goodbye 2009.

2009 has been possibly one of the most eventful years of my twenty one years on earth hitherto. Some of these events encompass my summer exchange to UCLA and the fact that this year marks my 21st year on this planet. And what a way to commence the year than with a heart-warming and utmost satisfying experience when I embarked on a 2 week journey to aid the lives of Cambodians in need.

Yesterday marked the end of the youth expedition program or overseas project I embarked on with a group of 17 wonderful individuals, in Cambodia. This was an experience like none other, and no matter how clichéd it sounds, the memories forged will remain dear to me for life. Through the course of these two weeks, we carried out a concoction of projects through collaborations with the Khmer Youth Association as well as CEDAC.

In the first project, we worked with youths (from 16 to 20 years of age and above) to train and provide lessons on anti-alcoholism affairs. Following that we helped them hold an anti-alcoholism fair in Khmer (their native language) - which was a success! (: To publicize the fair and invite people, we combed several areas in Phnom Penh with posters and fliers. I memorised a few sentences in Khmer as well! That was quite an experience. I was hoping I would not end up saying something wrong and get stares. Haha. In any case, the problem of alcoholism is a burgeoning one in countries like Cambodia, where alcoholism seems like a cleaner alternative to water and a quick solution to problems. It does not help that the streets of Cambodia are littered with posters that attempt to increase sales of alcohol through pictures of happy families and glitzy lifestyles. They openly advertise cigarettes as well; an act which would probably would get you sued in Singapore. Advertisements like these aims to target the weak-minded and less educated and these people get sucked into a never-ending vicious cycle of poverty and sorrow. It is truly a saddening case. However, we did our part is trying to educate Cambodians on the negative aspect that surrounds alcohol and hopefully the KYA will propagate our efforts. Working with the KYA youths was truly an experience which I will cherish for a long time to come. They truly warmed my heart with their non-judging acceptance and carefree lifestyle. It is remarkable how to find bliss in the simplest of things like bread and fruits, unlike youths in Singapore who yearn after lifeless technological gadgets. As the first project drew to an end, we also visited a village to talk to ex-alcoholics and their stories of quitting really made me smile.

The second project was conducted at Kampong Chnnang, where over the course of the next few days, we built a grand total of 55 water filters from scratch to be distributed to households in the village. That was a back-breaking experience! - Drilling holes into buckets with basic tools, washing gravel and charcoal, packing sand and what not. While working in the village was far from convenient and we had to go through harsh living conditions (for example, no toilet, electricity or clean water), it was all worth it in the end. We even taught the village kids how to wash their hands correctly and brush their teeth as well as draw fruits. It was heart-warming when the kids remembered the actions and complied. Initially they were hesitant and distant from us but towards the end of the project they warmed up to us to the extent that they’d hop onto our backs for piggy back rides and what not. Seeing their carefree life in spite of their harsh living conditions was a thoroughly warming experience. I take away so much not just from the experience I had there but in terms of how much the Cambodians I have met have affected me in more ways than one. On a side note, the girl in the picture next to me really reminds me of myself when I was younger to the point that I referred to her as ‘baby vibha’. She’d go behind our backs while we’re working in the sun and give ticklish massages, climb trees and run around playing mischief. But they really livened my life for the few days we were there.

I feel that people really tend to take their lives for granted when surrounded by comfort and technology, for one. However, we need to remember that there is a life beyond material possessions that make us human. We should never let these material possessions and dispensable objects be the centres of our lives and should instead look into our own values and relationships and mould our lives around these. We have to constantly remember that we have been blessed with a gift from God in the form of life and we should live it to its fullest. Hardship comes and goes, but it is after all how we ride the storm that matters and not how we let the storm ride us.

On the whole, I think 2009 has been quite a roller coaster ride and I look forward to 2010 with a tinge of excitement and a dash of apprehension together with a spoonful of hope and aspirations.

Till 2010, cheers! (:

veinte un años.

24th November. The day I completed twenty one years on earth, as the title suggests (for those who understand spanish or had the time to use freetranslation.com). Much has transpired in this duration of time and it suddenly hits how old I actually am. Somehow 20 seems less harsher than 21. There's something about that second digit that makes one shudder with thoughts about the upcoming future that lays ahead. Adulthood. Polling rights. These are just two of the slightly intimidating thoughts that formulate in our brains. In any case, I want to simply march right ahead and face what's to come in its face (does not apply for oncoming vehicles/trains though), because life is short.

On another note, today marked the end of a 5 day intensive camp in preparation for an overseas community service trip which I will be embarking on come 16th of dec. Will be heading down to Cambodia! I hope none of us step on landmines or get chased around by goons! However tiring and energy draining these few days have been, I do believe there would be a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at the end of the day. But I would truly appreciate a spa treatment or an island retreat for a month or something! And it doesn't help that my holidays will completely washed away. If only time could be bought!

In any way, I will end of with a note which I found somewhere. Adios!

Eagle in Storm

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?

The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

Letting go.

Letting go. Two words which possibly sum up to one of the hardest acts one can perform. Nothing is forever, everything comes to an end. And we humans eventually have to succumb to letting go of something possibly precious. It may be parents letting go of their baby to let it take its first steps apprehensively or them letting go of their child's two-wheeler bike so that he can cycle on his own for the first time. This follows them letting go of their child as he or she goes to college or enters adulthood and gets married to start his or her own family. We let go of things everyday. Small and big, tangible objects or thoughts. Everything.

But somehow emotions get you tangled in a string of thoughts which tie you back from doing what's right. And when you finally let go, your heart sinks and you drop to your knees helplessly. But sometimes it is a necessity. Because you know deep down that letting go will be for the better. Somehow, somewhere. So we let go of this feeling and dear thoughts and we head on to repeat the cycle again. Nothing's forever as we like to believe. And nothing's always ours. We have to remember that everything is a gift from God and it is never within our power to hold God's given things forever. We merely loan them. So we let go when the time comes. And we cherish every memory that we had while it lasted.

Red, White and Blue.

I'm back, armed with a dustpan and a broom to dust and clean up this blog of mine which probably would have developed cobwebs and a musty stench, if it were a room (which has been unopened for a long duration of time). Well, you can probably notice by now, that the author of this blog has failed to post any new entries since the beginning of 2009. Much has transpired since then and it would take me a long period of time if I were to divulge each and every detail. The highlight of these few months was obviously my SUMMER PROGRAMME TO UCLA. (:

I can safely mention that the 50 odd days I spent in the states over the course of this summer programme have been one of the highlights of my life. It was an experience to behold and cherish and I have grown immensely as a person and in terms of knowledge. Unforgettable memories of my time there have been etched in my mind and the friendships forged will remain dear to me for the rest of my life. Before I type myself to tears, I'd like to share some unforgettable pieces of memory attached to each place I visited. Since I'd take ages to share each and every moment experienced, I will only ramble on about my favourite memories.

First and foremost, I love San Francisco so much that I wouldn't mind migrating there to retire! Fisherman's wharf was truly a pleasure and Alcatraz, a sight to behold. Going on the bay cruise and cruising under the famous Golden Gate Bridge was astounding. Though I wished there was leser fog that day. That's another thing - loads of fog in San Fran. But it was BEAUTIFUL. Everything from the crookedest street in the world to the trams. But freezing cold all the same, with chilly wind factor added to the perpectually cold climate. But apart from that, I'd agree to hop on a plane and head down there in a jiffy!

In LA itself, so much transpired. Went for two red-carpet movie premieres! Of Public Enemies and Transformers II. Never thought I'd be so close to Christian Bale and Johnny Depp. (: Apart from that, we met Intermilan footballers! They happened to be training on UCLA ground. How likely is that to happen? Anyway, met the famous Materazzi and many others (: AND the week after or the week after next, Barcelona came down to train. And the tennis LA open was held in UCLA as well. If this isn't enough, the extremely depressing episode of MJ happened a stone's throw away from my place. Got interviewed by BBC radio as well. I was so shocked when I heard the news that my friends and I literally ran to the UCLA medical plaza and joined the throngs of people there. May he rest in peace. Apart from this, a whole load of events transpired in LA itself and I'll need at least a 100 blog entries to fully explain everything.

Las Vegas - Factory outlet shopping, the beautiful fountain show outside Bellagio at night, the GRAND CANYON, hoover dam, beautiful hotel structures and loads more. Standing at the cliff of the Grand Canyon truly left me astounded by its natural beauty. After having braved the 50 degrees celsius heat and hot gusts of wind and the extremely long journey, this was all worth it. Hoover Dam was also a beauty. Las Vegas shopping was a joy! We went to the outlets at the south of the strip twice and did the most shopping there. And why not? The deals were superb! So basically, Las Vegas burned holes through our pockets. And not because of gambling, as it is the case for most people. Haha. Tried my luck at the slot machines though and won a grand total of.. $1.25. (:

Disneyland was one of the best experiences in the states. We spent 2.5 days there and the hotel we chose was really cosy and homely and really affordable! One of the best hotel experiences, I would say. Aside from that, Disneyland is truly the happiest place on earth. Just stepping foot into it you'd have a smile plastered on your face for the entire day. And the fireworks are remarkable, but a waste of money and resources. But anyway they earn loads from their customers. I can go on and on about Disneyland, but I think this should suffice. It livened the child within me for those few days and left me grinning from ear to ear.

Lastly, San Diego was a unique experience. We lived in downtown San diego which meant loads of pubs and dodgy areas around, but we survived. Haha. We stayed in a hostel and had I would say, colourful experiences. The great part was that there was a common kitchen and eating area, where we could make our own food and they'd provide ingredients. We went to the San Diego Zoo and Seaworld while we were there. Seaworld was great! If only I could bag an internship as a dolphin trainer. I would never grumble on my way to work. The zoo was not as fantastic as it is made out to be, but the variety of species was commendable. I still prefer the Singapore Zoo somehow and I bet if somehow someone from the tourism board is reading this, he'd be smirking right now.

Anyway, in my next few posts, I shall insert more snippets of my experiences in the states. But for now, adios amigos y hasta luego! (I learnt Spanish in the states) (:

New-s.

This period of time marks several beginnings. First of all and most obviously, the start of a new year (~11 days ago). Secondly, and less obviously, the commencement of semester 4 of university. Just the thought of what's to come is enough to give any uni student the shudders. And not from the cold, that's for sure. This semester is going to be exceptionally draining both physically and mentally for me. I'll be wading and swimming frog-style in a pool of projects, assignments and tonnes of lab reports. But I guess it'll be over in no time. Or so i hope.

Anyway, I wonder why people celebrate the first day of every year. I mean, if this day marks new beginnings, so does every other day. Something new happens every single day of our life. Someone may fly a kite for the very first time, while someone else may have baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies without burning them to soot after 10 tries. Something remarkable happens every single day and we by human nature undermine these happenings or chuck them aside without much thought. So why should we celebrate simply the first day of every year? Every day should be a celebration and the mark of something new.

All this aside, today marks the release of the O level results. I still remember this day rather vividly from over 4 years ago. In any case, I'm really pleased with my tutee's grades. She managed to improve her A math grade 3 fold (from an F9 to a B3) and her science grade 2 fold. My primary school tutee improved too! At the end of the day, this is the best repayment I've had from giving tuition.

Anyway, this is about it from now. Am exhausted to the bones and beyond. Cheers!