the cOw aNd tHE RoOf

ancora imparo

2009-07-26T23:42:00.002+08:00

i still learn. any MONASH student (who isn't oblivious to the world) would know that

have you ever felt like you've arrived? like you know it all? that you're just right and nothing else could ever shake you? And no i'm not necessarily talking about a continuous state of mind. It could be just one of those fleeting moments, right before you stop to correct the thought in your head. But the thought existed.

I mean everyone knows that we're constantly learning and growing, every moment. But why is it sometimes you just get this feeling in your head (albeit for a couple of moments) that you're ok. ALREADY I realised it usually happens to me when all seems well. but then something just has to fall apart right there. It never lasts.

When glass is broken, when an unexpected change occurs. then you learn. But why is it sometimes that glass has to be broken so many times? why do i keep doing it over and over again? it's cos i'm tyring to do it alone. WHat an idiot i am. your assumptions change, and more often than not, you learn that assumption is futile.

But no... do we really learn? if we know it's useless, then why do we still hold SO MANY assumptions in our head about.. everything? think about it.. seriously.. the stereotypes, the baseless certaintywhich only gets broken by being proven wrong.

What do you do when you're caught in a downward spiral? you BREAK OUT. thank God that He's in the breaking and rebuilding business.. what would i be if not

ancora imparo.. i still learn

the power of a significance

2009-06-22T14:51:00.004+08:00

I was just listening to two very widely listened-to songs.

1. the bittersweet symphony by the Verve

2. viva la vida by coldplay

I suddenly realised something about the human mind and how each of us uniquely links our preference of music to a certain meaning it carries to our minds (and the incredible thing about this is the fact that it is completely independent of the genre or type of the music) If you think about it you'd find that some, if not all of your favourite music appeals to you in a certain way because something about it strikes out in one of these to you

it invokes a memory to you
someone who means a lot to you likes it making it a "connection" sort of attraction to the song/music etc.
it's a feat (you admire the work and achievement of the music as seen by those who created it and perceived by other people)
It creates a certain atmosphere that you like to be in (soothing, rebellion, relaxed, harsh, whatever you like)
it's a habit--something you've come to appreciate simply by having been exposed to it very much whether or not by your choice

it's quite amazing really when you think about this and how some songs impact you in this way and some just have no meaning of effect whatsoever on you. Music ain't just a bunch of sound eh? Here's what i believe. It's a language. It speaks to those who understand it's uniqueness and carries a universality of thought without words. ANd BEST OF ALL IT IS NOT confined by the ethnicity or linguistic constraints of written or verbal language. No wonder we worship God with our music.

Judges 5:3 "Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.

help

2009-04-20T21:35:00.002+08:00

i couldn't have ever done it myself. but HE helped. and it all fell through. three nights, by the grace of GOD. what a lovely experience. unforgettable. :)

never thought it'd turn out the way it did, ut it just proves that God is real, and despite the fact that so many things were crashing down around me, he still carried everything through just as HE saw fit.

am reminded of the story of God having a chat with a man, as they traced their footsteps along the beach where they had once walked together.. and there came a point where there was only one set of footsteps.. the man turned around and asked God what this meant. and HE replis "my child, that was when you fell, and i carried you in my arms"

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

Psalm 121:1-3

the goodness and severity

2009-03-27T08:30:00.005+08:00

today i was reading the story of Uzzah the Perrizite, who was charged with the responsibility of guiding the cart carrying the ark of the covenant. IT was interesting to note what happened to him when he reached out to grab the ark when the oxen stumbled.

2 Samuel 6:7 "⁷ The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God."

this account in biblical history has always got me wondering. i mean, hello, GOD? he was trying to protect the ark from falling wasn't he? i mean he did it to save and protect Your ark? but then. after some time pondering and thinking, i realised that God was teaching Israel, (and in this case, King DAvid) a very important lesson, but sadly, Uzzah had to pay for it with his life. The lesson learnt is this, that for God, OBEDIENCE is foremost. he doesn't need your good INTENTIONS or IDEAS or what you think is the right way to do His work, no He doesn't, all He asks is for you to be AN OBEDIENT CHILD to His will. It's quite simple really, it's just us humans who complicate everything with all our intelligent solutions.

And the answer to Uzzah's problem i realised, lies in 1 chonicles 15:2 , "Then David said, "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever.""

Quite amazing isn't it? it took a DEAD man before David realised what He'd done wrong. God said it!! the levites, and not a couple of BULLS were supposed to carry the ark.

And this i wish to relate to our own lives, our own worship unto HIm. I stress again that God doesn't require our great ideas and manner of doing things to impress Him. No, there IS NO impressing Godm simply because He is perfect. what He desires from us i a heart that LOVEs him and is willing to OBEY when he calls, even though it seems like we may have a better way of doing it.

Remember, God is kind, and merciful! but also do not forget that he is a HOLY GOD.. and no form of UNRIGHTEOUSNESS can stand before HIm. Do not take His mercy for granted, for it's serious consequences to bear otherwise. Yes he is a good God, but don't play the fool with the fact that there IS NONE BESIDE HIM in greatness!

Romans 11:22
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

tagged (carmen)

2009-03-23T13:46:00.003+08:00

1.Does it matter to you if your boyfriend or girlfriend smoke?
No smoking, else i SMoke them.. i HATE smoke.

2.How about drinking?
As long as it's not more than i do-- small amounts (good for health.. heh)

3.Do you like someone you can't have?
Rihanna! (but no, i don't like like her)

4.If someone liked you right now, would you want them to tell you?
No. Unless you're my girl.

5.What's your favourite sport?
F1

6.Its Saturday night, and you're home alone... what do you do?
Blog, sleep early, read, study

7.Do you like roller coasters?
Totally

8. When's the perfect time to have a bf/gf?
wHEN it's time

9.If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?
Rihanna! (again)

10.What are you doing this weekend?
Stuff

11.What is your favourite restaurant?
Hard Rock Cafe

12.Have you ever hugged someone?
MOM and DAD! (LOVE THEM!)

13.Ever kissed someone you weren't attracted to?
Yeah, annabelle wong!! haha.. when we were leetle kids (WHOOPS, I'M SO DEAD FOR THIS)

14.Do you like anyone right now?
HEH...

15.What is the first thing you notice about the opposite seX?
SHE'S HOT BABY!

16.Which do you prefer, Beach or Mountains?
anything lah, depends on my mood

17.What kind of phone do you have?
Nokia 3110

18.Computer or Laptop?
I think that's obvious, for mobile reasons

19.Jeans or Sweats?
Jeans

20.Which year(s) has/have been the best so far?
This

21.How old are you gonna be on your next birthday?
VERY OLD

22.What should you be doing right now?
Dreaming, that's my profession

23.What is your favourite TV show?
heh, NONE! i hardly phreaking watch tv anymore :(

24.What's been your last purchase?
lunch, at MEDAN

25.Are you attracted to girls/boys that smoke?
no

26.Have you ever fallen on your butt in front of a crowd of people?
ya, in class.. it's good to cheer people up, fall on your butt while balancing on two chair legs

27.What do you do when you're at home?
Sleep (it's a bad sign, i need to spend more time at home)

28.What is your favourite subject?
Fluid mechanics.

29.What's the best thing that's ever happened to you?
Jesus

30. Tag 10 people: randomly
Mabel, Julia, darren here, cheryl tan, chew and the rest... you tag yourself lah

internal combustion

2009-03-16T11:00:00.004+08:00

The internal combustion engine, based on the OTTO gas cycle. A sublime piece of genius so many of us unwittingly take for granted.

Fireworks, explosions, ignition of a fuel-air mixture.

it's quite amazing that it's just one of those stunningly simple things, like burning a candle-- that one of these engines require to move you. i mean, imagine what would happen if you poured a whole tank of petrol on the ground and burned it. You'd get an explosion of proportions.. LOTSA enerGY! HOT!..

but some smart people figured out how to use that to drive you to school everyday, to get you to the movies with your friends without having to take HOURS to WALK there. to build it in such a way that saves your money by using LESS petrol!

i take my hat off to them.. and so should you..

Here's to the engineers who work so hard to make the world a better place

when past dictates

2009-02-20T08:50:00.005+08:00

it's so easy to allow your present to be influenced by your past. it certainly doesn't require much effort to place blame on who you WERE, to explain, and more often than not, carry as an EXCUSE for who you are. and to those of you who feel that you are in such a situation i have this to say: SNAP OUT OF IT! seriously, everyone of us has HUGE potential. and it's up to YOU to pick up the pieces where they've broken and do a renovation.

another point. digression. it's funny how people mature and grow, but yet it's possible to digress. to sorta, ANTI-mature. a point where you take a step backwards instead of forward. where you see yourself making mistakes you made and so-called already "learned from". and when that happens.. you have to DECIDE and DETERMINE.. and trust me, it's for reasons like this that we have JESUS! because it's no problem deciding and determining, but when it comes to executing it's a WHOLE different plane altogether..

so here's to CHANGE! here's to moving forward.. forgetting what lies behind.. and here's to being more like Jesus everyday!.

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

FORWARD

edibles from karl

2009-01-19T12:52:00.003+08:00

i cooked today....( and all those people who know me very well GASP in horror! )

my first serious attempt at cooking (instant noodles and fried egg aside). i made curry chicken. Lately the holidays have given me much time to relax and do stuff that i've been wanting to do but put of continuously due to busyness.

Last night i decided to tag along with my parents to carrefour and picked out some stuff to try and cook today. heh.. so i bought the chicken fillet and some cabbage and a packet of curry mix.. hehe. (i know.. cheating)

started cooking late this morning. began with the rice for which apparently there was a user guide which would give me explicit instructions but alas i couldn't locate it! so.. i used the NATURAL.. heh. INTUITION.. just TEMBAK ONLY.. some how the rice turned out okay. the first miracle of the day.. heh..

cut garlic and onions and ginger. then i just basically followed the instructions on the back of the curry powder packet for the mix.. dumped them into the wok with some oil and here's what i got. a nice medium sized pot of curry chicken fillet with potatoes!! :)

cut the vegetable and stir fried them with onions and garlic and oil and water with some salt and oyster sauce. it wasn't too bad either!! :)

added one fried egg to top it off..

and MIND you all.. this is the FIRST time i EVER cooked anything besides instant noodles or fried egg!!. and i did it all alone.. heh.. happy me today.. *smiles*

the beginning of the end

2009-01-19T08:55:00.002+08:00

that post title says it all. HaHA. reading it now it sounds so melancholic and depressing. but no i don't think this is necessarily a depressing post.

i'm gonna continue my discourse about israel :)

God's chosen people. in trouble, it seems with the rest of the world. they're now beginning to look like the black sheep of nations. apparently everyone is running over to the side of the palestinians that the boat is really being wieghtily tipped in that direction. and it's becoming more and more obvious that lesser and lesser governments are remaining sympathetic to the isreali cause and the few that still do so are being very cautious lest they be isolated in ther support as they are indeed treading on thin ice.

(interestingly, it's the heavier side of a ship that sinks first, heh.. but i doubt that's got anything to do with this. just a random observation, forgive me)

However, God has a reason for everything, a plan.

And He will save His people. There will come a time when Israel realises that they're not as mighty and impregnable as they believe they are. their initiatives, military and ecomonic power is not absolute. And then will they turn to He who is Almighty. And HE will save his people.

It's interesting to compare this situation to our own lives. So often we're led to do things the way we see fit. And God allows us to. He's not a Father who holds us by strings and makes us do as He wishes like puppets.. NO even when it HURTS Him so much. He patiently waits for us, sometimes watching us make a complete fool of ourselves doing stupid things and running around the sand in circles. UNTIL we come to the realisation that we need Him so. and when we CRY out to Him, He gently LIfts us up into His arms and show us why we can NEVER make it on our own..

He IS an awesome GOD

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

a call

2009-01-05T18:31:00.004+08:00

this post is about a nation. a people very dear to the heart of God.

Israel

A nation called by God to be bearers of His name, of who he is. the Almighty. the YAHWEH of the universe. From the days of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, these special people have had a unique place in the heart of the Father. Not that God is biased in anyway. After all, who are WE to dictate who God is to select to be His chosen people? Are we greater than God that we be in a position to say who God's chosen people are to be? no.

And this is a call, a call to pray for Israel. Times are difficult, with the dawn of a new year comes a dawn of many new things, not all pleasant. And in Gaza, pain is severe and widespread. Pride is at stake. Watching the news reading the papers, glancing through articles here and there, we hear of phrases like 'when the rockets stop, we will stop'. These adamant statements by the leadership of Israel are tantamount to stubbornness, but at the same time, they DO have to defend their homeland don't they?

but is that all there is? is it really merely protecting their civilians, or is it their PRIDE that's at stake??

they've never been perfect, but they serve a perfect God. they have not accepted the messiah, but one day they will.

And for now, let's pray for Israel.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

PSALM 125:2

back

2008-12-19T13:52:00.003+08:00

Calvary youth camp 08 was a blast

before the camp i was seeking God for a time of refreshing and renewal, and He is faithful.

It wasn't necessarily an emotional or overly hyped up experience, but one thing's for sure. God showed up. And it's interesting to note that the presence of God and hype don't have to go hand in hand. He can do mighty things in the midst of His people regardless of the emotional 'atmosphere' we're in.

I think the greatest encouragement was seeing the seemingly young and inexperienced committee turn around and emerge successful with the organisation of the camp. of course there were glitches and unexpected issues, but they pulled through and learned the lessons needed to be learnt. WELL DONE guys. so proud of all of you..

but somehow there was one concern lingering on my mind. camp somehow felt a little like a whole bunch of different people with different responsibilities and focus thrown together into a large pot that just wouldn't mix. there wasn't that CALVARY YOUTH spirit there. or at least it wasn't as evident as it could have been. it's like.. instead of getting a uniform mix, there was a whole bunch of insoluble liquids separated from each other.. quite funny to notice actually, and it somewhat affected the general unity i think. but all this is my opinion.

there were the newbies, the young ones, the people in charge, there were those serving and busy here and there, the cooler ones who always seemed more prominent, there were the visitors who clung to each other, and of course the loners who were always alone.. the weird ones who just couldn't get along with anyone.. and the emo ones who refused to talk to anyone..

got me thinking quite a bit..

but as i said
camp was a BLAST

tuesday, wednesday , thursday

2008-12-12T08:54:00.003+08:00

09/12/2008
10/12/2008
11/12/2008

three not so awesome... yet.... three TOTALLY awesome days... *grins*.. ;)

time to reflect

2008-12-05T08:54:00.002+08:00

it's christmas time.

funny though, december as set in five days into the month already. Maybe it's just me but i don't feel very much in a christmas mood this year. Some how there seems to be a lack of.. umm.. how do you describe it.. stuff happening? i was thinking about it and i's probably a combination of a few things..

i'm growing up (old)... sigh..
no big musical this year
been so so busy with other stuff haven't really had time to get into the season

but i was just sitting arounf thinking this morning. And a really nice thought came to my head. Ain't it so so awesome that the whole POINT of christmas isn't the mood or the festivity of it all? i mean no matter how much celebration and fun you see all around you, you will never experience christmas until you SEE beyond all that hype and activity..

and i'm so glad that EVERY year i've had one of these moments like today. when i suddenly REALISE the incredible depth of this celebration, that GOD became a MAN. and his name is Emmanuel.

Come to bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord our new born King

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

and HE did it

2008-11-28T15:10:00.001+08:00

i serve a GOD who does MIRACLES and he did it again TODAY!!

THE ODE

2008-11-28T08:55:00.003+08:00

when it seems like all else has failed.. and there's nearly no reason to be joyful

i will choose to sing of JOY

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen, und freudenvollere. Freude! Freude!
Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt; Alle Menschen werden Brüder, Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.
Wem der große Wurf gelungen, Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; Wer ein holdes Weib errungen, Mische seinen Jubel ein! Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!
Freude trinken alle Wesen An den Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küße gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan, Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.
Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muß er wohnen.
Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Seid umschlungen, Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Freude, schöner Götterfunken

the ease of discouragement

2008-11-24T14:30:00.003+08:00

it's really easy to give up when it seems like everyone else wants to.

it's easy to wanna join the rest of the crowd in walking away when it conveniently seems like an appropriate time to.

but who am i to desert that which i've been called to?

is it in our position to decide where and when we wanna walk out of ministry and give up?

when it seems so hopeless where we have been placed, should we just let it go and leave for a better place(or at least what looks to be a better place)?

i have to admit, i'm not free of such thoughts.. but the God we worship, is it not the God they worship?

is it LOW ENOUGH to be like a bottle of shampoo??

"oh, i don't really like this smell anymore.. let's go buy another one.."
"this one more convenient la.. save petrol"

"i need one with anti dandruff"
"i need one with people who actually smile.. here they're so much more friendly"

"i dunno, but lately this one really makes my scalp itch, i wanna try sunsilk"
"i really can't take the way they're doing this.. i don't feel COMFORTABLE here"

and at the end of all this thoughts.. one big question... when i think of such things.. WHAT or WHO am i really thinking about?? ME?? MYSELF?? I??

but then of course i realise that it's NOT AT ALL about me.. that's not what we are called to.. who am i to make such a selfish decision??

fingers

2008-11-19T09:20:00.001+08:00

63 words

Typing Test

some promo and a book

2008-11-18T08:30:00.005+08:00

calvary church music and creative arts Kids CAT will be presenting a musical on December 6... and its called.. :) HOTEL BETHLEHEM. heh..

and i'm doing promo for them. becausee.. i'm playing.. so.. if you've got little cousins or friends or nieces or nephews, especially those who have not had an opportunity to hear the good news of our Saviour's birth, please DO invite them!

it's a story of the inn in bethlehem and how the peeps running it were so stuck up and all that they were completely oblivious to the significance of a birth in the stable. and whatever not.. quite fun.. if not for the slightly corny lines here and there heh.. whoops.. this is a promo. :p

so YEAH, come join the fun.. not you old farts.. i'm talking to the kids *grins*

and as for the music.. it's gonna be live, or at least most of it, cos we don't have a second keyboardist :( .. so.. what i'm gonna do is i'm gonna lay an extra track in the keyboard with all the funny effects and the other more random instruments (i.e. strings, mandolin, folk guitar, brass, and all that crap.. oh yeah.. and the orch hit too.. like that sound!!) and that track will play along with us.. heh.. so cool right?? just means then, that we've got to be really accurate and no stupid mistakes.. pressure!

oh.. and there's this book i'm just staring on . it's called the HOST.. science fiction, not my type, but i think it'll be worth trying, i'm sure i'll like it.. heh. :)

the miracle of who i am

2008-11-11T10:39:00.004+08:00

i'm on holiday now. and it's good. because then i have time. Time to go sit in the mamak for breakfast and not have to rush home or to uni or to the music school for something or other. and it's AWESOME. because then i have time to think. about everything.

and i realised today that i am a living, breathing miracle. everything i have today is a miracle of who HE is in my life. that all those years ago, and all along the way, every single seemingly unrelated event has fallen in place perfectly in place to make me exactly where i am today. and until now with each day i see all these little things fit in squarely to a masterful work of art, set against so much more wonder around us, that we fail to stop and notice everyday.

it's on days like this that i stand, humbled, a creation.. a work of love. of the Creator.

received a full offer from MONASH university Australia. under normal circumstances, the faculty in melbourne would have to consider my current semester results. but once again, a miracle. the maxis scholarship closing date is 30 NOV.. but my results will only be released 29 NOV. and if melbourne did not grant me this full offer i couldn't never hope to apply for the scholarship.

there... another miracle..

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush aflame with God.
But only those who see take off their shoes.
The rest sit around and pluck blackberries.

ELIZABETH BARRET BROWNING

a taste of rest

2008-11-10T16:09:00.003+08:00

exams are over.. unspeakable relief. It is impossible to explain that awesome sensation that you get everytime the summer break is here. And i'm so glad it's all over. And now, that much LEss stress

but still.. less doesn't mean none at all eh? it's funny how when you have ONE very important thing on your mind, you tend to push aside other, seemingly less urgent matters and when that ONE thing is settled, everything else comes crashing down on you like an avalanche. scary!

so here's what. these next few weeks.. one step at a time

CERC musicians
Maxis scholarship
PIano replacement classes for the students
fix my car
hotel bethlehem (the kids musical... super lame i tell you)
minus one for the WTE
leather clean up for my mum and dad's car
and a whole bunch of other more minute stufff....

and WE'RE HAVING YOUTH CAMP... woohoo... :)

*those three sleepless nights.. they were terrible. but i've learned a lot these three days. and i've grown up. and you looked so beautiful today.. everyday.. always an angel. thanks for everything.. i couldn't ask for more.. and i couldn't give more.. I LOVE YOU *

eh EMMY.. i shall post about your birthday soon.. heh.. waiting for the video to go on youtube

the winds of change

2008-11-05T18:59:00.002+08:00

Throughout the campaigning period of this recent American presidential election, the main topic in the air was one of change. And today America has got what they've been asking for.

Once a senator, now the president of the richest, wealthiest and most powerful nation on the face of the globe. Barrack Obama

God let Your fear and wisdom guide him.

we open our hearts and our lives to you o God
create within us a servant heart so thet we can share Your love
When all hope has been lost, may your Spirit bring new life
To those in need bring prosperity and through darkness shine your light

We pray for the city we live in
We pray that our sins be forgiven
Do your will right here as in heaven
Father we call an your name

at long last

2008-11-04T14:41:00.003+08:00

lewis hamilton won the Formula one Driver's championship on sunday in what was probably one of the most dramatic finishes to a formula one Season since the inception of the sport. At the very last corner, as if by some divine miracle (even with felipa massa's camp initating their celebrations) the worn tyres on timo glock's toyota finally gave way and allowed hamilton passage through to take 5th place and the DRIVER's championship by a single point.

The penalties both in Fuji, and Spa-Franchorchamps were unfair. But there's ONE who's always fair.. and as Hamilton said in his own words.. i "thank GOD" but this victory, to me.. is more than lewis being the youngest and first black world champion.

it's about vindication. For a team sidelined for the last 9 years (it's been a long time since the great Mika Hakkinen), sunday was a day to remember, and in reliving the ghost of the old WEST MClaren mercedes.. Hamilton brought vindication to the team. Ron dennis and all. nursing the MP4-23.. that mighty 700 horsepower engine at full throttle past the finish line at 310 kmh. An unforgettable moment spelling redemption for a team that deserved every bit of the glory.

and now at Woking england, just a few miles away from the legendary silverstone track, let the celebrations begin..

oh, and nicole scherzinger dear... now you can REALLY be proud of your man!

bravo Mc Laren! (and a certain mr bruce smiled in the heavens)

the pinnacle of engineering perfection

growing up

2008-11-01T07:43:00.005+08:00

growing up sucks. Even at an ole fart age like mine. I thought everything was worked out, but i was wrong. And it's impossible to simply dismiss the fact that at every level of my life, there's always more growing up to do. you'd think that once you reach the stage of strictly planning for the future, you'd be matured enough. But the status quo never rests. And things happen, against your own convictions.

It's funny how you can be so hard hit at the period in which you consider yourself the most invulnerable. When you believe that your defences are the most impregnable, watch out!! And i am having to teach myself that painful lesson now.

Everything that i HAVE and i AM is not my own. i am Yours.

i am a flower quickly fading
here today and gone tomorrow
a wave tossed on the ocean
still you hear me when i'm calling
LORD you catch me when i'm falling
and you showed me who i am
i am yours

youth lg outing

2008-10-27T16:05:00.008+08:00

on saturday afternoon for the life group outings, we decided to go bowling with brian siew's group at cineleisure. So we met up in church, had worship and got ready to leave.. some random pics from jamie's camera

when we got there, brian's group was still missing in action (we later found out they were taking photos with the "weird creatures" downstairs).. so ian yun.. managed to figure out, how to get the balls out of the foosball machine.. i tell you he's a genius!! and we had a few rounds.. some were embarrased (own goals) and some emerged triumphant.. heh.. sadly i don't have any photos of the cineleisure leg of our outing (jamie left the camera in the car *slaps her*
and have'nt got brian's photos yet)

All of it (the bowling) was fun, except for the fact that i was fighting with jamie for the bottom score on the leaderboard. *tsk tsk* oh gosh.. they were like, "karl, you know you can try holding the ball between your legs and just let it go from there, it MIGHt just go straight that way". had fun till like around 6 and then we left for dinner at SS2murni. my first time there. on the way, jamie caught a photo of me SMSing while driving.. apparently i had a very EMO look. i wonder why.. heh.. . hence this...

the place we had dinner at..

wei chin grinning..

they asked yih khai to pose.. and he came up with this.. looked as though he'd got a bowl of cream he was about to fling at the camera.. sheeshh..

yong zhi wen and ian..

dunno what they were trying to prove.. esp darren, " oh w

here's a shot of darren holding the RECEIPT he collected for loosing his parking ticket (that for stealing my place dude!!!hahaha) i tell you, i have no idea how he lost it.. we were paying the ticket together and next moment when we got into my car he called, eh... karl.. just now you
took my parking ticket ah?? i had to refrain.... :P life group leader!! hehehehe...

and this was the inscription on it..

julia and alvin

chew, myself, jamie and ben ong (ee laine, you're SO right about chew man.. the dude can't smile for nuts... :P)

ben ong and julia

another one of yih khai's random poses

after dinner walked to the CD shop nearby to find a movie to watch..

and following that left for julia's place.. at which point darren decided he was in the mood for some hyundai sonata.. scary ride it was, having someone else drive your MUm's car.. (my myvi was stuck at home due to a power cut.. couldn't open the gate). here's a photo of them posing outside the house with Alvin's car coming right up the road about to mow them down.. but did they care?? ..... ...

watched football (darren's completely undigestable excuse was that we should "wait for wei chin before we started the movie" yeah right.. more like he wanted to watch man u draw at everton!!! woohoo!!!) i left after that cos i had lotsa stuff to do at home..

it was an awesome day.. and i had fun with u guys.. love my life group!!!

oh and to all you peeps celebrating the festival of lights today.. HAPPY DEEPAVALI AND HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES!!

LINZ

2008-10-20T15:46:00.002+08:00

these few days have been quite a challenge. Getting to grips with the fact that my exams are three days away. I take my hat off to emmy, who has been at work since last MONDAY! during which time i was still at work on completing my final assignment, she was well into the exam studying phase. So now you have an idea of how FAR off track i am! it's so scary k emmy! studying in church.. with her big "ROAD MAP TO LIFE".. she probably really enjoyed all the questions asked.. heh.. ( and now i'll be lucky to keep my head on my shoulders :P)

SO.... had to salvage every moment these past two days...

was Studying very hard indeed this morning, electromechanics. Oh goSH! what in the world! servo motors, actuators, system modelling, transfer functions, and all that crap.. my brain was about to dissolve into nothingness when i decided it was time for some mozart...

and I JUST HAVE TO BLOG THIS..

it was such an awesome feeling. like i had been sitting in a sauna with a cloth, and someone suddenly let me out into the fresh air. what would i do without mozart.. .

it was the linz symphony no 36 in C major. and what's so amazing, is that he wrote the symphony in a matter of just 2 weeks. with every movement he has found away to maintain a stunningly delicate and lovely balance with such incredible ease. how does a man do that? every instrument comes in just at the right time, all the harmonic tension is resolved at just the perfect place..

i was telling mabel, no wonder mozart is IQ boosting. it was an unforgettable experience, all alone in my room. and to think that these guys of along ago have left behind such a vivid mark of unsurpassed excellence and musical perfection that till today, few composers have managed to attain. and it is only fair that i give mozart the fair homage that he is due.

Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele.
Seinem auf dem erdenrund!!

civil war

2008-10-14T09:48:00.003+08:00

on sunday morning before first service the whole bunch of us, we were sitting in the music room talking crap. And so i decided to try to work on the opening number for the dinner. And it was only then that i realised that the intro, with the falling fifths sounded like some American civil war phreaking FUNERAL!!

why didn't i notice it earlier.. crap, and now that it's already been scored up and the brass musicians have practiced it we're so gonna need to do a salvage operation! i think i'm gonna have to tell then to play con ANIMATO!.. or else it could be con GRAVE... *shivers*

it's a celebration guys... let's make it sound like a horn cry... not some funeral... *scratches his head*

but then at least the rest of the opening is okay.. just need to figure out what to do with the first few progressions.

this is an image of the modeling we've been working on lately..

DESIGN ASSIGNMENT 2... supposed to design, well, anything.. so we decided to design an industrial continuous lift. lots of calculations... 39 PAGES to be exact... just calculations alone mind you, minus all the hours spent on modeling and simulation and brainstorming.. this is the frame and shafts with the sprockets and their welds in place. dun have the chains and the platforms yet.. gotta figure out how to insert those..

the emmy post

2008-10-09T16:32:00.002+08:00

hello world!!!

Time to make karl's blog a little bit more interesting... :)
erm.. alrighty... I honestly don't know what to write...

oh okay, I just wanna say that karl and I really don't have a life.. (if you don't already know.. lol)
both of us are staying in uni until 11pm tonight..

WHY???????

Karl's reason: some project which he didn't bother to finish up earlier ;) .. so now he has to be a bit more rajin to finish it up since the project is due TOMORROW!!!!

My reason: I have a "plan".. A timetable to help with the revision... but since I'm so easily distracted at home.. I've decided to study in uni... Apparently I get more things done here.. APPARENTLY being the key word!

okay, time to get back to my book.. cellular metabolism to be precise... karl is bugging me for the com... I have no idea why he's bugging me.. since there are like SOOOOO many coms in the COM LAB... sheesh...

oh and btw, I would like to take this opportunity to thank karl for allowing me to crap on his blog! THANK YOU VERY MUCH KARL!!!

see ya folks!

Emmy

p/s: I will NEVER blog again!

the limit of proportionality

2008-10-09T08:57:00.003+08:00

Any simple minded first year engineering student would immediately recognise this as a typical ENGINEERING STRESS STRAIN curve

yes, that's right, it's got to do with the tensile stresses applied to an object and the corresponding strain that it produces

if my emotional state were a specimen test subject, i'd be somewhere near POINT no2. why? cocs point no 2 is called the limit of proportionality, and it is very closely related to the YIELD STRESS!!
that's where an object begins to undergo plastic deformation after reaching it's limit of proportionality..

why the analogy? cos finally i've said yes, i've agreed, on certain terms to playing for the dinner, only the most necessary parts. i thought i was gonna stand my ground... oh well, yielding point came first. i decided it's the only way lest i end up at point no 3.. know what THAT IS???

the ultimate tensile stress....

that's where a material breaks.... or

in my case

i drop dead...

and i've decided i will survive these next three weeks... God's there. and boy am i glad HE is.

i've yielded

pressure

2008-10-08T09:29:00.004+08:00

The 4oth anniversary dinner is coming up

And i've been asked to play for the opening number which i arranged. And i can't, i just can't. there's just too many things for me to handle and if i were to take this on, it would probably the last straw to signing me out with a burnout. I mean, i've said no so many times and it's so hard. the problem is, i understand how difficult it is what with everyone so busy and caught up at this time of the year.

I thought it was over the first time i said no. but they managed to come up with some very workable solutions, but still it was too risky and seemingly volatile a decision to make, and not wanting to sacrifice the time i needed for my studies i said no again. Then this time it was a change in rehearsal time to accommodate me.. and yet for some reason i couldn't see light at the end of the tunnel so i've said no again.

And by this point on monday night i was beginning to feel really rotten. I mean there's help needed, why is it i can't just go and give it? quite simple really, because my exam starts the very next morning after the dinner.

then Mabel (best friend) called.. "eh Karl, i heard the recording of the opening number you orchestrated. Cannot understand lah.. quite complicated. we REALLY need you to come play... you're gonna have to tell them what to do and all".

sigh.. i'm at a loss now..

hari raya

2008-10-02T17:06:00.006+08:00

before i talk about anything else, it is unavoidable that i have to thank God for a wonderful time like Hari Raya, (some like to call it Harry reyer). SImply because of the AWESOME traffic in klang valley during this festive period. GOSH bliss!! imagine this, cruising at 110 for a straight 10 km along the federal highway, yes guys, the phreaking FEDERAL highway! how lovely is that.. LOVE HARI RAYA!!

So, yesterday the life groups of kota kemuning decided to get together for a barbecue evening at my house.. brian chong came along and my parents invited ruth too..

Jasmine's dad, James and my dad and myself, three of us got the fire started. and by 7 pm
this was one of the two pits that we had, and one of the ladies brought a funny hot plate thingie for frying stuff. quite cool. and here they were cooking the shrimps
it was still early, so there weren't relly that many peeps yet.. here's a shot taken from behind the pond. :)
brian and i.. and the lamb.. oh gosh.. it was awesome lamb!!
the piece that i was about to devour.. with a little bit of improvisation by ruth..
to give it some.. what should we say, character!!
there's this kid.. his name's eu wayne, and he just loves to bully me.. seriously.. so he wanted to take a photo and asked me to make a face, so i pulled all the stops for this.. after that, he just said "eh karl, looks like you lah.. are you sure you even made a face??" (ARRGGH!! the urge to strangle. but he's cute.)
here's his sister.. lovely violinist.. eu nise.. you're too shy though.. heh..
they took out the dining table.. and the kids were having makan there.. here they are.. mouths full of barbecue..
another two who couldn't get off me.. literally.. gosh.. i am seriously quite impatient with kids.. but i fail miserably when i try to get angry.. and they think it's all a joke.. Here's a photo i took with ruth

And denise.. :)

these two again.. couldn't keep them off the piano.. ("eh eh.. i can play THIS!!" "hah!! i'm better than you!") pheww.. asian kids.. kiasu... =P they are cousins btw..

whacky band

2008-09-27T20:07:00.005+08:00

I should've posted this on wednesday night after practice.. but i was busy. so yeah.

Every week on wednesday nights calvary church DH musicians get together for our Sunday morning rehearsals. So, we had practice on wednesday. And it was totally THUMPING FUN!!!!!

under normal circumstances i wouldn't ever bother blogging about a rehearsal, i mean how boring is that? but.. this one was different man. Everyone was caught in the groove that night! what with all the head banging and "gorenging" and whatever not.. it's so rare that we're all in that very musical mood and everything just fell into place. We were like coming up with all these random ideas as we went along and it all just worked out.. AWESOME!!. but of course the main big idiots are as follows

NUTTY BASSIST : ADRIAN CHEW

WHACKED OUT DRUMMER : TAN SE KEN

DOWNRIGHT ECCENTRIC KEYBOARDIST : KARL EDWARD

of course there was daniel and jan and chern wei. But they all behaved themselves well.. :)

i had so much fun guys!! we should have more outta this world practices like this.. hopefully pastor Steven don't get a mind blowing shock when he sees our arrangements tomorrow.. which i doubt he would.. and that reminds me. i'm gonna go call him now to warn him.. heh!

But what makes me so proud is that these guys, no matter what we do with the music, realise that we're all about worshipping GOD!!

Psalm 138:1 1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

here's a wallpaper that i think sums it up

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!

i have "the look"

2008-09-22T21:36:00.011+08:00

My classmates says that i have a look on my face..it is an expression that i give,very commonly..they call it "the look"..
and every time i give "the look", they would point at me and squeal "Oooo...look look look!!!ruth is giving 'the look' again!!!" and start giggling..
and i will go "what look??" i have got no idea how "the look" on my face looks like..everyone knows what "the look" is, except for me :(
Apparently i give "the look" when my lecturers ask me a question that i can't answer..or i have got no idea what is going on around me..or i don't understand what my friends are trying to tell me..or when my friend gives a crazy statement that completely blows me off..or when i saw something shocking..
Since it is a facial expression that i give unconsciously, it's hard 4 them to explain to me how i look..imitating "the look" and taking pic don't always work..cz "the look" only appears for a few sec..the best solution that they can come up with is....to draw me..

bondi: "i drew u..see???"

monic: "lol, this look exactly like u..it's 'the look' that u always give!!!" *laughs*
bondi:"i totally capture the moment.." *giggling*
ruth: "bt i don't understand, how can this be me????"

monic: "point proven"
i was laughing so hard when i saw that photo bondi took..i can't believe this is how i look..lol..
so this is "the look" my friends have been trying to tell me..

ruth: "y isit so blurr??" (referring to the pic)
monic: "what??the picture or the person??"
ruth : =.='

SO, what is "the look"??? it's ruth's blur look..

bondi - the artist..amazing isn't she??

from left: me..monic..bondi..

my crazy friends..whom i heart..unfortunately :p

roberta and tsun ye

2008-09-21T17:48:00.009+08:00

An old school friend of mine had her wedding reception yesterday. And i was invited. Here's the couple.. and the lamp post (myself)

CONGRATS ROBERTA! :) so happy for you

It's so sad that it takes one of us to get married before the whole bunch of us actually get back together. Or maybe it's just me... "karl, you're the one who's been so hard to get!!"

Apparently everyone save myself has over these four years bothered to keep in touch. And i got myself many earfuls for "not being a good friend". But all in all it was done in good light. :) i missed all of you so much. gosh, those days... i miss school.. carefree.

Oh BTW, mabel!! there were extra seats lah.. you should've just come. and it was pretty informal. so you would'nt have like looked out of place or anything.

I learnt a lesson. It's time i started making an effort to keep in touch with these ppl i use to spend my everydays with.. laughing.. joking.. pranking.. studying. being lame.. . getting angry and irritated with.. and everything else that peeps do in school.. so guys.. i hereby promise that i'll NEVER forget you all.. and all the huge number of them who were not there last nite.

IN fact, come to think of it... there weren't very MANY of us there last nite..

anyhoos... PICTURES..

hui sing and soon seng... i actually thought they were together.. n then got laughed at

Qi guangChien yi... after so many years.. you've still got that same sweet smile.. :)

Kah Yin

They were gonna pop the champagne.. note roberta's lookStephen and mabel and ying guo..

THese next few photos. they called them the FACES of karl.. the peeps were talking random shots of me without my knowledge.. like i'm some specimen test subject.. sigh.. i was bored at times.. and they seemed to find it amusing.. and then i found all this in my camera

wall street

2008-09-18T14:11:00.004+08:00

The New York WALL STREET. The largest financial center on the globe

It's frightening, and, i daresay, chilling when you see economic giants like the United States of America struggling with financial crisis. For nearly a century, the united states, a powerhouse of seemingly impregnable proportions has remained the world's largest economic force and throughout the years, it has always seemed that no global issue was sufficiently serious to rock it's formidable armor of financial security.

This morning i was reading a portion of 2 Samuel, and I came across this.

2Samuel 1:27 "How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!"

Today we know that Wall Street is in trouble. We know about the collapse of a gaint and we know about the sell out of the century old company Merrill Lynch & Co. to the Bank of America and all of this are staggering tell-tale signs of danger ahead. What immense uncertainty! And what makes it more painful, is to see the two senators battling it out, rather than trying to find a better solution, it looks as though they are UTILISING this situation to GAIN SUPPORT??? what is going on out there!?

Being human, it is incredibly easy, to allow ourselves to find security in earthly things and take certain things for granted. We don't really have to try very hard to permit our minds to become dependent of things that we consider trivial and, somewhat "taken-care-of".

Truth is, this financial crisis way out there is gonna have an impact on our lives right here, half a globe away. It may not be instant, but it will come, and it's reaches will be far. And it's during such moments when you realize that nothing man made is perfect, no system or ideal or entity that we humans can come up with is infallible. Then you learn to understand why we need God. Why the mighty have fallen. There IS only one ALMIGHTY.

Isaiah 9:6
"... and the government will be on his shoulders...."

This i use to illustrate a struggle that i'm encountering myself now. It's funny how when you think that everything is alright that it's Not. When you mind starts playing games with you, you realise how difficult it is to try and do it on your own. it's by HIs grace that we are saved.. And it's by His grace that we move on. It's tough, what with so much on my mind and so many demands to juggle between, but in moments of weakness He is made strong.

timetable

2008-09-16T10:01:00.006+08:00

lo..... and BEHOLD!!

23/10/2008	08:30 AM	331	03:00 hours	THERMODYNAMICS
24/10/2008	08:30 AM	560	03:00 hours	ELECTROMECHANICS
30/10/2008	01:30 PM	566	02:00 hours	ENG DESIGN II
03/11/2008	08:30 AM	282	03:00 hours	FLUID MECHANICS I

this is my exam timetable for this sem.. what i like best.. is exam ends by nov 3.. in fact that's the only thing i like about it. sigh.. i hate exams. so lazy wanna study... :( i think it'd be some consolation if emmy's exam ends after mine, which i doubt cos so far she's been finishing first and ALWAys get's to nana nana boo boo at me first... sigh..

submitted an application to MONASH australia last week. the scary thing is i know that they will grant me an offer. and what i'm so afraid of is that is once the offer comes, will i have the guts to make the decision.. should i go?? really.. should i?? i mean. i honestly don't see a need to.. but it seems like everyone else does, what am i blinded to? experience?? but i see so many people who've gone and spent the thousands and still come back the same.. sigh.. this is so hard..

opening

2008-09-15T14:15:00.004+08:00

there's this super cool scoring programme called finale 08.. and it's caused me to fall in love with composing and orchestrating stuff. so cool..

SO.. pastor chris has commissioned me to arrange the music for the opening number for the Calvary 40th anniversary dinner. And i've got this stream of ideas and motives and progressions and what not flowing into my head... and i wish i could write it all down.

but there's a problem

my resources

i've got like 3 trumpets, 1 trombone, some violins... and a rhythm section. and i was thinking like, french horn, basson, oboe, cello, contrabasso, clarinets, timpanis, tam tams, tubas, all that crazy noisy stuff.... i mean.. there's so much that we can do. but if only we had a full orchestra. it would be so much easier to write the music for such a scale as is requested.... in my head i was thinking like... GOSH if onlyi had like the MPO or something at my disposal.

but this is where God teaches me that it's not about the impression. But that as long as i give my best. He's glad.. so i need to learn to put aside my PREFERENCES and face reality to do what i must. even with limited musicians.

and He will do what i can't.

by the way... GO LIVERPOOL!!!.... yes yes yes yes!!!!

vaccuum cleaner

2008-09-12T16:21:00.004+08:00

last week my parents came home from shopping and they were carrying a large box. In it was this...

i later found out that it was in fact a gift for ruth. cos her maid's gone and ruth is doing all the housework.. GOSH!! she's so capable.. pretty amazing really.. and plus they live in a bungalow.. so that's big.. I was pretty shocked that my parents, esp mum was in such a good mood.. and they mentioned some stuff like "future in law" and what not.. hahahAH!

so yeah. the princess was so shocked when she saw it. and what reli amused me was her initial reaction which went something like this.. "gosh karl!! it's so cute!" i totally wasn't prepared for that and it really got me into fits, you see, my parents purposely chose a small but powerful unit so that it won't be too heavy for her.. and instanly ruth and rachel fell in love with it.. i mean.. it's a phreaking vaccuumm cleaner.. now it's like the new house pet.. :p

(apparently rachel has been really gung-ho about cleaning her usually messy room since... hehe.. :p... don't kill me yet rach... :S)

Carrot Cake

2008-09-09T18:25:00.006+08:00

What can i say about carrots?

Im not a big fan of carrots..bt not till the stage where i'll start picking out bits of carrots that are on my plate..
I can never understand why would ppl munch on raw carrots..thought that's rabbit food..?(no offense to carrot lovers)
Hated it when my mom made me drink carrot juice..though it s said to be good for vision..
Mashed carrots are meant for babies..

After all that have been said abt carrots..u may wonder why do i even bother baking carrot cake..

It was a cake order from my class (last tues)..My class celebrates birthdays for the birthday babies every once in 2 months..
I don't eat what i bake,or cook..even though it is said to be nice..not that i don't believe or appreciate the good comments given, i'm satisfied and happy enough when i see ppl enjoying what i bake and cook :) :) :)
Carrots actually go well in cake..

Usually when u use a fruit or vege as an ingredient in baking, the flavor of the fruit/veg is prominent..u will be able to taste the scent of citrus in lemon cake..orange, durian..etc..bt somehow in the case of carrot cake, u can't actually taste the "carroty-ness" in it..sometimes u may not even realize the presence of the humble carrot :p

If u r a beginner in baking and u wanna try a simple recipe fr stractch (not those premix cake fr the box)..u can try baking a carrot cake..it s really simple and straightforward..all that needs2b done s mixing the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and lastly add in the carrots and other chopped fruits and nuts together..the only hassle s grating the carrots..

After much that has been said, it s time to start the recipe..

CARROT CAKE RECIPE (simplified):
Ingredients

Cake:
Dry Ingredients--
3 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs baking soda
1 Tbs ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients--
1 1/2 cups sunflower oil
4 eggs
1 Tbs vanilla essence
Other ingredients--
1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
1 1/2 cups dessicated coconut
2 cups grated carrot
1 cup canned pineapple, drained and sliced

Frosting:
250g cream cheese, room temperature
85g butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 Tbs lemon juice

Method

Preheat oven to 175 C..Grease two 9 inch cake pans..
Sift all dry ingredients into a bowl..Add all the wet ingredients, beat well..Fold in the other ingredients..
Pour batter into 2 pans..bake in preheated oven for 50 mins or until baked..Cool on a cake rack..
Frosting: cream together the cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl..Sift in icing sugar and beat until mixture is lump free..Stir in vanilla and lemon juice..
Frost after cake is cooled..

This is a great recipe..bt i find the icing a little too watery..will probably make cupcakes the next time round..
Enjoy!!!

Recipe source: adapted from Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes..
photo credits: not my sister. (though she did dish out some helpful tips) ;p *that was typed by rachel k*

vanishing acts

2008-09-08T22:08:00.002+08:00

jodi picoult.. i'm sorry emmy, i'm sorry mae.. but somehow i have the impression that she's depressing. haha. the few times i read the synopsis of her books, i couldn't help finding them subtlely melancholic and.. yeah.. depressing!! haha.. have been avoiding picking one up for quite sometime now. but there always has to be a first...

so, today i was at emmy's house and was looking through the collection in her room. and in an effort to rid myself of these impressions which i have of picoult, i asked her to recommend what she thinks would be the best read for me.. and i got this..

Hope i enjoy the read.. and.. oh yeah!.. i'm glad God protected you, and i know He's watching over you everyday..

learn not to doubt

2008-09-07T17:20:00.002+08:00

yesterday God taught me a lesson. a lesson that i think will reverberate in my mind for quite a long time indeed. and that's this. that there is nothing too hard for him.

Genesis 18:14 "is there anything too hard for the Lord?"

Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

Job 38:4-5 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?

this is an honest confession: Up to friday night last week, i was very doubtful indeed about the success of the calvary carnival. i had heard much about a lack of enthusiasm and i had myself experienced much cold reception while trying to recruit people to help out. My greatest folly was when i decided in my mind that i'd just do what i need to do even though it's almost impossible that the carnival would even fly.

I doubted God

But he showed me what only HE can do. regardless of the circumstances in the church... come on.. not even the WEATHER could stop people from flocking to the carnival site at 2 pm in the afternoon. And then i realised that man can plot and plan.. but only God executes the impossible. NO matter how hopeless or pathetic or sad a situation seems, there's nothing that can stop the work of the One who laid the foundations of the earth.

and it's only for this reason that calvary church can turn around and, instead of saying "we DId it"..

HE did it!!

mobil one

2008-09-04T13:58:00.005+08:00

It's so amazing how when it seems like life's being tough, and keeping your joy is such a challenging chore, GOD has His creative, super original, unexpected ways of surprising you with little bits of sunshine and stuff to brighten you up and remind you that He's taking care of you. What a priviledge..

On monday night i was with the family at Subang parade, and there was this Mobil one-Mercedes bEnz promo thing going on. tpeeps had organised aFormula one simulator trial for anyone who bought their engine oil and stuff. It was odd cos my dad, who's never ever into this stuff had this sudden rush of gung-honess and decided to sign me up for the competition. cutting a long story short, the fastest time for three laps of the HOCKENHEIMRING set on sunday had been 4 mins 16 secs point something(set by an australian F3 driver apparently) and up to monday night it was 4 mins 15 seconds point something.. and by some crazy miracle i set a 4:13 for the test run and a 4:11 for the final run.

The guys were so convinced that the 4:11 time would be unbeaten for the rest for the KL leg of their promo that they awarded me the hamper on the spot. got an an ovasion from the crowd of people there and in my head i was thinking like.. "Gosh it's just a phreaking game!" haha they wanted to take a photo.. so yeah..

there was.. let me see.

a watch and compass
two jackets
a t-shirt
a mug
a water bottle.. the metallic one.. whatever you call it
a key chain
a towel
a mercedes Sl500 model
and of course the bag..

God is Good and i thank Him for little blessings like these...

oh OH!!. and i was told.. that if my time remains the top two in malaysia for the rest of their promotion, i will be given an opportunity to drive a porsche carrera GT in sepang international circuit next year during the Formula 1 race weekend.. how cool is that.. (Johor bahru best time was 4:18) next is penang i think... i've got my fingers crossed... :)

fourth year

2008-09-03T11:58:00.002+08:00

just dawned on me that we're in our fourth year... gosh.. haha.. :) :)

you've never failed to make me smile and be there for me every time no one else is. and i couldn't ask for more from ANYONE on this earth.. you're the best.. n i mean it.. the BEST!!.. n i love you.. :)

thanks for the best three years of my life.. :)

and thus entered the roof

2008-09-01T17:20:00.003+08:00

ok.. i hereby declare that this blog now has two authors.. *grins* i think it's sufficiently obvious from that sentence who it is.. so yeah.. *drum roll* here are the two peeps... :)

last week i was making some changes to my settings and realised that you can actually have multiple authors to the blog. so i decided to invite ruth to join me.. hehe. anyway. she's already told me that she won't really blog much.. so don't worry guys. my posts aren't gonna be like drowned in floods of FOoD!!.. haha.. basically she just wants to blog about the stuff she cooks.. which i'm sure will get all of you peeps drooling. sadly... my stomach.. is nearly always the final destination of the food.. HAHAHAHAH!!! that was a joke.. :) i'm not that selfish... i share.. :p

went to mid valley today to spend the public holiday.. and here's another photo we took which i like.

home made

2008-09-01T12:22:00.004+08:00

i was at ruth's house yesterday.. and she made me this incredible home made noodles... looks a bit like wan tan mee. She actually bought the flour and eggs and water and whatever not and did the mix and stuff all by herself.. then she used this special machine thing to squeeze it into the noodles. Got this special oil, can't remember what it's called. and added the ingredients... and voila.

and while i was busy eating and dancing and singing for joy all at the same time there she was snapping shots of me and my antics. dunno why when i eat the stuff she makes. just gets me feeling so bubbly.. and.. hehe. LOVED!! that's the best part.. there's no holding back when she cooks for me cos it's not like a business or anything.. she just.. yeah.. so cool right!!

and right at the end.. a wonderful glass of anglia SHANDAYYY!!!! :)

so yeah... what a lovely afternoon.. and not forgetting the part where we sat and chatted for quite a long time.. :)

start using hydrogen!!

2008-08-29T08:02:00.004+08:00

lately people have been complaining so much about the price of petrol. (and i include myself.. gosh!! i could have an extra meal if i skipped driving to college one day man!) and i think it's great that our government is trying to subsidise the cost for the people. But truth is that's not the answer. we're gonna run outta crude oil within the next 15 years. Or at least Malaysia will. And that means we're gonna havta start importing. It's obviously time for all the BILLIONS that we have been splashing around on random stuff like the twin towers and the F1 circuit and this and that stop getting wasted and used to develop and alternative! build new fuel stations.. get the national car company to start producing affordable options ad hybrids.. whatever!~!

and this is where i state my suggestion.. hehe

the hydrogen fuel cell car. what on earth is a fuel cell? it's basically a battery, except.. you can refill the chemical in the battery and you don't have to replace or recharge the battery simply because it operates on FUEL!! how incredibly cool is that.. (imagine if our mobile's had a fuel cell, we'd just have to carry this bottle of.. stuff.. around and refill it every few hours or smth and never have to charge!!.. ok but that's off topic)...

so yeah.. hydrogen fuel cell cars is the way because aside from the required energy.. the only other waste product is... hehe.. brace youself.. WATER!! seriously man.. no carbon dioxide!! no lead!! no sulphur.. just phreaking WATER VAPOUR!! .. only thing is. it'll cost billions to refit cars with this technology. and billions to rennovate fuel stations to accommodate hydrogen fuel on a large scale basis. And i think that's an investment our government should look into rather than these MEGA projects to make our country LOOK good.. better BE good than just Look good.

chen

2008-08-27T09:40:00.006+08:00

"The sensational Malaysian pianist BOBBY CHEN burst onto the musical scene in 1996 with a stunning series on concerts which included a tour of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with Yehudi Menuhin (no less) and a recital at the Royal Festival Hall. Since then he has gone on to regular appearances in the main UK concert halls and to win many awards and scholarships. He also plays regularly in the Far East. His early studies were at the Yehudi Menuhin School, hotbed of some of the most prodigious musical talent anywhere; hence his selection by Lord Menuhin to join him in the Beethoven concerto. He has now played twice at the Wigmore Hall, a supreme accolade for a still young artist. Locally he has played for the Leighton Buzzard Music Club and with the Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra."

“Chen is an armour-clad player of complete technique, a thinking musician, a natural Romantic…his arsenal of gran espressione phrases, thunderbolt octaves and basaltic chords is imperial, his ability to suggest colour and image through touch, timing and dynamic voicing already masterly.” International Piano Magazine

Met this amazing pianist on monday for a masterclass which lasted about an hour and a half. Sadly i didn't get a photograph wit him cos there were students before and after me. but anyways. He's stunning! i tell you.. i'm always wondering why some pianists get nervous when i'm around and now i understand why. But he's such a nice guy. SO softspoken and humble for all his incredible accomplishments.

PLayed the Pathetique by Beethoven for him. And i received some very very helpful tips from him. the most encouraging thing that he told me was that i know what I want from the music and i understand the direction of how to produce that sound and to just carry on practicing as i have been.. and if i do that it would help me to continue improving and refining my technique.. how cool is that??? hehe.. :) :)

and then there were parts i hadn't practiced properly.. and he was like "THAT"S VERY BAD".. haha.. but somehow even when he said that it was not like hurtful... so yeah.. bobby chen rawks!!! got a cert with his autograph too..

mpyo

2008-08-24T20:22:00.005+08:00

i'm reading a book that i think i should've picked up a long time ago. but then of course it's never too late. To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Lives up to it's reputation and outdoes so many others for sheer simplicity of thought and yet such a powerful satire of our outlook and perspective on life as humans. Amazingly heartwarming, probably the best feature of it is the fact that Lee has managed to capture life and growing up in such a way that never once seems remotely monotonous but rather the beautiful gift of learning and maturing that God has given us. oddly the main character of the story, jean louise finch.. or scout.. this super cute little girl reminds me of someone i know. hehe.. so yeah. all in all, a solid read!!

Anyways, saturday night was mabel's concert. the whole bunch of us.. umm let's see.. RUTH, tab, sheryl chong, brian, nicole, jan, and sarah and pastor chris and family went to support mae who was doing her final performance with the MPYO for this semester. As far as the music was concerned i ws pretty disappointed with the winds last night but could tell that the poor guys were tired out.. they were just not there. but still i'm so proud of you mabel though!!! you did so well.. :) here's some pics..

MUST put the one of ruth first.. hehe..
here's the STAR of the evening.. our violinist doink.. heheh.. ;p check out tab in the background
and nicole.. :)

anyways as for amazing RACE.. it was awesome.. if not for the fact that BARRY.. yes BARRY... i hope you're reading this.. gave our team the wrong route number which sent us all over the place.. which really didn't matter cos we still had fun.. minus the getting wet and the enormous bruise on my left knee (julia you wait!! "mind my step ehh.. "). but a big thank you to all the organisers and we appreciate your hard work.. :)

bruckner

2008-08-19T09:35:00.003+08:00

one of the most lovely symphonies ever written-- the Simphonie no 7 in E-Dur by anton bruckner. I just completed a quick study of the score while listening to it at the same time... and gosh.. i just have to WRITE something about it. probably the most amazing thing about the symphony is the unity of the movements which were in some way or another linked whether by melodic motifs of rhythmic similarities.. and his understanding and grasp of music as an emotional force is probably second only to that of beethoven himself. In fact, anton bruckner's symphonies are widely recognised to be the epitome of the romantic tradition of symphonic writing.. building on the edifice constructed by beethoven during his time. so immense is the scale and magnitude of this work that i had to restart the first movement alone about 3 times after entering the first few bars because it was so difficult to understand the harmonic movement of the first few bars.. a stunning display of the power of a simple but well crafted melodic line (bruckner as known to.. very much like the legendary beethoven, tirelessly reshape and revise his symphonies till they resumed the shape that he liked).

and for those who might even bother trying to listen to it.. here's a video of the first part of the first movement conducted by Jochum with the netherlands philharmonic.. i think. seriously, even you rockers reading this (which i highly doubt.. just watch a minute or two of it you'll understand.) please just click on it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpvvzwbcSPo

11 hours

2008-08-18T11:32:00.004+08:00

spent 11 hours in church yesterday. If i had stayed in church until the end of 3rd service it would have been over half my day. Didn't have time to even grab lunch cos right after second service was the NCW rehearsal for the musicians and then a meeting with all the kids worship team immediately after.. when it ended at 3 smth i was too tired to go anywhere.. so yeah.. one long tiring day.

and here's a testimony. I always say that when you take care of the work of God He will take care of you. Last week and this morning i had a total of 3 tests and i can only thank God for what He's done to keep me going because i did very well indeed. and this is testament to His blessing on my life. and indeed. when you make the sacrifices for Him out of a heart of LOVE and ONLY that, he sees it and watches over you..

parents invited ruth to have dinner wit the family on saturday.. had makan at this THAI place somewhere in bukit damansara called "SILOM". (one of those shops there). was quite a nice place... lighting was a bit dim tho.. but the food was AWESOME man. but what really caught my attention was the drink i had.. which was called.. uhh.. syrup bandung soda.. which is really what it is.. it's that "gu leng peng" drink that we have in penang except it's with SODA.. so it's got the fizzy mouth biting thing.. which was cool.. if not for the fact that they didn't kill me with the sheer THICKNESS of the drink.. had to get a glass of water after that..

syrup bandung SODAAA!!

ruth

in need of rest

2008-08-14T19:20:00.002+08:00

was just checking my email.. and noticed this photograph. Not in a state to write or do anything today.. another sleepless night and another bout of cold. this really sucks. and to add more salt i have two tests tomorrow and this miserable feeling of helplessness.. being sick ain't an awesome experience. but i'll be ok.. just thought this photo was a good laugh..

Tomorrow's the EGM.. May God's will prevail. and when it does.. all will be well.. because he is PErFecT and nothing he orchestrates will EVER go wrong.. Jesus never fails.

the danger of complacency

2008-08-13T11:37:00.006+08:00

confusion

I realised last night more clearly than ever that it's impossible to grade every situation in your life in black and white. You can never be certain that some things are like this and some things are like that. More often than not we tend to make assumptions based on our past experiences to try and explain what is happening to us right now. For instance, if we have realised that it is a NORM for people in this situation to never act in a certain way because of their condition, we automatically assume that when we are in the same condition, we need not worry about having to cope with problems related to that..

This is where i am so badly mistaken. TRUTH is it is when you're most unprepared or not expecting something to happen that it does. when you think that you're not vulnerable to a certain feeling or attitude, that you end up experiencing it. when you hold on to your belief so strongly that something could never happen to you and it does.. what happens?? you end up CONFUSED.. not knowing what to hold on to. it's quite scary really.. when your beliefs are challenged. And michelle, i have mentioned this to you before, only GOD is absolute.. when all that you think IS is NOT anymore.. you can rest assured that He never changes.

And as for you who knows what i speak of.. there IS nothing to worry about. i was just so shocked because i thought such a state would never be arrived at in our relationship.. but thank GOD it's okay... i'll sort it out with Him.. i promise.. :) because.. in the midst of the confusion..

the paintbrush of GOD

solid edge

2008-08-12T10:25:00.002+08:00

ok rachel hoo eng hui.. i know you're gonna be looking at this and thinking like "gosh, karl.. what sorta modelling is that?" .. this is the part where i stress that while your emphasis is design, mine is detail.. i tell you, just trying to figure and calculate the correct pitch diameter for the power screw was bad enough man. so yeah. don't get me started on the rest..

so.. ANYWAY.. here's a model of a structure which is gonna be tested for breaking 2mr.. they built the real thing and we're supposed to calculate the breaking mode and failure torque and all that crap. i'm just so proud of my model cos it took me like almost 3 hours to do it.. and gosh it's IRRITATING!! u've gotta make this protrusion, then that hexagon, then this nut and washer and the correct threading.. and make the assmebly.. weld type and what not.. argh.. but when finished.. it's pretty cool.. saved it as this image, so you guys can see my hard work. haha. go SOLID EDGE!

plug the leak

2008-08-11T09:16:00.004+08:00

those of you who know me well enough would be well aware of the fact that i've never been an advocate of busyness. (if there's such a word... busyness. business..) and ironically it's an extremely weird feeling when you find yourself committing a crime against which you have always been preaching.

It's these last two months or so. i've been getting this never ending flow of things to DO! note that i said FLOW.. and not just bursts, or waves... its like continuous. The bulk of it is of course my uni stuff but then the sum of all the other small things is sufficient to challenge the time demands of uni. it's crazy that i hardly have time to catch up on my grey's.. (emmy don't kill me yet.. i WILL watch it).

the main thought that's on my mind is that it's time to put a stop to it. (actually this has been here for at least 2 weeks) and i've decided that once this whole series of yet to be completed tasks gets done, there will be a break. i don't want to end up in a state where i don't wanna continue for good simply because i've bitten off more than i can chew. so i'm gonna plug the leak.. and once it's stopped, i'm gonna give the tank time to fill up again. time to FOCUS on STUDIES and MUSIC MINISTRY. that's it.. my two most important ministries to God. he doesn't need me to do everything.. i'm NOT INDISPENSABLE and best of all.. He only wants my heart to be for HIm. All he wants is that i be willing to sit at his feet and be HIS CHILd..

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.

that i may dwell in your house forever

AND HERE'S A MESSAGE TO A CERTAIN BARNEY OUT THERE:

"GET WELL SOON!!!" *grins*

for the FAME of JESUS

2008-08-05T09:37:00.005+08:00

there was a statement that was made by louie (or lewie or however you wish to spell it--- i don't know how) on sunday night at the Passion concert and that is that our lives should be all about making Jesus famous and he took his thought and the THEME of Passion from Isaiah 26:8

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.

It's uplifting to know that we christians have something to live for and that is the renown of our Lord. i mean.. seriously.. is that a PURPOSE or what?!! it' s a priviledge, an HONOUR, a blessing that we can be called children of God. He IS our FATHER!! and we have the irrevocable position of being sons and daughters of the King. And i pray that my life would be one worthy of being a child of God.

I think the best part of the experience for me was that it wasn't an emotional and overly fired-up event, in that the thoughts and feelings i had were not a one-time thing which would dissipate over time and what not. In was one of a refreshing and an ITERATING experience that simply reminded me of who i am on this earth and i appreciate Passion and the team for the effort they are making to encourage young people around the world. Something else i want to thank them for is the FIRM stand they made right from the beginning that that whole evening was going to be about Jesus and not chris tomlin or passion and for that i respect and love this bunch of guys who love God and wanna WORSHIP HIM!

Psalm 103:1
"Bless the Lord, o my soul; And all that is within me bless His HOLY Name"

Dianne O'Hara

2008-07-31T15:36:00.005+08:00

it was one of those days that you'll never forget for the rest of your life. Went to the hotel with eu nise and eu wayne (that nut) and denise and dinah for their violin exams-- i was accompanying them you see. it was really a wonderful day cos we met at the music school to do last minute rehearsals and then the whole bunch went makan.. and gosh this eu wayne!! u either feel like killing him or just dying of laughter yourself.. he's so mischievious and yet manages to find a way to execute it in a way that makes it so hard to get angry... argh..

anyway the interesting part was when the exam ended, at which point the examiner, Dianne O'Hara came out to take pictures with the whole bunch of us. Cos eu nise was the last candidate for the day, and she was really sporting and all. (aside from the fact that she wrote her autograph for me in very kiddy handwriting-- she obviously didn't think we asians can read cursive). And what just made my day was the stream of comments she made about my playing which really got me on cloud 9(to use mabel's own words). I won't mention precisely what they were.. because i was pretty baffled myself by them! But to hear such words from an accomplished concert pianist and professor... WHAT AN ENCOURAGEMENT!!

so yeah.. i thank God for little blessings like this family of musicians that has blessed my life so much, and of course Dianne O'Hara who gave me probably one of the most meaningful compliments of my life. And in all this it is only right to say that all things-- gifts, talents, abilities come from the Father and to Him i say to God be the Glory.

James 1:17

17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

the need to settle

2008-07-28T16:39:00.003+08:00

i'm sure almost everyone has gone through one of those periods of feeling UNSETTLED. the kind of experience or sensation or whatever-you-wanna-call-it that makes you think that everything is amiss. and you just simply can't make a zero in on the main cause of this insecurity.. the basis for it is like not even discreet that you could make a clear list of what is on your mind. I mean, i can't even say something like.. "oh, it's cos of this.. and this.. and this.. and this is what's bugging me".. pretty confusing.

my only explanation is that there's so many of it that i can't identify any one or even a few... just like how if you make enough dots in a certain pattern, it starts to look like a line rather than many dots, if u get whadda mean..

but then... in the picture.. amidst all the lines and dots, there's GOD. and i THANK GOD that he's GOD! cos that makes it all okay.. not a good result, or winning a lottery, or an ice cream or anything like that.
was listening to the new chorus workshop and a line in the song "Jesus what a beautiful name" really blessed me.. goes like this

"Grace, that blows ALL fears away"

and it reminded me of 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

what would i be without God.. no wait.. think about it! just think.. seriously. what WOULD i be without GOD.. AND you realise that when you look at yourself and see your filth and incapacity it is HIS strength made perfect. i mean... WOW!!.... don't just take my word for it.. THINk... just stop and think about it.. when you realise that all you have is not your own... quite an amazing feeling. it's all about HIM

"you are the Everlasting God
the Everlasting God
You do NOT fail you won't grow weary
Your'e the Defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like EAGLES"

he alone gives life

phreakish names

2008-07-25T08:22:00.004+08:00

yesterday i read a funny article on yahoo of this poor girl who was taken into custody by a judge in new zealand. (michelle, i wonder if you've heard about it) The reason-- her parents had given her a bad name. her name was Talula Does the Hula. i mean, seriously! as much as my name is karl, hers was talula does the hula... crazy rite? couldn't decide how to respond when i saw the article.. and really, she looked like such a nice little girl..Wonder what her friends call her..

ANyways.. been so busy lately.. here's what i have left outstanding which i am failing to figure out how i am going to accomplish even if i had 36 hour days.

1. design assignment 1
2. 3 minus ones and arrangements for the WTE
3. meetings wit a few different bunches
4. Brass parts for the church orchestra
5. a schedule for sanctuary auditions
6. 3 replacements of my piano class
7. calculations FOR the water dunking machine (this one must get ben to do it when he's back)
8.meet denise, dinah, eu nise and eu wayne to run thru their violin exams
9. a timetable for the auditions or new musicians

and a whole bunch of other stuff.. and i've got like 4 days more to get all this done.. sobz... what to do man.

but, busy as i am.. time must be taken to pay homage to a great master whose work i had the priviledge of listening to last night. watched a portion of the ressurrection from the Mass in B minor by Johann sebastian bach. one word... Monumental... It's insane. How in the world can a guy write music with four or five DISTINCT melodies running in different parts all at the same time and maintain harmonic fluency and without jeopardising the artistic depth of the music.. it's mind-boggling. i mean u listen to every single strand of each instrumental and vocal part and how each one blends in perfectly with everything else.. and you're just in dumbfounded awe. the music would never sound the same with ONe part less of even ONe part more.. it's architectured to perfection... Go BACH!

"a robust contrapuntal technique, an unrivalled control of harmonic and motivic organisation in composition for diverse musical forces, and the adaptation of rhythms and textures from abroad"

and here's a little bit of his handwriting

gloria in excelsis deo
cum sancto spirito
Domine deus
Et ressurexit

the exam

2008-07-24T10:01:00.000+08:00

months and months of preparation. and at last the day has come. i tried. i really did, i tell you.. and u can bet on it that it was never once even the tiniest bit easy. In fact there were times when i thought i had run out of the solutions.. the waves of issues to be settled just kept coming. We worked out the articulation, and then the dynamics went wrong.. we worked out the tone colour and then the timing went wrong. and bit by bit the tideous process continued. And there were those days when no progress was made... but somehow in the end.. huffing and panting, we pulled through

today's the day.. they're going for their exam. i pray that God be with them. they've made me proud. that in spite of all those "remember to practice" lines of mine that they could inarguably recite in anticipation of my own mouthing and yet completely ignore when they went home.. they made it. Now i can just sit and (hopefully) relax while they do their thing. "God let the examiner be kind"

I never understood how my teachers felt when i went for my exams.. but now i know the worry and struggle a teacher goes through.. and it makes me appreciate what they've done for me. thank you miss chan, miss onn, miss cherie.

shakespeare

2008-07-23T07:57:00.004+08:00

I was reading roberta's blog yesterday. Or more like checking out the photos of the baby. Gosh! she looks like so much like daddy!! congratulations, roberta! anyway, the point is, i happened to notice some stuff that damien Lim had left in her cbox.. which, as a result got me reminiscing about that one fine morning of four years past. in our english class in form 4 (or form 5). it was a debate.. here's how it went

........
Damien:"...... to be or not to be"

Teacher:"excellent damien! i see that you're quoting hamlet"

Damien: "but puan kamlesh, i thought it was shakespeare??"

the reaction was one of epic proportions...

and here's a tribute to a person who has inspired me lately altho it may not be equally the same foe those of you reading this.. but still since i now have a blog..

I study in MONASH. And recently i've noticed that one of our ( i think business) students has a muscular disorder which makes her unable to walk properly and she has to carry this pretty complex looking pair of crutches. She is so slow that the distance i can cover in 1 minute would take her 5.. also i think she is very slightly autistic but that's just a guess which i derived from her manner of speech..

But the person who inspired me is not so much this girl but rather her mum-- probably 55 years old or something like that, neither very posh nor overly simply dressed.. drives a red wira.. short curly hair, dyed.. usually wears the "aunty" kinda blouse and a pants and a pair of sandals. i've observed that each time her daughter attends a class, there would be mum. I think she got like a special vehicle pass so that she can drive into and park in the uni grounds. A number of times i have spotted this lady just sitting around outside the classroom area, or the lounge for hours on end--- flipping a news paper, toying with her phone or just staring into space. And i wondered, what on earth would this aunty be doing here and what could drive her to just sit around waiting for her daughter to finish class and following that help escort her to the next one.

then i realised that it's what we call love. i fought back tears that day when i stood there waiting for the lift and watching this aunty, fighting boredom and idleness to do whatever she could to see her daughter do well in her studies despite her handicap.. and it really doesn't matter to her, even if she has nothing better to do, of if people stare at her weirdly.. her will is focused on one thing.. and i pray with all my heart, that God in HIS mercy and love would see them and touch their lives.
(this is not fable nor fiction, this account is for real... and i'm sure emmy knows who i'm talking about, don't you?)

MERCI

Dr TTT and beethoven

2008-07-22T11:54:00.000+08:00

Dr TTT, that's what we called him.. tee tiam ting.. this is no joke. My thermodynamics lecturer. We sorta likened his style to that of a youtube video when you are using a reli sloww connection.. i mean he'd be talking for 2 sentences and then there'll be a 30 second pause.. and then another few phrases and a 2 minute pause during which he'd be intensely studying the slides which he's obviously never seen before.. i mean i'm on scholarship, what about the poor dude's who are paying their tuition fees.. we certainly never bargained for this... i wonder if Ben Ong's heard of him... eh ben??? got ah?? dr tee tiam ting..

anyways, as always... my music.. here's a beethoven script taken upside down with the moonlight sonata in print.. somehow certain comments made at a specific annual general meeting made me think of this stunning work during that painful night of long ago.. LOL.. it's just sad that it's become so popular that people just dismiss it as another famous classical piece when they hear it. only recently when i actually picked it up and tried playing it again it did i realise that there's so much to it. in fact, (and this is no joke) i read somewhere that if correctly played it can reduce the listener to tears but more often than not.. people just fall asleep.. such is the power of beethoven that despite the immense simplicity of his music, his understanding of the deepest longings of our soul has been so clearly translated into probably some of the finest music ever (or at least as far as i'm concerned)!!

and to top it off... there's this painting of the guy when he was in his twenties... tania actually said he looked cute..

"Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt

Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen.

Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?

Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?

Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!

Über Sternen muß er wohnen." (from the Ode to Joy, symphony no 9 in d minor)

"Brothers, beyond the star-canopy

Must a loving Father dwell.

Do you bow down, you millions?

Do you sense the Creator, world?

Seek Him beyond the star-canopy!

Beyond the stars must He dwell."

no 1 from the MOozz

2008-07-22T08:05:00.000+08:00

So.. i have a blog. I can only think of two responses when you fellas find out

1. "finally, karl! what took you so long!?"
2. "gosh, are you serious??!! since when did you even bother?!"

guess i won't ave to wait long to know which one will be more carried. So yah.. since it's my first ever post, HI everyone! and happy reading.. And honestly, the only reason i'm even doing this is cos i simply couldn't think of anything to do today waiting for my lecture to start.. Really don't feel like studying.

and yesss since we're on that.. to all those of you who think i study like crazy... here's the undeniable truth.. I'm phreakin lazy.. i mean seriously. i hate to study and i wait until like days before my exams (at least i've been doing such lately) and if u wanna argue that i'm smart u can find out from my closest friends that i'm really pretty stupid.. and to be real, i'm just BLESSED OF GOD!!! isn't that just awesome..

anyways.. once again... i have a blog