日曜日, 12月 30, 2007
It was enriching and really motivated us to work harder and more efficiently for the coming year. There's only 2 more days to the New Year. It's amazing how time flies. Sometimes I'm amazed at how others work, how things work, how events come and go, how life circles.
Never hesitate to trust the unknown future to a known God.
木曜日, 12月 27, 2007
I just came back today after spending Xmas at Costa Sands Resort Downtown East. We played at Wild Wild Wet on Xmas Eve and it was really fun because I haven't been there since 2005. Escape Theme Park wasn't that fun partly because it was raining and most of the rides were boring. Mandy won a penguin plushie at the games stall where we wasted 40 dollars on games.
I just finished my english essay today. It's entitled Blue and I cant believe I wrote 1000+ words on paper in less than 2 hours. Well, I hope everything goes well. I'm left with a bit of chem homework, biology and chinese work. I'm gonna finish it over the weekend.
I'm sunburnt again thanks to half a day splashing about in the water. I was compelled to take neoprints with Mandy and her friends and I don't think it's very appealing to spend so much money taking and decorating a photo. But I kept a few of the prints as memorabilia.
I've decided to work hard since next year is the O levels. My mind is clogged up now so I can't really remember what happen during and over christams because an umpteen number of events took place.
It's humbling to think out infinitesimally small we are compared to God, and more humbling still to comprehend that He created us to be His children.
日曜日, 12月 23, 2007
I've learnt from this event that as teenagers and youths, we wonder a lot about our future and our purposes in life. I do so sometimes unconditionally. I'm not afraid to move forward anymore not because I can't turn back time, but because I know that his love is always with me since the day I existed, throughout the days of my existence, and beyond my life into eternity.
Home
Some people live in a house on the hill
And wish they were some place else
There's nobody there
When the evening is still
Secrets with no one to tell
Some I have known have a ship
where they sleep
with sounds of rocks on the coast
They sail over oceans
five fathoms deep
But can't find
what they want the most
Even now when I'm alone
I've always known
with you I am home
Some live in towns
Cardboard shack on concrete
All bluster and bustling life
They search for the color
they can never quite see
Cause it's all white on white
Even now when I'm alone
I've always known
with you I am home
For me it's a glance
and the smile on your face
the touch of your hands,
And an honest embrace
For where I lay it's you I keep,
This changing world I fall asleep
With you all I know is
I'm coming home, Coming home
土曜日, 12月 22, 2007
Church was void of people yesterday when I thought there was supposed to be guitar lessons. I don't know where everyone went. Perhaps there was a change in venue and I was unaware of it.
These few days have been flying by and I've been doing nothing progressively or useful. I need inspiration now.
We sail through our youth so impatiently that sometimes we miss the good things in life that would have happened in our youth.
水曜日, 12月 12, 2007
The beaches there are white and golden. I love the sound of the waves. The waves are huge compared to those in Singapore, since Gold Coast faces the South Pacific Ocean. The only thing that bothers me there is that the beaches are packed with people from all walks of life and there are only several designated swimming areas where visitors are allowed to swim under the supervision of a lifeguard. There were many surfers there but they didn't really impress me with their surfing, most probably because the waves were not long enough to sustain their balance on the water.
We stayed at Paradise Resort somewhere near the coast. We went for a farm tour on the first day and I took a photo with a Koala. We had lunch at the restaurant with live country music. There was a sheep shearing show, camping exhibit, horse race and sheepdog herding show.
The hosts were very entertaining and the Japanese, Chinese and Korean Translators were remarkably quick to translate the english words spoken by the hosts, into the respective mother tongues of the tourists. I bought some sheep plushies for Rachel and myself and a whole lot of shirts and gifts.
We went to Seaworld the next day. I enjoyed the viking ship ride. It was thrilling and scary, especially the parts where the ship accelerated and deccelerated. Mum bought more gifts and shirts and keychains, so many that I don't remember them individually. I had a tummyache and went to the loo several times. We watched a dolphin show that was really fun and exciting. Mum bought some salted popcorn which she mistook for sweet popcorn. I ended up eating it on behalf of her during the show. We took many photos on top of the ferris wheel which went round 5 times, allowing us to have a long and spectacular view of the landscape at Seaworld and the coast. We watched a 4D show on Marine Conservation. There was also the dugong exhibit, Polar beat exhibit, shark bay exhibit, aquarium, etc.
On the third day, we went to Movie World. Dad and I sat on the Scooby Doo Spook Ride which was not spooky at all but nerve-rackingly fast and thrilling. Who would have expected what seemed to be a ghost train, to turn out to be some indoor rapid roller coaster ride. The lightings and sound effects were very well organised. We watched Shrek 4D adventure twice to enjoy the air conditioned atmosphere. It was fun and cooling. Batman's cinemania experience was also very entertaining. The food there kept making me poop though. We took photos with Slyvester the Cat and Daffy Duck.
The fourth day was a free day and we took a walk around the city. Mum wanted to get souvenirs, I wanted to go to the beach. So I did in the morning and she did later in the afternoon. We had Japanese Miso Ramen for lunch and chinese food for dinner again as we did for all 4 nights. I enjoy the western breakfast at the hotel. Bacon and eggs rock, though they do give u flatulence and too much scrambled eggs makes your stomach feel scrambled. Okay, forget that notion.
Our flight to and from Singapore to Brisbane was 7 hours or so. I love watching the TV on the plane. I watched Superbad, Failure To Launch, The Attack on the Pin Up Boys, Ugly Betty, Little Briton, Stars Series, etc. I learnt some Japanese language playing the languages games in the airplane. We were stuffed with food during our flight --> Tea break, dinner and supper.
The hotel room had Nickelodeon & I spend my late nights watching spongebob... There was no toilet hose in the washroom and the shower head was immobile. This made it really unpleasant to wash certain parts of my body after egestion. It would be an awkward sight. The bed was nice and comfy though.
We got a soft toy puffer fish that made bouncy noises from the Movie World Fair. I enjoyed sleeping with it at night and still do. There's probably a lot more to this trip then what I can currently remember. I also have to thank my cousins for cleaning up our home while we were gone. It was so nice and thoughtful of them to do so.
I shall upload some pictures later. To live long, it is necessary to live slowly.
火曜日, 12月 04, 2007
I hope the vacation would be a fruitful one and I really have to get down to serious work after my trip. I leveled in both Audition and Maple recently. I'm level 153 in Maple now and 20 in Audition. I guess I wont be playing much of both games after the trip, not that I can't play them but I mustn't play them too much.
My skin is very reddish and dry now. I feel that it's sun burnt and caked. Gonna bring extra sunscreen and lip gloss to Aussie. The weather is really unpredictable now. And it's not even raining heavily though it is the supposed monsoon season now.
I've learnt 7 chords during guitar lessons. I wanna master my piano and guitar hopefully. Aunt Amy said that she is getting me a new guitar for Xmas. I'm quite looking forward to it actually because the old guitar has very awkwardly tuned strings. I went out with her to Vivo City yesterday and we took a peak at PageOne Bookshop, Daiso Accessory Store and an Art Exhibition before heading home. She gave me a treat at a Japanese Restaurant.
I also have to start going for my Chinese tuition after this holiday trip. Time passes so quickly and rapidly. I wish that there were 48 hours in a day. I could really use more sleep and time for activities which I won't be able to do otherwise.
Men of force are men of faults, and their greatest fault lies in trying to force results in their own strength and wisdom instead of seeking God and others for help.

金曜日, 11月 30, 2007
Then Sean spotted the Sec 2 captain running back from the jungle track and we hid behind a palm tree and watched the others run past. We joined the team inconspicuously not long after and apparently no one noticed that we were missing except a few Sec 1's who had varied queries. Today was fun and risky.
I left early as I have guitar lessons later. I need to leave home in a few minutes time. Next time when I grow up, I wanna live in a temperate region with a nice western styled house, picturesque scenery, and a warm family. After hearing how wonderful temperate regions, I'm getting somewhat tired of a hot tropical climate. But at least Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world and Singaporeans have the 5th longest lifespan globally.
Don't think of setbacks as losses, but as opportunities --- vacant lots on which to build new dreams.
土曜日, 11月 24, 2007
火曜日, 11月 20, 2007
Mum is bringing me to see a specialist for my IBS problem but it's better now compared to the past few weeks. The irritation usually occurs in the late afternoons and evenings, just before dinner and improves gradually after dinner. Apparently I have to visit the loo more than 5 times a day to exercise my bowel and sometimes I get these really uncomfortable anal spasms even though my rectum is empty. I hope the gastroenterologist knows what to do and with God's help, I'll get better soon.
4th job is coming out tomorrow ... I'm anticipating the new skills that await my fire mage. It appears that many quests and items are required to get the new skillbooks and new monsters and maps are appearing. I hope the patch tomorrow will not be laggy.
Everything in God's creation prove God exists - it's perfection, its organisation, its synchronisation, its harmony, its unity, and its balance!
土曜日, 11月 17, 2007
I was frankly shocked when I first received the news of this event. I spent the night smsing and emailing others to attend to this duty. Well, only 6 ppl turned up for the duty but we carried it out quite well. And the most rewarding part was that we managed to eat the good food there and watch the informal concert put up by the graduates and teachers. It sparked off moments of laughter and happiness.
I didn't bring my camera or hand phone in so I couldn't take any pictures. The budget for the food and lucky draw was huge, amounting to at least 10000 dollars I think. Food alone costs 6600 dollars and the lucky draw prizes were about 1628 dollars in total. Add in additional materials and props, it should amount to a tonne of cash. But each student had to pay some money to attend the dinner I suppose ... And I anticipate next year's EXCO to organise such an event again.
I'm running out of Anime to watch .. does anyone have any nice movies, animations or dramas to recommend? I'm typing to myself anyway.
For every grief, God has gladness.
For every pain, He has a healing balm.
For every sorrow, He has comfort.
For every test, He has a triumph.
木曜日, 11月 15, 2007
Meaningful Lyrics from Heroes & Thieves - Vanessa Carlton
More Than This
Cradling stones hold fire bright
as crickets call out to the moonlight
As you lean in to steal a kiss
I'll never need more than this
We all share the pain of our histories
but the ache goes away if you could see
This night under the stars, well, I call it peace
If you say, I'll never need more than this
The trees grow so thick you can barely see through
But the forest bestows the simplest of truths
You think you'll be happy if granted one more wish
But the truth is you'll never need more, you'll never need more
you'll never need more than this
Want so much in life, there's so much to be
We sail through our youth so impatiently until we see
That years move along
and soldiers and heroes come home
And they carry a song, Don't live in forgotten times
May this always remind you of the sea under the skies blue looking glass
Let's make this our story, let's live in the glory
Time, it fades away, precious as a song
'cause someday we'll be gone
Cradling stones hold fire bright
as we watch the glow of the morning light
Someday our bones here they will lie, and so we sing
As the years move along and soldiers and heroes come home
and they carry a song
Let's make this our story, Let's live in the glory
Time, it fades away, precious as a song
'cause someday we'll be gone
Hands On Me
I first saw you at the video exchange
I know my heart and it will never changeThis temp work would be alright if you'd call me, You'd call me
I lay awake at night for you, And I pray
We'd cross the deepest oceans
Cargo across the sea
And if you don't believe me
Just put your hands on me
And all the constellations
Shine down for us to see
And if you don't believe me
Just put your hands on me
The subway radiates with heat
We've barely met and still I cross the street to your door
We'd cross the deepest oceans
Cargo across the sea
And if you don't believe me
Just put your hands on me
And all the constellations
Shine down for us to see
And if you don't believe me
Just put your hands on me
Someday when our stories are told
They'll tell of a love like this
When our descendents are all growing old
1,000 years they'll be singing
Nah-nah, nah-nah, nah, nah, nah
We'll climb Tibetan mountains
Where we can barely breathe
I'll see the Dali Lama
I'll feel him blessing me
And all the constellations
Shine down for us to see
And if you don't believe me
Just put your hands on me
Your hands on me...
First saw you at the video exchange
火曜日, 11月 13, 2007
Dad just got a new free Internet modem which came with our renewed broadband subscription. I installed the new modem and found it no better than the previous one. It's also bulkier and has like 4 circuits attached around it unlike my previous modem which had only 2. So I decided to reuse my previous modem after all ... and wasted time fixing up the new modem.
I don't feel like posting today. Shall go to bed now. We take on a little more of God's nature every time we show love to others.
土曜日, 11月 10, 2007
We had our Ice Cream somewhere inside Thomson but it was really tasty and enjoyable. Thanks to Amos for the recommendation and Mr Ho for the treat. I hope more people from our class would attend such outings in future. Well ... I'm off to relax. Might be going cycling in the evening.
Message of the Day: Good leaders don't order, push or demand; they guide, lead and inspire.
金曜日, 11月 09, 2007
I'm going out later. Gonna get A cash for the first time in a month since my pet just died. I just ate at pizza hut yesterday and I think I'm supposedly going to eat there again too. I don't wanna lose too much money. It's nice to spend money wisely but not to be too frugal at the same time. I hope my stomach and intestines can contain the food. I don't wanna get the horrid abdominal discomfort again.
I regretted watching an Anime called School Days. The first few episodes were quite interesting but the last 2 episodes was shocking horror. I mean the guy in the animation became so irresponsible that he got killed by his pregnant lover and then the other girl who was in loved with him killed the pregnant lover in return and carried his body away in a yacht in the last scene. I was astounded and terrified ... the blood was black. I pray that God forgives me for watching such iniquitous deeds done out of jealousy and lust.
I don't want to remember any of it anymore. I shall stop watching animation for some time and go back to piano, maple and audition. Perhaps I shall continue viewing animated clips next time, upon the recommendation of others.
It takes a wise man to accept somebody else's idea as being better than his own.
火曜日, 11月 06, 2007
I saw a short clip on tribal groups around the world and I'm stunned by their totally unique way of life. The food they eat, the harvest they reap and even their skin tone tells us significantly that they have gone through much hardship to survive. I envy their courageous spirit to survive in the jungles around the world. No modern civilian would have even guessed their existence without watching or reading information about their whereabouts.
Why am I discussing this issue? I guess I'm just lucky to be in Singapore, to have a small warm family, to have friends, to have a loving church, to have a working mind and body and most importantly to have a loving God. I feel so happy and contented just being alive. I never want to die and I know I wont.
I have piano lessons tomorrow and I haven't practise. I have a chemistry presentation about electrochemistry tomorrow and I barely know much about electrolysis. Nobody's perfect ... I always wind up mixing my priorities. Oh well, I just have to do my best.
I had constipation in the morning, and I even tried to defecate 3 times in school but to no avail. Then I came back, ate some banana biscuits along with a cup of prune juice, and had diarrhoea more than 5 times after that. It's coming to an end ... I can feel it. It's good to know that the IBSA is finally receding. I hope it doesn't flare up again.
I missed the video my cell made at church today. I thought of coming but I missed it anyway ... who would have thought that while the guys were busy filming their camp video, I was egesting watery waste products in the lavatory. I'm so weird. I don't even know whether to hate myself for being that way. But somehow, I always end up loving myself.
At the end of the day, we should look forward to tomorrow, evaluate our past mistakes, and have a nice rest of course. Time spent helping others is never time wasted. You may not see the payoff immediately but you will someday.
金曜日, 11月 02, 2007
The feeling was hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing and Sean and I enjoyed blaming each other. I hope the coach didn't hear us from the other side or it would have been embarrassing. But for me and Sean's first training in a long long while, I think we did fairly well. Physical Training after that was relatively subtle... lifting 10kg weights in 100 repetitions on both hands. I went home after that.
Sometimes the little things in life make life meaningful after all. Even troubled situations can be fun if we look towards them in a positive light. But of course, we can't look at all situations in a fun loving manner. If that was the case, our studies will not be taken as seriously as they should be.
I hope that I can look forward to more fruitful and fun trainings in future. It's gonna get a lot harder if we are going to compete and win next year. We just have to give it our best just as we did last year. No matter how small we are, there's a very big God waiting to help us, he who is much larger than the job itself.
木曜日, 11月 01, 2007
I spend the whole afternoon watching Anime. I don't know why I like watching it even though the themes and plots are unrealistic most of the time. I love the silly faces and jokes that appear intermittently throughout the show but somehow, the characters are so surreal. You will probably never find someone in real life just like an animated character.
I've just finished my 20th Anime Series. It's too bad that the producers haven't released the last few episodes for Kamichama Karin yet .. it just cuts off at episode 17 and the story background is so hazy now. Sometimes in Anime, there's this weird relationship thing that just swings about from character to character regardless of gender. I find it rather annoying yet amusing at the same time. It really irks yet excites me.
I have nothing better to do now. I'm most likely starting training tomorrow and that would probably put some of my time to good use. I want to work on my interests and make a difference. Perhaps its time to break the walls. I shouldn't be at home all the time. I'm in the spring of youth, just passing my childhood. I can't stay young forever even though we all want to do so. I have to fulfill God's purpose for me and make the best memories of my youth.
I shall start now! Hmm ... How am I suppose to start? I'll figure it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I want to see mine and turn a blind eye to others' unless necessary.
日曜日, 10月 28, 2007
I haven't done much preparation for the O Level Chinese Exam next Wednesday. I really wonder what to do. I just need to look into my letter writing skills and formats, and memorise some good essay phrases. That's basically all right? I hope I don't miss out anything on the revision.
We are learning many new things during the supplementary lessons in school. We learnt Partial Fractions in A Maths, Weird Sets in E Maths, Waves in Physics, Redox reactions in chemistry, Nervous systems in Biology. Stories about murderers in English, Stalin's Purges in History, and Coasts in Geography Elective. It's like school never ended after the exams. I just found out that I topped the level in Geography Elective ... I'm quite happy.
Today is worship experience in church at 4.30pm. I'm trying to get my friend to go again but he won't reply. I'm gonna try again later. Hopefully he comes. I need to experience God in worship again. Somehow I feel quite dry.
I did some research on gastrointestinal problems. There were a list of 39 related diseases and a whole bunch of symptoms and syndromes. I hope my problem is ameliorated soon. It's much better in the morning then in the late afternoon when the abdominal distention sets in. I haven't lost my appetite. I can eat like a glutton and put on 2 kg after a heavy meal. I feel like I'm growing slowly.
You don't have to walk life's path alone; the great God of the universe will take your hand and walk by your side. As busy as He is, He's never too busy for you. The heart that truly loves is the heart that truly knows God.
火曜日, 10月 23, 2007
I seriously need to get down to some exercise soon and I've only attended 1 training session after exams. Training hasn't even officially started yet and I'm wondering what Teo is doing these days. Well ... Ace Camp is over, and training should resume really soon sometime this week.
Anyway, I have O level Chinese to worry about next week, on Wednesday in particular. I want to score for both my essay and letter writing. After I finish my current series of Anime, I seriously need to get down to some work. I have to complete memorising the appropriate format and phrases for Chinese letter writing in order to secure at least 16 marks out of 20.
My essay should get at least 39/50 for me to be getting a secured A1. I must memorise all the good phrases for composition writing, prepare key points for newspaper reports and brush up on my chinese vocabulary. By this week, I wanna do what I can to improve. Plan, plan, plan ... have to plan well.
I have some Prefect Guard of Honour Duty tomorrow. Gotta wear black shoes and some blazer. I find this GOH duty really insignificant. We are just treated as statues to stand in the hall during the last day of school. I mean, it's not like we are guarding the hall right? Even the name of this duty sounds misleading. All we do is stand for no apparent reason. Bodyguards of students? I doubt so.
I'm currently on my 16th consecutive Anime series. It's called Suzuka (Light Breeze) and it's a really cute love story. I like love stories. They can evoke deep emotions within me and make me feel special for some reason. That's the beautiful power of love and human emotions. I'm so glad God placed such things in our life. They make this world a better place to be in.
Here are some pictures from current and past Anime that I've watched.



Think of life as a board game:
For every kind word, you move one space forward
For every loving deed, you jump two spaces forward
For every grump, grouch, or unkind word, you go back one space.
Now Play to win. The reward in heaven is great.
木曜日, 10月 18, 2007
My stomach and abdominal distensions is getting better day by day. I thank God that my digestive system is recovering from its plight. I had a really satisfying poop in the afternoon.
By the way, I leveled to 151 yesterday but I died after that and lost about 3m exp. Well its okay ... I'm quite happy that I leveled. There's really nothing interesting about maple these days except the anticipation of fourth job advancement and a "Halloween" town that's suppose to be released sometime in this month. I visited the forum thread briefly but the maps and mobs don't seem to appealing. The entrance of the Ghost Town should be situated near Kerning City.
I had a fun time killing Captain Latanica yesterday and found a hefty number of equipments. Today I was mainly watching more Anime which was really appealing. Oh dear, I have to get safety charm and earmuffs for my maple character ... Nvm, that was redundant.
I finished a funny but touching Anime called Princess Princess today and I'm starting on Ouran High School Host Club. I've just watched up to the 4th episode but I think there are about 26 episodes in total. I'm like addicted to the cuteness of the characters in the Anime. Kawaii !!!
Next time I wanna come up with my own Manga and have someone translate it into many languages. I have so many ambitions. Well, it's not good to be fickle minded and hopefully I will find my rightful path in life by 18, or when the time is right.
Superstar or team player? Share the spotlight with others for the moment and you'll have others to share the memories with forever.
月曜日, 10月 15, 2007
I'm beginning to recover from my stomachaches, colic and abdominal wind. I hope I don't end up with Irritable Bowel Syndrome because that would make things very frustrating for me. Till now, the Colic medicine seems to be working fine and I should be well by Wednesday. Tomorrow is a school holiday so I can rest at home and play games and watch some Movies or Anime.
I finally got married in Audition after several months of dancing relations in audition. She seems happy and I'm quite pleased that we passed the wedding license well ... I guess every thing's fine as long as we're both happy. We got a complimentary gift from the wedding ticket too, a tuxedo set for me and a wedding dress for her. Perhaps online relationships work best virtually ... but true love requires all aspects of affection and attention.
Maybe I'm just curious to find out how it would be like to be engaged in a relationship. Online relationships can be generally related to that of our physical lives. We quarrel sometimes, we joke sometimes, we are weird sometimes, but most importantly, we care for each other.
Someday I hope to find somebody who feels the same way as I do. For me, I need to find someone who is similar to me in terms of emotions, character and pastimes. In Chinese, we have a idiom called "Zhi Tong Dao He", which means 2 friends or more of the same personality and traits. This is what I'm looking out for in that somebody. But it would be too troublesome to ponder about this now. I'm sure I'll find out when the time is right and when God wills for it to occur.
Vanessa Carlton's new album - "Heroes & Thieves" has very light-hearted, lovely melodies. It was released on 9th October, just a few days back and I'm falling in love with her songs already. The lyrics are very meaningful and touching but it takes a while to get use to the songs. I like Nolita Fairytale, Fools Like Me and Come Undone. I wish I could upload the new songs unto my blog but I don't know how.
Everyone who crosses our path should matter to us, because everyone matters to God.
木曜日, 10月 11, 2007
English - A1
Maths - A1
Additional Maths - A2/A1 (Not confirmed, Errata present)
Chemistry - A2
Physics - B3
Biology - B3
History - A1 (Surprisingly)
Social Studies - A1
Chinese - A2
Higher Chinese - D7 (Have to work harder)
Geography Elective - A1/A2 (Not known yet)
So I have about 7A's, 2B's and 1 D in total ... Have to strive for all As I guess ...
I'm hoping for an L1B5 of 8 and below ...
Training is starting soon ... My first would be tomorrow ... Well, that's the way life is ... The same cycle that all teenagers in Singapore go through, well at least most of them.
Life in Heaven will be perfect - perfect health, perfect love, perfect peace, perfect purpose, perfect truth, perfect forgiveness, perfect happiness and many more perfectas.
月曜日, 10月 08, 2007
I've been watching several Anime Episodes at home. Most of them are love stories and they are really touching. But that are a handful that portrays love in different aspects. Sometimes love strikes in unexpected ways. It doesn't always happen in a relationship, but somehow it takes time for love to get stronger. Infatuation can lead to love or lust, it depends on which road you choose to take. I hope to control both of these emotions in future. Life depends significantly on love.
There is no life without love, yet there is no love without life.
Well, tomorrow is Sec 4 Farewell Assembly ... I've to check if I'm on any of the duties tomorrow before I tuck into bed. I really wish that my intestines will be cleared tomorrow morning. I must have faith, no matter how nonsensical I can be. Getting upset seldom solves the problem or helps people do better, whereas a good laugh together can relieve the tension of a situation and turn things around for the better. That's what I hope I'm good at ... Haha.
Goodnight world. (Let's forget about our worries and exam results ... at least for now)
水曜日, 10月 03, 2007
I'm so glad that history was cleared today. I really had a tiring time writing down all those information and critiques about past events and people. My arms and hands are aching now but it was worth it.
I often wonder why we study history. History has no significant impact on the society in terms of advancing and modernisation. In my opinion, the only thing beneficial about history is that we learn from our past mistakes and perhaps help to make better insights for the future. Other then that, history does not improve our language, does not help in technology and social work unlike science and maths, and has a very limited prospect in society other than being a curator, teacher or historian. It also takes up lots of brain capacity and out of all the time I take to study, 50% or more is concentrated in memorising history. Either I need better memorising tactics or history is just a plain drain on the brain and hand.
Judging based on occupational, environmental and societal criteria, I would rate history amongst the lowest. Here's the list of subjects that I take:
English, Mother Tongue, Maths, A Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Social Studies.
Languages help us to communicate effectively and attain jobs that require bilingualism or trilingualism. In order words, they are crucial in making the world go round. Maths and Sciences help to generate new ideas, explain processes and make the world technologically advanced for the benefit of mankind. Geography aids in the understanding of our Earth, the infrastructure of society, and the prevention and research of Mother Nature's forces. This helps prevent natural disasters and fosters greater understanding of the planet that we are on. Social Studies ... hmm ... more like social indoctrination ... but at least it talks about current affairs.
History talks about the past. We should just record down information and pass on good moral values and teachings from past mistakes. Why must we review the umpteen number of incidents and situations that have happened in the past? What is the wise saying of "Don't look back, work on the present, aim for the future" for? We had a tumultuous amount of information to mug for history that doesn't apply to our lives at all and most probably wont in future unless we are fascinated by the past which is highly unlikely unless you are a unique individual destined to be a historian.
As students, we take history just to do well in our exams. We don't appreciate it truly. I may be wrong in making such a sweeping generalisation. But sincerely, I don't see the benefits in memorising about Mussolini or Hitler or how the great dictators ruined the war or how World wars resulted in many repercussions. History is made everyday.
Yes we learn from our past mistakes, yes we read about how the world wars cause much destruction, yes we are aware of past chaos and ongoing chaos. But why must we memorise all this information? Why can't we just take note of the relevant parts that apply to our lives and the making of a better society.
I know there's a brighter side to history. I just don't see it now. Sorry.
Thinking only of one's needs can make someone petty and small minded. Thinking of others, praying for them, giving and helping them, makes someone great. Perhaps I've been too egocentric on this rambling about history. Ignore it if you love history. Don't let your passion die.
I hope I can love history someday too. Happy Children's Day
金曜日, 9月 28, 2007
I guess sometimes unexpected circumstances occur. I rarely lose things nowadays and when I do I get very pissed with myself and I start questioning things. At least now that I'm mellowed down, I can get back to studying. The exams are not yet over. 4 more days next week and we are somewhat free of academic stress apart from O level Chinese exams in November. I pray that I would be more responsible in future.
Aims for my subjects now:
English - A1
Add Maths - A1
Biology - A2/B3
Social Studies - A1/A2
Well, keeping my aspirations up for the next few days. Working towards it.
Love does to children what the sun does to flowers. It works on everyone else too. Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the way over it. I want the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow ... Eh Gold in this scenario doesn't mean earthly riches but rather, spiritual riches.
All the Best for the upcoming exams !
金曜日, 9月 21, 2007
I have to work on my social studies and history already. There's really nothing much to post. Even wrong decisions work for our good if they teach us to make wiser decisions in future.
Cheerios .. Bye
土曜日, 9月 15, 2007
We had a fun time singing talking about Britney Spear's latest hit single on the way back. Then I boarded a crowded 190 and I had to stand for 40 mins because there was a massive traffic jam caused by quite a major accident. Whatever the accident was, I hope that no one was seriously injured and matters would be ameliorated swiftly and calmly. In the mean time, I was thinking a new melody in my head. Seem to have forgotten it now ... I really need to pen down my tunes into proper musical notes. Perhaps after my exams I shall learn how to do that ...
In the evening, I went out to Chinese Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival with my cousin. Wore the wrong shoes initially and had to head home to change shoes, my left heel was blistered due to the stupid short ankle socks and the rough fabric of the not so good shoe. I changed into my longest and thickest stocking-like socks, after pasting a plaster on my poor heel. Then I changed into my comfortable sneakers and left home again.
Met my cousin and her father at the Chinese Garden MRT Station. The park was lit with beautiful lanterns. The Theme for this year's festival is "Magical Ocean" and that's probably why the park was filled with giant lanterns filled with fishys and sea creatures. It looked splendid. We watched a performance in which a man did some stunts while balancing a bowl of fire on his head.
The most spectacular performance was that of a teenage girl who spent about 10 years mastering the skill of the unicycle and she wowed us all by cycling on a 3m unicycle, while using her left leg to throw bowls (handed to her by an assistance) onto the top of her head. She threw a total 8 bowls and all balanced on top of her head ... it was truly stunning .. I almost doubted the laws of physics when she laid 5 separate bowls on her left leg and thew all of them up in the air with a flick of her leg. All balanced perfectly on her head as she continued her unicycling... Too bad I didn't have a camera .. so wasted. I was awed. And guess how she got of her 3m high unicycle? She jumped off ... landing on both feet!
Then there was a face changing performance by some opera guy which was stunning too but it was easy to discern that there were layers of fabric behind his mask which easily changed with a certain mechanism that instantly caused a layer of fabric to change, revealing the 2nd layer of fabric beneath.
On the way back home, there was this puddle of vomit in the MRT. I sat a few metres away from it and I could smell the putrid stench vomit. The people around me all scrammed when they saw the vomit and the women covering their noses. One applied lots of ointment on her nose... It was quite funny to see how people reacted upon looking at the puddle of vomit. The whole section of the train was left unseated except for me and 2 other disgusted women. Well... that's randomness for me... talking about silly lame disgusting stuff again. And then someone would probably use Mozilla FireFox to copy & paste this paragraph somewhere & taunt me childishly again ... Haha, you know who!
To forgive is to experience freedom. Few things inspire loyalty and hard work more than trust.
水曜日, 9月 12, 2007
I can't believe I actually defecated in the toilet without any tissue or toilet paper and stayed there for at least 40 mins. I'm disgusted at myself.
Why am I talking about this?
The exams are drawing nearer and I really have to get down to serious work. I intend to kick start my revision after the Chinese prelim exams on Thursday. I will have to memorise history essays everyday and do some maths problems on the way.
Britney's new single is hot and intriguing. I love the sexy tone in the song but she's still a very deluded person. Perhaps I am too... We all have to change for the better. The High School Musical 2 songs are also superb. I like the Sharpay version of You Are The Music In Me ... the upbeat makes the song so fun.
Stuck in a long queue? The next guy is probably just as impatient and bothered by it as you. Give a smile or tell a joke to lighten things up, and see what happens. For the better or worse, things will turn up fine.
日曜日, 9月 09, 2007
I went to watch Ratatouille with Rachel at Lot One ... it was an interesting show and we had lots of laughs. The show encapsulated our Pastor's message for service at church today. Remy the rat had a vision to be a cook and he had values in which he followed to fulfill his vision. He walked differently, ate differently and acted differently from other rats. His talent eventually helped someone in need and upheld the value that anyone can achieve if that put their heart and soul into it using the right values and methods, under God's will of course.
Embrace your vision, Engage in your vision and Execute your vision. A Vision without Values is Hallucination. A Vision with Values implemented along every step leads to an accomplishment. I hope my vision is right. I hope it will be fulfilled one day. I need to find my values now. Finding, finding ... Oh I found some: Patience, Perseverance, Love ...
My stomach feels dreadfully full now. My intestines feel clogged up. I'm having a bout of constipation which I dread and hate and loath and I pray that God will help me overcome this menace as quickly as possible. I have pulled through it before and it should be over soon. Mum just gave me some prune juice which is apparently not helping me defecate. I really really REALLY dread this bloated floaty feeling. Each time I try to poop, either nothing comes out or half of the intended waste material plops into the small pool of fluid in the toilet bowl. Argh!
Heaven is not for the perfect, but for the loving. I don't wanna think of my discomfort now. Jesus probably endured a billion times more pain that this.
土曜日, 9月 08, 2007
The Pastor's son
After every Sunday morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven-year-old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.
This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain.
The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said; "OK dad, I'm ready." His Pastor dad asked, "Ready for what?""Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out."Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain."
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking "But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?"
Dad answers ,"Son, I am not going out in this weather."
Despondently, the boy asked, "Dad, can I go? Please?"
His father hesitated for a moment then said, "Son, you can go.Here are the tracts, be careful son."
"Thanks Dad!" And with that, he was off and out into the rain.
This eleven-year-old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the doorbell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this eleven-year-old trooper turned to leave,but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch. He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, "What can I do for you son?"
With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said:"Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE."
With that,he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. "Thank you, son! And God Bless You!"
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.As the service began, he asked, " Does anybody have a testimony or want to say anything? " Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, "No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a believer. My husband passed on some time ago,leaving me totally alone in this world.
Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I Fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck.
Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, "I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away." I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, "Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me." I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life.
His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, "Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU."
Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more. You see " I am now a Happy Child of the KING.
Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract; I have come here to personally say THANK YOU TO God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from eternity in hell." There was not a dry eye in the church. Shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building.
Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
This Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and pass it to others.
We will meet in heaven!
木曜日, 9月 06, 2007
Anyway, I've finished all my Leafre quests and I sold some of my maple stuff quite recently at the Free Market. I bought a new Pyogo Mushroom and passed 1 30% and 2 60% scrolls on it. There's 3 slots left and I'm hoping to scroll it with 1 10% and 2 60%, with the backing up of white scrolls of course. For now, I'm just waiting for the price of the precious white scrolls to drop.
Everybody makes mistakes...
Everybody has those days... 1 2 3 4!
Everybody makes mistakes...
Everybody has those days...
Everybody knows what I'm talkin' 'bout...
Everybody gets that way...
Sometimes I'm in a jam
I've gotta make a plan
It might be crazy
I do it anyway
No way to know for sure
I'll figure out a cure
I'm patchin' up the holes
But then it overflows
If I'm not doin' to well
Why be so hard on my self?
[Chorus]
Nobody's Perfect!
I gotta work it!
Again and again 'til I get it right
Nobody's Perfect!
You live and you learn it!
And if I mess it up sometimes...
Nobody's perfect
Sometimes I work a scheme
But then it flips on me
Doesn't turn out how I planned
Gives second grade a stand
No problem, can be solved
Once I get involved
I try to be delicate
Then crash right into it
My intentions are good
Sometimes just misunderstood
[Chorus]
Nobody's perfect!
I gotta work it!
I know in time I'll find a way
Nobody's perfect!
Sometimes I fix things up
And they fall apart again
Nobody's perfect
I know I mix things up
But I always get it right in the end
[Talking]
Next time you feel like...
it's just one of those days...
when you just can't seem to win
If things don't turn out the way you plan,
FIGURE SOMETHING ELSE OUT!
Don't stay down! Try again! YEAH!
Everybody makes mistakes.....
everybody has those days.....
everybody knows what, what I'm talkin' 'bout.......
everybody gets that way
Nobody's Perfect!
I gotta work it!
Again and again 'til I get it right!
Nobody's Perfect!
Ya live and ya learn it!
And if I mess it up sometimes...
Nobody's Perfect!
I gotta work it!'
Cause everybody makes mistakes!
Nobody's Perfect
Nobody's Perfect!
No no!
Nobody's Perfect!
Is your day dark and dreary? Brighten someone else's, then bask in the afterglow.
土曜日, 9月 01, 2007
It was a great and enriching experience for me. There were moments of exuberance and despair. I think my team pulled through the camp pretty well and I'm gonna try to make this post as short as possible because I'm knocked out by fatigue.
I took a lift from Soggy's mum to Punggol Jetty on Monday and all went well except that I had to pee in the bushes because there was only one public toilet cubicle. I met some of my team mates in a watch called Bo Seng, penned after the famous war hero Lim Bo Seng. The name sounded a bit inauspicious though. We reached Ubin via Ferry.
We were introduced to our instructor Zippy or Zhen Ping, who briefly introduced herself to us. She is a very strong person with a friendly attitude towards people and a positive, persevering spirit towards all situations. We took our group photo after some administrative affairs. It was a bit screwed because Li Wei was making a pig face in the informal shot. That was hilarious big time.
During the period where we were introduced to our stores and camping accessories, I had an infrequent fainting spell. I collapsed into a long bench. I thank God for helping me to recover and my watch mates who kindly offered help. It is really scary when you reach the climax of a fainting spell. That comprises of muscular cramps, altered hearing, temporary blindness and hyperventilation. I felt that there was not enough blood going to my brain. I soon got better with some water and God's presence.
We were introduced to belaying, climbing and our stores on the first day. I learnt that climbing and belaying is an analogy of our lives. Our family and friends are our belayers, we are the climbers. A strong family would give us a firm foundation to climb to greater heights. Likewise, we are the belayer of our friends and family. How are we supporting them?
The weather turned against us on the second day. We had pitched our tents at Camp One campsite and I already met my tent mates which are now at very good terms with me. We managed to pitch our tents quickly and had fun having a picnic in the tent at night. My breath really stank because I didn't brush teeth every night. We went rockclimbing on Tuesday in the Multi Purpose Hall. I was climbing a very odd tall structure when I felt like giving up. It turned out that a loop in my harness was caught in one of the rock climbing footholds and I had to free it with immense difficulty, as well as prevent myself from losing grip. I thank God for being able to make it to the top. It was a thrilling yet trepidating experience. In life, we meet such obstacles. The important thing to note is not to yield but to persevere and see the light at the end of a tunnel. We trekked on to Camp 2 and slept there for the night.
On Day 3, we did our land expeditions. We were officially known as rangers since 4 watches combined to form a mega big group. We were sent off to 4 different locations in Ubin to find some clues and do some challenges. We managed well considering the bad weather. Games such as One Side flipping and stone juggle taught us much about working as a team and never to give up. We also had to have proper planning. Lunch was unhealthy because we had no time to cook and it was the first time I ever ate dry maggi mee with the seasoning. It tasted somewhat like the Mamee noodle packets, only dryer and more parched.
Later in the evening, some groups were lost on the other side of the island as dusk approached. They were compelled to go to an emergency campsite and we packed their tents and bags for them. I feel that serving and striving to such an extreme for the welfare of our peers is a really commendable feat.
On Day 4, the rain poured intermittently. We launched our Sea Expedition under the precautions issued by the instructors and Expedition Leaders (Voted among us). We were asked to canoe in a diamond shape for optimum security and that we obeyed considerably well until we were asked to turn back. Our initial goal was to paddle to Sembawang by 6pm but since the weather and the tides were against us, the instructors told us to head back for Ubin.
I had a really really hard time controlling my urine. I drank too much water before and during the expedition that I practically leaked in my pants during the last leg of the journey. My sphincter muscle in the bladder gave way after all the canoes were arranged at Camp 2 during dusk. It was an awkward and embarrassing moment where both instructor and watches went "Eeeewwww"... upon the sight of a large puddle of fluid on the rough road and even more yellow liquid dripping down my calves. When I eventually got to the toilet, I took more than a minute to relieve the remaining waste fluids. I was relieved internally but my exterior was smelly, wet, sweaty and all the disgusting things that you can think of.
I learnt that we had to work efficiently and swiftly in order to save time. Time is of the essence. We had to pitch our tents in the dark that night. I enjoyed the games that we had during small group sessions. It really tightened the bonds between me and my friends. Surprisingly, physical training in the morning was fun as well, except for the fact that we had to wake up really early and sleep really late each night.
Much earlier today, we paddled back to Camp 1 and packed our stuff. It took us really long and I think all of us have to work on our time management. We simply waste too much time doing lame but fun stuff. Everyone freaked when someone discovered a snake in the toilet. Time was wasted when we all when upstairs to view the abruptly infamous visitor. Time was also wasted saying Nei Nei Pork Jokes that were very lame. I learnt to say Nei Nei Pork in Cantonese from my mate Justin. It apparently sounds like "Bo" and to describe someone having enlarged mammary glands: " Bo Hoi Dai". Okay, that was purely nonsense. Don't ever say that to your mother or father because the consequences would be devastating.
For every action that is a cause and a reaction. We have to be responsible for our actions and think carefully before launching into something. We did many many more activities but there simply isn't time to post all of them here and I hope I can remember as much of the activities that we did. I'm feeling a bit seasick now since everything around me is like bobbing up and down with the imaginary tides.
Let's sleep now. One kind word or deed can turn someones life around. What other investment costs so little and pays so much? This camp has basically taught me 3 things.
Think and care for others
Do serve, Do Strive but Do not Yield
Plan & Carry out well, or face the consequences