Years of my Youth.
A walk with God (:Archive for January, 2008
Os and more.
O- Level Results
(: Thank God for the straight As, and especially for the A1s for English and Literature in English (a wild dream realized!! PASSION IS SUPREME!!!)! This means that i’m officially qualified to kiss Ms. Jacob (My Lit & Eng teacher)!
Okay, the story: On one steamy afternoon, Yewei (btw, she got 8 A1s and net 2 points for L1R5. 
Rocker dude!!) and i pursued Ms. Jacob in a desperate attempt to raise our English standards (i was mostly a B4 Eng student). After receiving a string of advices, i blurt out in a state of delirium (probably from lethargy and the afternoon heat), “Ms. Jacob, if i get an A1 for English for Os, i’ll kiss you!” i thought that would position her in a state of shock, but quiet on the contrary, she replied with a sweet voice, “Well, i will be looking forward to that kiss.” After a few months, during a Literature “lecture” that encompassed at least 3 classes (i.e. about 120 students), she announced through the microphone that i’ll be kissing her should i get A1 for both English and Literature. Silence. Giggles. Whispers… Rachel said that i should not be so “loose”.
Well, with such a crowd of witnesses, i got to fulfill my promise. However, i didn’t manage to do it on result release day because i forgot all about it, and spent time with dear Charmaine in the Hall and went to the Prayer Room with Nicole, Jieyi, Rachel and Valerie to give thanks. Hence, i need to somehow find a time to make my way back to SNG again to fulfill my promise. Probably when the O-Level Cert is ready for collection.
On a more subdued note, I did not do excellently well for Add Maths, Sciences and more tragically, Higher Chinese was an A2 too. In the end my L1R5 was a raw 8 and net 4. It’s sufficient for me to remain in ACS! The failure to attain the standard of excellence will drive me to work harder and smarter in IBDP, so it is a good thing after all!
i’ve just submitted my JAE application. ACS (I) remains as my one and only choice out of twelve. Pardon my ultra-subjectivity, but i seriously think and feel that no other school comes close to her. Incommensurable, that’s it. (;
Really got to give thanks to God for inspiring me and guiding me, especially during the Literature papers where i was empowered to write coherently in breakneck speed, something i could never accomplish with my own strength. The results are testimonies of His grace and hope for me; He has honored my hard work and egged me on towards betterment (for there is still much room for improvement).
More importantly, i’m grateful for the brothers and sisters i’ve gained in FireAC. There were so many sincere prayers (offered alone at home & in Primers’ Room, over the phone, spontaneously within the campus etc), words of assurance & encouragement, SMSes of concern & congratulations (more than 50 of them)… and the paid celebration “feast” at Wah Chee!!
Most importantly, i give thanks for the hopes and promises of the future in ACS. What a strenuous (the word God gave last year for me in the context of ACS was “stretch”) experience spiritually, psychologically, mentally, socially and physically it is going to be!
The burden is the call. When you feel something wrenching in your heart, you know you are ready to do something for God.
- Pastor Lia
:D
Wow, what a fulfilling week i’ve had!
Monday
* Daniel’s sharing during FireAC resonated with the devotion i had the night before!
* Took Jieyi’s amusing personality test. The results turned out to be hot.
* Met Ping and David Crawshaw(a guy with narcissistic complex. HA) in the library during break, and embarked on a Crawshaw Tour around the campus. A Sir asked him, “Where are you bringing the ladies?”, and said that he would keep an eye on him after warning us not to let him take us to dark rooms. We ended up in the Debate room where he tried to give me a Christian name while Ping was studying her Theater Arts notes, “…Sarah, the wife of Abraham? Mary, the mother of Jesus? Ruth? Esther? …How about Bathsheba?” 0_o
~Sign. It’s so inconvient to have a name that is difficult to pronounce. Others will try to name you or address you differently. Alistair (a guy from Chinese A2 class) tried to convince me that my name is actually Sarah, Madam (a Indian lady) who teaches me History told me to “better get accustomed to your new name”, which is Xue (read Swee), Mr Charles Ng (our BB Officer) tried to “knight” me with the title Stephanie before settling for Miss Xu….~
*Outreach was smooth and relatively effective. It can be much better!
Tuesday
* My dream subject combination was granted, and i found out that it was the one and only in the entire cohort! Allocated to 5.17 Philippians. The last class with the weirdest subject combinations, the only Y5 class that is on level 3 (“cut off from civilization”), and the Non-intact class of all non-intact classes.
* Attended the first English A1 tutorial and was absolutely amazed by the intelligence, piercing perception and eloquence of my classmates who are either prized debaters, or Literature toppers (who scored 24/25 for EOY commentaries), or aspiring lawyers. There’s so much more for me to learn!
* Met up with Yewei and Bingqing at Orchard MRT before heading towards Taka to wait for Bixing who came back from Japan for a short stay. She’s more wild than ever, with revealing dress, hair extension, manicure that took 4 hours and cost S$300, and a generous boyfriend who treated us all for dinner. However, i sensed a sense of disillusionment beneath all that glamour… and it was particularly difficult to bid her farewell.
Wednesday
* Switched to 5.10 Samuel due to a clash in timetable.
* Attended another English A1 class due to the change. Madam was especially creative and zesty. One of the many things she discussed with us while annotating poems was that knowing a woman in the Biblical sense is also a spiritual experience. (;
* First Economics class. Love it!
Thursday & Friday
* Homework started to pile up, began to mug on the way, and study in the Library after school.
* Realized that there will no longer be any white space left and time has to be managed well.
* Transferred back to my first English A1 class. (:
* First TOK tutorial. Interesting!
Saturday!
* Primers’ Cycling Trip at Pulau Ubin! The highlight of the week!!
Thanks to the chivalrous patience of Mr Charles Ng, intellectual encouragment from Mr Marc Ho (Macho), Mr Nicholas Chen’s “tsks” and “aiyos” that provoked me sharpened my will to succeed, and the concerned attention from fellow Primers, i can finally cycle!! This, i believe, is the first of many essential life skills i’ll learn through my days in BB.
Learning to cycle was a deplorable yet invigorating experience. The Officers took turns to lead me on a tandem bicycle which proved to be a severe torture for them, especially for Charles who cycled over slopes. Later, i switched to a single bike and took extremely long to cycle forward. Thank God that apart from legs that looked as if they had been subjected to physical abuse (mostly through a headlong fall into the sideway bushes), there was no other serious injuries, and no shedding of blood. (:
i find the Officers inspiring. They lead lives that are rooted in God, and glorify God. Charles just graduated from Jesus College in the Oxford University, Macho and Nic are studying in NUS and the former is in Medical School. However, to them, all these achievements pales in comparision to the knowledge of the Lord, and they give themselves to the work of the Lord with good cheer. (:
* On the way back to school from Pulau Ubin, i asked Kenneth about Lenin since he’s a passionate and excellent History student. Guess what, throughout the long trip he gave a few other Y5s and i a lecture on Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini (their rise to power, policies, ideologies etc) and touched on Wars! Amazing, what an ENFJ!!
* Met Jeremy and Raquel at Payar Lebar MRT and passed them the Ignite wrist bands.
* Returned library books, and dated mum for dinner.
Today
* Went for morning service. Pst. Joakim Lundqvist preached out of Daniel, a sermon that is to be carved in the heart.
O Level results will be released next week. i feel calm. Reckon it’s because God had assured me through Audrey when she said that if God wants me to be in the school, i will be. Hope i can remain with MOE scholarship!
Precious Moments.
The first full week of the new year is lovely, made up of a kaleidoscope of ignited, defining and precious moments.
i love the bridging courses. They were made alive by the dedication and passion of competent teachers and seniors (Samuel Chan and another senior came back to school to give us a presentation on TOK). Formal lessons will begin next week. Homework and assessments will come like tsunami, other school commitments will soon be put on our shoulders like rocks in the days ahead, that’s the reality of ACIB life of which i had been warned. However, i will not regret even when pressure threatens to swallow me alive because no one forced me to take this road, i chose it with conviction and volition. At the end of the day, i’ll say, “It’s all worth it. Thank You God!”
i love the fun times i had with friends. Like what Mrs. Goh said back in SNG, it’s more interesting to have boys around, they can come up with the most senseless jokes and all. By the way, contrary to the popular belief that ACS boys are snobbish and spolit brats, i find them amicable and some even chivalrous (help you carry things, offer to buy you drinks and stuffs etc etc). i like the fact that girls form a minority group; we’re more cherished and bond more easily among ourselves. (:
Most of all, i love the times spent with fellow Christians in the presence of God. FireAC morning devotion/ fellowship makes it so easy for me to wake up at five every weekday morning (which used to be mission impossible). i love the carefully and lovingly planned Monday Chapels, morning devotions during assembly and Dr. Ong’s (a God-fearing principal) prayers for the school. i look forward to the worship, prayer meetings and Outreach conducted by FireAC. 
ACS, besides being a gateway to top universities in the world, is also a spiritual training ground!
On Thursday evening, after Outreach, i made my way to the bus stop with Kenneth, Amanda (seniors), and Jeremy. When i looked across the street at the Clock Tower, a grateful realization overtook me powerfully. i was so amazed, for it all seemed so surreally wonderful. The place where i longed to be is now the place where i am in, the people whom i looked up to from afar are now my leaders, comrades and friends… and after more than 2 years of abeyance, the opportunities to participate actively in others-centered good works that have eternal implications present themselves before me by the grace of God.
Had an early dinner with Yassy and Ruoen on Friday evening. How awesome it was! Yassy, if you are reading this, i thank you for encouraging and ministering to me in the Lord. You have taught me three important lessons through the casual conversations we shared. i will always treasure them in my heart and mind.
Firstly, i have learnt that excellence is no mere result, it is more of a process, an attitude. With this knowledge, i will uphold this attitude and will never give it up even when desired results fail to show up for a prolonged period. Secondly, you have taught me that tedious administration is an act of love. A leader is someone with a heart big enought to acccomodate many people, and he administers to make the people’s lives more comfortable and effective, out of sheer love for each and every one of them. Thirdly, you have demonstrated that it is good and right to trust in God with all our hearts. Thank you for sharing your interesting life stories, especially the one about you and your future husband. (; It’s so clear that God is taking good care of us. Overall, i’m inspired to grow so close to God that i feel His promptings and hear His voice distinctly the way you do.
Life is so much richer now with the heightened awareness that God is faithfully working in our lives. Every moment is infused with purpose, meaning and hope. We’re living in revival!
IB’s IB results release!
PRAISE BE TO GOD!
WOOHOOHOO!! The Initial Batch has obtained such a fulgent results in the 2007 International Baccalaureate Examination!
*Overall pass rate: ~99.73% (only 1 person did not get the diploma)
This pass rate places ACS(I) 2nd in the whole wide world (ahem, the 1st has a grand total of 9 candidates)
*Average points: ~39.37% (the point of admission to Oxford is 38 points)
ACS(I) ranks 3rd the world in terms of this.
*100% of the 39 subjects offered in ACS(I) obtained results higher than world average.
*More than half of the candidates got 40 points and above (which means they can go to Oxbridge and the Ivy League).
ACS(I) has produced 54% of the world’s top scorers!
*Perfect(45) scorers: 9
ACS(I) alone has produced 45% of the world’s perfect scorers!
Indeed, like Dr. Ong said, ACS has found favour in the sight of our LORD, and the He has been gracious to us. “To GOD be the glory!”
Jia Yi passed me more than S$200 worth of textbooks. She rocks man, carrying books that are larger and heavier than encyclopedias to school just for my friend and i. Indebted to her big time… Happy to know that she did very well for IBDP. The world is at her feet now, in a sense! ((:
Tomorrow is declared an ACS (I) holiday! (Wow, that’s fast huh?)
Thank you GOD, for rewarding the boldness and faith of the pioneers. You are truly a GOD of abundance, one who gives more than what we ever hoped for or imagined!
End of the ACS-iting Orientation.
The closing ceremony on Friday night marked the end of 3 incredible days of Year 5 ‘08 Orientation. The days were filled with exhilaration, laughter and revelation. i’ve spent a grand total of more than 24 hours in school and nearly 28 hours with fellow ACSians in 2 days (went to Holland Village after the closing buffet dinner for OG Bonding [OG 12 totally rocks!])! WOOHOO!!
The sensational girls’ conduct talk by our glamorous and vibrant Deputy Principal, a sober warning from another female senior admin staff, the formal declaration of intellectual honesty, mass dancing & watching the spontaneous super hot B-boying session in the Audi, cheering on the Astroturf, waiting for our turns to get a shower cubicle in the spacious shower room (with huge shower heads and warm water), chatting with new friends on public buses during ACS-iting race in town, watching juniors playing squash in enclosed courts, jokes the guys created, playing silly games with OG mates in the SAC, more games in Holland V…… all these will be memories that last. The Orientation has certainly achieved its purpose of increasing my understanding and love for the school. (:
i might be the Chinese emcee for CNY this year!
Lessons will commence next week with TOK, EE and Group1-6 subject bridging. My dream subject combination is :
HL: English A1, Biology, Mathematics.
SL: Chinese A2, History, Economics.
This is a very unique combination, so i’ll be in an non-intact class for sure. Hope i can get it!
Jia Yi will come back to school to collect her IB Diploma next Monday, and pass me her textbooks (Yay!). The initial batch did very well in the IBDP examinations as Dr. Ong was seen smiling from ear to ear in school today (result was released today). Soon the whole nation will know through SPH, and ACS will be much more sought after. By the way, RJC is toying with the idea of taking IB now, base on the Papers. HA.
i have been attending FireAC since Thursday, and must say that it is utterly refreshing and heartening to uncover a brand new day with worship, prayer and fellowship. There is so much potential within the Ministry, it’ll be a privilege to be a part of the team that brings this potential to fruition!
i have decided on my CCA already. It’s a great one with impressive tradition, outstanding achievements (the Crème de la crème in Singapore), seniors whom i admire and respect very much (just realized that one man of God was a top GEPer who always receives awards with trays!!), a passionate and committed mentor (Mr. Ng) who jealously protects and ameliorates its culture. Most importantly, it is God and others centered. This is a CCA that will enable me to draw near to God, work closely with like-minded people for the good of the community, and be thoroughly equipped for good works in the near future. Mr. Ng wants more girls within this special CCA who will become “Alpha females” that soften the MCPs. i believe he’s referring to girls who are tough and competent yet not without virtuous feminine attributes.
Thank you Lord, for the wonderful people i’ve met in the new year, and every bit of life right now. Strengthen us oh God, so when the going gets tough, we will get going by your power and grace.
First day of ACS-ploration!
The first day of school was a blast!
Apart from the intitial pinch of awkwardness that is mostly inevitable during a transition from an all-girls’ school to one that is close to an all-boys’ school, and the minor grief at the high prices of food (miss SNGS already) and stuffs, the experience was great.
The OG i’m in is 5.12 Proverbs, with amiable OGLs, an interesting mix of boys, and 6 of us from different schools (only 1 girl was from a co-ed school). Hope we can bond closer together in the days ahead!
The programmes was interesting and enriching, especially the exalted Chapel service, the awe-inspiring yet lighthearted ACS Talk by Mr. Chew and the games. (: i felt the great tradition, rich heritage and the uplifting culture within the school. It is a truly a blessing and honour to be a part of it!
Oh ya, Yangzhengnites unite, i met Benjamin Chong and Jeremy Sim today! The former’s facial features have not changed since primary school (not that he has a baby face, he matured earlier i think), and the later invited me to FireAC tomorrow!
Thank you God for today and for the brighter days ahead!
A New Horizon!
Hosanna
I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing
[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest x2
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees
We’re on our knees
[Chorus]
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I walk from earth into Eternity
[Chorus] x2
Hosanna in the highest.
It’s so awesome to spend the last and first moments of 2007 and 2008 among a great assembly of idealists in Christ, in worship, and in the Presence of the Almighty!
Dear LORD, i dedicate this blog, and all my days in 2008 into Your hands. Please grant me a double portion of Your anointing for this challenging and exciting new year. i long to draw closer to You, love more sacrificially, reach out more effectively, live life more fruitfully and be a much purer and brighter testimony in the days ahead. LIKE NEVER BEFORE!!
School starts tomorrow! WOOHOO! ACS, here i come!!
