The morning

I like the morning very much. Waking up may be a little tough when I am wholly wrapped up, snug n cozy, but when I am up and about, I like the feeling of freshness, n the thought that a whole new day awaits me... in my mind, I will plan what I need to do, whether I will walk down to the station or take a bus, whether I should make my own lunch or buy bento from 7-11... I'll think of many many things. I would think of the night before, the things that happened the day before... n I'd also pray for my loved ones and friends in Singapore.. n also of the students in BNSS taking their O levels!

I like to reach school early. I remember that in BNSS, i would usually be in by about 645 in the morning. Here, I reach before 8am (I have to be in by 830). I like to come in early, have a cuppa and a sandwich, sit down at my desk and think about my lesson plans once again and plan my day. I dun like to rush in and feel harried. I also like to feel the atmosphere around me getting livelier as people come in and exchange their morning greetings, ready to start their day. There is life in the place and I like this energy.

Before the day begins, I also like to sit in front of the computer and check my emails. I never really had the time to enjoy reading the daily devotions from Xiaowei in the past but now, I read every one and have been blessed by them. In the morning, I also like to read personal emails, especially those from Wanli. Ahha.. her gargantuan emails... her umazaki, tornado, titanic ones are so funny and interesting to read. I also think of Yanlin a lot.

I like Saturday mornings the best cos I dun have to report to work, and I can do some housework and catch the news in the morning with my breakfast. How often do you catch the morning news? The last time I did was when I was hospitalised for pneumonia! That was Jaunuary 2005! The sun rises at about 530 here and when I wake up at 7, it's usually very sunny and bright. The feeling is really really nice. I will do laundry and I always pray that the weekends will be sunny. It has been so far. I will sun my blankets and my pillows, n then when the laundry is churning in the washing machine, I'll make breakfast... simple fare (usually just coffee and a sandwich or biscuits). Once I had Maggi Mee (Curry flavour) though. :)

Sunday mornings are great too because I go to church! Whahhaha... I reach Kakogawa station 45 minutes early before the church bus comes and I'd go to a cafe, order a cuppa and sit down to read my Bible. Nice nice nice nice nice... :)


MAGNIFICENT
WHO COMPARES TO YOU
WHO SET THE STARS IN THEIR PLACE
YOU WHO CALM THE RAGING SEAS
THAT CAME CRASHING OVER ME

WHO COMPARES TO YOU
YOU WHO BRING THE MORNING LIGHT
THE HOPE OF ALL THE EARTH
IS REST ASSURED IN YOUR GREAT LOVE

YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT
ETERNALLY WONDERFUL GLORIOUS
JE - SUS
NO ONE EVER WILL COMPARE
TO YOU JESUS

WHEN THE EVENING FADES
YOU CALL FORTH SONGS OF JOY
AS THE MORNING WAKES
WE YOUR CHILDREN GIVE YOU PRAISE

My Lord is my shelter and strength

Today, I woke up feeling a bit down, maybe even sad. But it’s ok, isn’t it? All of us can’t escape from going through valleys in our life. That’s a guarantee. But valleys don’t keep going down. There will come a point when I go up again.

Guess there are a few main reasons why I feel this way. Maybe my expectations weren’t met. I suddenly remember this saying. If you expect nothing, you will receive nothing and then you won’t be disappointed. Have you heard that before? I don’t believe in that. I really want to expect great things to happen, and have the hope and faith that they will happen.

Maybe it’s the weather. It’s been getting colder. Sometimes, I wake up in the night shuddering. Last night, I woke up at 4plus to use the toilet. Yet, I guess the weather doesn’t condition itself to suit me. I have to adapt to it.. n that I will. Actually, though I am apprehensive, I am also excited, cos I haven’t encountered cold weather, and it will be really exciting and an eye-opener to me.

Actually, I know that deep inside me, though I may feel down some days, I have a certain strength that doesn’t come from me. It is a strength that only God can give, a strength that gives me the confidence and assurance that all will be well. How do I know? I know because I know.

N so, I am going to meditate on God’s Word. I am a conqueror in Christ Jesus.

Service in the Sun

Last weekend was the annual church 秋ぱれ (akipare)！I think it means something like a perfect autumn day. :D N it was. The sun was out, and we had service, praise and worship in the hills. Well, first time I took part in anything like this and though it was hard work getting everything ready, it was great fun and I got to know everyone much better.

Reached the church on Saturday evening to help out and stayed overnight with the girls. This year, they have been tasked to take care of the decorations and we blew dunno-how-may balloons. I've never blown so many balloons in my entire life before. The girls told me if I blow 50 balloons in a day, I will have great flat abs! haha.. so i tried my best lar.. but i dun think I have 6-pacs... maybe just 1 big round one.

Staying overnight with them was great fun too. Of course, I din get to sleep much. Studied with Yuriko n Chi till 3 plus, n got up at 6 to get ready. It was very good fellowship. I got to know the girls much better, n they are really hot on fire man! :D We prayed and had devotions together. Really really nice. :)

The entrance to the stage

The P&W team

During P&W

In the afternoon, the sports meet began. Well, it was really interesting, cos I haven't seen anything like this before. Sports Day in my school and in church are pretty similar. They are not competitive. Rather, the purpose of sports day is to cultivate team-spirit and togetherness. People cheer their hearts out and there are various interesting relays and whoever wants to take part can.




Well, the leaders of the church are dressed up as fairy-tale characters by their group members. The most beautiful princess, dressed up the fastest, will win this round! It was hilarious. I was one of the make-up artists of Cinderella, who unfortunatley refused to appear on this blog because of yet another uploading-picture glitch. Hrrruuuumph. And Cinderella won worrrr.

The sports meet took place all afternoon, and when the day ended, everyone got down to working, helping with the cleaning and transporting of all the various pieces of equipment back to church. It was definitely tiring, but at the end of it all, we had a great surprise. The pastor gave the workers and helpers a yummy pizza treat!

Praise the Lord for a successful　秋ぱれ！

Tokyo Travels

Had a really wonderful time in Tokyo cos I met up with my host-stay family. I have not seen them for 5 loooooooooooooonnnnng years and it was wonderful to see them again. Mi very happy to meet them really.

N i went there and came back in a night bus. It was comfy and good enough, n i had a blanket, a pillow, slippers, n even coffee and tea in the bus. Very good and cheaper than travelling by the Shinkansen. I could sleep a little and at the same time, listen to my SONY mp3s and sermons. It was actually great!

Ok, so i din really do much in Tokyo. Met up with Lin Wei, a Eusoff friend, n then went to meet お母さん and お父さん。Went to Kawagoe, visited an old town from the Edo period, where the architecture is still preserved in some parts and bought Red Beans souvenirs for my neighbour and colleagues here. The red beans are really very very yummy!!!! No wonder they are a delicacy. :D

An old town in Kawagoe. It's a quaint little place that's bustling with life. Lots of tourists and visitors.

A shop selling ice-lollies. Looks like a movie setting perfect for those wu xia xiao shuo.

Otousan and Me

Mi posing during dinner

A sumptuous spread

Choco and me! I love Choco. He is trying to kiss me. keke. He is a wonderful dog and very very intelligent too. Well, there are 2 cats and 1 dog in the house. They can cause quite a din sometimes. :D