Update

It's been a pretty long time since I've posted. If you are bored or would like something random and light-hearted, don't hesitate to go to

http://www.toothpastefordinner.com

It's one of my links actually :)

So many things have happened lately. Last Saturday was the CTSS Carnival. We didn't manage to hit our target but I'm sure the practising of entrepreneurship skills and bonding with students and colleagues alike helped make up for it. :) We need to raise funds to provide our many needy students with more than what is currently provided, and for our renovation of the original campus at Clementi Central.

Well, I'm glad I did my part! I spent a lot of money, over twice of my budget, at the carnival to guzzle on cotton candy, ice cream, sushi, sodas and their family of JUNK FOOD. Maybe that's why I've been having a greater appetite for junk food, resulting in (weight gain..shhh!) Haha. Now, I have to force myself to stop pigging out. Drink water and eat apples when I have cravings for junk food >> this always works! ;) I went for the first haunted house EVER in my life. It was an underground passage in the stage of the old hall. Though it wasn't exactly, Reks, my students and I decided to scream our money's worth. It was hilarious! We ended up making high-pitched sounds. I screamed till my diaphragm cramped painfully. Poor fake ghosts - there was no ventilation in the haunted house at all and they had to stay there for hours!

I'm elated that for once most of my work is done. I was surprised to know that I only had about 20 more scripts to mark! Well, that is, before the English mid-years ends tomorrow. Together with next week's Social Studies examination, I'd have hundreds of papers piling up on my pig-sty table. God grant me the wisdom and strength to accomplish this feat!

I just came back from a scholarship interview. I doubt I'll get the scholarship because my choice course wouldn't allow me to. Moreover, I found myself beating around the bush with a confused and exhausted mind. The panel appeared skeptical or dissatisfied with my answers too. It's not easy to get the government's money after all, haha. I'm glad I tried. Whether I get the scholarship or not, I'd still enjoy a win-win situation. No scholarship - no bond, no immense pressure to meet expectations, I get to study what I love (Sociology!). Yes scholarship - reduced financial burden, higher pay, pressure and motivation to excel. Thank God :)

Before I get myself wasted and lost amidst the growing piles of examination scripts, let me end off with a light note.

During an after-school self-study session, I find my students reading the New Paper.

Miss Tan: (Arms folded) What are you doing? (gives a what-are-you-doing expression) Aren't you supposed to study?

Funny student: (in Singlish accent) Yah! We got study. We read the soccer news to upgrade our vulgarities.

Vulgarities! He meant 'vocabulary'. LOL!

Till next time. God bless! :D

The Mark of Christ

'From henceforth let no man trouble me:

for I bear in my body

the marks of the Lord Jesus."

Galatians 6:17

I've found new meaning in this verse. The pretext of v17 talks about Paul's conviction to Christ. He was a controversial figure preaching a gospel deemed highly controversial then. The religious leaders found it absurd and unacceptable that one could be saved simply by believing, not by mechanically following laws passed down from Moses' time, eg: circumcision. Paul ends off this epistle with a resolute statement that he bears the mark of Jesus Christ.

The mark of the cross encompasses two areas of understanding, the first of which is enslavery. Slaves in the past had to bear the mark of their masters either by tattooing or by scarring using a hot iron template. (You know, like how the Japanese used those red hot sticks to torture people?) So the slaves were bonded to their masters for life.

Paul saw his conviction to spreading the gospel despite numerous times of brushing shoulders with Death partly due to obligation. Christ freed him from being enslaved by sin and the world, and Paul saw Christ as His Benefactor. It was his responsibility to live for Christ because Christ has given him eternal life.

Also, the mark of the cross implies undying passion. Staunch members also bore the ensigns of their organisations. Paul loved Christ because Christ loves him and died for him. It was imperative to let others know of this love and eternal salvation too.

Similarly for us, it is an obligation and a passion to bear the mark of Christ.

I was caught off-guard when Pastor Tang asked in the sermon, 'Why do you wear a cross? Don't you know the cross is a symbol of utmost shame and humiliation?' I wear a one on my neck, but do I see it as a reminder of Jesus' debasing cruxificion, or just a silver accessory to decorate an otherwise plain neckline? I was thinking that if I were to live in the old Grecian society, I'd be laughed at by others for openly exhibiting a ridiculous cross on my neck.

Let me be a Christian who lives the Word and prove true to the cross I bear - on my neck and throughout my stay on Earth.