My 2007 will generally be that of a typical A level graduate. This means working for the first semester of the year, then going for a vacation before university starts in August. Nonetheless, I am glad and thankful that God has blessed me with something normal. At least I can share my joys and woes with other people.
Here's just a little update on what I have and will be doing. I'm currently learning Music Theory from Livia Gho and learning how to play the violin. I'm taking the Grade 2 violin practical next July and Grade 3 theory examination on November 3, not mentioning a competition for the school's students. Imagine competing against the kids! My teacher commented that I can even win the competition! Because kids 'play the G string (first string) like cows being slaughtered and play the E string (last string) like chickens being killed'. Haha.
I suppose some people would raise eyebrows at my reading of music at such a late age. I lose years of potential which could have been discovered and developed at young age. However I gain so much more in return. I gain the motivation, interest and initiative to practise because I read music on my own accord. I gain a love for sports since I wasn't interested in serious music-making in the past. This saves me from becoming a totally unfit and flabby person. (Sorry that was my past impression of a no-sports person haha.) Plus, I get to skip grades!
Thank you ACJC choir. All that laying of musical foundation through sectional meetings, rehearsals and fast-speed learning sharpens my musicality, not mentioning the ability to skip grade 1 and 2 for theory! Haha. What I need to do is to incorporate the violin into a part of my body, and figure out how to play like I sing. That is tricky but I'm excited to learn.
And then there's the relief teaching. So, I realised I'm teaching Secondary 3 Social Studies, not Geography, because they only teach the latter in the second semester. : ( It's no fun without having rocks and rivers around. I never liked Social Studies. Thanks to God my Combined Humanities Grade jumped from a C6 during the prelims to a B3 for the O's. I suppose I'm beginning to rediscover North Ireland and the social segregational problems. It can be very interesting, especially when I relate it to war literature, economics and geography. What I need to do is to convey to the students that what we learn is very relevant. How many of us realise that only after we stop studying a subject!
The staff at CTSS is very helpful - they remind me of the madams back in the ACJC office, who are always so willing to care and go the extra mile for an anonymity over the phone. One of my English Department colleagues was from ACJC Class of 1994. Another one is the sister of Jamie, that tall badminton guy from 2SC9, my year. There certainly is a feeling of connectedness and intimacy when I know that I have friends who are connected to AC in one way or another. My mentor is Mrs Chua, the English HOD, a tall madam who likes to laugh and joke, babysit me and my fellow relief teachers, remind us that we work not for money, giving us commitments as if we're permanent teachers, and can fall asleep during long talks like any one else. Her humble character teaches me that her status does not make her someone different. She's just like anyone else! That's why we treat her with respect, sincerity and honesty in return.
And I did mention before, June is for the North Thailand trip. Is the college choir going on tour next year? If they are, I'll consider going too. That would make a two-trip vacation that should occupy the whole month!
And I shan't forget that 2AA3 will have gatherings (definitely more than 3) scattered over the calendar. Right? Haha.
A Trip to Our Neighbour's Land
Malaysia is just across the causeway and I thought any trip there would be normal and not worth mentioning.
Except for the food of course. My camera is spoilt, so I've no pictures to offer. Haha.
Should you go to Malaysia, enter via the Causeway so you can taste the delectable, crispy peanut pancakes sold by the street. Get across to the Mobil station via the underpass (only when it's lit) or jaywalk. Left of the petrol station is Restoran Lucky. In front of it is a roadside stall that sells thin crispy peanut pancakes at 2 for RM1.00 and closes at 9pm.
The pancakes taste tons better than the ones from Dover Pancake. They are made the traditional way, using a paintbrush to slowly and evenly spread the dough over 8 metal pan-like depressions. Then, coarse-grained sugar and peanut bits of a size easy to eat while maintaining the crunch are spread over the pancakes. If the uncle makes them, he'll add butter to give the taste a fuller body. Somehow, he will know when the pancakes are done and skilfully lifts them out.
I personally prefer the auntie's version because with no butter, the taste is simpler and the food doesn't go soggy for a long time. Oh, and the crust is thinner than 0.3cm and the bits don't fall out! I like to have 2 each time, but for guys, 4 would be nice. : )
Who can not equate Malaysia with shopping? Lots of street clothes (Haz, you'll love them!) at pseudo-Level One innercity, City Square Johor Bahru, with prices comparable and even cheaper than those at Bugis Street. We shopped like mad, but I think I can go madder. Haha. And I thought our class was supposed to go for a trip there? At least the girls.
What amused me quite a bit was a hawker centre called Restoran Lian Boy, whose oxymoronic name is supposed to mean Lion Boy. LOL. That kind of reminds me David Charles, whom Geoff said was called Ah Lian in ACSI. LOL for the second time.
Oh, and I saw a landslid site! All the related geographical terms, concepts and diagrams came to my mind's eye at that instant. You could actually see the successive minor scarps and the smooth arcuate scars. If I took a picture of that for the Geography assignment, I'm pretty sure my group would have gotten a perfect score. But 9 is great too. Haha.
I am extremely looking forward to my backpacking trip to North Thailand. I can almost imagine the scenery, food and clothes beckoning me already, save the mosquitoes and the flies that don't get shooed away despite desperate hand-swatting.
But before that, I'll have to earn my keep by teaching Sec1 English and Sec3 Geography at Clementi Town Secondary. Shoe selling at Level One gives you a $1350 pay per month, but it's too late to back out. Haha. Teaching and shopping, here I come!
Except for the food of course. My camera is spoilt, so I've no pictures to offer. Haha.
Should you go to Malaysia, enter via the Causeway so you can taste the delectable, crispy peanut pancakes sold by the street. Get across to the Mobil station via the underpass (only when it's lit) or jaywalk. Left of the petrol station is Restoran Lucky. In front of it is a roadside stall that sells thin crispy peanut pancakes at 2 for RM1.00 and closes at 9pm.
The pancakes taste tons better than the ones from Dover Pancake. They are made the traditional way, using a paintbrush to slowly and evenly spread the dough over 8 metal pan-like depressions. Then, coarse-grained sugar and peanut bits of a size easy to eat while maintaining the crunch are spread over the pancakes. If the uncle makes them, he'll add butter to give the taste a fuller body. Somehow, he will know when the pancakes are done and skilfully lifts them out.
I personally prefer the auntie's version because with no butter, the taste is simpler and the food doesn't go soggy for a long time. Oh, and the crust is thinner than 0.3cm and the bits don't fall out! I like to have 2 each time, but for guys, 4 would be nice. : )
Who can not equate Malaysia with shopping? Lots of street clothes (Haz, you'll love them!) at pseudo-Level One innercity, City Square Johor Bahru, with prices comparable and even cheaper than those at Bugis Street. We shopped like mad, but I think I can go madder. Haha. And I thought our class was supposed to go for a trip there? At least the girls.
What amused me quite a bit was a hawker centre called Restoran Lian Boy, whose oxymoronic name is supposed to mean Lion Boy. LOL. That kind of reminds me David Charles, whom Geoff said was called Ah Lian in ACSI. LOL for the second time.
Oh, and I saw a landslid site! All the related geographical terms, concepts and diagrams came to my mind's eye at that instant. You could actually see the successive minor scarps and the smooth arcuate scars. If I took a picture of that for the Geography assignment, I'm pretty sure my group would have gotten a perfect score. But 9 is great too. Haha.
I am extremely looking forward to my backpacking trip to North Thailand. I can almost imagine the scenery, food and clothes beckoning me already, save the mosquitoes and the flies that don't get shooed away despite desperate hand-swatting.
But before that, I'll have to earn my keep by teaching Sec1 English and Sec3 Geography at Clementi Town Secondary. Shoe selling at Level One gives you a $1350 pay per month, but it's too late to back out. Haha. Teaching and shopping, here I come!
A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23
Well here's another update : )
I finished reading my second book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.
If you are looking for a Christmas present for a dear Christian friend, I would recommend this book. The bonus is, it costs only $6.50. At least in the bookshop in my church.
One who is familiar is sheep-rearing would understand that in Psalm 23, David employs a first-person point-of-view aligned to that of a sheep and talks about the geographical journey a shepherd and his herd makes in a sheep year. The sheep stays on the home range till v4, where the journey up to the grassy plateaux of the mountains after snowmelt takes the reader to the mesa, the tableland, where God prepares a feast for His sheep in front of the aggressors, the wolves, coyotes and cougars. As the snowline drops in autumn, the herds return to the home range in v6. And this cycle is repeated every year, and each cycle represents a sheep year.
In the light of this, Keller expounds on the psalm by breaking the 6-verse poem into a 12-part analysis. He makes clean-cut implications on the Christian through his experiences as a shepherd who lived in East Africa.
One of my favourite parts of the book goes:
I finished reading my second book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.
If you are looking for a Christmas present for a dear Christian friend, I would recommend this book. The bonus is, it costs only $6.50. At least in the bookshop in my church.
One who is familiar is sheep-rearing would understand that in Psalm 23, David employs a first-person point-of-view aligned to that of a sheep and talks about the geographical journey a shepherd and his herd makes in a sheep year. The sheep stays on the home range till v4, where the journey up to the grassy plateaux of the mountains after snowmelt takes the reader to the mesa, the tableland, where God prepares a feast for His sheep in front of the aggressors, the wolves, coyotes and cougars. As the snowline drops in autumn, the herds return to the home range in v6. And this cycle is repeated every year, and each cycle represents a sheep year.
In the light of this, Keller expounds on the psalm by breaking the 6-verse poem into a 12-part analysis. He makes clean-cut implications on the Christian through his experiences as a shepherd who lived in East Africa.
One of my favourite parts of the book goes:
'The moment I deliberately do something definite
either for God or others that costs me something,
I am expressing love.'
either for God or others that costs me something,
I am expressing love.'
page 68
A shepherd loves His herd, just as how Jesus is willing to lay his life down for us. The shepherd's love is exemplified in the pain he takes to cultivate lands into meadows (grassy plains are not usually present, as opposed to popular belief!), the numerous trips to the mesas to survey and clear the land of aggressors and toxic plants, his constant alertness to fend off aggressors, keep the sheep together and ensure their health from flies' eggs that can attack the brain upon hatching, making sure no lone sheep is cast. (A cast sheep, in old English terminology, is to have its four legs up in the sky. It can die from paralysis or attack.) And mind you, there are thousands of sheep in one herd! The shepherd has to do these alone, personally, at most, with the help of a dog and a few companions. All these chores are done at the cost of the shepherd's own comfort, energy and recreation.
Likewise I know that if I want to love, I have to be willing to expend the price of love. I have been reading Matthew 5:38-48 for my QT, and I learnt that in order to be willing to expend this price, I need to let go of the self. As the fundamental assumption of Economics states, and still holds, Man follows the principle of Each To His Own. Every man follows but his own interests, good or bad. When I give up my self, I will not act according to my self interests and will not harp on losing out because I am the one sacrificing. I am the one who is paying the price of love.
Of course, paying the price of love to someone who reciprocrates by paying his own price for you means an offset, in mathematical sense. It is so easy to love one who is loveable, meaning one who is favourable in terms of appearance, achievement and background. But the true meaning of love holds that the one who loves is able to transcend above these superficial and worldly credits and give the same amount of love in opinion, attitude and action towards those viewed ugly, average, useless, harmful by the society. These include the chicopeks that seem to always looking at pretty girls, the classmates who talk to you with sarcasm and mockery, the colleagues who use politics to land you in trouble, the family members that love to regard your life with contempt. When you love these people, which are not loveable by human nature, you are paying a price. This price can be the price of a cold, angry or hostile response that hurts your feelings and dignity. But when you overlook the ME which life often revolves about, you overlook your own feelings and your own dignity. When this obstacle of self is overcome, it is easy to love. Look at Jesus' life on earth and you will get the idea.
In practical ways, the giving of sacrificial, unconditional love exemplified by God can be followed. The very basic action being that of prayer. 'Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.' Luke 6:27 My brother is not loveable by human nature and is often treated not goodly (ie: without love) by his peers in school and in church. What I now do is to abandon all the instinctive emotions of anger and despise arising from unfair treatment for prayer. I pray that God will give the malleable, half-mature minds of his peers time to mature spiritually, and be merciful unto them in the meantime. 'for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.' Matthew 5:45 We, being the children of God, should take up His character of mercy.
In my church, people know the Bible well. I grew up in an environment that places importance on knowing what God wants us to do through His precious Word. Now, it is up to me, with the help of God's staff, the Holy Spirit, to live out what He wants me to do. A brother-in-Christ coined up a term for this, called living the Word. And yes, this is what I will seek to do more, one of which, is to love.
A shepherd loves His herd, just as how Jesus is willing to lay his life down for us. The shepherd's love is exemplified in the pain he takes to cultivate lands into meadows (grassy plains are not usually present, as opposed to popular belief!), the numerous trips to the mesas to survey and clear the land of aggressors and toxic plants, his constant alertness to fend off aggressors, keep the sheep together and ensure their health from flies' eggs that can attack the brain upon hatching, making sure no lone sheep is cast. (A cast sheep, in old English terminology, is to have its four legs up in the sky. It can die from paralysis or attack.) And mind you, there are thousands of sheep in one herd! The shepherd has to do these alone, personally, at most, with the help of a dog and a few companions. All these chores are done at the cost of the shepherd's own comfort, energy and recreation.
Likewise I know that if I want to love, I have to be willing to expend the price of love. I have been reading Matthew 5:38-48 for my QT, and I learnt that in order to be willing to expend this price, I need to let go of the self. As the fundamental assumption of Economics states, and still holds, Man follows the principle of Each To His Own. Every man follows but his own interests, good or bad. When I give up my self, I will not act according to my self interests and will not harp on losing out because I am the one sacrificing. I am the one who is paying the price of love.
Of course, paying the price of love to someone who reciprocrates by paying his own price for you means an offset, in mathematical sense. It is so easy to love one who is loveable, meaning one who is favourable in terms of appearance, achievement and background. But the true meaning of love holds that the one who loves is able to transcend above these superficial and worldly credits and give the same amount of love in opinion, attitude and action towards those viewed ugly, average, useless, harmful by the society. These include the chicopeks that seem to always looking at pretty girls, the classmates who talk to you with sarcasm and mockery, the colleagues who use politics to land you in trouble, the family members that love to regard your life with contempt. When you love these people, which are not loveable by human nature, you are paying a price. This price can be the price of a cold, angry or hostile response that hurts your feelings and dignity. But when you overlook the ME which life often revolves about, you overlook your own feelings and your own dignity. When this obstacle of self is overcome, it is easy to love. Look at Jesus' life on earth and you will get the idea.
In practical ways, the giving of sacrificial, unconditional love exemplified by God can be followed. The very basic action being that of prayer. 'Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.' Luke 6:27 My brother is not loveable by human nature and is often treated not goodly (ie: without love) by his peers in school and in church. What I now do is to abandon all the instinctive emotions of anger and despise arising from unfair treatment for prayer. I pray that God will give the malleable, half-mature minds of his peers time to mature spiritually, and be merciful unto them in the meantime. 'for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.' Matthew 5:45 We, being the children of God, should take up His character of mercy.
In my church, people know the Bible well. I grew up in an environment that places importance on knowing what God wants us to do through His precious Word. Now, it is up to me, with the help of God's staff, the Holy Spirit, to live out what He wants me to do. A brother-in-Christ coined up a term for this, called living the Word. And yes, this is what I will seek to do more, one of which, is to love.
Give Me Oil in My Lamp
'GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP
Give me oil in my lamp
Keep me burning,
Give me oil in my lamp
I pray, (I pray)
Give my oil in my lamp
Keep me burning,
Keep my burning till the break of day.
Sing 'Hosanna'
Sing 'Hosanna'
Sing 'Hosanna' to the King of Kings
Sing 'Hosanna'
Sing 'Hosanna'
Sing 'Hosanna' to the King of Kings!
I never realised that this kiddy kiddy song would have such a profound meaning now that I'm older. We used to chant the chorus and sing it loudly with gusto, not really understanding what it's about. I suppose I should really check up the passage and the references to the parable of the virgins and the lamp waiting for the bridegroom, but tis getting late. =)
How we need Him to give us oil in our lamps and keep us burning! The metaphor of the lamp functions on a few different levels, I expect.
On one hand, lamps provide a source of illumination and light in order for one to see-- it serves a self-serving purpose of facilitating vision. Without light, the person holding the lamp wouldn't know where he's putting his foot, and it probably wouldn't make a difference since he would only be tripping and stumbling all over the shop. Psalm 119: 9,11 says "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word... I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
Secondly, light from a lamp provides light for others, and works as a means of illuminating someone else's path. A passerby may not have a light of their own, but because of your light, they may see clearer and thus journey safer. Lights from lamp serve the purpose of illuminating the pathways of others. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden," in Matthew.
Thirdly, light from a lamp provides a means of being spotted from a distance by a distant traveller, and functions as a beacon similar to a lighthouse. Because of our light, we are able to mark our identification and association with the traveller, and one day when He arrives, He'll know that we are His if our light is burning for HIm to recognise us. Christ talked about the tragedy of coming to Him when HE comes again, and saying, "Lord, Lord," but He will say to them, "Depart from me! I never knew you!" Let us not be one of them whose lights grew dim-- our lamps should always burn brightly for Christ.
Let us pray that our lights will keep burning, for Him. Even as we were called out of darkness to be a people of light, we who once wondered in shadows and night have seen a great light, and our eyes are now transfixed and living in the glory of that same wonderful illumination. And today, we ask GOd, who gives all good things, to keep our lamps burning with the oil that He provides-- may He give us what we need to burn for Him and His glory. Hosanna, My God Saves!'
Courtesy of Caleb : )
Courtesy of Caleb : )
Reading
Reading is a pastime that I have forsaken for studies and play for 6years, but thanks to God and Joyce, I have re-acquired my passion for reading. Boring as it may sound to some, I am very excited about all the books I can peel my eyes to at home, on the bus, before and after church and carolling performances and rehearsals.
I finished Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, the author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven (in two days! something I hold a bit of pride in). Save the part about religions, I love how Albom uses chronological flashbacks whose timeline becomes eventually blurred with the present and the (imagined?) future, while keeping each chapter short and concise, visually reader-friendly for modern people.
I learnt quite a lot from the book too, one of the more prominent ones being the tension of opposites. It is a conflict between what one wants to do and what one has to do. I was reminded about being true to oneself, building my own little subculture.
Morrie's emotional strength, which includes admitting that he griefs over his increasingly wasted body in the morning and becoming joyful after that, is something I need to learn to grasp. Simply because I am one who can dwell on something sad and pretty trivial for days. I have this bad habit of switching off and entering my self-enclosed during gatherings. Morrie says this is wrong. We must spend time with people around us, because love is cultivated as a result, and Man needs love to live. To invest in the human family. At the beginning and the end of life, we need others to survive. But Morrie says.
I finished Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, the author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven (in two days! something I hold a bit of pride in). Save the part about religions, I love how Albom uses chronological flashbacks whose timeline becomes eventually blurred with the present and the (imagined?) future, while keeping each chapter short and concise, visually reader-friendly for modern people.
I learnt quite a lot from the book too, one of the more prominent ones being the tension of opposites. It is a conflict between what one wants to do and what one has to do. I was reminded about being true to oneself, building my own little subculture.
'The little things, I can obey.
But the big things - how we think, what we value - those you must choose for yourself.
You can't let anyone -or any society- determine those for you.'
page 155
Morrie's emotional strength, which includes admitting that he griefs over his increasingly wasted body in the morning and becoming joyful after that, is something I need to learn to grasp. Simply because I am one who can dwell on something sad and pretty trivial for days. I have this bad habit of switching off and entering my self-enclosed during gatherings. Morrie says this is wrong. We must spend time with people around us, because love is cultivated as a result, and Man needs love to live. To invest in the human family. At the beginning and the end of life, we need others to survive. But Morrie says.
'But here's the secret:
in between, we need others as well.'
page 157
After all that giving of his philosophical outlook on life, it's hard not to have a lump in your throat and shed tears when he says goodbye on his fourteenth Tuesday with Albom.
I just went to the library and borrowed four books from a collection of Hans Christian Andersen Illustrated Fairytales. I don't believe in multiple book reading because it impairs my ability to fully appreciate a book. So, I shall finish my current book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Thank God, my investment in Christian literature so far has brought me unexpectingly rewarding returns. For example, I never knew that a shepherd carves his own unique mark onto the ear of his sheep so that his herds may be identified from that of another shepherd's. When the mark is made, 'there is pain for both sides'. Similarly, when we accept Christ, we bear the mark of the cross, and have to take up the the burden of the cross and follow Him. Christ's pain was borne during His descent, notably on Crucifixion Day, and ours will be borne in our lifetime.
Thick or thin, colourful or black-and-white, long or short, pick books that you like! Even if it means going to the Information Books (12 years old) section to get them. : )
Finally
Finally it's over.
All that prom shopping at Centrepoint, Paragon, Bugis Junction,
Far East, Causeway Point, Wisma, Takashimaya,
Scotts, Chinatown and Lot 1 is finally over.
Same goes for the countless mass text-messaging to numbers
long memorised and remembered.
Finally, PROM IS OVER.
So are all the camera flashes that leave stars in your eyes,
And the sights of people that became unrecognisable at first glance,
And the plates of food that were piled up on tables and turned cold,
And the touching-up in that wonderful restroom of the Ritz Carlton.
All that balancing on two alien-looking blocks familiar to women
(called heels) is finally over.
All the struggles to stay awake all night are gone.
So are the endless pre-dawn chats that are much relished and remembered,
and the comfy beds that lured the weary in heart and body to take refuge in.
What are memories?
Memories fade, so do faces, and people.
But they make the past a little livelier,
a little more colourful and a little more meaningful.
All that prom shopping at Centrepoint, Paragon, Bugis Junction,
Far East, Causeway Point, Wisma, Takashimaya,
Scotts, Chinatown and Lot 1 is finally over.
Same goes for the countless mass text-messaging to numbers
long memorised and remembered.
Finally, PROM IS OVER.
So are all the camera flashes that leave stars in your eyes,
And the sights of people that became unrecognisable at first glance,
And the plates of food that were piled up on tables and turned cold,
And the touching-up in that wonderful restroom of the Ritz Carlton.
All that balancing on two alien-looking blocks familiar to women
(called heels) is finally over.
All the struggles to stay awake all night are gone.
So are the endless pre-dawn chats that are much relished and remembered,
and the comfy beds that lured the weary in heart and body to take refuge in.
What are memories?
Memories fade, so do faces, and people.
But they make the past a little livelier,
a little more colourful and a little more meaningful.
Handel's 'Messiah'
Hi,
I just got back from the Esplanade, where the concert, Messiah, was held. The Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallelujah Oratorio Society and the Singapore Bible College Choir came together to make music. The soli were soprano Fu Shang Chen, alto Anna Koor, tenor Ndaru Darsono and bass, Eng Meng Chia.
On the whole, the concert was good. Good in the sense that it enhances aesthetic appreciation for music-making, or 'musicking', as Mr Sum put it. I was reminded that word-painting is very important in order to effectively convey a message. Same goes for crisp pronunciation, exemplified by Darsono, and body language, best done by Fu. And the way the string players moved and played taught me that I still have a long way to go to play the violin decently. There comes a stage where musicking is beyond technicality, and generates from the mind and the heart.
Darsono sounded very much like a Filipino singer and possesses a distinctive tone that is powerful. I figured out that he did not use vibrato liberally as conventional opera singers do, but used the energy to pronounce the words more clearly. This means singing the spoken consonants, such as l to luh and n to nuh, and articulating those that are unsung, such as s, f, th, with extra effort.
And yay! Another concert coming up tomorrow night. It will be THREE by the SYC Ensemble Singers, Gaia Philharmonic Choir and Ateneo Chamber Singers, a transnational concert to celebrate the International Day of Choral Singing on December 10. Looking forward to it too. What a music-filled, arty-farty month!
I just got back from the Esplanade, where the concert, Messiah, was held. The Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallelujah Oratorio Society and the Singapore Bible College Choir came together to make music. The soli were soprano Fu Shang Chen, alto Anna Koor, tenor Ndaru Darsono and bass, Eng Meng Chia.
On the whole, the concert was good. Good in the sense that it enhances aesthetic appreciation for music-making, or 'musicking', as Mr Sum put it. I was reminded that word-painting is very important in order to effectively convey a message. Same goes for crisp pronunciation, exemplified by Darsono, and body language, best done by Fu. And the way the string players moved and played taught me that I still have a long way to go to play the violin decently. There comes a stage where musicking is beyond technicality, and generates from the mind and the heart.
Darsono sounded very much like a Filipino singer and possesses a distinctive tone that is powerful. I figured out that he did not use vibrato liberally as conventional opera singers do, but used the energy to pronounce the words more clearly. This means singing the spoken consonants, such as l to luh and n to nuh, and articulating those that are unsung, such as s, f, th, with extra effort.
And yay! Another concert coming up tomorrow night. It will be THREE by the SYC Ensemble Singers, Gaia Philharmonic Choir and Ateneo Chamber Singers, a transnational concert to celebrate the International Day of Choral Singing on December 10. Looking forward to it too. What a music-filled, arty-farty month!
Carolling Schedule
Ahh, I finally found my schedule list. So here is it:
DECEMBER
1 FRI OCBC Centre (Chulia Street):1215-1245h
8 FRI OCBC Centre (Chulia Street): 1215-1245h
15 FRI Ocean Building: 1225-1305h
Ocean Towers: 1320-1400h
18 MON UIC Building: 1245-1305h, 1315-1340h
One Rochester (Ensemble): Evening
19 TUE Equity Plaza: 1240-1320h
One Rochester (Ensemble): Evening
20 WED Keppel Bay Tower: 1240-1305h
21 THU UIC Building: 1245-1305h, 1315-1340h
22 FRI Keppel Towers: Lunchtime
Esplanade Concourse: 1845-1915h, 2000-2030h
23 SAT Esplanade Concourse: 1845-1915h, 2000-2030h, 2100-2130h
Come and hear us sing!
DECEMBER
1 FRI OCBC Centre (Chulia Street):1215-1245h
8 FRI OCBC Centre (Chulia Street): 1215-1245h
15 FRI Ocean Building: 1225-1305h
Ocean Towers: 1320-1400h
18 MON UIC Building: 1245-1305h, 1315-1340h
One Rochester (Ensemble): Evening
19 TUE Equity Plaza: 1240-1320h
One Rochester (Ensemble): Evening
20 WED Keppel Bay Tower: 1240-1305h
21 THU UIC Building: 1245-1305h, 1315-1340h
22 FRI Keppel Towers: Lunchtime
Esplanade Concourse: 1845-1915h, 2000-2030h
23 SAT Esplanade Concourse: 1845-1915h, 2000-2030h, 2100-2130h
Come and hear us sing!
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Hello again,
I am confining myself within the four walls of my house now that most errands are completed. I am still sick, and I thank you if you've been praying for my recovery (or did you NOT?!). Haha. I suppose I overexhausted myself from mugging for the A's and from all that prom-shopping. I'm down with flu. Thank God for Piriton, my snot is getting more goo-ey, with high viscosity and low water content. Haha. Some of the snot is getting to my throat, which is not sore and swollen anymore, so I'm expecting a cough to come up in the next few days.
Nonetheless, my spirits are not dampened. I finally bought a dress and shoes for prom. Thank God it's the upcoming Yuletide that we get discounted rates. Also, we finally got a room at Marina, which was supposed to be fully booked on December 5. How miraculous! Thanks to JT too.
Ahh, what a nice and lovely day.
I am going to tone my body, get a slight tan, guzzle loads of water, and sleep like a pig within the
next 7 days, even till before I return to my alma mater to teach. Just a slight update. I'm bored, but I HAVE to sleep to get well. So off I go.
Oh, and Caleb gave a wonderful analysis on the lamp metaphor in the Bible. I'll post it up too after I get his permission. As Kenneth would say: AWW YEAH, NICE.
Bye.
I am confining myself within the four walls of my house now that most errands are completed. I am still sick, and I thank you if you've been praying for my recovery (or did you NOT?!). Haha. I suppose I overexhausted myself from mugging for the A's and from all that prom-shopping. I'm down with flu. Thank God for Piriton, my snot is getting more goo-ey, with high viscosity and low water content. Haha. Some of the snot is getting to my throat, which is not sore and swollen anymore, so I'm expecting a cough to come up in the next few days.
Nonetheless, my spirits are not dampened. I finally bought a dress and shoes for prom. Thank God it's the upcoming Yuletide that we get discounted rates. Also, we finally got a room at Marina, which was supposed to be fully booked on December 5. How miraculous! Thanks to JT too.
Ahh, what a nice and lovely day.
I am going to tone my body, get a slight tan, guzzle loads of water, and sleep like a pig within the
next 7 days, even till before I return to my alma mater to teach. Just a slight update. I'm bored, but I HAVE to sleep to get well. So off I go.
Oh, and Caleb gave a wonderful analysis on the lamp metaphor in the Bible. I'll post it up too after I get his permission. As Kenneth would say: AWW YEAH, NICE.
Bye.
Christmas is Coming
Have you seen the map for the Raffles area in the street directory?
I have. On page 133 of the bilingual Mighty Minds Singapore Street Directory, I found 4 hotels that are in the vicinity of Ritz Carlton, the venue for our promenade. But sadly, our indecisiveness in booking a 300+ room at Ritz has left us with only two options for room-booking. Either a $300 Deluxe Room at Marina Mandarin (before 16.55% tax) or a $450 Suite at Ritz Carlton (before tax). $450 before tax. Either way, I thank God that Grace's sister is able to get cheaper rates. Hehe.
Does anyone wants to share the suite with us? $450 for ONE night is not exactly affordable for a small class like 2AA3. I should think that our last resort is to walk from Marina Mandarin in our outfits to the venue (will that be awkward or simply understandable? haha).
Anyway, I am very glad to know that my classmates are very fun-loving and are enthusiastic about a Christmas party. Talking about Christmas parties, there's one next Wednesday by the choir juniors! Hmmm, should I dress up as Rudolph for it? Fancy having that red nose and a full body of brown fur, save the fact that you can only give reindeer grunts and not sing carols. Last year, our choir's Christmas party was at Pandan Valley. I remember how we felt we were in deep trouble when we thought the soccer ball had made a crack in the clubhouse window. Even more vividly, I remember how Alex exclaimed so frankly that I was fat, and when I looked down, I did have a considerably protuberant tummy! Ouch. The salad that my parents and I prepared was mostly untouched - almost everyone present preferred the meaty stuff and the potato chips, till kind souls, especially Josiah and Livia, helped finish the stuff off.
Christmas parties are fun, so is carolling. Therefore, I am going to have my share of fun for the holidays by returning as a ALUMNUS (whoa whoa!). Please do come down and let us have a chance to share Christmas music with you! There are some pieces arranged by John Rutter, I remember, such as the choir's all-time favourite, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and Quem Pastores. Then there's the jazz version of Silent Night, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and Follow That Star, not forgetting Winter Wonderland, where people always cheered for the solo, eg: Joseph for last year. At Ocean Building last year, this angbao-lipped auntie gave herself away when her eyes lit up and she smiled when she saw Joseph. It was rather funny, but it gave those who saw that goosebumps. Haha.
I will post my carolling schedule the next time I blog. I don't have the exact time for most performances yet.
Is Christmas simply about having fun with all that gift-giving and receiving, carolling and partying? Sadly, with commercialisation and ironically, Westernisation, Christmas is merely a time to swell the pockets of retailers and producers and to dress prettily and socialise et cetera. Carolling with the choir is fun, but I will not equate this to a work of God. It is merely for aesthetic development - forging bonds and musicianship and sharing music with the audience.
Christmas is a day to commemorate the birth of Christ. (FOR THE LAST TIME, IT IS NOT HIS BIRTHDAY.) John explicitly states this in his opening of the John 1:1, 'the Word was God'. Jesus descended in status to become a lowly human being on earth, and by doing so, He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament of the Messiah that the Jews had waited so long for liberation. Fulfilling the prophecies means fulfilling God's Will of having Jesus crucified, and liberation is that from the sting of death, from the condemnation of hell since the Fall of Man.
Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is to give glory to God for His love in His wondrous plan, that even the evil of the scribes and Pharisees is used for God's good. This love is the unconditional sacrifice of Jesus so as to give the Gospel to the world. It is unconditional because salvation is by grace and by faith, not by intellect, achievement, status, or acts. Because the Gospel is so easy to accept - simply recognising your sins and putting Jesus into your new life - the world is skeptical about it. How do you see that people are skeptical? They question the rationality of miracles, seeing the Bible as a book of fairytales. They challenge creationism with a hypothetical theory of evolution. They abandon Christian principles for pragmatism, eg: getting into politics for people to back them up. Somehow, people think that you must qualify to be saved according to worldly achievements. No, the Gospel speaks of unconditional love. Take a look at Jesus' disciples. They were mere fishers, lowly educated and poor, but were chosen to become fishers of men.
Despite skepticism and rejection, we must continue to give love to them in the form of patience and a burden for their condemned souls. We give love because Christ first gave His love to us through crucifixion and the healing miracles. This is the true spirit of giving. The false spirit of giving is the one touted by the retail world. It can be so absurdly twisted to the extent of using Bible verses to validate generous Christmas shopping, ie: Tangs for this year and last year.
So how do you put the spirit of giving to practice? Look to the Bible. It tells all you have to do, such as in Matthew 5. Matthew 5 tells you several stuff.
1. Understand the principle behind God's Word,
and follow it with understanding. (v20)
2. Love thine neighbour, and thy enemy. (v24, v44)
3. Abhor thoughts and acts of sinful lust. (v28)
4. Do not swear but be truthful. (v37)
THAT IS, Be a Christian both in essence and appearance (v3-12, v16).
Makes sense? Now go and think about 3 misunderstandings you have had about Christmas and correc them, backing them up with God's Word. Also, choose 1 aspect of giving that you would want to focus on this Christmas season. Of course, this spirit of giving is not mere annual affair but is a continual thing till we all die, but simply emphasised more during this time of the year.
God bless.
I have. On page 133 of the bilingual Mighty Minds Singapore Street Directory, I found 4 hotels that are in the vicinity of Ritz Carlton, the venue for our promenade. But sadly, our indecisiveness in booking a 300+ room at Ritz has left us with only two options for room-booking. Either a $300 Deluxe Room at Marina Mandarin (before 16.55% tax) or a $450 Suite at Ritz Carlton (before tax). $450 before tax. Either way, I thank God that Grace's sister is able to get cheaper rates. Hehe.
Does anyone wants to share the suite with us? $450 for ONE night is not exactly affordable for a small class like 2AA3. I should think that our last resort is to walk from Marina Mandarin in our outfits to the venue (will that be awkward or simply understandable? haha).
Anyway, I am very glad to know that my classmates are very fun-loving and are enthusiastic about a Christmas party. Talking about Christmas parties, there's one next Wednesday by the choir juniors! Hmmm, should I dress up as Rudolph for it? Fancy having that red nose and a full body of brown fur, save the fact that you can only give reindeer grunts and not sing carols. Last year, our choir's Christmas party was at Pandan Valley. I remember how we felt we were in deep trouble when we thought the soccer ball had made a crack in the clubhouse window. Even more vividly, I remember how Alex exclaimed so frankly that I was fat, and when I looked down, I did have a considerably protuberant tummy! Ouch. The salad that my parents and I prepared was mostly untouched - almost everyone present preferred the meaty stuff and the potato chips, till kind souls, especially Josiah and Livia, helped finish the stuff off.
Christmas parties are fun, so is carolling. Therefore, I am going to have my share of fun for the holidays by returning as a ALUMNUS (whoa whoa!). Please do come down and let us have a chance to share Christmas music with you! There are some pieces arranged by John Rutter, I remember, such as the choir's all-time favourite, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and Quem Pastores. Then there's the jazz version of Silent Night, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and Follow That Star, not forgetting Winter Wonderland, where people always cheered for the solo, eg: Joseph for last year. At Ocean Building last year, this angbao-lipped auntie gave herself away when her eyes lit up and she smiled when she saw Joseph. It was rather funny, but it gave those who saw that goosebumps. Haha.
I will post my carolling schedule the next time I blog. I don't have the exact time for most performances yet.
Is Christmas simply about having fun with all that gift-giving and receiving, carolling and partying? Sadly, with commercialisation and ironically, Westernisation, Christmas is merely a time to swell the pockets of retailers and producers and to dress prettily and socialise et cetera. Carolling with the choir is fun, but I will not equate this to a work of God. It is merely for aesthetic development - forging bonds and musicianship and sharing music with the audience.
Christmas is a day to commemorate the birth of Christ. (FOR THE LAST TIME, IT IS NOT HIS BIRTHDAY.) John explicitly states this in his opening of the John 1:1, 'the Word was God'. Jesus descended in status to become a lowly human being on earth, and by doing so, He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament of the Messiah that the Jews had waited so long for liberation. Fulfilling the prophecies means fulfilling God's Will of having Jesus crucified, and liberation is that from the sting of death, from the condemnation of hell since the Fall of Man.
Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is to give glory to God for His love in His wondrous plan, that even the evil of the scribes and Pharisees is used for God's good. This love is the unconditional sacrifice of Jesus so as to give the Gospel to the world. It is unconditional because salvation is by grace and by faith, not by intellect, achievement, status, or acts. Because the Gospel is so easy to accept - simply recognising your sins and putting Jesus into your new life - the world is skeptical about it. How do you see that people are skeptical? They question the rationality of miracles, seeing the Bible as a book of fairytales. They challenge creationism with a hypothetical theory of evolution. They abandon Christian principles for pragmatism, eg: getting into politics for people to back them up. Somehow, people think that you must qualify to be saved according to worldly achievements. No, the Gospel speaks of unconditional love. Take a look at Jesus' disciples. They were mere fishers, lowly educated and poor, but were chosen to become fishers of men.
Despite skepticism and rejection, we must continue to give love to them in the form of patience and a burden for their condemned souls. We give love because Christ first gave His love to us through crucifixion and the healing miracles. This is the true spirit of giving. The false spirit of giving is the one touted by the retail world. It can be so absurdly twisted to the extent of using Bible verses to validate generous Christmas shopping, ie: Tangs for this year and last year.
So how do you put the spirit of giving to practice? Look to the Bible. It tells all you have to do, such as in Matthew 5. Matthew 5 tells you several stuff.
1. Understand the principle behind God's Word,
and follow it with understanding. (v20)
2. Love thine neighbour, and thy enemy. (v24, v44)
3. Abhor thoughts and acts of sinful lust. (v28)
4. Do not swear but be truthful. (v37)
THAT IS, Be a Christian both in essence and appearance (v3-12, v16).
Makes sense? Now go and think about 3 misunderstandings you have had about Christmas and correc them, backing them up with God's Word. Also, choose 1 aspect of giving that you would want to focus on this Christmas season. Of course, this spirit of giving is not mere annual affair but is a continual thing till we all die, but simply emphasised more during this time of the year.
God bless.
: (
'This painful memory must be exorcised by being noted here.'
Undertones of War, Edmund Blunden
Yesterday, I asked Ruth if she had finished her papers and I expected her to be over the moon. Today, people asked me if I had finished mine and I suppose they expected an exclamation of relief and overwhelming elation in response. I suppose I have to deflate their expectations because I feel sad.
Yes, I feel sad.
No more mugging with my beloved classmates. No more mischief in class that seems to drive teachers and classmates alike into desperation and laughter. No more 'Juicy Friday' talks before Mrs Yap's tutorial during lunch in the void deck. No more waiting for each other to get changed into that unglamourous yellow PE shirt and dark blue FBTs. No more queueing up for chicken rice or YTF together. No more hunting down of people to pay for the hefty sums incurred from buying endless copies of answer schemes, case studies and lecture notes. No more hiding of Sher's possessions in the toilet, on top of the whiteboard or in Rekha's pocket. No more discussion of hair balding suffered by victims of ponytail tying...No more accounting of attendance to teachers (shh..YAY!).
Part of me wants to embrace the exciting world of a 7-month holiday, but the rest of me is still under inertia, because my school experience, especially with my class, is too precious to be let go now. BUT, all things come and go. :(
I have never attached so much feelings to a group of people before. To tear apart or modify them would be painful for me. But what can I do?
I feel S-A-D. Today, we were discussing of what to do for tomorrow, or rather, how to fill up the void in our lives that has been dedicated to each other in school for almost 700 days. Movie-watching, prom dress shopping, playing squash and such are activities that can't last for ever. There will come a time when our meetings will become less frequent till it becomes non-existent. I am sure we all know this, but at least, by still seeing each other frequently during the December holidays, the void can be temporarily filled.
During the ride home, Joyce shared how Amos says he feels very sad because all that daily mugging in school is now over. Will we change 5 years down the road? Will some of us get married? Will some of us migrate overseas? Will some of us choose not to have any reunion gatherings? Will some of us change so drastically we wished he/she had stayed the same?
I feel sad.
Yesterday, I asked Ruth if she had finished her papers and I expected her to be over the moon. Today, people asked me if I had finished mine and I suppose they expected an exclamation of relief and overwhelming elation in response. I suppose I have to deflate their expectations because I feel sad.
Yes, I feel sad.
No more mugging with my beloved classmates. No more mischief in class that seems to drive teachers and classmates alike into desperation and laughter. No more 'Juicy Friday' talks before Mrs Yap's tutorial during lunch in the void deck. No more waiting for each other to get changed into that unglamourous yellow PE shirt and dark blue FBTs. No more queueing up for chicken rice or YTF together. No more hunting down of people to pay for the hefty sums incurred from buying endless copies of answer schemes, case studies and lecture notes. No more hiding of Sher's possessions in the toilet, on top of the whiteboard or in Rekha's pocket. No more discussion of hair balding suffered by victims of ponytail tying...No more accounting of attendance to teachers (shh..YAY!).
Part of me wants to embrace the exciting world of a 7-month holiday, but the rest of me is still under inertia, because my school experience, especially with my class, is too precious to be let go now. BUT, all things come and go. :(
I have never attached so much feelings to a group of people before. To tear apart or modify them would be painful for me. But what can I do?
I feel S-A-D. Today, we were discussing of what to do for tomorrow, or rather, how to fill up the void in our lives that has been dedicated to each other in school for almost 700 days. Movie-watching, prom dress shopping, playing squash and such are activities that can't last for ever. There will come a time when our meetings will become less frequent till it becomes non-existent. I am sure we all know this, but at least, by still seeing each other frequently during the December holidays, the void can be temporarily filled.
During the ride home, Joyce shared how Amos says he feels very sad because all that daily mugging in school is now over. Will we change 5 years down the road? Will some of us get married? Will some of us migrate overseas? Will some of us choose not to have any reunion gatherings? Will some of us change so drastically we wished he/she had stayed the same?
I feel sad.
What to Do with My Life
Hi,
It's been a long time since I used the computer. This primary school kiddo from my church finds such behaviour of not using the computer for a long time incredible and out-of-the-world. Anyway, I don't relish the life of being an online addict.
The 'A' level preparation has been a sort-of arduous journey. Even I myself am not sure about how I should feel about it now, though I'm only left with a 2.30 paper later and another one next thursday before I'm done with Cambridge. When I don't feel stressed, does it mean I am well-prepared or apathetic? When I feel otherwise, does it mean I am giving myself excessive pressure or undergoing a coping mechanism of last-minute cramming? 2 years back, the 'O' levels felt quite a breeze, and ironically I was rather bored and didn't study during the exam period. I think the most honest answer, if you ask me 'How's the A's, aye?', is ????????????. That's a dozen question marks.
When the fast-paced, cramming, bookwormish kind of life suddenly becomes invalid next Thursday, will I be at a sudden loss? The loss of a protected environment and the loss of the 'rote-learning' way of life which we ourselves have criticised so much about in essays and small talks - it's inevitable to let some things go. What am I going to do with my life?
One thing for sure, I'm returning as a choir alumnus. Simply can't miss out all the fun from carolling! Also, it's prom shopping with Joyce, Olie, Si and Kenneth for pretty prom dresses after the exams. LOL.
Since I'm not blessed with the opportunity or ability to study overseas, I can only work either at the flea market, where it will be really fun!, the Immigrations HQ, boring but stable job, or as a relief teacher at my alma mater, fun and rather stable. Oh! and a few of us girls might be backpacking to North Thailand. Talk about RURAL TOURISM. Haha. And, we should have a Christmas party and watch Phantom of the Opera together when the troupe comes around next March! : O
I suppose life will be quite exciting after all. : )
What are your plans, ye womenfolk who are spared from conscription?
Whatever you do, bear in mind that you ought to be a constantly shining light of God.
Jesus, in Matthew 5, uses the metaphor 'light of the world' to outline how we Christians should behave. Light is only visible when juxtaposed with darkness (the sinful world), and reminds us of the sharp difference between a believer's thoughts, actions and speech and the world's. This demarcation between what is light and what is dark is always distinct and cannot be blurred. Similarly, we should live by this demarcation of being holy inheritors of the Kingdom, while defending the flame of our spirits against being consumed by the dark.
Also, this metaphor takes on the meaning of having an outward behaviour that is Christian. A candle that is lit is not meant to be concealed, but to 'giveth light'. This parallel to the Christian, who is saved and thus set on the treacherous path to Heaven, underlines the importance of corroboration between the inner spiritual change and outer behavioural transition. How is it possible to claim in church that you are one who loves his brethren and then slander or think bad thoughts about him after that? Is that how a true Christian should be?
No 'if's and no 'but's - if you try to refute the need to exude a Christian life, you are merely giving excuses to hide your wrong. I know of people who do that. They drink and smoke, subjecting the holy vessel of the Master to degradation that is uncalled for. They can do QT and still mock at people after that. Then they give excuses, 'Oh...but it's human nature to be like that', 'I need to destress so I shouldn't restrict myself', or 'Don't be so strict lah!'. Again, it's back to the issue of whether one is WILLING to adhere to that demarcation between the Christian and the world.
Jesus sub-concludes by explaining the rationale of using the light metaphor.
It's been a long time since I used the computer. This primary school kiddo from my church finds such behaviour of not using the computer for a long time incredible and out-of-the-world. Anyway, I don't relish the life of being an online addict.
The 'A' level preparation has been a sort-of arduous journey. Even I myself am not sure about how I should feel about it now, though I'm only left with a 2.30 paper later and another one next thursday before I'm done with Cambridge. When I don't feel stressed, does it mean I am well-prepared or apathetic? When I feel otherwise, does it mean I am giving myself excessive pressure or undergoing a coping mechanism of last-minute cramming? 2 years back, the 'O' levels felt quite a breeze, and ironically I was rather bored and didn't study during the exam period. I think the most honest answer, if you ask me 'How's the A's, aye?', is ????????????. That's a dozen question marks.
When the fast-paced, cramming, bookwormish kind of life suddenly becomes invalid next Thursday, will I be at a sudden loss? The loss of a protected environment and the loss of the 'rote-learning' way of life which we ourselves have criticised so much about in essays and small talks - it's inevitable to let some things go. What am I going to do with my life?
One thing for sure, I'm returning as a choir alumnus. Simply can't miss out all the fun from carolling! Also, it's prom shopping with Joyce, Olie, Si and Kenneth for pretty prom dresses after the exams. LOL.
Since I'm not blessed with the opportunity or ability to study overseas, I can only work either at the flea market, where it will be really fun!, the Immigrations HQ, boring but stable job, or as a relief teacher at my alma mater, fun and rather stable. Oh! and a few of us girls might be backpacking to North Thailand. Talk about RURAL TOURISM. Haha. And, we should have a Christmas party and watch Phantom of the Opera together when the troupe comes around next March! : O
I suppose life will be quite exciting after all. : )
What are your plans, ye womenfolk who are spared from conscription?
Whatever you do, bear in mind that you ought to be a constantly shining light of God.
Jesus, in Matthew 5, uses the metaphor 'light of the world' to outline how we Christians should behave. Light is only visible when juxtaposed with darkness (the sinful world), and reminds us of the sharp difference between a believer's thoughts, actions and speech and the world's. This demarcation between what is light and what is dark is always distinct and cannot be blurred. Similarly, we should live by this demarcation of being holy inheritors of the Kingdom, while defending the flame of our spirits against being consumed by the dark.
Also, this metaphor takes on the meaning of having an outward behaviour that is Christian. A candle that is lit is not meant to be concealed, but to 'giveth light'. This parallel to the Christian, who is saved and thus set on the treacherous path to Heaven, underlines the importance of corroboration between the inner spiritual change and outer behavioural transition. How is it possible to claim in church that you are one who loves his brethren and then slander or think bad thoughts about him after that? Is that how a true Christian should be?
No 'if's and no 'but's - if you try to refute the need to exude a Christian life, you are merely giving excuses to hide your wrong. I know of people who do that. They drink and smoke, subjecting the holy vessel of the Master to degradation that is uncalled for. They can do QT and still mock at people after that. Then they give excuses, 'Oh...but it's human nature to be like that', 'I need to destress so I shouldn't restrict myself', or 'Don't be so strict lah!'. Again, it's back to the issue of whether one is WILLING to adhere to that demarcation between the Christian and the world.
Jesus sub-concludes by explaining the rationale of using the light metaphor.
'Let your light so shine before men,
so they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
so they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
Matthew 5:16
Jesus emphasises on the exuding of Christian qualities for us. Through us, people hard-hearted to the seeds of Gospel or unknowing of it will gain understanding of God, our Heavenly Father. If we appear still as sinful as before, the potency of the Gospel is undermined in the eyes of the world, as only false god cannot bring about a true change in a person. If we remain true to God's instructions and Will, people around us will be able to see the light instead. They will know that God is the true god and should be glorified for bringing about the better change in you.
So, what I want to say is, as the world in our innocent perception becomes increasingly complicated, do not let yourself sink back into the bog. Depend on the Lord for strength and courage for steadfastness, so that you will not enter the Heaven empty-handed when you were purchased by suffering, torture, ridicule and blood. When the day comes for judgment, you can stand 'without spot, blameless' (II Peter 3:14).
Gotta go have my eyebrows plucked and practise on the violin before I leave for E8. See ya.
So, what I want to say is, as the world in our innocent perception becomes increasingly complicated, do not let yourself sink back into the bog. Depend on the Lord for strength and courage for steadfastness, so that you will not enter the Heaven empty-handed when you were purchased by suffering, torture, ridicule and blood. When the day comes for judgment, you can stand 'without spot, blameless' (II Peter 3:14).
Gotta go have my eyebrows plucked and practise on the violin before I leave for E8. See ya.
2AA3
'Baccalaureate'
A farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class
NOW I KNOW what it means.
I love ACJC because:
Teachers = Friends
Friends = Friends
Guards = Friends
Janitors = Friends
Stall vendors = Friends
A farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class
NOW I KNOW what it means.
I love ACJC because:
Teachers = Friends
Friends = Friends
Guards = Friends
Janitors = Friends
Stall vendors = Friends
I love ACJC because my class, 2AA3, is a class clean of politics, strife and badmouthing. It is just a bit on the lame side, thanks to the guys. I've actually prepared what I want to say to the class! : O Oh well, pardon me for this incoherent entry. The 'Duchess of Malfi' essay in my bag has actually been calling for me for quite some time, causing me to have an interrupted stream of thought, apart from mixed emotions that I already have about leaving school. I'll end off with something that I thought of while on the way home:
Haze, haze, go away
Come back on 'A' Level's Day
Come back on 'A' Level's Day
...which, by the way, is a mere 25 days away as of today.
Happy studying. Don't forget that the Literature Mock Exam is at 3pm in LT5 and that we have a timed essay on Tourism during lecture next Monday.
Happy studying. Don't forget that the Literature Mock Exam is at 3pm in LT5 and that we have a timed essay on Tourism during lecture next Monday.
Death
Have you witnessed death before? Looking at someone falling short of that one silent breath that he had needed to live on for a few more seconds. Or looking at someone groaning in agony with methane overload in the guts till he left.
I have never witnessed any. When my maternal grandmother died, I was only 1 year old. When my rabbit was suffering from blocked guts due to hairballs, I was 10. My mum euthanised it by wrapping it in a bag to let it self suffocate in the dump. When my paternal grandmother died, the clock in her house stopped at the same time, at 6am. I was 12 then and I didn't witness it either. When my third aunt died last Tuesday, school had just ended and I was going to practice my Math in class.
Near eighteen years of living, and I have yet to experience all the emotions, pleasures and sufferings of life. This reminds me of the author of Ecclesiastes, who had gone through the otherwise. However, he ended up with this conclusion, that 'vanity of vanities; all is vanity'. (Eccl. 1:2)
The only TRUE substance of life is here in Eccl. 3:12-13.
I have never witnessed any. When my maternal grandmother died, I was only 1 year old. When my rabbit was suffering from blocked guts due to hairballs, I was 10. My mum euthanised it by wrapping it in a bag to let it self suffocate in the dump. When my paternal grandmother died, the clock in her house stopped at the same time, at 6am. I was 12 then and I didn't witness it either. When my third aunt died last Tuesday, school had just ended and I was going to practice my Math in class.
Near eighteen years of living, and I have yet to experience all the emotions, pleasures and sufferings of life. This reminds me of the author of Ecclesiastes, who had gone through the otherwise. However, he ended up with this conclusion, that 'vanity of vanities; all is vanity'. (Eccl. 1:2)
The only TRUE substance of life is here in Eccl. 3:12-13.
'I know that there is no good in them,
but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink,
and enjoy the good of all his labour,
it is the gift of God.'
but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink,
and enjoy the good of all his labour,
it is the gift of God.'
Then, I thank God that my life is a simple one. : )
There is another thing that I feel strongly and cannot tell due to obligations. All I can say is that I hope people of my generation will be able to live cohesively in the love of God when the previous generation leaves. There has been lots of trouble and ungodly behaviour in the past, and more will come in the future.
God, please purge us of this sin and teach us to be righteous. Punish us to let us learn, and give us strength to resist worldly pursuits. Teach me to be more like you the Master. More of your meekness, humility, zeal to labour and the courage to be a true servant on earth. Give me the courage, wisdom and initiative to mend the fissures in our relationship with each other. Remove the roots of hatred in us, that we may live in sincerity and open-heartedness.
There is another thing that I feel strongly and cannot tell due to obligations. All I can say is that I hope people of my generation will be able to live cohesively in the love of God when the previous generation leaves. There has been lots of trouble and ungodly behaviour in the past, and more will come in the future.
God, please purge us of this sin and teach us to be righteous. Punish us to let us learn, and give us strength to resist worldly pursuits. Teach me to be more like you the Master. More of your meekness, humility, zeal to labour and the courage to be a true servant on earth. Give me the courage, wisdom and initiative to mend the fissures in our relationship with each other. Remove the roots of hatred in us, that we may live in sincerity and open-heartedness.
'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.'
Matt. 5:44-45
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.'
Matt. 5:44-45
More Like the Master
I heard some feedbacks that my blog lacks pictures and therefore it is boring.
Well, let me echo what Edmund Blunden said in 'Undertones of War', that it does not matter if you do not understand and do not want to read it. After all, your eyes are yours and not mine.
This blog is mainly for the documentation of my deeper thoughts on life. Though pictures speak a thousand words, they cannot reflect explicitly what I intend to convey, which is much about the intangible. However, if you do take time to read my entries, I humbly thank you and hope you will be edified by it.
Well, let me echo what Edmund Blunden said in 'Undertones of War', that it does not matter if you do not understand and do not want to read it. After all, your eyes are yours and not mine.
This blog is mainly for the documentation of my deeper thoughts on life. Though pictures speak a thousand words, they cannot reflect explicitly what I intend to convey, which is much about the intangible. However, if you do take time to read my entries, I humbly thank you and hope you will be edified by it.
'Whether therefore ye eat,or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God.'
I Corinthians 10:31
Trivialities aside, I would like to share the lyrics of this hymn which I found edifying for me. I learnt it in church choir for the item that we'll be presenting during the church's 26th anniversary (that's next Sunday!).
The turn of the 19th century saw the world flourishing in science, technology, culture and philosophy (just to name a few). As such, many people abandoned the faith of the Rock of All Ages and embraced liberalism and other cultures. God fed His herd with the multiplying of hymns being written then in the economically more developed countries.
do all to the glory of God.'
I Corinthians 10:31
Trivialities aside, I would like to share the lyrics of this hymn which I found edifying for me. I learnt it in church choir for the item that we'll be presenting during the church's 26th anniversary (that's next Sunday!).
The turn of the 19th century saw the world flourishing in science, technology, culture and philosophy (just to name a few). As such, many people abandoned the faith of the Rock of All Ages and embraced liberalism and other cultures. God fed His herd with the multiplying of hymns being written then in the economically more developed countries.
More like the Master I would ever be,
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do.
More like the Master is my daily prayer;
More strength to carry crosses I must bear;
More earnest effort to bring His kingdom in;
More of His Spirit, the wanderer to win.
More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be.
Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart, and make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore.
More of His love to others I would show;
More self denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be.
Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart, and make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore.
'More Like the Master', 1906
by Charles Hutchinson Gabriels (1856-1932)
by Charles Hutchinson Gabriels (1856-1932)
Ousia of Mankind
Ousia (Οὐσία) is the present participle of the Ancient Greek word for the verb "to be", translated into Latin as essence or substance.
TWO WEEKS AGO, I attended this enrichment lecture on humanness. Based on philosophy, which was extremely thought-provoking and interesting, what I found rather amusing was that the whole lecture ended with us having to define humanness ourselves. Well, that's besides the point.
How do you define humanness? What is the essence of the human? The Greeks coined the term 'ousia' and Aristotle used it to develop his philosophy on humanness. Throw this Greek word into your essays and the marker will be impressed.
One of the many ambiguities of defining the ousia of Man is the controversy of the soul. If you say that the soul would define a human, you mean that non-humans do not possess this intangible and invisible soul. The conflict is, how do you actually PROVE that there is a soul or otherwise? You can't do it by science. Science is the validator of religion, of the logical and of the infallible. Therefore, it is a rather shaky stand to parrot-cry 'There is a soul!'.
If you agree with what I had just written, may God have mercy on you. YES, humans have souls and non-humans do not. The human is made of three components - the body, the mind and the soul. The former two are common in all living organisms, excluding unicellular organisms and what-nots. However, it is the distinctive soul that the human naturally possesses that allows him to have the capacity to develop higher-order thinking skills, such as 'evaluation' (one of Mrs Yap's most frequently-used words), invention and aesthetic appreciation. Since we are all contemporaries of modernism, you may now apply your logic to assess the extent to which animals are able to compose music, study science and create civilisation.
The Bible gives us a steadfast proposition of this belief of the soul as the ousia.
TWO WEEKS AGO, I attended this enrichment lecture on humanness. Based on philosophy, which was extremely thought-provoking and interesting, what I found rather amusing was that the whole lecture ended with us having to define humanness ourselves. Well, that's besides the point.
How do you define humanness? What is the essence of the human? The Greeks coined the term 'ousia' and Aristotle used it to develop his philosophy on humanness. Throw this Greek word into your essays and the marker will be impressed.
One of the many ambiguities of defining the ousia of Man is the controversy of the soul. If you say that the soul would define a human, you mean that non-humans do not possess this intangible and invisible soul. The conflict is, how do you actually PROVE that there is a soul or otherwise? You can't do it by science. Science is the validator of religion, of the logical and of the infallible. Therefore, it is a rather shaky stand to parrot-cry 'There is a soul!'.
If you agree with what I had just written, may God have mercy on you. YES, humans have souls and non-humans do not. The human is made of three components - the body, the mind and the soul. The former two are common in all living organisms, excluding unicellular organisms and what-nots. However, it is the distinctive soul that the human naturally possesses that allows him to have the capacity to develop higher-order thinking skills, such as 'evaluation' (one of Mrs Yap's most frequently-used words), invention and aesthetic appreciation. Since we are all contemporaries of modernism, you may now apply your logic to assess the extent to which animals are able to compose music, study science and create civilisation.
The Bible gives us a steadfast proposition of this belief of the soul as the ousia.
'And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living soul.'
Genesis 2:7
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living soul.'
Genesis 2:7
The recognition of a soul is imperative for the Christian, because it acknowledges Man was, is and will still be made in the image of the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
'So God created man in His own image'
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 1:27
Being made in the image of God is not in the literal sense, but as in human behaviour and instinctive beliefs. God is eternal, with no beginning and no end; Man is eternal (through the soul), with a beginning and no end. This means that in God's plan, Man was to live eternally before the Fall which lead to sin, of which the wage is blood and death. God is compassionate, merciful, just and loving; we find that these are inherent qualities that humans possess. Though we may not know it, we have an inclination towards that which is light and is good and a hope that all good will last. The concepts of moral uprighteousness and its eternity is similarly imbibed by our Creator. The ousia of the human is the soul. Tis' especially significant because it is this soul that will gain a new, glorious and incorruptible body upon rapture to live in the Place of golden gates and pearly streets. This is the ultimate destination of the Christian, and will thus shape the manner in which his life is lived in.
Sadly, creationism has been abandoned by the society in its quest for so-called creativity and liberalism. 'I do what I want, and it's absolutely none of your business. So get out of my life NOW!' There is no ultimate destination that the modern man knows, thus leading to the sense of futility or the temporality of life. Life is ambiguous and the future is somewhat misty because man is not definite about who he essentially is and thus what his cause for existence is. Some societal flaws inflicted are hedonism, homosexuality and unfounded abortion. God's unadulterated Word, however, has provided an infallible explanation of all we need to know for our salvation. However, it would boil down to the fact that faith is about the unseen and trusting that there is sturdy ground even as if you take the next step in darkness.
Do you believe in the soul that God created for us?
Sadly, creationism has been abandoned by the society in its quest for so-called creativity and liberalism. 'I do what I want, and it's absolutely none of your business. So get out of my life NOW!' There is no ultimate destination that the modern man knows, thus leading to the sense of futility or the temporality of life. Life is ambiguous and the future is somewhat misty because man is not definite about who he essentially is and thus what his cause for existence is. Some societal flaws inflicted are hedonism, homosexuality and unfounded abortion. God's unadulterated Word, however, has provided an infallible explanation of all we need to know for our salvation. However, it would boil down to the fact that faith is about the unseen and trusting that there is sturdy ground even as if you take the next step in darkness.
Do you believe in the soul that God created for us?
O for the Wings of a Dove!
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
Lo, then would I wander far off,
and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
Lo, then would I wander far off,
and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
Psalm 55:6-7
These verses summarise my ultimate view on life. Oh, how I wish I can really fly away from the world and rest for ever under the wings of the Comforter! King David, in his fleeing from his oppressors, wrote this psalm as a humble prayer to seek for the Almighty's Help.
Life has never been easy for me. There is never anything that is enough, be it time, money, knowledge or capabilities. I have three siblings, of which two are going stray from the Path to righteousness, and my parents will have to retire in the short run. I am not doing well for my examinations, no matter how I try to study. My relatives practise politics and my relationship with them is often only skin-deep. There is the constant struggle to maintain my consecration to God, which I had testified to during my baptism in 2004. My peers are greatly influenced by neo-modernism, that is, the trend where ideologies are merely relative and never absolute. Many a time, I know that God has taught me what the Bible says about different issues, but I am socially barred from telling my peers what God says in the Bible.
Our lives have been greatly marred from the state of perfection ever since the Fall of Man. It is inevitable that we have to undergo the curse of toil and hardship.
'In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
till thou return unto the ground;'
Genesis 3:19
Life has never been easy for me. There is never anything that is enough, be it time, money, knowledge or capabilities. I have three siblings, of which two are going stray from the Path to righteousness, and my parents will have to retire in the short run. I am not doing well for my examinations, no matter how I try to study. My relatives practise politics and my relationship with them is often only skin-deep. There is the constant struggle to maintain my consecration to God, which I had testified to during my baptism in 2004. My peers are greatly influenced by neo-modernism, that is, the trend where ideologies are merely relative and never absolute. Many a time, I know that God has taught me what the Bible says about different issues, but I am socially barred from telling my peers what God says in the Bible.
Our lives have been greatly marred from the state of perfection ever since the Fall of Man. It is inevitable that we have to undergo the curse of toil and hardship.
'In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
till thou return unto the ground;'
Genesis 3:19
Our mortal lives have been eternally cursed to be sent forth into Hell and eventually into the Abyss where unsaved sinners shall be sentenced to the second death, the death of the spirit. Yet, God prepared the Son of David to show his love for the fallen sinner, right from the foundation of the Bible, the Book of Genesis.
'And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,
and between thy seed and her seed;
it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'
Genesis 3:15
and between thy seed and her seed;
it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'
Genesis 3:15
While my life on earth will be that of sufferings and hardship, I must persevere to enter the narrow gate, where I must be able to stand unashamed and not empty-handed in front of the Judgment Throne. I cannot become a dove in reality, but I can soar like one in my mind. To soar would be to overlook the matters of the flesh, and to lay up for myself 'treasures in heaven'.
'Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rush doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'
Matthew 6:19-21
where moth and rush doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'
Matthew 6:19-21
God be merciful and hold the horses of punishment for the unsaved! As for fellow siblings-in-Christ, let us be prepared to undergo trials and tribulations to strengthen our faith in the Father.
DDE and two C5s
IF YOU HAVEN'T realised what those alphabets meant, they are my Preliminary Examination results. Yes, I have to face the facts - I did not do well. But then again, this may be subjective and undermine the 'fact' afterall. The quality of grades, or any other thing in the world, can only be determined when you have a standard rule to compare against. DDE and two C5s look bad to me as I had expected to score better. Honestly speaking, I was hoping for Cs for my 'A' level subjects and Bs for my 'AO' ones. Now that I know my targetted scores are merely less than 5 marks away from the actual ones, I must do something to get those precious points.
Upon reflection during QT, I realised I had been lacking in a few areas. My answers were simply missing the bull's eye - I was mainly regurgitating what I had learnt. Therefore, Lesson Number One is: SHAPE my response to ANSWER the question. But technalities aside, I knew that this was a wake-up call to my sins.
I was proud. I started serious studying for my Geography examinations only one or two days before. I practised less than five essay questions for each of the components, but the exact ones came out in the examination. Given that I had sacrificed the bulk of the syllabi to study in detail Population Geography and The Hydrologic Cycle, it was unbelievable that I was asked exactly what I ONLY learnt. So the devil made me proud and think that I had an advantage over others.
'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.'
James 4:6
James 4:6
O Lord, take away my pride so that I may learn and not self-delude.
I had been ashamed of doing QT in school. I decided that the school was a place quiet enough for QT, and that doing it before or after my revision helps calm my mind, heart and soul. God blessed with a place to do QT properly, yet I had abused it. I was embarassed to do QT as my Bible, my RPG and even my reflections were in Chinese. That is stupid, but yes, I have to admit that I am stupid enough to be ashamed of my native language, because the faith is still the same if it were in English. That reminded me of a verse. Although it doesn't exactly apply to my situation, I know that the same sin of denial exists.
Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins. You gave me new mercies each day, and even more when I was desperately cramming stuff into my head. Yet, I forgot about them and grew proud. Please help me to have the strength to get rid of these problems. I have only 46 days left to the start of the 'A' levels. Please do not let me succumb to the temptation of not keeping your Sabbaths holy too, but work harder and smarter when I can.
I had been ashamed of doing QT in school. I decided that the school was a place quiet enough for QT, and that doing it before or after my revision helps calm my mind, heart and soul. God blessed with a place to do QT properly, yet I had abused it. I was embarassed to do QT as my Bible, my RPG and even my reflections were in Chinese. That is stupid, but yes, I have to admit that I am stupid enough to be ashamed of my native language, because the faith is still the same if it were in English. That reminded me of a verse. Although it doesn't exactly apply to my situation, I know that the same sin of denial exists.
'But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.'
Matthew 10:33
Matthew 10:33
Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins. You gave me new mercies each day, and even more when I was desperately cramming stuff into my head. Yet, I forgot about them and grew proud. Please help me to have the strength to get rid of these problems. I have only 46 days left to the start of the 'A' levels. Please do not let me succumb to the temptation of not keeping your Sabbaths holy too, but work harder and smarter when I can.
Hola!
- Daphne Tan
- Singapore
- One day, I want to lie down on the grass under a beautiful blue sky with ten thousand cats.
I'm reading
