there’s no pretense.

I just got back from Thailand last Sunday morning. Battleking was alright this time, even a little fun. At least the weather wasn’t as hot as it was during February.

This is not the purpose of this post though. The purpose of this is well, below.

Salvation to me
is the start of a brand new chapter in my life. It is the beginning of a relationship that lasts forever.

Salvation to me
is knowing that my life is in His control. It’s the assurance that no matter what happens today or tomorrow, good or bad, is part of a greater plan that will not fail, because He does not fail.

Salvation to me
is a gift. It’s not earned by works or words. Neither is it by offerings or sacrifices. By grace we are saved.

Salvation to me
is about second chances, and third chances, and fourth chances, no matter how many times I need will them.

Salvation to me
means that I am no longer living for myself, but for a higher purpose and being.

Salvation to me
is my reason for trying to be a better person, day by day, believing that a good tree bears good fruit.

Salvation to me
is acknowledging that He is Lord, and He has the final say.

Salvation to me
is my confidence that come what may, a little mustard seed of faith will move mountains.

Salvation to me
is having received so that I can give, being loved so that I can love, made whole so that I can help, and being blessed so that I can bless. It is the giving to others of what I have received from it.

Salvation to me
means that I’m never alone. It is having a friend to share your weal and woe with.

Salvation to me
is precious and it teaches me to be thankful that though freely given, is not permanent and not to be taken for granted. It is not cheap grace.

Salvation to me
is basically knowing that He loves me. (:

If there is one thing I look forward to after I ORD from the army, it’ll be going abroad to study. UK or Australia, whatever. Anywhere out of Singapore will be good. I just want to be somewhere alone. I feel so sick of Singapore already.

I want to travel, go to places I’ve never been before. See the world! Vancouver, Taiwan, Italy, London, France, Holland, Germany. I want to go to all those places the game Geo Challenge on Facebook displayed. Maybe that’s why I like the game so much.

Perhaps I’m running away. Away from the things I don’t want to do anymore, away from people, away from this same old lifestyle. I want something different, something I’ve never experienced before, something refreshing. A new life, a new beginning, start over, no worries, no commitments, no ties, no bindings. My own life.

But it’s not just that. Networking, a foreign degree, experience, knowledge, all this I will gain. I want to be successful in what I do. It’s for my future, it’s what I want now.

People tell me they can’t bear to leave behind all the relationships and ties and whatever they have in Singapore, but I’m not that kind of guy. I not the type of person who will find it hard to leave things like that behind. I can let things go, easily. Family, friends, relationships, church, lifestyle. No problem. I’m the kind of person who is totally comfortable alone and doing things alone. In fact I like being alone. I don’t think there’s any problem sitting alone in the canteen and eating my lunch when everyone else around me are in groups. I won’t feel like a loner. I’m confident, sure of myself.

To figure out what I want to do in life, what kind of life I want to lead, to understand myself better. No outside influences, no pressure. Just what I want and what I want to do. Me, myself and I.

So the two week exercise in Thailand has come to an end. I can’t say it has been torturous, but it’s not a piece of cake either. Here’s the 16 days in the nutshell.

A two hour flight there, followed by a 2-3 hour bus ride to our lodging place.
Baths are done with a pail, a scoop, and drain water.
Outfield started on the third day.
Thailand’s afternoon is freaking hot. All the talk about it being colder than usual this cold season in Thailand? Bullshit.
A break midway. Got to bathe, though the water was.. green.
Got a chance to shoot despite a little disruption.
Outfield ended.
End-of-frame dinner. Heineken is dirt cheap in Thailand.
R&R, was hot, rushed, and not exactly fun.
A two hour flight back, home sweet home.

So there you go. Thailand. I can’t deny that I really learnt a lot though. New friends were made, old friendships were strengthened. I would like to go back again the next time, despite the heat and crap to learn more. And the next time I go, I’ll make sure I bring more money. (:

There. I’m back.

Taiwan was great! I just love the cold weather! It’s just so amazing how you can be shopping in a busy night market with so many people squeezing and pushing and yet feel like you are in an air-conditioned room. I didn’t really buy a lot of stuff. Just some tops, jeans and a belt. All from the cheap night markets.

The food was great. I don’t know why but I love their rice. If I’m not wrong it’s Japanese rice or something like that. I’m not sure, but their rice was just good. The grains were smaller than the ones in Singapore. Hmm I don’t really know how to describe it but ya you get my point.

Taiwanese food is cheap too. The exchange rate was S$1 = NT$21. Somewhere around there. It’s quite weird because you’re paying like NT$20 for something and you feel it’s expensive at first, but after you do the converting it’s not. I guess that’s because I’m not used to it. In Singapore it’ll just be S$1. So it’s quite intimitating when you are shopping and you enter into a shop and see stuff selling at NT$27900. Seems like a lot huh? It’s actually only around S$1328. It was some coat selling in Ralph Lauren. The prices are around the same as that in Singapore.

Most stuff are cheaper in Taiwan than Singapore. Cigarettes, beer. They’re not taxed as much in Taiwan as in Singapore. A can of Heineken only costs NT$45 in 7-11. That’s only around S$2 plus. Oh did I mention Taiwan is conquered by 7-11? There’s one everywhere you go. Not a place without it. There’s is only thing though that shocked me. A cup of grass jelly cost NT$30. In Singapore it’s less than a dollar. Maybe it’s because I bought it in some huge shopping place. Ximending.

I went to some theme park in Taiwan as well. It wasn’t really scary, but it was the first time I tried out some of the rides. The one which brings you up high and let’s you drop down all the way and a lot more. So cool. Not to mention the entrance fee is so cheap. NT$150 if I’m not wrong. Way better than Escape Theme Park in Singapore.

Oh and the places which we went that were not cold (Kaohsiung, and some other places), the wind is so strong it doesn’t even matter that you’re under the hot sun. The wind really makes it hard to walk. So imagine how strong it is.

The tour guide we had was simply great. According to some people from the places we went to, he is one of the top ten model tour guides in Taiwan. His name is Alan, and I’m glad we had him. He was fun and outgoing, really made the trip enjoyable, not to mention he always have so many things so say. Never-ending flow of words. He told us a lot about Taiwan during the trip, and he really has a lot of crappy jokes.

I’m too lazy to type out what happened and all, and I’m also too lazy to upload all the photos up here, but I had a great time. Definitely not forget this trip.

Today is the last day of 2007. I can’t say this year has been a really great year for me. So no reflections and everything. I’m just waiting for tomorrow, a brand new year, and the start of something new.

No I’m not in Taiwan now, but I will be in around 14hours time. It’s 2.25am now. Got to be at the airport at 10am, flight’s at 12pm, and touchdown’s at 4.35pm if I’m not wrong. It’s a 4.5 hours flight.

Can’t say I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be missing so many things. Christmas in Singapore, cell group appreciation night.. I’d rather be in Singapore actually. On the other hand, it’s not so bad after all. I am looking forward to all the FOOD, all the shopping, and maybe some fun, I hope.

It’s winter in Taiwan now. I’m not sure if it will snow (does Taiwan snow?), but it’s going to be cold. Yeah. A one week tour. Tours suck. Yes they plan out everything for you, save you all the trouble, but you don’t get the best out of the country. I tell out what I’ll be visiting a lot: Temples. Why the hell will I want to go temples?! No offense but to look at some stupid lifeless idols?! I don’t go temples! Gosh. Tours suck. Period.

I’ll be back on the 30th. Guess I can’t continue spamming Heroes until I come back. Oh well. I hope I can find some way to go online in Taiwan. I’ll see.

Till then!