Birthday

I'm 21! Doesn't feel very different from 20. At least for now.

Never really felt the 'specialness' of my 21st birthday even though a lot of ppl asked me what I'm gonna do for this special birthday. But loads of other ppl made it so special for me. There was dinner on fri nite. Then the surprise birthday gift and cake by Albert & Sam on Sat morn, and ESPECIALLY the con-cum-ambush on Sat night outside church (u guys rock man). And birthday song over the phone at midnight. ;) Then phone calls and messages from special people on Sunday, not to forget celebration with my cell (thanx for the jacket guys!! Very touched, it's real nice), surprise by the BVs after church and dinner at home... And ending with a second but even more unexpected and special con-cum-ambush tonight (thanx XMMP, u're totally the best! I'm touched beyond words).

Thanks everyone!! It's you that made my 21st birthday a truly special one!! I dare not list out names lest I miss out someone cos so many people have blessed me this birthday. What touches me most is the effort and thought and heart so many of you put into making sure it was such a special time for me.

And of course, like what Matthew very wisely said, my birthday is the time to celebrate and thank God for the breath of life He's given me and all that He's brought me through the past 21 years, plus all that He's going to bring me through for the rest of my life. =) Thank You God, for giving me life, for finding me and saving me, for Your indescribable love and unmerited faithfulness to an imperfect me. And thanks Matthew for the nugget of wisdom and reminding me of the most important One to look to on what everyone calls 'my special day'.

Friends, family, and God Himself. Truly a blessed birthday this year. =)

Leavin' on a jet plane...

Seem to have a knack for updating my blog every 6 days so far. =)

Finally confirmed my flight! And got my student visa! Praise God!! So good to get those two really big important stuff outta da way.

For those who wanna know, I'm leavin' on..

16 Sep, Saturday 9:15am
on flight SQ 0016.

Gonna stop by at Seoul and then arrive in San Fran on the same day at 12:40pm (I save a day cos of crossing the international dateline). And then International Students' Orientation starts on the same day at 5pm! Hope i'm not too beat when it starts. And hope n' pray I can go to church on the next day (Sunday) despite not knowing at all what they've planned for us for the weekend.

My first quarter exams end on Dec 15th and residences close the next day (how sweet of them). So I'll prob be back in Singapore arnd 17th or 18th Dec, one week before Christmas. =) No flight booked yet though so we'll see how.

Gotta get adapters... do up contact lists... check if the big suitcase(s) is/are in working condition... plus lots of other stuff I'm sure I gotta do but can't remember now. It's late. Thank God I can sleep in tmr!! *grinz*

Fun!

Been having such a packed but fun weekend... starting with the bday celebrations cum stayover at the President's Lodge. Had a fantastic time with the Vertical Harmony gang... thanks guys n' gals!! U're great folks to hang out with...

Disclaimer: Sorry, dun haf a pic with all of you inside. :)

And ending of course with Jazz@Southbridge tonight for Yu Hsien's bday. Always knew I'd enjoy jazz but never really went to explore it. Tonight was a real eye-opener. It's a fantastic feeling to just nuah with company and chill while listenin' to great jazz music, LIVE. And yes, Yu Hsien, I honestly think u're AWESOME at singin' jazz. Was quite blown away. =)

Brilliance...

Was going to apply for my US student visa tomorrow morning. Had all the forms filled out, took my passport photo last week, prepared everything and was all prepared to wake up early tomorrow to go to the US embassy...

And then I realised I need to have my exit permit before I can apply for the visa, and I haven't got it yet. And the online application on the SCDF website is down. Doh.

Oh well. The truth shall set thee free. ;) Hope I can apply for the exit permit tomorrow. Unfortunately the wonderful website doesn't say what documents I need, though presumably I just need proof that I'm gonna study at the uni for the next 4 years.

Sorting out my cupboard now... my bed has a small mountain of clothing on it. No matter. Don't hafta get up early tomorrow morning now so I can take my time to sort it out. Haha.

*Snips red ribbon*

*cheers*

My first blog entry!! Wait, check that. My first blog entry on my own blog! (I've made entries on my family's blog before...)

Yes yes Sicheng's incredibly slow to jump on the blogging bandwagon. But I've never found a desire or a need to start one... until now. =)

Don't intend to lose contact or become out of touch with my family and friends in Singapore while I'm away, but being away inevitably makes communication more difficult. Figure that there are people who'd wanna know what's goin on with me halfway round the world, so... voila! Sicheng's first blog. And hence the title of the blog.

Shall try to find a way to post permanent, critical info such as email addresses and telephone numbers, without the risks of publishing it publicly. Like password protecting it or smtg. We'll see... I gotta experiment.

2 months to leaving. Gonna fly by like the wind. Pray I'll use it wisely.