So here we are now, less than 21 hours to 2009. It's said that the two years of our JC lives will pass faster than any other, and sure they did. These two years came and went, in a few moments, no more student concessions, no more student meals, no more waking up at 7am every morning and dashing around in school uniforms preparing for school. Us survivors of JC, like it or not, are on our way to greater, tougher challenges ahead. We're gonna face the world outside!


Life in VJ hasn't been easy. The struggles, be it in academics, CO, or emotionally, have many a time made me long to give up. But thank God, for leading me through each and every obstacle. I honestly couldn't have gone through all this on my own, not to mention survive till today. Take the A Levels, undoubtedly one of the toughest periods of my life. Each day was a dread and a drag, and the two weeks leading to the exams were even worse. The worry of the exams being a few days away yet I was simply unable to sit down and really study, the daily fights with my parents, the fear that I'll have to retake it next year. I had this really big quarrel with my mum a few days before my first paper. I was totally crushed, just wanted to give up the whole exam. Yeah it scared my dad so much, he actually said sorry for everything (my dad never ever apologises). But I really thank God for that quarrel. If my mum hadn't said what she said, and I hadn't reacted the way I reacted, she wouldn't have realised how hurt I was by what she'd done, and I wouldn't have realised how much worry and disappointment I'd brought her by doing so badly in school. A couple of weeks back, she said to me, "As long as you love God, I will not worry about anything." I was truly touched by her words. Thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful mum, a mum who loves God and loves me so much, though I've never been half of a wonderful daughter.


Thank God for VJCO, for the teachers who were so kind to accept me through DSA despite my average playing, otherwise I could have only dreamt about entering VJ. Thank God for every setback, every challenging moment, for these enabled me to learn a lot, taught me to never take anything for granted.
EZCO Concert '07 - This experience really humbled me. I've always had this mindset, that I'd screw up as much as I wanted during rehearsals, but the actual concerts would turn out fine. This time, it didn't. My solo was a disaster, and Mr Tay even told me off on stage there and then, in front of the entire orchestra. Thank God for the glitch, taught me not to think so highly of myself.
SYF - I've never been so stressed up over a solo before, cos out of 10 times, I'd burst that note 9 times. It was worrying, I didn't want to be "the one that cost us the Honours", didn't want to disappoint the orchestra and the teachers. But God took away my fear that day, replaced it with a confidence, and I probably played my best on that day. We didn't get the Honours, everyone was dejected and disappointed cos we really gave it our all. But God has a purpose for everything and looking back, I'm so glad we only got a Gold. Had we gotten the GWH, I'm sure we'd simply have felt smug, rejoice, and go home. But the fact that we didn't get it, that was probably the reason that bonded us together. Who'd forget that the whole orchestra actually stayed back in the concert hall to listen to the judges' comments and ask questions? Who'd forget how we cried together after listening to Mdm Wee's talk? There's nothing more beautiful than doing everything as an orchestra, celebrating together, crying together.
Vhapsody '08 - Thank God for the awful fever on that day, otherwise I'd probably have thought, I played so well, I did great, I'm so wonderful, I, I, I... That fever made me realise that I could've gone through much hard work to prepare for the concert, I could've been a consistent player before that, but just by being off-form on the concert day could've cost me the concert. It made me realise that plans and preparations could be flawless, but ultimately it's what God does that matters. Throughout the day I prayed, and kept thinking of this verse, "Through all these we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." God really answered my prayers, and I couldn't have asked for a better ending to the six years of my CO life. I wasn't the one who was strong and overcame my fever, God was the one who gave me the strength to play. The orchestra wasn't the reason for our success, God was. It's not what we do, but what God does that matters.
Also wanna thank God for these people who've been of such support. The exco, for tolerating my nonsense. Guanyue, for though I'm nowhere near a good SL, you guys are always so cooperative. Zilu (GENIUS), for taking time off your busy schedule to come back and perform cos we really needed Shengs, for all our havoc moments during practices (singing and laughing non-stop), rehearsals, the HK trip, and for teaching me Chem! Mingcong, for making practices less boring and for always asking me to study lol. Zongxing, for being such a responsible VP, yet never ever using your authority on me during sectionals (you're one really humble person), for being of such support, and for always helping me in my many problems cos I'm such a procrastinator. Cephia, for being my longest-known pal in GY! Amanda, for all the notes and SMS-es of encouragement. Hongming, for ponning as many lessons as I did (lol) so I'd have company in the CO room.


Thank God for DHSCO, I never fail to get inspired everytime I go back to listen to their practices and rehearsals. The one thing that sets this orchestra apart from every other orchestra isn't imba skills, but unity. Not every orchestra has the feeling of moving the audience, but DHSCO has. We're not known as a legendary orchestra for nothing! To my juniors, I'm so proud of each and every one of you, all of you have certainly grown over the years. Continue to work hard, DHSCO for double Honours next year! :) Yes, thank you Suyun, Jeenise and Rachel, for being my ever-supportive and cute juniors, who always attend my concerts!


Thank God for 07S34, a class which I always complain about for being too mugger-ish for my liking, but I've no doubt that life wouldn't be that enjoyable if I'd been placed in any other class. Thank God for every one of you, and thank God for very nice friends I met. Huijin, for studying with me (yeah, more like you MAKE me study lol), helping me with my work, being so encouraging, and always collecting my stuff when I go MIA. Jieying, for asking me to study, listening to my random complaints about random stuff, and for just being mad lol. Mei Ching, for all your notes of encouragement. Sharon, for always being there to listen, and for your sudden msgs, reminding me to press on.
Chia Wen - Thank you and thank God for you, for bringing me to church. Thank you for all your wise words of encouragement, for keeping me in prayer. Thank God for an awesome friend like you, and thank you so much for everything. :)
Audrey Han - Lol, I used to think that you were such a slave-driver, msg-ing me on my birthday not to wish me happy birthday, but to remind me to do my GP presentation. HAHA. But really, thank God for you. You've been such a blessing these two years I've known you, constantly msging me, reminding me to study hard, perservere and never give up, giving me notes and cards of encouragement. Thank God for always speaking to me through you, through Bible verses at times when I simply felt terrible. Thank you for having been of tremendous support all this while. I've learnt a lot from you, and I can't thank you enough. Thank God, really, for placing you in my life. :)


Wanna thank God for the following people as well.
Yuqian, Lam Lee, Cristal, Joanne - My great buddies from 4C! Thank God that despite us all being in different schools, we've been meeting up often the past two years. Other than Joanne, who's in the UK, but we still meet up everytime she comes back. And I know we'll continue to meet up in future! I'll never find a bunch of friends like you all, cos I don't think anyone does such retarded and random things like we do. Yes, we know it very well lol. Thank you for all the fun, joy and laughter, and for being such wonderful friends. Stay mad, always!
Xianghong - Thank you for always encouraging me, even though we seldom talk nowadays cos we're in different schools and all that. But thank you for never failing to write me cards and give me presents on special occassions. Yes, you're forever my great friend! :)
Jinghan - I'll never forget our Primary 6 days, where we made so much noise that our places were changed. We were in different secondary schools, but thank God that we're once again in the same school. Thank you for all your words of encouragement, and for never forgetting my birthday after all these years! And I'm just so happy that you've accepted Christ. Thank you, and thank God for you!
Salyonn - Got to know you through H1 Bio, and it hasn't been a long time, but just wanna thank you for being so encouraging all this while. The bible verses you asked me to read the day before A's, they really helped, a lot. Thank you for reminding me not to give up, and thank you for being such a fun person to talk to during boring Bio lessons!
James - Thank you for all those words of encouragement, for your extremely artistic cards. Not to mention your ever-encouraging blog entries. You're truly a role model, in your desire to serve God to your every ability.
Liyin - Thank God for you, for all the msgs and bible verses to encourage me.


And of course, thank God for this one person who's always been there for me in joyful times, in depressing times. Thank you and thank God for you, Valerie! Hey Killer, your name's even in bold! Haha. We've known each other for 3 years. Isn't a long period, but like you said, the 1500 mins you spent calling me is a testament to how deep our friendship is. You're truly a blessing to me, sharing so deeply in my joys and sorrows, I know I'm never going through anything alone. I can always count on you to make me feel better everytime I'm stressed or discouraged. Thank you for always reading passages off your devotion book to me, and for all the bible verses you gave me, that never failed to encourage me. It's amazing, that we've gone through two major exams together, the O's and the A's. I still remember you telling me about faith during the A's, and I really learnt a lot from you. Thank God for you, always there to listen, always there to encourage. Thank you, KILLER, for everything! :) :) :)


Of course, thank God for each and every one of you! All of you, whether I've known a long time, a not so long time, or have just known. Yes, you, from Singapore, USA or the UK. Thank you for being in my life, thank God for you!


These two years have indeed not been smooth-sailing. But thank God for all the trials, trials that humbled me, taught me valuable lessons, and made me stronger. Most importantly, I've learnt that being a Christian isn't about merely going to church on Sundays to warm the seats but rather, it's about Christ. I guess the thing about being a Christian from young is that I haven't really understood what is Christianity about, but I claim to be a Christian cos my parents are, cos my parents say that I have to go to church and read the bible. It's not about knowing, but believing.


Here's a song to end the year!


Who Am I - Casting Crowns


Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart


Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are


I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours


Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love, and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me


I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours


Sorry for this extremely long post, I just had to say all that. It's been such a valuable two years! Hurray, the sun has risen! Yeah, I took forever to type this.


Everything in this life can and will fail you. But when everything fails, it leads you to the unfailing love of Jesus Christ.


:)