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1990-1991: Sydney
In early 1990, I was back to Sydney to complete my studies, as I felt obliged to do so. In my heart, I wanted to complete the architecture course as early as possible, as I was eager to go back home to help in my family's business. In June 1990, I failed my major design subject. My dream of completing the degree early so that I could go back home and be united again with my family, was completely shattered. I remember I could not control my tears in front of my lecturer, asking him for a remarking. My request was rejected. On the same day, I went to the chapel at Warrane College, kneeing and crying to God. It was my greatest sadness and I completely lost my mind. In the second session of 1990, I moved to another hostel, named International College. I stayed there for a few months before moving out again and stayed by myself in a flat in Coogee. My life was completely lost. I ignored God's call and I had failed in his test. Instead of going back to him, I sinned against him. I was patronizing and drinking heavily in clubs with friends so often, without giving much effort to my studies. In the second session of 1990, I failed in the major design subject again. I felt I had wasted my dad's money. So I decided to work, to make some money, so as to lighten my financial burden to my dad. I got a taxi license and started to drive taxi during weekends. Driving a taxi was a tough job, not as easy as I thought. The hiring of a taxi would cover a half-day shift from 3.00 p.m. to 3.00 a.m. The rental was A$120, and I had to pay A$50 for the gas. So, the minimum overhead for each shift was A$170. That was where the pressure came in, I had to pick up A$170 of taxi fares to break even with the minimum overhead. Normally, the break even happened at around 9.00 p.m. All fares collected after that time would be my profit. I forced myself to drive continuously, without break, for twelve hours. On average, I could make A$150-200 on a Saturday night shift. I only drove on Saturday nights due to my lack of experience, as I couldn't make much profit on weekdays. That was how I passed the summer of 1990. In early 1991, when I was 25 years old, I went back to Penang for a short break. I told my dad about my problem with my studies. At the airport, when sending me off to Sydney, I saw my dad's eyes were slightly wet. He asked me to try my best to complete my studies. He said it would be a waste of my many years of efforts if I didn't complete my degree. My heart was deeply touched. In the plane back to Sydney, I sadly prayed to God, asking for strength and blessing so that I could finish my studies, not for me but for dad. "God loves us and will never leave us, even if we sin against him. He will touch our hearts, asking us to repent and go back to him. Whenever we find ourselves lost spiritually, it is never too late to pray to him and ask him to come back into our lives." Surprisingly, 1991 saw much confidence and improvement in my studies. I still drove taxi occasionally, during weekends, depending on the workloads of my studies. I passed both sessions in that year. By end of 1991, I only needed to do a major thesis to complete my degree. "My prayer was answered and God came back to my life. I could see my life changed completely in 1991. I passed the two major designs without problem. It was indeed God's miracle, as I was spiritually lost and almost wanted to give up my studies. At time of despair, though we might give up hope on ourselves, but he won't." Forewords . 1965-73: Childhood . 1974-75: God's Call . 1976-81: The Relationship Continued . 1982-83: Singapore . 1984: Kuala Lumpur . 1985-87: Sydney . 1988-89: Penang . 1990-1991: Sydney . 1992: Year of Graduation . 1992-95: Working in Architecture Firm, Penang . 1995: Meeting My Wife . 1996: Year of Marriage . 1996-98: Discovering the Purpose of Life . Conclusion . Appendix I: Question & Answer . Appendix II: The Words of Christ |