Another year gone by ... so quickly

Greetings, dear readers Well here we are, at the end of another year, and as always I can't believe how fast it has flown by! From my perspective, this year can be summed up in one word: transition. For many friends and family members, this has been a year in closing a chapter of their lives and opening a new chapter, whether through marriage, changing jobs, finishing high school or university studies, turning 21, and becoming parents. I wouldn't be surprised if you fit in at least one of these categories. I know of a few friends who fit in two of the categories, and if you happen to fit in three of them, or even all five (which is possible) then you've DEFINITELY had an eventful (and very expensive) year!

This time of the year is also often a time of reflection on lessons learned over the course of the year, which are many, but I shall focus on the two main lesson I learned that I shared at the end-of-year Bible Study Fellowship gathering. Both are interrelated. First, when you ask God to make a challenge easy for you, He will make it more difficult for you in some way or another so that you are forced to trust completely in Him and He gets all the glory. I found this out when I began volunteering work at Louise Multicultural Community Centre in August this year. The second is that God's amazing grace is more than enough to get us through any situation, especially those where we can't quite see the finish line. I learned that the hard way through my studies in this the final year of my undergraduate Arts degree.

Including the transitions mentioned above, some of the highlights of this year included:

• Completing my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, with majors in Linguistics and Political Science and a Diploma of Modern Language in German. As already mentioned, it was only by the grace of God I was able to somehow stumble to the finish line, because by my own admission i did not deserve to pass any of my subjects, so slack and disorganized was I this whole academic year. Well, the main thing is that it's over now, and I have to start refocusing my studies on what I aim to be doing next year - teaching English overseas.
• Finding volunteer work at Louise Multicultural Community Centre in Box Hill. I have said before, and you can quote me on this, that everyone who has the opportunity in life should do three things, besides hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, getting saved, and living for Him. First, learn to sing; second, learn at least one foreign language; and third, do volunteer work. I use the generic term because today, there are so many different options open for volunteering, ranging from local community services to international education, conservation and development projects. I can definitely recommend Louise to anyone who is interested in a career of English teaching and wants to get some free experience. The staff there are friendly and helpful and the students, who range through different levels, are all enthusiastic and appreciative of your time.
• It was yet another busy year in the entertainment world, with the passing of at least three major icons (Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett - both on the same day - and Patrick Swayze, just to name a few), and the totally unexpected emergence of SUSAN BOYLE, the 40+ year old church volunteer from Scotland who blew the cynics of Britain's Got Talent away with that performance of "I Dreamed a Dream". In case you haven't seen it yet, you can view it here. She has since recorded a best-selling debut album and recently sang with Elaine Paige. Andrea Bocelli is apparently interested in also recording a duet with her. I hope Susan continues to enjoy more success over the coming years, and that she also maintains her boisterous and humble roots.

I gave up making New Year's Resolutions years ago, under the premise that resolutions, like rules, are made to be broken. Instead, I have come up with what I hope I can achieve this coming year. As always, I hope to become closer to God, through developing more consistency in prayer, bible study and quiet time. I'll need it, especially if I'm going to start full-time work next year. I also hope that God will point me to a full-time English teaching job that I can be passionate about and will be able to serve him to the best of my capacity. And quietly, just quietly, I hope to find a girlfriend. God knows that I've been longing for a female companion for some time, and while it is hard to wait on His perfect timing, I trust he has the right woman waiting for her "Prince Charming" somewhere around the world, if not in Australia.

There is no doubt in my mind that 2010 promises to be the most exciting year of my life since 2007. And so it is, with mixed feelings of apprehension and hope, that I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year Celebration and all the best for 2010!

Cheers and God bless.

A simple Christmas... and a new blog

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. ... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah ch. 9 vv. 2, 6)

In the midst of yet another silly season, Bible verses such as the ones above are helpful in reminding me of the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I'm glad that Jesus is the reason for the season, as I have become disillusioned with the material aspect of Christmas, thanks to my work at Big W. Even though I'm only working there part-time, keeping (or at best attempting to keep!) the Christmas section of the store in order has been frustrating me (and probably my colleagues in the consumables department) almost to the point of insanity! OK, maybe that's a little extreme, but it is nonetheless hard work. It will be another no-frills Christmas for me this year, just church on Christmas Day and dinner with family and relatives. No Christmas tree, no heap of presents, but that's fine with me. =)
A couple of weeks ago, I received my semester results and thank God, I passed my final subject. YIPPEE and HALLELUJAH! I am now expecting the confirmation letter for my graduation to arrive any day soon, and the graduation will most likely take place some time in March next year.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I have decided to register for a TESOL English teaching Certificate III, and so far it's going quite well. The certificate is divided into three parts: first, an online independent study course; second, an intensive in-class course (which will be done in January); and third, a practical component, where we get assigned to a migrant school and have to prepare and teach a class with a supervisor watching and giving us feedback after the class. I have almost completed the first part of the online course, which covers the basics of English grammar, and now I have to revise the units for a 90-minute exam, which I will probably sit after Christmas.
In my next post, which I will post shortly after Christmas, I will be reflecting on the year gone past, and looking ahead in anticipation to what should be the most exciting year of my life since 2007.

I sincerely wish you all a very Merry and blessed Christmas with your families and friends!

Cheers and God bless

P.S. In case you're wondering why I'm using a different blog now, it is because I can't access my old one anymore. It required a Hotmail password and I couldn't remember my user name on it.