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Saturday, September 29
Fairest of Them All
Life is sometimes like how Fernando Torres is so hot (and of course an excellent striker) but he ended up in Liverpool – it's unfair but we move on, pick ourselves up, and support Spain instead.
In Memoriam, Mrs Serene Ng
Our Cedar Girls' Sec 2 Math teacher Mrs Serene Ng passed away just a few days ago. It's sad because I remember her telling us gruesome stories as "treats" for handing in all our assignments on time; I remember her sitting me down sternly and telling me I had to hand in my homework (yes, I was a naughty kid); I remember her perpetually being pregnant. As it is, it is sadly ironic that she passed away in childbirth. I pray that her baby, who is being warded in ICU, will make it through, and that comfort will be with her family at this time. Goodbye, Mrs Ng.
SHRED THIS
Just a few hours ago I got inexplicably annoyed by someone playing an out-of-tune guitar (along with a tuned one, which made it all the worse) persistently like nothing was wrong. Much akin to someone dragging their nails across the back of my skull (and I don't necessarily mean fingernails); my involuntary wincing did nothing to quell the noise. While I'm sure there are more complex layers of God-knows-what hidden beneath my enigmatic surface that would suffice to explain this, as of now – yes, the tuneless guitar playing has left me incredibly pissed off. (I am no audiophile.)
Like Joshua
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Yay! Thank you God and everyone else who got me through what turned out to be by far the craziest week of my term. Now that that's done with – Barbie* watch out, I'm coming!
*More on this later.
HK (Hella Krazy)
Lei hou! I've decided to put my Hong Kong memories down digitally, lest such wonderful and joyous times ever be forgotten. Plus, you know, I felt like bombarding everyone with many pictures.
First stop, Macau.
Yes, we stepped into a casino; no, we didn't gamble – although we did try to buy some playing chips. For souveniors. Really.
Oh yes, meet the uncle who inspired Suspenders Day.
Right, Day 1 in sunny HK. We move into Dragon Hostel, which is to be our humble abode for the next few days. Not as dubiously triad-like as it sounds, rest assured – we didn't even have to use the parang they provided.
The discovery of HK continues, and of course you can't go by without the blatant 'I am a tourist and I am going to spread my arms wide in exuberation with the beautiful city of HK as the backdrop' shot.
Day 2. The Day of Discoveries: (L-R) Krispy Kreme, Krispy Kreme, Kel can eat 5 Krispy Kremes at one go, Krispy Kreme, H&M, huge cheap beer, our shortage of cash.
Next up: Iceskating with Germaine and Gershon! One of the best parts of the trip – reminds me to remember them.
Day 3. (Let's not put too much store by my chronological accounts here, it's likely to be Day 5 or 6.. or 7 already.)
Finally – Shenzhen, the land of darn good massages and Happy Valley Theme Park. It was a sunny public holiday, there were long queues and we got bored... Yes, that's a stranger on Kel's lap and Ben in a female costume dress.
And that's that – one brilliant holiday.
Earth-bound?
Recently, Timo introduced me to a documentary called The Great Happiness Space, an excellent insight (albeit with a hint of M18 overtones) into the lives of Japanese "host boys", which I highly recommend if you happen to have 76min to spare.
In a nutshell, the show asks one simple question: What is happiness?
The answer, evidently, is not quite as readily given; in fact it is one that people have and will ask themselves time and again, because I suppose that what's down in the trusty Oxford Dict. doesn't quite cut it. Asking yourself, of course, is a good start – but do you really think you'll find something if you poke around inside long enough?
As the Master Scoundrel (his name is Dr. P, but let's just call him that anyway) from School Of Scoundrels said to his class: "How many of you have self-help books? Okay that's your first problem. You can't help yourself, because your self sucks!". Okay firstly it was damn hilarious, and secondly it is rather true. When your self decided money was the way to go; or when you resolved that shopping was definitely the road to joyful oblivion, was it right – or do you still want more?
I know I'm asking alot of questions that I don't seem to be able to answer, but actually, I do – and it all comes down to the question of purpose. What is your means, and to what end. So studying is my means to getting a job which is my means of earning money which is.. What?
I can only say I have an answer because for those who believe in Christ, it doesn't end there. Because however different the means may be, the end is always the same, and that is to glorify God. This, by far, isn't about me leading a perfect life – that would be lying through my teeth – it's just about sharing true happiness. And if you've by any chance been feeling the void and trying to fill it, why not take a chance – it might be a God-shaped hole after all.
And as 3 Doors Down says, "It's down to this, I've got to make this life make sense". You really do.