Pictures speak!

Our day out at Araluen.... = )

More Pictures on the Flickr sidebar!

the bug

I've officially been bitten by the holiday bug!
Been sitting at my computer for 2 hours and i've got ..... NO work done at all.

instead, i've been surfing the net... playing yahoo games like some shark typing game, bejewelled, literati and reading PHDcomics' archives.

!!!!

this can't be.....

Train of thought.

Broken
Awoken
Light
I Fight
Glory
For you Only
Transforming
Restoring
Showing
You are all-Knowing
Healer
Comforter

Jesus, my friend.

rarrrr!!

i can feel that nagging itchy throat coming back!!
NOOOOOO...

Quote

I love this quote. Stumbled upon it in my old neighbour's blog.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

NELSON MANDELA

Happy birthday Big boy!

Hello Bro,

i still remember when you were cute and small and cuddly.
Kor and i would play with your chubby cheeks til no end!
Now you're all grown up and 16 already...
Makes me nostalgic just thinking about when you were a little and wide-eyed punk.
Happy 16th Birthday!
May the Lord bless you in everything that you do, big or small.
Set your eyes on Him, and keep your head up =)
He is the lifter of our heads.

You will grow and grow strong.
We will keep believing that for you.
Meanwhile, enjoy your lil' ice cream cake i'm getting you = )
*hugs and kisses*

Love, Sis

World Cup Saga

Metarazzi admits: "I insulted Zidane's sister."

Remembering

His goodness and mercy...

Tacos

Ja made Tacos for dinner... Yummilicious Tacos. She apparently decided to go mexican tonight.

Thanks Ja for the dinner! =)
So nice to come back from school to a warm meal. *grins*

on another note: Steve Irwin passed away today! =( no more crikey.
well, ironically he was stung in the chest by one of those things i always eat at "Chomp Chomp"- a stingray!

Bye Irwin, your animal documentaries will be greatly missed.

Joy of salvation

I was asking myself when was the last time i thought about the salvation i have in Christ?
And about the privilege to be in His kingdom and in His blessings and to have His presence.
Not til very recently, when i led a friend to Christ- it reminded me that the gift of salvation is the most joyous and precious thing, ever- ever to be given to me and it should never be taken for granted.

I'm amazed that God would "own" us twice. He created us, and He bought us with Jesus' blood.

Reminds me of the "because" factor that Darlene Zschech talked about at Hillsongs. That God has given us His spirit because we are to proclaim Him and His goodness.

"Because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good tidings to the poor;
He has sent me to heal the broken hearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeace of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
- Isaiah 61:1-3

We are blessed to bless others.
We are healed to bring His healing others.
We are comforted to bring comfort to others.
We are made righteous in Him to bring His justice for others.
Amazing how it doesn't just stop with me
It isn't about me.
It's all about You.

Pizza and Beer

Ja and i had pizza and beer for dinner while watching Aussie idol =)
how aussie is that?

"Pain" Ball

Paintballing was heaps fuN! haha. and plenty pain as well. THe guys got shot up really bad though... think they were doing too much of an army thing. I think the lay out of the place was quite open. but the barricades did help give some cover. it was mostly (for me) take cover and shoot when someone sticks their face/hand/leg/gun out to take aim. haha. Will wanna try the outdoor one!! the gun's pretty heavy tho.... haha.

The guys... all tired of being shot at and glad to be out of the arena. =)

The (very few) girls... we had tonnes of fun hey!
More pictures on the Flickr bar to the right!

SFAS team

I must say... we have a great and vibrant Drama team this year. Always full of laughs and a great mix of people to brighten up your dying day. haha =) like everyday is a dying day for us, right mari? That's besides the point. Our warm ups were hilarious yesterday... my gosh!!!

So its this impromptu thing we do with props....
Marcus and i got a towel. haha. Why does it always have to be animals?? i asked.
Anyway, first up we did an impression of a bull fight, with the red cloth? yea and marcus was the bull. hahhaha. den a picnic mat, den he used it as a mini cape (super hero kind). and last as a leash- and i was the dog! =(

i think Jack and Mari did fantastic as well! they got a torchlight... i remember vaguely... The Statue of liberty, a doctor's torch for looking at your throat... ??!

The rest did great as well. haha. The blind date warm up was funny as well.
"You're not posh enough for me" - David Beckham
"We would tee off on our first date" - Tiger Woods
"i like to play with little boys" ???!- Michael Jackson
"sometimes i run, sometimes i hide" - Britney Spears
"Lets go feed the orphans on a mission trip"- Mother Theresa

All these were lines invented on the spot by our brilliant actors and actresses, after given a particular famous person to imitate. = )

Ahaha, anyway rehearsals are a blast! always have fun and always enjoy working with this fantastic team God has blessed us with. =)
23rd September... here we come!

My chocolate!

Went to drama with a huge bag of fruit and nut chocolate.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
the monkeys finished it!!! =( *sobs*

i need more fruit and nut chocs.....

Conversation

R: hello!
Me: Hi! Are you headed for class?
R: no... you look unfeminine today...
Me: what?
R: just unfeminine.
Me: you mean tomboyish?
R: no no, unfeminine. Last time i saw you in skirt. You look vastly different.
Me: err... okay.
R: But nice lah.
Me: haha. unfeminine is the same as tomboyish. toot.
R: ok, you cook for me on sunday ok. i come over.
Me: ok! bye!

*****
Isn't unfeminine= tomboyish?

ugh!

okay... Drama later... ciao

Stopping the Paper Chase

All paper is either...

...Information - It has to be read (prioritise)
... Action - Something has to be done, submit to supervisor? Summarised?
...Filed - It has to be labelled and kept.

OR

...Junk! - Everything else... Please re-use as rough paper. (recycle!)

Before keeping paper ask:
1. Will i read it and what will i need it for?
2. Will it matter if i lose it?
3. Do i need to keep all of it? (i.e just keep abstracts and summaries for reference purposes?)

********

Sometimes you go to drastic measures to stop your room/ workplace from overflowing with pieces of information, stacks of papers/notes/books.

Like my above---"stopping the paper chase" notice.

Soldier on!

The cell just left my place after a fun fun time of fellowship! hehe.
If we would have just started on time... we wldn't be ending this late!! But Bijia's my cell leader... does that explain things? haha (jk lah girl, we all have some 'annointing' that gets passed down)
Played bridge after ages of inactivity! It's one game i call my life's most strategic sport! haha.
Good mind game. Abel will disagree with me, cos he has his chess to compare.

Anyway... it's no furniture for 40 hours (eating off the floor, bringing laptop to the floor and typing, no bed- just spread comforter and sleep)... =) 40 hour famine! For alot of us, the fast has started today and will end round about sunday morning! Support us by sponsoring us! =)

Are you ready??

For afters.

I highly recommend Sara Lee's Brownie Cheesecake! =) very yummy and smooth.

Butterfly effect?

Hahaha i like Mike. He makes me smile.

Clock the distance!

Distance: 3.7km
Time: 00:22:13
Ankles are loose. Back hurts. *pouts*
But this is so worth it! =)

Unfailing love

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed.
Yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
Nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

Isaiah 54:10

Thank you for your unfailing love.
i feel much better now.

Endnote software!

i despise you. argh!

Change

I like this layout! i like it tonnes!
Wadya think?

Allez!

Rock climbing

This will take some time to load. For all you aspiring climbers out there... Fantastic bouldering footage. Very inspiring!

Brand new week

Didn't do much today but sit at the computer and type the whole day away working at the thesis.
Feeling quite drained actually. Think it's all the radiation/eye power looking at the screen.

Never been so contemplative about the future before... lots of issues to consider and oppurtunities before me. Plenty of experiences, skills and things to learn. So many places, such a big world.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. "-Pro 19:21

"In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps. "-Pro 16:9

God, your purpose, your will, your way.

Pain!

Feeling incapacitated yet again!
i guess i know why females have a higher threshold of pain compared to men!

save me....

Peanut butter

Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.


uh?

My God is a FINISHER

I was sharing, one of the many reasons why i've started running (races or not) again after 5 years of lapse... is because of the fact that i feel training as an athlete is very similar to our walk with God. I develop endurance, stamina, my body is conditioned and becomes disciplined to finish what i have in mind to complete. Just like my walk with God, i can start good... but what counts is that i end well.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." -Rom 12:1

In the words of a friend of mine who is a triathlete--"Breaking Day is the day the body is the most hard pressed. It goes further, faster and harder. It's rests are shorter. The breathes are harder. It's meant to push the body further till it breaks its physical limit."

It's strange how the human body must break before it gets stronger.
God doesn't depise broken things. Including your body. I gladly break.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" - Phil 1:6

In one of his posts- he also reminded himself that our God is a finisher--

"Our God finishes. Whatever Jesus sets out to do, He completes. He finishes well. The joy set before Him propels Him to finish well. Our God is not a half-pass-six God, a desserter God, a overtalk-underdeliver God. His yes is yes. His no is no. He who begun a good work in you will complete it. So throw off hinderances daily. Loose yourself from entangling sin. Run with perseverance the race marked out."

Lord, finish well with me.

Run Log

Distance: 4km
Time: 00:24:14

Break time: 00:15:00
We saw Dolphins at the Barrack street Jetty! wooo hooo!

Distance:2km
Time: (WALK)

Distance:2km
Time: 00:10:12

Big heart, Big voice

Lead me on, Holy spirit
Fill my heart, come touch my soul
Lead me on, into your presence
Touch me Lord Jesus i need you.

I can't live without you
I can't walk this road alone
In my heart i need you
Holy One come take my hand.

I remember singing this for one of the worships in cell almost a year back. Really spoke to me and what i desired in my heart to allow Him to take control. Today when Stephanie Truscott sang it again, my spirit lifted. It's amazing how God reminds you through songs and through people, that He remembers you and that He remembers the times in which you came before Him in silence.

=~(

You never notice anything i do for you.
Could you appreciate me a lil' more?

=)

Distance: 3.7km
Time: 00:24:32

Slight drop, it's okay mishi....

Biography

Two days ago i had to submit my Biography to my Supervisor for the Major Project she was getting us honours students roped in for. I had very little to write for my biography, and i don't think the picture of my head made it any more fantastic either. haha. oh well, i figure if you can get an entry on Wikipedia about yourself, it'd look so pro! haha. Here's my Supervisor's Wikipedia page!

Mad Mad Rock.

The climb today was goooood. *whew* i still made a 19. (then again, it might have been an easier 19) =( Sumy's first time at Rockface! woo hoo.... she's really not bad tho! =) poor girl, her arms were sore. we had KFC after... YUM! Need to do ONE pull up per day... i'm telling my body that it's not too much to ask... ;p

Shiatsu Thumb Thongs

You have to admit... these things are pretty cool! i found them at the Body Shop. I know they resemble mini crocs (plus they're the same colour as mine). But its meant as a slip on for your thumbs for massage therapy. ;p cool eh. =)

Some thoughts...

When looking at a political conflict- or a war- it is important to delve into history and not judge the situation by skimming the surface or the newspapers. (if you watch the news or read the papers, its almost certain to be biased- either too pro-US or just plain entertainment)

After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Lebanon became home to more than 110,000 Palestinian refugees who had fled from the newly established state of Israel. More Palestinian refugees arrived after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and Black September. During the early 1970s, difficulties arose over the increase of Palestinian refugees in the south.

Then we have Syria stepping in and sent 40,000 troops into Lebanon to prevent the Maronite militias from being overrun by Palestinian Ezzat forces. Together the Syrians and Maronites pushed the Palestinians out of Beirut and into southern Lebanon.

Basically you have different actors participating in the Lebanese civil war, in order to fight a war on someone else's land. The Shiites are concentrated South of Beirut and Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist organization in Lebanon comprising a militia, a political party, and an extensive program of social development- the latter i feel is not emphasized enough. Hezbollah provides many social services in Lebanon. According to CNN: "Hezbollah does everything that a government should do, from collecting the garbage to running hospitals and repairing schools."

Hezbollah, as any other resistance movement or shall i use the term "Freedom fighters" cannot be exactly directly equated to a terrorist organisation. (If they were, anyone who sponsors terrorist networks or supports it indirectly- like Syria, Iran, Israel, USA- are all considered terrorist organisations)

Hezbollah was formed to combat the Israeli occupation following the 1982 invasion of Lebanon and opposes the Israeli state. It was officially founded on the 16th of February, 1985. Hezbollah is one of the two main organizations representing the Shia community, Lebanon's largest religious bloc, but the only militant one. It is also a recognised political party in Lebanon, where it participates in government.

There is a wide disagreement about what Hezbollah should be defined as. Throughout most of the Arab and Muslim worlds, Hezbollah is highly regarded as a legitimate resistance movement. In the Western world; Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel list Hezbollah (in full or part) as a terrorist organization. Other countries and leaders have denounced Hezbollah or their actions, although may not necessarily list it officially as a terrorist group.

There is a deep enmity between Hezbollah and Israel. One of the reasons for the founding of Hezbollah was resistance against the occupation of Lebanon by Israel (1978-2000), which extended to a desire for the elimination of “the Zionist entity”.

The ceasefire of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict was declared yesterday (14th August).
Both sides have suffered immense casualties and both governments have targetted civilian populated areas with missiles which both sides seem to have an endless supply of.

I guess what we must be concerned about, is not so much of who's right and who's wrong... because it'll go on forever. I think it's crucial to consider the failure of the UN security council in stepping in to issue a ceasefire in the early stages of the war. It is also obvious that the US had not told Israel to step back in its bombings- in this post 9-11 where the Bush Administration has become extreme in handling issues of related to the "War on Terror".

Is it not disturbing that the world is sitting back and watching the 1967 six-day war which is ten times worse repeat itself on their tvs?

Mr weather is not happy

Yikes.

Looks like another rainy day at work!!

*sobs*

Impressive

After all the griping and sweat, tears and blood.... Just one word from your supervisor is enough to make you wanna do it all over again... it's worthwhile;)

Next chapter... here i come.

I am definitely hitting the climbing gym this week. Hook or by crook. I am dragging my butt there. No, my body is not going to be very happy with me. But either way, it isn't... so i really need to climb. ;p  

Sumy is making chicken curry in our kitchen now. A piece of home!! *drools* we're eating it with prata and all. And its Tiramisu for dessert!!!! *slurp*  

Bought a bunch of Iris' last week at Subi. They're dying now, all shrivelled up. I like the purple and the yellow. So cheery!  

Connectivity

It's way cool when you can get wireless internet on your balcony, sip a cuppa coffee and do work under the rare, but glorious sun on a supposed winter's day.

Making sense?

The Thesis

Pain is temporary; if i quit, it lasts forever.

-Lance Armstrong

Our God Reigns

I first heard this song sung live by Martin Smith and the Delirious? team- at the hillsongs conference this year. I was just as amazed by the significance of the lyrics as by Martin Smith's captivating voice. (He has nice eyes too)

Our God Reigns

40 million babies lost to Gods great orphanage,
It’s a modern day genocide and a modern day disgrace
If this is a human right then why aren’t we free?
The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree.

100 million faces, staring at the sky,
Wondering if this HIV will ever pass us by.
The devil stole the rain and hope trickles down the plug,
But still my Chinese take away could pay for someone’s drugs.

Our God reigns, Our God reigns,
Forever your kingdom reigns.

The west has found a gun and it’s loaded with ‘unsure’
Nip and tuck if you have the bucks in a race to find a cure.
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine is the conscience to our selfish crime,
God didn’t screw up when he made you,
He’s a father who loves to parade you.

Yes he reigns, yes you reign, yes you reign,
For there is only one true God,
But we’ve lost the reins on this world,
Forgive us all, forgive us please,
As we fight for this broken world on our knees.

-Delirious? 2005, Album: The Mission Bell

I think Compassion's vision and motto "Change the world, One Child at a time" is very appropriate for teachers and anyone in the education sector. We have that power and influence to touch and change lives... use it for His glory.

Here i am

Free

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Live it.

Give thanks

Presentation went well!
Glory to God!

Really behind schedule for the thesis. ; (
i need to grit my teeth and pull through!
so much to read, even worse-- to EDIT the gibberish i've been typing so far.

Annoying cough won't go away!!
grrr.

ooh yes... Happy National Day-- to all the Singaporeans out there!!
we here @ Aussie land are celebrating with you too!

Always loved

I have never stopped believing in you.
Sometimes you feel restricted, pushed into the corner and alone.
But you're not alone.
Friends can be with you for a season, but blood is always thicker than water.
I hope you realise that, but its never too late.
We're always here for you, and we always want the best for you.
You're always loved no matter what you decide or what you do.
Remember that.

Time

I wish i had more than 24 hours in a day.
I wish.

Alive!

Stumbled upon an sms my mom and dad sent me this Easter.
Really encouraged me and lifted my spirit.

"Good Morning and Happy Easter! He had no servant, but they called Him Master.
No Degree, but they called Him Teacher.
No Medicines, but they called Him Healer.
No army, but Kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, but He conquered the world.
He commited no crime, but they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, but is ALIVE today.
He is humble, but will always be exalted.
His name is Jesus. He is our Hope and Glory!
-Love, Mom and Dad."

Broken

i bought Cough syrup for Ja's dry cough....

But whilst capping it i broke it. ;(

such a clutz.

spent the rest of the time wiping up the mess.
Don't want a sticky kitchen floor!

S.L.O.W @ Work

ARGH!
word count is moving like a snail???!!
i need to finish my seminar presentation.. grr.
Been staring at the flickering cursor.
And also distracted by all the interesting stuff that came up when i googled "Muslims in Europe". Really captivating, and educational as well.


I need to focus!!!
C'mon Mishi. C'mon.

something nice i took in the Caversham Wildlife park.  

Take a Walk

When i opened my eyes at 730am this morning, i was expecting to go back to bed. But God had a different plan. i distinctly heard "Come take a walk with me".
You cannot imagine the amount of excuses i gave him.
"But i slept at 230am God!"
"Drama really tired me out, i have so much to do."
"i have so many readings and a presentation to prepare, i need the sleep"
"i'm sick" (this was really lame, since i really felt better instantly)

Flopping around, i decided... okay, if i don't go now He might not ask me anymore. And that thought was scary. so i got up. Made tea in my Sigg thermal flask, and trodged down to matilda bay. Cloudy day, bit of wind... (i had a scarf, yay).

Sat down.
"Yes?" (waiting...)
"Nothing much my child. just wanted to take a walk with you.
You have no idea how much i love you."

And that was all i heard.
I just broke down at the jetty. Amazed. simply astounded.
Whoever said the creator of the heavens and the earth isn't personal?

See for yourself.

Take a walk. ; )

You have no idea how much He loves you. Wow.

Mirrors can think, whilst i reflect.

Twas another long day again.... not totally exhausted. just the feeling that sick people get when they're supposed to rest. i don't suppose you know what i meant.
Anyhow, there's this annoying seminar presentation i want to get out of the way- which is only going to happen next week. and meanwhile i have tonnes of readings to do for that.

All of which have absolutely nothing to do with the thesis. *ugh*

I thank God for a very good and strong relationship i have with my supervisor.
Yes, she's travelling again next week to give a talk over in one of the eastern states.
Catch is, she shld be gone and back within 24 hours. haha. which is really tiring i'll bet.
Which is why she said she wanted a massage from me.. ;p haha.

If i've learnt to love You a lil' more

and know You a lil' better,

the day has not been wasted.

A picture of my supposedly half-boiled egg. But it was overdone. *) i love how the yolk just sits there, looking round. hee.  

Decided to treat myself with Pancakes n strawberries today for brekkie. Nothing like a warm cup of honey Chrysanthemum with pancakes to soothe my sore throat. ;p  

In Your Skin

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"

-To Kill a Mockingbird

End in Mind

Everytime i open my Word document to pick up where i left off from typing my 3k word draft which is due on tues (read: weds or thurs?) i feel like i'm not putting in the amount of words i would have liked to. i always end off attending to smth urgent (read: distracting) or i scurry off to do those little things- other readings, research that might seem useful (read: analysing tabloids or reading front page news).

Anyway, have u ever felt like u're going in circles and that this vicious cycle is never going to end? like some hamster stuck in a cage with one of those revolving thingys.
The end in mind helps me to focus a lil' better. Results and academic achievement isn't everything to life. But if the journey makes me stronger, a lil' more resilient and helps build my character-- it's all worth the while ; )

Have the end in mind!

I Am that I Am

I know it sounds like bad english. But God said it. He said it in Exodus 3:14.

"I AM THAT I AM", He said to Moses "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you."
And that is God's name, not ours. Because God is "I AM" we become "i am not".

I am not in charge
I am not in control
I am not a life changer
I am not a heart mover
I am not a city transformer

He is
He is
He is
To all of the above, He is.

"I Am" in literal hebrew translation means "breath", or simply "to be"- existance.

Surely the number of "I"s in Exodus 3 indicate the sure-ness (if there's such a word) of God in making a covenant with Himself to deliver His people. What's the catch?

Ex 4:12 "Now therefore go and I will be with you."
You Go, He is.
You Go, He is.

guess what.

You don't Go, He still is.
God is God. That doesn't change.

Singaporean?

"We ask ourselves, what is a Singaporean? In the first place, we did not want to be Singaporeans. We wanted to be Malayans. Then the idea was extended and we decided to become Malaysians. But twenty-three months of Malaysia- a traumatic experience for all parties in Malaysia- ended rather abruptly with our being Singaporeans. "

-Lee Kuan Yew

Lethologica

describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.

Hillsongs sharing

Just wanted to post up something i shared during service- as a personal update as well.
Be blessed.

Be Connected
“I will serve God in my generation with contemporary relevance.”
Nancy Beach “Good Drama breaks down defenses; it lays bare what daily life covers up and creates identification.”
Contrary to popular belief, the church is not peripheral to the world. I believe we can be relevant to the youth of today, to connect with the average Joe.
The body of Christ is not exclusive to any particular era or geographical location.
Every one of you seated here, beneath your jackets, your glasses, your countenance- every single one of you knows that life is difficult- whether or not you’re a Christian. We’re not here to pretend that it is easy, let our art form be relevant to reveal the truths of life and bring the hope we have through Jesus Christ.

Be Consumed
“God is just as pleased with my private worship as with my public ministry/worship”

With the great songs and catchy tunes that are being consumed in the market today- do we have a “consumer” heart or a heart that is consumed by God?
Be consumed- ask yourself this, if you were never going to serve god publicly- would you still be worshipping Him in your personal life, behind closed doors?
God is bigger than your dry spell, bigger than your famine.
Just a day or two ago, I had a chat with 2 friends and they were disappointed with their results- they were saying “But I worked so hard, I put in all of my effort and all of my ability.”
It was in that split second that I realized- God needs to diminish you in order to deliver you.
He is not interested in our comfort, he wants our obedience.
Are we making MUCH of our God? Or MUCH of ourselves?

Be Compassionate
Pro 31:8 “Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

I do politics and have been watching the news for years- I try to watch it everyday or read it online. And 3 days ago I broke down watching the news about the war between Israel and Hezbollah. I’d realized how insensitive and numb I allowed myself to become to the suffering and injustice of this world. The town in which Jesus grew up in, and the region in which he healed the sick and raised people from the dead is now embroiled in one of the most heated conflicts in recent history. Amidst the violence, a journalist interviewed a man caught in the crossfire, he had lost his daughter and wife to the missile attacks. He said words I’ll never forget. He said, “I don’t care, it’s not fair. I will not pay for someone else’s crime.” Such strong words with strong contrast to a man who came 2000 years ago and said “I will pay for all of your crimes.”

The world needs a savior, they need Jesus. Our God is passionate about people. Are you passionate about people?

Exodus 3:7 “I have seen the misery of my people. I have heard their cries.”
Our God cannot stand injustice, pain and suffering. What can’t you stand?
Align your discontentment and frustrations with God’s heart. Plead the cause of the poor and needy, not just physical poverty- but spiritual poverty and lack.
Stir up something in your heart that will not rest. When you touch lives and love people- especially the least of them- you touch Jesus’ heart.

Snapshots of Life

Marianne's mindless Meme's Tag.


These are my crocs. They look rugged and old, but technically i only got them end of last year. They're comfy and very easy to slip on, so far its been thru water, fire (yes, got a lil' burnt) and trekking. i quite like them.
This is not meant to be cliche, but i think i wldn't really know how to live without it. Very privileged for me to get a new one. (i liked my old one alot- it was my mom's thinline bible.) Nikki gave me a smaller one, so i'm starting to get used to this one ;)
i need music! hehe.

Procrastin-X...

Procrastin-X...contains phenalazidine slackahide 200mg

i think i'm experiencing what you would call a constant state of "depression"- whats another word for depression?? despair? hopelessness, misery...
its the kinda feeling when u wake up in the morning and go about your daily chores with this thing at the back of your head called "A THESIS".

anyhow, i've figured the best way to deal with it is to ignore it (for now, until that option runs out of time) or i'll just go mad. my supervisor is calm, as the stagnant water ponds that breed dengue mosquitoes. (that was a lousy expression, but anything goes now). Either that or she's extremely confident that i'll produce a flawless 15,000 word argument without her help (much help that is).

oh bugger off, i need a dosage of Procrastin-X now.

Forgery

This forgery business is a tough one.
You know how when you were younger and you forgot to let your parents sign a consent form for a school excursion (which you badly wanted to go for).
Or when you're slightly older (but still underage) and you need that signature for some important document and they're nowhere in sight.

Do you then forge their signatures? Yes/No
Tip: signing surnames are easier than the long and actual names.
Another tip: don't sign it so alike to your own signature, so that when u place both side by side you're almost certain to get caught.

Most of us (who read this) don't need parental signatures anymore, and some (like me) need advisors to sign forms for applications for a desk in the scholars' centre. (*&#$*^#)

I know this is random. just whining. Gaaaaaah....

Joga Bonita Skills

my eyes are spinning... hee

Joga Bonita 2

it's the fever.

Crouch cannot play complicated football.... how many times does he have to miss in order to net ONE????

Congrats Ray and Evee on your Engagement!!! all of us are excited and can't wait til the wedding next year!!! To my friend of *counts fingers* 11 years- you've found the lady of your dreams!! - To the lady (friend for 6 years now) Really amazed... May God bless you as a couple!!! ;p  

What a comeback by the aussies....

Go socceroos!

Opening Match

Quite befitting for the first match of 2006-- Germany vs Costa Rica 4-2.
Really quite entertaining seeing part of the barrage of goals in the first 20 mins.
You must give the South Americans some credit for pumping the ball to Wanchope or Gomez attempting to beat the offside flag in order to score goals.
Wanchope is leggy. haha. and tall- reminds me of Patrick Veira.
But the Germans came up on the better side, and just when u think they've scored it all, Frings hits one in from afar.

i should study/sleep.... study in my sleep now. *yawns*

A Plague i say! i Plague on ALL your houses. (most it seems)

Brazil- Ronaldo missed training yesterday after waking up with a 'slight fever' five days before Brazil start their World Cup defence against Croatia.

England- Steven Gerrard missed Wednesday's training session with what coach Sven-Goran Eriksson described as a 'stiff back'.
But the player told reporters yesterday: 'It's not really a back problem. I got a knock on my hip and it's just made my back go into spasm a bit.

Germany- Michael Ballack, the symbol of the new German team, regrets he cannot make it to the ball. He has a sore calf muscle and did not think it serious enough to get treatment on Monday, his day-off with the kids at home.

France- Djibril Cisse, the Liverpool forward whose luck is so wretched, had broken his right leg in a warm-up match against China on Wednesday.

Italy- Francesco Totti has bemoaned the Azzurri's bad luck after they were hit by a series of late injuries ahead of their opening World Cup match against Ghana on Monday. In the last two days, full-back Gianluca Zambrotta and midfielder Gennaro Gattuso have been ruled out of Italy's opener with thigh injuries. Alessandro Nesta also aggravated an old muscle injury and missed training yesterday.

Working Versus Striving by Os Hillman, May 24, 2006


So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6

Your greatest obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in your work life. One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the work He gives us to do.

It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know that what we achieve is by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life versus our own abilities, and is there a difference? When we reach a level of excellence and performance in our fields, it actually becomes an obstacle to seeing God's power manifest in our work.

What we naturally do well becomes the object of our trust. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop skills, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything.

It is the oxymoron of all oxymorons for Christian workplace believers. Learning not to act until God shows you to act is a sign of maturity in God. "Do not lean on the natural skill which you have been given. Let God manifest Himself in what you are doing," said a mentor who has learned this balance of skill and walking with God. "You must almost restrain from doing those things you know you are prone to do and actually go against them."

Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit in your business life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit.

Perused from Biling's blog.

I don't have anything smart to say. haha.

So i'll talk about the exam food i've been munching on recently.

1. Poppycock caramel popcorn - deliciously glazed with sugar and cashew nuts, so scrumptious and crunchy- you can't resist it!

2. Heaven (brand) of chocolate- i've liked the strawberry and raspberry flavoured ones. The honeycomb is yum!

3. Chai tea- 'nuff said!

4. Fruits- which my bro kindly slices for me ;) esp apples to keep the doctor away!

5. Red bull- gives you wings.

6. some coffee, on some days. ;(

7. Cranberry juice- for sour days.

I so want to be here.  

Was driving back from netball along thomas st/ Winthrop ave when i saw a fox near the curb of the road. (think it came from Kings' park)

So i slowed down, and upon seeing my headlights it ran off into the woods.

interesting.

instead of chickens- we now have foxes.
so why did the fox attempt to cross the road?

How long O Lord? will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must i wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O lord my god.
Give light to my eyes or i will sleep in death,
my enemy will say," i have overcome her" and my foes will rejoice when i fall.

But i trust in your UNFAILING love.
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will SING to the Lord for He has been good to me.

Psalms 13

i can only wait and believe.