finally.

finally. updates!
hehe.
sorry. i've been too lazy to blog.

anyway. shall try to keep this short too. it's been really long since i last posted something on this blog.
and so much has happened.

in summary.
my may and june holidays have been well spent.
may - 2 wonderful weeks in philippines.
which was totally a great experience.
i miss it.

june - 1 week of church camp in kl.
where i got a splendid birthday celebration from the cell and some others.
it was a time of being renewed in the Lord.
june - 8 days in korea.
shall be posting photos in this entry.
june to july - 1 week in penang.
as a start to working life.
i began my first week at penang for a training.
it was a time of good food.
and loads of rest.

july - you see zhien as a workaholic.
who seldom blogs.
july - convocation ceremony. an official end to my undergraduate studies.
haha.

oh well.
here goes a little more details.


on the flight to korea.
hehe.
all ready for some fun and egg-citement. >.<


a marvellous sight!
this is @ jeju island.
according to the tour guide. there's plenty of such volcanic rocks at the island.
it's just that at the place we went. the rocks form a dragon head.
i couldn't really tell though.
haha.


a typical straw house on jeju island.
one of the sights at jeju not to be missed.
the houses are interesting.
the rods at the 'main gate' of the house tells visitors whether the owner is in or not.
cool right?


a visit to the teddy bear museum at jeju island.
the must-see for gong fans.
haha.
teddy bears are so cute!


i couldn't resist hugging one to take a photo.
it's too big to be bought and brought back to singapore though.


a jet boat ride that threw us into the most un-glam state.
but it was really cool.
i had wanted more adventure rather than just pure sight-seeing.
so it was really fun darting round a part of the island on a jet boat.
hehe.


visited the green tea museum.
i grew to love green tea through this trip.
hehe.


o la la o la la...
da chang jin.
haha.
the korean folk village which is well-known to be the film site for the mega k-drama.


me with a horse.
hehe. the first time i so boldly go closer to one without making a fuss.
hehe.


me with mummy at a pond in the korean folk village.
it was a place with really nice scenery.
a great place to take photos at.


went to everland.
this really nice themepark.
and i took the roller coaster in the background.
it is a super shiok ride.
haha.
the track is made of wood.
it's a HUGE structure. haha.
with one of the falling angle at 75 degrees.
haha.
can be quite scary.
but nonetheless. really SHIOK!


the ride: t-express.
me after the roller coaster experience.


another day. we went visiting the unification park.
went touring this submarine.
and got my head bumped quite a few times.
thank God we were given helmets.
haha.


if you've never seen one before.
now you see it.
a samsung car.
haha.
the front and the back.


we spent one night staying at this really cosy resort.
where there's a kitchen in the room. hehe.
it's really a very nice place for a family gathering.
haha.
way way nicer than any chalet you find in singapore.


and we tasted this really nice ricecake.
and the museum was a display of really nice and interesting creation.
haha.
i think i really like to be able to cook and make nice stuff.
i'm probably just too lazy to get to action that's all.
hehe.


another declaration.
i love starbucks.
if you want to know how to write starbucks in korean.
just see this pic!


a photo with the tour guide and the photographer sent by the korean tourism board.
hehe.
this was at our shopping area for the last day.
haha.

it was quite an experience.
there are more photos but i'm rather lazy to post them all.

anyway.
other photos.


catch a glimpse of my cubicle at office.
i've got a work area to myself.
haha.
a nice desktop.
an interesting phone.
i've yet to decorate it though.
still finding time to pick out photos to send for developing!
do feel free to give me ideas on how to make it look sweet and nice.
it now just looks like a WORK PLACE.


another place in my office.
the pantry.
which is a nice-looking chill-out place.
i seriously don't mind buying lunch back to eat here.
beats squeezing with the crowd.
and adopting the unspoken raffles place rule about using tissue paper to 'kop' seats.
hehe.

another exciting thing that took place in the month of july.
convocation!
i was given a full day off.
which is good!
hehe.

shall just post the photos and let the pictures do the talking.










many thanks to those who made a difference to my uni life.
thanks to mum and sis and ying who have been a great support.
thank God for His many blessings through my 3 years.
there's just so much to give thanks for.
i'm glad.

moving in and adjusting to a new phase in life.
God, use me to bring glory to Your name.

well. zhi'en out.
i wanna go sleep.
hehe.

shall blog soon.
when there's interesting things to share!

여보세요

hi.
i'm in seoul/korea!
hehe.
now at gimpo international airport.
waiting for the flight to jeju.

i'll be back on 26th! :)

no more MIA-ing

i haven't been updating for quite some time.
so i shall just do a quick one for now.
hehe.

12th to 24th may.
i was in philippines.
i don't have much photos to post cos i don't have them with me yet.

day 1 morning the team of us departed from singapore budget terminal.
reached philippines clark airport after an approximately 3-hr long flight.
then hopped on a jeepney.
having 16 people squeezed on a jeepney wasn't a pleasant thing.
it was crammed.
honest.
the first discomfort that i faced during the 13-day long trip.
and it was just the beginning.
the only thing that was really bad was i was sick.
so it added to the discomfort.
but i thank God.
for people who cared.
for sustaining me.
for making me well again after a short nap on the jeepney.
so the rest of the 15-hr long ride on the jeepney wasn't as bad.

we went to a rural area in bilcol region.
my biggest lesson learnt is to learn to appreciate what i'm blessed with over here in singapore.
most people there don't have tv, laptops, proper beds to sleep on...
some families can't even afford refrigerators.
electricity wasn't a constant supply. it short circuits easily.
the roofs leak when it rains.
the list can go on.
i just wonder.
many a times i just take things for granted.
how i just need to learn to be thankful for even the smallest thing i'm blessed with.

also the filipinos are really hospitable people.
at least for those that i met.
i can conclude so.
i think that's one thing i'll need to learn to practise too.
it's been a missions trip which i felt i was so well-taken care of.
they gave.
to the best of what they can.
another learning point.

some of the more significant moments include...


i had this taken on my phone.
climbing a mountain!
it was not as high.
but it was steep enough.
it was quite a climb.
but i really enjoyed it.
we did a performance at the village when we got up.
gave out vitamins to the people and prayed for them.
to the extent that i had a hard time pulling brakes when i tried running down the slope on the way down.
i'm just amazed when i was told.
a fellow filipino brethren would go once a week climbing the mountain just to conduct bible study with a few of the villagers.
going the second mile.
i was indeed challenged.
how i need to learn. faithfulness - another lesson i was thought.

i learnt to act by faith with boldness.
terence and i partnered with 2 of our filipino sisters (rosemary and joan) to go house-to-house to share the Gospel.
we talked they translated.
and i remember that day so clearly that i was just telling terence that maybe we can pray for the sick along the streets if there are any.
and the next moment is.
we passed by a hospital on our left.
and there we decided that we should go in and pray for the people.
i was amazed how smoothly we stepped into the hospital without facing any obstacles.
no nurse or doctor stopped us.
though it was obvious that we aren't local.
surely, no person would think i'm a filipino.
the first ward was the infant's ward.
i prayed for a child. initially she was crying badly.
but at the end of the prayer.
she actually stopped crying!
praise the Lord. i'm so amazed.
i figured the child was better.
then went to pray for this old man with breathing difficulties.
he mentioned something about a hole in his lungs.
i shared the Gospel with him.
and he listened. and he actually said he believe Jesus can heal him.
i'm just so amazed. (i don't think i can stop saying this.)
prayed for him and he said he felt better.
the doctor's report weren't out yet.
but by faith. his health will be restored.
my day at the hospital - fruitful.

i did the craziest thing ever.
the team of us sang and danced in the middle of a park in ligao city.
our filipino brethrens call it 'encounter at the park'.
so in front of everyone at the park. we did a performance.
making our stage 360 degrees viewable.
boldly went sharing the Gospel with people.
and i thank God for the opportunities to share my testimony.
i'm just amazed.
how God worked through all that was done.
in a crazy setting.
to lead people to Him.


we went to this really nice beach resort at marinab for the church camp with the filipino brethrens.
it was really a nice place.
and it was a great time interacting with them.
during the church camp, we saw how powerfully God moved.

it's just saddening to see how beautiful the beach resort can be.
and yet on the other side of the hill.
is a village where poverty hits the lives of people.
i remember the night where we climbed over the hill to the village to pray for the burangay captain of the area, a blackout occurred.
and the entire place was in total darkness.

we also did medical missions in a village in marinab.
i learnt how to clean and treat wounds properly.
like how a nurse would do it.
i learnt how to do blood sugar test.
though my main task was to help prepare the instrument needed.
practically. we shared the love of Christ with the people there.
God taught me how to be practical in loving His people - meet their needs.

the night at the village, we had a concert.
through it, we saw 60 salvations from the youths and adults.
and 50 salvations from the children group too.
the whole area was just lit up by ONE light bulb.
the concert went on with the bare minimum.
but God did a miracle.
thank God. it can only be Him.

through the 2 weeks.
other than learning to step out of my comfort zone.
i learnt much more.
about myself.
how self-centered i can be. selfish.
i'm still learning.
to put others before self.
i learnt how to root my confidence in the Lord.
not in my own strength.
but leaving it in His hands.
i've got more to learn.
God, mould me and shape me.
to be more like You, Jesus.

now i'm back. more tanned.
hehe.


came back with my sister giving me a pair of new running shoes.
cos mine was cui long time back.
hehe.
i'm so blessed.
thanks sis!
i love it so much.

27th may.

went on a cycling trip at east coast park.
it was quite a butt-aching experience.
having to cycle from ecp all the way to changi village. and back.
i was taught. perseverance.

31st may.
romp'08.
it was a blast.
i enjoyed myself playing captain's ball.
hehe.
i've been getting rather good time for workout since i got back from philippines.
i played badminton on the following tuesday.

3rd june.
got my haircut and highlights done.
hehe.
i love my new hair now!
and i'm so happy that i got a good deal.
50 bucks for haircut and highlighting for my hair length.
is quite a good bargain already.
hehe.

4th june.
i had a nice time catching up with ken over starbucks.
tried the new dark mocha frappucino blended coffee.
it was woo-lala good.
haha.
i realised i forgot to snap a picture of it.
thanks ken for the treat to a VENTI-sized drink.
i just enjoy chilling at starbucks.
hehe.
more more!

6th june.

i had an early birthday dinner with my family at waraku.
had intended to go pasta de waraku.
but apparently a mistake in making reservations.
still. the food was good.
just that i was having a terrible cold.
so i look rather worn out in my picture with mum.


i just want to say it again.
I LOVE MY FAMILY!
they are a great bunch of people.
i'm so blessed.
thanks for the birthday celebration.

7th june.
sisters fellowship.
hehe.
simple games.
but we all had a great time.
i guess we need more of such.
bonding time!

hehe.
ok i shall now go and rest.
else i'll be too tired tmr.
hehe.

9th to 13th june.
i'll be in kl.
so i guess i'll be MIA-ing for a while.
ciao!

answered prayer

i'm just thankful.
it's just God's reassurance once again.
before i depart from singapore for philippines.
indeed God is mindful.
of every need.

this afternoon.
nic handed me an envelope.
and told me that someone has blessed me with a love offering.
i was momentarily shocked.
i don't know who the brother/sister is.
but i'm just thankful.

in the area of finance.
God is providing.
so i've got a portion of my fees subsidised.
thank God.
and thanks to whoever the person is.
may God use me to be a blessing.
because i've been blessed.
hehe.

tmr i'm heading off to philippines.
it's going to be a challenge.
a venture.
a brand new experience.
excited.
i believe God has something powerful in store.
cos He has been reassuring.
that indeed it is Him at work.
it is Him will work ALL things good for those who love Him.

i'll be back on 24th!
with loads of testimonies.
and in a brand new level with God!
hehe.

quick updates

i haven't been blogging for quite some time.

so i shall just do and update.
as usual i'll just include photos to make this less boring (i hope).


celebrated sis' birthday on 26 april (yes i know it's quite some time ago).
i'm thankful for a family that is accommodating.
i know it's odd. it's not my birthday. yet they are trying to fit into the time that i am available.
thanks. i love you all loads.
really.
there are times i just seem to be busy with things.
but i really do appreciate you guys.
all of you are important in my life.
i don't express that often.
but i really enjoy the times with you all too.
i am proud to have such a terrific family.
this sounds late. but happy birthday sis.
i hope you had a great dinner.
we ate to our fill.
really. i guess buffet isn't very much our style.
the stuff are good but we don't seem to eat much.
haha.


presenting...
my GREAT family!
love you all! >.<


last wednesday (30th april) - had a baking session with linda and chiew lin.
the last ZnCl2 gathering before the two of them fly off to US (WITHOUT ME!!!).
hehe. the girls are going on work and travel.
and i guess it's going to be a good experience for them.
hehe.
it's just a pity.
the 3 of us never got to travel together even once.
hehe.
nonetheless.
the baking session was fun!
we got our hands on muffin baking.
quite an attempt.
but more importantly.
we enjoyed ourselves.
baking and wii-ing.
hehe.


anyway. i didn't have the baking tray for muffins at home.
so the 3 'smart' girls improvised and we ended up with muffins of really cute shapes.
haha.
but well. what matters is the fun we had.
and the muffins tasted nice!
yippie!


we celebrated our birthdays together in advance.
hehe.
since they'll be overseas by the time it's our birthdays.
so we took our muffins as our birthday cakes.
aren't we creative?
hehe.
i had a great time with you girls.
hehe.
let's still have more ZnCl2 gatherings even after we start work!
hehe.
just sent them off today.
it's going to be me in Singapore only while the two of them are in US.
eeks. hehe. still HAPPY BIRTHDAY, girls!
we'll have another celebration when you are back.
hehe.

on a side note.
my birthday's coming! growing older. hehe.
and it's my 2nd time spending my birthday overseas.

i'm just adding my wishlist here.
please note it's NOT a must to get them. i guess i'm being greedy.
these are things that i hope i'll save up enough to get with my pay after starting work too.
so i guess i'm fine without them for my birthday also. hehe.


canon ixus 80is in camel.
my previous digital camera has been spoilt for ages and i havent got one for myself since then.
hehe. caught sight of this. and i just thought it looks nice.
someone probably can advise me on the specs part.
i'm never really into reading up on such things.
haha.
those who know me would know i love taking photos. hehe.
so i guess i'll probably invest in one. when i save up enough.
yes. i need to learn to save!


ipod shuffle - in purple.
i guess it'd be nice to have a player. hehe.
i had once caught sight of ipod nano - in red. but looking at the website.
the shape looks funny. hehe.
so i guess having a small shuffle. though without the screen. would be good.
for me actually. 1gb is more than sufficient.
i usually don't see a point of loading so much songs when i won't be done playing through the whole play list.
i just know that i can always update my playlist when i'm done listening to what i've.

well. i guess other than that.
i don't mind nice vouchers so that i can get some clothes for work.
i don't mind ang baos so that i can repay the amount i 'loaned' for my overseas trips this holidays.
i don't mind just simple meals to sit down and have a nice conversation with people.
i don't mind birthday cards.

i guess this is an ultra incoherent post.
anyway. i'm off to philippines next monday!

alpha and omega

the beginning and the end.


the start of exams.
the start of my final exam in my life.
3 years.
simply amazing how time flies.
and i'm graduating.
not to say getting older.

the paper.
was ok.
i guess it's ok.
though i didn't finish in time.
i guess i feel at peace.
and i'm perfectly fine with the fact that it isn't 100% completed.

i'm just thankful.
cos i pulled through.
while people are busy writing as fast as they can.
i was busy pulling out tissue paper with my left hand while writing with my right.
haha.
it was quite a sight.
but i'm glad.
at least it's one down.

one more to go.
wednesday.
and it's going to be holidays.

and one more thing.
30th june.
i'm stepping in.
officially.
to the working world.
haha.

the battle rages

my battleground is in a mess.
but at least some notes are in place.
in the middle of exams preparation.
and i'm making rather slow progress.
seriously hope i do well.
i feel like i'm still quite lost in the stuff.
haha.
took me so long to attempt the questions on past year papers yesterday.
which is rather discouraging.
-.-
bleh. i really really want to do well.
although last semester - others say can slack.
i think i've slacked too much.
it's time to BUCK UP and pull up my socks!
my last attempt to try and get a 5.0 GPA for the semester!
though it seems quite tough looking at the coursework.
bleh. God give me a miracle!


on a brighter note.
i couldn't help smiling.
when i saw a short faint rainbow in the sky while i was heading out for meeting.
7 pm.
quite not the time i'd expect to see a rainbow.
but i'm just reminded of God's faithfulness. :)
just too bad my camera resolution not good enough to capture it really well.
but i was truly beautiful.

And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

- Genesis 9:12-16