Gala

Finally an event worth staying back in camp for. Two free movies and a chance to win either a PSP, IPod or LCD TV (or all!).

I just found out that it gets even better. We don't have to stay back at all. The event is during the daytime! So we don't have to work on Friday!

Next time I must pay attention to the timing. I can't believe I overlooked the fact that 0800 hours does not mean 8pm but more accurately it's 8am.

Feels Like A New Year

Today I was sitting and I forgot that the gathering at my house was for Christmas and not New Year.

I was telling John P, "You know something? It's 2008!"

John P: No it's not...

JG: Yes it is... Oh... Wait... It isn't...

I don't know why it just felt like it's already a New Year.

-----

Oh, oh, oh! I must talk about my Caregroup Leader, John P. = John Purcell.

He is a so funny! He's so witty and just a lot of fun. I can never stop laughing when I'm around him. Here is one example.

John P: You know, the phrase, "No offense..." is such a cool phrase. You can say anything and you can get away with it. Like, "No offense, but I think you're really ugly."

Then someone tells him, "No offense, John, but I think you're full of crap."

John P: And I'm not offended! The phrase is just so cool!

On This Christmas Day

Wow. It's been a great past two months for me.

It feels like so many things have happened in such a short time.

From the carnival to the camp and to the various gatherings and meetings in between, it's been such a fun few weeks for me.

It feels like so many milestones have been crossed...

Congratulations, Timothy, on finally becoming a commissioned officer. I remember the times we were both going through our struggles (although yours are definitely much greater) and you just kept on encouraging me through it all. I felt bad that I had to drop out of the struggle and all I could do was just to keep rooting for you. I felt very proud running through the parade ground to meet you. At first I was briskly walking but then I realized what an honour it would be to be the first one there. I'm sorry for being selfish, but I wanted to be the first to shake your hand and pat you on the back. Congratulations, Sir... *salute* you've earned it.

To the rest of the "Elites", I can't believe we can still meet up even after a year since A's. Apparently what we all have is considered rare to others. I'm just so happy that I've found such great friendships in all of you. Now that we have two drivers we can go more places than before! Amanda, Cheryl, Sophia, Veronica, Victoria, Evan, Kay Wee, Martin, Melvin, Timothy and of course Joel and Irene who are not always with us but are still missed, thank you for the great times and may we have even more in the coming year.

JC South, you guys rock! I love how the camp brought us all even closer. The coming year may be full of changes with most of the girls moving up and the guys becoming NSF but remember that we are still held together by His love. It is not by accident that we are all in this CG. It's His divine plan.

To others in the JC Cluster, I'm so glad I got to meet you guys and gals. I'm sure many would agree that in just this two months the JC cluster has become more than just a cluster - we are family. To the many brothers and sisters, a Blessed Christmas to you all and may the next year be even more blessed for all of us!

To the gang, although we're all going through our own paths, it's good to know that our paths still cross from time to time. When all my extended family is not on this island with me, I know that I have another extended family in all of you.

Not forgetting Sheena and Qiling, haha. Thanks for inviting me to the celebration of Qiling's and Sheena's Friendship Day! You still owe me photos!

Blessed Christmas, everyone!

A Reminder of Jesus' Perfect Love

"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Hebrews 13:1-2

-----

Today I was reminded again of Jesus' love.

While waiting in Ang Mo Kio today an old lady came to me selling three packets of tissue for a dollar. (She was speaking to me in Mandarin but I was able to make out that it cost she was asking me to buy three packets for a dollar.)

I remembered that I didn't have a dollar coin with me because just a few minutes before that I wanted to buy ice cream on roti from the Ice Cream uncle but he was already packing up when I wanted to buy.

Anyway, I didn't want to give her a two dollar note and expect to get change so I told her that I want to buy two dollars worth. (All this was happening in Mandarin.

(I will attempt to re-enact from memory what happened)
JG: Liang-quay.
Ah Mah: Liang ke ren? (These two lines might be in the wrong order, just know that I used the wrong expression to ask for two dollars worth and she used the correct one.)
JG: Ah, tuy.
Ah Mah: Xie xie, Xie xie *she passes me six packets of tissue*
JG: Xie xie, ni.

She then talks something in Mandarin that I didn't understand but I managed to catch one familiar word which I knew meant "to eat" so I assumed she asked me whether I already ate dinner. I just nodded my head and made agreeable noises.

She then asked something again which I didn't understand but I managed to catch the word for "wife".(I could be wrong but maybe she knows that some youths nowadays call their girlfriends as "lao po" and boyfriends "lau guo" - and don't bother to correct me if I'm wrong because I know I won't be able to get it 100% correct.) So maybe she thought I was waiting for my girlfriend or maybe she thought I looked old enough to be married.

I just laughed and said "Bu xi lah. Haha."

She then said something else which I totally didn't catch but I just nodded my head anyway.

After that she said something that really brightened up my day.

She said, "Yesu ai ni! Yesu ai ni!"

I smiled and at that point I wished I knew how to say "Jesus loves you too!" in Mandarin. Nonetheless I tried to get that across by also telling her, "Yesu ai ni!"

There I was thinking that I was blessing her with my buying six packets but I was instead blessed to be reminded of Jesus' perfect love.

-----

Thank you, Abba...
You gave Your best...
When I did nothing at all...