a year has passed.

here comes the time.. slowly creeping out, haunting us, chasing us down.

sometimes we get beaten. sometimes we rejoice over victory. sometimes we just get along with it.

change is the only constant in life. so, with time, change follows.

it may be something expected, it may be something horrendous,

but the most important thing is the impact of it.

it is inevitable, it is irreversible, it is inexplicable.

but, the one thing that we can control is, our reaction towards it.

change can be in a form of anything.

it can be a change in the heart, a change in the mind, a change in a body, or anything.

some may not be desired by the person who undergoes it,

some may also have been longed and yearned.

some may be so puny that it is neglected,

some may be so massive that it is perplexing and confounding.

i have changed. she has changed. he has changed.

it has changed. they have changed. we have changed.

the entwined twelve, we were, in fact we are, shoulder to shoulder when those changes come in avalanche.

we hold each other's hands, grasp each other's hands, clench each other's hands.

we shed the tears, we share the laughter, we savour every moment.

the entwined twelve, there is a reason why we are called 'the entwined twelve'.

that is simply because we are entwined.

entwined in the chain of friendship,

entwined in the knot of sisterhood,

entwined in the manacles of family.

i thank you, for groaning when i complain.

i thank you, for pointing out my mistakes.

i thank you, for laughing at my 'very funny' jokes.

i thank you, for sticking like a glue when i am down.

i thank you, for celebrating my birthday.

i thank you, for the times we had together.

i thank you, for the boast we have for our unity.

i thank you, for the sickness of your lame jokes.

i thank you, for hearing my doubts and worries.

i thank you, for sharing me your thoughts and beliefs.

i thank you, for the smiles, the frowns, and the shine in your faces.

Lastly, i thank you, for showing me an infallible love for a friend.

a year has passed and we made it through.

it wouldn't be, if it weren't for me and you.

Wishing us the BEST luck for next year,

Wishing our unity to stay eternally,

Wishing that we'll have a blast at home,

Wishing that everyone will do well,

Wishing that we will forever be, THE ENTWINED TWELVE,

Devy Cendana

Expect the unexpected!

Yesterday was the day that I've been waiting since 2 months ago. It's the end of OBS, Outward Bound Singapore. Camping, kayaking, hiking are the activities there. I got the sea expedition, which means 24 km kayaking from Pulau Ubin to Pulau Sembawang. 

It was tiring, of course, but it was worth it. 

"The most painful experience is when you repeat the same mistake again", that's what my instructor said. 

"What do you wanna be in hot water? The egg, which will harden or the carrot, which will soften or even coffee, which will make the water changes color, fragrance, and taste?", this is what he asked on the last day.

We were pushed to our maximum in this course, with pressure and target. We have to have integrity and determination. Our mission was to paddle 24 km. I never thought that I could do it, but yeah, I did it and it feels awesome! Even though there were lots of obstacles, like weather, the current, the waves, and the wind, we still made it!!!

From this journey, I can learn something. Its not about what you got, its about how you make use of it. 

Everyone can paddle, but not everyone would try to paddle 24 km. 

We were required to work with our teammate. It doesn't matter which class she is from, we just work together. From this experience, I learned, there are people who try but didn't make it and there are people who can, but didn't try. There are people who are thankful for what they receive from others and there are people who give because they are thankful for them.

I was an observant there, looking for different traits and personality. And I gained a lot. 

People encourage others mostly because they need the encouragement too. 

People would help those they know well first. 

Those who didn't cry when they were stuck in the storm may not be stronger from the people who cried.

Those who seldom smile may be more considerate and encouraging from those who smile a lot.

A tap on the shoulder can make a person feels a lot better. 

A phrase, "Well done, girls!" or "Good job!" can make us paddle 5 km longer. 

People can actually persevere in changing environment, no matter how severe the changes are. They will always find ways to adapt.

People can change.

I was there, I witnessed all the pain, all the joy, all the comfort of enduring things that we can't expect. 

Expect the unexpected!

You will never know what you can do until you are pushed to it! 

Expecting the unexpected,

Devy