Ash's Joys

Another 23 hours and 27 minutes left for 2008.

I wish this time would drag on and on and on... the feeling of a new year starting does seem somewhat overwhelming...

Cos...

2008 has brought about its fair share of joys and hurt.

The start of the year was a trying period... a period of transition into a new life in army, and also a time where things just felt unstable and shaky. Looking back, I regret doing some things that I should have waited a while more before embarking on them.

But it's time to move forward... no point looking backwards over and over again. No matter what, life has to continue. It doesn't matter whether you're happy or sad; time still passes you by... so might as well stay happy, and keep a smile on you face. People always say that compared to smiling, frowning makes use of more muscles... so, unless you're "exercising" your face, relax more, and smile :)

This year has also been a year where I've drawn a lot of blanks in my thoughts. Those times were times when I kinda didn't know what I was doing... Really glad to say that that period has already been over, and I'm moving on towards things of greater purpose.

More about army... I still can't imagine it's already 11 months in green. Almost halfway through the journey. I guess its another milestone in my life... somewhere that I can mark out as a time, or rather, a period where I feel that I've grown. Growing up in the army isn't really much different as growing up on the outside; you still mingle with people, do the usual things of each day. It's just like a routine... almost similar to everyday life... a small community of people working together towards one cause: protecting the larger community outside, preserving their lifestyles, and providing a service to the people. Except, almost everyone is a guy.

I don't think I'm gonna start thanking everyone here... cos there are just too many to thank. Not gonna drag this post and make it boring. To everyone out there who's played a part in my life, just know that you hold a special place in my heart, and I'll always remember that during times in my life, you were there to make it better. I appreciate everything that you've done for me.

Thank You.

Most importantly, I just want to take this time to thank God also, for the breakthroughs that have come my way throughout this entire year, and... for blessing me with such great family and friends.

2009 is just around the corner. I don't want to hope for a perfect year, much less perfection in anything, cos a perfect thing cannot be improved upon, and when you become "perfect", you become complacent. I also believe that there are always improvements that can be made... you just need to search for them, and make them happen. "The light gets into the dark room through the tiny crack in the wall." I hope you understand that.

Don't make the mistake of aiming for perfection, rather, aim for excellence.

Anyway, I guess it's time for the resolutions for 2009.

1. I'm working on becoming a people person... I'm going to make it a point to get to know you. The only thing is that I wonder if others will make it a point to get to know me. Hello you!

2. I'm moving ahead with my education plans. Plan early, start early, and I'll have more time to accomplish things... ahead of deadlines. SMU, SMU, SMU!!!!!

3. I wanna go for a long long trip after NS (though I think this should be resolutions 2010, since I ORD then, but who cares... I save now). France, Italy or Spain?

4. Lose weight, or rather, fats?! 5kg.

5. CGC 2009!!! YEP! (Thanks Buddy!)

6. Reaching out to friends.

7. Lastly, and IMPORTANTLY... discovering myself once again, and growing more in spirit. No more walking towards God I guess, I'm running now! Maybe sprinting... Stamina boy... stamina...

Well, I guess that's it for 2008... and yeah, I'm searching on for that special someone... but not for now... I just don't have the time to commit as of yet... so well, I'll just wait, for the right time, at the right place, for the right person.

:)

Goodbye 2008.
Hello 2009!

HAPPY!
NEW!
YEAR!

"For the truly faithful, no miracle is necessary.
For those who doubt, no miracle is sufficient."

- Nancy Gibbs

Angels - Robbie Williams

I sit and wait
does an angel
contemplate my fate
and do they know the places where we go
when we're grey and old
'cos I've been told
that salvation
lets their wings unfold
so when I'm lying in my bed
thoughts running through my head
and I feel that love is dead
I'm loving angels instead

and through it all
she offers me protection
a lot of love and affection
whether I'm right or wrong
and down the waterfall
wherever it may take me
I know that life wont break me
when I come to call
she wont forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

when I'm feeling weak
and my pain walks down
a one way street
I look above
and I know i'll always be blessed with love
and as the feeling grows
she breathes flesh to my bones
and when love is dead
I'm loving angels instead

and through it all
she offers me protection
a lot of love and affection
whether I'm right or wrong
and down the waterfall
wherever it may take me
I know that life wont break me
when I come to call
she wont forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

Christmas came and gone. It has been a long journey since the start of the year.

Some things turned out as expected throughout the whole of this year, while others produced results that surprised even myself, like just the many different breakthroughs that I experienced this year, through doing things differently.

It really helps sometimes to tweak things round a bit. Even the minutest of changes can bring about a 180 degree turn to simple things. Doing things differently breeds different results, and sometimes, you just discover that one result that works, and you particularly like. That's when you've found a perfect solution, having the best of both worlds.

It's true... cos sometimes the things that work don't naturally agree with us, while the things that we like end up at utter disappointments or failures.

I hope that everyone out there would be able to find the beauty of doing things, and love going through the process, as it is going through the process that we learn and we gain experience on the ways to do things.

It's really a harsh world out there with harsh realities. Hopefully, everything will work out well, if we put our hearts towards creating a better future for ourselves, and the people around us.

I've learnt to hope for greater things that will come in the future.

"Just like we have been given eyes that look forward, we should always look ahead, towards a brighter, and greater, future." - Ash

The Secret - Ralph S. Cushman

I met God in the morning
When my day was at its best,
And his presence came like sunrise
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long he stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek him in the morning
If you want him through the day!

--

A great poem.

You don't have to chase after your dreams.
They were already with you the day you visualised them.
It's time to find the dreams in you, awaken them, and let them flourish.

Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is coming!

--

5 more days!
Can't wait... can you?? :)

Seems like everyone's already in the rah-rah mood for Christmas. Seriously, it's already as good as smelling it. Haha.

Just been thinking about the past year... about the experiences I've gone through, and also of the many different things that I've taken back with me.

Yep, it's true, I still kinda blame myself for making stupid and rash decisions in the past... which I have to live with now I guess. Sometimes I really chide myself for not having the courage to say the words I have to say, which I feel I should. Nevertheless, it's not just the words, but also the actions. Well...

I've said at the start of this year that I'm bringing music back into my life. And I guess that music has really brought about many different feelings and emotions, maybe even experiences throughout this year. Some songs just create that powerful feeling in you, one that you can't explain...

I just wanna take time, reflect on the past, and hope that I'd have the willpower never to repeat the past mistakes. Really want to build upon myself, be stronger, and more firm and asserting. (HEY, to make the people around feel secure ya?)

Right...

Actually, I think the whole aim of Christmas is for a fresh renewal, and being a "new-born" again.
Christmas, is the time of new birth, of new things to come, and also...

Starting afresh...

Hello. My name is Ashley. Nice to meet you! How do you do...

We laughed, we cried also.

It has been one short year. It has also been one long year.

Each of us goes through the same 24 hours each day. However, time really flies when we're all having fun and enjoying ourselves. It also drags on and on when we're in our downhill periods. I guess that's just the nature of things... when we enjoy, we forget everything, including time, and while we feel sore about things, suddenly everything seems to matter.

I still can't make myself believe that 2008 has finally come to an end. It has been a journey that has transcended from the peaks, to the valleys of life... Yes, there were periods in this year when I was really down and out. Many a lesson has been learnt throughout this time, that has impacted my life in many different ways. Just the simple acts of getting to know others better has taught me many lessons, through the experiences that they had, and the things they have learnt and improved on.

Others' life lessons are truly eye-openers.
What they've learnt throughout, or rather, discovered, are their own flaws, either through their own discovery, or through others' points of view towards them. More importantly, is the efforts they have put into attempting to change themselves and then improve themselves, thus 'creating' a brand new person (BETTER OF COURSE!).

Actually, what we need to learn from is to have the raw perseverence that they had in the process of their transformation. When you stumble and fall, and everything just seems against you, what you need is perseverence to continue to run the race.

I realised that I've become a happier person this past 2 months. Praying with Sharon each day helped me to realise the many different aspects of life that impact my life itself, and also my spiritual walk with God. Somehow, in my heart, I just feel burdened, knowing that I can do so much more, which perhaps, I haven't taken too much notice of in the past. It's time to change.

The most important lesson I've taken back with me this year, is that even though sometimes the troubles may seem just so insurmountable, and that there just seems to be no solution, I realised that there will always be something, or someone, who will guide you out of the situation. The only and most basic condition, is that you seek Him first, and He will show you the right thing to do, or that special someone, who will guide you out of your situation.

"Life's bitter at times. Yet, if we're able to find even the tiniest bit of sweetness in the midst of all the bitterness, then, we've found true happiness." - Ash (I guess this is original) :)

He created light,
giving us a vision,
to believe, to see.

He created Heaven,
a sanctuary for us,
a place of wonderful things.

He created land,
providing a foundation,
to construct and build upon.

He created the seas
to muster our courage,
to venture into the deep unknowns.

He created the birds of the skies,
to show us that we can soar above the clouds,
when we fulfill our dreams.

He created the animals of the land,
to teach us the responsibility,
of caring for them all.

He created Man and Woman,
to build on relationships,
and create everlasting bonds.

Then He rested,
to appreciate His wonderful creations,
and blessed and sanctified them.

Yeah.

The things you can do when you're out with friends. Yahaa.

1st PICs!!!!



Was doing some mirror/message thingy. Quite cool. But didn't take photos of that. Haha.



Well. Am now in camp once again, as always. Seems like it would be yet another week of hectic activity, considering that the festive season's COMING UP!

Yay!

Really can't wait the next 3 weeks. Have a feeling they are going to be the longest 3 weeks here. Haha.

BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAR! Welcome to Club 2x.