Projects Finally Done!!!

It's the start of swot vac again.. with a hectic week behind me.. it was terrible rushing for projects to be completed and assignments too! But the result was worth it.. below is a pic of one of the projects that i did with some classmates.. :) Hope I will do just as well in my final year project as I did with these! Study for exam time!! Then going home! Yay!

Royal Adelaide Show 2007

Hooray! My 1st and probably last time going to royal adelaide show.. Haha.. kinda pity i didn't go the past few yrs, but it's a fun event to go to.. so many rides, games and things to see and eat! Adelaide should probably have more stuff like this, but i guess the budget doesn't allow it. Haha. Especially enjoyed the fireworks again as usual.. :) Thanks to my friends who invited me along!

Some Nice Pictures of Adelaide & South Australia... :)

My short but sweet b'day 2007

Happy National Day S'pore!

Yay! National day is coming again! But sigh, gonna miss the parade again, which sucks coz i missed it every year ever since i was in adelaide.. but it's great to see the effort put into it, i especially love the fact that the parade shows harmony and diversity in such a small but great country.. Haha, only feeling patriotic prob coz it's national day.. the song below is written by some songwriters who wrote this song and many others for nat day. It's so nice.. especially the music videos! Hee. Missing home more now, but proud to be part of a small but important and wonderful city! Go S'pore! U rock! Happy 42nd B'day!


Will You

Will you make this island
Amazing in all ways
Surprises every corner
Delightful nights and days
Will you take this country
And turn it from a place
To a home that greets you
With smiles every face
Will you come on this brave journey
Will you help to make it real
Will you write us grand new stories
Songs that everyone will feel

Chorus:
So will you swim the current
Will you scale new heights
Will you make it happen
Will you let your let your dreams take flight
And will you make the difference
Will you sieze the day
Will you live each moment
Will you dare to find new ways

Will you take this city
And turn it from a plce
To a home that greets you
With smiles every face
Will you come on this brave journey
Will you help to make it real
Will you write us grand new stories
Songs that everyone will feel

Returning back to Adelaide...

Wow, time sure flies again.. was only back for about 12 days in s'pore right after my last exams. N now it's time to return back to adelaide again, for a little holiday with family and a new start to a new semester 2! The time in s'pore was short but sweet. Really appreciate home more and more everytime I'm back and will miss family and the conveniences in s'pore. Things are different in adelaide, but at least the weather is better, and friends are there to encourage me.

Results were out a few days ago, it wasn't that great a feeling to know that I flunked one subject. My 1st time failing, it was hard to accept it, and it was a real hard knock on the head for me knowing that i have to repeat a subject, but i guess it means it's time for me to buck up even more and to focus on that particular area of the subject. Maybe it's an opportunity for me to get my credits/distinctions so that I may get my honours. Who knows, it's all God's divine plan for me and I can only trust Him with what He has planned for me in adelaide and in my life. Upset, yes, but I learnt to pick myself up and to learn from my mistakes and to even rely more on Him, than on my own thoughts and wisdom.

Returning back to adelaide for a new semester, this will be the 2nd half of the year, and by the time i return back to s'pore again, it'll be coming to the end of 2007. Wow, another year is almost over and I have a year and a half left b4 I graduate. I wish time would pass faster so i can grad faster, but then I am reminded, I would be missing out on the opportunities to serve God and to enjoy overseas life while I am still able to. Thank God for providing me and my family financially for me to study overseas, and even for a chance for to me to retake any subject should I have to, such as this semester. Looking forward to a great new semester with new responsiblities, new challenges and new things to learn, see n do! Life is indeed full of ups and downs, but I will have to learn to use my downs to improve my ups, and hold on to the promise that God is able to turn anything bad for my good, and that He has a bright future planned for me. :-)

Bz Bz Bz time + Exams r coming!

Haven't been able to post much lately, since april actually.. coz have been really caught up with uni, tons of assignments, homework, projects to complete. 3rd year really sucks. I wonder how "good" my final year will be next year.. Haha. Anyway, i'm sure everyone is facing the same problems too, except probably for those v smart ppl. Hoping this sem will pass by fast! this year will be a challenging one for me, and time management is even more impt now, although i still find myself wasting time and enjoying rather than studying harder.. Sigh. Will post more when there's time, after exams most probably. :-) For those having exams soon like me, all the best!!!

OCF Easter Camp 2007

Finally the holidays r here!

Can finally have time to blog.. Haha. half a semester has gone by jus like that.. time really files when u least want it too, n v soon it'll b exam time then there goes half a year already. Hmm, well, the 1st half of the sem was quite gd.. except that the subjects i am taking this sem is hell and so difficult.. But what to do, it's too late to back out and too near to graduate. Haha. So have to endure and trust God in His plan for me to be in this course. I am sure I will do well even though outward circumstances may say the opposite. Haha. Today is sat, yesterday was gd friday and tmrw is the most significant day, easter/resurrection sunday! It's so good to remember what God has done for us 2000 yrs ago, and it's great to be able to just relive His first love for us. Yupz, well, jus pray that I can spend these 2 weeks of break wisely to catch up with work, rest n friends. N oh yeah, easter camp is coming up! Yay! Realli looking fwd to it and will post pics here when i am back. Hee hee.. It's gonna be such a great experience. Next year will b my last year i can go easter camp ald.. Jus realised that.. Hmm, so gotta really treausre the experiences this yr n the next! :-)

Mamak Nite 2007

Had a great mamak nite last night.. 1st time in my 3 years here going. Haha. Never experienced mamak nite b4, but last nite the food was nice, the atmosphere was great and the service was excellent! And surprisingly it's all done by students, but it was an initiative by a church. It's a great way to evangelise and for intl students to meet up too! Can't wait to go for next year's one again, although it'll b my last.. Hee. Plus we got a bonus! We saw fireworks when we were walking back home after mamak nite. It was so cool! It was to signify some police and fire games I think.. not v sure what's that but anyway the fireworks show was spectacular. :-)

3rd week of Uni...

Wow, it's been almost a month since i've blogged here ald.. Haha. Time sure flies. Already in my 3rd week of uni. Things have been going well.. last week was gd, coz one of the subject lecturers went overseas, hence leaving us with more free time! Hahah. But this week onwards, it's full on already. No more playing a fool.. things r abt to get really serious and hard! It's a public holiday here today, so happy. Have one more day to sleep late and catch up with work. Tmrw however is not a v nice day.. coz it's my longest day! Argh, and with the stupid pracs.. It may also be a long time after today that i'll b blogging here again.. since I dun think i'll have much time to enjoy soon. Haha.. Honeymoon week (1st 2 weeks of uni) is over.. time to get cracking! :-(

Words to remember

1 What we have at the center of our attention is what has us. • King David is both a positive and negative example of this principle. Whatever he gave his attention to would either “make him” or “break him.”

2 God loves us enough to accept us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. • Could anything be better? (Philippians 1:6).

3 Nothing is so relevant as the eternal. • A Jewish man named Asaph learned this thousands of years ago while struggling with feelings of envy, disappointment, and doubt (Psalm 73).

4 We see things not only as they are, but as we are. • Uh-oh (Titus 1:15).

5 To change, we must want something else more than what we now have. • Maybe this is why the Scriptures say we will find the Lord (and the heart-changing help of His Spirit) only when we look for Him with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

6 Live for what you will not regret when you die. • “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

7 The secret of abundance is found not in what we have, but in what we enjoy (or are thankful for). • Paul expressed this in his letter to the Philippians (ch. 4). Nothing produces wealth more quickly or certainly than a heart of gratefulness.

8 The poorest of all are those who don’t know the one to thank for the sunshine or to trust in the dark. • Isaiah said it with an edge. Even the ox knows its master, and the donkey knows where to find its food (Isaiah 1:3). Those who don’t know their God are poorer than both of them.

9 We can learn more from our critics than our admirers. • One group tells us how wonderful we are. The other tells us the truth (Proverbs 27:6; Psalm 141:5).

10 When I am in the presence of God, it seems profoundly unbecoming to demand anything. —Francis Schaeffer • No one understood this better than our Lord, who said, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

11 Attack problems, not people. • I get the two confused until I remember the words and spirit of Christ (Matthew 5:43-44).

12 For some troubles, God has not given us answers—He’s given us His Son. • That was His gift to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43) and to us.

13 What God thinks of us is more important than what we think of ourselves. • Paul seemed to have this down pretty well. He showed that he not only took the opinions of others, but also his own, with a grain of salt (1 Corinthians 4:3-4; Romans 14).

14 Fear God—not to run from Him, but to Him. • This might be even more basic than loving Him (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).

15 Get knowledge—but don’t depend on your knowledge. Seek to be wise—but don’t rely on your wisdom. Work hard—but don’t trust in your hard work. Work smart—but don’t stake everything on your own cleverness and efficiency. Be ethical—but don’t lean on your morality. Make plans—but don’t hope in your plans. Save money—but don’t trust your savings. Add up your numbers—but don’t count on them. Value people—but don’t depend on people. • I’m intrigued with that lengthy New Testament letter that doesn’t ever mention the subject of idols by name—yet abruptly ends with the words, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

16 We are saved by God’s mercy, not by our merit; by Christ’s dying, not by our doing; by trusting, not by trying. • If it came down to having one or the other, we’d probably do well to trade all of our assets and education for this one thought (Ephesians 2:8-9).

17 Worse than blindness is sight without vision. —Helen Keller • This reminds me of Jesus, who said, “Take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness” (Luke 11:35).

18 Wise are those who look at others with the same generosity they offer themselves, and who look at themselves with the same critical eye they have for others. • Yet look what we do! We blame others to get the attention off ourselves (Matthew 7:3).

19 It’s better to deserve honors and not to have them, than to have them and not deserve them. —Mark Twain • Jesus gave an example of someone who takes a seat of honor at a banquet, but then is told to give it to someone else (Luke 14:7-11).

20 I have found that the desire to have is soon replaced by the fear of losing. • Solomon wrote a whole essay about this (Ecclesiastes).

21 Use things and love people. Don’t use people and love things. • Why, after so many complex and profound things are considered, do the most important things in life seem so simple?
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What I enjoy most about this collection is understanding how all good principles are rooted in the wisdom of Scripture—while pointing us to the Person of Christ.
The best ideas are like the star of Bethlehem. Their purpose is not to celebrate themselves, but to lead us to the One who offers us the forgiveness, patience, grace, and wisdom we need.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Returning to Adelaide soon!

Haha, i knw it's been a long time since i posted my last blog here.. Hmm, let's see, i've been back in s'pore for more than 2 mths now, really enjoy being in s'pore, the convenience, security, etc.. Really should not be taken for granted. Indeed I am blessed to be born in such a great country. I used to hate being in s'pore, dunno it's bcoz if NS or what.. but ever since i grew older, it's becoming more n more like home to me. However, there are the quirks in living in a developed nation such as s'pore.. Everything here is so modern, n life here is fast paced, it's ez to lose the meaning of life, n work can just be a mundane task that we complete everyday, then get home exhausted. I guess most of the working crowd in s'pore feels like this.. partly bcoz the working attitude here is quite hectic.

Besides enjoying time with friends and family, I must say, it's been quite an enriching experience working in IDA (infocomm development authority of s'pore). It's my 2nd time working there, & although last year i only worked there for a week, it gave me the confidence this year to return back n help in some survey conducted by the govt. Work hours r normal, 9am to 6pm, but sometimes, i do wish we could go home earlier to beat the rush hour crowd. Haha. Morning human traffic is the worst. Much squeezing into the trains everyday.. Haha. Kinda miss it when i am in adelaide, where there is never a lack of space on public transport. The office is nice, and i really enjoy working there, although the tasks I do are rather mundane and gets rather boring after some time.. Met a boss there who also graduated from EEE in the states. But he went there on an IDA scholarship. Wah, such a smart guy, he also went on the study an masters degree. Now, an assistant manager in ida, serving his bond.. Somehow I think God is showing me what I can do in future. That I will be able to work in an "office environment" although I may be an engineer by vocation. That was something I liked, being in an office, but yet doing something different.

I have 2 more years of studying to do, but God is always good, He always gives me a glimpse of my future, and I believe that God gives much more than we can ever imagine or expect! So i look forward to an exciting career, whever He decides to use me.. I am happy. Of course, SIA will still be my no.1 choice in career, bcoz of my interest in aeroplanes. Can't wait to see how my future will turn out, but I jus have to put my faith n trust in Him who provides, n i surely knw my future will be bright!

Returning back to adelaide in ard 20 days time.. I can say i have some mixed feelings, a bit sad of course, having to return to study, and leaving home, but i guess i'm used to it, and I do miss friends n fellowship in adelaide, which i do not have much of here, not to mention the cold weather! haha, it's so hot in s'pore smtimes.. but these days r rather nice n cool! I knw God has plans to grow me there, that's y i am studying there! N no matter how hard it is, I knw He will surely pull me thru, n give me enough grace to see me thru the tough times. 3rd year here i come! I knw it's not gonna be ez, but then again, who says university is ez? Haha, except for some geeks or nerds or supersmart students of coz.. :-p Adelaide here i come again!

Happy New Year!

The 12 days of Christmas : Hidden Meanings

People often think of the " The Twelve Days of Christmas" as the days preceeding the festival.
Actually, Christmas is the season of the Christian's year that lasts for days beginning on 25th Dec and ending on Jan 6th - the Day of Epiphany when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the Magi.
Form 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practise their faith openly. During this era someone wrote "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution.
The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church
Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ

2. The two turtledoves are the old and new testaments

3. Three french hens stand for faith, hope and love

4. The four calling birds are the four gospels

5. The five gold rings recall the torah(Law) - the 1st five books of the old testament

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation

7. Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the spirit

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes

9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the spirit(Galatians 5)

10. Then ten lords a-leaping are the ten commandments

11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the 11 faithful disciples

12. Twleve drummers drumming symbolise the 12 points of belief in the Apostles's Creed

There you have it, the hidden meanings of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the secret behind the song.

Read this and it gives new meaning to the song we sing at this time of the year

Seven Attitudes of the Great

1. Willingness - " If you are willing & obedient, you will eat the best from the land" - Isaiah 1:19

2. Confidence - "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded" - Hebrews 10:35

3. Humility - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. - 1 Peter 5:6

4. Thankfulness - " give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

5. Serving - " just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28

6. Generosity - " A generous man devises generous things, & by generosity he shall stand" - Isaiah 32:8

7. Obedience - " God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land" - Psalm 68:6

Results out! Year 3 here I come...

The results came out today, as i checked online in the morning, i woke up early to check, and at 1st only 1 subject came out, i got just a pass, but I thanked God for it, coz it was the subject that I thought I almost couldn't make it in.. then a few minutes later, as i continued to check, 3 other subjects came out, i was very happy abt the results. All pass! Thank God for His faithfulness, I never doubted Him, and I always expected good things from Him, for if He has helped me thru the past 2 years, & He is the same God yesterday, today and forever, y won't He continue to bring me thru? I can truly say I did not worry about my exam results, even as my friends asked me why I returned home so early, and did not think abt what happened if i were to have a supp. But the fact is that I did Not think abt that. Y should I think negatively? I know I did my best, so i just left to God the rest.

Anyway, 4 out of my 5 subjects were out, and I was already very satisfied with them. A while later, the last result came out. I was indeed overjoyed by my grades. it seemed like the best I did so far, but then again, all glory goes to God, for without His grace, I wouldn't be where I am today. It is indeed different when we have Christ inside us, I could feel the peace that surpasses all understanding. The world says one thing, but nothing can be further from the truth, that God loves us so much, and He wants the best for us, and He IS going to give them to us.

Well, so year 2 is officially over and next year will be embraking on year 3! Can't wait to graduate, but I know that it's the process of going thru university that will make me a changed and better person. I look forward to a new expectation that 2007 will be an even better year, another year of favour, joy and surprises!

Last day of the semester

Yay, tmrw is officially the last day of the semester! Another sem has gone by again like that, and I must say it has been a challenging one.. Just managed to finish my prac today, which was about an audio system, so others were also testing our their circuit by putting music thru.. However, I actually heard a christian song, "above all" being played during one of the testing in another room. I couldn't see who the person was, but the music was very nice and indeed a reminder to me that God is with me, wherever i am. I was quite worried that i wasn't able to complete it by today, but somehow me and my partner did it. Thank God that's over! Another challenge is upon me as i have yet to complete my programming assignment.. But after today, I feel better again, as I knw that God's plan for me is for my best, and sometimes patience and faith is required for His work to be manifest in our lives. Test tmrw too, back to work! All the best everyone for their exam preparations and I look forward to going back home! :-)

Probably the last post b4 exams...

I was rather upset again yesterday about my failed pratical attempt to complete it.. while others were able to, me and my partner could not. On top of that I have many assignments which i just do not know how to do. It's not that I didn't study, I just don't knw y i can't do it.. I feel just so lousy, useless and stupid.. But somehow I still had the peace that everything will be all right, and even if it isn't, there is a reason for everything God is doing..

Today i woke up feeling better, and reading the daily bread devotional online showed me God knows what i am going thru.. a "fall" literally, but God comforted me about my future and my life.. I knw He is in charge. If anything should happen, I will always knw that it's for my good.. for His promises never fail.

Life being a christian sometimes dosen't seem easy or it might even seem unfair that others seem to be so "blessed" while we are going thru much trouble/problems, but I guess that's the journey we all must take, to become more Christ like, and soon we'll be back at home, where we all belong. So run the race that He set up b4 us with perseverence.

I won't be blogging much from today onwards, so taking this opportunity to wish everyone all the best for exams or catching up with assignments, etc. Even for those of us who r not studying, it's not ez too, but it's gd to know that God is always with us, and with Him nothing is impossible. The best is yet to come!!!

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27).

With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you.