New Year's Eve Countdown in Church

A unique first-time experience.
If only the mass was a little later.
Still the youths and adults cheered on
To embrace the coming new year

On the other side of the church
Away from our partying and noise
Gathered foreign workers
Standing in front of the statue of Mary
Kneeling outside the church entrance
Bowing down before the cross
They prayed fervently
Some even in tears

After the countdown party
I went back home early
Waited for the bus for 30mins
Party crowds walking down the usually quiet lanes past midnight
Some looking tired, some empty and lost after all the fun
Worse some making a din, shouting and dancing
Perhaps it's their culture in their homelands.

I often ponder
Life within the church boundaries and
Life outside the church boundaries
Seemed so different
How can we bring God and salvation to them?
To free them from their emptiness in living?

NEW YEAR's DAY.
Rushed down to Mrs Teo's House for my JC class gathering
A handful of pple but a great deal of catch-ups
Everyone, most of the girls are having their own careers
An accountant for almost 3 yrs
Commanding a $6k pay
And a pilot, on his way to flying the F16 in Singapore
Me, still studying and prob coming out slogging as an architectural assistant?
Truth is, that is the plans God has laid down for them and for me.
No point comparing and feeling sorry.
But definitely, it's time for me to plan carefully for my career path.

Rushed home to whipped up a few dishes
My first attempt at those dishes, but definitely not first for cooking
Pretty successful but lotsa room for improvement.
A good dinner to round the day off.

Stuffed Mushrooms with Sausage Cream Cheese

Almond Breaded Chicken breast

Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding