VCF retreat camp 2007/2008

Hi, how are you? No Ben is not back, i borrowed my friend's computer to make this post. I so need a new computer but that is another post.

So VCF had her committee retreat camp this year at Imperial Hotel, it was just for one night but considering we got the presidential suite and only had to pay lima blas ringgit i think it was well worth it. The retreat camp is usually where the old committee have their postmortem report and also where they hand over to the new committee so its more of a planning meeting than anything else. We had two meetings almost consecutively to decide what we'll be doing for the next year and the next semester seeing that this sem is all but over.

I was seriously expecting to be really worn out at the end of the meetings but surprisingly was not too tired while there. Our meeting finished at about 1+ in the morning and then we had the revelation of the angel and their masters and then supper, watched tv for a while, talk talk and only get to sleep around 3 something but it was all good except some people stealing blankets and keeping it all to themselves. Actually i should say some person, he knows who he is.

Yeah, even though it was more of meetings we still had time to for one night forget about exams in two weeks time and have fun. And of course a lot of pictures were taken, and so i will let the pictures do the talking.


these two were acting gay all retreat.


yo yo yo, its o o ja


lip roll, don't even try it.


we had good food from pong's


meeting time


worship ministry.


behold the treasurer


behold the secretary


behold the former secretary


the vice secretary

We had meetings until quite late and then supper. After that i cou'dn't sleep anymore, ended up staying late until 3 somethings before i could sleep. We all felt the effect the next day.


breakfast

We had games after a sharing by Mr. Samuel. The games was really crazy but ended up in a splash.


pose with a stranger


buy underwear


act silly in front of kfc


punish the game master


kacao the former president


take a group photograph with the president hanging in the air, wearing underwear on top of his pants.


Like i said, it ended in a splash.

~shalom~

lappie update

Just got a call from ben's nurse that there is no hope for Ben. It appears that they cannot find a replacement motherboard for Ben because Ben is an old timer. So no choice la, absolutely must buy a new computer.

Now i'm thinking again, is it really worth all the effort getting a new Dell with windows vista, or windows xp? Especially as windows 7, vista's replacement will (hopefully) be released in 2010. Windows 7 promises to be the next windows xp in terms of reliability and security but we'll have to wait and see. Is it really worth the effort getting a PC that will become absolutely useless in another 4years? If it breaks down, or breaks apart which ever comes first then i cannot find any parts for it to prolong its life. Is it really worth it?

I prepared to send an email to the big guy and tell him i need a new lappie but decided against it. Money is such an issue with him and i don't want any more trouble with him. So i guess i'll have to tahan until next sem lo. Boo hoo hoo.

~shalom~

Its going to be a dell

The nurse taking care of my lappie, {i decided to call him Ben, you know for benq?} called me yesterday and said the problem could be in the motherboard. And that it could take a long time to fix. So i have to live with the possibility that ben might never be back. So i have to make a decision on what new lappie to get. And its going to be a dell. Yeah dell.

What? No macbook?
Unfortunately no, i have my reasons. But why a dell? Well their customer service is among the best and their hardware is not too bad also.

Why not a macbook?
Macs are great, its a superb combination of sweet hardware and the best operating system in the world but at the moment, as a student i cannot justify the cost of owning one. I just configured a 14" dell for less than 3k. I know it runs on the dreaded windows vista but thats a sacrifice i can make, and if i want linux i have so many options to run it.

I guess another reason why i opted out of the mac is my unhelpable obsession for the darn things. Like i said they're nice but i feel there's more than just getting it. I feel somehow owning a mac gives you something of a cool status of sorts, like there's this kind of maybe possibly, i don't know pride in it. I feel like i need to curb in me the desire to always get what i want, and be content with what I have. So it more of a personal deprivation more than anything else. I love macs, i used robert's macbook for one night and thats all it took me to get used to it and it was lovely. But i think i will only get it when i start working or if i win a lottery or something.

~shalom~

Chad Blondel Concert

Who's that guy?

Well watch this first.

Dynamic singer-songwriter Chad Blondel has emerged onto the Australian music scene in the last year. The 22 yr old Perth based artist has just released his debut solo album 'Chase' after 6 months in the studio. Chad's musicianship allowed him the freedom to play all the instruments on the album, as well as mixing and producing it himself. "I had a sound and a vibe that I really wanted to permeate the album so I thought I'd just do it all myself. I'm really satisfied with the sound that was captured." Chase is a moving album and covers the spectrum of emotion, with influence from the sounds of John Mayer and Coldplay.

Chad is a primary songwriter for Youth Alive WA and has produced and recorded their last 3 international selling albums, leading to the Western Australian Music Industry (WAM) awarding Chad 'Song of the Year' in 2005 for the song 'Take Over'. In the last 2 years Chad has lead teams from Youth Alive music to Singapore and Indonesia as well as all around Australia, playing for conferences and workshops, speaking and performing in front of crowds of up to 8000. During the last 12 months Chad has also become involved with international contemporary youth movement, Planetshakers, leading teams in Malaysia and singing backup at the Perth conferences.

Chad owns and operate his own production business, recording and producing albums and music pieces. Chad has recorded local artists; Elora Danan, Mercy Ministries, Foxtel, Channel 7, Youth Alive WA, Matt Garner, Sam Harders, Daniel Sithu, Australiam Christian Churches, Rob Humphries and many more.

So What?

Well he's coming to Miri! No really. On the 27th of this month (this tuesday) at Imperial hotel Ballroom. Want to check it out? Well i have tickets, its just 6 bucks as long as you're a student. 

Evil Lappie Finally Gave Up

Like i knew something would happen, my almost four year old lappie decided to stop working for good. I was using it yesterday and it just shut down by itself. It not the first time it has happened, usually computers shut down like that when they are overheating or when the the power supply is faulty, so i left it for a while hoping it would come back on but nah.

And you know the timing couldn't have been more perfect as i have an assignment due this monday, the one i got special extension for. I mean, why now of all times to break down why when i need to do my work?

Yeah yeah i know, time to change but no money now wo. And i can't tell my dad i want a mac, he'll just send me a missile from Nigeria. Hehe. But then when you think of it, if i'm going to use a computer for another ahem 4 yrs then isn't it worth investing on something that will still be functional and useful for all those 4 years? And besides that, if i want to get those Dell XPS machines, they're about the same price give or take a few hundred. And besides, i don't like windows anymore :(

Pray for me la, i need to use something before exams are over, and i need to complete this assignment and start preparing for exams, my gosh its almost here. Two more weeks man.

~shalom~ 

lappie going bye bye

I know i rant a lot about wanting a new laptop and how i want a mac but now i really need a new lappie. My computer is giving me some less than subtle signs that its going 6feet soon.

The latest is my screen going blank so that you cannot see anything. Actually its not totally blank just super dim yet still you cannot use it for anything. The only resolution is a restart. So if you're my angel and you have a lot of money to spend, please, i want a mac :'(

After Exam plans
Yay booked my ticket to KL today, leaving on a jet plane on the 20th. Haven't booked my ticket to Kuching yet, hope i can spend more time there. I really miss everyone. But first must face exams and tests and the remaining assignments still pending.

Oh yeah, happy gawai to all who are celebrating. Try not to get drunk hehe.

~shalom~

XXIII

Thank you everyone for all the messages, yan hui, su ee, cheryl, joshua, kimberly, benji, candace, chang... thanks for the presents joshua, amy, kenin, reuben, cheryl, alan...Thanks for dinner dom, samson, edward, gordon+melissa, joyce, cpr. Thanks for the call mummy, tochi, obi. And thank You God for another year and for every moment you give me. I really appreciate it.

I was asked what i want for this year, and i said i want to be a better person, to improve in the areas in which i am weak and to learn from my mistakes so i don't repeat them.

I'm tempted to look at the past and wonder how this day could have been but i'm going to resist that temptation and look to the now and to the future.

Thank you God for wonderful friends and for the newness of life and for every new day that you give us, its a blessing Lord and we want to appreciate it and live it to the fullest. I thank You that You have brought me thus far and for everything in my future. I know i worry a lot and you're probably sick of me telling you the same things but i trust you with my future. Help me in the times when i'm not so convinced. Arigato o-tou san.

~shalom~

èr shí sān

Wow thats a cross. Yeah i'm 23 today and i know i'm old, don't rub it in. So much have changed in one year but in all, in everything i just want to thank God for his faithfulness, and his love. I know i certainly don't deserve anything good from You but You give it to me anyway. I still don't understand.

I remember birthdays celebrated at pizzahut, a surprise birthday organised by my friends back in kuching and a few i birthdays i totally didn't remember. For me its not a big deal if i don't celebrate, i'd rather be somewhere quiet and reflect on things.

Since i'm writing this on the 17th, i guess i can predict a few things, like my mom calling and wishing me a happy birthday, a few messages on friendster and facebook or even on this blog. Maybe some text messages and i'm not sure what koala bear and his accomplice are planning but they better not do anything.

A lot have happened, things i wish didnt happen but i'm glad they happened because through them i learn, i grew, i changed. I don't wish i can undo anything, i think things happen for a reason and we should learn to appreciate the bigger picture.

More responsibilities, places i've never been before, expectations and more pressure, but Lord help me not to run away and hide but to stand+fight, help me to be brave, and to rely on You in all things.

As for the future, i can only look to the past and see how God has come through for me, that gives me hope for the future to know that He has my best interest at heart. I don't know what to expect but i know its good.

Wishes?
Nothing grand, just that I want good grades. I want to do well in my studies. I want to be happy. I want to continue to follow Him.

Be careful for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding with guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

~shalom~

落雨聲

The chinese in me likes this song. Found it in one of my favourite xanga site. Before blogger i was in xanga, now i'm not so much there anymore. Its nice and there have been a lot of changes but i'm here for a reason and sometimes i miss the people there. Its funny how people are influenced by others. There's a very good video that shows this but thats another post. Enjoy if you can, the vocals are great imho.

落雨聲

詞：方文山　曲：周杰倫　
編：陳飛午 唱：江蕙
. . .

落雨聲　哪親像一條歌　誰知影　阮越頭嘸敢聽
異鄉的我　一個人起畏寒　寂寞的雨聲　捶阮心肝

人孤單　像斷翅的鳥隻　飛袂行　咁講是阮的命
故鄉的山　永遠攏站置遐　阮的心晟只有講乎山來聽
　
來到故鄉的海岸　景色猶原攏總無變化　
當初離開是為啥　你若問阮阮心肝就疼

你若欲友孝世大嘸免等好額　世間有阿母惜的囝仔尚好命
嘸通等成功欲來接阿母住　阿母啊　已經無置遐

你若欲友孝世大嘸免等好額　世間有阿母惜的囝仔尚好命
出社會走闖塊甲人拼輸贏　為著啥　家己嘸知影

你若欲友孝世大嘸免等好額　世間有阿母惜的囝仔尚好命
嘸通等成功欲來接阿母住　阿母啊　已經無置遐

哭出聲　無人惜命命

. . .


The Sound of Rain

the sound of rain's like a song
though i'm afraid to listen
being away from home, i feel cold
the lonely sound of rain touches my heart

a solitary man is like a bird with broken wings
doomed to be incapable of flying
a solitary man is like a bird with broken wings
the ever standing mountain in my homeland
will be the only one whom i tell my secrets to

i arrive at my native shore, which has not changed
what was the reason for me to leave?
every time it hurts to hear you mention this

you don't have to wait until you've become sucessful to show devotion
those who have a loving mother are the most fortunate
you don't have to wait until you've become sucessful to fulfill your filial duty
by then she might have already departed

you don't have to wait until you've become sucessful to show devotion
those who have a loving mother are the most fortunate
every day you work so hard
yet you don't even know what it's for

you don't have to wait until you've become sucessful to fulfill your filial duty
by then she might have already departed
no matter how bitterly you cry
she would no longer be there to pat your cheeks dry.

I know its quite sad but sometimes sadness is not a bad thing in itself.

~shalom~

Let it fade

Check out Jeremy camp's new song, let it fade.



Story behind the video
We are blessed here at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to work with an incredibly talented and passionate group of people. You can see evidence of such gifting in this video, which was directed by BGEA's Kevin Adamson.

"I wanted to tell the story of a woman who was struggling with more than a single issue and not one specific sin," says Adamson. "It shows her life without God, almost like she strayed away from the Lord."

He decided to illustrate this woman's sins and struggles by using 1,500 to 2,000 Polaroids. "There are all these past experiences that she can't run away from," he explains. "No matter what she does, she can't get rid of them." The whole time, her grandmother is praying for her. Eventually, the woman realizes she needs to make a decision on her own to surrender to Christ. That's when her past life "fades away."

The video was shot in Nashville at The Cannery. In addition to the BGEA team, which includes John Schroter as Video Editor, Jonathan Grubbs of Ratchet Film & Video contributed as Production Manager. James Reid was Director of Photography.

The Story Behind the Song

"In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.' This is a song for anyone that is trying to hold on to the cares of this world," says Jeremy Camp.

"Unless we realize that through Christ we have all that we need, we’ll never understand the true grace and peace that He offers," Camp adds. "Know that when you give your heart to Jesus, the past has been forgiven and we have been given the fullness of new life."

(Source)

Links
BGEA
Jeremy camp (youtube)
Jeremy camp (facebook page)

~shalom~

more than words indeed

After watching this video i felt so inadequate. There's a girl who is so talented and has taken that talent to such a level at such a young age. I mean look at it. At times like this i wonder what is my unique talent? What am I good at?

~shalom~

On Laziness

I'm creating something like a reference on laziness. Its an ongoing 'project' and so far i have only two verses from Proverbs.

Why?
Well its a problem, for me and i'm sure for some people too. Nothing can jolt us out of bad habits like hardcore truth like a lazy person is like someone who destroys things. Walau.

It is my desire that it will not become just a 'project' but something that will be useful to me as i tend to slack here and there, that it will help bring me back to doing the things that matter and making the main thing the main thing.

~shalom~

Laziness, Hardwork and Sleep

A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. (proverbs 18:9 NLT)

A lazy person sleeps soundly - and goes hungry (proverbs 19:15)

If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest (proverbs 20:4)

If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat (proverbs 20:13)

Good planning and hardwork leade to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty (proverbs 21:5)

Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches (proverbs 21: 17)

The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give! (proverbs 21:25,26)

The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!" (proverbs 22:13)

Too much sleep clothes a person with rags (proverbs 23:21b)

All bible verses are in the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise stated.

job 33:8-30

I just stumbled on this while i was looking for something and it ties in well into the previous post. Its taken from Job 33:8, not really a post, i just need it for me reference later.

Job 33:8-30

But you have said in my hearing-
I have heard the very words-
I am pure and without sin
I am clean and free from guilt.
Yet God has found fault with me;
he considers me his enemy.
He fastens my feet in shackles;
he keeps close watch on all my paths

But i tell you, in this you are not right.
for God is greater than man.
Why do you complain to him
that he answers none of man's words?
For God does speak -
now one way, now another-
though man may not perceive it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night
when deep sleep falls on men
as they slumber in their beds,
he may speak in their ears
and terrify them with warnings
to turn from wrongdoing
and keep him from pride,
to preserve his soul from the pit
his life from perishing by the sword.
Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain
with constant distress in his bones,
so that his very being finds food repulsive
and his soul loathes the choicest meal.
His flesh wastes away to nothing
and his bones, once hidden now stick out.
His soul draws near to the pit,
and his life to the messengers of death.

Yet if there is an angel on his side
as a mediator, one out of a thousand,
to tell a man what is right for him,
to be gracious to him and say,
'Spare him from going down to the pit;
I have found a ransom for him'-
then his flesh is renewed like a child's
it is restored as in the days of his youth.
He prays to God and finds favour with him,
he sees God's face and shouts for joy;
he is restored by God to his righteous state.
Then he comes to men and says,
'I sinned, and perverted what was right,
but I did not get what I deserved.
He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit
and I will live to enjoy the light.

God does all these things to a man-
twice, even three times-
to turn back his soul from the pit
that the light of life may shine on him.

~shalom~

looking stupid

How are you doing? Just some updates, nothing much. The silence have been intentional, sometimes i talk too much and its good to step back once in a while.

Its may 9, second week of may already. Exams are approaching, tests are coming, assignment deadlines are here, time to get double serious and that dreaded word 'busy'. Seriously la i feel like if i don't want to do something i just say i'm busy and people kind of understand even though sometimes i'm not really busy. Its nice to hide behind busyness not to say that there are not people who really don't have time but well yeah.

I'm really struggling with one of my units, artificial machine intelligence. Its a lot of reading and you know me la, don't like to read one. But its kind of interesting its just that for when i think of the volume i'll have to read and all the definitions my heart sinks. But i need to put in more effort lo. It not particularly difficult per se just need to make out more time for it.

Recently i've been reading proverbs again. I feel so attracted to proverbs, dunno why but its such a nice collection. And you know how when God wants to tell you about something how he will use the same words and somehow make you come across those words in all your bible reading no matter how related or unrelated they may be? Well for me my keyword from God has been "hard work".

If you know me you know i'm incredibly lazy and abuse my time a lot. I can't keep doing that especially since the big guy above has thinks its time to tell me about it.

Its interesting how God gets to you? We were in lifegroup wednesday and the main theme of the bible study was when God speaks to you, simply obey. And its interesting how when you obey God you might look stupid in the eyes of people and thats the reason why someone like me will second guess or simply not do what God is telling me to do because why? I'm not sure.

Well our minds work rationally and logically that is why sometimes when God tells us to do something that is out of the normal and does not make sense, hence illogical we tend not to do it because our minds cannot compute it. But like was pointed out to me those people in Hebrews 11 were basically stupid people in the eyes of their friends, family and basically anyone looking from the outside. So be encouraged if you're being asked to do something seemingly stupid or plain ol silly in the eyes of people.

Father may we come to the place in our lives when nothing shakes us, and we live only by what your word says because when all else falls your word will remain. Help us to trust in your love and goodness for you are forever faithful. Guide our hearts and minds in these times, we ask for your joy and peace. Thank you Father, in jesus name, Amen.

~shalom~

iron man

How do you express excitement with words? I'm ecstatic from watching Ironman. It was for lack of a better word, amazing! I feel like going arrggh! And i can't believe how someone told me its not nice. Pleeease.

Ok the things i love. I love the technology, i mean wow. Even the window is a screen, the visuals were gorgeous, simply sublime. Yeah it was commercialised, what isn't these days? There was LG, apple cinema displays, and i think there was a Nokia somewhere there. There was also visible an Audi R8.

Unlike transformers that some machine action, this movie did waste time with a lot of dialog but even the dialog was quite funny and didn't really distract you from whats really important.

Alright to the story. So stark industries provided the milltary with the fire power they needed to protect themselves and keep the peace but some how the enemy God their hands on it and used it against mr stark himself. He went through and ordeal and decided something needs to change. That news was not welcomed by the stakeholders of his company and so there was a whole lot of fighting both in and out of the boardroom.

I'm being careful not to reveal too much for those of you yet to watch the movie but trust me its nice. I'll give it a 4.8 over 5.

~shalom~

what are you up to

How have you been? The trip to niah was good. It was my third time there and i have a feeling i'll be there again. We went to plan for activities that we'll be involved in in the next semester.

It was tiring at points but overall was a good time away from Senadin and school and work. I brought my books there but never really made time to study.

We went to the cave again, this time maybe because it was just the 4 of us, it was more creepy than the last time. And you know how you make loud sounds and listen to the echo? Well we did those and someone replied. I kid you not. After that we were pretty much quiet.

I don't know what God wants to do in my life but increasingly i'm being put in positions i feel inadequate, and unqualified to be in and i'm not sure how i will perform. Its easy to say have faith but when you think that there are a lot of people depending on you not to screw up it becomes serious and scary.

I've got a test tomorrow, and after that by God's grace i'll catch up on my sleep. There were only a few pictures this time since i took quite a number of pictures the last time we went to niah with the photography club.


Donkey Catepillar


Bug for lunch


Greeny Lizzy

More

Have a blessed week :)

~shalom~

off to niah..again

Just a quick note here. I'll be off for the weekend. Calvary has a small retreat where we're going to plan for some upcoming events. It will be at niah and according to the program we'll be going to the cave.

Didn't you go to niah earlier this year?
Yeah i did but it was with the photography club. And yes we did go to the cave. There's nothing else to do at niah besides visiting the cave and getting bat poop all over you. Honestly i think once is enough but why deprive others of the experience?

How are you ah?
Fine, nothing major just that exams are almost here and another semester is wrapping up. I have mixed feelings la, i'm happy the sem is rounding up and at the same time i'm not sure what the next sem would hold. But so far what i see is an increase in work and responsibility.

So how are you?
Life goes on. I consider myself immensely blessed for the experiences i've had in my rather short lifetime and I will not question God or challenge his love for me. Why do 'bad things' happen? There are a lot of generic answers but the more i think about it the best answer i can come up with is i don't know, they just do. See you on Sunday.

~shalom~