Hurricane Venus

Anhyeong everyone!


I'm all scrubbed and clean, sitting on my bed on the last night pearlyn and I will be in the guesthouse having a Kpop faceoff. 


It's time for a full recap of activities and observations. Korea days 0-3


Day 0


Flew from Singapore at 7.40am and arrived in bangkok, flew off to Hong Kong at 10.40am (BKK time) and then from HK to Incheon at 3.15pm. 


Arrived at 8.40pm and waited for baggage. Small balagan- my immigrations slip slipped out at immigrations so I had to go and fill another out.


Cleared my baggage really quickly. My buddy was super sweet. Jeong Eun, a physics major, came to get me at the airport and for a second I felt I had my own fan club. LOL.


She had written my name on a placard with "SOGANG UNIVERSITY- WELCOME TO KOREA" and stood there looking worried about me not showing up. She's awfully funny. She's also taking classes under CL's dad in Sogang. 


Took an hour's bus ride from Incheon to Hongdae and then a cab to the guesthouse. 


Met the whole crew at the guesthouse and settled in quickly.


Day 1


skype video call by jeremy in hk.


Found our own way to Sinchon station to meet Rachel and Chloe. hee hee. Chloe flew down the stairs to hug me. I was super happy to see her also. =)))) Had lunch in Sinchon and visited our campus for the first time. Rachel took us around Ee dae, near the women's university. Bought my first thing ever in Korea- Chloe's flat sandals. hahahaha! The crazy one came to meet us in heels.=_="


Headed to Hongdae after that to explore and came round to Japanese dinner of Charashi Don and udon soup, without the udon- just the soup. It keeps people warm on a rainy day.


And we've been getting loads of rain here. Wandered back to the guesthouse and got lost for a bit before bumping into another taiwanese couple staying at the same guesthouse. 


I think the wonderful thing about my trip so far has been the people I've met while staying in the guesthouse. It's honestly been a bit of a stretch for me about mingling after my "switch off hours"; which is after a long day out and I did not have my hot shower yet. But I love it. =) our exchange of stories, jokes and experiences has been priceless to me. =)


Became quite close to the canadian, irish, french and swedish guys and the other swedish girl Fanny plus Suji the korean girl on holiday from Gwangju. =)


Love the mixture and melting of cultures. =P


Day 2- 


Morning emo call by kenny wong wei han from paris. haha.


Pearlyn and I had to meet Fanny and Jeffrey (the Canadian guy) in the afternoon at 1.30pm to meet Chloe at 2pm at Hapjeong for our cellphones. 


So we wandered out for ourselves for the first time since we got to Korea and learnt how to get to Samseong (about 14 stops away from Hongik) where we walked into a ulu corner and had brunch. The lady told us we looked korean and that sent pearlyn over the moon. She also proceeded to tell us we were pretty and filled up my water bottle for me. LOL. 


By the time we checked the watch, it was 12.30 and time to head back to the guesthouse to bring out the rest. Ended up running back there. =) Got to hapjeong station at 2.15. Chloe turned up and I GOT MY KOREAN LINE! woot! Got a free charger and battery as well. =) 


We then headed off to Gwanghwamun (chloe, jeffrey, pearl and I) where we visited one of the best museums I have ever been to in my life. =) we did calligraphy and an arcade game, tried rowing an ancient boat and had a lot of fun.


A short walk from there to the actual restored gwanghwamun gate and through a photography exhibition was really interesting and educational. had dinner (bibimbap for me) We then headed to the cheonggyecheon stream (FAVOURITED IT ALREADY) and played around with the street pictures + the actual stream. 


We then headed back on our own to Hongik Station, saying goodbye to Chloe and had a good time eating the remaining Custard Buns in the shape of corn cobs. hahaha. it so funny watching jeffrey spazz out over them. We returned and fed the rest of our guesthouse mates. ^^ 


Skype date with Lyddie and mummy. <3 I love and miss you all very much. 


Day 3


Skype video call by jeremy in HK. LOL. eh. you're becoming good friends with pearlyn at this rate.


Pearlyn and I did laundry and met the new girls from Greece. 


Headed out to Dongdaemun on our own to meet up with Rachel and met Dominic (another SMU student) , had lunch.Wandered around in the pouring rain in Dongdaemun and wandered into the shoes market where pearlyn and I decided not to suffer through puddles anymore and bought rain boots. =) The guy was nice to us and helped us find out what korea shoe size we were. My boots cost me Singapore $13. =) hee hee. 


Headed to the stationery and toy market after that. Bought a $5 wallet that had a map on it. lol. THERE WERE SUPER CUTE PUPPIES BEING SOLD IN A CARDBOARD BOX! *ahhhhh!!!*


Had dinner at a korean chinese restaurant, where I tried jyang jyang myun. =) VERY GOOD MEAL! *rachel agrees* 


Accompanied rachel back to sinchon to walk around ee dae and then to check out her apartment.


back to hongik on our own to pack up for the big move tomorrow! =) dried our clothes with a hairdryer and charged everything. Ready to go!


Some reflections:


1.Seoul is really a cross between tel aviv and taiwan; and it's very dirty and polluted. I really enjoy my showers here. 
2. The summers here are crazy. Could not imagine any place MORE humid than Singapore. Just found it. I keep thinking of a shower whilst running around Seoul.
3. The people here are not ALL skinny and thin as previously assumed. They are however, more conscious of dressing well and looking after their skin. Sooo pale over here.  I'm considered "burnt" by their standards. LOL.
4. Subways are a way of life; everything is organised around them. I know why their legs are so skinny now; I think I'll lose weight getting from one destination to another in Seoul. hahaha. 
5. There is food EVERYWHERE (it's asia). And it ranges from 1000W to 7000W for a decent meal here. (Singapore $2-$9)
6. Cost of living here is really high.
7. Dongdaemun doesn't have the cheapest stuff. School districts like Sinchon and Hongdae have more affordably priced items which are in fashion. (validated. compared it today)
8. Consumerism is rife here. It's super scary. Brands and image mean everything.


It's the COMPANY that matters, not the place. No matter where you are, ever. =) And I need to spend more time with God.

Where You Go, I Go- Korea

Have you ever noticed that it is a cross that leads a pilot to guide his plane smoothly to land?


Heading out in a bit, but I'll update about this soon.


Updates on facebook! =)

Bless my homeland forever..

TOO FAST!!!

seriously.


I need things to slow down a little. TOKI WO TOMETE!!! (PLEASE STOP TIME!)


My heart needs time to adjust to so many goodbyes. 


But the good news is: I'm cleared to fly- full name and excess baggage allowance fixed! =P


Just that I wish I had more time to spend with all of you now... 

CONGRATULATIONS HAYDEN AND BRITTANY!!!!

An amazing (young; born in 1991) couple we met in Florida in 2008 are finally engaged! 

lyddie and I were gushing about how fantastic this piece of news really is. =)

And the way he did it was soooo sweet!!!! (GOOD JOB HAYDEN!!!!) 

It takes me back to the R.O.C's stellar record of marrying its young 'uns before 21. hahahaha.

Pastor Rick and Myra must be so proud. 

TOO CUTE!!!! 

God is really upheld in their lives- amazing story. refer to (hayden's blog) for more details. 

But this series of photographs should say it all. CONGRATULATIONS HAYDEN AND BRITTANY! God Bless and Keep You both!!!

  

 

 

 

Leaving on a jet plane

Leaving on a jetplane

this song that ely, tim and i heard while walking back to the car at timbre made me super emo...

wish i had a little bit more time to spend with every single one of you. =(

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Last days

I was struck by the fact that time has indeed flown by.

I sent the handover and goodbye emails today and got a series of funny responses from the people i work with. When you set out to make a difference, the outcomes are truly different.

I noticed the changes today. It's amazing how people recognise that you tried your best and that your work impacted the organisation.

The last 3 months at unilever have been awesome. I pushed myself hard and got results I never thought I would see.

Tomorrow is the last Tuesday. And then I fly.

Thank You Lord, this year has been amazing!

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I finally got a new phone!!! =)

And I'm grateful. ^_^

Tough Times...

means bowing our knees in prayer. 


I walked back into the house after a good evening and into a "crisis" situation of sorts.


Which meant one thing- the family was gathered to pray once again. 


"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done" Psalm 145: 4


You will preserve us O Lord and You alone will lead us through the fire again.


Jehovah Jireh, You are our provider.


You are MORE THAN ENOUGH for me.

Psalm 121 (King James Version)

Psalm 121

 ¹I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
 ²My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
 ³He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
 ⁴Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
 ⁵The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
 ⁶The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
 ⁷The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
 ⁸The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

super early wake up call

By wong wei han. =_="

I'm just happy. =) I got my healing tonight.

So much is going on around me. So much still left to do. So many people I still need to meet. So many thoughts flitting around.

But guess what?

I'm just happy. And content. Summer 2010 has been the best summer yet. ^_^

And I have 2 more weekends to enjoy it with the people I love; before I leave and separate from them for 4 months. 

Thank You, God. You've given me irreplaceable gifts. =)

p.s: did I say I love the piano? the sounds of a piano always make me happy. The piano, the flute, the violin and most recently, the harp. 

lai la tov! =) 

You're never alone, you know?

Your heart will lead you home- Tigger Movie  =)

I decided to dedicate this song to Sher Sher and Wong Wei Han. =) 

Running through my head:

Trying to get to sleep with a stuffy nose and higher than normal body temperature is not as easy as it seems. LOL. But I will get there eventually. 

Time off to think has resulted in very interesting thought bubbles. 

Someone once asked me what love was to me. (I believe it was you, wwh)

I remember I always answer with 1 Corinthians 13. =) and yes after thinking about it, I still stand with my answer. 

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I find it interesting as to why it has to start off with "love is patient". More often than not, patience is the true indicator as to whether a relationship or a friendship will work out. I know that friendships that I've had for more than 7 years (GASP! so long already?) i.e. 10-14 year friendships were the result of patiently waiting for each other, tolerating long periods of absences (i.e. sheryl baey... ^^) and well, looking at a person's season. (the "IN" word now because of you, koh yu ren)

I can honestly say that it SEEMED as though my first relationship was right. It FELT right for a period of time. But guess what? The patience required to work it through was not there. And when we walk with God, we realise these matters quicker than you can say "SEASON". 

But I'm glad for that experience. I think it taught me a lot about the character of God. He'll let you do it, to discover for yourself that what He said previously was right. LOL. It taught me a lot about my reactions to situations and circumstances too. And I realise that I became more guarded about everything after that first relationship. The ability to let myself just be myself in the presence of someone I admired/ liked became exceedingly difficult. But that was what 3 years of time and distance apart did to me, and also to him. Which totally did not keep with "Love always trusts"; and resulted in the eventual drifting apart.

Someone once told me, many moons back that "we're meant to be together, NOW". I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So, if we're meant to be together NOW, it meant that in the future we weren't? LOL. The sad thing was, I kinda liked him back a little and almost deluded myself into thinking through it. =) thank God for sisters and friends who care. 

Life experiences with relationships taught me a lot about myself. Very importantly, it made me realise what I most definitely DID NOT want in a relationship. And the first thing I knew I didn't want was a relationship where two people are so awkward with each other, almost as if there were barriers that were erected along the way that was a result of unspoken words and thoughts and feelings. Most of the time though, it was my fault, cause I put them there first to protect myself from being hurt (again).

When I was praying with Tim this week, we talked about lessons we're learning from our parents; one of them was the fact that "Love keeps no record of wrongs". The ability to forgive, and to continuously do it by examining our hearts is very important to help heal and bridge gaps. We've learnt that old, unresolved wounds fester and bleed into the future. It's better to resolve something upfront in the present rather than keep it quiet/ sweep it under a rug and ignore it. 

I've also realised that another aspect of love is that fact is that it is not "easily angered". I realised that, just as the bible says, my tongue needs to be bridled.  It is a dangerous weapon- both in the good and bad sense. Used with the wrong intentions or context and it can kill or destroy. Used right and it can protect and defend love. It is interesting as to how people can so easily forget this in relationships. After the "honeymoon" period, a lot of couples I know used this weapon in the former rather than latter way. 

I realise that I'm still learning. =P 

And that having friends who tell you things like "you need friends who pray seriously and earnestly about the relationships in your life. I pray for you about this!" (thank you ellie!) really helps. Ellie also taught me something interesting; what her cell leader said to her about relationships. "The girl's role is always to wait and pray, she has to be diligent in doing her tasks until the right time and right person comes into her life. The guy's role is to learn to take up the courage to ask when he's done all his cross checking with God and his community. If both parties only wait, nothing happens. In the same way, if both parties chiong, that's when a trail of broken hearts are left behind". 


There is a form of mutual understanding between God and me and my community. =) Which I like. Godly Counsel will confirm if it is indeed my season for the various things in my life. And I've always checked. Mummy and Daddy have been 99.5% accurate most of the time about friends, my life (and also about relationships). So thank you! (Fluffy and pretz too. =S)

In a separate issue, lately I've been feeling that the season of drought in my life is over. I have begun to feel the fresh rain of the Holy Spirit once again. This restoration is beyond what I've ever experienced in times past. It's been happening to me on three levels; physically, financially and emotionally. 

But *note to self*, knowing when to flower in Spring is important too. (Or season a chicken. Or when to drink Seasons Ice Tea. Or when the season parking expires. hahahaha.) being in the right place at the wrong time is still wrong. LOL.

I need to sleep. I need to get well quick. I need a spa day. I need a massage. And I most definitely need You, Jesus. More than the air that I breathe. You are my first love. 

Teach me how to love like You. =)

Dream A Little Dream of Me

Need I say more? 

A picture paints a thousand words. hee hee.

I'll always remember singing and harmonising with you under the stars with this song:

Stars shining bright above you. 

Night breezes seem to whisper, 'I love you,' 

Birds singing in the sycamore tree. 

Dream a little dream of me. 

Say nighty-night and kiss me. 

Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me. 

While I'm alone and blue as can be, 

Dream a little dream of me. 

Stars fading, but I linger on, dear, 

Still craving your kiss. 

I'm longing to linger 'till dawn, dear, 

Just saying this: 

Sweet dreams 'till sunbeams find you, 

Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you. 

But in your dreams, whatever they be. 

Dream a little dream of me.