Thursday, December 31, 2009
I must say that this year has somewhat passed by more quickly than the others and I would say that this year has been a rather 'quiet' year for me, save for the many 21st birthday parties I had to attend and some craziness that happened.
I think I enjoyed school this year (Year 2 sem 2 and Year 3 sem 1) more than the other years that have gone by. I took more interesting modules like my Voice Studies and Production, What is Cinema, Tourism and Spanish. All I never ever intended to take until the Add/Drop period in NTU (Interesting titles and decided to add them as they had vacancies for Voice and Spanish, the other two I managed to get during through subject registration). This was the year I broke my own records as well. =)
I met interesting people(in a good and bad way) during my Minor in Entrepreneurship which I had to fight for. I battled through the difficult period in May and June where there was little sleep (probably the least i've ever experienced in my life!) and caved ourselves up in school all the way! Even did a few firsts during that period like staying in hall for a few weeks and doing stupid things at Timbre.
Attended tons of 21st, I would estimate around 10-20. Didn't have my own, but don't mind it. =) Celebrated with close friends and that's enough.
I remember Petrina was away for the first 6 months of the year and I missed her dearly. Can't believe that in about 2 weeks time, I would be doing the same thing.... This year, I also sent many off at the airport as they were all going on student exchanges!
Now, Ann Gomez has gone too! Felt quite sad about it actually when I sent her off yesterday, because she has been going through the past 2.5 years with me in a not very smooth uni life. We're probably not going to study together anymore because of exchange and industrial attachment at different periods, but I'm really glad to have her in the same course and journeying with me! =)
This year, I also got less involved in NPCC and church. Haha, thinking of which now, I don't know how I spent the "extra" time, because I don't seem to have a lot of free time this year as well, albeit more than last year. I think I spent a lot more time with friends. Many many friends. I just looked through my Facebook photos and indeed, many gatherings and parties. Less of events here and there.
Some unfortunate things happened as well. In July, was helping my friend in a race and $27 in total got stolen. Recently, an incident also happened. But looking back, I believe that some things do happen for a reason. Somehow, I believe that it is God trying to tell me stuff, asking me to be careful in case worse things happen. Who knows right? Bad things happen for us to learn as lessons.
Good things happen as well. We must always count our blessings, big and small. I got to go on the Singapore Flyer for free with my family. It was enjoyable although it was just a simple outing.
Although I didn't get to go on holidays overseas this year (last year 3, this year none, only one day trips to Malaysia twice), I will be going for a 5.5 months trip to US soon. Funny how things work.
I grew more in faith this year I think. Especially praying super hard during exams and before exam results (which shouldn't be the case)!
Attended 2 FOCs this year. Amazing ones. Improved relationships amongst some friends which I am really thankful for. 2.5 years and only now do we sort of appreciate each other. Sharing problems and happiness, spending more time together. Even had a chalet in July and JB trip. =)
Although less time was spent in church, I still had time to spend with them. Miss Pammie poko, Mr old Damien, Little kid Sherman, Blur Mother Sharon, Kind Mother Bev and of course Father James. Thanks for the friendships that continue. I made a promise to God about being involved in church when I get back. Will keep that promise. Yes, John.
I went back to CJ less, but the flame is still burning! =) Gonna help in Mass for the "Bye, Brother". Anyone wants to go for the dinner? $50 per pax!
It's been an interesting and great year! Hope next year will be the same or even better! =)
Happy New Year Everyone! (in 1.5 hrs time!) =)
- Last day of 2009!
by snoopy_lim @ 9:25 PM
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Went to JB with the CSA gang yesterday. Although it was a simple trip of just shopping and bonding with one another, i truly enjoyed it and felt a tinge of sadness when we parted ways.
It all began with me frantically telling myself that I definitely have to tell my mum about this one day shopping trip in the morning. Did not have the chance to tell her before that (maybe because I was lazy, hee). Called mum at 8+am while she was at work and expected her to nag at me not to go. (Was already forming reasons within my brain) To my surprise, she just said a simple, "Be careful." And continued about where to find Malaysian Ringgit in the house and be careful of robbers, etc.
Met Dean at my house coffeeshop. He's mad. He got a ride from his Dad at around 7+, overshot 4 bus stops, walked back and reached the coffeeshop just 5-10 minutes after I woke up! Crazy guy. We were supposed to meet at 9am on 170 itself. I woke up at 8.10am.
Met the rest of the people at the customs. Got through and out trip began. Shopped in Kota Raya shopping centre and City Square which was connected to the checkpoint. First time there since it opened. It's pretty much like a Singaporean shopping mall.
I was constantly reminded of how much I would be missed when I leave for the US next month. To tell you the truth, I would definitely miss them too. And not just them, so many others plus the things and the food! I was glad that I was able to spend at least 10 minutes on the trip speaking to each of them, some more than 10, others a little less. But it was only then that I realised that our friendships had grown so much within the last 1 year to the stage where we could talk one-on-one without feeling a sense of discomfort, able to immediately speak straight from our hearts into theirs. It did not matter whether we were walking and talking, shopping and talking, sitting after finishing our food and talking.
Thanks Josh, Sherm, Dean, Jon, Gareth and Ben. I hope that our friendships will continue to grow even though 2 of you are graduating next year. And may our faiths always stand strong!
Oh yah, and thanks to Josh for getting me this lovely Name stickers with Snoopy! =) Thanks to Dean who also wrote a touching Christmas card which came straight from his heart! =)
- JB trip!
by snoopy_lim @ 10:07 PM
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Had a meet-up with some of my uni course friends in Orchard today, which is really really really rare.
For 2 and a half years or less for some friends, we have never ever met up out of school before. I really do appreciate them for somewhat pulling me through these uni years, as I believe that they have made a difference to my life (uni life in particular). Sincerity, friendliness, help and plain kindness are just some of the words which I can use to describe them. =)
Later, off to pass christmas present to my Godpa. Hope he finds it useful. =)
Had dinner with the "now defunct Youth Council" peeps. There's going to be a lot a lot of changes in the St Ignatius Youth Scene and we've all agreed that 'Youth Council' is really a misnomer! The whole structure of the group is really changing with the new youth coordinator, John Lum, taking charge. His plan is overwhelming, absolutely overwhelming, but i'm positive and feeling excited for the ones who are still staying on.
Well, to tell you honestly, my leaving due to the exchange trip has sort of been a sort of a sigh or relief to me. I have been feeling that I haven't had enough contributions to the church and that my presence would not make a difference to YC at all. There are people who are extremely capable and skillful, although younger than me-the twins. Super intelligent people, just finished 'A' levels and one has been accepted into some elite US uni, while the other is gunning for medicine school in UK. I always compare myself to them and feel inferior, because they are truly truly smart.
Then there is this Hwa Chong guy- Ah Poon, currently in 2nd year NUS lit, first class honours individual, scholar under NIE. Even more intellectual than the twins and talks cheem cheem. I always admire him for how smart he is (he is really the smartest smartest guy I've met!). I am a small small fry compared to him.
Then there's also miss Saint-Pammie, super saintly and nice and has a great personality. RJC alumni, double degree 2nd year student in NUS. Amazingly spiritual! Love her to bits! Has much more to give than I do.
I've been struggling with the fact that I can't, although I very much want to, contibute because I simply am not smart enough, not spiritual enough, not capable enough. YC doesn't need me because they have the above people (and more).
Took a car ride from John home and it sort of changed my thinking and mindset that I have had for the past 1, 2 years or so. Some bits and pieces which I remember John saying:
"let me tell you, you are much more grounded in faith than you think you really are."
"I was so close to telling them to be a junior facil but I didn't because I know it would really upset them."
"The younger ones looks up to you and I can really see that."
"I need people who can share, not just people who can say a lot but don't mean what they can say."
"Although we've only had 5 minutes of conversation, I can tell that you are someone who can share from your heart, because within this car ride, you have told me your true reason for leaving although I am almost like a stranger to you. You can get people to trust you because you can share from your heart."
"If that's your reason for leaving, then you are probably leaving for the wrong reasons. There is going to be massive projects in the coming year and you are going to have a place for you. You are going to grow through this."
There's so much more he said. I guess I've never met anyone who could look so deep into me although he's only known me for such a short period of time. I will seriously have to relook whether I am going to leave. For now, let me just focus on what's ahead of me....
- Some things I didn't know about me
by snoopy_lim @ 11:18 PM
Monday, December 21, 2009
My worldly possesions were filling up the entire dining table (for those who've been to my house, yes, it's the table at the living room). My mum has been nagging at me to throw all the stuff which I don't need ever since before exams and I finally did it one month later.
Feeling a sense of achievement man!
Other than that area, also cleaned out my computer table.
Some things there date back to my primary school days. Finally bear to chuck all those CDs out and left a clean neatly packed computer table! Woohoo.
Oh and I also threw out some of my year one modules stuff like all the disgusting maths which I will never ever want to touch ever again!
Packed all my other notes and textbooks neatly into a box.
I ended up with three huge huge huge bag of rubbish!
Gosh, the junk I keep for one semester plus the stuff which has been rotting at my computer table.
My housewife level should be 10 after today. All the way from 0 to 10!
Anyways, I'm really looking forward to Christmas although I won't be doing anything significant that day. May be travelling to Malaysia, or I could just be at home trying to do my Minor in Entre stuff, which I haven't started ever since before the exams! Argh. This last module is kinda getting on my nerves a little. Just hope it pays off in the end.
Have a good holidays everyone! Enjoy! =)
- spring cleaning (or should i say winter cleaning)
by snoopy_lim @ 1:34 PM
Monday, December 7, 2009
Had quite a lot of fun within the last three days of my holidays.
On Saturday, it was Thaddeus' long belated birthday celebration. His birthday was on 14 November, but his 21st party was only held on the 5th of December. Wasn't very motivated to go until Jean smsed me and asked whether I'm going and I told her that since she's going, I'll go. Found out only on Saturday that she wanted to go only if I went. Haha. But I really didn't regret going. His party was really indian style, which reminded me of Priscilla Vincent's Birthday party. These two parties have made me change my mind about Indian food. Never knew they could taste pretty good. =)
But I really enjoyed the shopping for his present together with Jean and her friend Wan Ting. We were at the Peranakan Museum (Open House, free entry) and there was a flea market. I learnt a lot about the Peranakan culture and I was also amazed that there's quite a handful of Peranakans who are Catholics. They even showed a clip of the Mass in the museum. The Peranakans really have a very rich culture.
At the flea market, we not only managed to find Thad's present (a t-shirt, not second hand one hor), but we managed to purchase some "pre-loved" items at a cheap cheap price! Wan Ting bought a dress, vest and a shirt at a total price of $16. Jean got a brand new t-shirt for her nephew at $5 and a cheongsam at $12. I got a semi-formal jacket at $10! Fantastic bargains. They were even giving out free beer outside Timbre Substation which I of course did NOT get it coz I don't drink. haha.
Well, yesterday was really fun as well. It was Ting's 21st party at K Suites Iluma. At first I really thought that I wasn't going to stay long because I was supposed to go to school early this morning to settle some exchange stuff. But in the end, I stayed all the way till 3am (and luckily mum didn't call and nag non-stop, only called once at around 2.30am which I was really surprised at!).
The coolest stuff probably was the theme of the night. We were supposed to go as movie characters. At first, I was seriously pulling my hair over what I should wear. My solution was to ask the ever most creative Hilda over to my house to help me out. She opened my cupboard and the first thing we spotted was a punjabi suit, and I said I could go as a Bollywood character. Hilda was like, "No, no, no!" and she pushed me away. I went into my room to check on the printing of my visa documents and a few seconds later, Hilda screamed out that I should wear my labcoat and go as professor X. What she really meant was the father of the powerpuff girls, Professor Utonium. Professor X is the guy from X-men. We got really excited after that and the rest they say is history. =)
Hilda was Lara Croft, someone came as Alice in Wonderland, Damien was James Bond, Nicholas and Youwei was Rambo, Maurice was John Travolta, Birthday girl was the main character of 881 and the rest, I couldn't figure it out....
Really had fun karaoke-ing (I haven't done that since forever! I believe May was the last time) and I even self-learnt how to play pool. Really enjoyed the party loads! Thanks guys for making it so fun and enjoyable! =)
- Of fun, laughter, peace and joy
by snoopy_lim @ 7:46 PM