Boy, have I been having a crazy weekend. Phew. I don't think I've walked that much since our Orchard Road mini-marathon in Singapore last year. And the reason for this bit of unusual activity (for me, at least)? The Durongs were down from Melbourne. (Uhm... for the uninformed, they're my cousins. On my dad's side.)
Okay, so the world and his brother knows I'm the biggest female anti-shopper ever to exist. And woe is me - I had 3 full days of shopping almost back to back last week! (One with mum, 2 with my cousins). Pardon moi, but I don't think I'll ever get the novelty of looking-trying-putting-back-on-rack. Nothing drains me more than shopping... Maybe except a 1500 metre run. Blah.
But that said, I had a blast anyway. Mainly coz my cousins are such an entertaining bunch :) Just listening to them was like one laugh after another. Especially when we tried to translate English swear words into Malay for them. In a train full of Malays they're going, "Keju zakar!" and "perogol emak!" at the top of their lungs! Dave and I were like, "SHUSH!!!!" But it was still utterly hilarious. Just thinking about that makes me wanna laugh all over again. Haha.
What's sad is in all these years, we've only seen 'em 3 or 4 times. And I think this is the most time we've ever spent together. It was good that we did, though. All this while they've kinda been the cousins we knew the least about. But it was a lot of fun, and it's great that I'll be seeing them again.
I'll miss 'em. It isn't often I see people bicker more than David and me :P But seriously, anyone who can get Dave to get himself made over is more than worth knowing... Lol. I'm just really glad they're not strangers anymore. Whoopdeedooo.
Now 'scuse me while I go try and see if I can stop thinking in an Australian accent (it's really contagious). Buhbye!
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
5D Reunion
I never quite realized how much I missed school - well, my friends, at least - til yesterday. My class (5 Dedikasi) had a reunion party at Klang Seafood, which incidentally is owned by the family of my classmate, Shammy. (Note : The food is AWESOME! Best seafood ever... really!)
There weren't many of us... Around 18 (out of 44), and 3 teachers - our class (and BM) teacher, Pn. Aini; our Chemistry teacher, Pn. Chan; and our Biology teacher, Pn. Zakiah. It was a pity that some of the other teachers didn't come. I was looking forward to seeing my History teacher, who's probably one of the coolest teachers I know. Sigh.
That aside, it was fatastic seeing my old classmates again. Some of them have changed so much, it's like - WOW! But most of them are still the same.. and that's really comforting :) What amazes me, though, is how we can still sit down and yak away for 4 hours straight when we haven't seen each other in months!
(Ju Li doesn't count - 4 hours is miniscule when it comes to us and yakking :P).
What's really sad, though, is that after only 3 months, we're already down to 18 at a reunion. After a year, how many will there be? Sigh.
But I must say this - 5 Dedikasi may have been the best academic class, but we were by far the least nerdy of the 5Ds before us (at least, that I've seen :P), what with Insanely Sane in the class... (lol) and we're certainly one of the most successful, as far as SPM is concerned.
We've proven that you can talk about nothing but boys and crack lame jokes while pretending to be in a study group, and still get away with achieving impressive results. No need to study 24/7 and break your back with stress. We've shown that you can be a normal teenager and still get what you want academically. And that is something to be proud of.
God bless you, all in 5D 2004 - you guys are the best, and if I ever forget a single one of you, you have full permission to smash my face in :P
There weren't many of us... Around 18 (out of 44), and 3 teachers - our class (and BM) teacher, Pn. Aini; our Chemistry teacher, Pn. Chan; and our Biology teacher, Pn. Zakiah. It was a pity that some of the other teachers didn't come. I was looking forward to seeing my History teacher, who's probably one of the coolest teachers I know. Sigh.
That aside, it was fatastic seeing my old classmates again. Some of them have changed so much, it's like - WOW! But most of them are still the same.. and that's really comforting :) What amazes me, though, is how we can still sit down and yak away for 4 hours straight when we haven't seen each other in months!
(Ju Li doesn't count - 4 hours is miniscule when it comes to us and yakking :P).
What's really sad, though, is that after only 3 months, we're already down to 18 at a reunion. After a year, how many will there be? Sigh.
But I must say this - 5 Dedikasi may have been the best academic class, but we were by far the least nerdy of the 5Ds before us (at least, that I've seen :P), what with Insanely Sane in the class... (lol) and we're certainly one of the most successful, as far as SPM is concerned.
We've proven that you can talk about nothing but boys and crack lame jokes while pretending to be in a study group, and still get away with achieving impressive results. No need to study 24/7 and break your back with stress. We've shown that you can be a normal teenager and still get what you want academically. And that is something to be proud of.
God bless you, all in 5D 2004 - you guys are the best, and if I ever forget a single one of you, you have full permission to smash my face in :P
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Shopping = Feet Killer
Broke my long drought of clothes and bought myself 3 tops and 2 jeans. That's right... JEANS! I finally got TWO pairs that could fit me. A bloody miracle, if you asked me.
Okay, that might sound really pathetic, but jeans have been the bane of my life for ages! If the waist is just nice, the hips won't fit. If it fits the hips, the waist is too huge. Blah. If there's one thing about my Indian heritage that I would gladly give up, it's the thighs. Skinny calves, enormous thighs. Sigh sigh double triple sigh.
But oh well... I got some pretty okay stuff today so I'm satisfied. It's more stuff than I bought the whole of last year put together! So I would say - all in a damn good days work. I'm just glad my mother realized that I was in dire need of a wardrobe update :)
After this.. no more shopping for another 6 months at least. It's a tiring job. Boring, tiring and sometimes completely pointless. Makes you want to break something when an outfit looks nice on the rack and sucks on you, or looks great on you but is not so great on the wallet. Pah.
Okay, whining quota up for the day. Thank GOD I got those jeans!!! :D
Okay, that might sound really pathetic, but jeans have been the bane of my life for ages! If the waist is just nice, the hips won't fit. If it fits the hips, the waist is too huge. Blah. If there's one thing about my Indian heritage that I would gladly give up, it's the thighs. Skinny calves, enormous thighs. Sigh sigh double triple sigh.
But oh well... I got some pretty okay stuff today so I'm satisfied. It's more stuff than I bought the whole of last year put together! So I would say - all in a damn good days work. I'm just glad my mother realized that I was in dire need of a wardrobe update :)
After this.. no more shopping for another 6 months at least. It's a tiring job. Boring, tiring and sometimes completely pointless. Makes you want to break something when an outfit looks nice on the rack and sucks on you, or looks great on you but is not so great on the wallet. Pah.
Okay, whining quota up for the day. Thank GOD I got those jeans!!! :D
Friday, March 18, 2005
Highland Holiday
Genting on a holiday is possibly the worst place to be if you're claustrophobic. Or people-phobic. Um.. yeah.
Mum, Dave, my 2 cousins and I went up to Genting for... fun. Naturally, the Theme Park Hotel was fully booked. So we opted for First World.
Anyone who's been there knows how large the First World Hotel lobby is. And let me tell you, it was practically impossible to walk anywhere without bumping into another human being (or a pillar, if you're unlucky). And everywhere you turned, there were people sitting on the floor surrounded by bags. Two words : REFUGEE CAMP!!! Honest, that's what it looked like.
The amount of intelligized primates walking around put us off going to the theme park so we went up to First World instead... And bumped into guys in ugly masks promoting the Haunted Adventure. They were trying to be scary but to be honest, it's hard to get scared when the ghost is dancing to Punjabi MC.
But my youngest cousin (she's 14... lol) was scared, so only 3 of us went up. Haunted adventure? More like laughable. The only thing that was scary was the thought that the loud clapping noise would kill our ear drums. Blah.
But the Ripley's Believe It Or Not exhibition was something else. Cool stories on people who survived horrific accidents, guys with horns and extra pupils, the world's fattest guy, medieval torture equipment... Wow. We spent an hour going through the whole thing. Fascinating!
At 8 p.m. we finally decided to check out the theme park. Only managed to try 3 rides coz it was so misty we couldn't see more than a few feet in front of us. Sigh. Wasted.
One thing I've learned : For some reason, guys in Genting are a hundred times bolder than those in KL. They'd chat you up if you give 'em half the chance. Freaky!
We still enjoyed ourselves, though. It was like we were on laughing gas the whole time. Well, blame it on David. Who wouldn't laugh when a Form 4 SCIENCE student calls the pupil "kanta mata"? Oh.. ROFLMAO!!!
'Kay, nuff now. Buhbye for another few days.
Mum, Dave, my 2 cousins and I went up to Genting for... fun. Naturally, the Theme Park Hotel was fully booked. So we opted for First World.
Anyone who's been there knows how large the First World Hotel lobby is. And let me tell you, it was practically impossible to walk anywhere without bumping into another human being (or a pillar, if you're unlucky). And everywhere you turned, there were people sitting on the floor surrounded by bags. Two words : REFUGEE CAMP!!! Honest, that's what it looked like.
The amount of intelligized primates walking around put us off going to the theme park so we went up to First World instead... And bumped into guys in ugly masks promoting the Haunted Adventure. They were trying to be scary but to be honest, it's hard to get scared when the ghost is dancing to Punjabi MC.
But my youngest cousin (she's 14... lol) was scared, so only 3 of us went up. Haunted adventure? More like laughable. The only thing that was scary was the thought that the loud clapping noise would kill our ear drums. Blah.
But the Ripley's Believe It Or Not exhibition was something else. Cool stories on people who survived horrific accidents, guys with horns and extra pupils, the world's fattest guy, medieval torture equipment... Wow. We spent an hour going through the whole thing. Fascinating!
At 8 p.m. we finally decided to check out the theme park. Only managed to try 3 rides coz it was so misty we couldn't see more than a few feet in front of us. Sigh. Wasted.
One thing I've learned : For some reason, guys in Genting are a hundred times bolder than those in KL. They'd chat you up if you give 'em half the chance. Freaky!
We still enjoyed ourselves, though. It was like we were on laughing gas the whole time. Well, blame it on David. Who wouldn't laugh when a Form 4 SCIENCE student calls the pupil "kanta mata"? Oh.. ROFLMAO!!!
'Kay, nuff now. Buhbye for another few days.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Results are IN!
I.Got.10As.
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! :D :D :D :D :D
7A1s, 3A2s and 1B3, to be exact. God, I'm so deliriously happy right now :D
THANK YOU JESUS!!! (Boy, without him, I'd probably be in the pits.)
Strange thing is, I got a B for (of all subjects *rolls eyes*) EST! A1 for Add Maths (my all time worst subject) and B for EST (when I was the best student in that last year). Man! How weirded out can you get? Haha.
Some excellent news: 3 of my best friends got straight A1s (11 A1s to be exact).
To Ee May, Ju Li and Xin Yi,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! :D :D :D :D :D
7A1s, 3A2s and 1B3, to be exact. God, I'm so deliriously happy right now :D
THANK YOU JESUS!!! (Boy, without him, I'd probably be in the pits.)
Strange thing is, I got a B for (of all subjects *rolls eyes*) EST! A1 for Add Maths (my all time worst subject) and B for EST (when I was the best student in that last year). Man! How weirded out can you get? Haha.
Some excellent news: 3 of my best friends got straight A1s (11 A1s to be exact).
To Ee May, Ju Li and Xin Yi,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Girly Advice :D
Argh! 12 midnight! A few hours left to doomsday... Sniffles. Here's something to relax (a wee bit) with...
15 PIECES OF ADVICE TO BE PASSED ON TO YOUR DAUGHTER, AND DAUGHTER, YOUNGER SISTER, NIECE, COUSIN... all the GIRLS!
1. Don't imagine you can change a man - unless he's in diapers.
2. What do you do if your boyfriend walks out? - You shut the door.
3. If they put a man on the moon - they should be able to put them all up there.
4. Never let your man's mind wander - it's too little to be out alone.
5. Go for younger men. You might as well - they never mature anyway.
6. Men are all the same - they just have different faces so that you can tell them apart.
7. Definition of a bachelor: a man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.
8. Women don't make fools of men - most of them are the do-it-yourself types.
9. Best way to get a man to do something - is to suggest he is too old for it.
10. Love is blind - but marriage is a real eye-opener.
11. If you want a committed man - look in a mental hospital.
12. The men of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years - Even in biblical times, they wouldn't ask for directions.
13. If he asks what sort of books you're interested in - tell him chequebooks.
14. Remember a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes - it means that you laugh at his.
15. Sadly, all men are created equal.
15 PIECES OF ADVICE TO BE PASSED ON TO YOUR DAUGHTER, AND DAUGHTER, YOUNGER SISTER, NIECE, COUSIN... all the GIRLS!
1. Don't imagine you can change a man - unless he's in diapers.
2. What do you do if your boyfriend walks out? - You shut the door.
3. If they put a man on the moon - they should be able to put them all up there.
4. Never let your man's mind wander - it's too little to be out alone.
5. Go for younger men. You might as well - they never mature anyway.
6. Men are all the same - they just have different faces so that you can tell them apart.
7. Definition of a bachelor: a man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.
8. Women don't make fools of men - most of them are the do-it-yourself types.
9. Best way to get a man to do something - is to suggest he is too old for it.
10. Love is blind - but marriage is a real eye-opener.
11. If you want a committed man - look in a mental hospital.
12. The men of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years - Even in biblical times, they wouldn't ask for directions.
13. If he asks what sort of books you're interested in - tell him chequebooks.
14. Remember a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes - it means that you laugh at his.
15. Sadly, all men are created equal.
SPM Results Out 10 March 2005
*screeches* Tomorrow... Tomorrow... I love ya... Tomorrow... You're only a day aaaawaaaayyyy!!!!!
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
*sniffles*
Tomorrow's D-Day. Can't believe it's finally here. A part of me can't wait to know yet another part doesn't wanna find out. Torture, I tell you! But I know there's nothing I can do to change it now. Whatever happens, it is solely my responsibility - I don't do well, it's because I didn't put in the effort. No two ways about it. Heck, if I don't do well, I'll just take it as a lesson and start studying for my STPM. Like, immediately. Tomorrow. Yeah.
It'll be a lot easier, though, if less people expect me to do well. Oh yeah, they say "Don't worry laa.. you'll do well one! Sure do well!" I'm like, "Um....." What happens if I DON'T? I know I shouldn't worry about what other people think, but lemme tell you, it gets to me every time. Heck, I have my pride! (A bit too much of it sometimes... lol)
Being perceived to be a "good student" can be something of a curse when it comes to stuff like this. I could get, say, 4 As. And be dragged over coals for it. Someone else might get 4 As and praised to high heavens. Pah. Okay okay, I realize it's all got to do with living up to potential... But ARGH! Way to stress people out! Sigh.
When it comes down to it, though, I just have to accept whatever comes. You reap what you sow, as the saying goes, and I'm not convinced I sowed enough to get me the results people think I should get. I guess that remains to be seen... All I'm confident of is that I'm going to be a 100 bucks richer (from Vemal) and in line for a free dinner (from Kevin). Thanks for believing in me guys!! *grins wickedly*
Wish me luck, y'all! Or better still... Pray super hard for me!
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
*sniffles*
Tomorrow's D-Day. Can't believe it's finally here. A part of me can't wait to know yet another part doesn't wanna find out. Torture, I tell you! But I know there's nothing I can do to change it now. Whatever happens, it is solely my responsibility - I don't do well, it's because I didn't put in the effort. No two ways about it. Heck, if I don't do well, I'll just take it as a lesson and start studying for my STPM. Like, immediately. Tomorrow. Yeah.
It'll be a lot easier, though, if less people expect me to do well. Oh yeah, they say "Don't worry laa.. you'll do well one! Sure do well!" I'm like, "Um....." What happens if I DON'T? I know I shouldn't worry about what other people think, but lemme tell you, it gets to me every time. Heck, I have my pride! (A bit too much of it sometimes... lol)
Being perceived to be a "good student" can be something of a curse when it comes to stuff like this. I could get, say, 4 As. And be dragged over coals for it. Someone else might get 4 As and praised to high heavens. Pah. Okay okay, I realize it's all got to do with living up to potential... But ARGH! Way to stress people out! Sigh.
When it comes down to it, though, I just have to accept whatever comes. You reap what you sow, as the saying goes, and I'm not convinced I sowed enough to get me the results people think I should get. I guess that remains to be seen... All I'm confident of is that I'm going to be a 100 bucks richer (from Vemal) and in line for a free dinner (from Kevin). Thanks for believing in me guys!! *grins wickedly*
Wish me luck, y'all! Or better still... Pray super hard for me!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Yo Yo
Is it possible to like someone a whole big lot, but completely detest him too? If it isn't, why do I feel like that whenever I think about this particular guy?
Like, given the chance, I'd smash his face in. BUT. When I see him, smashing his face in doesn't seem like the best idea. Or I vow to keep him at arms length, and 2 seconds later I'm cheerily replying a message as if everything is "oooh aah wonderful". And lord knows, I hate him for doing that to me.
But then again, it's not exactly his fault either. If I had enough common sense, I'd keep my distance. Politeness rules, but no more personal level business. Sigh. Easy to say, hard to do. Although, I kinda think given the right situation, I might be able to break out of this miserable hole I'm in.
Oh well. I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that unless I do something about it, I'm going to be played like a yo yo until I'm able to snap that damn string. Grrr.
Break, string, BREAK!
Like, given the chance, I'd smash his face in. BUT. When I see him, smashing his face in doesn't seem like the best idea. Or I vow to keep him at arms length, and 2 seconds later I'm cheerily replying a message as if everything is "oooh aah wonderful". And lord knows, I hate him for doing that to me.
But then again, it's not exactly his fault either. If I had enough common sense, I'd keep my distance. Politeness rules, but no more personal level business. Sigh. Easy to say, hard to do. Although, I kinda think given the right situation, I might be able to break out of this miserable hole I'm in.
Oh well. I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that unless I do something about it, I'm going to be played like a yo yo until I'm able to snap that damn string. Grrr.
Break, string, BREAK!
Saturday, March 05, 2005
CMPC, Mt. Singai, Sarawak
It's been a week since I've been in Sarawak. And in that week I've not been able to really put down into words the experiences I had at the Return of the Prodigal Son retreat. I don't think I've even come close to doing it justice, but the following is a day by day account of the retreat.
PS: These entries are all based on my own personal beliefs and experiences. I certainly don't intend to offend anybody :)
PS: These entries are all based on my own personal beliefs and experiences. I certainly don't intend to offend anybody :)
Day 1
Woke up at 5.3o a.m. to find that the super-semangated taxi driver was already there. Speed showered and finished packing, but it was all in vain since Dad and bro were only ready at 7. (Pah, who says girls take longer to get ready than guys. It's a MYTH! Chauvinistic propaganda, I tell you!)
The flight to Kuching was a little hard on the neck. I didn't dare recline the seat because David's legs are so long. And he doesn't take too kindly to being woken up. Especially if he's been running on less than 5 hours sleep.
Had lunch and met up with the group from Johor Bahru, many of them old friends, so it was pretty pleasant. We had to wait about an hour before the transport arrived and all 21 of us were dumped into a fleet of MPVs (almost all manned by the same family).
Came to the foot of Mt. Singai where we joined up with another group from KL and proceeded to trek up the mountain. And oh boy, were we in for an ordeal! (Okay, so I'm exaggerating, but only just a little... really!) From what I've gathered, the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre was about 600 feet up, and basically we had to struggle up some pretty steep stairs while lugging bags that were not even close to being suitable for a "mountain-climbing" trip.
But to be honest, it was all worth it because on the way up, we had to pray the Way of the Cross - and it was the most meaningful one I've ever done. Because in the physical exertion, we could begin to grasp just a little of what Jesus had gone through for our sakes. It also made me vow to make sure I got the most out of the retreat... Only so that I didn't kill my right shoulder for nothing!
The rest of the day was a blur... an ice cold bath, dinner, an introductory talk and bed after (in a long house with 10 rooms... that was cool :P). Went to bed praying that I would be able to get up off the floor the next morning.
The flight to Kuching was a little hard on the neck. I didn't dare recline the seat because David's legs are so long. And he doesn't take too kindly to being woken up. Especially if he's been running on less than 5 hours sleep.
Had lunch and met up with the group from Johor Bahru, many of them old friends, so it was pretty pleasant. We had to wait about an hour before the transport arrived and all 21 of us were dumped into a fleet of MPVs (almost all manned by the same family).
Came to the foot of Mt. Singai where we joined up with another group from KL and proceeded to trek up the mountain. And oh boy, were we in for an ordeal! (Okay, so I'm exaggerating, but only just a little... really!) From what I've gathered, the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre was about 600 feet up, and basically we had to struggle up some pretty steep stairs while lugging bags that were not even close to being suitable for a "mountain-climbing" trip.
But to be honest, it was all worth it because on the way up, we had to pray the Way of the Cross - and it was the most meaningful one I've ever done. Because in the physical exertion, we could begin to grasp just a little of what Jesus had gone through for our sakes. It also made me vow to make sure I got the most out of the retreat... Only so that I didn't kill my right shoulder for nothing!
The rest of the day was a blur... an ice cold bath, dinner, an introductory talk and bed after (in a long house with 10 rooms... that was cool :P). Went to bed praying that I would be able to get up off the floor the next morning.
Day 2
Surprised myself by being the first one up in my room (I'd gone to bed the latest too... weird!). Was even more surprised when I didn't have a single muscle ache. Morning prayers was at 7.10 and it was only after that, at breakfast, that I got to really have a good look at the people at the retreat.
I can't tell you how good it felt to see that David and I weren't the only "below 20s" there as we're accustomed to on retreats like this. There were two primary school kids, 3 school leavers (my age) and 4 in their early 20s. A huge amount, compared to what we're used to :)
We started the first two sessions of the daywith a profile of the Younger Son (the title character). Now, the Prodigal Son is arguably the most well known of all the parables of Jesus and so it was a real revelation of the level of my knowledge when I filled at least 4 pages of my notebook with insights that I'd never thought of in all my years of knowing the story!
But what really hit like the proverbial ton of bricks was when the speaker (Dr. Jeffrey Goh.. he's got a PhD in theology!) asked us to describe the Younger Son, upon which the usual adjectives were thrown about "arrogant.. stubborn.. irresponsible.. disrespectful.. ungrateful.." - only to have him say, "Boy are you good at describing yourselves!"
Ouch! It hurt, but it was true, true, TRUE! Replace the old father with God, and the boy with ourselves and poof! You get a story that is playing out in real life, right now, with exactly the same attitudes thrown in the mix. Who says Bible stories are outdated?
The afternoon saw Archbishop John Ha speak on the Elder Son (the guy who was pissed that his father threw a party for his wayward brother instead of, say, grounding him... at the very least). Once again, the down to earth descriptions of this character became painful to listen to - mainly because I could see myself in both the boys.. and it really wasn't a pretty picture.
All in all, it was a day for some real soul-searching and it wasn't easy. By the time night came, I was exhausted... more in my mind than physically. There were confessions, but in the state of mind I was in, I doubt I would have gone if it hadn't been for two really good friends (Mark and Patrick).
I say really good not because I know them awfully well, but because they are the kind of Christian friends that are beyond difficult to find... The kind that encourage you, and you know for certain that their hearts are in the right place.
I can't tell you how good it felt to see that David and I weren't the only "below 20s" there as we're accustomed to on retreats like this. There were two primary school kids, 3 school leavers (my age) and 4 in their early 20s. A huge amount, compared to what we're used to :)
We started the first two sessions of the daywith a profile of the Younger Son (the title character). Now, the Prodigal Son is arguably the most well known of all the parables of Jesus and so it was a real revelation of the level of my knowledge when I filled at least 4 pages of my notebook with insights that I'd never thought of in all my years of knowing the story!
But what really hit like the proverbial ton of bricks was when the speaker (Dr. Jeffrey Goh.. he's got a PhD in theology!) asked us to describe the Younger Son, upon which the usual adjectives were thrown about "arrogant.. stubborn.. irresponsible.. disrespectful.. ungrateful.." - only to have him say, "Boy are you good at describing yourselves!"
Ouch! It hurt, but it was true, true, TRUE! Replace the old father with God, and the boy with ourselves and poof! You get a story that is playing out in real life, right now, with exactly the same attitudes thrown in the mix. Who says Bible stories are outdated?
The afternoon saw Archbishop John Ha speak on the Elder Son (the guy who was pissed that his father threw a party for his wayward brother instead of, say, grounding him... at the very least). Once again, the down to earth descriptions of this character became painful to listen to - mainly because I could see myself in both the boys.. and it really wasn't a pretty picture.
All in all, it was a day for some real soul-searching and it wasn't easy. By the time night came, I was exhausted... more in my mind than physically. There were confessions, but in the state of mind I was in, I doubt I would have gone if it hadn't been for two really good friends (Mark and Patrick).
I say really good not because I know them awfully well, but because they are the kind of Christian friends that are beyond difficult to find... The kind that encourage you, and you know for certain that their hearts are in the right place.
Day 3
We began the morning with Mass and sessions on the Father, the 3rd and final character in the story. How do I describe what I felt throughout that morning? It's close to being impossible! I guess what people say is true - the more you begin to realize how much God really does love you, the more inadequate and unworthy you feel.
The afternoon was the Veneration of the Cross and boy, did I bawl my eyes out! (Don't ask why, but looking at the crucifix after you hear of how unwavering God's love is is a recipe for grief. Seriously, you should try it sometime). No one had less of a reason to die than Jesus did. And in the most degrading way at that.
But for some reason I have yet to fathom (if you can truly grasp how the kind of love it must take for someone to that, let me know) he thought we were worth all that he went through. And I don't know what else to say, except that it was profoundly humbling.
After a round of group photos and lunch (during which I got to speak to a group of young Sarawakian native boys.. pity I hadn't spoken to them earlier... they were mighty friendly), we started down. Going down was a lot easier than going up. Mainly because the bag I carried down probably didn't weigh half as much as my bag (the one I carried up... that was 9 kg, as I later found out at the airport... no wonder my shoulder nearly died!).
I guess for a lot of reasons the trip was one I'll never forget. The CMPC was a beautiful place, and given the chance, I would have stayed up there longer. But underneath it all, I guess you could say I've never had so much fantastic input since 2002. And as every day, down to earth kind of teachings go, it was unprecedented.
I just hope I can keep my focus this time around. It isn't easy to do, but nothing is. If it taught me anything, at the very least, it taught me that much.
The afternoon was the Veneration of the Cross and boy, did I bawl my eyes out! (Don't ask why, but looking at the crucifix after you hear of how unwavering God's love is is a recipe for grief. Seriously, you should try it sometime). No one had less of a reason to die than Jesus did. And in the most degrading way at that.
But for some reason I have yet to fathom (if you can truly grasp how the kind of love it must take for someone to that, let me know) he thought we were worth all that he went through. And I don't know what else to say, except that it was profoundly humbling.
After a round of group photos and lunch (during which I got to speak to a group of young Sarawakian native boys.. pity I hadn't spoken to them earlier... they were mighty friendly), we started down. Going down was a lot easier than going up. Mainly because the bag I carried down probably didn't weigh half as much as my bag (the one I carried up... that was 9 kg, as I later found out at the airport... no wonder my shoulder nearly died!).
I guess for a lot of reasons the trip was one I'll never forget. The CMPC was a beautiful place, and given the chance, I would have stayed up there longer. But underneath it all, I guess you could say I've never had so much fantastic input since 2002. And as every day, down to earth kind of teachings go, it was unprecedented.
I just hope I can keep my focus this time around. It isn't easy to do, but nothing is. If it taught me anything, at the very least, it taught me that much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
