What do you do?

Sunday today in church, Pastor's message rings familiar. What are we defined by? Very often, we are defined by our profession.

In any new social setting, we normally would introduce our name, where we are from, then next, would be what do we do.

About more than a year ago, I remember vividly a night before an exam (Chemical Energetics), I was awake praying, talking to God. I remember asking God again what I would become. Was this course that I was doing God's very plan? That I would specifically be this Massey graduated Chemical and Nanotech Engineer?

Like what Pastor said today, we are not defined by what we do, but who we are. God can called us to be anything and still bring God glory through what we do. No matter if it's an engineer, dentist, sales person, teacher, business investor, doctor, real estate agent, scientist, pastor, lawyer, food technologist, vet etc. As long as we are honest, diligent, and God honoring in the ways we work.

Apart getting good at what we do, (by study, going to uni, going to work etc), dont you think we should grow who we are as well!?

Of cos, the hardest bit would be finding who we are.

As we grow up, we often don't know who we are, what is our purpose on earth. Is it merely getting a degree, get a good job, meet someone, get married and go by life? at times, this life progress sounds fine, but at times, we scream quietly inside us wanting to do more, desiring something greater, as though we are wired to feel that way.

Then, we always look within ourselves, to our hearts, to find purpose, but we find no answer.

We are looking at the wrong place to begin with. Would you agree with me that the best way of finding out what an invention is for, is to approach its inventor. Looking at the invention itself, might or might not you can figure out its purpose. As wonderful creations, we too could look to our Creator, to find out who we are, and what we are wired for.

If these questions are something that you are wrestling with, I encourage you to start looking at the right starting point.

How much do the Creator know about you and me? Read here!

Chick flick and more than a good habit

New semester started like 4 days ago. Class contact hours are shockingly relaxed but workload does not seem to cease. But am enjoying the flexibility of time!

School and reading never seem to fail to be associated together. Apart from 4th year research project that requires us to read heaps, we have another book to read. Its a novel that talks about how this plant guy manages his in trouble plant while his marriage itself is too in crisis. One of my classmate describes the book like a chick flick. oh boy! Should be quite interesting to read nevertheless!

Books are valuable assets. It's like getting another person's years long experience in a few days/weeks/months time as we read them. We won't have managed plants and factories before but other people have, and the novel which we were told to read is their experiences. Reading the book is like having a taste of their experience.

I do not read as much as I wish to as I have plenty of books that I am interested that I want to read. I want to cultivate reading more this year and on the left tab can be seen some of the books that I am currently reading (some since last year already!). Only through reading we can widen our mindsets and ideas! So I encourage you to pick up a good book and read too!

(Of course, mere book knowledge does not do us any good too! Takes life application to turn knowledge into wisdom lah!)

Clubs day, rejections and sales

Club's day yesterday. For the 3rd year now I was manning the booth for OCF. You could say, same old thing every year. Talk to newbies, telling them who we are, what we do, and invite them for the Kiwi Culture Night that we are doing on Friday.

I saw many responses personally. Apart from 'ok and yes' I got some rejections too.

• Sorry Im not a Christian (though one doesn't have to be a Christian to come)
  
• Nah it's alright
• Ugh!
• *silent*

We all hate rejections but part of life is to get rejected. This reminds me of an insightful post I read on rejection a while ago. I like specifically what the author wrote at the end.

"The question is again - is not how to avoid rejections but how to embrace and grow from rejections. We can avoid rejection at all costs. We just don’t take risks anymore and live a safe life. We don’t reach out and open up ourselves to be vulnerable. We don’t invest in lives of others and just live for ourselves. We don’t make a stand or dare to dream to live a larger life. We live our lives driven by fear of rejection rather than fear of God. We live our lives driven by safeness of life rather than dreams. "

Find Part 1 and Part 2 of the post there.

I am proud of those who came yesterday and talked to the newbies. We forget how much of a long way our little conversations could be sometimes.

Airports, Kaikoura, and cultures.

It is interesting that how sitting there at the airport, you can actually see life itself progressing, as if rolling its tape right in front of you.

Flight back home was about 4 hours away and I just didn't feel like digging into the book I brought along with me; just had a strong repulsion to it. Instead, I resolved to people watch. Sometimes observing the surroundings may not be anything highly profound that gives huge revelations to life. On the contrary, all I saw was plain normal life.

I saw children running around chasing each other cheerily, it was pretty obvious that they were without a care in the world, apart from the concern of being caught by the other chasing kids of coz; businessmen waiting patiently, or unpatiently for time to pass; Korean school boys with their electronics gadgets sitting and waiting; an Islander girl crying shamelessly in public saying goodbyes to her female family members, while the male family members stood aside stoically with arms folded; a check-in receptionist trainee eager to learn of his new job, listening to every single instructions his supervisor gave by his side; a chinese male saleman persuading a aunty looking middle-aged woman to buy healthcare products in his loud charismatic voice; 2 old men sat by each other and began conversation by 'you look familiar' and turned out to be that they were colleagues more than 10 years ago; 2 young chinese malaysians taking pictures of 'Departing to Malaysia' sign, perhaps for their last time, and chatting excitedly about leaving for home in malaysian chinese etc.

Ya you get the idea. I could go on and on. I had 4 hours, remember?

Much is going on at airports. Just like Kaikoura is the place to do whale watching in NZ, airports are one of the best places to do people watching. Apart from luggages, people bring their emotions. It is like they wear it on their sleeves. Airport is place for hellos and goodbyes. Airport is a place that transport human beings to another place thousand miles away with giant metal birds. Airport is always a special place because I personally think that it triggers many to think more, think outside of their own world for a moment, which we usually don't have time for, because we have bills to pay, jobs to go to, assignments to do, tv series to catch up, latest movies to go to, project to finish, articles to read, friends to catch up, new food stores in town to try, so on and so on. So, somehow traveling long distance has its magic. Perhaps is the fact that we feel (how paradoxical) small and limited when traveling long distance to another foreign place that puts daily (and some petty) chores in a halt.

Well, next time, try not to just jump straight in your book, ipod, iphone, bb, nintendo ds etc so quickly while waiting at airports. Remember to take the opportunity to observe people around you. I must say it is rather interesting. I guess the starting point is to acknowledge that by sitting there observing, you could learn something from people, though there is nothing interesting going on at all. Don't write it off as time wasting just yet. It is the openness to the opportunity of learning that would bring you far, not so much about what you get at the end. If you are not open, you simply miss out learning something big next time.

As for me personally, after all the people watching, I found it utmost interesting how culture changes by one plane ride away. How the way you say thank you change.s How the way people queue changes. How the way you meet elders changes. How the way you treat money changes. Humans are funny, really. And our funny behaviours, I realised, are called different cultures.

Collecting treasure

Summer is definitely a good time to reflect on your year. Apart from work, there is not much happening. Well, not really technically, but I guess less, compared to when semester starts anyway. I used to tell my friends, when I was in my 3rd year, 4th year would be different, cos you got to think of what to do the next year. So, here is it... starting in about a month's time.

Nevertheless, it is a comfort to know that God has got it all in His hands, regardless we like or not it at first. We worry about the decisions we make and the choices we make, because we worry that grass is greener on the other side. We are afraid that we might lose out opportunities and not make the best choices for our lives... always!

But Proverbs says: In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. We can plan, but cant fully in control ay. God is, and He will reveal to you the steps He wants you to take.

God does it step by step. He reveals little signs along the way. One of many ways to prepare ourselves for God's plan for us in the future is to treasure up 'these things' in our hearts. Just like Mary did when Jesus was growing up. 'These things' may be incidents, words people spoke, successes; little signs... We ought to be ready, else we may just pass it by!

Are you taking time to treasure little signs, little things and words God spoke to you in your heart?

Remember: seize the day!

Lately, the theme of my life has been 'forgetfulness'. There were so many stuff/ppl/appointments that I forgot, misplaced, lost... I wonder sometimes if I have this chronic disease of forgetfulness that will only get worse as I age. Oh yes, talking about aging, happy new year, everyone. Although it's a bit late, not blogged right at the dot of the midnight, but still accept this wish ay.

Maybe, sluggish mind, forgetfulness, has got to do with how 2009 had been. It was quite tiring towards the end. I don't think I could or should remain the way I am now when semester starts. Socially tired too I am. So, sorry to all whom I failed to reply text/see upon invitation. Oh yes, speaking about texting, I left my phone at Christchurch few days ago so I am not reachable at the moment. Sorry again. I am in the process of getting it back so don't worry.

New year new start, they say. But why have to wait for a year before we could make a change? Why not new day new start? Carpe Diem, seize the day! Wait no longer to make a change in your life. If we don't do anything different, we won't see any changes in our lives. I am sure all of us wants to see changes in our lives.

As for me, I am picking things up again. How long exactly do I need to get out of my 'sluggishness'? Beats me. One thing for sure, I will try not to waste another day not seizing the day, enjoying the moments, loving God and ppl.

So shouldn't you too...

Oh ya, Happy New Year!

CV and Jesus

It has been close to 3 weeks since I started my summer intern here in Palmy. It has been great. It's a choice if there's heaps to learn or not; so many lessons can be learned from every person you meet, every incident, every task given, every meeting etc. Working life is definitely something different. Still don't seem to settle with working routine yet as though I am still waiting for myself to settle down. Summer is here officially yesterday but the weather has not been too great. Still pretty gloomy and raining quite frequently these days.

I still remember prior in getting this internship, I have sent out heaps of CVs to different companies. I tried to improve my CV time after time, research after research online on better CVs, get people to proof read and give advise, etc... but companies just don't seem to respond well. Those that did, only thanked me for apply and then regretfully told my application was not successful. How regretful they were, I don't know. haha

CVs are dead important, aren't they? They tell of a condensed qualifications of yourself. A few sheets of writings do not fully justify who you are ay. I was told HR departments merely spend 2 seconds on each CVs during screening process. The experienced person told me, by just 'looks' of the CV, they can differentiate the goods. Interesting, isn't it.

However, here is one CV I found on my friend's blog a few years ago, which I find rather interesting. There are some references as well. I hope you would take more than 2 seconds to read through it.

Jesus' CV

My name is Jesus - The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my CV because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my CV.

Qualifications

I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background

I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).

I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills & Work Experiences

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, ! (See Proverbs 1:33).

Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background

I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).

In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).

My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).

I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).

I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).

I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

In Summation

Now that you've read My CV, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart.

In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47).

When can I start?