DOUBLE HAPPINESS!

They might have faced many obstacles on the road,

Still, they pressed on.

They might have lost sight of their future,

Still, they held on.

They might have fallen umpteen times,

Still, they get up each time they fall.

They might have shed tears,

Still, they believe in themselves.

They might have received criticisms
during the journey,

Still, they learnt from mistakes
and keep improving.

That day, all their efforts paid off;
They stood on the stage as Champions;
Standing before everyone's eyes -- are Diamonds.
Courageous & Undaunting.

TPJC Guzheng Ensemble
- GOLD WITH HONOURS -

That night, I just couldn't hide my happiness upon receiving the news. Hence I posted up onto FB. Soon then, I received yet another comment by my successor, President of LYSS Guzheng Ensemble (2007). And that comment really makes me jump with joy.

LYSS Guzheng Ensemble
- GOLD -

These achievements are first time in our history! I can't describe that kind of feeling when you know that your juniors have done you and the team proud. Probably a word that I could think of would be:
Heart-warming.

无业游民 NO MORE!

Mingyuan, if you happen to read this, I just wanna say a big thank you! =)

Accepted the requests from firms to view my full resume as well as submitted it many times online, yet I did not receive any interview notifications from these companies (despite the fact that I meet their job requirements). During those times, I actually hoped that my mobile will ring, displaying an incoming unknown call number. Yes, there were two firms but every time they called, it was either as missed calls or I did not switch on my phone. And when I returned call, it was always listed as "User Busy". However, I never give up. I deeply remembered what Mingyuan mentioned in his personal online diary with regards to his job-hunting - ".. It wasn't easy but I held on to my beads, and I kept praying....."

During one of the special prayer meetings for Japan's monstrous disaster, I came into my realisation that I should set a precise and detailed prayer. Because the last day for the donation drive was 31 March, I decided that I must be offered a full-time job by then, with a good monthly pay (not hourly one), convenient location, 5-days work, and most importantly, it must not clashed with gakkai activites and Japanese lessons at night.

29 March, noon: I had a phone-conversation with a firm. Just when I thought everything went smoothly, the person over the phone rejected me as they do not have a temporary job position for me. Actually I didn't want that job too due to inconvenient location and job-nature. Hence after the rejection through the phone, I thought to myself that probably it's a blessing in disguise, I mustn't lose hope and win in the end no matter what. That night, I donated my last S$50 note (for Japan) which I had with me.

30 March, noon: I accepted a request from a well-known company to view my full resume. I didn't think much, just thought that it's an usual thing a company would do. It also didn't appear to me whether or not I would get the job 'cause when I clicked on the company's link, it states, "No job found". Furthermore, before that I didn't receive any calls or notifications from the companies which I had earlier accepted their requests to view my full resume. I was then prepared to leave the house for NUS to submit documents. Just when I wanna leave for the door, my mobile rang.

"Hello?"
Caller: "Hi, I'm (name). We are calling from (company's name)."
"Yeah?"
Caller: "I have just received your resume. Is it okay for you to come down for an interview later in the evening ASAP?"
"Sorry, I'm not free later as I need to submit some documents in the west."
Caller: "How about coming down tomorrow morning?"
"Okay sure. No problem. Thank you."

I just thought I would gain the experience of a job interview, nothing about whether or not I would be accepted to work there. After the submission of documents at NUS, I decided to head down to Queenstown for the interview since it's near (from Buona Vista station) and I still have time before the office closes at 6pm as well as for my Japanese class. The interview wasn't like the norm. It was more of a casual dialogue about my life and travelling time from home. The firm said that they will confirm the result of my interview by next week.

31 March, noon: I actually received two missed calls and a text message from the company, stating that I have been accepted as their staff! I've already started work yesterday (1 April). It is a full-time job, good monthly pay, direct train to work, convenient to attend gakkai activities and night classes from there, office hours, and given the opportunity to work as a permanent staff if I'd a change of mind in late July. My prayer was answered! It is a job offered to me directly by the company, and a good training platform for me to become an independent learner too! ^^

This has been a long post since the last one. Sorry to bored you guys for reading this but laugh-out-loud, I actually spent three hours typing this entry (OMG). :P

Nostalgia

"The feast of the stars, shining bright and
dreaming the same dream under the same sky.
I load my body onto this festival for the song
we will sing once more some day,
and that day is sure to come..
When the flowers fall, we will start again..
Fallen Leaves isn't a song dedicated to a beloved woman."

— @0101xiahtic (29 Nov’10, 1:25am KST)

Reminiscing

Does this bring back memories of your childhood?

I remember both my brother and I used to watch many cartoons together on KidsCentral back then. We even bought DVDs and comic books of many series. Pokemon - one of our many collections. ;D Still remember that I actually teared while watching the movie episode of Pikachu's goodbye. Pokemon was the first cartoon that is able to move a 10-year-old girl to tears. Hahaha.

P.S. I have no idea why I submitted this entry. ^^

在乱世中，寻找那一纯洁的希望。

My brother showed me this comic one night. I decided to share it here. Both of us were moved by the little girl's limitless courage to confront obstacles.

Here in East Asia, people unite and fight together to win over the monstrous disaster. However, over in Middle East and Africa, people are fighting and killing one another. The world doesn't change, people change; our mentality changes over time.

In times of crisis, would we not do anything and wait for someone to do something? Or would we be like the little girl in the comic who stands up courageously and confront the root problem? What I'm certain of is that if we do not take action, nothing will change. Yet if we tried, at least something will happen, even if the impact is minimum.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

居安思危

I couldn't sleep last night. 'cause my mind was occupied with many thoughts and worries. Worried about the safety of Ikeda Sensei, SGI/SUJ comrades, and everyone in Japan. Images of the destruction from the quake, aftershocks and tsunami flashed through my mind. ほんとうにしんぱい。

I thought that if natural disasters were to hit our tiny island, it would submerged within seconds. People would have no time to even respond. I was so worried that I almost teared. Started chanting daimoku in my heart till I fell asleep subsequently.

Feeling insecure, I sent messages and emails to all Japanese comrades after morning gongyo today, concerning over Sensei's and their safety. Fortunately, I received their responses immediately. They (including Ikeda Sensei) are all safe.

At such dark times, wealth or fame are worthless. They are being destroyed within seconds. Hope and courage are what take people further. I'm moved by Japan's calm and swift response in the face of terror of the monstrous disasters. We should stop self-pity and feeling unsatisfied about this and that, for we don't know how fortunate we actually are. There's a Chinese saying that goes, 知足常乐 - when we appreciate what we have now, we will always feel happy.

BE PREPARED. BE ALERT.
FOR THE BETTER, OR THE WORST.

Most Awesome Trip Ever.

^_^