Monday, July 23, 2007
And now, the 2nd semester begins!!!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
This 1st Semester Break was actually quite eventful and crazy..needed to have a breather. It was as if I had to endure another Amazing Race episode. Overall, the trip could be divided into 5 phases :-
a) Trip to Gold Coast
b) Hillsong Conference in Sydney
c) Canberra stay
d) Back to Sydney again
e) Home Brisbane Home
Trip to Gold Coast
This was not supposed to happen. But, due to my mistake of booking a flight from Gold Coast to Sydney at such an early time (8.30am), thinking that it would be cheaper to depart from Gold Coast, we had to spend an unnecessary night at YHA Coolangatta.
Hillsong Conference in Sydney
Hillsong Conference was amazing!!!!!!!!! God totally blew me away with the awesomeness of His Word. The speakers were superb too. We had John Bevere, Brian Houston, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Jentezen Franklin, Joseph Prince and Ed Young Jr. as speakers. Furthermore, the conference showcased many popular musicians like Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman and Israel Houghton.
What I treasured most too were the group of church friends from Malaysia whom I stayed and hung out with throughout the conference. Really missed them and enjoyed their company and humour (poor Samson...!!). I'm also grateful for Vincent Chin for arranging the accommodation and transport throughout the whole conference.
Conference took a lot of energy from all of us. After it ended, we were relieved but NOT at the fact that we were gonna have to spend a night at a shady backpackers area. That whole day we were out to explore Sydney : went to Paddy's Market, Circular Quay, Rocks etc...
(the shady backpackers accommodation)
Great fun with GTAK ppl in sydney (as below)
Then, it was time for them to return to Malaysia. A part of me really wanted to join them back home but I can't. Well then, as they returned home, I packed up my bags onto the bus to Canberra.
Canberra stay
Despite the protests that surrounded me over spending 11 days in Canberrra, I was excited to head over there as I really wanted to meet my family relatives who were there. Canberra was predictably cold and chilly, but being in the company of familiar faces and culture really warmed me up inside..hehe! I visited the Old and New Parliament House, National Museum of Australia, Questacon (Science Centre), Australian War Memorial and the Royal Mint of Australia.
At home, I had the rarest chance to taste local Malaysian food after so long!! Char Kuay Teow, Mee Hun Kueh, Laksa, Bah Chang and Huat Ke....Moreover, I had the chance to savour many different types of cakes and chocolates (my dad's cousin brother studies cookery classes).
Back to Sydney again
You must think that I hadn't got enough of Sydney. I must strongly disagree as I really wanted to stay in Canberra longer. So, there I went to Sydney, another 3 hours gruelling journey by bus. I stayed in my friend's place in Chippendale. Well, this time, we visited Mrs. Macquarie's Chair (Jess actually thought it was a big big chair...haha!!) and Blue Mountains. I also surveyed the amazing architecture of the University of Sydney while I was there.
Home Brisbane Home
I was partly relieved to return to a quieter and less hustle-bustle surroundings of Brisbane. But, I regretted that the hols passed by so quickly...Nevertheless, I arrived at college at around 6.30pm.
One final thing, this whole trip was blessed by God ultimately....Without his protection, wisdom and guidance, I wouldn't know how I'd be able to make it through this trip with so many shifts in locations and surroundings.
Parents, teachers, friends. All of you have led me to this stage
God alone deserves all glory!!