he is an indescribable feeling, a kind of silly happiness that leaves you dumbfounded for the entire day, a spontaneous split second that changes your whole life's events. Matthew heightens your senses, presents new perspectives, tempts you to destroy preconceived mindsets, challenges you to relearn your experiences. Matthew redefines the meaning of your thoughts and surroundings, re-orientates existing value systems, and leaves you high. Matthew is the definite sensation of the entire century. Exceedingly electrifying, and oh so zesty, it gets critics swooning together.
B got me to look at tumblr. It looks a heck nicer then blogger. I'm sorry blogger :(
Anyways, I'm moving and you all should check out what tumble has to offer. If you shift over, let me know if you buy the whole idea of tumblr as well!
:)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Never knew I needed
8:00 PM
The first day back to work after a long break is always the hardest. I'm glad to be back to being able to see my crazy mates in camp. Glad to know we're all still there for each other. Its gonna be another long 10 months for me before I finish serving the nation. I pray that this time, I'd be good and I'd finish the fight.
I realize a lot of stuff over this holidays. Things that I should have done a long time ago, things about myself. Things about others. Its really interesting.
I was having JackFruit after dinner and it made me remember two things from Cambodia. Firstly, having JackFruit by the beach in the late afternoon. Awesome. Second, having the JackFruit sticky rice at Goducate. Cambodia, I miss :(
Back to the daily accounts!
(22th December 2009 - Tuesday) We set out in the morning for Pronob. It was a relatively short journey with little hick-ups. Some of the kids from Baklang came with us as well. We reached Goducate and we did registration and we unloaded into the guestrooms and the dorms. Lunch was at Goducate and we headed over to the beach in Sihanoukville. The boys bus got stopped along the way cause of something which I thing would be better not to mention and after sometime and a fine, we were back on our journey to the beach. Great time there with a mini balut compertition and then a super long wait for dinner.
(23th-25th December 2009 - Wednesday-Friday) Camp started in the morning and for the next few days, we had messages, free time to play with the kids, planting corn project, basketball building projects, and shrub chopping projects. What a blast I had. Being able to relax yet have fun and work was simply awesome. Camp ended off with camp fires and food!
(26th-28th December 2009 - Saturday-Monday) With the ending of camp, you could feel the sadness overcoming each and everyone. I dare say it was like tearing someone's heart in two. Ok, make that three. The first tear, for the kids in Baklang. Through little and broken english, speaking in hand actions, smiles, laughs, we got to know our new found brothers and sisters. It was time however, to say our goodbyes. I miss Dy and Kay. After some other stuff and lunch, it was our turn to say goodbye to the Goducate kids.
Those in my team, Esther, Elijah, Rebecca, Jacob, Chloe, and Samuael. I miss them all. They are so dear to me. Before I left, I said that I'm gonna be back. To make sure I do, I do plan to go back at the end of the year. I know there are others who want to as well. We should work together to get ourselves back to Goducate! So many people teared and cried. And it the second tear for us.
We drove over to Phenom Phen and stayed the night at the Bible Collage there.
The next night was basicially spent at the Killing Fields, S-21, and shopping.
We flew back on Monday. Well, yes, as you can see. I got very lazy to do rather detailed post. As for pictures. I think everyone would have seen everything I already put up.
That sums up Cambodia. I love the place. I love the kids at Goducate. But now, I've to concentrate of getting through this year and finding a way back to Goducate at the end. Well, and I needa focus on other stuff as well. As B's MSN pm reads, "Stay focus on things that matter". I pray I pull through this year.
Bring on 2010 (ok. A bit late. Its already what? Four days in! Haha)
<3
Saturday, January 2, 2010
This Is Cambodia Baby
9:18 AM
(21th December 2009 - Monday) The nights stay was really good. Waking up to cocks crowing and a cold breeze was simply fantastic. I guess to be refreshed sometimes is in the simplicity of life.
We packed our stuff and headed out towards Baklangs small port. Walking through the village, past the market, and the shops. Stopped by a roadside stall for beef noodles!
Made the short boat ride to Bakachang for day two of the free clinic. I ended up exploring the island and then playing with the kids. We spent the whole day playing and ended with lunch on the island. It comprised of grilled baby octopus, prawns, fish soup, chili, and rice! Seafood there is like an everyday food since the people there live off the sea. We had so much to eat and it was crazy!
We left back to Koh Kong to wash up before going to visit the HIV Hospital. Personally, I knew that in poorer countries, the rates and welfare of HIV patients will rise. It did not hit me till we reached the first ward. The ward which young babies and children where infected. Did they do anything wrong in life? No. Many have not reached the age of understanding yet they are infected with one of the most scary deseases. My heart was pulled and I could not bear to move on. At the ladies ward, some of the girls started singing in what terrible Khmer they knew. It moved me and I'm sure it brough a joy to the paitents there as well. Little did I know that some of the girls even shared the gospel to one of them. Its simply amazing to see His work.
After the Hospital visit, we walked around Koh Kong before dinner simply soaking in the sights and sounds.
First big jump of the trip came when from slums and a Hospital, we went to a Casino for dinner. We were greated to an amazing view of sunset once again and everyone was going crazy taking pictures. Dinner was good and stuff happened. I'm glad that Kiddo is fine. She sure gave many a shock. My table was going crazy wiht jokes. The younger guys sure know all kinda of funny stuff. Wenny and D however, were in a very different position. A silly dare had turned into an Epic on. Wenny drinks a bowl chili padi with no water after till we get back to the motel and he gets to flush D's head down the toilet.
AWESOME.
Wenny wins and creates a huge hoohar at the motel later on. Just about everyone was in our room.
Looking back at the year past, I can only thank God for all he's done for me.
For various times like through a breakup, through rough relationships with friends, learning about myself and others, saving me in the accident, the Cambodia trip and many more.
I guess I'm not really good at blogging about the past year. I just know I've made so many mistakes. I'm glad He's willing to forgive me and I can move on.
In the year ahead, I want to be a better person. Live for him and not for myself.
A short post for now cause I'm using my iPhone!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
This Is Cambodia Baby
3:51 PM
(20th December 2009 - Sunday) The nights rest on beds was nice with Wenny and I being bed-buddies. Sunday mornings for me usually means waking up early to have breakfast with my parents then sending them to church and coming home till second service.
This time however, I woke slightly later. Oh Chang's nose was bleeding and he claims its cause I left the fan on speed 3 and the air-con at 18 degrees. To what extent is my fault, we'd never know. Breakfast was Cambodia's epic Beef Noodle Soup (much like the Vietnam's Poh). Ian picked out the few who would be staying at Baklang for the night. (I'd try to remember who) There was: Chang, Wenny, Dickson, Josh, Hock Cai, Aika, Xiu, Mei Shan, Ruby, Eleanor, Mimi, Nini, Samantha, Henrietta, Cassandra, and myself. So these few packed for the night and the next day and we all set of for Sunday Service, Baklang style!
We arrived to a simple childrens service where Luzern shared and we played some games. What followed was the Adult worship as well as special presentations by the local church and by our team. Lunch was next and everyone helped out to serve the food. The whole atmosphere was great and everyone just had a good time. Most people ended up playing and talking with the children there.
After lunch, Kong's free clinic started and those who were going to take care of the children brought them all to the seaside next to the Crab Shack. Well, ok, its more like they brought us there. Initially, Beverly and Yu Fei had planed for games. The local kids however, had different ideas altogether. Upon reaching the beach, they started to just swam us one by one and throw/push us into the sea. A whole load of tumbing and stumbling later, we were just having a great time playing by the sea.
Let me just pause here for a moment to say that one thing I loved and was looking forward to Cambodia, was the change of pace in lifestyle. 2009 has been a whole rush with different things jumping up into my face. Its really awesome to be able to take a step back at the end of the year to relax and have fun.
So going back to day 2, the locals were kind enough to let us use their bikes and a few of us (I shall refrain from mentioning names to protect the identity of those which cannot be named) went crazy zipping back and forth through the dusty pot-holed road. The whole day was pure fun and once again it ended with a nice of crab, prawn, and fish soup! Cambodian food is really awesome and I'm not kidding. Their chili, is so good, you can just have it with rice!
The few of us staying at Baklang for the night had to leave back first to the church and we played with the kids who were still awake. We even had our very own Scissors, Paper, Stone, 'SEA' games. Participating countrys comprice of Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesian, and Austraila. Taiwan and New Zealand withdrew cause they were too tired.
(19th December 2009 - Saturday) Waking up to an early morning knowing your leaving the country in a few hours is one of the strangest feelings for me. There is always that mix of feelings that flood over me. There I was, rummaging through all I packed making sure I had everything.
Met up with the rest of the First group at the airport and checked in knowing that from then on, every move we made was a step closer to the trip to the land of Cambodia. Its nice traveling with family and I thank God that the whole group was like a family.
Day 1 was gonna be mostly traveling and little did we know, we were going to do just that for the rest of the day.
Its about 1h30mins of air time to Phnom Phen. And close to 5 or 6 odd hours to Koh Kong.
We stopped for lunch at this shack close to the river. First Cambodian meal which I'm pretty sure warmed the hearts of many of us. We knew we were gonna be able to live in Cambodia for the next 10 days since food there was not good, but great!
Along the way however, one of the vans burned out. The engine fan stopped and the van started to over heat. While everyone one else waited, Chang helped to rig up some ropes from one of the vans to another. We packed everyone back in and off we were again with the third van on tow by the second van. Moving at only 30km/h. It seemed like we'd have taken forever to reach Koh Kong.
We stopped by a small village to get some assistance and a truck came. I dont have pictures of the massively piled pick up's to show you but it came and the locals rigged up another towing system together with a pole, 2 nails, and ropes. It was all really interesting. Chang, Josh, Mukky, and myself had the privilage to sit on top of the truck for rest of the journey to Koh Kong. Apart from having to making two other stops becuase the towing system failed, the rest of the journey to Koh Kong was smooth.
Having the natural cool air in your face is one of the most wonderful experiences. Looking up at stars and singing with my brothers was a good pick up dispite having a terribly long trip through the day.
The total journey, which seemed like an eternety, eventually lasted for close to 10 hours. Being able to get off the vehicle, walk around, and to check-in to a motel for the night was great. We all looked forward to a shower and bed. Only this was, it was not the end of the night! We still needed Dinner!
We were driven over to Baklang Island on a beatened dusty road to a little place called the Crab Shack. What awaited us was Crab and Prawns! With an amazing dinner, and clear skys to look at a whole host of stars, I was satisfied. It was amazing to just lie down on the dirt, look up, and all you saw were constalations and all.
One word, AMAZING.
We ended the night with a debrief and headed back to the motel. Shortly after, the second group arrived over at the motel. With warm welcomes and everyone being glad to be together, we settled in for the night.
We're all back alive from Cambodia. Yes, like the tee shirt says, 'I survived Cambodia'. Honestly, it was not as bad as I thought it was gonna be. I kinda miss that place. I kinda already miss sleeping with family, waking up to a day in which rushing is a chore and lepaking is the bomb. Laughing and joking with one another, being close to the people that matter.
Cambodia has opened my eyes to much. Lessons learned, both seen, heard, and observed.
Dear God, Thank you for bringing us to Cambodia, and for bringing us back. Thank you for lessons, thank you for protection, thank you for sweet spirit, thank you for peace, thank you for love.
P.S.
Photos and day to day accounts will come later. Maybe much later :)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Leaving this town
1:04 AM
The last time I remember going overseas on a trip was the family heading over to China.
Later today, I'd be in Cambodia with family as well. I different family though. One where I have a whole host of brothers and sisters :)
Back on the 28th so till then!
Happy Christmas everyone! :)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Pad
3:08 PM
Finally, I have internet! A phone line! And much much more to be thankful for! The past few days without connection has been pretty weird! My laptop is just as laggy and irritating but that'd just have to do for now.
All this in time for Cambodia. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. I cannot wait! Getting ready together with everyone has been a blast as well. The two car wash days, helping out with the flea market, and just general prep for the trip.
I've have had a bit on my mind and maybe still a bit more. A new place probably is just the thing I need right now and that I am thankful for.
I've not been blogging for ages it actually feels weird!
Btw, for those who do read my blog, I dont think I'm gonna be having some kinda house warming like I was so excited about. Reason being, things have happened and there are a few changes around here. My bro's staying in my room and will be till May. As most of you know, my perternal grandma has been living with us for a while now (thats the same). We do have an addition though! Yes, no prizes for guessing! my merternal grandma is living with us too. With that, you can imigine the amount of stress and madness my mum has been going through with that added on to getting the new pad in order.
Because of the current situation, I've decided to not make my mum's life anymore difficult. She does not know this though. So after Cambodia, I might just have something small. Maybe I wont even have anything at all! I'd just have to see when I get back. I'm guessing you'd all understand.
As with that, I'm back to playing games in the comfort of my bedroom :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Bliss
1:16 AM
I got my iphone today! We're officially moving into the new place on the 3rd!