Monday, July 17, 2006
"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with." - Mark Twain
Indeed C. S. Lewis speaks similiarly, in one of his many books, that joy is not fully experienced unless it is consummated by the act of sharing it.
Last Friday was my unit's anniversary. We are quite a young unit in the SAF, 5 or 6 years old only, I think. To celebrate we had a day off from work (aside from those unlucky enough to be on ops duty, that is), which we spent instead at HomeTeamNS @ Bukit Batok bowling. The bowling was enjoyable enough. It has been quite sometime since I last bowled, so I shall spare myself the embarrassement and not post my results. Suffice to say that while I wasn't the star player of my team, I was not the lousiest either. Sore arms aside, I believe I find bowling more enjoyable than playing pool, not that I play either much.
It was interesting to sit back and note the various different behaviors people exhibit in a team setting. Tells you a lot about the person, the way he behaves when playing a team game. Of course, I'm not particularly interested in knowing any of them better, so it was more of an intellectual exercise.
In a stroke of forgetfullness I left my insulin pump at home, which left me no choice but to leave early, skipping the buffet lunch. Not that I really regret it; I don't think the food was going to be particularly fantastic, and the company not much better either.
Visited the choir that afternoon. Wasn't impressed, but they had missing people due to SYF. One thing that particularly irked me was that they practiced the rhythm for the song by speaking the words in rhythm. I have no idea why they subscribe to that. Inherited from seniors? I remember them practicing "El Hambo" by CLAPPING the rhythm, and speaking the rhythm for "Mikyo" as well. I seriously doubt that it helps that much. It feels so unnatural and forced, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at the back at how ridiculous they seemed.
Senior's farewell is this coming Friday. I'm still undecided as to whether I should go. None of the "old" people seem interested. If I have to go alone, I might as well give it a miss. Miss Lim won't be there anyway. And I have a dinner date =)
Pirates of the Caribbean was pretty nice. Saw it with Honseng and Wenlin at the new Cathay cineplex. Nice theater, comfy seats, only drawback is just the emptiness of the place. Depending on the shops, it could well prove to be more popular than PS. Cathay cinemas are better than GV's, anyway.
Thai Express lunch, Swenson's dinner. Quite an expensive day, I'll say. Feli joined us for dinner after I persuaded her, but I think she felt rather quite out of place. Didn't find my sister's stuff, she's now officially disappointed. But she's not leaving till the 26th, so there's still a little more than a week left for me to procure the item. Curiously, I'm not feeling much at the prospect of her leaving for the US for 1.5 years now, but I suspect that the reality of it will hit me a couple of weeks after she's gone. Ah, boring times ahead with nobody to bicker with at home.
Inspired by a list of "Things I Love" made by somebody else, I shall endeavor to make a similiar one of my own. No doubt mine will be much shorter. Nevertheless, consider this an attempt at "counting my blessings", in a way.
I love...
...God, the Great Lover of Man, from everlasting to everlasting, with whom all thing are made possible and, indeed, made beautiful in the reflection of his Perfectness.
...My Bible, the best and truest book ever written.
...My dad, who, despite me never meeting his expectations, continues to provide and care for me.
...My mom, in spite of all the nagging and scoldings.
...My sister, whom admist all the bickering and fighting I still can find love for.
...My other sister, the one I'll be alone with for the coming 1.5 years, and my senior in NUS to boot.
...My books, whatever will I do without them?
...My organ, which provides me with an outlet for my musical needs (although I still want a piano >_<).
...My computer, without which MSN would not be possible.
...My fridge, which contains my medication, my green teas and diet cokes, my cookies and chocolates.
...My mahjong + table, the official family entertainment.
...My insulin pump, which sustains my life.
...My choir scores, they bring back memories of the good old days.
...My "box", with all the little items of momento, including letters, cards, drawings, CDs, stuff from Bremen 04, from orientation 03, from Cantab 04, from outings with significant people, from Verona 06, and many many more.
...Coffee, possibly the greatest beverage ever discovered.
...Green Tea, the next best thing after coffee.
...diabetic-friendly peanut butter, and the person who bought it for me.
...Jie Hui, who taught me to love Christ.
...Daniel, who showed me Christian living, and inspiring me to better myself.
...Kaiyan, Lincoln, Chris, who were with me in my teething years.
...Qianjin, singer for God.
...Ashleigh, for leading me to Christ, and for half a year of singing together.
...Timothy, for making me want to be a better leader.
...Zhiwei, closest friend from 03S20.
...Enid, closest friend from the original 03S20.
...Evan, Mich, Jin, sisters in Christ, for making school fun.
...Sher, oldest friend since primary days.
...Honseng, for the support, and for making choir fun.
...Chinyaw, for the good old days.
...Cheryl, for the cookies and cakes.
...Huacheng, Angela, the rest of the NC committee, for making it possible!
...Audrey, for making me feel young, and reminding me to have fun.
...Natalie, for showing me the way life is supposed to be lived.
...Wenlin, for those food-for-thoughts.
...Felicia, saving the best for the last =)
There's probably more, but that's it for now.
116 work-days to ORD!
{/11:21 AM}
me