A snapshot of leisure time in Nottingham
Ping Pong and pool after dinner in the JCR.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Sprightly Spring Days
Sunday, March 04, 2007
The Sherwood crew- Sam, Pete, Me
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Tired and bored- spent most of today cooped up in my room; am punishing myself for going out practically every single day for the last 2-3 weeks.
Life has been good though. I'm very happy, I love all my friends, especially those in Sherwood Hall whom I've been spending the bulk of my time with! Almost every night will be in someone else's room with a group of friends watching movies, eating dessert or drinking coffee. :)
I really treasure the friendships made here, very blessed to have a group of friends I can both trust, confide in and have fun together.
Stefanie's room- Party room/Night club, restaurant
Vincent's room- Cafe/Lounge, movie room
Maureen's room- Movie room
Fifi's room- Movie room
Had steamboat in Vincent's room last night and lots of delicious dessert!!!
Strawberries and vanilla ice cream doused with Bailey's Irish Cream, followed by Vienetta (ice cream with layers of chocolate). Mmmmmm :D
Sang Chinese songs (!!!) in my room with Fifi and then we went to view the moon eclipse outside, where the whole bunch of asians was to shang yue. Too cold outside, so we proceeded to the JCR to play pool and ping pong. :)
Good night I'm so sleepy...
Life has been good though. I'm very happy, I love all my friends, especially those in Sherwood Hall whom I've been spending the bulk of my time with! Almost every night will be in someone else's room with a group of friends watching movies, eating dessert or drinking coffee. :)
I really treasure the friendships made here, very blessed to have a group of friends I can both trust, confide in and have fun together.
Stefanie's room- Party room/Night club, restaurant
Vincent's room- Cafe/Lounge, movie room
Maureen's room- Movie room
Fifi's room- Movie room
Had steamboat in Vincent's room last night and lots of delicious dessert!!!
Strawberries and vanilla ice cream doused with Bailey's Irish Cream, followed by Vienetta (ice cream with layers of chocolate). Mmmmmm :D
Sang Chinese songs (!!!) in my room with Fifi and then we went to view the moon eclipse outside, where the whole bunch of asians was to shang yue. Too cold outside, so we proceeded to the JCR to play pool and ping pong. :)
Good night I'm so sleepy...
Monday, February 19, 2007
CNY in notts
CNY cookout (continued)
Maureen preparing the meatballs! Her face was sooo red! Hehe
Everyone looks on as Deanna slices the grilled chicken, fresh from the oven.
Chef/Birthday boy Vincent and the bak choy
What is a Chinese gathering without mahjong?
Deanna performing with the makeshift microphone (ie mop)
Xin nian kuai le from Nottingham! :)
London CNY
CNY in London: 16-18 Feb
Leicester Square's Chinatown
Sunset at Notting Hill
Beautiful houses!!
All of us (3 frm SG, 1 frm Holland, 1 frm Canada)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Mission week: my testimony
Mission Week has started and today's lunchbar topic is one that has always intrigued me- "How can a loving God allow suffering?"
And as a Christian, I myself find it hard to answer that question. Perhaps it might be more useful to read up more on the topic on this website- www.bethinking.org, which I've started doing just this morning. :) OR attend the lunchbar/evening talk itself! lol
P.S If anyone wants to go for lunchbar (free lunch and a short talk), feel free to text me and I'll go with you! Will be helping to prepare lunch b4 that.
Tmr's topic is thought-provoking as well. "Happiness: the most important thing in life?"
Is it really? I rmb so much in secondary school wanting happiness, becos I wasn't very happy, in truth just plain miserable, especially at upper secondary level. But somehow, God just brought me through.. Went to VJC, got to know a wonderful grp of friends who really matter to me. :) I think it was the start of my spiritual re-awakening too; met Thong who challenged me to know more about God with his passion and openness about his relationship with God. JC years were good; my interest in God and spiritual things reached a new high. Attended a couple of church camps too, where God really spoke to me about letting go of my past, with all my fears and insecurities, hurts and failures. Broke down and there was so much release of the mass of bad things trapped inside. It was incredible- experiencing God's healing so personally. Met a great grp of people from Brighton Community Church too, who really helped me grow spiritually. Can't wait to be back with them!
Received an email from Cheh a few days ago and she told me how amazed she was at how God has transformed me from the inside out; in a mere couple of years. And how there was a real breakthrough; exponential growth when I left for the UK. Indeed praise the Lord! God has changed me, in so many areas. I'm so thankful that I feel free to be myself- I'm not enslaved by fear or worry all the time. And I'm discovering so many things- Of myself, of the world around me, of God Himself. I've got to thank the numerous people who faithfully pray for me every day. :) Have to thank Cheh especially, she's been there for me and with me right from the start of my spiritual journey, pointing me to the God who loves me more than anyone else in the world. The CU here is excellent too- solid teaching of God's word and very genuine and spiritually mature Christians as friends and leaders. I'm excited to serve with them next year. :)
So in answer to the question: Is happiness the most important thing in life? My personal answer would be no, because happiness never lasts- it simply cannot; that's just the way life is. Life is a package; we must accept its sorrows, setbacks and suffering that inevitably come our way. Knowing God as my Lord and Saviour is the most important thing in life for me. I trust Him, in happiness and misery, good times and bad times.
And as a Christian, I myself find it hard to answer that question. Perhaps it might be more useful to read up more on the topic on this website- www.bethinking.org, which I've started doing just this morning. :) OR attend the lunchbar/evening talk itself! lol
P.S If anyone wants to go for lunchbar (free lunch and a short talk), feel free to text me and I'll go with you! Will be helping to prepare lunch b4 that.
Tmr's topic is thought-provoking as well. "Happiness: the most important thing in life?"
Is it really? I rmb so much in secondary school wanting happiness, becos I wasn't very happy, in truth just plain miserable, especially at upper secondary level. But somehow, God just brought me through.. Went to VJC, got to know a wonderful grp of friends who really matter to me. :) I think it was the start of my spiritual re-awakening too; met Thong who challenged me to know more about God with his passion and openness about his relationship with God. JC years were good; my interest in God and spiritual things reached a new high. Attended a couple of church camps too, where God really spoke to me about letting go of my past, with all my fears and insecurities, hurts and failures. Broke down and there was so much release of the mass of bad things trapped inside. It was incredible- experiencing God's healing so personally. Met a great grp of people from Brighton Community Church too, who really helped me grow spiritually. Can't wait to be back with them!
Received an email from Cheh a few days ago and she told me how amazed she was at how God has transformed me from the inside out; in a mere couple of years. And how there was a real breakthrough; exponential growth when I left for the UK. Indeed praise the Lord! God has changed me, in so many areas. I'm so thankful that I feel free to be myself- I'm not enslaved by fear or worry all the time. And I'm discovering so many things- Of myself, of the world around me, of God Himself. I've got to thank the numerous people who faithfully pray for me every day. :) Have to thank Cheh especially, she's been there for me and with me right from the start of my spiritual journey, pointing me to the God who loves me more than anyone else in the world. The CU here is excellent too- solid teaching of God's word and very genuine and spiritually mature Christians as friends and leaders. I'm excited to serve with them next year. :)
So in answer to the question: Is happiness the most important thing in life? My personal answer would be no, because happiness never lasts- it simply cannot; that's just the way life is. Life is a package; we must accept its sorrows, setbacks and suffering that inevitably come our way. Knowing God as my Lord and Saviour is the most important thing in life for me. I trust Him, in happiness and misery, good times and bad times.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
:D
Snow pictures- More to come!
Some updates:
-Praise the Lord for my results- a First Class for Contract Law! (the hardest)
But the rest were quite bad. Haha..
-Pray for Mission Week, organised by the Christian Union. I'm very excited!!! There'll be events going on all week- Lunchbars being the main focus. Lots of hall events going on too; Grill a Christian, pool tournament, 5-a-side football... Do keep Mission Week in prayer!
- Praise the Lord as I gradually learn of the gift of prayer for others that He has given me and for confirming it when Hannah, my CU leader asked me to join the CU prayer team! There's going to be alot of commitment but I'm sure it'll be fulfilling experience, with good training provided and opportunities for deep friendships. I wasn't sure if I'm up to it, but I do wanna serve God and develop in this area. Moreover, spoke to Cheh this afternoon and her response to whether I should say yes to joining the prayer team was "Of course!"
-Yes, life is good. God is good. :D
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
fashion
I'm feeling better now; just that I still have headache, runny nose, cough alot and there's lots and lots of phlegm. Eeeewww...
In between the 9am and 12pm lectures, I went to the Pioneer Travel Centre to book my train/bus tickets (which I'll do later to save on the Coachcard) and then bumped into Jen outside. So we ended up in Portland chatting with her other HK law friends- Jack and Grace, which was really nice. It's great getting to know new ppl! Jack's a really nice guy. So we were all talking about lotsa things; one of them happened to be fashion. And they were telling me how HK people dress up all the time, especially in HK because they're obliged to and more importantly, they just might meet someone they know on the streets. Also when they went shopping or else the sales people would ignore them! So I was telling them, come to Singapore! You can walk around in shorts, T-shirt and slippers and no one will give a hoot. Hahaha. I do that alot when I go to Parkway/Katong area. Even here, most of them dress to the nines- and as compared, here I am, sloppy Singaporean in jeans, top and sneakers almost all the time. They put in alot of effort into their appearance and it shows- most are stylish, some posh (like Stefanie and Deanna, the cream of the law faculty in HK uni), some funky but on the whole, they're all very well-dressed.
But I felt a little uncomfortable with this huge emphasis on fashion and appearances. So I asked them, Don't you think that over-emphasising clothes and externalities is kinda superficial? Won't other people think that all there is to you is just your clothes? Which is so sad! They laughed and agreed but still felt that the pressure to look good was too great not to conform. It is too in Singapore, but not as great an extent as that in HK. I still think HK is an amazing place with amazing people and would definitely want to visit!
And something I've learnt from interacting with people like Aidan, Hannah, Kenny, Lee (all my wonderful hall mates) is that the way you dress is not all there is to you. Kenny (a british born chinese) for example thinks that ppl who flash around their designer clothes are just trying to hide/make up for what they don't have. Perhaps. You can have very few clothes but still have a great conversation and leave a good, lasting impression on others if you've got character and confidence.
I'm so glad I'm beginning to learn all this. :)
Carol
In between the 9am and 12pm lectures, I went to the Pioneer Travel Centre to book my train/bus tickets (which I'll do later to save on the Coachcard) and then bumped into Jen outside. So we ended up in Portland chatting with her other HK law friends- Jack and Grace, which was really nice. It's great getting to know new ppl! Jack's a really nice guy. So we were all talking about lotsa things; one of them happened to be fashion. And they were telling me how HK people dress up all the time, especially in HK because they're obliged to and more importantly, they just might meet someone they know on the streets. Also when they went shopping or else the sales people would ignore them! So I was telling them, come to Singapore! You can walk around in shorts, T-shirt and slippers and no one will give a hoot. Hahaha. I do that alot when I go to Parkway/Katong area. Even here, most of them dress to the nines- and as compared, here I am, sloppy Singaporean in jeans, top and sneakers almost all the time. They put in alot of effort into their appearance and it shows- most are stylish, some posh (like Stefanie and Deanna, the cream of the law faculty in HK uni), some funky but on the whole, they're all very well-dressed.
But I felt a little uncomfortable with this huge emphasis on fashion and appearances. So I asked them, Don't you think that over-emphasising clothes and externalities is kinda superficial? Won't other people think that all there is to you is just your clothes? Which is so sad! They laughed and agreed but still felt that the pressure to look good was too great not to conform. It is too in Singapore, but not as great an extent as that in HK. I still think HK is an amazing place with amazing people and would definitely want to visit!
And something I've learnt from interacting with people like Aidan, Hannah, Kenny, Lee (all my wonderful hall mates) is that the way you dress is not all there is to you. Kenny (a british born chinese) for example thinks that ppl who flash around their designer clothes are just trying to hide/make up for what they don't have. Perhaps. You can have very few clothes but still have a great conversation and leave a good, lasting impression on others if you've got character and confidence.
I'm so glad I'm beginning to learn all this. :)
Carol
Friday, February 02, 2007
day 2 sick
I still feel horrible. Please pray for me.
Bad throbbing headache.
Heatiness; whole body's very hot.
Sore throat.
Cough with phlegm.
Body ache.
Fatigue.
Bad throbbing headache.
Heatiness; whole body's very hot.
Sore throat.
Cough with phlegm.
Body ache.
Fatigue.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
sick
Feeling like crap- sick!
sore throat, cough and throbbing headache. =(
It's the chocolate cake we ate at 1am in Stefanie's room to celebrate her bday.
Can't make it for today's lectures..
Some random updates.
- Did the Jung personality test (thanks to ben and my sis) and I'm an INFP. It's quite cool, this growing self-awareness and going "yea! I'm like that!"My sister was encouraging me to know and accept the person whom God created me to be. And stop comparing myself to other people and feeling inferior- simply because we're all different! Indeed the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. Rejoice in our uniqueness!
-OM ships replied my email and God willing, I just might serve on board the Doulos or Logos II during my summer holidays! Exciting..
- New batch of exchange students have arrived. I've German and American neighbours, both girls. I'm no longer the only girl on my floor! Hooray. It's nice getting to know them, but somehow it's different. Really miss Gwen and Milad! It's so quiet without them around.. Don't get anymore prank calls! Haha.. Was very sad saying so many farewells. And I got kissed 4 times last weekend- Thrice or even more by Doreen, this very lovable and animated German girl and once by Diego, this Mexican guy. I think it's a European thing; I really got a shock! Haha..
- Re-decorated my room. I've a mirror now!
- Went for Refresher's Fair and will be joining more activities this term. Thinking of Volleyball, Explorers, Latin and Ballroom, Music Soc, Pilates or getting more involved in church/Christian Union activities. Like helping out in the international cafes or the homeless soup kitchens. Wanna make the most out of my time here. So many opportunities!
- Will be going home in less than 2 mths time! Will be back for a month. ^^
Flight's on 24 march, will prob arrive on the 25th.
sore throat, cough and throbbing headache. =(
It's the chocolate cake we ate at 1am in Stefanie's room to celebrate her bday.
Can't make it for today's lectures..
Some random updates.
- Did the Jung personality test (thanks to ben and my sis) and I'm an INFP. It's quite cool, this growing self-awareness and going "yea! I'm like that!"My sister was encouraging me to know and accept the person whom God created me to be. And stop comparing myself to other people and feeling inferior- simply because we're all different! Indeed the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. Rejoice in our uniqueness!
-OM ships replied my email and God willing, I just might serve on board the Doulos or Logos II during my summer holidays! Exciting..
- New batch of exchange students have arrived. I've German and American neighbours, both girls. I'm no longer the only girl on my floor! Hooray. It's nice getting to know them, but somehow it's different. Really miss Gwen and Milad! It's so quiet without them around.. Don't get anymore prank calls! Haha.. Was very sad saying so many farewells. And I got kissed 4 times last weekend- Thrice or even more by Doreen, this very lovable and animated German girl and once by Diego, this Mexican guy. I think it's a European thing; I really got a shock! Haha..
- Re-decorated my room. I've a mirror now!
- Went for Refresher's Fair and will be joining more activities this term. Thinking of Volleyball, Explorers, Latin and Ballroom, Music Soc, Pilates or getting more involved in church/Christian Union activities. Like helping out in the international cafes or the homeless soup kitchens. Wanna make the most out of my time here. So many opportunities!
- Will be going home in less than 2 mths time! Will be back for a month. ^^
Flight's on 24 march, will prob arrive on the 25th.
Friday, January 26, 2007
hang in there
Last exam today!!! (Contract Law)
1 month of non-stop study will finally be OVER!
Hang in there!
:D
1 month of non-stop study will finally be OVER!
Hang in there!
:D
Friday, January 19, 2007
had my first exam today- tort. it was alright, prepared well for it but i'm not so sure about the actual performance during today's exam. was too tired and nervous- kept cancelling and re-writing sentences. but alot of people came up to me and said they saw me writing ALOT. haha! oh well next one to go is contract next friday. one down, one more to go. praise the Lord for having sustained me. :)
this is the verse that has kept me going thus far:
"The Lord is my strength and shield,
my heart trusts in Him
and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to Him in song."
- Psam 28:7
received a parcel from home 2 nights ago- oh happy day!!! :) :) :)
thank you my dearest family!!! biggest surprise: my dad sent me a framed poem which he penned himself, which makes it even more special. :)
anyway, looking through my old photos online now and it's depressing. put on 4kg since i got to the land of potatoes and fatty hall food!!!!! new year resolution: get back into shape. looked through stefanie's photos too; she's a really talented photographer. very artistic shots. i am inspired. :) so many things to explore and develop!
tired now, good night my friends.
-carol
this is the verse that has kept me going thus far:
"The Lord is my strength and shield,
my heart trusts in Him
and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to Him in song."
- Psam 28:7
received a parcel from home 2 nights ago- oh happy day!!! :) :) :)
thank you my dearest family!!! biggest surprise: my dad sent me a framed poem which he penned himself, which makes it even more special. :)
anyway, looking through my old photos online now and it's depressing. put on 4kg since i got to the land of potatoes and fatty hall food!!!!! new year resolution: get back into shape. looked through stefanie's photos too; she's a really talented photographer. very artistic shots. i am inspired. :) so many things to explore and develop!
tired now, good night my friends.
-carol
Saturday, January 13, 2007
My interests
I just read an article in The Guardian about Tips for Writers and Readers, by Zadie Smith.
It was excellently wrriten and it offered many incisive and thought-provoking comments about the craft of writing. He describes a great novel as an "experience of the world through a consciousness other than your own". And the writer's duty as "the duty to express accurately their way of being in the world".
And it got me thinking...
Do law essays count as good writing? I miss being able to express myself freely through Literature; being able to have a unique, flowing style other than having to adhere to the requirement of being "clear, precise and concise" in law essays.
I miss reading fiction and poetry. Simply haven't had the time or the luxury. I can't even remember the title of the last fiction book I read- Most of my reading materials nowadays are confined to textbooks, law cases, journal articles or online news reports. I don't read for enjoyment anymore.
It's something that I gradually realise- what I've given up over the years in the name of academic focus and success. My love of reading, writing, art and craft, music, French and piano lessons, sport (netball and volleyball) all sidelined and pushed away into a dark receptacle. And it's only now that these interests (and how I/society has repressed them) are beginning to re-surface. Now that I'm away from Singapore, in England.
It first hit me acutely during the "Talent Night" during the Christian Union House Party in Wales- it's not that the people here are more talented; they simply take the time and effort to invest in what they love- and it shows. I approached this girl who sings very well and she told me she started singing professionally when she was 15. Now this implies that she'd been singing for a really long time- She's that good because she'd been practicing for years. Another thought- How many of us in Singapore would actually pursue music as a career; what's more at age 15?! And this is just a sidetrack- Isn't it godly too? To invest in our God-given talents and grow them so that we can glorfy Him instead of burying them.
Then the next time was in Aidan's house- His sketches are displayed all over the house.. And I remember this conversation we had. He asked me, "Do u draw, Carol?" because I told him about sketching capsicums for art class. (Remember Hazel my dear sheep???) And it was a painful reply: "Yes, I used to... But stopped". "How long has it been since you gave up drawing?" "Since I was 14?" And it's the same story for writing- short stories and poetry, for music, for sport. How much of myself have I suppressed/given up???
All this random thoughts were ordered and reinforced while talking and sharing with Cheh last week. She told me she discovered a creative side of herself in Australia! She even bought a sketchbook to draw when she felt inspired! :) How cool is that! And yeah I'm so glad there's someone who feels the same way... About enthusiastically exploring our interests and believing they're worth our time and effort.
Yesterday's study break was spent doing some sketches and with the thought occurred to me "Hey i can do this!" :)
Post-exams break shall be spent watching Pride and Prejudice with Samara and reading a good novel.:) Or maybe even taking a short-weekend trip outta Nottingham.
It was excellently wrriten and it offered many incisive and thought-provoking comments about the craft of writing. He describes a great novel as an "experience of the world through a consciousness other than your own". And the writer's duty as "the duty to express accurately their way of being in the world".
And it got me thinking...
Do law essays count as good writing? I miss being able to express myself freely through Literature; being able to have a unique, flowing style other than having to adhere to the requirement of being "clear, precise and concise" in law essays.
I miss reading fiction and poetry. Simply haven't had the time or the luxury. I can't even remember the title of the last fiction book I read- Most of my reading materials nowadays are confined to textbooks, law cases, journal articles or online news reports. I don't read for enjoyment anymore.
It's something that I gradually realise- what I've given up over the years in the name of academic focus and success. My love of reading, writing, art and craft, music, French and piano lessons, sport (netball and volleyball) all sidelined and pushed away into a dark receptacle. And it's only now that these interests (and how I/society has repressed them) are beginning to re-surface. Now that I'm away from Singapore, in England.
It first hit me acutely during the "Talent Night" during the Christian Union House Party in Wales- it's not that the people here are more talented; they simply take the time and effort to invest in what they love- and it shows. I approached this girl who sings very well and she told me she started singing professionally when she was 15. Now this implies that she'd been singing for a really long time- She's that good because she'd been practicing for years. Another thought- How many of us in Singapore would actually pursue music as a career; what's more at age 15?! And this is just a sidetrack- Isn't it godly too? To invest in our God-given talents and grow them so that we can glorfy Him instead of burying them.
Then the next time was in Aidan's house- His sketches are displayed all over the house.. And I remember this conversation we had. He asked me, "Do u draw, Carol?" because I told him about sketching capsicums for art class. (Remember Hazel my dear sheep???) And it was a painful reply: "Yes, I used to... But stopped". "How long has it been since you gave up drawing?" "Since I was 14?" And it's the same story for writing- short stories and poetry, for music, for sport. How much of myself have I suppressed/given up???
All this random thoughts were ordered and reinforced while talking and sharing with Cheh last week. She told me she discovered a creative side of herself in Australia! She even bought a sketchbook to draw when she felt inspired! :) How cool is that! And yeah I'm so glad there's someone who feels the same way... About enthusiastically exploring our interests and believing they're worth our time and effort.
Yesterday's study break was spent doing some sketches and with the thought occurred to me "Hey i can do this!" :)
Post-exams break shall be spent watching Pride and Prejudice with Samara and reading a good novel.:) Or maybe even taking a short-weekend trip outta Nottingham.
Friday, January 12, 2007
family
Question: How did my family spent Christmas Eve? Answer: Big party!! An impromptu one at that. Amazing since the last time we had a big-scale event at Joy Court was 4 years ago?! During my parents' 30th anniversary.. log on to my sister's blog to see the happenings: www.dazzlyn.blogspot.com :) Wished I were home too; then again I had a very authentic English/French Christmas. I'm just glad that everyone had a great time. Hehe I can't wait to be back! Just 2 months to the Easter hols.. And I'll be going home in Summer too! Mum and Dad want me home for their anniversary celebrations.. Very special date: 7/7/2007. (But it's just an excuse for we miss you Carol. Hehe) - So YEAH it'll be a whirlwind of festivities each time I'm home sweet home- Kor's wedding on 31/3/2007! Exciting!!!!
Yesterday at Blackwell's I spent 10 pounds on 8 cards and a calender... All half-priced! I love the designs.. so pretty and some so nostalgic. So before I give them away to the blessed recipients, they'll be perched happily on my bedroom walls. :) I've put up my Paris paintings too. I love my room! Love hanging out in other people's rooms too! Haha.. Min brought back bak kwah! :D
K back to the books now.
Carol
Yesterday at Blackwell's I spent 10 pounds on 8 cards and a calender... All half-priced! I love the designs.. so pretty and some so nostalgic. So before I give them away to the blessed recipients, they'll be perched happily on my bedroom walls. :) I've put up my Paris paintings too. I love my room! Love hanging out in other people's rooms too! Haha.. Min brought back bak kwah! :D
K back to the books now.
Carol
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
coursework- OVER!
breakthrough- i finally finished all 3 assignments, with just 3 hours of sleep monday night.
was woken up by the fire alarm at 4am- on my first night back! and so worked all the way until the 4pm deadline. praise the Lord that i managed to complete it in His strength! im pretty sure i gave my understanding law reseach essay my best shot. :)
think im falling sick though- perpetual headache and feeling feverish.
last night i was feeling so hot- couldn't sleep even though i had stripped down to t-shirt and FBT shorts.
:( can't fall sick- need to prepare for exams!!!
Lord, give me a godly perspective on exams- i will do my best, for Your glory but my self-worth and identity is not dependent on how well i do! teach me not to worry; but in everything, by prayer and petition, to present my requests to You. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
You are with me.
-Carol
happy to be back in hall, surrounded by people again! :) :) :)
had a very happy first night seeing friends all around, saying happy new year and inquiring how they spent the christmas break!
was woken up by the fire alarm at 4am- on my first night back! and so worked all the way until the 4pm deadline. praise the Lord that i managed to complete it in His strength! im pretty sure i gave my understanding law reseach essay my best shot. :)
think im falling sick though- perpetual headache and feeling feverish.
last night i was feeling so hot- couldn't sleep even though i had stripped down to t-shirt and FBT shorts.
:( can't fall sick- need to prepare for exams!!!
Lord, give me a godly perspective on exams- i will do my best, for Your glory but my self-worth and identity is not dependent on how well i do! teach me not to worry; but in everything, by prayer and petition, to present my requests to You. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
You are with me.
-Carol
happy to be back in hall, surrounded by people again! :) :) :)
had a very happy first night seeing friends all around, saying happy new year and inquiring how they spent the christmas break!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Year 2007
"The Year"
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of a year.
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
This is a little late, but happy new year to all. :) And happy birthday to my dearest daddy.
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of a year.
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
This is a little late, but happy new year to all. :) And happy birthday to my dearest daddy.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Friday, December 29, 2006
Dec 2006 travels
Some memorable pictures of my travels.. (Sussex, London, Brighton n Paris)
Baking mincepies, pasties n cherry cakes with Hannah and her mum.
Walking The Downs in Sussex.
(my 1st time wearing wellington boots!)
Some snapshots of Paris. C'est magnifique!
The Notre Dame
Versailles Chateau
Me with Aidan's family during Christmas time.
Baking mincepies, pasties n cherry cakes with Hannah and her mum.Walking The Downs in Sussex.
(my 1st time wearing wellington boots!)
Some snapshots of Paris. C'est magnifique!
The Notre DameVersailles Chateau
Me with Aidan's family during Christmas time.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
can't sleeep
Couldn't sleep properly last night; due to a combination of factors..
1) Seriously overate last night during the CU social at Red Hot. Chinese-Thai-Italian-Indian fusion buffet. Soooo good!! I was so high! :) Haven't had hot off the wok stir-fry since I got here. Ahhh.. and excellent desserts! Cost me 15pounds though.. Hao gui ah!
2) Damn fire alarm went off for at least half an hour non-stop at 3am. I didn't want to get out of bed so I spent the whole time with my fingers in my ears. -_-"
3) Thinking of the multitude of things I have to do today b4 I leave tmr morning. Worrywart!
And so here I am, at 8am in the morning when the sky is still surprisingly dark.
It feels so surreal- Yesterday during lunch Fifi and I were talking about it; how it feels so unreal even being right here in Nottingham. And in a few days time, Europe beckons. :) It's hard to believe that I've been here for 3 months- it seems like it has been such a short time; I still remember so clearly my farewell departure at Changi Airport, landing at Heathrow and taking that bus down to the University of Nottingham where life started anew. Touring the beautiful University Park campus for the first time and saying "Lovely!" or "So nice!" at least 20 times. Being enthralled by the splendid display of nature right before my eyes- squirrels! swans, geese, sucks by the lake! gently swaying willow trees outside my room. The vastness of The Downs. Breathing in the crisp, fresh air and thinking of how Mummy would have loved to be there too. All the fu li zi! Haha.. Exploring little pockets of beauty- the gardens dotted all around the campus. Thanking God every morning for allowing me to be here. Reading a Psalm every morning..
A new whole chapter of my life has begun and it's steadily gaining momentum. People have left and are leaving, some for good and whom I may never see again. Bare rooms all around. SQ was recounting his memories with me a few hours before he left- taking a taxi down to Notts from the airport for the first time, The Downs, people... 1 term has just flown by, so much to do, so little time. Surreal. Paradoxical- In some ways I feel like I've barely arrived- Some things, like speaking in the British accent, finding my way about town are still alien to me. And yet in other ways, I feel like I've settled into a comfortable routine that has been part of my life all this while- Classes, a firm group of friends in hall, trusting in a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me.
And tomorrow morning I leave Nottingham for Sussex and Paris. It's mind-blowing. Hannah was telling me the things we'll do at her place- baking, shopping, going for a carol service, decorating a real christmas tree, going for short trips around the region... Another set of new experiences. Then it's Paris! Aidan stays really near the Versailles Palace! ^^ Then London; meeting up with Grace Chong, from Dunman High and VJ and maybe JiaChuan. Nice to see familiar faces again. :)
Thankful.
-Carol
1) Seriously overate last night during the CU social at Red Hot. Chinese-Thai-Italian-Indian fusion buffet. Soooo good!! I was so high! :) Haven't had hot off the wok stir-fry since I got here. Ahhh.. and excellent desserts! Cost me 15pounds though.. Hao gui ah!
2) Damn fire alarm went off for at least half an hour non-stop at 3am. I didn't want to get out of bed so I spent the whole time with my fingers in my ears. -_-"
3) Thinking of the multitude of things I have to do today b4 I leave tmr morning. Worrywart!
And so here I am, at 8am in the morning when the sky is still surprisingly dark.
It feels so surreal- Yesterday during lunch Fifi and I were talking about it; how it feels so unreal even being right here in Nottingham. And in a few days time, Europe beckons. :) It's hard to believe that I've been here for 3 months- it seems like it has been such a short time; I still remember so clearly my farewell departure at Changi Airport, landing at Heathrow and taking that bus down to the University of Nottingham where life started anew. Touring the beautiful University Park campus for the first time and saying "Lovely!" or "So nice!" at least 20 times. Being enthralled by the splendid display of nature right before my eyes- squirrels! swans, geese, sucks by the lake! gently swaying willow trees outside my room. The vastness of The Downs. Breathing in the crisp, fresh air and thinking of how Mummy would have loved to be there too. All the fu li zi! Haha.. Exploring little pockets of beauty- the gardens dotted all around the campus. Thanking God every morning for allowing me to be here. Reading a Psalm every morning..
A new whole chapter of my life has begun and it's steadily gaining momentum. People have left and are leaving, some for good and whom I may never see again. Bare rooms all around. SQ was recounting his memories with me a few hours before he left- taking a taxi down to Notts from the airport for the first time, The Downs, people... 1 term has just flown by, so much to do, so little time. Surreal. Paradoxical- In some ways I feel like I've barely arrived- Some things, like speaking in the British accent, finding my way about town are still alien to me. And yet in other ways, I feel like I've settled into a comfortable routine that has been part of my life all this while- Classes, a firm group of friends in hall, trusting in a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me.
And tomorrow morning I leave Nottingham for Sussex and Paris. It's mind-blowing. Hannah was telling me the things we'll do at her place- baking, shopping, going for a carol service, decorating a real christmas tree, going for short trips around the region... Another set of new experiences. Then it's Paris! Aidan stays really near the Versailles Palace! ^^ Then London; meeting up with Grace Chong, from Dunman High and VJ and maybe JiaChuan. Nice to see familiar faces again. :)
Thankful.
-Carol
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Things I have to do
1. Finish up speech for the last Constitutional law tutorial.
Role-play for human rights lawyer. AGAIN! Haha.. I just have this affinity for human rights.
2. Impt- Finish up Christmas cards; so that Min can post it for me in Singapore.
3. Start Understanding Law coursework- Aim to finish at least the readings b4 I get kicked out of halls on Sat.
4. Map out routes for my Sussex/Paris/London trip.. Sure don't wanna get lost when I'm travelling alone! I'm not even sure where the Nottingham train station is. -_-"
Research on what I wanna do at Hannah's and Aidan's.
5. PACK.
6. Stay off the internet- Number 1 source of distraction + tiredness.
7. Call home. :)
1. Finish up speech for the last Constitutional law tutorial.
Role-play for human rights lawyer. AGAIN! Haha.. I just have this affinity for human rights.
2. Impt- Finish up Christmas cards; so that Min can post it for me in Singapore.
3. Start Understanding Law coursework- Aim to finish at least the readings b4 I get kicked out of halls on Sat.
4. Map out routes for my Sussex/Paris/London trip.. Sure don't wanna get lost when I'm travelling alone! I'm not even sure where the Nottingham train station is. -_-"
Research on what I wanna do at Hannah's and Aidan's.
5. PACK.
6. Stay off the internet- Number 1 source of distraction + tiredness.
7. Call home. :)
Saturday, December 09, 2006
hall formal
Sherwood Hall Formal Dinner
The Asian girls
HK, Singapore, S Korea unite!
Me and Fifi
SQ and me
Gwen me Milad
The Asian girlsHK, Singapore, S Korea unite!
Me and Fifi
SQ and me
Gwen me Milad
Swan Lake
Swan Lake by the St. Petersberg Ballet Company
An enchanting night
Outside Nottingham's Theatre Royale
KyungHee, JaYoung, me and Fifi
The Dance of the Virgins
Sheer Opulence!
The Prima Ballerina (extremely graceful)
An enchanting night
Outside Nottingham's Theatre RoyaleKyungHee, JaYoung, me and Fifi
The Dance of the Virgins
Sheer Opulence!
The Prima Ballerina (extremely graceful)
Bonfire Night
Guy Fawkes Day
Bonfire Night at Forest Fields recreation grounds
(I wished I were a child again!)
Milad and his beard! lol
The carousel:)
Fireworks exploding right above us. INCREDIBLE!
Me and Fifi- again! :)
Pictures
Stratford-upon-Avon
The Birthplace of William Shakespeare
I like this quote.. poignant.
me and the korean girls
english cream tea.... mmmmm :)
Friday, December 08, 2006
A tribute to SQ
SQ ( A Singaporean on exchange from the USA) left for good in the wee hours of the morning...
There was some closure at least- But will miss him so much! He's one of the few people whom I trust and can open up to. He's also a very good listener who gives solid advice! D Block just won't be the same without SQ- no more hearing his LOUD singing in the shower or LOUD laughter which reverberates through the whole block. Or his popping by into my room to chat- so convenient, he stays upstairs, right above me. Don't really want to go upstairs anymore or hand in his keys at the hall reception..
Didn't really wanna talk about it this morning- It is very sad when someone leaves after having lived together..Painful goodbyes are part and parcel of communal hall life I guess, and a drawback of being close to exchange students. =(
Next term it's Gwen and Milad's turn and it's even worse because the chances of ever seeing them again are even lesser! I'll miss the crazy French and German.
Still, I won't trade getting to know them for anything; the past 3 months toegther have been simply awesome!
Monday, November 27, 2006
shopping
Oh my spent a bomb.
Online shopping yesterday with the Singapore & HK girls- I bought a white lace dress and a white bag (both supposedly in the style of Christina Aguilera)!! For only 15 pounds! :D It's super addictive; we spent HOURS checking out their online store. They're gonna arrive on thursday!! Sooo exciting!
Went to the nottingham city centre with Kristy, another HK girl today after Contract lecture to accompany her on her job-hunting. But ended up spending more $$. FINALLY bought running shoes, after 3 mths of procrastination. Silver and purple Asics. I like... :) Bought a red jacket too for 9 pounds!! Oh yes and there was a Christmas fair in Market Square; lotsa quaint little stalls selling all sorts of stuff! I especially like how u can sample all the different kinds of biscuits and bread for free; the Singaporean in me is still very evident. Hehh.. Bought German Christmas bread for Hannah, whom I'll be staying with in Dec. Any other gift ideas??? Need to get stuff for Aidan too- was thinking of Hotel Chocolat. Ooh la la! Wine??
Busy week ahead; Swan Lake tmr night and the hall formal dinner on wednesday night. Carolling service and Reason for the Season, a Christmas concert also coming up. Exciting eh!!! :) :) :) but unfortunately I haven't finished preparing for my Tort or Consti tutorial! Also need to settle transportation on the last leg of my Dec trip; from London Waterloo to Notts. Hopefully can spend the night in a friend's place in London so I dont have to travel alone at night.. Too dangerous... So many things to think about; still need to think about all the essay assignments AND midterm exams.
Focus focus!
God give me strength!
Online shopping yesterday with the Singapore & HK girls- I bought a white lace dress and a white bag (both supposedly in the style of Christina Aguilera)!! For only 15 pounds! :D It's super addictive; we spent HOURS checking out their online store. They're gonna arrive on thursday!! Sooo exciting!
Went to the nottingham city centre with Kristy, another HK girl today after Contract lecture to accompany her on her job-hunting. But ended up spending more $$. FINALLY bought running shoes, after 3 mths of procrastination. Silver and purple Asics. I like... :) Bought a red jacket too for 9 pounds!! Oh yes and there was a Christmas fair in Market Square; lotsa quaint little stalls selling all sorts of stuff! I especially like how u can sample all the different kinds of biscuits and bread for free; the Singaporean in me is still very evident. Hehh.. Bought German Christmas bread for Hannah, whom I'll be staying with in Dec. Any other gift ideas??? Need to get stuff for Aidan too- was thinking of Hotel Chocolat. Ooh la la! Wine??
Busy week ahead; Swan Lake tmr night and the hall formal dinner on wednesday night. Carolling service and Reason for the Season, a Christmas concert also coming up. Exciting eh!!! :) :) :) but unfortunately I haven't finished preparing for my Tort or Consti tutorial! Also need to settle transportation on the last leg of my Dec trip; from London Waterloo to Notts. Hopefully can spend the night in a friend's place in London so I dont have to travel alone at night.. Too dangerous... So many things to think about; still need to think about all the essay assignments AND midterm exams.
Focus focus!
God give me strength!
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