Watch Night was...wow!
For those who don't know, it's an event held by my church on the eve of the New Year.
It started at 21:00, but we started queuing by about 19:30. From last year's experience, where coming at 20:00 made those who came (I didn't go last year) then sit in the Overflow Room.
It's a room where people get chucked when the Auditorium (or was it Chapel?) overflows with people.
There was dinner with the buzz group at 18:00. I didn't know about until 17:10 thereabout. My church friend, Miranda, offered to meet at Paya Lebar MRT Station to show me the way to Singapore Post Center (or is it Centre?).
I accepted. After a rushed bath at 17:45, My father informed me that I could take bus 24 straight to Sing. Post.
I had to drag my sister along. So troublesome. Anyway, on my way to the bus stop, I SMSed my friend that I could go on my own and didn't need assistance, so I boarded the bus, typing the last few words: Boarding bus.
In the middle of the bus ride, at some sports stadium, JingYun (that's her name, right?) called me, and I mistook her for Miranda...HOW COULD I?!?!?!?!
The bus started getting really crowded at the stop where my church is. My sister, being the evil person she is, sat at the seats reserved for the 'elderly, disabled, and pregnant'.
We arrived at Sing. Post with a very confused me. So we wandered around looking for KFC.
Upon spotting the all famous junk food restaurant (just 2nd to McDonalds), we sprinted to the other side.
While waiting for more people to come, I went to buy my dinner.
A Shrooms Burger Meal exchanging Pepsi for Mineral Water was mine, just a Shrooms Burger was my sister's, and another Shrooms Burger Meal for YingYi (I think).
While waiting for the food (the Shrooms burger required a 3 minutes wait), we spotted this sign that stated, "Creamy Shrimp." Miranda asked what they put in that made the shrimp creamy.
I piped up, "Cream!"
And everybody laughed. Well, they did say 'Creamy', right?
The meal came a while later.
I didn't feel very full, but heck cares.
We queued up a while to get into the Auditorium (or Chapel), and then settled right in front at the alter. I somehow got stuck between a guy and Miranda...so stuck I couldn't even sit cross-legged...
Before Watch Night officially started, I visited the toilet, then a water cooler all the way on the other side of the church...
Bleah. The water tastes like cement...
Following that, we exchanged EZ-link cards just to stare at what others looked like when they were younger...much younger.
I had already taken off my specs, because I felt I wanted to sleep just a moment ago due to the fact that Miranda and Jasmine totally BANNED me from drawing and reading manga as they said that once I started, I wouldn't stop...
Che.
But I made a deal with them. I would draw for only 15 minutes. To this, they reluctantly agreed. JingYun (sitting in front of me), told the guy that was sitting beside me (I supposed they're acquainted) that he should watch and learn.
I wonder if the guy likes drawing too. I wonder if other people like drawing too.
Then after the 15 minutes was up, they made me draw this Eeyore plushie, JingYun's Christmas present which she brought to Watch Night.
So I did. They thought it was cute.
Watch Night started with Praise, so we jumped. =D
I like Praise. It's very...enthusiastic. Worship feels a bit too monotonous and dull, but, well, I...uh...like it a little.
After Praise, it's always worship. And after a short session of both, testimonies of God's goodness were shared. The first one was an Eurasian guy, if I remember correctly.
There was one guy that spoke in Chinese. Oh the HORROR! Because the guy beside me did really lousy in Chinese too, JingYun translated for him and I overheard.
In the end, someone on stage (I've got a feeling it was Pastor Gary, but I can't be sure) translated for us...
Then worship again, then testimonies, then worship again, then sermon.
Pastor Dominick Yeo, was it? I only remember him by Pastor Dom..
So I took down notes. At the same time, I tried drawing this circle shape thing made of flowers and plants and fruits. I was inspired by the HUGE one that hung above the stage.
It was hard work, but very fun. =D
After the sermon, we joined hands and prayed. We prayed for Abundand living, for Posterity, for Wholeness, for Plentifulness, for Wellness, and for Restoration.
First in English, then followed by tongues. Then we worshipped one verse and one chorus of a song and Pastor Dom. suddenly shouted, "3, 2, 1!"
And tadaa! 2009. It came as a BANG. I didn't even know it had come. It was so soon!
We were released much earlier than expected. The estimated time was 00:30, but we were let go by 00:10.
I tried calling my brother a few times to ask for his whereabouts, but each time, his directions were so vague (like 'at the gate' when there are two gates...) I really didn't know where he was.
Until he said 'gantry'. Okay. That one, I understood.
We stayed there for a while waiting for him. I called my home and my mother reported that my father had already left to pick us up.
When I turned around, I found my brother standing behind my sis (who was behind me) and he was holding this can of Milk Coffee in his hands. The Milk Coffee was the best! It was creamy and tasted a lot like Chocolate Milk!
You know, there WERE buses after midnight...so we didn't actually have to get my father to come, but it WOULD be more comfortable in a car...
My father told my brother to go to the bus stop, so we did. It was just a few meters away...
We stood there for a while. There was a car behind a double decker bus, and I asked if that could be our car, when my sister said, "Cannot be lah. It's white."
Turns out it WAS our car...
*laughs at sister with a sinister grin*
At home, we downed the last of my mother's birthday cake, changed into sleeping attire, and slept.
Oh, did you know my sister was complaining about her legs getting cramps? I've got a feeling that if she were a little MORE enthusiastic about the serivce she wouldn't feel a thing because God's Holy presence would heal her...
