It's a good feeling to be celebrating Christmas here again, after having spent the previous 2 years overseas. There are more events happening, more planning to do, more drama (obviously), and more food. The only thing missing is the Christmas spirit.
Saying that I miss Nations Christian Church is an understatement. The fact that I even managed to be part of this big family I never thought I'd have is something I take for granted all the time. And being back here, though surrounded by family and friends, I really do miss going to home cell every Tuesday, miss being at Friday music practices, and just being around people who understand me and make me laugh.
I've grown even more attached to the group of people I've been spending for the past 2 years than those I'd known since primary or secondary school. Funny, isn't it? Perhaps being far away from your comfort zone makes people appreciate what they have even more. Right now, being thousands of miles away from you guys make me think back on the funny moments we'd shared throughout the year 2006/2007. A nostalgic feeling, really. I can't imagine how life would be like once some of you graduate next year. As cheesy as this sounds right now: As our lives change, come whatever, we'll always be friends forever.
Now I know why people say that university years are the best years of your life.
The few repeating questions I always get since coming back here:
- So where are you studying again?
- So WHAT are you studying again?
- Oh. Biotech? WHAT exactly will you do once you graduate?
- Oo. So don't want to come back liao la har? -__-
- When are you going back again? Why so early?
- Any bf yet?
Anyway, had dinner at Merdeka Palace on Christmas Eve. The food was so-so, the highlight has got to be the part when a choir group (from St Peter's? Not quite sure) came in and sang the audience a few beautiful carols. Very well done. I loved how so many instruments were used: 2 guitars, a voilin, a flute, small set of drums, and those cute shakers that make "schk schk" sounds. The Santa Claus was quite entertaining too; he was very BLACK and said hohoho in the weirdest way.
Christmas day service was held at church this morning. It was a last minute thing asking me to play the keyboards, and for some reason I was nervous. Playing the few songs I'm comfortable playing is not a problem at all, but asking me to play the Christmas hymns/carols without any accompanying instruments and I'll freak out. Worst case scenario would be if they started singing in a different key than what I've been practising. Which happened AGAIN, of course. Thank goodness it didn't take me long to figure out that the aunties and uncles sang in D instead of the usual G for "O come all ye faithful." Oh also please, choose more cheerful and fast carols for Christmas next year.
Also, one thing I'd notice that's so typical of the programs and events organised here: people put so much effort in planning that all emphasis have been shifted into making sure it is PERFECT. At the end of the day, they want praise for what they've done, they want confirmation that nobody could have done better than themselves. That's why I said that though so many Christmas events had been organised, no Christmas spirit could be found. It's so sad, really. When everything is swept under the rug, things just go downhill from here unless someone bothers to stand up and turn this thing around.
21 days to Dunedin. Ah, I can already imagine myself unpacking into the new big-as room waiting for me there.
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