And With This, 2008 Draws to a Close =)

UCDQ, you told me to review my year correct? For a person who likes to frequently reflect, it seems impossible to summarise all reflections into one. But i will try :D hahaha.. and this is the mess from up there to down here to wherever for du und others to read :)

Praise the Lord for a great year (as with every year)! indeed every year is special, bearing different experiences, lessons and new or stronger bonds being established. This year has not been an exception.

For starters, I worked for the FIRST TIME in my life this year! Yipee right? (hmmm.. ;) I must admit I was intimidated and fell numerous times, feeling lost and uncertain as I felt press to make decisions about the far future when it was not due yet. I was overwhelmed by self expectations, telling myself I have to learn to be perfect. In summary, it became a NIGHTMARE. For once, dealing with people grew to be a chore and I was wondering who I might become. But praise the Lord! Through it all experiences and all 3 jobs, it all ended on a good note, and He taught me much through my parents, friends and through my devotional time. He has proven to be with me through the sweet dreams, (and as mentioned) the nightmares :D Although the end of the year has come, I must say some things still haunt me (as some of you would know). But I believe it all happened for a reason. And who knows, maybe it is my personal giant to be conquered when the time is right.

Ok next! Who can forget A’level results day right? Well, I almost did. Haha.. (This year was split into so many portions, it feel like 4 years or something) Praise the Lord for good results. As I have told many, the results were and ARE really not my own. I just pray that it can be used as a testimony that encourages others. In the course of all the examinations a student in singapore has to sit for, this was my FIRST TIME really depending on God, losing sight of the paper and just focusing on giving my best. When I prayed “Lord, this paper is Yours”, I really meant it and it was not a standard prayer we prayed after mugging our heads off. And glory to Him!! He blessed when I expected not to be :)

And then, The beginning of Uni. For those of you who might remember, I was SO not looking forward to this! Hahaha.. well, that’s behind me now :) Talking about FIRST TIME …. This was my FIRST TIME traveling to school on my own, FIRST TIME having school be more then zero mrt stops from home, FIRST TIME in a university (obviously). Well, I did it didn’t I? :D hurhurhur.. so no talk about me being spoilt ok? OR ELSE!! (WAHAHhaha..) *GRINS* well, for results, I personally don’t think I did very well. I have no idea where I stand amongst everyone else. But it’s ok! Grades are just a tiny speck in the big scheme of life :) Aren’t we all glad our salvation is not based on exam results? (obviously God is not Singaporean. HEEHEE…)

What’s next what’s next…

Oh yes, becoming a junior commander. I must say, I miss being an ER a lot! Like, I went for exam break for almost the whole of 2007 and before I can go back to “meet” them all again, I am thrown upwards, never to get back to be an ER. Frankly, that was tough. Hmm.. But I really thank God that I was able to continue joining them for a couple of activities. Through many of you guys, I have realized what friendship and having fun really is about. Know the kind of relationship where everyone is cordial, quiet and simply polite? The kind where everyone knows each other’s names but know anything about anyone? The kind that seems socially perfect but is empty underneath the surface? That is my idea of a living nightmare. And you guys are ANYTHING but that (thank God! :D) haha.. As a whole, I thank you all for the many fun times and retarded moments that leaves me… *speechless* (if not, slowly retarding to your various levels)… hahahha.. It has really been an honour serving alongside you all during the mission trip, and I must say that what happened there was phenomenal. I pray that we will never let the fire of God and the passion for His people within us die out. You all are lovely, lovable and loved (by mua of course) :)

Year 2008 also brought much pleasant surprises that were packaged in so many different ways. So many things so I’ll do it in point form…

• GRATEFUL: That A4 still continues to meet up though many have told me JC friends usually don’t last very long (IN UR FACE! :O HAHA…) you all are really the rarest of jewels in my life. Each of you so unique and irreplaceable. Though class outings are never with perfect attendance, I am still thrilled that we remain in tact always.

• EVER THANKFUL: For being able to know pple like UCDQ more and find true love and friendship in du! (I treasure you always! And if I ever forget (which I wont) snowbank will remind me) 8Dimension!! Ich liebe dich und tokio hotel naturalich :D
  

• APPRECIATE: The lesson of confrontation in friendships (through u wan!) haha.. It has never been like this with friends, but it shows what are the things we can talk about and the level our friendship can be brought to yes?

• WILL NEVER FORGET: The trips to starbucks with you precious dears (brenny, steffi wooonded, ucdq, anjax (tho not always) and u tortoise! :) ) at the memorable branch that we frequent, so many new memories have been carved this year. Which I am so so grateful (and often entertained by) for :D hahah.. what will I do without u all..
• JOYOUS: That the many of you whom I know are pursuing your dreams, and constantly discovering who u are. It is truly beautiful..

Well, that is probably not all, but I will move on. So many things to thank God for! :)

Time to thanks give for the recent. MISSION TRIP 2008 to the PHILIPPINES!! Preparation started in fear and trembling when I didn’t know what to expect though I knew it was going to be awesome and God so definitely has a plan! Through the rushed moments of preparing and slowly building up with much prayer and sharing, it was amazing how God proved Himself to be real and faithful. Praise Him for that. While there, this one paragraph cannot sufficiently give thanks enough for God seeing us through every activity; from holding the rain that could potentially ruin a meeting, to giving me courage to preach. For the first time, I really knew what God wanted me to share and was more then happy to do so (though still slightly nervous). But when I prayed and called out to Him, He answered! Indeed, our God is an awesome God =)

Following Philippines was our family trip to Japan. Thank God for the journey mercies! I am glad I got to experience what Japan is like. Never thought of desiring to go there and SO didn’t know what to expect. I knew nothing about their culture and next to nothing about the Japanese language. But we still had our fair share of cultural exposure and fun. Gotta love them theme parks!! Hahaha.. (esp the roller coasters?) Well, met nicky and family there (which made it such a good time) and cos of nicky, I enjoyed the rides so much more. For once, I was not queuing up for and riding rides alone! :D It was plain awesome. I think I’ll never have enough of themeparks!! :P Also super happy that our family got to spend time together, away from the distractions of sg. Nothing beats family time and nothing beats the freezing cold weather of wintertime! Thanks to mummy, we had all kinds of food for our various meals and it was delicious! Hehe.. who would have thought the Koh family would go supermarketing and mummy would cook up a storm in her room with an induction cooker?! (now I see all the nodding heads of people who can totally picture it) hurhur.. :)

Ok, I have gone on looong enough.. ‘Tis all for now. Isn’t God amazing? A “short year” of only slightly below 400 days and He brings us on a journey that makes a year seem like a lifetime ;) At times it is dreary, but at others, its full of surprises, lessons to be learnt, and beauty surrounds us (in the people & the world all around). It has been a great year and I believe 2009 will likewise be supertastic! (in its own unique way).

Mit wärmsten Wünschen,

Anthea

Tschüss! :) :) :)