HAPPY!!! August 9, 2008

YAY!!! I think that I had the greatest birthday celebration yesterday!!!

Thank you to all of those who sent really nice birthday messages, cards and gifts, I shall cherish them all for life!

Actually, I thought that no one in school would remember my birthday, but they all surprised me when they came up to me with really cheerful birthday wishes! Hmm… Somehow I think word gets around… There are probably lots of tattletales around the place, I must be careful…

I must admit that on my birthday, everybody is especially nice! (: At midnight, some people would send really nice birthday wishes, albeit some a little too early. Who cares? I love them all! Funny how people send them in the wee hours of the morning too! I was rudely awoken by one!

Haha My class is incredibly insane! They surprised me during chemistry. Thanh and Ganesh told me that Mrs Saw wanted me to go down to the staff room to collect some form, but when we were there, Thanh “recieved” a call from “Mrs Saw” saying that she was still in class and would give it to us later. When we got back to class, Ms Baljeet asked Jeslyn if she was ready and Phu began to play “Happy Birthday” with a tiny xylophone and then the whole class broke into singing “Happy Birthday” to me! After that Mitchell went up to the board and pulled up the projecter screen to reveal “HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEFANIE, HAPPY BEIJING OLYMPICS”. I think I almost died of laughing inside. Nevertheless, I was touched! They are so thoughtful and incredibly cute! (:

The CF celebration rocked too! I went to the LT a little earlier than usual because I had no where else to go. Andrea would not let me near her so I kept my distance and started playing on the keyboard. It was after the nurture group session that it happened. I was sitting there with my nurture group after a really interesting discussion on our self-image and we were just talking casually when suddenly everyone around started singing “Happy Birthday” and Janice came and presented me with a birthday cake with my name on it! It was such a wonderful moment that I felt like I was on top of the world! I am so happy that I have wonderful friends who are so thoughtful and kind! (: Andrea then presented me with a bottle with lots of messages attached to it from the comm! Such a cute idea, it even had a story written on it! (:

Thanks loads comm! Your messages were very thoughtful and it caused my heart to feel strangely warmed! Thanks for putting so much effort into making my birthday feel so special!

Afterwards, I had to go home for my family celebration! Not everybody was there by the time I arrived home, perhaps it was because my father warned them that I was going to late!

John was so nice! He got me a present which he wrapped ever so artistically and made some really delectable western delights for my birthday like salmon and mushrooms. He spent most of the afternoon on his off day to prepare for my birthday dinner! Thanks John, I think I will attempt to make some creme brulee soon! (:

Afterwards, everybody came and they wished me “happy birthday! We ended up watching the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It was superb, with the massive number of performers and the exceptional display that they put on! My dad commented that the person who coordinated the entire event probably did not have any sleep for the last 4 years!

I am still really happy today! The memory of such a wonderful 17th birthday would definitely last a lifetime! Thanks to all of you who made this day so memorable and meaningful! I love you all! (:

Changing August 6, 2008

Everything is changing so quickly around me and I am feeling astounded by the life that is constantly evolving. The best thing is that all these events are happening simultaneously and there is so much knowledge and experience to glean from all of them, most of these things we can’t be aware of due to the limitations of our minds but God knows all of it, down to every last detail. The knowledge of that is so astonishing, yet comforting and I haven’t been able to get over the feeling of being watched over by God everyday.

God’s beloved. How does that sound? It gives me the cosy feeling as though I were a child cuddled up in a protective father’s arms and I can rest in peace knowing that he would take care of me.

Perhaps, in light of knowing that we all we can know would be like a grain of sand along an entire beach, a great wave of humility washes over me. There’s so much that I don’t know and stuff that I will never know, but I can learn from everyone around me. Everyone has a story to tell, everyone has something to offer no matter how great or how small. I am grateful to God for giving each of us talents, gifts that come in all shapes and sizes.

I hope to make this week good (:

Thankful August 5, 2008

In a few short days, I will be turning 17. The thought of that makes me shudder, I haven’t got enough of being 16 yet. I only have 365 and a quater days to declare that I am of this wonderful age and the priviledge of doing that is going to be gone in less than 3 days! I can’t deny the fact that I am sad that I am growing up too quickly!!!

Nevertheless, I am still thankful to God for all that he has done for me in the past year that he has showered innumerable blessings on me. I think that I have grown faster in the past half a year, more than I would have imagined to be possible.

Having a serious problem with expression, I have summarised how I feel about growing a year older into a song. It’s the Birthday Song by Corrine May, listen to it k? (:

The Birthday Song by Corrinne May

Don’t worry about that extra line
That’s creeping up upon your face
It’s just a part of nature’s way to say you’ve grown a little more
Trees have rings and thicker branches
Kids shoes get a little tighter
Every year we’re getting closer to who we’re gonna be
It’s time to celebrate the story of how you’ve come to be

Happy Birthday, my friend
Here’s to all the years we’ve shared together
All the fun we’ve had
You’re such a blessing
Such a joy in my life
May the good Lord bless you
And may all your dreams come true

So light a candle on your cake
For every smile you’ve helped create
For every heart and every soul you’ve helped to grow
A little more
A few more pounds, a little more grey
Don’t count the years, just count the way
It takes a little time to go from water into wine
Don’t ever lose the wonder of that child within your eyes

Happy Birthday, my friend
Here’s to all the years we’ve shared together
All the fun we’ve had
You’re such a blessing
Such a joy in my life
May the good Lord bless you
And may all your dreams come true

I’m a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapour in the wind. I will not be here forever, all my possessions are fleeting, fading but You will be here forever. You are the everlasting. I love you God (: