So I have to board the plane early tomorrow morning to HK.
My dry cough (which started sunday night) has incremented into flem, and gooey stuff. I started getting a runny nose although it's still limited. My abdomen aches from coughing so much. My head hurts like someone's blowing bubbles in it, and my ear throbs. But, I've yet to have tested positive for fever. I guess that's a good thing.
Please pray for me though. Pray that I can make it safely to HK without being quarantined. I'm going to have all sorts of secretions coming out from all corners of my face, but at least I can attend the funeral.
See you folks in 5 days!
PS. in order to keep up with postings, I promise to write at least an entry a week : ) That way you guys can come regularly.
As a music education major at the University of Toronto, I found that once I left the Choristers Guild Institute, I’ve come home to even more theories and philosophies regarding teaching and inspiring young children through the medium of music. The musical skills that I acquire in my studies, and my teaching skills reformed little by little from lab observations and my own choir conducting, are all stepping stones that drive me closer to a future in educating young voices. It seems though, however, that not as much focus is put into worship, and the possibilities of being a pastoral musician.
Yesterday I lost my residence key, AND the replacement of the resident key at the same time. I was very distressed because the student services once told me that they only had two copies of the metal keys that granted access into our personal rooms. I thought that meant I was doomed. I was in deep... But I've been feeling pretty down all week. Its just, the skies are rather gloomy these days aren't they? Even morning doesn't seem to breathe a scent of fresh air anymore. It's all stale old breath, from yesterday's sad expiration. It could be my own carbon dioxide, or someone elses', heck-what do I know, but I know this can't be healthy...all this recycling of life. Of someone else's life. Man, we're all more generous than we thought.
After an hour of dashing about the faculty for my keys, I received many sympathy from - the custodians. They actually tried to help me out and tried to politely teach me life lessons. When I say politely, I mean politely. There was no hostility, no 'you're an idiot'. It's amazing how much support they'd give me despite all the mess that students make of the place.
At the end of the day, I had to inevitably go to Marg Ad and ask their final verdict. It's funny though, because although I've avoided it until my last resort, they were the ones whom I expect the most sympathy from - student services, note: people who are hired to work for the comfort of the students, who are there to aid emergencies which must undoubtly included being double-locked outside their rooms. But they actually didn't have much patience with me. They also deliberately made me walk extra trips back and forth. Proof: after collecting my student card they didn't issue me a paper print out (which they always do) so that I could grab dinner, and breakfast next morning, no, in fact, they made me walk all the way back to res, come back over to drop the key and collect my T-CARD for dinner, and then drop my T-CARD so that I can obtain my key. It all makes sense, except that I didn't have to drop down my keys, they could have just given me the valid papers.
Thank goodness the food people were angry at the administration people, so they let me in without papers. (At times of civil war, one benefits most as the innocent harmless-looking bystander). I guess it also helps to be a paying customer.
Oh, I think I forgot to mention one last thing. Marg Ad informed me that all the dons had a master METAL key, that had access to all our rooms. HA! So that's 56 times the chance of getting robbed. My heart just about cracked in two at how guilable I was. I should have known the student services didn't trust us as legitimate adults who required lodging!
Looking at my room door: 6504, I just realized why they always asked me for my room number first, never my name. I am after all, just another paying prisone- oh whoops, I meant, another paying customer.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Choir today was really rewarding. Everyone actually SANG today. They learned two whole songs (for our mini-musical) and started with the actions for one of them. Reviewed parts, and had everyone read parts of the script. We tried 'Down the river' and although its not quite as I planned it to be, in the end most of them had fun. So that's good. Amazing God - Everyone caught on really quickly and learned the actions well. And I was able to conduct from the piano which is a great feat since the piano was across the gym. And they sounded as great as 17 6-year olds can be. It's great.
I also got a new student, but I don't think she wants to learn. I heard her mother wants her to be 'triple-threat' and she's just going along with it. Ahh.... so what do I teach a girl who doesn't want to sing?
I attended my first funeral service last month. My feelings were mixed.
It was a joyous moment for all our brothers and sisters, because we knew Auntie Christina was going to heaven. But I still cried. We all still cried. We all missed our sister in Christ.
I've experienced family death before, but I was very young. I was too young to remember and know the meaning of life and death. But ever since I could comprehend the meaning of dying, Auntie Christina was my first loss. And now when I look back, I'm thankful for the experience of being there. God gave me that experience so that I can grow stronger, and understand even more the meaning of living, and the meaning of trusting in him.
And now a month later, I am given another chance to strengthen my faith. It almost seems like God's loving hands have guided me step by step. He gave me enough time to grow strong. And now I must know; I must understand that my Grandfather is safely in heaven. And whenever God decides, I'll be able to join him as well.
