Hello there again.
Sorry I started off badly. But as of this moment I am pretty sure I'm done with all I have to do already.
Which is a good thing.
What in the world happened during the month of November?
Firstly exams. I'm glad to say I have passed everything. And that I will be graduating on the 19th of Dec if all goes well.
Second convention. Convention made me discover a lot about myself. And my life here in Adelaide. So I shall take a short reflection.......
So a long time ago...........
High school.

This is how I looked back in high school. A bit different yes.
Back when I was about 16-17, I was a melancholic person. I pretty much hated the world, how it ran and how people were all automatons, just going along with the flow, getting a job and slowly working your way up and all that. I wanted to be different. I didn't want to be typical. I enjoyed being creative, being original, coming up with ideas, discussing different philosophies of life. I didn't want a 9-5 job, I remember having a dream of forming a band and touring the world. Yea kinda hippie. I was always listening to music, especially those with emo lyrics. But I got depressed frequently, lost with my life direction (I thought it was meaningless) and I was always questioning God and His ways and at many a times, I struggled with the fact that God was actually good. Or the fact that He actually existed.
With constant pressure from surroundings and parents to do well in school, I worked hard enough do get into college although I didn't believe in the system at all. I did had some good times, many of them I realized only after I had left. To be honest when I left, I was happy to go. I hated all the rules and regulations that came with the uniform.
In college, I began to lighten up more. I began to be a little more extroverted. I would admit I had an awesome bunch of friends to mix with which help a lot. But I still always had my quiet moments where I just feel like not talking at all.

I look a little more like I do now back in SAM.
I had great fun and I enjoyed the greater degree of freedom, especially with the car where I could just drive anywhere anytime. My parents are pretty liberal on where I go, which I am thankful for. I managed to expose myself more to the world, both the good and bad sides. I wouldn't say I know a lot, but I've been to the dark side. Yes yes all that corruption. This kinda continued on through to Uni days. Yes I got more worldly. From being a rebel of the world, I began to accept it and embrace it.
So I began a more happy go lucky life with zero responsibilities, just going with the flow and being blessed at the same time. A little more self indulgent and a little more self confidence. And of course more self love and pride.
I was sad to leave, and I actually wanted to go to Melbourne, but my parents wanted me to be in Adelaide. Partly because they don't exactly trust me to go to a foreign land alone, my sister wasn't around. Right now I am very thankful I came to Adelaide. Not because its great, but because of the experiences I had. I probably would have gotten corrupted even more in Melbourne........ you'll see me smoking pot and hanging out at strip joints. Seriously.
Then I came to Adelaide.
My first year in Adelaide was a really good experience. Again I got expose to different cultures and people, in Lincoln College and also in OCF. I made so many new friends, both young and old, from different professions and backgrounds. First year was the year to try out many different things.

This is a picture of O-week in 2006.
So the first time was always great. I remember joining so many events, participating and feeling welcomed. I was touched by the efforts of the seniors in making my stay here so much better. I decided to take up roles of responsibilities.
Of course this from a person that knows nothing about responsibilities. I am what Shelley Chee would call a "lulu". OR my tuition teacher would call a "ding dong". I'm disorganized, I have no sense of priority, occasionally in my own little world and I work for recognition. I wear mismatched socks, live in a messy room, would play DoTA on the night before exams, realize I studied for the wrong test because I mixed my timetable up (yes really happened), miss the bus and end up being late, drink my water straight from the kettle, eat food that drops on the floor, etc etc. And the worse thing was: I would laugh about all this things, cause I somehow find humour in it.
Somehow I get blessings out of nowhere. When I was late to the airport, I got upgraded to first class. When I realized I submitted my job application confirmation like 10 days after the due date, it was alright and they kindly asked if I would like to start 2 and a half months later so that I could have a holiday.
So back to the responsibilities. In 2nd year I took up the role of International Rep and also Easter Camp treasurer and BS coordinator. Wow. Felt a little more important. Thank God for the people around me. I was totally disorganized for International night, which is the biggest event the International Rep had to organize. But it didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would. I really enjoyed being part of the E-camp committee, I was blessed with awesome mates who really made the experience so much better.
Through that, I managed to experience what it was like to work in a committee and the level of commitment you need. I was blessed to work with the Aussies and also with Malaysians and also managed to differentiate a Christian committee and a circular one. I grew to be more confident and improved on many skills, notably public speaking, general organization and socializing.
In my 3rd and final year, I decided to take up more challenges although it would be my toughest year in Uni. I joined the Convention 08 committee and also the college club treasurer. The selection process is different. In college, you run for your positions and get voted into office. Kinda like a popularity contest. In OCF, you are kinda approached by the leaders. It was my first time running against someone else for a position. A unique experience I would say. When they announced my name as the next treasurer, I was like YESSSSS!!! You've probably noticed that I talk a lot about my roles in my posts, as I do have a lot of passion for them. Although I constantly regret saying yes during my time of working, I have never ever regretted doing stuff when it comes to the end.
I can proudly say I am glad to serve all this time. The blessing is in the serving itself.
I also can say I grew a lot as a Christian. I would say my maturity level isn't exactly high. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would say 3 or 4. But through BS leading and serving in the OCF ministry I've managed to grow a lot. Means I was pretty low back when I first came.
Leading a group isn't exactly easy. I would say I would do a much better job now if I were to do it again. But that's what OCF is about. I was reached out to. I've been trained and built up. And now I am going back. But back to BS. Now you know I came as a happy go lucky not a care in the world slack person that only cared about himself. It wasn't easy to be some sort of a shepherd. I never saw myself as becoming that.
I remembered my first time. Huey Chi came up to me and asked if I would like to lead the next week. I kinda said yes. because Im a yes man, without regard of my capabilities. But I got better and much more exposed as I went along and began to see a bigger picture. This year was better in itself. I am greatly encouraged by my group, especially the new ones that just came in this year. Jolene and James joined the local committee, Fish, Laura and Daniel all became BS assistants and hopefully BS leaders. Tim joined the E-camp committee. So Ming Wei, if you are reading this, don't get left out yea. Hahaha. And all this has nothing to do with me. Cause I honestly am not good at leading. Made lots of mistakes. So what God has done is truly amazing. Its beautiful to see the legacy of OCF being passed on like that. I am so so so so proud of you guys.

A picture of me BS group.
2nd Semester was a little different with my group consisting of mostly oldies. Haha, I did feel a little more pressured. But I did learn a lot too. I thought Daniel Lee really did bring in a lot of new perspectives when he joined us for the BS Leaders premeeting which was really good.
Again OCF is really a blessing unto many. I came a corrupted worldly person. I didn't exactly grow up in a Christian background or family. I am still pretty worldly now, there are many things that bind me to this world, I constantly submit to peer pressure and I am very self-centred but I would like to say I have improved much since I first came. OCF also allowed me to explore the different areas of ministry. Whether it be teaching, praise & worship, missions, prayer, I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to try things out and make mistakes, and expose myself to different areas and people of Christianity. I came from a brethren church background, (I was a Sunday goer, slept at sermons and I went cause I kinda had to) so the exposure was refreshing.
Fuffhh.....thats a lot of writing.
On to Convention which is at the end of the year. I am thankful to do the programs, again something really new to me. I am glad I managed to experience both the admin and behind the scenes side (treasurer) and the upfront creative side with the programs too. I managed to identify more strengths and weaknesses for myself. Convention was awesome. Tiring yes. But I am really glad to be part of the hosting state. Made me proud to be SA although we are quite "kampung". To see OCF united like that is amazing. I was totally happy to serve. Had a blast being MC too and meeting so many people. I wished I got to sit down and really talk to people, but I was really busy and when i was not i was just tired. Overall, I would say God has been gracious. Really. The committee would tell you that there were so many problems and disorganization and screw ups but overall things worked out. We were all going crazy during the week before but we pushed on and persevered to the end. I'm glad to end my time here in Adelaide with a bang.
I think the bottom line is that my time here in Adelaide was significant. It has shaped me a lot. I have grown much since I first came. I thank God for the experiences and the blessings. I have made the mistakes I needed to grow. I made the choices I needed to learn. It wasn't easy going from a zero responsibility carefree person to a guy that needed to balance his time between being a treasurer, convention programs coordinator, BS leader and final year University student. But I managed to get through, not with flying colours in each department, but I still managed and for that I am thankful to everyone who helped me along the way. And for that I learn that IF I were to put all my effort and concentration into one thing, I would perform so much better on it. I struggled a lot with clashes between my portfolios, but I have learned that focus is better.
And that is E-camp's theme next year. Arrrghghgh. I won't be there.
Anyways, I hoped I made a difference here during this time. Whether for bad or good. Hopefully for good. I'll miss you guys. Time has passed so fast. But I'm glad it felt like that. It means that you're enjoying yourself.