http://ntu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89&l=06ed1&id=227800168

The link above leads to the photos taken during the field trip.

I'm so sleepy and completely full. Hahaha. I'm a big fat pig. Gained back all the weight I lost, I guess Bangkok and snacking in school really helped.
The field trip was a pretty mild trek up Bukit Timah hill, look at the pics to know what we were up to. Pictures can speak a thousand words. Saw things from the plant biologist's viewpoint and suddenly the nature reserve doesn't seem so boring anymore, if only my prof could speak louder. He's really soft spoken. Though he talked quite alot, I could only catch snatches of what he was saying. Kinda wasted.
Candice, Jac and I rewarded ourselves by going for a heavy lunch after the trek at Waffletown. Luuurve the waffles man, fresh waffles and whipped cream, so sinful. Guess I was half-asleep throughout the whole thing. Still got tutes to complete for tomorrow... *yawn*
Oh yea, I guess the fact that it's raining now after lunch isn't helping very much. Haha.

Feelings ain't enough, but God is.

Won't deny that I've been hurt, angry, sad and bitter. I'm just not very nice to be with when I feel this way. It's like as if I'm PMSing permanently. I've been asked for how long can I stay this way? I don't know how long, but what else is there for me to do? It's a lousy feeling.
Which brings to the point, why am I not applying anything that I've learnt from the Bible now???? Is there anyway I can see things from a whole new perspective? Well, only if I stop being angry and choose to see things from God's viewpoint. I can choose to believe that I am not ______ enough, I can choose to blame myself... (Which is all I have been doing.)I want to stop being bitter, but I don't know how to. Which in the meantime, I hope I won't do anything that I'll regret doing or saying later. Praying is all I can do now.

Depressing matters aside, school's been crazy.. Insufficient sleep for me. Not productive. Just doing tutes alone is all I can manage to do, which means I haven't been doing my readings. Bought the textbooks for decorative purposes.
Sorry dear readers, I still sound depressing right? Haha. I promise to be less depressing. Read on!

Going to Bukit Timah Hill for my lab.. Hmm.. This sounds fun though. Pick leaves up? Dear God, please let it not rain, k? Heh, university students going on a field trip to Bukit Timah. Haha. Looking forward to lunch after lab though, good food galore round the area. I'm glad that I have equally yau qwee friends Hahaha.

Tired.

You know when you are really tired when you don't want to do anything anymore. You feel disconnected from everyone and you try so hard to stay connected. You are there, yet you are not. Slowly, people realise that you are not there at all and all they have is an empty shell that pretends to be you.
I'm sorry for being this way. I'm sorry if I let anyone down. I'd really love to be enthusiastic and chirpy, but at the moment I'm weighed down. I'd really love to share your burden, but I can't focus very well.
It seems like a crime to infect people with sadness. Which is why I feel really bad that I carry my burden everywhere, the atmosphere becomes gloomy with whoever I'm with. I really try to lighten up, but I'm too upset to stay bubbly for long. If I haven't been too gloomy around you that's good, but my fuel is running low.
I need joy. I need laughter. I need love. I need rest. I need peace. I need a way out. I need acceptance. I need to stop blaming myself. I need God.

Another day has come and gone away.

Went to extract the 2nd tooth today, mouth is literally in a bloody mess again. Wondering why the bleeding hasn't stopped? Didn't catch a nap the last time and it stopped even faster. Thought napping and keeping still will help it to clot faster. Woke up with a patch of blood on my pillow. Eeeew. Thinking back, I was much more drama about the 1st tooth, for well, being the 1st tooth I guess. Didn't talk much about being scared this time either, perhaps I had too much on my mind to worry about it. Also partly, there isn't really anyone to whine to anymore who will bother give me the extra attention. :p I'm whiny. Haha. Things are so different now. Don't know why things turned out this way and I wish they didn't. Still coming to terms things that have happened lately, inexplicably a little moody, etc.. It's rather interesting to know that I still feel the same way towards him, not very unexpected though. Seems so complicatedly simple. I've already taken my own stand, will keep to it and not compromise for something less. It was a mistake to accept, knowing that things weren't exactly that simple, being all too eager to take a shortcut and ended up unhappy, making things worse. It's rather tempting to take something hard and bonk it over my head. Ok, shall stop playing the blame game. Not talking about something more, but fundamental communication, there are some issues that need to be worked out not just discussed. At the moment, doubt anyone is really up to it. Things happen, leave them and communication breaks down, feel like I'm worlds apart, because of whatever that has happened.

Other than that.. I've got 3 tutes due tomorrow and have yet to do even 1!!! How dead am I?? Hmm.. You can't blame me actually, I only had the lectures yesterday and I spent the whole of yesterday evening trying to match my subjects for the next semester in Georgia. Which I miserably failed at doing. Ended up writing emails to the profs over there. Hope they'll reply. If not I'm seriously in a fix. There is a serious lack of time. The girl's gotta rest also.

Yesterday was nothing short of a series of unfortunate events, my shirt tore and my birks snapped consecutively... Thank God nothing went wrong with my skirt. Though it almost got stained...

Mummy and I

You probably think I'm mad for blogging this. But, out of some kind of odd inspiration, I just wanna say I really love my Mum. Though she's not the most understanding person on Earth and always tells me to do something about my face, I know she really cares about me. She's always there when I need her.(well provided she can answer) She lets me fall down on my own and yet is there to pick me up when I need it. Cheers Mummy, though I highly doubt you even know about the existence of my blog. Haha.

Mummy and me
(probably look like that in 30 plus years...)

Metanoia

Metanoia
The following excerpts from Father Paul's Homilies explores the many subtleties of this Greek word. Metanoia, a Greek word meaning a change of mind. A radical revision and transformation of our whole mental process. That change of mind is something whereby God takes center place in our consciousness, in our awareness, and in our minds. Metanoia means a new mind. About what? About who we are. ...If tonight you're hearing with your heart, it's time for metanoia. It's time for a new mind about yourself and about life. Metanoia is the idea of the need for conversion. And this is then recognizing that we don't know, truthfully don't know, God and truthfully don't feel ourselves as God intends us to. We really need metanoia, which is allowing the grace of God to enter into our lives and teach us how to see ourselves and how to come to the true self. When the authors wrote in Greek about what Jesus really said, they all agree that he preached metanoia. ...one idea is conversion or transformation. Change of heart and, literally, change of mind. "The kingdom of God is at hand," he says, meaning it's at arm's length. But in order for you to grasp it, you have to be able to undergo something like this: a conversion and transformation and change of heart and mind Metanoia is a new-minded way of looking at life. And, in the broader sense, contrition involves a change of mind. And that is really what is meant by the Greek word, "metanoia," whereby we start thinking anew about everything. So to bring our thoughts into a godly, godlike form, that's part of contrition; that's part of metanoia. So I need to really find out what God really is and who God is and what God wants for me. He preached the need for conversion. Now conversion in Greek is "metanioa." And what is "metanoia"? Unfortunately, in English there's not one word that translates it very well. We could say repentance, but that doesn't catch the meaning of "metanoia." "Metanoia" literally means "beyond the mind." So it's an idea of stretching or pushing beyond the boundaries with which we normally think and feel. Now when we push beyond the boundaries what we are doing is we are allowing God really to take an active role in our formation. Repentance, metanoia in Greek, really refers to a complete change in perspective, a change in goal, a change in life itself, really! It means new mindedness, new change of mind and change of heart in the Hebrew sense of heart---how you think. And that means letting go of rigidities because God has to teach us all new about God. And what we have to learn basically is how trustworthy God is, and how in every single situation, no matter what it is, no matter how painful, God is to be trusted. God is always present. So God is always inviting us into more life, and so to be questioning our own ways and our own habits is a good thing--and letting go of rigidity. Thus his entire mission was begun by announcing the need for metanoia, sometimes translated "repentance." But repentance does not mean simply regretting some action or some word. Repentance means completely turning around one's life and one's being. A change, a profound change, of mind and even character. In the Bible, in the New Testament, this change is called "metanoia," often translated repentance. But it's not a backward-looking glance of regret; it's a forward-looking vision of hope. Metanoia is a new openness to what is truly objective, beyond ourselves, our view of life, how we put the data together.
From:
http://www.stjosephdg.org/parish/about/metanoia.html

I need more metanoia!!!

Sawadeeka! Back frm Bangkok

And I am tired. It was fun though :) Overall, it was a good shopping trip, food fest and eye-opener though. Hope to get some pics from Diya and Frances to post up soon. I have too few pics on my own camera, all thanks to my laziness. Heh. Shall elaborate more on the trip when I get the pics ya.
Anyway, I haven't really gotten any rest eversince I got back. Everyday I sleep an average of 4 hrs.... Not to mention that I feel emotionally drained too. That's it. I'm tired. I can't go on anymore, it's time I stopped and take a few steps back. Go get some air.
How do I feel? All I want is to be loved, have someone waiting eagerly for me, instead of the other way round. To be wanted. Not just to want. Perhaps that's why I feel so drained and glum, I need some input of TLC. I feel like as if I am giving all the time. Drained...

An ode to my tooth and about little things

I lost my tooth today, without much fanfare or adieu it was conveniently chucked in the dentist's rubbish bin. I have big gap in my mouth now, feels funny. It was faithful companion, never complained about all the chewing that I made it do. And all that gourmet food! Sigh, I miss that tooth and soon it's mirror image will accompany it in a few days time...
Haha.. Ok. That was an ode to my tooth and the other.
The little things in life count alot and I guess it's a matter of appreciating them. An sms, an uncomplicated gesture, a thoughtful gift. Let me say I Do appreciate everything. Maybe I've been blind sometimes. What can I do for you?