In the down under and beyond

2nd Year in Geology and Mid Semester Break

2010-04-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Start of 2nd year

2nd Year in UWA is quite exciting isnt it? As for the introduction lectures, you are always told that this unit and that unit is difficult. Bottomline, Be Prepared to Work Hard!.

Each week passes faster and faster due to the amount of things to do. Give you a sample of what is my timetable like.

Get up -> Do some work -> Get ready for uni -> Travel to uni -> Go for classes/lectures -> Travel back home -> Prepare dinner -> Work -> Facebook -> Sleep.

And the process repeats again and again.

Mid Semester Break

In 1st year, we always look forward to a well deserved break. But when you get to that, you will be surely disappointed. Assignments after assignments after assignments. What is so different about 2nd year? Well, you will not enjoy your mid semester break as you need to prepare for your mid semester exams the following week. How fun is that?

Ok, perhaps not for my case. I have this assignment which can only be done in uni. I would need to look at thin section of rocks and that can only be seen under a petrological microscope. So, most of my days for the mid sem break is spent in uni, trying to finish my work.

Oh well, we are now back to the same routine. 2.5 months before the end of the semester. Looking forward to my winter break.

Lets go lets go!

Time to add some life to the blog

2009-11-09T01:47:00.000-08:00

It is getting a drag here. Everybody else has finished their exams but there are some who have not finished yet. You feel the drag of just wanting the exam to come and gone so that you can do other things. The days are getting longer and you are getting more and more irritated.

Just hang in there and it will be all over very soon.

Countdown to end of 1st year in 48 hours.

*smashes rock at the exam table, resulting in a horrific explosion* no.. that is not even possible at all. :)

And All is silent

2009-10-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

On that Friday, I handed in the poster that took us 2 months to finish.

However, we have to pay for it ourselves. $88 for an assignment?

Handed it at the box and say, "phew, that is over"

"But wait, I still have loads of stuff to do"

-First Exam-

EART1108 Geographical Perspectives 31/10/09 9am

=.= I do not really understand why we have exams on a Saturday.

And all is silent because, you cant do anything about it.

We are getting there, arent we?

2009-10-17T02:00:00.000-07:00

Just came back from a group meeting. I am only glad that the project is now going into a direction where we have something to write about.

Im just flatout. Sleep is good for the soul. Amen to that.

Update for the sake of updating

2009-10-15T03:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, it is not that tedious but so many things have happened over the weeks. I cant seem to keep track of what is going on.

And you know what, UWA has one more week left before study break. After study break, we have exams. After exams, we can go home. But.... it is really too fast. I just want next week to not end at all so that I can finish my assignments and work and understand what I have learnt.

*looks at thy rock*

PPPPLLLLEEAAASSEEE tell me who you are so that I can pass my geology practical exam. Or else, I will smash you with my hammer.

O.O

2009-09-11T17:13:00.001-07:00

Things have been breaking apart since I came back from the trip.

1. My chair -> one of the legs just broke off. But I still can support myself on it.

2. The wardrobe in general -> Handles are getting lose.

Not sure why though but I guess my stuff shows the durability of the things around here. LOL

Reflections of the Albany Field Trip

2009-09-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a 5 day field trip in Albany. This trip was part of the unit I was taking and I really enjoyed the experience. It was hard and the workload from this is intense. Day after day, we travel around to different places to look at the different rock outcrops. These outcrops do have a story to tell about the history of the place. For example, the Stirling Ranges has the rock age of 2,000 million years old. But the geology and the lithology of the place does not suggest that there were biological lifeforms. More information is needed to support that hypothesis. We could only spend 1 morning at the place due to time constrain and a tight programme.

I remember one of the church members (who is a retired geochemist) told me that as you study geology, you must be prepared to work alone most of the time. Only then, I do know what does that mean. You go around, looking at outcrops and record your observations. These observations are true as they become the data that would support your future hypotheses of the area. If you have people working with you and they jump into interpretations. By hearing their conversations leads to a distortation in your understanding of the lithology of the place.

Part of the error lies within me as I did felt inadequately prepared for the trip. My understanding of geology is limited and I do have limitations in my observations as well. The only thing I could do is to perhaps train on my observations to record as much detail as I can. (Details such as grain size, grain orientation, minerals present (due to cleavage or twinnings), clast or matrix supported rock, differentiate between mafic and felsic streams, bearings of joints/lines of weaknesses and so on..) It is quite a handful to have record as much data as possible but I wish I could have taken some samples back for further examination.

I do notice a sharp contrast with a PhD student and a first year undergraduate student. The PhD student works alot faster than us as they have the experience. Even if we carry the same gear as them, they are able to use the instruments more competantly than us. I too realise that even we think we are professionals in this area, there will be others who are better than us. From that lesson, I understand the mentality of having a teachable spirit and a humble heart. I just hope that I did not give that impression that I had a closed up mind. My lecturer said that if we have a fixated mind to a particular hypothesis, we are not studying science at all.

So much to do but we do need to start somewhere. Novice first, professionals later.

A tip about keeping your neck flexible

2009-09-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

Have you been staring at the computer for too long?

Try the following:

1) Bend your neck to your right or left

2) Hear a nice *crack* at your neck*

3) Heave a sigh of relief

4) Do your neck exercises by doing neck rotations

5) This only takes 1 minute of your time. :)

Cheers.

Happy Birthday Darling

2009-08-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Well, one of the times that I shall just dedicate a post about you. :) You are now 'legalised' and welcome to the realm of being an adult. Have a smash on the day and you can only turn 18 once.

Hope you like the gift which should be flying towards Melbourne at the moment. :)

Have fun and God Bless you!

Countdown to Melbie

2009-07-05T06:04:00.000-07:00

I shant need to say much about this. I think I can wait.. no I cant. Can time pass a bit faster for a while and be slower when Im there?

MP3 Playlist for the family blog

2009-07-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

I have always wondered how people put music onto their blogs. I asked one of my friends named Angel and she told me how to do that. Now I can start to finetune the family blog after receiving comments. :)

Thanks Angel. :)

3 weeks of Holiday left

2009-06-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

What have I been doing these few weeks besides playing, sleeping and slacking? Have I done anything productive these few days?

Well, doing my disciple readings is just one of them. But also, you have the time to take stock what really happened over the past few months. I visited the Canning students to 'disturb' them and encourage them to keep on going. At the back of our minds, we thought, we were like that just now. University is great but I do think that Foundation year was even better.

The days of Vickery house was full of fun and sadness. There are occassions that we just go completely nuts. This is just one example. When we were preparing for our End of Year exams, we just didnt have the mood to study. So.. this is what we did. I went over to Oliver's and Edward's unit to play some Maplestory private server. Guess what time we slept? I slept at 4am and the physics paper was just a few hours away. The rest played till the sun rose up. I am not sure whether we can do that again but the experience makes us laugh.

For those who still have exams, just do your best. It will end by the time you know it. :)

One and a Half weeks of holiday

2009-06-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

You are now coming to the part where you 'eagerly' await for your results. After all those weeks of preparation, you sometimes think to yourself, "Have I done enough?"

But I shall just say, I have done what I can do and I just wait patiently. Very interesting indeed. :) Meanwhile, I just carry on with Xbox and wait for the trip to Melbourne. *heart heart*

Have you LOL-ed before?

2009-06-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

I think I am going to LOL in 6 hours time. Hello holidays and pls pls pls pls pls.. job please.. $$

The day has come after all those days of preparation

2009-06-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

It has been quite hard over the past few weeks trying to prepare for these end of semester exams. They constitute a large piece of the unit marks so there is no room for mucking around. I think I find, you can never be prepared from all the preparation. But, you can still depend on one that is always present. I know I cannot go without Him preparing the way.

Thank you for those who have finished their exams today and enjoying themselves. I pray that whatever results they get, it would be to the glory of you. Amen.

1 week of Study Break, one week before my exams really start

2009-06-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have been sooooooooooooooooooooo productive (NOT!) but at least I hope I am getting somewhere. Studying patterns, the more stressed you are, you tend to multitask alot more without getting distracted/or distracted.

So... how shall I put it? Get up at 9am every morning and find out to see what I have sold on Flyff (LOL! really old MMORPG). Then you go and open facebook and 3 other browser games and just leave it there. In the meantime, you do your work. Does that distract me? Nope, I dun think so since they do not require much effort to click around.

Needless to say, my revision for Anthropology will end today and I have one more unit to revise. On top of that, I need to do questions but that will done at a later time. Get all your information before you start tackling the questions. However, I can only hope and pray that this technique will be effective. Heheh..

Talk to you all later. Tackling media now.

A new post, a blank post with an update

2009-05-30T04:49:00.001-07:00

Randomness is something that I let my hands do the talking. What shall I say?

There goes the 1st semester. Can you imagine that 5 months just whizzed by without us realising that, "oh, we are done already?" Heads up people, get real and before you know it, you will be at home for Christmas.

Tada!

First the assignments, then the cockroaches?

2009-05-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

It so happens that I can say that I am almost done with my assignments. Earth presentation slides has just been submitted to the website, just need to prepare on what i want to say based on those slides. My anthropology essay is somewhat done, kudos to my Dad for helping me proof read and commenting at the same time. Econs quiz preparation, done. Anything else?

Well, I was so lazy just facebooking and playing games when I just heard a scream in the bathroom. It started with a scream.. then a commotion of everybody's annoying black ugly friend, the cockroach. Not just one but two running around. I smacked one but the other escaped my hand. However, they seem to be popping out all over the place. Just then, I just smell like somebody just vomited a distance away. Geez.. strange things happen today.

Oh, by the way, my housemate now trembles in fear of cockroaches. Hope it doesnt get him in the middle of the night. >.<

Cheers mates

After seven weeks of research about Climate Change

2009-04-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today was the day. It was a special day because the project has been completed. 7 weeks of intense research and writing, e-mails flying all over the place was compiled to a 19 page report. We had work limit constrains and there was alot to say. We agreed on it, printed it out, wrote our peer assessment forms and dropped it into the box.

There was a sense of euphoria when that was done. It is over for some of us. I am blessed to have good group members. It has been fun working with them and scratching our heads over this.

"Not by power, not by might but by my spirit, says the Lord God Almighty"

I am indeed amazed on how we managed to finish the project. I do not consider myself lucky but I know that God is always in control. He has helped the group in the Climate Change project, the Scientific Investigation report and assignments. Now, I am plowing through books regarding the anthropology of religion.

I seek and pray for guidance for I too question about my faith. Religion changes people and societies. It provides the structure of the society and laws that will govern them. Alright, I gotta get back to my books.

Shall update this soon.

One term down, one more to go

2009-04-09T01:33:00.000-07:00

*happy face*

A glorious finish for the end of half a semester. We did it, every single one of us. The week of study break is here and Easter is here as well. So we should celebrate with something special. This saturday is the highly anticipated most GG like Paintball game. Everybody will go NUTZ!! and WACKO and GGing around.

So, load up your weapons and go *splat splat splat*

You wish it could be like that everyday. Unfortunately, we still have alot of work to do. Mid semester exams and quizes and project date lines are like after the study break. Sure, no formal classes but you still need to keep going.

GOGOGOGOGO. One thing at a time and we all can have a nice rest. :D

One thing at a time but I just have no idea where to start

2009-03-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

This is a very short note to update my blog. I am basically trying to survive with what I am doing from geology. I never knew that geology can be that difficult.

Assignments? No, try projects and you just want to do it well all the time. You are marked for your attendance, contribution and peer-to-peer evaluation. I have this climate change project which I do not really know how to start. They gave us a guideline and I just need to read. However, I feel sleepy but I do not want to sleep, not until I did something productive for the day

My head is spinning with Gender and Sexuality from Anthropology and thinking through about this climate project. Dang, I am beginning to dislike Microsoft Excel even though it has become rather simple.

Yey, I finished Halo 3. Such a nice ending to the whole game. ROFL. Time to play it all over again.

My blog is so alive, ROFL

2009-03-16T06:55:00.000-07:00

It is one of those moments that I have finished what I wanted to do for the day. I guess I should be this productive everyday so that I can free my weekends.

It is the 4th week of university and I am feeling the stress. I do not really understand why they say that year one is the honeymoon year. Either they have easy units or Im just crazy enough to do hard units for this semester. Im walking on water with Anthropology. Such a new thing but yet it is so interesting. This is just the first semester. All I just want is sleep at the moment.

Brain uses alot of energy and I get tired really easily. Perhaps you see me walking aimlessly in university, just tap me and hope that I will respond. hehe

3 weeks after coming back to Perth

2009-02-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

It has been sometime since I have updated this blog. This trip is going to be more interesting than last year. You are no longer in High School (Year 12) but rather at the beginning of the undergraduate route. You have a mixture of emotions. Excited, apprehensive and clueless on what will happen within the next few years.

Fortunately, we have a God who looks out for us. He is there on the turblulent waters. You just come out of your comfort zone and walk towards him. Do you assume that everything will be stable? No, not even Peter who is to be the rock of the church passed the test. As what my pastor back in Singapore always say, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus through the hills and valleys of life." How true it can get. Where everything seems to go wrong, you always want to look at somebody which is stable. God is there for us and is with us through the end of the age. Amen to that!

Ever since I returned to Perth, I do not have the words to discribe how everything fitted so nicely together. Accommodation is such a big issue for International Students but yet, it was provided. I thank God for that and it shows that we are meant to be here.

Impossible?

2009-01-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

I just read the entry from the Our Daily Bread. The scripture reference is taken from Matthew 5:38-42.

"You have heard that it was said, 'eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

What does this mean? People often quote this passage in order to gain the upper hand, I always tell them that they have quoted it out of context but I do not know why. When this entry came up in the ODB, I have a clear understanding on what it means.

With reference to Martin Luther King, he made a call for equality for the racial minorities. This lasted for a year in 1955 but paid a high price. It is so different when you interpret it literally. You strive for something good and you do it in a peaceful manner. When we are under persecution, we should not fight back with fists. By this, we gain respect from the other which make them think again. We do it in love as we are called to be the light of the world.

In the light of the recent war on Gaza, I fear that the war should not even happen. Israel has been called the chosen people of God and they should exercise what God told them through the scriptures. Hamas provoked Israel with a few insignificant rocket attacks and Israel counterattacked with a full fledged military operation. The cost? Billions of dollars of damage and spent on the war in the midst of economic downturn. Lives are lost and there is alot of colleteral damage. The only question I can think of is what is the point of the this war? This question can also be asked for the previous wars including the world wars.

It is difficult not to retailiate but people who have done it have received fame and honor. Our Lord Jesus has also done the same while he suffered at the hands of the Sanhedrin. When he was given the opportunity to defend himself, he kept silent. May God have mercy on us. May we continue to seek his strength and do what He wants us to do.

Do not be afraid to speak because you are young

2008-12-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

I awoke from a burden to tell the pastor in Charge of Barker Road Methodist Church a word of encouragement. I tried to sleep it of as I thought I was just hearing things. My mind began to sharpen and heard the words of God within me. He flashed out key passages and words to bring His context into a situation that happened just a few days ago. I got up, switched on my laptop and started composing an e-mail for him. I do not have the words nor the theological background to write. My hands started typing the words and passages which linked up sentence after sentence. When I have finished the e-mail, I looked at it and thought, I would not be able to write like this without the help of God.

At the back of my mind, I was thinking about the words of the Apostle Paul in the letter to Timothy. This keyverse come from 1 Timothy 4:12.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

There have been many revival meetings for the youth and this verse has been used frequently. I accept it as it is the word of God.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

As I composed the e-mail, I begin to understand the application of this verse. There are times where God may want us to tell the people something that they do not want to hear. Our Lord Jesus put it in the Beatitudes, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

God continues to surprise us in one way or another. Anybody can be the person who can change the world. God does not look at the physical appearances but He looks at the heart. If you have a willing heart and ready to obey, God will use you. As for the young people, do not hold back on what God wants to say to you. You will miss the joy of seeing another believe or getting encouraged. This joy cannot be robbed by anybody as it is given from God. I pray that as we continue our walk in Christ, may our hearts be ready to obey his commands. Amen

The Joy of Watching People Getting Baptised

2008-12-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

Just a week ago, my girlfriend just got baptised and confirmed by the church. She has been a Christian for 2 years and through this baptism service, she has made publically declared her faith. I would like to pose questions to those who are reading this. For those who were baptised, what was your feeling after baptism? As you turn around to face the congregation of the church who supported you through their applause, how did you feel? As for myself, I felt happy and joyful whenever people receive their baptism.

It can be described by the feeling of ushering a new born into the community of saints. Christians are people in the same community. Paul has said that we form many parts of the body of Christ. Some of us may be at the head, arms, legs and so on so forth. If one part refuses to function, the whole community suffers.

Listen to the words of God in Luke 15:3-7
"Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

I see an underlying question. Why should I rejoice for him and not for me? That has happened to you already, it should happen for the others as yourself. Would you want that person to experience the same joy as you had many years ago? This is not thinking for yourself but for others.

If you dun glorify God, something else will keep on glorifying God

2008-12-02T17:37:00.001-08:00

We humans have this idea of wanting to measure things to a particular constant. On earth, we have miles and kilometres. In our solar system, we measure in millions of miles or kilometres. The milky way galaxy (which is where our solar system is), we turn into light years (light travelling in an Earth year). If we were to go out of the milky way galaxy, there are other galaxies outside and the nearest galaxy is like a few million light years away. If we were to sit down and think about these numbers, I do not believe that our brain is able to comprehend those large numbers.

In the game of Mass Effect, I was very interested with the galaxy map of the Milky Way. You go around other systems to hunt down people or chase people. We normally say that the world is big but if you blow it up to a galactic scale, I find it difficult to chase people. Just sit back and think about it. You are after one person yet he could be one of the many billions of systems orbiting in the galaxy. A nightmare for a galactic policeman.

We Christians sit back and think about the world. At times we are lost, we look towards our God for strength and comfort. I would not be showing you all the pictures of space but this particular picture continues to amaze me time and time again.

This picture was taken at the centre of the Whirlpool Galaxy. If it is said that all creation rejoices and glorifies God, where are the signs? Jesus did say, if you ask the children to stop praising, the rocks on the ground will continue to glorify God. I poured through all the pictures taken by the Hubble Space telescope. The colours each galaxy emits is so beautiful that you just cannot wonder who is this being that created all these.

I got this inspiration to compose this entry as my darling brought me to a special youth service at Church of Our Savior (COOS). The sermon was entitled Indescrible. The speaker was using these pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope to show the people how great is our God. It blew my mind completely as God had shown himself at another galaxy that he is real. He is a true God and you can hear countless of testimonies from many people who believe in Him.

You may be a Christian for a long time but have you made Him Lord over your Life? I admit I struggle over this. It is human nature to go against God but would you let God take charge over your life? However Jesus reassures us as he says, come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

"Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades?
Can you loose the cords of Orion?"
Job 38:31

After 10 months of Aussie Lifestyle

2008-11-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

The first leg of journey is about to come to an end. I wonder how much I have changed over the months. Would it for the better? Would it be beneficial to my darling? As much as I think of these questions, I can only wonder and give thanks to God for what has happened. The transition from a solider back to a student had been a difficult journey. The instincts and the discipline of a soldier had taught me valuable lessons. I may not have a colourful armed forces life but I thank God for the outcome of everything.

The IMC Foundation Year gang
1st Row (Front from left to Right) Jenny, Angel, Liz, Cindy, Joyce, Kendrick
2nd Row (Back from left to Right) Johnny, Yours Truly, Oliver, Alvin, Edward

In Australia, in Western Australia, in Perth, I met up with so many people. Although most of them come from Malaysia, each of them is unique. I am fortunate to have these two groups of friends. They have expanded my social circle, make my life in college enjoyable. I especially love my family in Canning College. The picture below shows my family. 'Families' are usually born within school time to crystalise the close relationships each person has to each other. I always find it amusing and fun. That added the fun factor to college life.

Family in Canning College
(From left to Right) Wu Fan, Yours Truly, Bernie, Emily, Caroline

The bonds of friendship is strong and will always be the same as long as we keep in contact. Thanks for all the memories and fun and laughters and sorrows through school times. I think I have found my friends for life. Many more to come. Lets take Edward for example, a super random guy who always try to be the most irriating person we have ever known. Im not sure what does he gain from it but he is an interesting character. "I like strawberries" >.< Im not sure what will happen over the next 4 years. :D

Till then, keep in contact you guys. Theres always facebook, friendster and msn all around. :D

Exams are history but life still carries on

2008-11-14T00:47:00.000-08:00

It has been sometime since I have updated the blog. Been bogged down with work and try to do our best for the examinations. We prepared our best and sit for the test. We just need to sit and wait for our results. For us Christians, we lay our effort and our results to the Almighty God. Though our college life just ended but I realise that it is the beginning of the real journey to independence and dependence.

As international students and we realise that we need to do alot of things on our own. We have to feed ourselves, get up for school by ourselves (with the help of alarm clocks), do our homework and manage our finances. We have become students and homemakers at the same time. It may be a big issue for those who are travelling overseas for the first time but once you get the hang of it, the job gets more routine.

Over in Australia, several other students and I were going through this process of independence. The task seemed daunting at first but as time pass by, you have an idea of putting your priorities right. I might have an advantage from national service but that does not discount the fact that we need to count on the people around you for love and comfort. I am going to miss the things that has happened over the period of 9 months. It has come and gone.

So what is the next step? UWA? UQ? University of Melbourne? Geology? Landscape Archietecture? no.. I should just stick to Geology and Resource Economics at UWA. That is the first of the many steps of my life. To my friends out there, I shall see you soon.

If life was a game, how would you play it?

2008-10-17T23:46:00.000-07:00

I am in the midst of exams and this thought of Life being a game. I have been playing games since young but I wonder why we have problems trying to apply it our unique abilities in our lives. For First Person Shooters, do you play for the storyline or just for the action and be the King in multiplayer? I was never a multiplayer gamer but I play for enjoyment and to get the most from the game.

Just recently, I picked up F.E.A.R again. It is called First Encounter Assault Recon which was released in 2006. I played it once while I was in my national service days. It has this suspense that makes the story really interesting. The action is comparable with Half Life but this is a different genre of gameplay. You play as a nameless solider known as the Point Man. You were recruited to the F.E.A.R team for your special abilities. As I was playing through the game, something struck me and I started to compose this entry.

In this world, each of us have a unique ability to do something for the world. In the case of F.E.A.R, you have the ability to undergo 'bullet time' which gives you an edge over your opponents. I wonder what it is like if your life was a game. Each of us has one life and each of us is given a specific task or an ability to accomplish something. There are no save points. You fight through your struggles that bog you down. You take medicine to recover your health. You exercise to keep yourself fit so that you can face the challenges easier.

My question to you all is, what is your unique ability in this 'game of life'? If you have identified it, what are you doing about it? I quote from the letter to the Romans from Apostle Paul.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (Romans 12: 6-8 New International Version)

I believe that people should not be stopped from showing their gifts and talents to create a better world. The world is in bad shape at the moment. Lets all shower each other with the love that Jesus commanded us. With the love of each other, let all differences fade away.

Is sanity the price to pay for POWER?

2008-09-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

I was typing out my research essay to prepare myself for the college task this week. It carries a hefty 11% to the college mark. There is certainly no room for error. My topic? It is regarding genetically modified food to be the solution to world hunger. As I was doing the research, many sources gave the impression that GM food is creating more harm than good. I shall just type some of my thoughts with reference to the topic.

By introducing GM food, it upsets many aspects of life. In today's context under globalisation, we can see social disparity and immoral character. According to sources, there should not be world hunger as there is enough food to go around. However, there is an economic gap between the developed countries and the developing countries. One might come in and say, 'why dun we share the wealth of the developed countries to the developing countries?' It is easier said than done. You have to go through political ties, getting approval from their people and the process is endless. So what my point of view?

Nature is often an enigma to us hence we want to go and study it, harness it for the good of mankind or is it ourselves. This is where the problem lies. Companies who cash in on this new ground say that they are helping the people grow more food. Why do you need to grow more food when the green revolution has achieved that purpose? With more food, there should be less hunger but we have hundred and millions of people who are dying from hunger. The theory of producing more food to solve hunger is invalid. What are the developed countries doing? One writer has written that we spend so much on national defense. If we were to decrease spending and increase funding for other noble causes, it would be the first of many steps to solve hunger and other global issues.

What does the bible say about genetic modification? I can only find one passage about the creation of the earth and that is in Genesis 1. God creates and says that it is good. Whatever is created by the hand of God are perfect in His sight. We, humans do not set the boundaries. Nature has provided the boundaries for humans to live in. If we were to break the boundaries, the forces of nature will react and establish that equilibrium. More global warming, stronger storms and natural disasters. The facts show the the problems, why are we so crazed of making money just for power? If global warming continues to worsen, money would have no value as everything will be gone.

Who are we to play as god?

The Problem of being smart and the simplicity of being dumb

2008-09-12T00:41:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder why people are so brilliant in their studies and successful in their careers are still feeling empty inside? This was one of the questions my friends and I were discussing during English class. To be honest, we were suppose to do our notes for the research essay but then, we were talking about it.

It sounds like a philosophical question as it does involve our psychological aspects of the mind. I do not study philosophy nor psychology but I am looking into in my own way. This ties with Christianity and certainly religion. I might have an answer to that question but I fear that it might not be theologically correct.

Do you remember what Jesus told us that the best faith we are to have is of a child? A child is innocent who does not know much about the world where as a grown up will include many factors which leads to an unstable faith. This unfortunately applies to our education. We would want to get a broader perspective but we run into a danger of just 'thinking too much'. I quote from one of my church friends, 'Failures are often caused by assumptions'. When you study maths and science, every calculation you make is based on assumptions. When Jesus say, "I am the way and the light", many people did not believe as they just think too much.

The problem of being smart and certainly the simplicity of being dumb. This does not mean that we should not be studying. Education is good as you are equipped to work with the world. Our Lord says, "Be of the world but not be part of the world." You only have one master and you are on earth to do a particular job. What is your purpose?

This brings back to Matrix when Agent Smith tells Neo before they start fighting.

"You have taken something away from me and that is purpose"
Agent Smith - Matrix Reloaded

Thoughts for today

2008-09-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

I just read Acts 20-22 for today's disciple reading. Paul was leaving Ephesus and going back to Jerusalem. His Christian brothers pleaded him not to go as they were prompted by the spirit saying that Paul would undergo persecution and might lose his life in the process. Paul was firm and he went. At the moment he set foot inside the city, there was an uproar that God has accepted the Gentiles.

In the Old Testament, God gave made his covenant to Abraham which was passed down from generation to generation. Jesus came in and fulfilled the law thus giving everybody a new command to follow for those who believe in him 'Love one another and love your neighbour as yourself". I might be theologically incorrect but I am voicing my thoughts out.

According to the book of Acts, Paul was innocent to deserve death. The events leading to that conclusion showed how the Jews were still holding onto the old teaching given by Moses. Out of this thinking, this question came up to me. Are we holding onto something that is preventing God from blessing us? I do know that each and everyone of us wants to be blessed by God. However, if we hold something to ourselves, God's blessing cannot flow through.

This is certainly a food for thought. Think about it.

Kelvin ah Kelvin

2008-09-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

This is a special post. I have known Kelvin for around 4-5 months. Little did I know that he falls ill very easily and it can be seen through his poor diet and sleeping habits. Just today while Oliver, Edward and I were having dinner (it was quite late), we heard that Kelvin threw up again after drinking apple juice. There was so much commotion going on in the background that he needs to take immediate actions. First step: Drink tea and go and sleep!

As you can see here, Kelvin is trying not to take the tea and protesting that he doesnt need tea.

This is the tea he is suppose to drink. Liang Cha is the tea.

After minutes of pestering and reasoning it with him, he finally drinks some tea. It is clear that he does not like to drink this when he wants to study for a test tomorrow. That wouldnt do. Go and Sleep first. Your health is more important than the test even though it is 30%. You can always get a medical certificate for your absence.

To all that know what Im talking about, he shall lead a healthy lifestyle in Vickery House till the end of the year. :D

Horrors of Horrors

2008-09-08T02:35:00.001-07:00

Language has always been a bane to my studies. My sentence structure and grammar is has cost me marks in my essays. People would tell me, "Come on, you are a Singaporean and yet you still do badly in your language." I know and accept the fact that, yes I may not do as well in language then in other areas. At the back of my mind, I have been thinking what I am more proficient in and be proud of it.

Life has always been unfair to me but I am always reminded by what God has done for each and everyone of us. He did not give up and persevered all the way to the cross. Who are we to say that we are considered losers? No, that is the devil talking.

To all that are having a hard time trying to prepare for your tests and exams, do not give up. Studying can be a chore but you will certainly reap what you sow. I have to tell that myself to pick myself up. Jia you!!!

Whatever plans we have, does God approve it?

2008-09-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

When you decide to plan out your future, you just want to hit those targets. However, the big man above looks at it and says, you will need to make a few changes to it. Does it sound similar when you submit a proposal to your boss and your boss says other things that can make it better?

Just like the verse in the book of Jeremiah 29:11-13

"For the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

This sounds quite familiar. However, we should look into verse 12 and 13 for it is the key to the plans God has for you. We can do all we want but God always has a better plan. I should start doing that as well.

The first of many and beyond

2008-09-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided to write a blog in the midst of preparation for exam time. Since Im going to be in the down under for a good number of years, it is important to let people know what I have been up to. I assure you, everything is fine and dandy unless something happens.

I am currently in Perth, studying for the foundation exams which is about to start in 6 weeks time. God has been good all the time. Although there are disappointments and hardships along the way, He is always there to guide me.

My darling who is currently in her home country has always been a great source of encouragement. I am easily discouraged and she has always been there to help me through. Im glad that I have met her and through God's grace, it is a wonder that we have gotten so far.

Till then, the next post will come soon.