Festival of Praise 08

Yes, it's another year of FOP! A time of amazing praise and worship, enlightening sermons and a preview of what heaven would be like. Worshipping Him for eternity... Singing of His love, glory and mercy forever and ever. Wow! Can't wait for that.

Day one was great!! The atmosphere was so hyped up, everyone came with expectations to encounter God. Reuben Morgan (AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH~~~~~~~) and the Hillsong team (AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH~~), Parachute band (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH) and Pastor Mike Conner (WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~~~~~~) really ministered us into His presence. Oh, I met Melina! My goodness, she has changed soooo much! She has metamorphesised into a MEI NU!! She looks so xiao jie now xD She used to be quite tomboyish. Haha. Now guys are gonna drool after her. Mom came for the second night ^^ She enjoyed the sermon.

I went for all three nights, and no regrets! Kudos to Dor, Ash and JH going for all three days too. I would have regretted if I did not go. Oh, Pastor Kong came for the third night!!!! Yay~~~ I did not missed him. Though I was really tired, I went all out to jump and sing, but I feel so refreshed and energised! Had a time of my life with God :)

And here's one of my highlight of the event. The third night, I couldn't resist, and bought Parachute Band's album because there was an autograph session!!! Wahahahaha. I was so excited! Dor, Ash and JH accompanied me, I felt rather embarressed as I NEVER went for this kind of meet-and-greet session. But they're awesome! A bunch of men who use the talents God has given unto them. Their music has such strong annointing! The lead singer's voice is seriously God-giventh. Saw Omega in person (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH), I was quite flustered (hehehe) when he said: "Aren't you jolly and cheerful." Hahahahahaa. Perhaps because I was smiling like an idiot, or positively, I have the joy of the Holy Ghost. Hahahaha. I took a picture with him!! And got all their singatures on the album cover and CD. I was like on cloud nine after that. They are so nice and asked for our names. So friendly! Dor they all were like: OUT OUT! xD Omega........... *blush* I think I developed a minor crush on him la... Can't help it, he's cute =P Furthermore, was really touched by his testimony. Sorry God, I still love you more okay?? More than everyone (including Omega.......) and everything!

Omega Levine *scream*.................... He's so cute and teddy-bearish. Haha.

A special page for Omega (okay, I seriously need to stop this sillyness)

Looking forward to PB's next album release, Technicolour, and FOP 2009!!

Barricade the road that goes nowhere, I choose the TRUE ROAD to somewhere (Psalm 119)

Higher Diploma Graduation Ceremony

The ceremony was held at Raffles City Convention Centre and Miss Irda was the emcee! Doing her job as a PR. The atmosphere was overly-serious, so us being mass commers did our job in contributing to noise pollution. Wahahaha. We were the noisiest bunch. We were the only ones who stood up and cheered for Jaya when she received her Outstanding Student Award. And I cheered for my fellow classmates when they go up to stage one-by-one. I think people must be thinking amusedly that I was some hyperactive kid.

Aww... A "Brokeback Mountain" moment xD Aduh, pak cik Ponco doesn't know how to tie a tie properly *smack head*. He needs to dress up like that more! He always dresses in berms and baggy shirts. Oh, he looked sharp in shirt and pants. Next time ladies will be drooling over him in the office. Ahahaha. (Arnold: "This feels so wrong.")

Getting ready in the changing room. Make-up, check; gown, check; sash, check; mortar board, check.

All hail Father Barry Benjamin Chua. Hahahaha. He really does look like a priest. He was my lecturer for Web Production. The classes were so fun! Rather than being serious, we often gossiped and cracked corny jokes. That explains the Pass I recieved for that module. Hehe. He's one ultra humourous and cynical guy; so round and jolly as well xD

Queuing up to go up to the stage. Spotted me? (Oh... so THIS is how my back looks like)

Presenting............. RHM7-01F/FF. Class of 2007!!!!! WOOHOO~~ (Okay, my gown was falling apart. I was drowning in it! They should provide XS or petite sizes for shorties like moi)

Our three juniors.

Hehehehe =D

Aww... My dear girls :)

Miss Irda!! ^^ One of my favourite lecturers. She taught us PR and Advertising. One nice lady (=

Matthew super extra...

My fellow countryman! Hammond the Johor boy. Again, went through torturous GLSs with him last year. (Oh dear, I look so chubby =.= Darn you camera angle!!)

Jaya!! Outstanding Student 2007. So proud of her!!!!!! *kisses* (Matthew extra again!)

One of the extremely-nice and polite admin staff =) She's so sweet... Oh the food was gooood! Especially the sour-dough tuna sandwiches... We were like a bunch of starving refugess. After the ceremony has ended, we charged to the buffet and bar. Chiong ah!!!

I can't wait to see our "power ranger" (long story... An insiders' joke. Right Ana? *wink*) shot.



Glroy, glory Mass Comm United~~~ Glory, glory Mass Comm United~~~ Sounds like a soccer team.

Our headmaster. He's so cute and smiley; like a friendly grandfather.

Miss Mona!! Love her!

Yoz... All the girlz in da club...

WE ARE THE GRADUATES!!!!

I really enjoyed myself. It was such a blast. I would have regret it if I did not go. Congratulations to us all. Oh man, am sooooo gonna miss all of them after we are done with Uni =( I love all you guys!! XOXO

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

Yes, yes, I haven't update my blog for two weeks. Well, pretty much nothing to talk about. Do not want to bore you guys with Structuralism, Post-structuralism, High Culture, Mass Culture, Marxism and what not. School's been fine, but I just realised I have an assignment due next Thursday, and don't have a clue how to go about doing it... yet =

Anyways, it was my brother's 25th birthday on Wednesday! He's halfway to 50!! *Gasp* Had a simple celebration for dear gor gor.

Okay, I look rather retarded here.

Chocolate Supreme... It was really rich and not exactly a cake, because the ratio of fudge to flour is like 4:1. But I can imagine my dear chocoholic duo - Ana and Dor - drooling over it and indulge it. I lean more to vanilla.

Decisions, decisions...

Picture time! Okay, we look yellow. It was my fault... I forgot to turn on the flash =.= And I look rather emo with the cap and oversized top. It was freezing due to the heavy rain la. When I reach home, suddenly got fever and my stomach didn't feel well. But, thank God for healing, because after awhile, they were gone!

Oh... The food was GOOOOD~~!!!! Honestly, the BEST Butter Prawn I had in a decade or two.

Had my Graduation Ceremony today and was SOOO, SUPER, DUPER, EXTREMELY, TOTALLY FUN!! The ceremony itself was a tad boring due to speeches by professors from various Unis. However the pre-recorded one by Cambridge was quite interesting. After the ceremony we totally cam-whored and took hilarious pictures with our ever so fun-loving lecturers xD Can't wait to see the one we took with Mr Barry, 'cos we did a Power Ranger pose (guess who's smart idea it is? Hehe. Moi =P). He's so on la. Ahem, I need to get rid of my Singlish habit sometimes. I meant, spontaneous; but he's a rather strict marker. The ceremony will be left to my next post once I get all the photos!

I May be Weak, But in You, I Am Strong

Received my overall results for semester 1 and it wasn't fantastic. I did not feel upset about it, nor as disappointed as I thought I would have been. But still, I definately can, will and MUST do a lot better next semester! Fighting~ Got Credits for Media Audiences and Cultural and Communications Policy; Distinction for Newsroom Practice and Theory (my only joy); guess what, a Pass for Psychology 1A. Like I said, not great. You reap what you sow, and I could have put in more effort. However, I honestly thought I would have failed Psych, as it was a tremendous struggel for me. Praise God that I went through it, though not well enough. Still thank God for being with me throughout, plus I could have done worse without His strenght and wisdom. Now that I went through the assignments and exams of sem 1, I got to have better understanding of Monash's expectations and exam-pattern. So yeah, will not give up!! I can do it!! I can conquer this and score Distinctions, possibly Higher Distinctions even!! (Hehe, all things are possible with Him, without Him, no things are) God is my Banner!! I can emerge victorious! I am the head, and not the tail!!

School's starting on Monday. Having mixed feelings about it. I whine about missing school and working hard during holidays; whine about missing holidays when I have school and swamped with assignments. Sheesh. No lesson on Monday though, am going to collect my books which feel like they weight hundreds of kilograms. Can't wait to see my classmates and hang out with them too =D But this was a good holiday. Not too long nor short. Just fine for me to unwind.


Rebonded my hair today, and it is more tamed now. Thank goodness for this wonderful invention! Or else I would have looked......... O.O
Only my secondary school classmates and schoolmates knew how bad I looked. Please tell me my secret's safe with you. Anyways, my curls are gone, but not my waves! Oh, GOODBYE FRIZZ!! Wahahahahaha.


Am I that bad? Are my speech and behaviour's bitchy like you said I am? You think that I do not love you? I don't exactly grasp what you were saying, or shall I say, condemning... Scolding. Words that were like knife stabbing my heart. "We are hopeless in teaching her"; "I'm shocked at how you behave". I was just trying to negotiate. Make my stand. Emotions overwhelmed. Shouting. Tears from my part. I couldn't take it. Cried to God: Please don't abandon me. Cried to you: I don't understand anymore, I don't get it. I'm trying my best. Trying my best to respect you, obey you, please you. I'm not perfect. I'm only human. I couldn't supress my emotions. You had a 'closure' and assured me that you're just concern about my safety and would not have scold me if you don't love me and want me to be better. The next day you came in. I was silent and so were you. I hate this. I hate the so called after-effect. The time for you to be cooled down. But that time made me feel like a failure, an incompetent daughter. Then you went downstairs, and I thought: Oh shot, I forgot the blanket at the laundry shop! Why oh why did I forgot about it?? This shows even a worse image of me - irresponsibility, and the attitude of not caring. You then returned with the blanket in your hand. Sometimes my mind's just preoccupide, and not able to engage what you instructed. But, remember the number of errants I ran for you and the family? The queues to buy the coupon for you? The simple gifts which may be small but came from my heart? Expectations are hard to meet. One and a half-day of silence. Received a text message from my friend who couldn't make it to my invitation. Disappointed. Shakened. Waivered; nearly gave up on God, and thought: what's the point?? But no, I rebuke you, I will be forever faithful and hold on to Him. Today, I obeyed and joined you for dinner. Intial awkwardness, I did not greet you. Was it pride? Then I made the first move. Then, thank God that the storm is over. We had fun over good food, and spent quality time. I still love you, and never will cease loving you. And I'm sorry...

But the hurt hasn't gone entirely. I need to let go of the hurt. I need to look into myself. Maybe I need to prioritise? But, God, I want to be faithful to You, and put You first. Heavenly Father, You have said in Your word that the tongue is a powerful weapon. Control my tongue. Empower me, that I will be more wise, that I will be quick to listen and slow to talk. Forgive me for breaking your third commandment. Lord I want to be more obedient to my earthy parents, so as an act of obeying You as well. I want to be better O Lord. Change me Father, change me to grow in your image more and more, for You have called me to be holy and set me apart. Show and teach me Your ways God. I surrender myself wholly unto You. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Nobody knows, how weak I am
Better than You
Nobody sees, all of my needs
Better than You
And nobody has, the power to change me
To what I was born to be
Jesus be strong, in my weakness
Empower me

Chorus:
Empower me
Like a rushing river flowing to the sea
Lord, send your Holy Spirit
Flowing out through me
Till I'm living as Your child
Victorious and free
Send the power of Your love
Empower me

Nobody's eyes, see through my soul
Better than Yours
Nobody's love, can make me whole
No love but Yours
And nobody has, the power to lift me
To reach for eternity
Jesus break through all my defenses
Empower me

Baba boy/Troy

So Josh and people, here's a picture of Baba boy/Troy took a year and a half ago with Jasmine, now unfortunately, he has gone fatter.

This is What I Call "Entries"

Heelluuu my dear loyal blog-readers, realised that I have not update my blog for quite some time. My last entry was about the fondue party with my beautiful friends! Oh well, not many of those beauties turned up, but we still had fun. But definitely need to meet up for dinner on the weekends because they are in NS, held in captivity. Haha. The chocolate was quite successful. When I had my first bite of banana dipped in semi-sweet melted chocolate, it was divine! It was really, really delicious! Biscuit stick with chocolate sauce is a match make in heaven! Thank goodness that I had the idea from the snack, Yan Yan. Hehe. Childhood snack which I still consume now =P So overall, it was a fun time of get-together and catching up, along with great food :) Surprisingly, all of us got full pretty quickly. I thought we have bigger capacity! Oh, can't wait to have cheese fondue next!! With baguette, ham, sausages, bacon... Slurps slurps.

Look at the calories-laden sin.

Ooooooo... Marshies with chocolate...

Wahahahaha, Dor the chocolate freak. Sorry Ash, couldn't really stop her from eating. Lose 4kg by end of the month?? :S Oh man, that's a challenge! I can't do it either! >.<

Haha.. A stupid and random video we took. Showed my unglamorous side.

Friday

Watched Wanted on Friday, after the dinner with Auntie Helen, Uncle Peter and Lynn. They were so sweet and generous as they treated us dinner at Swensens. Aww... And my dear CG came to Causeway Point to hang out! Aww... However, sorry to say but the movie kind of sucked. I thought it would have been way better. Yes, the effects were cool, but... Heard from my brother that Hancock wasn't good as well. He was so disappointed. Haha. I hope Batman 2: The Dark Knight will match up or better than Batman Begins. I'm sooo gonna watch that!

The sermons on the weekend were so true and applicable. Mike Connell was a powerful man of God. I could feel the presence overflowing the audi, Holy Spirit really touched me. My tears flowed down non-stop! Experienced healing of my heart and my past (sigh) during both service and CGM. A sentence by Rev. Connell still lingers in my heart and mind: Disappointments are opportunitries for growth in character and faith. Wow. Learned about inner vows during CGM. Wow. This was completely alien to me. Learned so much!

Power Through Prayer

On Monday, had an amazing encounter with God during my prayer closet. Lord, I have the desire to be a prayer warrior for you. I want to pray with such great anointing, power and strenght. I want to be so strong for you like never before! To be so sensitive to the Spirit. I want my inner spirit man to never stop growing!

He then revealed to me a book - Power Through Prayer by E. M. Bounds - which I bought yearssss ago. I even forgot about that book! I bought it from Mount Zion when I was 14 I think. But, as always, I did not like reading these kinds of genre in the past, mainly because I did not fully understand the content. Just wasn't mature enough. So rumaged through my shelf and found it! It has gotten yellow and a bit dusty over the years. Heh. So I sat down and couldn't wait to learn more about prayer. The first chapter blew me away.

- God doesn't anoint plans, He anoints men of prayer.

- God does not need great talents, great learning or great preacher, but men great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity and great for God!

- Negligence in prayer leads to hardened and estranged heart from God.

- God commits the keys of His kingdom to men who think that praying is their main business, and devote time to it according to this high estimate of its importance. By these men, He works His spiritual wonders in this world. Great praying is the sign and seal of God's great leaders. It is the most earnest of the conquering forces with which God will crown their labour.

I need to give Him my best time, effort and strength to prayer!

Spelling Bee

I watched National Spelling Bee competition in the middle of the night. It was broadcasted on ESPN. So, apparently, it's a sport. Spelling Bee.... A sport....? I don't see the link xD But, I tell you, i was amazed by the mere intelligence of those kids! They were geniuses! They really spent time to study the root words of Greek, Latin, French. I jokingly apologised to my mom for not being as intelligent. Ahahahaha. Some of the words are crazy! They were tough! But, after awhile, I tried to spell too. Hehehe. And shockingly, I got some of the words correct or nearly there. Not bad Sarah, not bad at all. Hahahaha. Honestly, I admire those kids. Man, they're seriously smart. This 14-year-old knew the root word in Greek, and the part of speech. My goodness. I learnt some new words! Bulbul, cryptococcosis, torii, oceanodromous, macedoine... And I pity those kids who got medical terms, I think they are the toughest to spell.

Seriously, I NEED TO IMPROVE MY ENGLISH! Call myself a Comms student, sometimes my English can be so inept. I need to improve my spelling and vocabulary. I struggled figuring out is it double 's' or 'p' in "disappointment", I spelled "divine" as "devine", and "inept" as "inapt". Well, thank God for spell checks and Google xD Apparently, my grammar needs brushing up as well! Last night, I said, "before I forgot". Forgot??? Geez. Then Christina corrected me! Wahaha. Teacher Christina. Yes, she will be serving the government to mould the nation. Hahaha. A high calling indeed.

Tonight's new BS lessons! Wooo! Finally! Was waiting fo quite long. Am moving up to Christian Lifestlye. Moving up the ladder... But alot more to go. Am looking forward to it (=

Use me Lord, as Your vessel, as Your instrument, as Your mouthpiece. I want to serve You and everyone with all my heart, soul and might, so that one day, You can call me Your good and faithful servant.

Darn Rashes! God, I need healing!

After returning from Malacca, I developed these rashes which look similar to the girls who develop them after Camp X!!! Cause by sandflies right Chris and Ash?? Darn! I don't remember seeing any sandflies... Man, they itch really bad! CRY CRY CRY!!! T-T As if my eczemas do not contribute enough itchiness on my skin already. I can't take it anymore~~ Am going to the doc to get a jab tomorrow. I hope I'll get a jab rather than being prescribed useless calamine lotion or pills. Bring on the jab! I don't want to scratch during the gathering with my secondary school classmates tomorrow. Yup, had an idea to have a fondue party at Dorothy's place tomorrow! Since my mom got a fondue set for Christmas, let's not waste it. Looking forward to it. So that everyone can come, we will have a second round on Thursday! Wahahaha. Filzah said she'll be forever grateful to me always organising gatherings! Hahaha. I love fellowship mah =D Oh, my dearest CG, we shall have a fondue party too okay? And my dear Monash classmates too! ^^

Have to shop tomorrow:
1. Marshmellows
2. Croissant
3. Biscuit sticks (puff pastries are so expensive >.<)
4. Red and green grapes
5. Blueberries!!
6. Strawberries!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. Bananas!! :d
8. Zi Shen wants chocolate sticks to go with chocolate fondue... Geez
9. Hmm... Should I make agar-agar or jelly?
10. Canned longans to go with the agar-agar/jelly

Oh yeah... I LOVE these two songs: Sam Sparro's Black and Gold; Miley Cyrus's Seven Things... Can't stop listening to them. And David Cook's Always Be My Baby! Nice~~