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The Paradox of Our Time
Monday, April 11th, 2011 21:39 A wonderful Message by George Carlin
(written soon after the death of his wife)
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one
night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time
when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all
mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday
that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak
and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
(written soon after the death of his wife)
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one
night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time
when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all
mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday
that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak
and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
A Prayer...
Sunday, April 10th, 2011 21:45OPENING PRAYER KANSAS STATE SENATE
Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in KANSAS at the opening session of their Senate.
It seems prayer still upsets some people.
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:
Heavenly Father, We come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
We have exploited the poor and called it the Lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare..
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of speech.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of your will and to openly ask these things in the name of your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.
In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Reverend Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.
The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this Prayer from India, Africa, and Korea. Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program "The Rest of the Story" and received a larger response to this program than any Other he has ever aired.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our world and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called, "...one nation under God...". If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Monday, April 4th, 2011 08:46Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails...
I have a hubby that has all the characteristics of a love like that. One of the most patient, kindest, non-envious, non-selfish, non-angry, and most forgiving people I know.
And I embody NONE of it.
I'm the worst friggin' wife in the world.
Birthday & Updates :)
Saturday, March 26th, 2011 13:51 Here's a long overdue post on the fun stuff that happened during my Birthday :)
This year, the b-day fell on a Sunday. So on Friday, at the office, at exactly 4pm, my boss ushered everyone into the conference room with great urgency. I was like eh??? cause I had NO idea there was going to be a meeting or anything.
Except that when I entered the conference room, I was greeted by a pretty little cake, my smiling boss, and a bunch of staff who were more than happy to have cake in the middle of the day :D
The weekend flew by pretty fast. The family pretty much forgot (Dad went to vietnam, my youngest brother went to KL to see our other brother. Ok in all fairness my youngest brother did send his wishes on Facebook...). But meh...
Cause on Monday, my supervisor suddenly sent me a message, "OK, all the editors are going to bring you out for lunch! We will blindfold you - whatever we feed you, you must swallow today! We leave exactly at 12pm and get a cab to harbourfront!!"
I convinced them to skip the blindfolding, but everything else - trip to harbourfront, Pizza Hut for lunch - i even received gifts from my supervisor - happened in a whirlwind of laughter, smiles, and pizza-hungry editors.
I nearly cried. What did I do to deserve their generosity?
In all the (now) 26 years of my life, I never dreamed that I would have a group of co-workers as giving as those seated around my office cubicle. The rest of the day, I remained confused, stunned, mildly guilty, sad, happy, intensely appreciative and deeply undeserving of the people I worked with.
Stunned cause I didn't know that co-workers could be this good.
Confused cause I wondered where the hell they came from, and why the hell they'd be so good to me.
Guilty cause of my previous preconceptions of working in super-kiasu-laden Singapore - where most people are bloody competitive - only to realize I was downright wrong to think some people were out to usurp when all they desired was to give me the best Birthday they could.
Happy cause... well, obviously.
Sad cause the people who I'd thought would remember, didn't.
Intensely appreciative, cause, well..... whatever, you get it, right?
And typing all this, I deeply comprehend the circumstances whereby the mish-mash of entirely contradicting emotions will mingle together and smite you in the face with a thoroughly sleepless night.
Love.
This year, the b-day fell on a Sunday. So on Friday, at the office, at exactly 4pm, my boss ushered everyone into the conference room with great urgency. I was like eh??? cause I had NO idea there was going to be a meeting or anything.
Except that when I entered the conference room, I was greeted by a pretty little cake, my smiling boss, and a bunch of staff who were more than happy to have cake in the middle of the day :D
The weekend flew by pretty fast. The family pretty much forgot (Dad went to vietnam, my youngest brother went to KL to see our other brother. Ok in all fairness my youngest brother did send his wishes on Facebook...). But meh...
Cause on Monday, my supervisor suddenly sent me a message, "OK, all the editors are going to bring you out for lunch! We will blindfold you - whatever we feed you, you must swallow today! We leave exactly at 12pm and get a cab to harbourfront!!"
I convinced them to skip the blindfolding, but everything else - trip to harbourfront, Pizza Hut for lunch - i even received gifts from my supervisor - happened in a whirlwind of laughter, smiles, and pizza-hungry editors.
I nearly cried. What did I do to deserve their generosity?
In all the (now) 26 years of my life, I never dreamed that I would have a group of co-workers as giving as those seated around my office cubicle. The rest of the day, I remained confused, stunned, mildly guilty, sad, happy, intensely appreciative and deeply undeserving of the people I worked with.
Stunned cause I didn't know that co-workers could be this good.
Confused cause I wondered where the hell they came from, and why the hell they'd be so good to me.
Guilty cause of my previous preconceptions of working in super-kiasu-laden Singapore - where most people are bloody competitive - only to realize I was downright wrong to think some people were out to usurp when all they desired was to give me the best Birthday they could.
Happy cause... well, obviously.
Sad cause the people who I'd thought would remember, didn't.
Intensely appreciative, cause, well..... whatever, you get it, right?
And typing all this, I deeply comprehend the circumstances whereby the mish-mash of entirely contradicting emotions will mingle together and smite you in the face with a thoroughly sleepless night.
Love.
The Tiger and the Cow
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 08:51Once upon a time, there was a Cow. She offered milk to her friend, the Tiger. This is how their conversation went...
The Tiger, "Is this organic or imported from China?"
Cow, "Fresh from my udders, shut up."
But the Tiger said, "Is the grass imported from Japan, I hear there's radiation in it!"
And the Cow dumps the glass of milk on the Tiger.
The Tiger tasted the milk and said, "Eww, it tastes vegetarian"
The Cow moos sadly, then goes to munch on grass quietly.
And the tiger said, "Oh no, now the Cow is moo-dy"
Dejected, the cow goes to the other side of the field.
Just cause, the grass is greener on the other side.
And that's how the proverb "The Grass is Greener on the Other Side" came about~
P.S.
this is an udder-ly lame story with no meaning. Don't read too much into it. You can analyze until the cows come home, but there will be little significance anyway.
Hard To Say I'm Sorry
Friday, March 11th, 2011 09:10-- By Chicago. Till today, it's one of my favourite songs.
“Everybody needs a little time away.” I heard her say, “From each other.”
“Even lovers need a holiday, far away, from each other”
Hold me now, It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to stay, after all that we've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
Couldn't stand to be kept away just for the day from your body
Wouldn't wanna be swept away, far away, from the one that I love
Hold me now, it's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to know
Hold me now, I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you I promise to
You're gonna be the lucky one
When we get there gonna jump in the air
No one will see us 'cause there's nobody there
After all, you know we really don't care
Hold on, I'm gonna take you there
Hold me now, It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to stay, after all that we've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
Couldn't stand to be kept away just for the day from your body
Wouldn't wanna be swept away, far away, from the one that I love
Hold me now, it's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to know
Hold me now, I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you I promise to
You're gonna be the lucky one
When we get there gonna jump in the air
No one will see us 'cause there's nobody there
After all, you know we really don't care
Hold on, I'm gonna take you there
Hold me now, I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
So many words, so much to say, so little room for expression.
" Saying sorry shows you love that you care enough" -- my ex-lecturer.
Something to think about.
(Note: All comments are disabled for this post)
You know you love your job when...
Thursday, March 10th, 2011 16:50My boss in on leave today. And I actually miss his presence.
I miss his laughter, his jokes, his humourous points of view on Singaporean-Malaysian politics. And having lunch together. Since he knows all of us more than any of us will know each other, he's like the medium that all the collegues connect with one another. The spine of our interaction.
Suddenly, the office is dead quiet without him around. His phone ain't rining, and his voice isn't blasting through his cubicle.
The silence is almost painful. Isolating.
Despite having started work for nearly a month, I felt almost estranged.
Am I really so dependent on my boss for my office social life?
And all I can do, is to work quietly while listening to Jay Chou on my ipod.
(As if to add to the mood, I was assigned to edit an article on caring for the dying)
Martin, please come back tomorrow. We miss you.
I miss his laughter, his jokes, his humourous points of view on Singaporean-Malaysian politics. And having lunch together. Since he knows all of us more than any of us will know each other, he's like the medium that all the collegues connect with one another. The spine of our interaction.
Suddenly, the office is dead quiet without him around. His phone ain't rining, and his voice isn't blasting through his cubicle.
The silence is almost painful. Isolating.
Despite having started work for nearly a month, I felt almost estranged.
Am I really so dependent on my boss for my office social life?
And all I can do, is to work quietly while listening to Jay Chou on my ipod.
(As if to add to the mood, I was assigned to edit an article on caring for the dying)
Martin, please come back tomorrow. We miss you.
The Public Life of a Private Person. Or Persons.
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 21:09No, i'm not referring to facebook. I'm referring to this very blog of ours, the brain child of Cookie & Cutter.
So, why did we decide to blog?
It all started when I decided to leave Norway and get a job in Singapore. And since 1) things like different time zones would kick in, 2) I'd need to update my friends around the world on what's going on in our lives, 3) I'm prone to ranting and 4) the hubby takes wonderful pictures (anyone noticed that he has the uncanny ability to make my cooking look nicer than it's supposed to?), we should just consolidate alllll these things (Time zone-different-friends can check it anytime, I can rant even if the hubby isn't there to listen, and he can share the picts with the world) into a blog, right?
Sometimes I wonder if there are other reasons that I blog. I had a blog a few years ago - and through that experience, i know that blogs require sacrificing time, brain cells, and privacy - to make it a considerable read. The commitment to keep blogging ain't exactly my forte either.
Perhaps it was because my best friend also owns a dreamwidth account, and I felt compelled to offer her some form of entertainment; seemed kind of unfair to read HER blog but provide no reading material in return. Perhaps it was because another of my very-good-with-technology friend who works at IBM kept nagging at me to join Multiply and suggested that I should join twitter; I blogged instead as a feeble attempt to compensate half-way.
Or perhaps it was the need to remember my train of thoughts; things that I thought about at a certain point in time, only to forget these thoughts the very next day.
I should state that in some ways, this would be a typical blog - rants, song lyrics, pictures, events, updates. But most of all, it is a documentation of life at Time X in Situation Y; akin to a diary but open to comments. I will try to keep this blog as un-frivolous as possible, and put more social commentary and observations and take a stab at controversial topics. Or maybe not. Maybe there will be days whereby the postings are just plain descriptions of daily things. But I personally think, most of all... this blog seeks to record the life events of a husband and wife who are geographically separated, and it is this blog - my words, his pictures (I know, hubby puts mostly pictures, but heck, a picture is worth a thousand words. If he puts 5 pictures, that's 5000 words already) - this is the blog that holds us together.
And if, for any reasons pertaining to the contents of this blog, I end up fired by my boss, publicly humiliated, get arrested, stabbed in the back, poked by a grumpy old lady with an umbrella, refused due service at a chicken rice or bah kut teh stall, disowned by my family, shunned by friends, or turned enemies into friends, I have only my best friend and IBM friend to blame for the social pressure to start the blog in the first place. :P
This post is dedicated to the both of you. You know who you are.
So, why did we decide to blog?
It all started when I decided to leave Norway and get a job in Singapore. And since 1) things like different time zones would kick in, 2) I'd need to update my friends around the world on what's going on in our lives, 3) I'm prone to ranting and 4) the hubby takes wonderful pictures (anyone noticed that he has the uncanny ability to make my cooking look nicer than it's supposed to?), we should just consolidate alllll these things (Time zone-different-friends can check it anytime, I can rant even if the hubby isn't there to listen, and he can share the picts with the world) into a blog, right?
Sometimes I wonder if there are other reasons that I blog. I had a blog a few years ago - and through that experience, i know that blogs require sacrificing time, brain cells, and privacy - to make it a considerable read. The commitment to keep blogging ain't exactly my forte either.
Perhaps it was because my best friend also owns a dreamwidth account, and I felt compelled to offer her some form of entertainment; seemed kind of unfair to read HER blog but provide no reading material in return. Perhaps it was because another of my very-good-with-technology friend who works at IBM kept nagging at me to join Multiply and suggested that I should join twitter; I blogged instead as a feeble attempt to compensate half-way.
Or perhaps it was the need to remember my train of thoughts; things that I thought about at a certain point in time, only to forget these thoughts the very next day.
I should state that in some ways, this would be a typical blog - rants, song lyrics, pictures, events, updates. But most of all, it is a documentation of life at Time X in Situation Y; akin to a diary but open to comments. I will try to keep this blog as un-frivolous as possible, and put more social commentary and observations and take a stab at controversial topics. Or maybe not. Maybe there will be days whereby the postings are just plain descriptions of daily things. But I personally think, most of all... this blog seeks to record the life events of a husband and wife who are geographically separated, and it is this blog - my words, his pictures (I know, hubby puts mostly pictures, but heck, a picture is worth a thousand words. If he puts 5 pictures, that's 5000 words already) - this is the blog that holds us together.
And if, for any reasons pertaining to the contents of this blog, I end up fired by my boss, publicly humiliated, get arrested, stabbed in the back, poked by a grumpy old lady with an umbrella, refused due service at a chicken rice or bah kut teh stall, disowned by my family, shunned by friends, or turned enemies into friends, I have only my best friend and IBM friend to blame for the social pressure to start the blog in the first place. :P
This post is dedicated to the both of you. You know who you are.
Of Christians and Atheists...
Monday, March 7th, 2011 21:44
(Warning: sensitive topics. Do not read if in a bad mood, if easily offended, or if you just fought with your significant other)
When secular and religious perspective clash, I always find myself at a loss at what to say. Especially when discussing these topics with others; sometimes there's nothing I can say without pissing someone off.
For those who don’t know, I am a Christian, and coming to Christ was a turning point in my life. But that’s a separate story on it’s own. Anyways, since then, sometimes it’s like my friends don’t know what to do with me. For I was once a staunch atheist. Sometimes I am caught between the religious and the secular, and that’s when the problem arises.
I've got Christian friends who know and believe that Jesus Christ is the best thing that ever happened to them, and I've got athiest friends who think that any form of institutional theism - especially christianity - is the bane of all human existence.
In the U.S., the top 3 perceptions that non-christians have of christians is that they are hypocritical, self-righteous, and judgemental. Can't blame them - who're the ones protesting against abortion, stem cell research, and homosexuality anyways? Where's the christ-like love to accept people regardless of what's their beliefs?
And on the other side of the fence, the predominant preceptions that christians have of atheists? (i) They are unspiritual, (ii) overly-focused in the physicality of the world, (iii) sinful and need to be 'saved' by the grace of god. Repentance, anyone?
Honestly, the more I look at the religious-secular battle, the more I feel like I'm staring at two sides of the same coin.
So here is where I pose the questions…
Is there no bridge to where the two paths can reconcile? Why are the two points of view such polar opposites? Is there no room for dialogue? Even my best friend whom I adore to bits refuses to acknowledge anything good that could come out of Christianity and instantly shoots down any positive thing I bring up about God, valid or not.
So to my believeing and non-believing friends, here’s what I’ve got to say:
What i wish from Christians
1) To realize that throughout history, Christians have thoroughly failed in setting a good example for the world to follow; we cannot blame others for thinking negatively of our religion. What have we got to proof that shows that we are so great anyways? By both worldly and godly standards, we have FAILED to be exemplary. There are countless native communities who suffered because of missionary work, and there are Christians who go around with the My-God-Is-Better-Than-Yours-And-You-Are-Wrong kind of attitude. It’s been like this for hundreds of years, so if any Christian today has to endure looks of hatred and heated arguments from their non-believing counterparts… basically we are paying the dues for the long history of suffering we brought upon others. O Karma, thou art a heavy hand. :P
2) To mingle more with non-christians. Remember that when Jesus Christ came, he hung out with all the tax collectors, prostitutes, and outcasts of society. He came not for the strong, but for the weak. Being around Christians only, sadly, encourages close-mindedness and an overly comfortable position of superiority.
3) To realize that the way to draw people to God isn't by spreading the Gospel, but by letting our lives be a testimony to others; to show by concrete examples that God is a true force that can change lives for the better. Instead of evangelizing, perhaps it is better to volunteer, get involved in social work, and exhibit kindness, gentleness, love, and forgiveness. There is a dire need for more Christians to do this - right now, Christians who are do-gooders are far and few-between, and therefore the good ones are seen by the world as "good people who happen to be Christian". Unless there is a true spiritual revival, and until we TRULY can behave accordingly to the principles of Christ and the bible, we cannot claim that all the good in the world is a result of Christ.
4) To realize that most of the world sees their problems as physical (and emotional), but the solutions that we provide are spiritual. This is related to point #2 about mingling with people from other non-believing backgrounds
What i wish from Atheists
1) To not completely debunk Christianity or any religion as senseless. If a person is doing good deeds/volunteering 'in the name of god', perhaps consider that it might be valid. To not shoot the intentions down so quickly. Plus, do the reasons for being altruistic matter, as long as good deeds are being done?
2) To recognize that serving God is a central to a Christian’s life, so whether one agrees or disagrees, not to belittle the importance of this.
3) To consider getting to know God before claiming that God is invalid. Sadly, most of the accusations about God are from people who hardly know Him. Note: by this i mean having a personal relationship with God, in his true form. Unfortunately many people come to know religion, religious laws, the impacts of those laws on society, and institutional theism - but not the very essence of God Himself.
4) This is a tough one. To all the Atheists out there, know this: There is no condemnation in Christ. I believe in a God that loves and accepts you no matter who you are, what you do, or how your background is like. Our circumstances may be shitty, but with God, there is a reason for these things to happen (mostly related to character building). I am not advocating that people get comfortable + take God’s love for granted, but to us Christians, God’s love is the very essence of life itself. So please don't ever discount that. Honestly, what's so bad about having a God who loves unconditionally?
To Christians, Atheists, and the Undecided:
At the end of the day, most of it is a matter of perspective. Tolerance + acceptance is key. That way, everyone can be right.
To bastardise a quote from George Orwell, all are right, but some are more right than others.
P.S.
If there is something I've written that can be interpreted in more than one way, and if one of the interpretations offends you, I meant the other one.
Lemon Tree: Debunked
Saturday, March 5th, 2011 14:42A few days ago, while checking out music + listening to a newly configured playlist on my ipod, I suddenly chanced upon this song, "Lemon Tree" by Fool's Garden.
This song was all the rage when I was in my last year of elementary school:
I'm sitting here in the boring room
It's just another rainy Sunday afternoon
I'm wasting my time
I got nothing to do
I'm hanging around
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
I'm driving around in my car
I'm driving too fast
I'm driving too far
I'd like to change my point of view
I feel so lonely
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree
I'm turning my head up and down
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree
I'm sitting here
I miss the power
I'd like to go out taking a shower
But there's a heavy cloud inside my head
I feel so tired
Put myself into bed
Well, nothing ever happens and I wonder
Isolation is not good for me
Isolation I don't want to sit on the lemon-tree
I'm steppin' around in the desert of joy
Baby anyhow I'll get another toy
And everything will happen and you wonder
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree
I'm turning my head up and down
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree
And I wonder, wonder
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see, and all that I can see, and all that I can see
Is just a yellow lemon-tree
In elementary school, everyone listened and sanged this song like it was the coolest thing on earth; i suspected because the title "Lemon Tree" tickled us in some way - Remember this was the mid 90s and boybands (backstreet boys, westlife, n'sync) was alllll the rage and among all those crazy love song titles (I'll never break your heart, anyone?), "Lemon Tree" was a strikingly neutral name. i.e. as kids sometimes we'd notice adults frown when we brawled those highly inappropriate love songs, but we didn't get those funny looks from people when singing about some stupid plant. My favourite line: And all that I can see, AND ALL THAT I CAN SEE, is just a yellow Lemonnn Treeeeeeeee~!
Song about a plant, eh? Funny how my (back then) 12-year-old comprehension stuck with me for so long.
Therefore, few days ago, when listening to the old-time favourite, it suddenly hit me: I haven't listened to this song in over 10 years.
Following which the 'plant song' interpretation was immediately debunked. :P
To my 25-year-old mind, the line that stuck out was, "and nothing ever happens..."
Don't believe me? Read on:
I'm sitting here in the boring room
It's just another rainy Sunday afternoon
I'm wasting my time
I got nothing to do
I'm hanging around
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
First stanza interpretation: Poor bored guy on a weekend. Hanging around. Waiting for a girl. AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS.
I'm driving around in my car
I'm driving too fast
I'm driving too far
I'd like to change my point of view
I feel so lonely
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
Second stanza interpretation: Poor guy's driving. The desire to change his point of view is both physical (driving angles) and metaphorical (perspective; mindset). He's lonely. Waiting again. AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS.
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree
I'm turning my head up and down
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree
Chorus Interpretation: And the Lemon Tree which pops up in the chorus suddenly becomes the most random thing in the world. There's no girl for the poor dude, so he'll stare at a lemon tree instead! Whooot~!
(When i was 12, i used to think that he should stop turning around so much. Or he'll get dizzy - and end up seeing MORE lemon trees. But that's another story)
I'm sitting here
I miss the power
I'd like to go out taking a shower
But there's a heavy cloud inside my head
I feel so tired
Put myself into bed
Well, nothing ever happens and I wonder
Stanza-after-chorus interpretation: Poor guy's depressed. Period. Of course, NOTHING HAPPENS AGAIN.
Isolation is not good for me... (Obviously?)
Isolation I don't want to sit on the lemon-tree... (LOL?)
Comment: Enough said. :P
I'm steppin' around in the desert of joy
Baby anyhow I'll get another toy
And everything will happen and you wonder
Comment, 12-year-old perspective: How could a lemon tree grow in a desert? :P What toy is this fella talking about?! Want a toy just go Toys' R' Us' lah! (I was one hell of a dumb kid...)
This song was all the rage when I was in my last year of elementary school:
I'm sitting here in the boring room
It's just another rainy Sunday afternoon
I'm wasting my time
I got nothing to do
I'm hanging around
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
I'm driving around in my car
I'm driving too fast
I'm driving too far
I'd like to change my point of view
I feel so lonely
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree
I'm turning my head up and down
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree
I'm sitting here
I miss the power
I'd like to go out taking a shower
But there's a heavy cloud inside my head
I feel so tired
Put myself into bed
Well, nothing ever happens and I wonder
Isolation is not good for me
Isolation I don't want to sit on the lemon-tree
I'm steppin' around in the desert of joy
Baby anyhow I'll get another toy
And everything will happen and you wonder
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree
I'm turning my head up and down
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree
And I wonder, wonder
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see, and all that I can see, and all that I can see
Is just a yellow lemon-tree
In elementary school, everyone listened and sanged this song like it was the coolest thing on earth; i suspected because the title "Lemon Tree" tickled us in some way - Remember this was the mid 90s and boybands (backstreet boys, westlife, n'sync) was alllll the rage and among all those crazy love song titles (I'll never break your heart, anyone?), "Lemon Tree" was a strikingly neutral name. i.e. as kids sometimes we'd notice adults frown when we brawled those highly inappropriate love songs, but we didn't get those funny looks from people when singing about some stupid plant. My favourite line: And all that I can see, AND ALL THAT I CAN SEE, is just a yellow Lemonnn Treeeeeeeee~!
Song about a plant, eh? Funny how my (back then) 12-year-old comprehension stuck with me for so long.
Therefore, few days ago, when listening to the old-time favourite, it suddenly hit me: I haven't listened to this song in over 10 years.
Following which the 'plant song' interpretation was immediately debunked. :P
To my 25-year-old mind, the line that stuck out was, "and nothing ever happens..."
Don't believe me? Read on:
I'm sitting here in the boring room
It's just another rainy Sunday afternoon
I'm wasting my time
I got nothing to do
I'm hanging around
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
First stanza interpretation: Poor bored guy on a weekend. Hanging around. Waiting for a girl. AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS.
I'm driving around in my car
I'm driving too fast
I'm driving too far
I'd like to change my point of view
I feel so lonely
I'm waiting for you
But nothing ever happens and I wonder
Second stanza interpretation: Poor guy's driving. The desire to change his point of view is both physical (driving angles) and metaphorical (perspective; mindset). He's lonely. Waiting again. AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS.
I wonder how
I wonder why
Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky
And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree
I'm turning my head up and down
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree
Chorus Interpretation: And the Lemon Tree which pops up in the chorus suddenly becomes the most random thing in the world. There's no girl for the poor dude, so he'll stare at a lemon tree instead! Whooot~!
(When i was 12, i used to think that he should stop turning around so much. Or he'll get dizzy - and end up seeing MORE lemon trees. But that's another story)
I'm sitting here
I miss the power
I'd like to go out taking a shower
But there's a heavy cloud inside my head
I feel so tired
Put myself into bed
Well, nothing ever happens and I wonder
Stanza-after-chorus interpretation: Poor guy's depressed. Period. Of course, NOTHING HAPPENS AGAIN.
Isolation is not good for me... (Obviously?)
Isolation I don't want to sit on the lemon-tree... (LOL?)
Comment: Enough said. :P
I'm steppin' around in the desert of joy
Baby anyhow I'll get another toy
And everything will happen and you wonder
Comment, 12-year-old perspective: How could a lemon tree grow in a desert? :P What toy is this fella talking about?! Want a toy just go Toys' R' Us' lah! (I was one hell of a dumb kid...)
Comment, 25-year-old perspective: He'll move on. He'll be fine. Things will start to happen. And we'll see WHO's the one wondering now :P
Overall analysis:
The song ain't about the Lemon Tree. A more appropriate title would be 'From Nothing to Something'. But then, renaming it would (1) give away the gist of the song too easily, and (2) render the song as cheesy as some of the 90s Boyband lovesongs.
Thank you, Fool's Garden, for making a fool out of me for so long.
(For animated version of the song, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3x4HvXTyGQ)
(For animated version of the song, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3x4HvXTyGQ)
A wonderful email I received from a friend: On God
Saturday, February 26th, 2011 14:51Interview with Rick Warren:
You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California
In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:
"People ask me, What is the purpose of life?
And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.
I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.
We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.
I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.
And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for..
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.
Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease..
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation...
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.
That's why we're called human beings, not human doings."
-- Rick Warren
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
If you do not pass it on, nothing will happen. But it will just be nice to pass it on to a friend....just like I have done.
God's Blessings…
You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California
In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:
"People ask me, What is the purpose of life?
And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.
I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.
We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.
I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.
And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for..
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.
Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease..
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation...
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.
That's why we're called human beings, not human doings."
-- Rick Warren
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
If you do not pass it on, nothing will happen. But it will just be nice to pass it on to a friend....just like I have done.
God's Blessings…
Memory photos
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 00:06Some of the pictures I find from old times... garden vegetables!
Tomatoes and zucchini. That tomatoes never ripened haha.
And our beans
And our neighbours in the BBQ.
From our old time apartment...
To think of it I haven't been eating fresh vegetables for a while... I remember we enjoyed so much of the zucchini we harvested!
Tomatoes and zucchini. That tomatoes never ripened haha.
And our beans
And our neighbours in the BBQ.
From our old time apartment...
To think of it I haven't been eating fresh vegetables for a while... I remember we enjoyed so much of the zucchini we harvested!
First Saturday off from work...
Saturday, February 12th, 2011 15:07 And my youngest brother (V) & I had to see the dentist. >_<
Poor dude was at the dentist just a few months earlier cause he had his wisdom tooth extracted.
So we made our way to the dentist in Holiday Plaza. First thing I noticed - place has changed a lot; it's currently a haven for fake branded goods and pirated CDs :P And the occasional 'wellness' store - spa, hairdresser, random shop selling massage chairs. There was hardly anyone walking around. Can't believe that it used to be THE place to hang out 15-20 years ago.
Probably McDonalds and KFC are the only two places that never changed. Even Pizza Hut is no longer there.
Anyway, after our dental treatment, we went to KFC - how long has it been since i've had the SPICY malaysian-style fried chicken?! Seriously. No other KFC in the world can beat the one in Malaysia. Even Singapore doesn't do the Spicy Chicken as well as this side of the border.. :P And nope, I don't like the original chicken recipe. It has to be SPICY!
So V & I shared a plate of Chicken, 3 mini fish doughnuts, mashed potato, and ice milo without ice :P
And just because we were at Holiday Plaza, we had to drop by the old goreng pisang store. And ate more fried stuffs.
The old store has been operating since forever; but now instead of the usual pisang, sweet potato and yams, they've also got spring rolls, curry puffs, deep fried mushrooms. We tar pau-ed some of it, and since we didn't want to eat the deep fried food by the roadside under the 35 degree sun at 1pm, we decided to head back to KFC to sit down and eat goreng pisang :P This is why i miss Malaysia - people here are so casual, some places don't even care if you bring in outside food if their restaurant ain't crowded.
V loves the mushrooms. It's hard to describe how they taste like - not remotely close to tempura, but crispy and piping hot. Lovely dipped in the stall's signature black chilli sauce :)
Then we walked over to KSL, a new mall that recently opened - the structure, according to V, is like Vivocity in Singapore, minus the fengshui hole in the middle. Otherwise it has huge open spacious, young trendy new shops - pretty shoes and sandals anyone? - and popular japanese and korean food outlets (among a traditional chinese soup place). V gave me a brief tour of the new mall. I immediately noticed that the Pizza Hut from Holiday Plaza has moved here, right across the street. LOL.
I wanted something cool and refreshing to drink after all that heaty fried food, so we puttered around looking at bubble tea shops and sweet dessert places. We eventually decided upon ice cream from this DIY ice cream place that you could pick your own ice cream flavour and toppings, and they charge you by the weight of your ice cream cup. Very innovative.
Of course, after ice cream, i still wanted a drink. In a feeble attempt to be healthy i went and bought lemon wheatgrass water :P Meanwhile, V bought a Valentine's Day gift for his gf - a toy dolphin.
Then we took a taxi home.
Overall, it's been a good day, after my first week at work. I should blog about work someday... but heck it's the weekend and one should not think about work during weekends :)
Poor dude was at the dentist just a few months earlier cause he had his wisdom tooth extracted.
So we made our way to the dentist in Holiday Plaza. First thing I noticed - place has changed a lot; it's currently a haven for fake branded goods and pirated CDs :P And the occasional 'wellness' store - spa, hairdresser, random shop selling massage chairs. There was hardly anyone walking around. Can't believe that it used to be THE place to hang out 15-20 years ago.
Probably McDonalds and KFC are the only two places that never changed. Even Pizza Hut is no longer there.
Anyway, after our dental treatment, we went to KFC - how long has it been since i've had the SPICY malaysian-style fried chicken?! Seriously. No other KFC in the world can beat the one in Malaysia. Even Singapore doesn't do the Spicy Chicken as well as this side of the border.. :P And nope, I don't like the original chicken recipe. It has to be SPICY!
So V & I shared a plate of Chicken, 3 mini fish doughnuts, mashed potato, and ice milo without ice :P
And just because we were at Holiday Plaza, we had to drop by the old goreng pisang store. And ate more fried stuffs.
The old store has been operating since forever; but now instead of the usual pisang, sweet potato and yams, they've also got spring rolls, curry puffs, deep fried mushrooms. We tar pau-ed some of it, and since we didn't want to eat the deep fried food by the roadside under the 35 degree sun at 1pm, we decided to head back to KFC to sit down and eat goreng pisang :P This is why i miss Malaysia - people here are so casual, some places don't even care if you bring in outside food if their restaurant ain't crowded.
V loves the mushrooms. It's hard to describe how they taste like - not remotely close to tempura, but crispy and piping hot. Lovely dipped in the stall's signature black chilli sauce :)
Then we walked over to KSL, a new mall that recently opened - the structure, according to V, is like Vivocity in Singapore, minus the fengshui hole in the middle. Otherwise it has huge open spacious, young trendy new shops - pretty shoes and sandals anyone? - and popular japanese and korean food outlets (among a traditional chinese soup place). V gave me a brief tour of the new mall. I immediately noticed that the Pizza Hut from Holiday Plaza has moved here, right across the street. LOL.
I wanted something cool and refreshing to drink after all that heaty fried food, so we puttered around looking at bubble tea shops and sweet dessert places. We eventually decided upon ice cream from this DIY ice cream place that you could pick your own ice cream flavour and toppings, and they charge you by the weight of your ice cream cup. Very innovative.
Of course, after ice cream, i still wanted a drink. In a feeble attempt to be healthy i went and bought lemon wheatgrass water :P Meanwhile, V bought a Valentine's Day gift for his gf - a toy dolphin.
Then we took a taxi home.
Overall, it's been a good day, after my first week at work. I should blog about work someday... but heck it's the weekend and one should not think about work during weekends :)
Thank You God...
Sunday, February 6th, 2011 17:28Recently, God has been doing things - both in my life and in the lives of those around me. He's blessed me with a suitable job within three weeks of my return, improved my mother's moods, lessened my father's tendency to get entangled in shady business projects, aided me in a long-overdue issue that badly needed repentance, and most of all, brought my first brother to Christ.
Yes, there is still lots to do. I can very well argue that enough isn't being done - My mom's still horribly ill-tempered at times; emotionally and mentally unstable and prone to random outbursts. Dad has the occasional thing going on still; even if it is lessened his tendencies still EXIST. Both my parents, my youngest brother, and all my in-laws - they still do not know God.
But in all fairness, God is good; never did I dream that God will actually answer the prayer of guiding someone else in my family to become a Christian.... something which I once thought was impossible but the Holy Spirit kept me believing via the power of prayer.
And God eventually proved himself faithful.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight" -- Proverbs 3: 5-6
Heavenly father, I pray that you will watch over my brother and guide him so that he may have a good relationship with you, so that he will come to experience joy and peace that only you can provide, and that he will use his life as a living sacrifice to be an example to others around him. In Jesus name, Amen~
"So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -- 2 Corinthians 4:18
Yes, there is still lots to do. I can very well argue that enough isn't being done - My mom's still horribly ill-tempered at times; emotionally and mentally unstable and prone to random outbursts. Dad has the occasional thing going on still; even if it is lessened his tendencies still EXIST. Both my parents, my youngest brother, and all my in-laws - they still do not know God.
But in all fairness, God is good; never did I dream that God will actually answer the prayer of guiding someone else in my family to become a Christian.... something which I once thought was impossible but the Holy Spirit kept me believing via the power of prayer.
And God eventually proved himself faithful.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight" -- Proverbs 3: 5-6
Heavenly father, I pray that you will watch over my brother and guide him so that he may have a good relationship with you, so that he will come to experience joy and peace that only you can provide, and that he will use his life as a living sacrifice to be an example to others around him. In Jesus name, Amen~
"So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -- 2 Corinthians 4:18
MASSIVE COOKIE PRODUCTION :)
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 16:58Over the weekend, I was on a mission to bake as many cookies as humanely possible.
Behold, pictures!
Getting out all the equipment for mixing...
Ingredients...
Oatmeal Raisin Coconut Cookies in the oven!
Meanwhile, here's the making of Double Chocolate Walnut Cookies :)
There! All set~
Out of the oven - Don't you just love cookie piles? :)
And here's the Oatmeal ones
Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the Chocolate ones in jars.
But it was an eventful day. Now I have a lot of cookies to share over Chinese New Year! Too bad the hubby isn't around to feast on them. But, YAY COOKIES :)
Behold, pictures!
Getting out all the equipment for mixing...
Ingredients...
Oatmeal Raisin Coconut Cookies in the oven!
Meanwhile, here's the making of Double Chocolate Walnut Cookies :)
There! All set~
Out of the oven - Don't you just love cookie piles? :)
And here's the Oatmeal ones
Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the Chocolate ones in jars.
But it was an eventful day. Now I have a lot of cookies to share over Chinese New Year! Too bad the hubby isn't around to feast on them. But, YAY COOKIES :)
I AM A PROFESSIONAL EDITOR!
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 12:28After job-hunting for so long, I am proud to announce that I am finally gainfully employed.
I passed the second round of interviews yesterday, and they offered me the job on the spot. Yay!!!
(This is proof that Norway doesn't appreciate foreign talent. Seriously, i job-hunted there like crazy for a whole year and got NOTHING. But I'm back in Malaysia less than 3 weeks and I get a position in Singapore. Hrmph!)
Now, let's hope my work permit application goes through...
If all goes well, I should be able to start work soon after Chinese New Year :)
I passed the second round of interviews yesterday, and they offered me the job on the spot. Yay!!!
(This is proof that Norway doesn't appreciate foreign talent. Seriously, i job-hunted there like crazy for a whole year and got NOTHING. But I'm back in Malaysia less than 3 weeks and I get a position in Singapore. Hrmph!)
Now, let's hope my work permit application goes through...
If all goes well, I should be able to start work soon after Chinese New Year :)
Food I've been missing...
Sunday, January 16th, 2011 19:46
Thank you very much for taking care of me a lot back then... I miss you, not just the food, but eating with you...
Job Interview!
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 12:56Yesterday, I had an interview at 10am on the eastern side of Singapore. This meant getting up early to beat the traffic jam into singapore, which i was not looking forward to. The Malaysian govt made the new building seriously inconvenient for commuters - the old one was fast, quick, and straightforward... and this new 'flashy' building with all its shops - properly ensured that everyone who had to go to Singapore walked at least a mile through the shops upstairs and downstairs and all the way around to get the bus. Which is pretty retarded, IMHO.
Only my country's govt. will spend millions to make lives more inconvenient for people :(
Anyways, i left early; woke up at 6am and left the house by 7am. Which was a good thing - the queue for Bus 170 was horrendous on a monday morning, and apparently now there are TWO lines for the bus - one line for seats in the bus, the other line for standing. (Price of bus ride, however was still the same... come on this is seriously retarded). Got myself across the border as quickly as I could run across the customs, and took the MRT to my final destination.
When i arrived there, i was given a copy-edit test to do - which wasn't too hard. Drel saw me, waved and went back to her work. I secretly gave her my camera so she could extract my picts from Japan.
The interview itself was surprisingly well; like Drel, i also spent most of the interview making them laugh. There were 3 interviewers - GE, M, and S. M did most of the talking/conversation, and I just went along...
Them: So, what do you think are the responsibilities involved with the job?
Me: Assist the head Editor with proofreading, copy-editing, checking for plagiarism etc... and making coffee for you all
M : LOL, what can of coffee can you make?
Me: What kind do you want?
M: Cappuccino, Macchiato, the kinds with salt...
Me: 3-in-1 can?
Them: LOL
Me: With or without ice?
Them: LOLOL
On my journey to Singapore: past, present, & future
GE: So, you came all the way from JB this morning?
Me: Yeah. But I'm used to it, I've done that in Primary and Secondary school - going across the causeway in the mornings, and home to JB in the evenings. It was like going overseas everyday!
Them: LOL
S: So if you got the job, will you commute like this everyday:
Me: Maybe i will for the first month, but not after that. I still want to find a place to stay in Singapore. Ever since that new Casino opened, the traffic jams have gotten worse - all the Malaysians have been crossing the border to gamble...
Them: HAHAHA
Me: And Malaysia is in the process of building a casino too; so I want to get a place before it opens and the Singaporeans start cramming the causeway as well...
Them: LOLOLOL!
On Editing:
Them: So, what did you think of the test we gave you?
Me: Hmm. One article had no grammatical or spelling mistakes, but it was written very informally - lots of colloquial terms, emotional language, very convoluted sometimes, not specific enough ,needs more statistics. The other article was very formal, had good scientific language, well-organized - but riddled with grammar and spelling errors. I'd say they are opposites of each other.
S: Did you enjoy the process?
Me: Yeah. Actually I have done this in the past - when marking my students' assignments. I get to tell them what they did wrong, how they did wrong, and how it should be corrected. I liked bossing them around.
Them: LOLz
On my linguistic abilities:
M: So, you're a Malaysian, but you've lived in so many places, and you speak many languages! I see that you've got Spanish on your transcript!
Me: Oh, during my 4th year, I just needed one extra credit to graduate... and that course didn't have classes on Mondays, Fridays, or lectures at 9am in the morning...
Them: LOL
Me: And in Norway, I learnt Norwegian cause I couldn't stand not being able to read the labels on food packages at the grocery store. Before I took Norwegian class, I once bought Rum essence instead of Vanilla essence cause they had the same colour!
Them: HAHAHAHA
Me: Sadly Norwegian is not a very broadly used language; but it's still nice that I can potentially speak to an additional 4 million people in this world...
Them: LOL
Me: However I can understand written Swedish and Danish cause it is similar enough.
Them: Wow, that's interesting :)
Me: *on a roll* And, because of my husband, I also do speak some Japanese - you can throw me in Japan and I'd be able to get around. I can say "Hungry. Want This. 2 pieces. How much? Can give Discount?" Or I can say, "Help. Toilet. Where. REALLY. NEED. IT." and look panicky.
Them: LOLOL!!!
On my very international background:
Them: So, why do you want to live in Singapore, why not Canada or Norway?
Me: Cause I like Singapore the best!
Them: Why?
Me: For starters, there is no Char Kuey Tiao in North America or Europe...
Them: LOL
Me: But it's also too cold in Canada and Norway - about -20 right now over there! *inserts blahblah about winter + the lack of sunlight in winter/too much sun in summer* It snows right up to my waist, and unlike the westerners I'm really short, if i ever fell into a pile I'd need someone to dig me out...
Them: HAHAHA
Me: *gives serious answers about future, plans, being close to family and other plus points about Singapore*
M: I knew it, Char Kuey Tiao wasn't a enough reason on its own...
Me: Of course not. There's also mee pok, yong tau foo, orh luah and roti prata...
Them: LOLOLOL!!!
On my seriousness about this position
Them: How can we be sure that you really want to be an Editor, that you want THIS position, and not something else?
Me: I woke up at 6am, braved the traffic jam coming into Singapore, ran under the rain... and you still think I don't want this job?
Them: LOL
M: And you'll make us coffee too, eh?
Me: Yeah
M: ahahaha, you're desperate, eh?
Me: Not that bad. But if you want me too, i will!
Them: LOL.
Other things we talked about included the structure of the organization itself, potential duties, my future goals, why should they give me the job + other standard interview questions. But overall, it was probably the most fun interview I'd ever have. Very relaxed, and it was great to make good conversation with people who kept you on going :)
Later that day, i met an old friend SH from BP and we had lunch and chatted a bit, and puttered around ION Orchard. SH shopped around for his Chinese New Year clothes. At 6.30pm I met Drel for dinner and we decided to have dessert first - since i had a Swensen's voucher for 1-for-1 ice cream, we decided to feast on sundaes. Then we promptly exited Swensens, walked around a bit, and after 15 mins went BACK to Swensens to use another of my vouchers for 1-for-1 appetizers :P The head waiter, i think, was supremely amused at our kiasu-ness. (Who ask them to say that their vouchers 'cannot be combined with other offers'? Hah!)
Then came the traumatic traffic jam home to JB after that >_<
But overall, an eventful day. Hopefully I'll get called for the 2nd round of interview and be given a job soon. *crossed fingers*
Only my country's govt. will spend millions to make lives more inconvenient for people :(
Anyways, i left early; woke up at 6am and left the house by 7am. Which was a good thing - the queue for Bus 170 was horrendous on a monday morning, and apparently now there are TWO lines for the bus - one line for seats in the bus, the other line for standing. (Price of bus ride, however was still the same... come on this is seriously retarded). Got myself across the border as quickly as I could run across the customs, and took the MRT to my final destination.
When i arrived there, i was given a copy-edit test to do - which wasn't too hard. Drel saw me, waved and went back to her work. I secretly gave her my camera so she could extract my picts from Japan.
The interview itself was surprisingly well; like Drel, i also spent most of the interview making them laugh. There were 3 interviewers - GE, M, and S. M did most of the talking/conversation, and I just went along...
Them: So, what do you think are the responsibilities involved with the job?
Me: Assist the head Editor with proofreading, copy-editing, checking for plagiarism etc... and making coffee for you all
M : LOL, what can of coffee can you make?
Me: What kind do you want?
M: Cappuccino, Macchiato, the kinds with salt...
Me: 3-in-1 can?
Them: LOL
Me: With or without ice?
Them: LOLOL
On my journey to Singapore: past, present, & future
GE: So, you came all the way from JB this morning?
Me: Yeah. But I'm used to it, I've done that in Primary and Secondary school - going across the causeway in the mornings, and home to JB in the evenings. It was like going overseas everyday!
Them: LOL
S: So if you got the job, will you commute like this everyday:
Me: Maybe i will for the first month, but not after that. I still want to find a place to stay in Singapore. Ever since that new Casino opened, the traffic jams have gotten worse - all the Malaysians have been crossing the border to gamble...
Them: HAHAHA
Me: And Malaysia is in the process of building a casino too; so I want to get a place before it opens and the Singaporeans start cramming the causeway as well...
Them: LOLOLOL!
On Editing:
Them: So, what did you think of the test we gave you?
Me: Hmm. One article had no grammatical or spelling mistakes, but it was written very informally - lots of colloquial terms, emotional language, very convoluted sometimes, not specific enough ,needs more statistics. The other article was very formal, had good scientific language, well-organized - but riddled with grammar and spelling errors. I'd say they are opposites of each other.
S: Did you enjoy the process?
Me: Yeah. Actually I have done this in the past - when marking my students' assignments. I get to tell them what they did wrong, how they did wrong, and how it should be corrected. I liked bossing them around.
Them: LOLz
On my linguistic abilities:
M: So, you're a Malaysian, but you've lived in so many places, and you speak many languages! I see that you've got Spanish on your transcript!
Me: Oh, during my 4th year, I just needed one extra credit to graduate... and that course didn't have classes on Mondays, Fridays, or lectures at 9am in the morning...
Them: LOL
Me: And in Norway, I learnt Norwegian cause I couldn't stand not being able to read the labels on food packages at the grocery store. Before I took Norwegian class, I once bought Rum essence instead of Vanilla essence cause they had the same colour!
Them: HAHAHAHA
Me: Sadly Norwegian is not a very broadly used language; but it's still nice that I can potentially speak to an additional 4 million people in this world...
Them: LOL
Me: However I can understand written Swedish and Danish cause it is similar enough.
Them: Wow, that's interesting :)
Me: *on a roll* And, because of my husband, I also do speak some Japanese - you can throw me in Japan and I'd be able to get around. I can say "Hungry. Want This. 2 pieces. How much? Can give Discount?" Or I can say, "Help. Toilet. Where. REALLY. NEED. IT." and look panicky.
Them: LOLOL!!!
On my very international background:
Them: So, why do you want to live in Singapore, why not Canada or Norway?
Me: Cause I like Singapore the best!
Them: Why?
Me: For starters, there is no Char Kuey Tiao in North America or Europe...
Them: LOL
Me: But it's also too cold in Canada and Norway - about -20 right now over there! *inserts blahblah about winter + the lack of sunlight in winter/too much sun in summer* It snows right up to my waist, and unlike the westerners I'm really short, if i ever fell into a pile I'd need someone to dig me out...
Them: HAHAHA
Me: *gives serious answers about future, plans, being close to family and other plus points about Singapore*
M: I knew it, Char Kuey Tiao wasn't a enough reason on its own...
Me: Of course not. There's also mee pok, yong tau foo, orh luah and roti prata...
Them: LOLOLOL!!!
On my seriousness about this position
Them: How can we be sure that you really want to be an Editor, that you want THIS position, and not something else?
Me: I woke up at 6am, braved the traffic jam coming into Singapore, ran under the rain... and you still think I don't want this job?
Them: LOL
M: And you'll make us coffee too, eh?
Me: Yeah
M: ahahaha, you're desperate, eh?
Me: Not that bad. But if you want me too, i will!
Them: LOL.
Other things we talked about included the structure of the organization itself, potential duties, my future goals, why should they give me the job + other standard interview questions. But overall, it was probably the most fun interview I'd ever have. Very relaxed, and it was great to make good conversation with people who kept you on going :)
Later that day, i met an old friend SH from BP and we had lunch and chatted a bit, and puttered around ION Orchard. SH shopped around for his Chinese New Year clothes. At 6.30pm I met Drel for dinner and we decided to have dessert first - since i had a Swensen's voucher for 1-for-1 ice cream, we decided to feast on sundaes. Then we promptly exited Swensens, walked around a bit, and after 15 mins went BACK to Swensens to use another of my vouchers for 1-for-1 appetizers :P The head waiter, i think, was supremely amused at our kiasu-ness. (Who ask them to say that their vouchers 'cannot be combined with other offers'? Hah!)
Then came the traumatic traffic jam home to JB after that >_<
But overall, an eventful day. Hopefully I'll get called for the 2nd round of interview and be given a job soon. *crossed fingers*
Fun time together
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 16:48
Thought I'd upload pictures for our memory. Some things we have done together. Something special.
This one is from the time we finally went to the Oslo Opera House in December and saw Nutcracker. :)
Gift for my biology colleagues
Monday, January 10th, 2011 18:00They study algae - you know the green plankton in natural waters.
After my holiday here's the souvenir that I brought back from my trip.
And here's the email I sent to them:
Subject: Instant chlorella cereal
Hi folks,
I have been in Malaysia (and also in Japan) during the holiday and in a grocery supermarket I discovered instant chlorella cereal, which in a picture looks really green and purportedly is some healthy stuff. So I had to buy them and brought them back for you.
It says on the package: "GOLD CHOICE Instant Chlorella cereal is made from chlorella, cereal (wheat, maize, salt, malt extract), oats, coarse rice, non-dairy creamer and sugar. Its manufacturing process adopts the latest scientific methods. GOLD CHOICE Instant Chlorella Cereal is a delicious food suitable for all ages. It is a tasty food with fragrant aroma."
I found the claim amusing. Anyway, please come pick up yours at my office.
Happy algae studies
After my holiday here's the souvenir that I brought back from my trip.
And here's the email I sent to them:
Subject: Instant chlorella cereal
Hi folks,
I have been in Malaysia (and also in Japan) during the holiday and in a grocery supermarket I discovered instant chlorella cereal, which in a picture looks really green and purportedly is some healthy stuff. So I had to buy them and brought them back for you.
It says on the package: "GOLD CHOICE Instant Chlorella cereal is made from chlorella, cereal (wheat, maize, salt, malt extract), oats, coarse rice, non-dairy creamer and sugar. Its manufacturing process adopts the latest scientific methods. GOLD CHOICE Instant Chlorella Cereal is a delicious food suitable for all ages. It is a tasty food with fragrant aroma."
I found the claim amusing. Anyway, please come pick up yours at my office.
Happy algae studies
Don't cry over...
Friday, January 7th, 2011 10:18Random facebook stalking, found a funny wall post between my brother and his friend
Friend : Spilt Milk
Brother: Cannot recover
Friend : Yeah
Brother: But then there's the 5 second rule - lick it!
Friend : But I stepped all over it!
Brother: Oh Dear. D: I buy another packet for you! :D
LOLz
Friend : Spilt Milk
Brother: Cannot recover
Friend : Yeah
Brother: But then there's the 5 second rule - lick it!
Friend : But I stepped all over it!
Brother: Oh Dear. D: I buy another packet for you! :D
LOLz
First Entry! Behold!
Thursday, January 6th, 2011 13:49After much hinting and prodding from my best friend Drel, the hubby and I decided to finally start our own dreamwidth page :)
He's Cookie. I'm Cutter.
Reason: I make the cookies. He eats :P
So, behold CookieCutter! This is our account and we shall do whatever we like with it!
Lots of love from Cookie & Cutter~ :)
Cause clearly, we are Heaven Scent.
He's Cookie. I'm Cutter.
Reason: I make the cookies. He eats :P
So, behold CookieCutter! This is our account and we shall do whatever we like with it!
Lots of love from Cookie & Cutter~ :)
Cause clearly, we are Heaven Scent.
