Joy today is the smiles of family. The joy of a birthday celebration.

Joy today is the return of a dear brother, knowing I'll always have him there. Joy is having a listening ear, a familiar voice amidst my sadness. Thanks Sij. Couldn't do without you.

Joy today is easy laughter and seeing a familar face. It's the luxury of lounging in the heart of nature with people I care about. It's about having fun with family and those I love and those I couldn't do without. It's about knowing that I'm loved and that I mean something to a dear friend. It's about creating memories too beautiful to ever fade away. Most of all, tday's joy is knowing I've lived another day to its fullest.

After our orchard xmas lights escapade today, I was zonked but now I'm sitting here and flipping my album of BH photos. Tiredness expelled. I look at each and thinking about the happy memories we had. I miss going to KarYee's room for DMs. I miss vivi mummy tucking me into bed and covering blanket for me everynight. I miss vivi mummy running into my room to have late night chats. I miss teasing saich. I miss chatting with Wiz and Sal. I miss Raymond's superb culinary desserts. Warm fudge choc cake, crepes, choc ripple cake, tarts... I miss everything. Strangely enough I miss even the mistresses coming around to nag us. I knew I'd miss it all. But I never thought I'd miss it this much. I roll out of bed and think to myself each morning, oh i'm back in my room.

I miss the life of that big BH family... Vivi Karyee Noella jie Saich Wiz Sal Nong Tina Bess Carol Carmen Carmen I'm missing you all..

Today, joy is walking out the exam room and heaving a huge sigh of relief knowing it's all over! A joy that wells up knowing the worst is done!

Smiles are the shortest distance between strangers.
Laughter is the shortest distance between friends.
Dance is the shortest distance between lovers.

I love the way we dance.
It feels so right.
Hips swaying together
Feet moving in rhythm.
Hearts connected as one.
In body mind and soul.
It's the best way to tell you that I love you.

Joy today is being able to say: Boy, am I glad that paper's over!

6 down and 9 papers to go!


48 days to x-mas jangle
51 days till I'm legal.

girlfriends..

It's the end of the road after 2 years at Tintern. It has become a place of warm memories and crazy ones too. But my journey wouldn't have been so speical if not for some special girls who have made all the difference in my life.

My family of girlfriends..Bec..Gab..Laura..Mal..Steph.. What would I have done without you girls to share my recesses and lunches, to be silly and relive our childhood memories. I wouldn't have survived being in a new place, meeting people so uniquely different and made so much of my time at Tintern. To each and every single one of you. I just wanted to say THANKS. For putting that extra something into my life, for building these friendships and for bringing a part of you to brighten my life. You taught me to let loose and have fun, be silly and crazy. But I also love the way that you've been there for me whenever my tears fell.



Girlfriends are sisters we choose and we chose each other. No matter how far, no matter where I am, I will always and forever have a piece of you in my hearts. And though it may seem like we're miles away, really I'm just a smile and a phonecall away. I love you all girls.


Thanks for the lovely gifts..


With "All things Australian", I will hold these memories dear in my heart..

"Sweet cravings"
Whenever I have a lolly, I'll always reminiscise about our sweet times together..


"Kiddie treasures"..I'll always remember chippies and chocies..


For the "quirks of life" we've shared and for all the silly things we've done


Every girl needs "Pamper products", girlfriends indeed.


And of course to feed my diva side, the "DIVA must haves"


Just like the vibrant nature of your gifts, I'll remember each one of your unique characters. I promise.


I HEART YOU ALL!!!

Chris just left. Now heading to bed once I type this. Spent most part of the day catching up with Stef. Had a blast. Still feeling happy. Now in Sher's room. Bunking in tonight. Can't even string words. Prolly time to zonk out. Over.

I'm the luckiest girl ever. I've lived. I've loved. Because once where there were tears, there is only laughter. And because you smile, I do too. It matters not what the future holds, where we may end up. I really don't care. Because, right here, right now, it seems right loving you. I won't look back and regret, because even if I get hurt again and again and again, that moment felt right. I thought I could hate you for it and I really did. It's hard to hate someone I don't love. But it's easy to hate someone you love. Because they matter. Because you know that even if you hate them, you hate them for making you love them so much. It's true you know. If you love someone till you hurt, there will only be love left. If tomorrow, my world were to fall, I'd stand strong, because you keep me going. I believed the words you once said, because it felt like you meant it. I asked myself whether I'd trod the same path again. The answer is still yes.

Just wanted to spend a minute thanking all those people who have kept me going throughout my mock exams with sweet smses to encourage me, phone calls late into the night and letters in the mail. It is truly heartwarming that I'm loved! Love you all...

..0 months 22 days to final exams

..2 months 18 days till I'm legal

Joy is listening to familiar voices from miles away. Hearing the familiar laughter. And the ease of nonsensical chatter. Thanks Sij for always being there and for letting me be there. And thanks to Jane and Joyce for the friendships formed that hold strong despite distance.

The shadow of mocks is looming overhead but I'm still hanging in there with a smile cos all the encouraging smses and emails I've received make it all worthwhile! Thanks guys!


To all the J2s and IB2s: All the best and hang in there. We'll make it to the end together!

Joy is the beauty of friendships. Whether old or new. Happiness is realising how much they mean and how much they're worth. Thanks XL!

Looked into the mirror and saw a genuine smile, a cheerful radiance and twinking eyes, couldn't believe the transformation. Reflected on life and realised how much I've grown. Came here to maximise my results but ended up achieving so much more. Experiencing Tintern and Melbourne has been beyond amazing, learning so much beyond the classroom. Building a character of confidence to face challenge and adversity. Always seeing the positive side of things. Learning to love everything in life. Living life to the maximum. Where once stress stood, now confidence stands. Pessimism has caved in. Wonder how I never discovered such joy before.

Thought back to the days of fights with the parentals whom I once resented, laughing at my childish naivety. Had they not pulled me back from freedom, who knows what path I'd have trodden. Had they not kept me close, I'd never realise how precious freedom is. Had I never understood it, I'd never know how to control it. Guess I owe them a thank you. I'm so glad I've been given this chance to move beyond my comfort zone to grow in the face of challenge and learn independently, or I'd never have seen the world the way I have. I'd never have shed the tears I shed, tears which strengthened me and taught me perserverance. These lessons I will cherish a lifetime.

Joy is the simplicity of unexpectedness that brings smiles to your life.

Greeted by a nice surprise after getting back from Sydney. Failed to attend sports awards night last friday but got pleasantly surprised with the news of my coaches award medal. Thanks Mrs Jurey! Thanks to all my vball girls!

Dad surprised me with a visit friday, felt so lucky and overwhelmed at seeing him. Had a good catch up session, realised how much daddy loves me as his little girl and his reluctance at my growing up. Laughed over the good old times and my once silly tantrums. Miss dad already...

Laughter is the sweetest sound. Happiness is the greatest blessing. But even more so when it's from those you love. When I heard a friend's voice today filling with smiles, my heart smiled. That's one of the best joys to experience.

Mundanity holds much joy, no matter how simple, every little bit of happiness makes a difference.

Today, joy is

..being greeted by a goofball's touching text message
..the smile and hugs that greeted my morning
..the sweet peals of laughter in the presence of friends
..the exclamations of delight from goofing around with the camera
..hearing those familiar voices on the telephone
..the satisfaction of my economics portfolio completed!
..the fun-tastic dance rehearsal in the gym

这个周末，和不少人通电话。好一个星期没和好友聊天，想他们，终于听到他们的声音，好开心。最近又受到了一封感人的信，是意外的惊喜，让我感动得流泪。身边有那么多爱我疼我的人，我真的好幸福！所以我想跟我身边的每一个朋友说谢谢。没有你们陪我，我也不会那么成功走到现在这个地步了。

天上的爸爸谢谢您，让我体会到我所拥有的幸福和快乐！

快乐是单纯的，简单的。快乐其实就近在眼前，可我们曾今错过。后来发现与其天天埋怨生活中的烦恼，不如学会欣赏快乐的美，体会到它隐藏的快乐, 和它成为好朋友。我真的觉得好幸福，能体会到家庭的温暖，身边又有那么多朋友支持我。而且最近还和快乐成为最要好的朋友。看到我身边的人脸上透露笑容就是快乐。因为我拥有曾今，所以我是世上最快乐，最幸福的人。

爱情是美丽的。笑容是灿烂的。可在泪水中，我也找到了一种快乐的悲伤。因为受了伤，才更珍惜。因为放手，才发现重要。或许因为人生这么忐忑，才会觉得快乐的时光是那么的宝贵。而因为你，我才了解这道理。

谢谢你。这样默默守护着我。你让我了解了爱一个人就只须看到他们的笑容。只想对你说，谢谢你做了我的守护星，在我最孤单的时候陪伴我，在我快乐的时候陪我快乐，在我哭泣的时候听我哭。我说过，这辈子有一个人已夺走了我的心。这是个无法改变的事实。你说的话若早了三年或许结果会不一样。可或许若当初我选择坦白就可能体会不到这种深动的友情，所以我并不后悔。或许有一天我会找到勇气报答你的付出。可现在我无法作出伤害你的决定。可你要知道，对我来说，你真得非常重要。

thank you for everything

I'm learning to love more and more each day, learning to be thankful for what I have, learning to appreciate those around me, learning to be truly happy from the inside. So I thought I'd just say thank you to all those that matter to me because you can never thank someone enough, even if it's just for all the little things in life...

Thank You Iv kor, for making mei's day by telling her you miss her. I feel loved.
Thank You Kai Shi, for always making me smile, for being only a call away each time I need you.
Thank You pigg, for teaching me that silences are beautiful.
Thank You Cc, for all the silly moments and meaningful ones we've shared.
Thank You XY, for being like a big sister.
Thank You Sher, for all the fun days we've had.
Thank You Xiang, for being such a sweet one.
Thank You Sij, for being the one I can talk to so freely.
Thank You XL, for making me realise how fortunate I am to learn happiness.
Thank You Shawn kor, for all you've done for your xiao mei.
Thank You jane and joyce for all the fun as girlfriends.
Thank You Hewlett for all the times you lent an ear.
Thank You Lemon for restoring our friendship
Thank You Ky, for standing by me all these years.
Thank You Pei, for being the best cousin and girlfriend you could ever be.

Thank You Bec, for always listening.
Thank You Steph for the wonderful friendship.
Thank You Laura for always making me laugh.
Thank You Gab for sharing musical moments.
Thank You Mal, for being the friend you are.
Thank You Charlie, for being a confidante
Thank You Sony, for teaching me tennis.
Thank You Hugh for the priceless moments.
Thank You Patto for the sleepovers and great times.
Thank You Ceko, for being such an awesome girlfriend.
Thank You Dan, for showing me that smiles matter a great deal.

Thank You Kar Yee, for listening to the unspoken
Thank You Viv, for being the best "mum"
Thank You Tina, Bess and Carol for being such sweet juniors.
Thank You Noella, for being such a sweet big sister.
Thank You Von for such dedication to vball

And the list could just go on and on..