Hello world!
I'm finally back in the blogosphere after a 19-day hiatus!
So many things happened in between - birthday parties, trip preparations AND the TRIP itself.
First up, Yue's 21st party is long over but here are some pictures for you all to get a taste of the party.
Flower power!
Is Pris attacking Char or posing? Haha.
Yue's lovely 2-tier French cake from her immersion friends
We ended the night at TCC Clarke Quay, sans alcohol. We don't really like alcohol and we don't need it to have fun together.
Denise's retro 21st was a great one as well! She was dressed gorgeously in retro garb and I saw a few people who really made the effort to dress like those in the 70s.
I'm now waiting for Mr. ASK to send the pictures to me... But I predict I'll only get them when school reopens. Gah.
From 14th to 25th July, I was actually away for mission trip and it was a real adventure!
Once again, I got to travel alone again. The first time I did was 3 years ago and in the end, I got to know a Jewish man who's passionate about agriculture and Xinjiang, and also an American lady working in Nepal.
I love to travel alone (ie. taking the plane and navigating in the airport alone).
When I'm alone, I realise I have a heightened awareness of my surroundings - the sights, the sounds and the smells.
I tend to notice little things and make mental notes about cultural discoveries.
I chat with travellers I don't know, and I learn new things they tell me. In strangelands, they tell me of things unknown.
Like for this recent trip, when I was waiting to transit at Bangkok, a Nepali man struck up a conversation with me, in MANDARIN.
His Mandarin was so good, Singaporeans ought to be ashamed!
Travelling in a group would have shrouded my sensitivity because I probably would be busy making small talk with my friends, rather than noticing the things around me.
Given a chance, I would really want to go backpacking, alone, before I am 25!
Anyways, back to my trip. I truly thank God for this trip, in which I witnessed how all things work for the good for those who love Him. It is amazing how everything could fall into place, even when our eyes tell us otherwise.
I shall elaborate more in my next post. There's just so many thanksgiving and eye-opening experiences to share!