The road to liberty has not been easy... and Liberty is so wonderful!

19 June 2006
This is a rather special date, for it marked the day of my last exam for the semester - for my degree programme. Indeed, the journey was not as easy (and short) as I have thought but am glad it's all over. Not to say that I did not enjoy the stuff I have learnt though. It was good, though the assignments and deadlines were at times quite stressful.

Why was it not easy?
Now, I am FREE from the thought of restarting my 'study gear' when the next semester starts. It doesn't concern me anymore! And no more mandated reading of texts. I can pick up other reference bks I have longed bought for reading at my leisure... Yea, am quite sure I will clear this paper; have actually estimated my grade - best and worst scenarios - both in safe ground ;) Of course, with God's goodness included in (actually, overtaking everything else), how can I not do well??

Prelude
Anyway, the day didn't started well for my 9am paper. In fact, the trouble began the night before... I have planned earlier to be in bed by 1am. However, at 12+, I began to hear some vrooming and it kept repeating... Now, my place is really at one end of the island; you can literally see the sea. You can say that it's quite u-lu here, cos you hardly see cars at night along that long stretch of road out there. So, I thought some punkies are playing with their bikes there, but no... they were further, yet so resounding (in a bad way). Guess where they were? Irritably smart of them - they actually were across the Sungei river, vrooming back and forth in barely 200 metres of lane, at a kumpong-like land. Don't know how they got there but it sure is a place not as assessible for traffic police to visit.

I dismissed the noises and resumed my study, only to find myself more disturbed by those inconsiderate persistent noises... Why? At an hour when pple are sleeping? Did they think that b'cos they were across a river, their engines become mute? In fact, it was so loud that I suspect modifications have been made to increase the engine decibel. Even the police officer on the phone could hear that.

Yup. I rang up the man in blue. First, it was a lady who picked up. She was diligent and agreed that she heard some noise in the background. Would alert the traffic police, she said. In case you think I was too worked up or the study stress has gotten to me, it was half an hour later before I rang up triple nine (the police lady did not answer on what the more appropriate no. to call was, even though I asked in the beginning).

And, you suppose things are ok after that? I realised I could not get into sleep anyway with those noises, so I decided to study a bit more, so that those bikers would have called it a night by then. 2 am arrived. Vrooming continues. And naturally, the next phone call also took place. A male officer picked up the call. This time, he was the one who exclaimed at the loudness of the noises he heard. He totally agreed with my diplomatic speech of feedback (no, I didn't lash out at anyone, even though I was tired and upset) and he sounded eager when he said he would check with the traffic police for updates.

No reports or updates came back to me. Perhaps that officer took note that I have mentioned I need to sleep now for the sake of my exam next morning! I remembered the vrooming continued even when my body touched the bedsheets. Probably I was too tired (slept at 4+am the night before) that it didn't take too long before slumberland enfolded me...

Cosy Morning + Surprise from Car = ?
My hubby woke me up. It seemed that I have missed the sound of my alarm... (it happens whenever I gets too tired). He actually willingly volunteered to sleep outside for the night so that I could have better sleep for my exam the next day! :p Tk God for such a considerable husband! Well, of course, that came by after my complaint of his unbearable snoring when I tried to get into sleep at 4+ am the night before. I ended up sleeping on the coach that night. So, I guess, hmm.... fair, right? ;p

Anyway, I mumbled to him that the weather was good, and I will rise after 5 more min when my alarm ring again. It won't be so bad cos' he would be sending me to the exam venue :) Punggol to Bukit Merah. Travel duration by public transport vs car is a whole lot of precious differences!!

In case you wonder if I messed up by exceeding my 5 promised min - no. Everything was good. Until the car hit the road... We realised the car tyre was not doing well. And the cosy weather that preceded the heavy downpour has came down. What a combi! At 8.10am, we were at a sheltered area where my hubby changed the tyre. Honestly, I was very tempted to act on what I have told him earlier (twice), that I would take a cab to my exam venue. Sometimes, he gets more anxious than me, esp when it comes to punctuality. I gotta catch up with him on that! The fact that 2 empty cabs actually whisked by didn't help, esp when 1 even stopped for a longer time than expected. Should I or should I not? I thought that my hubby would be real disppointed if I should 'jump ship' (jump car, in this case), since he actually changed the tyre himself, dirtied his hands, when he could have send it to a proper place to change it, which has to be done ultimately. If I should hurriedly rush off, he probably would be left thinking "So, would somebody tell me what I am doing this for?"

So, I commit this to the Lord. God, Your word has said that I am a priest (the royal priesthood verse, for those who know what I am talking abt). And the words of a priest has power, as does a believer in Christ, as mentioned in other verses of the Book. Thus, I asked (actually more of declare or command) the rain to simmer so that it will be easier for my hubby to drive later, and that I will not be so late till I don't have enough time to finish my paper.

And, indeed, the rain simmer. We set off at abt 8.20am, from SengKang. Though the rain has simmered, it was still quite heavy but I tk God that it was at least visible and not as hazardous. Traffic holdup at one of the expressways did not help. Worse, my stomach didn't feel well (the kind that you wish to go to the loo to do some 'closure') but I was stuck in the middle of the jam in the expressway, and to risk arriving later was rather unthinkable. So, pray lar... This is one of those times that all you can do (the only thing you can do, in fact) is to call upon the higher Source of help. You might think I was stressed but I mused abt last night's episode of Lord of the Ring (Twin Tower) where Gollum strugged with the evil forces, by confidently and repeatedly speaking "Leave and never come back!". Indeed, there are so much Christian anologies in the movie. Don't the verse in 1 Peter 5:9 also says "Resist him (devil), standing firm in the faith (in Christ's finished work and victory)..." and in James 4:7 "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Now, doesn't that sound like Gollum's words... "Leave and never come back". The word is "flee", which I shared with my hubby. The devil is not walking away in a manner that is like throwing up one hands and just give up; it spoke of fright and fear, otherwise, why the word "flee"? Somehow, the words "Christ's finished work" kept coming to my mind as I prayed. I would say that I was calmer b'cos I rested on His finished works. I just realised that the first part of James 4:7 says "Submit yourselves, then to God." By resting on His finished works, I was submitting, I realised. No need to depend on myself, which can't do much anyway. My hubby realised that we have not prayed for journey mercy the night before, though he has prayed for me for my exam. I shared that even though God knows all things, we need to speak forth and articule our requests. Perhaps by not speaking, the devil came into that 'untouched' part to wrack havoc. I also realised my spoken words of "will have no time to check thru' my ans" came true. That was when my hubby asked if I would be able to complete my paper, since I was running late.

Anyway, as I began to give tks and focused more on my revision notes whilst in the car, we arrived! Though I knew everyone else has entered the exam rooms, I knew the better thing to do is to settle the more urgent thing first... After coming out from the toilet, I entered the nearest exam room. And I don't even need to walk more than 5 steps! Seemed like all other seats were occupied except that one. Hmm... God reserved for me?

The Exam
Right after I settle down at my seat, the exam personnel announced that all examinees could start writing. Wow! It was 9.20am when I went in. That meant they started at 9.10am actually! I just missed the earlier 10 min reading time! Thank God!!

I tk God too that the paper was quite manageable. Actually mistook that there were 100 qns (MCQ). Even thought I was progressing well at half time. Towards the 3rd quarter of the paper, I started to slow down my pace. Even tried to re-find that particular strand of my split-end hair which I have earlier spotted but dismissed it to concentrate on my paper. Tkfully, that did not take up more than 5 sec, though it was still precious. Yea, I have this habit of trimming off my split-ends whenever I spotted them. That explains why I always have a small pair of scissors with me. I am not mad, just consciencous...

Was not too ready for the shock when I read qn 100 and realised there were still some more qns behind! Oh gosh! 50 more! It's 150 qns for this 2-hr paper! Again, the frentic pace resumed, with some self-chiding for my complacency :s

All tks to God's grace, I managed to finish all the qns. Could not check thru' my ans or re-think some tough qns but I did my best... Much later, my coursemate called my hp. She wondered where I was before the exam and was shocked when I told her I was late for 20 min. And you know what? She could not finish the paper, even though she arrived on time! Wow... what went on for me was really God's grace at work! not my works!

FREEDOM!! Now, to reward myself...
It really feel so shiok to know that I would not be touching books and no more deadlines to meet - for some time to come. This did not fully sink in, even after I have left the exam building, but it sure did during the afternoon, when I kinda paint the town red... Nope, didn't spend till my pocket broke. In fact, I realised God even looks after the small things for me... even in shopping, can you believe it? Indeed, it's a good thing to bring God along for shopping :P

Bugis * Orchard * Plaza Singapura
Erm... you might have wow to that. Honestly, I also feel a bit pai-seh to list those places out. Have not quite done my shopping this far apart. But, of course, I have my reasons for that.

First, Bugis was the spot I planned to go to get an orange rugged belt for my darling (aka hubby). He was quite fasincated by it, until he saw the price tag... I wanted to buy for him cos' i have been enjoying shopping while he did not buy any 'I-want' stuff as he was not as liberated as me to shop at leisure. I myself was also taken aback at the price of the belt, which is more expensive than a typical lady's blouse I might purchase. And indeed, the clothing I bought today (1 pants and 2 tops) - the price by the individual item, could not match up to the belt price. Now, it's true after all... Men's stuff are expensive!

And the part abt God at work for my shopping... It was seen as a blessing in disguise! Today, I learnt to rest in God's soverignty - even in purchasing stuff! At a boutique, I tried on 3 tops. Needed to get some working clothes as some of my existing ones are wearing out, or rather, have worn out. Earlier, I hesistated in buying from this boutique, cos' their clothing are not cheap. Without discount, 2 pcs can easily cost nearly S$70! And it's not top-notch super brand, as far as I am concerned. I am certainly not happy to part with that amount of $ that easily at this point in time. This time, 20% discount is offered if you get 2 pcs. After trying, I made my selection. The new piece that was brought up by the sales girl has a stain which I was not confident of cleaning off. And it was the last piece (always the case?). For the other top - the only piece left was the one I tried on. Now, these clothing are knitted material. I noticed that there were signs of wearing off, even though it was quite slight. Well, I guess, it does not rest well for me to pay for something that is of compromised standard, just as it is for some of you out there. To make things worse, after I have at last decided to just close one eye and buy, the boutique staff told me (quite abruptly) that their Nets machine is not in service until some serviceperson arrive hrs later. After telling me that, she resumed to reconciling the cashier slips she has laid on the counter, where the 2 pcs I was supposed to buy, also laid.

GEMS? Go The Extra Mile Singapore? Was there really such a campaign that have gone on? Gone with the wind, perhaps... Such lousy service really put me off. Don't they know that I was a sincere buyer? Given the amt of time I have spent in the boutique and the compromise I was ready to make? They did not even offer any alternatives after telling me that they cannot accept Nets payment at that point in time. What would you have done if you were me?

Off I left. Without a word. Anyway, the sales girl was not expecting me to say anything (she was busy with her slips). Perhaps tkfully so I left without saying anything. If I have done so, that might have been an episode of me losing self-control, a fruit of the Spirit! Ok, God has better things in store for me. Or at least, I deserve better service, even as a shopper! Later, I realised that God knew I was not completely happy with the purchase (and the service), so He actually 'close the door' for me. Isn't He wonderful? I was pleasantly surprised to realise later that with the same amt I would have paid for that 2 pcs, I actually brought 3 pcs later, and I like them all! In fact, out of the 3 pcs, 2 were the type of clothing that I have been wanting to get. All 3 were on discount. God is good, amen?

And the Angel re-open the door, upon hearing the Password?
After buying the 3 pcs from Orchard, I went on the Plaza Sing, my last stop for the day, to get the discounted bedsheets. By then, my arms and hands were quite tired, having carried my bks and the shopping stuff for hours. Took the train to Dohby Ghaut. Would have been able to enter the train in time, had not the man in front block the walkway on the escalator with his bulky bag. Still, though I missed the door (yea, I tried to rushed in), I still give tks. Tk God, now, at least I won't have to compete for the chance to sit on those limited sitting area, whilst waiting for the next train! And I really have no idea that God is so near, that right after I gave tks (in my mind), the train doors, actually closed, reopened! Wow! I ran in! I am so dearly loved, that God is willing to hold the train (and all its passengers) just to let me catch this train... :p

I didn't manage to get the bedsheets in the end. A bit disappointed but it was fine. Have not expected that the shipman could be delayed, after all the advertising in their newsletters. Nevertheless, I remained happy, cos God has blessed me much! Now moving on after my studies, I have new goals to pursue!