The Lost Valley

Caving at Lost Valley! It's my 2nd caving experience since I got here..

hehe..we went there last Saturday and I know this post is a little late la..but been so lazy and totally forgot to click 'post' instead of 'save' last week..thought I uploaded the blog but apparently not..lol..ok, so here goes:

Last Saturday, we planned to go caving at The Lost Valley but since there was thunderstorm early in the morning, they wanted to postponed it..so, after sometime of decision, we decided all to go! yay! [something to do instead of sitting in front of my computer right?]We drove to Springdale to meet with Arturo and then headed off to The Lost Valley. As the name of our destination suggested, we got lost on our way there! haha..ironic, isn't it? It was suppose to be an hour drive but it took us 2 1/2 hours to get there..My excitement became sleepiness..lol..after an hour, I slept my way there..

When we got there, we hiked our ways to get to the caves. It was fun. We went to 2 caves and it was dark and slippery inside. At the 2nd cave, we had to crawl our way in..well, actually not for me, I only had to walk like a duck whereas all of them were crawling..hehe..so much for being the smallest! There was a waterfall inside the 2nd cave, so it was really really pretty..in short, it was fun! I wanna go caving again..oh, and don't ask why I ended up being the only girl..this happens way too often that I can't answer and I don't bother why anymore..hehe..So, enjoy my pics: [actually not mine..I curi from my friend geh..hehe]
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And our video taken in the 2nd cave..might not be very clear though..

Makes me wonder..

My dreams had been really weird for the past few days. I thought I would not have these sort of dreams anymore since it's been a while since then. It was dark and everyone was dressed up for some party or so. We were at a Christian event and we were having a great time before we heard people coming towards our direction. It was a whole bunch of Antichrist ppl, led by a big lady. The lady looked familiar in a way or so, but I have no idea who she is. Behind her was a really big group of people, some of whom are our friends, each holding some kind of stick and weapon. They looked scary, for sure! Everyone of us panicked and started to pray for help and guidance. We started running through this building and we were trapped. People who were captured by the Antichrists were tortured and beaten to death. It was a horrifying scene. I couldn't wake myself from the dream and it felt horrible. Then, as we run and pray, we came to a sewage hole and that was our only way out of this . We had no choice but to go through it. It was our only hope of survival, hoping there is a way out of this. However, as we go through the sewage hole and out into the open, we found ourselves surrounded by another group with whips and sticks..it was just bad! We were beaten and blood was everywhere. As they were hitting us, they kept asking if we still believe in Jesus and if it is worth it. That point, many were dying in pain. All I remember was just kept praying and believe that God is near. Psalms 23 came into mind and I finally woke up! It reminded me of the importance of building a strong relationship with God, esp in this day of life. Anything could happen and no one knows when the end of days would come. It is a horrible and scary thought to know that not even The Son of God and the Holy Spirit know the exact moment of it, but only the Father does. It is not a pleasant thought to know the days of torture and misery is near but to have faith and know that God will never desert any of us is a comfort. The first thing I did when I woke up was to check myself if it was a dream or reality.The dream was so surreal that it messes one's mind. Not only did this dream stopped, it continued last night when some of us had escaped and survived the beatings and tortures and went into hiding. Some of us were found and killed and yet some survived. I woke up couple of times; yet, the dream kept continuing as I fall back asleep. It makes me think what is the message that God is trying to tell me. The last times I had these sort of dreams, I knew I had to pray for someone and to strengthen my faith. To come back to the heart of worship and not to lose faith in him. To know HE is always near! No matter what, I will always know God is here, and Psalms 23 is a promise I hold dearly.

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Psalms 23

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in the path of righteousness
for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of shadows of death,
I shall fear no evil,
for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


***
Not only did my spiritual life was affected these couple of days, so did my physical and emotional life. Yesterday, I went to a chinese church instead of my regular visit to an English speaking one, just to give it a try and to see how God has work there. I know God has blessed their church and that He is there in their presence. However, what I realized was the humanly part. Males and females sat separately in that church, unless they were married couples. It was as if everyone knew that it was not acceptable or something. I was the only one who wasn't doing that since i was sitting with my guy friends who brought me there..That was one observation. I had a hard time understanding the sermon since I had limited chinese vocabs compared to the rest and the translator was having a hard time translating..but that wasn't what bothered me. As the translator stopped, I could hear music playing in the background of the mp3 used for translation. I could hear Mariah Carey's "Touch my Body" at the back of her translation. That shouldn't happen at all. How can such song be played esp in a church? That kind of song is just degrading and meaningless..Maybe they didn't realized, but it was inappropriate regardlessly.

Then in the afternoon, I learnt more about traditional thinking, something that I had never ever give in to all my life. Something that no one could ever try make me do, being traditional..I went to my friends' place to eat before we head to Wilson Park for some sports. [purely jogging and basketball?]There were 4 chinese guys and I was the only girl since I wanna tumpang car to go there. So..after eating, some of the guys told me to wash up and I was like "ya, I'll wash mine, don't worry.." and then they were like, "no, you have to wash up everything..bla bla bla.." and I kinda just ignore them and just wash mine [sort of, since I didn't know what to use in their kitchen] and headed to use the internet on my laptop..then after a while, after everyone else ate, the last guy [let's say A] washed up everything else that was left..and B was talking to C saying "Look, A is washing up everything..a guy washing up and the girl sitting here doing something else..girls nowadays" [paraphrase] Oh, anyone who knows me well enough knows never to comment that in front of my face. I kept silent since it wasn't my house and I didn't really know B well enough to scold him..but that did pissed me off..I mean, c'mon, not everyone thinks like that! Everyone should clean up after themselves. This is US, not China..even if it is, bare in mind that i am MALAYSIAN CHINESE, with the MALAYSIAN as my nationality. Guys and girls should help out in everything, there's no such thing as what girls are to do and what not..not to me! If this happens again, I will not be silent anymore...sigh..I have never met anyone like this before, at least not a young person..I could understand if he's an old man or something but not when you're 21 or so..so, let me put this out there, don't tell me what I CAN do and CANNOT do as a girl..don't push me around because I'm a girl! Females and males are equal! That is what I was brought up thinking and believing..
For the past year I'd been here, I'd learnt a lot about how traditional some can be and how modern some are..some I find amusing and some are logical in a sense. However, forcing a tradition on someone else is not cool. Not at all. I can accept certain comments and requests but I do have a limit too. So does my patience even though I am patient with others most of the time.
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All in all, my summer has been somewhat interesting so far..haha..if i can say so..

tagged..

Tagged by Sammmmmm!!!!!!!

Instructions:
Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 10 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post.
PPl being tagged have to post this in your blog/space/journal/ wateva it is.. hehe..like how i did it!!!

Rule set by the person who tagged you: - Questions in font colour orange have to be answered and not removed.. once answered.. notify me in my blog via my chatbox!! hehehehe...enjoy!!


1. At what age do you wish to marry?
haha..my dad says before 30 but I think it's not up to me. I leave that to God's timing and plan..

2. If you can turn into anyone, who do u wish u can turn into?
Ok, I wanna be Sherrie Choong..hahaha..I love being who I am. I am God's unique creation and I have a loving family..what more can I ask for?

3. Where is the place that you want to go the most?
I wanna go to Europe and UK..haha..and all around the States! As for now, I wanna go back to the city..haha..

4. If you can have 1 dream to come true, what would it be?
I want to excel in my studies and get a great job so that I can lighten my parents' burden.

5. Do you believe in seeing a rainbow after the rain?
Yup..isn't it scientifically proven? lol

6. What are you afraid to lose the most now?
my family, friends, achievements and most importantly, my faith..

7. What are the positive elements you see in the person who tagged you?
joy, laughter, caring, and most importantly, one of the greatest friendship in my life..

8. Why do you blog?
To keep in touch with friends, be updated and to update.. =p

9. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you and describe him/her in a short and precise story.
we laugh a lot, understand each other and are comfortable to share just about anything with one another..we'd been best friends for almost 13yrs now! can you believe that?

10. Describe the person who tagged you in a short and precise story.(how you know him/her, what kind of person is he/she, how long have you known her, what you would like to tell her, etc.)
How I got to know Sam? Haha..the funniest story ever..we met in Children's camp at Peacehaven when we were 8..she was bullied and cried and I was there..we talked, laughed and even showered together at that time..lol..remember our showering system? 1, 2, 3..turn right..no peeking..hahaha...since that camp, we were inseparable [even though we only get to see each other in church once a week]..haha..those were the days..miss ya lots!

11. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Loves me for who I am[me only..haha], understanding, caring, cooks and helps out [doesn't make me succumb to traditions I don't like..you know what I'm talking about if you read my next post], fun to be with, smart..my list can go on and on but most importantly, loves God and my family approves of him..

12. Which type of person do you hate the most?
self centered, irresponsible, unhygienic, ill-tempered, hypocrite, arrogant, ignorant, greedy..what else? I will know when I don't like..haha..

13. What is your ambition?
successful in the Financial World..haha..I wanna be a corporate financial analyst! =p

14. If you have a flaw, would you rather the people around you point out to you or would you rather they keep quiet?
Point it out to me gently..and i mean GENTLY!

15. What do you think is the most important thing in your life?
my faith, my family and my studies..nothing should ever come between these

16. What would you most want to achieve right now?
higher GPA?

17. What's your first impression of the person who tagged you?
"..she got bullied by XXX again.." XD

18. If you have a chance. Which part of your character you would like to change?
I wanna be more outspoken than I am..

19. Would you confront someone who had hurt you or rather keep it to yourself?
I usually confront that person..whether he/she likes it or not..

20. What makes you different/special?
I am God's unique creation! haha..I am cheerful, very optimistic, sociable, confident and I like being who I really am without wearing a mask to face the world..

And I now tag simon, peiyun, hweicheng, vinyee, shern ai and everyone else who wanna do it!

ISCA Leaders' Retreat

Since finals was over last Wednesday, I felt so much more relieved [i guess?] that there is no more datelines, no more assignments, no more cramming in the library at night, no more deprived of entertainment..but it was not exactly that..lol..I had to pack all my stuff to get ready to move out of my dorm room..it was frustrating, overwhelming and tiring! I packed for 3 1/2 days, with help from my friend..finally, I moves out of Yocum Hall on Sunday afternoon. Mind you, I have yet to unpack all my stuff for several reasons.

On Sunday, after moving all my stuff to Candy's room, I had to quickily shower and head over to ISCA house for my ISCA Leaders' Retreat. So, everything was pretty chaotic for me, very tiring too. At 4.30pm, we headed out to Westfork [ i think that's where] for out retreat. It was Clark, Kevin, Megan, Hugh, Michael, Cendrina and I..We stayed at a family's house out from the city. It was a big house, with games room, 2 kitchen, several bedrooms and music instruments..They had 6kids, and a doggie..it was a really nice place to be in! I really like it there! we spent a whole 24hrs together, getting to know each other better as a team..spending quality time together as a team and also, learning about God in the beautiful nature..here are several pics i took!

The geese that were not afraid/intimidated of Hugh

Megan and I when we went on the trail on the ATV! It was fun fun fun! I'd never been on an ATV till that day and it was awesome!

The lake by the trail

The pond outside the house
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All said and done, that retreat was awesome even though I crashed at 10pm that Sunday night. I learnt a lot and enjoyed myself a lot..I also learned that it might be peaceful to be out from the crowd, the city..even though I miss the city a lot!

Till then, summer is here and I am just bumming around..so, ppl, drop me a msg once in a while ok? miss y'all!

xoxo

Finals are OVER

I'm sooooo happy..hehe..finals is finally over..no more books, no more studying and no more datelines..for now..haha..my summer vacation has officially began and and I am excited! yay~~ don't ask what is my plan, coz' for once, I don't really have one..just kick back and relax and be lazy. =p Actually, I have things I wanna do, but I know for sure that I won't finish all of them. I have exactly one month to enjoy and hang out and just lepak before I start working in June. But I'm sure it'll be fun too..I'll be a residential mentor for the Upward Bound Program by our pre-college department..hehe..I'm excited..

ok..back to reality, I am NOT looking forward to getting my grades..the exams had been really hard this semester compared to last semester's B.Law..I didn't expect them to be so much more harder than ever...sigh..oh well, what done is done right? So, wish me all the best and keep praying for me..hehe..

Alright, will update again soon..gonna get ready and head out to Ayi's to help him cook for tonight's dinner..yay~ nasi goreng..wonder if he got cili padi to go with..lol..alright..bye for now..