Thought that the last day of 2014 would be peaceful but I was wrong. Signed up for BioBiz 2015; instead of selecting the pay by PayPal option, I chose cash. Now I have to email to enquire about the early bird promo and if I can actually change my option to PayPal.
Just for that $3 difference. Is it worth it?
As 2014 draws to a close and 2015 opens a new chapter in my life, I though that like my church, I would have a theme for 2015.
The theme would be:
$3 was it really much? I guess that it wasn't really the value. It wasn't that I accidentally pressed the submit button without looking at the options. No, I am not that kind of person. Usually I would study every single word... unless the content bore me. I was not really keen on PayPal, in fact I do not like paying anything online. Thus when the option of cash surfaced, my muscle reacted faster than me mind. Then why did even bother to email them? Well, alternatives I guess. That $3 no matter how little would come in useful to me. A safe way to pay + still hold on to the early bird discount. Why not? As long as it does no hinder much of my schedule e.g making a trip halfway across Singapore just to pay $12... then it would not matter. Bank transfer did flash across my mind but... well it would not be 'cash payment' right?
My personality has been somewhat impatient. Always wanting the answers now. right now. 지금Answers to what you might ask. well, anything and almost everything official. Be it an email replying my enquiry to the mode of payment for BioBiz. Or when can I start my FYP? When When When? I want to know now.
However, I think God for his ever bountiful grace, teaching me patience this year. Especially during this last semester when I had to deal with the choice of IIP and FYP. The beginning of the year is all a blur to me now... my memories start again from IBN haha. Well, this year has been the most fulfilling year and I believe I learnt a lot and my walk with God has been getting more and more intimate :)
Learning to trust in HIM, even if I falter along the way, HE would be there to carry me through. I did commit many mistakes this year and I thank God for his grace and mercies that I am forgiven and renewed in the spirit every time.
Let's throwback to my 2014:
The year of many firsts.
First time:
-skipping lecture to play
-going into a club... for a school event
-visiting new places, restaurants, trying out food
-baking hello kitty cookies, cupcakes and totoro steam cake(though it was not really successful)
-and last time being on the honor roll of seniors who have participated in SBS FOC for 3/4 consecutive years as Freshman camper, GL, crasher, SA.
-research experience in a bona fide and prestigious research institute in Singapore.
-making new friends as always :D
-sign up a plan for the future
-embarked on my 100 happy days project that spanned... more than 100 happy days but I completed it
-taking driving test twice
-catching the national day fireworks live... camping near it
-giving a presentation... after so long
-attending Bible study camp
-tried out a new art elective
-not made any Christmas presents for anyone.. just for this year
-FIRST EVER CN BLUE CONCERT IN SINGAPORE... FIRST CONCERT IN SINGAPORE
-first time playing the escape room game!
-etc... cannot remember off the top of my head.
My 2013 resolution, brought over to 2014... and it would have to continue in 2015 as I have not finished it!! These are the books left after I have taken away the 12 books I borrowed in December.
- A Caribbean Mystery
- A Pocket Full of Rye
- At Bertram's Hotel
- Death on the Nile
- Endless Night
- Miss Marple's Final Cases and Two Other Stories
- Nemesis
- Passenger to Frankfurt: An Extravaganza
- Poirot's Early Cases aka Hercule Poirot's Early Cases
- Sleeping Murder
- Surprise! Surprise!
- Taken at the Flood aka There is a Tide
- The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a Selection of Entrées
- The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side
- The Secret of Chimneys
- The Spider's Web
- The Thirteen Problems aka The Tuesday Club Murders
- The Unexpected Guest
- They Do It With Mirrors aka Murder With Mirrors
- Three Blind Mice and Other Stories aka The Mousetrap and Other Stories
- While the Light Last
The last book for the year would be 'They Came to Baghdad'
It is a different kind of mystery... apt for the last day of the year. Rather than solving a murder of who dun'it, it was a spy novel. Special agent, undercover action where no one is safe all against the back drop of Baghdad. What intrigued me most is not really who were the allies or whats not. But the description of Baghdad. It is obvious that I have never been to Baghdad... with its unrest now etc.
Here are some of the excerpts:
The whole world, it seemed to her, had suddenly become Baghdad conscious. And until that afternoon at approximately 1:45 she had, for all intents and purposes never heard of Baghdad, and certainly never thought about it.
***
Baghdad was entirely unlike her idea of it. A crowded main thoroughfare thronged with people, cars hooting violently, people spitting all round her with prodigious throat clearing as a preliminary. No mysterious Eastern figures, most of the people wore tattered or shabby Western clothes, old army and air force tunics, the occasional shuffling black-robbed and veiled figures were almost inconspicuous amongest the hybrid European styles of dress. Whining beggars came up to her- women with dirty babies in their arms. The pavement under her feet was uneven with occasional gaping holes.
***
She came at last to the Feisal Bridge, passed it and went on. In spite of herself she was intrigued by the curious mixture of things in the shop windows. Here were babies' shoes and woolies, toothpaste and cosmetics, electric torches and china cups and saucers- all shown together. Slowly a kind of fascination came over her, the fascination of assorted mechandise coming from all over the world to meet strange and varied wants of a mixed population.
***
"... humility is a Christian virtue- now I see why. Humility is what keeps you sane and a human being..."
This year has not been an easy year. 2015 would be another battle all the same. But I managed to emerged a much stronger woman. I admit, my level of skepticism and cynicism has increased and I learn to keep my real emotions in check though my expression does betray me sometimes... but I guess that's still the amount of innocence left in me. I have become more reflective. To think before I speak, to shrink back instead of boast. Listen more. Keep calm and pray.
I might have noticed that I have a different set of views from my peers, even my family. The old me have rejected this idea many times, having always wanting to fit in. I did not understand why or how but thought the only way would be to suffer in silence after all the feeling within me will pass.
2015, would be different. I pray for courage to stand out and at the same time withdraw when needed, to no longer be afraid if my views are not accepted or when my friends look at me in a different light, for better or for worst. I pray for wisdom to shine brightly, radiantly in my own skin and be comfortable. To stay healthy and keep my body fit as it IS the temple of God. For shelter and refuge of God in my heart when I get hurt emotionally if I get hurt emotionally in the coming year. To be grateful for all I have and to keep my eyes on God and HIS blessings for me instead of sulking on the things others have that I lack. To always trust God even though I might not understand his plan for me but to have the strength to carry on and keep my fingers firmly clasped onto His arms.
I thank God for the people He has placed strategically in my life to make me who I am today, the conversations that we shared and memories we create. Even though sometimes I do find that their personalities need a little shaping, but I know that God made them like that for a reason.
2015 would be another test of time, to see if more would join His flock and I pray that my circle of Christian friends would grown :D
Lastly, 2014 has been eventful, meaningful and enriching. I grew up the more quickly this year. Not physically, but emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.
2015 I will be ready. Flawed I may be, but with the Almighty Power of GOD, I will make it.
Looking back, 我真的长大了。
=do something right=
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