Hello again,
I am confining myself within the four walls of my house now that most errands are completed. I am still sick, and I thank you if you've been praying for my recovery (or did you NOT?!). Haha. I suppose I overexhausted myself from mugging for the A's and from all that prom-shopping. I'm down with flu. Thank God for Piriton, my snot is getting more goo-ey, with high viscosity and low water content. Haha. Some of the snot is getting to my throat, which is not sore and swollen anymore, so I'm expecting a cough to come up in the next few days.
Nonetheless, my spirits are not dampened. I finally bought a dress and shoes for prom. Thank God it's the upcoming Yuletide that we get discounted rates. Also, we finally got a room at Marina, which was supposed to be fully booked on December 5. How miraculous! Thanks to JT too.
Ahh, what a nice and lovely day.
I am going to tone my body, get a slight tan, guzzle loads of water, and sleep like a pig within the
next 7 days, even till before I return to my alma mater to teach. Just a slight update. I'm bored, but I HAVE to sleep to get well. So off I go.
Oh, and Caleb gave a wonderful analysis on the lamp metaphor in the Bible. I'll post it up too after I get his permission. As Kenneth would say: AWW YEAH, NICE.
Bye.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Christmas is Coming
Have you seen the map for the Raffles area in the street directory?
I have. On page 133 of the bilingual Mighty Minds Singapore Street Directory, I found 4 hotels that are in the vicinity of Ritz Carlton, the venue for our promenade. But sadly, our indecisiveness in booking a 300+ room at Ritz has left us with only two options for room-booking. Either a $300 Deluxe Room at Marina Mandarin (before 16.55% tax) or a $450 Suite at Ritz Carlton (before tax). $450 before tax. Either way, I thank God that Grace's sister is able to get cheaper rates. Hehe.
Does anyone wants to share the suite with us? $450 for ONE night is not exactly affordable for a small class like 2AA3. I should think that our last resort is to walk from Marina Mandarin in our outfits to the venue (will that be awkward or simply understandable? haha).
Anyway, I am very glad to know that my classmates are very fun-loving and are enthusiastic about a Christmas party. Talking about Christmas parties, there's one next Wednesday by the choir juniors! Hmmm, should I dress up as Rudolph for it? Fancy having that red nose and a full body of brown fur, save the fact that you can only give reindeer grunts and not sing carols. Last year, our choir's Christmas party was at Pandan Valley. I remember how we felt we were in deep trouble when we thought the soccer ball had made a crack in the clubhouse window. Even more vividly, I remember how Alex exclaimed so frankly that I was fat, and when I looked down, I did have a considerably protuberant tummy! Ouch. The salad that my parents and I prepared was mostly untouched - almost everyone present preferred the meaty stuff and the potato chips, till kind souls, especially Josiah and Livia, helped finish the stuff off.
Christmas parties are fun, so is carolling. Therefore, I am going to have my share of fun for the holidays by returning as a ALUMNUS (whoa whoa!). Please do come down and let us have a chance to share Christmas music with you! There are some pieces arranged by John Rutter, I remember, such as the choir's all-time favourite, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and Quem Pastores. Then there's the jazz version of Silent Night, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and Follow That Star, not forgetting Winter Wonderland, where people always cheered for the solo, eg: Joseph for last year. At Ocean Building last year, this angbao-lipped auntie gave herself away when her eyes lit up and she smiled when she saw Joseph. It was rather funny, but it gave those who saw that goosebumps. Haha.
I will post my carolling schedule the next time I blog. I don't have the exact time for most performances yet.
Is Christmas simply about having fun with all that gift-giving and receiving, carolling and partying? Sadly, with commercialisation and ironically, Westernisation, Christmas is merely a time to swell the pockets of retailers and producers and to dress prettily and socialise et cetera. Carolling with the choir is fun, but I will not equate this to a work of God. It is merely for aesthetic development - forging bonds and musicianship and sharing music with the audience.
Christmas is a day to commemorate the birth of Christ. (FOR THE LAST TIME, IT IS NOT HIS BIRTHDAY.) John explicitly states this in his opening of the John 1:1, 'the Word was God'. Jesus descended in status to become a lowly human being on earth, and by doing so, He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament of the Messiah that the Jews had waited so long for liberation. Fulfilling the prophecies means fulfilling God's Will of having Jesus crucified, and liberation is that from the sting of death, from the condemnation of hell since the Fall of Man.
Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is to give glory to God for His love in His wondrous plan, that even the evil of the scribes and Pharisees is used for God's good. This love is the unconditional sacrifice of Jesus so as to give the Gospel to the world. It is unconditional because salvation is by grace and by faith, not by intellect, achievement, status, or acts. Because the Gospel is so easy to accept - simply recognising your sins and putting Jesus into your new life - the world is skeptical about it. How do you see that people are skeptical? They question the rationality of miracles, seeing the Bible as a book of fairytales. They challenge creationism with a hypothetical theory of evolution. They abandon Christian principles for pragmatism, eg: getting into politics for people to back them up. Somehow, people think that you must qualify to be saved according to worldly achievements. No, the Gospel speaks of unconditional love. Take a look at Jesus' disciples. They were mere fishers, lowly educated and poor, but were chosen to become fishers of men.
Despite skepticism and rejection, we must continue to give love to them in the form of patience and a burden for their condemned souls. We give love because Christ first gave His love to us through crucifixion and the healing miracles. This is the true spirit of giving. The false spirit of giving is the one touted by the retail world. It can be so absurdly twisted to the extent of using Bible verses to validate generous Christmas shopping, ie: Tangs for this year and last year.
So how do you put the spirit of giving to practice? Look to the Bible. It tells all you have to do, such as in Matthew 5. Matthew 5 tells you several stuff.
1. Understand the principle behind God's Word,
and follow it with understanding. (v20)
2. Love thine neighbour, and thy enemy. (v24, v44)
3. Abhor thoughts and acts of sinful lust. (v28)
4. Do not swear but be truthful. (v37)
THAT IS, Be a Christian both in essence and appearance (v3-12, v16).
Makes sense? Now go and think about 3 misunderstandings you have had about Christmas and correc them, backing them up with God's Word. Also, choose 1 aspect of giving that you would want to focus on this Christmas season. Of course, this spirit of giving is not mere annual affair but is a continual thing till we all die, but simply emphasised more during this time of the year.
God bless.
I have. On page 133 of the bilingual Mighty Minds Singapore Street Directory, I found 4 hotels that are in the vicinity of Ritz Carlton, the venue for our promenade. But sadly, our indecisiveness in booking a 300+ room at Ritz has left us with only two options for room-booking. Either a $300 Deluxe Room at Marina Mandarin (before 16.55% tax) or a $450 Suite at Ritz Carlton (before tax). $450 before tax. Either way, I thank God that Grace's sister is able to get cheaper rates. Hehe.
Does anyone wants to share the suite with us? $450 for ONE night is not exactly affordable for a small class like 2AA3. I should think that our last resort is to walk from Marina Mandarin in our outfits to the venue (will that be awkward or simply understandable? haha).
Anyway, I am very glad to know that my classmates are very fun-loving and are enthusiastic about a Christmas party. Talking about Christmas parties, there's one next Wednesday by the choir juniors! Hmmm, should I dress up as Rudolph for it? Fancy having that red nose and a full body of brown fur, save the fact that you can only give reindeer grunts and not sing carols. Last year, our choir's Christmas party was at Pandan Valley. I remember how we felt we were in deep trouble when we thought the soccer ball had made a crack in the clubhouse window. Even more vividly, I remember how Alex exclaimed so frankly that I was fat, and when I looked down, I did have a considerably protuberant tummy! Ouch. The salad that my parents and I prepared was mostly untouched - almost everyone present preferred the meaty stuff and the potato chips, till kind souls, especially Josiah and Livia, helped finish the stuff off.
Christmas parties are fun, so is carolling. Therefore, I am going to have my share of fun for the holidays by returning as a ALUMNUS (whoa whoa!). Please do come down and let us have a chance to share Christmas music with you! There are some pieces arranged by John Rutter, I remember, such as the choir's all-time favourite, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and Quem Pastores. Then there's the jazz version of Silent Night, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and Follow That Star, not forgetting Winter Wonderland, where people always cheered for the solo, eg: Joseph for last year. At Ocean Building last year, this angbao-lipped auntie gave herself away when her eyes lit up and she smiled when she saw Joseph. It was rather funny, but it gave those who saw that goosebumps. Haha.
I will post my carolling schedule the next time I blog. I don't have the exact time for most performances yet.
Is Christmas simply about having fun with all that gift-giving and receiving, carolling and partying? Sadly, with commercialisation and ironically, Westernisation, Christmas is merely a time to swell the pockets of retailers and producers and to dress prettily and socialise et cetera. Carolling with the choir is fun, but I will not equate this to a work of God. It is merely for aesthetic development - forging bonds and musicianship and sharing music with the audience.
Christmas is a day to commemorate the birth of Christ. (FOR THE LAST TIME, IT IS NOT HIS BIRTHDAY.) John explicitly states this in his opening of the John 1:1, 'the Word was God'. Jesus descended in status to become a lowly human being on earth, and by doing so, He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament of the Messiah that the Jews had waited so long for liberation. Fulfilling the prophecies means fulfilling God's Will of having Jesus crucified, and liberation is that from the sting of death, from the condemnation of hell since the Fall of Man.
Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is to give glory to God for His love in His wondrous plan, that even the evil of the scribes and Pharisees is used for God's good. This love is the unconditional sacrifice of Jesus so as to give the Gospel to the world. It is unconditional because salvation is by grace and by faith, not by intellect, achievement, status, or acts. Because the Gospel is so easy to accept - simply recognising your sins and putting Jesus into your new life - the world is skeptical about it. How do you see that people are skeptical? They question the rationality of miracles, seeing the Bible as a book of fairytales. They challenge creationism with a hypothetical theory of evolution. They abandon Christian principles for pragmatism, eg: getting into politics for people to back them up. Somehow, people think that you must qualify to be saved according to worldly achievements. No, the Gospel speaks of unconditional love. Take a look at Jesus' disciples. They were mere fishers, lowly educated and poor, but were chosen to become fishers of men.
Despite skepticism and rejection, we must continue to give love to them in the form of patience and a burden for their condemned souls. We give love because Christ first gave His love to us through crucifixion and the healing miracles. This is the true spirit of giving. The false spirit of giving is the one touted by the retail world. It can be so absurdly twisted to the extent of using Bible verses to validate generous Christmas shopping, ie: Tangs for this year and last year.
So how do you put the spirit of giving to practice? Look to the Bible. It tells all you have to do, such as in Matthew 5. Matthew 5 tells you several stuff.
1. Understand the principle behind God's Word,
and follow it with understanding. (v20)
2. Love thine neighbour, and thy enemy. (v24, v44)
3. Abhor thoughts and acts of sinful lust. (v28)
4. Do not swear but be truthful. (v37)
THAT IS, Be a Christian both in essence and appearance (v3-12, v16).
Makes sense? Now go and think about 3 misunderstandings you have had about Christmas and correc them, backing them up with God's Word. Also, choose 1 aspect of giving that you would want to focus on this Christmas season. Of course, this spirit of giving is not mere annual affair but is a continual thing till we all die, but simply emphasised more during this time of the year.
God bless.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
: (
'This painful memory must be exorcised by being noted here.'
Undertones of War, Edmund Blunden
Yesterday, I asked Ruth if she had finished her papers and I expected her to be over the moon. Today, people asked me if I had finished mine and I suppose they expected an exclamation of relief and overwhelming elation in response. I suppose I have to deflate their expectations because I feel sad.
Yes, I feel sad.
No more mugging with my beloved classmates. No more mischief in class that seems to drive teachers and classmates alike into desperation and laughter. No more 'Juicy Friday' talks before Mrs Yap's tutorial during lunch in the void deck. No more waiting for each other to get changed into that unglamourous yellow PE shirt and dark blue FBTs. No more queueing up for chicken rice or YTF together. No more hunting down of people to pay for the hefty sums incurred from buying endless copies of answer schemes, case studies and lecture notes. No more hiding of Sher's possessions in the toilet, on top of the whiteboard or in Rekha's pocket. No more discussion of hair balding suffered by victims of ponytail tying...No more accounting of attendance to teachers (shh..YAY!).
Part of me wants to embrace the exciting world of a 7-month holiday, but the rest of me is still under inertia, because my school experience, especially with my class, is too precious to be let go now. BUT, all things come and go. :(
I have never attached so much feelings to a group of people before. To tear apart or modify them would be painful for me. But what can I do?
I feel S-A-D. Today, we were discussing of what to do for tomorrow, or rather, how to fill up the void in our lives that has been dedicated to each other in school for almost 700 days. Movie-watching, prom dress shopping, playing squash and such are activities that can't last for ever. There will come a time when our meetings will become less frequent till it becomes non-existent. I am sure we all know this, but at least, by still seeing each other frequently during the December holidays, the void can be temporarily filled.
During the ride home, Joyce shared how Amos says he feels very sad because all that daily mugging in school is now over. Will we change 5 years down the road? Will some of us get married? Will some of us migrate overseas? Will some of us choose not to have any reunion gatherings? Will some of us change so drastically we wished he/she had stayed the same?
I feel sad.
Yesterday, I asked Ruth if she had finished her papers and I expected her to be over the moon. Today, people asked me if I had finished mine and I suppose they expected an exclamation of relief and overwhelming elation in response. I suppose I have to deflate their expectations because I feel sad.
Yes, I feel sad.
No more mugging with my beloved classmates. No more mischief in class that seems to drive teachers and classmates alike into desperation and laughter. No more 'Juicy Friday' talks before Mrs Yap's tutorial during lunch in the void deck. No more waiting for each other to get changed into that unglamourous yellow PE shirt and dark blue FBTs. No more queueing up for chicken rice or YTF together. No more hunting down of people to pay for the hefty sums incurred from buying endless copies of answer schemes, case studies and lecture notes. No more hiding of Sher's possessions in the toilet, on top of the whiteboard or in Rekha's pocket. No more discussion of hair balding suffered by victims of ponytail tying...No more accounting of attendance to teachers (shh..YAY!).
Part of me wants to embrace the exciting world of a 7-month holiday, but the rest of me is still under inertia, because my school experience, especially with my class, is too precious to be let go now. BUT, all things come and go. :(
I have never attached so much feelings to a group of people before. To tear apart or modify them would be painful for me. But what can I do?
I feel S-A-D. Today, we were discussing of what to do for tomorrow, or rather, how to fill up the void in our lives that has been dedicated to each other in school for almost 700 days. Movie-watching, prom dress shopping, playing squash and such are activities that can't last for ever. There will come a time when our meetings will become less frequent till it becomes non-existent. I am sure we all know this, but at least, by still seeing each other frequently during the December holidays, the void can be temporarily filled.
During the ride home, Joyce shared how Amos says he feels very sad because all that daily mugging in school is now over. Will we change 5 years down the road? Will some of us get married? Will some of us migrate overseas? Will some of us choose not to have any reunion gatherings? Will some of us change so drastically we wished he/she had stayed the same?
I feel sad.
Friday, November 17, 2006
What to Do with My Life
Hi,
It's been a long time since I used the computer. This primary school kiddo from my church finds such behaviour of not using the computer for a long time incredible and out-of-the-world. Anyway, I don't relish the life of being an online addict.
The 'A' level preparation has been a sort-of arduous journey. Even I myself am not sure about how I should feel about it now, though I'm only left with a 2.30 paper later and another one next thursday before I'm done with Cambridge. When I don't feel stressed, does it mean I am well-prepared or apathetic? When I feel otherwise, does it mean I am giving myself excessive pressure or undergoing a coping mechanism of last-minute cramming? 2 years back, the 'O' levels felt quite a breeze, and ironically I was rather bored and didn't study during the exam period. I think the most honest answer, if you ask me 'How's the A's, aye?', is ????????????. That's a dozen question marks.
When the fast-paced, cramming, bookwormish kind of life suddenly becomes invalid next Thursday, will I be at a sudden loss? The loss of a protected environment and the loss of the 'rote-learning' way of life which we ourselves have criticised so much about in essays and small talks - it's inevitable to let some things go. What am I going to do with my life?
One thing for sure, I'm returning as a choir alumnus. Simply can't miss out all the fun from carolling! Also, it's prom shopping with Joyce, Olie, Si and Kenneth for pretty prom dresses after the exams. LOL.
Since I'm not blessed with the opportunity or ability to study overseas, I can only work either at the flea market, where it will be really fun!, the Immigrations HQ, boring but stable job, or as a relief teacher at my alma mater, fun and rather stable. Oh! and a few of us girls might be backpacking to North Thailand. Talk about RURAL TOURISM. Haha. And, we should have a Christmas party and watch Phantom of the Opera together when the troupe comes around next March! : O
I suppose life will be quite exciting after all. : )
What are your plans, ye womenfolk who are spared from conscription?
Whatever you do, bear in mind that you ought to be a constantly shining light of God.
Jesus, in Matthew 5, uses the metaphor 'light of the world' to outline how we Christians should behave. Light is only visible when juxtaposed with darkness (the sinful world), and reminds us of the sharp difference between a believer's thoughts, actions and speech and the world's. This demarcation between what is light and what is dark is always distinct and cannot be blurred. Similarly, we should live by this demarcation of being holy inheritors of the Kingdom, while defending the flame of our spirits against being consumed by the dark.
Also, this metaphor takes on the meaning of having an outward behaviour that is Christian. A candle that is lit is not meant to be concealed, but to 'giveth light'. This parallel to the Christian, who is saved and thus set on the treacherous path to Heaven, underlines the importance of corroboration between the inner spiritual change and outer behavioural transition. How is it possible to claim in church that you are one who loves his brethren and then slander or think bad thoughts about him after that? Is that how a true Christian should be?
No 'if's and no 'but's - if you try to refute the need to exude a Christian life, you are merely giving excuses to hide your wrong. I know of people who do that. They drink and smoke, subjecting the holy vessel of the Master to degradation that is uncalled for. They can do QT and still mock at people after that. Then they give excuses, 'Oh...but it's human nature to be like that', 'I need to destress so I shouldn't restrict myself', or 'Don't be so strict lah!'. Again, it's back to the issue of whether one is WILLING to adhere to that demarcation between the Christian and the world.
Jesus sub-concludes by explaining the rationale of using the light metaphor.
It's been a long time since I used the computer. This primary school kiddo from my church finds such behaviour of not using the computer for a long time incredible and out-of-the-world. Anyway, I don't relish the life of being an online addict.
The 'A' level preparation has been a sort-of arduous journey. Even I myself am not sure about how I should feel about it now, though I'm only left with a 2.30 paper later and another one next thursday before I'm done with Cambridge. When I don't feel stressed, does it mean I am well-prepared or apathetic? When I feel otherwise, does it mean I am giving myself excessive pressure or undergoing a coping mechanism of last-minute cramming? 2 years back, the 'O' levels felt quite a breeze, and ironically I was rather bored and didn't study during the exam period. I think the most honest answer, if you ask me 'How's the A's, aye?', is ????????????. That's a dozen question marks.
When the fast-paced, cramming, bookwormish kind of life suddenly becomes invalid next Thursday, will I be at a sudden loss? The loss of a protected environment and the loss of the 'rote-learning' way of life which we ourselves have criticised so much about in essays and small talks - it's inevitable to let some things go. What am I going to do with my life?
One thing for sure, I'm returning as a choir alumnus. Simply can't miss out all the fun from carolling! Also, it's prom shopping with Joyce, Olie, Si and Kenneth for pretty prom dresses after the exams. LOL.
Since I'm not blessed with the opportunity or ability to study overseas, I can only work either at the flea market, where it will be really fun!, the Immigrations HQ, boring but stable job, or as a relief teacher at my alma mater, fun and rather stable. Oh! and a few of us girls might be backpacking to North Thailand. Talk about RURAL TOURISM. Haha. And, we should have a Christmas party and watch Phantom of the Opera together when the troupe comes around next March! : O
I suppose life will be quite exciting after all. : )
What are your plans, ye womenfolk who are spared from conscription?
Whatever you do, bear in mind that you ought to be a constantly shining light of God.
Jesus, in Matthew 5, uses the metaphor 'light of the world' to outline how we Christians should behave. Light is only visible when juxtaposed with darkness (the sinful world), and reminds us of the sharp difference between a believer's thoughts, actions and speech and the world's. This demarcation between what is light and what is dark is always distinct and cannot be blurred. Similarly, we should live by this demarcation of being holy inheritors of the Kingdom, while defending the flame of our spirits against being consumed by the dark.
Also, this metaphor takes on the meaning of having an outward behaviour that is Christian. A candle that is lit is not meant to be concealed, but to 'giveth light'. This parallel to the Christian, who is saved and thus set on the treacherous path to Heaven, underlines the importance of corroboration between the inner spiritual change and outer behavioural transition. How is it possible to claim in church that you are one who loves his brethren and then slander or think bad thoughts about him after that? Is that how a true Christian should be?
No 'if's and no 'but's - if you try to refute the need to exude a Christian life, you are merely giving excuses to hide your wrong. I know of people who do that. They drink and smoke, subjecting the holy vessel of the Master to degradation that is uncalled for. They can do QT and still mock at people after that. Then they give excuses, 'Oh...but it's human nature to be like that', 'I need to destress so I shouldn't restrict myself', or 'Don't be so strict lah!'. Again, it's back to the issue of whether one is WILLING to adhere to that demarcation between the Christian and the world.
Jesus sub-concludes by explaining the rationale of using the light metaphor.
'Let your light so shine before men,
so they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
so they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
Matthew 5:16
Jesus emphasises on the exuding of Christian qualities for us. Through us, people hard-hearted to the seeds of Gospel or unknowing of it will gain understanding of God, our Heavenly Father. If we appear still as sinful as before, the potency of the Gospel is undermined in the eyes of the world, as only false god cannot bring about a true change in a person. If we remain true to God's instructions and Will, people around us will be able to see the light instead. They will know that God is the true god and should be glorified for bringing about the better change in you.
So, what I want to say is, as the world in our innocent perception becomes increasingly complicated, do not let yourself sink back into the bog. Depend on the Lord for strength and courage for steadfastness, so that you will not enter the Heaven empty-handed when you were purchased by suffering, torture, ridicule and blood. When the day comes for judgment, you can stand 'without spot, blameless' (II Peter 3:14).
Gotta go have my eyebrows plucked and practise on the violin before I leave for E8. See ya.
So, what I want to say is, as the world in our innocent perception becomes increasingly complicated, do not let yourself sink back into the bog. Depend on the Lord for strength and courage for steadfastness, so that you will not enter the Heaven empty-handed when you were purchased by suffering, torture, ridicule and blood. When the day comes for judgment, you can stand 'without spot, blameless' (II Peter 3:14).
Gotta go have my eyebrows plucked and practise on the violin before I leave for E8. See ya.
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