Lightning week

So i see my blog hasnt been updated in quite a while. While it would usually mean that my life had been boring and monotonous for that period of time; this time there was so much happening, just that i couldnt really find a chance to post it.

Previously, not too long ago, there was the whole big issue about whether to go to japan or to stay for go-fest. It has since been decided on, in a very sudden, unexpectedly easy way. Its really funny cause i had been praying, thinking and debating about it so much, then suddenly the decision came so easily, as if all those thinking was for nothing.

How was it decided on? It wasnt even my decision actually. It was my parents, by simply booking the plane ticket and accommodations for me. Apparently the available seats for flights during our desired time were disappearing fast. My dad could not wait for me to think about it any longer, and just went ahead to book it, without my consent or even telling me first.

What made it so hard for me to decide earlier was the tensions from the YWAM side that were pulling me. But after the stuff were booked, all those tensions were just gone. In the name of too-late-ness. Joseph Chean didnt say any more about it. neither did my team. My mom didnt bother to meet up with him anymore to sort things out with him since i have decided to go on the trip. In turn, Jospeh didnt bother too. Maybe the air between them was clearer than i thought. Either that or clearing the air on this issue isnt much a concern to both parties.

So thats it, the decision is made at last. I feel at peace about it. I am going to Japan on 13th august (not a very good idea for me to spend this day on the plane but no choice) and would be missing out the treasure hunting and many days of outreach in Go-fest. I should be thankful i get to attend all the conference days, though.



This week flew by superly fast. Before i knew it another week has passed. Its a good thing when time flies fast that i am able to identify where the time went to - indicating it was well spent. The week's time was largely spent on hosting the Oxford DTS team - Americans and canadians doing their DTS in new zealand. Singapore YWAM would be their first stop for their outreach, which subsequently moves on to malaysia, thailand , vietnam, nepal, and jerusalem. Being in the hospitality team, we would be the ones taking care of and attending to them.

Monday was doing housekeeping in the rooms that they would be staying in, then going to the airport to welcome them when their flight comes in. A really amusing incident happened here -that we were still happily chatting away in the office, looking at the Singapore map, when we suddenly realised that now was already their flight arrival time! We were supposed to be at the airport, at the correct gate, waving the welcome banners by this time. But instead we were still in the office.

We got into the car and sped the way there, and we prayed that the oxford team would experience delays, so that we would be able to welcome them in time, not ending up as they welcoming us instead.
God answered our prayers, even overdoing it... Late as we already were, waiting there, the oxford team still was not out yet, experiencing delays! they finally came out after about 15 mins of us waiting and guessing random people inside to be them.
The first encounter and introductions were quite awkward. They seemed less enthusiastic and open than would have been expected of Americans and canadians, in a circumstance like this. They needed some warming up to us, and vice versa.

We brought them to their accommodations in lorong 9, brought them to a coffeeshop for dinner, shopped in the supermarket, and even had them try some durians! All of them sportingly tried one, but only 3 of them said it was 'good' or 'not so bad'

Tuesday, did tea break for the oxford team, where we wanted to make ice lemon tea but forgot to bring the tea bags! nobody there had tea bags. Had to instead get teh-O from the coffeeshop.
Brought them on orientation session around singapore, showing them little india and geylang serai. They tried whole lot of indian food, especailly loved the chicken briyani, and ate till they were full - not part of the plan. We watched a live Hindu ritual in the temple too.
At geylang serai, they were all full from indian food already, so we didnt get to eat malay food. all we did was go around the geylang serai market to see.

Wednesday, did another round of napfa, which i quit after failing to get silver for pull-ups. not gonna waste time doing the remaining stations and 2.4km run, since i had graduation ceremony later in the afternoon. Officially graduated from SP now, though ive felt like i already graduated 3 months ago. Too bad i didnt get silver this time - it really would have complimented my graduation and make it a much happier occasion. But still, there was sth to celebrate anyways.

Thursday, another tea break with yet another screw up - the cakes we put in the fridge the day before had gone missing! forutnately their morning session was dragged much longer and bought us enough time to finally find the cakes back. long story.
The rest of the day was spent preparing a great feast for dinner - celebrating 4 may-babies birthdays, a farewell for a YWAMer, and also a sending off party for the oxford team. Took us 5 hours and more than 5 people to prepare it.
So that was the oxford team's last activity before heading off to malaysia. theyll be back.

Friday was nothing much, just clearing up the rooms they oxford used, and having meetings. But time still flew by really quickly. Just like that, my whole week was spent with hardly any time for anything else. I think i would love this kinda lifestyle, provided there is some time off though.