exam period...

it is the exam period for the whole of australia.

my thoughts fly back to adelaide. accumulating sleep debt, drinking coke for that sugar boost, drinking Red Bull for even more sugar boost, skipping meals, eating biscuits for meals, coffee replaces water, not bathing, not changing, the whole cupboard of clothes are in the laundry basket, smell the least smelliest clothes and re-wear them, wear the same shirt for 5 days (or more), wearing underwear 4 times (inside, outside, frontside, backside), becoming Jack's best friend (eating Hungry Jack's (Burger King) everyday for every meal), the house is covered with dust, the sink piles up with dishes, the toilet is --let's-not-talk-about-it--. wake up, study, sleep, wake up, study, sleep. sick but not taking medicine because it causes drowsiness.

a very interesting lifestyle, though of course, not everything listed above is done by me, or anyone else(i hope). living independently, that is called kicking in the survival gear. when nothing else matters except preparing yourself for your exams. and after its over, its time to enjoy till the next semester starts. or in crisis situations, supplementary papers.

a physical list was given above, but the underlying current is the fear, pressure, stress, failing strength, distractions, frustrations, sadness. to sum it up, emotional turmoil, spritual dryness, mental anguish and physical burdens.
and it is always a reminder to give, never forget God in the midst of preparation. or perhaps, people remember God more because here comes times of trouble.

i remember my dear friend, Kah Wai, sharing about praising God for exams and praising Him in the exam halls. yeah, i was going to throw a hymnal at him. till i grow up a little more later to realise and understand faith and God's working in each of us. i'll let God's Word answer.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."(Romans 15:4)

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Psalm 29:2

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning i lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint," says the Lord.
Jeremiah 31:25

Jesus said, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
Mark 6:31

Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.
James 1:4

God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained for it.
Hebrews 12:10-11