Toastmaster Milestone

Today marks the day I gave my first Toastmasters speech. They call it maiden speech.

Yes, finally. With my speech entitled, "I had a dream".

To be honest, I went through the whole ritual of procrastination, not preparing my speech until just the day before. Funnily enough, I did prepare a speech 3 days before but I didn't feel it appropriate or worthy for public ears. It wasn't until the day before that I was confirmed to give a speech on this very day.

Going through the writers' block that couldn't have come on a more timely period (don't they always) I resorted to find my inspiration piece in this very forlorn place, already lacking in audience and collectibles.

At first it was merely a cut and paste affair where I had to craft my speech around my used phrases, but thanks to a friend, we managed to make some sense out of it.

I had my expectations on myself, others had expectations on me, me being one who is not new to public speaking as I have been involved in church activities. The pressure was on.

I did my share of work, put it as much effort and the best that I can given the time frame I have subjected myself to.

Ultimately, what was done was done, I delivered my speech, although perhaps not in the fashion I fancied. Losing my train of thought having to recall my speech, that was something I needed improvement on.

Managing Expectations....

When at work, your boss expects more from you. Greater productivity, greater efficiency, greater responsibility.

When at home, your parents expects you to be alert and on standby mode for most times.

When out, your friends expects you to be entertaining, lively, joyous and (yes, I am bold to use this word in this century) gay.

So I am asking you, how can we ever please everyone?!

Let me just illustrate...

So your boss expects you to finish up your work, but since you have a pile of files to conquer...
You, being a productive, efficient and responsible employee, takes back your work home.

Thinking of how lucky the firm is to have you...
You bring back the work home only to find that the house is not in order and that your parents expect you to be on your tippy toes with your ears perked up constantly.

" Come this, go there, do this, don't dare" rhymes in your ear.

In between serving their demands and squeezing in some time to work (if you can concentrate, that is), you get a phone call from your friends.

After exchanging hellos and "how are you"s, they manage to coax you into going out...
By using the oldest tricks like commenting on how you don't have a life, how long it has been since the both of you caught up and much worse, 'the friend card' (*scary music playing in background*)

Just as you think you are doing both your friends' and yours (since you don't have a life apparently) a favour, your friends' comment on your zonked-out face and lax (or lack of) response.

In the end, all you get is a tired, frustrated, blacked-face you.

Since you...
didn't manage to finish your work - had to slog the next week too
disappointed your parents - they really counted on you
lost some friends (maybe) - they would never call you out again, party-pooper
hate everything about yourself - can never face yourself again

Now after all that, the moral of the story is...

It's all the fault of work!

So never sacrifice anything, everything for it...


Let everything be in proportion,
LiSs ^^

sO bLeSsEd...beyond words.

Thought of updating after what has been a long time, crucial events past.

So now work does not seem at all a pain, hurt comes in many other different ways too...
Just to keep it simple and direct, been through quite challenging times, times where it seems like the air is still and no one hears you...

Mom, we'll always be there for you no matter what and seeing you keep strong makes us even want to fight more...

But the tough gets us going still and to praise Him for all He has done.

Count it a blessing that so many care and even praying along worldwide. Just today, Pastor Irvin Rutherford came over just to share and to pray with us. Not to make a big deal out of it but how often do we get that honour? Just goes to show much Mom is loved.

Certainly it makes a whole lot of difference. Your prayers, encouragements, chores etc. mean a lot to us.
On behalf of my family, I can say this with great confidence, A BIG THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.

LiSs
We love you...never give up on us.

I HAD a dream.

I was a little girl alone in my little world who dreamed of a little home
for me.
I played pretend between the trees, and fed my houseguests bark and leaves,
and laughed in my pretty bed of green.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest swing.
I had a dream.

Long walks in the dark through woods grown behind the park, I asked God who
I'm supposed to be.
The stars smiled down on me, God answered in silent reverie.
I said a prayer and fell asleep.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest tree.
I had a dream.

Now I'm old and feeling grey.
I don't know what's left to say about this life I'm willing to leave.
I lived it full and I lived it well, there's many tales I've lived to tell.
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now to fly from the highest swing.

I had a dream.

(Song by Priscilla Ahn)

Was in the car with Shalom, Ivan and Haze when we discussed about our individual songs.
Songs that had our personalities in it. THE song with character. Ours.

This was mine...

I have to admit, it pretty much sums up the person that I am.

I am a dreamer.

Was once, am still, never lost it. You be the judge.
To point out, I do daydream sometimes.
Those times when I would gaze to the sky or stare out to the open field.
Or maybe at you. So it seems, when I'm actually looking past you and maybe, just maybe...boring a hole through you.

So what if I didn't remember most of my childhood. At least my vague memories were pleasant. Boring, as it may seem but what more can a little girl ask for?

A little girl with a simple mind, easily contented. Innocent but with a big heart.

I want to be THAT little girl again.
With no care in the world.
Nothing to hold me back.
Nothing I would regret.
Looking towards the promising future.
Keeping memories close to my heart so dear.
To fly on the highest swing.
And to dream of myself with a wing.

I am ready now...
LiSs

A dedication...

Got this idea from a certain friend.
And in accordance to my pursuit of writing less gloomy posts and more positive ones...

Cheers to us!
Us and all our friends from Monash, those who managed to graduate after 3 years of hard toiling.

To A & W (they are addressed as one now):
Forever! May we never ever need to pick sides!

To Andrew:
Celebrating his 'modesty' and our constant disagreements.

To Bryan:
As a source of entertainment for his 'hard labour' in the office. I know you're reading this...*wink*

To Laura:
Never losing her countless jokes and expressions!

To Mich:
To an ambitious, a high flyer and career woman. Success!

To Yin:
With her trademark. The infectious laugh.

To Zhen Han:
His new self. Of less lonely nights and more cheerful days to come!


As we part ways into different courses of our lives, may we never forget we've once walked on this path, the one where we are standing at different junctions facing across one another.
(dang, i broke the very reason for this post. a light and cheery one =p)

With love,
LiSs ^^

Believe...Just because.

What a better way to start the new year, than with a new post?
For the new year...(though technically the new year spirit has come but all gone)

I remember when I was in Form 1...In a new school, in a new environment, with new faces. (okay it wasn't entirely alien, but with my friends in other classes, I felt pretty...alone.)
Not the point. (though 'new' works. in this case)

Now back to the story. My English teacher, Mrs. Whatever-her-name-was was your typical stern-looking, no-nonsense teacher (at least that's what I can gather after all these years, who says only teachers can't remember their students name!).

P.S. she is that SJ teacher whom my friend and I get the worse from, with a cleanliness check every Monday, her taking the last period before assembly, the class being unreasonably dirty week after week, and us being on floor duty on Mondays. (urghh, those WERE the days i definitely would want to forget)

So on the first period of her class, we were given an assignment to do (already! i know!).

An essay entitled...My New Year Resolutions.

Of course by now, I do not recall at all any of the contents of my essay. Heck, it may all sound so cliche now that I've grown up (more like getting old) but then...then.

It seemed like almost an impossible task to do.
Or something passed off as easy.
Or something exciting or interesting.

The former being a practical teenager understanding that more than half of what would be written would not be accomplished by the end of the year anyway.
The latter being an ambitious teenager who has ideas just spinning off in her head waiting to be overturned out and who never stops dreaming.

Of the combination of the two, I was slighted more towards the picture of the former teenager.

Now as I glanced back at the past, I think to myself, "What have I actually done?"
And as I look forward to the future, "What can I do?"

Surely, I have become worse. Much more cynical bout life. A realist. No longer believing in the happily ever after. At least not for myself. Not now. But no, I can't bring myself to say,

"Not ever."

Just because I want to believe in the best in others. I want to believe there's a better place out there. I want to believe I can dream dreams. I want to believe in myself. I want to believe I too, can have a happy ever after. Just because.

Start it right. End it well.
LiSs ^^

Near death experiences...

Where my whole life flashed right across my eyes...

Or so, it would seem.

Cutting a corner too fast,
I almost rammed the edge.

Holding my breath for too long,
I nearly ran out of breath.

Almost falling into the drain, with my hands sprawled against the wall,
My first few lessons learning how to ride a bike.

Riding a roller coaster at lightning speed,
I almost fell off my seat.

ALMOST. Or so it would seem.

Nothing like a rush of adrenalin pumping in your blood,
Nothing like a feeling of pure exhilaration.
Chills running down your spine,
Shocks of electricity jolting you back to life.

Giving you a reason to live.
Reminding you of your existence.
The extra push you need to exert yourself.

When I go to heaven,
I want my life to count,
To meet God face to face,
Hearing the words...
"Well done, Melissa. You good and faithful servant!"

P.S. I've yet to learn how to ride a bike, properly.
LiSs ^^

Just another case of...

Being at the Wrong Place, at the Wrong Time.

Being at the Right Place, at the Right Time.

OR

Being at the Wrong Place, at the Right Time.

vice versa.

You call them pure coincidence,
mere accidents,
bad judgements...
I call them. Fate.


When what would seem to be a shed of light or a ray of hope,
Just a shift in course would be enough to place one in a predicament amidst the deep blue of the sea.

When all appears to be well and dandy,
Just a wrong foot forward would be enough to crush one's visions and dreams.

When all that one thrived on was because of a perfect image,
Just a touch of reality would be enough to shatter its fragile elements.

Yes, its one of those cases.
Nothing happens without reason.

I'm having one of those nights.
LiSs ^^

At long last!

After months of procrastinating and leaving drafted posts unfinished and unpublished, I've determined to post this, even if its gonna end up to be a short or pointless one. I'm not going to give excuses for my absence despite my unreasonably tight schedule, but for my lack of persistence and devotion.

No, I've never understood how some people never fail to take time off their schedule to update their blogs. For me, it's the television and whatever else that does not require me to use my brains (I still haven't found time to clean my room after exams =p). But it is rather comforting to be letting out a few things off my mind sometimes, I tend to keep them very much to myself.

So, what has been going on in my secret life? Unfortunately, nothing much. Yes, I've just finished my exams, officially a graduate a total bummer a missionary, traveller. Truth is, events follow, one after another. Aside from birthdays, even my mom's 50th, other celebrations and never forgetting some milestones.

Thanks to Project Management, I've learnt that milestones do not have a duration, but only marks a significant event in our schedule called life. A milestone in our life is something only for us to value as it may be only significant to some, those who are affected by it. If you think you may be someone in one area, remember you are part of a city, state, nation, region, continent, world, galaxy and ultimately the entire universe. Now, who do you think you are?

Back to my point, your significant event...may not be so significant after all. Oooh, I've just burst a bubble. Not to sound jaded, but...life's like that sometimes. It's not always about me, my and myself. Nor you, you and you. So...what if people do not appreciate you for who you are and not value the things you do...We all have our own unique experiences no one could ever take them from us. So, treasure every little thing you have but continue to stay down-to-earth.

So much for this being a short post. I drift away. Sometimes. For the most part.

Let's see what have I done so far...Right after exams, my cell group were caught up with the CouZ Talent Night by SIBKL. Every night, we would gather to practise for the audition happening on Sat night. At first, we were ambitious enough to come up with a 5 number performance. Of a dance, song, mime, stomp and media. More like a copy of 30 seconds to fame where each number would last 30 seconds centered on the theme, 'One'.

The plan failed. Miserably. Strike 1 was with the dance which was supposed to be led by Bryan who, was not very much a dancer himself (sorry Bryan! for the record, none of us are, excepting Bernice's solo with you as the pole. Told you that could have worked better with you standing still =p)

Strike 2 - Stomp led by Laura
We could not possibly some up with any neat, tight beats even after countless times of watching it on YouTube. So, out you go! Well at least we did have fun boom banging and cling clanging buckets and pans. =D

Strike 3 - Mime led by myself
This, we had some sort of idea from Lindy and were halfway there. Nonetheless, not enough to make a stunning performance and therefore, scrapped.

Strike 4 - Media by John
Due to insufficient time, he didn't manage to come up with it.

After 4 strikes, what else is left but the song, which we did. Conventional style. The Amazing Grace (My chains are gone) presented to you by One United cell.

Since I had my mom's 50th on that Sat of the audition day itself, I didn't join them on auditions. My mom's birthday's another event on itself feat. the Grease theme with Uncle Tony, the disco king.

The next week was also spent on practising for the big day, the Talent Night itself. We made through to the finals! Apparently, the judges are really nice people who couldn't turn anyone down even if they were really bad. Or they expected 10 groups to perform but since only 9 groups participated, we all made it! But auditions wouldn't be complete without comments and boy did we get ours! The judges were confused of us being a performance or a worship team? Amazing Grace, much? And the girls' voices were not strong enough. Fair enough, for most of us girls, it was our first time. We definitely had a lot of catching up to do.

After many nights of toiling...*pause* for effect...our every bit of effort paid off. We displayed more confidence, more coordination and more voice, according to Lindy, our image consultant =p Excepting the fact that, the other groups were way better than us! We knew for sure, we didn't deserve to win. Despite that, Laura contributed to us being the top 2 on the SMS votes. At least, we were mentioned apart from the rest of us non-winners getting consolation prizes of free TGV movie tickets (no surprise there).

After supper, on that fateful night...While Bryan drove Laura and I back home, we met an accident on the highway. To keep the long story short, we survived from what would have been a nasty accident with only some sprains, bruises and cuts. And the moral of the story, always buckle up, even behind!

This ended up to be a much longer post than i expected. Oh well, I'll leave the rest for another day. So, there's something to look forward to.

That's all for now, folks!
Next up, Thailand and Singapore!
LiSs ^^

life has taken on a new turn...
the world is seen differently through one's eyes...
every step is taken purposefully...
with a mission, a set goal to work towards to...

My time is running out…Age is not a factor?

Just when you think age is not catching up on you…think again!


Symptoms of old age:

1. Jumbling up of words

Parking + Marketing = Park-eting

We were on the way to Pavillion the other day. The 3 musketeers – ZH, B and I went finding for parking. When we just missed out on one, I randomly said:

“Don’t worry la, sure can find parketing…opps..Parking. haha.”

And a few other mixed up words, I can’t seem to remember. I was totally in my sound mind. Hmm, now makes you wonder if I had proper teaching since..kindy, primary school?


2. Lines, creases, bags and whatever nots…

Sheer sign of old age…when you actually grow older! A little extra lines here and there, even from smiling or laughing gives you a few more wrinkles. Eye bags that go deep just below the eye from those inevitable late nights (yes Zhen Han, life does not treat me well in that way T.T). A few scars and bruises here and there, hence the ‘colourful’ me (haih, I’m that clumsy unfortunate) To think that I’m getting older, more like I’m reverting back to my childhood life! haha.


3. Forget-me-nots

If I give you that I-think-I-know-you-look-familiar look, please excuse me. I probably am figuring out where I have seen you before and or in the midst of trying to dig out some memory of a name. Again, not my intention, I’m just simply getting old! Or maybe it’s just my bad memory of names and faces =p


4. Mother no. 2

When you speak like your mother! This includes all the older generation lingo and old grandmother tales that you keep reminding others…

“I’ve eaten more salt than you do rice.”
“Let’s bring our whole gene gang!’ (wonder if that’s the right spelling…)
“Aiya, kids nowadays…” *shakes head*

5. Reminiscence of the old times

“Haih, those we the days when we used to do…this…and …that…”
“Remember when we…bla bla bla…”

As if time is on its stand still as we speak. No, time waits for no man, so move
on forward!

6. Countless reunions and gatherings

People only do gather when they have not seen each other for a very long time. But nowadays, reunions are done almost every week! Hmm, wonder if it’s just an excuse to meet…


7. Misplacement of articles

It starts first with small little nick nacks that lie loosely around the house. Never forgetting, the times you used to call your cell just to find out where it is. Then it goes on to appointments you unintentionally miss- making the use of a ‘diary cum appointment/ agenda for the week’ necessary.


8. Frequent relation of stories/ constant reminders of old age

The relation of the same story to the same party on several occasions.

“Oh, did I tell you about the time I…”
“I did? Hmm..”

“Haih, this year twenty-one already, I feel so old”

And boy, don’t you feel old! Amazing how powerful words are, especially with self-admittance. Note to those who ARE old out there: do not live in denial!

And for those who ARE older than me…

“Please la, if you’re old, then what am I?”

(an older human, maybe? =p)

9. Early bird/ fatigue and tiredness/boredom/lack of stamina

Those who know me well would know that I sometimes can get high (no, not on anything) for nothing. It’s just one of those moments, after a certain hour that I just get a lil’ perky, so to speak (probably on those late nights, which are extremely rare) Note to self: oh now it makes sense!

Nowadays, I can’t get pass a day without escaping a yawn. Don’t be offended if it was ‘performed’ in your presence, people! I am first tired, before I get bored. My attention span is also shortening, which makes it harder for me to stay occupied and satisfied.

Even very much before the striking of midnight you can see the fatigue/tiredness taking its toll on me. That is probably why I call my night early and then wake up early in the morning. Sounds like something your old folks would do, ay? I couldn’t agree more =) Oh well…the early bird does catch the worm.

Also, the tennis marathons we used to do last time. All the way from 8am till 1-2pm in the afternoon. Hard core, I’m telling you. Well, it’s not as if I’m good tennis, but being able to last that long (under the hot Malaysian sun, mostly picking up balls), pure determination or stamina, I would say.


10. Aches all around

My body screams like an engine in need of oiling. Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. After passing a phase of life, there’s no looking back and turning the time around. Sure there are enhancement supplements and who-knows-what-else, but it can only take you so far, bundled up with uncalculated risks and dangers of side effects.


On the bright side, there are a few things you don’t need to worry about such as curfew, for instance. As you grow up, hopefully your parents will be more flexible about your whereabouts and times? Note: hopefully. But then again, what’s the use of going out so late at night when you would get sleepy and tired by that time anyway. Self-defeating, haih.
So you see, the lesson learnt here is to live life while you’re still young that is, you never know when your body would fail you. Do it keeping in mind that when you ARE old (yes, I’m barely in my early stages), you can reflect that

The reason why I’ve aged with lines showing, hair thinning, joints aching, hands
shaking…
…are signs or proof that I have LIVED, LOVED, GROWN not merely, but
to the fullest in this life and with no regrets that I remember of distinctively
today…

P.S. Please help me to age gracefully, God.

Beauty only lasts but for a moment.
We are loved for who we really are when we are old.

To all the weary and downcast...

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking NOTHING.

.......

tasukete kami sama!
watashi wa kantan ni nozoite...

hitori de

Dear God...

Thank you for being my guardian,

Protecting me and guarding me whenever necessary.

Even when I go astray,

You never fail to pick me up and put me back on track.

Thank you for never giving up on me,

For forgiving me each and every day,

Countless times as it is,

When you never seem to see the end of day.

Sustain me in every circumstances that I go through,

Intercede for me, I pray,

Words are never enough to say,

Of all I am and who I have become.

Lord, give me the grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things which should be changed,

And the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other...

Fair is not a word...

Or shouldn't be one, in fact...For one, it no longer is existent in our society today. Gone are the days where justice is served. Law and order does not even bring justice to this word at all. How more can it give the helpless hope, much less confidence. I'm not saying revenge is good, neither am I saying that we should live in pretence. However, something has to be done. Just take a look at how corrupted our legal systems have become. I'm very much aware that just as powerless as you, as I type this. But let us be responsible for our actions and reflect, this pre-election period, for those involved. Only a friendly reminder, like what they always say.

Then there's this other saying:

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Plainly put, as a summarization of humanity's contentment. Yes, we humans are never satisfied.

Now, fair takes on the subjective scrutinity of man...
"What exactly is fair?" Can't say I know the answer to that myself.

For starters, life is never fair. Caught you there, didn't I?
Be it in any way, whether it is from your background, lifestyle, acquaintances and just who you are or become to be. Answer the WHAT, WHO, WHERE and HOW, and you would be surprised at how these words would turn the exact same sentence around by simply...replacing them.

Fair can also vary to many degrees.
Say, is it fairer for you to have more money than him or her when both put in the same amount of time effort? Sounds familiar? How about this...

Is it fair to be in imprisonment for a crime you did not commit?

I told you this was gonna get ugly. Life is so unfair, isn't it? =p

On to the response bit. Most of the time, we would grow bitter. Or even wallow in self pity. If only...this. If only...that. As if things are gonna be any better just by wishing and sulking in one corner.

The question to be asked instead should be:
What can I do to change this?
How can I make the best out of this?
They don't say action speaks louder than words for nothing, you know.

And of course, the very word mentioned earlier itself; being

CONTENT

Rather than keeping track of negativity, we need to look at the positive aspects of our circumstances. Find it, sleep on it, and improve it. Always look at what you DO have, not focusing too much on what you DON'T. Treasure THESE things but not to the extent you become too possessive and cocky with it, taking care that you do not become too comfortable with your current standings. Take it as an opportunity to grow and better yourself.

See, now fair has taken a new face. It really depends on which side you are looking it at.

P.S. When all else fails, suck it up and live with it. By God's grace you'll get by just fine. ^^

Trains stop and depart,
Leaving passengers on the side of the platforms
Passerbys move from one shop to another
Getting the best bargains they could find

Birds migrate from the north to the south
Following the wind and temperature as they change along
Wild animals hunt their prey down
All to secure their stomachs a fill

Nomads never station at one place for long
Moving on whenever the soil loses its ground
The world rotates on its orbit
Circling the sun as it goes
Such wonders God has created for us to behold
Other mysteries who can fathom its show

Written by MEL
Copyright Feb 2008'

call me

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Picking up after yourself

I have just finally finished packing my room after a month of living out of my suitcase and in a dumpster for a room! Happen to have given away my first born birth right to my sis and to be moving out from MY room to the guest room. As a result, I often have to shift back and forth when my parents accommodate guests (which happens quite frequently, I assure you!). So before I left for Australia, I had to clear OUT of the room to make way for any expecting guests during the time I would be away. Being the true ME, I chucked everything (yes, all my junk) into the cupboard stored away in plastic and paper bags. Talk about convenient!

Now, after being back and having to go through all my articles, I realised that sometimes we have our past slotted in a part of our memory somewhere that we have not quite dealt with. Maybe we just cant seem to find the time to slowly ponder on it, or maybe we conveniently push it aside because we cant face it. Whichever the reason, we have failed to pick up after ourselves. Remember the old times where our mom, especially, would often say, "Make sure you pick up your toys after you're done with it!" And just like the old times we never listen to them. Even to this day.


Never leave dirty laundry around, you will never know when someone might just pop by =P

Atonement started with a simple idea, a simple plot till it blossomed into a quite complicated expression of meaningful thoughts. Some may not like the way the movie is filled with flashbacks, taking us back and forth through time. For some reason, I believed the movie cannot be put in any other way, so as to convey a message we often let slip from our minds. That is, how our mistakes can cause lifetime consequences and what we perceive to see is not necessarily the truth.

Give me 18th century any day, I simply love the way words are articulated and minds are being spoken out. Call me old fashioned, if you please. ^^ Filled with mysterious characters and passionate love, the narrator gives first hand collections of the past in such a twisted way but not to the extent it becomes even remotely unpleasant.

Even to this day, I carry with me only a vague picture of my childhood. Fragments of pink tutus and frilly dresses fill up these gaps and blanks I often sought out answers for. And this is what I've grown up treasure most. Funny how our past can sometimes shape our future.

Yes, I am no longer that little girl who goes 'Que Cera Cera'. I've now learnt that we do have a certain control (apart from God) over our destiny, not only to be decided by our parents, neither is it, by ignorance. I am a grown up lady not because I want to, but because of the pressure of time.

Oh pray, will I ever find my knight-in-shining-armor and lady-in-waiting?

I am certainly a sucker for romance, much to my disbelief! Now, now this has turned into an advertisement, a cry or rather an exclamation I'm afraid.

It is true that guys in our modern society are getting too caught up, even obsessed, with the complications of life without needing to take in a breath of how simple life can actually be. Everyday is a challenge, another competition to survive to see who is the 'fittest'. Expectation bars are set higher each day as fast as records are being broken.

On the other hand, girls are getting more and more difficult to please, each with their ever increasing long wish lists and less subtle hints, expecting guys to fulfill their every 'command'. They have lost their dignity, only to be highly, if not solely and entirely dependent on a man.

What happened to long-lasting marriages and unconditional relationships? No, no they fail miserably merely hanging on a thin thread of materialism. Love is no longer about giving and expecting nothing in return but being, more often than not, on the receiving end.

I remind you that this is not an insight on my superiority but only a GENERAL description of milk turning sour. Note: general.

Ah, where did I stop?
Yes, the world has taken a sudden turn, leaving us 'classics' behind with only fragments of our memories left to hold on to, and much less, hopes for the present and for the near future.

So much for the change in mindset =="

Itchy Hands and Legs

Yes, literally. Resultant from my un-spoken of... clumsiness. My year in Australia has certainly left me with scars I would remember for life. Well, hopefully in time they will fade away. By that, I meant those physical scars and not memories of my entire experience here.

I shall now provide details. I think the first one came from probably a week or so in me arriving in Australia. I sat down on a bed side table. And it broke. I can't imagine why on earth did I do that, probably thinking that the table would be able to withstand my weight. haha. How wrong was I! Well, as you would predict, it broke and the nail brushed against my thigh. Not just a scratch, but rather a deep cut. So there you have it, my first Australian-'injury'.

After that was a from a thorn of a plant which conveniently came into contact with my hand while I was passing by it. And with my cuts and blisters that I get on and off from my sandals and thongs. Before this, I accidentally rubbed my hand against a rock while jumping from one rock to the other in Wilson's Prom. Gold Coast was also not complete without a sore thigh from friction with water slides. And now, the latest addition to my collection: a minor burn on my hand from steam out of a boiling kettle. Not to mention my pimples on my face. To think that with the cleaner environment here would help clear skin breakouts ==" Now that everything is revealed out in the open, I think it's safe to say that I have suffered from the klutz-syndrome.

Petty stuff, you might think. But no, they would bring about long-lasting consequences. For instance, my hands and legs now itch so badly I find it difficult to sleep at night. Not with all the pas oozing out most of the time and with the irritation from the rash. Not forgetting the scars that will follow eventually.

Sometimes our life is like that. We will have to pay for our stupidity by facing the consequences of our mistakes. And out of those consequences, some would leave scars we would remember for life. All we have to do is to endure the outcomes to the best we can and hope that they would not come back to haunt us. During the time of suffering, we often try not to worsen the wound by not scratching it when it feels itchy. There are times when temptations brings us deeper into our problem until we feel that there is no way out and no saving grace. No turning back and since we're in it so deep, it doesn't hurt to go in deeper. And deeper. And deeper it goes till it leaves us with a scar to remind us of our foolishness. The scar enacted in our skin that we would be ashamed of forever.

But out of those scars, some would heal. Sometimes, it just takes time. And effort. Like a scar after a wound, if it is well taken care applied with medication, it will leave no distinct mark. Most of those times, the healing power of God intervened would speed up the healing process. All we have to do is surrender and believe.

I have taken for granted so many things in life. For not even thinking that such a small thing like this would be worthy of God's time and attention. Don't get me wrong, I would pray for some things in my life. But we often forget that we can entrust even the littlest of things because He is interested in every detail of our life. Not that we are not believing Him to do the greater things but because He cares. In every little thing we do.

After all that has happened, one thing is for sure: learn from our mistakes.

Not scarred for life,
LiSs