Haven't really had much time to myself and my family recently... Kind of miss talking to my mum and dad... but i've been talking more to my bros over dinner. Hearing my bro talk about his school life and asking me about college things kind of bring me back my own jc life... and I'm happy that he is enjoying himself there.

This week has been good. Not just because of Good Friday and Easter this coming Sunday, but every thing else. God has been great and faithful as always and many decisions have been made and settled. I'm placing everything into the potter's hands now. Coming up next will be Easter on Sunday, SMAD next Tues, and more birthdays coming up...

On a last note, for the non-Christians out there who are interested in Christianity, do visit everystudent.com. Christians can check this website out too as it offers useful informations and resources for you to share Christ with your friends as well.

Good Friday is indeed good. I thank God for Christ's crucifixion and His great love for us... Let more people know of this great love!

29th Feb comes every four years.
When I was young, I used to wonder why there's only 28 days in Feb and the 29th day will occur once every four years... as I grew older, I've came up with this theory: that God created Feb to be a short month cos He don't bear bear to see us suffer another day at work or in school. And once in a while (that is every four years), He decide to let us suffer a little by creating one more day... so that we will learn and be moulded into the person that He desires us to be.
The above, is of course a theory created by me purely out of boredom.
Now, as we become busier as we slowly enter the prime of our lives (supposely), we seem to feel like time is not on our side and we welcome this 29th day and thank God for it.
Anyway, I feel that we should all delight in the time that He has given to us no matter how long or short it is. Life is really unpredictable, and we are so vulnerable. We don't know when our time on this earth will be up and when God will want us to go to Him, and hence, though clinche as it may sound, let us all live our lives to the fullest and leave with no regrets. Tell your beloved family and friends how much you love them and appreciate them... Perhaps, this is why God created the 29th of Feb...

A tourist for a day: SS continued...
Went on Hippo Tour today... was really excited about it... and after the whole thing, I am glad that I went for it... enjoyed myself and learn quite a bit in a fun and interesting way about some interesting facts and history about Singapore which I never knew before this. Maybe some SS modules should include complementary tixs for this tour... just an idea...
Pics for today...

We went for both the Heritage and the City Routes... It was a wonderful experience, sitting on an open-top bus, viewing and taking pictures like never before... The bus that we took.

Below: The Heritage Route

Below: Mustafa Centre situated in Little India

Below: The Concourse: Notice the shape of the building... it's a Chinese geomancy thing.

Below: Saint Andrew's Cathedral- It was struck by lightning... thrice...

Below: Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

The City Route:

Below: The Singapore Skyline- It will be more beautiful at night

Below: Make a guess. Which building is taller?

Maybe a closer look will help...

Actually, both are of the same heightBelow: The Singapore River. Where it had all begun.

Below: The Fullerton Hotel

Below: The Singapore Flyer- Offically open on the 1st of Mar this year.Below: The Esplanade- Theatres by the Bay

Below: Orchard... Outside Paragon. This is new to me. But according to my bro, he said it's not. So I guess it's been a long time since I went there.Below: SMUBelow: Us; Happy and satisfied.

Dear friends,
we have now offically reached the half-time of this semester... I don't know whether you will agree with me that time seems to fly past for the first half of the sem... and I don't know how you will feel about it...

For those of us who feel tired and overwhelmed by the flow of things, take heart that you are not the only one. Take time during this break to rest well and catch up with your beauty sleep and your studies and all that you need to do.

For those of us who have had enjoyed this first half of the sem, I'm happy for you... =). Do manage your time properly and make full use of the break!

All the best for mid-sem tests...

There's a time and season for everything...
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Now is the season for rest and study...
Recharge and return to school feeling refreshed! Have a blessed mid-sem break and see you all in school soon.
God Bless.

Love,
Ban Leng

Time seems to fly literally for the first half of this semester. I was really overwhelmed by how fast things are going... it's like with we've approached half-time with just a blink of eye. Well, I guess things have been going on relatively well and good. I have learnt alot about many things and most importantly things about myself. I guess Harvest Rally and post HR and ministry are some platforms that God put me on so that I can learn. I faltered, felt tired, frustrated, saw the ugly side of me, learnt how to pursue God and seek Him, and have picked myself up again. Recently, I was challenged to serve God in what He has called me for. I'm still thinking and will pray about it. For all these that have had happened, I'm glad for my brothers and sisters who encouraged me and prayed for me. I'm glad that I have people who understand me and can advice me what to do. Most importantly, I'm glad that God planned this for me so that I can learn. I think this is the season now; the season to ask what I can do for Him.
Ministry aside, life have been alright. I'm happy in school, meeting and attending lect, labs, tutorials with friends and all. And guess what, the best part of it all is that I get to go for LM this sem! LM is really refreshing and good. Fellowshipping, learning and applying God's word, and listening to speakers... Kudos goes to the LM comm and God who made all these possible. I think I'm more excited about my brothers' life... right now, both of them are about to enter a new phase of their life... I won't reveal much here, for I respect their privacy... but I'm all so excited for them! It's now half-way through the sem. Let us make use of this time to catch up on our work, and rest. And to the med people who are having exams next week, make full use of the rest of the time... and all the best for the exams. Cheers.

Happy Chinese New Year! May the year of the Rat be a good year for all of us. Spend the time wisely with family and friends and new year goodies! Blessed Chinese New Year everyone...

Can you believe this? As soon as I've finished typing the previous post, my emotions toward the start of a new semester took a 180 degree turn. How fickle-minded can I be. Over the next few days, I was feeling upset about having to start school and handling the workload that is about to come. BUT, (as you would have guessed),the mood changed again. After reading friends' blogs, talking to them and all, I have realised that maybe starting school is not so bad afterall. For some of them, school is the time when they will do something productive, and feel useful. For some others, a new semester means a new opportunity to work harder and pull up their CAP. For yet another group, they may dread school and I feel better and happier knowing that there are people out there like me. That's the sadist side of me, I know.
Anyway, I just thought that friends are essential for one to like going to school and they sure make school more fun and interesting. Time will past more slowly if not for them. And, I've also thought of more ways to make school more interesting.
1. Declare your own "Wear a dress to school" day, and get your friends to wear dresses.
2. Meet up your friends from other fac for lunch or dinner, and catch up on their lives...
3. Study with a group; this make studying for fun...
Any more suggestions, anybody?
And now, I declare this year as the Year of Parties. Lots of parties will be coming up for the rest of the year.

Have been busy for the past few days though I'm not at all sure what I'm up to... maybe it's because of the fact that sch's starting next wk that I feel that time passes especially fast. Perhaps.
But I'm kind of busy too... meeting up with friends, spending time with mum, and oh, I just helped my mum with the chinese new year cakes this morning... (yesterday morning actually). It just dawned upon me recently that most of my conversations with friends (be it school friends, or pple from church, cell or crusade) were steered in a particular directions... gone were the days when we spent time talking about tv, teachers, families. We talk about plans for our near future and stuff like that and it was during these times that I realised that I'm unlike many of my friends. It was a choice that I've chosen the moment I signed on the dotted line. I wouldn't say that it is a bad choice. It's just that while many of my friends are busy searching and trying their hands at everything they can, (so that they will ultimately and hopefully find out what they enjoy doing and make that their future) I'm like there, not able to really understand why they are doing that. Things will be different if not for that signature. But I guess this isn't that bad either. I don't think I want to spend my entire uni life worrying about my job prospects and so on... I rather focus on my studies knowing that I'll have a job when I graduate. I don't like uncertainties.
But it isn't that I don't plan my future as well. These days, I feel like doing a master's degree after my bond or maybe even while serving my bond (if I can...). Up till only recent times, I seriously doubt that I'll go beyond my degree. But I guess there's really no harm in studying more. What's more, many people (such as in Taiwan if I'm not mistaken) do their masters' immediately after their degree. So I guess that a master will eventually become a passport for a brighter future soon. I don't know...
Writing about these things make me want to pick up my books and study now. Don't you feel like doing that also?

Happy New Year!
It seems that everyone's talking about making resolutions this season. I have mine of course, but i'm not going to make it known here in case you catch me breaking them haha. And it's time to plan for the new semester... what modules to take and all... oh, see all of you when sch starts sometime this month.
Have a Blessed 2008.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.
-Christian proverb

This will probably be the last post of the year... Hope everyone has achieved what they set out to achieve by now... if not, there's only a few hours to go... haha, if that helps. Anyway, hope that everyone has had a wonderful 2007 and will have a great 2008. Happy New Year.

Results was out a few days ago. I think I did fine and I'm grateful for the grace and mercy that He has had shown me the last sem. I hope everyone's happy with their results and will work harder the coming semester.
The post- Christmas, pre- New Year period is a joyous though a little too short one. Had been meeting up with friends, praying for stuff and planning for many things. That's why I wish that I had cherished my time. In a few days' time, we'll be saying goodbye to 2007 and hello to 2008. 2007 had been a busy year where I've learnt many things. I foresee that 2008 will be a busy yet exciting year ahead for many of my friends and I will be turning 21. And yes, the headache of thinking of what to get them for birthdays will be back. Oh no.
Speaking of the 21st birthday, we've had celebrated Mins' in advanced a few days back... cos she'll be in Aust on her 21st and we can't possibly fly there though I very much wanted to. And guess what, we baked her a cake... it was fun baking the cake; from checking whether the cake's fully baked, deciding and coming up with a design for the cake, decorating the cake, to seeing the surprised look on her face when she saw the cake and eventually, to eating the cake that we had baked. And the conclusion that I came to was- there's actually no need to plan and come up with a design... cos, in the end, chances are that the design that one has drawn on paper will be different from the end product. Talking is easier that doing.


We used this to ensure that the cake will be edible...

The process...

Checking whether the cake's ready... apparently not...

We used Marzipan to decorate the cake... this has got a strong almond flavour...

"Kneading' the Marzipan...

The Marzipan comes only in one colour... and we have to dye it brown ourselves...

Trying to make a circular base to cover the top...Trying to cover the sides with Marzipan... you can roughly guess by now that the cake's going to be covered with Maripzan... The end product... Not too bad huh!?Let's take a closer look at the sides... Not too bad for a non-professional baker right...

Fancy a cake for birthday present anyone?! Ha...

That day was good bonding session. We hadn't been talking and spending time like that for a long time. And I'm glad for their friendship. It's really nice to spend time with the friends whom you've grown up and mature with. Really look forward to the next time when we'll meet again.

And just the other day, as I was packing my room, I came across many things that brought back many fond memories...

I used to buy stuff like these... so cute right? So cute that I can't bear to use them... but not anymore...

Proyo II used to be a must have toy... my brothers and I each have one... mine's purple and I think my brothers' orange in colour... and oh, the Mathematical instrument set and OP wallet... there's supposed to be another Billabong wallet... can you see it?! Childhood and teenage fun!And my some of my projects... there's Geography, CME, Science and Bio... and of course there's more... haha... I still keep them...

And I also have lots of notes and guidebooks... I didn't know I had have so many guidebooks... especially for 'A' Levels Physics... Physics' my worst subject... I guessed I buy guidebooks and TYS to help ease my insecurity for the subject and of course to study! Those were the days...

Christmas is the season of love, grace and sharing. May this Christmas see more people coming to know the great love that God has for all of us. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a blessed Christmas.

Just had the first Harvest Rally Organising Comm Meeting last week. I'm so glad that God has brought so many God-loving people together to serve Him, and I'm grateful for this privilege to serve Him.
Met up with gy, joce and all at our usual meeting place for a movie. It's been a long-time since I've caught a movie... and Hero was great. I didn't expect a Jap movie where I have to read the subtittle to appeal to me. Or perhaps it's because I hadn't set any expectations for that movie.
Decemeber is no doubt a busy month for many- Church camps, Christmas plays, carolling and many other activities, parties, gatherings, overseas trips, sending Christmas greetings... It is also the month where friends studying overseas return for holidays... so to sum it up, it is a great month. I remember the Christmases many years ago, where my mum will bring my brothers and I to Orchard for Christmas shopping. There, she'll leave us at a kids corner with many other children before doing her shopping, and return for us hours later. A bag of popcorn from the escalator corner of Tangs was enough to keep the three of us sacificed. I miss going to shopping with my mum... but it seems like these days, we can never shop for the whole day cos we'll be rather tired half-way through and we'll then decide to call it a day. Oh well.
Christmas is wonderful, not least because of the festive food, decorations, tree, friends and fun, but it is a reminder that above all, We are all loved. By a Father who gave His Son in exchange for us, and the Son who loved us enough to follow through.

Yesterday's Sisterhood was great. It was wonderful being able to meet fellow sisters- in- Christ, being able to pray with them, to pray for them, to get to know one another and to bond together. It was also comforting to learn from testimonies shared of how God has had seen many of them through the semester that had just past. No doubt, God is ever so loving and faithful to us. And of course, Sisterhood, without the brothers, was fun and noisy. Simple games and activities got us talking and all... We played games, prepared lunch (and in the process discovered some of our hidden talents), chatted, prayed, and became closer. It felt refreshing praying for and with like-minded people with the same love for God, and I enjoyed catching up with my old dg mates, as well as the seniors and the yr 1s sisters...

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 24, 25.
This is why we should meet up more often; to encourage one another.

" See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3: 12, 13.

Yet another reason to meet.

And of course, let us Love, for the Day is Near.

" Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans 13: 8.

Real Christian Real World- Metamorphorsis Camp this year is going to be held at Faith Methodist Church from 26th Dec to 28th Dec 2007... There's many interesting workshops to choose from, and the deadline for registration is 10th Dec. Everyone (Christians and Non-Christians) is welcomed...

Harvest Rally next year is scheduled to be Jan next year... and I've agreed to be part of the organising committee... will be praying quite a bit for it...

The following cartoons are what I've received from a friend via email... read it... it's interesting.