I tried it out. What happens if something DOES go right. I always forget that. Its an option I usually and very naturally pass over.

Thanks for listening to my problems guys and feel free to shove me out of my comfort zone whenever you see me crawling back there again.

It Thanksgiving Break now and I'm spending it at my friend's place.

before i left i really couldn't decide whether this break is a good thing or not and its a dilemma thats been bugging me every now and then throughout the holidays. Its such a bad time for a break! Exams, tests, papers, debates and final projects are due soon. so soon its scary. sometimes i just want to skip school and mug all day at the library so that i can catch up with my studies. URGH. I've become such a nerd! i'm scaring myself!

This was my first real thanksgiving and its nothing like what i expected thanksgiving to be. which is a good thing because i've enjoyed myself immensely. my friend's family travels to her grandparent's place for thanksgiving and they celebrate it at the local hunting club. yes, you didn't read wrongly. HUNTING CLUB. on the morning of thanksgiving, the men and boys and a few girls will go out early to deer hunt. every family will contribute dishes and everyone gathers for a thanksgiving lunch. i even got to try my hand at hunting in the afternoon. i didn't see anything though which was quite sad. by the end of the hunting trip i just wanted to shoot at something. anything!

despite my concerns over studies, i think the holiday came at a good time for me emotionally. i knew i was getting a little homesick but i didn't know how homesick i was until i got to my friend's place. just seeing her family and being with them really reminded me of home. they really made me feel very comfortable and a part of their family. i cannot thank them enough for this release.

hmmm, maybe this break did a lot of good for me afterall. although i didn't get all my work done (or even a little) i think i'm rejuvenated for the study marathon up ahead.

To all who're having their exams now, JIAYOU! and to those who're having their break now....i dun like you very much. =P