A new found 'fun, interesting and challenging' thing to do -- Modular Origami! =)

Perseverance is the name of the game...

Thought it was more than that... But apparently I only walked for 6.14 kms today(!) - or around that distance. =( I really thought it had been more! =(

Anyway, feeling really tired now =) But glad that I was able to persevere until the end! =) Gave me a motivation to keep 'running' my other (much more important) race well and to keep persevering until the end, too! =)

Time and knowledge...

The thing with time is that you can only go forward... and that you can't change the past... but that the present and the future are affected by it...

And the Preacher was right when he says that more knowledge brings more sorrow*... And much more sorrow the less the number of those who share the knowledge...

And what can man do with their knowledge when things are out of their control anyway?!

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Ecc 12:13-14 (ESV)

*Ecc 1:18

Window to the past...

A blog reminded me of home yesterday and missing home so much...

And today, a photo (and a few others) posted by an old friend brought back past memories and I kind of miss the time I shared with them... =)

The place where I found the photo is a great social networking thing to keep in touch with old friends I don't get to see in real life, I guess. But it is taking so much time to maintain... Time that I don't actually have at the moment... Or so I feel... =) But they are my only bridge to that place and that time...... My window to the past...

I loved that place. It was a special place. It was a special time. The people and the friends were special...

The time, memories and experiences I got there were unique - nothing I got again outside of that place...

Forever thankful to God for the chance to live there! =) The people I got to meet, the friends I got to make, the cultural experiences I got to taste! =)

Maybe I will still visit that 'window' every so often... when I miss the old days and when I have the time... =)

A mine of gold...

I love my job! =) Not because of the pay (obviously not! =P) But because of the people I got to know and because I get to learn a lot from it!

So far I've learned to be flexible, to not crumble under pressure, to work with uncertainties, to work under ambiguities, to see the positive sides of things and so making the most of times and opportunities and enjoy even the most menial of tasks like filing or cleaning things up, or putting stamps on envelopes, etc... Not that I've mastered all the skills, but I have learned heaps! =)

And just today, I learned yet another thing! =)

My instruction was along these lines:

Read everything carefully. Complete your task well. And then forget everything!

And on my way home I can't help but think:

For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
(Ecc 1:18)

But at the end of the day, now... I realised that I have actually learned another lesson today! - to learn of something (read everything carefully), and do what is needed to be done with the knowledge (complete the task) and yet to be able to forget it all (not confusing what is mine with what is others' to worry about! =))

I am indeed thankful for my workplace! =)

And actually, even this post is a reflection of how much I've learned to make the most of things - to see what life skills I can learn from the things I do at work - work that might be boring to others, but can also be a mine of gold and source of practical wisdom on Christian living/ministry skills for me... =)

Current Hymn

He Giveth More Grace by Annie Johnson Flint

Unwinding...

It's not that I can't or don't create / do any craft works when I'm not stressed... But somehow, I create more of them when I'm stressed or have quite a few things to do, i.e. busy! =)

Somehow, creating something (a craft / artwork) helps me unwind. =) And helps me to just concentrate on the project at hand and stop thinking about things... =) And last year, I found out that beading is actually a great way of unwinding! =)

I've also worked out that a more complicated beading pattern is usually preferred over simple one when I'm under more stresses/loads! =) I guess, I love the challenge that the more complex pattern presents me with! =) Although it probably makes sense anyway, since the more complicated the pattern, the more I have to concentrate on counting the beads and making sure that I won't make any mistake etc, so the easier it is for me to just concentrate on my project and forget about everything else! =)

Anyway, this is what's I'm doing for my current project! Not too complicated (and even simple once you remember the pattern!), but nice! =) Mine is still far from finished cos I only started an hour ago... But I think I might have chosen the wrong type of thread to use... =(

I'm really glad that God is not like me, though! =) That is, I'm glad that He did not create us because He was stressed, bored, had nothing better to do, or because He needed to! =)

'Till heaven...

It's been a while since I said goodbye to someone who is leaving us for good... And I know that I will miss having him around... As a brother, but I will miss him...

Still in disbelief that the next time I get to see him might be before God's throne in heaven... I know, sometimes we think, surely before that, but how can we be sure? Jesus might come back tomorrow... or tonight... and I might die tomorrow, or tonight... or before I get a chance to meet him again on earth... We don't know what will happen to us under the sun anyway, right? Besides, things change over time, and so does friendship... So I guess, at the moment, the most certain next meeting time for us would be in heaven...

Didn't say much more at the airport during sharing time cos I was afraid I would start crying... =P I know... =) Guess, I'm just someone who's never good with goodbyes =) and that's probably why I'm very sad at the moment... Well, I'm glad that his time here has been fruitful and that his going back might mean the furtherance of God's kingdom over there... but it's still sad to send him off... and it's still sad to say goodbye to a friend...

Free!!! =)

This afternoon, I received one of the best news that I've ever heard in long a while! =) Almost couldn't believe it when I heard it! And still can't really believe it now... =)

But I'm so going to guard my freedom! =) I'm going to make sure I stay free! =P with God's grace, of course! =)

5 Kms!!! =)

Had been wanting to go for a long walk, but hadn't had the time to do it until today!

5 Kms!!! =)

My sis said - "wait until tomorrow!". And I asked her "for what?!". She said "the pain...."

=) yeah... true... but I do need the exercise! It's good for me - as someone reminded me today! =)

So, hoping that with the coming of Spring, and longer day time, I would get more chances to do more long distance walk! =)

Somehow, always remember this verse during my long walks:

"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. ~ Hebrews 12: 12-13 "

The better of two good...

How do you decide which one is a better one when you have two seemingly good and worthwhile things to do???

It'll be impossible to be at both places at the same time and I know it is unlikely that things will change in the near future...

And time is running out and so I need to make a decision real soon! ... Hmmm....

I think I know which one I want to choose... which one I'm more inclined to choose... Question is, am I making a wise decision??? Would God care???

But I did bind myself with a promise before... maybe, now is the right time to keep it... (not that I haven't kept it so far... =) But this is just "going that extra mile" =))

Comforting warning passage...

It is funny how most of the times a passage can serve both as warning and comforting passage...

Read 1 Corinthians 4 this morning and found its first paragraph (v.1-5) to be extremely comforting! ... Not that I didn't take the warning bit - I did, and was reminded to be a trustworthy steward and to be faithful...

And yet, in my current situation, somehow... I feel that it is a greatly encouraging and comforting passage... A very timely and kind reminder from God! =)

Black Google

Do you know that Black Google would save 750 Megawatt-hours a year?

Well, I didn't, until this afternoon. But apparently, that's the case - at least, that seems to be why Blackle was started.

Must admit it's a bit funny to use a black coloured search engine at first. I mean, it gives you a very different feel to Google! =) And not sure how easy it would be to the eyes... But I am willing to give it a try. =)

It might be a small step in the bigger scheme of saving energy etc, but most people start doing things in small ways, right? =)

Anyway, if you would like to give it a try as well, you can set Blackle as your homepage, or add it to your list of search engines. =)

Not sure about IE, but if you want to add it to your firefox search engines list, you can follow this link - and install the plugin. That site also has plugin to add Bible Gateway to your search engines, btw...

Psalm for illustration...

Wondering... What kind of illustrations / artworks the artist in one of my previous posts would come up with if he were asked to illustrate Psalm 33...

I think it's such a great Psalm to be used as a source of inspiration for illustrations!!!

Such an expression, and imagery languages, and... just something that would be great to be illustrated! I mean, look at verses 7, 9, 13ff, and even 5 and 6 - oh, all of the verses!!!

I wish I can draw........

Punchline...

Josh asked us today during the talk - "Do you know how to catch a monkey?"

And then he told us - "Well, you make a box, with a banana or something inside the box, and a hole on the side of the box - just big enough for the monkey to put its hand in but not big enough for it to pull its hand out again - without letting go of the banana. And that's how you catch and kill a monkey! - with its hand still trapped inside the box! Because of course the monkey would prefer banana than its life..."

And I was really waiting for Josh's punchline! I was hoping he would say it with an impact, too! I mean, it was such a great story! It surely should be given a dramatic ending!!!

But no... =( Josh didn't say it... =(

Well, he did proceed by reminding us how sometimes, we too are like that, unwilling to let go of our possession, without realising that it might cost us our lives... Which was still a great challenge to give! =)

But I guess, I was just waiting for him to say. . . "Now.... Don't be a monkey!"

I think that would make the story's impact on people even greater! But maybe, I will change my mind after reading my new storytelling book... =)

Let's do something different! And why not try this for a start? =)

Signed up a petition online today. One linked to this web-news.

Do sign up if you have time.

I mean, you don't want to have an open wound untreated. This world and all that there is have been entrusted to us by God. Wilberforce cared for animals and was involved in what is now RSPCA. Christ died for us (yes, we were below Him... not that we are "just animals like them" - but hey, He was God, we are His creation - greater difference than us and the animals in terms of order, I think...)

And I'm sure there are many other reasons you can think of as to why it's a worthwhile thing to do... Even if it is just something like - I've been a spectator to things most of my life, why don't I do something about an issue - any issue - even this one - for this one time? Just trying to do something different? It won't take 5 minutes of your time after all...

So, do check out the news and sign the petition! =)

Mesmerising artworks...

There is something about his artworks that's oddly familiar.... Something that just seems to draw you in, taking you into the world that he created....

Not sure if it is his illustrations, or if it is his story lines and ideas... But somehow, there is just something enchanting in them.... powerfully enchanting....

They just draw you in, bringing you in to be part of the story, to be there - with the characters who move around within the pages of his books....

Praying that I can come across an artist whose artworks are similar to his, but whose allegiance belongs to my Lord....

The Many Uses for High Heel Shoes

Ok, I admit, they're not that many... I haven't even reached 25 yet! =( But this is my first attempt at thinking creatively, so I'll post them up anyway! =)

1. As shoes (to be worn on feet)
2. To boost your self confidence by making you feel taller
3. To make someone feel short
4. To help you get stuff from the top shelves (with the added height)
5. To announce to people that a lady has arrived (with all that noise the shoes are making...)
6. To make music / tapping sound
7. To kill cockroaches / bugs
8. To find a bride (Cinderella)
9. As self-protection - to hit someone on the head with it or step on someone with an intention to harm
10. To break emergency window (maybe, if the window's not too strong - at least it would be more worthwhile trying using high heel shoes than sneakers, right?)
11. To help in gardening - making holes to put seeds in
12. As a den / sleeping place for your small pets (e.g. hamsters, maybe?)
13. To hurt someone you don't like 'accidentally' - stand in front of them and then step back - and just so happen - stepping on their foot with your high heels of course!
14. As water container to get water and drink from - in emergency and desperate situation (again, these are better options than sneakers!)
15. To get rid of someone who persistently tries to make a move on you in a bar (take off one of you shoes and put it on the table in front of him) - might work better if you have smelly feet
16. As a hammer - I mean, to hammer things in / put things in place
17. To pass the minimum height requirements for certain rides in amusement parks (might need to wear long pants to hide the heels, though)
18. As a door stopper
19. To ruin your "best friend"'s perfect wedding - especially when you get to be one of the bridesmaids (by falling and spraining your ankle badly during the bridal procession)

(run out of ideas... might think some more at another time or might try a different thing... feel free to add something creative to the list if you feel like to =))

Flip Side...

Well, there is always a different side to the story, right? =) So, this will be a space reserved for my less-carefully-thought stuff and ideas and personal musings etc! =)

For posts that would probably show the another 'side' of me as opposed to the 'side' presented on consider-the-flowers... =)

But just like a coin that has two sides - although both might be two sides of the same coin, one side is called called the obverse (head), while the other is called the reverse (tail). Well, consider-the-flowers is the obverse, this is the reverse. =)