Wednesday is off day... Yeah! Praise God! I went to grocery shopping with Sarah and showed her around the city. She is from Malaysia and is doing aquaculture too. And she is staying at Leprena too. Cool right.. S block too.. So much of the "too".. Anyway.. She was supposed to meet her group members at 1pm to tabulate some results on LC (lethal conc.) but was late due to the overwhelming shopping we did. Hahaha.. After her experiment, we went shopping for the rest of the grocery at woolsworth too. I spent so much money on food today. I think I'm growing fat. how? Anyway today is Launceston Cup day. Its interesting to see people dressing up in formal wears, hats, ties, jackets and all..They look real good but look real bad after it all ended. Why? Because they went drinking and were vomiting and dancing along the roads. There were some fights and some bled. Yucks! And quite a couple of guys went into S block and started uttering nonsense. Sigh! I'm so sad to see them living their life this way. Ironically, they find it so sad to see me living my life without alcohol too. Haha... I thank God for the Holy allergy.. Hehee. Yeah..

Light hood

While microwaving my lunch back at the the hostel this afternoon (Yeah! I made potato pie). I went to my room to place my bag before I heard a loud crashing sound coming from the kitchen. One of the resident and I immediately dashed out and saw the broken light hood that was above the spot where I usually prepare my food. Thank God for His grace. I could have been seriously injured if that panel had dropped on my head. Amazing! My blockmate said "Lucky me!" But I seriously think that there is more than luck than this. Thank God for His protection! I'm sure His saints are praying!
Till then..

Symphony under the stars

Went Garage sale on Monday morning and passed some "look-out" point. Thought I'll share it with you.



This is a little shed for family to enjoy the view while having BBQ or even afternoon picnic time.



Another nice view:


It will be a sin not to share this picture. I think the chinese will love it. Talking about rivers and mountains. This picture reminds me of the river description in Ezekiel.



Tasmania Symphonic Orchestral were at the city park on Sat evening. It is an event know as "Symphony Under the Stars", held annually. Look at the conductor all dressed up as a pirate. So much for entertainment value!




It was pitch dark apart from the central stage. In order to capture this picture of the general audience. I had to use the "night mode" which has a slower shutter speed. Hence, the stage which is over-lighted is over-exposed. The whole park were filled with people. Some of them even brought their own tables and chairs. Amazing!



Here are some photos of Zion Hill church:


The front view of Zion Hill church (the church that I'm attending)


A poor picture of the netball court which is beside the church building. Yeah! They have a basketball court right infront of Zion Hill School of worship too.

Today has been a really hectic day. Thank God for Brent who picked me up for church. The Lord provides.. yeah! After church, I took a ride from Jenny to Andy's Gelato. Have 2 scoops of ice cream; death by chocolate and pistacho and then make my way to Vicky's place. I was pretty tired and had to wait for Yoke Chye and Edwin to arrive before we can start spray painting his car. However they had to get their refund for the faulty phone they got from the garage sale. So I slept a while in Vicky's place and made me way to K Mart to get some clothes. I was really tempted to get my hands on some Pansy seedlings from the Gardening section. They are only going for $2.. .. Can u imagine that? sigh!! But since I am staying at Leprena and do not have much privacy. I thought better not.. haha.
After all the buying I went back to meet Yoke Chye and the rest. They were watching Infernal affairs 2 and I joined in. Pretty nice show I must say.. Interesting! Vicky has this Ang Moh housemate who is interested in films and so well-learned. He knows alot about the various directors and the year which the various films are produced. It makes u wonder why he is not a Theater student. After all the hoo haa about spray painting the car, we discovered that there were not enough paint to go around. The job had to be left undone and since the glass panels are all taped up with newspaper and all. We decided to get Jun Ming to pick us up instead. Nice Jun Ming came along with Casper (his roommate, not the friendly ghost), and he was discussing about getting a mini (car) for $2000 from Hobart. So cool!
haha. Tata. Goodnight

Garage sale

The Men Breakfast fellowship at Zion Hill this morning was good. The breakfast spread was good. There were cereals, pancakes with strawberries and blueberries, beacon with egg, sandwiches, grapes, milk and plenty of other stuff. One thing that really got me realy inspired were the godly conversation they were having. I mean what's true fellowship when you don't even talk about godly stuff. I had to leave slightly earlier for a garage sale. Yoke Chye and gang were nice enough to pick me up from church. The buys today were pretty good. I got myself a 2 feet tank for only 5 Aussie dollars and got a tall plastic jar for 20 cents and 4 glass bottles for 2 dollars. It was a good buy. Vicky got a sofa bed for $40 while Yoke Chye and Edwin got themself a tv stand, A4 printer and some other vintage stuff. Hahaa.
After the whole deal was done, we had lunch at Mc Donalds and went to Vicky place to unload her stuff before proceeding to the city to buy some more stuff. Hahaa. I didn't get anything though. While Yoke Chye and Edwim got themselve a Vaccum cleaner. Woah..
Hehee. It was an enjoyable day. While making sandwiches for dinner, (I thought I will have sandwiches for dinner tonight, since there are still plenty of bread left over)I saw a chinese girl walking into S block. I opened the door for her and checked with her whether she is staying in this block. Finally.... A Asian student staying in Leprena. Pretty good huh..!! I get to know from her that she is from Malaysia and she is doing Aquaculture too. She did first year university studies in Malaysia and is continuing 2 years in UTAS. I was surprised to know that she is doing this course because of her father's business. Her father owns an arowana farm in Malaysia. Pretty interesting huh! I thought it is very filial of her to fulfill her father's dream. Haha! Anyway.. While typing this, I heard some noise outside my room. To my surprise, it's another asian-looking female student. I got a feeling that she is either from Korea or Japan.. haha. Anyway, till then. Back to washing clothes. :)

Fish Fanatic

Yesterday was the orientation programme for the students doing Aquaculture. I met up 2 asian students; one from Vietnam and the other from China. Both of them are doing Masters in Aquaculture. Daa is from Vietnam and he is a vet by profession. Woah!! He is a doctor.. .. While the guy from China comes by the name of Fish. Yes! You're getting it right! It's fish.. He's fish.. Yah.. Whatever!! Talking about me being a fish fanatic. This guy really is... He has a Bachelor in Aquaculture from China and took the courage to take up Masters in Tasmania. I really salute these guys for their courage and passion.

What a day!

I woke up this morning feeling abit lost and disorientated. Changed, had my breakfast and took a bus to Service Tasmania Centre for my driving theory test again. This is my 4th time taking it and I was abit disappointed. I said a my prayers and begin my test. Finally, God have decided that I am safe to proceed now. He gave the green light and I took the initiative to move on. I finally passed !!! I took the form and handed it to the lady at the counter. She told me that she needed my residential address. I showed it to her but she insisted that it must be an official letter; like a bank slip or something. I tried ways and means to affirm that this is my address but she insisted. Hence, I gave a call to my university accomodation centre and requested them to fax a hard copy over. They refused and told me that they are not able to do it now and will probably take a long time. So I made my way back to the University and saw them having lunch. I asked the manager for a copy of the statement to be printed out and signed for me. I took the copy back and handed to the lady at Service Tasmania and had it process. The payment for my learner license was made and a phone call was given to the driving coordinator at Hobart, cause the ones at Launceston are not around. It took quite a long time before they answered my call. I tried to explain to them about my past driving lessons record and requested for a conversion or at least exemption to the 50 hours that I need to fulfill over here. The answer was sharp and direct; I was turned down. The driving coordinator probably didn't know how strict the driving system is in Singapore. Sigh.. This simply means that I will need to wait for another 7 months before I can drive independantly. I believe God knows the reason and He is keeping my safe. LOL! Met up with Junming and his friends and we went to a few places before making our way back.
Tonight is "Tropical night", a night where all the residents from all the university accomodations centre meet up. I went them to take my free Barbie dinner and then bid them farewell. Dinner settle. Hahaha. I'm going to meet up with Jun Ming and Co. now.. Cya...

Chat

Had a long chat with the girls last night. They were like pulling pranks on me by teaching me words which are negative and putting them as positive. One of them insisted that we play "Truth or Dare" or I will need to call one of my Singaporean friends. I of course chose the latter and called up Yoke Chye. Kirby was like teasing Yoke Chye by telling him that he has a deep nice voice and whether he would like to come over. Haha. After all that nonsense, they wanted me to run to the clothes line and back. But I rejected them and suggested that they do that instead while I serve as the camera man. I managed to learn a few cultural things from them as they shared half-truth about certain things. I got them clarified with the accomodation officer as I really don't believe that the Aussies eat Seagull meat. Yucks!

Some photos to share.. ...

This is where I study:


No la.. You think "Lord of the Rings" ah.. This is just one of the town. Hehee..


This is where I bath every night:



..... You are looking at Cataract Gorge.. One of the Tassie's beauty. Isn't God the greatest artist!

Another picture of the running stream:


The beautiful park located right smacked middle of Cataract Gorge. Haha. Beautiful ah!


The pie I had at Cataract Gorge; lovely pie, lovely place.


And then the boys paddle through the river. I want to try this.. I really do.. They are paddling along Tamar river which is very very long... I will find out how about to do this and will bring whoever that comes to Tassie. Part of the itineary.. hehe.


I took this picture of the Launceston Gas house to remind people like Dwayne and Bao that "Gas" is precious and people love it over here. Come and share it!


I was almost killed while taking this picture of the seagulls. I was crossing the road after taking this picture and forgotten that the road was bi-directional. I was looking at one side and forgotten the other. Suddenly, I feel a nudge to look over just in case. Thank God! A car was coming my way and I was in the middle of the road. Neither left or right lane and the car was like waivering here and there to avoid me. Tasmanians are real polite, they didn't even honk at me a single time.
Thank God for His grace upon my life. Karen and my aunt were there with me at that moment but I don't think they notice it. Hehee..This will really set them worrying if they do.


The school of ....:


and one of their courses:


It was 4pm and the morning glory at Jun Ming's backyard were still blooming. Really glorious for them to bloom that long.


This is like a shed directly outside the kitchen.
It is newly built and wasn't even completed when I first moved in.


The door to my kitchen:


A view of my block.. BLOCK S... Like chalet hor!? Another testimony to share. I was like complaining and murmuring when I know I was allocated S block. S block is known to have theft break-in and has smaller rooms that Q and W block. Sigh.. I really wanted Q block badly.. But thank God!!! Thank God ah!! Haha.. Cause Q block is where all the year 3s and 2s stays and is really noisy at night. Hahaa. So.. yah....



"Just one glimpse of my kitchen".. The girls are wondering why this asian boy take so long to cook everyday. I will make my spread of different dishes while they eat nachos with meat sauce. Hahaa.. And of the girl always make sandwich. One day, I finally saw here making burger.. But burger also a kind of sandwich what?? hhaha. so funny lor.
But today she finally decided to eat ..... ...baked potato!!


There are many living rooms and mine happens to be the main one. In the picture, you will be able to see the "pigeon holes" where all our mails are being put each morning.


And for the final dish.. The girls.. (From the extreme left: Lydia, Lyray, Kirby and last but not least Libby) Kirby was like asking me what caption I am going to put for the photo. She suggested " Sexy bitches".. I just smiled and told her.. "I'm not intending to put any captions". Haha.. These 4 are like my closest friends in Leprena. The rest are all like Hi! How's your dae? friends.

Yeah!

Can you imagine that?? She actually apologized this afternoon. I was preparing dinner and she came over and said "Sorry for last night, we were abit drunk". No! I'm not trying to imply that she is a meany or what. Contrary to it, I find her pretty sweet and pleasant. We chatted on how their culture is all about and how young people over drink at a young age even though it is illegal to purchase alcohol under 18. A while later, the few other girls came and they started talking to me too. Thank God that they did not think I was "Dao" by rejecting their invitation for a drink last night.. Whew!

Drinking Ang Mohs

Well.. tonight is the starting of the Ang Mohs's drinking spree. One guy from AMC brought a whole carton of alcohol to "S" block which I'm staying. The whole block was invited to join in the party. I was invited twice; once by cute female block mate and once by the guy from AMC. I rejected them twice and I felt really bad and mean. I hope they are not thinking that this China guy is trying to act cool or what..but I am by nature allergic to alcohol. As the group make their way to the main communal room, they made a big hoo-ha out of it. I tried peeping through the peep-hole and saw this half-drunk, obviously-obese ang Moh lady pointing to my room and shouting "I feel sorry for him". That's that! On the other hand, I felt so sorry for her. I got the feeling that she is the one blasting the heavy metal music down the whole corridor in the afternoon. She must be drowning herself with alcohol to hide her misery. Well...Another reason why I'm hiding in the room is because I run out of t-shirts and I am wearing sleeveless for the night. Paisei mah! It's me la.. What do you expect?

Barbie for Lunch

There was free Barbie for lunch today. You can choose between pork or chicken franks. And did u guess it correctly? Barbie is the Australian slang for BBQ. I am sure it is the same somewhere else too. Pretty cool huh! Lunch settled..
Till then..

Church

Looking around the areas of my campus, I noticed that there are only either Baptist or Anglican church around. There is also a Methodist church formed by students from Malaysian and Singaporeans mainly. However the service is held in chinese and I doubt I will be able to understand the terminology of it. I hope to attend it occasionally to learn some words but not intending to make it my main church. I remember chatting with Aaron on MSN and requested for him to pray. Well.. That very evening, I get to know a fellow Singaporean student who is attending a Zion Hill (an A/g church) http://www.zionshill.com.au/?page=13
One of the church members picks her up every sunday and I managed to hitch a ride from him last sunday. They invited me for men breakfast fellowship this sat and one of the elder volunteered to pick me up at my place on Sat morning. Till I get my own car, I will need to relay on people's kindness to get to church. There are simply no bus services that goes there. The Singaporean lady is moving next week and my transport to church this sunday is undetermine. Well.. I am sure God will path the way.. :)
Till then..

Free Movie Pass

There was an International Student briefing held yesterday. There were students from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Demmark, Sweden, Poland, Indonesia and mandy moore (many more). Various presenters take turn to present the topics on Uni life and life as an International student. Representatives from the immigration department, Customs depart. as well as the medibank insurance were there too. The part I enjoyed the most was from the Medibank insurance rep. Why? Because at the end of the session he was giving out pairs of free movie passes and I got them by answering a forever "Yes" question. Yes! Movie passes are really costly over here in Tasmania. Hahaa.. So two movie passes are worth $20 plus.
Till then...

Tassie

Praise God for His provision so far! This is such a long story but nevertheless, I will share it with you. The day that I left Singapore was one of the hardest time of my life. To describe it in words will just do the "feeling" injustice. . My senses started to get emotional even at the sight of my void-deck. I'm just the simple sentimental guy that you can tell through my handkerchief. As I waited for the cab with my parents, my eyes begin to welled up with tears. Tears which I know I couldn't hold back any longer.
During dinner at the airport, I had a totally lost of appetite. I just sat at the bench and begin to cry uncontrollably. My dad and mum were comforting me yet in their heart I know they are feeling the same. Quite a number of love ones, youth & adults from church, secondary friend and cmpb friends came to sent me off. I will like to take this opportunity for their presences and gifts. They really mean alot to me. It was hard to enter the custom gate that very moment. It is not because of any illegal stuff that I am carrying but rather the feeling of leaving Singapore. I knew it is going to be a long time before I get to see them again. Thank God for my aunt and sister who were travelling with me. They really brighten up my spirit and helped me to hold back my tears.
Tasmania's weather is crazy and the elementals were all screwed up. It is suppose to enter into Autumn and the weather is suppose to get cooler. But these few days were extremely hot and unbearable. I took with me all my long sleeve shirts and only brought along 1 short sleeve one. God help me! Nevertheless, this did not stop us from exploring all the various places of Launceston. My Aunt, sis and I went shopping for homewares almost every single day. We wanted to go to the strawberry farm but none of were ready to drive. My aunt did not bring her licence, my sis does not have the confidence to drive and I do not hold a licence. So we were stuck in town. But thank God for Cataract Gorge which was walking distance from our hotel.. It simply amazing to know how such a huge and beautiful natural reserve actually exist beside the city. My aunt and sis left Singapore on Sat morning. I went to Jun Ming's place and we have our international reunion dinner in the evening. I helped to cook mashed potatoes and French Omelete with sausages. There were students from Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and China. On sunday morning, Jun Ming brought Yoke Chye, Edwim and me to a garage sale. I got myself a box fan with $5. Haha. It is really dusty but really worth it, especially in this hot weather. I thank God for His blessings! So far till then. Tata.

Tasmania.. here I come

"Tasmania! Here I come!" How I wish I can say this with enthusiaism but my heart is rock bottom now, at the moment, present and I mean it. No vocabulary or proper grammatical structure can express exactly how I feel. It's worse than army and I mean it. At least I can get to see those people I want to see when I bookout during the weekend. But now.. it's confine to a small screen and limited to the people who own one. Yes! Please get a webcam.
I guess I am not as God-dependant enough as I wanted to be. Well.. this 3 years will be the training phase and I know the Lord will give me the most holy faith and strength to go through.

Beautiful Changi Village Hotel

A few of us decided to have lunch at the Italian Restaurant at Changi Village Hotel on Sunday. Upon reaching, we discovered that it was closed. Blame it on me for not finding out about the operation hours before hand. Sigh. Nevertheless, I took a beautiful photo of the sceneric Changi Village Hotel.

How Do I say Goodbye

How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laughed,
Outweighed the bad
I thought we get to see forever,
but forever's gone away
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

Leaving

Woke up this morning and found my family members missing. The house was empty. I felt abit wierd. I realized that this is how it is going to be in 1 week time. Yeah.. Leaving.

Farewell Gathering

My Cell group threw a farewell party for me last Thursday. Each of them quote me a memory verse which is meaningful to them. I really appreciate all of them, especially the ones given by my bible study students. It is good to know that they are growing in the Lord and each have a memory verse close to their heart.

Memory Verses

Daphne
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name

Dwayne
1 Thess 5:24
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Chad
Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Norris
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

A. Kumlin
1 Thess 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Joseph Ho
Philippians 3:7-14
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

Lester
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Joel Loh
Psalm 4:1,8
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Lincoln
Psalm 1:1,2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Max
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows

Philbert
Psalm 18:1-3
I love you, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies

Lynette
1 John 4:7
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Kiat
Isaiah 40:30,31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Joshua Tan
Psalm 91: 9-13
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

Rachael Tan
Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Cheryl Tan
Psalm 46:10
Exodus 14:14
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Caleb
Psalm 139:1-12
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you

Joshua Lim
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Karington
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."[a]

Ryan
Proverbs 3:3,4
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Abel
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything

Rachelle
Deuter 28:6,13
You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

Sansan
1 Thess 5:24
24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Susanne
John 16:23
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name

Andrew
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

Aaron
Deuter 4:31
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.