For all the lost time

With the end of my first year, I FINALLY managed to spend time with two of the most important people in my life over the week.

First and foremost, Joyce! Goodness, we could have talked and walked the night through on Friday. Thank you for listening and the advices. I am looking forward to... heehee... shhh... (^^)


Toe spun a surprise appearance at my place a few nights back just after she ended her last paper and zoomed us of to supper with Gin. Yesterday we went all over everywhere and indulged in whatever we could indulge in.

But today, while I was busy with...

My dear Toe was busy with...

Haha. We managed to complete it anyway.

Priscilla told me today we need to touch people to make them feel loved. It is very important, because a child grows up with the security of being held. At Hopekids this morning, a young quiet boy, Joseph, whom I've always been trying to help him open up to others, finally shared his life with me. It touched me to hear him share with me about his last holiday trip with his family to Canada and how he has experienced God's protection on one occasion when he almost got knocked down by a car. He leaning against me, gesturing in childlike ways, brought my heart joy. A fulfilling kind of joy.

When Mei Si comes running towards me for a hug, when Mei Ann tugs at my skirt, when Ethel bugs me to comb her hair for her, when Deborah pulls me to sit by her and listen to her read, when Jiajia asks me to help Nathan fold paper planes, when Clarence draws a beautiful picture to describe what he has learnt instead of writing them down like the rest do, when Gabriel scolds the other boys for playing Nintendo during our caregroup (he used to be glued to it), when Jacob chooses to snuggle up to me to explain the teaching to him, when Lenise lingers around me whenever I am at the keyboard, when Daniel shares his packet of biscuits with me, when...

And the list goes. They remind me to be kind, to be generous, to be patient, to be tender, to be child-like and to love.

Land of My Sojourn

The coal trucks came down this road that lies open like the soul of a woman, who hid the spies, who were looking for the land of the milk and the honey. And this road, she is a woman. She was made from a rib cut from the sides of these mountains. These great sleeping Adams who are lonely even here in paradise, lonely for somebody to kiss them.

And I'll sing my song. And I'll sing my song in the land of my sojourn. And the lady in the harbor, she still holds her torch out to those huddled masses who are yearning for a freedom that still eludes them.

There must be something more than this. It has been tugging at my heart of late. I think all the rest, all the sitting, waiting and wishing ought to be over. A voice is calling me to somewhere else, but I am still searching deep down, wondering if it really is You calling out to me.

Nobody tells you when you get born here, how much you'll come to love it and how you'll never belong here.

The Gradual Rise and Fall

That is probably my last photo of a beautiful sunrise from Lasalle@Goodman Road. The sun shone so bright that Monday morning. I sat by the edge of the roof and waited for the light to come. The rising sun was so gradual, so gentle, it didn't hurt my eyes to be staring at the burning ball tossed in the sky even when I hadn't shut them for more than 30 hours or so. I will miss that lovely place so much.

I didn't manage to complete a component of my Production Methods module because all the sewing could just drive me crazy. But I'm certain I did my best. For that, I am absolutely pleased. To quote Max Ehrmann, "be gentle with yourself". So I took it easy.

I started work today already, though I barely rested. My new workplace is another lovely place to be at. There is a mini garden at the back and everyone who goes there indulge in sweet and nice italian pastry, gourmet coffee and irish sandwiches. All the shophouses are lined with expensive cottage-like decorations. The ladies prance around gaily in branded dresses and one gentleman whom I spoke with today was absolutely well-mannered and gallant. I hardly get to describe a man as gallant, because I have met few. I then began to see how some boys have never had their eyes raised above the horizons because of football.

After work, Jac picked me up and we went to celebrate the end of my first year in Lasalle and the end of her tutoring term at the university. We went on a shopping frenzy. I say we, even though I am extremely poor at this moment, because she paid for my expenses! So there comes yet another Buffalo David Bitton merchandise for me (they should really make me a prestige member). "See, someone dotes on you!" she exclaimed. I could only smile and hold her hand. Before long, we were standing before a huge long palette of ice cream flavors. I was allowed to have a choice of two flavors, but I settled for just my favourite one. We shared about the greatest things in our lives over dinner. She always has been there for me.

Come August, she will be somewhere halfway across the world. And I fear going into her room every night just to find it empty. How come the dearest people in my life always drift further and further away from me gradually. Like, that silly good friend of mine who always said she will call me, but has yet to, for many months now.

Lasalle Round the Clock

Lasalle at night.

"We hang beautiful linen in public" project

That's my little linen doll hung beside some really
strange-looking red voodoo-like thing

Shariff's!

Varian losing it at 4am.

Sunrise from the Lasalle roof

3 overnights in a row at college sewing and all. Now, I am almost done for Monday's final presentation. It has been a good three nights spent at Lasalle@Goodman Road for the last time before we move to the city in August. Good memories. :)

I had a short nap one night after being severely stressed out because I screwed my pleating up. In a dream that came, someone came up to my side when I was crying at the sewing machine and held me close and whispered, "It's alright. Let's pray okay?" When I woke up, there was this warmth and a sort of tingling feeling in me. It was a kind of peace so assuring, so tangible that it must have been Jesus.

I kept Elijah, by Rich Mullins, playing on repeat on my iPod as I worked the nights through and these lines, "but when I leave I want to go out like Elijah/With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire /And when I look back on the stars /It'll be like a candlelight in Central Park/And it won't break my heart to say goodbye" got me thinking. With my mobile buzzing off continually with "jiayou" texts, here is my motivation slogan right by my sewing machine. :)



And now, Winston's short breakdance stint to keep us awake. :D

Ministry of Laughter

All these bring back very dear memories. Looking at them again makes me very happy. And I hope they make you happy too. :) Enjoy!

Craziness

Shoe and I spend the whole day chilling out at Home club. It was the most relaxing and enjoyable day I have ever had since... I cannot recall when. We sat by the river doodling, playing games, discussing life plans... etc over vodka, because the bartender refused to give me a bottle of hoegaarden for free, claiming it's far more expensive than hard liquor. Then there was the cool rainy weather with just showers every now and then. And there was the fish & chips. "What a beautiful day!" I declared to Shoe.

After Gin was well-rested, we all went for a car spin to Seletar Reservoir. Sat by the rocks, by the waters, and just enjoyed each other's company. Two hours plus didn't even seem enough. But it was way past midnight already. By the way, Gin looks absolutely adorable and happy with her new braces.

I'm already missing Shoe, because my back and arms are screaming for her. I had a great fall yesterday and have got bruises. So Shoe gave me a taste of her massage skills. "This is how I massage my cats." MEOW.

Those whom you love, you tend to stay close by.



I am on the lookout for some work to do. Like, a job. Probably even full-time, since assessment will be over soon. I will need something that allows me to feed myself properly. It's time to seriously look into my poor finance-management. "Do not worry about tomorrow" is a very difficult thing to do at this moment. I got a $30 parking offence slip today thanks to my stupidity and I need to get a new ez-link card, or get a replacement for my lost one (due to my carelessness) which is $25. And the 20 mounting boards ($40?!) I've yet to get for my final presentation. I honestly detest having to give tuition, but if I really have to... I will try to. God, providence?

Also, I am praying for Venice to be a dream come true. It could be a form of escape, or a release, or an opportunity to love myself more, or an opportunity to find good friends, or an avenue to be part of something global, or a chance for a big break, or a possibility of staying there... it could be all of these, or more. God, please?

It is ironic how you get more exasperated, more upset and extremely frustrated by new changes when you were assured that changes will be for better. So foolish, I think to myself. Stupid or what? Stupid la. What a joke.

The Lady

Last night, while I was sleeping, Jac came into the room and tried to wake me up, but I was too tired to sit up and talk to her. Then she whispered into my ear, "I met Sylvia Lim." and I jumped!

My cousin returned home last night from dinner with the Public Law team and Sylvia Lim! And she told me how cool, how funny, how intelligent Sylvia Lim is. I mean, she's my idol! How can she not be all that and more right?!

Anyway, here's the thing... my cousin, in all her helpfulness, couldn't be bothered to get a signature of her or a photo of her for me. Sad la...

For she who adores the color Purple

At caregroup tonight, we were each given an egg that was stuck with a teeny piece of paper that had a colour written on it. With that, we were told to share our week relating our anecdotes to the name of the colour on our eggs.

Mine read "purple". And so I shared about the colour purple of my week.

I spent my week drowning in work for days, but apart from those gloomy days, the only person I met up so much with was my best friend. We caught the Phantom of the Opera together on Friday night, dined and studied together on Saturday night, dined and chilled out on Sunday night, studied and dined today again.

Through all these, I have come to remember how good the Lord has been to be the rock of this friendship and kept us bonded through many stormy weathers. There were misunderstandings, disappointments, hurt and pain. Yet a stronger love kept us together.

With her, I can be vulnerable. I love spending time with her. :)

So Ruiz, I really want to thank you for all the good and bad years we've had. You have impacted my life.

Way to go, Veron!

13 April 2007 (Friday) submissions
Design Studio - Final 8 illustration boards 4 boards down!!!
Design Studio - Final 8 outfit spec sheets COMPLETED!

17 April 2007 (Tues) submissions
Production Methods - Final 2 outfit actual garments
Production Methods - White-on-white 20 manipulations 1 completed

20 April 2007 (Fri) submissions
Design Studio - A/W 2008 White Collection presentation

23 April 2007 (Monday) - Assessment Week






Zoom zoom zoom!!! three continuous days of submissions flew by just like that, leaving me a walking zombie to Germ's grad show.

Veron: Germs! I finished my toile today, you know?!! (gleefully)
Germs: I graduated just now! (even more gleefully)

I was left utterly speechless.

After 3 sleepless nights with the company of the Juki, calico, shears, spools and spools of threads and Ribena, I had a good long 10-hour sleep last night. Delightful.

Victor asked why the bad eyes and I shared with him about the painful three days, the cake affairs and all. "This is bad. Don't do this to yourself. You are deeply favoured!" :D

Now, back to finishing my Design Studio work as Miss Chong Ruizhen over here continues drowning in her Literature and Economics.

What shall we have for dinner tonight?

Pursue not

We do not fight for what belongs to us not.
We own nothing, until it is given to us.
What is not meant for my keeping,
I am letting it go.

Jesus, take the wheel.

Music of the Night

Work, work and more work.

9 April 2007 (Mon) submissions
Textile Studies - Textile Journal WIP
Textile Studies - Fabric Swatches COMPLETED
Textile Studies - Research Paper COMPLETED

10 April 2007 (Tues) submissions
Pattern Drafting - Technical Journal (10 specs) 3 specs completed
Pattern Drafting - Final White Collection garments COMPLETED
Production Methods - Final 2 outfit toiles

11 April 2007 (Wed) submissions
Visual Merchandising - Display drawings Deric WIP
Visual Merchandising - 1500 words conceptual essay
Fashion Marketing - 1500 words theoretical essay

13 April 2007 (Friday) submissions
Design Studio - Final 8 illustration boards
Design Studio - Final 8 outfit spec sheets 3 specs completed

17 April 2007 (Tues) submissions
Production Methods - Final 2 outfit actual garments
Production Methods - White-on-white 20 manipulations 1 completed

20 April 2007 (Fri) submissions
Design Studio - A/W 2008 White Collection presentation

23 April 2007 (Monday) - Assessment Week

Oh dear, haven't started so many things :(
I just finished my textile studies research paper, which took me 3 hours. :(
My eyes are so tired now, it hurts when I shut them. :(

I don't feel like sleeping anymore since it's already 5 in the morning. I had a chat with God just now and it was a good time because praying has finally become a conversation after many weeks of whining and complaining to Him. "Veron, listen. Listen."

All I Ask Of You is ringing in my head now so it makes me rather happy still, but somewhat discontented because my favourite scene (Scene 10 - at the Opera House roof) was ruined by the guy who played Raoul. His voice wasn't that fantastic as compare to the lady who played Christine. She definitely overpowered him in that duet. So it upset me when he didn't perform to the mark. It ruined the beautiful set, the beautiful song in that perfect moment. That aside, the show was flawless. So, still not too bad. 4 popcorns!

Forget the bad for a while

Mr Love-To-Surprise-Veronica dropped by with two boxes of cheesecakes and zoomed me off to have yummy and sinful roti bom.

It has been a very long time since someone brought me out at odd hours and go enjoy breezy scenic nights.

So thank you for being so kind to me, making me happy for a night.

"So easy to make you happy." It's true.

My Just Desserts?

Why are all of you so cruel?

More Than They That Watch For the Morning

"Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications."

The mind is to the soul like the brain is like to the body. I am standing before You and recognising the impoverish nature of my spirit. This is the only way I know how to begin a solution in my life.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."