The Convenience Store I Used to Have

Hmm...i do miss home.
I miss it especially when everything was so convenient. Like if i needed scotchtape or rubber bands, I'd just have to walk to the kitchen where there was a plenty.
Or if there was something for example printing paper that was running out, i'd just have to scream out to my mom, and she'll go get some. And when i need it the next time, ah hah, i have the whole stack to use to my heart's content.

it really is different here.
cause there's no one i can scream out too, or bug to pass me some tissue or simply, have everything at my doorstep.

just this afternoon, I realised that the marker I had used for my whiteboard was permanent. yikes! and thought I could get rid of the ink easily with water.
but not.
well, back home, I have this thinner-like liquid that can remove such permanent inks. and it was really weird. cause the moment i couldn't get rid of the ink, i thought about opening the cupboard in the kitchen to look for some alcohol stuff. Even had this feeling to borrow some beer or wine.

AND THEN I USED THE MAGIC OF PERFUME.

kind of a lifesaver. haha

so now the whiteboard smells uhmm....nice.

The Weather Reports

Its getting slightly warmer here in Melbourne. Doesn't get so freezing cold anymore. And there haven't been showers of late (not like i'm hoping for anyway).
But yup, its something like 12-15 deg now. And the flowers are starting to bloom in the backyard!
No need for layers and layers and layers of clothes, and now I seldom turn on the heater unless it gets very cold.

YAY!

Where It is Always Warm

I have a place of worship here, and i've been doing great so far.

The brethren at Eastside Church of Christ are very welcoming, and I want to extend my gratitude to Uncle Han and family especially, for their hospitality and kindness.

The numbers that meet at Livingstone Primary School in Vermont South are small, but they are scriptually sound, and give you the same kind of warmth wherever you are, in the Lord's Church.

Here are some photos i took today. There are more here.

From left: Reuben, Wenliang, Steven, Daniel, Jon, Me, Raymond, Grace
(Youth mostly maid up of Msians and 1 proud Singaporean)

Olivia and I. Heee.....

ATM

I find it really amusing how the ATM deposit service works here in Aus.
Well, the same random stuff you click and enter to enable the 'deposit' service.

But what's really interesting is how the ATM will spit out an envelope for you to put in your notes of any denomination. And then this 'hole' will open in the machine, and you drop the envelope in.

You might then ask how the money gets into your account. Heh, it takes 1 working day to process it, when at the end of the day after the bank closes, people from the bank will come and collect the envelopes, bring it back to the main branch, count the money, and then you'll get your money credited to your account.

So if you deposit your money today, you'll only get it on Monday.

See, I do miss Singapore okay. Just drop your cash into the cash deposit machine, and it gets credited immediately.

Not like some dubious-looking ATM here.

Because its easier to use a card

Praise You

I was sure by now,
that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away.
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say "Amen!", and it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
and takes away.

I'll praise You in this storm,
and I will lift my hands.
For You are who You are
no matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried,
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind,
You heard my cry,

You raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone
how can I carry on -
If I can't find You.

I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord -
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

And I rest my head,
say my pray'r,

and go to sleep.

Cause I know You're with me.

I Can't Feel...

It's so cold. I can't feel my feet, my fingers, and right now....I can't feel my ears. Temperature now is 6 degrees! And it was hailing just awhile ago. The feeling is like you're under a HUGE ice kachang machine and then the ice is just shaved all over you. Yikes.

School bag is wet. Shoes and socks are soaked. Clothing is all damp. And the umbrella....WASTED. Now i'm not totally surprised why the people here don't use brollies, instead walk through the rain with their hooded jackets.

Ayee...school has started, and I've got a lot to catch up.

Laters!

Five, Six, Seven...

When I left Singapore last Saturday, there was abit of excitement, more of apprehension. I mean i've never lived apart from mom and dad, ben and just, and all my friends. Never been to Australia, and could never imagine what having to do everything by myself felt like.

So when I had to give up the days of sleeping in, and just bumming around during my short 3 month post-graduation break, I somehow felt kind of disheartened. Back to books, back to research, projects, assignments, and just more use-your-brain work.

The 2 days before I left for Australia, I was busy throwing clothes at my mom, shoving toothpaste, hair conditioner, facial foam and the what-nots into zip lock bags, and wandering around my bedroom.
I wasn't exactly completely ready to go. Well, not emotionally. Though I had practically brought along 9/10th of my room with me, what I really needed the most were the people.
The people who really meant the most.

So to ALL you people back home. HELLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

G'Day

Hey everyone! I'm here in Melbourne, and things have been going just fine. School starts next week, and i'm basically just settling in for the moment. Been to the city for quite abit. And its nothing like Singapore. Well, I miss Singapore actually. Cause if you want shopping and good food, you can go to MANY places (like orchard road, then to bugis, then to the heartlands like toa payoh, and then back home where the heart is). But here, everything's just in once place - The City.

Anyhow, these are just some pics I have taken the past week. There's more here.

Platforms at Flinders Street Station

St. Paul's Cathedral

Outside the State Library

Inside Train; terminating at Belgrave