“THE DAY” !!!!

19th March 2010, Feast day of St Joseph, was the beginning of my new journey. YES! It’s “THE DAY” I long awaited for. It’s my entry as a pre-novice of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. It was a simple ceremony but full of joy. During the ceremony, I received a TAU, a candle and the office book.

The joy comes not only because it’s “THE DAY” but also the presence of the sisters who celebrated with me. They have been and will be significant in my life journey. They are…

Sr. Assunta Leong

(Provincial, the 1st sister I known & journeyed with me during my most confusing days)

Sr. Mary Peter Ng, Sr. Regina Ho and Sr. Mary Kristyn

(My Community of sisters at Kuala Terenganu)

Sr. Victorine and Sr. Veronica de Rosa

(Singaporean!!! who have been part of my journey and had come to celebrate this joyous day)

I thank God for answering my desire of having Singaporean sisters, who are significant to me, sharing this joy with me in a foreign land. It was the best gift and most encouraging moment.

Also, I would like to thank all of you, my dearest friends, priests and sisters who have been so much part of me (yes, you lah!!!) and my family for making this day possible for me.

All the pre-departure anxiety has led to this DAY and ha ha probably more to come… but I am assured of all your prayers for me right!!! (Better pray ya… if you have not been praying)….Really… a big THANK YOU… I really miss all of you…

I have started my work teaching music and movement. This is their first time experiencing music and movement class. I try my best to give as simple instruction as possible….and they also try their best to figure out what on earth I was doing… But it’s rewarding because by the end of each class…. think they really enjoyed themselves. But but but… often I also forgot that I have to speak very slowly and they are NEW…. cannot expect them to obtain my EXPECTATION. This is my little mission here and I hope to make a difference in the life of the children and the teachers.

***please please...tell me if there's mistakes in my blogs (gramma/spelling) cos... cannot affort to spend so long on the comp checking and checking for errors...

1st work day….SUNDAY!!!

Sunday, 7 March was my 1st day at work at St Theresa’s Kindergarten, Kuala Terengganu. Had to tell myself priest works on Sunday too, as motivation. Moreover, never had such easy job, 4 hrs, 2 days a week, shouldn’t be complaining.

After being introduced to all the teachers, I started at the 4 years old class. They were all looking strangely at me, very curiously kept turning back to look. Children here converse in their own language usually, mandarin or bahasa, eventhough they can understand some English. I had some difficulties understand them not because of language problem but their accents. My mission is to speak to them in English ONLY.

My main task is to teach Music and Movement to the whole school (8 classes) for 30 minutes. What’s that compared to 17 classes X 3 times a wk at Catholic KG!!! So I went to the hall, had to look for the cupboard keys and found only cassette tapes and a Hi-Fi set. Thank goodness they had a keyboard. I was telling myself, oh no…. don’t have instruments, no big collections of CDs, no lesson plan…. How to teach?? I panicked for awhile…… I want to call for help!!! No computer to burn disc!!! Ai yo… how how….

So, with limited resources, I calm myself down to think how I can teach. Well, as I thought, the Lord reminded me that my 2 years of experience at Catholic Kindergarten would have given me the ability to teach eventhough resources are little. This is being missionary, to use whatever that is available wherever I am.

So I planned out my lesson for the 1st class starting on 21st March. Thankfully, I also managed to find the disc I helped to compile for the school 2 years ago. That would help me in my other lessons.

Ok.. Retreats starts from 14th March… please pray for me.

I saw sister MoON…..

Finally, I went out on Thursday morning before prayer, I saw my sister Moon. It keeps me happy cause all my friends in Singapore… all sees the same sister Moon too. She connects us together.

This morning, I took my binoculars, went out again hoping to see the moon and stars. There were many stars, could see one which is in clusters, very pretty. Unfortunately, I can’t identity any of them. I think I saw the orient, but can’t identify if any of those are planets. Maybe the sky is too high and too bright. Hee hee… sigh… but I’m really very happy.

So… I’ve settled down, I think… and starting work tomorrow. As expected, I will be going to the Kindergarten twice a week starting tomorrow. Yes… SUNDAY is a WORK day here. Weekends is on Friday and Saturday.. Weird right!!. I’m quite excited eventhough I kept saying I don’t like teaching. Anyway, will see how lah. It’s training and mission ground I suppose.

Then, the following week, going on a retreat before my official entry on 19 March 2010. So please pray for me.

And yes… on Friday, we celebrated Sunday mass. Church here is very different. I missed Singapore vibrant church. Here, congregation is small and liturgy is simple. It’s only stand and sit, no kneeling cos no space.. hee hee.. it think.. After mass, I went to our pastoral house. There, the college students, mainly from Sabah and Sarawak will have some session before returning to their campus. So I joined them. As we shared, half the time I don’t know what’s happening cause they all speak in Bahasa Malayu. When I ask them if they speak English, they said can. So, these are the youth of the parish.

There are not many young in Trengganu because most of the young are in other states either studying and working. So. left the old and very young.

So so.. my little mission here starts tomorrow… hope I will fit in fast.

The new beginning

So happy, able to on the computer, suddenly, don’t know what to type.

Computer here, very slow… so not sure when it will hang. Better don't complain.

Anyway, I reached Kuala Trengganu on 1st March 7.20pm, earlier then expected. The journey was very smooth. The sisters came to pick me from the terminal and dinner was waiting for me. Very quickly, unpacked (didn’t have much after all), had my shower and prayed. That’s all. I’m settled in.

Thinking back, it’s because of my long long discernment journey that helped me to settle into the house very quickly. I’m familiar with the prayer structure and the way they wash bowls… hee hee… so my initiation was easy. I really appreciate the journey and it’s meant for me…Thank God for that.

Now awaiting for my companion to arrive tomorrow and see what happens lah. Have been doing nothing, eating, reading, praying and sleeping.

Ya, so much of wanting to see stars at night, can’t even get out of the house because of mosquitoes outside… will have to wait for opportunities later.

Oh, I miss Singapore’s peacefulness. Here, I now must force myself to know about the Malaysia government and all the other stuff which I really dragged to know and learn about.

So, that’s about it lah… hopefully get to write my blog more often… then again, I can’t be always seen using the computer right!! Ermm….. see how lah..

Take care my dear friends….. missing all of you… but no choice, I chose this way of life.

Please pray for me that I will have the courage and humility… to ASK for whatever I need. No more freedom of buying and doing what I want … (will it be that bad? I don’t know yet)

Last one

Ok… write something before I go to bed. Hopefully it will help me to rest better.

Finally all set to go. Bags loaded up the van. They are very very heavy for me but can’t afford to repack, it’s too late, it will take up too much energy and cause too much body reactions. I just have to learn the hard way.

I just wonder, why did I have to go through all these sufferings? I already suffer so much for the past 5 years just to reach the stage of saying ‘Yes’ and after saying ‘Yes’, just to leave my home, it’s terrible. Will it be even worst after entering?

I supposed I made this decision and I have to bear all the consequences that goes with it. Jesus did that too when he followed the Father’s will. It will be difficult but God will be with me. (He better be with me)

And because it’s a life commitment, there must not be any exit clause attached to me. I must move on and have trust and faith with Him…… (O God, it better be the right decision made, there’s no turning back)

This is really LENT. No need to make other sacrifices already. It’s already TOO MUCH for me to bear.

Really, thanks to a very supportive and caring church community. Without all my close friends and the community, I definitely will not be able to persevere. Thank you to all my dear friends who care for me.

Ok I’m getting really tired and a little unwell. I think I have to take a Chlorpheniramine tablet to help me relax and sleep.

That’s all…. Till I have the opportunity to update my blog, God bless.