it's raining, it's pouring.

I was on my way to grab some lunch and all it took was one plop of raindrop on my head to make me realize many things.

1. I do not have an umbrella
2. I'm carrying my favourite bag
3. There is no shelter in sight
4. My shoes will get wet
5. I will be a popsicle

So from that point onwards, all that went through my mind was; Dear Lord, please may it not rain until I get back to the office, please may it not rain until I get back to the office, please may it not rain until I get back to the office, pleasemayitnotrainuntilIgetbacktotheoffice, pleasemayitnotrainuntilIgetbacktotheoffice.

And wallah! here I am at my desk eating sushi looking at the pouring rain which just started the moment I sat down.

God is good? ALL THE TIME!!!

and more about easter camp.

It was 7.30am on the cold, chilly Saturday morning when Sue Lee and I left the warmth of our heated cabin and headed to the beach to do devotions scheduled at 8. Here's how our conversation of the morning went;

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7.55am at the beach...

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Nads: It so colddd!! Are you sure devotions is by the beach?

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Sue: Yup! It says so on the program.

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Nads: Okay!

.

(Both marvel at the beauty of the sea, sunrise, clear water, sand and rocks)

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8.10am...

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Nads: Mmm... how come no one's here yet? Are you sure it's by the beach?

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Sue: Yes Nads i read it in the program! But I don't have it now with me

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Nads: Oooh hang on... I do!(takes out program from notebook)

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Nads: Erm....Sue? It says 8am Devotions then below it says Breakfast.

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Sue: Really????? I thought i read Beach!!

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Nads: Suelee, just because the word has a B, E and A in it, doesn't mean it's BEACH!!!! GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

.

But after all that's said and done, I'm so glad we went Sue! It was lovely sharing the morning in all it's beauty with you and I would have had it no other way=)

Pheebs and Winnie=)

Spot the similiarity!

Aaron, Pheebs and Winnie

Sue-Lee, Aidan and Guo Jin

Sueee leeeeeeeeee and me!

Sue, Ives and Pheebs

I couldn't ask for better roomies=)

(val where are youuu??)

easter.

I have not been for church camp in the longest time. So when Life* Expedition announced that they were holding one in Mornington for the Easter weekend, I thought "Hey! I so cannot miss this=)!"

Now being back from camp, I'm all huffy with myself for missing so many Easter camps for the last 8 years!!!!!!! There is something amazing about so many different people coming together to celebrate the One Person, who made us whole, who bore our sins, who died on the cross so we and our children could live, who rose from the dead, who will come again, The Alpha and the Omega.

Good Friday, 21 March 2008

We were left free to our own devices on the first night; and naturally, being Fun and Happening people, we played Pictionary with a twist; Actionary!!

Oh woe is me when fate had it that I had to act as a Hermit Crab. I thought I had nailed it when someone screamed out "Crab!!" but my heart sank slowly but surely when the following guesses that were yelled my way were the likes of "Full of Crap!!" and "Holy Crap!!"

Saturday, 22 March 2008

The second night was spent at the campfire with The Story told to us in full narration and sound effects. Readers, you guys did a brilliant job=)! It's such a gift to have a story read out loud to me now especially since i'll be turning to a ripe old age of 23 soon.

Easter Sunday, 23 March 2008

Our Saviour rose today, Easter Sunday, the most joyous day ever! And in groups, we had to present the legacy we wanted to leave for the next generation. It was such an amazing experience for me looking at how much faith our community had for the next generation and I left camp with a sense of affirmation in God's promise for us and our children.

Auntie Quilin, Uncle T.H, Daniel, John, Val, Soon Meng, Charles and I came up with a skit and a song for our presentation. The theme was from Isaiah 32.

I hope the lyrics of the song will give you encouragement and affirmation as it did me.
God bless bless bless bless bless you. Rejoice for He is Risen!!!
HAPPY EASTERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Verse 1
See, a king will reign in righteousness,
And rulers will rule with justice,
Each man will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,

Like streams of water in the desert place
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land,
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
And the ears of those who hear will listen.

Chorus
So put aside your worries and fears
And all your worldly things
We were made for more than this
We were made to rule and reign with Him

Verse 2
The world can be a dark and lonely place,
There will be suffering, there is no doubt,
But cast your eyes above and see
The brilliance of the Son among the clouds

Like streams of water in the desert place
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land,
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
And the ears of those who hear will listen.

Bridge
There's beauty in the world
but none compares to the beauty in brokenness
Rise above and remember child
you were made for more than this

peace please.

Recent happenings have left me quite distraught I must say. And being in a state of distress has definitely taken a toll on me.

Let me briefly enlighten you with the order of my priorities.

1. $100 for family and friends = Swipe without a moments' hesitation
2. $50 for myself = A moments' hesitation before caving in
3. $5 for stupid things like insect repellant = please find answer below...

30 precious minutes of my time yesterday evening was spent pacing back and forth on the personal care isle at Priceline Pharmacy, debating whether or not to purchase a roll-on insect repellant for $4.99 or a spray-on one for $5.15
I mean, it's a whopping 16 cents difference!

After mulling it over in my head for quite a while, I self-righteously returned the $5.15 insect repellant (which I deemed overpriced) back onto the shelf.
Or so I thought...

Back at home when I was unpacking my shopping bag, guess what I found?
TWO insect repellants!!! Yes, I have absent-mindedly bought both of them.=( I am really quite unhappy.

And to make matters worse, this morning when I got on the bus, the bus lurched forward and I lost my balance. Thank God I fell onto a chair. The bus driver then proceeded to partake in a swearing match with the person who caused this demise.

My nerves can't take much more of this.

Dear Lord, I pray for your peace. Make this wave of distress pass. Thank you for loving us so much. I know you are always watching over us. Truly Your grace is sufficient for us. Amen

about last weekend.

Hie everyone! I hope this entry finds you all well. I haven't blogged for almost 10 days and am going to make up for it now by filling you in with what's been happening in my life for the past week=)

So it was a beautiful Saturday morning when the venerable louse promptly announced before she left for lunch that she will absolutely Freak Out if she came home and found the fridge still appallingly empty. So grabbing my bag, keys and sunnies, I trudged to boring old Safeway, doing the same old boring thing, expecting to see the same old boring sights.

Halfway through the expected boringness of my journey to Safeway, something caused me to do a double take.

Oh Beautiful People for Joy and Rapture, I saw a blaring red 50% off Sale sign propped up right in front of a row of pretty dresses!!!

1 hour later...
And there I was, all ready to attend Jolene's graduation photo-taking session (adorning my new dress with one more safely hung up in my cupboard) weeeeeeeee Bliss with a capital B.=)

Now on to what's important;

Dearest beautiful Jolene and Michael

Jolene, Uncle Peter and Auntie Susan

Jolene and the men in her life

Jolene and everyone!

Aaron and Sue-Lee

Jol and the Tan sisters

Kary, Jol and Vince

Steve and Azaa looking loopy at the graduation dinner after

Me and my girls

Sunday night was a memorable one. 20 of us went to East Brighton for a japanese buffet dinner. Seriously guys, you know you're in for a Real Meal when the order states:

It is now 3 days later and I'm still full. In fact, I think I'm going to try sleep it off now.

Toodles!

the weekend.

TOTALLY ROCKED!=)

It's one of those weekends I will treasure for a long time to come.

My Friday night was wonderfully spent at Maidstone (pronounced Maidstern) with people so very close to my heart. I will never forget our midnight walk, Sue, Ives and Steve where we walked on the very land your future house is going to be built upon and claimed it in faith. Or the picture we conjured in our minds of how Sammie was going to be the leader of little tots (Aidan & Immanuel) traipsing up to uncle Steve's and auntie Ivy's house across the park in the evenings.

Saturday morning sealed the deal when Ivy and Steve signed them papers!=) CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!!!!!! I get Bedroom 3 YAH??? SHARING IS CARING.

In the evening, Ives, Sue and I stuffed our faces with chicken and chips in the playground at the top of the slide in the dark where no one can see us. I promptly announced before i dug in that I, Nadia Tan, am going to totally pig out and eat like a gilababi and am very glad we're sitting way up high in the dark where no one can see me. And if they were unfortunate enough to chance upon the unbecoming sight of me stuffing my face, would they be so kind as to keep the image to themselves lest my reputation gets tarnished forever.

Everything about Sunday morning was beautiful.

I cried 3 times in the evening though. I've never laughed so hard in AGES! Dinner at the Lims' are always good but they've truly outdone themselves on Sunday with a surprise Auction event. Bryan, my heartiest congratulations on your purchase! A Lim heirloom handed down 3 generations CHANNEL (pronounced SHANEL) shoe rack made of Steel with Rubber stubs, welded with Alloy and can subsequently be used as an umbrella stand and a door stopper. All for 8 dollars!!! Guys, This man, he knows a good deal when he sees one=p

We played Pictionary after. For those who know me well enough will know that it is truly the perfect ending for my most wonderful day.

Love is all around meee!!!!!!!!!

Peace out!

argh.

AAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh

to buy or not to buy.

Today is the last straw. The weatherman clearly said that it was going to be 30 degrees tops today and Fine. I am now looking outside the window and what do i see? RAIN is what I see.

Which got me thinking;

Should I buy a new umbrella? I have misplaced mine. My Common Sense is telling me to buy one. My Own Sense is telling me to buy a pretty one. And my Conscience is telling me that I should not spend more than 10 dollars on it. Three very conflicting senses indeed. Makes sense, no?

I am feeling quite out of sorts. I'm so sleepy. I have a tummy ache. And i'm umbrellaless in the rain.

Not good people, NOT GOOD

I feel like sulking, schlumping on the couch, eating chocolates and watching Princess Diaries 1.

a tribute.

I'm sure many of you have heard of the Backstreet Boys. However, not many of you know that they so Totally Rock! I mean, look at them!

Hmmm... Still dubious I see. No Matter, I will persevere to make you see the awesomeness of the BSB.

The prime reason of why they so totally rock is of course, their songs. The incredibility of their vocals (or lack of it, up to you whatevermakesyouhappy) is secondary.

Take; "I'll Never Break Your Heart"

Chorus:

I'll never break your heart, I'll never make you cry,

I'd rather Die than live without you,

I'll give you all of me, Honey that's no lie.

OR "All I Have To Give"

First Verse:

I don't know what he does to make you cry,

But I'll be there to make you smile,

I don't have a fancy car,

To get to you I'll walk a Thousand Miles

How sweet was that?? I mean yeah sure, most of it were lies and empty promises but let me tell you, not many people can make lies sound so good!

And somehow in the corner of your mind, a hope is sparked for maybe there are people out there who would really walk a thousand miles just to see you. Dude, that's walking to Gold Coast from Melbourne!

So guys, have a heart. Support the Backstreet Boys!

Party!.

Saturday morning was bright and breezy. Twas the perfect weather for say; an engagement party in the park?=) Here are some pictures of the event for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy!

I for one sure did!!

The hottest boy at the party!

Why so angry??

Much better!

The Couple

And again

And again

Sue and Pheebs

Beauty!

Darling Jolene doing her thing

Pheebs, Jol and I

Mike, Will, Leanne and Vince

Don't ask me! I don't know either

continued.

Nick and Pheebs

Truly, boys will be boys!

Dude, it's only 12 o'clock in the afternoon. Control yourselves!

Vince, Mike and Justin

Jolene, me and Azaa

Aaron and I

Looking angry. (It must be the new black or something)

Now that didn't hurt did it?=p

Yennie and Sammie!

drawing the line.

I should be good at this. I'm an architecture student afterall. We're all about lines! Building lines, Autocad lines, Straight lines, Angled lines, Curved lines, you name it. But when it comes to Fine lines, I have a problem.

Fine Lines between;

1. Protective vs. Over Protective
2. Accountability to men vs. Accountability to God
3. Perfection vs. Obsession
4. Reasonable Worrying vs. Paranoia

I'm not perfect. And was never meant to be anyway! But my understanding of this line is so appalling that something needs to be done Quick Smart.

It's like going back to school all over again. And again and again and again and again....

Boy am I grateful to have the most patient, understanding Teacher ever.