Embrace love and life.

I am doing a very bad job with updating this space. I don't know if I have lost my penchant for blogging; whether it is due to the lack of interest or the hectic academic semester but nonetheless I am regretful that I wouldn't have somewhere tangible where I've stored my memories, thoughts and life events to turn back to in future.

That's why I am adamant on blogging about my 21st, even though it's slightly more than a week late.

My 21st birthday definitely felt different, and of course, in a great way. Finally, a birthday celebration that was significant of a rite of passage, I am finally an adult! Can finally sign my own consent forms in university, can vote in the next GE! ;)

The anticipation for the actual day wasn't that high as I had a 8.30am class, and another one later at 3.30pm so it was essentially an entire day in school. But thanks to Facebook, many were notified of my birthday and sent well-wishes, smiles and hugs along the way. I got countless numbers of SMS-es when the clock struck midnight which left with sweet dreams and feeling really happy throughout the day.

My awesome India buddies HX and Parveen even SURPRISED me during Sociology of Food's 20 minute break- a bunch of roses, a delish mixed fruit pavlova from Cedele and a birthday song sang repeatedly outside Four Seasons which caused some mild embarrassment on my part. :p Really didn't expect any of that and I felt the love and am so thankful for the both of them. Thank you the both of you! <3



The highlight of my 21st was my party at Treehouse cafe two days later.






Theme: PAPARAZZI. I don't even know what it really means in terms of the dressing, kinda Hollywood glam, red-carpet, strut, pose, all-modelish I guess?! 





I almost chose the theme 'Joyce's Political Party' since my first major is in Political Science; giving out 'Vote for Joyce' badges, posters of a scandal (no politician is without a scandal anyway!) and wouldn't it be fun to come as your 'favourite' political figures? Sarah Palin, Stalin, LKY, Kim Jong-Il..... I AM SO DOING TO DO THAT NEXT YEAR! :p

My closest girlfriends were such blessings to me. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted the whole party to be smooth-sailing, from deco to food to programmes, but I guess I have to just kick back and allow these sort of entertainment events to take its course. However, Slam (the funky pro make-up artist, spicy number emcee and my dearest cell groupie), Sam (the bestie who gave that amazing speech with the hilarious poem we wrote during our younger days!) and Fong (my sister-in-Christ and one heck of an amazing photographer!) were there to sooth my jittered nerves and who made this birthday party a truly memorable one.

I love you girls, life has brought us thus far and I hope to do the same thing a couple of years down the road or should I say, the aisle? ;) My heart can't express the amount of thanks for the help the three of you have so graciously shown that day.



I wish my other close girlfriends could share that day with me, but too bad they were dispersed across the globe or had other plans on that day itself! MG B3 babes (Mish & F5), Olie (who sent a lovely card all the way from San Fran!), Si (who called from Aussie to wish me 'Happy Birthday' and asked if I wanted a hairband or earrings, hehe), Hang, Adora especially! Still, thank you all for the wishes and being there in spirit!

Still, I had a great time with my closest friends that day. SMU school mates- the RunTeam peeps, FTB'08 fellow facis, Frujchaholics, classmates, travel mates, random people I've met along the corridors but are my friends now, Bartley Church CG, AC AA3 lovelies, MG/Girls' Brigade sistas, my dearest family... thank you all for taking time off to make the party such a smashing success! Really, really felt the love!

( MEGA PIC HEAVY. )

And a special shout-out to HX, my roomie for 3 months in India for that lovely acoustic guitar rendition of Jason Mraz's Life Is Wonderful (indeed, it is with my loved ones around)... you have such a great voice and I am really touched beyond words!



Also to my awesome CG guys, Ian and Joash... thank you for the Birthday Song by Corinne May... the lyrics are so so meaningful!! 





I still need to ask Ivan to upload the photos he's taken! Amazing to have friends so interested in photography to capture the special moments :)

And, I got really meaningful gifts that are 'just so Joyce' as friends would say- recipe books, pretty notebooks, vintage print stationery set, a study Bible (thank you CG, this was really what I wanted), a cute chunky ring, cosmetics, various accessories like earrings and a hairband, a bottle of Vodka, a teddy, a daisy, a quaint little picnic basket, 2 storybooks (one of which is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, one of my favourite books, thanks HX!), a book on Christian dating (yeah, it couldn't come at a better time...), 3 dresses (2 of which have floral prints, and a black one), a couple of gift cards, 3 bags, beautiful cards with even more beautiful words in them... and oh, 1 box of Special-K cereal, 4 cups of low-fat Chocolate pudding, a box of Twinnings Chamomile Vanilla tea, 1 packet of DIY strawberry yogurt, 1 packet of healthy nuts... Haha my roomie knows me so well. BUT I REALLY LOVE EVERY SINGLE THING I'VE RECEIVED but the most important things like MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE PRICELESS. Cliche but it's so true!

(Photo credits: Fong & Sher)

These days, my only time for musings and personal reflections only exist in three places where I find myself locked in some sort of a vacuum with hardly a whiff of verbal human interaction; on 190 bus to/from school, in the toilet when I shit/shower/sleep especially when I have morning class which I so painfully have to drag my ass out of bed for (I swear, no more back to back morning classes next sem) and when I am walking or running alone.

Today, I stumbled upon news that a school mate's mum has succumbed to breast cancer and she was called home to the Lord last week. I couldn't even say that we are close friends, just mere acquaintances whose love for running made our lives cross paths. The shock and pain I felt was something way beyond I could articulate. No, I can't put myself in her shoes but because we are of similar age, it seems as though there is some sort of invisible thread that ties my heart to hers; maybe it happends with all other human beings too. I like to think that we have a heart for each other in the most invisible yet emotionally tangible way.

However, I think the most inspiring thing is the fact that she is so strong in spite of the grieve and loss that she and her family is feeling. When I found out about her plight, the question that instinctively went through my head was, 'Why, God? Why let such a beautiful girl (both inside and out) suffer at such a young age?'

I teared a little when I read her note she posted on FB. She was strong, and not once did she blame God. She understood and surrendered to the fact that the Lord could call her mum home anytime, and it only made her more appreciative of every minute she had by her mummy's side. She wasn't angry that she had only a limited time with her mum after the fateful diagnosis, but she was determined to create beautiful memories of her mum with her, with her family. Now, she takes comfort knowing her mum couldn't be in a safer, peaceful and more beautiful place. Indeed, I am sure her mum would look down from heaven with pride that her little girl has grown to be so strong and so loving, and more importantly, so trusting and never questioning that the Lord is indeed 'our rock, our shield and our stronghold'.

The whole time I was on the (last) bus home from school today, and from my 5 minute walk to my door, I said a prayer for her and her family, and gave thanks for my parents and my family.

Life is so exciting and so happening right now that I couldn't be happier. :)

2008 was great, I have so much to be thankful for, especially so in this financially turbulent times.

Hope to do a memory recap but no guarantees cos school is starting soon (IN ONE WEEK?!!!). Sian. But cannot start the year off the wrong foot! Let's try again, I'm so excited for school! Excited to see all my friends again, and to take Computer as Analysis Tool as my first class of the semester! *crosses fingers*

(Ok the second part was a FAIL.)

Joyce is so so tired of school.

My sleep cycle is so out of wreck, I hate my procrastination habit, I haven't found time to exercise, I feel so lethargic and fat. I want to be so much more, but I have become long-term commitment phobic.

Still deliberating whether to sign up to be in some school event org comm- I still want to continue working at CNA at the same time, and I will be taking five modules next sem as compared to the 4.5 I am doing this sem. PLUS, I really want to go for the Business Study Mission to Israel but cost is such a huge factor. :( The prof estimated that it would be no more than S$5,000 for ten days but that is a hell lot! I hear that part of the course , we have to present business proposals to companies and appeal for sponsorship, but even then I wonder how much of sponsorship each one of us will receive. Have to decide this by Tues!

And on Tues, I have two presentations back to back, and a group report due in the afternoon! I haven't even wrote my persuasive speech WHICH I HAVE TO MEMORIZE for my individual presentation! We had to come up with the script by today, because prof will only tell us if we were to go this week or the next, and I just saw his email that I am going to be presenting this coming Tues, can't believe my luck! :( Maybe God is telling me to just surrender everything to Him... It is not going to be easy but I am learning to do that.


And I could just shoot myself in the foot because it totally slipped my mind that I had to declare my majors before bidding opens! I have gold-fish memory, blob blob blob.

Well, friends keep me hanging in there. I had a super impromptu Halloween. The night before I stayed up to finish my 3500 word PolSci paper and only slept from 6-8am. The class was soooo quiet that week, everyone was pretty much dead, so close to banging their heads on their keyboards for more sentences.

Initial plans was to head to Zouk as as an ice-cream cone with a cherry on top, but I was so energy-zapped; dressing up, crowds, light strobes and thumping music were the last thing on my mind.

But I am glad SMU students do know how to let their hair down. Quanda, Tery and I were randomly invited for a BE party despite not being CCA members, after that, we went for another random CCA party held in a classroom! I love the spontaneity! We promised each other that we will dress up next year as Super Mario Brothers and friends, hahaha! Had some really embarrassing photos that night :(

And last week, the Frujcholics went down to MediaCorp studios to support Johnny who was a wubbie for the Don't Forget The Lyrics show! It's very tiring being a live audience, we had to clap REALLY ENTHUSIASTICALLY for most of the 3 hours and hear some contestant sing 'Mickey' by Toni Basil at least 4 times that we were going crazy already! It was fun though, and I was really happy to meet them after so long!

Had a 'Geek Night' during CG after that and I am really happy that I have found a cellgroup, thank you Olie!



After our formal western meal at Suntec. Career Skills-Finishing Touch class! Fun times! Our prof is on the left. He's one of the most sincere profs I came across so far.





Haha Frujchies with Gurmit Singh, the host and Johnny doing the Crouching Tiger! <3




Much thanks to Ingrid for the random BE Halloween party invitation! :)




We almost broke the pitchfork!



This photo is hilarious (because it's quite gross). Best costume of the night man, i.e. ripped RGS uniform. I drew the mouse on his very MUSKULAR arms. It's red nose moves when he flexes his arm, hahaha!



Suppose to be SMUGGING in the library but who can resist Beer Pong, silly photos, music and a time to chill out, even if it's in a classroom?!




Dinner with some of my RunTeam friends at Manhattan Fish Market (the food isn't that great but the company made up for it!)



Total geeks!

Ok, back to the final edit for Intl Econs report, and must get started on my presentation script.