After 10 months of Aussie Lifestyle

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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