dusting off a relic.

went for a special service at ORPC today with my parents. upon reaching, a strange sense o f deja vu seemed to engulf me the very moment i stepped out of the car. looking around, it almost seemed as though it was just yesterday that i'd left the church. everything looked so alien and familiar at the same time.

the tiles at the church veranda still remain pretty much the same, as did the dining area. other than a fresh coat of paint that had been applied, i don't think much has changed. it feels good to be back, somehow.

walking into the main hall triggered memories of younger days. images of a younger self, being a page boy(on multiple occasions) walking down the hall aisle with the bride and groom came flashing back. fast forward to years later and it would be myself, seated on the choral pews. the arch dome at the forefront of the hall still remains as it had always been. slightly marred and scarred with age, but majestic nonetheless.

at the start of service, it did take me awhile to get use to everyone around me singing and praying in mandarin. but after one song, everything just came back, with increasing degree of ease. i started enjoying myself more and more; as compared to english songs, those in mandarin are just different somehow. the feel perhaps?

then came the hard part: the message. had my reservations about being able to comprehend much, since the guest speaker was talking about the truth behind the da vinci code. but at the end of it, i came out feeling already, so hmmmm not that bad i guess?

maybe its time to start putting my mandarin to better/productive use, instead of letting it lie around wasted.