It's the weekend.

Well, I'm here at work, counting down the minutes to when I leave. I have to run a few errands right after work. I feel like watching a movie tonight. Hmmm… don't know, we'll see. I guess I should finish the book I'm currently reading. I'm a bit restless today, I need to go out and do something - do laundry, or go to Starbucks and read/people-watch - hehe. Anyway, can't believe April's almost done. Time sure does fly by quickly. Summer's fast-approaching. I'm praying for another opportunity to do local missions again this summer. Would love to do that again.

Anyway, time to go. 'ta!

Yay! It's Friday!

Well, even though my work-week ends on Saturday, I still am thankful that the weekend's here. It's been a little gloomy lately, weather-wise I mean, but that's pretty much where the gloom starts and ends. Work's been quite enjoyable these days, can't say why. Anyway, I've been on a book-reading spree these past couple of weeks:

Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
(Side note: Ever wonder why Dan Brown is having legal troubles right now? Things that make you go hmmm… And I believe they're not coincidences either.)

Band of Brothers (from D-Day to Hitler's Eagle's Nest) by Stephen Ambrose - explained a lot that was left out of the series. Very poignant, touching - made me cry.)

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown - this one, I'm currently reading.

All 3 are very good reads. Part of my "goal" this year is to read more books, 3 in a month actually. I had a list of books that I posted in an entry a while back, I'm slowly working my way through that list.

Finally got the track to that wedding song that I was looking for! (Thanks Ning!) All I need to do is learn the song in time for the wedding next Saturday. Pray for me, I've got major cramming to do. I have 2 back-up songs just in case I don't make it. hehe But I'll try my best to learn the song.

Well, have a good weekend everyone! 'Til next post.

Help.

I've been asked to sing at a wedding in a couple of weeks, and I have a couple of songs that I have in mind already, but the bride requested a specific song for me to sing at the wedding. She said that I don't have to sing it, but I think it would be awesome if I ended up singing it for her and her husband-to-be at the ceremony. The song's called, "A Page is Turned" by Bebo Norman. Does anyone have the accompaniment track of that song? I would really appreciate it if I could borrow it. Whoever has the track, please email me at singinachau211@yahoo.com. I'm probably going to have to learn it in the next 2 weeks. hehe That's me, always the procrastinator when it comes to finding a wedding song. hah!

Bliss!

Another work week has ended! Bliss! Next week is Spring break for our school, which means, no kids! Haha Of course I’m kidding (not!). But it will be nice and quiet here for once. Yes, I still have to work, the staff don’t really get a break. But the upside is that we don’t really work our regular hours which is quite convenient. I hope that it will be sunny some time next week, I’d love to go to the beach and get a tan.

Easter Sunday tomorrow! HAPPY EASTER to everyone! Thank you, Lord Jesus for dying on the cross for a wretched person like me, and for rising up again and defeating sin and death, so that we all may live!

Ramblings.

There are certain times in my life when I feel alienated, or isolated, even with those whom I'm close. Despite my efforts, I still don't feel like I belong most of the time. I try to participate in activities, or discussions, but I feel like I have to make the extra effort just to be heard. I sometimes feel like I can't be myself. Maybe I'm doing this to myself. Maybe, subconsciously, I isolate myself. There's a certain feeling of loneliness sometimes, and when loneliness hits, it usually overwhelms me. I don't know why I feel that way at times. Perhaps it stems from when I was younger - I had bouts of insecurity, especially about my physical appearance. I had a very low self-esteem. As I got older, I slowly learned to become more confident. But there are times when the insecure little girl comes out, especially when I'm in a large crowd. I tend to slink off into a corner and just observe people around me. I think I do better in smaller settings, I guess it forces me to connect with people.

Speaking of connection, I don't really have a core of friends that I have close connections with anymore. I had a best friend back when I was in high school, with whom I had fun with, shared profound moments with, and was able to be crazy with. We still keep in touch, but we live in 2 different parts of the world now, so the closeness isn't what it used to be anymore. I still consider her to be my best friend to this day, even though we don't keep in touch with each other as much as we used to. I also had a group of friends in college, they were the ones who kept me accountable, lifted me up in prayer, and encouraged me. They cried with me when I was hurting, they laughed with me when something amazing happened in my life, and they would rebuke me in love when I messed up. I miss having that kind of connection, especially with women. There was no sense of competition whatsoever, which is what human nature normally dictates. Sadly, all of "my girls" have moved back to their own hometowns since graduating from college, so it's hard for us to get together as much as we would like. With them, there were no feelings of alienation or isolation. I was able to be myself with them.

I suppose I could try a bit more. I suppose I should assert myself more than I do. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it as much, because I do feel blessed to have the friends that I have now, and to even have friends at all. And these people love me, care for me, pray for me, and encourage me in their own ways. And of course, I know that I have one friend with whom I don't have to be insecure, and will accept and love me for who I am. I don't have to try so hard with Him, or impress Him. He'll be my friend no matter what I do or say. He's the ultimate friend - He laid down His life for me (and everyone for that matter!). He is my best friend. I just need to really claim that. I tend to forget sometimes. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Before I completely forget, I want to greet my cousin, April (a.k.a. "Prel", "Ning-ning", "Double-ning", "Ningx2") a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love yah.

Today also marks the 5th year anniversary of my dad's "homecoming". He went home to be with the Lord on April 13, 2001. I'll always miss you, Dad.

Cravings.

I'm not sure what brought it on, but I am seriously craving for some schezuan garlic noodles right now. I'm contemplating on buying the noodles & sauce kit which you can purchase at the local grocery/market, I just need to buy either chicken or shrimp to mix in with it. But then, I probably won't do that, since it's too much work (haha - I know, stir-frying is loads of work!!!). I don't want to be bothered with it. The nearest restaurant that makes garlic noodles is in Long Beach, and I don't feel like driving out there just to satisfy my cravings. *sigh* Yeah, I have huge problems, don't I? :p

Pretty slow day here at work, considering it's tuition payment time. Why do you think I have the luxury of posting a blog at this time? LOL I'm reading my Bible and listening to the Parachute Band singing "All the Earth" - one of my favourite worship songs by the way - God's existence, His beauty and glory is evident in His creation. I should take the time to enjoy Him through His creation, and thank Him for life itself. I guess I just needed to be reminded of that.

Anywhoo, new favourite TV shows: $40 A Day, 5 Takes (one of the coolest jobs in the world), InJustice - I totally want to do that kind of work that they do on the show. These are a bunch of young lawyers, trying to solve cases and free an innocent person who has been wrongly convicted of a crime. It's very moving. I'd definitely recommend it.

American Idol: I can't believe Mandisa got booted off. But given the fact that it was down to her or Elliott, I was slightly relieved that she was voted off. Hobbits rule, you know? LOL Hey, but he's cool, and his pipes - amazing!

Your senior year in High School is supposed to be "the best year of your life." Yeah right! Let's see how much you remember. I know for some it might be hard for you to go back that far!
Year:1992 (officially)

1. Who was your best friend?
Rizza D.

2. What sports did you play?
I didn't play any sports.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
I didn't drive, didn't have to. I took public transpo - go TTC!

4. It's Friday night, where were you?
If it wasn't snowing, I would be out with my friends, either at the mall/cinema, some Pho' place or downtown Toronto.

5. Were you a party animal?
Hardly - haha

6. Were you in the "In Crowd"?
Not at all. I hung out with whoever's available. haha

7. Ever skip school?
Sometimes

8. Ever smoke?
No.

9. Were you a nerd?
Pretty much

10. Did you get suspended/expelled?
…Never

11. Can you sing the alma mater?
I don't remember it.

12. Who was your favourite teacher?
My English teacher in 11th grade. I can't remember his name, but he was "groovy" - long-haired hippie. He introduced me to Shakespeare. He was great, it's just sad that I can't remember his name at all!

13. Favourite class?
English (literature)

14. What was your school's full name?
Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute (Ontario, CANADA)

15. School mascot?
A marauder

16. Did you go to Prom?
We didn't have Prom at all - my high school sucked at those kinds of things. We had dances and student-concerts though. I guess those made up for not having Prom.

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
Yes, I definitely would.

18. What do you remember most about graduation?
Singing in front of the whole graduating class.

19. Favourite memory of your Senior Year?
(1) Being my Music teacher's assistant for her freshmen classes.
(2) My first romantic experience.

20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall?
We didn't have one.

21. Did you have a job your senior year?
Yes, I did. McDonald's baby! hehe

22. Who did you date?
Matthew

23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
The cafeteria.

24. Have you gained weight since then?
I actually lost weight since HS.

25. What did you do after graduation?
I moved to the U.S. with my family, and went on to University.