EXTRAVAGANT GIVING - - -by Max Lucado

We delight in giving our loved ones extravagant gifts, don’t we? Especially at Christmas. Yes, we give gifts throughout the year—birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions—but at Christmas time, we put a little more effort into finding that extra special gift for that special person, or persons, in our lives. An engagement ring. A family portrait. A special edition leather-boundbook. A set of golf clubs. Diamond earrings. A puppy. Whatever the gift might be, we want it to be a bountiful expression of our love. Maybe it has something to do with the lavishness of the gift that first Christmas morning, the extravagance of love that came in theform of a tiny, helpless newborn. Consider the gift for a moment,what Jesus really did. He swapped a spotless castle for a grimy stable. He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers. He could hold the universe in his palm but gave it up to float in the womb of a maiden. He humbled himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier.

Why? Because that’s what love does. It puts the beloved before itself. Your soul was more important than his blood. Your eternal life was more important than his earthly life. Your place in heaven was more important to him than his place in heaven, so he gave up his so you could have yours.And that’s what extravagant giving is all about—love, God’s love, alove that knows no limits, no end. The Christmas kind of love. The type of love we are commanded to give to others: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you,you should love each other” (John 13:34 NLT)

Your Power Color Is Teal

At Your Highest: You feel accomplished and optimistic about the future. At Your Lowest: You feel in a slump and lack creativity. In Love: You tend to be many people's ideal partner. How You're Attractive: You make people feel confident and accepted. Your Eternal Question: "What Impression Am I Giving?"

What's" Your Power Color?

Got this from Mavis' blog. interesting... haha at least it's my favourite colour GREEN. ; )

Hiatus

Yea, was not really on a blog break. ;0)
so i'm back!!!
didn't do much since i've been back in sg.
Lazing around. walking around. ate quite a bit of good food.
Met up with friends.
In anticipation for christmas.
Went for FC's first expo service- the max pavillion is huge.

Just sorta on a mind-break. (the kit kat kind)
looking forward to the Krabi trip. i wanna dive n climb.
That shld kick start my new year ahead. ; ) hehe.
just a short post here. will update more soon!

gosh
i am so nervous.
i am about to play scissors, paper, stone with myself,
and i'm not sure which hand is going to win this time.

Yes, i did the same climb- but no one was avail to take pics. Mari was belaying me, and Gavin was supervising. hehe.
High mountain quarry walls.

These two girls ate lobster!
happy 21st bday mari!
my oysters!
hehe, this time we're smiling normally.

After the oyster bar dinner; ) kindly sponsored by the winning team: Darren, Derell, Jo, Gabes and Khai Hock. We ate ALOT!
At the table. Ambience was fantastic!

The Girls.

Amazing 6Race ; ) we had loads of fun! Best "packaged" team apparently *winks*

Team Chilli Crab!

Note: all car decoration was perfectly removable. ; )

some pics from the night out on Chelsea's bday!

Eventually

No Mandurah trip, and no Bobs Hollow for us.
haha... so all these are supposedly postponed til next year. ; )
I really wanna go Bobs hollow- check out the routes.
Everyone was knackered before we decided not to go to Mandurah.
It's a good thing Amazing 6race winners are our khakis. haha
why???
COS WE'RE GOING TO OYSTER BAR WITH THEM!

in a way its Gabe's household's farewell dinner and Mari's bday dinner!

Was playing Cluedo with the girls last night, and the new series Veronica Mars is very intriguing.
Go check that girl out. - no not Paris Hilton's acting. no idea why she's there.
Publicity maybe. haha.

blackforrest cake. baked by Janice! 

happy bday marianne!!! 

Memories

This is meaningful- got it off jon's and Hoboz blog.

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want, either good or bad.

I promise not to burn your house down, either way keke..When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.

Things i meant, but never said

Once said, I feared

Not understood

Strange but true

I do love you.

Just felt like writing.

Inspired by my bro's nick on msn, (the first line).

Hope it means smthg to readers. ; )

Pizza, dvds and "the beverage" was great guys n girls.

lets hang out soon again. ; )

HAND DELIVERED BOUQUETS - - -by Max Lucado

Rejections are like speed bumps on the road. They come with the journey.
You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you.

How? By letting his acceptance compensate for their rejection.

Think of it this way. Suppose you dwell in a high-rise apartment. On the window sill of your room is a solitary daisy. This morning you picked the daisy and pinned it on your lapel. Since you have only one plant, this is a big event and a special daisy.

But as soon as you’re out the door, people start picking petals off your daisy. Someone snags your subway seat. Petal picked. You’re blamed for the bad report of a coworker. Three petals. The promotion is given to someone less experience but with USC water polo looks. More petals.

By the end of the day, you’re down to one. Woe be to the soul who dares to draw near it. You’re only one petal-snatching away from a blowup.

What if the scenario was altered slightly? Let’s add one character.
The kind man in the apartment next door runs a flower shop on the corner. Every night on the way home he stops at your place with a fresh, undeserved, yet irresistible bouquet.

These are not leftover flowers. They are top-of-the-line arrangements. You don’t know why he thinks so highly of you, but you aren’t complaining. Because of him, your apartment has a sweet fragrance, and your step has a happy bounce. Let someone mess with your flower, and you’ve got a basketful to replace it!

The difference is huge. And the interpretation is obvious.
God will load your world with flowers. He hand-delivers a bouquet toyour door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come,you won’t be left short-petaled.
God can help you get rid of your anger.
Take the flowers. Receive from him so you can love or at least put up with others.

November

Its the second week of november already!!!
how fast.

and yes, this tuesday's the highest predicted temperature of 32 degrees. (or was it 35?)
anyway, the weather's gonna go mad.
We were at the beach the whole of yesterday afternoon, it was really windy.
Eating fish n chips and downing gelatos ice cream.

THE LIFE! ; )

*for those of u still having exams, i promise you- plus chop pls guarantee that we were thinking of you whilst all these things were happening.

*Please finish faster so u can join us.

I'm dreaming of christmas already! haha. its the holiday i look forward to every year. ;p

Decisions

The decision not to do joint honours came quite subtly the other day when i sat in the politics office discussing the unit points needed for next year.
She was showing me the double 12 points for dissertation, and double 12 again for seminars.
I have to admit, its abit overwhelming and to me very disconcerting, that i only have a year to finish up what might seem to take 2-3 years to do.
So there goes my option of doing the joint honours. HAHA.

I could do with less stress, more health and thus more energy to do other things.

Coming to the end of my graduate life has made clear 2 things:
-You have only achieved what u have been willing to learn, nothing more, nothing less.
-Degrees don't make you smarter den you already are, the certificate just makes u feel better nonetheless.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give me back my favourite aussie idol of 2005!!!!!!!!!!

i officially boycott the show!





*sigh*

Cookie Batter

i'm baking cookies.

and the batter tastes nice.

maybe i shld just eat the batter and forget about baking.



;p

The only thing neccesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

-Edmund Burke

This quote appeared after the movie: Tears of the Sun.

Made me think.

The world is flat.

i want this book!!!

P.S if u're mysteriously missing a plate.... click here.

Meet ZuZu. he's abit shy... and looks abit grumpy.. but he's posing for this photo. acting cute ; )  

yea, after various attempts to get the camera's timer good... this is a NICE pic. ;p  

happy Birthday JO! ; ) - its' belated now... keke.  

BE READY - - -by Max Lucado
(just wanted to reiterate my last post)

“No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.”- Matthew 24:36

-His message is unmistakable: He will return, but no one knows when. So, be ready.

I was reminded of this not long ago when I boarded a plane. I walked down the aisle, found my seat, and sat down next to a strange sight. The man seated next to me was in a robe and slippers. He was dressed for the living room, not for a journey. His seat was odd, too. Whereas my seat was the cloth type you normally see, his was fine leather.

“Imported,” he said, when he noticed I was looking. “Bought it in Argentina and put it on myself.” That was only the beginning. His fold-down table was of mahogany. There was a portable TV installed next to the window. A tiny ceiling fan and globed light hung above us. I had never seen anything like it.

My question was the obvious one, “Why did you spend so much time and expense on an airline seat?”“I live here,” he explained. “I make my home on the plane.”Incredible. The man made a home out of a mode of transportation. He made a residence out of a journey. Hard to believe? You think I’m stretching the truth?

Well, maybe I haven’t seen such foolishness in a plane, but I have in life. And so have you. You’ve seen people treat this world like it was a permanent home. It’s not.

You’ve seen people pour time and energy into life like it will last forever. It won’t. You’ve seen people so proud of what they have done, that they hope they will never have to leave—they will.

We all will. We are in transit. Someday the plane will stop and the deboarding will begin. Wise are those who are ready when the pilot says to get off.

I don’t know much, but I do know how to travel. Carry little. Eat light. Take a nap. And get off when you reach the city.

Strange bird

i had the weirdest experience in morning driving history ever.
i'm coming back from the city after dropping my brother... and so i'm going to stop at the traffic light in front of the barrack st jetty tower thing- Red traffic light.
As i'm slowing down, (very slow) these 2 birds- Sparrows? really small birds fly really low, the first one swoops over and misses my car by inches. and the second one lands with a light thud, on the smallish gap below my windshield wipers. (if u look at my car, u'll see that small gap).

Well, the second bird was sitting there very nicely... but i didn't see it cos i needed to lean over quite abit. So i thought it wasn't there... for a second i thought i hit it and it rolled onto the floor or smthg.... in my head i was like...???! very puzzled. why on earth wld the bird purposely fly in front of my car?? plus i was going really slowly, so i cldn't have hit it hard enough to kill it.

Anyway, a couple of seconds later, b4 the light turns green... the bird sits up and i see its head.
wahhh, i was so relieved it didn't die or smthg, den again the thud was so light it was impossible for it to die. so, it looked up- ruffled its feathers and when i moved the car at the lights, it flew off. sigh..... gave me a heart attack to the max.

i thought i killed a bird on the 1st of november.

verse of the day:
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Matt 6:26

abcdefghijaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

STONE PENDANT

Sent my "work-in-progress" to family members to peruse-- some of you girls got it too!
It's only 6 chapters of something big i hope to do in the future....

Here's what my uncle said:

Aiyoh Michelle, now our appetite is whet, you cannot delay the satiation - not much longer anyway! It should be good; perhaps you'll have a blockbuster coming in your future.

Talking of Chinese tradition of handing down alchemy secrets, your auntie Janette and I were at the Chinese sinseh on Saturday. We were waiting our turn when an old lady came in. She asked to buy some common herbs. We got to chit chat and she said she was 80 years old. She had the most silky smooth skin I've ever seen - wah so fair!

Anyway, long story short - she had some family alchemy secrets passed down to her. Also, we learned from her that the "gei chi" we use in Chinese soup (red bead like ingredient) comes from the "kow kee" vegetable plant. This vegetable you can buy at Shop & Save or NTUC.
We didn't ask her about the stone pendant.

Cheers! Love,
Uncle Richard.
***

Haha, i'm amused.
To all who spent time to read my work, or inject inspiration for it....
THANK YOU!

He Caters

Talking about my Heavenly Father and his great catering skills...
i ran into Jo today whilst gg to hand in my assignment (yes, the never ending ones) in school.
She was having some final year EEE sausage sizzle at the maths building.

haha, i got a free lunch.
Thanks Jo. (i don't think u need ginko... maybe some brands essence of chicken or smthg)

Also for the random sips of coke n pepsi. ;p

Lifted.

Ran into some HUGE problem with the current essay i'm doing- its due on the 31st Oct.
It's the kinda disjointed, fragmented argument- u write but u don't exactly know where its flowing to kind. get it?
every Arts student's nightmare.... Especially when u feel u're not answering the question.
So after a question n answer session with my tutor over email... here's what he said:

You're an excellent writer Michelle. I'm sure you'll find an approach to the current topic or a new topic altogether that works for you. There's no need to panic either since you've got the extra days if you need them. Let me know how you choose to go with the assignment.

I FEEL sooo assured now.
Just what i need. Words of affirmation.

My Daddy in heaven caters yet again. ; )

Petrol + free coffee

Today petrol prices at nedlands caltex- lower den normal. so i went to fill my tank....
went inside to get a cup of cappucino as well....

haha guess what, the guy at the counter gave me the coffee for free!
See the little blessings our Daddy in heaven has?

He knows my need for a daily dose of coffee... ;p so sweet!

Cell outing! So many people not there! Don't worry Kevin, Averil, Yee siang, Sumy, Gary n Justin... we ATE your share! haha.  

Escapism

Escapism= you sleep until you can't sleep no more... den u get up and face reality.

On quitting.

One day I decided to quit...I quit my responsibilities, my
relationships, my spirituality... I wanted to quit
my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not
to quit?" His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the
bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took
very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave
them water. The fern quickly grew from
the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet
nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not
quit on the bamboo. In the second year the
Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again,
nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit
on the bamboo." He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the
bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the
bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from
the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly
small and insignificant...But just 6 months
later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had
spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made
it strong and gave it what it needed to
survive. I would not give any of my creations a
challenge it could not handle." He said to me.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing
roots?"

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on
you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The
bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet
they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise
high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as
you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope
these words can help you see that God will never
give up on you.

He will never give up on you!

- Taken from Derekdieu's blog.

Still Sane

:: Mavis - Everything I Need :: says:
dont give up because bad things happen.. try to resolve it ok
: Mavis - Everything I Need :: says:
hahahah.. God constantly put u at the edge of going mad
mishi says:
ya
mishi says:
i find myself at that edge quite often
:: Mavis - Everything I Need :: says:
i felt the same way too at one point
:: Mavis - Everything I Need :: says:
so be patient
mishi says:
becos you noe that no matter how mad the world can drive you... God is really your sanity. he keeps you sane...
:: Mavis - Everything I Need :: says:
let go and fall back
:: Mavis - Everything I Need :: says:
someone will catch you
mishi says:
amen

***

On another note... i parked at the guild carpark to go to the uni medical center today... and i spent about say... 45 mins there, without buying a ticket cos i had no coins or cash on me. So when i came back... i walked the row of cars b4 getting to mine... and to my horror i saw parking fines on the cars which i hadn't seen 45 mins ago. so i got to my car and was really expecting to see a fine. BUT...... there was none. i looked on the floor... just in case it flew off or smthg. NOTHING. mm.... i shldn't be wishing for a fine right? so i drove off, feeling very thankful and telling God that i'll buy a ticket the next time. Shall not take advantage of His grace. ;p so blessed!

***

the interesting boulder i managed to climb... no, i didn't use the tree, haha  

Bouldering

Did outdoor bouldering at last! been saying for ages that we wanted to go somewhere outdoors to climb to get a feel of the rocks. today we did!
Got up at 530am... left at 6am... reached Kalamunda at 7ish.
We had 2 safety mats with us... it was an enjoyable experience, minus the flies and the mosquitoes.... there were tonnes! thats the only problem i have with summer. the FLIES come to haunt you.
Someone suggested placing a piece of raw meat some distance away- so as to reduce the amount of flies that cluster around you. haha i doubt that'll work....

Anyways, the boulders are rough... so if u lose your balance and fall down the sides, u get horrible scratches.... like the ones i have on my inner arm.
Oh yes, bouldering requires no rope. its just plain guts and u definately need a crash mat. It's kinda like rocks which are a few feet up from the ground with cracks or finger holds in them. The rock surface is pretty rough, so you can easily smear up (use your foot to step on the almost flat rock). BUt u prolly need good natural rock shoes for that.

It was a good experience, apart from the waking up really early bit. ;p
will post more photos when i get them from my friend... hehe.

interesting article i read about "Left behind: World at War".

Laws of the Lighthouse.

-Love God more than you fear hell.
-Make major decisions in a cemetary
-Succeed at home first.
-Don't spend tomorrow's money today
-Pray twice as much as you fret.
-Listen twice as much as you speak
-Only harbour a grudge when God does.
-Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
-Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
-God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
-When you can't trace God's hand, trust in his heart.
-Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
-Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.

To sum it all up:
Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off when you get home.

Max Lucado- Upwords ministry

Girl

learn to love yourself, even if no MAN does...
learn to give urself time, pamper urself...
learn to see that life ain't perfect...
learn to take time to smell the roses.
learn that the MAN who loves u, will love u for who u are.
learn to forgive, to reconcile and to love again.

know that you can never outrun God's love.
know that there's nothing u can do to make Him love you less.
know that your fragility and weakness was not a mistake- He wants you to depend on Him.
know that you were perfectly and wonderfully made.

Be still and know. ; )
- dedicated to you- all the girls close to my heart.

Cucumber and mint

you know how climbing makes ur feet sore and really dry.
i think mainly it's cos of the shoes- mine's way tiny.
i opened one of my birthday presents today- haha given a few months ago!

It's a electronic-foot-soak-massage-tub!
haha...
it's so comfy... feeling pampered.
it has a heat function as well. so the water is nice and warm.
comes full set with foot soak (cucumber and mint)
foot scrub, lotions and spray. ; )
haha thank you YINGZI!! haha.... such a spa day today.

yea, n i washed my car for the second time since the beginning. haha.
it looks nice n shiny now.
not grimy anymore.
like my feet. haha.

Inspired

watched the WA sport climbing championship finals yesterday (lead climbing)...
whoa... just amazed at the form and the art of it.
the female climbers always looked more controlled and poised.
male climbers used alot of momentum and speed to go up.
inspiring.

my flu's better now... not so congested.
drank 2 cups of those ready made ginseng tea bags last night.
lets see....

24th october- Creative Writing Portfolio due (2000 words + 500 words commentary) 45%
28th october- African History Take home exam 40%
31st october- Shakespeare essay (2500 words) 50%
3rd November- China essay (2500 words) 50%

so much for no exams... ; (

S.I.C.K

shortness of breath due to congested nose.
inclined lethargic feeling.
charcoal hot feverish head.
klumpy swollen throat.

say no more...

Cluedo.

i suddenly feel like playing a game of cluedo.
Or any board game for that matter.

Scrabble.
Monopoly.
ANYTHING.

haha.

Sneezy Day

I think i've sneezed AT LEAST 14 times today.
not counting the ones which i muffled in my sleep the night before.
Is it the pollen or is it not?
Sigh.

Today i had double presentations for 2 classes running.
The first was a creative writing class and i was supposed to critique someone else's work.
Apparently there was a miscommunication and the other presentor thought that she was presenting the same piece of work as me. So the other poor guy (who's work was supposed to be covered, was left out). SOOOOO.... i suggested we both present the 2 pieces of work. Which made me frantically read the second piece in a great hurry so that i would have something to say when it got to my turn.

Anyhoos... it was alright... apart from the "Low-cut-Tee-girl". Lets just call her LCTG. which stands for Low-Cut-Tee-Girl. haha DUH! yes, this girl has annoyed me (and everyone else in the class) for the whole semester running now. i think she's singaporean, but she has this weirdly developed accent- i can't put my finger on the accent. it's just very fake and forced. so everytime she talks she sounds nasal and i akin it to the chalk scratching down the blackboard kinda sound.... *eeeeeee* Yes, and apart from that, she's been wearing low-cut-tees to class. VERY LOW! ok, she's quite well-endowed and voluptous. BUT STILL!

come to think about it, i didn't start the hoo haa.
it was my tute-mate who noticed it today, cos the LCTG was sitting right opposite us.
So my tute-mate... lets call her person P.

***

(this conversation was written on a scrap piece of paper during class)
Person P: Do you think she has implants?
Me: Throw something at it, see if it bounces.
Person P: It looks soft.
Me: !!!!!
Person P: Do you think its a push-up?
Me: i think she doesn't need to push anything up.
Person P: i'm complaining to the tutor, my eyes hurt.
Me: don't be silly
Person P: i'll just close my eyes now...
Me: it'll be over soon. just 1 more hour. haha.

***

I'm still sneezing.

yes, and my other presentation went on well too.

Thank God!

my Tutor for the other class even brought us to the University Club for coffee!

Went to pick my bro- and we had a Parent-teacher kinda meeting at his college today.

It was a good session, every teacher was repeating that Jon was kinda shy. hehe, but he's really improved tonnes since he first came... and i'm very glad he's doing fine and putting in effort in school! really proud of him!

k, gotta go proofread and edit my essay....

Ouch

Hit my head on this metal casing which holds a VCR player in my tutorial today.
Very pain.
Its developed a slight bump now... *rubs*
haha i can't remember if i felt more embarassment or pain.

1200 words into my essay already.
still need to prep for my presentation on thursday...

bump on my head not helping....

Sign

i bent over to pick up the laundry i dropped on the floor today...
i heard... crack crack crack originating from my lower back.
No pain.
but it's a sign.

Drink more milk mishi!

Mighty is the Cross.

What can take a dying man
And raise him up to life again
WHat can heal the wounded soul
What can make us white as snow
What can fill the emptiness
What can mend our brokenness
Brokenness.

Mighty
Awesome
Wonderful
Is the Holy Cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To life us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross

What restores our faith in God
What reveals the Father's love
What can lead the wayward home
What can melt a heart of stone
What can free the guilty ones
What can save and overcome

Its a miracle to me
And its still a mystery
It's a miracle to me
The Power of God
for those who believe.

Mighty
Awesome
Wonderful
IS the Holy Cross
Where the Lamb laid down his life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the Cross.

Shawn Craig & Chris Tomlin
2003 Arise Music

Seeing

Having to voice my concerns and raise issues for me today was a tad bit unexpected.
Actually, i felt more like.... in this vacuum between knowing that He is in control, but yet struggling with the seeming "facts" which are prevalent.
Contrary to popular belief... i think that seeing is not believing. Believing is seeing.
When u believe, u will see.
SEEING with our human eyes diverts our attention, devotion, or ur expectations.
We calculate, plan, scrutinise..... all based on what we see... in this earthly realm.

But seeing Jesus... whoa... that's a different thing altogether.

I seek to see Him. but many times i just wanna see results. i wanna see the physical things change, wanna see people change, things turn for the better. Isnt' it human? to trust in the tangible, material and human-ness of this world? You see, that's where i fail. Thats' when i know that it is not the things that i can see which will last forever... it's the things unseen.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16

It's the friendships, family, relationships... the trust, hope, love, care, fellowship.... it's those intangible links, the faith in this unseen grace of God. That will bring us through.

Safe in a crazy world.
Yes i am. Safe.

sleep

just had a 2 hour nap.
lay down after school today, still feeling drowsy man
actually i drank coffee when the day started, dunno whether that made me more awake or tired.
Anyhow Josh- my other bro... he's gg unto the next level of his national service now. He was posted to Police Coast Guards. I'm really happy to see that he's doing well and happy where he is.
just contemplating now whether to get my butt to uni for spring fest.....

HD

My tutor returned me my assignment today.... den he spoke to me privately after the tute session. I was very amazed at what he said... cos i really never expected that anyone would find my work that captivating or even wld be impressed with it. Actually i was very touched as well, he said he knows that i've worked hard (which i feel i haven't) despite the many other majors i'm handling. I almost teared.

Actually looking back at handing in this assignment prior to SFAS. i was really very lost. I mean, shakespeare is my kinda thing. but people in general think that Arts students have it easy. they think that we really can submit any piece of crap and it'll pass. Yes, passing is one thing... but scoring and scoring high is another ball game altogether.

At one point, i was thinking... mishi i think u shld settle for less. Don't keep setting your expectations so high and disappointing yourself. I do. i disappoint myself a whole lot.

But when the words rolled off my tutors' lips... it was like i cld hear the reassurance from my Daddy in heaven. so tangible. Don't give up. Don't lose heart. i am with you.

Just an encouragement.
My critical analysis made a whooping 84%. Amazing....
Not by my strength or abilities.... All Him... All Him.

Humbled.

Why oh why

Why do i study?

Becos i enjoy what i learn and life's a learning journey anyway.

Why do i climb?

Becos like Ezra, i believe it's an art. Its about balance, grace, agility, strength and confidence.

Why do i read for leisure?

Becos, contrary to popular belief... reading relaxes me and takes my mind off things.

Why do i sing in the shower?

Becos.... it echoes. thus makes my horrible singing sound slightly professional.

Why do i need a massage now?

Becos i ache from lead climbing.

Why do i have 6 books borrowed from the library?

Becos i have an essay due on the 14th and the books are waiting to be tagged n read.

Why do i drink chocolate mint tea?

Becos it's refreshing, has a hint of chocolate and soothes my throat.

Why do i eat so much chocolate?

Becos i like fruit and nut. and its partially healthy anyway.

Why do i have so many bottles of Brands' Essence of Chicken?

Becos my mom left them here for me to consume on a regular basis with the hope of building my immune system and keeping me from diseases which plague uni students. I miss my parents.

Why do i frown?

Becos my knee hurts, think its swelling a tad bit. All becos of the annoying no. 19 route.

Why do i lose things easily?

Becos i'm a rather forgetful person. and a messy one... just to add.

Why am i typing this list out?

Why oh why....

HUG

you noe how a hug can make ur day?
Well, it made mine!
Met Sumy in school today- chatted for a short while.

Actually it amazes me how when u take the time to stop and sincerely catch up, it really lifts and encourages ur spirit.
I'm glad i don't really need much effort to smile. i mean, it usually comes naturally. i hope.

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

Hotel Rwanda

This was shown for my 2 hr lecture.
Really enjoyed it, altho i've watched it b4.
Apparently according to my lecturer, the film producers were accurate in their representations of the tribal/ ethnic war which took place in the 1990s.
U can't give many film producers/ directors credit for that nowadays. (look at what happened in Alexander)

well, the main actor really captured my heart.
The character development was very apt for the situation, i like that.

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a firestorm - full of intensity and drama.Your thoughts may seem scattered to you most of the time...But they often seem strong and passionate to those around you.You are a natural influencer. The thoughts you share are very powerful and persuading.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

lavender gardens 

road trip! 

Sharp

God uses the people around us to sharpen us...
Do you believe that?

If you do, u'll see every conflict, obstacle or problem as an opportunity to learn.
Was reading Meiqi's blog- she was tlking about 2 kinds of people in the world
Opportunists (in a good way) and Problem-seekers.

Problem seekers essential shift blame to anyone, anything, any situation.
Opportunists find ways to solve, to bring peace. They are peace-makers.

Jesus was an opportunist- i like how she put it. He sought out the blind, lame and downcast as an opportunity to display God's righteousness and grace.

i think i wanna be sharpened.

Happy Anniversary Mom n Dad!

24 years...
long time to be married uh.
haha, parents were recalling their wedding day this morning.
They were giving thanks to God.
i just sat and listened.
interesting.
haha.....

Reflections

thinking about all the times He held my hand...
knowing that i'm always secure in His embrace...

there are many times i feel vulnerable n weak n lost.. but i don't show it.
and alot of times my feelings catch up on me unexpectedly.
realising i can place my hopes n dreams in His control... such a wonderful revelation.

i must live this out everyday.
Tune out to my circumstances, Tune in to His whispers.

Different Channel

Was taking a walk in the city (bustling with activity on a sunday) today with my parents n bro... passed by a guy playing the Er Hu.
The sound was so melodic... almost entrancing.
in that moment i felt so much peace listening to the tune of amazing grace.

Who says u can't have peace in the busyness of life?

To me, giving is a lot like loving.

I know a story of 2 people, one was a church leader and another was a street walker. The first made a living by promoting standards. She made a living by breaking them.
His name is Simon and he’s hosting a party, but the woman, she’s crashing the party. Any normal person would pick Simon over the woman. After all he seems nicely dressed and decent. Anyone would pick him. Anyone… but Jesus knew them both. And Jesus picks the woman. And he tells Simon why.

Jesus told Simon a story. “ A man loaned money to 2 people- $500 to one and $50 to another. But neither of them could repay him. So he cancelled the debts of both. Who do you suppose loved him more after?”

Simon answered, “ I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the larger debt.”
“That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered you home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust off my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins- and they are many- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.”

Simon’s love is calculated and stingy. Her love, on the other hand, is extravagant and risky. Giving is a lot like loving. In other words, we can’t give what we’ve never received. We can try. And yes, how we try… we resolve ourselves to be better givers, better servers in the ministry on our own strength and our own might. We set strategies and we are simply going to give even if it kills us. We clench our teeth and beat our chests. But are we missing something?

God came to give us life and life more abundantly. He does not want our giving or even our love to be conjured up by a sheer force of will. He knows! Our Father knows that our flesh will fail us.
Want to learn how to give? Then consider how our God first gave. He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things? Rom 8: 31

Would we give as God gives? Would we love as He loves? Let’s start by seeing Jesus and receiving God’s love. Let not our giving be out of fear or guilt. The secret to giving is living out God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Many people will tell us to give, but only God gives us to power to do so. Only he can fill you and leave you with a heart ready to give.

Was reading Nikki's post on the Balloon Kid.
And yep, like mavis... the song "Angel in Disguise" was playing in my head.

i think of alot of ugly situations in life.
Dishonest people, people who only look out for themselves... people who trample on you when you open up. (yes marianne, that happens)
In fact, i remembered the incident that happened to mari n myself just before sfas started.
We left our Drama team's Maccers meals on the table outside. (and labelled it)
But when we came to get it after our rehearsals, it was gone.

Isn't that life?
Not that we must be pessimistic and always look out for ourselves.
Its just some things remind us that we live in a fallen world.
den we must look beyond what gets us down and makes us sad.
But take a look at the ordinary things that make us smile.
Or lets strive to put a smile on someone's face today!

Don't need to look for paradise!
I'm really touched by that Balloon story.
I'm sure u'll be too.

partners in crime 

say cheese!! 

doesn't Jack look tortured?  

roy is using an eyelash curler??! 

his credit card no money....