How do you tell a person he/she's doing wrong, when you know he/she won't listen? And you know people are afraid to speak up to them cause they'd be arguments which will damage the friendship. But the problem is still unquestionably there. How do you control pride (on both sides)? Loosing will only bring you back to.. well.. no point even starting the argument. So, how?

Back again in Sydney. Back again for the Hillsongs Conference. Back again for an experience called a holiday!

Last year some of us we took the budget mode of transport - the train, but proved to be quite a struggle to sleep, even for a sleepaholic like me. So this year we tried the bus instead, Bryan, Rachel and I. It was a good $50 lesser than the plane. I had time to kill, so why not. It was a 11-12 hour ride from Southern Cross to Sydney Central, but it wasn't so bad cause we had a chance to know each other.. and the sleep for me was easy, though the same cannot be said about Bryan and Rachel who had to endure my snores.

So yes. Sydney. It's hard to describe the experience this year. A different feel, more relaxing, less anticipative about the conference itself and it was great hanging out with a different bunch, namely Elisa, Yasmeen, Rachel, Bryan, Charmain and Vern.

Well, we did nothing out of the ordinary. Eat, visit places.. erm. That's about it. I met up with my sister at her place in Epping. Finally got to see it. Her BF Shaun was around, as well as my one time former classmate in CPU and neighbour - Audrey.

I'll let pictures do the talking from here.

 
Perverted eyes? Too bad you can't see the mouth.
Our night out at Lindt Cafe

Fried Mars Bar! Taken in Bondi.

Bullying Yasmeen was probably one of the funnest things I did throughout our stay in Sydney

Hanging out at Circular Quay

 
Why so moody....
Yasmeen and I were at the Sydney Aquarium

I wasn't posing in this one ok

Gerizmos in Sydney!

Sydney at night.. spectacular!

The Conference

The conference brought back alot of memories. I felt very refreshed and renewed coming here. Though overall I felt it wasn't as fantastic as last year.. it was still awesome.

The lights, backgrounds were of typical Hillsong standard - really really wow-ish. But I gotta say that the presentations and entertainment wasn't as good, particularly the opening and closing ceremonies. Last years one was so grand. Oh well, maybe they were trying to send us a message..?

During one of the sessions I sat at the same section where I sat 5 years ago. Wow.. that first time in Sydney and Hillsong was something. 5 years ago.. hmm. I remember I was on top of my game in everything. What happened to that guy?

Ah, the food. Fish market was the best. So good we went the twice. Tried a bar for cocktails at the Opera House. Fantastic. Also this french cafe at the Rocks.

Hmm.. how many cents for this one? Heh.


There was this dramatic moment at Darling Harbour where we saw a group of 8 ducklings under the protection of mother duck. Attracted quite a crowd. They came under attack by the seagulls, but I believe none were harmed..

 
Loafing at Town Hall Station

Till the next time in Sydney! Dunno when that'd be.

 

Monash Results Testimony

On the second last night of the conference we were due to receive our exam results via sms. My phone ran out of battery since the start of the day, so I wasn’t able to check till I got home late at night. Meanwhile, out having dinner with OCFers from around the country, the Monash students received their results one by one. A new friend of mine had 3HDs and 1D! STRESS.

I was worried about one subject, business law, which I retook. I felt I did much worst than the last time.. so that’s one big reason to be worried.

But I told myself no matter what, I’ll still give thanks, for whatever I’ll get and its God’s will. It has been such a though semester, going through so many struggles for OCF Berwick.. but I was sure I served Him faithfully. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that everything will be fine as long as I’ve been faithful to Him.

But I can’t help doubting myself.

Me, a guy who has a rock bottom academic track record. Do I stand a chance against this subject I failed before and did worst in? It’s only by Gods grace if I can make it out of this one. I was more concerned about the money wasted if things didn’t go well.

I went back to X-Base and found Robin in the bunk. He was asking me about my results and saw how nervous I was at checking. But he encouraged me to put my trust in Him and just accept whatever results I’ll get. I already knew that, but it’s still hard! But I really thank Robs for encouraging me. Made it easier for me to hit the “open message” button.

A sigh of great relief. Not a just a pass, but a credit for business law! And the rest were pretty much what I expected. In all - 2C’s and 2D’s (yala yala, I know your one is better). Praise God!!!

It was only till a day later during the conference did I realize that it is the best results I have so far in Monash. I was so humbled by His faithfulness and grace…

It encouraged me to never doubt Him and made me wanna go so much further for Jesus!

 

Mount Buffalo is one of the snow cap mountains located about 300-400km north of Melbourne. I camped there for a night, leaving the next morning. But it was a very enjoyable time up there despite it's briefness. A handful of us went - Joshua Khoo, Eric Ting, Joel Gn, Rong and myself.

It was a very last minute camping trip for me. I only heard about it the day before they were scheduled to go up. They've planned it for some time and I was just gate crashing. I was due to leave for Sydney on the second day of camp, so I drove there to enable myself to make an early exit. The others stayed for another day.

Mt. Buffalo was beautiful. It so happened that it snowed the day before we arrived. So when we got there we had nice and soft snow to play with.. soft enough to make a few snow balls to throw around. The same time the next day the snow was more like ice.. therefore not as fun.

I love camping. It's just so relaxing not having to worry about anything. Just hanging out in the outdoors... and slack. the place itself was cool.. literally. When we got there it was 2'c! The surprising thing is.. we didn't even feel it's cold.

When it became dark, it was another story. -5'c was the read. CRAZY! We sat around the camp fire at night for a long time. I'd say a good 4-5 hours. Our make shift heater. All we needed to do was leave the perimeter to freeze our butts of again.. or wait for a cold breeze. We talked about alot of things..... confidential though.

Jesus walked on water.. so pans and spoons can too. Lol. Nah, it's on ice.

The drive back was a long, but relaxing one. The view driving down Buffalo was breath taking. Stopped to take a few shots. It's scene's like these which makes the long drives worthwhile. So beautiful is God's creation.

BEAUTIFUL

I got home at 4pm, due to leave Southern Cross Station for Sydney at 7pm. Holiday's were well under away!