somewhere behind orchard..
weeping, trembling buildings.ok, now, school's city garden..
litttle 'liu lian' somewhere out there
Fullerton Hotel
one side of the Asian Civilisation Museum
the weird UFO building
merc benz taxi
Sunday, August 12, 2007
school's backyard
oh yeah, the pics from last week, with shaky hands; everything between 2-20 mins stroll from school, 1st three shots from Hilbert's place in orchard.. All taken on the same day. I like Raffles Place so much more than Orchard.
weeping, trembling buildings.
ok, now, school's city garden..
litttle 'liu lian' somewhere out there
Fullerton Hotel
one side of the Asian Civilisation Museum
the weird UFO building
merc benz taxi
weeping, trembling buildings.ok, now, school's city garden..
litttle 'liu lian' somewhere out thereFullerton Hotelone side of the Asian Civilisation Museumthe weird UFO buildingmerc benz taxi
soft pelts
soft pelting with light company, such is the feeling of nighttime rain drops on a motorist's worn out hands after a job & ministry well done, maybe, lone satisfaction.Becoming an imposing edifice in hang-around living room wall, or strip-out bleak wallpaper against the sunlight.
Feeling the wind feeling himself.
heh. my student started playing in services n gotten good comments, makes me feel happy for him n myself. somebody wanted to be the best drum teacher in JB as a side hobby.
I'm glad that mom suggested to put those gloves in the bike's 'boot', water-proof and it warmed my hands on this dark rainy day.
it blew so hard on the 1st floor windows during drum lesson this late afternoon, with thunder rumbling amidst the practicing hands of students. Comfort found its resting place in warm lights, tense drum heads, sweet smiles and work.
I won't forget the young one, with the same big sparkling eyes and straight crop above her forehead like an ageless Japanese doll, smiling up to me like I saved her life. This is my today, that was my grateful sight, to behold everyday's beauty in usual daylight.
Hence, my simple-short little delight.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
life was
beautiful fictitious storyline, unexpected, very touching..
about forgiveness, hope, sacrifice, patience, sickness, obscurity, love.
I love it. =)
not a new book (2003)
"All ending are beginnings. We just don't know it at the time..."
(#1 New York Times bestseller)
From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie comes this long-awaited follow-up, an enchanting, beautifully crafted novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold.
Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. As the park has changed over the years -- from the Loop-the-Loop to the Pipeline Plunge -- so, too, has Eddie changed, from optimistic youth to embittered old age. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.
Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. With his final breath, he feels two small hands in his -- and then nothing. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever.
One by one, Eddie's five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself..
In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom gives us an astoundingly original story that will change everything you've ever thought about the afterlife -- and the meaning of our lives here on earth. With a timeless tale, appealing to all, this is a book that readers of fine fiction, and those who loved Tuesdays with Morrie, will treasure.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Called to Contentment: Living Happily, Here and Now
quick one. it's almost 7pm. books all day. feeling tired. going to catch simple dinner, still undecided where to have it, either by raffles river or back at Hilbert's condo in orchard. gonna grab some photo stills later at the river, while sunset n all.
every encouraged by yean's email, wondering why am i so quiet in class. today my friend debated with me in class, weird insincere guy; linking buddha, monks, 'separation', catholic n christianity all together; saying mary is holy (totally sinless) n it's a holy family (yeah...), and told me that he's a methodist. saying i'm brain washed by my pastor and learning false doctrine, and explaining why they 'request' from mary n saints, and mary is the mother of christianity, and everything goes back to catholism.
some methodist.
i'm tired to even bother thinking abt what he said. now just finishing what i'm typing and going off to take photos. Is it normal to feel so normal being alone, always? I feel quiet.
very.
put it here to read later..
Called to Contentment: Living Happily, Here and Now
Jennifer A. Marshall
Our calendars can fill up quickly. But it’s easy to feel empty in the midst of a full life if there’s no sense of purpose in the busyness. Is the whole of life more meaningful that the sum of its parts?
What we choose to do in life is important, but why we choose to do it matters too. We can be slaves to circumstance, to feelings, or to what others might think. We can look at the daily schedule as simply passing the time until we get to something better in life. Or we can approach life as an ongoing occasion to be good stewards of what we’ve been given. We can be intentional in our responsibilities and relationships and be on the lookout for the opportunities where we can best put our gifts to work. That’s what it means to discern and pursue our callings. With that outlook, our everyday duties and activities contribute like a paycheck into a lifetime account of contentment.
To Be Called Means Life Is Not Just About Us and Our Self-Actualization
When life planning begins with personal fulfillment as its principal objective, it is unlikely to achieve that goal. Yet that’s exactly what much contemporary counsel for women suggests that we d fulfill ourselves through work, fulfill ourselves through mothering, or fulfill ourselves through a combination of both. The advice often boils down to a tail-chasing pursuit of self-actualization.
To look at life as a set of callings from God is a radically different perspective than that of self-fulfillment. Life isn’t about finding ourselves; it’s about glorifying God. When we’re focused on living purposefully by following God through our personal callings, we’re less likely to be distracted by the yo-yo effect of current fads about how to find fulfillment.
Our callings in life are from God and for others. Our talents are to be used in obedience to God rather than in self-aggrandizement. Ultimately, nothing brings greater personal satisfaction than pursuing our callings for His eternal purposes.
A Sense of Callings Connects Our Pleasure with God’s Pleasure
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him,” says Christian teacher John Piper. Linking God’s glory to our satisfaction sounds like some epicurean “eat, drink, and be merry” philosophy. Carpe diem. Could that be Christian?
Living by callings means that we are living in the paths that God created for us. We are seizing today to make the most of the opportunities God has given us in this moment. By answering His call in these ways we show esteem for God. Honoring God, in turn, brings us pleasure???just as we take joy in honoring those we love here on earth.
To live by callings means to take pleasure in seeking God, knowing Him, and worshipping Him. This leads to greater appreciation of His character, His company, and His work.
We go through this same taste-training with other things in life, from fine wine to classic opera to sports. Not many of us are born loving the finest and most complex things???Pinot Noir doesn’t trigger the same taste response as Pepsi, and Verdi isn’t as accessible as eighties rock. Even as adults, we fail to give due credit to things we don’t understand or haven’t taken the time to learn about. During the last Winter Olympics, I realized my lack of appreciation for the complexity of some of the sports, one of which was curling. Now, I know nothing about curling and would not bother to watch it on my own, but I was with someone who understood the sport and could explain why the curlers were barking at each other and what the furious sweeping of the ice with brooms was all about. On another occasion I was watching figure skating with someone who actually had skated and could tell the difference between a triple and quadruple axel. While I can appreciate figure skating even as an uninformed spectator, I cannot spot a quadruple axel.
Turning our appreciation to these less accessible things???spending time learning about their characteristics and the qualities that distinguish them???is a gratifying experience that introduces us to new types of enjoyment. Some are more worthwhile than others, and curling still isn’t at the top of my list. But there is nothing more profoundly satisfying than getting to know what God is like and appreciating more deeply the way He interacts with us.
Understanding Life As a Set of Callings Provides Balance
Callings don’t fit on a time sheet. This isn’t about forty hours a week; it’s about all-the-time overtime. In some seasons of life, paid work may be among our callings, but it won’t be our only calling. The whole fabric of our lives is made up of callings from God???family, relationships, friendships, community connections, and civic responsibilities. That perspective is an important one to have on either side of “I do,” so the sooner we learn it, the better.
If we recognize that callings include an entire network of relationships, responsibilities, and opportunities in life, we will be more likely to keep work in proper balance with the rest. “One can take a job seriously precisely because one does not take it too seriously,” observes ethicist William F. May.
Understanding this also helps to avoid the trap of workaholism. Work-hours can easily bleed into the evening when there isn’t a family at home to make us observe the dinner hour. Working hard is one thing, but when a job begins to edge out other priorities and relationships, that’s a problem. Of course, we rarely intend to let a job consume the rest of our lives, but this can easily begin with the lofty but mistaken view that a particular employment or cause is one’s sole calling from God and that all else in life should take a backseat to it. A single job is never the whole of one’s callings.
Callings are from God, and that is what gives them dignity???not the pay grade or the credibility that comes attached to them.
Having a Sense of Callings Stops the Nonsense of Competitive Life Comparisons
If I were to average the per-family kid count of friends’ Christmas card updates last year, I’d say it’s at about 2.5. It’s easy to look at those family photos and feel way behind as a single woman.
Comparisons become moot and jealousy grows pointless, however, when we understand that there is no one else on this particular track. God’s callings create a personal course for each of us, and what’s important is how we run our race. That also makes it possible to cheer on others as they run their different races (and happily post snapshots of their grinning cherubs on the refrigerator door).
If Each of Use Has Multiple Callings, Then We Haven’t Missed the Mark if We’re Not Married
One of the toughest parts of looking forward to marriage is wondering when it will come around. This year? Next year? Five years from now? Ever?
That’s not a problem with callings. Discovering your callings isn’t like being on hold, waiting for a second interview, or wondering if he will call. We don’t have to wait around for callings to appear or wonder if we’ve missed them. They are made up of what God has put before us to do right now, such as pay back college loans, clean the house, finish that project at work, help a friend who’s sick. And they are the opportunities we see emerging for the future that fit our skills and interests (that new position at the office, a master’s degree in journalism, a chance to move closer to family).
That also means we don’t have to worry that we’ve missed a calling???and that includes marriage. As long as we live attentive to the first call to Christ and the personal callings He has put in our lives, we can be confident that we aren’t in a holding pattern just because twenty-five (or thirty, or forty) is around the corner and marriage is nowhere in sight.
A person’s callings may include, but will not be limited to, marriage. Even for those who do not marry, the marriage relationship is not the sum total of their callings. To reduce the idea of callings to a single relationship???even one as central and life-changing as marriage???is to miss the point. Getting married, in other words, shouldn’t be the measure of any woman’s success in life.
Marriage, motherhood, and the women in those stations of life deserve high esteem. But what makes wives and mothers admirable?
The woman who puts her faith in Christ finds her identity and value in Him, not in her marital or maternal status. A woman who is a wife and mother and who faithfully loves and serves God and her family deserves honor and praise for being faithful in the roles God has given her for that season of her life???not for the accomplishments of attracting a man, bearing children, or keeping house like Martha Stewart.
In the same way, the Christian woman who is single has value in her identity in Christ, not from her professional standing, heroic volunteer work, or footloose freedom. The practical way she shows her love for Christ is by obeying Him in the callings He has given her for this stage of life, including work, family, friendships, and service opportunities. If she is living faithfully in the callings God has given her and is open to what His hand might bring later, there is no reason for her or anyone else to think that she is incomplete or that she hasn’t fulfilled her purpose because she is not married.
Our status in life???marital, economic, vocational???is part of God’s purpose and should therefore be a source of contentment rather than anxiety. Contentment doesn’t mean we have to be passive and let life roll past us, though. We should each be making “directional progress,” as Jackie in Chicago said, to become the women God has called us to be. Our personal callings play a part in showing us that direction.
every encouraged by yean's email, wondering why am i so quiet in class. today my friend debated with me in class, weird insincere guy; linking buddha, monks, 'separation', catholic n christianity all together; saying mary is holy (totally sinless) n it's a holy family (yeah...), and told me that he's a methodist. saying i'm brain washed by my pastor and learning false doctrine, and explaining why they 'request' from mary n saints, and mary is the mother of christianity, and everything goes back to catholism.
some methodist.
i'm tired to even bother thinking abt what he said. now just finishing what i'm typing and going off to take photos. Is it normal to feel so normal being alone, always? I feel quiet.
very.
put it here to read later..Called to Contentment: Living Happily, Here and Now
Jennifer A. Marshall
Our calendars can fill up quickly. But it’s easy to feel empty in the midst of a full life if there’s no sense of purpose in the busyness. Is the whole of life more meaningful that the sum of its parts?
What we choose to do in life is important, but why we choose to do it matters too. We can be slaves to circumstance, to feelings, or to what others might think. We can look at the daily schedule as simply passing the time until we get to something better in life. Or we can approach life as an ongoing occasion to be good stewards of what we’ve been given. We can be intentional in our responsibilities and relationships and be on the lookout for the opportunities where we can best put our gifts to work. That’s what it means to discern and pursue our callings. With that outlook, our everyday duties and activities contribute like a paycheck into a lifetime account of contentment.
To Be Called Means Life Is Not Just About Us and Our Self-Actualization
When life planning begins with personal fulfillment as its principal objective, it is unlikely to achieve that goal. Yet that’s exactly what much contemporary counsel for women suggests that we d fulfill ourselves through work, fulfill ourselves through mothering, or fulfill ourselves through a combination of both. The advice often boils down to a tail-chasing pursuit of self-actualization.
To look at life as a set of callings from God is a radically different perspective than that of self-fulfillment. Life isn’t about finding ourselves; it’s about glorifying God. When we’re focused on living purposefully by following God through our personal callings, we’re less likely to be distracted by the yo-yo effect of current fads about how to find fulfillment.
Our callings in life are from God and for others. Our talents are to be used in obedience to God rather than in self-aggrandizement. Ultimately, nothing brings greater personal satisfaction than pursuing our callings for His eternal purposes.
A Sense of Callings Connects Our Pleasure with God’s Pleasure
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him,” says Christian teacher John Piper. Linking God’s glory to our satisfaction sounds like some epicurean “eat, drink, and be merry” philosophy. Carpe diem. Could that be Christian?
Living by callings means that we are living in the paths that God created for us. We are seizing today to make the most of the opportunities God has given us in this moment. By answering His call in these ways we show esteem for God. Honoring God, in turn, brings us pleasure???just as we take joy in honoring those we love here on earth.
To live by callings means to take pleasure in seeking God, knowing Him, and worshipping Him. This leads to greater appreciation of His character, His company, and His work.
We go through this same taste-training with other things in life, from fine wine to classic opera to sports. Not many of us are born loving the finest and most complex things???Pinot Noir doesn’t trigger the same taste response as Pepsi, and Verdi isn’t as accessible as eighties rock. Even as adults, we fail to give due credit to things we don’t understand or haven’t taken the time to learn about. During the last Winter Olympics, I realized my lack of appreciation for the complexity of some of the sports, one of which was curling. Now, I know nothing about curling and would not bother to watch it on my own, but I was with someone who understood the sport and could explain why the curlers were barking at each other and what the furious sweeping of the ice with brooms was all about. On another occasion I was watching figure skating with someone who actually had skated and could tell the difference between a triple and quadruple axel. While I can appreciate figure skating even as an uninformed spectator, I cannot spot a quadruple axel.
Turning our appreciation to these less accessible things???spending time learning about their characteristics and the qualities that distinguish them???is a gratifying experience that introduces us to new types of enjoyment. Some are more worthwhile than others, and curling still isn’t at the top of my list. But there is nothing more profoundly satisfying than getting to know what God is like and appreciating more deeply the way He interacts with us.
Understanding Life As a Set of Callings Provides Balance
Callings don’t fit on a time sheet. This isn’t about forty hours a week; it’s about all-the-time overtime. In some seasons of life, paid work may be among our callings, but it won’t be our only calling. The whole fabric of our lives is made up of callings from God???family, relationships, friendships, community connections, and civic responsibilities. That perspective is an important one to have on either side of “I do,” so the sooner we learn it, the better.
If we recognize that callings include an entire network of relationships, responsibilities, and opportunities in life, we will be more likely to keep work in proper balance with the rest. “One can take a job seriously precisely because one does not take it too seriously,” observes ethicist William F. May.
Understanding this also helps to avoid the trap of workaholism. Work-hours can easily bleed into the evening when there isn’t a family at home to make us observe the dinner hour. Working hard is one thing, but when a job begins to edge out other priorities and relationships, that’s a problem. Of course, we rarely intend to let a job consume the rest of our lives, but this can easily begin with the lofty but mistaken view that a particular employment or cause is one’s sole calling from God and that all else in life should take a backseat to it. A single job is never the whole of one’s callings.
Callings are from God, and that is what gives them dignity???not the pay grade or the credibility that comes attached to them.
Having a Sense of Callings Stops the Nonsense of Competitive Life Comparisons
If I were to average the per-family kid count of friends’ Christmas card updates last year, I’d say it’s at about 2.5. It’s easy to look at those family photos and feel way behind as a single woman.
Comparisons become moot and jealousy grows pointless, however, when we understand that there is no one else on this particular track. God’s callings create a personal course for each of us, and what’s important is how we run our race. That also makes it possible to cheer on others as they run their different races (and happily post snapshots of their grinning cherubs on the refrigerator door).
If Each of Use Has Multiple Callings, Then We Haven’t Missed the Mark if We’re Not Married
One of the toughest parts of looking forward to marriage is wondering when it will come around. This year? Next year? Five years from now? Ever?
That’s not a problem with callings. Discovering your callings isn’t like being on hold, waiting for a second interview, or wondering if he will call. We don’t have to wait around for callings to appear or wonder if we’ve missed them. They are made up of what God has put before us to do right now, such as pay back college loans, clean the house, finish that project at work, help a friend who’s sick. And they are the opportunities we see emerging for the future that fit our skills and interests (that new position at the office, a master’s degree in journalism, a chance to move closer to family).
That also means we don’t have to worry that we’ve missed a calling???and that includes marriage. As long as we live attentive to the first call to Christ and the personal callings He has put in our lives, we can be confident that we aren’t in a holding pattern just because twenty-five (or thirty, or forty) is around the corner and marriage is nowhere in sight.
A person’s callings may include, but will not be limited to, marriage. Even for those who do not marry, the marriage relationship is not the sum total of their callings. To reduce the idea of callings to a single relationship???even one as central and life-changing as marriage???is to miss the point. Getting married, in other words, shouldn’t be the measure of any woman’s success in life.
Marriage, motherhood, and the women in those stations of life deserve high esteem. But what makes wives and mothers admirable?
The woman who puts her faith in Christ finds her identity and value in Him, not in her marital or maternal status. A woman who is a wife and mother and who faithfully loves and serves God and her family deserves honor and praise for being faithful in the roles God has given her for that season of her life???not for the accomplishments of attracting a man, bearing children, or keeping house like Martha Stewart.
In the same way, the Christian woman who is single has value in her identity in Christ, not from her professional standing, heroic volunteer work, or footloose freedom. The practical way she shows her love for Christ is by obeying Him in the callings He has given her for this stage of life, including work, family, friendships, and service opportunities. If she is living faithfully in the callings God has given her and is open to what His hand might bring later, there is no reason for her or anyone else to think that she is incomplete or that she hasn’t fulfilled her purpose because she is not married.
Our status in life???marital, economic, vocational???is part of God’s purpose and should therefore be a source of contentment rather than anxiety. Contentment doesn’t mean we have to be passive and let life roll past us, though. We should each be making “directional progress,” as Jackie in Chicago said, to become the women God has called us to be. Our personal callings play a part in showing us that direction.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
dark circle
as i am writing (12.40am monday) the dark circle under my eyes are so obvious, i can't believe it. good thing in church i wear specs so nobody noticed. H.U.G.E. was great, it was such a fantastic time with friends and also gospel. when everybody was in elim eating, i went in to canaan hall to pack my stuffs for a short while; and in utter silence, i felt joy, and thanked God for all the wonderful things that he put in my life.. tnt buddies, tnt CG, teenz CG, english wmm, bilingual wmm, teenz leaders buddies, close friends, family. it's good to know that even if i miss out something in the world, i think i don't miss out much of what God wants me to have and to be in. It's the BEST.
past week have been full of activities besides sch & traveling. relatives from holland came and i accompany them to sentosa island n orchard road.
so my rest & study days were taken up in full. they left on sat after a satisfying meal at yean's bak ku teh. =)
now the zeal to learn dutch is back, heh. =P
photos taken by me (yay!) on the open top double-decker bus in sentosa island.
cousins, uncles & aunties..
right after taking this pic, the bus went through a tunnel, i have to duck, fast. ha.
after so many years, going back to underwater world is fun. at the entrance, there's actually two 'touch' pools where u can reach your hand into the water and touch the sea creatures, string rays, beautiful fishes. awesome.
big live crabby.
oh ya, they r real good-looking, get stares & comments from female strangers. half chinese. they r so proud to be chinese, i don't understand. if it's me i might feel proud to be half dutch, lol.
cute lil' jakey. "nya-nya-nyak". ran in and out of starbucks in wisma astria and attracted all the smiles from on-lookers.
what a week it has been, great weekend too. tis weekend played drums in teenz, sat night service, sunday morning service, album prac, and H.U.G.E rally. dunno y suddenly the duties come together like the rare alignment of solar system. i think i know why i play better - lots of playing breeds improvement.
some approached me to ask when will be the start of another drum course in FGC, hmm..
"split me into two persons, babeh."
tomorrow, another day of adventure in new things. i wonder how is my students' performance in the drum theory exam, see when am i free to go collect back the exam papers to mark, hehehehe...
oh God.. i'm so tired... inbox got 89 unchecked emails, siao, sign out..
oh, but the pre-service prayer in teenz really refreshes me..
great celebration tomorrow night, for i am going to sleep 8 hours! woo hoo!!!!
Hillsong United - None But Jesus
In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise
In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days
All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore
past week have been full of activities besides sch & traveling. relatives from holland came and i accompany them to sentosa island n orchard road.
so my rest & study days were taken up in full. they left on sat after a satisfying meal at yean's bak ku teh. =)
now the zeal to learn dutch is back, heh. =P
photos taken by me (yay!) on the open top double-decker bus in sentosa island.
cousins, uncles & aunties..
right after taking this pic, the bus went through a tunnel, i have to duck, fast. ha.
after so many years, going back to underwater world is fun. at the entrance, there's actually two 'touch' pools where u can reach your hand into the water and touch the sea creatures, string rays, beautiful fishes. awesome.
big live crabby.
oh ya, they r real good-looking, get stares & comments from female strangers. half chinese. they r so proud to be chinese, i don't understand. if it's me i might feel proud to be half dutch, lol.
cute lil' jakey. "nya-nya-nyak". ran in and out of starbucks in wisma astria and attracted all the smiles from on-lookers.
what a week it has been, great weekend too. tis weekend played drums in teenz, sat night service, sunday morning service, album prac, and H.U.G.E rally. dunno y suddenly the duties come together like the rare alignment of solar system. i think i know why i play better - lots of playing breeds improvement.
some approached me to ask when will be the start of another drum course in FGC, hmm..
"split me into two persons, babeh."
tomorrow, another day of adventure in new things. i wonder how is my students' performance in the drum theory exam, see when am i free to go collect back the exam papers to mark, hehehehe...
oh God.. i'm so tired... inbox got 89 unchecked emails, siao, sign out..
oh, but the pre-service prayer in teenz really refreshes me..
great celebration tomorrow night, for i am going to sleep 8 hours! woo hoo!!!!
Hillsong United - None But Jesus
In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise
In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days
All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore
Sunday, July 29, 2007
serenity
sunday..i wish i could split into two during weekends, so that i can rest to prepare for weekdays.
A little jaded of meeting schedules by the minutes.
had breakfast at 7, lunch at 4.30, dinner at 11.
tonight will achieve my target of sleeping before 2, yay.
but it's really nice teaching drums today, although some students made me a little sad and worried, one tried to cheer me up and succeeded. =) it's amusing to see how proud she felt to be able to cheer me up, haha.
the last quiet student finally warmed up to me, a very well-prepared and diligent student. cute little 8-yr old girl with stunningly big, crystal gleaming double-lid eyes. seriously the most beautiful eyes i've ever seen in my life, with a pretty smile to backup. ha.
if i were to have a daughter, hopefully she will have eyes like her. =P
in this church (not FGC), i'm teaching some of the coolest girls, pretty and deadly in drums - scare off the ego boys in the future, lol. my boy students are not too bad too, some r also quite talented and all are very 'teachable'.
i enjoy my work, it's nice to see them learning drums so quickly.
i find myself smiling after finishing the last class, saying byes, switching off the warm spotlights and riding home in cold winds. the end of every sunday, one of the colourful photos in my memory album.
another change in 6 months, i think, becoming a cycle. meeting different people, facing other challenges, changing of schedule. Seems that nothing ever stays, besides family, close friends and the author of life.
so.. goodnight, close my eyes, and dream of another colour, in tomorrow's light.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
love
was very enlightened & encouraged by this.. from evan almighty, heh. nice comedy.
If you prayed for patience,
do you think God will give you patience,
or opportunities to be patient?
If you prayed for courage,
will God give you strong courage,
or opportunities to be courageous?
If you pray for your family to be closer,
do u think that God is absent of warm fuzzy feelings,
or He gives opportunities to love more?
...
so, maybe
If i asked for diligence,
God gives me time & space,
and finally puts in a little restriction, criticism, and loads of encouragement.
If i asked for rest,
he shows me the unnecessary baggage that can be put off.
If i asked for love,
He puts me in a group of people who love,
and another group that needs love.
If i asked for companionship,
he throws in a little surprise,
and in the end,
shows me that even if I stand silent,
I'm never alone.
If I asked for a better life,
or, life.
well..
one day i'll get an answer for that... =)
If you prayed for patience,
do you think God will give you patience,
or opportunities to be patient?
If you prayed for courage,
will God give you strong courage,
or opportunities to be courageous?
If you pray for your family to be closer,
do u think that God is absent of warm fuzzy feelings,
or He gives opportunities to love more?
...
so, maybe
If i asked for diligence,
God gives me time & space,
and finally puts in a little restriction, criticism, and loads of encouragement.
If i asked for rest,
he shows me the unnecessary baggage that can be put off.
If i asked for love,
He puts me in a group of people who love,
and another group that needs love.
If i asked for companionship,
he throws in a little surprise,
and in the end,
shows me that even if I stand silent,
I'm never alone.
If I asked for a better life,
or, life.
well..
one day i'll get an answer for that... =)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Lifehouse - 'Everything' skit
thks, pei pei.
"You have to watch the end... I don't know who put this together nor do I know when or where. All I know is they did a tremendous job and for some this skit could be life changing."
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.
You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.
And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
"You have to watch the end... I don't know who put this together nor do I know when or where. All I know is they did a tremendous job and for some this skit could be life changing."
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.
You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.
And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Monday, July 23, 2007
pics
wow, seow ching's photo-taking skill is astonishing. this is danga bay, taken from her blog.Sunset, everyday wonders.
next, my school n future workplace. just right behind that dark building. middle, white thing is mrt station.
3 mins away, the famous hotel, river & bridge. my favourite 'breathe & think' place, beautiful at night.
night scene, from another perspective.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
14 hours
what a Sunday it has been. came early to church to guide a new drummer in drumming, only to find that he didn't turn up, how disappointing. but it was ok, replace jmond for a short while before he showed up for duty; then i happily go CBC to play drums, surprised to see that i'm the only musician there. am i missing something?
even so, it's always great to play in CBC, cos people are much more simple, and it's easy to worship. oh ya, and kids are so cute, until you get to know them, lol.
after that, sermon... highlight of the day - meeting Joel & Rebecca, =) it's been so long, words are few. ... ... his snapping habit is still there though, haha. i remember many yrs ago when we hang around in english service, going out wif a bunch of guys, bowling, s'pore zoo - laughed at the baboons, saying that their red big butts is butt cancer.
.. heh heh.. sigh...
had album practice.. went to work, 10.45pm. went to a Bday party at howard's place, 12am.
it's been a long day, and i still feel tired now, monday morning.
different phases every few years, how much more does it have to change?
even so, it's always great to play in CBC, cos people are much more simple, and it's easy to worship. oh ya, and kids are so cute, until you get to know them, lol.
after that, sermon... highlight of the day - meeting Joel & Rebecca, =) it's been so long, words are few. ... ... his snapping habit is still there though, haha. i remember many yrs ago when we hang around in english service, going out wif a bunch of guys, bowling, s'pore zoo - laughed at the baboons, saying that their red big butts is butt cancer.
.. heh heh.. sigh...
had album practice.. went to work, 10.45pm. went to a Bday party at howard's place, 12am.
it's been a long day, and i still feel tired now, monday morning.
different phases every few years, how much more does it have to change?
Friday, July 20, 2007
transform.
*yawn* .. tomorrow's teenz again. 3rd week of manners month.. next month street-e again.. autobots, move out.
feeling like a slow 'manual-bot'.
feeling like a slow 'manual-bot'.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Shadowfeet - Brooke Fraser
Shadowfeet
Walking,stumbling on these shadowfeet
toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing: less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when i began
and i have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day
[CHORUS]
when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
Theres distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumours of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way
You make all things new
[CHORUS 2]
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
like that
day come and go as i do my stuffs, settle some delayed things. study accounts, write exam paper for my drum students, recover from flu. learning to be almost totally independent n really grow up. i like the mixture of international students in class, where singaporeans aren' t the majority, and not the chinese either, but i'm the only m'sian. :(
students from vietnam, maldives, china, india, brunei, indonesia, myanmar, nepal. and lecturer's from UK, outstanding lecturer, and very humorous. so that's the popular college i'm attending in raffles place. dunno y i rarely talk about my studies that happen on weekdays. erm, i study accountancy; tax, financial reporting, strategic business planning & development, professional ethics, and business analysis for this june-dec 2007 period. (a lot of case study in my studies, companies like Enron, arthur anderson, NKF, the body shop, ikea..)
i don't stay in s'pore, i travel in-out everyday, like my bro.
every sunday afternoon till night i teach drums in another church, as a part-time income.
.my life.
i still enjoy a cool breeze of sea wind on a beach, over the setting sun n under a simple kite. but need company la, similar to alan's plight, ha.
the song you hear is from Hillsong's latest album (Saviour King). one of the songs that caught my attention. singer is Brooke Fraser - NZ n australia's no.1 pop artist, titus told me. nice voice n writes good lyrics.
alan put this poem in his blog a long while ago, nice poem..
hope that i could write like that one day, to express well in words.
Forgetfulness
The Poem - The name of the author is the first to go followed obediently by the title, the plot, the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of, as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain, to a little fishing village where there are no phones. Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag, and even now as you memorize the order of the planets, something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps, the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay. Whatever it is you are struggling to remember, it is not poised on the tip of your tongue, not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen. It has floated away down a dark mythological river whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall, well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle. No wonder you rise in the middle of the night to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war. No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.
students from vietnam, maldives, china, india, brunei, indonesia, myanmar, nepal. and lecturer's from UK, outstanding lecturer, and very humorous. so that's the popular college i'm attending in raffles place. dunno y i rarely talk about my studies that happen on weekdays. erm, i study accountancy; tax, financial reporting, strategic business planning & development, professional ethics, and business analysis for this june-dec 2007 period. (a lot of case study in my studies, companies like Enron, arthur anderson, NKF, the body shop, ikea..)
i don't stay in s'pore, i travel in-out everyday, like my bro.
every sunday afternoon till night i teach drums in another church, as a part-time income.
.my life.
i still enjoy a cool breeze of sea wind on a beach, over the setting sun n under a simple kite. but need company la, similar to alan's plight, ha.
the song you hear is from Hillsong's latest album (Saviour King). one of the songs that caught my attention. singer is Brooke Fraser - NZ n australia's no.1 pop artist, titus told me. nice voice n writes good lyrics.
alan put this poem in his blog a long while ago, nice poem..
hope that i could write like that one day, to express well in words.
Forgetfulness
The Poem - The name of the author is the first to go followed obediently by the title, the plot, the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of, as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain, to a little fishing village where there are no phones. Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag, and even now as you memorize the order of the planets, something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps, the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay. Whatever it is you are struggling to remember, it is not poised on the tip of your tongue, not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen. It has floated away down a dark mythological river whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall, well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle. No wonder you rise in the middle of the night to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war. No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.
Monday, July 16, 2007
One.
looking back at the days when i used to play old video games like mario, when the level gets higher and i kept 'dying' till the last life remaining, a few emotions tensed up within me. Sometimes i get very nervous and freeze up, at times i lose hope and 'simply' play, other times, i try very hard to stay alive and be very stressed up; and at one time, i have fun playing, and enjoy the game while it lasts.
today, i thought of my remaining lives.
one.
only one.
What we do in this life, echoes in eternity..
.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
hiding place
i find that one of the ways to make myself really attentive during Sunday sermons is to assume that i need to do sermon sharing during the next TnT cell group time.
what pst dennis shared this morning struck me as i was listening, lol-ing and jotting down notes..
relationship with Christ should far exceed serving. lately boon n wah have been emphasizing this, with Jim Yost coming soon during missions month n the 40 days fast & prayer till our nation's 50th independence anniversary. i think.. heh
i was having a wonderful "after-meal" with tnt buddies, sitting around a long table savouring/wiping out leftover wedding food, happily chatting with Ming Hui; but a phone call jolted me out of the chatter spirit, back into a forgotten meeting schedule. I excused myself and was silently awaken by a phrase by Ming Hui: "oh, again ar, bye.."
"where got 'again', only this time lor.."
"only this time? yesterday's cell also like that lor, quickly share TAWG then need to go off"
that few sentences imploded in my head, kept wondering in my mind for a while, and finally settled down in peace when i heard dennis' sermon this sunday morning.
Hiding place.
when the world coughs up a storm, when time races you inevitably to the next phase in life, when insecurity n hurts stamps its place in the deepest corner of the heart.
I can find rest in my saviour n God, and he will renew me in his likeness.
Be purified and one day, soon, be able to say that your love is better than wine.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
serenity with hurts
This would be the prayer for my next 5 yrs.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
-Reinhold Niebuhr
and probably, God grant me the wisdom how to handle & accept people that has a selfish heart n lousy mouth.
start to understand why there is a quote like:
"I love mankind, it's humans that i can't stand."
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
-Reinhold Niebuhr
and probably, God grant me the wisdom how to handle & accept people that has a selfish heart n lousy mouth.
start to understand why there is a quote like:
"I love mankind, it's humans that i can't stand."
“So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.”
Thursday, June 28, 2007
"ok guys, roll out!!"
"transformers~.. ~~ molest me you die~ "
the melodious phrase that my bro n I used to joke about when the cartoon is mentioned.
watched it this afternoon at its 1st day premier. really good, guys will love it to bits, the action scenes, special effects & sound are fresh & absolutely fantastic, and the movie has its share of humour too.
the movie trailer offers only this, so much more in da movie itself. heh..
definitely a must-watch! =)
the melodious phrase that my bro n I used to joke about when the cartoon is mentioned.
watched it this afternoon at its 1st day premier. really good, guys will love it to bits, the action scenes, special effects & sound are fresh & absolutely fantastic, and the movie has its share of humour too.
the movie trailer offers only this, so much more in da movie itself. heh..
definitely a must-watch! =)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
heh heh
heh heh, me in jusco tebrau. best drum set ever played, slightly better than the one in asian beat competition.
hair getting long...
A Woman's Conversation About a Haircut:
Oh! That's so cute!
Do you think so? I wasn't sure when she was gave me the mirror. I mean, you don't think it's too fluffy looking?
Oh no! No, it's perfect. I'd love to get my hair cut like that, but I think my face is too wide. I'm pretty much stuck with this stuff I think.
Are you serious? I think your face is adorable. And you could easily get one of those layer cuts that would look so cute I think. I was actually going to do that except that I was afraid it would accent my long neck.
Oh, that's funny! I would love to have your neck! Anything to take attention away from this two-by-four I have for a shoulder line.
Are you kidding? I know girls that would love to have your shoulders. Everything drapes so well on you. I mean, look at my arms. See how short they are? If I had your shoulders I could get clothes to fit me so much easier.
A Man's Conversation About a Haircut:
"Haircut?"
"Yep."
hair getting long...
A Woman's Conversation About a Haircut:
Oh! That's so cute!
Do you think so? I wasn't sure when she was gave me the mirror. I mean, you don't think it's too fluffy looking?
Oh no! No, it's perfect. I'd love to get my hair cut like that, but I think my face is too wide. I'm pretty much stuck with this stuff I think.
Are you serious? I think your face is adorable. And you could easily get one of those layer cuts that would look so cute I think. I was actually going to do that except that I was afraid it would accent my long neck.
Oh, that's funny! I would love to have your neck! Anything to take attention away from this two-by-four I have for a shoulder line.
Are you kidding? I know girls that would love to have your shoulders. Everything drapes so well on you. I mean, look at my arms. See how short they are? If I had your shoulders I could get clothes to fit me so much easier.
A Man's Conversation About a Haircut:
"Haircut?"
"Yep."
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Man
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
- Albert Einstein
cool..
- Albert Einstein
Oh I say the measure of a man
Is not how tall you stand
How wealthy or intelligent you are
'Cause I found out the measure of a man
God knows and understand
For He looks inside to the bottom of your heart
And what's in the heart defines
The measure of a man
cool..
Monday, June 18, 2007
silent wave
what a long week, vacation in genting, preparation for the "firsts": first christian band performance in jusco, my personal first drum workshop in another church..
just came back from danga bay yamaha (monday night), two new students, learned fast, happy. they happy me happy.
life sure passed so fast after my exams, it's a busy schedule and lately it's starting to slow down (yay heh). to catch more sleep, clear the black eye rings, see some sunsets, write some stuffs..
i wonder if i have two personalities, mainly one in normal life and another one in teaching drums.
i see myself walking around chatting non-stop loud n cheerfully during last night's drum seminar, being open and bright n cheery with the young kids, make them laugh n adore me. speaking in a higher, clearer voice. do cute stuffs and draw the attention of my listeners. being the person that i wished to be.
the dream me.
and when the drum seminar ends, they helped me put back the drum set, went home. and i stayed back to clean the white board with alcohol-soaked toilet paper, slowly; under the yellow-orange glow stage spotlight, with my favourite sentimental soundtrack playing in the background. while the pretty drum student (a few yrs younger than me) waits for me to clear up the place so that she can lock the church doors.
i thanked her and reminded her to revise the drum materials learned on that day, and left. went to the faithful motorcycle, loaded in heavy stuffs, and rode back home, in 30 minutes of sad road lights & drizzle.
leaving behind a fake dream that once is all of me.
thinking back at that time, what happened a few hours ago in the afternoon, in jusco. the hype & exhaustion, the lesson of trust & humility in Christ. the beauty of unity, and the wonderful personalities. i told God that i'm amazed at his planning and uniqueness, smiling in my heart seeing the people, church people, being the way they are, always will be.
and i see myself walking out of doubt, confusion.. more into confidence and purpose, dropping the depressed knife, holding jagged heart nearer to the old cross.
And welcoming July.
just came back from danga bay yamaha (monday night), two new students, learned fast, happy. they happy me happy.
life sure passed so fast after my exams, it's a busy schedule and lately it's starting to slow down (yay heh). to catch more sleep, clear the black eye rings, see some sunsets, write some stuffs..
i wonder if i have two personalities, mainly one in normal life and another one in teaching drums.
i see myself walking around chatting non-stop loud n cheerfully during last night's drum seminar, being open and bright n cheery with the young kids, make them laugh n adore me. speaking in a higher, clearer voice. do cute stuffs and draw the attention of my listeners. being the person that i wished to be.
the dream me.
and when the drum seminar ends, they helped me put back the drum set, went home. and i stayed back to clean the white board with alcohol-soaked toilet paper, slowly; under the yellow-orange glow stage spotlight, with my favourite sentimental soundtrack playing in the background. while the pretty drum student (a few yrs younger than me) waits for me to clear up the place so that she can lock the church doors.
i thanked her and reminded her to revise the drum materials learned on that day, and left. went to the faithful motorcycle, loaded in heavy stuffs, and rode back home, in 30 minutes of sad road lights & drizzle.
leaving behind a fake dream that once is all of me.
thinking back at that time, what happened a few hours ago in the afternoon, in jusco. the hype & exhaustion, the lesson of trust & humility in Christ. the beauty of unity, and the wonderful personalities. i told God that i'm amazed at his planning and uniqueness, smiling in my heart seeing the people, church people, being the way they are, always will be.
and i see myself walking out of doubt, confusion.. more into confidence and purpose, dropping the depressed knife, holding jagged heart nearer to the old cross.
And welcoming July.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
busy
been busy lately.. will write in a few days' time..
meanwhile, check out the single of high school musical 2. =)
meanwhile, check out the single of high school musical 2. =)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Pam
i was greatly encouraged n challenged by what she shared, really good..
=)
1st day of exam, here i go..
=)
1st day of exam, here i go..
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