sing a new song everyday
A whole list of to-dos is yelling for my attention but I refuse to even wink at it.
It is tempting to delve into the cycle of work with just that one goal to finish up all I am supposed to do so that the nagging burden of work can be thrusted off my chest.
But it never does.
As we all know, it is a choice so for the past two days, I've made the choice to just slow down my pace of life. One of the things that I'm doing that's bringing me some joy is the attempt to read a Chinese book - the translated version of Freakonomics.
So far so good. 29 pages into the book. Out of how many? Beats me. I'd rather not know because the moment I know how many pages there are in a book, the more driven I am to reach the end - even if it means to compromise on the pleasure of reading ande understanding the preceding pages.
I think that's why sometimes God chooses not to let me know what is ahead and what is my destination because that was never meant to be my focus. Change as we all know it, is the only constant in life. If I set my eyes only at the end, I will be resistant to change because I'd have mapped out my own path. Let me give an example.
Let's start with something based on pure imagination. Say, I know that at the end of the 5th year from now, I am to be a millionaire, my most natural thought is that, "All right, I've got to work hard to make that happen". And so, day and night, I slog to earn even my first $10,000.
So my bank account peaks for the first time at a 5-digit sum. Fine, no big deal. Then there goes another few months another 10K. And after a while, I get used to my bank savings swelling. . Then, I start to expect it to continuously grow to 1 million. Anything out of that expectation, I flip.
With growing expectations, I start to control my finances. Work harder, save more, work harder, save more, work harder, save more and the mantra chants on.
I start to lose my focus on God and His promise and begin to move in my own "intelligent" way, assuming God's promise of earning my first million in the next five years will work the way I've engineered it to be. (Note: Please remember this is a hypothetical situation. God has not said anything to me though I secretly have been hoping so!)
In contrast, if I hadn't known of what will happen in 5 years' time, hadn't known that I'd earn my first million by then, I would have released myself from the control of my future. I'd learn to enjoy the journey more. I'd learn to trust that God can take me on a shortcut, or He can otherwise lead me along a longer stretch of green pasture.
So I decided, however tempting it may be, to not flip to the last page to read the ending of the book or check the page number because what I don't want the final page number to keep reappearing each time I flip the page.
I just want to enjoy.
OK. I'm moody and hungry.
I'm gonna go read. or pack my table. as usual. it deserves some attention.
YAWNS.
sing a new song everyday
scully's the professor for the program i'm on now -
washington journalism.
i'm starting to enjoy every single bit of it. really learning
how to OWN the topic (for me, this time, i'm working on
an education bill - the College Cost Reduction Act), how
to ASK deep questions. I've learnt that you cannot do the
latter without accomplishing the former.
i don't wish to sound ungrateful for the university education
that i have in singapore now, but i have to admit the interest
i have in graduating with a US degree is burning in me. for a
few valid reasons, in my honest opinion that is.
first, SCI does not really have a competent broadcast journalism
programme which is my primary interest. in fact it offers
only 1 course in BJ.
second, i think the lecturers, even for yr 3 and 4, in sci, aren't
qualified enough. simply said, i don't like to know that i'm being
taught by part-time people.
third, i think the opportunities to do internships in singapore are
quite limited.
that said, i know i must still be grateful for what i have. but honestly,
if not for the fact that i cannot return to the US for an exchange for
the next two years (it's part of the terms of agreement for my J1 visa),
i will seriously consider transferring man.
but the lack of funding is a problem too. sob sob. too poor for a good
programme here.
so if you're reading this, and you're a rich tycoon, and you think you
have too much money and have no idea where you want to put it,
please consider investing your money in me! -grins-
ok anyway, i've been learning quite a great deal from my course now
and i really like it. i'm starting to like d.c. i know i've complained about
how boring D.C is but the fact is that now, after learning about how
the people on the Hill work, i must say i'm quite fascinated.
of course it has its flaws but life on the Hill is definitely much more
interesting than you think! it's politics. and i guess, you can say it's
dirty. dirty politics.
anyway, i miss singapore lah. especially all my fwens =)
jane's excited about going home. lunching with buddies, baking with
elaine and michelle...............................................................................
hmmmmm yum yum....radi8ing with elimites. supping with the youth.
kissing my grandmummy, my dear ahbo...hugging my cousins, squeezing
my poohbear.....playing my piano.....rubbish-talking with shui-abby, teasing
xinjie............. getting stressed.................................................................shopping
...................................................................................................................................
geez. =)))))
i know i'll miss america though.
sigh. i wanna come back. i want a US-BJ deg.
sing a new song everyday
just yet.
it's almost as powerful as the word 'almost' itself.
yet.
i still want to believe there is more than grace available.
i will hope and continue to hope for something greater than grace
though i know God's grace will always be sufficient,
but there must be something more.
just a little sidetrack,
cheese is always good. :)
sing a new song everyday
because i think it no longer means anything to me
i'm not upset with God, or so I think I'm not
the world just seems more attractive to me at the moment
so many things to distract me
yet i must discipline my mind and stay on the right path
dont you ever wonder what u miss out? i do, i do.
i'm feeling so down. ever had the feeling you have a thousand f words ringing in your mind
but you hold yourself back from saying it because it's just so unchristian like
so hurting to God, so unbecoming of a growing (or for me, a stunted-growthed) christian
i really wish i dont have to feel bad about not spending time with God
just watch a bit more tv, a bit more cnn, a bit more sleep
a bit more baking, a bit more of life that i enjoy, where in my time can i slot God in?
no, that's not what i should do.
after all this rambling and utter honestly,
i have to admit
i'm in tears.
remorse? regret? should have thought before i typed this?
proverbs says a fool speaks before he thinks. all over in proverbs it says it.
so yes, i'm a fool.
i'm in tears.
i'm crying i'm sad i'm devastated
i can never wear contacts again. how far can i trust God to heal my eyes completely?
the faith journey, though exciting, can be tiring. from dejection, i have to learn to pick myself up
and ho-hey-ho, i can trust God for all things
indeed i can i can
but for now
i must be honest. for i'm a vain ass who feels like digging her eyes out in anger.
glasses for life.
fuck.
sing a new song everyday
a little update.
i had cornea ulcer on my left eye and it hurt like crazy. and i mean CRAZY!
but thanks be to God, I'm fine now, and am trusting God to bring to complete healing.
anyway, i will be attempting my first cheesecakE tomorrow :) a blend of cheese and banana.
HAHA.
will see how it turns out.
hope it's edible. will try to master some culinary skills and be a chef when im home - whipping up meals for my dearest popo, ah bo and family... ;)))
Love,
Janeee
sing a new song everyday
but florida trip with the G.I.P-iggies were really good.man i don't regret a single bit knowing them ;) despite the fact that the *evil* few dunked me into the sea even when I was already dry!! will get you guys on that ;)
there are tons and tons of photos...if you ever get to know these piggies, they are really photos-ah-siao!!!!!!!!!!! so much that my pretty exilim takes and back seat. so be patient and wait for the photos...i think it mounts up to gigs and gigs of it. :P
now it's all back to school. the piggies have another 5 weeks to chiong before the fun revisits their lives ;") while i slog for another 7 weeks. boo. ;( but there's a season for everything in our lives... and i'm glad there was a season in my life for the piggies :)
i'm real blessed. when i turned back and waved at orlando airport, i couldnt help but keep thanking God for a great time with the piggies. :)))
i'm not too fluent with mushy stuff but man. the gipiggies rock rock rock.
sing a new song everyday
really tired now though and waiting for my turn to shower... ;)
feeling reeeeeeeee-llee tired and lazy to blog though haha
sing a new song everyday
sing a new song everyday
Just washed my socks and everything. Trying to pack everything it's so messy I can't study in this...and I've loads of reading to clear... as usual... what's new?
Haha. :) But life's good. man. I don't wanna leave.
sing a new song everyday
because if he hadn't come back
I'd never know how many more soldiers and civilians are suffering out there
because of the insensitive decisions of governments.
Try imagining Bush with half his skull gone.
The war should just stop now.
sing a new song everyday
and poor me, i will be stuck studying for my international relations exams on thursday.
but thank GOD! i enjoy it. no pressure to do well. can pass can liao... :) so it's a good time to learnnnnnn!!!! :)
can't wait for spring break. atlanta then to florida. and hopefully I can stay in Atlanta for another week. crash all the courses at georgia tech hehehe.
sing a new song everyday
and poor me, i will be stuck studying for my international relations exams on thursday.
but thank GOD! i enjoy it. no pressure to do well. can pass can liao... :) so it's a good time to learnnnnnn!!!! :)
can't wait for spring break. atlanta then to florida. and hopefully I can stay in Atlanta for another week. crash all the courses at georgia tech hehehe.
sing a new song everyday
It feels so good, so fresh to just exercise my gosh and after that, grab a good meal! I'm eating Beef and Brocolli and rice with Teriyaki sauce now... :)
I think my nutrition class has taught me alot. It's not about how much you weigh! It's your fat distribution man. So you can weight a skinny 43kg (that'll be anorexic for me that's why I took that as an example) and you still look ba-ba because your fat distribution is high. And it's much much more beneficial to go for nutrient dense food!! :)
But late night eating/snacking is still a no-no...tsktsk. :)
Now I feel better and I think exercise has made me forget about the whole container of pineapple tarts I fed myself with. :)
love. pictures will be up soon. We did a mini snowball fight. HahA.
sing a new song everyday
I think it's snowed for about 4 or 5 times already. Gosh.
I can't wait for Brit to be back and hopefully, we'll do some snowman building and... snow ball fighting!!! :)
it's like marshmallow whee =)
sing a new song everyday
oh my goodness. and I finished a whole box just now... one out of 5 containers that my dad sent over. and one container has about...20 tarts.
my gosh. i am not going to think about it.
off to sleep!
sing a new song everyday
where shall I start?
okie... here goes... :
valentine's day 14th Feb
that's my housemate, Sandy ha ha ha it's morning and I know my hair is long and messy and my face is oily, but it's valentine's day and it's celebration of my success at betty crocker's cookies!! :D and there is...Brittany!!
Brit looks great doesn't she... :D I caught her after her morning shower and she was drying her hair that's why she looks like a genie kekeke :P my hair's still messy and ah, i'm still thinking if I should cut it. advice advice, anyone?
Let's move on to something cute, probably cuter than me! Yes it is!
hehe. I thought seeing squirrels was already a rare sight in Singapore and poof, I see a black squirrel it's cute! Usually they run away when you get close but thank God for the good zoom in my camera :) it's cute, isnt it!!!
Chinese New Year dinner
For CNY, I wanted to go down to Duke as uninvited guest for dinner but haha couldnt make it! REally thank God for Uncle Edwin and Aunt Lydia, who are really hospitable, and we had a good filling meal. For once, my throat didn't itch after like 8 prawns. I think cos it's really fresh. Tried to pick up some cooking skills from Aunt Lydia, who taught me that the way we slice meat is very important because it will affect the texture of the food... :)we kinda forgot to take pictures of the food before we started... haha so this is like taken after we've begun on our dinner. =)
Sunday Bible Study preparation - my shot at er...cooking?
remember I said I'd be helping to prepare haha? I got a picture of the end product, but really the main stuff was done by Jenny and Katie and Susan. What I did was simply to slice the cheese and erm, the green pepper :P That, I didn't take a photo because it is silly to take a camera into the kitchen. HAHA! :)
then on our way to school for the bible study, it snowed again!!
Thank you for the parcels --- Dad, Shui & Abi & SCI, and Minz!
I asked Pa to send some pineapple tarts over so I could introduce it to my American friends. I think it's really well-received by them :) Dad sent 5 boxes over. =] I ate one, giving away the rest, part of an effort to keep myself from putting extra pounds.
then Dad added Bak Ku Teh... haha. I think Pa doesnt know how idiotic I can be in the kitchen and that's why He sent 9 packets of Bak Ku Teh spices...but I will try :)
from Shui & Abi & SCI
I really enjoy the CDs my dear...and Abi, I love the card, it's so sweet and it's my favourite pink...and SHUI, argh! I Was really expecting money inside!!!! =D but yeah, creative lah. that made me read your letter first. and really sweet of NTU to send the card and some CNY deco over. But it reached us really late like er...4 days after CNY, but I really appreciate the thought!! :) Thanks Nikki and Angeline~ (:
Pooh Box from Min!
Haha! I really like the box!!!!! =) =) It's super ubery cute!!! I have used it to keep my Bible, my prayer notebook (prayer comm: the white one! yes!) and...devotional that chermaine lent me :) it's nice I like it :) Thanks Minz! ;)
I've sent some postcards/letters out...hit me a tag or mail me when you've received it. Some I'm still waiting for get your address!!!! haha! Like Ps. Susan..and Abi
sing a new song everyday
Love,
Jane
sing a new song everyday
I was full till like FULL...had prawns (very freshh..), fish (yeay!), chicken, beef, ngor hiang (home made by aunt Lydia), fishball (my fav), and some I can't remember... after that, we were talking about all the health stuff, which I am so interested in and I have like a new interest in drinking tea. Thanks to the nice apple black tea Aunt Lydia brewed! :D
so if i have a birthday wish, I wanna get a tea set...those that you use to brew tea... hint hint...
then what ah? yeah. then we talked about all the crime stories ha ha ha. remember a couple of years back, there was this sniper who killed over 10 people? It happened around the Potomac region, where Uncle Edwin lives. But thanks to God, they were away in Singapore for that period of time but Uncle Keong wasn't. So he kind of recounted how people had to dart and be really careful because the killed sought after victims randomly, with no particular target at all. That makes it all the more scary!
But I really enjoyed the health talk and I started to REALLY realise how processed our food is, for the sake of convenience. That's where we've been losing our nutrition! And one important thing I've learnt from my nutrition class is that it is very very important to choose from a variety of food that are nutrient-dense. which means that the more nutrients you get per calorie, the better.
COOL HUH?
Anyway, I forgot to post about the Chi Alpha Potomac retreat I went to which to me, was a blast because hmmm, I won't say I was completely transformed, but it did happen during a period where I doubt God...alot.
Then the speaker said like "God loves you" and he repeated that for at least five times so well yeah. And when people do that, they will almost always say, "somebody needed to hear that" and er, as usual, I was probably that person or among the persons who needed to be reaffirmed of that truth.
It's been hard haha. I realised how deceptive my heart can be and how confused I can get sometimes. But I've learnt and still learning a big deal about grace and faith. Before this period of time set in, I kind of felt that some trial would come and I really need to ask God to purify my heart...
Well, I will try to upload the photos later :D
The excitement for today is... *grins*. I'm gonna learn/help Susan cook for the Women's bible study later after church :) SO.........
WAIT for the yummy licious photos of the pasta we're gonna make :D
Love,JANE
sing a new song everyday
as i'm typing this, I'm waiting for the pictures to upload kekeke :) so you guys can see my valentine's day gift!! :) I'm really happy about baking you know!!! And...I hope to try baking some cake or pie the next time round... so exciting!! :P and a bonus, i will add a photo of my messy table. This is for you to pray that I will become more organised and neater!! :P
Anyway, I'm really thankful that God heard the cry that I needed some time to write some letters, do some cookies, plus here and there type my blogger because I really haven't been updating often and much...but I'm so overloaded by readings -- imagine trying to catch up for 4 different modules, it's utterly insane! And you know what?! :D
School closed early because of the snow and I think there'll be a snowstorm coming soon, according to Justin. haha. Snow's no longer something I look forward to because it makes my hair wet and flat after some time. It's not that bad when you have a cap on, but after some time, my hair still becomes flat and it looks awful! But snow is really beautiful and white and pure... It's my 3rd or 4th time seeing snow already hee... :p but I really can't wait for Spring to come.
Mrs Hoffman told me that Spring has all the beautiful colours. As much as snow and white which is my favourite colour is pretty, I think I'll be more thrilled by the next season, with an outburst of a variety of colours!!!! whoo!!!! I sure will post the pictures okok :p
Anyway, I think I'm gaining some weight, don't know good or not. When spring comes, I'd like to wear some nice clothes... hehe...so can't be too plump!! But my roomie Amy has been such a sweetie that she's been buying me pastry... and you know I'm weak with that... here's one chocolate cupcake she bought for me from cakelove in D.C... sweet.
The other day she bought for me Raspberry tart but so sorry I didn't take a picture of that because I was too hungry to even stop and dig out my camera for a photo of it. haha. But it was yummy yummy...
I hope some of you will like the little surprise that I'm sending back. But because of the time constraints, I didn't manage to write to all...but yours will come soon okay... And maybe you'd get nicer stuff too...as I open my eyes for nicer pictures and stuff like that.. :p But I really thank God for everyone who's prayed for me, with me, especially during this time when I'm feeling the spiritual lows.
There are times I will feel unloved and forgotten by God really haha. Like how come good things happen to so-and-so then me leh? Hmmm. I'm still learning to go through the fiery times with God and leaning on Him, drawing on His grace to move on. Do pray for me as often, I do get bitter with God...which I feel really separates me from knowing Him and really affects my relationship with Him...
I'm starting to miss home, like finally. I miss the comfort of home, where you know everyone and everyone's nice to you. Not that I've met a whole bunch of nasty people but..haha. I don't really enjoy one of my classes, especially the group I'm in. They seem so snobbish but I know it's really not for me to judge...anyway, still did their vday gift, hope they like it :) Still learning to love lah.
For school...I've been quite stressed. I don't know why but there is so much readings to do. Just for my Asian American module alone, each week, I have an average of 40 page from my main text, average of 2 other history pieces ranging from 30-60 pages long to do. Then for International Political Relations, each week there's like 30 pages from one text and another 20 pages of scholarly literature to read!! Then for Women's Studies, AIYO! one week can read one book!! But I think I really learn alot from all these courses... I think I'm too hard on myself lah. hahaha. I know that!! I just hate the feeling of doing half hearted work so...I'm finding it hard to balance man!
Next week I've got a presentation and a quiz... I feel like just slacking through it...I was telling Justin and Amy I'm ready to stay for another semester to clear my credits if I fail... then I can do more practicums :p.
Okay. this is a really long entry with lousy punctuation!;p
If you'd like, do pray for me for the following:
1) be more obedient and not so bitter all the time, to be optimistic in hard situations, trusting that God will bring the good times around...
2) how I should spend me Summer holidays...
3) Bank draft to reach ASAP and procedures to go smoothly...
4) Strength to be able to do my work!!!
5) Granny and family's salvation, plus good opportunities to share the Gospel
6) Time to write home to granny and aunty... and friends of course...
Hmmmmm...continue to tag and send me emails, to update me on your lives ok?? :P
In love, Jane.
sing a new song everyday
I'm not sure if I've recovered from my bouts of childish tantrums, thrown at God, and I know I'm being idiotic in doing so, juvenile and not knowing my place before God. God is God...
Honestly, I'm still making sense out of why this is all happening and maybe I really needed to let God control my future. My plans have all screwed up and to be frank, I'm not very willing to just commit to Romans 8:28 because doubt is creeping in... Am I just consoling myself to make myself feel better?
Thanks for everyone's prayers... I'm fine already.
Looking on the bright side of things, classes have been fun, except that I am not excited about the workload...
I'm taking International Political Relations which is something I'm interested in. It can get a little tough and dry though... I just came back from a Women's Studies class - Introduction to Women's Studies: Women, Art, and Culture, Women and the war in Iraq... I quite enjoy it too...but when I read the course syllabus, I flipped.
I have to like write 15 pages of prose !??! or 30 pages of poem and stuff like that. Gosh...But...the war in Iraq is something I'm interested in. Plus we watched a documentary by award winning journalist John Pilger on how economic sanctions have affected the children in Iraq, how commoners suffer from the decision of governments. For a moment, I thought I kind of get it, why I'm in this class... well, at least I left the class knowing that these problems are so real...
I've yet to go for the other two classes, one on nutrition which shouldnt be THAT bad since I'm a health-freak, and another one on Asian American studies... I chose that because... haha.
OK!!!
Things are better. Thanks to Minz, Kris, Deb, Weiyi and others who came forward to lend me their shoulders!!!
=D
For now, I'll just learn to be patient and see and understand why God thinks this is a better plan.
I'm still disappointed though.
=)
sing a new song everyday
Failed my writing test.
What's going to happen to my plan to take and clear my Journ modules?
I have no idea.
I went with no plan B
thinking that that was faith.
All that I see.
is disappointment in my tears.
trusted that You would bring me through
i feel like a fool.
sing a new song everyday
Anyway, ski-ing is so fun!! I wish I could go back for more and I do intend to!! It's not cheap though, I spent about $120 the whole day, partly because I missed the group lessons, which would be cheaper. So, I paid a good 60 bucks for private lessons with Hannah, a sweet fellow college girl at some Virginia university.
The ride to Bryce was loong.........for once, I'm glad that I wasn't at the driver seat! Well Deborah, I hope we can ski together one day!! YES!! :)
Anyways, I had MANY not so glorious moments of falling down - I think it was about erm, 8 times? Haha. But Angie said I fell quite gracefully. Then again, it is because the times she saw me fall --2 times-- were the times when I DID fall gracefully, but she completely missed out on my unglam moments where I would flip all over.
But I think falling down made it more fun... if I dare to fall, I'd dare to do many other things... well, the funny thing is I can turn left and right, which is supposedly more difficult, but I can't stop properly. So I did the safest and most convention way whenever I needed to stop but just couldn't decelerate quick enough.
I do my famous BUTT FALL.
Was pretty cool! Saw some cute guys, not bad for a treat! But one of the most exciting things was playing with Andrea, Angie's 6-yr old little girl! She came into my room this morning, and had a little tea party with me haha, after which we did a treasure hunt!! (: Adventurous girl huh!!
Somehow, when I looked at the kids' lives, I really silently (now that I'm blogging, it's pretty public...so...) prayed that I can come back to US to raies my kids, where I feel there isn't as much pressure. Like Angie said, which I for most parts agree, it's when the kids can really be kids.
I saw some of the paintings Joshua and Andrea did, and I felt that they were really talented in their crafts, which is something they really release themselves to and enjoy very much! I want my kids to be like that too! IF I ever settle down and start a family that is. :) Travelling without the bothers of a family kinda appeals to me, ALOT.
But one of the framed works that touched my heart was one that sent a message "I have a dream... that there will be no fighting with one another... Andrea". I think this needs no elaboration as it speaks for itself the innocence embedded in such a truthful and sincere statement.
Hmm. Okay, seems like I'm blogging more about cute Andrea than the ski-ing experience. I really felt it was one of the dreams come true for me...thoroughly enjoyed myself. It's really like my motivation to work hard and earn money and spend on ski-ing and things like white-water rafting and diving...
Haha..I'm enjoying myself a lot... I kind of wish I don't have to go back Singapore... hahaha...REALLY...I'm really hoping... and hoping... that after I graduated, some kind soul in USA will employ me... HEE...
Not that I hate Singapore, I really don't.
I think...I just feel very at ease here... =) And...I'm not even sure if I've stepped out of my comfort zone...
haha. have fun people.
love and miss yall.
sing a new song everyday
Then... it kind of hit me that it'll be like 10 plus 11 pm when I reach home tonight...and I'll have to wake up early for church, which is 1.5hrs metro ride away. Kind of like..."ah......". Then!!!! Gabriel and Angie offered me a night's stay at their house which is super near church. Hurray! I don't have to wake up like 7plus... hahaha....I'm really quite high now... though at the back of my mind, I seem to have quite a lot of work to do.
GEEz.
As for my two tests that I've taken, I'm still waiting for the results from Steve. The writing test was a little tricky and different from 203, which specifically tells you the word limit. Steve just told me to write whatever could capture the story. And ... I churned up with a 277-word news story. I'm not sure if he'd think it's too short, but I'm praying that God's favor will be there.
The courses here are exciting and the journalism programme here seems good...so please LorD!!!!
Anyway, I've got rush off to do some stuff, and get some items ticked off my "to-do" list. Please keep me in prayers as I actively continue to try and extend my visa for an internship.
Till my next post...
Good morning and good luck!! or rather, good night and good luck (by Singapore time)!
sing a new song everyday
check this out. I think it's about an anti-war protest lah. --> United for Peace
Anyway, the pictures are up. =) I've charged my camera, and I'm ready for more today =D
Off to Washington DC!
sing a new song everyday
sing a new song everyday
I'm back!!! :D I'm so sorry for my laziness to update hee. It's my free day today, so I've kind of got a long weekend, till Monday 2:00pm. But that's all assuming that I will be able to pass JOUR 181 (Grammar) and JOUR 201 (Newswriting) tests. So please keep me in your prayers. I don't have a back up plan, as I felt there really is no need to. I really want to trust God to provide me the great opportunities to learn whatever I can from the Philip Merrill School of Journalism here. The classes are really intensive, even though it is a 3 credit course.
I attended one, which was for Newswriting and Reporting: Broadcast, and it seems like there will be a lot of running around to do, interviewing people, recording sound bytes and piecing them together to form a radio broadcast package.
It's good that I feel challenged and vulnerable I guess. It seems to me that the students here have a strong command of the language, so I will have to up my level in order to remain competent. I just want to try my best and see where God leads me lah!! :D
Anyway, when I first came, I had problems with doing my regular quiet time, but I'm glad God saw that difficulty and He solved it! How? Yeah, by waking me up and not being able to get back to sleep. Sometimes, I'd feel lazy and start praying in bed but other times, I get up and read the bible in the living room. That's cool. So I'm definitely really happy about that!! (:
It's freezing outside. It's about -3 degC outside, but with the wind slapping across your face, with it numbing your ears till you hardly feel a deep scratch, it feels like -12 degC. So I've decided to stay home in a heated room to MUG for my JOUR 181 test! It's a good time to get all the Subject-Verb agreement stuff right and hopefully it will improve my writing.. =)
The textbooks here are far more interesting but also expensive than the ones in Singapore but thank God for used textbooks!! *grins*.
I've met another Hong Kong exchange student, Hang in class and it's fun and nice to meet another Asian around. Really thankful to that. And praise God, there's this programme in school, "Building American Friendships" that is Christian-based and I signed up for it. hee. But I will have a problem going to the Crusade meetings in school cos I have lessons from 6-7:50 and the meeting starts at 8 in an area that I'm quite far away from...so hopefully, God helps me with it!!
There's this mixer gathering tonight I think, which I will be going yeay! It's a gathering where all the Christian groups meet. There's crusade, Chi Alpha and other stuff... so I'm really excited to meet the other Christian bros and sis in school! :) And really looking forward to build meaningful friendships here...
Pictures will be coming up soon. I think they are BEAUTIFUL! and I can't wait to share with all of you! :) I was thrilled to see snow for the first time of my life last Sunday. Really sweet and pleasant. We had a 10 minute snow experience yesterday as well but it wasn't as enjoyable as it was on Sunday because it came with a strong gust of wind. For awhile, it seemed like a snow storm haha.
Okie... do drop me an email if you have prayer requests... please pray for me to pass the two tests - JOUR 181 Grammar for Journalists, and JOUR 201 Newswriting and Reporting I.
Also, please pray that I can get my visa extended as I'm looking to securing an internship with ABC News. But no matter what happens, God is great and I claim Romans 8:28 ... But I really feel that an experience with ABC News will widen my lenses as a person or even as a journalist... if I want to be one that is... so let's just pray for God's will to be done.
For all I know, He might want me to go for Campus Mission instead though I really think the internship will be a rare opportunity, almost once in a lifetime thing.
Okie. I'm gonna go and check out what's in store for me in the dining hall. Thank God, I tried some Maryland style Crab soup yesterday...and clam chowder soup.....YUMMY... =)
LOVE,
JANE!
sing a new song everyday
That's why
DRAFTING IS SO IMPT.
=( SAD.
sing a new song everyday
We've been out to Target and Giant to get some grocery and stuff. It's not that bad, I spent about $65 in all. Finally bought some apples! Yeay, and I can put my knife to good use.
I just junked on some baked sour cream and onion crackers it's so good and addictive you can't stop eating them. And I've got 3 or 4 servings in my stomach now. MAN! That's about 400 calories. ARGH. =( I'm getting off snacks. I don't wanna be round when I get back and then not being able to fit into lecture seats. That will be freaking embarrassing!
=)
Here to share some photos as well =D
took this on the plane at daybreak, I thought it was gorgeous man. the shading of the colour from red to yellow and then a bit of black and bright blue casting over it. shiok!!
I kinda like this too. The sunlight covering a huge piece of land, making it look like a sandy desert...
see the ice over the lands...
Now, some pictures of Minneapolis airport =)
hehe. here's a peek at my school, University of Maryland. Go TERPS (the mascot is a terrapin, called Testudo! I don't have a picture of it now but I'll remember to get one =D)
that's amy in front.
That's all I have for now... =D
feeling so tired. see ya.
sing a new song everyday
sing a new song everyday
Today was basically yawning around with administrative procedures and we got to meet some other international students from say, HK, China, Brazil (there's one hot girl there...), UK, Nigeria, Japan, Taiwan, and some others I can't really remember.
I think jet lag's starting to set in and I was feeling really groggy just now. To think I was boasting that I wasn't plagued by jet lag. man, I've got to fight it! :)
I've uploaded my pictures, but I don't really remember where I stored them so... I won't post them up today. Sorry dudes. But the "scenery" here is fantastic!
Made my student ID card today, think I look pretty crappy. bah.
Okay, I hope you guys can pray that I will meet some Christian friends!!
Okay, I promise a more comprehensive post the next time round. For now, please be satisfied with some pictures of my messy table. And that explains why I need to get off the net and start packing, before I get mad when I can't locate my stuff. My maid isn't around so I don't have an extra pair of eyes to search for things when I need them. It's good to be neat!
Keep the tagging going....and yes, pictures will be up soon!!! :P
LOVE
Jane.
sing a new song everyday
This is my first official post in the United States and my internet's up! It'd better be after I spent 15 bucks on the internet cable and that's so expensive! But I shan't grumble anymore. Without internet I'd be pretty bored most of the time! Then again, maybe not since there are 100+ Free to Air (FTA) stations here. GOSH!
Well, I won't say that the shows are very sensible though! My friend, Justin was just saying that he saw a TV programme that did an experiment on whether sex improves a footballer's performance in a game. Haha..Hmm.
I'm pretty contented with watching American Idol! Caught an episode yesterday but it didn't get me laughing really hard either. Maybe today's will!! Hope I'd be able to catch it cos we'd be out with Amy's mom for dinner!
And there are many many squirrels around, they're so cute (: Just a walk around the campus and you'll see at least 8 of them! You can walk the whole of Singapore and you'd just catch no more than 1. Haha. But it's hard to get their pictures... they're camera shy...But you should see the way they eat. *smiles*
I'm not feeling that hardworking to install my picture loader... so pictures will take some time. Haha. I think Justin got some cool photos with him. And I can't wait to show you guys how UMD looks like. IT's so typical, like the type of universities we see in the movies.
Before I sign off, here are a few things I'd like to ask from you guys!
First, please tag me or e-mail me your blog addresses so I can read them when I'm dead bored and keep myself updated about the happenings in Singapore!
Second, my Skype's username is "jarnei", so add me if you'd like to. Also, I've got the MSN Windows Live Messenger, the version which can take down offline messages. So do message me if you'd like.
Third, this is my address... if you have loveletters for me, feel free to send them HAHA.
University of Maryland
2107A Charles Hall
College Park, MD 20742
USA
Fourth, to Shu Ai... I saw quite a pretty brunette today, in the Health Center hahahaha. But sorry..no photos. I'll try harder... =D
Fifth, I'm tired. Gonna go catch a wink first... can't wait to go to the mall. Amy said there are many things over there...it's huge. Goodnight...
sing a new song everyday
Anyway, Amy said she isn't a big eater, so we'd probably share through our meals to even out the portions. Wei Yi and I have resolved to NOT put on weight =)
Please help me pray that I'd be able to move in on Jan 16. By right, I have to stay out till Jan 17 because the checking in time is only from 11-4pm and Justin and I will only arrive in College Park at about 6+pm. So hopefully, Amy, who is in New York shopping right now haha, can open the door for me. Hope it's not against some strict rules either :)
I'm quite excited =) Meeting new people, a new kind of lifestyle, new challenges, and really really hoping to do JOURN modules. Gosh, there's almost nothing left to take in Communications! So really really keeping my fingers crossed that I can take the modules I'm desiring to!
Amidst all the hoo haa and excitement, I'm actually worried I won't have the discipline to do my bible reading :[ But I think God has put this desire in me to read His Word, though I admit I'm not exactly obedient to that desire all the time. Hope it will be as what Pastor Wilson prayed over us, that we will have such uneasiness when we miss reading His Word even for a day.
Anyway, my resolution for the year is to hear His voice and be obedient to it.
Meantime, some prayer pointers would include,
1) protection over me, God protect me against big bullies and robbers!
2) build meaningful friendships, opportunities to share about Jesus
Anyway, if you haven't realised, I don't think I'd be able to post pictures of my cooking cos I don't have a kitchen to start with. Boo.
Gonna go read some cool article in TIME, God vs. Science. Hope it's a good read.
CYA!
sing a new song everyday
First up will be my aunt & uncle. My aunt for sacrificing her study time (yes, she's taking some psychology masters course), even jeopardizing her grades just to help me make sure procedures like medical check up, visa application etc. have been done. Thank God for my uncle as well, who helped check out and buy various things for me like my contact lenses, luggage etc.
I think behind the hard work of chauffeuring me all around Singapore, from NTU to US embassy, waiting while I'm doing my medical check up, buying supplements and all, is really a desire to see me, whom they regard as one of their own, excel in the work I will do.
That's why sometimes I'm afraid that I will disappoint them one day and seeing their efforts go to waste. But... I guess I will just give every opportunity that comes by in my life, my best shot and see where God leads.
I can pray a thousand over blessings upon their lives, which I do when I remember (haha), but nothing will beat knowing the Savior JESUS Himself. And I hope and believe they will one day.
Then...here's my grandma. I guess she's kind of given up on her cool and funky hair that she doesn't bother to comb it anymore. Please keep her in prayers as she's still not saved yet too and she cried when she knew I'd be leaving.
Extremely thankful that she's been faithful and committed for the past 20 years, I suppose, to my upbringing, and always so afraid that I'd become a pai2 kia4. Aunty Barbara said she had the will to see me grow up and I hope she will live to see the day I graduate, work, & get married (er, ???).
I can't say I've learnt to appreciate her but I'm still trying, though sometimes I think I'm on the verge of giving up. Nonetheless, I guess deep down, I'm really thankful for this grandmummy I have =)
And introducing my family of pretty cousins and handsome cousin, not so now though, since he'd put on weight. It's hard to pull off as good looking when you're big in size, I feel, haha! Thank God for the joy they bring me, especially zinc and cen and qian, the three cousins I'm closer to... :)
Well, I'm not the family-oriented type of person lah. Sometimes I wonder why have families but I guess without them, my life would have been starkly different and more lonely so at the end of it all, THANK GOD FOR THEM ALL.
I have many many many more to thank, like everyone who'd prayed for me, with me for this exchange. It's so God-given! :) People who have invested their time in my life, even if it's only a few minutes of sharing, I really appreciate those moments. I'm too lazy to blog on. I'm down with flu again.
Please keep me in prayers and some pointers are -
1) To be able to take JOUR modules and successful subject matching & good timetables
2) Build meaningful friendships, easy-going and understanding housemates, great learning opportunities, and open doors to share about Jesus
3) Extension of visa (trying to work out an internship), letters of recommendation to be done
4) Personal, luggage and documents safety
5) Finances
6) To be able to move in when we reach on 16 Jan
7) Settle down in a Spirit-filled church
8) Travel opportunities & good lobangs!!!!
sing a new song everyday