I can't believe it, everything that could have sent wrong seriously went wrong this weekend and today.
Friday - Night cycling, seriously it was a green man and I was clear to move, than this stupid red MPV came out of the road bend and almost knocked me down.
Sunday - lets just say I didn't really like a comment someone made about me on msn
Monday - I had my driving lesson and this lorry was parked at the road bend unloading goods, a STUPID potato dropped and rolled onto the road and out of no where this even more STUPID worker ran on the road just to pick up that STUPID potato, and I had to execute E-break. Dammit I could have killed someone!!!!
Today - My interview with CGH, it went well, but I don't think it was that well, during the whole interview I got stressed up and was constantly trying to guess the answers my interviewers wanted me to give. But nothing dropped me like the last question.
Interviewer: "So how keen are you for this job"
Me: "A job is a job, if you are willing to offer it I will defiantly accept it."
Interviewer: "Ok, I was expecting something like 'This is the job I've always wanted.'"
This sent me thinking when I went for my other interviews I could tell them how excited I was for the job even to the extend of telling them it is my dream job. Some how or rather I have lost that sparkle...
Now I'm thinking again should I have died during night cycling, things might be actually have been better....
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Food Republic
Strange title....
I must say food republic is without a doubt my favourite foodcourt. Why? I seriously have no idea, I seem to like the place thats all...
Maybe its because of the setting, which I find very traditional and unique? Maybe its the food there, its just different from other foodcourts which you would normally see, and its not as generic as well. Maybe it because the first I ate at food republic I went there with someone I like?
I seriously have no idea, but its just that funny feeling, and I'm writing all this because I bought a blow of Laksa from there this afternoon, if any of you are wondering, its the one in Vivocity which I went, the Laksa and Scissor Rice is nice as well.
Just a random though
I must say food republic is without a doubt my favourite foodcourt. Why? I seriously have no idea, I seem to like the place thats all...
Maybe its because of the setting, which I find very traditional and unique? Maybe its the food there, its just different from other foodcourts which you would normally see, and its not as generic as well. Maybe it because the first I ate at food republic I went there with someone I like?
I seriously have no idea, but its just that funny feeling, and I'm writing all this because I bought a blow of Laksa from there this afternoon, if any of you are wondering, its the one in Vivocity which I went, the Laksa and Scissor Rice is nice as well.
Just a random though
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Long Time
Its been a long time since I have posted, almost a month or so since I graduated and got back. And it feels strange that I am once again typing on a blog...
I wonder what I have been doing all this time, so many things have happened, I'm been busy writing cover letters and sending out resumes, OCF have finished the Romans study and with it I have finished my responsibility of BS coordinator.
So much has changed, so much has happened, and I've embarked into a new journey in my Christian ministry, by once again taking up the role of ACGL which I left behind 2 years ago, it seems like time stopped for me while everybody moved on. I'm still an ACGL, just as when I left, I am still in the same CG, I still have mostly the same close friends, I still like the same person...
Strange isn't it? Did time really stop for me? But not all things remain the same, I've taken on other ministries now, I am attending SMU-CF which I didn't 2 years ago, and of course with ministry, other things as well.
Lets see what else is same and different, but one thing I know for sure, the journey and experience this time will be different.
I wonder what I have been doing all this time, so many things have happened, I'm been busy writing cover letters and sending out resumes, OCF have finished the Romans study and with it I have finished my responsibility of BS coordinator.
So much has changed, so much has happened, and I've embarked into a new journey in my Christian ministry, by once again taking up the role of ACGL which I left behind 2 years ago, it seems like time stopped for me while everybody moved on. I'm still an ACGL, just as when I left, I am still in the same CG, I still have mostly the same close friends, I still like the same person...
Strange isn't it? Did time really stop for me? But not all things remain the same, I've taken on other ministries now, I am attending SMU-CF which I didn't 2 years ago, and of course with ministry, other things as well.
Lets see what else is same and different, but one thing I know for sure, the journey and experience this time will be different.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Beyound Function and Design
I noticed the over the past few year's I've talking to much about media design, about it having a purpose and meaning and all. However I am also a software designer, so what is it about software design are there and key things to note in the field of the design of software.
Well, there is as amazing as it is, there are actually design principles when it comes to coding, the design of applications. Sadly these princples have been ignored to the point where functions is focused and when there is trouble using a software, it is the fault of the user. However that should not stand most of the time, it is true that new software will generate a new breed of idiots who are clueless in using them, but lets take a look at how even the software aspect has to complie to the principles of design.
1. Beauty V.S. Usability
One of the first and most interesting things discovered was that beauty and usability works together in an application. On one hand from a cognitive point of view, colour added no discernible value for everyday work, which means how good the applications looks doesn’t really matter (Norman 1988). However, on the other hand the surprise is that we also discovered evidence that pleasing things work better, are easier to learn and produce better results (Asdhy 1999). Furthermore good human-centred design practices are most essential for tasks or situations that are stressful (Isen 1993). Hence we can conclude that true beauty in a product has to be more than skin deep. To be truly beautiful, the product has to fulfil its functional purpose, be easy to use and comprehensible (Norman 2002).
2. Knowing what V.S. Knowing where
Next we moved on towards the in-depth look at the functionality of the interface. The screen objects should provide information that can potentially be used to evaluate the object’s function (Ehret 2002), in other words it is not enough to be able to know what we are looking for; we must also know where to look for it (Jones 1986). In order to achieve this we have to take into account the elements on the screen like space, colour, grouping, so to enable the users to locate the correct button/function without having to move their eyes from a cantered location (Moyes 1995). In addition, users of direct manipulation interfaces will rely on location as a performance cue only to the extent that the interface provides them (Moyes 1994). In conclusion we know that an interface has to provide spatial hints on what and where to look for function.
3. Importance of information
The one key thing which is important is the information displayed. Noting that users will not be using the application for some "experiential feeling" but for the content that is on it (Nielsen 1995). Furthermore content should be displayed in a simple yet understandable manner (Nielsen 1999; Nielsen 2000). Apart from that we have to also take note that in the case of the SMM, information displayed on the screen should be big and kept short as people tend to read 25% slower on screens as compared to paper (Nielsen 2000). Another factor to note is information retention, as there is no use displaying important information when the user does not remember anything (Hall 2004). Here we can see the importance of the information so much so that "content is king" (Nielsen 1999)and also the importance of making sure it gets retained beyond the time of access.
There so next time we design a software, its not just concentrate in functionality, but think about the human aspects of it.
References
Asdhy, F. G., Isen, A.M., and Turken, A.U. (1999). "A neuropsychological theory of positive affect and its influence on cognition." Psychological review 106: 529 - 550.
Ehret, B. D. (2002). "Learning Where to Look: Location Learning in Graphic User Interfaces." 4(1): 211 - 218.
Hall, R. a. H., P. (2004). "The Impact of Web Page Text-Background Color Combinations on Readability, Retention, Aesthetics, and Behavioral Intention." Behaviour & Information Technology.
Isen, A. M. (1993). Handbook of Emotions, New York: Guilford: 261 - 277.
Jones, W. P., and Dumais, S.T. (1986). "The spatial metaphor for user interface: Experimental tests of references by location versus name." ACM transactions on Office Information Systems 4(1): 42 - 63.
Moyes, J. (1994). "When users do and don't rely on icon shape." Proc. of ACM CHI'94 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2: 283-284.
Moyes, J. (1995). Putting icons in context: the interface of contextual information on the usability. Glasgow, University of Glasgow.
Nielsen, J. (1995). "Guidelines for multimedia on the Web." Retrieved 02 May, 2007, from www.useit.com/alertbox/9512.html.
Nielsen, J. (1999). User Interface Directions for the Web. Communications of the ACM. 42: 65 - 72.
Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. Indianapolis, IN, New Riders Publishing.
Norman, D. A. (1988). The Design of Everyday Things. New York, Basic Books.
Norman, D. A. (2002). Emotions & design: Attractive things work better. Interactions Magazine. july + august: 36 - 42.
Well, there is as amazing as it is, there are actually design principles when it comes to coding, the design of applications. Sadly these princples have been ignored to the point where functions is focused and when there is trouble using a software, it is the fault of the user. However that should not stand most of the time, it is true that new software will generate a new breed of idiots who are clueless in using them, but lets take a look at how even the software aspect has to complie to the principles of design.
1. Beauty V.S. Usability
One of the first and most interesting things discovered was that beauty and usability works together in an application. On one hand from a cognitive point of view, colour added no discernible value for everyday work, which means how good the applications looks doesn’t really matter (Norman 1988). However, on the other hand the surprise is that we also discovered evidence that pleasing things work better, are easier to learn and produce better results (Asdhy 1999). Furthermore good human-centred design practices are most essential for tasks or situations that are stressful (Isen 1993). Hence we can conclude that true beauty in a product has to be more than skin deep. To be truly beautiful, the product has to fulfil its functional purpose, be easy to use and comprehensible (Norman 2002).
2. Knowing what V.S. Knowing where
Next we moved on towards the in-depth look at the functionality of the interface. The screen objects should provide information that can potentially be used to evaluate the object’s function (Ehret 2002), in other words it is not enough to be able to know what we are looking for; we must also know where to look for it (Jones 1986). In order to achieve this we have to take into account the elements on the screen like space, colour, grouping, so to enable the users to locate the correct button/function without having to move their eyes from a cantered location (Moyes 1995). In addition, users of direct manipulation interfaces will rely on location as a performance cue only to the extent that the interface provides them (Moyes 1994). In conclusion we know that an interface has to provide spatial hints on what and where to look for function.
3. Importance of information
The one key thing which is important is the information displayed. Noting that users will not be using the application for some "experiential feeling" but for the content that is on it (Nielsen 1995). Furthermore content should be displayed in a simple yet understandable manner (Nielsen 1999; Nielsen 2000). Apart from that we have to also take note that in the case of the SMM, information displayed on the screen should be big and kept short as people tend to read 25% slower on screens as compared to paper (Nielsen 2000). Another factor to note is information retention, as there is no use displaying important information when the user does not remember anything (Hall 2004). Here we can see the importance of the information so much so that "content is king" (Nielsen 1999)and also the importance of making sure it gets retained beyond the time of access.
There so next time we design a software, its not just concentrate in functionality, but think about the human aspects of it.
References
Asdhy, F. G., Isen, A.M., and Turken, A.U. (1999). "A neuropsychological theory of positive affect and its influence on cognition." Psychological review 106: 529 - 550.
Ehret, B. D. (2002). "Learning Where to Look: Location Learning in Graphic User Interfaces." 4(1): 211 - 218.
Hall, R. a. H., P. (2004). "The Impact of Web Page Text-Background Color Combinations on Readability, Retention, Aesthetics, and Behavioral Intention." Behaviour & Information Technology.
Isen, A. M. (1993). Handbook of Emotions, New York: Guilford: 261 - 277.
Jones, W. P., and Dumais, S.T. (1986). "The spatial metaphor for user interface: Experimental tests of references by location versus name." ACM transactions on Office Information Systems 4(1): 42 - 63.
Moyes, J. (1994). "When users do and don't rely on icon shape." Proc. of ACM CHI'94 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2: 283-284.
Moyes, J. (1995). Putting icons in context: the interface of contextual information on the usability. Glasgow, University of Glasgow.
Nielsen, J. (1995). "Guidelines for multimedia on the Web." Retrieved 02 May, 2007, from www.useit.com/alertbox/9512.html.
Nielsen, J. (1999). User Interface Directions for the Web. Communications of the ACM. 42: 65 - 72.
Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. Indianapolis, IN, New Riders Publishing.
Norman, D. A. (1988). The Design of Everyday Things. New York, Basic Books.
Norman, D. A. (2002). Emotions & design: Attractive things work better. Interactions Magazine. july + august: 36 - 42.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
An old man
Finally I'm free enough to add stuff here, actually I've been free for a long time, just a bit lazy to blog again. Or rather have nothing to blog about until this afternoon.
If most of you know I have a tendency to run off to somewhere, don't have to be a quite place, grab myself a cup of good (and expensive) coffee and do my bible study.
This time the venu of choice was the newly opened shopping mall "Riverlink" in Ipswich (the place I'm living in Australia). Since the it was winter I ordered an extra warm cup of Irish creme mocha. Sounds nice? Taste even better...hahahaha...
The book of choice, Revelations, finally I have the courage to study the book I've never dared to look at for fear of what I might find or learn from it, but now I guess its time at the concluding point of this milestone, I thought I'll give it a shot. So there I was having my coffee, and doing my bible studies, than a group of people, a family I guess, came and seat down at the table beside me. Well, I'll cut the long story short and say they had a very loud conversation and I was will, not pissed, but slightly irritated.
So sometime went by and they were about to leave, the old man sitting on that table walked over and he was look in my direction and noticed I was doing bible studies. He asked me what was I studiying about, and we proceeded to talk about things. He talked about how the bible has changed his life, about how, we need to so much more spread the gospal look at the situation in the world today, I talked how it has changed mine, issues, my fear of the word...etc
Which brings up a though, can anyone picture life without God? I know I can't, I can't get by a day without talking to God, without putting God into propective of things, without acknowledging God in the things I do, seeking God....I cannot get by one day with out spending time with God. So what is life without God? Life is nothing....
If most of you know I have a tendency to run off to somewhere, don't have to be a quite place, grab myself a cup of good (and expensive) coffee and do my bible study.
This time the venu of choice was the newly opened shopping mall "Riverlink" in Ipswich (the place I'm living in Australia). Since the it was winter I ordered an extra warm cup of Irish creme mocha. Sounds nice? Taste even better...hahahaha...
The book of choice, Revelations, finally I have the courage to study the book I've never dared to look at for fear of what I might find or learn from it, but now I guess its time at the concluding point of this milestone, I thought I'll give it a shot. So there I was having my coffee, and doing my bible studies, than a group of people, a family I guess, came and seat down at the table beside me. Well, I'll cut the long story short and say they had a very loud conversation and I was will, not pissed, but slightly irritated.
So sometime went by and they were about to leave, the old man sitting on that table walked over and he was look in my direction and noticed I was doing bible studies. He asked me what was I studiying about, and we proceeded to talk about things. He talked about how the bible has changed his life, about how, we need to so much more spread the gospal look at the situation in the world today, I talked how it has changed mine, issues, my fear of the word...etc
Which brings up a though, can anyone picture life without God? I know I can't, I can't get by a day without talking to God, without putting God into propective of things, without acknowledging God in the things I do, seeking God....I cannot get by one day with out spending time with God. So what is life without God? Life is nothing....
Friday, June 01, 2007
A good reminder
Perhaps the question here would be “What or who are we working hard for?”
Earlier this year I felt or rather discovered that my perfect GPA which I got last semester was meaningless, as in there is no purpose what so ever for it, I didn’t felt fulfilled despite reaching the pinnacle for of university undergraduate achievement.
Problems like this usually appear when you think inside the box, which most people being brought up by the Singapore education system usually tend to because of “route learning” (Pang 1982; Gopinathan 1998; Chua 2006).
But I think the question should not just end there, however if we actually take the time to ask a further question on it, “Why is there no fulfillment?” followed by “What or who are we working for?”. It is strange that such a question would strike me at a time like this; strange indeed. Since receiving last semester’s results I have been trying very hard to maintain it from the looks of my assignment results for this semester I might just be able to pull it off again. And now this question “Who am I working so hard for?”.
Remember your creator… it all started with this phrase. If we were created in the same image as our creator and material things/works do not fulfill our creator, neither will it fulfill us. So how then do we find purpose in working so hard when the rewards are from this world? There are basically two things to consider; firstly are the rewards ONLY from this world? And secondly upon what do we focus on when we work hard?
It is rather clear that it can be all about focus. Upon what do we focus on when we do things? I’ll just quote from a conversation I just had recently “perhaps it doesn’t matter if u can maintain at it, or whether
References
(I’m adding these references because I am aware that people disagree with me saying the
Chua, S. K. (2006). A critical discourse analysis on the translation practice of the
Gopinathan, S., Pakin. A., Ho. W. K., Saravana V. (1998). Language, Society and Education in
Pang, E. F. (1982). Education, manpower and development in Singapore, Singapore University Press.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
What is university life about?
Some would be tempted to just say "Education?"
To me by saying that, you have under estimated life. If you want an education go read a book or something. You don't need to go to school to learn something. So what than is university life about?
Not just education, put it this way, assignments and reading you'll have everyday and you'll be stuck doing them everyday. So what do you get to do in uni that is apart from this? Have fun?
Note this assignments and partying you can do every other day, but to be able to shape and make an impact in the life of another, is not something you get to do everyday.
So university life is more than an education, it about changing a life, making a difference, otherwise, just go read a book or something.
To me by saying that, you have under estimated life. If you want an education go read a book or something. You don't need to go to school to learn something. So what than is university life about?
Not just education, put it this way, assignments and reading you'll have everyday and you'll be stuck doing them everyday. So what do you get to do in uni that is apart from this? Have fun?
Note this assignments and partying you can do every other day, but to be able to shape and make an impact in the life of another, is not something you get to do everyday.
So university life is more than an education, it about changing a life, making a difference, otherwise, just go read a book or something.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Why 2 and half years?
Why did I have to wait? Why was I made to wait 2 years before I was able to teach and another 2 and the half years before I was filled with knowledge and another 1 more year before I was given my own ministry?
The answer is very simple....because God couldn't use me back then...
5 long years, wow this is amazing, I don't why, I just thought now since I'm on the verge to handing over my duties in OCF, I retraced the time where it all started. Foochow Methodist Church (Rex cinema) how long ago was that, I voiced out that I wanted to be a teacher because I felt there were too many things that God had done and I wanted to spread it. Back then it was only the head that was willing, I had no knowledge, no will power and I didn't have a true understanding of I wanted to teach. So, I went into Cell groups, of course feeling disappointed, the question was still "Why wasn't I allowed to teach?" I couldn't even sort out my own life back then, much less to help out in somebody else's. Come to think of it, it was a good thing God didn't allow me to teach. Plus the pride factor as well. What is it with all men? Why does God always have to humble every man before they can be used? (Original Sin lor)
This is just so amazing, to discover that each and every step of the way was planned by God. I think He knew I wanted to teach in ministry all along, and it took 5 years to prepare my heart, smash my pride, and add knowledge, not just knowledge that stays in the head, but heart knowledge.And it all happens in just the right time, I was asked to become a Co-leader, after I entered army, I was given knowledge just before I left for further studies and now after serving for 1 year I am given my own ministry; the timing is just prefect.
From here on, I think its no longer how much we wait, but the fact that everything is according to God plan and timing. So it doesn't matter how long we wait or even if it doesn't happen we just have to know, it happens for a reason and it is all in God's perfect plan.
The answer is very simple....because God couldn't use me back then...
5 long years, wow this is amazing, I don't why, I just thought now since I'm on the verge to handing over my duties in OCF, I retraced the time where it all started. Foochow Methodist Church (Rex cinema) how long ago was that, I voiced out that I wanted to be a teacher because I felt there were too many things that God had done and I wanted to spread it. Back then it was only the head that was willing, I had no knowledge, no will power and I didn't have a true understanding of I wanted to teach. So, I went into Cell groups, of course feeling disappointed, the question was still "Why wasn't I allowed to teach?" I couldn't even sort out my own life back then, much less to help out in somebody else's. Come to think of it, it was a good thing God didn't allow me to teach. Plus the pride factor as well. What is it with all men? Why does God always have to humble every man before they can be used? (Original Sin lor)
This is just so amazing, to discover that each and every step of the way was planned by God. I think He knew I wanted to teach in ministry all along, and it took 5 years to prepare my heart, smash my pride, and add knowledge, not just knowledge that stays in the head, but heart knowledge.And it all happens in just the right time, I was asked to become a Co-leader, after I entered army, I was given knowledge just before I left for further studies and now after serving for 1 year I am given my own ministry; the timing is just prefect.
From here on, I think its no longer how much we wait, but the fact that everything is according to God plan and timing. So it doesn't matter how long we wait or even if it doesn't happen we just have to know, it happens for a reason and it is all in God's perfect plan.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Another Random Thought
This is another random thought, or rather I've been thinking about it since easter.
From a normal person's point of view and all, if you nail a human being onto something, he/she will more or less stay that. What if it is not a normal human being?
Which leads me to this question, Is it possible for 3 man made iron nails to hold Jesus Christ on the cross?
Well, we all know the story, we all know that He was nailed there, but what held Him there? the 3 nails? This is the Son of God we are talking about, He is no normal man, and yet 3 nails...
Would He seriously be powerless to do nothing, and just stay there? I don't think so and 3 nails, neither do I think so.
So what held Him there?
From a normal person's point of view and all, if you nail a human being onto something, he/she will more or less stay that. What if it is not a normal human being?
Which leads me to this question, Is it possible for 3 man made iron nails to hold Jesus Christ on the cross?
Well, we all know the story, we all know that He was nailed there, but what held Him there? the 3 nails? This is the Son of God we are talking about, He is no normal man, and yet 3 nails...
Would He seriously be powerless to do nothing, and just stay there? I don't think so and 3 nails, neither do I think so.
So what held Him there?
Friday, April 20, 2007
The problem
Well, as usual I can't sleep again, and I suddenly have this offensive topic which I have just decided oh what the hell, I'll just post it anyway...
(Be warned strong language will be used, however it has no direct intentions and it being used just as a comparison)
What is the problem with us? What is the problem with the world today?
Seriously, if any is going "is there a problem?" you are either delusional or just plan stupid. If somebody decides to go "it depends on how to define problem", than seriously, don't read on, cause its as good as saying, "I can't win this argument on your grounds, thus I shall re-define on my grounds so I stand a better chance.".....piss off....
So what is the problem? Could it be original sin? Well, some might just agree for it to be original sin, now I would like to suggest a different way of looking at it. Is it really original sin? or is it our failure to recognize/admit to original sin?
Can the human race be more proud of ourselves? It is rather obvious I stand for the latter. Yet I can't believe it, can humankind really be more proud?
We would never admit to original sin, simply because we are sore losers to begin with, we feel we cannot be criticized and we feel we are just simply too good to go wrong.
What is the message the world is selling us today? We cannot be weak, we cannot give up, we must fight all the way...apparently this "never say die" attitude has been getting us in to more trouble than we think. It makes us too stubborn to admit defeat to sin, it makes us too stubborn to say I was wrong. It makes us ask the give excuses like "But I am not that bad", "It was your fault to begin with.", "You made me do it". Isn't it strange people believe that someone can make them feel anger, but never believe someone can make them feel loved?
We are too stubborn to lose, every time we lose, we blame somebody else, we never look at ourselves, have we been too sensitive in this case? did I fail to understand that person? did I fail to take account of the hurt I caused this person? It is true we are sore losers, more evidently shown in the later generations, I am very sure the generation above mine would say this to my generation and the next to the next. Have anybody ever thought about the question "So how are the new recruits/students/employees?" Our answer would usually be "They are hopeless." Guess what? our seniors used to think that of us as well.
Which brings me to my second point, we cannot be criticized, and we are too proud to be criticized. Ever so eager to accept praise, never ever willing to listen to criticism. Every time we get criticized we aspect someone to comfort us, we aspect an apology. But first are we willing to reach down and comfort somebody? Are we willing to apologies first? And even when you are being apologized to are you gloating? Or are you thinking "I did something wrong as well."? Just a short survey, How many people actually like others pointing out their flaws? I know I don't. Do you?
Somehow or rather human beings are ever so eager to humiliate one another, the moment we get a chance to bring down another person we will cease the opportunity. Why so? Because it means we are stronger, it means we are better, it means we have defeated them. And even then we try to do it gracefully, sarcasm, in-direct insults...etc. However if I may just ask, what is the difference from say "Shit" as compared to saying "F***" when the intentions are the same? We are still cursing someone. Does being graceful set us apart when we are still bringing down another human being?
How proud can the world be? Can we ever admit to defeat? Can we ever admit the problem is us? Can we accept criticism? Can we admit that we have lost?
How much has the world fallen? Seriously how much?
(Be warned strong language will be used, however it has no direct intentions and it being used just as a comparison)
What is the problem with us? What is the problem with the world today?
Seriously, if any is going "is there a problem?" you are either delusional or just plan stupid. If somebody decides to go "it depends on how to define problem", than seriously, don't read on, cause its as good as saying, "I can't win this argument on your grounds, thus I shall re-define on my grounds so I stand a better chance.".....piss off....
So what is the problem? Could it be original sin? Well, some might just agree for it to be original sin, now I would like to suggest a different way of looking at it. Is it really original sin? or is it our failure to recognize/admit to original sin?
Can the human race be more proud of ourselves? It is rather obvious I stand for the latter. Yet I can't believe it, can humankind really be more proud?
We would never admit to original sin, simply because we are sore losers to begin with, we feel we cannot be criticized and we feel we are just simply too good to go wrong.
What is the message the world is selling us today? We cannot be weak, we cannot give up, we must fight all the way...apparently this "never say die" attitude has been getting us in to more trouble than we think. It makes us too stubborn to admit defeat to sin, it makes us too stubborn to say I was wrong. It makes us ask the give excuses like "But I am not that bad", "It was your fault to begin with.", "You made me do it". Isn't it strange people believe that someone can make them feel anger, but never believe someone can make them feel loved?
We are too stubborn to lose, every time we lose, we blame somebody else, we never look at ourselves, have we been too sensitive in this case? did I fail to understand that person? did I fail to take account of the hurt I caused this person? It is true we are sore losers, more evidently shown in the later generations, I am very sure the generation above mine would say this to my generation and the next to the next. Have anybody ever thought about the question "So how are the new recruits/students/employees?" Our answer would usually be "They are hopeless." Guess what? our seniors used to think that of us as well.
Which brings me to my second point, we cannot be criticized, and we are too proud to be criticized. Ever so eager to accept praise, never ever willing to listen to criticism. Every time we get criticized we aspect someone to comfort us, we aspect an apology. But first are we willing to reach down and comfort somebody? Are we willing to apologies first? And even when you are being apologized to are you gloating? Or are you thinking "I did something wrong as well."? Just a short survey, How many people actually like others pointing out their flaws? I know I don't. Do you?
Somehow or rather human beings are ever so eager to humiliate one another, the moment we get a chance to bring down another person we will cease the opportunity. Why so? Because it means we are stronger, it means we are better, it means we have defeated them. And even then we try to do it gracefully, sarcasm, in-direct insults...etc. However if I may just ask, what is the difference from say "Shit" as compared to saying "F***" when the intentions are the same? We are still cursing someone. Does being graceful set us apart when we are still bringing down another human being?
How proud can the world be? Can we ever admit to defeat? Can we ever admit the problem is us? Can we accept criticism? Can we admit that we have lost?
How much has the world fallen? Seriously how much?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Changed blog description
Changed my blog description, don't know why, but I think putting that cheesy "feel free to look around thing" just doesn't impact people in, it doesn't even describe who I am.
So I saw this poster in Koorong and felt it was really cool. Plus the fact why should we stick to the conventional way of description? Why can't we challenge others? Why can't we make people think?
Is a blog just for bitching? or is it a possible medium that can make a difference?
So I saw this poster in Koorong and felt it was really cool. Plus the fact why should we stick to the conventional way of description? Why can't we challenge others? Why can't we make people think?
Is a blog just for bitching? or is it a possible medium that can make a difference?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Compressed Update
It has really been a long time since I'm posted here, ermm *looks down* yap its 5th march....
I guess I've been rather busy and occupied doing stuff, definatelly not playing DotA, as I've had a 2 week DotA drought already. Guess I have been busy doing more research than I thought...
Can't believe it, I'm still not used to things being this way yet, research has integrated itself into my life and I feel more or less comfortable doing research, get pissed off when people do not cite properly in documents it just feels strange.
Furthermore I'm still not used to the Bible study co-ordinator in OCF, I can't believe I'm actually doing it, preparing materials, sending out email guidelines, doing research, showing references.
Just last week someone asked me for my powerpoint presentation of "Introduction to book or Romans". I can't believe it, usually it would be me asking someone else for their slides and notes, not someone is actually asking me for it, the position has swapped...
There is no doubt a sense of pressure in being in charge of bible studies, it like the whole learning curve of OCF will in a certain sense depend on me, it is a huge responsibility no doubt, I wonder how to staff workers cope with it...
I guess I've been rather busy and occupied doing stuff, definatelly not playing DotA, as I've had a 2 week DotA drought already. Guess I have been busy doing more research than I thought...
Can't believe it, I'm still not used to things being this way yet, research has integrated itself into my life and I feel more or less comfortable doing research, get pissed off when people do not cite properly in documents it just feels strange.
Furthermore I'm still not used to the Bible study co-ordinator in OCF, I can't believe I'm actually doing it, preparing materials, sending out email guidelines, doing research, showing references.
Just last week someone asked me for my powerpoint presentation of "Introduction to book or Romans". I can't believe it, usually it would be me asking someone else for their slides and notes, not someone is actually asking me for it, the position has swapped...
There is no doubt a sense of pressure in being in charge of bible studies, it like the whole learning curve of OCF will in a certain sense depend on me, it is a huge responsibility no doubt, I wonder how to staff workers cope with it...
Monday, March 05, 2007
Just an expression
I should have posted this about 3 months ago, about the time when I was pondering about my results, I read it last week but forgot to write...
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises, and the sun goes down,
and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south
and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea,
but the sea is not full;
to the place where the stream flow,
there they flow again.
All things are full or weariness;
a man cannot utter;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
Such great poetry I am not capable of, for this is the work of a king.
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises, and the sun goes down,
and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south
and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea,
but the sea is not full;
to the place where the stream flow,
there they flow again.
All things are full or weariness;
a man cannot utter;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
Such great poetry I am not capable of, for this is the work of a king.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Like a fish back in the water
I can't sleep so I'm posting this...
I had a very strange feeling today, it just feels like a sense of calmness, it came during lecture, for some reason the lecture about Human Computer Interaction seems strange and yet calm to me, there I was sitting somewhere in the front roll, the usual "nerd" position and out of a sudden I heard this phrase "Academic Research", and my lecturer proceeded to talk about the research on the effect of Human Computer Interaction and how it has changed over the years and the direction in which this research is heading toward. Out of a sudden "bam" I suddenly feel so comfortable listening to research statistics.
It came to a point where I felt I can't really study at home, as in back home back in Singapore, I don't know why but it seems to give me a sense of home is somewhere where I can rest, relax and slow things down, have time for myself and the people around me. To spend time doing the things I want to do, other than work. And here in University is where I get my work done,
I had to force myself to do research and read academic papers when I was home, but here its just natural for me to pick up a book and start reading.
This feeling is weird, again at this point of my life I feel as if I like studying again there is some sense of enjoyment in it again. I hope my mom isn't feeling too happy now, mom just in case you're reading this don't be too happy it also means your son is a workaholic, or worse a research-crazy monster.
I had a very strange feeling today, it just feels like a sense of calmness, it came during lecture, for some reason the lecture about Human Computer Interaction seems strange and yet calm to me, there I was sitting somewhere in the front roll, the usual "nerd" position and out of a sudden I heard this phrase "Academic Research", and my lecturer proceeded to talk about the research on the effect of Human Computer Interaction and how it has changed over the years and the direction in which this research is heading toward. Out of a sudden "bam" I suddenly feel so comfortable listening to research statistics.
It came to a point where I felt I can't really study at home, as in back home back in Singapore, I don't know why but it seems to give me a sense of home is somewhere where I can rest, relax and slow things down, have time for myself and the people around me. To spend time doing the things I want to do, other than work. And here in University is where I get my work done,
I had to force myself to do research and read academic papers when I was home, but here its just natural for me to pick up a book and start reading.
This feeling is weird, again at this point of my life I feel as if I like studying again there is some sense of enjoyment in it again. I hope my mom isn't feeling too happy now, mom just in case you're reading this don't be too happy it also means your son is a workaholic, or worse a research-crazy monster.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
It feels like a dream
Its been less than a week and it does feel like a dream. Walking along Brisbane street, I can't help but feel as though I can keep walking and end up on Jansen road.
It feel as if I never left Australia and yet I can remember just a few weeks ago I was still attending SMU CF, I can still picture myself sitting somewhere in the back roll, Joshua next to me, Jeremy one roll ahead but on the other end, Evelyn same roll as Jeremy but somewhere in the middle, Felicia just a few chairs away from us. And Dorcas hardly ever seen.
The feeling is definitely different this time round, I used to be somewhere in the middle of the "food chain" and always had other senior students as a"safety net" but now, its my turn to be that "safety net". I don't really have much of an idea, but I just seem to have this gut feeling it'll all turn out just fine. Still I do not know what to expect, but I know it is not my job to worry about tomorrow, but to do my best today.
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