Winds of Change

December 2, 2005- Freshman English II
December 3, 2005- Computer and Their Applications
December 7, 2005- Human Communication
December 8, 2005- Communication in the Workplace

...now, if I can just hang in there till then...
I'm so numb that I've to pretty much force myself to hit the books! I think I'm experiencing a burnout...but on the other hand, I really need to ace these papaers; my CGPA depends on them!

Oh, Lord, please help me get through this!

Posted by Naveena at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments

There's nothing better to close a dreadfully horrid week than having dinner with a jovial bunch of guys you once went to school with! Though we didn't have dinner in like some huge renown stakehouse or gourmet restaurant, good company more than made up for it. In fact dinner was just pizza and although I was, uh, fashionably late, once I sat down at the far end of the table, there was no stopping us! There was too much to catch up on since I was 'shipped off' to an all-girl high school (and I'm every bit thankful for it, don't get me wrong); I so totally missed them all!

It was supposed to be a Year 6 reunion dinner but sadly, only a few of us turned up. And as dinners like this go, the questions of the night were "So, whatca up to now?" "College" and the ultimate end- "So, got boyfriend or not?" And for most of the other girls who came, the answer to the last question was a shy "got-lah". I was probably the only one who's not attached and for some reason, they found it surprising that I was still single...wonder why.

But I would have to say the highlight of the evening was spending time with 'my boys'. Wait, before your minds wonder off to the unthinkable, let me explain. See, when I was in primary school, I was what many would term a 'tomboy'. While all the other girls in class were into clothes, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys and Sweet Valley, I was climbing trees, playing pro-yo (it was the in-thing for boys then and very few girls took interest in it) and playing "Tanker". And so, I always hung around these bunch of guys who could totally relate to me. I guess I was a 'late-bloomer'...haha. I eventually grew to like clothes and Sweet Valley and The Backstreet Boys, and most of the other girly things. Nothing much has changed, I assure you but it's not all together exactly the same either- I'm sure you know what it's like (unless of course, you're still not, uh...'bloomed'- lolz.
I'm digressing, so let's get back to the point- 'my boys'.

So yeah, it was the highlight of my night because I was so myself. Sometimes, I'm not too confortable in my own skin, being around boys- SOMETIMES- but that night, I was nothing but comfortable. Sigh, me and 'my boys'; I think we were the greatest bunch in school...and I still am the most boisterous and enrgetic girl in our class...hehe. I still remember the look on one of my friends' face when I walked into the eatery. He gave me that You're-so-different-I-can-hardly-recognize-you look and he was so stunned to see me, it was hillarious. Must've been wondering what happend to the short-haired loudmouth wild 12 year old girl I once knew 5 years ago. Well, boy, I'm still here, except I'm not 12 anymore and I no longer have short hair no more =) It's amazing what puberty can do to you huh? =)

So, thanks guys for such a wonderful night out. You have no idea how much I was looking forward to this; I was having such a bad week. Thanks Kelvin and Mei Chen for organizing this. We should do this again some time soon. Too bad Brian and Yew Mun couldn't make it.

Posted by Naveena at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments

This is what 5 years does to us- the lot of us who came

Part of them...

*insert you own caption =)*

Me and a few of 'my boys' and specifically, the fella at the extreme left- the computer wizzard of the group and the Clown is on the right in white;

Brainy and me..

The Jock and me

Posted by Naveena at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments

What a day this has been
What a rare mood I'm in
Why, it's almost like being in love

There's a smile on my face
For the whole human race
Why, it's almost like being in love

All the music of life seems to be
Like a bell that is ringing for me
And from the way that I feel
When that bell starts to peal
I would swear I was falling
I could swear I was falling
Why, it's almost like being in love!
-from the 1934 Broadway musical, Brigadoon-

*keyword: Almost; so not quite, just almost =)*

Posted by Naveena at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

-To agree or disagree; that is the question-

Posted by Naveena at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

When I was younger, I just absolutely hated to have anything to do with the rain- walking, skipping and even getting a tad bit wet from runnig to get to a sheltered place. I never did understand why this girt on TV sang a song out of it (think the 1952 musical Singing In The Rain). I mean really, what's so cool about "singing in the rain"? Was it really a "glorious feeling"? Did it really make you "happy again"?!

Now, years later, I actually ENJOY the feeling of getting wet in the rain. I don't know if the perception has changed because I'm a little older now and well, somehow water isn't just water anymore (think advertisements- the kind that portray people walking in the rain and enjoying it).

I was on my way to church when it was raining cats and dogs. The church basement carpark was full and so I had to park my car at quite a distance (you'd feel it's a distance too if it was raining THAT heavily) and walk. Perhaps it was a good thing I decided not to wear sneakers that day. My sandals were getting slippery and so I had no choice but to remove it and walk barefooted. So, there I was, my brown handbag strapped to my left shoulder, my trusty bible and sandals in one hand and the umbrella in the other, and jeans folded up to my knees. and I ACTUALLY didn't mind getting a little wet and in fact, loved walking barefoot! I was "happy again" and I thik I even found myself humming a tune. I think I finally understand what a friend was talking about when she said what a joy it is to walk in the rain.

And when I finally made my way into the church building, I didn't care taht my hair was all icky, or that my t-shirt sleeve was drenched, or that my feet were dirty from walking in the mud (at some spots); and I know God didn't mind either =)...
I was feeling a lot happier that when I was driving. While driving, I was telling God how much I hate the getting wet in the rain- the whole journey and was askingHim to make it stop.

So now, I don't mind the rain. At times I love it!

Posted by Naveena at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare!
Yes, that is the sentence that's been running through my head all day. It's that Simple Plan song-lah.
Yes, I'm STILL a kid and I've never been shy to admit it, so sue me! =)
Today has been as absolutely horrid day...wish I had Ben & Jerry to help cheer me up.
But instead, I get Frederick Taylor, Henri Fayol, Max Weber and Karl Marx; men who came up with stupid workplace managemet structure theories SIX decades ago, that so don't apply in today's working world!...and they were probably bald and not handsome.
I don't wish to explain waht I've just said, just know that I've had better days.

Posted by Naveena at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

...IN NEED OF AN A-HA MOMENT!
...IN NEED OF A BREAKTHROUGH IN MY ASSIGNMENT! ARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

Posted by Naveena at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments

I was just reading a friend's blog while waiting for one of my assignments to be printed out (yes! one down, two more to go...) and I thought I'd write a sort-of response to it because amazingly enough, she seems to be echoing my sentiments for the past few days with her last few blog entries. Or maybe it is I who am actually echoing her sentiments...well, whatever it is, I take comfort in the fact that I'm not the only one who feels the way I feel and have been feeling in the last week.

I truly understand what she means when she said how good it feels to come back home. Honestly, with all the craziness of assignments, presentations and preparing for a soon to come quiz, I trully felt so good inside when I came home from church today. In fact, I am glad I made the choice to go to church today because I really needed to hear these words: "Come back home my daughter" (or something along that line) from my heavenly father. I may not have HEARD God say that in his loud thunderous voice (well, thanks to Moses- the guy who parted the Red Sea with His help- I still think that God has got this really loud deep voice...though I know He's got that still small one as well...and...oh dear, please STOP me!) but I felt His presence and I can't tell how lovely that was...words definitely aren't enough to describe.

It's funny how I've always questioned God where He was when I needed Him. I mean, I'm talking frustrated-can't get through another assignment-why did I get such bad grades kind of 'shouting' at God at the fact that I thought He wasn't there. The reality is that I never really took the time to LOOK for him after asking Him that. Today, I found out that He was ALWAYS there...I just didn't see Him coz I was probably too busy wallowing in self-pity. Today, I was reminded that He still loves me, as messy/wrecked as I am and that no one forgives like Him.

So, Lord, here I am- back Home...YOUR home... where I actually belong and oh, how I've missed it. It really and amazingly good to be back! So yeah, I DO understand what it feels like to return home and to ahve someone who's ALWAYS loving you, no matter the cause and cost! And what I feel this moment is very aptly put in the lyrics of this song because I'm very much lost in his love and arms of grace and compassion:

Amazing grace that touched my heart
Anointing me to worship
Amazing grace that causes me
To stand in awe and sing

I reach out to You
Your hand of love, it conquers me
Calling to You
To the glory of Your name

I am falling for You
Run into Your presence
Falling into the arms of grace
I will call up on heaven
Just to see Your face
I’m lost in Your love
Amazing Grace
(Planet Shakers; I don't know who wrote the song;()

Posted by Naveena at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments

It's been so long since I last came here (and neither did a lot of other people, I realize). It's definitely time for an entry! Although I went away during the festive break, I really didn't get much of a holiday (that day will only come after my finals) but instead, I had to work on assignments. Nonetheless, I was relieved not to go for classes. Sometimes, just waking up to attend classes is enough to tire me so the thought of not having to go just turns my mood. Plus, I save so much time on traveling!

This has been one really hectic week and those of you who study with me will have to agree with me just because our program has this wretched system of making us hand in all our assignments and do our presentations around the same time. So at the momment, these are the few things that are keeping me going:
~about 4 hours of sleep a day
~the fact that I don't have to take the public transport to college
~Cafe 21- thanks to Serena. (you were right girl. It tastes soooo much better than black coffee. I can see why you're addicted =))
~my mixed CDs
~wunnerful times I spend in quiet talking/singing to God; just being with Him, knowing he's around me, keeping me awake =)
~the peacefullnes of the wee hours of the morning
~and right now, this very second, the big baggy t-shirt and favorite pair of shorts I'm wearing. comfy, Comfy, COMFY!!

Alrighty then, now I'm off to get started on my assignment.
*rubs hands together, blows on fingertips and 'dives' fingers onto the keyboard*

Posted by Naveena at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments