21 days n’ (not counting)…

Can’t remember if I’ve ever said this here… but I find that during a time of transition, everything seems more ‘meaningful.’ It’s as if your senses become heightened. Sunsets and sunrises appear more beautiful… Greens look greener, blues look bluer… And the presence of your friends?… SO precious!!!

Tonight I had the privilege of having dinner with a bunch of amazing people that I serve in church with (actually my last Connect *sob*). We had a feast (totally should do this more often!!!) and then a time when everyone just said the loveliest things to me. Everyone encouraged my heart and many spoke words that God knew I needed to hear.

I have to admit I was a little ‘nervous’ going into my first ‘farewell’ as I was sure I’d be a soppy ‘wreck!’ But ha! thanks to my crazy counterparts, there were many laughs all through the night! From the crazy game we, a competitive bunch of “only-winner-wannabes” played… to someone’s description of me being ‘multiple!!!’ (It was s’posed to be ‘mouldable’), it was just madness all around.

So I just need to say this… I am SO THANKFUL for all the VERY AMAZING people that God has put in my life thus far. I have been blessed with the FINEST friends and leaders all around and I am truly honoured to be able to do life with all of you. YOU! have totally helped me become who I am today because of your love, care, wisdom, guidance, prayers and JUST BECAUSE we are a team… and teams sharpen each other!

I am glad that I am ‘not leaving’… but just ‘extending the family!’ It’s heart-warming to know that my family now spans three continents *Yaay!*

The journey thus far…

It’s been a while since my intentions to jot my ‘current’ thoughts here have actualized. Time just flies… Way too quickly! So much to say, so little time to pen them down.

As I transition into the next season of life, my senses seem to be more ‘switched on’ to everything around me… As if I’m taking visual snapshots of my surroundings and ‘recordings’ of my friends’ voices and laughter… I am more than ever grateful for the simple blessings that I take for granted everyday.

More than ten years ago, I landed in Sydney. I remember the very first day vividly as I journeyed in the car that drove me from the airport to my college accommodation… I remember the temperate trees, the dry hot summer day, the harbour, the bridge and the blue blue sky. (There’s hardly a cloudless day in Singapore.) Then I remember my first Sunday at Hillsong Church, where I’d brought 20 friends from the university accommodation with me… All of whom never returned because of the distance… But I was the die-hard (‘stubborn and determined’ as my mother would say) and not even an hour’s journey by train and bus could deter me from where I wanted to be for the next four years till I got my first car!

Ten years on, after completing a college degree, getting a car license, buying my first car – a Toyota Camry and then a Volkswagon Golf Cabriolet which I LOVED, physio work, administration work, babysitting work and being involved in a church that I LOVE… I am now readying myself to move to another continent!

I have so much to thank God for… I could not even think of where to start…

I am so grateful for the opportunity to live in this beautiful city of Sydney, for when I sought to come over ten years ago, my parents were adamant that I was not moving away from Singapore. “What’s a young girl to do far away from home, away from their family?” they thought… But I was always brimming with the urge for adventure, and I just HAD TO see more and experience more in life. This one thing has certainly been wrought into my DNA. They said no to London and no to Perth so it was only by an intervention from God (Note: two promptings from God and an ‘absurd’ financial miracle) that they finally said yes to Sydney… So HERE I AM! And have been since then…