under construction

January almost over

2011-01-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

I thought we just entered in the new year. but in actual fact, first month of the year is almost gone. Have you started your year yet? Kicking in your gear and set out to contend for the things you want to see happen?

One thing that I want to do more this year is to read books. More books.

Any good books to recommend reading? =)

Why did I start and continue this blog

2010-10-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

Every friday I get email from a sitetracker website telling me I have got 2 visitors average daily for the week. I m quite surprised actually as I wonder who would visit this site when its not being updated! Must be something wrong with it. But anyway, I have been thinking to revive the blog for a long time now so I guess the sitetracker email gave me a tiny push at the end =)

The birth of this site has been for collection for my thoughts. It was titled Under Construction because at the area where I was staying then when I created this blog then, there were apartment construction sites. It was near Damansara Perdana, PJ and new condominiums were being erected and I wonder now if they have been completed already. Anyone?

So the blog started with a thought. Seeing those work in progress made me realise that my life too is under construction. Many areas in my life is being renovated, being bulldozed, being extended, being corrected, rebuked, grown, rebuilded etc etc. A never-ending process, I hope, as long as I live.

So there you have it, the reason why I started and decided to continue posting tonight. The life work on progress thing is probably the same for you and everyone else but one thing I learn is that you should never be afraid to share what you learnt!

The Spidey lesson

2010-04-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

I have a pet spider.

I do.

As the owner, I get to decide his gender.

As the owner, there are a few things that I can say about his character.

Adventurous. He travels with me everywhere. There was once he followed me all the way to Riversdale beach and absolutely enjoyed it. Never complain.

Faithful. He never leaves nor forsakes me.

Shy. I have never seen him around.

Determined. He lives behind the left side mirror of my car. How do I know he exists? My left side mirror is always webbed.

No matter how many times I destroy the web he spun, the very next day, he spins new ones. I am not sure if he has caught any bugs, or if he has enough food every day to last him. All I know is he spins his web over and over again. Same corner same spot.

If a spider can be so determined so laborious, what more man then. It’s a choice that we can choose. Every time when what we build is swept away, do we pick ourselves up and start again?

When our experiments don’t work out, do give up or do we redo them properly?

When out assignments seems endless, do we still do it with our best?

When we face disappointments, do we still dare to take risks in the future?

When people let us down, do we still choose to believe in people in the future?

When what we plan doesn’t work out, do we choose to learn from the outcome?

If spidey is a human, he is probably going to be quite a character.

James 3:1-5

2010-04-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

Words are powerful, like it or not. Joking or not. They cut, hurt, tear down when you say unpleasant things. They encourage, build up when you say pleasant things.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boast. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire... James 3:1-5

So, choose, nc, on what to say and when to say. Sorry for the times my words have been like a fire!

What do you do?

2010-03-07T01:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T23:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T23:07:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-02-22T00:09:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-19T01:21:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-07T01:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T21:10:00.001-08:00

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?

2013

2009-11-24T02:12:00.000-08:00

Watched 2012 today. Talks about the world coming to an end in 2 years time. Certain parts were pretty cheesy, but a movie's a movie.

There were 2 groups of people in the movie. First were the scientists, the politicians, the rich, who predicted, monitored and watched helplessly earth dissolved to its doom. The second group was just normal people who did not know anything clue about what was about to happen. Now, if 2012 is really earth's ending, would you like to be in the group that knows what was going on or the other group that doesn't?

What would you do differently if the world really expires on 2012? What would you stop doing? What would you start doing? What would you change about yourself? What would you continue doing?

Just in two years time...something for you and me to think about. Like, really really really think about...

but now now, it's not our business to predict the times when it's all going to end. But, we all know so well that life is short. So, it's still worth to think about.

shake it! shake it!

2009-11-18T23:20:00.000-08:00

Today Palmy experienced earthquake. Rather unusual, but not that unusual as the same time. It was reported about 5.5 ritcher for the 1st and about 4.5 for the 2nd.

It was pretty obvious and loud as the whole house shook and trembled. I was half awake (7am then) and wondered and half dreading my room would collapse. You have to know that my house is under renovation and my room was hand built by my friend just 2 years ago. The house itself is a good old 100 year old house.

As you are reading this it's obvious that I am still safe and sound. The house has some really good solid foundation. Didn't come crumbling down after shaken.

However, not everything can withstand quake. I have seen many things in life crumbled down after the slightest trials; friendships, relationships, motivation, goals, faith, etc. And no, sometimes they are not funny.

What are you building your life foundation on? can it withstand trials?

Bible illustrates a similar short story.

Crooooooked!

2009-11-14T03:09:00.000-08:00

Perhaps some of you still remember 1am band from years ago, my church music band in Malaysia, Puchong.

Here is 1am relent with Neil, Dan, Jude and Cuz and their new video clip titled 'crooked'!

Enjoy and they me what do you think!

equations

2009-11-13T03:57:00.000-08:00

1 free afternoon + 1 hammock + 1 good book + a bit of sunshine = bliss!

Wait

2009-11-12T03:50:00.000-08:00

Pulling out from my car, I waited for a moment, looking upon the dimly lit starry sky. Perhaps I could see one..

Barely 2 minutes passed, I saw a shooting star flying through the majestic starry host.

Yes. I was happy. I went into the house contented.

Wait for a moment. Pause. Wait upon the Lord, He wants to speak to you.

Soon and very soon

2009-11-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

Went for a stroll 2 days ago and this time to an unfamiliar neighbourhood. People here, sometimes, are so friendly that they nod even when they are on their bikes passing, or walking the dog opposite the road!

Went to city library to study yesterday and got offered biscuits by a lady. Either the lady digs me or people here are friendly. I would like to think the latter. =)

A note to disclaim, of course today all of us know we can no longer generalise or prejudge people. Not everyone here in Palmy is friendly and you can tell me that. Well I think being friendly is a choice they and we can have. And to you world readers, not every Kiwi is nice and friendly as well. Just saw on the news again police is hunting for a gunman in wellington. There has got to be the 5-6th case I hear in recent 2 months or so.

To generalise everyone here is friendly, is some sort of... discriminating? =)

Anyway, I saw this globe in the city lib and gave it a little spin to see if home is still there on earth.

Phew, it's still there..=) And this comes to the point to say that I'm coming home early next year! =)

I am staying over the summer and only would be home for a short spell this time. I love this little town that I have resided for 3 years now. I believe God has chosen this place for me to be here. At least 4 years of my entire life. So far it's looking like: Kch (17)-KL (2)-Palmy(4). I wonder where's next.... and when's next. Might not able to find out easily, but rest assured God has got it in His hands.

Indeed, my journey in palmy has been challenging, and blessed. So much aspects of life that I have learnt and seen. I know full well He has got His hands on me and is molding my character and it's on-going till I meet Him.

The song posted below is by Brooke Fraser titled 'soon' is one of my fav and it reminds me that God is God, and puts the short and temporal life in to perspective to God's eternity.

Soon and very soon
My King is coming
Robed in righteousness
And crowned with love
When I see Him, I
shall be made like Him
Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon
I'll be going
To the place He has prepared for me
There my sin erased
My shame forgotten
Soon and very soon

I will be with the One I love
With unveiled face I'll see
There my soul will be satisfied
Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon
See the procession
The angels and the elders
'round the throne
At His feet I'll lay my crown, my worship
Soon and very soon

Though I have not seen Him
My heart knows Him well
Jesus Christ the Lamb
The Lord of Heaven

Chicken sandwich

2009-11-03T03:27:00.000-08:00

Did I mention that I have 2 hens at home? They have been giving us fresh eggs everyday. Fresh eggs > supermarket eggs. Yum.

Coming home from exam today at lunch time, I was looking for food and I felt like a chicken sandwich.

No, somethings in life don't work like that..

That's Rosie (or Ginger).

The tales of 2 alphabet

2009-11-01T23:49:00.000-08:00

Today I set for one of my toughest exams. This course is covered by 2 lecturers. H and T. H is an engineer. T, too, is an engineer.

The course started with H. He went on and on and eventually lost all of us (most, anyway) in the class. I felt like I didn't learn anything in this course from H. After a few weeks, it was T's turn. He took over the class and recapped the course in 2 hours. Just like that, all of us understood.I felt like I have learned everything in this course from T.

Tales of 2 lecturers. No intention to disrespect but by just observing them, could tell that one is focused, passionate, pressed for excellence, emphasized on learning, while the other is slack, indifferent, casual, or just getting by every lecture.

This exam was hard, because (1) of the nature of the subject (2) H was involved and (2) T was involved. H's material was tough as he was not a good lecturer, while T's material was tougher because his part was tricky.

Not likely I will get good grades for this paper, but this paper taught me a lot, too much to write down here anyway. Grades are just one of the way to measure what we got out of a course, no? There's certain more then grades that employers are looking for when they hire, no? Having a degree doesn't promise anything, yes?

Thanks both to H and T for teaching in this course. Learned heaps.

Soon I'll be an engineer. Just like H and T. So little time, so much to learn.

Last minute lesson

2009-10-29T01:40:00.000-07:00

Exam's starting tml for me. This one should be the easiest among the 4 that I have. The next 3 I got to work harder and put my mind into studying and doing well in the exam. I have failed to do so in the study break, reason (or maybe excuse) being too tired...

Exam marks the end of the year. Starting third year is not so far from my memory and indeed it was as swift as a breeze. Like a marathon race, it is not how well you start but how well you finish. You can sprint and break off from everyone in the early stages but could end up getting nothing if you cant finish the race. If I don't concentrate and put my heart in doing well in the exams, the effort from the long semester with endless assignments is wasted.

Life too, is as such. It is not how well we start but how well we finish; how we run the long race and persevere till the end. Along the way, we make many mistakes and would cost us dearly, but how we learn from it and how we pick ourselves up matters much more. God is always still in control despite how much we mess up.

For God is like a father, who rebukes and disciplines His children. Sometimes we go through circumstances, in order that we grow and mature. We are responsible for our responses, if we choose to accept correction or not. This is so hard to do, we all don't like to be corrected and I am speaking on behalf of myself too. There is so much things that I am 'learning 'and 'un-learning' still.

my son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. -proverbs 3:11-12.

Small Dots, Big Lessons

2009-10-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Lesson learnt from nanotechnology assignment.

Quantum dots (QD) is a semiconductor like colloidal nanoparticles, with unique optical properties.
The discovery of the application this nanoparticles in medical field is the ability of it to detect cancer cells at its early stage. QDs like InP/ZnS are quantum dots with high luminiscence and low toxicity as it is, non-cadmium based. These InP/ZnS QDs are then can be bio-conjugated with antibodies that are specific to human pancreatic cancer cells. These bioconjugated QDs are selective and 'active' in targetting the cancer cells. Therefore, cancer cells can be detected at early stages. Breakthrough of nanoprobing is emerging via this InP/ZnS QDs application.

That was a brief summary of my assignment which was 5 pages long. The orginial article, dated 2009, stated the absence of literature data for how harmful InP is to human body and the data was extrapolation of existing information on Indium. Dodgy as.

No doubt, more and more data and discoveries would be made by man Humans are always so smart, discovering more and more about myteries of life. No doubt, more and more knowledge would be discovered by scientists all around the world and deposited into the 'archive' of human knowledge.

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cancer caused death in the states. The discovery of this application of nanoparticles technology no doubt could saves more lives and therefore enchance living. Once again, man has done it, science has done it, lives could be saved, and we are a little bit more in control of this uncertainty called death.

Years and years and years of research in this field finally (maybe) would have a breakthrough. All these knowledge, pieced together by many most intelligient scientists and billions of dollars poured into research, so that lives can be saved.

Oh how so much precious life is everyday. How so easy we can forget about life and focus on our own problems or engross with our studies or career. How easy we can forget God the source of life, the Alpha, the creative Creator who set the universe and cells into motion!

What is put together by the brains of the smartest over such a long period of time and lots of resources, cannot match the wonder of what was being created by God. Us - human!

Also this post is to thank a friend who reminded me not to waste time cos life is too short to let it be grey =)

5 minutes post

2009-10-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

Life is like climbing up a ladder.

We all don't want to stay at the bottom. Or middle in the mediocrity. We all want to climb to the top. We all know we need to change to climb up our ladder. Change, is doing something we haven't done before. Change, how have you changed? and how are you changing?

What's a question more important is which you want your ladder to lean against? We don't want to climb up a ladder and then realise it's leaning on the wrong wall all this while. What was once so promising seems all so empty because it is not what you want anymore. Or rather, what you need in the first place.

So what ladder are we climbing?

ps: to those who were concern about my eye sight, they are fine. perhaps my contact lens were misplaced.

Thoughts while running

2009-10-07T03:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever ran in blurred vision? Can't see the picture in front of you clearly?

I have! The other day I went for a jog down to Hokowhitu stream. For no reason, my contacts went blurry.. I can't see the trees, the pathway, people, ducks etc that were in front of me properly! It was pretty scary really, to have no proper sight!

Though it was my first time taking that path, I still knew how to get home; thanks to how Palmy's layout: in grids. I knew the direction I was running would get me home. No doubt, I got home safely despite not being able to see clear where I was running.

Cant imagine if i have no proper sight and no vision of where I was and where I was going! And it was getting dark and cold...

Sight and vision.

In life, sometimes we all pass by each day groping in the dark. Not knowing what is our immediate future. We just can't see what, how, why things happened. We spend much time pondering, planning, fearing, worrying about our future. We get tired, running from day to day, in uncertainty, in the dark.

But do you know what? Something more crucial than no sight is, no vision. Helen Keller quotes 'The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision'. The richest and wisest man lived on earth, King Soloman quotes ' without vision people perish' (proverbs 29:18).

I was once running without vision in life, not knowing what I want, what I live for, what to run after in life. On the outside I may seem flourishing, fearless about the future that seems promising. But deep down in me, where no one but God can see, is perishing. Our soul has a great great great(!) desire, a deep longing that longs to be satisfied. I came to see that the promises of the world fails to deliver, though they are very attractive or even important. Those things may satisfy us for a spell, but in the long run, they fail us too. In our hearts, there is a different need, a God-shaped void, that only He Himself can fill. Unless this void is filled, we will never cease searching, for this is how we are wired.

I may run without sight often every now and then, but never again without vision. Despite not being able to see the things that are in front of me, I know who I am running towards in life. This may mean giving up some things in this life. But I know that there's so much more that I am gaining.

Like a torch, a lamp that light up a path in a dark night, so is so God's words are in our lives. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path - psalms 119:105. Thank God that He doesn't leave us in the dark..

It's ok to pose

2009-09-12T00:49:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to all chronic posers friends.

Fav PPA: wadap!

lol

urs?

just have to to be

2009-09-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

There are many many giants in front of us that kills our joy every single day. They come in form of disappointments, discouragements, stresses, challenges due to our weakness, fragile relationships and friendships, etc. One way to overcome, we just have to be giant slayers.

Hiring: Personal Assistant.

2009-09-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

Bisy. How Busy can one person get? How busy should one person be?

I am always Busy.

So Busy that I overlooked many things in life. Little things that I missed are fine since we don't aim to live in a perfect world anyway. It is the more crucial things that I overlooked makes me regretful. For example, friendship and responsibility.

Busy, is a lousy excuse for not getting things done. Busyness is over glorified.

I used to think I need a personal assistant. To help me reply/delete my emails in both of my emails (i've even disabled fb notifications already), and to reply my text messages.

I would like to apologize to all whom I failed to reply, both via emails or text.

And oh, about the blog title, I am not hiring anymore. Don't think someone else should sort out my own mails and matters anyway. Don't think it's the way to work.

1 thel 4 says:
¹¹Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹²so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Time for me to stop being Busy.

The question is..

2009-09-01T05:43:00.000-07:00

The question is, did we steal today?

We steal from others if we overcharge, underpay, sell someone trash, give someone poor service, download illegally, jump the queue, late for meeting, gossip.

We steal money, time and name.

We steal from ourselves if we are lazy, idle, allow ourselves be entangled and not willing to move on after a circumstance.

We steal our own gifts, time, and future.

I think we all are thieves. All.

The question is, are we still going to do the same tomorrow?

If only

2009-08-31T05:09:00.000-07:00

There's so much lessons to be learned in a day.

from experiences; from people around us; from mistakes; from the world around us; from God.

If only we keep ourselves humble enough to be open.

where I grew up..

2009-08-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

A creative patriotic video done by a friend. Happy Merdeka!

Bejeweled Blitz

2009-08-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

A game of Bejeweled.
exciting in the beginning,
disappointing at the end.

Clink and clash for the match,
with blues and greens and reds.
Five in a row is sheer essence,
of making a gem go fluorescent.

But can you try to guess,
in the end what determines a 'YES!'?
Hypercube promises no success,
End scores is what we stress.

A fool if you try to count,
the chance of a multiplier to mount.
We can calculate and plan,
but things are always out of hands.

Pressure is never absent,
With only one minute present.
Your scores would never be as swell,
as those who plays it all too well.

Could life be like Bejeweled?
full of promises as it starts,
disappointing as it goes?

Bling and cash is our catch,
with girls and booth and bills,
Happiness and desires are sure vital,
of making life an entertaining recital.

But would you take a guess,
Who determines to bless?
Pleasure promises no success,
End life is where the stress.

Our future we calculate and plan,
as how our lil eyes would glance,
forgetting the loving Maker,
whose hands holds our future.

Though only one life present,
purpose can be absent.
Happens when we fail to see,
the reason for us to live.

Life can be like Bejeweled,
full of promises as it starts,
comes down crashing as it ends,
if we try to reason out life on our own,
if we try to make sense out of our existence,
or if we ignore the reason of our existence,
if we fail to see beyond ourselves.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding,
in all ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your path straight.

proverbs 3:5-6

Like an old record player...

2009-08-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

Every morning when I wake up, I wish one of these things would happen.

Summer internship. I have submitted quite a few applications but it is not easy to find a job these days. so still waiting, waiting...

Car. How nice it would be to have a vehicle for me to vroom around town..New signings for arsenal. Arsenal squad looks as thin (as I am) and really hope Mr Wenger signs someone before the transfer window closes. like, anyone.. all I read were arsenal players going out..

How my life would be complete if those three things would happen!! three simple events, desires, situations that could change the course of my life!! Well, not quite, but at least temporarily!!

Summer job = summer in nz + working experience - no hols at home
Car = could go places + more flexibility on my time + able to fetch ppl - car expenses
Arsenal signing = less worried fan

How important these three things are and how significant they would be towards my next 4 months of my life. They would change the place I am going to be, the way I do things, and the emotions I go through whenever I read soccernet.

Important right, very important. Ok, Maybe not the 3rd one. hehe. But well, you have to agree at least the 1st 2 have some sort of importance. Getting a job and a car..

However, they have only temporary effects..

There was this decision that I made 5 years ago, however, changed my life quite significantly. It changes the places I go, the ways I do things, how I think, what I do, how I spend my money etc..A decision that affects me a lifetime and even beyond this lifetime even.

Well what is it? Probably it's pretty obvious for those of you that know me, which is me knowing Jesus. Why? How? Well, I recorded my thoughts and feelings 3 years ago in my old blog it can be found here.

We are all driven and motivated by something in life. If we don't, our life is pretty aimless as we do not know what we want or where we are going and we will never be satisfied. Just like how I was.

Like an old record player, you have probably heard me talking about God over and over again. But I couldn't help telling and sharing when my life is changed so much, how much love I have been lavished by God, how He has bind up my deepest wounds.

I want a summer job, a car, and an arsenal signing (or two or three). But that's all just temporarily and I know they're not good enough for me to settle waking up every morning just to see them happen. I want to live my life pleasing my Maker, my Father.. and find out His perfect will for me.. It's no easy task I know, I am no saint and I make mistakes and I fail all the time.but chasing God's will is worth living for, worth dying for.

Cicak

2009-08-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

Time flies again! It's been a busy week with studies mainly. Stoked to get them done! Apart from usual ocf which I enjoy, I found a nice quiet indoor place in town, where I can relax and chill out alone without being found. It's not as easy to hide as you think you know, Palmy, is rather small. =)

If I have a car tomorrow, I would go for a picnic somewhere where the grass a little greener than usual and the sun is a lil warmer..

sleep there.

Having thoughts like that means that this weekend is relatively free for me. Wohoo! Time to chill out a lil. before mid sem test and another assignment next week. (yea, you are hearing me right. hehe)

OCF is having a Camp Chica!(not cicak, don worry) over the weekend. Topics are on love, relationships, womanhood etc. I reckon it would be a great experience all together for all the girls, things that they learn would be important for many years to come. I was planning on going too to learn but

Anyway, I found out this week:

Mother (not you Ma, the energy drink in NZ) makes you hyper (and awake!) and gives you the ability to answer silly riddles
Mao Bar has nice mocha
What causes beer fermentation to have heavy foams
How good friendships and quality time co-relates
How fast time flies by when you're busy
How self centered you can be
that me speaking English can be incoherent without able control to being for.
How sleeps affect mood and how important sleeps are on week nights for the next day to enjoy the day/work God gave
How I don't like to sleep knowing I can sleep in tomorrow.

wee.. weekends =)

bullet points bullet trains. both too fast..

2009-07-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

Time flies
Had leaders meeting on monday at Ravi's place where we had wonderful indian cooking for dinner. yums.
Stayed in library for some work.
Had an interesting drawing class where we have to draw another friend's face without looking at the paper! and as well as drawing a picture upside down! well, the purpose is to break our conventional perception about our drawings but to draw/look at something at a different perspective! pretty interesting =)
Had weekly coffee sessions with a couple of friends to discuss about faith!
Made butter chicken and had a kiwi friend over for dinner.
Doing report in comp lab..
Had a lousy day on thurs but went to the playground. nyehehe. Thank God for friends who understand stress and willing to crap with me =)
Got invited over for dinner in turn. Had lasagna and interesting convos!
Scored a hat trick for indoor on thurs. before HalfTime too. nyehehe.
hosted ocf. great to learn about trials and tribulations (James 1) from Steve McIvor with bunch of friends. Had KFC for dinner. not so yums.. but lame jokes we shared were good as always =p
going to wellington tml for cultural market tml.
Third week of uni next week... got to make work smarter with the time i have!

Engineering Economics and Arsene

2009-07-28T04:19:00.000-07:00

We are taught Engineering Economics in class. Pretty interesting and just adds to the diversity of the degree. =)

Unlike my lecturer, the manager of Arsenal FC, Arsene Wenger has a degree in Economics. Believe it or not. Perhaps his knowledge enabled him to have had the foresight to buy good young players cheap and sell them later for big bucks. He is smart and has vision.

Today I saw on the net that Kolo Toure left for Manchester City for 15million.

Don't know who Wenger is going to look for as replacement. Otherwise, it would be Vermaelen. A newly signed 1.78m central back. Even shorter than Gallas. Even Toure is taller than Gallas. However, Sagna apparently, is a fan of Vermaelen. For solid facts backup, here's the article from arsenal.co.uk.

"Thomas Vermaelen has made a strong first impression on Bacary Sagna.

The Belgian centre back moved from Ajax to Emirates Stadium last month and is working hard at the Club's pre-season training camp in Austria as he prepares for his first campaign in English football.

Vermaelen has started both of Arsenal's pre-season friendlies to date – at Barnet and SC Columbia - and Sagna likes what he has seen so far.

"He is very good," Sagna told Arsenal.com.

"He has a good left foot, he is a good passer and I am happy to see him in the team.""

So, yes, he is very good. If he is still not good enough, Bendtner can drop down to centre back position and get his long wanted regular place. Only difference is that he will be partneringGallas.

Read somewhere that Arsenal is loaning much improved Armand Traore too. Wonder who will be back up if anything happens to the players..

Maybe Wenger would start calling up the 13 year olds from the academy to be on the bench.. Or like what I would do on Football Manager when a injuries hit.. start taking loan ins of old experience players from clubs like Madrid, Barca, AC. Of cos, those clubs are likely to reject your offer (based on my FM experiences!). But fret not! there are clubs like Crystal Palace, Luton Town, QPR or Brighton that would be happy to accept your offers!!

It would be interesting to see Arsene's next move. and see Arsenal upsets everyone!! I look forward** for the season!

Go GO Gunners!!

=) have a good week

**disclaimer: this would be dependant on Arsenal's results.

Hi, I am Nai Chen, and you are?

2009-07-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Nai Chen.

Today I met a girl who has the same name as me. Nai Chen.

=s

Interesting.

It was International Food Night tonight. Heaps of turn ups, till it was so packed. More than we anticipated.

Many came and ate and left. Good food. Don't know their names, even, for some of them.

So what was the point? Many of us laboured and cooked for people to have free meal. We laboured for nothing.

Well, that was one way of looking at it.

Some that came were new international students, new to massey new to palmy new to nz. Perhaps through tonight they could have a good feed since they left home 2 weeks ago. Perhaps for some it was their first time eating curry. Perhaps through tonight they get to talk with kiwis. Perhaps through tonight they get to know a couple more new friends from other countries. Or a couple more new friends from the same hometown. Or perhaps through tonight they are happy just to see a crowd of people, which is a rare sight in palmy. Perhaps tonight they get to hear about God. Perhaps some were searching for meaning. Perhaps some have lost hope. Perhaps some did not know love. Ravi David, our speaker spoke of a God that speaks a language of love, hope and purpose. Everyone is precious in God's eyes.

Such a pity we couldn't know every single one that turned up.

Everyone that put in effort, know that God is working through you to bless people and bring glory to Him. Thank you for serving! =)

Going coming

2009-07-15T02:42:00.000-07:00

Exams came and gone. In fact, Hols came and gone!

Some of the things I did were:

ocf leadership retreat on my bday weekend. Yea I wanted to make sure I had someone to celebrate my bday with so I forced my leaders to go away to Napier together. Nah, just timing wise ay. As much as I need a break from ocf, it is always always a priviledge to do God's work. Eph5:10 says find out what pleases God. Was a good retreat, and an important one. Bday not wasted. phew! Good friends came all the way from Palmy to give me a suprise too. Enjoyed the dinner and spa with all of you! Thanks!

snowboarding with bunch of frens! It is always fun snowboarding=) though the snow was still quite thin and hurt when I fell. But it was fun... =)

TSCF conf. Enjoyed a 5 day conference with good teaching on Daniel. Learnt more about integrity. Definitely a lot to think about and evaluate.

Bersatu Games. Helped out in the admin as MUMSA proudly hosted Bersatu for the first time!

Fell sick. Fever, cough, chills, stuffed nose. symptoms familiar? ( will update you guys if I got swine flu ay.)

Welcome back a friend from indonesia by having a potluck.

uni started - subjects are pretty challenging. schedule's pretty tight.

Fact is, life never stops. We will always be busy. Got to know what pleases God and matters most in the end. Else....

Stolen post, newspaper and life

2009-06-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

I was having breakfast in the chinese kopitiam last week when i noticed a guy in his 30s was so engrossed in the front page newspaper about the political drama in our country. As i walked on to another table, i saw an old man reading the same morning paper and his attention was also fixed on it ... not on the political news, but on the obituary section.

Life is kinda like a newspaper. When we were young, we would flipped to the comic section and the TV guide. Nothing else matters other than what Calvin says to Hobbes and what time was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Showing! As we grow, it's the sport section at the back and we devour every word on the football match or the tennis game. When we graduate, it's the Recruitment section as we looked for jobs. Next is classified as we hunt for houses or cars. Up next, we would track the share prices and the funds in the Business Section. Suddenly, bridal fair and holiday promotions jumped at us as we plan for wedding and holiday trips. When the babies comes, we are surprised to see promotion of diapers, hypermarkets and baby warehouse sale. We were sure it wasn't there before. As we move on in life, what was most important to us doesn't really matter anymore. I no longer look for bridal fair promotion nor the Heros in the Hard Shell programme (or any other cartoon programme). On and on, till one day ... we are staring at the obituaries - looking out for people we know and wondering what would we be remembered as.

Life has a knack of throwing us into a motion - keeping us going but never living. Making us worrying but never fulfilling. Life means becomes ends in itself. All because of lack of purpose. Life on earth is an assignment. Without purpose, people live carelessly. Has so much to live with, but so little to live for. Caught up in making a living rather than making a life. I pray that I will live a life of purpose, and not merely 'progressing' from one section or newspaper to another. Do you have a purpose? It's worth to spend some effort and time wrestling with it.

taken from here!

Kermit and Exams

2009-06-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

Exam's tml. First of the 4 consecutive days of exams.

Industrial research techniques, Process Operations and Modelling, Chem and Biochem analysis, and finally Clean Technology and Utilities...

Dreading the week..

A wiser friend gently reminded me today on looking things at the bright side. Exams aren't that bad; it may be another person's impossible dream to study in uni. Studying the subjects we didn't understand isn't stupid; they were results of research of other ppl which took years.

Hmm..

Good night I am going to bed. Hope I can put myself to sleep. Been having insomnia lately again.
Thank you to those who prepared dinner (not just any, but wonderful) for me yesterday and today. just because of exams. who says there's no free lunch. not when you have wonderful frens =)

To those having exams, good luck!! Dont worry too much...
God says, do not anxious about anything, but pray to him with thanksgiving, regardless of what it is, he hears and his peace will come and guard our hearts and mind in Jesus.

In Palmy..

2009-06-01T05:42:00.000-07:00

In Palmy, I learn to appreciate the sun, warmth, and heat.

How much of a Jack are you

2009-05-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

Figure 1: Relationship between Play and Work in Jack's Life

Work work work. It's the last week of uni, and there are still heaps of work waiting. Been staying in the comp lab till late for the past few nights. There are engineering reports, stats assignment, modeling assignment, chem test bla bla bla....Life of an engineering student.

We can get so busy till out miss out dreams in life. Kinda get sucked into doing things, occupied ourselves with schedules, and have no time to reflect on life. Reflection on life, is kinda important I thought, maybe, well, since it is life that we are living and going through everyday anyway. Often we find time flies right under our noses. 'Before we know it', we often say.

Before I know it, my time in nz would be over.

Anyhow, on a lighter note, it's nice to think young.( Or think you are young.) =) We dreamt more in our younger days anyway.

"[When] I grow up I [will] buy my own [~~schnauzer~~ dog] I see everyday I yuan till I full"
- quote from an almost-20 year-old*.

*No name was mentioned to protect her anonymity

badminton assumption

2009-05-17T04:10:00.001-07:00

Have you ever tried brushing your teeth with your left hand? (if you are lefty, then right.)

I tried yesterday and Im surpised how incompetent my left hand is brushing my teeth. I wondered why won't my left hand learn from my right hand by itself after watching it brushing for the last 21 years.

maybe not 21 years, don't think i brushed my teeth since birth..

cant assume someone knows something just because you know it.

i used my left hand because my right hand became jelly after a few badminton games on sat. couldnt eat properly, couldnt control my arm to brush my teeth. Unreal! but funny..

well, my last badminton game was in form2 (8 years ago!). anyone of you played with me in form 2? =)

some ppl say i look like lee chong wei. obviously they have not seen me on the badminton court.

Emo, kaya toast and Emoo

2009-05-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

We all have our emo moments. Wouldn't it be nice if we could push the green reset button when the red emo knob is cranked up too high? And life and the whole world is back to normal, back to where we left off. To Defaults settings.

Too bad relationship knots, people problems, assignments don't unwind, fix and finish by themselves. There is no reset button and back to default setting in our life.

From the Bible, a prophet called Elijah had his 'emo' moment too. There was one occasion where he sat down under a tree and prayed that he might die.

"I have had enough, Lord..." he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.."

He lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

What the Bible described next was Elijah got woken up by an angel, and by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals and some water. And the angel asked him to eat.

Bread baked over hot coals. hm. Reminds me of Kaya Toast, or Uncle Lim's, Old Town White Coffee.. The kaya toast that they sell.. They are really yummy when they are freshly made and baked from oven/toaster...

In Elijah's case, the bread he had was freshly baked from hot charcoals.. the aroma of the bread must be even greater..

Pastor Shawn once mentioned how gentle is God to prepare the cake of bread baked over hot coals for Elijah.. God could have ask the angel to have the bread prepared without baking it and ask him to eat. It would still be nice of God to prepare Elijah bread..

God took care of Elijah when he was down spirited. God cared for Elijah and knew what went through in his heart.

When the world seems crumbling down, when we feel so alone, when hope in life only seems dangling on a thread, when emo strikes, our hearts are involved. It is never so much of a mind problem. We don't want to reason, we don't want to move forward in our lives, we just want to lay in our beds and perhaps, pray that we might die.

Fortunately, God knows our heart, and would go to the extend of baking bread over hot coals for you and me...

The story continues shortly with Elijah eating the bread the angel provided and strengthened and continued his journey for forty days forty nights..

So I thank God for taking care of my heart and listen me out everytime I whine and complain and emo...

***
ps: Being emo is not funny. Being Emoo is. haha

Same sky, different outlook

2009-04-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went star gazing with a couple of friends on a mountain.

The stars were numerous. It was like a bucket of glow-in-the-darks poured out onto the nightsky.

Some were buzzing, flickering and attracting our attention as though shouting out "Hey you guys over there!! look at me!! I'm a star!!! wheee!!!!" *buzz buzz*'

Some were peaceful as, simmering, humming lullaby as we gazed.

I tried counting, but it was just impossible. You cant even find a place to start..

Occasionally, shooting stars shot across the sky. They flew by so quickly. Less than a second even, just enough for those that wait patiently to see. Beautiful. It was so easy to lie there to watch but yet miss the shooting star because they were so quick. I saw 9 shooting stars in 2 nights of star gazing. =)

Stars are ever so faithful. I said faithful because they are always out there everyday regardless what's happening. Yet we are so busy to go out and see them. And when we are outside at night, we don't see them either because of city lights around us, 'overshadowing' the stars.

Though we look at the same nightsky everyday, we saw the sky differently that night.

Same sky, different outlook.

In Bible, there was a man called Abraham. God has promised him to make him into a great nation. But the problem was, he was old (like 75 years old), and his wife was barren, and they did not have any children. The story went on for a bit and there was a time where he doubted and questioned God's promise.

The story continues with God taking him outside and asked him to count the stars, and promised that his offsprings were to be as numerous as the stars.

I wonder what went through this old man's mind, before the breathtaking panorama of the nightsky, before the stars that represent the number descendant. It was God's promise for his life that he was looking upon.

As I gaze upon the stars, I am reminded of God's promises for me are as numerous as the stars above me.

The questions are: Am I too busy to see them? Am I too caught up with my neon light dreams and got too distracted to seize them? Am I humble enough to let God work in my life? Do I have enough faith to believe and to see it through my circumstances? Am I too skeptical to believe for it to happen?

Hmm. Same sky, different outlook.

Between Today and End of Life

2009-04-14T04:40:00.000-07:00

Easter camp has came and gone. Here's something on funeral!(of all things, I know..)

This very Marae, Te Tikanga is where we (80plus of us) spent the weekend together. It is often used for family funerals. Funerals are one of the most important events in Maori cultures. During funerals, the visitors will all sleep in the marae during the funeral period. Their concept of family and community is really strong.

Common sights of a funeral are that the visitors weep and mourn for the deceased. However, what may be uncommon to some but common to them is the sight of visitors sitting around the body and laughing about; or angrily yelling and screaming at the deceased. We were told the reason that ppl laughing is that they remember back the good/funny times they had together with the deceased. And the shoutings are because of some unresolved conflicts they had between them. Funerals are the last time a person can be together with the deceased and funerals usually last for 3 days.
Makes me wonder, how much we all have taken life for granted. We don't know what will happen the very next day. Are we too busy today to cherish our friends and family? Between today and end of life, how are we spending it?

I ask myself.

rest in running

2009-04-08T02:28:00.001-07:00

Went for a run in the dark tonight. It so happened tonight is a rather cold night too. But a run around the neighbourhood it was nevertheless.

Sometimes life is like this run in middle of the night. Barely halfway through you feel tired, you feel like giving up and you have no idea why in world you are running in the first place.

Life, work, studies, ministries, are very much like running. You need perseverance. See it till the end and run the long race. Enjoy the process along the way. The workload, the workings with people, the mistakes made, and everything else, pleasant nor unpleasant, try to enjoy it. You need perseverance.

Tonight running, I enjoyed the cold on my fingers, enjoyed the wind on my face, enjoyed the rush of blood through my body, enjoyed the moon, enjoyed the tiredness after run...

Feels good. Im rested and Im ready to run again. =)

More than a chirp

2009-04-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

The quails are growing really well. To who they are to be.

Are you?

Out of 9 that hatched. One died. Eight left.

Are your dreams and your resolutions growing or dying? Are you holding on to what you know is right and what is best for you? Holding on to the constant you have set, in the midst of changing variables of tribulations and trials ? Giving in to mundane of life or peer pressure that you forget what you know you are called to?

The quails are asking you these questions.

Chirp.

staying with the chickas..

2009-03-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

There are 9 chicks in my house now. Cute. and fluffy..

They are baby quails btw. That's RedCap at the back, and no-name-chick in front.

It was so fascinating, on the day that they hatched. I remembered spending about 2 hours just watching the eggs moved and cracked. And the baby chicks struggling to get out of the shell. It was hard work. Out of the 32 eggs that were incubated, only 11 hatched, and only 9 survived. 2 died. Poor fellas..

It was interesting to see them hatched ay. It was like watching live documentary.. On the other hand, the incubation period was boring. Nothing seemed to happen. And it was so long; over 3 weeks. So the eggs just stayed in the egg tray in the incubator, rotating a few angle every few hours or so.. nothing much to see, really. However, incubation period is one of the most important period of the hatching of the quails. It needs to be at the right temperature and the right humidity. It needs to be monitored frequently.

I think dreams in life are like these eggs. Dreams before turning into reality need to be incubated with the right climate. Proper conditions, practical actions, plannings, trainings, and focus are needed while 'incubating' these dreams. It may be boring during incubation period because nothing can be seen is happening on the surface. But what is unseen, comes the birthing and preparation of the hatchings your dream.

Of course, not all dreams in your life will come through. Even the probability of 9 out of 32 is a good statistic. In reality, no one dare to say achieving a dream is an easy task. Therefore, we rather not dream rather not start? No..We would need to focus, we would need to not to give up in pursuit of our dreams, we need to keep trying, keep learning.

Dreams are free, they say. Are you dreamer?

The empty shell.

The chicks at 1 day old..

People with Big Heart

2009-03-19T01:07:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we went to a farm! So fun! It was a medium sized dairy farm, with about 400 cows, and 2 horses and 2 cats. Quite big!

We rode horses, trudged to a hill, laid on grass, chased after cows, milked the cows, swam in the pool, and barn danced. It was awesome...

It has been busy for me these days but that day was such a break for me. Totally enjoyed the day. I didn't do any organizing this time..

Enjoyed:

Cows, which are curious and nosy animals that poo and wee as they walk..everywhere.
Fresh milk from cow. It taste so good, so muct better than any milk you can buy.

Milking about 50 cows, with amy and george and toru and hayden. Milking and fooling around dancing to the radio with george is mighty relaxing!

Horses, which have attitudes and mind of their own..
Friends
Our host - Mudford family (Peter, Bunny, Pete Jr & Wife, Tim, Dan and Amber) is just awesome. Their generosity and their big heart blew us away. They took time, energy, and money to prepare drinks, food, bbq, pa system to host us. and prepared a whole lot of entertainment for us at night with performances, dances and stories. Such lovely ppl.
God's creation. Outdoors are just great..

We get to enjoy and this NZ experience as seen on TV, thanks to people with big heart. Our host, and all those that make this trip happenned. =)

Friends

2009-03-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

There’s a quote saying ‘Whoever said high school was the best time of your life obviously never went to university’

Another saying ‘ university life is overrated’.

Last week in ocf, we discussed about campus life and what we can do in Massey. The 10 things posted last post was some of the things we ranked and shared. It was pretty fun knowing what ppl likes, or which guy has soft spots for romance movie. aha..

However, as much as we don't like it, we will have our downs as much as our ups. Stress, depression, loneliness, sickness, failure in exams, financial problems etc. All these things happen around us everyday right under our noses. It would be pretentious if we say we don't know those negative feelings.

However your uni life would be, don't spend your it alone.

Ecc 4:9-12

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

favourite 10

2009-03-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

These are some 10 everyday things around massey or palmy

spend the day making a nice dinner with close friends
catch a shooting star on a still dark night
run over a possum on road
feed the ducks and watch baby ducklings grow over season
celebrate your birthday with friends
go gym!
jog the track around Massey ( see horses, sheeps, cows along the way!)
take pictures at the Square at night
catch a romance movie in Palmy's biggest (only) cinema
take a stroll down manawatu river and enjoy sunset

How would you rank them?

Breakfast at 8.30

2009-03-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we had leaders' breakfast for mucf, ocf, and ucol cf. We had chicken porridge, salted duck egg, homemade kaya on crackers, tau sa pau, and tau fu fa.

For some of the kiwis, it was their first time eating rice porridge. haha. In NZ, porridge means oats. I learnt this 2 years ago when I was offered 'porridge' and got oats instead. It was their first time eating duck egg and kaya and tau sa pau and tau fu fa too. lol.

It was fun. It must be the most random breakfast they have ever eaten..

*sorry forgot to take picture*

Traffic jam

2009-03-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

Today's wed. I had a fair bit of time today after class. Took a bus to town. Experienced traffic jam on the way there. about 20minutes. haha. but i think it's quite bad for Palmy standards. And had a walk back to my house from town under the nice sun.

Kiwi culture came and gone. I am proud (!) of the team that made it happened and everyone that helped out. Thanking God too.

It was a good night, I thought. Good turn ups, good food, entertaining programs, tangible speakers, fun games...

A success I consider, this event. Im not measuring success by just turn-ups, but how everyone has worked together and contributed and sacrificed to the night. This event has indeed grew people in areas of responsibility, leadership, communication, humility, dependency on God, in serving others, and not to forget, cooking. hehe.

I thought the learning process was really important. Yesterday I had the opportunity to sit down with the organising chairperson and discuss about what went well and what went not so well. We exchanged thoughts and took note of our weaknesses. We learn. We learn through making mistakes and trying out different things.

This is definitely going to be a learning year for me. Will be busy with a lot of things, but I don't want to just be busy and not learning. If I dont learn, I'll just stay the same and be the same ol' me.

That's like worst than a traffic jam!

eat a duckie must!

2009-03-01T01:41:00.000-08:00

sometimes a dinner can really (really!) make your day. Make you smile.

Handmade gyoza, homegrown tomatoes and french beans, bean sprout, salmon on rice, and a yummy miso. mmmm.. a meal hard to forget. Thank God for giving us satisfaction and enjoyment in eating good food.

I also thank my landlord Michael for preparing the meal.

top it off with french vanilla ice cream with handpicked fresh blueberries. yum.

*no pic, imagine k?*

Who's enriching who?

2009-02-23T02:55:00.000-08:00

Today before leader's meeting, I went for a run around my new neighborhood. On my way back, I passed by a house and saw two playing hockey with a plastic ball on the lawn. It was a child playing with her Nana. They were just running around, and laughing, and chasing the ball.

It was a mere 2 seconds glance over the fence as I jogged passed and I could already feel happiness coming from the two person playing hockey. What a moment. What a sweet childhood memory the little girl would have, given from a sacrificial and most probably tired Nana who plays and runs with her.

Suddenly, this thought popped up in my head. Who's actually enriching who?

I bet Nana enjoyed hockey as much as the little girl and wouldn't trade a single moment of it with anything else.

Sometimes when you feel you are being helped a lot by someone, or you owed to that person, don worry, their lives are being enriched at the same time too.

Sweet as bru!

2009-02-22T02:59:00.000-08:00

Last week was international student orientation week and it was just an intense week for me. Not that I take part in the orientation, but was busy preparing leadership stuff and discussions for ocf, catching up with different ppl, and unpacking (still going on...) and meeting new ppl, handing out flyers, meetings after meetings, organising events and free sizzles to freshies and so on...

Why do so much? so much trouble..?

Well, I believe as we grow older and more mature, we ought to live a bigger life than ourselves. I believe as we go through campus life, we could share our lives, our experiences with others. In this case, it's the first year international students. We want to know them, we want to bless them, we want them to know that there's ppl that care.

I still remember how when I first came to Palmy, I am thankful to those that have helped me, fetched me around, brought me to buy things, where to get laundry basket, told me that NZ tap water is drinkable, and so on. I am always grateful to them. For being so patient at my sakai-ness.

In turn, I would like to help new students too. I know I may not be the most hospitable person in the whole wide world to welcome every new person and meet their needs. However, with plannings and events organization via ocf, I could play my part in engaging with the new students, hopefully to help them in this transition of their in settling overseas.

So, hence the 'trouble' and intense the week. More plannings ahead though. I try my best anyway.

Next Friday, we (ocf) are organizing Kiwi Culture Night.

Again purpose? expose kiwi culture, enjoy kiwi food +games, engage new friends.

Praying for God's guidance, grace and wisdom for the team always =)

*happy bday stan, happy bday jolynn =)

Valentine Weekend

2009-02-17T03:25:00.000-08:00

Spent Valentine's weekend hiking on a mountain with a few friends at Otaki. Spent a night in the hut. The day was real good, all sunny. It was with my ocf leaders (half of us).

The night however was chilly. But we got ourselves a fire going in the fireplace, which kept us all warm.

That night, the stars were shining ever so brightly. We just stood outdoors for ages and be marveled by the night sky. The moon too, was so so so (so!) bright. When I stare at it, I could see rays. We even had shadows! It was that bright. Now I know why the Bible says God created two lights. One the sun to govern the day and another the moon to govern the night. Never knew moon could be so bright. Beautiful. The night was real silent as well. It was serene and peaceful..

*sorry no picture, just imagine k? thanks*

It was a good tramping trip. Though was quite tired from traveling back to NZ. Lots of fun though. Had mash potatoes (instant), butter chicken (canned), and peas for dinner (prepacked). Pretty flash ay. Grateful to my friend who planned the meals=) You have to know there's no electricity over there. Just a hut on a mountain. And no proper toilets too. hehe.

Got to soak our feet into freezing river water too, though it was summer here. ~~And screamed a lot.~~

and lastly I realised I tend to complain quite a lot without realising it myself. hehe. oops..

oh? sudah sampai?

2009-02-13T03:08:00.001-08:00

I arrived safety!!

It was a long journey. Took a total of 4 flights a total of 26 hours. It was pretty tiring. Why so many flights you ask? Well, I took MAS from Kuching to Singapore, then Qantas from Singapore to Sdyney then to Auckland, then finally Auckland to Palmy with Air New Zealand.

Met a friend along the way from Kuching to Sydney. It was pretty cool hanging out with him all day long in Terminal 3 Sg, playing PS, and using internet, and eat, and having coffee and shopping and napping and waiting. Had another 2 friends flying the same flight from singapore to sdyney. Although we all don't sit together at all the flights, knowing that there's someone you know on the same journey makes a difference. It's like the feeling of you know you are not alone a crowded room.

Funny things happened along the journey. Forgot to take my luggage in singapore. Imagine my luggage spinning around the conveyor belt for 6 hours. haha. nola, dont know how long it was there though. Managed to get the airport to check it in straight to Auckland though after I remembered I have forgotten my luggage (after followed my friend to terminal 3 and play and waste time. haha)

Also, talking to strangers in the plane is quite fun. Awkward times are funny as well. I had 4 different opportunities to talk to strangers as I have 4 flights. They were very interesting in their own ways. I didnt talk at all on my 1st flight to singapore. I talked a little bit during my second flight with the Aussie girl next to me and the German couple on the other side. I talked a bit more on my way to Auckland to a Father and Son going back to Auckland to suprise his dad for his 90th bday, and finally talked my whole journey on my Palmy flight to a trained- accountant but end-up-to-a-designer-business-owner lady who travelled 36 hours from London . No matter who the other person next to you is, you can always have a conversation. It's just the matter of I want to talk to them or not. I realised that today.

A lot of things and experience about life is like that too. If we are open to it, we will experience it. If we are not open, we will not and be sitting alone always.

Did you throw kam today?

2009-02-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

Had a rather long MSN conversation with a friend. Despite starting off sharing unpleasant news about happenings about life and circumstances, our conversation was overshadowed by joy birthing from God. So much life just exploded out! Thank you God, and thanks to you too, M. =) this is the highlight of my day =)

After visiting the dentist today for scaling (I did it, Daphne), I went to the Spring alone! It's rather nice to walk about alone, I enjoy it sometimes. For those that do not know what the Spring is, it is the giganormous shopping mall in Kuching. Really really huge, like 5 times of Midvalley!

no, not really =p

As I wait for my parents to join me shopping in the afternoon, I ate at Sugarbun alone. For those that do not know, Sugarbun is like the Sarawak fastfood chain simliar to KFC and McDs combined as they sell chicken and burgers as well as savoury rice. But anyway, I was saying about eating in Sugarbun, then suddenly I felt sad leaving home as I am leaving for NZ in 2 days time. It's not the going to Palmy part that saddens me most, I guess it's the leaving home part.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Hui. Happy Birthday to Chris. Happy Thaipusam. Happy Chap Goh Mei.

Did you throw kam today?

Learnings and Nasi Kandar

2009-02-07T00:37:00.000-08:00

Last December I spent a month in KL. It was a month of internship with Henkel Shah Alam, spending time with brother, sis in law, sis and niece, visiting both Eaglepoint churches both in Puchong and Damansara, eating lots of Malay and Indian food, window shopping, and catching up with friends.

It was a month of learning...

What I learnt from my workplace, apart from the epoxy resins and spiral flows and hardspots and all the technical stuff, I learnt just the attitude of going to work.

The discipline of waking up early everyday, sometimes/a lot of times tired because of the unwillingness to sleep early the night before (because so little time to do stuff); the routine of driving close to an hour's long journey to work everyday; the optimissm of going to work despite having 'bad starts' in the morning. (wake up late, forgot to iron clothes, cant find keys, car's petrol running low and worry it would stop anytime, didn't bring company tag, late for work for 45minutes due to unforeseen traffic jam, bla bla..), the humility to learn from different people in the company, the attitude to talk to bosses, and the peace at heart when get stuck in jam or got lost on the way back..

Among many other things, these are other few things I realised and treasure:

1. Singing in car when driving (alone) is theraputic. Esp if you want to throw and practise your voice. (ahem.. ahem ahem ) no one hears. Just don't look too stupid because people can still see. While doing dumb things alone in the car, act cool, is the number rule.

2. There's only one rule while driving in KL : 'Don't Hit Anything'. This particularly applies at toll booths. No matter how many lanes there are, just..dont..hit..anything..

3. I actually miss Malay and Indian food more than any Chinese food found in West Malaysia. This is because I have Sarawakian taste buds. I actually ate Malay food every single working day for a month! (and I enjoyed it!)

4. Good friends are like treasures. A good friend so sincerely lent her *brand new* auto car (in exchange of my sis in law's manual car) to me and my sis for a month (a month!), so that I could use my sis' car for work. Im really really (really!) blessed. So, thank you friend! =)

5. Staying in Palmy has also taken its toll on me. I find it hectic to live in KL. Maybe because I am not settled in KL long term. Yes, that must be the reason. =p

6. Money spending in KL happens very fast. Tolls (ouch), petrol (ouch), food, phone reloads, not to mention entertainment. Thanks to siblings who always lend me money =)

7. Catch ups with family, pastors and leaders from church. Thank you for the leadership and wisdom =) The insights are really really (really!) important in shaping my thinking. Thank you so much for investing in my life =)

8. Life is short. In KL, it should be said as Life is Fast. You will be busy no matter what you do. So, it is important to know what you are doing, and to do the things that counts in the end.

peekaboo!

2009-02-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is dedicated to my beloved sister, Nai Lin.

year 2009 may be full of uncertainty, but I believe you can come on top of it. I know you can because you are full of character, full of determination (although you may think otherwise), and full of potential.

Happy 25th birthday!

Welcoming Arshavin

2009-02-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

Arsenal players are welcoming already the arrival of Arshavin in Arsenal. Check out the video. hehe. Party!!!

Beckhamness and Godliness

2009-02-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

I went to finally play futsal with my mates. (Think I passed their futsal invitation for more than 5 times in the span of 2 weeks.sorry!) Frens are futsal freaks. But good la. hehe

I felt like Beckham when he was unfit and played internationally for England. Meaning, I felt like my legs were going numb, getting out of breath, and feel like vommitting. You know, the feeling of running too fast after not working for a long time and a huge family dinner... =/

I was not suprised though. How can I be fit when I dont play regularly or run regularly enough? If I want to be fit, I got to work out regularly. I dont become fit overnight, or without workout. Then I can be on top of my game.

I was reminded of something I read recently which says we don't wake up one day and become godly overnight. We christians too need to set aside time for God. Regularly read bible and let God speak into our lives. This too is gradual and is not something overnight. Then we can know what God's heart for us is.

Hmm..

CNY and thanksgivings

2009-02-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

This CNY has been a blessing. Although Bro, Sis-in-law and Baby Kristen are not home, my family and I had a wonderful time celebrating CNY. I enjoyed every single bit of pre-CNY preparation and house chores and 'CNY duties'. I really do this time =) It's really nice to be back home =) (I manage to break one of my parents' vase while carrying it though.)

Had lots of food too this cny. One feeling that you would not feel during cny is hungry. Been eating and eating and eating from morning till night. You will eat, no matter how hard/how polite you try to refuse whenever people offer you food when you visit their houses.

Also, it was really fun chilling time with some of my best buddies. Though half of them are not home. Specially to you that are not around, Champ, Stan, Darren, Line, Inn and June, happy cny to you all too=)

Among many pictures taken, here are few favourites..theo looking for kuih momo.

teehee.

james serenading us. with his looks.

daphne, glo, gabzilla and sammy sisters..

My primary school friends this cny also visited me. I was very happy to see so many of them and how much we have grown throughout the years. It is always great to see them again. Left primary school ten years ago! wow..

Last four days I had stomach upset. Maybe too much eating.

Nevertheless, It's a great cny. It is this cny that I see how much each of us have grown UP. Although I know the pictures may not fully portray so. Some things will not change though when we are around each other. Hehe.

Im very thankful for this cny =) It's like thanksgiving!

fireworks and World War 4

2009-01-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

I tell you, it was like a war zone, CNY in Kuching. I can hear fireworks from 7pm onwards, non stop until 12.30am. That's almost 5 hours of fireworks...

Like a sleepy friend of mine put it upon saying goodbye: ' Bye. Enjoy the world war 4 later!.' haha she really needed sleep.

Wish I could capture the fireworks and the intensity. However I have some pictures I stole from merlin's blog on CNY last year in Kuching. hehe. So here are some to show you guys:

It's great to be back home for CNY. Had a huge reunion lunch. It was pretty good time helping mum out all day long preparing for the feast as well as cny as a whole. There's something about Kuching and CNY. =)

Actually I quite pity the birds. Saw some flew here and there terrified. haha

CNY preparation and mum

2009-01-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

I stayed home the last few days to helped mum with cny preparation. I couldn't go out and hang out with my friends as there was so much to do around the house. Mum has high standards and pretty hard to please when it comes to house chores. haha. Some of the things I did were

1. Paint gate
2. Paint swing
3. Deliver cny goods
4. Buy drinks
5. Polish furniture
6. Vacuum
7. Scrub pots
8. Cut grass
9. Decorate the house
10. and all the other misc things mum orders.

Mum is quite smart. Left me speechless sometimes. Outwitted me most of the times when I tried to come up with a better way of doing things.

Once, after came up with suggestion of doing things, I said, "I am an engineer, remember?".
The counter from my mum was, "I am engineer's mum."

So we did her way and it worked.

mr president and secret service

2009-01-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

watched Barrack Obama's inauguration speech yesterday. I feel that he is a humble leader. He is said to be one of the strongest communicators in the world. It is not hard to tell after seeing some of his speeches.

I think what I like most about his speech last night is that he doesn't put a limit on what people (not just him) can do, what they as a country can patch back. His belief in his people and believing a future for the country.

There's so much to learn about leadership. A leader's vision, communication, passion, and character could bring people to great heights.

We are leaders, everyone of us. It's just the matter of what we are influencing people around us towards.

another thing that I was impressed was the Secret Service. It feels like in movie. Only person missing is Jack Bauer. The limos that the presidents rode in were the most secured vehicles in the country, so claims CNN. And the anti-sniper team, have to re-qualify themselves with sniping test every month to maintain to be the fittest in the country. cool ay =)

The Reason

2009-01-20T04:40:00.000-08:00

Under construction lo.

Under construction.

I chose this title because I decided to start this blog without knowing what to blog. Not because I have nothing to blog, but because I have many things I would like to tell, just don’t know which one and how to write them. But I know I would eventually write something. At least I know I want to. Hence, the start of a most incomplete manner of a new blog!

Apart from regular updates (regular is relative anyway), I will slowly put up some features to this blog, since it is titled under construction. I have put up stat hit counter the day I signed up, I will put up a chat box next, maybe next would be links to blogs of you all bloggers, and maybe next would be a world map, and maybe next would be editing the template. Maybe. I don’t know. I am not pressured to do up this blog since it will be always under construction.

I guess we can compare our lives to be always under construction too. At least I know mine is. I am different every year. We all grow over time.

Nevertheless, to my despair, my weight remains almost the same.

If I were a ~~boy~~ blog, I would have updates and be enriched by happenings and experience, as I go through life. Hit counter increases when I meet new people. Chatbox would be fun and meaningful with friends. Links and relationships built over time. People come leaving trails in my life.

All these, would change me – my thinking, my being. Hopefully to the better.

I am glad that I am always under construction. I am also thankful that I made a decision 4 years ago to let God to be the grand architect of my life. He is my maker, my creator and He knows who I am to be. What I am today is not God’s final product.

So be patient with me, as I learn more about this life. I am still under construction lo.

He says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Kristen

2009-01-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

This is dedicated to Kristen* (See bottom).

Though it’s only a month that I know you; but I know you well enough to know your favorite food: milk;

and your favourite cup – hiccup.

she doesn't look very happy here.

The next time I see you, you will be able to run around.Maybe with a football. If mummy allows.

Be good girl; let papa and mama sleep at night. =) See you next time!

*bottom: Kristen = niece

2009-01-02T05:24:00.000-08:00

under construction lo