I just bought a new musical two days ago. It's called RENT and so far I'm liking the songs and also the story line. RENT is about a group of struggling artists (drag queen, director, exotic dancer, singer) and how they are having problem to pay their rent (haha..didn't see it coming did you). Along the way it tells them of their problems of AIDS, drug pushing and safe sex. It deals a lot too of homosexuality, bisexuality and a lot of urban poor. All in all a great musical. The opening song for this musical is called Seasons of Love and I would like to share it with you.
Seasons Of Love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In Daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love.
Seasons of love.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried,
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.
It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Remember the love
Measure in love
Seasons of love!
Seasons of love.
Oh you got to remember the love,
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure your life in love.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
ANNIVERSARIES
Hello people,
Last week was a week of anniversaries. Actually the month of October is a month of anniversaries. Let me begin with my first anniversary that I celebrated
22nd October - My anniversary with my dear Sui Ying. Yes, it has already been a year since we started out together. As I reflect on my walk with her, I can say that it has been BitterSweet. Yes there were good times but there were difficult times also. But I thank God that she was brought into my life. She is to me the love of my life and I pray that our relationship will go far. How did it all begin? Hmm..that's a long story. About a year ago (actually more), a friend of mine suggested me to go out with her on a date. I mean just to get to know her better. I still remember it was a dinner outing at Nibong Tebal and we had chicken chop for dinner. During dinner, I noticed that I could click with her. So it was from there, that our relationship started to bloom. Cut the story short, September last year, I decided to tell her how I felt for her and was shocked to hear that she has the same feelings for me too. So after much prayer, 22nd October 2006 on a Sunday evening, we prayed and decided to become a couple. :)
Dear and me on our anniversary...
26th October - Another individual that has touched my heart. None other than my God Brother Derrick. Haha actually the both of us still marvel at how God works. Both of us are definitely very different people. Seriously people think that both of us do not match up at all to become brothers. But after 1 year, we believe that God has indeed did marvelous things in our lives. How did it happen? 2 years ago, my own big bro, Jonathan left USM and one of his advice to me is to find a younger bro to take care and to be his mentor. So I prayed and during 3rd year, I couldn't click with any of the guys in CF. When I was in 4th year (meaning Derrick is 2nd year), it was in CPR that I got to know him more and got closer to him. So I tried to just test waters with him and I felt that he was giving positive responses. It was in camp (PBBC) that I decided to ask him formallly and formalize the relationship. Here's where my relationship differ from Jon. Jon and me are at professional basis meaning it doesn't go on to personal matters. Mostly about serving and also studies. But for me and Derrick it has become more than that. I now treat him like my own blood brother and really he is someone I truly care a lot now.
Derrick at the bridge competition
31st October - The last anniversary which technically I don't celebrate but I am happy and always remember about it. It is my parent's wedding anniversary. This year would be their 26th Anniversary. My parents got married in 1981 and two years later they had me. 5 years later they had my brother and then now both of us are all grown up. My parents are the sweetest couple you can find...(okay I'm just being bias). Here's to you mum and dad. I love you guys.
My parents this year...ain't them sweet
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
SUFFERINGS
I did a sharing for the last CF meeting for the semester. Actually it was a last minute sharing. I really didn't know what to share. Was reading a list of verses gave by Joshua and then this verse hit me.
Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character and character, hope
Another version puts it as "Rejoice in your sufferings"......wow God actually wants us to Rejoice in our sufferings. Do you know that many students in USM fail to see this. Even myself, I've fail to look beyond all the exams and assignments. I believe all of this is for us to know that the outside world is worst. Exams and assignments are designed to shape us. As long as we don't give up, our character will be molded. What character? I believe it is the Fruit of the Spirit. Only through perseverance that the qualities of the fruit can rise in us. And of course at the end of day, God tells us that there is hope. I always believe that is God is consistent. And true enough, the message of hope runs through the whole bible.
I hope that we can rejoice in our trials and also our stresses.
Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character and character, hope
Another version puts it as "Rejoice in your sufferings"......wow God actually wants us to Rejoice in our sufferings. Do you know that many students in USM fail to see this. Even myself, I've fail to look beyond all the exams and assignments. I believe all of this is for us to know that the outside world is worst. Exams and assignments are designed to shape us. As long as we don't give up, our character will be molded. What character? I believe it is the Fruit of the Spirit. Only through perseverance that the qualities of the fruit can rise in us. And of course at the end of day, God tells us that there is hope. I always believe that is God is consistent. And true enough, the message of hope runs through the whole bible.
I hope that we can rejoice in our trials and also our stresses.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
DECISIONS
I just attended a funeral today. It was a boy from my church here in Parit Buntar. It was a kinda a sad thing because he was only 19 and he died of cancer. But it was during his wake service that I was surprise to find out about his life. A lot of people shared during the services about how he is so positive about life and how he has chose to live his life happier even at times of struggle.
It so happened that I received an e-mail from a colleague at work about living a positive outlook of life.
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply,"If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side ofthe situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a badmood. I choose to be in a good mood. "Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim.....or......I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining...... or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied,"If I were any better, I'd be twins Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live..... or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. He continued, "..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the Expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John." She asked if I was allergic to anything."Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'."Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude........I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Think Positive & Live.
It so happened that I received an e-mail from a colleague at work about living a positive outlook of life.
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply,"If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side ofthe situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a badmood. I choose to be in a good mood. "Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim.....or......I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining...... or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied,"If I were any better, I'd be twins Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live..... or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. He continued, "..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the Expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John." She asked if I was allergic to anything."Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'."Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude........I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Think Positive & Live.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
BLESSING
Last Thursday I had dinner with my Cell Group (Self Control). The whole idea of the gathering was to go for dinner at the pasar Ramadhan which without fail always there during puasa month. But lo and behold when we arrived there, the pasar was missing. Nothing could be seen. And after much discussion with the group, we went to Pizza Hut instead for dinner. Now most people know me will surely know how I become guilty very fast, so without must thought I decided to spend my CG dinner that night.
A lot of people asked me why am I so generous. Hmm I guess it's because my life was blessed by other people around me that I feel blessing should continue to flow.
1) The first person I must address is my mum. She thought me that we cannot always think about our finances and hold on them too tight because at the end of the day, it will control you. So let God be the financial officer.
2) Pst Jacs...she took me in after form six to lower my parent's burden. It's where I learn independence and how to trust God for his help.
3) Jonathan...my big bro in campus. He taught me that if you bless someone, God will bless you back. But the motive of blessing must be sincere and not that you want the blessing from God.
4) Uncle Frank...this person only recently showed me what is to bless. He blessed me with financial aid to continue my studies this year. He told me that I need not to repay him but to make sure when I'm sucessful, I should bless others back.
The whole idea of blessing intrigues me. It's actually a simple task. That's the reason why I don't like chase people if they owe me money, I usually don't really care about who owes me what.
Hmm here's a test I did about selfishness. Haha I scored 14% meaning I'm not selfish. I think I added marks about the part on presents. I love presents!! So sometimes I always feel that when I give something to you, I hope to get back something from you. Alas, I'm not perfect
A lot of people asked me why am I so generous. Hmm I guess it's because my life was blessed by other people around me that I feel blessing should continue to flow.
1) The first person I must address is my mum. She thought me that we cannot always think about our finances and hold on them too tight because at the end of the day, it will control you. So let God be the financial officer.
2) Pst Jacs...she took me in after form six to lower my parent's burden. It's where I learn independence and how to trust God for his help.
3) Jonathan...my big bro in campus. He taught me that if you bless someone, God will bless you back. But the motive of blessing must be sincere and not that you want the blessing from God.
4) Uncle Frank...this person only recently showed me what is to bless. He blessed me with financial aid to continue my studies this year. He told me that I need not to repay him but to make sure when I'm sucessful, I should bless others back.
The whole idea of blessing intrigues me. It's actually a simple task. That's the reason why I don't like chase people if they owe me money, I usually don't really care about who owes me what.
Hmm here's a test I did about selfishness. Haha I scored 14% meaning I'm not selfish. I think I added marks about the part on presents. I love presents!! So sometimes I always feel that when I give something to you, I hope to get back something from you. Alas, I'm not perfect
| You Are 14% Selfish |
 In other words, you're a warm, caring considerate person. Just make sure to get your way sometimes. There's a fine line between unselfish and pushover. |
Monday, September 17, 2007
LEAD
Hey gang
I'm so sorry for not blogging. Thank you for your messages and sms about your concerns. I'm okay just that don't have time to sit down and type.
Just came back from a programme called LEAD. Lasallian Expedition and Development Camp. This is not my first time going for this camp but it is my first time travelling down south to Melaka. I have been with the Northern team for the past .....forever and I thought a change of atmosphere and environment will do me some good. Overall I had fun minus the fact that I actually travelled for about more than 16 hours from Penang to Melaka and back again.
Oh ya before I forget, LEAD is a camp for kids for under privilege kids who do not have the luxury to go for camps. These includes those who are poor, those who don't do very well in class and also those with discipline problems. So it's actually those boys who never got to go for leadership camps like the prefects or motivational camps for the first class boys.
For this year LEAD there was a total of 24 boys with 10 OTs that were cooped up in these place called Pantai Kundur Brother's Bungalow. A creepy mansion on the hill. It's super creepy you know.
Hmm this camp was an eye opener for me this year. I got to meet boys from the Portugese settlement. As you know, the Portugese have been around Malaysia for almost 400 years and they are a very close knit committee. But one of the thing that shocked me was about their lifestyle. The kids of these communitites are not cared about. Their parents just leave them as they are. So these kids pick up many bad habits like smoking, drugs and even sex (heard that by 12 they are doing it). These kids are not afraid of you even when you scold them because they are so use to be doing bad habits that it is part of their system. Another shocking thing was these kids do not really work hard to pursue their dreams. Out of 20 boys only 1 will make it to university (shocking). Bro Mike (the teacher in charge) told me that the Portugese people do not think about the future. They just think about living life now.
During our nightly sharing, Isaac mentioned and asked are these the boys that we wanted them to come? I said, well the whole idea of LEAD is them. So I guess no matter how naughty and cheeky they were, these are the boys that we are targetting. These boys have the will power and the ability to do great thigns. They might not be engineers or doctors or super brains but I know that thses kids have so much potential in them if only they were given a chance. During the last nite of the camp, the kids put up a show. And most of their sketches depicts the many situations they face in school in realy life from being scolded and branded stupid by their peers and also by their friends. It's actually a sad thing.....that I almost weep for them. Is society so cruel?
I'm so sorry for not blogging. Thank you for your messages and sms about your concerns. I'm okay just that don't have time to sit down and type.
Just came back from a programme called LEAD. Lasallian Expedition and Development Camp. This is not my first time going for this camp but it is my first time travelling down south to Melaka. I have been with the Northern team for the past .....forever and I thought a change of atmosphere and environment will do me some good. Overall I had fun minus the fact that I actually travelled for about more than 16 hours from Penang to Melaka and back again.
Oh ya before I forget, LEAD is a camp for kids for under privilege kids who do not have the luxury to go for camps. These includes those who are poor, those who don't do very well in class and also those with discipline problems. So it's actually those boys who never got to go for leadership camps like the prefects or motivational camps for the first class boys.
For this year LEAD there was a total of 24 boys with 10 OTs that were cooped up in these place called Pantai Kundur Brother's Bungalow. A creepy mansion on the hill. It's super creepy you know.
Hmm this camp was an eye opener for me this year. I got to meet boys from the Portugese settlement. As you know, the Portugese have been around Malaysia for almost 400 years and they are a very close knit committee. But one of the thing that shocked me was about their lifestyle. The kids of these communitites are not cared about. Their parents just leave them as they are. So these kids pick up many bad habits like smoking, drugs and even sex (heard that by 12 they are doing it). These kids are not afraid of you even when you scold them because they are so use to be doing bad habits that it is part of their system. Another shocking thing was these kids do not really work hard to pursue their dreams. Out of 20 boys only 1 will make it to university (shocking). Bro Mike (the teacher in charge) told me that the Portugese people do not think about the future. They just think about living life now.
During our nightly sharing, Isaac mentioned and asked are these the boys that we wanted them to come? I said, well the whole idea of LEAD is them. So I guess no matter how naughty and cheeky they were, these are the boys that we are targetting. These boys have the will power and the ability to do great thigns. They might not be engineers or doctors or super brains but I know that thses kids have so much potential in them if only they were given a chance. During the last nite of the camp, the kids put up a show. And most of their sketches depicts the many situations they face in school in realy life from being scolded and branded stupid by their peers and also by their friends. It's actually a sad thing.....that I almost weep for them. Is society so cruel?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
PHOTOS
As promised my convo pics...taken courtesy of my brother, Ben.......
Before entering the hall....smart ain't I
My parents........love u mum and dad
After the ceremony, the whole family, dad, me, Ben and mum
My sweet dear......love u so much
My God bro, Derrick...
My nephews....Nick and Bi Peen
Partner in ministry...Max...miss u bro!
My best friend for life.....HO HO HO
Two of my best friends in campus....tai lo and Jinson
My CF CG - Self Control......Jason, Kean Hwa, Me, Nick, Pui Fern and Yan Wai
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