You have a Calling

It's a Friday arvo (Day 3 of Urbana 2006) and I'm sitting in the Millennium hotel lobby, using the free wireless, facing St Louis' famous Gateway Arch. It's 3pm and Urbana delegates are just getting out of the 2pm seminars. FYI, St Louis is another hour behind so Singapore, I'm 2 hours behind you now.

How's Urbana so far? I've been absolutely incredibly blessed!!! Took a break off the seminars today coz yea... past few days has been pretty long. Was really encouraged and edified by Rebecca Manley Pippert's (Author of "Out of the Salt Shaker") Seminar on Talking About God in Everyday Life. Basically, she talks about Evangelism and how we should follow Jesus' example in being radically different!

The bible studies on Ephesians have given me a fresh perspective of Paul's letter and the worship has been phenomenal! We sang songs in like Korean, Spanish, Haiti, Japanese, Swahili, Yoruba and anointed speakers for the general sessions in the mornings and nights such as Ajith Fernando (YFC, Colombo, Sri Lanka), Oscar Muriu (Pastor, Nairobi Chapel, Kenya), Brenda Salter McNeil (Chicago, IL), Lisa Espineli Chinn (Int' Student Ministries IV, Madison WI), Rick Warren (Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA) and more have all blessed the delegates in revealing God's insights into scripture.

Practically the whole of St Louis got activated into hosting Urbana 2006! It's incredible! Like 20 hotels around the area downtown and near the airport were reserved specially for the delegates coming from more than 140 countries! Think there's a total of 22,000++ delegates here. Like Urbana even got the Metro (MRT service) and restaurants around the area to accomodate all of us arriving on the 27th!! Urbana delegates took to the streets every morning and night, walking/riding to the Edward Jones Dome (America's Center) for the general sessions, flooding the sidewalks, mass crossing traffic lights. It's overwhelming. Finding lunch one the first day was crazay!! Everywhere you turn there were Urbana college students with the signature name tag hanging on their necks and gold waterproof Urbana'06 'hospital' wrist band to be worn till the conference is over, the Urbana diary in their hands as a reference map to the different seminars and hotels they're in.

God has been amazing! All glory to God in the highest and peace to His people! When we attended the first prayer meeting, the common question was "Why did you decide to come for Urbana?". Personally, I'm here to know more about God's heart for missions and to seek some direction, career wise and missions wise. Where should I go? What would I do? Do I go for mission internships first before going on a job hunt? Yup.

I have a Calling. Lord, here I am.

Stating states.

Finally have some time to settle down and post up something decent (i hope).

Where to begin... Umm. God has really blessed us in this trip from the very beginning! He has seen us through everything we did from our commuting to and fro to the sights & sounds to meeting new people, making new friends. It's just been incredible & I'm always amazed & in awe at even the little things we experience covered with His fingerprints!

Let's start from Atlanta.

So! Arrived in Atlanta with Matt & Clement on the arvo of 14 Dec. Praise God for Clement's family friend (Uncle Randy & his wife, Aunty Janna) - a missionary family serving on the Doulos (Mission ship that sails around reaching out to Asia) - who picked us up at the airport, housed us at the OM (Operation Mobilization) guest house in Tyrone which was beautiful! & drove us to and from the airport's MARTA (something like SG's MRT) station every day. Think the accomodation kicked off the trip rather well! We literally had a whole house to ourselves from laundry facilities to tea, jam, eggs, milk, butter, bread, Cheerios & Post breakfast cereals in the kitchen to prepare on our own!

God provided us with great weather - bright and sunny! - in which we covered significant grounds on foot. So far the whole traveling experience has been on foot... with the occasional rides on public transport when needed but I've never walked so much in a concentrated period of time!!?! Reckon I covered a distance of approx. 2 marathons on foot! (Qing you should be proud of me haha!) Plus I've significantly lost some weight (by judgement of my corduroy jeans no longer bursting at the seams).

Anyways, Atlanta was great! A highlight of the sightseeing was visiting Coke & the High Museum of Art to see Louvre Atlanta! Highlight on a whole? Spending time with Uncle Randy & Aunty Janna & their children & Cocoa (brown lab. Soooooo cute!!!!!)! Pictures say a thousand words so enjoy!



Coca-cola






Louvre Atlanta @ Sunset


Little Emily & me @ the Christmas Dinner in Uncle Randy & Aunty Janna's church


Boston.
As soon as we began our winter break, too soon we had to leave Atlanta for Boston, Massachusetts. The flight took an hour or so and I had an interesting conversation with a senior father working in satellite engineering and programming. Think it's the Christian thing I talked about few posts back... He started talking with me coz' he saw my cross so yup. The warmth of God's family! Actually wanted to sleep through the flight but reckon the conversation made the flight more interesting anyways. Haha!

Covered downtown Boston in under 2 days I think. Loved the houses and parks! Our accomodation at DoubleTree was good too! Stayed in Cambridge opposite Harvard Business School! Think if I compared downtown Boston & Cambridge, I'd say Cambridge's quaint town houses & Harvard University scored better. Finding food on the other hand was a chore but settling at Quincy markets was great though pricy. Boston's a really walkable city. We walked across the Harvard bridge to see MIT too! The highlight of Boston was definitely the road trip! As mentioned in the previous post, we drove down to Providence, RI and up to Portsmouth, Kittery & Salisbury in New Hampshire & Portland, Maine. Keep crossing out the states! Haha! Here are some pictures in random order...











Alright I've gotta go pack. Gotta catch the cab early to Reagan Airport tml morning... Updates on Washington will come when I have the time!

Looking ahead... it's URBANA 2006!! Can check out the site!

Till tomorrow, Bonne nuit & Goodbye Washington! Hello..... St Louis!!

On to DC...

Something about Boston traveling before I go on to DC... we did 3 states in 2 days!!! Yup! Thanks to Matthew who drew out our itinerary and Clement, for renting and driving us down to Providence, RI (Rhode Island) on the first day and the second, New Hampshire (Seabrooke, Kittery & York) & Maine (Portland)!! It was great! Love the coast! The little towns were so quaint & gave you the European-Chocolat feel to it.

Think I've covered most of the Eastern states all in one exchange!! Oh and I passed! (as in results hee...) Did pretty alright though reckon I could have done better but yea... Average's a B so I'm happy! Anyways!

I'm off to Washington DC tml morning and will be spending Christmas there till 27th. Can't believe it's 2 days to Christmas. Doesn't feel like it but yea... the radio's playing carols non-stop!?! On the road trip think we had enough of the 4-6 versions of Little Drummer Boy, Feliz Navidad & Silver Bells!

Wells, if I don't get to blog in DC... Have a very blessed Christmas everyone! Let's celebrate & glorify Christ - Our Savior, our King, our Beginning & End!

Hello, Boston!

Hey all,

Just a quick note to say I'm done with Atlanta and am currently in Boston! Really cold but sun has been bright shining! Doing loads of walking walking walking. Reckon I would be really fit when I'm back from travels sia...

Loved Atlanta, sorry can't post up pictures of anything else 'cause I don't have free internet access here so trying to convert back and very dependant on an Acer PC @ our hotel's business center. Quick updates about Atlanta? Love it! Boston? Lovin' it! Give me time and I'll do it once I'm back on free wireless k!

Take care amd will update as soon as I can!

Cheers,
SJ

This is it.

Day 122. 6:50AM

Just finish packing most of the check-ins. Thinking if I'm missing anything out. Drawers? Empty. Check. Wardrobe? Nothing that's coming with me. Check. Table? Laptop. Check later.

Can't believe this is it. Just the other day we were getting acquainted with the Hill. Today, I'm leaving it behind.
Just in August the weather was warm and humid - were we back in SG?? - and now in December, you can barely go a day without a warm winter coat.
Just 2 months back we were in Florida for Fall break and in over a month - road trip to Charleston.
Just the other week we ended IV & went for a Chai at Starbucks. The other Sunday, Summit sang Chris Tomlin's new album song, "Glorious" & at Compline, "Ave Maria".
Just then it was Thanksgiving and the weeks full of assignments & after, we celebrated Christmas early with Emily & Kate, Shannon & Rebecca, April & Jenny, Lydia, & had dinner at Jim's place.
Just the other day Weichang left for a week to NY & Washington. She's somewhere over the pacific now, traveling back to SG.
Just everyday, I had my meals at Lenoir and Rams - salad with vinegrette, meat & mash potatoes, cake, sweet tea. Yesterday was my last dinner at Rams. Last meal plan dining.
Just that day, we met for dinner & said our farewells. Took a few pictures & promised to keep in touch.

Sighs... I'm sad. Still have an exam to sit for @ 8am before everything kicks into full gear holiday mode. I'm really sad that it's all over. No more college life, no more carefree walks after each assignment is handed in, after each exam is done. I'm really sad to leave this beautiful place. Just one semester. Just another year going by. Just another place I'll hold so dear to my heart.

I love you, Carolina. I'll miss you, UNC.

I'll miss you.

Friends are friends forever - Michael W. Smith
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

Sunday Special

I walked my last steps on the concrete pavement leading to the green doors of Riverview High School with Emily and Likyer, where the Summit Church holds it's services. The time? 8:00am. I know... for the first time I caught sunrise around 6:30-ish! There's always something about last services, last events, last functions, last moments. Somehow you get that nostalgic feeling and your mind runs through as many memories of the place as possible. Kinda hard for me (the one whose called "Goldfish"... don't ask. Reckon you could just guess it. Memory problems. Haha!)

I also walked my last steps into the Compline service tonight. I'll miss it. Especially when I'm back in busy bustling Singapore. Took in as much of the whole church as I could! The atmosphere, the quietness, the smell of incense, the choir's voices, the creaky wooden pews, the stone walls and steps, the little refreshments corner after service with cookies & hot tea! As for Summit, morning rides with Emily, the worship, the beautiful harmonizing voices, one of the biggest n most colourful bulletins I've ever seen haha, after service lunches with Emily and the powerful super fast sermon deliveries by J.D.!

Despite my shortcomings in "total recall", I do remember the first few times of church hunting. There was the "Pretty Methodist Church" we would still go to everytime we missed Summit. Then Bible Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Summit... Church hunting actually brought together people who've become my closest group of friends I've made here! Friends I've grown so attached and hold dear to my heart! Weekends will never be the same. =)

I stand in amazed at how Christians naturally just congregate together wherever they are, with Christ at the center of attraction. The bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Our creation came with a purpose... and one of them is being a part of God's family! The wonderful thing about being in God's family? It's forever! in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 talks about the body is a unit made up of many parts and so we are members of Christ's body. Verse 25 & 26,

"25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

Through the rough times I've had here, I've truly received sincere concern, prayers, love, empathy, encouragement & support! And even so in the happy times, joy was shared with God's family ("Every part rejoices with it")! Indeed, God was with me every step of the way through this exchange and it's assuring to know that wherever we are, at every point/moment in life, He will continue to be there and so will His family!

His family... another wonderful thing to praise God for! =)

Tar Heels! Hang in there! Exams will soon be over! Peace!

Feverish beginnings

Officially, the weather has gone past freezing... no no. Past. Way past freezing to the minuses in the nights and no more than 10 degs in the day. Current temperature? -6 degrees Celcius. Brrrr.... I love the weather though! Like the cold outside and warmth of wrapping up inside together!! Though, the numbness in my fingertips are a constant bother even out of the cold. *keep thinking my fingers will fall off or something from the cold haha! Anyways! It's been so cold till I think I was sick and had or maybe been alternating a fever the past few weeks without even realizing it. Funny thing is, I'm fine. I feel 100% fine. Like mentally, physically, emotionally except for the occasional "why does my head feel hotter than usual" thoughts to self. Maybe it's a psychological thing. People around have been falling sick. A quick prayer request for health n strength with the cold setting in and as exams begin. Oh and personal request for yours truly. I need good quality sleep. Not to the extent of 8-10hours but even though it's 5hours at least it's quality sleep.

Maybe good sleep, or rather the lack of it, is the cause. Been tossing and turning lots in bed. Not good. I need my sleep!! Haha

Kinda been cruisin' lately. According to Matt, it's an Aussie thing. The slackness. I'm still debating if it's really true. Are Aussies really that slack!?! Maybe it's just a West coast thing... Wait. I study in the West Coast... Sheesh! Haha! Oh but I was hardworking a day back packing up all my stuff into a box that felt-like >20kg but actually weighed <15kg. Stuff I don't intend on lugging around. If I knew it was that light I would have stuffed more things in! Call me a light-packer. If there ever was a way to bring just one medium-sized luggage to check-in and a small handbag for travels around the world for a month, I'd do it! Anyways, Matt if you're reading this, thanks! for lugging my big box to the post office! Really appreciate it! =)

Which means I've shipped my stuff back and note-to-self: expect box in 6 weeks or so, receipt is in wallet. Started on my studying today.

(Ok kinda distracted by the little lighted christmas tree on the window sill by my bedside... Roomie's friend's mum gave to roomie who's decided it's rightful place is by my bed. Sweet...)

See the little tree full of lights on the left? Excuse the messy beds haha!


Anyway! Managed some studying today. At least I'm on schedule for one class. Not sure how revision for the other class would go but ya. The remaining days are gonna be full of activities and farewells!! Really need sleep. Really need time. The whole atmosphere is screaming Christmas! Christmas songs on K-Love. Reminds me I'll be spending Christmas away from home for the first time! Will miss it though. The local church carolling & functions & Watch night service. Haha singing 'Feliz Navidad' haha... how singo.

Right now I'm watching the days for exams to end and to board our flight to Atlanta! Oh watch the time! It's 1:16AM.

Bed bed off to bed! Bonne nuit!

To think...

I'm done with my classes. Like not only done done but DONE. For good. No more attendance. No more classes. No more University. Didn't realize it till dinner @ Jim's family's place (Jim conducts the IV International Bible Study every Tues night & kindly invited us back to his home for a Christmas farewell meet-my-lovely wife-&-adorable-4-kids! family dinner) when Brooke (local, majoring in nursing) mentioned it! Gosh... I'm done.

Handed in my final assignment and what a relief.

Anyways, dinner was great! Broccoli & cheese casserole & homemade bread, salad, corn & cranberry juice! (Something I haven't had in a lonnnnngggggg while. Yums!) Reminded me of the time my dad had this craze over Cranberry juice.

"No. Not orange juice. Cranberry juice. Why? It's healthier, it's better. Good for you. More Vitamin C than oranges & has antioxidents. Go get the Cranberry juice! I said no orange juice!! You drink what I drink. Go. Now! Check for 100% OK!)" - an example of several such dialogues at NTUC.

Sidetrack, on with yest's dinner... It was great! Seriously. Many people here (and ok, people in many other places besides SG) build their own houses! Imagine the immense sense of achievement finally moving in & everything's made by you! Wows. Jim built his own house + a basement! The night went on with a little final bible study and amusing ourselves with their kids (oldest is 8, youngest few months?) & ended with Taboo!

There's something about the friends & their families I've visited, that brings so much warmth to my heart, so much love and joy, peace, hope, sincerity. I'm glad it's Jesus.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Me International Bible Study gals! From left to right: Brooke, Rachel, Liz & me

Crikey!

It's Friday!!! Exactly 2 weeks and I'll bid the Hill, NC, UNC, the blue & white, Ramses, so-so football, ace bball, bschool, south campus hangouts, bell tower chimes, walks back to Cobb, the Cobb piano, Caroline snoozes, walks past 'Silent Sam' & along Franklin on a clear sky day, IV, IV dinners/suppers, swiping, laundry, 'hush puppies', alpine bagels, sweet tea, soybean milk, pecan/pumpkin pie, Meal plan dining, Sundays @ Church & Sunday night lunches/dinners with 'the gang' - Weichang, Jeremy, Matt, Clement & 9:30pm Compline services, Monday lunches with Weichang & discipleships with Emily, Tuesdays & Thursdays in Graphics Design plus the out-of-class hours in Carroll lab 059, Tuesday dinners, Wednesday dinners & Lightbearers, Friday escapades in Hill Hall, Saturday get-togethers farewell.

Can I stress enough that most of all I'll miss the fellowship? No. The dear people that made my exchange so different, so memorable, so blessed. So many thank yous, so many hugs and 'I'll miss you's. Had my final lab session today & my tutor said his goodbyes, "was great having you for the semester" speech. Here comes December indeed.

This countdown will be a sad one for most of us exchange students. I'm going to re-live saying goodbye to Perth all over again. Sigh! Reckon it'll be really tough for me. There's something about sweet Carolina I can't express with words. Gosh it'll be difficult. It's really the after thought that bugs me I guess. What happens to all the people when we move on with the life God leads us to? When, back on home soil, we tune ourselves back to distant familiarities? What will happen to the people whom I've shared my heart with? I pray we'll still be in touch, that we'll still remain in fellowship, online/offline.

I spent the entire day working on my final report for Ad Media. It was a race against the clock but we did it. I learn something new everyday (though it's a matter of whether I remember them but anyways...) today wasn't as pleasant. Back-bites, superficial, plastic smiles, empty concerns. I'm glad I've got the opportunity for group work here. At crunch time, you really see the many shades of people. In a group of 7, only 3 turned up to work together in the last moments of the assignment. Let's just say they were angry and the conversation got quite interesting... hmm.

Anyways, I'm finally done!!! Done with my assignments!!! Ok there's just one left but I do so engjoy graphics design. Haha! Oh and you know I was quite concerned about my grades for Media Pdtn... or rather the lack of it. Haha from my first exam till now I nv knew how much I got. Wells, today I got back my assignment grades for my film proposal (which he said I could get the study abroad office here to fund HA!) & my audio project and both got a nice B! Not my best effort I'm guilty to say but I'm glad! Hee!

Thank you Lord for seeing me through it all.

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me

CHORUS:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing

Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me

Sing of Christmas time...

It's the holiday mood still lingering here on the hill. A (better-be) temporal struggle to start-up the academic engines, intellectual minds once again. Can't believe they've started playing Christmas songs on the radio since early Nov. Wish I had agreed to borrowing Kate's The Sunflower by Simon Weisenthal. Though the rationalization holds true that I wouldn't be able to finish it before I leave. It's one of my books-to-read wishlist since Australia. Anyhows, always a good chance to pay a first-time visit to SG's new National Library, whose opening I missed due to my flight back to Perth.

It's been so long since I've read a novel/book. I miss reading. Really! Currently, I've adopted a rather disturbing reading text. It talks about the author understanding the world of psychiatric patients & their perception towards the community. Not that I've suddenly taken interest in such topics but it's research for a paper. Though it got me thinking quite a bit on my perspectives.

Anyways, a few things that need thinking about keep me busy. With the inevitable countdown to leaving Chapel Hill, I've got to arrange a place for my little overseas hoard of things. Then, there's the sad saying-goodbye formality meals to fulfill (memories of leaving aus) & gifts to distribute & gifts to get for family friends in NY. There's more but I rather not list. Busy busy my days will be till the exams. Reminder to self: Email Natasha on flight itineraries for Dec.

Take care ya'll and have a great week ahead! Cheers to the holiday-people and 'hang-on's to the exam-sitters!

You'll never guess.

Poor Mr David Terry (our Media Productions lab assistant) got his car broken into through thanksgiving and lo and behold, our audio projects got stolen. Haha! The thief would undoubtedly be either severely disappointed to not have the latest single from his Creed selection to listen to or had a mind blowing experience with our experimental music. Regardless, the thief cannot give us a grade for our project, so we'll have to turn in another copy our audacity diddle magic. Sighs! Lay chay sia. Now I've gotta figure out how to change my WAV. file to a MP3 file. Help!!! Anyone??

Before Sunset

Just came back from a good arvo walk from the 11am pretty church (a methodist church nicknamed for its beautiful steeple & interior, cldn't make it to Summit today) & branch lunch blaranch at Ye Olde Waffle! (it's been a while and having breakfast food for lunch nv tasted so good!) Reckon I could eat scrambled eggs and sausage and hashbrowns and waffles everyday for brekkie.

Anyways, Wed!
Left Cobb around 0900 and met Weichang @ Lenoir for breakfast. Weather started off wet rainy rainy wet!! My sneaks nearly soaked through again. Think I may get some water repellent spray for my shoes come December. Silent UNC stood amidst the strong winds and downpour, providing shelter to stray students waiting for the last minute of the 10am curfew to leave their dorms.

Heather came and picked us up in this red truck/ute to her home at Airport Road, Chapel Hill. Her girls, especially Olivia, were hyperly excited as their mum forewarned haha! but I adore them so! We stopped by Whole foods to run some errands & pick up aromatic hot chai & some groceries for Thanksgiving Lunch the next day. Gosh. It was packed!! Never seen so many shoppers... kinda reminder me of Times Square NY rush hour. Everyone was doing last minute shopping for the big feast!

We had a simple family dinner and ended the night watching "An Inconvenient Truth". Starring Al Gore & his campaign for global warming awareness. Honestly, couldn't really appreciate the docu. Though learnt a whole lot more about glaciers melting, the amount of countries with below-sealevel land structures and that the world's fiercest storms and droughts occurred in the recent 8 years from 1998 to 2006.

Never have I slept better in the entire time I'm here. A full 10hours of sleep on both nights! It was great! Thanksgiving lunch was spent at Heather's friend's place. Seemed more like a self-serve buffet table style lunch thing with a full table of desserts & pies!! OMGOSH the apple pie, pecan pie & pumpkin pies were delish! Not to forget the turkey & stuffing, pecan salad, pecan pumpkin & a whole lot more. Think at the end of this break I've had at least 3 meals worth of thanksgiving all over again!

Heather's family was wonderful! Will always remember God's blessing in their hospitality, joy, love, concern and care and I pray that they'll continue to share their joy & love with future internationals to come! The family's house was small, cosy and really woody hippie arty though it felt home. Arrived back at UNC to get picked up by Kate for the part deux in Walburg, Winston Salem.

Kate's family and house was sooooooo beautiful!! I've got videos of the place that I secretly sneaked out to take haha! I couldn't help it! Her mum really decorated the place wonderfully! Met up at Shannon's place for horseriding the next day! Shannon, Kate and Emily are housemates and their families stay really close to each other. Shannon's whole family in the the horse business - more training, showing & we got to ride her prized horse! Ok I forgot the name but he's a beautiful white/grey stud & so gentle & obedient! Ok after the whole horseriding thing I kinda had more of a bias for Shannon's dogs haha! 2 Aussie sheepdogs and Missy was my fav!

Lunch was @ Emily's with her mum cooking up a storm again! Had my last russian tea, homemade pumpkin pie & soup & brownie cake & said final goodbyes to her family & Sugar before we all parted. I'll sure miss them & the russian tea. After that Kate & I went shopping. Note to self: Weather-worthy coat? Check. Weather-worthy shoes? Ok partly check. Bought this pair of navy Timberland sneaks, black opentoe slip-on heels & grey/white/black 4-in-1 jacket that were ridiculously half price?!? What was once $169 now is $60!! *Jaw drop. They call it Black Friday. Why? Coz that's when stores nation-wide finally recover their sales and write in black ink instead of red (for losses).

All in all, Thanksgiving was fantastic! It's amazing how many things you can squeeze in before the sun sets. Kinda sad that it's really the only time I can really spend whatever time's left with dear friends I've grown so attached.

*Snap* and Thanksgiving's over. Here comes grace before the mug for exams.

Looky looky!

Thanksgiving's here!!! Hip hip... Hooray! Hip hip... Hooray! Hip hip... Hooray!!

Spending the thanksgiving break with 2 special people! Heather (Weichang & Carrie's host family who kindly adopted me as their 3rd international care! *grinz) & Kate (Campus Crusade gal, 1 of Emily's 8 housemates)! Am really looking forward to it! 2 nights in Chapel Hill, the other 2 in Winston Salem respectively. Finally, I can just chill. Though, I did bring my thick Sales Mgt txt & notes to pen down necessary txtbk points in them during idle hours (I hope there will be at least a few to not waste my efforts of lugging a heavy bag.

Honestly, I feel a great sense of relief now that P&G's presentation's over. The whole thing went quite well, I think. At least my group mates were smiling right after the Q&A session haha! One guy in my group was like, "SarahJane!! SarahJane!! Can you feel it?? Thanksgiving's here!!" It's been 3 consecutive days of late nights, hard labour & toil & stress. I don't blame his euphoria. I sure felt thanksgiving alright! Haha!

All that's left now are the following till exams:

1 Dec (Fri): Ad Media Report & Media Pdtn's Powerpoint storyboard & group continuous shoot.
4 Dec (Mon): Ad Media Presentation
5 Dec (Tues): Graphic Design's Infographics Design Assignment
8 Dec (Fri): Graphic Design Final Review
12 Dec (Tues): Sales Mgt Final Exam 12pm
14 Dec (Thurs): Media Pdtn Final Exam 8am

With thanksgiving, my dorm, and I assume every other dorm around campus have been evacuated of its occupants. Ended my last class around 5pm and walking back, the whole pit surroundings were deserted. UNC has officially become a ghost town. It gave me the creeps when I came back to find Level 1 and 2 hallway lights off. The lights are auto-sensors and stays on when people are moving about for 20mins before shutting off if there's no more movement. The residential halls association has this paper check-list thing stuck to the doors. Basically, residents have to tick off the list concerning switching off lights, locking windows & doors etc, before they leave and if all's good, RHA will actually circle a bold portion of the form saying all's clear!

Thanks to this, I can finalize that 3 people are left on my building wing. Me and my neighbour 2 doors down. The rest have all left.

Weather's been wet wet wet again!! Argh... don't like the windy cold rain. Am praying my sneakers don't get fully soaked again. God please send the sun. Reminder 2 to self: SJ you really need to get good weather-worthy shoes & coat!

Anyways... Happy Thanksgiving people!! Oh fyi, will be leaving my apple behind. No sense in me lugging an extra thing everywhere with no opportunity to use it so ya. No internet for me till Sun.

Turkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =P

Back on the hill

I'm back from Charleston!! Realize I never mentioned it here but yea... now you know! Took a weekend road trip and it was great! In some ways it was a chance to catch up on some good rest but in all honesty, it was hard to focus on resting with tuesday's presentation lurking at the back of my mind, at the ring of my mobile, in my UNC inbox.

Though, I did very much enjoy myself as the sun shone brightly on Charleston! God blessed us with excellent weather! Right from the beginning of the drive from the hill, through the 5 hours journey to Best Western Patriots Point to back on the hill! The whole feel to Charleston was very colonial, historic, preserved, laid-back.

Highlights? I loved the time of worship singing we had the first night we arrived. The time spent in fellowship and worship together as God's family. Nothing will ever compare. Reminds me of FCC and being in cell. I miss it. Thank you, Matt! for bringing the guitar and ever-readily playing! It recharged me quite a bit from the long weary drive. I love praise and worship! It's one of the few things that keeps me sane and constant haha! I loved the whole coast harbor boat ride we took to Fort Sumter. Reckon life on the ocean is beautiful. Feeling the sea breeze, looking out onto miles and miles of water as the city landscape merges into the horizon, the sun bright shining above glistening the waters. I just love it!

What's coming...
Tml's my P&G presentation. It's quite a funny emotion I'm feeling now as the hours draw closer. Honestly, I don't know what to expect. I'm scared yet nonchalant. In my mind I run through the presentation as I would ideally like it to be. "Good morning! My name's Sarah-Jane and I'll be covering the overview of P&G and touch a little on their shadowing experience. My groupmates ...." "P&G sees themself as a collection of smaller companies with diverse products and career opportunities. The company has ..."

I can't wait for it to be over. Then I'm free - 'er.

Am looking forward to thanksgiving! Think that will be my official break from work. No planning, no thinking about assignments and work (ok maybe a slight time allocation for exam revision), just chillin'. Pray God will make good use of the time with Heather and her family, Weichang and Kate and her family.


They say time will fly by after thanksgiving. I'm still hoping it'll not be so, even though reality cries otherwise. Think it's really a time and season that everyone goes through. Everytime we're in it, we can't get enough of it. It's instinctive I think... this hunger for more of something we come to love and enjoy. I pray my heart longs for this undying discontentment of longing for more in my walk with God. More of Him, less of me.

I'm going to dare to ponder the future. Haven't the slightest clue though how it'll be when I'm finally back on home soil. So much for pondering. Haha. But imagine. No more classroom settings. No more waking up for classes, staying up late for assignments. No more student lunches, dinners, meal plans with pizzas and wings and soft bake cookies or worshipping in a campus ministry setting. Gosh I'll miss all that. Miss it dearly.

I'm looking forward to Urbana! It's great, this feeling of uncertain certain-ness (if ever there was such a word), awaiting to know more about God's direction and heart in world missions. Looking forward to what December has in store and what God brings in the New year!

Oh wells, till more updates, take care people and to all in America, have a warm blessed thanksgiving!

To call my own

Goodbye October, Pass-by November, Come December

Is it foolish to long for time to pause?
For time to slow down, for time to wait?
October's gone.

Years have gone, months fly by, days passing like a turn of a page.
Hours to minutes to seconds tick away.
November's here.

What have I done with time?
Did I use it wisely? Or let it go to waste?
It's mid-November.

Is there any use in regret?
In mourning after the lost hours? In the repetitions of the "I should have"s and "I shouldn't"s?
Soon, November's goes.

No. I desire, instead, good use of the time ahead.
Isn't there a time for everything? A season for something?
Here comes December.

God, use my time.
Let me celebrate You.

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

- Ecc 3:1-8

Dates, date, datelines, dateline.

Swamped!!! I am, with assignments due this week.

Graphics (Mag spread) is due tml and I haven't started. I have to finish it by tonight!!

Treatment & Proposal due Fri. Have an inkling of an idea but not 4-6 pages worth of film knowledge as yet.

In betweens, group projects. P&G meeting supposedly tonight which I'll have to give it a miss, Ad Media, met yesterday, meeting Wed, lots of compiling to do.

So yup, please excuse me from my online presence the next few days.

Take care ya'll and God bless!

Au fait with PBJ

Ever wondered how Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches came about?
Forms of peanut butter were widely introduced in 1904 at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, although it had been sold as a medical nutritional supplement in St. Louis, Missouri for about 15 years. The modern, non-separating version was invented in 1922 by Joseph L. Rosefield, and became a popular lunch for schoolchildren. Peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches were first mentioned in print in 1940. Both peanut butter and jelly were packed with United States Army K-rations in World War II. The combination proved so popular that returning GIs made peanut butter and jelly a standard American food.

3 year old bread
Peanut butter and jelly has been available in the military instant food Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) for many years. The sandwich can survive in the field for up to three years. A challenge in creating this longevity was finding a way of preventing the bread from spoiling.

These sandwiches take a form similar to the "sealed" sandwiches mentioned in the section below. The peanut butter and jelly are baked inside a dough covering, completely contained within.

A healthy option? Really?!!
It has been suggested that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can be a delicious and nutritious option for the health-conscious consumer, even those looking to lose weight. Whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter without any added sugar or trans fats, and a natural jelly (or freshly mashed berries) will provide up to 5 g of fiber, a healthy dose of fruit and antioxidants, and the heart-healthy fats in the peanut butter help to lower the risk of heart disease. The whole wheat bread and peanut butter will slow digestion, making a person feel fuller, longer.



-- Wiki.

Did you know...

Alpine Bagel sells Peanut Butter and Jelly Bagels, @ special request, for just a dollar!!



Yum!

Prank.

Dear Cobb Residents,

As many of you know, there was a fire alarm early this morning at approximately 2:45 AM. Upon our initial inquiry it appears that this alarm was due to an act of vandalism. The police noted that a fire extinguisher was pulled from its harness and sprayed near the elevator of the first floor. Our staff also noticed vandalism to one the building's bulletin boards.

We DO NOT take these actions lightly. The alarm resulted in numerous offices being contacted. Campus police and fire needed to respond to the scene due to a student prank at 3 AM. Emergency maintenance needed to respond in order to clean the slippery mess made in the lobby. The elevator company needed to be contacted in order to reactivate the elevator. Because of the actions of a few individuals, valuable time and money needed to be spent unnecessarily. The safety and security of our residents are the number one priority of the Cobb Staff. We also want to have an environment conducive to studying. The alarm disrupted valuable sleep and study time. One resident even was inconvenienced due to the elevator not working due to having her foot in a cast.

If anyone else has any information about this situation please contact your RA or come to the Community Desk. Please know that a few witnesses have reported the behavior of a couple of individuals, and we are in the process of investigating this matter. If you are found to be guilty please know that you can loose your housing contract. Your actions were highly disrespectful to our residents and emergency staff. We encourage you to do the right thing and report your actions.

- Cobb

3am News.

The fire alarm went off @ 2:45am last night. Can't believe how often this happens. Let's just hope that the reason for it was valid enough to evacuate the whole dormitory in the early morning (flashback: burnt popcorn sets off alarm @ 1040pm). Everyone went out wrapped in their PJs and a warm coat. I hope this won't happen during winter! Already last night was super duper cold. Can you imagine winter?! Haha!

Anyways, we all got back in by 3am. Couldn't sleep the whole night after. I've really gotta get myself some quality sleep...

Yawn.

Wet, wet, wet

It rained yesterday. Like really heavy rain, the whole day. Weather's wacked! Anyways, did alot of walking in the rain for the whole day and at the end of it my Nike's got soaked through. Went to Student Union for a while before Graphics and had my shoes off trying to dry as much of my socks as possible. Walked through a gazillion puddles, finally arriving @ Graphics class and took off shoes and socks hoping the AC (air-con) would dry them by the time lesson was over.

That didn't do. Funny thing was, I went back to change my socks before heading out for International Bible Study coz they too were wet. Somehow it never occurred to me that putting on clean dry socks wouldn't help if I still wore the same wet shoes but ya. I was rushing!

My shoes are still wet btw. Worse thing is, they're beginning to smell... like my socks and shoes. Haha! Even worse? I don't have enough credit on my UNC card to do laundry. I took my Nikes for a good wash this morning though. (Did it secretly in the shower haha!) Soap and everything. Reckon they'll only stop smelling when I find a means of drying them completely. Hoping I could borrow a hairdryer from my roomie later. Haha! With my only pair of sneakers wet, I have no other weather-worthy shoes to wear around. All I've got on is a pair of rubber-soled ballets that gives me blisters. Boo... Ok it's not that bad. Socks are giving me relative comfort.

Oh wells. Last Sunday night, I met Emily and Weichang for discipleship. We do it almost every Monday arvos after lunch. Sunday night was an exception coz Weichang was suppose to be teaching me on 'Love'. Haha! Met @ McAlister's Deli (good American food. Huge value-for-money spuds & burgers & club sandwiches & sweet tea!). That's when dear Emily lent me her winter coat while I'm still in NC. (Note to self: Shop for weather-worthy coat and shoes).

Yups. Nothing much happening this week though... Just swamped with assignments. Have a final exam this Fri. Haven't started studying yet. Don't know why I'm still typing this post when I should be getting to it but ya. I guess I get bored and once again it's 60% multiple choice. Haha! K gtg.

Ciao!

iCrave.

1) Tiramisu
2) Choc Chip soft bake cookies
3) Sashimi
4) Teochew Mueh
5) Bak Chor Mee (+++ chou)
6) Orh Lua
7) Nasi Lemak
8) Tiramisu
9) Tao Huey
10) Tiramisu
11) Wo Tie
12) Teh O Kosong
13) TIramisu
14) Orange & Carrot Juice (Fresh!)
15) Dim Sum
16) Tiramisu
17) Ice Kachang
18) Tiramisu
19) Chin chao
20) Tiramisu

Tick... Tock... Tick?

Time passed slow today. Even know it's passing by slow. Can't believe so many things occupied my day slots and it's only 12:27am as I'm typing this. What did I do today?

8:30am Got up
9:00-9:50 Had class
10:00-10:20 Bank of America
10:20 Strolled back to my dorm via Franklin St
10:30 Still strolling back to my dorm, now walking through the Coker Aboretum (it's a patch of grass with many different kinds of plants and trees growing... ok you can call it UNC's botanical gardens) - It was beautiful, the walk, btw. It's into the middle of fall and the trees are glowing orange red. Leaves fall everywhere. Gives you that nostalgic feeling of Autumn in New York.
10:35 Saw a huge hawk (as in bird that looks like an eagle but isn't) looking for food I guess but it was big! Bigger than the crows in Australia. Huge!!! and so majestic!
10:37 Got over seeing the hawk and continued walking towards my dorm
11:00 Settled down in my room and started clearing emails
11:30 Skyped people downunder!
12:10-2:00pm Met Weichang & Clement for lunch
2:00-2:30pm Packed my bags ready to meet Weichang again
2:30-2:55pm Popped by the piano room and played a couple of medleys
3:00pm Walked quickly to the bus stop...
3:30 Bought Soft Baked cookies @ Rams Market!!
Walked back to Weichang's dorm, chilled there, did some research, walked to Jeremy's dorm, chilled, researched, headed to Franklin for dinner...
8:00pm-9:30pm Light bearers meeting (it's a missions meeting organised at least once a month by Jeremy for InterVarsity) - Prisoner Alert! session
9:40-11:30pm Studied @ UL

Ok think that was way too much info but i'm trying to make a point here. Time passed really slow! Look @ the amount of things I did! Haha! Anyways, tml's another day.



Cheers!

A day and an hour behind

Hear Ye, hear ye!

Daylight saving officially ended last Saturday @ 2am (and I totally forgot to blog abt it). Is there a purpose to this post? Well, there wasn't a question about everyone turning up late to church the Sunday after (and most were pretty much on time anyways), with the extra hour of sleep we all got.

In Steph's words, " Time stopped for that moment!"

No biggy, just remember I'm another hour behind you. Good while I'm here, not-so-gd when i'm back.

Cheers!

Post... no post.

Sincere apologies for keeping this blog stagnant for the past week. Lots of things have been happening all at once so it was kinda difficult to keep a track record. Anyhow! This week's gonna be another busy week. Sighs! Too many things to do, so little time.

Oh and tml's Halloween. It's rather big here. They say Franklin St was jammed pack with about 75,000 people all in one street!! (Yes, they literally close the main street in Chapel Hill just for the occasion. Preposterous!! Haha!) Plus the costumes get outrageously crazy and the crowds really rowdy after 10pm.

A story from past Halloween celebration, speaks of a guy who dressed up as Spider Man and played the full character, strategically perching himself up in a tree for hours! The police had to "arrest" him from the tree, mainly for his own safety coz people were throwing things at him trying to get him down.

Emily's dressing Cruella De Vil and she's currently recruiting 101 dalmations to walk with her down Franklin tml haha! I passed. =P

Anyway, posted up some pictures to add colour to my rather boring blog for now. Be entertained till I have time to really blog blog.

Wendy's - competitor of McDonald's, apparent favourite of most American adults. Surprise surprise. Hardees (Carl's Junior) comes second.


Wendy's also happen to be Emily's and Weichang's favourite! Though I question their biscuits (known as muffins in SG McDonald's though it looks, textures and tastes more like scones) coz I have a bias for Hardee's biscuits in the first place.


Then again, maybe i"m a fan too! Haha!


These are called "Hush Puppies"! American term for small cornmeal breads that are deep fried and are distinctly Southern food.


During our trip up to Boone with Emily...



...her grandma made the sweetest homemade pumpkin pie. Delish!!!

How can I keep from Singing - Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

Where dreams come true

So I'm back from fall break! Honestly everything went by so fast it's hard to decipher what happened those 4 days but yea... it was great!! Enjoyed the excellent performance @ Cirque Du Soliel (La Nouba), the rides at Island of Adventure and the Epcot fireworks the most!! It was beautiful! Held on the lake. It's unbelievable how crowded Disney & Universal is even in the off peak season. For most of the rides, the wait time was like 20-30mins?!? But yea... the little kids were soooo adorable!! Sighs... really wished fall break was a few days longer. Not like I'm expecting a month's worth but yea just enough to cover more. Oh wells!

As soon as I get photos, will post them up k? Haha! Meantime this is what I've got for now... Cirque De Soliel... so enjoy!

Fall break!!

So I've packed most of my things ready to leave for Orlando, Florida later this noon!! And to think we were just planning fall break a while back but anyways... it's here!!!! Haha! Really looking forward to the R&R though don't really know what to expect but ya all's gd! Travelling with 5 other people - Singos and Steph - all great company! Will be there till Sunday (22 Oct). Kk I've gtg sleep haha! Reckon I won't be posting the whole week... maybe uploading a few pictures?? We'll see... meantime take care people and God bless!!

I'll leave you with some basket ball photos! Charlotte Bobcats vs Washington Wizards in the preseason NBA! The score? Wizards won 100-81 yays!

To the State Fair & beyond!

WoooooooooooHoooo!! Oh what a weekend baby! Haha! State Fair was fantastic!! The whole environment and atmosphere was excellent!! We had funnel Cake (fried dough with icing sugar sprinkled on top), hot dogs, giganto turkey thighs, kettle Korn samples, apple Cobbler, frozen chocolate coated nut banana, root beer float, apple fritters, blooming onions, fried bologna (basically luncheon meat & white bread), hush puppies (fried dough balls)...... ya. Basically everything and anything unimaginable that's edible went through the searing grease of (I'm hoping) vegetable oil... NAH! Haha! Chris Tomlin's worship was fantastic! He sang a number of songs from his new album "See the Morning" and it's great!! Bought the cd and 2 shirts to go along with it haha! Let's just say it was bought on impulse *Oops!* But yea it was great to see people's focus on worshipping & glorifying God even @ a state fair on a friday night!

Pictures u'll see are mostly views from the Ferris Wheel & ground photos!

After the fair, dear dear Emily drove us back to her place for the night & we got to know her family and Sugar!! Emily's adorable Dachshund! Emily's mum cooked up quite a meal for supper - brownies and hot russian spice tea (Oooh La la!!! It's tea with pineapple & orange juice & cinnamon & nutmeg & it was delish!!). Gave me that warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy heehee! What an excellent way to turn in for the night!

Saturday morning were fresh pancakes & bacon before we headed out to a long long drive to Boone and a picnic on the Blue Ridge Mountains!!! It was awesome!!! Reminded me of the hymn "Our God Reigns" & "I could sing of Your love"... How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news!

Em's grandma made fabulous sweet potatoe pie (typical southern dish) and her special tomato sandwiches, green beans and homemade pickles! Plus we had cherry wine (think tt's what it's called) which was supposedly also a southern thing. Tasted like cherry coke but a more diluted nicer version. Think we were really touris-sy, going round taking lots of pictures etc haha! I couldn't believe there was a factory outlet in the mountains!! Like why didn't we think of bringing our wallets!??! Sighs... but Em's dad treated us to really good ice cream!!

Also visited Emily's sister's (Kyla's) college - Apalachian State University where she's a freshmen. The town's really cosy and very mid-west cowboy yeeeeehaa with guys wearing their Statson and boots! The college was beautiful with the surroundings being mountains and fall foliage. By the time we got back to Em's house it was real late so had a quick meal of Chilli (no not chilli chilli but a dish with beans, tomato & minced meat... real nice, very mexican), chicken salad, more brownies & sweet potatoe pie & a round of sweet tea & russian spice tea!

All in all it was a fantastic weekend! God's been wonderful, blessing us with the opportunity of experiencing family life here with Emily & her family! Almost thought I may miss the mountains coz of the timing but yea God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good! Looking back, it's hard not to give God all the glory coz He's always been providing, protecting and blessing me through the people I meet. Through the SG people especially Weichang & Carrie, Matt, Jeremy & Clement, through the locals here, my roommate, Caroline, Emily, Jonathan, Liz & Brooke... yea it's truly a great testimony of God's unfailing love for us! K I've got that warm fuzzy feeling inside again haha!

I leave you with photos from the trip! Enjoy!

Annex

Lo and behold! I've found out that I've been spoken for concerning a conspiracy b/w a Ms Emily Sink & her two alibis (Weichang & Carrie) to leave me with no transportation back to my UNC-CH quarters after the State Fair, but instead kidnap me to a house in Lexington (about an hour's drive) where introduction to Emily's family, Blue Ridge Parkway and the mountains is anticipated. An overnight @ Em's, drive through fall foliage in the mountains and return back, Sat night.

Terrible! Extremely immensely exceptionally exceedingly, terrible!! Decidedly terrible, I say!! Haha! Tremendously terribly, AWESOME!!!!!!!

Carolina in my mind - James Taylor (http://www.visitnc.com/experience_nc.asp)
In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind...

How good and pleasant it is...

... to see CHRIS TOMLIN in concert @ the NC STATE FAIR!!!!!!!!!! AAHHHHH!!!!!! 13th October!!! Haha! Who wld have known he'd be there with Casting Crowns!!!!!! And who wld have known the tickets would cost $5?!? Yays!!

What a way to welcome October! Ok I know it's already the 9th but October brings events-a-plenty! It's Basketball season!!!! Got tickets for a preseason NBA game - Charlotte Bobcats vs Washington Wizards on the 17th! There's the State Fair this Fri along with Late night with Roy (the annual kickoff to preseason practice open to bball fans) and who is Roy? Go read up! (http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/williams_roy00.html)

Then there's Florida, Orlando!!! Gosh... with the events & trips there's also the pile high work awaiting my attention. Think I should get to them now haha! My brief itinerary for October weekends =)

Tea for 1, Latte another

State: North Carolina
Town: Carrboro
Location: 101 South Greensboro St.
Venue: The Open Eye Cafe (http://www.openeyecafe.com/)

With a large pot of Earl grey tea and Weichang, her super large mug of latte, we're both equipped to take on the academic world by storm!!! Muahahahaha... No. Seriously? She's meeting her Professor here later @ 4:30pm. Weather's all rainy today compared to bright sunny sunshine yest. Ended my exam which hmm... I hope will turn out fine but ya. We'll see. Went for a lab session I don't know why attendence is compulsory considering we don't do much during the hour slot. Then came to meet Weichang @ Caribou Coffee along Franklin to take the J bus to Carrboro. Had Wendy's for lunch. Spicy Chicken sandwich (aka burger alone... the only spicy chicken that tastes authentically spicy. I like... hee!) Now sitting @ Open Eye utilizing the free WIFI service.

The whole environment here's really nice and cosy. Your typical minimalist, show concrete, show ventilation tubes, rough brick wall, multi-coloured interior. The music isn't exactly what I'd call music but I guess it gives the "cafe" "starbucks" "passing time, book reading, drink coffee" feel to the place. The whole area is wide with plenty of tables and chairs and couches that look worn & weathered & dirty?! We'll just call them antique. Haha!

I should be getting on with studying for my next paper. It's 40 MCQ. Lecture's not compulsory so I never attended since the first 2 weeks of college. Professor's a funny guy who refers to himself as "the shiny (balding) clown". It's Media Production. So really you can't blame my relaxed unmotivated state of academia. I love Earl Grey. The flavour just lingers long after the sip. Just sublime. I love mac's widget dictionary/thesaurus. It's expanding my vocabulary by leaps and bounds! Haha!

Gosh I'm sleepy. I'm listening to Michael W. Smith's "Thy Word". The instrumentation is beautiful! I should start increasing my collection of Christian instrumental music. Works very well with studying. No words, just music, and Christian music at that!

Tonight we're heading for Southpoint Mall (something like Garbo only bigger! Shops wise not as varied.) to dine with a group of IV gals. Got invitations on Wed during the alternate weeks IV Missions meetings so yup! Should be fun. That's my semi-weekend for you.

Take care ya'll!

Posting from UL 2

This is the beginning of me becoming Library-ish. God no!! Haha! Feeling kinda slack right now... Rather indifferent to my whole "study for mid-terms" week. It's this calm composed feeling you get every lazy Sunday afternoons strolling by the Swan along South Perth foreshore. K. It's beginning to alarm me now. Haha! Oh wells, I do study (have got like loads of hand-written notes chapter by chapter), just don't feel kan-cheong (singo term).

Anyways! Have I told people that I've signed up for Urbana 2006? Like I've paid a deposit of US$100 and got my hotel and details in St Louis done. Yay! Am a little of everything bundled up into one. Excited, apprehensive, happy, relieved... you get the idea. Basically I was really unsure and was told the dateline to sign up for international accomodation near the site was October 1st (Sun). So yup. Been praying lots, no hint or anything, went to compline (it's a service I go to alternate Sunday nights, very beautiful peaceful setting where it's all dark and gregorian and ppl just go there to pray and hear the choir sing hymns and all... one of the rare opporunities to really be still with God) and came out decided on registering. Got back to my room, logged on, went through the whole register process, a moment of hesitance on clicking "Pay", but I did it! Haven't the slightest clue though, my plans to get there but yea God you've brought me so far.

Ok I'm late for my lunch appointment haha! Take good care people as the week comes to a close. One life, live it for His glory!

Posting from UL

Just finished my very first mid-term exam in UNC-CH! Sales Management 35 MCQ, 5 short answer paper I've been super studying for. It went alright... your typical exam setting though the two people beside (who normally sit beside me in lecture) were extra fidgety. Loud sighs, shuffling in the seat, constant leg-shaking (not that I wasn't doing it too but yea.. GUYS! They do it so much more exaggeratedly!), frantic paper flipping, erasings flying, etc... Guess they were nervous... Anyway! All's good!

The week's been alright since I last blogged. Though it has been really hard trying to wake up for 9am lectures and all. I've gotta start sleeping earlier. Or rather I need a full 2 days of sleep to be able to function back to normal again. Not really an energy drink person but ever since V, there's nothing like. Only energy drinks you'll find here is redbull and this dodgy no-name black and yellowish one. Which I daringly tried one Wednesday arvo to my great dislike. It tasted toxic! Really have to think of another way to keep myself up and about... currently it's been MnM's, cheesy ritz, mini oreos, ruffles cheese and sour cream, lipton's greentea citrus (nice refreshing drink I wld put on my 'nice-drinks' list) and chai (Mel if you're reading this... I totally understand your addiction now. Sign me up for Chai.A.!!)

A reminder to self to go to target and get pure tea and maybe a water kettle.

Weather is a beauty today! The leaves are really turning colour now and UNC's fall fashion's uncovering. A song coming to mind? Every Season - Nicole Nordeman.

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come
You are autumn

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season's change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Held

Ever since Uni started my Tues Thurs hectic routine have been bugging me.. Few weeks back I decided to accept it but yea. Somehow missing the bus from Business School when I'm 1 minute off the clock and arriving 30-45mins late for my other class, entering a full room with a hundred eyes staring at you not sympathising with your situation is like a thorn in the flesh reminder each week, two times a week.

Throughout I've constantly been looking up, "God when will this end?", "God give me strength and perseverance", "God I really don't want to do this anymore", "God I'm so tired". The fall retreat was really a great time o reflection and rest. Had time to really think through and the idea came to mind. JOMC670 is split into 2 classes. Beginning of the semester, which is the class I'm in now focusses on Account Planning in Advertising, while the next half of the semester would begin the Creative side (which I've done in Ad Production in Murdoch).

"If only I could drop the other half of the semester and ride through this first half swiftly, I wouldn't have to go through this "strain & stress" at the end of the year! And what if both classes had exams on the same day?? I really wldn't know what to do..." I thought.

So I drafted out a letter to Murdoch Study Abroad asking if I cld drop second half and still be fulfilling my Murdoch graduation points. Prayed about it and sent it out the moment I got back from retreat. 2 days later, Study abroad gets back to me saying Murdoch has re-assessed my UNC credit hours and now it's 2.5 Murdoch points to every 3 credit hours I do @ UNC. Think you know the ending... Haha!

So here I am sitting outside Carroll (my lecture building) waiting for JOMC670 to end @ 1.45pm to talk to my Prof and thank him for being so gracious and understanding and that it's been a pleasure attending his class even in this short time. =)

Once again, God has been ever merciful and just awesome! He's always there, omnipresent, omnipotent. Praise you Lord!

This is what it means, to be held;
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is, to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell, we’d be held.

Weekend getaway!

Just came back from IV large group, chai session @ Starbucks along Franklin and Laundry. Phew! Large group was really good tonight... we had an all guests session... worship was done by Jonny Diaz (http://www.jonnydiaz.com/site.html) just with the acoustic guitar, just beautiful. Sang "Make a Joyful Noise" as the opening song... like I've never heard it sung live for worship so it was cool! Word was given by Ps Taylor Jones who spoke on Mercy being Sympathy - Matthew 5:7
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

The whole theme of IV seems to be headed towards world missions and outreach. Don't know if it's something on my heart but I'm beginning to want to sign up for Urbana 06 (http://www.urbana.org/_u2006.cfm), December 27 - 31, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. Sighs... honestly I'm quite torn between decisions... really have to pray about it.

Anyway, just before IV Emily called me (this really lovely gal from Crusade) and asked me to come for the Crusade's Fall Retreat this weekend @ Camp Kanata (www.carolinacru.org). And I agreed... sighs! Haha... it's unbelievable. I've got so much work to do and I declined to go to IV's Fall Retreat but now I'm going for Crusade's retreat... sighs... Haha anyway praying God will make this trip really a time of refreshing and insight into what He has to say this season. The speaker's Steve Koproski from AIA (Athletes In Action) campus ministry. Looking forward, I guess... ok yea.. I'm looking forward :p

Chai session was the usual haha! Am beginning to like Chai very much since the first time I had it @ Caribou Coffee... Though think Starbuck's one is less sweet which is extra good! I'm really suppose to be studying for my Sales Mgt test coming soon... but yea. While my laundry's washing thought I'd just do updates haha! Ok gtg... think my washing's done haha! Time for drying... catcha laters! =)

Flash back Photos

@ the game






















Liz


Me, Carrie & Weichang (left to right)


Amanda, Weichang


80s Party




Arby's Dinner & Harris Teeter




After IV large group Krispy Kreme!


Ben&Jerry's Dessert @ Jem's