Dan's left already. He left on the bus last night. He's on the plane probably halfway across Australia. *sighs* It was hard saying bye to him, and obviously I cried. THere were moments when i was just overwhelmed with emotions throughout yesterday as we spent our last day together. But dan was very sweet in consoling me. And I had a few more of those moments today, especially in the morning and afternoon, and probably will happen again tonight. I don't really know why I feel this way. It's not our first time saying goodbye, and we've done longer periods of not seeing each other! But I guess the 2 weeks that we had were intense, we spent all our waking moments together, besides when i went to class. I kept thinking about what we've done, and how we've spent our time in each others' company, it all seemed surreal. It seemed as if it was only yesterday that I told him, "I can't believe you're actually here in NZ!"

It's easier on a long distance if u are just separated for a long block of time, rather than seeing each other every so often and having to say goodbye so many times. But then again, being separated for a long time has its adverse effects as well.

This is silly I know.. and I need to get over it. I need to concentrate on my lab reports and the last 6 weeks of my undergrad! And on top of that, plans for next year and also for the summer. God, let it be YOUR plans, not mine. And let it be to honor and glorify Your name!

So.. Rugby World Cup starts tomorrow at 6am (NZ Time). Apparently I'm going to be dragged out of bed to watch the opening ceremony and the match between France and Argentina. But it's 6am?!! And I havnt been having much sleep for the past week! Grrr... oh well, at least i have pancakes and original maple syrup to look forward to.

Dan's gone home for a week now. I still find myself trying to recall when he first came over, and i met him at the Railway Stn at 7am! I still find myself trying to recall the things we did at at that day, a week ago/2 weeks ago. It felt like it was a long time ago. It felt like a dream, and I only have pictures and my trusty memory to remind me of those sweet moments spent with him, in the most beautiful place on earth!

 If you're not on facebook, check out these links for pictures:
Wellington: http://vuwac.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50421&l=9ab2a&id=707990071

South Island:  http://vuwac.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50418&l=e3376&id=707990071

So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.
I hope you had the time of your life.
-Greenday -

So, the 9 of us gathered in the cozy Backshed of Ramsey for our weekly prayer group. Peng played some tunes on the guitar, accompanied by Peter Jackson drumming on an empty Resene paint bucket. We sang some songs and got into prayer, particularly praying for those who are in Guyana and North Africa. Funny how none of us knew where Guyana was, but yet were not too worried because surely, God know! Something about gathering people excites me. Coming together in one accord, to pray and to uplift other nations, it challenges me as much as it inspires me.

The weekend was good. We headed over to Palmy for a day trip for combined prayer with the OCF-ers and MUCF-ers there. Man, I must have underestimated the arrangements needed to organise 20 ppl into 5 cars! More tricky than I thought, but God is good. The extra sunny day made Kapiti's Ice cream all the more yummier! The Sakura festival at IPC was fun too! The college was sooo beautiful, their driveway was flanked by neverending sakura (cherry blossom) trees! After grabbing some lunch from the festival, we headed to the Massey Chaplaincy. We had great fun hanging out in the sun on the deck and it was good to get connected with the people from Massey - to hear their stories, struggles and testimonies! Something about praying together brings that sense of unspoken unity. It is truly our privilege to be able to communicate with God freely and openly.

The boys then had some exercise playing soccer, while some of us tried to throw a frisbee in the non-conventional way- but to no avail. The hungry mob later swarmed to Michael's place and we were delighted to find such a wonderful spread of food generously prepared for us.

The drive back to Wellington was good, and the story about the cop who let us go though we were caught speeding? What story? It's a testimony of God sparing us $80, and possibly our lives! Dont worry, we werent really speeding, we went 68 in a 50 zone, that's all. But beyond that, the drive was good because darling Leesh and I had wonderful conversations!

Ahhh.. and i'm finally feeling temporarily relieved because yet another lab report is done and over with. I look forward to this week because I know God's joy will be my strength.

Currently listening to: Inside your heaven, Carrie Underwood
Currently reading: Captivating

This was what seemed a long time ago.. But a walk down memory lane never hurts

Moments before 21...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I turned twenty one with a massive broom in my hand, cleaning up the hall after the ball. Cinderella?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're sitting here now
Finding words for you Janice
You're lovely, you're smart, you're sporty
And boys love your sashay
But we think that's all too cliche

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we put on our thinking caps
And thought about this hype
and came up with this song about...

(Chorus)
Butter, Bailey's & stripes
That's what our Janice likes

 

 

 

 

We admire your initiative and drive
Your passion and your
zest for life
And underneath it all you're gold inside
You're gold inside

Church and Gilmore Girls on Sunday
For your yummy shepherd's pie we'd pay
Sometimes we think you're colour blind
But you're a treasure we find
You're a treasure we find

(Music and Lyrics by Jasmine and Peng)

 

 

It was a good one.. not too elaborate.. very meaningful.. Thank you Lord for friends.. Though i really wished I could celebrate it with my family, Dan and close friends from home..

 

pic from stuff.co.nz

Mt. Ruapehu erupted 2 days ago. That was where I went skiing in my first year!!! But it was not a full blown eruption like in 1995, just lahar. But that was enough to almost take a guy's life.. though he's alive now, lost a leg. And Michael's brother still went skiing on the Whakapapa skifields on Ruapehu today! Crazy!

edit: After posting this, I looked at it on my homepage and just realised that New Zealand is such a beautiful place. I only just realised that I've to grown to love this place so much. Esp the south Island. It's too beautiful to be true...Pictures that are taken, and unedited looks as if they're straight out of a postcard. It will be sad if i have to leave this place after summer this year

Ok, so I've picked up a new sport: Lacrosse. It's quite an interesting
sport. Being one who used to play contact sports that only involve one ball and racquet sports with no more than 4 people on a court, I find this game rather different. In my first practice, I thought aloud, "It's as if I'm running with three legs!". Haha! I've only been to practice twice, but it's proving to be one sport that makes me run quite a lot. And that is precisely what I need! Especially now that winter is over, I need to shed some layers. Lets hope I'm consistent with it and dont find lame excuses for not turning up for practices on Sundays. Afternoon naps always seem more appealing!