Had to go for the Red Crescent campfire yesterday after youth. First time wearing the PBSM shirt. I didn't know they had such a normal, un-PBSM-looking shirt.
Anyway, this is like the second time I ter-become the person selling stuff and the person handling the money. I was supposed to be in the security team (weird, I know. Just read on first). It's not like the guys' team where they take a stick everywhere (for decoration only, actually) and pretend they're doing something fantastic. Mine isn't that fantastic either la. I was supposed to be one of 5 girls in charge of - guess what - escorting girls to the toilet.
Well, in the end, no one turned up for the toilet trips. I suppose it was partly due to the fact that the emcee failed to announce that the crowd actually had to come to the five of us for the toilet trips. -_-
So I ended up looking for something to do and since I really didn't want to dance around like ants (they formed this really long line and hopped about), I ended up selling drinks with the remnant (the refreshments people cabut-ed to who knows where) of the refreshments team (one person).
Oh ya, I recall posting something about not having anything to post on this blog. Recently, I've been jotting down everything that happens in class (believe me, mannyyyyy things happen everyday) and my thoughts when I'm tuning out in class, in my post-it notes. Ever since I started doing that, I've realized that I have more things to blog about than I can handle. Many apologies for posting that totally untrue post last year (don't know who I'm apologizing to but sometimes we just talk to no one in particular, ya know?).
Anyway, I can't blog much these days. I've got to go do my homework and study for the PA Quiz next week which my class monitor generously volunteered me for. =_= And maybe later (if I'm really blessed), the connection will hold long enough for me to complete my Wawasan 2020 research.
Buh-bye everyone.
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Rebuking Non-Believers
Verse
Num 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
Summary
For a stranger (orang asing) to keep the Passover, he must follow the rites of the Passover, the most important and essential one being circumcision. The others would be sanctification and cleansing etc. The LORD was saying that even for strangers of the land, the Passover must be observed in the way that He commanded (not merely wanted).
It has always been carved into our minds that the Israelites were to be a holy people separated for God. They were supposed to be different from the rest of the peoples around them. And that was all.
Or so we thought. I thought so anyway.
This verse gives us a glance at what God really wanted. He didn't just want a holy people in the midst of a bunch of evildoers, or a speck of white in a whole swarm of black. He wanted this holy people to set the standard for those other peoples, and for this swarm of black to eventually turn white. The Israelites were never meant to just be secluded on one side while the others rot in sin. They were supposed to show and tell the others how to live the way God wanted.
SC
I don't really rebuke non-Christians for the wrong that they do; wrongs that I would normally chew Christians out for doing. No la, not really. Nowadays I don't scold Christians anymore cuz past experiences with them has led me to become too careful with what I do and say around them.
Because of my constant quarrels with Seoks over matters which she deemed "Christian" and which I deemed universal, I've become quite tawar hati about rebuking non-Christians. I always think that I should just put in a word or two to tell them that I think what they're doing / saying is wrong, and then just leave it at that if they don't agree. If they agree, then I'll cautiously explain why it's wrong. I thought that as non-Christians, they won't agree with me anyway since they don't have the Holy Spirit in them. Frankly, I was also afraid they'll say I'm this holy holy goody two shoes super Christian freak la. Which has happened before.
This verse seemed to tell me that I shouldn't let them get away with sin. I should rebuke them for it, not just say that it's bad and then keep mum about it. I'm here in this world not just to be a decorative light, I'm supposed to use that light to lead them to the Light of the World, which means that some action is required, not just some good testimony or example. I was still a little confused about it, so I put a question mark beside that verse in my spiritual diary, and did something on Joshua instead. I wasn't sure if that verse only applied cuz the Israelites were in power at the time, like a huge portion of the Islamic law.
The very next day, God threw a situation at me. I have a friend who sometimes draws what she calls art, and what I call pornographic material =_= In the past, I just let her go with a just two tiny words: "Yer, porn!" Perhaps even without the exclamation mark. That day, I said the same thing: "Yer, porn!" But I suddenly felt as if I should say something more, like there was something else I was supposed to do. She answered: "No, this is art."
Now this wasn't an instance where I "said something before I could stop myself" or "suddenly blurted out something", it was like I was actually faced with two options: To rebuke or to keep quiet. The verse from the day before flashed in my mind, and although I still was a bit confused about it, I felt that I should go ahead and say something.
C
I know it doesn't always work like that, that I can't always be so straightforward and so panjang lebar with non-Christians (and sometimes, actually most of the time, Christians), but that day I really felt that God was prompting me to put into practice what He'd shown me the day before.
How odd. God always seems to wait a little while (like till I forget I learned it) before testing me on things I've written under the SC and C sections. It's like He wants to really test me about it after some time to see if I still have it on my mind. But with things that puzzle me and which I'm not quite sure about, He throws a situation that relates exactly to those things the next day, or when they're still fresh on my mind, as if to help confirm what I read and to show me what He really means.
How awesome to know that He actually cares about giving me the best 'education'! Just like a Father, isn't He? ^^
Anyway, changes I must make: Stop condoning the things non-Christians do which are obviously wrong, like saying the F word and misusing God's Name. And of course drawing porn. Also, mustn't be afraid to tell Christians they're doing something wrong if they are.
And God's confirmed what He's been telling me over the years: Always act on the Spirit's prompting. At once! Never delay or hesitate! If I'd hesitated at that moment, I would've never told her all those stuff. I would've regretted it for a super long time, and probably hesitate even more the next time He sent a situation like that again.
I learned something from a book I never intended to take on for my QT! At least not till I finish Joshua and Judges la.
Num 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
Summary
For a stranger (orang asing) to keep the Passover, he must follow the rites of the Passover, the most important and essential one being circumcision. The others would be sanctification and cleansing etc. The LORD was saying that even for strangers of the land, the Passover must be observed in the way that He commanded (not merely wanted).
It has always been carved into our minds that the Israelites were to be a holy people separated for God. They were supposed to be different from the rest of the peoples around them. And that was all.
Or so we thought. I thought so anyway.
This verse gives us a glance at what God really wanted. He didn't just want a holy people in the midst of a bunch of evildoers, or a speck of white in a whole swarm of black. He wanted this holy people to set the standard for those other peoples, and for this swarm of black to eventually turn white. The Israelites were never meant to just be secluded on one side while the others rot in sin. They were supposed to show and tell the others how to live the way God wanted.
SC
I don't really rebuke non-Christians for the wrong that they do; wrongs that I would normally chew Christians out for doing. No la, not really. Nowadays I don't scold Christians anymore cuz past experiences with them has led me to become too careful with what I do and say around them.
Because of my constant quarrels with Seoks over matters which she deemed "Christian" and which I deemed universal, I've become quite tawar hati about rebuking non-Christians. I always think that I should just put in a word or two to tell them that I think what they're doing / saying is wrong, and then just leave it at that if they don't agree. If they agree, then I'll cautiously explain why it's wrong. I thought that as non-Christians, they won't agree with me anyway since they don't have the Holy Spirit in them. Frankly, I was also afraid they'll say I'm this holy holy goody two shoes super Christian freak la. Which has happened before.
This verse seemed to tell me that I shouldn't let them get away with sin. I should rebuke them for it, not just say that it's bad and then keep mum about it. I'm here in this world not just to be a decorative light, I'm supposed to use that light to lead them to the Light of the World, which means that some action is required, not just some good testimony or example. I was still a little confused about it, so I put a question mark beside that verse in my spiritual diary, and did something on Joshua instead. I wasn't sure if that verse only applied cuz the Israelites were in power at the time, like a huge portion of the Islamic law.
The very next day, God threw a situation at me. I have a friend who sometimes draws what she calls art, and what I call pornographic material =_= In the past, I just let her go with a just two tiny words: "Yer, porn!" Perhaps even without the exclamation mark. That day, I said the same thing: "Yer, porn!" But I suddenly felt as if I should say something more, like there was something else I was supposed to do. She answered: "No, this is art."
Now this wasn't an instance where I "said something before I could stop myself" or "suddenly blurted out something", it was like I was actually faced with two options: To rebuke or to keep quiet. The verse from the day before flashed in my mind, and although I still was a bit confused about it, I felt that I should go ahead and say something.
"Do you know that a lot of pornographic sites label themselves as artistic sites, and that most people who're addicted to porn call it art?"I could tell she was a little ruffled, cuz I usually don't go on so far, but she said:
"In the West, there're a lot of portraits of naked people, and they're all very famous works of art."
"Ya, and have you ever asked why those kind of paintings are mostly done by Westerners, and not Asians? It's because we Asians have a higher moral sense, and a greater sensitivity for religion and God. In other words, we know that such paintings are wrong."The next thing she said made me quite angry.
"But when study art overseas, they really give you one naked model to draw wan noe? It's even in the study of art!"
"Note the word 'overseas'. Again, you don't really get that kind of 'education' in Malaysia, do you?"
"It's ok wat. The original people (Adam etc.) also naked wat."Aargh! I know she took in from the Doraemon comic series because I read it before but I still got dreadfully upset cuz I really hate it when people blatantly misquote the Bible and the truths in it. If it wasn't for the fact that I was totally reminded of my quarrels with Seoks and the fact that my PA teacher was still teaching, I would've done something dumb like raise my voice and turn red or something.
"Whoaa-a, don't quote that out of context. Firstly, there were only two of them unclothed humans at that time, and they were husband and wife, ok? Secondly, they were naked for a reason, and it was because they still hadn't eaten the fruit, and they were still pure in mind and heart, and simply would not have the kind of thoughts we would have today. People today just draw and watch those stuff to satisfy their lust and desire k? Last time it was because they didn't have the thought about satisfying lust by looking at nakedness. So it's totally irrelevant."After that, the teacher suddenly decided to talk more loudly for some reason (hmm) and we went back to staring blankly at him. She was more than a little upset, I know, but somehow I didn't regret telling her what I did, unlike how I would normally feel.
C
I know it doesn't always work like that, that I can't always be so straightforward and so panjang lebar with non-Christians (and sometimes, actually most of the time, Christians), but that day I really felt that God was prompting me to put into practice what He'd shown me the day before.
How odd. God always seems to wait a little while (like till I forget I learned it) before testing me on things I've written under the SC and C sections. It's like He wants to really test me about it after some time to see if I still have it on my mind. But with things that puzzle me and which I'm not quite sure about, He throws a situation that relates exactly to those things the next day, or when they're still fresh on my mind, as if to help confirm what I read and to show me what He really means.
How awesome to know that He actually cares about giving me the best 'education'! Just like a Father, isn't He? ^^
Anyway, changes I must make: Stop condoning the things non-Christians do which are obviously wrong, like saying the F word and misusing God's Name. And of course drawing porn. Also, mustn't be afraid to tell Christians they're doing something wrong if they are.
And God's confirmed what He's been telling me over the years: Always act on the Spirit's prompting. At once! Never delay or hesitate! If I'd hesitated at that moment, I would've never told her all those stuff. I would've regretted it for a super long time, and probably hesitate even more the next time He sent a situation like that again.
I learned something from a book I never intended to take on for my QT! At least not till I finish Joshua and Judges la.
Sunday, 4 March 2007
Dad's 2 Samuel
Ken ken wants to use the computer already so I'll make this short.
Believe me, it's short.
Yesterday Dad spoke on 2 Sam for Youth. At one point he talked about how David organized the priests into 24 priestly courses systematically.
I remember reading that, about the gatekeepers, the musicians, and all. It was really systematic and orderly, that's all I can say. Everything was planned out properly and carefully.
At that point, I was wondering: Since there are priests to keep the temple clean and all, do they really keep it clean and spotless all the time?
Do they get tired of cleaning up or take a few seconds' worth of slacking off or leave a tiny area dusty for one day? I mean, when I mop the floor (when school's off and on Fridays for Bible Study), most of the time I make sure I cover every spot in the area upstairs. But sometimes when I'm feeling tired or just not in the mood, I miss out the sharp corners of the wall and under the portable cupboard. Just for that moment.
Then I realized I'd asked a totally illogical and irrelevant question.
Of course they cover every spot la.
No way a nation that's so cautious about writing down God's Name and preserving His laws can slack in keeping the temple clean, especially when it was still the Davidic Period. The temple was really God's house to them! Not only cuz God really dwelt between the cherubim la.
Then another thought came to my mind. Would I do that for church?
Again, I realized I'd asked a rather rhetorical question.
Of course... not...
I mean, I pick up rubbish on the floor when I see them, and try to save on electricity by turning on as little electrical components as possible, but I wouldn't go out of my way to make sure the floor is spotless or at least clean.
We always criticize the Israelites for disobeying God and all. How ironic to think that we overlook utterly simple things like keeping His house clean. How shameful it is that we even forget that the church is His house most of the time!
At least THEY had some basic cleanliness sense.
All that big talk about obeying God and praising Him and revering Him and following His will etc seems lost in light of the fact that we can't even provide a better place for Him to have His weekly Supper in.
Must buck up!
Ok. Maybe it wasn't that short.
Shorter than usual anyway.
Believe me, it's short.
Yesterday Dad spoke on 2 Sam for Youth. At one point he talked about how David organized the priests into 24 priestly courses systematically.
I remember reading that, about the gatekeepers, the musicians, and all. It was really systematic and orderly, that's all I can say. Everything was planned out properly and carefully.
At that point, I was wondering: Since there are priests to keep the temple clean and all, do they really keep it clean and spotless all the time?
Do they get tired of cleaning up or take a few seconds' worth of slacking off or leave a tiny area dusty for one day? I mean, when I mop the floor (when school's off and on Fridays for Bible Study), most of the time I make sure I cover every spot in the area upstairs. But sometimes when I'm feeling tired or just not in the mood, I miss out the sharp corners of the wall and under the portable cupboard. Just for that moment.
Then I realized I'd asked a totally illogical and irrelevant question.
Of course they cover every spot la.
No way a nation that's so cautious about writing down God's Name and preserving His laws can slack in keeping the temple clean, especially when it was still the Davidic Period. The temple was really God's house to them! Not only cuz God really dwelt between the cherubim la.
Then another thought came to my mind. Would I do that for church?
Again, I realized I'd asked a rather rhetorical question.
Of course... not...
I mean, I pick up rubbish on the floor when I see them, and try to save on electricity by turning on as little electrical components as possible, but I wouldn't go out of my way to make sure the floor is spotless or at least clean.
We always criticize the Israelites for disobeying God and all. How ironic to think that we overlook utterly simple things like keeping His house clean. How shameful it is that we even forget that the church is His house most of the time!
At least THEY had some basic cleanliness sense.
All that big talk about obeying God and praising Him and revering Him and following His will etc seems lost in light of the fact that we can't even provide a better place for Him to have His weekly Supper in.
Must buck up!
Ok. Maybe it wasn't that short.
Shorter than usual anyway.
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Star Wars Saga Begins American Pie parody by Weird Al
He looks like Uncle Philip Lee (left) ^^;
I know this was in 1999 and I'm quite outdated, but I still think it's funny..
Lyrics of the parody:
A long long time ago
In a galaxy far away
Naboo was under an attack
And I thought me and Qui Gon Jinn
Could talk the federation into maybe cutting them a little Slack
But their response, it didn't thrill us
They locked the doors and tried to kill us
We escaped from that gas
And met Jar-Jar and Boss Nas
We took a bongo from the scene
And went to Theed to see the Queen
We all wound up on Tatooine
That's where we found this boy
Oh my, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
Did you know this junkyard slave
Isn't even old enough to shave?
But he can use the force they say
Ah, do you see him hitting on the Queen?
Though he's just nine
And she's fourteen
Yeah, he's probably going to marry her some day
Well I know he built C-3PO
And I've heard how fast his pod can go
And we were broke, it's true
So we made a wager or two
He was a pre-pubescent flying ace
And the minute Jabba started off that race
Well, I knew who would win first place
Oh yes, it was our boy
We started singing:
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
Now we finally got to Coruscant
The Jedi council we knew would want
To see how good the boy could be
So we took him there and we told the tale
How his midichloreans readings were off the scale
And he might fulfill that prophecy
Oh the council was impressed of course
'Could he bring balance to the force?'
They interviewed the kid
Oh training they forbid
Because Yoda sensed in him much fear
And Qui Gon said "Now listen here
Just stick it in your pointy ear
I still will teach this boy"
He was singing:
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
We caught a ride back to Naboo
'Cause Queen Amadala wanted to
I frankly would have liked to stay
We all fought in that epic war
And it wasn't long at all before
Little hotshot flew his plane
And saved the day
And in the end some gunguns died
Some ships blew up
And some pilots fried
A lot of folks were croakin'
The battle droids were broken
And the Jedi I admire most
Met up with Darth Maul
And now he's toast
I'm still here and he's a ghost
I guess I'll train this boy
And I was singin':
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
We were singing:
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
In a galaxy far away
Naboo was under an attack
And I thought me and Qui Gon Jinn
Could talk the federation into maybe cutting them a little Slack
But their response, it didn't thrill us
They locked the doors and tried to kill us
We escaped from that gas
And met Jar-Jar and Boss Nas
We took a bongo from the scene
And went to Theed to see the Queen
We all wound up on Tatooine
That's where we found this boy
Oh my, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
Did you know this junkyard slave
Isn't even old enough to shave?
But he can use the force they say
Ah, do you see him hitting on the Queen?
Though he's just nine
And she's fourteen
Yeah, he's probably going to marry her some day
Well I know he built C-3PO
And I've heard how fast his pod can go
And we were broke, it's true
So we made a wager or two
He was a pre-pubescent flying ace
And the minute Jabba started off that race
Well, I knew who would win first place
Oh yes, it was our boy
We started singing:
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
Now we finally got to Coruscant
The Jedi council we knew would want
To see how good the boy could be
So we took him there and we told the tale
How his midichloreans readings were off the scale
And he might fulfill that prophecy
Oh the council was impressed of course
'Could he bring balance to the force?'
They interviewed the kid
Oh training they forbid
Because Yoda sensed in him much fear
And Qui Gon said "Now listen here
Just stick it in your pointy ear
I still will teach this boy"
He was singing:
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
We caught a ride back to Naboo
'Cause Queen Amadala wanted to
I frankly would have liked to stay
We all fought in that epic war
And it wasn't long at all before
Little hotshot flew his plane
And saved the day
And in the end some gunguns died
Some ships blew up
And some pilots fried
A lot of folks were croakin'
The battle droids were broken
And the Jedi I admire most
Met up with Darth Maul
And now he's toast
I'm still here and he's a ghost
I guess I'll train this boy
And I was singin':
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
We were singing:
My, my this here Anakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
RBS
Um, I'm now the MGC representative for the keeping in touch with the RBS programme. Cuz I have the green book (guestbook) plus I have internet connection. And I actually use my email. Muahaha.
Anyway, I know most of the MGC people have inactive email accounts that are most probably deactivated already, so I'll leave the RBS students' email addresses and other details here.
Anyway, I know most of the MGC people have inactive email accounts that are most probably deactivated already, so I'll leave the RBS students' email addresses and other details here.
Brian Phuah
Email: han1089@hotmail.com
Mobile: 016 - 362 7983
Birthday: 10 September 1989
Address: 6, Lintang Besi, Off Jalan Melawis, 41000 Klang
Teh Eu Gin
Email: eugin_teh@hotmail.com
Friendster/MSN: eugin_teh@hotmail.com
Mobile: 016 - 318 2725
Birthday: 10 OCtober 1989
Address: 30, Jln Dagang 6/3, Tmn Dagang, 68000 Selangor
Woon Juen Neen
Email: bluemuffino@yahoo.com
MSN: juenneen@hotmail.com
Mobile: 012 - 242 2589
Birthday: 8 December 1989
Address: 23, Jln 19/144Am Tmn Bkt Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur
Chai Tze Yuen
Email: chai_tzeyuen@yahoo.com
Mobile: 017-286 5113
Birthday: 6 July 1990
Address: 17, Jln SS22/30, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Loh Zhe Yuen
Email: panthera.sapiens@gmail.com
Friendster: l4zyt1g3r@gmail.com
Birthday: 20 February 1987
Address: No fixed address (I still don’t understand why)
Michael Loo Yeong Huei
Email: michael_aka_sticky@yahoo.com
Friendster: michael_aka_sticky@yahoo.com (but it’s um… go see for yourself)
Mobile: 012-269 0166
Birthday: 30 December 1987
Address: Nu 2, SS20/21,
Yvonne
Email: nikerocks_89@hotmail.com
MSN: nikerocks_89@hotmail.com
Birthday: 8 December 1989
Address: No. 15, Lintang Tepi Sungai 2, Tmn Kota Jaya, 41100 Klang
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Dreams are for rookies
If only I dared to hope.
Then maybe something could happen.
But the could in that thought keeps that hope a dream.
And dreams are for rookies
Let me end with a heart-felt aargh.
Aargh.
Then maybe something could happen.
But the could in that thought keeps that hope a dream.
And dreams are for rookies
Let me end with a heart-felt aargh.
Aargh.
Friday, 9 February 2007
This Week's Friday
Mdm Chah announced that today's extra class would be cancelled.
Hooray!
I gave a mini-quiz to the CF to prepare them for the postal quiz. The results are --> ^^; and that's all I can type.
Hooray?
Anyway, I was reading my Collection of Fairytales book (after pounding it with my fists back and front to kill any bookworms in there) in the bathroom as usual, and it struck me that fairytales have three things in common:
E.g.
Hooray!
I gave a mini-quiz to the CF to prepare them for the postal quiz. The results are --> ^^; and that's all I can type.
Hooray?
Anyway, I was reading my Collection of Fairytales book (after pounding it with my fists back and front to kill any bookworms in there) in the bathroom as usual, and it struck me that fairytales have three things in common:
- Miserable self-pity
- Selfishness
- Eventual happiness and self-satisfaction
E.g.
- "Puss in Boots" Saves his master from poverty just so he wouldn't be skinned and eaten. I missed that part when I last read it and thought the cat was being nice and loyal. The cat killed an ogre (tricked 'em into turning into a mouse, then pounced on it and ate it) and lied to the king (like dunno how many times about his master's 'property')
- "Beauty and the Beast" The "evil" fairy turns the "handsome prince with a kind heart" into the Beast. The "good" fairy turns Beauty's two "bad sisters" into stone statues who would stand on her stairs and do nothing but witness her happiness. Is it surprising that the good fairy's spell is condoned?
Friday, 2 February 2007
CF? Or Extra Class?
2 days ago, our Math Paper 2 teacher (Mdm Chah) had to attend a koperasi meeting during her 2nd period with us (last period). So she gave us some homework to do, and told us that we were to be seen busy + quietly doing the homework by everyone. Our class is super exposed to everyone cuz it's like in the tempat pertemuan yang strategik in the school and everyone who wants to go anywhere will pass by the class and see everyone and everything through the large, open windows. However, as usual the boys (5 of 'em, one K.O. already) and some of the noisier girls fooled around the class a few minutes after she went out. 5 minutes before school dismissed, Mdm Chah was seen staring straight at us (them) with a totally angry look. So they say la. I was *ahem* busy and quietly doing my homework. In her anger, she sentenced us to completion of chapters 23, 24, and 25 of the Federal (past year) textbook - due today. A lot la wei. She actually wanted us to pass up after CNY, but then...
Good thing I was busy and quietly doing my homework.
So I kinda had a little bit to finish only.
Muahaha.
However, the next bad news was that she wanted us to stay back for her extra class today: 12pm - 1pm.
Here's the thing.
CF starts at 12.10pm and ends at 1.15pm every Friday. To make things worse, I was supposed to be speaking on something today.
Between kelas tambahan and CF, of course no competition la. CF wins by a mile man.
But I still had to tell Mdm Chah cuz she was already so angry, plus my monitor would be the one to really kena if Mdm Chah found me missing from class. I didn't know how to tell her lor. Everyone was like, can meh? Must go leh. She'll scold wan lei. And other such things. I tried explaining that I had CF and I was speaking, but here're some of the stuff they said:
But then... talking about God with people who don't know God is like Stephen telling me about cars and getting new shoes for his car and such.
I told myself that I couldn't skip it for CF every Friday!
But then another part of me told me that I could. I can! Jesus carried a stinky, wooden, ugly, splinter-y cross for me! What's the big deal about getting scolded by teacher for choosing CF over extra class??
Yet another thought came to me: What if this act of mine in a way smears the reputation of CF and Christians?
What kind of Christian would I be if CF is not important to me? People like Seoks would think that I'm not standing up for Christ at all. She'd probably say something like, "Har? You skip CF ar? You usually not like that wan lei." And well... people never really liked Christians anyway.
I felt so much better after that. The words of 2 Chronicles suddenly became much clearer. Reminds me of that song...
I completed all my exercises yesterday, prayed really really hard, and came to school hoping to find Mdm Chah in the staff room today. She'd already gone home when I looked for her yesterday. This morning, Seoks told me that the school had made the cacat rule that no students are allowed to enter the staff room d. -_- So once the bell rang, I ran to the student's corner and stood outside the staff room's glass door and tiptoed and peeked here and there trying to find her. That verse came to me:
I told her that I had CF, and I was speaking today. I was expecting to hear the list of stuff listed up there. As expected, she asked,
And she gave me the green light. YEAH!
All the while I was already thinking of saying that I'd do anything to make up for it, e.g. stay back everyday except Friday for detention or finish all the questions in the Federal text or answer every question in class or something. I was also thinking up an answer for if she said that I should follow the school rules about going for extra classes etc. I was thinking I'd say that if I weren't a law-abiding student, I wouldn't have told her in the first place. Was also thinking that I might have to give a speech about how I have a responsibility as prez of the CF etc. Thank God I didn't need to say all that.
Funny how God has a simple solution for everything. Sometimes we just think too much and forget that God's in control...
But then Ming Zhu told me this morning that Mdm Chah's gonna have extra class every Friday till CNY.
I think I'm gonna have to go look for her again on Monday.
She might blow a fuse since I'm gonna be skipping every Friday. I might have to start being the model student in class to make up for it or something. She might criticize the CF and Ms Chok might come after me.
But I don't think I'll have to hang on a cross with nails in my hands and feet like Someone did.
So it ain't gonna be that bad.
Good thing I was busy and quietly doing my homework.
So I kinda had a little bit to finish only.
Muahaha.
However, the next bad news was that she wanted us to stay back for her extra class today: 12pm - 1pm.
Here's the thing.
CF starts at 12.10pm and ends at 1.15pm every Friday. To make things worse, I was supposed to be speaking on something today.
Between kelas tambahan and CF, of course no competition la. CF wins by a mile man.
But I still had to tell Mdm Chah cuz she was already so angry, plus my monitor would be the one to really kena if Mdm Chah found me missing from class. I didn't know how to tell her lor. Everyone was like, can meh? Must go leh. She'll scold wan lei. And other such things. I tried explaining that I had CF and I was speaking, but here're some of the stuff they said:
- Between academic and co-curric, of course academic more important la. CF only wat! Logically must choose academics la.
- Cannot get people to replace you meh?
- Chair meeting only mah.
- You don't have vice president meh?
- Got AJK wat.
- Extra class more important la.
But then... talking about God with people who don't know God is like Stephen telling me about cars and getting new shoes for his car and such.
- I don't understand a thing about cars. I know they have wheels and all la. Yeah, the basics. But only the baaasics.
- I can't get how important a car is to him cuz it's not really important to me except to get here and there. I like the driving more than the car.
- I can't sayang a car like he does cuz to me, there are better things to sayang. The car is the better thing to him, of course.
- The car to me is just a thing. Nothing more.
I told myself that I couldn't skip it for CF every Friday!
But then another part of me told me that I could. I can! Jesus carried a stinky, wooden, ugly, splinter-y cross for me! What's the big deal about getting scolded by teacher for choosing CF over extra class??
Yet another thought came to me: What if this act of mine in a way smears the reputation of CF and Christians?
What kind of Christian would I be if CF is not important to me? People like Seoks would think that I'm not standing up for Christ at all. She'd probably say something like, "Har? You skip CF ar? You usually not like that wan lei." And well... people never really liked Christians anyway.
I felt so much better after that. The words of 2 Chronicles suddenly became much clearer. Reminds me of that song...
Turn your eyes upon JesusCan't really remember the last line heheh.
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will go strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Keep your eyes upon Jesus
Let nobody else take His place
And the things of heaven will go strangely clear
In the light of His glory and grace
I completed all my exercises yesterday, prayed really really hard, and came to school hoping to find Mdm Chah in the staff room today. She'd already gone home when I looked for her yesterday. This morning, Seoks told me that the school had made the cacat rule that no students are allowed to enter the staff room d. -_- So once the bell rang, I ran to the student's corner and stood outside the staff room's glass door and tiptoed and peeked here and there trying to find her. That verse came to me:
2Ch 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.I prayed. Ben came along and said (claimed) can enter after school. I went in and found that she wasn't there. I started to pray again, and presto! Mdm Chah came strolling through the door in front of me! I greeted her and she immediately said:
Don't tell me you can't make it to class.I was like, "um...
I can't make it to class.At that point, I just felt really really cartoonish.
I told her that I had CF, and I was speaking today. I was expecting to hear the list of stuff listed up there. As expected, she asked,
Cannot get people to replace you meh?I said no la. Cuz need to prepare wan mah. Next, I expected something about the vice prez or something, but she asked,
You're chairing the meeting izzit?"Ya". Then...
What about my homework?I happily said that I'd finished it, save for some that I couldn't do la.
Only you right?Yes! Yes!
And she gave me the green light. YEAH!
All the while I was already thinking of saying that I'd do anything to make up for it, e.g. stay back everyday except Friday for detention or finish all the questions in the Federal text or answer every question in class or something. I was also thinking up an answer for if she said that I should follow the school rules about going for extra classes etc. I was thinking I'd say that if I weren't a law-abiding student, I wouldn't have told her in the first place. Was also thinking that I might have to give a speech about how I have a responsibility as prez of the CF etc. Thank God I didn't need to say all that.
Funny how God has a simple solution for everything. Sometimes we just think too much and forget that God's in control...
But then Ming Zhu told me this morning that Mdm Chah's gonna have extra class every Friday till CNY.
I think I'm gonna have to go look for her again on Monday.
She might blow a fuse since I'm gonna be skipping every Friday. I might have to start being the model student in class to make up for it or something. She might criticize the CF and Ms Chok might come after me.
But I don't think I'll have to hang on a cross with nails in my hands and feet like Someone did.
So it ain't gonna be that bad.
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Greetings, Yen Mei
Hihi geng yi will be asking why Yen Mei's come first before his.
Anyway, here's to our brave young (but older than me muahaha) Yen Mei who played for last Sunday's morning worship and yesterday's (Saturday) youth! Hip hip hooray!
Ahem. Look at what the kids have done to me. Cough cough.
Let's be serious.
I know you made some mistakes when you played, and your transition from end of song to the chorus wasn't exactly perfect, and that sometimes you just panicked and played an unsing-along-able kind of playing, but I just want to tell you that those are the kind of things that actually make a pianist.
Not those super-pro, non-human kind of pianists la. For normal, totally human pianists like us only.
Sis used to ask me to teach some other people piano also, and Lin used to bug me to teach her some stuff on the piano. But I always gave up half-way or taught so horribly that they gave up. The only thing that drives me to not give up on both you and Celine is the fact that both of you remind me so much of how my own experience.
Celine is like a mirror of me when I started out at 9.
You lei, is like when I was in Form 2 (yay you look young!)
I think I told you before, but I'll tell you again.
There was once Shin (zheng's sis) and I played together for sunday worship. It was horrible la. We were doing all sorts of stuff that we shouldn't be doing oso lor. I wouldn't elaborate on that. But after that Auntie Lay Hong came up to us and told us off. I know she didn't mean to hurt us in any way, but what she said hurt me anyway. She told me that because of what we did, she and another auntie couldn't worship at all that day. After that I didn't have the face to go to church anymore. I even considered attending Lin's church (super near my house, 3 minutes walk only) with the excuse of playing for their church. Thank God lots of people were concerned, especially our precious geng yi!!!! He called me and encouraged me to come back (that time I was still quite young eh). After that Auntie Lay Hong and I made up la. About how we did it, all I'll let out is the phrase "London Royal Circus" heheh.
After that incident, I really started to take playing for the church seriously. I learned a lot in the process - about how to conduct myself when I'm up there, what to do when there's a new song with 6 sharps / flats, how to know the speed of a song, how to still worship even though things can get awful out there, and other such things.
Through playing with the band, I learned many other things also. I acquired new playing styles (mainly pencurian of sin yee's and daniel's drum beats, sis' and zheng's bass tabs, and aaron's strumming styles), how to play without looking at the keys, how to shift from chorus to chorus, from key to key, and how to take note of the congregation's reaction to the playing while still focusing at the same time.
Skill is not something you get overnight. It took me 3 years, I think, to actually play a song without making it sound cacat, and until now, I'm still making mistakes. Less serious / major ones, no doubt, but they're still mistakes. You saw for yourself how I suddenly ter-changed key from A to Bb right ^^;
Don't be afraid of those mistakes. I mean, of course you don't go around being proud of the mistakes la. But just take note of those mistakes and, keeping in mind that you can get rid of them or at least decrease their number, try to do better the next time. Ask around, and curi around, it's ok wan. I do that all the time. Especially during DMSJ, when I steal bits and pieces of SAGC's David's styles =P (Mr SAGC Jun Yi, I know you're here... seng mok la hor)
Listen to more Christian music. I find that secular music don't really have good quality piano playing lor. It's like anybody oso can play wan. Scout around for good Christian music and learn from them. It's ok to spend time by the radio (or your mp3... the world's not the same anymore...) and playing and replaying the song till you get it right. Get involved in major church events. Although the experience WILL be very painful and tiring, in the end you'll find that your skill has advanced to a much higher level. It's something like naruto and dragonball la haha. I think those comic writers ciplak the idea from us wan la.
Curi my styles if you want, I don't mind. I curi most of mine from Auntie Angelina neway. I just change a little bit so it sounds like my own. Cis terbocor.
When I go off next year, you'll be the one to master the keys hor. Don't think that you'll never make it, or compare your playing to mine. When I first started out at 9, I never dreamed that I would be the one sitting up front playing from 9am to 10am every Sunday.
I hope you'll continue to play for the youth, and for church. It was (and is) through my struggles and falls in playing that I got (and still get) closer to God. For a pianist, this is the way we have to take la hor. Always make mistakes your best friend! Turn red in the face when you make them, if you must, but after that, pick yourself up and hit the keys again!
Anyway, here's to our brave young (but older than me muahaha) Yen Mei who played for last Sunday's morning worship and yesterday's (Saturday) youth! Hip hip hooray!
Ahem. Look at what the kids have done to me. Cough cough.
Let's be serious.
I know you made some mistakes when you played, and your transition from end of song to the chorus wasn't exactly perfect, and that sometimes you just panicked and played an unsing-along-able kind of playing, but I just want to tell you that those are the kind of things that actually make a pianist.
Not those super-pro, non-human kind of pianists la. For normal, totally human pianists like us only.
Sis used to ask me to teach some other people piano also, and Lin used to bug me to teach her some stuff on the piano. But I always gave up half-way or taught so horribly that they gave up. The only thing that drives me to not give up on both you and Celine is the fact that both of you remind me so much of how my own experience.
Celine is like a mirror of me when I started out at 9.
You lei, is like when I was in Form 2 (yay you look young!)
I think I told you before, but I'll tell you again.
There was once Shin (zheng's sis) and I played together for sunday worship. It was horrible la. We were doing all sorts of stuff that we shouldn't be doing oso lor. I wouldn't elaborate on that. But after that Auntie Lay Hong came up to us and told us off. I know she didn't mean to hurt us in any way, but what she said hurt me anyway. She told me that because of what we did, she and another auntie couldn't worship at all that day. After that I didn't have the face to go to church anymore. I even considered attending Lin's church (super near my house, 3 minutes walk only) with the excuse of playing for their church. Thank God lots of people were concerned, especially our precious geng yi!!!! He called me and encouraged me to come back (that time I was still quite young eh). After that Auntie Lay Hong and I made up la. About how we did it, all I'll let out is the phrase "London Royal Circus" heheh.
After that incident, I really started to take playing for the church seriously. I learned a lot in the process - about how to conduct myself when I'm up there, what to do when there's a new song with 6 sharps / flats, how to know the speed of a song, how to still worship even though things can get awful out there, and other such things.
Through playing with the band, I learned many other things also. I acquired new playing styles (mainly pencurian of sin yee's and daniel's drum beats, sis' and zheng's bass tabs, and aaron's strumming styles), how to play without looking at the keys, how to shift from chorus to chorus, from key to key, and how to take note of the congregation's reaction to the playing while still focusing at the same time.
Skill is not something you get overnight. It took me 3 years, I think, to actually play a song without making it sound cacat, and until now, I'm still making mistakes. Less serious / major ones, no doubt, but they're still mistakes. You saw for yourself how I suddenly ter-changed key from A to Bb right ^^;
Don't be afraid of those mistakes. I mean, of course you don't go around being proud of the mistakes la. But just take note of those mistakes and, keeping in mind that you can get rid of them or at least decrease their number, try to do better the next time. Ask around, and curi around, it's ok wan. I do that all the time. Especially during DMSJ, when I steal bits and pieces of SAGC's David's styles =P (Mr SAGC Jun Yi, I know you're here... seng mok la hor)
Listen to more Christian music. I find that secular music don't really have good quality piano playing lor. It's like anybody oso can play wan. Scout around for good Christian music and learn from them. It's ok to spend time by the radio (or your mp3... the world's not the same anymore...) and playing and replaying the song till you get it right. Get involved in major church events. Although the experience WILL be very painful and tiring, in the end you'll find that your skill has advanced to a much higher level. It's something like naruto and dragonball la haha. I think those comic writers ciplak the idea from us wan la.
Curi my styles if you want, I don't mind. I curi most of mine from Auntie Angelina neway. I just change a little bit so it sounds like my own. Cis terbocor.
When I go off next year, you'll be the one to master the keys hor. Don't think that you'll never make it, or compare your playing to mine. When I first started out at 9, I never dreamed that I would be the one sitting up front playing from 9am to 10am every Sunday.
I hope you'll continue to play for the youth, and for church. It was (and is) through my struggles and falls in playing that I got (and still get) closer to God. For a pianist, this is the way we have to take la hor. Always make mistakes your best friend! Turn red in the face when you make them, if you must, but after that, pick yourself up and hit the keys again!
Saturday, 27 January 2007
Kelas Ganti & Children's Hour
I prepared the "script" yesterday till 11 something at night. My fault la. Auntie Yu Ming gave me some books to get ideas from, but I thought I left it in Dad's car, which went to Cameron Highlands until Thursday night. Dad said the books weren't there when mum called him, but I didn't believe cuz I didn't know where else to find the books ^^; So when he came back I checked, and really not there wor...
Throughout the whole week kept thinking about where the books can possibly be and how to teach the children. Almost rammed into a car while driving. Tsk.
5.30 am - Got up
6.30 am - Left for school (kelas ganti)
6.50 am - Sesat in Ong Kim Wee; couldn't find Jaymuda -_-"
6.57 am - Found Jaymuda
7.05 am - Got into Seoks' car and headed for MHS
7.15 am - Arrived in school
7.28 am - Realized I ter-brought my handphone to school in my pocket
7.35 am - Went to Seoks' car to put my hp inside; prefect on duty shaking head at me T_T
12.20 pm - Found out school wasn't till 12 pm but 12.40 pm
12.40 pm - Left school in Seoks' car
12.56 pm - Arrived at Jaymuda, picked up car
1.40 pm - Arrived home
1.45 pm - Make bomb & mandi kerbau
2.00 pm - Lunch
2.17 pm - Left for church
2.43 pm - Arrived in church
3.05 pm - Realized didn't bring most of the props
3.10 pm - Serious practice with Li Lian commenced
4.06 pm - Children's Hour!
It was ok, I guess.. Lots of syok-sendiri-ing on my part +_= Feedback:
I've come to appreciate the people who commit to children's work a whole lot more. They're really one talented bunch!
I actually wanted to go make bomb wan before the thing (when I'm nervous I don't get sweaty palms or panic or vomit or wat.. I have to make bomb, which is why I try as much as possible to not feel nervous), but then Shaun asked me to help Yen with Come On and Celebrate, plus needed to practice the songs with Li Lian. Was also having a headache before and after. I just thank God my head felt perfectly fine when I was "teaching".
The songs we sang today:
I think I'm still much too "organized" or scripted for children's work. Supposed to be spontaneous wan rite. The last time I did the OA Sunday School sketch oso.. Oh that reminds me. I did have some experience with kids at the OA. How could I forget? ^^;;;;;;;;;; Bad memory!
I had fun doing this with Lian today and the kids were really really cute, especially when they did the "yum yum" and "bloop bloop" stuff during unc Rod's session hehe. Struck me how spontaneous and fun-loving they all are. They didn't even hesitate to do those funny antics that youths usually find embarassing. Couldn't help noticing that Chai Ho (my young cousin!) felt a little out of place though. Wish I could do more to make him feel welcome here. He speaks mostly Hokkien, and the only Hokkien words I know are:
Maybe I should go for Hokkien classes.
Hmm.
All in all, I know that I couldn't have done it today without God and without all those people backing me up and encouraging me!
Throughout the whole week kept thinking about where the books can possibly be and how to teach the children. Almost rammed into a car while driving. Tsk.
5.30 am - Got up
6.30 am - Left for school (kelas ganti)
6.50 am - Sesat in Ong Kim Wee; couldn't find Jaymuda -_-"
6.57 am - Found Jaymuda
7.05 am - Got into Seoks' car and headed for MHS
7.15 am - Arrived in school
7.28 am - Realized I ter-brought my handphone to school in my pocket
7.35 am - Went to Seoks' car to put my hp inside; prefect on duty shaking head at me T_T
12.20 pm - Found out school wasn't till 12 pm but 12.40 pm
12.40 pm - Left school in Seoks' car
12.56 pm - Arrived at Jaymuda, picked up car
1.40 pm - Arrived home
1.45 pm - Make bomb & mandi kerbau
2.00 pm - Lunch
2.17 pm - Left for church
2.43 pm - Arrived in church
3.05 pm - Realized didn't bring most of the props
3.10 pm - Serious practice with Li Lian commenced
4.06 pm - Children's Hour!
It was ok, I guess.. Lots of syok-sendiri-ing on my part +_= Feedback:
- Auntie Yu Ming - Teaching session was very alive cuz acted it out
- Auntie Kiat Tin - Ok. The kids were very interested.
- Little Ken - Very funny!
- Little Amy - Very nice!
I've come to appreciate the people who commit to children's work a whole lot more. They're really one talented bunch!
I actually wanted to go make bomb wan before the thing (when I'm nervous I don't get sweaty palms or panic or vomit or wat.. I have to make bomb, which is why I try as much as possible to not feel nervous), but then Shaun asked me to help Yen with Come On and Celebrate, plus needed to practice the songs with Li Lian. Was also having a headache before and after. I just thank God my head felt perfectly fine when I was "teaching".
The songs we sang today:
- This Is The Day
- I'm A Missionary After All
- I'm In The Lord's Army!
- My God Is So Big
I think I'm still much too "organized" or scripted for children's work. Supposed to be spontaneous wan rite. The last time I did the OA Sunday School sketch oso.. Oh that reminds me. I did have some experience with kids at the OA. How could I forget? ^^;;;;;;;;;; Bad memory!
I had fun doing this with Lian today and the kids were really really cute, especially when they did the "yum yum" and "bloop bloop" stuff during unc Rod's session hehe. Struck me how spontaneous and fun-loving they all are. They didn't even hesitate to do those funny antics that youths usually find embarassing. Couldn't help noticing that Chai Ho (my young cousin!) felt a little out of place though. Wish I could do more to make him feel welcome here. He speaks mostly Hokkien, and the only Hokkien words I know are:
- Lu gong xi mi! ("I Do I Do")
- Jiak peng (The only thing I understand when grandma talks to me)
- Wa eh yia yia yia ("I Do I Do")
- Pang ie kek seng tu la bin (When planning to leave Mr Hoh's bday cake at grandma's place)
- Anekuan eh tai chi boh (Yen taught me from TV wan)
- Wa eh lau beh xi liao (Hokkien rendition of Star Wars)
Maybe I should go for Hokkien classes.
Hmm.
All in all, I know that I couldn't have done it today without God and without all those people backing me up and encouraging me!
Friday, 26 January 2007
Baal's Symbol
Found this while browsing around for an image of Baal for the Children's Hour.
Symbol of Baal - Horned Hand
Some of us do this also eh. So stop la. ^^
Symbol of Baal - Horned Hand
Some of us do this also eh. So stop la. ^^
Thursday, 25 January 2007
No title so I'll just call this "25 Jan 2007"
I was faced with 2 options when I woke up this morning:
1. Go to school, come back feeling feverish, skip PA tuition
Qi would tell me to stop planning so much. Yeah. I should stop. I promised the group anyway. But it's really really hard not to. Sigh.
Must change!
We had Speaking for MUET today. Group members:
Teacher let us choose which candidate we wanted to be.
Individual Tasks:
Ming Suan chose B and Sinn Ting chose C. Wai Kee let me choose first. I chose D. There was silence mostly, throughout the individual and group tasks. I tried to prompt them during the group discussion:
I really really want to help them cuz MUET is really really important in applying for a local uni in m'sia. And I kinda understand their situation cuz I used to feel the same way when I was in chinese class. Somehow when I'm faced with a language that's not my first language, my mind becomes void of all ideas and huraian. I tried to give them some points during the discussion (teacher was busy with another group anyway), but as Ming Suan said, there's still the language & vocab problem. Hmm.
So I taught them a cheeky tactic.
The commencing of the group discussion is open to any one of the candidates. Since we probably wouldn't be in the same group in the real exam, I told them to look out for whoever had the best command of english in the group. Promptly start the discussion by restating the topic title, and repeating a few of the candidates' lines. Then turn to the English fella, and say, "What do you think?" or if they're afraid of being too obvious (we get marked down if we ask too much of the what-do-you-thinks), they can say, "Candidate X, you have a funny look on your face. Are you disagreeing with me?" Usually the English fella will try to help the others, so he'll probably play along. Then whatever he sez, the rest can just copy paste lor. And just nod nod and agree when he sez something. Then keep prompting the others to speak, and they'll get marks for leadership.
Of course it's a gamble la. Sometimes we get mean english-ed people in the group who just want to get Band 6 and ketepikan everyone else in the group by hoarding the discussion. And also sometimes we get a group that's purely chinese-ed. And sometimes we panic and get tongue-tied during the whole discussion.
But no choice la hor.
I'm glad I went to school today.
Oh ya. Today the muslim guy (always hiding somewhere.. never see him before.. only hear his voice wan) was reciting his prayers again for the whole F6 quad. I can't understand why they must mumble. It's like taboo to speak properly. Never mind that.
Anyway, he was mumbling something about "ampunilah dosa kita, dosa ibu bapa kita" and a whole bunch of other people's dosa. And very detailed wan noe. Got list out all the dosa wan. I was thinking, "These people... always asking for forgiveness... like so takut dosa liddat...", and then I realized that Christians are supposed to be like that also. Though not ask for forgiveness cuz scared kena hukum la. And I thought to myself: These non-Christians, who don't have the truth, ask for forgiveness everyday. Literally everyday. Sometimes I don't confess my sins seriously, and I just do it cuz it's been drilled into me that it's harder to actually communicate with God when there's still the barrier of unconfessed sins. These Muslims are asking forgiveness from a cold, distant god. I have a God who's so close to me that He can whisper and still be heard! It shouldn't be so difficult to confess my sins to Him.
I felt that I was put to shame by these Muslims today.
Must change!
1. Go to school, come back feeling feverish, skip PA tuition
- Pros I might get a full attendance cert at the end of the year, which can help me a great deal, since my co-curric is horrendous; I wun miss out on math paper 1; I can complete whatever hmwk I have in class and really rest when I come home; I can rest till the next day after coming back from school;
- Cons Ms Heng might teach on Section E of the non-linear text to linear text transition and I'll be so blur since my school PA teacher is as horrendous as my co-curric; I'd have to wake up at 5.40 am and only come back at 3.05 pm
- Pros I might learn something new at tuition and prob not get lousy marks for PA in the upcoming test; I only have to get out of bed for 3 1/2 hours
- Cons I'd have to force myself to drive to Bachang in the middle of the afternoon after staying in bed the first half of that afternoon; I'll miss math paper 1 and have to catch up on two days' worth of hmwk when I'm back in school
Qi would tell me to stop planning so much. Yeah. I should stop. I promised the group anyway. But it's really really hard not to. Sigh.
Must change!
We had Speaking for MUET today. Group members:
- Ming Suan (kaki tido in class, badminton pro)
- Wai Kee (sits behind me, badminton pro)
- Sinn Ting (CF treasurer, volleyball pro)
Teacher let us choose which candidate we wanted to be.
Individual Tasks:
- A Women's role in sports, examples of local or international female athletes, and why their participation in sports is important
- B Women's role in politics, examples of women who have succeeded in this area, traditional precepts of women, and how they hinder women from being political successes
- C Women's role in business, and how women incorporate their skills into their other important roles: wife, mother, daughter, friend.
- D Women's role in education, their contributions to education and something else which I can't remember heheh
Ming Suan chose B and Sinn Ting chose C. Wai Kee let me choose first. I chose D. There was silence mostly, throughout the individual and group tasks. I tried to prompt them during the group discussion:
- "Ming Suan, what do you think? Do you agree?"
- "Wai Kee, you mentioned the achievements of women like Nicol David and Wong Mew Choo in sports, but I didn't really understand how their participation is actually important, to women, particularly. Do you have any ideas about that?"
- "Sinn Ting, I like what you said about how women can be more tolerant with their husbands because of their experience in management, but can you elaborate further with some examples? What exactly did you mean by that?"
I really really want to help them cuz MUET is really really important in applying for a local uni in m'sia. And I kinda understand their situation cuz I used to feel the same way when I was in chinese class. Somehow when I'm faced with a language that's not my first language, my mind becomes void of all ideas and huraian. I tried to give them some points during the discussion (teacher was busy with another group anyway), but as Ming Suan said, there's still the language & vocab problem. Hmm.
So I taught them a cheeky tactic.
The commencing of the group discussion is open to any one of the candidates. Since we probably wouldn't be in the same group in the real exam, I told them to look out for whoever had the best command of english in the group. Promptly start the discussion by restating the topic title, and repeating a few of the candidates' lines. Then turn to the English fella, and say, "What do you think?" or if they're afraid of being too obvious (we get marked down if we ask too much of the what-do-you-thinks), they can say, "Candidate X, you have a funny look on your face. Are you disagreeing with me?" Usually the English fella will try to help the others, so he'll probably play along. Then whatever he sez, the rest can just copy paste lor. And just nod nod and agree when he sez something. Then keep prompting the others to speak, and they'll get marks for leadership.
Of course it's a gamble la. Sometimes we get mean english-ed people in the group who just want to get Band 6 and ketepikan everyone else in the group by hoarding the discussion. And also sometimes we get a group that's purely chinese-ed. And sometimes we panic and get tongue-tied during the whole discussion.
But no choice la hor.
I'm glad I went to school today.
Oh ya. Today the muslim guy (always hiding somewhere.. never see him before.. only hear his voice wan) was reciting his prayers again for the whole F6 quad. I can't understand why they must mumble. It's like taboo to speak properly. Never mind that.
Anyway, he was mumbling something about "ampunilah dosa kita, dosa ibu bapa kita" and a whole bunch of other people's dosa. And very detailed wan noe. Got list out all the dosa wan. I was thinking, "These people... always asking for forgiveness... like so takut dosa liddat...", and then I realized that Christians are supposed to be like that also. Though not ask for forgiveness cuz scared kena hukum la. And I thought to myself: These non-Christians, who don't have the truth, ask for forgiveness everyday. Literally everyday. Sometimes I don't confess my sins seriously, and I just do it cuz it's been drilled into me that it's harder to actually communicate with God when there's still the barrier of unconfessed sins. These Muslims are asking forgiveness from a cold, distant god. I have a God who's so close to me that He can whisper and still be heard! It shouldn't be so difficult to confess my sins to Him.
I felt that I was put to shame by these Muslims today.
Must change!
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Makan Telur? Me?
Never!
Hmmph.
Marcus said he and zheng would make me and qi makan telur during badminton.
Well, we didn't! Wahahaha.
Don't think I'm keeping a grudge.
I'm not.
I'm plotting revenge!
Muahaha!
Zheng didn't say anything so he's spared.
To Marcus: I will make you makan telur one day. Beware.
Hmmph.
Marcus said he and zheng would make me and qi makan telur during badminton.
Well, we didn't! Wahahaha.
Don't think I'm keeping a grudge.
I'm not.
I'm plotting revenge!
Muahaha!
Zheng didn't say anything so he's spared.
To Marcus: I will make you makan telur one day. Beware.
Monday, 22 January 2007
National Bible Knowledge Postal Quiz
I'm trying to get my class mates to join also, especially those who have a Bible. One of them is so interested in the quiz that he says he'll bring his Bible tomorrow (though he's not a Christian) to show me in case it's not the same version as the quiz's.
But there are Christians who refuse to take the quiz, though. And the guy with the Bible told one Christian straight-forwardly: "Dowan take the quiz? Eh you Christian anot wan?"
For those who read this, please pray that the Christians will at least have a little more courage than the non-Christians to take the quiz and to make a stand in this Muslim-dominant school.
And also that the Christians in cf will buck up on their Bible knowledge... especially simple things like "Man shall not leave on bread alone"...
I shall not elaborate.
And many thanks to Pei Ling for your encouragement today! I'll do God's best on Saturday (sounds weird but it's definitely correct)!
But there are Christians who refuse to take the quiz, though. And the guy with the Bible told one Christian straight-forwardly: "Dowan take the quiz? Eh you Christian anot wan?"
For those who read this, please pray that the Christians will at least have a little more courage than the non-Christians to take the quiz and to make a stand in this Muslim-dominant school.
And also that the Christians in cf will buck up on their Bible knowledge... especially simple things like "Man shall not leave on bread alone"...
I shall not elaborate.
And many thanks to Pei Ling for your encouragement today! I'll do God's best on Saturday (sounds weird but it's definitely correct)!
Sunday, 21 January 2007
Church Break-in & Children's Hour
As Shaun wrote in his post, somebody (or some bodies hmm) broke into the church again. This time the police are taking it seriously la, probably cuz their evidence camera got stolen right under their noses.
Anyway, they took:
It would sound quite as mild as it does here, of course. And that's only one sin. What about the many other sins they're bound to commit in future?
I don't regret that this incident happened. I mean, of course I wish the robbers hadn't robbed the church. But then I think this robbery has caused some of us to be more careful about the way we handle God's house and the things in that house. It's taught us some lessons, certainly, but as Jesus said, "Woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed" when He referred to Judas' betrayal leading to His death, so it'll be with those robbers. What they did taught us something, but it doesn't justify what they did.
Let's not be angry with them ya. They're so much more pitiful than us.
Oh ya. I'm teaching in the Children's Hour this Sat, with Li Lian. The only times I had with children in GLO, I spent playing the piano and acting as the beat-up guy in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Tsk.
I need some serious prayer.
Pray k.
Anyway, they took:
- The refrigerator
- Wine
- Kettles
- Thermo flask
- Drums (yeah the whole thing.. but they dropped the cymbals on the way. Butter fingers tsk tsk)
- Bass amplifier
- Mics
- Standing fan (aargh)
You stole My fridge in 2007.Or something like that.
It would sound quite as mild as it does here, of course. And that's only one sin. What about the many other sins they're bound to commit in future?
I don't regret that this incident happened. I mean, of course I wish the robbers hadn't robbed the church. But then I think this robbery has caused some of us to be more careful about the way we handle God's house and the things in that house. It's taught us some lessons, certainly, but as Jesus said, "Woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed" when He referred to Judas' betrayal leading to His death, so it'll be with those robbers. What they did taught us something, but it doesn't justify what they did.
Let's not be angry with them ya. They're so much more pitiful than us.
Oh ya. I'm teaching in the Children's Hour this Sat, with Li Lian. The only times I had with children in GLO, I spent playing the piano and acting as the beat-up guy in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Tsk.
I need some serious prayer.
Pray k.
Badminton of Badmintons
I played today. Uncle Ivan tricked me into playing.
I'm not impressed with how karat-ed my playing has become.
I shall begin anew.
But a bit lazy la.
Never mind.
I'll probably get tricked into playing again next week.
Bring it on, all you tricksters!
I'm not impressed with how karat-ed my playing has become.
I shall begin anew.
But a bit lazy la.
Never mind.
I'll probably get tricked into playing again next week.
Bring it on, all you tricksters!
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
I am frustrated..
They don't seem to understand that sometimes I need my notes to complete my exercises...
... and that I can't complete my exercises if they don't return them to me...
I keep wishing they'll give me my notes back earlier but I don't do anything about it.
That makes things more frustrating.
Aargh.
Why is MR = a - 2bQ not equal to MR = d(TR)/d(Q)? They're supposed to be the same..
Aargh. Again.
Glitch! Glitches everywhere!
Aargh. And again I say aargh.
But I kinda promised to be more positive this year.
So screw the aarghs.
Econs dateline's not till friday! I have 2 days left!
Except Derrick wants to borrow my papers tmr.
I have the whole day at school tmr to do it!
Screw the aarghs!
... and that I can't complete my exercises if they don't return them to me...
I keep wishing they'll give me my notes back earlier but I don't do anything about it.
That makes things more frustrating.
Aargh.
Why is MR = a - 2bQ not equal to MR = d(TR)/d(Q)? They're supposed to be the same..
Aargh. Again.
Glitch! Glitches everywhere!
Aargh. And again I say aargh.
But I kinda promised to be more positive this year.
So screw the aarghs.
Econs dateline's not till friday! I have 2 days left!
Except Derrick wants to borrow my papers tmr.
I have the whole day at school tmr to do it!
Screw the aarghs!
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
Just A Thought
If I were to call Shaun, Shaunny...
... Jessica, Jessie...
... Mark, Markie...
... then Adrian Mau would be...
... Mawi!
Just a thought.
Ignore me.
... Jessica, Jessie...
... Mark, Markie...
... then Adrian Mau would be...
... Mawi!
Just a thought.
Ignore me.
Sunday, 14 January 2007
I Started A Conversation
... and kept it going.
YAY!
Today I sent Shaun to MAKSAT for badminton with the rest of the church people. Don't misunderstand eh. It's not like I'm a super good sis or wat. There were many reasons for me to send him to MAKSAT:
Name: Terrance Joseph
Racial Heritage: Mix of Portugese & Indian blood
Age: 16
School: SMK St. Francis
Interests: Religion(s)
Name: Tania Joseph
Racial Heritage: Mix of Portugese & Indian blood
Age: 13
School: SMK Seri Kota
Interests: Anime & Mexican Drama Series
Phew! Socializing isn't as bad as it used to be!
Sis was right. The tough part is always initiating the conversation. After that, things get better. Phew again. Phew!
It's good to know that I can still do something besides sitting on the bench like a pitiful person.
I think I'll start to go to MAKSAT more often.
YAY!
Today I sent Shaun to MAKSAT for badminton with the rest of the church people. Don't misunderstand eh. It's not like I'm a super good sis or wat. There were many reasons for me to send him to MAKSAT:
- I like driving. Nah, screw that. I love driving. Nah. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE driving.
- I forgot to pass around the Barnabas Aid "Right to Justice" petition form (how could I??? Aarghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...) in church, so I thought I'd do it at MAKSAT.
- I wanted to make an effort to socialize since I'm so horrible at it.
Name: Terrance Joseph
Racial Heritage: Mix of Portugese & Indian blood
Age: 16
School: SMK St. Francis
Interests: Religion(s)
Name: Tania Joseph
Racial Heritage: Mix of Portugese & Indian blood
Age: 13
School: SMK Seri Kota
Interests: Anime & Mexican Drama Series
Phew! Socializing isn't as bad as it used to be!
Sis was right. The tough part is always initiating the conversation. After that, things get better. Phew again. Phew!
It's good to know that I can still do something besides sitting on the bench like a pitiful person.
I think I'll start to go to MAKSAT more often.
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