Monday, October 31, 2005
The reason - Hoobastank
I watched a Jap movie last Friday. Vinnie Jones was in it - and he goes around asking the Japanese people "What is your function in life?" Heck, he goes around asking anyone that question!
Well, during the family service yesterday, the speaker shared this poem - and he was nice enuf to give me the transparency when I asked for the words:-
So what is your function in life?
Well, during the family service yesterday, the speaker shared this poem - and he was nice enuf to give me the transparency when I asked for the words:-
You are who you are for a reason
You're part of God's sovereign plan
You're precious and perfect, a unique design
God's own special woman or man
You look like you look for a reason
God never made a mistake!
He put you together genetically
You're just what he wanted to make!
He carefully chose both your parents
No matter how you may feel
He chose the day - and the right DNA
To give you the master's seal!
The traumas you've faced were not easy
And God wept with you in your woe
But they were allowed - to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow
So - you are what you are for a reason
Made in the image of God
You are who you are for a purpose
To praise and glorify God
You're part of God's sovereign plan
You're precious and perfect, a unique design
God's own special woman or man
You look like you look for a reason
God never made a mistake!
He put you together genetically
You're just what he wanted to make!
He carefully chose both your parents
No matter how you may feel
He chose the day - and the right DNA
To give you the master's seal!
The traumas you've faced were not easy
And God wept with you in your woe
But they were allowed - to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow
So - you are what you are for a reason
Made in the image of God
You are who you are for a purpose
To praise and glorify God
So what is your function in life?
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Turn back time - Aqua
I remember when I was young and I used to love playing this board game - Payday - wif me bro and me sis. I was really young then - and it was my first exposure to "Daylight Savings". There was this square where if anyone lands on it, everyone will have to move one step backwards. Of course back then, we never fully understood wat it was all about.
Well, this morning, the clocks all went back an hour. To people like me, it's quite a significant thing since I come from Malaysia and we never do this kinda things! Suddenly, we gain an hour - especially for us who go to church, last nite we were thankful for the additional hour of sleep we had (altho I was late again this morning).
I can still remember in spring of 1994 when the clocks all go forward an hour. I was telling me juniors (who only came over in February and hence did not experience the daylight savings in November '93) that the clocks will go forward the next day. Of course all 3 of them (girls, mind you) refused to believe me. So I challenged them to stay up and listen to the radio.
The only catch was that for reasons which I still dun know, the clocks only go forward and go back at 2 am! (Can sumone enlighten me?)
So at 12 midnite, all 4 of us were listening intently to 95.8 Capital FM and when they announced the time shortly after midnite, 3 pairs of female eyes glared at me! They thought it was a really bad joke.
The next morning, all of them were LATE FOR CLASSES!!!!!! Hahahaha! Serves them right. When I saw them again the next nite, they were all complaining how they were late and missed classes etc. while I listened silently wif a smug look on my face.
Oh, of course they did not at any point of time acknowledged that I was right after all and that they shud have believed me. What did you expect? They were, after all, girls! :-P
The main drawback bout the whole thing is that it's only 5:20 pm and it's oredi dark outside.
Well, this morning, the clocks all went back an hour. To people like me, it's quite a significant thing since I come from Malaysia and we never do this kinda things! Suddenly, we gain an hour - especially for us who go to church, last nite we were thankful for the additional hour of sleep we had (altho I was late again this morning).
I can still remember in spring of 1994 when the clocks all go forward an hour. I was telling me juniors (who only came over in February and hence did not experience the daylight savings in November '93) that the clocks will go forward the next day. Of course all 3 of them (girls, mind you) refused to believe me. So I challenged them to stay up and listen to the radio.
The only catch was that for reasons which I still dun know, the clocks only go forward and go back at 2 am! (Can sumone enlighten me?)
So at 12 midnite, all 4 of us were listening intently to 95.8 Capital FM and when they announced the time shortly after midnite, 3 pairs of female eyes glared at me! They thought it was a really bad joke.
The next morning, all of them were LATE FOR CLASSES!!!!!! Hahahaha! Serves them right. When I saw them again the next nite, they were all complaining how they were late and missed classes etc. while I listened silently wif a smug look on my face.
Oh, of course they did not at any point of time acknowledged that I was right after all and that they shud have believed me. What did you expect? They were, after all, girls! :-P
The main drawback bout the whole thing is that it's only 5:20 pm and it's oredi dark outside.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Yesterday once more - The Carpenters
I have been accused of writing novels on me blog (meaning i write A LOT!!!!). I just can't help it. I'm sitting here blogging, surfing and then I get inspired to blog summore!
I've been downloading a lot of music lately - from all me Uni mates. A LOT!!!!
And as I sat here listening to the songs, all the memories attached to each song comes back.
That's the beauty of music and songs - you hear a tune, sing a lyric and suddenly, you are transported back months or even years ago. I could feel the same way i felt back then - heck, if I tried hard enuf, I could prolly smell the things back then!
One moment I'm transported back to London 12 years ago, another moment and I'm wif me mates in S'pore. I could be on the Unser travelling to Temerloh, or in the van going to Tasik Bera screaming my lungs out wif me crazy mates! I could be laughing when I hear the song and the memories it brings - or be crying...
I guess it helps to have crazy mates who love singing - and we would just break out in song whenever and wherever! :-)
It's funny cuz just yesterday, I was "singing" along wif a mate - over Windows Messenger! And we were "singing" The Carpenter's Yesterday Once More.
Truly, when I listen to these songs now, it is like yesterday once more!
I've been downloading a lot of music lately - from all me Uni mates. A LOT!!!!
And as I sat here listening to the songs, all the memories attached to each song comes back.
That's the beauty of music and songs - you hear a tune, sing a lyric and suddenly, you are transported back months or even years ago. I could feel the same way i felt back then - heck, if I tried hard enuf, I could prolly smell the things back then!
One moment I'm transported back to London 12 years ago, another moment and I'm wif me mates in S'pore. I could be on the Unser travelling to Temerloh, or in the van going to Tasik Bera screaming my lungs out wif me crazy mates! I could be laughing when I hear the song and the memories it brings - or be crying...
I guess it helps to have crazy mates who love singing - and we would just break out in song whenever and wherever! :-)
It's funny cuz just yesterday, I was "singing" along wif a mate - over Windows Messenger! And we were "singing" The Carpenter's Yesterday Once More.
Truly, when I listen to these songs now, it is like yesterday once more!
Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
I did it. I bought a guitar. After looking around for close to 4 weeks, I finaly made the decision to invest on a 50 quid guitar!
50 quid???? Yup - that's like RM350!
And it's a Ridgewood guitar.
A wat???
Trust me. I have been searching hard for a reasonably priced guitar. I checked out e-bay, watched a few items there, went to Cash Converters, checked out all the music shops in town. The Ridgewood guitar is the best in value.
Actually, I decided to buy it last week. But when I went to town on Sunday, the shop was closed. So I had a few more days to ponder over it. It strengthened my decision.
So I went yesterday... I mean Thursday. It was a good thing as Thursday was bright and sunny. I had to carry it by hand all the way back from town (40 mins walk).
I played on it when I got back until my fingers hurt so badly that I had to stop! :-)
It's pretty good. Really! Ridgewood is the brand of guitar that this shop makes for its own. Their own brand and they liken it to be as good as the branded ones - except the price is lower. I believe them I really like the feel of it (altho me mate Markus din like it).
To see pics of me guitar, go here.
The funny thing was that I was thinking all along the way hom wat song I shud play on it when I get back - the very first song played on it? I decided on "Betapa Hatiku" (see here for the song).
So when I got home, I took it out, felt it all over, enjoyed the smell of it and started strumming a G chord. As I started playing, I realised that I was not playing "Betapa Hatiku"!!!! I was unknowingly playing "Kau yang terindah"!!!
I thought it was an apt song - to remind meself that no matter how beautiful the guitar is, no matter how lovely this place is, at the end of the day, only God who is the most beautiful of all!
Oh, - "Kau yang terindah" is "You are the most beautiful" in the Malay language.
p/s - I need some feedback. Thanks to Krissy's fren, I have decided to name me guitar. Initially, I wanted to name her "Holly". After all, Holly is a red-head (i know another red-head but i dun think she wans me to name me guitar after her!!!) and me guitar is red in colour. But would it be disrespectful to her memory?
50 quid???? Yup - that's like RM350!
And it's a Ridgewood guitar.
A wat???
Trust me. I have been searching hard for a reasonably priced guitar. I checked out e-bay, watched a few items there, went to Cash Converters, checked out all the music shops in town. The Ridgewood guitar is the best in value.
Actually, I decided to buy it last week. But when I went to town on Sunday, the shop was closed. So I had a few more days to ponder over it. It strengthened my decision.
So I went yesterday... I mean Thursday. It was a good thing as Thursday was bright and sunny. I had to carry it by hand all the way back from town (40 mins walk).
I played on it when I got back until my fingers hurt so badly that I had to stop! :-)
It's pretty good. Really! Ridgewood is the brand of guitar that this shop makes for its own. Their own brand and they liken it to be as good as the branded ones - except the price is lower. I believe them I really like the feel of it (altho me mate Markus din like it).
To see pics of me guitar, go here.
The funny thing was that I was thinking all along the way hom wat song I shud play on it when I get back - the very first song played on it? I decided on "Betapa Hatiku" (see here for the song).
So when I got home, I took it out, felt it all over, enjoyed the smell of it and started strumming a G chord. As I started playing, I realised that I was not playing "Betapa Hatiku"!!!! I was unknowingly playing "Kau yang terindah"!!!
I thought it was an apt song - to remind meself that no matter how beautiful the guitar is, no matter how lovely this place is, at the end of the day, only God who is the most beautiful of all!
Oh, - "Kau yang terindah" is "You are the most beautiful" in the Malay language.
Kau yang terindah, dalam hidup ini
Tiada Allah Tuhan yang seperti engkau
Besar perkasa, penuh kemuliaannya
Kau yang termanis, dalam hidup ini
Kucinta kau lebih dari s’galanya
Besar kasih setia kepadaku
Kusembah kau, ya, Tuhanku
Kutinggikan namamu selalu
Tiada lutut tak bertelut
Menyembah Yesus Tuhan rajaku
Kusembah kau, ya, Tuhanku
Kutinggikan namamu selalu
Setiap lidah, kan mengaku
Engkaulah Yesus Tuhan rajaku.
(Loose translation into English:-
You are the most beautiful, in this life
No other god is like you
Strong and powerful, highly exalted
You are the sweetest, in this life
I love you more than anything else
How great is your love and faithfulness to me
I worship you, my God,
I lift up your name all the time
Every knee will bend
And worship Jesus, my Lord and King
I worship you, my God
I lift up your name all the time
Every tongue will confess
That you are Jesus, my Lord and my King!)
Tiada Allah Tuhan yang seperti engkau
Besar perkasa, penuh kemuliaannya
Kau yang termanis, dalam hidup ini
Kucinta kau lebih dari s’galanya
Besar kasih setia kepadaku
Kusembah kau, ya, Tuhanku
Kutinggikan namamu selalu
Tiada lutut tak bertelut
Menyembah Yesus Tuhan rajaku
Kusembah kau, ya, Tuhanku
Kutinggikan namamu selalu
Setiap lidah, kan mengaku
Engkaulah Yesus Tuhan rajaku.
(Loose translation into English:-
You are the most beautiful, in this life
No other god is like you
Strong and powerful, highly exalted
You are the sweetest, in this life
I love you more than anything else
How great is your love and faithfulness to me
I worship you, my God,
I lift up your name all the time
Every knee will bend
And worship Jesus, my Lord and King
I worship you, my God
I lift up your name all the time
Every tongue will confess
That you are Jesus, my Lord and my King!)
p/s - I need some feedback. Thanks to Krissy's fren, I have decided to name me guitar. Initially, I wanted to name her "Holly". After all, Holly is a red-head (i know another red-head but i dun think she wans me to name me guitar after her!!!) and me guitar is red in colour. But would it be disrespectful to her memory?
Friday, October 28, 2005
Summertime - Renee Olstead
There must be sumthing wrong when me mate - who is afraid of the cold - complained that it was 17 degrees yesterday!!!!
17??? Give that to any Malaysians and they'll gladly take it anyday!
But let's take it in context. First, me mate is in Sheffield, UK. Secondly, yesterday was the 27th of October!!!!!
17 degrees in end of October?
Did I say that it was bright and sunny here in Colchester?
Good day to do laundry!
Wat is happening????
Here's wat today's papers reported:-
The Times
October? It must be time to get the deckchairs out
By Paul Simons and Michael Horsnell
THE Great British Indian summer perversely arrived yesterday with only two days left before the clocks go back and winter stalks the land.
In what could have been a midsummer’s day, temperatures even soared above those in Istanbul to a record-breaking 70.3F (21.3C) in London, Edinburgh and parts of the Scottish Highlands.
...
The previous highest temperature for October 27 was in 1888, with a recording of 68.5F (20.3C) at Old Street in London. Yesterday scored the highest late October temperature for 36 years, since Portsmouth reached 22.8C (73F) on October 26, 1969.
One of the most remarkable temperatures of the day was at Kinlochewe in the Scottish Highlands, where 21.4C (72.3F) was recorded in the afternoon.
The high temperatures herald what will probably be one of the five warmest Octobers recorded since the first measurements were taken in the 1650s.
(read the article here)
The Independent
Record heat raises climate fears
By Steve Connor, Science Editor
Sun worshippers took to Brighton beach in their hundreds yesterday, where the temperature hit 18.1C. In Kinlochewe on the far north-west coast of Scotland, it was a balmy 22.4C.
Just four days before Hallowe'en, Britain was enjoying the warmest 27 October since records began in 1880.
(read the article here)
Summer here in October!
But we better enjoy it while it lasts. The Times in the report above did go on and say that "...However, forecasters gave warning that the tail end of Hurricane Wilma was expected to cross the country at the weekend and that the pleasant weather would not last.
Rain is due to spread across England and Wales while a cold front coming from the West is due to bring a sharp drop in temperatures.
Long-range predictions have warned a big chill is on the way and bookmakers have shortened odds on record low temperatures (-27.2C in Aberdeenshire on January 2 1982) being endured in Scotland.
William Hill is even taking bets at 100-1 that the Thames will freeze over between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge."
It is raining now...
17??? Give that to any Malaysians and they'll gladly take it anyday!
But let's take it in context. First, me mate is in Sheffield, UK. Secondly, yesterday was the 27th of October!!!!!
17 degrees in end of October?
Did I say that it was bright and sunny here in Colchester?
Good day to do laundry!
Wat is happening????
Here's wat today's papers reported:-
The Times
October? It must be time to get the deckchairs out
By Paul Simons and Michael Horsnell
THE Great British Indian summer perversely arrived yesterday with only two days left before the clocks go back and winter stalks the land.
In what could have been a midsummer’s day, temperatures even soared above those in Istanbul to a record-breaking 70.3F (21.3C) in London, Edinburgh and parts of the Scottish Highlands.
...
The previous highest temperature for October 27 was in 1888, with a recording of 68.5F (20.3C) at Old Street in London. Yesterday scored the highest late October temperature for 36 years, since Portsmouth reached 22.8C (73F) on October 26, 1969.
One of the most remarkable temperatures of the day was at Kinlochewe in the Scottish Highlands, where 21.4C (72.3F) was recorded in the afternoon.
The high temperatures herald what will probably be one of the five warmest Octobers recorded since the first measurements were taken in the 1650s.
(read the article here)
The Independent
Record heat raises climate fears
By Steve Connor, Science Editor
Sun worshippers took to Brighton beach in their hundreds yesterday, where the temperature hit 18.1C. In Kinlochewe on the far north-west coast of Scotland, it was a balmy 22.4C.
Just four days before Hallowe'en, Britain was enjoying the warmest 27 October since records began in 1880.
(read the article here)
Summer here in October!
But we better enjoy it while it lasts. The Times in the report above did go on and say that "...However, forecasters gave warning that the tail end of Hurricane Wilma was expected to cross the country at the weekend and that the pleasant weather would not last.
Rain is due to spread across England and Wales while a cold front coming from the West is due to bring a sharp drop in temperatures.
Long-range predictions have warned a big chill is on the way and bookmakers have shortened odds on record low temperatures (-27.2C in Aberdeenshire on January 2 1982) being endured in Scotland.
William Hill is even taking bets at 100-1 that the Thames will freeze over between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge."
It is raining now...
Caling occupants of interplanetary craft - The Carpenters
Dun you feel that sumtimes, when you talk to a person of the opposite sex (read: female), it is as if you are talking to a person from another planet???
Like hello???? On earth, we mean so and so! Not wat you think you heard! And no, I am not talking about chalk, I'm talking about cheese!
Sheesh....
I was complaining to me mates about this in an e-mail sent out this morning. I decided to post it up here.
...did i tell you guys that she (this ex-colleague of mine) got a holiday/working visa to come here? she wanted to go to london where her fren is. so she had been asking me out b4 i left to talk to me about the situation in london - esp after the 7/7 incident.
ok - i tell her to go!
now she calls me up, tells me she wants to quit her job immediately and come! and that she cant contact her fren in london.
so guess wat? she WANTS ME TO LOOK FOR A JOB FOR HER AND GET A PLACE FOR HER TO STAY!!!!
WAT THE......???????
i told her nicely tat:-
1. i'm actualy quite a distance form london (took me 2 hours to reach here from heathrow by direct bus).
2. i'm on campus which is FAR from the town centre here
3. the town here is a small town
surely she doesn't want to come to the UK and work in colchester!!!!
she said she dun mind!!!!!
then i told of the difficulty of finding a place for her to stay and a job. i mean - surely i cant decide for her? she must see the place for herself etc. and as for a job, how am i gonna find a job for her? she will have to see if she likes the place, the boss, and the boss would like to see her!
when i told her that, she asked "wat kind of job?"
i replied - i wouldn't know!!! the only way i would know is if i travelled all the way into town (40 mins walk) and check for her!!!!!
she replied - "thanks"!!!!!!
wha....????? no, no, no, i wasn't offering to.... sigh...
and then this morning, like 6 sumthing, she called me - she got her fren's mobile number in london and asked me to call him. i was half asleep so i said ok. when i woke up just now, i was wondering - she could call me but yet, why doesn't she call her fren directly??????
sigh... again!
the only good thing about the whole thing is that i wil have an excuse to talk to the nice girl in room 1 (from china) as she is working in a restaurant in town!
OK, OK, (must do something for self-preservation purposes) not all women are weird. The crazy ones aren't!!!!
Muahahahahaha!!!!!!
OK - seriously! I have some very good mates who are ladies wif whom I can talk to all the time and not feel like I'm talking to ET!
Like hello???? On earth, we mean so and so! Not wat you think you heard! And no, I am not talking about chalk, I'm talking about cheese!
Sheesh....
I was complaining to me mates about this in an e-mail sent out this morning. I decided to post it up here.
...did i tell you guys that she (this ex-colleague of mine) got a holiday/working visa to come here? she wanted to go to london where her fren is. so she had been asking me out b4 i left to talk to me about the situation in london - esp after the 7/7 incident.
ok - i tell her to go!
now she calls me up, tells me she wants to quit her job immediately and come! and that she cant contact her fren in london.
so guess wat? she WANTS ME TO LOOK FOR A JOB FOR HER AND GET A PLACE FOR HER TO STAY!!!!
WAT THE......???????
i told her nicely tat:-
1. i'm actualy quite a distance form london (took me 2 hours to reach here from heathrow by direct bus).
2. i'm on campus which is FAR from the town centre here
3. the town here is a small town
surely she doesn't want to come to the UK and work in colchester!!!!
she said she dun mind!!!!!
then i told of the difficulty of finding a place for her to stay and a job. i mean - surely i cant decide for her? she must see the place for herself etc. and as for a job, how am i gonna find a job for her? she will have to see if she likes the place, the boss, and the boss would like to see her!
when i told her that, she asked "wat kind of job?"
i replied - i wouldn't know!!! the only way i would know is if i travelled all the way into town (40 mins walk) and check for her!!!!!
she replied - "thanks"!!!!!!
wha....????? no, no, no, i wasn't offering to.... sigh...
and then this morning, like 6 sumthing, she called me - she got her fren's mobile number in london and asked me to call him. i was half asleep so i said ok. when i woke up just now, i was wondering - she could call me but yet, why doesn't she call her fren directly??????
sigh... again!
the only good thing about the whole thing is that i wil have an excuse to talk to the nice girl in room 1 (from china) as she is working in a restaurant in town!
OK, OK, (must do something for self-preservation purposes) not all women are weird. The crazy ones aren't!!!!
Muahahahahaha!!!!!!
OK - seriously! I have some very good mates who are ladies wif whom I can talk to all the time and not feel like I'm talking to ET!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Twentysomething - Jamie Cullum
OK - more TTT! (totally trivial trivia)
This is wat I discovered while studying this morning - I found the longest word I've ever seen:-
Altogether consists of 20 letters of the alphabets! And if it is refered to in the plural, then it consists of 21 alphabets!!!!!
Can anyone find another word which consists of more than 20 letters? :-P
A proper English word recognised by the Oxford Dictionary!
This is wat I discovered while studying this morning - I found the longest word I've ever seen:-
"INTERNATIONALISATION"
Altogether consists of 20 letters of the alphabets! And if it is refered to in the plural, then it consists of 21 alphabets!!!!!
Can anyone find another word which consists of more than 20 letters? :-P
A proper English word recognised by the Oxford Dictionary!
Freedom 90 - George Michael
Class ended late today. It was close to 1:15 pm before we were finally let off. Truth be told, methinks no one would have minded staying on longer! Yeah, it was that good.
The seminars this week have been really good. It was helpful that I stayed up to do as much reading as I could. The subject matters were interesting too - but kudos to me seminar group leaders. Excellent! They are really good.
No, we din leave the seminars wif all the answers. We left wif more questions - it was like, "Whoa.... I never thought of it that way before!!!".
:-)
The even better news is that I just received an e-mail saying that this Friday's seminar is cancelled! Woohoo! That means that the weekends starts now for me! Yup, no more classes right up til next Monday afternoon!
Am actually tempted to take a bus up north to see me mates for the weekend!
The seminars this week have been really good. It was helpful that I stayed up to do as much reading as I could. The subject matters were interesting too - but kudos to me seminar group leaders. Excellent! They are really good.
No, we din leave the seminars wif all the answers. We left wif more questions - it was like, "Whoa.... I never thought of it that way before!!!".
:-)
The even better news is that I just received an e-mail saying that this Friday's seminar is cancelled! Woohoo! That means that the weekends starts now for me! Yup, no more classes right up til next Monday afternoon!
Am actually tempted to take a bus up north to see me mates for the weekend!
Please Mr. Postman - The Carpenters
Who actually waits for the postman anymore? I mean, the only mail he brings these days are either bills or junk mail. Or more bills.
How different it was 10 years ago, before everyone had internet connection, when the cheapest way of communication is by sending a letter!
Send a letter!!!!
Ever done that before? No, I'm not saying click on the send button. I'm saying sitting down, taking a pen (I know someone uses a pencil - why dun u ever write anymore? :-( Oh well...), and writing down thoughts onto a piece of paper, folding the paper, slotting it into an envolope, sealing it, addressing it, afixing a stamp on it and drop it into a red post box!!!!
Whoa, I got tired just typing that out!!! Wouldnt it be so much easier to just sit down before a PC, type it out and click on a button?
Yeah, I guess - but it's just not the same.
I'm going on about this cuz I saw me mate, Michael actually replying a letter - by snail mail!!!
I have not done that for ages. Neither has he. And we started talking about how we are missing out on .... the simple beauty and joy of writing a letter - and of course, receiving letters! He was telling me that when his mate told him she had sent a letter to him, how excited he was, how he checked the mail everyday in anticipation and finally seeing the letter!
I know wat he meant. I remembered - receiving mail was one of the simple joys in our lives during our undergraduate days. Every week, without fail, I'll receive a letter from... her. It doesn't really matter if it was long or if it was short. It was in her handwriting (albeit in pencil), it was her thoughts, it was a part of her! And when a week passed by and no letter came, I got worried. I wondered wat had happened. I started fearing that perhaps she got tired of writing. But then, 2 letters came the next week!!! :-)
I guess some of you may not appreciate it - after all, we have e-mail these days. Within seconds of hitting the "send" button, the receipient would have it up on his PC thousand of miles away. Or how bout instant messaging? Heck, even now wif Skype or Google Talk, you dun even have to type anymore anymore.
But corresponding thru letters has its own magic! You actually read - not just the words but the handwriting. There is so much one can express thru writing. Not only that, you get to touch and feel the letter, the words on paper. Each letter can have its own identity.
After watching "Almost a love story" together, I would write to this mate using the tray-liners from McDonalds - as the character did in the movie. I've received letters written on colourful paper, on paper wif drawings, on perfumed paper, on papers of all kinds of sizes.
I used to fold my letters in a particular manner which can drive some people up the wall trying to figure out how to unfold it! There was a fren who folded her letter into the shape of a t-shirt before. When I was in London last time, I made my own envelopes! Me flat mates would notice that I would receive letters in green envelopes.
And some envelopes would come wif small comments from the sender - either some lame remark, a note to the postman thanking him, or watever!!!!
Dun forget the stamps too! I followed a fren's style of afixing the stamp at an angle!!!
Letters can come written in all kinds of coloured ink with all kinds of pens. And the handwriting - that prolly is wat makes it most special! That makes it so personal. And from the handwriting, you can tell when the person writing it is excited, or is sad, or is angry!
On top of that, you can enclose all kinds of stuffs. Michael showed me wat was enclosed in the letter to him - some band-aids in case he cuts himself! :-) I used to enclose junk like leaves (autumn leaves to which me mate would gladly take a deep breath of it - before remembering how dirty it prolly is!!!!), newspaper cuttings (the worst was when me fren here sent me the newspaper report regarding Shona's accident...), photos, bus tickets, pamphlets, hair (!), drawings etc.
Sigh... memories. :-)
I confess I dun write anymore. I haven't written for a long, long time. I can't seem to find the time - altho back then, I used to spend hours just writing - at anytime, anywhere - in the library, while waiting in the laundry room, at the mechanic, during lunch (where I would highlinght the stains and explain wat food made it...!!!!!). It's sad that we have lost the art of corresponding thru written letters.
And at this point, entering my 4th week, I'v only received 2 letters - one from the bank (my first letter at Essex - from Barclays!!!!!) and one from this dear, dear sister in church who sent me the church's bulletin - as she had faithfully done so every month when I was in London previously and as she is still faithfully doing to many others all over the world! Bless her wonderful heart!
Looks like letter writing will fade into antiquity. So sad. I still have ALL the letters I received when I was studying in London 10 years ago. It's part of my past which I will never let go. :-)
How different it was 10 years ago, before everyone had internet connection, when the cheapest way of communication is by sending a letter!
Send a letter!!!!
Ever done that before? No, I'm not saying click on the send button. I'm saying sitting down, taking a pen (I know someone uses a pencil - why dun u ever write anymore? :-( Oh well...), and writing down thoughts onto a piece of paper, folding the paper, slotting it into an envolope, sealing it, addressing it, afixing a stamp on it and drop it into a red post box!!!!
Whoa, I got tired just typing that out!!! Wouldnt it be so much easier to just sit down before a PC, type it out and click on a button?
Yeah, I guess - but it's just not the same.
I'm going on about this cuz I saw me mate, Michael actually replying a letter - by snail mail!!!
I have not done that for ages. Neither has he. And we started talking about how we are missing out on .... the simple beauty and joy of writing a letter - and of course, receiving letters! He was telling me that when his mate told him she had sent a letter to him, how excited he was, how he checked the mail everyday in anticipation and finally seeing the letter!
I know wat he meant. I remembered - receiving mail was one of the simple joys in our lives during our undergraduate days. Every week, without fail, I'll receive a letter from... her. It doesn't really matter if it was long or if it was short. It was in her handwriting (albeit in pencil), it was her thoughts, it was a part of her! And when a week passed by and no letter came, I got worried. I wondered wat had happened. I started fearing that perhaps she got tired of writing. But then, 2 letters came the next week!!! :-)
I guess some of you may not appreciate it - after all, we have e-mail these days. Within seconds of hitting the "send" button, the receipient would have it up on his PC thousand of miles away. Or how bout instant messaging? Heck, even now wif Skype or Google Talk, you dun even have to type anymore anymore.
But corresponding thru letters has its own magic! You actually read - not just the words but the handwriting. There is so much one can express thru writing. Not only that, you get to touch and feel the letter, the words on paper. Each letter can have its own identity.
After watching "Almost a love story" together, I would write to this mate using the tray-liners from McDonalds - as the character did in the movie. I've received letters written on colourful paper, on paper wif drawings, on perfumed paper, on papers of all kinds of sizes.
I used to fold my letters in a particular manner which can drive some people up the wall trying to figure out how to unfold it! There was a fren who folded her letter into the shape of a t-shirt before. When I was in London last time, I made my own envelopes! Me flat mates would notice that I would receive letters in green envelopes.
And some envelopes would come wif small comments from the sender - either some lame remark, a note to the postman thanking him, or watever!!!!
Dun forget the stamps too! I followed a fren's style of afixing the stamp at an angle!!!
Letters can come written in all kinds of coloured ink with all kinds of pens. And the handwriting - that prolly is wat makes it most special! That makes it so personal. And from the handwriting, you can tell when the person writing it is excited, or is sad, or is angry!
On top of that, you can enclose all kinds of stuffs. Michael showed me wat was enclosed in the letter to him - some band-aids in case he cuts himself! :-) I used to enclose junk like leaves (autumn leaves to which me mate would gladly take a deep breath of it - before remembering how dirty it prolly is!!!!), newspaper cuttings (the worst was when me fren here sent me the newspaper report regarding Shona's accident...), photos, bus tickets, pamphlets, hair (!), drawings etc.
Sigh... memories. :-)
I confess I dun write anymore. I haven't written for a long, long time. I can't seem to find the time - altho back then, I used to spend hours just writing - at anytime, anywhere - in the library, while waiting in the laundry room, at the mechanic, during lunch (where I would highlinght the stains and explain wat food made it...!!!!!). It's sad that we have lost the art of corresponding thru written letters.
And at this point, entering my 4th week, I'v only received 2 letters - one from the bank (my first letter at Essex - from Barclays!!!!!) and one from this dear, dear sister in church who sent me the church's bulletin - as she had faithfully done so every month when I was in London previously and as she is still faithfully doing to many others all over the world! Bless her wonderful heart!
Looks like letter writing will fade into antiquity. So sad. I still have ALL the letters I received when I was studying in London 10 years ago. It's part of my past which I will never let go. :-)
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Push - Matchbox 20
I survived today! Thank God.
I had to pay the price for slacking off during the weekend. Man, it was major slacking off! It started after class on Friday at 1 pm and I basically din study at all til... yesterday! To put it simply, I got Lost last weekend!
I had loads to read - so wat's new? But on Monday, I had 5 hours of lectures straight! So that meant that it was gonna be "thung siew". Stay up all nite long!
And I did. Almost. I did have a 2 hour nap at 3 am. And then a 20 minute nap from 7:40 am to 8. It was not a good nite to stay up. The gale was howling outside, it rained (trust me, that's not common here!), me radiator wasn't working, I ran out of milk for me coffee. There was a point of time... ok, there were many points of time (especially when I just wake up from me naps) when I felt like just giving in, forget about the reading, go for the seminar at 9 and hope that I won't be called on. There even some points when I harboured the thought that perhaps I shud just forget about going for the seminar - why go for a seminar unprepared? Give up!
But i din. I pushed meself. And in some weird perverse way, I was glad I did! I'm a sucker for punishment, I guess!!!!
Well, I knew I had to set the bar high. This was the first seminar for the General Course. If I give up at this point, it would set the standard for the other seminars. On top of that, I was glad that I had proven that I could do it - stay up all nite, do most of the reading and go for the seminar.
Really thankful to God - I was praying for a fruitful time. And the seminar was really good. And surprisingly, me mind was sharp thruout the 2 hour seminar and I din feel sleepy!
I mean, during me working days, I know if I have less than the minimum sleep time, I would be dead the next day.
Well, God has helped me proved that when it comes to studies, it can be different. Of course I could come back after the 2 hour seminar and sleep for the rest of the day!!!
And now to reward meself - Episode 5 of Lost - Season 2!
p/s - I have another seminar 2moro at 11 am - and yes, I have not started reading up on it yet. Another long nite ahead...
I had to pay the price for slacking off during the weekend. Man, it was major slacking off! It started after class on Friday at 1 pm and I basically din study at all til... yesterday! To put it simply, I got Lost last weekend!
I had loads to read - so wat's new? But on Monday, I had 5 hours of lectures straight! So that meant that it was gonna be "thung siew". Stay up all nite long!
And I did. Almost. I did have a 2 hour nap at 3 am. And then a 20 minute nap from 7:40 am to 8. It was not a good nite to stay up. The gale was howling outside, it rained (trust me, that's not common here!), me radiator wasn't working, I ran out of milk for me coffee. There was a point of time... ok, there were many points of time (especially when I just wake up from me naps) when I felt like just giving in, forget about the reading, go for the seminar at 9 and hope that I won't be called on. There even some points when I harboured the thought that perhaps I shud just forget about going for the seminar - why go for a seminar unprepared? Give up!
But i din. I pushed meself. And in some weird perverse way, I was glad I did! I'm a sucker for punishment, I guess!!!!
Well, I knew I had to set the bar high. This was the first seminar for the General Course. If I give up at this point, it would set the standard for the other seminars. On top of that, I was glad that I had proven that I could do it - stay up all nite, do most of the reading and go for the seminar.
Really thankful to God - I was praying for a fruitful time. And the seminar was really good. And surprisingly, me mind was sharp thruout the 2 hour seminar and I din feel sleepy!
I mean, during me working days, I know if I have less than the minimum sleep time, I would be dead the next day.
Well, God has helped me proved that when it comes to studies, it can be different. Of course I could come back after the 2 hour seminar and sleep for the rest of the day!!!
And now to reward meself - Episode 5 of Lost - Season 2!
p/s - I have another seminar 2moro at 11 am - and yes, I have not started reading up on it yet. Another long nite ahead...
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Electric Youth - Debbie Gibson
OK - there is one thing that is truly driving me up the wall!!!!
Pardon my ignorance about the science of it all.
You know when you touch certain metal objects and get "zapped"?? It's the static or watever lah. I used to get it a lot in me old office - whenever I touch the metal doorknobs, I get a really painful zap! Until I started wearing my Doc Marts boots again (proper insulation from the earth).
Wel, over here, the problem is getting worse and worse for me!!! I'm getting "zapped" all the time! And I'm getting sick of it!
When I touch the metal window handles, I get zapped. When I touch the metal radiator, I get zapped. When I wear shorts and my legs touch the metal chair legs, I get zapped!!!!! Even the light switches here are made of metal!!!!!!!!
So I got busy yesterday. I took me masking tape and taped up the window handles. Then, I places a small strip of tape over the metal light switch.
Ah... safe!
Yeah, rite. That's wat I thought. Until I stretched out to turn on the lights when it got dark and...
"ZAPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
*#*@%#
Pardon my ignorance about the science of it all.
You know when you touch certain metal objects and get "zapped"?? It's the static or watever lah. I used to get it a lot in me old office - whenever I touch the metal doorknobs, I get a really painful zap! Until I started wearing my Doc Marts boots again (proper insulation from the earth).
Wel, over here, the problem is getting worse and worse for me!!! I'm getting "zapped" all the time! And I'm getting sick of it!
When I touch the metal window handles, I get zapped. When I touch the metal radiator, I get zapped. When I wear shorts and my legs touch the metal chair legs, I get zapped!!!!! Even the light switches here are made of metal!!!!!!!!
So I got busy yesterday. I took me masking tape and taped up the window handles. Then, I places a small strip of tape over the metal light switch.
Ah... safe!
Yeah, rite. That's wat I thought. Until I stretched out to turn on the lights when it got dark and...
"ZAPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
*#*@%#
Listen to your heart - Roxette
The speaker at church today was drawing analogis from the sad events taking place in the world these past couple of weeks - the hurricanes (Katrina, Wilma, Jessica, Jesmin.... wateva) in the US and the earthquake in Asia.
This time round, Wilma did not take as many lives as Katrina did. Part of the reason - perhaps the main (?) - is that the people have learnt from Katrina. Before Katrina was unleashed, the people in New Orleans were warned about the situation and told to move. But many didn't. Many did not want to listen to the warnings. Many, instead, listened to their hearts.
So wat is wrong wif listening to your heart? Well, the Bible tells us that "...the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 19:9)
Of course I'm not trying to get up on a high horse and condemn all you useless people who listen to your hearts. I am guilty of the same. Wat makes it worse for me is that as a lawyer by profession, I am always able to argue out and make a good case on what my heart wants me to do. :-(
The point that the speaker wanted to make this morning was that when God gives us a warning, we better be listening - he used examples from Noah (where no one listened to the warnings of the flood), Lot (where his wife listened to the warnings but not all of it), Jonah (where the people of Nineveh all did listen, right up to the king of the land!).
Sure we would like to listen to our hearts but at times, we do swallow our pride to listen to others - like our doctors about our health, our mechanic about our car, our lawyers about our suits (well, in truth, clients dun really listen to their lawyers anymore, do they?), etc - as these people have the knowledge on things that we dun.
How bout God? His knowledge is infinite - he knows everything and is wisest of all. Why dun we listen to him???
I guess to us Christians, when God warns us about certain things, we better listen. It is ironic for me that it was during the 3rd week here (week three - sounds like "victory") that I was spiritually the lowest - yeah, listening too much to me heart instead of me mind. I'm fortunate that God is still patient wif me and will give me another chance.
To you who's not a believer, the warning of eternal punishment is clear. Ignore it at your own peril.
I remember one excellent episode of The X-Files about "stigmata" where Scully had her catholic faith severely tested. At the end of the episode, the priest tells her that perhaps God is trying to speak. Scully replies that she knows God is trying to speak - but her fear is reflected in the last words of the episode before the credits come out - "What if God is speaking but no one is listening?"
This time round, Wilma did not take as many lives as Katrina did. Part of the reason - perhaps the main (?) - is that the people have learnt from Katrina. Before Katrina was unleashed, the people in New Orleans were warned about the situation and told to move. But many didn't. Many did not want to listen to the warnings. Many, instead, listened to their hearts.
So wat is wrong wif listening to your heart? Well, the Bible tells us that "...the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 19:9)
Of course I'm not trying to get up on a high horse and condemn all you useless people who listen to your hearts. I am guilty of the same. Wat makes it worse for me is that as a lawyer by profession, I am always able to argue out and make a good case on what my heart wants me to do. :-(
The point that the speaker wanted to make this morning was that when God gives us a warning, we better be listening - he used examples from Noah (where no one listened to the warnings of the flood), Lot (where his wife listened to the warnings but not all of it), Jonah (where the people of Nineveh all did listen, right up to the king of the land!).
Sure we would like to listen to our hearts but at times, we do swallow our pride to listen to others - like our doctors about our health, our mechanic about our car, our lawyers about our suits (well, in truth, clients dun really listen to their lawyers anymore, do they?), etc - as these people have the knowledge on things that we dun.
How bout God? His knowledge is infinite - he knows everything and is wisest of all. Why dun we listen to him???
I guess to us Christians, when God warns us about certain things, we better listen. It is ironic for me that it was during the 3rd week here (week three - sounds like "victory") that I was spiritually the lowest - yeah, listening too much to me heart instead of me mind. I'm fortunate that God is still patient wif me and will give me another chance.
To you who's not a believer, the warning of eternal punishment is clear. Ignore it at your own peril.
I remember one excellent episode of The X-Files about "stigmata" where Scully had her catholic faith severely tested. At the end of the episode, the priest tells her that perhaps God is trying to speak. Scully replies that she knows God is trying to speak - but her fear is reflected in the last words of the episode before the credits come out - "What if God is speaking but no one is listening?"
Brothers in arms - Dire Straits
brethren - plural of BROTHER -- used chiefly in formal or solemn address or in referring to the members of a profession, society, or sect
(definition obtained from Merriam-Webster online)
I grew up in a brethren assembly.
What??
I always get that when people ask me which Christian denomination I'm associated wif. Unfortunately, the brethren seems to be a dying breed here in the UK and in the US (the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary does not even recognise the Brethren as a Christian denomination!!!!).
I have heard many sad stories about the brethren assembly here - how close they are, how they forbid things like wearing make-up for the ladies, how they literally gather around the table for their breaking of bread service (you can imagine how small the church is) and if you are not a brethren (or possess some evidence that you are a brethren), you will have to sit on the "outer circle" and not participate!!!
It is therefore no surprise that it is only on my 3rd Sunday here that I decided to check out the brethren assembly in town.
I almost din make it. I slept wif me windows opened as usual - and when I woke up this morning to the sound of me alarm, I jumped out, shut all windows and curled under me duvet again. It was 45 mins later when I woke up again.
I was late.
But I learnt my lesson - besides making sure I wake up earlier! A simple lesson - dun let pre-conceived notions cloud your judgment!
I had a wonderful time - not only during the meeting but after the meeting. Sure they were brethren - but no strict observance to traditions. They sang choruses in addition to hymns. But most of all, I felt the warmth of the believers there!
Typically, it was filled wif old people - well, not "filled" as there were prolly less than 15. Mainly old people. But they were soooooo warm and frenly and nice! They really made me feel welcomed. When I was about to walk in late and surely distract everyone, I was dreading it - it'd be just like back home when people will be judging me in their hearts, or take offense at how I'm distracting their wonderful time wif God. Not this morning, tho. They welcomed me in wif their smiles - the heat from the radiators which misted up my specs immediately was like an illustration of their hospitality - come on in from the cold!
The elder's wife brought me to everyone else and introduced me.
I even received an invitation for lunch immediately!
I felt at home. :-)
(definition obtained from Merriam-Webster online)
I grew up in a brethren assembly.
What??
I always get that when people ask me which Christian denomination I'm associated wif. Unfortunately, the brethren seems to be a dying breed here in the UK and in the US (the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary does not even recognise the Brethren as a Christian denomination!!!!).
I have heard many sad stories about the brethren assembly here - how close they are, how they forbid things like wearing make-up for the ladies, how they literally gather around the table for their breaking of bread service (you can imagine how small the church is) and if you are not a brethren (or possess some evidence that you are a brethren), you will have to sit on the "outer circle" and not participate!!!
It is therefore no surprise that it is only on my 3rd Sunday here that I decided to check out the brethren assembly in town.
I almost din make it. I slept wif me windows opened as usual - and when I woke up this morning to the sound of me alarm, I jumped out, shut all windows and curled under me duvet again. It was 45 mins later when I woke up again.
I was late.
But I learnt my lesson - besides making sure I wake up earlier! A simple lesson - dun let pre-conceived notions cloud your judgment!
I had a wonderful time - not only during the meeting but after the meeting. Sure they were brethren - but no strict observance to traditions. They sang choruses in addition to hymns. But most of all, I felt the warmth of the believers there!
Typically, it was filled wif old people - well, not "filled" as there were prolly less than 15. Mainly old people. But they were soooooo warm and frenly and nice! They really made me feel welcomed. When I was about to walk in late and surely distract everyone, I was dreading it - it'd be just like back home when people will be judging me in their hearts, or take offense at how I'm distracting their wonderful time wif God. Not this morning, tho. They welcomed me in wif their smiles - the heat from the radiators which misted up my specs immediately was like an illustration of their hospitality - come on in from the cold!
The elder's wife brought me to everyone else and introduced me.
I even received an invitation for lunch immediately!
I felt at home. :-)
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Where are you now? - Britney Spears
I stayed up all nite last nite. Went to bed reluctantly at bout 7:15 am.
No. I wasn't studying. I was watching "Lost"!!!!! :-)
I simply love this TV series!!!! Check out this post here in another blog about it:-
"Where are we?"
I finally got connested wif the Uni network where the students all can share their files. I was excited when I saw that there were episodes of Lost which I could download!!!
You see, when I was back home, me mate got he whole season for me - but I never got to finish watching it and I left it back home.
But now, I get to finish watching season 1! Yes!
I really shud be studying, tho...
No. I wasn't studying. I was watching "Lost"!!!!! :-)
I simply love this TV series!!!! Check out this post here in another blog about it:-
"Where are we?"
I finally got connested wif the Uni network where the students all can share their files. I was excited when I saw that there were episodes of Lost which I could download!!!
You see, when I was back home, me mate got he whole season for me - but I never got to finish watching it and I left it back home.
But now, I get to finish watching season 1! Yes!
I really shud be studying, tho...
Wind beneath my wings - Bette Midler
It has been really windy lately. Being on the 11th floor, it can get a lil noisy!
Anyways, I was out just now in the wind and cold and was walking pass some girls - obviously dressed to go to the "happening" places on campus. It is after all Friday nite. Me? I was walking the other direction...
Anyways, they were dressed like how girls back in M'sia would dress for a party - very short skirts and spaghetti strap top! It really shudn't surprise me - after all, back in 1994, when we were in Hull during winter, the girls were dressed like that while queuing to enter the disco! Here in Essex, it's much warmer than Hull and tonite the temp is only bout 11 degrees, methinks!!!
Anyways, as I walked pass them, a strong gust of wind blew and one of the girls shierked loudly as her short flare skirt got... urm... u know, the Marilyn Monroe treatment!!!! As I walked on, she shouted "Sorry for showing you my ARSE!!!!!"
The other girls laughed and I walked on smiling.
Anyways, I was out just now in the wind and cold and was walking pass some girls - obviously dressed to go to the "happening" places on campus. It is after all Friday nite. Me? I was walking the other direction...
Anyways, they were dressed like how girls back in M'sia would dress for a party - very short skirts and spaghetti strap top! It really shudn't surprise me - after all, back in 1994, when we were in Hull during winter, the girls were dressed like that while queuing to enter the disco! Here in Essex, it's much warmer than Hull and tonite the temp is only bout 11 degrees, methinks!!!
Anyways, as I walked pass them, a strong gust of wind blew and one of the girls shierked loudly as her short flare skirt got... urm... u know, the Marilyn Monroe treatment!!!! As I walked on, she shouted "Sorry for showing you my ARSE!!!!!"
The other girls laughed and I walked on smiling.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Don't know why - Norah Jones
As I typing the previous post, I could hear someone outside my room. Seconds later, some pamphlets were shoved under my door into my room.
More junk mail!!!
Minutes later, I can hear the voices of the chinese girl - who lives in the next room - and her chinese boyfren going into her room. It was prolly just to get some stuffs cuz they din stay long. I could hear them talking outside my room and just before they went off, another set of the pamphlets were shoved under my room door!!!!! Yeah, by them!
I was like "What the....?????"
All that is printed on my room door is "5" - not "Throw all unwanted rubbish here"!!!!
What the...
Sh*t!!!!!
What was her problem???? If you dun wan the junk mail, then just throw it away in the waste paper bin that each room is provided wif or into the large rubbish waste in the kitchen. Why shove it into my room????????? Why? Why? Why?????
Idiot.
p/s - other than this girl, I have absolutely no complaints about me other flat-mates. I thank God for the wonderful people I'm wif. More about them tomorrow - after our first flat party!!! :-) Looking forward to it.
More junk mail!!!
Minutes later, I can hear the voices of the chinese girl - who lives in the next room - and her chinese boyfren going into her room. It was prolly just to get some stuffs cuz they din stay long. I could hear them talking outside my room and just before they went off, another set of the pamphlets were shoved under my room door!!!!! Yeah, by them!
I was like "What the....?????"
All that is printed on my room door is "5" - not "Throw all unwanted rubbish here"!!!!
What the...
Sh*t!!!!!
What was her problem???? If you dun wan the junk mail, then just throw it away in the waste paper bin that each room is provided wif or into the large rubbish waste in the kitchen. Why shove it into my room????????? Why? Why? Why?????
Idiot.
p/s - other than this girl, I have absolutely no complaints about me other flat-mates. I thank God for the wonderful people I'm wif. More about them tomorrow - after our first flat party!!! :-) Looking forward to it.
Breathe again - Toni Braxton
Ruling lifted on baby Charlotte
The parents of a brain-damaged baby have won a partial victory in their legal battle to have her resuscitated by doctors if she falls seriously ill.
A judge has lifted the order not to ventilate Charlotte Wyatt,...
You can read the article in its entirety here.
Perhaps, for some background, permit to just to quickly update the uninformed - one year ago, the same Judge ordered that Charlotte should not be ressusitated by the doctors if such treatmetn was required to keep her alive. "I am quite clear that it would not be in Charlotte's best interests to die in the course of futile aggressive treatment."
It may be easier to understand the Judge's ruling then when "...doctors said Charlotte has 'no feelings other than continuing pain'..." and the court had heard how experts believed her life was "intolerable".
One year after that, and Charlotte had "beaten a 5% chance of survival". More than that, the doctors now report that she "feels pleasure" and "has a tolerable quality of life now". (see links to the article above for a detailed account)
I am glad to read that piece of news today. The rights of children are something close to my heart. In fact, when I signed up for the course I'm doing, one of the options that I had oredi decided on taking way back last year was the subject of International Child Rights.
I just had my first seminar on that subject today (incidentally, I have classes from Monday afternoon all the way til lunch on Wednesday. I was hoping that Child Rights - which is only going for 2 hours a week - would be scheduled on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning/evening so that I can have a 4 day weekend!!! No such "luck". Child Rights is on Friday. But I would not be disuaded from doing it!)
Article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides as follows:-
1. State Parties recognise that every child has the inherent right to life.
2. State Parties shall ensure to the maximun extent possible the survical and development of the child.
I guess that in this case, it is made easier for everyone to learn that Charlotte is no longer in constant intolerable pain.
The question is, what if she is?
I tried to deal a little on this issue in one of my older blogs (you can read it here).
The pro-life voice in me would say that no matter wat, she still deserves to live. The paternalistic instinct in me cries at the thought of the poor defenseless little baby whose very existense in this cruel world brings her unimaginable pain 24-7.
I may be considered as a pro-life person - but I must say now that my views are beginning to.. well, not change, but move ever so slightly. I feel that that at the end of the day, "pro-lifers" should never forget why they argue for life. Sometimes, I feel that some hav forgotten and are just arguing for life purely for the reason that they are pro-lifers.
I do not have the answers. I'm just glad that when the time comes, the doctors would not have any legal restriction to help Charlotte breathe again.
The parents of a brain-damaged baby have won a partial victory in their legal battle to have her resuscitated by doctors if she falls seriously ill.
A judge has lifted the order not to ventilate Charlotte Wyatt,...
You can read the article in its entirety here.
Perhaps, for some background, permit to just to quickly update the uninformed - one year ago, the same Judge ordered that Charlotte should not be ressusitated by the doctors if such treatmetn was required to keep her alive. "I am quite clear that it would not be in Charlotte's best interests to die in the course of futile aggressive treatment."
It may be easier to understand the Judge's ruling then when "...doctors said Charlotte has 'no feelings other than continuing pain'..." and the court had heard how experts believed her life was "intolerable".
One year after that, and Charlotte had "beaten a 5% chance of survival". More than that, the doctors now report that she "feels pleasure" and "has a tolerable quality of life now". (see links to the article above for a detailed account)
I am glad to read that piece of news today. The rights of children are something close to my heart. In fact, when I signed up for the course I'm doing, one of the options that I had oredi decided on taking way back last year was the subject of International Child Rights.
I just had my first seminar on that subject today (incidentally, I have classes from Monday afternoon all the way til lunch on Wednesday. I was hoping that Child Rights - which is only going for 2 hours a week - would be scheduled on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning/evening so that I can have a 4 day weekend!!! No such "luck". Child Rights is on Friday. But I would not be disuaded from doing it!)
Article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides as follows:-
1. State Parties recognise that every child has the inherent right to life.
2. State Parties shall ensure to the maximun extent possible the survical and development of the child.
I guess that in this case, it is made easier for everyone to learn that Charlotte is no longer in constant intolerable pain.
The question is, what if she is?
I tried to deal a little on this issue in one of my older blogs (you can read it here).
The pro-life voice in me would say that no matter wat, she still deserves to live. The paternalistic instinct in me cries at the thought of the poor defenseless little baby whose very existense in this cruel world brings her unimaginable pain 24-7.
I may be considered as a pro-life person - but I must say now that my views are beginning to.. well, not change, but move ever so slightly. I feel that that at the end of the day, "pro-lifers" should never forget why they argue for life. Sometimes, I feel that some hav forgotten and are just arguing for life purely for the reason that they are pro-lifers.
I do not have the answers. I'm just glad that when the time comes, the doctors would not have any legal restriction to help Charlotte breathe again.
For better or worse - Debbie Gibson
Congrats, Ram and Lilian!
At this point of time, all me ex-UEL mates are gathering together for the first time since we parted ways some 11 years ago!!!! All of them except me! :-(
The occassion? The wedding dinner of Ramani and Lilian!
Wedding invite
I can still remember the last time we were together, all housed in a small little place at Ilford Lane. We din think that it would take 11 years later when we would meet up again together,
Well, technically, thanks to me (!), we still have not had a complete reunion yet. There were many other occassions when most did turn up - but tonite's wedding dinner is the most "complete" reunion we have had for a long, long time.
There is nowhere I would like to be now, than wif them again - altho there'll be the additions - the spouses, the kids (perhaps)! The extra weight?
It will prolly be a wonderful time - like all the other times when we had met up together. All the laughs, the talk, the catching up. Such a happy occassion.
On top of that, to celebrate and rejoice together wif Ramani - prolly the nicest guy in our group. Who says good things dun happen to nice guys?
Of course the rest of them are nice too... hahaha!
Miss you guys! Show me the pics, ok?
At this point of time, all me ex-UEL mates are gathering together for the first time since we parted ways some 11 years ago!!!! All of them except me! :-(
The occassion? The wedding dinner of Ramani and Lilian!
Wedding invite
I can still remember the last time we were together, all housed in a small little place at Ilford Lane. We din think that it would take 11 years later when we would meet up again together,
Well, technically, thanks to me (!), we still have not had a complete reunion yet. There were many other occassions when most did turn up - but tonite's wedding dinner is the most "complete" reunion we have had for a long, long time.
There is nowhere I would like to be now, than wif them again - altho there'll be the additions - the spouses, the kids (perhaps)! The extra weight?
It will prolly be a wonderful time - like all the other times when we had met up together. All the laughs, the talk, the catching up. Such a happy occassion.
On top of that, to celebrate and rejoice together wif Ramani - prolly the nicest guy in our group. Who says good things dun happen to nice guys?
Of course the rest of them are nice too... hahaha!
Miss you guys! Show me the pics, ok?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Oops, I did it again - Britney Spears
Thursday is my "downtown" day - I dun have classes on Thursday and the town is less crowded as compared wif Saturday.
I went to Cash Converters to see if they had any 2nd hand guitars - and I ended up up buying more DVDs!!!!!!
I couldn't help it. It was too good a deal. I bought the DVD for this movie:-
I now have the complete sets of all 3 parts!
(pic taken from cinema.com)
The LOTR trilogy are the best movies I've ever seen! Simply excellent! I have bought (and brought here - altho it is of a different region!!!) the extended versions DVDs of The Tow Towers and The Return of the King. I've alwyas wanted to get the extended version DVDs of The Fellowship of the Ring - and then me collection would have been complete!
It is now!
I got it 2nd hand - but it only cost me 8 quid!!!!!
The quality is good - DVD quality. And when I watched the first chapters of the movie, I could feel the shivers run down my spine. Yes, it really is that good!!!!
Only one question - wasn't there a scene at the beginning where Isildur went to Mount Doom to throw the ring in - and Elrond was encouraging him to do it but Isildur decided not to.
It is not in my DVD!
O well...
It is still the right movie. And wat a movie it is. Brilliant. I have watched it so many times but it never fails to move me, excite me, entertain me. I had tears in my eyes just now when I watched Boromir retain his honour at the end. And I still remember watching it the first time at 1-Utama TGV cinema. I still remember watching the extended DVD for the first time on New Years' eve at Al's place wif KC and Weng Soon. I still remember watching it as part of the movie marathon at Sunway TGV! Ah... the memories. :-)
Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
p/s - btw, it is significant that today is Viggo "Aragorn" Mortensen's birthday. Happy 47th Birthday, my brother, my captain, my king!
I went to Cash Converters to see if they had any 2nd hand guitars - and I ended up up buying more DVDs!!!!!!
I couldn't help it. It was too good a deal. I bought the DVD for this movie:-
I now have the complete sets of all 3 parts!
(pic taken from cinema.com)
The LOTR trilogy are the best movies I've ever seen! Simply excellent! I have bought (and brought here - altho it is of a different region!!!) the extended versions DVDs of The Tow Towers and The Return of the King. I've alwyas wanted to get the extended version DVDs of The Fellowship of the Ring - and then me collection would have been complete!
It is now!
I got it 2nd hand - but it only cost me 8 quid!!!!!
The quality is good - DVD quality. And when I watched the first chapters of the movie, I could feel the shivers run down my spine. Yes, it really is that good!!!!
Only one question - wasn't there a scene at the beginning where Isildur went to Mount Doom to throw the ring in - and Elrond was encouraging him to do it but Isildur decided not to.
It is not in my DVD!
O well...
It is still the right movie. And wat a movie it is. Brilliant. I have watched it so many times but it never fails to move me, excite me, entertain me. I had tears in my eyes just now when I watched Boromir retain his honour at the end. And I still remember watching it the first time at 1-Utama TGV cinema. I still remember watching the extended DVD for the first time on New Years' eve at Al's place wif KC and Weng Soon. I still remember watching it as part of the movie marathon at Sunway TGV! Ah... the memories. :-)
Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
p/s - btw, it is significant that today is Viggo "Aragorn" Mortensen's birthday. Happy 47th Birthday, my brother, my captain, my king!
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Sad movies - Sue Thompson
Everyone loves a movie wif happy endings. It just leaves you all warm and fuzzy. After all, there is enuf hurt and disappointment in the real world. Watching a feel-good movie is a form of escapism.
But - while I like those feel-good movies - I always held movies wif sad endings in high regard (I can't say I enjoy it - tho I may, being a moody guy). At times, dun you just get sick of the predictable happy ending where they live happily ever after?
Think of Se7en, The Awakenings, Dead Poet's Society (sad but inspiring), Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Saving Private Ryan, Memento, Sunset Boulevard, Braveheart, ... I can go on and on.
I watched a movie tonite - No Man's Land, organised by the European Society.
Pic obtained from Amazon.com
It is a movie in Bosnian language set during the Bosnia Serb war not too long ago. It starts off in a dark hilarious way showing how a Bosnian soldier got trapped in "no man's land" together wif a Serbian soldier.
I love movies like these - revolving around a few main characters in one place, depending purely on the plot, the script (which was excellent - well, at least the subtitles were!), the acting skills and the chemistry between the characters to keep your interest going.
And it was oso so relevant to wat I have been studying lately - the Laws of Armed Conflict and the role of UN - or rather, the limited role they play as peacekeepers.
Perhaps I have oredi inadvertantly spoiled the movie for many who have not seen it - by implying from the very beginning that it was not gonna have a typical feel-good, enemies hugging each other, everyone is happy kind of ending. It just can't.
War is horrible - and perhaps it is a defeatist manner but as international law students, we are told that "International Law has no alternative but to accept war, independently of the justice of its origin, as a relation which the parties to it may set up if they choose, and to busy itself ony in regulating the effects of the relation" (per W.E. Hall).
Anyways, if you wanna watch a movie which can make you laugh and cry (well, perhaps not cry but surely will sadden you) at the same time, watch this movie.
Oh, incidentally, this movie won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film in 2002 (beating the feel good and fav of many, Amelie)!!!
But - while I like those feel-good movies - I always held movies wif sad endings in high regard (I can't say I enjoy it - tho I may, being a moody guy). At times, dun you just get sick of the predictable happy ending where they live happily ever after?
Think of Se7en, The Awakenings, Dead Poet's Society (sad but inspiring), Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Saving Private Ryan, Memento, Sunset Boulevard, Braveheart, ... I can go on and on.
I watched a movie tonite - No Man's Land, organised by the European Society.
Pic obtained from Amazon.com
It is a movie in Bosnian language set during the Bosnia Serb war not too long ago. It starts off in a dark hilarious way showing how a Bosnian soldier got trapped in "no man's land" together wif a Serbian soldier.
I love movies like these - revolving around a few main characters in one place, depending purely on the plot, the script (which was excellent - well, at least the subtitles were!), the acting skills and the chemistry between the characters to keep your interest going.
And it was oso so relevant to wat I have been studying lately - the Laws of Armed Conflict and the role of UN - or rather, the limited role they play as peacekeepers.
Perhaps I have oredi inadvertantly spoiled the movie for many who have not seen it - by implying from the very beginning that it was not gonna have a typical feel-good, enemies hugging each other, everyone is happy kind of ending. It just can't.
War is horrible - and perhaps it is a defeatist manner but as international law students, we are told that "International Law has no alternative but to accept war, independently of the justice of its origin, as a relation which the parties to it may set up if they choose, and to busy itself ony in regulating the effects of the relation" (per W.E. Hall).
Anyways, if you wanna watch a movie which can make you laugh and cry (well, perhaps not cry but surely will sadden you) at the same time, watch this movie.
Oh, incidentally, this movie won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film in 2002 (beating the feel good and fav of many, Amelie)!!!
It's all coming back to me now - Celine Dion
I used to love studying. I'd camp mesef in the library and stay there all day long til they kick me out. I would envy me mates who's Uni have their library opened 24 hours a day.
Today, I'm reminded of why I used to love it so much!
I guess it has to do wif the subject matter. The fact that me lecturer is simply brilliant adds to the pleasure of it!
I was up til close to 5 this morning, trying to do as much reading as I could to prepare for the 2 hour seminar I just had. It was raining (a rarity here in Colchester! Honest!) and the bed was so tempting. However, save for the initial moments when I sat at me table trying to will meself to study, once I started, there was no stopping!
I was preparing for a seminar on International Law of Armed Conflict.
It's funny, I guess. It never occurred to me to choose this option. But during the induction class, when the lecturer came up to give a preview of the subject, I was hooked. Perhaps it was due to her clear, concise and interesting presentation.
Basically, it's a study on war! On when a war can be lawfully started and on the rules governing what takes place during a war.
As part of the reading list, we are encouraged to read Tom Clancy!!!! Today, the lecturer drew analogies wif William Shakespeare's Henry V!!!
I kinda expected - wif the staying up til 5 am - I'd be a zombie during the seminar. On the contrary, I was so alert during every minute of the 2 hour seminar. And now, I'm just so excited over the whole thing.
I guess this is why I studied law - and this is why I told meself that i would study again. After the nightmare of last week's intensive/introductory classes, I did wonder if I made the right decision to do me masters. I tried but failed to comprehend the motivations that made me quit me job and resume my studies.
But after this morning, I remember why I had such a passion to study. Thank God I rediscovered it. I look forward now for the hours in the library! Sick-eh?
But for now, I need me sleep...
p/s - oh another rediscovered love! I was listening again to Capital FM 95.8. It was just like the old days, listening to it in the wee hours of the morning, singing along, laughing and then finally reluctantly turning it off to get back to me books!
Today, I'm reminded of why I used to love it so much!
I guess it has to do wif the subject matter. The fact that me lecturer is simply brilliant adds to the pleasure of it!
I was up til close to 5 this morning, trying to do as much reading as I could to prepare for the 2 hour seminar I just had. It was raining (a rarity here in Colchester! Honest!) and the bed was so tempting. However, save for the initial moments when I sat at me table trying to will meself to study, once I started, there was no stopping!
I was preparing for a seminar on International Law of Armed Conflict.
It's funny, I guess. It never occurred to me to choose this option. But during the induction class, when the lecturer came up to give a preview of the subject, I was hooked. Perhaps it was due to her clear, concise and interesting presentation.
Basically, it's a study on war! On when a war can be lawfully started and on the rules governing what takes place during a war.
As part of the reading list, we are encouraged to read Tom Clancy!!!! Today, the lecturer drew analogies wif William Shakespeare's Henry V!!!
I kinda expected - wif the staying up til 5 am - I'd be a zombie during the seminar. On the contrary, I was so alert during every minute of the 2 hour seminar. And now, I'm just so excited over the whole thing.
I guess this is why I studied law - and this is why I told meself that i would study again. After the nightmare of last week's intensive/introductory classes, I did wonder if I made the right decision to do me masters. I tried but failed to comprehend the motivations that made me quit me job and resume my studies.
But after this morning, I remember why I had such a passion to study. Thank God I rediscovered it. I look forward now for the hours in the library! Sick-eh?
But for now, I need me sleep...
p/s - oh another rediscovered love! I was listening again to Capital FM 95.8. It was just like the old days, listening to it in the wee hours of the morning, singing along, laughing and then finally reluctantly turning it off to get back to me books!
Don't be cruel - Cheap Trick
I'm studying International Human Rights - but I'm speaking out now for animal rights!
Sure, animals dun deserve the same rights as humans - but does that mean we can do anything we want to them? They are after all God's wonderful creation. As a child of God, I will speak out against those who abuse my Father's beautiful handiwork. I mean, we dun have to all be vegetarians but we dun have to torture the animals!
Why the sudden urge to talk about this? Well, I read 2 news reports today - about people who were in Court over animal abuse.
The first is a case reported in Malaysia.
Engineer fined RM100 for animal abuse: A doggone shame!
RITA JONG
SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, Oct 18
An engineer who neglected his pedigree German Shepherd to such an extent it had to be put to sleep, was fined RM100 for neglect — a sentence which sparked an outcry among animal lovers.
The seven-year-old canine, going by the name Sheena, was found in a pitiful state and was put to sleep immediately by the Kuala Lumpur Veterinary Services Department as it could not be saved.
Read the article here.
The second is more horrifying - partly cuz I'm a cat-lover!
Prison for spin wash cat killer
A mother-of-three who killed the family's cat by deliberately putting it in a washing machine has been jailed.
Fluffy the cat took up to 10 minutes to die after 34-year-old Holly Thacker put the animal in the machine at her home in Hellesdon, Norwich, a court heard.
Vets told the court that Fluffy was gripping to the washer's metal drum so tightly its claws broke off as it spun round. Eventually the cat drowned.
Read the horrifying details here.
How can anyone be so cruel to animals? Perhaps in the latter case, one might say that the woman had mental problem. But in the former case, the guilty person was a professional!!!! And he got off wif a tap on his wrists - a RM100 fine (less than 15 quid!!!!).
What is wrong wif these people???
Sure, animals dun deserve the same rights as humans - but does that mean we can do anything we want to them? They are after all God's wonderful creation. As a child of God, I will speak out against those who abuse my Father's beautiful handiwork. I mean, we dun have to all be vegetarians but we dun have to torture the animals!
Why the sudden urge to talk about this? Well, I read 2 news reports today - about people who were in Court over animal abuse.
The first is a case reported in Malaysia.
Engineer fined RM100 for animal abuse: A doggone shame!
RITA JONG
SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, Oct 18
An engineer who neglected his pedigree German Shepherd to such an extent it had to be put to sleep, was fined RM100 for neglect — a sentence which sparked an outcry among animal lovers.
The seven-year-old canine, going by the name Sheena, was found in a pitiful state and was put to sleep immediately by the Kuala Lumpur Veterinary Services Department as it could not be saved.
Read the article here.
The second is more horrifying - partly cuz I'm a cat-lover!
Prison for spin wash cat killer
A mother-of-three who killed the family's cat by deliberately putting it in a washing machine has been jailed.
Fluffy the cat took up to 10 minutes to die after 34-year-old Holly Thacker put the animal in the machine at her home in Hellesdon, Norwich, a court heard.
Vets told the court that Fluffy was gripping to the washer's metal drum so tightly its claws broke off as it spun round. Eventually the cat drowned.
Read the horrifying details here.
How can anyone be so cruel to animals? Perhaps in the latter case, one might say that the woman had mental problem. But in the former case, the guilty person was a professional!!!! And he got off wif a tap on his wrists - a RM100 fine (less than 15 quid!!!!).
What is wrong wif these people???
25 minutes - Michael Learns To Rock
“Toilets are like new brides after they are completed. After some time, they get a bit spoiled. Even if you do not use them frequently, you need someone to clean them every 25 minutes.”
What kind of person would say something like that?
(a) A shallow person
(b) A chauvinistic person
(c) A crude person
(d) A member of the Malaysian Parliament and a Government Minister
(e) All of the above
Well, to get the answer, click here.
How pathetic...
What kind of person would say something like that?
(a) A shallow person
(b) A chauvinistic person
(c) A crude person
(d) A member of the Malaysian Parliament and a Government Minister
(e) All of the above
Well, to get the answer, click here.
How pathetic...
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Hard to say I'm sorry - Chicago
I just woke up and here I am, blogging.
Well, to be precise, I just got out of bd. I woke up quite a while ago - when me room phone started ringing!!!! I willed it to stop but it din. So I dragged meself to the phone and answered it.
"Hello...", groggily...
"Hello?" came the reply.
A beat.
"Yes????", I asked.
*click*
Engaged tone.
What the....??????
Slammed the phone down and hopped back into bed trying to resume my blissful sleep but to no avail.
Instead, I tossed and turned (and cursed the caller) until I decided it was time to wake up.
I mean, doesn't it just drive you up the wall? One of the things that really get to me are people like that. I always got that back home in M'sia. Wat is worse back home is that when they call me, they have the cheek to demand who I am!!!! When I asked them back who they want to speak to, they simply hang-up!
There was once when I was truly stressed up in office and one lady chose to annoy me by doing that - calling me on me mobile and when I answered, and she heard my voice - which was obviously not the voice she was expecting, she promptly hung up. I was so mad that I dialled her number back (I had CLIP on me moblie phone) and gave her a piece of me mind!!! Of course she denied it was her and that it was someone else using the phone.
Yeah, rite. Tell us another one.
Is it so difficult to apologise for dailing the wrong number? Sure it may take up a few extra minutes of your precious time but certainly not too high a price to pay to show courtesy, is it?
Can't find the words? Here, lemme help you:-
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have dialled the wrong number."
"Pardon me. I got the wrong person."
"My apologies. I was looking for someone else."
"Oh dear. I'm so very sorry for disturbing you. Wrong number!"
"Ooops. Sori!"
To which I'm sure the person on the other side would say sumthing like "No worries" or "It's alrite" or "It is ok".
Of course back in M'sia, I have experienced before when I was the one who made the mistake and I quickly apologised and had the phone slammed down on me immediately!
How rude...
Well, to be precise, I just got out of bd. I woke up quite a while ago - when me room phone started ringing!!!! I willed it to stop but it din. So I dragged meself to the phone and answered it.
"Hello...", groggily...
"Hello?" came the reply.
A beat.
"Yes????", I asked.
*click*
Engaged tone.
What the....??????
Slammed the phone down and hopped back into bed trying to resume my blissful sleep but to no avail.
Instead, I tossed and turned (and cursed the caller) until I decided it was time to wake up.
I mean, doesn't it just drive you up the wall? One of the things that really get to me are people like that. I always got that back home in M'sia. Wat is worse back home is that when they call me, they have the cheek to demand who I am!!!! When I asked them back who they want to speak to, they simply hang-up!
There was once when I was truly stressed up in office and one lady chose to annoy me by doing that - calling me on me mobile and when I answered, and she heard my voice - which was obviously not the voice she was expecting, she promptly hung up. I was so mad that I dialled her number back (I had CLIP on me moblie phone) and gave her a piece of me mind!!! Of course she denied it was her and that it was someone else using the phone.
Yeah, rite. Tell us another one.
Is it so difficult to apologise for dailing the wrong number? Sure it may take up a few extra minutes of your precious time but certainly not too high a price to pay to show courtesy, is it?
Can't find the words? Here, lemme help you:-
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have dialled the wrong number."
"Pardon me. I got the wrong person."
"My apologies. I was looking for someone else."
"Oh dear. I'm so very sorry for disturbing you. Wrong number!"
"Ooops. Sori!"
To which I'm sure the person on the other side would say sumthing like "No worries" or "It's alrite" or "It is ok".
Of course back in M'sia, I have experienced before when I was the one who made the mistake and I quickly apologised and had the phone slammed down on me immediately!
How rude...
Monday, October 17, 2005
Sacrifice - Elton John
I was pleasantly surprised when they announced at the beginning of the meeting that there'll be a communion service after the Evening service! Being a brethren from young, not having communion since last month is a long time!!!!
Oh, they use unleavened bread for communion! And the leaders bring the bread and the cup up to each individual. After taking from the cup, they will wipe it bfore handing it over to the next person. I guess wif the congregation at about 20 to 30, they can afford to do just that.
I was truly blessed by the Communion service. I found out later that they normally have it in the morning but on that particular morning, they were having an evangelistic do so they pushed it to the evening. If I had gone for the morning service instead, I would have missed it!
I guess as humans… or speaking for meself, as a human being, I need physical reminders and objects – I need to touch and feel things. Sure, I can remember that Christ died for me all the time but to sit in his presence and take of the bread and the wine as he had commanded us to do so many years ago brings home the message so much better and makes it so real. Truly, our Lord is great in wisdom when he gave us physical objects and practices – like the bread and wine – to help us in remembering what he has done for us.
At the end of the service, we sang one of me favourite hymns, Isaac Watts’ “When I survey the wondrous cross”.
Oh, they use unleavened bread for communion! And the leaders bring the bread and the cup up to each individual. After taking from the cup, they will wipe it bfore handing it over to the next person. I guess wif the congregation at about 20 to 30, they can afford to do just that.
I was truly blessed by the Communion service. I found out later that they normally have it in the morning but on that particular morning, they were having an evangelistic do so they pushed it to the evening. If I had gone for the morning service instead, I would have missed it!
I guess as humans… or speaking for meself, as a human being, I need physical reminders and objects – I need to touch and feel things. Sure, I can remember that Christ died for me all the time but to sit in his presence and take of the bread and the wine as he had commanded us to do so many years ago brings home the message so much better and makes it so real. Truly, our Lord is great in wisdom when he gave us physical objects and practices – like the bread and wine – to help us in remembering what he has done for us.
At the end of the service, we sang one of me favourite hymns, Isaac Watts’ “When I survey the wondrous cross”.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count as loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the cross of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most -
I sacrifice them to his blood
See from his head, his hands, his feet -
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine
'Twould be an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count as loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the cross of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most -
I sacrifice them to his blood
See from his head, his hands, his feet -
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine
'Twould be an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
We are family - Sister Sledge
I'm still looking for a local Church here to attend. So far I've been to 2 since I've arrived here.
I had a wonderful time last nite. I was planning to go for the morning service but I got up wif a migraine (yeah, it still happens here) and it took me longer to get off me bed. By the time i did drag meself up, the toilet was occupied. In the end, I decided to go for the evening service instead!
Oh, for you fellas at TLC back home, kindly be informed that services here start at 10:30 am or 11!!!! Muahahaha!!!! And if u miss the morning one, you can always attend the evening service! In any event, even if it starts at 8 am, it really shudn't matter since there are no EPL matches which go rite up to 2 am here!!!!
Visiting the churches here has been a nice experience. Despite being so different from the locals here, they have all been nice and frenly (although the one I attended 2 Sundays ago seemed more interested in helping me find another church to attend!!!). Altho I stand out from among them all, yet, I have been accepted as one of them. And last nite, I was even allowed to partake of the Lord’s emblems together wif the rest of them.
I kinda like the church I attended last nite. It reminded me so much of the local church I attended in Barking. There was a small sense of déjà vu when I listened to the lone organist playing wonderfully and leading us in singing, and then later after the service, to discover that they were without a Pastor at the moment.
When I was in that church in Barking, they took me in as an official member and when the time came to vote for the new Pastor, I was asked to vote too.
Looking back tho, I now wonder if we made the right choice. Not long after I left for home, I found out that all the previous elders also left the church – although til today, I do not know for wat reasons. I do know it has to do wif some disagreement wif the new Pastor.
O well… we are from different backgrounds and will always have disagreements. But no matter wat happens, we will still love each other, for in Christ, we are of one family. And the truth of that statement rings home even more clearly when u are a foreigner in another land but you are welcomed warmly as a brother.
I had a wonderful time last nite. I was planning to go for the morning service but I got up wif a migraine (yeah, it still happens here) and it took me longer to get off me bed. By the time i did drag meself up, the toilet was occupied. In the end, I decided to go for the evening service instead!
Oh, for you fellas at TLC back home, kindly be informed that services here start at 10:30 am or 11!!!! Muahahaha!!!! And if u miss the morning one, you can always attend the evening service! In any event, even if it starts at 8 am, it really shudn't matter since there are no EPL matches which go rite up to 2 am here!!!!
Visiting the churches here has been a nice experience. Despite being so different from the locals here, they have all been nice and frenly (although the one I attended 2 Sundays ago seemed more interested in helping me find another church to attend!!!). Altho I stand out from among them all, yet, I have been accepted as one of them. And last nite, I was even allowed to partake of the Lord’s emblems together wif the rest of them.
I kinda like the church I attended last nite. It reminded me so much of the local church I attended in Barking. There was a small sense of déjà vu when I listened to the lone organist playing wonderfully and leading us in singing, and then later after the service, to discover that they were without a Pastor at the moment.
When I was in that church in Barking, they took me in as an official member and when the time came to vote for the new Pastor, I was asked to vote too.
Looking back tho, I now wonder if we made the right choice. Not long after I left for home, I found out that all the previous elders also left the church – although til today, I do not know for wat reasons. I do know it has to do wif some disagreement wif the new Pastor.
O well… we are from different backgrounds and will always have disagreements. But no matter wat happens, we will still love each other, for in Christ, we are of one family. And the truth of that statement rings home even more clearly when u are a foreigner in another land but you are welcomed warmly as a brother.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Autumn leaves - Nat King Cole
If you dun know oredi, then kindly be informed that I simply love autumn. I'm an autumn person. When I came over to UK more than 10 yrs ago, I was just looking forward for autumn - and I wasn't disappointed.
Some people love spring when the flowers bloom. Others adore the never ending summer days. Dun think anyone who has been thru winter actually likes it - altho pics of snow covered meadows do seem lovely.
Me? I just love the red, orange, yellow, green of autumn, the gloomy cloudy skies, the moody atmosphere - perhaps the thought that winter is approaching puts a damper on everything.
And yes - if you dun know me by now, I am a moody person - and autumn is sooooo me! I'm not like beautiful spring or warm summer. Nor am I cold and bitter like winter. I'm autumn.
And who can blame me for feeling so on top of the world? The whole world around me is changing colours. Leaves are all over the place. And altho it is not as cloudy as it shud be (it was another sunny day again today!!! Wat's wif Colchester????), it doesn't spoil the fact that it's autumn! The days are getting shorter. Leaves are falling on me head. I get to kick the colourful leaves on the ground. Everyday, when I look out the window, I see different shades of colours!
Lovely!
Check out my autumn leaves montage here!
Some people love spring when the flowers bloom. Others adore the never ending summer days. Dun think anyone who has been thru winter actually likes it - altho pics of snow covered meadows do seem lovely.
Me? I just love the red, orange, yellow, green of autumn, the gloomy cloudy skies, the moody atmosphere - perhaps the thought that winter is approaching puts a damper on everything.
And yes - if you dun know me by now, I am a moody person - and autumn is sooooo me! I'm not like beautiful spring or warm summer. Nor am I cold and bitter like winter. I'm autumn.
And who can blame me for feeling so on top of the world? The whole world around me is changing colours. Leaves are all over the place. And altho it is not as cloudy as it shud be (it was another sunny day again today!!! Wat's wif Colchester????), it doesn't spoil the fact that it's autumn! The days are getting shorter. Leaves are falling on me head. I get to kick the colourful leaves on the ground. Everyday, when I look out the window, I see different shades of colours!
Lovely!
Check out my autumn leaves montage here!
Daniel - Elton John
It was finally announced last Friday. Daniel Craig is the next Bond!!!
Most of you M'sians will prolly go "Daniel who?" (that is if you haven't been keeping up wif all the press speculation in the pass few months!!!).
I dun know bout you but I am disappointed. I mean, look at the following pic! This is James Bond:-
And I haven't seen him act before - I did watch Tomb Raider but have absolutely no recollection of him - yes, he was in that movie, and no, the reason why I dun remember him in it is not because I was too busy drooling over Angelina! Neither do I remember him from "Road to Perdition"!
Din they say they wanted a "younger" Bond? Craig looks older than Pierce Brosman!!!!
Me personal preference? Clive Owen! He'll be an excellent Bond! Did you see him in Sin City??? Even Ewan McGregor or Hugh Jackman would be good.
O well... let's keep an open mind, shall we? Some critics are excited over the choice. Who knows - Daniel may surprise us all!
Most of you M'sians will prolly go "Daniel who?" (that is if you haven't been keeping up wif all the press speculation in the pass few months!!!).
I dun know bout you but I am disappointed. I mean, look at the following pic! This is James Bond:-
Photo by Associated Press
And I haven't seen him act before - I did watch Tomb Raider but have absolutely no recollection of him - yes, he was in that movie, and no, the reason why I dun remember him in it is not because I was too busy drooling over Angelina! Neither do I remember him from "Road to Perdition"!
Din they say they wanted a "younger" Bond? Craig looks older than Pierce Brosman!!!!
Me personal preference? Clive Owen! He'll be an excellent Bond! Did you see him in Sin City??? Even Ewan McGregor or Hugh Jackman would be good.
O well... let's keep an open mind, shall we? Some critics are excited over the choice. Who knows - Daniel may surprise us all!
Straight from the heart - Bryan Adams
More on newspapers - but M'sian newspapers!
Yeah, wif internet (compared wif 10 years ago), I can easily be informed of all the local news. It has been interesting - and somewat embarrassing at times!!! Like when I read about how the "stolen" paintings from the National Gallery were found - in the store room of the National Gallery!!!! Sigh... M'sian efficiency?
The front page of the Star today caught me attention, tho.
Low-income group shows they are first class when it comes to giving
BY LEE YUK PENG
MALACCA: They are not among the rich and famous and do not have millions to give away.
But what these unsung heroes gave away was as precious as life itself. It is life.
For them, the right thing to do – though painful – was to donate the organs of their loved ones, so others may live.
(Read the article in its entirety here)
I became an organ donor in 1993 when I found out about it in London and realised how easy it is to become one! Just get a card and sign it! Then tell your family members!!!!
Me donor card - been in my wallet for more than 12 years!!!!
After all, wat can we lose when we are physically dead? On the contrary, there are countless of people out there just waiting - and praying - everyday that a heart or a kidney is available in order that they can have an extended lease of life. Even if you pledge your corneas, imagine the joy and thrill the donee will have when he or she is able to see again!
The Bible is silent on this but it is clear that we will be given new bodies when Christ returns. So why allow our organs to rot away when we have no need for it anymore?
And why is it only the low income groups show more urgency in matters like this? Shouldn't it be the more we receive, the more we would want to give?
Ultimately, death does not recognise the income group of a person. We can't escape it. There is nothing we can do about it. But there is sumthing we can do to help those who are still alive.
Pledge your organs. You won't live to regret it!
Yeah, wif internet (compared wif 10 years ago), I can easily be informed of all the local news. It has been interesting - and somewat embarrassing at times!!! Like when I read about how the "stolen" paintings from the National Gallery were found - in the store room of the National Gallery!!!! Sigh... M'sian efficiency?
The front page of the Star today caught me attention, tho.
Low-income group shows they are first class when it comes to giving
BY LEE YUK PENG
MALACCA: They are not among the rich and famous and do not have millions to give away.
But what these unsung heroes gave away was as precious as life itself. It is life.
For them, the right thing to do – though painful – was to donate the organs of their loved ones, so others may live.
(Read the article in its entirety here)
I became an organ donor in 1993 when I found out about it in London and realised how easy it is to become one! Just get a card and sign it! Then tell your family members!!!!
Me donor card - been in my wallet for more than 12 years!!!!
After all, wat can we lose when we are physically dead? On the contrary, there are countless of people out there just waiting - and praying - everyday that a heart or a kidney is available in order that they can have an extended lease of life. Even if you pledge your corneas, imagine the joy and thrill the donee will have when he or she is able to see again!
The Bible is silent on this but it is clear that we will be given new bodies when Christ returns. So why allow our organs to rot away when we have no need for it anymore?
And why is it only the low income groups show more urgency in matters like this? Shouldn't it be the more we receive, the more we would want to give?
Ultimately, death does not recognise the income group of a person. We can't escape it. There is nothing we can do about it. But there is sumthing we can do to help those who are still alive.
Pledge your organs. You won't live to regret it!
Kiss me - Sixpence None The Richer
One of me daily routine these days is to go to the 1st floor of the library and read the papers (hey, paying like RM7 for one newspaper daily is kinda steep, dun you think? Altho I have been tempted to do so lately as they have been giving out free DVDs every Saturday!!!). They have the works - The Times, The Guardian, The Independant. No, no tabloids!!!! And no papers during the weekends. :-(
On top of that, I read the news on BBC Online. Here's sumthing which amused me recently:-
"It's a modern day dilemma - should you greet a friend with one cheek kiss, two or go for broke with three?"
Well, to get the answer, go here!!!
Yeah, you get answers for things like the following:-
Is it OK to steal food from your partner's plate?
Is it OK to use a smiley face in an e-mail? :-P
Is it alrite to invite your former spouse to your wedding?
Why you should serve food within an hour of the guests arriving!
Imagine - if you get these kinda articles in the local respectable websiteswhat kind of stuffs you get in the tabloids???!!
And dun get me started on the Uni newspaper...
On top of that, I read the news on BBC Online. Here's sumthing which amused me recently:-
"It's a modern day dilemma - should you greet a friend with one cheek kiss, two or go for broke with three?"
Well, to get the answer, go here!!!
Yeah, you get answers for things like the following:-
Is it OK to steal food from your partner's plate?
Is it OK to use a smiley face in an e-mail? :-P
Is it alrite to invite your former spouse to your wedding?
Why you should serve food within an hour of the guests arriving!
Imagine - if you get these kinda articles in the local respectable websiteswhat kind of stuffs you get in the tabloids???!!
And dun get me started on the Uni newspaper...
