Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Mauritius Trip (12th to 22th Dec 2009)

I am back from my Mauritius Trip. I feel really happy (-:

Day 1: After a long and tiring flight, we checked into the villas at Flic en Flac. There, we were served snacks which were really tasty. We rested for the whole night.

Day 2: Today was mostly sight seeing. We woke up really early to head up towards the Curepipe where the colonial buildings are present to remind Mauritians about the British Occupation. We also enjoyed the panoramic view at the Trou aux cerfs volcano. We also visit other places like the pilgrimage point at Grand-Bassin where a gigantic Shiva statue stands. During lunch, we had picnic before heading towards Alexandra Falls and Gorge. The view was really panoramic there. We also had a breath-taking view of the coastal lands which the people on the island had yet to occupy. The day ended with the visiting of the remaining places like Baie Du Cap and La Prairie.

Day 3: It was our first sea activities of the trip. We headed to the North, the Pereybere and sat on the banana buoy. I had a great time trying my best to balance on the boat which moved really fast. We also play captain ball as well as monkey. The day ended with us playing Poker. I was really terrible as it but it's for fun.

Day 4: We went to visit Teshil's home. It was really cozy and it makes people want to retire in Mauritius too. We also had our first hike at one of the highest mountains of Mauritius. At the summit, we were able to have a 360 degree view of the island. In the evening, we had a Quad Biking session and it was really fun having to get the mud sprayed all over us.

Day 5: We shopped through the main town of Mauritius. It was really crowded and we tried some Mauritian food like dal pouri and alouda. The whole day was allocated for us to shop so I went to buy some souvenirs for my family and friends. I also had a caricature session, though the portrait didn't looked like me at all.

Day 6: It was another sight seeing day for us. We toured the southern part of Mauritius. We walked on the Natural Bridge, the whistler and the crying rock. The waves there were really powerful and as I watched them crashed against the rocks. We ended off at Rochester Fall, witnessing some locals jumping off the cliff into the water and we were really mesmerised at what we saw.

Day 7: It was the only day when we did snorkeling at the only preserved marine park in Mauritius lagoon. I remembered how I had problem breathing in and out of my mouth underwater and when I did snorkeling, I felt suffocated. What I saw underwater was really magnificent as the boat had a glass bottom. However I still prefer the time when I scuba dived in Pulau Aur and came face to face with a sea turtle!!! It was an awesome experience! The highlight for the day was jumping off from a very high area. I was thankful to God for giving me the courage to do so. I had never jumped so high before and such an experience was indeed unforgettable! At night, we had a surprise birthday celebration for Qiao Xuan. It was a really wonderful surprise for her as we acted as if we forgotten about it the entire day but in fact, all of us except her were ensuring that the surprise will work out. It did! And I am really happy for her. It reminded me of the one and only birthday surprise for me on my 16th Birthday, if I remembered correctly. I was stunned for awhile but I am so glad to have enjoyed it. We watched the stars in the sky before retiring to our bed.

Day 8: We had our last hike for the entire trip. It took place at the Le Gorge National Park. Beginning at Le Petrin, we descended at approximately 800m in height along a 10km trail. Along the way, we were supposed to see endemic plants and animals but personally for me, I was too focused on keeping myself from tripping so I missed the opportunity to experience nature. At the end point, we relaxed along the cool river. Despite the tring day, we still made an effort to go clubbing at night, It was the first time I partied till dawn (at around 5am). It was an unforgettable experience but I disliked the fact that my shirt had the smell of cigarettes on them. All thanks to being a passive smoker. Hence I told myself that clubbing will not be something that I will frequently engaged in.

Day 9: We boarded a catamaran to one of the islet of Mauritius. We had the thrill of watching the pure white beach and crystal clear water there. This trip was really fun because in the middle of the trip, we caught sights of dolphins!!! To top it off, there were a few dolphins who jumped out of the sea and such a mini performance was an eye opener. Hence I really thank God that He enabled this to happen. As we reached the islet, we had a short swim there and it was a very rocky area. Initially I had a tough time climbing up the rocky islet but upon finding the right position, I managed to climb the rock. However it didn't took me long before I jumped off because I can't stand having to be poked by the sharp edges. The catamaran trip lasted the whole day with musics played by the locals as well as a magnificent BBQ lunch included.

Day 10: We visited the Casela Nature and Leisure Park. There, we interacted with the animals. The best thing that ever happened to me was having to physically pat the lions and have my pictures taken with them. It was indeed an enjoyable experience because lions were ferocious creatures and we were suppose to run from it. Yet by God's grace, we had the opportunity to interact with it. I was reminded of God's promise in the future that in the New Heaven and Earth, the Lion shall sit beside the lamb. Man and animal will dwell together hand in hand and Gos is absolutely pleased. After the Safari Park visit, we headed to a protected area where there lies the 7 coloured earth. It was indeed a disappointment to my friends and yes, I am a little disappointed too. If only we could step into the area to touch the sand, I guessed the fee we paid will be worth it. Moreover, I was imagining the 7 color earth to be located on some coastal area. It would surely be a pleasing sight!

Day 11: We packed up and went home.

This trip had indeed been really enjoyable and memorable. I believed that all of us had such great fun. However, there were a few spoilers. I got drunk twice and this caused a lot of trouble to my friends. Somehow, they were there to support me and help me. But I supposed there is this invisible barrier separating me and them because their impression of me had changed ever since they saw what I did and said in my drunken stupor. I guessed I must have offended many and I pray that they will forgive me. I also want to seek forgiveness from God as I have ruined His reputation and portrayed a bad image of how a Christian would behave. My God is a Good God. I pray that people will not insult God just because of some silly accidents.

Time passes really quickly when we are having fun. Mark Twain once mentioned that Heaven was a copy of Mauritius. However in my opinion, Mauritius is the copy of Heaven! I give thanks to God that all is well and that He had kept us safe and enable us to have a trip filled with fun, laughter and joy. Therefore, I praise Him and give Him all honor and glory. (-:

Friday, December 11, 2009

ANNTIC 2009

I just returned from VCF ANNTIC 2009. It is an annual teaching camp and I was really glad to have attended it. It was suppose to last from 7th to 12th Dec. However I had to leave today so that I could pack for my Mauritius trip tomorrow. These past 5 days had indeed been memorable. We had a very good speaker L.T Jayachandran who spoke really eloquently.

The theme talk for the camp was based on the Book of Deuteronomy in the Bible. I learnt that Deuteronomy is not only a set of rules given to Moses by God to govern Israel, it is actually a reflection of the Character of a Holy God. In Deuteronomy, these God will not hesitate to punish people who sin, even to the expanse of killing. Yet God is so merciful such that Christ came to fufill the law so that now we are not subjected to the laws given to Moses, but to freely live a Christ-like life. L.T Jayachandran suggest that we should read the Book of Deuteronomy in a relational way. Laws are dead, they serve to maintain order in the country but if we read the law in relation to God's character, the Laws of God becomes life.

Another thing I also learnt is to read the bible in 3 worlds, reading it in context, then its background and also in relation to the intention of the author. I will continue to talk to my pastor so that my understanding of the bible will not be skewed.

In this camp, we also attended workshops. I attended the workshop on cults and apologetics. It was indeed a wonderful experience on how Christian cults twist scriptures and this lead to a lot of deceptions. On apologetics, L.T Jayachandran was there to teach us how to defend our faith when sensitive conversations are raised by the other party. He divided it to level 1: Theoretical, Level 2: Illustrations and Level 3: Emotive. Nonetheless, I learnt a lot of things through this annual teaching camp. I thank God that now I am more equipped to teach people and also to share my faith to my non-christian friends without causing unnecessary misunderstanding.

This camp had impacted me somehow. I have learnt to be more relational rather than informational. Head knoledge is dead if there is no heart in sharing them. Hence in future, I pray that God will train me to be more of a people's person.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

My first marathon ever!

Yeehaa!!!! I ran my first marathon today! It was crazily crazy. What a race!

Well, it was my very first marathon today and I had no idea what is going to happen to me. In the morning, I am grateful to my mother for helping me persuade a guy to share a cab with me. So I managed to reach Queenstown Swimming Complex, one of the shuttle bus pick up point. I was also really careless as I didn't bring my runner's tag, thankfully I secured the running chip on my shoes so that I can identify myself. If I hadn't brought the chip, I would be wasting my time running the race. So thank God!

After running 1/3 of the race (14km), I had not enough strength to run as fast as I could. Thankfully, i brought some power gel to consume and thus, this made me feel better. I also continuously listen to the music in my MP3 player so that I would not think of giving up halfway. Moreover, the last thing I ever wanted to happen to me is to collapse in the middle of the race. Hence I had to take such precautions! Upon reaching the halfway mark, I started having cramps and in the end for the next half of the race, it was a 'malkathon' (run and walk) for me. It was indeed funny to see a whole group of people walking because it was suppose to be a marathon. I guess like me, most of the people didn't really train for the marathon. Hence, the Standard Chartered marathon ended up as another version of the Big Walk. Nonetheless, thanks to such walking and running rhythm, I am able to finish the race. I really thank God for keeping me safe!

Well, I have fulfilled my goal today, by God's grace. My timing will be quite bad as I didn't aimed to run fast in this marathon, I only wanted to complete the race, that's all. I feel happy (-:

On the side note, I took 6 hrs 19 mins and 22 secs (-;

Saturday, December 5, 2009

YZ camp 2009: Step up.

What a wonderful time spent in camp! It was indeed a fun time having to spend time with the youths. I am really encouraged by their willingness to step up to God's Word. It was indeed a fun time today too. We had to climb high elements and I am really glad that I managed to do the high ropes and the abseiling one. I am really glad to learn about having to trust God. Surely the Lord is my Shepperd who takes care of me. He will also carry me on eager wings. I hummed such verses during the climb because I am absolutely sure that God is with us through it all! Praise the Lord that He guide me in overcoming these obstacles. I learnt to continue to trust the Lord in helping us to tide through trials and obstacles.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Body World Exhibition 2009

Today, Huixian and I went to Science Centre Body World. We were really happy because through this experience, we really had a great time pondering about the Lord's wonder. It was indeed a wonderful experience watching the exhibits, these bodies and organs are donated by people who had passed away and had volunteered to have their organs exhibited for educational purposes. With such exhibitions, it is indeed true that Biology had come to life. I am really amazed that the Lord God is a wonderful God who gave us such a delicate yet resilient body. The blood vessels are more complex than the most complex telecommunication on this earth. Our heart, the natural motor who beats to give us adequate supply of fresh oxygen in our blood stream. A mother's womb, so soft and vulnerable, yet flexible to expand and carry the little foetus in it. Our eyes, the best camera ever and our kidney, the best water filtering machine, even without the need of UV ray and reverse osmosis. There were so many body parts shown and I am definitely reminded about the sanctity of life. I am thankful to God that I am a healthy human being.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

21st Birthday celebration wth my family

It was only a day away from the actual date. However, I am really grateful that my family is celebrating my 21st birthday in advance. Well surely I am truly blessed by God. I am really thankful as He had given me 21 years of life. Some secrets to share. If God hadn't sustained me, I would have never existed.

My mother had a hard time carrying me in her womb. I was 'dangling' at the wall of her womb. Hence, she had to had minimal movement. A slight movement and I would surely die. Thank God as He had definitely knit me in my mother's womb. I am alive and well now. 21 years. Praise the Lord!! And if I had a birthday wish, I would wish to continue to have this wonderful and eternal relationship with my Lord God.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Pass my FTT

YEAH! WOOHOO! I finally passed my Final Theory Test. I am so happy because the questions were tricky. Yup. after much practices, i am extremely relieved that the burden had been lifted. I can now do my driving practical without having to worry about taking any more theory tests. So praise the Lord! And I wouldwant to thank the people who prayed for me. That's all. (-: