This was taken by a hallmate, from his room in Sheares. The NUS campus really is quite beautiful, despite what many might think.

Yesterday, I was walking back to my room, feeling lousy and dejected after another Physics lesson where I didn't understand 90% of what the Prof was talking about. I looked up while crossing the road, and saw a light shower of pink petals cascading down from the trees. I stopped then to admire the Spring scenery, (Yes, Singapore does have seasonal change! :p) and listen to the wind whispering through the rustle of leaves. I think that was God nudging me to take a chillpill.

Trees really do give comfort to man, they have provided shelter, food and even clothing for humans for thousands of years... On the eve of Good Friday, as I look at this tree outside Sheares Hall, I remember another tree from 2000 years ago, one that stood atop a hill on Calvary.

And I remember what it means to me.

Thanksgiving


It's Thanksgiving today, and even though Singapore doesn't officially celebrate it, I think I can have my own day for reflection and gratitude. I didn't get any Turkey dinner, but I filled my tummy with yummy Sheares Hall food. (No secret that I think hall dinners are pretty good.:)) I remember the last Thanksgiving, where the Jetters had some campus students over for dinner, and the Malcolms got married over the weekend. Fast forward one year, there's still plenty to be celebrated and thankful for.

He's really looked after me this semester, and even though sometimes I lose sight of Him, little things remind me again. I'm definitely very glad to be back in Singapore, where everything's familiar but still different. You know the feeling one has at the end of a long day, when you just want to go home, even if you just spent the day at the most thrilling theme park, there comes a point when you've had enough of roller-coaster rides for a while, and all you want to do is to sleep in your own bed? I don't get it when people lament being in Singapore - I've lost track of the number of people who have said to me, "Oh! I bet you must wish you're still in the States horr!" I happily tell them that Singapore is my home, and I that I love coming home. (Oh yeah, I probably mentioned this a few times, but my pet peeve is when Singaporeans complain about Singapore to foreigners (it's different when Singaporeans are whining to one another), especially when this happens overseas. Don't do that! Singapore has feelings too. At least I feel for her.)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the holidays. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year(this, and Chinese New Year). More than any other time, I see the world through tinted lenses. Everything seems fuzzier, little things others do for you become more meaningful, you count your blessings, express gratitude and extend a hand to those in need. I know that ideally, this should be the case every month of the year, but during Christmas, there's this added tinge of rosy warmth. Cynics will probably dismiss this as naivete, or even accuse me of falling into the commercial trap merchants lay out during festive seasons. But I think those cynics probably don't smile a lot either.

It's the first school break in a long time that there won't be an official "agenda", I'm just going to kick back and relax. :) I've thought about what I want to do, very simply, if somewhat unoriginally "eat, pray, love". And exercise a little.

:)