Counting My Blessings

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us...
Ephesians 3:20

Truly the Father of heavenly lights has struck again bringing good and perfect gifts (James 1:17) to overwhelm and reassure me. It's been amazing how from the very first time I mentioned that Lulea Tech has accepted my application, so many people have offered me their prayers, support, winter wear, advice, backpacking gear, webcam and recipes for simple home-cooked meals. But there's more!

A week ago, I realised that all my scrimping and saving since March combined with my holiday job's salary would pay for everything I need ( only because I have been graciously lent so many itmes) including my round trip air ticket. I didn't have to ask my parents to pay for anything, but my mum graciously paid for $400 worth of skincare supplies that would last me 6 months (becuase she knows that skincare is not a priority as far as I am concerned and that I would much rather use my money for something else). However, there was somethign else I really wanted but did not have the money for because I did not want to touch the reserves that I would have to use in Sweden - Eurail passes. The magical ticket that would allow me to traverse the European continent without boundaries.

So I prayed. I prayed for 3 nights, that somehow God would provide $1000.
And you know what? He did.

Last Friday night my mum gave me a thick wad of $50 notes, they were from my uncle Sadas and aunty Jinni. I went over to thank them the next day. "I just told your uncle that you're leaving and he just decided to give you $1000. He didn't even think about it", my aunty said. They figured that a few hundered when converted to Euros would amount to hardly anything, so they gave me a thousand.

God met my needs exactly. The Eurail passes cost me SDG$1200, but I managed to find a cheaper air ticket that cost $200 less; everything added up perfectly.

Then early this week, I got news that another $1000 was heading my way from another aunty. I may negotiate and take just part of it so I do not offend her, but I will explain that I do have enough to survive on. I'm so full of gratitude, I can't quite express it words. I did not even ask anyone for extra funding but God somehow stirred their hearts to help me. And it is not even like I'm going there as a missionary or volunteer - it's a student exchange and I plan to have fun...not the most noble of situations.

There have also been other ways that God has shown me He's taking care of all the loose ends for me. He's blessed me with friends in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and London...people I've met or come to know of compeletely out of happenstance. Even the Swedish visa which would have taken 8 weeks took about 3. And then I've discovered that the uni I'm going to has a Chaplin and christian student meetings and there's a Lutheran church in the vicinity that has English services once a month. I attended a Lutheran play-school, so things will be some what familar I guess :) Then I found out that I can get my hands on a special letter that will allow me to take 30kg instead of just 20kg on the plane! Not great for carbon footprint though 0_o

So thank you God, thank you wonderful people of Changi Baptist (esp Tracy, Aunty Lee Hoon, Aunty Siew Lee, Unlce Peter & Aunty Dorcas), thank you Shaun friends for scrambling to make time to be with me before I leave and thank you family, (esp Mummy & Naina, Jinni Atteh & Aiyao Mama, Ani and Perema).

I'm so blessed. Luck has absolutely nothing to do with it.

A Year of Departure

Borrowing from Rett's blog post...2009 is a year of goodbyes, embarking on adventures and striking it out on our own. Loretta (with coordinating green hat and top) got the ball rolling when she left to explore Southeast Asia with her trusty backpack in April. Then Yi Han (in spongebob-esque shirt and tie) left last Friday to University of Queensland to pursue journalism. He's even found a house! He's gonna top his class I'm sure. Soon in a couple of weeks it will be me (in the pink party hat) who's off to Europe. I am already looking forward to hanging out at the Substation with these guys when we are all back...I don't know when that will be though.
We are all going to have such amazing experiences to share and stories to tell. I think neither of us are going to come back the way we left. Come 2010 we'll all be different, I'm sure for the better though.

With us gone, it's up to these three darlings, Arman (head conjoined to mine), Elin (the bombshell) and Shaun (the one who's looking very yellow) to hold the fort for us until we return!
I miss you guys already :(
I love you guys :)

All my bags aren't packed

I know vacuum packs are a great help, but trying to squeeze 12 knitted sweaters, 10 woolen pairs of socks and leggings, 5 pairs of gloves, 3 winter coats, 1 trench coat, 5 scarves, 5 jackets, 5 pairs of pants, 2 dresses, 3 skirts, 12 tops, lots of underwear and 5 sets of long johns into 2 suit cases while trying to keep at 20kg...I WILL need a miracle. And this is even before I pack in my chilli sauce, tom yam pre-mix, kim chi and instant noodles and shoes!

I'm a legal alien

Naina (dad) was kind enough to make a trip down to the Swedish embassy yesterday to leave my passport with them so the visa can be stuck inside, and he went back down today to pick up the prepared document. He happily sms-ed me "Visa has been collected, you can leave for Sweden anytime". Back home he was quite excited to show me the sticker that would technically take me away from home for six months. I think it's cool that he's so supportive, or perhaps my parents just want a break from me :s

Someone who's still supportive but more sad than excited about the visa, is the boyfriend (Shaun). He probably hates the guts of this sticker since it's going to pry me away from his side.

So four trips to the embassy, 3 'about me essays', numerous emails and phone calls and $180 later, here is my Swedish Student Visa. Yay!

Temporary Girlfriend Wanted

I can't quite imagine how my boyfriend is going to handle my six month absence. I can't quite imagine how I am going to handle not having him around all the time. But from experience, I've realised that it's usually a tad easier for the one who's going away. So, being the thoughtful girlfriend that I am, I've created this post as an advertisement to find a stand in.

Vacancy for Temporary Girlfriend
A sensitive, considerate, attractive male seeks a female
companion from August 4th 2009 to January 20th 2010
to take the place of girlfriend who will be going abroad.

Must posses the following qualities

• Good sense of humor
  
• Able to give morning wake up calls
• Must like long bus rides
• Enjoys serving in church a plus
• Loves Japanese food, especially Sashimi
  
• Encouraging and supportive
• Must not be grossed out by perspiration
• Must love good music (no nonsense like The Veronicas or Flo Ryder)
• Must be between 22-28 years old
• No taller than 1.63m
• Only below average lookers need apply
  

Fans of Transformers, Gundam robots, Japanese Manga, Marvel comics and fast food need not apply. (We don't want him falling too madly in love with you.)

You will be paid in kind and intangibes.

• Regain your self esteem
• Learn how to be sensitive and self sacrificing
• Be showered with constant attention and care
• Never fall or loose your balance on a moving/crowded bus or train again
• Have someone to share your calories with
• Get discounts at the Esplanade
• Be serenaded on occasion

Interested parties should leave a comment and send in a resume with a picture attached to getthatboyawoman@gmail.com by 24th July 2009. Interviews will be conducted on 26th July 2009. Only successful applicants will be notified.