Galatians 6:2

Self discipline fail

2010-07-08T21:38:00.002+08:00

Seems like there's no one blogging again so I shall take matters into my own hands to self-revive this blog. Yes, I am extremely determined to do so.

You know what question I did for GP? *groans* "Thou shall not kill. Is the taking of a human life ever justified?" Why, WHY did I choose to do that question. I should've stayed away from it, I shouldn't even have considered it, however enticing the challenge may have seemed. On hindsight, even though I thought I did fairly OK for the question, I think I injected quite a significant amoung of moral judgement, which teachers hate. But I couldn't help it, I felt that I couldn't betray my own conscience and dump truckloads of information down there that I do not believe in because I have always veered towards the view that killing someone is never justified, no matter what the case may be. I thought it was simply disgusting to have to argue about the pros and cons of killing a human in order to arrive at a 'justified' conclusion. It's sick. And yet, at the same time, I couldn't pull myself away from doing this question either.

Of course, I will not do well. But I'm still proud of my work. It doesn't matter if I fail(whcih I think I will). I'm strangely proud of myself for having taken a stand for my own true opinions even though its a pretty stupid situation to do it in. I will not take the risk for this in my real exams. See, if you don't take the risk of trying new and dangerous questions now, then when are you ever going to do it? You should take the opportunity to make mistakes while the world is still willing to allow it and forgive you for it. Yeah yeah, call me foolish. Whatever. I need a whole lot more self restraint.

Blast from the past

2010-06-27T16:01:00.002+08:00

dear kerryn, i think u will be happy to know that your previous post is not something new... 7 years (!!) ago, yours truly blogged about what you mentioned. I will reproduce it below and hopefully, it encourages you that you are not alone! :D

love, debra

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October 2, 2003

you know what? im all ready for a post about life. at last! haha.

you know how sometimes life… no, God… just works so miraculously? haha if my friend reads this she’ll be quite amused. but i needta share it. so there i was sitting in front of my comp… invisible on icq. there i go being anti social again. then i see my fren! so shud i msg her? i did. and we started chatting… and then i apparently “inspired” her personal statement… or so she claims but lets just take her word for it :) anyway i read it and it was good. so if i didnt make the first step… this whole chain of events wouldnt have occurred! and im sure many other stuff happen to us in very much the same way. ahhh the beauty of life.

but you know sometimes u feel so down and out. then suddenly it seems that life is meaningless and full of crap. and no one really seems to care at all. especially during the prelims… when all i did was stay home to mug. wake up mug eat a bit mug. mugmugmug. i really feel that singapore’s mugging society is exerting a negative externality on our lives. pardon the economic jargon. but seriously, other parts of our lives get distorted. suddenly our whole focus is on the 4As… well not tt for me but yeh. what happens to our families… friends… pursuing what we like? suddenly all that has to be put on hold cos we wanna muggggggg. maybe im exaggerating a little here but that was how i really felt then. like my life had to be put on hold cos i need to mug man.

then i have to remind myself… hey life is so short. the one hour of mugging probably wouldnt yield as much marks as the happiness u get frm doing something u like for awhile. seriously… then u think of the times u wanted to pon sch to mug… did ponning school actually help much?? and for that u forgoed time spent with ur class. “in the long run we are all dead.” forgot which guy said that but the econs s pple prob know. now thats like my fav quote i ever received frm econs. its so apt. sometimes i really wish i had the courage to do what i want. i wanna quit sch and go pursue my dreams!! oh wait. then i realise that in this whole lifetime of mine… ive been so busy keeping up with this fast paced society that i no longer know what i want to do! it was easy saying i wanna be a vet, a teacher (now i cant believe i wanted to teach…. and eat chalk and get snide remarks frm my students?!)… but in the end they vanish. cos reality is most of the time not what we idealize it to be. (hahaaa just like a pc market is never really quite applicable to the economy.)

oh well so i guess thats where faith comes in. for people with religions… a light shines at the end of the tunnel. in the long run… we wont be all dead cos most religions believe in an afterlife.. er if im not wrong. hee ok dun kill me if i generalised that. ah but u see most pple our age dun have religions! ok maybe i generalised that too. what im trying to say is… with all that mugging and stuff… has anyone started to think about the meaning of life?? i kinda went thru that stage last yr. i dunno… perhaps we r too comfortable in the material world we live in. everything is so seemingly perfect. why spoil it by thinking about the end of days. or what happens after that last breath u take. i know some cynics who scorn religions. they think that its just a way of trying to escape from reality and the brutality of life. hm maybe it is, maybe it isnt. we will all find out… in the long run.

you know somehow i dunno whether to post this post. haha. what the heck i will.

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Need to stop this ranting habit once I get a chance to blog

2010-06-24T16:52:00.005+08:00

Seems like the further into JC I progress, the less motivated I am to mug. I hate that word. To mug. It's so... factory-like. Like a production process, not a journey of self discovery or learning. As if the greatest our human minds were made for are to absorb and memorize information without really contemplating its true meaning and purpose in our lives and world. My teachers call me a mugger. I beg to differ. They don't know me.

On many other occasions I have sat by the window(yes really) and thought about what I want from my life. And mugging my minutes away seems like such a waste of time. I don't like letting my grades or leadership achievements determine my worth. Surely we're better than that. I don't like to have to care about whether my results are stable or fluctuate, by how many percent they've grown. All I need to know is that I have learnt something about this world I'm living in and that that is slowly helping me to build on my knowledge bank. I don't want to fit my answers into the formats and limits of essay topics. If you had to set a limit then that isn't a true answer, I feel. By limiting, you're suppressing opinions that do not fit into the equation, your equation. And by suppressing opinions, you're not letting others express how they truly feel just because you feel its out of the topic.

A friend once told me why she doesn't read anymore. She said that she loves books and she loves language. But by reading one book, that would pull you magnetically into its world for hours, you'd be wasting time that would be better spent on mugging. Again. That dreaded word. Really? Reading is a waste of time? Just because I do not choose to invest my time into bettering my grades doesn't mean it's a waste. I find more meaning in reading than in memorizing your stupid technical phrases. It would be more pragmatic to do the latter, of course. Those who mug more may see greater visible returns in results, but if isn't what makes you happy, then what's the point?

There's this popular question that Chinese teachers in secondary school used to like to ask. They ask us, "Do you study for yourself, or for your parents?" Hard question to answer. It's like the existentialist theme all over again. Is your duty to yourself, or to society? Which do you focus more on? It has often been suggested in Kafka's 'The Metamosphosis' that one needs to have a balance of both in order to finds happiness and success in life. And now, after years of thinking, I finally have an answer.

First, let us make clear what 'studying' means. And because this isn't an essay, I'm sure I have the liberty to define it as I like. Studying for me encompasses two main components. There is the learning and real accumulation of knowledge, where we truly feel empowered by what we learn and slowly construct our own opinions not for essays or for answers, but out of personal convictions and principles. The second part of studying is pure mugging. Senseless memorizing and practising just to give them what they want. Methodological and systematic.

(Disclaimer: Most of how we mug nowadays is a mix of both components because you cannot have the second without first having at least a bit of the first, I find. But the second form is more prevalent because it is more advantageous results-wise)

Now, to answer the question of who I study for, I learn for myself, and I mug for both my parents and for my future(because if I don't mug now, there would be lesser opportunities in the future for me to accomplish the first form of studying that I mentioned above). I'm not quite sure if you get it, because I have a tendency to spout things that don't quite make sense to others and I have no other way of explaining it in a way that would be more coherent. This is how I can best articulate my thoughts.

Maybe you think that this is just how I console myself for not doing as well as my counterparts in school. I can actually agree. But then again, I do not want my happiness to depend solely on grades. How sad would that be? There so many other things in life worth celebrating but because we never stop to look or listen, we miss out on all these simple pleasures. It's the same way I never quite understood why people like to bring their office-working habits back home. Efficiency is important in the corporate world, that we all know, but is there any real need to enforce it at home as a value? Sometimes you just have to slow down and let things take its course. Don't rush, focus on quality, not speed.

But like so many other times, this is just wishful thinking on my part. I need to stop being so idealistic yet my personal principles disallow me to.

*looks up at the wall of text*

Crap I can't believe I ranted that much. I'm supposed to be doing vectors now ugh.

"Life goes on."

2010-06-15T22:04:00.005+08:00

Hello guys, I won't be in class this coming Sunday again. I know no one cares but I'll still say it anyway.

You don't know how much it pains me to miss Sunday School! I wish I had Sunday School every day instead of Math lectures, instead of PE, instead of Geography(Okay, maybe only for the topics I don't like). Can we have remedial Debra?

On another note, if your personality is anything like mine, and you're desperately in need of some discipline and motivation to study, then looking up poetry online on Google is not the way to go.

Seriously. Love poems are amazing.

(Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost are my two favourites <3>

Anyways, have fun to all of you in church camp! *waves* I'm just trying to, you know, jive this blog up. Not really helping, but still. It's comforting to see new posts, even if they're all by me.

Meanwhiles, I'll sulk here in sunny humid Singapore and try to fill my mind with theories and concepts about the global production chain, the rise of China and India, tertiarisation, possible armed confict between China and US, and sigh, TOYOTA(the most meaningless, I find). On the other hand, studying has been really rewarding lately because I learnt about the IMF and WTO and how they, as supranational organs created to deal with global financial and trade issues and disparities, have not exactly been super successful. THAT was the only interesting thing I felt I learnt. Other than that, I don't want to learn about why firms and governments work the way they do in the economy. It disgusts me. Everyone's just out for their own profit and monetary gain and I go round and round in circles driving at the same point. Tedious. Boring.

But as Robert Frost says, "Life goes on."
(Yeah I went to look up quotes too. I'm obsessed with this stuff)

I really miss Sunday School :(

2010-06-07T21:01:00.005+08:00

Greetings once again!

This is in response to Huihan's post. If you guys didn't know, I was at my friend's church yesterday being the moral support of my other non-Christian friend who wanted to visit her church :X Not a very mind-blowing experience, I actually find that their church service is largely similar to ours, give and take minor things like the sequence of certain things and the fact that she's in English service.

BUT the point here is that I really Really REALLY missed Sunday School! Yes, I truly did! You guys have no idea HOW much I look forward to Sunday School every week, it being the only lesson where I can learn without the academic pressure weighing down on me and also where I learn about stuff that's interesting and really makes me think and reflect. It's one of the few meaningful activities that are present in my life. I do treasure it(and I hope I won't have to change class next year as well). And pffft, there's no Sunday School this coming sunday because it's church camp. *sobs*

I really think we should have a class outing, like, get to know each other OUT of sunday school, you know? But well that's just my idea and if you're for it too, then keep it in mind and we'll try to bring it up during the next sunday school lesson.

I am honestly so bad at self discipline. I suck at it. I resolve to do something, but that's as far as it goes. It remains a plan, the actions don't get carried out. I always end up day dreaming, it's like an escape mechanism that automatically kicks in whenever I'm in situations where I'm unhappy or feel confined in. And it sure doesn't help that one of the things I hate doing during studying is organisation and consolidation of information. I hate fragmenting them into little sections, I hate compartmentalizing them. In fact, most teachers despise and discourage this act of separating information into clean little blocks because it hinders flexibility.

But then, they demand clear structured essays which they insist is the only way that clarity of thought and intellectual capacity can be shown on paper. And because I can never structure things properly, I end up sectioning off my bits of information from each other and hating myself for being so inflexible during essay-writing. Why is narrative writing inferior to analytical, structured writing? WHY? I actually find that the latter is the one writing style that limits your creativity, which in turn restricts your ability to think freely and properly and come up with your own opinions. Opinons that you have not because you need to show an opposing side or an 'on the other hand' in essays, but REAL opinions that you feel for and will fight for, and will defend to the very end.

Sometimes I think the entire thing contradicts itself. Actually, I still do, but let's not go there.

I need to stop digressing.

Oh, I've added one more issue to my prayer list - the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. This is the first time a genocide's ever been officially termed and acknowledged to be a genocide while it is still going on. There are humanitarian aid workers and peacekeepers trying to end it, but somehow the remoteness of the area and the lack of cooperation is proving to be a real problem. As far as I know, there's been some peace treaty or ceasefire or something along those lines that was drawn up and signed, but action hasn't really been taken. Sigh, is there really any more need to add to the destruction and suffering in this world? History really repeats itself.

2010-06-06T23:44:00.002+08:00

Hey kerryn, you missed out point #2. But anyway that isn't the point, the point is to tell you how there are only 2 sad people keeping this blog alive and that there are only 3 students in class today :/

By the way, just to blog to hope everybody's doing fine (but mainly to revive this blog because I know Kerryn will be excited to see an update, but sorry to disappoint you 'cause the content is going to be just plain boring. It's too late for my brain to function haha) and that everyone will come back soooooooon.

Hope the upcoming week will be a fruitful one!

For the sake of the blog's revival...

2010-05-31T20:53:00.003+08:00

I know no one is going to see this, and no one will reply, but I will post for my own self-amusement and satisfaction anyway because blogging is the only fun I have :)

Random fact:
North Korea is the world's top persecutor of Christians, for the 8th year running. They also have a pretty large base of underground Christians. Nice, kudos to their faith, courage and determination!

(If that isn't relevant enough to us I don't know what else is)

Well... I think that we've been hearing so much news of disasters and genocides and epidemics that nothing fazes us anymore. So when we come across something like religious persecution happening in a country in our own continent, we just shake it off and say, "Oh, it's just another one of those things." Well, globalisation has both positive and negative effects, but at LEAST we know about stuff like that, now we just need to start demanding that some action be taken, or even better, if we have the means to, to personally take action.

Sometimes I wish I could have the control of the funds of a mega rich corporation just for a day. Then I'd be able to wield enough economic influence to enact some sort of social or slight political change. OR I could even donate some of the money. That's one of my fantasies. Wanna know what causes me to fall down? Thinking and daydreaming about stuff like that, that's what. Ok, well, and a thinking of a whole load of other nonsensical crap as well, like what sardine ice cream would taste like etc etc.

I need to stop ranting on about this.

And I WILL continue to post because it pleases me to see new posts every few days, even if the only eyes reading them are mine. Self reliance fail, much? Well so does North Korea's Juche ideology that is partially the cause of the widespread starvation in the country now. Ok, I really need to stop this.

God Bless!
(And yay I've been disciplined enough to do my QT regularly and I feel different already. I should so have started earlier :P)

-Kerryn (who else)

I like GP, and stuff I found out about North Korea so please pray for the country!

2010-05-27T10:24:00.005+08:00

oh dear we completely forgot to invite yuxun. i just did haha, at least, i HOPE i added the correct email.

haha GP. its quite fun don't you think? except i almost always fail my content because i have no input of facts and i just have opinions that deviate from the main question. WELL. the last GP question i did was "Boundaries that separate people are not only shown on maps. Agree?" i think i went a little off topic but i still passed, phew for that. Gp is fun though, less stressful than any other subject and you can talk about anything you like, you have so many options.

post, people, post! a class blog can never have too many posts :)

-Kerryn

PS. Huihan, the fact that there was a model essay on how religion still plays a large role in society roday does not make that a fact. If it was a fact it wouldnt even be in GP because the whole point of GP is to debate conflicting/differing opinions and views. Even though I also feel that religion plays a large role in society today. I think its kind of broad though. What kind of societies? Traditional, conservative, modern, developed, secular?

Sighs contradictory to the title, I find GP kind of meaningless now. I mean, what ind of argument is it when all youre usually supposed to do is to address the issue in a different context and environment and discuss how the various factors lead to various outcomes? It becomes set, like a format, and that's quite disgusting really. It ruins the art of the entire thing.

PSS. I was also reading up on North Korea in between doing this stupid crazy killer Math quiz online for school, and DID YOU KNOW THAT

1. Gulags exist in North Korea(no surprise there. political prisoners in a communist/socialist state are common no?). Those gulags are considered to be one of the worst forms of violations of humans rights ever, and most of the world is stilll blind to that. Their existence was doubted for awhile, but then there were testimonies of escaped gulag prisoners and also satellite images that proved them to be very real indeed.

3. Prisoners are all made to witness executions, and the executions can be more brutal than animal slaughters because the prisoners are told that they're not even fit to be humans. In fact, many North Korean escapees say that to survive mentally/psychologically, they had to stop thining of themselves as humans.

4. And while the poor toil and sweat for the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il, the elites(high up in the ranks of the Party) splurge on luxury.

5. Those caught escaping are executed. Some who commit certain ridiculous crimes are either incarcerated or executed, and even their entire family clan is wiped out to stop the seed of dissent from spreading. Oh dear.

6. People flee North Korea usually NOT because they are oppressed or do not like the dictatorship etc, but because they are STARVING and dying from hunger

7. Back to the gulags, there are at least an estimated 200,000 prisoners there. Believed to be more. And about 20-25% die there each year

8. And even more horrific, new born babies of prisoners are killed right after being delivered, and before delivery, induced abortions on those prisoners are also common.

9. Similar to the Nazi concentration camps, biochemical experiments are being tested on the prisoners, and you can bet that the results are never pretty

10. Prisonerss usually escape to China at the China-North Korean border because the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea is too heavily guarded. Some who escape successfully get married to Chinese but because of China's strict system, they're not registered citizens. They would never bother registering because if found out, they'd get deported back to North Korea by the Chinese authorities. Thus, their children are not registered as well, and once you aren't registered in China, your children have no rights to education and other welfare.

Do you see WHY Humans Rights is so important now?

North Korea is so going on my prayer list tonight.

In reply to the class photo

2010-05-25T18:37:00.002+08:00

May I just say that Yuxun looks super tall as always? And yes kerryn for an avid blogger, a dead blog is just wrong.

But then again...

I am really surprised when I click blogger and see this as the most updated blog among all the blogs I have haha.

Anyway just to share some random facts with you guys (which I stumble onto a lot when I was/am revising for GP. Oh common test D:)

Males suffer from suicide more than females do.
It may be possible to produce a human egg from a male's stem cells (i.e. a homosexual couple can actually have a child with equal genetic makeup from the parents).
Religion still plays a large role in society today (I have a model essay on this o.o).
In America, some colleges celebrate 'pi' day (14 March = 3.14) by eating pies.
It's 3 more days to June holidays (I CAN'T WAAAAAAAAAAIT).

Sigh :( School life is tough. The end.

2010-05-24T23:50:00.001+08:00

im here im here!! (:

The class photo of may 2010

2010-05-24T22:39:00.006+08:00

This is for anyone who has been coming to our class blog faithfully and wanting to see a new post.
YESSSS YOU ARE NOT SEEING THINGS ITS A NEW POST!

(Sighs this blog is dead, we so need to revive it)

This is our very very nice class photo, and I will always remember this as the day that I was feeling high for some reason, and spilt some pretty embarassing things I didn't mean to actually say in front of the class, hur hur. But oh wells.

Since I'm here I shall take the opportunity to say God Bless Everyone :D

And if anyone from the class is reading this, UPDATE PLEASE, as often as you wish. A class blog shouldn't be dead, its just wrong.

Submission :S

2009-11-22T23:05:00.006+08:00

Hi guys, I just felt like blogging here for awhile, even though I've still got to so some research, disgusting research. *retches*

Anyway, my research topic is, currently(don't know it it'll change), on house churches in China. FOr those who know me well, you'll know that I have a strange fascination with people or groups that have the courage to defy authority, for a cause they believe is good. SOmething about their non-conformism(ugh, vocab) and passion that drives their actions just awes me, maybe it's because I don't have any courage myself.

I've been meaning to reflect on our sunday school classes every sunday and post my thoughts here, although I usually end up with more questions than answers, and even if I DO answer some questions, they usually aren't very logically sound anyway, because I'm not a very rational person to begin with.

Today's lesson was about the evils of society, and thereafter we dove into the theme of 'submission'. Submission for me takes 2 forms, to submit through actions, and to submit with your heart. I always thought that when the Bible said submission, they meant the former, because how is it possible to streamline your thoughts with that of the authority's?

There's the problem of having more than one opinion to submit to, those of which might even clash with each other(say, your father and mother have different opinions and things they want you to do). What do you do then, supposing they both mean well?

And then there's also the difficulty of submitting with your heart. For me, because I jsut can't seem to stop questioning everything, even my own thoughts, so arriving at a conclusion sometimes takes monthsm, years, and even then I question my own conclusion. So theoretically speaking, to submit wholeheartedly, I must need a lifetime then, even for the most mundane issues.

Somehow I still don't understand submission. What do you mean, to submit? Today, someone pointed out that submission is also to agree with the other party. But what if you really really don't, and have strong reasons to believe so, even if you don't say it outright?

In that scenario, which I often face, I always thought submission was to accept the other persons views, yet still keep your own. FOr instance, to agree that their points make sense, and to agree about the issue from their perspective, but also to agree about it your own way, from your perspective. You can agree with both can't you? I often do, it's how gray areas form. Is that still submission then? And then, what do you agree on? DO you agree that a certain thing is right? Or do you agree that the other party means well and hence you have to submit.

I know you should talk things through with the other party then. And people ask, well Kerryn, why don't you just clear up the misunderstanding between the 2 people and all will be fine? Such an easy way out for compeldx situations. It's not as simple. It's not as easy for me to get my points across because others always seem to misinterpret them or find them absurd when they can't understand what I mean. It's not that they find that my points don't make sense. THey don't even really get what I'm trying to say, and just guess and assume my intentions, which lead to even more misunderstandings. And I've already tried to articulate them the best way I can.

For me, the meaning of submission is still quite vague. In my system of values, submission merely meant to give in, to give way. But sighs, it's so hard to be a good person, when even the definition of good is being questioned.

Well, that was cathartic.

hello!

2009-11-20T11:27:00.002+08:00

Hi everyone, this is Huihan here.
Oh yes I know Kerryn will be happy to see someone still alive and actually posting here.

Yup anyway, the previous blogskin is horrendous (with all the bandwidth exceeding and stuff), so I changed it to this. You can change it to something else if you guys like, seeing how I just retained all the basic things and yeah.

And welllll good luck to those who are still having their 'A's! (I just checked my senior's personal message and I don't think it ended haha.)

See you all this Sunday! :)

Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition

2009-07-13T19:01:00.003+08:00

Hello Peeps.

Theres a Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition at the Arts House from 27 August to 20 September, anyone interested? Maybe for a class outing or something. Prices are pretty steep, but it'll be a good experience. If not, does anyone want to go with me? (At most I go alone or something)

More information on this website :

http://www.livinglegacy2009.com/eng/index.html

Have a nice day!

(Ok, that was a bit random)

Psalm 84

2009-04-19T22:22:00.004+08:00

Psalm 84 (New International Version)

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. ^a]">[a]
¹ How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!
² My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Selah
⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. ^b]">[b]
⁷ They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
⁸ Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Selah
⁹ Look upon our shield, ^c]">[c] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
¹² O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.

The choir will be presenting a song based on Psalm 84 next week. Listen out for the lyrics and the tune. Personally, it really touches my heart and brings out the yearning in my heart for heaven, where God promises no more tears and suffering, and the enjoyment of His presence forevermore.

And since this was so, I read up a little on the Psalm. I hope I can explain a bit of it to you guys and let you guys appreciate the Book of Psalms in the Bible... which is really the outpouring of praises and prayers to God from the David and other Israelites.

The psalmist was somewhere else and could not come to God in His temple to worship Him. To the Israelites, it was very important to do so and to someone who LOVED God, it would have been very sad for him and he yearned to be in God's presence. (v 1-4)

In v5-8, the psalmist turns his focus on those who were on pilgrimage worship God. The Valley of Baca was a dry and arid place and was also known as the Valley of Weeping, because it was such a hard and tough road to travel. But the tears of these pilgrims turned it into a place of spring and God blessed them with autumn rain. And finally, they see the God of their soul's yearning face to face-- what a comfort!

v10 is indeed what all of us should feel towards the world-- it is infinitely better to be a doorkeeper in the house of the LORD for a day than to be a thousand anywhere else in the tents of the wicked.

Christians walk the small and narrow way, and often it brings about many pain and suffering. Not just human suffering, but also spiritual mourning for those around us who don't love God and refuse His grace. But this psalm encourages us that God will turn our mourning into dancing; night into day!

My question for you is, do you yearn for the courts of the LORD? Do you echo the pslamist in v10, that it is better to be in the house of the LORD? Do you love God so much and long for His appearing, while hating evil?

I remember you all told me whenever we taught on sufferings that you are still young and haven't been through much. Well, now you are at least a year older. And I believe you are beginning to mature and see the world for what it really is. Let's place our hope in our LORD Almighty. His ways are perfect and His road may be tougher and more painful; but we have an eternity of joy ahead of us. Just us Jesus fixed his eyes on the cross and endured its shame for the joy set before Him, let us also run this race with perseverance and throw away all sin that hinders us!

My prayer for you, and myself, is that we may have this desire for God and love Him so much that we realise nothing is more important and precious to us than God Himself; not His miracles, not His provisions, but in God Himself.

As John Calvin puts it: The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.Do you enjoy God?

-----

Anyway, good job at the Bible Quiz today. Hope you all learned much from it, just like I did. (We need to upgrade our level from pr sch... :P)

Okay kiddos, have a good week in school! Remember to come before God daily and seek Him!

- debra laoshi

I leave you with a beautiful youtube video:

Chinese version

2009-04-16T23:26:00.000+08:00

the link is HERE!

CLASS OUTING

2009-03-15T21:12:00.004+08:00

Hi everyone, here are some highlights of the class outing we had on 14 Mar 09. I dunno what the food faces mean... maybe esta can explain. Hope you guys had fun. Here's to another year of learning and growing together in God's word :)

2009

2009-02-23T21:30:00.002+08:00

Don't you think our blog needs an update?

Because I really think it deserves one.

I know you guys come here regularly, don't kid me. We're just too plain lazy to sign in to blogger and update the class blog and after awhile since there's nothing fresh to read, there's nothing to comment on so the tagboard turns stagnant too.

This post is rather meaningless, but its just so I can see something new when I go to the class blog instead of that post from October 2008.

And since is the very first post of 2009, here's what we have to look forward to this year:

1. Prayer schedule. Not sure when its going to be, maybe only when Debra is teaching. Anyhow, we'll have it. If you want the prayer schedule up here please remember to update it weekly because the old one didn't really serve its purpose since we were all too lazy to strike out the names each week. Plus, people are always absent so it keeps changing.

2. QT Sharing from 1-2 people each week, a new activity initiated by Debra.

3. Bible Study on the book of Galatians. Sounds fun. We're got a whole book to look forward to!

4. In-church Bible Challenge thingy on the book of John.

I'm out of ideas and out of stuff to write, so see ya this Sunday!

***I agree that this post was competely unnecessary.

Joseph’s godliness and God’s faithfulness (Genesis 39 )

2008-10-27T10:12:00.001+08:00

Key Lessons

Joseph’s godliness
God’s faithfulness

1) Joseph’s Godliness

§ Joseph resisted temptation of the flesh

James 1:12-15

忍受试探的人是有福的，因为他经过试验以後，必得生命的冠冕；这是主应许给那些爱他之人的。人被试探，不可说：「我是被神试探」；因为神不能被恶试探，他也不试探人。但各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引诱惑的。私欲既怀了胎，就生出罪来；罪既长成，就生出死来。

Like a fish biting on a hook. Evil desire conceived-> gives birth to sin -> sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Put a stop to the desire; run away like Joseph did.

Joseph knew that it was against God that he would sin. (v. 9)

§ Joseph resisted the temptation of greater power

He knew that all power came from God and not from men. He sought to please God and not man. He was also faithful to his earthly master and respected that God had given Potiphar his earthly status to rule.

2) God’s faithfulness

§ God was with Joseph when he served in Potiphar’s house (v. 2) and in prison (v. 21).

§ In both cases, God granted Joseph favour in the eyes of his superiors and God blessed the work of Joseph’s hands. Both superiors did not have to worry about the work delegated to Joseph and were in turn blessed through Joseph.

§ God was with Joseph in the “good” times and the “bad” times.

§ God’s plans often bring us through mountains and valleys. But it does not mean He has deserted us. Often, He brings His people through times of despair and pain through no fault of theirs (e.g. Daniel and the lion’s den, David running away from Saul) to mould their faith and teach them, to prepare them for greater things.

Conclusion

God has a plan in our successes and sufferings.

Genesis 50:20

从前你们的意思是要害我，但　神的意思原是好的，要保全许多人的性命，成就今日的光景。

Application

§ Are there weaknesses you have in which you are often tempted to sin against God? Reflect on them and confess them to God.

1 John 1:5-10

神就是光，在他毫无黑暗。这是我们从主所听见、又报给你们的信息。我们若说是与神相交，却仍在黑暗里行，就是说谎话，不行真理了。我们若在光明中行，如同神在光明中，就彼此相交，他儿子耶稣的血也洗净我们一切的罪。我们若说自己无罪，便是自欺，真理不在我们心里了。我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。我们若说自己没有犯过罪，便是以神为说谎的，他的道也不在我们心里了。

Remember that sinning is like cutting yourself again and again on the same spot even after it has healed.

When tempted, run away. Pray. Remember God’s word in your heart.

§ Have you or are you successful? Do you give all glory and thanks to God, and work for God?

Colossians 3:23-24

无论做甚麽，都要从心里做，像是给主做的，不是给人做的，因你们知道从主那里必得着基业为赏赐；你们所事奉的乃是主基督。

§ Have you failed? Do you realise that God has a plan for you, even in the midst of failures?

Romans 8:28

我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。

2008-10-23T18:41:00.003+08:00

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! STRESS LEVEL : 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000%

Why we may ALL be blue blooded

2008-10-08T10:08:00.009+08:00

This site is wayy cool, Look at how Chinese script is related to Biblical teachings!
http://www.yutopian.com/religion/words/

AND...

"Currently, by history's record, the Zhou Dynasty/Chou Dynasty is China's Imperial family. Anyone with the following Chinese surnames is officially a Chinese prince today:

Chow (Chou, Zhou), Lum (Lin), Chang (Cheng), Goo (Ku), Wu (Wo, Woo), Ing (Ng), Ching (Cheng), Ho, Chiang, Mau (Mao), Choy (Tsai), Sun, Yap (Yip, Ye, Yeh), Wong (Wang), Lai, Kee (Ke), Kwock (Kwok, Kok, Kuo, Guo, Kop), Lau (Liu), Loui (Lui), Dang (Teng, Tang, Deng, Dung), Siu (Hsiu, Hsiao), Young (Yang, Yong), Chock (Cheuk, Cho), and Tom (Tan, Tam)."

---http://www.familytreecircles.com/journal_8277.html

I AM OF ROYAL BLOOD(my chinese surname is zhou)!!!!!!!!

And most fo you guys probably are too.

We have Debra and Kenneth for Yap. And Samantha too since she's related to to them.

Huihan and Joel for Wu(Goh IS Wu in Chinese right?)

Yiwei for Tang.

And Yuxun for Ng.

And I guess like 80% of the chinese out there are royals as well.

At least there was a dynasty named after my surname. That kind of makes it a little more special.

WAIT A MINUTE:

"Thereby, it is the Chou Dynasty's Imperial lineage which is China's Imperial lineage and Imperial family today. "

HAHAHA!

@ SWENSENS :D

2008-10-04T19:20:00.004+08:00

yw and i (esther) went to swensens today XDDDDD.....
AND TADAAA:

GUESS WHO ATE WHICH :D

haha, if you really need a hint, let's just say I experienced 5 times of the amount of pleasure yw did :D
but hey in my defence, you should know that the topless five was 7.90 while the single scoop was 3.90.

“Jacob’s Escape” (Genesis 30-31)

2008-09-28T19:19:00.000+08:00

“Jacob’s Escape”

Genesis 30-31

1) Jacob’s Family (Gen. 30:1-24)

2) Jacob’s Flocks Increase (Gen. 30: 25-43)

· vv. 25-31: Jacob argues with Laban that God has blessed Jacob in everything he did, helping Laban to prosper—Laban agrees. Jacob now wanted to build his own family and earn for himself.

· vv. 32-36: Both agreed for Jacob to get the offspring of “speckled or spotted sheep, dark-colored lamb and spotted or speckled goat” as wages, while he continued to tend the flock for Laban. Normally goats in that land were black or dark brown, seldom white or spotted with white. On the other hand, the sheep were nearly always white, infrequently black or spotted.

· Jacob would examine the flocks that day, removing all the speckled and spotted animals, and these would be set aside as Laban’s property. These animals would be taken three days’ distance and kept by Laban’s sons. Only those newly born spotted or striped would become Jacob’s property. At some later time the herd would be examined, and the spotted or striped animals would go to Jacob, while the rest would be Laban’s. Removing the spotted and striped which were in the flock benefited Laban in two ways. First, it left these animals to him, not Jacob. Also, it lessened the chances of other spotted or striped animals being conceived, since these would not be mating with the flock.

· It was too good to be true, Laban must have thought. How could he possibly lose? However, it was an open-ended agreement, which encouraged Jacob to attempt to manipulate the outcome and also left God free to overrule the normal course of nature in order to bless Jacob. The agreement was solidified, and the flocks were divided, with Jacob tending the unspotted, unspeckled, and unstriped animals of Laban.

· vv. 37-43: Jacob, however, did not trust in God to work His ways to meet His promise to Jacob. He devised his own schemes to cause the outcome he wanted. Each of the three techniques Jacob employed was predicated on the belief that visual impressions at the time of conception affected the outcome at birth.

a) Peeled branches (looked like stripes)

b) Face streaked and dark-coloured animals

c) Selective breeding in front of branches

· But it was not Jacob’s method that worked. It was scientifically erroneous and spiritually human effort. Later, in Gen. 31:10-12, God revealed that the male goats had mated with the flock that were streaked, speckled or spotted.

3) Jacob Flees from Laban (Gen. 31:1-21)

· vv. 1-2: Laban may have wanted Jacob as adopted son (and hence married his daughters). But now, he had sons of his own and wanted to protect his inheritance, therefore his attitude changed.

· v. 13: God directs Jacob to leave and reminds him of His promise at Bethel. But Jacob was not assured and still feared Laban, thus deceiving and leaving Laban secretly.

· vv. 14-16, 19: The household gods possibly represented headship of the house (inheritance), so Rachel stole them to protect their inheritance.

4) Laban Pursues Jacob (Gen. 31: 22-55)

· Laban pursued them because of how Jacob had accumulated so much wealth and left on the sly; plus his household gods were missing—surely Jacob had cheated him.

· v. 35: Rachel lied.

· v. 52: Laban wanted to make a covenant with Jacob so that he would not come back and fight for inheritance.

5) Conclusion

All the way, Jacob assumed that his success and blessings from God were evidence that God approved of his hard work and faithfulness., it only proved God’s grace in spite of how Jacob did not deserve it. Compared to Esau, Jacob did not have anything better; in fact he lied and cheated and deceived his way through many things. Jacob often did things his way instead of God’s way to accomplish God’s will. But God had chosen him to carry the promise. Actually, it only proved God’s grace in spite of how Jacob did not deserve it. Jacob had thought himself too righteous.

Are we doing the same in our service to God? To achieve the ends, we may use human efforts. Just because God causes growth does not mean we earned it—it is God’s grace in spite of our weaknesses. Success does not mean God necessarily approves our unspiritual methods.

Phil 2: 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world 16 by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

Titus 2: 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

Matthew 6: 33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

New Skin

2008-09-27T17:15:00.004+08:00

Hello all!

I changed the skin!

Hopefully this pale orange colour will suffice for Debra's need for a "white" background.
The other white skins were boring and plain. This was the only one I saw that made me go, "WHOA!", in a good way. It didn't take me that long. Luck was on my side :)

Anyway, thank you Huihan who helped me with the Zipfile because I always cannot open them for some weird reason.

To whoever has the account for our class cbox, if you can, please change the colour to one that will match the new skin because the blue cbox looks quite odd against this orange background. Or, you can also give me the username and password, if you do not want to change the colour.

I'm not sure if you need an account for the 'hits' counter, so if you want it go and put it in yourself.

About the prayer schedule, I kind of took it off since no one really updates it or looks at it, and its also always changing due to someone's absence so if you want it you can go put it up again.

Ok then, signing off!

-Kerryn

**Please use large font, medium font is REALLY puny.

Things you never knew:)

2008-09-14T14:52:00.011+08:00

Mandrake, or Mandragora

Mandrake is the common name for members of the plant genus Mandragora.
It is probable that so-called ‘mystical’ properties were attributed to mandrake mainly because of the form of the parsnip-like root system, which usually divides to give ‘arm and leg’ appendages to a human body form, which can take either female or male characteristics.

It was a common belief in some countries that a mandrake would grow where the semen of a hanged man dripped on to the earth. (I wonder how these weird beliefs came about)

The true mandrake is a poisonous plant with a forked root; classical writers and the Bible mention it as an aphrodisiac and as making barren women fertile, while in medieval times it was used as a powerful soporific and pain-killer.

And the origin of the mandrake's association with fertility is truly ancient, surfacing first in chapter 30 of the Book of Genesis, where Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah finds mandrakes in the field. Childless Rachel, Jacob's second wife, the sister of Leah, is desirous of the mandrakes and she barters with her sister for them. The trade offered by Rachel is for Leah to spend the next night in Jacob's bed.

In Genesis 30:14, Leah gives Rachel mandrakes in exchange for a night of sleeping with their husband.

During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields
and found some mandrake plants,
which he brought to his mother Leah.
Rachel said to Leah, "Please
give me some of your son's mandrakes."

Soon after this Leah, who previously had had four sons but had ceased to become pregnant for a long while then became pregnant once more and gave birth to a son. Mandrake in Hebrew means “love plant”. Hence, beliefs attribute mandrakes with aphrodisiac and fertility qualities. (eg. Mandrakes help barren women to conceive a child)

Mandrake roots became highly sought after in their native Mediterranean habitat, and attempts to protect them from theft are thought to have been the source of the second mandrake myth, which stated that a demon inhabited the root and would kill anyone who attempted to uproot it. Pulling the root out by hand is considered an ill-advised thing to do as many have claimed that the root, which resembled human form, was said to utter a shriek that killed or drove mad anyone who heard it. Once pulled, however, the plant was said to provide soothing sleep, heal wounds, induce love, and facilitate pregnancy.

Over the centuries, elaborate rituals developed to avoid what became known as the mandrake's curse, the most famous of these requiring the assistance of a dog. A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this the root can be handled without fear.

Later elaboration of this legend attributed the herb's lethal power to a shriek or a groan emitted by the mandrake as it was uprooted, and suggested that death could be avoided either by a loud blast on a horn at the critical moment or by sealing one's ears with wax. (In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the earmuff is used)

ugly right? haha

anyway, JOEL, this is for you XD haha!!

xoxo,
gatherpens <3 u :)

p.s. NOW YOU REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH FREE TIME I HAVE. haha
p.p.s TO HUIHAN: we came across the word mandrake in the bible. and i was curious, hence i blogged about it

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!

2008-09-01T19:55:00.000+08:00

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!!! :)

from ALL OF US!

p.s. prata trip, pls?

hello peepaa!

2008-08-30T23:29:00.002+08:00

hello peepaa!

really really really thank you for tonite!
<33s

yw

Rebelution Reflections

2008-08-07T19:48:00.004+08:00

REBOLUTION REFLECTIONS

By: Kerryn

I'm going to post my reflections on "Megan & Mandy: Taking A Stand For Christ", as suggested by Debra(you don't have to give a prize).

Before I begin, though, I'm going to say that I'm probably going to go off topic(like I always do) so if you're reading and halfway through you wonder why it has changed from spiritual strength and courage to human rights, then at least you'll know why.

First and foremost, (I'm going to quote cuz it makes the whole thing a lot easier. no its NOT history).

"a federal judge issued an order barring Russell County High School and Megan (she was cited in the order by name) from conducting prayer during commencement."

BUT, Megan did it anyway. And its not because she hated her school, wanted to show off that she was a Christian or was an overtly-rebellious teen either(seriously, i doubt she would risk rebelling for these reasons and THEN getting charged and sued anyway. It was to spread the Word of God, to help others to get to know Him, introduce Him to those who have not heard of him and share the goodness and love that she experienced under Him.

How noble is that?

This is the kind of person I admire the most. Those who know they're probably going to get in trouble for doing soemthing, but do it anyway because they KNOW its the right thing to do. Not staying in the safe zone listening to instructions that they know should never have been given. They're willing to break the rules, are prepared to ruin their entire life, are prepared to be outcasted from society forever just so that others might have a chance to experience that is truly right. Don't you just LOVE revolutionists?

Some might think they're stupid. I mean, risk their future for a speech? Now, THIS is where we can tell HOW strongly they feel towards spreading the Word of God. They're willing, DETERMINED to not waste a single possible moment that they have, and DESPITE facing the possibility of a huge lawsuit(during which they will probably lose) they did it anyway.

From young, grown ups have always told us, no matter how others think, no matter what others do, do what YOU think is right. It's a lot harder than it sounds though. When the people around you are as bent on their ideas as you are on yours, it makes you doubt yourself quite a bit. Are THEY right? Or am I right? Are they the ones who need help or am I the one deluded? The question of "Is what I'm doing right?" is always present. It has always been there and will ALWAYS be there.

However, I feel that to know what is right or wrong(even though in reality, things are never as clear cut), all you have to do is to question your conscience.

"DO I feel good when I strip others of their dignity like that just because my seniors did it to me?"
"Will I be betraying my own conscience if I DO do it?"
"When it boils down to it, what exactly am I trynig to achieve?"
"Will I regret it later if I DON'T do it?"(let's say its for a good casue like this and not the weapons of mass destruction)

I believe that if you introspect, you will have questioned yourself these before. It's not uncommon.

Which leads me to think of The organisation ACLU. What are they trying to prevent really?
Are they a religious organisation who are on a mission of stopping all missionary work and religious sharings? Or do they jsut feel that its unfair that only a Christian gets to speak?

Whatever it is, its not fair. Religious or NOT, why do they have the rights to stop a young, passionate Christian from spreading the gospel? Who allowed them to? In what way is this offending society?

Megan wasn't FORCING them to be Christians. She was merely trying to share her experience and whether the people listening wanted to believe her or not was their choice and their choice alone. It was an entirely peaceful matter, (this reminds me of Bloody Sunday, but anyway I won't go there) aimed at spreading what one girl experienced in her life and wanted share with others, so that others might have the chance to feel the peace that she felt as well.

Now, HOW is that wrong?

I'm sorry, but I just CAN'T get over it. And a LAWSUIT? At a high school graduate?

Are those people even HUMANS? What makes me detest them even more is that they have no logical or moral stand to justify their actions.

You CANNOT jsut say that doing somethnig is wrong and hence it should be stopped just because YOU SAID SO. It's completely biased, prejudiced, unfair and unjustified. WHat sort of argument is this?

On your grounds, no matter how relevant the points the other party(Megan in this case) has, you'll ALWAYS win because you just REFUSE to accept others' opinions and by barring all entries of thoughts foreign to yours, everything in you feel is right IS right and anything else is wrong.

Please, that's resorting to the lowest form of debating possible.

Moving on, I'll try and conclude my reflections by answering these questions posed:

"But what if Megan had been booed? What if the ACLU had won?"
If Megan had been booed, she'd probably be happy with the fact that she tried her best and that it was better than not trying at all. If they had won, I'm hoping that another charitable organisation will fight for Megan's human rights against it and stage a protest. But then again, I'd like to pose another question. What if Megan had chickened out and stayed in the safe zone? She'd have regretted her actions by not trying and given that this is an opportunity that will never return, she'd have felt guilty for life. Regret is one thing you cannot change or replace by doing something else.

"What if Megan and Mandy were made “media-martyrs” for standing up for Christ? "
media martyrs. YOu mean like being publicized and then been so caught up in their short lived fame that they forget the meaning behind it? I doubt it. Judging from their actions, the fact that they were willing to take that risk reflects their level of maturity and certainly, its clear what their main pupose was. IT was definitely NOT for publicity or sensation. And someone willing to forsake their future for a cause so great and meaningful to them would NOT forget their ultimate goal that they worked so hard to achieve.

"Would God be less amazing?"
Hmm... This is tricky. I'm thinking that God is still as amazing as ever, but does not always use miracles to show his presence/power.

Let's say Megan was sued. WOuld she still be famous? I'm thinking probably. Sure, she's now in trouble, but how many people will be touched by her courage and determination by reading her story of how she was sued? Many would. Isn't that also a way of helping more people know God? Definitely. Is that a miracle? Yes, it is. Wouldn't Megan be happy that her temporary failure lead to eventual success? I would.

I believe that God would not be less amazing. If He was forever working His amazing miracles then there wouldn't be anything non-amazing to show a contrast of how wonderful He is and can be. Would We be thankful for our homes is a DC had we not known of the living conditions of starving orphans in war-torn Seirra Leonne(sorry for spelling I really don't know how to spell the name of this country)? No.

For all you know, something that could have turned out amazing but did not might have possibly been part of a plan to create a miracle that is even more amazing that you imagined it to be.

SO anyway, I've been typing for an hour. No, more than that. But I enjoy it anyway. It wasn't a torture. And anyway, I needed to get all that out of my mind.

Auf wiedersehen!

hello peeps

2008-07-25T00:33:00.003+08:00

hello peeps.

lemme rant here ok.

pw is killing me.

hope u guys still get to see me on sun

booohooohooooo

If i ever die someday i die loving u guys all <33s.>

if i ever die someday, blame my tutor.

rahhh

juz random rants la.

im damn sick of pw

and

jiayous ppl (:

yw(:

Belated photos

2008-07-24T20:41:00.006+08:00

Okay I am FINALLY getting my lazy butt off to post some belated photos. :D You're welcome.

New York New York :)

Batam Camp

Class photo -- this one looks quite pro eh

Look at Ernie's exasperation

Orh Joel and Ernie want to fight...

haha LOVE YOU GUYS AND GIRLS :)

Happy Birthday Debra

2008-07-10T23:55:00.003+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBRA :D

with love,
esta, on behalf of the rest of the stew-dents

a post for nothing

2008-06-29T18:22:00.003+08:00

I suppose this post is quite redundant. But since Esther so kindly requested for a new one, I decided to post something.

.
..
...
....
.....
......
.......
......
.....
....
...
..
.

I don't know what to post about!!!!!

Weather:
The weather has been KILLING of late. If it's not sweltering hot like it is almost every day(and to make it worse, since we live in the tropics we get HUMIDITY as well. so its heat+sweat. Pure awesomeness don't you think?) then its cooling(I'm just hoping that every day will be cooling>.<).

I'm dying dying dying in my shool uniform. I have a collar PLUS tie so I cannot unbutton the first button at all, which sucks. And then there's there's the horrible PE attire, which even though is supposedly cotton, feels to me like waxed nylon. Disgusting. AND IT HAS A COLLAR! WHAT IS THE PONIT OF A PE SHIRT HAVING A COLLAR????? It should be a T shirt!!!!!!!! Talk about logic.

Subjects:
When they had time aplently in the holidays, they didn't want to teach us Chemistry SPA skill 3 and chose to cram it all into the week BEFORE the SPA itself. How smart. NOT.

People:
Singaporeans make me ashamed to be one.

Today in the MRT when the train stopped and opened its doors, this elderly guy in a neck brace came in. He was probably injured or hurt or something.

Anyway, the only person who gave up his seat for that guy was a CAUCASIAN. No Singaporean did it. And it's not only me, my friends have all seen it before. It's always the non Singaporeans that are more courteous. WHY?

Because in Singapore, our kiasu-ness has led to "every man for himself".

I don't wish to further elaborate. I believe you know what I'm talking about and I'll stop before I get more carried away and might possibly just say something incredibly racist.

---Kerryn(btw)

obituary

2008-06-23T20:31:00.003+08:00

esther PANG'S real obituary:

Esther will be remembered for her weird antics and funny moments that brought joy and tears of laughter to everyone around her :)

PEACE OUT :D

Bible meaning lost in translation?

2008-06-05T15:28:00.005+08:00

I spent some time at online forums again discussing issues on Christianity and Atheism, where people, basically the christians and non-christians, try and prove their point of view and argue and flame religions and such.

Anyway, I have another question:

I know that every word in the Bible was God-breathed and God-inspired but then the original language of the Bible was Aramic/Greek/Latin so when you translated it into English or subsequent languages before it was THEN translated into English, couldn't there be any meaning lost in translation?

Because we all know that different languages differ greatly in grammar and expression and it is impossible to translate even a text to a similar language with 100% accuracy.

So if the original text was the REAL text of the bible, then are subsequent translated ones screwed because meanings got lost in translation?

I read that it wasn't directly translated into english from its original language but many many languages before it was THEN translated into English.

--Kerryn

our future business woman

2008-05-25T23:54:00.010+08:00

our future business woman=D

we went for prata again!!! hahas yayyy

storytime (:

2008-05-20T21:53:00.001+08:00

i was blog-hopping then i chanced upon this story.

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell ! us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated,

then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. to see

2. to hear

3. to touch

4. to taste

5. to feel

6. to laugh

7. and to love.

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

<3 esta

P.S. I LOVE MOULIN ROUGE

Photos of prata trip

2008-05-20T00:31:00.007+08:00

Photos!!!
from our previous
long awaited
PRATA TRIP!

just 3 only haha
i will take more photos next time (:

yummy eeg prata with yummy currry and a extra piece of hand HAHAHAHA

EVERYBODY IS EATING =D

TISSUE PRATA (:

WE WAN MORE OUTING (:

Superstition

2008-05-19T12:43:00.008+08:00

I don't even know why I'm typing this. I mean, maybe I should have done it on my own blog but then I guess this IS the most appropriate place for this post since I'm searching for some answers and maybe some views.

Before I begin, let me apologise in advance for being the irritating person that I am who just CANNOT accept things the way they are and go all out to prove others wrong.

So while I was in China last December and obviously they brought us to all these shops selling jade and precious stones some of which, when carved into particular shapes are supposed to 'bring luck'. I'm not superstitious and anyway not of their religion so of course, I don't believe in such things. And while other Singaporeans maybe believe in it, I certainly don't.

But here comes the issue. If you want to buy the precious stones that have been carved into no symbolic shape whatsoever just simply because you like their colour and their shape and not for the 'luck' that it claims to bring, then is it wrong? In my opinion, it isn't. If the shapes aren't carved into the idol or another religion and are jsut let's say, a plain sphere or cube strung together, then it could also be used as an accessory right?

I mean, we use diamonds as jewellery. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, GOLD.... All have been used by the ancient Egyptians to decorate statues of their many 'gods and goddesses' and also to decorate the coffins of their pharaohs(correct spelling if I'm wrong) for the afterlife. Just because the Egpytians used these jewels that are so commonly valued today in their religious practices doesn't DISallow us to use it as just jewellery and nothing more.

Because, seriously, I don't there is ANTHING wrong with using a gem/stone used in a culture for superstitions and religious practices that we don't believe in for the use in our own jewellery or simply because we like it.

We CANNOT discriminate any gem/stones and refuse to use it just because so-and-so religion is using it in their practices and because they use it and their religion is against Christianity Christians cannot use it. God created ALL the gems and stones on earth. It is purely HUMAN activities that have superstition-alized them and turned them into religious symbols. But suppose we DON'T believe in those religious symbols? Then there's nothing wrong with admiring their colour and shape and buying them as un-religious jewellery because every gem is, after all, created by God.

If we can appreciate and admire those majestic peaks of mountains that are God's work and the beautiful limestone caves, there is not reason why we CAN'T see beyond the stones stereotyped by a culture to be superstitious and learn to appreciate and admire it as a form of God's work and art as well.

Some people are like, "No, don't buy the stones even if you want it as simple jewellery because others may think that you're superstitious since you own one." So in the end it's all a question of acceptance and not so much religious belief? If other's think you're superstitious just tell them you aren't. If they don't believe you, then why are you even friends with them in the first place? There aren't worth your friendship! As long as you're certain you never want it because it 'brings luck' and treat it like any other jewel/stone then I don't see how it will affect your faith or your belief in God.

The stone, is, after all, just a stone like any other stone.

I just wish people would be more open minded.

Cheerio!
---Kerryn(though I'm pretty sure you could guess who I am since I'm the only person boliao enough to talk about these kind of things)

esta is a crybaby

2008-04-08T00:48:00.002+08:00

oh my goodness. i am an emotional wreck. I just finished watching "A Walk to Remember" and i cried like POOLS AND POOLS OF TEARS.

it is a great movie and i have no idea why i teared so much. Wasn't even that sad. BUT IT WAS SUPER TOUCHING !!

k i hope i dun get swollen eyes tmr.

<3 esther, the crybaby

I. Passed. 2.4. ZOMG!

2008-04-03T20:24:00.005+08:00

You know, God's wonders never cease to amaze me.

Like today, when I had my 2.4km run/walk(though its actually a JOG. Get your English right people! GOODNESS). And my physical fitness level is 0(if there were negatives, it would go to negative infinity) so 2.4 is actually really really hard for me, even though I know all the sporty people out there find it a breeze.

YEAH I'M SORRY BUT I JUST CAN'T DO IT AS EASILY AS YOU CAN OK?

So anyway, I started off thinking, "How on earth am I even going to complete this?" and soon, things proved themselves to be worse.

Imagine, it's hot, sunny and humid. You're doing your 2.4, and then your calf muscles feel like they're on fire, its like a permenant leg cramp. Everytime you stop, the pain gets sharper so you have no choice but to continue jogging.

By the middle of the jog, you're already breathless, your muscle cells have already started to respire anaerobically(producing lactic acid so it means I'm probably gonna have muscle ache tomorrow. AWESOME), your legs CONTINUE to hurt, every step is agony to your heels, sweat is dripping off your back and face.

Your lungs are close to self-combustion, and your head is reeling. You thirst for water, you're desperate, so you swallow saliva in an attempt to dampen your throat. Instead, it feels totally parched and dry, making you choke. All in all, it feels a lot worse than what you had initially expected(and believe me I've already got a very good imagination) and you want it to end SO BADLY.

But you must complete it! You MUST! If you don't, you'll have to go through this torture again! You need strength, and who do you turn to? Yup, I always turn to God. Because God's always there, rain or shine(or snow)! You ask, you BEG, "Please, PLEASE give me strength(physical). I NEED IT. I need to pass this so badly!"

You're still running. You don't feel like you're changed, I mean, you're still tired and all, but some how, you manage to continue. You push yourself beyond your own limit. Your body cries for help by sending pain signals everywhere. You ignore them. There's a motivation now, a kind of motivation that makes you want to pass. You HAVE to pass(yeah I know everyone's aiming for A or C, I just want to pass, happy?), you don't want to go through this again, in fact, you CAN'T.

And lo and behold, you actually make it! You don't know how, but you make it and that's what counts.

Everytime I start the run without knowing how I'm going to make it. And everytime I manage to do it, no matter how much I feel like giving up in the middle. Isn't that a miracle?(to me anyway, I know to YOU it might not be. FOR ME IT IS OK?) I can never understand how I am able to pull through, and if it isn't a miracle of God then I don't know what is.

PEOPLE!!! THIS IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION. It's a factual recount from MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!!!! I really DID feel like that during NAPHA, believe it or not.

Harlow!

2008-03-30T23:18:00.003+08:00

harlow!

okay im very bored so here i am, trying to find myself an excuse nt to do my work =D
anyway, we are going for prata next week! and im super happy nt because i get to eat my -craving -for-a-long-time prata bt we can all go out tgt! ok thats wat i really like ok. im nt obsess with prata =). anyway GO GO JIAYOUS! to everybody stressed out out there, including teachers and vp and students.

anyway i tink we shud plan for our big class outing so we can like go batam or something at the end of the year =D dun like last year liddat too late le cannot book any room I WANT TO PLAY MAHJONG OKAY~ and i wan to have loads of fun =)

im like currently thinking whether i shud juz give up the chance of trying out for the econs aussie trip and go straight to church camp in batam because i tink it will be so much more fun with u guys around even though the econs fieldtrip is 1350 dollars subsidiesed to 350 only for a trip to perth australia [ and this is super duper attractive. think abt it. pay 300++ and u get to choose australia or batam]

anyway i am like dead beat this whole week because my only day to slp in which is sat is taken by my sch sports carnival and its a total waste of time. i actually signed up for TOUCH RUGBY. i was still thinking how i am going to survive thru sat days before. anyway i did nt play in the end though[ unfortunately,-- to ernie] cos i have stomachache =(

in conclusion lets all work hard tgt okay!!!! anyway wat is jiren laoshi doing now ah? working? or studying? if studying den our whole class is a study class! woohoo haha bt i tink he is working rite =D lols ok i tink i shall stop crapping LOL a pile of shitty crap lah. =D

-7 days to prata

>.<

2008-03-30T20:10:00.002+08:00

i dunno how im gonna pull through this week with all the workload.. so i guess thinking about the prata trip and knowing that we are gonna have prata next sunday is my only consolation.

im looking forward to it :) so please dun cancel it. it will torture my already stressed out soul.

<3 esther pang, the stressed mugger

just a post/ memory

2008-03-22T21:53:00.002+08:00

sorry but i just need an outlet for me to type/ rant stuffs that are running thru my head right. feel free to skip this post cause i have no idea how its gonna be like or how its gonna end. just gonna type whatever that pops into my head.

k, random but i suddenly had a vision of me being alone and old. kinda freaked me out. i think this is how people starting emoing. like u stone then this random NEGATIVE / SAD thought just hits u and u starting brooding over it like crazy.
haiz. but the reason why im emoing isnt because of that dumb vision la. i think im justing too insecure about certain stuffs. >.<

which is why I WILL COME UP WITH A CURE FOR EMO-NESS cause i cant stand emoing, so tiring.
not to mention, i wanna cure the common cold. :) but my mum reckons that ill literally die studying medicine. (i havent thought of what i wanna do in the future yet tho.)

zzz. k change topic, schoolfrens rock but schoolwork sucks. sitting in the front of the class isnt in the least helping me pay attention during lessons. but thank goodness there's PE. kerryn i know u loathe PE. but i think PE is the only time i get to have real real real fun. my PE teacher rocks!!! WOOTS.
k i think im transiting from emo to being a little bit high.

k my itunes is sorta on shuffle and now is playing avril lavignes's who knows. kinda like funny cause ernie and i were mentioning that we both are poor little souls who are living just to get the days go by. and like the song says "there's something more, life's worth livin for". i guess im still trying to find my calling in life.

i have this urge to end off with a meaningful poem or something but my ang-moh sucks. haha, i felt like googling the poem but too lazy. sorry to be ending so abruptly like this but whatever la. ben xiao jie super sleepy. emo and sleepy dun mix well, so i'd better just go sleep before i get cranky/ unhealthily high.

GOD LOVES US :D
<3 esta

I'm in!!!

2008-03-18T00:35:00.003+08:00

im in!!!!

hello people.

let me rant here.. my holidays are ending.................................
but school will be fun i guess. besides the pile-load of work.

take care u guys.
pray hard.

signing out
-joel

2007-12-19T12:33:00.001+08:00

From Left to Right: Joseph Sam Stingray

Just a random crappy post

2007-11-08T00:17:00.000+08:00

So... This is my first ever post in this blog. If you've even noticed that is, but I wouldn't cuz I'm not very observant.

I'm just feeling really bored and decided to say some stuff here, what stuff I don't know, I'm just gonna spew whatever I feel like saying.

I'm not that updated, and I'm not totally clear what's going on in everyone's lives. But I'm pretty sure there are people still with O Levels(though whether it's over or not I don't know) and those who are all tied up in CCA and those well, with their own stuff to do.

And then there is me, with tons of stuff to do but I've not gotten the motivation to do it yet so I'm putting it off till I find some. Ok, so I know this isn't exactly the right attitude to have. But I can't help it! If I so much as STARE at another trigo question, my brain is going to explode and my I'll start foaming at the mouth.

But anyway, I'll try not to complain.

I just hope that those with exams, you'll be able to hang in there, persevere(though it's much harder than it seems) and get through the entire thing. Oh, and hopefully, you won't end up studying last minute like me. I think we're all pretty familiar with the consequences of last minute work, even though sometimes it does work wonders!

Yes, and I hope everyone gets some GOOD school teachers next year, and not those noobish teachers who actually say that, "It is not the responsibility of the teacher if you score badly. It's your own fault." because to some extent, it is their responsibility to ensure that we understand the concept of the topic. We need to study the details, but the basic foundation is ALWAYS laid by the teacher. And if they say that our marks can't be determined by our teacher, then we might as well stay at home and self study! The teacher can't make any difference anyway right?

Stupid logic of theirs.

And those with CCAs or activities that take up their week, I sincerely hope you enjoy it, because it's the only way you can stay happy, and being sad and angry IS quite tiring after awhile, if you've tried to do it for a long period of time before, which I have, and trust me, it wasn't a good experience.

Well, seems like I ended up complaining a great deal after all...

Signing off now, bye! And those who actually have a proper, uninterrupted holiday, then good for you! Happy holidays!

--Kerryn

EXAMS STRESS AR...

2007-09-27T15:53:00.000+08:00

Hellos!

Seemed like everybody had a bad week lol.

Hmm don't worry. God will bless you. (:

And so, let me tell you guys how dead I am...

And the inspirations.

Okay first history. Have a whole stack of notes to read, plus erm some reference book on History of Singapore. And next wednesday is History exams.

And so, to cheer myself up, this will be the last time I'm touching history... So better chiong else I'll regret it. (: [P.S. I really really don't like history]

Then Physics. Our most wonderful Chem/Phys teacher [actually she's upper sec chem teacher, no idea why she come teach us lor.], have not finish the sec2 syllabus, and we have no more lessons with her. In other words, we don't know a thing after ray diagrams.

But it's okay, God will ensure I finish the powerpoints. And pray hard nothing came out for those she didn't teach.

Then Maths. Set theory is awful. I manage to get all the sets questions wrong for my Maths Common Test 4. And plus a whole lot of carelessness, which is why I scored 31.5/40, when I can get something like 37.

Nevermind, Maths teacher says this time exams isn't very hard.

Language Arts. Don't ask me why we even have this. I haven't study my formal letter format yet. And it's the first paper.

Whatever. I will go get a 5 minutes crash course on Monday morning.

HCL. Seriously there's something wrong with the dictionary. Either that or I just can't differentiate 词语 with same pronounciation.

But nevermind, I don't use those words lor.

Geography, the worst. I got my geog notes, and 3 textbooks to study...

Then again, I got until next Thursday to study.

And so, this is the pros and cons...

To cheer you guys up, think of post exam activities!

EOYs in 5 days, freedom in 15 days.

I think I can live that long.

Love, HuiHan (:

Code okay!

2007-09-16T14:14:00.000+08:00

Yes yes yes I fixed the code. Call me pro. Hahahaha.

Lols happy birthday Ernie!

AH pouts

2007-08-26T21:17:00.000+08:00

GUESS WHAT... IM PRACTICALLY GONNA CRY ALR >.<

my stupid itunes crashed and all the songs are gone alr.. i dun even know where to start looking for or adding the 1387 songs in the com

STUPID COM STUPID LIFE OF MINE

unhappy face D:

2007-08-25T07:10:00.000+08:00

HAIZ.. i screwed my english orals and if i fail english again, ill most likely have to retain in sec 3 for another year...

way to talk about stress

2007-08-12T17:12:00.000+08:00

腓立比書 2

13 因为你们立志行事都是神在你们心里运行，为要成就他的美意。

hello kiddos! this is the latest memory verse :)

samantha mentioned taking down our prayer requests. anyone has any ideas how to go about doing that? also, remember to come at 9am next week :) it's a day for you kiddos and some oldies (haha).

meanwhile, don't be too stressed out by your school work!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

beyond the studying, remember that God has a greater purpose in our lives: to become like Christ! and the 3 tools He uses are the bible, prayer and suffering. When we submit to God and each other through service and sacrifice, God grants us joy, now and the future.

that's the summary of today's lesson. :D

btw, thanks esther for copying out the verses on the board :) but can you please add the Don't back to the Please erase? thanks :)

2007-08-06T14:43:00.001+08:00

dear kiddos (hehe),

i have a story to tell.

we teachers said we wanted to exchange a verse for 1/4 prata. but we really want to treat you all! :) hee. in any case, it reminds me of Jesus.

So, we treated you all to prata. We didn't do it cos you memorised the verses. Even if you couldn't memorise, we still would have treated you. Does this mean you don't memorise the verses? No, instead you memorise cos you know we love you all like Paul loved the Philippians. :)

Similarly, God gave us His 10 commandments among other laws. Apparently, if we obey the laws, then God will grant us salvation. but through the people of Israel who received these laws, it has been shown that NO ONE is righteous or good enough to be able to obey these laws. So He sent Jesus, through whom we have salvation. but does that mean we do not obey His laws since we are not good enough? No, instead because of God's love and mercy, the more we should obey Him. Not to get salvation, which has been freely granted to us, but because to obey is to show that we love God.

Ok, I am not trying to say the teachers are as great as God. Haha, I just wanted you all to realise how wonderful our God is. :)

See you all this Sunday!

2007-07-22T20:39:00.000+08:00

腓立比書 1

6 我深信那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。

21 因我活着就是基督，我死了就有益处。

27 只要你们行事为人与基督的福音相称，... 知道你们同有一个心志，站立得稳，为所信的福音齐心努力。

腓立比書 2

3 凡事不可结党，不可贪图虚浮的荣耀；只要存心谦卑，各人看别人比自己强。

These are the memory verses so far! do come and take a look at them and try to understand and remember them! :)

我将你的话藏在心里，免得我得罪你。 - 詩篇 119:11

when we put God's word in our hearts, the Holy Spirit can use them to remind us and teach us to make choices and comfort us. it is a blessing!

anyway, i love you all :) haha, you guys are my favourite class!!

SOMEONE'S GETTING OLD MATURE!

2007-07-11T20:43:00.000+08:00

DEAREST DEBRA :DDD

*lol so many D-s*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:)
we wish for u greater wisdom, good health

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!!

HEIGHT:))

<3 your stews

DRIVERS SURE FEEL BORED DRIVING...

2007-06-26T21:04:00.000+08:00

i felt the greatest urge to talk about my weird day.. but ill make it short and sweet

a driver of the bus number ** felt that it was necessary that i sat down on the bus and due to his heavy accent, i did not get 1/2 of what he was saying... i heard "move away" only.

so just before the stop which i had to alight at, he decided that i was a rebellious kid and called the sbs ppl to tell them that there was this schoolgirl who refused to sit down, and she should have to ensure her safety... it was a walkie talkie thingy, so i roughly could hear them conversing.. when he said thankyou and byebye to the dude on the receiving end. it was my stop alr.. lol

so naturally i alighted and started burst out laughin
i mean really, it wasnt necessary to create such a big deal out of it and thanks to u, some others has just become victims of a certain stereotype that i just generated :D

anyway, BUS UNCLE!! THANKS FOR THE HEARTY JOKE.. i really needed it amidst all the stress and homework :P

WHATS WRONG WITH THE WORLD??

2007-06-25T21:49:00.001+08:00

AHH... LIFE IS BAD

i have lessons in school next monday!! WHAT KIND OF A YOUTH WOULD THAT BE DDD:
HAIZ.. and i have school event next next sat so i cant go for bsf either...

XIANZZZ...

WHATS WORSE IS THAT ALL MY DOU DOU AND PIMPLES ARE POPPING OUT.. :PP
pray that they go away!!!

anyway here are the pics that i promised ernie :D

settling down for a game of SETTLERS :D (well actually they were packing it alr)

settlers and their settlements and or cities + ernies arm

LMAO DEBRA'S DI4 PAN2/territory :)) too bad she kena bandit

sorry ernie but this was bestpic i could find that depicted your longest road... my camera not very clear

LAST BUT NOT LEAST... OUR "BELOVED" TRAITOR... muahaha with the loyals around, camelot is saved!!!

courtesy of and <3 esta

2007-06-24T20:49:00.000+08:00

donut!!

esther turning away from the camera as usual!

yay, she agrees to pose with me in our little room :)

guess who? she's not puking la, just hiding as usual :)

the end.

2007-06-24T15:33:00.000+08:00

hahazz

most imptly is..

the TRAITOR knight has fallen.. hehez

sorry but i'm still stuck in the game!! help!

2007-06-24T14:55:00.000+08:00

Shadows over Camelot

The 7 Knights

Sir Bedivere AKA debra

Sir Tristan AKA joel

King Arthur AKA kenneth

Sir Gawain AKA ernie

Sir Kay AKA yi wei

Sir Percival AKA esther

THE TRAITOR [ y* w**] -.-||

i dunno what this is called LOL

HOLY GRAIL

the 7 knights

the uncoloured 7 knights

ahahahahas

-yw.yw.yw

2007-06-23T00:44:00.000+08:00

hey knightz.. this is LOYAL sir gawain speaking

Thanks all foR the greAt sessIon of Those bOard games!! Really enjoyed mYself and had fun With u guyz!!! =D

and 先知esta.. rem to post those photos too leh.. i wanna see my longggggggggggggggg road haha

BATAM CHURCH CAMP PICS :DD

2007-06-22T00:04:00.000+08:00

YO PPL :D here are some pics from the church camp :)) will post somemore l8er!!

Batam Harris Resort :D

fyi. denise spoilt the swing

haha debra trying to take a pic of me

group pic :D

hotel room

fridge :D

DONUTS :DDD YUMMY!!

wakeboarders :D

WHEEE

2007-06-14T23:11:00.000+08:00

YOYOYO... can someone pls help me cancel my name off the prayer list :D THANKS.. cos i suck at html stuff

ANYWAY.. can anyone tell me whats the schedule of the camp? like what will we be doing :))

<3 esta

p.s. cant wait for 22 june!!!

2007-06-10T16:32:00.000+08:00

Hello my dearest class,

i would like to give out prizes to the following:

Esther for memorising the verse fastest today and praying for us :)

Yiwei and Huihan and Kerryn (i think, since i never check your worksheets, haha) for dutifully filling in the blanks of the worksheet i prepared :)

Kenneth for memorising half the verse and bringing his bible :)

Joel for not falling asleep and memorising a few words in the verse :)

pray for samantha to get well soon, and yixun to join us next lesson!

in conclusion, i am going to test you all the next time we meet so please remember:

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

我深信那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子

class outing: 22nd june, friday. keep it free! and think of something to do!

debra

2007-05-20T15:30:00.001+08:00

I changed the skin =)
because i am tired of the old one

anw
we watched videos during lesson today
we watch ACTS
yupps
i tink we all loved the part where jesus rose to heaven... hahahas
hahahahahahahahahahahahahas
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahah....

yea
i tink tt all i rmb....

i tink debra n ernie are going to be so sad....

yw.yw.yw

YAY!!

2007-05-11T19:54:00.000+08:00

MUAHAHA.. MY MYEs ARE FINALLY OVER!! SO HIGH..
im pretty bored right now so im blogging for the sake of killing time...

SPIDER-MAN 3 ROCKEDDD every single pair of SOCKS i own.. :DD
you might find it unbelievable but i cried (only 1 tear).. during the part when ...**** (decided not to spoil the plot for those noobs who havent watched it) ***
and the song featured in their soundtrack is also damn nice... its called Signal Fire by Snow Patrol

THE SONG IS FREAKING NICE.. i cant stop singing it (i just bought the OST and guess what.. the glass cover CRACKED, my poor spidey)

anyway, my week was pretty neutral in a sense that it had ups and downs... and plus i think the post-mugging effects are alr affecting me, -> thruout the entire spiderman movie, i kept linking stuff that was happening to physics ... AND PETER PARKER WAS TALKING ABOUT WAVELENGTHS WHICH PISSED ME OFF CAUSE I TOTALLY SCREWED THAT QUESTION FOR MY SA !!!!

speaking of which, i think ill fail physics, chem and english... i secretly think my school is out to make us stress and cry.
*i suddenly thought of something.. why do you guys keep talking about camps????*

ohyes.. this week is crazy, i went to orchard about 3 times and i managed to receive free vouchers from KFC, nike and N.Y.D.C!!
so people, if u want cheap deals.. go shop shop there and just be thick skin and ask for the vouchers :DD

since i have so much time to kill, i shall promote N.Y.D.C's mudpies..
THEY ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD FABULOUSLY INCREDIBLY WONDERFULLY AMAZINGLY AWESOMELY AWESOME :)
*(i wonder why i failed english in term1)
if you are dun mind liquor.. YOU HAVE GOTTA TRY THEIR JEDI MUDSTER THINGY.. SHIOK!
if you love nuts, ORDER THE GRANDMA GOES NUTS, SERIOUSLY
if you just wanna eating something and gain weight for fun.. eat the OREO thingy (cant rmb the name)
I HEREBY WANNA THANK THE GUY FOR GIVING US THE VOUCHER FOR a 20% discount off our NYDC meal and THANK MY PARENTS FOR ALLOWING ME TO CATCH THE LATE NIGHT SPIDER-MAN 3 MOVIE WITH MY FRENS AND NOT IMPOSING ANY STRICT CURFEWS :DD

i think my parents are cool:)
ohya i saw SHAN WEE today while window-shopping for "Junk-Food" clothes at Heeren.. he is super super super tall -> not exagerrating. maybe even twice the height of Debra
i felt superbly dwarfed (and blushy) when he walked past my fren n i, but the good thing was that my fren is 3/4 of a head shorter than me :D

f.y.i : SHAN WEE is a deejay
i just realised some of u guys might not be interested in my life account so here are some jokes to entertain u guys.. actually i count them as pickup lines lar, but there are considered quite funny (if you are as lame as me)

1) GUY (to hot lady) : Is your dad a terrorist?
Lady: No.. WHY??
GUY: BECOS YOU ARE DA' BOMB!!!
(-.- was my initial reaction)

2) GUY (to hot lady) : BABY, i've only got 2 words to say to you : "i luv you"!
Lady: >.< .. um thats 3 words
GUY: yes i know.. BUT "YOU" and "I" are ONE...
(surprisely enough i laughed at this one, mainly because i wondered which guy in the world would ever believe that a pickup line like this would work, i mean -> i would think even a fortune cookie would work better)

MORAL OF JOKES : guys out there... pls do not ever Ever EVer EVEr EVER use any of these lines unless u urself are a cruel sick joke :P

-esther pang

2007-05-03T20:56:00.000+08:00

Here I am Worship

Light of the world You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Call upon the Name of the Lord and be saved
Call upon the Name of the Lord and be saved

2007-04-23T19:33:00.000+08:00

dear people :)

hmmm post-syf, i just thought i'd like to share my perspective as an oldie :)

having gone thru 3 syfs, you can be sure that i know how you guys feel. it seems like the same story: we work really hard to attain the goal we set. and it would be for the seniors, whom we loved and who entrusted us with the sacred task of bringing glory to the band/choir :) i must admit, i would be one of those "stupid" people who cried in sec4 cos we got gold and didn't get into the top 5 (there weren't those honours stuff then..). but well, it is the same thing, basically we fell short of what our seniors expected and what we had aimed for.

but after all the tears before, during and after syf, i have new thoughts as i reflect now as an almost 22- year old. i think after all has passed, we won't remember the medal we got, and seniors won't blame us (honestly, i don't think i would blame my juniors). but a good 6 years later, i still remember the joys and laughter in the process of working for syf. trust me, the tears would fade into the background :)

i think what is so special about music ccas, is music itself. it has the power to bond the group together. every band/choir definitely put in their best. but as my jc conductor said (and something i still remember), music is like food. each band/choir may present different kinds (duck rice, chicken rice).. well no one can say whether chicken or duck is better.. but different people would naturally have different tastes. the judges are not perfect, and surely these fallible judges would not always make the right decisions.

but take heart :) our God judges our hearts and He is a perfect judge. Jesus understands how we feel :)

love, debs

What goes around comes around

2007-04-19T21:35:00.000+08:00

k, so ive gotten a C for my 2.4km and im pretty pleased about it, but whats the point of being happy :

- There was quite a lot of crying today
- people ran, people cried
- I got scolded yesterday..(well it was pretty much my fault and i admit it)
- I got scolded today FOR NO REASON
- My close frens are being punished heavily when the "offence" they allegedly had committed is like so trivial.
- pretty much of our class's reputation is going down the drain
- and so is our future

therefore, week = negative infinity/10

Lessons i have learnt these few days:
1) If your teacher is gay (i promise mine really is cause we have evidence anyway), never try defending for yourself. Instead shutup and apologise.
2) If your gay teacher is feeling pmsy, dun piss him off

OHYA i almost forgot to add... our school switched off the whole flushing toilet system thing today... so we like had to do our business and not flush!
The toilet bowls were clogged up with tissues, and possibly faeces and occasionally, it makes this gurgling sound and regurgitates a little...
:P our school is super extreme, even if its nature week, also no need to conserve until kill us with the CHAO JI SUPER STINKY STENCH

i hereby conclude that im lucky to be alive and to have survived 2.4

2007-04-18T20:47:00.000+08:00

i had a sad week.
n i will rate my week in advance.
-10000000000000/10
my choir is unjustified.
its not fair.

FREE CONE DAY <3333

2007-04-17T21:26:00.000+08:00

LaLaLa... Im super happy today <333

NEEDLESS TO SAY, my good mood is largely attributed to the fact that i got a free cone (ernie i know what u are thinking, free cone = cone PLUS icecream) at BEN N JERRY'S on FREE CONE DAY :DDD

i feel the need to spread my joy.. since everyone's sa is like coming around the corner

ANYWAY, the queue was super long but it moved pretty fast, so i got iceream in about 15min :DDD

i wanted to queue again but my fren wanted to go home alr :P
but whatever, im still HIGH!!!
plus school wasnt that bad today, soooo ill rate it a 20/10 :D

- the BnJ lover, pang pang(translation: fat fat)

2007-04-05T17:08:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow is good friday.
I feel that we should make use of this day to remember how jesus christ had died for us. =)

it always rain on good friday. i believe it will rain tmr....

神爱世人,甚至将他独生子赐给他们,教一切信他的,不致灭亡,反得永生.
-约翰福音3:16

2007-03-28T18:49:00.000+08:00

i forgotten what we learn! =D

recall liao..
we learn abt those gross stuffs
teehee
how jesus died n stuffs
n what he said before he died

i only rmb the curtain tore apart
meaning that
ppl no longer need to connect to god through the yearly sacrifices thru the prophets or something. ppl are connected to god through jesus christ =D

yw

2007-03-18T13:55:00.000+08:00

Ok. today we learned about SERVANTS.
SERVANTS serve people.
GOD serve people too.
In other words, GOD is like our SERVANT.
Which is why, HE is the GREATEST.
Therefore, if you want to be the GREATEST, you have to be everybody's SERVANT.

So, let's think of how to apply this in this upcoming week.
Since it's the new term, BE NICE TO EVERYONE!!
Including people you DON'T LIKE.
Including people you DON'T KNOW.
Be a good example to everybody. SERVE THEM.

This sound so like an advertisement from the government. Hehe.

2007-02-25T15:29:00.000+08:00

Today, we learnt about STEWARD.
steward are ppl that cook stew
in chinese steward is guan jia
we should learn to guan our relationships with others
relationships :

BGR
KINSHIP
FRIENDSHIP
FELLOW SIBLINGS IN CHRISTS
TEACHERs

so we should takkaire of the relationships god gave us to be responsible with (:

2007-02-21T19:29:00.000+08:00

ok people... i have deleted the irritating pop out windows which pops out (DUH) at you everytime you load the page... and if you all wanna change blogskin just say and i'll TRY to do it asap. i have a lot of hwk one ok... and ernie... i went around the world in 80 days... including india and pakistan and iraq and the alantics... i can list more if you wan... LOLS...
-huihan

2007-02-18T22:51:00.000+08:00

Conclusion for 11/2/2007
- Resist temptation (:

Conclusion for 17/2/2007
-Happy Lunar New Year!

2007-02-17T23:30:00.000+08:00

Happy new year!

-yiwei

2007-02-04T23:16:00.001+08:00

Humility!

2007-01-28T15:51:00.000+08:00

Conclusion for lesson today(28th Jan '07) :

顺服
Obey God (:
live a God-Centred Life

-yw

2007-01-21T23:58:00.000+08:00

REVIVE THIS BLOGGGIEEEE~
hahaha this blog is so the deaded la
anw yupps
PEOPLE, JOIN THE BSF =D=D=D

hahhahahas im so nice because i decided to post today's conclusion here =D
erm its according to EVERYBODY =D

Conclusion for lesson on the 21 jan 07

mercy triumphs over judgements
love people
don't look down on others
compassion
humility
show concern to the lower part of the society.

=D
yay
-yw

P.S. help this blog stay alive =D

2007-01-19T23:49:00.001+08:00

Can I declare this blog OFFICIALLY dead?

2006-12-27T00:55:00.001+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-yw

2006-12-24T21:29:00.000+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!
=D
-yw

2006-12-23T16:38:00.001+08:00

2 more days to christmas
-yw

2006-12-21T18:29:00.001+08:00

4 more days to christmas :)
-yw

2006-12-18T18:48:00.000+08:00

yay~ i finally changed to blogger beta le.... haii others still haven accept the invitation yet~
yiwei

2006-12-17T19:31:00.000+08:00

photos! :)

ZHU NI SHEN RI KUAI LE!

2006-12-13T10:44:00.000+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUIHAN!!!

<3 from all those who actually remember your birthday

- Esther

P.S i have given up on hopes for ernie's post
P.P.S this is actually a edited post.. the stupid blogger thingy crashed and some of the more important stuff i typed got kena deleted D:

-but the deleted stuff sorta was about me rating my day 1/10 cause i accidentally burnt abit of my finger then now there's this ugly lump plus wanting u guys to pray that i'll grow taller :D

2006-12-13T02:24:00.000+08:00

hellos,
i wan rate my week tooo~
my week in japan is 9!!!!!!!
lolx
reason issit?

i get to see n feel n play n experience snow
i am on a holiday
the holiday is fun
during the trip , we ate almost steamboat, bbq or seafood everyday
i get to take the aeroplane
i had enjoyable time slping iin the bus
i had enjoyable time with my friends at night, chatting[even though we gt a complaint fr the manager]
i took lots of photos
i did alot of shopping
japanese teenagers are all very good looking [ both guys n girls][SUPERB]

According to esther gt the point system rite
so why issit 9 lehx
gt 1 reason
is the homestay
here it goes

homestay is suppose to be very very very fun, unfortunately im assigned to this host family with the 7 ppl which wanted to host 5 people in their tiny lil house that looked as if its under construction. so whats so bad about 5 tgt lehx? fun mahx the more the merrier... NO! well, those students hosted by families 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 was able to feel the love fr their host families, they bought stuffs for them and brought them shopping. my friend's host even build a snowman for her earli in the morning. they even cried at the farewell party. they even sent them off wen we leave. of course its not because of the stuffs they bought that im jealous of but im seriously envious of the students that was able to feel their love, my friends with 1 to 1 host families even cried when the hosts specially came to the hotel to see them or pass them presents. the hosts treated them as part of their family.... what about us? we did nth bt to stay at home watching tv, because there is lots of us, the sofa at home weren't even enuff. because ther is lots of us, they cannot specially teng us....yar... it feel more like..... CAMPING..... so its very very sad.... they din even come to our farewell party... haiii
so when u see others so touched for what the hosts did for them, i cant help but to feel sad for myself. of cos im not the only one that feel that way but my friend too, who was also one of the 5. ok im suppose to give reason n it turn out im spilling out what i feel SADDDDD abt... hahahx
anw no matter what im home.. yea...

so for that reason, -1. so 10 - 1 is 9
taadaa
9 hahahax
dunnid choose ppl la... since ernie owe us a post.... lol
-yiwei

RATE MY WEEK

2006-12-10T17:49:00.000+08:00

Since nobody asked how my week was today :( i'll just announce it OUT LOUD HERE!!!

my week was a FREAKING 11/10 !! surprised huh :D
i shall state my PEEs (for history we have to state a POINT then ELABORATE and give an EXAMPLE)

P: 11/10
E: my week rocked?
E: I ATE these superbly nice XIAO LONG PAOS yesterday, its funny how 2 measly xiao long paos can "upgrade" my initially lousy week! Not to mention on the PLUS side, my mum bought me 2 boxes of chocolate. there goes my healthy diet...

My week could have actually been a 25/10 but i got 3 mosquito bites this morning, and i didnt have any breakfast today.. how sad right
I hope next sunday, dec 17 would ROCK for eg. me getting at least a 60 in bowling D:
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE LUNCH MUST BOWL ME OVER [pun again]... don't disappoint my tummy!

- Esther, the one who cant resist chocolates unless mouldy ones

P.S ernie, u owe us a blogpost

P.P.S Ben & Jerry's WAN SHUI

2006-12-06T16:21:00.000+08:00

hello,

to entertain you while this blog is dying, let me post the link to an article that talks about what we learnt the last sunday class lesson a few weeks back: Was Jesus Really Born on December 25th?

have fun! :)

debra

REVIVE BLOG!! THIS IS ALSO A CRY OUT FROM ESTHER

2006-12-04T14:17:00.000+08:00

To prevent this blog from getting any DEADER , i shall make the first move by blogging again thus, HOPEFULLY, reviving this blog from its quiet grave :)

Since we always start our church lessons by rating our days, i shall do so as well :

Within a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being sucky and 10 being WONDERFUL and 5 being so-so, AS EXPECTED, i would rate my day a -5!
Yes, the minus sign is suppose to be there.. i shall now start elaborating on why this day only deserves a high score of -5 ...

I shall list the 5 contributing factors to my utter unhappiness, from the least to most important factor.

#5 The dumb and obvious fact that i am alone at home again, maybe this isnt that bad cause i get to do what i want but it sucks that i have the HUGE responsibility of looking after the house. The job description includes: making sure no fire breaks out and thieves or stray cats breaking an entry. For me thieves = NO PROBLEM.. like as if i dun know self-defence against guys or the number for 999 -.-
For cats, i'll just start barking like a dog or i might just open a can of sardines and lure it outta my house :D (getting sick of sardines for meals anyway).. But if there's a fire, i'll probably scream, grab the important stuff (cpu and monitor.. duh ALL my songs are inside) and run and let the house burn till theres nothing left.. im scared of fires since one small one broke out last year in lighting wire thingy and we smartly used water instead of a fire extinguisher to put out the fire -> in turn, the water shocked the wires or something even more causing a blackout for dunno how long ... plus i hate fires cause i have personally witness the people in the SIMS game die in a fire while cooking [sprinklers didnt go off]

To summarise: this stinks (judgin by the length of the above essay, i shall keep the rest short and sweet)

#4 No bloody X Box or PlayStation to play.. entertainment and childhood mei2 hao3 memories = a big fat O

#3 I had a sucky char siew fan lunch.. cause the nicer stall didnt open and i didnt have enough money dine at sakae sushi so unfortunately, the suckier stall earned more today

#2 No nice TV shows, and you cannot count LOTR, cause even tho it rocks.. i've alr watched it a billion times, even the extended version (which is obviously rocks more)

*drum roll*
*rolls*

#1 I have no other nice food at home other than ice cream, which sucks cause i am laying off ice cream at the moment.. its not dieting but i'm trying to eat healthier stuff ... so this Stinks with a capital bolded S .. everyone knows i cannot live without nice food, which made me regret even more about not being rich enough to afford sushi today

ALL IN ALL, each factor = -1 point
-1 x 5= -5
= SUCKS
= SAVE ME

debra, now u cannot blame me from also being so negative about my days (literally)
anyway i just had an idea how not to make this blog dead, i shall write a name at the end of the blog and that person has to blog about something within the week and then he/she can appoint someone else later on -> thus, the baton is passed on and on

BUT of course, if you just feel like blogging for no reason like me, JDI (it means just do it for the noobs out there who dunno)

ERNIE YOO HOO, you now have the honour of writing the next post cause we all know u are slacking now .. yeah this can be counted as sabo-ing u :D

- Esther

2006-11-22T00:03:00.000+08:00

Proposal for Prata Trip

I would like to propose a plan for a prata trip during lessons. Prata trip is a trip the the roti prata coffeshop near our church, Bethel Presbyterian Church.Not only do we go there to enjoy their magnificient roti plata, which comes in different flavours and varieties, but also to drink their ice milo and teh beng. Due to the following reasons, I would propose a prata trip SOON.

Prata trip is relaxing and enjoyable. After a busy week, such a trip will benifit us very well. Sitting down, chatting is a way of relieving stress and a way of bonding the class together. In this way, we can also easily catch up with one another's life, and understand what troubles they have so that we can pray for them.

Prata trip also helps to build our country's, Singapore, economy. A visit to Suriya allows the roti prata-er to earn more money. This allows them a chance for expanding their business, which in turn result in hiring more workers. This helps to decrease the unemployment rate.
With a lower unemployment rate, our economy will PROSPER.

Prata trip can also be a way to receive christmas which is coming is 33 days time. Even though I don't see the link between Christmas and Roti prata, it is still a way of receiving christmas. Christmas is very important to us, christians because it marks the birth of our saviour jesus christ. Therefore, we should celebrate christmas among our class by going to Suriya.

With the above reasons as support, I strongly propose that the teachers would bring us on another prata trip despite the fact that we just had one 2 weeks ago. Thank You.

Crapping,
Yiwei =)

PS3!!!

2006-11-17T18:06:00.000+08:00

I DUN CARE... THAT SONY PS3 IS SO MINE!!!!

ROTI PRATA!!

2006-11-14T21:35:00.000+08:00

TISSUE PAPER... oops i mean PRATA!!
since im freaking bored as usual, i shall compose something

WOULDn't it be nice if the world was PRATA
we could soak ourselves in the yummy curry!!
*SLURP* *SLURP*
then the world would never go hungry
cause we can always have cheese prata for BRUNCH~~A :D

-sang and composed by the BITCH gurl (pun intended cause the guys who sang this are the beach boys i think) (also, the "a" behind "brunch" was included to make it rhyme with prata)

im seriously sorry for the lameness but pardon this poor girl for being too bored
and this blog really is my only outlet to express my inner dumb thoughts [without being slaughtered for wasting people's time by sharing my impromptu poem]

ANYWAYZZ.. this post is also to thank whoever who paid for my tissue prata, u juz saved me more $$ to be able to have another coloured plata at SAKAE SUSHI!

- esther pang PANG pang PANG pang

p.s. clearly i have alot more to learn about literature :P
p.p.s/p.s.s. i really hope we still stay as 1 class together next year (:

where are all the GUYS?

2006-11-14T17:34:00.000+08:00

hmm...im in the staff room now... and the teacher is not here... dun wada meeting... but i want to ask this: WHERE ARE ALL THE GUYS? look at such nice blog. in the end nobody post. this is pathetic. loLs.
-huihan

2006-11-12T22:21:00.000+08:00

Hello people,
I don't want to get separate next year.
I don't want to change teachers also.
Thank you!

-yw

2006-11-08T15:43:00.000+08:00

hey girls, i don't know if this is from your era, but it was from mine :) i love sheep and lambs.. cos we are our Shepherd's most precious sheep. well, the clip below has nothing much to do with that, but it brings a smile to my face :)

"lamb chop play along" with "this is the song that doesn't end"

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

2006-11-07T22:00:00.000+08:00

Still

Hide me now,
Under your wings.
Cover me,
Within your mighty hands.

When the ocean rise and thunder roars,
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are king over the flood,
I will be still and know you are God.

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone,
Know his power
In quietness and trust.

When the ocean rise and thunder roars,
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God.

I will be still and know you are God...

Did any of you hear this song before?? Its nice... =D

-yiwei

pls pls pls pls

2006-11-07T08:48:00.000+08:00

ok.. im very sure u will figure who's typing this once i say this :
"CAN WE PLEASE GO OUT SOON???!!!"

:D haha i've said my peace, thanks .. cya guys soon

-some poor thang who's stuck at home

Galatians 6:2

Self discipline fail

Blast from the past

Need to stop this ranting habit once I get a chance to blog

"Life goes on."

I really miss Sunday School :(

For the sake of the blog's revival...

I like GP, and stuff I found out about North Korea so please pray for the country!

In reply to the class photo

The class photo of may 2010

Submission :S

hello!

Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition

Psalm 84

Psalm 84 (New International Version)

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. a]">[a]

CLASS OUTING

2009

Joseph’s godliness and God’s faithfulness (Genesis 39 )

Why we may ALL be blue blooded

@ SWENSENS :D

“Jacob’s Escape” (Genesis 30-31)

New Skin

Things you never knew:)

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!

hello peepaa!

Rebelution Reflections

hello peeps

Belated photos

Happy Birthday Debra

a post for nothing

obituary

Bible meaning lost in translation?

our future business woman

storytime (:

Photos of prata trip

Superstition

esta is a crybaby

I. Passed. 2.4. ZOMG!

Harlow!

>.<

just a post/ memory

I'm in!!!

Just a random crappy post

EXAMS STRESS AR...

Code okay!

AH *pouts*

*unhappy face* D:

腓 立 比 書 2

腓 立 比 書 1

腓 立 比 書 2

SOMEONE'S GETTING OLD MATURE!

DRIVERS SURE FEEL BORED DRIVING...

WHATS WRONG WITH THE WORLD??

BATAM CHURCH CAMP PICS :DD

WHEEE

YAY!!

What goes around comes around

FREE CONE DAY <3333

ZHU NI SHEN RI KUAI LE!

RATE MY WEEK

REVIVE BLOG!! THIS IS ALSO A CRY OUT FROM ESTHER

PS3!!!

ROTI PRATA!!

where are all the GUYS?

pls pls pls pls

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. ^a]">[a]

AH pouts

unhappy face D:

腓立比書 2

腓立比書 1

腓立比書 2