Monday, October 16, 2006
Goodbye Alice in Wonderland - Jewel
Just like the many posts herein in recent times, the past few weeks have been like the last half hour of “Return of the King” – so many endings and goodbyes! But this is it. This is the end.
In 2004, I did something which many thought was crazy – I gave up my job as the junior partner of a legal firm with the intention of leaving the legal profession for good and resuming my studies.
Although the path then was not smooth – I have to admit that there were moments when I feared that I may regret my decision – I finally started my Masters’ degree programme here in autumn of 2005. In a way, I took the “blue pill” and the challenge to see where the rabbit-hole would lead me to. Just like Alice, nothing would have prepared me for the adventure that was waiting for me.
I moved in to Rayleigh Tower 11 in October 2005 – and I started on this blog. Today, after more than one year and close to 500 posts in this blog, I will move out of Rayleigh Tower for good – and move out of this blog too.
The year has been… words fail me now (considering the 400 plus posts before this, you have to trust me when I say that it’s seldom I’m lost for words). All the superlatives I can think of now seem so inadequate. After being on this terrestrial ball for more than 3 decades, I thought I have had experienced it all. I couldn’t have been further away from the truth.
What can I say? This is the life! I’m living again. I’ve never felt so alive for so long.
But just like almost everything else, this journey must reach its conclusion. I’ve delayed it long enough – and I’ve resisted the temptation to delay it even further. It has been brilliant. Now it’s time for a new adventure, a new journey, a new story… a new blog.
I have decided to call the curtains for this blog too as I needed some sort of closure. A part of me has been struggling in the recent weeks to cling on to the last vistas of good times and memories. It was kinda like coming to the end of “The Return of the King” and not wanting to end knowing that there won’t be a part 4 next December. It may be like how Peter (not Jackson) felt on the Mount of Transfiguration – how he wanted to set up tents so that they could stay there for a while longer.
But later today, I’ll walk out of Rayleigh Tower for good – I’ll be back as a visitor but that won’t be the same.
So as I sit all alone here in the kitchen, drinking Tesco coffee and enjoying the night view of the lake like I’ve always had almost every night in the past 380 days, I will not cry knowing it is my last nite but instead, my heart is filled with joy as I think of the knowledge gained, of the lessons learnt, of the frenships made – and strengthened, of the happiness experienced, of the tears shed, of the love received and shared, of the life lived!
I thank God for mapping out the route for me – truly:-
I thank me family for being so supportive of me studies here.
And I thank you for going down deep into the rabbit-hole with me. It’s goodbye now.
p/s – My new blog is The Movie in My Mind. However, with the extensive travelling and lack of internet facilities, it may be a while before it is “business as usual” there.
p/p/s – I have the right to be narcissistic, dun I? It is the final opportunity for me to be so! So check out my pictorial recap of the year here in Rayleigh Tower in Pieces of Me.
In 2004, I did something which many thought was crazy – I gave up my job as the junior partner of a legal firm with the intention of leaving the legal profession for good and resuming my studies.
Although the path then was not smooth – I have to admit that there were moments when I feared that I may regret my decision – I finally started my Masters’ degree programme here in autumn of 2005. In a way, I took the “blue pill” and the challenge to see where the rabbit-hole would lead me to. Just like Alice, nothing would have prepared me for the adventure that was waiting for me.
I moved in to Rayleigh Tower 11 in October 2005 – and I started on this blog. Today, after more than one year and close to 500 posts in this blog, I will move out of Rayleigh Tower for good – and move out of this blog too.
The year has been… words fail me now (considering the 400 plus posts before this, you have to trust me when I say that it’s seldom I’m lost for words). All the superlatives I can think of now seem so inadequate. After being on this terrestrial ball for more than 3 decades, I thought I have had experienced it all. I couldn’t have been further away from the truth.
What can I say? This is the life! I’m living again. I’ve never felt so alive for so long.
But just like almost everything else, this journey must reach its conclusion. I’ve delayed it long enough – and I’ve resisted the temptation to delay it even further. It has been brilliant. Now it’s time for a new adventure, a new journey, a new story… a new blog.
I have decided to call the curtains for this blog too as I needed some sort of closure. A part of me has been struggling in the recent weeks to cling on to the last vistas of good times and memories. It was kinda like coming to the end of “The Return of the King” and not wanting to end knowing that there won’t be a part 4 next December. It may be like how Peter (not Jackson) felt on the Mount of Transfiguration – how he wanted to set up tents so that they could stay there for a while longer.
But later today, I’ll walk out of Rayleigh Tower for good – I’ll be back as a visitor but that won’t be the same.
So as I sit all alone here in the kitchen, drinking Tesco coffee and enjoying the night view of the lake like I’ve always had almost every night in the past 380 days, I will not cry knowing it is my last nite but instead, my heart is filled with joy as I think of the knowledge gained, of the lessons learnt, of the frenships made – and strengthened, of the happiness experienced, of the tears shed, of the love received and shared, of the life lived!
I thank God for mapping out the route for me – truly:-
“eyes has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love him”
nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love him”
I thank me family for being so supportive of me studies here.
And I thank you for going down deep into the rabbit-hole with me. It’s goodbye now.
p/s – My new blog is The Movie in My Mind. However, with the extensive travelling and lack of internet facilities, it may be a while before it is “business as usual” there.
p/p/s – I have the right to be narcissistic, dun I? It is the final opportunity for me to be so! So check out my pictorial recap of the year here in Rayleigh Tower in Pieces of Me.
Labels: Feelings, memories, Moody
Sunday, October 15, 2006
謝謝你的愛 - 李心潔
Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished
Stuart Townend
Labels: Spiritual
Saturday, October 14, 2006
I feel good - James Brown
Extract from a mate's recent e-mail*:-
Btw, you should know that the yr as a student has done you good. You look younger and fitter! The benefits of no longer being exposed to your previous profession's occupational hazards?;)
8 
Pic on the left taken in October 2005 while the one on the right in October 2006
Btw, you should know that the yr as a student has done you good. You look younger and fitter! The benefits of no longer being exposed to your previous profession's occupational hazards?;)
8 Pic on the left taken in October 2005 while the one on the right in October 2006
* Yes, yes, Ru, i know i owe you a reply...
Friday, October 13, 2006
Hard habit to break - Chicago
For the more observant blog readers, you'd noticed not one but 2 NEW BLOGS listed in the links by the side of this blog!
One is a new photoblog entitled "Signs" while the other is my dissertation (linked under Rambler's Studies).
It was encouraging recently to hear that there are some people whom i have never met before who actually read me blogs listed under "Rambler's Studies". The LLM course in Internatinal Human Rights law has enriched me greatly and i hope that whatever i post in those said blogs will be of some use to others.
Cheers... and enjoy! :-)
One is a new photoblog entitled "Signs" while the other is my dissertation (linked under Rambler's Studies).
It was encouraging recently to hear that there are some people whom i have never met before who actually read me blogs listed under "Rambler's Studies". The LLM course in Internatinal Human Rights law has enriched me greatly and i hope that whatever i post in those said blogs will be of some use to others.
Cheers... and enjoy! :-)
I say a little prayer - Dionne Warwick
Today, the sun was out all day and there was a light breeze to ensure it din get too hot.
Today, my greatest nightmare happened to a good fren.
How can such a lovely day bring such terrible news? :-(
My prayers are with you, H.
Today, my greatest nightmare happened to a good fren.
How can such a lovely day bring such terrible news? :-(
My prayers are with you, H.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Sometimes when we touch - Dan Hill
Lincoln Rhyme surveyed the machinery. Wondered what it be like to actually close his fingers around an object again. With his left ring finger he could touch and had a faint sense of pressure. But actually gripping something, feeling its texture, weight, temperature … those were unimaginable.
The Empty Chair
The Empty Chair
I've been working this whole week They decided to put me in charge of the Coffee Cart at the LTB Building*. Me in charge of the Coffee Cart! ROTFL!!!!!! It's like asking the cat to guard the fish or putting the mouse in charge of the cheese! ;-P
I simply love it! Besides the obvious (yes, i am officially allowed to drink as much as i like), this is easy money!!!! The just desserts after last week of days when i had 6 hours straight of pot washing duties!!!
Out of the 5 1/2 hours i'm there, i prolly only work like an hour. The rest of the time, i get to sit and read!!! Yes, i get paid (6.30 quid an hour, mind you!) to sit and read and drink coffee! And when it's time to sell coffee, i get to chat with strangers. Woohoo!!!!
I'm reading this old e-book i have in me PDA. Some crime story. It reminds me a lot of "The Bone Collector" where the criminalogist (Lincoln Rhymes) is a paraplegic and he gets a lady officer to be his eyes and ears in the crime scene. It also made me miss CSI.
The above-quoted passage really hit when i read it. It made me realise how much i take for granted the ability to simply hold something and feel its weight.
Imagine how your world would be if you can't feel anything...
The wind in your hair
The weight of a gold ring
The grass under your feet
The grip of a little child's hand
The comfort of a well worn jeans
The coarseness of the sand in a riverbed
The comfort of a well worn jeans
The coarseness of the sand in a riverbed
The tickle of a tear rolling down your cheek
The strength of a hand massaging the back of your neck
The gentleness of someone's touch
The cold rain falling on your face
The comfort of the duvet
The softness of your bed
The warmth of a hug
The comfort of the duvet
The softness of your bed
The warmth of a hug
*to UoE students - ok, ok, saying "LTB Building" is like saying "NIV version" - but then how? LT Building? No one will know what is that. The LTB? Then there'll be those who'll ask, "Which one" cuz there are ... at least 10 LTBs in the LTB Building!.
Labels: Life
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Let me let go - Faith Hill
不要着急，最好的总会在最不经意的时候出现。
Why is it that whenever I give up all hope, hope springs? I can't decide if it's great... or just cruel.
Why is it that whenever I give up all hope, hope springs? I can't decide if it's great... or just cruel.
Labels: Feelings
For once in my life - Vonda Shepherd
The whispered conversations in overcrowded hallways
The atmosphere as thrilling here as always
Feel the early morning madness
Feel the magic in the making
Why, everything's as if we never said goodbye
I've spent so many mornings just trying to resist you
I'm trembling now, you can't know how I've missed you
Missed the fairy tale adventure
In this ever spinning playground
We were young together
As if we never said goodbye - Andrew Webber
The atmosphere as thrilling here as always
Feel the early morning madness
Feel the magic in the making
Why, everything's as if we never said goodbye
I've spent so many mornings just trying to resist you
I'm trembling now, you can't know how I've missed you
Missed the fairy tale adventure
In this ever spinning playground
We were young together
As if we never said goodbye - Andrew Webber
The scene is so familiar
But yet it feel so foreign
The squares which once were empty
Are now packed with students
I see them, i see their eyes
Eyes filled with excitement
Eyes glowing with anticipation
Eyes crying out of fear
Eyes teary from loneliness
Eyes shinning with joy
I see them, with eyes of envy
The joys of being a student
A vessel... waiting to be filled from the fountain of knowledge
A soul... waiting to be touched and enriched by others
A doorway... leading to the endless choices of opportunities
An outlet... to channel one's potentials and gifts
A chance... to discover who you really are.
I see them now
With eyes of envy.
But yet it feel so foreign
The squares which once were empty
Are now packed with students
I see them, i see their eyes
Eyes filled with excitement
Eyes glowing with anticipation
Eyes crying out of fear
Eyes teary from loneliness
Eyes shinning with joy
I see them, with eyes of envy
The joys of being a student
A vessel... waiting to be filled from the fountain of knowledge
A soul... waiting to be touched and enriched by others
A doorway... leading to the endless choices of opportunities
An outlet... to channel one's potentials and gifts
A chance... to discover who you really are.
I see them now
With eyes of envy.
不要因为结束而哭泣，微笑吧，为你的曾经拥有。
You make me sick - Pink
It's so sickening talking to a person who owns a car, a house, a job with a steady income, and who lives with his parents but who still alleges that he's broke.
What a b*gger....
What a b*gger....
Labels: Moody
Monday, October 09, 2006
Di mana kan ku cari ganti - Sheila Majid
Dunia terang menjadi gelita
Cahaya indah tiada berguna
Keluhan hatiku
Menambah derita
Tetap kau jua
Tak kunjung jelma
Cahaya indah tiada berguna
Keluhan hatiku
Menambah derita
Tetap kau jua
Tak kunjung jelma
Di mana kan ku cari ganti
Serupa denganmu?
Sunday, October 08, 2006
In the wee small hours of the morning - Jamie Cullum
Random thoughts at 2 am:-
It's too quiet tonite - after a whole week of loud partying, the silence seems deafening... to me, anyways.
Been out in the rain one time too many in the past week. Yesterday, i was involved in a battle against the flu - you know, the feeling like u r gonna fall sick, right at the edge but trying hard not to topple over into the sea of running noses, sore throats and grogginess.
Still can't get over the fact that she din call..
I have this craving for chicken soup now...
It's funny how arranging the chairs and moping the floor can bring back so much wonderful memories.
It was nice to watch a Cantonese movie again the other nite. Now can anyone get me a copy of "Re-Cycle"?
B*gger - i burnt me toast. Can't blog and make supper at the same time - or just further proof that men can't multi-task.
A pleasant surprise - a really old fren texted me out of the blue and told me she was praying for me. Nobody really knows wat i'm going thru right now, physically and emotinally. Nobody but God. And he got her to pray for me. I was surprised at how easy this difficult patch has been. I guess by now i shouldn't be surprised - not when he's watching over me.
Cheers, S! Rest assured, he has heard and answered yr prayers.
Supper's ready! :-)
It's too quiet tonite - after a whole week of loud partying, the silence seems deafening... to me, anyways.
Been out in the rain one time too many in the past week. Yesterday, i was involved in a battle against the flu - you know, the feeling like u r gonna fall sick, right at the edge but trying hard not to topple over into the sea of running noses, sore throats and grogginess.
Still can't get over the fact that she din call..
I have this craving for chicken soup now...
It's funny how arranging the chairs and moping the floor can bring back so much wonderful memories.
It was nice to watch a Cantonese movie again the other nite. Now can anyone get me a copy of "Re-Cycle"?
B*gger - i burnt me toast. Can't blog and make supper at the same time - or just further proof that men can't multi-task.
A pleasant surprise - a really old fren texted me out of the blue and told me she was praying for me. Nobody really knows wat i'm going thru right now, physically and emotinally. Nobody but God. And he got her to pray for me. I was surprised at how easy this difficult patch has been. I guess by now i shouldn't be surprised - not when he's watching over me.
Cheers, S! Rest assured, he has heard and answered yr prayers.
When the sun is high in the afternoon sky
You can always find something to do
But from dusk till dawn as the clock ticks on
Something happens to you
In the wee small hours of the morning
While the whole wide world is fast asleep
You lie awake and think about the girl
And never ever think of counting sheep
When your lonely heart has learned its lesson
You'd be hers if only she'd call
In the wee small hours of the morning
That's the time you miss her most of all
You can always find something to do
But from dusk till dawn as the clock ticks on
Something happens to you
In the wee small hours of the morning
While the whole wide world is fast asleep
You lie awake and think about the girl
And never ever think of counting sheep
When your lonely heart has learned its lesson
You'd be hers if only she'd call
In the wee small hours of the morning
That's the time you miss her most of all
Supper's ready! :-)
It doesn't matter who he is - it just matters who you're not...
Sarah to Jack, Lost Season 3 Episode 1
Sarah to Jack, Lost Season 3 Episode 1
Saturday, October 07, 2006
What a wonderful world - Loius Armstrong
MSN chat today:-
10/6/2006 12:04:58 PM Me mate (name not disclosed to protect identity): What do you call a guy with a seagull on his head?
10/6/2006 12:05:23 PM Me: ?
10/6/2006 12:05:27 PM Me mate: CLIFF
10/6/2006 12:05:31 PM Me mate: muahhahahahaha
And you guys think that I'm lame....
Speaking of cliffs... hehehehe... most of me pics from me recent holiday are posted online! Altho thanks to me travelling mate, a lot of me Bristol pics are lost forever. :-(
So feel free to check out the pics by clicking on these links - Bristol, Bute Park (Cardiff), Cardiff Castle, Cardiff miscelleneous pics and pics taken along the Coastal Path and other places at the Pembrokeshire National Park.
Check out also this link on why my trip to Wales was brilliant!
Here's a sample of the pics from the Coastal Path. Lovely, ain't it?
10/6/2006 12:04:58 PM Me mate (name not disclosed to protect identity): What do you call a guy with a seagull on his head?
10/6/2006 12:05:23 PM Me: ?
10/6/2006 12:05:27 PM Me mate: CLIFF
10/6/2006 12:05:31 PM Me mate: muahhahahahaha
And you guys think that I'm lame....
Speaking of cliffs... hehehehe... most of me pics from me recent holiday are posted online! Altho thanks to me travelling mate, a lot of me Bristol pics are lost forever. :-(
So feel free to check out the pics by clicking on these links - Bristol, Bute Park (Cardiff), Cardiff Castle, Cardiff miscelleneous pics and pics taken along the Coastal Path and other places at the Pembrokeshire National Park.
Check out also this link on why my trip to Wales was brilliant!
Here's a sample of the pics from the Coastal Path. Lovely, ain't it?
Labels: Travel
Friday, October 06, 2006
I can see clearly now - Jimmy Cliff
It was raining the whole day today - from the moment i got out of bed.
The light showers turned into a heavy downpour not too long ago. From the 12th floor, the rain appeared to be falling almost horizontally (ok, i exaggerate but believe you me, not by much!).
Then, just as sudden as the heavens opened, it stopped - and the sun came out! It's a strange view outside me window now (see pic on the left).
Strange cuz you can see the beautiful blue skies in the distance, almost cloudless.
You can see the town clearly - which was once obscured by the heavy rain.
You can see the sun reflected off the green leaves and grass.
You can see the shadows cast by the trees and the buildings.
But yet, you can still see the remnants of the grey clouds directly above...
What's even stranger is that that's how i'm feeling now...
The light showers turned into a heavy downpour not too long ago. From the 12th floor, the rain appeared to be falling almost horizontally (ok, i exaggerate but believe you me, not by much!).
Then, just as sudden as the heavens opened, it stopped - and the sun came out! It's a strange view outside me window now (see pic on the left).Strange cuz you can see the beautiful blue skies in the distance, almost cloudless.
You can see the town clearly - which was once obscured by the heavy rain.
You can see the sun reflected off the green leaves and grass.
You can see the shadows cast by the trees and the buildings.
But yet, you can still see the remnants of the grey clouds directly above...
What's even stranger is that that's how i'm feeling now...
Leaving on jet plane - Chantal Kreviazuk
I wish I could be there to say this to you face to face.
Bye!
Bye!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Nothing compares to you - Sinead O'Connor
After chatting wif a mate on MSN about Star Wars earier today, i found this really old forwarded e-mail and decided to blog it!!!!
Yes, e, this post is especially for you!!!!! ;-P
20 reasons Star Wars is better than Titanic
1. Titanic may be big, but it doesn't have hyperdrive.
2. Star Wars has WAY better action figure potential.
3. Yoda could use the Force to just lift Titanic out of the water.
4. Leia is a princess, a senator, a diplomat, a freedom fighter, a brilliant strategist, and Jedi material; Rose is just cute marriage bait.
5. Ewoks throw better parties than either first class or steerage.
6. When flying towards the Titanic, Wedge couldn't say "WOW! Look at the size of that thing!" with any sincerity.
7. It would be much scarier to get chased around the boat by an evil madman with a lightsaber as opposed to an idiot with a handgun.
8a. Titanic is egalitarian in that it portrays poor people as sympathetic characters. Star Wars is egalitarian by promoting bug-eyed amphibians to the rank of Admiral.
8b. Said bug-eyed amphibious Admiral manages NOT to lose his ship.
9. We know Cal is the bad guy because he greases his hair, sneers at the poor, and treats his fiance like property. We know Darth Vader is the bad guy because he wears an ominous, voluminous black cape and mysterious mask, strangles people with a glance and blows up entire planets for sport.
10. Yeah, okay, so Leo can dance...but can he fly an X-wing?
11. People have never lost their lives trying to recreate scenes from Star Wars on the bow of a cruise liner.
12. Rose braves icy water to rescue her man. Leia braves Jabba the Hutt. Now c'mon...who's really the brave one here?
13. Two words: Harrison Ford
14. There are always more than enough escape pods in Star Wars.
15. Do you have any idea what the Empire does to self-proclaimed "kings of the world"?
16. If Luke were handcuffed to a pipe below decks in a sinking ship, he would either...
A: Cut himself free with his lightsaber;
B: Use the Force to get the key; or
C: Han Solo would come in at the last second and blast the cuffs off.
17. "I'd rather be his whore than your wife" just doesn't have the same sting as "I'd rather kiss a Wookie."
18. We all knew the boat was gonna sink, but who was ready for "Luke....I am your father." ???
19. Han Solo would've missed that damned iceberg!
20. Han, though frozen solid in carbonite and turned into a wall ornament, returns in excellent health to mount a successful mission against the Empire on Endor, crushing the enemy and single-handedly paving the way for a brilliant air campaign which results in the destruction of the Empire's second attempt at a Death Star, AND claims the heart of his woman with whom he will live happily ever after. Jack, on the other hand, simply freezes.
Yes, e, this post is especially for you!!!!! ;-P
20 reasons Star Wars is better than Titanic
1. Titanic may be big, but it doesn't have hyperdrive.
2. Star Wars has WAY better action figure potential.
4. Leia is a princess, a senator, a diplomat, a freedom fighter, a brilliant strategist, and Jedi material; Rose is just cute marriage bait.
5. Ewoks throw better parties than either first class or steerage.
6. When flying towards the Titanic, Wedge couldn't say "WOW! Look at the size of that thing!" with any sincerity.
7. It would be much scarier to get chased around the boat by an evil madman with a lightsaber as opposed to an idiot with a handgun.
8a. Titanic is egalitarian in that it portrays poor people as sympathetic characters. Star Wars is egalitarian by promoting bug-eyed amphibians to the rank of Admiral.
8b. Said bug-eyed amphibious Admiral manages NOT to lose his ship.
9. We know Cal is the bad guy because he greases his hair, sneers at the poor, and treats his fiance like property. We know Darth Vader is the bad guy because he wears an ominous, voluminous black cape and mysterious mask, strangles people with a glance and blows up entire planets for sport.
10. Yeah, okay, so Leo can dance...but can he fly an X-wing?
11. People have never lost their lives trying to recreate scenes from Star Wars on the bow of a cruise liner.
12. Rose braves icy water to rescue her man. Leia braves Jabba the Hutt. Now c'mon...who's really the brave one here?
13. Two words: Harrison Ford
14. There are always more than enough escape pods in Star Wars.
15. Do you have any idea what the Empire does to self-proclaimed "kings of the world"?
16. If Luke were handcuffed to a pipe below decks in a sinking ship, he would either...
A: Cut himself free with his lightsaber;
B: Use the Force to get the key; or
C: Han Solo would come in at the last second and blast the cuffs off.
17. "I'd rather be his whore than your wife" just doesn't have the same sting as "I'd rather kiss a Wookie."
18. We all knew the boat was gonna sink, but who was ready for "Luke....I am your father." ???
19. Han Solo would've missed that damned iceberg!
20. Han, though frozen solid in carbonite and turned into a wall ornament, returns in excellent health to mount a successful mission against the Empire on Endor, crushing the enemy and single-handedly paving the way for a brilliant air campaign which results in the destruction of the Empire's second attempt at a Death Star, AND claims the heart of his woman with whom he will live happily ever after. Jack, on the other hand, simply freezes.
All pics taken during the Star Wars Expo in Paris during Spring 2006
Labels: Light-hearted, Movie
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The circle of life - Elton John
It's my 366th day in the UK now - but who's counting? ;-P
I must say that i'm coping better than expected. I'm happily living vicariously off me mate's Phd life by staying in his flat and meeting his flatmates - while he is out of the country. I kinda envy him cuz so far, his new flatmates(whom he has not met yet) are really nice! On top of that, there's this girl from Guangdong - and she speaks Cantonese!!!!! I can't expain how wonderful it is to hang out in the kitchen and chat in Cantonese with someone! :-) Just the other day, i bumped into a fren of an ex-flatmate who is also from Guangdong and we chatted in Canto for a while. It has been so long since i've called someone "lang looi" and she called me "lang chai" in return!
I dun know if it's my imagination but there seem to be many more people speaking in Cantonese among the freshers.
Yup, the new year has started. The freshies are here. It's noisy all nite long. Drunk undergrads roam the grounds in the wee hours of the morning. The other nite, the security guard came to our flat accompanied by a police officer. Apparently, there was a report of a stabbing in the North Towers but no other details - so the poor fellas were going to every floor, in every tower!
Still, i can feel the excitement the in air. And i cant help but envy them. A new year, new frens, new experiences.
I was thinking of all me mates i've made since i got here. I miss them. But i have to admit that seeing life goes on helps me to move on too. That was another lifetime - a brilliant one, but one that has ended. And even tho most of them are so far away, i keep them close to me everyday - and for some, every minute of the day. They may not be around here physically, but they are never gone.
Always close
Everyday
Every step along the way
Even though for now we've gotta say goodbye
I know you will be forever in my life
Never gone
I must say that i'm coping better than expected. I'm happily living vicariously off me mate's Phd life by staying in his flat and meeting his flatmates - while he is out of the country. I kinda envy him cuz so far, his new flatmates(whom he has not met yet) are really nice! On top of that, there's this girl from Guangdong - and she speaks Cantonese!!!!! I can't expain how wonderful it is to hang out in the kitchen and chat in Cantonese with someone! :-) Just the other day, i bumped into a fren of an ex-flatmate who is also from Guangdong and we chatted in Canto for a while. It has been so long since i've called someone "lang looi" and she called me "lang chai" in return!
I dun know if it's my imagination but there seem to be many more people speaking in Cantonese among the freshers.
Yup, the new year has started. The freshies are here. It's noisy all nite long. Drunk undergrads roam the grounds in the wee hours of the morning. The other nite, the security guard came to our flat accompanied by a police officer. Apparently, there was a report of a stabbing in the North Towers but no other details - so the poor fellas were going to every floor, in every tower!
Still, i can feel the excitement the in air. And i cant help but envy them. A new year, new frens, new experiences.
I was thinking of all me mates i've made since i got here. I miss them. But i have to admit that seeing life goes on helps me to move on too. That was another lifetime - a brilliant one, but one that has ended. And even tho most of them are so far away, i keep them close to me everyday - and for some, every minute of the day. They may not be around here physically, but they are never gone.
Never Gone
Never gone, never far
In my heart is where you areAlways close
Everyday
Every step along the way
Even though for now we've gotta say goodbye
I know you will be forever in my life
Never gone
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Someone to watch over me - Renee Olstead
Today was the Church anniversary service. How apt - since it's also the anniversary of me coming over here. Yeah, 1 year ago today was when i left home to come here.
In his sharing, the guest preacher referred to an old Gershwin song - "Someone to watch over me". And again, i found that it was so relevant for me too.
As i walk around campus today, seeing all the new students move in, i'm transported back to one year ago when i was one of them. Time really flies, doesn't it?
In his sharing, the guest preacher referred to an old Gershwin song - "Someone to watch over me". And again, i found that it was so relevant for me too.
As i walk around campus today, seeing all the new students move in, i'm transported back to one year ago when i was one of them. Time really flies, doesn't it?
And looking back, i was moved to tears as on hindsight, i could see so so clearly how i had someone to watch over me, every step of the way. Jesus was doing that. Whether thru the dark days or sunny ones, whether when i was worshiping him faithfully or sinning, he was watching over me.
And more than that, he was watching over me loved ones who were and still are so far away.
The autumn leaves have oredi started falling, just like it did last October, just like how it will next October. And just as sure as the autumn leaves falling next October, i'm equally sure that until then, he will still be watching over me.
Days of darkness still come o'er me
Sorrow's paths I often tread
But the Saviour still is with me
By His hand I'm safely led
Francis Rawley
Pic taken in Bute Park, Cardiff (Autumn 2006)
Labels: Life, memories, Spiritual
