Junior Year

I'm now three weeks into the first semester of my junior year. It's a significant jump from Year 2 in terms of module nature, class timings, and the amount of readings and assignments. Many say that Sem One of Year 3 is the worst semester. It is indeed very tiring, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that. For now that is. I thank God that I don't dread going to school. In fact, I look forward to the moments I get to catch up with friends I haven't seen and talked to in months. Thank God for times like these that make going to school fun. And how can I forget... I've got the best timetable I've EVER got, the first four-day week I've EVER had!

Thank God for the first few weeks He's seen me through. I guess it's easy to say that it's fun now, seeing that I haven't arrived at the hectic periods. (Soon enough though.) But I pray for renewed strength from Him each day, a constant dependence on Him, and sustained purpose in going to school. And if the Lord's willing, may this be redemption year! ;)

Marvellous Memories, Bountiful Blessings

Like a toss of a boomerang, the five weeks I spent in Damai flew by. The only difference is, the time ain't coming back ever.

I'm truly blessed by this experience. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm so amazed how God answered my prayers and brought such a huge group of trainees into my life. I thank God for them, I thank God that we got along so well. I recall the many meals we'd have in the canteen and staff lounge each day, the chit-chat sessions, the birthday celebrations, the outings, and the support we'd give to one another whenever we had a rough time in class. I'm thankful for the friendships built, I won't forget them, and I pray that we'll still keep in contact somehow!

Thank God for the privilege to observe 1A1, 1A3, and 2E3. I didn't think I was gonna bother very much about the students. After all, I was only gonna be there for a short time and I was just observing the classes. How wrong I was. The students grew on me, and it's rare, but I actually found them adorable. Really adorable. Annoyed as I got with some of them, I never could stay angry at them. At the end of the day, they just made me smile. As I gave my goodbye speech to 1A3 last Friday, that scene where the students asked me not to leave, requested my Facebook, even wanting my autograph... I was pretty moved. Well, I'm glad I can keep in contact with the class, but it's my regret that I didn't get to say goodbye to 1A1 and 2E3. But as much as I miss them, life goes on. I can't thank God enough for letting me get to know and interact with these students. It's a pleasure.

It's definitely been a culture shock, a place and experience very different from how I was brought up and where I studied. But God has opened my eyes to the beauty of it. It's a realness of the world that I haven't seen. Where I came from, everything was fast, task-oriented, and it was all about reputation. Where I went to, it's just different. I began to see that the struggles in life are so real. It's not about pushing, pushing, and pushing to attain excellent results. I began to see that it's worth it to slow down, cultivate the foundations in a person, shower some care and love. I guess it'll be more rewarding teaching in such an environment. But it's no walk in the park. Let's see where God leads me next year, and for my 4 years.

I don't think I can fully express in words what I experienced and learnt the five weeks I was there. But that was for sure one of the best experiences I had this year. Once again, I thank God for the attachment, the staff, the students, the memories, the blessings, the lessons. And I'm still praying that He'll imbue in me a genuine passion for the road ahead and beyond that, a love for His people.

Thank you, all, who walked this journey with me and thank You, God, for Your unceasing presence.