After the rain...

The sky is a glorious sight.

First exam for the semester done and over with, thank God.

Today I saw someone I met at orientation my freshman year - how time has flown! I remember the first few weeks so clearly as if it were only yesterday, how I desperately tried to get into the dorm music room that remained locked for the first few days when I was suffering from piano withdrawal haha, how people would talk about these strange sounding class names like or CIS 110 or ESE 301 that have now become part of my everyday language, or how I'd let my little kettle boil continuously so it'd spew steam and alleviate the dryness, or how I'd sit astounded in the lounges listening to my hallmates talk about their high school experiences and friends in American-speak, or how my teachers were suddenly not addressed by Sir or Ms, but by Doctor and Professor.

A small student in a big place then, finding my Creator and myself.

And now I'm still ever as small in a place ever as big. But probably a little closer to knowing who God is, and who I am.

And thank you for the birthday wishes everyone :)

My priorities for the year

2nd Timothy 2:22:

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

When all is stripped away, I pray this would've been the cry of my heart - that I pursued righteousness, faith, love and peace.

Things've been going so-so thus far:

• Large research presentation due last Friday, big hw assignment due this Friday. So a little less sleep.
• The Bible study I'm co-leading this year has been great, but a little big for someone weak and inadequate like me. But His grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in weakness.
• Small things here and there that have rattled me a bit. But I'm fine, knowing He's in control.
• I wear nerd glasses at night now. Sometimes.
• Man Utd beat Man City. But Federer lost. F1 crashgate is terrible.
• So is a sore throat :/
• But some encouragement for the hard work so far: A $100 windfall as a small reward. And this article on PennSEM yay

Ahhh. I love the quiet underlying currents of unexplainable peace, coming from the child-like trust that God is faithful, through all circumstances. It envelops me...

I am thankful.

Still more awesome than I know

Psalm 4 (New International Version)

Psalm 4

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

--

School has begun. And no worries - I'm not drowning/overwhelmed (hopefully I won't be haha), but thinking and praying over the last few days has made me realize how much I need to be rooted in Him this semester.

In seeking for wisdom - because He gives graciously to all without finding fault.

In finding true joy - greater joy than when grain and new wine abound. And His joy is my strength.

In finding rest and peace and contentment - for He alone makes me dwell in safety.

In finding relief from distress and internal turmoil - because He is merciful and hears my cry.

I will trust in the Lord.

A gentle assurance and quiet confidence that He is in control.

A new year, but the same faithful God

It's been a flurry of activity ever since I arrived! Delayed luggage arrival (again!); moving in and unpacking; saying hi to old friends, meeting new ones; having 3 playa roommates (haha ky are you reading this) - for real, there are continuous streams of people visiting; stocking up on food and necessities; and preparing myself academically and spiritually for the new year.

A new year, of new challenges. Hopefully a lot less intense - but having had two days of classes see myself so easily lacking the right balance if I don't consciously strive for it.

Keeping my eyes on Him, the shepherd of my soul.

Will write more when I gather my thoughts!

But for now - my room! A less exciting view than last year (no more departing and arriving planes in the background, and I'm not facing away from the city), but still a pretty splendid one :)


Haha my photography skills are still rather juvenile though.

Link: Wilson Ooi: Open for Registration - http://shuhweirachel.blogspot.com/2009/09/wilson-ooi-open-for-registration.html

I think the original idea for a gf application form was sparked after this ridiculous, nonsensical, brainless post with 0 correlation to real life whatsoever.

Ever since, however, the idea has remained largely dormant, and used merely for the special purposes of making joke.

But now, the gravity of the situation demands that we put this ancient idea into full use. Wilson Ooi has been an amazing friend, a brother, and a mentor to so many of us, and to me, specifically. This is the very least we could do to repay him, to provide an efficient way of filtering "all the single ladies, all the single ladies" as oh so wisely put by the great philosopher Beyonce Knowles.

Calling all the single ladies. Waste not this opportunity. I besiege you to apply now.

---

Note: Hahaha even though this was a most redonkulous post and I know Wilson will take this all in good humor - he is extremely solid with an amazing heart and I know God will provide the right person for him at the right time :)

Hee and even without the intervention of Benice, Rachel and Matt.