farmer.

Second installment of my Italy trip.

Woke up at some forsaken hour to catch the train to Bologna. Which we almost missed. Mehh. First ever time cutting it so close. Unfortunately not my last.

Three hours later finally reached Bologna at about 9.30am. Dropped our bags off at the B&B and then went looking for breakfast. Waking up so early does tend to make one hungry. First impression of Bologna was quite nice. Not too crowded and small enough to easily walk from one point to another.

Neptune's fountain. Can you see where the water is coming out from? Haha.

Felt so atas having breakfast.

Not much in Bologna just your usual churches. That is basically what all of Italy is about. 

So slightly creepy exhibition about the beauty of death. 

View from Asinelli's Tower.

Like the Leaning Tower in Pisa, the tower is also slightly slanted. 

498 steps up. Talk about a workout. 

Though a bit lesser known, Basilica of San Domenico is one of the major churches in Bologna. And one of the prettier ones. The art in it was really top notch. Surprised it isn't as famous. 

Chapel where St. Dominic is buried. 

Dinner posed a slight problem. Didn't feel like eating at the restaurant we picked out so had to wander around the city of quite a bit. Most of the places were only serving aperitivos seeing as they were catered more to university students. So after a good hour of walking around the world, okay fine more like the whole of Bologna, settled on buying some crepes and sitting on the steps. 

Supper! Some dove shaped cake-ish(Colomba) thing that is only around for Easter.

Super duper yummy. Wish I had bought some back to Manchester. 

Next morning set off to visit the Archiginnasio of Bologna. It used to be the main building of the University of Bologna but now it houses the library instead. Why is it so important? Well, the University of Bologna is the oldest standing university in the world established in 1088 so that was pretty cool. 

Had lunch and made it to the train station with time to spare(way paranoid after the previous close call) for the train to Florence. 

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singing through this.

Hmmm, you know how in the previous posts I said I dislocated my toe? Well, apparently I've fractured it. And only THREE days later does the hospital call up to tell my mum. What's more, I went to the emergancy ward.

Not gonna say which hospital it is. But if it really was an emergancy, I'd probably have died.

And next time if I ever have to work in the city, I am so not driving. My dad picked me up at 6 and it took an hour to get to the LRT station which is usually only 5 minutes away. That is how bad it was. So after my mum picked up me I went with her for a dinner as taking me back would have been too time consuming. Later found out that it was Hash's farewell dinner.

Now I'm back home waiting for my hair to dry before I go to sleep. Can't wait for college to start!! Yes I know that sounds weird. But college is less tiring than work.

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bit by bit.

A Christmas Cantata

Date: 20th & 21st December 2008

Time: 8.30p.m.

Venue: Trinity Methodist Church Petaling Jaya

Be there!!!

I'm going on Sunday night.

Times passes way too fast. To think that I'll be 'old' tomorrow.

Okay, not really old. But seriously, turning 17 makes me feel way old.

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nothing but.

Something strange happened a few days ago.

The church I attend got ROBBED.

Yes you read it right. Three guys came and stole from the church.
Of all the places to rob they rob a church.

Information from the church bulletin:

On Tuesday 9th December 2008, our church office staff, Keat and Mas, experienced a traumatic experience of being robbed by three individuals armed with knives. Praise God they were only bruised. However, as a consequence, all the cash and cheques collected on the day of the Food and Fun Fair as well as the Sunday collection of offerings and pledges were taken by the robbers.


I have heard about a couple more details but not sure whether it's reliable information or not. So you'll have to make do with the 'official' statement. Haha. So police-ish.

BTW, my church is Trinity Methodist Church, Petaling Jaya.

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someone to love.

The Haunted House today went as well as could be expected.

All those involved.

Managed to raise around RM700.

And look what I got!!!

Cute no? It's a hand painted rock.

Just guess how much a I paid for it. Leave your guesses in the comments if you want.

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be your standing ground.

I was so totally going to upload pictures today but instead I was busy.

Busy doing what you may ask?

Preparing a haunted house.

For my church's food and funfair. It's sort of an event in conjunction with TMC PJ's 50th Anniversary next year. All proceeds will be donated to charity.

So yeah, the haunted house is going to be really awesome. I hope.

I feel like I have absolutely no time to just lay back and do nothing this week. Will be busy with the food and funfair tomorrow. Then on Sunday going out with the others to go accessory shopping. Monday will most likely be spent clearing out all my school stuff and the prom's on Tuesday.

How time flies!!

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everything you gave back.

I could stand outside Your gates And never enter in I could let this moment pass And go my way again I could just keep silent And hold from You my praise Or I could give my heart away I choose to worship I choose to love You To reach out and touch Your heart I want to know You Here in this moment O I choose to worship You

Yesterday at the worship enablers workshop this was the first song to play during worship. And later on the way back my mum was telling me about how at home fellowship the pastor was saying how sometimes obedience to God requires sacrifices.

I really felt that God was trying to tell me that I made the right choice.

But now I have to work on my fill ins!!!!! More stressful than piano class I swear. At least then all I have to do is practice and follow the notes. Now I have to improvise my way through.

On school,

For English form 5 literature, we do a novel titled 'The Pearl' by John Steinbeck.

In the novel, there is a town called La Paz. And so during trials we had to write a bit about the setting of the novel so obviously we had to talk about La Paz.

Guess what the wonderful ex-HEAD PREFECT wrote instead?

La Push.


HAHA. Twilight fans should know what I'm talking about. Talk about having nothing but Twilight on your mind Jia Lik.

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just one chance.

For as long as I can remember I've always had to sacrifice something for all my classes. Especially my ballet class. Countless times I've had to say no to parties, dinners and shows just because I'd rather go for ballet. Well, the day has come that I'm going to sacrifice ballet for something else.

I mean, the only reason I still take ballet is because I like it. Not because I'm good at it. In fact, I'm VERY bad at it. I'm suppose to take the Grade 8 exam next year, but at the rate I'm going I think the chances of it happening is zero. So I figured, if I don't take the exam next year and postphone it a year later, I'll have more time on my hands. And I'll be able to make it for the workshops on Tuesday nights.

What workshop am I talking about?

Well, next year my church is combining the second traditional service and the praise & worship service to form the contemporary worship service. And I've been asked to be a worship enabler for the service as a keyboardist. The thing is that they're having a sort of training workshop thing every Tuesday at 8.15p.m. And my ballet only ends at 8.45p.m. So I must make a choice. I guess the choice wasn't very difficult to make but I do wish there was another way around it.

Guess I've picked

this.

over this.

And here,

Intro video to the contemporary worship service.

How am I going to tell Ms. Leong(my ballet teacher) this.

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remember everything you said.

Got back from the Merger retreat this afternoon. It was okay, nothing much seeing as it was such a short trip. Never knew that there were so many aspects that needed planning for the two services to merge.

And I swear, everytime I go to Genting View Resort, I think I stay in the same apartment. Many years ago when I was in std. 6, we went there for some workshop and I think we stayed in the exact same apartment. All church camps also in the same place. Not that I'm complaining cause the place is pretty nice but it is SO conincidental.

I've FINALLY watched 'Dark Knight'. Never had anytime during the holidays or anything so never got round to it. But Han How had the movie on his laptop so we copied it over, and watched it in the room at night. We borrowed the projector and wanted to show the movie on the wall but there was a switch in the way so we projected it up onto the ceiling. After a while everyone got too comfy lying down and fell asleep. I watched till the end and I can say that the movie was good. But I wouldn't watch it again seeing as I do not like movies that don't have happy endings.

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suave as hell.

It feels like a gazillion things have happened since I last blogged.

On Friday it was Melissa's birthday. So a few of us, wait. Make that many of us went to Somo for dinner. Somo's this jap restaurant/pub somewhere in Mont Kiara. The food there was quite nice. So after eating, while we were waiting for the adults to finish up, we walked over to Baskin Robbins!! Love their ice-cream =). Spent some time there and when we got bored walked over to Starbucks. All the girls (Melissa, Trixie, Aleena, Jessie, Puiyi & I) went back to Melissa's place to sleepover. As usual, we slept too late. BUT, we managed to wake up for open day. Okay, so we were a bit late. But it wasn't really a big deal cause rehearsals always start late anyway.

Open day went by in a flurry. It's like all I ever did was rehearse and perform. I did have a little time to watch the IB students do their Julius Caeser which wasn't that bad. Medley went by without any problems. Or at least without any obvious mistakes. Cheer went okay. Despite the music screw up at the beginning. Even though I know a lot of people had doubts as to whether we could pull off the 4 house thing, I think our performance was something that can never be repeated. Do you know how hard it is to coordinate 4 houses?? Not easy I tell you. After everything went over to the library prefect booth to help out. Sales for the day weren't as good as I expected. But I think we made enough to have a profit.

Went home around 5 cause had to help clean up. Showered and then went over to 1U for the BB dinner. The ticket said 7 but as usual with Malaysian time the dinner only started at 7.45. And it wasn't even the real start of food yet. We still had to hear speeches and watch performances. But the food finally came and we could start eating. Food was okay and the sketch was quite entertaining. Finished the dinner around 11 and then my mum picked us up.

This morning had to wake up earlier as MYF was leading junior church. Mei Yan asked me to be liturgist so I agreed. Was quite unprepared for it and with the exception of a few mistakes everything went well. Now if only I could pronounce 'R' then it would all be better.

Totally did not get enough sleep in the past few days till I was so SLEEPY during tennis. My coach caught me yawning so many times.

So that's my past few days summed up. Sorry if the post is too wordy but am lazy to upload the pics from my camera. Going to China this Friday!!!To Xian to see the terracotta warriors. It's actually my dad's work thing but he's bringing me along as he doesn't think I'll have many more chances to go on holidays seeing as college is supposed to be really busy.

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giving it up.

Just a quick update as there really isn't much for me to tell you . Class tests 2 are finally over!! But that would mean I'd actually have to start studying for Mid years. Seeing I'll be using those results or trials to apply for college. It surprises me how fast the year has gone by. I'm even missing church camp for the sake of mid years!! See what a hard working student I'm becoming.

Open day is this Saturday. Usually I'll only do cheer. But this year am going to help out with the library prefect booth. And maybe do the P&A night performances. Or at least that's what's written on the promotional flier from out school. Am also looking forward to the field trip on wednesday. Did you know that we have a National Planetarium? Well I didn't. Heard the place sucks though. But at least we'll get to have a sort of 'day off' from school.

P.S. Anyone who reads this and is going to the BB dinner thing at 1U this saturday please drop a comment on my tagbox.

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under the apple tree.

Youth sunday today!!!

Got up quite early as Weng Yan had to be an usher. So waited outside till service started then in between worship went to change for the skit.

First time we did it it wasn't that good. Li Ching & Hash missed their cue as we were too busy getting ready and Becca took off her heels and apparently it looked weird. But the second time we did it the skit went perfectly. Or at least that's what I think. Will post up video when it's available.

So Youth sunday went really really well.

Went out for lunch with the bunch of people after second service. At first Chris was like we're going to Malacca for lunch. Then Jay was like 'What!! So far...'. When actually Chris meant a restaurant in SS2. Quite funny. Followed Chris' car. The food was not bad and it wasn't expensive. Had lots of laughs during lunch. I swear Leonard is like a bottomless well of lame/funny jokes.

L-R: Jesus(Hash), Boyfriend(Mike), Money(Jay), Drunk(Me), Model(Becca), Suicide(Mitch), Girl(Li Ching).
Hash: What is this?? Don't you know you're in church!!
Jay: Jesus you are my best friend!!
Mike: I'm so suave!!
Becca: I'm going to fall!!
Li Ching: Don't take my Becca away!!
Mitch: I kill you!!
Me: Oooo shiny!!

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fake a smile.

Once again something has happened that has proven to me that

It's not what you know,
But WHO you know.

On another note, here are 2 of the eggs I conteng-ed on on Easter Sunday.

Look!! It's my sister in male form with the black & white braces!!
Harry Potter!!!

Heeheee. Youth sunday is this week. Don't think I feel prepared for the skit. But as I only have a small part it should be okay.

Playing for worship this sat. No idea whether I'm practicing the right thing. Cause the first time I played, I had Lydia to teach me.

And to those who haven't attended the Easter Cantata, I STRONGLY encourage you to go. It's quite good this year. Scroll down a few posts for details.

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i'd lie.

Now a post about MYF camp.

Wednesday 12.03.2008

Got there late seeing as it's almost impossible to wake Weng Yan up. But still in time for ice breakers though. Got put in the YELLOW group with Denise as my group leader. That girl ah I tell you, hyper like nobody's buisness. Okay, so we had a discussion about our team name and cheer and designed our flag. Finally we decided on Bananas For God(BFG).

Our cheer went something like this.
We are going
B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Bananas, bananas
Bananas for God.

My tag. And no, my name is not eng yee.

So after that we had our treasure hunt/amazing race. Tons and tons of walking involved. We walked all the way to Paandi's where my group had to have 19 roti canais. It may seem like a lot but it really isn't seeing as we have 11 people in our group. Later we climbed up Bukit Gasing. Nice hike. Climbed all the way back down to do a task where we had to put eggs into our pockets and roll over reflexology stones. My egg didn't break!!! Then walked all the way to Amcorp mall and back. Quite tiring. Went back to church and took a shower. Had our first session that night with Annette. Went back home around 10.30.

Thursday 13.02.2008

Got up around 6.30 and followed my dad to his office for a Presentation Skills seminar. It was a complete waste of time seeing as I've spent 2 years in English learning about how to do good speeches with Mr Mark. Left around 3 and reached Peacehaven at 4. Just in time for Fun night planning. This year instead of the usual skits, we had to do a sort of music video.

My group had to use the character Niki from Heroes, set in the caveman times with hair models. The 3 songs we got were Unwell but Matchbox 20, Friends theme song and Fix You by Coldplay. Talk about being emo.

Haha. Funny pic while we were outside in the car park planning the music video.

Friday 14.03.2008

Had another session with Annette. Then instead of having Team building exercises, we had an hour long prayer thing. Where for an hour we went around and prayed for each other. Something different but it was nice. Games after that. First game was where we were all tied up together and had to walk around to get flags. Quite fun but required lots of teamwork.

My group tied up.

Next game dodgeball. Let's just say it wasn't very safe. I got hit on the head with a basketball. And then we played BelalangBelatuk. Quite fun but I kept getting confused as to when I had to run or catch.

We also had this game where 3 people balanced on two wooden sticks and had to walk to one end to the other. The guys did better in this game. Wanna know why? Cause they walk kangkang. Girls usually walk one foot in front of the other so it was harder with the wooden sticks.

Just to tell you the wooden sticks and circular not square.

Then we had the balloon game which was SUPER fun. Everybody had to pair up and our hand and legs were tied to each other. After that each pair had 5 balloons which they had to protect which trying to burst other teams balloons. Then we had Tug of war. We lost terribly.

Me and my team flag. That's also my gila team leader Denise.

Saturday 15.03.2008

Last day at camp!! Closing session with Pastor Buell. Left Peacehaven around 1. Ate lunch at Hartamas then went back home. First thing I did was sleep.

Actually I was going to go into greater detail about camp but soooooo lazy right now.

Woke up early this morning seeing as I was supposed to do ushering for Palm Sunday. In the end didn't really need to as they had enough people.

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if you meet me half way.

Just got back from MYF camp this afternoon. So am super tired....

Will put up a long and detailed post with pics some time tomorrow after tennis.

The camp was okay. Not as fun as the past ones have been seeing as lots of regulars were missing but I still learned a lot about God and that's the most important thing.

Let's also say that just because it's a youth camp does not mean that there are no 'scandal' stories to tell.

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risk it all.

Went over to Melissa's house yesterday for some dinner thing. Aleena's band was playing so went to support them. After eating, walked around the area to the park and the lake which I never knew existed there. Nice weather for a walk. Luckily Melissa was always in front or we might have gotten lost. Here's an example of why we would get lost.

Puiyi: I'm leading so follow me. *She continues walking down the road.*
Aaron: No I'm leading! *Runs in front of Puiyi*
Melissa: If you two continue down the road it's a dead end.

Haha. Talk about blind leading the blind.

Later in the night when Paul had come, we as people who totally have no life at 12 midnight. Did stunts. They flew Puiyi, Aaron, Wuiyang, Paul and Carmen. I swear you should fly Wuiyang and look at his facial expression. Damn funny.

After everyone else went home with the exception of me, Puiyi and Carmen who were staying over, we stayed up till 3.30 talking, eating Maggi Mee and drinking. We totally slept too late seeing as it was almost impossible to wake Carmen and Puiyi up. Went to school for cheer where I obtained even more bruises from Carmen. I now have a total of 7 bruises on both my arms. With the worse on being on my wrist bone which I never knew was possible to bruise considering it's all bone.

Going to sleep now seeing as have church and cheer tomorrow. Just realised that I've been missing from church for almost a month.

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seemed like they'd never dry.

So Ujian Tara was yesterday. As usual Red house had the least amount of people. But this year our 'semangat' seemed to be better as everyone wore the red house shirt as instructed. Unlike the other years where there was always a handful who didn't listen.

Anyway, the results for the Ujian Tara are as follows.
Green-130
Red-129
Blue-124
Yellow-100

Yeah!! Red house usually loses in Ujian Tara as we never have many people. But this year, we are only 1 point away from Green. So chances of winning sports day is much higher than if we were in last place. Ujian Tara ended around 11 so went for cheer practice. And as school ends at 6.30 on Monday, the red house cheerleader have decided that we're going to stay back for practice. 12.30-6.30. 5 hours of cheer. Going to be coming back dead tired.

Last night went for an open house. Parents childhood friends. My parents have like this Ipoh gang where they've been friends since primary. It's like all of them decided to marry Ipoh people who they've known for a long long time. Maybe when I'm older that'll happen. Not the marrying old friends seeing as there is no one I'd like to marry but the fact that they've been able to keep in touch for so long. Every New Years, Chinese New Year & Christmas and sometimes just for fun everyone will meet up at a persons house and just catch up.

Now you'd be wondering why I'm blogging at 9 in the morning seeing as it's Sunday and I'm supposed to be in church. Well let me tell you the reason.

My mum's car won't start. My dad's car lock is cacat. And my dad needs to use the SLK. The reason my mum's car won't start is cause last night when we came back, my dad forgot to switch the car lights off so the car has no battery now.

And he always gives us lectures on responsibility.

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started like any other.

Okay, so on Sat went to the orphanage called Ti-Ratana for moral project. The people who went were Jia Lik, Trixie, Amanda, Hui Jin, Amber & me. Went over the Amber's house first then some aunty fetched us to the place.

Something's missing in this pic. Can you spot it?
The baby was just so cute!!
Trixie finally found a kid she likes. But the kid doesn't like her.
All of us.

A girl was actually stuck on Jia and wouldn't let her leave. But finally after distracting the girl with food Jia was able to make her escape.

After that went over to 1U cause Weng Yan was there looking for a black jacket. Had tea at Delicious. I insist everyone must try their 'Berrilicious Chocolate Pavlova'. It's soooooooo good.

Then rushed over to MYF. Worship. Played 'Capture the Flag'. The field was so wet. Finally got home around 8. Was so tired but managed to do some add maths questions and start on moral tugasan.

Off to finish off the rest of my homework now. If I don't get distracted that is. And my father is such a sore loser la. After trying to teach me an add maths question yesterday found out that his method is wrong but he keeps insisting it's correct. Now he's going to come home and 'explain' it to me.

Save me and my incompetence in physics & add maths.

Anyone want to find tution together with me?

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Another.

Just a couple of pics from church camps and ballet.

A few ballet memories.

Quite sometime ago. (Moulin Rouge.)

Just 2 years ago. (Buffalo stampede.)

Just this year. (White witches.)
Farewell for Adranne at Souled Out.

Church
MYF camp last year.

MYF camp this year.

Apartment mates.
Luckily there were no cars.
Pretty sand.

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No more sleepless nights.

After 2 weeks on intensive practice and practically living in school, P & A night is over!! It's sad to know that next year we won't be able to join. Screw SPM la...

The performers were supposed to be let off at 11 but as usual we got delayed and only went back at 12.30. Amanda came home with me as her house is too far away. Went to Tropicana Clubhouse to eat and do hair. Got back at school around 5.30. Just hung around till the thing started. Took the award then started getting ready for Pirates. After intermission then all the swearing and stuff started. Backstage for the medley was like a WARZONE. Everyone was like F*** where's my costume. Quite funny actually. Thank goodness I pulled out of Cats of I'd have to practice quick changing. Mission went well enough. And then it was the end. It's so sad how it all ends so fast. In the blink of an eye form 4 is over.

Look at our cool 'hooks'. Jia Lik's one is a bit too straight though.
Don't mess with us.

I would have more pictures. But my sis is such a camwhore that she hogs the camera. Was thinking of getting a new one for myself. Any suggestions?

That was Friday. On Saturday, woke up to go for French. I was like half asleep in class. Then had to go tighten my braces. My orthodontist says 6 more months and my teeth should be fine. Then at night went to Midvalley. As it was MYF's last CG meeting, my CG went bowling. It was quite fun despite me being really bad at it as the bowling was glow in the dark. Hung around with Mei Yan, Bel, Brian, Jay, Dion & Zhi Yang till 9 when my mummy came to fetch me. Had lots of laughs.

There's actually a lot more I'd like to type but I have to get ready for a open house and pack for the KK trip.

ARGH!! I've never been so unprepared for a trip before.

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