Much that I would not have gone for the 3 days cruise on board the Awani Dream 2 for the Christian concert, which was organized by my Uncle Albert from Trumpet Praise. It was a troupe comprising of the great musical talents of Geoff Bullock, Clement Chow and many others.

The concert on board the Christian vessel, was another experience for me as it was my first time on board a cruise liner. It was really enjoyable then as I was with my family as we experienced God’s undying and unconditional love for us all.

The vessel would then leave Singapore port on a 3 days cruise to Indonesia, Jakarta in which my family and I would then spend another 3 days there. It is there in Jakarta where it all starts.

The most memorable experience was in worshipping our Almighty God on the high seas! Alongside with the great musicians like Geoff Bullock and gang, we were to experience 3 days of non-stop worshipping and praising God.

Our relatives at the seaport picked us up and they brought us to our hotel in central Jakarta, Indonesia.

We were told that we could rest easy for the rest of the afternoon in our hotel room until evening where we would be picked up and brought to a wonderful place for dinner.

Little did I know then that on the same night, that Susanna’s Aunt, Lily, would then arrange for us to meet.

I think we had spent about an hour or two together outside the room of the restaurant before we were called backed into the room by my cousin.

It was when I realized that dinner was over and we hard to part our own separate ways. We were dropped off at our hotel by our relatives who had told us earlier that tomorrow would be a shopping day and they would be around to pick us up at about late morning.

Again we talked as we went window shopping from one mall to another. I got to know her better this time round and found out certain interesting things about her! In which I would NOT write it out, it is very personal!

After all the shopping that we had done for that day, my family and I were dropped off at our hotel room for us to freshen up from all the day’s shopping and other activities.

My seating at the dinner table was being ‘pre-arranged’ by my naughty cousins, Linda and Honey, that I would be seated next to Susanna and with them both just in front of me.

Throughout dinner, my relatives would focus on us both from time to time and tease us jokingly. I looked after Susanna during dinner and she did the same for me as well.

After dinner was over, we were brought back to our hotel for an early rest, as we were all tired from the day’s activities.

After all the last minute shopping was done, lunch was next on the menu. It was when I asked her for her contact numbers and address, as I would like to write to her once I get back to Singapore.

Believe me that when she told me that I would forget about her when I am back, she is wrong about it!

Yes, I did. I forgot to bring back the camera. In fact, when I got back to Singapore, I tried to ask my relatives in Jakarta to search the camera that I have left behind. It was never found.

Sad and disappointed that I have lost all the good and memorable pictures of my trip to Jakarta, I was even more determined to know Susanna even better.

In her letter, she found it surprising that I wrote to her and that she really thought that I would really forget about her. It starts…

Electronic greeting cards were another form of media that we communicated to express our desires and feelings for one another.

That was accomplished when her birthday was approaching. What I did then was a total unbelievable experience for her. I sent to her by post, a present every day till her actual birth date, which is on the 19^th of March.

On that day, she was surprised to receive a Bible from me. She then told me that she never had received so many presents on her birthday. I am so happy and glad that she was thrilled and excited by it!

I told her to read the Bible from time to time to understand all about God’s unfailing love and his almighty forgiveness. I have as well sent to her the ODB [Our Daily Bread] to her for her daily scripture reading.

It was then when I asked her whether if she would accept Christ into her life over the phone when I called her. She said she had accepted Christ as her personal friend and Savior. I was doubly overjoyed then!

Why the double? Read on and you would know!

What more can I ask for? I was lost for words then!

If I can remember clearly the date was the 30^th of March 1998.

Also, we did share the trouble times of the Asean Economical crisis as well as the Indonesia worst case of racism riots in May 1998 which led to the sensitive issue of Chinese women being raped and killed.

It was very tough then as our relationship was being put to the test on grounds of the distance between us, the love for one another and as well as the experience and sharing God’s love and peace with one another.

I would always keep my promise to her that I would at least call her once every week to find out how she was and what she needs from my end that I would be able to send to her. She would then give me first hand accounts on how Indonesia is going through her time of transition and so on. Mostly, the call would last about 10 minutes.

At times though, she surprise me by calling me instead of me calling her! What a gal!

She agreed then and her Aunt Lily accompanied her by coach from Penang.

When our eyes met for the second time, we knew that what was felt between us in the air was unstoppable at this point of time. But, we coolly controlled our desires, as we did not want to embarrass either side in front of public as well as her aunt and my parents who were there to receive both of them when they arrive by coach from Penang.

What was more interesting that my parents had allowed her to stay in our house! I was clearly in a state of surprise, as my parents usually do not allow any of my girlfriends to stay in the same house as me. Of course, not in the same room!

I brought her to places like Underwater World, Butterfly Park, Asean Village and so on. What was more memorable was the trip into Sentosa by Cable car! What we did up there was unforgettable! Kissing each other as we were a few hundred feet from sea level was quite an experience! The view was nice as well!

Not to forget that when evening came, we went to the Musical Fountain to watch the laser display. It was so romantic then as when the rain poured, I took out the umbrella and hugged her closely as we continued to watch the laser display. What more can I ask for? Thank you God for the rain!

After the display was over, we headed straight back for home. Boy! Were we exhausted out from the day’s activities.

We were at Clarke Quay’s amusement theme park when I was playing a certain machine that when you hit the jackpot light; you would win the jackpot prize. I hit it!

She was so overjoyed and elated that she kissed me right there and then in front of my parents, Albert and his family as well as others around us. With the jackpot prize of over 300 plus tokens, I was able to redeem the prize of the cuddly teddy bear in which she was eyeing earlier. Of course with help from my sister, whom also did hit the jackpot earlier, we were able to redeem the teddy bear for her. She hugged onto it straight away when she got her hands onto the bear!

I never seen her so happy before but it makes me happy and glad that not only is she enjoying herself but also the company around her. There is something about Susanna that makes everybody like her. Maybe is the way she presents herself in front of others.

After the service, as a family, we went to Seiyu for lunch. It was then when my parents bought for her a watch. I was gently surprised that my parents would be so kind and generous enough to purchase the watch for her. She never felt so pampered in her life before!

I got for her the rice thingy in which her name was engraved on to a piece of rice and encapsulated into a tube with a liquid, which was to be worn around the necklace. She loved it as I helped to put it on for her.

After Seiyu, we headed back to rest until her flight back to Jakarta at night.

She cried out when she was on board the plane and I did cry when I was back home in my room.

I really do miss her so much! I just want to hold her in my arms again!

Until then till we meet again.

I was relieved that all went well and I slept in peace that night.

Life went on as usual; emails and letters keep coming and going. Greeting cards keeps coming and going as well.

Our relationship was getting stronger day by day as we share and talk on our daily lives, happenings and so on.

I have suggested to her to come down again to Singapore rather than I go over to Jakarta because of the current situation there, in December for the festive period. She agreed and I was overjoyed!

I sure love the tie that she got for me for my birthday.

I videotaped my birthday events and sent them to her via her Uncle Martin when he was in Singapore during late November. She was happy to receive and view the events that took place that night.

I am happy that this time, she would be down in Singapore for 13 days! So, lots of plans and activities that I had in store for her when she is with me. Even my sister has requested to spend time with Susanna, I did leave her a day or two with my sister.

Well, 22^nd of December is fast approaching. Can’t wait but I have to be patient!

Till then, this is all that I can write for now about our short history of our relationship.

You are the visitor who have read this wonderful story.