haha... I kind of feel guilty about not posting for so long...again...but if any of you still read this blog, you should be quite used to it...heh :)


Anyway, it's been pretty eventful this month. The holiday was good, interesting to say the least :) My poor family was tortured by me...haha...cos we filmed a lo of stuff, and I was in charge of the camera, so I would make my own silly commentary, some with horrible singing included...haha...but it was all in the name of fun :) Oh!!!! Saw horses, sheep, cows.... It's pretty ironic, actually, because for all the people that come from the country-side and know very little about city life, we call them country-bumpkins. Guess I'm a city-bumpkin then :) lol... I was so excited to see the beautiful scenery and life animals that are so wonderfully made by God!


The most unforgetable experience is probably this place in Yallingup (or sth like that)...It was just off the road that was on a hill-like thing. Well, we kind of made a wrong turn, and suddenly, all we could see in front of us was...the sea! Unlike Singapore (where you learn to focus on the roads- since that's all you see), what was laid before our eyes was incredible :) When we got out of the car, we took photos (yes even me) on high rocks and then, my father, Chermaine and I ventured down tonnes and tonnes of huge rocks to the sea itself. We even managed to get to the furthest point, where all that was before us was water and water... In fact, that stone was only connected to the rest by a few small rocks, so essentially, it was like a little island on its own. That rocked! haha (pun intended) Anyway, being naturally scared of heights, I took a while to get there, but it was worth it :)


Of course, we also went to a fudge factory, a chocolate factory, nuts and cereal factory, 2 cheese places, wineries and oh yes, a jewel cave! I thought they were the sapphire type, but of course, it's actually a limestone cave that God formed beneath the surface of the earth. It's gorgeous! Limestone formations decorated the entire cave and they came in so many different, but beautiful structures. just a scientifc fact: our hands, though we may not realise it, have a natural acid on them. This acid will ruin the limestone and turn them black, so we cannot touch the limestone in order to preserve them. Anyway, our 45 minute tour was exciting and really worth being part of :) A lot of climbing though...definitely not for the weak-hearted, especially since the carbon dioxide level is extremely high and breathing can become difficult.


Well, venturing back to Singapore, we reached home slightly before 8.30am......17 pieces of luggage! (both hand and checked-in ones) Oh ya, this explains why Cheri and I suffered in our rented car in Australia. The journey t the airport there was horrible. We checked out at 10am, and still continued moving around, and yes, had to shop and shop and shop...sigh...anyway, there was too much luggage for the car, so cheri and i were squashed...and my seat was sitting on me...lol. Cos it could not be put upright in order to accomodate the size of the bags. Okay, coming back to Singapore (yay, i'm rambling!), after unpacking and bathing, I went to school! lol... Well, we were organising a drama camp for secondary school and some JC students to introduce them to theatre and this thing called theatre sports, that's brought over from macau. This carried on for the next day too. Was really really tired after those 2 days. A lot of physical aspects too... Since I'm in daoju (props), girls sometimes have to be like guys too (lol...), so I was pretty exhausted.... Yawns


The next day was carolling camp Part 2. Had to wake up early again, and went to church to prepare. Not surprisingly, people were late again...We were supposed to meet at 10.30, but the phrase "fashionably late" has taken the world by storm, so I guess that explains the reason many people weren't there...but...never mind. We did have a great time that day, learning 2 new songs that have never been sung in carolling before, going through sectionals, then lunch. After that, we had a wonderful game...haha...wonderful because I took so long to plan it and okay, they did have a great time :) After the final rehearsal of all the songs we would do and of course, the great script (thank you, nicholas and edward), we went home for a good night's rest... As if...lol! I went to joan and jocelyn's house to help finish the carlling books and also jane's cell group in their carolling practice. We were there till 1.35am and then Chermaine, Timothy and I took a cab home. Got home after 2am...Yawn again...


22dec... Woke up at 8+! didn't intend to, didn't want to, but I did, anyway. Got to church and had our final committee meeting (with some confessions), prayed, and then started our final carolling rehearsal before we boarded the bus, and for some, cars. The entire night was pretty nice...Frist house was the Han residence; that was also where dinner was served. Couldn't eat much, but was forced to eat, so I did eat some. The fellowshp was pretty good..I managed to go around to different groups to talk and get to know people (And I realised it's really not easy) but I guess, as one of the leaders, it's something that I should do. Hmm...we also sang O Holy Night (the N'Sync version) for fun. Ah...still like it very very much:) Then we moved on to desmond's house...this was pretty interesting because it was a really tight squeeze in there. Thankfully, God provided and somehow, everyone was really slim that night! haha...so we managed to go in, perform and even hear a message from uncle Roland. I'm really glad that Desmond's parents were quite receptive and even didn't mind the prayer that was said:) I hope we'll hear good news about them receiving Christ soon. Following this house...hahah...we went to, um, Republic theatre. It was...um, very very... enriching. When we were first invited to sing there, we were told it was like an old folk's home. Surprise, surprise, nothing like it. Still, despite the kind of performances being what we're unused to, I'm touched that we still got the chance to share about the love of Christ through our short performance:) lastly, it was the Chen residence. This was really meaningful too, especially when there was a sudden black-out (I suppose satan wanted to discourage us). Well, have no fear, for God invented handphones with lights...haha! And mark seow sang his solo that had the lines "In love he came, sent by the Father, to pierce the darkness with his light":) After all the singing, there was another round of refreshments (which I think everyone was pretty grateful for). And yes, once again, O Holy Night for a few of us. I was really glad the night ended with the Benediction, a bit of debriefing from Joan and a nice prayer.


Christmas this year has been quite meaningful. On the 23rd, I also went caroling with Jane's cell group. Though I was the youngest there, I guess I learnt that there are lots more important things than age (even though it still is)... I was very happy and thankful to share my Christmas with the elderly in a real old folk's home (haha) as well as the rest of SSS who didn't go for carolling that night at the Christmas party in Aunty Ai Ling's house (thank you for your generosity and hospitality). Besides all the parties, pesents and food that I enjoyed, what I really liked were the cards...haha...somehow they become a lot more significant than presents. Also, the greatest thing I truly learnt about Christmas is that it's about what you give, and not what you receive.


Right now, I'm probably going to be very caught up in school...tests (highly possibly the 1st day of school), 2 major ccas and of course, studying for A levels, but! He who is in me is greater than He who is in the world, so I know that no matter how I'm attacked spiritually and physically in this coming year, God is with me. And the devil must flee :) Well, my meeting's at 8am. Guess I should sleep (even the mosquito's telling me to...haha)


For all of you who survived till this paragraph, have a blessed week ahead and take care :)



Cherlyn....