186

Finally. 

2 continents, 7 countries, 8 cities. Alone, with friends, with family. I've travelled far this year, and have had the most fun. I've met amazing people, spent a week with some, a few days with others, and even a couple of hours with one. 

So in all I've done in my 16/17th year on this planet, I've travelled extensively. I can't start to express how blessed I am in all this, to have the opportunity to travel in a variety of ways, and I'm so grateful. As I've said, if there were only two things I could do for the rest of my life, they would be to read, and to travel; almost in that order. 

Life is infinite, and 2011, I've been dazzled. 

185

Hey, 2011, you're almost over, and you've been one wild ride. 

So here's to you. 

Here's to the completely new scene you threw me into - new school, new friends, new system, new dynamic. Here's to the deadlines I had to continually chase, and here's to the company that made it worth it's while. Here's to the times where I honestly thought I wouldn't make it through, and here's to the grace that brought me out of it, unscathed. 

Here's to the new passions I've found, and here's to the times chasing them almost bled me dry. Here's to the new ambition I've gained, and here's to the expectations that came, and still come close to breaking me. Here's to the new experiences I've been through, and all it's taught me. Here's to the new love and hope I've found in humanity, and here's to the thousands of time society's ugliness makes me want to retreat and run away. 

Here's to the times I didn't get along with people, because working through these times only makes us stronger. Here's to the times my faith almost couldn't pull me through, and the rediscovery of such a loving and passionate Father. Here's to the times where everything else took centre stage, because that only lead to greater revelation of how much I need Jesus. 

Here's to the times I've been broken, and here's to the times I've lost myself. Because in doing so, I've found myself, I've evolved, I'm closer to knowing who I am.

But most of all, here's to you. Here's to you who made a difference in my life. Who told me to grow up, or stay as irresponsible as I possibly could. You, who I had brilliant conversations with, or said a one-two liner as we passed each other. You, who's been there since forever, or whom I've just made friends with. 

Here's to you. People make a person, and you've made my 2011 amazing.

Thank you. 

184

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I spent today with a great service, a great spirit, and great company; and sometimes, when life throws you lemons, that's all you ned to recover and remember what's important, what's real, and what truly matters. It's nice to go back to where you started once in a while, to remember where you've come from, and to put things into perspective. 

Meanwhile, I'm not going to deny that I'm feeling significantly apprehensive towards 2012, but in all matters I shall trust God (and worry when it's too late). I can't believe we've reached the last week of 2011, and soon it'll be the first week of 2012. 

Anyhow, I hope all of you had a brilliant day.

Blessed Christmas! 

183

I love Christmas. I'm a sucker for Christmas. 

I'll admit I love the Santas and presents and candy canes on the streets. I love snow and festive cheer and the sales, oh the sales. I love how for once a year, everyone remembers to go home, everyone remembers home is where the heart is, and everyone puts aside their vanity, ambition and ego. 

But oh Jesus, what would I do without you. 

To me, Christmas, even if I've strayed for the rest of the year, reminds me of how grateful I am to my Saviour. How broken and ugly I am inside, and how that doesn't even matter at all. How His strength is made perfect in my weakness, how He works all things for good. He's in my life now, and He's got his hold on me. And in Him, I am so blessed, so loved, and so favoured.

So yes, Christmas and its festivities are great. I love 'em. But oh my, Christ is so much greater. 

182

So I'm home for the year. 

The Maldives was amazing, gorgeous and breathtaking. I discovered that my absolute most favouritest feeling in the world is to be out at sea, where it is just you, your thoughts, and the never ending expanse of the ocean. 

But after 6 days of temporal paradise, the real world bites back with a vengeance. 

I don't even want to think about it. 

181

I have this tendency to get lost in myself.

This entire year, I've been so blessed. New school, new revelations, new people. I've been sufficiently happy, but so busy. Busy to the extent I've been caught up in everything surface. There's always a new deadline to chase, new event to attend, and to generalise - this new thing to do. 

Then I start to run away. But I was so busy this year I've forgotten how much more I could have lived. How much more I could have experienced, enjoyed. I don't regret anything - not yet, because the choices I've made have been unique and have led me to today, but yes. 

So much more. 

180

Dreaming is good.

I dream of working, earning enough money to support my little bit of a luxurious lifestyle, wearing good clothes, coming back to a gorgeous place, sinking into bed. I dream of reading, reading, and reading. Books, magazines, blogs, opinions. I dream of travelling the world with a pair of good shoes and a backpack, as well as sailing the seven seas (particularly the Caribbean). 

--

So I'm back in my little island home for the next 4 days, before I fly off again. The problem with travelling is the grass is always greener on the overseas side. Honestly speaking, I'm really excited for when I go away to study - to go overseas long term. Maybe I don't like where I am, maybe I just can't stay in one place for too long. Whatever it is, I'm excited. 

I like to write. Evidently, sometimes I have no idea what I'm writing - maybe you do. But yes, that's the beauty of it. 

179

Alright folks, I'll be away from the 7th to 11th! 

Enjoy your sunny happiness while I'm gone ~

178

"I want my youth ministry more than I want a boyfriend." 

There's obviously a lot of context behind this that I'm not explaining, but the significance of what my friend said is really how much love and hope she has for her youth ministry - how she really wants to see them grow and unite, to be as one for Christ. She's filled with a passion I haven't had for a long, long time, and I really miss it sometimes. The dedication, commitment and passion for a community of Christ. 

Anyway, the best thing about the holidays so far is the autonomy I have. 

x.

177

Holidays are here (!!!!!!!!!!)

Say hello to glorious sun-drenched days of reading for the intrinsic pleasure of doing so, making music - ranging from the silliest of songs to the most beautiful of melodies (as far as my little bit of talent takes me), writing free prose on whatever I want to, capturing beauty through the lens of a camera, exploring the little nooks and crannies of Singapore, meeting up with the people whom matter most to me, exploring a bit more of the world, and of course, more love and celebration of humanity. 

Oh wait, reality check time. 

What really awaits me in these 4 weeks includes, but is not limited to (see what I did there!!) - WLI, EE, Chem IA, Econs IA, Geography work, Math revision, Chem WS, etc etc. [If you did not understand these acronyms, please congratulate yourself, and stay that way.]

Whatever it is, I'm going to make the most of these 4 weeks. I guess all this extra work comes with being a student, and right now, I really like being a student. So I'll just take it as it is. However, I'm not going to waste this time of the little bit of freedom I have. 

So cheers to you;

Let's make the best of these 4 weeks.